Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 143

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 143

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The family are prominent socially and their own attractive home is justly celebrated for its gracions and free-hearted hospitality. They

attend the Unitarian church and Mr. Halbach gives his political support to the republican party. Ile is a noble example of the self-made man and though it is no unnatural thing for a youth in humble circumstances to work his way upward to success in this country, such a history is always worthy of consideration, con- taining lessons that may well he felt. When Mr. Ilalbach arrived in this country at the age of eighteen years he had very little capital but he possessed strong determination and energy and upon that foundation he has build- ed his success. Such old and time-tried max- ims as "honesty is the best policy." "there is no excellence without labor." he made the basis for his advancement and to-day he stands at the head of a company controlling one of the largest mercantile establishments of Quiney.

REV. J. P. KERR.

Rev. J. P. Kerr, who has been pastor of St. Peter's Catholic church of Quincy sinee 1893, was born on the 29th of December. 1843. in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, and is a son of Charles and Bridget ( Nolan) Kerr, who spent their entire lives in that country and are both now deceased. In their family were four children, three sons and one daughter, all now deceased with exception of Father Kerr, who was the youngest. He attended the com- mon schools of his native place until sixteen years of age and then studied the classics at Portora royal school for about two years. In 1867 he came to America and in October of that year entered the Seminary of Our Lady of An- gels at Niagara Falls, where he remained for about a year. He then left school in order to earn the money needed to carry on his studies and later entered the college at Teutopolis, Illinois, where he continued his education for about eighteen months. Ile next became a student in the Theological Seminary at Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, where he completed a four years' course, and on the 19th of March. 1875, was ordained priest by the Rt. Rev. P. J. Baltes, bishop of Alton, Illinois.

Father Kerr's first pastorate was St. Joseph's church at Bloomfield, Illinois, where he re- mained until 1885, when he was transferred to Brown's settlement in Montgomery county, Illinois. From there he went to Carlinville and in 1893 came to Quincy, as before stated. St. Peter's church had its origin as far back as 1839, when St. Lawrence church was built at the corner of Eighth and Maine streets. This house of worship continued to serve the congregation

REV. J. P. KERR

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

until 1869, when the old building was torn down and a new one erected, called St. Peter's church. This was dedicated Jannary 1, 1870, the work being carried on under the ministry of Rev. Father Peter MeGirr. He also built the present school and continued as pastor until his death, which occurred in March, 1893, when he was succeeded by Rev. JJ. P. Kerr, who has the various departments of the church work in a flourishing condition, his parish having become an active force for righteousness in Quiney.

SANFORD C. PITNEY.

Sanford C. Pitney, who is filling the position of circuit clerk of Adams county, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, February 1, 1850. Ilis parents were Lewis and Keziah (Fox) Pitney, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. They were married in the Empire state and became residents of St. Louis about 1849, but previous to that time they had lived in Ohio, where the father was en- gaged in the manufacture of furniture until his plant was destroyed by fire. He then re- moved to the middle west and after spending a year in St. Louis he came to Quincy in the fall of 1850. Here he was associated with Adam Schmitt in the furniture business until his death, which occurred in 1851, the disease being cholera. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1880. They were the parents of seven children : Frances L., who became the wife of Rufus Miller, but both are now deceased ; Mary E., who is now living in Washington, D. C., and is the widow of W. S. Lee, of Quincy, who beeame a captain of the Third Illinois Cavalry and was killed in a skirmish near Memphis in 1863, his remains being brought back to Quincy for interment; Ora L., who is also living in Washington; Warren F., who was formerly en- gaged in the real-estate business in Quincy. but is now in Chicago: Louvisa, who is the wife of B. Cross and is living in Mount Holly, New Jersey ; Albert L., who is in the government employ in Washington and had charge of the government exhibits at the World's Cohunbian Exposition and the Louisiana Purchase Expo- sition, being a draftsman of note and an artist of considerable ability ; and Sanford C., of this review.

