USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 95
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Ezekiel Roberts, father of George W. Roberts, was born in Boone county, Kentucky, where he remained until seventeen years of age, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served an
apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, which he carried on throughout his active business ca- reer. He died in Cincinnati, at the age of fifty- seven years, and his remains were interred there. He married Alvira Clarke, who died at Kinder- hook, Pike county, when about forty-eight years of age. Her mother was born in England and came to America with her parents before the Revolutionary war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Roberts were born six children, namely: James D., Elizabeth, Mary, John, George W. and Cath- erine. All are now deceased with the exception of George W. and James, the latter a resident of Carson City, Nevada. He was one of the gold-miners of California of 1849, going to the Pacific coast from Kinderhook, and he is now deputy warden at the penitentiary at Carson City, Nevada.
George W .. Roberts, was reared to farm life; and pursued his education in the country schools of Pike county, where his parents had taken up their abode about 1833, being among the earliest settlers in the county. /He began earning his own living by working as a farm hand; and was thus employed until 1857, when at the age of sixteen years he became a river man, working on the steamers, rafts and woodboats for about five years or until 1862. In that year he was married to Miss Rowena Albert.
It was not long afterward that Mr. Roberts enlisted in the Twentieth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, which was assigned to the Third Division, First Brigade, Seventeenth Army Corps, com- manded by General Frank P. Blair, of Missouri. He was with General Sherman's army on the celebrated march to the sea, which proved the weakness of the Confederacy. He served until hostilities were ended and was then mustered out in Chicago, in June, 1865.
Returning to Pearl township, Mr. Roberts was engaged in merchandising, milling and farming up to the time of his retirement from active busi- ness life in 1890. He now lives upon the old homeplace at Bee creek, and is in possession of a comfortable competence, which has been acquired entirely through his own labors. He gave close and unremittng attention to his business; and carefully directed his work until, as the years
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
passed, he had gained a capital that now enables him to enjoy a well earned rest.
Mr. Roberts is well known not only in Pike county but throughout the congressional district ; and the sterling traits of character, which he has ever manifested, have made him worthy the re- spect which is uniformly accorded him. The first official position he ever filled was that of school director of district No. 3, in Pearl township, about 1873. He afterward served as constable of the township for four years, and was next chosen supervisor, which office he has filled, at various times, for twelve years. He was township col- lector for one term, and is assessor of Pearl town- ship, having been elected in 1905. He has al- ways affiliated with the democratic party, and is an ardent supporter of William Jennings Bryan. His official service has been characterized by un- questioned loyalty, as is indicated by the fact that he has been so long retained in office.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have been born eight children, all of whom are living, namely: Josephine, now the wife of T. B. Fisher; George E .; John E .; Mary ; W. J .; J. W .; Florence, now the wife of J. A. Stillwell, of Pearl; and Virgil. Mary is the wife of T. J. Taylor and resides in St. Louis. The family are a credit to the parents, the members being widely and favorably know11 in Pike county; and Mr. Roberts, as one of the honored pioneer residents, public-spirited citi- zens and reliable business men, well deserves rep- resentation in this volume.
HENRY JASPER HAMNER.
Henry Jasper Hamner, who follows farming on section 27, Atlas township, was born in Hardin township on the 24th of October, 1859, and in his boyhood was sent to the district schools, and later continued his studies in Franklin county, Kansas. His parents were Henry and Margaret (Black- ketter) Hamner. The father is a native of Indi- ana, having been born near Columbus, that state. He was reared to the occupation of farming, which he chose as a life work; and in the early '40s he came to Pike county, settling in Hardin
township upon one hundred and sixty acres of good land. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation and development of this property, and throughout his entire life carried on the work of tilling the soil and gathering his crops. He was married to Miss Margaret Blackketter be- fore he left Indiana, and ten children were born unto them, the subject of this review being the fifth in order of birth. The members of the family are as follows : Martha J .; Francis M., deceased, who was buried in the Rose Hill cemetery near Nebo, Illinois; Sarah R .; George W., deceased, whose remains were interred at Muskogee, In- dian Territory; Henry Jasper of this review; Francis T .; Rosa E., who at her death was laid to' rest in the Ball Bluff cemetery near Atlas, Il- linois ; Joshua E .; Thomas W .; and Lucinda. The father of Henry J. Hamner died in the forty- seventh year of his age, and was buried in the Rose Hill cemetery near Nebo, Illinois. His wife survives him and resides with her son Thomas W. Hamner, of Nebo.
