Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 112

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 112

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Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs reside about a mile south- east of Lima. They are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Jacobs belongs to Lima lodge, No. 135, A. F. & A. M .. of which he has been a representative for thirty- five years, while he and his wife belong to East- ern Star lodge, No. 234. He votes with the de- mocracy and has served as supervisor for six years, as commissioner of highways for six years and as school director for three years. In all matters of citizenship he is public-spirited and progressive, interested in all that pertains to the general welfare, and doing everything in his power to promote public progress. Having lived in Adams county throughout his entire life, cov-

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ering a period of sixty-seven years, he has a wide whose birth occurred in Germany, and he became acquaintance here and his circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquain- tances.

DAVID SHEER.

David Sheer, one of the prominent and pros- perous farmers living on section 4, Melrose town- ship, is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Buffalo, New York, October 10. 1828. Ile is of German deseent, his parents. John and Margaret Sheer, having been born in Bavaria, Germany, where they resided until 1822, when they came to the United States and settled in Buffalo, residing there for a year. They then removed to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where they made their home until 1827, when they again located in Buffalo, and it was during this period of their residence in that state that David Sheer was born. In April, 1827, however, they went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where the father culti- vated and improved a farm of eighty acres. IIe sold that property in 1845, and, removing to Adams county, Illinois, took up his abode in Mel- rose township, where he carried on general farm- ing until his death. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the German Lutheran church and in that faith reared their family, their chil- dren also becoming communicants of that denomi- nation. One of their sons, JJacob, died near De- catur, Illinois, leaving a family: Mary became the wife of Jacob Gheme and lives in Ohio : Chris- tina is the deceased wife of David Beamer ; Mich- ael resides in Cherokee county, Kansas ; Mrs. Mar- garet King is deceased: Caroline is the wife of Fred Ilerchenroder, and Peter makes his home in Slater, Missouri. Michael Sheer served as a sol- dier in both the Mexican and the Civil wars, join- ing the Union army in 1862. Being a valiant soldier, he never faltered in transacting any duty, whether assigned to the firing line or the lonely picket line. He died at his home in Kansas.

David Sheer pursued his education in the pub- lie schools of Ohio and was reared to farm life. Ile has always carried on agricultural pursuits, save for a brief period which was passed in C'ali- fornia. He went to that state in 1850, where he remained for two years. Following his return to the east, he was married in 1853 to Miss Eliza- beth Herlemann and they became the parents of eight children, as follows: Leonard: William ; Margaret, the wife of James Abel; Mary : Mar- ion: Matilda; Annie, and Walter. After the death of his first wife Mr. Sheer wedded Miss IFenrietta Garand, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a daughter of Fred Garand,

a resident of St. Louis in 1848. The two children of this marriage are Antoinette and Isabella M.

Mr. Sheer is the owner of four hundred and thirty-nine acres of valuable land. He now rents his home farm and since 1892 has resided at his present place of residence, at Forty-eighth and State streets, in Melrose township. Here he has nine aeres of land. lle has been a most progres- sive agriculturist, working along modern lines of improvement, and his labors resulted in bringing him very gratifying prosperity. His home was built in 1876. In his political views he is a demo- erat and he has been called to a number of local offices. Hle served as supervisor of Melrose town- ship for seven years. He is a member of Posey lodge, No. 379. A. F. & AA. M., and belongs to the chapter and commandery at Quincy. He is widely known for his sterling worth, being a man of upright principles, of manly disposition and marked generosity. In all publie matters relating to the general welfare he has been progressive and helpful. He is now almost seventy-seven years of age, but is still hale and hearty, enjoying life, and in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime.

MRS. SARAII J. BENNETT.

Mrs. Sarah J. Bennett, residing in Clayton. where she owns a fine home, is also the owner of a valuable farm property of one hundred and sixty acres a mile north of the town. She was born in Adams county, January 24, 1846. and is a daughter of John and Catherine ( Mar- shall) Marrett. The father's birth occurred in Delaware, September 26, 1794, and from that state he removed to Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming. Later he became a resident of Adams county. Illinois, where he also engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile mar- ried Miss Catherine Marshall, who was born in Tennessee, October 20, 1812. Ilis death oe- enrred August 24, 1868.

