USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 95
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CALIFF, John A., ex-County Superintendent of Schools of Hancock County, who stands at the top in his special line, has not only been an educator of note, but a public official of dis- tinction. He was born in Rocky Run Township, Hancock County, Ill., March 5, 1852, a son of John and Ann (Spencer) Califf, natives of Wind- ham County, Vermont, and Kentucky, respective- ly. The father came to Illinois with his father, Stephen Califf, a famous deer hunter and fisher- man, and they located in the south-western part of Hancock County, remaining there until 1866, when they moved to Knox County, Mo., where they engaged in farming. Stephen Califf died there, and later on, in 1894, his son Jolin Califf also passed away, the mother having died in 1887.
John A. Califf passed his boyhood in Hancock County, Ill., and Knox County, Mo., where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, when he returned to Hancock County. Prior to this, having completed his course in the public schools, he had been engaged in teaching in Knox County, and after he returned to Hancock County, he taught near and in Lima and Tioga
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
from 1874 till 1889. In 1890 while living in Rocky Run Township, he was elected county superintendent of schools, was re-elected in 1894 and 1898. During his incumbency as county superintendent he did much for the advancement of the schools. He secured county uniformity of school books in the country schools, established the use of the State Course of Study, held cen- tral and final examinations and graduating exer- cises for pupils in the grades. In this important work he was the pioneer in Hancock County. In the educational field Mr. Califf found his life work, until 1907 when he was elected to the 45th General Assembly of Illinois. While serving in the legislature he introduced and secured the passage of what is known as the Free High School Law. At the same time he changed his field of operation, associating himself with the American Book Company, publishers of school and college text books, where he has found con- genial work and appreciative associates.
In 1913 Governor Edward F. Dunne paid a fitting tribute to his public work by appointing him a member of the managing board of the Illinois State Reformatory at Pontiac, which position he filled for something over four years, serving as president of the board a greater part of that time.
On April 18. 1877, Mr. Califf was united in marriage with Martha Adelaide Archer, a daugh- ter of Harrison and Mary Ann ( Homan) Archer, natives of Carlisle, Ky. They have had nine children, born to them, namely : Donald Archer ; Nellie, who died in infancy; Charles Carter; Jean Paul; Ida Mabel; John Albert ; Rowena ; Gladstone, and Harry, who died in infancy. Mr. Califf is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a Mason and a member of the Lake View Motor Club.
CALIFF, J. Paul, one of the able younger at- torneys of Carthage, whose forceful handling of cases has brought him to the favorable attention of his profession and the public, was born in Rocky Run Township, April 27, 1885, a son of John A. and Martha A. (Archer) Califf. John A. Califf was born in Hancock County, where he attended school, and later taught. In 1890 he was elected to the office_of county superin- tendent of schools and held this office for twelve years. A stanch Democrat he was the success- ful candidate of his party for the 45th General Assembly of Illinois, and later a member of the board of managers of the State Reformatory at Pontiac, having been president of the board and very active in its work. A very public spirited man, he has through his service and ability won and retained the confidence of the people.
J. Paul Califf spent his boyhood in Hancock County, and attended the grammar and the high school of Carthage, being graduated from the latter in 1904. While taking an academic course at Carthage College, he began the study of law with Judge Charles J. Scofield, and after passing the state examinations, he was admitted to the bar in 1909. After his admission to the
bar he entered into partnership with Judge Scofield, and has been very successful.
On June 30, 1909, Mr. Califf was married to Edith A. Egbers, who was graduated from high school in the same class as Mr. Califf, and she also attended Carthage College. Mr. and Mrs. Calin have two sons, Junius Paul, aged nine years and John William, aged one year. Mr. Califf belongs to Hancock Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M., and Occident Lodge, K. P., being past chancellor of the latter. In politics he is a Democrat and he served as city attorney, mem- ber of the Board of Education and in 1917 was elected president of the Carthage Board of Education. A man of scholarly attainments and natural ability above the average. Mr. Califf will go far on the road which leads to public distinction, and will faithfully discharge every duty laid upon his capable shoulders.
CAMPBELL, Charles D., owning and operating 260 acres of as fine land as can be found in Hancock County, is located on sections 6 and 7, Augusta Township, where he is regarded as a very successful agriculturalist. He was born in the house where he now lives, December 23, 1880, a son of John A. and Susan C. (Matthews) Campbell, who having retired from active par- ticipation in farm work, are now living in com- fort and ease at Augusta.
