Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 103

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 103

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).

William D. Egberns was reared on the farm and attended the schools of his district. He remained at home until lie was twenty-one years old. In 1879 he was married to Helen Stokes, and they became the parents of three children namely: Gay, who was married to Louise Morris, is in a grocery business at Car- thage; Edith, who was graduated from the Carthage high school, is the wife of Paul Califf, and they live at Carthage; and one who is de- ceased. Mrs. Egberns died in 1909, and Mr. Egberns was married June 4, 1912 to Mrs. Alberta Kimbrough, born in Hancock County, who had three children by her first marriage, namely : Velna, Shirley and Arlie. ~ Mr. Eg- berns is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is on the official board. He belongs to Bentley Lodge No. 412, I. O. U. F. In politics he is an independent Republican. Mr. Egberns owns 160 acres of land in Carthage Township, and is a stockholder in the Dime Savings Bank. A solid, responsible man, he has achieved success in his life work, and deserves the esteem which he inspires.

ARTHUR G. SALISBURY AND FAMILY

1193

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

EHLEBE, Henry, was born December 15, 1855, at Warsaw, Ill., and died May 31, 1893. He was the son of Christ and Catherine (Hehner) Ehlebe. He passed away in the prime of life while in Hastings, Nebr., enroute to Colorado, where he hoped to recuperate his strength and health. Althoughi in poor health all his life, he was so full of energy and ambition that he mastered the methods of a commercial voca- tion and was recognized as one of Warsaw's most successful and prominent business men. He carved his own career without the favor of health or the prestige of influence and left his wife and child well provided for. Well may his example be held in view by young men who fancy the world is devoid of opportunities to rise.

He started in the dry goods business with Peter Wolf, in 1876, and in 1892 enlarged the business, the firm being Ehlebe Hunt and Co., Dry Goods and Clothing, and is at present J. H. Bott & Co.

On September 9, 1884, Mr. Ehlebe was mar- ried to Katherine Bott, who was born and reared in Warsaw, a daughter of Conrad and Fredericka (Brehm) Bott. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlebe became the parents of two children : Roy Chester, who ded in infancy ; and Ethel, who is Mrs. Shirley E. Sharp, and lives with her mother.

EID, John B., who achieved success as a grape grower of Nauvoo, is one of the substantial men of Hancock County. He was born in the De- partment of Domb, France, September 17, 1858, a son of John and Anna Marie (Oliger) Eid, natives of Alsace-Lorraine, France. They moved to the Department of Domb, France, in 1856, and were there engaged in farming until 1885, when they came to the United States, and located at Nauvoo, joining the sister of Mrs. Eid. Until the death of this sister, the family lived with her, and then Mrs. Eid inherited her vineyard of six acres.

John B. Eid did not attend school after he was eleven years old, but he was taught the trade of painting and paper hanging, and worked at it for a number of years, although from 1879 until 1884, he served as a private in the French army. In the fall of 1885, he came to Nauvoo, and made that his headquarters, al- though he continued to work at his trade at St. Louis, Mo., and Keokuk, Iowa. In 1888, having been married he began contracting, and the growing of grapes, and owns five acres of land, on which is an old time Mormon house.

On May 8, 1888, Mr. Eid was married to Cath- erine Walter, who was born at Nauvoo, in the same house that has since continued to be her home. She is a daughter of Frederick and Anna Marie - (Albright) Walter, he born in Saxony, Germany, and she in Alsace-Lorraine, France. Mr. and Mrs. Eid became the parents of the following children: Frank, who was in the National army; Nora and Della, who live at Madison, Iowa ; Blanche, who is Mrs. Grover Sherrill of Nauvoo; Winifred, who is Mrs.

Frank Michel of Nauvoo; and Walter Leo, who is at home. Mr. Eid is a Catholic. In politics a Democrat, he has served for two terms as highway commissioner of Nauvoo. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Few men of the county are more highly re- spected than Mr. Eid, and he deserves the pros- perity which has attended his efforts.

ELDER, Frank H., one of the retired farmers of Hamilton, and formerly extensively engaged in agricultural activities in this county, is a man widely known and universally respected. He was born in Ashland County, Olio, October 8, 1854, a son of James and Eliza Jane (Martin) Elder, natives of Pennsylvania. James Elder was born in 1824, and died in 1895, and his wife, who was born in 1826, died in 1896. In 1862, they moved from Ohio to Rock Island County, later coming to Hancock County, and buying 200 acres of land in Wythe Township. After improving this farm, they retired, moved to Hamilton, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were as follows : Frank H .; Hugh M., who is a banker of Hamil- ton; Alonzo A., who is a retired farmer of Hamilton ; and John, Albert O. and James, all of whom are deceased.

