Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 125

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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into a mercantile business, broadening it into a stock buying and seling concern, in which he handled all kinds of stock, associating witlı him in this venture M. L. Clarke of this county, and later D. C. Barber, to whom he subsequently sold, and moved to Carthage in January, 1893. In 1894 he was elected county clerk, being the first Republican to be elected to that office in many years. After the expiration of his four year term, Mr. McClure embarked in a mer- cantile business, in December, 1899, and con- tinued in it until his death which occurred October 17, 1913. Mrs. McClure is continuing the business with success. During the Civil War Mr. McClure served his country as a soldier, and after the war was over, he became a mem- ber of Hancock Post, Grand Army of the Re- public. He also belonged to Carthage Lodge No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and previously had been master of Denver Lodge. The Christian Church held his membership.

On October 3, 1905 Mr. McClure was mar- ried to Catherine Johnston, born at Warsaw, Ill., July 12, 1863, a daughter of Robert A. Johnston. After attending the Carthage High school four years, she studied at the college, and was a teacher in the schools of the county for three years becoming a principal, and was at the head of both the Warsaw and the Carthage High schools. She is an Episcopalian. Not only is Mrs. McClure a lady of culture, but since the death of her husband she has devel- oped business ability and her mercantile estab- lishment is conducted , upon the same reliable lines which marked it from its inception by Mr. McClure.

McCONNELL, Charles A., a prosperous general farmer of Fountain Green Township, and a trader in horses, cattle and hogs, is one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County. He was born in Fountain Green Township, in June. 1865, a son of Alexander and Mary (Walker) McConnell, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandparents, James McConnell and wife, and McGinley and Ann Walker, were very early set- tlers of Fountain Green Township.

Alexander McConnell and Mary Walker were married in Fountain Green Township, and set- tled on a farm on section 29. Their farm was all unimproved, a portion being in timber, and the rest was prairie. On it the father erected a house, cleared off the land, and developed a valuable farm. Here he died in 1890, the moth- er having passed away in 1882. Their children were as follows : Linda, who was Mrs. John H. Bullick, is deceased, as is her husband; Fannie, who was Mrs. Frank Fortney, is deceased as is her husband; Anna, who is the widow of Brice Latherno, of Fountain Green Township; Charles H .; and John, who lives at Carthage, Ill.

Charles A. McConnell attended the district school, and Carthage College for four years. He always lived at home, and after his father's death received eighty-four acres of the home- stead, to which he added until he now has 500 acres of land, on which he operates very suc- cessfully as a general farmer and trades in live-

Alled ) Wear and Mike.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

stock. In December, 1887, he was married to Fannie Brandt, who was born in Pennsylvania, and their children are as follows: Alexander, who lives in Fountain Green Township; Hazel, who is Mrs. Russell Kneodler; and Kenneth, who is at home. In politics Mr. McConnell is a Republican, and he served as supervisor for one term and for the same period was assessor of Fountain Green Township.

McCORD, William, a general farmer of St. Mary's Township, operates ninety-six acres on section 9 of this township, and he was born in McDonough County, Ill., October 24, 1866, a son of Robert and Katherine (Carl) McCord. The parents were both born in Illinois, and are now deceased. William McCord was only seven months old when he lost his mother, and he was taken by his grandfather who reared him. When still a lad, however, he commenced to be self-supporting.

On February 16, 1892, Mr. McCord was mar- ried to Mary Hunt, a native of Henry County, Mo., born December 16, 1871, a daughter of Green and Harriet (Murray) Hunt, natives of Kentucky, who are now both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McCord have two children, namely : Beulah, who is Mrs. Glen Waymack ; and Flossie, who is Mrs. Galen Dickenson. Mr. McCord belongs to the Mutual Protective League. The Presby- terian Church has in him a faithful member. He is a Democrat, and he has served as tax collector for one term.

In 1909 Mr. McCord came to Hancock County and located on his present farm, where he car- ries on general farming. He has improved the place considerably, and has a valuable property. A hardworking and thrifty man, he sets an ex- ample to others less provident, and is making a success of his undertaking.

