Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 118

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 118

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

who had come from Ireland some time previous- ly. In 1853, Lawrence Kelly bought 160 acres of land in Rock Creek Township, Hancock Coun- ty, and they moved to it with teams and wagons. The land was wild prairie, and much hard work was required to develop it. The mother died on this farm about 1870, but the father lived to be eighty-three years old. Out of their eleven children, but one survives.

Martin Kelly attended the common schools of Ireland, having reached the second reader class when he left his native land, and he had some instruction after coming to this country. When he was about twenty-one years old, he went to New York City, arriving there on January 1, 1865, and thence went by water to California. For a year he operated a ranch in northern California, and then conducted a mule- pack team over the mountains for two years, Mr. Kelly then spent a year hauling logs to a sawmill, and for another year conducted this mill, but in January, 1873, he returned to Nauvoo, Ill., and settled on a farm in Rock Creek Township, that he owned. During the time he was in California, he had many stirring adventures with Indians, On one occasion he was unnecessarily alarmed. Driving some horses lie had bought through the timber, he saw in the distance a band of Indians, and naturally he became suspicious, thinking them braves on the war path. In every way he tried to dodge them, but failing in this courageously went on, and was delighted to find them friendly Hoopa Indians, who did not molest him in any way. After his return to Hancock County, he bought eighty acres in Rock Creek Township, and kept on adding to his farm until he had 200 acres of land. Here he lived alone until his marriage.

On June 19, 1877, Mr. Kelly was united with Mary Jane Ellison, born in Rock Creek Town- ship, a daughter of Matthew and Nancy (An- son) Ellison, natives of England, who came to Hancock County in the arly forties. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly had the following children : James, John, Thomas and Mary A., who are all at home; Ellen Lucy, Frances Margaret, and five who are deceased. Mr. Kelly was a member of the Catholic Church. Until February, 1902, Mr. Kelly conducted that farm, but then rented it, and bought forty-two acres of land now but twenty-eight, in Appanoose Township, where he lived retired until his death. His political views made him a Democrat, and he served as a school director several terms, and as a school trustee for two terms. He was a man who stood very high in his community, and deserved the confidence he inspired. His family belongs to the Catholic Church,

KELLY, Thomas E., now deceased, was for many years one of the substantial men of Hancock County, and during his early life was active in agricultural matters. He was born at Ballachrink, Baldwin, Isle of Man, February 22, 1833, a son of John and Elizabeth (Quine) Kelly, natives of the Isle of Man. In May, 1842, they came to Nauvoo, Mrs. Kelly being of

the Mormon faith. He died July 22, 1851, and she died March 16, 1854. Their children were as follows : John, Mathew> William, Robert, Thomas, Elizabeth, Cesaer, James and Joseph.

Thomes Kelly, who was the sixth child, passed his boyhood at Nauvoo, and attended its schools. For several years he worked on a Mississippi River boat running to New Orleans, and then went on the Edmund farm in Sonora Township Hancock County, Ill. For a time he lived there alone, and worked hard in breaking the prairie sod. At that time deer and other wild animals were plentiful in Hancock County. The prairie grass was so high that the settlers were often- times lost in it. After his marriage, Mr. Kelly moved to his farm of eighty acres on section 4, Sonora Township, which was unimproved. He erected a portion of the present house in the sixties, and added to it from time to time, until it is now thoroughly modern and comfortable. In 1893 Mr. Kelly retired from the active opera- tion of his farm although he continued to live on his farm until his death, January 17, 1917. In October, 1865, Mr. Kelly was married to Mrs. Maria Elizabeth (Jones) Morton, widow of Henry Morton, born in Little Sandusky, Ohio, December 7, 1832, a daughter of John and Laura (Jones) Jones. By his first wife's mar- riage she had one daughter, Rosanna, who died at the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly had the following children: James Sherman, who was born February 7, 1867, died October 24, 1887, at La Junta, Col., but is buried in the Nauvoo Cemetery; and Maria Belle, who was born June 12, 1868, has always lived at home. Mr. Kelly was a well read man and very well posted on the Bible. He strove to do unto others all the good that others were capable of having done them. A kind husband and father and good man, his loss is deeply felt in his com- munity. He was honest to himself and to the world, and his many excellent qualities were recognized by his associates. Mrs. Kelly has been somewhat of an invalid for a number of years, and her infirmities have increased until she is now blind and not able to stand or walk. She and her devoted daughter live on the home place.

