USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 124
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MARTIN, Isaac McCoy, M. D., one of the best known physicians and surgeons of Hancock County, has long been a resident of La Harpe. He was born at Macomb, Ill., September 9, 1853, a son of Joseph Morris and Henrietta Jereard (Westfall) Martin, natives of Miami County, Ohio. Joseph Morris Martin was born January 6, 1823, a son of Abiah and Catherine (Wilson) Martin. His wife was born January 18, 1823. Both the parents were reared at Lebanon, Ind., where they were married, after which they re- sided for a time at Thorton, Ind., he working as a carpenter. In 1850, loading their posses- sions into an old fashioned covered wagon, they traveled with it to Macomb, Ill., and there the father developed a large contracting business, doing nearly all of the important building of his day at Macomb and the surrounding coun- try. He served in several offices, including that of Mayor of Macomb for a couple of terms. His death occurred February 23, 1893.
Doctor Martin attended the common and high schools of Macomb, and then began teaching school, and in 1876 began the study of medicine at Macomb. Going later to Iota, Minn., he practiced medicine and continued his studies with an uncle, Dr. I. M. Westfall. In 1878, he returned to Macomb and taught school until he entered Hahnemann Hospital of Chicago, and secured his diploma February 24, 1881. Follow- ing this until 1887, he was engaged in practice at Macomb, in that year coming to La Harpe where he is recognized as the leading physi- cian. Upon his arrival at La Harpe, he bought one of the largest residences, located in the center of the city. .
fantry, was transferred to the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as lieu- tenant colonel. Mrs. Martin attended the pub- lic schools of Quincy, Ill. Doctor and Mrs. Martin became the parents of the following chil- dren : Morris C., who was born July 27, 1884; Edgar S., who was born June 3, 1886, is assist- ing his father in publishing the La Harpe Times. Mrs. Martin died July 30, 1888. On De- cember 5, 1889, Doctor Martin was married (second) to Clara A. Locke, born at Blandins- ville, Ill. She attended the public schools of La Harpe. Her parents, George and Mary E. (Webster) Locke were born in Michigan. By his second marriage Doctor Martin has two chil- dren, namely : Mary E., who was born August 17, 1891, is Mrs. John W. Elder, and they have one son, John M .; and Esther Pearl, who was born November 23, 1898, is at home. Doctor Martin is a very prominent Republican, and served as tax collector during 1904 and 1905, and alderman from the First Ward for two terms, and while at Macomb was city clerk five years in succession. During 1890 and 1891, he was city attorney of La Harpe. He is a Universalist. Very deeply interested in educa- tional matters, he has been on the board of edu- cation for ten years. His fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows. Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Martin owns the opera house block and several other business houses at La Harpe. The family is one of the best known in the county, and Doctor Martin stands very high in public esteem not only professionally, but personally.
MARTIN, James L., justice of the peace at Carthage, Ill., and one of the substantial and reliable men of Hancock County, was born in Woodford County, Ky., November 4, 1845, a son of John and Mildred S. (Vincent) Martin who came to Hancock County in 1861, buying land here that had a gristmill on it. He conducted the mill in connection with his farming. For many years he was active in the Presbyterian Church. A Republican, he held the office of school director. He and his wife had three chil- dren, as follows: James L .; Marietta, who is the wife of Joel T. Boaz, a veteran of the Civil War, in which Mr. Boaz served for three years ; and John R., who was born November 7, 1858 and died February 23, 1875.
Judge Martin was reared on the homestead in Hancock County, and attended the early schools of Kentucky. During his boyhood he assisted in operating the gristmill and in farm- ing. On April 22, 1873, he was married to Frances S. Kelley who was born in Hancock County, a daughter of John Kellcy. After their marriage, Judge and Mrs. Martin moved on a farm they owned and here were engaged in farming until 1905 when they moved to Carthage, selling the farm. A strong Republi- can, Judge Martin has been active in his party and has served the public as town clerk, assessor of Hancock Township, and for the past ten
In September, 1883, Doctor Martin was mar- ried at Mt. Sterling, Ill., to Elsie Taylor, born a daughter of Samuel E. and Nancy E. (Mc- Cormick) Taylor, natives of Colchester, Ill. The father entered the Civil War as a captain of Company E, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer In- . years has been a justice of the peace for
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Carthage. A man of level judgment, his deci- sions seldom are reversed by the higher courts, and his honesty and careful weighing of testi- mony have gained him the friendship of all with whom he has come into contact.
