Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 105

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 105

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On November 28, 1900, Mr. Ferris was united in marriage with Carrie B. Banks, born in Hire

Township, McDonough County, a daughter of James C. and Susan (Campbell) Banks, natives of Hire Township, McDonough County, and Fountain Green Township, Hancock County, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris have one daughter, Frances B., who was born January 6, 1903. In politics Mr. Ferris is a Republican. He served as supervisor for one term, school director for many years, and later was food ad- ministrator for his township. Fraternally he belongs to La Harpe Lodge No. 195, A. F. & A. M., and Fountain Green Camp, M. W. A. During the Great War, Mr. Ferris proved his worth as a good citizen. and his services in be- half of his country were energetic and effec- tive.

FERRIS, Ulysses Stephen, one of the prosperous old and honored Ferris family of Hancock County. He was born in Fountain Green Town- ship, in September. 1868, a son of Dr. Leonard T. and Helen (Gilchrist) Ferris, natives of Steu- ben County, N. Y., and Vermont. They were married in McDonough County, Ill., in 1850, and moved to Fountain Green Township, where he was engaged in an active practice until his death in 1900. She survived him until 1912, dying at Carthage.

Ulysses Stephen Ferris attended the schools of his township and the Keokuk public schools, and took a business course at Valparaiso, Ind. For eighteen years he farmed rented land in Carthage Township, although he owned his present farm for some years before he built a residence and moved to it. He has always been a general farmer, and knows all the details of his work.

In December, 1895. Mr. Ferris was married to Mary Frances White, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Aldrich) White, natives of Ohio and New York state. respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris have the following children: Elizabeth, Wilbur and Alfred, all of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Ferris is a Republican, and he has served as a school director. He and his family belong to the Christian Church. Fra- ternally he is a Chapter Mason.

FINLAY, John H., one of the leading members of the legal profession in Hancock County, was born in Melrose Township, Adams County, not far from Quincy, Ill., April 20, 1845, a son of William and Charlotte (Bell) Finlay, natives of the North of Ireland. They were married in Ireland and after the birth of their son, Ger- ald, formerly a resident of Quincy, Ill., but now deceased, came to the United States, and located on a farm in Hancock County, Ill., in 1857. William Finlay was educated at Dublin, Ireland, and prior to coming to this country was a school teacher, but engaged in farming in Hancock County and was also a Methodist preacher.

When a mere boy, before he was seventeen years of age, John H. Finlay enlisted for service during the Civil war, in Company G, Second Illinois Cavalry, the company organized by the

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late Col. B. F. Marsh, and served for two years, when he was discharged because of a wound in his arm that incapacitated him for further serv- ice and maimed him for life. He entered the United States Revenue service under Jackson Grimshaw, who was collector for the district, and while thus engaged studied law under the tutorage of Mr. Grimshaw, who ranked as one of the best lawyers in the state. He subse- quently entered the law department of Harvard University and completed the course. It was while in the revenue service that he went to Warsaw, in 1868, as storekeeper at the old Waterman distillery, the late E. E. Lane of this city being likewise connected with the revenue service. Then was begun the friendship which subsequently resulted in their partnership in the practice of law. After graduating. Captain Finlay practiced law in Quincy for some months. In September. 1872, at the invitation of Mr. Lane. he came to Warsaw, and the firm of Lane & Finlay became well known through- out the county. The partnership continued un- til 1879, when Mr. Lane was appointed United States consul to Tunstall, England. Captain Finlay accompanied Mr. Lane, but remained abroad only a few months, returning in the fall of 1879 and resuming his practice. For one year, from 1882 to 1883, he was associated with the late George J. Rogers. In August 1885, he moved to Dodge City, Kans., where he was located for nearly five years.

On June 16, 1886, Captain Finlay was married to Mary Hill, born at Warsaw, Ill., in March, 1863, a daughter of William and Laura ( Hinch) IIill. Her grandparents were John and Harriet (Browning) Hill. and Thomas and Mary Pierce ( Leonard) Hinch. the latter being a sister of Helen Leonard, the mother of John Hay.

Mr. and Mrs. Finlay had no children. They resided in Dodge City until 1890, when they re- turned to Warsaw, the same year removing to Chicago, where they spent four years. Cap- tain Finlay engaged in the practice of law and in looking after the affairs of a glass sand factory on the Fox River, of which he was president. In 1894 they returned to Warsaw once more and thereafter made it their home. Several years prior to his death, Captain Finlay retired from the practice of law, and it was at that time that he took a keen pleasure in recording the expe- riences of his father, who was a loyal Orange- man while in his native land, which became a posthumous publication under the title of "The Orangeman."

