USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 82
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· 'On June 20, 1884, Mr. Meisenbach was united in marriage to Miss Kate I. Stillwell, a daughter of James and Catharine Stillwell, of Pike county, Illinois. She was one of the prominent teachers of this county and was acting as principal of the public schools of Pearl at the time of her mar- riage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meisenbach have been born eight children: Eloise, Halbert L., Carolyn. Rollin, Vera, Hilda Catharine, Hila and Carl
Meisenbach. Of these all are yet living with the exception of Halbert L., who died at the age of fourteen years.
Mr. Meisenbach is one of the most prominent, .successful and leading citizens of Pearl and has done much for the welfare and upbuilding of the town. His influence is ever on the side of right, progress and improvement. In politics he is and has always been a stanch prohibitionist and has ardently advocated the temperance cause, feeling that it is best for the interests of the community. He was elected on the first temperance board of Pearl and proposes to keep up his work in this di- rection. He belongs to Milton lodge, No. 275, A. F. & A. M., Nebo camp, No. 970, M. W. A., and both he and his wife are prominent and influ- ential members of the Baptist church of Pearl. He has a very wide and favorable acquaintance and in business life has made a splendid record, never incurring obligations that he does not meet nor making engagements that he does not fill.
FRANK CLAUS.
Frank Claus, a general merchant of Atlas, who has followed the "merit system" in his business career, winning success because he deserves it, owing to honorable and straightforward methods and earnest desire to please his customers, was born in Maroa, Macon county, Illinois, on the 24th of January, 1868. He was but four years of age when brought to Pike county by his par- ents, George and Cyrena (Carey) Claus. The father was a native of Germany, and crossed the Atlantic to America about 1853, settling at first in Ohio. He afterward came to Illinois, settling in Pike county. Following his marriage he re- moved to Maroa, Macon county, the birthplace of our subject ; and about 1872 he again came with his family to Pike county, settling in Derry township. He was a farmer by occupation, de- voting his entire life to general agricultural pur- suits. In the family were a son and daughter, but the latter, Josephine Claus, died in 1888 and was buried in the West cemetery at Pittsfield.
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When Frank Claus first came to Pike county . ters resides in Louisiana, Missouri. Unto Mr. he resided with his grandfather, Peter Carey, a and Mrs. Claus have been born four children : Frank Leslie, who was born September 5, 1898; Harold P., December 27, 1900; Eugene C., Feb- ruary 27, 1903; and Edna May, May 31, 1905. pioneer farmer of Derry township, who came to this county from New York city in 1837. During the gold excitement in California in 1849 the grandfather went to the Pacific coast accompanied by Carlisle Burbridge, William Gorden and Isaac Holman, of Pike county. They made an overland trip with ox teams, and eventually reached the land of gold; but, not meeting with the success they had anticipated in their search for fortune, they all returned, but separately, to Pike county. Here Peter Carey took up the pursuit of farming again, which he continued until the disabilities of age prevented his further active work. He died in 1899 at his home in Derry township, hav- ing for several years survived his wife, who passed away in 1884, in Macon county, Illinois.
Frank Claus was reared in his grandfather's home, and acquired his primary education in the district schools of Derry township, while later he attended the public schools of Pittsfield. His work during the summer months enabled him to continue his studies through the winter seasons, for he depended entirely upon his own resources in order to meet the expenses of his school course. Later he engaged in teaching school in Atlas for a year, and subsequently taught in various coun- try schools in Pike county for about ten years, proving an able educator. After putting aside the duties of the schoolroom in 1898, he built his present store in Atlas and stocked it with a large line of dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, drugs and notions. In this business he has since continued, meeting with good success. He now has a well appointed store, and through his honorable methods and unfaltering energy, has secured a large and paying trade.
