Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 122

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 122

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EDWARD C. GRAMMER.

Edward C. Grammer, who follows farming on section 35, Beverly township, was born on the old homestead in that township, August 8, 1868, and is a worthy representative of an old and highly respected family of Adams county. His father, C. M. Grammer, was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1827, and attended school in that state prior to coming to Illinois with his parents, Seth and Lydia (Marshall)

Grammer, at the age of thirteen years, at which time the family located in Pike county. He came of good old Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Grammer, fought with the colonial troops for the independence of the nation and being taken prisoner by the British was sent to England, being confined in Dartmoor prison for two years. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Marshall, was also a Rey- olutionary soldier and participated in the bat- tle of Brandywine.

In the family of Seth and Lydia (Marshall) Grammer were nine sons and one daughter, but only the daughter is now living. One son, Seth W., served for three years in the Civil war and was with Sherman on the Atlanta campaign. C. M. Grammer grew to manhood in this state and became one of the leading agri- ulturists of Adams county. He first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on see- tion 35, Beverly township, but as he prospered in his farming operations he added to his prop- erty until he had two hundred and eighty acres of valuable and well improved land. In 1891 he erected a nice two-story residence of seven rooms at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars.

In early manhood C. M. Grammer married Miss Martha E. Harvey, who was born in Rush county, Indiana, in 1834, a daughter of Joseph and Martha Harvey, who died in Keokuk, Iowa. She had five brothers and sisters but is the only one now living in Adams county. The family came to Illinois in 1847 with her uncle, Thomas Harvey, who took charge of the chil- dren after the death of her parents. One of her brothers, Dr. Thomas Harvey, is now a resident of St. Louis.

The children born to C. M. and Martha E. (Harvey) Grammer were as follows: Lydia. born December 19, 1853, is the wife of Joseph A. Phillips, of Aurora, Nebraska ; Martha, born January 15, 1855, is the wife of Jesse Hareld- son, of Harwood, Missouri; Alice C., born May 27, 1856, is the wife of F. M. Gray, of Hanni- bal, Missouri; Joseph, born February 2, 1858, is a resident of Pleasanton, Nebraska ; Ange- line, born January 15, 1859, is the wife of R. (. Parker, of Kearney, Nebraska ; Frank L., born JJanuary 23, 1860, is living in Pleasanton, Nebraska: Anna M., born August 9, 1861, is at home with her mother; William, born Septem- ber 3, 1862, died August 17, 1863; Andrew H., born December 29, 1864, is a resident of Pleas- anton, Nebraska ; Morris, born January 2, 1867, and Edward C., born August 8, 1868, are both at home: Marshall, born March 19, 1871, is a resident of San Francisco, California ; Rufus E., born December 26, 1872, lives in Baylis, Illinois ; Florence, born January 23, 1875, mar- ried A. F. Cummings, of Hannibal, Missouri,

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

and died February 25, 1905: and Mary E., born September 13, 1876, and Estella V., born February 14, 1878, are both at home.

The father of these children died on the 20th of November, 1901, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was one of the most prominent members of Kingston lodge, No. 266, A. F. & A. M., in which he served as worshipful master for the long period of eighteen years. Politically he was identified with the republi- ean party, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability called upon him to fill a number of offiees. In 1851 he was elected town- ship assessor, also served as collector of his township, and for almost thirty years filled the position of supervisor with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constitu- ents.

Edward (. Grammer, whose name introduces this sketch, has spent his entire life in Beverly township and he is indebted to its public schools for the greater part of his edneation, though he attended school for one year in Bay. lis. He has made farming his life work and is now the owner of a good traet of one hun- dred and sixty acres of highly eultivated land. Politically he follows in the footsteps of his father, supporting the men and measures of the republican party, and socially is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

HENRY II. COBER.