Captain Finlay was an ardent Republican and did yeoman service for the party in his day. For many years he took an active interest in public affairs and served the community in various capacities, as mayor, supervisor, city clerk and a member of the board of education. John H. Finlay was the personification of op- timism. He saw the bright side of everything, and his radiant happy disposition never failed to cheer all with whom he came in con- tact. He was kind in his relations with men

and charitable in his judgments. Always jovial, always genial, and with a keen sense of humor, he was a dispenser of sunshine wherever lie went, and life was the fairer for having met him. His sudden death occurred on December 6, 1909.

FLESNER, Henry G., one of the prosperous farmers of Hancock County, owns and operates 100 acres of land on section 25, Chili Township. He was born in Adams County, November 12, 1893, a son of George H. and Hiska (Weerts) Flesner, natives of Adams County, Ill .. both of whom are now deceased. They had four chil- dren : Sophia, who died in infancy; Henry G. ; Eilert and Louis W.

Henry G. Flesner attended the schools of Adams County, and remained with his parents during their lifetime. On December 16, 1917, he was married to Lena S. Ufkes. Mr. and Mrs. Flesner have one son, M. H., who was born August 14, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Flesner belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Flesner is a Republican, and gives his party a loyal support. Although Mr. Flesner has been too much occu- pied with his private affairs to enter into public life. he has always taken an intelligent interest in local matters, and stands very well in his community.

FOWLER, William J., one of the concrete con- tractors of Hancock County, is profitably en- gaged in this line at La Harpe. He was born at La Harpe, May 15, 1868, a son of Abram and Levina (Dunlap) Fowler. he born in an eastern state, and she in West Virginia. Abram Fowler was first married at Newport, Ky., to Cynthia Ann Irvin, who died in Kentucky. They had two children, namely: Amelia, who is de- ceased ; and Angelina, who is the widow of Henry Clark, lives at Pleasantdale. Neb. In 1858, he was married to Levina Dunlap, and their children were as follows: Sarah Isabell. Elizabeth Ellen and Jennie. all of whom are deceased ; William J .; and Nora who is Mrs. Vaughn of La Harpe.

William J. Fowler attended the public schools until he was sixteen years old. when he began working by the month for neighbor- ing farmers during the summer, and so con- tinued for five years, and during the winter he was employed in a butcher shop. Then, for several years. he was engaged in laying brick. when he returned to working in a butcher shop. In 190S, he began contracting for the building of highway bridges within the radius of many miles, and he also manufactures cement blocks for building purposes.

On April 15. 1895. he was married to Meda Hay, born in Fountain Green Township, Octo- ber 14, 1877, a daughter of William P. and Maggie (Parker) Hay, he born near Kahoka, in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler became the is Mrs. Ward Maynard, of La Harpe; Edith parents of the following children : Maggie, who Elizabeth, William J., Jr .. and Harold, all of whom are at home. Mr. Fowler belongs to the

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Union Church, which he has served as truste for several years. Independent in politics, he has been called upon to serve the Second Ward in the city council for three terms. Fraternally he is a Chapter Mason, and belongs to the local Blue Lodge, and the Encampment of the Odd Fellows, to the Eastern Star and the Modern Woodmen of America, and Mrs. Fowler belongs to the Rebekahs and Eastern Star.

FREELAND, John Martin, now deceased, was one of the honored residents of Hancock County. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, near the Rhine River, January 12, 1832. After completing his education, and before he was of age, he came to the United States to make his' home with an elder brother at Pittsburgh, Pa. Not liking that city, he came west to Wisconsin, and later to Knoxville, Ill., and engaged in farming for a year in Knox County. He then moved to Basco, Ill., where friends of his early childhood were located, and there he was mar- ried to Mary Anna Rohrer in March, 1864.

