USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 37
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George W. Hatch, Sr. the father of our subject, was a native of New Jersey and was twice married. his first wife being Mary Brewer. Their wedding was celebrated March 10. 1516, and to them were born three sons, namely: William N., a resident of Oakland. Pottawattamie county, lowa, where he is en- gaged in farming and stock-raising and own- over five hundred acres of land : John B., who died September 5. 1869; and Thomas X., who died August 23. TSSS. The mother of these children died March 30, 1855. and the father was married August 25, 1855. to Amanda M. Martin, who was born in Illinois. September 3. 1833. and was a daughter of John and High- land ( Ferguson) Martin. Her parents were both natives of Kentucky and at an early day removed from that state to Illinois, settling at Baker's Prairie, where the father carried on farming and stock-raising. The mother and four of her children died within two week -. One daughter. Mrs. Alexander Rhoades, is still
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MR. AND MRS. G. W. HUNTCH. FR.
MR. AND MRS. G. W. HATCH. SR.
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living. her home being at Springerton, Illi- nois. By his second marriage George W. Hatch, Sr., had five children. our subject being the only son. The daughters were Margaret A., who was born June 26. 1856, and married (. H. Denton, of Athens, Illinois ; Mary IL., who was born October 1. 185%, and is now the wife of J. R. Arnold, of Greenview : Emma J .. who was born November 26. 1859, and died August 30, 1842 : and Laura E., who was born April 1. 1863, and died April 30. 1819.
In early boyhood days George W. Hlaich. Sr. came to Menard county and in his youth he worked by the month as a farm hand. lle afterward entered land from the government and devoted his energies to its cultivation and improvement until 1868, when he retired From agricultural life and removed to Greenview. entering the firm of Hatch & Arnheim. general merchants. He also conducted a lumber yard and milling business and erected many of the first houses of the city. His business interests thus extended to many lines and proved bene- ficial to the commumity by advancing the com- mercial and industrial prosperity which is the basis of all progress and substantial upbuilding. In 183 he sold his varied business interests, save his mill, which he conducted until his death. He passed away May 25, 1811. at the age of forty-seven years and nine months. His widow long survived him and her death re- sulted from a fall on the 14th of August. 1903. when she was seventy-one years of age.
George W. Hatch was a public school student in Greenview and in 1880 he entered the Northern Indiana Normal College at Val- paraiso, Indiana. leaving that institution on the day that James A. Garfield was nominated for the presidency. He then returned to Men- ard county and in June, 1880. he engaged in the livery business, but after nine months he sold out and took a three months' trip to the west, visiting Denver and Leadville, Colorado. On the expiration of that period he retraced his steps castward as far as lowa and on the 3rd of July, 1881, be returned to Menard county. About that time he assisted in the organization of the first coal company formed here and in November of the same year ho embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, which
he carried on for about three years. On the 23rd of December. 1881. however, he removed to a farm and was successfully and continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years, or until November. 1891. when he returned to Greenview. Here he began handling horses and in 1892 he became actively associated with commercial interests as a dealer in hardware and implements under the firm style of Hatch & Propst. A man of resourceful business ability, readily recognizing and improving op- portunity, he has been associated with many lines of endeavor that have proved of practical value and benefit to the city and at the same time have advanced his individual prosperity. Hle built the first opera house of Greenview at a cost of eight thousand dollars, but the build- ing was afterward destroyed by fire. He has been identified with the development of the coal interests of this part of the state and in 1886 he became a stockholder in the Menard Coal Company, of Greenview, Illinois, of which he is now the secretary and manager. In 1893 he sold his interest in the hardware store to his pariner and became an insurance and real estate agent.
For a time Mr. Hatch put aside his more active business duties in order to perform public service, for which he had been chosen by the votes of his fellow townsmen. In 1891 he was elected sheriff of Menard county upon the Republican ticket. although this is a strong Democratie county, receiving a majority of one hundred and forty-nine. Later he was nominated for the office of county clerk. was defeated by one hundred and twenty-six votes. In 1900 he was a candidate before the Republican convention for the nomination for representative. After retiring from the office of county sheriff he took charge of the business of the coal company and he entered the firm of Haich. Elkie & Reed, on the 8th of March. IS92. After a year, however, this partnership wa- dissolved and Mr. Hatch became the senior member of the present mercantile firm of Hatch. Jones & Bergen. He is a man of koen business discernment and unfaltering enter- prise and carries forward to successful comple- tion whatever he undertakes. Moreover. his business methods have been such as never seck
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
not require disguise and he has made for him- August. ISO2. she gave her hand in marriage self an honorable name in trade circles.
