USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 84
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Mr. Whitaker was born in Greene county, New York, November 25, 1827, his parents be- ing William E. and Anna (DuBois) Whitaker,
who were likewise natives of the Empire state. The father was born in Ulster county, July 8, 1784, and was of English lineage. His youth was spent upon a farm in his native county and in early manhood he went to Greene county, where he met and married Miss DuBois, who was born in that county, October 10. 1786, and came of French ancestry. Their marriage was celebrated on the 12th of January, 1805, and they began their domestic life in Greene county, where they resided until October, 1837, That year witnessed their arrival in Pike county. They cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers and as the years passed shared in the hardships and trials incident to the establishment of a home upon the frontier, at the same time contributing to the general progress and improvement. Mr. 'Whitaker entered his land at Quincy, Illinois. becoming owner of a wild and unimproved tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Perry township. He built the first frame house in the locality, its location being about four miles north of the village of Perry. It is still stand- ing, one of the mute reminders of pioneer days and of the progress that has been made as the years have gone by. He was an energetic agri- culturist, carefully managing his business inter- ėsts. He never cared for public office but gave his political allegiance to the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the republican party. Both he and his wife were charter members of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred November 30, 1868, while Mrs. Whitaker had passed away on the 29th of July, 1865, the former when nearly eighty-four years of age and the mother when about seventy years of age. In their family were nine chil- dren, but only two are now living, James and Mary. The sister, born in 1832, is the widow of Howe Abbott and resides in Bloomington, Illinois.
Owing to the primitive condition of the schools James Whitaker received but limited ed- ucational privileges but reading, observation and experience have greatly broadened his knowledge as the years have advanced and he has become a well informed man. He attended school in New York until ten years of age, when he accom-
W. E. WHITAKER
JAMES WHITAKER
MRS. JAMES WHITAKER
MRS. W. E. WHITAKER
LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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panied his parents on their removal to Illinois, where he became a student in a subscription school. As his age and strength permitted he assisted his father in the arduous task of clearing and cultivating the new farm and remained upon the old homestead until the spring of 1850, when he started for California. He had proceeded as far as Omaha when word was received that his father was not expected to live and he returned overland to the old home. His attention was then given to farm work in Pike county until 1857, when he removed to Dewitt county, Illi- nois, where he carried on farming for three years, when in 1860 he once more became a resi- dent of Pike county. In connection with his brother-in-law, James Howe, he contracted for three hundred and twenty acres of land in De- witt county in 1857. Later he purchased a farm in Perry township and gave his energies to gen- eral farming and stock-raising, being recognized as an able business man of keen discernment, un- flagging industry and unabating energy. As the years have passed by he has prospered and the secret of his success lies in his close application and strong purpose. He now has in his posses- sion the patent which was issued November 3, 1840, for government land to his father, Wil- liam E. Whitaker, and signed by Martin Van Buren, then president of the United States.
On the 6th of November, 1863, Mr. Whitaker was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Jones, who was born November 26, 1825, and passed away on the 3Ist of August, 1864. There were two children of this marriage, of whom one is living, William E., now a resident farmer of Chambers- burg township, Pike county. The mother was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady. Her daughter, Ada, died soon after marrying Theodore Crawford. The son, William, wedded Miss Jennie Wilkins. For his second wife James Whitaker chose Miss Mary E. Harrington, to whom he was married November 12, 1865. She was born July 4, 1840, a daughter of Martin Harrington and by her marriage has become the mother of four chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, while three are yet living. Charles H., born August 2, 1866, married Maud Johns and after her death wedded
Eva Hume. Catherine, born July 26, 1868, is the wife of Robert Huddelson, of Perry. Esther, born February 15, 1877, was graduated in oste- opathy at Kirksville, Missouri, in the class of 1897 and is now attending a post-graduate school in Kirksville.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker hold member- ship in the Presbyterian church, while his po- litical support is given to the prohibition party. His church and political connection indicate the character of the man, whose life has been actu- ated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives. He has done many good deeds, per- forming many services for his fellow townsmen and at all times has given his influence in sup- port of justice, truth and right. In the evening of life he can look back over the past without regret and- forward to the future without fear. All who know him entertain for him the highest esteem and no history of this community would be complete without the record of his life, for he has lived in Pike county since 1837, coming here when a lad of ten years. His home being in the midst of a pioneer district made him fa- miliar with all of the conditions of frontier life and his mind bears the impress of the early his- toric annals of the state. He can relate many in- teresting incidents of existence in Pike county when this was a frontier district and yet no man has shown a more thorough interest in the work of public progress and improvement than has Mr. Whitaker.
GEORGE S. ADAMS.
