Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 102

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 102

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mill. William Miller, the father, also a native of Connecticut, served his country in the war of 1812, acting as a private for about thirty days. In 1838 he removed to Agawam, Massachusetts, in the vieinity of Springfield, and there he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He died in 1853, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Campbell, died in 1861.

Emerson M. Miller attended school in Spring- field, Massachusetts, where he passed through successive grades until he had become a high school student. When eighteen years of age he put aside his text-books and began learning the carriage-making trade in New Haven, Connecti- cut. where he served an apprenticeship of three years and three months. When twenty-one years of age he started westward, reaching Kansas City, Missouri, in the spring of 1856. Ile re- mained there two weeks, but, not being satisfied with the city and certain conditions there, he took a steamer down the Missouri river and came to Quiney, landing here in May. Here he began working at his trade as a journeyman in the em- ploy of J. H. Weaver. proprietor of a repair shop at No. 18 South Sixth street. He worked for six months and then entered into a partnership with Mr. Weaver under the firm name of Weaver & Miller, but, after ninety days, this relationship was terminated through a misunderstanding which caused Mr. Miller to purchase Mr. Wea- ver's interest, and the business has since been condueted under the firm style of E. M. Miller & Company. He admitted his brother, S. D. Miller, of New Haven, Massachusetts, to a partnership, and this relation was maintained until 1899. when E. K. Strong entered the firm as an equal partner, having purchased the interest of the silent partner. In 1856 the firm of E. M. Miller & Company was organized, occupying the old site. No. 18 South Sixth street, and from time to time more ground has been purchased, until the lot is now one hundred and fifty feet front by one hundred and forty feet deep. This entire plot is covered by a fine four-story building, and the factory is equipped with the latest improved machinery for carrying on a business of this character. One hundred and fifty men are em- ployed and the company makes a specialty of the manufacture of landaus, broughams, vietorias and hotel 'buses. Their business now covers the United States and Mexico and has been developed from a small repair shop until their factory is the largest in this part of the country and the second in size in the United States in this line of manufacture. Mr. Miller has been the controlling spirit in this enterprise. and his energy, his ad- vaneement in keeping up with the progress of the times and his keen business discrimination

E. M. MILLER

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

have been the resultant factors in bringing him gratifying success.

Mr. Miller was married to Miss Maria Wheat. a daughter of Almeron Wheat, one of the early settlers and an attorney of Quiney, who died July 12, 1895, while his wife still lives in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of one child. Laura M., who married Harry A. Blackfoot, of Findlay, Ohio, proprietor of a printing establishment of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Blackfoot have a son and daughter, Emer- son MI., seven years of age, and Marie, four years okl.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller attend the Unitarian church and in polities he is a stanch republican. For almost a half century a resident of Quincy, he has, throughout this period, maintained a high reputation in business circles, while in social life he has gained the warm friendships and favor- ahle regard which arise from true worth of char- acter.

WILLIAM C. W. STERNE.

William (. W. Sterne is the oldest resident of Ellington township and, as a pioneer citizen, whose life has been upright and honorable, he receives and merits the friendship and regard of those with whom he has long been associated. He occupies the first brick residence built in the township, a part of this having been erected in 1847. the remainder in 1853. Mr. Sterne was born in Pendleton county, Kentucky, December 3. 1824, and is a representative of an old Vir- ginian family. His father, John W. Sterne, was born in Stafford county, Virginia, while his grandfather. Charles Sterne, was likewise a na- tive of the Old Dominion.

