USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 108
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In his social relations Dr. Rice is a Mason, belonging to Quincy lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Men- don chapter, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest: and El Aksa commandery, K. T., of which he is past eminent commander. Dr. Rice was married in 1878 to Miss Mary St. Clair, of Mechanicsburg, Illinois, and they have a dangh- ter. By nature the Doctor is social and genial but has comparatively little opportunity for so- cial enjoyment owing to the heavy demands made npon his time and attention by profession-
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al duties which are constantly growing in vol- nme and importance. Of strong mentality and marked intellectual attainments, the public and the profession accord him prominence in the field of his chosen endeavor.
REV. WILLIAM R. LIERLE.
Rev. William R. Lierle, who has reached the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey and is now living with his children in Adams county, was for many years an able representa- tive of the ministry and his influence proved a potent element for good in this seetion of the state. He was born in Montgomery county, North Carolina, Angust 16, 1818, his parents being William and Catherine (Sell) Lierle. His paternal grandfather, Zachariah Lierle, was one of the patriots of the Revolutionary army, serving under Washington for eight years, or throughout the entire period of hostilities that resulted in the establishment of American inde- pendence. Coming to the west at an early day his remains now rest in a cemetry about four miles north of Liberty, Illinois. William Lierle, the father, removed from the south to Illinois about 1821, settling first in Union county, which was then a pioneer district in which the work of improvement and develop- ment had been scarcely begun. He then came to Adams county, locating in Liberty, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. He was a farmer by orenpation and always fol- lowed that pursuit in order to provide for his wife and children.
William R. Lierle was but three years of age when brought to Illinois and for seventy-three years has lived in Adams county. Few indeed of its settlers have longer witnessed its develop- ment and progress or have a more intimate knowledge of its pioneer history. He pursued his education in Union county and in the pub- lie schools of Adams county and through the period of his boyhood and youth he assisted largely in the work of the home farm, aiding in the arduous task necessary for the cultivation and improvement of new land.
Ile lived with his parents until twenty-five years of age and then established a home of his own, being united in marriage on the 12th of October, 1843, to Miss Penina Hendrieks, of Missouri, a daughter of Abraham and Jennie (Cox) Ilendricks, who came to Adams county at an early day, spending the greater part of their lives here. Mrs. Lierle died February 20, 1895, at the age of sixty-nine years. There were eleven children born of that marriage, but four died in infancy. The others are : Mrs.
Annie Lucas, who resides near Mounds, Illi- nois; Albert and William, who are living in Des Moines, lowa : Mrs. I. Miller, whose home is in Kansas; Mrs. Caddie Enlow, also of Kansas; Mrs. Nora Gillis, of Clayton ; and Mrs. Addella Imeas, of Clayton.
Although Rev. Lierle made his home with his parents until twenty-five years of age, he be- gan earning money when but a boy. He here split rails at fifty cents per day and thus he gained the nuelens of his later desirable posses- sions. He worked hard year after year and as his financial resources increased he pur- chased land until he was at one time the owner of two hundred and eighty acres, but he has since sold one hundred acres of this. He now retains possession of one hundred and eighty acres and in addition he has residence prop- erty in Clayton. For many years he was elassed with the energetie, practical and diligent farm- ers of the county, beginning work in the fields at an early hour and continuing his labors until after sunset. Day after day was passed in this manner and as the result of his labors he at length accumulated a handsome competenee.
His Sundays were devoted to preaching and to the worship of God. He became actively connected with the ministry in 1850 and for fifty-four years continued preaching, going for a quarter of a century each Sunday to a church five miles from his home. He now divides his time among his children, having retired from farm labor and also the work of the ministry. but his interest in his church has never abated and his entire life has formed an example that is well worthy of emulation. He has always voted with the democracy and in early days he heard the famous Douglas and Lincoln de- hate that was held in Quiney in 1856. Rev. Lierle is one of the most favorable known citi- zens of Adams county-a patriarch in his com- munity. honored and respected by all. Ilis works of Christian teaching have not fallen on barren fields and his own life has been an exemplification of the doctrines and principles which he has proclaimed from the pulpit.
