Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 62

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 62

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ber of the board of education. He belongs to Pittsfield lodge, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the Royal Arch and commandery degrees but is now demitted. In matters of citizenship he has been as loyal to his country and her wel- fare in days of peace as when he wore the blue uniform of the nation upon southern battle-fields. His life has been characterized by untiring ac- tivity in business, by fidelity in citizenship, by loy- alty in friendship and by trustworthiness in all life's relations.

GEORGE H. DUNN.

George H. Dunn, who after long years of active and honorable connection with farming interests in Pike county is now living retired in Perry, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, February 28, 1838. His parents were Harvey and Angeline (Milligan) Dunn and the family is of Irish line- age in the paternal line, representatives of the name having located in Providence, Rhode Is- land, prior to the establishment of American in- dependence. Following the Revolutionary war they became residents of the state of New York and it was there that Harvey Dunn was born. In his boyhood days he went to Indiana and subse- quently removing to Ohio was there connected with building operations. In 1837 he came to Morgan county, Illinois, locating at Meredosia and was connected with railroad construction on what is now the Wabash line. The year 1840 wit- nessed his arrival in Pike county and after en- gaging in general merchandising in Chambers- burg for some years he sold out there and bought a farm in Chambersburg township whereon he remained until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-two years of age. He wielded a wide influence over public thought and opinion in Pike county and was called by his fellow towns- men to act as their representative in the constitu- tional convention of 1847. He filled various local offices and was an advocate of democratic princi- ples, while his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Angeline Milligan, was born in Massachusetts and was descended from Puritan

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ancestry. In early womanhood she accompanied her parents to Ohio, where she was married and her death occurred at the birth of her son, George H., of this review. She was a true Christian woman and, like her husband, belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church.

George H. Dunn acquired a public-school edu- cation in Pike county, to which place he was brought by his father in 1839. He early became familiar with the various duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and when twenty-one years of age began farming in Chambersburg town- ship. Subsequently he purchased land and later added to the property until he had two hundred and sixty-five acres. He then sold out and bought a farm in Perry township, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. For many years he was active in this work and in 1904 he put aside business cares and removed to Perry, where he now resides. Mr. Dunn has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Susan Dennis and their two children died in infancy. Her father, Clark Dennis, married a Miss Stought. On the 12th of November, 1890, Mr. Dunn was again married, his second union being with Mary Lackschiede, who was born in Perry township, October 29, 1861, her parents being William D. and Mary (Heberlain) Lackschiede, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was born in Saxony, February 25, 1821, died February 24, 1903. The mother's birth occurred October 30, 1840, and they were mar- ried in Perry, Illinois. Of this union there were twelve children, namely: Mrs. Dunn ; William D., who is now living in Seattle, Washington ; Lou, who married Peter Swarts and resides in Hanni- bal, Missouri ; Ellen, the wife of Harvey Brown- ing, of Perry township; Henry, who married Lovey Morgan and is living in Perry township; Simon, who wedded Lizzie Hippie and is living in Perry township; Ida, who resides in the village of Perry ; Malinda, the wife of Stanley Jones, of Perry township; George, who is living upon the old homestead farm; Matilda, who is with her mother ; Rudy, at home ; and Lewis, who died in infancy. The father came to America in 1854. crossing the Atlantic on a steamer to New York city, whence he made his way to Pike county. He

located first in Mount Sterling and was employed by John Craven, while later he began working for John George. His first purchase of land com- prised forty acres in Perry township and was a tract of wild timber. He first built a log house and as the years advanced he continued the fur- ther improvement of the property, to which he added until the farm embraced one hundred and twenty acres devoted to the cultivation of grain and to the raising of stock. He continued in busi- · ness up to the time of his death. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics he was a democrat.

Mr. Dunn has never been an aspirant for pub- lic office, but votes with the democracy. He is content to leave office-seeking to others, yet he keeps well informed on all the questions and is- sues of the day. He was made a Mason in Perry lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M., in 1860, and he became one of the charter members of Perry chap- ter, R. A. M. He also belongs to the commandery at Pittsfield and in his life exemplifies the benefi- cent spirit of the craft which is based upon mu- tual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his membership relations are indicative of his life of uprightness and honor. His worth is greatly ap- preciated and his name is regarded as a synonym for integrity in all life's relations.

WILLIAM BORTHWICK, JR.

William Borthwick, Jr., undertaker and em- balmer, is recognized as one of the leading busi- ness men of Barry, where he has been located in the conduct of his present enterprise for seven years. He is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred in Kinderhook on the 22d of May, 1872, his parents being William and Martha (Likes) Borthwick. The father was . born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1832, and was a son of James and Mary (Dilmon) Borthwick, both of whom were natives of England. In the year 1857 William Borthwick arrived in Pike county, settling in Barry township, where he has since made his home, giving his time and atten-

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tion to . farming. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, the fields giving prom- ise of golden harvests. He was married in 1859 to Miss Martha Likes, who was born in this county in 1840 and died in 1873, leaving seven children, Mary, Isabelle, Emma, Minerva, Bar- bara, James and William. In his political affilia- tion the father is a democrat and has been called to the office of justice of the peace. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church.

