Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 151

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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WILLIAMS, John Wesley, former Judge of Hancock County, and eminent as a lawyer of no common ability, has long been one of the foremost men of Carthage. He was born north of Basco, in Bear Creek Township, November 18, 1865, a son of Wesley C. and Mary E. (Moore) Williams. Wesley C. Williams was the first white child born at Carthage, his birth taking place August 13, 1833, and his wife was born near Wilmington, Del., June 24, 1835. The

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paternal grandfather of Judge Williams, Wes- ley Williams, was born in Kentucky, March 24, 1792, and came to Illinois about 1823, and to Hancock County about 1826. He was the first clerk of the first Circuit Court of Hancock County by appointment, and held that office from 1829 to 1841; was first clerk of the County Commissioners Court; and was Judge of the Probate Court from 1829 to 1836; and recorder of Hancock County from 1829 to 1838, and also held other offices of importance. His death oc- curred May 12, 1870. His son, Wesley C. Wil- liams, died November 4, 1891. He served as supervisor from three different townships, Bear Creek, Carthage and Prairie, and from 1886 to 1887 was a member of the General Assembly of Illinois. Mary E. Williams, the mother of the subject of this sketch, died at Carthage April 9, 1920. John W. Williams had three brothers : Homer G. Williams, of Hamilton, Illinois; Arch C. Williams, of Carthage, and Dr. Robert Wil- liams of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

John Wesley Williams was reared on a farm, and was engaged in teaching school for a time, and then began studying law with Manier & Miller of Carthage, continuing in charge of schools in the country districts while pursuing his legal studies until he was admitted to the bar. Between 1891 and 1897 Mr. Williams served as city attorney of Carthage; was elect- ed a member of the Carthage City Council in 1901, and from 1902 to 1906 served as Judge of Hancock County. For the past seventeen years he has been a member of the school board of Carthage. A strong Democrat, Judge Williams has been the candidate of his party for the sev- eral offices to which he has been elected, and for six years has been a member of the Demo- cratic State Central Committee and for two years chairman of the Democratic County Cen- tral Committee.

On June 27. 1894, Judge Williams was mar- ried at Carthage to Adda Prentice, a daughter of Luke P. and Lydia A. Prentice, old settlers of Illinois, and they have two children, namely : Miriam E. and Wesley Prentice. Well known in Masonry, Judge Williams belongs to the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch, Chapter, Commandery and Mystic Shrine, and also to the Eastern Star. The Methodist Episcopal Church has in him a faithful member. During the many years Judge Williams has been engaged in the practice of his profession, he has been connected with some of the most important litigation in this part of the state, and is numbered among the leading representatives of the Illinois bar.

WILSON, Amorine Montgomery, one of the prosperous farmers and stockraisers of Han- cock County. operates a large amount of land located in Pilot Grove Township. He was born at Carlisle. Ind .. December 8, 1882, a son of Uriah and Mary (Wood) Wilson, natives of Indiana. where the father still resides, but the mother died June 15. 1905. Their children were as follows: Morton C., who lives at Con- cordia. Kans. : John L., who lives at Indian-

apolis, Ind .; Gertrude Glenn, who lives with her father; Amorine M .; Clyde C., who is a public schoolteacher of Oklahoma; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. John Miller, of Minneapolis, Minn .; and Elmer, who served in the United States army during the Great War.

Amorine Montgomery Wilson attended the local schools, Doane Academy and Denison University at Granville, Ohio, from whence he went to the University of Chicago. For three years he was connected as an instructor, with the schools of Hardinsburg, Ind., and for a similar period taught in the Carthage High school. In 1915 he became county agent for Hancock County, but the following year, be- coming impressed with the necessity for more extended food production in the country, along scientific lines, he became an agricul- turist and rented the Briley ranch of 833 acres and 240 acres adjoining. all in Pilot Grove Township. Ile has since then devoted himself to the production of corn, small grain and clover, and the raising of beef cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs crossed with the Poland- China breed, his operations already assuming large proportions.

On September 5, 1909, Mr. Wilson was mar- ried to Rose Benefiel, born at Carlisle, Ind., a daughter of Robert and Anna (Jones) Bene- fiel. natives of Carlisle, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, namely : Roger, born Oc- tober 27, 1911. Mr. Wilson belongs to the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, and Mrs. Wilson to the Christian Church. In politics he is a Re- publican. He still retains membership in his college fraternity, the Kappa Sigma. Mr. Wilson is one of the highly educated men of the county, who is demonstrating that his col- lege training has made him all the more cap- able as an agriculturalist. and the service he is rendering his community and country in in- telligently developing the natural resources of this section cannot be overestimated.

