Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 55

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 55

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LEANDER HADSELL.

Leander Hadsell, living in Barry, farms two hundred acres in Hadley township, and his prac- tical, enterprising methods have resulted in bring- ing him a comfortable competence. He was born in Allegany county, New York, April 9, 1832, and pursued his education in the public schools while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, Jesse P. and Lydia (Berry) Hadsell. The father, a native of Massachusetts, died in 1857, at the age of sixty-two years, passing away in Hadley, Pike county. The mother's death oc- curred in the Empire state. Mr. Hadsell had come to Pike county in 1844, settling first in Barry but afterward locating in Hadley township, four miles east of the city. He there purchased eighty acres of wild land on which he built a frame house, splitting the lumber himself, as there were no sawmills in his vicinity in those early days. He continued to reside upon the farm until 1853, when he sold the property to his son Jesse P., and spent his declining years with his children. While in New York he engaged in teaching school but following his removal to the west devoted much of his time to general agricul-

tural pursuits. He was a member of the Free- will Baptist church and in politics was a whig. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hadsell were eight children but only two are now living: Leander and Stephen B., the latter a resident of Nebraska.

Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Leander Hadsell started out in life on his own account when about twenty years of age, go- ing first to New Philadelphia in Hadley town- ship. In 1857 he began farming for himself in Hadley township and in 1861 removed to Han- cock county, Illinois, but on the 15th of August, 1862, he put aside all business and personal con- siderations and enlisted as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry for three years' service or during the war. He was mustered in at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, and proceeded southward to Alton, Illinois, and by boat to Memphis, Tennes- see. On New Year's day of 1863 he participated in the battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, after which he returned to Arkansas Post under the command of Colonel Churchill. The Union troops cap- tured that post and later returned to Youngs- point outside of Vicksburg. Mr. Hadsell was also in the battle of Champion Hill, in which his company lost all of its officers. He and the other members of the company were detailed to bury the dead at that place. The regiment went on to Black River Bridge and on the 22d of May, 1863, Mr. Hadsell joined his regiment in the charge on Vicksburg. The One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois was afterward ordered back to Black River Bridge and the troops were mounted there on horses to do skirmish duty and watch the movements of General Johnston. They partici- pated in the Jackson campaign and later were or- dered back to Vicksburg. In August, 1863, the order was received to proceed south to Port Hud- son and then to New Orleans and later they par- ticipated in General Banks' two expeditions, after which they returned to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and subsequently proceeded northward to Vicks- burg. There they were dismounted but later were again mounted and did skirmish duty, being sta- tioned in that locality up to the close of the war. Mr. Hadsell was mustered out in October, 1865, after more than three years of active service. He

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was always found at his post of duty whether on the firing line or the picket line and he par- ticipated in a number of important battles and skirmishes.

When the country no longer needed his serv- ices Mr. Hadsell returned at once to Pike county but on the 20th of February, 1868, left Illinois for Nebraska and took up a homestead claim in the county. He then improved and cultivated his wild land, residing thereon until 1874, when he gave the property to his son Samuel, who has in later years sold the farm and is now living in Wyoming. Mr. Hadsell of this review is now engaged in the cultivation and improvement of two hundred and twenty acres of land in Hadley township but makes his home in Barry.

He has been married twice, his first union, in 1856, being with Miss Harriet Jefferson, a native of Delaware. They became the parents of three children, of whom two are now living, Samuel C. and Ina. In 1874 Mr. Hadsell was again mar- ried, Mrs. Mary Card becoming his wife. There are no children by the second union but he has reared two adopted children, Barbara Gregory and Cornelius Hinman.

Mr. Hadsell has never cared for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, yet has been an earnest and stal- wart advocate of the republican party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He is a member of the Grand Army post, No. 144, at Barry, and is as true and loyal to his country and her welfare as when he wore the blue uniform of the nation and fol- lowed the old flag upon southern battle-fields.

SAMUEL F. FURNISS.

