Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 134

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 134

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FREDERICK M. PENDLETON, M. D.

Dr. Frederick M. Pendleton, who in the prac- tice of his profession is making a specialty of treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and is attending oculist and aurist to Blessing Hospital of Quiney, was born in Lan- singburg, New York, in September, 1859, his par- ents being Henry and Harriet (Smith) Pendle- ton, the former born September 10, 1829, and the latter August 30, 1832. The paternal grand- father, a resident of Virginia, removed from that state to New York. Henry Pendleton was a mer- chant and in 1861 removed to Minooka, Grundy county, Illinois, where he engaged in the hard- ware business. Ile was on his way to Chicago to buy goods when he was killed in an accident on the Rock Island railroad, near Joliet, Jan- uary 25, 1864. being at that time only thirty-four years of age. He was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church and was studying for the work of the regular ministry when his death occurred. His widow still survives him. They were the parents of four children, of whom one is deceased.

Dr. Pendleton, the third of the family. attended the public schools of Minooka, Illinois, and afterward entered the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, where he remainel until 1880. when he began preparation for a professional career by enrolling as a student in Rush Medi- cal College of Chicago. At the end of his first course of lectures he became a nurse in the Cook County Hospital, where he remained for a year, when he re-entered Rush College, being grad- uated with the class of 1883. At the same time he pursued courses in ophthalmology and otology under Professor E. L. Holmes and Professor W.

T. Montgomery. HIe located for practice at Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois, where he engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery for about eleven years. In 1893 he pur- sned a post graduate course on the diseases of the eve, ear, nose and throat, at the Chicago Poly- elinie School of Medicine, and in 1894 he returned to Chicago and spent one year in the hospital and elinies and in the Illinois State Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary.

In 1895 Dr. Pendleton located in Quiney and has sinee limited his practice to the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, with office in the Stern building. He has been very successful here and not only received a liberal patronage fromn Quiney but also from surround- ing districts and far into Missouri. Ile is also attending oenlist and aurist to Blessing Hos- pital and is aceounted one of the most compe- tent specialists in his line in the middle west. lle belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society. Adams Conty Medical Society, Quincy Med- ieal Library Association. American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology, and thus keeps in touch with the advancements of the science that result in practical benefit in the treatment of disease. He has read broadly along the line of his specialty and the profession as well as the public acknowledge his right to rank with the most capable oculists and anrists of the state.

Dr. Pendleton was married to Miss Allie A. Dirst, a daughter of Fletcher Dirst, formerly a farmer and stock-raiser of Grundy county, Illi- nois, and now living retired in Minooka. They were married in 1884 and have two daughters: Nettia V., born in 1885; and Miriam B., in 1896. The parents are members of the Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal church and Dr. Pendleton is a republican. exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. Ile is first and above all a physician, performing each day's duty with a sense of conscientious obligation and the consensus of public opinion regarding him is most favorable, professionally and socially.

CHADDOCK BOYS' SCHOOL.

Chaddock Boys' School had its beginning in the early '50s, when it was known as the German and English Methodist Academy, and it has always been under the direction of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Professor Jaeques, one of its early teachers, was president from 1860 until 1865, and in the latter year, the Rev. George W. Gray, became president, continuing

MISS ELEANOR A. TOBIE

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

at the head of the institution until 1871 or 1872, and during that time D. L. Musselman, now president of the Gem City business College, was a teacher in the institution from 1867 until 1870. I'pon the retirement of President Gray, the name was changed to Johnson College, but this name was retained for only two or three years, when it became known as the Chaddock College. The former loeation of the school was where the Jefferson public school now stands. About 1880, the school having become involved in debt. C. C. Chaddoek, a philanthropic man of Astoria, Illi- nois, gave a large sum of money to the institu- tion, and when the John Wood property, at the corner of Eleventh and State streets, was sold in the courts, it was purchased by the college, which at that time became known as Chaddock College, that name being retained until changed to the Chaddock Boys' School, in 1899. At that time it was decided to make it a school exclu- sively for boys, and since then it has enjoyed an era of marked prosperity and growth, having paid off its debt, so that it is free from all finan- cial incumbrances.

