USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 63
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In religious belief Mr. McClure was a Con- gregationalist, and his whole life was modeled after the highest Christian standard. In financing and erecting the new Congregational church in Beardstown he took an active and important part. Politically he was a lifelong Republican, although never ambitious for public office. He was a candidate but once, when, in 1909, he was nominated by the Republicans of the Fourth Judicial District of Illinois to rep- resent the district on the Supreme bench.
McCOLLOUGH, William Elliot (deceased) .- The following is a narrative of the life experi- ences of one who was formerly a well known citizen of Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois, and who during his active career, bore the reputa- tion of being one of the most prominent and useful members of the community. From 18SS until 1910 he filled successively the offices of secretary-treasurer and manager of the Beards- town Electric Light Company, which he was in- strumental in organizing in the former year. During his entire active career in Beardstown he was one of the leading spirits in upbuilding and developing the principal enterprises in the city, and from time to time was interested in different public utilities. His death occurred September 4, 1910, and he passed away deeply lamented by all who understood his upright character, disinterested motives and conspicuous ability.
William E. McCollough was born in Olney, Ill., May 15, 1860, a son of William G. and Orinda (Notestine) McCollough, the father a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and the mother born in Olney. William C. McCollough came to the latter place, where he was made railroad station agent, in which position he continued until he died, May 25, 1890. His widow is also deceased.
After attending the common schools in boy- hood, William E. McCollough became a railroad station telegraph operator when sixteen years old, working in Edinburg and elsewhere, and locating in Beardstown in 1884. Here he became station agent on the B. & O. Railroad, serving thus until 1SSS. Then, in association with a number of prominent men, he organized the Beardstown Electric Light & Power Company. Of this he was made secretary and treasurer a year later, afterwards becoming manager.
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On March 8, 1894, Mr. McCollough was united in marriage with Mary E. Heffner, born in Fulton County, Ill .. Jannary 1, 1866, a daughter of Henry E. and Elizabeth (Messler) Heffner. The father of Mrs. McCollough was a native of Ashland County, Ohio, where he was born March 6, 1834, and her mother was born in Cuba, Ill .. Jnne 1, 1843. The former, who always followed farming, died in Cuba, November 13, 1880. Mrs. McCollough has a comfortable and handsome residence on Washington street, in Beardstown, where her mother has lived with her since 1905. Mrs. McCollough is a most estimable lady, and is warmly regarded by a large circle of friends. She is affiliated with the Eastern Star.
Mr. McCollough was a member of the First Congregational church of Beardstown, of which he served as trustee and served also as chair- man of the executive committee for many years. At the time of his death and for many years he was a director in the First National Bank, in which Mrs. McCollough has stock, and was also a director of the Mutual Savings and Loan Association. He was a member of the Beards- town board of education and also school trustee for many years. In politics Mr. McCollough be- longed to the Republican party. Fraternally he was identified with the A. F. & A. M., and was a Knight Templar and belonged to the Eastern Star and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
McDANIEL, John Elsworth, a substantial gen- eral farmer of township 17, range 11, is one of the leading agriculturalists of Cass County, and one who stands well in public esteem. He was born at Lafayette, Ind., April 10, 1867, a son of John and Jane (Hurst) McDaniel of Ross County, Ohio. The father was a farmer, who, in 1869, came to Illinois, locating in Cass County in 1SSO. and now lives retired, having stopped active work in 1906.
After attending the district schools of his neighborhood. John E. McDaniel entered a law office, and after study with one legal firm, prac- ticed law at Virginia for three years. He then decided to become a farmer and rented land in Cass County, and now successfully handles sev- eral hundred acres for other parties. His experi- ments with alfalfa have made him an authority upon this subject. his crops averaging six tons and over to the acre.
In 1897, Mr. McDaniel was married to Miss Anna Kruse, who died three months later. She was a daughter of George and Elizabeth Kruse. In 1902, Mr. McDaniel married Miss Lanra Webster, born in Cass County, a daughter of William and Ellen Webster. Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel have had the following children : Harold. Edna. Mary, and Ruel and Russel. twins, and Dora and Emma, twins. In political affiliation Mr. McDaniel is a Republican. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Foresters' at Virginia. A man of energy and ability, Mr. McDaniel is forging to the front, and undoubtedly is destined to become a man of large means and consider- able influence in his community.
