Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 145

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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years of the Old Settlers Association. His

death occurred January 3, 1894, since which time his widow has lived in the old homestead at Carthage. Their children were as follows: Leona May, who is deceased, was the wife of Silas Gaunt; Elmira Abigail, who lives with her mother; Clara B., who is the widow of Thomas Jackson, also lives with her mother, and she has three children, namely: John D. Stevens Jackson, who lives at New Haven, Conn .; Julia, who is Mrs. Herbert Murphy, of Carthage Township; and Josephine, who is Mrs. Perry Barb of Tioga County, N. Y., and has one son, William Murphy Barb. Mr. Stevens was a loyal Democrat. Mrs. Stevens is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

STEWART, Justin A., superintendent of the schools of La Harpe, is a man widely and fa- vorably known as an educator and because of scholarly attainments, is numbered among the leaders in his profession. He was born at Ten- nessee, Ill., November 29, 1880, one of the six children of his parents, Malcolm and Ellen (Mc- Kechnie) Stewart, natives of Scotland and Can- ada, respectively. Malcolm Stewart was en- gaged in farming all of his life, dying in 1887.

Prof. Justin A. Stewart early demonstrated his scholastic ability by completing the com- mon school courses when a mere lad, and then matriculating at the State Normal School at Macomb, Ill. During 1903 and 1904, he taught school in order to secure the money to com- plete his studies, was graduated in 1911. and immediately thereafter was made superinten- dent of schools at Bowen, Ill., where he re- mained until 1912, when the schools of Ply- mouth, Ill., secured him as their superintendent. The value of his work as an educator made his services in great demand, and when La Harpe secured him in 1914, the school board felt some- thing worth while had been accomplished. and so far this community has not lost him. He has under his supervision ten teachers, and the high school pupils are ninety-eight in number. Thoroughly abreast of the times, he carries on his work according to the latest accepted meth- ods of pedagogy, and the pupils show very de- cidedly the results of his influence and learning.

Professor Stewart was married to Miss Gar- net B. Lovely, a daughter of William Lovely, a well known farmer of Hancock County. One child. Donald L., was born of this marriage. on June 24, 1909. Professor and Mrs. Stewart are members of the Baptist Church. He is a Re- publican, and he belongs to the Masons and Woodmen of the World.

STONER, Stephen D., whose agricultural and banking activities have placed him among the leading men in Hancock County, is now living in partial retirement at Burnside. He was born in Brown County, Ill .. December 25. 1845. a son of Joseph and Margaret (Fred) Stoner, he born in 1795, and she in 1800, of German and English descent respectively.

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They were married in Clearmont County, Ohio, and came immediately thereafter to Brown County, Ill., where the father engaged in farm- ing until his death in 1852. The mother lived until 1857. They had ten children, of whom Stephen D. Stoner is the only survivor.

Stephen D. Stoner attended the district schools, and for one term was at Eureka Col- lege. After his mother's death, he and a brother spent five years together in Pike County, Ill., and then Stephen D. Stoner en- listed in defense of his country in Company F, Sixty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry dur- ing the Civil War, on the second call for three- month men. He went from Camp Butler to Fairfax Courthouse, Va., and was among the reserves at the second battle of Bull Run. On September 18, 1863, he was discharged, and came back to Illinois, and for eight months was engaged in a mercantile business with his brother-in-law, J. H. Breeden, at Summum, in Fulton County. He then sold to his partner, and in October, 1874, came to Burnside, Ill., where he continued in a mercantile business for twenty-five years, then trading it for a farm in Missouri. On January 17, 1904, he organized the State Bank of Burnside, and was its president for ten years, then retired, and since tlien has been looking after his farm land, although since 1917, he rents it all to tenants. He owns 800 acres of fine land in Monroe County, Mo., in partnership with W. R. Crammond. Mr. Stoner owns 430 acres of land in Pilot Grove Township, which is very valuable.

On December 17, 1870, he was married to Mary E. Biggs, who died March 9, 1878, leav- ing two children: Sadie C., who is Mrs. W. R. Crammond, of Houston Heights, Tex .; and Myrtle W .. wife of Rev. Stephen E. Fisher, pastor of the Christian Church of Champaign, Ill. In 1862, Mr. Stoner was married (second) to Mary J. Scott, who was born in Virginia, and they have one daughter, Mabel, who is Mrs. O. L. Wright. of Canton, Ill. Mr. Stoner is a Democrat. He belongs to Burnside Lodge No. 683. A. F. & A. M., and served it as secre- tary for several years.