WILSON, Robert H., cashier of the State Bank of Burnside, and one of the substantial men of Hancock County, is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. He was born in Appanoose Township. December 21. 1871, a son of Alexan- der and Isabella (Griffin) Wilson, natives of Ireland and Ohio, respectively. They came to Hancock County, where they were married. and they lived in Appanoose Township. Both are now deceased. Of their eleven children who lived to maturity. Robert H. Wilson was the eighth in order of birth.

Robert H. Wilson was reared on his father's farm, remaining there until he attained his majority, when he went to Ottawa, Ill., and took a business course in the Ottawa Commer- cial College. To earn the money for this course. he worked at first on farms in the neighborhood of Ottawa for a year. On his return home he remained there farming until 1911, when he moved to Ferris. Ill., and was in a hardware and seed business for two years. Leaving Ferris, he went to Fairfield, Iowa, in

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order to give his children better educational advantages. On January 1, 1914, he returned to Hancock County, to assume the duties of cashier of the State Bank of Burnside. His associates in the bank are W. J. Singleton, president, and J. H. Pettit, vice president. The capital stock of the bank is $25,000.00, and the deposits average $150,000.00.

On November 11, 1897, Mr. Wilson was mar- ried to Isabel Felgar, born at St. Albans, Han- cock County, Ill., a daughter of William and Mary (Hardy) Felgar, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of the following children: Roy T., who is assis- tant cashier under his father; Fern E., who is at home. Mr. Wilson belongs to the Carthage Presbyterian Church, and he served as elder of the Appanoose church of that denomination. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to Burnside Lodge No. 683, A. F. & A. M .. of which he has been secretary since Jan- uary. 1917; and he also belongs to the Mod- ern Woodmen of America.

WILSON, Robert J., a retired farmer of Au- gusta Township, owns 120 acres of valuable land on section 17 of that township, which he formerly operated for some years, as well as eighty acres of land in Chili Township. He was born in Schuyler County, Ill .. April 16, 1857, a son of George and Nancy (Whitehead) Wilson, natives of England, who came to the United States in 184S, locating at Rushville, Ill., where both later died. For some years he was engaged in farming.

Robert J. Wilson attended the common schools, and remained with his father learn- ing how to farm profitably, until his marriage, which occurred January 9, 1884, when he was united with May F. Randell, a daughter of John and Sarah E. Randell, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of five children, two of whom are deceased, the others being: Pearl, who is married to Ernest Carter, has the following children, Arthur, Glenn, Wayne, Helen, Alva and Sterling; and Mary I. and Grace, both of whom are at home. Those deceased are Harry and Robert. In politics Mr. Wilson is an independent voter. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

After his marriage, Mr. Wilson began farm- ing on his own account. He rented land a few years then bought and located on his present farm and owns 120 acres. Here he carried on general farming until his retirement in 1910. A man of industry and fair dealing, he has earned the confidence and respect he in- spires.

WINTERMEYER, William W., one of the sub- stantial farmers of Hancock County, and a very prominent man of Plymouth. is a director of the Tri-County State Bank. He is the only son of his parents, John and Nancy J. (Wright) Wintermeyer, and was born at Ply- mouth, Ill., August 4, 1863. John Wintermey-

er was born in Pennsylvania, and early in life learned the trades of blacksmithing and coop- ering, but later on became a farmer, operating in the vicinity of Plymouth, Ill. In 1854 he came to Illinois, first stopping at Quincy, but he later moved to Hancock County, where he died in 1886, aged seventy seven, having been born in 1809.

William W. Wintermeyer attended the com- mon schools of Plymouth, and assisted his fa- ther in operating the homestead, thus early gaining practical experience in agricultural work. As he matured, he went into farming on his own account, and now owns 334 acres of very valuable farm land, which he continues to operate. In 1915 he was made a director of the Tri-County State Bank, and his con- nection with this institution strengthens it in every respect. Fraternally he is an Odd Fel- low, and his political affiliations are with the Democratic party.

