Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 135

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 135

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After his arrival in Schuyler County, William Rawson met and married Keziah Bonscer, a daughter of Thomas Bonscer, a native of Eng- land, who had married a lady of Kentucky birtlı. William Rawson sold clapboards which he cut, marketing 10,000 of them at Frederick, Ill., using the money he received to buy the first horse he ever owned. Later he rented a farm, but continued to work in the timber dur- ing the winters until he was able to buy a farm. This he continued to operate until his deatlı in 1905. Since then his widow has continued to live on her farm. Their children were as follows: William Henry ; Mary E., who lives with her mother; Charles Wesley, who lives at Quincy, Ill .; Thomas, who lives at Lexington,

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Neb .; James Adelbert, Frank, who lives at Wynoka, Okła., and Martha Ann, Fred and Alta May, all of whom are deceased.

William Henry Rawson attended the schools - of his district, and remained on the farm until his marriage, which took place February 23, 1883, when he was united with Lydia Bell Clark, born in Brown County, Ill., March 16, 1865, a daughter of Nathaniel and Jane (Wells) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Rawson became the parents of the following children : Clarence, who was born July 26, 1884, died February 3, 1899; William Marion, who was born October 20, 1893, was married to Hazel Brooks, and they have one daughter, Clydell, and live in Fountain Green Township. After his marriage, Mr. Rawson rented land in Schuyler County for three years, and for one year in Adams County, and then came to Hancock County, where for four years he was a renter in Pilot Grove Township. He then moved to Fountain Green Township, where he rented land until 1901, at which time he bought 100 acres of improved land, on section 29, Fountain Green Township. He has built a fine modern residence on this farm, and other- wise improved the place. Mr. Rawson has al- ways carried on general farming and stock raising, specializing on Poland-China hogs. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics a Democrat, he has served his town- ship as collector for three years, and assessor for one year. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife be- longs to the Royal Neighbors. An excellent farmer and good citizen, Mr. Rawson stands very high in his neighborhood, and deserves the prosperity which has come to him.

RAY, Daniel T. and George W. are numbered among the most progressive farmers of Han- cock County, and they own and operate a highly improved farm on section 36, Dallas Township. Daniel T. Ray was born February 23, 1859, and George W. Ray was born April 22, 1865, they being sons of Thomas L. and Mary E. (Barr) Ray.

Thomas L. Ray was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., November 18, 1827, a son of Wash- ington L. and Frances Ray, also natives of Ken- tucky, where Washington L. Ray was born in 1805. Mrs. Mary E. (Barr) Ray was born May 5, 1838, and on May 5, 1857, she was united in marriage with Thomas L. Ray. In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Ray came to Hancock County by way of the Ohio and Mississippi riv- ers, arriving at Dallas City on November 14 of that year. At first they rented land in Dallas Township, but in the spring of 1857 bought forty acres of land in Pilot Grove Township. In the spring of 1870, they returned to Dallas Township and bought the farm now owned by their sons, where Thomas L. Ray died May 6, 1891. His widow survived him until July 9, 1914, when she too passed away. Their chil- dren were as follows: Daniel T. and George W., whose names head this review; Sarah E., the second child, who was born June 19, 1861,

died March 17, 1907; Mary J., who was born June 1, 1863, died November 29, 1865; Emma E., who was born March 14, 1867, is Mrs. George Boyer of Fort Madison, Iowa; and Anna F., who was born October 27, 1875, died July 16, 1890.

The two surviving members of the family in Hancock County, have conducted the homestead since their father's death, and since 1888 have conducted a threshing outfit. They have made a number of improvements on their property, including the erection of a machine shop 26x42 feet ; a corn crib 28x42 feet ; a coal house 14x18 feet, with a nine foot slide; a hen house 12x22 feet ; and have put in 1,040 rods of tiling. They do general farming and raise Barred Plymouth Rock and Orpington poultry. During the life- time of Thomas L. Ray, considerable stock was raised on this farm, but the brothers confine themselves to general farming and poultry rais- ing and the conduct of their threshing outfit, doing all the work of threshing in their neigh- borhood.

Both brothers attended the Oak Grove dis- trict school and the school sof Colusa, and the other children went to the Colusa schools. Thomas L. Ray and his wife belonged to the Baptist Church, but the sons do not belong to any religious organizations. They are Demo- crats, and Daniel T. Ray served for fifteen years as road commissioner and as a member of the school board. The brothers belong to Co- lusa Camp No. 3601, M. W. A., the Hancock County Mutual Association and the Illinois Bankers Association, and are well known and universally respected.

