Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 132

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 132

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Mr. Musselman is also the manager of the D. L. Musselman Publishing Company. of Quincy. of which he was one of the organizers. This company furnishes commercial text-books, books. pens and supplies of all kinds required by com- mercial schools, and does an extensive business, covering the entire United States. A large muim- ber of orders come from all the English speak- ing nations.

Mr. Musselman is a member of Lambert lodge, No. 659. A. F. & A. M., Quiney chapter of Royal Arch Masons, El Aksa commandery. No. 55, K. T., a thirty-second degree Mason of the Quincy consistory and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Chicago. Ile is likewise a member of the Quiney Country Club and secretary of the Quiney Osankee Club for the year 1905. le he- longs to the Vermont street Methodist Episcopal church. Ilis political support is given to the republican party. His own career is a criterion of the work of the school and its practical busi- ness training. Although a young man he is re- garded as one of the leading representative busi- ness men of the city, possessed of a large share of that enterprise and keen discernment which have led to the rapid and substantial upbuilding of the middle west.

ALBERT HI. SOHM, D. D. S.

Dr. Albert HI. Sohm, although a member of the dental fraternity of Quiney for only a brief pe- riod, has already attained success that many an older practitioner might well envy and his ability and ambition are such as insure further advance- ment. He was born in this city, August 14, 1880, and is of German lineage, his grandfather having come from Germany to America in the '30s. He was engaged in the grocery business in Quincy at an early day. His father, Edward Sohm, was born in Quincy, in 1842, and is now engaged in the glass and chinaware business in this city. In early life he engaged in teaching

D. L. MUSSELMAN, JR.

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school but for many years has been connected with the erockery business, and is now the senior member of the firm of Sohm, Ricker & Wiesen- horn. Ile married Barbara Helmer and they are the parents of five living children, namely : William, who married Miss Rose Granacher and resides in Quincy ; Edward, at home: Albert II .; Theresa, the wife of Clarence Brockmann, a resi- dent of Mount Sterling, Illinois; and Catherine, the wife of Theodore Ileideman, of Quincy. They also lost two children.

Dr. Solun acquired his preliminary education in the parochial schools of his native city and afterward attended St. Francis College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1898. lle then entered the I'nion Business College and was graduated from the National Business Col- lege with the class of 1900. lle took up the study of dentistry under Dr. Buehner, with whom he remained for two years, and then entered Washington University, at St. Louis, where he was a student for three years. Ile had studied dentistry while attending St. Francis College and the Business College and at Washington Univer- sity he took a medical course, continuing his studies in that line to within six months of grad- uation. In April. 1903, having completed his course in dentistry, he opened an office for prac- tice in Quiney, at No. 52316 Maine street, which has since been his place of location. He became the successor of Dr. Ing and has a large and growing practice for which his practical work with Dr. Buehner, as well as his college training, well fitted him.

Dr. Sohm is a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and also belongs to St. Boniface Catholic church. while in his political views he is an earnest republican.

WILLIAM FRANKLIN HARRIS.

William Franklin Harris, now farming on see- tion 27, Payson township, was born May 16, 1866, in the house where he now resides, his pa- rents being Franklin and Emily L. ( Shaw ) Har- ris. ITis father, who was born in Wythe county, Virginia, September 12. 1823, was brought to Illi- nois by his parents, who settled in Richfield, in 1830, living in a log cabin. Franklin was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, sharing with the family in the hardships and privations which always come to the pioneer. His educa- tional privileges were limited to the meagre ad- vantages afforded by the district schools but in the school of experience he afterward learned valuable lessons and by reading he kept well in- formed on the questions of general interest of the day. After his marriage he purchased a

farm west and south of Plainville and there re- mained until he purchased the southwest quarter of section 27, Payson township, on which he re- sided at the time of his death. A number of years after, however, he bought a nice homestead in Plainville on section 23 and lived there until the fall of 1902, when he returned to the home farm, living with his son William F. Harris until he passed away. December 12, 1902. While in Plainville he engaged in merchandising for a number of years and afterward lived retired until called to his final rest. In 1854 he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a devoted Christian man. Ile was also an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and became a charter member of Adams lodge, No. 529, A. F. & A. M., at Plainville. One who knew him well said of him: "He was faithful and true in all the relations of life, a good hus- band, a noble father. an honored citizen. a brother well beloved in the Masonic order, a pil- lar in the house of God, a man esteemed by all who knew him."