In 1887 Mr. Wintermeyer was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary F. Frazee, of French ex- traction, a daughter of Samuel Frazee of St. Mary's Township. Mr. and Mrs. Wintermey- er have a daughter, Lola F., who is the wife of Everette McDaniel, of McDonough County, Ill.

WISCH, Albert, a business man of Warsaw, owns considerable property in and about the city, and is considered one of the wealthy men of Hancock County. He was born in Germany, February 18, 1848, a son of Louis and Maria (Lye) Wisch, who in 1854 came to Hancock County, and engaged in farming on rented land. In 1861 they moved to Warsaw, and there Louis Wisch engaged in a grocery and cooper- age business, although in Germany he operated in a glove factory.

When he was twenty-three years old Albert Wisch embarked in a retail liquor business at Warsaw, and engaged in this line for a number of years. Having great faith in Warsaw, he has invested in business and residence property and through this foresight has accumulated considerable means. In 1869 Mr. Wisch was married to Mary C. Roath, born at Warsaw, a daughter of Henry Roath, born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Wisch have the following chil- dren : Sophia, who is Mrs. John Berlin, lives at Warsaw, where her husband conducts a clothing business; and Edward J., who is in business with his father. Mr. Wisch is inde- pendent in his political views. He belongs to Hancock Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F .; and Keo- kuk Lodge No. 106, B. P. O. E. A man of charitable inclinations. Mr. Wisch has aided a number of worthy enterprises, and stands well as a business man.

WOLF, George Washington, who is now engaged in representing the Fire & Bankers Life In- surance Company of Illinois at West Point, was formerly actively engaged in merchandis- ing at this place. He was born at Burton, Adams County, Ill .. October 28, 1851, a son of

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Levi and Sallie (Wheeler) Wolf, born at Cas- tle, N. Y., who came when young people to Adams County, Ill., and after their marriage settled at Burton. He was a grocery sales- man, and conducted a grocery store at Burton for many years and owned farm land in the vicinity. In 1866 he sold his interests and moved to West Point, and in partnership with a Mr. Franks, established a general mercan- tile business, conducting it for a few years. Mr. Wolf then bought out his partner's inter- est and a Mr. Corbin became a partner. Four years later, Mr. Wolf bought out Mr. Corbin and took his son, George Washington Wolf, into the firm. After a few years, the son bought out the father, and with his brother, John H., conducted the business for nine months, when he became sole owner. A lit- tle later he took Mathew F. Findley as his partner, and the two remained together for ten years. During that period Mr. Wolf bought a farm one and one-half miles west of West Point. Later Mr. Wolf sold his inter- est to Mr. Findley and established himself in another mercantile business, but since his store was destroyed by fire in February, 1917, he has been in the insurance business.

On November 11. 1874, Mr. Wolf was united in marriage with Margaret S. Hart, born at West Point. a daughter of William T. and Fannie (Wigle) Hart, born at Liberty, Adams County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have no chil- dren. Mr. Wolf is a Republican and served three terms as town clerk, three terms as as- sessor and three terms as township collector. He belongs to the Christian Church, which he has served as elder since 1916, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday school since 1894. and during the spring of 1919 was presented with a handsomely bound, Russia leather, India paper. gilt-edged Bible for the services he has rendered in this connection. A Mason, he belongs to West Point Chapter, R. A. M., and he is also a member of the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the most highly esteemed men of this part of the county, and his name is a well known one in western Illinois.

WOLFE, Jacob, now deceased, but formerly one of the enterprising farmers of Hancock County, owned and operated 120 acres of land on sec- tion 27 St. Mary's Township, and was one of the county's highly respected citizens. He was born in Indiana, February 18, 1855, and died November 19, 1915. He was a son of Matthias and Catherine (Chrisman) Wolfe, both of whom are now deceased.

In 1874 Jacob Wolfe came to Illinois and worked for different farmers until he was mar- ried, September 27, 1876, at Carthage, Ill., to Julia T. Holmes, born in St. Mary's Township, October 8. 1856, a daughter of A. J. and Mary (Irwin) Holmes, farming people who died in Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe became the parents of the following children: Wesley B., who married Pearl Norris, has had the fol-

lowing children, Ralph L., James M., Benjamin K., and Julia B., and Dorothy and Wilbur, who are deceased; Maude L., who is Mrs. John Ale- shire, has a son, Ralph ; Walter C., who married Mildred Wilder, has the following children, Hazel F., Ruth I. and Lucile B .; Ola K., who is Mrs. Hugh Towles, has two children, Hollis and Catherine; and Mary I., who is Mrs. Charles Hamm, lost her only child in infancy.

