Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 150

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 150

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When he was twenty-one years old, John White began working on a farm by the day and month, and while doing so, bought one horse on partial payments and secured another in return for feed furnished. He kept adding to his possessions and finally, in 1875, was able to buy eighty acres of land in Prairie Township, which he improved, residing on it until the fall of 1885, when he bought another farm of 180 acres in Hancock Township that was improved, and moved on it. In 1895 he bought 160 acres ad- joining Carthage, on the northeast, where he now resides. He has erected all the buildings on his farm and brought it up to date. He sold his other farms and bought 112 acres of blue grass land in Carthage Township, a portion of which is in timber, but the remainder he uses for pasturage, and he has always carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising. In 1914 he bought eighty acres in Rock Creek Township, which he rents.

On April 1, 1877, Mr. White was married to

Mary Louisa Merritt, born in Rock Creek Town- ship, a daughter of Richmond and Harriet (Tennhill) Merritt, he born in Bradford County, Pa., and she at Athens, Licking County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. White have two children, namely : Minnie E., who is at home; and George R., who is a farmer with his father. Mr. White belongs to the Primitive Baptist Church, and Mrs. White belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. White is a Democrat.

WHITE, Morris Armstrong, one of the pros- perous farmers of Hancock Township, has had a long and varied experience as an agricul- turalist, and his success has been achieved along legitimate lines. He was born in Ten- nessee Township, McDonough County, III., June 27, 1858, a son of James A. and Amelia Ann (Boyd) White, born near Greenfield, Ohio, and grandson of Joseph and Maria (Armstrong) White, and William and Cath- erine (Hicks) Boyd. These grandparents were among the very earliest settlers of Mc- Donough County. Ill., the paternal grandfa- ther being a cooper by trade, who died at Colchester, Ill.

After their marriage James A. White and his wife located on a farm in Tennessee Town- ship, but sold it in 1873 and came to St. Mary's Township, Hancock County, buying the John Wilson farm. the southeast quarter of section 7, for which they paid $30 per acre, and this same land is now worth $200 per acre. Their last years were spent at Carth- age. Their children were as follows: Morris Armstrong, whose name heads this review ; Laura, who was Mrs. Robert W. Botts, died and left four children; Martha Ellen, who is Mrs. Thomas Stevens, of Dallas City, Ill .; Catherine, who is Mrs. George Crump, of St. Mary's Township; Nellie Bell, who was Mrs. Homer Walker, died and left four children; Alice May, who died without issue, was Mrs. Otto Wisenborn; and Mary Jane, who was Mrs. William E. Ewing, of Lawrence, Kans., had seven daughters and one son.

Morris Armstrong White was married Sep- tember 26, 1860, to Pearl Ewing, born in Han- cock County, a daughter of George W. and Eunice Ewing, natives of Ohio and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. White had the following chil- dren: Bert, who lives in Hancock Township: Fred, who lives in St. Mary's Township; and Susie, who is a public schoolteacher. Mrs. White died February 25. 1898, On January 5, 1899. Mr. White was married to Mrs. Mary (Falder) Anderson, widow of William Ander- son of McDonough County. III .. who had a son. Clifford. By his second marriage, Mr. White has a daughter, Grace, who lives at home.

Following his first marriage, Mr. White took up his residence on a farm of 120 acres in St. Mary's Township, where he was engaged in farming until 1905 when he moved to his farm of 126 acres in Hancock Township and lived there for two years, and then spent three

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years on his St. Mary's Township farm. Once more he came to Hancock Township, and here he has since been engaged in general farming and stockraising. He is a Democrat, and served on the school board for fifteen years, and as road commissioner for two years. An efficient farmer, and desirable citizen, he is re- garded as a valuable addition to Hancock Township.