On the 8th of September, 1897, Mr. Claus was united in marriage to Miss Marietta Dodge, a daughter of Harland P. and Emma T. (Carter) Dodge. The father was a native of Maine, and after his marriage, came to Pike county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and levee work, be- ing recognized as an expert authority on matters connected with the building of levees. He died in Atlas, June 27, 1899. His wife and three chil- dren survive him. Mrs. Dodge with two daugh-
In his political views Mr .. Claus is an earnest and stalwart republican, who has long upheld the principles of the party. He holds membership re- lations with the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Dependent upon his own resources for his education, as well as for his business advancement, he early displayed the ele- mentary strength of his character in strong and earnest purpose, which enabled him to prose- cute his studies in the face of difficulties. Throughout his entire life he has shown marked' self-reliance and business activity, coupled with sound judgment and resolution; and he certainly deserves much credit for the success he has ac-' complished as the years have gone by.
GEORGE D. BUSH.
George D. Bush, one of the leading merchants of Pike county, who has been an active business man of Nebo for fourteen years, dates his resi- dence in Illinois from 1880 and since 1891 has lived in this section of the state. His birth oc -: curred in Jefferson county, New York, on the. 27th of March, 1842. He is a son of O. E. Bush, a native of Vermont and a grandson of Squire Bush, who was one of the early settlers of New York, taking up his abode in Jefferson county in 1803. O. E. Bush was there reared and edu- cated and when he had attained man's estate he was married there to Miss Janette Heald, a na- tive of Jefferson county and a daughter of David Heald, who was born in Vermont and became one of the first settlers of Jefferson county, New York. He was influential and active in public af- fairs there and served as the first supervisor of Antwerp township. O. E. Bush was a farmer by occupation and an active business man. He went to California in 1849, making the overland trip and spent twenty years upon the Pacific coast
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· engaged in mining and farming. After he had been there for a time he was joined by his fam- ily. Eventually he returned to the east, locat- ing at Colecamp, Missouri, whence he removed to Ceredo, West Virginia, where he lived re- tired up to the time of his death, which occurred about 1888 or 1889. His wife died two years later.
George D. Bush was reared in Jefferson coun- ty, New York, and was a student in the public schools there. When a young man he entered upon his business career as a clerk in Watertown and was thus employed for several years. In 1861 .he went to California, joining his father's family there and in that state he accepted a posi- tion in a mercantile house at Chico, where his business capacity and enterprise won him promo- tion and eventually secured his admission to the firm. as a partner under the style of Chapman, Titcom & Bush, general merchants. He thus continued at Chico for several years, doing a good business, but eventually sold out on account of poor health and removed east to Missouri, locating at Colecamp in Benton county, where he carried on business for two years. On the ex- piration of that period he disposed of his busi- ness there and returned to California, where he again engaged in merchandising and when he once more sold out on the Pacific coast he made his way to West Virginia, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits continuing upon a farm there until coming to Illinois. Locating in Calhoun county, this state, he once more bought out an established business, which he conducted for three years, when he disposed of his store and removed to Frankford. There he again bought a store and sold goods for eight years and in 1891 he came to Nebo and estab- lished a new store in this village. He has been quite active in business here. He put in a large stock of general merchandise and now occupies three large store rooms, well filled with goods of every description found in a first-class estab- lishment of this kind. He has built up a large and profitable trade and is recognized as one of the leading business men of the county.
In 1867, in Keokuk, Iowa, Mr. Bush was mar- ried to Miss Mary Lee, a native of Illinois,
where she was reared and educated. There are three children of this marriage. Charles Bush, the eldest, is married and is a partner in his fa- ther's mercantile business. His education was acquired in Keokuk and Frankford. Nettie is the wife of Dr. Walter Urban, a dentist of Perry- ville, Missouri. Harry is married and clerks in his father's store in Nebo.
Politically Mr. Bush has been a lifelong re- publican, having supported the party since cast- ing his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lin- coln. He takes a great interest in the political affairs of the country but has never sought of- fice, giving his unremitting attention to his busi- ness. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Nebo and since 1863 he has been identified with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, which he joined in Cali- fornia. He has served through various chairs, and is past grand of the lodge with which he now holds membership. For a quarter of a cen- tury he has made his home in Illinois and since coming to Nebo has been thoroughly identified with the interests of Pike county. An active, prosperous merchant and public-spirited citizen, his labors have been effective in promoting gen- eral progress and improvement as well as indi- vidual success and the public opinion regard- ing his ability and worth is very favorable. Mr. Bush is a close observer and his knowledge, gained from travel and experience, is of great value to him and a pleasure to those with whom he meets. In 1865-6 he visited Central America and Mexico and on several occasions has visited the provinces of Canada, besides having been over many parts of the United States.
