Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 152

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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Mr. and Mrs. Woodside became the parents of the following children : Thomas Franklin, who lives at Buffalo. N. Y .: Emma J., who is Mrs. Nathan Ferris. of Blandinsville, Ill .; Louisa, who is Mrs. Joel Smith, of Twin Falls, Idaho: Mary Ella, who is at home: Jennie May. who is Mrs. J. E. Quayle. of Orion. Ill .; and Mina Alice, who is Mrs. Charles Stock- ton. of Ft. Collins. Col. Mrs. Woodside died October 19. 1903. since which time Miss Mary Ella has kept house for her father. Mr. Woodside belongs to the Christian Church. He is a Republican. For a number of years he has belonged to La Harpe Lodge No. 195. A. F. & A. M. A man of high principles and strong convictions. he commands respect and confidence and stands well in his community.

WOOLDRIDGE, Roy, who owns and operates a farm of ninety acres on section 11 Augusta Township. is one of the reliable men of Han- cock County. and one who is highly respected

wherever known. He was born in Adams County, Ill., December 1, 1879, a son of Thom- as and Mary (Flin) Wooldridge, natives of Illinois, who were formerly engaged in farm- ing, but now lived retired at Augusta.

Roy Wooldridge attended the district schools, but was given comparatively few edu- cational advantages. He early began work- ing for neighboring farmers, and continued to be so employed until his marriage, which oc- curred January 2, 1910, when he was united with Clara Koontz of Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Wooldridge have four children, namely : Vernon R., Roe E., Beatrice B. and Alice M.

In his political views, Mr. Wooldridge is a Democrat, but he has never taken any active part in public matters, preferring to devote himself to his private affairs. After his mar- riage Mr. Wooldridge moved on his present farm of ninety acres, and here he is engaged in general farming. His property is well im- proved, and he is making a success of his un- dertaking. The Wooldridge family is one of the oldest and most important in Hancock County, and Mr. Wooldridge is accepted as one of its most representative members.

WYLES, Selwyn, proprietor of the Woodland Stock Farm, is one of the substantial and highly esteemed residents of Nauvoo. He was born at Gloscester. England, May 12, 1847. a son of Thomas and Ann Mary (Foord) Wyles, who both died in England, the father passing away in 1914, when ninety-seven years old.

Selwyn Wyles entered Allsley Park College in his native land when he was fifteen years old, and after completing his course there, be- came a clerk for a wholesale house in the for- eign trade. After two years in that connec- tion, he came to the United States, landing in New York City, and from there then came to the Middle West, arriving at Freeport, Ill., about 1863. For the next six years he was employed by farmers in that vicinity, and then he traveled through the western country until the fall of 1869 when he returned to England. After an extensive trip all over Eu- rope, he returned to the United States in 1871, accompanied by his brother Tracy. They went to Prince Edwards County, Va., and bought a plantation of 512 acres of land. and re- mained on it for three years, when Mr. Wyles sold his interest to his brother, and came back to Illinois. Soon thereafter he bought a tract of land in Sonora Township. Hancock County, where he farmed from 1874 to 1905, then rented his farm and moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he was superintendent of a canning factory at that point for three years. In 1909 he moved to Nauvoo and built a fine modern pressed block residence on the site of a form- er Mormon house, overlooking Lake Cooper, and he calls his home Lake View. It is one of the most beautifully located residences in this part of the state.

On October 1, 1874, Mr. Wyles was married

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to Sallie Ohler, born at Barberville, Ky., a daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Adams) Ohler, natives of Kentucky, who in 1857 moved near to Montrose, Iowa, and in the fall of that year came to Hancock County. Mr. and Mrs. Wyles have had the following chil- dren: Thomas, who lives in Montebello Town- ship; Susan, A., who is Mrs. J. E. Reeder, her husband during the Great War being in the medical branch of the service of the United States army ; and Madison, who is a traveling salesman, resides at Bushnell, Ill. Mrs. Wyles attended private schools in Iowa. Mr. Wyles belongs to the Christian Church, of Keokuk, Iowa. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as assessor, road commissioner and school director, being a man in whom many put full trust, and none without ample war- rant.

