Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 141

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 141

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Egg Case Company. Ile was married about 1864, at West Pembroke, New York, to Miss Emma Carroll, and they had two children, but Fred died at the age of two years.

Edmond Crawford, son of George Crawford, attended school in Labelle, Missouri, continu- ing his studies until he had mastered the branches of a high-school course. When about sixteen years of age he began working in a printing office, where he was employed for two years, subsequent to which time he entered the service of the Wabash and the Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas Railroad Companies, at Hannibal, Missouri, being retained in that service until September, 1892, when he became connected with the Hoosae Tunnel Line of Fast Freight, as line solicitor. lle was with that company until 1894, when he resigned and began work- ing for the North Star Egg Case Company as shipping clerk. In 1896 he was made book- keeper, and in 1899 was appointed manager. in which capacity he has since been retained, rendering most efficient service. The company has been incorporated under the present name for twelve years and manufactures egg rase fillers, employing fifty men throughout the year.

Mr. Crawford was married in 1891 to Miss Jennie MeBratney, of Griggsville, Illinois, and they now have one child, Charles F., born Sep- tember 21, 1896. The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Crawford gives his political support to the democracy. The improvement and mastery of his opportun- ity contains the secret of the business success that he has achieved, and he furthermore en- joys the full confidence of the business com- munity.

REV. JOSEPH STILL.

Rev. Joseph Still, pastor of St. John's Cath- olie church of Quiney, was born in Uerdingen, Germany, May 25, 1849. His primary educa- tion served as an excellent foundation for his college training, which was pursued at Mun- ster, where he studied both philosophy and theology. Ilaving carefully prepared for the holy ealling which he determined to make his life work, he was ordained to the priesthood at Munster on the 22d of May, 1875, and soon afterward he completed his arrangements to make America the field of his labors in con- nection with the church and crossed the At- lantie, landing in New York on the 8th of September, 1875. He went to Germantown. Clinton county, Illinois, and remained in charge of the Catholic church at that place

REV. JOSEPH STILL

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until May, 1880, when he was transferred to Quiney.

Here Father Still established St. John's church on the 22d of May, 1880, becoming its first pastor, and under his guidance and as the result of his zeal and consecration the church has grown numerically and spiritually. The congregation now numbers more than three hundred families. Anna J. Cox gave the land on which the church was built and Father Still collected all the money for its erection, the first building being a large brick structure used both as a church and school house and dedieated on the 21st of November, 1880. In 1895 the new school house was built, and on the 13th day of October of the same year the corner stone of the new stone church was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Ryan, of Alton, who later dedicated the edifiee on its completion, Febru- ary 13, 1898. All of this work has been ac- complished through the untiring efforts of Father Still, and there are now more than three hundred pupils in attendance at the school. In 1884 he established St. Vincent's Ilome for Aged People. In this as well as in the church and school work he has done great good for the community.

Father Still is the friend as well as the pas- tor of his people, all of whom feel for him gen- uine affection. He has the ability of seenring the aetive co-operation of the members of the various departments of the church's activities and in bringing harmony into the working forees, so that the best results possible are at- tained. Ile is a most generous man, of benevo- lent and kindly spirit, and while he does not believe in the indiscriminate giving that fosters vagrancy, he is quiek to respond to those who are truly needy and are worthy of assistance. As a speaker he is earnest and convincing, logical and impressive, and commands the at- tention of all. The work that he has done for the moral upbuilding of the community and his personal traits of eharaeter have won him the respect and good will of Protestants as well as Catholies.

ROBERT A. VARNER.

Robert A. Varner. now deceased, was for a number of years engaged in general mercantile pursuits in Adams county. He was born Decem- her 12, 1825, in Boone county, Kentucky, and pursned his education in the public schools of the state. Ile remained a resident there until thirty-five years of age, when he eame to Adams county, Illinois, settling on section 4, McKee township, where his widow now resides.

