Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 97

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. Cheney became the parents of the following children : Minnie, who is Mrs.

Charles Hopton of Adams County, Ill .; Nel- lie, who is Mrs. Tiloman Freed of Augusta, Ill .; Pearl, who is Mrs. Lafayette Rice of Prairie Township; Frank, who lives in Chili Township; Dillie, who is Mrs. Edward Carr of St. Albans Township; Mary, who is Mrs. Jessie Kane of Hancock County ; Mack, who is of St. Albans Township; Dewey, who lives in Adams County, Ill .; Darrel, who is at home; and Lula, who is Mrs. Fred Decker of Chili Township. Mr. Cheney is a member of the Methodist Church. A Democrat in politics he has served as road boss and a school director. Fraternally he be- longs to Stillwell Camp, M. W. A. A man of tlie highest character, he has always com- manded confidence and respect, and has brought up a fine family to do him and his wife credit.

CHOATE, Andrew J., for many years one of the prosperous farmers of Montebello Township, owned and operated eighty acres of land which is nicely improved and very valuable. He was born near Quincy, in Adams County, Ill., Janu- ary 27, 1843, and died April 17, 1919. He was a son of Langdon and Deborah V. (Jones) Choate. Langdon Choate was born September 7, 1810, and died in January, 1901. His wife was born in November, 1820, and died in I893. He was a native of New Hampshire, and she of New York. They were married in the latter state, and came to Quincy, Ill., buying a farm of eighty acres in Adams County, which lie con- ducted, and he also ran a blacksmith shop. In 1856 they came to Hancock County, and he was in a blacksmith business at Hamilton for many years. In addition to their son Andrew J., these parents had two daughters, namely : Louisa, who married Thomas Ruggles, is now dead, as is her husband; and Hannalı Louise, who is Mrs. J. I. Spence, who lives in Montebello Township.

Andrew J. Choate attended the local schools of Adams and Hancock counties, and remained at home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred January 13, 1881, when he was united with Frances Grubb, born November 16, 1853, a daughter of Ephraim and Susan (Grubb) Grubb. · Of her four sisters, all are now deceased, three having died in child- hood, they being as follows: Louisa, Stella and an unnamed infant; while Olive, who became Mrs. Robert Hecker, died in June, 1917, and her husband is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Choate became the parents of three children, two of whom survive, namely : Stella Louise, who was born January 3, 1883, is at home; an unnamed infant; and Lloyd J., who was born June 21, 1888, served in the United States army in the World War, and was discharged Decem- ber 9, 1918, as sergeant. After his marriage, Mr. Choate moved on the farm owned by his father-in-law, which has been in the Grubb family for seventy years, and later bought the eighty acres. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, as does Mrs. Choate. In politics he was a Republican.

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CHRISTY, David Alfred, a well known and highly respected retired farmer of Sonora Town- ship, Hancock County, was born in Clarke County, Mo., December 10, 1861. His parents were Joseph K. and Amanda (Bowen) Christy, the latter of whom was born in Lewis County, Mo., but was married in Clarke. County. There Mr. and Mrs. Christy lived on a farm until 1875 when they moved to Hancock County, Ill., where Mr. Christy bought a farm in Sonora Township. After his wife died there, Mr. Christy moved to Ferris, Ill., and there his death oc- curred in 1903. . They were highly respected people and had a wide acquaintance. They were the parents of the following children: James Andrew, who lives in Sonora Township; Henry D., who lives at Stewartsvile, Mo .; Julius A., who is deceased; David Alfred; Benjamin, whose home is at Blackwell, Okla .; Louisa, who is the wife of Elsworth Brindley, lives at St. Paul, Nebr .; and Charles A., who is in business at Lawrence, Kan.

David Alfred Christy obtained his education in the district schools and grew up with agricul- tural training. After marriage in 1886. he moved to Nemaha County, Nebr., where he farmed on rented land for two years and then returned to Hancock County and for the next five years operated rented land. He then bouglit forty acres located on section 22, Sonora Town- ship, and lived on that place for eight years and then bought sixty acres in another part of the same section, subsequently acquiring seven- teen acres more on section 19 in the same town- ship. These properties are well improved with substantial buildings and are a credit to the county. Mr. Christy continued actively engaged in general farming and stockraising until 1917, when he turned many of his responsibilities over to his capable son Irwin and has since lived practically retired, but yet manages the farm.