Charles D. Campbell attended the schools of his district, and has always been engaged in farming, having spent his life on the homestead. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, and specializes on Chester White hogs and Leghorn chickens.
On December 13. 1899, Mr. Campbell was mar- ried to Etta K. Little, who was born at Rush- ville, Ill., a daughter of James and Anna (Ab- hott) Little, farming people. Mrs. Little is de- ceased, but Mr. Little survives and makes his home at Littleton, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have the following children : James H., John M., Eva K., Robert D., all of whom are at home. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never cared for office. The Christian Church holds his membership. His standing in his community has been honestly earned and he is justly re- garded a representative citizen.
CAMPBELL, Clinton Samuel, now deceased, was one of the pioneers of Hancock County, whose name is associated with much of its early development. He was born near Winchester, Scott County, Ill., a son of Samuel Finley and Nancy (Turner) Campbell, early settlers of Illi- nois. They were married, and as a wedding trip, started out for the prairies of Illinois in a prairie schooner. After a tedious journey they arrived in a woodland part of the county near Winchester. In a few years they located on a fine farm west of Jacksonville that is now owned by one of his sons. Their nearest neigh- bor was also a pioneer couple, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Williams, who married from the plow and weaving loom and took their wedding jour- ney on horseback to their new home, she riding
1
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
behind him, with a present from her mother of a tea kettle and skillet. They settled in Scott County after their arrival in Illinois.
Clinton Samuel Campbell was reared in Scott County, and there he was married, September 28, 1868, to Mary Ann Eyre, a daughter of John and Anne (Elliott) Eyre, born near Sheffield, England. John Eyre was a file cutter in his native land, who left England in 1843, on a sailing vessel for the United States, three weeks being consumed for the journey. They first located at Pittsburgh, Pa., but as they wanted to get land, John Eyre left his wife and daughter there, and started out to find a good locality. He traveled down the Ohio River and through Kentucky, but was not suited. Reach- ing Alton, Ill., he learned of the English settle- ment at Jacksonville, and went there by way of Naples. There he bought 120 acres in the tim- ber, paying for it all the money he had, $500, and worked around in the neighborhood to se- cure a little money for running expenses. Later, he secured several small farms of brush land by loaning money upon them, and improved his
property. He lived in this region until his death, August 20, 1875. His wife died in 1873.
After their marriage, Clinton Samuel Camp- bell and his wife lived on a farm in Morgan County for two years, and then bought one upon which they resided until 1886, when they sold that property and bought the Kinsey Gittings farm in La Harpe Township, which remained their home until 1903, when they again sold, and retired to La Harpe. There he died. February 26. 1906. Ilis widow lived at La Harpe until 1911, when she went to live with her son, George E. Campbell, and she is still an honored mem- ber of the family. Clinton Samuel Campbell and his wife became the parents of the follow- ing children : George E .; Frank, who is de- ceased ; John S., who lives at McKiney, Tex .; Anna, who is the wife of Prof. Robert Hierony- mus, a community worker of Urbana, Ill. ; Ella, who was Mrs. Tilden Quinn, died in the fall of 1916, leaving three daughters; Allan Berry, who is a teacher in the University of Ames, Iowa, was married to Alma Butler, a daughter of George and Lorinda (Bonham) Butler of La Harpe, Ill.
CAMPBELL, George E., a prosperous resident of La Harpe Township, is now retired from active farm work, but formerly was actively en- gaged as an agriculturist. He was born near Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., July 9, 1869, a son of Clinton Samuel and Mary Anne (Eyre) Campbell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. After attending the public schools of La Harpe Township, Mr. Campbell engaged in farming on a farm owned by his father in La Harpe Township. When his father's estate was settled, he bought this farm, and it com- prises 160 acres of highly improved land. This he conducted until 1917, when he turned over the active management to his son Fred and has since 1916 been an active worker.
