Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 103

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 103

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In community affairs Mr. Richardson has ever been deeply interested, directing his energies to the public good, with recognition of the practi- cal value of many measures which have been suggested and movements which have been in- augurated. IFe is found as a co-operant factor in all that he deems beneficial or of worth in promoting permanent improvement.

Mr. Richardson was married January 3, 1881. to Miss Anna D. McFadon, and their social prominence is attested by the hospitality which is so freely accorded them in Quiney's leading homes.

FREDERIC ALTENIIEIN.

Frederic Altenhein, one of the leading Ger- man farmers and early settlers of Ellington township, was born in the fatherland, June 15, 1827, his parents being Henry and Catherine (Pilger) Altenhein. The son was reared upon the home farm, pursued his education in the schools of his native country and continued with his parents until 1852, when he came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic upon a sail-

ing vessel, which was seven weeks and five days in making the voyage. He landed in New Or- leans, and, after remaining there for two months, he came to Quincy, making his way up the Mis- sissippi river and reaching his destination on the 19th of August, 1852. He was married in Germany and was accompanied by his wife. He landed in Quincy with only one dollar in his pocket and paid twenty-five cents of this for a bed the first night, so that he started out in life here with a cash capital of but seventy-five cents.

Mr. Altenhein remained in Quincy for a year, working by the day. Later he was employed as a farm hand and subsequently he rented land un- til his own lahor had brought him a capital suf- ficient to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. He then bought a tract in Melrose town- ship, which he continued to cultivate until 1867, when he sold that place and purchased his pres- ent farm on section 17, Ellington township. Here he has two hundred and ten acres of very rich and productive land, which is located three and a half miles northeast of the city limits of Quincy, and the place is devoted to general farm- ing, the aetive work of which is carried on by his son Charles. Twenty-five to forty acres of the farm is planted to wheat and twenty to forty acres to corn. There is good pasture land and a fine timber tract, and there are twenty cows and thirty hogs upon the place. Besides this farm, Mr. Altenhein has another of seventy acres located eight miles northeast of the city limits. on section 5, Ellington township, on which are a great variety of fruits, such as berries, apple, peach, pear, cherry and pluim trees, it being one of the finest fruit farms of the state. The place is under the management of the eldest son. Fred, who is quite a prominent man in his com- munity, having held public office almost continu- ously since reaching manhood and is now serving as justice of the peace in Ellington township.

In Germany Mr. Altenhein was united in mar- riage to Miss Christine Rhode, and they became the parents of four children: Frederic married Anna Heneroff, and they have four children, William, Nora, Albert and Laura. Mary, the second member of the family, is the wife of George Pfanschmidt, of Ellington township, and they have four sons, Walter, Arthur, Roy and George. John died leaving a wife and two chil- dren, Edmund and Alice, now living in England. Charles II., who is managing the home farm for his father, married Eva Feigenspan, sister of William Feigenspan, who was candidate for state's attorney. They have one child, Margaret. Charles Altenhein is an enterprising farmer, wide awake and progressive, and follows modern methods in a practical manner that produces good results.

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On the 24th of April, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Al- tenhein celebrated their golden wedding at the home of their son-in-law, George Pfanschmidt. who, with the assistance of their son Fred and wife, provided the entertainment for the occa- sion. In his political views Mr. Altenhein is a democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, and in religious faith he is a Lutheran. During the Civil war he was drafted, but paid one thousand dollars for a substitute, having already served for three years in the German army before coming to this country.

