Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 135

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 135

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Dr. Nickerson was married September 15, 1880, to Miss Jessie S. Roesehlaub, a daughter of Dr. M. J. Roeschlaub. The son, II. L. Roe- selilanb Nickerson, is now a student in Yale Uni- versity. Mrs. Nickerson's father was a graduate of Munich, Bavaria, and his father was dean of that world's famous institution and private coun- sclor to the king.

Dr. and Mrs. Nickerson are prominent socially although the demands of an ever-increasing practice leave the doctor little time for social duties. Fraternally he is a Mason, having taken the Knight Templar degree in the El Aksa com- mandery, No. 55. As a physician he is skillful and painstaking with the strictest regard for a high standard of medical ethics. His usefulness in the practice of medicine has continually in- creased, for he has kept in constant touch with the progress of his profession.

GEORGE F. PFANSCHMIDT.

George F. Pfanschmidt, one of the leading and representative farmers of Ellington township, living on section 35. was born upon that place, November 12. 1854, and is of German descent. Ilis father, Herman C. Pfanschmidt, was horn in Muhlhausen, Prussia, March 8, 1825, his an- cestors being among the most prominent and in- Huential people of that country and in touch with the king of Prussia in their day. He had a cousin who was an artist of renown, many of his paintings adorning the walls of the king's chapel at Berlin. His work was all of a religious char- acter.

Our subject's grandfather, Gotfried Sebastian Pfanschmidt, was a soldier in the Napoleonie wars and fought under General Blucher in a number of battles. In the fall of 1835 he came

to America, accompanied by his wife and six children. They landed at Baltimore, Maryland, and crossed the Allegheny mountains in a wagon, but on arriving in Pittsburg they were compelled to remain in that city for thirteen weeks until the Ohio river opened in the spring. They then proceeded to St. Louis, where the children re- mained while the parents sought a favorable location. Mrs. Pfanschmidt being very much taken with Quincy. they decided to settle here and sent for the children. They first orenpied an old frame house on the bluff west of Third street. That winter was a very severe one and the snow was very deep and the family would have frozen had they not brought considerable clothing with them. The following spring they located seven miles east of the city on Mill creek in Ellington township, where Gotfried S. Pfan- schmidt entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place but he at onee began to clear his land and cultivate his fields, breaking it first with oxen. In the course of time he developed a good farm and thus assisted materially in the work of reclaiming this onee wild district for the pur- poses of civilization.

Herman C. P'fanschmidt, the father of our subject, was reared amid the surroundings of frontier life and as his age and strength in- creased he assisted largely in the work of de- veloping the home farm. where he continued to reside until his retirment from active life in 1884, when he removed to Quincy. He was mar- ried December 10, 1847, to Miss Charlotte Meise, who was born in Germany, March 19, 1826, and came to America with her parents, who were early farming people of Adams county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Herman C. Pfanschmidt were born seven children: Edward, who is now a mer- chant of Chicago; William, who is living on the home farm with his brother George : Pauline, the wife of J. Louis Pfan of Chicago; George F., of this review; Laura: Mrs. William Hirth, of Quiney : and Otelia, who died at the age of two years. The father died in Quincy on the 18th of April, 1899, and the mother's death occurred in Chicago., October 21, 1898. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1897.

George F. Pfanschmidt attended the country schools and later continued his education in the Gem City Business College of Quincy. ITe worked with his father in his boyhood days, continuing upon the old homestead until his marriage, in 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Altenhein, who was born in Elling- ton township and is a daughter of Frederic Altenhein, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Her parents also celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Pfanschmidt

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have four children : Walter J., Arthur C. E., Roy F. C., and George B.

After his marriage George F. Pfanschmidt took up his abode upon the home farm and is to-day the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of valuable land, and no richer land can be found in all the country than in Illinois. His farm is pleasantly situated about seven miles east of Quiney and he has one hundred acres planted to grain, while the remainder of the farm is pasture or timber land. He raises some stock and ammually harvesis good crops. His home is a two-story brick residence which was erected in 1862. There are good barns and out- buildings upon the place for the shelter of grain and stock and in fact the farm is supplied with all modern equipments, while Mr. Pfanschmidt is regarded as one of the most progressive and energetie agriculturists and one who is thorough- ly reliable in all his business transactions. Ilis political support is given the republican party. and he is a member of the Lutheran church.

