Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 146

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 146

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Mark Tandy attended the public schools and then took a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Quincy, Ill. Until 1871 he was engaged in farming in Adams County, and then was connected with a gro- cery business for nine months. He then came to Dallas City and opeend a hardware store, and later included dry goods in his stock, and conducted this business until he was appointed postmaster. After serving in that office for eight and one-half years, he went into another

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

line of business, was again appointed postmas- ter and served for five years. He also served his township as supervisor and has been one of the most representative men of his locality. In November, 1899, when the Pence Pearl But- ton Company was organized, Mr. Tandy be- came its secretary and treasurer and has held these positions ever since. He is one of the finest penmen in the country, and has executed some beautiful work in this line. During 1907-8, responding to an unsolicited demand, he taught penmanship in the public schools of Dallas City, and from 1908 to 1913. taught astronomy, botany, zoology, commercial meth- ods and physical geography in the schools. Mr. Tandy has 121 charts that apply to zoology alone, and over 300 charts pertaining to other sciences. He has made fifty-two charts includ- ing all the stars visible to the human eye, and is an authority upon the sciences men- tioned above.

Mr. Tandy was married to Laura Tibbets, born in Adams County. Ill .. a daughter of Joshua and Lucina (Ames) Tibbets. Mrs. Tibbets was born in Pennsylvania while her parents were traveling to Illinois from Con- necticut, in 1818, and upon their arrival in the state, Mr. and Mrs. Ames located in Adams County, where they entered government land. Mr. Tibbets was born in Maine and came to Adams County, Ill .. in 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Tandy have no children. He is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pyth- ias and Modern Woodmen of America.

TANNER, Francis Elmond, one of the success- ful business men of Stillwell, has long been connected with the threshing machine interests of this section. He was born in St. Albans Township, March 23, 1858, a son of James Washington and Elizabeth (Wear) Tanner, born in Hamilton County, Ind., and there mar- ried. In 1850 they came to Hancock County, accompanied by their parents, Joseph and Malinda (Bell) Tanner, natives of Union County, Ind., and Kentucky, respectively, and Hiram and Martha Wear, natives of Kentucky, who all settled in St. Albans Township, on the county line between Adams and Hancock, having made the trip overland in covered wagons. The parents lived on an eighty-acre farm in St. Albans Township, where the mother died in 1859, and the father was later married to Ary Short. Francis E. Tanner was the only child by the first marriage, those by the second being as follows: Arlie L., who died at the age of four years; Everett, who lives at Fresno. Cal .; Martha, who is Mrs. Edward Cox, of Golden, III .; Ada, who is Mrs. Clarence Steiner, of Schuyler County, Ill. : and Herbert Glenn, who lives in St. Albans Township.

Francis E. Tanner attended the district schools, and lived at home until his marriage on October 12, 1878. to Philadelphia Breneman, born in St. Albans Township, February 5, 1861, a daughter of Henry and Melissa (Shaw) Breneman, natives of Missouri and Pennsyl- vania. After his marriage, Mr. Tanner was engaged in conducting his father's farm for

fifteen years, and then moved to Stillwell and since then has conducted a sawmill, a corn- sheller and clover-huller, and a threshing ma- chine outfit, having operated the latter since 1878. He has been very successful in these enterprises, and is recognized as an experienced and reliable man.

Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have the following chil- dren : Elizabeth Gertrude, who is Mrs. Wilbur Elam, of Poloma, Ill .; Harvey Elmond, who lives in St. Albans Township; Loretta. who is Mrs. Harvey Randolph, of Stillwell, Ill .; Law- rence R., who lives in Keene Township, Adams County, Ill .; Agnes, who is Mrs. Fred J. Meyer, of St. Albans Township; Grace, who is Mrs. Christ Williams, of Walker Township; James Walter, of Stillwell; and Velma Pauline, Ber- nice and Martha Malinda, all of whom are at home. Mr. Tanner belongs to the Christian Church of which he has been an elder since 1908. He is a Republican and has served as tax collector, road commissioner and school director. and been efficient in all these offices. His fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows. which lodge he joined in 1884, and the Modern Woodmen of America.