Franklin Harris was married on the 18th of May. 1848, to Miss Emily L. Shaw, a daughter of Daniel and Ilepsibeth ( Eastwood) Shaw. Her father, who was born September 2, 1784, died July 16, 1843. and his wife, who was born March 23. 1786, died January 15, 1855. They were married September 4, 1805, and were early set- tlers of Pike county, living near Barry. They were the parents of sixteen children : Mary, who was born July 26, 1806, and died January 25, 1853: William, born October 3, 1807, and died October 27, 1807 : Sarah, who was born and died June 10, 1808: William H., born April 22, 1809, and died June 21, 1823: Sallie A., born April 18, 1811, and died September 11, 1835: Daniel A., born July 21, 1813; Matilda, born January 13, 1815: James, born January 12. 1816. and died February 4. 1816; John, who was born De- cember 15, 1816 and died October 11, 1818: Ly- dia, born February 25, 1818, and died March 16, 1818: a daughter, who was born June 24, 1819, and died the following day: John R., who was born May 4, 1820. and died December 7. 1826: Betsy Jane, born June 7, 1822, and died April 2, 1902: a son, who was born and died March 25. 1826; Emily Lucinda, born March 5, 1827 ; and Rebecca, who was born November 15, 1829, and died January 17, 1830.

William F. Harris was educated in the public schools of Plainville and in Chaddock College, where he pursued a literary course. Following the completion of his education he conducted a store in Plainville for five years and then sold out to Thomas Baker but continued to reside in Plain- ville for two years, canvassing for musical in- struments for Hardin Forgy. In March, 1891,

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he took up his abode upon the old home farm, where he has since lived and he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres, constituting the southwest quarter of section 27. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance, owing to his careful supervision, practical methods and the modern improvements which he has placed thereon.

Mr. Harris was married, November 8, 1887, to Miss Eva L. Cane, a daughter of Sachavrell and Naney (Roaver) Cane, who lived in Morgan county, ten miles north of Jacksonville. ller father was born in Canada of Scotch parentage and the Beavers were of English descent. Mrs. Harris, who was born JJune 23, 1870, was edu- eated in Plainville and by her marriage has be- come the mother of six children, of whom four are living: Clarence A., born September 30. 1888; Imra Emily, born Angust 5, 1890; Annie May, born November 22, 1892; Cecil Dove, who was born June 1, 1893, and died the same day: Franklin Hardin, who was born March 7, 1894, and died the following day ; and Edith Marie, born September 23, 1900. The three oldest children are attending school.

Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist church of Plainville and he is a republican in his political views. He also be- longs to the odd Fellows lodge of Plainville, of which he is secretary and a past noble grand, and he has twice been its representative to the grand lodge. We also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 116, of Plainville, and he and his wife are connected with the Plainville Daughters of Rebekah lodge, No. 311. The fam- ily takes very active interest in religions work. The children are all members of the Missionary Baptist church, Mr. Harris' mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and she is also connected with the Plainville lodge and also the Woman's Relief corps. The family is one of prominence in this part of the county and their influenee is over for good and for social, intel- lectual and moral progress.

GEORGE ERTEL.

This is a utilitarian age in which marked advancement has been made in those great de- partments of labor which have resulted bene- ficially for the majority of mankind. The spirit of invention has been dominant, and no country has made as rapid progress in giving to the world invention of practical benefit as has America. In this connection Mr. Ertel deserves distinctive mention, being one of the leading in- ventors and manufacturers of the great Missis- sippi valley. He was president of the George Ertel Company, manufacturers of hay presses,

baling machinery, inenbators, brooders, etc., and he secured the patent right on most of these de- vices.

