Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 65

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 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

494

PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

been loyal in citizenship, rejoicing in what has been accomplished along the line of modern im- provement and progress as the years have gone by. He is now a hale and hearty old man of about seventy-four years and is respected as one of the venerable and worthy pioneer residents of the community

His son, Jasper Willard, was reared upon the home farm and was married here to Miss Ade- line Clark, a native of this county and a daughter of Joseph Clark, also one of the early settlers here. Jasper Willard remained an active farmer and business man of Pike county up to the time of his death, which occurred here in 1883. His wife survived him for about five years. In their family were five children, two sons and three daughters, but only two of the number are now living. The surviving daughter is Irene, now the wife of David G. Claus, a prominent business man of Jacksonville. Illinois, by whom she has three children : John W., Esther E. and Thelma L. Claus.

Charles W. Willard acquired his education in the public schools and remained upon his grand- his dealings have been characterized by a tried

father's farm until fifteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, working by the month 'as a farm hand for five years. He was married December 15, 1897, when twenty years of age, to Miss Lola May Cunningham, a daughter of John and Nellie Cunningham, who are represented elsewhere in this work in connec- tion with the sketch of L. L. Cunningham. . The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm, where they lived for three years and then with the capital that he had acquired Mr. Willard became owner of eighty-six acres of farm land, upon which he now resides. He at once began the further development and improvement of this property and has also operated other land and has added to his original holdings until he now owns one hundred and twenty-six acres. He likewise cultivates land belonging to others and is quite extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising, having high grade Hereford cattle and pure blooded Poland China hogs. He is now feeding a carload of fine steers and also a large number of hogs. He has been a prosperous farmer and stockman and while he has never sought to figure

in any public light he has so conducted his busi- ness affairs that success las resulted and he has won a creditable position in business circles.

Unto Mr. and Mr. Willard have been born five children: Illa Lorene, born November 9, 1898; Leo Bliss, born May 22, 1900; Orland C., who was born February 26, 1902, and died March 10, 1904; Mary Edith, born August 26, 1903; and Charles Wayne, born August 10, 1905.

Since age gave to him the right of franchise Mr. Willard has been a stalwart republican and he takes an active interest in local politics, striving earnestly to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He was elected and served for two terms as assessor of Hardin township and is now one of the board of directors. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he has done effective work in behalf of the schools. He is now serving as district clerk and has frequently been chosen as a delegate to the county conventions of his party. In the review of his life it is noted that with him diligence and prosperity have gone hand in hand and that all of integrity and worth that have gained for him the esteem and confidence of the community.

LEVI W. McMAHAN.

Levi W. McMahan, whose residence in Pike county covers a half century, during which time he has not only been a witness to its many changes, its progress and development, but has also been a participant in the work of upbuilding and im- provement, is now a leading representative of in- dustrial life in Griggsville, where he is success- fuly engaged in the milling business. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 31st of March, 1841, and came to Griggsville with his parents, William and Maria (Thomas) McMahan, both of whom were born near Cincinnati, Ohio. The father was a chairmaker by trade, and witlı his family came to Illinois from Indianapolis, locating at Griggsville on the 10th of May, 1856. The journey was made by team, and they left Sidney

MR. AND MRS. L. W. McMAHAN

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

497

PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

in the morning to travel a distance of thirty miles to Sardorus Grove. They had remained at the former place over night so as to make a daylight drive, as there was danger of being lost in the wild prairie at night, there being not a single house between the two points at that time. Mr. McMahan built a dwelling near the town and fol- lowed the business of chairmaking, his services being in demand by the early settlers. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and his life was in consistent harmony with his professions. In politics he was a Jackson demo- crat until 1856, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party, which he continued to sup- port until his death, which occurred in Griggs- ville when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife, who was born in 1808, died in 1869, at the age of sixty-one years. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter: Levi, Harriet and George M.