HENRY F. NAUMANN, D. M. D.
Dr. Henry F. Nammann, dental practitioner of Quiney, was born in Belleville, Illinois. March 30, 1871. his parents being Rev. Philip and Melvina (Frederick) Naumann, early set- tlers of Hancock county, Illinois. The father was born in Germany in 1827 and came to the United States when nineteen years of age, lo- eating in Illinois, where for some years he fol- lowed farming and then became connected with
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the ministry as one of the pioneer preachers of the German Methodist Episcopal church. Ile is now living retired in Quincy, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife is now sev- enty years of age. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are vet living.
Dr. Naumann began his education in the pub- lie schools of Muscatine, Iowa, later continued his studies in Deeatur and then in Quincy. He also attended the Iowa Wesleyan University, at Mount Pleasant, where he spent a year, when he entered upon a special course of study in Warrenton. Missouri, at the Central Wesleyan College. When twenty years of age he began preparation for his chosen profession in the dental department of the Washington l'hiver- sity at St. Louis, where he was graduated in 1892, after which he returned to Quiney. where he has since practiced with constantly inereas- ing success, when viewed from both a profes- sional and financial standpoint. His patronage eomes from many of Quincy's best citizens, and in his practice he keeps in touch with the latest discoveries and improved methods of dentistry, thus giving to his patrons the best possible ser- vice.
On the 25th of October, 1894, Dr. Naumann was married to Miss Nellie, daughter of Henry Grimpe. one of the early settlers of Warsaw. Illinois, where Mrs. Naumann was born. They now have two children : Eleanor, born August 1, 1899; and Chester, born March 6, 1902. The parents are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church, and Dr. Naumann is a re- publican in his political views, while fraternally he is connected with Herman lodge, No. 39, A. F. & A. M .. and Quiney chapter, No. 5. R. A. M. He is a member of the Illinois State Den- tal Society and the First District Dental Soci- ety and in his practice maintains a high stand- ard of professional ethics and individual profi- ciency.
HENRY C. CUPP.
Henry C. Cupp, who is well known in Adams county and throughout Illinois as a horticul- turist, was born October 30, 1848, in Steuben county, Indiana. He is of Holland-Dutch lin- eage and the name of the family was originally spelled Kop. His father. Jacob Cupp, was a native of Pennsylvania and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Dorcas Smith, whose birth occurred in Maryland. They removed to Shelby county, Missouri. when their son Henry was a youth of ten years. The father was an outspoken abolitionist and at the time of the
Civil war and during the trying period which preceded its outbreak he was many times threatened with violence. His home was in the hotbed of secession and several horses and other property was taken from him. lle would un- doubtedly have forfeited his life had not Gen- eral MeNeal said that if Mr. Cupp was killed he would execute ten of his rebel neighbors. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cupp were born the follow- ing children: ('atherine, the eldest, is a widow residing in Fall Creek township. Lewis C., who was a member of the Third Missouri Cavalry during the Civil war, married and had three children. He died in Ralls county, Missouri. in 1901. John S., also a member of the Third Missouri Cavalry for three years and six months, is a farmer and stockraiser, residing at Elm City, Kansas, and has two sons and three daughters. Theodore, of Ralls county, Missouri, who served as a private in the Thirty- ninth Missouri Infantry, is married and has a son and two daughters, the former being a Christian minister at Platte City, Missouri. George W., who died in 1882, at the age of forty years, was a farmer by occupation and at his death left a son, who is now in Washing- ton. Henry C. is the next in the family. Fran- eis MI. is a farmer of Marion county, Missouri, and is married, but has no children.
