Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 116

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

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After his marriage, Mr. Ingstrom resided on a farm in McDonough County, Ill., for nine years, and then bought 160 acres of land in La Harpe Township, which he has since im- proved, erecting all of the buildings, and placing the land under a fine state of cultivation, with the exception of eighteen acres he uses for pasture. He has always done general farming. The Congregational Church holds his member- ship. He is a Republican, and since 1912 has been a school director. For some years he has belonged to La Harpe Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Ingstrom is an excellent type of the industrious and thrifty farmer of Hancock County, and he stands very well with all who know him.

IPPENSEN, Edward W., one of the prosperous farmers of Hancock County, operates his father's farm of 160 acres of very valuable land on section 33, Augusta Township. He was born in Adams County, Ill., December 16, 1893, a son of Henry F. and Wilhelmina Ippensen, natives of Germany and Illinois, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Edward W. Ippensen attended the district schools of Adams County, and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred November 1, 1916, to Lenora McVay, born in Adams County, Ill., a daughter of Milton and Mary (McVay) McVay, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. 'Ip- pensen have no children.

After his marriage, Mr. Ippensen came to Hancock County and rents his present farm, where he carries on general farming and stock- raising, feeding a large number of cattle and hogs. In politics he is a Republican. His time is fully occupied with his farming opera- tions, and he realizes the value of his work to the world and the dignity of his calling. Never before in the history of the world has the need been so great for intelligent cultivation of the soil, and those who, in times of war, are so engaged are just as surely faithfully serving their government as those who wear a uniform and carry a gun.

IRWIN, Robert H., owner and cultivator of the Grand View Stock Farm, is one of the enter- prising agriculturalists of Hancock County, and has long been a desirable resident of Durham Township, where his fine farm is located. He was born in Harford County, Md., April 22, 1866, a son of John and Elizabeth (Chalk) Irwin, natives of Maryland. He died in Penn- sylvania about 1898, but she survives, and lives in Maryland.

When he was eight years old, Robert H. Irwin was taken by his parents to York County, Pennsylvania, where he attended the common schools. After he had atained to his majority, he came to Hancock County and worked among the farmers by the month in La Harpe Town- ship. In 1902 he rented land in Durham Town- ship, and after four years as a tenant he bought eighty acres of land, and at the same time his wife's parents gave to him and his wife 300 acres adjoining this property. He bought twenty acres additional, and now has 400 acres of valu- able farm land, so magnificently located as to gain the name of the Grand View Stock Farm. On this property he has erected modern build- ings and has a model farm in every respect. He is a large raiser of Poland-China hogs, Polled Durham cattle, Rhode Island Red chick- ens, and draft horses, and he also does gen- eral farming, the produce of his farm command- ing fancy prices.

On January 16, 1902, Mr. Irwin was mar- ried to Olive G. Burr, born in Durham Town- ship, December 9, 1873, a daughter of Jarvis N. and Joanna (Gilman) Burr. They have no children. Mr. Irwin is a Republican, and served as township assessor for four years. Mrs. Irwin belongs to the Durham Methodist Episcopal

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Church. The Irwins are very well and favor- ably known throughout Hancock County, where they have many connections, both business and social.

IRWIN, Wentworth L., M. D., one of the lead- ing physicians and surgeons of Hancock County, who is engaged in a successful practice at Plymouth, is a native son of the county. where he was born December 25, 1863. He is one of the three children born to his parents, Marvin B. and Isabella (Groves) Irwin. Marion B. Irwin, who was an extensive farmer and ship- per of stock, met his death by accident in 1873. The mother survives, and although over seventy- seven years old, is enjoying excellent health.

Wentworth L. Irwin attended the public schools and a high school in his native county, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1898. Dr. Irwin later took post graduate courses at the same institution. Immediately upon his grad- uation, he located at Plymouth, and entered upon a general practice that he has continued ever since, building up a very desirable connection. Professionally he belongs to the Hancock County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical So- ciety, and the American Medical Association. His office is conveniently located in the iron building on the northwest corner of the square.

Dr. Irwin was married to Miss Jennie Brum- back, a daughter of Henry Brumback, of Han- cock County, the ceremony occurring in January, 1899. Dr. and Mrs. Irwin have one son, Lois Lee. Fraternally the Doctor is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Elk. H is political affiliations are with the Democratic party. In addition to his practice, he conducts a farm of 100 acres. Few men are better known in Hancock County than Dr. Irwin, and none are more highly esteemed.

