Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 93

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760

USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 93

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When twenty-one years of age Mr. Hake be- came a member of Perry lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M., and in his life always exemplified the true spirit of the craft which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. When in Denver he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge, No. 14, at Denver, Colorado. He also belonged to the Knights of Pythias lodge in that city and was a member of the Lutheran church. His political support was given to the democracy and he always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. There was no more loyal or devoted native son of America than George Hake, who was ever true to his adopted country, her institutions and her principles. He came to America with limited capital, but here found the opportunities he sought and which are

always open to ambitious, determined young men. He knew that success might be acquired by close application and indefatigable energy and upon these qualities he placed his dependence and grad- ually builded thereon the superstructure of his success. At all times he enjoyed the confidence and trust of his fellowmen because his life was in harmony with honorable principles. He died Sep- tember 1, 1893, respected by all who knew him. He had been a loyal citizen, a faithful friend and a devoted husband and his loss comes with great- est force in his own household. He is still sur- vived by his widow, who yet resides in Griggs- ville, where she is held in high esteem by all who know her.

Mr. and Mrs. Hake became the parents of six children, of whom three are deceased, as follows : Minnie, died in Denver at the age of six years ; participated in several battles and at length was .Ernest, died in infancy, and another died in in- fancy unnamed. "Those living are George F., aged twenty-nine years; Emma Nettie, twenty- two years; and William Spencer, aged eighteen years, all at home.

MRS. MARY A. DOBER.

Mrs. Mary A. Dober, residing on section 26, Atlas township, where she owns a good farm, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1856, and is the widow of Joseph Dober and a daughter of Jacob and Gottliebe (Hande) Auer. Her parents removed from Philadelphia to Pike county, Illinois, when their daughter was only three years of age and settled upon a farm in Kinderhook township, where the father engaged in the tilling of the soil for about three years. He then removed to Barry township and settled upon a farm of one hundred and twenty acres,. giving his time and energies to the further culti- vation and development of the property up to the day of his death, which occurred February 28, 1899. He was born on the 2d of June, 1821, at Dizchott, Wurtemberg, Germany, while his wife's birth occurred May 2, 1827, at Bettlinger, Wur- temberg. They became the parents of thirteen children, ten daughters and three sons. The liv-

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ing are: Rosina, Charlotte, Mary A., Caroline, and Jennie. All are married and have families of their own and reside in Pike county, except Car- oline.

Mrs. Dober was educated in the Grubb Hol- low school in Barry township and her girlhood days were spent under the parental roof. She met her husband, Joseph Dober, in Pittsfield and was married there on the 13th of April, 1873, by Squire Patterson. Mr. Dober was born June 13, 1848, at Oemesbach, Amlobezick, Achern, Baden, Germany, and was a son of Frank Dober, who was born at the same place in 1811 and died there in 1849. He married Helena Boehler and unto them were born five children, four sons and a daughter, namely : Nicholas, Antona, Jo- hanna, Joseph and Frank. After the death of her first husband the wife and mother married George Woerner and they became the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter, as follows: Michael, Leo, Fred and a daughter who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Woerner with their chil- dren emigrated to America, settling in Jackson- ville, Illinois, where the children .were reared and educated. Mr. Woerner died in Springfield, Illinois, and was buried there. His wife pre- ceded him to the grave and died in Arenzville, Cass county, Illinois, in June, 1893, when seven- ty-one years of age, her birth occurring on the 12th of May, 1822, in Germany in the same place in which her husband, Frank Dober, was born.

Joseph Dober, spending his boyhood and youth in his native country, emigrated to Amer- ica in 1869, locating first in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he remained for two years, engaged in the bakery business. In 1871 he came to Pittsfield, where in partnership with his brother Nicholas, who conducted a grocery and bakery, so contin- uing for four years, at the end of which time he . disposed of his interest to his brother and pur- chased a farm upon which his widow now resides, constituting four hundred acres of very valuable land. He made extensive improvements, build- ing a neat frame house, where a log dwelling had formerly stood, the frame structure being erected at a cost of one thousand dollars. He also built a fine barn and shed, costing about nine hundred dollars. Here he engaged in farming and stock-

raising, making a specialty of sheep, and was thus engaged until the time of his demise.

