Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 106

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 106

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).

GARARD, Chester B., cashier of the Elvaston Bank, is one of the experienced financiers of Hancock County, and through his efforts his institution is placed among the leading ones of its kind in this section. He was born at Basco, Ill., February 23, 1878, a son of Minor C. and Alice B. (Baldwin) Garard, natives of Pennsylvania and Bear Creek Township. G. W. Garard, the paternal grandfather, came to Illinois at an early day, and after a stop in Woodford County, came to Bear Creek Town- ship, where he entered land. The maternal grandparents, Charles W., and Mary (Baldwin) Baldwin, natives of Canada and Illinois, were also early settlers of Bear Creek Township.

1206

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Minor G. Garard and his wife settled at Basco after their marriage, and she was engaged in a drug business at that point until 1881, when he sold, and moved to Elvaston, and conducted a drug store here until 1897, at which time he again sold and went into a grain business at Elvaston, continuing it until 1904, at which time he moved to Butler, Mo., where he bought a farm, and there he still resides. His wife died April 5, 1918. Their children were as follows: Chester B .; Edna, who lives with her father; Frances, who is Mrs. Thomas Orr; Campbell, who lives at Elvaston; Minor -C., who is also with his father; Charles W., who is serving in the United States army ; Harry F., who is serving in the United States army ; and HIelen D., who is with her father.

After attending the public schools. Chester B. Garard took a course at the Gem City Busi- ness College at Quincy, Ill., and in the spring of 1895 went into the grain business with his father at Elvaston, leaving it in the fall of 1898 to go to Omaha, Nebr., where he con- ducted a grocery and meat market. In June, 1899, he sold and returned to Elvaston, and resumed his connection with the grain business, and also dealt in live stock, but in May, 1912, he sold, and for a time was interested in a lay and live stock business at Elvaston with J. L. Baldon. Since July, 1918, he has been cashier of the Farmers Exchange Bank of Elvas- ton. The present officers are J. L. Baldwin, president ; W. L. Price, vice president ; and Chester B. Garard, cashier. It has a capital stock of $10,000,00, with a surplus of $2,000,00, and deposits of $100,000.00.

On February 19, 1902, Mr. Garard was mar- ried to Alice C. Ewing, born in Prairie Town- ship, a daughter of John W. and Mary (Tweed) Ewing. Mr. and Mrs. Garard have two chil- dren ; Lorence and John Minor. He is a Dem- ocrat, and served as town clerk and a school director. A Mason, he belongs to the Elvaston Lodge No. 715, A. F. & A. M. and the Quincy Consistory.

GARARD, Elzy A., now of Chicago, but for- merly of Hancock County, is one whose biogra- phy properly belongs in a history of the section in which his family has been prominent for so many years. He was born in this county, Feb- ruary 19, 1884, a son of John Henry and Sarah (Browning) Garard, mentioned at length else- where in this work. After attending the public schools of Elvaston, Elzy A. Garard later be- came a student of the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon, Ill.

Completing his schooldays, Mr. Garard en- tered business in Chicago, to which city he came in February, 1902. For the first six months he was in the employ of Swift & Company, and then for four years sold insurance for the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1907 Mr. Garard went with H. T. Holtz & Co., bond brok- ers, as one of the company's salesmen, and in 1912 was placed in charge of their sales de- partment. Having gained an intimate knowl-

edge of this line of business, and formed a valuable acquaintanceship, Mr. Garard severed his connection with this company, in April, 1913, associating with Mr. Isaac N. Powell in a similar line of business, which is operated under the name of Powell, Garard & Co. This concern does a very extensive business in mu- nicipal and corporation bonds, and not only has material success been attained, but also reputation for reliability been built up which is truly admirable. The offices of this com- pany are on the seventh floor of the New York Life Building.

On May 10, 1905, Mr. Garard was united in marriage with Grace C. Palmer of Carthage, Ill., and they have two children, James L. and Sarah Virginia. Mr. Garard belongs to the Lake View Motor Club of Hamilton, having been one of the first to join this club. Since coming to Chicago he has joined the Union League, Bond Men's Club of Chicago, Flossmoor Coun- try, South Shore Country and Ridgeway clubs. Although his business success has come to him in Chicago, Mr. Garard has never lost his interest in Hancock County.