Brought to Quincy when only about six months old, Sanford C. Pitney was a publie- school student between the ages of six and six- teen years, after which he became associated with his brother Warren in the real-estate bnsi- ness. From 1872 until 1880 he was connected with the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing

Company, and on leaving that employ became city salesman for F. H. Mason & Company. Ile was also with the firm of Tripp & Manson for a time and in 1886 he went into the gro- cery business at the corner of Sixth and Chest- nut streets, being thus engaged until 1895, when he sold out. In 1898-9 he became one of the incorporators of the Quincy Foundry & Nov- elty Company for the purpose of manufactur- ing light castings and developing patents. He is also the patentee of the Pitney shutter worker, a device used for opening and closing blinds. In 1899 he sold out his interest in that company, and in July, 1902, he was made quar- termaster's clerk at the Ilinois Soldiers and Sailors Home, in which capacity he served until the fall of 1904, when, having received the nomi- nation for the office of circuit clerk, he was elect- ed, on the 8th of November, by a plurality of five hundred and thirty-four votes and is now capably discharging the duties of that position. He is a staunch republiean and has always taken a deep and active interest in politics.

Mr. Pitney was married January 20, 1876, to Miss Lydia Robertson, of Adams county, a daughter of A. C. Robertson, of Beverly, this county. They have one son, Sanford R. Pitney, who was born November 9, 1876, and married Miss Edith Thornton, a daughter of James Thornton, of Mendon township. Sanford R. Pitney owns a nice farm on which he and his wife have a pleasant home, and their marriage has been blessed with one son, Thornton Pitney.

Fraternally Sanford C. Pitney is connected with Quiney lodge, No. 296, A. F. & A. M., and is in hearty sympathy with its tenets and teaeh- ings. His entire life has been passed in Quincy and he has a wide acquaintance, while the faet that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood, is an in- dication that he has ever been worthy the re- spect and trust of those with whom he has so long been associated.

MRS. EVA E. RICHARDSON.

Mrs. Eva E. Richardson is a well known and highly esteemed resident of Beverly and is a woman of much more than ordinary business ability. She is a native of Illinois, born in Tioga, Haneoek county, May 21, 1856, and is a daughter of William and Hannah Koch. Her father claimed Prussia, Germany, as the land of his birth and it was in 1854 that he emigrated to the new world and took up his residence in Tioga, Illinois, where he made his home until coming to Quincy in 1860. Here he was prin- cipally engaged in the teaming and livery busi-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ness until his death, which ocenrred in 1880. His wife survived him and died in 1896. Their family consisted of eight children, namely : Iulia, a resident of Quiney; Henry, of Edina, Missouri: Fred. of Denver, Colorado; Lizzie, wife of Anthony Mayley, of Butte City, Mon- tana ; Anna, wife of John Pieper, of Denver : Estella, wife of Joseph Rollings, of Colorado Springs: Edward, who is in the east ; and Eva E.

Mrs. Richardson was principally reared and educated in Quiney and after leaving school she learned the dressmaker's trade, which she successfully followed for a time. In 1885 she gave her hand in marriage to Charles W. Rich- ardson, a son of James Richardson, who was one of the honored pioneers of Beverly town- ship, building the third house within its bor- ders, in 1835. It is still standing and continues to be used. Charles W. Richardson has one brother and three sisters living in this county; James, a resident of Payson; Mary, the wife of William Robertson, of Beverly township; Matilda, wife of James Robertson, of Fowler; and Charlotte, wife of William Dredge. of Bev- erly. By a previous marriage Charles W. Rich- ardson had five children, namely : Freeman, a resident of Barry, Illinois: James E., who is living on the home farm; Elizabeth B., who re- sides with Mrs. Richardson in Beverly; Susa. wife of Dr. G. A. Lierle, of Payson ; and Monroe R .. also with Mrs. Richardson, who has been a mother to the children in the true sense of that word. She is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Beverly town- ship, and in its management she has met with excellent snecess. She is widely and favorably known and has many friends throughout Ad- ams county. Her husband died October 31, 1896.

JOSEPH S. REECE.

Joseph S. Reece is the owner of valable farm- ing interests in Adams county. his possessions aggregating one hundred and eighty acres, his home farm being on section 27, Keene township. Ile was born in Clermont county, Ohio, November 21, 1838, his parents being Sanmel and Elizabeth (Seals) Reece. The father was born April 28, 1817. and the mother's birth orenrred March 7, 1811. They came to Adams county in 1847, es- tablishing their home in Keene township, where for many years Mr. Reece carried on general farming. He died July 30, 1877. and his wife, long surviving him, passed away September 10, 1904.