George S. Adams, of Atlas township, is de- scended from good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal great-grandfather having enlisted in the ranks of the patriots from his native state-Con- necticut. He served as a soldier in the cause of American independence and left to his descend- ants the priceless record of a heritage of valor and loyalty. Jeremiah G. Adams, father of our subject, was a large landowner, having an estate of over four hundred acres of the best land in Atlas township. His old home was built in the
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'20s, but was superseded by a commodious brick residence before his death. He was for years a prominent and influential agriculturist of his com- munity, and further mention is made of him on another page of this work.
George S. Adams, whose name introduces this review, was born in the old Ross home in the village of Atlas, June 10, 1862, and was reared upon his father's farm. He acquired his primary education in the district school of his native vil- lage and afterward attended the Illinois College at Jacksonville. Following the completion of his collegiate course he returned to the old home farm and continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits with his father up to the time of his mar- riage, when he purchased a portion of the old homestead and erected thereon his present resi- dence. He owns one of the best and most mod- ern homes in this part of the county. It is taste- fully and comfortably furnished, every conve- nience of a well appointed city home being here found. It stands in the midst of beautiful and well kept grounds, and one of its chief charms is its gracious and genuine hospitality.
On the 17th of November, 1887, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Della R. Martin, a daughter of Hutson and Lydia A. (Chamber- lin) Martin, a history of whom will be found on another page of this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born four children : Jerry G., born October 2, 1888; George Hutson, who was born December 25, 1892, and died August 2, 1897; Homer V., born January 1, 1902; and Dorothy M., born July 30, 1903.
The home farm of Mr. Adams comprises one hundred and sixty-seven acres of well improved bottom land in Atlas township. The soil is very rich and productive, and good harvests are an- nually gathered, so that the business, being ca- pably managed, is a profitable one. In all of his work Mr. Adams has shown practical ideas, and in his methods has been systematic and energetic. In his political views he is a stalwart republican, who keeps well imformed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do. In April, 1900, he was elected super- visor of Atlas township, and served for one term of two years. He held the office of postmaster
at Atlas for about six years, and is at present school treasurer of Atlas township, which po- sition he has filled for more than a decade. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife have membership relations with the Mutual Protective League. He is recog- nized as one of Pike county's most progressive and public-spirited citizens, and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. Men know him for his genuine worth and fidelity to principle and respect him for a life of well directed activity and usefulness.
DANIEL DUNHAM.
Daniel Dunham, the owner of valuable farm- ing property comprising four hundred acres near New Salem, is a native of Martinsburg township, Pike county, born July 15, 1856, and is a son of Nathaniel Dunham. The family is of English lineage, and was founded in America by the great-great-grandfather of our subject. His son, William Dunham, is supposed to have been a na- tive of Maryland; and it is definitely known that his youth was spent upon a farm in that state, . where he wedded Miss Mary Chaney, who was : born in Maryland, while her parents, natives of England, came to the new world about the time of the Revolutionary war. William Dunham and his wife on leaving Maryland became residents of Ohio, where they remained until 1845, when in advanced years they came to Illinois, settling on a small farm in Griggsville township, Pike county, where William Dunham passed away at the age of seventy years. His wife survived him for a number of years, and also died in Griggsville township. They were loyal to the teachings of the United Brethren church, in which they held membership.
Of their large family of children Lewis Dun- ham, grandfather of our subject, was the eldest. His birth occurred in Maryland, September 12, 1802, and his early education was acquired in that state. It is believed, however, that he was married in Ohio; and at all events, he was en-
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gaged in farming and coopering there. In April, 1844, he arrived in Illinois and three years later took up his abode in New Salem township, where in the management of farminginterests 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. In matters of citizenship he was also progressive and public spirited, and his co-operation could always be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. He voted with the democratic party, and held some local offices; and in political, busi- ness and social circles he was esteemed for those splendid traits of character which endear man to his fellowmen. He married Miss Sarah A. Nelson, also a native of Maryland and a daugh- ter of Elisha and Mary (Stringer) Nelson, who were born in that state, and were supposed to be of Scotch lineage. They were farming people and after their marriage resided in Maryland and in Harrison county, Ohio, until 1842, when they came to Illinois, spending their remaining days on a farm in New Salem township, Pike county. They, too, belonged to the United Brethren church. Mrs. Lewis Dunham was reared in the state of her nativity, and with her husband came to Illinois. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dunham were devoted members of the United Brethren church. In their family were nineteen children. The fa- ther died in New Salem township, September 14, 1866, and the mother was more than eighty years of age at the time of her demise.
