Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 100

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 100

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Joseph Barker Frisbie, Sr., attended the pub- lie schools in Connecticut for nine years, and afterward pursued a special course under diree- tion of the Congregational minister in Adams county for six months. lle then returned to Branford, Connectient, in 1842. spending one vear in James W. Frisbie Academy, subsequent to which time he returned to the west in 1844 to take up farm work with his father. Besides assisting in the operation of the home farm, he improved and developed four farms from a wild, untilled land, making all of these valuable prop- erty. Realizing the value of some work eon- nected with the outside world, Mr. Frisbie joined Edward II. Fowler in a movement to seeure a station at what is now the town of Fowler. They instituted this movement in 1856 and attended to all details, including the building of a side-

Joseph P. Ainslie

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track in the same year. Mr. Frisbie became the first station agent at Fowler and carried mail from Fowler to Mendon without a contract until the government made different arrange- ments in 1858. Much eredit is due Mr. Frisbie because of his efforts at that time to connect Mendon with the outside world, thus affording her better business advantages for the sale of her products and for the sale of such com- modities as had to be secured elsewhere. Ile was the second postmaster in Mendon and following his return from Connecticut he conducted a general mercantile store there from 1844 until 1846.

Mr. Frisbie was a whig in politics and a stanch supporter of Henry Clay, giving his al- legiance to that party until Abraham Lincoln was a candidate, since which time he has been an unfaltering supporter of the republican party without asking. expecting or desiring office as a reward for his fealty. Ile is an expert with the snare drum and has always been connected with marching elubs in campaigns from the time Wil- liam Henry Harrison was a candidate for presi- dent down to the present. He is still a hale and hearty man of broad mind, his intelleet seem- ingly undimmed, and he can relate many in- teresting stories and anecdotes concerning early times in Adams connty. His religious faith has always been that of the Congregational church and while he believed firmly in its doctrines and its principles he has never refused his financial support to other denominations.

On the 5th of May, 1845, in New York city. Mr. Frisbie was married to Sarah An Lay, a deseendant of one of the oldest colonial families, who was born, January 9, 1823, and is a daugh- ter of Dr. Willoughby and Anna M. ( Harrison ) Lay, of Branford. Connecticut. Into them were born seven children, of whom Sarah and James died in infancy. The others are : Frances, who beeaine the wife of George W. Earle and had four children : Cornelia A., who was married in 1847 to James A. Parker and had one child that died in infancy ; JJames W., who was married in 1856 to Charlotte M. Mason, and had six chil- dren : and Emeline F., who married James L. Lane, of Richland, Lonisiana, and had one child. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frisbie was blessed with seven children: Sarah C., born July 11. 1846, was married November 16, 1869, to Dr. G. W. Rohr. of Rockford, Illinois, and died April 28, 1885, leaving three children : George F., who was born August 16, 1870, and married Kittie Best, of Rockford, by whom he has one child; JJoseph L., born May 17. 1873: and Edith, born September 21, 1884. Ann Louisa, the second member of the Frisbie family. was born February 7, 1848, and is at home. Wil- loughby L., born September 5. 1850, was mar-

ried in April, 1873, to Clara Leach, of Rock- ford, Illinois, and they have seven children : Clara P., Sarah A., Fanny C., Willoughby Shepard, Harrison, Leigh and Rea. Elizabeth, born May 5, 1852, died the same year. Mary P., born August 3, 1855, is at home. Joseph B., born March 20, 1858, married Sarah M. Meyers, is living in Mendon and has eight children: Sarah D., Raymond L., Flora, Walter, Alta, Rodger G., Clifton and Carlton. James G., born August 6, 1860, is at home. Mrs. Frisbie died October 22, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. She was a kind, charitable woman of forgiving disposition and generous spirit. She was a friend to all, possessing a big heart that made her recognize the worth of every individual. She was most generons and self-sacrificing. was de- voted to her family and although she lived a quiet life, she kept in touch with current events by reading the best magazines and other modern literature and she also made a daily and syste- matic study of her Bible. She united with the Congregational church at the age of twelve years and always lived a consistent Christian life.

