Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 87

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 87

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In 1906 Mr. Anderson's parents joied him at Blandinsville, and there his mother died in 1915, and his father passed away in the fall of 1917. Their children were as follows: Frank Miller, who owns 187 acres of land one mile east of Blandinsville, was married to Gusta

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Gabrielson, they have two children, Hallie and Oscar, and they live in McDonough County, Ill .; Ellen, who is the widow of John Joseph- son, has two daughters, Dorothy and Ella, and she keeps house for her brother Carl Victor; Fred E., was married to Josephine Peterson, has no children, owns over 200 acres of land near Smithfield, Ill., is a farmer and stockraiser, farms over 800 acres of land and lives at Glad- stone, Ill .; Alva, who also lives at Gladstone, Ill .; Alma, who is living at Chicago; Carl Victor; and Edwin, who lives at Gladstone, Ill., is in partnership with Carl Victor Ander- son in the management of the La Harpe Town- ship farm and 301 acres of land near Glad- stone, as well as 250 acres additional. Carl Victor Anderson never married. He belongs to the Christian Church. He is a Republican and served as a member of the school board while living in McDonough County. If every family could show such a splendid record as agriculturalists as. can the Andersons, there would be plenty of food for the entire world. These experienced farmers are very valuable citizens, and are highly esteemed in the several communities in which they live.

ANDERSON, James Alexander, one of the rep- resentative men of Hamilton, has long been an honored resident of Hancock County, and not only has been connected with its business interests, but has held some of its most im- portant offices. He was born on the banks of the James River, in Virginia, August 11, 1840, a `son of Matthew and Mary Ann (McClure) Anderson ; grandson of James Anderson, and great-grandson of James Anderson. His great- great-grandfather, Robert Anderson, was a sol- dier in the American Revolution. On the ma- ternal side of the house, the McClure, Paxtons, Grigsbys and Trimbles, were all soldiers in the American Revolution. The Anderson family is traced back to the eleventh century when it migrated from Scandinavia to Scotland. In 1757 the family was founded in America.

On September 20, 1854, James Alexander Anderson was brought to Hancock County by his parents, who bought 200 acres of land in Bear Creek Township, and there the father died November 22, 1876. The mother died at Hamilton. Ill., September 4, 1894.

In 1860 James Alexander Anderson left home to go to Colorado, where he engaged first in mining, and later in livestock buying for mining centers. On January 29, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Confederate army in the Civil War, but only remained in the service until August 7, 1862, returning then to his business duties in Colorado. On July 3, 1865, he came back to Hancock County, and was variously employed and from 1889 to 1899 conducted a hardware and implement store at Hamilton. He owns twenty-six acres of land on the out- skirts of Hamilton, all well improved.

On October 5, 1875, Mr. Anderson was mar- ried to Mary Elizabeth Mourning, who died August 12, 1885, leaving four children, namely :

Matthew M., George Clyde, Frank James and John Carroll, all of whom are living, except the last named who died in 1918. On January 1, 1889, Mr. Anderson was married (second) to Nellie Jolidon, and they became the parents of one son, Burns Jolidon, who has served his country bravely as a member of the anti-air- craft artillery. In politics Mr. Anderson is a Democrat, and was supervisor from Bear Creek Township for three years, and after moving to Prairie Township, represented it on the county board, and was chairman of the board for one term. From 1884 to 1889 he was postmaster of Hamilton, resigning when elected in 1898, to the state legislature, and served for one term. His record as a public official is one of which he may well be proud and he gave valuable service both to his community and state. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, and has risen in his order, belonging to Hamilton Lodge No. 238, A. F. & A. M., Tecumseh Chapter No. 152, R. A. M .; and Augusta Commandery, K. T. He is past master of the Blue Lodge. Mr. Anderson also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica.

ANGEL, George W., vice president and manager of the Hamilton Lumber Company, is one of the substantial men of Hancock County. He was born at Keokuk, Iowa, November 30, 1873, a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Sullivan) Angel, the former of whom was born at Spring- field, Ill., April 16, 1826, and the latter at Chester, Ill., November 6, 1832. After their mar- riage, in 1861, the parents moved to Keokuk, Towa, where the father was in a transfer busi- ness for a number of years, and both he and the mother died in that city. Their living children are as follows: William Robert, who lives at Mendota, Ill., where he is conducting a blacksmithing business; Belle R., who is the wife of Charles Lettor, lives at Dunham, Mo .; Ida, who is the wife of William Liondecker of Quincy, Ill .; Edith, who is the wife of Patrick Tigne, lives at Keokuk, Iowa; Bertha, who is the wife of Oscar Hobson, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Gertrude, who is the wife of Oscar Lundgreen, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Nettie, who is the wife of Charles Hardy, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Lida, who is the wife of George Trafton, lives at Peoria ; and George W.

