Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 98

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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COOMBS, Edwin S., one of the successful law- yers of Hancock County, is ably engaged in a general legal practice at Carthage. He was born at Augusta, Ill., February 17, 1861, a son of S. R. and Margaret (Van Antwerp) Coombs, natives of Kentucky and New York City, respec- tively, the father, S. R. Coombs, being the nephew of General Lester Coombs, formerly of Lexington, Ky. Both came to Illinois in their eighteenth year. After their marriage they located on a farm at Augusta, but in 1864 moved to one a half mile south of Chili, Ill. Still later they went to Kansas where he was a stock buyer and farmer, and died about 1880. In politics he was a Democrat and served as a justice of the peace for many years. Of the ten children born to him and his wife, eight grew to maturity and four now survive, namely : S. R. Coombs, Jr., who is a railroad engineer of Carthage, Mo .; H. L. Coombs, who is in a real estate business at Memphis, Tenn .; Mary, who is the wife of S. York, a wealthy Mississippi planter ; and Edwin S.

Edwin S. Coombs spent his childhood on the

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

home farm and attended school until fourteen years old. Later he took the course at the Normal University, Normal, Ill., and was grad- uated from that institution in the year 1SS7. For the subsequent fifteen years he taught school, becoming superintendent of schools at El Paso, III., La Harpe, Carthage, White Oak, and Pontiac, and held a state certificate. In the meanwhile he was studying law, and entered the University of Michigan, and was graduated from its law department with the degree of LL. B. in 1896. Immediately thereafter, Mr. Coombs established himself in a general practice at Carthage, where he has since remained.

On October 7, 1903, Mr. Coombs was married to Luella L. Worrell, born in Hancock County, a graduate of the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Ill. She is a granddaughter of Rev. Joseph and Alpha (Forsythe) Worrell. Mr. and Mrs. Coombs have two sons, namely : Worrell Van Antwerp and Yale Forsythe. Mr. Coombs is a Presbyterian, a Thirty-second degree Mason, and a Knight Templar. A Democrat in politics, he has served by appointment as superintendent of schools of Hancock County. All that he is and has he owes to his own efforts, and to the fact that he never allowed himself to be dis- couraged no matter what the circumstances might be, but forged steadily ahead, and is now reaping some of the rewards of his courage and persistence.

COOPER, Earl, M. D., who is one of the suc- successful practitioners of medicine and sur- gery at Augusta, is properly numbered among the leading men of his profession in Hancock County. He was born September 7, 1879, in Schuyler County, Ill., one of the five children of his parents, John W. and Mary E. (Harris) Cooper. Dr. Cooper attended the common schools of his native county, and Rushville Busi- ness College, and took his medical course in the Consolidated School, K. M. C. and College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1905. In 1912 and 1914, also in 1916 and 1918 Dr. Cooper took post graduate work with Mayo Brothers, at Roches- ter, Minn., and the late Dr. Birmingham in the Fergus Falls State Hospital. For one year he was associated with Dr. Drake, of the Uni- versity of Des Moines, Iowa, and at present is connected with the surgical staff of Morris, Ill., and has the operating privilege of several hos- pitals in the counties adjoining Hancock and also at St. Mary's Hospital, Quincy, Ill. He organized on December 1, 1919, the Augusta Hospital at Augusta, Ill., that is proving to be a success. Dr. Cooper belongs to the Hancock Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association. He is a life member of the Surgeons Club, of Rochester, Minn .; belongs to the Accademia Frisico .- Chimica. Italiana Palermo., and the National Tuberculosis Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and Odd Fellows. In politics he is a Republican.

Dr. Cooper was married to Miss Josephine M.

Myers, a daughter of Nicholas Meyers, one of the veterans of the Civil War, who was born in Germany and is now living in Schuyler County. Dr. and Mrs. Cooper have a son, Edward E., who was born November 7, 1915. They belong to the Christian Church. Interested in historical matters, Dr. Cooper has connected himself with the Illinois State Historical Society. A man carefully trained in his chosen profession, he has been eminently successful in his practice and has earned and sustains a well founded reputation for skill and ability of a high order.

COULSON, George, is engaged in the grain and coal business at La Harpe. He was born at La Harpe, February 17, 1843, son of George and Nancy A. Coulson, who came to Hancock County at an early day.

George Coulson attended the local schools, and when still a young man went to Nevada, later going to California, where he was engaged in mining. Subsequently he returned to La Harpe, and was variously occupied until he en- gaged in his present business.

