Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 133

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 133

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ED. F. JACOBS.

Ed. F. Jacobs resides upon a farm a mile west of Lima, where he is engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits and stoek-raising. He was born August 22, 1868. in Lima, and is a son of Francis M. and Celatha (Crenshaw) Jacobs. He ac- quired his education in the public schools of Lima township and in the Gem City Business College of Quiney, and being thus well equipped to meet the practical duties of life he entered

upon a mercantile career in Lima, continuing in that business for two and one-half years. He then sold out and began farming. In 1897 he purchased eighty acres of land on seetion 12. Lima township, and he lives upon a farm owned by his father-in-law, comprising one hundred and forty acres. This he operates in connection with his own land, so that he is carrying on farming pursuits on quite an extensive seale. His land is well improved, and he also raises stock of good grades.

On the 7th of December. 1892, Mr. Jacobs was married to Miss Effie Bolt, a daughter of David and Nancy ( Howes) Bolt of Lima. She was born in Adams county, March 14, 1870, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children : Ellett May, who was born May 12. 1895, and HIcury Francis, born November 30, 1902.

In 1892 Mr. Jacobs was elected to the posi- tion of collector and has also served as school director for several years. Since attaining his majority he has voted for the men and measures of the democratie party and is deeply interested in its success. He belongs to Lima lodge, No. 135. A. F. & A. M., and Lima eamp, No. 2510, M. W. A. Mrs. Jacobs is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. and they have many friends in the community where they have al- ways resided, while the hospitality of the best homes of this locality is freely accorded to them.

JOHN F. PIEPER.

The record which the American citizens hold in highest esteem is that of the self-made man. who in the course of a business career works his way upward from a humble position to a com- manding one in the world of industrialism or commereialism, through methods that neither seek nor require disguise. Such is the life his- tory of John F. Pieper, who has spent his entire life in Quincy and is now at the head of one of its large and successful industrial enterprises.

Mr. Pieper was born here. July 2, 1854, his parents being Simon II. and Mary (Voelker) Pieper. The father came from Lippe, Germany, in 1848, making his way direct to Quincy, where he worked at his trade of cabinet making for a time and then entered the Johnson Furniture Works, being employed therein until his death, which occurred in 1901, when he was seventy- four years of age. His wife also passed away in that year. They were the parents of five children, of whom two are living : John F. and Lizzie, the latter the wife of H. Schluetter, of Quiney.

John F. Pjeper attended the publie schools un- til sixteen years of age and afterward worked

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as a farm hand for six years. When twenty-two years of age he began learning the cabinet-mak- er's trade with the Jansen Furniture Company, with which he continued for about four years. He then entered the employ of the JJoseph Knit- tel Show Case Company, with whom he continued for two years, thoroughly mastering that busi- ness, so that in 1876, with practical experience and comprehensive knowledge, he entered the same line of business on his own account. in a small way. being located on Maine street, be- tween Fifth and Sixth streets. There be re- mained for three years and the business gradu- ally expanded until within that time he was em- ploying ten men. Finding it necessary to seek more commodious quarters in order to meet the increasing demands of his trade, in 1879 he re- moved to Maine street between Third and Fourth streets and increased the munber of his employes three-fold. The business at this time was con- dueted under the firm style of J. F. Pieper & Company, 11. C. Pieper having been admitted to a partnership. This was continued until 1888, when the business was incorporated under the name of the Quincy Show Case Works, with Mr. Pieper as president of the company and his part- ner as secretary and treasurer. In 1884 they removed to 28 Maine street, in a building sixty- four by one hundred and eighty feet and four stories in height, and here employment is fur- nished to one hundred and fourteen men. They manufacture all kinds of show cases and store fixtures and thus from a small beginning the busi- ness has been developed to extensive proportions with a large annual output of their product and a good financial return. Mr. Pieper is also a stockholder in the Michelman Boiler Works of Quiney, and has made for himself a favorable and enviable position in trade eireles here. while his labors have been of a character that have furnished general prosperity as well as bis individual success.