WHITE, William Harrison, now deceased, was for a number of years a substantial factor in the life of Hancock County. He was born March 9, 1817, in Alleghany County, New York, a son of Jary and Lucinda White, natives of Massachusetts, who located in New York state after their marriage, and in 1835 came to Illi- nois. At first they lived for a time on the western edge of McDonough County, but then moved into Hancock County, and bought land in Fountain Green Township, where he died in 1851.

William Harrison White was reared in his native state, and attended its schools. He accompanied his parents to Illinois, and after his arrival in McDonough County, he was mar- ried to Irene L. Foy. a native of New York, who died in 1851 at Warsaw. Ill, they having moved there in 1848. He afterward married Eunice Ferris Beebe, who was born March 31. 1827, a daughter of Jabez and Sophia (Waite) Beebe, natives of New- York state, who in 1832 drove overland to Hancock County, and located in what is now Fountain Green Township. Jabez Beebe entered land from the government, and added to his original farm by purchase. it being on the present site of Foun- tain Green, which he named. He also owned land in large tracts for miles around his home- stead. and he was one of the most important men of his day in this section.

William Harrison White and his wife be- came the parents of the following children : W. S .; H. C .; Nellie B. who is Mrs. L. F. George : and Lucie M. Engel, who died April 13. 1912. From the time of his marriage, until his death which occurred March S. 1894, Wil- liam H. White worked at his trade as carpen- ter. In his passing his community lost an excellent citizen. His wife died a number of years before him, passing away in December, 1874. The only representative of their family still living in this county, is Mrs. Lewis F. George, of Fountain Green Township.

WHITFORD, Samuel E., one of the successful general farmers of Hancock County, owns and operates eighty acres of land on section 24, Chili Township. He was born in Adams County. Ill., March 29, 1863, a son of Samuel and Mary (Thomas) Whitford. natives of Ohio and Rhode Island, respectively. of whom the former is deceased, but the latter survives and makes her home at Augusta, being nearly eighty years old.

Samuel E. Whitford attended the schools of Adams and Hancock counties, and has lived on the homestead all his life, his present place

being the Whitford family farm. On Decem- ber 11, 1908, he was married to Jane Cross, born in Adams County, Ill., February 27, 1871, a daughter of Joseph and Clarence (Wedding) Cross, natives of Ohio, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Whitford had one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Whitford be- longs to the Christian Church, but Mr. Whit- ford is not connected with any religious or-

ganization. Ever since he cast his first vote Mr. Whitford has given his hearty support to the candidates and principles of the Republi- can party. An excellent farmer, he has been successful in his undertakings, and at tlie same time he has earned and retained the con- fidence and respect of his fellow citizens.

WIBBELL, George, one of the highly esteemed residents of Dallas City, was for many years one of its leading meat dealers, but is now liv- ing retired. He was born in Orange County, N. Y., September 25, 1847, a son of John and Caroline (Peffer) Wibbell, natives of Ger- many, who were married in New York state. John Wibbell was a butcher by trade and when his son George was a small child, moved to Ohio, and in 1854, went to Fort Madison, Iowa. A little later, he came to Hancock County, and locating at Pontoosic, conducted a meat business at that point, and was also in a retail liquor business. His death occurred in 1873, his widow surviving him until 1903. Their children were as follows: George, Rudolph, who lives at Dallas City; John, Caroline and Louisa, who are all deceased; Emma. who is Mrs. Paul Lorence, of Dallas City ; and Louis, who died in infancy.

George Wibbell lived with his parents in Dal- las City, until his enlistment for service during the Civil War, on March 24, 1865, in Company G, Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for one year, and was assigned to Alabama and Mississippi, remaining in the South until his discharge March 23, 1866, when he returned to Dallas City, and worked at what employment he could obtain.

