Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 114

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 114

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Mr. Larimore is an exemplary member of the Masonic lodge at Plainville and has served as master for a number of years. Both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star and she is a past matron. She is also a member of the Baptist church in Plainville and their son Clarence belongs to the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Larimore has always been a staunch republican and is never remiss in his duties of citizenship. His attention, how- ever, has been mainly given to his business affairs and he is now a successful farmer, raising grain and stock. and also extensively engaged in the cultivation of apples and peaches. He has sixty acres in his apple orchard and raises Ben Davis and Jonathan apples principally. He also has a large peach orchard and raises Alberta, Ford No. 1. Alexander, Foster and Nixon freestone

peaches. The fruit which he ships to market is of excellent size and quality as he secures the best nursery stock, and this branch of his busi- ness brings him a good income. He is one of the leading fruit-raisers of his part of the county and his opinions are largely regarded as author- ity on the matter of enltivating apples and peaches.

WILLIAM A. GUSEMAN.

William A. Guseman, one of the enterprising farmers of Adams county, living on section 17, Keene township, is a native of West Virginia, his birth having occurred in Monongalia county on the 25th of October, 1827. His ancestors were of German birth and the family was founded in America by his great-grandfather, who was born in Germany and came to the new world with his brother. They arrived safely in New York but never saw each other afterward. The grandfather was a farmer and had large milling interests in Virginia.

Isaac Guseman, father of William Guseman, was a native of the Old Dominion, born in Fred- ericksburg in 1791. Ile hegan learning the trade of a silversmith when seventeen years of age and followed that pursuit throughout his busi- nes career. Ile and two of his brothers served their country in the war of 1812. In 1858 he removed from the south to Illinois, where he

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spent his remaining days. He was a local min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal church and for over fifty years engaged in preaching the gospel and in holding snecessful revival meetings, whereby many were induced to become follow- ers of the Christ. He died in 1871 in the eighty- first year of his age. The family of which he was a representative was noted for longevity, his eldest brother having died when eighty-eight years of age, while two other brothers reached the venerable age of ninety-three. Isaac Guse- man was married in early manhood to Jane Reed, also a native of Virginia and a member of one of the old families of that stato. She, too, was a devoted Christian, holding member- ship in the Methodist church, and she died in 1861 at the age of fifty-eight years. In their Family were five sons and five daughters.

William A. Guseman, the third in order of birth, acquired his edneation in one of the old- time log schoolhouses with its puncheon floor and slab seats. There were few text-books and little was taught beyond the three Rs. When eighteen years of age he became manager of a store in Morgantown, West Virginia, which he condneted for three years, and then embarked in business for himself as a merchant on attain- ing his majority. For twelve years he conducted his store with growing success and also gave a part of his time and attention to lumbering and milling but in 1856 his sawmill was de- stroyed by fire, causing a heavy loss as he car- ried no insurance. Thinking to reenperate his lost possessions in the west Mr. Guseman came to Illinois in the spring of 1858 and for three years was a resident of laneoek county. He settled in Adams county in 1861 and through the years that have since come and gone has lived on section 17, Keene township, where he has de- veloped a splendid farming property. Ile owns eighty acres here and also has another tract of one hundred aeres in the same township. His land is very valuable and he has made substan- tial improvements upon the home place until his farm is now one of the best in the locality.

Nothing has interrupted his labor save his service in the Civil war, he having enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Company B., Seventy-eighth Ilinois Infantry. lle was after- ward transferred to Company D of the same regiment and was at the front for eighteen months. He was, however, a member of the Reserve Corps and participated in no regular battles. Being injured at Bridgeport, Alabama, he was taken to Chattanooga on a wagon and there received his discharge in November, 1863, on account of physical disability. He at once resumed farming and to that occupation has since devoted his energies.