Judge and Mrs. Martin have had four chil- dren, namely : James E., who is in Idaho; Susan M., who is the wife of E. S. Wear, a farmer of Adams County ; Marietta, who died September 7. 1918, was the wife of Lee James, owner of a farm three miles southeast of Carthage; and Stephen L., who is interested in railroad work at Denver, Col. The fraternal connections of Judge Martin are with the Masonic order, he being a past master of Hancock Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M., and he also belongs to Inglewell Commandery No. 75, is a Thirty-second degree Mason, and is a member of Bentley Lodge No. 412, I. O. O. F. The Presbyterian Church holds his membership and he, is a deacon. Mrs. Mar- țin is a Catholic.
MARTIN, John Francis, one of the substantial men of Burnside, was formerly engaged in farming in Pilot Grove Township, and is still interested in conducting a threshing outfit. He was born in Marion County, W. Va., in Decem- ber, 1851, a son of Spencer Snyder and Sarah (Michael) Martin, natives of West Virginia. In 1871 John Francis came to Hancock County, and for the first three years after his arrival here, worked on various farms, gaining a knowl- edge of soils and conditions, and then began farming on his own account in Montebello Town- ship. Two years later he moved to Prairie Township, and after two years, bought 100 acres in Pilot Grove Township, a portion of which was improved. He at once began adding to the improvements, and now has it nearly all under cultivations. In the spring of 1917, he rented his farm, and buying a residence at Burnside, moved to that village. For many years he has been engaged in conducting a threshing machine outfit in partnership with W. D. Stewart, his nephew, and he continues his ac- tivities along this line.
On November 4, 1880, Mr. Martin was mar- ried to Tennessee A. McCall, a daughter of Wil- liam Nelson and Sarah Squib (Lyon) McCall, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively, who became early settlers of Prairie Township. When the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road was built, its right of way ran through the McCall farm, and a station located on it was named McCall in honor of William N. Mc- Call. Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of the following children: Edna Lyon, who died at the age of six years; Floyd, who lives in the state of Washington; Charles Lowell, who lives in Pilot Grove Township; John Wes- ley, who lives at Chillicothe, Ill .; Pearl, who is Mrs. James F. Akin of Oskaloosa, Kas .; Fred, who lives in Pilot Grove Township; and Pearl, who died in infancy. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Martin is a Democrat. He belongs to the Burn- side Camp, M. W. A. During the period of the Great War, Mrs. Martin was very active in Red
Cross work, and both she and Mr. Martin took an active and effective interest in various kinds of war work.
MASON, Waldo O., secretary and general man- ager of the Mason Dry Goods Company store at La Harpe, is one of the very prominent men of Hancock County, and a man widely known and universally respected. His associates in the business are Edward E. Emerick, president, and Adolphus S. Owsley, vice president. The firm operates six different dry goods stores in Han- cock County, all upon an extensive scale, they being at La Harpe, Aledo, Augusta, Virginia and two at Carthage. The stock carried in the La Harpe store aggregates $20,000, employment is given seven salespersons, and this is admitted to be the largest establishment of its kind at La Harpe, if not in Hancock County.
Waldo O. Mason was born in Hancock County, June 23, 1878, one of the five children of his parents, William E. and Helen (Osborn) Mason. William E. Mason was a well known member of the Hancock County bar association, and a very successful attorney. For one term he served as states attorney, and was a fearless and energetic representative of the state. He always took an intelligent interest in anything pertaining to Hancock Couty, or Illinois, and when he died June 2, 1886, this section lost one of its best and most representative citizens. His wife passed away in 1907.
Waldo O. Mason attended the public schools of Carthage, and Carthage College. After com- pleting his educational training, Mr. Mason en- tered the business field as junior member of the dry goods firm of Owsley & Company. which association continued until 1898, when Mr. Ma- son came to La Harpe to take charge of the branch house here of his firm and to become a member of it.
In 1912 Mr. Mason was married to Mabel C. Roberts, a daughter of John R. Roberts, and a member of one of the old and honored families of Hancock County. While Mr. Mason votes the Democratic ticket, his various interests have always been too absorbing to permit of his enter- ing public life. Fraternally he is a Mason, and socially is connected with the Lake View Club. The Mason residence at La Harpe is a beautiful one, and in it a gracious hospitality is extended to the many personal friends o fMr. and Mrs. Mason.