Henry C. Cupp, having accompanied his par- ents on their removal to the west, acquired his elementary edneation in the country schools of Shelby county, Missouri, and later he attended Palmyra College, at Palmyra. He became a resident of Adams county in 1870, when about twenty-two years of age, and here he turned his attention to farming. He was married in 1871 to Miss Frances L. Rankin, a daughter of Robert Rankin, who was one of the wealthy farmers of Fall Creek township, owning nearly a seetion of land. Mr. Cupp took his bride to his farm and continued general farming for several years. lle was the first to introduce polled Angus cattle into his section of the county, but he has now abandoned stock-raising in order to give his undivided attention to fruit growing, which he carries on extensively. Ile has now four thousand peach trees in bearing. He has made a close and scientific study of the best methods of raising fruit and is a firm believer in spraying his trees and in clean cultivation. Ile has made arrangements to spray one hun- dred acres of apple orchard four times with a gasoline engine and will be the first man to use a gasoline spray in Fall Creek township. He has ten thousand apple trees and between four and five thousand of these are in bearing. He has raised as many as thirty-six hundred barrels in a year. He stores his apples for the winter market and finds a ready sale for his
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product because of its excellence as to size, quality and flavor. His is to-day the largest apple orchard in Adams county and he is re- garded as authority npon any question regard- ing the raising of fruit.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cupp has been born but one child, Lillie J., whose birth occurred Jan- uary 28, 1872, and who was educated in the country schools and also spent four years in Chaddoek College in Quiney, where she grad- nated. She was married July 26, 1893, to Perry W. Sapp of Macomb, Illinois, who is now recording clerk and assistant bookkeeper at the Insane Asylum at Bartonville, Illinois. He was appointed by Governor Yates in recognition of his efficient work in his campaign of 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Sapp have three children, the eldest being Stanley Cupp Sapp, who is ten years of age. The others are Whitney Francis, eight years old, and Miriam Luro, six years old.
Mr. Cupp is recognized as one of the promi- nent republicans of Adams county, having been identified with the party since attaining his majority. He has held no office although he has been offered the candidacy of state repre- sentative. He prefers to do his publie duty as a private citizen and his labors have been of material assistance in the promotion of many measures which have proved of value in his part of the state. He has been president of the Adams County Fair Association, was levee com- misioner for two years of the Quincy levee, and for five years has been president of the Mississ- issippi Valley Apple Growers' Association. Ile has also been president of the Cen- tral Illinois Distriet Horticultural Society and since 1893 has served as delegate to the National Farmers Congress, these delegates be- ing appointed by the governor of the state, and Mr. Cupp has received the appointment from both democratie and republiean exeentives. He was appointed by the governor of Illinois to assist the president of the United States in lay- ing the corner stone of the government build- ing at Chicago, October 9, 1899, this being laid by President MeKinley. The paper of ap- pointment was signed by John R. Tanner, gov- eror, and Carter II. Harrison, mayor of Chi- cago. Fraternally Mr. Cupp is a Mason, be- longing to Payson lodge, No. 379, the chapter and commandery in Quincey, and also to the Eastern Star, and his daughter is a member of the Eastern Star, while his wife and dangh- ter hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Fall Creek. It was through the ef- forts of Mr. Cupp that the Union church of Fall Creek was built there, raising every dollar of the fund himself and all denominations are wel- come to use this house of worship. Mr. Cupp is a very progressive and public-spirited man,
realizing that the spirit of the times is one of progress and keeping in touch with the uni- verse of thought and advancement. His en- tire career has been characterized by an on- ward movment as seen in his business affairs. in his citizenship and in all his relations with his fellowmen.
BENJAMIN A. CURRY.
Benjamin A. Curry was born May 8, 1825. near Louisville, Kentucky, and was the eldest son of the thirteen children of Thomas and Ma- linda (Murphy) Curry, who came from Ken- tucky to Adams county, Illinois, with their four children in 1837 and bought and settled upon three hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land, which he developed into a rich and beanti- ful farm, upon which he lived for many years, nine children being born there. Later he built a home in the village of Clayton. He died on the Ist of December, 1891, reaching the venerable age of ninety years. ilis wife died in 1879, be- ing seventy-one years old. Twelve of the thir- teen children reached adult age, one died in infancy and three were soldiers, two filling sol. diers' graves before the close of the war.
The subject of this sketch was brought to Ili- nois when a lad of twelve years by his parents, with whom he remained until he was twenty-five years of age. Ilis early opportunities were lim- ited to the district school, in which he displayed marked ability as a mathematician. In 1849 he purchased of the government one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clayton township and upon it built a frame house. On October 10, 1850, he was married to Mary A. Majors, a na- tive of Ohio. He lived upon his farm first until in December, 1864. In 1863 Mr. Curry bought forty acres of land adjoining the village of Clay- ton, and in the following year built upon it a substantial and commodious house in which he now resides, it being one of the prettiest homes in the village.
