USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 24
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GILES H. PENSTONE.
Among the residents of Pittsfield formerly identified with agricultural interests but now liv- ing retired, is numbered Giles H. Penstone, who took up his abode in this city in November, 1900. He was born in London, England, February 22, 1838, and is a son of Giles and Sarah (Stratton) Penstone, both of whom were natives of Berk- shire, England. The father was engaged in the dry-goods business in that country, having been apprenticed to the trade when fifteen years of age. In 1849 he came with his family to America,
settling first in Newburg township, Pike county. He there purchased eighty acres of land and for about eighteen years carried on the work of the farm, developing his place into a well improved property. He then retired from active farm life and removed to Griggsville, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. In the mean- time he added to his original possessions and in connection with his sons had become the owner of seven hundred and sixty-five acres of land in Newburg township. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters, and with the exception of one son all are yet living, namely : Giles H .; Edward, a resident of Pittsfield; Strat- ton, who is living in Newburg; Sarah, the wife of David Dolbow; and Ellen R., the wife of Will Kneeland of Griggsville.
Giles H. Penstone began his education in the schools of England and continued his studies after coming to America with his parents. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors of the fields as he as- sisted his father in the operation of the home farm. He did not leave home on attaining his majority, but, like the other brothers, continued their business associations with their father and. invested in land until, as before stated, they became the owners of valuable property. Through- out his entire business career Mr. Penstone of this review carried on general agricultural pursuits and lived upon the homestead in Newburg town- ship until his retirement from business life. In all that he did he was methodical and systematic, and his labors resulted in the acquirement of a handsome competence so that he is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil in a well earned rest.
At the time of the Civil war, responding to his country's call for aid, he enlisted in 1862, as a member of Company H, Seventy-third Regi- ment of Illinois Volunteers under Captain James R. Davidson, a Methodist Episcopal minister of Griggsville, and at the close of his services he was under command of Captain Joseph L. Mor- gan, of Quincy, Illinois. The regiment was at- tached to the Army of the Cumberland and he was engaged in the battles of Perryville and Stone River in 1862 and afterward in the en- gagements at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge,
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the Atlanta campaign, Kenesaw Mountain, Jones-' boro, Peach Tree Creek, Franklinville, Nashville and many skirmishes. He was wounded three times at Perryville in the arm, at Chickamauga in the leg and at Kenesaw Mountain in the left hip. After sustaining his last wound and while at Springfield he acted as head nurse in the hos- pital for six months.
When the war was over Mr. Penstone returned home and resumed farm work. He is now the owner of four hundred and fifty-five acres of valuable land in Newburg township and has placed all of the improvements upon the property, which is now a splendidly equipped farm with fine buildings and modern accessories to facil- itate the work of the fields and add to the at- tractive appearance of the place. He has erected a beautiful home and his land is as rich as any that can be found in the county. When he had acquired a handsome competence Mr. Penstone retired and removed to Pittsfield, where he now has a comfortable residence.
In 1867 was celebrated the marriage of Giles H. Penstone and Miss Julia E. Edom, a native of Lucas county, Ohio, born in 1840, and a daughter of Edward Edom, who came to Pike county in 1856. The father was a farmer by occupation and after devoting some years to gen- eral agricultural pursuits removed to Barry, where he conducted a hotel for twenty years, his death there occurring. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Penstone have been born two sons and four daughters: Charles H. and Edward G., who are living on their father's farm; May E., the wife of George Sanderson, a resident of Rock Island; Nettie, the wife of D. B. Welty, living in Oklahoma; Nellie, at home; and Clara M., who is a teacher in Griggsville.
Masonic fraternity. He also belongs to the Con- gregational church and served as deacon and trus- tee of the church at Griggsville for a long period. Residing in Pike county from the age of eleven years he has a wide acquaintance here and his business activity and integrity have stood as un- questioned facts in his career, bringing him suc- cess and an honored name simultaneously.
ABBIE A. HATCH.
