USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 79
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In 1847 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Mc- Cleery, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mc- Cleery, of Hadley township. To this union were born nine children, six of whom died in youth. Those surviving are: Richard W., a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, of Hadley township; Emily, wife of Samuel Grammer; and Franklin M. Powell, owner of and dealer in lands, being a member of the Baylis Real Estate Agency. Both he and his sister are residents of Baylis.
After the death of his parents Mr. Powell bought from the other heirs the old home farm, where he continued to live until 1887, when he moved to Baylis and here he and his wife spent north part of Hadley township, his father having the remainder of their lives. Mr. Powell de- purchased a tract of land, which was well cov- ered with timber and hazel brush, on which by hard, persistent labor they laid the foundation for a future, pleasant home. At that time there was no regular laid-out public roads, in their
parted this life September 27, 1903, and his wife July 5, 1905. His life was marked throughout by a spirit of enterprise and progress, coupled with an unyielding integrity that won for him respect and friends from all classes with whom
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he came in contact. He was always ready to ex- tend a helping hand to suffering and needy hu- manity. His sphere of usefulness was in the walks of private life. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and took an active interest in church work, assisting in the building and maintaining of a church which was located on one of his farms. Politically he was a stanch republican.
EDWARD S. HOYT.
The consensus of opinion concerning the busi- ness ability and public service of Edward S. Hoyt, cashier of the Griggsville National Bank, is most favorable, for through many years he has been a factor in business and political circles, his labors being of a character that have contributed to general progress as well as to individual suc- cess. He was born in Griggsville township, Feb- ruary 22, 1846.
His father, Sylvester C. Hoyt, was born in Hartland, Vermont, October II, 1818, and se- cured his education in the schools of Charles- town, Massachusetts. In the year 1836 he came to Illinois with his parents, the family home being established in Pike county. They made their way westward from Charlestown, and after com- ing to this county, Mr. Hoyt rented land for a number of years, and operated a threshing ma- chine with horse power. He then turned his at- tention to merchandising, continuing in business until 1856, when he extended the field of his ac- tivities by engaging in the pork-packing busi- ness, having built a packing house. In 1872 he retired from active life, having in the meantime acquired a handsome competence. He took a deep interest in all public affairs, and served as a school director for many years, also held various village offices. His interest in community affairs was deep and sincere, and led to his co-operation in many movements that resulted beneficially to the village. He was a member of the Congregational church, and gave his political allegiance to the whig party until the dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the republican party. He was mar-
ried March II, 1845, to Malinda M. Reid, who was born in Tennessee, August 13, 1820, and died May 28, 1854, leaving three children: Edward S .; Frank H., who was born April 12, 1849, and died May 21, 1894; and Alice M., born January 21, 1851, and died May 24, 1882. Mr. Hoyt was married on the 15th of June, 1858, to Almira P. Graham, a daughter of Israel Graham, of Muscatine, Iowa. His third wife was Mrs. Eliz- abeth Brakefield, a daughter of Deacon Carmer, to whom he was married May 10, 1883. Mr. Hoyt passed away May 6, 1894. He had for many years been a resident of the county and was respected as a man of genuine worth and of . unfaltering integrity in business life.
Edward S. Hoyt, spending the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, ob- tained his early education in the public schools, and afterward attended the Jones Business Col- lege in St. Louis. When his text-books were put aside he entered the field of business activity and was engaged in clerking in a store until twenty-three years of age. He then went upon the river as a clerk on a steamboat running on the Illinois, for seven years. He afterward en- gaged in the shipping and commission business at Griggsville Landing for ten years. He was then appointed postmaster under President Har- rison, serving in that capacity for four years, and on his retirement from office gave his at- tention to the insurance business and to the settlement of estates. In 1902 he entered the Griggsville National Bank as cashier and has since acted in that capacity. He is thoroughly acquainted with the banking business and is a popular official with the patrons of the institution, while the officers of the bank recognize his thor- oughness, his capability and unfaltering devotion to the best interests of the company which he represents.
