USA > Illinois > Ogle County > Mount Morris > Mount Morris: past and present, an illustrated history of the township and the village of Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois, in their various stages of development, together with a local biographical directory > Part 25
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MARSHALL, FRANK E., farmer ; born in Mourt Morris township ; married Annie Smith in 1894 : one child.
MARSHALL, WM. C., retired farmer : born in Mount Morris township : married Mary Rowe in 1876; two children.
MARSHALL, JOHN C., farmer ; born in Mount Morris township ; married Grace Koontz ; two children.
MAYER, J. W., farmer : born February 1, 1859, in Stephenson county, Ill. ; mar- ried Annie V. Wakenight in 1887: four children.
MERRYMAN, JOHN, carpenter : born in Blair county, Pa., November 7, 1842; married Clara M. Sheets in 1870; six
children, five living.
MALONEY, M. F .; born in Ireland in 1860 ; married Ida Stover in 1886 ; five children.
METZGER, CHARLES, farmer ; born in Germany ; has two sons.
METZGER, ADAM, farmer ; married.
METZGER, ALVIN, farmer ; married.
MEYER, HENRY, farmer ; born February 27, 1876, in Maryland township ; un- married.
MEYER, WILLIAM, farmer ; born in Ger- many, November 5, 1822 ; married Win- nie Bremmer in 1866; six children,
MCCOY, RIGDON, shoemaker ; born Feb- ruary 3, 1843, at Funkstown, Md. ; mar- ried Helen E. Ilarper in 1867; six chil- dren.
MCCOY, JACKSON. bricklayer and stone mason : born March 27, 1872, at Funkstown, Md .; married in 1899 to Mabel Routzhan.
MCCOY, RICHARD, laborer ; born Mount Morris.
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MCCOY, CLAUDE, stone mason ; born in Mount Morris, September 12, 1877; un- married.
MCCOY, JAMES B., woodworker ; born in Mount Morris, August 17, 1845 ; mar- ried Mary A. Smith in 1873; two sons, one dead.
MCCOY, ROBERT, laborer ; youngest son of James B. and Mary McCoy ; unmar- ried.
MCCOY, A. S., farmer ; born January 1. 1849, in Mount Morris township ; married first to Lura A. Neff ; married second time in 1889 to Hattie McQuoid.
McCOY, JOHN E., farmer and ex-post- master ; born in Mount Morris township, January 22, 1842; married in 1865 to M. Elle S' ngl \ fi ( il ren.
MCCOY, CHARLES B., tinner; son of John E. McCoy ; unmarried.
MCCOSH, DR. GEORGE B., physician and surgeon ; born March 4, 1857, in Frank- lin county, Pa. ; married Wanda Blair ; five children living.
MCCOSH, DAVID S., music composer and engraver and band leader. He is the son of Dr. John and Elizabeth MeCosh, and was born December 15, 1847, in Franklin county, Pa. He attended the public school of his district, and later a select school in Quincy. At the age of seventeen he came west with his parents and settled in Mount Morris. The first year he spent as a farmer hand, work-
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ing for Wm. Rine, and then attended Rock River Seminary a number of years, during which time he became a member of the village band and began his musical career. After quitting the seminary he went to Dixon, and besides clerking in a bookstore played in the Dixon band. He soon became leader of the band and remained there seven years. He then went to Freeport and organized a helicon band which afterward consolidated with the Germania Band as the Grand Union
Prof. D. S. McCosh.