Abbie A. Hatch, whose efforts have been an important factor in the intellectual development of Pike county, is a representative of one of the honored and prominent pioneer families of this part of the state, her parents being Isaac A. and Lydia (Baxter) Hatch. Her father was well known in Pike county, where his labors proved of the utmost value in the promotion of business and social progress. He was born in Hillsboro, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, on the 13th of September, 1812, and was of Welsh and Irish descent, although the family has been repre- sented in America through many generations. More than two and a half centuries ago the Hatch family was established in Connecticut and the descendants of the original settlers remained in the old Charter Oak state until Reuben Hatch, Sr., removed to New Hampshire. One of his brothers, also leaving the ancestral state, settled in Vermont and a third in Maine.
Reuben Hatch, Jr., father of Isaac Hatch, was born in New Hampshire, prepared for the prac- tice of medicine and surgery and became a dis- tinguished physician. He married Miss Lucy Andrews and they became the parents of nine children, of whom Isaac Hatch was the second in order of birth, his elder brother being Seth C. Hatch, who engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and at the time of the Civil war of- fered his services to the government, becoming surgeon in the Sixty-second Illinois Infantry. His last days were spent in Barry, Pike county, Illi- nois. O. M. Hatch became a distinguished citi-
Mr. Penstone is a republican and has been honored with some local offices, having served as township commissioner for twelve years and as justice of the peace for four years. He has likewise been school director for a number of years and his interest in the general welfare is that of a public-spirited citizen who puts forth effective personal effort for the good of the community. He belongs to W. W. Lawton post, No. 338, G. A. R., of Griggsville and he is a member of the zen of the state, prominent in republican circles.
ISAAC A HATCH
LIBRARY OF THE
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He served as clerk of the circuit court of Pike county for eight years, and for a similar period was the secretary of state in Illinois. He was thus the associate and contemporary of many of the distinguished residents of Illinois, who regarded him in matters of states- craft as every way their peer. Retiring from of- fice he took up his abode in Springfield, where he resided until the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1893. He was, however, connected with · business interests in Pike county, having extensive investments in a bank here. Sylvanus Hatch, now deceased, was a farmer of Pike county. Reuben, who has also passed away, was a merchant of Griggsville and at the time of the Civil war served as quartermaster in an Illinois regiment, his death being occasioned by disease contracted in the service. Rebecca was the wife of Alexander Starr, a merchant and politician in Griggsville. John has now passed away. Franklin, who was a farmer of Griggsville town- ship, is also deceased. Lucinda became the wife of D. B. Bush, of Portland, Oregon.
In the maternal line Miss Hatch of this review is descended from Major Isaac Andrews, who was an officer of the war of 1812. He was the father of Mrs. Reuben Hatch, who died in New Hampshire. Her husband afterward came to this state in January, 1836, settling at Griggsville, where he died when more than four score years of age.
Isaac Hatch, well known as a prominent and honored pioneer resident of Pike county, spent the first seventeen years of his life in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, and enjoyed the advantages of the public schools there but he was ambitious to acquire a still broader education and with this end in view went to Boston, Massachusetts, with a drover, thinking that in such an educational center he would have opportunity to continue his studies, but he found that a poor boy had lit- tle chance there and he had to turn his attention to something that would yield him a living. He therefore entered the employ of a gentleman who was engaged in dealing in West India goods, largely carrying on a wholesale trade. Mr. Hatch remained in Boston until 1832, when he returned to his native town and became a clerk in a gen-
eral mercantile store, retaining his residence in Hillsboro until he came to Illinois in 1835. From that time until after the inauguration of the Civil war his attention was largely given to trade.
as one of the wealthy men of the county. His ness he closed up his accounts on account of slow- ness in collection and not long afterward he re- ceived and accepted the appointment of revenue collector, being the first incumbent in this posi- tion in Pike and Brown counties. He served for several years, discharging his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity and giving general satisfaction to his superior officers, although he met with considerable opposition in the enforcement of the law, for this section of the state was rather a hotbed of discontent during the period of the Civil war, owing to the fact that there were many southern as well as northern families liv- ing in Pike county.