Henry J. Hamner of this review spent his boy- hood days in the usual manner of farm lads, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of such a life for him. He was mar- ried on the 22d of July, 1880, to Miss Belle Cline, a daughter of Taylor M. and Charlotte (Jen- kins) Cline. Her father was a native of Indi- ana, and in 1860 emigrated to Pike county, set- tling in Atlas township, where he engaged in farming for a year. He then removed to Mis- souri, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for about twelve years. Later he went to Peoria, Illinois. Subsequently he removed to Pike county and afterward went to Peoria, in the Indian Territory, where he still carries on farming ; and he and his wife make their home in that place. Their daughter, Mrs. Hamner, was born in Columbus, Indiana, in June, 1860, and when twenty years of age gave her hand in .mar- riage to Mr. Hamner. By this union have been born five children, three daughters and two sons, namely : Henry T., born May 6, 1881 ; Rosa E., February 27, 1884; Charles E., November 18, 1889; Edna L., October 8, 1891 ; and a daugh- ter who died at birth unnamed, and was buried in the Petty cemetery near Rockport.
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Mr. Hamner came to Atlas without a dollar, bringing a tent with him and living in it in Jockey Hollow in Atlas township through the greater part of one summer. He is truly a self-made man, acquiring his possessions entirely through his own efforts. At the present time he is enjoy- ing a creditable and gratifying measure of pros- perity, having become the owner of a good tract of land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually harvests good crops that bring him a very desirable financial return. He has not allowed himself to become discouraged and disheartened by any obstacles or difficulties in his path, but has regarded such as an impetus for renewed effort; and his in- defatigable energy has been one of the strongest · features in his success. In politics he has ever been· a stalwart republican, and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ica. He now has a large acquaintance in Pike county ; and no man is more deserving of repre- sentation in this volume, among its representative citizens, than Henry Jasper Hamner.
J. H. BILLINGS.
Of the younger men who have won prominence; ' in Pike county by reason of superior business ability, none are more deserving of mention in this volume than J. H. Billings, a capitalist of Rockport, who from a humble financial position has worked his way steadily upward, his business career being such as any man might be proud to possess. Characterized by strict adherence to the rules which govern unfaltering industry and unabating energy, he has so utilized his oppor- tunities that he stands today among the most suc- cessful business men of the western part of Pike county. He was born in Atlas township, near Rockport, on the 28th of February, 1864, and is a son of Samuel and Fannie (Bowman) Billings. The father was a native of Scott county, Illi- nois, and became a prominent farmer of Pike county. In 1884 he removed to Dutch creek, where he died in 1893, his remains being interred in the Taylor cemetery, about four miles from
Rockport. His wife survived until March 13, 1903, and died in Louisiana, Missouri, after which her remains were brought back to Pike county for burial by the side of her husband in Taylor cemetery.
J. H. Billings is indebted to the country schools of his native township for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed. He was reared upon the home farm, and gave his entire attention to agricultural pursuits until 1895. In the meantime his earnest labor had brought him capital sufficient to justify his purchase of land; and in the conduct of his farm he had acquired a handsome competence, which he saved, sufficient, in the year mentioned, to enable him to become a factor in the money- loaning interests of the county. In connection with other business affairs he became a financial broker; and he now has at his command twenty thousand dollars, which he loans out from time to time on real estate, and chattel mortgages. He has also for ten years done a note-brokerage busi- ness, and is the owner of a well cultivated farm of seventy-eight acres, situated on Dutch creek, in Atlas township. His property holdings also embrace two of the best residences in Rockport ; and his real-estate business interests are the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift. He has been intimately associated in busi- ness affairs with Dr. J. H. Welch for some years. They were reared together, being playmates in their boyhood days; and a warm friendship has since existed between them that has also been maintained in intimate relations in business af- fairs. They are now associated together in a number of business concerns.