REA, Grant A., one of the prosperous agricul- turalists of Rock Creek Township, is profitably engaged in general farming and raising running horses. He was born in Rock Creek Township, November 22. 1863, a son of John and Clestina (Huckens) Rea, he born in Chester County, Pa., and she on the border line between Vermont and New Hampshire. They came to Hancock County at an early day, and located on a farm in Rock Creek Township.

Grant A. Rea grew up on the homestead, and attended the Lincoln district school. In 1889 he was married to Minnie Bell, a daughter of James and Mary (Marshall) Bell, he born in Ohio or Indiana, and she in Hancock County, Ill. The Bell and Marshall fa- milies were early settlers of Hancock County. Mrs. Rea was born in Hancock County, and attended its schools. After their marriage, Mr. . and Mrs. Rea moved on section 20, Rock Creek Township, where he owns eighty acres of land. He has made all of the improvements on his farm, and carries on general farming, special- izing on raising running horses upon an exten- sive scale. Mr. and Mrs. Rea have had the fol- lowing children born to them : Clestina, who died at the age of two years; Emile and Dee, who now are at home; and Frank, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Rea's two sons, Emile and Dee, served as soldiers in the Great War,

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Emile going to France with the American Ex- peditionary Force, and Dee being in training at Camp Grant, Ill. Both have been honor- ably discharged. In politics Mr. Rea and his sons are Republicans.

REAUGH, Hon. Ernest O., member of the Fif- tieth General Assembly of Illinois from Hancock County, and one of the distinguished men of this part of the state, was born in Adams County, Ill., February 22, 1880, a son of Clark and Elizabeth (Hendricks) Reaugh, both born in Adams County, Ill., where they were reared, educated and married. Clark Reaugh was a clerk for a time, then engaged in farming and finally with his son Ernest O., bought the Bowen Chronicle and edited and issued it under the firm name of C. & E. Reaugh until the junior partner was elected circuit court recorder of Hancock County, in November, 190S. He was re-elected to the same office in 1912, and held these offices until December, 1916, he was elected a member of the Legislature, to which body he was returned in November, 1918.

Ernest O. Reaugh attended the grammar and high schools of his native county, and the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill. On Novem- ber 19, 1913, Mr. Reaugh was married to Sarah Myers, a graduate of the Quincy Conservatory of Music, and a daughter of LeRoy and Mar- garet Myers. Mr. and Mrs. Reaugh belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Reaugh also belongs to Hancock Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and to the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Democrat and it is needless to say, has always been very active in public affairs, serving as a member of the Hancock County Central Committee for a number of years and holding some of the local offices, including that of tax collector of his township. While Mr. Reaugh has devoted a considerable portion of his time to serving the public, he has not neglected his private affairs, but was a successful farmer. He owned a fine farm in Carthage Township which he disposed of in March, 1918. Although still a young man he has progressed far on the road to success, and further honors doubtless await him, for his record shows that he is honorable, high-minded and capable, and these qualities are those most needed in public men, especially at a time when unusually important matters are being constantly brought up for their con- sideration.

REED, Johnson Wesley, a general farmer of Montebello Township, is one of the progressive agriculturists of Hancock County. He was born in Appanoose Township, October 25, 1874, a son of William Wesley and Johanna (Johnson) Reed, both born in Appanoose Township. John D. Johnson, the maternal grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, but came at a very early date to Appanoose Township, as did the paternal grandfather. After their marriage, the parents settled in Appanoose Township, where they lived until 1882, at which time they moved to Sonora Township, and remained there until 1892. They

then moved to another farm in the same town- ship, and in 1902 went to Wythe Township, re- maining there for two years, when they went to Montebello Township. In 1905 they made an- other change, locating in Prairie Township, where they remained until 1914, when they went to Nauvoo. Their children were two in number, namely : Johnson Wesley, and Nellie Emma, who died in December, 1907.

Johnson Wesley Reed attended the district schools and learned to be a farmer under his father's instruction. After he was married he went to Emmett County, Iowa, and lived there for two years on a farm. Returning to Han- cock County, he rented land in Montebello Township until he bought his present eighty-five- acre farm. Since purchasing it, he has rebuilt all the buildings and made many other improve- ments. He carries on general farming.