On the 12th of November, 1868, Mr. Hoyt was married to Miss Emily Rider, who was born September 30, 1847, and was a daughter of Captain Samuel and Angeline (Carlton) Rider, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. Her father was a seafaring man while living upon the Atlantic coast. On his removal to the west he settled in Illinois, and both he and his wife
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are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt three children were born: Herbert, born March 26, 1870; Clara L., October 17, 1871; and M. Alice, August 16, 1873. The wife and mother died August 7, 1883, and on the 16th of January, 1888, Mr. Hoyt was married to Mrs. Zilpha S. Wilson, who was born July 7, 1852, and is daughter of Benjamin T. and Ila (Howell) Shoemaker. Her father was a native of New Jersey and came to Pike county, Illinois, in 1867, settling in Perry township. While in the east he followed farming and possessing considerable mechanical ingenuity, he did horse-shoeing and made his own farm implements. Since the second marriage of Mr. Hoyt one son has been born, Arthur Sherman, born May 21, 1890.
Mr. Hoyt is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and has filled a number of offices, to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability. He was mayor of Griggsville for the term of 1895-6 and was school treasurer for six or eight years. In discharging his official duties he has ever been found prompt and reliable and his capability has made him an officer whose service has been of value to the city. He is a member of the Congregational church and is interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, social, political and moral welfare of the city. He has a wide acquaintance and his many good qualities are such as entitle him to the regard which is uniformly tendered him.
H. WALLACE HAINES.
H. Wallace Haines, who in his business career has manifested the alert and enterprising spirit which has been a salient feature in the rapid and substantial upbuilding of the middle west, is well known as a member of the firm of Haines, Rupert & Company at Rockport, general merchants, con- ducting a large and prosperous business. He was born February 17, 1870, in Gilgal, Pike county, a son of William M. and Ellen L. (Crenshaw) Haines. The father was a native of New Jersey and on coming to Illinois resided for several years in Rockport, subsequent to which
time he removed to Gilgal, where he was mar- ried. Following farming he became a prominent representative of agricultural interests and won a satisfactory reward for his well directed labors. His death occurred in 1881, his remains being interred in the Rockport cemetery. His widow afterward married James D. Rupert, whose death occurred in 1895. Mrs. Rupert still re- sides in Rockport and is a most estimable lady, whose circle of friends is a very extensive one.
H. Wallace Haines began his education in the Rockport public schools and supplemented his preliminary intellectual training by study in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he pursued a three years' course and was graduated with high honors, holding two diplomas and receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. Subsequent to his grad- uation he returned to Rockport and entered business life here as a member of the firm of Anderson, Taylor & Company, with which he continued for a year. On the expiration of that period Mr. Taylor retired and the business was then conducted under the name of Anderson Rupert & Company until 1897, when the business was closed out and the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Haines, however, continued in mercantile life in Rockport, opening a store in the old Nichols Building, in which he continued for six months. In the spring of 1898 he was joined in busness by his mother, Mrs. E. L. Rupert, and the store was then carried on under the firm name of Haines & Rupert until 1900, at which time the establishment with all of the stock was destroyed by fire. At once, however, work was begun on a new building and after two months business was resumed under the present firm name of Haines, Rupert & Company. This company carries the largest stock of general merchandise and lumber of any house in the western part of Pike county and almost everything that is in demand by the general public can be purchased there save farm implements. Their stock is. always modern and is carefully selected and their reasonable prices and honorable dealings recom- mend them to the patronage of the general public.
On the 20th of April, 1893, Mr. Haines was united in marriage to Miss Amy L. Martin, a
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daughter of Hudson and Lydia Martin, of Derry township, Pike county. They now have two children, a daughter and son: Gertrude Martin, who is eleven years of age; and Charles Wallace Haines, a young lad of seven years. Their po- sition socially is a foremost one and their own home is justly celebrated for its pleasing and gracious hospitality. Mr. Haines is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Rockport and also the Modern Woodmen camp and the Maccabees tent. He votes with the republican party and is deeply interested in its success but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give un- divided attention to his business affairs. In his mercantile career he has wrought along modern lines, keeping in touch with the onward march of progress in the line of trade and his careful management and keen and clear discernment in business affairs have been salient elements in a prosperous career.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, M. D.
