Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 122

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 122


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Alphonse Linge was married on October 13, 1874, to his stepfather's daughter, Lucy, and then he rented his stepfather's farm of eighty acres in Sonora Township, and lived there for twenty years. He then moved to Nauvoo and bought seven acres on which was an old brick Mormon house. He improved the place in every way, remodeling the house, and setting out grapes, pears, and all kinds of small fruits, and here he still lives. The boundary line be- tween the city of Nauvoo and Sonora Township runs through his house. Mrs. Linge died Novem- ber 14, 1914, while on a railroad train near Port- land. Ore. She is buried at Nauvoo. They had no children, and Mr. Linge lives alone. On De- cember 12, 1916, Mr. Linge left for his old home in France, but only spent a month, during which period he visited Paris and other important places, returning February 8, 1917, filled with admiration of his brave countrymen, and sorrow over the suffering and devastation caused by the


terrible war. Mr. Linge is a Democrat and has been alderman from the Third Ward, and for the past two years has been a justice of the peace. Having rented his farm, he is free to attend to his private interests and the duties of his office. He is looked up to with more than ordinary respect for he is a man of parts and high principles.


LIONBERGER, Jesse, one of the enterprising representative men and modern farmers of Han- cock County, owns 670 acres of land in Dallas and Pontoosic townships, and in partnership with Frank Byers, owns and conduct an elevator, grain and stock business and a general store at Colusa. He was born in Dallas Township, October 5, 1867, a son of Jackson and Elizabeth (Wimp) Lionberger, natives of Ohio and Dallas Township, respectively. The grandparents, Bell- jamin and Elizabeth (Wimp) Lionberger, and Jesse Wimp, all natives of Kentucky, were among the earliest settlers of Dallas Township. After their marriage, Jackson Lionberger and his wife settled on a farm in Dallas Township, where both died. Their children were as fol- lows : Ella, wife of L. B. Harned; Maude, wife of Frank Byers; and Jesse.


Jesse Lionberger attended the schools of his district, and grew up on a farm. In October, 1894, he was married to Elizabeth Byers, born in Durham Township, a daughter of John W. and Lois (Hopkins) Byers, natives of Adams County, Ill. After his marriage, Mr. Lionberger moved to his grandfather Lionberger's farm of ninety-two and one-half acres, to which he kept on adding until he now owns 670 acres in Dallas and Pontoosic townships. He is the largest raiser and trader in live stock in the county. In 1896 he and his brother-in-law, Frank Byers, embarked in an elevator business at Colusa, and in that same year he bought a half interest in the general merchandise business of Mr. Byers. In 189S they built their present elevator, and they also handle coal, grain, oil and agricultural implements. Mr. and Mrs. Lionberger have the following children : Frank, who is in the United States army ; and Jackson, Clara, Bernice, Ruth and Jesse Ralph, all of whom are at home. Mr. Lionberger is a Democrat. He is a man of unusual business sagacity, and in all of his operations displays an ability which makes his venture a certain success from the beginning.


LIONBERGER, Robert R., not only is engaged very extensively in the handling and shipping of stock at La Harpe, but he has also owned and operated a fine farm in Fountain Green Township, which he sold. He was born at La Crosse. Hancock County, March 25. 1860, one of the five children born to his parents, John W. and Felina (Roberts) Lionberger. John W. Lionberger was born in Virginia, but came to Hancock County in 1836 where he lived the remainder of his life. his wife surviving him for two years. He was a farmer and auc- tioneer, and laid out the village of Lacrosse, in every way being a man of dependability and prominence.


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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY


Robert R. Lionberger attended the public schools of Fountain Green Township, and was reared on his father's farm, so that it was but natural that when he attained maturity he should engage in this line of endeavor. With his success in farming came an opportunity to branch out, and he began handling stock, be- came recognized as one of the most extensive shippers of livestock in Hancock County, his annual shipments aggregating about fifty cars, but has now about quit the business, Mr. Lion- berger built the present grain elevator at La Crosse and for some years operated it, but in 1905 when he located at La Harpe, severed his connection with it. He owns a one-fourth in- terest in the La Harpe Telephone Company, also stocks in the First National Bank.


