USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 110
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153
John Speckhart was reared to farm life and at a very early age began work in the fields. After attaining man's estate he married Han- nah Schaeffer, a daughter of William and Flor- entine (Kruger) Schaeffer. Mrs. Speckhart was born in Lippe, Germany. October 7. 1851, and was brought to America by her parents when two years old. She attended the German school in Quiney and remained at home until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Speek- hart, April 15, 1869. They became the parents of the following: Elizabeth, who was born October 7, 1871, is the wife of John Echten- eamp, a farmer of Fall Creek township, and has six children. John, born June 28. 1875. and living on his father's farm in Fall Creek township, married Annie Westholdt and has a son and daughter.
Emma, born January 25. 1878. died March 8. 1882, and was buried in Bluff Hall cemetery. William, born February 7, 1880, married Letta Albsmeyer, and is living with his father, who is now building a home for him. Maggie, born Angust 25. 1882, is the wife of John Inlcher, proprietor of a general store in Quincy, and has one son. Charles.
702
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
born May 21. 1886, is at home. Daniel, a twin brother of Charles, died when only a day old and was buried in Bluff Hall cemetery. Au- gust, born March 1. 1889, died May 8, 1889. Ella, born June 3, 1894, is a student in Bluff Ilall school.
Mr. Speckhart inherited two hundred and sixteen acres of land from his father and with this as a nelens he has extended his posses- sions until he now owns seven hundred and seventy acres of very valuable land all in Fall ('reek township. Here he raises hogs, corn and wheat. He learned when a boy to use the cra- dle and grub hoe, the ax and the seythe and during his life has done much hard work. From the time he was fourteen years of age he coukl stack wheat and that formed a part of his yearly labor until he reached the age of fifty- two years, the weather never being so inelem- ent that he did not perform his part in the field work. Withont educational advantages to assist him in his business career he has stead- ily worked his way upward, gaining knowledge through experience and observation and so managed his business affairs that he is to-day one of the substantial citizens of the county. In those early days game was plentiful and when a boy Mr. Speckhart shot many a duek or goose in his own dooryard, game furnishing an important article of diet on the tables of the pioneers. His career has been a busy and nseful one and he has always been honorable in his trade transactions. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Congrega- tional church and his political views are in accord with the principles of the democracy.
FRANCIS A. ANEALS.
Francis A. Aneals, a well-to-do farmer of El- lington township, who has long been a resident of Adams county, was born in Boone county, Missouri, October 30, 1826. His father, Francis Aneals, was born in New York in 1800 and died during the early boyhood of his son Francis. HIe had married Margaret Burke, a native of Pennsylvania. He was a house joiner and fol- lowed that trade in New York and in Pennsyl- vania. At the time of his marriage, which oe- enrred about 1822, he removed from the east to Missouri and entered government Jand, there spending abont two years in the development and enltivation of the farm. He afterward went with his father to Schuyler county, Illi- nois, where he carried on agricultural pursuits
and, in 1831, he removed to what is now Quiney, although the city at that time con- tained only three houses. He died the follow- ing year and therefore was a resident of Adams county for only a very brief period. Ile had purchased eighty acres of land one and a half miles northeast of the farm upon which Francis A. Aneals now resides and had broken. ten aeres with oxen and, being unable to split rails, he constructed the first sod fence in Adams county. Hle had also erected a log cabin of one room, sixteen feet by fifteen feet square.
In his political affiliation he was a whig and in religions faith a Methodist. Ile aided in building the first Methodist Episcopal church in Ellington township and was one of its local preachers. Every two weeks he would walk to Quiney, a distance of ten miles, in order to preach the gospel there and thus he aided ma- terially in the moral development of the pio- neer locality in which he made his home.