Samuel F. Furniss, a former mayor of Barry and one of the oldest contractors and builders of Pike county, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, in which city he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 14th of February, 1832. His father, Thomas Furniss, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, but was married in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth Thompson,

He was a contractor and builder and a well edu- cated man. After a number of years' connection with building operations he was engaged as a teacher in a high school for several years. Sub- sequently he turned his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits and afterward engaged in the pork-packing business. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends and his home was often used for meetings of that church. Fraternally he was connected with the Odd Fellows society in his early manhood. His political faith was that of the whig party and for many years he served as justice of the peace. An earnest Christian man, he was strictly honest in all of his dealings and manifested those sterling traits of character which are usually found among the followers of the religious sect with which he was identified. He passed away in 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and his wife died in the same year, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and nine months. In their family were six chil- dren, four daughters and two sons.

When only three years of age Samuel F. Fur- niss of this review was taken by his parents to Ohio and his early education was obtained in the district schools of that state, pursuing his studies in one of the primitive log schoolhouses of that period. He afterward finished his education at Oxford University, in Butler county, Ohio. After arriving at years of maturity he was mar- ried on the 13th of December, 1855, to Miss E. Adeline Pence, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated. Her parents were John and Hannah (Ahart) Pence, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Butler county, Ohio. In their family were eight children, of whom four are now living, namely: Mrs. Furniss ; Mrs. O. R. Emerson ; Mrs. Mahala Brown, the wife of Mac Brown, who is living near Barry ; and Joseph, who is residing in Kan- sas City. Mr. Pence was a farmer by occupation and on his removal from Ohio to Illinois in 1857, located near Barry, where he owned a large tract of land of two hundred and seventy acres, upon which he carried on general farming, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and adding many modern improvements to his farm. He was strictly honorable and upright in all his deal-

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ings, never owed a man a cent, meeting every obligation that devolved upon him. Politically he was a stanch republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and in their ultimate triumph. His church relationship was with the Methodist denomination.

Mr. Furniss of this review began contracting and building when twenty-three years of age, having previously learned the trade. In Decem- ber, 1856, he arrived in Barry and has been a con- tractor here for fifty-three years. He had for- merly conducted a shop in Hamilton, Ohio, but his health became impaired there and caused his removal to the middle west. Since locating here he has led a very busy and useful life and has erected buildings in Adams and Pike counties, having been awarded the contract for the con- struction of some of the finest buildings in this part of the state. He is today the oldest con- tractor in this part of Pike county and has done a greater volume of business than any other man in his line. In the fall of 1905 he built the new Barry Hotel and he built the waterworks of the town in 1895. Many evidences of his handiwork are seen in the fine residences and other structures of this city and the surrounding district, includ- ing his own beautiful home in Barry. His skill and ability have long been widely acknowledged and he has kept in touch with the onward march of progress which is as evident in the builder's art as in any other line of activity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Furniss have been born four daughters and one son, namely : Mrs. Ada F. Booth, who is now living at home and has two children, Russell and Enola; Lizzie, the wife of J. W. Moring; Emma, the wife of Dan Chiningsmith, a resident of New- ton, Kansas, and has two children, Nina and Lyle; Mrs. Mary Turner, a resident of Newton, Kansas, who has two sons, Floyd, who is work- ing on the railroad, and Lewis, who is telegraph operator at Hamilton, Missouri ; and Elmer Fur- niss, a farmer of Adams county. He married Katie Peck and after her death wedded Mrs. Kinney. He has five children by his first wife, Earl, Helen, Maud, Jessie and Harold.

Mr. Furniss is a member of Barry lodge, No. 34. A. F. & A. M., and also of Barry lodge, No. 336, I. O. O. F. Both he and his wife are con-

sistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church which she joined when only thirteen years of age. Politically Mr. Furniss is a stalwart republican and for two years was mayor of Barry, giving to the city a public- spirited and beneficial administration character- ized by reform, improvement and practical meth- ods. During that time the city building was erected and curbing and park improvements made. In his business career Mr. Furniss has prospered and his life is another indication of the truth as pronounced by Goethe that "Success and merit go linked together."

