Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 93

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 93

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George Pocock, has the following children, Jessie, Delephene and Constance, and lives on the home farm; Catherine, who is Mrs. Charles Crumm, lives near Melville, Mont., and has had the following children, Charles P., Ruth D., Mabel, Mary, Sema, Helen C., June, who is de- ceased, and George B .; and George G., who lived at American Falls, Idaho, married Mary Gitt- nig, and they had two children, George, who is deceased, and Jack. Mr. Bradshaw is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. A Democrat, he served for many years as a member of the school board, but aside from that has never aspired to public office. A man of decided views, he has lived up to what he believed was right and just, and he stands high in public estimation.

BRADSHAW, Harry W., who is junior mem- ber of the old and reliable firm of Wilkinson & Bradshaw, editors and proprietors of The Quill, a weekly journal published at La Harpe, was born in McDonough County, Ill., August 20, 1880, one of the six children of his parents, Charles B. and Bell (Wilkinson) Bradshaw. Charles B. Bradshaw was born in Morgan County, Ill., where he died in 1897, having been a farmer all his life.

Harry W. Bradshaw attended the public schools of his native county, and then learned the trade of a printer, completing his apprentice- ship in 1896. In 1898 he entered the Quill office, and in 1904 became a partner of Mr. Wil- kinson. The firm also conducts a first class job printing office, and the quality of their work has secured for them a very desirable trade.

In November, 1903, Mr. Bradshaw was united in marriage with Miss Josie Byers, a daughter of Andrew Byers, and they have two children, namely : Harry and William E. The family belong to the Christian Church. Fraternally Mr. Bradshaw is a Mason. His political affilia- tions are with the Democratic party. A young man with progressive ideas, he is a valuable asset to any community, and La Harpe has bene- fited from his association with its journalistic history.

BRADSHAW, James Franklin, one of the pro- gressive farmers of La Harpe Township, is numbered among the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County. He was born in La Harpe Township, April 29, 1881, a son of James M. and Tillie E. (Manifold) Bradshaw, natives of La Harpe and Dallas townships. The grand- parents, Joel Bradshaw and Jasper B. Mani- fold, natives of New York, were early settlers of Hancock County, buying land in La Harpe Township. After their marriage, the parents located in La Harpe Township, where they re- sided until their death, he passing away Febru- ary 15, 1915; and she November 17, 1903.

James Franklin Bradshaw attended the dis- trict school and the high school at La Harpe, and Carthage College, leaving the latter at the age of twenty-one years. He then came to his

father's homestead, which comprised 180 acres 0. fine land. At that time the buildings were an o ... and there were no modern improvements. He has rebuilt them all, and has everything up- to-date and convenient. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, being a heavy raiser and feeder of cattle and hogs, and he has 100 acres in corn.

On August 2, 1900, Mr. Bradshaw was mar- ried to Emma M. Goodrich, born in Carthage Township, November 30, 1877, a daughter of Charles and Mildred (Davis) Goodrich, natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw have be- come the parents of the following children : James Franklin, Jr., Helen May, Charles Wes- ley, Mildred and Ruth. Mr. Bradshaw belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church of La Harpe, and has served it as a trustee. A Mason in good standing he belongs to La Harpe Chapter, Carthage Commandery and the L'eoria Mystic karine. he also belongs to the Odd Felows and Encampment of La Harpe. A man or very progressive ideas, he has forged ahead and developed the resources at hand in a very remarkable manner. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

BRADSHAW, Quinton Monroe, proprietor of Blon Dee and Prairie Stock Farms is a pro- gressive farmer and cattle feeder of La Harpe Township, and is recognized as one of the lead- ing young agriculturists of Hancock County. He was born in La Harpe Township, March 29, 1887, a son of James Monroe and Tillie E. (Manifold) Bradshaw, natives of La Harpe and Durham townships, respectively. The grandparents, Joel Bradshaw, born in Tennes- see, and Benjamin Jasper Manifold, were both early settlers of Hancock County. After their marriage, the parents settled on a farm in La Harpe Township, where she died November 17, 1903, and he died February 15, 1917. Their children were as follows: Lillian, who died in infancy ; James F., who lives in La Harpe Township; and Quinton Monroe, who was the youngest.