On the 19th of October, 1904, Mr. Billings was married to Miss Minnie M. Miller, a daughter of Newton J. and Julia (Ward) Miller, both of whom were natives of Pike county, having been born in Atlas township. The father died in that township, near Rockport, April 10, 1891, and was buried in the West cemetery near Pittsfield. John Ward, the grandfather of Mrs. Billings, was a native of Ohio, and came to Pike county in 1844. He cast in his lot with the early settlers of Atlas township, where he followed the occupation of farming for many years. He died in that town- ship near Rockport, and his remains were in-
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terred in the Hornback cemetery, in Derry town- ship. His wife, Mrs. Rhoda Ward, was also a native of Ohio, and died at the age of seventy-five years on the same farm on which her husband's death occurred, her remains being then interred by his side.
In his political views Mr. Billings is an earnest republican, having supported the party since at- taining his majority. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen camp, and is popular in both organizations. His life is a splendid illustration of what may be accomplished through energy, determination and laudable am- bition. In early manhood he worked for eight. years for William H. Gay, being employed by · the month at a salary of from thirteen to twenty- four dollars per month. By the careful husband- ing of his resources and his sound business judg- ment, supplementing his unfaltering industry he stands today among the capitalists of the county, and is an honored representative of its financial interests.
JAMES H. WELCH, M. D.
Dr. James H. Welch, physician and surgeon at Rockport, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, Sep- tember 15, 1868. The family in America came originally from Ireland, the grandfather of Dr. Welch emigrating from the Green Isle of Erin to Bullitt county, Kentucky. Samuel Welch, his son and the father of Dr. Welch, was born in Bullitt county, and on attaining man's estate was married to a childhood's playmate, Miss Clemma McNutt, also a native of that county. He, too, was a physician of superior capability and learn- ing. Removing from Kentucky to Audrain county, Missouri, he was one of its earliest and most prominent practitioners.
Dr. James H. Welch, spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, supplemented his early educational privileges by a partial classical course in the public schools of Louisville, Kentucky, and was graduated from the high school at Laddonia, Missouri, in 1885. He further continued his stu- dies in Lewis College in Glasgow, Missouri, in 1887, there pursuing a classical course. In the
same year he took up the study of medicine. He may have been influenced concerning his choice of a profession by inherited tendency, by environ- ment or by natural predilection. At all events, it seems that the choice which he made for a life work was a very wise one, as he is well adapted for professional services in this capacity and has won creditable success. In 1888 he entered the Central University Hospital College of Medicine at Louisville, from which he was graduated in the class of 1891, the commencement exercises being held on the 17th of June of that year. A year prior to his graduation he had also attended Ma- rion Sims Medical College at St. Louis, Mis- souri, and was likewise graduated from that in- stitution in 1891.
Entering upon the practice of medicine in Vic- tor, Missouri, Dr. Welch remained there for six months and in 1892 came to Rockport, where he has since remained in active practice. He is prac- tically a self-made man, for although he received some aid from his father in his college course, he afterward repaid him and therefore he owes his professional knowledge to his own industry and laudable ambition. Since becoming an active representative of the medical fraternity, he has made continued advancement, for he possesses a nature that could never content itself with me- diocrity. He has constantly endeavored to pro- mote his efficiency and knowledge of the science of medicine, and has won the esteem and respect of his brethren of the fraternity as well as of the general public.
Dr. Welch was married in 1892 to Miss Mollie Donohoe, a daughter of Philip and Phila Dono- hoe. There were two children born of this mar- riage, "Phila D. and Samuel P. The wife and mother died December 9, 1899, and was buried in the Taylor cemetery near Rockport. On the 14th of February, 1903, Dr. Welch wedded Miss Maud Harris, of Atlas, Illinois, and they enjoy the favorable regard of many friends in the com- munity in which they reside. Dr. Welch has an extensive practice in Atlas township, and other parts of the county. He possesses a genial, cordial nature which renders him a companionable gentleman; and his cheery presence is a valuable supplement to his profes-
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sional skill in the sickroom. A gentleman of broad, general reading, as well as professional knowledge he keeps informed on all the ques- tions of interest of the day; and his salient char- acteristics bear the stamp of "sterling."
FREDERICK H. FARRAND.