Mr. Altenhein is a self-made man and, as the architect of his own fortunes, has bnilded wisely and well. Coming to America empty handed, he worked his way diligently upward, and his perseverance, energy and strong determination have proved the foundation of his success. Ilis life proves conclusively that snecess is not a matter of genius, but is the result of earnest and untiring effort. He is numbered among the early residents of the county, having for more than half a century resided within its borders, and he has. therefore, witnessed much of its growth and development. Upon his place is one of the old landmarks of the county-an old stone house which was erreted in 1830 by a Mr. Jacobs, who was then owner of the farm. It has now largely fallen into decay, but, could it speak, it would tell many interesting tales of pioneer life here. In this house many of the early meetings of the township were held. and it was here that the township of Ellington was given its name. Not far from the house is a splendid well, which has always been known as "Jacobs' well," and, in a local way, is almost as famous as Jacob's well of Bible days. At first there was but a spring, and it was decided to dig this deeper, and a man engaged to do the work made report that he "had dng the well fourteen feet deep and there were seventeen feet of water in it." Although his statement may have been a trifle exaggerated, the supply of water has never been exhausted. Mr. Altenhein has developed his farms into excellent paying properties, and they are now carefully managed by his sons.

CAPTAIN HARLO E. SELBY.

Captain Harlo E. Selby is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and a prominent husi- ness man of Golden, where he has lived since 1865. Nine years prior to that time he became a resident of Adams county. He is a native of Ohio, born October 24, 1842, and remained in that state until fourteen years of age, when he came to Illinois with his father, Wilson Selby,

the family home being established in Adams county. They drove across the country with a team and first settled in Houston township, where the father secured a tract of land and carried on farming throughout his remaining days.

Harlo E. Selby assisted in the cultivation and development of the home farm through the sum- mer months, while in the winter season he at- tended the district schools. His time was thus passed until the fall of 1861, when he went to Jones county, Jowa, where he worked on a farm and also engaged in teaching a country school; but in the following spring he returned home, reaching Adams county in March, 1862. Ile then continued to assist in the improvement of the old homestead until August of that year, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the con- tinued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, and he joined the army, becoming a mem- ber of Company G, Seventy-eighth Illinois In- fantry. He went south with that command, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumber- land and later to the Army of the Tennessee. Ile participated in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was badly wounded by a gunshot in the left side of the head. September 20, 1863. This disabled him for further service for a time and, after remaining in the hospital until well enough to travel, he was granted a thirty days' furlough, which he spent at home. IIe then rejoined his regiment at Chattanooga and afterward went with his command on the Atlanta campaign. par- tieipating in all of its battles and engagements, being in active field duty almost every day for

three months. Later he went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, and afterward through the Carolinas, participating in the bat- tle of Bentonville. With his command he then marched on to Richmond and subsequently to Washington, D. C., where he participated in the grand review. He was honorably discharged in Chicago in June. 1865, and gladly returned to his home. He was, indeed, a true and loyal sol- dier, faithfully performing each duty assigned to him, and he deserves the credit which the coun- try owes to the preservers of the Union.

Captain Selby returned to his family in Hous- ton township. Adams county, but, because of the injuries he had sustained in the war, he was in- capacitated for the hard labor of the fields, and on the 5th of October, 1865, he took up his abode in what is now Golden. Here he resumed teach- ing, following the profession through the winter months, while in the succeeding summer he he- came a student in Lombard University at Gales- burg, Illinois. IIe continued teaching through two winters and later he had two sisters and a daughter who taught in the same school. In the spring of 1867 he embarked in merchandising, purchasing an established business, and about

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

two months later he began dealing in grain in connection with his commercial pursuits. Both proved profitable, and he conducted his store with success until 1891, when the place was de- stroyed by fire. He continued in the grain busi- ness, conducting an elevator at Golden and also one at Chattan and at Bowen, carrying on husi- ness at the three places. In Golden he built a home, and here he resides, taking an active part in the progress and improvement of the town and giving material support to its upbuilding.

Captain Selby was married in Quincy, Illinois, November 26, 1868, to Miss Martha L. Zinn, of Green Grove. Hancoek county, Illinois. She was born in Virginia but was reared and educated in this state and is a daughter of Samnel G. Zinn. There are six children by this marriage : Amanda D., the wife of C. C. Sterrett, of Lamar, Colo- rado: Alma, the wife of Philip Miller, of Golden, Illinois: Electa B., the wife of John E. Beckett. of Adams county, living five miles west of Golden ; Mrs. Lottie Stevens, of St. Louis, Mis- souri: Edna. who is acting as bookkeeper for her father; and Harlo F., who is a student in the high school at Golden. He has also attended the Illinois College at Jacksonville.