MASSIE, Herman B., is one of the enterprising young business men of Carthage who are direct- ing their energies toward supplying the demand for a first class garage service. He was born in Hancock County, July S, 1886, a son of Sam- uel and Pauline (Huey) Massie, both of whom are living and residents of Quincy, where Samuel Massie conducts a garage.
After he had completed his schooling, Herman B. Massie entered his father's garage and learned the business. In 1906 he left Quincy and went to California, where he was engaged in an automobile business, and then in 1908 returned to Quincy, and again worked for his
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father. In 1911 he moved to Carthage and established his present business, and in addi- tion to carrying on a regular garage, sells Reo and Nash autos and trucks and enjoys a large trade. His repair work is excellent and his stock of accessories large and varied.
On July 21, 1910, Mr. Massie was married to Ethel Simon. They have no children, The Massie family residence, which is a very com- fortable one, is on Wabash Avenue, Carthage, and Mr. Massie owns it. He is well known as a Mason, and belongs to Carthage Commandery, K. T. A man who understands his business from the bottom up, Mr. Massie is able to con- duct it profitably and satisfactorily, and he stands very well in popular esteem.
MATHEWS, Addison B., one of the faithful, efficient rural free delivery carriers out of Car- thage, comes of an old and honored family of Hancock County, and is one of the best known men in this part of the state. He was born in Fountain Green Township, October 18, 1851, a son of Elisha and Phebe (Ewing) Mathews, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Addison B. Mathews attended the Carthage public schools, and Carthage Academy and Col- lege. During his boyhood he suffered from poor health, but as he grew stronger, he learned the printer's trade. Still later, he was engaged in a teaming business, and in 1881, he established a livery business, conducting it about ten years ; carrying on furniture business during this time. Then he and his brother, Edward P. Mathews, built a large, brick opera house and conducted it until 1910, when he bought his brother's interest, but a month and a half later he sold the opera house. In 1900 Mr. Mathews was appointed a rural free delivery carrier from Carthage, his being the first appointment from this office, and he has held the position ever since, having always been on Route No. 1.
On September 17, 1876, Mr. Mathews was united in marriage with Emma Morrison, born at Warsaw. Ill., February 8, 1857, a daughter of Robert Wesley and Delilah (Smart) Morri- son, he born at Baltimore, Md. The maternal grandmother was a Castleberry. The paternal grandfather, Rev. Robert W. Morrison was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison were married in Warsaw, Ill., where he carried on his trade of a carpenter, and they also lived at Plymouth, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews have had two children, namely : Lula, who died in infancy; and Arlo Baker, who died at the age of six years. Mrs. Mathews was a graduate from the high school of Ply- mouth and the Catholic schools of Dubuque, Iowa, and for four years thereafter was en- gaged in teaching school. She belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a member of the Sunday school class of Worth White, and of the various church societies. She belongs to the Eastern Star, Rebekahs, Woman Relief Corps, Hancock County Mutual, Court of Honor. Since 1912 she has been connected with the sales force of the Boston Store at Carthage. Bothı
she and Mr. Mathews stand exceptionally high in public esteem, and richly deserve the con- fidence they inspire. In politics, Mr. Mathews is a Republican. His fraternal connections are with the Masons, Modern Woodmen and Court of Honor.
MATHEWS, Elisha, now deceased, was at one time a prominent man of Hancock County, where his family has played an important part in its development. He was born at Cheshire, Ohio, March 15, 1813, and he died August 1, 1880. He was a son of Phineas and Mary Russell, the former of whom was born in Mas- sachusetts, July 27, 1770, and died April 2. 1854, and the latter, who was born August 4, 1783, died June 4, 1815. Phineas Mathews was a son of Aaron and Mary (Hubbard) Mathews,
and a grandson of Daniel and Eunice (Morse) Mathews; great-grandson of John and Mary (Johnson) Mathews; and great-great-grandson of John and Margaret (Hunt) Mathews, who were married at Charlestown, Mass., December 7, 1658. Aaron Mathews was a soldier during the American Revolution, serving as a ser- geant in Captain Jonathan Barnes' company, which was in Col. Jonathan Warner's regiment of Minute Men, which marched from Brook- field, Mass., April 19, 1775. During the evening of that same day started for Boston, forty-five miles distant, and made their report at Cam- bridge the following day. The Mathews family followed the westward trend of civilization, Phineas Mathews and his wife Mary, journey- ing to Ohio after their marriage. There their son met and was married, November 19, 1837, to Phebe Ewing, and she died June 7, 1876.
