USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 106
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Mr. Inghes is a democrat in his political views and has served as school director for sixteen years and as road commissioner for eighteen years. He and his family are members of the Christian church and enjoy the warm esteem of many friends throughout this part of the state. Ile is to-day one of the honored pioneer settlers of the county, having an intimate knowledge of events which have formed the early history of this section of Illinois as well as those which in- dicate its later progress and development.
R. M. GRAY.
R. M. Gray. who has spent his entire life in Adams county, and who is well known as a stock-raiser and buyer, was born in Honey Creek township. on the 26th of April. 1851. His father. Richard I. Gray. was born January 15. 1815,
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on the Isle of Wight. England. ]le came to America in 1828, landing at New York, and later proceeded westward to Indiana by way of the river route. In 1835 he came to Honey Creek township, where he has since lived. Here he has always devoted his energies to the farm. He purchased land from the government, paying two hundred dollars for a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. which is now worth one hun- dred dollars per acre. His life has been a busy and useful one, his energies being devoted in untiring manner to his Farming pursuits through long years. lle is still quite a hale and hearty man, although now well advanced in age. He has been twice married, his first nnion being with Miss Ilart, by whom he had two children : Maria, who is now the wife of W. H. Henderson ; and Albert II., who is living in Coatsburg. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gray was married to Miss Elizabeth Rhea, who was born in Ken- tueky, and died in 1867. There are four chil- dren of that marriage: Z. T., who is living in Kansas; R. M., of this review; W. S. and George II .. who are in Coatsburg.
R. M. Gray was reared to farm life, assisting his father in the cultivation of the fields at an early day, and when he started out in life on his own account he, too, became a farmer and has always been identified with agricultural pur- suits, or kindred interests, save for the period when he represented his county on the list of its publie offices. In 1880 he was elected county sheriff by a large majority. Hle served for two years, being faithful and fearless in the dis- charge of his duty. Since his retirement from office he has dealt in stock. He also conducted a hotel in Coatsburg for one year and for one year in Camp Point, but has given his undivided attention to stock-raising and dealing since 1887. He lives on his father's farm on seetion 25, Honey Creek township, which is a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Being an excel- lent judge of cattle, horses and hogs, he is ena- bled to make careful purchases and profitable sales and is rarely mistaken in the value of any animal.
On the 4th of July, 1873, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gray and Miss Mary A. Bar- low, and unto them have been born ten children, who are yet living, and two who have passed away. Those who still survive are: Mrs. Josie Lummis, living in Quincy: Mrs. Dolly Brosi, of Coatsburg; H. O., Gay P., Richard R., Owen, Frank, Grover, Fred. and Maria. all at home. Mrs. Gray's father, Perry Barlow, is deceased, but her mother, Mrs. Sarah J. Barlow, is now living with Mrs. Gray, and Mr. Gray's father is also a member of the household and has reached the advanced age of ninety years.
Mr. Gray is a member of the Modern Wood- men camp and also of the Masonic fraternity and his political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party.
JOHN ENOS LINIHAN.
John Enos Linihan, treasurer and general manager of the Battle Creek Breakfast Food Company, Limited, of Quincy, was born at Battle Creek, Michigan, January 21, 1866, his parents being Martin and Catherine (Cogan) Linihan, the former a farmer by occupation. Both are natives of Ireland and the father came to Amer- ica in 1852, living for a time in the state of New York, whence he removed to Michigan. His wife came to America in her early girlhood with her parents, who first settled in Canada.
Mr. Linihan of this review obtained his edu- cation in the district schools of Michigan and in a business college. Ile was reared upon the home farm, assisting in the labors of the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he attended school. lIe continued upon the farm until twenty-five years of age, with the exception of one year spent as a clerk in a hard- ware store. Ile then engaged in the retail drug business in the city of Battle Creek, owning a store and continuing in the business from 1892 until 1898, when on account of the long hours and close confinement he sold out and turned his attention to buying and shipping grain and to the conduct of a feed and fuel business. Hle was thus engaged from 1898 until 1901, when he again sold out, in order to engage in the mann- facture of breakfast foods. Hle promoted and organized the Cero-Fruto Food Company at Battle Creek, Michigan, placed this upon a pay- ing basis and in 1902 sold the controlling interest to a Chicago company, who operated the plant for less than a year, when it went into the hands of a receiver and the Egg-O-See company pur- chased the same.