Nathaniel Dunham, son of Lewis Dunham, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 14, 1834, and was therefore a youth of ten years when brought by his parents to this state. He was reared upon the family homestead in New Salem township and gained a practical knowledge and experience of farm work that has enabled him to successfully carry on agricultural pursuits for himself. His business capacity, capable manage- ment and untiring industry have made him the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of valu- able land in Griggsville township; and his home- stead property was splendidly improved with modern buildings and all of the equipments nec- essary to model farming in the twentieth century. ' In addition to tilling the soil he has been exten-
sively engaged in raising high grade horses. Na- thaniel Dunham was married in Martinsburg, Pike county, to Miss Mary A. Kiser, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, May 3, 1838. Her parents were Daniel and Eliza J. (Foreman) Kiser, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio, but their marriage was celebrated in Indiana ; and they began their domestic life on a farm not far from Danville, that state. They re- moved to Pike county in 1844 and settled in New- burg township, afterward locating in Martins- burg, where Mr. Kiser died in the fall of 1860, when about seventy years of age. He, too, had prospered in his undertakings, and had secured a valuable farm of three hundred and fifty acres. Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church; and Mrs. Kiser spent her last days with her son John in Milton. Mrs. Dunham was the second of her mother's chil- dren, and by her marriage had the following children : Daniel, William H., Lewis O., Charles E. and Orpha J. Like their ancestors, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Dunham are members of the United Brethren church; and he is a supporter of the democratic party.
Daniel Dunham of this review was educated in the common schools, and is an excellent mathe- matician. When nineteen years of age he en- tered business life on his own account, and for ten years rented land, when, with the capital he had acquired through his own labors, he pur- chased forty acres of land where he now resides in New Salem township, for which he gave thirty- five hundred dollars. It was without improve- ments, but he at once began its cultivation ; and from time to time he has extended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises four hundred acres of very fine and valuable land supplied with the most modern improvements known to farm- ing in the twentieth century. His place is pleas- antly located two miles from New Salem; and he has successfully carried on general farming, and at the same time has engaged in buying and ship- ping stock. He feeds cattle and hogs, shipping from ten to twenty carloads per year, a fact which indicates that he is one of the most extensive stock-dealers of this part of the state. His busi- ness efforts have been attended with very gratify-
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ing success, and his splendid property is the visible evidence of his life of enterprise, thrift and capable management. He has recently purchased residence property in Pittsfield, where he expects to take up his abode on the Ist of March, 1906.
In 1874, Mr. Dunham was married to Miss Martha J. Woods, who was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1852, a daughter of Nathan and Martha (Simpson) Woods. Her parents were early set- tlers and came to Pike county in 1854; and in their family were six children, two sons and four daughters, who are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham have become the parents of six children, namely: Herbert, who is living in Reno, Ne- vada; Mrs. Anna Woods, of New Salem; Daisy, the wife of Ray Curless, of Pittsfield township; Lora, who married Gordon Dimmitt, and is liv- ing upon the home place; Villa, yet under the pa- · rental roof; and Kelly, who is attending college in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Mr. Dunham's study of the political issues and questions of the day has led him to give his sup- port to the democracy; and he has served as road commissioner and as school director. He belongs to New Salem camp, No. IIIO, M. W. A., and is also a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Dunham deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as without financial assistance he has worked his way upward, his business qualifi- cations being manifest in the very desirable suc- cess which has crowned his labors. His · farm is one of the most valuable of the county, and in its management Mr. Dunham has displayed keen dis- cernment, unfaltering energy and a capable utili- zation of opportunities.
WILLIAM RUPERT.
William Rupert, who has followed farm du- ties throughout the greater part of his life and is now the owner of a good agricultural prop- erty in Atlas township, was born in Summer Hill, Pike county, on the 10th of July, 1845. His par- ents were James and Catharine (Loutzenhizer) Rupert, both of whom were natives of Ohio, in which state they were reared and married. The
father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in the Buckeye state until 1845, when he came with his wife to Pike county, Illi- nois, where they spent their remaining days, Mr. ,Rupert devoting his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits. He put aside business cares and personal considerations, however, in 1862 in order to espouse the Union cause, enlisting in the Third Missouri Volunteer Cavalry and at the battle of Patterson, Missouri, he gave up his life in defense of his country, his remains being in- terred in the creek bottoms near Patterson. His widow still survives and is living in the state of Washington with her daughter, Mrs. Camp, at the age of eighty-three years. Unto him and his wife had been born ten children, of whom Wil- liam Rupert is the eldest. The others are : Mary, Caroline, Charlie, Emma, John, David, Arvine, Lavina and Edward Rupert. Of these only five are living, namely: Charlie, Mary, David and Caroline.