In 1849, seeking broader fields of opportunity, Elisha Mathews and his wife drove with wagon drawn by a team of horses, from Ohio to Hancock County, Ill., and stopped at what is now LaCrosse for four years, and then moved to Carthage, where he began operating a stage and mail route from Macomb to Carthage, Quincy and other points. He bought a lot on which was located the old Hancock County courthouse, and this property is in the posession of his son Addison. About 1856, Elisha Mathews went to Pontoosic Township, and buying a farm conducted it until 1861, when he returned to Carthage. He and his wife had ten children, namely : Esther Louisa, who was Mrs. J. A. Spangler, is deceased; Mary Catherine, who was Mrs. Caleb Hancock, is deceased ; Elizabeth Mar- garet, who was Mrs. Orin Hancock, is deceased ; Cynthia J., who is Mrs. D. S. Strader, of Car- thage ; Charles R., who is deceased ; Ellen, who was Mrs. Samuel Fee, of Colorado Springs, is deceased ; Edward P., who lives at Colorado Springs, Col .; William E., who died in infancy ; and George E., who is living at Portsmouth, Ohio, is now in the Ohio state legislature.
MAUK, John J., one of the progressive farm- ers of St. Mary's Township, owns and operates 220 acres of valuable land on section 21. He was born in Missouri, October 18, 1870, a son of Andrew J. and Ann (Jenkins) Mauk, natives
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
of Virginia, both of whom are now deceased, who came to Hancock County after a stay of some years in Missouri.
John J. Mauk was reared in Hancock County, and attended its common schools. He worked for his father until his marriage, which occurred June 30, 1888, when he was united with Emma A. Jackson, born in Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Mauk have one son, Herbert A., who was born January 20, 1898. After his marriage, Mr. Mauk began farming on his own account, and gradually added to his farm until he now has 220 acres, and here he carries on general farming and stockraising, and has been very successful in his operations. His fraternal af- filiations are with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ever since he cast his first vote, he has been a Democrat, but he has never cared for office. A fine farmer and good business man, Mr. Mauk has won the con- fidence of his neighborhood, and stands well in his community.
MCAFEE, J. E., a prosperous farmer of Au- gusta Township, is one of the highly respected men of Hancock County. He was born at Au- gusta, Ill., March 14, 1876, a son of S. B. and Henrietta (Wynne) McAfee, natives of Vir- ginia, who came from that state to Illinois many years ago, and located in Hancock County, where she died. He is now living at Augusta, Ill.
J. E. McAfee grew up in his native county, attended its schools, and after the termination of his school days went to Chicago and remained for two years. He then returned to Augusta where he entered the grocery business in part- nership with a brother, Robert F. McAfee. He continued in this business for a number of years and. then went to Muskogee, Okla., where he held a responsible position with a bank in that city, but owing to too close confinement he gave up this position and became a partner with another brother, Frank W., in the real estate business, which line of work he followed until he bought the farm on which he now lives. On April 20, 1913, Mr. McAfee was married to Nellie Allen, at Quincy, Ill. She was born on section 17, Augusta Township, Hancock County, in the house she and her husband now occupy. Mr. and Mrs. McAfee have one child, a daugh- ter, Margaret Sabriah.
After his marriage Mr. McAfee began farm- ing and has continued in that line ever since. In addition to operating his present farm, he is otherwise interested as he owns land in Okla- homa. The farm on section 17 contains eighty- seven acres of very valuable land, and he is rais- ing fine crops. The Presbyterian Church holds his membership. Mr McAfee is a Mason in good standing. He has always been a Republican, although he has never desired office, preferring to devote himself to his private affairs.
MCAFEE, Samuel E., cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Augusta, of which he is director, and a director also of the Savings Building Loan Association, is one of the substantial men
of Augusta. He was born in Hancock County, May 1, 1869, one of seven children born to his parents, Samuel B. and Henrietta (Wyne) Mc- Afee. Samuel B. McAfee, who during his younger years was a prosperous merchant of Augusta, engaged later in the insurance busi- ness. The mother of Samuel E. McAfee passed away December 3, 1909.
