USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 25
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farm on section 35, Cerro Gordo town- ship, which at that time was only partially improved. The place 'consisted of two hundred and forty acres, to which he sub- sequently added forty acres, but he later , sold eighty acres, so that he to-day has two hundred acres of as fine farming land as is to be found in the state. He has erected thereon a large and substantial barn, sixty by ninety fcet with a brick floor, and capable of accommodating twenty horses, and has also built two cat- tle stables which will shelter thirty head. He has a corn-crib which holds about twenty-five hundred bushels and also has storage room for twenty-eight hundred bushels of small grain besides seven hun- dred bushels of oats in the feed bin. He has a good system of private water works upon his farm, and has spent between five and six thousand dollars on improvements since locating here, making his place one of the most desirable farms of its size in this section of the state.
To his industry, enterprise and good management Mr. Fulk owes much of his . success in life, but he also gives his wife credit for her share in the same as she has proved to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey, aiding him in every possible way by her encouragement and cheerfulness as well as by her labor. They are active members of the German Baptist church of Cerro Gordo, in which he is serving as deacon, and they have the respect and confidence of all who know them. Mr. Fulk is now practically living retired while two hired men operate his farm, although he still gives his personal supervision to the work. During eight of the nine years while living on the Kuns farm he served as school director and has
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ever given an earnest support to those measures calculated to advance the edu- cational, moral and material welfare of the community in which he resides. He is therefore justly entitled to prominent mention in the history of his adopted county.
WILLIAM L. LORD, D. D. S.
Although one of the more recent addi- tions to the professional circles of Piatt county, during the five years of his residence in Monticello, Dr. Lord has gained a prom- inent position as one of the leading dentists here, having a large and growing practice. Dentistry is unique among the professions, in that it demands three elements for suc- cess-marked technical knowledge, mechan- ical skill and the ability to handle the finan- cial interests of the work. He must not only be well equipped in the knowledge which can be gained from text books, but he must also have the power to handle, with mechan- ical precision, the varied and delicate little instruments with which work upon the teeth is executed. In all these lines .Dr. Lord is well equipped for his professional work, and has attained a high degree of suc- cess in the prosecution of his chosen calling.
A native of Iowa, Dr. Lord was born in the city of DesMoines, on the 8th of June, 1857. His father, P. A. Lord, is a native of Ohio, but removed to Iowa in 1856, and there engaged in merchandising. Later he made his way to the Pacific coast, where he spent six years, and on the expiration of that period he returned to the east, taking up his abode in Monticello, Illinois, where he carried on merchandising for a number of years. He was one of the leading represent-
atives of business interests here, and his ef- forts added greatly to the commercial activ- ity of the city. He married Miss Margaret Oliver, of Mechanicsburg, Illinois, in which place she was born, reared and married. Her death occurred in Monticello, in April, 1899, and was deeply lamented by many friends, who had learned to prize highly her sterling worth and her faithful friend- ship. After the death of his wife P. A. Lord, having disposed of all his property in Monticello, removed to Springfield, Illinois, where he is now living, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, his birth having occurred in October, 1829.
Dr. William L. Lord spent his boyhood days in Logan county, Illinois, and attended the public schools of Mount Pulaski, acquir- ing a good English education. Determining to make the practice of dentistry his life work he then entered upon preparation for that calling as a student in the office of Dr. D. M. Doty, of Mount Pulaski. He com- pleted his studies by attending for one term the dental school in Washington Territory, and then successfully passing an examina- tion before the state board, he received a cer- tificate to practice and located in Mount Pu- laski.
In 1884 Dr. Lord located in Dayton, the county seat of Columbia county, Washing- ton, where he engaged in practice for four years, or until 1888. He then returned to Mount Pulaski. Illinois, but after a short time removed to Homer, Illinois, where he practiced successfully for nine years. He then came to Monticello, arriving on the 26th of January, 1898. Here he has since built up a good practice, having a well ap- pointed office supplied with everything nec- essary for the successful prosecution of his work in accordance with modern improved'
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methods. He has always kept abreast with the progress of the times in the science of dentistry, and in no profession has there been made more marked advance than in the one to which Dr. Lord devoted his energies.
