Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 126

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 126

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Mr. McNeill attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and also those of Quincy, Ill. In politics he was a Republican. He be- longed to the G. A. R. Post of West Point. Mrs. McNeill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active in its good work. Mr. McNeill was held in high esteem wherever known, and when he died, his loss was felt by the entire community.

MEAD, John A., a skilled and capable attorney- at-law at Augusta, is an honor to his profession and his community. He was born in Hancock County, Ill., July 21, 1873, one of the nine chil- dren of his parents, William H. and Virginia (Bacon) Mead. William H. Mead was also a prominent member of the Hancock County bar, and remained in active practice until his death, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere.

John A. Mead attended the schools of Han- cock County, and like so many men who have entered the legal profession, he first held sway

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in the schoolroom, proving himself so able an educator that he was made principal of the Augusta High school, and held this important position for four consecutive years. He was not satisfied, however, with remaining in the educational field, but attended the Bloomington Law School, from which he was graduated, and was admitted to the bar in 1897. Coming immediately thereafter to Augusta, he entered into an active practice he has since maintained. A Republican, his worth to his community and party was soon recognized and he was elected city attorney of Augusta, is a member of the school board, and is otherwise prominent. For some years he has been attorney for the Augusta Savings Loan and Building Association, as well as a director in this reliable institution, which has an authorized capital of $200,000, and he is the legal advisor and director for the First National Bank of Augusta. For ten years he was a trustee of the Western Illinois State Normal school, and always greatly interested in its progress.

Mr. Mead was married to Miss Jessie L. Pit- ney, a daughter of Orville L. Pitney, one of the prominent residents of Augusta. Mr. and Mrs. Mead have a son, John P. Mrs. Mead is a member of the Christian Church, while he belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Frater- nally he is a Mason, having attained to the Com- mandery, and he is also a Knight of Pythias. Few attorneys of Hancock County are as well known as he, and none are more popular, and he deserves the confidence and respect he in- spires.

MEAD, Hon. William H., now deceased, was for many years one of the distinguished men of the Hancock County bar, and enjoyed for years a large practice as an attorney at Augusta. He was born at Augusta, Ill., July 10, 1839, a son of Horace and Mary B. Mead, both of whom were born in Connecticut. In 1862 Wil- liam H. Mead began the active practice of his profession, having been admitted to the bar in 1861, and until his death, he continued as a valued and able member of the Hancock County bar.

In 1862, William H. Mead was married to Ann Virginia Bacon, born in Vermont in 1840, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom one son, John A. Mead, of Augusta, followed in his distinguished father's footsteps, and became a lawyer. He is still practicing at Augusta, and is one of the city's leading citizens. William H. Mead was a member of the A. O. UT. W., the I. O. M. A., and was a Knight Templar Mason. A man of strong personality, he left his mark upon the history of his day, and did much to shape the destiny of his community.

MEKEMSON, John Howard, city marshal of Hamilton. and a man of long and varied ex- perience in public life, is one of the well known and highly respected men of Hancock County. He was born in Kansas, June 1, 1879, a son of John and Roseanna (Bigelow) Mekemson, who were married in 1868. They had two

sons, namely : John Howard ; and Harry L., who is a farmer of ,Montebello Township. On November 5, 1879, Mrs. Mekemson died, and Mr. Mekemson was married (second) in 1883, to Ella Spencer, and they had one son : Lee F., who is a farmer of Henderson County, Ill .; and three daughters, namely: Lela, who is Mrs. Lute Morris, of Joy, Ill .; Anna, who is Mrs. Russell Graham, of Galesburg, Ill .; and Maude, who is Mrs. Benson Kelley, ot Biggs- ville, Ill.

When he was twenty-one years old, John H. Mekemson left home and for two years was engaged in working for farmers by the month. He then joined the Southwestern Iowa League of baseball, and later was with the Burlington, (Iowa) League, and the Little Rock, (Ark.) Southern League, and was a professional ball player for four years, or until 1905, being one of the best known pitchers in these leagues. In 1905 he left baseball for railroad contracting, and was so engaged for two years on the Santa Fe Railroad, but left that line of work, to . engage in farming near Elvaston, Ill. For the subsequent four years, he occupied himself with farming, then, in 1911, came to Hamilton, and opened a transfer business which he has since conducted. For a time he served as an extra policeman, and then was appointed fire chief. In 1915 he was made city marshal and is still holding that position.

