USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 69
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
During a residence of less than 14 years in Carthage, Mr. Q. did more for the prosperity of the city than any other citizen in the same length of time, having built a dwelling house in the sum- mer of 1865, and in 1867 he erected a business block, on the north side of the square, at a cost of $6,000. The Gazette office still occupies the upper floor of this building. HIis loss to the business community was deeply felt, and his character and principles will last so long as life and reason endure. The wife and mother who survives is a· daughter of Col. Alexander Sympson, who was born in Green county, Ky., Nov. 8, 1807. In 1829 he was married to Miss Nancy Caster, and in the spring of 1837 settled in Me- Donough county, Illinois. In 1844 he moved to Carthage while
740
IHISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the people were agitated by the Mormon question, and took strong Anti-Mormon ground. In 1855 he was elected a clerk of the Illi- nois House of Representatives, and at the demise of the Whig party went with the Republicans. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he threw his whole soul into the conflict as a supporter of the Union, and accepted a commission as Captain and Quartermaster, and afterward was assigned to the staff of Gen. Chittenden, where he soon obtained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. At Stone river he displayed great personal gallantry and took part in the Chicka- manga campaign, and received the thanks of Gen. Rosecrans for the performance of his duties at Chattanooga. In 1864 he resigned his commission in consequence of his shattered health, and that of his wife ; subsequently he was awarded the contract for grading the Carthage & Burlington Railroad, in which he was engaged at the time of his death, Aug. 15, 1867. His character as a private citizen was too well known to need comment from the pen of the writer. He was a man of strongest convictions, a neutral upon no question. His hospitality was unbounded. He would befriend the poor and assist the needy, regardless of his own wants. At his death he was Treasurer of the Carthage Royal Arch Chapter of Masons, and was buried with honors by that fraternity. The bereaved widow and mother survived his loss until Dec. 14. 1867, when her spirit winged its way to its brighter and happier home. She was born in Halifax county, Virginia, June 30, 1803, and emigrated to Green county, Ky., in her youth, and was the last of a family of eight children. Mr. Quinby's portrait appears in this book.
Dr. J. M. Randolph was born in Adams county, near Gettys- burg, Pa., Aug. 26, 1818 ; he attended the colleges of Gettysburg and Cannonsburg, but on account of declining health he relinquished his studies before graduating ; in 1840 he came to Illinois and studied medicine under Dr. Pearce, of Canton, Ill .; he then attended medical lectures at Cincinnati two terms, and afterward located for practice at Birmingham, Schuyler Co., Ill. ; in a year or two he became part owner of a mill at Lamoine, McDonough county, to which place he removed, meanwhile continuing the practice of medicine; in 1850 he was elected to the Legislature from Mc- Donough county ; in 1851.he abandoned the medical profession and removed to Plymouth, Hancock Co., where he engaged actively and successfully in the mercantile business ; in 1856 he established a branch store at Carthage; he ultimately disposed of his Plymouth trade and moved to Carthage, in October, 1867. Sept. 25 of this year he married Miss Anna G. Walker, youngest sister of Hon. Pinckney H. Walker, of Rushville.
Dr. Randolph, being a firm believer in the principles of temper- ance, entertained but little hope of the growth of Carthage until the question of license was settled by an overwhelming vote of the citizens against further tolerating liquor-selling. His energies were thenceforward devoted to building up the town. As a pre- liminary step, the establishment of Carthage College received his
.
741
HISTORY OF HIANCOCK COUNTY.
warmest support; in 1873 he erected a handsome brick residence, which, together with subsequent improvements, cost nearly or quite $20,000; in 1875 he built a fine two-story brick business block on the north side of the public square, at a cost of $5,000; the same year he built two tenement houses, and in other ways he did much to build up and improve Carthage.
In 1874 or 1875 he disposed of his dry-goods business in Car- thage to W. D. Bennett, who had long been with him as a sales- man; a branch store at Burnside he continued to own until his death, which occurred April 12, 1876, from paralysis; his widow and two sons, James and Arthur, survive him, and reside at the homestead, in Carthage. Walter, another son, was killed at Fort Madison, June 16, 1879, as he was attempting to get aboard a train of cars.
Dr. R. was a reticent man concerning himself and private affairs,
. but in all his dealings with his neighbors and the publie, he ever maintained the highest integrity, and was generally considered one of the most perfect men, morally, in the county. He was a Presbyterian, but had never transferred his Church membership to this city. He was a constant attendant at Church services, and lib- erally supported the interests of religion.