KENDALL, Roswell, one of the reliable men and prosperous farmers of Hancock County owns forty-five acres of land in section 16, St. Mary's Township, and farms it and forty acres additional. He was born in this township, July 26, 1891, a son of Elmer and Ella (Frazer) Kendall, the former of whom is still living, but the latter is deceased.

After attending the district schools of St. Mary's Township, and learning how to be a practical farmer from his father, Roswell Ken- dall was married in August, 1912, to Edna M. Worman, born in Adams County, Ill., a daugh- ter of John D. and Mattie Worman. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall have two children, Inez and Earl A. After his marriage, Mr. Kendall began farming on his own account and is now special- izing in raising Duroc-Jersey hogs, of which he feeds a good many for the market. While he

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has always been a Democrat, he has never tried to be put on the party ticket for office, prefer- ring to devote himself to his private affairs. The Christian Church has in him a consistent member. Mr. Kendall is a man widely and fa- vorably known and he is recognized as a hard- working and thrifty young man.

KENT, Silas, a reliable farmer of St. Mary's Township, owns and operates eighty acres of valuable land on section 27 of this township, where he caries on general farming. He was born in Fulton County, Ill., November 16, 1860, a son of Wesley and Mary A. (McWhirt) Kent, natives of Ohio, who came to Fulton County, Ill., became farmers, and here died.

Growing up in Fulton County, Silas Kent worked for his father until he was twenty years old, and then began assisting other farm- ers until he had enough money saved up to begin farming on his own account. In the fall of 1903, he came to Hancock County, and in 1912 he bought his present farm, which he has since improved, until now he has a fine property.

In 1891, Mr. Kent was married (first) to Frances L. Hill, and they had two children : one who died in infancy ; and Locie A., who was born September 10, 1894, is serving his country as a soldier in the World's War. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Kent was mar- ried (second) to Sarah E. Keithley, of Hancock County, who died without living issue. Mr. Kent belongs to the United Brethren Church. All of his life he has been a Democrat. His fraternal connections are with the Modern wood- men of America, and he also belongs to the Hancock County Mutual Association.

KERN, Charles Lusk, owner of the Wayside Farm in Durham Township, which is one of the finest in the county, retired in 1918, but prior to that was for many years one of the successful agriculturalists of this section. He was born in Terre Haute Township, Henderson County, Ill .. January 31, 1865, a son of John Lusk and Mary Ann (Rogers) Kern, natives of Indiana, who settled in Henderson County, Ill. Later they came to La Harpe, Ill., where he died in 1869, but she survived him many years, passing away in Iowa, in 1915.

Charles Lusk Kern attended the public schools of La Harpe, Ill., Iowa and North Dakota, his mother having changed her place of residence several times during his boyhood, and after her marriage to J. B. Hazelton. When he was twenty years old, Charles Lusk Kern began working for farmers by the month, and in 1886 became a bridge builder. In 1891 he located at La Harpe, where he lived until 1894, when he moved on a farm in La Harpe Township, and conducted it for seven years, leaving it for a farm in Henderson County, Ill. Two years later or 1903 he bought his present farm of 160 acres in Durham Township, which was improved, but he has since built a silo, machine shop, chicken house, hog-house, cattle shed, and put in other improvements, and here he did general grain farming, and raised horses, cattle

and hogs until 1918, when he retired, and rented his farm, but is still in stock business.

On November 18, 1891, Mr. Kern was married to Luella Walker, born in this county, May 3, 1870, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah J. (Fritz) Walker, natives of Ohio and Indiana, wno now live in Ft. Collins, Colo. Mr. and Mrs. Kern became the parents of the following children. Leah Mae, who was born August 27, 1894, is now Mrs. Ward Comstock of Durham Township, and has one child, Luella; Cora Fay, who was born June 10, 1896, is a public school teacher, and Clarence E., who died in infancy. Mr. Kern belongs to the Christian Church, of which he has been an elder since 1914. In politics he is independent in his views, and he served as road commissioner for three years. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America of Terre Haute, Ill. A man of unusual abilities, he has made good use of them and not only has been successful him- self, but has proven of benefit to his neighbor- hood.

KERR, John L., who is a member of the re- liable hardware house known as The La Harpe Hardware Company, is one of the substantial business men of Hancock County. He was born in McLean County, Ill., October 25, 1879, one of five children of his parents, Melvin and Na- omi (Allbaugh) Kerr. Melvin Kerr was born in Mclain County, Ill., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits.

