Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 130

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 130

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Henry II. Moller was also prominent and influ- ential in public affairs. About 1885 he was chosen supervisor for Adams county and served for six years, acting a part of the time as ehair- man of the board and exercising his official pre- rogative in support of all measures which he he- lieved would prove of permanent good to the community. He held membership with the Wes- tern Catholic Union and with the Firemen's Benevolent Association. Ile was married Jan- mary 10, 1871, to Miss Lonisa Vanden Boom, and they became the parents of nine children : Ber- nard, who was born December 9, 1872, and died in infancy: llenry B. and August, twins, born February 7, 1874, but the latter died in infancy ; Frank T., born April 12. 1877. an attorney of Buffalo. New York, who married Christina Wahl, a daughter of Frederick Wahl: Frederick E., born December 10, 1879: Joseph, who was a twin of Frederick and died in infancy: William, who was born September 28, 1881, and died in in- fancy: Edward, born August 28. 1883: and Lonisa, who was born November 4, 1887, and is now attending St. Mary's Institute.

Frederick E. Moller, a worthy sneeessor of his father in business, pursued his education in the

H. H. MOLLER

F. E. MOLLER

895

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

parochial schools of Quiney, St. Francis College and the Gem City Business College, being grad- nated from the last named in 1894. lle then entered the office of the lumber firm of which his father was a partner. In 1901 the business was incorporated under the name of the Moller & Vanden Boom Lumber Company and Frederick E. Moller was made treasurer. He lives at home with his mother, is a member of St. Boniface Catholic church, the Western Catholic Union and the Knights of Columbus and in polities is inde- pendent.

llenry B. Moller, the secretary of the Moller & Vanden Boom Lumber Company, was married to Catherine Wewers and has two children : C'vril and Gertrude.

Edward Moller, who is bookkeeper for the hun- ber company, attended the public schools, St. Francis College and the Gem City Business Col- lege, and then entered the office where he has since remained. Ile is also connected with the Knights of Columbus. The brothers are enter- prising young business men and are fully sus- taining the reputation made by their father for energy, keen diserimination and reliability.

DAVIS N. BARNETT.

Davis N. Barnett is the owner of a valuable farm of over two hundred acres in Adams county and rents the property, now living a retired life. Ilis home is about two and one-half miles north- west of Ursa, on the old homestead, on section 1. Ursa township. He is a native son of Adams county, his birth having occurred September 28. 1836, his parents being Davis and Lucy ( Me- Farland) Barnett, both of whom were residents of Bourbon county, Kentucky. The father was a stone-entter by trade and in 1821 removed from Kentucky to Clarksville, Missouri, where he was married and made his home until 1835. Ile then came to Adams county. Illinois, settling on a farm now owned by his son Davis, where he re- sided until 1866. Ile then removed to Camp Point, Illinois, where he made his home until his death. which occurred in 1885, when he was eighty-five years of age. le long survived his wife, who died in 1848. Davis N. Barnett has two sisters and two brothers living, namely : Mary, the wife of John Welling, a resident of Mendon : William, who married Martha Tarr and lives in Marcelline: Ella, the wife of Daniel Newcomber, a resident of Sheridan county, Mis- souri ; and Commodore, who is married and lives in Missouri.

Davis N. Barnett was educated in the common schools and after putting aside his text-books. he turned his attention to farming, to which

pursuit he had been reared. He bought a farm of eighty acres on the river bottoms and after- ward purchased two hundred acres of the old family homestead. Throughout his active busi- ness career he carried on agricultural pursuits and placed his land in a very productive eondi- tion. the fields being well tilled so that they yielded good erops. Ile used improved machin- ery in carrying on his farm and kept everything about the place in a neat and thrifty condition.

On the 1st of January, 1862, Mr. Barnett was married to Miss Mary Jane MeLaughlin, a danghter of William and Nancy ( Ridelle) Me- Laughlin, the former a native of Wellsville, Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. Her father was a farmer by occupation and came to Adams county at an early day, settling near Marcelline, where he did carpentering, erecting many houses in Ursa township, and he purchased more than two hundred acres of land. locating upon the farm where he spent his remaining days. He died July 9, 1887, and his wife passed away February 19 of the same year. They were people of the high- est respectability and their circle of friends was extensive. Mrs. Barnett has one brother and one sister: George, who is living in Quiney: and Mrs. Elizabeth Varnier, who is a resident of Ursa. She lost one brother, who was assas- sinated in Texas in March. 1903. Another brother, John, enlisted in 1862, as second ser- geant of Company A, Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and died of pneumonia at Palmyra, Missouri, m 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have two children: Lillie, who was born October 10, 1870, and is the wife of John Miller of Colorado : and George B., who was born May 27, 1884. and lives in Ursa.

