Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 128

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 128

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In 1852 Mr. Pease was united in marriage to Miss Caroline M. Stone, who was born in Massa- chusetts and was a daughter of James Stone. of Watertown, Massachusetts, who was descended in direet line from Simon Stone, who came to the United States in 1635 and the following year planted a pear tree in Cambridge cemetery. at Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is still living. This is undoubtedly one of the oldest bearing fruit trees on the western continent. In 1874 Mr. Pease was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, with whom he had traveled life's jour- ney happily for many years. She was survived by five children : Emily F .; Albert N .. who died September 15, 1879: Gertrude S. : James F., who is engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery in Quincy: and Mary 1 .. the wife of W. D. Gooch, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Pease has a beautiful home in Qniney on North Eighth street, where he has four aeres of

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ground surrounding a two-story brick residence of commodious proportions. The lawn is kept in excellent condition and is adorned with beautiful trees and shrubbery. Ile is still an active man. although he has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey, possessing the vigor of a man of much younger years. His politieal allegiance has been given to the republican party since its organization, and he is a member of the Vermont Street Baptist church. Few resi- dents of Quiney are now living who were here at the time of his arrival, but among those who still survive are Lorenzo Bull and Daniel Wood. Mr. Pease has a wide acquaintance in Adams county and has inscribed his name high on the honored roll of pioneers because of his straight- forward business career and his fidelity in eiti- zenship. His aid has always been counted upon to further any movement for the general good and, while he has never songht to figure in a publie light as an office holder, he has always been known as one who has upheld the political. moral and intellectual status of the county.

L. W. MILLER.

L. W. Miller, who earries on general farming and also raises a large amount of stock, his home being on section 28, Houston township, was born February 3. 1853. in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, his parents being Jacob and Ma- tilda ( Ellis) Miller. The father was also a na- tive of Pennsylvania, while the mother's birth occurred in Connellsville, that state.

L. W. Miller pursued his education in the pub- lie schools of his native eounty and remained a resident of Pennsylvania until twenty-four years of age, when he removed to Illinois, settling in Honston township. Adams county. He taught school the first year after his arrival and then turned his attention to farming. Abont that time he married Miss Elmira Willard, who was born in Houston township July 19, 1860, their marriage being celebrated on the 7th of March. 1880. Her parents were Madison and Lucina ( Taylor ) Willard. Her father was born in (lay county, Missouri, November 25, 1820, and was a son of James Willard, who emigrated with his family from Tennessee to Missouri in 1820, set- tling in a wild and unimproved district. Such were the conditions in that frontier region that the family were obliged to spend a part of their time in the government fort in order to seenre protection from the Indians. They soon tired of the new country, however, with its hardships, privations and dangers, and returned to Ten- nessee. It was while they were living in Mis-

somri, however, that Madison Willard was born. He was a youth of twelve years when the family removed to Morgan county, Illinois, settling there in 1832. Ile was old enough, however, to remember various incidents of pioneer life. as he shared with the family in the hardships and privations which came to those in this state at an early day. His parents, like nearly all of the settlers, were poor and were obliged to get along as best they could. There was little ready money, their farm produce being traded for whatever they needed. The school advantages which Madi- son Willard received were extremely limited and. had he had the opportunity to attend, there were no schools. At a later date there were log school buildings erected, but at this time the serviees of Mr. Willard were so greatly needed on the home farm that he had little chance of pursuing the studies that were taught at that time. IFis en- tire period of school life would cover only a few months. However, he gained in the school of experience many valuable lessons and became a practieal business man. There was much work to be done on the farm, and he labored in the fields early and late, becoming familiar with the best methods of raising crops. The land had to be cleared and broken before the seed eould be planted. There were many wolves on the prai- ries and a large number of deer, and, as he was very fond of hunting and an excellent shot, he killed many a deer; so that the family was never without fresh venison for any length of time. He became a splendid marksman and eould kill a deer when riding on horsebaek at breakneck speed, and there was nothing that he enjoyed better than such sport. After he had attained manhood he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. nearly all of which was level prairie in the Big Neck section, Houston township. There he built a log cabin and began working his land with five yoke of oxen. He also worked consid- erable land for his neighbors. At the time of his leath he owned five hundred acres of very choice land, all of which had been acquired through his own efforts. He was a self-made man, earnest and energetie in his chosen life work, and he certainly deserved much credit for what he ac- complished. Ile also owned an interest in the Edison silver mine near Aspen, Colorado. and was one of the original stockholders and develop- ers of that mine, which paid him a handsome in- come. Mr. Willard was married to Miss Lueina Taylor, of New York, in 1855, but she died a few years after her marriage, leaving him one daugh- ter-Mrs. Miher. In polities Mr. Willard was a democrat and took an active interest in local af- fairs, as well as in the questions which concerned the welfare of state and nation. He was very progressive, and his aid and co-operation proved

