Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 129

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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NASH, George W., a retired banker and mer- chant of Bowen. is one of the most highly re- spected men of Hancock County, where at one time he was very prominent along several lines of activity. He was born at Hadley, Mass., May 10, 1845, son of Lucius and Margaret (Marsh) Nash, natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Nash died in Massachusetts when George W. Nash was an infant. Lucius Nash came to Hancock County in 1SSS, to join his son, George W., who had come here in 1867. After spending a year at Warsaw, George W. Nash, in 1868, located at Bowen, and went into a hay and grain business. After about two years, he branched out into a mercantile business, in part- nership with his wife's brother, W. F. Sharrer.

After a few years, Henry B. Nash, a brother of George W. Nash, came to Bowen from Massa- chusetts. and buying out Mr. Sharrer's interest, formed a partnership with his brother, the firm becoming Nash Bros .. this continuing for twenty- one years, or until the organization of the Farmers Bank of Bowen, in 1890 by George W. Nash. A. P. Gay, who was the second president, Charles Gay, Clayton McGill, who was the first president. R. A. Wallace, John Wallace and George Cyrus, of whom the last named and Mr. Nash are the only original organizers still in- terested with the bank. Mr. Nash sold his in- terest in the mercantile business in order to devote all of his attention to the bank and was for many years its cashier, and is still on its

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board of directors. At the time of its organ- ization, the bank had a capitalization of $10,- (00.00, which has been increased until it is now $36,000.00. Mr. Nash erected the building now occupied by H. B. Nash & Co. as a hardware and furniture store. He continued to be actively engaged in the banking business until 1915, when he retired.

During the Civil War, Mr. Nash enlisted, in July, 1862, in Company F, Thirty-seventh Mas- sachusetts Volunteer Infantry, at Hadley, Mass., and served until April 13, 1865, when he was discharged, that being the memorable day of the assassination of President Lincoln. During his period of service, Mr. Nash participated in the following battles : Fredericksburg, Franklin Crossing, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Angle, Spottsylvania Courtliouse, and Cold Harbor, and was wounded at the latter in the head and shoulder. He was helped from the battlefield by two of his company, was sent to the hospital at Washington, D. C., and was there from April to May, and was then sent to the Dale Hospital in Massachusetts, and was there when he was discharged. He then re- turned to his home in Massachusetts, having a noble record as a brave soldier.

On February 22, 1871, Mr. Nash was married in Hancock County, to Anna B. Sharrer, born in Pennsylvania. They had no children, but reared a boy, Louis Magnet, who is now mar- ried and the maiden name of his wife was Vienna McGill. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are mem- bers of the Congregational Church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, and is interested in its prosperity. A Republican, he has been town- ship clerk, and was a school treasurer for thirty- eight years. Mr. Nash is a man of ample means, is a stockholder in the Goodyear Rubber Com- pany, and in several other solid concerns. His time is now largely devoted to forwarding those movements which in his judgment will be of assistance to his fellow citizens in bringing about a betterment of local conditions.

NELSON, John A., one of the highly respected citizens of Carthage, and a man who is widely known all over the county, is engaged in busi- ness as a funeral director. He was born at Bowen, Illinois, June 22, 1890, a son of Philip and Susan (Cunningham) .Nelson, natives of Hancock County, who have always lived here. Philip Nelson is a contractor and builder, and a man of prominence in this region.

Growing up in his native city, John A. Nel- son attended its public schools, and was grad- uated from the high-school course, following which event he became a clerk in a drug store. After about four years in the drug store he entered upon his present business, and is now recognized as one of the most dependable men in his line. His equipment is of the most mod- ern, and his skill and good taste insure a dignified and appropriate ceremony. Mr. Nel- son was elected mayor of Carthage and is holding that office at present with energetic capability. He ran for the office on the demo-

cratic ticket. Fraternally he maintains mem- bership with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks and Eastern Star. His social connections are with the Lake View Motor Club, and the Carthage Commercial Club, and he is a member of the board of directors of botli these organizations. Carthage Methodist Episcopal Church is his religious home, and he is one of the pillars of the local congregation of that denomination.

In 1914 Mr. Nelson was married near Elvas- ton, Illinois, to Ruth Walker, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Walker, who have also always resided in this county. Mr. Walker is a stockraiser and he and Mrs. Walker are now living on their farm in the vicinity of Elvaston. Mr. Nelson's work as mayor is of a very con- structive character, and in this office he has made a record for himself which will endure. In every respect he has proven his worth, and is entitled to the confidence and respect he com- mands from all classes.

