Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 107

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 107

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On January 5, 1858, Mr. Gillham was married in Rocky Run Township to Sarah F. Wood- worth, born in Rocky Run Township, April 19, 1836, of Scotch and English ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Gillham had two children: Clara Belle, who is the wife of Isaac Baker, was born Octo- ber 23. 1860; and Ida Eudora, who was born December 27. 1866, died February 18, 1919. Mr. Gillham was an active man in the affairs of Walker Township, as well as those of the county. A successful man of business, he was able to amass considerable property, and at the same time discharged the duties of public office in a public-spirited way. In his death Warsaw and Hancock County undoubtedly lost one of their best citizens, and his family a wise father and devoted husband.

GITTINGS, Ivo J., a prosperous farmer of Durham Township, belongs to one of the best known pioneer families of Hancock County, and lives on the farm that has been in his family for over eighty years. He was born on his present farm in Durham Township, in Novem- her, 1859, a son of William K. and Elizabeth (Hardy) Gittings, and grandson of William Henson and Mary Ellen (Mudd) Gittings and Ivo and Mary (Riley) Hardy, all of whom came to Hancock County in the early thirties. A sketch of the Gittings family is found elsewhere in this work.

Ivo J. Gittings attended the district schools of Durham Township, and the University of Notre Dame. He has always lived on his present farm, and when his father died, he bought out the other heirs, which, with the land he inherited, gives him a farm of 320 acres of the old homestead, all of which is improved. He has half of it under cultivation, and the rest in pasture land, and he is an extensive raiser of horses, cattle and hogs.

In March, 1902. Mr. Gittings was married to Mary Bell, born in Clark County, Mo., a daugh- ter of Daniel and Ida (Glenn) Bell, he born at Nauvoo, Ill., and she near Salem, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Gittings became the parents of the following children : Morril I., Jessie May, Eliza- beth, Charles and Catherine. The Gittings are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Gittings is independent in his political views. He be -· longs to Dallas City Lodge No. 989, I. O. O. F. A man of ability, he has made a success of his work, and gained at the same time the confi- dence and respect of his neighborhood.

GITTINGS, William K., now deceased. was for many years one of the most prominent agricul- turists of Hancock County, and at one time was probably the heaviest landowner of Durham Township. While he has passed from this sphere of activity, the influence of his blameless · life remains and his good deeds are remembered by many still living in this locality. He was born in Maryland in 1821, a son of William Henson and Mary Ellen (Mudd) Gittings, na- tives of Maryland and Kentucky.

William K. Gittings was married to Elizabeth Hardy, a daughter of Ivo and Mary (Riley) Hardy, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, the ceremony taking place in Hancock County, to which the Gittings came in 1832 and the Hardys in 1834. The Gittings drove overland from Maryland to Illinois, and entered land in Fountain Green Township, a portion of which was covered with heavy timber. Two years later they sold this land and moved to the northern boundary of Fountain Green Town- ship, and entered many acres of land on the mound which still retains the name Gittings Mound, given to it in honor of the Gittings family. The Hardys entered land in Fountain Green Township that is still in possession of the family.

William K. Gittings and his wife settled in Durham Township after their marriage, and two years later he entered land in the north- east corner of this township, and he also bought the interests of the other heirs to the Gittings homestead. At one time he owned between 1,500 and 1,600 acres of land and was a very extensive raiser of cattle and hogs. He erected a fine residence, which was the most comfort- able and imposing in the county at that time. It was all built of soft pine, and worked by hand, and although many years have passed since then, it is still a beautiful house. He died Otcober 30, 1896, but his wife survived

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him until 1908, when she passed away, aged eighty-six years. Their children were as fol- lows : Mary Ellen, who is Mrs. William L. Dean of Durham Township; Julia A., who is the widow of William Yager, lives at Burling- ton, Iowa; Cora, who is Mrs. J. H. Arnold of Burlington, Iowa ; Ivo J., who is a prosperous farmer of Durham Township; Henry M., who lives in Henderson County. Ill .; and Katie, who is Mrs. E. L. Ballisle of Champaign, Ill.

GLAZE, Elijah, a retired farmer of Burnside, was at one time very prominent in agricultural circles in Hancock County. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 23, 1830. a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Wiles) Glaze, na- tives .of Scotland and Pennsylvania. respective- ly. They settled in Brown County, Ohio, but later moved to Burnside, Ill. ,where they spent the rest of their lives.

