Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 123

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 123

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CHARLES DEWEY CENTER, M. D.

Dr. Charles Dewey Center, physician and sur- geon of Quiney, whose writings are considered a valuable contribution to medical literature. was born in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1869. Ilis father, Dorr Center, was born in Washington county, New York, and is now living in Ottawa at the age of sixty-seven years. For a long period he car- ried on general farming and stock-raising and was very successful, so that he is now the pos- sessor of a handsome competence. He has long been an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, interested in all that pertains to the moral development of the race, and his efforts have not been without result in his community.

In his political views he is a republican and has served as supervisor and in other township of- fices. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Allen, was born in Wayne county, New York, and is now sixty-five years of age. Dorr Center came to Illinois in 1857, locating in Ottawa, but later he returned to New York state. where he was married in 1865. He then brought his bride to his new home in the west. She, too, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they are people of the highest respectability. They have four children : Genevieve, the wife of Stephen R. Wilson, a manufacturer of Chicago; Charles D .: O. D., a teacher in the State Uni- versity at Champaign, Ilinois : and Ralph A., who is engaged in the grain business in Grand Ridge, Illinois.

Dr Center attended the country schools of Fall River township, La Salle county, and after- ward continued his education in Knox College at Galesburg. Illinois. Ile began preparation for the practice of medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. John S. Reyburn, at Ottawa, in 1890, and read medicine for a year. He then matriculated in Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1891. and was graduated with the class of 1894, being awarded the Freer prize for the best thesis. He began his professional service as company physician on the Geogebi range in Iron Belt. Wisconsin, where he remained for six months, and was afterward house surgeon in the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago for a year and a half. thus putting to the practical test his theoretical knowledge in professional service of a most varied and important character. In April, 1896, hecameto Quiney, where he has since followed his profession as a general practitioner. winning success as his skill has become recognized in the able handling of important cases. Under the late James II. Etheredge, M. D., he fitted him- self for specializing his practice and gives par- tienlar attention to the surgical diseases of women and the diseases of children. He is a member of the staff of Blessing Hospital and also a lecturer in the Blessing Hospital Training School for Nurses.

A close and discriminating student, Dr. Con- ter carries his investigations and researches far and wide into the realms of scientific knowledge bearing upon his profession and he is the author of the following monographs: Acute Hemor- rhagie Encephalitis, Abdominal Pregnancy, Ilis- tory of Medicine. Malaria, Rational Treatment of Injuries by Fomentation, and Treatment of Cut- aneous Diseases by X-Ray Therapy. He was one of the earliest investigators in this line to warn the profession against too great confidence in curing diseases by the use of the X-ray. In the practice of both medicine and surgery he has displayed superior skill that entitles him to rank

DR. C. D. CENTER

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with the leading members of the profession in the west. Hle belongs to the American Medical As- sociation, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Adams County Medieal Society, and has been section secretary, section chairman, and assistant secretary of the state organization.

In September, 1896, Dr. Center was married to Miss Edith Campbell, a daughter of James and Rose (Buxton) Campbell, who was born on Prince Edward Island in 1869. Her father was a ship owner, having a feet of merchant vessels. Dr. and Mrs. Center have two children : Donald, horn March 17, 1898: and Archibald, born Sep- tember 28, 1900. Mrs. Center is a member of the Episcopal church, The Doetor belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Beta Theta Pi and the Phi Rho Sigma. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party, but he has neither time nor inclination for office. preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional Inties, which conscientiously and ably performed have won him an honorable position in the ranks of the medical fraternity in Quincy.

IION. G. W. MONTGOMERY.

HIon. G. W. Montgomery, who for a period of forty years has been engaged in the drug busi- ness in Clayton, has also been an influential factor in political circles and in his community. has aided largely in molding publie thought and action. He dates his residence in Adams county from 1865. His birth occurred in Brooke county, West Virginia, February 24, 1841. His father, Daniel Montgomery, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1805. and was a son of Humphrey Montgomery, who died when his son Daniel was only six years old. Humphrey Montgomery was of Irish descent, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Litzenburg, was of German lineage and was related to General Morgan, who was killed in the battle of Bull Run.

