Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 136

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 136

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Philip Richards attended the district schools, and remained at home. On December 20, 1885, he was married to Olena M. Thompson, born in Carthage Township, a daughter of Charles and Henrietta (Wilkie) Thompson, he born at Hopkinsville, Ky., and she near Cincinnati, Ohio. After his marriage, Philip Richards bought the interest of the other heirs in the homestead, but later sold eighty acres of the original 160 acres to his brother, J. W. Richards. Philip Richards also owns forty acres adjoining his home farm. In 1890 his barn was destroyed by fire, and he replaced it by a new one. The other improvements were made by his mother during her widowhood. Here Mr. Richards carries on general farming and raises Percheron horses and Poland-China hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. Richards have two children : Nellie M., who is Mrs. Robert Clark, of Monte- bello Township, and Merl B., who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Richards attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the first trustee of the Village of Ferris, and has been police ma- gistrate, tax collector, constable, school trustee and director, and has held other local offices, being elected on the Democratic ticket. His fraternal connections are with Ferris Camp, M. W. A.

RICHARDS, Sid, one of the enterprising farm- ers of St. Mary's Township, owns 105 acres

of valuable land on section 14 of this township. He was born in Illinois, October 30, 1852, a son of Newton and Eliza A. (Van Dyke) Rich- ards, natives of Indiana, who came to Illinois at an early day. Newton Richards was a farmer and he died when his son Sid Richards was eight years old. The widowed mother later passed away in Hancock County. The father was a Democrat, and served as a justice of the peace for some years.

Sid Richards was married in Hancock County, September 21, 1881, to Sarah J. Cloud, also a native of Illinois. They have three children, namely : Dr. Joseph L., who married Myrna Chapman, is practicing at Butte, Montana ; Robert L., who married Ethel Johnson, lives in Macomb, Ill .; and Floyd N., who married Leola Cutler is a farmer of St. Mary's Town- ship. Politically Mr. Richards is a Democrat, but he has never sought office, preferring to confine himself to his private affairs. His fra- ternal connections are with the Modern Wood- men of America. In 1902 he bought his present farm, which he has since improved, and here he carries on general farming and stockraising. He is a man who holds the confidence of his neighborhood.

RICHARDSON, William H., now deceased, was at one time one of the responsible men of Han- cock County, and a well known figure in Rock Creek Township. He was born in Harrison County, W. Va., January 18, 1853, a son of George L. and Maria Richardson, of West Vir- ginia. In 1869 they came to Hancock County and located near Elvaston, in Prairie Town- ship, there buying land.

William H. Richardson lived with his parents on the home farm, and also worked for other farmers, later renting land for himself. In 1893 he bought a partly improved farm of sev- enty-six acres in Rock Creek Township, all within the city of Ferris, erected new build- ings and made other improvements, and was engaged in farming the place until his death, August 19, 1914.

On October 18, 1877, Mr. Richardson was married to Alice Doud, born at Gardner, Grun- dy County, Ill., a daughter of Rev. Fayette and Ellen (Hartford) Doud, of Ohio. The father of Mrs. Richardson was a Methodist preacher. He died in July, 1891, his wife having passed away in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson became the parents of the following children: Edith L., who is a public school teacher, is living at home ; Ada G., who is Mrs. A. L. Casburn ; Ray, who died in 1900 at the age of sixteen and one-half years ; and Cleo G., who is also a public school teacher. Mr. Richardson was a Republican. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a trustee for many years. At one time he was a member of the order of Odd Fellows. A man of integrity and ability, he was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.

RIEL, John G., one of the landowners of Han- cock County, was formerly actively engaged in agricultural work, and his properties in Rock

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Creek and Prairie township, are valuable. He was born in Prairie Township, November 26, 1862, a son of Mathias and Martha C. (Wagner) Riel, natives of Bavaria, Germany, and west Virginia, respectively. In 1856 Mathias Riel came to the United States, stopped for two years at Chicago, and then came on to Hancock County. Martha C. Wagner was brought to Hancock County in childhood, by her parents. After their marriage, Mathias Riel and his wife located in Prairie Township, where both died. Their children were as follows : J. G .; a daugh- ter, who died in infancy ; Fred C., who is de- ceased ; Mary E., who lives at Harvey, Ill .; Hermina, who is Mrs. Robert Anderson, of Harvey, Ill .; and Lena, who married H. D. Snider who is deceased.

