Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 149

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 149

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WEBB, William, now deceased, was one of the pioneers of Hancock County, and long asso- ciated with the early history of this section. He founded the Webb family in Hancock County, and his descendants are a credit to him and their communities. He was born in Eng- land, where he was married to Sarah Hughes. In 1841 he and his family came to the United States, and had only $2.50 when they reached La Harpe, Ill. Consequently, until he was able to get permanent employment, he worked at any- thing he could find to do. Industrious and thrifty, it was not long however, before he was able to invest in land, and he bought a farm in Appanoose Township which he improved after

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

clearing off the hazel brush with which it was covered. He added to his first purchase, so that when he died, October 1, 1882, he still owned 186 acres of land, after having given each of his three sons a farm. William Webb was seventy- one years old at the time of his demise, having been born in 1811. After the death of his first wife, who left two children, John, who lives at Blue Springs, Neb .; and Mary, who is de- ceased ; he was married (second) to Harriet Baldwin, born in Hertfordshire, England, the ceremony taking place in Hancock County. They became the parents of the following children : James, a prosperous farmer of Appa- noose Township; William, who lives at Nauvoo; George W., who is also a successful farmer of Appanoose Township; Sarah Ann, who was married to Emmitt Horton, died in the fall of 1916. The second Mrs. Webb died in April, 1884. William Webb was always very much interested in securing the best obtainable educational ad- vantages for the children of his neighborhood, and served on the school board of his district for several years.

The lessons taught by the life of such a man are of great educational value to the rising gen- eration, for by it is shown what can be accom- plished through perseverance, hard work and economy. When a man can come to a new land, practically without money or influential friends, wealthy and influential citizen, he proves that real worth counts more than gold, and honesty and become entirely through his own efforts, a is better than power.

WEBBER, Charles Albert, owner of the famous Meadow Brook Farm in Prairie Township, is one of the most successful general farmers and stockraisers in Hancock County. He was born in Rock Creek Township, April 30, 1872, a son of William J. and Mary Ann (Pilking- ton) Webber, he born in Baltimore, Md., and she in Sonora Township. Gabriel Ambrose Webber, the paternal grandfather, was born in German Poland, and came to the United States when twenty-one years old, locating at Baltimore, Md. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania. On May 23, 1871, occurred the marriage of William J. Webber and Mary Ann Pilkington and they settled in Rock Creek Township, living there until the spring of 1898, when he bought 140 acres of land in Prairie Township. where he remained until January 1, 1909, and then moved to Carthage, where he died February 8, 1913. His widow survives and lives on South Madison Street, Carthage. They had two children, namely : Charles Albert; and John F., who lives at Ottumwa, Iowa.

Charles Albert Webber attended the dis- trict schools, and when seventeen years old began assisting his father in farm work. In 1892 he took a commercial course at the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill., studying there for two winters. Upon his return home he attended Carthage College until 1898, dur-

ing

that

period

teaching

penmanship and

bookkeeping. In the fall of 1898 he entered the University of Illinois at Urbana, remain- ing there until December 16, 1898. On Jan- uary 2, 1899, he entered the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and was graduated there- from in June, 1900. Having, thus carefully prepared himself, Mr. Webber entered the educational field and taught, as assistant prin- cipal and principal, several schools until 1905, in which year he went into the publishing busi- ness in Iowa City. This he sold in 1914 to return to his father's homestead, where he has since continued, carrying on general farm- ing and stockraising, and specializing on rais- ing draft horses, big type Poland-China and registered Duroc-Jersey hogs. He also oper- ates a fine dairy and his products are sought on account of their excellence in every par- ticular.

On July 19, 1899, Mr. Webber was married to Neta C. Cutler, born at Carthage, a daugh- ter of Delos L. and Laura (Davis) Cutler, na- tives of New York and Ohio. They now re- side at Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Web- ber have two children, namely: Russell L .; and Charlotte A. Mr. Webber and family be- long to the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he is financial secretary and class lead- er, and a teacher of the Men's Bible class. He is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Carthage Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Iowa City Lodge, K. P. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Webber is secretary and treasurer of the McCall Farmers Telephone Company, and a member of the Hancock

County Farm Bureau. His knowledge and training fit him well for his present vocation, for it is a generally admitted fact that farın- ing is a calling that requires the efforts of the best educated men of the country in order that the maximum results be obtained. Hancock County is fortunate in having a man of Mr. Webber's abilities, connected with its agri- cultural activities.