Levi W. McMahan began his education in the public schools of Indiana, and was a youth of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents on the removal to Illinois. When nineteen years of age he opened a confectionery store in Griggs- ville, and thus became an active factor in business interests of the city. Following his marriage, however, he sold his store and turned his atten- tion to farming, being identified with agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1866, when he began merchandising in Griggsville. After two years however, he resumed farming operations in Griggsville township, purchasing two hundred ten acres of land south of the town. When he dis- posed of that property he gave his attention to the grain trade in connection with Mr. Allen for about two years, and in 1877, in connection with Bald- win Brothers, he built a flouring mill and after some time purchased his partner's interest, since which time he has conducted the business alone. The mill has a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. At the present time he is operating the mill only in the day, and turning out one hundred barrels of flour each day, for which he finds a ready sale on the Chicago market and in the south. He has a well equipped milling property and is doing a good business which annually returns to him a very de-

sirable income. He still owns and operates his farm, on which he makes his home.

On the 28th of April, 1861, Mr. McMahan was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Simmons, and they became the parents of three children ; but, Harry Edwin, the only son, died when thirteen years of age. The daughters are: Mrs. Nellie Miller, who is now living in St. Louis, Missouri ; and Alice, wife of Professor T. W. Todd, a resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa. After losing his first wife, Mr. McMahan married Mrs. Jennie (Petrie) Clough, and following her death he wedded Miss Mattie Yates, a daughter of George and Maria (Hinman) Yates, a granddaughter of Colonel George Hinman, a native of Kentucky. Her father was among the first settlers of Pike county, coming to Illinois in 1823, at which time he took up his abode in Grigg'sville, township. When the Black Hawk war broke out in 1832 he was one of the volunteers who hastened to the front to suppress the Indian uprising. He improved a fine farm in Griggsville, and there spent his remaining days engaged in raising cattle and hogs. When he died, August 13, 1878, a venerable pioneer was removed-one who had aided in the growth and development of the county, where for nearly a half century he made his home. He lived to see busy towns and fine farms where he first saw a wilderness, and for many years he took an active and helpful part in the work of public improve- ment. His wife died in 1867, leaving three sons and four daughters.

Mr. McMahan traded his home in town for a fine farm near the corporation limits of Griggs- ville and is residing upon this place, so that he is enabled to enjoy the privileges, liberty and pleas- ure of rural life, and at the same time have all the benefits of town life. He served as township supervisor for six years and gave a practical and helpful administration to the city during his two- terms' service as mayor. He served on the board which built the new courthouse. He was also president of the school board for several years, and the system of public education in Griggsville benefited by his efficient efforts in its behalf. He belongs to Pike lodge, No. 73, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the different chairs, in- cluding that of noble grand. His political alle-

498

PAST AND. PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

giance is given to the republican party ; and he is a member of the Baptist church. His wife had the honor of being the first lady elected to the con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal church which was held in Chicago. She declined to act that time, but in 1904 was elected to the conference of her church in California and attended as a delegate. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan are people of the highest respectability and their many excellent traits of heart and mind have won for them the trust and deep friendship of many with whom they have been associated. Mr. McMahan has made consecutive progress in his business career and has proven that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

RICHARD DUNHAM.

Richard Dunham, whose useful and active life has won for him the respect of his fellowmen and also gained for him a most gratifying compe- tence, was born September 9, 1839, in Deersville, Ohio, his parents being Lewis and Sarah Ann (Nelson) Dunham. His paternal grandfather was William Dunham, a native of Maryland and his father was a native of England, becoming the founder of the family in America. William Dun- ham was reared to manhood upon a farm and was married to Miss Mary Chaney, also a native of Maryland, her parents, like the Dunhams, hav- ing come to this country about the time of the Revolutionary war. On leaving Maryland, Wil- liam Dunham and his wife became residents of Ohio, where they remained until the year 1845 and in their old age they came to Illinois, pur- chasing a small farm in Griggsville township, where the death of Mr. Dunham occurred when. he had reached the age of three score years and ten. His wife survived him several years and then she too passed away at the old homestead farm on section 17, Griggsville township, when more than eighty years of age. Both were ac- tive members of the United Brethren church and were people of strong religious faith, taking an active part in the work of the church and doing all in their power to advance the cause of Chris-

tianity. They reared a large family of nineteen children.

