Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 34

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760


USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 34


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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rowand was born a daugh- ter, Maie, who is now the wife of Captain John T. Nance, commanding Company I, Ninth Cali- fornia Regiment of the United States Regulars, located at Berkeley, California. He is also in- structor in the State University there and has served on the staff of General McArthur and Fred Grant and General Chaffee. Captain and Mrs. Nance have one son, Curtis H., who has recently graduated from the State University. In 1891, Mr. Rowand was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 29th of July of that year. On the Ist of September, 1892, he married Mrs. Ella H. Mc- Clain, nee Hoyle, who was born in Pike county, May 31, 1859. By her first husband she had one son, George Montgomery McClain, who was born in 1833 and is now assisting in the Rowand drug store. Mrs. Rowand is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hillman) Hoyle, the former a native of England, and the latter of


Ohio, in which state she was reared by a family of Friends or Quakers. In his boyhood days George Hoyle accompanied his parents to Ken- tucky, and the family afterward came to Pike county, Illinois, casting in their lot with the pio- neer settlers here. Mr. Hoyle followed the oc- cupation of farming, continuing his connection with agricultural pursuits in Pike county up to the time of his death.


Mr. Rowand has been engaged in the drug business in Barry on his own account since he purchased his father's store in 1897. He is now proprietor of the best establishment of this char- acter in the city, the store being neat and tasteful in its appointments and equipped with a large line of drugs and kindred supplies. He also owns a fine home on Diamond Hill, where he resides. Recognized as a stalwart advocate and earnest worker in the ranks of the republican party in his. county, he has been called to public office and has been a member of the city council, also city clerk and clerk of Barry township. He is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Barry lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., and Barry chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., while both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Eastern Star. He is an Odd Fellow, connected with New Canton Militant, thus re- ceiving the highest rank in Odd Fellowship. He has been noble grand, and has occupied all of the chairs in the order. A charter member of John Tucker post, No. 154, G. A. R., he has served as its commander for the past three years, and has recently been re-elected to that office. His wife is an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps and of the Eastern Star. His interest and activity thus touch many lines relating to material, social and moral progress, and the legal and political status of the community.


PERRY C. ALLEN.


Perry C. Allen, district agent for the Phoenix Insurance Company of Brooklyn, New York, agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, of the Royal Insurance Company of Liverpool, England, the Northern Assurance


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Company of London, England, and the Insurance Company of North America at Philadelphia, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, on the 29th of September, 1867, his parents being Joseph M. and Ruth A. (Wells) Allen, of Pike county. The father was born in Kentucky and was a son of David Allen, also a native of that state. In Ken- tucky he followed the occupation of farming until 1865, when he came to Pike county, Illinois, settling near Pittsfield upon a farm of one hun- dred and six acres, which he purchased. Subse- quently he sold that property and later bought one hundred and eighty-four acres near Pleasant Hill, carrying on general agricultural pursuits there until 1891, when he sold out and returned to Kentucky, where he was born, in order that he might take care of his aged father. He, however, became ill and died before his father. He passed away in 1893, at the age of eighty-six years, while Joseph M. Allen died in 1891, at the age of fifty- four years. His widow is still living and makes her home in Pittsfield. In their family were four sons: Perry C .; Will E., who married Mamie Hoyl and lives in Pueblo, Colorado, where he is engaged in mining; George W., living in Pittsfield ; and Joseph C., also of this city.


Perry C. Allen acquired his education in the common schools of this county and in the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Illinois, and en- tered business life for himself when twenty-six years of age, becoming proprietor of a livery stable which he conducted for three years, when on account of losing his right arm as the result of a fall he was obliged to sell out. After going to St. Louis, however, and having his arm am- putated he resumed business as a liveryman and continued in that line for two years, when failing health again obliged him to sell out and he turned his attention to the insurance business in 1897. To this he has since given his time and energies. He entered the employ of the Phoenix Insurance Company, and was so successful that in 1904 he was promoted to the position of dis- trict agent in association with his former partner, G. H. Wike, of Barry, Illinois. He is now dis- trict agent for the Phoenix Insurance Company for western Illinois, appointing agents and super- intending their work in this part of the state. He


also represents the Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany of New York, the Royal Insurance Com- pany of Liverpool, England, the Northern Assur- ance Company of North America and writes a large amount of business each year. He is also coal oil inspector for Pike county.


