Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 137

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 137

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

Dr. Toole, whose name introduces this record, was less than a year old when his parents came to this city. Ile attended the public schools here, completing the grammar school course at an early age, then entered the high school, finish- ing the sophomore year. Ilis first position was with the Quincy Herald. where he was employed for a period of five years. During his last year of work at this office he attended the Gem City Business College, receiving a diploma from this institution in 1891. Ile prepared for his profes- sion as a student in the medieal department of the University of Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained two years, completing his medical education at the Chicago Homeopathie Medical College, with the class of 1897. Hle secured an alternate interneship in the Chicago Homeo- pathie Hospital for scolastie ability. He was granted a degree from Hahnemann Medical Col- lege in 1905. Removing to Quincey he entered upon general practice and has a good patronage which many an older physician might well envy. He belongs to the Adams County Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society and is a regular practitioner, who is continually broaden- ing his knowledge and promoting his efficiency by study of the questions upon and relating to the medical science.

Dr. Toole was married April 4, 1900, to Miss Elizabeth Dimick, a daughter of Charles and Belle Dimick. Her mother is one of the leading workers in the Unitarian church of this city, and

DR. E. H. TOOLE

961

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

is actively identified with literary organizations and woman's club work. Her father has been a passenger conductor on the Chicago, Burling- ton and Quincy Railroad for many years and is now superintendent of the passenger station at Quincy. Mr. Dimick has a military record, hav- ing served throughout the Civil war as a member of the Minnesota Battery and participating in some of the most important engagements, includ- ing Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, which led to the preservation of the union.

In his political belief Dr. Toole is a democrat. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lambert lodge. No. 659. A. F. & A. M .; and with Marquette lodge. I. O. O. F.

HIORACE S. BROWN.

Horace Safford Brown is one of the notable figures in Quiney, whose business efforts have been of dircet and permanent benefit to the eity and whose loyalty to his country has ever been manifest-seen as well in times of peace as in days of war when, as a member of the navy, he rendered valable aid to the nation. He was born during the pioneer epoch in the history of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Carthage, Ilancock county, this state, in May, 1837. his parents being Homer and Hannah (Safford) Brown. They were both of English lineage and the Browns were represented in the Colonial Army in the Revolutionary war. Both families came to Adams county with the first group of New England settlers who located in this part of the state. The Saffords were from New Ilamp- shire, and, arriving in Quincy in 1833. soon aft- erward took up their abode in Melrose township. Homer Brown came from Massachusetts to Ad- ams county in 1834, and in 1836 married IIan- nah Safford, in Quiney. They then removed to Carthage, Hancock county, but after a year re- turned to Quiney. Both were graduates of New Ipswich College of New Hampshire and were people of superior culture and refinement, exert- ing a beneficial influence upon the early social development of the county. In his younger man- hood Mr. Brown was an artist and portrait painter, but in 1848 he again went to Hancock county, Illinois, where he turned his attention to farming and there made his home until his death in 1876. he being then sixty-five years of age. His wife died about 1897. at the age of seventy-three years. They had two children: Homer, who is engaged in the nursery business in Hancock county : and Horace.

The latter, after attending school in Quincy and in Hancock county, became a student in An- tioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he

remained two years. On completing his college course he entered the government employ in eon- nection with the work of making improvements on the Mississippi river. At first he was time- keeper, later foreman and subsequently superin- tendent. At the time of the Civil war he joined the navy as an engineer, being appointed by the secretary of the navy. He was principally on the monitor Nahant at Charleston and also on the frigate Wabash, and was in all the engage- ments at Charleston. After the war he returned to Illinois and again engaged in business in con- neetion with river improvements. working for the government as a contractor. The Quincy Dredging & Towing Company, of Quiney, was ineorporated in 1883. with H. S. Brown as presi- dent and he has since served in that capacity. MI F. Langdon is the present secretary of the company. They do a business in dredging. tow- ing and wrecking and have a fleet of vessels, tow boats. barges and dredges. Mr. Brown is also president of the Marine Ways of Quiney, Incor- porated. doing boat building and repairing. He is likewise secretary of the People's Ferry Com- pany. He is well known in connection with river improvement and has done much work in the harbor of Quiney.

