USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 66
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publican. In religions faith he is a Lutheran, A man of quiet manner and steadfast purpose, Mr. Physant has won the respect of his neigh- bors.
PILGER, Louis W .- The present efficient and popular chief of police of Beardstown, Cass County, Ill., is a native of this county, born September 9, 1859, a son of William and Eliza- beth (Smith) Pilger, who were born in Ger- many, the father in Voldnk, the mother in Hesse Darmstadt. William Pilger before he grew to manhood emigrated to the United States, pro- ceeded to Illinois, married, and bought a farm in Cass County, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were : Augusta, deceased ; Lonis W .; Lena (Mrs. J. M. Rathman) : Henry H., a grocer, of Beardstown; William, who lives on the old homestead; and Caroline, who died in infancy.
Louis W. Pilger went to the neighborhood dis- trict schools in his boyhood, and remained with his parents until his marriage. After this event he moved into Beardstown and engaged in the dray and teaming business. This he carried on for ten years, when he sold out on being elected to a public office, in which he served four years. He then joined with J. F. Duvall and Zene Sexton in forming the Beardstown Lumber & Grain Company, which conducted a line of ele- vators on the C., B. & Q. Railroad, These were managed by Mr. Pilger, the other partners attending to the office business in Beardstown. The officers of the company were: Louis W. Pilger, president ; Zene Sexton, vice president ; and J. F. Duvall, secretary. Three years later they sold out to the Farmers Elevator Company, and in 1901 Mr. Pilger was appointed chief of police of Beardstown, which office he has since held.
The children of Mr. Pilger by his first mar- riage were: Catherine (Mrs. E. R. Leggett), deceased ; Bertha, who lives with her father; and Omer C., a civil engineer at Beardstown, The mother of this family, died in 1902. For his second wife Mr. Pilger took, in 1906, Dora Patchen, who was born in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Pilger was a widow with one daughter, Irene (Mrs. Edward David), of Peoria. Mr. Pilger is a member of the Fourth Street Lu- theran church, In politics he is a Republican. For eight years he served as an alderman of Beardstown, Chief Pilger is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Honor. He has always been considered an enterprising, public-spirited and useful member of the com- munity. He is popular among his many acquaint- ances, and has rendered efficient and satisfac- tory public service during his official life.
PILGER, William .- Diversified farming pays in Cass Connty owing to the climatic conditions and nature of the soil, and the possibilities of the land have been fully developed by the enter- prising agricnlturists of that region, one of whom is William Pilger, of township 17, range 12. He was born at Beardstown, this connty,
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February 7, 186S, a son of William and Eliza- beth ( Schmidt) Pilger, natives of Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, who came to this country when young, locating at Beardstown. The maternal grandfather was a Lutheran clergyman. After the marriage of the parents, they settled in Cass County, the father buying a farm four miles south of Beardstown, consisting of 240 acres of land. The mother died there in 1879.
William Pilger worked for his father until 1891, when he married, and then took over the management of the property in conjunction with his brother Henry, and the two operated it for two years. Mr. Pilger then purchased this property on which he carries ou general farm- ing, devoting about ten acres to watermelons and 125 acres to grain, and additionally raises cattle and hogs, and is very successful in his operations. In addition to his agricultural in- terests he owns stock in the First State Bank of Beardstown. He is a member of the Drain- age Commission, and a strong Republican. The Modern Woodnien of Beardstown hold his fra- ternal membership.
On March 12, 1891, Mr. Pilger married Mary Hobrock, born in Cass County, September 3, 186S, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Trone) Hobrock, natives of Germany, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs: Pilger have three children: Her- bert, Carl, and Russell, who are all at home. Mr. Pilger is a live, enterprising farmer, ex- cellent business man and desirable citizen, and his success is well merited.
POST, Fayette, in period of service one of the oldest conductors, on the Beardstown and Flora Division of the B. & O. R. R., formerly the O. & M. R. R., is a much respected resident of Beardstown, Cass County. Here he has lived about forty years, and all who are familiar with his many good qualities as a man and a citizen, regard him with sincere respect. In personal demeanor he is very affable and agreeable, and in the performance of his important duties as conductor of a regular passenger train he has made a record for extreme care, circumspection and reliability.