On the 8th of December, 1868, Mr. Guseman was married to Miss Laverna E. Breneman, who was born in West Virginia, December 4, 1839. and was brought to Illinois at the age of three years by her parents, who resided in Hancock county, where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Guse- man have two sons: William HI., the elder, born May 20, 1875, was married to lda Estus, who was born June 25, 1875, a daughter of John and Margaret (Dunbar) Estus, who were na- tives of Adams county and are now living at Boston, Ilinois. There are three children of this marriage: Nellie L., born January 13, 1899; Goldie M., January 13, 1901; and Gladys C., September 25, 1903. Harry Sterling Guseman, born July 30, 1879, was married to Gertie How- ard and lives in Hancock county, Illinois. They have two children : Esther E., born December 4, 1900; and William Roy, born March 25, 1904. In 1892 Mr. Guseman was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 17th of May of that year.

Ilis political allegiance was given to the whig party until the organization of the republican party, when he joined its ranks and has since supported its principles. He has frequently at- tended its local conventions and is deeply inter- ested in its success. He has been called to pub- lie office, serving for four years as supervisor, for six years as school treasurer, and as a mem- her of the town board of trustees for a long period, acting for two years as its president. IIe belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as steward, trustee and class-leader. IIis life has been in consistent harmony with his profession, characterized by integrity and all that is honorable in matters of relation with his fellowmen.

LOREN CHERRY CON.

Loren Cherry Cox, deputy revenue collector at Quincy, was born in Northfield, Des Moines county, lowa, September 25, 1869. In the pa- ternal line he descended from English ancestry and the first representatives of the name located in New Jersey at an early period in the history of the new world. Later generations removed to Ohio, where Richard Cherry Cox, the father of our subject, was born. When a young man he removed with his parents from Ohio to Iowa and for several years prior to his death he was proprietor of a woolen mill at Northfield. Ile died when his son Loren was only seven weeks old. ITis wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Campbell, was born in southern Illi- nois and when a young lady went with her par-

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ents to Fowa. She was again married December 25, 1873, her second husband being Frederick Courts, who died in July. 1890. She is now liv- ing in Quiney at the age of sixty-seven years. Her father, William S. Campbell, was a direct descendant of one of the dukes of Argyle, the title being held by the Scotch family of Camp- bells. His wife was of Scotch-Irish descent and was a representative of a titled family. Her father was one of the Revolutionary heroes and was also a member of a South Carolina regiment that took part in the battle of Lundy's Lane during the war of 1812. He served as drum major of the regiment. His daughter. Mrs. Campbell, was born on the day that the battle was fought and her father did not see her until she was six months old. Prior to and during the Civil war William S. Campbell took an active part in working for the freedom of the slaves and his home in southern Illinois sheltered many a runaway slave escaping from the sonth.

Loren C. Cox obtained his early education in a public school at Northfield and later attended grammar schools of Peoria, Illinois, and Bur- lington, Iowa, residing for a few years in each city. Ile did not continue his course to grad- uation, being early thrown upon his own re- sources. A lover of nature, he spent much of his time in early life in tramping over the hills and along the brooks, deriving great enjoyment from this companionship with the trees and the fields. He also early displayed a taste for me- «hanies, which he doubtless inherited from his father, and he eagerly read all books, papers and magazines which he could procure, bearing npon the subject. When still quite young he worked upon a farm and in a woolen mill, find- ing the former pursuit uncongenial but enjoying the latter. The mill, however, was only in opera- tion a part of the year. It was in 1883 that he removed with his mother and step-father to Peo- ria. Illinois, where he attended school and later he continued his studies following their removal to Burlington. Jowa. While there he also se- cured a position as general utility boy on the Burlington Hawkeye. In 1885 he returned to his old home in Northfield and in 1887 removed to Qniney. He secured a position in a printing office as presshoy and later worked on a weekly society paper, remaining in that position for about twelve years as business manager.

In his political views Mr. Cox has always been a republican, active in the work of the party and his efforts have not been withont desirable results. He organized the Kickapoo club of Quincy-a young men's republican elub-in 1900, and it has taken an active and helpful part in polities sinee. On the 18th of April, 1901, Mr. Cox was appointed deputy revenue collector at Quiney by Isaac R. Mills, collector,

who was killed in a railroad wreck at Litchfield, Illinois, July 3, 1904, after which Frank L. Smith was appointed collector and he re-ap- pointed Mr. Cox deputy on the 15th of Sep- tember, 1904. Fraternally a Mason, Mr. Cox joined Lambert lodge in 1901. Hle belongs to the Vermont street Methodist Episcopal church and for years was active in Christian Endeavor work.