Mr. Brown was married in 1873 to Miss Eliza Brown, of Parke county, Indiana, who died in 1876. She left one daughter, Katherine Holland Brown, an authoress of national reputation, having since 1900 been a contributor to leading magazines of this country. Her series of French dialeet stories, published in Everybody's Maga- zine in 1901-2, led the publishers to suggest her attempting a novel to portray some phase of French life in America and she soon chose the Icarian community as her subject, bringing into contrast this self-centered communistic enter- prise, with the work of the underground railroad. She gained information through original re- search and at length produced a beautiful story, Diane, which has awakened most favorable eom- ment from leading crities, beeanse of its liter- ary merit as well as its theme interest.

On the 9th of January, 1879, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Jennie Elder of Hamilton, Illi- nois, who was born in Shelbyville, this state, a daughter of James and Martha (Patterson) El- der. There was one child of this marriage .- Paul, who died at the age of nine years. Mrs. Brown died in November. 1904. her friends mourning the loss of a truly good and noble woman. She was ever thoughtful of others-a faithful friend. a devoted wife and mother and a sincere Christian.

Mr. Brown is a prohibitionist and, as his po- litical allegiance indicates, a staunch supporter of the temperance cause. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church and in Masonry has

962

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

attained the Knight Templar degree. He is a member of the Quincy Historical Society and a man of publie spirit, of high moral principles and upright life.

FRANK DUKER.

Among the pioneer business men of Quiney Frank Duker was noted, having arrived in this city in 1848, and here he devoted his attention to the furniture and undertaking business and through the capable control of his interests, his enterprise and indefatigable energy, he won the success which is the goal of all commercial or in- dustrial endeavor. Born in Germany on the 5th of March, 1225, he represented one of the old families of that country. Tlis father died in Germany during the early boyhood of the son Frank, who attended the common schools of his tive land and also learned the cabinet-maker's trade. Ile afterward came to America with his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Pape. Landing at New Orleans, they came up the Mis- sissippi to Quincy. Later his mother and three brothers-Herman, Henry and Theodore II .- crossed the Atlantic and made their way direct to Quincy, where the mother died. The brother, Theodore Duker. is engaged in the wholesale liquor business here, having for more than half a century been connected with the business in- terests of the city.

Alter arriving in this country Frank Duker worked at the cabinet-maker's trade for some time. Ile was engaged in repairing old furni- ture and to some extent directed his energy along undertaking lines. When his labors had brought to him sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account he entered into partnership with his brother in the con- duet of a furniture store and undertaking business. A few years later he purchased his brother's interest and was afterward sole pro- prietor. He removd to No. 716 Maine street, where his business increased and at one time he had the largest patronage in his line in the city. Ile carried a very extensive stock of furniture catering to all elasses of trade and yet receiving a large support from the best citizens of Quincy and the surrounding distriets. He was thus identified with commercial pursuits until his death, which occurred July 14, 1894. In 1873 he built the fine business block in which John H. Duker now carries on the furniture and under- taking business.

On the 24th of September. 1850, Mr. Duker was married to Miss Caroline Smith, a native of Germany, born October :29, 1829, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth

Smith. Her mother died in Germany. Mr. Smith followed the baking business in his own country and later erossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Quincy, where he made his home with his children, living a retired life until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Duker were born eleven children of whom four are now liv- ing. The eldest, John H. Duker, is engaged in the furniture business, and is represented else- where in this volume. Elizabeth is the widow of William Smith, who was extensively engaged in the lumber business in St. Louis, where his death occurred February 23, 1893. Mrs. Smith now makes her home in Quincy with her mother, Mrs. Duker. She has three children: William M., Eustachia C., and Frank Arthur, who is de- ceased. Mary, the third member of the Duker family, resides at home with her mother, as does the youngest daughter, Anna. Those deceased are Caroline, Henry, Frank, George. Theodore, Henry and George.