Joseph S. Reeee was educated in the schools of Ohio and in Keene township, Adams county, HI- linois. largely attending subscription schools. After putting aside his text-books he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until thirty years of age, and since that time he has carried on general farming. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his undertakings and, his finan- cial resources increasing as he sold his erops for a good price, he made further investments in property and is to-day the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land lying on three different sections in Keene township. This he operates in connection with his son and they are progressive and enterprising agricultorists, meeting with a very ereditable snecess in their undertakings.

On the 20th of January, 1859. Mr. Reeee was married to Miss Sarah Jane Ward, who was born Angust 11, 1838, and is a daughter of William J. and Patience Marie ( Rogers) Ward. Her father was born in Roxbury, Connecticut, July 22, 1810. and came to Illinois when a young man. Here he was married to Miss Patience M. Rogers, whose birth occurred in New York, September 6. 1818. They remained residents of Adams county until 1845, when they returned to New York, there remaining for six years. In 1851. however, they again came west and Mr. Ward continued a resident of this county until his death, which occurred December 23, 1879. His wife died shortly after their return to Ilinois. passing away January 18. 1852. Ento Mr. and Mrs. Reece have been born two children : George W., who was born August 21, 1862, and resides in Keene township, married Olive Fink and has one child, Mary Marguerite, born in Fine. 1902: Enna E., born November 16, 1868, is living at home with her parents.

Mr. Reece gives his political support to the democracy, believing that its principles contain the best elements of good government. He served as collector for three years, was town clerk for three years and has been justice of the peace for twenty years. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon law and equity as well. In all his publie duties he has been true to the trust reposed in him and his private life is well worthy of commendation.

HENRY C. SPRICK.

Henry C. Sprick, assistant eashier of the State Street Bank of Quiney, was born in Fon- tanelle, Nebraska, January 26, 1864, his par- ents being Henry and Sophia (Wilkinning) Sprick, both of whom were natives of Westpha- lia, Germany, the former born March 1, 1826.

SAMUEL REECE J. S. REECE

MRS. ELIZABETH REECE

W. J. WARD

GEORGE W. REECE

MRS. J. S. REECE

MISS EMMA E. REECE

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

and the latter May 30, 1837. They were mar- ried in Quiney March 21, 1858. The father had emigrated from Germany to America in 1853 and, securing employment in Quincy, worked in this city for several years. Ile joined the first colonization society that went from here to Nebraska, making the journey in 1855 and loeating in the village of Fontanelle, where he now makes his home. When he was married he took his bride with him from Quiney to Nebraska, in a wagon drawn by oxen, and they lived in true pioneer style in the west until the advaneing civilization had brought all the advantages and improvements known to the older east. In the family were ten chil- dren but three are now deceased, Dedrich hav- ing died in infaney and Louisa at the age of fourteen years, while Alfred was killed in 1901, at the age of twenty-three years. The others are: Mary, the wife of Rev. C. Sick, of Ster- ling, Nebraska ; Henry C .; Sophia, wife of Pro- fessor Carl Krueger, connected with Midland College, at Atchison, Kansas; Anna, wife of Edward Niebaum, a resident farmer of Wash- ington county, Nebraska: Albert, who is man- aging the homestead farm in Nebraska; Emma, the wife of Otto Langhorst. a general merchant of Fontanelle, Nebraska ; and Clara, living with her parents.

Henry C. Spriek pursued his early education in his native city, also attended a parochial school and at the age of seventeen entered the high school at Blair, Nebraska, where he spent one year. At the age of eighteen he became a public-school student in Quiney, and when nineteen entered upon a course of study in the Gem City Business College, from which he was graduated in 1886, when twenty-two years of age. He then returned to the old home in Ne- braska and worked on the farm for a year. In 1887-8 he acted as private secretary to his father, who was then serving as state senator of Nebraska. In the spring of 1888, going to Omaha, Nebraska, he was employed for sev- eral months in the office of the firm of Lininger & Metcalf, wholesale dealers in implements and farm machinery, and in the fall of 1888 he purchased an interest in a business at Fremont, becoming a member of the firm of Ostermann & Sprick. wholesale dealers in confectionery, fruits and produee. He continued the business for two years, meeting with good success, and in December, 1889, he sold his interest. In 1890 he came to Quiney and aceepted a position in the State Street Bank, where he acted as bookkeeper for a year and a half, when he pur- chased an interest in the bank and was made teller. In 1902 he became assistant cashier, which is his present official connection with the institution. He is also interested in other en-

terprises of the city as a stockholder and direc- tor, and is regarded as one of the most progres- sive and energetic young business men of Quiney.