On the 12th of October, 1582, Mr. Hatch was married to Miss Eleanor Frances Reed, a daughter of W. W. P. Reed. and they have three children : Claude Wallace, who was born November 3. 1883, is now married and is in charge of his father's interests in the store; Forest Leslie, born January 19, 1889, and Mildred, born January 15. 1891, are at home with their parents. The wife and children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and Mr. Hatch holds membership in the Christian church. He has pleasant fra- ternal relations, being a valued representative of (linton lodge. No. 189, .A. F. & A. M., of Petersburg: Loyalty lodge. No. 183. K. P. and the Modern Woodman camp. His name is a synonym for activity, industry and integ- rity in business life and he stands to-day as one of the successful and respected men of Menard county.
WILLIAM T. KINCAID.
William T. Kincaid. a representative of the Farming interests in Menard county, who has the respect of the business community because of his faithful adherence to the rules which govern honorable trade relations, was born August 30. 1819. on the farm in Sweetwater precinct, where he now makes his home. He is it son of W. C. and Louisa ( Hale) Kincaid. both of whom are natives of Bath county. Ken- theky. The father, who was born November :. 1-15. came to Illinois in early manhood. sel- tling in Menard county upon the old home- stead farm in 1831. His father. Andrew Kin- raid, was a native of Cumberland county. Penn- Sylvana, and became a resident of Bath county. Kentneks. in 1995. In the latter state he was united in mariage to Miss And P. Caldwell, who was born in Bath county and was a daugh- ter of William and Elizabeth ( Kennedy ) Cald- will. She was present at the stirring scene- of the great camp meeting at Cane Ridge in Bourbon county. Kentucky, in 1802-an even which has become historie in the annals of that state and of that locality. On the 13th of
to Mr. Kincaid and they were a most devoted and earnest Christian couple. Though always living upright lives and singularly conscien- tions, probably from lack of suitable oppor- tunity. Mrs. Kincaid did not profess her re- ligious faith until 1821. when with her hus- band she united with the New Concord Pres- byterian church of Nicholas county. Kon- tucky. under the ministry of Dewey Whitney. Soon afterward they changed their membership from that church to the church in Spring- field. Bath county. Kentucky, where they re- sided until 1831. In that year they came to Menard county, Illinois. settling at Indian Point. and on the 13th of June, 1835. they were received into the membership of the North Sangamon Presbyterian church by the session then constituting Elder Jolm N. Moore and Rev. Alex Ewing as moderators. From that time forward they took a most active and helpful. as well as beneficial, interest in the moral development of this part of the state. They closely followed all the commandments and ordinances of the church. living blameless lives, so that their memory is vet enshrined in the hearts of those who knew them. and their example remains as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those with whom they were associated. Andrew Kincaid. full of years and honors, because of his fidelity to upright prin- ciples, passed away August 6. 1812, at the age of eighty-seven years seven months and twenty-five days, and on the 20th of March. 1829. his widow died at the age of ninety-one years, seven months and twelve days. They were the parents of eleven children. three of whom died prior to the mother's demise, and the remaining eight were present at her funeral. She had sixty grandchildren, of whom thirty-eight were living at the time of her death, lifty great-grandchildren, of whom forty-four were living, and sixteen of her grandchildren were married. Her immediate descendants at the time of her demise were one hundred and thirty-nine in number, of whom thirty-one had passed away. one hun- dred and eight are still living. Mrs. Kincaid was blessed with vigoron- physical and mental powers and possessed many sterling traits of
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character. She was a most parnost Christian woman, and the poor. needy and distressed found in her a helpful and sympathetic friend. She was most generous and hospitable and her tender consideration for others was one of her most salient characteristics. An immense con- course of people came to pay their last tribute of respect to her memory and her good deeds still live after her. so that she is yet spoken of with tender reverence and deep love by those who knew her.
