Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 133

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 133

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The maternal grandparents of Orville A. Pit- tam, with Samuel B. Huckins and his wife, of New Hampshire, drove overland to Pilot Grove Township in 1838, to join his brother who had already settled there. This brother lived in a little log cabin, but welcomed the newcomers and the two families, sixteen in all, who spent the winter of 1838-9 in that little home. The following spring Samuel B. Huckins secured land, and built a cabin of his own. During the winter of 1846, on February 2, he started for his home from Carthage, but lost his way and was frozen to death. After their marriage, the parents of Orville A. Pittam settled in a log cabin on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 4, Pilot Grove Township, having bought forty acres of land. There the father died, the mother surviving him. Their children were as follows: Mary Elizabeth, who was married to Philander Thompson, is de- ceased ; Abiah Malinda, who is Mrs. Edward Sears, of Pilot Grove Township; Cecelia Rosina, who is the widow of Fred Brown, of Blackburn, Pawnee County, Okla .; Samuel E., who lives in Pilot Grove Township; Clementine D., who was Mrs. Fred Lookabaugh, is deceased ; and Orville A.

Orville A. Pittam attended the schools of his district and grew up on the farm. When he was twenty-one years old, he went to Kingman County, Kas., driving there with his own team, and proved up a pre-emption claim, and six months later he paid $200.00 on it, and improved the place, and three years later sold it at a profit, returning then to Pilot Grove Township, where he bought 193 acres on section 3, which was improved land. In 1903 he went into the bee business, buying a swarm of bees, and has

added to his colonies until he now has 415 colonies, and raises honey for the market.

On January 20, 1892, he was married to Addie May Lamb, born in Pontoosic Township, Sept- ember 8, 1865, a daughter of Samuel B. and Sarah (Baker) Lamb, both natives of Virginia, who came to Hancock County in 1858. Mrs. Pittam was a music teacher before her mar- riage, and a musician of more than local repu- tation. She died December 17, 1917, having borne her husband the following children: Nel- lie May, who was Mrs. Emory Duncan of Pilot Grove Township, died December 8, 1918, leav- ing one son, Orville Charles, who was born July 4, 1917; Pauline Winifred, who is Mrs. James Taggart of Clarinda, Page County, Iowa; and James Samuel, who is assisting his father. Mr. Pittam is a Republican. In fraternal matters he is a Mason, belonging to Burnside Lodge No. 683, A. F. & A. M., and Carthage Lodge, R. A. M. The Methodist Church holds his member- ship. A man of wide experience and excellent judgment, he has made a success of his enter- prises and stands well in his community.

PITTENGER, Gurnie Thomas, who is now con- ducting the homestead of his father in Hancock Township, was for some years a farmer of St. Mary's Township, and is one of the substantial men of Hancock County. He was born in Han- cock Township, in August, 1889, a son of John and Sarah (Sullivan) Pittenger, he born in Schuyler County, Ill., and she in McDonough County, Ill. After their marriage, the parents settled in Schuyler County, where they were en- gaged in farming for ten years, then moving to St. Mary's Township, Hancock County. A year later John Pittenger bought 172 acres of land in Hancock Township, and lived on it until the spring of 1910, at which time he went to Plym- outh, Ill., where he is living retired. He and his wife had the following children: Edward, who lives at Tennessee, Ill. ; Edith, who is Mrs. Andrew Cowder of St. Joseph, Mo .; Maude, who is Mrs. Leslie Jackson of Loraine, Ill .; Forest, who lives in Hancock Township; Loren, who lives with the parents; Ethel, who is Mrs. Or- ville Jackson of Hancock Township; Grace, who is Mrs. Albert Strong of Springfield, Ill .; Gur- nie Thomas, whose name heads this review ; Ovide, who is now serving in France; and Jo- seph, who died in infancy.

Gurnie Thomas Pittinger remained at home until he was married January 28, 1913, to Maude Sammons, born in Hancock Township, a daughter of Elijah and Jane (Van Deventer) Sammons, natives of Kentucky. He tlien rented land in St. Mary's Township until 1915 when he came to the old homestead and with his brother Ovide, conducted it. In September, 1918, Ovide went into the army, and since then Mr. Pittenger has conducted it alone, carrying on general farming and stock raising. He is a Democrat. During liis boyhood he attended Oak Grove District school, and is interested in the progress of the public schools. He is an excel-

1324

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

lent farmer and sound business man, and is held in high esteem in this locality.