On Christmas day of 1879 Dr. Lord was happily married to Miss Mary Eve Mathews, who was born in Mount Pulaski, Illinois, December 1I, 1858. They became the parents of seven children, four still liv- ing, namely : Ralph O., who is assistant gen- eral agent of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad at Sprinfield, Illinois ; Ada, L., the wife of Carl Motherspaw, of Peoria, Illinois ; Hilma and Eldon H., who are at home. On the 13th of January, 1900, Mrs. Lord was called to her final rest. She had made many friends during her brief resi- dence in Monticello and here, as in other places where she had lived, her death was deeply mourned by those who knew her. Perhaps no better estimate of her character and life can be given than was presented in the obituary notice published in one of the Monticello papers, which said: "Mrs. Lord was a devoted, faithful wife, a tender and indulgent mother and a kind and thoughtful neighbor. In times of sickness and distress she was ever ready to offer her assistance in any capacity it might be needed. Her na- ture was broad and generous, and no needy one ever appealed to her for aid in vain. She was an accomplished artist, who de- lighted in the beautiful and her home was adorned with many specimens of her talent and skill. Mrs. Lord was a member of the Christian church, was of a deeply religious nature, but was quiet and unostentatious in her belief. She believed in deeds, not words, as an expression of her faith, and in her life she certainly exemplified the true spirit of Christianity. She was a member of the
Royal Neighbors of America and other fra- ternal organizations, and in their beneficent work took an active part. The funeral serv- ices were in charge of the Monticello Royal Neighbor Camp, and the funeral sermon was pronounced by the Rev. W. S. Calhoun, then amid the flowers which she loved so well-a very profusion of beautiful floral offerings-she was laid to rest."
Dr. Lord, in the line of his profession, holds membership with the Washington State Dental Society, and Eastern Illinois society. He is a gentleman of many excel- lent traits of character, not the least of which is his public-spirited citizenship and his deep and helpful interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare. In man- ner he is cordial and genial, and his unfail- ing courtesy has rendered him popular with those whom he has met-and his acquaint- ance is a wide one. His attention, like that of the enterprising business man, is chiefly given to his profession, and by his skill and ability he has won the liberal patronage which is to-day accorded him.
SYLVESTER WILHELMY, M. D.
Sylvester Wilhelmy is a young man of strong nature and marked force of character who could never content him- self with mediocrity. He has engaged in practice in the village of La Place only since the 29th of October, 1902, but has already won public recognition of his skill. Dr. Wilhelmy is a native of Decatur, Illinois, and was born on the 27th of September, ber. 1875. His parents, Jacob and Mary Wilhelmy are residents of Decatur and the father is there engaged in teaching music.
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This worthy couple are the parents of six children, of whom Dr. Sylvester Wilhelmy is the second son. The eldest is Dr. A. F. Wilhelmny, a medical practitioner in Deca- tur. The daughter Mrs. E. E. Edwards resides in the village of Cerro Gordo. Mrs. Charles Edie and Mrs. Charles Pease are residents of Decatur.
In the public schools of his native city Dr. Wilhelmy of this review acquired his early education and in Decatur continued his studies until he had completed the high school course by graduation with the class of 1897. Desiring to enter upon professional life and making choice of the practice of medicine as his preferred oc- cupation, he then went to Cincinnati, where he entered upon preparation for his chosen calling as a student. in the Cincin- nati Medical College, in which he re- mained for four years. He was also an at- tendant in the hospital of the same college and thus gained broad, practical exper- ience as well as theoretical knowledge. He was graduated from the institution with the class of 1901, receiving his diploma of practice in May of the same year. He was class orator the same year, which is the highest honor of the class. He then returned to Macon county and, locating west of Decatur, entered upon his professional career there. After about a year and a half he came to La Place and purchased the practice of Dr. Davidson, since which time he has been located here, steadily . gaining favor with the public as his capability is evidenced.