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helpful factors in promoting publie progress in his locality.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was blessed with two children: Charles, born July 25, 1884. married Etta Aaron and lives upon his father's farm. Lucina E., born March 25, 1881, is also at home.

Mr. Miller is to-day the owner of four hun- dred and eighty aeres of very valuable land, the home place being situated on sections 28 and 29. Houston township, about six miles northwest of Golden. Whatever he undertakes he carries for- ward to successful completion, and his farm in- licates his careful supervision and progressive methods in its neat and thrifty appearance. In addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he raises and feeds a large amount of stock.

In his political affiliation Mr. Miller is a demo- erat, interested in the growth and sneress of his party. He has served as supervisor of Houston township and as school trustee and has been proffered other offices but declined them. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at Camp Point and also of the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. During his long residence in the county he has so lived as to command the respect and esteem of his fellowmen, while his business affairs have been so capably condneted that he is now num- bered among the substantial agriculturists of this part of the state.

VALENTINE SCHMITT.

Valentine Schmitt, who is conducting a men's and ladies' tailoring establishment in Quincy, was born in Germany in 1864. His father, Ger- hart Schmitt, also a native of that country, was a blacksmith by trade and spent his entire life in Germany. His wife, Marguerite Schmitt, also remained a resident of Germany up to the time of her death. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, of whom seven are living, three being resi- dents of the United States.

Mr. schmitt, of this review, came to America in 1891 and has since lived in Quincy. Ile ac- quired his education in a private school of his native land, and for three years served in the German army. In early manhood he learned the tailor's trade. becoming familiar with the art of entting both ladies' and men's clothing. After coming to Quincy. he opened a tailoring estab- lishment here and is now located in the Wells building, where he is receiving a liberal patron- age from the best people of the city.

In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Schmitt and Miss Catherine Kohl, a daughter of Peter and Marguerite Kohl, the former a carpenter by occupation. Mrs. Schmitt was born in Quincy in 1864 and. by her marriage, has become the mother of five children : Leo, now deceased ; Mar- guerite, Carl, Leo and Valentine, all at home. The parents are members of the Catholic church. and Mr. Schmitt belongs to the Knights of Co- lumbus and the Christian Catholic Union. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. During the years of his residence in Quincy he has built up a good business by reason of his excellent workmanship, and has trade has reached extensive and profitable proportions.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CYRUS.

George W. Cyrus, a well-known representative of journalistic interests in Adams county, was born wpon a farm in Houston township of this county, March 15, 1842. His father, Rev. Henry A. Cyrus, was a farmer and a minister of the Christian or Disciples church, and his death oc- curred December 24, 1847, in Houston township. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name of Athaliah G. Ruddell, was a resident of Rushville, Illinois, and they were married there in 1835.

Mr. Cyrus of this review pursued his education in the district schools, worked as a farm laborer in early life, and afterward engaged in teaching school and also learned and followed the printer's trade. He came to Camp Point in 1867, and here entered mercantile life as proprietor of a drug and stationery store. It was not long before he built up a good business, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods and in every way possible meeting the wishes of his patrons. His trade constantly grew in volume and importance and he has long occupied a place among the lead- ing business men of the city. In 1873, in part- nership with Thomas Bailey, he established the Camp Point Journal, which he still conducts, and the residents of the city and surrounding districts know this to be a local paper well worth public support.