Mary Anna Rohrer was born in Asch, Aus- tria, February 29, 1832, and was one of five children, four of whom, three brothers and a sister, had already come to the United States. After the death of her father, she too came here with her mother, Mrs. Regina (Wolfgang) Rohrer, in 1863. They intended to go to New Orleans, La., where W. H. and C. G. Rohrer were located, but the South was then in a state of blockade on account of the Civil War, and a son-in-law, P. H. Steinmetz, of Vicksburg. Miss., was in the army, so they were forced to land at New York, and go to Buffalo, and later to Pitts- burgh. where they had friends. Finally they reached Hamilton, Ill., where C. H. Rohrer was temporarily located. During the following year, 1864, Mary Anna Rohrer was married. In the spring of 1868, John M. Freeland and his wife bought an unimproved farm in Prairie Town- ship, and their house was largely built by Mr. Freeland himself, to which additions were made as time went on. Here their five children were born and all grew up. The home became the scene of many social activities and "Old Home- stead" was known for its good cheer and hospi- tality. Here John Freeland died on May 28. 1906. Mrs. Freeland surviving him until Novem- ber 26, 1911.

In 1911 the Old Homestead was torn down and replaced by a beautiful stucco house with all modern improvements. Here reside J. M. and Regina M. Freeland. J. M. Freeland is one of Hancock County's most successful farmers. Like his father he is a stanch Democrat. Re- gina M. Freeland is prominent in social, reli- gious and educational affairs, and is principal of the Lincoln School at Carthage. In church affiliations both she and her brother are Meth- odists. Mary Anna Freeland was married to A. S. Anderson, now superintendent of schools at La Grange, Ill. Flora Matilda Freeland was married to William Elzie Scott, a prominent business man of Denver, Ill., and a dealer in coal and grain. Clara Adaline Freeland was

married to E. K. Thompson, and died at Bowen, Ill., October 29, 1901.

FRY, Joseph Franklin, who has perhaps done more to advance the farmer of Hancock County than any one other man, is an agriculturalist of the most advanced type, operating scientifi- cally and experimentally 1,100 acres of rich Hancock County farm land in Rocky Run Township, although he maintains his resi- dence at No. 245 Fourth Street, Warsaw. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, February 23, 1851, a son of Thomas Dotson and Mary Jane (Williams) Fry, natives of Belmont County, Ohio, and Virginia, respectively. The father, who was a farmer, lived in Ohio until the spring of 1851, when he came west and lo- cated in Des Moines County, Iowa, just north of Burlington, making the trip with wagons across country, there being no railroads in this section of the country at that time. The grandparents came to the United States from Germany more than a century ago, and located in Pennsylvania.

Joseph Franklin Fry received better educa- tional advantages than many a farmer's son of those days, for he was sent to Denmark Academy at Denmark, Iowa. However, as he was reared on the farm of his father and cir- cumstances made it necessary for him to put forth his best efforts to make his work count, he feels that the early training he received of an agricultural nature, directed him in his choice of his life work, and that in no other channel could he have achieved such success as has come to him. Doubtless, however, the same characteristics which have made him a dominating factor in agriculture, would have . brought him prosperity in almost any other line, for he is one to whom failure would have been an impossibility.

When Mr. Fry was seven years old, his parents moved to Green Bay Township, Lee County, Iowa, and there he resided until he had accumulated 700 acres of land. This he later sold, and coming to Hancock County, he invested in 1.000 acres of very valuable land in Rocky Run Township, later adding 100 acres, which he still owns. While he resides at War- saw, he is not a retired farmer in any sense of the word, going to work on his farm every day, and taking as much interest in the cultivation of his land and the development of its every resource as he did in young manhood, when his success was still to acquire. Mr. Fry has branched out somewhat in his interests, for he was president and a stockholder of the bank at Wever, Iowa, and is now vice-president of the Farmers Grain and Supply Company of Warsaw, of which he is also a heavy stock- hodler.

While at Denmark, Iowa, Mr. Fry was mar- ried, on November 8, 1903, to Susie A. Whit- marsh, a daughter of William Faxton and Elizabeth (Wright) Whitmarsh. Mrs. Fry was born February 6, 1861, and attended Denmark Academy, and the Baptist College, at Burling- ton, Iowa. For some years prior to her mar-

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miage. she taught school and also music in Lee County. Mr. and Mrs. Fry have no children of their own, but they adopted a niece of Mrs. Fry's named Laura Ware Fry, and they are rearing her as their own child. While a resi- dent of Wever, Mr. Fry was a member of the Christian Church, and superintendent of the Sunday school, but since locating at Warsaw, he has been connected with the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder and has been a teacher in the. Sunday school for 6 years. For many years he was a Republican, but for the past eight or ten years he has cast his vote for the man, rather than according to party lines.

