Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 142

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 142

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Following the acquirement of his more spe- eifieally literary edueation in the public schools near his home, David P. Lawless attended the Gem City Business College of Quiney, and when he put aside his school books in 1888 he began farming upon one of his father's farms, where he put to the praetieal test the knowledge that he had acquired in the schoolroom and upon the old homestead. Practical in his methods and

fearing not that laborious attention to detail without which there is no success, he labored on persistently and with good results until 1904, when he received the nomination of the repub- liean party for the office of recorder of Adams county. He was elected on the 8th of Novem- ber, 1904, by a plurality of between eleven and twelve hundred, and on the 5th of December he assumed the duties of the office. He is now capably serving in that position, bringing to his work the same businesslike dispatch which characterized his labors on the farm and the same fidelity which marked his discharge of his private interests.

On the 18th of November, 1891, Mr. Lawless was united in marriage to Miss Marguerite, daughter of Barzillia Earel, who resided near Camp Point, in Columbus township. Mrs. Law- less is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mr. Lawless is affili- ated with Columbus lodge, No. 227, A. F. & A. MI., and politieally has always been an earnest republican. He is a worthy representative of an honored poineer family and while his life has been passed in the quiet pursuits of the farm he has always commanded the respect and trust of his fellowmen.

JOHN K. RETICKER, M. D.

Dr. John K. Retieker, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Quiney since 1895, was born in Rock Island, Illinois, November 13, 1872, his parents being John M. and Anna C. (Kimel) Reticker. His grandparents were na- tives of Maryland, and his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Retieker, is now living in Quincy at the advanced age of eighty-five years. His mater- nal grandfather was a farmer of Viola, Mercer eounty, Illinois, where both he and his wife died. John M. Retieker was one of a family of seven children: Sophia, the widow of Cap- tain Withrow and a resident of Lagrange, Mis- souri ; John M .; Edward, who was drowned at Cineinnati, Ohio; Howard ; Mary, wife of David Eldred, of Chicago ; Harry, of Rock Island, Illi- nois; and Ada, the wife of Speneer Jobes, of Quiney.

John M. Reticker was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and in early life engaged in mer- chandising in Roek Island eounty, Illinois. He was sheriff of Rock Island county from 1882 until 1886, when he removed to Iowa, where he entered into agricultural pursuits. He came to Quiney in 1898 and is now in the employ of the Quincy Grocery Company. Ile married Anna C. Kimel, a native of Mercer county, Illi-

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nois, and they became the parents of three chil- dren : Flora B., the wife of Alfred Blakesley, of Kansas City; Catherine A., wife of Clarence Blakesley, of Rock Island, Illinois ; and John K.

In the common schools of Rock Island, Illi- nois, John K. Reticker began his education and continued his studies in the high school of Red Oak, Jowa. He was later a student in the Gem City Business College, at Quiney, and prepared for the practice of medicine and surgery in the State University of lowa, from which he was graduated in 1895. Ile began practice in Quiney in June of the same year and was not long in demonstrating his ability in handling difficult cases. Ile is very careful in the matter of diagnosis and his judgment is seldom, if ever, at fault in anticipating the onteome of disease, while his use of remedial agencies has made his labors in the sick room so satisfactory that he is classed to-day among the leading physi- cians and surgeons of Quincy. He belongs to the Adams County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and American Medical Association.

In his political views Dr. Reticker is a demo- erat but is without political aspiration for him- self. Ile was married October 14, 1897, to Miss Mary E. Crew, of Wheeling, West Virginia, a daughter of Samuel and Euphemia (Barnes) Crew. Their children are Virginia A. and Helene. Dr. Reticker built a neat, modern residence in 1903 at No. 1235 Broadway, Quiney.

WILLIAM SCHEID.

William Scheid, police magistrate of Quincy, was born in this city, May 20, 1859, his parents being Henry and Ilelena ( Merker) Scheid. The father, a native of Germany, emigrated to Amer- ica in 1855, settling in Sandusky, Ohio. After a brief residence there he came to Quincy, being married here. He was a cooper by trade, but in Quincy he served as clerk and bookkeeper. 1Ie died in 1887, at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife passed away in 1882. at the age of fifty- two years. In the family were eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth. Those still living are William : Benjamin, a resident of St. Louis; Josie and Dora.