The birth of Lewis Dunham occurred in Mary- land, September 12, 1802, and he died at his home in New Salem township, Pike county, Illinois, September 14, 1866. He had spent his entire life in his native state, acquiring a good education there. He was probably married in Ohio, how- ever, and he was connected with business inter- ests there as a farmer and cooper. In 1844 he removed from Ohio to Illinois, arriving in Pike county in the month of April. Three years later he settled on land of his own in New Salem township and there successfully engaged in farm- ing. During the years which followed he worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence and improved a valuable farm of two hundred and sixty acres. He was a use- ful citizen of his township and an active and conscientious worker in the United Brethren church, doing all in his power to promote public progress and improvement along lines of mate- rial, social, intellectual and moral development. He was widely known for his integrity and other commendable traits of character, which won for him the esteem of the entire community. In politics he was a stalwart democrat and he held some local offices, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. In fact every trust that was reposed in him whether of a public or private nature was faithfully performed and his life was at all times honorable and upright. In early man- hood he wedded Sarah Ann Nelson, also a native of Maryland and a daughter of Elisha and Mary (Stringer) Nelson, who were natives of Mary- land and are supposed to have been of Scotch lineage. They were farming people and after their marriage resided in Maryland for a time, while later they became residents of Harrison county, Ohio, there remaining until 1842, when they came to Illinois. They took up their abode on a farm in New Salem township, where they spent their remaining days and their lives were in harmony with their professions as members of the United Brethren church, with which they were connected for many years. Their daughter Sarah was born in April, 1807, was reared in Maryland and came to Illinois with her husband,

499

PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

whom she survived for several years, finally pass- ing away on the 5th of September, 1887, when more than eighty years of age. She, too, was a consistent and helpful member of the United Brethren church and she was the mother of nineteen children, of whom nine are still living.

Richard Dunham was educated in the common schools of Pike county and spent his youth in the usual manner of farm lads, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm work for him in his minority. He aided in clear- ing his father's place and as there was a coal bank upon the farm he and his brother dug coal, which they sold in Griggsville, Maysville and other towns. This farm is now the property of Mary Ann Dunham. Richard Dunham first be- came the owner of land in 1864, at which time he purchased forty acres near his father's place east of New Salem. He sold that later and bought more land and he now owns one hundred and ninety-six acres on sections 13 and 14, New Sa- lem township. He has a well improved farm, having built thereon a good residence, and added all modern equipments and accessories such as are found upon a model farm property of the twentieth century. He has always kept his place well stocked and a glance at fields and meadows would indicate to the passerby the careful super- vision of a painstaking and progressive owner. He continued to reside upon his farm until April, 1904, when he removed to New Salem, while his sons leased the land. For twenty-five years he and his brother Joshua operated a threshing ma- chine. They owned several machines and made considerable money in that way.

In 1861 occurred the marriage of Mr. Dun- ham and Miss Julia Esther Hubbard, who was born July 20, 1838, in Greene county, Illinois, and came to Pike county, locating near Pittsfield in an early day. Ten children were born of this marriage, of whom seven are yet living. Ruth America became the wife of Charles A. Carnes and by that marriage has three living children : Fred N., the. eldest, married Minnie Bridgeman, resides in Salem township and has one child, Veda L .: Mina May is the wife of William H. Rheinhart and has one child; Orville Fay. their home being in New Salem township;

