USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 51
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Elliott S. Hoffman, farmer, sec. 22; was born Jan. 7, 1826, in Madison county, Va .; his parents were James and Mary H. (Finks) Hoffman, natives of the same county, and of German and English ancestry; the former was born in 1800 and the latter in 1806. Elliott Finks, the grandfather of Mr. Hoffman, was a Major in the war of 1812. The subject of this notice commenced life for him- self at the age of 24; lived in Virginia several years, then in Mary- land four years, and about 1860 came to Hancock county. In October, 1864, he enlisted in Co. C, 42d Ill. Vol. Inf., and served one year, being in the battles of Franklin, Spring Hill, Nashville, etc. Since the close of the war he has resided in this county except six or seven years in Adams county, Ill., four years of which time he lived ten miles south of Quincy. By trade Mr. H. is a carpenter and joiner, but since his marriage he has followed farming. He was married in October, 1866, to Mrs. Mung, nee Isabella Gregory, daughter of John Gregory, of Adams county, Ill., and formerly of Virginia. She was born in 1828. Mr. G. was of Irish descent and his wife of Scotch. Mr. Hoffman has a farm of 154 acres, valued
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at $30 per acre, in this tp., on sec. 22, where he resides, and he has also 45 acres in Livingston county, Mo., and 320 in Adams county, on sec. 22, Fall Creek tp., valued at $100 per acre and yielding a rental of $1,000 a year. In politics Mr. H. is a Democrat; was form- erly an old-line Whig. He is also a member of the Advent Chris- tian Church, at Antioch, of which he and his wife have been mein- bers for about five years; they were formerly Baptists.
Geo. M. Jones, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., Stillwell; was born in Ohio in 1833; when 18 years old he went to the Golden State where he mined and farmed for four years; then he returned to Hancock county, Ill., in 1855, where he has lived ever since excepting the three years he has served his country in the war for the suppression of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the 10th Missouri Infantry, under Col. Holmes, and was in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, among which are the first and second sieges of Corinth, and the battle of Iuka, and was wounded in the battle at Jackson, and was then taken prisoner, sent to Richmond, Va., and cast into Libby prison ; but was soon removed from there to Annapolis, Md., and placed in the navy hospital; was sent from there to the parol camp at St. Louis, Mo. After going to the front again he was doing garrison duty most of the time and was in the battle of Resaca, Ga. He was discharged at Cartersville, Ga., in 1864. Since his return home he has lived on his present farm. He has been twice mar- ried. His first marriage was with Miss Eliza Stokes, in 1855; names of the children are Wilson J. and Delia E. His present wife is a sister of his former wife and a daughter of Noah Stokes, whose biog- raphy is given further on. Mr. J. is School Trustee at this time. In politics he is a Republican.
Charles H. G. Kessler, farmer, sec. 17; P. O., West Point. This gentleman is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1817. He is the 10th of 11 children born to John and Mary (Wies) Kessler His parents having died when he was young, he was raised by an uncle until he was 14 years old, when he was apprenticed for three years to learn the book-binding trade. Completing his apprentice- ship, he emigrated to America in company with his brother John, in 1836. He first lived in the south part of Missouri for 10 years. then he came to Hancock county, and resided in Warsaw for two years, then to the bottoms for two years, then to the bluffs for seven years, and finally to the farm where he now resides, which consists of 190 acres of mostly improved land. Mr. K. was married in 1841 to Elizabeth Benner. of Missouri, but a native of Germany. 11 children have been born to this union, only 4 of whom are liv- ing ; viz., Charles W., Elizabeth, Philip and Annie. His children have more than an ordinary education. Charles has attended the Wesleyan College of Missouri. Methodist. Republican.
Joseph R. Kinny, deceased, well and favorably known, and none more honored or loved, was born in Erie county, N. Y., June 23, 1820. In 1837, when 17 years old, he came to Illinois, and located in St. Alban's tp. with his parents. At the age of 23 he was
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united in marriage with Miss Ann J. Graham, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and born in 1827. He leaves to mourn his loss his aged widow and 6 of 11 children. Mr. Kinny, although never aspiring to become wealthy, accumulated a handsome fortune to leave his family. This was accomplished, too, by his own unecas- ing industry, and strict honesty. He began the strifes and toils of life with only $200, which was given to them by Mrs. Kinny's grandfather Graham. He first purchased 50 acres of land, which is the part of his present farm on which are the home improve- ments. He owned 165 acres of land, most of which was well im- proved. The names of the 6 living children are-Mary P., born in 1849; Minerva A., born in 1851; Sylvia A., born in 1853; Lutina J., born in 1855; Emma L., born in 1857; Charles O., born in 1866; and Albert T .. born in 1870. Mr. Kinny early embraced the Savior, and, together with his young wife, united with St. Alban's Free- Will Baptist Church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. "He was a noble Christian, a tender husband, a loving father, a kind neighbor."
