Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 100

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174

USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 100

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).

lives at Chicago; Morris, who served in the World's War with a Canadian regiment; and Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. Datin was reared in the Catholic faith. Politically he is a Democrat.

DAUGHERTY, Cornelius T., mayor of Hamil- ton, and one of the substantial farmers of Wythe Township, is one of the representative. men of Hancock County. He was born in West Virginia, January 18, 1871, one of the ten children born to Demitrius and Leona J. (Bull) Daugherty. Demetrius Daugherty was born in Pennsylvania, where he was reared, and there he became a farmer. Later he moved to West Virginia, where he continued to engage in farm- ing.

Cornelius T. Daugherty grew up in West Vir- ginia, attending the public schools and a high school, leaving there when eighteen years old. At that time he came to Hancock County, and began farming. having been connected with the agricultural interests of this locality since his arrival here. He now owns and operates 240 acres of valuable land in Wythe Township, eighty acres of which are within the limits of Hamilton. As an outgrowth of his farming in- terests, Mr. Daugherty is also engaged in buy- ing and shipping hay, having branched out in this line in 1895.

In 1900 Mr. Daugherty was married to Miss Anna E. Pressly, a daguhter of Joseph L. Pressly, and they have a son, Arthur C. Mr. Daugherty is very prominent politically, and after he served as alderman from his ward for four terms, he was elected mayor of Hamilton in 1907. and was re-elected in 1909, 1911, 1912 and 1915, and is the best chief executive the city has ever had, many of the improvements of the municipality having been either com- pleted or commenced during his successive ad- ministrations. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World. A man of progressive ideas, he has the executive ability to carry them out, and the integrity and uprightness to enforce the law and maintain the prestige of his city.

DAUGHERTY, James L., a prosperous farmer living on section 10, Rocky Run Township, owns and operates 320 acres of valuable Hancock County land. He was born in this same town- ship, October 27, 1861, a son of Aquilla and Mary Ann (James) Daugherty, the former of whom was born in Butler County, Ohio, Sep- tember 18, 1818. The father was a farmer, who came to Illinois in 1840, driving a four-horse team for Abram Clark. After his arrival he had to work very hard to get a start, among other things, he cut wood for 50 cents per cord, and labored on a farm for $10 per month. He died November 18, 1894, in Rocky Run Town- ship, leaving much valuable property, includ- ing 600 acres of land. He was one of the solid citizens of the county, very successful in busi- ness, generous to those less fortunate than he, and interested in the advancement of his com-

1180

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

munity. The mother passed away November 27, 1877.

James L. Daugherty attended the public schools of his township, and the Gem City Busi- ness College at Quincy, Ill., from which he re- ceived a diploma. He was reared on the farm and with the exception of an extensive trip through the western states, he has spent his life in Rocky Run Township. His efforts have been mainly directed in an agricultural line, and he has been successful in developing and improv- ing his fine farm.

On April 14, 1887, Mr. Daugherty was mar- ried to Hattie F. Perry, born in Rocky Run Township, a daughter of J. C. and Penella Per- ry, natives of Kentucky, who came here at an early day and became prominent in Rocky Run Township. Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty have the following children: Russell A., who was born in 1889; Winnie F., who was born in 1892; Perry E., who was born in 1896; Truman J., who was born in 1899; and Clyde, who was born in 1903. Mr. Daugherty is a Democrat and was elected township supervisor four terms; he served as school treasurer for seven years; is president of the Farmers Grain and Supply Company ; a director of the Farmers National Bank of Warsaw. and is connected with the Wythe Township Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. Fraternally, Mr. Daugherty belongs to Warsaw Lodge, No. 257. A. F. & A. M. In his various enterprises Mr. Daugherty displays many of the traits of character which were so striking in his father. and he has the same high standing in the community.

DAVIDSON, Isaac C., postmaster of Carthage, and one of the leading men in the democratic party in Hancock County, is well and favorably known in this section of the state. He was born in Fulton County. Ill .. August 24. 1858. a son of James M. and Susan Candace Davidson. James M. Davidson was born in Fulton County, Ill .. a son of I. G. and Sarah A. (Springer) Davidson. I. G. Davidson was born in South Carolina. The maternal grandfather, Rev. Elijah Springer, held the first religious services of the Protestant faith in Illinois, at Fort Dear- born, when Chicago was but an Indian trading post.