CHIARLES T. STERNE.

Charles T. Sterne, elassed with the progres- sive, practical agriculturists of Ellington town- ship, is operating a farm of three hundred and thirty-five acres and in its control displays thor- ough familiarity with the most modern methods of conducting farm work. Ilis birth occurred on this farm December 17, 1864, and he is a son of William C. W. Sterne, who yet occupies the old homestead and who is one of the honored pioneer settlers of the county. His more remote ancestors lived in Virginia, and the early history of the family is given at length in connection with the life record of his father on another page of this work.

Charles T. Sterne was reared upon his father's farm and, after acquiring his preliminary edu- eation in the distriet schools, he attended the Gem City Business College and Chaddock Col- lege of Quincy, thus acquiring a good education, which qualified him for the transaction of busi- ness. His energy and industry have been mani- fest in the capable manner in which he controls his farming operations. He continued to assist his father for some time and then became mian- ager of the farm, which he now operates. It com- prises three hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable land. constituting one of the largest farms in Ellington township. It lies on sections

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5. 6 and 7, and is located about eight miles north and east of Quincy.

Mr. Sterne was united in marriage to Miss Alice Burroughs, a native of Melrose township and a daughter of Benjamin Burroughs. Ile brought his bride to the old homestead on which he was reared. and here they have since lived. Mr. Sterne gives his attention to general farm work, his principal erops being wheat and corn. Ile also has a good orchard of ten aeres, and there are ninety acres of timber, mostly elm and oak. There is also good pasture land, and in his pastures are seen high grades of stock.

A republican in his political views, Mr. Sterne is unfaltering in his advocacy of the principles of his party and is recognized as one of the local party leaders. Ile has served as justice of the peace and clerk of Ellington township, and in 1902 was elected supervisor, in which capacity he is now capably and efficiently serving. He is a man of fine personal appearance, and his intellectual force, combined with his energy makes him a successful business man and capa- ble officer.

HON. JOSEPHI C. THOMPSON.

Ilon. Joseph C. Thompson, who won promi- nenee at the Adams county bar and at the time of his death was serving as postmaster of Quiney, for many years figured prominently in public life of the city, exerting an influence in municipal affairs that was far-reaching and beneficial. He was born in Blairsville. Penn- sylvania, September 18, 1826, and was a son of Joseph and Maria (Culbertson ) Thompson, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. The paternal grandfather. John Thompson, was descended from Scottish ancestry and served as a soklier in the war of 1812.

Joseph Thompson followed the occupation of carpentering throughout his entire life and his business career was characterized by industry and integrity, and hoth he and his wife passed away in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. their family were ten children, of whom four are yet living, namely: William, who resides in the state of Washington : Thomas, of Port- land. Oregon; Samnel. who is living in Leaven- worth, Kansas; and Maria (Thompson) Davi- son, who is a widow and resides on the old Thompson homestead, in Indiana county, Penn- sylvania.

Judge Thompson, who was the fifth child in his father's family. was reared under the pater- nal roof and acquired his education through

the winter months by attending the public schools of his neighborhood. When nineteen years of age he began teaching and followed that profession for two winters but he regard- ed this merely as an initial step to other pro- fessional labor. It was his ambition to become a member of the bar and he read law in the of- fice and under the direction of Lawrence T. Smith, of Lebanon, Ohio, until the fall of 1847, when he came to the west with his uneles, Sam- uel and Isaac Culbertson, who had a contract to build a lock dam across the Wabash river, two miles north of Mount Carmel, Indiana. Judge Thompson acted as their manager and bookkeeper until the completion of the work, after which he returned to Lebanon, Ohio, where he attended school for two years. Later he again engaged in teaching for a year in Butler county, Ohio, and he resumed his law studies in Bloomington, Monroe county, In- diana, where he continued his reading for two years. He was admitted to the bar at Ander- son, Indiana, in the year of 1852. and there opened an office for practice, but after a year became a member of the bar of Johnson county, Indiana, his home being in Franklin. There he practiced for about two years, when, in 1856, he removed to Macomb, Illinois, and in 1868 he became a resident of Quincy. Here he began the practice of law, and his familiarity with the various branches of jurisprudence enabled him to successfully conduct a large practice. He prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care, was logical in his deductions and his arguments followed in natural sequence. In presenting his case before court or jury he was forceful, earnest and concise, and these quali- ties. combined with his knowledge of the law. commanded attention and usually won the ver- diets desired. At the same time he engaged in general practice. he also gave supervision to his farming interests through ten years. As his financial resources increased he made invest- ments in farm property, and at his death he left his family a valuable estate of six hundred acres of very rich and desirable land in T'rsa and Riverside townships.