WILLIAM E. TURNBAUGH.

William E. Turnbaugh, teacher, is the son of Jacob Turnbaugh, who was an early settler of Pike county, having settled in Pleasant Hill town- ship in 1827. The subject of our sketch was born in Pleasant Hill township near the town of Pleasant Hill, this county, January 6, 1874. He entered the public schools of Pleasant Hill when he was nine years of age and on the first day was filled with an earnest desire of becoming a teacher, and with his purpose in life thus early established, he applied himself to his studies with untiring zeal. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm one mile south of Pleasant Hill, and the time not spent in carrying on the work of the farm was diligently given to his books. He applied himself to close study until February II, 1894, when he passed a very successful exam- ination before the county superintendent of schools of Pike county for a first grade teacher's certifi- cate, and in the spring following he graduated from his home school, receiving his diploma May 4, 1894.

He began his work of teaching in September, 1894, his first school being taught at Oakland in Pleasant Hill township. He then taught a spring term at Cottonwood Grove and the next fall took charge of the Rock Hill school in Spring Creek township. That he might better prepare himself for his chosen work, he entered the Illinois State Normal University at Normal, Illinois, in 1896,

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where he remained for a year. Returning to his native county he took up his work at Cottonwood Grove, teaching there from 1897 to 1900, when he was employed as principal of the Pearl schools in Pike county, which position he held for one year, when he again took charge of the Cotton- wood Grove school in the fall of 1901, remaining there until the spring of 1905, when he was em- ployed as grammar teacher in the Pleasant Hill schools, which position he now fills.

He has always taken an interest and an active part in local, county and Four County Teachers' Institutes, being local manager of the South Pike Teachers' Association in 1901 and at the present time is president of the Pleasant Hill Teachers' Reading Circle and their permanent instructor in botany and zoology. He has written a number of strong papers along educational lines and de- livered to the various teachers' meetings that have been held in Pleasant Hill, Nebo, Pearl and Pitts- field, and has proven himself a very fluent talker and close thinker in discussing matters concerning education.

Mr. Turnbaugh is an active Sunday-school worker and is a member of the Christian church, acting in the capacity of church clerk and finan- ial secretary. He resides on the farm with his mother and is known as a man who loves the associations of books.

A. L. McDANNOLD.

A. L. McDannold, who is now serving as the county treasurer of Pike county, was born near Clarksville, Pike county, Missouri, on the 8th of June, 1846, his parents being Newton and Louisa (Gaines) McDannold. The father was born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, in 1807 and the moth- er's birth also occurred in that state. They went to Missouri in 1835. Mrs. McDannold died when her son A. L. was a year old. The father was a farmer by occupation, purchased land in Mis- souri and eventually became the owner of six hundred and forty acres. He became an extensive breeder of cattle, hogs, horses and mules, and was very successful in his business undertakings. In

community affairs he was deeply interested and became superintendent of turnpike roads, was also county judge for one term, and at an early date acted as justice of the peace for a number of years. His death occurred May 17, 1881, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years. He served as deacon in the Baptist church for forty-five years, and was a faithful Christian man. By his first wife he had six children, and by the second marriage there were three chil- dren. Those still living are: A. L., of this re- view; William R., a resident of Missouri; and Mrs. Sarah E. Nelson, who is now residing in Canton, Missouri. These three were born of the first marriage, while A. H. and Mrs. J. M. Giv- ens, of Louisiana, were of the second marriage.

A. L. McDannold began his education in the common schools of Missouri, afterward attended school at Ashley, Missouri, for a year, and later became a student in the high school at Clarks- ville, Missouri. In 1883 he came to Illinois, locat- in in Pittsfield township, where he lived until 1895. In that year he took up his abode in Pittsfield, sold his property in Pittsfield town- ship and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Martinsburg township. He since made his home in the county seat, giving his super- vision to his farming interests and dealing in live stock.

