Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 126

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 126

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During the Civil war Mr. Crawford enlisted February 13, 1865, as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and was honorably discharged January 24, 1866, at Columbus, Georgia. ITis political support was given to the republican party from the time of its organization until after the close of the war, since which time he has supported the democratic party. Ile is also a member of the Protestant

MR. AND MRS. JOHN CRAWFORD

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Episcopal church. His life was an active one until advancing years caused his retirement, and he is now spending the evening of his life at his old home in Mendon.

HENRY E. SCHMIEDESKAMP.

Henry E. Schmiedeskamp, although one of the younger practitioners at the bar of Quincy, has attained an enviable position in legal circles, his years seeming no bar to his ability and prog- ress. Dependent upon his own resources from an early age, he has directed his efforts into those channels demanding strong intellectuality and concentration of one's forces, and prompted by a landable ambition has made consecutive progress toward the goal of success.

Mr. Schmiedeskamp was born in Quincy, July 11, 1879, and is of German lineage. His grand- father, William Schmiedeskamp was the first of the family to leave Germany and come to this country, the year of his emigration being 1846. HIe became prominently identified with the early settlement of Quiney and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for its present progress and prosperity. He built many of the early churches of Quiney and vicinity and was closely associated with its building operations for a number of years. He died in 1879. when about seventy-five years of age. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Hollensteiner and belonged to one of the old families of Quincy. She died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Both Mr. and Mrs. William Schmiedeskamp were numbered among the founders of Salem church and were prominently identified with the reli- gions life of the city. In their family were two sons. William, Jr., and August. The former was born in Quincy and through much of his life has followed agricultural pursuits, now re- siding upon a farm at Camp Point. Illinois. He was in former years connected with commercial interests in Quincy and was one of the organizers of the Excelsior Stove Company. of this city. Ile married Louisa Germann, a representative of one of the old and leading German families of Quincy

Henry E. Schmiedeskamp is the eldest in a family of eight children and was reared upon a farm. His educational privileges were some- what limited until he was enabled to secure ad- vanced instruction by reason of his own labor. However, he manifested special aptitude in his studies and was graduated from the high school of Maplewood when fourteen years of age. com- pleting the course in 1894. He entered upon the study of law in the office of William Seblagen-

hauf, an attorney of Quincy, and earning the money that enabled him to pursue a college course, he matrienlated in the law department of the Michigan State University, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1902. Ile then located for practice in Quincy and has been very successful in the building up of a good clientage. He is now attorney for the People's Bank at Camp Point, Illinois, and for the Farmer's Bank of Liberty, Illinois, and has tried a number of important cases, which have demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems of jurisprudence.

Mr. Schmiedeskamp is a democrat in his politi- cal views. lle belongs to the Royal Arcanum. to the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is a director, and to the Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal church. He is a gentleman of fine social qualities, of cordial manner and pleasant disposition, so that he is popular in social circles, while his intellectual strength and close application are winning him prominence in the profession which he has chosen as a life work.

FRED G. JOHNSTON.

Fred G. Johnston, who is successfully carry- ing on general farming in Melrose township. his home being on section 18, was here born August 23, 1857. Ilis father. F. G. Johnston, now do- ceased, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and came to llinois in 1837, traveling hither with a party who intended settling in Marion City. He was a carpenter by trade and instead of taking up his abode at his intended destination he established his home in Quincy, where he was engaged in building operations from 1837 until 1850. During that time he erected many of the early structures of the city and he also built the stairs in the old Quincy Hotel. In 1850 he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia and was engaged in mining for three years in the Sacramento valley on the north fork of Feather river. After three years of pioneer life in the far west he returned to Adams county and in 1857 he purchased the farm upon which his son Fred now resides and there he carried on agrienltural pursuits until his death, which occurred Angust 13, 1880. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Sallie A. Alexander, was born in Indiana and was a daughter of Sam- nel Alexander, who was the first land agent of Adams county and arrived here in 1833.