Unto · Mr. and Mrs. Dober were born seven children, four sons and three daughters: Adel- bert, born in Pittsfield, January 27, 1874; Louis J., born in Pittsfield, November 6, 1875; Anna Dora, born in Pittsfield, January 17, 1880; Harry A., born in Pittsfield, July 27, 1883; Eta J., born in Atlas township, January 17, 1889; Francis R., born in Atlas township, October 7, 1892; and Joseph Leo, born at the present home place, Au- gust 14, 1902. Of these all are living with the exception of Adelbert, who died in infancy, May 29, 1874, and was buried in the West cemetery at Pittsfield. Louis J. married Estie Fisher and they have two daughters, Nellie and Flora Do- ber. Anna Dora is the wife of Walter J. Haynes and they have a daughter, Lizzie M. Haynes.

Mr. Dober was one of the most prominent democrats of Pike county, recognized as a leader in the ranks of his party, while his opinions car- ried weight in its local councils. He was elected supervisor of Atlas township for two terms and served for two terms as road commissioner, while for twelve years he was a school director, holding these different offices in Atlas township. He was likewise secretary and treasurer of the branch line of the Wabash Railroad extending between Pittsfield and Maysville, Illinois, occu- pying the position for about three years. He was also treasurer for the Sny Island levee drain- age district of Pike, Adams and Calhoun count- ties up to the time of his death. He was a close student of the signs of the times, the demands of the public and the news of general interest and his efforts were always of a practical and bene- ficial nature.

He was also a prominent member of several fraternal orders. He became a charter member of Ambrosia lodge, No. 778, I. O. O. F., and he likewise held membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Mutual Protective League, the Court of Honor, the Masonic fra- ternity and the Pike County Mutual Life Asso- ciation, being in hearty sympathy with the ten- ets and teachings of these various organizations, which are based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Mr. Dober was likewise a

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member of the Congregational church and was elected as one of its trustees, serving in that ca- pacity until his death.

For several years prior to his demise he was in very poor health and finally on the 11th of Oc- tober, 1903, he went to Quincy, Illinois, where he underwent an operation for appendicitis, and four days later, on the 15th of October, he died from the effects of the operation. His remains were brought back to his home in Atlas, where the funeral services were held and the great es- teem, which was so uniformly given him, was evidenced by the large concourse of friends who attended the funeral services to pay their last tribute of respect to him. The Order of Odd Fellows took charge of the funeral arrangements and escorted his remains to the Adams and Dus- tin cemetery near Atlas, where he was laid to rest, being buried with the rites of the order by Pittsfield lodge. The keenest sorrow was felt at his death for he was so universally esteemed and loved as to make his demise come as a personal loss to a great many friends. An upright Chris -. tian man he performed every service devolving upon him faithfully and well promoted by* a love of his God, his country, his home and his honor. Mrs. Dober still resides upon the old home farm in the midst of her children and grandchildren. This is a valuable property, well improved and returning to her each year a handsome income, so that she is now enabled to enjoy all of the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life.

CHARLES W. BATLEY.

Ada, Mary, Robert and Maud. Of this number Ada died at the age of twenty-three years and Maud died in infancy, the remains of both being interred in Dorsey cemetery at Perry. Milton Batley, father of our subject, was a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting in the Ninety-ninth Illi- nois Infantry, with which he served throughout the period of hostilities, taking part with Sher- man on the march to the sea and participating in a number of important engagements. He was wounded at the battle of Black River.

Charles W. Batley, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, acquired his education in the public schools of the county and early be- came familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In early manhood he chose a companion and helpmate for life's journey, being married on the 19th of June, 1884, to Miss Lizzie Heavner, by whom he has one son, Archer Leland, born July 14, 1891. Mrs. Batley is a daughter of James D. and Matilda (Thomas) Heavner. She was born in Detroit township, February 19, 1864, and was the third in a family of seven children, two of whom are now decased. Her father, who was born in Pike county, January 7, 1835, and was therefore one of its honored pioneer settlers, passed away in Milton, February 2, 1899, at the age of sixty- four years, while his wife, who was born in Pike county, February 10, 1839, is still living. They were married November 4, 1858. Mr. Heavner was also a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in 1864 in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and he was wounded in the battle of Memphis. He was connected with the pioneer development of the county, being famil- iar with the work and the incidents which led to the upbuilding and progress of this section of the state at an early day as well as with its latter- day progress and prosperity.