Mr. Christy was married January 29, 1886, to Miss Celia Conloy, who was born in Sonora Township, and they have four children : Vina, who is the wife of Lee Hardy, lives in south- ern Minnesota ; Lester, who lives at Winnipeg, Canada; Irwin, who operates the home farm for his father; and Gladys, who is the wife of Charles Potter, lives at Fullerton, Cal. Botlı sons were in the World War, Irwin being in overseas service for six months. In politics Mr. Christy and his sons are Democrats. He lias been a useful. loyal and public spirited citizen at all times and has served the township in such offices as school director and road commis- sioner. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose, attending lodges at Nauvoo.

CLARK, Charles Robert, a prosperous general farmer of Montebello Township, is one of the honored men of Hancock County. He was born near Winchester, Scott County, Ill., April 14, 1874, a son of William T. and Louisa (Crump) Clark, natives of Scott County, Ill., and Ken- tucky, respectively. The father came of English descent. During the Civil War he served his

country as a soldier and had the misfortune to be confined in Andersonville prison for ninety days. After his return from the war, he set- tled near Winchester, Ill. His first wife dying in 1870, he was married again. His death oc- curred in 1900.

Charles Robert Clark attended the schools of his district, and remained at home until he was eighteen years old, at which time he began working for a brother in Scott County. After a time, he returned home and remained there until his father's death, when he came to Han- cock County, and worked by the month in Pilot Grove Township for nine years. He then be- gan farming for himself near Ferris, Ill., but left Illinois for Emett, Iowa, where he was en- gaged in farming for three years. Once more he came to Hancock County, at first selecting Rocky Creek Township as his place of resi- dence, but after a year he bought a farm in Wilcox Township, and conducted it for a year, then sold it and bought eighty acres of Fred Herold, which is a part of the southwest half of section 17, in Montebello Township, where he has since been engaged in general farming.

In April, 1908, Mr. Clark was married to Rachel Ann Woodall, born at Peoria, Ill., and they had one daughter, Rhoda, who lives at Winchester, Ill. Mrs. Clark died on September 4, 1909, and, on October 4, 1910, Mr. Clark was married (sec- ond) to Nellie Richards, born in Rock Creek Township, a daughter of Philip and Lena (Thompson) Richards. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have the following children : Robert R., who was born July 3, 1911; Harold P., who was born July 29, 1913; and Josiah W., who was born March 29, 1915. Mr. Clark attends the Christian Church, and Mrs. Clark belongs to the Methodist Church of Ferris, Ill. He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to Ferris Lodge No. 674, I. O. O. F., and Ferris Camp, M. W. A. He is an excellent farmer and good business man, and stands very high in public esteem.

CLARK, John A., one of the oldest stockmen in this part of Illinois, is engaged in the stock business at Bowen and has the distinction of having handled more cattle and hogs tlian any other man in his line during the past forty years. He was born in Hancock County, March 12, 1853, a son of A. J. and Biddy A. (McCoy) Clark, natives of Kentucky and Ireland, re- spectively. Mrs. Clark came to the United States when one year old, her parents settling in Hancock County. The McCoys died in Han- cock County, and both Mr. and Mrs. Clerk are also deceased.

John A. Clark attended the local schools and remained with his father until lie was mar- ried, which was on January 4, 1878, when he was united with Amanda E. Lyon, who died October 22, 1916, and is interred in the Bowen Cemetery. They had the following children : Alva F., who is married to Effie Powell; Clif- ton G .. who is married to Bertha West, has a son, Howard; and Ollie, who is married to

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Frank Crossland. Mrs. Clark was a consistent member of the Christian Church and a noble woman and devoted wife and mother.

After his marriage Mr. Clark moved to the Lyon homestead in Harmony Township, and at one time owned over 600 acres in Harmony Township. About 1878 he came to Bowen and entered into his present business, in which he has greatly prospered. Mr. Clark is a Master Mason. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held some of the minor offices.

CLEARY, Rev. Francis A., pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Warsaw, is one of the faithful clergy of the Catholic Church, stationed in Hancock County. He was born in Momence, Ill., September 9, 1888, a son of Patrick J. and Elizabeth (Kirby) Cleary, he born at West- port, County Mayo, Ireland, and she at Chicago, Ill. Patrick J. Cleary with his parents moved to Momence, Ill., and since 1875 has conducted a grocery in that city. He and his wife had the following children : John, who was born in 1878, died in 1914; William, who is pastor of the Catholic Church at East Moline, Ill .; James, who lives with his parents at Momence; Ed- ward, who is cashier of the First National Bank of Momence; and Rev. Francis A.