On the 1st of January, 1903, Mr. Linihan came to Quincy to assume the management of the Battle Creek Breakfast Food Company, Limited, manufacturers of Egg-O-See, and has since then been general manager and treasurer of the com- pany, which is his present business connection, - and one which is bringing to him an excellent financial return, for since establishing the busi- ness here it has had a remarkable growth, the annual sales amounting to a million dollars, while the trade extends into twenty states. The firm does an extensive advertising business, thus making its product known, and the quality of the output is such that when once in- troduced on the market, the continuance of sales
JE Finihan
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is assured. Mr. Linihan's previous experience in this line of business well qualified him for his present position, and under his capable direction the business has grown most rapidly and satis- factorily, indicating his capacity, keen discern- ment and enterprise.
On the 13th of June, 1893, at Erie, Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Linihan was married to Miss Gertrude L. Gates, a daughter of Dr. E. D. Gates, for many years a resident of Pennsylvania-Fairview and Erie. The family has been represented in the state of New York for many years and it is of the same family that General Gates of Revolu- tionary fame was a member. Dr. Gates served as a surgeon with the Army of Virginia in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Linihan had two chil- dren: Martin Gates, eleven years of age, and Catherine Gay, who was born September 2, 1902, and died September 26, 1904.
In his political views Mr. Linihan has always been a republican but not a partisan, and while living in Battle Creek, Michigan, served as alder- man from the first ward. He became a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity in 1895, has held all the offices in the local lodge and is now a past chancellor. Ile attends the Congrega- tional church and the greater part of his time, outside of business hours, is devoted to his fam- ily. In his business career, his course has been marked by steady progress, that has resulted from the utilization of opportunity, strong and earnest purpose and diligence.
WILLIAM M. LOGUE.
William M. Logue, well known in Adams county as Deacon Logue, is living on section 24, Clayton township, and is a worthy representative of agrienltural interests of this part of the state. Prosperity has attended him and furthermore he has gained the good will and confidence of his fellowmen, his life record proving that success and an honored name may be won simultaneous- ly. He has lived in Adams county since 1855. His birth, however, occurred in Brooke county. West Virginia, July 8, 1839. Ilis father, John Logne. was a native of that state, born in 1810. and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mahan, was also a native of West Vir- ginia. Following their marriage they settled on a farm in Brooke county, where the father car- ried on agrienltural pursuits for a number of years and nine children were born unto them there. In 1855 they came to Adams connty, Illi- nois, and the father purchased land where his son William now resides. He at first had three Imndred and twenty acres, which he began to till and improve, and later he bought more land
until he owned about six hundred acres. The family had been residents of Adams connty for only a brief period when six of the children died. They had become ill with the measles while on board the boat coming down the river and the illness proved fatal. The father con- tinned to make his home in Adams county until his death, which occurred in August. 1888, while his wife passed away in 1875. The surviving members of the family are: William M .; and J. C. Logue, a resident of Nebraska.
Under the parental roof Deacon Logue spent the days of his boyhood and youth, acquiring his education in the public schools of West Vir- ginia. He afterward went to Pennsylvania sub- segment to the removal of the family to the west and attended the high school at Paris, that state. lle then returned home and took charge of his father's farm and business and he has led an active and useful life, being long associated with agricultural interests here.