When he was thirteen years old. James M. Davidson began learning the printer's trade, and later on he founded the Fulton Democrat, at Lewiston. Ill., which became the official organ for the Democratic party in Fulton County. In 1853 he sold the paper to his brother, W. T. Davidson, and it is still in the family. About 1856. James M. Davidson founded the Squatter Sovereign, at Havana, Ill., but it had only a short life. Mr. Davidson then taught music for a time. Coming to Carthage on a business trip, he saw an opening here, and assumed charge of the Carthage Republican, which is still in the hands of members of his family, his daughter, Mary Davidson, now being the manager and editor.

Isaac C. Davidson was reared at Carthage,

and assisted his father in the printing office to such an extent that he had but little oppor- tunity for attending school, but the practical training he received while learning his trade has stood him in good stead in his after life. When he was seventeen years old ne became a telegrapher, and later agent for the C. B. & O. Railroad. Finally he was made train dispatcher for the road at Hannibal, Mo., and in 1890 was made agent for the O. K. Line Railroad at Quincy, Ill. Owing to the failure of his father's health, Mr. Davidson came back to Car- thage in 1891 to assume charge of the paper, which he conducted until January, 1915, when he was appointed postmaster, and his sister as- sumed charge of the journal their father had practically founded.

On March 4, 1884, Mr. Davidson was married to Melissa Braden, a childhood sweetheart. They became the parents of five children, four of whom survive, namely : Jessie F., who is a graduate of Carthage High School and College, is the wife of W. G. Drowley, an attorney of Washington; Grace V., who was also graduated from Carthage High School and College, is at home with her father, in the Carthage High School an efficient teacher; Mary L., who was graduated from Carthage High School, fin- ished her education at the State University at Champagne, and - was married in 1919 to Rev. O. W. Ebright of Omaha, Nebraska; Frances R., who is attending school; and Dorothy, who died when a little girl. Mrs. Davidson died in February, 1914. The family belong to the Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Davidson is senior warden. He is a Mason, and at one time belonged to the same lodge as Hon. Champ Clark, of national importance. He is past master and past high priest of his order. Mr. Davidson also belongs to Bentley Lodge No. 1SS, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, and he also belongs to the Encampment, of which he is past patriarch. A very prominent Democrat, lie has been active in local politics, and served on the school board for eighteen years, and chairman of the Democratic Cen- tral Committee of the county. Although it is probable that he could have had almost any office within the gift of the people, Mr. David- son never cared to run for office, so that his appointment as postmaster came as a just re- ward for his years of faithful and conscientious service to his party and community, and was eminently satisfactory to all classes, no matter what their party belief.

DAVIS, Andrew Jackson, former circuit clerk of Hancock County, and a man of more than ordinary prominence is now living retired after some years devoted to agricultural pursuits in Carthage Township, although he has for a long period maintained his residence at Carthage. He was born in Shelby County, Ill., August 15. 1835, eldest son of Squire Rutherford and Louisa (Womack) Davis, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The mother died in 1847.

Munsell Publishing Co

Eng by E. G. Withans & Bre MY

1181

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Andrew Jackson Davis resided with his father and stepmother until 1850, and then he began working by the month among the neighboring farmers, and continued to be so engaged until 1854, when he was made deputy sheriff of the county, under his distinguished father. When the elder Mr. Davis was elected circuit clerk, he took his son into his office, and kept him there during his two terms, so efficient did he become, that the new clerk, M. S. Carey, re- tained him as deputy. In 1872, Mr. Davis was elected circuit clerk, and served until 1880, when he turned his attention to farming, operating a farm in Carthage Township for four years. He served for one term as collector of Carthage Township, but since 1899, he has lived retired. On April 11, 1861, Mr. Davis was married (first) to Frances Ann Kimbrough, born in Hancock County, a daughter of William and Patsy (Canthorn) Kimbrough, natives of Ken- tucky. The Kimbrough family came to Han- cock County in 1832 together with three other pioneer families, who lived in their wagons un- til the fall of the year, when they had man- aged to get some log cabins built. By this marriage, Mr. Davis had the following children : Dora Ellen, who is Mrs. James Swain, lives with her father; and Albert William, who lives at St. John's, Ore. Mrs. Davis died January 3, 1866. On August 11, 1867, Mr. Davis was married (second) to Lydia Jane Maltby, born in Brown County, Ill.

Mr. Davis is proud of the fact that his pater- nal grandfather, George Davis, then a resident of North Carolina, served as a soldier during the American Revolution, and naturally he is a most loyal citizen of the country his ancestor helped to establish.