Francis A. Aneals accompanied his parents on their various removals in his early child- hood, being but about five years of age when the family came to Adams county. Ilere he pursued his education in the public schools, walking a distance of three miles. He was reared upon the home farm and early in life began earning his own living by working as a farm hand at six dollars per month. He was thus employed until his marriage, which oc- eurred December 17, 1847, Miss Almira Frost becoming his wife. She was born in Ohio in 1827 and is a daughter of Elam Frost, who was a native of Maine and died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name of Lonisa Pierce, was also a native of the Pine Tree state. Mr. Frost eame to Adams county in 1834 and entered land from the government, ultimately becoming the owner of seven hundred acres in Adams county. Hle assisted largely in the pioneer development of this part of the state and his name is en- rolled among the honored early settlers to whom the present generation owes a debt of gratitude for having laid the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this por- tion of the state. In his family were twelve children.
Mr. Aneals purchased his home farm in 1850. becoming owner at that time of a tract of fifty acres, to which he has since added until he now has one hundred and forty acres in the home farm, while at one time he owned one hundred and twenty acres additional that he has given to his son, Willie Ellsworth. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aneals have been born two daughters and a son : Ellen, who is the wife of William Rey- nolds Orr; Willie Ellsworth, who carries on
MR. AND MRS. F. A. ANEALS
705
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
general farming in Adams county; and Mrs. Minnie Dempsey of this county.
With the exception of a brief period of four years spent in Quincy. Mr. and Mrs. Aneals have resided upon the home farm continuously since their marriage, covering a period of fifty- seven years. Mr. Aneals now rents his land, but is still an active man, possessing the strength and vigor of a man of much younger years. llis farm is situated ten miles northeast of Quiney and, while he takes no active part in the work of the fields, he gives it his general supervision. For many years he carried for- ward the work of tilling the soil and kept his place in excellent condition, everything on the farm being in good repair, while the fields are well tilled and yield to him rich harvests.
lle has always been deeply interested in political questions concerning the welfare of county, state and nation and has given an un- faltering support to the republican party since its organization. He served as supervisor of Ellington township for three years and justice of the peace for fifteen years, has been a mem- ber of the school board and has filled other township offices, discharging his duties capably and efficiently that he has won high commen- dation therefor. Ile and his wife hold mem- bership in the Vermont Street Methodist Epis- copal church of Quincy and they enjoy and merit the warmest regard of all with whom they have been associated.
Mr. Aneals has been a resident of Adams county for more than the allotted Psalm- ist's span of three score years and ten and what to most people is a matter of record is largely to him a matter of experience or obser- vation in connection with the events which form the history and have marked the progress and improvement of Adams county. Hle farmed in early days with the crude machinery then in use, living in a pioneer log cabin and expe- rieneing all the hardships and privations of frontier life, but as years passed his labors enabled him to secure the advantages and im- provements that were introduced, and today he is the possessor of an excellent property that supplies him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
MRS. ANNA BAKERBOWER.
Mrs. Anna Bakerbower, living in Clayton. was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, March 25. 1867. her parents being Conrad and Cather- ine (Bedenbender ) Smith. Her father was born in Switzerland in 1830 and her mother's
birth occurred in Germany in 1840. After com- ing to this country they located in Schuyler county, Hlinois, and subsequently removed to Cass county, Missouri, where Mrs. Smith passed away in 1899, but her husband is still living in that county.
Mrs. Bakerbower was educated in the eom- mon schools of Cass county, Missouri, and spent her girlhood days under the parental roof, where she was carefully trained in the duties of the household so that she was well prepared to take charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. On the 23d of Decem- ber, 1890, she became the wife of Joseph Wil- liam Bakerhower, who was born March 14, 1868. in Clayton, Ilinois, a son of Michael and Mary (Bolinger ) Bakerbower. His father was a harness-maker by trade but is now living re- tired, he and his wife having a good residence in Clayton. J. W. Bakerbower was a stock- buyer and shipper, following that business for some years, but eventually he became ill and went to Thomasville. Georgia, for his health. The change did not prove beneficial as had been anticipated and he passed away February 23, 1901. He was a member of the Mystic Workers and also of the Mutual Protective League, in both of which he carried large in- surance polieies.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bakerbower were born two children: Harold, born March 22. 1893; and Eva, born May 6, 1895. The mother owns her own home in Clayton and also has other property there, from which she derives a good income. She is a member of the Christian church and she enjoys the hospitality of the best homes of the town, having gained many friends during her residence in this part of the county.
JOHN R. HUTCHISON.