Rev. Francis A. Cleary was graduated from the Momence High school in 1906, and then entered St. Viator's College and spent eight years, being graduated therefrom in 1911 and finishing his seminary course there in 1914, was ordained a priest June 6, 1914, at Peoria, Ill. Immediately thereafter he was stationed at Rantoul, Ill., as assistant priest for one year, from there he went to Rock Island where he became assistant to Father Quinn, of St. Joseph's Church, and on December 5, 1917, was assigned to the Church of the Sacred Heart at Warsaw. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and is a member of Alleman Council of that order in Warsaw, and is also a member of the St. James Branch of the Western Catholic Union at Rock Island.

COEUR, Antoine, for many years was one of the well known men of Sonora Township and a large landowner in Hancock County. He was born in the province of Giers, France, November 22, 1835, came to America in 1853 and died 011 his farm in Sonora Township, Hancock County, Ill., June S, 1904. He was an industri- ous, intelligent and honest man and in his death his community as well as his family met with a great loss. His parents were Etienne and Francoise Coeur, who came to the United States ill 1853 to join the Icarian French colony at Nauvoo, Ill.

Afterward Antoine Coeur worked at fishing for some time and also sought employment in the lumber mills. When his parents bought a fruit farm in Sonora Township he went to work there and after his marriage in 1861 settled on this farm and worked to develop it. In 1868 he bought 160 acres in this township, which was the beginning of his large estate. It was wild prairie land and was situated on section 25,

Sonora Township. He put up substantial build- ings and made other improvements that con- verted it into a comfortable home and to this first tract kept on adding until he owned over 800 acres as the result of his industry. He was a capable farmer and stockraiser and in all his operations was unusually successful. He was a man of natural intelligence but had meager school advantages in France and was principally self-educated. He never desired public office but consented to serve as school director. He cast his political vote with the Democratic party.

Mr. Coeur was married December 14, 1861, to Miss Alexandrine Kayser, who was born June 18, 1845, in the city of Paris, France, a daughter of William and Johanna (Ritzerfeld) Kayser, the latter from Holland. The father of Mrs. Coeur died in Paris in 1853, and Mrs. Kayser with her two daughters, Magdaline and Alex- andrine, came to America on a sailing vessel that was sixty days on the ocean, landed at New Orleans and then up the river on a steamboat and joined the French colony at Nauvoo. To Mr. and Mrs. Coeur the following children were born : Lucy, who is deceased ; Emile, who lives at McCall, Ill .; August and Louis, both of whom are farmers in Sonora Township; Alice, who is the wife of Albert Lovingfoss, lives in Monte- bello Township; William, who lives at Deer Trail, Colo .; Arthur, who lives in Texas; Lily, whose home is with her mother; Vina, who is the wife of Henry Davison, lives on the home farm; and Ernest, who is a farmer in Sonora Township. Four of the sons have bought eighty acres each of the home farm and Mrs. Coeur rents the remainder of the land to the youngest son and Henry Davison, her son-in-law. She has twelve grandchildren and five great-grand- children. This is one of the prominent old French families of the county.

COEUR, Louis, a prosperous general farmer of Sonora Township, was born in Sonora Town- ship, October 12, 1870, a son of Antone and Alex- andria Coeur. Louis Coeur attended the schools of his district, and then learned to be a farmer. Until his marriage, he remained at home, but after that, he began farming for himself, moving to an eighty-acre farm on section 25, Sonora Township, he had bought from his father. Since then he has put in many valuable im- provements, and on it he carries on general farming.

On December 16, 1902, Mr. Coeur was mar- ried to Celia Reiter, born in Montebello Town- ship, a daughter of John and Sarah Reiter, na- tives of France and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Coeur have no children. In poli- tics Mr. Coeur is a Democrat. Not only has Mr. Coeur worked hard, but he has known how to make that work count, and he is rightfully numbered among the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County, while personally he is held in high esteem because of his many excellent traits of character.