McDONALD, Henry .- With the exception of two years, the entire career of Henry McDonald, cashier of the Centennial National Bank of Vir- ginia, has been passed in this city, where he has been not only identified with banking but also with journalistic enterprises, as well as with the city government. He was born at Virginia, December 1S. 1869, and is a son of William J. and Mary ( Mahoney ) McDonald, natives of Ire- land, the former of the city of Belfast and the latter of County Cork. They came to the United States as young married people. The father conducted a tin shop and stove store at Vir- ginia for many years and here died in 1875, when his son Henry was six years old.
The education of Henry McDonald was se- cured in the public schools of Virginia, after leaving which he became a printer's "devil" in the office of the Virginia Gazette. He spent a number of years with this publication, of which he eventually became manager and then pub- lisher, and continued as such until taking the position of cashier of the Centennial National Bank, which he now occupies. He has been identified with a number of prosperous business enterprises, being at this time secretary of the Virginia Building and Savings Association and the proprietor of a flourishing insurance agency, and in addition to his residence owns other valuable Virginia property. He bears an excel- lent reputation in business circles, always hav- ing exercised the strictest integrity in his deal- ings, and the success which has come to him has been fairly and honorably earned. At various times in his career Mr. McDonald has been called upon to act in positions in the public service, and has served one term as city treas- urer of Virginia, several terms as city clerk. and a number of years as a member of the school board, of which he has also been clerk. He has always been a Democrat in his political views.
Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Nettie White, who was born in Cass County, a daughter of Joseph L. White. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McDonald: Pearl, the wife of Walter H. Widmayer, who has two sons, Herman and Jack : and Freda and Edwin, both of whom reside with their parents.
McDOWELL, George J .- It has been the privilege of George J. McDowell to realize many worthy ambitions during a long and useful career in Cass County, and, through consecutive and well- directed effort. to gain a full measure of suc- cess from his labors. His entire business life has been passed within the borders of Cass County, where he was born, May 27, 1846, a son of James and Sarah (Gillis) McDowell. James McDowell was born in Pennsylvania, and in his youth was a deep sea sailor and a mechanic. Later he was in the distilling business, and fol- lowed teaming for some years at Beardstown. Ill. He married Sarah Gillis, a native of Ohio. in Cass County. Mr. McDowell died in the prime of life, in 1848, his widow subsequently marrying Thomas Cown. Mr. Cown died in 1865, and his widow passed away in 1874.
Krank J. Traut -
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Reared in the country, George J. McDowell early adopted farming as his life work, and was engaged in the tilling of the soil until the Re- bellion of 1861 threatened the stability of the country. With youthful patriotism he wished to immediately enlist but was too young, but enlisted, when not yet eighteen years of age, in April, 1864, in Company G, One hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for 100 days, and received his honorable discharge in October, 1864, after seeing service in Missouri and Arkansas. In March, 1865, he again en- listed, becoming a member of Company G, Eigh- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and until December, 1865, was a member of that organiza- tion, fighting in Tennessee and Arkansas. After his honorable military career, he resumed the occupations of peace, being engaged in farm- ing near Beardstown, and subsequently bought land northeast of Bluff Springs.
On December 18, 1873, Mr. McDowell was married to Miss Sarah Thompson, who was born in Morgan County, Ill., daughter of Robert and Jane ( Atchinson) Thompson, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell have had the following children : Edwin, Charles, Albert, Elmer, How- ard and Roy, all living at home; and Jennie, born April 1, 1892, who died July 17, 190S.
In 1880 Mr. McDowell disposed of his farm and moved to Beardstown, where he was en- gaged in teaming for three years, and at the end of that period came to the vicinity of Vir- ginia, where he devoted his activities to farming and stockraising. In 1906 he retired somewhat from the strenuous work of the farm, and since that time has been engaged in gardening. His ventures have proved eminently successful, and his honest accumulations have made him one of the substantial men of his community. Mr. McDowell met with a serious accident, in September, 1911, when he was thrown from a load of hay, the accident causing the dislocation of his neck and nearly resulting in his death, but happily he recovered. He is a popular member of Downing Post No. 321, Grand Army of the Republic, is a Republican in politics, and attends the Christian church, of which his wife is a faithful member.
