Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 134

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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dumped the cargo into the river there, then came back. During this time he lived in Car- thage.

Silas Wright Prentiss attended the common schools of his native township, and resided with his parents until in 1852 when his father was made superintendent of the Hancock County poor farm, a position he held for four years, his son assisting. In November, 1861, Silas W. Prentiss enlisted for service during the Civil War in the Yates Sharpshooters which, in 1862, became Company D, Sixty-fourth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and was in the Army of the Mis- sissippi, but was discharged, in October, 1862, on account of disability incurred at Hamburg, Tenn. Returning home, he recuperated, and on March 4, 1864, re-enlisted in Company D, Eight- eenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to Little Rock, Ark., and spent many months drilling recruits. During the summer of 1865, however, he was for sixty-three days in the gen- eral hospital at Little Rock, Ark. He received his honorable discharge from the army in October. 1865, returning then to Fountain Green Town- ship.

On November 22, 1870, Mr. Prentiss was mar- ried to Fannie Mull, born at Hobart, Delaware County, N. Y., a daughter of Henry and Mary (Campbell) Mull, natives of New York. They came to Fountain Green, Ill., where Mr. Mull worked at his trade of wagonmaking. He died April 15, 1883, his wife having died November 20, 1867. There were the following children in the Mull family : Mrs. Prentiss; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. David Fortney, of Galesburg, Ill .; An- toinette, who is Mrs. Alexander Walker of Rock Island, Ill .; William, who lives at Monmouth, Ill .; Gussie, who is the widow of J. B. Yetter, lives at Galesburg, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Prentiss have no children.

After his marriage, Mr. Prentiss farmed on his father's farm for some years, and then bought a farm in Fountain Green Township, conducting it until 1900, when he moved to Carthage, and since then has been in a real estate business, buying and selling Hancock County farms and city property. Mrs. Pren- tiss attended Monmouth College, and for a few years prior to her marriage, was one of the popular and efficient educators of Fountain Green and Lacrosse, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Pren- tiss are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and she belongs to the Church Circle and the Missionary Society. In politics they are Republicans. Not only is Mr. Prentiss a member of the local post of the G. A. R., but he has held all of its offices, including that of commander, holding the latter several terms. His family has an honorable military record. His grandfather and two of his brothers were in the Revolutionary War.

PRESCOTT, William, M. D., a veteran of the Civil War, and an honored resident of Dallas City, was for many years one of the leading physicians of Hancock County, and continued in active practice until 1908, when he retired. He was born at Phillips, Me., December 5, 1838, a

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son of John and Rhoda (Marrow) Prescott, natives of Maine, where they lived and died, being farming people.

William Prescott attended the common schools and then took a one-year course at Bates Col- lege, Lewiston, Me. On May 25, 1861, he en- listed at Boston, Mass., in Company I, First Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry for service during the Civil War, and was assigned to the eastern army, being in Virginia, and participat- ing in the battles of Blackburn Ford, Bull Run, Siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Days battle of the Wilderness, and the campaign in front of Richmond. He was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was taken prisoner at the latter and confined in Libby prison until paroled, at which time he was sent to Annapolis, and kept there until 1863, when he rejoined his regiment. He was in the hospital at Washington for five months, and discharged May 25, 1864, with the rank of corporal. When he entered the service he weighed 175 pounds, but owing to hardships and sickness, at the time of his discharge he only weighed 118 pounds.

After a few months spent in Maine, Dr. Prescott went to Camp Point, Hancock County, Ill., and taught school during the winter of 1864-5, and then to Bowen, Ill., where he was in a mercantile business for seven years. Dis- posing of it, he entered the Keokuk Medical College, and took a year's course. Going to Weaver, Iowa, he was engaged in practice there for a time, and also homesteaded. At differ- ent times he took post graduate courses, and practiced at different points in Iowa until 1882, when he came to Dallas City, and remained ,in an active practice until 1908, when he retired.

In 1866, Dr. Prescott was married to Mattie Miller, born in Ashland, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Prescott became the parents of the following children : Harry B., who is a physician of Dallas City; Fay, who is Mrs. Yates Baker of Quincy, Ill. The Doctor attends the Con- gregational Church. He is a Republican, and has served as police magistrate of Dallas City for four years. He is a Mason, belonging to Dallas City Lodge No. 235, A. F. & A. M., and has been its secretary for many years. Not only is he a member of Allen Post, G. A. R., but he was one of its organizers and has served it as adjutant and commander. A man of the highest standing, Dr. Prescott is justly num- bered among the most representative men of his community.