Quinton Monroe Bradshaw attended the dis- trict schools of his native township, and Git- tings Seminary of La Harpe, completing his studies at the age of eighteen years. Since 1904 he has conducted the old homestead. In 1915 his father gave to each son an eighty-acre farm in La Harpe Township. The place was in need of improvements, and Mr. Bradshaw at once began to make them, and has now new buildings of all kinds, fine fences and other conveniences, and his place is a very valuable one. On April 18, 1918, he bought the home- stead of 100 acres, which he farms in addition to his other homestead of eighty acres, where he lives, and does general farming and raises . and feeds cattle from three to five carloads an- nually, and from two to three carloads of hogs. He also rents from 120 to 275 acres ad- ditional. He is a breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle, thoroughbred stock, and has now a fine herd, and he also breeds pure bred O. I. C. and

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Hampshire hogs. He is a member of the O. I. C. Swine Breeders Associations and the Ameri- can Hampshire Record Association.

On November 24, 1904, Mr. Bradshaw was married to Bessie I. Maynard, born in La Harpe Township, November 30, 1887, a daugh- ter of Pliny A. Maynard and Evelyn (Her- zogg) Maynard, and they have the following children : Florence T., born August 20, 1905; Margaret A., born March 8, 1907; Quinton M., Jr., born January 26, 1909; and William D., born October 9, 1916. Mr. Bradshaw belongs to the Union Church of La Harpe. He is inde- pendent in politics and served nine years as a school director. La Harpe Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 653, holds his membership. There are few better farmers than Mr. Bradshaw and his success ought to be an incentive to others to turn their attention to like pursuits. He was the first farmer to own an airplane in his or any adjoining county.

BRADSHAW, William D., now living retired at La Harpe, was one of the leading agricultural- ists at one time in Hancock County. He was born at Jacksonville, Ill., March 30, 1836, a son of Joel and Catherine (Dickson) Bradshaw, natives of Green County, Tenn., where he was born in 1811. The paternal grandfather, John Bradshaw, married a lady by the name of Mor- gan, and came to Greene County, Ill., in 1812, later, moving with six young men to the present site of Jacksonville, Ill., where they secured, by entry from the government, several sections of land, now covered by the residence and business sections of Jacksonville. During the War of 1812, the maternal grandfather, Hugh Dickson, served his country as a soldier. Joel Bradshaw and his wife were married near Jacksonville, and settled on a farm in its vicinity, but about 1834, he moved to the neighborhood of LaHarpe, Ill., where he owned a farm, and there they made their home.

William D. Bradshaw grew up on the home- stead near La Harpe, and attended school when- ever the opportunity offered which was not often. On December 22, 1867, he was married to Mary Eliza Bainter, of Fountain Green Township, born December 26, 1838, a daughter of Daniel M. Bainter, born February 14, 1808, in Muskegon County, Ohio, and Sarah Ann (Huston) Bainter, who was born June 30, 1808. After his mar- riage, William D. Bradshaw moved to a small farm in LaHarpe Township, given him by his father. His wife was the owner of consider- able property, and Mr. Bradshaw added to his holdings until he had 160 acres of land in his homestead, while Mrs. Bradshaw owned forty acres of timber, and 160 acres of farm land. At her parents' death, she inherited considerable more land in the county. Mr. Bradshaw con- tinued to conduct his home farm until 1907, when he rented it, and moved to La Harpe, buying a comfortable residence there, where he has since lived. He has sold all of his land except his homestead of 160 acres which is very highly improved, and one of the most

valuable in La Harpe Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw had one daughter, Sarah Mar- garet, who was born November 1, 1868, who died. May 15, 1893. Mrs. Bradshaw died in March, 1912. While he is not a member of any religious denomination, to which his parents belonged, he was reared in the Christian Church. He is a Democrat, and has been a school director and held other township offices, and is held in high respect by all who know him.

BRAY, James D., who is now profitably en- gaged in truck farming in Pilot Grove Town- ship, formerly was quite extensively interested in agricultural matters. He is a member of one of the pioneer families of Hancock County, and has spent practically all of his life in this locality. Mr. Bray was born in Monroe County, Ind., August 26, 1852, a son of William and Martha A. (Foster) Bray natives of Indiana, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

James D. Bray attended the Washington dis- trict school for two terms, and then took a course at Abington College. He resided with his parents as long as they lived, and during that period learned blacksmithing. When he was twenty-three years old, he commenced work- ing at his trade, and followed it for about six years, but preferring farming, returned to the cultivation of the soil. He and his sister, Sarah Ellen, who resides with him, own eighty-seven acres of the homestead of their parents, and until the spring of 1918, Mr. Bray was engaged in cultivating it. The Christian Church holds Mr. Bray's membership. For years he has been very active in the ranks of the Prohibition party, and naturally is pleased over the prospect of national prohibition, feeling that at last has come some tangible results from the long and earnest efforts of those who have for so many years advocated the protection of the weak and young by the prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages.