John G. Riel was reared in Prairie Township, and attended its schools, remaining at home until he was married in January, 1886, to Louisa J. Richards, born in Rock Creek Township, a daughter of Josiah and Marion Richards. After his marriage Mr. Riel rented a farm on section 3, Prairie Township for two years, and then bought eighty-eight acres of land, in Rock Creek Township, which was improved, paying $50 per acre for it. This land is now valued at $300 per acre. On it he erected new buildings, with the exception of the house, and that he modernized. He still lives on this farm, but rents it. While operating it he raised cattle and hogs, and was very successful. Mr. Riel also owns 121 acres of land in Prairie Township, which he rents. Of this farm, eighty acres are under cultivation and the balance is in pasture. Mrs. Riel died December 21, 1904, the mother of the following children : Florence M., who is Mrs. Jesse J. Wisehard, of Prairie Township; Ina, who died in infancy ; and Mary L., who is Mrs. Joseph A. Brown, of Denrock, Ill. Mr. Riel is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, of which he has been a trustee since 190S. He is a Republican, and is now serving his third term as supervisor of Rock Creek Township. His fraternal con. nections are with Ferris Lodge No. 674, I. O. O. F., and Burnside Lodge A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Hancock County Mutual Association. A man of high principles, Mr. Riel has always done what he belived to be his full duty, and his fellow citizens appreciate him as is shown in his re-election to the most im- portant office in the township.

RIGGINS, Homer Gardner, who is one of the prosperous modern general farmers and stock- raisers of Hancock Township, owns a finely de- veloped farm on section 15. He was born in Hancock Township, May 1, 1875, a son of Wit liam Monroe and Martha Jane (Gibson) Rig- gins, natives of Hancock Township, where the paternal grandparents, Jesse and Sally Ann (McCubbins) Riggins, natives of Kentucky and Hancock County, respectively, located after their marriage, and where the maternal grand- father, James Gibson, became an early settler. William M. Riggins located in Hancock Town- ship following his marriage, and was there en-

gaged in farming. He died there January 12, 1917, but his widow survives and makes her home on the old farm. Their children were as follows : ' Homer Gardner; John Sylvestor, who lives at Monmouth, Ill .; Birdie, who died at the age of twenty-one years, was the wife of John King ; and Cleveland, who is on the homestead with his mother.

Homer G. Riggins attended the Oak Grove district school, and remained at home with his parents until he began working for neighboring farmers, continuing to do so until March 18, 1901, when he bought seventy-eight acres of tim- ber land, on which he built a shack, and lived there alone for a time, clearing off his land, and improving it. In 1902 he added forty acres to the farm, which was also timber covered, but since then he has cleared this too, with the ex- ception of a few acres which he still keeps as woodland. He raises standard bred trotting horses, cattle, and hogs, and his produce com- mands the highest prices on account of the su- perior quality.

On November 25, 1902, Mr. Riggins was mar- ried to Sadie Ellen Jenkins, of Missouri, who died February 26, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Riggins had three children, namely : Anna and Leo, both of whom live with their paternal grandmother ; and Mattie, who died in infancy. On November 9. 1916, Mr. Riggins was married (second) to Mrs. Della (Seybold) Clark, born near Macomb, McDonough County, Ill., a daughter of Jasper and Henrietta (Maclin) Seybold, widow of Rob- ert Clark, born in Tennessee, near Chapel Hill. He died March 5, 1913, at Beardstown, Ill. Dur- ing his active years he was a fireman on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Prior to her marriage to Mr. Clark, Mrs. Riggins was married to Archie Hernden, by whom she had a daughter. Estella Marguerite, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Riggins. Mr. Riggins is a Demo- crat, and he served for five years as a school trustee. He belongs to Webster Lodge No. 1000, I. O. O. F., and to the Rebekahs.

RIGGINS, William Monroe, now deceased, was for many years one of the substantial and high- ly respected farmers and citizens of Hancock Township, where he was born February 14, 1848, a son of Jesse and Sally Ann (McCubbin) Riggins, natives of Kentucky, who became early settlers of Hancock County, where they died. They had the following children: Mary, who is Mrs. Thomas Ruddle, of Hancock Township; Martha, who is Mrs. Stanley Maynard, of Carthage; William Monroe; and Sylvestor, who lives in Hancock Township.