On the 17th of October, 1901. in Quincy, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Emma Anderson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. M. Anderson, an old and respected family of the city, her father having been prominently connected with Quiney's history for more than fifty years. They have one daughter, Mary Virginia, born Novem- her 25, 1903. Mr. Cox cares little for society but is a man of domestic tastes, devoted to his family. Much of his leisure time, aside from the duties of his office, he devotes to experiment- ing and the reading of scientific books and maga- zines. It is his first impulse, upon seeing a new mechanical contrivance, to learn how it is opera- ted and then determine how the same effect might be produced in some other manner. He has been successful with some of his inventions and is continually experimenting on others. Ile is also fond of outdoor sports and delights in camera work and in hunting and fishing.

WILLIAM A. MILLEN, M. D.

Dr. William A. Millen, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Marcel- line, was born March 22, 1872, and is a son of Abner II. and Anna (Dewey) Millen, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ireland. The father was a captain on the ocean and on the Great Lakes, sailing for more than forty years. He is now deceased, but the mother is vet living. making her home at Cape Vincent. New York, at the age of seventy years. There were eight children born to them. four of whom are living: Carrie, wife of Tolbert HI. Wherry. living at Storm Lake, Iowa : Abner D .. of Cape Vineent, New York; Lucy, wife of William Majo, of Cape Vincent, New York : and William A.

Dr. Millen, a native of the Empire state, early formed a strong determination to acquire an edneation and as he saw no opportunity for ae- complishing this while remaining at home, he left the parental roof and sought employment. hiring out for a year for five dollars per month. At the end of the year, however, his family took his wages, for he was a minor. He then went to another farm, where he made arrangements to work for eight dollars per month, but again his

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people collected his wages. This led Dr. Millen to come to the west and in lowa he entered the employ of a hardware merchant as an appren- tice to learn the tinner's trade. lle worked hard during the day and devoted his evenings to study, in which manner he improved his con- cation until he was able to secure a second grade certificate. During this time he had also read medicine with the idea of some day mastering the science and becoming an active member of the profession. Ile could not be admitted to a school of medicine, however, upon a second grade cer- tificate, and going before the board of exam- iners he took the required examination, making such a good record that he was admitted to the college without a knowledge of Latin. While attending college he labored most strenuously to master the course and finally won his diploma in the face of almost insurmountable obstacles caused by his lack of early educational privi- leges. ITe was graduated March 3. 1896. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keo- knk, lowa. His clothes were worn and thread- bare and he had not a cent in his pocket on the day of his graduation, but he said it was the prondest moment of his life. He came directly to Marcelline with his diploma in one hand and in the other his little medicine case containing a few drugs and instruments, and thus he began his life work. He has built up an excellent prac- tice until he now has more business than he can attend to. He has also kept well informed con- verning the progress made by the medical fra- ternity and has been quick to adopt any new methods which promised to prove of practical benefit in the healing art. That he enjoys the entire confidence of the community is indicated by the large patronage extended to him and he also has the entire respect of his professional brethren, for he is a close adherent of the ethics of the medical fraternity.

On the 27th of May, 1896, two months after his graduation. Dr. Millen was married to Teresa E. Crenshaw, of Keokuk, who was born February 21, 1878, and is a daughter of John T. and Cornelia (Underwood) Crenshaw. Iler father is engaged in the implement business in Keokuk. Iowa, where he and his wife have a pleasant home. Dr. and Mrs. Millen now have one son, Joseph IL, born November 4, 1897. They have an attractive home which was erected in 1904, at a cost of two thousand one hundred and fifty dollars and its chief charm is its gra- cious and warm hearted hospitality.