As one of Hancock county's most honored, beloved and respected citizens, who have passed away to that world. from which none re- turn, we present on another page of this volume a portrait of Dr. Randolphi, engraved from a picture taken at the age of 40 years.
A. B. Regnier, insurance agent, is a son of Dr. Felix Regnier, now living with him, who is a native of Otsego county, N. Y., and came to Marietta, O., with his parents when two years of age. He was born Dec. 25, 1801, was educated at Marietta, and studied med- icine with Dr. Hildreth, a celebrated author and scientist of early days. He received his diploma from the Medical Society of Ohio, and began the practice of his profession at Gallipolis about 1824. He was married in 1826, to Miss Eliza De Vacht, a native of Galli- polis. In 1831 he removed to Jacksonville, and in 1833 returned to Ohio on account of his wife's declining health, but buried her on the way home. One girl, Josephine, now deceased, was the only child. Mr. R. afterward became successfully engaged in the prac- tice of his profession at Harmon, Ohio, a suburb of Marietta, where he married Elizabeth Barber Sept. 24, 1835. She was born in Harmon, Feb. 24, 1807, and died Aug. 22, 1859. By this marriage 3 children were born, all of whom are living: Austin B., Felix, Jr., and Charles F. He was again married, May 1, 1861, to Miss Julia C. Gardiner, a native of Ohio, who was born July 24, 1823, and died July 10, 1877, leaving one child, Earl. The grandfather of our subject was Dr. John Baptiste Regnier, who was born in Paris, France, in 1769. His maternal grandfather was Colonel Levi Barber, of Harmon, O., who represented his district in Con- gress, was president of the Marietta branch of the State bank of Ohio, and held various other responsible trusts. The subject of
742
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
this sketch, Austin B., was born at Harmon, O., May 13, 1835, on the site of the old block house at the confluence of the Muskin- gum and Ohio rivers, the place where the first settlement by whites was made west of the Alleghany mountains. He graduated at Marietta College in 1857, and began the study of law with Judge Arius Nye, and David Alban. In 1859 he graduated at the Cin- cinnati law school, and began the practice of his profession in that city. Subsequently, his health failing, he abandoned his profession, and engaged in various out-door occupations. He moved to this county in 1866, and followed farming for 14 years. He has recently removed to Carthage, and is engaged in the business of fire insurance. Among his companies are the old Continental, of N. Y., and American Central, of St. Louis. He was married June 21, 1860, to Miss Eunice E. Anderson, of Marietta, O., who was born April 4, 1841. Their children are: Austin B., Jr., Louis E., Eunice A., Mary E., David A., Felix and Gertrude.
Perry Reger, a farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Carthage; is a native of Upshur county, W. Va., where he was born in 1836. His parents, Abram and Pamelia (Roherbaugh) Reger, were natives of that State; came to this county in 1859, and settled in Carthage tp., where he resided until 1876; then he returned to Virginia, and is now in the SSth year of his age. He was an early pioneer of Virginia, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and the father of 23 children by two marriages. His first wife died in 1872. The subject of this sketch came to this county in 1858. He was married in 1860 to Miss Susan F. Boothe, a native of this county. Of their chil- dren 6 are living; namely, John A., Nancy A., Peryger, Maggie, George F. and Victoria. Mr. Reger located on his present farm of 80 acres in 1876. Politically he has always endorsed the Demo- cratic platform.
James W. Richard, Professor of Latin and History, Carthage College, was born in Frederick county, Va., in 1843. He received his early education in the Roanoke school at Salem, Virginia, and entered upon a course of studies in the college at Gettysburg, Pa. He graduated at that institution in 1868, and served as tutor eight- een months prior to his coming to Illinois. He was a thorough reader and student, especially of the sciences, and devoted three years of his life to the study of theology. In 1871 he accepted a pastoral call of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Sterling, Ill., where he was married the following year, to Miss Matilda E. Tress- ler, a native of Perry county, Pa. They are the parents of one child, Mary L. Prof. Richard became a resident of Carthage in Aug., 1873, since which time he has been engaged in his pres- ent position. He has always taken an active interest in the cause of religion, and his life has been consistent with his profes- sion. He is a devout member and supporter of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and fills the office of Secretary of the Synod of Central Illinois, and is Pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Carthage.