John M. Kittel, farmer, sec. 16; P. O., West Point; is one of the pioneers of Hancock county, and also of St. Alban's tp. He has been a resident of the county for 28 years, and 18 years in this tp. When Mr. K. located where he now lives there were but few im- proved farms in the county. He has made all of his large fortune of 430 acres of good land, by the sweat of his brow and strict hon- esty. Mr. K. is not only one of St. Alban's wealthy men, but he is known as one of the solid men of Western Illinois. He is a native of Germany, born in 1824; came to America in 1850, and first located in Adair county, N. Y .; thence to Quincy, Ill., and was there till 1852, and then he went to Warsaw, where he lived for , 10 years, teaming most of the time. In 1862 he came to his present farm, where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1852 to Margaretta Geits, of Quincy, Ill., but a native of Germany. The children by this union are 7,-4 boys and 3 girls. His second union was with Miss Margarette Kittel, in 1868, and they have 4 children living; viz., Sophira, Elizabeth, Martha, and Peter. Mr. K. has more than an ordinary education, and is able to read German and English fluently. Methodist. Republican.
G. W. Linn, druggist, West Point, was born in Indiana in 1832. His parents were natives of Ohio; his father, John Linn, was born in 1803, his mother was born in 1805. Mr. Linn at the age of 18 began learning the blacksmith trade, and continued in this employ- ment until 1860, when he engaged in mercantile business for the next 5 years. In 1873 he moved to Hancock county, Ill., and commenced the drug business, in which he has been ever since. This is the only drug store in the village. Mr. L. has a large stock of goods, and not only enjoys a lucrative trade, but by his social qualities and courteous treatment of customers he is universally esteemed. He was married to Mary E. Carter, of Ohio, in 1853. She has borne him 3 children; viz., Mary A., Emma C., and Nettie
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F. Mr. Linn's wife died May 20, 1873. He was married to his second wife, Mrs. Irene Taylor, of Liberty, Ill., in September, 1863. There are 2 children by this union,-George H., born in November, 1874, and Cory G., born in July, 1879. Mr. L. is a member of Masonic and Odd Fellow orders. Has been Collector. Methodist. Republican.
James W. Madison was born in Schuyler county, Ill., in 1873. He was a son of Roland T. Madison, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Amy, who was born in Virginia in 1824. James remained with his parents till he was 27 years old, when he enlisted in the army at Camp Douglas, December, 1861, in the 57th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served most of the time as a recruiting officer under Lieutenant Christo- pher of the regular army. Mr. M. was in the battles at Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, where he was discharged in 1863, because of injuries received. In 1868 he entered Abingdon College, and con- tinned there three years completing the Biblical course. After gradu- ation he engaged with the Christian Church, and labored for them for 10 years, when he became dissatisfied with the doctrines of that denomination and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was appointed to West Point Circuit in September, 1879. Mr. M. is a very zealous worker among his people. He was mar- ried in 1864 to Fanny Doty; 5 of their 7 children are living; viz., Edmund H., Louis A., Amelia S., Mestyl and Blanche. Mr. M. is a Master Mason; has been Assessor of St. Alban's township. He owns some town property.
