Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 145

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 145

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The latter, accompanied by his brother Ferdi- nand, crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans and afterward sent for their parents. Ferdinand Boquet became ill while in the Crescent City and died there, his remains being interred in a New Orleans cemetery. Later Louis Boquet removed to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was living at the time of his parents' arrival from France, they having left that country ere news of their son

Ferdinand's death could be sent them, and so they did not receive the sad tidings until they reached this state. Lonis Boquet and his parents settled on a farm near Basco, Illinois, where both the father and the mother died. The son was first married to Miss Adeline Ansley, also a na- tive of France, and seven years later her death occurred. The only child of that marriage is Louis Boquet, Jr., a cook, who married Julia Bommert, and resides in Keokuk, Iowa.

For a few years Mr. Boquet made his home in Warsaw, Illinois, where he engaged in the whole- sale commission business, buying eggs, butter and other commodities, which he largely shipped to the New Orleans market. Removing to Alexan- der, Missouri, he continued in the commission business on a large scale, dealing in poultry, meats and other products. Ile met with very gratifying success there. but. after a year, think- ing Quincy would prove a still more favorable place of business, he came to this city and was one of the leading commission merchants here until his death. He began business near the new postoffice and a few years later removed to No. 215 North Seventh street, where he remained un- til his life's labors were ended. He possessed all the requisite qualities of the successful commis- sion merchant, having a thorough understanding of the business, an excellent memory for prices and all the multitudinous details of the business, and his enterprise and keen discernment brought to him gratifying snecess. As his financial re- sources increased he made investments in real estate and became the owner of much valuable property, which brought to him a good annual return.

While living in Warsaw, Illinois, in 1869, Mr. Boquet was married to Miss A. Marie Huntziger, a native of Alsace, France, and a daughter of Angust and Rosina ( Rosine) Huntziger. Her parents were also natives of France and spent inneh of their lives there, the father being en- gaged in farming and in the wine business. He died in France, after which the mother came to America and passed her last days in Augusta, Iowa. There were three children born to Louis and Marie Boquet: Jules, the ellest, married Clara Lange and worked for a telephone com- pany of Quiney. He was killed by an electric shock and his widow is now employed in the tele- phone office where her husband previously worked. Edmond. born October 26, 1875, mar- ried Emma Eberhardt, and they have one son, Ralph. Edmond Boquet is his Father's successor in the commission business and is now conducting a very profitable trade, dealing largely in poul- try. Ilarry, the youngest son, when a boy of thirteen years, was playing one day and climbed a telegraph pole. lle sustained an electric shock in so doing that terminated his life.

LOUIS BOQUET

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The death of Mr. Boquet occurred December 27, 1897. He was a republican in his political views, but took very little interest in politics, seldom exercising his right of franchise. He was a very liberal man, giving freely in charity and wherever he saw that assistance was needed. He did not believe in the indiscriminate giving that fosters vagrancy, but bestowed his gifts where they would prove of practical benefit, and many there are who have reason to cherish his memory because of his benefactions. He stood high in public regard, especially among the business men who knew him, and commanded the good will and confidence of all. Mrs. Boquet now resides in a nice residence at No. 1016 Vermont street, which property was built by her husband, and she also owns other property on Hampshire street.

NOBLE M. HEANEY.

Noble MI. Heaney, who is engaged in the gro- cery business in Quiney under the firm name of N. M. Heaney & Son, was born on the 7th of July. 1850, in Mendon, Illinois, and is a son of Samuel and Mary Anne (Hewitt) Heaney, na- tives of County Cavan, Ireland. The father's birth occurred September 28, 1824, and on the 2d of December, 1844, he married Miss Mary Anne Ilewitt, who was born in 1812. They left Ireland in the early part of the year 1849 for America. and on landing at New Orleans took a boat up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where they had to stop on account of sickness. While there Samuel Heaney lost his mother, sister and one child by death. Leaving the family in St. Louis, he worked his way up the river on a boat to Quincy, having given his wife all the money he possessed, which was only ten dollars. He arrived in this city in June, 1848, but not finding employment he walked to Mendon, a distance of about fifteen miles, and there found work, driving a team for a tannery at fifty cents per day. As soon as he had earned sufficient money he sent for his family, and after their arrival was employed in the tannery. where he was given the same wages as for driving the team. At this time his wife aided him in supporting the family by making gloves, for which she received one dol- lar per dozen. In the evenings after his own work was done, Mr. Heaney assisted his wife at turning and shaping the gloves, and in this way they were able to earn one dollar per day. At length they saved enough to buy a house and three lots in Mendon and in 1859 purchased a farm for six thousand dollars, giving in ex- change the house and lots valued at one thou- sand dollars in part payment. They afterward