Fred G. Johnston is indebted to the public school system of Quiney for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth and which fitted him for life's practical duties. He has always lived upon the home farm and is now

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the owner of a good property, comprising ninety acres which is pleasantly and conveniently lo- cated one and a half miles south and east of the city. Here he carries on general agricultural pursuits and has met with very gratifying sne- cess in his chosen work.

Mr. Johnston was married in March, 1884. to Miss Anna Hedges, who was born in Quiney, and is a daughter of Jonah Iledges, who came to Adams county in 1861. Ile was a millwright by trade and engaged in the grain business in Quincy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have been born five children, namely : Daniel HI., who is a member of the United States navy ; Sallie, Fran- eis. Margaret and Mabel, all at home.

Mr. Johnston gives his political support to the democracy and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day is enabled to support his political position by intelligent ar- gument. He has served as town clerk, as com- missioner of highways and as member of the school board. He is a man of intellectual force, marked business enterprise and is recognized as a leading and valued resident of his native county.

JAMES JEWETT LANGDON.

James Jewett Langdon, deceased, was an hon- ored citizen of Quiney for a number of years, displaying the qualities of manhood which in every land and clime awaken respect and con- sideration. Ile was born in Branford. Connecti- ent, January 7, 1824, and died in Quincy. Feb- ruary 11, 1875. Early in life he became imbued with a desire to enter the printing business and was apprenticed to the Courant, a paper pub- lished at Hartford, Connecticut, working at the same press with Robert Bonner, and in a simi- lar manner to Benjamin Franklin.

Ile was seventeen years of age when he came to the west, attracted by its business possibili- ties. Ilis financial resonrees being limited he walked a part of the way. On reaching Chicago he secured a position on the Evening Journal, where his capability won him rapid promotion and he continued in the office until twenty-three years of age, when he opened a job printing of- fice at No. 161 Lake street. His father, Jesse R. Langdon, about the same time opened a man- ufactory of printers' furniture and also became agent of the Johnson and other type foundries. Mr. Langdon of this review further extended his business interests by establishing a printers' fur- nishing warehouse which has had a continuous existence and is to-day a business of extensive proportions. In 1854 Mr. Langdon left Chicago and went to Prairie du Chien. Wisconsin, where

for three years ho devoted his attention to the livery business, but on the expiration of that period he again located in Chicago and became the publisher of the Printers' Cabinet as a mem- ber of the firm of Langdon & Rounds. Through a long period this was the largest and leading printers' paper of the city and Mr. Langdon was the owner of the only printers' warehouse west of the lakes.

The year 1859 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Langdon in Qniney and here he became repre- sentative of journalistie interests by purchasing the Quiney Whig, which he conducted with suc- ress for eight years, when failing health caused him to relinquish the business and he sold out in 1864. Believing that a change of climate might prove beneficial he returned to his old home in Hartford, Connecticut, but found that he could not endure the cold winters and again came to Quiney. Here he devoted his time and attention to the insurance business and was also acting as agent for the Opera House at the time of his death. He was a man of keen business foresight. elear discrimination and unfaltering energy, and the enterprises which he founded or promoted felt the impetus of his strong pur- pose and grew with gratifying rapidity, thus be- coming good financial investments.

Not only was Mr. Langdon a representative of industrial and commercial interests of Chicago and of Quincy, but in other ways was connected with historical affairs of these cities. He figured prominently in early public affairs in Chicago and in 1848 when the firemen's tournament and convention were held in that city he was fireman of Fire King Company, No. 1. Later he became engineer of the department and the leading mem- ber of the Firemen's Benevolent Association. A stalwart champion of the cause of liberty, an ad- vocate of the abolition movement prior to the Civil war, he championed the war policy during the long struggle between the north and south.