Jesse BQuienby CARTHAGE
745
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Edward M. Robbins, dentist, was born in Lagrange county, Ind., in 1842; is son of Eppaah and Mary (Clark) Robbins, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, who came to this county in 1861. He is a practicing physician and a resident of Osage, Kan. Edward M. came to this county with his parents and settled in Nauvoo, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. H, 78th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Chicka- manga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Buz- zard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, Bentonville, with Sherman on his march to the sea, and through the grand review at Washington. During the entire service he was absent from his command but two days. He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary Brownlee, a native of this county, and daughter of Samuel Brown- lee, and their children are: Eulalie, Eddie and Sammy. Mr. Robbins has been in his present place five years, and has a large practice. IIe is a member of the A. O. U. W., I. O. O. F. and Knights of Pythias; family are members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Politically, is a strong Republican .
George J. Rogers, lawyer, was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1824; son of Pennel and Mary (White) Rogers, natives of that State, who emigrated to this State in 1865 and settled in Quincy, where his mother died in 1867. His father is at this time a resident of that city. George J. secured his classical education in the office of Jas. R. Dayton, of Quiney. He was admitted to the Bar in 1848, and read law in the office of Almeron Wheat until 1849, when he crossed the plains to California. In two years he returned and began the practice of his profession at Quiney. In 1854 he moved to this city, and in the fall of 1857 was married to Miss Mary F., daughter of Major John Scott. Mr. Rogers was City Clerk at War- saw, and in 1860 was appointed U. S. Marshal to take the 8th census of the county, which he executed with ability and satisfac- tion. He was a member of the Board of Education some years and was elected County Clerk in 1869. This office he filled until 1877 and then returned to the duties of his profession, to which he has since devoted his time. He is the father of 7 children, 5 of whom are living: Minnie, wife of Lientenant J. W. Carlin, U. S. Navy; Hiram S., Anna, Nellie C. and John W. Politically Mr. R. is a Democrat.
Charles G. Rohrer, proprietor of the Rohrer House, was born Mar. 15, 1843 in Asch, Austria; is a son of John Adam and Reginia (Wald- zeck) Rohrer, natives of that empire, where his father died in 1860. His mother with one child emigrated to America in 1861, and resided in this city. Charles G. emigrated to this country with a younger sister in 1860, and settled in Vicksburg, where he was engaged in hotel business for two years, then entered the mer- cantile business which he disposed of in 1863, and turned his attention toward the liberation from Confederacy. Ile was a strong adherent of the Union canse, and during his confinement in the Confederate lines was subject to many trials and sufferings. He came to this county in 1863, and worked at his trade, painting, and
746
IIISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
in 1866 returned to Vicksburg where he remained two years, then came back to Carthage, where he has since made it his home. He was married in 1877 to Miss Kate L. Dedwiler, a native of Chester county, Pa. He opened his fine residence as a hotel in June, 1878. The house under his charge has an extended reputation, and is patronized wholly by the traveling public and commercial men. The cuisine and all appurtenances are of the best. Mr. R. is agent for the Northwestern National Insurance Co., of Milwaukee, the German, of Freeport, a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. orders, and the family are members of the M. E. Church. He is the father of 2 children, Willie L. and Ralph G.
A. J. Rucker, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Carthage; was born in Grant county, in 1830. His parents were James M. and Julia A. (Loyd) Rucker, natives of Virginia, who came to Illinois in 1835, and settled in Schuyler county, where he resided until his death. His mother also died in that county. He was married in 1852, in Schuyler county, to Miss Abigail Lashmet, a native of North Caro- lina. He came to this State when three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. R. have 3 living children-William E., John T. and Mary E. They came to this county in 1865, and settled on his present estate, consisting of 160 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. R. is School Director, and is an old settler of Illinois; is a well-known and honored resident of the county. His advantages for education were limited, and his success has been attained by his own industry. In politics he is a Democrat.
E. Rucker, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Carthage; was born in Kenton county, Ky., in 1826. His parents, William M. and Julia A. (Loyd) Rucker, were natives of that State, and moved to Schuyler county, Ill., in 1835, where they both died. He was married in 1843, in Schuyler county, to Miss Polly A. Lashmet, a native of Virginia and daughter of John Lashmet, a pioneer of that State. Mr. R. has one adopted daughter, Adaline, wife of Thomas Metcalf, of this tp. He came to this county in 1865, and located on his present farm, consisting of 160 acres, valued at $50 per acre. His advantages for education were limited, but through energy and industry he has secured a good farm and comfortable home. Politi- cally he has been an advocate of Democratic principles, and always voted that ticket.