Mr. Hatch continued to fill the position of col- lector until 1864, after which he was variously employed until 1870, when he was urged by his friends to establish a banking business and in company with his brother, Hon. O. M. Hatch, formerly secretary of state, he opened a private bank. In 1873 the brother withdrew and in July of that year the bank was re-organized as a na- tional bank with Isaac Hatch as one of its large stockholders and most active managers. He placed the bank upon a safe conservative basis that awakened uniform confidence and secured a liberal patronage. His business methods were such as neither required nor sought disguise and lie had the full trust of the general public. In business matters he possessed sound judgment, which was rarely, if ever, at fault and each step was carefully and thoughtfully made, so that he ultimately reached the goal of success. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judicious investment in property and was the owner of several farms in this vicinity, being recognized as one of the wealthy men of the county. His life was indeed a very busy and useful one and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, so that his example is well worthy of emulation, showing the force and value of industry and integrity as active and es- sential factors in a prosperous business career.
IO
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Mr. Hatch never sought nor desired public office, nor did he ever belong to any secret soci- ety. He preferred to give his undivided atten- tion to his business affairs, regarding such in- terests as abundantly worthy of his best efforts, yet he was never remiss in the duties of citizen- ship and co-operated in many ineasures for the general good, but preferred to do his public serv- ice as a private citizen.
In early manhood he wedded Miss Lydia Bax- ter, a native of New Hampshire, in which state their marriage took place in 1840. Her father was Jonathan Baxter and further mention is made of the family in connection with the his- tory of John F. Hatch on another page of this work. Mrs. Hatch is an estimable lady of su- perior culture and refinement. By her marriage she had two children who reached adult age, Abbie A. and John F., while George died in in- fancy. The parents were members of the Con- gregational church in Griggsville and took a most active and helpful part in its work. Mr. Hatch was ever a student of the signs of the times, noted the trend of events and held firm opinions con- cerning the expediency and value of any meas- ure which was introduced for the public good. He never faltered to uphold a course which he believed to be right nor condemn one which he believed to be wrong and his labors proved an important element in the substantial progress and upbuilding of Pike county. He left the im- press of his individuality for good upon the pub- lic welfare and did much toward molding public thought and opinion.
Miss Abbie A. Hatch, his only daughter, ac- quired her early education in the public schools and when a young lady of seventeen entered the State Normal School at Normal, Illinois. After finishing her studies at this place she returned home and began teaching in Pike county. Soon after, however, she went to Cairo, Illinois, where she engaged in teaching for four years and then returned to Griggsville, where she taught school for fifteen or twenty years, having the ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowl- edge that she had acquired. She did much toward elevating the standard of public instruc- tion in this county and her efforts were of value
in the promotion of the school interests of Griggsville. She added to her own knowledge through travel, making many trips with her par- ents through the east and on various occasions visiting their old home in New Hampshire. She has also attended the Chautauqua assemblies at Chautauqua Lake, New York, on different occa- sions and the Bay View assemblies near Petoskey, Michigan. She has twice gone to California, vis- iting the various points of historic and scenic in- terest in the valleys and through the mountain dis- tricts of the far west, has also made three trips to Colorado, has visited Salt Lake and also traveled northward through Minnesota and Wisconsin. She has likewise gone to the northwestern portion of the country, journeying as far as Tacoma and, suiting her pleasure and convenience, has stopped off at various places en route to the west or upon the eastern trip. She is eligible to membership in the society of the Daughters of the Revolution both in the paternal and maternal line. Deeply interested in educational work. she has ever been zealous and conscientious in her efforts as a teacher and the efficiency and value of her labors is acknowldged by many who have come under her instruction.
CAPTAIN GEORGE BARBER.
Captain George Barber, the owner of five hun- dred acres of valuable and well improved land in Pike county, and a resident of Pittsfield, was born in this county in 1844, his parents being Austin and Caroline (Johnson) Barber. The father was born in Ohio in 1809, while the mother's birth oc- curred in Missouri, but both are now deceased. They came to Pike county in 1833, and Austin Barber conducted a general mercantile business in Pittsfield, being one of the first representatives of commercial interests in the town. Later he sold out and invested in land, entering his first farm from the government, but to this he added from time to time as his financial resources in- creased until he owned more than one thousand acres, five hundred acres of which lay in Pike county, while the remainder was in adjoining
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counties. He retained possession of this exten- sive property up to the time of his death, although he largely resided in Pittsfield. His business ca- reer was characterized by integrity, honor and industry and was well worthy of emulation. In community affairs he was actively and helpfully interested and served for four years as county clerk. He. was a stanch republican, prominent in the local ranks of the party and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Christian church. In his family were three sons, all of whom are living: Levi, who resides in Mc- Donough county, Illinois ; George, of this review, and Austin D., who is living in Hancock county and is president of the state board of agriculture. He is likewise very prominent in political circles.