GARARD, John Henry, now deceased, was one of the men who dominated whatever field he chose to enter, and was not only a successful druggist, farmer and stockman, at different periods of his life, but always a public-spirited citizen and faithful and generous friend. He was born near Cruger, Woodford County, Ill., April 27, 1858, and died at Carthage, Ill .. April 30, 1916. He was a son of George W. and Frances (Minor) Garard, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania August 12, 1825, died January 12, 1897, having been a farmer and stockdealer. The family came to Illinois at an early day, from Pennsylvania, and settled in Woodford County. In 1866 they moved to Hancock County, locating near Basco.

John Henry Garard attended the common schools of Hancock County, Carthage College and the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Ill. During his boyhood he worked on the pa- rental farm, but in 1882 he and his brother Minor C. Garard established themselves in a drug business in Elvaston, which association continued until Mr. Garard suffered from a sunstroke, and as his health became seriously impaired, he disposed of his interests, and in 1901 came to Carthage, having bought the fam- ily homestead lying north of Carthage College. From then on he engaged in farming and stock dealing, but not recovering his health, he un- derwent a severe surgical operation in a Chi- cago hospital, which was later followed by a second. All these efforts were in vain, and his health gradually failed until death claimed him.

On February 22, 1883, Mr. Garard was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Alice Browning, a daughter of David W. and Lucinda Browning, natives of Tennessee, the former being born in 1835, and the latter in the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Ga- rard had two children, namely : Elzy, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere; and Mary Grace,

1207

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

who was born July 14, 1886, was married to Charles A. Fulton, and they live at Oklahoma City, Okla. Mr. Garard owned 100 acres of land in Carthage Township, the greater portion of which is within the city limits, and his resi- dence at No. 730 Walnut Street, Carthage. For many years the Methodist Episcopal Church has had in him a faithful and earnest member, and when he died the funeral services were con- ducted by his pastor, J. W. Ferris. Interment was made in Moss Ridge Cemetery. In politics he was a Democrat, although his health pre- vented his ever participating in official life. A man of high principles and upright thoughts, he lived wisely and well, and dying left behind him a gracious memory and a circle of warm personal friends who hold him in tender and affectionate recollection.

GARWOOD, Thomas J., who is one of the highly respected residents of Augusta Township, was formerly extensively engaged in farming in this township, where he now owns 740 acres of land that is being operated by his three sons. He was born in Jasper County, Ill., December 22, 1843, a son of Thomas and Jane (Richards) Garwood, natives of Ohio and Tennessee, who came to Adams County, Ill., in 1856, and engaged in farming. They moved to Hancock County, in 1860, and here he died in 1869, she surviving until 1898, then passing away at the present home of her son, Thomas J. Garwood.

Thomas J. Garwood attended the local schools, and worked for various farmers until he began working for himself, gradually adding to his land until he now has one of the largest farms in this locality, and here he carried on general farming and stock raising until his retirement.

On January 18, 1872, Thomas J. Garwood was married in Augusta Township, to Julia Welborn, born in Augusta Township, December 20, 1850, a daughter of Henry and Phebe (Hor- ney) Welborn, natives of North Carolina, who came to Hancock County, in October, 1850, and settled in Augusta Township, where both passed away, having been farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Garwood have four children, namely : Henry W .. Leonard and John T., who are on the homestead; and Julia M., who is the wife of Harry Hoffman, has a son, Harvey T. Mr. Garwood and his family belong to the Con- gregational Church. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and he has served as a school director. He is a man of excellent judgment, and takes an active interest in local affairs.

GAULE, Luke, a retired merchant of Ham- ilton, is one of the highly esteemed men of Hancock County. He was born at Waterford, Ireland, February 13, 1847, a son of Edmund and Bridget (Phelan) Gaule. . The mother dy- ing in 1856, the father was married (second) in 1864, to Almira Mallen. By his first mar- riage, the father had two sons, namely : Luke, and Richard. By his second, he had one son, Edward, who lives at Denver, Col. The father died in 1886. ·

In 1855, Luke Gaule was brought to the United States by his parents, who located at St. Louis, Mo., and there the mother died. In 1869, Luke Gaule began to be self supporting, and he worked on various farms in Hancock County until 1875. In that year he went to northwestern Iowa and bought 160 acres of land near Fort Dodge in Webster County, and lived on it for twenty-five years. During that period he saw many changes in that neighbor- hood. When he first went to Webster County corn sold for twenty cents a bushel, and horses for $20 each. After selling his farm, Mr. Gaule returned to Hancock County, and opened a gen- eral store at Hamilton in 1900, conducting it until 1918, when he sold it and has since lived retired.