After arriving at the year of maturity, John W. Sterne was married to Miss Elizabeth Dun- can, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Willis Duncan, of Fauquier county, Virginia. He had gone to Kentucky with his parents when a boy, the Sterne family being established there in pioneer days, and he continued to make his home in that state until after his marriage and until the fall of 1829, when, with his wife and child, he started for Illinois. They traveled in a wagon drawn by oxen and were forty days in making the trip, arriving in Quincy on the 6th of December, which that year fell on Sunday. They lived in the little village of Quincy for about a year, and John W. Sterne then pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of what has since been the Sterne farmi. He bought this from George Crosby, with whom he had served in the war of 1812, they being members of the

same regiment. Mr. Sterne had command of a squad of six men, and in 1812 he visited the present site of the city of Chicago, although nothing was there at the time except Fort Dear- born. While in the military service of his coun- try he had formed the acquaintance of George Crosby, from whom he afterward bought his land. Mr. Crosby having received a land grant of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 5. range 1. Mr. Sterne, purchasing the land grant, entered the same from the government in 1830 and it has since remained in possession of the family. lle had conducted a distillery in con- nection with farming while in Kentucky and. after coming to Illinois, he confined his atten- tion entirely to agricultural pursuits. The land which he purchased had never been broken and was covered with timber and hazel brush. Mr. Sterne at once began to clear this and prepare it for the plow, and in course of time were seen fields of waving grain where once stood the for- est growths. He continued the active manage- ment and operation of his farm until his son William was twenty-one years of age, when he made him manager of the property and retired from active farm labor, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

John Sterne was a valued pioneer settler, aid- ing largely in the material development of the connty as it emerged from frontier conditions and took on the evidences of an advanced civili- zation. He was active in political eireles, first as a defender of whig principles and later as a supporter of the republican party. Three times he was elected to the office of county commis- sioner. He died at the venerable age of eighty- eight years and seven months, and his wife passed away when eighty years of age. Their names are inseparably connected with the pioneer his- tory of Adams county.

William C. W. Sterne was only five years of age when brought by his parents to Illinois. He was an only child. His education was acquired in a log school house, the first in Ellington town- ship. and the methods of instruction were very primitive in comparison with the system of pub- lie instruction to-day. Later he spent three win- ter seasons as a student in the schools of Quincy. Ile was early trained to the work of the farm. gained practical knowledge of the best methods of caring for the fields, and when he had attained his majority he assumed the management of the old homestead, which he continued to improve and cultivate for many years, or until he turned it over to the care of his own son. In the mean- time, as his financial resources had increased, he had extended the boundaries of his property nn- til the original tract of a quarter of a section had been increased to three hundred and thirty-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

five acres and many modern improvements had been added.

Mr. Sterne was first married to Miss Elizabeth Penrose, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania and was a relative of Senator Pen- rose. She died July 2, 1868, leaving two chil- dren, Charles T. and Susie E., the latter the wife of Dr. Albert Smith, of Quincy. For his second wife Mr. Sterne chose Sarah F. Benson, a native of Adams county, Illinois, and a daughter of Leven D. Benson. There is a daughter, Ger- trude, by this marriage.

Mr. Sterne has supported the republican party since its organization. He has never sought nor desired office, nor has he filled any position save that of school trustee. He has long held mem- bership in the Presbyterian church, and his en- tire life has been guided by his religious faith. He retains possession of his faculties to a re- markable degree, for, although he has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, he appears to be a much younger man, and in spirit and in- terests seems yet in his prime. If one would know aught concerning the early history of Adams county they have but to ask Mr. Sterne, who has resided here for more than three-fourths of a century and who has watched its entire growth, as it has emerged from primitive fron- tier conditions and taken on all the ways and the advantages of the older civilization of the east.

HERMAN MOECKER.

Herman Moecker, now deceased, was one of the most popular, prominent and best-known resi- dents of Quincy because of the place he occupied in business circles and also because of his influ- ence as a leader in democracy of his district. He was one of the native sons of the city and at- tained distinction through the public recognition of his ability and his devotion to the general good. Moreover, he possessed those personal traits of character which win friendship-an affable dis- position, genial manner, unfaltering courtesy and deference for the opinions of others.

