USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 3
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Mr. Hoecker of this sketch was reared in Macoupin county, and secured his education in the district schools and public schools of Carlinville. He assisted his father upon the home farm until twenty-two years of age and then went to Jacksonville, Illinois, and worked in the car shops of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad. Returning home, he continued there until after his marriage, when he rented one hundred and sixty acres in Honey Point township, which he cultivated to good advantage for two years. Having acquired the capital necessary for beginning business upon his own account, he purchased seventy-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
six and one-half acres in Shaws Point township, upon which he has since lived. This land he bought from his father-in-law, and it was formerly known as the Penn Farm. Subsequently he purchased twenty acres of his father's estate, and in July, 1911, acquired twenty acres more so that at the present time he is the owner of one hundred and sixteen acres in one body. He also owns an eighth interest in his father's estate which has not yet been settled. In addi- tion to raising cereals, Mr. Hoecker maintains a herd of two hundred and sixty head of sheep and raises from fifty to one hundred head of hogs per year, also keeping seventeen head of horses and mules. He is highly energetic and cap- able in everything he undertakes, and is recognized as one of the substantial men of the community.
In October, 1905, Mr. Hoecker was married to Miss Viola Dugger, a daughter of Samuel B. and Grace (Chappell) Dugger, both of whom were born in Macoupin county. The father has been identified with agricultural interests ever since his boyhood. He purchased his father's farm in Shaws Point town- ship and cultivated it uninterruptedly until 1908, when he retired and moved to Carlinville. He is now fifty-five years of age, his wife being five years his junior. Mr. and Mrs. Hoecker are the parents of two children: Lyndal, who was born August 17, 1906; and Donald E., born November 14, 1909.
Politically Mr. Hoecker is a stanch advocate of the republican party. He has taken the interest of a patriotic citizen in public affairs and is now serving as township commissioner, this being his second term in that office. He is also a member of the school board and, religiously, he and his wife affiliate with the Methodist church. He has devoted his attention to his business with excellent results, and has gained success through unswerving industry, determination and reliability. He has always exercised a beneficent influence on those by whom he is surrounded and, therefore, truly belongs among the upbuilders of the state and county.
Q. H. BATES.
Among the native sons of Macoupin county who should receive adequate mention in a historical work treating of the development and present status of the county is Q. H. Bates, who was born in Bird township October 8, 1863. He is a son of George W. and Agnes Anne (Adams) Bates, the former of whom was born in Macoupin county in 1837. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Tennessee and was born near Chattanooga. He came to Macou- pin county early in the '30s and took up his residence on what is now called Shinbone. Shortly afterwards he purchased land in Bird township, on which Comer Station is now located, and established his home there. This land was raw prairie when he took possession and he diligently set to work making im- provements which largely increased its value. He spent the remainder of his life upon his farm. He was a quiet, unassuming man and took a great interest in religious affairs, being an earnest member of the Baptist church and instru- mental in the erection of the first church building in this locality.
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George W. Bates grew to manhood on the home place and later purchased a tract of land in Carlinville township upon which he resided until his death, on the 4th of February, 1879. He was prominently connected with the Masonic order and was respected as one of the representative citizens of the community. The mother of our subject was also a native of Macoupin county and was a woman of many admirable traits of heart and character. She died in December, 1870, when her son Q. H. was quite young. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bates, namely: Lelia, who is the wife of Lewis Griffith, of Nashville, Tennessee; D. M., who is living on the old home place; Q. H., of this review; William W., who resides in Chicago; Ida A., the wife of Everett Cole, of South Otter township; and James C., living near Plainview, Illinois.
Q. H. Bates possessed advantages of education in the country schools and continued with his father until after reaching maturity. He then engaged in farming and continued at various places in the county until eleven years ago when he purchased the land upon which he now resides. His farm consists of eighty acres and is located in section 26 of Bird township. He has made many improvements and by the proper rotation of crops has brought the land to a high state of productiveness. He uses good judgment in the selection of stock and his farm is one of the most profitable of its size in the township. He also buys and sells grain at Comer Station and in all his operations has displayed a discrimination which is one of the most important elements in the accomplish- ment of any worthy object.