For many years Henry HI. Cober was well known in Quiney as a business man whose record would bear the closest investigation and serntiny and whose life demonstrated the possibilities for accomplishment to men of energy, determination and straightforward purpose. Ile arrived in Quincy in 1866, being at that the a man of about thirty-two years of age. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1833. His father, John Cober, also a native of the Keystone state, died there when his son Henry was a young lad of twelve years. The latter, acquiring a com- mon school education in the county of his nativ- ity and at an early age starting ont upon an inde- pendent business career, secured a position as clerk in a store, where he was employed for a few years. Ile afterward came to the west, for he believed that he would have better business opportunities in this new but rapidly developing section of the country. Making his way to Illi- nois, he settled first in La Prairie, where he ob- tained a position as station agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad Company. He was married there and later he removed to Camp

Point, Adams county, where he was also station agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road until 1866.

That year witnessed his arrival in Quiney. where he accepted a position as salesman in a dry goods store, serving in that capacity for a few years. He then entered into partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Crawford, and they estab- lished a coal yard, which they conducted for years, when the firm became Cober & Sellock. Later the firm was Cober & Mayo, and this rela- tionship was maintained for a number of years, when Mr. Mayo sold his interest to Mr. Cober, who continued alone in the business for a few years. His next partner was William T. Sprague, and the firm name of Cober & Sprague was then assumed. They dealt in coal and grain, with their office and yards at No. 321 and 323 Broad- way. As the years passed Mr. Cober secured a good trade and thus annually added to his in- come, having a business which, because of its extent, brought to him a very gratifying financial return. About the 1st of June. 1904. he was taken ill and confined to his bed for two months and a few days. Prior to his death he sold his interest in the eoal business.

While living in La Prairie, Illinois, Mr. Cober was married to Miss Carrie P. Crawford, a native of Ontario county, New York, a daughter of William and Abigail ( March) Crawford. Her father was born September 6, 1812, and was a son of Thomas Crawford, who was likewise a native of the Empire state and died there. When a boy William Crawford left the county of his

nativity and went to Ontario county, New York. where he learned the builder's trade and eventu- ally became a contractor, condneting the business along that line until 1858, when he removed to the west, settling at La Prairie, Illinois. There retiring from building pursuits, he turned his attention to farming and was engaged in the till- ing of the soil until 1868, when he removed to Quiney and entered into partnership with his son-in-law. Mr. Cober. They established a coal vard, which they conducted together for a few years, and Mr. Crawford then retired. not again being actively concerned with business affairs. Ile lived in retirement for twenty-five years, en- joying a rest which he had well earned and richly deserved. He died at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Cober, January 27, 1904, at the very ad- vaneed age of ninety-two years, having long sur- vived his wife, who passed away May 2, 1878, in Quiney. He was well known in Quincy, enjoy- ing the favorable regard and friendship of all with whom he eame in contact. and he left at his death many warm friends who had known, es- teemed and honored him. He was a supporter of the republican party, and Mr. Cober was also one

HENRY H. COBER

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

of its stanch advocates, never faltering in his allegianee to the party principles. Both were very prominent and influential in business cir- eles, and there were commendable elements in their commercial records, each being true to the striet ethies which govern man's honorable deal- ings with his fellowmen.

In early life Mr. Cober affiliated with the Ma- sonie fraternity. but never joined the lodge in Quincy. He was vice president of the Quincy Humane Society, and his kindly spirit prompted active effort in behalf of humane treatment of the animal ereation. The suffering of dumb ani- mals was utterly abhorrent to his nature and. fully realizing the fact that they are largely amenable to the same physical conditions as an individual, he exerted strong and effective effort in their behalf. A gentleman of broad humani- tarian principles, he was the champion of every canse which he believed would uplift humanity, improve the surroundings of the poor and needy and work for the ultimate good of all mankind. He died August 4. 1904, and his memory is cher- ished in the hearts of his many friends. Mrs. Cober is a member of the Episcopal church of Quiney and oceupies an enviable position in the social eireles of the city. She owns a beautiful brick residenee at No. 1300 North Fifth street. at the corner of Spruce street, which was built by her husband in 1878 and which she oeeupied with him for twenty-six years, or until his death.

OSCAR P. HUCK.