Mr. Cyrus was reared in the faith of the demo- cratie party, but at the end of the Civil war he advocated the cause of the republican party and has since been one of its stanch supporters. In 1869 he was appointed postmaster of Camp Point and kept that office continuously until 1885, giv- ing his fellow townsmen a practical and satisfac- tory administration. He was also supervisor from 1886 to 1892, and in the discharge of his public duties he has ever been prompt, faithful, efficient and reliable. In 1867 he became a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite and

GEORGE W. CYRUS

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the Knight Templar degree of the York rite. Honored with office, he has served in the highest official positions in the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. In 1876-7 he held office in the grand lodge and has served on committees in the grand lodge to the present time. For many years he has likewise been a member of the committees of the grand chapter and grand commandery, and he is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias fraternity.

Mr. Cyrus was married in Houston township, September 22, 1863, to Miss Emily C. Strickler, the youngest daughter of David Strickler, a prominent citizen of this county. Mrs. Cyrus is an active worker in the Methodist church and in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. By this marriage two daughters have been born : Annie, who is an art teacher in the high school at Ottawa, Illinois; and Jessie, wife of John W. Creekmur, who is a leading young attorney of Chicago.

Mr. Cyrus gives close application to his busi- ness, careful attention to its details and the ca- pable conduct of its more important interests has won a desirable success; and, investing his surplus earnings in property, he has become the owner of considerable realty, which is the visible evidence of his activity and energy.

GEORGE B. CORNELIUS.

George B. Cornelius was born in Greene county, Indiana, May 31, 1862. and is of Hol- land lineage, his paternal grandfather having come from Amsterdam. The father, Jacob Cor- nelius. was born in Ohio. April 12, 1838, and was one of five brothers who served as Union soldiers. while the father was also a member of the army in the war of the Rebellion. Jacob Cornelius became a minister of the Missionary Baptist church and organized many churches and raised the money, planned and built twenty-seven houses of worship in various towns in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Kansas. He died in Galena. Kansas. August 1, 1897. Ile married Miss Eliza A. Bingham, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Bingham, who came from the south. This mar- riage occurred April 18, 1861. and they became the parents of ten children, namely : George B. : II. A., who was a graduate of Shurtleff College. and. together with sixty others, was killed Janu- ary 21, 1893. by the explosion of a burning tank of oil after a wreck on the Big Fone Railroad. near Alton. Illinois: James A., a graduate of Shurtleff College, who became a minister and died April 21, 1898; Etta L., the wife of Rev. J. F. Eaker, of Iowa: Charlotte, the wife of Thomas MeKinley. of Texas: Anna, a teacher of

Iowa; Clarence, at Ottawa, Illinois: Edith, who is engaged in teaching in Iowa; Ernest, who completed a course for the ministry by gradua- tion, but then entered the naval school, where he completed his course March 19, 1905, being the second best gunner in the navy : and Jacob, who is living with his mother.

George B. Cornelius pursned his education in the schools of Newark and Scotland, Indiana, afterward moving with his father's family to Illinois. lle became a resident of Adams county in 1880, when eighteen years of age. On the 28th of November, 1883, Mr. Cornelins married Miss Ida MI. Thomas, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Thomas, natives of Indiana. Her mother is still living at Camp Point. Mrs. Cornelius has three brothers: Curtis, a merchant at Williams, Arizona ; Joseph L., deputy treasurer of Quincy ; and Walter Il. L., express messenger, residing at Galesburg. Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius are the parents of two children, but the younger died in infancy. The other is Hurley Arthur, born December 16. 1884.

Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius lived six years in St. Mary's township. Hancock county, and nine years in Chili township, same county, before locating in Clayton township, Adams county, where they now reside on the Thomas homestead, two and one-half miles south of Golden. He now owns forty acres of land in Camp Point township and his wife owns an interest in one hundred and sixty aeres in Kansas. Mr. Cornelius is engaged in general farming and in breeding fine road horses and high grade hogs, and as a stock-raiser is very successful. He started out in life for himself a poor boy and he has bought a farm which he has stocked with high grade cattle, horses and hogs, and to which he has also added many modern equipments in the way of im- proved machinery and substantial buildings.