On the 27th of January, 1886, Mr. Bates was married to Miss Addie E. Forsythe, a native of Bird township and a daughter of Columbus Forsythe who is now living in Carlinville township. Three children have been born to this union, George C., Victor L. and Ruby Inez, all of whom are living at home.
In politics Mr. Bates gives his allegiance to the democratic party, the prin- ciples of which he heartily espouses. He has never shirked responsibility and is now serving for the sixth year as a member of the board of county super- visors, a position which he has filled with the highest credit. He has also occupied the offices of highway commissioner, tax collector, assessor and school director. He has discharged his duties acceptably to the people of the township irrespective of party and no man in the county possesses in a higher degree the confidence of his neighbors. He and his estimable wife are members of Shiloh Baptist church and he is also affiliated with the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America at Carlinville. On account of his genial social qualities he can claim many friends who speak of him as one of the most substantial and reliable men of this section.
W. G. BAILEY.
W. G. Bailey, of North Otter township, may be named as one of the capable and energetic farmers of Macoupin county-a man who has won success through his unaided efforts and is fully deserving of the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his friends and neighbors. He was born in Kentucky,
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
September 7, 1869, a son of Granville M. and Jane (Bowles) Bailey, both of whom were born in Kentucky. The father has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and he and his wife are now living near Glasgow, Kentucky. There were six children in their family, namely: Frances, who married James Young, of Kentucky; W. G., of this sketch; Isaac and James, who are also living in Kentucky; Lizzie, who is the wife of William Barber, of the same state; and Eva, who married Henry Tole, also of Kentucky.
Mr. Bailey of this review attended the district schools and continued upon the home farm until nineteen years of age. He then came to Illinois and en- gaged at farm work in Sangamon county until 1906. He then purchased forty acres of land in North Otter township, Macoupin county, where he established his home, and he also rents land, being now in charge of two hundred acres. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and has been especially suc- cessful in fattening hogs and cattle for market. As he is a man of resolution and perseverance, he has steadily forged ahead and is recognized as one of the representative citizens of his township.
On the 21st of February, 1900, Mr. Bailey was married in this county to Miss Grace Williams, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Strong) Williams, both of whom were born in Kentucky. They came to Illinois in 1830 and took up their residence in Greene county, but later arrived in Macoupin county, where Mr. Williams became the owner of a productive farm of eighty arces. He died March 7, 1911. In his family were four children, namely: Carrie, who is de- ceased ; Della, who is the wife of Henry Kable; Edna, also deceased; and Grace, now Mrs. W. G. Bailey.
Politically Mr. Bailey is a stanch supporter of the republican party. He is a good friend of education and has served as member of the school board, doing effective service in behalf of the public schools. His religious belief is indicated by membership in the Christian church. Starting out in life on his own account at an age when the minds of many young men are engrossed with pursuit of pleasure, he took a more sensible view of his responsibilities and as a result is now comfortably and pleasantly located and each year witnesses in- creasing prosperity in his business. He is highly respected on account of his sterling integrity and his abiding interest in the welfare of others, and his record is well worthy of emulation by all young men desirous of making a respectable name for themselves in the community.
JOHN H. DUCKELS.
John H. Duckels, a retired agriculturist and prominent citizen of Chester- field, is the present supervisor of Chesterfield township, where he still owns two hundred and eighty acres of valuable farming land. His birth occurred on the 16th of February, 1850, his parents being Richard and Elizabeth ( Morris) Duckels. His paternal great-grandfather, Richard Duckels, was born in York- shire, England, in 1734, and there spent his entire life. By trade he was a blacksmith. Thomas Duckels, the grandfather, was born in the village of
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Goole, Yorkshire, in 1770, and there wedded Miss Anne Galton, by whom he had eight children, three of whom came to America, as follows: Nancy, the deceased wife of John Leach ; William, who was a resident of Macoupin county and has also passed away; and Richard, the father of our subject.