In April, 1864, Mr. Curry buried his first wife. To this union was born five daughters, the two eldest dying in infancy. The three re- maining are: Linnie A. Wilson of Quincy, Illi- nois, widow of David B. Wilson: Dora A., the wife of C. E. Cain, a farmer of Clayton town- ship; and Nellie G., of Quiney, wife of J. W. Potter, postal clerk. In 1865 Mr. Curry mar- ried Lucy J. Hoskins of Ohio, who died October 2, 1881, leaving three children : Edgar T., a suc- cessful business man of Clayton; Charles S., a physician of Beatrice, Nebraska ; Caroline E., wife of F. C. Andrews, a manufacturer of Kan-
B. A. Curry
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sas City, Missouri. Mr. Curry was married a third time to Mrs. Lavinia M. Benton, nee De- puy, widow of Dr. Benton of Rushville, Illinois. She had one son by her former marriage, C. G. Benton, a grain merchant of Kansas City, Mis- souri.
Mr. Curry never took an active part in poli- ties, but is a stanch republican, his first vote being cast for the whig candidate, when he was twenty-one years of age. He served several years as supervisor, assessor, school trustee and in other local offices. IIis principal business has been farming, but he has engaged in merchan- dizing, in manufacturing stock scales and hay presses, in wagon-making and various industries. He is the builder and owner of the largest busi- ness house in Clayton, besides other business and dwelling houses, and is the owner of eight hun- dred acres of rich farming lands.
IFis enterprise, force of character, sterling in- tegrity, fortitude and good sense amid the dis- couragements in the management of complicated affairs have made him a leader in the commer- cial and agricultural interests of the community where he is best known. Ile not only has met with success in his business but also in social life. Aside from his large circle of relatives he has many warm friends among his acquaint- ances and especially among the little children and the poor. IFis wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and they are held in high esteem by the community. He is strictly temperate in his habits, as a result of which he is at the age of eighty enjoying good health, and his children, rejoicing in the fact, gathered at his home on the 8th of May, 1905. to celebrate his eightieth birthday. Six children and seven grandchildren gathered around the festive board with him and expect to make an annual affair of it for many years to come. UFe is in the true sense of the word a self-made man, being the architect and builder of his own fortune.
RICHARD HARNESS.
Richard Harness is one of the extensive land owners of Adams county, having four hundred acres lying partly in this county and partly in Hancock county. HIe has followed general farming for many years, but now largely leaves the active improvement of his land to others, while he is enjoying a rest that has been richly earned and is truly merited. He was born February 28, 1841, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Worley) Harness. The father, who was born in July, 1793, in St. Clair county, Illi- nois, was married on the 6th of May, 1816, to Miss Nancy Worley, daughter of Richard and
Nancy Worley, of Virginia. In 1828 they came to Adams county, Illinois, locating on a farm on section 1, Lima township, now owned by Richard Harness. There was only one house between their pioneer residence and Bear creek. Mr. Harness secured his land through the home- stead act and entering it thus from the govern- ment he became the possessor of a traet that was entirely wild and unimproved. He bore the usual hardships and trials of pioneer life but possessed the courage and perseverance which is a requisite quality of the frontier set- tler. He often worked for twenty-five cents per day in order that he might get a little ready money, which was very scarce in the west at that time, most articles being traded for other commodities. He would frequently kill deer, tan the hides and sell them for clothing, and with the money he thus gained he entered his land. Ile at one time owned nine hundred acres and in connection with general farming he conducted a nursery, operated a tannery and also a sawmill. He was thus one of the most active and energetic residents of his lo- cality and contributed in a large measure to the early business development of the county. IIe grafted the first apple tree that was ever grafted in Adams county. He started out in life on his own account when only thirteen years of age and his possessions at that time consisted of a horse, a dog and a gun. Leaving home he came to the north and, possessing a resolute, determined spirit, he acquired in the course of years a handsome property. He was an excellent shot and at one time he killed sixteen deer with seventeen shots. Ile reared a family of eleven children, of whom five are now living, but Richard H., the subject of this sketch. is the only one residing in Adams county.