Frank H. Elder continued to live on a farm in Wythe Township until 1896, and still owns 160 acres of finely improved land in that town- ship. In 1896 he went into the agricultural implement business at Hamilton, and conducted it until 1916, when he sold his stock, and since then has been occupied in looking after his interests.

In November, 1881, Mr. Elder was married (first) to Josie Hurst, and they had three children, namely: Maxwell, who lives at Chi- cago, married Garnet Geer; Grace, who is Mrs. C. H. Walker, lives on a farm in Winnebago, Minn., and has a son, Franklin; and Robert, who is serving in the United States army, in overseas service. Mrs. Elder died in 1894. On April 7, 1896, Mr. Elder was married (second) to Mollie Kiser, a daughter of Wilson and Mary Ann (Johnson) Kiser, and they have two chil- dren, namely : Bernice, who was born October 5, 1898; and Mary who was born August 15, 1900, both of whom are at home. Mrs. Elder has the following brothers and sisters: John, who is on a farm near Warsaw, Ill .; Wilson, who is a farmer of southwestern Missouri; Alice, who is Mrs. C. B. Marshall of Hamilton ; and Ella, who is Mrs. B. M. Felger of Osceola, Iowa; and Tillie, who is Mrs. C. N. Ames of Oklahoma. The family belong to the Presby- terian Church. In politics Mr. Elder is a Re- publican. During his long life, he has won and retained friends, and his family is a well known one in the county.

ELDER, Hugh M., president of the First Na- tional Bank of Hamilton, and one of the heav- iest property holders of Hancock County, is one of the leading financiers and business men of this part of the state. He was born in Pennsyl-

1194

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

vania, January 22. 1844, a son of James and Eliza J. (Martin) Elder, who had seven children. James Elder was engaged very extensively and profitably in farming, first in Pennsylvania, later in Ohio, to which state he migrated in 1852, and finally in Hancock County, where he permanently located in 1865. Here he passed the remaining days of his life.

Hugh M. Elder attended the public schools of Ashland, Ohio, and after completing the high school course, began teaching school. For some years he was engaged in the educational fields of Ohio and Illinois, and then in 1889, coming to Hamilton, he organized the First National Bank of this city which he has since served as president, directing and shaping its policies.

On October S, 1875, Mr. Elder was united in marriage with Miss Susan Reiter, a daughter of Louis Reiter. Mr. and Mrs. Elder have a daughter, Maude, who is the wife of B. L. Matthis of Hamilton. The family all belong to the Presbyterian Church.

While Mr. Elder takes the deepest interest in national matters and civic affairs, lie has never been willing to permit the use of his name on the party ticket, being too much occu- pied with business affairs of grave import since coming to Hamilton to hold office, although prior to that he represented his township on the county board of supervisors, for five years. His fraternal connections are with the Masons, he having joined that order in 1866. The sound policies and thorough fitness for the responsibil- ities devolving upon the shoulders of the chief executive of a bank of the importance of the First National, which characterize Mr. Elder, have been valuable assets to his instituttion, and through it he renders a very valuable service to his community, as well as to his stockholders and depositors. It is such men as Mr. Elder who establish the credit and finan- cial soundness of their sections. "

ELLIS, James P., M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Hancock County, is profitably and acceptably engaged in a general practice at Augusta. He was born in Ken- tucky, May 14, 1857, one of the seven children horn to his parents, of whom three now survive. His parents were Dr. David E. and Eliza (Fisher) Ellis, the former of whom was born in Kentucky in 1826, and came to Augusta in 1852, when he had graduated in medicine. He was a member of the last Constitutional Convention in 1870. From then on until his demise, July 5. 1903, he was engaged in practice of his pro- fession and the cultivation of his farm of 160 acres of land. The mother died in February. 1903. The paternal grandparetns were James P. and Jane (Berryman) Ellis.