Mrs. Bennett pursued her education in the schools of Clayton and spent her girlhood days in her parents' home. On the 30th of October, 1865, she became the wife of Zachariah Ben- nett, who was born in Adams county, Decem- ber 19, 1836, and was a son of Othie and Nancy (Ferguson) Bennett, the former born in Indi- ana on the 18th of August. 1801, and the lat- ter on the 9th of November, 1805. He was a farmer by occupation, and following his remov- al to Illinois established his home in Concord township, Adams county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

David Sheer

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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Bennett was blessed with one daughter-Lillian F., who was born October 20. 1867. and is the widow of George A. Farmer, who was born August 4. 1863, and was a stock dealer and general agri- culturist. He died November 4, 1903, leaving his widow. and one child, Reva Blanche, born October 14, 1899.

Mr. Bennett was a member of the Masonie fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree, and in his life he manifested the beneficent spirit of the craft. His wife and daughter are members of the Christian church. They also belong to the Eastern Star, the la- dies' auxiliary of the Masonie fraternity, and have taken the Rebekah degree of Odd Fellow- ship. Mrs. Bennett is also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. She has good realty interests which provide her with a liberal in- come. a farm being a well improved property, while her home in Clayton is one of the attrae- tive residences of the town.

ELISHA BENTLEY HAMILTON.

General Elisha Bentley Hamilton, deceased. of Quincy. lawyer, soldier and orator, whose fame was wider than the state and whose ver- satile attainments were utilized for the benefit of his fellowmen, making his a life of service, was born in Carthage. Hancock county, Oc- tober 5. 1838,-a period in which history was being rapidly made in Illinois, and when the men who later were to shape the destiny of the nation were then molding the policy of the state. He was the youngest in a family of six children, whose parents were Artois and Atta (Bentley ) Hamilton. The father conducted the village tavern there for several years, a hos- telry which became famous as the place of en- tertainment of such men as Lincoln, Douglas, Mitchell, Logan, Browning, Bushnell and other prominent men of the period, to whose words of wisdom the boy often listened with interest. He also witnessed the stirring scenes that ae- companied the Mormon troubles in Hancock county. He saw the Smiths killed at the Car- thage jail on June 27. 1844, and saw the little army that marched to the battle of Nauvoo, in 1846, when the settlers, no longer willing to bear the contamination of polygamous doc- trines, thus put an end to Mormon domination in Illinois. These events made a deep impres- sion upon the mind of Elisha B. Hamilton, then but a boy. IIe early became the steadfast friend of law and order, as well as the sworn foe of moh violence and all forms of rebellion against properly constituted authority.

Save for such occurrences which made a last- ing impression upon his mind, the youth of Gen- eral Hamilton passed quietly. the summer months being devoted to the labors of the farm, while in the winter seasons he attended the country schools. Ambitious of obtaining a bet- ter edueation he eagerly embraced the oppor- tunity which was afforded him at the age of eighteen years, of attending Ilinois College at Jacksonville, where he graduated in June, 1860, at which time he won the Bachelor of Sei- ence degree, while in 1873 his alma mater con- ferred upon him the honorary degree of Bach- elor of Arts. Following his graduation he en- tered upon the study of law. At the same time he watched with interest the progress of events in the south, involving the questions which had called forth the championship or opposition of two of his father's old time guests, Lincoln and Douglas, now risen to national prominence. Full of the martial spirit. General Hamilton, in his youth, was a member of the famons old Carthage Guards, and in 1862 his patriotism found tangible proof in action when, in Au- gust, he enlisted as a private of Company B. One Hundred and Eighteenth Ilinois Infantry. "for three years or during the war." With his command he participated in all the campaigns against Vicksburg. also in the Western Louisi- ana and Red River campaigns of 1863 and 1864. sharing all the dangers and hardships of the service and manifesting many meritorious and soldierly qualities, until mustered out October 1. 1865. In recognition of his gallant service he was commissioned first lientenant in No- vember. 1863, and near the elose of the war was promoted to assistant adjutant on the staff of General Fonda, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In the discharge of the responsible duties which were frequently assigned him. he was always found trustworthy and capable and was pop- ular with the men and officers with whom the fortunes of war brought him in contact. His interest in military affairs never abated and some of his happiest hours were spent with his old army comrades at their annual reunions. Following the close of hostilities he aided in organizing the Quincy Guards, of which he was elected captain. In 1877 he was in com- mand of the Eighth Ilinois Infantry during the great strike at East St. Louis, Illinois, and for the valuable service he there rendered the state he was commissioned by Governor Cullom as brigadier general. He then served as in- spector general of the Ilinois Militia under Governors Cullom. Hamilton and Oglesby. re- signing in 1887, and prior to, during and after that period he labored earnestly to promote the militia organization of the state and con-