On February 7, 1SS1, George Wibbell was married to Mary Alice Rice, born in Mead County, Ky .. a daughter of Jonathan and Mar- garet E. (Scott) Rice, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, who were very early settlers of Pontoosic Township, where Mr. Rice was en- gaged as a carpenter for many years. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Wibbell embarked in a butchering business, and carried it on for twenty-five years, when his establishment was destroyed by fire, and since then he has lived retired. He owns his residence at Dallas City. Mr. and Mrs. Wibbell have no children, but they reared a daughter of Mrs. Wibbell's sister. and the son of another sister, who re- mained with Mr. and Mrs. Wibbell until they were married and went forth to found homes of their own. Mr. Wibbell is a Democrat, and served on the board of education one term. He belongs to the Masons and Knights of Pythias.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

WILCOX, Edward A., ex-circuit clerk of Han- cock County, was born in Durham Township, February 16, 1855, a son of Linus L. and Abi- gail (Burr) Wilcox, natives of Connecticut, he being a son of Lyman and Emaline (Hub- bard) Wilcox. Lyman Wilcox left Connecti- cut with his family and came overland to Hancock County, all their possessions being in a covered wagon, and after a weary jour- ney of seven weeks, they landed in La Harpe, July 25, 1839.

The parents of Edward A. Wilcox were married before coming to Hancock County, and they were well educated people, both hav- ing taught school, and the mother was a writ- er of some note, her contributions being pub- lished in Godey's Ladies Magazine. The fa- ther taught the first school in La Harpe, and received his pay in state script, and he also was engaged in farming on land that he had acquired. When the first church was organ- ized, he was very prominent in securing its establishment. and when the Republican party was organized, he adopted its principles and adhered to them for the remainder of his life. He filled a number of the township offices and was a very prominent man. After the death of his first wife, he was married again, having seven children by his first marriage, and four by his second, the survivors being as follows : Dr. C. H., who lives at Princeville, Ill .; F. E., who lives at Milton, Ore .; Fred S., who lives in Durham Township on the Wilcox home- ' Township; and Ewald, who lives at Ridge- stead; and Edward A .. who is the only one anna, Canada. living of the first marriage.

Edward A. Wilcox was only fourteen years old when he left school and began working on his own account. For the first four years after leaving home he was employed by a farmer, and then was engaged in different lines until he attained his majority. On Feb- ruary 13, 1879, he was married to Gertrude Ketcham, born in this county, and after they were married they moved to a farm and he operated it until he was elected circuit clerk of Hancock County, Mr. Wilcox had the dis- tinction of being the only Republican to be elected to this office, so it is natural to infer that it was his personal popularity that se- cured him the necessary number of votes. When he was on the ticket of his party for the same office in 1908, he only lacked seven- ty-two votes of election, in a county that gives ordinarily a Democratic majority of 700 votes. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have three children, namely ; Blanche, who is a graduate of Gid- ding's Seminary, is the wife of James E. Cher- rell; Jessie, who is a graduate of the Car- thage High school, is the wife of Harry E. Conwell of California ; and Edward W. who is attending Carthage College. Mr. Wilcox be- longs to Hancock Lodge No. 20. A. F. & A. M., and Benthem Lodge No. 412. I. O. O. F. He is a representative citizen and first class busi- helped to organize the Tri-State County Mu- tual Life Insurance Company, and is still one of the directors. He is also interested in other

concerns and companies in the county. The pneumatic shock absorber for automobiles that bears his name, was invented and pat- ented by him, and he receives a handsome in- come from its sale. In every way Mr. Wilcox is a representative citizen and first class busi- ness man, and his standing in his community is deservedly high.