On January 28, 1885, Mr. Lionberger was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth J. Sharpe, born June 6, 1864, at Warsaw, Ill., a daughter of Samuel and June (Ballinger) Sharpe, of Lacrosse, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Lionberger reared Gertrude Sharpe, her niece, taking her when three years of age. She married Floyd Kilgore, and they have two children, Glenn and June. Mr. and Mrs. Lion- berger attend the Christian Church. Frater- nally he belongs to La Harpe Lodge No. 195, A. F. & A. M., and also was a member of the Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World. A Democrat in politics, he has served La Harpe for three terms as city attorney. A man of progressive ideas, he gives his community the benefit of his public spirit, and is a very de- sirable citizen in every respect.


LIONBERGER, Scott Grove, a successful gen- eral farmer and stockraiser of Fountain Grove Township, owns and operates the homestead of his family. He was born in Pilot Grove Town- ship, in November, 1854, a son of Hamilton and Eliza (Bainter) Lionberger, he born in Vir- ginia and she born in Ohio. The paternal grandparents, James and Esther Lionberger, na- tives of Virginia, in the spring of 1836, came to Fountain Green Township, later going to Pilot Grove Township, settling on the pres- ent site of La Crosse, where they entered land on the edge of the timber from the government. The maternal grandparents, John Bainter and his wife, were very early settlers of Pilot Grove Township, moving to section 6, Fountain Grove Township, in 1857, where they bought 246 acres of partly improved land. The parents were married in 1840, and settled on this farm, and there both died. Their children were as fol- lows: Scott Grove; Carrie, who is Mrs. G. W. Shakett; and Charles A., twin brother of Carrie, who lives at Memphis, Tenn.


Scott Grove Lionberger alway lived at home, and after the death of his parents he bought out the other heirs. He has thoroughly improved the place, and has a very valuable farm. Here he carries on general farming and stockraising, and his results are very gratifying.


In 1878, Mr. Lionberger was married to Fan- nie A. Parker, born in New York state, a daugh- ter of William and Mary (Young) Parker,


natives of New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Lion- berger have three children, namely : Harvey L., who lives in the state of Washington; Herbert E., who lives in Pilot Grove Township; and Mary F., who is Mrs. Merlin Chapin of Foun- tain Green Township. Mr. Lionberger attended the Rossville district school and Carthage Col- lege. He belongs to the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Lionberger is a member of La Harpe Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Bristol Lodge, I. O. O. F., also of La Harpe. Not only is Mr. Lionberger an excellent farmer, but he is a fine business man and good citizen, and stands very well with his neighbors.


LOFTON, Charles Basset, who, with the excep- of the three children born to George W. and culturalists of Hancock County, owns and op- in carrying on general farming on his father's homestead in Dallas Township, since reaching years of maturity. was born at Colusa, Ill., June 18, 1869, a son of Jefferson and Sarah J. Ind., and Adams County, Ill., respectively. Prior to coming to Hancock County, Jefferson Lofton was married and seven children were born to that first marriage. In 1846 he brought this family to the present site of Colusa. Na- thaniel and Lucinda Merrill, the maternal grand- parents of Charles B. Lofton, came to Adams County from Vermont, at an early day. After the death of his first wife, Jefferson Lofton was mar- ried (second) to Sarah J. Merrill, in Colusa, where she died. July 31, 1918, he having passed away April 6. 1901. Their children were as fol- lows: Ida, who is deceased; Charles V .; Man- ford who lives in Dallas City. Ill .; and Rosa, who is the widow of Fred Lavins.


Charles V. Lofton grew up on the homestead and attended the district schools. In 1899 he went to Wheatland. Cal., but after a year re- turned to Dallas Township, where he and his brothers are conducting the homestead of 160 acres.