SIDNEY P. LANDCRAFT.

Sidney P. Landeraft, prominently connected with one of the leading productive industries of Quiney, was born in Hannibal, Missouri, Decen- ber 27. 1848. He is a son of William S. and Leti- tia P. ( Honeyman ) Landeraft. His ancestors in the paternal line were early settlers of Pennsyl- vania. His father removed from Pennsylvania to Virginia, locating at Rock's Ferry near Rich- mond, about 1815. His brother. Grandison Land- craft, accompanied him and there became post- master, which office he filled for forty-five years. During all the excitement of the Civil war. when party feeling and prejudice ran very high, he remained a stanch Union man. He died at the extreme old age of ninety-one years. Besides six brothers there were three sisters, Polly, Rebecca and Susan.

In 1837 William S. Landeraft removed fo Han- nibal, Missouri, and was one of the founders of that town, aiding in laying out the town site and building the courthouse and promoting substan- tial improvement and progress along other lines. lle engaged in the tanning business and also conducted a grocery store for fifteen years, but in 1849 he disposed of his business interests there and started for California in the hope of rapidly acquiring wealth. He was quite snecessful in his search for the precious metal on the Pacific coast and in 1856 he started to return home with a goodly sum of money. Meeting some friends, however, he was indeed to turn back and again engaged in the search for gold, but that year he

became ill and died, his remains being interred at Oakland. California. He was then fifty-six years of age. Ilis wife died in 1874 at the age of fifty-three years. She was a representative of an old English family, the ancestry being traced back to Lord Lovell. Mr. and Mrs. Land- craft were the parents of six chiktren, of whom three are living : Henry H. : Mrs. Mary E. Wait, of New York city ; and Sidney P. Of those de- ceased William S. served for three years in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Mission- ary Ridge. Ile belonged to the Tenth Missouri Regiment. Nathaniel S. died at the age of twelve years, and Arametta died at the age of fifteen years.

Sidney P. Landeraft received fair educational privileges. Tle attended a private night school, working during each day and for some time pur- sued his studies in that manner in Cincinnati prior to the time he attained his majority. ITe was a little lad of eight years when he seeured a position in a tobacco factory as stripper and there as his ability increased and he demonstrated his faithfulness and close application and untiring effort he was promoted until he became roller. In 1863 he was train boy on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad and in 1866 became brakeman on the same road, acting in that capacity for two and a half years. Ile then became conductor on a freight train, acting in that capacity for five years, having charge of specials and pay cars and also making out time cards and doing other cler- ical work in the office. In 1873 he was promoted to passenger conductor on the same line, which position he filled with the exception of a period of nineteen months spent in the hardware busi- ness until December, 1899. when he resigned with the idea of retiring from business life. He won fame in the services of the railroad. because of his painstaking methods, capability and earnest devotion to the interests of the reeds. He can to-day procure a duplicate of each report made during his employment as conductor, giving a report of the people handled on the trains and other business in connection therewith, together with the number of cars. During this time he traveled an aggregate of about four million miles.

Soon after resigning his position with the rail- road company Mr. Landeraft was induced to rep- resent the Sheridan Stove Company, of Quiney, as traveling salesman. and was thus connected with the house for eighteen months. The man- agers of the business thus gave substantial ovi- dence of their appreciation of his ability by elect- ing him to the office of secretary in June, 1902. and in this capacity he has since had the man- agement of the plant on Payson avenue. Ender his control the business has been established on a more sureessful basis, the output of the plant has been increased and the business has become a

S. P. LANDCRAFT

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

profitable one. All this is due to the keen dis- vernment, foresight and executive ability of the president, H. P. Walton, and of Mr. Landcraft, who together have largely promoted the interests of the house and have won the appreciation and commendation of the stockholders. The plant has been improved in its equipment and its man- ufacturing capacity has been enlarged to include steel ranges, also the largest nickel plant in Quincy. There is likewise a private electric plant connected with the enterprise, which is now one of the leading productive industries of the city, with a large ontput and constantly in- creasing trade.