John R. Hutchison, manager of the National Business College and School of Correspondence at Quiney, is a native son of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Plymouth, that state, on the 18th of January, 1870. He is a son of James Hutchison, who was born in Seotland in 1829 and is now living in Ames, Iowa. He came to the United States with his parents, loeating in Plymonth, Pennsylvania. His father was a coal operator and James Hutchison engaged in business along that line. Leaving the east he removed to Boone county, Iowa, in 1873. and there remained until 1889, when he retired and established his home in Ames, Iowa, where he vet lives. He is a member of the Congrega- tional church, a Mason in his fraternal relations
706
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
and a republican in his political views,-affili- ations which stand for upright lite, good citi- zenship and fidelity to honorable. manly prin- ciples. He married Jean Love, who was born in Scotland and died September 8. 1903. in the seventy-third year of her age. She was brought to America during her early girlhood by her parents, who located in Nova Scotia and even- tually became residents of Pennsylvania. Her father. Alexander Love, was also a coal opera- tor. Mrs. Hutchison held membership in the Congregational church and was a devoted Christian woman. By her marriage she be- came the mother of seven sons and one daugh- ter. all of whom are yet living, namely : Bruce, a coal operator at Dawson, lowa: Alexander, who is a farmer at Gilbert, lowa: Lillie, the widow of James Gilchrist and a resident of Ames, lowa : David, who is a civil engineer and is living in Denver, Colorado; William, a coal operator at Dawson. Iowa : John R., of this re- view : Stuart. a practicing physician of Harri- son. Arkansas: and James, who is city engi- neer at San Diego, California.
John R. Intebison was only three years of age when taken by his parents from Pennsyl. vania to Iowa. I'nder the parental roof he was reared and when a youth of thirteen he began working in his father's store, being thus em- ployed until the early spring of 1888. At that time he became a student in Cedar Rapids Busi- ness College at Cedar Rapids, lowa. where he completed a commercial course by graduation in July of the same year. During the four succeeding years he devoted his time to study in the lowa State College and kept books for a coal and mining company. In 1892 he entered upon an independent business venture at Gowie. lowa, where in connection with his brother he established a general mercantile store, conduet- ing this until 1894, when he withdrew and turned his attention to business college inter- ests. As a teacher in that line he was located successively in San Jose, California : Salt Lake City, Utah ; and Des Moines, lowa : and in 1899 he purchased the Iowa Business College, which he conducted sucressfully until 1903, when in connection with several others he purchased the Union Business College, the Quiney Busi- ness College and the Quiney School of Corre- spondence, all of Quiney, Ilinois, and consoli- dated these various institutions under the name of the National Business College and School of Correspondence. Mr. Ihutchison became manager of the new enterprise and not a little of his success is attributable to his untiring efforts, his capability and executive force. Ile is a model business penman and an able in- struetor in all commercial branches. Through the complexity of business conditions at the
present time there has sprung up a demand for employes who are well trained for various departments of commercial life and the school with which Mr. Hutchison is connected is meet- ing this demand in excellent manner, his course of instruction being of a most practical, bene- ficial character.
That Mr. Hutchison is himself a man of strong intellectuality and well developed men- tal force is indicated by the fact that he gained the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, having been ad- mitted to the bar in 1897.
In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Inteh- ison to Miss Jennie Paris, a daughter of John and Martha Paris, the former a farmer by oc- enpation. Mrs. Hutchison was born in Lost Nation, lowa, and by her marriage has become the mother of an interesting son, Rankin, who was born in 1894. They are members of the Presbyterian church, while Mr. Hutchison is identified with the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. Ilis political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he gives to it his stalwart support but has never been an aspirant for office. Ile and his wife have made for themselves an enviable position in cultured society eireles during the period of their residence in Quincy.
MRS. VIRGINIA AGARD.
Mrs. Virginia Agard, who is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres situated about four and a half miles northwest of Ursa, was born March 15, 1845, in Schuyler county, Illinois, her parents being Edward and Mary (Hlag- gard ) Wade, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Tennessee. For many years they resided in Illinois. The father died April i. 1884, while his wife passed away in Plymouth, this state. May 22, 1882.