RADEL, Benjamin, a general farmer and stock- raiser of Sonora Township, and a director of the State Bank of Nauvoo, is one of the highly respected men of Hancock County. He was born at Nauvoo, Ill., August 20, 1854. a son of Peter and Margaret (Seibert) Radel, born near the Rhine River, Germany. Prior to leaving Germany he was married, and by his first wife he had the following children: Peter, who is deceased ; Nicholas, who is deceased ; John, who lives in Sonora Township; Kate, who is Mrs. William Conn, lives at Nauvoo; and Mary, who

is Mrs. Peter Schenk, of St. Joe, Mo. After his first wife died, Peter Radel was married (sec- ond) to her sister, Margaret Seibert, at Keo- kuk, Iowa, where he had located upon his ar- rival in this country. Later he came to Nauvoo, and soon thereafter bought a farm in Sonora Township, where he died in February, 1860, his widow surviving him until 1873. Their children were as follows: Benjamin; Margaret, who is deceased ; and Michael, who lives in Sonora Township.

After his mother's death, Benjamin Radel lived with his brother John until his marriage, which occurred January 24, 1882, to Mary Weber, born in Sonora Township, October 15, 1862, a daughter of Gabriel and Julia Ann (Son- beron) Weber, natives of Germany and Penn- sylvania, respectively. After his marriage, Benjamin Radel lived on his father's farm on section 2, Sonora Township, for ten years, hav- ing bought out the other heirs to the eighty acres. He also bought 160 acres of land in Rock Creek Township, and lived on this farm for two years, and then traded it for 160 acres on section 14, Sonora Township, which was im- proved for those times, but not according to modern ideas. Since then he has replaced the buildings with new ones, and put in many other improvements until he now has a very fine and valuable property. Here he carries on general farming and raises Shorthorn cattle.

Mr. and Mrs. Radel became the parents of the following children : Roy, who was born Au- gust 20, 1884, works the home place, and owns eighty acres in this township, attended the com- mon schools and Ft. Madison Business College, was married to Valeria Krueger and they have two children, James, born April 20, 1914, and Edward, born September 13, 1917; Ida, who was born October 25, 1886, is Mrs. William Porth, of Appanoose Township; Ollie, who was born February 24, 1889, is the widow of Charles Lewis, and has two children, Thomas, born December 3, 1915, and Charles, born November 16, 1917; and Augusta, who was born July 6, 1892, was married to Carl Wilkins of Sonora Township, and they have one son, Ambrose, born July 11, 1916. In his youth, Mr. Radel at- tended the common schools of his district, and his wife attended St. Mary's Academy at Nau- voo. They are Catholics. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has served as highway com- missioner and school director.

RADEL, Peter, now deceased, was one of the enterprising and successful general farmers and stockraisers of Sonora Township. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 29, 1840, a son of Peter and Caroline Radel, who left Germany in 1854 on a sailing vessel, and came to the United States and by way of New Orleans, up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa. Soon thereafter they came to Nauvoo, where the father died.

Peter Radel attended the schools of Germany. After coming to this country he was engaged in farming, and in 1872 moved on an unim- proved farm in Sonora Township, which he

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bought. This he improved, erecteu new build- ings, and added to its acreage until there are now 300 acres in the farm, of which 208 acres are in Sonora Township and seventy-six acres in Rock Creek Township. Here he carried on general farming and stockraising until his death, which occurred October 24, 1917.

In December, 1872, Mr. Radel was married to Louisa Huber, born at Nauvoo, on November 12, 1847, a daughter of Martin and Christine Huber, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to the United States, and settled at Nauvoo in the spring of 1847. Mrs. Huber died about 1850, and Mr. Huber married (second) a Miss

Ritter. He was a wagonmaker by trade, but later in life became a farmer. Mrs. Radel at- tended the public schools of Nauvoo. She and Mr. Radel became the parents of the following children: Alvin, who died at the age of two years and seven months; Clara, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Orlando, who lives in Rock Creek Township; Minnie, who is Mrs. John Kelly, of western Mississippi; and Emma, who lives with her mother on the homestead, which Orlando conducts. The family are all Catholics. Mr. Radel was a very highly re- spected man, and stood high in his community, as he deserved to do.

RADEL, Orlando, one of the substantial farm- ers of Senora Township, owns and operates a farm of eighty acres. He was born in Senora Township, March 7, 1879, a son of Peter and Louisa (Hoover) Radel. Orlando Radel was reared in Sonora Township, and he attended the Christy district school. From boyhood he has been engaged in farm work, and far a time after his marriage in 1900, he rented land, but in 1902 he located on the family homestead of eighty acres which he owns. This farm, how- ever, is not extensive enough for his operations, and so he rents additional land to the extent of 120 acres, and has it all in a high state of cultivation.