On the 22d of November, 1874, Mr. Landeraft was married to Miss Marian E. Elwood, of St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Archibald and Marian ( Whitelaw) Elwood, both of whom are natives of Scotland. Iler maternal grandmother was present at the coronation of Queen Victoria. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Landeraft have been born four children, but two sons died in infaney. The others are Ada E., the wife of Richard R. Moore, of Quincy ; and Sidney H.

Mr. Landeraft has been a member of the Ma- sonie fraternity since 1884 and is still affiliated with the lodge at Monroe City, in which he was initiated. Tle belongs to the Kan Valley Division No. 55, of Railroad Condnetors of Kansas City. There are many notable elements in his career. Ilis youth was spent amid unfavoring circum- stances and dependent upon his own resources from an early age of eight years he has guided his course and shaped his destiny so that he has passed through the ranks of mediocrity and stands among those whose labors are erowned by successful accomplishment. Diligence and unfaltering purpose have, perhaps, been his most salient characteristics combined with an unfalt- ering devotion to duty and unquestioned fidelity to every trust reposed in him and he is to-day prominent among the representative business men of Quincy.

CHRISTOPHER S. CURRY.

Christopher S. Curry, who since 1896 has lived a retired life in Clayton, was born No- vember 9, 1836, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and was a son of Thomas and Melinda (Mur- phy) Curry. Ilis paternal grandfather, Daniel Curry, was a resident of Pennsylvania, whenee he removed to Kentucky. Thomas Curry was born in the latter state, March 2, 1802, and his wife's birth occurred November 6, 1807. In 1837 they removed to Adams county, where they spent their remaining days, being residents of Clayton township.

Christopher S. Curry was only about a year old when he was brought by his parents to Illi- nois. He pursued his education in the public schools and was reared to farm life. On the 26th of May, 1859. he married Elizabeth Bennett, who was born in Adams county, October 24, 1837. They became the parents of ten children : Charles T., born February 20, 1860, was married to Angie Garrett and lives in Clayton. They have two sons: Fred T., who was born October 11, 1884, and was educated in the Clayton high school; and Robert Garrett, born July 18, 1891; Benjamin A., born July 25, 1861, is now en- gaged in the livery business in Clayton, married Ellen Morley and has one child. William B., who was born February 20, 1863, and lives in Monmouth, married Alma Ausmus and since her death has married Gertie Deterlie ; Lnella, born June 14, 1864, is the widow of Henry Campbell, of Clayton, and has six chil- dren ; James S., born July 30, 1865, married Ola Vandervoort and lives in Clayton township. Laura, born November 10, 1867, is the wife of Stewart Shank, a resident of Missouri. Lorin, born September 14, 1869, died January 15, 1891. Effie, horn August 6, 1871, is at home. Bertie, born April 11, 1873, became the wife of Elmer Watson, and died January 31, 1901; and Otha HI., who was born October 19, 1875, married Lula Vandervoort and lives in Galesburg. In 1896 Mr. Curry was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died on the 3d of Oe- tober of that year.

On the 11th of February, 1902, he married Susan M. Johnson, who was born near Camp Point, Adams county, and is a daughter of Hen- son and Elizabeth ( Drake) Johnson, the for- mer a native of Indiana and the latter of Ken- tueky. Her mother died February 20, 1897, but her father is now living in Billings, Mon- tana. Mrs. Curry was educated in the public schools at Camp Point and in early life learned the milliner's trade, which she followed for thir- ty-seven years, spending twenty-seven years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and several years in Chicago and in Kansas.

Throughout his business career Mr. Curry fol- lowed the occupation of farming and success at- tended his efforts. HIe is to-day the owner of two hundred and six acres of fine land on see- tions 9 and 10, Concord township, which he rents. He also owns a fine home in Clayton, to which he retired in 1896, and is there enjoy- ing a well earned rest. lle gives his political support to the republican party and served as road commissioner for several years. llis re- ligions faith is indicated by membership in the Christian church. He has lived in Adams county from pioneer times, his residence here covering

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sixty-eight years, so that his life history is well known to his fellow townsmen and all accord him that respect and confidence which is nni- versally extended in recognition of genuine worth.

MRS. VIRGINIA K. ECKLES.