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tributed generously towards its improvement. Also deeply interested in the Grand Army of the Republic, he became one of its early mem- bers, served for a number of terms as comman- der of John Woods Post at Quiney and was senior vice commander of the Ilinois Depart- ment in 1893-4. lle was also a member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee and of the Loyal Legion. No gathering of the veter- ans of Illinois was ever considered complete without General Ilamilton, whose attractive and entertaining addresses, sometimes pre- pared, often extemporaneons, always made him a popular orator, while his genial manner and social disposition made him a favorite with all.

Following his return from the Civil war, General Hamilton resumed the study of law and from 1866 until his death was a resident of Quiney and an honored and eapable member of its bar, save for a brief period spent in the west. He first became a law student in the office of Warren & Wheat, then practicing at- torneys of Quincy, and was admitted to prae- tice in January, 1869. He was successively a member of the law firms of Warren, Wheat & Hamilton (being admitted to a partnership by his former preceptors) : Wheat. Ewing & Hlamilton ; and Ewing & Hamilton. In the summer of 1887 he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he engaged in law practice until the spring of 1891, when he returned to Quiney, and for a number of years was the senior member of the law firm of Hamilton & Woods in Quiney, which was his business con- nection at the time of his death. The favorable opinion which the public passed upon him at the outset of his career was in no degree set aside or modified during the years of his prae- tice, hut on the contrary was strengthened. His elientage became large and of a distine- tively representative character. Hle possessed strong intellectual foree, a logical mind, keen discrimination and power of aeenrate analysis, and his natural gift of oratory still further strengthened his position as one of the fore- most lawyers who has ever practiced at the Quiney bar, and the records of the eourts bear evidence of his marked ability and professional industry.

Ilis efforts in behalf of Quincy were of a varied character-always practical. always progressive, always resultant. Ilis labors in this direction had the stamp of statesmanship. An orator who was frequently called to the public platform to address the people upon di- versified questions, he used his talent in this direction as the basis of a public library, de- livering a series of lectures the proceeds of which were used as a nucleus of the funds that were gathered for the building of this publie

institution of which the eity has every reason to be proud. Ile was also active and efficient in founding the Quincy Historical Society, serving as its vice-president until his death, and he was a vahted member of the Illinois State Historical Society. He was the champion of every movement for the dissemination of helpful knowledge and did effective service for the system of public instruction in Quincy, while Illinois College had no more loyal supporter among its alumni. Ile found great pleasure in revisiting the seenes of his college life and the faculty and students came to anticipate with pleasure his visits to the school when any note- worthy event was there transpiring.

Prominent in Masonry, he took the degrees of lodge, chapter and commandery. His political position none need question. Ile was an out- spoken republican, firm and unswerving in his convictions, yet never bitterly aggressive and his partisanship awakened the respect of his opponents, so fearless was he and yet so just .. lle seemed to have no political aspirations for himself and held few offices. He was appointed surveyor of the port of Quiney in 1868 and re- appointed by General Grant in 1872. He also served as United States depnty marshal under Marshals Tanner and Wheeler, and his influence bore weight in the councils of his party in county and state. When politieal differences seemed to engender personal animosity he often per- formed the part of peacemaker. This was he- eause of his innate and impulsive fairness. He was never so blinded by self-interest that he could not see some good in the opposing force and his mind was always free from bigotry.