WEBER, Henry, now deceased, was for a num- ber of years one of the honored residents of Carthage, and prior to that was extensively engaged in farming in Hancock County . He was born in Appanoose Township, September 17, 1858, a son of Samuel and Rosa (Soland) Weber, early settlers of Appanoose Township. Henry Weber was the eighth born in their family of twelve children. He was married January 3, 1884, to Sarah Lula Thomas, born in Sonora Township, February 23, 1855, a daughter of Isaac Taylor and Louisa (Nich- ols) Thomas, natives of Kentucky, and pio- neers of Sonora Township, where both died.

After his marriage, Henry Weber located in Appanoose Township and spent a year there, and then spent five years in Montebello Town- ship. He then bought 160 acres in the west- ern part of Rock Creek Township, and erected on it a number of buildings and otherwise im- proved it, making it his home for twenty-five years, when he rented the farm, moved to

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Carthage, where he bought a fine residence at No. 234 West Main Street, and there he died October 23, 1904. He and his wife had two children: Grace May, who was born De- cember 11, 1884, is Mrs. Frank Thornbur, of Powellton. Ill .; and Jessie Viola, who was born October 23, 1886, is Mrs. Cleland Thom- as, of Bushnell, Ill .. and she has one son, Lowell Weber Thomas. Mr. Weber was a consistent member of the Christian Church, which he long served as elder. In politics a Democrat, he served as a school director, and held other minor offices. He was a man of high principles and lived up to them in his everyday life.

WEBER, John Gotfried, a retired farmer of Nauvoo, was formerly extensively engaged in agricultural operations and was interested in various business lines. He was born at Louis- ville, Ky., March 17, 1851, a son of John G. and Henrietta (Vallet) Weber, he born at Wurten- burg, Germany, and she at Oxenburg, Saxony, Germany. Prior to leaving Germany the father was married, but losing his first wife, he was again married in Louisville, Ky., and his second wife was the mother of John Gotfried Weber. By trade the father was a harness maker, and in October, 1851, he came to Nauvoo, and con- ducted here a harness shop until his death, which occurred in 1864. The mother died in 1861. They had two children, Sophia, now Mrs. Theodore Oeksner of Fort Madison, Iowa, be- ing John G. Weber's sister.

When he was thirteen years old, John G. Weber began to be self-supporting, working at whatever he could find to do, and in 1865 he went to Louisville, Ill., and learned the harness- making trade. After four years apprenticeship, he went to Herman, Mo., and worked as a brick- maker for five years, when he located at Collins- ville, Ill., and manufactured brick until 1885. For the subsequent seven years he was engaged in a retail liquor business at that point, and then, coming to Hancock County, conducted his 160 acre farm for nine years. He then bought the Nauvoo ferry boat line and conducted it for seven years, when he sold it, and has since then lived retired in the First Ward of Nau- VOO.

On March 28, 1875, Mr. Weber was married to Barbara Muenek, born in Germany, a daugh- ter of John and Barbara Muenek. Mr. and Mrs. Weber became the parents of the following children : John George. who lives at Hamer, Ohio; Charles Frederick, who is at home; Louise, who is the wife of John Schmidt, lives at Nauvoo, and William Oscar, who lives at Greeley, Col. John G. and William O. are prac- ticing dentists. In politics Mr. Weber is a Re- publican. He is an honorable, upright man, in all of his undertakings, he did what he believed to be fair and just, and he holds the confidence and respect of all who know him.

WELCH, Nicholas, now deceased, was for many years one of the leading agriculturists of Han-

cock County, owning and operating land in Ap- panoose Township. He was born in Ireland, in 1830, and in 1848 he left his native land for the United States, and after landing at New Or- leans, La., he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until 1856. In the latter years he came to Hancock County, bought land in Ap- panoose Township, and there he was engaged in farming until his death, March 6. 1909.

In February, 1862, Mr. Welch was married to Mary Murphy, born at Norwich, Conn., June 9, 1843, a daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Connell) Murphy, born in County Cary, Ireland. They came to Nauvoo in 1858, and here Mr. Murphy worked at his trade of a stone mason. Mr. and Mrs. Welch became the parents of the following children : Mary and Ella, who live with their widowed mother; John, who lives at Winne- bago, Minn .; Nicholas, who lives in Appanoose Township; Richard, who lives at Davenport, Iowa; and Julia, who is Mrs. Peter Sayers of West Point, Iowa. The family all belong to the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Welch was a Democrat. An uphight man, he always did what he believed to be his full duty, and is held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.