In 1863 Mr. Varner was united in marriage to Rosa Corrigan, of Concord township, who was born in Ireland, in June, 1837, and came to this country with her parents when thirteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Varner had five children who are yet living: Anna May, the wife of George Wagend, who lives in Burlington, Kansas; Mary Ellen, the wife of William Roy, of Concord township; Sarah, who is in a convent in Balti- more, Maryland: Robert E., who married Emma Kendle and lives in MeKee township ; and Daisy, the wife of Lewis F. Curry, living on the old homestead with Mrs. Varner.

Throughout his entire business career Robert A. Varner earried on general farming. and prospering in his undertakings beeame the owner of an exeellent tract of land in Adams county. To its further development and improvement he directed his energies until his death, which occurred September 21, 1895, when he was nearly seventy years of age. He served as supervisor of MeKee township for several years and was always interested in everything that pertained to the progress and upbuilding of his locality. There were many traits of character in his life record which are worthy of emulation and which won him the respect and admiration of his fellowmen. Mrs. Varner still resides upon the old homestead, where she has one hundred and seventy acres of fine land on section 4, McKee township, which is now operated by her son-in-law. R. F. Curry, who carries on general farming and stock-raising. She is a member of the Catholic church at Liberty.

HENRY JENTER.

Henry Jenter, the secretary of the Knittel Show Case Company, of Quincy, was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 24, 1859, his par- ents being Christian and Mary (Maier) Jenter. They both crossed the Atlantie from Witten- berg, Germany, in 1851, as passengers on the same vessel, and they were married in Miehi- gan, where the father followed his trade of cabinet-making. his home being in Ann Arbor.

At the usual age Henry Jenter began his education as a public-school student and was advanced through snecessive grades until he had completed the high school course by gradu- ation when seventeen years of age. He then learned the trade of cabinet-making, which he followed in his native city for four or five years, after which he removed to Chicago and was with the Brunswick-Balke-Collander Com- pany, eontinning in the employ of that house from 1882 until 1894. While there he applied himself to the study of drawing and drafting

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of office furniture and fixtures and became very proficient in that line. Removing to Quiney in 1894, he here entered the service of the Knit- tel Show Case Company as superintendent and thus had charge of the constructive work in the factory for four years, at the end of which time he purchased an interest in the business and was elected secretary of the company. This company was established in 1876 and was in- corporated twenty years later. It was the first company in the United States to conduct a wholesale trade in show cases and the business has steadily grown, not a little of the success in the past decade being attributable to the practical skill and executive force of Mr. Jen- ter, who puts forth every energy for the ex- pansion of the enterprise along lines of legiti- mate snecess. le now has general charge an l supervision of the plant, which is located at Nos. 319 to 339 North Third street, employment being furnished to about one hundred and twenty-five workmen throughout the year.

Mr. Jenter was married to Miss Ida M. Stein- grede, of Quiney, a daughter of Charles Stein- grede, who was at one time an employe of the Knittel Show Case Company. but died in 1896. The marriage was celebrated in June, 1897, and they now have one child, Emma Louise, who was born in July, 1902.

A republican in his political views, Mr. Jen- ter keeps well informed on the questions and issnes of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument, yet he has never been active in political circles as an office seeker. Ilis business claims the major part of his attention, and in the shops he is an able superintendent because of his skill as an artisan and his practical knowledge of the work. Fair in his relations to his employes. he has worked his own way upward and is ever interested in the advancement of others.

JOHN W. WOODRUFF.

John W. Woodruff, who is an agriculturist, financier and thorough-going business man, de- serves mention among the representative citizens of Adams county, was born in Ursa, January 27. 1854, his parents being Captain Freeman and Frances (Harrison) Woodruff. Ilis paternal grandparents were

Timothy and Abigail (Seward) Woodruff, the former born in Butler county, Ohio, February 12. 1783, and the latter in New Jersey, February 12, 1785. In 1838 they removed from Ohio to Adams county, Illinois. and after living on Bear creek until the following spring, settled in Ursa township on what is now

the old Woodruff homestead. There Timothy Woodruff engaged in farming until his death. March 28, 1859. His wife died in May. 1872.