Mr. Logue was married in Adams county, in October. 1861, to Miss Harriett Ellen Davis, who was born in Clayton township. and is a danghter of Washington and Nancy Davis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. Mr. Davis was one of the pio- neer residents of this part of the state and opened up a farm here, transforming his fields into produetive tracts. Mr. and Mrs. Logue took up their abode upon the farm where they vet reside, and in connection with the cultivation of the fields he is engaged in the business of raising and feeding high grade stock and makes a specialty of polled Angus cattle.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Logue have been born five children : C. E., who assists in the operation of the home farm; Nannie C., the wife of B. F. Clark, of Clayton; William C., who is engaged in merchandising in Clayton ; Leona, the wife of (. W. Sargent, of Clayton; and Julia V., who died when a child of two years. The parents are members of the Baptist church of Clayton and both formerly were active Sunday-school work- ers, while Mr. Logue has long been a deacon in the church. They have assisted materially in the growth and upbuilding of the church and are actively interested in its many departments of work. Mr. Logne also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. In his polities he is a stanch democrat where national issues are in- volved but in local ranks he votes independently of party ties. Ile was elected and served as road commissioner for fourteen or fifteen years and was found to be a faithful and competent officer. Ile is regarded as one of the most thrifty and substantial stock-raisers of his com- munity. A man who is trustworthy in business.
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progressive and pubhe-spirited in citizenship and reliable in friendship, he and his wife enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of this part of the county.
WILLIAM HL. INMAN.
William H. Inman is a retired farmer living on section 17. Ursa township. Ile was born March 26, 1848, and is a son of Daniel and Ruth ( Featheringill) Inman. His father was a native of Little Truckie, Tennessee, and in 1850 went to California, where he remained for twenty-five years, being attracted to the far west by the dis- vovery of gold and the business opportunities that were afforded on the Pacific coast. Both he and his wife are now deceased.
William H. Inman was born in Fall Creek township, this county, and there remained until 1892. Ilis edneation was obtained in an okl log schoolhouse east of Marblehead, but at the age of fourteen years he started ont to earn his own living and worked by the month as a farm tarm hand until he was married. He has also followed farming and is now the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of very valiable land. which is pleasantly located about two and one- fourth miles southeast of the village of Ursa, in N'rsa township. There he carried on general farming and in addition to the cultivation of his erops he also raised some fruit and stock. He has now retired from active life and rents his land. His success is due to his careful manage- ment and his untiring industry, together with the assistance of his wife, who has been to him a faithful helpmeet on life's journey. They had no capital when they were married, but as years have passed they have accumulated a comfort- able competeney and are now enjoying the fruits of their former labor.
Mr. Inman was married to Adeline Wright, of Mendon township, a danghter of John and Phoche (Nut) Wright, whose parents came to Ohio from England at an early day and after- ward removed to Adams county. Hlinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Inman was born April 7, 1847. and their mar- riage orrurred March 3, 1867. She has one brother living in Mendon township and two brothers who are residents of Texas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Imman have been born five children : Celestia, who was born April 18, 1870, is the wife of Henry Bollman, a resident of Ursa township, and they have two children : Clarence II., born February 5, 1894, and Ethel M., born Angust 25. 1897. Florence V., who was born JJuly 21. 1875. was married February 24, 1904, to Bert Flack, of Ursa township, and they have one child, Linn
L., born November 9, 1904. Myrtle A., who was born March 18, 1880, is the wife of Charles O'Brien, of Mendon township, and they have two children, Vernon E., born March 11, 1900, and Ruth V., born June 15, 1902. Vernon S .. who was born March 7, 1883, married Una Nicholson, who was born August 25. 1881, a daughter of J. W. and Idealia (King) Nichol- son, and they make their home upon the Inman farm. They have one child, Cecil W., born Sep- tember 9. 1904. Elsie M., who was born May 13, 1887, is at home with her parents.
Mr. Imman is an active member of Mendon lodge, No. 449, A. F. & A. M. In polities he is a democrat, but takes no active part as an office seeker. His entire life was directed to his farm work until he retired and rented his property. The rest which he is now enjoying is well mer- ited.
JOHN S. TOUT.
John S. Tout, who became a citizen of Adams county at an early day, was born in Flemings- burg, Kentucky, October 18, 1806, his parents be- ing Basol and Sarah Tout, the former born about 1777 and the latter abont 1781. Basol Tout was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit near Flemingsburg. The ancestral records of the family were lost in a fire, so little is known eon- cerning the early history of the family.