The last named was born at Goole, Yorkshire, on the 4th of July, 1811, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. In 1835 he emigrated to the United States, stopping at Jacksonville, Illinois, for a short time. Subsequently he removed to Alton, where he was employed in the general mercantile establish- ment of Godfrey & Gilman until 1841. In that year he returned to England, but in 1842 again came to America, settling in Chesterfield township, Macoupin county, Illinois. In 1889 he removed to Western Mound township and there continued to reside until called to his final rest, owning at that time seven hun- dred acres of rich and productive land. His demise occurred on the 9th of March, 1904, when he had attained the age of nearly ninety-three years. On the 23d of February, 1843, he had wedded Miss Elizabeth Morris, whose birth occurred near Thorne, Yorkshire, England, on the 18th of January, 1827. Her parents, John and Ann (Sexty) Morris, were natives of Yorkshire and resided at Thorne until 1832. In that year they emigrated to America with their nine children, coming to Illinois and settling in Western Mound township, Macoupin county, Mr. Morris here taking up government land. Ann (Sexty) Morris, who is the maternal grandmother of both our subject and his wife, was born on the 4th of May, 1794, and was the daughter of Richard and Rebecca Sexty, both of the parish of Thorne, Yorkshire, England. Elizabeth (Morris) Duckels, the mother of John H. Duckels, died on the 29th of March, 1897, in the seventy- first year of her age. By her marriage to Richard Duckels she had twelve chil- dren, as follows: Matilda, the deceased wife of Jefferson Lee; George, who is a resident of Carlinville, Illinois ; John H., of this review ; Edwin and Richard, both of whom died in early life; Henry C. and Oscar, who are residents of Macoupin county ; Anna, the wife of Aaron Loveless, of Carlinville, Illinois ; Grant, of this county; Laura, who makes her home at Carlinville, Illinois ; Rollin, living at Chesterfield, Illinois; and Clara, the wife of Charles Wilton, of Chesterfield.
John H. Duckels obtained his education in the public schools and worked on his father's farm until 1876, when he purchased and located on a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 4, Chesterfield township, which is still in his possession. As his financial resources increased he extended the boun- daries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and eighty acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation and improvement. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devoted considerable attention to stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. At the present time he is living retired in Chesterfield, where he owns a ten-acre tract of land.
In March, 1872, Mr. Duckels was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Morris, the only child of Felix and Susan ( Abner) Morris. Felix Morris, a native of England, was a son of John and Ann (Sexty) Morris, mentioned above. In 1862 he enlisted for service with Company G, Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry, reenlisting on the 22d of November, 1863. He participated in the
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
battles of Chattanooga and Chickamauga, was captured in the latter and remained in Andersonville prison for some time. After being exchanged he went home on a furlough. On returning to his regiment he was killed in a skirmish in Georgia, being shot through the head.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Duckels were born nine children. Addie, whose natal year was 1873, is the wife of Lawrence Ketchum, of Shipman township, Macou- pin county, by whom she has four daughters: Edna, Ruby, Hazel and Lucile. Felix, the next in order of birth, died in infancy. Edwin M., who was born in 1878, wedded Miss Laura Barnes and resides in Chesterfield township, Macou- pin county. Lois, whose birth occurred in 1881, is the wife of Jonn E. Hall, of Western Mound township, by whom she had three children: Letha ; Helen, who is deceased; and John Hayden. Morris R., a resident of Chesterfield township, married Miss Clara Bode and has one child, Lucile. Clarence, who was born in 1888 and resides in Western Mound township, wedded Miss Stella Lyon and has one child, Dorothy. Hayden, whose natal year was 1891, operates the home farm in Chesterfield township. Howard, born in 1900, is still under the parental roof. Grace, whose birth occurred in 1903, is the youngest member of the family.