STOUT, William O., now deceased, was formerly prominently connected with the agricultural activities of Hancock County, and dying left a well improved farm of 160 acres of land near Thayer, Mo. He was born in Ohio, July 4, 1850. a son of David and Elizabeth (Argle- bright) Stout, the former of whom was born in 1805. She died in 1858. after which he came to Hancock County, and in 1876 located in Durham Township, but died while on a visit to his daughter at Hannibal, Mo.

William O. Stout attended the common schools, and was taught farming from boy- hood. On March 10, 1875, he was married to Mary Effie Potter, born in Adams County, Ill., March 15. 1854. a daughter of Warren and Mahala (Collins) Potter, he born in Virginia, and she in Pennsylvania. They were married

in Adams County, Ill., and in 1857 came to Hancock County, settling in Durliam Town- ship, both dying there. After his marriage, William O. Stout lived in Durham Township on a farm near Colusa, but in 1885 sold it and went to Thayer, Mo., and bought 160 acres of land, where he died June 1, 1909. His widow continued to live on this farm until in March, 1917, when she rented it and canie to Carthage, which continues hier home.

Mr. and Mrs. Stout had the following chil- dren : Edward, who lives at Burlington, Iowa ; Milton, who lives at Promise City, Iowa; Daisy, who is Mrs. William Harl of Colusa, Ill .; Edith, who is Mrs. John McClung, of Durham Township; Ralph, who lives at Birmingham, Iowa; Estella, who is Mrs. Wil- lianı Wartic of Wausaukee, Wis .; Olive. who is deceased, was Mrs. Clyde Adams; William W., who was accidentally killed at Camp Dix, while serving in the United States army dur- ing the Great War; Clarence, who lives at Car- thage, Ill .; and Clyde, who lives at Roscoe, Iowa. Mr. Stout was a Democrat, but not an office seeker. Mrs. Stout belongs to the Inter- national Bible Students Association, and she is very highly respected in Carthage.

STUMP, Robert E., one of the prosperous farm- ers of Prairie Township, is one of the leading men of Hancock County. He was born in So- nora Township, November 6, 1872, a son of Henry and Clementine (Ikerd) Stump, natives of Hancock County. The grandparents were all early settlers of Hancock County, one of them being Joseph Stump. During the Civil War Henry Stump was a member of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry and served during the entire conflict.

Returning home he was married and settled in Sonora Township, where he lived until after the death of his wife, in 1892, when he moved to Kansas, and is now residing in Jewel County. He was second married to Mrs. Lane, who bore the maiden name of Timberlake. His children are as follows: David, who lives at Artesia, Cal .; Ida, who is Mrs. John Stephenson of Fer- ris, Ill .; Robert E., Alfred, who lives at Good- ing, Idaho; Saralı, who lives with her father; Minnie, who is Mrs. Louis Dickerson of Car- thage Township ; Emma, who is Mrs. George Ar- nold of Vona, Col .; Anna, who is Mrs. William Klattenberg of Carthage Township; Ellen, who is Mrs. Murry Moore of Prairie Township ; Ada, who is Mrs. John Gibbs of Esbon, Kans.

In February, 1896, Mr. Stump was married to Julia Burling, born in Rock Creek Township, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Casburn) Burling, born at Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England. After his marriage Mr. Stump rented a farm in Rock Creek Township, but two years later moved to Prairie Township, and in 1903 moved on an eighty acre farm on section 19 he had bought the year previously. He remod- eled the house and erected barns and other buildings, and put in all of the present improve- ments. In 1909 Mr. Stump purchased eighty

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acres of improved land on section 20, Prairie Township, which he has since farmed, and he has raised hogs and cattle, his place being known as the Lawn View Farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Stump became the parents of the following children : Floyd Ellsworth, who was born April 17, 1897; Elsie B., who was born August 16, 1900; Velma Alice, who was born August 23, 1909, died September 21, 1910; Lo- well Robert, who was born August 6, 1911; and James Elvin, who was born December 1, 1913. Mr. Stump is a Republican, and served for six years as a school director. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Elvas- ton, and his wife is a member of the Royal Neighbors. Mrs. Stump belongs to the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.

SUGARS, George Gabriel, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Appanoose Township, is one of the substantial men of Hancock County. He was born at Nauvoo, September 26, 1857, a son of George and Barbara (Schoupp) Sugars, na- tives of Germany. They came to Nauvoo at a very early day, and lived here at the time of the Mormon expulsion. During the Mexican War, he served his adopted country as a soldier, and it was after his return from the front, to Nauvoo, that he was married. Until his death in 1860, he was engaged in the retail liquor trade. The mother lived for many years, pass- ing away at Denver, Col., about 1915.