A. M. APPLEGATE.
A. M. Applegate is a grain-dealer of Pearl, whose intense and well directed efforts have made him a leading representative of business activity in Pike county. The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the welfare of the community, has not figured to any great extent on the pages of history, but the names
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of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability and who have en- joyed the respect and confidence of those around them should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of read- ers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers, as they furnish means of subsistence for the mul- titude, whom in their useful careers they have employed and promote the commercial activity whereon depends the welfare of every community. Such are the thoughts that involuntarily come to our minds when we consider the life of him whose name introduces this review and who has made a splendid record in business circles and is to- day in control of an extensive grain trade.
Mr. Applegate was born in Spring Creek town- ship, Februay 22, 1871. His parents were Har- rison C. and Ellen (Stone) Applegate. The ·paternal grandparents were' James Monroe, who was born October 31, 1804, and Jerusha (Stark) Applegate, born February 16, 1816. The former came to Illinois and engaged in farming here until his death on March 5, 1874. His wife lived to an advanced age and spent her last days in Texas, dying on February 5, 1898. The mater- nal grandparents of Mr. Applegate were Nathan and Mildred Stone, who both died in 1874. He was a farmer, stock-raiser and butcher and both died in Pike county. Harrison C. Applegate was born July 17, 1843, in Indiana and became a farmer of Illinois, removing to his state with his parents in pioneer times. For many years he was closely associated with agricultural inter- ests in Pike county and he died in Spring Creek township on March 14, 1874. His wife was born August 26, 1850, in Kentucky, her parents, who were natives of Virginia, having come to this state at an early day. Following the death of her first husband she was married in the fall of 1880 to Martin Whalen, of Greene county, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Applegate were born two children, the sister, who was the young- er, being Viola Applegate, who still resides with her mother in Pearl. By the second marriage there were three children, namely: Mary, Jennie and James Whalen.
A. M. Applegate acquired his primary education in the country schools of his native township and afterward continued his studies in White- hall, Greene county, Illinois, to which place the family removed in 1881. In the spring of 1882 they became residents of Pearl and here Mr. Applegate completed his education. He suc- cessfully passed a teacher's examination in 1885, but decided not to give his attention to the work of public instruction and entered upon his business career in connection with the grain trade, becoming an employ of I. L. Lemon, a grain merchant of Pearl, who was afterward suc- ceeded by Joseph Schultz, Sr. Mr. Applegate remained in his employ until the spring of 1896, when Mr. Schultz made an assignment. A receiver was appointed and the plant was: rented by the receiver to Mr. Applegate until the ad- justment of the property under his charge .. . Our subject then purchased the plant under the fore- closure' and thus embarked in the grain trade on his own account. The property at that time con- sisted of the warehouse, corn crib and corn sheller, located on the line of the Chicago & Alton Rail- road. Bringing to his business great enterprise, thorough understanding of the trade and a land- able ambition, Mr. Applegate gradually increased his business and in time found it necessary to provide a grain elevator, which he erected at a cost of four thousand dollars, including machinery and a gasoline engine. It was constructed in 1903 and is a fine structure, having storage ca- pacity for fifteen thousand bushels. It is pro- vided with a Hopper scale and necessary cleaner for weighing and handling grain for shipment. The corn crib has a storage capacity of ten thou- sand bushels of ear corn. Mr. Applegate is now conducting a large and profitable business and in addition to the operation of his elevator and management of his other interests he buys salt in carloads and supplies to the wholesale and retail trade and in the same way handles northern seed potatoes. Mr. Applegate is a member of the Illinois Grain Dealers Association and is one of Pike county's most prosperous and public-spirited citizens, who has contributed largely to the prosperity and welfare of Pearl. Considering the limited opportunities which he
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enjoyed in his youth he has achieved much more success than is ordinarily gained and is indeed one of the most prosperous, energetic and re- spected business men of Pearl township. He is a self-made man, who without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the commence- ment of life has battled earnestly and energetically and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and prosperity, having by sheer force of will and untiring effort worked his way upward.