William Monroe Riggins was married Decem- ber 19, 1872, to Martha Jane Gibson, born in Hancock Township, April 2, 1855, a daughter of James and Mary L. (Dale) Gibson. early set- tlers of Hancock Township. The children in the Gibson family were as follows : J. W., who lives at Carthage; Clara, who is Mrs. Robert Dunn, of Dixon. Ill. ; Margaret, who is Mrs. Samuel Mos- ley, of Ferris, Ill .; and Fannie, who is Mrs. George Decker of Monroe County, Mo.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

After marriage Mr. Riggins moved into a log cabin on a 40-acre tract, all covered with tim- ber, in Hancock Township, and began cutting down the trees and putting the land under cul- tivation. He kept on adding to the farm until he had 120 acres all in one body, all of which he cleared and cultivated, and made many im- provements, including the erection of new buildings, fences, etc. As he was a blacksmith as well as a farmer, he conducted a shop on his farm, and after his sons became old enough to conduct the farm, he devoted himself to black- smithing. His death occurred January 13, 1917, his widow surviving him and continuing to live on the old homestead. Their children were as follows: Homer Gardner, who lives in Hancock Township, is spoken of elsewhere in this work; John, who lives in Warren County, Ill., married Viola Ruddel, who is now deceased. has three children, Minnie, Arol and Pearl; Birdie, who died at the age of twenty-one years, was Mrs. John King; and Cleveland, who helps his mother conduct the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rig- gins attended the district schools of Hancock Township. He belonged to the Christian Church of which he was an elder. A Democrat, he served as a tax collector and a justice of the peace for many years. He was a man of un- usual qualities. and his sense and good judg- ment were never questioned, so that many prob- lems were brought to him to solve, outside of his magisterial office, and when his advice was taken, regret was seldom experienced. Scrupu- lously honest, he never demanded of any man more than he was willing to perform himself, and few if any men in the community were held in higher respect.

RILEY, David I., who lived retired at Colusa for several years, was at one time one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County, and was a man who was held in the highest respect. He was born in Adams County, Ill .. on Big Neck Creek, December 16, 1856, and died Jan- uary 27. 1919, his burial being in Union Ceme- tery. His parents were William and Anna (Byler) Riley, natives of Ohio and Tennessee, both of whom had been previously married. The first wife of William Riley was Sarah Groves, and she bore him the following children: New- ton. who lives in Colorado; John, who lives in Henry County, Mo .; Jane and Melissa. who are both deceased ; and George and James, both of whom live at Stafford, Kas. Mrs. Riley was first married to Calvin White, and they had one son, R. C. White, who lives at Camp Point. Ill. Her second husband was Herman Byler, but they had no children. Mr. and Mrs. Riley were married in Adams County, Ill., where they lived on a farm until 1864, when they bought a farm situated in Durham and Dallas townships. Their children were as follows: Mary, who is deceased ; David I .; Alice, who is Mrs. James Gracey, of Dallas City, Ill .; Silas E., who is de- ceased ; and Louisa F., who is Mrs. John Cole- man, of Drexel, Mo.

On February 4, 1877, David I. Riley was mar-

ried to Lucinda M. Kelley, born in Appanoose County, Iowa, September 27, 1857, a daughter of James M. and Margaret (Ritchey) Kelley, na- tives of Tennessee. Following their marriage, they lived for eight years on his father's farm in Dallas Township and then bought eighty acres of land partly improved, that was located in Dur- ham Township, on which Mr. Riley erected a residence, and to which he first added 120 acres, and still later eighty acres more, all being on sections 30 and 31, Durham Township, and he also owned ten acres of timberland in Pilot Grove Township. In 1917 he erected a fine mod- ern residence at Colusa, to which he retired, renting his farms to his two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Riley became the parents of the following chil- dren : James W., who lives in Dallas Township; Leona, who died in childhood; and Clarence A. and Victor N., who are on the home farm. Mr. Riley attended the Union district school, and he served as a school director for twenty years, as supervisor for two terms, and as tax collector for one term, being elected on the Democratic ticket. Fraternally he belonged to Dallas City Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Colusa Camp, M. W. A. In every relation of life he was an honorable, worthy man.

RIST, Otho J., manager of the Mississippi Val- ley Telephone Company, the central offices of which are located at Carthage, is one of the substantial and representative business men of Hancock County, and one who stands very high in his community. He was born at Bowen, Ill., November 26, 1889, one of the two children born to his parents, John W. and Margaret E. (Syl- vester) Rist. John W. Rist has long resided in comfortable retirement at Bowen.

Otto J. Rist attended the common schools and the high school of his native place, and was early taught habits of thrift and industry which have remained with him. When he was nine- teen years old he entered the telephone busi- ness, and has ever since been connected with this line of endeavor, and was made manager of the Dallas City branch in 1913. Under him are four operators and he has every detail of his branch in excellent shape so that he can give the public a very satisfactory service.