On July 31, 1906, Mr. Lofton was married to Lola G. High, born at Purgitsville, W. Va., a daughter of John H. and Tamer (Hoffman) High, natives of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Lofton have the following children : Harper, who was. born July 3, 1907; Nellie, who was born March 12, 1913; and Grace, who was born January 18, 1917. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Lofton has done yeoman service for his party and served as supervisor for one term.


LOWER, Alfred G., now deceased, was at one time interested in agricultural matters in Han- cock County, and also was engaged in carpenter work at Carthage. He was born in Tennessee, May 28, 1844, a son of Andrew and Elsie (Jones) Lower, natives of Tennessee, who came to Hancock County, and took up land.


Alfred G. Lower attended the local schools, and grew up on the farm, residing with his par- ents until his marriage, which took place Au- gust 27, 1874, when he was united with Sarah C. Peterman, born in Ohio, a daughter of David and Elizabeth J. (Bright) Peterman. He was


1


CHARLES F. WALTON


AUGUSTA WALTON


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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY


killed while serving his country as a soldier during the Civil War. His wife died when Mrs. Lower was an infant, and she was reared by strangers. After his marriage, Mr. Lower took up his residence on his father's farm in Rock Creek Township, comprising 160 acres of land, which was a portion of the old Lower home- stead, and there he was engaged in farming until December 8, 1883, when he moved to Carthage, and from then on worked as a car- penter until his death, on January 11, 1894. His widow still resides at the family home at Car- thage. During the Civil War he served his country as a soldier, and was honorably dis- charged in 1865.


Mr. and Mrs. Lower had the following chil- dren : Andrew J., who lives in Adams County, Ill .; William, who lives at Carthage; Ella, who is Mrs. Harry Wagner of Des Moines, Iowa ; Fannie, who is Mrs. Farrell Cutler of Des Moines, Iowa; James W., who died at the age of ten years; and Edwin G., who also resides at Des Moines, Iowa. Bereft as she was of her parents, Mrs. Lower received but few educa- tional advantages, but she has kept herself well informed. She belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Lower was a Republican. He was a man who did his full duty as he saw it, and was held in high esteem by his associates.


LOWREY, John W., one of the highly esteemed retired business men of Ferris, is a worthy citi- zen of Hancock County. He was born in Schuy- ler County, Ill., August 23, 1845, a son of Edward and Harriet (Crosson) Lowrey, he born in Thompson County, N. Y., in November, 1814, and she in Dutchess County, N. Y. On June 5, 1843, Edward Lowrey and his wife left Norwich, N. Y., for the West in a wagon, driving overland, they being on the road thirty days, and landed four miles south of Hunts- ville, Schuyler County, Ill., just as the sun went down, July 4, 1843. The next day he traded his team of Morgan horses and wagon for a farm and went into debt for it to the extent of $200. He improved his farm and added to the original tract, and when he sold it in 1866, he had 158 acres. He then moved to Carthage, buying 210 acres for which he paid $45 per acre. For forty years he was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. He and his wife had the following children : James, who lives at Fargo, Okla .; Mary A., who is deceased ; John W .; Andrew J., of Carthage, Ill .; Asbury, who is deceased; and Harriet, who is Mrs. R. C. Gibson, of Lamar, Mo.


On December 22, 1870, John W. Lowrey was married to Anna Augusta Boyce, born at Rush- ville, Ill. After marriage, Mr. Lowrey and his wife settled on eighty acres of partly improved land situated one and one-half miles north of Ferris in Rock Creek Township, that he had bought, and there he was engaged in farming for fifteen years. He later sold this farm and bought an acre of ground, a house and barn in Ferris and for the next four years he was em- ployed in a drug store. Mr. Lowrey was then


engaged in a drug, hardware and agricultural implement business with Dr. Runyon for two and one-half years, when he bought out his partner and with Dr. C. S. Farney, continued the drug and hardware business for eighteen months. Mr. Lowrey then sold the drug busi- ness and went in with L. H. Shipton as part- ner, in the hardware and agricultural imple- ment business for four years, when he again sold out and since then has lived a retired life. Mr. Lowrey built the second brick store build- ing in Ferris. He still owns 167 acres of land just west of Ferris, eighty acres within the corporation of Ferris, which he and his sons operate, raising horses, cattle and hogs, he be- ing the first man in Hancock County to breed pure bred registered Morgan horses, and still raises this strain. He also owns 560 acres of land in Sedgwick County, Kans.


