Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 111

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 111

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IDA SANFTLEBEN.

Miss Ida Sanftleben, who is condneting an extensive and profitable business as a manufac- turer and dealer in hair goods in Quincy, was born in this city. Her father, John Sanftle- ben, was born in Hamburg, Germany, and is now living in Quiney at the age of seventy- four years. He came to the United States at the age of twenty years, setting in St. Louis, where he engaged in business as a bookbinder. remaining there for seven or eight years. Fol- lowing the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861,

John "ich. 1

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he enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment of Illi- mois Volunteers and served for three years. he- ing mustered out in 1864, at which time he held the rank of orderly sergeant. Hle mar- ried Beatrice Schleich, who was born near Ber- lin, Germany, and is now living at the age of sixty-three years. She came to the United States with her parents when six years of age and located at Quincy. Her parents wers Franz Julius and Wilhelmina ( Matthews) Schleich and her father was a dyer who car- ried on business at the corner of Sixth and State streets. Ile died during the cholera epi- demic many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Sanftle- ben were the parents of six children: Ida : Clara : Beatrice: Anna, the wife of Charles Peterson, ticket agent for the Wabash Rail- road : Antonia, the wife of William Frey. buyer for the Gardner Governor Works: and Bettie Marie.

Miss Sanftleben was educated in the public schools of Quincy and afterward became an apprentice to the trade of manufacturing hair goods under Lonise Schoeneman. She has to- day the oldest hair and wig manufacturing es- tablishment in Quiney and the most popular. receiving her patronage from the best class of citizens. Her trade has reached extensive pro- portions and she is now conducting a profitable and growing business, located at 60812 Maine street. Miss Sanftleben was reared in the Lu- theran church and has a wide and favorable business and social acquaintance in Quincy.

WEBSTER BISELL.

Webster Bisell is the owner of fifty-one acres of fine land just west of Marcelline and has one and two-fifths acres in the township of Ursa where he resides. He was born September 4, 1846, in Adams county, his parents being Felix and Elizabeth (Schultz) Bisell. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1782, and the mother's birth occurred in Kentucky in 1802. They became residents of Illinois in 1842, re- maining for a short time in Quiney and then removed to Ursa township, where the father opened a grocery store one mile south of Hart- ford, carrying on that business for some time. Later he retired from active life and returned to Quiney, where he spent his remaining days in honorable retirement from further labor. Ile died December 9, 1850, and his widow after- ward became the wife of Lynch MeKinney, in 1854. They then removed to Lima township. where she lived until the death of her second husband in 1858. She afterward made her

home with her son Webster, living with him until she was called from this life in July. 1896. at the very advanced age of ninety-four years.

Webster Bisell had no educational advan- tages in his youth, for at a very early age he was obliged to earn his own living and what- ever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors. He worked upon a farm for some time, but during the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations, enlisting at the age of eighteen years as a mem- ber of Company G, Fifty-eighth Illinois Infan- try. He joined the army on the 21st of May. 1865, and served for one year. After the war he returned to Adams county, where he rented land and engaged in farming. thus carrying on agricultural pursuits until his labors had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. In 1876, he bought fifty-one acres of land in Ursa township, con- stituting the farm which he owns. Through characteristic energy he began the further de- velopment and improvement of this place and soon had it under a good state of cultivation so that the fields returned to him exerlent erops. He continued farming for many years, but in 1885 retired from active life and rented his farm to his son. He then took up his abode in Marcelline, where he has a beautiful home.

In May, 1867, Mr. Bisell was married to Miss Matilda (. Gearard, a daughter of Samuel and ('ynthia Piper) Gearard, the former a native of England and the latter of Vermont. Both lied in Ohio during the early girlhood of Mrs. Bisell, who was born July 16, 1846, and came to Adams county when eighteen years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bisell have been born six children, of whom two are vet living. namely : William E., who was born February 9, 1868, and married Almeda Shepard, their home being on the old farm belonging to his father: and Samuel Felix, who was born January 12. 1881. and is still at home.