Mr. and Mrs. Cornelins hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is a very active worker in behalf of foreign missions. having served eight years as corresponding sec- retary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary So- ciety of Quincy district. She delights in the progress made in all departments of church av- tivity, and her labors have proven valuable in this connection.

THOMAS S. CARLIN.

Thomas S. Carlin, living on section 26, Hous- ton township, was born in Maryland, October 7. 1863, his parents being William and Delilah (Slade) Carlin. The father, born in Maryland. October 18, 1837. has followed farming in Adams

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county for many years and is now living in Clay- ton township, but the mother passed away Feb- ruary 28, 1870.

Thomas S. Carlin came with his parents when he was five years old to Adams eounty. He was a public school student in his boyhood and youth and after putting aside his text-books he gave his attention to farm work on the old homestead, where he remained until twenty-nine years of ago. when he was married and went to a home of his own. He was joined in wedlock to Miss Louisa Wallace, on the 11th of October, 1892. llis wife, a native of Adams county, was born June 23. 1866, and is a daughter of James 1. and Pauline ( Black) Wallaee. Her father was born in 1821 and died in 1900, while her mother, who was born in 1841, is now living in Camp Point township, this county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carlin has been blessed with one son, Walter R., whose birth occurred July 20, 1893.

For a year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carlin lived in Camp Point township, their home being about a mile south of Golden, and on the expiration of that period they removed to Houston township, taking up their abode on their present farm on sertion 26. Here Mr. Carlin carries on general farming, owning here forty- eight acres of good land pleasantly situated about three miles from Golden. His attention is devoted to the tilling of the soil, and his place is well improved.

Mr. Carlin exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- lican party. Hle is a member of the Masonic lodge at La Prairie, Illinois, and also the Mutual Protective League at Golden. ITis wife is a member of the United Presbyterian church. They are well known in their part of the county and their salient traits of character have gained them many warm friends.

THOMAS SINNOCK.

Thomas Sinock is now living a retired life, his labor in former years having brought him a capital sufficient to enable him to rest from further toil. He is a native of England, his birth having occurred near the town of Battle and in the vicinity of the battle-ground of last- ings, his natal day being lily 14, 1836. He is a son of Samnel Sinnock, whose birth occurred in Hailshorn, England, November 13, 1793. and a grandson of James Sinnock, who was a farmer of that country. When thirteen years of age Sammel Sinneck was bound out to learn the shoe- maker's trade and was to serve an apprentice- ship of seven years, but before his term expired

his master died and he conducted the shop for the widow. When twenty years of age he began shoemaking on his own account and followed that pursuit until eighty years of age, covering a period of sixty-seven years' connection with the trade. He was married in his native coun- try to Miss Mary Lindfield, who was born in Lewis, England, in 1797. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom were na- tives of England as follows: George, who became a merehant of Payson, Illinois, and is now de- ceased ; Samuel, who has also passed away ; Mary Ann, who is now eighty-two years of age and re- sides with her brother Thomas; Harriet, de- ceased : Charles: Frances, deceased ; John, de- ceased : James, a resident of Raton, New Mexico. who is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, belonging to the Ilinois conference ; and Thomas, of this review. The son Sammel came to the United States in 1836, and George in 1837. In 1853 the father brought the remainder of the family to the new world, landing at New York. whenee he made his way to Quiney, and it re- quired ten days to complete that trip, which could now be aeeomplished in less than two days. George had located in Payson, in 1837, and from Quincy the family made their way to Payson. where the father died in 1886, at the very vener- able age of ninety-three years. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-five years.

Thomas Sinnock was a youth of seventeen years when he came with his parents to America. Hle worked at the nursery business in Payson in the employ of Mr. Stewart for two years. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the Quiney nursery. remaining there until 1860, when he went to Pike county, Illinois, where he continued in the same line of business for five years. Returning to Adams county, he became the partner of I. H. Stewart, who sub- sequently sold his interest in the business to Artemus Curtis and in 1885 the firm closed busi- ness. Mr. Sinneck is to-day the owner of thirty- five acres of land on section 25, Riverside town- ship. This is very valuable land devoted to general farming. The residence is a good briek building, which stands in the midst of beautiful grounds, adorned with fine trees and flowering plants.