On October 14, 1904, Mr. Mekemson was mar- ried to Almeda Henderson, a daughter of Dr. Dick and Sarah (Spaulding) Henderson. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson had five children, namely : Fulton, who lives at Hamilton ; Paul and Louis, who are serving in the United States army ; Edith, who is Mrs. Authir Nesbit, of Penrose, Col .; and Mrs. Mekemson. Mr. and Mrs. Mekem- son have four children, namely : Marshall, who was born November 9, 1905; Earl, who was born February 25, 1907; Harold, who was born January 15, 1909; and Cora, who was born January 15, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Mekemson be- long to the Bethel Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican. His fraternal affiliations are with Hamilton Lodge No. 697, I. O. O. F. A man of fearless character, Mr. Mekemson gives Hamilton excellent police protection, and holds the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.

MERRITT, John Emery, one of the successful farmers of Hancock Township, owns and oper- ates 200 acres of valuable land in this town- ship, and eighty acres additional in Rock Creek Township, which he rents to a tenant. He was born in Rock Creek Township, October 13, 1856, a son of Richmond R. and Harriet (Tennehill) Merritt, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, who were married in the latter state, and soon there- after came to Hancock County, locating in Rock Creek Township, where she died about 1884. Later on in life he retired to Carthage, where he died March 25, 1912.

John Emery Merritt attended the local schools and remained at home until he was mar- ried, on March 9, 1879, to Harriet Isabelle White, born in Sonora Township, a daughter

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of Nathan and Arena (Siene) White, natives of Crawford County, Ill. On March 4, 1884, Mr. Merritt moved to a farm of 160 acres of land he owned on section 31, Hancock Township, which he partly improved and to this he has added until his homestead now contains 200 acres of finely developed land. He has made a number of valuable improvements on this prop- erty. When his father died he inherited a half share in, and bought the remainder of eighty acres of his Rock Creek Township farm, now conducted by a tenant. Mr. Merritt has the following children: Clara, who is Mrs. James Smith ; Ella, who is Mrs. Carrol Cloud ; and John R. Mr. Merritt's political convictions make him a Democrat, and he has served as collector of his township. An excellent farmer and good business man, he has prospered as he deserved to do, and he holds the confidence of his neighbors.

MESICK, Raymond F., for six years junior member of the well known grain, coal and ele- vator firm of Coulson and Mesick, during that time was one of the leading young business men of La Harpe. and favorably regarded by his associates. He was born in Hancock County, October 18, 1889, one of the three children of Fred A. and Mary (Latherow) Mesick. Fred Mesick was a painter and inte- rior decorator and spent all of his useful life in Hancock County, where he died in 1910. The Mesick family is a pioneer one in the his- tory of this county, and its representatives are among the leading men and women of this part of the state.

Raymond F. Mesick attended the local schools and the University of Illinois. Upon his re- turn home he was engaged in farming until 1912, when he and George Coulson entered upon a partnership association, and together they developed a very fine trade, doing an annual business of $100,000. Their elevator had a ca- pacity of 15,000 bushels. and was usually filled. In 1918 Mr. Mesick sold his interest in order to enter military service, deporting himself during the Great War as creditably as a soldier as he had been a business man. In politics Mr. Mesick is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to the Woodmen of the World, and his standing financially and so- cially is of the highest.

METZGER, Henry G., a leading as well as the oldest bankers of this county, is recognized to be an authority on matters financial. For many years he has made Plymouth the scene of his business ventures, and the community owes much to him in his work of safeguard- ing its finances. He was born at Brookville, Ind., March 21, 1847, one of the three children born to his parents. Philip and Martha C. (Johnson) Metzger. Philip Metzger was born in Germany, and came to the United States when he had attained his majority. His death occurred in 1882, he having been mer- chant all of his mature years.

Henry G. Metzger attended the common

schools, and a business college in Chicago, but not receiving many educational advantages.

Having habits of industry and thrift inculated from a very early age, he prospered. For some years he was engaged in merchandising here and was very successful in his enterprises. In 1886 he embarked in a banking business at Plymouth, operating it under the name of the Exchange Bank. In 1916 this bank was re-organized as the Plymouth State Bank with a capital stock of $25,000 and a surplus of $5,000. Associated with Mr. Metzger are Dr. W. O. Tuck, as vice president; John P. Metz- ger, as cashier; James A. Hall, as assistant cashier and Minor J. Botts, as a director.