In politics Mr. Duckels is a stanch republican, believing that the principles of that party are most conducive to good government. He has served as super- visor of Chesterfield township for a number of terms and holds that office at the present time. In religious faith he is a Methodist, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. In the county where his entire life has been spent he is well known and greatly esteemed as a prominent and substantial citizen. Quiet and unassuming, he has nevertheless won the high regard and friendship of all with whom he has come in contact.
C. O. DENBY. 1236194
Many of the most successful residents of Macoupin county are of English descent and by their energy, perseverance and thrift have demonstrated qualities which are recognized the world over as the foundation of all material pros- perity. C. O. Denby, whose home is on a highly improved farm in Bird town- ship, belongs to this class, both of his parents having been natives of England. He was born in Bird township, May 26, 1870, a son of George and Anne (Precious) Denby. The parents were married in the old country and emigrated to America, first taking up their home at Jacksonville, Illinois. Subsequently they came to Macoupin county and located on a farm in Palmyra township where they spent the remainder of their lives.
The youthful days of Mr. Denby whose name introduces this review were spent under the parental roof and in the district schools he acquired his pre- liminary education. Not satisfied, however, with the rudiments of knowledge he became a student of Blackburn University at Carlinville, where under com- petent instruction he pursued the higher branches. After leaving the university he returned home and remained with his parents until their death. He has
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
applied himself to agriculture and stock-raising with excellent results and is the owner of eighty acres of good land in section 12, Bird township, also being interested in other property in the township. He has been engaged in farming ever since his boyhood and as he makes use of practical methods his labors have been abundantly rewarded. He is an industrious man, upright and honor- able in every act, and one of the most public-spirited citizens of the township.
On January 12, 1898, Mr. Denby was married to Miss Lauretta Nixon and they are the parents of one child, Claude R. Politically Mr. Denby is a firm believer in the republican party as the organization best adapted to control the destinies of the nation. He possesses in an eminent degree the confidence of the people of the township as is indicated by his election to the office of assessor, a position he has filled six years. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church and are willing workers in all movements aiming to promote the per- manent interests of this section. The life record of Mr. Denby is highly creditable and his success has been due to his wisely directed efforts and honor- able business methods.
J. W. WHEELER.
Fifty-four years ago, on March 29, 1857, J. W. Wheeler was born on his father's farm in Bird township. After arriving at maturity, instead of seeking a home among strangers, he continued in his native county and he has seen no reason to regret his choice of a permanent location. He is one of the successful men of Macoupin county and is now the owner of a farm which yields a hand- some annual revenue. He is a son of William and Mary Jane (Lee) Wheeler, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
In the district schools J. W. Wheeler received his early education and later, desiring to carry his studies further, he became a student at Blackburn Uni- versity in Carlinville. He continued at home until twenty-four years of age and under his father was thoroughly instructed in all details pertaining to agricul- ture and stock-raising, thus becoming remarkably well prepared for the respon- sibilities which he has since assumed. He began farming on his own account in Bird township and later lived in various parts of the county. About twenty years ago he settled on the place where he now lives, which comprises three hundred and sixty acres on sections 19 and 20, Bird township. He engages ex- tensively in feeding and shipping stock and this has proved a profitable branch of his business. His farm is well improved and the work is conducted along modern and progressive lines, thus securing the best returns for the time and labor expended upon it.
In 1881 Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Sarah Emma Loveless, a daugh- ter of John H. and Rhuhama (Brown) Loveless, one of the well known pioneer families of Macoupin county, of whom extended mention has been made on an- other page of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler eight children have been born, namely : Orville W., who is engaged in farming in Bird township; Grace, who married Richard Metcalf and lives near Chesterfield; Claude E., who is also
J. W. WHEELER AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
identified with farming in Bird township; Truman, deceased; John W. and Foster, both at home; and Paul and Ruth, both deceased.
