Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 42

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 42

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as one of the reliable, substantial business men, belonging to that class of representative citizens who, while promoting individual success, also contribute to the general progress and prosperity.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PITTS- FIELD.

On the 28th day of January, 1865, there was held at the old courthouse in Pittsfield a meet- ing for the purpose of organizing a national bank, out of which grew the First National Bank of Pittsfield. The chairman of the meeting was the Hon. G. I Highee, the secretary, D. D. Hicks, and the allotment of shares of stock was to the follow- ing persons : C.L.Higbee, D. D. Hicks, Silas Dut- ton, R. M. Atkinson, Julia M. Higbee, E. M. See- ley, J. F. Hyde, Thomas Dickson, William Wat- son, H. M. Watson, N. A. Wells, R. R. Green, J. C. Mckibben, M. J. Noyes, D. W. Dean, H. J. Noyes, J. C. Hard, G. W. Jones, L. L. Talcott, William Charles, C. P. Chapman, Joel Penning- ton, Edward Connett, B. H. Atkinson and Aus- tin Barber.

The capital stock of the bank was fifty thou- sand dollars. The officers elected were C. L. Higbee, president ; C. P. Chapman, cashier ; D. D. Hicks, assistant cashier. Mr. Chapman served in the capacity of cashier for one year, after which time D. D. Hicks, who had begun with the organization as assistant cashier, became the cashier and his son, R. T. Hicks, its assistant cashier.

Judge C. L. Higbee held the position as presi- dent of the bank from year to year until the time of his death, December 7, 1884, at which time C. P. Chapman was elected to fill the position and D. D. Hicks held the position of cashier up to January 18, 1892, and as second vice-president from that time until the time of his death, Au- gust 30,; 1897. On February 15, 1879, the cap- ital stock of the bank was increased to eighty thousand dollars, the increase being the result of a large special dividend declared to the stock- holders.

Among the persons who have occupied posi- tions below the cashier we would name the Hon.

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G. E. Abbott, Cheyenne, Wyoming, who is at present the cashier of the First National Bank of that city and who has been speaker of the house of representatives and also state treasurer of Wyoming ; and also Mr. Ross Matthews, who began with the bank in 1883 and remained until the organization of the Farmers' State Bank of this city, at which time he became its cashier, which position he still holds.

In 1884 the capital stock was again increased to one hundred thousand dollars, and for the pur- pose of securing the influence of the people more generally it was agreed by the stockholders that the twenty thousand dollars increase might be subscribed for, as it was, by people who were not at that time owners of stock.

In 1885, after the death of Hon. C. L. Higbee, Mr. C. P. Chapman was made president of the institution and remained its president up to the time of his death. In the same year the charter of the bank, which had been issued for a period of twenty years, expired and was renewed for twenty years longer; and the charter was again renewed in 1905 for a third period of twenty years.

It has been the policy of the bank from its or- ganization to avoid speculation or any induce- ments which offered more than the usual rate of interest as an investment for its money, and also to comply strictly with the requirements of the law by having a thorough quarterly examination by its directors, who regularly count the cash and bonds, inventory the notes and examine its ac- counts.

Since the custom of receiving money on de- posit for interest the bank has annually paid large sums to its depositors, as is evidenced by the fact that it amounted to more than twelve thousand dollars in the year just passed. Upon the Ist of July, 1905, it paid to its stockholders the eighty-fifth dividend. Aside from having paid from its earnings all expenses, losses and pre- miuins on purchases of bonds it has paid to the present time to its stockholders dividends amounting to four hundred and fifty thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven dollars.

To determine the relative strength of this bank as compared with that of other institutions of a

like character one will do well to examine the sworn statements which are made not less than five times each year and published in the city papers from time to time. You will note that it keeps upon hand at all times a strong reserve of cash and in banks subject to demand draft more than is required as a legal reserve ; and also that. the amount of its bonds are large and of the highest character. It's officers state that they have never purchased any bonds except for in- vestment purposes and which were sold to them at par or above. The reason for which being that there may be no question of prompt pay- ment of either principal or interest.