In politics Mr. Barnett is a republican and served as school director for several years. He belongs to Mareelline lodge, No. 114, A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Mareelline. Their lives have been well spent and wherever known they are held in high esteem.

ALBERT M. WALLACE.

Albert M. Wallace, who carries on general farming on section 6, Lima township, where he owns and operates one hundred and three acres of land, was born May 3. 1851, in Ilancock county. Ilis father, Thomas Wallace, was born in Kentneky and after arriving at years of ma- jority was married there to Miss Harriet Yeno- wine, also a native of that state. Removing to Illinois in 1849. they settled at Warsaw. Hancock county. The father was a carpenter by trade but afterward purchased a farm and engaged

896

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

in the tilling of the soil throughout his remaining days. He died April 1, 1893, and his wife passed away January 15, 1897.

Albert M. Wallace obtained his education in the public schools of Hancock county and, start- ing ont in life on his own account, he was em- ployed at farm labor for two years but wishing his services to prove of more direet benefit to himself he rented land and began farming for himself. After about seven years passed in this way, he purchased a farm in Adams county and has since lived on section 6. Lima township, where he has one hundred and three acres of rich land that annually yields him good crops because of the careful cultivation he bestows upon his fields. His farm is pleasantly and con- veniently situated about two miles northeast of Lima and it is a visible evidence of his thrift and capable management.

On the 16th of October, 1879, Mr. Wallace was married to Miss Mary Ardelia Peoples, who was born May 7, 1855, and is a daughter of James and Anna Peoples, the former a native of Ire- land and the latter of Kentucky. They resided in Hancock county, Ilinois, where her father carried on farming, following the pursuit until his death on the 7th of June, 1887. His widow still survives him and is a well preserved lady of seventy-four years, yet living in Hancock county. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have three chil- dren : Homer A., born July 3, 1889: Anna P., born May 11. 1893 ; and Walter J., born April 21, 1897. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Wallace is a democrat. His snecess is due entirely to his own efforts and the able assistance of his wife. They had been mar- ried only one year when their home was de- stroyed by fire, and thus losing everything they had they were forced to begin life anew. As years have gone by their perseverance and dili- genee have been rewarded and they are now in possession of a comfortable competence. while their home has all of the comforts that go to make life worth living.

WILLIAM P. BRINTON.

William P. Brinton, deceased, who became a resident of Quincy in 1866 and was well known in Adams county as a farmer and representa- tive of various business pursuits, was born in Allegheny county. Pennsylvania, January 27, 1827. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Brinton, both natives of eastern Pennsylvania, spent the greater part of their lives in Allegheny eounty and there passed away. The father devoted his attention to farming in order to provide for his family.

William P. Brinton was a student in the pub- lie schools of his native county and later worked at any employment that would yield him an honest living until he attained manhood, when he started out in business on his own account, establishing a lumber yard in his native county and conducting the enterprise with success for several years. in 1866 he removed with his fam- ily to Adams county, Ilinois. and purchased a traet of land in Ellington township, where he carried on general farming until about 1880. He then took up his abode in the city of Quincy, where he was identified with various business pursuits. He established a pork-paeking house on Hampshire street with Mr. Provost but did not continue in this enterprise long. He retired from active business life in his later years, being possessed of a comfortable fortune which he had acquired through his earnest labor in earlier years and which enabled him to enjoy a well- earned rest.

In 1851 Mr. Brinton was united in marriage in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah S. Horn, a native of that eounty, born Jannary 21, 1832, and a daughter of Adam and Mary (George) Horn, also natives of Westmore- land county. Her grandfather, Adam Horn, spent his entire life in that county and followed the dual pursuit of farming and blacksmithing until his death. Adam Horn, Jr., was a farmer of Pennsylvania and became very wealthy. Hle removed to the west in 1866, settling on a farm near the village of Fowler, where he lived for a short period and then took up his abode in the town of Fowler, where he purchased a home, living retired until his death. His wife also died there. He was a man of excellent business quali- fications, strong purpose, stalwart character and upright manhood, and wherever known he won the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated. He left the greater part of his estate to his daughter Mrs. Brinton.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brinton were born two children : Anna B. is the widow of John R. Chit- tenden, who was a well known business man of Mendon and died September 13, 1904. His wife still resides in Mendon. Cora B., the younger danghter, makes her home with her mother in Quincy.