PLANTZ, Truman, Sr., who by occupation is a lawyer, is a resident of Warsaw, Hancock County, Ill. He was born at Johnstown, Ful- ton County, New York, November 17, 1860, and removed to Warsaw, Hancock County, Ill., with his parents in 1866, where he has resided ever since. His father's name was Peter W. Plantz; his mother's maiden name was Jean- nette Higbee. His father and mother were both born in the State of New York. His father was a lawyer and civil engineer, and for a time was judge of the surrogate court of Fulton County, N. Y. Peter W. Plantz died at Warsaw, Ill., in 1896, and Jeannette (Hig- bee) Plantz died at Warsaw, Ill., in 1900.

Truman Plantz, Sr., was educated in the public schools at Warsaw, Ill. At the age of seventeen he engaged in railroading, serving in the capacities of brakeman, baggageman and conductor for a number of years on the T. P. & W. Railroad. He was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Illinois in Jan- uary, 1891, and has been in the active practice of law since that time, with offices at Warsaw, Ill. For some years he was associated with William H. Hartzell of Carthage, Ill., in the practice of law under the firm name of Plantz & Hartzell. and afterwards William C. Hooker became a member of the firm, the firm name being changed to Hooker, Plantz & Hartzell. After this firm dissolved he formed a partner- ship with Louis Lamet under the firm name of Plantz & Lamet, which partnership has con- tinued until the present time. In 1903 Mr. Plantz was appointed attorney general of Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the largest fraternal beneficiary society in the world. with general offices at Rock Island, Ill., and has continued as general attorney of that society since that year. He was president of the board of edu- cation of the Warsaw School District for twenty-two years. and is now a member of the library board of Warsaw. He has served as alderman and mayor of the city, and in the years 1892 and 1894 was the Democratic candi- date for congress in the district that Hancock County was a part of. He also served for some years as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee of Illinois.

Mr. Plantz was married to Helen Dallam, of Warsaw. Ill .. in 1890. Mrs. Plantz died in 1904; one child was born as a result of this marriage, Truman Plantz. Jr., born in June, 1891. Truman Plantz, Jr., after graduating from the Warsaw High School, entered Knox College at Galesburg, Ill., graduating there after a course of four years, and then entered the law department of the Chicago University at Chicago, Ill., graduating therefrom in 1917, and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Illinois shortly after such graduation. He enlisted in the United States army soon after war with Germany was declared, attend- ed the First Training camp at Ft. Snelling,

Minn., and was there commissioned a second lieutenant; then went to Camp Logan, Hous- ton, Tex., and joined the 33d Division and was there made a first lieutenant. He sailed for France with the 33d Division on the 26th of May, 1918, and returned to this country with that division in May, 1919. He was in the fighting at St. Mihiel, Argonne Woods, and was at the front along the Meuse River at the time the armistice was signed. During this fighting he was with the 58th Artillery Brigade. He was commissioned captain of artillery on the 31st day of October, 1918, while at the front, and was captain of Battery D, 124th Field Ar- tillery. He was married to Nina Day Binns, at Colorado Springs, Colo., on the 22d day of July, 1919.

Helen Plantz, wife of Truman Plantz, Sr., was the daughter of Frank A. and Anna M. Dallam, of Warsaw, Ill .; her brother, Philip Dallam, was a major in the Spanish-American War; and another brother, John, was chaplain in the United States army and was stationed for quite a while in the Philippine Islands. Another brother, Frank, is a newspaper editor in the State of Washington; and another brother, Richard, resides in St. Louis. Her only sister, Mrs. John P. Hill, resides in Min- neapolis, Minn.

Truman Plantz, Sr., was the youngest of five children, the oldest died in infancy; Charles B. resides at Peoria, Ill., and for more than twenty-five years was chief train despatcher of the T. P. & W. Railway. William was en- gaged in railroading, and died in 1879, at War- saw, Ill. One sister. Fannie M., married Charles S. Green, of Warsaw. Mr. Green died in 1902, and his widow resides in Warsaw. She has one son, William P. Green, residing in New York City, being one of the secretaries of the National Advertising Association.

PLATTE, Elmer J., general manager of the John W. Platte Fisheries, is one of the promi- nent young business men of Dallas City, and one whose activities are directed in a direction that is proving profitable. He was born at Dallas City, August 8, 1898, one of the eight children born to John W. and Anna (Provost) Platte. John W. Platte, owner and proprietor of the John W. Platte Fisheries, who operates ten branch offices in different parts of the United States, resides at Quincy, Ill.