Mr. Coulson was married (first) to Miss Maggie Bainter, a daughter of Daniel Bainter, and they had three children. Mr. Coulson was married (second) to Miss Martha Magor, a daughter of John and Eliza Magor, and they have one daughter, Mary L., who is the wife of R. L. Widney.

Mr. Coulson is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Woodman of the World. He is a Democrat and lie has served as town clerk, town assessor, supervisor, alderman, justice of the peace and mayor of La Harpe.

COULSON, James C., editor and proprietor of the well known weekly journal, La Harper, which, as its name indicates, is an organ of La Harpe. He was born at La Harpe, Ill., Septem- ber 24, 1847, one of the nine children born to Dr. George and Nancy M. (Cossitt) Coulson. Dr. George Coulson was born in Ohio, and be- coming a practitioner of medicine came first to La Harpe but died in 1850 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His widow survived until 1874.

James C. Coulson attended the local public schools, and then began his business career as a merchant at Raritan, Ill. Then going west he spent five years in Ogden, Utah. Returning to Raritan, richer by experience and with a broader outlook on life, he went into a news- paper business, there continuing until 1878, in that year coming to La Harpe, he founded his present journal, which is the oldest paper in the place. In 1886 he bought a steam press and paper business, there continuing until 1878, in 1893. While a new building was in process of construction, the La Harper was published at Bushnell, III. Mr. Coulson has been a member of the Illinois Press Association since 1882, was a vice president, and has been a member of the National Editors Association since 1886.

In 1878 Mr. Coulson was married to Miss Anna B. Stansbury, whose death occurred April 8, 1882. Two children were born of this union :

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Effie M. and Charles S. His second marriage was to M. Alice (Armstrong) Corzatt. Mr. and Mrs. Coulson have the following children : Margaret C., who is Mrs. J. J. Proctor, Chicago Heights, Ill .; Edna C .; and Dr. George C., who lives at Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Coulson and his family affiliate with the Union Church of La Harpe. He is a Democrat and was appointed postmaster of La Harpe by President Grover Cleveland. On August 27, 1872, he was made . an Odd Fellow, and he helped to organize three lodges of this order during the forty-six years he has been a member of it. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and was the representative of it for ten sessions. A force- ful and able writer Mr. Coulson has borne his part in the shaping of public opinion and the moral uplift of the city, and is one of the strongest factors in its progress today.

COVELL, George M., D. D. S., one of the men who has attained distinction in the dental pro- fession, is engaged in a general practice at Hamilton. He was born May 19, 1881, at Sandwich, Ill., one of the two children born to his parents, John L. and Clara I. (Staffer) Covell, Dr. Covell being the only survivor. John L. Covell was born at Yorkville, Ill., and there was engaged in merchandising until his death, which occurred in March, 1905.

After going through the common and the high school of his native place, Dr. Covell en- tered, in 1902, the Keokuk Medical College, from which institution he was graduated April 29, 1905. Immediately thereafter, he entered upon the practice of dentistry at Compton, Ill., but after a year, went to Verdun, Ill., and four years later came to Hamilton, where he has since remained, building up a wide and valu- able connection. In addition to his practice, Dr. Covell is the owner of considerable realty, including the business block in which his office is located. He is also a member of the Na- tional Dental Association, and the state and local dental societies, having held offices in them all.

Dr. Covell was married to Miss Flora B. Wil- son, a daughter of Robert M. Wilson, formerly one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County, who died in June, 1909. Dr. and Mrs. Covell belong to the Presbyterian Church. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic order, and he also belongs to the college fra- ternity of Psi Omega. In politics he is a Re- publican. Ever since the organization of the Lake View Club, the doctor has been an active member of it, and interested in its advancement. A highly efficient dental surgeon, Dr. Covell naturally commands the patronage of the lead- ing people of his neighborhood, and his attri- butes as a man and citizen are such as to com- mend him to the respect and confidence of the community.

CRATSENBERG, A. Murray, now deceased, was for years one of the highly esteemed men and prosperous farmers of Fountain Green

Township. He was born in New York state, December 25, 1833, a son of Conrad and Celona (Alton) Cratsenberg, natives of New York state. In 1838 the family came overland to Hancock County, entering government land in Fountain Green Township, where both died.