Mr. Pieper was married to Miss Lonisa Erke, a daughter of Frank Erke, a farmer of Liberty township. Adams county, and one of the early settlers. His death occurred in 1899 and his wife passed away in 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper were married in 1880 and they had five children, of whom one is deceased. The others are: Henry F., twenty-three years of age, connected with his father in business; Ida and Clara, at home ; and Frank, who is attending the Gem City Business College. One daughter, Bertha, died at the age of four years.

Fraternally Mr. Pieper is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Mutual Aid Society and the Knights of the Maccabees. IIe belongs to the Salem Evangelical German church, at Ninth and State streets, and is also a director in the Young Men's Christian

Association. In his political views he is a repub- lican, but has had neither time nor desire to seek political preferment as a reward for party feal- ty, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. There has been no esoteric phase in his career, but a persisteney of purpose which has overcome obstacles and surmounted difficulties. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well.

MRS. MARY RICE.

Mrs. Mary Rice, whose home is on section 27, Houston township, where she owns an excellent farm of one hundred and thirty acres, is a na- tive of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born April 17, 1836, her parents being Jacob and Han- nah (Kelly ) Davidson. Iler paternal grand- father was also named Jacob Davidson and her maternal grandfather was a Mr. Kelly. Both were of English lineage. Her great-grandfather was a minister of the Presbyterian church. Her mother was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, March 12, 1816.

During the early girlhood of their daughter, Mary, JJacob and Hannah Davidson removed to Fayette county. Pennsylvania, where the daugh- ter was reared and made her home until after her marriage. In 1854 she became the wife of John Riee, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1828, and was of French and German descent. He pursued his education in the public schools of his native state and was engaged in merchandising in Pennsyl- vania, after attaining his majority. In the spring of 1855 he came with his wife to Illinois, they making the journey down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers to Quincy, Illinois, and thence in a box car to Camp Point. They located in Houston township, where Mr. Rice carried on general farming until his death. In 1858 they took up their abode on the farm which is now the home of Mrs. Rice, and Mr. Rice devoted his en- ergies to its further development and improve- ment until his life's labors were ended on the 3d of October, 1893.

In his business affairs he was energetic and determined, resolute and persevering, and the snecess which he enjoyed was all gained through his own efforts. In community affairs he was prominent and he favored every movement and measure for the public good. Ile served as a school trustee and also school director and the cause of public education found in him a warm friend. He was loyal to his friends, devoted to bis family, and honorable in all business transac- tions and thus he left to his children an untarn- ished name. ITis political allegiance was given to the democracy and he served his fellow towns-

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men as supervisor for two terms and as assessor for several terms.

Into Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born eight chil- dren. Theresa Ann, who was born March 7. 1856, is the wife of Sanmel JJ. Nevins and lives in California : Hannah F., born November 20, 1858, is the wife of John Dorch and lives in Hancock conaty, Ilinois: Lydia May, who was born November 29. 1860, is the wife of William Bruffy and resides in Golden: Cyrus D., who was born June 21. 1863, married Maggie Hurdle, their home being in Hancock county: Bryttie, who was born November 7, 1865, became the wife of Edgar R. Strickler, a resident of Missouri. but she died January 16, 1902, leaving Your daughters: Lawrence MI., born September 15. 1869, is at home : George H1., who was born Sep- tember 21, 1872. married Myrtle Sammons, their home being in Houston township: Arthur W., who was born February 26, 1875, is living at home. The two sons at home are opertaing the farm for their mother. They are democrats in their political faith and both George and Law- renee are members of the Masonie fraternity, while Arthur is identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Golden. The last named practically has charge of the farm and is engaged in the eulti- vation of the fields and the raising of stock, both branches of the business returning a good in- come. The farm comprises one hundred and thir- ty acres of rich and arable land, which is pleas- antly and conveniently located within four and a half miles of Golden, and is situated on sections 22 and 27. Houston township.

