USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 127
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In the year 1852 John Basford, the eldest son. was married to Isabelle MeHumphrey, a native of Virginia. They resided in the family home in Georgia until the beginning of the Civil war. when Mrs. Basford took her four children and went to her father's home in Virgina, while Mr. Basford enlisted in the Confederate army. In 1862 he was captured by Grant's troops and upon his release he joined the Union army and served until the close of the war. He served through- out the entire four years of the war, with the exception of a period of three months in 1864, when he was home upon a furlough, having been wounded. On the 5th of August, 1865, another child was born to this family, and in 1866 the father took his wife and children to Baltimore.
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Maryland. After living there for a short time they went to Columbus, Ohio, where they made their home until 1869. That year witnessed their arrival in Adams eounty, Illinois, and here Mr. Basford turned his attention to dealing in cattle. His wife died in 1898 and he survived her until 1902.
Eleanor Basford acquired her early education in the common schools of Virginia and accom- panied her parents on the various removals until they became residents of Quiney. Here she at- tended the Chaddock Boarding School up to the time of her marriage to W. H. MeClelland. There were four children of this marriage: Ber- tha, who at the age of eighteen years beeame the wife of W. A. Wingfield, of Quiney, after which they removed to Wichita, Kansas, where she died after a very brief illness, leaving a little daugh- ter, Edith, who was married in 1901 to Nathan- iel Rankin, of Quiney, and in 1903 they went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and thenee to Los Angeles, California, where they are now living with their little son, James, who was born in October, 1904. Mabel, born August 3. 1886, and Edmond, born Jime 14, 1889, are with their mother.
Mrs. MeClelland, educating herself for murs- ing, is now following that profession and is em- ployed in many of the best homes of this city. There is a large demand made for her profes- sional serviees and through her labors she has accumulated a very desirable competence. She is well known in the city, her womanly qualities and her many excellent traits of character win- ning her warm regard and friendship.
JOEL RICE.
Joel Rice, one of the prominent early busi- ness men of Quiney, was born on the 18th of January. 1794, near Lexington, in Woodford county, Kentucky. It is a matter of much re- gret that the records of the family were either lost or destroyed during those early times of unsettled conditions in the then "far west" of Kentucky, but some facts relating to this period have been transmitted. His parents were William and Eleanor (Dennison) Rice, and his maternal ancestors were from the north of Treland and were stanch old Presbyterians. At. an early day the father left his Virginia home and settled in the wilds of Kentucky, where his wife died during the infaney of our subject. When the latter was only four years old his father left him in the care of relatives and un- dertook the then dangerous journey back to Virginia to look after his interests in the pater- nal estate. Ax nothing was ever heard of him
afterward. it is supposed that he was killed by the Indians-a fate too common in those days, when all who journeyed west of the Al- legheny mountains faced this possibility. But the little child had the tender care of loving relatives and remained in Kentucky until eighteen years of age. Although but a boy, he was one of the Kentucky Riflemen and saw some service in the war of 1812.
Mr. Rice had such educational advantages as were to be had in Cincinnati, Ohio, during his youth, but he never pursued a collegiate course. However, his reading and his close observation of men and events, joined to his high ideals and the severest reetitude, laid the strong foundation of a character of unblem- ished integrity, which sustained him from the beginning of his business career to its close. when it was said of him: "His name was probity."
Soon after his arrival at man's estate, Mr. Riee embarked in mereantile business in Cin- cinnati but his business interests did not en- tirely engross him. He was a progressive man, active in all matters of public interest and no- table in philanthropie work. During the ter- rible cholera epidemic there he fearlessly de- voted himself to the work of caring for the stricken. One of the most interesting things in connection with his life in Cincinnati is the fact that he was one of the leaders in estab- lishing the first Sunday-school west of the Al- legheny mountains.