Daniel Montgomery was reared in the Key- stone state and from there removed to West Virginia, where he followed varions pursuits as a farmer, merchant and trader, doing business along the Ohio river for many years. Later he engaged in farming in Brooke county, West Virginia, spending his last days there, He served as justiee of the peace for a long period and was always fair and impartial in his rul- ings. In West Virginia he married Miss Julia Mahan, a daughter of William Mahan, who was a native of Baltimore and was of English line- age. Ile was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was present at the battle of Baltimore. In the

family of Daniel and Julia (Mahan) Montgom- ery were five children, of whom three are still living: G. W., of this review, and James H. and Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, who are both resi- dents of Brooke county, West Virginia. They visited our subject in the fall of 1904 and like- wise attended the Louisiana Purchase Exposi- tion at St. Louis, Missouri.

G. W. Montgomery was reared in the county of his nativity and acquired his education in the common schools. He came west in 1865, locating first at Clayton, Adams county, and for one winter engaged in teaching school. He spent the succeeding year and a half in clerk- ing and in 1867 purchased a drug store, which he has since condueted, carrying on a sueeess- ful business. Ile ereeted a good brick business block and has a well equipped store, supplied with a fine line of drugs and similar merchan- dise. He receives from the public a liberal pat- ronage, for throughout the years he has dem- onstrated his honorable business methods in his just and courteous treatment of his patrons. He has also dealt some in real estate and has bought and sold property in Wichita, Kansas, and in Kansas City. Ile has erected residences in Clayton, which have greatly improved the town. and in 1879 he established the Clayton Bank, which he conducted as a private banking institution for ten years and then sold.

Politically Mr. Montgomery is identified with the democratic party and his first presidential ballot was east for George B. MeClellan in 1864. He has taken quite an active part in polities, both local and state, and was elected and served for five terms as a member of the board of supervisors. He was a member of a number of important committees, and was chairman of the committee on the building and grounds of the court house and of the poor farm. During his ineumbency in that office improvements were made on the court house and the court room was decorated. In 1896 he was elected to the state legislature and as a member of the fortieth general assembly made for himself an honorable record, being connected with much progressive legislation. Ile was a member of the committees on banking, education, fish and game. and was also on the committee to visit educational institutions. Through a long period he has been officially connected with the school board and has aeted as its secretary for fif- teen years. He has also served as chairman of the county democratie central committee.

In 1871, in Rushville, Ilinois, Mr. Montgom- ery was married to Miss Laura A. Nanee, a na- tive of Kentucky, who was reared and educated in Illinois. To them was born one son, F. A. Montgomery. Mrs. Montgomery died Novem- ber 16, 1896, and Mr. Montgomery was married

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in Brown county, Illinois, November 14, 1899. to Miss E. Florence Long, who was born, reared and educated in this state. Mr. Montgomery be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, holding mem- bership with the blue lodge, chapter and com- mandery at Clayton. Ile has filled some of the chairs in the chapter and is past eminent com- mander of the commandery, having filled its highest office for four terms. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in which he has been honored with all of the offices in the local lodge and has also been representative to the grand lodge for four terms. He is a member of the encampment and has filled its offices. Mr. Montgomery pos- sesses to a full measure many fine and enno- bling qualities and his integrity and strength of purpose should serve to prove the value of character in the active affairs of life. He has been found reliable in business and citizenship. Ile is broad in his views and liberal in his jude- ments, strong in his convictions and earnest in his beliefs, self-willed but not obstinate, a strong character. whose life record will bear the elosest investigation without suffering criticism. Such men leave a lasting impress for good and the spirit of their lives cannot fail to exercise a beneficial influence on the youth of succeeding generations.

REV. GEORGE KIDDER.