Dr: William H. Johnson, popular profession- ally and in social circles, enjoying a large practice in Barry and the surrounding districts, is a native of Florida, Monroe county, Missouri, born on the 29th of May, 1855. His parents were Dr. Robert J. and Mary (Tandy) Johnson. The father was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, October 7, 1828, while the mother's birth oc- curred in Palmyra, Missouri, February 12, 1839. Their marriage was celebrated January 26, 1854, Dr. Robert J. Johnson having removed from Virginia to Ohio with his parents in his early boyhood days and afterward accompanied them when they went to Missouri. He prepared for his profession under the direction and in the office of Dr. William N. Tandy, formerly of Bourbon county, Kentucky, but at that time a resident of Missouri. Having prepared for the practice of medicine and surgery he then opened an office in Monroe county and for thirty-two or three years was an active practitioner at Florida, giving his time and attention to the alleviation of human suffering up to his demise. He was a
member of Santa Fe lodge, No. 462, A. F. & A. M., was a democrat in his political adherence, and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife .also belonged. He died June 2, 1881, and his death came as a personal loss to many who knew him for he was the loved family physician in many households and his pa- tients had come to value not only his professional skill but also his warm friend- ship and cheering presence. Unto him and his wife were born thirteen children, of whom six are now living, William H. being the eldest. The others are as follows : Adolphus, who was born June 8, 1858, and is residing in Chicago, where for the past twenty-five years he has been connected with a wholesale house as traveling salesman; Eva L., who was born April 7, 1861, and is the wife of T. S. Gaitskill, a resident of Monroe City, Missouri; Ina, who was born January 6, 1868, and is the wife of George Guthrie and is residing at Medicine Lodge, Kansas ; Albert S., who was born April 26, 1867, an'd married Miss Mary Harrell, their home being in Houston, Texas, where he is superintendent of the'Galveston, Houston & New Orleans Rail- road; and James J., who was born March 9, 1870, and married Pearl Smith. Their home is a in Houston, Texas, where he occupies a position as train dispatcher.
After losing her first husband Mrs. Robert Johnson was married, on the 21st of January, 1896, to Burton Gray and they are now residing in Barry. He was born in New York, November 5, 1822, and came with his parents to Illinois in . 1830. He has long been a contractor and builder, having erected some of the first houses built in Barry, while many of the best structures of the town still stand as monuments . to his still and capability in the line of his chosen occupation. He is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He served as revenue collector for one term under President James Buchanan and was a soldier of the Mexican war, marching from Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas, to Mexico. He has long been a member of the Sons of Temperance and Baptist church, affiliations which indicate his upright
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life and his devotion to the principles which tend to benefit and uplift humanity. His political alle- giance is given to the republican party. He, too, has been twice married, his first union being with Sophronia Babcock, who died in 1857. They were the parents of four children, of whom two are now living : Ellen M., the wife of Richard Evans; and Frank R., who is living in Allegheny, Penn- sylvania.
Dr. William H. Johnson, whose name introduces this record, having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, attended the Mis- souri University at Columbia, Missouri, and having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work he followed his preliminary reading by a course in the Missouri Medical College, formerly the McDowell Medical College and now the Washington University. There he completed the regular course and was graduated with the class of 1879, when twenty-four years of age. He then opened an office and located for practice at Elizabeth, Monroe county, Mis- souri, where he remained for one year, after which he removed to Florida, where he was associated in practice with his father until the latter's death, relieving him in his later years of the more ardous duties of the profession. In August, 1883, he removed to Kinderhook, Pike county, where he became associated with Dr. Mark Pinnick, with whom he was connected for two years. In 1887 he came to Barry and entered into business relations with Dr. A. C. Baker, with whom he remained for seven years. He was then alone in practice until the Ist of August, 1905, when he admitted his son, Dr. Charles Johnson, to a partnership. His practice soon grew to gratifying proportions and he has kept in touch with the progress that has marked the medical fraternity through his association with various medical societies to which he has belonged and also by his extensive reading and research.