TANNER, Frederick, whose talents are directed towards promoting the growth of grapes in Hancock County, has long been an honored resident of Nauvoo. He was born at Nauvoo, February 5, 1856, a son of John and Barbara (Steffen) Tanner, born in Switzerland, who came to the United States on a sailing vessel, that landed them at New Orleans, from whence they came up the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, in the early forties. For some years the father was engaged in teaming, and then bought two blocks, comprising eight acres, in the First Ward of Nauvoo, which he put in grapes, and manufactured wine. He bought a residence that was built in this city during the time of the Mormon occupancy, the brick part made of bricks the old Mormons manu- factured. His death occurred in August, 1908, when he was ninety years old. The mother passed away June 3, 1904, aged seventy-two years. Their children were as follows: John, who is deceased; Frederick; Louisa, who is the widow of Louis Wolf, of Nauvoo; and Anna, who is Mrs. George W. Dachroth of Nauvoo.

When he was sixteen years old, after hav- ing attended the common schools, Frederick Tanner left Nauvoo, and going to Keokuk, Iowa. began learning the shoemaking trade. at which he worked for seven years. He then returned to Nauvoo, and for the subsequent fifteen years followed teaming, and at the same time was engaged in raising strawberries and farming. Buying four acres in the First Ward of Nauvoo, he raised grapes. and after the death of his father, bought out the other heirs, and now owns his father's homestead of eight acres, and since then has been engaged in growing grapes and making wine.

On February 21, 1886, Mr. Tanner was mar- ried to Minnie Pikert, born at Keokuk, Iowa,

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where she attended the high school, a daughter of Frank and Caroline (Becker) Pikert. Mr. Pikert was born at Breslau, Germany, and his wife in Hessen Castle, Germany. They were married at Keokuk, Iowa, where he was a shoemaker. Mr. Pikert died in January, 1913, and Mrs. Pikert then came to live with her daughter, Mrs. Tanner. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have two children, namely : Ferdinand F., who lives at Oklahoma City, Okla. ; and Mabel, who is Mrs. George Williams, who lives in Seneca Township, this county. Mr. Tanner and wife are members of the Presbyterian , Church. Mrs. Tanner is president of the In- dustrial Society, and is a trustee of the church. In politics Mr. Tanner is a Democrat, and he served as a highway commissioner for about twelve years, being treasurer of the board.

TANNER, William Rodman, one of the pros. perous business men of Stillwell, was formerly extensively engaged in farming in St. Albans Township. He was born in Boone County, Ind., March 19, 1853, a son of James Harrison and Elizabeth (Bishop) Tanner, natives of Indiana. When he was only six years old, the family came to St. Albans Township, bringing him on a pillow, he protesting against the change by crying almost incessantly. The father bought land in St. Albans Township. but the mother died in 1863, and he died in 1865.

William Rodman Tanner was one of nine children. He was thrown an orphan at the tender age of twelve years upon the world. He proved capable of taking care of himself, however, and in time he acquired land in St. Albans Township, to which he added until there are now 196 acres of improved land in one body. Here he was engaged in farming until 1906, when he went to Grant County, Kans., and homesteaded 160 acres, remaining there for two and one-half years and proving up his property. In 1917 he sold that farm. In 1908 he returned to his St. Albans Town- ship farm and conducted it for two years, and then rented it to his son, Edgar, and organized the Farmers Elevator Company at Stillwell, which he has conducted for two years. He built the flour mill at Stillwell.

On December 25, 1879, Mr. Tanner was united in marriage with Adella Stillwell, born at Stillwell, a daughter of Arthur and Eliza (Duckworth) Stillwell, born in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner became the parents of the following children : Violetta, who mar- ried Glenn Tanner ; Bell, who is Mrs. Harvey Tanner, of St. Albans Township; Ed- ward, who lives at Stillwell; Edgar, twin brother of Edward, who is operating the home- stead; John F., who lives in Keene Township, Adams County, Ill .; and Eliza, who is Mrs. Frank McCune. of Keene Township. Adams County. On April 6, 1889, Mrs. Tanner died and she is buried in the Chili cemetery.

Mr. Tanner belongs to the Christian Church which he has served as an elder since 1880. He is a Republican and deeply and actively

interested in the enforcement of prohibition, having been a powerful factor in educating his community to the evils of the liquor traffic. He has served as a justice of the peace for two years, and as school trustee for a number of years. Since 1907 he has been a notary public. Fraternally he belongs to Stillwell Camp. M. W. A., and Stillwell Lodge No. 1017, I. O. O. F. The Tanner family is an honored one in Hancock County, and Mr. Tanner has every reason to be proud of what he has ac- complished through his own industry and per- severance.

