Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 141

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 141

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Scofield, and Mrs. Edith E. Newton. All of these children are married and residing at Chi- cago. Another daughter, Virginia La Veta Scofield, died September 23. 1893, while the family was living at Springfield.

On January 5, 1918, Mr. Scofield was married to Stella M. Stenberg of Chicago.

Well-known in Masonry, Mr. Scofield is a member of Hancock Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M .; Carthage Chapter No. 33, R. A. M .; Almoner Commandery, K. T., of Augusta, Illi- nois; Medinah Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Chi- cago, Illinois; and socially he maintains mem- bership with the Illinois Ath tic Club and the Union League Club, both of Chicago. Polit- ically, he is a democrat. He has membership in the Bryn Mawr Community Church, on Jef- fery Avenue, 70th Street, Chicago. He owns his residence at 7225 Jeffery Avenue, and a num- ber of lots in that vicinity.

Mr. Scofield is an able attorney and a good business man. He has been especially successful in corporation litigation and as a corporation adviser. He is orderly and systematic and per- sistent in his professional work. He is a rea- soner and an orator of a high order.

SCOTT, John Edwin, owns and operates a fine farm of 182 acres on sections 28, 29 and 33, Pilot Grove Township, and is one of the highly re- spected men of the county. He was born in Bear Creek Township, January 24, 1861, a son of Sam- uel and Elizabeth (Bush) Scott, he born in St. Albans Township, and she in Morgan County, Ill. The paternal grandparents, Larkin and Sallie (Foreman) ,Scott, natives of Tennessee, started in 1834 from Morgan County, Ill., where they had lived for a time, and drove to Han- cock County. While living in Morgan County, Larkin Scott assisted in laying out what is now Jacksonville, and the story is told that in the party was a colored man named Jackson, for whom the new town was named. The maternal grandparents were Thomas and Elizabeth Bush, who drove overland from their native state of Pennsylvania to Morgan County, Ill., in 1827, later moving to Brown County, Ill. While living in Morgan County they saw no white people, al- though the Indians were numerous. Both the Scotts and Bushs participated in the movement against the Mormons. All taking part in this were volunteers and had no regular organization. The four grandparents lived to be over eighty years of age, and were held in the highest esteem by their neighbors.

After their marriage, the parents of John Edwin Scott, settled in Bear Creek Township, where they lived for two years, and then went to Brown County, Ill., and spent two years, then returned to Hancock County, and for four years lived in Chili Township. In 1870 they went back to Brown County. The mother died in 18SS, and in 1890, the father came back to Hancock County. and was married to the widow of Dr. Hawkins, and they lived at Basco, Ill., for six years. when they moved to Carthage, which con- tinued their home until 1917, when Mrs. Scott

died. and Mr. Scott went to live with his son, John Edwin Scott. His children by his first marriage, were as follows : John Edwin ; Harvey, who is deceased; Gilbert, who is deceased ; Hershel, who lives at Dwight, Ill .; Bell, who is Mrs. David Hoover, of Buckhorn, Brown County, Ill .; Jennie, who is the wife of Dr. Henry Briggs, of Versailles, Ill .; and Viola, who is Mrs. Arthur Job of Lewistown, Mont.

John Edwin Scott attended the local schools and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred February 21, 1884, when he was united with Gertrude Briggs, born in Brown County, Ill., April 19, 1859, a daughter of Richard M. and Jane (Morgan) Briggs, natives of Brown County, Ill., and Ohio, respectively. After his marriage, Mr. Scott moved to Chili Township, where he bought a farm and conducted it until 1902, and then sold it. He then bought his pres- ent farm, moving upon it in 1903, and since then has carried on general farming anu stockraising, specializing on registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, and Poland-China hogs which have been crossed with the Duroc-Jersey breed. Since buying the place he has remodeled all the buildings and made other improvements, and has a fine prop- erty.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott have two children : Joseph E., who lives at Harlowton, Mont .; and Jessie Edna, who is Mrs. Elmer Smith, of Fountain Green Township. Mr. Scott is a Republican and served as road commissioner for five years. He belongs to the Carthage Lodge, I. O. O. F. and to the Hancock County Mutual Association.

SCOTT, John F., circuit clerk of Hancock County and a man widely, and favorably known throughout this section of the state, is one of the substantial men of Carthage. He was born at Warsaw, Ill., March 1, 1856, a son of John and Louisa J. (Frazen) Scott. John Scott was born in North Carolina in 1801, and came to Warsaw, Ill .. in 1833. In 1837 he was married. During all of his resi- dence at Warsaw, which continued until his death, he was engaged in a mercantile business, was also active in political matters and promi- nent in many ways. Of his three children, John F. Scott is the only survivor, and he was the youngest son.