Mr. and Mrs. Lowrey became the parents of the following children: William Edmond, who is at home; Mabel, who is Mrs. H. I. Bailey, of Wichita, Kans .; Linnie, who is deceased ; and Roy Edward, who is on the farm in Rock Creek Township. Mr. Lowrey is an Odd Fellow, and his sons also belong to that order. They are all of the Methodist faith. Politically a Repub- lican, Mr. Lowrey has been supervisor, justice of the peace and police magistrate, and is worthy of the confidence he inspires.


LUDINGTON, George A. As Sonora Township includes some of the finest farms of Hancock County, it also numbers among her citizens many of the county's most enterprising busi- ness men and one of these is found in George A. Ludington, who is operating a large farm situated on Section 34 and carrying on general farming and stockraising. Although Mr. Lud- ington has not devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits since reaching manhood, having at times other important interests in which he was more or less concerned, farming has been his preferred vocation and one in which he has met with much success.


George A. Ludington was born September 19, 1869, at Clinton, Iowa. His parents were Joseph and Hester (Owen) Ludington. Joseph Luding- ton was born in Coshocton, Ohio, and died at Hamilton, Ill., in 1890, aged fifty years. Of his father little is known but possibly he was born in Ireland as was his wife, whose maiden name was Grogan. She survived into old age, dying at the home of her daughter, Mrs. David Cruse, in Hamilton, when aged ninety-four years. Jo- seph Ludington was a railroad man for some years, an engineer on the Chicago & North- western Railroad, and later became a master mechanic in the railroad shops at Clinton, Iowa. Later he bought a farm in Boone County, Iowa, and lived on it for four years and then moved to Hamilton, Ill. He was married in Boone County to Hester Owen, who was born in Ken- tucky and died at Pilot Mound, Iowa, August 15, 1914. Her parents, the maternal grandpar- ents of George A. Ludington, were Bethel and Nancy (St. Clair) Owen. He was a descendant


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of Daniel Boone and was born in Kentucky, and she was born in McDonough County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Owen for a time lived in Bender County, Mo., not far from the neighborhood made notorious as the home of the "James boys," but they removed from there to Boone County, Iowa. Four children were born to Jo- seph Ludington and his wife, namely : James,


who is deceased; Maude, who is deceased ; George A .; and Jennie, who is the wife of Orien Cline, lives at Stratford, Iowa.


George A. Ludington completed his school at- tendance at Hamilton, Ill., and then went to work in a grocery establishment and continued for twelve years and after that for seven years was in a shoe factory in Keokuk. At the end of that time he settled on his present place and followed farming for about ten years and then returned to Hamilton and went into the automobile business and while interested in this line built a fine garage, which he sold when he went to work for the Mississippi River Power Company. Mr. Ludington continued there for two years and then returned to his farm in So- nora Township. He has 240 acres, of which he cultivates 160, the rest of the land being in pasture and wood lots.


Mr. Ludington was married November 1, 1892, to Miss S. Jessie Brant, who was born in Sonora Township, Hancock County, on April 12, 1871. Her parents were Hezekiah and Isa- bella (Dick) Brant, the former a native of southern Indiana and the latter of Edinboro, Scotland. Hezekiah Brant came to Sonora Township in 1855 and traded a horse for a sol- dier's land title, thereby securing a wild tract of 160 acres. That land he cleared and im- proved and from stone taken off his farm, built his 11-room house that yet stands. Mr. and Mrs. Ludington have one daughter, Isabella, who is the wife of H. F. Isler, of Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Ludington is a member of the Chris- tian Church. She has been a member of the Eastern Star for many years. In politics he is a Democrat. He has been useful to his neighborhood in such offices as school director and road commissioner. Mr. Ludington is a practical business man and one evidence of it is shown by the possession of a policy in the county's leading insurance company.