Mr. Ertel was born in Germany, April 10, 1830. His parents were well-to-do and spent their entire lives in the fatherland, both pass- ing away during the youth of their son. In the common schools of his native country George Ertel acquired his education, but at the age of thirteen years he ran away from home and be- gan learning the trade of cabinetmaking. Ile worked for several years in different cities in the manufacture of furniture, but, on the advice of a younger brother, who was then located in Penn- sylvania, he decided to try his fortune in Amer- ica, and in 1854 crossed the Atlantic accompa- nied by his widowed mother, an elder brother and a younger sister. They took passage at Havre, France, upon a sailing vessel, which after four weeks reached the harbor of New York.

George Ertel then made a location in the state of New York, securing employment at furniture- making in Elmira on the 18th of June of that vear, but the following year he removed to Wil- liamsport, Pennsylvania, being engaged at cabi- netmaking in that town and in different locali- ties in the Keystone state. He continued a resi- dent of Williamsport until May, 1856, when, thinking that he would have better business op- portunities in the new but rapidly-growing west, he came to Quincy, where he was employed at cabinetmaking for three years. He then removed to the village of Liberty, where he opened a small furniture store. It was about this time that he began to figure upon patent rights. The hay press had already been patented, and Mr. Ertel had invented and patented his first baling press, which he manufactured in connection

with the conduet of his furniture business in Liberty. In many important features his hay press was an improvement on anything previ- onsly introduced and it attracted more than ordi- nary attention. At that time a hay press was practically unknown, there being but one or two machines on the market and these were mite imperfect. As there was no railroad at Liberty, he returned to Quincy in 1868 and com- meneed the manufacture of baling machinery, exclusively, in a small shop where the present extensive works are located. A company was formed known as the George Ertel Company, and the business has since been conducted under that name. In extent and importance the busi- ness grew very rapidly, and new styles of baling presses were introduced from time to time until Mr. Ertel conducted one of the largest and most important plants in this line of business in the entire country. The demand covered every state and extended to Canada, Mexico and all other countries where baling machinery is

GEORGE ERTEL

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used. The expansion of the business was con- tinuous and gratifying and the manufacturing plant beeame one of the leading productive in- dustries of Quincy. Early in 1893 Mr. Ertel in- vented and patented a complete line of incuba- tors and brooders, and this branch of the busi- ness became one of its important features. In December, 1893, the entire business was incor- porated under the name of the George Ertel Company. Mr. Ertel being chosen as its presi- dent, in which capacity he has served continu- ously up to the time of his demise, covering a period of about nine years, his death occurring February 16, 1902. He possessed marked me- chanieal ingenuity and superior skill along me- chanieal lines, and from a small beginning he developed an enterprise of considerable magni- tude, it becoming a leading industrial concern and one which proved a gratifying source of profit to the stockholders. The George Ertel Company plant is now located at No. 515 to 523 Kentucky street, and a son, Charles M. Ertel, is now president, while Mrs. Ertel, his mother, owns the controlling interest in the business. A large force of workmen is employed and the ont- put of the plant is extensive.

Mr. Ertel was married in Williamsport, Penn- sylvania. to Miss Eva Elizabeth Gardner, a na- tive of Germany, born September 10, 1838, at Newburg-on-the-Rhine, Bavaria, and a daughter of John and Barbara (Reinhart) Gardner, who were also natives of the fatherland, where Mr. Gardner condueted a large wholesale fish and game market for many years. By the growth of his business and its capable management he be- eame very well-to-do. Eventually he crossed the Atlantic to Ameriea, settling in Pennsylvania, where he resided for a few years, and then eame to Quincy, Illinois, where he lived retired until his death. Ilis wife died in St. Louis, Missouri. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ertel was born one child, Charles M., whose birth occurred September 18, 1864. He married Odelia Morell, and they have four children : Elsie, Pauline. Edna and Georgia Anna. The son upon his father's death sue- eeeded to the presidency of the George Ertel Company, and is thus actively connected with the management of the business.