YATES, Mrs. Martha A. (Van Horn), one of the highly esteemed residents of Hamilton, is the widow of William T. Yates, formerly a pros- perous farmer of Rock Creek Township. Mrs. Yates was born in Ohio, December 11, 1843, a daughter of William and Catherine (Painter) Van Horn, the former of whom was born No- vember 18, 1809, and died August 31, 1896, and the latter of whom was born August 16, 1812, and died in March, 1895. Their children were as follows: Joseph M., who lives at Lewiston, Mont .; Lavina, who is Mrs. Alason Walters, lives at Skedee, Okla .; Mary E., who is the widow of William Skerd, lives at Kiowa, Kas. In 1852, William Van Horn brought his family to Hancock County, buying a farm of 160 acres in Carthage Township, but later sold it and bought one of eighty acres on the prairie in Pilot Grove Township. Selling this second farm, he moved to Clark County, Mo., where he bought eighty acres. His health failing him, he sold his farm, moved to Athens, Mo., where he died. 1

Mrs. Yates was married to William T. Yates, on August 31, 1866. He was a son of Thomas and Matilda Yates, of Kentucky. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Yates moved on a farm of eighty acres near Ferris, in Rock Creek Township, where Mr. Yates carried on general farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred July 5, 1904. After his demise, Mrs. Yates moved to Hamilton, where she has since resided with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Yates had eight children, six of whom survive, name- ly : Ida M., who is Mrs. John Casey, is a widow living at Hamilton ; Viola R., who is Mrs. Albert Fecht, is a widow living at Carthage; Kate, who is Mrs. Howard Dodge, lives at Hamilton ; Frank E., is a railroad man, living at Chicago; Roy B., who lives at Hamilton; and Ora A., who lives with her mother. Mrs. Yates attend- ed the common schools of Hancock County. She and her children belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The Van Horn and Yates fami- lies are very well known ones in Hancock County, and their members are rightly num- it until his death, October 8, 1908.

bered among the most representative of its people.

YANSON, August, who is conducting a first class tailoring business at La Harpe, is an ex- perienced man in his line, and one who holds the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He was born in Sweden, February 28, 1862, and his parents died in the land of his birth.

After he had learned the trade of a tailor from his father, who was also engaged in that line, when twenty years old August Yanson came to the United States, landing at West- port, Conn., where he spent three months, and then went to New Jersey, and was engaged at several places in that state, working at his trade and also in a dyeing and cleaning establishment. Five years later, he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and for a year was in that city, working at his trade. He then went to Newark, N. J., and was in that city from 1887 until 1899, although for three seasons he did work at Philadelphia, Pa. In the spring of 1899 he came to La Harpe, and for some years worked as a cutter and fitter, and then went into a general tailoring business he has since carried on. Mr. Yanson also does cleaning and general repairing, and all of his work is first class in every respect. At present he is the only tailor at La Harpe.

On December 31, 1897, Mr. Yanson was mar- ried to Olga Marie Thornstrom, born in Swe- den, who came to the United States in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Yanson became the parents of the following children : Eric A., who died in in- fancy ; Oscar J .; Theodore Victor ; Emil R. and Olga Irene, who are living; and Robert L., who died in infancy. The family residence at La Harpe, which was bought by Mr. Yanson in 1907, is located in the center of the village, and is a very comfortable and desirable home. Mr. Yanson belongs to La Harpe Lodge No. 195, A. F. & A. M. A skilled man in his special line, he has built up a fine trade, and deserves the prosperity which has attended him.

YEAGER, James P., now deceased, was formerly one of the enterprising agriculturalists of La Harpe Township. He was born August 1, 1845, a son of James and Nancy (Hayden) Yeager, natives of Washington County, Ky. In 1835 they came by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Keokuk, Iowa. from whence they traveled overland to Fountain Green Township. Here they entered 160 acres of land from the government, which was in the timber. The father built a log hut, and began clearing the land and making improve- ments. He added to his farm until he had 240 acres in two pieces, eighty acres on sec- tion S, and 160 acres on section 17.

James P. Yeager attended the district schools, and was reared on the homestead. After his father's death he took possession of the farm, and his mother lived with him for the next ten years. Later, James P. Yeager bought out the other heirs, with the exception of twenty-three acres, and continued to farm

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James P. Yeager was married to Alice Daily, born in Fulton County, Ill., September 23, 1862, 'a daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Farmer) Daily, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager had the following children : Clar- ence, who died when fifteen years of age; Ada Otelia, who died aged nine months; James Howard, who died at the age of two and one- quarter years ; Marie, who is Mrs. Fred Shirey, of Pilot Grove Township; Earl, who conducted the home until he became a soldier in the United States army in the Great War; and Karl, Roy and Merlin, who are at home. Mr. Yeager was a Democrat and held numerous township offices.