James P. Ellis, after attending the local pub- lic schools. took a medical course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, now the medical department of the University of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1890. and he imme- diately thereafter embarked upon a general practice at Augusta, where he has since re-

mained. Interested in the progress made in his profession, he belongs to the county, state and national medical associations, and has contrib- uted papers to them. Dr. Ellis has been prom- inently identified with the city of Augusta, hav- ing served on the town board, and he was mayor of the city for one term, during which period some very important improvements were made. During President Cleveland's first term, Dr. Ellis' services to the party were recognized by his appointment as postmaster of Augusta. His brother, John E. Ellis, was postmaster during Cleveland's second term, and supervisor from Augusta Township. Although no longer a resi- dent of Hancock County, he is very well known as a prosperous agriculturalist of Schuyler County. Fraternally, Dr. Ellis is a Knight Templar Mason, and he also belongs to the Woodmen of America.

ELLISON, Mathew, now deceased, but one of the pioneers of Rock Creek Township, was for many years successfully engaged in farming in Hancock County. He was born in Lancashire, England. Leaving his native land in young manhood he came to the United States, and spent some time at St. Louis, Mo., where he worked in a dairy. Later he came to Rock Creek Township to join his father, also named Mathew, who was one of the first settlers of this township, having entered land from the government in Rock Creek Township, all of which was prairie, and of the large amount he thus secured, the elder Mathew Ellison gave his son Mathew eighty acres of what was then con- sidered such worthless land that another son, Thomas, refused to bother with it. The younger Mathew Ellison, who was a good judge of land values, took the land offered him, and improved it to such an extent that before he died it was as valuable as any in the township. To this first farm he added, first fifty-two acres, and later eighty acres, and was one of the leading agriculturalists of his day and locality. He continued to live on his farm until his death, which occurred February 28, 1903.

Mathew Ellison was married to Nancy Hitchen, born in England. Nancy Hitchen Elli- son died on June 20, 1890, in the United States. They became the parents of the following chil- dren : Mary, who is Mrs. Martin Kelly, of Appanoose Township; James, who died when thirty-one years old, May 5. 1904; Thomas, who lives at Carthage; Lucy, who is Mrs. Charles Coleman, of Carthage Township; Ruth. who died in infancy; Mathew Henry, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; William, who is of Niota, Ill. (or E. Ft. Madison, Ill.) ; Ella, who is Mrs. John Newman, of Milnor, N. D .; and Margaret, who is Mrs. Albert Smith, of Hancock Township. Mr. Ellison was very prom- inent in local affairs, and is remembered as a man who stood for good government and mod- ern improvements.

ELLISON, Mathew Henry, one of the pros- perous and experienced farmers of Rock Creek

1195

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Township, belongs to one of the old and honored families of Rock Creek Township and Hancock County. He was born in this township, January 12, 1863, a son of Mathew and Nancy (Hitchen) Ellison, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Mathew Henry Ellison was reared on his fathers' farm and attended the district schools. When he was twenty-one years old, he left home and worked for others for a few years, and then rented land on which he carried on farming. On February 22, 189S, he was united in marriage to Mary Schroder, born at Earlham, Pottawattomie County, Iowa, July 19, 1876, a daughter of Herman and Catherine (Schlagel) Schroder, -natives of Holland and Switzerland, who were married in Hancock County. later locating in Iowa. Mrs. Shroder Curran died in Kansas in the fall of 1902. After his marriage, . Mr. Ellison moved to eighty acres of land on section 17, Rock Creek Township, which he had bought. This was only partly improved, and since then he has erected modern buildings and made other changes, thus adding very much to its value. In addition to it. Mr. Ellison has thirty-two acres of his father's estate, and he farms this, and rents out another farm of eighty . acres that he owns in another part of the town- ship. He has always carried on general farm- ing and has raised registered Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and draft horses.

Mr. and Mrs. Ellison have two children, Wil- lis and Maurice, both of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Ellison is a Republican, but his time has been too much occupied with his private affairs for him to do more than cast his vote for his party candidates. A man of enterprise, he has worked hard and effectively and his suc- cess has been fairly won.

ELSEA, Homer J., one of the leading osteo- pathic doctors of Hancock County, is engaged in a successful practice of his school of heal- ing at Carthage. He was born in Randolph County, Mo., a son of Benjamin Franklin and Tabitha (Taylor) Elsea, the former of whom was born in Kentucky in 1821, died in 1895, and the latter of whom was born in Virginia. The family came to Randolph County, Mo., at an early day, and here Benjamin Franklin Elsea spent the greater part of his mature life.