When he was still a boy, George W. Angel began to earn his own living, and from then on has always been connected with the lumber industry, so is thoroughly posted in all its de- tails.' In 1905 he came to Hamilton and took charge of the Hamilton Lumber and Mill Co., and conducted it for ten years, leaving then to become buyer and auditor for the Stratton Lumber Co., of Keokuk, Iowa. After holding that position for three years, he returned to Hamilton, to become vice president and manager for the Hamilton Lumber Co., which positions he still holds. Mr. Angel received his edu- cational training in the common and the high school of Keokuk, Iowa, and took a commercial course in a night school.

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On May 28, 1899, Mr. Angel was married to Georgia Shephard, a daughter of W. R. and Emma (Irwin) Shephard, of Keokuk, Iowa, and they became the parents of the following children : John R. and Gladys L .. both of whom live in St. Louis, Mo., and George E., Elizabeth, William, Charles S., and Jack, all of whom are at home, and one who is deceased. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Angel belongs to the Odd Fellows of Keokuk, Iowa; is vice regent of the Modern Woodmen of America : is snark of the Concentrated Order of Hoo Hoos of Iowa and Illinois; is president of the Western Illinois Retail Lumber Dealers and president of the Hamilton Retail Dealers Association. In politics he is a Republican. A man of long experience and good judgment. he is recognized as a strong factor in the business life of his community.

ARBUCKLE, Randolph, secretary and manager of the Nauvoo Canning Company, one of the leading local industries, is a young man of en- ergy and capability, who has risen rapidly and is proving his worth in many ways. He was born at Bethlehem, Ind., December 23, 1882, a son of John William and Florence Belle (Bow- man) Arbuckle, natives of Indiana, and grand- son of John Arbuckle. John William Arbuckle was a grocer and farmer, who, in February, 1897, moved to Indianapolis, Ind., where he be- came custodian of Garfield Park. He died in that city on March 15, 1902. His widow still survives.

Randolph Arbuckle attended the public and high schools of Indiana, and when he was six- teen years old he began working in the wood working department of a carriage factory, and in the summer season in a canning factory. For three seasons he was connected with a canning factory at Greenwood, Ind., and learned the industry in all of its branches. He then was foreman of a Tipton, Ind., factory for three years. For a year he was with the Rockford Canning Company and then was, for four years, with a canning factory at Glencoe, Ill. Follow- ing that he went on the road for a Chicago company handling canning supplies for three years. Going to Kerney, Nebr., he was manager of the Kerney Canning Co. for one year, and when in February, 1914, the Nauvoo Canning Co. was founded, he was made its secretary and manager, his associates being George W. Dach- roth, president, William M. Argust, vice presi- dent, and Fred Salm, Jr., treasurer. The com- pany is engaged in canning peas, sweet corn, tomatoes and pumpkin, and their goods meet with a ready sale on account of the general excellence of the products.

On October 26, 1910, Mr. Arbuckle was mar- ried at Glencoe, Ill., to Ethel Rapp, born near Glencoe, a daughter of Samuel D. and Levina (Arnold) Rapp, natives of Whiteside County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle have the follow- ing children : Doris, Isabella, and Geraldine Dolores. A member of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Arbuckle has been a deacon of it since

1915. He is a Democrat, and was elected alder- man from his ward in 1915, and mayor of Nauvoo in the spring of 1917, and is a very capable and public spirited man. His fraternal connections are with Black Hawk Lodge No. 234, A. F. & A. M., of Hamilton, Ill., and he also belongs to the Consistory of the Masonic order. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 222, I. O. O. F., and Capital City Lodge No. 97, K. P. With the exception of several years at Chicago after his marriage, during which time he was traveling on the road, Mr. Arbuckle has devoted the greater portion of his life to the canning industry, and is an expert in this spe- cial line.

ARTHUR, Richard Enoch, one of the successful farmers and stockraisers of Hancock County, owns and operates a finely developed farm in St. Albans Township. He was born in Harford County, Md., January 6, 1854, a son of Samuel and Martha (Ayers) Arthur, natives of Mary- land. By trade the father was a blacksmith, and after the death of his first wife, he was again married.