NEWMAN, Andrew Jackson, one of the retired farmers of Elvaston, was long connected with the agricultural activities of Prairie Township, where he still owns a choice farm of 160 acres. He was born in Rush County, Ind., October 16, 1842, a son of William and Rebecca (Tinsley) Newman, he born in Kentucky in 1818. They were married in Indiana in 1840. In 1862 they joined their son Andrew Jackson Newman at Carthage, to which locality he had gone six months previously. The parents bought a farm in Carthage Township, and their son resided with them until his own marriage, which oc- curred September 22, 1867, when he was united with Rachel A. Clampitt, born in Clark County, Ind., a daughter of John H. and Susan M. (Kindred) Clampitt, natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively.

After his marriage, Andrew Jackson Newman rented land in Walker Township where he lived for a few years, then bought an improved farm in that township of eighty acres for $10 per acre. In 1875 he sold it and moved to Sheridan County, Mo., where he rented land for three years, and upon his return to Hancock County he rented land until 1893, at which time he bought 160 acres of improved land in Prairie Township, and farmed it until 1910, when he rented his farm and retired to Elvaston.

Mr. and Mrs. Newman have had the fol- lowing children born to them: James H., who lives at Elvaston ; William E., who lives at Tru- man, Minn .; George W., who also lives at Elvas- ton ; Minnie M., who is Mrs. Nick Kinman, of Carthage Township; Pearl F., who is Mrs. Wil- liam J. Poland of Prairie Township ; and Lloyd, who is on the home farm; two children died in infancy, and Flora E. and Joseph O. died in 1900, aged 18 years. In politics Mr. Newman is a Democrat, and he served as highway com- missioner for six years, and as a school director for eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Newman are members of the Baptist Church. On September 22, 1917, they celebrated their golden wedding, and it is interesting that on September 19 of

Earl W. Wood

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that year Mr. and Mrs. Jasper White, their next door neighbors, also celebrated their golden wedding, while on February 13, 1918, Mr. and Mrs. John Rosebury, who live across the street, celebrated their golden wedding, making three such celebrations within less than four months, among near neighbors.

NEWTON, Lewis L., one of the substantial farmers of Hancock County, has long been looked upon as a representative man of Pon- toosuc Township, where his home farm is lo- cated, although he owns considerable land in other sections of the country. He was born at Hamden, Vinton County, Ohio, July 24, 1860, a son of Hiram H. and Hannah (Harper) New- ton, farming people.

Growing up amid strictly rural surroundings, Lewis L. Newton was sent to the local district schools and for a portion of two terms pur- sued his studies in a college. He has spent his life in agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of 375 acres of land in Pontoosuc Town- ship; 326 acres of land in Lincoln County, Ne- braska; and 300 acres of land in Ochiltree County, Texas.

Prominent in Democratic politics, Mr. New- ton was elected supervisor from Pontoosuc Township, and served, through re-election, for a period of ten years. During his incumbency the courthouse was erected, and as chairman of the building committee Mr. Newton rendered such signal service in supervising the construc- tion, that he was elected chairman of the board by acclamation. The county is under a heavy debt of obligation to Mr. Newton for the public spirit he has always displayed in the conduct of its business, and some of the most notable improvements within its confines are the result of his intelligent effort. As a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church he also lives up to his conception of good citizenship and Chris- tian manhood.

On May 10, 1882, Mr. Newton was married (first) to Laura B. Lamb, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Lamb, who died in Pontoosuc Town- ship, October 23, 1911. On March 29, 1916, Mr. Newton was married (second) to Bertha Grove, a daughter of Jesse and Mary Grove. Mr. Newton has four children, namely : Minnie R., Leslie M., Madge E. and Hiram F. It would be difficult to find a family more highly es- teemed throughout the entire county than that bearing the name of Newton, and this apprecia- tion on the part of their fellow citizens has been fairly earned by its members.

NICAISE, Virgil, assistant postmaster of Nau- voo, and one of the sterling men of Hancock County, is very well and favorably known over a wide territory. He was born at Nauvoo, November 2, 1867, a son of Gabriel and Rose (Bruno) Nicaise, natives of France. In 1854 they came to America on a sailing vessel that took sixty days to make the passage from France to New Orleans, and from that city they came up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo. Prior

to leaving France, the father was a locksmith, but after coming to Nauvoo, he was a watch- maker. His death occurred in October, 1892, and the mother survived him many years, dying in 1914, aged eighty-three years. Their chil- dren were as follows: Rose, who lives at Nau- voo; Odille, who is Mrs. Lewis E. Hohl, of Nauvoo; and Virgil.