bought more land adjoining this farm until they owned two hundred and forty-seven acres, which is still in possession of the family. After a useful and well spent life Samuel Heaney died March 25, 1904, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was an Episcopalian in re- ligious belief and a republican in politics, hav- ing become a naturalized citizen November 14, 1859. His estimable wife died April 5, 1894. They were the parents of four children: Ed- ward, who was born September 4, 1845, and clied January 31. 1888; Thomas, who was born February 24. 1848, and died in April, 1849; Noble Morton, born July 7. 1850; and Samuel W .. born March 12. 1856.

Noble M. Heaney was educated in the common schools of this county and lived on the home farm until nineteen years of age, after which he clerked in a general store at Mendon for one year. He next attended business college in Quiney for one year and at the end of that time returned to Mendon, where he was em- ployed as a clerk until 1874. On the 22d of Jannary, that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Sproat, of Mendon, a daugh- ter of Percy and Louisa Sproat. By this union five children were born : Ada Iva and Ida Ettie, twins, born February 12, 1875; Emma, horn Oe- tober 21, 1876: Martha Margaret, born April 9, 1879: and Arthur Noble, born January 6. 1882. Ada Iva died July 22, 1875, and Ida Ettie died July 30. 1876, but the others are still living. Martha M. was married May 16, 1901, to Rholen Henderson. of Mendon, and they have two chil- dren : Noble Rholen, born January 28, 1902. and George Arthur, born June 24, 1904. Mr. Ileaney has been called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on their farm in Mendon township, November 19. 1899.

After his marriage Mr. Heaney remained in business in Mendon until August 11. 1876, when he purchased his father-in-law's farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres in Mendon town- ship. for which he gave twelve thousand dol- lars and which he still owns. His is only the second transfer of title. for Mr. Sproat had pur- chased the farm from its first owner in 1837. Af- ter living on his farm for eight years. Mr. Hean- ey rented the place and removed to Coatshurg. where he engaged in general merchandising for two years. At the end of that time he removed his stock of goods to Mendon, but shortly after- ward sold out. and after one year spent at that place he and his brother, Samuel W .. went to Quincy, where they opened a grocery store at Nos. 228-230 North Fifth street in 1878, carry- ing on business under the firm name of Heaney Brothers for ten years. Selling out. N. M. Ileaney then returned to his farm in Mendon township, but three years later he again rented

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

the place and took up his residence in Quincy, again embarking in the grocery business at No. 234 North Fifth street. A year later he re- turned to his old stand at Nos. 228-230 the same street, and is still carrying on business there un- der the firm name of N. M. Heaney & Son.

GEORGE STEINER.

George Steiner, extensively and successfully engaged in the control of agricultural interests and also a prominent figure in financial circles, being president of the Loraine State Bank, was born in Adams county, June 6, 1848. He is a son of Michael and Catherine (Gable) Steiner, both of whom are natives of Germany, the for- mer born in 1810 and the latter in 1820. The father spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country and in 1836 came to Amer- ica, locating in Quincy the following year. Ile worked in a mill for five years and then estab- lished his home in Keene, where he located on a farm and spent his remaining days, his death oc- curring in May, 1892, while his wife passed away in May, 1898.