Frederick H. Farrand, a well known · repre- sentative of the banking business in Griggsville, being the cashier of the Illinois Valley Bank, was born in this city, April 24, 1871, and is a repre- sentative in the eighth generation of the descend- ants of Nathaniel Farrand, the progenitor of the family in America, who in 1645 became a resi- dent of Milford, Connecticut. At a more remote period the Farrands were a French Huguenot fam- ily, whose estates were forfeited in the persecu- tions of the sixteenth and early part of the sev- enteenth centuries. Some of the family, escap- ing from France, appear to have settled in Eng- land on the border of Wales, while others went to the north of Ireland; and it is believed that the Farrand family as represented in the line from which our subject springs, came from the branch that was established in Ireland. In France the name was sometimes spelled Ferrand. Nathaniel Farrand, the progenitor, was the father of Na- thaniel Farrand, second, and grandfather of Sam- uel Farrand, who toward the close of the seven- teenth century settled in Newark, New Jersey. His son, Ebenezer Farrand, lived in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and became the father of Bethuel Farrand, who enlisted with the New Jersey pro- vincial troops and held a commission as lieuten- ant, with which rank he commanded a company in the Revolutionary war. He lived in Parsippany, Morris county, New Jersey, and his wife was Rhoda (Smith) Farrand. Their son, Samuel Far- rand, settled in Michigan in 1835, and with his son shared in the hardships of frontier life there.
Elbridge Gerry Farrand, son of Samuel Far- rand and father of our subject, was born in Bridgeport, Vermont, November 12, 1814, and died on the Ist of May, 1885. He married Eliza- beth McWilliams, whose birth occurred at Scotch Ridge, Belmont county, Ohio, July 3, 1827, and
she passed away on the 23d of January, 1903. An extended account of the parents is given in connection with the sketch of James A. Farrand on another page of this work.
Frederick H. Farrand, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, acquired his early education in the public schools of Griggsville, and afterward was given an opportunity of at- tending the State University of Illinois at Cham- paign. In 1892 he became a factor in commercial circles in Griggsville, dealing in hardware. He conducted his store for about nine years or until 1901, when he sold out and in the following year joined his brother, James A., in the banking busi- ness, establishing the Illinois Valley Bank. He has since been its cashier, and has been active in its management. Already the bank has become a strong financial institution of the county, and has secured a gratifying patronage.
On the 4th of October, 1893, Frederick H. Farrand was united in marriage to Miss Anna- bel Parker, the wedding being celebrated at her home in Griggsville by the Rev .. Poe, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Farrand was born April 16, 1870, a daughter of Colonel Ed- gar and Emily (Shinn) Parker, who were mar- ried October 8, 1850. Her father was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, April 17, 1830, while the mother's birth occurred in Griggsville on the 5th of February, 1834. Mr. Parker came to Pike county in 1844 with his parents. He acquired a public-school education, and in 1848 he went to California. Following his return he was mar- ried and then gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has followed the business of an auctioneer for over forty years, and has gained a very wide and favorable acquaintance in this connection. He belongs to Griggsville lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., being today the oldest living member of that organization. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as one of the trustees for many years, and in his political allegiance he is a stalwart repub- lican. There are few residents of Pike county who do not know Mr. Parker, and everywhere he is held in high esteem for his genuine worth, his genial disposition and his pleasant manner. His wife died November 4, 1881. In their family were
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PIKE COUNTY.
four children, three sons and a daughter: J. Fred, who was born June 30, 1857, and is en- gaged.in the drug business in New. London, Mis- souri ; Thomas O., who was born May 12, 1861, and died March 28, 1893; Lewis W., who was born May 18, 1866, and is engaged in farming in this township; and Annabel, born April 16, 1870, now the wife of Mr. Farrand. Unto this marriage have been born two sons and a daugh- ter: Ralph P., born January 26, 1895; Elbridge, Kitchel, November 15, 1898; and Emily Eliza- beth, born December 31, 1900. Mrs. Farrand is eligible to membership in the society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Farrand belongs to Griggsville lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., in which he has served as master for twelve years, filling the position at the pres- ent time. In politics he is a republican, and, for four years has been alderman of Griggsville. He is a worthy representative of a prominent pio- neer family, the name of Farrand having been closely and honorably associated with the develop- ment, progress and upbuilding of Pike county for many decades. He has fully sustained the excel- lent reputation always borne by its members, and is today a leading business man of Griggsville, who, in the midst of a busy life, also finds time and opportunity to aid in the promotion of those measures which are calculated to prove of general good.