Dr. Millen belongs to Marcelline lodge, No. 114. A. F. & A. M., also to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor. In poli- ties he is a republican and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Person-

ally he is a man of pleasant manner, genial dis- position and sterling worth, possessing great en- ergy and determination. He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. for many a man in the face of obstacles such as he has met would have been utterly discouraged and disheartened. From early boyhood, how- ever, he worked on with the determination to gain success if it could be won by honorable, persistent effort, and today he is one of the lead- ing and capable members of the medical pro- fession of Adams county. He belongs to the Adams county, the State Medical and the Ameri- can Medical Associations and in his profession has gained a most ereditable position.

JOSIAH J. PERRY.

Josiah J. Perry, a contractor in plastering in Quiney, with a large and growing business, was born in this city, on Broadway. June 29, 1843. His father, Joshua Perry, a native of England, was born August 8, 1809, and in early life learned the trade of plastering. He came to the United States when twenty-two years of age, believing that he might have better business op- portunities in the new world, and on the 1st of May. 1836, he came to Quiney. being induced to take this step by Governor John Wood, for whom he worked for a time. Later he was em- ployed as a journeyman plasterer and subse- quently he engaged in business on his own ac- count as a contractor in that line, and as the population of the city increased rapidly his trade grew in corresponding proportions. He worked on the old courthouse and also on the First Baptist church on Fourth and Jersey streets. lle followed his trade until 1850, when he retired from active business life to enjoy the rest which he had truly earned and richly meri- ted. Ile was two weeks over eighty years of age at the time of his demise. His political allegi- ance was given the republican party but he was never an office seeker. Before leaving England he was married to Miss Susan Brown, a native of that country, and unto them were born ten children, of whom six are now living: Eunice. of Quincy: Martha; Josiah J .: Stephen : Isaiah : and Cornelius, of Normal, Illinois.

Josiah J. Perry pursued his education in the public schools of Quiney and under his father's direction learned the plasterer's trade. For forty-four years he has been engaged in business in Quincy and has long commanded a liberal patronage, securing a large trade because of his faithfulness and promptness in exeenting the terms of a contract. He is a member of the firm of Perry. Tenk & Company.

Josiah . J. Perry

MR. AND MRS. JOSHUA PERRY

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Mr. Perry has been married twice. Ile first wedded Nannie Roberts, who died leaving three children : Isaae, Oscar and Frank. In 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Knorr. and they have two daughters and a son, Lillian, Edgar and Viola. The family home is at No. 2975 Hampshire street.

Mr. Perry is a republican in his political views, but has never been an office seeker, pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests, in which he has met with gratifying success, because of his excellent work and reliable business methods. A pleasant man- ner and many sterling traits of character have also made him popular with the business com- munity and his many social acquaintances and he therefore has a large circle of friends in the city in which his entire life has been passed.

JOIIN H. YELDELL.

John H. Yeldell, who for many years was asso- ciated with agricultural interests in Adams county, but is now practically living retired, making his home on section 23, Concord town- ship, was born May 20, 1841, and is a son of J. W. and Rebecca R. (Hockaday) Yeldell, the former a native of South Carolina and the lat- ter of Kentucky. Two daughters of the family are yet living : Mrs. Margaret McAtee, who re- sides in Kansas: and Mrs. Martha Richardson, of Chicago.

John H. Yeldell came to Adams county from Missouri with his mother in 1852 and located on the farm where he yet resides. Mrs. Yeldell drove across the country with her children, loca- ting in Concord township, where she put forth every effort to make a good home for her little ones. Iler son JJohn pursned his education in the subscription schools and worked upon the home farm through the period of his youth, in fact remained with his mother until her demise. At the time of the Civil war, however, he left home to aid in the preservation of the Union. enlisting as a member of Company B, Fiftieth Illinois Infantry. in 1861. He was discharged in 1862, but in the same year he re-enlisted as a member of Company C, Third Missouri Cavalry. with which he served until the cessation of hos- tilities. Ile participated in the battle of Little Rock and other battles in the southwest.