Band. Here at Freeport, în 1876, he first began to publish music, although he had done some composing in Dixon. After a term of three years in Freeport Professor McCosh then went to the city of Chicago and continued to publish music and instrnet bands and orchestras on a larger scale. His first band there was the Sixth Battalion Band, now the famons Second Regiment Band. Не next became leader of Lyon & Healy's famons band and with it traveled ex- tensively with the St. Bernard Com- mandery of the Masonic fraternity. His
last trip with them was to San Fran- cisco. Other bands under his control later were the West Side Military Band and Bowman's Military Band, the latter of forty pieces. At one time he furnished music at five of the biggest skating rinks in Chicago, having in his employ forty-five musicians. One of these rinks was what was known as the "Palace Rink," occupying ground where the Auditorium now stands. Professor Mc- Cosh's musical compositions have been exceedingly numerous and have been very successful on the market. It is estimated that he has composed not less than 4,000 separate pieces, of which probably the most successful was the song "Hear Dem Bells," which was sung all over the United States. Among other musical compositions are nine sets of orchestra books, two sets of band books, and many single pieces, for C. T. Root & Son ; five sets of orchestra books and one band book for Henry Detmer; two sets of orchestra books for John Church Com- pany ; one set for Lyon & Healy, and many other single compositions. In late years Mr. McCosh returned to Mount Morris, and is engaged in the publishing business with Dr. G. B. McCosh and W'm. H. Smith. He is kept busy com- posing and engraving music and leading bands. The work of engraving he has been doing for about eighteen years past. Mr. McCosh was married September 19, 1879, to Lottie Huntington, of New York city. They have two sons, viz. : Dudley, born December 17, 1880, and Leighton, born October 1, 1882. Both have inherited their father's exceptional musical talent. Dudley has already be- come an efficient band leader, and both are good cornetists.
MCCREADY, W. E., farmer. He is the son of John and Eliza McCready, and was born February 27, 1845, in Clinton county, N. Y. He came with his parents to Illinois in 1850, settling in Mount Morris township, His boyhood days were spent in the public school of his district, and at the early age of seven- teen enlisted in the army. He joined the 14th Illinois Cavalry in January, 1863, and served during the remainder of the war, participating in various engage- ments, from Knoxville to Atlanta. Was with the command of General Gerard in the famous raid after Morgan, capturing
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
him at Bluffington Island, in June, 1864. After the war he married and went to farming. During the first year he farmed one of R. S. Marshall's farms in Mount Morris township ; the second year, went to Lincoln township, on what was then known as the John Nye farm, and re- mained there twenty-five years. He served thirteen years as road commis- sioner in Lincoln township. Moving to Mount Morris township in 1894, he con- tinued farming, occupying the Seibert farm east of Mount Morris. He is now serving the township as road commis- sioner, having been elected in 1899. Mr. McCready was married March 2, 1868, to Sarah Nye, who died in the early eighties. Three children were born to them, viz. : John C., born December 21, 1869; Vernie E., October 18, 1871; and Chas. E., born October 12, 1876. Mr. McCready was again married in 1885 to Elizabeth Marsh. They have one son, Frederick H., born February 13, 1886.
MCCREADY, JOHN, eldest son of W. E. McCready ; unmarried.
MCCREADY, CHAS. W., laborer ; second son of W. E. McCready ; unmarried.
MCCREADY, CHARLES ; born in Clinton county, New York ; unmarried.
MCCLURE, ROBERT D., farmer ; born July 27, 1845, at Pittsburg, Pa. ; married Elizabeth Allen, January 1, 1876; four children.
MCCLURE, RAY, law student ; born in Freedom township, Carroll county ; un- married.
MCNETT, JOHN, teamster ; born in Pine Creek township, September 6, 1844 ; mar- ried Margaret A. Hause in 1867; six children living.
MCNETT, SAMUEL, laborer ; born De- cember 21, 1869, in Mount Morris ; un- married.
McNETT, CHARLES, laborer ; born De- cember 16, 1872, in Mount Morris ; un- married.
McNETT, WALTER, laundryman ; born December 26, 1877, in Mount Morris ; un- married.
MCILVANIE, CHARLES H., farm hand ; born in Mount Morris township. August 29, 1874 ; unmarried.