On August 26, 1900, Orlando Radel was mar- ried to Lucy Sanders, born in Sonora Township, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah Jane (Mar- shall) Sanders. Mr. and Mrs. Radel have one son, Orville, who was born July 31, 1903. . Mr. Radel is a Catholic. Fraternally he belongs to the Moose Lodge No. 671, of Madison, Iowa. Hav- ing been engaged in farming all of his life, Mr. Radel is very experienced and knows just how to get the results from his work that make him a successful man and useful citizen.

RAHN, Albert C., who conducts the , only plumbing establishment at Nauvoo, is one of the representative business men of Hancock County. He was born at Nauvoo, September 18, 1868, a son of Justus and Eliza (Goodman) Rahn, natives of Germany. He started to the United States with his wife and four children, but had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died in mid-ocean. He with his four children, Fred, John and George, all of whom are de- ceased, and Marian, who is the widow of Ust Ort of Senora Township, located at Oquaka, Ill.,

where he was engaged in farming for a few years. In 1842 he located at Nauvoo, later buy- ing a farm in Senora Township, where he was engaged in farming until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then sold his farm, and returned to Nauvoo, where he bought land and conducted a vineyard until his death in 1893. He mar- ried the second time at Nauvoo, and his chil- dren by this marriage were as follows: Joseph, who lives at Princeton, Iowa; Addie, who lives at Nauvoo; Eliza, who is deceased; Albert C .; and Edward, who lives at Nauvoo. His wife died in 1886.

Albert C. Rahul attended the public schools of Hancock County, and from the time he was ten years old was self-supporting. When he was fifteen years old he began working for J. B. Ocking, general merchant, and remained with him for thirteen years, and then went into the plumbing business and was engaged in con- ducting plumbing establishments at various points until 1907, when he came to Nauvoo, and has given such universal satisfaction that no other plumber has found an opening here. Mr. Rahn has erected a fine modern residence at Nauvoo.

On October 10, 1893, Mr. Rahn was married to Irene Datin, born at Independence, Kas., a daughter of Valentine and Eliza (Black) Datin. Mr. and Mrs. Rahn have the following chil- dren : Inez, who is Mrs. Irvin Rimbold of Nau- voo; and Albert D., Harry J. and James J., all of whom are at home. Mr. Rahn is a Democrat and has served on both the high and graded school boards since 1910. Fraternally he be- longs to Nauvoo Lodge No. 222, I. O. O. F., and Modern Woodmen of America. The family be- long to the Presbyterian Church. A man of nigh principles, Mr. Rahn stands well in his community.

RAHN, George, a successful grape grower and general farmer of Nauvoo Township, is one of the substantial men of Hancock County. He was born in Sonora Township, April 4, 1870, a son of George and Mary (Chandler) Ralın, natives of Germany and England, respectively. The paternal grandparents, Justus and Eliza- beth (Swigart) Ralın, came to Hancock County in an early day; while the maternal grand- parents, Charles and Harriet (Bailey) Chandler, settled in Sonora Township in 1845. With the exception of a few years when they were at Des Moines, Iowa, the parents lived always in Sonora Township, and there the father died May 11, 1879, the mother surviving until in June, 1915. Their children were as follows: William, who is deceased; Charles, who lives in Sonora Township; George; and Warren A., who lives in Sonora Township.

George Rahn was reared in Sonora Township, and attended its district schools. When he was twenty-one years old he began working by the month. On September 28, 1902, he was mar- ried to Margarette Leininger, born in Germany, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Marzolf) Leininger. Mr. and Mrs. Rahn have three chil-

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dren, namely : Anita, Edgar and William. Af- ter his marriage, Mr. Rahn lived on rented land in Sonora Township for four years, and then bought twelve acres in the northern part of Nauvoo, which is all devoted to grapes. In addition to cultivating this land, for his vines, he rents other acreage, and carries on general farming. Mr. Rahn is a Lutheran, and is trus- tee of his church. He served as tax collector for several terms, being elected on the Demo- cratic ticket, and he has also been a school di- rector. An enterprising man he has made the most of his opportunities, and stands very well with his neighbors and associates.