JACKS, John, now deceased, was for many years one of the prosperous agriculturalists of Rock Creek Township. He was born at Adrian, Ill., October 9, 1872, a son of George and Martha (McChesney) Jacks, early settlers of Rock Creek Township. During the Civil War, George Jacks served his country as a soldier. He died in Rock Creek Township, and several years after his demise, in 1SSO his widow settled at Adrian, where she died, about 1912. Their children were as follows: Beecher, who lives at Cod- dington, Wis .; John; Emily, who is Mrs. Homer Akein, of Ottawa, Kans .; and Blanche, who lives at Adrian, Ill.

John Jacks resided with his mother until his marriage, which occurred March 31, 1897, when he was united with Rosetta Youngmeyer, born at Nauvoo, Ill., November 20, 1872, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sibert) Young- meyer, natives of Austria and Virginia, re- spectively, and granddaughter of John and Ca- therine (Cuba) Sibert, natives of Germany. After his marriage, Mr. Jacks lived for three years on the farm owned by his mother, and then moved across the road to a place of his own a farm of 160 acres, and on it he carried on general grain farming and raised Chester-

White hogs until his death which occurred March 21, 1911. Mrs. Jacks continued to live on the farm for three years after Mr. Jacks' death, and then rented it and moved to Car- thage, where she bought a modern bungalow residence. Mr. and Mrs. Jacks became the parents of the following children : Eloyd Leland, who was born March 18, 1900; Beulah Blanche, who was born October 26, 1905; and Marguerite Lucile, who was born October 1, 190S. In addi- tion to his other interests, Mr. Jacks served as secretary of the Farmers' Telephone Company of Adrian, and was a director of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Adrian. Both he and Mrs. Jacks became interested in the Hancock County Mutual Society. They early connected themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church. and he served as secretary of the Sunday school, and she belongs to the various church societies and the Home Bureau.

JACKSON, John, one of the substantial farm- ers of Appanoose Township, is held in high es- teem in Hancock County. He was born in Albany County, N. Y., October 9, 1841, a' son. of James and Mary (Ferguson) Jackson, natives of Glas- gow and the Island of Butte, Scotland, respec- tively. They were married in Felton County, N. Y., where the father died in 1860, having spent his life as a farmer. Their children were as follows : Hugh ; Peter, who lives at Carthage, Ill .; John; Robert, who lives with John; Wil- liam L., who lives in Orange County, Cal .; and Lensing, who also lives in California. In 1862 the children all came to Appanoose Township, and bought a large tract of land, joining Hugh who had come here in 1856.

In 1865, Hugh Jackson was married to Mary Ann Hammond, and they became the parents of the following children : Mary Ellen, who was married to Charles Thompson of Wichita, Kas .; Arthur M., who is deceased; Ada, who is Mrs. Lester Traverse, of Wichita, Kas .; James T., who lives at Kansas City, Kas. ; and Laura, who is Mrs. Fred Fisher, of Fort Madison, Iowa.

After their arrival in Hancock County, and their purchase of land on sections 14 and 23, Appanoose Township, the family built a com- fortable residence and other buildings, and put the place into fine condition. John Jackson and his brother Robert, bought the homestead from the other heirs, in 190S, and are now conduct- ing the land in partnrship. This farm of 350 acres is known far and wide as The Elms, and the proprietors are raising horses, cattle and hogs upon an extensive scale. They cul- tivate all of the land with the exception of about seventy acres which is in timber and pasture. Mr. Jackson is a member and an elder of the Presbyterian Church which the mother and her sons assisted in building in 1867. This church was rebuilt in 1913, and the Jacksons con- tributed generously for the purpose. For three terms, Mr. Jackson served as supervisor of his township, and was a justice of the peace for one term, being elected on the Green Back ticket. He is a Mason and has served as master of his lodge.

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Mr. Jackson is a member of Robinson Port, G. A. R., for when his country had need of his services during the Civil War, in October, 1864, he enlisted in the Second Illinois Artillery, and was assigned to service in Louisiana. He did picket duty there, and was honorably discharged in August, 1865.