McGEE, John A., M. D .- Prominent among the physicians of Cass Connty whose achievements in their calling have won them high professional honors, material prosperity and the esteem and respect of the people among whom they have labored, is found Dr. John A. McGee, of Vir- ginia. He was born April 26, 1873, in Edgar County, Ill., a son of John Wesley and Nancy (Byram) McGee. Doctor McGee is of Scotch- Irish descent, his grandfather, William McGee, coming to the United States about the year 1828 after his marriage to Susan Dawson, and they settled at Roanoke, Va., from whence they removed to western Ohio, where the grand- father met an accidental death. John Wesley McGee, father of Doctor McGee, was born on the ocean while his parents were coming to this
conntry, and grew to manhood at Sandusky, Ohio, coming to Illinois in 1850. Here he fol- lowed farming during the balance of his long and honorable career, and died in 1897. He was married three times, and had eight chil- dren, namely : Felix P. and Ann M., by his first union ; William W. and Martha E., by his sec- ond marriage, and John A., Florence, deceased, Arthur H. and Odis W., by his last union, with Nancy Byram.
John A. McGee's early education was secured in the public schools of Edgar County, following which he took courses in Vermilion Grove Academy and Earlham College, Richmond, Ind. His medical degree was secured from Hahne- mann Medical School, of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1896, and following this he entered upon the practice of his profession at Virginia, where he has since been located in the enjoy- ment of an excellent professional business. He has never ceased to be a student and has taken post-graduate courses at the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, Chicago. He is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Association, the Cass County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and from the inception of the county organization nntil his recent resignation has been secretary of the county organization. Doctor McGee is a member of the board of pen- sion examiners of this district, has been pres- ident of the board of health for several years, and for two years has been president of the board of education. His practice is of a general nature, but he has also done a great deal of specializing in surgical work, especially in the Springfield hospitals, and has acquired some- thing more than a local reputation. For three years he has been a valued member of the State Historical Society. He is widely known in fraternal circles, being a past master of the Masonic order and a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, and also holds membership in the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. For some years he has been medical examiner for the Woodmen and various other fraternal and insurance orders.
Doctor McGee was married in Edgar County to Miss Alice E. Constans, daughter of Frederick and Mary (Cook) Constans, and a native of Paris, Ill. Four children have been born to this union, namely : A. Donovan, now in the United States Postal Service, connected with the United States Army, in Texas ; and Florence, Lelia and Lillian, all residing at home and attending school.
McKINZIE, Edwin E., one of the most success- ful and reliable builders and contractors of Beardstown, Cass Connty, has executed con- tracts upon some of the finest buildings within its borders, making Beardstown his head- quarters. He was born in Snsquehanna County, Pa., May 25, 1858, a son of George and Mary S. (Bertholf) McKinzie, he born in New York and she in New Jersey. The father was a carpenter and after his marriage moved to Penn-
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sylvania and worked at his trade for a time in that state, but in 1865 he came to Schnyler Connty, Ill., where, at Rushville, he found plenty of employment. Later, he went on a farm in the same county, and after farming for a num- ber of years, moved to Beardstown and took up the building business again, and followed the same until well advanced in years. He died in Brookfield, Mo., at the home of his son, W. C. McKinzie. The mother died at the same place in 1913. " Their children were as follows : William C., who is of Quincy, Ill .; Edwin E .; James Delos, who died at the age of nine years ; Carrie, who died in infancy; Nellie, who is Mrs. J. B. Roach, of Beardstown, Ill. ; and Eva, who is of Brookfield, Mo.
Edwin E. McKinzie attended the Rushville public schools and was taught the carpenter trade by his father. Until 1SS1, he resided with his parents, but in that year began farming for himself. followed this occupation for a few years, later moved to Beardstown, and worked as a carpenter until he branched ont as a con- tractor and bnilder. Some of his contracts have been: The E. H. Kinney, the Smith and the Jones residences, and many others at Beards- town and throughout Cass County as well as in Schuyler County, and he gives employment to from four to fifteen men according to the season.
In October, 1SS1, Mr. McKinzie was married to Mary Agnes Wilmot, born in Schuyler County, Ill., and died in August. 1905. She was a daughter of Mott and Dorcas ( Harding) Wilmot. Mr. and Mrs. McKinzie became the parents of the following children : Carrie Alice, who is Mrs. P. M. Green, of Beardstown, Ill .; Warren George, who is of Beardstown; Ethel D., who is at home ; Oak Oral, who is of Beaumont. Tex. ; and Maud V., who is Mrs. L. R. Blohm, of Clin- ton, Ill. In January, 1907, Mr. McKinzie was married to Cora Bell Sexton, who was born in Schuyler Connty.