Mrs. Rice is a member of the United Brethren church. She has lived upon the old home farm since 1858 and has been a resident of the county for a half century, during which time a wonder- ful transformation has been wrought here in all the lines of business activity. She can recall many scenes and incidents of pioneer times and her memory forms a connecting link between the past, with its lack of improvements, and the pro- gressive present, when all sections of the county show every indication of an advanced civilization.

SAMUEL N. COOK.

Samuel N. Cook, a prosperous and prominent farmer of Ellington township, living on section 29, was born in London, England, December 25, 1844, and is a son of John and Ann (Reynard) Cook. also natives of England, the former born Jannary 13, 1802, the latter March 4, 1814. The father engaged in gardening in his native land and in 1845 he bade adien to his friends and na- tive country and sailed with his family to Amer- ica. He located in Adams county and the fol- lowing year he purchased forty acres of land now

owned by Harris Cook, joining the land of Sam- nel N. C'ook on the south. He farmed there until his death, which occurred September 16, 1876. Ile was one of the worthy pioneer residents of the county and died respeeted by all who knew him. In his family wer seven children : James HI .. now deceased. who served for three years in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Nineteeth Illinois Infantry ; Rey- nard, of Quincy, who for three years served as captain in the Third Wisconsin Infantry ; John, a member of a publishing company of New York city ; Mrs. Anna Smith, of Kansas; Sammel N. : Harris, who is on the home Farm; and Mrs. Re- becca Haynes.

Samuel N. Cook was only six weeks old when his parents came to the United States. He was reared and educated in Adams county, no event of special importance ocenrring to vary the rontine of farm life for him in his youth. Hle rontinned to reside upon the home farm until 1881, when he purchased forty acres where he now resides. Here he raises corn and stock, some of his land being devoted to pasturage, and he has good grades of cattle and hogs. He also owns eighty aeres about a mile from his home place, devoted to general farming, and twenty acres of timber land.

On January 28, 1875, Mr. Cook married Miss Martha Powell, who was born in Ellington town- ship, September 16 1848, a daughter of John Powell, who was born in Kent county, Delaware. June 13, 1802, and was a son of Mark Powell, of Delaware. His father was a native of England. John Powell wedded Mary Lewis, who was born in Kent county, Delaware, March 10, 1809, and was a daughter of Benjamin Lewis, also a native of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Powell came to Adams county in 1832 and settled in Ellington township, where he entered three hundred and twenty aeres of land from the government. This was entirely wild and unimproved and the first tax which he paid amounted to only sixty cents. Ile continued the cultivation and development of his farm until he wronght a wonderful trans- formation in its appearance and it became very productive. He died March 6, 1881, at the age of eighty years, and his wife passed away No- vember 11, 1892, when eighty-two years of age. There were fifteen children in the Powell family, of whom the following are living: Mrs. Hester AA. Kidney, of Oklahoma ; Mrs. Naney Cochran, of Iowa: Mrs. Margaret Cook, of Quincy : Mrs. Cook : Mrs. Matilda Banghert, of Bloomfield, Illi- nois ; and Thomas, a farmer of Quincy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born five children : Charlotte, Cora, John, Arthur and Edgar.

Mr. Cook votes with the republican party and has been called to publie office by his fellow townsmen who recognize his worth and ability,

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having served as township collector, road com- missioner and school trustee. lle is public- spirited and fosters every movement for the gen- eral good. and his personal worth has endeared him to many friends, who have known him from his boyhood days to the present time.

WILLIAM GREWE.

William Grewe, whose business career clearly illustrated the possibilities for accomplishment through diligence and determination in America, having come to this country empty-handed and steadily worked his way upward to affluence, was born in Germany. March 18, 1851. His par- ents were farming people of that country and there spent their entire lives. The son was reared upon the home farm. early becoming familiar with the practical work of the fields, and in the public schools he acquired his education. Feel- ing, however, that labor in America is a more di- rect source of profit than in the old country, where wages are very low, he sailed for the United States in 1870. coming direct to Quincy. Ile was then in carly manhood and in order to learn the English language and also broaden his knowledge, he attended the public schools here and worked at various kinds of labor in order to meet his expenses while pursuing his education.