The now police magistrate of Quiney was edu- cated in the public schools of this eity and in a business college of Kansas City. When a young man he learned the barber's trade and for some time was in business for himself. lle was also for a few years connected with the Quincy police force. Later he was a candidate for judge of

the police court but was defeated for the nomina- tion by a small majority. Again the friends of Mr. Scheid, observing his cool and deliberate judgment, never allowing himself to be exercised or excited in any matter in which he was in- terested, conceived the idea that he would have an excellent disposition in the judicial channel and again placed him in nomination for judicial honors. At the democratie primary election he was vietorions over three or four strong oppon- ents. At the election he was elected by a large majority. The judge is of an excellent temper- ament and in disposing of the thousand or more cases that have come before him up to the present time has demonstrated superior judgment. He possesses high ability in his observation of human nature, thus making few errors in condemning or being lenient in administering justice. There- fore his record on the bench will go down in history, as a credit to himself and his children after him. No doubt when the pages of this publication have faded with age the name of Judge William Scheid will be remembered with honor for his excellent work in doing his duty without fear or favor while on the bench of the Quiney police court.

On the 25th of February, 1886, Mr. Scheid was married to Miss Amelia B. Tack, of La Grange, Missouri, and they have three children: Imlu L., Elmer W. and Gertrude. They also lost three in childhood : Harry, who died at the age of four years: George W and Henry, who died in infancy.

In fraternal relations the subject of this sketch is connected with the Knights of Pythias. the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In the last-named he is now serving as chaplain and is past master in the Woodmen of the World. The Judge is of a quiet, unassum- ing nature: kind and as gentle as a woman when circumstances permit it, yet stern and unchanged when duty demands it, and the ablest lawyers and the best citizens of Quincy who have visited and observed the dignity and fairness that prevails in his eourt speak in the highest praise. Instinet. inherited from a good father and mother, will only allow "justice" to be the guiding star of Justice William Scheid.

JOHN J. WAGNER.

John J. Wagner, who follows farming on seetion 5. Melrose township, was born on this place, September 3, 1863. Ile is a son of Peter II. Wagner, whose birth occurred in Germany and who came to the United States in 1845. TIe had been a florist in the fatherland but believing that he might have better business

WILLIAM SCHEID

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opportunities in the new world he sailed for America, landing at New Orleans. He then made his way up the river by boat to St. Louis, where he resided for five years, being employed in a nursery during that time. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California and followed mining for a short time, after which he engaged in gardening near Sacramento. He spent three years in the Golden state and returned to St. Louis by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Mr. Wagner was married in St. Louis to Miss Mar- garet Miller, now deceased, who was born in Germany. They removed to Quincy in 1858 and one year later Mr. Wagner purchased what is known as the old Wagner farm and which. having been divided, is now in possession of John J. and George H. Wagner. Here the fa- ther engaged in gardening and conducted a sue- cessful business up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1891, when he was sixty-nine years of age. He had eighty acres of land and the products which he raised were of excellent size and quality so that he was always able to command the highest market price for his vege- tables. In politics he was a demoerat but never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. Unto him and his wife were born two children, the elder being George H. Wagner, who wed- ded Mary Pflueger, and follows farming in Mel- rose township.

John J. Wagner, the younger son, began his education in the publie schools of his native township and when not occupied with his text- books assisted in the work on the home farm. He and his brother became partners with their father in gardening and after the father's death they inherited the home property, each receiving forty-two aeres of land. Mr. Wag- ner's farm is located at Forty-second and State streets and here he is successfully engaged in raising fruit. He also has good pasture land and keeps fifteen cows for dairy purposes. His business is well conducted and he has a liberal patronage so that he is meeting with desirable success in his undertakings.

Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Carrie Pflueger, who was born in Melrose township, Adams county, and is a daughter of William Pflueger, who came to this county about 1860 and carried on agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have been born six children : Bessie, Charles. Jacob. Albert, Marion and Oscar. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and Mr. Wagner votes with the democratic party. He served as constable of his township for eight years and he is a mem- ber of Quincy lodge. No. 365. I. O. O. F .. and Herman lodge. A. F. & A. M. The fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have

known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication that he is leading an up- right, honorable life.