In the year 1898, on the death of C. P. Chap- man, the Hon. Harry Higbee was chosen presi- dent and is so continuing at the present time. R. T. Hicks, who is cashier at the present time, has been connected with the bank since May, 1867, first as assistant cashier and for the past thirteen years as its cashier. The present board of directors is as follows: Hon. Harry Higbee, president ; Augustus Dow, vice-president ; Louis D. Hirsheimer, A. J. Lovell and M. D. King.

Something of the progress of the bank may be determined by comparison of its deposits at dif- ferent periods during the past fifteen years. On the . Ist of January, 1891, they were $170,693; Ist of January, 1896, $327,813; January, 1901, $404,554; January, 1905, $709,934. Its pres- ent capital stock is $100,000, its surplus $25,000, its undivided profits $58,536.84.

The present stockholders are as follows: Mrs. C. L. Higbee, Mrs. D. D. Hicks, Mrs. C. P. Chapman, Mrs. E. M. Seeley, Harry Higbee, Au- gustus Dow, A. J. Lovell, Louis D. Hirsheimer, M. D. King, R. T. Hicks, L. A. Chamberlain, C. A. Barber, Sam Hirsheimer, Sr., Sam Hirshei- mer, Jr., Isaac Strauss, Jacob Strauss, Mrs. M. D. King, Mrs. Augustus Dow, Charles Shadel, E. C. Winans, A. W. Platner, A. B. Carey, Mrs. F. M. Lewis, S. G. Shaw, W: H. Vactor, J. K. Sitton, Mrs. L. A. Chamberlain, J. G. Willsey, T. N. Hall, W. R. Willsey, May Judd, H. T. Duffield and Phebe Hyatt.

The bank started upon its third period of twenty years with a working capital three times as great as at its beginning, with no entangling

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alliances, with no accumulation of worthless pa- per in its assets and the liberal training and large experience of its officers, backed as they are by an extraordinarily competent board of directors, should add still further luster to its past good record.

LYMAN WARD.

Lyman Ward is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Pleasant Vale township, on which he has recently erected a fine residence, making this one of the best improved and most attractive homes in his community. He was born in this township on the 26th of Octo- ber, 1849, his parents being John and Rhoda (En- low) Ward. The father was born in Allegany county, Maryland, June 17, 1816, and was a son of Samuel Ward, a native of Virginia and a grandson of Abijah Ward. The last named was a millwright by trade and died at an advanced age. His son, Samuel Ward, wedded Mary House; of Maryland, a daughter of Andrew House, who was born in that state and fought for the independence of the colonies in the Revolu- tionary war. In early pioneer times he removed to Ohio, where his death occurred. His wife died in Adams county at the advanced age of nearly ninety years. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ward became residents of Colum- biana county, Ohio, where they spent about eleven years and then went to Knox county, Ohio, where they remained for a similar period. In 1845 they arrived in Pike county, Illinois, settling on sec- tion 36, Pleasant Vale township, their home being a log cabin. In the same year while on a trip to Quincy to buy land Mr. Ward was killed by being thrown from his horse. His widow sur- vived for many years, passing away when about eighty years of age. In their family were twelve children, including John Ward, the father of our subject. He was reared in Columbiana and Knox counties, Ohio, and received only such educational privileges as could be obtained in one of the lit- tle log schoolhouses of that day. After arriving at years of maturity he assumed the management of his father's farm, which he conducted until

about twenty-five years of age. He was after- ward employed as a farm hand for a time and. later rented land until 1868, when he invested his savings in one hundred and sixty acres on section IO, Pleasant Vale township. Two years later he disposed of this to good advantage and bought three hundred and sixty-five acres, of which forty- five acres were in Pleasant Vale township and the remainder in Atlas township. Upon this farm he continued to make his home until his death and he added two hundred acres to the original pur- chase, so that his place was an extensive one, com- prising five hundred and sixty-five acres. This land is very productive and owing to his cultiva- tion and the improvements he placed upon the property he developed one of the best farms in the county. His life was one of untiring industry and he had the reputation of being one of the fast- est workers in the wheatfields of the county. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he followed in the religious faith of his ancestors, becoming a loyal member of the Methodist church, to which his wife also be- longed. It was in 1842 that he married Rhoda Enlow, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Enlow. She was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1816. Her parents were natives of Maryland and Ireland re- spectively and the former died in Pike county, Illinois, and the latter in. Ohio. For many years Mr. and Mrs. John Ward traveled life's journey happily together, but both have now passed away, the death of Mr. Ward occurring when he was seventy-seven years of age, while his wife reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years. In their family were twelve children, of whom only four are now living : Lucinda is the widow of James Francis, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. Lyman and Julia are twins. The latter is the widow of Newton Miller and resides. in Atlas township. Ella is the wife of Joseph L. Duckworth and re- sides near her brother's farm.