About 1883, H. J. Vickers, of Adams county, gave to the school a large sum of money and this was used in the erection of a large three-story brick building with basement. It is one hundred and twenty by sixty feet and is used for a dor- mitory in connection with the school. Boys are admitted between the ages of six and sixteen years and may pursue academic and preparatory courses, fitting them for regular college work. The students are from sixteen different states and receive most thorough instruction. The sehool is conducted upon an economic basis and is under the direction of the Methodist church. the property being owned by the Illinois Con- ference.

The assistant principal is Miss Anna Johnson, who is also teacher of drawing and manual training. Fourteen other well trained teachers constitute a competent faculty, with an enroll- ment of one hundred and twenty-five pupils. HIalf of the work is free, and the funds are sup- plied by friends of the institution.

MISS ELEANOR A. TOBIE.

Miss Eleanor A. Tobie, now principal of the Chaddock Boys' School, is a native of Rantoul. Champaign county. Illinois, and is a daughter of II. S. and Mary E. (Pritchard Tobie, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Virginia, her ancestors being among those represented in the Revolutionary war. The To- bie family eume originally from Ireland. Miss Tobie attended the public schools of Prairie

City, Illinois, to which place her parents re- moved in her early girlhood, and she completed the high school course there by graduation. She afterward attended Hedding College, at Abing- don, Illinois, and also the State Normal Sehool, and was a teacher in the public schools of Me- Donough county, Illinois, for ten years. She afterward attended the Chicago Training Sehool and for a time traveled for the sehool in the east. Miss Tobie is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and has served as worthy ma- tron in her home town. She is also a deaconess in the Methodist Episcopal church and her abil- ity as an educator is well known.

In January, 1899, she came to Quincy to take charge of the Chaddock Boys' School, of which she has since been principal. The success of the school is largely due to her efficient management and the labors of Dr. W. T. Beadles. its presi- dent, and W. T. Dwire, its secretary. The school is now one of the solid educational institutions of the city and has done most creditable work under Miss Tobie's direction.

MARTIN B. KUHNS.

Martin B. Kuhns owns and operates a farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres on section 36. U'rsa township. Ile is a native of Pennsylvania. his birth having occurred April 14, 1832. His father. Philip Kuhns, was also a native of the Keystone state. When a young man Martin B. Kuhns came to Illinois, living in Mendon for some time and afterward removing to Ursa. Fol- lowing his marriage he took up his abode north of Ursa, where he purchased a farm, living there for ten or twelve years. He then sold that property and bought a farm on section 36. Ursa township, where he now lives. Here he has one hundred and thirty-one acres of fine land and is engaged in general farming, having a well developed property. the richly cultivated fields indicating his careful supervision by the growth of crops. In the farm work he is associated with his son. Although now nearly seventy-three years of age. he works in the fields nearly all of the time just as he did twenty years ago when in the prime of manhood.

Mr. Kuhns was married in Mareh. 1857. to Miss Mary E. Daugherty of Ursa. a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Funk , Daugherty. They have four living children: Lizzie E., who is the wife of William E. Ralph, a resident of Quincy : James A. : Anna : and Alice A.

Mr. Kuhns is a democrat in his political views but has never songht or desired publie office. preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He has. however. served as

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school director for many years and has ever taken a deep and commendable interest in every- thing pertaining to the general welfare and has done all in his power to promote publie progress.

MASON V. RIDDLE.

Mason V. Riddle, who is successfully engaged in the breeding of fine Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs upon his farm in Keene township, was born December 25. 1863. at the place where he now resides, his parents being George D. and Elmina ( Varnier) Riddle. The father was born in Fahnouth. Kentucky, January 2, 1822, and came to Adams county about 1840. He conducted a hotel in Usa for several years and then sold that property and located upon the farm which is now the home of his son Mason. He had been married after his removal to this state to Miss Elmina Varnier, who was born in Gallatin coun- ty, Ilinois. November 6, 1826. His death occurred September 29. 1875, but his wife still survives and makes her home with her son Mason.

