Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 118

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 118

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Mr. and Mrs. Dick were the parents of six chil- dren : Anna M., the wife of Jaek Ellis, president of the Quincy Whig Company; Katie, wife of J. T. Smith : Julia. deceased: and August Red- mond. secretary of the Dick Brothers' Brewing Company.

Mr. Dick, who died in 1876, was a member of the Catholic church. He belonged to the Histori- cal Society of Quiney and in his life record dis- played many commendable characteristics, in- eluding enterprise and reliability in business, de- votion to his family and to his adopted city.

PETER E. MURRAH.

Among the native sons of Adams county is numbered Peter E. Murrah, who at all times has been loval to the best interests of this part of the state and is a worthy representa- tive of agricultural life here. He was born October 19, 1846, in lIoney Creek township, and there he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. His father, John Murrah, was a native of Kentucky and married Miss Mary Fite, who is a native of Tennessee. In the year 1837, John Murrah started from Tennessee to Illi- nois, making the journey by team, and in the course of time reached Honey Creek township. Adams county, where he made a settlement. Ile was a farmer and stock-raiser and through- out his entire life followed those pursuits in order to provide for his family. He had nine children: Mrs. Sarah Evertson, who is living in Linn county, Missouri: Alvin, and Mary, both deceased; Mrs. Caroline Derrick a resi- lent of Coatsburg; Elizabeth, who lives in Coffey county, Kansas: Mrs. JJane Yenter, a resident of Loraine, Illinois: Mrs. Frances Gibbs. of Coatsburg: John C., also of Coats- burg: and Peter.

In the district schools near his home Peter E. Murrah obtained his education, and when he had put aside his text-books he gave his undivided attention to farm work. He had previously devoted the summer months to the labor of the fields, and it was with good prae- tical experience that he started out in life on his own account. Ile has been very successful in his farming operations and is today the possessor of a valable property which is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and en- terprise. He now owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is devoted to the rais- ing of grain and pasturage. Ile raises consid- erable stock and his capable management and keen business discernment constitute the se- eret of his success.

In the year 1869 Mr. Murrah was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Koontz, a native of West Virginia, born in 1846. At the age of nine years she was taken to Missouri by her parents, who remained residents of that state for six years and then came to Illinois, settling in Montgomery county, east of Springfield. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murrah have been born nine children, as follows: Mrs. Mary E. Gunn: who is living in Keene township: Otho Frank- lin, deceased; Peter L., at home; Joseph Ar- thur: Mrs. Minnie Rebecca Gunn. who is liv- ing in Kansas City : Mrs. Clara L. McCormick, a resident of Coatsburg: Rosa Evelyn. and William E., at home; and one that died in in- fancy.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Mr. Murrah is a democrat in his political af- filiation but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. During a long residence in the county he has enjoyed the high esteem of all who know him because his life has been in harmony with principles that everywhere command respect and confidence.

LEWIS PITTMAN.

Lewis Pittman, the owner of an extensive and vahtable farm of four hundred and fifty ceres in Keene township but now living a re- tired life in Loraine, where he owns and oc- enpies a fine residence, was born April 12, 1842, in Waldeck, Germany, his parents being Lewis and Jane Pittman. After the death of the mother, which occurred in October, 1843, the father married again before leaving Ger- many and about 1851 brought his family to America. Landing at New Orleans they pro- eceded up the Mississippi river to Quincy, where they remained for three months and then located on a farm in Liberty township, near Payson. At the end of two years the father removed to Keene township, where he purchased land and continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. He was born about 1799 and died March 26, 1884.

Lewis Pittman of this review was a lad of abont nine years when brought by his parents to the United States, the voyage being made on a sailing vessel, which was seven weeks in crossing the Atlantic. They landed at New Orleans, proceeding up the Mississippi river to Quiney and there spent three months. after which they went to Payson, where they lived for two years. They then removed to Keene township, where Lewis Pittman of this review has since made his home. He began his edu- cation in the public schools of the fatherland and continued his studies in the public schools of Adams county. He remained with his father until twenty-five years of age. assisting in the operation and development of the home farm and then started ont upon an independent business career.