J. K. Mason, dealer in groceries, produce, notions, etc., West Keokuk, Iowa, was born in Adair county, Mo., in 1840, when that county was almost a wilderness; came to Hancock county in 1844, settling in 1845 on the farm where Basco now stands; here he at- tended his first school; in 1853 he went to his father's store in Ti- oga, thence to Warsaw in 1859, where he learned the cooper's trade; in August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 19th Iowa, and fought in the battle of Springfield, Mo., Jan. 7 and 8, 1863; was in the army on the frontier, where long marches were common, until June, 1863, when he went to Vicksburg and was in the trenches during the siege; was in the battle and capture of Yazoo City; was taken prisoner at the battle of Morganzie, or Sterling Farm, La., in Sep- tember, 1863. Of his escape from the rebel prison Mr. Mason has published a detailed account which is too long for insertion here. The prison pen was at Tyler, Smith Co., Texas, from which he es- caped on the night of Nov. 24, 1863. The distance to the nearest Union forces was 260 miles. This long and perilous journey was undertaken with only one day's rations of corn bread and four bis- cuit to subsist upon; he seemed to suffer all the hardships possible for man to suffer and live. He reached Ellis Cliff, 12 miles below Natchez, Dec. 24, 1863, where he was taken aboard the Union Mon- itor Osage. He was then in the hospital at New Orleans until the 3d of July next, when he crossed the Bluff to Brazos, Santiago'
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in a small 65-ton sailing vessel, being eight days out of sight of land; reached Brazos July 12, and joined the regiment at Fort Brown on the Rio Grande; had a skirmish at White Ranch, Texas, in Au- gust; went from there to Pensacola, Fla .. where he was detailed for a while in the Provost Marshal's office; from there he went to Fort Gaines, Ala., thence to Pascagoula, Miss., then to Fort Morgan and wound up at Mobile, Ala. Carried collars at assault and dur- ing the 12 days' siege of Spanish Fort; was wounded, a part of his lower jaw being carried away by a piece of shell. He was finally discharged from the hospital at Mound City, Ill., June 22, 1865. He carries also a wound in his breast.
After stopping in Warsaw awhile he went to La Grange, Mo., where he engaged for a time with B. R. Lafton in the grocery busi- ness; in the spring of 1867 he moved to Warsaw, where he mar- ried his present wife, Rachel L. Markley, of Wittsburg, Ark. Her only child, Nellie, was born Feb. 14, 1863. Mr. Mason moved to Keokuk from Wythe township in 1873, engaging in the grocery business at the lower end of 5th street, where he has built up a prosperous trade. In 1879 he was elected Alderman by a majority of 187S in a total vote of 482. He is now a member of the City Council, where he stands as high as any other member in the esti- mation of the people.
Joseph Mckenzie, merchant and Postmaster, Stillwell, is one of St. Alban's pioneer settlers. He was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1825, of Scotch and American ancestry. His parents were John and Sarah ( Milligan) Mckenzie. At the early age of 13 he left home, and for the next few years traveled most of the time. From 1843 to '46 he lived in Parke Co., Ind. When he was 21 years of age he came to Hancock Co., Ill., and located eight miles south of Car- thage; followed farming there till 1857, when he went to Texas; thence to the Rocky mountains, and then back to McDonough Co., Ill. for three years; and in 1865 he located in Hancock Co., where he has resided ever since. He has been in the village of Stillwell since 1873 engaged in mercantile business. He has also been Postmas- ter for six years. His first marriage was to Miss Ellen Pike, daugh- ter of William Pike, one of the pioneers of Hancock county. He was a native of Kentucky, and located in Hancock county in 1830, when it took all the men in the county to make a jury. At one time for eight weeks he never saw the face of a white person except those of his own family. Mr. McM. was married a second time to Mrs. Brenneman. Henrietta and Freddie W. are the children living by this union. Mr. McM. is a Freemason, and a Free-Will Baptist.
Joseph McMillan, farmer, sec. 10; P. O., West Point; was born in Ireland in 1822. His parents were Alexander and Jane (Oliver McMillan, born in 1800. Joseph remained in his native land unti 1847, when he came to America and worked in Adams county, Ill., near the town of Liberty. Then he was employed for one year as cattle drover, and at the outlook of the California gold fever he
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went to the mines and was there eight months; in 1851 he returned and purchased the farm where he now lives and also a farm at Lib- erty, where he farmed for one year in partnership with a Mr. Henry. He then sold his interest to him and came to where he now resides; has lived on this farm 27 years. By untiring indus- try and good management Mr. McMillan has accumulated a hand- some fortune. He owns about 600 acres of good land, most of which is well improved. He is a member of the Adventist Church. He took for his life partner Mary J. Morgan in 1852; she was a native of Kentucky and was born in 1832. They have been the parents of 7 children, 4 of whom are living; viz., Charles M., born in August, 1853; Julia A., born December, 1860: Elizabeth, born October, 1863 and Milo L., born February, 1866. Charles M. grad- uated at Carthage College in 1878 with the highest honors as math- ematician,-higher than those of any one who had ever graduated at that institution. He is now Principal of West Point schools, under whose administration this village has one of the best schools in the county.
