Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 120

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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Mr. and Mrs. Koehler have the following children : Clara C., Clarence J., Marie Elizabeth, Carl Jacob, and Ora Anna. Mr. Koehler at- tended the local schools of his township. He belongs to the Evangelical Church, of which he is an elder. A Republican, he served for two year's as tax collector, assessor, for one year, and in 1917 was elected supervisor and re-elected to the same office in 1919.

KOLL, William G., now deceased, was for many years associated with the furniture and under- taking industry of Dallas City, and held the full confidence and respect of all who knew him. He was born at Dallas City, Ill., Janu- ary 1, 1865, one of eight children born to his parents, Edward and Mary (Mager) Koll. Ed- ward Koll was born in Germany, and he was a cabinetmaker by trade. Although now over eighty years old, he still survives.

William G. Koll attended the common and high schools of Dallas City, and when he at- tained his majority, he embarked in a furniture business at Burlington, Iowa, where he re- mained for ten years, as a member of the well known furniture house of Chittenden & East- man. In 1898 he came to Dallas City to assume charge of his father's business, which he con- ducted until his death November 30, 1917, and not only carried a fine stock of high class fur- niture, but rendered service as an undertaker that was skilled and satisfactory.

Mr. Koll was married to Miss Verna E. Dun- can, a daughter of John T. and Eary (Cren- shaw) Duncan, prominent farming people of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Koll had one daughter, Ruth Maxine, who was born March 3, 1902. Mr. Koll belonged to the Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Kołł is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics he was a Republican. Fra- ternally he belonged to the Masons, Odd Fellows and Eastern Star. With his death, Dallas City lost one of its most representative and highly respected citizens, and all united in showing a proper amount of regard at his funeral, which was in charge of the Masons. Many who at- tended his funeral had proven the worth of his friendship and kindly offices upon similar occasions, and they appreciated the broad sym- pathy and excellent qualities of the man who had passed from earthly reward and praise.

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KOPSICKER, Fred Carl, one of the substantial business men of Hamilton, is conducting a garage and acting as agent for the Studebaker cars and the Hudford trucks and attachments. He was born near Tioga, in Hancock County, January 6, 1890, a son of William and Elizabeth Kopsicker, natives of Germany, where the former was born October 5, 1843, and the latter in September. 1848. She died in November, 1918. They had the following children : John, who lives in Adams County, Ill .; Henry and William, who are farmers of Montebello Town- ship; Fred Carl; Anna, who is the widow of Frank Altheide, lives in Montebello' Township; Mattie; and Mary, who is Mrs. William Lini- berger, of Montebello Township.

Fred Carl Kopsicker was reared in his native county, and attended its schools. Until 1912 he was engaged in farming, but in that year came to Hamilton and embarked in his present business, which he has since carried on very successfully. His garage is in a brick building, 60x130 feet, with basement, and has a capac- ity of 100 cars. He has a repair shop and equipment for making all kinds of repairs to automobiles. This garage cost $8,000, and is the largest and best equipped in Hancock County.

On January 24, 1916, Mr. Kopsicker, was mar- ried to Mrs. Eunice (Noe) Bell. By her first marriage Mrs. Kopsicker had a daughter, Roxie, who was born in November 1907. Mr. Kopsicker is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Evanston, Ill. In politics he is a Republican. An excellent business man, Mr. Kopsicker has been very successful in his undertaking. and his methods are such as to commend him to the favorable consideration of his neighbors and associates.

KRAUSHAAR, Daniel H., one of the substan- tial men of Warsaw, who has been active in civic affairs, as well as successful in business, was born in Germany on February 9, 1851, a son of John and Marie (Ziegler) Kraushaar, both of whom died in Germany. In 1868, Daniel H. Kraushaar crossed the ocean on a sailing ves- sel, being seven weeks on the trip, and landed in New York City, from whence he came direct to Warsaw. For the next two years he was employed in a cabinet shop, and then began working as a carpenter, later becoming a con- tractor. He also conducted a coopering shop, built a grain elevator, conducting it for three years, and also dealt in coal, bought and sold farms, did some farming, and operated a gro- cery, a saloon, and was interested in many lines of business. Now he owns a fine farm of sixty- eight acres in the southern part of Warsaw, on which his son lives, and which he conducts.