Elmer J. Platte attended both the common and high schools of his native place, and when a mere lad began assisting his father, and so thoroughly learned the business, that he was early able to assume very responsible duties. In 1915 he was placed in charge of the Dallas City branch where employment is given to twenty-five people. The annual volume of busi- ness aggregates $50,000, and 300,000 pounds of fish are shipped each year. Mr. Platte is a Re- publican, although he has not as yet cared to enter public life, confining his civic duties to casting his vote. His family belong to the Pres- byterian Church. A live, progressive young

1325

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

man, he is not only making a success of his work, but bringing Dallas City into prominence as an important center of the fishing industry.

PLATTE, Harry E., a prosperous wholesale fish dealer of Dallas City, is one of the substan- tial men of Hancock County, where he is well and favorably known. He was born at Dun- kirk, N. Y., September 26, 1898, and when he was eleven years old was taken to New Boston by his parents. A year later he and his father went into the fish business, and in spite of his youth he proved himself so efficient and trust- worthy that he was placed in charge of the Quincy branch, and in 1918, that at Dallas City. On July 13, 1918,, Mr. Platte was united in marriage with Margaret Canfield of Quincy, Ill., a daughter of John W. and Anna (Provost) Canfield, of Quincy, where he is engaged in a fish business. Mr. Platte is one of the most energetic young men of Hancock County, and his operations in business are a wonder to his associates. Having spent his life in this line, he knows all about it and how to carry it on to the entire satisfaction of his trade.

POLAND, Frank Abner, a prosperous general farmer of Montebello Township, is one of the highly esteemed men of this part of the county. He was born at Elvaston, Ill., October 9, 1879, a son of William J. and Sarah J. (Cogburn) Poland. William J. Poland was born in 1843, in Illinois, and died November 1, 18SS. His wife was born April 10, 1853, in Missouri. Their children, in addition to Frank Abner, were as follows: John of Bear Creek Township, who was born in 1875; William J., who was born September S. 1881, is a farmer of Prairie Town- ship; Earl W., who was born June 21, 1887, is also a farmer of Prairie Township; Anna, who was born October 28, 1877. is at home ; and Pearl A., who was born June 27, 1885, is also at home.

Frank Abner Poland remained at home until his marriage, which took place December 29, 1913, when he was united with Winnie Dowd, when he moved on-160 acres of land in Monte- bello Township, that he had bought in 1912, and here he has since remained. Mrs. Poland is a daughter of Fayette and Eliza Jane (Nis- ley) Dowd. In addition to Mrs. Poland, there were the following children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowd: Herman, who is a schoolteacher of Oklahoma ; Robert, who is a farmer of Car- thage, Ill .; Charles, who is employed on the street cars of Davenport, Iowa; Lee, who lives at Davenport, Iowa; Edward, who resides at Springfield, Ill .; and Mattie, who is a school- teacher of Hamilton, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Poland have no children. He is a Democrat. Both the Poland and Dowd families are well known and highly esteemed all through this part of the state.

POMROY, William G., a prosperous general farmer and stockraiser of Montebello Town- ship, owns and operates 160 acres of well im- proved and valuable land in this township.

He was born in Hancock County, Ill., September 25, 1863, a son of Richard A. and Mary A. (Stone) Pomroy. Richard A. Pomroy was born in Virginia in 1833, and died January 23, 1900. His wife was born in Illinois, April 23, 1841, and died in November, 1917. In 1860 Richard A. Pomroy came to Illinois, and in 1868 bought a farm of eighty acres in Rock Creek Town- slip, Hancock County, where he lived until 1894. being during that period, prominently indenti- fied with its affairs. In 1894 he went to Kahoka, Mo., where he was engaged in farming 160 acres until his death.

William G. Pomroy attended the local schools and remained at home until he was twenty- one years old, at which time he began farming for himself, and now owns a valuable farm of 160 acres on which he carries on general farming and stockraising.

On August 27, 1885, Mr. Pomroy was married to Martha A. Myers, a daughter of Charles H. and Anna (Dustman ) Myers, Mrs. Pomroy was born November 30, 1865, and she has the follow- ing brothers and sisters : Herman, who lives at West Point, Ill .; Fred, who lives at Lowen- ville, Iowa; Henry, who lives at Lowenville, Iowa; Lewis, who lives in Pontoosic Township ; Charles, who lives in Pontoosic Township ; Hugh, who lives at Mendon, Ill .; Emma, who is a resident of Burlington, Iowa; Verge, who lives at Burlington, Iowa; Lena, who is Mrs. George Jones, lives in Rock Creek Township; Anna, who is Mrs. Fred Smith, of Pontoosic Township ; Lizzie, who lives in Rock Creek Township; and Fay, who is Mrs. Lewis Griffiths, of Caldwell, Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Pomroy have three chil- dren, namely : Mabel, who is Mrs. Vernon Miller, was born August 24, 1887, has two children, William H., born December 17, 1906, and Selma Aurelia, born September 14, 1914, and lives at Elvaston, Ill .; Eva L., who was born De- cember 11, 1896, is at home; and Ruth M., who was born October 24, 1904, is also at home. The family all belong to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pomroy is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