JACKSON, Robert, co-partner with his brother in the ownership and operation of the fine stock farm known as The Elms, is one of the re- sponsible farmers of Appanoose Township, and a veteran of the Civil War. He was born March 15, 1844, in Albany County, N. J., a son of James and Mary (Ferguson) Jackson, natives of Scotland, who came to the United States in their youth, and were married in Felton County, N. Y. The father was a farmer who died in New York State in 1860. After his demise the mother, in 1861, brought her family, with the exception of the eldest, Hugh, who had already come here, to Hancock County, and there they bouglit land on sections 14 and 23 Appanoose Township. During the subsequent years the mother and children improved the land, erect- ing all the necessary buildings and making of it a very comfortable home. A devout Presby- terian, Mrs. Jackson reared her children in that faith and with them very materially assisted in erecting a house of worship in 1867. She died in 1884, aged seventy-six years. Robert Jackson is a trustee of this same church ; Hugh, the eldest brother was also a trustee of it, and John is an elder in it. To the Jacksons, the church owes much for the financing of the re- building of it in 1913. Since 190S, John and Robert Jackson have owned The Elms in part- nership. and their stock operations are con- ducted upon a large scale, they raising horses, cattle and hogs, and cultivating all but seventy acres of their farm, these acres being in pasture and timber.

In April. 1865. Robert Jackson enlisted for service in the Civil War, in the One Hundred Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to Baton Rouge, La., where he was en- gaged in patroling the city. He was honorably discharged in October, 1865. A staunch Demo- crat. Robert 'Jackson has served as township clerk for two terms. Like his brother John, Rob- ert Jackson is a Mason, and it is a very unusual thing for two brothers to serve as master of the same lodge. and yet that is what the Jack- sons have done. Their mature years have been spent upon their farm. and their interests are in common, so the affection between the two is stronger than ordinary appears.

JACKSON, William H., a director of the Peoples State Bank of Hamilton, and one of the suc- cessful farmers of Wythe Township, is held in high esteem as a representative man of Hancock County. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, February 22, 1841, one of the six children of William and Mary M. (Reeves) Jackson. William Jackson was born in Penn- sylvania, where he was engaged in farming.

William H. Jackson attended the common

and a high school of liis native county, and was reared on a farm. In 1853 he came to Hancock County and in 1869 he bought his first SO acres of land in Wythe Township, and in 1876 bought SO acres adjoining his first pur- chase, which he operated until 1906, when he moved to Hamilton. When the Peoples State Bank of Hamilton was organized in 1903, he was made one of its original directors, and has remained on the board ever since. A Republi- can, while living in Wythe Township he served as an assessor two years. His fraternal rela- tions are with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica.

Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Martha E. Shinn, a daughter of John K. Shinn, one of the leading farmers of Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson had three children, namely : Wil- bur ; Anna, who is the widow of Herman Har- per ; and Tabitha Ella, who is at home. Mr. Jackson and his family belong to the Presby- terian church. Mrs. Jackson died November 9, 1893, and since then her younger daughter has been at the head of her household. The Jackson family is well known and honored one in this locality.

JACKSON, Willford Miller, a grain farmer and stockraiser of Fountain Green Township, is one of the prosperous agriculturalists of Hancock County. He was born at Albany, N. Y., Novem- ber 29, 1867, a son of Peter and Susan (Sals- bury) Jackson, also natives of Albany, who in 1876, came to Hancock County, settling on a farm in Pontoosic Township, where they spent a year. They then moved to Rock Creek Town- ship and remained a couple of years, then going to Carthage Township, where the father died August 6, 1918, the. mother having died March 4, 1SSS. Their children were as follows : James. who lives with his father; Willford M .; Herbert L., who lives at Litchfield, Ill .; John Howard, who was born in 1874, died in 1892; Frederick S., who lives in Pilot Grove Township; and Ida L., who lives at Chicago, Ill.

When he was fifteen years old, Willford Miller Jackson began working on farms by the mouth during the summer, and attended the Carthage grammar and high schools during the winters until he was twenty years old, and he also had one year at Carthage College. He then rented land in Rock Creek Township for a year, when he bought eighty acres of land in Hancock Township, and conducted it for four years. Selling it, he bought 180 acres of land in Fountain Green Township, and forty acres in Pilot Grove Township, the latter being pas- ture, and the former all under cultivation. He has improved his place, remodeling and painting the buildings, making new fences, and putting everything in first class order. Here he carries on grain farming and raises Durham cattle, Poland-China and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and is makng a great sucess of his work.