George Steiner acquired his early education in the public schools and, reared to farm life, early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Realizing the value of industry and enterprise, he has made those qualities strong features in his business career and has ever been watchful of opportunity, utilizing his advantages so that they have been resultant factors in bringing him success. Ile purchased a farm in 1873, hecom- ing owner of fifty acres on section 5, Keene township, and this has since remained in his possession, while its boundaries he has extended from time to time by additional purchases. HIe is now the owner of four hundred and fifteen acres of valuable land on sections 5 and 8, Keene township, and he also owns two hundred and twenty-five acres in Ilaneock county. He operates all of his land and is extensively en- gaged in stock-raising, his annual sales of stock bringing him a large financial return. In 1904 he assisted in organizing the Loraine State Bank, which opened its doors for business on the 24th of November, that year. Ile is president of this institution and is carrying on a general banking business, having already made this one of the strong moneyed concerns of the county.

On the 27th of March, 1873, Mr. Steiner was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Humphrey, who was born November 22, 1854, in Lewis county, Missouri, and is a daughter of David B. and Sarah (Wright) Humphrey. The father was horn in Virginia, in June, 1823, and the moth-

er's birth occurred in Kentucky, August 8, 1836. Mr. Humphrey died December 5, 1855, and in 1860 his widow came to Adams county, where she has since lived, now making her home with Mrs. Steiner. She was married a second time, to James Stickney, who enlisted as a soldier of the Civil war and died of smallpox in St. Louis while in the army. On the 15th of June, 1868, Mrs. Stickney became the wife of John A. Lee, who was a farmer and died March 13, 1904.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Steiner have been born eight children : John H., who was born January 5, 1874, is principal of the Coatsburg high school; Edwin E., who was born April 21, 1875, married Elizabeth Hardy and is now engaged in teaching school in Golden; Michael E., who was born April 1, 1877, married Dora Jones and re- sides upon a farm near the old homestead ; Louis L., born March 4, 1879, is a student in a medical school in Keokuk; Glenn H., born Jannary 9, 1881, is shipping elerk with a telephone company in Kentucky; Karl, born March 28, 1883, is a medical student in Keokuk; Agnes, born April 3, 1885, is the wife of J. Frank Adair and lives in Loraine; Bertha, born March 17, 1887, is at home.

Mr. Steiner is an advocate of democratie prin- ciples and has served as collector for two years and as assessor for one year. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their home is located about three miles north- west of Loraine and is justly celebrated for its warm hearted hospitality. Mr. Steiner is an ex- cellent example of a self-made man, for, starting out in life on his own account at an early age, he has acquired a handsome competence through well directed and earnest labor. He is easily approachable, showing courtesy to all with whom he comes in contaet and is a companionable, gen- jal gentleman, having a host of warm friends. llis sterling worth and many manly qualities are widely acknowledged. He never acts except from honest motives, and in all his varied rela- tions in business affairs and in social life he has maintained a character and standing that im- presses all with his sineere and manly purpose to do by others as he would have others do to him.

ROBERT G. KELLS.

Robert G. Kells is one of the native sons of Adams county, whose record is a creditable one. IIe was born in Honey Creek township in 1867. llis father, Robert Kells, was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1848, cross- ing the Atlantic to New York city. IIe first made his way into the interior of the county.

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE STEINER

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settling on a farm in Honey Creek township, not far from Mendon. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Wible, of Mendon, and they became the parents of four children: William M., who is now living in Mendon; Mrs. Annie Metfinley of Arkansas: Robert G .: and Mrs. Mamie MeGinley, of Marshall, Missouri. The father was one of the pioneer settlers of the county, arriving here at an early date when the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. He died in the year 1898.

Robert G. Kells is indebted to the public- school system of Adams county For the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed. Ile attended school in both Mendon and Honey Creek town- ships and after putting aside his text-books he gave his attention to farming. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits and his labors have been a source of his success. He is today the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land which is arable and productive. By the rotation of crops he keeps his fields in good condition and annually harvests a large amount of grain.

Mr. Kells was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Slonigan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Slonigan, of Honey Creek township. Their wedding was celebrated in 1898 and has been blessed with one son, Arthur G. Mr. Kells is a democrat in his political views, and both he and his wife enjoy the warm regard of many friends, having a wide and favorable acquaint- ance in this county.