Fayette Post is a native of Logan County, Ill., born April 19, 1860, a son of Lafayette and Hulda (Root) Post, whose birth took place in Vermont. Lafayette Post was formerly a mer- chant in Jacksonville, Ill., and moved from there to Logan County, Ill., then to Springfield, where he died in 1863, and his widow in 1871. Fayette Post lived with his brother and sisters until 1874, attending the common schools of Spring- field. Then he moved to Beardstown with his brother, where he was also a pupil in the public and high schools. At the age of fifteen years he began to work in a grocery store. Shortly afterward he became express and baggage man on the O. & M. R. R., in which capacity he continued five years, being then made freight conductor. This position he held for the next three years, and was then promoted to be a passenger conductor, his run being from Beards- town to Flora. As already said, he is one of
the oldest conductors on that division, in service, and none stands higher in general esteem.
On April 24, 1SS4, Mr. Post was united in marriage with Minnie B. Knight, born in Cass County, April 24, 1864, a daughter of Thomas and Emily ( Haywood) Knight, both of English nativity. Mr. and Mrs. Post have two children : Clarence F., of Tacoma, Wash., who is in the lumber business, married Catherine Levy ; and Caroline (Mrs. L. L. Simpson), of Beardstown. The Knights are very estimable people and all who enjoy their acquaintance look upon them with sincere regard.
The religious connection of Mr. Post is with the Congregational church. In political action, lie supports the policies of the Republican party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. 23, of Beardstown; and the O. R. C., No. 523, oť Flora. Mr. Post is a stock- holder in the First State Bank.
PRICE, William T., whose career is an example of the rewards to be gained by a life of earnest endeavor and steadfast effort, is now living in comfortable retirement at his handsome home in Virginia, Ill., built in 1908. A member of a sturdy pioneer family closely identified with the development of this section since the early thirties, and himself a resident of Cass County for sixty-two years, his contributions to its material welfare have been of a nature entitling him to an honorable place among the real builders of the Prairie State.
William T. Price was born in Morgan County, Ill., November 6, 1840, and is a son of Adam and Susanna ( Rosenberger) Price, natives of Rock- ingham County, Va., who came to Illinois in 1833, where Adam Price entered a tract of land in Morgan County, which he farmed until 1852, when the family removed to Cass County, where Adam Price died in 1875 and his wife in 1880. They were parents of the following children : John W., a resident of Wilson County, Kans .; William T .; Eliza, now Mrs. James Rawlings, of Virginia; Adam C., of Clarke County, Iowa ; Amanda, deceased; Mary E., now Mrs. Charles Strickler, ot Sibley, Iowa ; and Sarah, wife of Alfred Griffin, of Nokomis, Ill., who died in 1SS5.
William T. Price received his educational training in the district schools of Cass and Morgan counties, and upon attaining his majority began farming the land, near Virginia, which he still owns. His first crop of corn sold for the munificent sum of ten cents per bushel, an amount not yet collected when the Civil war claimed him as a defender of the flag, and he enlisted in August, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. Mr. Price was one of the unfortunates taken prisoner at the battle of Guntown, Miss., and for nine months experienced the horrors of confinement at Andersonville, Ga., and Florence, S. C. At the notorious Andersonville prison, he was an eye-witness to the sudden gushing up of a spring of clear water inside the prison en- closure and which was named Providence spring,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
and was among the first to drink of its life- giving water. Prior to that seeming miracle, the prisoners had been forced to use the swamp water, made filthy through running first through the enemy's camp. Mr. Price returned home in August, 1865, with a war record of which he may well be proud, for at all times his faithful, brave and cheerful service won his comrades' esteem, and the commendation of his officers. Mr. Price still makes a yearly pilgrimage to Springfield, Ill., to visit his old commander, Col. John F. King, who is his warm, personal friend.
Adjoining the Price farm was that of William Marshall, and the families, united by ties of sincerest friendship, continued undisturbed after the following amusing incident, one of pioneer days. A 40-acre square, joining the Price land, and still the property of the government, ap- pealed to William Marshall as a fine building site. the same idea occurring to Adam Price. There was much friendly discussion, but no hard feeling. Finally, however, William Marshall's brother, John Marshall, acting for him, quietly ' mounted a horse at midnight and started for Springfield to enter the tract. Adam Price, un- aware of Marshall's departure, left similarly equipped, on the same errand three hours later. They met at the door of the Patent Office, John Marshall having in his possession the coveted paper, and. fully appreciating the humor of the situation, they journeyed home in friendliness together. William Marshall died in 1846, and liis widow removed to Jacksonville, Ill., with her three daughters, Augusta, Jennie and Louisa, now deceased, maintaining a home there until her death, in 1874.