On May 5, 1898, Mr. Jackson was married to Cecelia Leach, born in Fountain Green Town- ship, March 18. 1870, a daughter of Kendrick N. and Jane M. (Read) Leach, born in New

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York State. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have one daughter, Ida C., born February 3, 1910, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Royal Neighbors and Mrs. Jackson to the Royal Neighbors and Tri- State Mutual. His prosperity has been gained through his steadiness, hard work and thrift, and he deserves the place he holds in the con- fidence of his neighbors.

JACOB, Prosper Hubbard, a retired farmer of Burnside, is one of the most highly respected men of his locality. He was born in Pilot Grove Township, December 4, 1852, a son of Stephen and Minerva (Oatrander) Jacob, natives of New York state. They were married at Roch- ester, N. Y., in July, 1834, and in 1836, he came on a flatboat on the Ohio River, to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he took a steamer to the Missisippi River, and came up that stream to Warsaw, Ill., and with his parents, Udney Hay and Elizabeth (Hogrie) Jacob, took up land on section 3, Pilot Grove Township. Stephen Jacob then returned for his wife, and brought her back in 1837 over the same route he had taken, and they settled down in a little log cabin in the timber. His father left at the time of the Mormon expulsion, holding to that faith, and went to Salt Lake City, where he died. Stephen Jacob remained in Pilot Grove Township, and kept on adding to his land until he owned 220 acres, when he died April 12, 1899, and his wife died November 16, 1900. He was a Democrat, and served as supervisor, road commissioner, and justice of the peace for sev- eral terms. They had the following children : Margaret, who lives at Burnside; Mary E. who is Mrs. William Grove, is a widdw of Pilot Grove Township; Abram, who died in Kansas; Marvin E., who lives at Dallas City, Ill .; Emma C., who lives with her brother, Prosper H .; Edward P., who died in Oklahoma; Eliza, who is deceased ; Prosper H .; and Stephen A., who is also deceased.

Prosper H. and his sister, Emma C. Jacob, both attended the district schools, and remained with their parents taking care of them. They left the farm in 1906, and moved to Burn- side, buying a fine new residence, where they still live, renting the homestead of sixty acres. Mr. Jacob has never married, nor has his sister. They have reared a niece, daughter of their brother Edward P., Esther Minerva, who is married to William Jordan, of Fountain Green Township. Mr. Jacob is a Democrat and he has served as town clerk for two terms. Miss Emma is a member of the Christian Church.

JACOBY, James Calvin, now deceased, was one of the representative men of Hancock County, who came to his death at the hands of desperate outlaws, while he was striving to uphold law and order as marshal of Carthage. He was born in Carthage Township, June 22, 1856, a son of Reuben and Susan (Wieder) Jacoby, who in

1884 came to Hancock County and bought a section of land for which they paid $12 per acre. They improved this property and lived on it until death claimed them, he dying in January, 1879, and she in November, 1891, after which the farm was sold. There were twelve children in their family, three of whom survive, namely : Amanda, who is Mrs. Lewis Frank, of Muscatine, Iowa; George, who lives at Butterfield, Minn .; and Alice, who is the widow of Jesse Green of Carthage.

James Calvin Jacoby was next to the young- est of the children, and lived with his mother. In November, 1879, he was married to Lillie Dale, born at Webster, Ill., a daughter of Andrew Jackson and Mary (Davis) Dale, na- tives of Kentucky and Tennessee. James B. and Mary (Damson) Dale, the paternal grandpar- ents, were born in Kentucky, but went to In- diana, and from thence came to Hancock County, living in Fountain Green Township for a time. At the time of the death of Joseph Smith and his brother, the Mormon leaders, Miss Davis, who afterwards became Mrs. Dale, was staying there with the sheriff's family. Mrs. Dale was a resident of the jail at that time, and witnessed the killing of the men, which is a matter of state-history.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby lived on the Jacoby homestead for ten years, then moved to Carthage, where Mr. Jacoby was engaged in teaming for a time, and he also was interested in farming. A fearless man, he was selected as marshal of Carthage, and while seek- ing to arrest a band of outlaws, met his death, February 11, 1914. He was a staunch Democrat. He belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Hancock County Mutual, and the Tri- State Mutual Associations, as well as the Han- cock Grange. Mrs. Jacoby is a member of the Christian Church, and its societies.

Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby had the following chil- dren : William Lawrence, who lives at El Paso, Tex. ; Charles Andrew, who lives at Rock Island, Ill .; Verna Ethel, who died at the age of twenty- two years; Frank Alvin, who lives at Carthage, Ill .; John Leslie, who is at home; Robert Guy, who died in infancy; and Lillie M., and Mary Jane, who are both at home.

JAMES, Hon. Charles A., now deceased, for- merly county judge of Hancock County and an attorney of distinction, was a member of the Illinois Bar Association for over twenty years. He was born near Mendon, Adams County, Ill., January 12. 1870, a son of John and Martha (Taylor) James, natives of Boonville, Mo., and Adams County, Ill., respectively.

The James family originated in Wales, from whence the American founders came to the United States, settling in Virginia. The migra- tion of the James family from Virginia to Illi- nois took place in 1845, when settlement was made in Adams County. The Taylor family came to America from Belfast, Ireland. to Pennsylvania about 1800, and thence to Illinois about 1825. John H. James was a farmer, but

DIANA SPIKER

WILLIAM SPIKER

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

for many years was also engaged in a grain business at Ursa, 111. His death occurred on March 4, 1913, his wife having passed away in 1908. Their children were six in number, of whom Judge James was the youngest. One of his brothers, Walter S. James, is a very pros- perous banker in Missouri.

Judge Charles A. James received his pre- liminary educational training in the district schools, and while he was still living on the farm, being then but fifteen years old, he en- tered the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill., and took a commercial course. Returning home hc assisted his father during the subse- quent five years. However he was too ambitious to be satisfied with his surroundings, and began studying law, in October, 1892, entering the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1894, and in June of the same year, he was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Ill. Immediately thereafter he began the practice of his profession at Quincy, Ill., continuing in that city for nine years, during which period he made a place for him- self among the prominent young attorneys of the state. During the last four years of that period he was a member of the firm of Bennett & James. his associate being W. H. Bennett.

In 1903 Charles A. James moved to Augusta, Ill., and for three years was one of the fearless attorneys of the county, coming before the peo- ple so favorably in the jurisprudence with which he was connected that when he was placed upon the ticket of his party in 1906 for county judge, he was elected by a gratifying majority. For four years he held that office and made a record of which he had every rea- son to be proud, and it is a matter of record that none of his decisions were reversed by the higher courts. After leaving the bench, Judge James resumed his private practice, alternating its responsibilities with those en- tailed by his election to the office of city attor- ney of Carthage. Well known as a Mason, Judge James was the first eminent commander of Carthage Commandery. He was also a mem- ber of Bently Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Carthage.

On June 7. 1899, Judge James was united in marriage with Faye Sammis, who attended the public schools of Louisiana, Mo. Judge and Mrs. James have one daughter, Dorothy, who was born December 10, 1905. A man of the highest ideals, Judge James lived up to his convictions, and set an example others would do well to follow. On December 21, 1917, Judge James passed from this life, and in his death Carthage lost one of its best citizens and most distinguished men.

JEMISON, Joseph S., a skilled carpenter and boat builder of long experience, is one of the leading men in his line at Nauvoo. He was born at Nebraska City, Neb., in September, 1859, a son of John and Mary (Rea) Jemison, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, who were brought to Hancock County in childhood. Here they were married and lived for seven years,

and then went to Nebraska City, Neb., to join his parents. While living in that vicinity, John Jemison conducted a sawmill. Later they lived at Hamburg, Iowa, returning to Hancock County in 1866, and locating at Nauvoo, where he was engaged in fishing, and trapping. In 1878 they went to Kansas and spent a few years, once more coming back to Nauvoo, where he died. Their children were as follows: Lou, who is Mrs. Wiliam Marshall, of Downs, Kas .; Isaac, who lives at Nauvoo: Jane, who is Mrs. A. Krants, of Kansas; John, who is deceased ; Joseph S .; Albert, who lives at Montrose, Iowa ; and Mary Ann, who is deceased.

Joseph S. Jemison attended the public schools and when he was twenty years old, began learn- ing the carpenter trade, but a year later he became pilot for a ferry that operated between Nauvoo, Ill., and Montrose, Iowa, so continuing for fifteen years. Returning to his trade, he has followed it ever since, and is also a boat builder, and his time is fully occupied, for his ability is well recognized.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 116

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