RAICH, William P., now deceased, is remem- bered as one of the successful insurance men of Hancock County, with headquarters at War- saw. He was born at Warsaw, November 15, 1858. a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Ross) Raich, born in Germnay. Frederick Raich was a stonemason by trade, and in 1856 he came to the united States, and spent a short time at Louisville, Ky., soon afterward coming to War- saw, where he died in 1882. His wife died in 1862.

William P. Raich attended the public schools of Warsaw, and when fifteen years old he began working in a grocery as errand boy, being pro- moted to a clerkship two years later. From 1876 to 1877 he worked as a grocery clerk for a Mr. Stroh, and in the latter year became bookkeeper for Eckbolm & Dross, remaining with that firm for fifteen years. During that time he became interested in insurance, in 1893 opened up an insurance office and became the representative of several of the leading fire insurance companies of the country, and when he died, June 17, 1914, his widow assumed the responsibilities of the business, now represent- ing ten fire and tornado insurance companies.

On November 11, 1884, Mr. Raich was married to Louisa A. Schott, born in Warsaw, a daughter of John and Catherine (George) Schott, natives of Germany, who came to the United States when young and were married in 1855, at St. Louis, Mo., and then came to Warsaw. Mr. Schott conducted a brewery at Warsaw. Mr. and Mrs. Raich became the parents of the following children : Bertha Frances, who died in infancy ; Clara Catherine, who is at home; George W., who is in the coast artillery at Santiago, Cal .; Fred A., who is in the quartermaster's depart- ment at Newport News; Carrie P., who is a public schoolteacher; Laura Anna, who died at the age of two years; Edwin J., who lives at Warsaw ; and Anna Louise, who died in infancy.

In addition to his insurance business, Mr. Raich was one of the organizers of the Warsaw Pickle Company, and continued a stockholder. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as alderman of the Second Ward in 1889; was collector of Warsaw in 1887 ; assessor of Warsaw in 1893, and held other local offices. For many years he was prominent in the Warsaw Lodge, I. O. O. F. When he died, Warsaw lost a fine citizen, and his friends and family a man of high character, whose every intention was to

render them the best service that lay in his power.

RAMPLEY, Riley, now deceased, was for many years one of the substantial men of Hancock County, and an extensive landowner of Walker Township. He was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, August 25, 1835, a son of James and Elizabeth (Chaney) Rampley, natives of Mary- land and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in Ohio where they resided for some years, and then came to Walker Town- ship, Hancock County, Ill., where they bought land and lived until claimed by death. On Sep- tember 7, 1862, Riley Rampley enlisted for serv- ice during the Civil War in Company D, Seventy- eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was dis- charged June 7, 1865, being under the imme- diate command of Capt. John B. Worrell. Dur- ing one of the battles in which he participated, Mr. Rampley suffered from sunstroke.

Upon his return from the war, Mr. Rampley resumed farming in Walker Township. On Oc- tober 6, 1867, he was married to Nancy New- man, born in Rush County, Ind., July 8, 1846, a daughter of William and Rebecca (Tinsley) Newman, natives of Kentucky, came to Han- cock County, and after several changes located in St. Albans Township, there buying a farm. Still later they moved to Sheridan County, Mo. After his marriage Mr. Rampley moved to a farm in Walker Township, cleared it off and improved it. There he lived until his death in 1893. Mrs. Rampley continued to live on the farm until 1904, when she bought eight lots, a residence and two and one-half acres of land at West Point, where she has since lived.

Mr. and Mrs. Rampley had the following children : William, who is living on the home- stead ; Charles, who lives at Mercer, Mo .; Laura, who is Mrs. Charles Markley, a widow, living at Wast Point, Ill .; Martha, who is Mrs. Ross Gillham, of Morristown, Minn .; Mary, who is Mrs. John Walker, of Walker Township; Sylvia, who died at the age of eighteen years; Louis, who lives at Bowen, Ill .; Flora, who is Mrs. Harry Sparks of Trueman, Minn .; Fannie, who is Mrs. Charles Neal, of St. Albans Township; Orpha, who is Mrs. Virgil Howard of Denver, Ill. ; and Virgil, who served with the Fifth Am- munition Train in France during the Great War, is now at home. Mr. Rampley was a Re- publican. Both he and his wife early joined the Christian Church, and he died firm in that faith, having been a good man and loyal citi- zen, and one who worked hard to acquire ample means for his family.