John S. Tout received only a common-school education. When a young man he learned the tanner's trade, working in Grant & Company's tanyard in Kentucky, when General Grant was a small boy. He worked there for several years and then removed to Clermont county, Ohio, where he became manager of the Griggs' tan- yard, aeting in that capacity for several years. In the fall of 1842 he came to Adams county, Illinois, giving his attention to farming, which he followed until the infirmities of age prevented him from continuing his work longer. He then purchased property in Marcelline, where he lived until his wife died, October 25, 1887. His home being thus broken up, he lived among his ehil- dren until he became a permanent member of the family of his son Asbury, at Ursa, with whom he remained until his death, which occurred Jan- uary 9, 1893, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years, two months and twenty- two days.
In 1826, in Flemingsburg. Kentneky, Mr. Tout was married to Miss Elizabeth Tatman, a daugh- ter of Nehemiah and Naney Tatman, and a native of Flemingsburg, born November 17, 1800. Their children were: James II., born July 14, 1827: George W., who was born November 17, 1828,
MR. AND MRS. JOHN S. TOUT
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and died September 12, 1847; William V., who was born April 15, 1830, and died September 1, 1846: Basol, who was born November 9, 1831, and died October 21, 1847 ; Polly Ann, who was born March 18, 1833, and died December 15, 1894; John G., who was born May 8, 1835, and died January 9, 1893: Asbury, born December 21. 1836; Sarah J., born April 30, 1839: Nancy C., horn February 26, 1841, and now the wife of William Bennett, living at Smith Center, Kan- sas : Elizabeth F., who was born May 6, 1843, and died March 1, 1883; and Thomas E., who was born April 19, 1845, and was killed in the battle of Altoona, October 5, 1864, having become a member of Company A, Fiftieth Regiment of Illinois Infantry.
John S. Tout was widely known and highly re- spected. Ile was a very honorable man and a devoted Christian, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. He was a man of good physique and fine presence, possessed a kindly, genial disposition and was liked by everybody who knew him. He was a personal friend of General U. S. Grant, who, when he became president, tendered Mr. Tout the position of postmaster of Quincy, but the latter declined the honor, giving as his reason that he was so old and the position so hard that he was afraid he might not be able to fill it. From the time of the organization of the party he was a stalwart republican and he took a very deep in- terest in the eampaigns. both local and national. Ile always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and never swerved in the slightest degree from a course which he believed to he right. He received his first degree in Masonry, August 27. 1852, and was one of the charter members of Marcelline lodge, No. 114, 1. F. & A. M. He also belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church of Marcelline. For more than a half century he was a resident of Adams eounty and the sterling traits of character which he dis- played made him one of the representative citi- zens of this part of the state.
WILLIAM B. LARKWORTHY.
William B. Larkworthy, deceased, was one of the best known contractors in western Illinois, and a number of the fine structures of Quincy. as well as sections of the railroads in this part of the country. are evidences of his handiwork, his business capacity and ability. He was a native of Devonshire. England, born August 11, 1823. Ilis parents, William and Mary ( Bark- will) Larkworthy, were both natives of England and the father was a blacksmith by trade, follow- ing that pursuit in his native land during the
greater part of his life or until his retirement from active business vares. Both he and his wife always remained residents of England.
William B. Larkworthy obtained a good edu- cation in the schools of his native country and there learned the earriage-maker's trade, which he followed until his emigration to the new world. He had heard favorable reports concern- ing America and its business opportunities and this led him to seek his fortune in the new world. He thus located in Ontario, Canada. where he worked at his trade for several years. Subsequently he removed to Kansas City. Mis- souri, where he also followed carriage-making for about three years. He came to Quincy about 1863 and here turned his attention to contract- ing. After building several of the prominent structures of this city he began railroad contract- ing and was thus connected with the construc- tion of all of the railroads running into Quincy. IIe also built several of the other railroads in the western part of the state, including lines running into Jacksonville and Springfield. He was a warm personal friend of AAmos Green, a pioneer railroad owner of Quincy. Mr. Lark- worthy continued as a railroad contractor until his death and also did contract work in the building of public structures and private resi- dences in Quincey. Among those which stand as monuments to his handiwork are the Adams county courthouse, the Soldiers Home, and many other important structures which give to the city its substantial and attractive appearance. His business steadily increased in volume and im- portance and he became very well-to-do.