Oscar P. Huek, whose labors have brought him success and made him a leading manufae- turer of Quincy, was born in Kenosha, Wiseon- sin. January 25, 1863. a son of Matt and Mary Ann (Tetard) Huek. The father was born in Alsace, France, March 4, 1831. and came to Ameriea in 1849, loeating for a time in the state of New York, whenee he removed to Wis- consin. He is a shoemaker by trade and on lo- eating in Kenosha he embarked in the shoe business and soon built up a good trade, so that he has long had control of the leading shoe store of the city and is now the oldest merchant, in any line, in Kenosha. He has, too, the entire confidenee of the business community and general public and is aceounted one of the valued and honored citizens of Kenosha. His wife was born in the state of New Jersey in 1835 and was of French lineage, her people having come to America from Lorraine, Franee. Mrs. Inek died January 7, 1898.

In the family were nine children, all yet liv- ing, namely: Josephine, the wife of William

Hammond, of Denver, Colorado, by whom she has four children; George, who is connected with the shipping department of the Simmons Manufacturing Company, of Kenosha, Wiscon- sin, and married Margaret Berry, by whom he bas three children : Matt, who is engaged in the shoe trade in California: Osear P .. of this re- view: Frances, the wife of Matt Schmitz, a elothing merehant of Kenosha, Wiseonsin, by whom she has two children ; Eugene, who is en- gaged in the shoe trade in Chicago and mar- ried Margaret Smith; Albert, who is employed by the Simmons Manufacturing Company of Kenosha, and is married and has one child : Ida, the wife of Charles Johnson: who is en- ployed in her father's store in Kenosha, and Laura, the wife of Walter Johnson, who is with an antomobile factory in Kenosha.

Osear F. Huck attended the public and paro- cial school of Kenosha, Wisconsin, until thir- teen years of age, when he became a student in the Catholic Normal School at St. Francis. Wis- consin, spending four years in that institution and graduating in June, 1880. He arrived in Quiney, August 16, 1880, and engaged in teach- ing in St. Boniface school and was also or- ganist in St. Boniface ehureh. He continued teaching until September, 1888, when he ae- cepted a sitnation as bookkeeper for the J. Knittel Show Case Company, acting in that capacity until 1890, when he formed a part- nership with G. Burge, his father-in-law, under the firm name of Burge-Inek Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of show cases and general store fixtures, the business being lo- eated at Nos. 418-420 Vermont street. On the 15th of July, 1903, the plant was destroyed by fire. Owing to the death of Mr. Burge, the partnership had been dissolved October 3, 1902. and Mr. Huck beeame sole proprietor. After the fire he removed to 1000-1004 Vermont street, and now employs fifty men. He sells through catalog and circular advertising and his trade covers the entire country from the Atlantie to the Pacifie and from Canada to the gulf. Mr. Inek learned the business himself and has built up a splendid manufacturing en- terprise, which in its seope is constantly grow- ing.

On the 25th of May, 1885. Mr. Huck was united in marriage to Miss Edith Burge, a daughter of Gottlieb Burge, one of the old and prominent business men of Quincy, for a num- ber of years her husband's partner. They he- came the parents of seven children, but Alvina died in infancy and Edith died in 1901 at the age of fourteen years. The others are Mar- garet. thirteen years of age. attending St. Mary's Academy : Oscar Paul and Richard Fe- lix, twins, ten years of age, attending St. Boni-

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face school: Marcellus, four years old, and Raphael, two years old.

In polities Mr. Inek is independent. and his family are communicants of St. Boni- face Catholic church. He was organist in St. Francis church from 1889 until 1903. He served for two years, from 1899 to 1901, as a member of the board of education of Quincy and has always been deeply interested in the city's welfare and substantial upbuikling along all the lines that work for permanent benefit to the city and its population.

FREDERICK SPECKHART.

Frederick Speckhart, who is one of the promi- nent and wealthy farmers of Riverside town- ship, residing on seetion 23, about one mile north of the city limits of Quincy, was born in Fall Creek township, Adams county, May 24, 1847. llis father, John Speckhart, who was a pioneer of this county, was born June 14, 1814, in Ilesse-Darmstadt, Germany. In his native country he learned the trade of brick- making and in 1839, when twenty-five years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to the IUnited States, taking passage on a sailing vessel, which after seventy-two days dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans. He then took a boat up the Mississippi river to Quiney and soon afterward located in Fall Creek township, where he pur- chased a traet of land and carried on farming until his death. He was very successful in his business affairs, owing to his capable manage- ment and unfaltering energy. He married Miss Lizzie Farnum, also a native of Germany, who crossed the ocean in the same vessel in which her husband made the voyage, and they were married in Adams county. They became the parents of ten children: John, who is a farmer of Fall Creek township: William and Adam, who are also living in that township; Frederiek, Lena, Elizabeth, Margaret and three who are now de- ceased. The father died at the age of eighty- two years. He was a demoerat in his political views and was a member of the Lutheran church. His life was well spent and while conducting a successful business career he at the same time adhered closely to the principles which govern honorable and upright manhood.