In the schools of Loraine Mason V. Riddle pur- sued his education and he was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agrieulturist. He has always engaged in the work to which he was reared and is to-day the owner of one bun- dred and sixty acres of very productive land on seetions 15 atat 16, Keene township. Ile also cul- tivates one hundred and thirty acres of land be- longing to his brother, who lives in Colorado. He is particularly well known as a stock-raiser, mak- ing a specialty of Hereford cattle, having now upon his place a herd of about fifty head of regis- tered and graded cattle. He also has full blooded Duroe Jersey hogs and has done not a little to improve the grade of stock raised in this eoun- ty. He annually markets considerable stoek and finds a ready sale for all that he sends from his farm.

In 1888 Mr. Riddle was married to Miss Flor- ence Ilill, who was born near Loraine, April 17, 1869, and was a daughter of Cornelius and Amanda ( Payne) Hill. Her father removed with his family to California when Mrs. Riddle was very young and lived there for eleven years. His wife died during that period. Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have become the parents of two children, who are yet living, and have lost four, the family record being as follows: Iva, who was born Janu- ary 5. 1889, and died in July of the same year : Guy D., who was born September 4, 1890, and lives at home : Mabel, who was born December 23, 1894. and died February 3. 1895: Lizzie, who was born April 19, 1896, and is with her parents ; Homer B., who was born December 14, 1898, and

died February 1, 1900 : and Orville W., who was born December 3, 1903. and died January 17, 1904.

The parents belong to the Christian church and are interested in its work and contribute generously to its support. Mr. Riddle adheres to the principles of the republican party. believing its platform contains the basic elements of good goverment. He is a member of Modern Wood- men camp, No. 2152, at Loraine. Ile has led a very busy and useful life and the greater part of his possessions have been acquired entirely through his own efforts so that his history should serve to oneourage and inspire others, showing what can be accomplished through energy and untiring effort in a land not hampered by caste or class.

PHILLIP WISMAN.

Phillip Wisman, the well known proprietor of the Locust Grove farm on section 12, Riverside township, has been a resident of Ad- ams county sinee 1857. He is a native of Prus- sia. Germany, born in 1838, and is a son of G. Wisman, who was a farmer of the fatherland. On the old homestead farm Phillip Wisman was reared, and his education was acquired in the public schools near his home. He continued a resident of Germany until 1857. when, at the age of nineteen years, he crossed the Atlantie to the United States, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana, whence he proceeded up the Missis- sippi river to Quiney. He was first employed by the month as a farmhand, for he had no capi- tal to enable him to engage in business on his own aceount. Desirous. however, of entering upon an independent business career, he rented land in Ellington township and in Ursa town- ship. Subsequently he rented his present farm in Riverside township, and when his labors had brought him sufficient eapital to enable him to become a land owner he purchased this farm, thus coming into possession of eighty acres, in 1878. He has since added to his property from time to time until he now owns altogether two hundred acres of very valuable farming land. He has a dairy of fifty cows and splendidly equipped creamery, with an excellent engine. He makes butter twiee a week, and the product of the creamery, because of its excellent quality, finds a ready sale on the market. He has both Jersey and shorthorn cattle, and also raises Chester white hogs, having about two hundred each year. His fields are planted to corn and hay erops and the various departments of his business yield to him a good financial return. ITe has one of the best improved farms in this

MR. AND MRS. PHILLIP WISMAN

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part of the county, it being equipped with a good residence and large and substantial out- buildings. His sons are of great assistance to him, and he has every reason to be proud of his family.

In 1867 Mr. Wisman was married to Miss Henrietta Nagle, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Ernest Nagle, who came to the United States in 1857. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and followed that trade in Quincy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wisman have been born seven children: Walter, at home: Mrs. Carrie Glascott: Ernest, who was married in 1904 to Miss L. Chattan ; Richard, Roy and Florence, all at home : and Helen, deceased.

Mr. Wisman gives his political support to the republican party and is deeply interested in its success and growth. The hope that led him to seek a home in America has been more than real- ized, for here he has found the business oppor- tunities he sought, and by industry, diligence and perserverance he has gained success, and at the same time has won the confidence and friend- ship of many with whom he has come in contact. Ilis life record proves what can be accomplished through labor when guided by sound judgment and his history should serve to encourage and inspire others.