Mr. Duker gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, but never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, in which he met with signal success. He was identified with a few social or- ders of Quiney and held a membership in St. Boniface Catholic church, of which his wife and children are also members. He was truly a self- made man, for when he came to America he had to borrow the money with which to purchase his steamer ticket. Ile began work as a common la- borer, but he advanced steadily in the business world through his persisteney of purpose and marked capability. He thus became prominent and well-to-do and he commanded the respect and good will of all with whom he was associated so that his death was deeply regretted by many friends. The business which he established is still conducted under the name of Frank Duker Sons and is now owned by John H. and Mrs. Clara B. Duker. In 1888 he erected a fine brick residence at No. 1022 Maine street, which is now owned by his widow and occupied by her and her children.

WALTER F. EMERY.

Walter F. Emery, deceased, was one of the pioneer settlers and representative citizens of Adams county, and a man whom to know was to respect and honor, for in all life's relations he was true to the trust reposed in him and met his obligations with conscientious fidelity. Ile was born in Vermont in 1828, and was reared to farm life. He came to Adams county in 1832 and remained here until the spring of 1850,

MR. AND MRS. W. F. EMERY

965

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

when, attraeted by the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia, he crossed the plains, making the long and ardnons trip over the hot, sandy stretches and through the mountain passes. He hoped that he might readily acquire wealth in the gold fields, and for three years engaged in mining, but, like many others, he did not realize a for- tune, and returned to Illinois by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He had settled upon his farm in this county in 1835, entering one hun- dred and sixty acres of land from the govern- ment. for which he paid the usual price of one dollar and a quarter per acre. He broke the land with ox teams and ereeted a double log cabin.

The farm is situated in Melrose township at what is now Twenty-fourth and State streets. The latter street, beyond Twenty-fourth street, was cut through his farm and he donated the land to the county. He experienced all the hard- ships and trials of pioneer life, assisted materi- ally in the development of the county when it was still a frontier settlement. During the early days he broke land with oxen for E. H. Buckley on Broadway between Twentieth and Twenty-seeond street in Quiney, the land at that time being cov- ered with hazel brush. In addition to his farm in Melrose township he became the owner of four hundred acres of land in Columbus township and a tract of one hundred acres of timber land. He also owned the site of the Woodland cemetery and sold this to Governor Wood for ten dollars per acre.

Mr. Emery was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Goodrich, who was born in the state of New York and was a niece of Governor John Wood, with whom she drove to Illinois in a buggy at a very early day. They became the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living: Emily A. resides on the home farm, of which she owns forty-nine acres, including the Quiney golf links. John F. married Mary How- ard. by whom he has two children. Laura B. and Lula P., and owns forty-six acres of the old home farm, on which he is engaged in gardening. James L. was educated in the Madison public schools and resides on the home farm, where he has twenty-two aeres valued at one hundred and seventy-five dollars per aere. He married Ella Heffelmann, who is now deceased. Mrs. Char- lotte Smith, of Maine, was the youngest of the family, and is now deceased.

Walter F. Emery was a whig in his political views in early life and gave his support to that party until its dissolution, when he joined the new republican party and continued one of its stalwart advocates until his death. Ile held a number of township offices and was always faith- ful to the trust reposed in him. He died at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-three years. Both

were held in high esteem. for they displayed many excellent traits of character.

Mr. Emery was particularly helpful during the epoch of pioneer development, in Adams county. He favored every movement or meas- ure that tended to promote publie progress, and his efforts were of particular benefit in the line of agricultural development. In early days he was known as the champion eradler of the county, being able to cradle four acres of grain per day, which was considered a remarkable feat at that time. All who knew him respected him, and he well deserves mention among the early pioneer settlers.

HERMAN WENNING.

Herman Wenning is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Adams county. Ile is a native of the fatherland and a son of G. Il. Wenning, who came with his family to America in 1863. Here the father died Novem- ber 20, 1873. Ilis wife who bore the maiden name of Mary Franein, was also a native of Ger- many and her death occurred November 8, 1880. They were the parents of five children: Henry who is living in Republic county, Kansas: Bar- ney. of the same county: Christina. of Balti- more, Maryland: Elizabeth, the wife of Frank Footerer, of Quincy: and Herman.