LYON, Lester E., owns and operates a fine farm of 240 acres on section 24, St. Mary's Township, and is one of the successful agricul- turists of Hancock County. He was born in McDonough County, Ill., October 30, 1892, a son of John W. and Olive ( Weldon) Lyon, natives of Illinois, he being deceased, although she survives and makes her home in McDonough County. In politics, he was a Republican, and active in his party. Both belonged to the Baptist Church.


Lester E. Lyon came to Hancock County in young manhood, and here he was married to Iva L. Babcock, November 26, 1914. She is a daughter of Warren and Sarah (Bartlett) Bab- cock, natives of Illinois, who are farming peo- ple living in St. Mary's Township. Mrs. Lyon


was born at Kankakee, Ill., February 12, 1893. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lyon belong to the Chris- tian Church, and the Babcocks also belong to this church. Mr. Lyon is a Republican. He belongs to Plymouth Lodge, I. O. O. F. Since coming to this county Mr. Lyon has specialized on raising Short Horn cattle, and has always been very successful in his undertakings. His line of endeavor is just now doubly important, and his knowledge of farming and stockraising make him a very valuable citizen.


LYON, William Edgar, one of the leading busi- ness men of Hancock County, is conducting a large lumber, coal and cement business at Car- thage. He was born at Burlington, Iowa, April 5, 1870, a son of William and Mary (Barkley) Lyon. William Lyon was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1854, and his wife was a native of the same state, and county. William Lyon was a grandson of Dr. McMillan, a Presbyterian minister, who was one of the first to preach west of the Alleghany mountains. He established Washington College, and was engaged in minis- terial work for many years. Large in body and mind, he made an impressive figure in the pulpit, and his discourses were very convincing, so that his converts were many. An uncle on the paternal side was a soldier during the War of 1812.


Mr. and Mrs. William Lyon made Burlington, Iowa, their home for many years, where he was a carpenter and later a builder and contractor, and he finally went into a lumber business as a member of the Burlington Lumber Company. While still a lad, he had enlisted as a drummer boy in the Civil War, and remained in the serv- ice fighting for the Union until the close of the war. Fraternally he was a member of the Odd Fellows, and had passed all the chairs in the local lodge. He and his wife were devout and valued members of the Presbyterian Church, of which, for many years he was an elder. A Republican, he was often called upon to serve in local offices of trust and responsibil- ity, at Burlington, including that of alderman. Beginning his life at Burlington as a man of small means, he steadily rose until he attained to considerable wealth. Of his seven children five now survive, namely : John M., who is a graduate of Parsons College, is engaged in the lumber business at La Harpe, Ill .; William E .; Lydia B., who was graduated from Parsons Col- lege ; Charles, who was graduated from Elliott's Business College, is in a lumber business ; and Bessie, who was graduated from Parsons College.


William R. Lyon attended the public schools of Burlington, Iowa, and took a course in Elli- ott's Business College, and afterwards for four years was a stenographer and clerk for the Burlington Lumber, Company. In 1892 he came to Carthage, and established a lumber company, with an office at No. 11 Main Street. He han- dled all kinds of building and fencing lumber, at first, and in 1901 enlarged his business so as to add the handling of coal. Still later he bought a brick and tile business, and then added cement,


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and now handles all of these commodities, doing a very large and flourishing business. In 1911 he suffered a severe loss, as his entire plant was destroyed by lightning, but that same year he erected his present fine plant, which is the most complete of its kind in this part of the state.