Wm. W. Sackman. farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Carthage; was born in Jefferson county, Va., in 1816; is a son of William and Susanah (Wright) Sackman, who settled in Morgan county, Ill., in 1828, where he purchased patent land and resided until 1835, when he inoved to Schuyler county, Mo., where he died in 1874. His wife died previously in Ohio. He was for 50 years a minister, and was well known throughout the State. The subject of this sketch was married in 1842, in Schuyler county, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Baker, a native of Tennessee. By this marriage 3 children have been born, 2 of whom are living, William F. and Erastus B. Mr. S. came to this county in April, 1847, and settled at West Point, in St. Alban's tp., where he resided until 1856, when he
747
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
moved to his present home. He has a farm of 201 acres, and is one of the early pioneers of the county and State. He was Magis- trate for 20 years, and is well and favorably known. In politics he is a Democrat.
James Sample, furniture dealer, is eldest son of Robert and Jane (Hawthorn) Sample, natives of Pa., who emigrated to Illi- nois in 1850, and settled in Canton, Fulton county. The following year he moved to this county and settled in Hancock tp., where Mrs. Sample died in 1868. Mr. S. has been prominently identifi- ed with the interests of Hancock tp., and resides with a sister. The subject of this sketch was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1826. Ile remained on the farm until 1852, when he was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Samuel Spangler, a native of Cumberland county, Pa. Hle moved to Carthage and opened a shop, where he applied himself to his trade, cabinet-making, and undertaker of the city. When the war broke out he enlisted in Co. B, 11Sth Regt. I. V. I., was promoted to Lieutenant, and participated in the bat- tles of Haines' Bluff, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Thompson's Hill, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, where he was sent out on a reconnoitering expedition 20 miles from that place, and while in command of the company was ambushed and shot through the shoulder. He was secured by the rebels, and carried to a rebel house, where he was left for dead, and afterward rescued by the Union forces, and conveyed to a farm house, where he was kindly cared for, and confined to the house six weeks, when he was sent home. For several years he was greatly disabled by this wound, and his resignation was accepted with official inducements to occupy other positions, which he declined. When able, with the little accumulations saved from his army service, he began at his trade on a small scale, and by energy and industry is enabled to occupy a good position in the business community of this city. In 1875 he erected the store he now occupies, 20 by 70 feet, and car- ries a stock of $4,000, and enjoys a liberal patronage. They have one child, adopted, Katie. The family are members of the Pres- byterian Church. Politically Mr. S. is Republican.
Charles J. Scofield, lawyer, was born in Carthage, Ill., in 1853; is son of Charles and Elizabeth (Crawford) Scofield, natives of New York and Kentucky, who emigrated to this county' in 1850, where he died in Jan., 1857. She died May 27, 1877. Charles J. began the study of law in the office of Scofield & Hooker, of this city, and attended school at Canton University, Mo., where he was graduated in 1871. Three years afterward he took the degree of A. M., and began the practice of his profession in this city. In June, 1875, he was appointed Master in Chancery, and in March, 1879, the partnership of Dayton & Scofield was formed. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa, adopted daughter of Dr. A. Spitler, of this city. Mr. S. served as Town Attorney; is a member of the I. O. M. A., and a member of the Christian Church. Politically, is a Democrat, and although young in years, is one of the most carnest and able workers in the legal profession.
748
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
T. J. Scofield, lawyer, is a son of Charles R. and Elizabeth (Craw- ford) Scofield, early settlers of this county, where they both died. He was born in Carthage in 1856; began the study of law in the office of Edmunds & Hooker, of this city; was educated in the Carthage College, and after graduation was admitted to the Bar in 1878. He was married in 1877, to Miss Georgia H., daughter of Judge H. Edmunds, of this city. She is a native of this county. They have 2 children, whose names are Charles J. and Jessie. Mr. S. spent a portion of 1877-'8 in Colorado, and began practice in this city in the fall of 1878, forming partnership with J. C. Williams. He is a member of the I. O. M. A., and politically is a Democrat.