It so happened that Fate had in store a closer tie for the two families, for, on December 29, 1870, William Price was married to his former playmate, Miss Augusta Marshall, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Clutch) Marshall, and they occupied the house built by her father on the land granted him by President John Quincy Adams in 1834, referred to above. Mrs. Price died March 13, 1SS3. In April, 1895, thirteen years later, Mr. Price married her younger sister, Miss Jennie Marshall, who was born in Cass
County in 1843. She was a graduate of the Presbyterian Academy, now Illinois College, at Jacksonville, and was the first young woman to enter the business college founded by Prof. R. C. Crampton, of the Illinois College faculty, who was a scholar of wide renown. This initial movement in 1866 expanded into the chain of schools known as Brown's Business colleges now established in all leading cities of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Price had no children, but reared as their son, Rufus C. Crampton, a grandchild of the late Prof. R. C. Crampton, born in 1SSS, who is now holding a responsible position with the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Louis- ville. Ky.
William T. Price is a man of energy and un- tiring industry, with progressive ideas and methods which enabled him to encompass mate- rial success along his chosen line ot farming, his honorable business dealings and genial per-
sonality winning the confidence and respect of all classes. He is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, and has been an elder for many years. Politically he is a Republican, is well known in Grand Army circles, at one time being commander of Downing Post, G. A. R., with which organization he is still prominently affiliated. Mrs. Price has marked ability, evi- denced by her work in the church, in the Woman's Club and various literary societies, also in "looking well to the ways of her household," and the cheerful family home on South Main street is noted for its atmosphere of genuine hospitality.
QUERNHEIM, Theodore .- The men who have devoted themselves to farming and stockraising in Cass County are gathered from among the most representative families here, and the suc- cess which has rewarded their efforts ought to lead others to follow the same vocation. One of them thus engaged is Theodore Quernheim, owner of 160 acres in township 18, range 11, section 13. He was born in Germany, March 22, 1864, a son of Henry and Lena (Huck) Quernheim, both natives of Germany, the former boru in 1836, and the latter in 1844, and both died there. The father was a cigar-maker in his home in Burnde-Herford, Germany.
Theodore Quernheim attended the common schools in Germany, and after coming to the United States immediately began working for farmers in Cass County, Ill. This work suited him so well that he continued in this line of endeavor, in time purchasing his present farm, which he still conducts. He is a Republican, but has held no offices, being too busy with his own affairs to enter public life. The Fourth Street Lutheran church of Beardstown holds his membership.
In 1893 Mr. Quernheim was married, in Cass County, to Minnie Meyer, who was born in Cass County. September 22, 1872, and died in 1913. She was a daughter of Charles H. and Lizzie (Carls) Meyer, natives of Germany and of Cass County. farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Quern- heim had four children: Walter William, Edna E .. Ethel and Ralph C .. all of whom were born in Cass County. Mr. Quernheim is a hard work- ing, thrifty man, whose accommodating spirit and genial manner win him many friends who hold him in high esteem.
QUIGG, Henry C .- Among thie many fine farms in Cass County, Ill., are to be found some, the titles to which have remained in the same family for several generations. Since the ancestors of the present owners came into possession of the original tracts, the face of nature and the con- ditions prevailing have undergone wonderful changes, and land values have been enhanced to an amazing degree. Such is the fact in re- gard to the farms of the Quigg family.
Henry C. Quigg was born in Cass County, Ill., August 5, 1858, the location of his birth being township 17, range 10 west. He is a son of Henry and Margaret (Cotney) Quigg, the former
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
born in Wilmington, Del., May 27, 1827, and the latter on the Atlantic Ocean, in March, 1830, during the passage from Ireland. The grand- parents were William and Sarah (Rogers) Quigg. William Quigg was born in County Derry, Ireland, and with his brother emigrated to the United States in 1822. In 1832 William Quigg was superintendent of the macadamizing of Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington, D. C., and with his brother, at a later period, became a contractor on the first division of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad, also doing general con- tract work. The mother came to Beardstown, Ill., living subsequently at Grand Rapids, Mich. Henry and Margaret (Cotney ) Quigg were mar- ried in Cass County, February 22, 1852, and settled on a farm of 150 acres which he had purchased in township 17, where he made his home until he died, March 19, 1896, his wife having passed away January 3, 1892, and both were laid to rest in Walnut Ridge Cemetery. He had added to his land until it amounted to 425 acres.