In 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Streeter, who was born npon this farm and was a daughter of Jothan Streeter, who came to Adams county, in 1822. His sister, Ann Streeter, married Governor JJohn Wood. Mr. and Mrs. Sinnock traveled life's journey happily together for about thirty years and were then separated through the death of Mrs. Sinnock. Two of their children are yet living: Edward S., who resides at Quincy ; and Herbert, who makes his home in MeCloud, California. They also

SAMUEL SINNOCK

THOMAS SINNOCK

MRS. THOMAS SINNOCK

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lost two children : Arthur and Olive, who were the second and third members of the family.

Mr. Sinnock is a stanch republican and was the first supervisor of Riverside township, holding the office nine years. Ile belongs to the Metlio- dist Episcopal church and is living in harmony with its principles, being straightforward in his business dealings and faithful to all the duties of citizenship and private life. In the new world he found good business opportunities which he improved. and by close application, unfaltering energy and strong determination he has gradually worked his way upward until he is now one of the prosperous and representative residents of Riverside township.

MRS. MARY THIETTEN.

Mrs. Mary Thietten, living in Loraine, is the owner of a valuable farm property of one hun- dred and ninety-four acres in Keene township. She was born in Indiana, September 14. 1835, and is a daughter of Moses and Jane (Snow) Payne, the former born in Indiana in 1804, and the latter in Virginia in 1806. The father re- sided for many years in ludiana, and in 1852 came with his family to Ilinois, where he re- mained for ten years and then returned to Indi- ana, where his death occurred. The mother afterward again came to Illinois and died in Adams county October 6, 1878.

Mrs. Thietten was educated in the public schools of Indiana and spent her girlhood days under the parental roof. On the 15th of May. 1854, she gave her hand in marriage to Henry Thietten, who was born in Lubeck, Germany. March 17, 1826, and came to the United States in 1849. landing at New York, and the follow- ing year his father and mother crossed the At- lantic. Ile was a son of George Andrew and Margaret Thietten, both of whom died at his home. The father, who was born in 1785, passed away January 4, 1874, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and his wife, whose birth of- eurred in 1784, died June 3, 1871. Henry Thiet- ten became a resident of Illinois in 1851, coming first to Quincy, and soon afterward he secured farm land and made his home two miles north of Loraine, on section 9, Keene township. There, for several years, he successfully carried on agri- cultural pursuits, but on the 24th of March, 1888, he retired and took up his abode in Loraine, where he resided until his death, which occurred December 4, 1897.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thietten were born seven children, as follows: Matilda Ann, born January 27. 1855, was married to George Treatch, pro- prietor of a restaurant in Loraine, and they have

five children-Fred, who was born July 30, 1878. and married Ella Value, their home being in Galesburg; Lou, who was born August 6, 1884, and is the wife of John Clampitt, of Lewistown, Missouri; Edith and Ethel, twins, born July 21, 1892; and Gertrude, born Docember 21, 1895. Andrew J., the second member of the family, was born July 8, 1858, and resides on the old homestead farm. Ile married Lucy Lucas, who was born February 14, 1864, and they have three children : Ray, born March 27, 1890; Lola, born December 3, 1892; and Erma, born August 13, 1894. John Thietten, born December 16, 1861, was married to Minnie Crays and resides in Oklahoma. George, born May 13, 1866, and living in Loraine, married Rose Lucas, who was born November 18, 1867, and their four children are : Rex, born May 30, 1891 ; Claude, born June 14, 1893; Leona, born December 3, 1895; and Shelby, born January 27, 1901. William, born April 3, 1868, is living with his mother in Lo- raine. Minnie, born September 4, 1870, is the wife of Grant Van Blair, and they live with Mrs. Thietten. They have three children: Lora, born January 16, 1895; Lela, born January 21, 1897 ; and Mabel, born December 3, 1903. Henry Thiet- ten, born March 14, 1880, is living at home. He enlisted in the Signal Corps, January 10, 1902, and was in Alaska for two years, being honor- ably discharged January 10, 1905.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 128

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