Dr. Wilhelmy was married in Cincin- nati to Miss Ida Sanker, a native of Cin- cinnati and they have a nice residence in La Place where gracious hospitality is dispensed. The Doctor is connected with
the Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp in La Place and is a Republican in politics, while his religious faith is in- dicated by his membership in the Episco- pal church in Decatur. As there is no drug store in La Place he carries quite a large stock of drugs in his office and he has built up quite an extensive practice, especially through the country.
THOMAS J. MITCHELL, M. D.
Dr. Thomas J. Mitchell has reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey and after many years of active and honorable connection with the medical fraternity he is now living a retired life. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, June 18, 1823, a son of Christopher and Mary A. (Lillibridge) Mitchell. His paternal grand- father was one of the heroes of the Revolu- tionary war and his father loyally served the country in the war of 1812. His birth occurred in Herkimer county, New York, and in early manhood he removed to Chau- tauqua county of the same state. 'As a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he married Mary Lillibridge, who was born in Rhode Island and was left an orphan at the age of ten years. About that time she went to New York and it was in that state that she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Mitch- ell, to whom she afterward gave her hand in marriage. A farmer by occupation, he devoted his energies to that pursuit through- out his entire business career and he died in the Empire state at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife also reached a ripe old age, passing away in her eighti- eth year. She was the mother of twelve
DR T. J. MITCHELL
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children, of whom but three are now living, the Doctor and one brother and a sister. Both of the parents were laid to rest on the old home farm in New York, where Doctor Mitchell's birth occurred.
In the place of his nativity the Doctor remained until the time when he had at- tained his majority and he acquired his early education in the common schools of the locality. He.afterward became a student in the Academy at Fredonia, Chautauqua county, and when he had completed his academic course he began the study of medi- cine and was graduated from the Louisville Medical College of Louisville, Kentucky. On the completion of that course he re- turned to New York, where he resided for a short time, but, thinking that a more west- ern district would prove a better location, he started for Ohio and on the Ist of Jan- uary, 1850, he opened an office in Ironton, Ohio, on the Ohio river. There he contin- ued for about two years, removing thence to Lucasville, Ohio, where he continued in the practice of his chosen profession until the fall of 1853. That year witnessed his arrival in Piatt county, Illinois. He made the journey westward by wagon, after the primitive manner of the times and located in Mackville, where he practiced for about eighteen years, his professional skill and ability gaining for him a large patronage. He then removed to Milmine, where he re- sided for five years and on the expiration · of that period he came to the village of Be- ment, where he has since made his home, continuing in active practice until about 1895, since which time he has lived retired. He was a member of the Piatt County Med- ical Society and a physician of broad learn- ing and wide experience. He continually added to his knowledge through reading
and research and his practice embraced al- most every department of the medical sci- ence. He became the loved family physi- cian in many a household. There is no man in business life who holds a more confiden- tial relation to his patrons than does the physician and there is no represesentative of the profession who has had stricter re- gard for the ethics of the fraternity than has Doctor Mitchell. Of a hopeful nature, he carried cheer and. sunshine into many a home and his appearance was an effective supplement to the medicines he administered.
In Lucasville, Ohio, in 1851, Doctor Mitchell was united in marriage to Mrs. Nan- cy A. Tabor. the widow of Edwin A. Tabor. They became the parents of a daughter, Mary A., who is now the wife of James A. Hawks, of Atwood, Illinois. Mr. Hawks is a native of New York and came to the west in 1869. He engaged in teaching school at Mackville, Illinois, for four terms after . arriving in Piatt county and then became en- gaged in general merchandising. After a time, however, he turned his attention to the milling business and is a prominent and in- fluential representative of business inter- ests in Atwood. At the time of the Civil war he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting from New York in. Battery G, Third New York Light Artillery. He participated in the battles of Roanoke Is- land, Plymouth and Kingston and was never wounded, but was captured and for one month was incarcerated in Libby Pris- on. At the close of the war he returned to his home and he soon afterward cast in his lot with the residents of Piatt county, Illinois, where in 1877 he married Miss Mary Mitchell. At one time he served as township treasurer and supervisor, and in matters pertaining to the general good he
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has always been public-spirited and progres- sive. He is now successfully engaged in business in Atwood as a grain merchant, lumber dealer and banker, and his efforts have been effective in promoting commercial activity and prosperity of the town, where he resides. Unto him and his wife has been born a daughter, Mildred C., who is now seventeen years of age. By her first mar- riage Mrs. Mitchell had a daughter, Susan L., who is now the wife of C. H. McCoy, of North Yakima, Washington.