Charles W. Batley, whose entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and who is num- bered among the enterprising and leading farm- ers of Montezuma township, was born in Fair- Following his marriage Mr. Batley took up his abode upon a farm and has devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits, now operat- ing two hundred and forty acres of land, consti- tuting a valuable and well improved property. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and uses the latest improved machin- mount township, Pike county, on the 4th of Au- gust, 1859, his parents being Milton and Eliza- beth (Walker) Batley. The father was a native of Scott county, Illinois, born in 1836, while the mother's birth occurred in this county in 1837 .. They were married February 4, 1858, and be- came the parents of five children: Charles W., ery in the care of his crops. Both he and his

PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

wife are members of the Christian church and are well known and worthy representatives of honored pioneer families. Mr. Batley gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests, in which he is meeting with signal success.

WILLIAM E. PAYNE.

William E. Payne, following the occupation of farming in Atlas township, was born May 16, 1874, in Derry township, Pike county, his parents being George and Sarah M. (Stairs) Payne. The father was born in Derry township, Decem- ber 29, 1849, which fact indicates that the family was well established here in early pioneer times. He followed farming during the greater part of his life but also engaged in contracting to some extent. He was married in 1871 to Miss Sarah Stairs, whose birth occurred in Atlas township on the 14th of May, 1850. They became the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters : Frederick O .; William E .; John W., who died in 1902, at the age of twenty-seven years ; Arthur E .; James D .; George, who died at the age of sixteen month and was buried in the Taylor cemetery near ·Eldara; Clarence O .; Iva L .; and Cecil I. Payne. The parents are both deceased and were laid to rest in the Rockport cemetery. The mother died on the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1895, and the father passed away on Christmas day of the same year, his grave being made by her side in the cemetery at Rockport.

William E. Payne was reared to agricultural pursuits and has followed farming throughout his entire life. He acquired his education in the district schools of Atlas and Derry townships and during the periods of vacation worked in the fields, so that he early became familiar with the practical methods of carrying on farm labor. On the 27th of December, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Nettie M. Hubble, a daughter of William H. H. and Frances H. (Kyle) Hubble,

both of whomareliving. Her father is now a farmer of Knox county, Missouri, and at the time of the Civil war he was a soldier of the Union army, remaining at the front until the close of hostili- ties. Ten children have been born unto William H. H. and Frances Hubble, five sons and five daughters, as follows: Elizabeth A., Nettie M., Charles W., George A., Jesse E., Grace B., Nora A., Lena E., Russell L. and John. Of these Lena, Russell and John are now deceased and their remains were interred near Knox City, in Knox county, Missouri.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Payne has been blessed with two sons and two daughters: Mabel F., born December 24, 1898; Ray A., who was born November 16, 1902, and died February 16, 1903; Owen E., who was born January 5, 1903, and died October 9, 1905, his grave being made in Samuel Taylor cemetery, while Ray was buried in the Rockport cemetery; and William E., who was born July 18, 1905.

In his political views Mr. Payne is an earnest and stalwart republican but while in thorough sympathy with his party and its principles he has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America but his time and attention are chiefly given to his farm interests, which are capably conducted, his early experience making him a practical representative of this line of work in his native county.

GEORGE WASHINGTON AKERS.