F. G. Mourning, lumber merchant, West Point, was born in Kentucky, and is a son of John and Hannah (Ball) Mourning. The former was a native of Ireland, and the latter of Virginia; he died in 1846, and she in 1837. The subject of our sketch was one of the pioneer settlers of Hancock county, having come here in 1839, and resided in the county ever since with the exception of two years, during which time he lived in McDonough county. Mr. M. has experienced the trials and hardships of Western life, but by honesty and hard labor he has secured a good home and a flourishing lumber business. Mr. M. has followed carpentering most of his life, until the last six years, during which time he has been a lumber dealer. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Watson in 1839. She was a native of Adair county, Ken- tucky. They have had 6 children; viz., Joel W., Adaline H .. Elizabeth J., Miranda M., Nancy and Charles W. Mr. M. has served as Supervisor, and Town Clerk two terms. Has been a Free- mason for 25 years. Mr. M. enlisted in Co. C, 12th Cavalry; transferred to 118th Ill. Inf. and was made Captain of Co. H. He is a Republican.
Tobias A. Olson, shoemaker, West Point, is a native of Norway; born in 1846. His parents were natives of Norway and were born respectively in 1825 and 1826. Mr. O. at the age of 22 left his native home, came to America and located first at Oswego, Kendall county, Ill .. in 1868; then at Aurora, Kane county, and was there 13 years; then at West Point in 1871, where he has been ever since. He learned his trade at the age of 15 and has continued at it his whole life, and now enjoys an extensive custom. Mr. O. was mar- ried in 1872 to Nancy J. Hughes who was born in Adams county, Ill., in 1852, since deceased. They have had 3 children, 2 of whom are living,-Ida J., born in August, 1876; and Orville A. in Octo- ber, 1877. Lutheran. Republican.
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H. C. Stephen. wagon-maker, West Point, is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Wolf) Stephen, and born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1842. His parents were natives of Germany, and his father a wheelwright by trade. H. C. assisted his father in the shop until he was 20 years old, at which time he began for himself, working for a year first at Warsaw, Ill., and then engaged in wagon-making in Burling- ton for about seven years. He then was in Warsaw two years, then at Burlington again for a year; and in the fall of 1872 he located at West Point, where he has been ever since. By his industry Mr. S. has met with abundant success, having purchased a good home, and also owns his shop. Mr. S. has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Carry L. Hentz, of Berlin, Pa., in 1873. There were 2 children by this marriage, Arthur and William, both of whom are dead. His second wife was Christina Kassell, of Bur- lington, Iowa, married in 1876. One child, Harry C., was born to thiem, Ang. 2, 1877. In politics Mr. S. is a Republican.
Noah Stokes. retired farmer, came here in 1838, when there was only one house between his present home and Warsaw. He is a native of Caroline county, on the eastern shore of Maryland. where he was born in 1798. His parents were also natives of Maryland. His father, William. was born in 1757. His mother, Sarah Cohee, was born in 1760. After he obtained his majority he went to Chester county, Pa., where he lived till 1838, and then emigrated to Illinois, near where he now lives. He was married to Mary Willson in 1819, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1799. Ten children have been born to them, only 3 of whom are living; viz., Ruthana (Jones), with whom he now lives, Emma (Jackson) and Harriett (Cox). Although "Grandpa" is 82 years old he still possesses a strong memory. He is a man who has been and is yet firm in his opinions on all subjects. About two years since he lost his sight entirely. He has always been a Democrat.
Joseph L. Sullivan, blacksmith and engineer, Stillwell, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1831. His parents were natives of the same State, the former born in 180S, and the latter in 1809. His mother's maiden name was Eliza Quigley. He remained at home till 22 years old, and then emigrated to California and was there 17 years, mining and blacksmithing. In 1870 he returned to Hancock county, and has made it his home here ever since. He is at present engineer in the grist-mill at Stillwell. He is a Metho- dist and a Democrat.
Enos S. Tuttle, deceased, was a native of Connecticut, and born in 1796. He was a miller by trade. His wife, nee Rhoda Benson, was born in New York in 1803. He moved to Indiana in 1817, in which State he was a prominent man; served one term as County Commissioner in 1845-'6. He was elected Representative from the counties of Fulton and Marshall in 1848, and served in the session of that year. He died at the age of 54. in Hancock county, Ill., in 1850. He was an intimate friend of Hon. Schuyler Colfax.