Reared at Warsaw, John F. Scott attended the schools of his native place and in Septem- ber, 1874, he came to Carthage as deputy county clerk under George J. Rogers, and served for three years under him and for nine years under John R. Newton. He was then elected county clerk and served for eight years. Following that he served for six years as deputy county treasurer. The development of the southwest attracted him. and for some time he devoted himself to taking parties to Oklahoma to secure homes. as secretary of the Hooker. Wishart Investment Company, capital- ized for $100.000. maintaining this connection for ten years. during which period he was emi- nently successful. Retiring from this line, Mr. Scott went into an insurance business at Car-

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thage. In 1916 he was elected circuit clerk and recorder, and is the present incumbent of these offices.

On November 16, 1882, Mr. Scott was mar- ried to Julia Stepp, and they have four chil- dren, namely : Mary L., who was graduated from the Carthage High school, is the wife of Roy T. Wasson; Frank, who was married to Madeline Curtis, is deputy circuit clerk ; Eu- genia J., who was graduated from the Car- thage High school, is the wife of William L. Hayes; and Elizabeth, who is attending the public schools.

Mr. Scott belongs to Hancock Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master, and it was while he held that office that the lodge was built. He also belongs to Carthage Chapter No. 33. R. A. M., of which he is past high priest, and he is a member of Ingelow Commandery No. 75, K. T. In politics he is a Democrat. and has always been active in his party, serving as chairman of the county cen- tral committee as well as giving of his time and attention to the promulgation of Demo- cratic doctrines. There are few men of his age who enjoy the distinction that is his of having been in office in the service of his county for thirty years. This proves that his ability, honesty and public spirit are unques- tioned and that the people appreciate his efforts in their behalf or they would not con- tinue to return him to important positions within their gift.

SCOTT, William H., M. D., one of the honored physicians and surgeons of Hancock County, is engaged in a general practice at Dallas City. He was born in Hancock County, May 21, 1858. His father had fourteen children. six of them being born to his first marriage, six of his sec- ond, and one by his third marriage. Of these children, ten survive. The mother of Dr. Wil- liam H. Scott, Caroline (Dickey) Scott, died in 1860. The father. William Scott. who died in 1886, was a well known educator, and for a time served as county superintendent of schools of Hancock County. Later on in life, he was a farmer. His youth and young man- hood were spent in Pennsylvania, his native state.

William H. Scott attended the grade, the high school and Carthage College. and later was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Ia. Immediately thereafter he took up post graduate work at Chicago. During the period he was securing his medical education, he taught school for two years. After receiving his degree. Dr. Scott began the practice of medicine at Dallas City. where he has been located since June 23. 1885. Profes- sionally he belongs to the Hancock County Med- ical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, having reached the Chapter. A Democrat, he was elected to the office of supervisor of Han- cock County and served for two years. He was

appointed under the Cleveland administration to membership of the Hancock County Pension Board of Examiners, and served until the ad- ministration closed.

Dr. Scott was married to Miss Isabella Ow- ings, a daughter of Edwin Owings. While they have no children of their own, Dr. and Mrs. Scott have adopted a son, Joseph M., to whom they are giving a tender and wise parental care. All the family belong to the Christian Church. There are few men of his profession who are more universally respected than Dr. Scott, and many of his patients hold for him a genuine affection inspired by his faithfulness and cheery friendliness as well as his professional skill.

SEARS, George W., one of the successful farm- ers of Durham Township, was born in Pilot Grove Township, January 6, 1841, a son of Her- man and Almira (Lincoln) Sears, born in New York state. Both came to Pilot Grove Town- ship in 1830. and there they met and were married, settling on sixty acres of timber land, that he had entered from the government. This he cleared off and improved. He died in 1906, aged seventy-three years, and she survived, dying in 1905, aged seventy-one years. Their children were as follows: George W., who was the eldest; Hiram and Clarissa, both of whom are deceased ; Edwin, who lives in Pilot Grove Township; Gilbert, who lives in Dallas Town- ship .; Herman, who lives in Missouri; Frank, who lives. in Colorado; and Orville, Laura and Louisa, who are all deceased.