On March 6, 1873, Daniel H. Kraushaar was married to Louisa Spitze, born at Warsaw, Ill., on January 6, 1852, a daughter of John F. and Elizabeth (Paar) Spitze, natives of Germany, who came when young people to the United States, and located at Warsaw, where Mr. Spitze carried on business as a contracting ma- son. Mr. and Mrs. Kraushaar became the par-

ents of the following children : Fred J., married Minnie Kothe, issue : Roland, Wilford, Herbert and Cornellia, lives at Warsaw ; Hildegard, who lives at St. Paul, Minn .; Sophia, who is Mrs. Edward Spangler of Lincoln, Neb., issue : Lou- isa G .; Paul G., married Louise Koehler, issue : Edwin and Pauline, lives at Warsaw; Helen F., who is at home; Walter, who lives at Warsaw, married Esther Erdmann; George C., who mar- ried Anna Buschling, conducts his father's farm; and Jennie, who is a telephone operator, lives at home, and three who died in infancy. Mr. Kraushaar attended the schools of Ger- many, and his wife attended those of Warsaw. They are Lutherans. In politics Mr. Krau- shaar is a Democrat, and he has served as alderman from the Third Ward for two terms, tax collector for two terms, and supervisor for one term, and gave universal satisfaction in all these offices.

KRUEGER, Max Richard, now deceased, was for many years prominent in civic affairs at Nauvoo, and was also successful in fruit grow- ing. He was born at Green Bay, Iowa. Septem- ber 15, 1862, a son of Emil and Amelia (Geb- hart) Krueger, natives of Germany, who came to this country at an early day, locating at Green Bay, Iowa, where they remained until 1889, in which year they moved to Nauvoo, bought property and engaged in raising grapes and making wine.

After attending the local schools, Max Richard Krueger took a business course at an Iowa Commercial college and then was shipping clerk for the Morrison Plow Company at Fort Madi- son, Iowa, until 1887. On October 27 of that year,, he was married to Wilhelmina Beger, born at Nauvoo, a daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Mester) Beger, who located at Nauvoo many years age. After his marriage, Mr. Krueger went into partnership with his father, who had been the first to manufacture the famous Green Bay cheese in Iowa. In 1889 they came to Nauvoo and went into the fruit business, which continued to be Mr. Krue- ger's life work. His death occurred May 25, 1916, and since then Mrs. Krueger has continued the business with gratifying results.

Mr. and Mrs. Krueger became the parents of the following children : Valeria, who is Mrs. Roy Radel, of Sonora Township; Sylvia, who is a public school teacher; Waldomar, who lives at Nauvoo, and by profession is a dentist, enlisted for service in the World War in 1917 and was commissioned a first lieutenant ; and Thaya, who is also a public school teacher. Mrs. Krueger attended the public schools of Nauvoo. The family are all Lutherans. A strong Republican, Mr. Krueger served the Third Ward for three terms as alderman, for two terms he was on the high school board. and for fourteen years was a member of the Nauvoo school board. His in- terest in the betterment and advancement of the public schools was very strong, and he gained for the children many improvements, and had others planned when death cut short his career of usefulness.

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KRUSE, William, one of the men who has at- tained to success in general farming, stock and fruit raising, is a substantial farmer of Sonora Township, and highly respected in Hancock County. He was born March 3, 1856, a son of William and Margaret Kruse, natives of Prus- sia, Germany, and Switzerland. They were married in Tennessee, where he was employed in mattress making until 1857, when they moved to Nauvoo, Ill. About 1860 he rented land in Sonora Township. He bought twenty acres of land in this township and added to it until he owned forty acres at the time of his death. His children were as follows: William; Ed- ward, who is deceased; Mollie, who is de- ceased ; Amelia, who is also deceased; and Anna, who is Mrs. Len Kachle of Nauvoo.

William Kruse attended the Ogden district school and grew up on the farm. In November, 1881, he was married to Anna Ort, born in . Sonora Township, a daughter of Just and Maria (Rahn) Ort, and they have the following children : Walter, who lives in Sonora Town- ship; May, who is Mrs. Len Renean, of Hamil- ton Township; Roma A., who is Mrs. Charles Freeland, of Bakersfield, Cal .; Lucy, who is Mrs. William Bollin, of Sonora Township: Stella, who lives in Sonora Township; and Elnora, who is at home.

After they were married, Mr. and Mrs. Kruse rented prairie land in Sonora Township for one year, and then moved to section 20, on the bluffs of Pleasant Hill, and after renting for fourteen years, bought fifty-five acres of land, to which they later added twenty-seven acres, and now have a fine farm. Mr. Kruse has al- ways carried on general farming and stock and fruit raising. In politics he is a Democrat, but owing to being too busy with his own affairs, has never gone into public life.