In taking up the personal history of our sub- jeet we present to our readers the life record of one who has a wide and favorable acquaint- ance in Adams county. He began his education in the schools of Germany and after coming to Illinois with his parents he continued his studies in the schools of Quincy, the family living in that city for one year. After that time Mr. Wenning took up his abode on a farm east of Quincy, where he made his home for eight years, subsequently spending three years in Houston township. and on the expiration of that period took up his abode on his present farm. which is situated on section 14. Keene township. where he has a rich and well developed tract of land of one hundred and sixty arres. ITis farm is well equipped with modern improvements and he is now carrying on general agricultural pursuits and stoek-raising. He is systematic and method- ical in his work and his indefatigable energy has resulted in the acquirement of a comfortable competence.

Mr. Wenning was married to Miss Kate Benee. of Newton, Illinois, on the 12th day of February. 1879. She is a danghter of S. and Mary Benee, in whose family were seven child-

966

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ren : Lizzie, now the wife of William B. Mix, of Keene township: Theodore, living in Fall Creek : John, a resident of Camp Point: Kate L .: Charles, of Chatham, Illinois; and two who died in infancy.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wenning has been blessed with four children : Mary Ida, born JJan- nary 22, 1881: Henry E., born December 30. 1884: Charles W., born October 22. 1888; and Agnes A., born February 20. 1893. The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Wenning is a democrat in his political views. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought office, though he has been called upon to fill several official positions. being commissioner of high- ways three years and assessor four years.

CLEMENT BUSIL.

Clement Bush, who in the new world has found the business opportunities he songht and which have enabled him to work his way upward from a humble financial position to one of afflu- once, is now proprietor of a large foundry and is condueting an extensive and profitable busi- ness. Ile was born in Bristol, England. in 1838, a son of John Nash and Marcia (Ford) Bush. The father was a blacksmith by trade and for many years conducted a foundry. He died at the advanced age of eighty-two years, while his wife died at the age of sixty-five years.

Clement Bush attended the common schools near Bristol. England, until twelve years of age, and then started out to make his own living, be- ing employed in various ways. At the age of fourteen years he became an apprentice in a foundry, and thus worked for two years, when in 1857. at the age of sixteen years he came to America, locating first at Seneca Falls, New York, where he secured employment in the foun- dry of Selby & Company. He continued there for two years and then went to Auburn, New York. where he worked in a foundry for two and a half years. In 1861 he returned to Eng- land and remained in that country for eighteen years. In 1863 he became proprietor of a fonn- dry near Bristol, where he condneted business for seventeen years, but through unfortunate in- vestments he lost most of his fortune and re- turned to America to start life anew, thinking that he would have better opportunities for rapid advancement in the new world. He went first to Montreal, Canada, where he continued for two years, working in the shops of the Grand Trunk Railroad Company.

fle removed to Quincy in 1884. as his wife did

not like the severe northern winters. Ile chose Quincy as a location through the instrumentality of the Young Men's Business Association and here he took charge of the foundry of Wright & Adams, on Front and Broadway, acting as their foreman for three years, at the end of which time he rented the foundry, which he operated on his own account for three years, purchasing the materials of the company. In 1890 he pur- chased a lot on Broadway, seventy-two feet front. and later he added to this one hundred and twelve feet, making a frontage of one hun- dred and eighty-four feet on Broadway, near Thirteenth street. There he conducted a foun- dry for nine years, at the end of which time he built an addition and established the metal wheel works, building the shop in 1900. When he first took charge of the business he had fif- teen men in his charge and had that number at the time of his removal to Broadway. Since building the wheel works he has employed from thirty to forty men. He manufactures metal wheels-the Bush wheel, used for farm wagons. It is a patented wheel. He also conducts a gen- eral foundry business and general repair shop, and the patronage has constantly grown until the factory is continuously in operation. Many contracts are awarded him and his business has long since reached profitable proportions. Mr. Bush is also a stockhohler in the Quiney Engine Works and is also interested in some foundries in England.

In 1865 occurred the marriage of Mr. Bush and Miss Ellen Hockley Woodland, a danghter of Richard R. Woodland, an attorney of Bristol, England. They have five children, all living : Clement J., born November 18, 1866. was mar- ried to Snsie Behrman of Quiney, and they have one son. Kenneth Behrman Bush, who is attend- ing school. Blanche Evelyn is the wife of Thom- as C. Hughes, a farmer of central Illinois, and they had six children, of whom five are living. Albert Richard, who, like his ellest brother, is connected with the foundry, married Anna Meyer, and they have three children. Harold, Donaldl and Lillian. Florence is the wife of A. h. Uliles, son of Professor Hiles of England. They reside in Quiney and Mr. Hiles has taken out his first naturalization papers. Frank Alex- ander, the youngest of the family, is also in his father's employ. The family attend the Episco- pal church.

