Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 144

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 144

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).

SYLVANUS I. BRAGG.

Sylvanus I. Bragg, a leading representative of the manufacturing interests of Quincy, has arisen from a humble position in business cir- eles, through the close application and unfalter- ing determination which are indispensable eon- comitants of all success. He was born near Bethel, Missouri, March 13, 1860, and repre- sents one of the old families of that state. His great-grandfather removed with his family from Kentucky to Missouri in 1830 and spent the remainder of his life there, his remains now

resting in the family cemetery, where sleep his son, grandson and great-grandson, the last named being the brother of our subject. Syl- vanus I. Bragg, the grandfather, accompanied his parents on their removal in 1830 and was identified with the pioneer development of Shelby county. He was a cousin of General Bragg of the Confederate Army and was serv- ing as county judge of Shelby county at the beginning of the Civil war. Throughout his entire life he was a planter, and he died about 1888, when eighty-five years of age. C. W. Bragg, father of our subject, was born in Ken- tucky and with the family went to Missouri, where he followed the occupation of farming. He joined the Confederate Army at the out- break of the Civil war and died while held as prisoner of war in St. Louis, in 1863. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Josie Stone, and who was also born in Kentucky, is now living in Shelbyville, Missouri. They were the par- ents of four children, of whom two died in in- fancy. The surviving daughter is Jennie, the wife of MI. B. Piekett, a stock-raiser residing in Bethel, Missouri.

Sylvanus I. Bragg, son of C. W. Bragg, ob- tained his early education in the public schools of Shelby county, Missouri, dividing his atten- tion between the work of the schoolroom and the labors of the farm until twenty years of age. In 1880 he went to southern Missouri and be- came clerk and bookkeeper in a general store, in which he remained for three years, when in 1884 he went to Carrollton, Missouri, where he entered upon arrangements to travel for A. Quick, a wholesale grocer, with whom he con- tinned for a year. In 1885 he became traveling salesman for the Huggins Cracker & Candy Company, of Kansas City, Missouri, and at the end of seven years he assumed the superinten- deney of the business, which he managed for a year.

In 1893 Mr. Bragg resigned that position and began business on his own account, asso- ciating himself with W. H. Grant and F. W. Kreipe, under the name of the Grant-Bragg Candy Company, of Kansas City, manufactur- ers of and wholesale dealers in candy. After a year. however. Mr. Bragg withdrew, selling his interest, and in 1894 he went to Atlanta. Georgia, and with that city as his headquarters he became traveling representative for the F. D. Seward Confectionery Company, of St. Louis. A year later he resigned and accepted the management of the candy factory of Frank E. Block Company, of Atlanta, Georgia, assum- ing charge at a time when there were but few people employed in the establishment. When he resigned in 1901, after being with the com- pany for six years, he had so built up the busi-

1032

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ness that one hundred and seventy people were employed and the trade was very extensive. but owing to family ties he severed his busi- ness relations in the south and went to Kansas ('ity. From that point he looked for a favor- able location for the establishment of a candy factory and decided upon Quiney as a promis. ing fieldl. Accordingly. in August, 1901, he came to this city and opened a place of business at No. 125 North Sixth street, starting in in a small way with five people, while he acted as traveling salesman. The business continually grew, as his produets commended him favor- ably to the public, and in 1903 he removed to No. 129 North Sixth street. He also ocenpies the rear of the buildings from mimbers 123 to 129 and the basement under the same, and he employs on an average of twenty people in the Factory and store and two traveling salesmen on the road and one in the city. His business has grown with most gratifying rapidity and his annual sales have now reached a large fig- ure.

In 1883 Mr. Bragg was married to Miss Mina Stacy, of Butler. Missouri, a daughter of George O. Staey, who was then engaged in the music business at Butler, but died in Quincy. in March, 1904. They are members of the Chris- tian church and reside at No. 1441 Hampshire street. In his political views Mr. Bragg is a democrat. but withont politieal aspiration, eon- centrating his energies upon his business in- terests, which, owing to his strong purpose and unfaltering diligence, combined with an inti- mate and practical knowledge of the business. have brought to him a very desirable compe- tence.

ALEXANDER BRADFORD.