MILLER, ELDER D. L., editor, author, and minister of the Dunkard church, Is now living a semi-retired life in his pleasant new home in Mount Morris. HIonored and respected by all, there is no
man in Mount Morris who occupies a more exalted position in the estimation of the good people of the town. One of the most prominent men in all the Brethren church, he is known not only in Ogle county but has thousands of warm friends over the entire United States. Mr. Milier is a self-made man in every sense of the term. His father having a very conservative idea of the necessity of education, gave him only the knowledge which it was possible for him to obtain in the little country school- house of his district, and at the age of twelve put him out with a neighboring farmer to work. For a number of years he labored as a farm hand and assisted in his father's mill, but finally con- tracted the Western fever, and, leaving his father's farm, which was partly in Washington county, Md., and the re- mainder in Franklin county, Pa., came out to Illinois. He first worked for his uncle, John Long, on his farm north- west of Mount Morris. After a few . years in Illinois he returned to Mary- land, and again assisted for a time in his father's mill. He soon decided to come west again, however, and this time stopped at Polo, engaging as a clerk. One of his first business ventures in Polo was in the dry goods business, in partnership with Samuel Shoop. He next bought grain in partnership with George Ambrose, now of Pine Creek, and later opened up a grocery store in partnership with the same gentleman. Mr. Ambrose sold out his share in the business after the first year and Mr. Miller conducted it alone for about five years with much success financially. It was while engaged in this business that Mount Morris College was purchased by the Brethren. In casting about for a competent man to become business man- ager of the college Mr. Miller's sterling business qualifications, as attested by his exceptional success in Polo, were brought to notice and he was solicited to fill the position. With some reluctance he dis- posed of his business in Polo and in 1879 moved to Mount Morris, assuming his duties as business manager with the first opening of the school under the auspices of the Brethren in the fall of that year. For five years he was actively engaged in the work of managing the business of the school, a part of which
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DIRECTORY.
time, after the departure of J. M. Stein (see page 95), also doing the work of president, although he would never al- low that title to be applied to him. Soon after becoming business manager he became a stockholder, and it was also during these years that the enter- prise known as the Brethren at Work was purchased by Joseph Amick and himself. Mr. M. M. Eshleman, former owner of the plant and business, had failed, but the new owners soon built up an exceedingly prosperous business, con-
Germany, Denmark and other parts of Europe, and in the Holy Lands. Dur- ing these nine months Mr. Miller wrote a famous series of communications to the Gospel Messenger, which were read with a great deal of interest all over the Brotherhood and served to greatly in- crease the Messenger subscription list. After his return to America letters came from many quarters urging him to write a book concerning his trip, embodying the substance of his letters. This was done and during its preparation agents
Fine New Residence of Eld. D. L. Miller, Built in 1900.
cerning which more is found on page 143 of this volume. Mr. Miller, along with his duties in the college, acted as office editor of the Brethren at Work, later changed to the Gospel Messenger, and together with other work was an exceedingly busy man. In 1883 Mr. Miller decided to go abroad, and in August of that year, having completed all the preparations for the year 1883- '84 of the college, which his office of business manager demanded, embarked at New York in company with his wife on his first trip across the Atlantic. Nine months were spent journeying in
went to work unsolicited and the entire edition was disposed of before it was off the press. Other editions were later printed and easily sold. After his re- turn from this first trip abroad Mr. Miller remained at home nine years and did double duty in the college and the publishing house, his principal work being in the latter, however. In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Miller again went abroad, and after their return Mr. Miller's second book, "Wanderings in the Bible Lands," made its appearance. It was even more successful than the first, and a number of large editions were sold ..