On September 25, 1895, Mr. Campbell was
married to Hattie B. Miller, born in La Harpe Township, November 1, -866, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Scott) Miller, he born in Scott County, Ill., and she in La Harpe Town- ship. The grandparents, William Miller, and John and Mary (Duncan) Scott, natives of Tennessee, were all early settlers of La Harpe Township. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell became the parents of the following children : Fred G., who was born October 18, 1898, conducts the home farm; Clinton, who died at the age of six years; Elizabeth, who died at the age of three years; Juie, who died at the age of two years; Charles, who was born December 21, 1906; and Mac. A., who was born August 28, 1908. Mrs. Campbell attended the district schools of La Harpe Township and Gillings Seminary for four years and following her graduation therefrom she taught school for eight years. The Campbells all belonging to the Christian Church and they and their rela- tives have always been great church workers. In politics he is a Democrat, and he served on the school board for nineteen years. A Mason in good standing, he is also a Shriner. A man of energy, he has forged ahead, and not only has achieved material prosperity, but has gained and holds the confidence and respect of his neighborhood. He has been local ob- server for this district in the U. S. Weather Bureau for ten years.
CAMPBELL, Harvey A., a successful general farmer of Augusta Township, owns and oper- ates 120 acres of valuable land on section 9 of this township. He was born in Hancock County, June 15, 1869, a son of John A. Campbell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this vol- ume.
Harvey A. Campbell attended the schools of his district, and remained at home, learning farming from his father, until his marriage, which occurred March 4, 1901, when he was united with Mary Young. Mr. and Mrs. Camp- bell have one son, Wayne, who was born March 12, 1902. He was graduated from the Augusta High school, and is a very promising boy. Fra- ternally Mr. Campbell belongs to the Odd Fel- lows, in which lodge he is deservedly popular. Believing in encouraging local enterprises, Mr. Campbell holds a policy with the Hancock Mu- tual Insurance Company, and is interested in its welfare. His political views make him a Demo- crat, and he is a great admirer and firm sup- porter of President Wilson. The Baptist Church holds his membership. The Campbell family is an honored one in this county, where for nearly half a century, the father, John A. Camp- bell, has been connected with agricultural in- terests.
CAMPBELL, John A., a prosperous retired farmer of Augusta Township, was for forty- seven years one of the leading agriculturalists of that township. He was born in Indiana, Sep- tember S, 1844, a son of Gustave and Octavia (Payne) Campbell, natives of Scotland and Vir-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
ginia, respectively, both of whom died in In- diana.
Jolın A. Campbell was twenty-one years old when he came from Indiana to Hancock County, and for a time worked for different farmers in the county, and then began farming on his own account. He was very successful as an agriculturalist, and at the same time won appre- ciation for his fair dealing and upright life.
On July 19, 1868, Mr. Campbell was married to Susan Matthews, born in Hancock County, a daughter of Alfred Matthews. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell became the parents of the following children : Harvey, who is married to Mary Young, has a son, Wayne; Dovie, who is de- ceased; and Charles, whose sketch appears in this work. He belongs to the Christian Church, and joined it many years ago. All his life he has been a strong Democrat, but has never cared for public office. Both he and Mrs. Camp- bell are held in the highest esteem, and have friends all over the county.
CAMPBELL, John Amos, one of the highly esteemed retired farmers of La Harpe, has had a very successful career as an agriculturist, not only in Hancock County, but in other locali- ties as well. He was born in Winchester, Scott County, Ill., March 4, 1848, a son of William L. and Nancy (Reeder) Campbell, natives of Ten- nessee and Kentucky. The grandparents, James and Margaret (Berry) Campbell, natives of Virginia, drove overland in 1832, to Morgan County, Ill. The maternal grandparents, Amos and Mary Reeder were born in Kentucky, and they, too, drove overland to Morgan County, in the late twenties. The parents were married and located on a farm in Morgan County, but in the spring of 1848, moved to Scott County, Ill., and bought a farm four miles north of Winchester. The father was born September 2, 1812, and died at Winchester, where he spent his last days, July 22, 1888; and the mother, who was born May 2, 1818, died on their farm, March 15, 1859. Their children were as fol- lows: Hannah Jane, who was born October 20, 1838; Susan M., who was born February 10, 1840; Green B., who was born May 27, 1841; Samuel R., who was born December 13, 1842; James Polk, who was born May 23, 1844; Eliza A., who was born December 3, 1845; John Amos, who was born March 4, 1848; William Henry, who was born September 8, 1849; Mary E., who was born May 24, 1851; Joseph M., who was born July 10, 1853; Alice M., who was born March 28, 1855; Sallie A., who was born January 6, 1857; Laura E., who was born March 20, 1859; Etta F., who was born April 10. 1861; and Ollie M., who was born Novem- ber 5, 1862.