Rev. George Kidder. now dereased. was for many years an active factor in the moral develop- ment of Adams county and his memory is yet cherished by those who knew him. He was born .July 1. 1816, in Kennebec county, Maine, and died July 25, 1901, near Plainville, at the vener- able age of eighty-five years. His paternal grand- father was a Revolutionary soldier who aided the colonies throughout the entire struggle for independence and was never wounded nor cap- tured. His maternal grandfather was one of Washington's bodyguards and was with that great commander from the beginning to the end of the war. The Kidder family now have in their possession an interesting relie in the shape of an old knee buckle that belonged to William Ensign, the brother of the maternal grandmother. It has been in the family for one hundred and thirty years and is much prized by them.

George Kidder acquired his edneation in the common schools of Maine and was reared upon the home farm. He was the fifth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, of whom one is yet living. John, who resides at Stillwater, Maine. Ile is a bricklayer and plasterer and has

one daughter, Mrs. Ella Coombs, who is living in Stillwater and has one daughter.

In 1839 Rev. Kidder came to Adams county, Illinois, and for a year remained in Fall Creek township with his relative, Charles Stratton. He then took up his abode on what is probably now the Journey farm, and there he remained for a time. It was while there that he was married to Miss Mary Hull, who died after two years, leav- ing a son. Lewis Kidder, who is a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas. In 1845 Mr. Kidder was again married, his second union being with Mar- tha E. Bushnell. a daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Ensign) Bushnell. She was born in Ashta- bula county, Ohio, June 2. 1822, and died Feb- ruary 16, 1901. She came to Fulton county. Illinois, with her parents when only four years old, and about 1832 was brought to Adams county, the family settling on the Plainville road about two miles south of the village. There Mrs. Kidder lived for more than sixty-eight years. She was converted at the old Pike county camp meeting house and joined Akers Chapel Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which she was a mem- ber for sixty-one years. After the death of Mr. Bushnell his land was inherited by Rev. and Mrs. Kidder, and he added to his property from time to time until. at his death, his landed possessions aggregated two hundred and ninety-two acres, now owned by his children.

In the family of Mr. Kidder were ton chil- dren : Lewis, a merchant of Pittsburg, Kan- sas, married Matilda Moore and they have two children : George, who is married ; and Charley. at home. Mary, the second member of the Kid- der family. is the wife of Rev. John Smiley, a member of the Missouri conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and their children are: Mattie. Frank and Paul, all at home. John Kid- der married Addie Mathers, and has a general store in Monica, Illinois, and a farm of six hun- dred and forty acres in Peoria county. He has two sons: Thomas, who executes orders for Don- nelly & Company on the Chicago Board of Trade : and Franklin, who is in a store at home. Helen Kidder died at the age of three years. Watson died at the age of eleven months. Ahnira is liv- ing on the home farm. Caroline died at the age of one and a half years. Sarah become the wife of Emery Lease and died September 12, 1893, at the age of thirty-six years, leaving five chil- dren. four of whom have made their home on the old homestead farm since with their aunts. Osear died at the age of one year. Carrie is living on the old homestead.

Rev. Kidder began the active work of the gos- pel in 1845. in which year he was licensed to preach, continuing his work until disqualified by age and infirmity. He was a man of fair edu-

REV. GEORGE KIDDER

MRS. GEORGE KIDDER

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cation, possessing a natural taste for literature, and he was a thorough Bible student. Ile as- sisted with his own hands in the building of Akers Chapel. the oldest church in that part of the county. His devotion to the work of the church never faltered and his preaching and labors led many to the cause of Christ. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party early in life and later he supported the republican party and then again became a demo- erat. His labors, with their ever widening circle of influence, are yet a factor for good in the com- mmunity. and the memory of Rev. Kidder remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.

JOSEPIE FUTTER DURANT, M. D.

Dr. Joseph Futter Durant, whose broad hu- manitarian spirit, as well as his professional skill. was many times manifest when he was en- gaged in the active practice of medicine and surgery. is now living retired at his pleasant home in Quiney. He was born in Columbia, Manry county. Tennessee, November 23, 1831. a son of Thomas and Sarah (Cowden) Durant. His ancestors came from England to America bnt were of French Huguenot extraction. The founding of the family in New England dates back to 1640 and since that time representatives of the name have resided in the northeastern section of the country although the grandfather of Dr. Durant was among the emigrants from that state. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and after his removal to Tennessee he purchased one thousand acres of land and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, in connection with the con- duct of a cabinet-making shop.