Lyman Ward is indebted to the public-school system of Pike county for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed in his youth. He began life as a farmer and has always devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, save for a brief period of three years which was passed in New Canton, where he conducted a hotel. He removed to that

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city in 1895, but in 1898 returned to his farm. is almost co-extensive with the circle of their He now owns two hundred and fifty acres of land acquaintance. in Pleasant Vale township, where he resides. This is a well developed farm property, giving every indication of the care and thrift of the owner in CAPTAIN BENJAMIN L. MATTHEWS. its well tilled fields and excellent improvements. In 1905 he erected one of the best residences in the township and its tasteful furnishings and gen- uine hospitality make it a very attractive home to the many friends of the family.

On the Ist of May, 1878, Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Decker, of Barry township, who was born November 4, 1854, and is a daughter of Abner and Phoebe (Nichols) Decker. Her father was born in Ohio in 1818 and came to Pike county at an early period in the development of this part of the state. He carried on farming in Barry township, owning one hun- dred and sixty acres of very rich, productive and well improved land. His wife was also a native of Ohio and came to Pike county in pioneer days. They were married here and resided upon a farm until 1878, when Mr. Decker sold his land in Barry township and removed to Texas, where both he and his wife died when about seventy years of age. She was born in 1820. In their family were ten sons and two daughters and eight of the number are now living : William, who resides near Jacksonville, Illinois ; John, Walter, Aaron, Moses, Joshua, Mary C. and Sarah E. In his political affiliation Mr. Decker was a demo- crat and was a man whose fearless defense of his honest convictions won him, the respect and good will of all with whom he came in contact.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ward has been blessed with two daughters and a son: Bessie L., who was born August 12, 1879, is the wife of James Rhodus; Alta M., born September 15, 1881, is the wife of John T. Kendrick ; and Ern- est H., born November 16, 1884, at is home. In his political views Mr. Ward is an earnest repub- lican and has served as road commissioner and school director, filling the latter position for some time. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 1148, at New Canton and to the Ma- sonic lodge, No. 821. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star and holds membership relations with the Methodist church. Both are pleasant people, highly esteemed and their circle of friends

Captain Benjamin L. Matthews, son of John B. and Margaret (Leach) Matthews, was born December 15, 1806, in Rowan county, North Car- olina. His father was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, his mother of North Carolina. She was the daughter of Benjamin Leach, who was of Welch descent. Her ancestors emigrated to North Carolina long before the Revolution, in which they took an active part on the side of the colonies. Their direct paternity also took part in the war of 1812. The father of J. B. Matthews, the grandfather of Ben- jamin, settled in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, at a very early date. He also took an active part on the side of the colonies in the war of the Revolution.

John B. Matthews was among the very earliest settlers in Pike county, having settled here in 1824. Crossing the Illinois river at Phillip's ferry, he settled on land in Flint township, where he engaged in farming. When he arrived, many remnants of once powerful Indian tribes yet re- mained and this was a part of their favorite hunt- ing ground. He said that five hundred Indians seen in one gang was not an uncommon sight. He brought with him a family of a wife and nine children : Benjamin L. and Clarissa, who were born in North Carolina; John, born in Kentucky; James, Nancy and Robert, born in White county, Illinois, where the older Matthews emigrated from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1817; two more chil- dren, Austin and Albert, born in Pike county, Il- linois. All of these are dead except Albert, who lives in Montgomery county, Illinois.