DAVIS, James Washington P., was one of the men who was well known in this section during his lifetime, and who left behind him a family, some of the members of which are now resi- dents of Hancock County. He was born at Lockport, Ill., in 1842, a son of David T. and Louise (Heldebrand ) Davis, natives of Indiana, who came in an early day to Chicago, later moving to Canton, Ill., where they lived for a number of years.

James W. P. Davis lived with his parents in Canton and Chicago, and then came to La Harpe, and worked in a general store, later forming a partnership with S. W. Davis for the purpose of selling dry goods and groceries to the retail trade. Subsequently he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he spent a year, after which he went on the road for a wholesale house as a commercial traveler. He was so engaged when he died, near Trinity, Tex., in October, 1872, and there he was buried.

Mr. Davis was married to Emma E. Brad- shaw, born in February, 1847, a daughter of Joel and Catherine (Dickson) Bradshaw, na- tives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had the following children : James W. P., who lives in Dallas Township, has three children; George B., who also lived in Dallas Township, died

February 3, 1918, leaving four children ; James Everett, who lives in Dallas Township; Riva Louise, who lives with her grandmother ; George Charles, who is on the home farm; Emma May, who is with her grandmother. Mrs. Davis be- longs to the Christian Church, and is active in the Ladies' Aid Society of that body, and the bible class ; and Mr. Davis belonged to the Bap- tist Church. His association with the Good Tem- plars was a long one. After the death of Mr. Davis, Mrs. Davis lived on a farm near La Harpe, with her parents, but in 1888, she moved to La Harpe, where she still resides. She is a member of the Rebekahs.

DAVIS, Squire Rutherford, now deceased, was one of the most prominent men of Hancock County during the earlier period of its history, serving as circuit clerk and sheriff, and tak- ing part in all of the public-spirited movements. He was born in Warren County, Tenn., in 1810. In young manhood he went to Kentucky, where he met and was married to Louisa Womack, and shortly thereafter they moved to Tennessee, and thence to Shelby County, Ill. In 1837, they took up their residence in Hancock County, where Mrs. Davis died in 1847. Later, Mr. Davis was married to Elizabeth (Finley) Dale. By his first marriage, Mr. Davis had six cliil- dren, of whom two survive, namely: Andrew J. of Carthage; and George R. Of the two sons of his second marriage one survives, name- ly : Thomas Jefferson Davis, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa. It is interesting to note that the latter was born in the old jail in which Joseph Smith came to his end. Mr. Davis was at Carthage during the time that the Mormons were expelled from the county, and his wife's family, the Dales, were in charge of the jail.

In 1854 Mr. Davis was elected sheriff of Han- cock County, and fearlessly upheld the dignity of his office at a time when lawlessness was much more prevalent than now. In 1856 he was elected circuit clerk, and held that office for eight years. His death occurred April 2, 1866, and when he passed away, Hancock County lost one of its reliable and foremost men.

DAVIS, Thomas W., now living retired at Carthage, is one of the substantial men of Hancock County, and is held in the highest es- teem by all who know him. He was born in Carthage Township, June 15, 1841, a son of Alfred J. and Martha A. (Kimbrough) Davis, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. The paternal grandfather, George W. Davis, was born in South Carolina, and the maternal grandfather, James Kimbrough, was born in Kentucky. The latter drove to Hancock County, Ill., in 1883, settling in Carthage Township, where he entered land on the edge of the timber. Alfred J. Davis came to Carthage Township in 1836, and after his marriage, he located on a farm there, but in 1856, moved to Carthage, and died there in 1877, his wife dying in 1869. Their children were as follows : Nancy Elizabeth, who is deceased; Mary A., who is Mrs. Joseph A. Spangler, a widow, lives at Lincoln, Nebr .;

1182

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Amelia Ellen, who is the widow of Edward McCamts of Chicago, Ill .; Emma Frances, who is Mrs. Charles Cunningham of Carthage; and Thomas W.