McCORMICK, William Nelson, one of the pro- gressive general farmers and stockraisers of Hancock County, owns and operates 200 acres of fine land in Prairie Township. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., February 16, 1862, a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Moore) McCormick, natives of Pennsylvania, although of Irish descent. She died in Pennsylvania, and he was married (second) to Louise Gumbart, and in 1873 the family came to Illinois, spending a year in Adams County before locating in Rock Creek Township, Hancock County, where the father rented land for many years. In 1880, he moved to Prairie Township, where he bought a farm, and died about 1900, his widow surviv- ing him. By his first marriage, the father had the following children: Anna, who is Mrs. George Rennean, of Bristol, Colo .; William N .; John A., who is deceased, although his family still live in Prairie Township. By his second marriage, the father had the following children : Margaret, who is Mrs. Dr. C. Chedel, of Rock- ford, Ill .; Elizabeth, who is deceased ; Harriet, who is Mrs. LaFaber of Bristol. Colo .; Stewart B., who lives at Kansas City, Mo .; and Laura, who is Mrs. R. O. Dalton, of Prairie Township. On December 24, 1903, William Nelson Mc-

Cormick was married to Margaret Ruger, born in Prairie Township, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Riel) Ruger, natives of Germany, who were married at Chicago, and about 1857 came to Prairie Township, where they bought eighty acres of land and developed it. He died in the fall of 1903, and she in March, 1898. Their children were as follows : George, Michael, Elizabeth and Margaret, all of whom are deceased; Mrs. McCormick ; and William, who lives in Prairie Township. Mr. Ruger added to his first purchase until he owned 160 acres in Prairie Township, and 200 acres where Michael Ruger later lived. Mr. McCormick has always carried on general farming, and special- izes in raising Poland-China hogs, his farm be- ing known as the Maple Tree Farm. In addi- tion to his home place, he owns eighty acres of land in Rawlins County, Kans., which he rents. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have one son, Lloyd J., who was born October 24, 1901. Mr. McCormick belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ferris, while Mrs. McCormick belongs to the Lutheran Church of Carthage. She also belongs to the Missionary Society and Red Cross Chapter connected with her church. In politics Mr. McCormick is a Republican, and he served as a school director for three terms. A man of high principles, he has always lived up to them, and is held in the highest respect by all who know him.

McCULLOCH, William Wallace, now living re- tired at La Harpe, has been very prominent in agricultural matters in Hancock County. He was born in Pilot Grove Township, January 20, 1845, a son of William H. and Mary (Nichol- son) McCulloch, natives of Scotland and Eng- land. The maternal grandfather, George Nich- olson, came in a sailing vessel to the United States, landing at New York City, from whence he traveled by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Warsaw, where he arrived in 1836. He bought unimproved land in the timber of Pilot Grove Township, and there he died in 1844. On this land William H. McCulloch built a log cabin of two rooms with a log fireplace in one of them. He also put up log shacks for barns and stables, and after clearing off some of the land, moved to another farm and lived in a log house for eight years more. In 1864 removal was made to Fountain Green Township, and once more the house was a log one, and on this last farm. William H. McCul- loch died June 24, 1869. his widow surviving him until September 10, 1895, when she passed away at the home of her son, William Wallace McCulloch. She and her husband had the fol- lowing children : Elizabeth, who is the widow of Calvin Westfall. of Carthage; and William Wallace, whose name heads this review.

While still but a lad William Wallace Mc- Culloch began working for neighboring farmers, and continued to do this until he rented land in Fountain Green Township, remaining on it for five years. He then bought 160 acres of land, a portion of which was improved and had a

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log cabin on it. As soon as he moved on it, Mr. McCulloch began placing it under cultiva- tion and cleared off all but twenty-five acres of the timber. In 1890 he erected a comfortable frame dwelling, in which he continued to reside, and carried on general farming and stockrais- ing until the fall of 1914, when he retired. Buying a fine modern residence at La Harpe in the center of the city, he has since lived there. In 1916 he sold forty-seven acres of his farm to his son-in-law, and deeded his residence at La Harpe to his wife.

On October 28, 1869, Mr. McCulloch was mar- ried to Anna Mary Miller, born in Fountain Green Township, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Meridith) Miller, natives of Penn- sylvania. The Millers were married in their native state, and came to Fountain Green Town- ship in 1836, buying 600 acres of land from the government, and this they improved. He died December 23, 1878, and she died December 9, 1896. Their children were as follows: Wil- liam, who is deceased; Catherine, who is the wife of Byron Fordham of Fountain Green ; Sarah Ellen, who is deceased; Robert and James, both of whom are deceased; John, who lives at Fountain Green; Rebecca Jane, who died at the age of eight years; and Mrs. Mc- Culloch.

Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch became the parents of three children: Frances M., Lena M. and Ethel M., the last two named dying in infancy. Frances married D. K. Sharpe and they have a son S. M., who lives on his grandfather's farm. He is married and has two sons, Jack H. and Robert D.

