USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 81
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suing his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses. On the 8th of October, 1874, he secured a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney by his marriage to Miss Ruth H. Sweat, and unto them have been born seven sons, as follows: Andrew D., Asahel C., Cicero A., Henry E., Harry C., Virgil A. and Homer V. Of this num- ber Cicero died in infancy. Mrs. Duff is the daughter of John and Rachel Sweat. Her father was a native of Maine and came to Pike county in 1840. He was of Irish descent, while his wife, who was born in New Hampshire, was of Eng- lish lineage. They were married in Scott county, Illinois, and soon afterward came to Pike county. In their family were nine children, namely: Eva- line G., Clara V., Edwin T., James M., Ruth H., Mary E., Augustus J., Rosaline J. and Lestina V. Sweat. Of these Edwin T. and Mary E. are de- ceased.
Mr. Duff has always been independent in his political affiliation, regarding rather the capability of the candidate than his party connection. His life has been one of activity and since starting out in life on his own account he has made steady progress. His farm of two hundred and forty acres has been brought under a high state of cul- tivation, two hundred acres of the tract being now improved. He raises good crops of wheat, corn and hay and he also makes a specialty of raising cattle and hogs, having fine graded short- horn cattle and Poland China hogs. Both branches of his business are proving profitable. He also raises fruit and take it all in all his farm is a well developed property, neat and thrifty in appearance and equipped with all modern im- provements and accessories.
ALBERT EDWARD HESS.
Albert Edward Hess, owner, editor and pub- lisher of the Barry Adage, was born in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, October 11, 1843. His father, Adam Valentine Hess, was a musician, devoting his life to the art. The son, after acquiring his education, entered a printing office and thus pre- pared for the business which he has made his
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life work. When only eighteen wears of age he responded to the country's call for troops, serv- ing for years, from i861 until 1864, as a soldier of the Union Army in the Civil war. On the 6th of June, 1874, he removed to Quincy, Illinois, and was editor of the Quincy Whig for a long period. On the Ist of November, 1898, he took up his abode in Barry and is now publisher of the Barry Adage, a well conducted paper with a good circulation and advertising patronage.
On the 6th of May, 1865, Mr. Hess was married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Miss Sarah E. Fish- back. They have three sons, Chester A., Eugene L. and Gus R. Mr. Hess belongs to the following societies : The Ancient Order of United Work- men, of which he has been grand master for Illi- nois, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Of the last named he has been past chancellor and has been a member of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows.
WILLIAM H. GOODWIN.
William H. Goodwin, a merchant and constable of Rockport, thus actively connected with the village interests, his efforts being so directed that his public-spirited citizenship is a recognized element in his life, was born August 26, 1863, in Atlas township, and was reared to farm life on the homestead property of his father, Ben- jamin Goodwin, who was a native of Indiana and became a pioneer settler of Pike county. Thoroughout his entire life Benjamin Goodwin carried on farming, following that pursuit in order to provide for his family. He continued the work of the fields until his life's labors were ended in death in 1890, his last days being passed in his home near Dutch Creek church, while his remains were interred in the old Samuel Taylor cemetery about a mile and three-quarters from Rockport. He was a Union soldier during the Civil war, enlisting twice during the progress of hostilities, and he served with the Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a member of Com- pany B until the end of the war. He married
Miss Minerva Billings, who is yet living at the ripe old age of seventy-five years.
William H. Goodwin at the usual age entered a district school on Dutch creek about five miles from Rockport and therein pursued his studies, dividing his time between the work of the school- room and of the home farm. After puting aside his text-books he concentrated his energies upon general agricultural pursuits and was thus closely connected with farming interests in Pike county until September, 1899. At that date he put aside the work of the fields and removed to Rockport, taking up his abode in his present residence. Here he engaged in loaning money on chattel merchandise for a time and in December, 1901, he opened the general store which he is conduct- ing, having a good establishment, in which his carefully selected line of merchandise, combined with reasonable prices, finds favor with the public and secures a good patronage.