William Rupert, the other surviving member of the family, acquired his education in the schools of Atlas and was reared to farm labor, which pursuit has claimed his time and energies during the greater part of his life. He was mar- ried on the 22d of April, 1876, to Miss Alice Parker, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Gen- try) Parker. The father was a native of Eng- land and when quite young came to Pike county, Illinois, with his father, who emigrated from England to this state at an early epoch in the development and progress of Pike county. Thomas Parker became a farmer of Atlas town- ship and continued to carry on general agricul- tural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1862. He passed away in Louisiana, Missouri, shortly after having en- listed for service in the Union army in the Civil war. His wife died in September of the same year and they were buried in Ball Bluff ceme- tery near Atlas, Illinois. In their family were four children: Alice, now Mrs. Rupert; Mar- tha; William, deceased ; and one who died un- named in infancy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rupert have been born two children: Cornelius W., born January 26, 1877, married Gertrude Miller and they have two
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children, Lawrence and James. Edith Lee Ru- pert, born October 25, 1880, is the wife of S. B. Marion and they also have two children, Jessie and Russell. Mr. Rupert is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and is esteemed by all who know him because of an active, useful and upright life. He has always lived in Atlas township, so that he has a wide acquaintance here and the qualities of a sterling manhood are his. His attention has been given to general agri- cultural pursuits and his carefully directed la- bors have resulted in bringing to him a credit- able and gratifying measure of success.
ALBERT R. BROWN.
Albert R. Brown, one of the well-to-do and rep- resentative farmers of Pike county, owns and op- erates three hundred and thirty-one acres of valu- able land on section 26, Montezuma township, and in the control of the property displays excel- lent business ability with thorough understand- ing of the methods that produce the best results in agricultural work. Born in Milton, Pike county, on the 2d of February, 1853, he is a son of Wesley and. Harriet (Dutton) Brown. The ancestoral history of the family can be traced back through several centuries, for he is descended from one who came to America at the time of the discovery of the new world by Columbus. The maternal grandfather, Francis R. Dutton, was a native of Virginia, and a cooper by trade. He emi- grated to Ohio at an early epoch in the develop- ment of that state and afterward located in Jersey- ville, Jersey county, Illinois, where he conducted a cooper shop and also engaged in gardening up to the time of his death, which occurred when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He was a hale and hearty man up to the time of his demise and was a worthy resident of his adopted city. His wife died within one week of her hus- band, at the age of seventy-seven years, and was laid by his side in the cemetery at Jerseyville.
Wesley Brown, father of Albert R. Brown, is one of the pioneer settlers of Pike county, having located in Milton at an early day, and engaged
in the blacksmith business until 1875, while at the present time he makes his home in Pearl town- ship. His life has been mainly devoted to agri- cultural pursuits and he is still managing a good farming property. In 1868 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Dutton and who died on the 23d of July of that year, her remains being interred in Smith cemetery, near Milton.
Albert R. Brown, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, was educated in the schools of Milton until fifteen years of age. He was reared to the occupation of farming and has never desired to enter other fields of business activity, for in this line he has found ample op- portunity for the exercise of his industry and talents and by his close application and energy has gained a place among the substantial agri- culturists of the community. In addition to till- ing the soil he is also raising stock and now has forty-eight head of fine grade mules and twenty head of horses. He also raises a fine grade of Cotswold sheep and generally has.on hand one hundred head, together with from sixty to one hundred head of hogs, mostly of the Poland China breed. He can easily winter one hundred head of horses, mules and cattle. He now has about twenty head of cattle but usually keeps about fifty head. In his stock-raising interests he has been quite successful and he also raises corn and some wheat and blue grass. In all of his farm work he is practical and sagacious and produces results through close application and the careful utiliza- tion of his opportunities. For thirty years he has carried on farming and stock-raising on his own account and his prosperity is attributable to his own efforts.
On the 13th of September, 1874, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Annie Sowers, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Decem- ber 6, 1853, a daughter of Elisha and Caroline (Scroggins) Sowers. Her parents were natives of Ohio and removed from Hamilton county, that state, in 1854, to Pike county, Illinois, settling in Montezuma township upon the old homestead farm where the Brown family now reside. Mr. Sowers died at the venerable age of eighty-three years, while his wife passed away at the age of
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: sixty-seven years, and both were interred in Green Pond cemetery.
- Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been nine children, six sons and three daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: Jess, born July 9, .1875, married Ella Boren and they reside upon the: homestead farm. Elza R., died January 21, 1879, and was buried in Green Pond ceme- tery. Albert R., born July 10, 1882, died November 22, 1883, and was also buried in Green Pond cemetery. Leo Grace, born March 29, 1881, is the wife of Herbert Norton and they `reside in Montezuma township, near Milton. Ona M., born February 16, 1885, is at home. Ira E., born January 27, 1886, died March 6, 1886, and was buried in Green Pond cemetery. Harry Lee, born in March, 1887, died in infancy and was buried in the Kitchell graveyard, in Stanton coun- ty, Kansas. M. Abby, born May 7, 1889, and Andrew. B., born May 30, 1891, complete the family. Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their children occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move and have a very wide ac- quaintance in the community where they have so ·long resided. Mr. Brown is never remiss in citi- ·zenship although he has never sought to figure prominently in public affairs, content to devote his attention to business interests which have brought him prosperity.
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