After leaving Flint township John B. Matthews lived a few years in Griggsville township, then in New Salem whence he moved to Perry, where he remained until near the time of his death. His wife, Margaret Leach Matthews, died in 1851, and John B. Matthews went to Missouri to reside with his daughter, Elvira, at Lancaster, where he died in 1857.

Captain Matthews, the subject of this sketch,

CAPT. B. L MATTHEWS

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

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obtained his education in the common schools of Kentucky and Illinois. On December 24, 1829, he was married to Minerva Carrington, daughter of Asa and Lucinda Carrington, of Kentucky. Mrs. Matthews died October 15, 1841, leaving a family of four children, namely : Martha, Asa C., Joseph H., and Lucinda M. Of these, two are living, Martha and Asa C. Mr. Matthews was married a second time to a Mrs. Dean Wattles and there were born to this marriage two children, Harriet and Mary, one of whom, Mrs. Mary Chenoweth, still lives, and resides in Lathrop, Missouri. He was again married in 1861 to Miss Layton, and to that marriage was born one child, Anna B., who married Alexander Gregory and lives in Marion, Indiana.

Captain Matthews permanently located near Perry, after his first marriage, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred on the 21st day of April, 1900, at the age of ninety- three years, four months and eleven days, and was buried in the McCord cemetery, near Perry, Il- linois. Up to 1856 he had given his entire at- tention to farming and stock-raising with fairly good success. That year, he, with Cephas Sim- mons, his old neighbor and friend, built the first steam and grist mill built in Griggsville. This enterprise was sold out in a few years, and Cap- tain Matthews then returned to his farm near Perry.

Captain Matthews was a republican in politics, formerly a whig. During the Civil war he took a prominent part in support of the administration of President Lincoln. He recruited Company B, Ninety-ninth Illinois volunteers, and went with it to the field. Physical infirmity overtook him and he tendered his resignation before the close of the war. He gloried in the success of the Union Army, and in the final preservation of the Union, with those who were permitted to remain, until the last Confederate surrendered. He took an active part in local affairs ; was a great reader of the public press ; was several times elected to the board of supervisors; and before the Civil war was a candidate on the whig ticket for the legis- lature but was defeated by a narrow majority. He was a man of great personal courage, and

always stood for the right as he saw the right, without fear or favor. He was well known throughout the county and was universally re- spected. His voice and power were always in favor of moral measures; he never used tobacco nor intoxicants in any manner ; he upheld religion and aided materially by his presence in the build- ing up and progress of the Methodist church. He was an active member for over seventy years and died in the faith. He had been permitted to live far beyond the usual period of life. He had seen his family grow up around him, and his grandchildren reach manhood and woman- hood and become useful citizens in life. He was never very poor and never very rich. He distrib- uted the most of his property he had before his death among his children, and when the final summons came he was prepared to meet it, and of him it may be said,

"When he had toiled to the summit, He laid his burden down; He left his cross on the hilltop, And bowed his head for the crown."

THOMAS A. RETALLIC.

Thomas A. Retallic, the extent and scope of whose interests are such as to make him one of the prominent and representative citizens not only of Barry but of Pike county, is conducting a mar- ble business, is also president of the First Na- tional Bank and is engaged in real-estate dealing. Watchful of opportunities pointing to success and utilizing every business advantage that comes to him, he has so directed his efforts that he has prospered and at the same time made a reputa- tion which is unassailable. His life record began in Perry county, Ohio, on the 30th of March, 1854, his parents being Frank and Catharine (Fielty) Retallic. The father was born in Corn- wall, England, and the mother's birth occurred in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 22d of May, 1822. Coming to America in childhood, they

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were married in Zanesville, Ohio. It was in 1850 that Frank Retallic crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his parents, settling in Zanes- ville. He had been educated in the schools of England and after establishing his home in the Buckeye state he engaged in business as a coal miner. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considera- tions in order that he might aid in the cause of his adopted country and in the spring of 1862 be- came a member of Company F, One hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Regiment of Volunteers. He was wounded in battle and recovered from his in- juries, but later became ill while still in the serv- ice of his country and died August 8, 1864, when thirty-five years of age, in the City Point Hos- pital in Virginia. His political support was given to the democracy. His widow, long surviving him, passed away May 2, 1900, on the seventy- eighth anniversary of her birth. In their family were six children, of whom four are now living : Thomas A., of this review ; Kate, the wife of Au- gust Dulard, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri; Mary F., the wife of Andrew Kern, a resident of Montgomery City, Missouri; and George B., who is also living in St. Louis.