Judge Thompson exerted a strong influence in local political eireles as an advocate of the democracy and was an earnest champion of his party in its policy concerning state and na- tional affairs. He was elected on the demo- cratie ticket to the office of judge of Adams county and served upon the bench for four vears, giving entire satisfaction to those whom he represented in a judicial capacity. The practice of law was his real life work, and at the bar or on the bench he won distinction. A man of unimpeachable character. of unusnal

I. C thrufton

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

intellectual endowments, with a thorough un- derstanding of the law, patience, urbanity and industry, Judge Thompson took to the bench the very highest qualifications for this respon- sible position of the state government, and his record as a judge was in harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer. distinguished by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problem which presented itself for solu- tion.

Judge Thompson was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1862, and while residing in MeDonough county he had served as school commissioner for several terms. He looked at life from a practical and humani- tarian standpoint. desiring progress, yet under- standing that it must be brought about by the use of conditions at hand. He was never visionary in his ideas, and his efforts, therefore, resulted beneficially to the city, county and state. He was indeed one of the leaders of democracy in Quiney and his political course and career commanded the entire respect of the opposition. In May, 1893, he was ap- pointed postmaster of Quincy under the admin- istration of President Cleveland, and continued to serve in that capacity until his death.

In 1856 Judge Thompson was married to Miss Emeline (Post ) Eells, who was born in Corn- wall, Addison county, Vermont, May 18, 1829, a daughter of Truman and Betsy ( Foote ) Eells, who were likewise natives of the Green Monn- tain state. Her maternal grandparents were David and Mehetabel (Post) Foote. the latter a daughter of Roswell Post, whose descendants figured largely in the early affairs of the coun- try, especially in church work. Two gandsons of Roswell Post were prominent in the west. Rev. Martin M. Post early settled in Logans- port, Indiana. and his brother, Truman M. Post, was well known in Quincy. For a number of years he was professor in the college at Jack- sonville, Illinois, and was a pioneer in the establishment of the Congregational church in the west. In the early '50s he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was pastor of a church of that denomination for many years and had a wide acquaintance in the Mississippi valley, contributing in large measure to its moral development. Dr. Post was always a welcome guest in Quincy, where he had many warm friends and admirers. He took part in the services at the time of the union of the two Congregational churches. The last time he was here was when he assisted at Governor Wood's funeral. Mr. and Mrs. Eells resided upon a farm in Vermont, where the father engaged in the raising of fine stock until the evening of life. His wife died in the Green Mountain

state and he removed to the west in 1855, set- tling in Knox county, Illinois, where his son was then living. He lived retired for several years and then removed to Quiney, where he made his home with Judge and Mrs. Thompson until his death in 1877. Ile was well known among the early settlers here and commanded the good will and respect of all who knew him. His daughter, Mrs. Thompson. was educated in the seminary at Castleton, Vermont, from which she was graduated in the spring of 1852. In 1853 she accepted a position as teacher in the Young Ladies' Seminary at Franklin. In- diana, and it was there that she formed the ac- quaintance of Judge Thompson. She taught in Indiana for two years and then removed to Knox county. Illinois, where her brother was then living, and on the 3d of September, 1856, she gave her hand in marriage to Joseph C. Thompson. They became the parents of three children: Hattie, who died at the age of eighteen years; Culbertson, who was employed under his father as money-order clerk in the postoffice at Quincy, and died in December, 1893; and Joseph E., who makes his home in Quincy with his mother, but travels much of the time.