Mr. Rice's successful business career in ('in- einmati was only checked by failing health, his physician advising him to go west. In those days the "far west" was to be found on the banks of the Mississippi. For the benefit of his health Mr. Rice's prospecting journey was made on horseback and in the following year, 1836, he settled in Quiney, taking an active part in the development of the city from that time forward until his death. On the tract of land owned by him on Front street, he laid ont and named Commercial Alley. where he built the stone packing houses, which at that time were the finest in this part of the country. and there he carried on what was then consid - pred the most extensive pork packing business in the state. On his retirement from that business he erected a brick building on the southwest corner of Front and Hampshire streets, where he established the first wholesale grocery and iron store in Quiney. In the early '40s he erected a briek business honse on Fifth street between Maine and Hampshire, now the north part of Cottrell's furniture store, and later in the '40s built a brick block on Maine between Fourth and Fifth, where he carried on
Joel Rice
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his wholesale buisness. As his three sons reached suitable age. they became associated with him in business under the firm name of Joel Rice & Sons, and they conducted a branch house at Keokuk, Iowa. In 1857 this partner- ship was dissolved and Joel Rice retired from business.
On the 16th of September. 1824, he was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Eliza Byron, who was d representative of a Baltimore family of Eng- lish descent. Of their six children, the two eldest, William and Thomas, died previous to their father's death. The youngest son, Major James A. Rice, was a gallant sokhier of the Civil war, who was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness and died in 1879 from the ef- ferts of his wound. Those of the family who still survive are Mrs. Joanna Rice Wallace, MIrs. Sarah Byron French and Mrs. Eleanor D. R. Walker.
As one of the old Kentucky Riflemen, Mr. Rice made to his country a pledge which he never forgot. As a citizen he always dis- charged his duty and in the cauens or at the ballot-box stood true to his convictions of hon- or, truth and justice. The growth and pros- perity of Quincy were dear to his heart, and he was always deeply interested in all that concerned her welfare. On the 10th of Septem- ber, 1878, after a short illness he passed ont of this life, possessing even at the age of eight- four years, every faculty unimpaired and leav- ing to his children the blessed heritage of sweet memories of a good man's life.
JOHN CAMPBELL.
John Campbell, a representative of commer- cial interests in Liberty, was born in Liberty township, Adams county, in March 1865. Ilis father, John Campbell, was a native of Ireland, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. When a young man he crossed the At- lantie to the United States and remained at Philadelphia for a few years, after which he continued his journey westward into the interior of the country and settled in Liberty township, Adams county, Illinois, becoming one of its pio- neer residents. He married Miss Elizabeth Wil- son, a daughter of James Wilson, of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and soon after their mar- riage they started for the west. They became the parents of six children, of whom three are living, namely : Mrs. Isabella Inman, who resides in Pike county, Illinois; Jane; and John.
John Campbell was a student in the public schools of Liberty and when he put aside his text-books he started out in life on his own ac-
count, following the occupation of farming to which he had been reared. A few years later he came to Liberty, where he has since been engaged in commercial pursuits, becoming the junior member of the firm of Welsh & Campbell, dealers in agricultural implements. They carry a large and well selected stock and have an ex- cellent trade from the surrounding country. Their business methods are straightforward and honorable and will hear the closest investigation and scrutiny. Mr. Campbell resides with his sister Jane, who acts as his housekeeper. He is an Odd Fellow in his fraternal relations and in his political views is a democrat, while at this writing he is serving as supervisor of his town- ship and is recognized as a public-spirited citi- zen, whose interests can always be counted upon to further progressive measures for the general good.
REV. EDWIN M. CLINGAN.
Rev. Edwin M. Clingan, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Quincy, was born in Knox county, Illinois, in 1868 and is a son of William G. and Sarah ( Hogne) Clingan, who were married in that county. The family is of Scotch-Irish deseent and representatives of the name served in the Revolutionary war. The father was a farmer by occupation but in his later years lived retired, and his death occurred in 1886, ten years after he had put aside busi- ness cares. His widow, still surviving him, re- sides in Elmwood, Peoria county, Illinois. In their family were three children : Jennie E., wife of Harry Patterson, of Decatur, Illinois: Eva, wife of Clinton Hill, of Farmington, Illinois; and Edwin M.