BRAY, William, now deceased, is remembered as one of the honored pioneers of Hancock County. He came to what is now Pilot Grove Township in 1852, and there developed some of the finest farming property in the county. He was born in Kentucky where he was married to Martha A. Foster, and in 1852, with their two children, the youngest only six years of age, they set out in a wagon, drawn by a team of horses, and drove overland to what is now Pilot Grove Township. During the winter of 1852, Wiliam Bray, who was a man of con- siderable education, taught the Jubilee school. In the following spring he bought eighty acres of land, covered with hazel brush, and on it he built a log cabin, in which the family lived, and he cleared off the brush, and broke the sod. Across this farm ran one of the old Indian trails, and where now wave the fields of golden grain, once trod the Red Man, in the days be- fore civilization marked this spot as its own.

SYDNOR C. POWELL

MRS. SYDNOR C. POWELL

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Mr. Bray added to his original purchase until he owned 160 acres on section 20, one-fourth of a mile west of his first farm. During the Civil War, being too old for active service, he paid the bounty on several soldiers. During that period, the corn that he and his two sons gathered by hand, sold for 10 cents per bushel. In addition to his agricultural labors, he was a minister of the Christian Church. His death occurred October 1, 1917, and his wife died January 18, 1915.

William Bray and his wife had the follow- ing children : Walter S., who lives in Carthage; James D., who lives on a portion of the old homestead; Sarah Ellen, who lives with her brother James D .; Eliza Jane, who is Mrs. J. F. Riley, of California; Iradell R., who lives in Carthage ; William L., who lives at Syracuse, N. Y., one of the faculty of the Syracuse Uni- versity ; Bradbury B., who lives in Pilot Grove Township; and Rachel F., and Mattie, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bray were people of the highest character, and they are held in affectionate memory by the many who knew and admired them.

BRENEMAN, Glen, one of the enterprising young farmers of St. Albans Township, is a na- tive son of this township, and comes of one of the old and honored families of the county. He was born in St. Albans Township, May 11, 1888, a son of James and Della (Nelson) Breneman, both born in St. Albans Township. James and Elizabeth Nelson, the maternal grandparents, were early settlers of St. Albans Township, and the paternal grandparents also came to this township at an early day. James and Della Breneman still live in St. Albans Township.

Glen Breneman attended the Woodville dis- trict school until he was nineteen years old, at which time he went to Keene Township, Adams County, Ill., and bought a farm, living upon it for eight years, and then sold it and came to Chili Township, where he bought and improved a farm, living upon it until in March, 1919, when he sold it, and bought sixty-one and one- half acres of land on section 11, St. Albans Township. On this he erected fine modern buildings and began farming it in the spring of 1920.

In September, 1908, Mr. Breneman was mar- ried to Sallie Groves, born in Adams County, Ill., a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Witt) Groves, the latter being a native of Adams County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Breneman have two children, namely : Gerald and Francis. The family all belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Breneman is a Republican. He belongs to Still- well Camp, M. W. A. A keen business man,, Mr. Breneman has known how to make his farming pay him a fair profit on his investment in time and money, and is fast becoming one of the leading men of his community.

BRENEMAN, James E., one of the substantial men and experienced farmers of St. Albans Township, comes of one of the pioneer families of this part of the state. He was born in this

township, April 10, 1866, a son of Henry and Melissa (Shaw) Breneman, both natives of Pennsylvania, who after their marriage located in St. Albans Township. He died in 1869, and after that his widow was twice married. Henry Breneman and his wife had the following chil- dren : Kitia, who is Mrs. Willis Howard; Jose- phine, who is Mrs. Arthur Clark of St. Albans Township ; Phila, who is Mrs. Frank Tanner of Stillwell, Ill .; Charles, who lives in Iowa; and James E., who is the youngest.