Frederick Speekhart is indebted to the public schools of his native township for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth. He worked in the field through the summer months and re- mained at home until twenty-two years of age. He was married first to Miss Lena Schaffer, now deceased. and unto this union there were born three children : John, Fred and George, all of

whom are prominent farmers of Fall Creek town- ship. For his second wife Mr. Speckhart chose Miss Anna Frederick, also now deceased, and by this union there were three children : Hannah, the wife of P. Apple; llenry and Frank. For his third wife Mr. Speekhart chose Miss Lena Harms, a native of Quiney and a daughter of Julius Harms, who was an early settler of this city, locating here in August, 1848. He was a carpenter and became identified with building interests, assisting in the erection of many of the early structures of Quincy.

Mr. Speckhart continued to engage in farm- ing in Fall Creek township until 1895, when he removed to his present home in Riverside town- ship. He is to-day the owner of three valuable farms, aggregating six hundred and thirty-seven acres of land in Fall Creek township, and those are operated by his sons. There are one hundred and six acres in the home farm in Riverside township and this is a splendidly improved property. He has forty acres planted to fruit, two acres being in blackberries, four in straw- berries, and four in raspberries. The remainder of his farm is devoted to gardening, and his an- nual products find a ready sale on the market and command the highest price. ITe has been very snecessful in his business career and well merits the prosperity that has come to him be- eause he has ever been straightforward in his dealings, never taking advantage of the neces- sities of his fellowmen. He has worked earnestly and perseveringly and his life record proves that labor is the basis of all prosperity. In politics he is independent and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He stands to-day as one of the representative agriculturists and fruit raisers of Adams county, having a wide acquaintance with its borders and commanding the esteem and good will of all by reason of a life that contains many elements worthy of emulation.

WALTER R. SPINK.

With the agricultural interests of this region Walter R. Spink has been identified for over half a century and he is today regarded as one of the leading and representative farmers of Richfield township, his home being on see- tion 34. llis early life was passed in New York, his birth occurring in Deruyter, Madison ronnty, that state, February 12, 1823. His father, Fenner Spink, was a native of Rhode Island and at an early day removed to the Em- pire state, where he died when our subject was only five years oldl. In the family were seven children : Henrietta, the wife of Nathan Walk

FREDERICK SPECKHART AND FAMILY

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

er, who came to Barry, Illinois, in 1838, and is now a resident of Harvard, Illinois; Samuel, who died in New York, March 1, 1905; Walter R., who is next in order of birth; Jane, who married Willard Gifford and died in MeLean, Illinois, in 1868: Lavina, wife of Joseph Green, the oklest resident of Barry, Pike county, Illi- nois : Mary A., wife of Merritt Gifford, of Mle- Lean, Ilinois: and Laben, who died in New York in February, 1904.

Walter R. Spink acquired a limited eduea- tion in the public schools of his native state and on starting ont in life for himself worked as a farm hand by the month for six years. Before leaving New York he was married on the 17th of Angust, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth Hosmer, who was born March 14, 1823, and is a daughter of Walter and Phila Hosmer, also natives of New York, though their respective parents were from Maine. Mrs. Spink is the only one of her family to come to llinois, though she had one sister living in Iowa.

In September following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Spink came to this state and first lo- eated in Barry, Pike county, but have been residents of Adams county since 1854 and here our subjeet has successfully engaged in general farming and stoek-raising. Success has at- tended his efforts and he is now the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and ninety- eight aeres on sections 33 and 34, Richfield township, which he has improved and placed under a high state of cultivation. His erops are principally corn and wheat and he gives con- siderable attention to stoek-raising.