On the 8th of September, 1887, Mr. Goodwin was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Flint, a daughter of Thomas P. and Mary E. (McCall- ister) Flint, both of whom are now deceased. They were natives of Pike county, Illinois, where they spent their entire lives, and on being called to the home beyond their remains were interred in the Taylor cemetery near the Taylor school- house. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Goodwin were natives of Tennessee and her maternal grandparents were natives of Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have been born two children, Chloe and Grover.
Interested in community affairs Mr. Goodwin has assisted in executing the plans for general improvement and progress and is recognized as one of the valued and representative citizens of the western part of Pike county. His earlier political allegiance was given to the democracy but during the past four years he has been an ad- vocate of republican principles and upon the ticket of the party was elected to the office of constable of Atlas township in April, 1905. He is in hearty sympathy with the teachings and principles of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Modern Woodmen of America, in both of which fraternities he is a valued member. He has accumulated his possessions through his own
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energy and is in the best sense of the term a self- made man. There have been no startling chap- ters in his life history but his record is that of one who has been true to duty in every environ- ment. He has recognized that the present and not the future holds his opportunity and that the conditions with which he has been surrounded have been sufficient for success if the individual has the perseverance and determination to utilize these for his own ends. This Mr. Goodwin has done and his life record has therefore been that of a successful farmer and merchant.
H. D. FORTUNE, M. D.
Dr. H. D. Fortune, who is one of the promi- nent members of the medical profession of Pike county and one of its old practitioners, is now living in Pleasant Hill, having followed his pro- fession in this village and vicinity for a third of a century. He located here in 1874 and his profes- sional service has been attended with a gratifying measure of success, while public opinion is un- divided concerning his ability. A native of Mis- souri, Dr. Fortune was born in Pike county on the 21st of March, 1841, his father being Cap- tain R. C. Fortune, whose birth occurred in Nel- son county, Virginia, in 1803. The paternal grandfather, George Fortune, was also a native of Virginia and a soldier of the Revolution. Cap- tain R. C. Fortune was reared in the Old Do- minion and when a young man emigrated west- ward to Missouri, settling in Pike county in 1830. He had been married in his native state to Miss Mary Vaughan, who was born in Virginia and was of Welsh lineage. He became a farmer in Pike county and there successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits, reared his family and spent his last days. He was connected with many pioneer events and served as a captain in the Black Hawk war, the sword which he car- ried during that struggle being now in possession of his son, Dr. Fortune. His death occurred in 1872, his wife having passed away only a few days previously.
select school. Having determined upon the prac- tice of medicine as a life work he began reading in 1858 with Dr. M. N. Clark as his preceptor. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of Company D, Third Missouri Infantry. He participated in a number of engagements, the first being at Car- thage, Missouri, on the 5th of July, 1861. He was also in the battle at Wilson Creek and he was detailed as escort to take the body of General Lyon to Springfield, Missouri, after that com- mander fell. Subsequently he was in the battle of Fort Scott, Kansas, and his last engagement was in Callaway county, Missouri, a most hotly contested engagement, the Union troops being under command of General Prentiss. Dr. For- tune was at that time attempting to get through to the Confederate lines with new recruits. The doctor managed to make his escape. Each side, however, captured quite a large number of pris- oners from the other army, but they were ex- changed the following day. Becoming disabled, Dr. Fortune was honorably discharged in 1862 and following his return home resumed the study of medicine. He pursued his first course of lectures in the winter of 1863-4 in St. Louis Medical College and following his return home entered the office of Dr. C. R. Banhead, at Paynesville, Missouri, with whom he studied dur- ing the summer months. In the fall he again re- sumed his college course and was graduated in the spring of 1865. He had been studying under different perceptors for about six years and had gained a broad and intimate knowledge of not only the science of medicine but also of its prac- tical workings. He entered upon the prosecution of his chosen profession in Paynesville, Missouri, where he remained in practice for about eighteen months, when he removed to Prairieville, Pike county, where he continued for several years. He then came to Pleasant Hill, Illinois, on the 9th of August, 1874, and, opening an office here, has since given his time and energies to his profes- sional duties, being accorded a very liberal pat- ronage, which is indicative of the trust imposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
Dr. Fortune was reared in Pike county, Mis- Dr. Fortune was married first in Pike county souri, and pursued his literary education in a on the 2d of September, 1865, to Miss E. I.