Mr. Sprick was married to Miss Clara Heid- breder, a daughter of II. Heidbreder, of Quincy, on the 14th of August, 1890, and they have two children : Ilaryey, who was born March 22, 1892, and is a student in St. Peter's school; and Ilelen, who was born September 20, 1897, and is attending the public schools. The par- ents are members of St. Peter's Evangelical church and in his politieal views Mr. Sprick is a republican. Every step in his career has been thoughtfully made, and the qualities which make for progress and successful accom- plishment have been manifest since he entered the business world. He has wrought along modern business lines and has become a well known factor in financial cireles in Quincy, having the entire confidence of the business community.

OLTMAN R. LEENERTS.

O. R. Leenerts, the owner of an excellent farm on section 21, Northeast township, was born in Oltmansfehn, Germany, August 1, 1835, and has been a resident of Adams county since 1858. Ifis father was R. O. Leenerts, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1808. There he remained until 1858, when with his family he came to the United States and made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Northeast township, Adams county, Illinois. His wife bore the maiden name of Etta Sehweers and was also born in Germany, where she died in 1852. In their family were thirteen children, namely : O. R. of this review ; Leenert L., living in Northeast township: Etta, the wife of ITinrich Aden of this township. now deceased : Anna, the wife of Ludwig Schluter, also of Northeast township; Frank, living in Ne- braska: and John S., of the same state. The others all died in early life.

O. R. Leenerts pursued his education in the sehools of his native land and was there reared to manhood. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Katie Junker, who was born in Germany and became the mother of one son,-Frank, who died at the age of three years. For his second wife Mr. Leenerts wedded IIilka Gronewold. who was also born in Germany, and they had six chil- dren: Mary, the wife of Ulfert Block, of Nebraska; Etta, the wife of William Block, of Nebraska ; Edith, the wife of Ricus Block, who is living in that state: Frank and Claus, who are residents of Northeast township ; and Annie, the wife of P. D. Brown.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

For his third wife Mr. Leenerts chose Helena Daniels, who was born in Germany, June 15. 1852, and came to America in 1882. They have five children : Hettie, the wife of William Grone- wold, of this township ; John, Ollie, Henry and Bertha, all at home.

Ar. Leenerts has always followed farming and in connection with the tilling of the soil he en- gages in the raising of hogs and cattle. lle now has two hundred and fifteen acres of land on sec- tions 21 and 22. When he arrived here the land had little money vahte, bringing but a few dol- lars per acre, but now it is worth at least one Inindred dollars per acre.

Mr. Leenerts is a member of the Lutheran church, and was one of the best contributors towards building the fine new Lutheran Trinity church in Golden last year. His political sup- port is given to the republican party. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for he has prospered in his business career here, gradually working his way upward until he is now numbered among the substantial residents of his county.

JOSEPH J. MICHAEL.

Strong purposes and well directed effort will do more for a man in the way of winning sue- cess than any fortunate combination of circum- stances or inherited wealth, and it is these mali- ties which have proven salient features in the life of Joseph J. Michael and made him one of the prosperous and prominent business men of Quincy, his native city. He was born March 25, 1856, and is a representative of one of the early families here. llis grandfather, Henry Michael, removed with his wife and children to Cincin- nati, Ohio, and later to Quiney, Ilinois, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring when he was about eighty years of age, and his remains being interred in St. Boniface cemo- tery.