On the 28th of November, 1876, Mr. McDan- nold was married to Miss Mary E. Stone, a daughter of Llewellyn H. and Mary (Jewell) Stone, the former born in Virginia in 1817, and the latter in Kentucky. The father went to Mis- souri in 1832 and there lived for four years. At the expiration of that period he came to Illinois, settling in Pleasant Hill township, Pike county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, which he cleared and improved. There he lived until 1868, when he purchased what is known as the Edwards farm of Pittsfield, the property now being owned by N. B. Stone. At that place the father resided until the death of his wife, after which he spent his remaining days in the home of Mr. and Mrs. McDannold. He owned a good farm and was in comfortable financial circumstances. When a young man he be- came identified with the Christian church, serving

A. L. M:DANNOLD

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

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as deacon and later as elder, which office he filled at the time of his death. His wife passed away May 12, 1891, while his death occurred April 10, 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. McDannold have a daughter, Maud, who attended the high school of Pittsfield, was a student in music in the Pittsfield Conserva- tory under Professor Shastid, being graduated in 1898, and for one year has been a student in the Jacksonville Conservatory of Music. She is now acting as deputy in her father's office.

In his political views Mr. McDannold is a stalwart democrat and in 1900 he was elected supervisor of Pittsfield, filling the office for two years. He also served as alderman of Pittsfield from 1900 until 1902, and on the Ist of December of the latter year was elected county treasurer for a term of four years. He has never been de- a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp of Pittsfield and is a member of the Bap- tist church. The family is one of prominence in the community and the hospitality of many of the best homes is freely accorded them. In his business and political career Mr. McDannold has made a record alike above reproach, and he is respected as one of the worthy and valued res- idents of Pittsfield.

feated at any time when a candidate for office,"vance far on life's journey and whose record

HALBERT NELSON GRAY.

No history of Griggsville would be complete without mention of this gentleman, who was long connected with its commercial interests and who is now the owner of valuable farm property in Pike county. He was born in Barry, Illinois, January 16, 1849, and acquired his education in the public schools while spending his youth in his parents' home. He is a son of Thomas T. and Mary F. (Crandall) Gray. The father was born in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1812, and the mother's birth occurred in the same county. In the public schools of the Empire state Thomas T. Gray acquired his education and afterward en-

gaged in clerking. He was married in New York and subsequently came to Illinois in 1837, settling at Atlas, whence he afterward removed to Barry. In the latter town he engaged in merchandising, pork packing and in buying and shipping grain. He was also a railroad contractor on the construc- tion of the old Pike county railroad, now part of the Wabash system. In order to conduct his store it was necessary that he haul all his goods from the Mississippi river, having been brought to the nearest wharf from Cincinnati. He continued in merchandising until 1860, after which he turned his attention to farming in Barry township and he was the first agent for the Wabash Railroad Company at Barry. His life was a busy and useful one and in his old age he received the veneration and respect which should' over be accorded to those who ad- is characterized. by all that is honorable and straightforward in man's relations with his fel- lowmen. He died in his eighty-ninth year, while his wife is now living in Barry at the age of eighty-five years. This worthy couple were the parents of four sons and seven daughters: Eu- gene, who was drowned March 13, 1903 ; Melissa, the widow of Joseph Haines ; Henry T., deceased ; Charlotte, the deceased wife of B. H. Rowand ; Halbert N., of this review; Josephine, the wife of James P. Cassidy, who is manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company residing in Minneapolis; Fannie G., the wife of William Stitts, a commission merchant in Chicago; Hattie, who married Frederick Ottawa, who is engaged in merchandising at Fort Madison, Iowa; Flor- ence, who was married to Harry Breeden, man- ager of one of the Carnegie plants in the town of Carnegie, Pennsylvania ; Gertrude, who married Ed Clements, now living in Alabama; and Eddie, who died in infancy.