Mr. Rist was united in marriage with Miss Bernice Stratton, a daughter of William Strat- ton, one of the well known men of Hancock County whose death occurred in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Rist have two children, namely : Louis R., who was born December 15, 1910; and Donald E., who was born February 15, 1914. The fam- ily belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, while his fra- ternal affiliation is with the Odd Fellows.

ROATH, Jacob Clyde, who operates a fine farm of 160 acres of land in Rock Greek Township, is one of the progressive young farmers of Hancock County. He was born in Pilot Grove Townshp, April 5, 1880, a son of James A. and Jennie (Harned) Roath, he born in Fulton County, Ill., and she in Hancock County.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Jacob Clyde Roath was reared on his parents' farm and attended the schools of his district. On February 4, 1903, he was married to Nellie May Singleton, born in Rock Creek Township, October 13, 1882, a daughter of Thomas M. and Louisa J. (Harris) Singleton. Mr. and Mrs. Roath have two children, namely: Louisa Cheryl, who was born October 12, 1906; and Jennie Doris, who was born September 22, 1909.

After his marriage, Mr. Roath moved to this farm of 160 acres of land in Rock Creek Township, three-quarters of a mile east of Adrian, where he has since resided, carrying on general farming with marked success. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roath belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been steward since 1912, and of which he was a trustee for four years. They both take an active part in church and Sunday school work, and are teach- ers in the latter. Mr. Roath is an independent in politics.

ROATH, James Abraham, one of the substantial men of Carthage, is now living retired, but for many years a leading agriculturalist of Hancock County. He was born in Fulton Coun- ty, Ill., March 20, 1843, a son of John Nelson and Sarah (Saunders) Roath, natives of New York and Gallia County, Ohio. After their marriage they moved to Fulton County, Ill., and bought a valuable farm, but sold it in 1851 and came to Hancock County, buying 400 acres in Pilot Grove Township, two miles from Burn- side, where John Nelson resided until his death which occurred in 1882, when he was seventy- three years old. His widow died in 1890, aged seventy-three years. Their children were as fol- lows : Samuel and Elizabeth, both of whom are deceased; James E .; Rosalie, who is decased ; Estelle, who is Mrs. John Westbrook, of Hayes City, Kans .; and John, who lives at Kansas City, Mo.

On January 3, 1869, James A. Roath was married to Sarah Jane Harned, born in Pon- toosic Township, a daughter of William S. and Sarah (McKaig) Harned, he born in Texas, and she in Troy, Ohio. Mr. Harned helped to drive out the Mormons from Hancock County, and then bought some of the land they had occupied. His father and uncle were at Alton, Ill., at the time the mob killed Elijah Lovejoy, and unable to give the noted abolitionist assistance, had to witness the atrocity.

After his marriage, Mr. Roath moved to an eighty-acre farm in Pilot Grove Township, on which there was a small house, and he con- tinued to make improvements and add to his farm until he had 240 acres, eighty acres of which are across the line in Rock Creek Town- ship. This land is now thoroughly improved and very valuable. He lived on it, engaged in farming and stockraising, until in January, 1909, when he retired, and moved to Carthage, where he has a modern frame residence on Main Street, which he had built, and also has two barns on the lot. He rents his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Roath have had the following chil- dren born to them: Edlie Helen, who is Mrs.

George Phillippi, of David City, Neb. ; Nellie B., who lives with her parents; Justus, who rents his father's farm; Jacob Clyde, who lives in Rock Creek Township; and Virgie Jane, who is at home. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Roath is a Republican. He is one of the highly respected men ot Hancock County, and is entitled to a place among its representative men.

ROBBINS, Rollo R., member of the Illinois State Assembly, and one of the most distin- guished men of Hancock County, who has a brilliant future before him, as well as honor- able past, is editor of the "Augusta Eagle," one of the leading journals of this part of the state. Mr. Robbins was born in Schuyler County, Ill., May 2, 1883, one of the seven children of his parents, Francis and Sarah (Longston) Rob- bins. Francis Robbins, after a long and pros- perous career as a farmer, is living retired at Rushville, being now over seventy-six years of age.

Rollo R. Robbins was reared on a farm, and sent to the public schools of Augusta until he was prepared for a course at the Macomb Nor- mal School, which he also attended, taking a special course. In August, 1906, Mr. Robbins located at Augusta, assuming the editorial du- ties connected with the issuance of the "Au- gusta Eagle," one of the leading weeklies of this section, and very materially strengthened it by his aggressive policies. A stalwart Re- publican, his influence was soon felt, and he was nominated as the candidate of his party for the State Assembly and elected by a very large majarity, in November, 1916, running way ahead of his party on account of his personal popularity. In 1914 he was his party's candi- date for county treasurer, and is now on the Augusta school board. A natural legislator and organizer, he will accomplish much for his com- munity and state, and is looked to as a candi- date for further honors. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason, and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America.