DR. H. D. FORTUNE
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
Dougherty, a native of Pike county. She died in Pleasant Hill, February 28, 1888, leaving four children : J. R., who is engaged in farming; G. D., now in Louisiana, Missouri; Hallie M., at home; and Dr. H. C. Fortune, who is also men- tioned in this work. On the 8th of August, 1892, Dr. H. D. Fortune was again married, his second union being with Julia Richards, who was born and reared in Pike county, Missouri.
Politically Dr. Fortune has been a lifelong democrat, supporting the men and measures of the party since casting his first ballot for Samuel J. Tilden. He has never sought or desired politi- cal preferment, yet has served as health officer. He is a Master Mason, belonging to Pleasant Hill lodge, No. 565, A. F. & A. M., in which he is a past master. He has resided within twenty miles of his present home throughout his entire life and for a third of a century has lived in 'Pleasant Hill, where he is prominent both so- cially and professionally, his business having constantly grown until it has now reached exten- sive proportions, and is the source of a gratify- ing income.
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SAMUEL A. KEYS.
Samuel A. Keys is the owner of a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and seventy- five acres in Montezuma township, lying on sec- tions 27 and 34. He is one of the native sons of this township, his birth having occurred on the 4th of July, 1854. His parents were Andrew and Margaret (Armstrong) Keys, natives of Ireland, born in. County Fermanagh. They were mar- ried on the Emerald Isle and they became the parents of twelve children, nine of whom were born in Ireland, while three were born in this country after the emigration of the parents to the new world. Only three of the number are now living: Samuel A., who is the youngest of the family, Frank and Marjorie. Of those deceased John and Andrew were buried in Pittsfield; Illi- nois; Tom, Robert and Sarah Jane in the Keys graveyard on the old Frank Keys farm; and William and Joseph H. in the Green Pond ceme- tery in Montezuma township, Pike county. Bes-
sie died January 7, 1906. The father died No- vember 19, 1888, and was laid to rest in the old cemetery near Milton, while his wife Mar- garet died in 1879, and was buried in the Keys graveyard, but afterward the remains were ex- humed and placed beside those of her husband in the Milton graveyard.
Samuel A. Keys of this review was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, performing the duties of the fields from the time of the early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. In the winter seasons he attended the public schools, acquiring a fair knowledge of the common branches of study. He was mar- ried, October 4, 1885, to Miss Delila A. Ligon, a daughter of John H. and Isabel (Bennett) Ligon. Her great-grandfather, Henry Ligon, was a sol- dier of the Revolutionary war and died in Lincoln county, Missouri, at an advanced age. Her fa- ther, John H: Ligon, was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, in 1836, and throughout his business career has devoted his time and energies to farm- ing. He is still living in. Montezuma township, Pike county, at the age of seventy-two years- one of its respected and worthy citizens. His wife, who was born in Kentucky, April 6, 1839, and was married in Lincoln county, Missouri, is also living, and they have a pleasant home in Montezuma township. Unto them were born eight children: Delila, born October 13, 1859; Douglas W., born December 13, 1860; William H., July 6, 1862; James R., December 6, 1863 : Mary E., June 7, 1868; Charles E., November 16, 1869; Lura B., January 9, 1870; and John A., October 31, 1874. Of these, two are deceased- Charles E. and Lura B., the former having passed away in 1898, and the latter April 10. 1903. Both were laid to rest in Green Pond cemetery. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keys were born three children: John A., who was born in Sep- tember, 1886, died July 26, 1888, and was buried in the Green Pond graveyard; Maud M., born March 8, 1888, is at home ; and Harvey A., born April 25, 1889, died February 17, 1904, and was buried in the same cemetery as his brother.