Following the close of the war Mr. Yeldell returned to his home in Adams county and re- sumed agricultural pursuits. Here as a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Emmarine Bennett. their marriage being celebrated December 5. 1867. She was born in this county, October 11. 1842, and was a

daughter of Othie Il. Bennett, who was a native of Indiana, as was his wife. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Yekdell : Ehner E., born September 17, 1868, married Ida Thorn- berry and now lives near his father; Ernest O., born December 31. 1870, married Anna Mcore and lives upon the home farm ; Mary, born May 18, 1875, is the wife of Granville Lynn, and is living in Adams county. The mother of these children passed away March 19, 1901, her death being deeply regretted by many friends.

For many years Mr. Yeldell continued to en- gage actively in general farming and when he retired from active business life was the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, but has since deeded to each of his two sons a farm of one hundred acres so that he is now the pos- sessor of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23, Concord township. His life has been a busy, active and useful one and the suecess he enjoyed was attributable entirely to his own efforts. Since the organization of the republi- can party he has been one of its supporters and he served as supervisor for two years, while for one year he was collector. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and to the Mod- ern Woodmen camp. No. 493, at Clayton. He is also a member of the Christian church. In all matters of citizenship he is as true and loyal as when he followed the starry banner of the nation upon the battlefields of the south.

MRS. HELEN M. COE.

Mrs. Helen M. Coe, well known in Clayton, where she has an extensive circle of friends, was born in Boone county, Missouri, in 1837, her parents being Alexander and Sarah (Miller) Brown, the latter a native of Tennessee. Her parents came to Quincy, Illinois, in 1847, when their daughter was a little maiden of ten sum- mers. Her father became prominent in local political circles and for two years served as coro- ner. They had four sons, all of whom are now deceased. Three of the number were in the army and the military record of the family is cer- tainly most ereditable.

Mrs. Coe pursued her education in the public schools of Quiney and after passing through successive grades became a high school student. In early womanhood she gave her hand in mar- riage to Joseph Lesage, and they had two chil- dren but both are now deceased. Mr. he- sage was well known in the business circles of Quincy in the middle portion of the nineteenth century, conducting a grocery store there. Ilis death occurred in 1861. After remaining a widow for about ten years Mrs. Lesage was mar-

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ried to Denry Coo on the 22d of March, 1871. He was born in Hartford, Connectient, in 1818, and after his first marriage removed to Adams county, Illinois. Ile had three children by his first wife: James, who is now living in Quincy; Henry Porter, a resident of Chicago, Illinois; and Chris, who is in the Black Hills.

Mr. Coe was a farmer by occupation and for some time engaged in the tilling of the soil and in the raising of stock. Later he left the plow and turned his attention to general merchandis- ing, becoming proprietor of a hardware store in Clayton, which he conducted with success until his death, which occurred in January, 1897. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and displayed many sterling traits of character which gained him the regard and friendship of those with whom he was associated. Unto Mr. and Mrs. J'oe was born a son, Edwin Coe, whose birth occurred May 8, 1872. He married Mari- etta Watkins and they live with his mother. Edwin Coe is now proprietor of a large hardware store in Clayton, carrying an extensive and well selected line of goods and receiving a liberal pa- tronage. Mrs. Helen M. Coo is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes a deep interest in its work. She is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She owns an attractive residence in Clayton and also other property, being left in comfortable virem- stances by her husband.

DAVID B. RAWLINS.

David B. Rawlins, superintendent of the Quincy schools, was born at Guilford, lo Daviess county, Illinois, February 21, 1871, his parents being Lemon Parker and Julia ( Monnier ) Raw- lins. His great-grandfather in the paternal line was a patriot of the Revolutionary war, a fact which indicates the colonial connection of the family with American interests. Later genera- tions resided in Kentucky, whence representa- tives of the name came to Illinois in 1828, set- thing in Galena. Lemon P. Rawlins was a brother of John A. Rawlins, who served as Grant's chief of staff. Ile was a farmer by ovou- pation and wedded Julia Monnier, who was of Swiss-German lineage, her ancestors having come to America with the Red river colony. Her father was of French descent.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 114

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