PORTER, William H., now living retired, is one of the highly respected men of LaHarpe. He was born in Champaign County, Ill., July 20, 1838, a son of Daniel P. and Edith (Bussey) Porter, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. Daniel P. Porter was born in 1800 and died in 1882. His widow survived him, dying in 1889, at the age of eighty-eight years. A wagonmaker by trade, Daniel P. Porter was also for thirty years a minister of the Baptist Church, and so served while living in Cham- paign County, from whence he moved to Nau- voo, in 1847. In the latter city he worked at his trade and served as a circuit rider for the United Brethren Church. In 1849 he went to Blandinsville, Ill., continunig to divide his time between wagonmaking and preaching. While living at Nauvoo, he saw the Mormon temple burn. The fire was said to have been started in the dome of the temple by Joseph Agnew and three other Mormons.

1326

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

William H. Porter remained with his par- ents until his marriage, October 13, 1859, when he was united with Mary J. Ward, born in Brown County, Ill., a daughter of William and Isabel (Ewing) Ward, natives of Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Porter was engaged in clerking in a dry goods store at Blandinsville, Ill., for four years, and then moved to Mt. Sterling, Ill., and practiced as a dentist, hav- ing prepared himself for this calling by study. After seven years, he returned to Blandinsville, and on account of poor health did not follow his profession but learned the tinner's trade, and in 1870 moved to LaHarpe, where he was en- gaged in working at his trade for thirty years, then retired.

Mr. and Mrs. Porter became the parents of the following children : Quinton Edmund, who died at the age of two and one-half years; Elva E., who is Mrs. Hamline, of LaHarpe, has one daughter; and Garnett, who is Mrs. Ralph Johnson. Mr. Johnson at the time this is written, is serving his country as a soldier in the World War. Mrs. Porter died Septem- ber 27, 1887, since which time Mr. Porter has lived with his daughter, Mrs. Hamline. In politics he is a Democrat.

POTTER, William Lemuel, now deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War and for a period prior to his demise was one of the highly respected residents of La Harpe. He was born in Adams County, Ill., March 26, 1845, a son of Pardon and Jane (Bartlett) Potter, natives of Virginia and Maine, respectively. They were married in Adams County, Ill., having come to that section in an early day. Following their marriage they continued to live in Adams Coun- ty for a few years, and then moved to Han- cock County, settling in Durham, Township, where she died. He then moved to Dallas City, where he passed away.

William Lemuel Potter was reared on his father's farm, and when his country had need of him during the Civil War, he enlisted in 1862, in Company M, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Following his discharge he returned to La Harpe Township. On February 17, 1870, he was married to Susan Phidelia Lincoln, born in Dur- ham Township, August 21, 1843, a daughter of Nathan and Susan (Sears) Lincoln, natives of New York, who came as young people to Han- cock County, where they were married. They then located on a farm in Pilot Grove Township, later moving to Durham Township. After his marriage Mr. Potter resided for a few years on a farm in Dallas Township, then movea to the town of Durham and became a general mer- chant, later moved to Disco, and one year after went to Colorado for his health but returned in a few months to Hancock County. Once more he tried a change, and entered land from the government in Pratt County, Kas., where he lived for two years and then came back to Hancock County, but after a time went to Lamar, Mo., and bought a farm, on which he spent seventeen years. Then he traded for land

in DesMoines County, Iowa, eight miles north of Burlington, and was on that place eleven years. Selling that land, he went to Fulton, Mo., and then to Canton, Ill. The subsequent few years were spent at Dumferline, Ill., where he was engaged in general merchandising, and when he sold that business, he retired, moving to La Harpe, where he died April 16, 1914. Since then Mrs. Potter had made La Harpe her home. Their children were as follows: Zora, who is Mrs. Ira D. Whittlesby, of Ft. Madison, Iowa ; William E., who lives at Hamilton, Ill .; and Arthur Lincoln, who is at home. Mr. Potter was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Republican. The G. A. R. had in him a faithful member. Al- though his health was never robust, he always kept busy and managed his affairs so well that when he died he left behind him for his family a comfortable competency.