Politically Mr. Selby has been a lifelong repub- lican, casting his first presidential vote for Gen- eral U. S. Grant in 1868 and for every nominee at the head of the ticket since that time. Ile has taken quite an active interest in local politics and was elected and served as president of the board of town trustees and assisted in incorporat- ing the town of Golden. He was a member of the school board and takes great interest in rais- ing the standard of education here. He has served as a member of the county central com- mittee and has been a member of the executive committee. For a long period he was actively connected with the state militia and was captain of the Keokuk Junction Gnards and for one year was a member of the staff of General Duker. while for five years he was adjutant of the Eighth Regiment Militia. He was also aide-de- camp to Colonel W. L. Diston, and during his term was commander of the Grand Army of Illi- nois. Captain Selby is connected with the Ma- sonic fraternity, belonging to LaPrairie lodge. No. 267. at Golden, in which he has filled all of the offices. He is likewise a member of the chapter and of Delta commandery. No. 48, at Clayton, and belongs to Laclyde lodge, No. 270. I. O. O. F., of Golden, and MeCoy post. No. 311. G. A. R., at Clayton. Captain Selby is a man of strong purpose, firm in his honest convictions, and never swerving in the least from a course which he be- lieves to be right. He has always been strictly temperate. never using intoxicants in any form. and. as the years have passed, he has developed

a character which is in many respects worthy of emulation. He has been found reliable in busi- ness, progressive in citizenship and trustworthy in all life's relations.

MRS. MARY LASLEY MCELROY.

Mrs. Mary Lasley MeElroy, who is living in Camp Point, was born in Camp Point township February 2, 1847, and is a daughter of JJohn and Elizabeth ( Hughes) Downing. The father was born in Virginia September 7. 1810, and went to Indiana when twelve years of age. There he was reared and remained until after his mar- riage, when he came to Adams county, Illinois, in 1835, settling in Camp Point township. Ile was a farmer by occupation and for many years en- gaged in tilling the soil, being one of the repre- sentative and enterprising agriculturists of the community. He served as assessor for several years. and he held other township offices, dis- charging his duties with promptness and fidelity. Ilis wife was born Angust 27, 1810, in Indiana, and died April 2, 1887, while his death occurred July 29, 1874.

Their daughter, Mary, pursued her education in the common schools and at Camp Point high school and later engaged in teaching in Maple- wood school at Camp Point for a year. On the 12th of October, 1870, she gave her hand in mar- riage to Joseph P. Lasley, a native of North Carolina. He came to Adams county, Illinois, when a young man and at the age of eighteen enlisted in the Union army. becoming a member of Company E. Fiftieth Illinois Regiment, with which he served for a year and a half, or until the close of the war. Subsequent to his military experience he became a merchant at Camp Point and was a well-known and reliable business man there, prominent in mercantile circles and re- spected by all with whom he came in contact, either in publie or private life. Hle was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He died May 13. 1885, leaving one son, Lee Lasley, who was born July 5, 1875, and died March 29, 1895.

On the 27th of November, 1895, Mrs. Lasley was again married, becoming the wife of James A. MeElroy, a native of Ohio, who resided for some time in Hancock county. Illinois, and sub- sequently went to Chicago. He dealt quite ex- tensively in stock, which he shipped to Chicago and Kansas City. Ile only lived for six months after their marriage, departing this life May 7, 1896. Mrs. Me Elroy has a nephew, her sister's son, who resides with her. He is Frank Thomas. a son of Francis M. and Sarah Martha (Down- ing) Thomas, and he is now acting as assistant rashier in the People's Bank at Camp Point.

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Mrs. Me Elroy owns her own home in Camp Point and also has other property there. She is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and of the Methodist Episcopal church of Camp Point, and these different relations indicate her character, showing her to be worthy of the re- speet and esteem which is so uniformly accorded her.