WILKE, Max Albert, who owns and operates a fine farm of eighty acres in La Harpe Town- ship, is one of the substantial men of Han- cock. He was born near Riga, Prussia, Ger- many, June 6, 1876, a son of Adolph and Sophia (Baltzer) Wilke, natives of Germany. The father was a brickmaker by trade. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, he served in the Prussian army, and upon his return was mar- ried. In 1889 he brought his family to the United States, and they located in Hancock County, where he was employed for two years on a farm by William Soland. Mr. Wilke then went to La Harpe and embarked in the business of manufacturing brick, so continuing for eight years, when he began farming for himself. His death occurred in 1914, but the mother survives and lives with a daughter in Nebraska. Their children were as follows : Max Albert ; Helen, who is Mrs. Millard Kause, of Duel County, Neb. ; Emma, who is deceased ; Ernest, who lives at Charles City, Neb. ; Bertha, who is deceased ; Albert, who lives in La Harpe

Max Albert Wilke attended the public schools of the United States, and was reared to farm work. On March 15, 1902, he was married to Amelia Helmers, born on section 26, La Harpe Township, a daughter of John and Carrie (Bertz) Helmers, natives of Germany and Han- cock County, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Wilke have three children, namely: Elsie, Leslie and Helen.

After his marriage. Mr. Wilke worked for others a year, and then farmed for another year on twenty acres of land he owned. He then bought eighty acres of his father-in-law's homestead. and since then has made many improvements, making it a very valuable prop- erty. Here he carries on grain farming. In politics he is a Republican, and since the fall of 1909, he has served as a school director. The Methodist Church of La Harpe holds his membership. Mr. Wilke is a practical farmer, and is making his knowledge and experience count in his work, which is now so specially important when the world is looking to the American farmer for much of its food supply.

WILKINSON, Fred A., senior member of the firm of Wilkinson & Bradshaw, editors and proprietors of The Quill, is a man of forceful character and wide influence at La Harpe and in Hancock County. He was born in Hancock County, October 15, 1862. one of the eleven children of his parents, John and Jane (Nance) Wilkinson. The paternal grandfather, also John

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Wilkinson, was born Pennsylvania, and his son, Jolın Wilkinson, Jr., was born at Phila- delphia, Pa., January 16, 1806. The wife of John Wilkinson, Jr., and mother of Fred A. Wilkinson, was born at New Albany, Ind., in 1825. John Wilkinson, Jr., came to La Harpe Township at an early day, locating one and one-half miles west of La Harpe, where he set- tled on 160 acres of land. For a time he oper- ated his farm and a sawmill, but later became a merchant, and continued in the mercantile line until his death in 1893.

Fred A. Wilkinson attended the schools of La Harpe, and in the fall of 1877 he began his apprenticeship at the printer's trade. After completing it he worked as a printer until 1898, when he purchased The Quill, and has since issued this live journal, and conducted a relia- ble job printing office. In 1904 he took into partnership with him Harry W. Bradshawt, who had been in his office for some years, and this association continues, the firm operat- ing under the caption of Wilkinson & Brad- shaw.

Mr. Wilkinson married Miss Emma Walter, who was born in Indiana, July 30, 1860, a daughter of William and Sallie B. (Sweazy) Walter, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have two children, namely : Maud E., who was born February 2, 1890; and Ruth E., who was born October 29, 1891. Mr. Wilkinson is a member of Bristol Lodge No. 653, I. O. O. F., which he joined in 1SSS. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as alderman of La Harpe and in other ways proven his public spirit and ability. The Quill is recognized as one of the leading jour- nals of its kind in the county, and its policies have done much in shaping public opinion on different occasions when big issues were at stake.

WILLARD, James Solomon, one of the enter- prising men of Hancock County in former years, is now living retired at Carthage, where he is held in high respect. He was born in Huston Township, Adams County, Ill., April 2. 1845, a son of Davis and Frances (Harris) Willard, natives of Tennessee and South Car- olina. The grandparents, James and Polly (Goodpasture) Willard, natives of Tennessee, were very early settlers of Adams County, Ill. The maternal grandfather, Solomon Harris, was also a very early settler of the same county. After their marriage, the parents lo- cated in Huston Township, Adams County, and there the father died about 1878, and the mother in 1855. They had two children, namely : Mary, who is now deceased, was Mrs. James Hughes; and James Solomon. The fa- ther was married (second) to Mrs. Mary Prather, who had three children, namely : Henry, who lives at Bowen, Ill .; and Douglas and Frances, both of whom live in Missouri.