It was about this time that he was married. Miss Phebe Swaim becoming his wife on the 13th of December. 1866. She was born March 30, 1851, in Mendon township, Adams county, and is a daughter of John and Rachel (Cur- less) Swann. Her father was born in West Virginia, February 13, 1811, and the mother's birth occurred in Clermont county, Ohio. An-

gust 16, 1814. They became residents of Ad- ams connty about 1835, and remained here until their life's labors were ended in death, the father passing away April 26, 1874, his wife on the 26th of June, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Pittman have become the parents of five chil- dren, who are yet living, namely : Anna S., who was born September 12. 1857. and was married August 28, 1887. to Samuel Shoemaker, their home being in Keene township; Rev. Henry E., a minister of the Dunkard church and farmer of Keene township, who was born November 2, 1869. married Myra E. Arnolds, June 22, 1904; Rachel P., who was born No- vember 9, 1873, and on the 30th of August, 1891, became the wife of Henry Hardy of Lo- raine : Estella J .. who was born September 22, 1876, and was married October 13, 1904, to George C. Tate of Hester, Missouri, who is now living in Keene township; and David D., who was born April 10, 1885, and married Rena Treatch, July 31. 1903. their home being in the northern part of Keene township. They also lost one son. John L., who was born Feb- rnary 24, 1887, and died March 2. 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. Pittman reside in Loraine and furnished each of their children a farm. In polities he has been a republican since attain- ing his majority, giving an unfaltering support to the principles of his party. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist, or Dunk- ard church, and their son Henry E. is minister and preaches in Loraine. Mr. and Mrs. Pitt- man have acquired through their own efforts all that they possess and he has long been accounted one of the progressive and enter- prising farmers of Adams county, where he has made his home for more than a half cen- tury, and is, therefore, entitled to mention among the worthy pioneer settlers of this por- tion of the state.

JOIN B. SCHOTT.

Quiney finds a worthy representative of its manufacturing interests in John B. Schott, who belongs to that class of valued citizens who while promoting their individual success also advance the general prosperity throngh the employment which they give to large mun- bers of workmen and the impetus which they give to commercial activity-whereon the wel- fare and growth of every town and city de- pend.

Mr. Schott. at the head of a large sad- dlery goods manufactory, was born in Ba- varia. Germany, March 28, 1833. his parents being Philip Anthony and Margaret ( Fischer)

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Schott. Reared and educated in his native county, John B. Schott came to America in 1852 and removed thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade-that of a tanner and currier. He had no capital but he pos- sessed strong determination and resolved to win success if it could be gained through per- sistent, earnest efforts. On the 16th of May, 1856, he arrived in Quiney, where he embarked in the tanning business on his own account, on Sixth and State streets. and this beeame the nucleus of his present extensive establish- ment. He at first employed six or eight men, and prospering from the beginning he was enabled to purchase the property that he oc- cupied in 1861. In 1865 he extended the scope of his labors by purchasing property at Nos. 613 and 615 Hampshire street, where he em- barked in the general leather business, in ad- dition to conducting his tannery on Sixth street. In 1875 he again enlarged his business by beginning the manufacture of horse collars, and in 1877 he entered into the wholesale man- ufacture of saddlery goods, at this time employ- ing twenty-five men. In 1879 he bought the fine building at the corner of Third and Hamp- shire streets and under the name of J. B. Schott & Company continues the business, employing from seventy-five to a hundred men. In 1889 he erected a five-story addition on Hampshire street, with a three-story building back of that, extending to a depth of one hundred and ninety feet. The business is carried on as a partner- ship concern and Mr. Schott is president of the company, which under his careful management has been continually expanded until it is now one of the large and profitably produetive in- dustries of the city. Six traveling salesmen are employed on the road, selling to the trade north, west and south.

On the 17th of February, 1859, Mr. Schott was married to Miss Adolphina Schleich, a daughter of Julius Schleich, of Quincy, who died in 1849. Her mother, long surviving. passed away May 20, 1903, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Schott are the parents of six children: Anthonie, wife of Louis Wolf, president of the Quincy National Bank and manager of the J. B. Schott Saddlery Company; Julia, the wife of Charles II. Lanter, who is interested in the saddlery business : Emma, at home : John F., who mar- ried Miss Zelma Ilerr and is interested in the saddlery business: Adolph. also with the firm: Robert, who is married and is traveling sales- man for the business.