In 1882 Henry Quigg was elected assessor, and served also as treasurer of Cass County for four years, also filling other offices. He participated in the organization of the Centennial National Bank, of Virginia, of which he was vice-president at the time of his death. He and his wife had the following children : James F., deceased ; William T., of Oklahoma City, Okla .; John M., deceased ; Henry C .; Sarah A., on the home farm; Stephen A., of Morgan County, Ill .; and Anna who lives at home.
Henry C. Quigg, who has always remained on the homestead, received his early school train- ing in the public schools, and after reaching manhood, applied himself to the cultivation of the farm. In 1897 the estate was settled, and Mr. Quigg received as his share 135 acres, his sisters being awarded 164 acres each. Mr. Quigg has also been engaged in feeding stock on an extensive scale, but since 1900 he has rented out his land. Neither he nor his sisters ever mar- ried. In religious belief, Mr. Quigg is a Catho- lic ; politically, he supports the principles of the Democratic party. He is a .man of honorable character, and has the respect of all who know him.
RAUSCH, Martin .- Through the efforts of the more enterprising of Cass County farmers, the agricultural interests of this section have pros- pered, and all are benefiting as a result of their hard work and practical methods. One of these is Martin Rausch, of township 18. range 9, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Octo- ber 26, 1876, a son of Martin and Mary (Faust) Rausch. The mother survives and makes her home in Germany.
Martin Rausch, who bears his father's name, came from Germany to the United States in 1893. He located at Virginia, Ill., and worked on farms in the neighborhood for fifteen years, then rented land, all the while saving his money. In the fall of 1906 he settled perma- nently on his wife's farm of 155 acres, at Rich-
mond Point, and has made many improvements here and successfully carries on general tarm- ing and hog and cattle raising. He works hard and gets excellent results.
On September 6, 1906, Mr. Rausch married Anna Horstman, who was born in Fulton County, Ill., January 17, 1872, a daughter of Henry and Semtka (Doering) Horstman, na- tives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Rausch have 110 children. Mr. Rausch belongs to the Luth- eran church. In politics he is a Democrat.
REARICK, Walter S .- The subject of this per- sonal record is a member of a family whose name has been prominently associated with events in Cass County, Ill., from a somewhat early period, and Walter S. Rearick himself has been one of the principal business nien of the' town of Ashland for a number of years, besides serving in several responsible civic positions. He is now president of the State Bank in Ash- land organized under the management of Skiles, Rearick & Co., with a capital of $50,000, sur- plus, $25,000.
Walter S. Rearick is a native of Beardstown, Ill., where he was born July 19, 1856, a son of Francis H. and Helen M. (Shaw) Rearick, the father born in Germany in the year 1829, and the mother in Boston, Mass., her death occur- ring in 1905. The paternal grandparents located in southern Pennsylvania about the year 1835, journeying thence in 18GO to Beardstown, where they spent the remainder of their lives. On the maternal side the grandparents were Joseph and Sarah ( Bird) Shaw, the former of Massa- chusetts, and the latter of Maine. They came to Beardstown from Morgan County, Ill., about the year 1860. All the grandparents of Mr. Rearick are buried in the same lot in the Beardstown cemetery. Francis H. Rearick was in the stove and tinware business in company with his brother, J. W. Rearick. He was mar- ried to Helen M. Shaw in Beardstown. In 1858 Francis H. Rearick was elected sheriff of Cass County, serving one term. A few years later lie was elected to the office of county judge and lield the office two terms. In 1874 he disposed of his business interests here and moved to Galesburg. He and his wife had the following children, namely : Harry, of Galesburg, 111 .; Walter S. ; Fannie (Mrs. W. B. Barnes), of Al- buquerque, N. M .; Mrs. Louis Becker, of Knox- ville, Ill. ; Allen, of New York City, attorney for the C. & O. R. Railroad.