General Hamilton was married on the 10th of September, 1878, to Miss Mary E. Fisk, of Quincy, who with two children survive him. The son, Elisha Bentley Hamilton, Jr., like the fa- ther, was edneated in Illinois College. The daughter, Incy A. Hamilton, was educated at Andover, Massachusetts. General Hamilton possessed strong domestic tastes and while he ae- complished much in the business world and rati- fied his friendships by kindly sympathy and thoughtful consideration for others, his greatest depth of love was reserved for his family. The accumulation of wealth was never an actuating force in his career, but a means to an end-and that end was the good that might be accomplished through the use of his means, and the comfort and happiness that he could afford his family.

General Hamilton, having driven into the country that he might argne a point concerning a local election where he thought unfairness and injustice were being displayed, died suddenly. while thus engaged. Mareh 20, 1902, and thus his career of usefulness and activity extended almost ro his last moment. Such was his wish, but the

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blow came with telling force to the state, where he was honored for his public-spirited devotion to the general good and for his high ideals of citizenship; to the city, where he was cherished as friend and brother ; and to his family, to whom he hore an almost ideal relation of husband and father. Resolutions of respect and sympathy were passed by the Quiney bar and the various civil, military and fraternal organizations with which he was identified. Rev. Dr. Dana, in the funeral service said: "Every community has men who are respeeted and men who are loved, but this man had the esteem and affection of all who knew him. Few, if any, stood higher in the general regard. He possessed certain quali- ties of the mind and heart that endeared him to the multitudes. The vigor of his manhood was not merely physical: it was moral. Truth was his ally, sincerity his close companion. As a lawyer he honored his calling. He was a public- spirited eitizen, ready to sacrifice himself if he could aid the well being of the community. The trait of his manhood which characterized him most strongly was his loyalty. He was every- where loyal-to friend, to comrade, to the right, to his party and to his country." He was laid to rest with military honors, attended by an escort of the militia and naval reserves, as well as his old comrades in arms and the Knight Tem- plars, and following the ritual service of the Grand Army of the Republic the last taps were sounded.

JOHN WILLIAM LEASE.

Although he has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, John W. Lease is yet actively interested in farming, giving gen- eral supervision to his property, which comprises five hundred aeres in Adams county, his home being on section 26, Payson township. He is also one of the pioneer settlers of the county and a wonderful transformation has been wrought along all lines of endeavor sinee he came here.

Hle was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, June 7, 1828, and is a representative of an old southern family, his grandfather having served in the Revolutionary war. Ifis parents were Ja- cob and Phoebe Ellen (Cadwallader) Lease, both natives of Virginia, and the father there followed the occupation of farming. He came to Illinois in 1844, accompanied by his son John and a daughter. They made their way down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river and JJacob Lease settled in Payson. His two brothers, Henry and Jacob, had previously come to Adams county and

William Thompson, a brother-in-law, came with Jacob Lease and his children. Jacob Lease pur- chased forty acres of land, which he afterward sold, and then bought forty acres in Pike county This he later sold but again invested in a small traet in the same county. He made his home, however, across the line in Adams county, where his death occurred. His wife had previously passed away at the home of their son Jaeob in Pike county.

John W. Lease, the fifth in a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, spent the first sixteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and acquired his education in the subscription schools there, for there were no pub- lie schools in that state at the time. After com- ing to Illinois he soon began farming on his own account and was engaged in this way for several years before his marriage. On the 1st of June, 1854, he married Eleanor Lewton, a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born December 3, 1837, and a daughter of John and Mary (George) Lewton, also natives of Ohio. The former was a farmer by occupation. ITis father, Isaac Lew- ton, had purchased land in Adams county for his children and in 1839 John Lewton came to the west and settled in Pike county, near where Barry now stands. His family at that time num- bered five children and Mrs. Lease now has one sister and a half-brother and half-sister who live in Kinderhook, Illinois.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Lease had just forty dollars in money and one horse. Ile first bought forty-five acres of land, for which he went into debt as he had no money to make a payment thereon, but he at once began to cultivate the place and from the sale of his farm products he secured the capital that later enabled him to purchase more land. He lived upon his first farm until the fall of 1855, and to that place took his bride, who did the cooking over the fire in an old time fire-place. Later he sold and bought other property and has kept adding to his land until he now has five hundred acres, worth at least seventy-five dollars per acre.