Mr. Wheeler gives his political allegiance to the democratic party as the or- ganization which in his opinion is best adapted to preserve the liberties of the country. He has served as highway commissioner for two years and as school director for twenty years, discharging his duties in a manner entirely acceptable to the people. He is loyal in matters of citizenship and takes a great interest in the development of a region with which he has been familiar since his boyhood. He and his estimable wife are both members of the Baptist church, in which he is now serving as clerk and deacon. He also holds membership in the Ma- sonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mutual Protective League. Always intelligent and comprehensive in his views and methods, he is respectful of the opinions of others and is justly esteemed wherever he is known.
EDMOND MILLS COOPER.
No history of Girard would be complete without extended mention of Ed- mond Mills Cooper, not alone because of the success which he achieved in busi- ness but also because of the active and helpful part which he took in many movements that promoted public progress. His principles have their root in the teachings of the Baptist church and of the Masonic fraternity, and at all times his life was in harmony with his professions. He was a man whom to know was to esteem and honor, and to his family he left not only a substantial competence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He re- mained for forty-six years a resident of Girard and throughout that entire period there was not one esoteric phase in his life work.
Mr. Cooper was born in Christian county, Kentucky, on the 25th of Novem- ber, 1831, a son of Edmond Landrum and Mary Mills (Perry) Cooper. The Cooper family trace their ancestry in diverging lines back to England and Wales, but representatives of the name came to America when this country was num- bered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Edmond Landrum Cooper was born in Orange county, Virginia, September 28, 1799, and was mar- ried in Christian county, Kentucky, November 20, 1822, to Mary Mills Perry. They began their domestic life in that state and after fourteen years removed to Greene county, Illinois, where they arrived in April, 1836. Mr. Cooper there not only followed the occupation of farming but was also prominent in public affairs, serving as assessor and treasurer of Greene county in 1853 and 1854. His early political support was given to the whig party and after its dissolution he became a stanch advocate of republican principles. He was a gentleman of the old school, always courteous and dignified, yet jovial and approachable, and his companions found him a congenial friend. He lived to be more than one hundred years of age, while his wife died some years before, passing away in Greene county, Illinois, March 6, 1887. They were the parents of nine children, Mildred Ann, James Perry, William Tandy, Robert Rutherford, Emeline Eliza-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
beth, Edmond Mills, Adrian Alfred, Cornelia and Verinda. Of these James, Cornelia and Verinda died in infancy, while the others reached adult age. Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Cooper two now survive, Robert R. Cooper and Mrs. Emeline Cunningham, both residing in Greenfield, Illinois.
Edmond Mills Cooper was little more than four years of age when brought by his parents to Illinois, the family home being established in Greene county, where he lived until some years after his marriage. He experienced the usual hardships and trials of life upon the frontier, for Illinois was at that time sparsely settled. Only four years before the Black Hawk war had occurred and there were still many traces of Indian occupancy in this part of the state. While in the home there was a lack of many of the comforts and conveniences now to be found, the training was such as to awaken in him those principles which constituted the foundation for an exemplary character.
Having arrived at years of maturity, Mr. Cooper was married on the 30th of August, 1855, in Greene county, to Miss Martha Tunnell, who was born in Tennessee, February II, 1836, and was a daughter of Luther Tunnell. They established their home in Greene county but after about nine years removed to Macoupin county, settling at Girard. They became the parents of five children, of whom two died in infancy, while Frederic passed away after attaining man- hood, leaving a wife and children. The two remaining sons are: Charles, now a resident of New York city ; and Edward Everett, of Girard. There are also seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
It was in the year 1864 that Mr. Cooper left Greene county and brought his family to Girard, where he embarked in merchandising. He established a dry- goods store, always carried a well selected line of goods and by reason of his straightforward dealing and earnest efforts to please his customers he secured a liberal patronage and in time through his well conducted business interests acquired a substantial competence. In his later years he put aside business cares and lived a retired life, enjoying a rest that he had truly earned and richly deserved. One of the local papers said of him: "Mr. Cooper was a man uni- versally respected and held in high esteem by all who knew him. His conscien- tious adherence to the principles of right, which seemed to be a part of the man, gave him the confidence of all with whom he came in contact."
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