Mr. Brinton gave his political support to the republican party but was never active in poli- ties. lle came from a Quaker ancestry and was always an upright, honorable man. He attended the United Brethren church in Quiney and was a most earnest and untiring worker in behalf of the Young Men's Christian Association. He ad- dressed that organization on the Sunday preeed- ing his death and his words awakened deep in- terest and attention. There were many qualities in his life record worthy of emulation and all

897

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

who knew him spoke of him as a consistent Chris- tian man. He believed that religion should form a part of his daily life and it constituted one of the rules of his business transactions and, there- fore, his dealings were very straightforward and honorable. He would never compromise with wrong in the slightest particular and was fear- less and outspoken in his denunciation of all un- derhand and dishonorable methods. Those who knew him, however, found that he had a true and warm heart and that he held friendship in- violable. In his family he was a devoted hus- band and father and thus his death eame with greatest force to them. Apparently well at the evening dinner he became ill shortly afterward and died within a few moments, passing away in 1890.

Mrs. Brinton resides with her daughter in a large brick residenee at No. 1480 Hampshire street, at the corner of Sixteenth street. Both are members of the Congregational church of Quincy and have many friends in the city.

ORREN WAGY.

Orren Wagy, a representative farmer of Pay- son township, living on section 14. was born May 28, 1852, in an old log cabin that stood just east of his present home, his parents being Oscar and Rebeeea J. Decker) Wagy. His paternal grandparents were Henry and Eleanor (Stone ) Wagy. Henry Wagy was of German lineage and he was the second man to settle in the city of Quiney, coming to this county from Licking county, Ohio. He was accompanied by his fam- ily and remained where the city of Quincy now stands for a brief period. after which he pur- chased the "smoking Dutchman's" place in Mel- rose township. On selling that property he re- moved to MeCraney creek, where he lived for a few years and then established his home near Plainville, where he purchased the John Wright farm. living thereon until his death. He was one of the noted deer hunters of an early day. His wife was a cousin of E. K. Stone. for whom Stone's Prairie was named.

Osear Wagy, who was reared in Adams county amid the scenes of pioneer life, was married to Rebecca Jans Decker, a daughter of John and Ella Deeker. The Deckers were of Irish lineage and became early settlers of Richfield township. Adams county. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Wagy be- gan their domestic life upon a farm and he be- came one of the prosperous agrieulturists of the county, eventually owning seven hundred and forty-five acres of valuable land. In 1849 he

took up his abede upon the farm now ocenpied by his son Orren and there he lived for twenty years, acquiring most of his property during that time. Ile paid five hundred dollars for one hundred and sixty acres of land. At one time he was offered a half section of land south of where Orren Wagy now resides for an old gray horse and one hundred and fifty bushels of corn. He had managed to clear his property of indebted- ness by 1875 and in his last years was enabled to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, owing to his earnest toil in for- mer years. In his family were ten children. as follows: Adeline, the wife of James Journey, who is living on the Pike county line: Amanda, the deceased wife of John Blauser, of Ifull Sta- tion: Orren and James Henry, who reside in Adams county; Eliza, the wife of Stephen Ben- son, living a mile south of Plainville; Robert, who resides a quarter of a mile east of Plainville ; Mcclellan, living south of town: Caroline, the wife of William Powell, a eigarmaker of Barry, Illinois : Lulu; and one child that died in in- fancy.