GEORGE WILLIAM OSGOOD.

George William Osgood, proprietor of a large livery stable of Quincy and well known as an enterprising business man and also in musical cireles of the city, was born in Haneock county, Illinois, December 17, 1868, his parents being Samuel P. and Ellen (Bagby) Osgood. The father, a native of Pike county, Illinois, is a musie teacher. Ilis wife was born near Au- gusta, Illinois, and both are now living in Ewing, Missouri. This branch of the Osgood family was prominent at an early day in Bos- ton, Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was the first of the family to settle in Illinois. His wife was Sophia Ham- mond and they reared a family of three chil- dren : Samuel P .; Lucius; and Lucy, who died soon after her graduation from the Blooming- ton (Illinois) Normal school. William and Eliza (Warren) Bagby, the maternal grand- parents of George W. Osgood. are now residing in Augusta, Illinois, and their married life cov- ers sixty-five years. They had a family of eight children : Wallace, now deceased; Mary, the widow of William Pickens: Margaret, the widow of Dr. Wade, of St. Joseph, Missouri ; John, deceased; Ellan; Charles C., of Brook- field, Missouri; Augustus, of Skidmore, Mis- souri : and Addie, the widow of James Burns, of Stirling, Illinois.

In the family of Samuel P. and Ellen (Bagby) Osgood were eleven children: George W .; Charles F., a practicing physician of Mor- gan City, Utah: Ilarry M .. a music teacher of La Belle, Missouri ; Edward P., who is engaged in the real estate business in Perry, Missouri ; Anna May, the wife of Fred Young, of Kan- sas City; Nellie, the wife of Edgar Robert, of Lewis county, Missouri: Frank C .. a dentist ; James, of Morgan City, Utah ; Earl and Pearl, twins, living in Ewing; and Gladys, also of Ewing.

George William Osgood was educated in the public schools and left home at the age of thir- teen years in order to make his own way in the world. He began working in a printing office. Possessing a natural love of music and desiring instruction in the art and also realiz- ing the need and value of other educational development along literary lines he matricu- lated in the Indiana State Normal school at Valparaiso, where he first pursued a literary

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course and afterward took up the study of musie, being graduated with the class of 1890. lle then accepted a position as instructor in the musical department in the Western Acad- emy at La Belle, Missouri, which position he filled with credit for three years, acting as teacher of both voral and instrumental music. There were one hundred and fifty in his de partment and eighty pupils were enrolled under his tutorship. In 1893 he pursued a post-grad- uate course under Professor Frederick Root and Emiel Liebling, of Chicago. He then opened branch studios in Chicago and Quincy, continuing his teaching in both cities for three years, but in 1898 gave his undivided attention to his classes in Quincy until he embarked in the present business.

During his earlier years Mr. Osgood mani- fested a strong love for horses and was for a time under the training of E. K. Sweet. His interest in horses finally enhninated in his par- chase of the Newcomb livery on the 4th of No- vember. 1902, and he has sinee conducted it. This is a large and splendidly equipped estab- lishment and his patrons embrace many of the most prominent men of the city. He conducts the enterprise along strictly business lines and has met with ereditable and desirable success in the undertaking.

On the 15th of November, 1898. Mr. Osgood was married to Miss Emma Heidrich, a daugh- ter of Martin and Gertrude (Schlagg) Heid- rich. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is recognized as a valued factor in the musical and social circles of Quincy.

CHARLES C. PEANSCHMIDT.

Charles C. Pfanschmidt, for many years ac- tively connected with agricultural interests, is now enjoying a well earned rest in a comfortable home in Quincy, having put aside further busi- ness cares save the supervision of his invested interests. Tle was born in Prussia, near Berlin, on the 31st of January, 1831, and is a son of God- frey and Elizabeth ( Kleinschmidt ) Pfanschmidt. His father was a tanner by trade and for three years (1813-1814-1815), was a member of Gen- eral Blucher's body-guard, being in the battles at Leipsie and Waterloo. In 1834 he brought his family to America, landing at Baltimore, whenee he drove across the country to St. Louis and from the latter city he came to Quincy by boat, reaching his destination in the month of December. In 1835 he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ellington township, for which he paid the usual goverment price of one dollar and a quarter per acre. This was entirely

wild and uncultivated and with characteristic energy he began clearing and breaking his land, using ox-teams for this purpose. He lived upon this, however, until his death, which occurred in 1841.