In 1892 Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Sitton, of Nebo, Illinois, and they had two children: Merrill, born in 1894; and Minnie in 1896. The wife and mother died in the latter year, and Mr. Allen has again been mar- ried, Miss Daisy Hawkins, of Cincinnati, Ohio, becoming his wife in 1903. They have one child, Marion, born in 1904.


In his political views Mr. Allen is a democrat and for four years has held the office of justice of the peace. He belongs to Pericles lodge, No. 428, Knights of Pythias, at Perry, Illinois, is a member of the Fraternal Mystic Circle of Colum- bus, Ohio, and the tribe of Ben Hur at Craw- fordsville, Indiana. His religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Christian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church. He owns a beautiful home in the south- eastern part of Pittsfield, standing in the midst of a half block of land. It is indeed one of the finest and most attractive residences of the city, pleasantly situated about two blocks from the public square. He has his office on the west side of the square with the Pike County Abstract Company, and is justly regarded as a most ener- getic, enterprising man, who in his business ex- emplifies the typical spirit of the west.


GEORGE W. SMITH


George W: Smith, who carries on general agricultural pursuits on section 35, Hardin town- ship, and is also well known as a stock-raiser and feeder, has a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, which is well improved. It is a valuable tract of land, responding readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Smith has been a lifelong representative of agricultural interests in Pike county. His birth occurred in Hadley township, September 24, 1868, his parents being Jesse A. and Elizabeth (Robertson) Smith. The


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father was a native of Virginia and was a son of Jesse B. Smith, whose birth also occurred in the Old Dominion, whence he removed with his family to Illinois about 1847, settling in Pike county. Here Jesse A. Smith on arriving at years of maturity wedded Mrs. Elizabeth Robertson, nee Montgomery. He chose farming as a life work and improved a tract of land in Hadley township, where he lived for some years, after which he removed to Pleasant Hill township. He afterward began the development of another farm, upon which he continued for several years, and reared his family there. Eventually he disposed of that property and bought the place upon which his son, George W. Smith, now resides, owning there one hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land. He continued the work of farming and further improving the property and he built to and remodeled his house. In all of his labor he was energetic and progressive and the splendid appearance of his property was indicative of his life of activity and unfaltering determination. He spent his remaining days upon the old farm homestead, here passing away in 1899, while his wife died the year previous. In the family were three children: George W., of this review ; Jesse, a resident farmer of Hardin township; and Margaret, who became the wife of Samuel Windmiller, but both are now de- ceased.


George W. Smith largely passed his youth in Pleasant Hill township, where he acquired a common-school education. He remained with his father until the latter's death and assisted in carrying on the work of the home farm. Fol- lowing his father's demise he took charge of the property and business, succeeding to a part of the old homestead. On the 31st of August, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lord, who was born and reared in Martinsburg township, and is a daughter of Curtis Lord, one of the early settlers from Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had no children of their own but have reared the two children of a deceased sister, Anna and C. Bliss Windmiller. The latter is a student in the home school.


Politically Mr. Smith is a democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for William Jennings


Bryan. He was elected and served for two terms as assessor and is recognized as an active worker in the ranks of his party, serving as a delegate to county conventions and doing all in his power to promote democratic successes. His wife is a mem- ber of the Church of Christ of Martinsburg. Mr. Smith is recognized as one of the active, pros- perous and well-to-do agriculturists of Hardin township, carefully carrying on the work of the fields as well as stock-raising. His entire life has been passed in Pike county, where he is recognized as a man of good business ability, having the confidence and esteem of the commu- nity. His home is one of hospitality and good cheer and he and his estimable wife have a large circle of warm friends.


JAMES A. FARRAND.