COLEMAN, Charles, one of the successful farm- ers of Hancock Township, owns and operates

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

200 acres of valuable land and is specializing on raising Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He was born in Pilot Grove Township, December 1, 1856, a son of Samuel and Jane (Bennett) Coleman, both of whom were na- tives of Ohio. The paternal grandparents, John and Letitia Coleman, and the maternal grand- father, Eli Bennett, were very early settlers of Pilot Grove Township, and here their children were reared and were married. Following their union, Samuel Coleman and his bride settled on a farm in Pilot Grove Township, where they lived until 1871, in that year selling and buy- ing land in Rock Creek Township. He died in 1874, his widow surviving him until 1912.

Charles Coleman attended the district schools and assisted his mother in conducting her farm until he was twenty-three years old, at which time he went to Leadville, Colo., and was en- gaged in mining for two years. After returning to Hancock County, he was employed in farm work by the month until his marriage, whichi occurred August 23, 1886, when he was united with Lucy A. Ellison, born in Rock Creek Town- ship, a daughter of Mathew and Nancy (Han- son) Ellison, born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman have the following children: Albert Roy, a farmer of Breckenridge, Minn .; Charles, who is in the United States army ; Letitia J., who is Mrs. Earl Knowles of Hancock Town- ship; and Nancy May, who is Mrs. Don Boyd, lives with her father.

After his marriage Mr. Coleman rented a farm in Rock Creek Township for a year and then went to Audrain County, Mo., where he was engaged in farming for a year. Upon his return to Rock Creek Township he rented land for three years, and then bought eighty acres of land in the same township, but in/ 1901 sold it and bought 200 acres in Hancock Township, all of which was improved. After four years he rented his farm and moved to Carthage, in order to give his children the benefit of that city's excellent schools. Having accomplished the education of his children, in 1914 Mr. Cole- man returned to his farm, and has since been engaged in conducting it, specializing on Dur- ham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. Mr. Cole- man belongs to the Christian Church, of which he is a deacon. Politically he is a Democrat, and he served as a school director for fifteen years. Mr. Coleman is a member of Middle Creek Camp, M. W. A., and of the Hancock County Mutual and Tri-State Mutual associa- tions. A man of sound principles he has lived up to what he has believed to be his civic duty, and has developed a fine property, earning in both ways his right to be considered one of the representative men of the county.

COLEMAN, Martin L., who is owner of Sunny- side Farm, is one of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Hancock Township. He was born in Pilot Grove Township, April 16, 1860, a son of Samuel and Jane (Bennett) Coleman, both of whom were born near Zanes- ville, Ohio, where they were reared, and after

marriage came to Macomb, Ill. After a few years at Macomb, they came to Hancock County and lived in Pilot Grove Township until 1869, when they moved to Adrian, Ill., where he died in 1874, she surviving him until 1906.

Martin L. Coleman attended the schools of his native township and lived at home until his marriage, which occurred September 17, 1884, when he was united with Mary E. Newman, born in Rock Creek Township, a daughter of Welch and Juliet (Dove) Newman, natives of Kentucky and Hancock County, respectively. After his marriage Mr. Coleman rented land in Rock Creek Township for five years, and then bought ninety and one-half acres of land in St. Mary's and Hancock townships, of which fifty acres are in the latter township. He has added to his acreage until he now owns 250 acres in St. Mary's Township, fifty acres in Hancock Township, and eighty acres in Fountain Green Township. He raises White Face cattle, and . does general farming, his farm being known as the Sunnyside Farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Coleman became the parents of the following children: Clyde, wlio lives at Breckenridge, Minn .; Cora, who is Mrs. A. Shu- mate of St. Mary's Township; Flossie V., who is Mrs. Shumate of Fountain Green Township; Verla, who married John Merritt, lives in St. Mary's Township; and Marion, who is at home, all of whom are living, and John, the fourth, in order of birth, who died in infancy. Mr. Coleman served as a justice of the peace for eight years, and tax collector two terms. He belongs to the Woodman camp of Middle Creek Township, in which he held the office of banker and honorable counsel for eighteen years, and of which he is a charter member. An · excellent farmer, he operates his land at a profit, and is regarded as an expert in his line, and possesses the respect and confidence of all who know him.

CONGDON, John H., a prosperous general farmer and stockraiser, is one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County, and owns valuable farm land in Montebello Township. He was born in Cornwall, England, December 2, 1885, a son of John and Mary E. (Huff) Cong- don, natives of Cornwall, England. In the sum- mer of 1886 they came to the United States, and settled at Colchester, Ill., where for eighteen years the father worked, for nine years for the Hicks family and then rented land for nine years. He then moved to Rocky Run Town- ship, buying a farm, but three years later sold it and moved to Montebello Township, where he bought 120 acres on sections 5 and 8. He died July 1, 1913, the mother having passed away October 28, 1902. Their two children were: John H .; and Bessie, who is Mrs. William Bergmeier, of Nauvoo.