Mr. Schott is independent in his political views, but as a citizen is well known for his patriotie and publie-spirited interest in every- thing that pertains to the general welfare. In

business he has made for himself an honorable name and prominent place and he has a wide circle of warm friends throughout Quiney. while his friendship is most prized by those who know him best.

E. E. B. SAWYER.

E. E. B. Sawyer, the extent and importance of whose business interests class him with the representative men of Adams county, has for more than thirty years been connected with insurance at Camp Point. He has made his home in this county since 1858. 1 native of Maine, he was born in York county, in the town of Limington, May 14, 1836. His father, Ephraim Sawyer, was also a native of Maine, born October 28, 1804. He was reared in the Pine Tree state and there married Eliza Small, a native of that state and a daughter of George Small, who was of English lineage. Mr. Saw- yer was a farmer of Maine and there reared his family, spending his life there, his last days being passed in Franklin county.

E. E. B. Sawyer was reared to manhood under the parental roof and received ordinary school advantages. He engaged in teaching for a few years during the winters, being only seventeen years of age when he taught his first school. He came west to Illinois, in 1858, set- thing in Adams county, where he again fol- lowed the profession of teaching. Ile was principal of the Clayton schools for several years and his labors gave a valuable impetus to the cause of e:lueation during the period of early progress in Adams county. In 1861 he located in Camp Point, where he turned his attention to merchandising, following that pur- smit until 1873. or about twelve years. He was quite active during the Civil war in its cause, devoting time and money to filling the quota of Adams county. Ile also served as postmaster of Camp Point by appointment of President Lincoln, holding that position at the time the President was assassinated. He was one of the founders of the Camp Point Enter- prise and afterward became sole proprietor, continuing his connection with the paper from 1866 until 1871. In 1873 he entered the in- surance business and has built up a fair busi- ness in Adams and adjoining counties.

Mr. Sawyer was married in Maine on the 11th of March, 1861. returning to that state for his bride. Miss Esther Bailey, who was horn in Maine, February 4, 1833. and is a sister of Thomas Bailey, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Saw-

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ver became the parents of four children: Ab- bio E., who has engaged in teaching in Camp Point. Sioux City, Iowa, and Mercer county, Illinois; Rev. Joseph L., a minister of the Presbyterian church, now located at Middle- town, Iowa; Hattie E., the wife of H. E. Bates. of Galesburg, Illinois; and Levi E., who is en- gaged in railroading at Minneapolis, Minne- sota. They also lost one child. Thaxter Ellis, who died in infancy. Mrs. Sawyer passed away July 27, 1878. and her death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as her im- mediate family.

On the 8th of June, 1887, in Hancock county, Mr. Sawyer was again married, his second union being with Lanra Prentiss, who be- longed to one of the old families of Hancock connty that had come to Ilinois from Ver- mont. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer hold membership in the Presbyterian church and three of his children are also members thereof. He is serving as one of the elders and is very active in the work of the church. Politically a staunch republican, he was reared a democrat but he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and has since supported each nominee of the party at the head of the ticket. Hle was elected and served as one of the school board and acted as its president or clerk for several years. He has also served on the town board of Camp Point for several terms and was its president for two years, but political honors and emoluments have had no attraction for him as he has preferred to devote his ener- gies to his business affairs and the duties of citi- zenship without regard to publie office. He he- longs to the Grand Army Post in which he has served as commander. adjutant and quarter- master and is also a member of I. O. O. F. lodge. Mr. Sawyer has a wide and favorable acquaintance in Camp Point and Adams coun- ty and has furthered many important enter- prises of good citizenship. Ile was a valned promoter of educational development in an early day, and his entire life record proves that liberality of thought, labor and means for the general good. for some of us is better than the acenmulation of wealth.

JOHN M. DAUGHERTY.