John L. Kerr attended the public schools of his native county, and also took a course at Dixon College. After leaving school, Mr. Kerr was engaged in a farming and dairy business until January 17, 1917, when he embarked in his present business.

Mr. Kerr was united in a marriage with Miss Ruby E. Gordon, a daughter of Newton J. Gordon, and they have a daughter, Ethel L. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a Mason, having attained to the Mystic Shrine in that order, and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows. In politics he is a Republican. The members of The La Harpe Hardware Company are live. enterprising men who understand the needs of their trade, and how to supply them promptly and at prices as low as is consistent with the quality of the goods and service.

KETCHAM, John Herbert, one of the general farmers of Rock Creek Township, is well and favorably known in this county. He was born near Fayetteville, Ark., April 24, 1889, a son of John Wesley and Ida V. (Crabill) Ketcham, he born near Lacrosse, Ill., and she born in Hancock County. After their marriage they went to Missouri, and later to Arkansas, but in 1894 they came to Hancock County, and set- tled near Lacrosse. The father died in May, 1908. The mother lives among her children. Their children were as follows: Mamie, who is Mrs. Wick Hendricks, of Pilot Grove Town- ship ; Margie, who is Mrs. Roy Byler, of Durham Township; John Herbert; Ruth, who is the wife

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

of Biard Byler; and Renell, who is with the mother; Bernice, who died at the age of three years; Forrest, who lives in Hancock County ; and Dale, who died in infancy.

John Herbert Ketcham attended the district schools, and learned to farm from his father. On June 15, 1912, he was married to Audley Alston, who was born in Henderson County, Ill., an adopted daughter of Andrew and Laura (Newton) Alston, and daughter of Charles and Kate (Mailander) Cluff, the latter of whom was born in Henderson County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham have a daughter, Ruth, who was born May 12, 1914.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham lived for eight months with Mrs. Ketcham's mother in Durham Township, and then moved to the Alston farm of 160 acres of land on section 2, Rock Creek Township. Here Mr. Ketcham carries on general farming. He be- longs to the Christian Church. His political opinions are in accordance with the Democratic party. Fraternally he belongs to Burnside Lodge No. 683, A. F. & A. M., and Dallas City Lodge No. 989, I. O. O. F.

KETCHUM, Andrew J., a retired farmer of Bowen owns. 480 acres of land on section 33, known as Wildwood Farm, in Augusta Town- ship, which he formerly conducted and occupied as his homestead. He was born in New York state, March 29, 1836, a son of Edmund and Jane (Curry) Ketchum, natives of Orange Coun- ty, N. Y., where they were married and where he engaged in farming until 1838, when they came to Hancock County, making the trip over- land. After seven years spent here, they went to Cook County, Ill., and farmed for several years, leaving there for Fayette County, Ill. At the time of his death, Edmund Ketchum lived at Postville, Iowa, his wife having died in Lake County, Ill.

When his mother died. Andrew J. Ketchum began working for neighboring farmers, and then went to Chicago and learned the black- smith trade, at which he worked for twenty-five years. In 1871 he came to Hancock County, and began farming, gradually acquiring land until he is one ofthe heavy landowners. During the Civil War, Mr. Ketchum enlisted, on August 14, 1862, in Company K, One Hundred and Nine- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Lake Chicot, and others. He was honorably dis- charged and returned home.

On March 6, 1866, Mr. Ketcham was married on the home place of her father, to Ann E. Sickles, born in Hancock County, October 23, 1844, a daughter of William R. and Caroline (Van Antwerp) Sickles, natives of New York state, who came to Hancock County in 1840, and engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum became the parents of the following children : Eugene, Florence, Francis L., Richard, Edna C., Margaret A., Ellen P., James E., who is deceased, all of whom married except Ellen P. Although Mr. Ketchum voted for Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States, he later became

a Democrat. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. A Mason in good standing, Mr. Ketchum has the distinction of being the oldest member of his lodge. He also holds membership in the local G. A. R. He takes justifiable pride in the fact that he can trace his family back for 200 years, and has the family tree showing the various inter-marriages during that period.