George Washington Akers, who is conducting the only freighting business in Pearl, was born in Montgomery county, Virginia, November 9, 1850, upon a farm belonging to his father, Wil- liam Akers. The latter on leaving the Old Do- minion removed with the family to Washington county, Missouri, settling in the town of Cale- donia in 1855. There he engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits until 1861, when he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company I, Third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under com- mand of Captain Breckenridge and Colonel

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Whiteley. He served until the close of the war and took an active part in many of the conspicuous battles. At the siege of Vicksburg he picked up the flag and placed it upon the wall after the color bearer had been shot down. His clothes were pierced by' nine bullets, but he sustained no wounds. However, he became ill while in the service and never fully recovered his health. His bravery and loyalty were above question and his interest in the Union cause was manifested by his unfaltering fidelity. Returning to the old homestead in Caledonia, his death there occurred, and he was buried in that locality. Soon after- ward his wife, with their five children, of whom our subject was the eldest, removed to Martins- burg, Pike county, in 1865. She rented a farm a mile and a half from Martinsburg, where she lived with her family for four years, the chil- dren attending school in the neighborhood. These were: George W., Charles, Monroe, Maggie and William Akers. The mother now re- sides in Pearl with her son George at the age of seventy-six years and was for many years received a pension from the government because of her husband's service in the Civil war.

During the residence of the family in Martins- burg, George W. Akers of this review engaged in performing many farm duties and from 1869 until 1875 he was employed as a jockey in Pike, Greene and Calhoun counties and also rode some famous horses in California for Benjamin Stewart, the owner of some noted race horses. In 1876 he returned to this county, settling in the village of Pearl, where he has since resided.

In November of the same year Mr. Akers was united in marriage to Miss Dora Allen and unto them were born five children, of whom three are living : William E., Charles F.and Flora. Of these William E. Akers married Bertha Cloninger and they became the parents of one child, Edith M. Charles F. married Helen Lacy and they became the parents of one child, Temperance I. Flora is the wife of William Manhana and has two chil- dren : Walter R. and Icel E. Manhana. The other two children of the Akers family were twins and died at birth and the mother's death also occurred the same time. On the 7th of November, 1886, Mr. Akers was again married, his second

union being with Lillie May Miller, by whom he had ten chidren, of whom nine are yet living, as follows: Arnold, Ina, Sadie C., Raymond L., Dicy E., Benjamin, Virden A., Herbert and Mabel J. The other child died at birth.

Mr. Akers is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 125, at Pearl, which he joined upon its organization in 1891. He has made his own way in life and is respected by all who know him for what he has accomplished. Since 1905 he has conducted a transfer business and is the only representative of this line in Pearl.

MRS. IZORA A. DEAM.

Mrs. Izora A. Deam, residing on sections 15 and 16, Atlas township, was born January 1, 1856, in Martinsburg township, Pike county, and is the widow of the late William L. Deam. Her par- ents were Samuel D. and Anna (Cook) Capps, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Ten- nessee. The father during his infancy was brought to Martinsburg township, Pike county, by his parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Capps. The former was a farmer by occupation, and located on a tract of land in Martinsburg township, where he engaged in the tilling of the soil and the culti- vation of crops up to the time of his death. He was a very earnest advocate of the cause of tem- perance, and was often heard upon that subject upon the lecture platform. He was married twice, wedding Miss Butler after the death of his first wife. By the first marriage there were two children, a daughter and son, and by the second marriage there were two sons and six daughters. At his death Daniel Capps was laid to rest in a grave in Colorado, having gone to that state dur- ing the gold excitement at Pikes Peak. His first wife was buried in the Burbridge cemetery near Martinsburg, Illinois, and his second wife was laid to rest in the same cemetery.

Samuel Capps, father of Mrs. Deam, was reared upon the old homestead farm in Martinsburg township amid pioneer conditions and surroundings for the family lived here in early days. He was edu- cated in the district schools in Martinsburg and

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was a shoemaker by trade. He was only fifteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and he greatly aided his mother in caring for his younger sisters and brothers, and in attending to the farm duties. Having reached mature years he wedded Anna Cook, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Deam was the second in order of birth. There were four sons and four daughters, as follows: Daniel G., Izora A., Netha A., Clara A., Stephen A., Marcus I., Leah Phenia and Samuel D. Of these Daniel, Stephen, Leah Phenia and Samuel are deceased, the first three having been buried in the Black Oak cemetery in Martinsburg township, while Samuel was laid to rest in the Mason graveyard near Nebo, Illinois. In the latter part of his life Samuel D. Capps gave his entire attention to farming arid stock-raising, and his earnest and well directed efforts brought to him a good living and enabled him to provide his family with many of the comforts of life. His birth occurred May 10, 1829, in Missouri, and he passed away in this county, April 1, 1873, his remains being interred in Black Oak cemetery. His wife, who was born January 28, 1832, in Tennessee, now survives him at the age of seventy-four years and makes her home in Nebo, Illinois, with her daughter, Mrs. Clara A. (Capps) Gaw.