JOSEPH JEFFERSON.

Joseph Jefferson is one of the extensive land- owners of Adams county, now living a retired life. He was born October 25, 1837, in Harlen, now a part of New York city, his parents being Thomas and Hannah (Twilton) Jefferson, both of whom were natives of Yorkshire, England. The father was born April 15, 1802, and the mother's birth occurred on the 12th of February, 1812. They came to New York from England, in 1835, soon after their marriage and remained in the eastern metropolis for three years, after which they came west to Quiney. Here the father worked for John Sharp on a farm east of Quincy, and in 1841 he took up his abode in Concord township, where he purchased forty acres of land, but after residing thereon for a short time he then moved to the farm on which he spent his remaining days. To this tract of one hundred and twenty-two acres he added from time to time as his financial resources increased until at one time he owned three hundred and sixty acres. He died in 1886, while his wife passed away in 1872.

-Joseph Jefferson obtained his education in the public schools and was trained to work on the home farm, assisting materially in the cultiva- tion of the fields until after the outbreak of the

Civil war, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, in 1862, and served for three years, holding the rank of corporal. During that time he saw ser- vice in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Penn- sylvania and Washington, D. C. He was with the regiment eighteen months and then was transferred to the east, where he spent the re- mainder of the time in defense of the old flag.

Following the war Mr. Jefferson returned to his father's farm and in March, 1867. he was married to Miss Emily Williams, who was born February 20. 1837, in Maine county, Indiana, a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret ( Bennett ) Williams, the former born in Tennessee, March 23, 1796, and the latter in Virginia, on the 20th of March, 1799. Mr. Williams passed away De- cember 28. 1849, and his wife. March 20, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson were married in Indiana and he then returned with his bride to Adams county. They have one son-Thomas E., who was born January 26, 1869. and married Lu- venia Peavehouse, of Clayton. They live with his father and they have two children : Augusta, born July 28, 1893; and Joseph Benjamin, born December 10, 1896. Thomas Jefferson is a grad- uate of Chaddock College, of Quincy, and has always been associated with his father in busi- ness. Altogether they own six hundred acres of fine land, four hundred acres belonging to the father and two hundred acres to the son. Thomas Jefferson, however, superintends and operates the entire farm, thus relieving his father from all business cares and to-day Joseph Jefferson is enjoying a well earned rest. Their land is located on sections 9 and 10, Concord township, and is a rich and productive traet, yielding good harvests. Both the father and son are supporters of the re- publican party and the entire family are mem- bers of the Methodist church. Mr. Jefferson is also a member of Clayton lodge, No. 147. A. F. & A. M., and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. In matters of citi- zenship he has always been loyal and in business affairs has been progressive and enterprising, so that to-day he is one of the prosperous residents of his county.

MILLARD F. LESTER.

Millard F. Lester, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres on see- tion 24, Payson township, was born upon this place. December 5. 1859, his parents being Wil- liam D. and Evaline (Gooding) Lester. The father was a native of Kentucky, born March 6. 1819, and his parents were William and Eliza-

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beth Lester, both of whom were of English line- age and were residents of Kentucky at an early day. William D. Lester removed to Indiana, settling in Dearborn county upon a farm. He had two sisters, both of whom are deceased, and one brother, George W. Lester, who is a cooper by trade and is now living in Clayton, Adams county, having come to Ilinois prior to the ar- rival of his brother William. The latter came in 1846 and settled first in Mendon, where he fol- lowed coopering. In 1850 he located on what is now the old Lester homestead and for many years successfully carried on farming, becoming owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres of land, which, owing to the improvements made and the cultivation bestowed upon it, became valu- able property. He died September 13, 1892, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife, who was born February 28, 1826, is still living, in the enjoyment of very good health. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church at Plainville.