James E. Breneman lived at home until lie was fourteen years old, and attended the dis- trict school. He then began working on farms by the month, and so continued for five years, when he rented land. On August 19, 1887, he was married to Della Nelson, born in St. Al- bans Township, a daughter of James and Bettie (Crabtree) Nelson, born in Hancock County, Ill. After his marriage, James E. Breneman moved on land owned by his wife, which comprised a partly improved 180-acre farm in St. Albans Township. On this farm Mr. Breneman erected fine modern buildings, and has added to the original farm, now having 600 acres in this township and 160 in Schuyler County, and sixty-six in Chili Township. Of his property 115 acres are in pasture and located in Adams County. He has always carried on general farming and stock raising and has been more than usually successful. His homestead is known as the "Hickory Grove Farm."

Mr. and Mrs. Breneman became the parents of the following children: Glen, who lives in St. Albans Township; Flossie, who is Mrs. Stan- ley Cunningham of St. Albans Township; Gay- lord, who is at home; and Nellie, who is also at home. Mr. Breneman belongs to the Chris- tian Church of Stillwell and has been one of its deacons since 1915. He is a Republican and served as a school director for some years. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of Stillwell. Mr. Breneman is a director of the Chili Mutual Telephone Company, and gives it the benefit of his shrewd business sense and excellent judgment. Such men as Mr. Breneman add to the development and growth of a community, and are always numbered among its best citizens.

BRITT, Frank A., a veterinary surgeon at La Harpe, and one of the leading men of his pro- fession in Hancock County, is held in high es- teem by all who know him. He was born in McDonough County, Ill., September 2, 1884, one of the twelve children of his parents, Hor- ace M. and Mary J. (Huston) Britt, of whom nine survive. Horace M. Britt was an extensive stockraiser of McDonough County, where both he and wife died, the latter in 1899.

Since he was nine years old, Dr. Britt has been a resident of Hancock County, and after attending the public schools of this county, he took a course at the Chicago Veterinary Col- lege, from which institution he was graduated in 1909, and immediately thereafter located at La Harpe, where he has since been engaged

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in the practice of his profession, with marked success. On October 12, 1910, Dr. Britt was married to Lela D. Grear, a daughter of Clif- ford L. Grear, of La Harpe, a well known auc- tioneer. Dr. Britt belongs to the Masonic order. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never held office, his time having been fully occupied with the responsibilities of his calling.

BROWN, Homer Davenport, owner of Monte- bello Place, and also of the popular resort known as Wild Cat Springs, comes of an old and honored family of Hancock County. He was born at Quincy, Ill., March 9, 1846, a son of Homer and Hannah Chandler (Safford) Brown, he born in Massachusetts in 1811, died Septem- ber 29, 1876. and she born in Massachusetts in 1811, died May 14, 1890. In 1833 Homer Brown cane west to Keokuk, Iowa, by way of Quincy, Ill. At that time Warsaw, only a fort, was the principal trading point and a large half-breed settlement. Mr. Brown being an expert painter painted the first sign ever used at Keokuk. During the late thirties, he painted the first bakery sign used at Quincy, Ill., and this is still in existence. Returning then to Massachusetts, he was married to Hannah Chandler Safford, and came back to Illinois, and located at Quincy, in 1840. He later in- vested quite heavily in Hancock County land, and was one of the founders of Hamilton, donating the land on which the public school building now stands. Subsequently he moved to Carthage. Homer D. Brown's only brother, Horace S. Brown, was born at Carthage, May 4, 1837, and died at Long Beach, Cal., in 1917, leaving a daughter, Miss Katherine Holland Brown, of Long Beach, Cal., a noted writer of fiction for magazines.

Homer D. Brown remained at home until he attained his majority, then entered the nursery business, and remained in it for thirty-five years, during that period propagating and grafting more trees than any other man in this section, his grafting average in a season being 50,000 trees. For some years he has been the owner of the popular resort for picnics and other gatherings, at the edge of Hamilton, known as Wild Cat Springs, and also of his homestead of fifteen acres, known as the Montebello Place, beautifully located overlooking the Mississippi River.

On October 26, 1869, Homer D. Brown was married to Alice S. Harvey, born in Canada, who came to the United States when a child. Hav- ing been left an orphan, she was reared by an aunt, Mrs. Sarah Buell, wife of Capt. Andrew Buell, a noted contractor on the Mississippi River in early days. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children, namely; Nellie L., who was born June 16, 1871; and Harvey H., who was born November 25, 1876, both of whom are at home. Mr. Brown is independent in his political views, and has served as alderman of Hamilton, was president of the first business men's as- sociation of that city, and has always taken an

active part in its business and social develop- ment.