Alexander Bradford, a farmer and stock-raiser of Ursa township, was born January 21, 1855, his parents being Nicholas P. and Elizabeth ( Theoble) Bradford, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, the former born in Pendleton eounty and the latter in Grant county. The father was a farmer by ocenpation and both he and his wife are now deceased.

Alexander Bradford left Kentucky when twenty-nine years of age. Ile worked by the month in Missouri for two years and then came to Marcelline, Adams county. He was married November 5. 1884, to Ella J. Groves, a daughter of Daniel P. and Elizabeth (Wood) Groves, farming people of Marcelline. Iler mother is now living but her father died when twenty- eight years of age. Ilis widow afterward married

Alexander Caldwell, who resides in Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bradford were born four children : Homer R., who was born October 21, 1887. and is now attending school in Quiney; Charles M., born February 11. 1890; Edna E., born July 25, 1896; and Estella, born August 21. 1903.

Mr. Bradford is the owner of one hundred and ninety-three acres of good land and is largely engaged in stock-raising, having good grades of cattle, horses and hogs upon his place. Ile is an excellent judge of stock, and is thus able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. His business interests are well conducted, and he is strictly reliable in all his dealings. so that his business integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. In his political views he is a demo- erat. and served as school director for several years, but otherwise has held no publie office ; nor has he cared for political preferment. He is a member of the Court of Honor and of the Modern Woodmen camp. lle belongs to Marcel- line lodge, No. 127, I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife holl membership in the Christian church at Marcelline, contributing generously to its sup- port and having an active interest in its work.

BERND DIRKS.

Bernd Dirks, one of the leading farmers of Honey Creek township, was born in Hanover. Germany, November 9. 1825, a son of Bernd Dirks, Sr .. who was a shoemaker by trade. The son pursned his education in his native land and remained at home until twenty-six years of age, when in 1852 he came to America, believ- ing that he might have better business oppor- tunities in the new workl, where advancement is more quickly secured and labor brings a surer reward. HIe landed at New York city and remained in the Empire state for four years, working on a farm. In November, 1855. he came to Quiney. arriving on the 3d of De- cember. He worked for about fifteen months in the city and then established his home in Honey Creek township, where he rented land for seven years. On the expiration of that pe- riod, when his labors had brought him sufficient capital, he purchased forty acres of land where he now lives and has made it his home con- tinnously since. He has also extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises eighty-one acres and he likewise owns another traet of land of seventy acres south of his pres- ent home, which is cultivated by his son Ber- nard. Mr. Dirks now rents his home place. thus leaving the active work of the farm to

ALEXANDER BRADFORD

1035

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

others, while he is enjoying a well earned rest. Ilis is one of the best kept farms in this part of the county, being neat and thrifty in appear- ance and supplied with good buildings and all modern accessories.

Mr. Dirks was married in Quincy, in 1856, to Miss Heipke Miller, who was born in Etzel, Germany, in 1832, and came to the United States in 1854. Their marriage has been blessed with nine children and the family cirele vet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are Bernard, Catherine, Anna, Henry, Sophia, Anke, Mary, Lena, and Bertha. The family home is about one mile west of Coats- burg. The parents are members of the Lu- theran church. and Mr. Dirks gives his political support to the democracy. He is truly a self- made man for when he started out in life on his own account he had no capital, nor did he re- ceive any assistance through influential friends. He has depended entirely upon his own labor, working perseveringly as the years have gone by until his efforts have brought him to the goal which he started out to reach in early manhood.

HENRY A. OENNING.

Henry A. Oenning, coming to Quiney at the age of twenty-one years, has since been identi- fied with the business of this eity and since 1866 has been numbered among its reliable mer- chants, maintaining a business poliey which has made his name a synonym of commercial integrity and has also gained for him a meas- ure of success that places him with the substan- tial citizens.