Orren Wagy received but limited educational privileges but through experience, reading and observation has learned many valuable lessons and is now a well informed man. In his youth he had to assist his father upon the home farm in order to help pay for the land and he may well be called a self-made man. As architect of his own fortune he has builded wisely and well. Ile was the first man to take out a lieense in the new courthouse in Quincy. this being in 1877. He wedded Miss Amanda Taylor, a daughter of W. C. and Harriett Louisa ( Edmonds) Taylor, residents of Payson. Her father was a native of York county. Pennsylvania, and her mother of Tennessee. The Taylors were of German lineage and in the maternal line Mrs. Wagy is of Irish lineage. Mr. Taylor came to Illinois in 1844, settling in Payson township and in 1849 he went to California with the Seehorn wagon train. Both he and his wife were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and are now both de- ceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagy have become the parents of two children : Otis L., born August 13, 1878, married Dora M. Wingfield and they reside south of Plainville, where he follows farming. They have one son-Clarence L. Lottie Wagy, who was born July 14. 1881, attended the Plainville schools, has also been educated in music and is at home with her parents.

In his political views Mr. Wagy has always heen a democrat and has served as school direc- tor and road supervisor. His has been a very busy. useful and active life. From early boy- hood he worked hard and all that he now pos- sesses has come to him through his own labors.

898

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Ile is a man whose upright character and genu- ine worth have won for him the respect and good will of his fellow townsmen.

FRANK SONNET.

Frank Sonnet, who is occupying the position of county treasurer of Adams county and makes his home in Quiney, was born in Rhine Valley, Germany, January 24, 1848. Ilis father, Sebas- tian Sonnet, was a native of the same locality and was a stone-mason. Ile held membership in the Catholic church and died in Germany in 1866, at the age of forty-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Kiefer, was born near Rhine Valley, Germany, and died January 17, 1850. They were the parents of two children but the younger is now deceased.

Frank Sonnet acquired his education in the place of his nativity by attendance at parochial and private schools until nineteen years of age. Ile afterward engaged in teaching school until he left the fatherland for the new world. Bid- ding adien to friends and native country he sailed for the United States on the 18th of April. 1869, and took up his abode in Quincy, where he inet his maternal grandfather, Frank Kiefer, who had come to this city in 1852 and was living with his children, here making his home until his death, which occurred in March, 1875.

Mr. Sonnet entered upon his business career in the new world as a shipping clerk in the em- ploy of Browa Brothers, with whom he remained for six months, and in the meantime he applied himself diligently to acquiring a knowledge of the English language. In March, 1871, he en- tered the bakery of Thuer & Hellhake as an ap- prentice. remaining there for a year and a half. Ile then removed to Canton. Missouri, where he was employed in a bakery for two years, and later went to Wyoming territory with a survey- ing party. laying out townships for the govern- ment. Ile continned with that party for seven months and on the Ist of December, 1873, having returned to Quiney, he entered into partnership with his former employer, Joseph Thuer, in the bakery business. This firm continued for four years, at the end of which time Mr. Sonnet soll out to his partner and established an independ- ent bakery, which he conducted with success until the spring of 1886. He then returned to his native land upon a visit and also traveled in Switzerland in company with Gerry W. Vanden Boom. Ile spent several weeks pleasantly in re- newing the acquaintances of his youth and in visiting the scenes amid which his boyhood days were passed.

Again coming to the new world he had charge for one year of the books and collections for the

firm of Metzger & Freiburg, and in August, 1888, he entered into partnership with William Cunane in the conduet of a restaurant, which they carried on until the spring of 1893. At that time Mr. Sounet and his wife visited Ger- many, remaining abroad for four months. In January, 1894, in company with friends, they made a trip to California and following his re- turn in the spring of that year he was appointed by Mayor Steinbach special tax collector for the city of Quiney, vontiming in the office for four years. In the spring of 1898 he was elected city treasurer and ex-officio town collector, holding this office for two years and giving bond for one million, five hundred thousand dollars. In No- vember. 1902, he was elected county treasurer, which position he is now filling.

On the 4th of June, 1875, Mr. Sonnet was married to Miss Christina Mast, a daughter of Joseph and Maria Anna Bross, who was born in Quincy, in 1854, while her parents were natives of Germany, her mother having come to Quincy with her parents in her girlhood days.

Mr. and Mrs Sonnet are members of the Cath- olie church and he belongs to the Western Cath- olie Union, the Firemen's Benevolent Association and the Knights of Columbus. His political al- legiance is given to the democratic party and npon that ticket he has been elected to the offices which he has so ably filled, therein proving his loyalty to his adopted eity.

DAVID D. STEINER. M. D.