Mr. Grewe afterward went to Hancock county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for a short time, and then returned to Quincy, but after a brief period he purchased a farm here in Adams county, near the village of Fowler, where he en- gaged in general agrienltural pursuits. Success attended his labors and the sale of rich crops en- abled him to buy more land until he was the owner of a very valuable and productive tract of two hundred acres, on which he placed many modern improvements.

Mr. Grewe was twice married. He first wedded Mary Lindenberger, who died in Quincy, 1894. He afterward married Miss Lena Spory, a native of Germany, born January 9. 1861, and a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth (Wagner) Spory. also natives of Germany, whenee they came to Amer- ica at an early day, settling in Hancock county, Illinois, where the father continued to engage in farming until his death. His wife also died on the farm there. Mr. Grewe had two children by his first marriage: Frederick W .. who has been an invalid during the greater part of his life and now resides with Mrs. Grewe; and Au- enst B., who is his father's successor in business. Ile married Lum Swartz and resides at No. 1016 York street.

To the work of general farming Mr. Grewe di- rected his energies until 1882, when he removed

to Quiney and took the city contract for the sprinkling of all the streets. He purchased sev- eral sprinkling wagons, employed several men and gave his personal supervision to the business until his death. Hle also engaged in the retail coal business, but because of failing health he turned the business over to his son and retired to private life. Ilis death occurred January 8, 1904.

lle was always deeply interested in politics, was an earnest champion of republican principles and did all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He held membership with the Salem Evangelical church, to which his wife also belongs. His business ca- reer was marked by steady advancement and growing success. He made the most of his op- portunities, was reliable at all times, and as the years advanced his capital increased until he was the possessor of considerable real and per- sonal property at the time of his demise. He built the brick residence where his widow now resides, at No. 301 South Eleventh street, and she owns other residence property at the corner of Fifteenth and Adams streets. She also has the old home farm of two hundred acres near the village of Fowler, partly lying in Gilmer and partly in Ellington townships.

ALFRED C. AMENT.

Alfred C. Ament, one of the successful farmers of Ursa township, whose prosperity has resulted entirely from his own labors, was born in Han- cock county, Illinois, December 30, 1852, and is a son of Calvin and Martha Ann (Lee) Ament. His parents came to Ilaneock county from the state of New York in early childhood with their respective parents. The father, who was born in 1822, was educated for the ministry and abont 1847 he was married and settled near War- saw in Hancock county. When he became a resi- dent of this state it was a wild. frontier region, few homes having been made in the district where the family located. Indians were very numerous and there were many panthers, wolves and bears. The family bore the hardships and trials incident to frontier life and aided largely in the substan- tial development of the county. Rev. Calvin Ament was a Methodist minister and preached frequently between Warsaw and Quincy. He would make an appointment to hold a service and would then deliver his sermon under a large elm tree. Ile died in the year 1854, and his wife passed away in August, 1885. They left two chil- dren, Marshall David. who is now living in Marion county, Missouri : and Alfred C.

Mr. AAment of this review obtained his educa- tion in the Newark Institute at Fowler. Kendall

WILLIAM GREWE

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county, Illinois, and in the high school at Camp Point. He was also a graduate of the Interna- tional Business College of Quincy. After leaving school, he began teaching in district No. 71, Ursa township, and followed that profession there for eighteen years. He afterward taught for one year in Ursa and one year in Marcelline. IIe has been a life insurance agent for several years and has owned and managed his farm since 1881. During a part of this time he also engaged in teaching school and has been an important factor in the edue ational development of the county. He has resided continuously upon his farm since 1889 and is to-day the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of rich bottom land, on which he car- ries on general agrienltural pursuits. The fields are well tilled and all modern improvements are seen upon his place, so that it is one of the best farms of the locality.