Rev. Edwin M. Clingan began his education in the country schools of his native county and continued his studies in the Elmwood high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885. He was afterward employed in a dry-goods store at Elmwood for four years, and in 1888 he entered Monmouth College, at Monmonth, Ilinois, where he completed a regu- lar course in 1894. Ilaving determined to make the work of the ministry his life calling. he ma- trieulated in McCormick Theological Seminary, at Chicago, where he graduated in 1897. being at that time ordained as a preacher of the gospel. His first pastorate was at Oneida, Illinois, where he remained until December, 1900, when he ac- cepted a call from the First Presbyterian church, at Quiney. When he took charge there was a membership of two hundred and twenty-five. and under his guidance there has been a steady and healthful growth and the membership of
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the church is now more than Four hundred. The church is well organized in its various depart- ments. the different societies doing good work, and the pastor has the support and co-operation of a majority of his congregation. This church was organized January 19, 1840, with twenty- three members. The present house of worship was dedicated November 30, 1879, and the fol- lowing ministers have served the church either as pastor or stated supply : James J. Marks. 1840-1855: George 1. King, 1855-1867 : J. Addi- son Priest, 1868-1875; Newman Smythe, 1875- 1882: John S, Hays, 1883-1885; R. V. Atkinson, 1885-1890; John K. Black, 1891-1894; John M. Lim, from January to May, 1895; Henry T. Miller, 1895-1897 : Rollin R. Marquis, 1897-1899; William Wylie, 1899-1900: and Edwin M. ('lingan, December 1, 1900, to date.
Rev. Clingan was married in 1897 to Miss Lillian. daughter of Dr. A. J. Waid, of Mon- mouth. Illinois, and a representative of one of the old families of this country. Rev. and Mrs. Clingan have three children; Bruce, who was born in 1898 and is attending the public schools of Quincy : Ruth, horn December 29, 1890; and John Edwin, born August 13, 1904. During their residence in Quiney the parents have made many warm friends not only within the special church of their connection but also among pro- ple of other denominations. Added to his schol- arly attainments, the broad humanitarian spirit and ready sympathy of Rev. Clingan make his labors a potent element in the moral development of the city and have gained for him the unquali- fied confidence and regard of the general public.
JAAMES CAMPBELL.
James Campbell is the oldtest resident of Clay- ton township. Living a retired life in the village of Clayton. he is now enjoying the rest which has come to him as the result of his activity and energy in former years. For over more than six decades he was one of the enter- prising and successful farmers of the county. Few of the residents of this part of the state have so long resided here and his mind bears many pictures of pioneer times and also forms a connecting link with the present. He became a resident of Illinois in 1830, being here at the time of the deep fall of snow in the winter of 1830-31. He is, therefore, numbered among those known as the "snow birds." It was a win- ter never to be forgotten by any who experi- enced it. the snow being several feet deep upon the ground for a number of months, so that it was impossible for the settlers to leave their homes.
Mr. Campbell is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Muhlenburg county, June 16, 1826. Ilis father, Captain David M. Campbell, was also a native of Kentucky, born in Madison county in 1794. The grandfather, James Campbell, was of Scotch ancestry and served as a member of the Continental army during the Revolutionary war and afterward be- came one of the early residents of Kentucky. Captain David Campbell was reared in the state of his nativity and was married there to Miss Jane Campbell, who, though of the same name, belonged to an entirely different family. Cap- tain Campbell was a carpenter by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit in Kentucky. While living there he won his title by commanding a eom- pany of the state militia, his commission being signed by the governor about 1819. In 1830 he came to Illinois, settling first in Brown county, but in the spring of 1831 he removed to Adams county and opened up a farm. He also con- dueted a tavern or wayside inn on the old stage road from Quincy to Rushville, Illinois. He afterward built and eondneted the first hotel in Clayton, remaining its proprietor for five years, when he sold out and returned to the farm, con- tinuing its cultivation for some time. In the fall of 1860 he removed to Kansas, locating on a farm in Linn county, where he spent his remain- ing days, his death occurring in 1882 when he had reached the advanced age of nearly eighty- eight years. In his family were five sons and a daughter, all of whom reached adult age. Two sons and a daughter are now living, a brother of our subject being llon. Charles Campbell of Linn county, Kansas, who Follows farming and stock- raising there and is one of the prominent and influential men of that locality. A sister, Mar- garet A., is the wife of W. II. Fish, of Spokane, Washington.