Charles C. Pfanschmidt was a lad of three summers when brought to Adams county and was reared upon his father's farm here, sharing the arduous labor of developing a frontier home. He first attended school in Gihner township, the little "temple of learning" being a log building which was three miles from his home. He was afterward a student in a log house in Ellington township and the methods of instruction were almost as primitive as the school buildings, but reading and observation have broadened his knowledge in later years and he is to-day a well- informed man. He has always followed the oc- cupation to which he was reared and when twenty years of age he came into possession of eighty acres of his father's farm. Later he pur- chased more land adjoining his farm on the south and west in Ellington township and continued the active cultivation of his farms until October, 1894. llis home place comprised one hundred and fifty-seven aeres and he also had a quarter section of land near Payson, while his wife owned eighty acres in Ellington township. Mr. Pfan- schmidt has sold his farming land and since 1894 has lived a retired life in Qniney, where he has some good realty. In addition to his own home he has three dwellings in this city. Ile lives at No. 522 South Twelfth street, where he has a nice two-story brick residence and also owns a brick house on Fifth and Maiden Lane, a frame dwelling at the corner of Fifth and Payson ave- me and another frame structure at the corner of Twenty-third and Washington streets.

Mr. Pfanschmidt was married to Miss Mary Limb, who was born in England, in 1833, and is a daughter of James and Anna (Todd) Limb, who were natives of England. Iler father was a brick and pottery manufacturer in that country and he came with his family to Quincy when Mrs. Pfanschmidt was only six years of age. Ilere he turned his attention to farming, having three hundred acres of land in Ellington township, Adams county, which he continued to cultivate up until the time of his death, being then seventy- six years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pfanschmidt have been born ten children, but the second, Henry, is now deceased. The others are: Mrs. Louisa Knollenberg, Mrs. Hannah Neikemp, Mrs. Clara Ebert, Mrs. Mary Geisel, Mrs. Elizabeth Petrie, Charles A., Mrs. Ida Cook, Fred, and Minnie, at home.

The children are comfortably situated in life, most of them having homes of their own. For over half a century Mr. and Mrs. Pfanschmidt have traveled life's journey together and on the

C. C. PFANSCHMIDT AND FAMILY

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14th of October, 1903 they celebrated their golden wedding.

Mr. Pfanschmidt enjoys excellent health for one of his years and possesses the strength and vigor of a much younger man. He gives his supervision to his town property but otherwise is resting from active business cares. He owes his success entirely to his own labors, for when he started out in life he had little capital, but by perseverance and energy has worked his way steadily upward, accumulating a comfortable competence through his business ability and ex- ecutive foree. In politics he is a republican and served as school director of Ellington township for eighteen years, was also collector and road commissioner. He belongs to Burton lodge, No. 142, I. O. O. F., and has a wide and favorable acquaintance in Adams county, where he has lived for seventy-one years.

JOHN BERNARD STROTHOFF.

John Bernard Strothoff, now deceased, was for a number of years a representative farmer of Ellington township and was one of the worthy citizens which Germany furnished to Adams county. He was born in Prussia, April 6, 1824, and came to America in 1848, being then a young man of twenty-four years. In 1851 he crossed the plains to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pa- eific slope, thinking that he might rapidly re- alize a fortune in the far west. Making his way to the Sacramento valley he there en- gaged in mining until 1855, in which year he returned to the Mississippi valley and estab- lished his home in Adams county, purchasing the farm which is now the property of his widow.

Mr. Strothoff was married on December 14, 1855, to Miss Mary Catherine Roth, who was born in Hesse, Germany, April 2, 1857, and is a daughter of Urban Roth. Her parents came to America when she was a little maiden of only five summers and located in Adams county, Illinois, where her father purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land lying west of Burton. There he carried on agricultural pursnits for many years and passed away at the age of seventy years. His wife, however, reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Strothoff were born ten children : Herbert, Margaret, Mary and Henry, who are living in Quincy; Anna, Emma, Lonisa and John B., all four deceased ; Ida ; and Stephen I. F. They also reared three adopted children.