A. Murray Cratsenberg resided at home. growing up on the Fountain Green farm and at- tending the local schools, until his marriage, which occurred January 1, 1861, when he was united with Zilpha Ellen Perkins, at which time he moved on a farm in Fountain Green Town- ship. He also lived on rented land in Pilot Grove Township, and there his first wife died, leaving two daughters, Effie S., who is married and lives in California ; and Ellen, who died after her marriage. On December 20, 1870, Mr. Cratsenberg was married (second) to Margaret Bullock, born near Lanark, Canada, May 6, 1845, a daughter of John and Janette (Ander- son) Bullock, natives of Scotland. After his second marriage, Mr. Cratsenberg moved to his Fountain Green farm, which now consists of 200 acres of well improved land, and continued to live on it and make improvements until his death which occurred April 13, 190S. Mrs. Cratsenberg continued on the farm for three years, and then moved to La Harpe, renting the farm to her son. She bought a fine residence in the city, and she and her daughter live there. Mr. and Mrs. Cratsenberg had the following children : Bertha, who is Mrs. William Knobbs, of Hancock County; Bell, who lives with her mother; Maggie, who is Mrs. Carl Martin, of La Harpe; Orpha, who is the widow of Keller Deering of Peoria, Ill .; and John H. who con- · ducts the home farm. Mr. Cratsenberg was a Universalist, and Mrs. Cratsenberg belongs to the Union Church. He was a Democrat, and served in a number of township offices. He was a man who was thoroughly trusted and honored by all who knew him, and when he died his com- munity suffered a deep loss.

CRAWFORD, John H., one of the substantial business men of Hamilton, and one of its most prominent citizens, was born October 5, 1864, a son of Henry F. and Sarah J. (White) Craw- ford, the latter being the second wife of Henry F. Crawford. He was born August 9, 1809, and died November 11, 1885, while she was born April 5, 1842, and died in January, 1915. The paternal grandfather, a native of Virginia, moved to Ohio, and there he reared his family, and died. Henry F. Crawford left Ohio for southern Illinois, when he was eighteen years old, and located in Wayne County, where he was first married, and by that union had nine children, of whom two survive, namely : Reu- ben, and Nancy, who is Mrs. Charles Burlin- game, both of whom live at Albion, Edwards County, Ill. By his second marriage, Henry F. Crawford had eleven children, seven sons and four, daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters survive, namely : Ernest, who lives at Beaver, Okla .; Jacob R., who lives in Montana ; Olive, who is Mrs. William Swigelson,

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lives at Keokuk, Iowa; Sadie, who is Mrs. Ed- ward C. Moxley, lives at Boulder, Col .; Jennie, who is Mrs. Moses Baum lives at Quincy, Ill .; and John H. The maternal grandparents were natives of New York, who came west to Michi- gan, and in 1853, located in Hancock County, spending the balance of their lives at Hamilton. Their names were Jolin and Susan J. (Rogers) White.

John H. Crawford began to be self supporting after his father's death, first as a farm hand and dairy helper, and later as a carpenter and wagon maker, working at his trades for some years with contractors. He then was yard salesman in a lumber yard for four years, and for four years more was engaged in a dairy business, when in 1907, he opened his present popular restaurant at Hamilton, and has since been engaged in conducting it.

On September 9, 1897, Mr. Crawford was married to Mrs. Florence A. Dennis, widow of Charles Edward Dennis, and a daughter of William W. and Sarah S. (Irwin) Moore. By her first marriage, Mrs. Crawford had a son, namely : Frederick W. Dennis, of Hamilton, who married Bertha Prouty, of Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have no children.

Mr. Crawford is a Democrat and served as alderman of the old Third Ward of Hamilton from 1892 to 1901, and after Hamilton adopted the commission form of government, was city commissioner for two years, from 1913 to 1915. In 1912 he was elected a justice of the peace, and still holds that office. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and chairman of the official board. His fraternal affiliations are with Hamilton Lodge No. 697, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs. He compiled the first ordinance re- vision that was ever published, in 1895, which remained in effect until 1913, when the com- mission form of government was adopted. This action necessitated a vast amount of research of the records, and hunting for others that had been lost, and in this work and the ordinance revision of 1913, Mr. Crawford did signally valuable service as a member of the revision committee.

CREAMER, Charles C., proprietor of the Fair- view Dairy Farm, is one of the enterprising agriculturalists of Hancock County, whose fine farm of over 164 acres of land is located on section 10, Augusta Township. He was born in Schuyler County, Ill., December 16, 1870, a son of Philip and Hulda (Jennings) Creamer, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, who came to Illinois at an early day, locating in Schuyler County, where they became well known farming people. He is now deceased, but she survives and makes her home with her son, Charles C.