George W. Sears resided at nome until he attained his majority, and attended the schools of his district. For some years he worked on farms by the month, and then commenced farm- ing on his own account, and rented land for twelve years in Rock Creek Township. In August, 1863, he was married (first) to Angeline Yates, and they had the following children : Grace, who is Mrs. Snyder, is a widow and lives at Cawker City, Kas .; Bernard H., who lives at Los Angeles, Cal. In 1873, Mr. Sears was married (second) to Melvina Myers, born in Pontoosic Township, and they had two chil- dren as follows: Mary, born September 24, 1870, died July 25, 1897. was Mrs. John Richey, and was married Nov. 24, 1888, issue Carl and Grace; and Laura, also deceased, married John K. Turner, issue Vivian M., Mary E., and Marie. In September, 1SS7, Mr. Sears was married (third) to Harriet (Cassingham) Butler, born in Muskington County, Ohio, September 25, 1835. a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Mor- rison) Cassingham, who in 1854 located in Dur- ham Township. She was the widow of Baxter Butler, and they had the following children : Thomas C., who lives in Durham Township; Charles, who lives in Maryville. Mo .; George, who lives in Pilot Grove Township ; and Milton, who lives in Fountain Green Township.

After his last marriage, Mr. Sears bought the interests of the heirs to twenty-four acres of improved land in Durham Township and has added to it until there are now forty-one acres

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in Durham Township and fifteen acres in Pilot Grove Township. He also owns a farm of thirty acres in Durham Township, and twenty acres in Pilot Grove Township. Mr. Sears belongs to the Christian Church, and Mrs. Sears be- longs to the . Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, and was constable and school director one year.

SELLERS, Emmitt H., senior member of the well known hardware house operating under the name of The La Harpe Hardware Com- pany, has associated with him in business John L. Kerr and Charles H. Barnes. Mr. Sellers was born in Schuyler County, Ill., June 10, 1871, and is one of two children born to his parents, George W. and Margaret (Gammon) Sellers. George W. Sellers was born in Schuyler County, Ill., where he became a prosperous farmer and well known man.

E. H. Sellers attended the schools of his na- tive county and grew to manhood, assisting his father on the homestead farm. In 1889 Mr. Sellers came to La Harpe, where he has since been connected with its business life, and in December, 1916, he and his partners founded their present house. They carry a stock aggrega- ting $10,000, and have already built up a large and flourishing business.

In August, 1891, Mr. Sellers was married to Miss Lizzie F. Snyder, a daughter . of William F. Snyder, and they have four children. In politics Mr. Sellers is a Democrat, but he has not cared to enter public life. He and his family belong to the Christian Church. Frater- nally he belongs to the Masons and Odd Fellows, and he and Mrs. Sellers are members of the Rebekahs. They are very well and favorably known, and stand high in their community.

SHAIN, Clarence L., D. D. S., who is admittedly the leading dental surgeon of Dallas City, with offices over the First National Bank, is one of the rising young men of Hancock County, and belongs to one of the honored families of this section. He was born in Hancock County, Au- gust 1, 1890, one of the four children born to William F. and Carrie M. (Bliss) Shain. Wil- liam F. Shain was born in Kentucky, and is now identified with the United States govern- ment in the postal service at Dallas City.

Clarence L. Shain attended the public schools of his native county, and was graduated from the high school in 190S, following which he took a course at the Northwestern University Dental School, from which he was graduated in 1913. Immediately thereafter he established himself in his profession at Dallas City, and has built up a very valuable practice.

In 1916 Dr. Shain was married to Miss Beu- lah V. Bennington, a daughter of Asa L. Ben- nington, and they have one daughter, Harriette I. Dr. Shain belongs to the Masons, Odd Fel- lows and Knights of Pythias. Both he and Mrs. Shain are members of the Congregational Church. Socially he and his wife are leaders at Dallas City, and their pleasant home is the scene of many pleasant gatherings.

SHEPHERD, John Wesley, now deceased, was one of the highly respected men of Warsaw, and a person of more than average ability. He was born at Bentonsport, Iowa, November 15, 1847, a son of William and Susan (Havelin) Shep- herd, natives of Ohio, but early settlers' of Iowa, who spent practically the balance of their lives on a farm in that state.