Mrs. Agard spont her girlhood days in her parents' home and acquired her education in public schools. After reaching womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to Washington I. Agard, on the 16th of July, 1863. He was born in Ohio and was a son of JJames and Nancy (Vales) Agard, who came to Adams county
during the early boyhood of their son. Here the mother died in 1875. having survived her husband for a number of years. In 1851 Mr. Agard located on what is now the old AAgard homestead and he became the owner of the entire farm in 1865, which lies on section 35, Ursa township and to its improvement and en]- tivation he gave his undivided attention. trans-
707
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
forming the land into very productive fields and also keeping upon his place good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. Ile was a man of determined purpose and resolute will and car- ried forward to snecess whatever he undertook, overcoming all obstacles that could be sur- mounted by determined and honorable effort.
I'mto Mr. and Mrs. Agard were born eight children as follows: Albert E., born May 10. 1864, married Olive Ellis and lives is Califor- nia : James E., horn November 26. 1867, makes his home with his mother; John I., born Jan- mary 24, 1869, died Angust 30, 1874; Alta A., born July 21. 1872. is the wife of Charles Miller. a resident of Knox county, Missouri: Lena B., born March 10, 1875, became the wife of James Clapper, March 7. 1895, and resides in Mareel- line: Walter, born May 1, 1877, assists in the operation of the home farm: Bertie W .. born December 3, 1884. died August 4, 1898; and one son died in infancy.
Mr. Agard was a member of the Masonic lodge at Marcelline, and James E. is likewise a member of that lodge. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, the Royal Arch chap- ter of Masons. the Eastern Star lodge, and the Christian church at Marcelline. The father was a republican and the sons have followed in his political footsteps. Ile died June 10. 1895, resperted by all who knew him. and. ow- ing to his earnest labor and carefully managed business interests, he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. Mrs. Agard is now the owner of a very desira- ble farm and it returns to her a good annual income. She belongs to the Christian church at Marcelline and is well known in the com- munity. while the family occupies an enviable position in social circles and in the public ro- gard.
JOHN J. FISHER.
John J. Fisher, prominent in the business cir- eles of Quincy. has been the proprietor and is now the president of one of its leading indus- trial enterprises and has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business who in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods.
Mr. Fisher was born in this city Inly 6. 1869. and is a son of John C. and Mary A. ( Weilage) Fisher. llis father was born in Baltimore. Maryland, and was the second in a family of six children. all of whom are now deceased. Through many years of his business career he had been a stove molder and he died in Quincy.
llis wife was born in Hanover, Germany, and when she was an infant her father was killed. Brought to this country, she spent her girlhood days in Quiney and here gave her hand in mar- riage to Mr. Fisher. She is still living.
John J. Fisher was a student in St. Mary's parochial school in his early youth and entered upon his business career as a clerk in a ronfer- tionery store, after which he was employed in a grocery establishment, thus gaining intimate knowledge of modern business methods. I 1884 he turned his attention to the stove trade. being employed as clerk in the office of the Ex- celsior Stove Works, which company diseon- tinned business in 1890. On May 1, 1890. Mr. Fisher entered into the stove repair business. condueting this business under the firm style of Excelsior Stove Repair Company. In 1893 this business was incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois, and in 1896 the capital of said company was increased and the firm name changed from Excelsior Stove Repair Company to Excelsior Stove & Manufacturing Company, when the manufacture of stoves and ranges was actively begun, since which time the products of this company have been marketed in every state in the Union, as well as foreign countries, under the popular trade mark, known the world over as "National Stoves and Ranges." Mr. Fisher is its president andI treasurer, while Nikolans Kohl is vice-presi- dent, Anton Ohnemus is secretary and Theo- dore Ehrhart is superintendent. The house employs four hundred workmen and the out- put amounts in value to a million dollars an- nually. This is one of the important prodie- tive industries of the city, a factor in its growth and commercial development. The establish- ment manufactures all kinds of stoves, hard- ware and other products of iron, making a spe- cialty of the National stoves and ranges. The main office and foundry are located at 509-615 South Front street with warerooms at 221-241 Delaware street. A large amount of business is annually transacted and the house sustains an enviable reputation in trade circles. Mr. Fisher is also the vice-president of the Quincy Stamping Company and a director of the Quiney freight bureau.