James Campbell was brought to Illinois when a little lad of four years and was reared to man- hood in Adams county. IFe is now the oldest living resident of Clayton township and in the early days he shared with the family in all of the hardships and trials which come to the pioneer settlers. His educational advantages were extremely limited, owing to the new condi- tion of the country, for the publie school system had not been perfeeted at that time. He is almost entirely self-educated but through experience, observation and reading he gained a good prac- tical knowledge which enabled him to conduct his farming interests with success. He continued to assist in the development and cultivation of the home farm up to the time of his marriage.
On the 18th of June, 1849, in Brown county, Illinois, Mr. Campbell wedded Miss Elizabeth Ann Bradney, who was born in Adams county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas J. Bradney, who
MRS. JAMES CAMPBELL
JAMES CAMPBELL
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
was also a native of that state and was there married to Miss Barbara Morris. Mr. Bradney came to Ilinois in 1842, settling in the southery part of the state, where his daughter attended a school in which the mother of W. J. Bryan was also a student, her name being Lizzie Jennings. Mr. Bradney afterward removed to Brown county.
Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Camp- bell located in Adams county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1850, when in company with his brother he went overland to California, spending two years and two months on the Pacific coast. There he carried on farm- ing and merchandising in connection with his brother and also operated a threshing machine for one season. He assisted in the building of the first Methodist Episcopal church in Sau Jose, California. Ile returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama to New York city, thence by Niagara Falls and Buffalo and on to Chicago. On again reaching Adams county he bought a farm two and a half miles north of Clayton. com- prising one hundred and sixty acres of raw land. which he cleared and improved. He afterward bought more land and now has three hundred and fifty acres in the home place. He erected a large two-story residence, also built a good barn and other ontbuildings and through his improve- ment developed a valuable property. He also bought land in Shelby county, Missouri, having three hundred and forty acres at Honeywell. Ile has thus made judicious investments in prop- erty which returns him a good income. He com- menced life at the lowest round of the ladder but has gradually climbed upward. He is to-day one of the substantial citizens of Clayton town- ship, having a competence that supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the hix- uries of life. In Clayton he owns a good home in addition to his farming property and he took up his abode there in April, 1900.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been born eleven children, of whom eight are living: John S .. a business man of Wichita, Kansas; T. 1 .. who is living on a farm in Shelby county, Mis- souri : Julia A .. the wife of John M. Garner. of Bowen, Illinois: George A .. a resident farmer of Clayton township : Allen, who also follows farn- ing in that township: Ella, the wife of Samuel II. Wallace, of Denver, Colorado: Minnie, the wife of J. II. Smith, a farmer of Clayton town- ship; Charles Ora, who is living on the old homestead. Three children have passed away : Henry B. married and at his death left six chil- dren : James E. married and died at the age of thirty-six years but left no children; and one died in infancy.
In early life Mr. Campbell gave his political support to the whig party and on its dissolution
he joined the ranks of the new republican party, of which he has since been a stanch advocate. For twenty-five years he served as member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm and helpful friend, but other- wise he has neither held nor desired office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and he was a member of the build- ing committee at the time of the erection of Grace Methodist church in Clayton. He has long served as one of its officers and at all times has been helpful in its upbuilding and in the ex- tension of its influence. For seventy-four years he has lived in Adams county and has helped to improve it and make it what it is to-day. He is indeed one of the honored pioneers of the county who assisted in breaking the virgin soil, in plant- ing the first crops and in carrying forward the work of early development. IIe may indeed be numbered among those who have laid broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity of the county. His entire life has been in har- mony with manly principles, actuated by honor- able purpose and characterized by fair dealing with his fellowmen. He is to-day one of the most respected and worthy of the pioneer settlers of Adams county.
FRED L. HANCOCK.