Thomas W. Davis remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred November 11, 1863, when he was united with Mary E. Carl- ton, born April 3, 1845, in Adams County, Ill., a daughter of George W. and Amanda (Tull) Carlton, natives of Kentucky. After their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Davis lived in Carthage, where he was engaged in general labor until he became a teamster. In 1893, he was ap- pointed watchman at the capitol, at Springfield, and hield that position until 1897, and was again appointed March 11, 1913, and held the position until 1917, when he returned to Carthage, where he has since lived retired in his comfortable home. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of the following children : Charles O., who died December 8, 1914; Martha A., who is Mrs. George Corbin of Carthage, Ill .; Alva L., who lives at Chicago, Ill .; John C., who lives at Car- thage ; Bertha A., who lives at home; and Ralph S. and George R., who both live at Carthage. Mr. Davis never had a chance to go to school, but nevertheless he is a very well posted man. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A Democrat, he served three years as city marshal of Carthage, and in every way has done his full duty, and is entitled to the confi- dence he inspires.

DAW, John, one of the oldest residents of Hancock County, and one who is held in the highest esteem by all who know him, is an honored resident of Hamilton. He was born in Bear Creek Township, February 11, 1845. His father, who was a native of England, came to the United States in 1840, and his mother, a native of Delaware, came to Illinois in 1837. They were married in Hancock County in 1842, and buying 160 acres of land in Bear Creek Township, settled upon it. This land tlien cost $5 per acre. In 1848 they traded it for another 160 acres, and subsequently sold half of it. Here the father died in 1883, the mother having passed away in 1874. They had, in addition to .Jolin Daw, four children, namely : James, who died in Missouri, in 1896; a son who died in childhood; Mary J., who is the widow of Wil- liam Abbott, lives on a farm in Fulton County. Ill. ; and Hannah E., who was the wife of Zemiri White, died in 1866.

John Daw remained at home until he was twenty-five years old, at which time he was married to Elizabeth A. Anderson, on March 3, 1870. Mrs. Daw is a daughter of Mathew and Mary Ann (McClure) Anderson, and she has one brother and one sister, namely : James A., who is a retired merchant of Hamilton; and Emma F., who is the wife of Harrison Min- nick, of Oakwood, Ill. Those deceased are : William P. and George A., of Quincy, Ill., who grew to maturity ; and Sallie and Agnes, who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Daw became the parents of the following children : Charles,

who died in infancy ; Arthur, who died in Chi- cago in 1896, aged twenty-one years; Clinton, who died in 1882; and J. Walter, who lives on a farm one mile east of Hamilton, was married to Zella Lindsey, April 15, 190S, a daughter of Charles and Naomi (Brown) Lindsey. Mr. and Mrs. J. Walter Daw have a son, Roy Marcel, who was born March 15, 1909.

After his marriage, John Daw moved on a farm south of Elvaston, Ill., where he spent five years, then in 1875, he moved to tlie old homestead and remained until 1882. In that year he went to Elvaston and conducted a gen- eral store for seven years. Once more, in 1889. he returned to farming, moving on the farm on which his son now lives, but in 190S left it for Hamilton, where he still resides, being occupied with looking after his interests. He still owns 245 acres of land in Montebello Township. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as assessor for six terms, and has been a school director and trustee for some years. His en- . tire life has been spent in Hancock County and all of his interests are centered liere, so very naturally he has its welfare at heart, and has always exerted himself to advance it in every way possible.

DAY, John William, who owns the famous Majorville Stock Farm, of Hancock Township, has long been recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County. He was born in Fountain Green Township, March 24, 1858, a son of James Edward and Margaret May (Callahan) Day, the former of whom was born in Fountain Green Township in 1830, being the second white child born in Hancock County. He was a son of John and Sabina (Logston) Day. born in Howard County, Ky., who came to Fountain Green Township, entered eighty acres in the timber, and there died. The maternal grandparents of John William Day were John and Betsy (Long) Callahan, also early settlers of Hancock County, who came here from Penn sylvania. James Edward Day and his wife set- tled in Fountain Green Township after their marriage, and there he died in 1904, his wife having passed away in 1883. Their children were as follows: John William; Minnie, who died at the age of twenty-four years, was Mrs. Wise, and left one daughter, Velva, who is Mrs. Harvey Scott of Republican City, Nebr.

John William Day attended the district schools of his township, and remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, at which time he began farming for himself in Hancock Town- ship, renting land until 1899, when he bought 111 acres on section 3, Hancock Township. which was partly improved. To this he added until he now owns 346 acres, and carries on gen- eral farming and stockraising, specializing on Percheron horses, although he also raises a number of cattle and hogs. He has partially rebuilt his house and erected several barns, and made other improvements, until he has one of the nicest farms in the township.