Mrs. Virginia K. Eekles, who is the owner of a valuable and productive farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 27, Houston town- ship, was born in Adams county, July 7, 1842, a daughter of William and Caroline ( Morrow ) Willard. Her father was a native of Tennessee, born June 7. 1811, and his wife's birth occurred in Kentucky. November 24, 1817. Both reached an advanced age, the former passing away April 27. 1895, while the latter died on the 18th of Jannary of the same year.

Virginia K. Willard spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and obtained her education in the schools of the neighborhood. She was trained to assist in the duties of the household and was. therefore, well prepared to take charge of a home of her own when she was married, on the 13th of September, 1866, becoming the wife of William Finley Eekles, with whom she lived happily until death separated them. Mr. Eckles was born in Adams county, July 20, 1845, his parents being James H1. and Nancy (Coulter ) Eckles, who were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born June 5, 1818, and the mother July 14, 1825. Mr. Eekles came to Adams county, Ilinois. November 13. 1842, and on the 28th of December, 1843, they were married. Their married life covered a long period, and Mr. Eckles passed away in January, 1897.

William F. Eekles was reared to the occupation of farming, early beginning work in the fields and meadows and thus gaining the practical ex- perience which enabled him to carefully and suc- cessfully manage his own farming interests in later life. Ile attended the public schools and, after putting aside his text-books, turned his at- tention to farming and also followed threshing to some extent. The farm which Mrs. Eckles in- herited from her father he placed under a high state of cultivation, so that he was enabled to provide his wife and children with the necessi- ties and many of the comforts of life. Unto them were born five children, as follows: May, born June 27, 1867, became the wife of Fred Stewart and died June 8, 1901. She had one child, Harold E., born April 8, 1896. Charles N., born March 4. 1869, died August 3, 1870. Thomas W., who was born May 20, 1871, and lives on the homestead farm, was married June 14, 1893, to Blanche Kern and has four children : Elva Lee, born Sep-

tember 27, 1894 : Ella V., born Jannary 21, 1897 ; Effie Aurette, born August 5, 1899; and Lora May, April 10, 1891. Naney Cora, born August 24. 1873. is the wife of John F. Beekett, having been married March 28, 1895, and their home is in Golden. They have one child. Floyd O., born June 11, 1898. Ehner S., born November 3, 1875, died January 25, 1876.

Mr. Eekles gave his political support to the democratic party, and at one time served as eol- lector of his township. lle belonged to the An- vient Order of United Workmen and was a man whom to know was to respect and honor, for he so lived as to merit the trust of those with whom he came in contact, being trustworthy in busi- ness, reliable in citizenship and true to all the duties of home and social life. lle was a mem- ber of the United Brethren church, in which faith he died October 11, 1891, and his remains were interred in Ebenezer cemetery, Houston town- ship.

Mrs. Eekles has always remained on the old homestead farm on section 27, Houston township. where her place, comprising one hundred and twenty aeres, is well tilled and improved with substantial buildings. She has also twenty and a half aeres of timber land four and a half miles northwest of Golden on section 16. Her farm is operated by her son Thomas, who, with his fam- ily. yet resides on the old homestead and is pro- gressive and enterprising in his management of the farm. Mrs. Eekles belongs to the United Brethren church. She has a wide acquaintance in the county in which her entire life has been passed and where she has gained many friends.

SAMUEL KNOX.

Samuel Knox, who for sixty-one years has been a resident of Adams county, and whose memory therefore forms a connecting link between pio- neer days and the period of modern progress, was for many years actively engaged in farming but is now living a retired life on section 15, Ellington township. He was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, December 25. 1837, and came to Illinois in 1844 with his parents, Samuel and Mary (Mclean) Knox, who were likewise natives of Ireland. The father was a farmer by oeenpation and during the infancy of his son Samuel he brought his family to the United States, locating first in Summit Hill, Pennsyl- vania, in 1838. There he worked in the coal mines for six years, when, believing that he would have better business opportunities in the west where land could be secured at a low price, he made his way to Quiney in the autumn of 1844. Soon aft- erward he purchased a tract of land which was

MR. AND MRS, J. H. ECKLES

MR. AND MRS WILLIAM WILLARD MR. AND MRS. W. F. ECKLES

MR. AND MRS. T. W. ECKLES

MR. AND MRS. JOHN BECKETT AND FLOYD O.