Leaving school at the age of thirteen years, Virgil Nicaise became a clerk in a drug store at Burlington, Iowa, but came back to Nauvoo and remained a year, then in 1887 went to St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed in a drug store for a year, and he spent another year at Bunker Hill, Ill. In October, 1892, his father who had returned to France on a visit, died there, and was there buried, and Mr. Nicaise went to France to look after his affairs, return- ing in January, 1893. For the subsequent two years he was engaged in laboring, and then was employed by the Beger drug store. In 1897 he became a clerk in a grocery and dry goods store, and was also engaged in market garden- ing. His next employment was at Peru City, Calif., where he was engaged in construction work on oil derricks, and six months later he went to East Sound, Wash. Once more he came back to Nauvoo and spent the winter, and then returned to the state of Washington, and worked in the timberlands until July, 1904, when he was appointed a rural free delivery carrier on Route 2, and held that position for eight years, when he was made assistant postmaster, and still holds that position, being a very capable man.

In 1895 Mr. Nicaise was married to Mame Swigelson, born at Hamilton, Ill., a daughter of Henry and Magdeline (Milander) Swigelson, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Nicaise have the following children: Virgil G., who lives at Detroit, Mich .; Walter H., who was acciden- tially shot and killed in September, 1913, when fifteen years old; Ralph M., who lives at De- troit, Mich .; and Ferdinand David, Gustav and Magdeline Rose, all of whom are at home. Mr. Nicaise is a member of the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America.

NICHOLS, George M., a reliable funeral director and furniture dealer of Plymouth, is one of the substantial men of Hancock County. He was born in Adams County, Ill., December 23, 1865, one of the three children of his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Baker) Nichols. Jacob Nichols was a well known farmer of Adams County, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death.

George M. Nichols attended the public schools of Adams County, and learned to farm. Until he was twenty-five years old he continued to farm, but at that time, in 1901, he went to Mis- souri and embarked in a mercantile business, carrying it on for six years. In 1907 he came to Plymouth, establishing his present house, and here handled furniture, carpets, rugs, linole- ums, mattings, curtains, shades, sewing machines and similar goods, his stock value averaging $13.000. When he established this business he also took charge of an undertaking establish-

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ment, he being a licensed embalmer, having been graduated as such March 14, 1898, from the Clarke School of Embalming at Cincinnati, Ohio, and at Quincy, Ill.

Mr. Nichols was married to Miss Mary Schroth, a daughter of Henry Schroth of Adams County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols became the parents of three children, namely : Jacob H., who is with his father in business; Mamie, who is now deceased; Darlia M., who is at home; and Edward J., who is now in the United States army. The family belongs to the Congregational Church. Fraternally Mr. Nichols belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor. In politics, he is a Democrat. A carefully trained and experienced man, Mr. Nichols' services are in great demand, and his sincere sympathetic manner and expertness are appreciated by those who have to call upon him in their hour of dire distress.

NORTHUP, Daniel Hampton, a retired farmer of Dallas City, was formerly one of the leading farmers of Hancock County, and still owns val- uable rural property here. He was born in Fountain Green Township in June, 1862, a son of Henry L. and Mary C. (Dodd) Northup, natives of Zanesville, Ohio, and Winchester, Va., respectively. They were married at Wash- ington, D. C., where for a few years Henry L Northup carried on a business in land dealing, but about 1847 went to Quincy, Ill., and in 1854 came to Fountain Green Township, locating on land he had bought near La Crosse. He also owned 160 acres of land in Rock Creek Town- ship. His death occurred April 21, 1894, and his wife died January 12. 1887. Their children were as follows: Thomas and Mary C., both of whom live at Pittsburg, Kans .; Elizabeth, who is deceased : William, who lives at Hamilton, Ill .; Sarah E., who is Mrs. George Davison, of Carthage. Ill .; Clay. who lives at Blackwell Okla. ; and Daniel H., who is the youngest.

Daniel H. Northup attended the schools of his district, and remained at home until he bought a farm of 140 acres of land, all of which was improved, and remaied on it until in No- vember, 1901, when he rented his farm, and on account of ill health traveled in California for seven months. Upon his return to Hancock County, he located at Dallas City, buying a residence there in June, 1902, and since then has lived retired, still renting out his farms. He owns eighty acres of land all improved, in Pilot Grove Township, that is very valuable.