Herman 11. Michael, son of Henry Michael, was born in Hamburg, Germany, and accompan- ied his parents to the new world about 1844, the family home being established in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the cooper's trade. He afterward spent a year in Chicago, but finding that place too swampy he came to Quincy, where he worked in the Lee cooperage establishment until he had saved enough money to engage in business on his own account. He then conducted business for himself, meeting with gratifying success until about fifteen years ago, when he retired from the trade to enjoy a well earned rest. He also dealt to some extent in real es-

tate. Ile is now eighty years of age, while his wife has reached the age of seventy-one. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two died in infancy, Frank and Edward. The oth- ers are Joseph J .; Anna, wife of Fred Ruten, of Quiney, by whom she has four children: John B., traveling salesman for the Blomer & Michael Company: William, a priest of the Catholic church now located at Pierron, Illinois; Eliza- beth, who is caring for her parents; Henry H., bookkeeper for the Blomer & Michael Company. who married a daughter of James Hudson and has one child; Katie, wife of Henry Brinks. of the firm of Brinks & Son, contractors of Quincy, and the mother of two children. The family be- long to St. Mary's Catholic church.

Joseph J. Michael attended the parochial schools of Quiney, St. Francis College, and Gem City Business College. He began working when in his thirteenth year, attending school in the winter months. He was employed by Henry Bull at the age of thirteen to work in his botan- ical garden, and for one year he occupied a posi- tion in the soap works of Flaeks & Remann. It was Mr. Michael's carly ambition to study prac- tical building architecture and therefore learned the brick-mason's trade, which he followed for ten years. For several years during the winter months of his journeymanship as bricklayer he worked in the pork-packing establishment of Vanden Boom & Blomer in all its various de- partments. In 1876 he was employed for one year as shipping clerk by the Bonnet & Duffy Stove Manufacturing Company. During the last three years of his connection with the brick- mason's trade, he conducted business as a con- tractor, spending two years of that time in Quiney and one year in Creston, Iowa, where he erected a hotel, the gas works, a schoolhouse, church, a bank building, and a number of resi- dences, working a number of men whom he took there with him from Quiney, in 1880. He next entered the office of the pork-packing firm of Vanden Boom & Blomer, with whom he contin- ned for about a year, learning the business. On May 1, 1882, he associated himself with Mr. Blomer and F. Wolf, in a similar enterprise, under the firm name of Blomer, Wolf & Michael, a relationship which was continued for eight years, when Mr. Wolf withdrew and the firm became known as Blomer & Michael, being a partnership concern until 1900, when the busi- ness was incorporated under the style of Blomer & Michael Company. Mr. Michael is vice presi- dent and secretary, while Henry Blomer is presi- dent and John G. Blomer, treasurer. They em- ploy during the summer season one hundred and twenty-five men, and in the winter months one hundred and seventy-five men, exclusive of their

JOSEPH J. MICHAEL

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

office and sales force-a faet which indicates something of the extent of their trade. They do a regular packing and curing business, dressing cattle, sheep and hogs, manufacturing sausage and jobbing provisions, and their sales have reached a large annual figure.

Mr. Michael is a man of resourceful business ability and has been a valued factor in the man- agement of other business enterprises of im- portanee to the city as well as to the individual stockholders. He is secretary of the Quincy Grocery Company, owners of one of the large wholesale grocery houses of this city, and he is likewise a director in the Michelmann Boiler Works and a stockholder in the Ricker National Bank. Ile is a man of keen business discern- ment, capable, energetic and resolute, and his worth in trade circles of Quincy is widely ac- knowledged.

Mr. Michael was married in October, 1884, to Miss Catherine Altmix, a daughter of John Alt- mix, one of the old settlers of this city. They had six children, but Joseph and Paul died in infancy. The others are Hubert, Clara, Roman and Gertrude, all of whom are attending school. The wife and mother died in 1896, and Mr. Mi- chael afterward married Miss Elizabeth M. Tus- haus, of Quincy, a daughter of J. II. Tushans, a pioneer groeer of Quincy. They were married in June of 1897, and there are five children by this union, but a son, Edward, died in infancy. The others are: Genevieve, Pauline, Ilenrietta and Josephine. The parents are members of St. Francis Catholic church, and Mr. Michael belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Western Catholic Union, St. Francis Building Society, St. Boniface Social Club, St. Aloysious Orphan Society, and the St. Mary's Ambulance Society He is one of the strong business men of the city, strong in his honor and his good name, also in his ability to plan and perform, and his efforts have contributed to the city's commercial pros- perity as well as to his individual success.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 143

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