John Amos Campbell attended the district schools and lived with his parents until his marriage, which took place May 5, 1874, when he was united with Annie R. Hawk, born in Scott County, Ill., May 1, 1852, a daughter of Foster R. and Sarah (Flynn) Hawk of Scott County. After his marriage, Mr. Campbell
bought a farm in Scott County, and operated it until 1900, when he sold and in the spring of that year came to La Harpe Township and bought 400 acres of partially improved land, a portion of which was covered with timber. Since then he has sold 100 acres, and about 175 acres of the remainder is under cultiva- tion, the balance being in timber and pasture. In 1904 he moved to La Harpe, and since then lias retired, renting his land, although he cul- tivates the two and one-half acres surrounding his beautiful residence at La Harpe.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have had the follow- ing children: Lenora May, who was born April 3, 1875, died May 2, 1897; Edward T., who was born May 7, 1876, died June 16, 1916; George Arthur, who was born May 18, 1878, lives at Mo- line, Ill .; Pearl Hawk, who was born Septem- ber 11, 1880, died January 28, 1885; Sadie Alice, who was born February 18, 1882, died September 17, 1898; Anna Etta, who was born January 18, 1884, died June 8, 1916; Ethel B., who was born August 14, 1887, is Mrs. Samuel Corbett, and she and her husband live on Mr. Campbell's farm ; and Elsie M., who was born July 24, 1890, is Mrs. Albert Moore of La Harpe. Mrs. Campbell died June 16, 1916, since which time, a sister, Mary E. Campbell, has been Mr. Campbell's housekeeper. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, and he has served as alderman of La Harpe for two terms, representing the First Ward in the city council.
CANNON, Granvel, one of the substantial busi- ness men of Carthage, has been engaged in handling stock for some years, but prior to embarking in this line, was actively engaged in farming. He was born in California, January 29, 1853, a son of Albern P. and America E. (Boston) Cannon, natives of Missouri and Ken- tucky, who located in Hancock County after their marriage, and lived there until 1850, when they traveled overland to California in search of gold. Three years later they returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and up the Mississippi River to Hancock County. They then bought a farm in Carthage Township, and Albern P. Cannon developed into the largest live-stock buyer in the county. In 1869 he sold his business, retired and lived at Carthage un- til his death which occurred on February 28, 1907. His wife died on January 17, 1917. Their children were as follows: Willis, who lives at San Diego, Cal .; Grenvel, whose name heads this review ; Marilla, who is Mrs. C. H. Saxton of Carthage; and Jennie, who is deceased.
Granvel Cannon was married August 22, 1879, to Anna Hochi, born at Carthage, and they had one daughter, Blanche, who lives in Oklahoma. Mrs. Cannon died April 14, 1912. On February 3, 1916, Mr. Cannon was married (second) to Mrs. Anna (Gillan) Link, born at La Harpe, a daughter of W. W. Gillan, and widow of Rob- ert Link. She had two children by her first marriage, namely : Harry N., who served in the army during the Great War; and Gale Fenton, who lives in Colorado.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
After his first marriage Mr. Cannon lived at Carthage for several years, and was engaged in teaching school but then bought a farm in Carthage Township, and began raising stock. Like his father before him, he developed into an extensive stockman, and is now engaged in buying, selling and shipping stock, and carries on a large business.
Mr. Cannon is a well educated man, having attended the district schools, Carthage College and the Gem City Business College. He be- longs to the Lutheran Church. In politics a Republican, he served as constable for several years. An excellent business man, he has been successful in his undertakings, and he has won and retains the confidence and respect of his associates.
CARLISLE, George W., who was formerly one of the leading agriculturalists of Pilot Grove Township, is now profitably engaged in a grain business at Burnside. He was born at St. Louis, Mo., January 28, 1850, a son of James Stewart and Sarah Elizabeth (Breeze) Carlisle, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, who were mar- ried at St. Louis, Mo. The father was a plas- terer by trade. On January 10, 1860, he came to Hancock County, and went on a farm he had bought in 1855. His farm contained 160 acres, and when he began operating it, this work was the first of its kind he had ever done. There he remained until 1893, when he retired, moving to Adrian, Ill., and renting his farm. The mother died October 17, 1917.