Judge Thompson's death occurred August 20, 1893. and he left behind him a record of a noble life, directing his ability and efforts so as to gain recognition as one of the representa- tive citizens of Quincy. He occupied a notable position among the able lawyers of this city. and in social circles he commanded the respect which is accorded in recognition of an upright life and high ideals.

In January, 1888. Mrs. Thompson began the study of Christian Science and was a charter member of that church here. in which she is now a very active and interested worker. She resides at No. 119 1-3 North Sixth avenue, where she and her husband were living at the time of his death. She was left by him in com- fortable financial circumstances because of the judicious investments which he had made in farm property at a time when his law practice was bringing him a good financial return.

LULU MAY FELT.

Imln May Felt, one of the founders of the Felt-Turner Studio of Music, of Quincy, is a na- tive of Columbus, Illinois. Her parents. Peter Francis and Mary Louisa (Seaton) Felt, are residents of Laclede. Missouri, where the father is engaged in dealing in agricultural implements.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

In the high school of Laclede the daughter com- pleted her public school education and then en- tered the State University at Columbia, Mis- souri, from which institution she was graduated with the class of 1889. Early manifesting a fondness and aptitude for music. she supple- mented her carly training in that direction by study in New York city under Bruno Oscar Klein, in Boston under Arthur Foote, and in Chicago under Walter Spry, and has thus had instruction from some of the most distinguished and eminent musical educators of the country. She was awarded a diploma in piano, history, harmony and composition at the Quincy Con- servatory of Music in 1897, graduating under Il. II. Hunt.

Determining to devote her life to teaching the art to which she has given her special attention and in which she had attained high proficiency, Miss Felt, associated with Miss Sally E. Turner, established the Felt-Turner Studio of Music in 1903, and which has since enjoyed exceptional snecess, having a liberal patronage in its various departments of instruction. It is a valued addi- tion to the music schools of the city and has re- reived the endorsement of many of the most prominent and influential residents of Quincy. Miss Felt is well known, because of her talent, in music circles outside of the city, and, in addition to her skill, she has an executive force and busi- ness discerment which have enabled her to make the Felt-Turner Studio of Musie one of the pay- ing educational institutions of the city.

FRANK W. OSBORN.

Frank W. Osborn, secretary, treasurer and active manager of the Quincy Coal Company, is a coal-man with a conscience. Born in Quiney. here he received his education : here he has spent his entire business career, and it is here where he has always made his home that he is admired, respected and now ocenpies an enviable place of prominence among Quiney's successful business men.

The name of Osborn has long been prominent in the annals of Quiney's history. H. S. Osborn, his grandfather, was born in London, England, and came to Quiney in 1846. Ile at once beeame extensively engaged in the manufacture of flour. His " Eagle Mill" was at one time the largest flour mill in this part of the country. He was also interested in the river paeket lines before the days of railroads. lle served two terms in the city council, representing the first ward. He always contributed largely of his time and means to encourage and foster Quincy men and enter-

prises, and at one time was president of the Blessing Hospital Association, trustee of the Woodland Orphans' Home, director of the First National Bank, director of the Quiney Gas Light Coke Company, director of the Quincy Paper Company and president of the Quincy Coal Company. Ile led an active and useful life, did much for Quiney and died in California in 1895. ITis body now rests in the handsome tomb which he erected in Woodland Cemetery (this city), several years before his death.

Charles C. Osborn, son of H. S. Osborn and father of Frank W. Osborn, came to Quiney at an early age with his father and has been a resident almost continually since. He married Aliss Mollie R. Arthur, daughter of John Ar- thur (deceased), April 18, 1864. lle was at one time engaged in the flour milling business, but on account of failing health disposed of this business and purchased a fruit farm east of the city. This he personally managed for several years. Regaining his health he returned to Quiney and was made superintendent of the Quincy Coal Company, and at the death of his father was made president of the company, the position he now holds.

Frank W. Osborn, the subject of this sketch, is seeretary, treasurer and active manager of the Quincy Coal Company and secretary and treasurer of the Farmington Coal Company, the business of the companies with which he is iden- tified aggregating a heavy volume and covering a wide extent of territory. This business em- braces coal mining on an extensive scale, as well as dealing in coal in large quantities.