In January, 1889, Mr. Northup was married to Carrie L. Barrett. born at Webster, Ill .. a daughter of Frederick W. and Harriet (War- ner) Barrett, natives of Battleboro, Vt., and Winfield, England, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Northup have one son, Cherill Hampton, who was born November 3, 1907. In politics Mr. Northup is an independent Republican. The Christian Church holds his membership and since 1900 he has been one of its deacons. He belongs to Dallas City Lodge No. 235, A. F. & A. M .; Dallas City Lodge No. 989, I. O. O. F.,

having passed through all the chairs, and he and Mrs. Northup belong to the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. During his long life in Han- cock County, Mr. Northup has witnessed many interesting changes, among them being the fencing of the last 160 acres of raw land in Rock Creek Township.

NUDD, Clay, whose operations as a general farmer and stockraiser entitle him to consider- ation as one of the substantial agriculturalists of Hancock County, owns and operates 210 acres of valuable land in La Harpe and Fountain Green townships. He was born in La Harpe Township, February 17, 1874, a son of Farmer and Maria K. (Vincent) Nudd, also natives of La Harpe Township. Joseph Nudd, the paternal grandparent, was a native of Massachusetts,

where he was born in 1806, and the Nudds be- came very early settlers of Hancock County. After their marriage, the parents of Clay Nudd settled in La Harpe Township, and the father became a very heavy landowner in La Harpe and Fountain Green townships. His children were as follows: Joseph S., who lives in Can- ada; Harry C., who lives in La Harpe Town- ship; Clay ; and May, who was born May 17, 1880, died in 1906.

Clay Nudd attended Gittings Seminary, at La Harpe. When he was twenty-one years old he began farming, so continuing for five years, when he served for a year as marshal of La Harpe, to which town he had moved. He also conducted a feed business and a threshing ma- chine. When his father died in 1910, he in- herited his present farm of 210 acres, where he has since resided, carrying on general farming and raising cattle and sheep.

On November 9, 1910, he was married to Alice Lionberger, born at Carthage, Ill., a daughter of Thompson and Emma (Nixon) Lionberger, the former of whom was born in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Nudd have three children, namely : Byron C., Gerald Thompson, and Harry C. Mr. Nudd is a Democrat, and during 1911 and 1912 he served La Harpe as mayor, giving the city a sound and businesslike administration, and se- curing some valuable improvements while he was in office. He is one of the representative men of the county, and few stand any higher in public esteem than he.

NUDD, Harry Carlos, now living retired at La Harpe, was for years one of the most progres- sive farmers of Hancock County. He was born in La Harpe Township. August 13, 1872, a son of Farmer and Rose (Vincent) Nudd, born in La Harpe Township. The grandparents, Joseph Nudd and Samuel and Mary Vincent, were born in Hancock County, their parents being among the pioneers of the county, who secured govern- ment land by entry. Samuel Vincent was one of the early school teachers of Hancock County, and is so remembered. After their marriage. the parents settled on a farm in La Harpe Town- ship, where they remained until 1899, in that year moving to La Harpe, where he died in 1911, the mother having died in 1910. At the time of

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his death he owned 700 acres of land. Their children were as follows: Joseph, who lives at Alberta, Canada ; Harry Carlos; Clay, who lives in La Harpe Township; and May, who died at the age of twenty-two years.

Harry Carlos Nudd was reared in his native township and sent to its district schools. He remained at home until his marriage, at which time he rented a farm from his father in La Harpe Township for about twenty years, and then bought 160 acres of land from his brother Joseph, and he secured from his father the homestead of 250 acres, and sixty-five acres one and one-half miles north of the homestead, where he erectd modern buildings, and put the place in fine condition. On it he carried on general farming and stockraising, specializing on horses, cattle and hogs on a large scale, until the spring of 1918, when he rented his land and retired on account of ill health.

In February 12, 1902 Mr. Nudd was married to Vina Alley, born in Virginia, April 24, 1884, a daughter of Elias Alley. Mr. and Mrs. Nudd have two children, namely : James, born March 29, 190; and Kenneth, born October 13, 1908, both of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Nudd is a Democrat.