John H. Congdon always lived with his parents, and at the death of his father, he in- herited the homestead, where he has since been engaged in farming and raising Duroc-Jersey hogs. In addition to the homestead, Mr. Congdon

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

rents other farm property and he farms in all 300 acres. On March 31, 1911, Mr. Congdon was married to Nora Kropp, born at Loraine, Ill., May 4, 1891, a daughter of John and Mary O. (Daniels) Kropp, natives of Adams County, Ill. They now reside at Hamilton, Ill. Mrs. Congdon attended the grammar and a high school, while Mr. Congdon's educational train- ing was limited to the uistrict schools. Mr. and Mrs. Congdon have three children, namely : Or- ville William, Lawrence Henry, and Raymond Ernest. The family belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Congdon is a Republican. His fraternal affiliations are with the Modern Wood- men of America at Hamilton. His energy and progressive spirit have placed him in the front rank among the farmers of Hancock County.

CONLOY, William, who is very profitably en- gaged in fruit farming at Nauvoo, is one of the substantial men of Hancock County, and one who is very favorably regarded by all who know him. He was born at Nauvoo, May 18, 1857, a son of Francis and Clotilde (Betram) Conloy, natives of France, who were among the first of the Icarian Colony, as they came here in 1853. While in France, Francis Conloy was a manu- facturer of chinaware, but after his arrival at Nauvoo, he devoted himself to farming and fruit growing. He died in 1905, aged eighty-five years. His wife died in 1SS7.

William Conloy had but limited educational advantages, and became self-supporting at an early age. When only seventeen years old he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he learned the jeweler's trade, and worked at it for eight years, then returned to Nauvoo, and for a few years after his return was engaged in farm- ing, then went back to St. Louis and for one year was engaged at his trade. Coming back once more to Nauvoo, he bought four acres of land. and on it has been carrying on fruit rais- ing, having a very valuable vineyard.

In 1SS3 Mr. Conloy was married to Minnie Brown, born in Ohio, a daughter of John C. and Anna (Schrup) Brown, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Conloy have one son, Robert, who was born April 22, 1SS5, and is at home. Mr. Conloy attends the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally he be- longs to Nauvoo Lodge No. 222, I. O. O. F., and the Rebekahs.

CONN, George V., veterinary surgeon, who is engaged in the active practice of his calling at La Harpe, is one of the leading men of his profession in Hancock County. He was born at Mediapolis, Des Moines County, Iowa, Febru- ary 14, 1SSS. one of the nine children of Mar- low M. and Mary E. (Hamilton) Conn. Mar- low M. Conn was born in New York state, but he later moved to Iowa, and was a farmer. The mother was born in Indiana.

George V. Conn attended the common and the high school of his native place, and then entered the McKinley Veterinary College, from which he was graduated in 1911. Immediately there-

after he entered upon the practice of his pro- fession at La Harpe, where he has since con- tinued, and has been very successful in his work.

Dr. Conn was married to Miss Clare R. Clay- comb, a daughter of Harry E. Claycomb, and they have one child, Cathryn B., who was born June 6, 1914. The Doctor and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican. Upright and carefully trained, Dr. Conn not only is an excellent veter- inary, but he is also a good citizen and man of sterling principles.

CONNORS, James. one of the enterprising farmers of Hancock County, who rents and operates 160 acres of land on section 2S, Augusta Township, is numbered among the worth while men of his locality. He was born in Pennsyl- vania, September 2, 1875, a son of Michael and Bridget (Hopkins) Connors natives of Ireland, who came to the United States at an early day, locating in Pennsylvania. Both of them are now deceased.

James Connors attended the schools of his native state, where he resided until 1914, in which year he came to Hancock County, and to his present farm, where he has since been en- gaged in general farming. On June S, 1909, he was married at Denver, Col., to Edna Ketchum, and they have two children : Ellen, who was born September 24, 1910; and Elbert, who was born June 1, 1912, and both are at- tending the Augusta school. Mr. Connors is a Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Connors has had a varied experience, as he was a railroad engineer in Colorado and Utah, prior to becoming a farmer, and in both lines has made a success for he is industrious and thrifty, and such a man is a valuable addition to any community.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 97

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