James A. Farrand, one of the organizers of the Illinois Valley Bank of Griggsville and now serving as second vice-president of that institu- tion, was born in this city, September 16, 1854. The Farrands were descended from a French Hu- guenot family, whose estates were forfeited in the persecution of the sixteenth and early part of the seventeenth centuries. Some of the family, es- caping from France, appear to have settled in England on the border of Wales, while others went to the north of Ireland and tradition says that the branch of the family to which our subject belongs was descended from those who became residents of the Emerald Isle. In France the name was sometimes spelled Ferrand. James A. Farrand traces his ancestry back to Nathaniel, who became a resident of Milford, Connecticut, in 1645 and comes on down the line through Nathaniel Farrand, second; Samuel Farrand, who toward the close of the seventeenth century settled in Newark, New Jersey; Ebenezer Farrand, who lived in Bloomfield, New Jersey, to Bethuel Far- rand, who lived in Parsippany, Morris county, New Jersey, and who was the 'great-grandfather of our subject. He was enrolled among the Jersey provincials, held a lieutenant's commission and


J. A. FARRAND


LIBRARY Of THE INMIDNATT Y GT HEL NDIS.


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commanded a company of troops in the Revolu- tionary war, serving with honor and distinction. His wife, Rhoda Smith. Farrand, was the heroine of a ballad written by her great-granddaughter, Eleanor A. Hunter, celebrating her arduous and heroic work in behalf of the soldiers in response to a letter from her husband, who told of the hard conditions which the army were undergoing at Morristown, that many of the men were bare- footed and were walking with bleeding feet in the snow. He sent his letter with a request for stock- ings and immediately setting her daughters to work at the task of knitting them she instructed her son Dan to hitch the horses to the wagon and drive to the neighbors to solicit their aid and on the way Mrs. Farrand, seated in a chair, also con- tinued the work of knitting. She took her famous ride on Saturday and on Monday, owing to the untiring industry of the women and girls of the neighborhood, she was able to carry one hundred and thirty-three pairs to the soldiers at Morris- town. The marriage of Bethuel Farrand and Rhoda Smith occurred in 1762 and they became the parents of eleven children.


Samuel Farrand, the seventh child of this fam- ily, was born September 7, 1781, and was married in 1806 to Mary Kitchel, who was born June 14, 1789. They removed to Leoni, Michigan, in 1835 and there shared in the hardships of frontier life. Samuel Farrand died in 1848, while his wife's death occurred in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1856.


Their son, Elbridge Gerry Farrand, was the father of James A. Farrand and was born in Ad- dison county, Vermont, November 13, 1814. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mc- Williams, a daughter of James McWilliams, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 12, 1802, and was a son of Alexander McWilliams, who was born on shipboard while his parents were en route to America in 1776. He was of Scotch descent and the family home was estab- lished at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where Alex- ander McWilliams acquired his education. At the age of twenty-two years he married Miss Jane Paxton, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and unto them were born three children, of whom James was the youngest. The mother died in 1803 and the father afterward married again, hav-


ing eleven children by the second union. He died at his home in Ohio at the age of sixty-five years.


James McWillams, the maternal grandfather of James A. Farrand, acquired the greater part of his education in the schools of Ohio and in his youth was largely employed on his father's farm. In 1824 he married Margaret Latimer, a daughter of Alexander Latimer, formerly of Scotland. They had a family of eight children and in 1834 Mr. McWilliams removed to Illinois, spending the succeeding winter at Naples. In the spring of 1835 he took up his abode on a farm near Griggs- ville, Pike county, :and on the 28th of December. 1838, his wife died there. In June, 1839, he mar- ried Lucretia Prescott, a native of Groton, Massa- chusetts. In 1838 Mr. MeWilliams was elected to the Illinois legislature from Pike county on the democratic ticket, serving during the last session held at Vandalia and the first session held in Springfield. In 1848 he engaged in the lumber trade, which business he carried on for many years. During the period of the Civil war he was a stanch supporter of Lincoln's administration and his son, Captain John McWilliams, served for ninety days in the Eighth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Richard Oglesby. Immediately after returning home he re-enlisted and was with Sherman on the cele- brated march to the sea.