Mr. Moecker was born October 16, 1866, his parents being Hlerman and Elizabeth (Sunder- mann) Moeeker. The father was a native of Ger- many and came to America abont 1852, landing at New Orleans, where he entered business life as a bell boy in a hotel. Ile came to Quincy in 1856, and from that time forward until his death was prominent as a representative of hotel inter- ests here. Ile built one of the first hotels in the city, known as the okl Sherman House, and was its landlord for many years. Ile afterward sold that property and built what is now the old Pa-

cific Hotel, after which he admitted his son Her- man to a partnership in the business, and they continueditscondnet until the death of the father. Mrs. Moecker now resides with a daughter in Omaha, Nebraska. Three of their children are yet living: Mrs. Elizabeth Paffenrath of Omaha, Nebraska; Mrs. F. E. Lonas of New York city ; and William, who is living in Glasgow, Montana.

Herman Moecker, whose name introduces this record, attended the public schools of Quincy and afterward pursued a course in the Gem City Busi- ness College, thus being well qualified for the practical and responsible duties that devolved upon him as he entered business life. In con- nection with the conduet of a hotel he "was to the manner born," having in his boyhood days gained intimate knowledge of the methods pur- sued by his father in the business. Upon leaving school he became associated with his father in a partnership that was continued until the death of the senior partner, and afterward he continued in business alone. In January, 1899, he built Hotel Moeeker, changing his location because of the construction of the new railroad terminus. Ile erected a new and elegant hotel on Second street near the entrance of the passenger station of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad. Ile largely followed the methods of the pioneer in the conduct of his hotel interests in inaugurat- ing new plans and establishing new systems which proved of direct benefit to the hotel business and won for his house a liberal support from the tray- eling public. Hotel Moecker is one of the best in Quincy, being a large three-story brick structure at the corner of Second and Oak streets. It is thoroughly equipped with modern appliances and everything possible has been done for the com- fort and entertainment of the guests.

Mr. Moecker was married January 10, 1888, to Miss Amelia Ohnemus, a native of Quincy and a daughter of Theodore Ohnemus, who was also an early settler here. Her father is now retired and yet resides in Quincy. There were two chil- dren, Herman and Eugene, born unto Mr. and Mrs. Moecker, and they reside with their mother.

In his political views Mr. Moecker was a stal- wart democrat and took a very active interest in the questions and issues of the day. He was a man of strong personality, marked individuality and keen insight into political and publie ques- tions and, moreover, he had much of that quality which, for want of a better term. we have called personal magnetism. All these rendered him a natural leader of men and a molder of public thought and action in political eireles. Ile served as chairman of the city central committee in 1897 andthe following year waselected chairman of the county democratie eentral committee, acting in that capacity for several years. He was alder-

Herwaw SEetter

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

man in his ward here for seven years and then resigned, although solicited to continue in the of- fice by many friends. In 1901 Mr. Moecker be- came ill, and for two years his health was im- paired, terminating in death on the 9th of Janu- ary, 1904. He was a very prominent business man, prospering in the conduct of his hotel, and many sterling qualities were manifest as well in his political and social relations. Mrs. Moecker is a member of the Catholic church of Quincy. After her husband's death she took charge of the hotel, which she yet owns and of which she has continuously acted as manager.

G. E. WHITLOCK, M. D.

Dr. G. E. Whitlock, engaged in the practice of medicine in Columbus and Gilmer township, was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1850, and was brought by his parents to Adams county in 1853. the family home being established in Columbus. His father. Derrick Whitlock, was a native of New Jersey, born near Princeton. He was only one year old when his parents left that state and journeyed westward to Butler county, Ohio. There he was educated and also learned the tailor's trade, working as an apprentice until twenty-one years of age, after which he became an independent journeyman. In 1853 he started with his family for Illinois, driving across the country with teams to Adams county and estah- lishing his home in Columbus. He followed gen- eral merchandising, also carried on farming for a few years, and then conducted his store for a number of years. His last days. however. were spent in honorable retirement from business cares, and he died in 1891, respected by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Elliott, was a native of Butler county and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clement Elliott, who went from Maryland to the Buck- eye state. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock became par- ents of four children : Mrs. Louisa MeNeil, who lives in Columbus : two who died in infancy ; and Dr. Whitlock.