KETTENRING, Jacob J., one of the successful farmers of Hancock County, owns and operates a very well improved farm of eighty-three acres on section 10, Chili Township. He was born at Pekin. Ill., May 22, 1853, a son of Frederick and Ann (Hammer) Kettenring natives of Ger- many and Maryland, respectively, both of whom are now deceased.

Jacob J. Kettenring secured what educational advantages he could at various country schools, and was engaged at carpenter work prior to 1900, when he bought his present farm, on which he moved immediately. At different times he has rented his farm, but since 1911 he has cul- tivated this himself, carrying on general farm- ing. Mr. Kettenring has traveled, considerably, and always looked into agricultural methods in the various places he visited, thus broaden- ing his outlook, and increasing his efficiency. Al- though his schooldays were limited, he has so added to his information on various subjects, that he is one of the well posted men of the county, and possesses much more than average ability. Formerly he was a member of the Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first vote was cast for the can- didates of the Democratic party, and he con- tinued to espouse the candidates and principles of that party for a number of years, but now gives his support to the men whom he regards as best suited for the offices in question.

KIMBALL, Phineas, was a native of West Fairlee, Orange Co., Vermont, and was born May 1, 1822. On his father's side he was descended from a long line of English ancestry, the American progenitors being Richard and Ursula (Scott) Kimball of Rattlesden, Suffolk Co., England. They embarked for America in 1634 on the ship Elizabeth and settled in Water- town, Mass. On his mother's side, he was de- scended from Quartermaster George and Deb- orah (Gardener) Colton of Sutton Coldfield- Warwick, England. They came to America in 1630. Both the Kimball and Colton families were long prominent in the public affairs of Massachusetts and have fought through the wars of the country from the affray at Bloody Brook down to the War of the Rebellion, where on many a battlefield members of this Puritan stock were found.

John Colton, the maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Kimball, removed from Long Meadow, Mass., in 1785, to West Fairlee, Vt. The Kim- balls following in the path of these sturdy pio- neers also settled in West Fairlee and in 1805 the two families of long English lineage were united by the marriage of Phineas Kimball and Abigail, daughter of John and Hannah (Pome-

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roy) Colton, father and mother of the subject of this sketch. Phineas, Jr., was the eighth of ten children born to this worthy couple, both distinguished for piety and intelligence and both earnest members of the Congregational Church. The father, known as Capt. Phineas Kimball, was captain of a company during the War of 1812. He was a prominent and influ- ential citizen of West Fairlee and was honored with several town offices and sent as a repre- sentative to the State Legislature. In 1842, when Phineas Kimball was nineteen years of age, he left the parental roof in Vermont and came to Nauvoo, Ill. His brother Hiram had preceded him in 1837 and was engaged in the mercantile business. Phineas clerked for his brother and was thus employed until 1849, when attracted by the discovery of gold in Califor- nia he crossed the plains with an oxen team and engaged in mining and trading on the Pa- cific Slope. In 1852 he returned to Vermont, having materially bettered his fortune. He remained in his native state about six months and then again returned to Nauvoo where he engaged in the foundry business and continued at that for several years. In later years he turned his attention to farming and the rais- ing of live stock. He owned a large tract of land near Nauvoo, also land, a water power, saw and grist mills and a residence in Ver- mont, and divided his time between his home in Nauvoo and his business interests in New Eng- land. Mr. Kimball loved the activities and ex- citement of commercial life. He started out in life poor and well understood the value of self- acquired experience and property.

In 1855 he was united in marriage to Louisa Bartholomew, a native of Vermont and a daugh- ter of Erastus and Elizabeth (Kingman) Bar- tholomew. Mr. Bartholomew was a prominent manufacturer and business man of that state. Three children were born to this union, namely : Phineas Elwin, deceased ; Grace Gertrude, de- ceased ; and May Louisa, who is the widow of Joseph Schwartz and lives at Alameda, Cal. His first wife departing this life, he was again married on July 25, 1866, to Bernadine Icking, whose father, John B. Icking, Sr., was a promi- uent pioneer and merchant of Nauvoo. By the second marriage there were the following children: Augusta Bernadine, who is Mrs. George A. Lubbe of Peoria; Phineas J., who lives in Appanoose Township; Ethan Alonzo, who lives at Bushnell, Ill .; Ida Mary, who is Mrs. Frank Rheinberger of Glen Ridge, N. J .; Anna Elinor, who died in 1SS0; William Brooks, who resides at Nauvoo; and Mary Evangeline, who is Mrs. Louis Datin of Nauvoo.