and Fay Roy is living in this county. Mr. Carnes, the father, died in 1893 and Mrs. Carnes was married in 1895 to M. F. Shaffner, their home being now in New Salem. George Nelson, the second child of Richard Dunham, married Myrtle Shuey, by whom he had a son, Percy H. He died in September, 1903, and his widow now resides in Argenta, Illinois. He was educated at Westfield, Illinois, and taught school for five years, after which he engaged in the insurance business for a time. Subsequently he resumed school-teaching and later became editor of the Argenta Hustler. James Abel, the third mem- ber of the Dunham family, lives upon the home . farm. He married Alice Wheeler and they have four children: Floyd, Carl, Ralph and George. William Fred, the fourth member of the family and a resident of Pike county, married Anna Wilson, who died leaving three children: Earl. Andy and Richard. Ida May is the wife of Charles Hooper, of New Salem township and has three children: Neal, and Winifred and Helen, twins. Arthur L. married Eura B. Starkey, re- sides near Baylis and has three children: Fern, Clesson and Ruth Marie. Bert N. married Cora Manker and resides at Stonington, Illinois, where he is a telegraph operator. Harry Herman, liv- ing upon the home farm, married Ida Rheinhart and has one child, Lloyd. In 1904 Mr. Dunham was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. who died on the 9th of September of that year. They had long traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity and the many good traits of character which Mrs. Dunham displayed won her the kindly regard and good will of many friends as well as of her immediate family.

In his political views Mr. Dunham is a stal- wart democrat and has served for two terms as township commissioner. He belongs to the United Brethren church and the qualities of good citizen- ship, of reliability in business and faithfulness in friendship have long been manifest in him. More- over he has displayed in his business career marked integrity as well as energy and through his well directed efforts has won a competence, being today the owner of a fine home in New Salem as well as a farm. He is now living in

500

PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

retirement in the enjoyment of well earned ease, his capital being sufficient to supply 'him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

JOHN R. GICKER.

John R. Gicker, county clerk of Pike county, who since 1898 has filled the position to which he was elected as a democratic candidate, is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the town of Dodenau, Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 9th of February, 1855. His parents were John and Cath- erine (Klein) Gicker. The father was engaged in blacksmithing in Germany and died in his native land many years ago, passing away in 1868, at the age of sixty-eight. The mother's death occurred when she was sixty-six years of age. One son, John Gicker, is a farmer residing in Adams county, Illinois, and a daughter, Mrs. Kathrine Muller, is living in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany.

John R. Gicker when a youth of sixteen years came alone to the new world. He has previously learned the shoemaker's trade, and in Upper San- dusky, Ohio, he spent about a year, after which he came to Pike county, Illinois, in August, 1872. As a respresentative of the shoe trade in Pitts- field, he entered the employ of A. Sittler, with whom he remained for two years, when he secured a position with Joseph Hunter, again working at the shoemaker's trade. When four years had passed he engaged in business on his own account and was alone for a period of four years, after which he accepted a clerkship in the employ of F. W. Neibur, of Pittsfield, until elected to the office of county clerk. He had previously served as town clerk for a period of seven years and his capability and fidelity in that office led to his se- lection for the superior othce, in which he is now serving. He was chosen county clerk by popu- lar suffrage in 1898, and on the expiration of a four years' term was re-elected so that his present incumbency will continue until 1906.

Mr. Gicker was married in Pittsfield to Miss Anna R. Heck, of this city, a daughter of Joseph Heck, a resident of Pike county for many years,

but now deceased. His wife has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Gicker have two sons both born in Pittsfield : Julius R., now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; and Otto D., deputy county clerk of Pittsfield. They have a pleasant home about a block and a half west of the public square in Pitts- field and occupy an enviable position in the social circles of the city.

Mr. Gicker is a valuable respresentative of the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Pike County Mu- tual Life Association, of which he is a director. His political affiliation has always been with the democracy ; and he is a member of the Methodist church. His is not an exceptional career, and yet it is one worthy of commendation, from the fact that he came to America when young and empty- handed, and through the utilization of opportuni- ties, through close application and earnest pur- pose he has worked his way upward, enjoying the confidence and good will of his fellowmen as is evidenced by his long continuance in public office.