LEWIS W. RAGLAND.

Lewis W. Ragland. who is engaged in real es- tate and life insurance in and about the city of Quiney. was born at Plumb Hill, Washington county, Illinois, March 13, 1868. His parents, Ilawkins and Sarah (Hogan) Ragland, were of Lowland Scotch descent. The first represen- tatives of the name in America settled in Vir- ginia. Later they went to the Carolinas and thence later generations went to Kentucky. From the latter state Hawkins Ragland came to Illinois in 1829, settling at Elkhorn, where he engaged in farming. He was one of the leading and influential citizens in community affairs, served as justice of the peace for many years, and assisted in training troops for service in the Civil war, acting as fifer for the companies that were drilling for active service at the front. He was a firm believer in the doctrines of the Regular Baptist church, and his political support was always given to democracy.

The one idea that he held uppermost and strived to attain was good character and good

reputation. Ile died in 1889, being seventy-nine years old. His widow still survives. They were the parents of four living children, of which Lewis W. is the youngest. The others are William. a farmer residing at Tamaroa, Illinois : Jennie. the wife of Lenard Stewart, a resident of Tamaroa, and Elizabeth, the deceased wife of William Kauffman, of Tamaroa.

Lewis W. Ragland was reared on the farm and pursued his early education in the country dis- triet schools. Later, as the duties of the farm would permit, he attended the village schools of Tamaroa until twenty years of age, when he began teaching. He taught in the country schools for three years. Desirous of securing a better education, he entered the Northern In- diana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, in 1891, where he remained for a year and a half. Resuming his teaching, he served as principal of Oakdale public schools, Oakdale, Illinois, three years. at the expiration of which time he re- turned to Valparaiso and graduated from the teachers and scientific courses in that school in 1896, receiving the degree of B. S. Being elected principal of public schools of Bellflower, Illinois, he occupied this position for three years and then entered the Northern Illinois State Normal School at De Kalb, Illinois, where he graduated two years later, 1901. Thus he had spent five years in special preparation for teaching, during which time he had won three diplomas In the summer of 1901 he was elected superintendent of the public schools at Crystal Lake and Nunda. Illinois, which position he filled for two years. In July. 1903. he came to Quincy to engage in real estate operations, being a member of the firm of Gooch Brothers & Ragland. Upon com- ing to Quincy he opened an office in the Maertz building, from which he removed in the follow- ing November to the Stern building. At this time he took up life insurance. in connection with his real estate work, and became a represen- tative of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. His work in this connec- tion has been very gratifying both to himself and the company. As a member of the real es- tate firm, he operates in and out of the city. The firm has negotiated many important realty transfers and now has a good clientage.

On the 11th of August, 1897, Mr. Ragland was married to Miss Ellen Atherton, a daughter of Ward and Julia (Shedd) Atherton. of Hoyle- ton, Illinois. They have two children, Nugent Atherton and ITarold Warren. The parents are members of the Vermont Street Methodist Epis- copal church and they have won for themselves a desirable position in social circles, where their worth and intelligence are received as passports. Acquiring an education by his own efforts alone, the elemental strength of his character which

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he thus displayed has gathered force as the years have gone by, and with determined pur- pose he has advanced not only in business circles but in those lines of life which develop honorable manhood and strong character.

JOHN W. MYERS.

The spirit of commercial enterprise, which forms the basis of all modern prosperity and proves the foundation upon which towns and cities are built, finds a worthy representative in John W. Myers, who is connected with several business concerns of the city, his interest center- ing chiefly, however, in the Reliable Incubator & Brooder Company, of which he is a large stock- holder.

Mr. Myers was born in Knox county, Missouri, January 17, 1861. Ilis father, A. O. Myers, re- moved from New York to Missouri at an early day. He esponsed the cause of the Union during the Civil war and served throughout the period of hostilities. While he was at the front his wife died and he afterward removed to Quincy, where he became foreman for the firm of How- ard, Lockweather & Howard, general contractors and builders, building bridges, courthouses, etc. In this capacity he acted as superintendent of the construction of the courthouse of Quincy. He continued in that business until within a few years, when he became associated with his son in the incubator business.