Mr. Wolfe was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. His political views made him a Democrat, but he had no inclination to enter public life as an officeholder. All of his life he worked hard and saved his money, and what he had earned through his own labor and investments.

WOLGEMUTH, Charles Douglas, a prosperous general · farmer and stockraiser, operating upon an extensive scale, is one of the substan- tial men of Durham Township. He was born at Fort Madison, Iowa. November 1, 1871, a son of John and Mary (Huff) Wolgemuth. na- tives of Louisville, Ky., and Fort Madison, Iowa, respectively. When John Wolgemuth was a small boy, he was brought to the vicin- ity of Fort Madison, Iowa, by his mother. The maternal grandparents were Joseph and Hannah Huff, the former being a native of New York state. John Wolgemuth and Mary Huff were married at Fort Madison, where he followed his trade of a tinner and sheet iron worker, and there he died about 1906. She survived him a few months, dying in Novem- ber. 1906.

Charles Douglas Wolgemuth attended the common schools and the high school of Fort Madison, and from the time he was eleven years old worked during the summer months for farmers in the vicinity of Fort Madison. When he was sixteen years old, he began working in a shop at Fort Madison, and in the spring of 1895 began farming in Pontoosic Township, renting land there for three years. He then moved to the Tuesdah farm in Pon- toosic Township, on which he remained for eleven years, leaving it when he bought the north half of section 31 Durham Township, which is in the southwest corner of the town- ship. The land was only partly improved, but he has made many changes and in 1918 erected an eight-room modern residence, with hot water. Delco electric lights, closets, bathroom, and in fact all conveniences. Mr. Wolgemuth has also built a new barn and fences and has thoroughly improved the farm in every way. He has purchased a sixth interest in eighty acres of the Stiles estate, which is still un- divided. and he farms from 200 to 300 acres altogether, raising hogs, cattle and horses in addition to doing general farming.

On June 28, 1894, Mr. Wolgemuth was mar- ried to Effie Wood. born in Missouri, August 30. 1867. a daughter of Waterman and Eme- line (Gates) Wood, natives of New York and Hancock County. respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Wolgemuth have the following children :

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Mary, who is deceased; Harry, Mina, Helen, Grace and John, all of whom are at liome. Mr. Wolgemuth has always been a Republi- can, but he has not desired office. He is one of the best known agriculturalists of Hancock County, and his farm is a model one in every respect.

WOOD, Earl W., the capable and fearless state's attorney of Hancock County, and one of the best known lawyers of this part of the state, was born in Minneapolis, Minn., December 26, 1883, a son of James H. and Emma (Hertzler) Wood, who for many years owned the Wood Inn at Carthage, one of the popular hostelries of Hancock County.

Earl W. Wood was brought to Carthage when two years old by his parents, and attended the grammar and high school of this city, being graduated from the latter in 1902, following which he took a four years course at Carthage College, and was graduated therefrom in 1906. Mr. Wood then studied- law under the preceptor- ship of Apollos W. O'Harra, and completed his studies at Yale University. After passing the state examinations, he was admitted to practice in the Illinois courts in 1910 and the Federal courts during the same year. With his entrance into the legal profession, Mr. Wood formed a partnership with his former instructor, and the latter's son, Clifton J. O'Harra. Later Henry S. Walker and Roswell B. O'Harra joined the partnership under the firm name of O'Harra, Wood and Walker, and the partners maintain offices at Carthage, Ill., and Keokuk, Iowa, and handle a vast amount of business. Always prominent in Democratic politics, Mr. Wood was elected city attorney of Hamilton and he also lias served as city treasurer of Carthage. In 1916 he was the logical candidate of his party for state's attorney, and his fitness for the office was so generally recognized, that he was elected by a handsome majority. Mr. Wood belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to hamilton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and to the Knights of Pythias. Scholarly and forceful, Mr. Wood has made a magnificent record both as a practitioner and public official, and judging his future by the light of the past, it is safe to assume that more honors lie in store for him.

On July 23, 1919, Mr. Wood married Golda Mary Brant, of Hamilton, Ill., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Brant of that city. Mrs. Wood is a charming and talented young lady who, just prior to lier marriage, had completed her college career at the University of Illinois.