In 1856 Elijah Glaze, who had lived with his parents until then. came to Pilot Grove Township. Hancock County, settling along the timber. A year later he returned to Ohio, and was there married. on February 5, 1857, to Amanda Fitzallen Steelman, born in New Jer- sey. July 26, 1833, a daughter of Phannel and Elizabeth (Miers), Steelman, natives of New Jersey, who later went to Ohio, and thence to Indiana. After their marriage, Elijah Glaze and his wife rented land in Pilot Grove Town- ship for six years, and he then bought eighty acres one-half mile north of Burn de, which was raw prairie, and for which he paid $10 per acre. He immediately began improving this land. but three years later sold it and bought 160 acres one mile west of Burnside, on which there was a frame house. and the place was fenced. Mr. Glaze thoroughly im- proved this farm, and lived on it until 1896, during which time he carried on general farm- ing and stockraising. He then bought about two and one-half acres in Burnside, on which was a house and barn. When the house later was burned, he replaced it with a fine mod- ern residence, and here he has since lived re- tired, and rents out his farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Glaze became the parents of the following children: Franklin Edgar, who lives at Wellington, Kas .; Laura Ophelia. who died at the age of nineteen years; Clara Olive, who died at the age of nineteen years, was Mrs. Robert S. Corbett ; Ada Amanda, who is Mrs. William Sweeney, of Pilot Grove Town- ship, and her twin sister, Ida Elizabeth, who is at home: Myrtie Bell, who is Mrs. R. S. Corbett of La Harpe. Ili .; and Charles Grant, who lives at Elk City, Okla. Mr. and Mrs. Glaze celebrated their golden wedding in 1907. Mr. Glaze attended the common schools of Ohio. He is a Republican, and has served as a school director. The Christian Church holds the membership of himself and wife. Ile is a man of upright life and sterling character. and his friends and associates hold him in very high esteem.

GOLDENSTEIN, Tonyes J., is one of the pro- gressive farmers of Hancock County, bis fine farm being one of the best improved in Prairie Township. He was born in Hanover, Germany, February 9, 1867, a son of John and Anna (Tammen) Goldenstein, who died in Germany. In 1882 T. J. Goldenstein came to the United States, and for two years worked by the month on farms in Adams County, Ill. He then came to Hancock County, and continued to do farm work by the month for four years. For the subsequent year he rented land, and then bought seventy-seven acres of land in Harmony Town- ship, and borrowing $100, erected a small house, in which his first child was born. Ten years later he sold this farm, and bought 160 acres of land, on which he set out an orchard, put up fences and made other improvements, al- though the house was suitable for living pur- poses. Five years later, he sold that farm and bought 160 acres in Harmony Township, and thoroughly improved it, and two years later sold it at a profit, and bought 320 acres ill Prairie Township, on section 36. On it he built a silo, set out an orchard, and made other improvements. Still later he sold eighty-eight acres of it to Theodore Geissel, and eighty acres to his son, Fred. The remainder is in fine con- dition, and five acres are in heavily bearing fruit trees. He raises grapes and small fruits, and has a very valuable place.

On March 4, 1888, Mr. Goldenstein was mar- ried to Amelia Geissler, of Wuerttemberg, Ger- many, a daughter of Frederick and Anna (An- dreas) Geissler, who died in Germany in 1886, and Mrs. Goldenstein came to the United States, and has since then lived in Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Goldenstein have the following children: Fred, who lives in Prairie Township; Anna, who is Mrs. J. T. Jurgens of Harmony Township; Wilma, who lives at St. Louis, Mo .; William, who is serving in the United States army; and Bernard, Theodore and Elizabeth, who are at home. Botlı Mr. Goldenstein and his wife attended school ill Germany. They are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he served for six years as highway commissioner.

GOODING, Bud, now deceased, while not a resident of Hancock County, Owned and oper- ated a fine farm just across the county line in Adams County, and his widow is now making her home at Bowen. He was so well known to Hancock County people, that he was regarded by them as one of their number, and when he died, his demise was felt to be a loss to both counties. He was born in Adams County. Ill .. April 25. 1831. a son of Daniel W. and Ira (Richardson) Gooding. Daniel W. Gooding was born in Maine and his wife in Ohio, and they were farming people. coming to Illinois from Ohio at an early day, and dying in Adams County, where they had prospered as farmers. It is related that one of the ancestral grand- mothers of Mrs. Gooding was regarded as equal to any physician, and was called into consulta-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

tion by her neighbors as early as 1869. She was a most remarkable woman, and not only was able to cure the sick, but spun wool and wove it into cloth for the clothing of her family. Some of the silverware she used on her table is in the possession of Mrs. Gooding.