In 1900 the Doctor was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 7th of March of that year in Bement, where her remains were interred. She was a daughter of Thomas Boyle, of Louisville, Kentucky, who was a large mill owner, owning and operating an extensive gristmill at the time of his demise. The Doctor aft- erward married Mrs. Susan C. Sampson, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and is a sister of his first wife.
Doctor Mitchell has ever been deeply interested in the welfare and advance- ment of his country and when the stability of the Union was threatened by the secession movement in the south he offered his services to the govern- ment and valiantly aided in its defense. For fifteen months prior to his own enlist- ment he was engaged in recruiting and helped to raise nine companies, but for such service he received no remuneration. It was on the 13th of August, 1862, that he enlist- ed, being assigned to duty in Company H, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. With that command he served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennes- see, in May, 1865. He participated in the battles of Resaca and Rocky Face Creek in
Tennessee, and on the 12th of May, 1865, he was commissioned surgeon of the Eighth Tennessee Mounted Infantry at Nashville. He is now a member of the Grand Army Post at Bement, and thus maintains pleas- ant relations with his old army comrades. At the close of the war he returned to Piatt county, where he has continuously made his home, and no resident of this section of the state is more highly or justly honored. His life work has been of value to the people among whom he has lived. His fidelity to honorable principles has been above question and his life record should serve as an ex- ample to the young and an inspiration to the aged.
CARLETON ORR BOOTH, M. D.
Dr. Carleton O. Booth, who is suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of medi- cine and surgery at De Land, Illinois, was born in McDonough county, this state, on the 9th of July, 1871, and is a son of Robert and Dora (Jennings) Booth. The father, who is of Irish descent, was born in Youngstown, Ohio, June 20, 1833, and in early life came to Illinois, settling on his grandfather's farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Macomb, McDonough county. Later he purchased the prop- erty and continues to make his home thereon, his entire life having been de- voted to agricultural pursuits. In Octo- ber, 1869, he married Miss Dora Jen- nings, a daughter of Harvey and Cornelia Jennings, who also lived on a farm near Macomb. She was born November 24, 1851, at Quincy, Illinois, and is descended from an old Connecticut family. The Doc-
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tor is the oldest in a family of three chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy. His sister, Alta Belle, was born August 29, 1877, and is now the wife of Fred D. Rex- roat, a farmer of McDonough county. An uncle. James O. Booth, is a well-known farmer of Blue Ridge township, Piatt county.
Dr. Booth began his education in the common schools of McDonough county and afterward attended the Western Il- linois Normal College at Macomb. gradu- ating in the literary and commercial de- partments in 1893. For nine years he suc- cessfully engaged in teaching school and now holds a teacher's life certificate in both · Illinois and Missouri. . On abandon- ing the teacher's profession, he entered Barnes Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, and was graduated at that in- stitution in 1901, with the degree of M. D. Prior to this time he was graduated at the College of Electro Therapeutics of Lima, Ohio, October 5, 1899, and was gradu- ated with the degree of M. E. On the 7th of September, 1901, Dr. Booth located in DeLand and purchased the office building he has since occupied. He was not long in building up a good practice, meeting with success from the start, and being a young man of pleasing social qualities he stands high in both social and profession- al circles.