ROBERTS, Thomas M., manager and part owner of the reliable shoe store at La Harpe, operated as the Royal Store, is one of the substantial business men of Hancock County, and is widely and favorably known. He was born at La Harpe, Ill .. January 22, 1886, one of four children born to his parents, John R. and Clara M. (Gouchen- our) Roberts. John R. Roberts was one of the highly esteemed merchants of La Harpe, who later in life was identified with large lumber in- terests of this region. He disposed of his lumber yards to John M. Lyons. His death occurred in 1914, and in his passing La Harpe lost one of her most valued citizens.

After attending the public schools of La Harpe, Thomas M. Roberts learned the shoe trade. He has been connected with the Mason Dry Goods Company for a number of years, his present es- tablishment being a branch of the older concern,

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

which operates five different stores in Hancock County, and is one of the largest and oldest dry goods houses in this part of the state. In 1910 Mr. Roberts went to the West and remained a year, then returned to La Harpe and opened his present store, where he is carrying a full line of men, women and children's shoes, and men's clothing, and his trade is a very large and valu- able one; the stock being valued at $15,000. Three clerks are constantly employed.

Mr. Roberts was united in marriage with Miss Florence Ingraham, a daughter of Charles H. Ingraham, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, who is cashier of the First National Bank of La Harpe. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have had two children, Charles J., who was born July 4, 1914; and Dorothy, who died in 1918. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Union Church, and his wife also belongs to this religious organiza- tion. In politics he is an independent, while politically he affiliates with the Masonic order. One of the progressive young men of the county, he has risen high in public esteem, and merits the confidence he inspires.

ROBINSON, Davis Allen, now deceased, was for many years one of the most honored residents of Hamilton, and he is remembered as a man of high principles and upright living. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, April 2, 1826, the oldest son of Silas and Polly (Warne) Robinson. Leaving Ohio in 1848, Davis Allen Robinson came to Illinois, making the long trip by" stage coach and steamboat, and he landed at Warsaw when it was nothing but a tiny vil- lage. Having had agricultural experience, he soon saw the possibilities of the rich lands ad- jacent to the village, and with his brothers, Brazillia and Abram, who had joined him, he acquired a farm which is still in the Robin- son family. This he spent many years in de- veloping, although he made his home at Ham- ilton, where an old fashioned hospitality was ever dispensed.

On January 8, 1856, he was married to Laura Chandler, who died before death claimed him, and he never recovered from her loss, but sur- vived until May 7, 1917. Early in their mar- ried life Mr. and Mrs. Robinson joined the Con- gregational Church, later transferring to the Wytlie Presbyterian Church, and they lived up to the spirit of their faith. Their children, seven in number, were as follows: Nira and Florence, both of whom live at Hamilton; Mrs. W. E. Albers, who lives at Warsaw; Mrs. C. A. McPheeters, who lives at Fulton, Mo .; Samuel Chandler Robinson, who lives at Winnebago, Minn .; David Allen Robinson, Jr., who occu- pies the family homestead, all of whom survive, and Mrs. Harriet Wood, who died May 14, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson reared two young men, namely : William Pemberton, who is now de- ceased ; and George Voris, who lives at Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Robinson made no dis- play of his religion nor of his belief in a future existence, but he lived them all in his beautiful deeds, and left behind him a memory time can- not dim.

ROBINSON, Homer Ellis, who is engaged in general farming and stockraising in Hancock Township, owns eighty acres of land in Foun- tain Green Township, but rents his farm to a tenant. He was born in Hancock County, Han- cock Township, March 1, 1870, a son of Marion and Martha (Mosely) Robinson, natives re- spectively of New York state and Kentucky. The maternal grandfather, Armstead Mosely, was born in Kentucky. After their marriage, Marion Robinson and his wife settled near Plymouth, Ill., on a farm, and lived there for a few years, but later bought a farm in the vicinity of Webster, Ill., where Mr. Robinson was engaged in farming for many years. A harnessmaker by trade, he also conducted a shop in Fountain Green and Webster. His death occurred August 10, 1909, but his widow survives and lives at Webster. Their children were as follows: John, who lives at Webster; Mary, who is Mrs. Frank Pennock, of Dallas City. Ill .; Homer Ellis, whose name appears at the head of this review; Myrtle, who is Mrs. G. L. Hutchens, of Carthage; and Ernest, who lives in Pilot Grove Township.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 136

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