After Mr. Yeager's death, Mrs. Yeager bought from the heirs the remaining twenty- three acres of the old Yeager homestead. She lias put in $15.000 in improvements, and has been marvelously successful in her operations. She is very modern in her ideas, and conducts her farm according to scientific methods. All of her machinery is of the latest design, and she does everything to aid her sons in their farm work. Her daughter was finely educated and taught school for three terms after she was graduated, prior to her marriage. The sons are very fine young men, interested ill their work. and they have an automobile which they bought from their earnings from the farm. Mrs. Yeager attended the local district schools. She is a Catholic, and her children have been brought up in the faith of her church. It would be difficult to find a more representative family than the Yeagers, or one which is doing more to advance agriculture in this section.

YEMM, Rev. Joe, pastor of the Union Church at La Harpe, and one of the most popular min- isters of the Gospel in this part of the county, is held in affectionate esteem by all who have the honor of his acquaintance. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, July 28, 1881, one of the six children of his parents, Richard and Esther (Cooper) Yemm.

Rev. Joe Yemm attended the English public schools, and began studying theology in Eng- land. but completed his ministerial training in the United States, where he was ordained Sep- tember 15, 1912, as a clergyman of the Meth- odist Protestant Church. His first station was at Ursa, Adams County, Ill., in 1909, where he remained until in September, 1910, when he was called to Ferris, Ill., to assume charge of the Methodist Protestant Church there. In Sep- tember. 1913, he came to La Harpe, and on August 8, 1915, he effected a union of the Methodist Protestant and the Congregational churches, under the name of the Union Church, and has conducted its affairs ever since, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The church has at present 210 members, and is in a flour- isliing condition. Reverend Yemm belongs to the Odd Fellows. To inspire confidence, and reap the benefit from his connection with it, the

Adams County Mutual Insurance Company has him as one of its members.

Mr. Yemm was married to Miss Minnie Sheets, and they have two children, namely : Joseph D., who was born December 19, 1907; and Warren A., who was born October 20, 1914. Since coming to the United States in 1904, when he located at Seymour, Wayne County, Iowa, Mr. Yemm has gone far. He moved to Fulton County, Ill., in December, 1904, and has since made Illinois his home, and in 1912 took out his citizenship papers at Carthage, and since then has given his political support to the can- didates of the Republican party.

YOUNG, John G., M. D., who is engaged in active medical practice at Sutler, Ill., was born at Bristol, Quebec, Canada, January 1, 1871, a son of William and Janet (Telfer) Young, natives of Scotland, who were mar- ried in Canada. The father was a blacksmith and veterinary surgeon. His death occurred January 18, 1917. The mother survives and lives in Canada.

John G. Young attended Queens University at Kingston, Canada, and the high school at Altamont, Canada. He immediately thereafter engaged in a practice in South Dakota, but only remained for six months, when he became a student of the Keokuk Medical College at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1895, and came to Hickory Ridge, Hancock County, and remained there fourteen years in the practice of his profession, and then came to Sutler.

On August 3, 1904, Dr. Young was married to Mae Wells, born in Walker Township. whose parents are now deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Young have one son, William. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In pol- ities he is a Republican. During the Great War, Dr. Young enlisted June 3, 1918, in the medical corps in the Motor Transport Service and was located at Fort Sheridan for five weeks, being then transferred to Chicago and November 16, 1918, to Base Hospital No. 28 at Fort Sheridan. Later he was returned to Chicago, and received his discharge April 3, 1919, with the rank of first lieutenant. He passed his examinations at Springfield, Ill. Dr. Young has been active along other lines. He organized the first telephone system be- tween Carthage and Basco. West Point, Still- well. Loraine, Breckenridge, Tioga, Lima, Starr, Mallard, Warsaw and Hamilton, and conducted it for years before he sold to O. F. Berry & Co., of Carthage. He also owned the first automobile in this section of the coun- try. At one time lie owned a sanitarium at Hamilton, which was destroyed by fire, and he also conducted a drug store for a brief period at Breckenridge, Ill. A carefully trained professional man, Dr. Young has re- turned to his private practice after having faithfully done his duty in the army, and few men are held in higher esteem in the county than he.