Both Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch belong to the Presbyterian Church of Fountain Green, and he has served it as a deacon for several years. Politically Mr. McCulloch is a Democrat, and has been assesor and road commissioner of Fountain Green Township. Mrs. McCulloch is a Republican and is a lady who takes intelligent interest in public affairs.

McFARLAND, Comma, one of the successful young farmers of Hancock County, is operating 171 acres of valuable land in Chili Township. He was born at Bowen, Ill., August 21, 1889, a son of William and Belle (Sapp) McFarland. The mother died January 16, 1899, but the father survives and lives in Augusta Township.

Comma McFarland attended the schools of Augusta, and worked for his father on the home farm until he attained his majority. For a season thereafter he worked for neighboring farmers, and then, in 1910, he located on his present farm on section 2, Chili Township, where he has since been profitably engaged in farming.

On August 23, 1910, Mr. McFarland was mar- ried to Stella Whittengton, at Plymouth, Ill. Mrs. McFarland was born in Schuyler County, Ill., August 16, 1890, a daughter of Edward and Mattie (Smith) Whittengton. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have one child, Dorothy D., who was born October 23, 1912. Mr. McFarland is lib-

eral in his religious views and does not belong to any religious organization. He is a Republi- can. His farm is in fine condition, and he is recognized as one of the practical men of his community.

McGINNIS, Clyde N., who owns and operates 160 acres of land in section 20, Augusta Town- ship, is one of the reliable men of Hancock County. He was born in Adams County, Feb- ruary 3, 1881, a son of Solomon W. and Mary A. (Fiefield) McGinnis. The parents were na- tives of Kentucky and Massachusetts, respec- tively, and came to Hancock County at an early day, after stopping for a time in Adams County. They located in Augusta Township, but both are now deceased.

Clyde N. McGinnis attended the district schools and then for one year went to the Au- gusta High school. He assisted his father on the home farm until liis marriage, which oc- curred February 6, 1901, in Chili Township, to Ina P. Beard, born in Augusta Township, April 30, 1884, a daughter of Thomas A. and Minnie P. (Dean) Beard, natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively, who now live in Augusta Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis have the following children : Gladys C., Elva R., Irma L., Sylvia E., Sterling M., Ivan K. and Doris D. Politic- ally Mr. McGinnis is a Democrat, but he has never held any office, limiting his public duties to the casting of his vote. After his marriage, Mr. McGinnis moved on his present farm, and here he carries on general farming and stock- raising, and has made his property a valuable one, and placed himself among the representa- tive farmers of the county.

McGREGOR, Sylvester LeRoy, who is engaged in general farming and stockraising, is one of the prosperous men of Sonora Township. He was born in Sonora Township, November 8, 1867, a son of James W. and Sarah A. (Coon) McGregor, natives of Virginia and Illinois, re- spectively. After their marriage, they located in Sonora Township, where both died. Their children were as follows: William, who is de- ceased ; Anna, who is Mrs. A. Balmer of Sonora Township; Erastus, who lives at Concordia, Kas .; Sylvester LeRoy; Emma, who is the widow of John Scannel, of Sonora Township; James Franklin, who lives at Wichita, Kas .; Edith, who lives at Nauvoo, Ill .; Abbie, who is Mrs. Albert Schmitz, of Sonora Township; and Joseph L., who lives at Tulsa, Okla.

Sylvestor LeRoy McGregor attended the dis- trict schools, and was reared in Sonora Town- ship. When he was twenty-five years old, he began farming in Sonora Township where he has since remained, having always been engaged in general farming and stockraising. For the first seven years, he lived on rented land, but then moved on eighty-two acres of the old home- stead of his wife's parents, that is his present home.

On May 5, 1898, Mr. McGregor was married to Paulina Sophia Moesser, born in Sonora Town- ship, a daughter of Christopher and Barbara

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(Sciple) Moesser, natives of Germany. Mem- bers of Mrs. McGregor's family have held im- portant positions in their native land. Mrs. McGregor is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. McGregor is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are held in the highest esteem by all who wnow them.