KUNKEL, William Oscar, one of the extensive general farmers and stockraisers of Carthage Township, is a resident of Carthage, and one of the city's most enterprising and public- spirited men. He was born in Berks County, Pa., December 13, 1862, a son of Daniel and Mary Magdaline (Petry) Kunkel, the former of whom died in 1863. There were fourteen chil- dren in the family, of whom seven grew to maturity. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Kunkel was again married, and became Mrs. Lewis Snyder. The Snyders, with the Kunkel children, came to Pilot Grove Town- ship in 1869, and- Mr. Snyder bought a farm, living upon it until 1879, when he died. Mrs. Snyder died at Keokuk, Iowa, in November, 1907.

William Oscar Kunkel attended the district schools of Pilot Grove Township, and lived with his mother, and finally became the owner of the homestead, which he later sold and bought a tract of 450 acres of land, 130 acres of which are within the city limits of Carthage, and the remainder in Carthage and Prairie Townships. The Hancock County Fair Grounds are located on a part of this farm which lies just outside

of the city limits. He has always been en gaged in general farming, and raises cattle and hogs upon an extensive scale, and also feeds a large number of cattle for the market. He was one of the organizers of the Hancock County Farm Bureau, and is still on the execu- tive committee. He is a director of the Han- cock County Fair Association; one of the or- ganizers of the Farmers Standard Bank of Ferris and its first president, and when it was merged into the Farmers State Bank, he was made president of it, but resigned in 1910, on account of moving away from that neighbor- hood. Mr. Kunkel is also interested in the Han- cock County Mutual Association.

On March 5, 1885, Mr. Kunkel was married to Ellen J. Burgner, born in Carthage Town- ship, a daughter of John and Maria (Trout- man) Burgner. Mr. and Mrs. Kunkel have had the following children born to them : Elsie Grace, who is at home; Arlo W., who is serv- ing in the United States army; Cora Louise, who is prinricpal of the high school at Humis- ton, Iowa ; and Ruth Ellen, who is at home ; and three sons who died in childhood.

Mr. Kunkel is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving it for a number of years as steward and trustee, and he is now district steward. He served Carth- age for one term as a member of the city council, and he was president of the County Farmers Institute. His fraternal connections are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. A man of unusual capability, he has not confined his efforts to his private affairs, but given the community the benefit of his enterprise, and proven him- self a thoroughly good citizen. Mr. Kunkle had the honor of building up and selling the first farm in Hancock County that brought $200 an acre, embracing 196 acres in Pilot Grove Township.

KUNZ, G. F., one of the substantial young business men of Carthage, and one who is forging to the front in the automobile line, was born in this county, January 29, 1898, a son of George and Elizabeth (Luft) Kunz, the former of whom still lives in Hancock County, the lat- ter being now deceased.

G. F. Kunz attended the local schools and learned the machinist trade. Realizing the opening for an aggressive young man in an automobile and garage business, he began work- ing in a garage to learn all of the details in a practical manner, and having done so, on May 15, 1919, he opened his own garage. He is doing all kinds of automobile repair work and handles a full line of accessories in addition to conduct- ing his garage, and as he is skilled and ex- perienced, he is building up a fine trade that promises well for the future.

On September 28, 1919, Mr. Kunz was united in marriage with Colleen Markillie of Hancock County. The Carthage Christian Church holds his membership, and both he and Mrs. Kunz are active in its good work. Mr. Kunz belongs

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to the Order of Odd Fellows, and is interested in the expansion of the local lodge. Alert, hard working and skillful, Mr. Kunz deserves all his present success and that which is bound to come to him in the future.

LAMB, Abraham C., who is one of the large property owners of Pontoosic Township, is a highly respected and prominent man of Han- cock County. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, August 31, 1835, a son of David and Susan (Dick) Lamb, he born in Virginia and she in Zanesville, Ohio. David Lamb died in Ohio in 1848, and in 1850 his widow with their seven children, came to Illinois and located in Craw- ford County, where she died.

When he was twenty-one years old, Abraham C. Lamb came to Hancock County, and worked by the month on farms in Pontoosic Township until his marriage, which took place December 29, 1867, when he was united with Louisa Kid- son, of Ross County, Ohio, born in May 4, 1843, a daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Ann (Nich- ols) Kidson. Joseph Kidson was born in Eng- land, and crossed the Atlantic three times. Mrs. Kidson was born in Maryland. In 1846, the family moved to Dallas Township, Hancock County.