John W. Myers, a public school student in his early vonth, afterward attended college near Trenton, New Jersey, and when he regarded his education as completed he returned home, but soon afterward went to Colorado. A few months later. however, he again came to Quincy and here learned the trade of candy-making with Clark & Morgan, being there employed until 1892. Previous to that time he had become in- terested in the subject of manufacturing ineu- bators. As a boy he was always experimenting in poultry and was the owner of many prize chickens. Naturally his attention was attracted by the manufacture of incubators and making this a study he became actively interested in the business as a manufacturer of an incubator known as the Leader. This did not prove entire- ly satisfactory, however, and he began figuring on improvements, with the result that the Reli- able incubator is the one now manufactured and sold upon the market by Mr. Myers and his as- sociates in the business, under the name of the Reliable Inenbator & Brooder Company. The company was incorporated in 1884. They aban- doned the manufacture of the Leader in 1891 and

have since given entire attention to the Reliable, which won the first prize at the World's Colum- bian Exposition in Chicago; also at Atlanta, Georgia : Omaha, Nebraska ; and at the Internal Exposition at Brussels, Belgium. At the Paris Exposition the company owned their own build- ing and carried off every prize in their class and also at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, in 1904. At the factory in Quincy employment is furnished throughout the year to sixty-five or seventy men, and in the winter season the number of workmen often reaches one hundred and fifty. Their product is shipped to all parts of the world and its superiority over every other incubator on the market is indicated by the fact of the many prizes they have won. The business was started on a small scale, the owners at first putting in their weekly wages, but gradually the enterprise has grown into a very profitable industrial concern. Mr. Myers is also an investor in other business enterprises of Quincy and in controlling his private indus- trial interests he has also added to the general prosperity of the city.

On the 12th of February, 1885, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Reynolds, a daughter of Henry Reynolds, one of the oldest settlers of this eity. Her father is now deceased. but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have six children : Mabel, who is employed in her father's office: Lillian: Margaret ; John ; Frederick ; and Edward.

Mr. Myers exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repub- liean party. Almost his entire life has been passed in Quiney, where he has so directed his labors along well defined lines of business activ- ity that he has not only gained gratifying sue- cess but has also commanded the confidence and good will of all.

JOIIN B. ARROWSMITH.

John B. AArrowsmith, an enterprising farmer of Ellington township, was born on section 31, where he still resides, his natal day being Octo- ber 3, 1865. ITis father, John Arrowsmith, was a native of New York city, born December 12, 1812, and was a son of Edward Arrowsmith, also a native of New York, while his grandfather was a native of England. John Arrowsmith was married in the Empire state to Eliza Ann Cooper, a daughter of James Cooper, and they came to Adams county in 1841, settling upon the farm which is now the home of John B. Arrowsmith. Before his removal to Illinois the father had been superintendent of a large sugar plantation in Cuba. Ile lived upon this farm

J. W. MYERS

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

until his death, which occurred at the venerable age of eighty-one years. He held membership in the Presbyterian church and gave his politi- cal support to the republican party. His wife died at the age of seventy-six years. Their chil- dren are as follows: Mrs. Margaret Arrowsmith, who is living in St. Joseph, Missouri; Frank, a resident of Quincy : Anna, also living in St. Jo- seph, Missouri; Etta, the wife of George R. Mc- Donald, and John B.

In the schools of Quincy John B. Arrowsmith acquired his education and after putting aside his text-books he secured a clerkship in Quincy and was thus employed until 1893, since which time he has lived upon the home farm. The place comprises one hundred and ten acres of good land and is conveniently and pleasantly situated about a half mile east of the city limits. It is devoted to general farming and is neat and thrifty in appearance, while none of the acees- sories of a model farm of the twentieth century are lacking. The home is a good two-story brick residence. There are also substantial barns and outbuildings, furnishing ample shelter for the grain and stock. There is also a good orchard upon the place which yields its fruits in season.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 145

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