WOODSIDE, John G., now deceased, was one of the early settlers of McDonough County, and early in life was a teacher in McDonough Coun- ty, he being recognized as one of the best edu- cated men in that locality at that time. He was born in 1798, a son of James and Mary (Gallagher) Woodside. Growing up in Wash- ington County, Va., he there engaged in farming, and was married to Jane Woodside, in North Carolina.

On November 16, 1833, John G. Woodside took his family, and drove overland to Mc- Donough County, Ill., the trip consuming six weeks. The little party landed four miles from Blandinsville, after privations easily imagined when it is stated that the long and weary trip was made in a carryall drawn with one horse, during very inclement weather. John G. Wood- side had met with an accident which resulted in the loss of a leg, nevertheless he was active in many ways. In addition to teaching school and farming, he made shoes, satisfied when he could clear 37 1-2 cents per pair for men's shoes, and 12 1-2 cents for children's shoes. Owing to the fact that he was so well educated, he was solicited by the people of his neighbor- hood to open a subscription school, and entered into the following contract, which makes in- teresting reading at the present day, dated April 1, 1835 :

"John G. Woodside on one part, and the un- dersigned, on the other part, both of McDonough County, State of Illinois. I, the above named Woodside, agree to teach a school in the school- liouse, near Levi Parents, for the term of six months five days in each week, or time to that amount. I do agree to teach reading, writing and arithmetic to the best of my skill and knowledge. I also bind myself to keep good order, and pay strict attention to my school, and we the undersigned, do promise to pay said Woodside, for his services $1.00 per scholar in money, and $3.00 in good, merchantable wheat, pork, wool, linsey, flax or wool, at the market price in this neighborhood, to be deliv- ered at said Woodside's home. The pork to be paid at the usual time of killing, the money part, or other articles. to be paid at the expi- ration of school. And we the subscribers, do agree to fix the schoolhouse in a comfortable manner. School to commence on May 1, or sooller if the subscribers want it. I, the said Woodside, will agree to begin with twenty (20) scholars, and any large scholar or scholars, that will not submit themselves to the rules. shall be expelled from the school. And it is understood that said Woodside is to have the privilege of teaching his own children. If either of the parties should become dissatisfied. the school can be discontinued at the end of three months by the teacher, or the majority of the subscribers, either party giving two weeks notice."

Mr. Woodside taught for a long period, and was held in high esteem by his neighbors. They elected him to many township offices, and later to county ones, and he served as a justice of the peace and county commissioner. He was postmaster of Muddy Lane, but that postoffice was long ago discontinued. His death occurred March 18, 1853, his widow surviving him until September 22, 1871. They had eight children, all of whom are now deceased except William Leonard Woodside, now living retired at La Harpe.

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WOODSIDE, William Leonard, now living re- tired at La Harpe, was formerly one of the leading agriculturalists of McDonough County, Ill. He was born in Washington County, Va., February 22, 1833. a son of John G. and Jane (Woodside) Woodside, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this work.

After the death of his father in 1853, Wil- liam Leonard Woodside, who was the seventh born in a family of eight children, remained with his widowed mother until his marriage. which occurred April 10, 1859, when he was united with Mary Isabel Frits, born in Mon- roe County, Ind., August 24, 1839, a daughter of Capt. James and Julia Ann (Kern) Frits, natives of Indiana. Captain James Frits served during the Mexican War, and also as captain of a company in the Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Mr. Woodside bought the interests of the other heirs in the homestead of 160 acres of land in McDonough County, near Blandinsville, Ill., and remained there engaged in farming until March 7. 1900. . when he located at La Harpe, and here he has since lived in retirement. He added another farm to his original one. com- prising 115 acres. located near the first. and conducted both of them until his retirement.

Mr. Woodside tells many interesting inci- dents relative to the early schools of Illinois. He attended school in a log schoolhouse, taught by a man named Bill Hall. One of the customs of those days was for the large pu- pils to force the teacher to provide a treat for them during the holidays. The above named teacher refused to conform to this cus- tom, and so the pupils came to school early, piled the benches against the door and kept the teacher out until he promised to furnish the asked for treat. Parents of . this day would be horrified were their children to be given the treat provided by this teacher. for it was a liberally administered mixture of whisky. and sugar, which the children drank without stint from a tin cup.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 151

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