H. G. Metzger was married first to Nannie Robinson, who left one child at death, namely Mattie, who lives at Quincy, Ill. In 1877 Mr. Metzger was married to Miss Julia C. Follin, a daughter of Dr. John G. Follin, now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Metzger had three chil- dren, two of whom survive, namely: Hattie M., who is the wife of James D. Hall; and John P., of Plymouth. Mr. Metzger and his family all belong to the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Demo rat. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and the Eastern Star, and Mrs. Metzger is also a member of the directs the affairs of his bank, and under his safe policies, it stands solidly and firmly as one of the leading financial strongholds of the Eastern Star. A conservative man, he wisely county.

METZGER, John P., cashier of Plymouthı State Bank, and one of the leading young financiers of Hancock County, is one of the four chil- dren born to his parents, Henry G. and Julia C. (Follin) Metzger. The birth of John P. Metzger occurred at Plymouth, Ill., October 17, 1885. His father is president of the Plymouth State Bank, and one of the pioneer bankers of the county, where he has spent his entire life.

John P. Metzger attended the public schools of Plymouth, including the high school, and the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Ill., from which he was graduated in 1914. Immediately thereafter, he became associated with his father in the banking business as cashier of his present bank, which took the name of the Plymouth State Bank upon its re-organization in 1915. The capital stock of the bank is $25,000; the surplus is $5,000, and the undivided profits are $35,000. Henry G. Metzger is its president ; Dr. W. O. Tuck is its vice president, while James D. Hall is assistant cashier. Mr. Metzger is also a co-partner in the Exchange Bank.

Mr. Metzger was married to Miss Mary Mor- row, a daughter of James Morrow, a former merchant of Plymouth, who lived retired from business for some years prior to his death in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Metzger are members of the Congregational Church. Fraternally he is a Mason, and is also a member of the Quincy Consistory, while in politics he is independent "in his views. A sound, reliable and capable man, he renders a very valuable service to his bank and his community.

JAMES WEBB

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MICHAEL, John, now deceased, was for many years a successful agriculturalist of Senora Township, and is remembered as one of Han- cock County's representative men. He was born in Hessedarmstadt, Germany, March 10, 1838, where his parents died. In 1866, with a Mr. Hopple, he came to Hancock County, and worked for George Edmond in Senora Township for three years after his arrival. He then rented land for eigliteen years, when he bought eighty acres of land in Senora Township. Twelve years later he bought eighty acres more on section 10, and sixty-two acres on section 15. Although the farm was improved, he made many changes, and added very much to its value, carrying on general farming until within a few years of his death, which occurred Janu- ary 18, 1918. His widow still lives on the farm.

On November 1, 1869, Mr. Michael was mar- ried to Anna Gerlach, born in Hessedarmstadt, Germany, November 9, 1847. After the death of her father, she and her mother came to the United States, and remained in Pennsylvania until 1869, when they came west to Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Michael had the follow- ing children : John, who lives at Hamburg, Wis .; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. John Mohart of Senora Township; Jacob, who died at the age of five years; George, who is deceased; Chris- tina, who is Mrs. Jacob Repplinger of Hamburg, Wis .; Henry, who lives in Alberta, Canada ; Frank, who lives at Nauvoo; Louis, who lives in Senora Township; and Herman V., who con- ducts part of the home farm. Mr. Michael was a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Democrat.

MILLER, Frederick B., owns and operates 125 acres of valuable land in Dallas Township, and he was born at Carthage, Ill., November S. 1877, a son of Frederick and Catherine Margaret (Black) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively. The paternal grand- parents came to Dallas Township, and here bought land. The grandfather died on this farm in 1861. James Black, the maternal grand- father, was born in Pennsylvania, and there botlı he and his wife died. Their daughter, Catherine M. Black, came to Dallas Township. when twelve years old, with her uncle, Henry Black. After her marriage, she and her hus- band settled on the old farm of his father, com- prising 320 acres of finely improved land, and he added to it until he owned 900 acres, and he was a large feeder of cattle and hogs, and car- ried on general farming. Six years after his marriage, he moved to Carthage, where he still resides. his wife having dicd November 15. 1911. Their children were as follows: Maude, who died at the age of two years; Grace, who died at the age of twelve years; Frederick B .; and Henry B., who lives at Carthage.

Frederick B. Miller attended the common and high schools of Carthage, and learned farming from his father. On March 16, 1897, he was married (first) to Lulu Pennock, born in Pilot

Grove Township, a daughter of Henry and Mar- garet E. (Tyner) Pennock, early settlers of Pilot Grove Township. After his marriage, Mr. Miller moved to his father's farm, and he carries on general farming and stock raising. His farm is located on the line between Dallas and Pontoosuc townships.