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Enos B. Tuttle, wagon-maker at Stillwell, is a son of the pre- ceding, and was born in Clarke county, Ind., in 1837. When 21 years of age he went to the Rocky mountains and remained a year; then came to this county and enlisted in the war, at Quincy, under Capt. Anderson, and served three years; was taken prisoner at Mul- drough Hill, Ky., and was prisoner nine months. He participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Cold Water, Resaca and Nash- ville, with many others. Mr. T. was married in 1860, to Miss Mary J. Tamer, who was born in 1842, and is a native of Indiana. Only one of their 5 children is living, namely, Enos W., born October, 1878. In 1871 Mr. T. located in Stillwell, and has been working at his trade ever since. He is one of the best workmen in the county, and enjoys a lucrative trade. He has held the offices of Town Clerk and Assessor. Is a member of the Adven- tist Church.
James O. Ward, farmer and stock dealer, sec. 13; P. O., West Point: is a native of Adams county, Ill., and was born in 1841. His father's name was James Ward, and he was a native of Eng- land, and born in 1784. By occupation he was a blacksmith and wheelright. He emigrated to America in 183; and located in New York city, where he lived for 5 years. While residing in this city he took unto himself as a partner in lite Mary Truelock, who was a native of St. John's New Brunswick; she was born in 1804. In 1841 he came to Payson, Adams county, Ill., and erected a mill, which has never been surpassed in this section of the coun- try. After 12 years' residence in that county he moved to Hancock county, where he resided until his death in 1876. He was a mem- ber of the English Church. Although he knew nothing of figures, with a slate and pencil he could calculate the cost of anything with great rapidity and exactness. The subject of this sketch was mar- ried in 1862 to Miss Harriet Wigle, of Adams county, Ill. Mr. W. owns 90 acres of land, which he farms, besides a block in West Point. He deals extensively in stock, having shipped to the south over 2,000 mules and horses to this date, 300 of which have been shipped this year. He is keeping a fine stallion known as " Young Montezuma;" heis eight years old; was sired by James M. Nelson's " Whip Horse." Hlis dam was "Diomede" and " Bertram." Weight 1,600 lbs.
Levi Wolf, farmer; P. O., West Point; was born in 1829 in Adams county, Pa .; is a son of John and Julia (Sowers) Wolf. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1801. He was a shoemaker by trade; his mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1806. Levi remained at home until 1850, when he was united in marriage to Mrs. S. L. Corbin, who was a native of New York, and born in 1813. She had 4 children by her former husband 2 of whom are living; namely, Parker, now of Kansas; and Jacob S., now of Quincy. John H. and Geo. W., have been born to this union. Mr. W. first located on his farm seven miles south-
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east of Quincy, Ill., and lived there 16 years; went to West Point in 1867, where he has been engaged in mercantile business most of the time since. In the first four years of this business Mr. W. was first in partnership with Mr. Franks, and then with Mr. Corbin, after which Mr. W. continued the business alone until lately. when he sold out to his son Geo. W. Mr. W. owns 160 acres of land. besides valuable town property. He held the office of Collector in Adams county two years. He is a Freemason, a Methodist and a Republican.
J. W. York, farmer, sec. 5; P. O., West Point; was born in Kentucky in 1821. His parents were natives of the same State. His father, Jesse York, was a farmer. His mother's maiden name was Betty Wright. He lived at home until he reached his majority, when he farmed and coopered for 12 years, and then took to him- self a life partner in 1827. His wife, Neoma Morris, was a native of Ohio, but was married in Jacksonville, Ill. Of their 7 children 5 are living; viz., Laura J., Anderson D., Arthur, Harry and Fanny. Mr. York first located near Tioga, where he farmned for 15 years. He then sold out his farm there and came to St. Alban's tp., to the farm where he now lives, four miles northwest from West Point, and has lived there ever since. He owns 270 acres of good land, and improved. Mr. York began the battle of life with only $16 in money, and has accumulated his present wealth and comfortable home by hard labor and good management on the part of himself and his industrious and amiable wife. Mr. York and wife are both members of the Congregational Church of West Point.
William H. Zinn, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Stillwell; was born in 1838 in West Virginia. His father's name was Samnel G., and he was born in 1805. His mother's maiden name was Mary Dawson, and she was a native of Virginia. Our subject had the pleasure and benefits of parental influence till he was 22 years of age, when he came to St. Alban's tp .. in 1862, where he has resided ever since. Was united in the bonds of holy matrimony in 1862. to Martha E. Short, of St. Alban's. She died in 1865. There are 2 children by this union living-Mary A. and Henrietta. His sec- ond marriage occurred in 1866, and was to Florence A. Craw- ford, of Walker tp., native of Illinois. Nellie M., Wm. G. and Harry C. are their children. Mr. Z. owns and has under cultiva- tion 245 acres of land, valued at $10,000. He has held the office of Township Supervisor for three years.
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