On February 12, 1902, Mr. Reed was married to Emma Augusta Hamburg, born in Sonora Township, a daughter of Herman and Caroline Hamburg. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have no chil- dren. In politics he is a Republican. A man well versed in agricultural matters, he has suc- ceeded in his undertakings, and is numbered among the leaders in his neighborhood.

RHEA, L. J., M. D., who belongs to the older class of physicians in Hancock County, is one of the most successful and highly regarded of his profession in the county and in and about La Harpe, where he is engaged in an active practice. He was born in Hancock County, June 8. 1854, one of the five children of his par- ents, Calway L. and Sarah J. (Smith) Rhea. Calway L. Rhea was born in Tennessee, which state he left in 1830 for Illinois, and located in Hancock County. For a number of years he was successfully engaged in farming in Han- cock Township, where he became a heavy land- owner, and there he died May 15, 1886. The mother is also deceased.

L. J. Rhea attended the public schools of Hancock County, then entering the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, was graduated therefrom in 1882. He took a post graduate course at Chicago in 1900. Since 1883 Dr. Rhea has made Hancock County his home and is one of its best known citizens as well as professional men.

Dr. Rhea was married to Miss Susan M. Ber- ry, a daughter of Acery Berry, and a member of one of Hancock County's old families. Dr. and Mrs. Rhea have the following children : Ollie E., who is a resident of Quincy, Ill. ; Mamie B., who is the wife of Clyde B. Hull, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Atlee A., who lives at La Harpe. The Christian Church holds the mem- bership of Dr. Rhea and his family. Politically a Democrat, fraternally he is a Mason. He is conveniently located in the First National Bank building, and his office is equipped with all mo- dern appliances.

RICE, Absalom Kneeland, one of the business men of Dallas City, who is well known through- out the county, was born in Henderson County,

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Ill., August 5, 1852, a son of Jonathan Hick- man Peckenfew and Elizabeth (Scott) Rice, early settlers of Henderson County, Ill., who after a long residence in that section of the state, spent their last years at Dallas City, Ill., being engaged in conducting a hotel that was very popular with the traveling public.

When Absalom K. Rice was a small boy, his parents moved to Dallas City and he attended its schools, and then learned the harness-making trade. Later he embarked in a harness business and made harness and saddles for about ten years, then sold this business, and is now en- gaged in conducting a harness · repair and a shoe shop.

On March 26, 1882, Mr. Rice was married to Laura Malissa Manifold, born in Durham Township, a daughter of Benjamin Jasper and Cornelia Van Dorn (Hutton) Manifold, natives of Tennessee and New York state. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Rice were George and Mary Manifold, and in 1836 they came from Tennessee, where they were born, to Durham Township and entered land from the govern- ment. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Rice were Samuel and Mary Hutton, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have always lived at Dallas City since their marriage. In 1896 they erected a fine residence, which continues to be their home. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have the following children : Elizabeth Van Dorn, who is Mrs. Ira P. Bowlin of Bussey, Iowa, has had three children, Keith M. Van Dorn, deceased, and Kenneth K., and Laura I .; Jasper Hickman, who lives at Kan- sas City, Mo., married Pearl Penrod, and they have one son, Richard S .; Charles Kneeland, who served in the United States army during the World War. Mr. Rice is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America. He is one of the representa- tive men of his community, and he and his family stand very well in public estimation.

RICE, Clark H., now deceased, was formerly an extensive general farmer and stockraiser of Durham Township, and was a recognized author- ity on agricultural matters. He was born in Durham Township, August 30. 1866, a son of Fayette and Blair Counties, Pa.

On January 1, 1891, Clark H. Rice was mar- ried to Laura M. Bradfield, born at Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa, January 4, 1870, a Henry and Elizabeth (Stoner) Rice, natives of daughter of James N. and Ada (Wolf) Brad- field, natives of Virginia and Ohio, who, after being married in Ohio, went to Iowa, and from there, in 1870, came to Durham Township, where both died. After his marriage, Mr. Rice moved to his father-in-law's farm in Durham Town- ship, but in 1893 went to Bradshaw, Neb., where he bought an improved farm of 160 acres, and conducted it for three years. He then sold his farm and returned to Durham Township, where he spent a year. For the subsequent six years he was engaged in farming his father's farm in Lee County, Iowa, but then returned to Han- cock County and bought 160 acres of land in

Pontoosic Township, that was improved. After seven years, he sold that farm and bought his father's homestead in Durham Township, com- prising 160 acres of improved land, on which were modern buildings. He was a progressive farmer and large feeder and raiser of stock, and he continued to operate his land until his death which occurred March 5, 1916, since which time his widow and children have continued to conduct the farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Rice had the following children : Bertha E., who was born October 25, 1891; died July 19, 1899; Charles L., who was born April 26, 1898, is at home; a son, twin of Charles, was born dead; Eulah E., who was born July 5, 1903, died August 29, 1903; and Earl B., who was born April 8, 1908, is at home. Mr. Rice attended the district schools, and El- liott's Business College of Burlington, Iowa, and was a well informed man. Mrs. Rice attended the district schools. A consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Rice was active in religious work, and was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. In poli- tics he was a Republican.