Thomas Coke Sharp was born Sept. 25, 1818, at Mt. Holly, N. J. His father, Rev. Solomon Sharp, was a native of the eastern shore of Maryland, and a noted pioneer Methodist preacher of the Philadel- phia Conference. His mother was a member of the extensive Bndd family, of Pemberton, Burlington county, N. J. The earliest recollections of Thomas C. were of Trenton, N. J. After that his father was stationed at Philadelphia, then Wilmington, Del., Salem Circuit, N. J., Christiana Circuit, Del., Smyrna Circuit, Dover Circuit, and thence back to Smyrna, when, on account of age and disease, he was placed on the superannuated list, and died soon after.
In 1835 Thomas entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn., but took only the scientific course. In August, 1837, he entered the law school of Judge Reed, Carlisle, supporting himself during the last 18 months of his law course by teaching the male high school of the town, which he took charge of at the age of 20 years, and during a six months' absence of Prof. McClintock was a tutor of mathematics in Dickinson College. He graduated in the law school and was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar, April 14, 1840. In July of the same year he started West, arriving at Quincy August 11. Here he opened a law office, but after a few weeks became discouraged with the prospect and changed his residence to Warsaw, where he arrived Sept. 24, 1840; remained there continu- ously until Dec. 26, 1865, and then removed to Carthage, where he has resided ever since. On his arrival at Warsaw he opened a law office and continued the practice for about a year, but being afflicted with a dullness of hearing, which seriously interfered with him in the trial of cases, he became discouraged, abandoned the practice, and did not resume the same until 1858, since which time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession.
At the time of his arrival in Warsaw the only newspaper pub- lished in the county was the Western World, which had been established in that town by D. N. White, afterward of the Pitts- burgh Gazette, in May, 1840. Mr. W., becoming convinced that Warsaw did not offer sufficient inducements for him to remain there, determined to return to Pittsburgh, and offered to sell the office to Mr. Sharp and James Gamble, his foreman, who was an
749
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
excellent practical printer, now an eminent physician of Le Clerc, Iowa. The boys (Mr. S. being the oldest, and only 22 years of age) bit at the bait, and on the 6th of November, 1840, became pro- prietors. They were both green in business matters, but managed to make a paper which was highly complimented by citizens and the press for its typographical and editorial excellence. It was Whig in politics, but in the spring of 1841, Mr. S., who had been raised a Jackson Democrat, and who had been drawn into the Harrison ranks by the cry of retrenchment and reform, raised in the hard cider campaign of 1840, drifted back to his first love, as soon as the tariff and financial schemes of the Whigs developed themselves in Congress, and from that time on the paper main- tained a neutral position in politics. In May, 1841, the proprietors deeming the name of the paper too big for the size of the town it was published in, changed it to Warsaw Signal. In Nov., 1841, Mr. Gamble retired from the firm, and from that time until the summer of 1842 the paper was conducted by Mr. S. alone, when, becoming convinced that the establishment could never pay the debt accumulated upon it, he gave it up, and it again went into the hands of D. N. White.
At the time Mr. S. came to the county there was but little feel- ing discernible on the surface against the Mormons, but the syco- phancy of politicians to the Mormon leaders had disgusted some of the people, and the Mormons themselves, who were very humble and docile when they first came, were daily growing insolent and overbearing. The conduet of the Legislature in 1840-'41 in grant- ing the charters they asked for with all the powers they sought to have inserted, and the anxiety of both Whigs and Democrats to cater to them with the evident purpose in each party that the other should not get the lead in securing Mormon favor, created much dissatisfaction; but it appeared but little on the surface. Judge Douglas was appointed to the circuit in which Hancock was situated, and presided for the first time in the Hancock Circuit Court at the March tern, 1841. To placate the Mormons who had become embittered against the Democrats in Missouri, appeared to be a part of his mission, and he came under a promise to appoint J. B. Backinstos, a Jack Mormon, Circuit Clerk; but the Judge saw signs of dissatisfaction, which caused him to pause, and J. C. Davis received the appointment. At the June term, however, the Judge appointed Gen. J. C. Bennett, of the Nauvoo Legion, Mas- ter in Chancery. This appointment, it was thought, was made in order to give the Mormons the officer who had power to issue writs of habeas corpus in the absence of the Judge, and thus defeat any attempt that might be made to transport any of the Mormon lead- ers to Missouri, under a requisition from the Governor. On the making of the appointment, the Signal opened fire and denounced the toadying manifested by politicians to the Mormons, particularly referring to the appointment of Bennett as one not fit to be made. This article brought to the surface all the latest disaffection which
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.