William Borthwick of this review was educated in the common schools and when fourteen years of age started out upon his business career. Leav- ing home, he went to Quincy, where he was em- ployed for a few months and then made his way southward, where he remained for a year. Re- tracing his steps as far as Kentucky, he there engaged in the undertaking business for six years. He has visited the best undertaking schools of the country and is splendidly qualified for the work which now claims his attention. Returning to Barry in 1895 he was for two years employed at the Blair hotel and afterward went to New York and Hartford, Connecticut, spending a short time in both places. Subsequently he came again to Barry, where in October, 1897, he established an undertaking business, which he has since followed. He was in partnership with James Smith but afterward purchased his interest and admitted Mr. Hazen to a partnership but event- ually became sole proprietor and is now conduct- ing the business alone. He has five hearses, four in Barry and one at IIull Station. In this town he has two white hearses and two black ones. He keeps the best outfit in Pike county, carries a large line of fine caskets and is doing an excellent business, being represented by an agent at New Canton, Eldara, Hull and Kinderhook.

In May, 1897, Mr. Borthwick was united in marriage to Miss Ida Smith, of Barry, a daughter of George W. and Alta C. (Blair) Smith. Her father was born in Belmont county, Ohio, February 8, 1851, and was a son of James and Sarah Smith, who became residents of Barry. He removed with his parents to Pike county in

1856, when but five years of age and was edu- cated in this city. In 1874 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Alta C. Blair, a daughter of Samuel Blair, and unto them were born two children.

Mr. and Mrs. Borthwick have two sons, Men- dell and Harold. Mr. Borthwick owns a fine six- room cottage standing on two lots in an attrac- tive residence portion of Barry. He is a socialist and has been an earnest student of the signs of the times, keeping in touch with the most mod- ern thought. Both he and his wife hold mem- bership in the Methodist church and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp. In the spring of 1905 he was elected city attorney of Barry and has been honored with other local offices, having served as city clerk for two years, as city treas- urer for two years and as justice of the peace for four years. In the discharge of his official "duties he. has. ever been found prompt, capable and reliable, and his record as a business man, official and private citizen is commendable and worthy of emulation.

MARCUS McCARTER.

Marcus McCarter is the owner of over six hundred acres of valuable land equipped with excellent improvements. His possessions indi- cate his position in business circles, his name be- ing an honored one on commercial paper, and yet in his boyhood days, at the time when he started out in life on his own account, Marcus Mc- Carter was empty-handed, having no capital to asssist him in his business career. All that he possesses has been acquired through earnest, per- sistent labor. He has been watchful of oppor- tunities pointing to success, and his well directed energy and unflagging industry have constituted the basis of his present prosperity.

Born in Pike county on the 27th of February, 1842, he was educated in the public schools, and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields upon his father's farm. His parents

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

MRS. MARCUS MCCARTER

MARCUS MCCARTER

LIBRARY Of THE

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were James and Margaret (White) McCarter, both of whom were natives of Londonderry, Ire- land. The father was born August 8, 1805, and the mother April 12, 1807. They came to the United States in 1832, taking passage upon a sailing vessel which eventually reached the har- bor of Philadelphia. Two children were born unto them during their residence in that city. In 1836 they came westward to Illinois, making the journey by way of the Ohio and Mississippi riv- ers to Quincy, where Mr. McCarter secured em- ployment in connection with the improvement of the streets. He was thus engaged until 1838, when he came to Pike county and purchased forty acres of wild land with the money which he had saved from his earnings. In the midst of this tract he built a log cabin and in true pio- need style began life in this county, where hith- erto little work of progress and improvement had been done. His frugality, industry and busi- ness integrity constituted the secret of his suc- cess and by these means he added continually to his capital, which he wisely invested in land un- til he became the owner of four hundred and twenty acres. He never went in debt, but paid for his land at the time of his purchase and he ever maintained and unassailable reputation for business integrity. He broke the wild prairie and cleared away the timber until where was once the dense forests the sun shone upon plowed fields and in due course of time ripened good har- vests. He was engaged quite extensively in the raising of wheat, harvesting between four and five thousand bushels each year. He also became well known as a large stock-raiser, making a specialty of hogs which he killed and sold at Griggsville and Barry. Earnest, unremitting la- bor proved the foundation of his prosperity and his life record is a splendid exemplification that a man may work his way steadily upward to a position of affluence if he has the will to dare and to do. He voted with the democratic party, advocating the political principles promulgated by Andrew Jackson. His death occurred Sep- tember 20, 1888, when he had reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years. His wife passed away October 24, 1868, when sixty years of age. By this marriage there were born six children,

five' sons and one daughter, of whom four are now living, Sarah J., Marcus, James and Andrew.