In September, 1880, Mr. Day was married to

1183

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Ella F. Yetter, born in Fountain Green Town- ship, a daughter of Louis and Martha (Wright) Yetter, natives of Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Day have the following children : Ruby D., who is Mrs. Leland Hobert of Han- cock Township; Mabel B., who is the wife of Charles Campbell, of Hancock Township; James L., who lives at Vernal, Utah ; Charles, who lives in Colorado; Lawrence, who lives in Hancock Township; and Bertric, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Day is a Republican, and served as township commissioner for six years, and also as school director. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the substantial men of his town- ship, and deserves his prosperity.

DAY, Truman Skinner, now deceased, was a well known man in Hancock County during his lifetime, and his widow has been an honored resident of Elveston for some years. He was born in Flemming County, Ky., August 20, 1816, a son of Alvin and Priscilla (Foster) Day, na- tives of Kentucky. He died in Kentucky, after which his widow went to Illinois and lived there for some years, but then returned to Kentucky, where she died.

Truman Skinner Day was reared in Ken- tucky, and during the Civil War enlisted in the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, and after a serv- ice of a year, was honorably discharged. He was married December 21, 1865, to Lou Gray, born in Flemming County, Ky., a daughter of David and Mary Ann (Gardner) Gray of Ken- tucky. After his marriage, Mr. Day resided in Kentucky until in August, 1888, being engaged in clerking in a general store. At that time he went to Keokuk, Iowa, and was connected with mercantile interests there and on the road. On June 9, 1901, he was drowned in the Mis- sissippi River at Montrose, Iowa. In 1909, Mrs. Day came to Elveston, where she has since re- sided.

Mr. and Mrs. Day became the parents of the following children : Charlton A., who was born February 12, 1867, died August 9, 1914; Wil- liain M., who was born July 18, 1869, died December 7, 1898; Clarence B., who was born November 6, 1871, died September 28, 1906; Maggie P., who was born May 10, 1875, is Mrs. John Damron of Bentley, Alberta, Canada ; and Harvey R., who was born January 12, 1881, died October 20, 1896. Mrs. Day is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her husband belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Republican. His fraternal affiliations were with the Hamilton Camp, M. W. A., and the Keokuk Lodge, I. O. O. F.

DECKER, Arthur E., superintendent of schools of Augusta, and one of the most scholarly men of Hancock County, is very widely and favor- ably known throughout this section of the state. He was born August 17. 1869, one of the seven children of his parents. Eli and Estella (Leach) Decker. Eli Decker was born in New York state. He learned the trade of a harnessmaker

in young manhood, and followed it for some years.

Arthur E. Decker attended the public schools of his locality, and then prepared himself for the profession of teaching by taking a full Normal course. After some years spent as an educator at Rossville, Liberty, St. Mary's and Northeast, in September, 1914, he came to Au- gusta to assume the duties of superintendent of schools, and the city has been able to retain him. At present he has twelve teachers and 325 pupils under his supervision, and all show the effects of his wise and capable management and superior scholarship. Professor Decker has had a long career as an educator, for he entered this field of endeavor very soon after attaining his majority, and he is proud to realize that he has accomplished much good in shaping the young lives entrusted to his educational care. turning their minds toward useful and upright channels of effort.

Arthur E. Decker was married to Miss Cora Talbott, who died November 16, 1901. They had one son, Ralph T. Mr. Decker is a member of the Christian Church, to which Mrs. Decker be- longed. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and he also belongs to the Rebekahs and Modern Woodmen of America. His political affiliations are with the Republi- can party. An earnest, learned man, he is a strong force for good in his community, and Augusta owes much to him and his high prin- ciples.

DE HART, William, one of the pioneer char- acters of Hancock County, whose biography de- serves a prominent place in a work of this character, may be called an early settler. He experienced the early day hardships of a new, undeveloped country. He was spared long enough to see a prairie wilderness became a ver- itable garden spot of wealth and beauty. Wil- liam De Hart was born at Whitby, Ontario, Canada, June 2, 1828, being the third and youngest son of Thomas and Rebecca De Hart. Of his ancestry, on the paternal side, he comes of French extraction, and on the maternal, of Scotch-Irish stock. The De Harts emigrated to America from Alsace-Lorraine in the early part of the eighteenth century, locating on Staten Island, N. Y. Their family had been prominent in the military and financial affairs of the reign of Louis XIV of France. The more immediate ancesters of William De Hart came about the middle of the eighteenth century to Upper Can- ada and became engaged in the maritime busi- ness on Lake Ontario.

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.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 100

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1174

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174