Growing up on the homestead, John Wesley Shepherd attended the district schools, and early learned to be helpful about the place, re- maining with his parents until his marriage, which took place December 27, 1871, when he was united with Annie Shepherd, born at Bloomington, Ind., a daughter of Ebenezer Da- vid and Mary Ann (Kennedy) Shepherd, he born in New Jersey and she at Bloomington, Ind. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shep- herd kept a general store at Pleasant Hill, Iowa, for two years. They then sold and went to Vernon, Iowa, where Mr. Shepherd was em- ployed in a woolen mill, and he also conducted a store, but sold it and moved to Warsaw. Here he became foreman in the woolen mill, leaving that position to go on the road as a traveling representative for a St. Louis clothing house, and was thus engaged at the time of his death, September 23, 1916, since which time Mrs. Shep- herd has resided at Warsaw. Their children were as follows: Paul D., who lives at Quincy, Ill .; and William Chauncey, who lives at Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Shepherd was educated at Warsaw. The Methodist Episcopal Church had in Mr. Shepherd a faithful member. A strong Republican, he took a deep interest and an active part in politics. Not only did he found the Warsaw Building & Loan Association but he held the various offices in it for a number of years. He belonged in Warsaw Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and held some of the offices in it, and he lived up to the highest conception of Ma- sonry. His example in right living and kindly word and action, has led others to so direct their lives, and although he has passed from this world, the effect of what he accomplished, is not lost.

SHIELDS, Lyman Brown, formerly supervisor of Hancock Township, and one of the prosper- ous farmers of the county, is one of the most representative men of his locality. He was born in Henry County. Iowa, March 23, 1857, a son of James and Electa (Brown) Shields. James Shields was born in Ohio. His first wife died about 1860, and he was married (second) to Jennie Hartman. and in 1866 they came to Hancock County, spending four years in Foun- tain Green Township before permanently set- tling in Hancock Township, where they bought a farm, and there he died in 1893.

When he attained his majority, Lyman Brown Shields began farming for himself on rented land. and was a tenant for twelve years, but then bought sixty acres of land, now included in his present farm. Later he and his brother John bought eighty acres adjoining, and he now has 140 acres and his wife eighty acres in an-

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other part of the township. Mr. Shields usually cultivates ten to fifteen acres of oats, twenty acres of corn, ten to fifteen acres of rye, and many vegetables. He also raises horses, cattle and hogs, and has been very successful in his operations.

On November 10, 1887, Mr. Shields was mar- ried to Louisa Sammons, born in Hancock Town- ship, October 5, 1867, a daughter of James and Sarah (Way) Sammons, born in Illinois, and early settlers of Hancock Township. Mr. and Mrs. Shields had one son who died in infancy, and they have reared two children, one being Bessie Kimhrough, horn April 7, 1890, whom they adopted. She married Earl Denton of Car- thage Township as her second husband. Her son, Lyman Hasten, born August 20, 1907, by her first marriage, has lived with Mr. Shields since he was an infant. A Democrat, Mr. Shields has served as road commissioner one term, school director and trustee many years, and was supervisor two terms, and while he was on the board the new courthouse was built. He be- longs to the Masons of Carthage Township, and the Modern Woodmen of America. A man of kindly heart and generous impulses, Mr. Shields has many warm friends all over the county, and he is held in the highest respect by all who know him.

SHIPTON, John S., a retired cabinetmaker and farmer of Carthage, Ill., was born in Beaver- town, Pa., August 16, 1831, a son of John and Elizabeth (Swengel) Shipton. The parental grandparents came from England to the United States during the Revolutionary War, the grandfather deserting from the English army to the Colonial cause. John and Elizabeth Ship- ton were both born in what was then Union, hut is now Snyder County, Pa., as were the parents of Mrs. Shipton. John Shipton was born March 22, 1789, in Centerville, now Snyder County, Pa. He worked in the armory at Car- lisle, Pa., during the War of 1812. His death occurred when he was nearly seventy-nine years old, his widow surviving him for some time. He was independent in politics, and was so fortu- nate in making his decisions that he always had the satisfaction of having his candidate elected president. Mrs. Shipton was a member of the Lutheran Church. They had ten children, two of whom survive, namely: John S., and Eliza- beth, who is the widow of B. Riegle.

John S. Shipton attended the subscription schools of Pennsylvania, and learned the car- penter trade, and followed it and cabinetmak- ing until 1857, when he went to Kansas, and remained until 1861. From then on until 1898, he engaged in farming, and owned first a farm in Tazewell County, Ill., which he sold to buy 260 acres in Hancock County, which he still owns. Times have changed since he first worked on a farm, receiving 621/2 cents per day, and later $1.25 per day, but upon those meagre wages he managed to save money. In 1898 he retired, moving to Carthage, and is still residing in that city.