After his marriage, Mr. Lamb rented land in Dallas Township for three years, and then moved to Pontoosic Township and bought 250 acres of land, living on it for nine years. He sold it and bought eighty acres in another part of Pontoosic Township, and lived on it for four years, when the house and other buildings were destroyed by fire, and they moved to another farm in the same township. Eight years later they moved back on their homestead, which is 170 acres of the old Kidson farm, on which land Mr. Lamb had replaced the burned buildings. This land is all under cultivation except sixty acres in timber, and it is con- ducted by his son, Napoleon. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb became the parents of the following chil- dren : Napoleon ; who married Sadie Dietrich, have a daughter Sarah, who married Lyle Bennington, and they have one child, Opal M .; Amy, who is Mrs. Roger Bowker of Pontoosic Township, has five children, Bessie, married Carl Griffin ; issue : Bulah, Doris and Una, Ruth, Pearl, Thelma and Frank; Harold, who lives with his parents; Georgiana, who is Mrs. Frank Byler of Moorehead, Minn., has three children, Vera, Masel and Ronald; and Jasper, who mar- ried Lula Prescott, lives in Pontoosic Town- ship. In politcs Mr. Lamb is a Democrat, and he has held several of the local offices.

LAMBERT, George P., a successful farmer of Rock Creek Township, comes of one of the oldest established families in Hancock County. He was born on his present farm in Rock Creek Township, December 5, 1858, a son of Richard and Jane ( Thornber) Lambert, natives of Eng- land, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

George P. Lambert was reared on the home place, and when he grew to manhood bought 120

acres of his father's property, including the homestead. He has always carried on general farming. While his parents did not countenance the abuses which had crept into the Mormon religion, they recognized the truth of the orig- inal creed, and adhered to the reorganized church of Latter Day Saints, in which faith George P. Lambert was reared. He is now bishop of the Nauvoo District which embraces three counties in Iowa and Hancock County in Illinois.

On October 28, 1891, Mr. Lambert was mar- ried to Hattie Wilson, born at Keokuk, Iowa, a daughter of George and Ann (Nightengale) Wilson, natives of England, who came to Lee County, Iowa as converts to Mormonism in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert have three chil- dren, namely : Elbert W., Leland G., and Grace I., all of whom are at home. Mr. Lambert's influence is widespread, and he faithfully lives up to the teachings of his creed, carrying his beliefs into his everyday life, and trying to make his community the better for his being in it.

LAMBERT, Richard, now deceased, but at one time a very prominent factor in the agricultural life of Hancock County, and one of the pioneers of Rock Creek Township, is recalled with re- spect by those who had the honor of his ac- quaintance. He was born in England, November 17, 1882, and in young manhood came to the United States, arriving in 1840. The Mormon missionaries had converted him to their creed, and he came to Hancock County with the idea of getting into close touch with the parent Mormon colony. However, he did not hold to the abuses that had crept into the church, and when the Mormons were driven out, he renounced them, and remained in Hancock County as one of its most respected citizens.

On April 10, 1842, Mr. Lambert was married to Jane Thornber, also a native of England, who had come to Hancock County in 1841, for the same high purpose as he, and their marriage took place at Nashville, Iowa. They settled in Rock Creek Township, Hancok County, of which they were the first permanent settlers. He pre- empted land from the government, and on it he built a cabin. He and his bride lived on the forty acres he thus secured until 1850, when they went to Nauvoo, and in 1852 went to the vicinity of Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he home- steaded 160 acres of land. Eighteen months later he sold this land and came back to Han- cock County, establishing himself on Golden's Point along the Mississippi River, in Sonora Township. In 1857 he bought eighty acres on section 7, Rock Creek Township, and immediate- ly began to improve the place, erecting suitable buildings, building fences and supplying other necessary facilities for properly conducting the business of farming. Here he lived until his death on July 4, 1874. His wife passed away some time previously.

Richard Lambert and his wife had the follow- ing children: John, who is deceased; Joseph, who lives in Iowa; Mary, who is Mrs. Samuel

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Seigfried, lives in Rock Creek Township; Wil- liam, who lives at Carthage, Ill .; Daniel, who lives in Illinois; Margaret, who is Mrs. Walter Head, lives at Stuartsville, Ill .; Agnes, who was Mrs. Thomas Stevenson is deceased and so is her husband; George P .; Harriet, who is the widow of Hendrick Radfield, lives in Missouri ; Alexander, who lives at Blackville, Okla ; Ellen, who is Mrs. Edward Pitt, lives in Rock Creek Township; and Susan, who was Mrs. Frank Mapes, in now deceased.