TAYLOR, Josiah C., M. D., one of the promi- nent and popular physicians and surgeons of Hancock County, is engaged in an active prac- tice at Hamilton. He was born in Iowa, No- vember 17, 1872, one of the ten children of his parents, John D. and Elizabeth R. (Borlinger) Taylor. John D. Taylor was born in Indiana. By trade he was a carpenter, and in search of better conditions he went to Iowa.

Dr. Taylor attended the public schools of his native state, and then took the complete medical course at the Keokuk (Iowa) College, from which he was graduated in 1898. Sub- sequently, at different times, Dr. Taylor has taken post-graduate courses. After securing his degree, he entered upon the practice of his calling in Illinois, and came to Hamilton in 1903. where he has since remained. He is a member of the Hancock Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. A Democrat, Dr. Taylor has served Hamilton as city phy- sician, but aside from that has not had either the time or inclination to enter public life, the duties of his profession engrossing him.

Dr. Taylor was married to Miss Daisy Dodge, a daughter of Dr. T. J. Dodge, who belongs to a well known and prominent fam- ily of Hamilton. Dr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children, namely: Helen E., Josiah C., Jr., and Francis V. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. A schol- arly man. thoroughly trained in his profession, he is a credit to it and his community. where he is very highly esteemed for his abilities and engaging qualities.

THOMAS, Guy A., a farmer on sections 25 and 26, St. Mary's Township, is one of the substan- tial men of Hancock County. He was born in the house where he now lives. August 1. 1872, a son of Joseph M. and Anna J. (Lawler) Thomas. a well-to-do farmer of St. Mary's' Township.

Guy A. Thomas attended the common schools of his township, and the high school of St. Mary's, and with the exception of four months during 1900. when he was in Oregon, has passed his entire life on the old homestead. On September 1. 1909, he was married in this township. to Ethel L. Swisegood. born in Mc- Donough County. Ill .. April 18. 1884. a daugh- ter of George and Etta (Cecil) Swisegood, natives of McDonough County. and farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have three chil-

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dren, namely : Vera P., who was born May 21, 1910; Edwin A., who was born July 23, 1912; and Willis LeRoy, who was born March 11, 1915. In politics Mr. Thomas is a Republican. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors. They are numbered among the solid people of the county, and stand very well with their neigh- bors.

THOMAS, Joseph M., one of the prosperous farmers of St. Mary's Township, owns and op- erates 281 acres of valuable farm land in sec- tions 23, 25 and 26 of that township. He was born in St. Mary's Township, June 29, 1854, a son of Felix and Sarah (Burke) Thomas, na- tives of North Carolina, who came to Hancock County at an early day and became farmers of St. Mary's Township.

Joseph M. Thomas attended the district schools of his native township, and learned farming in a practical way from his father for whom he worked until his marriage, when he began farming for himself, and he has continued in this line ever since, doing general farming and stockraising.

On October 6, 1876, Mr. Thomas was married to Anna J. Lawler, and they had the following children : Frank, who is married to Mary Brum- ley, has the following children, Claude, Evelyn and Frank ; Guy, who is married to Ethel Swise- good, has the following children, Vera, Edwin and LeRoy; Fred, who is married to Myrtle Venard, has two children, Venard and Eloise; Walter, who is married to Clara Foltz, has one daughter, Emma; Pearl, who is Mrs. Clarence Talbot ; Jennie M., who is Mrs. Christian Sheedy, has the following children, Christian, Jr., and Frances Anne. On January 2, 1918, Mr. Thomas married (second) in Portland, Ore., to Henrietta Hammond at Warsaw, Ill. In poli- tics Mr. Thomas is a Republican. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Odd Fellows and the Hancock County Mutual Con- pany. There is no man in Hancock County who stands any higher in public esteem than does Mr. Thomas, and his prosperity is well merited.

THOMAS, Walter B., one of the substantial business men of Plymouth, Ill., is engaged very successfully in conducting a first class poultry business at this point. He was born in St. Mary's Township, October 12, 1884, a son of Joseph M. and Anna J. (Lawler) Thomas, the former of whom is a prominent and well-to-do farmer of St. Mary's Township.

Walter B. Thomas attended the schools of his district and worked on his father's farm until he moved to Plymouth in October, 1917, at which time he established his present business, and his since worked up a fine trade in this line.

On October 15, 1914, Mr. Thomas was mar- ried to Clara Foltz, born in Illinois, in Janu- ary, 1884, a daughter of Jacob and Minerva ( Hare) Foltz. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have one daughter, Emma Doris, who was born April 24,

1918. He is independent in his political views, preferring to cast his vote according to his own convictions rather than to be bound by party ties. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fel- lows, and is interested in his lodge work. A man who understands his business and the de- mands of his trade, he has been able to com- mand confidence, and his success is well mer- ited.