Dr. David D. Steiner, physician and surgeon of Quiney, was born of pioneer parents near Loraine, Illinois, in 1860. ITis father, Michael Steiner, was born in Coberg, Saxe, Germany, in 1810. He came to the United States in 1836 and a year later located in Quiney, where he worked at the miller's trade five years for Mr. Whipple. Michael Steiner and Auna C. Goebel were mar- ried in Qniney in 1839 and in 1842 moved to a farm in Keene township, where they resided un- til their deaths. in 1892 and 1898, respectively. In their family were seven children : Amelia, the wife of Peter Kropp of Mountain Grove, Mis- souri : George, of Loraine; Iliram, of Stillwell. Illinois: Anna C. Pratt, who died in 1893 : John P .. who died in 1889; David D .; and Nancy E., wife of Monroe Hartman, Loraine, Illinois.

Dr. Steiner's early education was acquired in the public schools of his home neighborhood, and he afterward attended Valparaiso College, Val- paraiso, Indiana, where he completed his course and graduated with the class of 1883, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Desiring to be- come a member of the medical fraternity, he en-

எஸ்ச்சி

DD Steiner

901

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

tered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, lowa, and completed the regular course, graduating with the elass of 1886. He then re- turned to his home town of Loraine. where he practiced his profession five years. Wishing a wider field of labor, in 1891 he came to Quiney, where he has been actively engaged in the prae- tice of medieine until the present time. Ilis suc- cess is very gratifying, and he has no desire for a change.

Dr. Steiner was married in 1887 to Emma I. Russell, daughter of L. D. Russell, Russell's Place, Ohio, and unto them have been born two sons: but Paul R., who was born in 1888, died in 1890. The surviving son is Hugh Wynne, whose birth occurred in 1890.

Dr. Steiner is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. the Odd Fellows lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp. His political allegianee was given to the democracy until 1896. and since that time he has been an earnest republiean. His entire life has been passed in Adams county, and those who know him best are his warmest friends. a fact which indicates an honest and honorable career.

CHARLES F. TENHAEFF.

Charles F. Tenhaeff, who is carrying on agri- eultural pursuits in Northeast township, was born in Adams county. October 27. 1865. His father. C. J. Tenhaeff, was born in Germany and came to Illinois in 1855, settling first in St. Louis. where he remained for two years. He then re- moved to Northeast township. Adams county, where he still makes his home, having for many years been actively identified with agricultural interests in this eounty. He first married Eliza Burk, by whom he had three children, namely : Fred, who lives on a farm adjoining our sub- ject's place. married Stella McCord and has three children : Charles F. is the next of the fan- ily: and Clara died in childhood. The mother of these children died in 1869. and the father subsequently married Ellen Bacon. now de- ceased, but he is still living and is numbered among the respeeted and worthy German-Amer- iean citizens of Adams county.

Charles F. Tenhaeff, reared to farm life. early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil. He pursued his education in La Prai- rie and in Quincy, spending one year as a student in the latter place. After completing his own edneation he turned his attention to teaching, which profession he followed for three terms, but with that exception he has always given his at- tention to farming. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land on see-

tions 26 and 27, Northeast township, and his farm is valuable because of the excellent im- provements he has placed upon it and the modern methods which he follows in its development and cultivation.

Mr. Tenhaeff was united in marriage to Miss Florence G. Ketchum, who was born in Haneock county, Illinois, December 13. 1868. Hler grand- parents are still living in Augusta. Hancock county. Her parents are A. J. and A. E. Ketchum. natives of New York, and in their family were right children: Eugene, living in Northeast township: Mrs. Tenhaeff: Loretta, the wife of J. W. Leidy. of Benson, Nebraska : Richard B., of Pocatello, Idaho: Edna, also liv- ing in Pocatello: Margaret A., at home: Ellen P., who is now in Spokane. Washington: and James E .. deceased. Mrs. Tenhaeff was reared under the parental roof and pursued her educa- tion in Golden and in the Bushnell Normal School. at Bushnell, Illinois. She. too, became a teacher and was thus engaged for four terms. On the 3d of March, 1892. she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Tenhaeff and to them have been born three children : Arthur E., born August 13, 1893: Hale M .. April 25. 1895: and Ralph II .. September 26. 1897. Mrs. Tenhaeff belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Tenhaeff is liberal in his political views, but in matters of citizenship relating to publie progress is al- ways deeply interested. In his business affairs he is also progressive and in the management of his agricultural interests displays excellent abil- ity and foresight.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 130

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