Mr. and Mrs. Keys and their daughter have a pleasant home in Montezuma township, where his farm is well improved with modern equipments
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and conveniences, the land having been brought under a high state of cultivation. Politically Mr .. Keys is a republican, unfaltering and inflexible in his advocacy of the party and its principles. He keeps well informed on the questions of gen- eral interest, political and otherwise, and is deeply interested in community affairs, giving his co- operation to many movements for the benefit of his township and county. He and his wife and daughter Maud hold membership in the Chris- tian church. He has a wide acquaintance in the county where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his labors as to win signal success in his business life and friendly regard in his social relations.
JOHN C. F. BOGGS.
John C. F. Boggs, the owner of three hundred and ninety-seven acres of valuable land in Pike county, is one of the native sons of Illinois, born in Morgan county on the 8th of March, 1846. The family is of Scotch lineage and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who settled in this country prior to the war for independence. His son, John Boggs, the grandfather, lived and died in Hamilton county, Ohio. His father, William G. Boggs, was born in Nova Scotia in 1803, and when a young lad was taken by his parents to Virginia, whence he afterward removed to Ohio with his father and mother. He arrived in Illinois about the year 1840 and later began farming on his own account in Morgan county, having one hundred and twenty acres of land. On this tract he built a log cabin, which he occupied until 1856, after which he spent two years in Jacksonville on ac- count of the health of his wife. On the 28th of September, 1857, he removed to Pike county, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land that was partially improved. He placed the remainder under cultivation and car- ried on general farming, the fields becoming very productive, so that good harvests were annually gathered. He never cared for public office al- though he acted as school director. He kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day,
however, and voted with the republican party. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was found straight- forward and honorable in all his relations with his fellowmen, never taking advantage of the necessities of another in any business transac- tions. William G. Boggs wedded Miss Caroline Fry, who was born in Chemung county, New York, April 11, 1820. His death occurred Janu- ary 7, 1876, while his wife departed this life De- cember 17, 1900, her last days being passed in Nebraska. They were the parents of four chil- dren, three sons and a daughter: Henry C., born in 1844, served for three years in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and is now living in Flor- ence, Colorado. John C. F. Boggs is the next of the family. Samuel H., born May 6, 1850, is now living in Trumbull, Clay county, Nebraska. Myra J., born April 29, 1856, married W. F. Cobb and is living in Chicago.
The mother of our subject was born near Big Flats, New York, April II, 1820, and was a daughter of Charles and Phoebe (Burk) Fry, who were also natives of the Empire state, where their ancestors settled at a very early period in the history of the new world, Mr. and Mrs. Fry becoming residents of Illinois in the latter part of the '30s, taking up their abode in Morgan county, where their remaining days were passed. It was at Meredosia, Morgan county, that Mr. and Mrs. Boggs were married in 1842.
John C. F. Boggs is indebted to the public- school system of Morgan and Pike counties for the educational privileges he enjoyed, having come to the latter with his parents when eleven years of age. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and has made farming his life work. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Sarah M. Stauffer, whom he wed- ded on Christmas day of 1879. She was born August 18, 1853, of the marriage of John and Sarah (Hilliard) Stauffer. Her father was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1817, and the mother's birth occurred in Virginia, Janu- ary 4, 1814. Both reached an advanced age, Mr. Stauffer passing away in Fairmount township,
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April 25, 1885, and his wife in the same town- ship, November 6, 1882. When a boy Mr. Stauf- fer accompanied his parents on their removal from Pennsylvania to Ohio and later came with them to Illinois, where they settled about 1834. He attended the public schools in this state, was married at the age of twenty-three years and then started out in life on his own account. He en- tered eighty acres of timber land from the gov- ernment, from which he cut the trees and pre- pared the land for plowing. His marriage to Miss Hilliard was celebrated in her father's dou- ble log cabin. The young couple built them a home of logs on forty acres of land, which the wife had entered from the government. The fur- niture in the little home consisted mostly of stools and a table which Mr. Stauffer made. Later he bought more land and became one of the most prosperous farmers and extensive property hold- ers of the locality, having eighteen hundred acres at the time of his death. He was a very promi- nent and influential citizen and his political alle- giance was given to the whig party, He acted as justice of the peace and school director and he belonged to the Christian church. In their family were nine children, of whom seven are yet living : George W., born October 13, 1840, was a mem- ber of Company D, Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and is now residing in Missouri ; Jacob E., born January 19, 1842, served with Company F. of the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry, now resid- ing in Missouri; Mary E., born August 19, 1843. is the wife of Jasper Seybold and they reside in Harvard, Clay county, Nebraska ; Louisa died in infancy ; William H., born January 23, 1847, is living in New Salem township; Nancy L., born April 16, 1850, is the wife of John Hoffsess, of Missouri ; Mrs. Boggs is the next of the family ; John C., born August 7, 1855, is living in Fair- mount township. Their youngest child died in infancy.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, of whom one died in infancy, while John W., born November 5, 1882, died October 3. 1897. Chrissie H., born September 12, 1886, and Sarah E., October 4. 1891, are at home.