WESTFALL, James William, public accountant, with residence at 116 N. Adams Street Carthage, is one of the sound and reliable men ot Han- cock County, whose value in his profession is recognized. He was born in Fountain Green Township. this county, November 30, 1861, a son of Calvin and Elizabeth (Mccullough) Westfall, the former of whom was born in New York, in 1834, and the latter in Hancock County, in 1840. The father was a farmer, who came to Hancock County at an early day and settled in Fountain Green Township.

James William Westfall attended the common schools of his native township, and was reared on a farm. After leaving school, he became a telegraph operator. Always prominent as a Democrat, he was elected on that party ticket county clerk of Hancock County, and was re- elected twice, serving from December 1, 1898, to December 1, 1910, and being one of the most careful and exact officials in office the county has ever had. At present he is president of the Hancock County Mutual Life Association, and a director in the Tri-State County Life Insurance Association. As an expert accountant he has few equals and no superiors, and his services are in continuous demand.

On February 20, 1887, Mr. Westfall was mar- ried at La Crosse, Ill., to Laura Mills, born October 25, 1867, a daughter of John and Lizzie (Gassam) Mills, the former born in West Vir- ginia in 1825, and the latter at Boston, Mass., in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Westfall have six sons, namely : Vernon, who was born March 28, 1SSS; Robert Bruce, who was born December 23, 1SS9; Paul C., who was born December 18, 1894; Mills, who was born July 22, 1897 ; James, who was born August 21, 1900; and Lewis G., who was born April 13, 1906. Mr. Westfall' be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fra-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

ternally he is a Mason and Odd Fellow and also is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He owns his residence at Carthage, and some farm land in Pilot Grove Township, Han- cock County. Mr. Westfall is very genial and social by nature, and is noted for his accommo- dating spirit and thorough grasp of the details of his undertakings. A man of this type is always a valuable asset to any community, and Mr. Westfall's influence upon Carthage and Hancock County, is markedly good in every par- ticular.

WETTRICK, Fred, one of the successful farm- ers of Hancock County, owns and operates eighty acres of land in Rock Creek Township. He was born in Wortenburg, Germany, in Oc- tober, 1865, and had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was four years old, although his father survives and lives in Germany.

In 1893 Fred Wettrick came to the United States, and spent six months in a brewery at Philadelphia, Pa., when he left for Chicago, and spent a few months in that city. He then came to Hancock County, and for four years worked on a farm in Pilot Grove Township, after which he moved to Rock Creek Township and for three years was engaged in farming for him- self. He then bought 152 acres of land in Pon- toosic Township, but sold it after ten years, and in 1914 bought his present farm, on which he has erected some substantial buildings, in- cluding a tool shed and one for his cows, and made other improvements which add to the value of his farm. Mr. Wettrick has always carried on general farming.

In June, 1899, Mr. Wettrick was married to Emma Feasley, born at Dallas City, Ill. They have one daughter, Edna, who was born in May, 1901. Mr. Wettrick is a Republican. He belongs to the Hancock County Mutual Associa- tion. The Lutheran Church holds his member- ship. A hard-working, thrifty man, Mr. Wett- rick has earned his present prosperity, and is numbered among the substantial men of his neighborhood.

WETZEL, Jameson Hawkins, a retired farmer living at Basco, Ill., was formerly an impor- tant factor in the agricultural life of Hancock County. He was born near Indianapolis, Ind., July 5, 1835, a son of John M. and Mary (Symmonds) Wetzel, natives of Bucks County. Pa., and Butler County, Ohio. They moved to the vicinity of Indianapolis, and there the father worked as a cabinetmaker, and had the distinction of being selected to carry the state records to Indianapolis when the state house was completed. In 1840 he moved to Adams County, Ill., bought a farm and conducted it for eleven years. In 1851 he moved to Bear Creek Township, Hancock County, where he bought 320 acres, improved his property and lived on it until he died in 1858, his widow sur- viving him until 1883. Their children were as follows: Jameson H .; Royal F., who lives at Hamilton, Ill .; William S., who lives at Basco, and six who are now deceased.