Mr. MeKinzie is very prominent in the Metho- dist church, in which he has served as steward since 1900 and during the same period he has been a chorister, singing, it has been said, at more funerals than any other man at Beards- town. For a number of years he has been a teacher in the Sunday school, and was treasnrer of it for twelve years, and assistant to the secretary. Being a man of advanced views with regard to temperance, he has cast his vote for the candidates of the Prohibition ticket for many years, but never has held office. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America, and the Knights of Pythias, both of Beardstown.
MERTZ, William K .- Upon the stable bankers of any community largely rests the sound pros- perity that attends the people, for as they, as financial guardians, conduct their institutions, so does the credit of their section appear to the outside world. Cass County is very fortn- nate in its financial magnates, for they are notably men of the highest probity, conservative in their methods, and wise in their manage-
ment of the affairs placed in their experienced hands. One of these men deserving of more than special mention is William K. Mertz, cashier of the State Bank of Chandlerville. He was born at Beardstown, Ill., December 18, 1853, a son of John Henry and Lonisa Elizabeth (Hardt) Mertz.
William K. Mertz was edncated in the com- mon schools of Beardstown, and entered upon his business career as a clerk in a private bank owned by Barr Chandler & Co., of Chand- lerville. in April, 1872. He remained with this concern and its successors until 1SS1, and then became a member of the banking firm of Pete- fish, Skiles & Mertz. In 1892, Mr. Mertz be- came its manager and the firm became Con- over, Skiles & Mertz, thus continning nntil 1903, when it was chartered as the State Bank of Chandlerville, with Mr. Mertz as cashier, which position he still retains. The State Bank of Chandlerville is in an excellent condition, its capital stock being $50.000, with a surplus and accrued earnings of $60,000. and deposits of $250,000. Mr. Mertz is a member of the board of trustees of Chandlerville, and has served as such for a number of years. The Elks and Knights of Pythias hold his membership. For some years he has belonged to the Congrega- tional church of Chandlerville, in which his in- fluence and support are useful factors.
On June 24, 1SSO, Mr. Mertz was married at Beardstown, Ill., to Catherine A. Norton, and they have one son, William N., who was born April 27, 1SS1. No man stands higher in public esteem than Mr. Mertz, and his success in lite is well merited for he has won it through close attention to business, honorable dealing and public-spirited actions.
MEYER, Albert H., general farmer. merchant and manufacturer at Beardstown, is a man of more than usual business acumen, and has long been an important factor here. No man stands higher in public esteem. He was born at Beards- town. Ill., March 30, 1870. a son of Henry C. and Amelia (Boy) Meyer, the former born in Ger- many, and the latter in Cass County. Henry C. Meyer, the father, was a farmer and manu- facturer of brick. He was brought when a small child to America by his parents, who located first in Indiana, but later came to Beardstown. When Henry C. Meyer attained his majority he began farming and making brick and tile and developed his business until he took and executed contracts for the building of large ice houses. These he stored with ice taken from a body of water now bearing the name of Meyer Lake, at Beardstown. In all he was a prosperous business man.
Albert H. Meyer was educated in the schools of Beardstown, and assisted his father in his business ventures, and later engaged in the manufacturing of brick and tile on his own account. He also has put np ice and sold it at wholesale and has developed a business of importance. He owns 100 acres of land in town-
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ship 1S, Cass County, and his residence is at No. 303 Wall street, Beardstown.
On November 29. 1894, Mr. Meyer was mar- ried to Minnie C. Buck, who was born at Beards- town, June 10, 1876, a daughter of Frederick and Anna M. (Boess) Buck, natives of Cass County and Germany, respectively. The latter was brought to the United States by her parents when still a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer became the parents of the following children : Wilber H., who was born April 12, 1897 ; Martha E., born October 28, 1902; Aldyna A., born May 31, 1905; and Henry C:, born August 27, 1912. Mr. Meyer belongs to the Lutheran church. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Maccabees and Court of Honor, and Mrs. Meyer is a member of the L. O. T. M. Mr. Meyer is a Democrat and is serving his party as precinct committee- man. An excellent business man, Mr. Meyer is working along progressive lines and has the good of his town at heart.