In his boyhood days Marcus McCarter assist- ed in the work of the home farm. He attended the district schools in the winter months and throughout the remainder of the year worked in the fields. When twenty-five years of age he be- gan working as a carpenter. He gave of the first five dollars which he ever earned three dollars to the church. He had nothing when he started out for himself, but he early came to a realiza- tion of the fact that all honorable success is the result of close application and diligence combined with sound judgment in business affairs. He nev- er allowed his expenses to exceed his income, and, in fact, saved something each year from his earn- ings, and when his capital justified his purchase of land he here made investment of his means in farm property until he is to-day the owner of over six hundred acres; of, very valuable land, on which are good improvements. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating the care- ful supervision of a painstaking and progressive owner. In all of his work he has been systematic and methodical, so directing his labor as to pro- duce maximum results at minimum expenditure, which is the secret of all successful business man- agement. He was one of the organizers of the Exchange Bank at Baylis, subscribing five thou- sand dollars in stock to the institution, but while financially interested in other business concerns his chief attention is given to his farming and stock-raising interests. He now has seventy- five head of fine cattle upon his place and is a breeder of polled Angus cattle. He also feeds many cattle each year which he ships to the city market.

On the 3d of November, 1875, Mr. McCarter was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kennedy, who was born in Griggsville township on the 16th of October, 1848, and is a daughter of James E. and Margaret J. (Laird) Kennedy, the for- mer born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1810, while the latter was born March 14, 1826. In the year 1838 he arrived in Griggs -. ville township and purchased land. Later he re- turned to Pennsylvania in 1846, was married there and with his wife again came to Griggsville town-

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ship, where he resided until 1875, in the meantime improving and cultivating his land until he had developed a fine farm. In 1875 he removed from Pike county to Henry county, Illinois, where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land, whereon he resided until 1889. He then removed to Alpha, Illinois, where his death occurred on the 4th of February, 1897. He acted as school director for many years and the cause of educa- tion found in him a warm friend. He belonged to the Presbyterian church, living in harmony with its teachings and he gave his political sup- port to the democracy. His widow still survives him and now resides in Kansas. In their family were ten children, of whom four are now living : Mrs. Marcus McCarter; Alexander, who is liv- ing in Kansas; Margaret, the wife of Carl H. Shinn, also of Kansas; and Allen, who makes his home in the Sunflower state.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCarter has been blessed with five children, but the eldest died in infancy. The others are Edith, who was born March 17, 1879, and is the wife of A. Girard. who is living in New Salem township and by whom she has two children; Joseph R., who was born July 9, 1881, and living in Englewood, Kansas ; James J., born December 23, 1885, and now at home; and Marcus C., who was born Au- gust 15, 1888, and completes the family.

Mr. McCarter has never had aspiration for pub- lic office. He has, however, served as school di- rector for thirty-seven years, save for the brief period of a single year and has been a champion for improvement in the schools, believing in main- taining a high standard of public instruction. In 1868 he joined the Methodist church, but in 1875 united with the Presbyterian church at Baylis, with which his wife has been connected since 1872. They are devoted members of this church, in which he has served as one of the trustees ever since it was organized. They are most generous contributors to its support and take an active and helpful part in its work and in the extension of its influence. Mr. McCarter votes with the democracy. While there have been no exciting chapters in his life record, his history has been characterized by steady progress. In his business career he has known no such word as fail, and by earnest ef-

fort has overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path working his way steadily upward. To those who are familiar with his life history it would seem trite to say that he has advanced from a humble position to rank among the leading and prosperous citizens of the county yet it is just to say in a history that will descend to future gen- erations that his has been a record that any man might be proud to possess, being characterized by the faithful fulfillment of every obligation that has devolved upon him.

JACOB SCHEDEL.

Jacob Schedel, deceased, was a native of Ger- many, born in 1848. He came to America in 1866, after spending the first eighteen years of his life in his native land and soon took up his abode in Pittsfield, having in the meantime trav- eled to some extent. Here he embarked in the butchering business in connection with his bro- ther and they were associated in the conduct of a successful enterprise up to the time of the death of Jacob Schedel. The farm upon which his widow now resides was purchased by him and his brother. He was quite successful in the conduct of the meat market, securing a liberal and gratifying patronage which brought him a good financial return.