McGUILVERY, William J., proprietor of the Carthage Marble and Granite Works, and a man of excellent business ability, was born in Franklin County, Ind., February 4, 1854, a son of Anthony and Sarah (Jolinson) McGuilvery, the former of whom was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1818 and the latter in Virginia, near Lynchburg. Both came west to Indiana where they were married. The father was a carpenter and later a farmer, and in 1854 he came to Illi- nois, locating in Hancock County where he found employment at his trade, for a time but most of his life was a farmer. The Methodist Episcopal Church held his membership at Au- gusta, Ill. His death occurred in 1900, when he was eighty-two years old. His three chil- dren were as follows: Melvina, who became the wife of A. S. Swart; Catherine, who is de- ceased ; and William J.

William J. McGuilvery spent his boyhood in the rural regions of Hancock County, attending its schools, and the Augusta High school, from which he was graduated. After his marriage to Lillian Beach, he settled on a farm near Augusta and lived there until the spring of 1896 when he came to Carthage and founded his present busi- ness, which he has built up to very gratifying proportions. Mr. and Mrs. McGuilvery have a daughter, Mavis, who was graduated from Car- thage College, and then took a two-year course at the State Normal School, Bloomington, Ill. Following this she studied music at the Quincy College of Music, and is now a musical instruc- tor in Montana, although she formerly taught music in Hancock County. The family belongs to the Carthage Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mc- Guilvery belongs to Hancock Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Bentley Lodge No. 412, Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, and he also be- longs to the Encampment. In Politics he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the Carthage City council for eight consecutive years.

McMAHAN, Bertrand Reed, who is a prosper- ous merchant of Hamilton, has already proven his worth to his community, although not long a resident of this locality. He was born in Hancock County, August 29, 1876, a son of John C. and Clara A. (Reed) McMahan, the former of whom was born September 15, 1843, and died December 26, 1914, and the latter, who was born January 19, 1853, died October 14, 1901, and both were natives of Hancock County.

John C. McMahan was one of the wealthy men of the county, owning at the time of his death about 600 acres of land in Wythe, Rocky Run and Wilcox townships, and 380 acres in Misouri. He was president of the Farmers' National Bank of Warsaw from the time it was

organized until his death. For a number of years he served as supervisor of Wythe Town- ship, was president of the Wythe Mutual Fire Insurance Company for many years, and a finan- cial leader in his section. The Christian Church of Warsaw held his membership, and he long served it as an elder. His children were as follows : George Anderson, who was born March 6, 1881, is a farmer of Wilcox Township; John Earl, who lives on a portion of the old home- stead in Wythe Township; Lelah, who is the wife of D. A. Robinson, a farmer of Wythe Township, and Bertrand Reed.

Bertrand Reed McMahan was reared on the homestead and remained at home until 1897, when he went to Great Falls, Mont., and worked in a smelter and in a general store. Later he went to Butte, Mont., and worked in a smelter, then, in 1903, embarked in a real estate busi- ness at Denver, Col., and continued for twelve years leaving it to come to Hancock County. On January 1, 1915, he founded his present business which is that of handling hardware and im- plements and conducting a general plumbing business. He built a large brick building, 26x40 feet, on the corner of Broadway and Eleventh street, which he occupies.

On September 27, 1910, Mr. McMahan was married to Jessie R. Robinson, a daughter of Barzilla and Mary (Chapman) Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan have no children. He be- longs to Warsaw Lodge No. 257, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a Demo- crat. A man of unusual energy and business capacity, he has made a success of his under- takings, and his practical knowledge is supple- mented by the training he acquired during his two years attendance at the Bushnell Normal School.

McMILLAN, Charles Morgan, of Carthage, is one of the city's leading business men, and a potent factor in the local insurance field, particularly that branch which pertains to the insuring of farm properties. He was born in St. Albans Township, Hancock County, Ill., August 21, 1853. a son of Joseph Oliver and Jane (Morgan) McMillan, natives of Ireland and Kentucky, respectively.

In 1848 Joseph Oliver McMillan came to the United States, being then twenty-four years old, and worked by the month until 1849, when he and a cousin made the trip overland to Califor- nia, seeking gold. In a year he returned with about $1,500, making the return trip by way of Panama, and thence up the Mississippi River to Quincy, Ill. He bought 160 acres of land on the present site of West Point, Ill., and his cousin invested in land in Liberty Township. Adams County. After his marriage, Mr. McMillan lo- cated on his farm, and he there died in 1895, aged seventy-three years, his widow surviving him until 1900. Their children were as fol- lows: Emma Jane, who died at the age of six and one-half years; Charles M .; Alexander, who died in infancy; Alexander (2), who died at the age of eighteen months; Julia Ann, who is deceased, was married to J. T. Lawless, and