JAMES WOODRUFF.

One of the central figures in the history of Quincy, so closely connected with its develop- ment and progress that his name is inseparably interwoven with its annals, was James Wood- ruff, who, in pioneer times, came to this city and remained a resident thereof until the 12th of January, 1905, when, in his forty-eighth year. he was called from this life. His labors had been of a character so beneficial to the city, his success had been so honorably won and worthily worn and his integrity in all life's relations was so marked that he commanded uniform confi- denve and respect and won from those whom he met socially the deeper regard which we term friendship and love.

Mr. Woodruff was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, born February 26, 1821, his parents being Samuel Henry and Eliza M. ( Root ) Wood- ruff. The father, a lawyer of Connecticut, won more than local fame in the practice of his pro- fession. The grandfather, Samuel Woodruff, was of English deseent, as was the maternal grand- father, Joel Root, of New Haven, Connecticut. The former was agent for the Greek Relief Soci- ety in sending supplies to Greece for the sufferers from famine in 1828. ITis son, Samuel Ilenry Woodruff, died in the early '40s.

James Woodruff pursned his education in the schools of New Ilaven, Connecticut, and when fourteen years of age went to Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts, where he learned the trade of carriage- making, being engaged in that business until he attained his majority. The following year was spent by him in working at his trade in Hart- ford, Connecticut, and then he came to the west and was identified with Quiney and her interests until his demise.

When the New York, Boston & Illinois Land Company divided its land among its stockholders, Charles Atwater, of New Haven, an unele of Mr. Woodruff, being a large stockholder, came into possession of extensive realty holdings in the Illinois military traet. With his cousin, M. B. Denman, Mr. Woodruff came to Illinois, in October, 1842, and they opened a real estate of- fice in Quincy, having the ageney of over three

hundred quarter sections of land in this part of the state. Mr. Woodruff had to visit all the counties in this traet and pay taxes on the land, and, through the business in which he is now en- gaged, he was largely instrumental in securing settlements here. He had to make a similar trip each year until the lands were sold. He twiee rode to and from Chicago on horseback and five times made that trip with horse and buggy. He gained an intimate knowledge of the country and its possibilities in pioneer times, and his labors were most beneficial in the substantial improve- ment of this part of Illinois. He continued as real estate agent for twelve or fifteen years, at the end of which time he and his cousin began dealing in lumber in Quincy under the firm name of Demman & Woodruff, conducting their yard for five years. In 1867, in company with Fred- erick Boyd, Mr. Woodruff founded an industry in Quincy that has since become one of its lead- ing prodnetive enterprises. This was the eree- tion and equipment of the paper mills and the introduction to the publie of the first paper manufactured from the wild grass from the inun- dated bottom lands. As the years passed he made extensive and judicious investment in property, which increased in value beeanse of the improve- ment placed upon it and the growth of the county's population, thereby causing a greater demand. Thus his ineome continually inereased. Ife likewise invested in many industrial and com- mereial enterprises which proved of vast benefit to the city, as well as to the individual stock- holders. His work was ever of a character that largely promoted publie welfare and progress. Ile obtained the right of way for the Quincy, Missouri & Pacifie Railroad, also the subscrip- tions for the stoek, and the new town and station sites from the Mississippi river to Kirksville, Mis- souri. Hebecameinterested in the carriagemanu- facturing business on the northeast and southeast corners of Fifth and Jersey streets as a member of the firm of Ilaves & Woodruff, his partner being Henry Hayes. They erected buildings there, one on each side of the street, and con- dueted a very extensive carriage manufacturing business, continuing their operations in that line until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when the buildings were used for hospital purposes, and the firm retired from the trade.

On the 30th of October, 1862, Mr. Woodruff was appointed assistant provost marshal of the war department for the Quincy congressional dis- triet, and on the 7th of May, 1863, he was named by President Lincoln for provost marshal with the rank of captain. The following year, how- ever, he resigned and engaged in the manufae- ture of ambulances, light artillery, knapsaeks and haversaeks, which he furnished to the United

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

States. He was thus engaged until the end of the war, and in this connection he had several interviews with President Lincoln in relation to supplies and also with General Scott concerning arms. Following the war Mr. Woodruff largely retired from business, merely superintending his investments, owning considerable real estate, as well as being a stockholder in a number of lead- ing corporations here.