In taking up the personal history of Dr. Whit- lock we present to our readers the life record of one who has a wide and favorable acquaintance in Adams county, both professionally and so- cially. His early educational privileges, afforded by the common schools, were supplemented by study in the Ohio Wesleyan University, in which he was graduated in 1874. His professional training was received in JJefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia, and, following his graduation there as a member of the class of 1876, he located for practice in Columbus, Adams county, where he has sinee lived. He is skillful and capable in

discharging the duties which devolve upon him in connection with his profession and is continu- ally broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency by reading and investigation. He also owns a farm in Gilmer township, on section 14. He makes his home thereon, but is not ac- tively engaged in the work of tilling the soil, leaving this to others.

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Dr. Whit- lock and Miss Mary F. Booth, who was born in Adams county and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Booth, who had four children, who are yet living. The doctor and his wife have two children, Derrick and Halford, aged respectively twenty-three and nineteen years.

Dr. Whitlock is a member of the Odd Fellows' society and the Modern Woodmen camp and his political allegiance is given to the democracy. He is one of the leading physicians of Adams county and is a member of the medical board of Quincy. He enjoys the high esteem of his pro- fessional brethren. as well as of the general pub- lic, and his close conformity to the ethics of the profession, as well as his thorough understand- ing of the great principles of the medical science, have gained him prominence in the field of his chosen labor.

DEWITT C. HILL.

De Witt C. Hill, a railway mail elerk living in Ursa, Illinois, was born January 22, 1869, in Troy, this state, and is the son of Dr. W. C. and Sarah (Jarvis) Hill. The father was a native of Ohio and came to Schuyler county, Illinois, at an early day, in company with his parents. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was mar- ried about 1867 to Miss Sarah Jarvis, whose birthi occurred in Madison county. Illinois. They be- came the parents of four children: DeWitt C .; Gordon W., who is a resident of Princeton, In- diana : Russell, who is living in St. Louis, Mis- souri ; and Claude, who makes his home in San Francisco, California.

After completing his preliminary education in the public schools, De Witt C. Hill became a stu- dent in the State University of Illinois and, when he left college, he secured a position as public school teacher, following that profession for sev- eral years. He then accepted a position as rail- way mail clerk and has now been in the mail ser- vice for nine years, his run being between Quincy and Chicago. His long connection with the ser- vice is an indication of his capability and of- ficiency. He now owns forty acres of fine land about a half mile west of Ursa. constituting a valuable property.

Mr. Ilill was united in marriage to Miss Lela MeAdams, who was born in Ursa. October 6.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

1864. and died in 1899, leaving two children: Leita, who was born September 3, 1892; and Dol- lie, born September 27. 1894. In May, 1900, Mr. Ilill was again married, his second union being with Edna Smith. a daughter of Tom B. and losie ( Frazer) Smith. There have been two children born of this union : Ward, who was born November 13, 1901 : and Lois, born Jammary 10, 1903.

Several years ago Mr. Hill joined the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Ursa and has since been identified with that lodge. Both he and his wife are active members of the Christian elmurch, taking a helpful interest in its work and in the extension of its influence. His political allegiance is given to the democracy.

GEORGE ADAM THRON.

George Adam Thron, superintendent of the Woodland cemetery, was born in Cass county, Illinois, JJanuary 29, 1863, his parents being Valentine and Margaret Thron, who were natives of Germany, but were married in Cass county, Illinois. The father was a wagonmaker by trade and was one of three brothers who came from the fatherland to the new world, the others being David and Michael Thron. Unto Valentine and Margaret Thron were born six children who are now living: Mary, the wife of Henry Hobrock, of Cass county, Illinois : Peter N., of St. Louis, Missouri : Julia, the wife of John Baker, of Alex- andria, Ilinois; Henry, who is living in Hurd- Jand, Missouri: Lizzie, the wife of Adam Selm- man. of Cass county, Ilinois; and George A .. the youngest of the family.