Jameson H. Wetzel was married January 16, 1859 to Martha J. Kimbrough, born in Carthage Township, a daughter of William and Martha (Canthorn) Wetzel, and they then took charge of the Wetzel farm later buying out the other heirs. Mr. Wetzel op- erated this farm until 1876, when he removed to Basco, renting his farm, and in 1878 be- came deputy sheriff under Sheriff W. P. Dam- ron, and was elected sheriff in 1882, discharg- ing the duties of that office satisfactorily. In 1886 he bought a residence at Carthage and went into a livery business, but sold it in three years, and moved to Warsaw where he con- ducted the Adams Hotel for three years. Re- turning to Carthage, he was elected assessor of Carthage Township, and then served as jus- tice of the peace for twelve years. He also served as marshal of Carthage for three years. In 1914 he retired on account of ill health, and in 1916 he rented his residence at Carthage, and since then has lived at Basco.

Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel became the parents of the following children : John, who died at the age of forty years, while in the employ of the A. T. & S. F. Railroad, at Kansas City, Mo .; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. James Biggs, of Bear Creek Township; Anna, who is deceased; Al- bert, who is deceased; and Charles C., who lives at Carthage. Although his educational advantages were limited to those afforded by the little log school, he had added to his store of knowledge by a life of observation and varied experience, has capably filled important offices and is well informed on every subject. Politically he is a Democrat. He maintains fraternal relations with the Royal Arch Ma- sons.

WHITCOMB, Dwight, now deceased, was one of the pioneers of Rock Creek Township, and one of the men responsible for much of its de- velopment. He was born in Trumbell County, Ohio, November 12, 1830, a son of Wyman and Lura (Brockway) Whitcomb. Wyman Whit- comb was a son of David Whitcomb, a grand- son of Elisha, a great-grandson of David, a great-great-grandson of Josiah, and a great- great-great-grandson of John Whitcomb, born in England, who founded the Whitcomb family in the new world. Dwight Whitcomb came to Illinois in 1832, being brought by his father, Wyman Whitcomb. The latter served as super- visor of his township for thirty years and was a very prominent man. In 1847 or 1848, Dwight Whitcomb located in Hancock County, buying 160 acres of wild prairie land in what is now Rock Creek Township. He and a brother Jas- per, broke the prairie sod with oxen, and in order to get rails with which to fence off their land, went to some distant timber, chopped down trees, and split them up into the proper size. They then hauled the rails to the farm, using oxen for that purpose. Later Dwight Whitcomb added to his first purchase until he had 413 acres of prairie and ten acres of tim- ber land.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

On March 29, 1856, Dwight Whitcomb was married to Mary H. Ellison, who was born in Yorkshire, England, December 29, 1837. She was a daughter of John and Jane (Wilson) Ellison, natives of England. As is a well known fact, missionaries of the Mormon faith visited England in large numbers, and through misrep- resentation, no doubt, induced a number of the English people to come to Nauvoo. Among the new converts to Mormonism were the Ellisons, who, when they discovered the abuses, after their arrival at Nauvoo in 1842, doubtless re- gretted their step. They continued to reside in Hancock County long after the Mormans were driven out. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb became the parents of the following children: Wyman T., who lives in Rock Creek Township; Furman M., who lives at Nauvoo; John D., who lives in Rock Creek Township; James A., who also lives in Rock Creek Township; and Lewis M., who is operating the homestead of his parents. Dwight Whitcomb died at Adrian, Ill., where he moved when he retired from the farm, January 22, 1904, and his widow, who continued to live at Adrian, also died there, passing away March 3, 1918. Mr. Whitcomb was a man of prom- inence in his township, and held many of the offices for his neighbors had faith in his judg- men't and ability, and he justified this confi- dence.

WHITCOMB, John David, of Rock Creek Town- ship, and formerly extensively engaged in farming, is one of the highly respected men of Hancock County. He was born in Rock Creek Township, September 6, 1861, a son of Dwight and Mary H. (Ellison) Whitcomb, and grandson of Wyman T. and Lura (Brockway) Whitcomb and John and Jane (Wilson) Elli- son, all early settlers of Hancock County. A sketch of the Whitcomb family appears else- where in this work.

John David Whitcomb was reared on his fa- ther's farm, and sent to the district schools. When he attained his majority, he began farming on eighty acres of land on section 14, given to him by his father, and he boarded while he was getting his improvements started. Although the land was all undeveloped when he took charge of it, he has improved it until it is now one of the most valuable properties in his township. and to it he has added forty acres of land. For several years, he has rented his farm, with the exception of twenty acres he turned over to his son, but he lives on the property.