Richard Enoch Arthur remained at home un- til 1877, when he came to West Point, Ill., and began working for farmers in its neighborhood. On October 26, 1879, he was married to Mary Jones, born in St. Albans Township, a daugh- ter of George M. and Ruth Ann ( Stokes) Jones, natives of Ohio and Chester County, Pa., re- spectively. They were very early settlers in Han- cock County, coming here with their parents who entered land from the government. Fol- lowing his marriage, Mr. Arthur bought eighty acres of improved prairie land in Chili Town- ship, and sold it after twelve years, buying then seventy-two and one-half acres at Stillwell, just north of town. There is a residence, barn and outbuildings on the place, and here he has car- ried on general farming and the raising of horses, cattle and hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur have the following chil- dren : Grace, who is Mrs. Ernest Harris of In- dianapolis, Ind .; Anna, who is Mrs. Glenn Stiner of St. Albans Township; Roscoe, who is assistant cashier of the Basco Bank; and Low- ell, who is in the tank service of the A. E. F. in France. Mrs. Arthur is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Arthur is a Democrat, but has not had the time to enter public life. He is a hard working, thrifty man and deserves the prosperity which has come to him.

ASH, John C., M. D., one of the reliable and honored physicians and surgeons, of Hancock County, is engaged in practice at La Harpe, and is specializing on the treatment of chronic diseases by electricity. He was born in Mc- Donough County, Ill., September 15, 1870, one of four children of John and Sarah (Craig) Ash, being one of the three survivors. John Ash, the father, who was a farmer, died in April, 1918.

John C. Ash attended the common schools

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and the high school of his neighborhood, and later Wesleyan University, and Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which latter he was graduated with the degree of M. D. He has since then taken postgraduate courses, and is a very carefully trained man. After receiving his degree, Doctor Ash began practicing at Good Hope, Ill., but July 1, 1900, he moved to La Harpe, where he has since continued, meeting with deserved success in his practice. Professionally he belongs to the Hancock County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical So- ciety, and the American Medical Association. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order, and Mrs. Ash belongs to the Eastern Star. Politically Doctor Ash is a republican.

Doctor Ash was married to Miss Ada Orme, and they have one daughter, Vera C. The family belongs to the Union Church. Mrs. Ash is a member of the Carnegie Library Board, of which she is president, is a lady of strong mentality and has wide influence in the com- munity.

ATKINS, Alexander B., now living somewhat retired on his fine farm in Rock Creek Township, was for a number of years one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County. He was born in Prairie Township, December 13, 1851, a son of James R. and Roxanna (Hargrove) Atkins, born in North Carolina. They came to Han- cock County June 6, 1856, making the trip with a one-horse wagon. They settled on section 1, Prairie Township, but four years later moved, and after making several changes, bought the Archie Williams farm in Prairie Township. Later they sold this place and bought eighty acres of raw prairie land on section 27, Rock Creek Township, paying $700 for it. The father died on this farm, in January, 1876, and she also passed away on the farm, April 2, 1882. Their children were as follows : Robert L., who is deceased ; Alexander B .; Benjamin F., who is deceased ; William A., who lives at Udall, Kas .; Eva, who is the widow of John Flynn, lives at Carthage; Nettie, who is Mrs. Charles Good- wave, lives at Ferris, Ill .; and Charles W., who is deceased.

Alexander B. Atkins attended the district schools and took a year's course at the Fort Madison- (Iowa) Academy, following which he taught school for two years, commencing his work as an educator when he was twenty-one years old. He rented land for two years, then bought sixty acres on section 26, Rock Creek Township, which he began improving and later added to it until he now owns eighty-eight acres in the home place and 165 acres on sec- tion 27. He erected all of the present buildings, which are modern in every respect, and has made many fine improvements. Until 1905 he carried on general farming, but since then has gradually relinquished the management of the farm to his son.

On August 28, 1873, Mr. Atkins was married to Sarah Casburn, born in Monroe County, N. Y., a daughter of Ambrose and Mary (Dyson)

Casburn. Ambrose Casburn was born in Eng- land and came to the United States in 1851, moving to Ohio in 1867, and in 1899 came to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins have had the following children : Frank L., who died at the age of three years and eight montlis; James Edgar, who lives in Rock Creek Township, is conducting his father's land. Myrtle, who is her father's housekeeper ; and Fred L., who is a carpenter, lives in Rock Creek Township. Mrs. Atkins died October 7, 1913. Mr. Atkins has served as tax collector, justice of the peace and road commissioner. He is a Royal Arch Mason. A man of high standing, he has con- siderable influence in his community, and de- serves the respect he enjoys.