Elbridge G. Farrand left his native state at the age of eighteen years and. went to Michigan, · where he remained until 1845, in which year he removed to Morgan county, Illinois. In 1849 he went to California, where he remained until 1852, when he returned to Morgan county, Illinois, but soon afterward came to Griggsville. Here he was a member of the mercantile firm of R. B. Hatch & Company, who erected a business block and for a number of years conducted a leading mercantile enterprise of this city. In 1861 he embarked in the lumber business at Griggsville Landing in connection with his father-in-law, Hon. James McWilliams, and they dealt in doors, sash, blinds, etc., carrying a stock valued at from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars. Mr. Farrand was asso- ciated with his father-in-law till the latter's death, after which he continued the business alone until March, 1885, when he sold out with the intention


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of living retired, but he passed away soon after- ward on the 2d of May of that year.


Following his marriage Elbridge Gerry Far- rand became a resident of Griggsville, Illinois, where he remained up to the time of his death, which occurred May 2, 1885. He had four chil- dren : James A .; Mulford K., who was born De- cember 28, 1856, and is engaged in farming in Pittsfield township; Harvey L., who was born September 27, 1859, and is a mining broker re- siding in Joplin, Missouri ; and Frederick H., who was born April 24, 1871, and is cashier of the Illinois Valley Bank at Griggsville. Mr. Farrand was well known as a man of modest retiring dis- position but of firm convictions and of untarnished integrity and those most closely connected with . him in his business relations throughout all the years of his residence in Griggsville never had occasion to doubt his honor nor honesty. His wife, who was born at Scotch Ridge, Belmont county, Ohio, July 3, 1827, survived him for a number of years, passing away January 23, 1903., The eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Mc- Williams, she came with her parents during the fall of 1834 to Illinois, the prospective point of settlement being Tremont in Tazewell county, but the closing of the Illinois river prevented farther progress, and, November 20, the family landed at Naples, where the winter was spent. Being at- tracted by the agricultural features of this section of the country, Mr. McWilliams came to Griggs- ville, purchasing the farm now owned by John Craven, and many will recall the interesting rem- iniscences of the pioneer life of that time which Mrs. Farrand never tired of relating. Possessing a marvelous memory, her mind was a store house of information, especially concerning the early history of this place, and none questioned the ac- curacy of her statements. December 28, 1838, the family removed to the town, and the following year the house, which by a strange coincidence, is now the home of Mr. Craven, was erected and for seventeen years was the family residence. Eliza- beth J. McWilliams was married October 25, 1853, to Mr. Elbridge Gerry Farrand, and in 1854 the house was built under whose roof were reared the four sons, James Alexander, Mulford Kitchel, Harvey Latimer and Frederick Heman. Her


generosity was so quietly, so unostentatiously be- stowed, that many a benefaction escaped notice. Beneath a somewhat rugged exterior beat a warm, sympathetic heart, overflowing with love for her four boys, which manifested itself in tenderest care extending also to all boys for their sake. Many a man now in middle life will recall the time spent with the "Farrand boys" around the even- ing lamp, while school task and game, story and jest filled the quickly flying hours. The house remains, but the home has gone with the strong character which was its center. Only a memory is left-the memory of a kind neighbor, a trusted friend and a loving mother.


Phineas Farrand, a brother of Elbridge G. Far- rand, was born at Bridgeport, Vermont, and was married in 1836 in that state to Harriet Wheelock. The same year he removed to Jackson, Michigan, and became a member of the law firm of Farrand, Higbee & Johnson, which was the first law firm in that place. Following his death in 1855, his widow removed to Lansing, where she died in her seventieth year. She had been a member of the Episcopal church for nearly forty years.


James A. Farrand pursued his education in the public schools and worked in his father's lumber- yard until August 1, 1873, on which date the Griggsville National Bank was organized and he became bookkeeper and assistant cashier in that institution. Later he was promoted to the posi- tion of cashier in 1893 and so continued until 1901, when he and his brother Frederick organ- ized the Illinois Valley Bank, which opened its doors for business on the 24th of September, 1902. He is now the second vice president of the insti- tution, which constitutes his connection with the business interests of Griggsville at the present time.