In the family were seven children, of whom five are living: Atha Ellen, born in January, 1850. became the wife of Howard M. Sale and they lived in Los Angeles, California. She died in 1902, leaving her husband and one son. the for- mer engaged in the wholesale drug business. Mary Frances married Dewey Kelley, who died at their home in El Paso, Texas, March 25, 1893, after which his widow returned to Ilinois and is now living with her mother. Willliam W., who is a stock buyer of Plainville, married Clara Benson and they have one daughter. Albert D., a land agent and property owner at Guthrie, Okla- homa, married Annie Harris and has three living children. Alice E., twin sister of Albert, is the wife of Henry Wagy, a farmer living a mile and a half southwest of Plainville, and they have one child. Wilbur IL., who married Eva Morris, by whom he had three children was a policeman of Guthrie, Oklahoma, and was killed by a gang of desperadoes who were robbing a car of groceries. lle was then thirty-seven years of age. His widow now lives in Tingley, Iowa.

Millard F. Lester, the seventh member of his father's family, was educated in the publie schools and has always lived upon the old home- stead farm, working in the fields in his youth when not engaged with the duties of the school room. Since attaining his majoriy he has en- gaged in stock dealing to a greater or Jess extent, and has been very successful in business, being an excellent judge of stock, so that he is enabled to make judicions purchases and profitable sales. lis fields are also well tilled, and his is one of the good farms of the county.

In May, 1885. Mr. Lester was united in marri- age to Miss Dora Morris, a daughter of John and

Eliza ( Lamb) Morris, who were natives of Lick- ing county, where their childhood days were passed. Removing to Illinois, they settled in Crawford county, where Mrs. Lester was born August 28, 1892. Her parents died in Crawford county and she came to Adams county in 1884, living with an aunt, Mrs. Ann Baker, in Rich- field township. Mr. Lester had been previously married, his first wife being Julia Baker, a daughter of Simon and Ann (Lamb) Baker and a cousin of his present wife. There was one child by that marriage, Lura, born April 9, 1883, and now the wife of Alvin MeKee. They live at the home of her father.

Mr. Loster is a republican in his political views and is a school director. Hle belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to Stone's Prai- rie lodge, No. 759. I. O. O. F., of which he is a past noble grand and both he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge. They are also members of the Missionary Baptist church at Plainville. Mr. Lester has always lived the quiet life of the farmer, but in his business career has displayed the valuable qualities of self-reliance, diligenee and perseverence which always lead to success, and he is now one of the substantial farmers of the county.

L. II. A. NICKERSON, M. D.

Dr. L. II. A. Nickerson, one of the leading rep- resentatives of the medical fraternity in Quincy, was born in Camden, Delaware, January 27, 1851. Te is directly descended from William Nieker- son, of Norwich, England, who with his family sailed from Ipswich April 8, 1637, in the ship John and Dorothy, to make for himself a home in the new world. He landed in Boston, June 20, 1637. Tle located at Yarmouth and while there made the first of a series of purchases of land from the Indians, which has since become ('hatham, founded at that time by himself and members of his family. Lineal descendants are still living on the land purchased at that time. William Nickerson had three sons. One of these remained in Massachusetts, a second located in Maryland and the third in Delaware, and it is from the latter branch that Dr. Niekerson is de- svended.

Hle obtained his early education in Dover and Wilmington and graduated in medicine and sur- gery from the University of Pennsylvania in March, 1874. For two years he practiced as resident physician in the Philadelphia Hospital, locating in Quiney in the spring of 1877. Dur- ing his twenty-eight years' residence here he has built up a very extensive practice. For several

DR. L. H. A. NICKERSON

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

years he had exclusive charge of Blessing Hospi- tal and is now consulting physician and presi- dent of the medical staff. Dr. Nickerson is also nominator for the Equitable Life Insurance Com- pany for ten counties in western Illinois; he is also local surgeon for the Wabash Railway Com- pany and is medieal examiner for the Royal Area- num. Ile was president of the board of pensions surgeons in Quiney for a number of years and is identified with several societies, having for their object the dissemination of knowledge that will increase the efficiency of the medical fraternity. He is president for the second time of the Adams County Medical Society, is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, the State Medieal So- cicty and other organizations of a similar char- acter.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 134

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