On July 5, 1875, Mr. Gaule was married to Mary Holt, a daughter of Robert and Angeline (Yates) Holt of Nauyoo, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Gaule have eight children, namely: Sherman, who lives at San Francisco, Cal .; Edward, who lives at Clare, Iowa; Thomas, who lives at Davenport, Iowa; John and Richars, who served during the Great War; and Anna and Eunice, who are at home; and Lucy, who is the wife of R. C. Montgomery, mayor of Nau- voo. The family all belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Gaule is a Democrat and has been a school director.

GEHLE, William, one of the successful farmers of Appanoose Township, has long been num- bered among the representative men of Han- cock County. He was born in Sonora Town- ship, in March, 1871, a son of Casper and Mar- garet (Beelman) Gehle, natives of Germany, and grandson of Frank Gehle. The founder of the family in America was Frank Gehle, who came to the United States, when his son Casper was fourteen years old. In young manhood, Cas- per Gehle went to Iowa, where he met and was married to Margaret Beelman, and they located in Sonora Township, on the farm where their son, William, was reared.

In January, 1900, William Gehle was mar- ried to Ella Schenck, born in Sonora Township, a daughter of John G. and Anna (Salm) Schenck, natives of Switzerland, and grand- daughter of Christian and Amelia Schenck and Jacob and Elizabeth Salm, all of whom were early settlers of Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Gehle have a son, Roy, who was born in November, 1901. After marriage Mr. Gehle lived in Rock Creek Township until February, 1902, when he bought eighty acres of land in Appanoose Township, located on section 36, and here he erected new buildings and 'made other important improvements, until he now has a very fine property. Here he carries on general farming and raises horses, hogs and cattle. He rents and works eighty acres adjoining his farm. While Mr. Gehle belongs to no reli- gious body, he contributes to the Presbyterian Church to which Mrs. Gehle and their son be- long. He is a Democrat, and has served as a school director. A man of industry, he has

1208

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

made his work count, and he stands very high in his community.

GEORGE, Henry, now deceased, was for many years one of the highly esteemed men and suc- cessful farmers of Fountain Green Township, this county. He was born in Hesse Cassel, Ger- many, June 24, 1825, a son of Henry and Eliza- beth (Schaffer) George, also natives of Ger- many, who came to the United States in 1848, and. located in Virginia, where they lived until after the close of the Civil War, when they journeyed west to Illinois. After a stay in Mc- Donough County, of one year they came to Hancock County and located in Fountain Green Township.

Henry George was married in Shenandoah, Va., February 28, 1854, to Martha Jane Bals- ley, who was born near Staunton, Va., June 22. 1831, and they became the parents of the following children: Mary, who is Mrs. Mansel L. White. of Blandinsville, Ill .; Ella, who is Mrs. Noble White, of Kirksville, Mo .; Emma B., who is Mrs. Frank Mackelherne, of Chicago; and Lewis F .. who is a farmer of Fountain Green Township. Henry George lived on his farm in Fountain Green Township until his death, which occurred March 14, 1899, his widow surviving him until February 26, 1904. They were both most excellent and worthy peo- ple and their descendants are proving that they belong to the same fine stock as their parents.

GEORGE, John Henry, a retired farmer of Fountain Green Township, was formerly ac- tively engaged in farming in this section, and as long as he lived owned a valuable farm here. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 19, 1853, a son of Jacob and Christina (George) George, born in Germany. They came to the United States in 1849, and were married in Ohio, October 18, 1849, residing there until the fall of 1854, when they came further west, and bought a 40 acre farm in Hire Township, McDonough County. Later they sold this farm and bought eighty acres in the same town- ship, where both died, she July 21, 1898, and he January 18, 1909. Their children were as follows: Louis, who died in 1863; Louisa, who was Mrs. Newton Duke, died in 1878; Milton, who died in 1880; Catherine, who was Mrs. Cy- rus Fisher, died in 1906; Clara, who was Mrs. Philip Sparrow, died December 25, 1912; John Henry, who died December 25, 1918; William, who lives in Tennessee Township; Mariah, who is Mrs. Joseph Morgan of Colchester, Ill., and Dora, who is Mrs. Charles Riser, lives on the homestead in Hire Township.