AUSTIN, George W., now deceased, was one of the enterprising men of Hancock County largely interested in agricultural matters for some years, and later becoming an honored resi- dent of Carthage. He was born in Pennsyl- vania, October 30, 1846, a son of Francis Sum- ner and Phebe (Mapes) Austin. When George W. Austin was a small boy, his parents moved to Hancock County and located on a farm, where he was reared, often traveling about the country with his father, when the latter was engaged in buying stock.

On June 27, 1866, George W. Austin was mar- ried to Mahala Boston, born in Hancock County, and their children were as follows: Edward F., who was born at Carthage, continues to reside there; Emma P., who is deceased; William C., who lives at Penfield, Ill .; Alice L., who is Mrs. Eugene Yetter, of Carthage; and Charles S., who is deceased. Mr. Austin was married (second) to Mary E. Ewing, born in Meigs County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Su- sanna (Dyke) Ewing, natives of Ohio, who came to Hancock County just after the close of the Civil War. By his second marriage, Mr. Austin had the following children : Harry, who was born February 2, 1893, died November 24, 1918. He was married to Laura L. Lemmon, and they had two children, namely : Melvin Leo and Francis Sumner. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Austin, was Ernest, who was born in April, 1896, and died May 27, 1900.

Mr. Austin lived on his farm in Carthage Township, conducted it and bought and sold stock for many years, and he and his father also operated a meat market at Carthage. Later he sold his farm and moved to Carthage. Upon locating at Carthage, he bought a resi- dence, remodeled it, and here he died March 27, 1907. Mr. Austin was a staunch Republican, but did not aspire to public honors.

BABCOCK, Warren L., a very prosperous farmer of St. Mary's Township, is profitably engaged in general farming and stockraising on the eighty acres of valuable land he owns on section 23 of this township. He was born in Kane County, Ill., October 29, 1855, a son of Jeremiah Babcock. He attended the schools of McDonough County, and remained at home

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until his marriage, when he was united with Sarah M. Bartlett, at Macomb, Ill. She was born in McDonough County, Ill., a daugliter of Joseph Bartlett, a farmer, who is now de- ceased as is his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock became the parents of the following children : Josephine, who is married to Clent Mason; Otho, who is married to Ethel Johnson, has tlie following children: Ura, Floyd, Hila, Forest and Otho; Martha, who is married to Raymond Johnson, has two children, Hallie and Hugh ; Bertha. who is married to William Hagmeyer, has the following children, Willie, Arthur, Chester and Florence ; Gertrude, who is married to Earl Lawyer, has four children, Mildred, Fay, Leroy, and Gazella; Clyde, who lives in Pennsylvania ; Arthur, who is married to Cece- lia Stokes, has two children, Evelene and Ruth ; Iva, who is the widow of Lester Lyons, has no children ; and Alma and Alta, twins, of whom Alta is married to Everett Roberts, and has a son, Leroy. Mr. Babcock has always been a Republican, but has never sought political honors. The family belong to the Christian Church. He is a man widely and favorably known, and deserves the prosperity which has come to him, for it is the result of hard work and untiring thrift.

BAILY, John, now deceased, was one of the substantial farmers of Dallas Township, and a man who stood well in his community. He was born in Pennsylvania, but came to Hancock County at an early day and secured his first start here by working for the settlers by the month. As soon as he had acquired sufficient means, he bought eighty-four acres of land in Dallas Township, moved on his property, and farmed it until his death which occurred in January, 1898.

In February, 1SSS, he was married to Ellen Hildebrand, born in Dallas Township, a daugli- ter of Michael and Rebecca (Royce) Hilde- brand, natives of Tennessee and McDonough County, Ill. The maternal grandparents were Benjamin and Eleanor (Lofton) Royce, natives of Indiana, who became early settlers of Dallas Township. where they were farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Baily had the following children : Maude, who is Mrs. Clark Jacobs. of Dallas Township; Charles. who died at the age of twenty-two years; and Otis, who died at the age of two years; Tillie, who is Mrs. Frank Morrison, and they live with her mother on the home farm, which Mr. Morrison conducts. Mr. Baily was a Republican, but he did not hold office, as he spent all his time developing his farm, making it one of the best improved ones in the township.