Mr. Kimball was a man of untiring energy and was identified with the interests of Nauvoo and Hancock County for nearly sixty years. He was here during the Mormon troubles and delivered cartridges to the cannoneer during the battle. After it was over and the excitement had subsided he and a friend drove over the battlefield in a buggy. Clear and vivid were his recollections of that noted day. He was well acquainted with the leading men of the

Mormons, had the respect of them all and re- ferred with pleasure to his visits to Brigham Young in Utah. Politically Mr. Kimball was a strong Democrat; socially he was pleasant and affable, fond of company and conversation and no one ever visited his home but was made to feel the goodness of his hospitality. He be- longed to no order or society, preferring his home and family above all things. He was held in the highest respect as a citizen, was a good husband and father and as he was to his family so he was to all the world, genial, kindly, cour- teous and considerate. He departed this life on October 7, 1900.

KIMBALL, William Brooks, familiarly known as "Dick," is one of the best liked and most prosperous farmers of Hancock County, with residence at Nauvoo. He was born at Nauvoo, February 6, 1875, a son of Phineas and Dena (Icking) Kimball, natives of Vermont and Ger- many, respectively. A sketch of the Kimball family is given elsewhere in this work.

William Brooks Kimball attended the grade and the high school of Nauvoo, and the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Ill. For some time after completing school, he assisted his father, but in 1906 moved to Nauvoo, where he was engaged in business for two years. He then bought the property interests of his broth- ers, and now owns and conducts over 700 acres of his father's homestead, raising Tanworth thoroughbred hogs and Percheron horses, and buys and feeds cattle and raises grain.

On August 14. 1906, Mr. Kimball was mar- ried to Clara Whitcomb, of Rock Creek Town- ship, a daughter of Farnum M. and Ann (Lewis) Whitcomb. both born in Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Kimball became the parents of two children : Preston Whitcomb and Margaret Ann. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and is now serving his second term as alderman from the First Ward. Fraternally he belongs to Ft. Madison Camp No. 374, B. P. O. E. One of the most successful farmers, Mr. Kimball during the Great War was more than ever a forceful figure, for it was upon the men who till the soil that the country and the world depended. Food had much to do in winning the war. and American agricultural- ists largely provided it.

KING, Frederick McKee, now deceased, but for a number of years one of the substantial and eminently successful merchants and bankers of Augusta, not only left behind him a record for business achievement, but also one for upright and honorable living that sets an example for Christian manhood to follow. He was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., December 25, 1848, one of the ten children of his parents, Louis and Harriet (McKee) King. Louis King was born at Ches- ter, N. Y., a son of Jonas King, well known as a dairyman during his active years

On December 18, 1877, Frederick McKee King was married to Fredericka Weinberg by Rever- end Knight, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Jacob Weinberg, Harry

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Milton, Louis Edson, and Louise Gertrude. Mrs. King is a daughter of Simon and Louise (Jer- gems) Weinberg, the former of whom was born in Hanover, Germany, but in 1828 came to the United States, being at that time eighteen years of age. His father had been a soldier of the German army, and fought in the Napoleonic Wars. After a voyage lasting for three months, Mr. Weinberg landed at Baltimore, Md., and was almost immediately thereafter taken sick and forced to remain in a hospital. His expe- riences in a strange country, sick and penniless. never were forgotten, and until his death he contributed generously of his means to those in need and on one was ever turned emptyhanded from his door. Coming to Augusta in 1865, he founded what was known as the mercantile house of Simon Weinberg & Son, the junior member being his son Jacob. When the latter died. the daughter, Mrs. King, took charge of the business and conducted it until her marriage three years later. Mrs. King is a very remark- able lady. Her father belonged to the old school, who believed that women had no place in the business world, but she was talented and ambitious, and managed to secure additional training at Knox College after she had finished her course in the public schools. She then taught school until her brother's death, when she demonstrated her ability, and is still doing so, for when her husband, who had taken charge of the establishment, changing its name to F. M. King & Co., died, she once more took up the responsibilities of operating it, being ably assisted by her son. Louis Edson. Mrs. King was one in a family ot eighteen children. of whom fifteen grew to maturity. Upon coming to Augusta, Simon Weinberg established his home in that city, and there Mrs. King still lives, having been born and reared in it. This is one of the most beautiful residences in Au- gusta.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 118

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