Mr. Farrand was married in Quincy, Illinois, April 29, 1903, to Miss Annie Craven, the wed- ding being celebrated in the cathedral by the Rev. Walter H. Moore, dean of the diocese. Mrs. Far- rand was born in Griggsville township, February 26, 1869, and is a daughter of John and Henrietta (George) Craven, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Farrand now have one child, Henrietta Crowther, who was born February 10, 1905. Mr. Farrand belongs to


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Griggsville lodge, No 45, A. F. & A. M., and to the Royal Arch chapter at Perry and Ascalon commandery, No. 49, K. T., at Pittsfield. In pol- itics he is a stalwart republican and has been reç- ognized as one of the leaders of his party for many years. He has acted as supervisor of Griggsville township for seven years, has been a member of the school board for eighteen years and was the first city treasurer of Griggsville, be- ing chosen to the office on the 15th of April, 1879. His wife is eligible to membership in the Daugh- ters of the Revolution on the Farrand side of the family. Since Elbridge Gerry Farrand came to Griggsville at an early day the family name has figured prominently in connection with public af- fairs, with business progress and with the work of general improvement and advancement here and Mr. Farrand is to-day one of the prominent and influential business men and leading citizens, his capability and genuine personal worth well entitling him to the high position which he occu- pies in the public regard.


H. B. ANDREW, M. D.


H. B. Andrew, a successful medical practitioner of New Salem, was born in New Salem, Pike county, in 1872, and is a son of John and H. L. (Fisher) Andrew. The father was born in Lin- colnshire, England, February 26, 1840, and was fourteen years of age when he crossed the Atlan- tic to the United States, becoming a resident of Lockport, Will county, Illinois. In December, 1855, he took up his abode in Pike county, and at New Canton received the rudiments of a good English education. In early manhood he devoted several years to farming and at the outbreak of the Civil war put aside all business and personal considerations to become a member of Company K, Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry, commanded by Colonel Bailey, in June, 1862. The regiment soon went to the front and he participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill and the siege of Vicksburg. He joined the army as a private but was at once made sergeant, afterward orderly and, subsequent to the charge at Vicks-


burg, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and was in command of a company throughout the greater part of the siege of Vicksburg. He was mustered out in August, 1863, and following his return home engaged in the drug business in New Salem, Illinois. He has been engaged almost continuously since in merchandising in New Salem and now carries a large and well selected line of general goods and is very successful in the control and management of his business. When he arrived in New Canton, Illinois, he was a poor, uneducated youth of sixteen years of age who, desirous of acquiring broader knowledge, entered school there and eventually became a teacher of that same school. As a merchant he is widely known because of his reliability in business af- fairs, his enterprise and keen discrimination. He was married, in October, 1863, to Miss Martha A. Temple, also of New Salem, and they had one son. The mother died about two years after her marriage and the son survived the mother's death for only two weeks. About three years later Mr. Andrew wedded Miss H. L. Fisher, also of New Salem, and to them were born six children : H. B. Andrew, of this review; Charles F., who is a graduate of the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, and is now a professor in the medical department of the University of Colorado and also chairman of the state commission for insane in Colorado ; John, who is a graduate of Lombard College and is now in Longmont, Colorado; W. B., who is a graduate of the same school of Gales- burg, Illinois, and is now in Denver, Colorado; Mary Maud, who was also graduated in Gales- burg and is now engaged in teaching school; and Alice, who is at home.


H. B. Andrew pursued his early education in the schools of New Salem and afterward attended Lombard University, at Galesburg, Illinois. Sub- sequently he engaged in teaching school for two . years, from 1890 until 1892, and then entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis in 1893, being graduated therefrom in 1896. He entered the active practice of his profession in Colorado, remaining for two years at Longmont, after which he came to New Salem, Illinois, where he has since remained. He has a large and gratify- ing practice, his business bringing to him a good




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