BAINTER, William Luther, now deceased, was for a number of years a successful general farm- er and stockraiser of La Harpe Township, and by his integrity and honesty, accumulated some valuable land consisting of 230 acres which he owned at the time of his death, June 21, 1918. He was born at Adamsville, Ohio, October 18,

1849, oldest son of William Adam and Leah Ann (Roller) Bainter. In 1853, they came to Han- cock County, Ill., and settled on a farm in La Harpe Township, where they spent the remain- der of their lives. Their children were as fol- lows: William Luther ; Susan, who is Mrs. Frank Churchill of La Harpe; Malinda, who is Mrs. Daniel Lovett of Muscatine, Iowa; Carl, who lives at Chicago; and Martha, who was Mrs. James Link, is deceased.

William Luther Bainter attended the grammar and high schools of his neighborhood. On Feb- ruary 14, 1894, Mr. Bainter was married to Susie E. Zern, born at Elveston, Ill., February 23, 1869, only daugliter of George W. and Sarah (Creviston) Zern, natives of New Jersey and Indiana. After Mr. Bainter married they set- tled on a farm in La Harpe Township, and did general farming. In 1901 they moved to La Harpe but went to California that same year. Returning they bought a home in the eastern part of La Harpe, consisting of between eight and nine acres, and in 1907 built a fine resi- dence. He was a Democrat, and served as alderman of the East Ward of the city of La Harpe for two terms, and was elected for a third term. He united with the Congregational Church, and when the Congregational and Protestants united and formed the Union Church he placed his membership with them. In his passing the church and community and also his wife and friends, lost a kindly, devoted "husband and friend. Funeral services were held at his late residence, conducted by Reverend Yerrim. A large concourse assembled to pay him tribute, consisting of members of the city council and his church.

BALDON, John Campbell, now deceased, was for many years one of the leading business men of Elvaston, where he is still remembered with respectful interest. He was born in Owen County, Ind., April 24, 1844, a son ot James and Matilda (Lively) Baldon, both of whom are now deceased. The family moved to Mis- souri, and when the Civil War broke out, John Campbell Baldon enlisted in a Missouri regiment and served in the Union army for eighteen months, but was then discharged on account of disability. He then came to Hancock County, and became a farmer.

John Campbell Baldon was married December 24, 1868, to Mary Elizabeth Caldwell, born near Nauvoo, Ill., a daughter of John H, and Paulina Jane (McGee) Caldwell, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. The grandparents of Mrs. Baldon were Samuel and Nancy (Able) Caldwell. and Samuel and Elizabeth (Bulling- ton) McGee, all early settlers of Wythe Town- ship. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cald- well lived for a time at Nauvoo, and then moved to Wythe Township, where they spent many years, finally retiring to Elvaston, and there he died January 3. 1916, aged ninety years. She died in April, 1894.

Mr. and Mrs. Jolin C. Baldon rented a farm south of Elvaston after their marriage, and

Esdin N Peck

Ona R. Peck

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lived on it for four years, and then moved to another farm in that vicinity and he farmed it for a year. Then they spent two years on a farm in McDonough County, Ill., and upon their return to Hancock County, bought forty- five acres of land in Prairie Township. He oper- ated it for a time, then sold it and went to Elvaston, and there Mr. Baldon, in partnership with Dr. Miller, built a grain elevator, and was engaged in an extensive grain business. After a number of years, during which time he had several partners, he sold that business, later conducted a meat market for a time and after selling it embarked in a dry goods business. He was appointed postmaster of Elvaston, and died while holding office, March 11, 1887. After his death Mrs. Baldon moved to Macomb, Ill., and lived there for three years, but then returned to Elvaston, where she has since resided. She owns some city property in addition to her residence. Since 1912 she has been a partial invalid, but her mind is very clear, and she recalls many interesting events in county history.

Mr. and Mrs. Baldon became the parents of the following children : John Lee, who lives at Elvaston ; Jennie, who is Mrs. L. T. Monroe, lives with her mother; Martha, who is Mrs. Clinton Hanson of Mackinaw, Ill .; Ella May, who is the widow of Warren Williamson of Seattle, Wash .; and Mary Ethel, who is Mrs. Arthur Long, of Omaha, Nebr. Mrs. Monroe was first married to William M. Day, and lived at Good Hope in McDonough County, and later at Elvaston, where Mr. Day died about 1887. By her first marriage she had one daughter, Nita May, who is Mrs. Henry Lenze, of Elvaston. By her second marriage, she has two children, namely : Grace and Mary Monroe. Mr. Baldon joined the Baptist Church early in life and served it as a trustee, and Mrs. Baldon is also a member. He held a number of town offices. Fraternally he belonged to the Independent Order of Mutual Aid, of Carthage, Ill.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 87

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