Charles C. Creamer attended the schools of Schuyler County, and remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred October 12, 1890, when he was united with Lydia Call, born in Illinois, October 22, 1870, a daughter of Ly-

man G. Call. Mr. and Mrs. Creamer have the following children: Grace E., who was born September 25, 1895, is a school teacher living at home; and Truman L., who was born Febru- ary 17, 1901. After his marriage, Mr. Creamer came to Hancock County and bought his present farm, where he specializes on dairying, with remarkable success. The products of his farm are widely known and meet with a ready sale. Mr. Creamer is a Mason. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has served as assessor, road commissioner and school director, holding all of these offices in Huntsville Township, Schuyler Township. He is very well and favorably known in both Schuyler and Hancock counties, and is a desirable citizen in every respect.

CREAR, William, who is actively engaged in handling livestock, is one of the progressive farmers of St. Albans Township, although he maintains his residence at Stillwell. He was born at Basco, Ill., March 9, 1872, a son of Harmon H. and Margaret (Symmonds) Crear. After their marriage the parents located at Basco, Ill. The father was a farmer and bought land during 1881 in St. Albans Township, where he died in 1910 at the age of sixty-three years, the mother having died about 1SSS. Their chil- dren were as follows: Harmon, who lives at Lewiston, Mo .; William; Frank, who lives in San Francisco, Cal .; Joseph, who died at Still- well, December 21, 1917, leaving a family of four children ; Hervey H., who lives at Still- well. By a second marriage, with Mrs. Eleanor (Bucklew) Murphy, who by her former mar- riage had two sons, Eugene and Linn. Mr. Crear ahd three daughters, namely : Nellie, who is Mrs. Harry Williams, of St. Albans Township; Mary, who is Mrs. Albert Lunt, of Chili Township ; and Mrs. Edith May Lunt.

William Crear attended the Woodville dis- trict school until he was fifteen years old at which time he began farming. On March S, 1896, he was married to Zepha E. Beshears, born at Stillwell, Ill., a daughter of J. R. and Elizabeth Beshears, born in California. Mr. and Mrs. Crear have no children.

After his marriage Mr. Crear spent five years on a farm near Basco, in Bear Creek Township, but then came to St. Albans Township and rented land for a year, when he bought seventy-three acres and conducted it a year. He then went to Lincoln County, Okla., and was manager of a ranch owned by H. J. Hooker of Carthage, Ill., for four years. Returning to Stillwell, he conducted his farm and at the same time oper- ated grain and elevator business for about three years. Selling this business, September 11, 1911, he organized the Farmers Bank of Stillwell, of which E. H. Flemming, of Bowen, was elected president; H. B. Nash, of Bowen, vice president. and Mr. Crear cashier. It has a capital stock of $8,000, and deposits of $80,000. Since 1894 Mr. Crear has been handling stock, buying and selling horses, cattle and hogs. He recently sold his own farin, but is conducting 180 acres of land owned by his mother-in-law,

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which is located just south of Stillwell.

Mr. Crear belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal Church. A Democrat, he has served for six years as school director. Fraternally he belongs to Stillwell Lodge No. 1017, I. O. O. F., which he serves as treasurer. He is one of the live men of Stillwell and his operations are on an extensive and important scale.

CROSSLAND, Frank, who operates with his brother Elmer, the valuable farm on section 15, Chili Township, under the firm name of Cross- land Bros., is a native son of Hancock County, and was born March 9, 1888, and his brother and partner, Elmer Crossland, was born in this county, July 26, 1892. They are sons of Harry C. and Lizzie (Thrasher) Crossland, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, who now live at Bowen, Ill.

The Crossland brothers attended the com- mon and the high school of Bowen, Frank be- ing graduated from the latter in 1907, and Elmer, in 1910. They have always conducted the home farm since becoming old enough to do so. They have 200, acres on section 15, and forty acres adjoining, and they carry on general farming and breed pure bred Polled-Durham and Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses, Berk- shire hogs, and White Plymouth Rock chickens. They have three standard bred Percheron horses, and are profitably engaged in breeding these for the market. Their annual shipment of hogs aggregates about two carloads.

