Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 146

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 146

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In 1899 Mr. Arrowsmith was united in mar- riage to Miss Maggie Harvey, a native of Adams county. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and politically he is a republican. Ile has served as collector of Ellington township. is now town clerk, and is one of its representative citizens and promi- nent farmers. active in business affairs and re- liable in all his trade transactions.

JOHN L. BERT.

.John L. Bert, who has worked his way up- ward through consecutive stages of business de- velopment and advancement until he is now sole proprietor of a large carpet house of Quincy, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 7, 1835. but was brought to this eity when only three months old and has since made his home here. Ilis pa- ternal grandparents were Jean Lonis and Cath- erine ( Bermond) Bert, of Rohrbach, Germany. His father. Jean Phillip Bert, one of the early settlers of Quincy, was born in Haan. a French village situated, however, aeross the German hor- der. He was descended from French Inguenots. Crossing the Atlantic in 1832. he landed at Bal- timore, Maryland, and thence made his way to Hagerstown, that state, while in 1833 he removed to St. Louis, Missouri. In Jannary. 1835, he came to Quincy and purchased a lot on Fourth street between Maine and Jersey streets, where he had a four-room honse erected. Ile then

brought his family to the new home, arriving on the 4th of July, 1835. He was married in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1828, to Miss Elizabeth Barbara Liebig, a native of Darmstadt. Mr. Bert was a tailor by trade and conducted a tailoring establishment in Quiney up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1860, when he was about fifty-six years of age, his birth having occurred on the 28th of December, 1804. His wife died in this eity in 1882.

John L. Bert acquired his education in public and private schools of Quincy, and when four- teen years of age, considering his more specifi- cally literary edneation finished, he entered night school in order that he might prepare for the business world by learning bookkeeping. Ac- cepting a position as clerk in a dry-goods store, he was thus employed for three years. He then entered the employ of Henry Root, with whom he continued until 1865, when Mr. Root sold his business to the newly organized firm of Shinn, Bert & Hill. For two years this firm conducted the business, dealing in dry goods and carpets, but in 1866 Mr. Shinn died. The firm continued as Bert & Hill. In 1868 they disposed of their stoek of dry goods. confining their attention exclusively to the sale of carpets. and in 1871 Mr. Bert purchased Mr. IFill's in- terest and has since been sole proprietor. 1Iis business has steadily increased with the growth of the city and has long since reached profitable proportions. He has been at his present location since 1879, in which year he erected the elegant Bert block, three stories in height, at No. 123 North Fourth street. He carries a large and carefully selected line of goods and has an es- tablishment which would be a credit to a city of much greater size than Quincy. His business methods, conforming to a high standard of com- mercial ethics, commend him to the confidence and business support of the publie and his en- terprise and diligence have also been salient fae- tors in winning him the signal success which he now enjoys and which has made him a leader in commercial cireles of the city.

In Quincy in 1860 Mr. Bert was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Fox. a daughter of Oliver HI. Fox, a farmer who came from Massa- chusetts to Adams county in 1838. They have one child. Harry Leon, who was born June 9. 1863. in Quincy and married Miss Nannie Williams, who died in March, 1903, leaving three children, Mary. Elizabeth and Archie Leon. all now students in the public schools.

Mr. Bert is a member of Marquette lodge. No. 36. I. O. O. F. Hle attends the Unitarian church and in his political views is an unfaltering re- publican. having firm faith in the ultimate tri- umph of the principles of his party. Spending his entire life in Quiney, he is familiar with the

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history of its development through seventy years and feels just pride in what has been accom- plished along lines of substantial improvement. Ilis aid can always be counted upon for the furtheranee of any progressive and beneficial measures, and he is classed with the representa- tive and valued citizens whose work and worth are widely acknowledged. His business career, too, has ever been of a character that would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, and through the natural development of a commer- cial enterprise that has been fostered by dili- gence and perseverance he has won a place among the prosperous residents of Adams county.

JACOB REICHERT, JR.

Jacob Reichert, Jr., a prominent farmer living on section 11. Melrose township, was born on a farm in that township. August 25, 1860, and is a son of Jacob Reichert, Sr., whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume. He attended the common schools of this connty and acquired a fair education. Remaining at home he assisted his father in the operation of the farm until his marriage, thus becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agrienlturist. lle was married in the 26th of October, 1882, to Miss Margaret Sophie Meyer, who was born in Adams county, July 20, 1863, and is a daughter of Gotlieb and Molie (Boba) Meyer. Her father, who was a farmer by occu- pation, engaged in the tilling of the soil through- out his entire life and died on the 6th of Janua- ary, 1896. Iler mother's death occurred Sep- tember 20. 1868. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reichert have been born four children, namely: Charles August, who was born October 1, 1883; Grover Henry, born August 24, 1887: Carlisle M., born Jannary 25, 1890, and Irma M., born May 5. 1897.