Thomas Durant, born in 1793, was married in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to Miss Sarah Cow- den and when about twenty-two years of age removed from that state. It was in 1835 that he came to Illinois, settling first at Carrollton. Greene county, where he lived for two years, and then came to Adams county in 1837. Here he purchased land and began farming. continuing the cultivation of the soil there until 1848, when he sold the property. Losing his first wife, he afterward returned to Tennessee, where he again married. He then returned to Hancock county, this state, and was engaged in the real-estate business in Carthago. He traveled for the firm with which he was connected throughout the southern states, and maintained that business association for about eight years, when he re- tired to private life. He died abont 1879 at the age of eighty-six years. In his family were seven children, of whom three died in infancy.

while two passed away later. One son, Dr. Sam- nel W. Durant, is now living retired in Topeka, Kansas.

Dr. Joseph F. Durant acquired his education in the common schools of Columbus, Ilinois. and when twenty-one years of age he began preparation for the practice of medicine by en- tering upon a course of study in the Eclectic Institute, at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1854, when twenty-two years of age. He then went to Blandinsville, MeDonough county, Illinois, where he engaged in practice from June. 1853, until April, 1875, when he came to Quincy. Ilere he erected a fine house at No. 319 Elm street and has since lived retired, enjoying a richly merited rest.

At the time of the Civil war Dr. Durant as- sisted in raising the Eleventh Cavalry Regiment of Illinois, but owing to unforeseen circum- stances, he could not take part in active service. He did mich for his country at home. however. by freely giving his professional services to the families of soldiers. He was always most help- ful as a practitioner, responding as quickly to the call of the poor as to the rich. and many have reason to bless him for his timely assistance. Ile was a capable physician and was honored with the presidency of the MeDonough County Medical Society, acting in that capacity up to the time of his removal to Quincy, when he re- signed

On the 10th of January, 1856, Dr. Durant was married to Miss Ottilia Maertz, of Quincey. daughter of Charles Maertz. Her father died in 1893, at the age of eighty-six years, and her mother's death occurred in 1903, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Dr. and Mrs. Durant became the parents of nine children, of whom two died in infancy. Carrie L. and Charles Thomas, while Georgia died in Quiney, in 1877, at the age of eighteen years, and Emmett Il .. at the age of three years. The living are as fol- lows: Edward, born in 1864, is now engaged in the ice business in Blair, Nebraska: Augustus, born in 1870. and now a traveling salesman for Charles Ochlun & Company, dealers in dental supplies of Quiney. married Miss Minnie Mot- ter, of Lagrange, Missouri, and has two children : Nellie Ottilia, born in 1868, is a kindergarten teacher of St. Louis: Bessie, living at home, was for four years a student in and then graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago, after which she taught there and now she is conducting a stu- dio and is engaged in teaching in Quincy, hav- ing gained an enviable reputation because of her artistic talents: ('arl. born in 1878, is en- gaged in railroading.

Dr. Durant has long been a member of the Masonic fraternity and served as master of the lodge at Blandinsville, Illinois. He belongs to

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the chapter at Macomb and is now affiliated with Quincy Lodge, No. 296, A. F. & A. M. Ile is likewise an honorary member of the Adams County Medical Society, and in his political views is a republican. His life has been of sig- nal usefulness to his fellowmen, and wherever he has lived he has commanded the confidence and good will of all by reason of his personal attributes as well as professional skill.

JEREMIAH A. FELT.