In his political views Mr. Ertel usually advo- eated democratic principles, but at local elections, where no issue was involved, often east his ballot independently of party ties. He never faltered in the support of his honest convictions and was always fearless in espousing a cause that he be- lieved to be right. In 1873 he was elected a member of the city council and served for two years, while in 1875-76 he was a member of the board of supervisors. Many times he was so- licited to become a candidate for office, but al- ways declined save on the two oceasions men-

tioned. preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He was a leading and in- fiuential member of the Masonic fraternity, be- coming a charter member of the lodge at Liberty and later joining the lodge in Quincy. His life was characterized by successful accomplishment, which was the result of the development of his latent powers and the exercise of sound business judgment and unremitting diligence. Hle was a man free from ostentation or display, but he possessed those sterling traits of character which won him the respeet and esteem of all elasses of people, and when he was called to his final rest his death was the occasion for deep and sincere sorrow throughout Quiney and Adams county wherever he was known. Mrs. Ertel, still sur- viving her husband, owns a beautiful home at No. 1261 Park Place, where she resides, and she also has other city property.

C. M. SLOAN.

C. M. Sloan, an enterprising farmer residing on seetion 4. Concord township, where he has one hundred and sixty aeres of land, was born Mareh 12. 1846, in Greensburg, Ohio. He was a son of John and Margaret (Cummings) Sloan. The father was born September 26, 1813, in Lebanon, Madison county. New York, and the mother's birth oceurred in Kingston, Upper Canada, De- cember 31, 1811. Removing westward, John Sloan took up his abode in Ohio, locating at Greensburg when a young man. During his residence there he engaged in teaching school, also practiced law and served as justice of the peace and elerk of the township. In 1876 he removed from Ohio to Adams county, Illinois, settling on section 4, Concord township, where he purchased the farm upon which his son now lives, its former owner being David Bollinger. Upon that place he spent his remaining days, his attention being devoted to agricultural pur- suits until he laid aside active business cares. He died November 26, 1892. his wife having passed away January 25, 1882.

C. M. Sloan was educated at Ashtabula Nor- mal Institute in Orwell. Ohio, and when the war broke out he joined a company of men called Squirrel llunters, who were organized in order to drive back or eapture General Mosby when he threatened an attack on Cineinnati, Ohio. At a later date Mr Sloan secured employment as a farm hand and was one day mowing grass when a man rode past on horseback and threw a paper over the fence. containing a notice of Morgan's raid in Ohio. Mr. Sloan immediately hung his seythe upon the fence, borrowed a gun and went to the county seat. where he obtained a horse from the livery barn and then went with a eom-

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pany who started to check the advance of the rebel general and finally succeeded in capturing him at New Lisbon, Ohio. In February, 1863, Mr. Sloan regularly enlisted, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, with which he served until Sep- tember 18, 1865. With this command he was in active duty in the south until honorably dis- charged after the close of the war. Ile was largely on sconting duty in the Shenandoah valley.

Following the close of hostilities Mr. Sloan came to Illinois, where he has since remained. For several years he engaged in teaching school, being employed in many of the schools in Adams county. Since that time he has given his undi- vided attention to agricultural pursuits and is justly regarded as one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Concord township. HIe is to-day the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 4, and has a well devel- oped property, his fields being placed under a high state of cultivation, while the heat and thrifty appearance of the farm indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods.

On the 26th of February, 1869, Mr. Sloan was married to Miss Martha C. Bollinger, who was born April 16, 1851, in Concord township, Adams connty. and is a daughter of David and Cather- ine ( Riggs) Bollinger. The father was born in Claiborne county, Tennessee, May 28, 1811, and in 1828 went to Morgan county, Illinois, with his parents, the family home being established on a farm near Jacksonville. In 1829 he went to the Indian reservation at Osage Mission, where he spent seven years, and follownig his return to Morgan county, Ilinois, he was married on the 5th of February, 1838, to Miss Catherine Riggs, of Jacksonville, her birth having wenrred in Tennessee. April 4. 1818. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger came to Adams county. where he purchased the east half of the south- west quarter of section 4, Concord township, and later he bought the west half of the same quarter. flere he developed what is known as the Bollin- ger farm, which is to-day owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Sloan. He was highway com- missioner and school director for some time and was interested in all that pertains to the progress and improvement of his locality. An earnest Christian man he was deeply interested in re- ligions and educational work and his co-opera- tion was always freely given for its promotion. In early life he became a member of the Pres- byterian church. while in his later years he joined the Regular Baptist church. After selling his farm to John Sloan he removed to Arkansas. spending his remaining days in that state and in Colorado. He died at Eads, Colorado, Sep- tember 22, 1889, his wife having died on the old