On October 9, 1864, he was married to Eliza- beth J. Hummel, born in Snyder County, Pa., but reared in Mifflin County, Pa. She died at Carthage November 14, 1916. Her parents were John and Hannah (Shawver) Hummel, also natives of Pennsylvania. Her parental grand- father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and rose to official rank. Her brother George was a soldier during the Civil War and served for three years. John Hummel was a farmer who came to Lewistown, Ill., in 1854, and died a month later, but Mrs. Hummel survived until 1899. Five children have been reared by Mr. Shipton, and they are now caring for him in his old age, being as follows: Luther H .; Aure- lia, who is the wife of Jesse G. Waggoner ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of E. S. Martin ; Car- rie, who is the wife of Samuel Wingert; and John, who died at the age of seventeen years. Mr. Shipton is a man who is well known in Hancock County, and is beloved by all who know him. In 1906 he made a beautifully carved hymn board for the Lutheran Church, which contains 150 different kinds of woods, gathered together by him. It was later pre- sented to Carthage College, which he had served as a trustee for two terms. He is a man who reads to a considerable extent, and is well posted on all subjects of interest, and is re- garded as an authority on many subjects by his friends at Carthage and elsewhere.

SHIREY, Arthur Eli, one of the progressive young farmers of Hancock County, is operating the magnificent Shirey homestead in Pilot Grove Township, where he was born August 21, 1893, a son of Eli and Sarah E. (Pieree) Shirey, natives of Pennsylvania and Hancock County, respectively. The grandparents of Arthur Eli Shirey were John Shirey of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Pierre of Maryland. After their mar- riage, Eli Shirey and his wife located in Pilot Grove Township, where they lived until 1917, when they retired to Carthage. A sketch of the Shirey family is given elsewhere in this work.

Arthur Eli Shirey attended the Jubilee dis- trict school, and was reared upon the home- stead where he learned farming in all its de- tails. In June, 1916, he was married to Bertha Butler, born in Durham Township, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine (McGrath) Butler. Mr. and Mrs. Shirey have a son, Russell, who was born in August, 1917. With the exception of six months, when he was employed by H. Pettitt, Mr. Shirey has remained on the home- stead, and when his parents moved to Carthage in the fall of 1917, he took charge of the home- stead, cultivating a portion and having the bal- ance in pasture, and here he carries on general farming. Mr. Shirey is a member of the Chris- tian Church. His political views make him a Democrat. Interested in his work, he is making a success of it, and is alive to its importance and dignity, especially at this time when there is so urgent a need of banner crops to feed the world.

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SHIREY, Eli, one of the highly esteemed men of Carthage, now living retired, was formerly actively engaged along agricultural lines in Pilot Grove Township, where he still owns two farms, one of 240 acres, and the other of 120 acres. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 25, 1848 a son of John and Louisa (Lancaster) Shirey natives of Pennsylvania. After their marriage, they lived in Ohio until about 1854, when they came to Illinois, and after some years spent in Adams County, came to Bowen, Ill., where they died. Their children were as fol- lows : Eli; Roswell H., who lives at Burlington, Iowa; Mary, who lives at Carthage; Lou, who is Mrs. Thomas Pierce, of Fountain Green, Ill .; Mattie, wlio is Mrs. Felix Harden of Carthage, Ill. ; and Julia, who is Mrs. John Woods, of Carthage, Ill.

Eli Shirey attended the common schools, and was reared to farm work. On December 13, 18SS, he was married to Sarah Pierce, born in Maryland. a daughter of Thomas and Sophia (Dailey) Pierce, also natives of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Shirey became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Fred, who lives on his father's farm; Cora, who is Mrs. Damon Fletcher, of Carthage, Ill. ; Arthur, who is on the home farm ; Ethel, who is Mrs. Merlin Furrow, of Pilot Grove Township; and Pearl, who is Mrs. Fred Dunsworthy ; and Nellie, who is still at home. Mr. Dunsworthy served in the United States army. in the Great War and has been honorably discharged.

After his marriage, Mr. Shirey rented a farm near Denver, Ill., but soon moved to his farm of 240 acres in Pilot Grove Township, to which he added 120 acres and there he carried on general farming and stockraising, and fed cattle, horses and hogs until September, 1917, when he left the farm. moved to Carthage, and since then has lived retired. He is a Democrat. The Christian Church of Carthage holds his membership. For some years he has belonged to Burnside Lodge, I. O. O. F. A man of sound principles, he has lived up to them, and carried on his business dealings in accordance with them. thus winning the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 141

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