RICE, Cyrus D., one of the progressive farmers of Hancock County, owns and operates the fa- mous Hill Crest Stock Farm of Durham Town- ship. He was born in Adams County, Ill., June 21, 1863, a son of John and Mary (Davidsou) Rice, natives of Pennsylvania, who were mar- ried in that state, and soon thereafter moved to Adams County, Ill., where he died in 1903, but she survives him and still resides in Adams County.

Cyrus D. Rice attended the district schools and grew up on a farm. In the spring of 1885 he came to Durham Township, and worked by the month for four years. In the spring of 1889 he went to York County, Nebr., and was engaged in farming in that region for a year. He then returned to Durham Township, and renting land began farming on his own account, remaining there until when in the spring of 1892, he bought 157 acres of improved land. Since then he has made many important changes on his farm, erecting modern build- ings and putting in machinery that add very much to its value. He has added to his farm until he now owns 297 acres of finely improved land, and here he carries on general farming and raises upon an extensive scale draft horses, Poled-Angus cattle and Poland-China and Duroc-Jersey hogs. His product is known throughout a wide territory and commands banner prices on account of superiority in every respect.

In February, 1889, Mr. Rice was married to Maggie C. Hurdle, born in La Harpe Town- ship, a daughter of John and Elmira (Barr) Hurdle. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have the following children : Lloyd, who served in the National Army during the Great War, married Fern Strickler, and they have one daughter, Helen May; and V. Yale, who was also prepared for service in the National Army, but was not sent

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to France, the signing of the armistice obviat- ing the necessity for the shipment of any more troops. Mr. Rice is a firm believer in improv- ing the public schools, in securing good teach- ers, and has served his district as a school di- rector and trustee. In politics he is a Demo- crat. The Methodist Episcopal Church holds his membership, and he has served it as stew- ard and trustee, and for a number of years, has been superintendent of the Sunday school connected with it.

RICE, Cyrus Strickler, M. D., now deceased, was at one time one of the most successful pro- fessional and business men of Disco, and a man widely known and universally respected. He was born near Pennville, Pa., January 14, 1847, a son of Rev. Samuel and Frances (Strickler) Rice, natives of Fayette County, Pa. Rev. Samuel Rice was a minister of the Brethren in Christ denomination, and in 1866 moved to eastern Ohio. In 1868, his son, Cyrus Strickler Rice, left the parental roof and came to Disco, Ill. For the subsequent five years he taught school, and then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and attended the med- ical department for one term, then returning to Disco, he resumed his educational duties, and taught for one term, when he returned to the university and completed his medical course, being graduated in medicine March 29, 1876. Coming back to Disco, he alternated practicing his profession and teaching school for one year, and then embarked in a drug business and con- tinued it until his death which occurred Decem- ber 28, 1899. He served for two whole terms and a part of a third as postmaster of Disco. At the time of his death, he owned 400 acres of valuable land in Durham Township as well as residence property at Disco.

On September 13, 1876, Dr. Rice was married to Ida L. Manifold, born in Durham Township, March 20, 1856, a daughter of Benjamin Jasper and Cornelia (Hutton) Manifold, who came to Illinois in 1836, and in 1845 to this county. They were natives of Tennessee and New York, respectively. Mrs. Rice is a granddaughter of George and Mary (Pursley) Manifold, natives of Tennessee, and Samuel and Mary (Bryan) Hutton, natives of New York. Timothy Hutton, great-grandfather of Mrs. Rice was a soldier of the American Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Rice had the following children: Vilas Edwin, who married Jane Robertson, has one son, Vilas, E., who lives on Ferndale Farm in Durham Town- ship; Virgil Samuel and J. Constance, both of whom are living with their mother; Benjamin Edison and Victor Manifold, who are both de- ceased, the former dying at the age of nine years, and the latter at the age of six years. The home at Disco owned by Mr. Rice is a mag- nificent one, and the residence on it is as con- venient and modern as could be found in many of the large cities.