Mr. Woodruff was married twice. lle first wedded Miss Mary Dalzell, of Philadelphia, who died in 1879. They became the parents of five sons: James, who died in infancy : John, who died about 1900; Joel R. and William H., of this city : and Charles A., who is married and has two children. He is engaged in mining in Alaska and in the operation of a water power enterprise. Ilis family now live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1882 Mr. Woodruff married Miss Anna Hunt- ington, of New York city, a daughter of Owen Huntington, who died during the early girlhood of his daughter. He was at one time owner of an extensive iron manufacturing business in Con- neeticut. The family is of English lineage and was founded in America in the seventeenth cen- tury.

Mr. Woodruff attended the Unitarian church and was a generous contributor to this and other worthy causes which promoted the moral and in- tellectual development of the community or furthered its benevolent work. In early life he gave his political support to the whig party and afterward became a stanch republican. He had a portfolio containing the signatures of all the noted generals of the Civil war, together with a number of letters from President Lincoln. He was acquainted with many of the illustrious men of Illinois in his day, and from all he received the high regard which is ever given in recognition of true worth of character. lle did not seek to figure in any publie light, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests in earlier years and to the welfare of his city at all times. AAs the champion of many measures for the pub- lie good, he proved himself a valued resident of Quincy. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful effort, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. He stood, in his old age, when crowned with years and wealth, just where he had stood in early manhood, as the ad- vocate of all that is truly worthy and admirable in man: of all that is honorable in man's rela- tions with his fellowmen. Ever loyal to his city, faithful to his friends, his greatest devotion was given to his wife and children, his interest centering in his home, where his noble traits were most often manifest.

William II. Woodruff, born in Quiney, August 29, 1860, entered the public schools at the usual age, eventually became a high school student, and afterward matrienlated in the Chicago Univer- sity, where he spent two years, leaving that insti- tution at the age of eighteen years. On leaving college he accepted a position in the First Na- tional Bank of this city, where he remained for several years, and eventually he became the see- retary of the Quiney Lumber & Sawmill Com- pany, which sold out in 1885. He then became associated with the Taylor Brothers' Milling Company, a relation that was maintained for twelve years, and in 1900 he associated himself with the Pure Ice Company and has since been its secretary. He possesses energy and enter- prise in his business affairs, and his counsel in commercial matters is regarded as reliable and valuable. In polities he is independent.

JOSEPH B. VANDEN BOOM.

Joseph B. Vanden Boom, now deceased, was engaged in business in Quiney for many years. He was brought to this city by his parents dur- ing his infancy, his birth having occurred in Germany, November 22, 1852. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Van Bimel) Vanden Boom, who are also natives of Germany. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, following that pursuit until 1854, when he emigrated to America, settling first in St. Louis, Missouri, where he followed cabinet-making for a few years. He then came to Quincy, where he worked at his trade until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted and served throughout the period of hostilities, giving valuable aid to the I'nion cause. He then returned and lived a re- tired life in Quincy throughout his remaining days. His wife also died in this city.

Joseph B. Vanden Boom obtained a common school education in Quincy and, after putting aside his text books, he learned the house paint- er's trade. He afterward worked as a house painter and finisher for many years, continuing his labors along that line until 1890, when he entered into partnership with Charles H. Walker under the firm name of Walker & Vanden Boom, dealers in wines and liquors, at No. 500 Maine street. They were in business together for sev- eral years, after which Mr. Vanden Boom ad- mitted his son Charles H. to a partnership under the firm style of Vanden Boom & Son. They began condneting a saloon at No. 535 Hampshire street, and this business is still carried on by the son, the father having been connected therewith up to the time of his death, which occurred Au- gust 30, 1904.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 103

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