homestead in Concord township. October 5, 1872. They are survived by three of their chil- dren, namely : Mrs. Martha C. Sloan : R. Bollin- ger, a resident of Colorado : and J. R. Bollinger, who is living in New Mexico.

Mr. and Mrs. Sloan had one child-Myron E., who was born March 29, 1871. and died May 11, 1881. The parents are members of the Chris- tian church and are highly esteemed in the com- munity where they reside. Mr. Sloan gives his political support to the republican party and has served as town clerk for six years and as school treasurer for fifteen years. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with his comrades, who wore the uniform of the nation and fought for the defense of the Union.

II. M. LEWIS.

II. M. Lewis, who is now living a retired life at Camp Point. but for forty years was one of the active and energetic farmers of Adams county, accumulating thirteen hundred acres of land in Clayton township, was also numbered among the pioneer residents of this part of the state, having established his home in the county in 1840. He was born in JJefferson county. Kentucky, August 10, 1816. ITis father, Michael Lewis, who was a native of Russia, came to the new world when a lad of thirteen years. He afterward settled in Kentucky and was there married to Miss Eliza- beth Omer, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared, however, in the Pine Tree state and was a daughter of Daniel Omer.

1I. M. Lewis spent his boyhood days in the state of his nativity, working at farm labor and acquiring his education in the public schools. IIe was there married to Miss Sarah Kelley, a native of Kentucky. November 26, 1838. They came to Illinois in 1840. settling in Clayton township. Adams county, where he rented a tract of land, on which he engaged in farming for four years. Ile then bought eighty acres of raw prairie land and twenty acres of timber land and, with char- acteristic energy, he began the development of his farm. This he at once broke and fenced and, in the course of years, productive fields returned him splendid harvests. As he found opportunity he made judicious investments until he became the owner of thirteen hundred acres of very val- able land, all lying in Clayton township. His home farm comprises two hundred and forty acres, on which he erected a good residence and substantial barns and ontbuildings, and, in con- nection with the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he also engaged in the raising of fruit and stock. He continued his

MRS. H. M. LEWIS

H. M. LEWIS

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active farm operations until 1884, when he sold the home place to a son and purchased a good, neat residence in Camp Point, where he has since lived, retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned.

Mr. Lewis lost his wife December 20, 1891, her remains being laid to rest in the Pleasant View cemetery. There were twelve children by that marriage, all of whom are yet living, namely : Samuel K., who resides in St. Clair county, Mis- souri : John, a resident farmer of Adams county ; William M., who is engaged in the harness busi- ness in Arcade. Oklahoma: Henry J., of Camp Point : Daily C., who is a farmer of Adams county : Charles E., who owns and operates the old homestead; Sarah I., the wife of Samuel Manhollan, a farmer of Clayton township: Mar- tha, the wife of Robert Hoke, a farmer of (lay- ton township: Susan, the wife of Richard S. Curry, of Camp Point; Armenia, the wife of James TI. Pierce, of Camp Point: Joanna, the wife of William N. Wischart, of Camp Point: and Lizzie A., the wife of James E. Funk, a resi- dent farmer of Clayton township.

Politically. Mr. Lewis is a republican. gave his support to the whig party in early life. proudly casting his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and he continued to advocate its principles until the dissolution of the advocate its principles until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He holds mem- bership in the Christian church at Pleasant View. Mr. Lewis has been very liberal with his children. giving all his sons and daughters a good start in life by providing them with liberal educational privileges and also with the means that enabled them to secure homes or property interests. For sixty-five years a resident of the county, he is familiar with its history from pioneer times down to the present. and his memory bears the impress of many events which have become historical in connection with the annals of this part of the state.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 132

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