W. C. Kincaid. the father of our subject, was one of the carly settlers of Menard county, re- siding here continuously from 1831 up to the time of his death. He settled upon the farm which is now occupied by his son W. T. Kin- vaid. entering the land from the government. and our subject now has in his possession the deeds of this land signed by John Q. AAdams and Andrew Jackson, regarding them as cher- ished momentos of pioneer times. With char- acteristie energy Mr. Kincaid carried on agri- cultural pursuits and in addition to the tilling of the soil be raised stock, making a specialty of cattle for show. He usually raised the short- horn breed and he received first prize at the second state fair that was ever held in Sanga- mon county. In carly manhood he wedded Miss Louisa Hale, who was born November ??. 1821. and was also one of the carly settlers of Menard county, coming at the time of the ar- rival of William Johnson. She made her way from Kentucky on horseback. W. C. Kincaid passed away at Indian Point. February 1. 1882. at the age of sixty-six years, three months and four days, and his wife died at eleven o'clock in the evening of November 21. 1891, at the age of seventy-three years. He had four broth- ers and three sisters, all of whom attended his funeral. There had not been a death in the family for forty years up to about that time. but his father and mother died a few years before him. Mr. Kincaid had been connected with the Presbyterian church for more than forty years and was an earnest Christian man. generous to his friends, liberal to those in need. and in his home a kind-hearted and do- voted husband and father. No man in the county has been more deeply missed by neigh- bors and friends and he had so endeared him-
self to those who knew him that umform regret was felt throughout this part of the county when he was called to his final rest. For about a year, however, he was in poor health and for two months prior to his death was confined to his home. The funeral services were held at the North Sangamon church. Rev. D. J. Strain and Rey. .. M. Horney officiating, after which his remains were interred in Indian Point com- tery. The interment of Mrs. Kincaid was also in the Indian Point cemetery. They were the parents of live children : Robert Hale, who was born February. 19. 1811. and died Decom- ber 30. 1822 : Eliza Ann, who was born Nowell- ber 10. 1842. and died in Springfield. Illinois. September 26. 1901: Andrew Todd, who was born March 9. 1811, and is now living near Farmer City. DeWitt county: William T .. the fourth of the family; Elizabeth D .. who was born October 19. 1852. and is living in Chi- vago.
W. T. Kincaid, whose name introduces this record. was educated in the district school- at Indian Point. This is conducted largely on the order of a high school and is a very excellent educational institution. After putting aside his text-books. his time and energies were de- voted to farm work on the old homestead. He married Miss Alice Belle Pur-ell. who was born in Sangamon county. Ilinois, in what is now called Farmingdale, her natal day being May 1. 1856. Her parents were William and Eliza- both ( Van Patton) Parsell, the former born in Ireland. January 3, 1820. and the latter in New Jersey, March 26. 1835. They became residents of Sangamon county about 1833, Mr. Pursell had been brought to America by his parents when he was but two years old. the family home being established in Canada, and he resided there nine years, when the family removed to Sangamon county. Illinois. He was one of the first settlers of that portion of the state, locating there before springfield had sprung into existence. He and his wife were married in 1836 and for a long period they ro- sided on the old homestead farm in Sanga- mon county. They were the parents of this- teen children: Robert Henry, who died about 1811: Mary Ann. who died in the same year : Albert Hale, who died in 1823: Carrie Lyman
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
who is hving at Pleasant Plains. Sangamon great cholera epidemic in this country, in 1849. county : Laura Etta. a resident of Ashland, In the family were three children. Cass county, Ilinois: Mrs. Kincaid : Jennie Adeline, who died in 1814: Charles William. who is living in Moravia. Jowa; John Cush- man, who died in 1823: Harriet Louisa, who resides at Junction, Arizona : Robert Ramsey, who is living at Farmingdale. Ilinois: Frances Elizabeth, also at Farmingdale: and Jessie Tryphona. at home.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid has been blessed with two children: Alice May, born May 31. 1883: and Todd Pur-ell. born May 1. ISST. The parents and their children are members of the Indian Point Presbyterian church, and politically Mr. Kincaid is a Repub- lican. having supported that party since he cast his first presidential ballot Ile is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family and therefore is entitled to mention in this volume. Moreover. his personal charae- teristics have commended him to the good will and trust of those with whom he has been asso- ciated. He is unassuming in manner. vet alert and enterprising in his business affairs and kooping in touch with modern progress and along all lines that indicate the world's ad- vancement. Having spent his entire life in Menard county. he is well known to many of it- citizen- and the circle of his friends is extensive.