THOMPSON, Charles E., one of the practical farmers of Durham Township, is recognized as one of the successful agriculturalists of Han- cock County. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 13, 1879, a son of James Milton and Catherine (Rockel) Thompson, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. He came to Illinois when a boy, and was married in this state, but moved back to Ohio and spent four years. He then went to Edwards County, Kas., and after eleven years went thence to Portland, Ore. Coming back to Illinois, he bought a farm in Henderson County, and there he was acci- dentally killed, being run over by horses haul- ing a load of wheat, October 20, 1914. His widow then sold the farm, and is now living at Dallas City, Ill. Their children were as fol- lows: Harvey, who lives in Henderson County, Ill .; Charles E .; Walter, who lives at Brush, Colo .; Mary, who lives with her mother; Wil- liam, who lives in Colorado; John, who lives in Kansas; and Katie, who died at the age of two years.

Charles E. Thompson attended the district schools, and took a three months' course in bookkeeping. He resided with his parents. and with them returned to Illinois in 1893. When but sixteen years old he began to be self sup- porting, working among the farmers, and so continued until his marriage, which occurred February 18, 1902, when he was united with Mary Myrtle Garrett, born in Ohio, a daugh- ter of Henry Harrison. One year after his marriage, he rented the farm owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Manifold, in Durham Township, and conducted it for twelve years, when he bought 131% acres of land on sections 5, 6, 7 and S in Durham Township, the house being on section 5. The place was partly improved, but he has made many changes, and added to the number of buildings, including a hog house, corn crib and washroom. He does general farming and raises cattle, hogs and horses, cultivating eighty- five acres, the balance being in timber and pas- ture. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have three chil- dren, Mildred, Bert and Glenn, all of whom are at home. The Methodist Episcopal Church holds his membership, and he is a trustee of that body. In politics he is a Democrat and served as road commissioner, tax collector one term, and has been a school director since 1909. Un- derstanding as he does farming in all its details, he is able to conduct his operations effectively. and his methods are followed by a number less experienced than he.

TODD, John, now deceased, was for many years one of the substantial men of Hancock County, having come here at a very early day and

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developed one of the early farms from the raw prairies, was born in Madison County, Ky., in 1830, a son of Joel Todd, a native of Scot- land. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Lee, was born in Ireland, and she was a cousin of General Robert E. Lee, the Confeder- ate leader.

John Todd was reared in his native county, and attended its schools. There he was mar- ried to Martha Ann Elder, a daughter of An- derson Elder, a native of Ireland. who came to the United States prior to the War of 1812, in which he served as a soldier. subsequently locating in Madison County, Ky., where his daughter Mrs. Todd was born. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. John Todd came west to Illinois seeking a suitable location, but returned to Kentucky for a year. Once more they sought a new 'home, and spent a short time in the Hughy neighborhood of St. Mary's Township, leaving it for a farm in Car- thage Township. This they left for one in Carroll County. Mo. While they were living there, the Civil War was declared, and Mr. Todd enlisted in a Missouri cavalry regiment, and served for about ten months. In Novem- ber. 1865. he sold his property in Missouri. and returned to St. Mary's Township. and spent a winter in the Providence neighbor- hood. which he left for Carthage Township, and rented tlie Boston farm for a year. Mr. Todd then went to Harmony Township, and rented the Billy Bridgewater farm for ten years, and then bought forty acres of land from James Black, in Harmony Township. in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. Eight years later. he sold that farm. and rented another from E. Denver. two miles east of Ramsey, where he remained until he retired, at which time he bought a residence at Denver. Ill .. where he was residing at the time of his death, February 28. 1908. Mrs. Todd survived him until in July. 1915, when she passed away. aged eighty-seven years. Their children were as follows : Dr. Joseph H .. who lives at Mary- ville. Mo. : Melissa, who was married to Robert Pace. is deceased and so is her husband; John Charles Lee. who is deceased ; Mrs. Luke Funk ; W. I., who lives at Stroud, Okla. ; and Walter E., who is a merchant of Burnside, Ill .; R., who died at the age of fourteen years.

TODD, John Elder, one of the successful mer- chants of Burnside. comes of one of the pio- neer families of Hancock County, and he is widely and favorably known all over the county. He was born in St. Mary's Township, May 2. 1857. a son of John and Martha Ann (Elder) Todd, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work.