Mr. Bush is a member of Bodley lodge, No. 1. A. F. & A. M .. and in his political views is a republican, having been naturalized seventeen years ago. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1903. her death ocenrring on the 11th of May, of that year. She was laid to rest in Woodland cemetery of Quiney amid the deep regret of many friends, but her loss came with

CLEMENT BUSH

969

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

greatest force to her family. She was a devoted wife and mother and the relation between Mr. and Mrs. Bush had always been most congenial. It was for her and their children that he always labored so untiringly and industriously until through his well directed business efforts he met with desirable success, being to-day one of the. leading representatives of industrial interests in Quincy.

JOHN HENRY BROCKSCHMIDT.

The history of the world shows that the Ger- man element has been an important one in the eivilizing influences which have worked for prog- ress and improvement in many countries. The Teutonie race has sent its people into various lands, and, carrying with them the enterprise, indomitable purpose and reliability so character- istic of the sons of the fatherland, their labors have borne good fruit in promoting the upbuild- ing of the various communities in which they have located. 1 native son of the fatherland and one whose life record displays the sterling characteristics of the German people, John Henry Brockschmidt was born upon a farm near Bohmte in the vicinity of Osnabrnek in the king- dom of Hanover, Germany, September 16, 1830. llis parents were Johann Heinrich and Louisa (Ossendorf ) Broekschmidt and he was the eldest of their four children.

After having completed a parish-school edu- cation, such as could be obtained at that time and realizing that he had little opportunity for advancement amid the farm surroundings of his native district he resolved that he would seek a home and fortune in America, believing be- cause of the reports that he had heard that he would enjoy better business advantages and have a greater opportunity for advancement. A(- cordingly he made arrangements for leaving the fatherland and bidding goodby to home and friends he sailed from Bremer Haven in JJune, 1848. There were no steamships at that time and it was not until the month of September that he landed in Baltimore. He proceeded thence to Cincinnati, where his uncle, Christian Broek- schmidt, was living and took up his abode with him. He had no capital nor could he speak the English tongne and in order that he might pro- vide for his immediate necessities he accepted any employment that would yield him an honest living. Through the influence of his mnele he soon secured a position in a cigar factory as stripper boy and was thus employed until the spring of 1849. when he became ill with a severe attack of pneumonia and pleurisy. In order that he might have proper care he was removed to the

city hospital at Cincinnati, but he became so ill that his life was despaired of. There, however, a young German physician became deeply inter- ested in his patient and through his untiring ef- forts the life of Mr. Brockschmidt was saved.

Upon his recovery he was without money, with- out a position and his unele was too poor to fur- nish him future shelter. He therefore wrote to an unele. Joseph Brockschmidt, in Qniney, Ili- nois, who sent him money enough to meet the indebtedness that had necessarily been incurred and also provided him with traveling expenses enabling him to go from Cincinnati to Quincy, Illinois. He had, however, only fifteen cents when he arrived in the latter city, but he found a home with his unele and in the spring of 1850 he secured employment with George J. Laage, who was conducting a hat factory, which he en- tered as an apprentice, his term of indenture to cover four years, during which time he was to receive his board, lodging, washing and twenty- five dollars per year for the first year. fifty dol- lars for the second year, seventy-five dollars for the third and one hundred dollars for the fourth year. Out of this meager sum he still managed to save'enough to make small remittances to his parents in Germany and to pay the passage of his brother JJoseph II. Broekschmidt and his sister Agnes to this country. He also attended evening school, for it was his desire to master the English language and thus better qualify himself for a successful business career in this country. A landable ambition has always been one of his sterling characteristics and it prompted him after the completion of his apprenticeship to go to St. Louis and become still more efficient at his trade by working in various factories in that vity for about two years. He also continued his education in the evening session of a business college there.

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

Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 137

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