On March 20. 1890. Mr. Whitcomb was mar- ried to Mary L. Youngmeyer, born at Nau- voo. a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sei- bert) Youngmeyer, who live at Adrian, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb became the parents of the following children : Ethel M., who was born April 12, 1891, is Mrs. Carl Ketcham of Batavia, Ill .: Arthur, who was born July 7, 1893. is at home: and Ada, who is also at home. In his political views. Mr. Whitcomb subscribes to the principles of the Democra-

tic party. His fraternal affiliations are with Ferris Lodge. No. 674, I. O. O. F. His suc- cess in farming came through his knowledge of the work and his willingness to look after things himself.

WHITCOMB, Lewis M., one of the prosperous general farmers of Rock Creek Township, is a native of this township, having been born here July 14, 1877. He is a son of Dwight and Mary H. (Ellison) Whitcomb, natives of Ohio and of Yorkshire, England, respectively. Wy- man Whitcomb came to Hancock County when his son, Dwight Whitcomb, was still a boy. Dwight Whitcomb and his wife located in Rock Creek Township after their marriage, and there he died in January, 1904. The mother died March 3, 1918. Their children were as follows: Wyman, who lives in Rock Creek Township; Farnham, who lives in Nau- voo: John and Bert, who both live in Rock Creek Township; and Lewis M., who is the youngest.

Lewis M. Whitcomb has always lived in Rock Creek Township, and he attended its schools. His father gave him eighty acres of the old farm, on which was located the home- stead, and he later bought thirteen and one- half acres. Mr. Whitcomb has always carried on general farming, and has been very suc- cessful.

On March 2. 1898, he was married to Ella Boyles, born in Appanoose Township, a daugh- ter of John and Mary (Swigert) Boyles. he born in Ireland. and she in Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb have one son, Neil Leonard, who was born November 7, 1905. In politics Mr. Whitcomb is a Democrat, and he has been a school director since 1910. He is a director of the Carthage-Colusa Telephone Company, and is a man of substance. having known how to profitably invest the money he earned and saved.

WHITE, James Armstrong, now deceased, was for many years a very prominent factor in the life of Hancock County, and owned and devel- oped some fine farming land. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, June 6, 1830, a son of Joseph and Marie (Armstrong) White, who in 1839 made what was then the long and danger- ous trip to McDonough County, Ill., from High- land County, Ohio, with a horse and wagon. They bought land in Tennessee Township, Mc- Donough County, but later came to Hancock County, and located at Carthage, where he died. His widow survives and makes her home on the homestead they bought in St. Mary's Township, a daughter residing with her.

James Armstrong White was married in Sep- tember. 1857, to Amelia Ann Boyd, born in Highland County, Ohio, June 26, 1836, a daugh- ter of William and Catherine (Hicks) Boyd. Mr. and Mrs. White became the parents of the following children: Morris A., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Laura A., who is deceased; Martha E., who is Mrs.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Thomas L. Stevens of Dallas City, Ill .; Cath- erine, who is Mrs. George Crump of St. Mary's Township, is living on her father's homestead ; Jane, who is Mrs. William Ewing of Lawrence, Kans .; Nellie, who was Mrs. Homer Walker, is deceased ; and Alice, who was Mrs. Otto Wisen- born, is also deceased.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. White located on a farm in Tennessee Township, Mc- Donough County, but sold it in 1873, and com- ing to Hancock County, bought a farm in St. Mary's Township, then known as the John Wil- son farm, for which they paid $30.00 per acre. Their judgment has been justified for this land is now worth $200 per acre. They later in life moved to Carthage, where he passed away. They were most excellent people in every re- spect, and brought up their children to be honor- aDie men and women, able to do their share in the communities in which they located.

WHITE, John, one of the prosperous general farmers and stockholders of Carthage Township, is a highly esteemed man of Hancock County. He was born near Havana, Mason County, Ill., October 28, 1850, a son of Nathan Harmon and Arina (Sena) White, born in Crawford County, Ill., where they were married, going thereafter to Mason County, Ill. Both were born in 1818. They lived in Mason County until 1859, when they moved to Hancock County, making the trip with two yoke of oxen and one team of horses, and settled in Sonora Township, on Golden's Point, living there until the spring of 1865, at which time they bought a farm in Rock Creek Township, and there he died July 10, 1887, she surviving him until December 23, 1893. Their children were as follows : Mary, who died at the age of thirteen years; Harrison, who is de- ceased ; Eliza, who is the widow of C. Kline- smith of Ore .; Ared, who lives in Oregon; Daniel, who lives at Atlantic, Iowa ; Cyrus, who lives in Oklahoma; Albert, who is deceased ; Isabell who is Mrs. John E. Merritt, of Han -- cock County ; and George F., who is deceased.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 149

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