In 1848 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lang- don and Miss Candace Louisa Holcomb of New Hartford, Connecticut. Her father, Friend Hol- comb named in her honor of Candace, the Ethi- opian queen mentioned in the Bible. While liv- ing in Chicago they became the parents of two children, of whom Frank died at the age of four years. Kate Louise Langdon is now a resident of Quincy. Following their removal to this city Mr. and Mrs. Langdon gained many friends. The former was the first to pass away and at his death Rey. Edward Anderson, deceased, of the United Congregational church, said at the fu- neral: "The business man recognized the voice of the God who had led him all his days, -that voiee which had been taught him by the pions father and mother which he had heard again in his praying wife and daughter and which now

J. J. LANGDON

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cheered him as he looked through sickness to an approaching death." He was indeed an upright Christian man, his life at all times being in har- mony with his profession and actuated by high manly principles which were manifest in his business and public career and his social relations as well as in his connection with religious move- ments. Although nearly a third of a century has passed since Mr. Langdon departed this life he is yet remembered by many who knew him and his memory is cherished by those who claimed his friendship. His widow, long surviving him, passed away in 1904. She was a most devoted member of the Congregational church and was a lady of kindly spirit and generous impulses. At the time of the Civil war she was truly help- ful to the contrabands who fled to Quiney, and after feeding them she would head a procession and pilot them to the barraeks. On one occasion a large fair was given to raise funds for the boys in blue. That the mother tried to inculcate the spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice in her daughter is indicated by the following little in- cident. Kate, her only child, had a beautiful doll and the mother tried to impress on the child's mind that giving without sacrifice meant nothing, so after much tearful consideration the daughter "gave dolly to be sold for the darkies." Mrs. Langdon was seventy-nine years of age at the time of her demise and had lived in Quincy for forty-five years. Her kindly spirit and many excellent traits of character had endeared her to all and her memory remains as a blessed benedie- tion to those who knew her.

ARTHUR J. FISCHER.

Arthur Johnston Fischer, a photographer of Quiney, was born in Frederick, Maryland, An- gust 28, 1836, and is descended from Baron Fischer, who was the founder of the family in the new world. settling in this country some time prior to the Revolutionary war, in which his sons participated. Adam Fischer, son of Baron Fischer and grandfather of Arthur J. Fischer, became a merchant of Frederick, Mary- land, where he carried on business for many years. His son, Dr. George J. Fischer. was a druggist and became one of the most enterpris- ing and progressive citizens of Frederick. his labors proving of material benefit in its upbuild- ing and improvement. He was the builder of the first gas plant there and was sole owner for several years. He was also captain of the Na- tional Guards there. His business interests in the main were successful but in his later years

he lost much of the property that he had ac- quired. He died at the age of fifty-eight years. IFis wife, who bore the maiden name of Isabella Johnston, was a daughter of Arthur Johnston, who was a silversmith and jewelry manufacturer at Hagerstown. Maryland, and one of its most prominent citizens. He was also interested in an edge-tool factory there. By her marriage Mrs. Fischer became the mother of six children, of whom two died in infancy. The others are Arthur: Virginia, now deceased; William, also deceased ; and George, who is living in Washing- ton city.

Arthur J. Fischer attended school in Freder- iek, Maryland, and afterward became a student in a military school at Urbana, Maryland. He was a schoolmate of Admiral Schley and the friendship then formed endured for many years. At the age of eighteen Mr. Johnston left school and learning the art of photography, engaged in business at Baltimore, conducting the finest gallery in the city from 1858 until after the inauguration of the Civil war. He became a government photographer, following his art under contract with the United States govern- ment for three years, and he has photographed many of the most prominent men of his day. About 1862 or 1863 he went to St. Louis, Mis- sonri, where in partnership he conducted a pho- tographie business for three or four years, when he came to Quincy and opened a photographic studio, being now in business at 52116 Hamp- shire street. His ability is indicated by the fact that in 1894 he won a prize for the best work given by the National Photographers' Associa- tion. He has ever kept informed concerning the latest improved proresses known to photography and his well appointed gallery is an index of the character of the work which ranks him with the leading representatives of his art in the Missis- sippi valley.