Homer J. Elsea attended the country schools and those of Kirkville, Mo., and also the busi- ness college of that city, and then entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, was a student there until he was graduated therefrom in June, 1902, immediately thereafter entering upon the practice of his profession at Carthage, he being the pioneer of his school in Hancock County. Doctor Elsea has been ex- ceedingly successful, and stands very well in his community.

On October 2, 1904, Doctor Elsea was mar- ried at Abington, Ill., to Ava Murphy, a daugh- ter of Henry and Althea Murphy, the former of whom was born in 1831, and the latter in 1834. Doctor and Mrs. Elsea have no children.

He is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Doctor Elsea owns his pleasant home at the corner of Marion and Wabash streets, Carthage. He is very active in his profession, not only locally, but throughout the state, and has an excellent standing among the leading osteopaths of Illinois.

EMRICK, Edward E., p. 1344.

ERNST, Frank, one of the substantial busi- ness men of Warsaw, owns and conducts a flourishing harness and repair establishment, that was founded by his father. He was born at Warsaw, March 3, 1887, a son of Daniel and Anna (Fleck) Ernst, natives of Warsaw. The grandparents, Adam Ernst and Daniel Fleck, both natives of Germany, came to Warsaw at a very early day. Daniel Ernst was a harness- maker by trade, and established the business owned by his son at present, but on account of ill health was forced to sell it, and in 1913 E. Davis bought it, conducting it until March, 1916, when Frank Ernst bought it, and has since continued it, now making and handling all kinds of harness. shoes, and repairing auto tops, and doing anything in these lines. He has a fine trade, and people know that work done by him will be first class in every respect.

On October 14, 190S Mr. Ernst was married to Mary L. Fairfax, born at Dallas City, Ill., a daughter of Prof. L. and Ella (Sain) Fairfax, he born in Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Ernst have two children, namely: Virginia and Fairfax. Mr. Ernst attended the schools of Warsaw and has always lived in this city. The German Lutheran Church has in him a faithful attend- ant. In politics he is a Democrat.

ERVIN, Willis, one of the representative men of Carthage Township, comes of an old pioneer family of Hancock County, and is held in the highest esteem by all who have the honor of his acquaintance. He traces his ancestry back to Scotland, but the Ervin family has been in the United States for a number of genera- tions. Willis Ervin was born in Hancock Coun- ty, January 18, 1854, the fifth in a family of five sons and five daughters born to his parents, Edward O. and Mary (Yetter) Ervin, of whom but three survive, namely : Willis; Amanda, who is Mrs. Meredith Kimbrough, Sr., of Spokane, Wash., has two daughters, Bertha and Jessie; and Sarah, who is Mrs. John Ruggles.

Edward O. Ervin was born at Hopkinsville, Ky., and in 1834, two years after the Black Hawk War, he came to Illinois, settling in Han- cock County when truly pioneer conditions pre- vailed. He built a small log cabin in which he lived and became a mighty hunter, killing during one day as many as five deer. Other game abounded, but there were few improve- ments, and the houses and schoolhouses were furnished with homemade articles. He was a Whig until the birth of the Republican party, when he embraced its faith. For many years he administered justice as a justice of the peace, and was a school director for many years. For

1196

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

a long period he and his, wife were devout mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, known as the Franklin Church, and the first house of worship, a log one, was also used by the United Brethren. Edward O. Ervin was born June 1, 1821, and he died November 4, 1887, and was buried in Franklin Cemetery, where a stone marks his grave. He was a man revered by all who knew him, and his integrity and honesty were proverbial. His wife was born in Pennsyl- vania, June 14, 1827, and she died July 16, 1867. She was a child when her parents came to Illinois, making the trip by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. She was a typical pion- neer wife and mother and reared her children to habits of thrift and industry.