George Gabriel Sugars attended the local schools and grew up at Nauvoo, living with his mother until he was married, on February 14, 1882, to Margaret Wilkins, born in Appanoose Township, a daughter of William and Margaret (Zimmerman) Wilkins, natives of Germany, who were married at Nauvoo. After their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Sugars moved to a farm of timberland, comprising 115 acres, on which an old house was standing, and it still remains. Mr. Sugars has cleared off about sixty acres, which are under cultivation, and he has the bal- ance in pasture. On this farm he carries on general farming, and raises sheep, hogs and cattle, having been very successful in his work.

Mr. and Mrs. Sugars became the parents of the following children: Louisa, who is Mrs. Fred Breitbarth of Appanoose Township; Ger- trude, who is Mrs. Louis Ritter of Ft. Madi- son, Iowa ; John and LeRoy, who are of Tru- man, Minn .; George, who is at home; Mary, who is at Ft. Madison, Iowa; Edgel, who is at home; Clara, who lives at Quincy, Ill .; Esther, who was accidentally burned to death when fifteen years old; and Ruth, who is at home. Mr. Sugars and his family are all Catholics. He is a Democrat, and served as a school di- rector for fifteen years and also as township clerk. His fraternal connections are with the Knights of Columbus.

SWANSON, Swan Gustus, vice president of the First National Bank of Augusta, and one of the heavy property holders of this city, is a man widely known and universally respected. He

was born in Sweden, November 3, 1845, a son of Swan G. Swanson, a native of Sweden, who was a miller.

Swan G. Swanson received but limited edu- cational advantages, but he made the most of what he had, and he early became self-support- ing, working mainly among horses. Not being satisfied with conditions in his native land, he came to the United States in 1869, landing at New York City, from whence he came West to Galesburg, Ill., and thence to Augusta, Ill., where he arrived August 13, 1869. His work here first brought him into contact with rail- road construction, and he then was engaged in farming, and was interested in the latter line until 1912, when he sold his farm, and invested in stock of the first National Bank, and in 1913 he was made vice president. That same year he erected one of the finest business blocks in Augusta, and is otherwise interested in Au- gusta realty.

On October 24, 1874, Mr. Swanson was mar- ried to Miss Ann Hickok, a successful teacher, who received her education in the academy at River Falls, Wis. Her father, Nelson Hickok, a native of Vermont, came to this county in 1835 and her mother, Amy (Powell) Hickok, born in Madrid, N. Y., was the first teacher in the new community. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson became the parents of the following children : Luella, who takes a prominent part in the Daughters of the American Revolution, was the organizer of the Martha Board Chapter, and was one of the founders of the township li- brary ; Amy Elmira, who is a graduate of the Western Illinois State Normal School is an artist in china and water colors; and Minnie Mabel, who is a graduate of the Western Illi- nois State Normal School and the University of Chicago, and is a teacher. Mr. Swanson and his family belong to the Presbyterian Church. The Swanson residence is one of the finest in Augusta, and here are entertained with delightful hospitality, the friends of the family. Mr. Swanson is a Mason, having risen to the Consistory, and is a Shriner, and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican.

SWISEGOOD, George P., now deceased, was at one time one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County, and owned at the time of his death 213 acres of land on section 12 Au- gusta Township. He was born in Augusta Township, May 4, 1861, a son of Daniel H. and Anna (Haynes) Swisegood, natives of North Carolina, who came to Hancock County in 1847, settling in Augusta Township.

George P. Swisegood attended the schools of his native township, and as he grew older traveled about considerably, being in Nebras- ka, Missouri and Texas, working as a freight- er in the latter state. Returning to Hancock County he began farming, and bought eighty acres of land near the present homestead of

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liis family, to which he added from time to time until he was a large landowner.

On November 7, 18SS, Mr. Swisegood was married to Emma Larcom of McDonough County, Ill., a daughter of Collins and Susan (Royce) Larcom, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively, who were farming people, but are now both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Swise- good became the parents of the following chil- dren : Earl, who is yet in France with the American Expeditionary Force; Pearl, who is married to Robert Berry, has two children, Ruby and Ethel; Guy, who served in the United States navy in the Great War, was in France for fifteen months; Mabel, who is married to James Gumm, has two children, Grace and Earl; and Donald H., who is now at home, an honorably discharged soldier ; Harry R., who is now in the United States navy; and George H., at home. Mr. Swise- good was a Democrat. He was one of the highly respected men of his county, and in his death. which occurred April 22, 1918, Augusta Township lost a worthy citizen. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