LAMBERT, William Thornber. who is one of the most highly esteemed men of Carthage, comes of one of the old families of Hancock County. He was born in Rock Creek Township, February 24, 1847, a son of Richard and Jane (Thornber) Lambert, a sketch of whom appears in this work.

After growing up in his native township, and attending its schools, William T. Lambert was married on December 9, 1872, to Alice Jane Pilkington, born in Sonora Township, June 6, 1848, a daughter of Adam and Jane (Garside) Pilkington, he born in White Copies, England, and she in Lancashire. England. He came to Nauvoo in 1842 and she in 1844, following her husband with their four children, as soon as he had a place arranged for them. Two additional children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pilkington after their settlement in Hancock County. Their children as follows: Mary, who was killed by lightning when sixteen years old : Elizabeth, who was Mrs. William Stevenson, died in 1880; Mar- garet, who is the widow of Henry Thornber, lives at Ferris, Ill .; Amos, who died in March, 1895 ; and Mrs. Lambert, who died November 27, 1913. On January 4, 1915, Mr. Lambert was married (second) to Mrs. Mary (Pilkington) Webber, a sister of his first wife, and widow of William J. Webber, who died February 8, 1913. Mr. Webber was born at Baltimore, Md., Febru- ary 5. 1845, a son of Gabriel and Julia Ann Webber. natives of Austria and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Webber became the parents of two children, namely : Charles Albert, who lives in Prairie Township ; and John Francis, who lives at Ottumwa, Iowa. Their married life was spent in Rock Creek Township until 1896 when Mr. Webber bought a farm in Prairie Township, living on it until he retired and moved to Carthage, where he died. Mr. Lambert has had the following children : Anna, who is Mrs. J. W. Byers of Portland, Ore .; Ida May, who died in infancy ; Arthur William, who lives in Canada ; Clarence, who is serving in the United States army; Millard George, who is operating the home place in Rock Creek Township; Grace Anna, who is Mrs. Bryley Stevenson, of Decatur County, Iowa ; Elma Alice, who is Mrs. Elwood Quivey, of Clayton, Adams County, Ill .; and Irene Dimple, who is Mrs. George Carlisle, of Burn- side, Ill.

After he was first married, Mr. Lambert bought forty acres of land on section 18, Rock Creek Township, and thirty-two acres on section 7,

Rock Creek Township, to which he later added eighty acres, operating it until 1894. He then purchased the Turney farm of 240 acres, where he lived until 1915, when he moved on the farm owned by his son-in-law, George Carlisle of Rock Creek Township, and there he lived until he retired, in that year, when he located at Car- thage, his present home. He owns 160 acres of land in Canada, and a two-third interest in 240 acres of land on section 1, Rock Creek Town- ship. Mr. Lambert belongs to the re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of which he has been an elder several years. Mrs. Lambert is a member of the. Methodist Episcopal Church, and is on the board of foreign missions and the board of local missions, and is active in Sunday school work. Mr. Lambert is a Democrat and served as a school director and for, nine years as highway commissioner. Both he and Mrs. Lambert have seen many changes, and remember well when deer. wolves, wild turkeys and prairie chickens were plentiful, and pioneer conditions of living prevailed. Mrs. Lambert's younger son, John Francis Webber, has distinguished himself in Iowa politics. serv- ing as a state senator during 1914 and 1915. He is an attorney and also conducts a farm loan and mortgage business. He married Estella Bailey and they have two children, namely : John Francis 'and Bailey Conwell.

LAMET, Louis A., one of the successful and distinguished lawyers of Hancock County, is engaged in a general practice at Warsaw. He was born in Warsaw, December 28, 1873, a son of Julian Lamet, who was a native of Martigny, France, where his wife, whose maiden name was Sylvester, was also born. They came to the United States in 1872, locating in Wilcox Town- ship, this county, where he engaged in farming, spending the remainder of his life here, and becoming one of the most substantial men of his community.

Louis A. Lamet attended the Warsaw schools, and secured his legal training in the Uni- versity of Illinois. After being graduated he entered upon the practice of his profession, and has built up a large and valuable practice. At first Mr. Lamet was associated in the prac- tice of his profession with Trueman Plantz. He is a Democrat, has been active in his party, and was elected mayor of Warsaw on the Demo- cratic ticket at one time. While in office he gave the city a businesslike and effective administra- tion. He has always given a warm support to any movement he calculated would be beneficial, and is a very desirable citizen in every respect. While attending the University of Illinois, he had a two-year military training, and he learned lessons of thrift and industry during his boyhood on his father's farm.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 120

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