RAND, Harry Stanley, one of the successful grain farmers of Pontoosuc Township, is inter- ested also in several business concerns in Han- cock County. He was born in Pontoosuc Town- ship, September 12, 1884, a son of Edwin H. and Mary Louise (Harper) Rand, natives of Quincy, Ill., and New York state. The pater- nal grandparents were born in New Hampshire, but came in an early day to Quincy, Ill. Ed- win H. Rand died December 28, 1916, his wife

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having passed away November 12, 1913. Their children were as follows: Charles, who lives in Wyoming ; Addie, who is Mrs. Berry Siens, of Dallas Township; Pearl L., who lives on the home place; Carrie, who is Mrs. John Barker, of Pontoosuc; Nellie L., who is Mrs. Claude Daley, is a widow who lives at Chicago, Ill .; Frederick E., and Harry Stanley. Frederick E. Rand lias seen much military service. He en- listed for service in the Spanish-American War, in 1898, and served through the war in the Philippines and in the trouble on the Mexican border, and during the Great War served in France as major in the One Hundred Thirty- second Infantry.

Harry S. Rand attended the common schools of his locality, and spent two years at the Pon- toosuc High school. He then took a commer- cial course in the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Ill. From the age of sixteen years he has worked on the home farm of 320 acres in the southern part of Pontoosuc and in Pon- toosuc Township, and he now has a one-third interest in the farm. He carries on grain farm- ing and raises Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and is very successful in his work.

On September 3. 1914, Mr. Rand was mar- ried to Lucile Moyes, born in Pontoosuc, a daughter of David and Cordelia (Leavitt) Moyes. Mr. and Mrs. Rand have no children. Mrs. Rand is a Presbyterian. In politics Mr. Rand is a Republican, and he is a member of the city council of Pontoosuc. He is a director of the Farmers State Bank of Dallas City, and has had other interests in both Pontoosuc and Dallas City. Experienced as a farmer, he knows how to get the best results from his land. and his advice is often sought and acted upon in agricultural matters.

RANDALL, Fred, one of the progressive young business men of La Harpe. is connected with the First National Bank of this city as assistant cashier, and is one of the reliable employes of this sound financial institution. He was born in La Harpe, March 28, 1879, the only child of his parents, Charles and Matilda E. (Sights) Randall. Charles Randall spent his life in Hancock County, for many years being a success- ful contractor located at La Harpe.

After attending the public schools of La Harpe, Fred Randall entered Gittings Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1896. Im- mediately thereafter he went into a printing office and learned the various branches of the business, and he also was engaged in clerking in a grocery store. On September 24, 1917, he became bookkeeper for the First National Bank of La Harpe, and his ability as an accountant has justified the selection of him by the bank officials. A Republican, he has been very active in his party and has served as tax collector and town clerk, and for one term he was mayor of La Harpe. An Odd Fellow he was secretary of the local lodge for ten years, and is now past grand and past chief patriarch. The Ma- sonic order also holds his membership, he being a past master ; also a member of the La Harpe

Chapter Royal Arch Masons. A man of energy and talent, he has known how to make his efforts count and at the same time to render a loyal service to his community.

RANDELL, Virgil D., who owns and operates 200 acres of well improved land on section 18, Augusta Township, is one of the representative farmers of Hancock County. He was born in Missouri, September 30, 1894, a son of Theo- dore and Ella (Campbell) Randell, natives of Illinois, now living at No. 96 Fulton Street, Galesburg, Ill.

Virgil D. Randell attended the district schools at the Bowen and Quincy high schools, and remained at home with his parents until 1914 when he was married and moved on his present farm. Here he is successfully engaged in operating his land, and is doing general farming.

On December 23, 1914, Mr. Randell was mar- ried to Erma B. Trunwald, at Quincy, Ill. She was born on the farm where she and her hus- band now reside, and is a daughter of Fred and Lizzie Trunwald. Mr. and Mrs. Randell have one son, Paul G. In politics Mr. Randell is in- dependent, preferring to vote according to his own judgment, and not be bound by party ties. He holds a policy in the Hancock County Mu- tual Life Insurance Company, his local pride leading him to give support to home projects. Both he and his wife are very popular in their community and are recognized as being among the leading young people of this section.

RAWSON, William Henry, a general farmer and stockraiser of Fountain Green Township, is one of the representative agriculturalists ot Hancock County. He was born in Schuyler County, Ill., August 7, 1858, a son of William and Keziah (Bonscer) Rawson, natives of Northampshire, England, and Schuyler County, Ill., respectively. The father was married in England, the mother of William Henry Raw- son being his second wife, and the next day started for the United States with his wife, landing on Long Island, N. Y., later moving to Indiana, where Mrs. Rawson died. He and a brother-in-law then traveled on foot and horseback to Schuyler County, Ill., having but one horse, so that they alternated riding and walking.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 134

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