Mr. Fry has always been intensely interested in the advancement and uplift of agricultural interests, and it has always been a great pleasure for him to study the characteristics of corn and other farm products, and every acre of land he owns, he paid for my money wrenched from the soil by scientific methods. He has not been content, however, to use his knowledge for selfish ends, but has freely given to all who have asked, and served as president of the Farmers Institute of Lee County for eight successive years, from 1904 to 1912, was for six years commissioner of the Hunt Drain- age District of Hancock County, and is a mem- ber of the Upper Mississippi Levee and Drain- age Commission, an organization composed of twenty-nine levee and drainage districts, along the Mississippi River from Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Rock Island, Ill. He is vice president of this organization and also a member of the executive committee. The object of this com- mission is to get allotments from the govern- ment to strengthen and build levees along both sides of the Mississippi River from Cape Girardeau to Rock Island, Ill. He is also a member of the Illinois Society of Engineers, and a member of the American Cooperative Publishing Co.

From boyhood it has been the aim of Mr. Fry's life to be of some use to his fellow man and to make the world a little better for his having lived in it, and long ago he had achieved his aim, but did not stop in his efforts, but has kept on endeavoring to bring to bear upon others the force of his convictions with regard to the importance and dignity of agricultural labor, and present day conditions prove the truth of his stand and the foresight he has displayed.

GABEL, William Ellsworth, one of the sub- stantial business men of Elvaston, is conduct- ing a large grain, hay, coal and cement busi- ness, and is numbered among the representa- tive men of his county. He was born in Wythe Township, November 23, 1874, a son of George and Isabell (Crays) Gabel, natives of Germany and Ohio, respectively. After their marriage, George Gabel and his wife located in Wilcox Township, but after several years moved to Wythe Township, bought a farm, and lived on it for twenty-five years, and he died there

March 19, 1888. She then rented a farm, but later moved to Elvaston, where she died De- cember, 1902. Their children were as follows: Mary, who is Mrs. William Shorts, of Stillwell, Ill .; Martha, who was Mrs. Warren Wallace, died in 1901; Sarah, who is Mrs. Henry Hart- lan of West Point, Ill .; Anna Bell, who is the widow of Thomas Wiggins, lives at Quincy, Ill .; George I., who lives at Wood River, Ill .; John, who lives in Montana; Willis H., who lives at Areada, Kans .; Eli F., who lives in Carthage Township; and William E.

William E. Gabel attended the district schools and was reared on a farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-three years old, and then went to Arcadia, Kans., where he was in a butcher business for a time, and he was also engaged in lead and zinc mining. Returning to Hancock County, he joined his mother and continued to live with her until her death. Buying a hay press he conducted it for five years, and then went into the implement busi- ness at Elvaston, selling hay. In the spring of 1912, he bought his present grain business and built a large elevator, and now handles grain, hay, coal, cement and similar commodi- ties, doing a large and constantly expanding business.

On June 14, 1905, Mr. Gabel was married to May Kinkade, born at Denver, Ill., a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Fry) Kinkade, natives of Pennsylvania and Missouri, respectively, Mr. and Mrs. Gabel have a son, Myron. In politics Mr. Gabel is a Republican, and he has served on the town board for eight years. One of the most loyal citizens, he has taken a very active part in the Liberty Loan drives, and other patriotic movements, and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. His fra- ternal connections are with the Elvaston Camp, M. W. A.

GABEL, William I., one of the prosperous farmers of Hancock County, is operating 160 acres of valuable land on section 7, Chili Town- ship. He was born in Hancock County, January 8, 1885, a son of George I. and Minerva (Hart- man) Gabel, natives of Illinois.

William I. Gabel was reared in Hancock County, where he attended the district schools, and learned to be a practical farmer on his father's homestead. On January 10, 1906, Mr. Gabel was united in marriage with Minnie Mc- Bride, who was born in Adams County, Ill., September 26, 18SS, a daughter of Marion and Rose (Rosenerana) McBride, both of whom are now residing in Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Gabel became the parents of one son, who was born to them on December 19, 1908, and named Floyd A.

After his marriage, Mr. Gabel located on the farm, where he is engaged in raising Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and feeding stock for the market. He is a member of the Chris- tian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as a school director. His fra- ternal connections are maintained with the Masons and Odd Fellows. Through his industry

JOHN E. SCOTT

GERTRUDE SCOTT

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

and thrift, Mr. Gabel has established a reputa- tion as being an excellent business man, while his standing as a citizen is unquestioned.