POWELL, Sydnor C., a prosperous general farmer and stockraiser of St. Mary's Township, owns and operates 241 acres of valuable land on section 5 and 8. He was born in this town- ship, June 9, 1861, a son of William D. and Mary E. (Graves) Powell, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, who came to Hancock County at an early day, settling in St. Mary's Town- ship, where both later died.

Sydnor C. Powell attended the schools of McDonough County, and remained with his parents. In March, 1885, he was united in mar- riage to Mary E. Cox, a daughter of John W. and Julia (Wilson) Cox, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Powell became the parents of the following children: Bertha, who is married to Edgar E. Earl, has two children, Juanita G. and Gerald W .; and Rolland L., who is at home.

In politics Mr. Powell is a Democrat and he served his township as supervisor for four years, of that time being chairman of the board for two years. For thirty years he has been a school director, and has always shown com- mendable zeal in the discharge of his official duties. St. Mary's Baptist Church holds his membership. His fraternal connections are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows. A hard working thrifty man, lie has made a success of his undertakings and is well and favorably known in his community.

PRATHER, Lewis Marion, one of the progres- sive agriculturists of Hancock County, is en- gaged in a general farming, stockraising and dairying business on his fine farm in St. Al- bans Township. He was born in St. Albans Township, September 25, 1863, a son of William and Sarah (Kiger) Prather, born and married in Clark County, Ind., and came to Hancock County in 1860. They bought land in St. Albans Township, where he was engaged in farming for many years. He died at the home of his son, Lewis M. Prather, December 19, 1908, his wife having died April 9, 1902. Their children were as follows : Lewis M .; Laura, who died May 16, 1888, aged twenty years; Emory, who lives in

1327

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

St. Albans Township; Florence, who is Mrs. Isaac McCabe of Wadena, Minn.

Lewis M. Prather attended the district schools and remained at home until he was mar- ried on April S, 1890, to Laverna Lunt, born in Adams County, Ill., February 16, 1870, a daugh- ter of George W. and Amy (Hartman) Lunt, natives of Missouri and Adams County, Ill., re- spectively. After his marriage, Mr. Prather rented land from his father for a few years, and then bought 110 acres in St. Albans Town- ship. He rebuilt the house, making it a two- story, seven-room residence, and also erected a large barn, and otherwise improved the place until he now has a very valuable property. Here Mr. Prather carries on general farming and dairying, selling his cream, and he also raises Hereford and Short Horn cattle and Du- roc-Jersey hogs and draft horses.

Mr. and Mrs. Prather became the parents of the following children: Guy, who lives in St. Albans Township; Edith, who is Mrs. Albert Whewell of St. Albans Township; Dena, who is Mrs. Clarence Blythe of St. Albans Town- ship; Amy, who was Mrs. Virgil Neill, died in January, 1919, aged twenty years; and Nellie, who is at home. Mr. Prather and all the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he serves as trustee. Politically he is a Democrat. He belongs to Stillwell Camp, M. W. A., and has been manager and sentry of it. On October 16, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Prather out of the kindness of their hearts took into their home a little boy, Union Waters, born June 9, 1905, whom they are rearing as their own. They are most excellent people and none stand any higher in their neighborhood.

PRENTISS, Silas Wright, one of the alert and successful realty dealers of Carthage, has made a study of salesmanship in his line, and is handling farm and city property upon an ex- tensive scale. He was born on a farm, section 35, Fountain Green Township, September 21, 1842, a son of Daniel and Nancy (Hughes) Prentiss, he born at Weatherfield, Vt., in 1799, and she born in Clark County, Ind., in 1818. In 1832 Daniel Prentiss came to Hancock County, settling in Fountain Green Township, and Nancy Hughes was brought to Camp Point, Adams County, by her parents about 1830. Af- ter their marriage, on June 24, 1840, Mr. Pren- tiss and wife settled on their farm in Fountain Green Township, where at one time they owned 260 acres of land. He died in 1882. Iu 1852 Daniel Prentiss was made superintendent of the county poor farm and continued as such until 1856. Their children were as follows : George; Silas Wright; Laura, who is Mrs. E. E. B. Sawyer of Camp Point. Ill .; Fannie, twin of Laura, who is Mrs. Alexander McCandlas, of Moberly, Mo .; and William, who is deceased. Mr. Prentiss' father, about 1839, took a con- tract on what is now the Wabash Railroad to build a railroad roadbed. He then bought a steamboat of Joseph Smith, loaded this boat with pork, took this down the river to New Orleans. Finding no sale there for pork, he

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 133

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