On the 31st of May. 1902, Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Ellen Cecelia Nolen, of Quincy. and they are members of St. Peter's Catholic church. lle is a thorough-going business man. whose singleness of purpose, concentration of his energies and keen business discernment have proved the foundation upon which he has build- ed the superstructure of his success. He has battled earnestly and energetically and by in- domitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and a fortune. By sheer force
708
PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is numbered among the lead- ing business men of Quincy.
JOHN DICK.
John Diek, deceased, who for years was one of the prominent and well-to-do business men of Quiney and had a wide acquaintance throughout the middle Mississippi valley, estab- lished his home in this city in 1856, and from that time on until his death was closely associ- ated with its manufacturing and commercial in- terests. A native of Germany, he was born on the 9th of October, 1827, his parents being John and Anna M. Dick, both of whom were natives of Germany. Ilis father was engaged in the wine business in that country throughout his entire life, and both he and his wife died there.
John Dick acquired his education in the pub- lie schools of Germany, and when a young man, hoping to benefit by the better business oppor- tunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America, loeating first in Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, where he conducted a saloon and also engaged in the bakery business. Ile remained a resident at Belleville until 1856, when he disposed of his interests there and came to Quiney. Here he joined his brothers in the eonduet of a brewing business, they becoming owners of what was known as Dick Brothers Brewery. They began operations on a small scale, but their trade steadily increased and they enlarged their plant to meet the growing patron- age until the brewery is to-day one of the largest in the state. It is still operated under the name of Diek & Brothers Quiney Brewing Company, and is the most extensive plant of the kind be- tween Chicago and St. Louis. After placing their brewing business upon a paying basis the brothers turned their attention to the milling and grain trade and built a large mill at the corner of Front and Delaware streets. They also ereeted a large elevator at No. 235 South Seventh street and were engaged in the grain and milling business, this enterprise being still condueted under the name of Diek Brothers Milling Com- pany. Mr. Dick of this review was connected with the various lines of activity mentioned up to the time of his death, which oceurred on the 30th of October. 1891, and his enterprise, sound judgment and business discernment proved im- portant factors in the successful condnet of his varied commercial and manufacturing interests.
It was while living in Belleville, Illinois, that Mr. Dick was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Steigmeyer, who was born in Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, on the 4th of August, 1838, a daughter of Saffield and Nutberger (Steigmeyer) Steig- meyer, both of whom were natives of Germany. On coming to America they first settled in Phila- delphia. Mr. Steigmeyer was a shoemaker by trade, and afterward removed to Lisville, Ohio, where he engaged in the shoe business for several years. Ilis wife died there and he later removed to Belleville, Illinois, where his death soon oc- curred.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dick were born nine chil- dren : Anna is the wife of August Dorkenwald, of Quincy, the president and manager of the Dick & Brothers Quincy Brewing Company, and a very prominent and influential man here. Ber- tha is the wife of August Glassner, a resident of Quincy. Frank, the treasurer and superinten- dent of the brewing company, married Miss Rosa Ertel, their home being in Quincy. Matilda became the wife of Edward II. Menke, of this city, and is now deceased. Emma resides with her mother. Ida is the wife of Franklin Lumfel, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. John E. is a partner in the firm of Bergstrosser & Dick, pro- prietors of the Phoenix sample room in Quincy, and he married Miss Nannie Tate. Lonisa and Katie are both deceased.
Mr. Dick gave his political allegiance to the democracy, but was never an officeseeker. He belonged to the Turner Society here and had a wide acquaintance, being especially prominent in German-American circles. Coming to the United States with limited capital, yet desirous of win- ning success, he gradually advanced by reason of his close application and unfaltering energy until he stood among the leading representatives of trade interests in Quincy, having gained a reputation for straightforward business dealing, while at the same time he won a handsome com- petency. ITis widow is still interested in both the brewing and milling business and owns a large and beautiful residence at No. 310 State street, where she has resided for many years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.