Mr. Larkworthy was married in Canada to Miss Ann Penhale, also a native of Devonshire, England, born February 11, 1822, and a daugh- ter of George and Ann (Millman) Penhale, both of whom were natives of England, where the father followed the occupation of farming. At an early day they crossed the Atlantic and set- tled in Canada, where he again devoted his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. While on a visit to his son in Cleveland, Ohio, his death oc- curred, and his wife died in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Larkworthy were the parents of two chil- dren : Mary is the deceased wife of William Evers, who is engaged in the grocery business in Quincy, his home being near the residence of Mrs. Larkworthy. Frances, who always lived with her mother, died January 10, 1897.
The death of Mr. Larkworthy occurred June 20, 1890. He was also deeply interested in poli- ties from the time that he became a naturalized American citizen and gave an unfaltering sup- port to the republican party and its principles. At an early day he served as alderman of Quincy and in many ways contributed to the growth, progress and improvement of the city. In the
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Masonic fraternity he attained the Knight Templar degree and in his life he exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft. Both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church here. Mrs. Larkworthy now owns a fine brick resi- denee at No. 535 Lind street, where she resides during the summer months but in the winter seasons she makes her home with her friend, Mrs. S. F. Elliott, at No. 735 North Fifth street.
THOMAS S. ELLIOTT.
Thomas S. Elliott, who is engaged in general farming on seetion 29. Payson township. was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 7. 1841, and is the seventh in a family of four sons and five daughters, whose parents were Joseph and Margaret ( Sturgiss) Elliott. Joseph Elliott was born in Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, April 18, 1803, and on the 18th of Octo- ber, 1826, was married to Margaret Sturgiss, who was also born in Chester county. in Novem- ber, 1803. She was of Irish descent, while he was of Welsh aud Irish lineage. They came to Adams comuty, Illinois, in 1849, settling on section 18. Payson township. Mr. Elliott was a con- tractor and bridge builder and was engaged in building operations in THlinois and Missouri up to the time of his retirement from active husi- ness. He died in April. 1892. at the age of eighty-nine years, and his wife passed away in December, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years. Both were members of the Congregational church of Payson and Mr. Elliott contributed in no small degree to the development and substantial improvement of his adopted county.
Thomas S. Elliott was educated in Payson, attending school where it was necessary to pay tuition. lle was reared to farm life and has al- ways carried on agricultural pursuits. In his vonth and early manhood he engaged in the operation of the old homestead, his father own- ing one hundred and sixty acres of land where the family home now stands. Mr. Elliott of this review has beeome the possessor of four hundred acres of valuable land, constituting one of the best farms in Payson township, and the modern improvements he has placed upon it are a visible indication of his progressive spirit.
On the 2d of November, 1864, Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Celena Whiteomb, a daughter of Jasper and Elizabeth ( Duff) Whitcomb. Her father was born in West Hartford, Ver- mont. September 23, 1807, and his wife was a native of Ireland, but was of French descent. They came to Ilinois about 1833 and Mr. Whit- comb, prominent in public affairs, served as
magistrate of Payson for twenty-four years. IIis brother, Wyman Whitcomb, was a member of the board of supervisors for sixteen years and was chairman of the board for eight years, being the second supervisor of his township. Jasper Whitcomb died in 1885, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife's death oc- eurred in January, 1902. They were prominent pioneer people. Mrs Elliott was born in Pay- son, November 4, 1841, and by her marriage became the mother of two children, but one died in infancy. The other, Florence, born April 14, 1876, was educated in the schools of Payson and at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. She was married December 25, 1903, to R. G. Kay, and they reside with her parents.
Mr. Elliott exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the demo- cratie party and has been honored with several local offices. He has been assessor, was super- visor for fifteen years and chairman of the board of supervisors for two years. He has been a member of the board of review for five years and has acted as its chairman. All of the duties which devolve upon him in this connection have been faithfully and efficiently discharged and in all life's relations he has commanded confi- dence and respect by reason of his fidelity to manly principles. Mr. Elliott has been called upon to execute many estates and has some es- tate continuously on his hands. Living in Ad- ams county since eight years of age, he has a wide acquaintance and is spoken of in most favorable terms by a large eirele of friends.
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