Mr. Osborn was born August 24, 1867. After completing his common-school education he took a course in the Gem City Business College. IIe commenced work for the Quincy Coal Company in 1884, being then but seventeen years of age. Hle was advanced rapidly until he was elected to the responsible positions he now holds. In order to make his business education more complete he took up the study of law and graduated from ('haddock College in 1897, being given the degree of LL. B., and was also awarded the gold medal for having prepared the best law thesis of the class.

During the several years following the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893 there was a de- pression in the coal business of Illinois as well as in other lines of business. Up to this time the larger part of the stock of the Quincy Coal Com- pany was owned by Boston capitalists. With the diminishing of dividends the stockholders be- came restless and wanted to dispose of the hold- ings. Mr. Osborn, together with his father. promptly made arrangements to purchase all of the stock, and by progressive methods the busi- ness of the company was increased until within

FRANK W. OSBORN

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five years time the dividends received from the earnings of the company had equaled the entire amount paid for the stock. The tonnage of the company into Quincy has for a number of years been the largest of any concern in any kind of business on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and during the past year the company did the largest Quiney business they have done in the past twenty years. They have the reputa- tion for not only furnishing the best qualities of coal at competitive prices, but for protecting their customers in times when coal has been scarce, such as during strikes and extreme weath- er, and are popularly called the "old reliable."

August 24, 1888, Mr. Osborn married Miss lennie B. Ilull, daughter of James N. Hull. They have one son, Arthur S. Osborn, born Feb- ruary 2. 1900. Mr. Osborn owns a pleasant home at No. 809 Spring street, and takes spare time from business for recreation and enjoyment with his family. In 1898, together with his wife, he visited a number of European countries and, being a skillful amateur photographer, he secured an interesting collection of foreign views.

Mr. Osborn is a member of Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal church; Bodley lodge, A. F. & A. M .; the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, Quiney Council Royal Arcanum and Quin- cy Council of the National Union, and has at one time or another held important official posi- tions in all of these organizations. He is one of the charter members of the Quincy Country Club and is president of the Chamber of Commerce. In polities Mr. Osborn is a republican, and al- though never allowing his name to be placed in nomination for office, he takes an active interest in political affairs.

Mr. Osborn is almost six feet in height, weighs one hundred and seventy pounds, is of elegant address, genial and affable, and is popular in social as well as in business circles. A clean cut business man, of quick perception and capable of handling any amount of detail, he is well calcu- lated to bring about snecess in any of his under- takings.

MRS. ELIZA A. MCCLINTOCK.

Mrs. Eliza A. MeClintock, living in Goklen, is the owner of vahtable farming land in Adams county which is cultivated under her supervision, and her business ability is demonstrated in her successful management of her property interests. She is a native of this county, born October 13. 1850, in Camp Point township, her parents be- ing James E. and Margaret A. ( Adams) Down-

ing. Her father, who was born in Virginia, Feb- ruary 19, 1818, was taken by his parents to In- diana when only four years of age and there remained for thirteen years, when he accompa- nied his parents to Adams county, arriving in October, 1835. The family located in Camp Point township, where they remained until the death of the parents, the father dying January 3, 1881, at the age of ninety-two years, while the mother passed away November 26, 1880, at the age of ninety-seven years.

The farm of James E. Downing was not far from his parents' home, and there he carried on general agricultural pursuits. Ile was married in Camp Point township to Margaret A. Adams, who was born in Kentucky August 12, 1828, and died February 22, 1866. Mr. Downing after- ward married again, his second union being with Jane MeClintock, who was born June 9, 1838, and died August 11, 1888, while Mr. Downing died July 6, 1898. He had carried on general farming throughout his business career and was well known as an enterprising agriculturist and worthy pioneer settler, whose labors in behalf of the county were far reaching and beneficial.

For many years he served as school trustee in Camp Point township and was twice elected to the state legislature, first in 1869 and later in 1883. While a member of that body he served on many important committees. Politically he was a life-long democrat and a leader of the party in his community.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 100

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228