DAVID SMITH.
Divid Smith, a veteran of the Civil war, and a representative farmer of Montezuma township, where he owns and operates one hundred and forty-three acres of good land, was born in High- land county, Ohio, April 4, 1846, and is a son of William and Angelina (Landess) Smith. The father was a farmer by occupation, his death oc- curing in Highland county when he was about sixty-five years of age. His wife died in the same county at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
David Smith was reared upon his father'si farm and pursued his education in the country schools of Highland county. He remained at home until 1864, when at the age of eighteen
years he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting for three years' service in the Second Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, with which he was con- nected until the close of the war. He took part in the battles of the Shenandoah valley, of Win- chester, Petersburg and others of lesser impor- tance. He was with Sheridan on his famous raid through the Shenandoah valley, after which he returned to the lines and two days later the regi- ment received re-inforcements and horses and made the attempt to get to Richmond. They tore up a part of the railroad track to Richmond, but before the work of demolition was accomplished the city surrendered, and Mr. Smith and his company passed through Richmond and saw the house in which Jefferson Davis lived. Mr. Smith became ill and was sent to a hospital in Cincinnati, where he remained until his discharge in July, 1865, following the close of the war. He made a creditable military récord as a brave and loyal soldier, displaying valor equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years.
After the war Mr. Smith resumed farming upon the old homestead in Ohio, where he re- mained until November, 1867, when he came to Pike county and settled in Montezuma township, where he has since followed farming. He now owns one hundred and forty-three acres of rich. and productive land, which he devotes to general farming, and he annually harvests good .crops which bring him a gratifying financial return.
On the 20th of February, 1870, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sweat, a daugh- ter of John and Rachel Sweat. Five children have been born of this marriage, of whom three are yet living: Ivy Jane, John W. and Laura L. Smith. Those deceased are Elmer, who was born in 1871 and died in 1875; and Augustus, who died at birth. In 1894 Mr. Smith was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 14th of October, of that year, her remains being interred at Blue River, near the village of Detroit. . Her loss was deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family, be- cause she displayed sterling qualities that en- deared her to all with whom she was associated. Mr. Smith owes his success entirely to his well directed and earnest efforts. He has worked per-
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sistently and energetically as the years have gone by, and has acquired a good property, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision. Moreover in citizenship he is as true and loyal as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battle-fields of the south.
CHARLES HALL.
Charles Hall, residing on section 34, Pearl township, has devoted his entire life to farming,. Charles Hall was married April 22, 1896, to Miss Nervia Hahn, a daughter of Henry and Martha (Draper) Hahn. Her people were na- tives of New York and her ancestors were among the early Dutch settlers there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born two daughters and a son : Pauline, born May 14, 1897; Anelda, born August 18, 1900; and Hulbert, October 8, 1903. The parents are members of the Christian church, and are most estimable people, enjoying the friendly regard of all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Hall has spent almost his able record in business, winning advancement through his close application and diligence. and is an energetic, practical and progressive ag- riculturist. He was born November 6, 1872, in this county, his parents being Robert and Mary (Roberts) Hall. The father was a Kentuckian by birth, his natal year being 1821. He remained in Kentucky through the period of his minority, was reared to farm life and devoted his attention to the work of the fields until his removal to Belle- view, Calhoun county, Illinois, where he again engaged in farming for about five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode on Bee creek, in Pike county, where he carried . entire life in this county, and has made a credit- on general farming until his death, which oc- curred when he was sixty-four years of age, pass- ing away in 1885. His wife was born in Inde- pendence, Missouri, July 14, 1834, and gave her hand in marriage to Robert Hall on the 21st of March, 1854, the wedding being celebrated in WARREN DOYLE. Belleview, Calhoun county, Illinois. They be- came the parents of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, of whom Charles was the youngest. All are now living with the exception of James R., who died March 21, 1877, and Wil- liam T., whose death occurred on the 29th of De- cember, 1893. Those who still survive are: Ed- ward, George W., Frances E., John S., Lewis A. and Charles. The mother, Mrs. Mary Hall, died at the home of her son Charles November 9, 1904, when seventy years of age.
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