As the years went by twelve children were added to the family : William H., the eldest, mar- ied and at his death left seven children. Mari- etta is the wife of Asbery Wagy, of Dawn, Liv- ingston county, Missouri, and they had four chil- dren, three yet living. Susan Marie is the wife of John S. Thompson, postmaster of Plainville, Adams county, and has four children. Charles Emery, living on his father's farm. lost his wife and one child and has four living children. George Albert, living on the old homestead, mar- ried Sarah E. Ramer and has one child. Mar- garet became the wife of Charles Wingfield, of Kansas, and died leaving three daughters. Louis

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Eher, living on the old homestead, married Ln- ella Iliggins and has one child. John Norman. also living on the old home farm, married Fannie Bemont and has one child. Alice died at the age of a year and a half. Fannie is the wife of Mer- ritt Rice, a dentist, of Viola, Illinois, and has one child. Daisy died when three years old. Altie is the wife of Roy Lease, living on a part of the old homestead, and has one ehild.

Mr. Lease votes with the democratic party but has never sought or desired office. preferring to give his undivided attention to his business af- fairs, which have resulted successfully because of his close application and unfaltering energy. His mind bears the impress of many pioneer events, and he has seen great changes since he came to the county. No longer are seen the log cabins and the other evidences of pioneer life. and Mr. Lease has always taken a deep interest in what has been accomplished as the work of civilization has been carried forward.

THOMAS J. FRAZIER.

Thomas J. Frazier, one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Adams county, was born June 25, 1857, in the county which is still his home, his parents being Lemuel G. and Eva M. ( Ahalt) Frazier. The father was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, and was a son of George and Immeretia (Blackburn) Frazier, and the mother was born in Middletown, Maryland. and was a daughter of Isaac and Margaret ( Rems- berg) Ahalt. In 1828 Lemuel G. Frazier came to Adams county, Ilinois, locating in the southern part of Ursa township, where he lived for some time. Ile afterward sold his property there and bought a farm just north of the one npon which his son now resides, making it his home until his death, on the 5th of October. 1880. He had twelve children, all of whom are still living.

Thomas J. Frazier was educated in the public schools of Ursa township and, when his education was completed, he rented Jand and began farm- ing on his own account, being thus engaged until 1897, when he bought two hundred and sixty acres of land in Lewis county, Missouri. He retained ownership of the property until 1901. although he never lived upon it. In the spring of that year he sold his Missouri farm, and in 1903 he bought the farm on which he now makes his home. He has two hundred and forty aeres of very fine and productive land located on see- tion 29, Ursa township, and this is one of the best improved properties in the county. He has recently completed a very fine barn, forty-four by eighty feet. with a basement eight feet and four inches in height, and there are twenty-foot

posts and gable roof. The high wall under the barn is stone, and all of the other walls are concrete. In the basement there are stalls for thirty-two head of horses, with a feed driveway between the row of stalls and a wagon driveway throughout the whole length of the basement, so that he can drive a wagon in and load through grain spouts from the granary above. The hay loft above will contain one hundred and twenty tons of hay. There are also five large granaries above, with plenty of room for the machinery and two large driveways for wagons. The floor is all hardwood, as are the stalls, and the floors over the basement are all double and are hard maple. It is by far the finest barn in Ursa town- ship and one of which the owner may be justly prond. Mr. Frazier owns a large amount of hogs. and raises corn on an extensive seale, often ship- ping several hundred hogs to market at one time. He also raises a large number of cattle and horses and as a stock-raiser is well known throughout the county, the extent of his business bringing him a very gratifying financial return.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 112

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