Frank Crossland was married December 23, 1916, at Quincy, Ill., to Ollie Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Crossland have no children. Elmer Cross- land is unmarried. Both brothers are members of the Masonic order. They are Republicans, and Frank has served as tax collector of Chili Township. Having been reared to farm work, they know it thoroughly in all its details, and are perhaps as successful in their operations as any farmers in the county, while personally they stand very high with their neighbors.

CROW, Mrs. Addie (Balmer), who belongs to one of the old and honored families of Hancock County, has lived for a number of years in Sonora Township. She was born in this town- ship, August 31, 1870, a daughter of Christian and Melinda (Lyon) Balmer. Christian Balmer was born in Germany, but when fourteen years old was brought to St. Louis, Mo. During the Mexican War, he served his adopted country as a soldier. Before that he had been a mer- chant at St. Louis, but upon his return from the war, he came to Hancock County, with his wife, and they located in Sonora Township. For two years he was a near neighbor of Prophet Joseph Smith, at Nauvoo, owning his own lot and the house he erected on it. Fraternally Mr. Balmer was an Odd Fellow. Kind and courteous, he was highly esteemed by all who had the honor of his acquaintance. His death occurred April 8, 1911, and on April 13 of that same year, his widow passed away.

Addie Balmer Crow was reared in Sonora

Township and attended its schools. She was the youngest in the family, the others being as follows : Charles, who lives in Carthage Township; Ila, who is Mrs. William Lightner of Nauvoo; Albert, who lives in Sonora Town- ship, all of whom are living, and John, who is deceased.

On July 3, 1901, Addie Balmer was married to George Washington Crow, born near Madi- son, Mo., and after their marriage, they bought the home place of the Balmers, and Mrs. Crow has here developed a very valuable property, known as the Hill Crest Fruit Farm. It com- mands one of the finest views of the Mississippi River to be had, and it is much admired. For a number of years Mr. Crow has been traveling. They have no children. Mrs. Crow belongs to the Rebekahs. In religious faith she is a Presby- terian.

CRUM, Robert C., one of the successful busi- ness men of Carthage, where he is conducting a large florist establishment, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in September, 1871, a son of William H. and Cynthia E. (Thome) Crum, both natives of Holmes County, Ohio. William H. Crum was a son of Nicholas and Eliza (Shruve) Crum, the latter being a daughter of Thomas Shruve who was a member of General Washington's staff. The Shruve family came originally from Holland, while the Crum family is of German descent. Both William H. Crum and his wife were reared in their native coun- try. After he had attended the common and later the Normal school, he became a teacher, and taught in the schools of Holmes County for twenty-five years, and while he was still in the educational field, one of his sons and two of his daughters were also teaching, a most re- markable record. In addition to teaching, he conducted a large farm, which he owned, the money to pay for which he earned himself. In his farm work he was very progressive, and he was a man of note in his community. While a Democrat in political faith, he never could be induced to hold office. The Christian Church held his membership, and he served it as an elder. He was the father of five sons and five daughters: Robert C .; Louesa, who was a teacher after being graduated from the high school, was married to Charles A. Earhart of Lucas, Ohio, superintendent of concrete work for the Pennsylvania Railroad; Oscar, who taught school at Tiffin, Ohio; Lucius and Lucy, twins, the former of whom lives at Dayton, Ohio, and the latter at Akron; Jennie, who is the wife of Charles Grosjean, lives at Akron, Ohio; Anna, who was graduated from the high school. has been a teacher, but is now living with her mother at Akron, Ohio; and Jay, who lives at Akron, was also a teacher.

Robert C. Crum attended the district schools and also a Normal school, and was reared on a farm. Later he went to Juniata College. from which he was graduated with the degree of B. S. In order to earn money to prosecute his studies, Mr. Crum engaged in school teaching, and finally

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

was made principal of the schools at Big Prairie, Ohio. After five years, he came to Carthage, Ill., in March, 1900, when he was married to Mary Cochran of this city, born near Carthage, Ill., a graduate of the Carthage High school, a student at Carthage College, and a teacher and stenographer. Mr. and Mrs. Crum have two children, namely : Emily C., who was born in February, 1901; and William L., who was born May 20, 1902. Both children are attending the Carthage High school. Mrs. Crum is a daugh- ter of L. B. and Emily Cochran, the former of whom was at one time postmaster of Carthage, and editor of the Carthage Journal, which he founded. Mr. Cochran was one of the leading Republicans of Hancock County, and a Mason in good standing.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 98

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