John M. Daugherty is the owner of two hun- dred and forty arres of valuable land, constitut- ing a part of the old family homestead, which has been in possession of the family since 1850. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born October 4. 1831. and is the son of Michael and Elizabeth

(Funk) Daugherty, who were also natives of the Keystone state. They came with their family to Illinois in 1850 and settled on the farm in Adams county now owned by their son JJohn. The father learned the blacksmith's trade in his child- hood and followed that pursuit until his removal to the west, after which he followed farming. Hle remained upon the place now owned by our subjert until his death, which occurred August 28, 1892, while his wife died June 14, 1900. Hle was eighty-two years of age at the time of his demise, while Mrs. Daugherty reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years. In the fam- ily are five sons and two daughters, namely : Mary. the wife of Martin B. Kuhns, who lives in Ursa township near her brother's home: Mrs. Nancy Barr, a resident of Oregon: James W., who is also living in Oregon: Jacob F., who is engaged in the undertaking business in Quincy ; Samuel, who resides in Colorado; and Michael E., who is living in Oregon.

The other member of the family is John M. Daugherty, who was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and came to Adams county with his parents, remaining with then until forty years of age. Hle then rented a part of his father's farm and continued its op- eration until the latter's death. In addition to eighty aeres which he owned he then purchased the okt homestead property, which comprised four hundred aeres of land. Ile now owns two hundred and forty aeres, having sold a part of the farm abont two years ago. Hle is also the owner of some fine business blocks in Ursa. His land is all under cultivation and is very valuable, yielding excellent erops in return for the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. He uses the latest improved machinery in cultivating his farm and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance. Although he is now seventy-three years of age, he is yet actively en- gaged in the farm work. He is as straight as an arrow and looks like a man of fifty years. He has accumulated nearly all of the property he possesses through his own efforts and his has been a successful career.

In 1874 Mr. Daugherty was married to Miss Ella Ames and unto them have been born two children : Eher, who was born March 23, 1875, and lives in Bonkler, Colorado; Frank, who was born October 12, 1877, and married Edith Cum- mings of Fort Collins, Colorado, where they are living at the present time.

Mr. Dangherty votes with the democratic party and his worth and ability have been recog- nized by his fellow townsmen, who have called him to publie office. He served as census enun- erator in 1880, was supervisor for one term, jus- tice of the peace for twelve years, also collector and school director for twenty-one years. No

MICHAEL DAUGHERTY

MRS. ELIZABETH DAUGHERTY

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

publie trust reposed in him has ever been be- trayed in the slightest degree. Ile is also true to his duties of citizenship and in office has proved most loyal in promoting the general wel- fare. Ilis life has ever been honorable and np- right and he enjoys the uniform confidence and trust of all with whom he has been associated through the fifty-five years of his residence in Adams county.

JACOB F. DAUGHERTY.

Jacob F. Daugherty, whose genial disposition and humanitarian spirit have gained him a circle of friends that makes him one of the representa- tive men of Quiney and who for many years has condueted an undertaking and embalming estab- lishment, has long figured among the successful and prominent business men of the city and has for more than half a century resided in Adams county. Ilis birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, near the city of Pittsburg, March 10, 1840, his parents being Michael and Elizabeth (Funk) Daugherty, the former of Scotch lineage, while the latter was of German descent. They remained residents of the Key- stone state until 1851, when with their family they came to Adams county, Illinois, settling on a farm in Ursa township, where the father sue- cessfully engaged in the tilling of the soil, becom- ing one of the prosperous agricultorists of his community. His landed possessions comprised four hundred acres of arable land, highly culti- vated and in the control of his business affairs he displayed marked enterprise, diligence and keen business discernment. Ilis personal traits of character were such as commended him to the confidence and friendship of those with whom he was associated and in his death. which oceurred in 1892, the community felt it had lost one of its best citizens Mrs. Daugherty died June 21, 1900.