James Solomon Willard received very mea- gre educational advantages, but has made the most of his opportunities. On January 12,

1865, he was married to Sarah Ann Huff, born in Huston Township, a daughter of Abram and Christie Ann (Eckles) Huff, natives of Pennsylvania. Their children were as fol- lows: Oscar, who lives at Cherokee, Kans .; Anna, who is now deceased, was Mrs. Albert Thompson ; and Jennie, who is Mrs. Crumn. On August 12, 1885, Mr. Willard was married (second) to Mrs. Martha (Lower) Merritt, born in Morgan County, Ill., a daughter of An- drew and Elsie (Jones) Lower, natives of Tennessee, who came to Morgan County at an early day, and in 1851 located in Rock Creek Township. Hancock County, where she died in 1880 and he in 1SS2. Mrs. Willard was the widow of Marion Merritt, and had four daugh- ters. namely : Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Edward Benjamin. of Lafayette, Ind .; Delia, who is Mrs. William Kingman. of Hamilton. Ill., Clara, who is Mrs. Frank Flynn, of Rock Creek Township; and Etta, who is Mrs. Ben- jamin Dennison. of Hamilton. Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Willard became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Amanda, who is Mrs. Walter Wisehart. of Carthage. Ill .; Bessie, who is Mrs. Henry Gooding, of Rock Creek Town- ship; Martha, who is Mrs. Otis Gooding. of Adams County ; and James S., who lives in Pilot Grove Township, married Laura Smith, and they have one daughter, Hazel, who was born in July. 1916.

After his marriage, Mr. Willard rented land in Huston Township, Adams County for three years, and then moved to Prairie Township, Hancock County, where he continued as a renter for five years, and then bought land in Adams County. After five years he returned 'to Hancock County and bought forty acres in Chili Township, and after conducting it for two years sold it and bought a farm in Rock

Creek Township. In four years he sold that farm. and then for ten months conducted a butcher shop at Ferris. He then bought a farm in Rock Creek Township, selling it in four years, and then bought eighty-five acres in Prairie Township. thoroughly improved it and lived on it for eighteen years. when he sold it for $7.000 more than he paid for it. bought property at Carthage, moved to the county seat, and has since lived in retirement. He is a member of the Baptist Church. A Democrat. he has served as highway commis- sioner and school director. The Bowen Lodge. A. F. & A. M. and the Modern Woodmen of America have in him a loyal member.

WILLIAMS, Frederick. The records of Hancock County show the names of many men and women who have passed away, but have left on their communities the impress of their up- right. honest and useful lives. One of these men who always did what he believed was his full duty to his family and country was the late Just Williams, father of Mrs. Wilbert Ort, of Sonora Township.

Frederick Williams was born in Prussia, Germany, but left his native land in young

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manhood, and came to the United States. While residing at East St. Louis, Ill., he met and was married to Caroline Mast. For a time they continued to make East St. Louis their home, but when they had acquired suf- ficient means, they came to Hancock County and bought a farm in Sonora Township. Their remainder of their active years was spent in developing and improving their land, but they lived long after they retired from their farm, as he was ninety-two years old when he died in August, 1916, and she ninety, when she passed away in October, 1917. They had the following children: Elizabeth, who is Mrs. John Heysey, of Nauvoo Township; John, who is deceased; Benjamin, who is a farmer of Appanoose Township; Caroline, who is Mrs. Samuel Donnellson, of Hamilton, Ill .; Sophia, who is Mrs. Adam Youngmeyer, of Wichita, Kans .; Mrs. Wilbert Ort, of Sonora Town- ship; Anna, who is Mrs. Harry Herbert, of Quincy, Ill. ; and Samuel, who lives at Derby, Kans.