Captain Barber pursued his education in the common schools of Pittsfield and when eighteen years of age enlisted in the United States army as a member of Company A, Ninety-ninth Regi- ment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was a non- commissioned officer and served for three years, campaigning in Missouri, after which he went to Vicksburg, subsequently to Texas and later to Mobile, Alabama. He participated in the battles of Magnolia Hill, Black River Bridge, Champion Hill, Jackson and the siege at Vicksburg from the 28th of April until the 4th of July, 1863. His regiment led the charge of Vicksburg, where one- third of its number were killed and wounded. The last engagements in which he participated were at Mobile, Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort.
After being mustered out Captain Barber re- turned home and for twelve years was engaged in the cultivation of one of the farms owned by his father. He then came to Pittsfield, where he engaged in the grocery business for ten years, and during most of the time since he has acted as deputy postmaster, which office he is still fill- ing. He has been a member of the National Guard for seventeen years, and when the Spanish- American war was inaugurated he once more offered his aid to his country, enlisting in Com- pany A, Fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was first lieutenant and was trans- ferred to Company B, after which ·he was pro- moted to the captaincy. He enlisted in Spring- field, was sent to Chickamauga Park and thence'
to Newport News, where the regiment took pas- sage on the transport, but just about that time peace was declared and they returned to Lex- ington, where they were mustered out.
Captain Barber was married in 1866 to Miss Mary Frances Hicks, a native of New York, now deceased. They were the parents of two children : Charles, who is a bookkeeper in the First Na- tional Bank in Pittsfield, and T. H., who is con- nected with the Deaf and Dumb Institute at Jack- sonville. For his second wife Captain Barber chose Leona Binns, who was born in Pike county and is a daughter of E. F. Binns, now deceased. He was prominent in political circles here and served as county clerk for one term.
Captain and Mrs. Barber occupy a fine home in Pittsfield one block south of the courthouse square, and in addition to this property he owns five hundred acres of valuable and productive farm land, well improved, and is associated with his son in the superintendency of this farm, where- on they are engaged in the raising of fine Here- ford cattle. In his political views Captain Barber is a stalwart republican and for several terms has served as supervisor of Pittsfield township. He belongs to Dick Gilmore post, No. 515, G. A. R., and both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. His entire life has been passed in Pike county and he has therefore been a wit- ness of its growth and development through more than six decades. His acquaintance is wide and favorable for his strong and salient characterist- ics in financial, political, official and social circles have been such as to gain for him the warm re- gard and friendship of those with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN WEBER.
John Weber, receiver for the Exchange Bank of Barry, is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He is a son of John and Margaret (Meis) Weber, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in 1841, settling in' Pitts- . burg, Pennsylvania, whence they afterward went to St. L'ouis, Missouri, where their son John was
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born. In 1844 they removed to Adams county, Illinois, where the father rented a farm for two years and then purchased the property which was located in Beverly township. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until within a few years of his death, his last days, however, being spent in honorable retirement from further labor. He made his home with his children and died in Adams county in 1886. Both he and his wife were earnest and upright Christian people, hold- ing membership in the Lutheran church, in which faith they had been reared. In their family were four children and the mother is still living, now making her home with her son John.
It was during his infancy that John Weber was taken to Adams county, Illinois, where he was reared in the parental home amid pioneer scenes and environments. He attended school in a prim- itive frame building where the seats were made of split logs resting upon wooden pins. He be- gan work upon the farm when a small boy and at the age of twenty-one years he left home and turned his attention to the profession of teaching, which he followed for two terms. He afterward clerked for one season in a store and later he opened an establishment of his own in Kingston, where he engaged in business for two years. At the end of that time he sold out there and with his brother-in-law purchased the flour mill in that town. Six years later he disposed of his interest in the mill and was engaged in teaching through two terms of school.