Mr. Bisell has served as school director for more than twenty-five years and was deputy sheriff for four years, while for more than fif- teen years he was road commissioner. Ile dis- charged the duties of these positions in a most capable manner, being always loyal to the pub- lic good. In polities he is a staunch republican. taking a deep interest in the party and keeping well informed on all the questions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do. Hle is an active member of Marcel- line lodge, No. 114, A. F. & A. M .. and has held the office of treasurer for more than twenty-two years, a fact which indicates his fidelity to the duties of the position and the trust reposed in him by his fellow members of the craft. His wife is a member of the

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Christian church at Ursa, and they are a most estimable couple, being held in high esteem by all because they have manifested in their lives the sterling traits of character which ever command confidence and respect.

WILLIAM H. REECE.

William II. Reece, a veteran of the Civil war, who did valiant service for his country in her hour of need and now a well known and respected citizen of Adams county, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1840, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Seals) Reece. Both were natives of Greene county. Pennsyl- vania, and the father was born April 28, 1817, while the mother's birth occurred March 7, 1811. They established their home in Keene township, Adams county, in 1847, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers, and for many years the father did his full share in the work of developing and improving this part of the state. He died July 30, 1877, and his wife died September 10, 1904.

William H. Reece was a lad of only eight. years when brought by his parents to Illinois, and his education was acquired in Keene town- ship. He was trained to farm work, laboring in the fields from the time he was old enough to handle the plow. Ile thus gained practical experience that has proved of value to him in his later career, while carrying on farm work on his own account. His possessions now rep- resent one hundred and forty acres of arable and productive land on seetion 27, Keene town- ship, two miles southeast of Loraine.

Mr. Reece was a young man of twenty-two years of age when on the 15th of August. 1862, he responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry. He served for three years and three months and was mustered out in October, 1865, for the war had ended and his country no longer need- ed his aid. Ile took part in nineteen regular battles and about three hundred skirmishes. Ile was in the two charges at Vicksburg and was often in the thickest of the fight but never faltered in the performance of any duty and re- mained a valiant defender of the stars and stripes until the close of the war.

On the 13th of December, 1866, Mr. Reece was married to Miss Amelia A. Ward, who was born September 10, 1842, and is a daughter of William J. and Patience Marie ( Rogers) Ward. Iler father was born in Roxbury, Connecticut, July 22, 1810, and her mother's birth occurred in Washington county. New York, September

6, 1818. Coming to Illinois in early manhood Mr. Ward met and married Miss Rogers in this state, the wedding ceremony being per- formed in 1836. They returned to the Empire state in 1844, where they continued to reside until 1851, when they again came to Adams county. Ilere Mrs. Ward died on the 18th of January of the following year, but Mr. Ward long survived her, his death occurring Deeem- ber 23, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Reece have become the parents of four children : Lydia Anna, who was born Angust 28, 1867, is the wife of Charles Runyon and lives in Keene township: William 1 .. born June 8, 1870, married Alberta Ausmus -July 15, 1902, and lives near his father; Mary E., born September 3, 1873, died January 8. 1905; Olive F., born September 16, 1875, was married November 21, 1897, to Charles Hester and resides in Loraine. Mr. and Mrs. Repec have three grandchildren.

Mrs. Reece and her daughters are members of the Christian church. Mr. Reece gives his politieal allegiance to the democracy and be- lieves firmly in its principles but has never songht or desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business atfairs. Ile is, however, faithful in citizenship, being as true to his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag on the battlefields of the south.

HON. CHARLES BALLOW.

No history of Adams county would be complete without mention of Charles Ballow, who for sixty-eight years has resided within its borders, and who now, at the age of eighty-seven years, is living at the Anna Brown Home for the Aged in Quincy. Ilis has been an active and useful career, and in the evening of life he receives the veneration and respeet which should ever be accorded by the younger generations to those who have traveled far on life's journey and whose careers have been marked by all that is honorable and upright in their relations with their fellowmen.