On the 15th of October, 1902, Dr. Booth was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Houk, a daughter of William and Rebecca Houk. Her father died several years ago and her mother was subsequent- ly married to Mr. Fry, of Paris, Illinois, where they are now living. The Doctor is a member of DeLand Lodge, No. 812, A. F. & A. M .. of DeLand; Twentieth
Century Lodge, No. 603, K. P., of De- Land; DeLand Post, No. 131, F. A. of A .; and Rosel Hadd Temple, No. 72, D. O. K. K., at Macomb. His excellent knowl- edge of the profession which he has chos- en as a life work has gained for him the public confidence and a liberal patronage, and his pleasant, genial manner has won the friendship of those with whom he has been brought in contact in any relation of life.
HENRY P. HARRIS.
For fourteen years Henry P. Harris has been connected with mercantile interests in Monticello as a hardware merchant and pre- vious to that time he was a representative of agricultural life in Piatt county. He has won for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and one whose success is well deserved, as in him are em- braced the qualities of unabating energy, un- faltering honesty and industry that never flags. He is now dealing in hardware, stoves and tinware, and also does a business as a dealer in plumbing and heating appa- ratus.
Mr. Harris is numbered among Piatt county's native sons, his birth having oc- curred upon a farm here. His parents were William .H. and Ann Eliza (Hart) Harris, the latter a daughter of James Hart, a native of Kentucky, who settled in Piatt county in 1836. among its pioneer settlers, the work of improvement and development having scarcely been begun in this section of the state at that time. After his marriage Mr. Harris took up his abode in Monticello town- ship and became one of the prosperous farm- ers of Piatt county. His investments were
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carefully made, his business conducted along practical and progressive lines, and thus he won prosperity in his undertakings. His first wife died leaving four children : Henry Payne, Rebecca J., Sally A. and James Wil- liam. Mr. Harris afterward married. again and by that union there was one son. The father of our subject passed away in 1869 and his widow later became the wife of Wil- liam Branch.
In taking up the personal history of Henry Payne Harris we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in his native county and central Illinois. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads who spend their youth in mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools and in learning the methods of farm work in the fields and meadows. After leaving the common schools he resumed his farm work in Monti- cello township, and there engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising, following these pursuits until 1889, when, deciding that he wished to engage in mercantile pur- suits, he came to Monticello and purchased an interest in a hardware store, formerly owned by Mr. Ferra. In this enterprise Mr. Harris became a partner of W. S. Ridgely under the firm style of Harris & Ridgely. and this connection was continued until 1897, when Mr. Harris purchased his part- ner's interest and has since been sole pro- prietor. He carries a large and carefully se- lected stock of goods fitted to meet the re- quirements of a varied trade, and he now has a large patronage, his business having assumed profitable proportions.
Mr. Harris has been honored with pub- lic office and served for two years as a mem- ber of the city council, during which time the Monticello water works were established
and the electric light plant was also built. In the spring of 1903 he was elected super- visor of Monticello township, for a term of two years, and is now filling that position. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is a genial gentleman who has a wide acquaintance and many friends. During fourteen years he has been account- ed one of the leading business men of Mon- ticello, his efforts promoting its commercial activity and consequent prosperity while at the same time they have advanced his in- dividual success.
JOHN C. BARNHART.
John C. Barnhart is numbered among the honored veterans of the Civil war. It is usually found that the soldier, all else being equal, makes a citizen of rare value. His army experience teaches him precision, to- gether with rapidity and exactness of move- ment, his duty to his country is paramount, and these characteristics developed amid the scenes of battle or upon the tented field, are apt to remain with him throughout the years of an active manhood. John C. Barn- hart won distinction in the Civil war as a most patriotic defender of the stars and stripes. He stands to-day as one of the distinguished citizens of Cerro Gordo, a man who in all life's relations is true to duty and principle.
Mr. Barnhart was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, December 27, 1836, and has been a resident of Piatt county since 1864, his home being in the village of Cerro Gor- do. He is a son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Whitehurst) Barnhart, both of whom are natives of Ohio. The father was twice ma :-
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