Captain Freeman Woodruff, reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, also beeame a farmer and as the years passed, through earnest and in- defatigable labor and juducious investment, he became the owner of valuable property interests, real and personal, that ranked him with the wealthy citizens of Adams county. He was for three years a loyal defender of the Union cause in the Civil war and won promotion to the rank of captain in recognition of his bravery and fidel- ity. He was married, December 28, 1844, to Miss Frances Harrison, who was born December 29, 1825, a daughter of John and Frances ( But- ler) Harrison, who were natives of Ohio and at an early day became residents of Ursa township, Adams county. The history of Captain Wood- ruff and his wife is given at length on another page of this work.

John W. Woodruff pursued his education in the schools of Ursa until 1871, when he became a student in Carthage College, at Carthage, Il- linois, there spending three years. Ilis educa- tion completed, he returned home to take up farm work and always engaged in general agricultural pursuits upon the old homestead, more and more largely relieving his father of the active labor and management of the farm as the years passed by. In all of his farm work he has been method- ical, systematic and progressive, keeping in touch with modern methods, whereby a minimum effort produces a maximum result. Following his father's death, in January, 1905, he was made administrator of the estate, which he is now managing. Ile has also been administrator of several other estates -- a responsibility that has been entrusted to him because of his well known business ability and irreproachable integrity. He understands intricate business problems with marked readiness and is seldom. if ever, at fault in matters of business judgment, while his re- liability has formed an important element in his snecessful career. In addition to his other in- terests he is a director and adjuster of the Ursa, Mendon and Lima Fire Insurance Company.

ITis trustworthiness and his public-spirited citizenship have led to his selection for public office and in 1895 he served as tax collector of Ursa township. He has also been school director for twenty-four years, just completing his eighth term in that position. Further political honors would undoubtedly been given him had he de- sired. but his ambitions are not in the direction of office holding, although he is deeply interested in his party and its success. Ile always votes the republican ticket and has been chairman of the republican township committee, holding the office for ten years ending in the fall of 1904.

MR. AND MRS. J. W. WOODRUFF

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On the 23d of October, 1877, Mr. Woodruff was married at the residence of Frank Stone, in Ursa, Illinois, to Miss Irene Castle, a daughter of Giles and Imneinda (Stone) Castle. Her father, a resident of Camp Point, was born JJune 10, 1828, and died February 22, 1904. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff were: Ada M., born July 29. 1879: Arthur M., who was born March 26. 1881, and was married, August. 25, 1904, to Lillian B. Grimes, a daughter of William B. and Bell ( Burrows) Grimes; and Ethel F., born Feb- ruary 11, 1896. The family residence is on the old Woodruff homestead, where Timothy Wood- ruff located at an early day. On this large farm are three residences, one occupied by John W. Woodruff and his family.

Since 1885 Mr. Woodruff has been a member of Marcelline lodge, No. 114, A. F. & A. M., in which he is a past master and he has also been representative to the grand lodge for several years. He likewise belongs to Ursa lodge, No. 127, I. O. O. F., in which he is a past grand and now treasurer : the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 995, at Ursa ; the Daughters of Rebekah at Ursa; and the Eastern Star chapter at Mendon. The family are consistent members of the Christian church at Ursa and their social prominence gains them the entry into the best homes of the county. Mr. Woodruff has never sought to figure promi- nently in a public light, content to manage his business affairs with discretion and ability, and find in the respect and trust of his fellowmen the reward of an honorable and upright as well as successful career.

JOSEPH A. ROY.

Joseph A. Roy, successfully practicing law at the bar of Quiney, was born in Clayton, Ad- ams county, Illinois, July 3, 1866. In the pater- nal line he is of Scotch descent and his grand- father, John Roy, spent his entire life in Scot- land. John Sinclair Roy, his father, is a native of Glasgow. Scotland, and first visited America in company with his father, when nine years of age. He then returned to his native land, but he carried back with him pleasant impres- sions of the new world, which were afterward strengthened by what he read and heard of this country. Accordingly when twenty years of age, he again crossed the Atlantic to New York, and loeated first in Freehold, New Jersey, where he was married November 30, 1849, to Miss Agnes Liggett, a daughter of John Lig- gett. a native of Ireland. In 1856 John Sinelair Roy came to Adams eounty and began farming in the vicinity of Clayton, where for many