Samuel E. McAfee attended the public schools of his native county, and his first business connection was with the First National Bank of Augusta, which he entered in 1889 as book- keeper. In 1907 his long and faithful service was recognized by his appointment as cashier of this institution. He also renders the bank valuable additional service as a member of its board of directors, and as above noted, holds a similar position with the Savings Building Loan Association of Augusta. He is influential in all matters relating to finance and banking.
Mr. McAfee was married to Miss Ethel B. Ketchum, a daughter of Wiliam G. Ketchum, a member of a very prominent family. Mr. and Mrs. McAfee have two children, namely : Harry K., who is a bookkeeper in the First Na- tional Bank of Augusta; and Richard W., who is attending school. The family all belong to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McAfee not only is a leading man financially, but as a staunch Republican has borne his part in civic matters, and is now township treasurer, and has been a member of the township school board and the town board of trustees. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
McARTHUR, Arthur Leland, owner and editor of "The Hamilton Press," has been a resident of Hamilton since 1889. He acquired owner- ship of "The Hamilton Press" in 1891, and is still editor of it. As he states himself, he is a disciple of the uplift movement when the up- lift is not too hard work, and this sentence alone proves his possession of a fine sense of humor.
In 1892 Mr. McArthur was married to Mary Blanch Griffin, a daughter of Prof. William Griffin of Carthage, Ill., and their union has been one of happy comradeship. They have one son, Leland Griffin McArthur, who is an attorney, engaged in a general practice at Chi- cago, Ill. The influence of a paper like the "Press" on public opinion, especially during a period so strenuous as the one just passed, is a strong one, and Mr. McArthur has more than borne his part in upholding and uplifting the patriotism of his community and county.
McCALLISTER, Samuel A., a representative farmer of Hancock County, owns and operates 355 acres of valuable land on section 16, Har- mony Township, which he devotes to general farming and stockraising. He was born in Hancock County, September 15, 1858, a son of John and Jane A. (Langford) McCallister, natives of Ireland and New York state, respec- tively, who settled in Hancock County at an early day, and spent the remainder of their lives here.
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Samuel A. McCallister attended the schools of the county, and lived at home until his mar- riage, in December, 1879, to Mary V. Mauk. They became the parents of ten children, two of whom are deceased, namely : John H., who is married to Agnes 'Baird; Estella J., is the wife of Dr. Raymond T. Sheets, and they have two children, Ray and Roland; Effie M., who is the wife of Lerton Burner; Alvin R., who is married to Edith Burnett, has one child, Ray ; Samuel R., who is married to Elva Timberlake; George L., who is serving his country as a soldier ; Virgil L. and Ruby, who are at home ; and Leland and Lela, who are deceased. Mr. McCallister belongs to the Primitive Baptist Church. He is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America, is a Democrat in politics and has held various township offices, including that of supervisor, to which he was elected twice. He is one of the sound, reliable and prosperous men of his locality, and in him Harmony Town- ship has a valued citizen.
McCARTNEY, Owen C., an attorney at law and postmaster of Hamilton, is one of the business men of Hancock County. He was born in Kirksville, Mo., August 29, 1878, a son of Charles M. and Sarah (Fisher) McCartney, who he 1 seven children. Charles M, McCartney was a well known Illinois farmer, and died May 2, 1901.
Owen C. McCartney attended the public schools of Kirksville, and then took a course in the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Ill., from which latter institution he was grad- uated May 24, 1901. Immediately thereafter, Mr. McCartney became manager and book- keeper of an elevator at McCall, Ill., and re- mained there until 1902, when he came to Hamil- ton, and on February 2, 1903, he entered the Peoples State Bank as bookkeeper and assistant cashier.
On June 28, 1911 Mr. McCartney was mar- ried to Miss Florence O. Martin, a daughter of E. A. Martin. She was born in Carthage, Ill., educated in the Carthage High school and Macomb Normal School and taught in the Han- cock County schools twelve years. They have a daughter, Mary E., who was born May 16, 1914. Mr. McCartney is a Mason and has at- tained to the Commandery and Shrine. Politic- ally he is a Democrat. Being a very ambitious young man, he has devoted his leisure time to the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1917.
MCCLURE, Elzey, now deceased, was formerly one of the most prominent men of Hancock County, engaged as educator, merchant and public official. He was born in St. Mary's Township, August 9, 1846. Growing up on a farm, Mr. McClure first attended the schools of his district, and later those at Abingdon, Ill., and then entered the field of education as a teacher, and rose in his calling until he was principal of the schools at Devon, Ill. After holding that position for several years, he went
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