Mr. Fischer was married to Miss Alvina Ganz- horn, of St. Louis, Missouri, and they became the parents of four children, but William War- ren died in infancy and George J. at the age of five years. The others are Arlington Lee, who was born about 1874 and is now engaged in the furniture business with James Greer, at Macomb, Illinois: and Arthur .L., who was born in 1885 and is now a clerk in the Quincy post- office. He attended the public schools of Quiney until he had completed a high-school course and won the prize for oratory at Knox College, at Galesburg, Illinois, for the high-school of this city. The parents attend the First Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Fischer is a member. In his politieal support Mr. Fischer is a democrat. They are prominent socially, and Mr. Fischer is a leader in the line of his chosen endeavor. possessing a landable ambition that prompts

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hin to ffort and study leading to perfection, so far as it has yet been gained in photographic art.

MRS. MARY ODEAR.

Mrs. Mary Odear, living in Keene township, was born August 17, 1834, in Tennessee, and is a daughter of John White, who became one of the early pioneer residents of this part of the state. Ile was born in Hawkins county, Ten- nessee, April 1, 1805, and was married in Lime- stone county, Alabama, in 1832, to Miss Eliza Payson, whose birth occurred in that state, No- vember 6, 1812. They came with their family to Adams county, Illinois, in 1847, and first lo- cated near Coatsburg in Honey Creek township, where the father carried on general agricultural pursuits, transforming his land from a traet of wild prairie into richly cultivated fields. Subse- quently he removed to the farm in Keene town- ship where Mrs. Odear now resides and there lived retired until his death, which occurred November 6, 1897. His wife passed away on the 11th of March, 1882. They were people of the highest respectability and enjoyed the favorable regard of a large circle of friends.

They left three sons and two daughters. namely : Mary, who is the widow of Richard M. Odear and resides on the old home farm: Rich- ard G., who was born July 6, 1836; James C., born August 22, 1839; Sammel B., born JJune 9, 1842: and Sarah 11., who was born September 7. 1845, and is the widow of William Howard.

All of this family still reside on the old home farm, which has been in possession of the family for thirty years and is now known as the White Brothers farm. They have added to the place. which is yet undivided and comprises four him- dred and twenty acres of fine land located four miles southeast of Loraine on seetions 34 and 35, Keene township. This is a very valuable place, richly enltivated and well improved with good buildings and all modern comipments. The brothers are democrats in their political views but have never sought or desired office. The family is one well known in Adams county and the members of the householdl enjoy the warm regard of all who know them.

CAPTAIN FREEMAN WOODRUFF.

Freeman Woodruff, a veteran of the Civil war and a leading farmer and honorable business man, passed away January 14, 1905, in the eighty-third year of his age and his death oe-

casioned widespread regret throughout Adams county, where he had lived from pioneer times. A native of Butler county, Ohio, Captain Wood- ruff was born on the 22d of July, 1822. His father, Timothy Woodruff, was also a native of that county, born on the 12th of February, 1783. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Abigail Seward, was born in New Jersey, Feb- mary 12, 1785, and was therefore two years her husband's junior. Timothy Woodruff was a farmer by occupation and he and his brother built the first house in what is now Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1838 he removed with his family from Ohio to Illinois, making the trip overland with a team of horses. He was twenty-eight days on the way and located on Bear creek, in Adams county, where he remained until the following spring. Ile then removed to Ursa township, settling on the land which was owned by Captain Woodruff at the time of his death, the farm being located half a mile east of the village of Ursa. This was in 1839. He carried on farming there until his death, which occurred March 28, 1859, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away upon the old homestead in May, 1872.

Captain Woodruff was the last surviving mem- ber of his father's family. He had little op- portunity to attend school in his youth, his attendance covering only forty-two days in all, but through reading, observation and experience he constantly broadened his knowledge. His training at farm labor, however, was not meager and he early became familiar with the best methods of cultivating the fields and caring for the stock. He was sixteen years of age when he eame with his parents to Adams county, which was then a pioneer region, the work of develop- ment and improvement lying largely in the fu- ture. Quincy was but a small place and several of the now thriving towns and villages of the county had not yet sprung into existence, while much of the land was uncultivated. Desirous of gaining a start in life Captain Woodruff worked earnestly and persistently at farm labor and in course of time laid the foundation for the success which attended his efforts in later years.