SYMMONDS, Elkanah, one of the heaviest land- owners of Hancock County, is a recognized authority upon agricultural matters, and his fine farm of 604 acres in Durham and Dallas townships is known as the Symmonds Stock Farm. He was born in Walker Township, August 2, 1866, ason of Isaac and Martha (Walker) Symmonds, natives of Ohio and Ten- nessee, respectively, who were married in Han- cock County. The paternal grandfather. John Symmonds, joined his son in Hancock County after his settlement here. The maternal grand- parents. Thomas Walker and his wife Nancy, were both born in Tennessee, from whence they moved to Quincy, Ill. In 1849 Thomas Walker joined a party traveling to California in the gold rush. and was never definitely heard of again, al- though it was reported that he was killed by a grizzly bear. His widow went to Dallas City, Ill. and conducted a hotel for some time. After their marriage, Isaac Symmonds and his wife lived in Harmony Township for a time, then moved to Walker Township, in 1884 went to Appanoose County, Iowa, and remained there until 1887, when removal was made to Nebraska.

Elkanalı Symmonds had accompanied his par- ents to Nebraska, but he returned to Hancock County and worked for the farmers of Durham and Dallas townships by the month for a season. The following year he worked for the A. T. & S. F. Railroad until August, and in the fall of 18SS rented a farm which he continued to con- duct until 1897, when he bought 111 acres in Durham Township, on which all the buildings had been burned. He erected new ones, and otherwise improved the place, and now carries on general farming and raises and feeds stock upon an extensive scale. He has added to his farm until he now owns 604 acres in Durham and Dallas townships, and cultivates all of it except that which he has in pasture. In addition

he owns 320 acres in Ramson County, N. D., and rents 235 acres in Lomax Township, Hender- son County, Ill.

On December 26, 1887, Mr. Symmonds was married to Anna L. Miller, born May 12, 1868, in Dallas Township, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Garrett) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Symmonds have three children, namely : Virgil, born June 10, 1895, married Elsie Mackie, born April 4, 1899, who served in the National Army in the Great War; Velca M., born May 1, 1898; and Vivian S., born February 11, 1904, both of whom are at home. Mr. Symmonds is a Democrat. and has served on the school board. A member of the Baptist Church, he serves that organiza- tion as clerk. He is a Mason, and belongs to the Consistory of Quincy, Ill .; and the Shrine of Peoria, Ill., and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

MARSH, John W., now deceased, was one of the forceful men of Hancock County, who had a determining influence upon the early history of Warsaw. He was born at St. Johns, New Brunswick, a son of Benjamin F. and Ruth (Wetmore) Marsh, the former of whom was born at Hartford, Conn. In 1833 the family came as far west as St. Louis, Mo., where they spent several months visiting relatives and friends, and then came on to Warsaw. They spent several months visiting relatives and locating on the farm they bought in Wythe Township, from the government for $1.25 per acre, the farm comprising several hundred acres. On this land was timber, from which a log cabin was constructed, and this first home is still standing.

John W. Marsh attended Kingston College, and was graduated from its law department, and was one of its teachers for a time. In 1849 he came to Carthage, Ill., here was mar- ried in 1849, to Eudocia Baldwin, and their children were as follows: Mary E., who at- tended the Warsaw High school, has always remained at Warsaw, and resides with her sister, Mrs. Bardens; Helen S., who is Mrs. William Bardens of Warsaw; Adele R., who is Mrs. A. H. McGregor, of Warsaw; and Dr. John W., who lives at Keokuk, Iowa. John W. Marsh had three brothers and four sisters who reached maturity. Charles, who served during the Mexican War as a soldier, died in Texas. Benjamin F., who represented his district from Illinois in the lower house of Congress, served in the Civil War. Arthur W. gave his life to the Union as a soldier during the Civil War.

In 1854 Mr. Marsh came to Warsaw, and this city continued his hime until his death in 1897. From 1886 to 1890 he served as county judge of Hancock County, and he was one of the best known members of the bench and bar this section has produced. Equally strong was he in the Episcopal Church, and he took a deep interest in all matters which promised to raise the educational standard, and served for a number of years on the school and library

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boards. With his passing, Warsaw lost a fine citizen, and the community one of its best men. The G. A. Post of Warsaw was named in honor of Judge Marsh. -

MULL, Francis Albert, one of the extensive farmers of Hancock County, operates 327 acres of land in Hancock and Fountain Green town- ships, and is one of the representative men of his locality. He was born in Fountain Green Township, January 30, 1863, a son of Andrew Jackson and Anna (Messick) Mull, natives of New York state, who came here when young, and were married in this county. By trade he was a painter and paper hanger. Their chil- dren were as follows: Francis Albert, who is the eldest; Isaac, who lives at Paris, Mo .; Flora, who is Mrs. George Callahan, her hus- band being a Methodist clergyman of Carthage; Guy, who died at the age of three years; Wil- liam, who lives at Galesburg, Ill .; Mary, who was Mrs. Clyde Graham, is now deceased; and Jennie, now deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Duffey.