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YOUNG, Lorenzo, now deceased, but formerly a wealthy landowner and farmer of Sonora Township, was born in Baden, Germany, Au- gust 26, 1832, a son of Jacob and Magdalena (Bartz) Young, farming people in Germany. To avoid the compulsory military service law then in force in his native land, Lorenzo Young came to the United States, landing in New York City, from whence he went first to Buffalo, N. Y., and then to Milwaukee, Wis., and from there to Chicago, Ill., and spent a month working on a railroad. He was then employed by the Illinois Central Railroad, and was sent to Cairo, Ill., where he spent eigh- teen months, when he was taken sick with typhoid fever and was confined to a hospital in St. Louis, Mo., for three months. After leaving the hospital, he returned to Chicago and obtained employment with a lumber com- pany, leaving it to go on a farm in McLean County, Ill., where he remained for three years. He had saved money during all this time, and invested his capital in three eighty- acre tracts in McLean County, and another eighty-acre tract for feeding cattle.

During the summer of 1862 Mr. Young en- listed for service during the Civil War, at Lincoln, Ill., in Company C, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In the campaign along the Yazoo River, he was wounded in the forehead by a bursting shell, but was only laid up for a few days. He had a creditable military record, and was honorably discharged. Disposing of his land, Mr. Young then took a six months' trip traveling through hansas and other western states, and upon his return to Illinois, spent some time at Ferris. He then bought 160 acres of prairie land on sec- tion 36, Sonora Township, and began at once to develop a farm, adding to his land until he owned in all 485 acres in Sonora, Rock Creek and Montebello townships. Mr. Young im- proved all of his property and made every- thing thoroughly modern.

On June 18. 1868, Mr. Young was married to Catherine Young, born July 16, 1846, in Ba- varia, Germany, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Keefer) Young, and granddaughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Zimmer) Young, who died in Germany, and Peter and Eva (Agnew) Keefer, who also died in Germany. After the death of Jacob Young, his widow, with her family, jonied a brother, Jacob Keefer, and came to Keokuk. Iowa, by way of New York. Mrs. Lorenzo Young lived with a sister, Eva Troutbetter, at Keokuk, Iowa, until her mar- riage. Mrs. Jacob Young died at the home of Mrs. Troutbetter in June, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Young had the following chil- dren : Elizabeth, who was born January 28, 1870, is Mrs. Edgar Boltin, of Sonora Town- ship; Louis, who was born April 19, 1872, is at home with his mother; Carrie, who was born November 1, 1874, is also at home with her mother ; Mary. who was born February 28, 1876, is the widow Mrs. B. M. Boltin of Sonora

Township; Lena, who was born October 12, 1877, is Mrs. Millard Schenck, of Sonora Town- ship; and George B., who was born November 27, 1879, lives in Rock Creek Township, mar- ried Maud Bush, and has a son, Glenn, who was born January 28, 1912. Lorenzo Young died September 18, 1908, and in his passing Hancock County lost one of its best and most representative men.

ZERN, Gideon A., one of the substantial busi- ness men of La Harpe, and vice president and a member of the directorate of the La Harpe Loan and Building Association, was born at Terre Haute, Ind., in 1854, a son of George W. and Sarah (Crevister) Zern, natives of New Jersey and Ohio or Indiana, respectively. They were married in Indiana, and George W. Zern was in a coopering business at Terre Haute for a time, but left there in 1857 and came to Hancock County, settling on a farm near Elvaston, after a brief stay of ten months at Keokuk, Iowa. After several changes, when they lived in Wythe, Montebello and Prairie townships, they spent their last years at El- vaston, Ill., where he died in 1873, having been born in 1806; and she died in 1899, having been born in 1822. Their children were as follows: John J .; George W., who lives at Foxboro, Wis .; Gideon A .; Charles F., who lives at La Harpe, Ill .; Stephen A. Douglas, who lives in Dallas Township; and Susan E., who is a widow of W. L. Bainter, lives at La Harpe, Ill.

Gideon A. Zern attended the district schools, and remained with his mother until her death, and worked at anything he could find to do. In 1882 he and his brother Charles began farming at Bear Creek, Carthage Township, and also near Burnside, but in 1892 Mr. Zern located at La Harpe, where he has since re- sided. In September, 1909, he opened a pocket billiard business, which is the only one of its kind in town, and he has since conducted it very profitably. He has never married. In politics a Democrat, he has served as assessor of Pilot Grove Township for two years. His fraternal relations are with La Harpe Lodge No. 175, A. F. & A. M .; La Harpe Chapter No. 134. R. A. M .; Englevere Commandery No. 75, K. T., of Carthage, Ill .; Mohomad Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Peoria; and the Eastern Star of La Harpe. He is a past master of the Blue Lodge, and has held other offices in the Masonic order. Mr. Zern has been connected with the La Harpe Loan and Building Associ- ation officially since its organization, and is now its vice president and a member of the board of directors. A man of excellent busi- ness judgment. he has carried on his several enterprises very successfully and has earned the place he now occupies in public esteem and confidence.