years he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. In 1893 he retired from the farm and removed to Quiney, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in a well earned rest. Unto him and his wife have been born eight children : John, a practicing physician of Omaha. Ne- braska: Mary, who became the wife of Thad- deus T. Burke, of Golden, Illinois, and died October 19. 1904, at the age of fifty years: Margaret, the wife of John II. Ineas, of Time- well, Illinois ; James L., who died May 13, 1903. at the age of forty-five years ; David P'., of Jack- sonville, Illinois; William T., who is living on the homestead farm near Clayton: JJoseph A. and Arthur R., practicing attorneys of Quincy.

Joseph A. Roy pursued his early education in the public schools of his native town and his law course in Chaddock College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of May. 1893. He was then admitted to the Illi- nois bar and began practice in Quincy, in the same year. He has been a strong and success- ful lawyer from the start, seldom losing a case. which is due in large measure to his careful preparation. He is seldom, if ever, at fault in his application of a legal principle or precedent to the point at issne and his thorough under- standing of the science of jurisprudence, com- bined with remarkable clearness of thought as manifest in his ready speech, cogent reasoning and logical dednetions, makes him an able conn- selor and strong advocate. He now ocenpies offices in the Stern Building.

Mr. Roy is a democrat in his political belief and served as city attorney of Quincy from 1895 until 1897, having been elected by a ma- jority of thirteen hundred and fifty-one votes, which was a flattering testimonial of public confidenee. He is a political worker, active and ready for duty, and his party has received substantial assistance from him. He is a force- ful and effective campaign speaker, with excel- lent oratorieal ability, and moreover his utter- anees always ring with the stamp of his firm personal conviction. In Inly. 1898. he was nominated for congress, against Benjamin F. Marsh, a long time occupant of the office, and was defeated by the very small plurality of two hundred and twenty-eight. Mr. Roy put in nomination Judge Akers, the present eirenit judge, at the judicial convention in Pittsfield in 1903.

On the 19th of April, 1904. Mr. Roy was married to Miss Lonise, a daughter of Daniel and Clarissa (MeDeed) Rosencrans, of Dewitt. Illinois, and they have gained many warm friends during their residence in Quincy. Mr. Roy is a man of fine social qualifications, with a courteous manner and kindly deference for the opinions of others that renders him a favor-

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ite in social eireles, and yet he never fails to express his honest convictions or uphold his views on any vital question.

HENRY J. SMITHI, D. D. S.

Dr. Henry J. Smith, deceased, who was en- gaged in the practice of dentistry in Quincy from 1865 until his death, in 1892, was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1840. His father was engaged in the conduet of a tannery in Pennsylvania and became very wealthy. He and his wife died in Altoona when their son Henry was only six years of age. He then went to make his home with the family of his unele, Il. J. Swoope, who was engaged in the real es- tate business in Altoona during the greater part of his life.

After attending the public schools of his na- tive city Dr. Smith began preparation for a life work by entering upon the study of medicine but when the Civil war broke ont he put aside all personal and business considerations and re- sponded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in 1862. Ile became a captain of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Infantry and commanded his company throughont the war. participating in many battles of importance. He was wounded in the engagement of Fredericksburg and again in a hotly contested battle at Gettysburg and was in the hospital at Washington for some time. The two bullets remained in his body through- out life. He was sent home to Altoona, Penn- sylvania, where he remained until his wounds had partially healed. Ile then rejoined his com- pany at Columbia, South Carolina. Not long afterward he was taken prisoner and was incar- cerated for nine months but was treated well by the authorities of the southern prison. After obtaining his release he rejoined his company and served until the close of the war, being hon- orably discharged in Washington in 1865. He was a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of his duty, and his valor and courage often inspired his men who served under him.