Jacob F. Daugherty, but eleven years of age at the time of the removal from Pennsylvania to Illinois, was reared to the occupation of farm- ing and continued to assist in the cultivation of the old homestead until thirty years of age. His educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools and he continued to concen- trate his energies upon farm labor until he em- barked in the livery business in Quincy. This brought to him a desirable competence, but in 1876 he turned his attention to the undertaking and embalming business, in which he has con- tinned through alnost thirty years. He brought to the task a thorough and comprehensive knowl- edge of the art of embalming and a personality which has endeared him to the thousands of per-

sons who have called upon him in the hour of their bereavement. He has attended to the inter- ment of over five thousand persons and as an embalmer has no superior in the west. His of- fice and undertaking rooms are located at No. 619 Maine street, to which place he removed in 1902. it being necessary for him beeause of the growth of his business to seek more commodious quarters. Mr. Daugherty is also financially in- terested in a large granite and marble business, which has become one of the leading enterprises of the city. He possesses marked business dis- cernment and strong purpose and in all of his transactions has ever been found thoroughly re- liable.

In 1862 Mr. Daugherty was married to Miss Louise Turner, a daughter of John Turner. They have six children : Mrs. B. F. Porter; Mrs. An- son M. Brown: Mrs. Charles Brown, of Phoenix, Arizona : Grace; Leroy; and Arthur. The last named from early boyhood was his father's as- sistant in the undertaking business and is now associated with him in a partnership. He was married January 1, 1900, to Miss Harriet Ruth MeMillin, of Quincy. They have one child, Ar- thur M., born October 31, 1902.

Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty are members of the Vermont Street Baptist church, of which he has served as a trustee. Ile also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Royal Ar- canum. Having lived in Adams county through- ont almost his entire life he is well known and the energies of his manhood, his chief characteristics. his sympathetic nature and his straightforward business career have won for him an enviable position in the regard of those with whom he has been associated.

Mr. Daugherty now has outstanding over four thousand dollars which he will never try to col- lect from poor people whose relatives he has buried. For over thirty years there has never been a Protestant American undertaker who has started in the business in Qniney who has made a success of it, with exception of Mr. Daugherty. the others having all given up or failed.

MRS. IDA M. LLOYD.

Mrs. Idla M. Lloyd, who has occupied the po- sition of postinistress at Meyer for eight years and is also the owner of a store there, was born June 30, 1862, upon a farm in this locality. her parents being John C. and Harriett Cald- well. Her father was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, while her mother was a native of Liverpool, England, and on removing to Ad- ams county, Illinois, they settled upon a farm in the vicinity of Meyer, locating there in the

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spring of 1861. To the further development and improvement of this property Mr. Cald- dell devoted his attention throughout his re- maining days. Hle was born in 1803 and died in 1882, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1835. passed away in 1873.

Mrs. Lloyd acquired her edneation in the schools of Canton. Missouri, and spent her girl- hood days in her parents' home. On the 22d of June, 1880. she gave her hand in marriage to William Lloyd, and by this union was born one child, Joseph C. Lloyd, whose birth oe- curred October 13. 1882. He married Cornie Quinn and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mrs. Lloyd possesses excellent business ability and excentive force. She has served as postmis tress of Meyer for eight years, capably dis- charging the duties of the office, and at the same time conduets a good mercantile enter- prise, which she has been operating for ten years. She carries a well selected line of gen- eral goods and has gained a desirable patron- age. She also owns forty acres of land ad- joining the corporation limits of Meyer and lying partly within the borders of the town. To the operation of this farm she gives her personal supervision. She is a member of the Episcopal church and has a very wide cirele of friends in Meyer and Adams county.

EDWIN CLEVELAND.

Edwin Cleveland, deceased, to whom was accorded the publie recognition of election to county offices as an evidence of the trust re- posed in him by his fellow citizens and whose career, both public and private, entitled him to the regard in which he was uniformly held, be- came a resident of Adams county when but two years of age. Tle was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, on the 21st of December, 1835, his parents being Isaac and Mary (Chickering) Cleveland. both of whom were natives of the Empire state, the mother being a relative of the manu- facturers of the well known Chickering piano. Previons generations of the Cleveland family had resided in the Empire state, for there the paternal great-grandparents of Edwin Cleve- land made their home for some time and Henry Cleveland, the grandfather, was born in New York. fle became a farmer and throughout his entire life engaged in the tilling of the soil in connection with which he likewise followed blacksmithing. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and a man of marked patriotism, never faltering in the performance of any duty in military or civic life that he believed would

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 118

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