Bud Gooding was reared in his native county, and attended its public schools, and turned to farming as his life work. During the Civil War he served in the Union army, and was a brave and loyal soldier. After his return he began farming on his 155 acres six miles south of Bowen, where he resided until his death, December 23, 1915. After he passed away, his wife moved to Bowen, where she owns a com- fortable dwelling.

On September 27, 1866, Mr. Gooding was mar- ried to Sarah E. Crow, a daughter of Daniel and Tisie Crow, the former of whom, a plasterer by trade, was also a farmer, and lived six miles southeast of Mendon in Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Gooding became the parents of the following children: Daniel W., who was born September 22, 1867; an infant son, who was born June 7, 1869, died June 7, 1869 ; Elnora, who was born May 10, 1871; Eliza A., who was born November 19, 1872; Martha E., who . was born June 7, 1878, died in 1886; Sarah, who was born October 4, 1879; Nettie, who was born August 11, 1882, died February 3, 1883; Ettie, who was born August 11, 1882, died February 6, 1883; Henry R., who was born March 21, 1884; Russell, who was born December 18, 1887; and Otto E., who was born April 17, 1889. Mr. Good- ing was a Republican all his life, but aside from duty as a citizen in exercising his right of suf- frage, lie did not participate in public life. The Baptist Church held his membership, but Mrs. Gooding was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. A man who lived up to what he thought was right, Mr. Gooding commanded re- spect, and he had many warm friends in Adams and Hancock County, so that he deserves a place in a work of this high character, because through his influence and upright living he set a good example for the young people of Han- cock County to follow.

GOODRICH, Charles W. Among the represen- tative citizens and successful farmers of Han- cock County, none stands higher in public esteem than Charles W. Goodrich, owner of 220 acres of valuable farm land in Carthage Township. He was born in Hancock County, October 8, 1843, the youngest child of Meshack, and Rebecca (Ruddle) Goodrich. They had fourteen chil- dren born to them, but of them only Charles W. remains.

Meshack Goodrich was born in Pennsylvania, December 19, 1794, and died in 1880, at the age of eighty-six years. When he was fourteen years old lie went to the Shendoah Valley, tak- ing with him a set of carding tools given him by his father with which to card wool. He remained there until 1839 when, attracted by the accounts he had heard of the lands along the Mississippi River, he came to Hancock County,

making the trip with a covered wagon. After his arrival he bought some land from a soldier who wanted to return to his old home. Eighty acres of the original homestead is now in the possession of Charles W. Goodrich. The original deed to this property, signed by the President of the United States, is one of the heirlooms of the Goodrich family. The mother of Charles W. Goodrich, was born in Virginia, November 17, 1797, and she died March 24, 18SS, aged ninety-one years. The Goodrich family is one of the oldest in America, the founder of it in this country arriving from his native land of England, to the American Colonies not long after the arrival of the historic Mayflower and his descendants are to be found in practically every state of the Union, and in every honor- able profession and calling.

Charles W. Goodrich attended the local schools, and was reared to a practical knowl- edge of farming and stockraising, which in- dustries he has followed all his life. At first he rented a portion of his father's farm, but gradually bought land until he now has a very fine farm of 220 acres, all in Carthage Town- ship. His home is a very pleasant one with many improvements.

On December 28, 1865, Mr. Goodrich was mar- ried to Miss Mildred E. Davis, and they be- came the parents of a family of children, all living namely : Ada E .; John Frank; Charles E., Emma May, and Arlington R. The eldest, Ada F., was first married to William Weir and they had three children, namely : Blanchie Nora, Orin Oscar, and Ora. After the death of her first husband, Ada E. was married (second) to Henry Chamberlain, and they had two chil- dren born to them, namely: Charles H. and Frances. Charles H. Chamberlain was grad- uated from the Burlington High school, and is now serving his country as a soldier. John Frank Goodrich is a graduate of the University of Illinois, and lives at Carthage, Ill. He is mar- ried to Elizabeth Moyer. Charles E., who is the third child of Charles W. Goodrich, is a resident of Kansas City, Mo., connected with the 'Frisco line, and he expects to serve his country in rail- road work. He is married and has one son, Max. Emma May, the fourth of the children of Charles W. Goodrich was educated in the public schools of Carthage and Carthage Col- lege. She is married to James Franklin Brad- shaw, a farmer of La Harpe Township. They have five children namely : James Franklin, Jr., Helen May, Charles Wesley, Mildred and Ruth. The family are all Methodists, and Mr. Bradshaw belongs to the Odd Fellows; the larg- est of Mr. Goodrich's children Arlington R. is a resident of Carthage Township, where he is engaged in farming. For three years he attended Carthage College. He is married to Miss Babel Conklin, and they have two children, Harold R. and Howard C .. They are all members of the Methodist Church.