John Elder Todd was reared principally in Hancock County, and attended both the com- mon and high schools of this locality. On July 29. 1880, he was married to Frances Re- becca Mouldin, born in Pilot Grove Township, a daughter of Richard and Rachel (Crist- well) Mouldin. natives of Kentucky and West Virginia, respectively. After marriage. he rented a farm in Harmony Township, where

he remained for about twelve years, and then began operating as a deep well digger, with headquarters at Denver, Ill. He had three outfits and was engaged in drilling the wells in his vicinity for twelve years. On October 1, 1898, he went to Carthage, and in 1900 began the manufacture of harness, conducting that business for twelve years, when he sold. and moved to Burnside, where he embarked in a hardware, harness and agricultural implement business. In 1918 he discontinued the han- dling of implements on account of ill health, but still deals in hardware and harness.

Mr. and Mrs. Todd became the parents of five children: Effie Ethel, who is Mrs. Gage Cutler, of Northwood, Iowa, has three chil- dren, Helen A., Lucile and Lowell Todd Cut- ler ; Walter, who lives at Smithshire, Ill., married Merl Convers, and they have one son, John Conyers Todd; Bessie Lee, who is Mrs. Harvard Pettett, has two living children. Ruth and Julius, her eldest, William, having died in infancy : Harley Elder Todd. of Burnside, mar- ried Mabel Hamilton, and they have one son, Harley Hamilton Todd; and Chester Arthur, who served as a sergeant in the United States army, during the Great War. Mr. and Mrs. Todd belong to the Christian Church, and Mr. Todd has served it as deacon and elder, and is now a member of its official board. In politics he is a Republican. A Mason in good stand- ing. he belongs to ITancock Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M., and Carthage Chapter, R. A. M. For

two years he has been president of the Burn- side division of the Hancock County Mutual Association. A man of sterling integrity and upright living, he has justly won his reputa- tion for fair dealing. and is naturally num- bered among the men who represent the coun- ty's best interests.

TRESSLER, David Loy, now deceased, was an eminent man who attained success as a law- yer, minister and educator, and made his home for some years at Carthage. He was born at Loysville, Perry County, Pa., February 15, 1839, and died at Carthage, Ill., February 20, 1880. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Loy) Tressler, the former of whom, born July 22, 1800, died May 4, 1859, while the latter, born February 4, 180S, died July 25, 1890. John Tressler was the founder of the Loys- ville Academy, which later became the Tres- sler Orphans Home, now owned and conducted by the Lutheran Church. The Tressler family has a fine military record. It had the follow- ing representatives in the American Revolu- tionary War: Andrew Tressler, Michael Loy. Frederick Hamman and Michael Reed. David Loy Tressler enlisted for service during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Thirty- third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, par- ticipating in the battles of Fredericksburg, where he was twice wounded, Antietam and South Mountain.

David Loy Tressler attended Loysville Academy and Pennsylvania College, from which latter he was graduated with valedictorian

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honors. His early life was passed on a farm, and from boyhood he displayed the indomita- ble energy which was one of his leading char- acteristics in later life. After his graduation he was made principal of Loysville Academy, and he held that position until his enlistment in the army. After the Civil War, he prac- tised law in Perry County, Pa., but in January, 1870, moved to Mendota, Ill., and the following year went to Lena, Ill., where he became pas- tor of the Lutheran Church. After a year at that point, he came to Carthage to take a chair in Carthage College, and later was made presi- dent of that institution, which position he held at the time of his death. He belonged to the General Synod of the Lutheran Church and was the founder and first pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church at Carthage.

On November 30, 1865, Mr. Tressler was mar- ried at New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pa., to Ada Josephine McIntire, a daughter of Ben- jamin and Agnes Helen (Thomson) McIntire. Mrs. Tressler was born at New Bloomfield, Pa .. October 19, 1840, and died at Polo, Ill., May 2, 1909. Her father and brothers were lawyers of marked ability. Mrs. Tressler's great-grandfather John McIntire, served in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Tres- sler became the parents of the following chil- dren : Mary Loyetta, who was married to Cyrus B. Newcomer, lives at Carthage, Ill .; Elizabeth Agnes, who was married to J. Sum- ner Maloney, lives at Rockford, Ill .; John Arthur, who died October 9, 1881; Annie Mc- Intire, who died in 1872; and Charles J., who is an attorney in Chicago. In his efforts to pro- mote the interests of Carthage College, seconded by his zeal and ambition to make his institu- tion one of the foremost in the country, David Loy Tressler sacrificed his life.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 146

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