John Henry George spent his boyhood on his father's farm, where he lived until his mar- riage, which occurred November 23, 1876, when he was united to Ida L. Bloyd, born in Foun- tain Green Township. Mr. and Mrs. George had the following children born to them: Florence, who is Mrs. Gilbert Jones, of Wall Lake, Iowa; Jacob B., who lives at Burnside, Ill .; Lucretia, who died in infancy; and Clar- ence W., who died near the age of twenty

years. Mrs. George died June 2, 1884. On October 3, 1889, Mr. George was married (sec- ond) to Mary Ellen Greenley, born September 25, 1871, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Eman- uel B., and Sarah (Winkleman) Greenley; born in Pennsylvania, who came to Fountain Green Township in 1875. By his second mar- riage, Mr. George had the following children : Henry E., who lives in Fountain Green Town- ship, married Bessie Bond; Christina May, who is Mrs. Vernon Carmack of Blandinsville, Ill .; Dora Pearl and Raymond Roy, both of whom are at home; Emanuel Dewey, who mar- ried Reva Fisher; and Ernest Cecil, who is at home.

After his first marriage, Mr. George assisted his father for a few years and then bought fifty-six acres of land in Fountain Green Town- ship, on which he erected new buildings and made many improvements. He kept adding to his farm until he owned 376 acres, all im- proved, on which he did general farming until 1916, when he retired, his sons now conduct- ing the farm, although he continued to reside on it. There he died December 25, 1918. Mr. George attended the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Democrat, but has not cared for office. His fraternal affiliation was with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Fountain Green. A man widely and favorably known, he stood very high in his neighbor- hood.

- GEORGE, Lewis F., one of the enterprising farmers of Fountain Green Township, comes of an old and honored family in this section of the state. He was born in Fountain Green Township, April 19, 1868, a son of Henry and Martha (Balsey) George, natives of Germany and Virginia. The paternal grandfather was Henry George, and he was married to a Miss Schaffer. In 1848 they came to the United States, locating in Virginia, where they re- mained until 1861 then journeying to Illinois, and after a stay of one year in McDonough County, came on to Hancock County, and lived out the remainder of their lives in Fountain Green Township. A sketch of the George fam- ily is found elsewhere in this work.

Lewis F. George attended the Hickory Grove district school, and grew up on his father's farm. On June 7, 1893, he was married to Nel- lie B. White, born January 15, 1867, at War- saw, Ill., a daughter of William Harrison and Eunice F. (Beebe) White, natives of New York, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Mrs. George is a graduate of Warsaw High school and taught in several schools of the county. Mr. and Mrs. George have two chil- dren, namely: Philip Earl, who was born De- cember S, 1898; and Martha Ruth, who was born November 20, 1900.

After his marriage Mr. George moved on an eighty-acre farm he owned in Fountain Green Township, and began to improve it, erecting modern buildings, putting up fences and inau-

1209

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

gurating many changes. He kept on adding to his farm until he now has 120 acres of land, all well improved, on which he does general farm- ing and raises horses, cattle and hogs. The Christian Church holds his membership. He is a Republican in politics and has served as school director. Fraternally he belongs to the Blandinsville Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Macomb Or- der. B. P. O. E., and the Fountain Green Camp, M. W. A. Both he and his wife stand very high in their neighborhood.

GERDES, George L., owner of eighty acres of land on section 35 Chili Township, who also farms another eighty acres which he rents, is a prosperous general farmer of Hancock County. He was born in Germany, November 10, 1877, a son of John S. and Engle (Duise) Gerdes, the former of whom still resides in Germany, but the latter is deceased. George L. Gerdes came to the United States in 1900, and to Illinois in 1902, stopping first at Golden, from whence he came to Hancock County. In the fall of 1916, he bought his present farm.

On March 12, 1904, Mr. Gerdes was married to Hattie Gronewold, born in Adams County, Ill., June 10, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes have six children, namely : Libbie, Fred, Arthur, Edith and Amy, twins, and William H., who are liv- ing, and one who is deceased. Mr. Gerdes is a member of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and gives a loyal support to the candidates and principles of his party. In addition to carrying on general farming. Mr. Gerdes buys and sells large quantities of cattle and hogs. Not only is he successful in his business, but he also stands well in his com- munity.

GERDES, John L., one of the prosperous gen- eral farmers and stockraisers of Hancock Coun- ty, operates eighty acres of land on section 36, Chili Township. He was born in Germany, April 7, 1871, a son of John Gerdes. In 1899 John L. Gerdes came to the United States, and the first year he was in this country, he worked at Golden, Ill. He then spent one year at Bentley and two years in Champaign County, Ill., then coming to his present farm in Chili Township. He was educated in the schools of his native land, and was engaged in farming before he came to this country, and he also worked as a carpenter, but has devoted the greater part of his attention to agricult iral matters.