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
About this time he also prepared the manuscript for a book entitled "Seven Churches of Asia," and made a present of it to the mission board, the proceeds of its sale to be used in mission work. It was also very successful on the market. Mr. Miller's third trip abroad was made in company with Joseph Lehman, his wife remaining at home. On this trip they spent considerable time in Egypt, traveling 1,000 miles up the Nile. After their return from this trip Mr. Miller did not remain at home long and again in May, 1895, in com- pany with his wife embarked at New York on their most novel experience-a trip around the world. They returned safely by way of San Francisco after an absence of over a year. Two years after their return Mr. Miller's last and most successful book, "Girdling the Globe," made its apearance, dedicated to the cause of missions. In 1898 Mr. Miller made his fifth and last tour abroad, ac- companied again by his wife. They spent six weeks in Jerusalem, five weeks in Smyrna and three months in India. During his many travels Mr. Miller gathered numerous photographs, from which slides have been made. With a powerful stereopticon and these slides he has illustrated hundreds of his interest- ing lectures concerning his travels. He is always greeted with enormous crowds. At present Mr. Miller is living practically retired, although he still does consider- able work as one of the editors of the Gospel Messenger and chairman of the General Missionary and Tract Committee. He is very deeply interested in the cause of missions, both at home and, particularly, abroad, and contributes lib- erally of his means for the promotion of the work. Stock in both Mount Morris College and the Brethren Publishing House has been donated to the church. For many years Mr. Miller has been a minister of the Brethren church and is a very able talker, one of the fore- most in ability in the pulpit to be found in the Brotherhood. As a result of his natural talent and by much reading and extensive travel Mr. Miller has come to be, with the exception of Mr. Hitt, probably the best informed man in Mount Morris, or even in Ogle county. It has been said of him that he is a veritable "walking encyclopedia." Mr. Miller is
now in his fifty-ninth year, and continues in the best of health and vigor. Mr. Miller was married in 1867 to Lizzie Talley of Philadelphia. She was born, and lived until the time of her marriage, in that city. She accompanied Mr. Miller on all of his trips to Europe except the third. She is the author of one book entitled, "Letters to the Young from the Old World," written at the solicitation of friends, from letters published in the Young Disciple. Three of editions 1,000 each were sold, the proceeds going for charitable purposes.
MILLER, WM. H., undertaker and furniture dealer ; born in Washington county, Md., July 23, 1850; married in 1878 to Mary Ellen Wallace ; three chil- dren.
MILLER, MICHAEL E., retired farmer ; born in Mount Morris township, in 1841 ; married to Elizabeth Welty ; twelve chil- dren.
MILLER, JOHN HI., carpenter and farmer ; born November 27, 1864; mar- ried Mary E. Smith in 1890; three chil- dren.
MILLER, JOHN H., employed by Deer- ing Harvester Company ; born December 24, 1865, in Mount Morris township ; married Myrtle Rine in 1890; two chil- dren.
MILLER, JOHN H., farmer; born in Franklin county, Pa., June 8, 1864 ; mar- ried in 1887 to Fannie Roadenizer ; two children.
MILLER, THOMAS E., school teacher ; born in Mount Morris, September 1, 1863 ; unmarried.
MILLER, UPTON, cabinet maker ; born March 22, 1828, in Washington county, Md. ; married in 1849 to Maria Lou Davis ; five children, three living : second marriage in 1887 to Catherine (Koontz) Newcomer.
MILLER, OLIVER L., horse dealer ; born in Mount Morris township, September 15, 1872; married in 1894 to Elva Stevens ; four children.
MILLER, HIARRY G., farmer ; born De- cember 12, 1869, in Franklin county, Pa. ; married Nettie Deihof in 1891 ; four children.
MILLER, JACOB G., school teacher ; born May 16, 1847, in Pine Creek township, Ogle county ; married to Annie Swingley ; one son.
MILLER, LEWIS D., superintendent of
Country Residence of Mrs. H. J. Farwell, and Son, Supervisor George V. Farwell.
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DIRECTORY.
Old Folks' Home ; born in Mount Morris township January 18, 1852; married in 1873 to Mary A. Diehl ; married second time in 1878 to Susan E. Diehl.
MILLER, GEORGE M., farmer ; born May 15, 1874, in Mount Morris township ; married Hattie Lewis in 1900.
MILLER, JACOB G., school teacher ; born May 16, 1847, in Pine Creek township ; married ; one son.
MILLER, JOHN D., harness maker and dealer in horse millinery. He was born October 26, 1858, in Monnt Morris, being
business, with a large and profitable trade. March 1, 1885, he was married to Carrie E. Stone of Polo. They have three sons-Dale E., born July 25, 1889 ; Harvey L., born April 7, 1894; and Wilbur E., born March 10, 1896 ; three sons have died.