ELVA L., ELLA V., EFFIE A. AND LORA M. ECKLES MRS. MAY STEWART

HAROLD E. STEWART

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

wild and unbroken, but he at once began to plow and plant the fields and in course of time gathered rich harvests. The family lived in true pioneer style in those early days, for all the evidences of frontier life abounded. Deer and other wild game were plentiful and furnished many a meal for the early settlers. Mr. Knox broke the ground with oxen, after clearing away the brush and timber, and as the years advanced his agri- cultural interests returned to him a good income that enabled him to add to his original tract of eight acres another tract of similar proportions. Hle was widely and favorably known among the pioneer settlers and also has many warm friends among the more recent arrivals in the county. HIe died March 30, 1884. at the age of seventy- seven years and his wife survived him only three days. They were devoted members of the Presby- terian church, in which Mr. Knox served as an elder, and he gave his political allegiance to the republican party.

Samuel Knox attended the early schools, which were conducted on the subscription plan in a little log schoolhouse, and when not busy with his books -he attended only through the winter months he worked in the fields or performed other labor incident to the improvement of the home farm. It was not long before he had become competent at the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. and throughout his business career he continued the active operation of his farm. He now owns eighty acres of fine land about nine miles north- east of Quincy, which he rents. The farm is divided into rich pastures and good fields and is devoted to the raising of grain and stock. In addition to this property Mr. Knox also has min- ing interests in Colorado. Tle votes with the republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. He is familiar with the incidents and events which go to make up the pioneer his- tory of the county and what to many are a matter of record has been to him a matter of personal experience or observation in connection with the improvement and upbuilding of this part of the state.

CHIARLES T. DAZEY.

Charles T. Dazey, of Quiney, who has won in- ternational fame as a playwright and author. was born in the town of Lima, Adams county, Illinois, August 13, 1855. His father, Mitchell Dazey, was a leading farmer of the county for many years, conducting a successful business as an agriculturist. Being in comfortable financial circumstanees he was enabled to give his son

excellent educational privileges and following a thorough course in the public schools of Quincy, Charles T. Dazey became a student in Johnson College. He afterward went to Lexington, Ken- tneky, where he prepared for entrance into Har- vard University, being graduated within the classic walls of that institution in 1881. He gained the degree of Bachelor of Arts and won some of the class honors, among others being unanimously elected class president. He also had the honor of serving as an editor of the Ilarvard Advocate, with President Roosevelt, then in his senior year. At a later date the honorary degree of Master of Arts was con- ferred upon him by Illinois College.

Thinking to make the practice of law his life work, he supplemented his literary course by study in Columbia College, preparatory to be- coming a member of the bar, but his assiduous attention to his text-books impaired his health and eaused him to seek the benefits that might be derived from a change of elimate. Going to Barnes county. North Dakota, he there man- aged an extensive wheat farm for some time and not only found it a remunerative occupa- tion, but also one which restored him to his old time health and strength. It was at this stage in his career that his mind turned to the work of the playright and he entered upon a line of activity that has made him one of the foremost dramatie writers of the day. He had to some extent engaged in the production of plays, but merely as a study in connection with his college work. ITis first play was written while he was at Harvard and was a comediotte called Raistica- tion. This was presented with more than ordi- nary success at the Boston Museum and proved the initial effort to a notable career as a play- wright. His first important production after he entered seriously upon the work of dramatic writing was a play called the American King. which was presented by James O'Niel in 1882. This proved eminently popular and brought him many commissions from prominent actors. His reputation in the line of his chosen profession has since been assured and the American King was followed successively by Erma, the Elf and other plays written for Katie Putnam; For a Brother's Life, presented by J. M. Hill: Love Finds a Way, written later for Katie Putnam : The Little Maverick. produced by Maggie Mitchell, and In Old Kentucky, which was his first production that won him international fame. He devoted the winter of 1891-2 to the preparation of this play, residing meanwhile at the Newcomb Hotel. This play has been pro- duced annually in this country since that time and has also been presented in England, Austria and Germany with splendid success. In fact, it has drawn audiences scarcely eqnaled

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 135

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