Mr. Schedel was married in 1871 to Miss Charlotte Auer, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1852, and came to America with her parents in 1854, the family home being established in Pennsylvania. There they remained until 1860, when they came westward to Illinois and Mrs. Schedel lived with an aunt, Mrs. Hoffberger. Her father owned considerable land near New Canton, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1900. His wife sur- vived until July, 1905, passing away at the ad- vanced age of seventy-nine years. When Mrs. Schedel came to the west she was twelve years of age and she lived in New Canton for one winter, after which she removed to Quincy, Illinois, and subsequently came to Pittsfield.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schedel were born eight children, namely : Louisa A., the wife of Charles

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Clitts, a resident of New Canton, Illinois; Bertha M., the wife of Gust Attaberg, a resident of Keokuk, Iowa; Theodore F., at home; Harold F., living in Missouri; Viola, who is engaged in teaching school in Pittsfield township; Ivan, Char- lotte and Jacob, all at home.

Mrs. Schedel now owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine and well improved land pleasantly situated about a mile and a half west of Pitts- field. She superintends her farming interests, the work of tilling the soil and raising stock being carried on there. She has a very nice home and good buildings upon the farm and in the control of her property has displayed excellent business ability and executive force. She is a member of the German Lutheran church and a most estimable lady. She proved to her husband a faithful helpmate and companion on life's jour- ney, ably assisting him by her energy and capable management of the household affairs. In his political views Mr Schedel was a democrat, but was without aspiration for public office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs, and his industry and honorable dealing were the salient features in his success.

GEORGE B. MCKINNEY, D. D. S.

Dr. George B. Mckinney, a dental practitioner of Barry, is a native of Adams county, Illinois, his birth having occurred there on the 2Ist of May, 1872. He is a son of John G. and Malinda (Vining) Mckinney, who are presented else- where in this volume. After mastering the pre- liminary branches of learning he passed through successive grades of the Barry schools until he had completed the high-school course and later he spent one term as a student in the University of Illinois and afterward entered the Northwest- ern University at Chicago, matriculating as a student in the dental department. He completed the regular course there and was graduated in 1897 with the class of one hundred and thirty members. He had passed the state board ex- amination in 1896 and entered upon active prac- tice prior to his graduation. Following the com-

pletion of his university course he came to Barry, where he opened an office and has since remained in business. He has here purchased a lot on which he erected a brick office building, thirty by twenty-eight feet, containing six rooms and a hall. He has here an electric light plantand water- works, also a furnace and compressed-air cylinder and the building is supplied with hot and cold water throughout. His is one of the most modern and best equipped dental parlors in the state of Illi- nois. He uses the latest improved scientific im- plements known to the profession and keeps in touch with the marked advance that has been made in dentistry during the last few years. His work has given universal satisfaction and is his best advertisement for 'his patrons recommend him to others and his patronage is constantly growing.

In 1897 Dr. Mckinney was married to Miss Edith Robb who was born in Griggsville, July 19, 1874, and is a daughter of J. J. and Eliza- beth (Miller) Robb. Her father was born in 1835, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of David and Sarah (Wyte) Robb, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and were of German descent. The father was edu- cated in the public schools and throughout his life carried on farming. He came to Illinois in 1858, rented land and continued its cultivation until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he responded to the country's call for aid, en- listing in the army in 1865 as a member of Com- pany D, One hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for five months in Tennessee He was on detached duty along the Nashville Railroad and partici- pated in no battles but took part in some skir- mishes. Following the close of hostilities he re- turned to Pike county and settled in Griggsville, where the family had removed in the meantime. There he followed the trade of brick-laying for a time, continuing his residence there until 1877, . when he removed to Barry, where he has since made his home. He conducted a billiard and pool room in the town until 1894 and since that time has been proprietor of a bakery. In 1858 he married Miss Elizabeth Miller, of Pike county, who was born in Pennsylvania and died here in January, 1898. They had eight children, of whom

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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

four are now living: Mrs. Edith Mckinney ; Mortimer, who is associated with his father in the bakery; J. W., a resident of Centertown, Missouri; and Fannie, wife of J. B. Watson, a hardware merchant of Barry. Mr. Robb is a republican in his political views, while fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Re- public and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, having been affiliated with the latter for twenty-nine years.

Dr. and Mrs. McKinney have one child, Ruth Marie, born February 21, 1901. The Doctor votes with the republican party and has been a member of the city council for two years, exer- cising his official prerogatives in support of all progressive public measures. He belongs to Barry lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Modern Wood- men camp and the Pike County Mutual Asso- ciation. Along professional lines he is connected with the Morgan County Dental Society, which includes five counties within its membership, and has been honored with the office of vice president. He is also a member of the State Dental Society. He began preparation for the profession in 1894 and added to his knowledge of the great scien- tific principles which underly the work, natural mechanical skill and ability. The dental pro- fession is unique in that it demands three dis- tinct qualifications for success-strong mentality for the mastery of the science, mechanical ingen- uity for the operating room, and keen business discernment for the management of the financial part of the business. In all Dr. Mckinney is well equipped and his business has constantly grown in extent and importance.

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 62

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