RICE, Thomas Scott, an honored resident of Dallas City, is one of the men who served his country during the Civil War. He was born in

Mead County, Ky., January 27, 1843, a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Scott) Rice, natives of Indiana and Kentucky. After their marriage, Jonathan Rice and his wife located in Kentucky, where they remained until the winter of 1847-8, when they came to Hancock County, Ill. He be- came a merchant of Pontoosic, although prior to that he had worked at his trade of carpenter. In 1861 he moved to Henderson County, Ill., and settled on a farm his father-in-law gave to him and his wife. There they lived for some years, then moved back to Hancock County, and he con- ducted a hotel at Dallas City until 1870, when he sold and retired. His children were as follows : Alice, who is now Mrs. G. Wibble; Susan who is Mrs. Roe Carper; Lina, who is Mrs. Monroe Schafner; Alfred Lear, who lives at Fairfield, Iowa; Melissa, who is Mrs. Charles Hallowell, of Dallas City ; and Absolom, twin brother of Melissa.

In the spring of 1862, Thomas Scott Rice, who had been reared in Hancock County and attended its schools, enlisted in defense of his country, in Company H, Seventy-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Dallas City, Ill., for service in the Civil War, and was sent with this regiment to Kentucky in pursuit of General Morgan. He was also at the siege of Fort Donelson, after which the regiment was sent to Tennessee and thence to Georgia, participating in all in thirty- six battles. He was twice wounded. At the bat- tle of Chickamauga, he was shot in the shin bone, and also in the left breast near the heart. While with General Sherman on the march to the sea, he was taken prisoner, but fortunately he had been able to retain his revolver, and he shot the guard, and thus he and the other soldier whom the guard was holding, escaped and joined the command of General Kilpatrick, who was nearby with his cavalry. Mr. Rice participated in the Grand Review at Washington, and was dicharged in June, 1865. After this he returned to Dallas City and for some time thereafter worked by the month on neighboring farms, then rented land in Henderson County for two years, and then moved on a farm just north of Dallas City. After working on the construction of the C. B. & Q. Railroad for five years, he conducted a farm owned by his uncle Benjamin Burrington, in Knox County, Ill., for three years, when he returned once more to Dallas City and here con- ducted a fish market until 1914, when he retired.

On December 20, 1868, he was married to Elsie L. Baldwin, born in Warren County, Ill., a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hopper) Baldwin. Mr. and Mrs. Rice became the parents of two children: William and Harry, both of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Rice is a Republican, and has held local offices, and could have been elected to others had he been willing to accept the nomination to them. The Allen Post No. 621, G. A. R. of Dallas City, has in him a faithful and useful member. Dur- ing his long residence in and about Dallas City, he has won and retained the warm personal friendship of its leading men, and by them and all who know him, he is held in the highest esteem.

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RICHARDS, Philip, one of the prosperous gen- eral farmers and stockraisers of Rock Creek Township, is a man widely and favorably known. He was born on section 26, Rock Creek Town- ship, November 4, 1859, a son of Josiah W. and Marian H. (Judy) Richards, he born in Vir- ginia in 1822, and she in Grant County, Ky., in 1824. The paternal grandfather, William Rich- ards, was one of the earliest settlers of Burton, Ill., coming to Adams County about 1840, and taking up a big tract of land, on which his son Josiah W. Richards was reared, and lived until his marriage in 1845. The maternal grand- parents were William Winehark and Dosia (Tracy) Judy, the former of whom was born in Germany, but came to the United States and settled in Kentucky.

After their marriage, Posiah W. Richards and his wife lived in Adams County, until 1858, when they came to Hancock County, and bought 160 acres in Rock Creek Township, which were unimproved. While engaged in clearing the land, Josiah W. Richards was killed in an accident, a tree he was chopping down falling upon him, September 26, 1866. His widow con- tinued to reside upon the farm until her death August 8, 1885. Their children were as follows : William F., who lives at Lamona, Iowa; Mar- garet A., who died August 26, 1871; Albert P., who died September 10, 1871; Armstead, who died in 1917; Docia C., who is the widow of Robert Cunningham, lives at Ferris, Ill .; Mary, who died in 1880; John A., who lives at Nashua, Iowa; J. B., who lives at Jules- burg, Col .; Philip; Louisa J., who was Mrs. George D. Riel, is deceased; and Josiah W., who lives at Ferris, Ill.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 135

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