Mrs. Goodrich was born in the Shendoah Valley, Va., February 7, 1847, a daughter of Samuel W. and Sarah Davis, who came to Han- cock County by way of the Ohio and Missis-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

sippi rivers, and settled in Hancock County. Both are now deceased and are buried in the Carthage Cemetery. Mrs. Goodrich was seven years old when the family came to the county, where her life has been practically spent, and here obtained her education. A Democrat, Mr. Goodrich has alweys voted the ticket of his party, and he has been a school director for over thirty years. He and his wife are con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has served it for over thirty years as a steward.

GORDON, Eleanor Elizabeth, is one of the most distinguished women Hancock County has produced, and she belongs to one of the old families of this part of the state. She is the oldest daughter of Samuel and Permalia (Al- vord) Gordon, and granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gordon, and Rev. Samuel and Ursula (Smith) Alvord. Samuel Gordon came to Hancock County, from Peterboro, N. H., in 1830, and Rev. Samuel Alvord came here from northwestern Pennsylvania, in 1840. After his arrival, Samuel Gordon bought the section of land, on which Hamilton now stands. for $5.85, it being sold for taxes. Miss Eleanor Eliza- beth Gordon has two brothers and three sisters, namely : J. A. Gordon, who is in a book and stationary business at Hamilton, and is also manager of the Keokuk Electrical Company ; R. S. Gordon, who is connected with the First National Bank of Hamilton; Alice, who is a poetess and authoress, her productions having received favorable notice upon publication ; Agnes, who died March 26, 1919; and Mabel, who was a public school teacher, is now Mrs. Willard Waggoner of Hamilton, Ill., Mr. Wag- goner being employed at present in the power house at Keokuk, Iowa.

Miss E. E. Gordon was born at Hamilton, Ill., October 1, 1852, and attended the Hamilton public schools, and the Iowa State University, and then took a special course at Cornell Uni- versity. She then began teaching school and was assistant principal of the Centerville (Iowa) schools and later principal of the schools at Humboldt, Iowa. In 1889 she was ordained a minister of the Unitarian faith, and had charge of churches at Sioux City, Iowa, for eight years; Iowa City, Iowa, for four years, and Burlington. Iowa, for two years. Hard labors in her ministerial work made a change of climate desirable and she went to North Dakota. She was at Fargo for two and one-half years, where she had charge of the Unitarian Church, and then, being improved in health, came back to Iowa and was associate minister for three years at Des Moines, Iowa. At the expiration of that period. she was made field secretary of the State Unitarian Conference of Iowa, and editor of the "Old and New." For two years she was president of the Iowa Suffrage As- sociation, and during that period had charge of the state legislative work in behalf of her association, In December 1909, she went to Orlando, Fla., and since then has had charge of

a winter parish, but her summers are spent at her old home at Hamilton. During her long ministerial service, Miss Gordon has shown re- markable capabilities, and won and held friend- ships with men and women of high standing. She is a woman of unusual mental endowments, and has made excellent use of her talents, and unselfishly spent herself in the service for hu- manity's betterment.

GORDON, Joseph Karl, one of the prosperous general farmers and stock raisers of Hancock County, owns and operates a fine farm in St. Albans Township. He was born at Winchester, Ill., Scott County, June 13, 1883, a son of Henry L. and Fannie (Camp) Gordon, natives of Win- chester, Ill. Henry L. Gordon is a farmer and still lives at Winchester.

Joseph Karl Gordon attended the local schools, and for one term was a student of Eu- reka College. He then began farming in Scott County, where he continued to live until 1910, when he came to Hancock County, and bought eighty acres of land in St. Albans Township, one and one-half miles north, and one mile east of West Point, where he has since continued to carry on general farming and stockraising, spe- cializing on Chester-White hogs, horses and cattle.