Mr. Gerdes is a member of the Lutheran Church at Golden. Ill. In politics he votes as his conscience dictates, instead of being bound by party lines. A hard working, thrifty man, he has forged ahead, and is recognized as one of the highly respected men of Chili Township.

GIBSON, James W., a retired farmer and highly respected resident of Carthage, was formerly engaged in agricultural activities in Hancock County. He was born January 17, 1854, a son of James and Mary (Dale) Gibson, natives of

Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. John and Rachel Gibson, the paternal grandparents, were very early settlers of McDonough County, Ill., while the maternal grandparents, Whitney and Martha Dale, were pioneers of Hancock Township, Hancock County, coming here over- land by team, and entering land from the government. After their marriage, James Gib- son and his wife resided on the farm in Industry Township, McDonough County, for a few years, where James W. Gibson was born, and then moved to Hancock Township, Hancock County, and there spent the remainder of their lives, he dying May 18, 1885, and she November 19, 1903. Their children were as follows: William F., who is deceased ; James W .; Margaret, who is Mrs. Samuel Mosley of Ferris, Ill .; Martha, who is Mrs. William Riggins of Hancock Town- ship; Frances, who is Mrs. George W. Decker, of Shelbina, Mo .; and Clara, who is Mrs. Robert Duan, of Dixon, Ill.

With the establishment of Carthage College in 1870 by Professor Easterday, James W. Gib- son was given the advantage of a one year's course in it, and then he began teaching school in the rural districts and at Ferris, Burnside and Fountain Green, and continued in the educa- tional field for over a quarter of a century. On November 25, 1897, he was married to Nellie Richardson, born at Warsaw, Ill., a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Crain) Richardson, natives of Virginia and Ohio, re- spectively, who were married in Ohio and came to Warsaw about 1860, where Mr. Richardson conducted a coopering business. During 1849 he travelled with an ox-team to California in search of gold and remained away for several years, leaving his wife and two children in Ohio. Mrs. Richardson worked at dressmaking in order to support her children while he was gone, but one of the children died. Mr. Richard- son passed away December 10, 1899, and she April. 8, 1901. Their children were as follows: Lewis, who lives at Warsaw. Ill .; John, who lives at Cord. Ark. ; Thomas, who lives at Slaton, Tex .; and Mrs. Gibson, who was the youngest.

After his marriage, Mr. Gibson located on his farm of ninety acres in Hancock County, and farmed it until 1905, when he moved to Car- thage, buying nine lots in the extreme eastern part, on which he has built a fine residence, and here he is living in comfortable retire- ment. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson had two children born to them: Helen, on January 24, 1899, who is the wife of Ralph Jenkins, one of the public schooll teachers of Hancock County ; and Lloyd, who was born January 24, 1906. For eleven years prior to her marriage Mrs. Gibson was engaged in teaching in the rural districts of Hancock County, having been educated in the public schools of Warsaw. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are members of the Christian Church, of which he is a deacon. She is a member of the Missionary society and of the Band of Willing Workers, and for the past five years she has been primary superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Gibson is a Democrat and

1210

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

served as supervisor of Hancock Township for four years, and is a man of considerable dis- tinction locally.

GILLHAM, Eli D., now deceased, for some years prior to his demise was a retired farmer and was an honored resident of Warsaw, but during the many active years of his useful life he was one of the substantial agriculturalists of Han- cock County, in which he was a heavy land- owner. He was born in Campbell County, Ky., April 22, 1832, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Walker) Gillham, the former of whom was born in Campbell County, Ky., March 11, 1801, and the latter was born in the same county, May 17, 1803. In the spring of 1836 the family left Kentucky for Illinois, traveling down the Ohio and up the Mississippi River, reaching Hancock County in April of that year. The parents spent the remainder of their lives in Walker Township. The paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, and the maternal grandfather was born in Germany.

Eli D. Gillham attended the common schools of Hancock County, and continued to engage in farming until 1906 when he retired to War- saw, buying a residence at No. 1010 Webster Street, where he died February 15, 1919. He was a Democrat and held all of the township offices except that of justice of the peace, refus- ing the nomination as he did not care to assume the responsibilities of that office. At the time of his death he was interested in the Farmers Grain and Supply Company of Warsaw, and owned 165 acres of land in Walker Township, and 183 acres in Wythe Township, as well as his residence at Warsaw.

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 106

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