GAHLE, John, one of the highly esteemed resi- dents of Adrian, who is very well known throughout Hancock County, has been inter- ested in several lines of activity. He was born at Orleans, Neb., September 23, 1874, a son of George and Anna Mary (Sheppel) Gahle, na- tives of Germany. The paternal grandfather. John Francis Gahle left Germany, bringing his family with him, and upon reaching the United States, made his way to Fort Madison, Iowa. George Gahle and Anna Mary Sheppel were married at St. Louis, Mo., from whence they went to Fort Madison, Iowa, and thence to Ne- braska, being among the pioneers of that state, their eldest son, George H. Gahle, being the first white child to be born in Harlan County, Neb. Both are still living, and are still resi- dents of Nebraska. Their children are as fol- lows : Fred, who lives in Nebraska; Tillie, who is Mrs. William Manning of Kansas; Clara, who is Mrs. Edward Helfrich of Nebraska; Edward, who lives in Nebraska ; and John.

John Gahle attended the public schools of his native state until he was twenty years old, when he began farming to assist his father, and also was with his father in railroad con- struction work on the new roads constructed in Nebraska and Montana. He then went to Billings, Mont., and was employed on railroad work at that point for a year, when, in 1894, he came to Illinois, and worked on a Hancock County farm for a year. For the subsequent couple of years, he was engaged in farming for himself, when he established himself in a mercantile business at Adrian, and remained in it for three years, at which time he sold, and became a salesman for a threshing machine company, but since 1915, he has been a sales- man for Emberson-Brantingham Company of Rock Island, Ill.

On February 13, 1899, Mr. Gahle was mar- ried to Margaret McGahen, born in Rock Creek Township, a daughter of Alfred and Mary ( Stephenson ) McGahen, born in Hancock County, Ill. Mrs. Gahle's grandparents, Asa and Sarah (Seeley) McGahen, and John and Margaret (Ellison) Stevenson, were born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Gahle became the par- ents of the following children: Mary, Frank and Leslie. Mr. Gahle is a member of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he served four terms as town clerk, and has been a justice of the peace since 1916. His fraternal connections are with the Modern Woodmen of America.

GANNON, Patrick T., now deceased, was for many years connected with important agricul- tural operations in several of the townships of Hancock County. He was born in New York City, N. Y., May 3, 1841, a son of Michael and Ellen (Tracy) Gannon. They came westward, and she died at New Orleans, La., after which

he brought his family to Nauvoo, arriving here in 1843. Michael Gannon invested in land and farmed for some years, then sold his property, and started to return to New Orleans, but died while on the Mississippi River. He had left his children with the Moffitt family, and Pat- rick T. Gannon continued with them for some time, leaving them to live with a Mr. Mullin in Rock Creek Township. He then began working by the month for different farmers, so continu- ing until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, on September 9, 1861, in the Seventh Mis- souri Cavalry, and he was honorably discharged November 20, 1864, having given his country a brave and loyal support. After his discharge, he returned to Rock Creek Township, and bought eighty acres of wild prairie land. On December 17, 1868, Mr. Gannon was married to Eliza Jane Davis, born at Jackson, Ohio, Sep- tember 15, 1841, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Tyler) Davis, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively, who came to Prairie Township in 1847. After his marriage Mr. Gannon went to live on his farm, and spent eight years there, and after improving it, he bought a farm in the timber of Prairie Township, on which he lived, improving the farm thoroughly. In 1880 he moved to Farris, Ill., having rented the farm. He then bought eighty acres of land adjoining Ferris on the west, but later sold this last farm. All his life he was a heavy buyer of land, and made a great deal of money in his transactions. The beautiful family residence at Ferris was built by him. Here Mrs. Gannon resides with James H. Gannon, a child they raised. She owns three farms, one of 160 acres, one of ninety acres and one of eighty acres, the ninety- acre farm being in Prairie Township, and the others in Rock Creek Township, and all are rented. Mr. Gannon died May 3, 1916, and is buried in Moss Ridge Cemetery. Although reared a Catholic, he did not adhere to that faith later on in life. For many years he served as a school director, and always was a friend of the public schools, for he realized the need of education for the young, he never having any educational advantages. Mr. Gan- non and Rev. Fayette Dowd, as directors, built the public school at Ferris, and he was other- wise public spirited and a man of fine charac- ter.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 105

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