On February 17, 1910, Mr. Gordon was mar- ried to Sarah Rose, born at Milton, Pike Coun- ty, Ill., a daughter of John and Margaret (Burchard) Rose, natives of Scott County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have three children, name- ly : Scott Robert, who was born December 21, 1910; Lecie Carolyn, who was born October 27, 1912; and Bertha Rose, who was born June 2, 1918. The family all belong to the Christian Church, of which Mr. Gordon is a deacon. He is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to Dills Lodge No. 295, A. F. & A. M. of West Point; Carthage Chapter No. 33, R. A. M., Quincy Con- sistory, A. A. S. R., and the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows. A man of sterling character he stands well in public con- fidence, and is one of the leading men of his community.

GORDON, Robert Smith, bookkeeper of the First National Bank of Hamilton, and one of the substantial men of Hamilton, was born in this city, December 10, 1866, a son of Samuel and Permelia A, (Alvord) Gordon. Samuel Gordon was born at Peterboro, N. H., May 3, 1825, and his wife was born in Warren County, Pa., August 3, 1832. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gordon, also natives of Peterboro, N. H., who moved to Hamilton, Ill., in 1831, when Samuel Gordon was six years old, settling in Montebello Township, where Samuel Gordon lived the remainder of his life and died October 6, 1901. Permelia A. Alvord was a daughter of Rev. Samuel and Ursula (Smith) Alvord, and she was thirteen years old when she was brought by her parents to Hancock County. Her death occurred Septem- ber 25, 1890. During the Civil War, Samuel

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Gordon enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served continuously for three years and eight monthis, and participated in the battles of Chick- asaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Thompson's Hill, Champion Hills, Black River, the Siege of Vicksburg, Grand Coteun Bayou and Port Hud- son. In September, 1857, he became a member of Black Hawk Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which lie served as senior warden one year, junior warden two years, secretary six years, and treasurer for twenty-two years. Politically he was a Republican.

Robert Smith Gordon attended the Hamil- ton High School and helped on the farm until May 1, 1886, when he became assistant rail- road agent for the Wabash and T. P. & W. Railroads at Hamilton until March 2, 1888, when he was made station agent, and held that position until May 1, 1911, when he took up the duties of his present position. He is a Republican and served as a member of the Hamilton City Council from the Second Ward during 1901 and 1902, and was mayor from 1903 to 1904, being elected on the Citizens ticket. He also served as school trustee of Montebello Township during 1902, 1903 and 1904. Since 1901 he has been president of the Hamilton Building and Loan Association. Mr. Gordon belongs to Black Hawk Lodge No. 238, A. F. & A. M., which he joined November 15, 1889, and he has served it as Worshipful Mas- ter for six years; secretary for eight years; treasurer for eight years; Tecumseh Chapter No. 152, R. A. M., which he joined December 11, 1890, and of which he has been secretary since 1896; Almoner Commandery, K. T., from Augusta Ill., which he demited in April, 1895; and Pocahontas Chapter No. 49, O. E. S.

On October 2, 1903, Mr. Gordon was married at Hamilton to Laura B. Bridges, born at Ham- ilton, April 1, 1866, a daughter of Wesley C. and Mary Ellen (Harrison) Bridges. Wesley C. Bridges was born in Carroll County, Tenn., July 24, 1838, and his wife was born in Wash- ington County, Ind., January 25, 1843. Mrs. Gordon died December 18, 1906, at San An- tonia, Texas, having had one daughter, Laura Ellen, born December 20, 1904, who died in June, 1905. On August 17, 1918, Mr. Gordon was married (second) at Minneapolis, Minn., to Maud O. Fullmer, born at Hamilton, Ill., January 22, 1875, a daughter of Francis L. and Mary Jane (Bayless) Fullmer, the former born in Canada, September 16, 1840, died at Hamil- tou, June 5, 1916; and the latter, born in Indi- ana, August 13, 1842, died March 25, 1918, at Hamilton. Mrs. Fullmer was a daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann (York) Bayless.

Mr. Gordon likes to travel and spent two months on a trip to the Pacific Coast one month in the South, and two weeks at Niagara Falls and other points in the East. He enjoys read- ing, and takes a special interest in history, al- though all good books and magazines appeal to him. In addition to his residence, which is north of Ninth Street, between Oak and Keokuk

streets, Mr. Gordon owns a store building on the south side of Broadway, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, Hamilton.

GORDON, Samuel. One of the sterling charac- ters of Montebello Township, Samuel Gordon held a high position among his fellow citizens, and at the time of his death was one of the oldest living residents of the township. He was born at Peterborough, N. H., May 3, 1825, a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gordon.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 107

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