Fred L. Hancock, serving as both city and county engineer, and maintaining his residence in Quincy, was born in Pontoosuc, Hancock county, Illinois, in 1871. His father, C'aleh Hancock, was a native of Adams county, Illi- nois, prepared for the medical profession and for ten years was engaged in practice in Pon- toosue. Illinois. Hle afterward practiced for seventeen years in Fort Madison, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1880, when he was forty- five years of age. He was in the midst of a very successful career, his ability and skill mak- ing his professional service of much vale in the community in which he made his home. He always attended church and lived an upright. honorable life that commanded for him the re- spect and confidener of all with whom he came in contact. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason and in his political faith was a democrat. Ilis wife, who in her maidenhood was Mary Catherine Matthews, was born December 22. 1840, in Vinton, Gallia county, Ohio, and died in Quincy, March 20, 1894, at the age of fifty- three years. Her father, one of the pioneer settlers of western Illinois, located in Carthage about 1845, and had the first mail route, driving over the old stage road between Carthage and Quincy. He was a son of Phineas Matthews.
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who was captain of a company that served under the immediate command of General Washing- ton in the Revolutionary war. He afterward removed to Marietta, Ohio, about the time that General William Putnam opened up the North- west Territory. Captain Phineas Matthews se- enred a grant of land on the Ohio river, near Vinton, extending for a distance of eleven miles and the old Matthews homestead is still owned by one of his descendants, who is a resident of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Hancock had but two children : Fred L. and May, the latter the wife of William Rankin, of Quincy.
Fred L. Hancock was a student in the pub- lie schools of Carthage and afterward attended Johnson's Business College at Fort Madison, lowa. He practically prepared himself, largely by active work in the field, for the profession of a civil engineer and for the past fourteen years has devoted his energies to that profes- sion. Locating in Quiney he continued in the same business, and entered the city's employ as assistant engineer. He was elected eity engi- neer in 1901. He still holds that position and in the fall of 1900 he was elected county engi- neer and served four years, for which position he is well qualified by broad practical experi-
Mr. Hancock is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and North Side Boat Club. In his political views he is a democrat. Hle is a member of the executive committee of the Boul- ovard and Park Association and a member of the board of improvement and public works. ITis official title is that of public engineer and by virtue thereof he acts for the above mentioned boards. He is a member of the Illinois Society of Civil Engineers and Western Society of Asso- ciated Engineers.
NATHANIEL PEASE.
Nathaniel Pease, a retired farmer, living on North Eighth street, in Quiney, and respected as one of the prominent, influential and worthy residents of Adams county, represents one of the oldest families of New England, tracing his an- cestry back to Robert Pease, a native of England. who came to America on the ship Francis and landed at Boston in 1634. He had two sons, John and Robert, and from the former the sub- ivet of this review is descended. Benjamin M. Pease, grandfather of Nathaniel Pease, was born in Newmarket August 17. 1773, and married Rebecca Pike. Their son, Nathaniel Pease, Sr .. was born in New Hampshire in 1789, and was united in marriage to Miss Mary Perkins, a na- tive of Massachusetts and a daughter of Jacob
Perkins. Mr. Pease was a butcher by trade, and in 1832 he came to Quiney, becoming one of the pioneer business men of this city. He was the first to engage in pork packing here, and he fol- lowed that business until his death, which oc- curred in July, 1836. His wife died in 1835. Their children were: Alfred; Nathaniel: Re- becca, the deceased wife of John Wheeler, who is now living in Quiney at the venerable age of ninty-one years; and Mary, the wife of Dr. Iliram Rodgers.
Nathaniel Pease, whose name introduces this record, was born in Brighton, Massachusetts, January 10, 1823, and in his early boyhood days accompanied his parents to Adams county, Ili- nois, being a youth of nine years when he ar- rived here. Ile afterward returned to New Hampton, New Hampshire, however, and at- tended school there at the New Hampton Acad- emy for two years, and in 1843 he became a stu- dent in Hillsboro Academy, in Illinois. His father was the owner of a farm of three hundred and twenty aeres in Melrose township, and Na- thaniel Pease took charge of this before he had attained his majority, the father having died during the boyhood of his son. Mr. Pease con- tinued to engage in farming until 1870, when he retired from active agricultural pursuits and took up his abode in Quiney, where he has since lived. He was a very energetic and enterprising agriculturist, carrying forward his work along progressive lines. As new and improved ma- chinery was introduced upon the market he util- ized it in the care and cultivation of his fields and he also erected substantial buildings for the shelter of his grain and stock. In faet, he was one of the more successful farmers of Adams county, and as the years passed accumulated a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired.
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