Quincy largely owes its upbuilding and ad- vancement to the German element in its eiti- zenship, and of this elass Mr. Oenning is a representative. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, May 9, 1834, and in 1856 arrived in America, coming at once to Quiney. He was a cabinet-maker and carpenter by trade and fol- lowed those pursuits until 1860, when he he- eame a teacher in St. Boniface school. His en- ergies were devoted to edueational labor for six years and in 1866 he became a factor in mercantile life, forming a partnership with John Benning under the firm style of Benning & Oenning, general merchants, at No. 638 Maine street. In 1868 or 1869 he purchased his partner's interest and. ceasing to deal in general mechandise, he confined his attention to the trade in books, glass and picture framing. In 1870 he removed to No. 640 Maine street and in 1872-3 he was at No. 632 Maine street, while in 1874 he located at No. 642 Maine street.

where he remained until 1889, when he pur- chased the property at No. 632 Maine street and has since conducted business there. In 1891 the firm name was changed to H. A. Oen- ning & Company, and the business was ineor- porated in 1900 under the name of the Oenning Glass & Book Company, with H. A. Oen- ning as president; George Wewer, secretary; and Alfred Kurz, treasurer. They did a whole- sale business in window glass. The house has had a continuous existence for forty years, and has ever maintained a foremost place in busi- ness circles of the city, commanding a trade that has been secured through strictly reliable and enterprising methods. Prosperity, worth- ily won and justly deserved, has crowned the labors of Mr. Oenning and the consensus of public opinion names him as one of the promi- nent business men of Quincy. Ile is a stoek- holder in several other leading business concerns of the city and is a director in the Menke & Grimm Planing Mill Company and the Modern Iron Works.

Mr. Oenning was married in Quiney, in 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Heuer and they are members of St. Boniface Catholic church and Mr. Oenning is one of the trustees. He is also supreme treasurer of the Western Catholic Union and treasurer of St. Nicholas Branch, No. 1. W. C. U., of Quincy, in which capacity he has served for many years. In politics he is a democrat, with a business man's interest in the affairs and progress of his country, yet without political aspiration. His devotion to his city and her upbuilding has found tangible evidence in the liberal support he has given to many movements for the general good. His name is honored in commercial circles as one who meets faithfully every obligation and among those to whom he is bound in ties of friendship he commands the sincerest regard and good will.

CHRISTIAN KLEIN.

Christian Klein, president of the Eagle To- bacco Company, of Quiney, belongs to that elass whom the world styles self-made men, for without any pecuniary assistanee at the outset of his career he has battled earnestly and ener- getically from the age of twelve years to win success and gain a creditable and profitable position in the business world. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished.

Born in Warsaw, Illinois, in 1860, Christian Klein is a son of John Adam and Christina (Ilaller) Klein. The father came from Wur-

1036

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

temberg, Germany, in 1852, and settled in War- saw, where he followed the carpenter's trade. which he learned in his native land. In 1868 he removed to Quiney and was here identified with building interests until his death, which occurred in 1872. In Germany he married Miss Haller, who survived him until 1902, dy- ing at the advanced age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four died in infancy. Rose became the wife of Fred Fuhrman, foreman of the Ruff Brewery, and died in 1873. Christina died in Quiney. in 1872. John is also deceased. The living children are Louise, wife of Henry Seheid, of Quiney: William, at home; and Christian.

Christian Klein was a student in the public schools of Warsaw and of Quincy until twelve years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. He was a young lad to face the world with its business responsibilities, but the resolute will and the determination which he displayed in his youth has been the corner- stone upon which he has builded his success. Ile first worked for Otto Blanket, dealer in fancy goods and notions, thus spending three years, after which he entered the employ of the Etna Iron Works, but seeing no possibility for advancement there, after a year he seenred a position in the Gem City tobacco factory. This was in 1876 and he was employed in the factory for eight years, after which he spent. two and a half years as traveling representative for that house. In 1886 he began traveling for the Drummond Tobacco Company, which he represented on the road until 1899, when he became interested in the Eagle Tobacco Com- pany as manager of the sales department, and in September, 1900, he was elected president the other officers being Henry Breder, vice- president ; Henry Sehwagmeyer, secretary and treasurer, and John Rush, superintendent. The Eagle Tobacco Company was organized in 1886 on a small scale, manufacturing plug and smoking tobacco. Since that time the business has grown until now employment is furnished to fifty operatives in the factory and seven men are upon the road representing the house, traveling over lowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Mis- souri, Illinois, Indiana, also Colorado and the Pacific coast country. They manufacture Gold- en Rule plug, Knoxall Twist and Keywest elip- pings and the house is well known to the trade because of the excellence of its product and the reliable business methods maintained in all commercial transactions.