On the 28th of December, 1844, Captain Wood- ruff was united in marriage to Miss Frances Harrison, who was born December 29, 1825, her parents being John and Frances ( Butler) Har- rison, both of whom were natives of Ohio. At an early date they came to Adams county, Illinois, settling on a farm in Ursa township, where they spent their remaining days. Cap- tain and Mrs. Woodruff began their domestic life upon a farm and he continued its cultivation up to the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Ife was operating a threshing machine when he heard the news that a call had been issued for

MR. AND MRS. FREEMAN WOODRUFF

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troops and leaving his machine in the field he started for the front. It was on the 17th of August, 1862, that he enlisted, becoming a mem- ber of Company B, Seventy-eighth Illinois In fantry. Ile was made orderly sergeant, after which he became second lieutenant and later first lieutenant. He served for nearly three years, doing his duty well as a faithful and loyal soldier, and his promotion came to him in recognition of his meritorious conduct on the field of battle. He returned to his home with a most ereditable military reeord.

Mr. Woodruff resumed his farming operation in Adams county and was the owner of three hundred acres of good farming land adjoining the village of Ursa, on which are three good houses, two of which are occupied by his sons and the other was the home of himself and wife. His sons were asociated with him in carrying on general farming, being engaged in the raising of corn, wheat, hay and some stock. Captain Woodruff led a very busy life, always worked hard and all that he possessed was acquired through his own efforts and through most honor- able business methods.

Unto Captain and Mrs. Woodruff were born eight children, five of whom are yet living: Martha A., who was born November 3, 1846, and is the wife of T. Kincaid, a resident of Sheridan county, Missouri ; Edna, who was born March 10, 1849, and is the wife of F. MeNamara, who is living in the same county; Jasper N., who was born May 7. 1851, and married Rachel Frances IJeaton, their home being on his father's farm: John W., also on the home farm, who was born January 27, 1854, and married Irene Castle ; and Belle, who was born February 3, 1859, and is the wife of Thomas J. Frazier, who resides three miles south of Ursa. They lost three children : Susannah, born February 3, 1845, was killed at the age of three years by a rail falling upon her head from a fence through which she was trying to climb; William, born April 21, 1857, died from a gunshot wound sustained while hunt- ing dueks, when twenty-one years of age; and Freeman, born March 10, 1863, died at the age of two years.

Captain Woodruff, as early as 1855, was a member of Ursa lodge, I. O. O. F., and later was an active member of Marcelline lodge, No. 127, I. O. O. F., of which he was a past grand. He was loved and esteemed by all the members of that organization and his last public utterance was a short address which he made at the Odd Fellows' meeting. His life was in harmony with the beneficient spirit of the order and he was also an honored member of Lima post, No. 567, G. A. R. He took great delight in meeting with his old army comrades and attended the re-union of the Seventy-eighth Illinois Regiment in 1904.

In politics he was an active republican, being recognized as one of the leaders of the party in his township, and for many years he labored earnestly to promote its efficiency, advance its growth and extend its influence. For a long period he was treasurer of the fire insurance company of U'rsa, and held other local positions of public trust. Ile was always interested in every movement for the benefit of the community and his efforts proved effective and far-reaching. He enjoyed good health almost to the time of his demise, passing away when in his eighty-third year, after a very brief illness of a week. It was thus that he would have had it, for he wished his activity to continue to the last. Few men of his years take such a whole-souled interest in public affairs or in the affairs which affect the welfare and happiness of their fellowmen as did Mr. Woodruff. His life was honorable, his actions manly and sincere, and when he was called from this life he left behind an untar- nished name and a record that is indeed worthy of emulation.

MRS. ELEANOR MCCLELLAND.

Mrs. Eleanor McClelland, a trained nurse of Quiney, residing at No. 61216 Maine street, has made her home in this city since 1878. She was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, August 5. 1861, a daughter of John and Isabelle (Mc- Humphrey) Basford, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Virginia. Her pater- nal grandfather was Elijah Basford, who was married in Essex, England, in 1833, to Amanda Little. They came to America in the same year. settling in the vicinity of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mr. Basford engaged in the raising of tobacco and cotton. They became the parents of five children : Elijah, James, William, Margaret and .John.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 126

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