Mrs, Deam, spending her girlhood days in her parents' home, acquired her education in the Black Oak schoolhouse in her native township, and un- der her mother's guidance she was trained to the work of the household, so that she was well qualified to takė charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. On the gth of October, 1879, she wedded William L. Deam, a son of David W. and Sarah C. (Deal) Deam. His fa- ther was one of Pike county's prominent farmers and stock-raisers. He was born January 10, 1831, in Montgomery county, Ohio, and was a son of Henry and Susan (Kiser) Deam, also natives of the Buckeye state. In his early manhood David W. Deam joined the Order of Odd Fellows and transferred his membership to Illinois when he came from Ohio to this state in 1856, but per- mitted his membership to lapse when sickness and infirmities of age came upon him. He was married March 23, 1844, to Miss Sarah Caroline

Deal, the wedding ceremony being performed by the same minister who had christened him, and for whom he was named. By this union there were four children: Mary A., now Mrs. Brock ; William L .; Dora B .; and Warren G. Of the number Dora died when eighteen years of age, and Warren G. married Helen Williams, while William L. married Izora A. Capps. In Febru- ary, 1902, David Deam suffered a severe attack of illness, form which he never fully recovered, remaining in an invalid condition up to the time of his death, which occurred August 24, 1905- He is survived by his widow, his daughter, Mrs. Brock, his son, Warren G. Deam, and his grandson, Homer D. Deam, a son of our subject, besides six other grandchildren and Lewis Deam, a brother, who resides in Dayton, Ohio. His daughter Dora had died February 24, 1876, and his son, William L. Deam, on the 16th of April, 1902. David Beam had lived continuously at his home in Summer Hill from 1867 and in the years in which he enjoyed good health he ranked among the prominent citizens of Pike county and was classed with her representative men. He was buried in the family lot in the West cemetery at Pittsfield.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. William L. Deam was born but one child, Homer David Deam, whose birth occurred June 19, 1893, and he now resides with his mother on the home farm in Atlas township. The father, William L. Deam, had been educated in the district schools of Summer Hill, had been reared to farm life upon his father's place and had remained at home until he made his first pur- chase of land of sixty-two acres about 1880. This tract was situated on section 21, Atlas township. At this time he was married, and as his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time until at his death he owned an es- tate of six hundred acres of very valuable land, which is now in possession of his widow. Of this sixty-two acres is very rich and productive bottom land and the remainder is as good rich farming land as can be found in Pike county. William L. Deam was one of the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of the county, making rapid advancement in his business career. Each step was carefully and thoughtfully made and

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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.

after forming his plans he was determined in their execution. He was never known to misuse a public trust or betray the confidence of a friend and it was through honorable, straightforward business methods that he won his prosperity. In his political views he was a stalwart republican, interested in the success of his party and at the time of his death he was serving as road commis- sioner of Atlas township. He always stood in the front rank of those who desired the good and welfare of the community and was popular with every one, his friends being almost as numerous as the number of his acquaintances. In the midst of a prosperous career and happy home life he was called to his final rest April 16, 1902, being then but forty-five years of age, for his birth had occurred on the 27th of September, 1856. His loss was deeply deplored by many warm friends as well as his immediate family, the com- munity mourning the loss of a representative citizen, his lodges a faithful member and his fam- ily . a devoted husband and father. He belonged to the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen camp and - the Pike County Mutual Association. He was laid to rest in the West cemetery at Pitts- field and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him. Mrs. Deam has always lived in this county, representing old pioneer families, through her own as well as her husband's rela- tions. She and her son still reside upon the farm, which her husband left to her, and Mrs. Deam has many friends in the county.

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 93

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 760

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760