BLUFORD HEAVNER.
Bluford Heavner, a banker and merchant at Pearl, was born October 25, 1858, near Time, Hardin township, and is a son of Oliver and Sa- rah (Brace) Heavner. The father was a native of Kentucky, born near Bowling Green and about 1840 came to Pike county, after which he carried on general agricultural pursuits in Hardin town- ship up to the time of his death, which occurred, however, in Calhoun county, Illinois, in the latter part of August, 1885. His wife was born in Hardin township in 1834. The paternal grand- father, Samuel Heavner, came from Kentucky to Illinois in the latter part of his life and died near Bayville, Pike county.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Bluford Heavner in his boyhood days. He spent his youth in his parents' home, acquired his education in the country schools of Pike and Calhoun counties and worked in the fields through the summer months, assisting largely in the farm labor. It was in 1871 that he removed with his father's family to the vicinity of Belleview, Calhoun county, where he completed his education. He continued a. resident of that county until 1880, during which time he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits, but thinking that he would find other business interests more congenial he re- turned to Pike county and located at Pearl, where he has resided continuously since. Here he first engaged in the drug business but after a few years sold his interest in this line and turned his
attention to general merchandising. Soon after- ward he added a line of furniture and under- taking goods and he continues this branch of his business. He has a large and well selected stock of hardware and furniture and his business is carefully conducted, so that he is enabled to real- ize a good financial return from his investment. He has never been known to overreach his fellow- men in a business transaction but is just and straightforward and has secured a liberal patron- age. In July, 1905, in connection with Mr. Man- ker he was one of the organizers of the Bank of Hillview and thus become an active factor in financial circles in Pike county.
Mr. Heavner belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows with which he has affiliated for eighteen years and he likewise has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias. He is a self-made man in every sense of the term and while promoting his individual interests he has also labored earnestly for the general welfare. He opposes strongly every measure which he be- lieves inimical to the public good and at the same time supports with earnest and unfaltering loyalty any plan or measure which he deems will prove of public benefit. It is said that he and his asso- ciate in the banking business, Mr. Manker, have done more for Pearl than any five residents of the village. Mr. Heavner is a representative of a pioneer family and from an early period in the development of the county the name has ever stood as a synonym for good citizenship and de- voted loyalty to the interests of both public and private life.
HARRY A. MASSIE.
The subject of this sketch was born in New Canton, Illinois. April 11, 1868, and is a son of M. D. and Mary E. Massie. He was educated in the schools of New Canton and spent two years at the Western Normal College at Bush- nell, Illinois. He learned telegraphy when quite young and after leaving school accepted a posi- tion with the Missouri Pacific Railway as tele- graph operator and has since worked in the fol- lowing states as an operator and train dispatcher : Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas,
HARRY A. MASSIE
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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Colorado, Wyoming and Illinois, the principal cities in which he worked being Kansas City, Missouri, Atchison, Kansas, Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Denver, Colorado, and Grand Island, Nebraska. In March, 1903, he moved back to New Canton and succeeded his father in the general merchandise business and is conducting a successful business now.
Mr. Massie was united in marriage in 1887 with Miss Lucretia Crews, of New Canton. They have had three children : Lelah, Paul and Helen. The youngest, Helen, died at the age of nearly eleven years. Mr. Massie is a member of the Woodmen, Mutual Protective League, Knights and Ladies of Security and Knights of Pythias. He is one of the town trustees and is a useful and energetic citizen.
SAMUEL MOORE.