In 1896 Mr. Klein was married to Miss May Salsbury, a daughter of Dexter Salsbury, a contractor of stone work at Grand Rapids. Michigan. They are members of the Congre-

gational church and Mr. Klein belongs to Mar- quette lodge, No. 36. 1. O. O. F. He has social qualities which made him popular upon the road and at home, and there is in him a weight of character which is felt in business and other relations of life. a character that began its growth when he started out for himself at an early age, that was developed through self- reliance and perseverance and that now com- mands uniform respect.

JAMES E. PARSONS.

James E. Parsons, a well-to-do and respected fruit grower of Riverside township, living on section 25, has made his home in Adams county since 1868. ITe was born in Kent, England, in 1844 and is a son of Henry S. and Sarah (Hoar) Parsons, the latter still living in England at the very venerable age of ninety years. The father was a baker and died at the age of sixty years, while visiting in the United States.

James E. Parsons continued at the home until twenty-three years of age and became a nursery and seed man. In 1866 he crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Chicago, and for a short time he continued a resident of that city. He then went to Galesburg. Illinois, where he engaged in clerking for two years. In 1868 he arrived at Quincy and soon joined Henry Bull in the nurs- ery business, in which he continued for sixteen years at Sixteenth and Hampshire streets. In 1882 he purchased his present farm, which lies just north of the city limits and borders Twenty- fourth street. He has here thirty-six acres of very valuable land devoted largely to horticul- tural pursuits, twenty acres being comprised within his orchard, which contains fine apple, peach. plum and pear trees. Ile also raises hogs to some extent, and in his fields cultivates corn and hay. Ile likewise has some of the best chick- ens in Illinois, making a specialty of the white Wyandottes. He is a most progressive agricul- turist, and everything about his place is kept in excellent condition, while the poultry and stock which he raises is of very high grades.

Mr. Parsons was married to Miss Mary A. Pittock, the wedding being celebrated in Gales- burg. July 3, 1868. They were one of three couples who were married at that time, the cere- mony being performed by the Rev. E. Beecher, a nephew of Henry Ward Beecher. Mrs. Par- sons was born in Kent, England, and is a daugh- terof William E. and Elizabeth A. ( Pool) Pittock. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have been born seven children : Edwin II., who is a fruit grower of Riverside county, California : Emma A., the wife

MR. AND MRS. JAMES E. PARSONS

1039

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

of II. W. Sinnock of MeCloud, California ; Mrs. Nellie Dolan of St. Louis: Herbert and Edith E., both at home; A. J., deceased, and Grace, at home.

Mr. Parsons is a stanch republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an active and helpful interest in its work. Ile has been very successful in his business career and now has a good home and splendidly developed farm. He is a man of excellent intellectual capacity, sound judgment and keen discrimination, and whatever he under- takes he carries forward to successful completion, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by determined purpose and honorable effort.

WILLIAM I. McKEE.

William I. McKee, president of the W. I. McKee Lumber Company of Quiney, conduct- ing an extensive wholesale business in hand- ling the product of large mills on the Pacific coast and in the northwest, is a man of intense activity, marked enterprise and business dis- eernment, and through the exercise of these qualities has attained an enviable position in commercial circles. Born in Prescott, Wiscon- sin, he possesses the energetic spirit of the west. His natal year was 1862, his parents being John M. and Mary (Vasvinder) McKee, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. They removed to Prescott, Wisconsin, about 1857 and in 1868 became residents of Bloomington, Illinois, where they made their home until their deaths, the father being engaged in merchan- dising. He died in 1873, his wife in 1901. They were the parents of five children.