Jeremiah 1. Felt. the oldest resident of Mel- rose township, having reached the eighty-eighth milestone on life's journey, and one of the hon- ored and valued pioneers of Adams county, was born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, May 2, 1817, his parents being Peter and Mary ( Fletch- er) Felt. The father was born at Temple, New Hampshire, December 1, 1874, and was deseend- ed from an ohl New England family. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Mary Fletcher, who was born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, August 21, 1785, and was a daughter of Ebenezer Fletcher, who did valiant service for his country in the Revolutionary war. Peter Felt became a farmer and merchant of the old Granite state and resided there until 1830, when he came with his family to the west. He traveled first to Troy, New York, thenee by the Erie canal to Buffalo, overland to the Ohio river and then by boat to Quincy. The party consisted of the father, mother and children : Albert, Adeline, Jeremiah A., and Charlie Ed- ward. They landed at Quincy in June. 1830, and that year the father built the first frame honse in the city at what is now the corner of Fourth and Maine streets. They resided in Quiney for two years and Mr. Felt then pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land about a mile from the present farm of JJero- miah A. Felt, while his son Albert purchased a quarter section of land adjoining the father's one Inmdred and sixty acres. Peter Felt con- tinned to cultivate that farm for ten years, after which he sold his property and returned to Quiney, where he died in 1866 at the advanced age of eighty-two years.

Jeremiah A. Felt attended school in New Hampshire and also in Quiney and for a period of ten years during his youth he resided upon his father's farm. Ile then removed to a farm owned by his father in Warren county. Illinois, where he continued to make his home for seven years Ile married Miss Adriana Leach, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, December 8. 1819. and died August 27, 1896. They trav- eled life's journey together for a long period,

sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. Eleven children came to bless their union of whom six are vet living, namely : Mary, who is the wife of William Per- kins of Melrose township; Ella, the wife of Ira Coe, also of Melrose township; William and Charles, who are residents of Missouri; George of Michigan, and Adriana at home. The oldest son of the family, Peter Felt, enlisted in defense of his country during the Civil war, becoming a member of the Seventy-eighth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry at Quincy. He was wounded at Chattanooga, Tennessee, laid on the battle- field all night and the next morning was taken prisoner by the rebels and died while still in the army.

A few years after his marriage Jeremiah A. Felt purchased his present farm, comprising the west half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 18, Melrose township. He continued to en- gage actively in its improvement and cultivation until 1891, sinee which time he has lived a re- tired life, renting his land. He is to-day the oldest resident of Melrose township, having reached the age of eighty-eight years. Looking baek over the past he has little to regret for his has been an honorable and useful career. In polities he has long been an earnest republican. Ile cast his first presidential ballot for General William Henry Harrison and upon the organi- zation of the republican party he joined its ranks and has voted for each nominee at the head of the ticket to the present time, including the chief executive of the nation at the time of this writing. For thirty years he was a school di- rector and has been school trustee and commis- sioner of highways. He lives a quiet life at the old home, his daughter Adriana acting as his housekeeper. Ile is well preserved for a man of his years and he receives the respect and ven- eration which should ever be accorded those who have traveled far on life's journey and who have always followed honorable, manly princi- ples.

LLEWELLYN B. MCKENNA, LL. D.

He is gifted with genius who knoweth much by natural talent .- Pindar.

Honored as an educator from whose wise and capable teaching for a generation some fifteen thousand students have received the benefit of applied knowledge and invaluable inspiration : distinguished as an author of valued and popu- lar text-books of wide fame: admired for his varied learning and ripe scholarship and cor- dially esteemed for his high character and ex- cellent personal qualities- such must be an

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epitome of any just biographical sketch of Llew- ellyn B. MeKenna, LL. D., president of the Na- tional Business College.

Professor MeKenna is a native of Prince Ed- ward county, Ontario, where he was born April 18, 1844. He received his preliminary education in the grammar school at Stirling, On- tario, took a course in the Illinois State Normal University, at Normal, Illinois, and was gradu- ated with high honors at the German and En- glish College, at Quiney, in June, 1871. Six years later he received the degree of Master of Arts from Johnson College, the successor to the German and English College, and in 1891 the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred npon him by Chaddock College.

Dr. McKenna began his work as an educator in the Gem City Business College in 1874, that institution then being conducted by Howe & Musselman. Professor McKenna's position was that of head of the department of mathematics and law, which he conducted with uninterrupted success for more than twenty years or until Au- gust, 1897.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 123

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