By his first marriage, Mr. Miller had two children, namely : Frederick Pennock, now serv- ing in the United States army ; and Catherine Margaret. The first Mrs. Miller died November 9, 1905. On January 8, 1908, Mr. Miller was married (second) to Anna Wood Cherrill, born at Carthage, November 11, 1888, a daughter of Alfred and July August (Edmunds) Cherrill. Mr. Cherrill was born at Carthage, Ill., while his wife was born in Sonora Township. Adolphus and Elizabeth (Wood) Cherrill, the paternal grandparents, were born in England ; while George and Electa Elizabeth (Rowe) Ed- munds, were born in New York state, she com- ing of Scotch and Welsh descent. By his second marriage, Mr. Miller has the following children : Grace Cherrill, Frederick Wood, Julianna, Eula Jane and Martha Elizabeth. The family be- long to the Congregational and Episcopal churches. Mr. Miller is a Republican, and served as road commissioner, and Mrs. Miller is a Democrat. Fraternally, Mr. Miller is a Mason, belonging to the Dallas City Blue Lodge and Chapter, Carthage Commandery, Quincy Consistory, and Peoria Mystic Shrine.

MILLER, Frederick Brainard, one of the leading residents of Carthage, and a man who has for years been interested in land for farming purposes, owns large tracts in various localities, and is concerned in the operations of the Sweet Grass Land Company. He was born in Her- kimer County, N. Y., October 7, 1841, a son of Erastus and Sophia B. (Gaylord) Miller, natives of Litchfield and Oneida County, N. Y., respec- tively. In 1862 they came to Hancock County, Ill., and located in Dallas Township, where he bought a tract of land, and they had 160 acres given them by her brother, of which eighty acres are broken, and the balance was wild prairie land. They built a house and lived there until death, he dying in the spring of 1871, and she some years later. Their chil- dren were as follows: Lydia, Sophia, Eliza, Samuel, Esther and Maria, all of whom are deceased ; and Frederick B., who was the young- est.

Frederick Brainard Milller remained with his parents as long as they lived, and rented from them the farm, with the mutual understanding that he was to have the rent apply on the purchase of the land. He bought first 200 acres additional, which adjoined the homestead, added 120 acres more and raised stock, then went into the dairy business, and was eminently suc- cessful in all of his undertakings. He bought and sold different farms, dealing quite extensive- ly in Missouri farm lands, and now owns 240 acres in Bear Creek Township; 185 acres in Prairie and Carthage townships, operated by

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his son, Henry B., and 960 acres in Canada. He is also interested in the Sweet Grass Land Company, which owns over 25,000 acres of land. In 1878 Mr. Miller moved to Carthage, erecting a handsome residence on North Madison Street.

On December 20, 1871, Mr. Miller was married to Catherine Black, born at Muncy, Pa., an orphan who was reared by Henry F. Black. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of the following children: Maude, who died at the age of two years; Grace, who died at the age of twelve years; Fred, who lives in Dallas Town- ship on a farm of his father's, married Lulu Pennock; Henry Black, who lives with his father, is engaged in farming, married Grace Clifton, and they have two pairs of twins, Brainard Black and Clifton Shain, and Margue- rite and Marilynn. Mrs. Miller died November 15, 1912. Mr. Miller is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a Republican. A Mason, he has attained to the Chapter degree.

MILLER, James Clinton, now deceased, was one of the substantial men of Fountain Green Town- ship. He was born in Fountain Green Town- ship, October 29, 1868, a son of William and Christina (Seibert) Miller, natives of Fountain Green Township. William Miller was a son of Thomas and Margaret (Meridith) Miller, who, with the Seibert family settled in Hancock County at a very early day. James Clinton Miller was the eldest child born to his parents, the others being as follows: George W., who lives in Fountain Green Township; and Jose- phine, who is Mrs. George W. Hainline of Mc- Donough County. Ill.