Samuel Moore, a retired farmer living in N'ew® Salem, is a native of Harrison county, Ohio, his birth having there occurred on the 12th of Octo- ber, 1842. His parents, John and Sarah (Simp- son) Moore, were both natives of Allegany county, Maryland, born near Harper's Ferry. The paternal grandfather, John Moore, Sr., was for seven years a soldier in the American army in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grand- father, Reese Simpson, was also one of the he- roes of the Revolution, being for two years on the sea as a member of the navy and for five years operating with the military forces on land. Soon after their marriage John and Sarah (Simpson) Moore, traveling on horseback. made their way to Ohio and located on a farm in Harrison county, where they remained until 1844, when they came to Pike county, Illinois. They located first at Quincy, however, where they spent nine months and then took up their abode in New Salem township, Pike county, about three miles northeast of New Salem. Mr. Moore entered forty acres of government land, which he cleared and improved, building there- on a log house in which he raised his family. He spent the remainder of his life in New Salem
township, devoting his energies to general agri- cultural pursuits, and there his death occurred in 1885. He was one of the worthy pioneer resi- dents of the community and aided in the early work of improvement and progress in pioneer times. His wife survived him for about ten years, passing away in 1895. In their family were six children, of whom four are yet living, namely: Samuel; Marcus, who resides in New Salem township; Hiram, who is living in El- dara township; and Mrs. Guldy Carnes, a resi- dent of Maysville and the mother of S. E. and George Carnes and Mrs. Gay Williamson, well known in this county.
Samuel Moore was educated in the common schools of New Salem township and began work when twelve years of age, being employed at farm labor for seven years. When he was twen- ty-four years of 'âge,he invested his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land about a mile and a half southeast . of, New Salem, all being covered with timber. He cleared a part of this and built a house in 1866. He fenced the entire quarter section and cleared twenty-five acres 'of the land, after which he traded the farm for eighty acres in Christian county, Illinois, but still lived in New Salem township. He after- ward traded his property in Christian county for land in New Salem township, added to it by additional purchase and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres not far from the old family homestead on which he was reared. He also has a tract of thirty-seven acres near by which is in grass. He continued in active farm- ing until 1897, when he put aside the work of the fields and took up his abode in New Salem, since which time he has made several trips to California. He owns a fine block of land and a beautiful residence which he purchased, it being a large two story square house, comfortable and convenient in arrangement, and tastefully fur- nished. He has also a good barn upon the place. His farm is well improved and returns to him a very gratifying income.
On the 16th of October, 1862, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Dunham, a daughter of the Rev. Abel and Rachel (Harden) Dunham. The father was born in Harrison
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county, Ohio, July 16, 1819, and was a son of William and Mary (Chaney) Dunham. Lewis Dunham, the father of William Dunham, was a Revolutionary soldier, who cheerfully bore all the hardships and privations meted out to the soldier in order to aid in securing liberty to the Amer- ican colonists. At one time he was so near star- vation that he made a kind of tea out of the crisp pieces of his own boot soles in order to sustain his life. The American forces were re- duced to the utmost straits in order to provide necessities and their descendants may well. be proud of the fact that they had ancestors who were willing to meet the greatest hardships in order to establish a free and independent nation. William Dunham was born and reared in the state of Maryland and wedded Miss Mary Chaney, who was of Scotch ancestry. Some years later they removed to Ohio, settling in what was then a new and undeveloped region included within the present boundaries of Harri- son county. In the spring of 1845 they came to Illinois, settling in what is now Griggsville town- ship, where they spent their remaining days. William Dunham departed this life September 15, 1845, and his wife died November 2, 1852. Rev. Abel Dunham was united in marriage to Rachel Harden on the 13th of August, 1839. She was born March 7, 1816, in Jefferson county, Ohio, and in 1840 she became a member of the United Brethren church and during the ensuing years was frequently called upon for exhortation. She was a fluent speaker, her spirit being in the work, and she exerted a strong and beneficial in- fluence upon her hearers. For some years before her death she was an invalid but her mind re- tained its perfect strength and a short time be- fore she breathed her last she gave earnest Christian advice to her friends and bade them farewell. She passed away Sunday, February 28, 1886, a smile upon her face, showing that she was at perfect content with her condition. She was the mother of ten children, including Mrs. Moore. At the time of his marriage Rev. Dunham had but one dollar and one cent. He gave the dollar to the officiating clergyman and after the infair donated the cent to a little nephew. He was then ready to start out in life
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