MIDDOUR, SAMUEL, farmer ; born Jan- uary 31, 1831, at Waynesboro, Pa. ; mar- ried Hattie A. Little in 1866; three chil- dren.
MIDDOUR, E. W., farmer; born in Mount Morris township ; unmarried.
New Residence of Wm. H. Miller, built in 1900.
the son of Upton and Louisa Miller. He completed his school education in 1877 and worked at farm work several years. In 1881 he started to learn telegraphy, and after an apprenticeship of one year was engaged by the Burlington Railroad, serving as station agent and telegraph operator at a number of places on the Burlington system for a number of years. He was engaged principally at Mount Morris and Chana. October 5, 1885, he bought out Wm. Cushing's harness shop, and during the fifteen years since that time has been actively engaged in that
MIDDLEKAUFF, AUSTIN, farmer : born in Mount Morris township, March 22, 1863; married Mary C. Moats in 1887; three children.
MIDDLEKAUFF, FRED A., grocery clerk ; born November 15, 1859, in Washington county, Md. ; unmarried.
MISHLER, CALVIN H., carpenter ; born August 21, 1857, in Stephenson county, Ill. ; married Louisa A. Miller in 1883; four children living.
MILES, CHARLES C., fence builder ; born in Washington county, Md., De- cember 6, 1841; married January 1,
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
1SS4 ; one daughter.
MOATS, HENRY T., farmer ; born July 31, 1839, in Washington county, Md .; married Ann E. Speicher in 1864; three children.
MOATS, DR. JOSEPH B., dentist. He is the son of John W. and Rebecca Moats and was born in Mount Morris township. October 2. 1863. In 1870 he moved with his parents from the township to near Des Moines, Ia., and there gained his early education in the country schools. He soon returned to Mount
Swingley, who died June 3, 1897. Two sons were born to them, Ollie and Fred, who are now living with their grand- parents in Iowa. Mr. Moats was again married in September, 1899, to Isadore Rinehart.
MONGAN. JAMES. farm hand; born in Washington county, Maryland, April 8, 1869 : married Ida Bopp in 1892; one child.
MONGAN, WM., farm hand, born in Washington county, Md. ; unmarried.
MUMMA, SAMUEL P., stock buyer ; born
Property of Lewis Miller, Occupied by George Deppen.
Morris, however, and farmed the home place three years. Ile then studied medicine eighteen months under Dr. G. B. McCosh and finally entered the Chi- cago College of Dental Surgery, taking his junior course in that institution. His senior course he took in the dental department of the Iowa State Univer- sity, graduating with the class of 1891. He began the practice of dentistry here immediately and has been at work con- tinuously since that time. Mr. Moats was first married to Grace Swingley, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine
October 4, 1844, in Pine Creek township ; married Louisa Swingley in 1870; four children.
MUMMA, WILLIS S., contractor and builder ; is the eldest son of Samuel and Louisa Mumma, of Mount Morris. He was born in Pine Creek township December 2, 1870, and besides attend- ing the Mount Morris public school spent two years of diligent work in Mount Morris College. During the building of College HIall in 1889 he en- tered the employ of N. E. Buser to learn the carpenter's trade, and in a surpris-
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ingly short time became an expert in the business. Mr. Bnser engaged his services the year round at good wages and soon intrusted the entire work of building houses to him, from cellar to roof. In 1898 he formed a partnership with Mr. Buser and with him continued the contracting business. IIe is a rapid and efficient workman, a most success- ful superintendent of construction and an accurate calculator. For particulars concerning his work see Chapter XVI. Mr. Mumma was married March 21,
MULLER, JOS. C., farmer ; married.
MULLER, HERO J., farmer: born in Germany ; married ; has several chil- dren.
MYERS, JOHN A., laborer; born in Maryland township August 7. 1843 : married Barbara A. Strock in 1870 ; nine children, seven living.
MYERS, JOHN II., farmer; born in January, 1835, in Washington county, Md. : married in 1835; four children.
MYERS, GEORGE M., traveling sales- man ; born in Mount Morris December
Residence of Contractor W. S. Mumma.