First National Bank of Barry on the Ist of May, 1901, and from the beginning has been its presi- dent. This has become a sound and reliable finan- cial institution, doing a large general banking business. Mr. Retallic is also president of the Barry Real Estate Company, which has recently completed the new Barry Hotel. He is likewise president of the Barry Cement Construction Company and is now engaged in the erection of a fine business block in New Canton, and is one of the organizers of the Park Lawn Cemetery, of which he has been superintendent and secretary from the beginning. A man of resourceful busi- ness ability he has thus extended his efforts to various lines. He forms his plans readily, is de- termined in their execution and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, so that his efforts have been of direct and sub- stantial benefit in promoting the commercial pros- perity of the city as well as in advancing his in- dividual success.

Mr. Retallic was married to Miss Mary Rad- cliff while still a resident of Ohio. Her death oc- curred two years after their marriage and he later wedded Miss Dora Blair, who died about eight years later. Of their four children two are now living: Frank A., who is teller in the wife of George C. Barry, a resident of the same city. For his third wife Mr. Retallic chose Anna Carroll, who died a year later. His present wife was Mrs. Nancy E. Mayes. She was the widow of Charles Mayes and they had one child, Vie, now the wife of Charles A. Johnson, M. D., of Barry.

Mr. Retallic, whose name introduces this rec- ord, spent his boyhood and youth in his native .First National Bank at Barry; and Adelle M., the state and acquired a public-school education there. On the 5th of April, 1870, when sixteen years of age, he left New Lexington, Ohio, and went to Washington Court House, in the same state. In that locality he turned his attention to farming the better to support his widowed mother. After two years, however, he returned to New Lexington, where he began to learn the Mr. 'Retallic has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity since 1880 and is now past mas- ter of Barry lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to Barry chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., of which he has been principal sojourner for twenty-four years. He likewise affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics he is a stanch and stalwart democrat. He has served as mayor of the city, has been alderman and township trustee and still further political honors have been conferred upon him, for in 1899 and 1900 he represented his district in the forty-first general assembly of Illinois. The same keen in- trade of marble-cutting, spending three years at that work ere he again left New Lexington. He then went to St. Louis, where he remained for a year and in the spring of 1877 he came to Barry, · where he has since been engaged in the marble business. He has built up a good trade in this line, turning out a fine class of work, and his skill and ability combined with his reasonable prices and honorable dealing have brought him success which is gratifying, and which has en- abled him to extend his efforts to other lines of business. He was one of the organizers of the

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ight and enterprising spirit which have been manifest in his business career have also been dis- layed in his political activity and have rendered im a capable officer. His devotion to the general good has been above question and he has ever laced the public welfare before personal gain. His keen business discernment and indefatiga- le diligence have been the salient features in a areer which is as honorable as it is successful nd he is also richly endowed in those traits of character which win personal friendship and egard.

N. R. SHULTZ.

N. R. Shultz, a leading business man and finan- ier of Pleasant Hill, who for years was a pros- erous farmer, stock-raiser and feeder of Pleas- nt Hill township, but is now engaged in the banking business, is numbered among the old ettlers of this part of Pike county, where he has esided for a half century. He is a native of Ohio, having been born in Lancaster county, that tate, January 17, 1850. His father, Solomon Shultz, was a native of Pennsylvania and when young man went to Ohio, where he was mar- ied to Melvina Taylor, who was born near Co- umbus, that state. For a number of years Sol- mon Shultz followed farming in' the Buckeye state and his children were born there. In 1856 he came westward to the Mississippi valley, first locating in Missouri, but later in the same year took up his abode in Pike county, Illinois. Here he first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the southern boundary line of the county and began to farm and further improve this property. Subsequently he purchased more land and became a prosperous agriculturist, car- rying on business successfully for a number of years, or until his death, which occurred in July, 1867. His wife survived him for a number of years and passed away in 1885.

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 42

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

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