Mr. Ament was married July 31, 1878, to Miss Amanda L. Miller, a daughter of John L. and Susan J. (Jenkins) Miller, the former a native of Illinois and the latter coming from Kentucky. IIer father was a farmer by occupation and in 1862 he enlisted in the Seventy-eighth Illinois In- fantry with his brother. W. E. Miller, of Marcel- line. He was wounded September 20. 1863, at the battle of Chickamanga and after lying on the field for three days was taken to the hospital, where he died six weeks later. His wife's death occurred December 15, 1904, upon the farm near Ursa, when she was seventy-six years of age. Mrs. Ament was educated in the district sehools, being four years one of her husband's pupils dur- ing her girlhood, and after her marriage she taught school in the Rock Creek and Indian Grove districts for two years.

In his political views Mr. Ament is a repub- lican and has served as township treasurer for more than twenty years. He belongs to Marcel- line lodge No. 114. A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ile and his wife hold membership in the Christian church at Ursa and are aetive and zealous workers in its behalf, while their many sterling traits of character have gained for them the warm friendship of all with whom they come in contact.

JOEL DARRAH, M. D.

Dr. Joel Darrah, who figured prominently in the history of Adams county as a representative of the medical fraternity for many years, and whose life proved a great benefit to his fellow- men. is yet remembered by many of the older settlers of Adams eonnty and no history of lloney Creek township would be complete with-

out the record of his career. Dr. Darrah was born on the 20th day of July, 1808, in eastern Pennsylvania and his boyhood and youth were spent upon the farm, during which time he worked in the fields and profited by such educa- tional privileges as the public schools of the day and locality afforded. He possessed. however, a strong mind and laudable ambition, and deter- mining to enter the medical profession he matric- ulated in the University of Pennsylvania. being graduated from its medical department about 1834 or 1835. Following his graduation he located for practice in the office of his brother, Dr. Mark Darrah, for a year.

About 1836. however, he emigrated to Illinois, believing that the new, but rapidly developing, west would offer him an excellent opportunity for practice. Coming to this state he first began practicing at Collinsville, St. Clair county, Illi- mois, where he remained until 1841. That year witnessed his arrival in Adams county and he located on Section 13, Iloney Creek township. Although living on a farm he acquired an exten- sive practice-greater perhaps than that of any other physician who practiced in western Illinois at the time. His field of labor covered an area extending from Mendon on the west to Mount Sterling on the east, and from Columbus on the south to Carthage on the north. Ile continued an active practitioner until the infirmities of age compelled him to put aside the labors of the pro- fession. In 1866 he announeed his intention of retiring. but even after this he was frequently called into consultation by his brother practi- tioners and was also called to visit some of his old neighbors or friends who were loath to do without his professional services. His was the lot of the pioneer physician, who, living in a sparsely settled district, endured many hardships in prac- ticing his profession, He had to drive long dis- tances over the country in the heat of summer and the intense cold of the winter and as the roads at times were almost impassable, he went on horseback to visit his patients. He was a gentleman of kindly spirit and broad, humani- tarian principles and sympathies and always responded to the call of the sick and suffering, giving little regard as to whether he would receive any compensation or not. However, he prospered as the years went by and during his residence in Honey Creek township he acquired land to the extent of six hundred and forty acres. He was engaged somewhat largely in the raising and freding of cattle and after retiring from professional life concentrated his energies upon this branch of his business, in which he continued throughout his remaining days.

In early manhood Dr. Darrah married Miss Mary A. Reiner, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1867. Two years later he wedded Miss

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Maria Nelson, a daughter of William Nelson, of Houston township, Adams county, She still sur- vives her husband and now makes her home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. Darrah was an old school democrat, unfaltering in support of the party. In his religions views he was liberal and independent, caring not for seets, creeds or fads. but exemplyfying in his life much of the Chris- tian spirit and of the teachings of Him who came not to be ministered unto but to minister. In the fall of 1876, while attending to some work in con- nection with his cattle-raising interests on the Mississippi bottoms, he had a slight stroke of paralysis and his health gradually failing, his death resulted on the 22d of September, 1878, his remains being interred by those of his first wife in Coatsburg cemetery. Ilis life had indeed been a useful and helpful one and his fellowmen and the world are better for his having lived.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 133

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