1896, to Anna L. Rice, daughter of An- 26. 1866: married Ella Lohafer, who drew and Barbara Rice.
MUMMA, ED S., born September 24, 1876, in Mount Morris ; unmarried.
MUMMA, JAMES, butcher ; born in Ogle county April 15, 1841; married to So- phia Etnyre ; six children, three dead. MULLER, FRANK, farmer ; born May 30, 1839, in France; married Anna Klock in 1864; seven children.
MULLER, JOHN F., farmer ; born in Mount Morris township January 2, 1871 ; unmarried.
died in 1899; four children. Mr. Mey- ers is engaged by the Goar-Scott Thresh- ing Machine Company.
MYER, WM. F., farmer ; born in Ger- many December 15, 1864; married Amelia Bicker in 1889; four children.
MYERS, JOSEPH, laborer ; son of John A. Myers ; unmarried.
NALLEY, WILLIAM, laborer; born De- cember 10, 1835, in Washington coun- ty, Md. ; married in 1862: one son.
NALLEY, FRANK, son of Solomon Nal-
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT.
ley, deceased ; born August 6, 1879, in Mount Morris township ; unmarried.
NAZARENE, FRED W., pastor of the M. E. church ; portrait and biography on page 181.
NEWCOMER, THOMAS E., student at Ann Arbor; son of Mrs. Maggie New- comer.
NEWCOMER, CHARLES, retired banker ; born in Maryland August 22, 1825 ; mar- ried in 1853 to Rosalie D. Blanchard ; three sons ; married again to Miss Ma- ria Hitt, sister of Hon. R. R. Hitt ; was paymaster in the war of the rebellion.
public school Mr. Newcomer spent one year in Rock River Seminary. May 6, 1875, he was married to Laura Shank, daughter of George and Susan Shank, of Pine Creek. They have one son, How- ard, born September 18, 1876, and a daughter, Edna, born July 30, 1880. Mr. Newcomer followed the plastering trade for fifteen years, until 1885, when he went into the grocery business in partnership with his brother, Wm., and continued in the partnership with, how- ever, several changes of firm name, until October, 1898, when he sold to and was
TIT
Residence of Major Charles Newcomer.
NEWCOMER, D. H., farmer ; born Feb- ruary 4, 1859, in Franklin county, Pa. ; married Cora E. Long in 1884; four children.
NEWCOMER, EMANUEL, medicine vend- er ; born March 11, 1829, at Williams- port, Md .; married Isabella Knock in 1853; four children ; is an old resident of the village.
NEWCOMER, ARTHUR M., plasterer and retired groceryman ; was born April 3, 1848, in Mount Morris; is the son of Andrew and Eliza Newcomer, old settlers in Mount Morris. Besides attending the
succeeded by his son, H. G. Newcomer. Mr. Newcomer has held an exceptionally large number of public offices, having been census enumerator in 1880 and 1900, and served as collector for two years, village treasurer three years, vil- lage clerk one year, school treasurer two years, member of village board two years, justice of the peace three years, and is now serving his sixth year as clerk of the board of education. It is a singular fact that Mr. Newcomer has spent his entire life residing and doing business on one single block in Mount
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Morris. He was born on one corner, lived his married life on another corner and had his store close to a third corner on the same block.
NEWCOMER, HOWARD G., grocer. He is the only son of Arthur M. and Laura Newcomer, of Mount Morris, having been born in the village September 18, 1876. He entered public school at the usual age and completed the specified course of study. He also attended Mount Morris College several years, tak- ing work in the commercial department. Much of his time was spent clerking in
ward attended Rock River Seminary during 1869 and 1870. He clerked in his father's store in Mount Morris for sev- eral years and in 1871 enlisted in the United States army, joining Company H, Ninth United States Infantry. He served in this capacity five years, being dis- charged in 1876. IIe then went into the grocery business with his father and has been engaged in that vocation to the present time. An account of his business changes appears on page 37. Mr. Newcomer was united in marriage to Lottie Rohrer, daughter of Martin F.
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