Mr. Ballow was born in Williamson county, Tennessee. November 6, 1818, his parents being William Henry and Priscilla (Menier) Ballow, the former a native of Cumberland county, Vir- ginia, and the latter of Kentucky, he being of Scotch lineage, while she came of French ances- try. The paternal grandfather, Charles Ballow, served as a major in the war for independence and died in Virginia. William II. Ballow served under General Jackson in the war of 1812. Be- fore his marriage he removed from Virginia to Kentucky, where he carried on farming for a

CHARLES BALLOW

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few years, and then removed to Williamson county, Tennessee, where he followed agricultu- ral pursuits until he took up his abode in Mor- gan county, Illinois. There he carried on farming for four years, after which he purchased a farm near White Hall. Greene county, Ilinois, resid- ing thereon from 1831 until 1846, when he re- moved to Clayton county, Iowa. He afterward lived in Linn county, Missouri, and gave his supervision to his farming interests there until his death, which occurred when he had reached the advaneed age of ninety-three years. llis wife died in Morgan county, Illinois. They were the parents of eight children, but only two are now living: Charles Ballow and his sister, Temper- ance, who is the widow of S. L. McAllister and resides in Ganado, Texas, at the age of eighty- nine years. The deceased are as follows: Ann Rebecca, born in 1807, became the wife of John Ausmus, of Adams county, Illinois, and both have passed away ; Elizabeth died at the age of eight years: Patsy Ihudson, born in 1811, was the wife of Rev. Peter Ausmus, a Baptist min- ister in Morgan and Adams counties, and both are deceased : John M., born in 1813, was engaged in farming and merchandising in Ilunt county, Texas, where he died in 1880: Henry M., who was born in 1821, followed farming and died in Audubon county, Iowa: Albert Galiton, born in 1824, was a farmer in Clayton county, Iowa, where he was drowned in 1849. After losing his first wife, William II. Ballow was again mar- ried, in 1846, and had two children by that union.

Brought to Illinois by his parents at an early age, Charles Ballow attended school in this state as opportunity offered, but his educational privi- leges were very meager, and in the school of ex- perience he learned the lessons which made him a practical, successful and well-informed busi-

ness man. He was in his nineteenth year when he came to Adams county in 1837. Ile had hith- erto assisted his father in farm labor, and now began learning the carpenter trade at Clayton, following that pursuit for several years. Ile then turned his attention to commercial pursuits and for many years condueted a general mercantile store in Clayton, securing a good trade, which was extended to him throughout the years of his connection with commercial interests. Thus he became the possessor of a very comfortable com- peteney, a goodly share of which he yet has in his possession. At length, however, he retired from active business life and has since enjoyed a well-earned rest.

Mr. Ballow has been married twiee. In 1848 he wedded Araminta P. Berry, of Vermont, Illi- nois, and they became the parents of two chil- dren : Charles, who was born in 1857 and en- gaged in railroading throughont his entire life.

died at Poplar Bluff, Missouri ; and Martha Jane was a milliner and died in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Ballow has two nephews who are prominent citizens of Carthage, Illinois: O. F. Berry, an attorney and bank president and former senator from his district ; and M. P. Berry, an attorney and bank eashier. Mrs. Ballow died in Clayton, January 13, 1870, and in June, 1881, Mr. Ballow married Mrs. Charlotte L. Kinnear. who was horn in New York state in 1837 and was residing in Trinidad, Colorado, at the time of their mar- riage. She was a daughter of Arnokl Dickinson and the youngest of nine children. Her family was one of prominence in the Empire state and her father was a member of congress. Her first husband died in Trinidad, Colorado, in 1868, and Mrs. Ballow died February 28, 1897. Both wives were devoted and loyal members of the Presby- terian church and were deeply interested in church, temperanee and charitable work.

For many years Mr. Ballow was prominent in public affairs in Adams county and for two years represented his district in the state legislature. He was postmaster in Clayton for several years, was also notary public and is the oldest justice of the peace of the county, his first commission being dated at Quincy, May 6, 1850. Ile has always been a stanch democrat since easting his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and no publie trust reposed in him has been be- traved in the slightest degree. Ile has long been an exemplary Mason, belonging to Clayton lodge, No. 147. A. F. & A. M., and is the only living charter member. Hle has an antique relie of the lodge-a Masonic apron which has been in his possession for fifty-three years. lle is also con- nected with the Royal Arch chapter and the Eastern Star, and is a member of Jeptha lodge, No. 100, I. O. O. F. Ile assisted in the organiza- tion of the Adams and Brown Counties Old Set- tlers Association and served as its president for several years. Ile is a member of the Presby- terian church and served as elder in Clayton for over a half century. Ile has always taken an active interest in church and Sunday-school work, is an unfaltering advocate of the cause of tem- perance, and, in fact, has been the champion of all measures tending to uplift man and promote his higher development.