JOB DIXON.

Job Dixon, now seventy-eight years of age, is the owner of a splendidly improved farm on sec- tion 6, Perry township. He started out in life on his own account when but twelve years of age and has since worked his way upward. He has overcome difficulties and obstacles and in the legitimate channels of trade has won the success which he is now enjoying, being today one of the extensive landowners of the county. He was born June II, 1828, in Lincolnshire, England. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Barker) Dixon, also natives of England, the former born January 31, 1785, and the latter April 18, 1795. The death of the father occurred January 31, 1846, while his wife passed away in 1870 on the seventy-fifth anniversary of her birth. In their family were four sons and two daughters, but · only two are now living, Job and Thomas. The latter was born November 19, 1831, and is now re- siding in Lincolnshire, England, while Job is the

JOHN R. GICKER

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

503

PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

representative of the family in the new world. He never attended a day school save through one win- ter season. His parents were in limited financial circumstances and it was necessary that he began to provide for his own support when but twelve years of age. When sixteen years of age through his own labor he paid six months' tuition in a night school and he also attended a night school for two winters after his marriage. He thus learned to write a fair hand and also became fa- miliar with business principles. He had become a good reader in his early youth and experience, reading and observation in later years have brought to him broad information, making him a well informed man.

On Monday, the 4th of October, 1858, Job Dixon was united in marriage to Miss Ann Steph- enson, who was also a native of Lincolnshire, born December 6, 1834. The wedding ceremony was performed by William Pierce in the Episcopal church at West Ashby, England, with Thomas Barton and Elizabeth Stephenson as witnesses and on the following Monday the young couple started for the United States, sailing from Liver- pool to New York, whence they made their way westward to Adams county, Illinois. They not only were without capital, but Mr. Dixon had in- curred an indebtedness of one hundred and five dollars for their passage, which he paid back the second summer after his arrival. During the first winter, 1860-1, he and his wife worked for eleven dollars per month. He was afterward able to ob- tain higher wages and his economy and industry at length brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. He invested in one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Perry township, Pike county, and with renewed impetus began the development of his land, which in course of time was transformed into a very productive tract. As the years have passed by and his financial re- sources have increased he has added to his prop- erty from time to time until his realty holdings now embrace eight hundred and sixty-eight acres divided into five farms, all of which are occupied by his children. Three lie in Perry township, one in Fairmount township and one in Elkhorn township, Brown county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have been born the

following named : John Thomas born January 9, 1861, married Sarah Boothby, October 29, 1890, and is now living on one hundred and forty-three acres of land, which is a part of the home place, belonging to his father. Mary Ann, born Septem- ber 8, 1862, was married December 13, 1887, to Perry Zimmerman and resides in Elkhorn town- ship. Emma, born February 22, 1864, became the wife of Henry Smith on the 26th of February, 1889, and they now occupy a farm of one hundred acres belonging to her father. William, born November 19, 1865, was married February 28, 1894, to Carrie Stewart and occupies a farm of one hundred and twenty acres belonging to his father. Samuel S., who was born August 5, 1868, is living on the home farm. Job Henry, born Jan -. uary 19, 1872, was married August, 28, 1898, to Daisy Seaborn, who was born December 30, 1874, and they now reside upon the old homestead farm of two hundred and fifty acres with his father. Rebecca E., born October 30, 1869, became the wife of Oscar Rusk, March 20, 1894, and they are living upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Perry township belonging to her father. Frederick, born April 12, 1874, died February 21, 1884. George A., born October 7, 1875, is now living on a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, which is his father's property. He was 1harried October 14, 1903, to Lena Turnbull. Mrs. Dixon, the mother of these children, died Decem- ber 25, 1895.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 65

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