Willis Ervin attended the local schools and learning to be a practical farmer under his father, has always been engaged in farming. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years old, and then, on October 26, 1876, he was married to Miss Alfaretta May Fletcher, daughter of John A. Fletcher, who was born in Ohio and came to this county in an early day. He was in the Civil War, enlist- ing in 1861, and in many hard fought battles. He died March 30, 1910. They became the parents of six children, all of whom survive, namely : Edward, who is a machinist of Car- thage, was first married to Bernice Read, by whom he had three children, Frederick. Frances and Mabel, and after the death of his first wife, January 21, 1911, he was married (second ) to Marie Mills, and they have a son, John Charles; Ethel, who is the wife of Frank Briley, a farmer of this county, has a son, Thomas Briley ; George, who lives at home; Geneva, who is the wife of Harry Thompson, of Han- cock County, has a son, Willis Thompson ; Hazel, who lives with her parents, and Harry, at home. The children all received excellent public school educations and are very intelligent and active in promoting those movements which look to- ward the advancement of their communities. The sons, with their father, are Republicans, and the sons-in-law are of the same political faith. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Car- thage, and their children were reared in that church. Mr. Ervin is a member of the Odd Fellows, and Mrs. Ervin and her daughter, Hazel are members of the order of Rebekahs. During the various "drives" of the late war, the Ervin family took a prominent part, and the ladies were specially active in Red Cross work. After the death of their son, Edward's first wife they took their youngest daughter, Mabel an infant then six days old and she has been in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ervin ever since.

EVANS, George Washington, a highly esteemed farmer of Carthage, still owns valuable land in adjoining townships, a portion of which he operated very successfully for a number of years. He was born in Adams County, Ill., September 23, 1846, a son of Bayliss and Eliza- beth (Pavehouse) Evans, natives of South Caro-

lina and Kentucky, respectively. When he was twenty years old, Bayliss Evans accompanied his parents, James and Mary (Fowler) Evans, natives of South Carolina, to Adams County, Ill., to which county, Elizabeth Pavehouse was brought at the age of sixteen years by her parents, John and Mary (Beeson) Pavehouse, natives of Germany. The paternal grand-grand- father was born in Wales, and his wife was a native of Ireland. After coming to the Amer- ican Colonies, he served as a soldier in the American Revolution.

In 1852 Bayliss Evans and his wife came to Hancock County, and bought 160 acres of fine land in Durham Township, where they resided until 1857, when they sold and bought eighty acres of land in Bear Creek Township. This latter farm was sold in 1864, and Mr. Evans bought another one in Rock Creek Township, living there until 1896, when he retired, moved to Carthage, and there died in 1898, his wife having died in 1895. Their children were as follows : Mary Jane, who is Mrs. William Mc- Cauley ; Emma, who became Mrs. LaFayette Riggins, is deceased; Edith, who was the twin sister of George W., became Mrs. Ralph Ellison, and is now deceased ; and George W.

George W. Evans was reared upon his father's farm, and attended the local schools. He was married May 1, 1873, to Rebecca McCauley, born in Sangamon County, Ill., a daughter of Wiliam and Mary McCauley. After his mar- riage, Mr. Evans moved on his farm of 160 acres of land in Pontoosic Township, that he had bought when twenty years old, and lived on it until 1898, when he rented it and moved to Carthage, where he occupies a fine modern residence on Locust Street. He also owns his father's farm in Rock Creek Township, and also rents it. Mr. and Mrs. Evans had the following children born to them: William B., who lives in Rock Creek Township; Mary E., who is Mrs. Fred Symmonds of Carthage, Ill .; George W., who lives at Dallas City, Ill .; Charles A., who lives at Mt. Sterling, Ill .; Edith R., who is Mrs. Charles Orth of Carthage; and Nellie M., who is at home, acting as her father's housekeeper as her mother died August 14, 1897. Mr. Evans is a Republican, and has held public office in Pontoosic Township. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, all of Carthage. During his long residence at Carthage, he has earned the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, and is justly regarded as one of the 'representative men of the county.

EWING, Clarence Lee, one of the progressive general farmers and stockraisers of Hancock County, owns and operates a fine farm in Prai- rie Township. He was born in Prairie Town- ship, August 27, 1890, a son of W. C. and Ro- mana (Miller) Ewing. Clarence L. Ewing was reared on his father's homestead, and after at- tending the district schools, became a student of the Elvaston High School, from which he was

1197

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

graduated in 1908. For the subsequent eighteen months he attended the University of Illinois.

On March 12, 1912, Mr. Ewing was married to Blossom Walker, born in Prairie Township, a daughter of Frank and Helen (Jackson) Walker, natives of Walker and Wythe town- ships. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are as follows: Dorothy L., born No- vember 1, 1917; and Hubert Leland, who was born May 9, 1919.

After his marriage Mr. Ewing moved to his father's farm of 160 acres of land which he operates, and which he has thoroughly im- proved, erecting on the property modern build- ings. He raises registered Chester-White hogs, Rhode Island Red chickens and a few colts. Mr. Ewing is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Elvaston. Politically he is a Demo- crat.

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 103

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