ZERN, Stephen A. D., a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Dallas Township, is one of the native sons of Hancock County having been

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

born in Montebello Township, November 22, 1861. His parents, George W. and Sarah (Creviston) Zern, were natives of New Jersey and Indiana, respectively. They were mar- ried in Terre Haute, Ind., where he was work- ing as a cooper, and in 1857 they moved to Keokuk, Iowa, but in 1858 crossed back into Illinois and spent a short time in Wythe Township, from whence they moved to Monte- bello Township, and there the father was en- gaged in farming for many years. Later he bought a home at Elvaston, Ill., and they moved there, the father dying December 16, 1873, and the mother April 22, 1899. Their children were as follows: Andrew, who died in infancy ; John J., who lives in the Soldiers Home at Quincy, Ill .; George W., who lives at Foxboro, Wis .; Gideon A., who lives in La Harpe; Charles F., who also lives in La Harpe ; Stephen A .; and Susan E., who is Mrs. Wil- liam L. Bainter, of La Harpe.

Until the fall of 1882, Stephen A. D. Zern remained with his parents, but then began work- ing with his brother, George W., as a telegraph operator at Glassford, Ill. On June 1, 1SS3, he went to Fairburg, Ill., as a telegraph operator, and was also express agent for the T. P. & W. R. Railroad for two years, when he was sent to Burnside, Ill., and remained there for a few months, when he was sent to Farmdale, Ill. In 1885 he moved to a farm in the vicinity of Burnside, later buying forty acres of land. In 190S he bought 100 acres in Dallas Township, on which he has since been engaged in general farming and stockraising.

In April, 1885, Mr. Zern was married to Lizzie H. Hull, born in Pontoosic Township, a daugh- ter of William H. and Susan (Thrush) Hull, natives of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Zern have had the following children born to them : Cecil, who is employed by a railroad company ; Arlie H., who lives at Dallas City, Ill .; Vane C., who lives in Pontoosic Township; Lisle G., twin of Vane C., who is deceased ; Carl M., Laon and Widney T., all of whom are serving their country as soldiers in the Great War; and Thelma G. and Lugarda M., who are at home. Mr. Zern is a Democrat, and served as assessor of Pilot Grove Township for one term, and in the same office in Dallas Township, for the same length of time. He belongs to Colusa Camp No. 3001, M. W. A., which he has served as vener- able counsel ; and to La Harpe Lodge, I. O. O. F.

ZIMMER, Adolph G., one of the substantial men of Warsaw, has been engaged with gratify- ing success in growing grapes and making wine for a number of years. He was born in Ba- varia, Germany, September 23, 1861, a son of Adam and Louisa (Simon) Zimmer. He at- tended the common and Latin schools of Ger- many, and in 1884 came to the United States, and after spending a short period at Basco, Hancock County, in January, 1885, he located on his present farm, which was the old Hon- sicker place. Here he was employed until 1893, when he went to Chicago and worked for the

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad for five years. Returning to Hancock County, he rented the Honsicker farm in partnership with his brother, Adam, until 1905, when he bought the place, which comprises about six acres in a vineyard, apples, cherries, pears and plums.

In February, 1893, Mr. Zimmer was married to Katherine Mahler, born in Hanover, Ger- many, whose parents died in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer became the parents of the following children : Eugenia, who lives at Keo- kuk, Iowa; Kunigunde, who is Mrs. Arlo Hane- line of Blandensville, Ill .; Hans, who also lives at Blandensville, Ill .; and Kurt, Elvira and Wilna, who are all at home. Upon his arrival in this country, Mr. Zimmer took out citizen's papers, and he espouses the principles of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Ger- man Lutheran Church. Prior to his marriage in 1893, Mr. Zimmer was married (first) to Katherine Hedderich, a native of Germany. By his first marriage he had a daughter, who is living with her mother's people at Chicago.

ZIMMERMAN, William, one of the honored residents of Carthage, is now living retired, al- though in former years he was interested in sev- eral business concerns at different points, and made of his undertaking unqualified successes. He was born at Pekin, Ill., December 5, 1865, a son of Peter and Magdaline (Stagle) Zimmer- man, natives of Ohio and Tazewell County, Ill., respectively. The maternal grandparents, Chris- tian Stagle and his wife, were natives of Swit- zerland and France, respectively. The parents were married at Chenoa, Ill., after which they settled in Tazewell County, and lived there for some years, later going to McLean County, Ill., where both died.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 152

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