George W. Carlisle had but few early educa- tional advantages, but when he was twenty years old he attended Carthage College, earning his own way through. On December 21, 1876, he was married to Lula M. Lamb, born at Pon- toosic, Ill., a daughter of Samuel and Sarah ( Baker) Lamb, born in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle became the parents of the follow- ing children : Samuel, who lives at Burnside, Ill. ; Blanche, who died at the age of twenty- two years; Fred, who lives at Wichita, Kas .; Frank, who lives at Basco, Ill .; George, who is on the home farm; and James, who lives at Des Moines, Iowa. Mrs. Carlisle died October 6, 1912.
After his marriage, Mr. Carlisle worked on the farm until 1914, when he rented his home- stead to his son George, and on March 17, 1914, he came to Burnside, where he and his son Samuel embarked in a grain business, which they still conduct. He is a Democrat in poli- tics and very prominent in the county, having served as supervisor for eight years ; town clerk for four years; highway commissioner for one term; and justice of the peace for one term, and declined the nomination for the office of township treasurer. For some years he has been a member of Burnside Lodge No. 683, A. F. & A. M. A man of high principles, he has lived up to what he believed to be right, and his standing among his neighbors is excellent In every respect.
CARNES, Henry, a veteran of the Civil War, and a highly esteemed resident of La Harpe, is now living retired from his former agricul- tural activities. He was born in Pike County, Ill., July 4, 1844, a son of Thomas and Eliza- beth (McCartney) Carnes, natives of Ohio. In childhood his parents came to Pike County, Ill., where they were married, afterwards settling on a farm in that county. After remaining there for a few years, they moved to McDon- ough County, Ill., and remained for six years, but leaving that farm, they went to Iowa, and spent two years. They then came to La Harpe Township and bought a farm, where he died, she having passed away in 1880. Their chil- dren were as follows: Maria, who is deceased, was Mrs. Daniel Avery ; James, who is deceased ; Henry ; Alonzo, who is deceased; Diana, who is the widow of William Spiker of La Harpe, Il1.
In July, 1864, Mr. Carnes enlisted in the serv- ice of his country for the period of the Civil War, in Company D, Fifty-third Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, Seventeenth Army Corps, Fourth Brigade, First Division, and was assigned to Raleigh, N. C., participating in the campaign at that point. He was sent to Washington, D. C., and took part in the Grand Review, receiving his discharge at Chicago, in the fall of 1865, having been mustered out at Louisville, Ky.
In August, 1865, Mr. Carnes was married to Laura Gleason, born at La Harpe, Ill., a daugh- ter of Decatur and Eliza (Devoid) Gleason, natives of Ohio, and early settlers of La Harpe. After his marriage, Mr. Carnes rented land in La Harpe Township and began buying small pieces of land, five acres at a time, until he had twenty acres north of La Harpe, on which he resided for eight years. He then rented this farm, and went on another farm as a renter for four years, when he moved on his father's farm, and lived there for twenty-eight years, buying 177 acres of it, to which he later added three acres. This continued his home until March, 1912, when he rented the farm and moved to La Harpe to a residence he had bought six years previously.
On December 6, 1873, Mr. Carnes was mar- ried (second) to Mary Anne Cass by H. H. Barnes, a justice of the peace. She was born in 1830 in Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Je- nette (Boyd) Cass. Mrs. Cass survives and lives at La Harpe. Both she and Mr. Cass were natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Han- cock County. Mr. and Mrs. Carnes have had the following children: Neelzer Adelbert, who died at the age of two years; Lillie, who died at the age of five years; Jesse, who lives on his father's farm ; Ernest, who lives at La Harpe; Effie, who is Mrs. Thomas Scanlon of Durham Township; Jenette, who is Mrs. Alvin Thomp- son of Gladstone. Ill .; Grover, who lives in Ful- ton County, Ill. ; Mamie, who is Mrs. Ward Mel- vin of Cuba, Ill .; and John, who lives at La Harpe. Mr. Carnes is practically a self-edu- cated man for his schooling was confined to a limited attendance at the district schools, but
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
he is a very well informed man. Both he and Mrs. Carnes belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican, and he belongs to the G. A. R. There is no man in Hancock County who stands any higher in public esteem than this honorable, upright old soldier and re- tired farmer, and the confidence he inspires is well merited.
CARPENTER, John H., who owns and operates 225 acres of valuable farm land on section 24, Augusta Township, is one of the leading agri- culturalists of Hancock County. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 7, 1874, a son of Nathan D. and Josephine (Cottrell) Carpenter, of Greene County, Ohio, both of whom are now deceased.
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