In the publie schools Richard Harness oh- tained his education and upon the home farm he was trained in all of the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist, gaining a practical knowledge that has proved of much value to him in his later years. Ile was married on the 23d of December, 1863, to Miss Anna Cren- shaw, who is a daughter of Paschal and Cather- ine Crenshaw, of Hancock county, and was born May 22, 1844. By their marriage they became the parents of seven children : George B., born September 10, 1864, married Lizzie Vinson and resides in Hancock county, Illinois ; Charles C., born September 10, 1867, married Lena Bell and lives in California; Carrie Gertrude, born September 27, 1869, became the wife of George Bolt, and after his death in March, 1902, mar- ried Elmer Miller, their home being now upon the old Harness homestead : Jasper, horn May 31, 1873, married Bernice Nichols and lives on
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the old homestead : Effie V., born March 7, 1882. married Frank Busby Parker and is living in Lima : and two children died in infancy.
In order to provide for his family Mr. Har- ness carried ou general agricultural pursnits for many years and is to-day the owner of four hundred acres of valnable land in Hancock and Adams connties. llis land in the latter county is situated on sections 1. 2 and 3. Lima township. He now rents much of his land, while he is enjoying a well earned rest. He has always been an advocate of the democracy but would never accept publie office. lle and his wife belong to the Methodist Protestant church. He is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family and the work of de- velopment and improvement which was begun by his father has been carried forward by him. he bearing his full share in all the duties of citizenship.
JOHN A. CHITTENDEN.
John A. Chittenden, one of Quiney's honored dead, was born December 24, 1827, in Guil- ford, Connecticut, and died October 26, 1872. From the old records found in Guilford, Connecticut, it appears that all of the Chitten- dens in this country were descendants of one William Chittenden, who was among the first settlers in the old town of Guilford, and that he was in middle life at the time the records were compiled. He brought with him from England his wife, Joanna, and three sons, John, Thomas and Nathaniel, and one daughter. Mary. The family home was established in Guilford in 1639. Ilistory recounts that the deeds for the land re- ceived from the Indians were made to six promi- nent planters who were appointed as trustees on behalf of the whole colony, and that William Chittenden was one of these trustees.
Colonel John B. Chittenden, father of John A. Chittenden, was born in Guilford, Connecticut, January 16, 1790, and was married there on the 12th of January, 1814, to Miss Elizabeth Robin- son, whose birth occurred March 12, 1791. llis early life was spent upon a farm in his native place. He became an active member in the Con- gregational church at an early age and in his twenty-first year was chosen deacon, which posi- tion he continued to fill until his removal to Illi- nois in September. 1831, at which date, accom- panied by his wife and four sons in a covered wagon drawn by two horses, he started for Quincy. IIr was joined by Samnel Bradley and his family and others at East Haven, Connecti- cut, making in all an emigrant train of five
wagons and thirty-six persons, Quincy being the destination of the entire party. In this under- taking Mr. Chittenden was prompted by two objects: First to establish, strengthen and ex- tend the Christian religion by the organization of churches, Sunday-schools and Bible classes in the middle west : and second, to better provide for his family of sons in a new country. Further mention is made of Mr. Chittenden on another page of this work.
John A. Chittenden pursued his education in the common schools and also under the private tutorship of his father, who was a man of more than ordinary gifts. He spoke with readiness, his voice was pleasing to the ear and his words gave instruction to the heart. Under his guid- ance John A. Chittenden was destined to receive the best education obtainable in that time amid the circumstances under which they were sur- rounded. It was a pioneer district and advan- tages were somewhat limited. but he made good use of his opportunities and the lack of privileges which might have been enjoyed in the east prob- ably developed in greater foree his latent talents and character. lle began farm work early in life and was thus identified with agricultural pursuits until a few years prior to his death, when his infirmity prevented further connection with farming interests. In all his work he was practical and progressive and in the control of his affairs displayed keen discernment and marked enterprise.
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