When Mr. and Mrs. Williams died. they were among the oldest residents in point of years, in Hancock County, and among the old- est living settlers of Sonora Township, so that special interest attaches to them, for. they were spared for many years more than are ac- corded to the ordinary person.

WILLIAMS, Jesse C .. was born at Richmond, Madison County, Ky., August 22, 1819, a son of Richard and Catherine (Holder) Williams. Richard Williams was born at Fredericksburg, Culpeper County, Va., in 1786, and his wife was born in Clark County, Ky., in April, 1797. Capt. John Holder, Jesse C. Williams' maternal grand- father, and his maternal great-grandfather, Col. Richard Calloway, joined Daniel Boone at Boone's Fort, on the Kentucky River in 1775. In July, 1776, Colonel Calloway's two daugh- ters, Betsey and Fanny Calloway, and Jemima Boone, were captured by a party of Indians who were concealed along the river. The In- dians were pursued by Boone, Calloway, Hender- son, and Captain Holder. The latter overtook the Indians and the girls were rescued. Later there were several marriages growing out of this adventure among them that of Flanders Callo- way and Jemima Boone. These young people became the forebears of the Calloways of Mis- souri. The year following, Captain Holder mar- ried Fannie Calloway, Daniel Boone's brother performing the ceremony. The grandparents on both sides of the house took a prominent part in the American Revolution, and Col. Richard Calloway was very active in the development of Kentucky, and in subduing the Indians, then very hostile. Mrs. Williams' grandfathers, John Colyer and Joseph Graves, were also soldiers in the American Revolution.

Richard Williams learned the trade of a har- nessmaker, at Richmond, Va., and in 1808 moved to Richmond, Ky., where he followed his calling until 1828, and then moved on a farm in Rockcastle County, Ky., retiring to the coun-

ty seat of that county in 1848, where he lived until his death in 1878. His wife died in 1884. They had thirteen children, of whom the sole survivor is William H., of Aztec, New Mexico.

Jesse C. Williams attended the schools of his day, and at an early age went south to work on the railroad being built from Atlanta to Chat- tanooga. It was over this road that Gen. Joseph Johnston made his retreat during the Civil War. After severing his connection with this road, Jesse C. Williams returned home and was engaged in farming during the summer, while in the winter time he taught school. Later he engaged in merchandising at Mt. Vernon, Ky., leaving for Carthage, Ill., in 1857. Here he opened a general store and conducted it suc- cessfully for more than thirty years. He first located on the south side of the square, later was on the west side, and then erected a brick business block on the north side, where he did business until his retirement.

On March 5, 1850, he married Miss Mary Col- ver, who was born in Rockcastle County, Ky., May 8, 1826, and she died at Carthage in Janu- ary, 1910. She was a daughter of John and Susan (Graves) Colyer, both natives of Cul- peper County, Va., he born July 4, 1782, and she December 15, 1787. He was a farmer of Kentucky, and died in January, 1833. During the War of 1812, he served his country as a sol- dier. He was the father of eleven children. On March 5, 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Williams cele- brated their golden wedding anniversary. One son, Oscar W., was graduated from the law de- partment of Harvard University, and is an at- torney at Ft. Stockton, Texas. He married Sal- lie Wheat, and they have five children. One granddaughter, Katharyn, who was graduated from the Carthage High school, and Carthage College with the degree of A. B., and the State University, with the degree of A. M., is a teach- er in the public schools of Texas. He was active in the Christian Church and the Sunday school. A Mason, he served his lodge as its master. The Democratic party held his sup- port from boyhood, and he served as alderman of Carthage, and in 1870 was sent to represent his district in the State Assembly. All his life he was a strong advocate of temperance. Al- though he attained to an age not seen by many, he continued in possession of his faculties, and was more active than most men many years younger than he. Affable, kindly and sym- pathetic, he had a host of warm friends, and admittedly was one of the most remarkable men of his section and his state.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 150

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