Mr. and Mrs. Spink have no children of their own but have adopted two, both of whom have taken their name. The daughter, Millie, came from the Woodland Home and is now the wife of David Hastings, of Richfield township, while the son, Ilarvey, is still on the home farm. During the Civil war Mr. Spink was drafted for service but was discharged on account of poor health and disability. He casts his vote for the men and measures of the republican party and takes a deep interest in everything tending to advanee the moral or material wel- fare of his adopted county and state. Both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Baptist church and are held in high regard by all who know them.

JAMES S. INGHRAM.

James S. Inghram had a very wide and fa- vorable acquaintanee in Quiney and was known to his many friends as "Uncle Jimmy." IIe was engaged in the grocery business here for

many years and was classed with the pioneer residents of the city, having located here about 1851. He was born in Waynesburg, Pennsyl- vania, March 29, 1835, his parents being Will iam and Mary (Seaton) Inghram. The mother was a daughter of James Seaton, proprietor of the Seaton House, a hotel in Uniontown, Penn- sylvania. William Inghram was a saddler by trade and for many years followed that busi- ness and also engaged in the dry-goods business in Waynesburg, where he made his home until his death. Ilis widow afterward removed to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where she resided until 1865, when she came to Quincy and made her home with her son James until her demise.

Mr. Inghram acquired a common school edu- eation in his native state. lle was only eight years of age when his father died and he after- ward went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to live with his unele. He obtained a position as clerk in a shoe store there and resided with his unele until 1851, when he came to the west, settling in Quiney, where he seenred a position as clerk in the store of James Fisher. He occupied a position as salesman until 1865, at which time he was joined by his mother in Quincy. He then began business for himself, establishing a grocery store in Hampshire street between Sixth and Seventh streets. Ile afterward ad- mitted Charles C. Osborn to a partnership and they were connected in business for a year. Mr. Inghram was later in business alone for a short period, after which he was joined by his brother John Thomas Inghram in a partnership under the firm name of Inghram Brothers. They engaged in the grocery trade thus for many years, conducting a very prosperous busi- ness. Their trade gradually increased propor- tionately with the growth of the city, their honorable methods commending them to the patronage of all who onee gave them their sup- port. Mr. Inghram continued in the grocery business for seventeen years, when finally on account of ill health he sold out and removed to the west, settling at Canyon City, Colorado, purchasing land near there. He had a large vineyard. On one occasion, while driving from his home to the mountains, his team ran away and he was thrown from the wagon and badly injured. This made him an invalid and as it seemed impossible to recover his health in Colo- rado he finally returned to Quincy, where he lived retired until his death in the home now occupied by his widow. Here he passed away Mareh 29, 1901.

Mr. Inghram was married in Quiney to Miss Josephine Greenleaf, a native of Columbus, Adams eounty, born in 1845, and a daughter of Miller T. and Mary (Felix) Greenleaf, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Kentucky. Her father came to Adams county in 1840 with his father and settled in the vil- lage of Columbus, where they worked together in a wagon shop. Mr. Greenleaf, father of Mrs. Inghram, afterward removed to Quincy, where he was engaged in the machine shop and foundry business for many years or until he re- tired from active business life. He is now living at 314 Elm street at the advanced age of eighty-four years, being one of the oldest citi- zens of Quiney. Ilis wife is also living and has reached the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf were the parents of seven children, all of whom are yet living-a remark- able family record-and most of them are resi- dents of Quiney. Mrs. Inghram is the ellest of the family.

In the early days Mr. Inghram served as city treasurer of Quiney and was active and influ- ential in public affairs, taking a deep and help- ful interest in everything that tended toward general progress and improvement. He was a charter member of the Gem City Building & Loan Association of Quiney, was an early mem- her of the Masonie lodge here and also belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Druids. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. He was well known among the pioneer business men of Quincy and was very successful in the eondnet of his mercantile interests. Moreover, he maintained a business place that always commanded respect and con- fidence and those who knew him esteemed him for his genuine worth, his place in the affee- tions of his friends being indicated by the title which they gave him of " Unele JJimmy " Mrs. Inghram owns a nice residence at No. 223 North Eighth street, which has been occupied by her- self and husband for thirty years.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 122

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