At the usual age George A. Thron entered the public schools, but had no educational advant- ages after he attained the age of eleven years for his father died about that time and he was thrown upon his own resonrees. He worked upon the home farm and his youth was largely a period of unremitting toil. When eighteen years of age he came to Quiney and was first employed in the lime kiln. Later he worked in the Comstock fonndry, and in June, 1893. he was appointed superintendent of the Woodland cemetery, which position he still fills, having given most accept- able service. Under his charge the cemetery has been nich beautified and improved, the art of the landscape gardener contributing to make it one of the most beautiful cemeteries in this part of the country.

On the 16th of April, 1884, in Quincy, Mr. Thron was married to Miss Elizabeth Haas, a daughter of Frederick and Mary ( Miller) Haas. of Quiney. Her maternal grandfather. Peter Miller, was a native of Germany and became a

well known resident of Quincy, having settled here in the '40s. He was then well advanced in years but he lived with his children until he had reached the advanced age of ninety-six years and seventeen days, his death occurring in 1893. Ilis remains were interred in Woodland ceme- tery. Frederick Haas, father of Mrs. Thron, is a remarkable old man. Coming to Quincy in pioneer times, he became one of the charter mem- bers of St. John's Lutheran church, of which he is now the oldest living member. Ile has led an upright life, sober and industrious, and nature has been kind to him because he has not abused her laws. By trade a linen weaver in his native country, he turned his attention to farming after coming to Ilinois and followed that pursnit nn- til ninety years of age. Inst before the ninetieth anniversary of his birth, he wove a remarkable piece of carpet. He still has the use of all of his faculties and his life of usefulness and activity may well serve as an example to others. His wife is now seventy-two years of age. They are the parents of four children: Mrs. Thron; Kate, who died at the age of three years: Frederick Hlaas, of Quincy : and Katherine, who was the wife of George Hobroek, who died January 20, 1893.

Into Mr. and Mrs. Thron have been born the Following named: Anna, who died in infancy ; Alfred George: George Arthur: Carl Albert; Harry Charles: Walter Frederick; and Milton Ileury. Those still living are Alfred George, George Arthur and Milton Henry. The parents are members of St. John's Intheran church. and Mr. Thron belongs to the Firemen's Benevolent Society and the Mutnal Protective League. With but limited advantages and opportunities in his youth Mr. Thron has from an early age been de- pendent upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved has come as the direct ontcome and reward of his own labors.

WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, JR.

William A. Richardson, Jr., who, in his varied business relations, has displayed the ability which leads beyond mediocrity to successful ae- complishment and prominence, and who in pub- lie service has demonstrated his devotion to the general welfare, his labors resulting in benefit of a practical and permanent nature, was born June 24, 1848, in Washington, D. C., while his father, the Hon. William A. Richardson, was a member of congress.

Liberal edneational advantages were afforded William A. Richardson. Jr., who completed a thorough scientific conrse and then entered the field of business as a eivil engineer, being thus

G. A. THRON AND FAMILY

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

engaged in the survey and construction of the railroad from Quincy to Louisiana. Later he was assistant engineer and resident engineer on the construction of the Sni levee, in this work establishing what were called the Richardson levels. He was also engaged in the survey and construction of the railway from Chillicothe to Omaha, now a part of the Port Arthur system ; in the survey and construction of the Atchison branch of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railway, built by General Singleton, and also had an ap- pointment as engineer on the Northern Pacific, which he resigned in order to return to Quincy, being thus connected with the construction of some of the leading railway systems of the conn- try.

Determining to enter the legal profession, upon his return to Quincy Mr. Richardson began the study of law in the office of the Hon. O. H. Browning, and was admitted to the bar in 1876, following which he entered upon the active prac- tice of his profession. He was appointed master in chaneery in April, 1876, and served for nine years, and in 1878 he was elected city attorney and re-elected the following year. In 1880 he was chosen to represent his district in the Illi- nois legislature, and from 1885 until 1891 he was United States commissioner. He retired from the last-named position because of impaired health and sought the benefits of rest and out- door occupation in the management of extensive farming interests in Minnesota, although re- taining his residence in Quincy.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 102

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