After his marriage Mr. Strothoff began farm- ing on his own account and throughout his re- maining days engaged in the improvement of his farm and the cultivation of his fields. In 1876. he erected a fine brick residence two stories in height and contained eleven rooms, it being one of the finest homes in the county. He also placed many substantial improvements upon his land and in fact equipped it with all modern accessories of a model farmn. He lived a busy, useful and active life, was thoroughly reliable in all his trade transactions and was respected for his devotion to duty, his faith- fulness in friendship and his devotion to his family. He was a member of St. Francis Cath- olie church and died in that faith July 25, 1885.

MIrs. Strothoff still survives and is living upon the old homestead farm to which her hus- band took her as a bride in 1855-a half cen- tury ago. This farm comprises four hundred acres of land just outside the city limits of Quincy. The home farm is seven miles east of the city and is now managed and cultivated by her son Stephen, who has twenty acres plant- ed to wheat and sixty-five acres to corn. Two hundred acres are covered with timber, both oak and hickory, and the remainder of the farm is devoted to pasturage, he keeping thirty-four eows and thirty hogs. He is a progressive agri- culturist, carrying forward his work with de- termination and energy and is, therefore, meet- ing with success. Mrs. Strothoff and her chil- dren are communicants of St. Francis Catholic church and the family is a prominent one in Adams county, the members of the household occupying a favorable position in social circles.

FREDERICK WILLIAM HALBACH.

It would seem trite to those familiar with the history of Frederick William llalbach to say that he has risen from an obscure position in the business world to rank with the representa- tive and successful merchants of Quincy and yet it is but just to say in a history that will desecend to future generations that his has been a business career that any might be proud to possess. Starting out in life at an early age dependent upon his own resources he has ad- vanced through determined effort and by con- secutive steps until he is to-day in control of one of the leading mercantile enterprises of the middle Mississippi valley. Never making an engagement that he has not kept or incurring an obligation that he has not discharged he has thus gained for himself an honorable name among his business associates and his life record should serve as a source of encourage- ment and inspiration to others, showing what

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may be accomplished through force of char- aeter and unremitting energy.

Mr. Halbach was born in Westphalia, Prus- sia, in 1847, his parents being T. and Sophia ( Koenemann) Halbach. He acquired his edu- cation in the schools of his native land and at the age of eighteen years eame to America, spending two years in New York city, where he served as clerk in a dry-goods store. The year 1866 witnessed his arrival in Quincy, where he secured a position as salesman in the dry-goods store owned by Julius Kespohl. There he remained until 1873, when Mr. Kes- pohl sold out to HI. HI. Schroeder and Mr. Hat- bach. For a year they continued at the old stand and then removed to a business block next door, which they occupied for twenty- seven years. In 1900 they removed to their present location on Sixth and Maine street, occupying here a fine building, fifty-five by one hundred and twenty-five feet, four stories in height and basement. They utilize the en- tire building in their display of dry-goods, cloaks and notions and since their removal to this place they have doubled their business. The Halbach, Schroeder Company was incor- porated in 1899 with Mr. Halbach as president and treasurer, John Meyer as vice-president and Rudolph Wilms as secretary. They now control an extensive patronage by reason of the excellent line of goods which they carry. their reasonable prices and straightforward business methods. Employment is furnished to seventy-five people and it is the policy of the house to maintain strictly just relations with their employes, paving good wages and recognizing capable service by promotion as opportunity offers.

In 1870 Mr. Halbach was married to Miss Fredericka Kespohl. a daughter of Henry Kes- pohl, who died about 1880. They became the parents of ten children, of whom a son and daughter died in infancy, while eight are yet living: Charles Halbach, the eldest, married Miss Eggleston. is living in Qniney and is in- terested in the mercantile business with his father. He has one son, Frank, who is attend- ing the public schools. May is the wife of James Murphy, connected with the Northwes- tern Railway Company at Minneapolis, Minne- sota, and they have one child, Marion. Doro- thy is the wife of Harry Gage, connected with the Cassidy Commission Company of Quiney. Ida and Elsie are at home. Robert is asso- ciated with his father in business. Emil attends the high school and Florence is a student in the Webster school.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 142

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