William I. MeKee, the fourth in order of birth, attended school in Bloomington until twelve years of age, when he began work in a printing office. After three years thus spent he entered a railroad office, in which he was employed for nine years. In 1887 he began working for a Imber company in Blooming- ton and thus gained his first practical knowl- edge of the business in which he has since attained very gratifying success. Ile was sent to Clinton, Illinois, as manager of the com- pany's yard there, and later was recalled to Bloomington as manager of the main yard. while subsequently he entered the general office of the company at Chicago. In 1893 he re- signed that position and for a year was em- ployed by a Inmber company on the Pacific coast. In 1894 he came to Quincy, and for three or four years traveled for the Gray's Harbor Lumber Company, continuing with that house until 1898 when he embarked in business

on his own account, buying and selling Inmber, with his main office in Quiney. In 1902 he or- ganized the W. I. McKee Inmber Company, of which he has since been president, with J. W. McFadden as vice-president ; S. P. Johns, sec- retary ; and J. Il. Mathews, treasurer. This was incorporated under the laws of Washing- ton. The mill is in Tacoma, Washington, and they also handle the output of mills in Montana, Washington, Oregon and California, doing an exclusive wholesale business. The company employs sixty men, including three traveling salesmen and the business is steadily growing.

In 1889, at Quincy, Mr. MeKee was married to Miss Mary E. Berry, a daughter of Colonel W. W. Berry, deceased, and they have one child, Mildred, who, at the age of twelve years, is attending the public schools. Mr. McKee exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, his interests in polities being that of a business man and public-spirited citizen and not that of an office seeker. He has concentrated his en- ergies upon whatever work has been entrusted to him and whatever duties have fallen to his lot since as a boy of twelve years he started to make his own way in the world. There is no esoteric phase in his career, his advancement being gained by persistent effort, earnest pur- pose and indefatigable diligence, and his ex- ample is well worthy of emulation, while his history is a clear illustration of the fact that enterprise and labor bring their sure reward.

GEORGE J. MERKER.

George J. Merker, who is widely and favor- ably known in Melrose township, was born with- in its borders, February 5, 1855, and is a son of John Merker, a native of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was George Merker, a na- tive of Germany and the founder of the family in the new world. After arriving at years of maturity John Merker was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Wagner, who was born in Germany and was a daughter of Christian Wag- ner, who became one of the early residents of Adams county. Mr. Merker established his home in Adams county at an early day. Coming to the west with his parents he purchased land in this part of the state. At that time they used sleds for wagons for they had no wheels. Many other evidences of a pioneer condition were seen. much of the land being still in its primitive con- dition, while the homes of the settlers were wide- ly scattered. John Merker became the owner of a farm in Melrose township and was also the owner of a tract of land of ninety acres in Mis-

1040

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

sonri. Ile died at the comparatively early age of forty-two years.

George J. Merker pursued his education in the schools of Melrose township and has followed farming throughout his entire life. When not busy with his school books he aided his father in the development of the home farm, and as he grew in years and strength he largely assumed the labor and management of the home place. He is today the owner of forty aeres of land on section 23, Melrose township, and its proximity to the city, being only two and a half miles dis- tant, enables him to easily secure all of the ad- vantages and conveniences of city life and at the same time enjoy the opportunities and free- dom of a rural existence. Ile is engaged in the raising of fruit and vegetables for the city market and rents the land which he does not utilize in this way. Ile has prospered in his undertakings, meeting with very creditable sue- eess, for the products which he raises find a ready sale, owing to their excellence as regards both size and quality.

Mr. Merker was united in marriage to Miss Anna O. Spitze, who was born in Warsaw, Illi- nois, and they have eight children, all of whom are yet living : John, Fred, Henrietta, Anna, Ed. Royal C., Sehna M. and Edith. The parents hold membership in St. John's Lutheran church and Mr. Merker gives his political support to the democracy, but has never been an active politician in the sense of office seeker, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, whereby he has been able to provide a very comfortable living for his family and put aside a goodly sum for the proverbial rainy day.

LOUIS BOQUET.

Lonis Boquet. for twenty-seven years engaged in the commission business in Quincy, where his commercial integrity was never questioned and where his enterprise proved a forceful element in bringing him snecess, was born in the northern part of France, September 18, 1835, his parents being Ferdinand and Marie Rosa ( Bodin) Bo- «net, who were also natives of France and eame to this country soon after the arrival of their son Louis.

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 144

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