Dr. Smith then came to Quincy. Here he gave up the study of medicine and took up the study of dentistry, entering into a partnership with an old and well known dentist. Dr. Lewis, with whom he continued in practice for a num- ber of years. Ile contimed a representative of the dental fraternity in Quincy until his death and was at work in his office until the day prior to his demise, when he was taken ill with heart trouble, dying the following day, May 12. 1892. Ite had a well appointed office and thronghont the years of his practice kept in touch with the

progress that was continually being made by the dental fraternity. He used the latest improved instruments and his skill and ability seenred him a very gratifying patronage.

In 1871 Dr. Smith was married in Qniney to Miss Cornelia K. Keyes, who was born in the house where she now resides, and is a daughter of Willard and Mary ( Folsom) Keyes, the for- mer a native of Vermont and the latter of New ITampshire. Her father was one of the first set- tlers of Quiney and became very prominent and very wealthy, engaging in the real estate busi- liess for many years and handling mneh valable property. Further mention is made of him in both the biographieal and historical sections of this work. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Smith was born but one ehild, Ilarry K., who married Amy C. Castle, of Quincy. le is an electrical engineer but because of ill health he and his wife are now residing in Tacoma. Washington. They have two children, Gwendolen and Harold Seymour.

Dr. Smith was a stanch republican but never an office seeker. Ile belonged to the Grand Army post at Quiney and was also a Knight Templar Mason, the commandery having charge of the funeral services when he was laid to rest. Ile long ranked with the leading citizens of Quincy, gaining a high reputation in his profes- sion, was known as a public-spirited citizen and in social circles popular because of his genial manner, manly disposition and deference for the opinions of others. He held membership in the Episcopal church and in that faith passed to his long rest. Mrs. Smith is also a member of the Episcopal church. She now resides at the old Keyes homestead at No. 803 Broadway. This was one of the first houses erected in Quincy and was at the time the finest brick residence here.

DAVID P. LAWLESS.

David P. Lawless, who on the 5th of Decem- ber, 1904, became county reeorder of Adams county, to which position he was elected in the previous November, and who, prior to that time had been engaged in general farming, was born in Gilmer township, October 19. 1864, his parents being John Quincy and Lizzie (Pearce) Lawless. The paternal grandfather, John Law- less, came from Grant county, Kentneky, to Illi- nois in 1835, settling in Gilmer township, Ad- ams county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he added from time to time until he had valuable realty holdings at his death. In his family were five sons and four daughters. One son died in early man- hood, while the others married and settled in this county.

DR. HENRY J. SMITH

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John Quiney Lawless, the eldest son and third child, was born in Grant county, Kentucky, December 2, 1826, and was therefore eight years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Illinois. He attended the country schools and as his age and strength inereased, he per- formed more and more largely the work of the farm and after attaining his majority began agricultural pursuits on his own account. Ile is a very energetie, enterprising man, and real- izing that earnest labor is the basis of all suc- cess he worked indefatigably for many years and accumulated much property. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of land in Honey Creek township, one hundred and five acres in Columbus township, one hundred and sixty aeres in Burton township, two hundred and eighty aeres in Gilmer township, making a total of seven hundred and forty-five acres of very rich, arable and valuable land in Adams county. He continued in aetive farming until 1901, when he put aside the more arduous duties of a business eareer and now makes his home in the village of Columbus. He engaged in general farming and also made a specialty of the raising and feeding of hogs.

John Q. Lawless was married to Miss Lizzie Pearce, a daughter of David Pearce, of Gilmer township. The wedding was celebrated in 1862, and they became the parents of seven children, bnt one died in infancy, John at the age of four years and Thomas when two years old. Of the surviving children David P. is the eldest. The others are: Margaret, the wife of W. C. Lytle, who is living in Burton township and has two sons; William Benton, who resides in Honey Creek township and who married Miss Edna Aaron, of Kane township, by whom he has two children, a son deceased and one son living at the age of five years ; and Anna Mary, wife of Fred Pfanschmidt, of Gilmer township, by whom she has a daughter, three years old. Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Lawless attend the Meth- odist Episcopal church and in his political views he is a republican. He stands to-day as one of the most successful and energetic agrienlturists of the county, his advancement having been won through his own indefatigable efforts and earnest purpose, and he is also one of the hon- ored pioneer settlers, for almost seventy years a resident of the county.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 141

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