On February 12, 1896, James Clinton Miller was married to Ada Alice Rich, who was born in Fountain Green Township, January 27, 1872, a daughter of James and Mary (Hamilton) Rich, he born November 6, 1846, near Reming- ton, Ind., a son of William Rich, while she was born in Fountain Green Township, a daughter of Henry and Charlotta (Ross) Hamilton, na- tives of Fulton County, Ill., who were early settlers of Hancock County When he was six years old, James Rich was taken to Mt. Pleas- ant, lowa, by his mother, and he was there reared to manhood, and became a traveling salesman for Cole Bros., but later was a farmer, and he died October 15, 190S.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller lived for ten years on a farm owned by his father in Fountain Green Township and then bought eighty acres of land from his father, located in the same township, and there Mr. Miller was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred September 2, 1909. Since his death, Mrs. Miller has directed the operation of the place and she has erected a fine modern residence and large barn, and has been very successful as a general farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of the following chil- dren : Harold H., who was born August 5, 1897; Virgil R., who was born December 7, 1899; James Clinton, who was born December 9. 1901 ; and William, who was born April 9, 1905. Mr. Miller attended the district schools

only, but Mrs. Miller is a graduate of the high school of La Harpe. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. A Republican, he served as a school director, and the Modern Woodmen of America held his fraternal membership. A solid, reliable man, he worked hard and won and held the confidence of his neighborhood, and his death was much regretted by all who knew him.

MILLER, James Franklin, now a retired farmer living at Adrian, served his country as a sol- dier during the Civil War. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 17, 1839, a son of Joel and Charlotta (Bannister) Miller, natives of Brown and Butler counties, Ohio. They were . married and located in Butler County, 'Ohio, where the father died about 1842. The mother was married (second) to John Irvin, and in 1851 they moved to Marion County, Ind., and in 1862 to Richland County, Ill., and one year later to Crawfordsville, Ind.

James Franklin Miller worked on a farm un- til he was seventeen years old at which time he learned to be a house painter, and he then went to Henry County, Ind., where he worked at his trade until the Civil War came on. There he enlisted on August 29, 1861, in Company D, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Tenth Brigade, Army of Ohio, and was at Camp Nelson and Camp Gross. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, was in the Atlanta cam- paign, the battles of Franklin and Knoxville and was at the last named place when the news reached the troops of the assassination of Pres- ident Lincoln. After the close of the war, he worked as a coal miner and farmer.

On September 9, 1869, Mr. Miller was married to Matilda Brayshaw, born in Perry County, Ill., a daughter of William and Sarah (Hum- phrey) Brayshaw, of England. For the subse- quent eighteen months Mr. Miller lived at Des Moines, Iowa, and then moved to Keokuk, Iowa, working as a mechanic. He then came to Han- cock County, and continued to work as a me- chanie in Sonora Township until March, 1876, when he bought property at Adrian, built a res- idence, and has been retired since 1914, al- though until then he did house painting and carpentering.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of the following children : Sadie, who died at the age of eighteen years; George W., who lives at St. Louis, Mo .; Lucinda, who is Mrs. Edwin Hull, of Pontoosuc, Ill .; and Marion Franklin who lives at Burlington, Ill. In politics he is a Republican. Until the G. A. R Post of Fer- ris, Ill., was disbanded, Mr. Miller was its com- mander. He is a fine man in every respect, and is recognized as a worthy example of the "old soldier" element in this country, which set so magnificent an example to the young soldiers of the Great War.

MILLER, James Louis, cashier of the State Bank of West Point, is one of the experienced bankers of Hancock County, and a man widely

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and favorably known. He was born at Hamil- ton, Ill., March 27, 1856, a son of Alfred Louis and Eliza (Gray) Miller, natives of Boone County, New York, and Christian County, Ill., respectively. The paternal grandfather was a sea captain and was lost at sea. Alfred L. Miler came west to Naples, Ill., in 1833, making the trip overland, and in 1849, set- tled in Adams County, but left it a year later for Hancock County, where he was married in Montebello Township, April 15, 1851, and lived there until his death, Febru- ary 11, 1913. The maternal grandparents were James and Sarah (Ayers) Gray. She was mar- ried (first) in the Old South Church at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1815 to a Mr. Johnson, who was a river boatman and died at Vicksburg, Miss., of yellow fever in 1826, and in 1896, James L. Miller her grandson, secured a pension for her from the government on account of the service of her second husband in the Indian and Mexican wars. She was born in 1797, at Boston, Mass., and died September 15, 1898, aged 10112 years. Mrs. Johnson came west to Chester, Ill., in 1818, and to Montebello Township in 1831. Alfred L. Miller and his wife had the following children : Martha A., who married Charles Safford,, is deceased and so is her husband; Ella S., who is Mrs. Owen E. Pence of Hamilton, Ill .; James Louis ; T. I., who lives at Chicago, Ill .; Kate, who is Mrs. Wil- liam E. Pence of Seattle, Wash.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 126

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