When a youth, Walter S. Rearick received his education in the common schools of Beards- town. In 1874 he entered the Cass County Bank at Beardstown, as bookkeeper, and in 1878 he was elected cashier, in which capacity he served until September, 1881. Then he resigned, and with Petefish Skiles & Co., bankers, of Vir- ginia, organized the Banking House of Riley, Rearick Co., of Ashland, he becoming cashier of said bank. When the bank was incorporated he was elected president, H. B. Baxter being elected vice-president. James J. Wyatt, cashier, and E. R. Clemons, assistant cashier.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
On April 13, 1SS2, Walter S. Rearick was united in marriage with Rachel Honsekeeper, born in Beardstown, Ill., a danghter of Cheney and Emma (De Haven) Housekeeper, natives of Philadelphia. Mrs. Rearick's father was an attorney, who located in Beardstown in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Rearick have had the following children, namely : Clarice, a teacher at the Chicago Training School; Helen, at home; An- nette (Mrs. Harry J. Lohman), of Ashland, Ill .; and Addie, who died in 1893, at the age of five years.
In politics, Mr. Rearick is a Democrat, and has served one year as city clerk of Beards- town, and as treasurer of township 17, range S, since 1885. His religions connection is with the Methodist Episcopal church in which he offici- ated as steward and trustee, and has been su- perintendent of the Sunday school since 1SS7. He is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., belong- ing to Ashland Lodge, No. 929; De Witt Chap- ter, No. 19, Petersburg, Ill .; and Hospitaler Commandery, of Jacksonville.
REID, Stuart, one of the substantial farmers of Cass County, is operating 160 acres in township 18, range 10. He was born on his grandfather's farm, about one mile east of the farm he now occupies, November 11, 1855, a son of Duncan and Jane (Wilkie) Reid, the former born in 180S, and the latter November 20, 1818, both being natives of Perthshire, Scotland, where they married in 1839. In June, 1855. they came to the United States, and before locating at Beardstown, Ill., they had endured many hard- ships and with a fortitude this generation can scarcely comprehend, making a portion of the trip on foot. They spent a year in the vicinity of Virginia. Ill., and the father worked for James Cunningham for a year, following this he rented land from Robert Taylor, which was located two miles west of Mr. Reid's present farm. As soon as he had sufficient money saved up. Duncan Reid bonght 120 acres of land which was then covered with brush and timber. but soon he had a space cleared on which to build a log cabin. With the assistance of his sons, the father then began to put his land under cultivation. Until his death lie con- tinued to carry on general farming and stock- raising. He was a Democrat and served his community as a school director. His death oc- curred April 14, 1883. The mother survives, making her home with her son Stuart. These parents had the following children: William, who is of Cass County; Agnes, who died at the age of eight years in Scotland ; Mary. who died at the age of five years in Scotland : Grace, who died at the age of two years in Scotland ; James, who died in infancy in Scotland; Jean, who resides with his mother; Susan, who is teaching school in Chicago: Margaret, who is Mrs. A. R. Taylor of Virginia, Ill .; Stuart ; and Duncan, who is of Bluff Springs. Ill.
Stuart Reid resided with his parents, attend- ing the schools of his district, and when he became of age commenced working among the
farmers. Within a year, however, he returned to the homestead where he has since remained, conducting the farm for his mother and owns forty acres adjoining on the east.
On March 15, 1894, Stuart Reid married Mrs. Mary (Caywood) McGee, born July 24, 1868, widow ot Everett McGee, and danghter of John and Martha (Morrison) Caywood of Cass County. By her first marriage Mrs. Reid had one child, Maud E., now Mrs. Orel Jentry of Virginia, Ill., who has three children, Everett C., Ira K. and Clarence E. Mr. and Mrs. Reid have the following children : James E., Nellie E., Dewey E., Kenneth E., Glenn M., Stella G. and Mary S., all of whom are at home. Mr. Reid is affiliated with the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Republican party and is ac- tive in public affairs in this connection. For some years he has been a member of Virginia Lodge. M. W. A. No. 5SS, and is popular in that organization. An honored member of the Reid honsehold is the aged mother of Mr. Reid, who is a most remarkable lady, retaining at her ad- vanced age all of her faculties and enjoying life like one who has barely passed her fiftieth year.
REID, William .- In reviewing the lists of men who served this country during the Civil war, it is remarkable to note how many were of foreign birth. Many of these soldiers had not long been in this land, when they freely offered themselves to the service of their adopted coun- try. and among those who belong to this class is William Reid, of township 1S. range 11, now one of Cass County's responsible men. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland. Jannary 19, 1840, a son of Duncan and Jane (Wilkey) Reid, who, in 1855, came to the United States, locating on a farm in Cass County. The father bonght 125 acres in township 18. range 11, where he died about 1SSO, but the mother survives, at this time of writing having attained to the extremely ad- vanced age of ninety-five years.
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