In June, 1877, Mr. Weber came to Barry and in the fall of that year purchased the Empire House, which he managed for three years. After disposing of his hotel interests he traveled for a few months in the west and on his return pur- chased a grocery store in Barry, which he con- ducted for six years. He then sold out and be- came proprietor of a warehouse, being thus identi- fied with the business interests of the city for some time, while at the present writing he is receiver for the Exchange Bank.
Mr. Weber was married in 1867 to Miss Rosa Perkins, a native of Adams county, Illinois, and a daughter of B. C. and Isabel (High) Perkins. Unto this union have been born four children : Ralph K., Harry, Nettie and Cora. In his po-
litical views Mr. Weber is a republican and for six years served as a member of the city council. He has also been a member of the school board and was township supervisor of Barry township.
JOHN G. MCKINNEY, M. D.
Dr. John G. Mckinney, who in former years, was actively engaged in the general practice of medicine, but now confines his attention largely to office and consultation practice in Barry, is classed with the prominent and representative citi- zens of Pike county, the qualities of his manhood, aside from his professional ability, winning for him public regard and favor. A native of Ohio, he was born in Cadiz, Harrison county, December 27, 1835. The family is supposed to be of Scotch lineage. It is definitely known that the great-grandfather was a sea captain, who for some years resided on the Isle of Man. He was lost at sea with his ship. His son, George Mc- Kinney, however, grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that country. He was also married on the Green Isle of Erin and with his first wife came to the United States, establishing his home in Harrison county, Ohio, at an early epoch in its history, remaining a resident of that locality up to the time of his demise. He was a tailor by trade. By his first marriage he had one son, William, and by his second marriage had four sons who reached adult age, John, George, Fryar and James.
The last named was the father of Dr. McKin- ney of this review. He was probably born in Ohio, and at all events he spent the period of his. youth in that state, where he learned and fol- lowed the trade of a carpenter and joiner, con- ducting business at Cadiz until 1837, when he emi- grated westward to Illinois, accompanied by his wife and five children. The journey was made by way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and they landed at Phillips' ferry, the present site of Valley City. James McKinney chose as a lo- cation a tract of land about a milc southwest of Griggsville, which at that time was a small village
DR. JOHN G. MCKINNEY
ITARY US THE ir UP ILINOIS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
containing but one or two houses. The entire county showed every evidence of frontier life for there were no railroads and the work of develop- ment seemed scarcely begun. Only here and there had a little clearing been made to indicate that the work of improvement had commenced, which in due course of time produced a wonderful trans- formation in the appearance of this part of the state. Much of the land was still in possession of the government but as James McKinney had in- sufficient capital for the purchase of property, he rented land for three years. He then received from his father some money and he entered a tract of land from the government for his two sons, George W. and John G. Mckinney, this tract be- ing located in what is known as New Salem township. He built thereon a hewed log cabin covered with rived shingles, which was consid- ered the best building in that section of the county at that time. Mr. Mckinney continued to carry on building operations most of the time, but when not thus engaged his attention was given to the cutlivation and improvement of his land on which he lived for about ten years. He then purchased an improved tract of land about two miles north- east of Baylis, making his home thereon until about 1864, when he became a resident of Sardorus township, Champaign county, Illinois, having sold his property in Pike county. Following his re- moval he invested in a tract of prairie land upon which only a few improvements had been made. He continued its further cultivation until 1877, when he established his home in Plainville, Adams county, Illinois, purchasing a home there, and afterward buying lots and building a house, which remained his home until his death. His wife then bore the maiden name of Mary Orr and was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of James Orr. Mrs. McKinney was one of the worthy pioneer women, did the work that usually fell to the lot of wives, mothers and daughters of the frontier settlers, cooking over a fireplace and weaving both wool and flax. She died in Champaign county, Illinois, at an ad- vanced age. In the family were seven sons and two daughters.
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