JAMES D. WHITLEY. M. D. F. R. M. S.
Dr. James D. Whitley. general medical practitioner and author, whose writings are of acknowledged value to the profession and whose labors as physician and surgeon have been so successful as to rank him with the ablost repre- sentatives of the profession in Petersburg and central Illinois, was born in Halifax. York- shire. England. on the 25th of February. 1811. Ili- father. Eh Whitley. also a native of Hali- fax. came to America in 1516 and established his home in New York city. He was a pattern- maker by trade and for many years was con- needed. in that capacity, with the Novelty Iron Works of New York. His wife died during the
Dr. Whitley started out in life on his own account when only twelve years of age. without money or influential friends, and that his carcer has been characterized by steady pro- gression and success is dne to the exercise of his native ability. his unremitting diligence and laudable ambition, which has prompted him to find in each transition stage of his career opportunity for further advancement. In his youth he was employed at farm labor in Logan county. Illinois, but desiring to enter profes- sional life, he commenced the study of medicine in 1861 under Dr. Samuel Sargeant. a practic- ing physician of Lincoln. Illinois. The follow- ing year. however, his studies were interrupted by his enlistment in the Union army. He joined the One Hundred and Sixth Ilinois Regiment. Colonel R. B. Latham commanding. on the 12th of August. 1862. He was mms- tered in at Lincoln. Illinois, as a drummer boy. being then but eighteen years of age, and went first to Kentucky. He served in Missouri and Tennessee and was also at Little Rock. Arkan- sas. A considerable portion of the time was given to guarding railroads. He was present at the fall of Vicksburg and saw varied service during the three years of his military experi- mice. When the regiment steward. a few months after his enlistment. was taken ill. Dr. Whitley was appointed to that position and later was placed on detached service in the general hospital at Pine Bluff. Arkansas, in the capa- city of chief clerk. Subsequently he was given charge of the dispensary and was finally made acting assistant surgeon, in charge of the guard house and detached forces. so serving until Angust. 1865, when the war having ended he was honorably discharged.
Dr. Whitley's hospital service, while with the army. proved an excellent training school for his professional career, bringing to him much valuable, practical experience. Upon his ro- turn home he resumed the study of medicine and in the winter of 1865-6 be pursued a course of lectures in Rush Medical College. Later he came to Petersburg. Menard county. where he opened an otlice. but soon removed to Robin- son's Mills, where he was appointed postmaster.
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DR. J. D. WHITLEY.
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Subsequently he established his home at Oak- ford. builling the first residence there in 18;2. le named the town in honor of William Oak- ford. of the Oakford-Falinstock Company, wholesale grocers of Peoria, Illinois. He met with fair success in his practice in the little village which he established and in 1813 he returned to Rush Medical College, where he was graduated in February, 18:1. Returning then to Oakford. he continued in practice there until July, 1829, when he again came to Poters- hurg, where he has since remained, and in the broader field which the county seat affords, he has so directed his labors that they have proved of great value to his fellow men, while the profession acknowledges his ability, which is based upon thorough and conscientious prep- aration and unfaltering devotion to the re- sponsible duties which devolve upon the phy- sician.
Dr. Whitley has continually added to his knowledge by study and investigation and also through the interchange of thought and experi- once among the members of the profession who are allied with various medical societies, Since 1828 he has been a member of the American Medical Association and he also belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society. He is a charter member of the Brainard District Medical So- ciety, of which he was the president in 1881 : belongs to the American Microscopical Society and is a fellow of the Royal Microscopical So- ciety of London. He is likewise a member of the Illinois Army and Navy Medical Associa- tion. was pension examiner and has been health officer of Petersburg since ISSA. His Medical writings include: Observations During an Epidemie of Corebro-Spinal-Meningitis in ISTE; Report of Trichinosis with Post Mortem and Microscopical Appearance of Tissues Effected with the Parasites. and Asiatic Cholera.
Dr. Whitley has been married four times. first in 1866, cond in 1828, third in 1890. and fourth in 1901. It was on the 8th of September, 1901. that he was united in mar- riage to Miss Libbie Rourke, a native of Menard county and a daughter of Colonel Cornelius Rourke, who was one of the pioneers of this county. The Doctor has two sons: James.
born January 21. 1891: and Langdon, born June 18. 1896.