Halbert Nelson Gray acquired a public-school education and in early manhood was married to Miss Emily R. Scribner, the wedding being cele- brated June 6, 1876. Mrs. Gray was born in Brooklyn, New York, and in 1872 came with her widowed mother to Pike county, Illinois. She was the only child of Joseph and Juliette (Blanch- ard) Scribner, both of whom were natives of

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Westchester county, New York. Her father was a newspaper man, who put aside a profitable busi- ness at the time of the Civil war in order to de- fend the Union cause.

Mr. Gray started in business for himself when only fourteen years of age, chopping and haul- ing wood for two families. He afterward en- gaged in making ice-cream and for two seasons conducted the business. In 1865 or 1866 he went to work for Captain M. D. Massie at New Can- ton and remained in his employ for two years and three months. He next took a trip through the west, visiting Kansas and Arizona, after which he returned to Barry, at which time his father was 'station agent at that place. Mr. Gray then took charge of the railroad and express business and was offered a position by both the president of the railroad and of the express company. Later he entered the employ of Louis Angle, his uncle, with whom he remained until September, 1872, when he took charge of the supply stores of Pike and Hollister. While with his uncle he saved his earnings and built a home for his father and mother. He continued to save his wages and while working on the levee he took time checks for his work and thus lost some six hundred dol- lars, for the firm failed. Then borrowing one dollar from his uncle, Mr. Gray came to Griggs- ville on the IIth of March, 1873, and entered the employ of C. M. Simmons, a grocer, for whom he worked for ten months at seventy-five dollars per month. On the expiration of that period he formed a partnership with Bryant and Baxter,. the relation being maintained until 1876, when Mr. Gray purchased_his partners' interest. The following year, however, he sold out to E. W. Baxter, and gave his attention to the live-stock and grain business, in which he continued until 1879. He then took charge of the Jacksonville packing house at Jacksonville, Illinois, and in 1880, in connection with J. B. Morrison and Charles T. Kenney, he built the elevator at Griggsville. He then had charge of the grain business, which he conducted until 1887, when he went to Kansas City, Missouri, and purchased an interest in a grocery store, but the following year sold out there and returned to Griggsville. Here he took charge of the dry-goods business

owned by W. W. Kenney and conducted the store until 1898, when the firm became H. N. Gray & Company, Mr. Gray remaining at the head of the institution and becoming sole proprietor in 1903. He conducted the store with good success until January, 1905, when he closed out the business and is now practically living retired. He owns, however, seven hundred acres of fine land and gives personal supervision to his property. He also has five hundred acres of land in Minnesota and likewise property in Missouri and California.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born two children. Shirley E., who was born April 4, 1877, and served in the Spanish-American war as a member of Battery A under Captain Rumboldt, was graduated from Griggsville high school when seventeen years of age and afterward attended the State University. He also attended the Colum- bia University at New York city for two years and at one time taught in Fairport College at Wichita, Kansas, having charge of the classes in chemistry and physics, and is now filling a gov- ernment position in the Philippine Islands. The daughter, Molly B., born April 30, 1880, is the wife of Walter D. Humiston, assistant auditor of the Twin City Rapid Transit Company of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The children have both been afforded excellent educational privileges and Mrs. Humiston is likewise a graduate of the Griggsville high school.

Mr. Gray is a member of Pike lodge, No. 73, I. O. O. F., and he favors the Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member. In politics he is an earnest advocate of republican principles and served as mayor of the city for two terms. He was also a member of the school board for sev- eral terms and alderman for fifteen years and he gave tangible evidence of his devotion to the gen- eral good in his active co-operation in many meas- ures that have been of permanent and lasting ben- efit to Griggsville. Each step in his business ca- reer has been carefully and thoughtfully made and as the years advanced he has prospered through his unfaltering diligence, economy and capable management. To those familiar with his history it will seem trite to say that he has risen unaided from a place of comparative obscurity to rank with the leading business men of Griggsville,

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 55

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