On December 20, 1894, Mr. Lyon was married to Miss Viola Susan Tyner, born in Hancock County, Ill., a daughter of Jared and Emily (McGahan) Tyner, both of whom were natives of Hancock County. Mr. Tyner was a druggist of Burnside, Ill., and he and Mrs. Tyner were consistent members of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Tyner had three children, namely : Mary, who is the wife of George W. Ray, of Carthage; Birdie, who is the wife of James F. Gibson; and Mrs. Lyon. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyon, namely : Emily T., who was graduated from the Carthage High school; Orville; and Jared E. Mr. Lyon is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been an elder for some time, is superintendent of the Sunday school, and is active in all branches of the church work. He is president of the Commercial Club of Carthage, and active in promoting its usefulness. Fraternally he is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias, while in politics he is a Republican, but has never de- sired office.


MacKELVIE, William Sharon, who is exten- sively engaged in business as a painting con- tractor at Carthage, is one of the representa- tive men of Hancock County. He was born in Ohio, April 28, 1846, a son of Samuel and Jane (Sharon) MacKelvie, natives of Scotland and Ohio. After his arrival in the United States from Scotland, Samuel MacKelvie remained for a time in New York City with his brothers who had preceded him here, and then went to Ohio, where he was married and settled on a farm.


In 1855 Samuel MacKelvie moved to Fulton County, Ill., spending a year at Astoria, that county, and then went to Appanoose County, Iowa, but did not like conditions there as he had to go seventy miles to reach a mill, so he returned to Illinois and bought a farm in Schuyler County, there dying in 1874, his widow surviving him many years, when she passed away aged seventy-eight years. Their children were as follows: William Sharon; Samuel, who lives at Fairfield, Nebr., whose son, Samuel R. MacKelvie was elected governor of Nebraska; Joseph, who died at the age of twenty-two years ; John, who lives at Plymouth, was super- visor of St. Mary's Township for four terms, now supervisor ; Henry, who is deceased; Mar- garet, who is deceased; and Hannah, who is deceased, the last three being triplets ; Enis, who died in childhood; and Andrew, who lives at Meadville, Mo.


When he was eighteen years old, William Sharon MacKelvie left home to enlist for serv- ice in the Civil War, but on account of his youth was not accepted. He then went to Quincy, Ill., and learned decorating and paper hanging, and the painter's trade, remaining there for two and


one-half years. He then worked at his trade for one year at Payson, Ill., in 1868 coming to Carthage, where he has since been in business for himself, doing contracting work all about Carthage and its vicinity.


In December, 1869, Mr. MacKelvie was mar- ried to Mary Ann Horton, born in England, in May, 1845, a daughter of William H. and Han- nah (Wilson) Horton, who in 1847 came west to St. Louis, Mo., where he worked as a shoe- maker. From that city the Hortons went to Rushville, Ill., and in 1849 moved to Littleton, Ill., where the father bought land. Mr. Horton enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War, but was taken sick and had to return home, and died December 25, 1863, following which the family returned to Rushville, and the mother was living with Mrs. MacKelvie when she died in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. MacKelvie have had the following children born to them: Wil- liam H., who died in Idaho, in October, 1914, had served for four years in the United States navy, but at the time of death was a dentist, having graduated before enlisting and he practiced den- tistry while in the naval service; Ida, who is Mrs. James B. Herbst, of Roswell, N. M .; and John, who died in infancy. They reared a girl named Anna Kendall, taking her when she was seven years old and caring for her until she was married at the age of twenty-four to Henry Rams, of Carthage. Mr. and Mrs. MacKelvie have a beautiful home at Carthage. They be- long to the Baptist Church and Mrs. MacKelvie belongs to all the church societies, and is now treasurer of the ladies' guild. Mr. MacKelvie is independent in politics and served one term as alderman from the First Ward of Carthage. He belongs to Carthage Lodge No. 412, I. O. O. F. During the years he has been located here he has built up a reputation for fine work and honorable dealing and deserves the prosperity which is his.




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