MEYER, Frank W., whose success in a mercan- tile line has been so remarkable as to entitle him to a foremost position among the repre- sentative men of Cass County, is a wholesale and retail dealer in general merchandise at Nos. 601 to 611 E. Fourth street, Beardstown. He was born at Muscatine, Iowa, April 9. 1865, a son of John Meyer. He lost his parents in child- hood and was reared in Adams and Morgan counties. Ill., and early displayed those quali- ties which later aided him in developing his present large business connections. In 1SS3 he went to Kansas where for seven years he was profitably engaged in various callings, but in 1890 he returned to Illinois and established his present business at Beardstown. From the start he has been eminently successful and his name is synonymous with upright dealing and reli- able goods. Mr. Meyer has had faith in Beards- town and has invested in realty and in addition to his business he owns the two-story building in which it is located, a half block of other business property on East Fourth street, and his private residence. In politics he is a Repub- lican. The Methodist church holds his mem- bership.
While living in Kansas Mr. Meyer was mar- ried, on March 23, 1SSS, to Ida Boellner, born in Cass County, Ill., April 10, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer became the parents of the following children : Walter P., Grace A., Lorena M., Frank W., Jr., GIenn Logan and Logan Glenn, twins, and Eva May, all of whom were born in Cass County, except the eldest. Perhaps Cass County has no busier man than Mr. Meyer for the in- creasing demands of his flourishing business entirely absorb his time and attention, and that he puts both to excellent use, his prosperity tes- tifies.
MEYER, Louis C .- With business as the key- note of his life, Louis C. Meyer has forged ahead and is now one of the successful and highly esteemed men of Cass County, with residence at Beardstown. He was born in this city De-
cember 4, 1863, a son of Henry C. and Amelia (Boy) Meyer, natives of Germany and Cass County, respectively. The father was a farmer and a manufacturer of brick and tile, and also owned ice storage houses. He came to Cass County at an early day. In addition to estab- lishing his brick yard and ice business, he con- ducted a sawmill and cultivated considerable land, becoming one of the wealthy men of his day.
Louis C. Meyer attended the schools of Beards- town, and took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, St. Louis, Mo., during 1SS4-5. He worked for his father until he was twenty- four years old, at which time he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road and is now one of their capable and trusted engineers. Mr. Meyer is well situated financially, owning his residence at Beardstown, 300 acres of land in Cass County, 160 acres near Crookston, Minn., and other farming land. In politics, he is a Democrat.
Mr. Meyer was first married to Tillie Piehler, born in West Virginia, the ceremony taking place in 1SSS. In 1907, he was married (second) to Clara Lenhart, who was born at York, Pa. Mr. Meyer's children were born to his first marriage. They are: Louis, who is of Portland, Ore. : and Clarence, Hershel, Catherine and Irene, all of whom are at home. A man of industrious habits and excellent judgment, Mr. Meyer has become successful and at the same time has found time to make many friends and retains them.
MILSTEAD, James W., who, in his work of gen- eral farming and raising of hogs, is giving prac- tical demonstration of how efficient and pros- perous an agriculturalist of Cass County can be, was born in this county, March 18, 1858, a son of William E. and Ellen ( Struble) Milstead, natives of Kentucky, and Morgan County, Ill., respectively. The grandparents were Edward and Mary N. ( Hinchee) Milstead, natives of Virginia ; and Andrew and Sarah (Stout) Struble, natives of Ohio and New Jersey. The paternal grandfather, a shoemaker by trade, died in 1871, and the grandmother died in 1870.
William E. Milstead came to Morgan County, Ill., in 1849, and soon thereafter located in Cass County. In 1858 he became a resident of Ore- gon Precinct, and there lived until his death, September 6. 1872. His widow, who was born February 23. 1838, now lives at Petersburg, Ill. They had the following children : Sarah L., who is Mrs. D. M. Wyatt, widow; of Ashland, Ill. : James W .; Philemon, who is of Lucas County, Kas .; Jacob D .. who is of Colorado ; Alfred S., who is deceased ; George E., who lives in township 18, range 9, Richmond Precinct : Laura, who died young: Florence, who lives with her mother ; Ella, who died an infant ; and Martha, who also lives with her mother.
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