Francis Albert Mull attended the public schools of Fountain Green Township until he was seventeen years old, when he began work- ing by the month for neighboring farmers, so continuing for two years, at which time he commenced to learn the trade of a painter and paperhanger. In 1882 he left Fountain Green Township for Blandinsville, Ill., and there he was married on November 22, 1883, to Minnie E. Wright, born in Fountain Green Township, a daughter of Seburn and Susan (Bond) Wright natives of Tenn., and Knox County, Ill., re- spectively. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Mull lived at Berry, Ill., where he worked at his trade for two years, leaving there for Blandins- ville, and there they lived for eighteen years. Mrs. Mull then inherited 327 acres of land,, 227 of which are in Hancock Township and the balance in Fountain Green Township. On this property, Mr. and Mrs. Mull have built a fine modern residence and made other improve- ments, having 160 acres under cultivation, and the balance in pasture. He raises horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, and is one of the leaders in his line.

Mr. and Mrs. Mull have had the following children born to them : Clete C., who is at home ; Glenn Wright, who lives in McDonough County, Ill., married Nettie Syblin and their children are Wright, Augustus, Mabel, John Roy and Margaret; Grace. who is Mrs. Webster W. Evans, of Chicago, Ill., has two daughters, Frances and Mintie E .; and Myron, who lives at Peoria, Ill. Mr. Mull is a Democrat, and he served as town clerk of Fountain Green Township for four years. He belongs to the Hancock County Mutual Association.

TALBOT, Otho J., who is recognized as one of the leading farmers of St. Mary's Township, owns and operates 260 acres of valuable land on sections 13, 14 and 24, where he carries on general farming and stockraising. He was born in this township September 6, 1849, a son of Benjamin and Cynthia (Johnson) Tal-

bot, natives of Ohio, who came to Hancock County in 1838, settling in St. Mary's Town- ship, where they became wealthy farming peo- ple. Benjamin Talbot was in early days a Whig, later entering the ranks of the Republi- can party, and was elected to several of the lesser offices. He and his wife attended the Baptist Church. Both are now deceased, pass- ing away in St. Mary's Township, where they are buried.

Otho J. Talbot attended the schools of his township, and remained at home, assisting his father in conducting the homestead until his marriage, when he bought his present farm and lias made many improvements on it. On Janu- ary 1, 1877, Mr. Talbot was married (first) to Mary E. Powell, born in Hancock County, a daughter of W. D. and Mary (Graves) Powell, both of whom are deceased. The first Mrs. Talbot was the mother of four children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being : Carrie E., who is Mrs. Ralph Miner, who has the following children, Enid. Otho, Mary, Car- roll. Paul and an infant; and Margaret E., who is Mrs. Benjamin Sapp, who has one son, New- ell. Mr. Talbot was married (second) to Mrs. Helen S. (Halbert) Huey, a widow with five children. In politics Mr. Talbot is a Republi- can, but he has never held any offices. He and Mrs. Talbot belong to the Baptist Church. An industrious and thrifty man, he has earned his present prosperity through his own efforts.' and stands high in the confidence of his neigh- bors.

TANDY, Mark, secretary and treasurer of the Pence Pearl Button Company of Dallas City, is not only a fine business man, but is thor- oughly proficient along other lines. He was born in Adams County, Ill., in April. 184S, a son of William Henry and Alice ( Woolfolk) Tandy, born in Spottsylvania County, Va. In 1812 the parents were taken to Christian County, Ky., by their families, both being then six years old. They were reared in the same neighborhood, and when they reached mature years were married. In 1832 they left Ken- tucky and came to Adams County, Ill., with their three children. There they bought a farm, and there the father died in 1864, the mother surviving him until 1878. While liv- ing in Adams County, he served as sheriff for seven years. Their children were as follows: Catherine P., who is Mrs. J. F. Richards ; Adrian, who is deceased ; Herbert, who lives in Adams County ; Mary Alice, who is Mrs. William A. Wallace, of Denver. Col .; Louisa E., who is Mrs. William Conantz; and Mark.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 145

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