O'BRIEN, Homer L., one of the well known general farmers and stockraisers of Hancock County, owns and operates a farm on section 31, Harmony Township. He was born in Han- cock County, October 3, 1870, a son of Patrick and Eunice (Gary) O'Brien, natives of Indiana and Ohio, who came at an early day to Hancock County. Before coming here Patrick O'Brien was a carpenter, but after locating here he bought a farm and was engaged in conducting it. Both he and his wife are now deceased.

Homer L. O'Brien was reared in this county, and attended first the district schools, then Carthage College, after which he was engaged in teaching school for a number of years, be- coming one of the popular educators of the county. He then left that field of endeavor to become a farmer, and his success shows that he had natural talents along this line as well as in teaching school.

On October 19, 1902, Mr. O'Brien was married to Ora M. Scott, born in Hancock County, July 16, 1880, a daughter of Larkin and Ellen (Flem- ing) Scott, who are now living in Bear Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien became the parents of two children, namely: Eaburn L., who was born January 12, 1904; and Marguerite E., who was born June 6, 1918. Mr. O'Brien belongs to the Christian Church. He is a Democrat and has been collector of Harmony Township for two terms. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica.

OCHSNER, Frederick L., who owns one of the finest estates in this part of Hancock County, known as Riverside View Farm, is one of the highly respected residents of Pontoosic Town- ship. He was born at Nauvoo, Ill., October 19, 1854, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Fegan)

Ochsner, natives of Switzerland and Prussia, Germany, who were married in the United States, she then being a widow, this being his father's second marriage also. Frederick L. Ochsner was the only child born to his parents. In 1848, Michael Ochsner and his first wife came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, from whence they came up the Mis- sissippi River to Nauvoo and bought land in that vicinity, which they farmed. After the death of his first wife, Michael Ochsner was married to Elizabeth Fegan and when their son was a small boy, moved to Pontoosic Township. Michael Ochsner died in 1884, and his second wife passed away in 1894.

Frederick L. Ochsner attended the district schools, and remained with his father until his marriage, which occurred January 5, 1879, when he was united with Amelia Salm, born in Ap- panoose Township, a daughter of John Jacob and Elizabeth (Schafner) Salm, natives of Switzerland. After his marriage, Mr. Ochsner rented land in Pontoosic Township for five years, and then bought seventy-four acres of land, a portion of which was under cultivation. This he thoroughly improved and kept on adding to the farm until there now are 174 acres in it, all improved, lying along the Mississippi River. He has always carried on general farm- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Ochsner became the parents of one son, Frederick Clarence, who is engaged in conducting the home place, and one daughter, Clara E., who died age two years. Frederick Clarence Ochsner was married to Kate Hupfer, born at Dallas City, Ill., and they have had four children, namely : Clarence Kenneth, who was born March 1, 1910; Carrol Anson, who was born May 21, 1915; and Cecil Salm, who was born July 2, 1918 ; and Elgie L., who is deceased. Mr. Ochsner belongs to the Presbyterian Church and has been an elder since 1908. He is a Dem- ocrat and has served as road commissioner. The Odd Fellows of Pontoosic Township hold his membership, and he also belongs to the Han- cock County Mutual Association.

OGILVIE, Edward J., one of the successful agri- culturalists of Hancock County, owns and op- erates 160 acres of valuable land in Pilot Grove Township. He was born in Carthage Town- ship, April 29, 1875, a son of James A. and Camilla (Robinson) Ogilvie, natives of Ohio. The paternal grandparents, William Ogilvie and his wife. natives of Ohio, came to Hancock County at an early day. After their marriage, James A. Ogilvie and his wife lived in Iowa for a few years, and then came to Carthage Township, bought land and lived on it. His death occurred January 9, 1915, since which time his widow has lived among their children. James A. Ogilvie and his wife had children as follows : Edward J .; Minnie, who is Mrs. J. W. Willig, of Carthage Township; Roy, who lives at Beardstown, Ill .; Frank, who lives in Pilot Grove Township; Earl, who lives at Dillon, Mont .; and Beulah, who is Mrs. C. G. Boston, of Carthage Township.

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Edward J. Ogilvie attended the Carthage public schools, and when he was nineteen years old, began working for neighboring farmers by the month. After three years he rented land in Carthage Township and conducted it for three years, and then moved on his present farm in Pilot Grove Township, where he and his wife own 160 acres of land, 100 acres of which are cultivated, the remainder being in pasture. Here he raises registered Chester White hogs, cattle and horses, and does general farming.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 129

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