Mr. Ballow lived a retired life in Clayton for a number of years when, having lost both chil- dren and being thus left alone, his friends ad- vised him to come to Quiney and enter the Anna Brown Home for the Aged. Ile decided to take this step in October, 1900, but remained at his home in Clayton a month longer in order that. he might east his sixteenth presidential vote, and, on the 6th of November, 1900, his eighty-second birthday he entered the home. He is still en-

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joying very good health for one of his years. He has many friends in Quincy who visit him often. and many of his old friends of Clayton come frequently to see him. His memory is par- ticularly good, and he can relate many interest- ing incidents of life in Adams county at an early day. With the passing years he developed a character that has ever commanded unfailing re- spect, and his life presents many phases and dis- tingnishing traits that are well worthy of emu- lation.

MRS. JENNIE DAVIS.

Mrs. Jennie Davis is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred aeres on sections 20 and 21, Lima township, her home being pleasantly located four miles southeast of the town of Lima. She was born July 21, 1833, in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of John and Susanna ( Mackey) Bingaman, of that county. Both were born and reared in the keystone state. Mr. Bingaman was a stone- mason and plasterer and followed those pur- suits for many years in order to provide for his family. Ilis death occurred in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, after which Mrs. Bing- aman with her family came to Illinois, spend- ing her remaining days in Adams county.

Mrs. Davis remained a resident of Pennsyl- vania during her girlhood days and acquired her education in the public schools there. She was married in Mount Pleasant, that state, on the 1st of October, 1854, to Levi Davis, also a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania. He was born on the 18th of February, 1828, and was of English lineage, his grandfather, Samuel Davis, having emigrated from England to America prior to the Revolutionary war, at which time he located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There occurred the birth of John Davis, April 12, 1786. When a young man he learned the tail- or's trade but subsequently devoted his ener- gies to railroad contracting, grading a section of the Cumberland Valley Railroad. Thinking that he might have better business opportuni- ties in the west he came to Adams county, Illi- nois, in 1855, and for several years was a resi- dent of Payson. Later he took up his abode in Mendon, where he lived retired, passing away in 1871, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He served as a sergeant in the war of 1812 under General Scott and participated in the battle of Lundy's Lane. Throughout his entire life he held membership in the Christian church and his upright career and fidelity to duty made him one of the honored residents of

every community in which he spent any time. He was married to Barbara Schafer of Cumber- land county, Pennsylvania, who died in 1831. They were the parents of twelve children. After the death of his first wife the father married again, his second union being with Bar- bara Poorman. They had five children.

Levi Davis, the tenth in order of birth in the first family, was reared under the parental roof in Pennsylvania and acquired his education in a log schoolhouse. He assisted largely in the arduous task of developing and cultivating a new farm. He remained with his parents until twenty years of age but in the meantime worked as a farm hand at six dollars per month. On leaving home he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and following his arrival in Illinois, in the spring of 1851, he was employed at carpentering in Quincy for a year. Attracted by the discovery of gold in California he then started for the Pacific coast, traveling by way of New Orleans and the Isth - mus route. lle was employed in the mines of California from July, 1852, until April. 1854, receiving five dollars and a half per day when working at his trade. Ilis return trip proved a successful one and with a good capital saved from his earnings he started for home, sailing from San Francisco on the 1st of May, 1854. The return trip was made by way of Central America to Philadelphia, and there his gold dust was coined. He again went to Adams county, Pennsylvania, and following his mar- riage, which occurred in October after his re- turn, he settled in Mclean county, Illinois, purchasing a farm in Normal township, where he resided until 1866. On selling that property he located in Lima township, Adams county, and after two years purchased the farm upon which his remaining days were passed. He was an enterprising agriculturist, was ener- getic, and whatever he undertook he carried forward to a successful completion.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born six chil- dren : Emma, who was born July 16, 1855, was married November 20, 1872, to Alfred Bittle- ston, and they reside in Marion county, Mis- souri; Ella, born August 8. 1857, was married February 19, 1885, to Charles Wallace, and is living in Warsaw, Illinois; John C., born Au- gust 5. 1859. died May 8, 1880; Frank A., born October 7, 1861, was married April 16, 1889. to Annie Thompson, a daughter of Lewis and Catharine (MeAdams) Thompson, and resides upon the old homestead farm; Levi, born Jan- mary 13, 1865, and Jennie, born January 21. 1867, are at home with their mother.