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

they had three children, Joseph C., Mary J., and Carl E .; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Curtice Sim- mons, of West Point, has the following living children, her third child, Max, having died at the age of two years, Grace, who is Mrs. Dr. Hanson, of Burnside, Ill .; Joseph, who is serv- ing in the United States Marine Corps; and Walter and Waldo, recently discharged from the United States navy, who reside with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, at West Point. On September 6, 1881, Charles M. McMillan was married to Clara E. Campbell, born at Wewiston, Fulton County, Ill., a daughter of Michael and Anna (Polock) Campbell, natives of Green County, Ky., and Ashland, Ohio, re- spectively. After his marriage, Mr. McMillan moved to Denver, Ill., locating on a 300-acre farm he owned, 107 acres being in Chili Town- ship, and the remainder just across the line in Harmony Township, all being under cultivation except thirty acres which is used for pasturage. He was a large feeder of stock and had a dairy, conducting his farm upon progressive methods. He put up the first stave silo in Hancock County, and he continued farming until 1908, when he rented his farm and moved to Carthage to give all his time to the Carthage District Mutual Cyclone Insurance Company, which he had organized in 1896, of which he has always been secretary. He was secretary of the Har- mony Mutual Fire Insurance Company, having held that office for five years, has been a director of it for thirty-five years, and was treasurer for twenty years. These companies are affiliated with the National Association, of which Mr. McMillan was made president at the twenty- second annual meeting at Chicago, November 12, 1918, representing as such about 2,000 local farm companies.

Mr. and Mrs. McMillan have the following children : Joseph Warren, of Wichita, Kans., married Helen Hedgock, and has a daughter, Louise ; Eugene Campbell, of Chicago, Ill., mar- ried Margaret Mosier, and has one son, Robert Campbell; and Mary Ann, who is at home. Mr. McMillan attended the common schools of West Point, Ill., and Carthage College, and Mrs. Mc- Millan was a student of the common schools of La Grange, Missouri College. He is a Presby- terian, and has served his church as an elder for several years. In politics a Democrat, he has served as clerk of St. Albans Township. He belongs to Denver Lodge, No. 464, A. F. & A. M., Carthage Chapter No. 33, R. A. M., and Carthage Commandery No. 75, K. T.

McNEILL, John Augustine, now deceased, was for many years one of the prosperous farmers of St. Albans Township, although for some time prior to his demise, he resided at West Point, where his widow still lives. He was born at Columbus, Adams County, Ill., Decem- ber 1, 1839, a son of David Parker and Eliza (Barnes) McNeill, natives of Kentucky who came in the early thirties to Adams County, Ill., with Mr. McNeill's mother, Mrs. Eliza- beth Lawless, a widow. Mrs. Lawless lived until she was eighty-eight years old. After

coming to Adams County, David P. McNeill and his wife lived at Columbus until 1849, when, during the gold excitement, he went overland to California, and settled in the San Joaquin Valley, near Stockton, his wife joining him in 1856, and both died there.

John A. McNeill lived with his grandmother, Mrs. Lucas, in Adams County until 1860, when he came to Hancock Township and bought 100 acres of land in St. Albans Town- ship, where she died in 1879. In the spring of 1862, Mr. McNeill enlisted for service dur- ing the Civil War in Company F, Seventy- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was in a number of important battles. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, and confined at Andersonville prison for over seven months, and for seven months in another prison, and was also in Libby Prison for a short time, being discharged in the fall of 1865. He suffered considerably from the effects of his prison experience.

On March 30, 1873, Mr. McNeill was mar- ried to Eliabeth Neff, born near Greencastle, Ind., December 26, 1847, a daughter of Elias V. and Mary Ann (Whisnand) Neff, natives of Indiana who moved to Woodford County, Ill., in 1848. There Mr. Neff died in October, 1851, after which his widow returned to her father in Indiana. In 1855 they returned to Illinois, settling near La Prairie, where Mrs. Neff died March 16, 1884. After his marriage Mr. McNeill lived on a farm in St. Albans Township, and he also bought other land; at the time of his death, April 29, 1914, owning 180 acres of improved land in St. Albans Town- ship, although for a quarter of a century prior to his death he had lived at West Point, where Mrs. McNeill still resides, having rented her farm. Mr. and Mrs. McNeill had no children of their own but reared three, namely : Pearl Neff, who is Mrs. Glenn Hartman of West Point, Ill .; Ethel Grote, who is Mrs. George F. Spence of St. Albans Township; and Benja- min McNeill, who lives at Clarence, Mo.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 125

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