On the 13th of January, 1880, occurred the mar- riage of Dr. Johnson and Miss Jennie E. Poage who was born June 25, 1855. Her parents were John D. and Susan M. (Wright) Poage. The former was born in Monroe county, Missouri, July 2, 1829, and is now living in the Indian
Territory. His wife, however, who was born in Philadelphia, April 26, 1831, died July 9, 1903. They had long traveled life's journey together, for they were married when she was twenty-one years of age. In their family were three children but one has passed away. The brother of Mrs. Johnson is William Poage, who was born September 7, 1853, and married Miss Alice Calhoun, now deceased. For his second wife he chose Effie Poage, and now resides in . Indian Territory. The father of Mrs. Johnson engaged in teaching school in Missouri for a number of years and served as assessor of Monroe county. During much of his residence there, however, he followed farming and stock- raising, carrying on the business until 1875, when he removed from his farm to Paris, Missouri, where he was engaged in merchandising for three or four years. He then took up his abode, in Florida, Missouri, and subsequently came to Pike county, settling in Barry, where he lost his wife. In the fall of 1903 he removed to Tahlequah, Indian Territory, where he now resides. He was a member of the Masonic lodge at Florida, Missouri, is a democrat in his political affiliation, and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he has been a most earnest an consistent member. The marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Johnson was blessed with five children. The eldest, Dr. Charles A. Johnson, born January 8, 1881, was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College with the class of June, 1903, winning the honors of the class although but twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in practice at Beverly, Adams county, and is now associated with his father. He has made an excellent record both as a physician and citizen and is a popular young man, warmly esteemed by a large circle of friends. He was married in 1905 to Miss Viola Mayes. Sue B. Johnson, born August 18, 1884, was graduated from the high school of Barry and spent one year in the Missouri University. Archie C., born October 7, 1887, Hazel F., born May 28, 1889, and Mary Louise, born June 12, 1892, are all at home.
Dr. Johnson is affiliated with Pleasant Vale lodge, No. 381, K. P. and with Ilderim Temple,
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D. O. K. K., at Jacksonville. In politics he is a democrat and he belongs to the Christian church, while his family are members of the Baptist church. He contributes to the support of both churches and is a generous man, whose kindly spirit is manifest in his benevolent work in the line of his profession. He has prospered in his business career and has acquired a good home and comfortable living for his family. He is conscientious in his chosen field of labor and has ever manifested a high standard of profes- sional ethics, so that he enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow members of the medical fra- ternity as well as of the public at large.
EVAN MEREDITH ROBERTS.
Evan Meredith Roberts, the owner of valuable farming and stock-raising interests, makes his home at Valley City, in Flint township. He is a native of London, born June 23, 1828, and he came to this country with his parents in 1834. He is a son of E. M. and Sarah (Ward) Roberts, who were Welsh people. The father was born in Wales in 1792 and died in Jacksonville, Illinois, on the 12th of May, 1868, while the mother's death occurred in December, 1863, when she was sixty-nine years of age. They crossed the At- lantic on a sailing vessel which weighed anchor at Gravesend, and after a voyage of six weeks reached the harbor of New York city. He did not tarry long in the east but came at once to Illinois and finally located north of Jacksonville. Later he returned to New York and brought his family to this state, making the journey by way of the Hudson river to Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo and around the Great Lakes to Chi- cago. There were seven hundred Indians in Chi- cago at that time, having gone there for their al- lowances granted them by the government. Mr. Roberts continued his journey by canal to Utica, New York, and after a week spent there made his way to Beardstown by boat and on to Ar- cadia, where he located. He there engaged in the practice of medicine until 1859, but in 1858 he purchased eighty acres of land in Flint township,
Pike county. Subsequently he added to this a tract of forty acres and in 1859 he built a house upon his farm, making it his home until 1865. In that year he went east to visit his brothers in Massachusettts and spent two years in the old Bay state. He afterward went to Jacksonville, Illinois, and was with his son, Rev. James G. Roberts, at the time of his death. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. In the family were four sons, of whom Evan M. is the eldest. Rev. James G. Roberts, the second, was born in England, February 11, 1830, was gradu- ated from Illinois University and from the Ban- gor (Maine) College, in which he prepared for the ministry. For ten years he was pastor of the Congregational church at Jacksonville, Illinois, for nine years in Kansas City, Missouri, and at the present time is pastor of a Congregational church in New York city. He is a man of broad scholarly attainments, accounted one of the lead- ing divines of the Congregational ministry. He has two sons who are graduates of Columbia Uni- versity of New York. George Roberts, born in England, December 1, 1832, also prepared for the ministry at Bangor College and was pastor of a Congregational church in LaSalle, Illinois, at the time of his death. Jacob J. Roberts was born in England in 1834 and died in December, 1860.