Fraternally Dr. Whitley is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to St. Aldemar commandery at Petersburg, and he is also identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias lodges, in both of which he has tilled all the chairs, and he is now surgeon of the Fourth Regiment of the uniform rank of the Knights of Pythias. He is also local surgeon for the Chicago & Alton Railroad, examining surgeon for the Travelers Accident Company since 1885 and examiner for several old line life insurance companies. For several years he was post- master at Oakford, the postoffice at Robinson's Mills being discontinued after the town of Oak- ford was started. Ile was a member of the board of education at Petersburg for fifteen con-peutive years. He is one of Menard coun- ty's leading and prominent citizen-, popular with his brethren of the fraternities to which he belongs and exerting a moving and bene- ficial influence in behalf of public progress and improvement, as well as along professional lines. It is with extreme pleasure that we pre- sent this sketch of his career to the readers of this vohune for we realize, and justly too. that it is unto such men that the present prosperity of Menard county is due.
Z. A. THOMPSON.
%%. A. Thompson, who through the recogni- tion and utilization of commercial possibil- ities afforded in Petersburg, has advanced from humble surroundings to a position among the prosperous business men of the city, is now a member of the firm of Thompson, Rosen- dabl & Company, proprietors of a large de- partment store. Petersburg is his native city. his birth having here occurred December 21. Is8. His father. Aaron Thompson, is repre- ~ nted on another page in this volume.
Having obtained his early education in the public schools. Mr. Thompson of this review continued his studies in the Illinois College of Jacksonville, where he acquired his more specifically literary education. Soon after lan- ing that institution he entered the field of mer- cantile endeavor and in los he became a non-
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ber of the form of Thompson. Rosendald & Com- pany. proprietors of a large department store in l'etersonny. The building, seventy by one hundred feet, is two stories in height and is situated at the northwest corner of the square. It is well stocked with an extensive and care- fully selected stock of general goods. carefully chosen with regard to the varied taste of the patrons, and the firm, by reason of their hon- orable dealing, their unfailing courtesy and their earnest desire to please their customers. have secured a large and growing patronage.
On the 21th of November. 1586, Mr. Thomp- son was married to Miss Nettie Watkins, a daughter of Samuel Watkins, a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Me- nard county. The children of this marriage are three daughters and a son: Lillian, Sam- 14.1. Marie and Louise. Mr. Thompson. hav- ing been made a Mason at Chandlerville, Illi- nois, in 1881. has advanced to the Knight Templar degree, holding membership in St. Aldemar commandery. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Woodmen camp. and has hearty svin- pathy with their principles of brotherhood. benevolence and mutual helpfulness. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Christian church. contributing generously to It- support and taking an active part in its work. and in the social circles of the city they are prominent and widely known.
MRS. REBECCA FINLEY.
Mrs. Rebecca Finley. now residing upon a arm in Petersburg precinct. Menard county. was born in Scotland. December 23, 1812. a daughter of James and Rebecca ( Pardon) Park. also natives of the land of the heather. She sent her early girlhood days in Scotland. when she resided until 1863, when at the age of torats sears she became a resident of Peters- urz. Menard county. She was married in Scotland to William Finley on Tuesday, June 2. 1863, and the following Saturday they sailed for the United States. Leang nine weeks upon the water and g wick longer in reaching spring- field. Pbnol -.
Mr Finley, who was born in Is3;, was a life- long farmer, carrying on agricultural pursuits both in Scotland and in this country. He pur- chased a farm of one hundred and seventy-five heres near Petersburg, upon which his widow now resides and which has become recognized as the old Finley homestead. Throughout his remaining days he carried on agricultural pur- suits, placing his land under a high state of cultivation and making its fields to return to him good harvests as a reward for his care and labor. He continued to reside in Menard county until his death, which occurred AApril 11. 1899, when he was sixty-two years of age. Ilis loss was deeply felt by many friends as well as his immediate family. for in his life he had displayed many sterling traits of character. Business men enjoyed entering into trade transactions with him because he was straight- forward and reliable. He could be counted upon for active assistance in citizenship when the matter for consideration was one which iended to promote general welfare of the com- munity. In his family he was a devoted husband and father and he displayed in his life many of the sterling characteristics of the Scotch people.
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