Mr. Davis was a member of Marcelline lodge, No. 127, 1. O. O. F., joining that organi-

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zation in 1849. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. Hle exerted consider- able influence in local and political circles, serv- ing frequently as a delegate to county and con- gressional conventions. He was justice of the peace of Lima township for nine years, a mem- ber of the county board of supervisors for four years, school treasurer for twenty years, and also school director and road commissioner. Publie progress was a matter of deep interest to him, and he rendered aid of particular value to the public school system. He greatly desired the advancement of agricultural interests also and for many years was director and stock- holder in the Adams County Fair Association. working at all times for its interests. He com- manded the good will and trust of his fellow- men, while among his friends and in his family he enjoyed the deepest regard and love. IIe died May 31, 1894.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Davis has managed the farm with the assistance of her youngest son. She has a very valuable place of two hundred acres, the land being rich and arable. The farm is improved with a large and attractive frame residence, good outbuildings and all modern improvements. Mrs. Davis and her daughter are members of the Christian church, and the entire family is held in high esteem throughout this portion of the state.

FRANCIS M. JACOBS.

Francis M. Jacobs, who is carrying on general agricultural pursuits on section 18, Lima town- ship, where he owns and operates one hundred and ninety-six acres of land, was born August 10, 1838, in Adams county, and is the son of William and Caroline (Kirkpatrick) Jacobs. The mother died in 1839, when her son was only about a year old, and the father afterward mar- ried Louisa Nicholson. He was a native of Ken- tucky and came to this county in 1832, settling first in Quincy when it was a mere village. Land was of little value, and he was offered the lot upon which Newcomb hotel now stands for three dollars. He was a blacksmith by trade and fol- lowed that business in Quincy for a number of years but afterward resided in Ursa, Marcelline and Lima. He owned town property in the last two places, and his death occurred in Marcelline in 1871.

Francis M. Jacobs obtained his education in the common schools of Ursa and Mendon town- ships, and when about eight years of age was a pupil in the schools of Quincy for a short pe- riod. When his education was completed he he-

gan learning the cooper's trade, which he fol- lowed for ten years in Lima. He subsequently went to Warsaw, Ilinois, where he engaged in merchandising for two years, and on the expira- tion of that period he sold his store and bought land in Ursa township on Bear Creek. There he lived for two years, when he sold his property and bought a farm on seetion 18, Lima township. He now owns one hundred and ninety-six acres of rich and valuable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, making excel- lent improvements thereon until his farm now displays all the modern equipments found upon a model farm of the twentieth century. He has about three hundred fruit trees upon his place. and his fields are well cultivated, while in his pastures are seen good grades of stock. Ile oper- ates nearly all of this land himself and is a very hale and hearty man for one of his years.

On the 31st of October, 1861, Mr. Jacobs was married to Miss Celatha Crenshaw, a daughter of Theophilus and Martha ( Martin) Crenshaw, the former born in 1815 and the latter in 1822. Mrs. Jacobs was born October 31, 1841, in Lima, where her parents were then residing. Her fa- ther was a blacksmith and built the brick black- smith shop in Lima. At one time he was the owner of the farm upon which Mr. Jacobs now resides, and there he made his home for a num- ber of years prior to his death, which occurred May 25, 1891, his wife surviving him for a few years, passing away on the 18th of November, 1894. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been born six children : Alice M., born March 9, 1863, is the wife of I. M. Vincent, living npon a farm adjoining the old homestead; Clara M., born May 25, 1865, is the wife of William Bolt, who resides west of Lima: Edward F., born August 22. 1868, married Effie A. Bolt and resides west of Lima : John T., born April 12, 1871, died Au- gust 9, 1892 ; James W., born June 5, 1874, mar- ried Daisy Clark and lives in Lima ; and Dolly J., born February 10, 1880, was married in 1896 to Frank Griffin, living about a mile south of Lima.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 111

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