Evan M. Roberts spent the first six years of his life in the land of his birth and then came with his parents to America. He had poor health in his boyhood days but availed himself of the op- portunity of acquiring an education and took up the study of medicine under the direction of his father. He was also engaged in farming with his father until 1868. He would not leave his parents, but continued to assist them as long as they needed his services. His life has been devoted to general agricutural pursuits and at the present time he is the owner of two hundred acres of rich and valuable land in Pike county and one hundred and seventy-three acres in Scott county, his attention being given to general farming and stock-raising. In the year 1905 he had about two hundred and twenty-five acres planted to corn and to the work of the farm he gave his personal supervision, his sons, however, largely perform- ing the labors of the fields.
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On the 19th of February, 1868, Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Susan W. Kempton, who was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, April 20, 1838, a daughter of Benjamin and Betsy (Williamson) Kempton, the former born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1798, and the latter in Fair Haven, Massachusetts. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade, following that pursuit for a considerable period in New Bedford. He held membership in the Congregational church and exercised his right of franchise in support of the men who at the election stood for democratic principles. He died in the year 1844, while his wife passed away in July, 1868. In their family were nine children, but only two are now living, Margaret and Mrs. Roberts. The former is the widow of Benjamin Fairfield, who died in Cali- fornia, and she is now living in Fair Haven, Mas- sachusetts. At the time of the Civil war Francis . Kempton, her brother, entered the service and was in the navy, being assigned to the ship Semi- nole. He was in the squadron which captured the city of Mobile and was largely engaged in guard- ing the coast. They captured the blockade run- ner, Sir Robert Peel, off the coast of Texas. Mr. Kempton served his full time on this ship and was one of its officers and after the war he was with the Ocean Steamship Company running a line of boats between New York and Savannah, Georgia. He acted as captain of the ship Kan- sas City and others, and eventually was made commodore of the fleet.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born four sons and a daughter. Sarah, who was born No- vember 17, 1868, is the wife of Leonard Hall, of Pike county. Frank died in infancy. Evan M., born August 20, 1872, married Stella Hobson. Louis F., born June 1, 1874, married Stella Lynn and is living on his father's farm in Scott county. George R., born September 23. 1876, married Jennie French and is also farming in Scott county.
Mr. Roberts formerly gave his political alle- giance to the republican party but is now a stanch prohibitionist because of his views upon the tem- perance question. He has served as justice of the peace but otherwise has never held nor sought public office. He belongs to the Methodist Epis-
copal church, while is wife is a member of the Congregational church. The Roberts family have long been active and influential in church work, three uncles of our subject and two brothers being isters of the Congregational denomination. One of his uncles, Thomas Jenkins, was president of Coward College of London and was the author of two volumes, one entitled, "The Spirit and the Church" and the other "The Atonement." The degree of Doctor of Divinity has been conferred upon him. George Arnold, his mother's uncle, was a painter of one of the famous pictures of the battle of Trafalgar in which Nelson was killed. Like the representatives of his family Mr. Rob- erts has ever stood for all that is right and just between man and his fellowman, for honesty, temperance and benevolence, for the good, the true and the beautiful and now in the evening of his days he receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has ad- vanced far on life's journey and has traveled in the path marked by high and lofty principles.
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