Before his marriage John C. F. Boggs began farming for himself upon eighty acres of land in
Piatt county, Illinois, where he remained for four years. He then returned to Fairmount township, where he resumed general agricultural pursuits and subsequently he purchased the interests of of the other heirs in the old homestead property in 1878. He has since added to this tract until within its borders are now comprised three hun- dred and ninety-seven acres of valuable land all under cultivation except about one hundred acres of timber. He has just completed a new residence built in modern style of architecture and supplied with all the conveniences and comforts that go to make a desirable home. He has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising upon this place for the past twenty-three years and its excellent appearance indicates his careful supervision and earnest efforts. He has never wished public of- fice but has given his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with grati- fying success. He holds membership in the Church of Christ and in politics is a stanch repub- lican. His farm gives every evidence of careful supervision and practical methods and the owner is a man who in his business relations has been found thoroughly reliable and trustworthy. He has therefore gained the respect of his fellowmen and has also won warm friendships by reason of a genial manner and cordial disposition.
W. H. MEISENBACH.
W. H. Meisenbach, practical and progressive, is one of the oldest merchants of Pike county, conducting a large and profitable business in Pearl. He was born in Bedford on the 17th of September, 1858, his parents being Charles and Caroline (Lange) Meisenbach, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to Amer- ica in 1849. The father settled in St. Louis and there he formed the acquaintance of Miss Caroline Lange, to whom he was married on the 11th of October, 1857. He afterward took up his abode in Bedford, Pike county, where he engaged in blacksmithing for a year and in 1859 he removed to Bee Creek, where he continued to work at his trade until 1872. He then abandoned black-
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'smithing in order to engage in merchandising and in various speculations and in 1882, associated with his son, W. H. Meisenbach, he opened a store at Pearl, the relation between them being maintained until 1894, when he sold out to his son and partner, who has since successfully carried on the business. In the meantime the father had made extensive and judicious investments in real estate, becoming the owner of over one thousand acres of the best farming land in Pike and Cal- houn counties. His property is very valuable and returns to him a large annual income. He is now permanently retired from active business cares and is living with his wife at Whitehall, Illinois. His life record stands as a splendid ex- ample of what may be accomplished through de- termined and earnest effort and the exercise of good business judgment. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meisenbach were born seven children, namely: W. H., of this review; Charles D., deceased; a son who died in infancy unnamed; August; Louisa F., Albert E .; and Julia C.
W. H. Meisenbach acquired a good common- school education and has carried on business for himself since '1882, when his father placed him in charge of their general mercantile store in Pearl. He is an active, prosperous and leading mer- chant, carrying a large and well selected line of goods and meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. He was associated with his father until 1894, when he purchased his partner's inter- est and became sole proprietor. He has since con- ducted the business alone and has found it a profitable undertaking. In addition he also owns four hundred acres of valuable farming land, of which one hundred and fifty acres is devoted to fruit, while the remainder is used for the cultiva- tion of cereals or for pasturage, and in the town of Pearl he has a beautiful residence.
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