BROWN, Luther A., a veteran of the Civil War, and formerly one of the leading agricul- turalists of Hancock County, owns and lives upon a fine farm in Sonora Township. He was born in Center County, Pa., May 1, 1842, a son of John and Sarah (Siphard) Brown, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1844 they moved to Summit County, Ohio, making the trip overland with a one-horse wagon, bringing their four children with them. There the father was engaged in farming and conducting a stoneware business until April, 1860, when he came to Knoxville, Ill., and in September of that same year, moved on 320 acres of land in Sonora Township. This land was all broken and well improved for that day, but since then all the buildings have been replaced by new ones, and many modern ap- pliances installed. His death occurred July 10, 1879, and the mother passed away February 3, 1897. Their children were as follows: Michael, who died June 23, 1SS0; Catherine E., who died August 22, 1875; John C., who died February 12, 1906; William H., who died November 5, 1917; Jacob S., who lives at Des Moines, Iowa ; and Luther A.

Luther A. Brown attended the common schools, and since 1860 has resided on section 3 in Sonora Township. After the death of his father, he bought eighty acres of land belonging to the old homestead, from the other heirs. In 1906 he retired from active participation in farming, renting out the farm, but he still lives on it.

On August 14, 1862, Mr. Brown enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to service in Louisiana, and Mississippi. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, and on the Chickasaw River, at Arkansas Post, Thompson's Hill, Black River Bridge, Champion's Hill, and in other engagements. He was mustered out October 1, 1865, at Baton Rouge, La., and discharged at Carthage, Ill., October 16, 1865.

On February 1, 1866, Mr. Brown was married. to Harriet Williams, at Mt. Morris, N. Y., a daughter of Thomas and Emily (Warren) Wil- liams. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had the following children : Nellie E., who is Mrs. John Diton, lives on the homestead, which her husband rents; Maggie, who is Mrs. Michael Radel of Sonora Township; E. J. and Clarence H., who are farmers of Sonora Township; Mabel, who is Mrs. Fred Cunningham of Minnesota. Mrs. Brown died May 12, 1909. Mr. Brown has served as township tax collector, school trustee and supervisor, holding the latter office for fifteen years. He belongs to the local Grand Army post, of which he is the present com- mander. He is a man who is highly respected by all who know him, and has honorably earned their confidence.

BROWNING, Charles Thomas, a prosperous general farmer and stockraiser of La Harpe Township, is one of the well known men of Han-

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cock County. He was born in a log cabin, in McDonough County, Ill., December 19, 1859, a son of Henry Clay and Sarah M. (Sweasy) Browning, natives of England and Kentucky, respectively. They came to Illinois as children, and after their marriage, they located on a farm in McDonough County. His death took place July 22, 1903, while she passed away October 19, 1916. Their children were as fol- lows: Charles Thomas; Frank, who lives at Pilot Grove; Samuel, who lives at Cincinnati, Ohio; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Nathan Grate of McDonough County, Ill .; George. who lives in Iowa; and Maude, who died in infancy.

Charles Thomas Browning had but few op- portunities for acquiring an education, atttend- ing in all but one term of the McClellon school at Macomb, Ill. When he was only eleven years old he began to be selfsupporting, and worked for others for eleven years, when he rented land in different places until 1906, in which year he bought 165 acres of land in La Harpe Township. Later he added seventy acres, it all being in one body on section 19. Here he carries on general farming and he raises Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle and Poland- China hogs. His farm is known as the Maple Dale Farm, and its brand on farm products is a guarantee of their superiority.

In February, 1892, Mr. Browning was mar- ried to Lillie Riggins, born in La Harpe Town- ship, a daughter of James and Phebe (McLain) Riggins, born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Browning have had three children, as follows: Inez, who is Mrs. Victor Riley of Durham Township, has one child, Dorothy; Channing, who died in infancy; and Mabelle who is at home. The Christian Church of La Harpe holds his mem- bership, in which he is an elder and trustee. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Browning be- longs to La Harpe, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the highly respected man of Hancock County, and is recognized as one of its representative farmers and stockmen.

BRYANT, John Rhodes, M. D., one of the old established physicians and surgeons of Hancock County, and a man widely and favorably known, is engaged in a general practice of his profes- sion at West Point. He was born at Carrollton, Greene County, Ill., April 9, 1863, a son of Rev. Thomas J. and Margaret A. (Brady) Bryant, lie born in Overton County, Tenn., and she at Leesburg, Va. They were married at Hannibal, Mo., and afterward lived at different points as he was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, belonging to the Central Illinois Con- ference.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 93

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