After his marriage Mr. Reichert rented a farm near the old homestead and continued its cultiva- tion for six years, when he removed to the vil- lage of Fowler in Ellington township. There he engaged in the cultivation of a farm for seven years, after which he purchased the place where he now resides. Ilere he owns one hun- dred and eighty acres of fine land and is sue- cessfully engaged in general farming, having wrought many improvements in the farm and added to it all the modern equipments that ren- der farming less difficult. llis place is located abont soyen miles from Quiney and is charac- terized by neatness and thrift in every depart- ment, showing the owner to be a man of good business ability, capable of conducting his agri-

cultural interests. In polities Mr. Reichert is a democrat but has never desired office, prefer- ring to give his attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with well deserved success.

WILLIAM M. GRIFFITH.

William M. Griffith is the owner of one of the fine farms of Clayton township and is accounted one of the representative agriculturists of his community. He was born August 19, 1852, and in his business affairs is associated with his brother, Albert B. Griffith, who was born March 19, 1864. They live together on the old home- stead. They are sons of Albert J. Griffith, who was born March 13, 1827. in Montgomery county, Maryland, and in 1839 came with his father to Adams county, this state. He located at Hunts- ville and conducted a store there for a year or two. but in 1842 removed to the farm upon which his sons now reside, making it his home through- out his remaining days, his death occurring Oe- tober 13, 1900. TTe acquired his education in the district schools and in the schools of Clayton, and throughout the greater part of his life he was engaged in the cultivation of the soil, ac- quiring a good financial return as a reward for his well directed and honorable labors. He was also recognized as one of the leaders of public thought and opinion in his distriet and in 1873 he was elected to fill a vacancy in the state legis- lature, serving throughout the remainder of the term. Ile was also supervisor for four years. At the time of the Civil war he raised a company in 1862 and was elected its captain. This command was assigned to duty as Company I, Eighty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one year. after which he was dis- charged at Nashville, Tennessee, on account of illness. Whether in military, political or bnsi- ness circles he was always found loyal to his duty and in his adopted county was always regarded as a very prominent man. He died October 13, 1900.

William M. Griffith was educated at Monmouth College. In early life he engaged in farm work, assisting in the enltivation and improvement of the old homestead, and later he engaged in mer- chandising in Nebraska for some time but con- tinned to make his home in Adams county. In connection with his brother Albert he owns two hundred and thirty acres of fine land on see- tion 4, Coneord township, two miles from Clay- ton. They are here engaged in the stock business, making a specialty of Aberdeen Angus cattle. They also raise some hogs and horses and they bny most of their feed.

MR. AND MRS. A. J. GRIFFITH

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Albert Griffith was married in February, 1905, ing physicians and surgeons of Enrope, chiefly in Paris and Berlin.

and he and his wife yet reside on the old home farm, Mrs. Griffith managing the affairs of the household for her husband and brother-in-law. Both William and Albert Griffith are advocates of the democratic party and its principles and in 1884 the former waas elected supervisor and in that capacity served his township for twelve years, proving a capable officer and one whose first regard was his duty to his county. The family is one of prominence in the community and the brothers are known as very reliable and enterprising business men, enjoying in high measure the confidence and esteem of those who know them.

HENRY HATCH, M. D.

Dr. Henry Hatch, physician and surgeon of Quincy, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1848, and stands as a high type of the self-made man of America and one who in the face of diseouraging obstacles and seem- ingly insurmountable difficulties, has gradually advanced until he occupies a position of distinc- tion in his chosen profession in Illinois. Or- phaned at an early age he displayed the ele- mental forces of his character which have de- veloped into a strong manhood, with effective powers for good and for business accomplish- ment in the line of success.

He followed, in the east, the employment that would yield him an honest living, and when about seven years of age he came to Illinois, making his home near Griggsville, where he worked as a farm hand and also attended school as opportunity offered. Ambitions to secure an education, when fifteen years of age he pursued a course in literature and science in the Illinois University at Bloomington, thus laving a good foundation on which to rear the superstructure of professional learning in later years. His literary course completed he went to Lawrence, Kansas, where he obtained a clerkship in a dry- goods store, but in 1868 he returned to Griggs- ville and entered on the exeention of a long cherished plan-preparation for the medical profession. His preceptor was Dr. E. R. Stoner. of Griggsville, and following his preliminary reading he pursned three courses of lectures in the Louisville Medical College, where he won his degree on the 28th of February. 1873. He has always been a close and earnest student of the questions and writings bearing upon his pro- fession, and in 1880 he pursned a post-graduate course in the Long Island College Hospital, at Brooklyn, New York, and afterward went abroad. attending the elinies of some of the lead-

Since September, 1881, Dr. Hatch has prac- tired in Quiney with constantly growing she- cess, and although the demands made for his professional services have been constant and heavy he has yet found time to promote other branches of professional work, contributing at various times to medical journals and also to Appleton's American Encyclopedia. Subjects upon which he has written have been far-reach- ing for his profession. IFe was one of the first to advocate the contagionsness and infectiousness of tuberenlous diseases in 1872, while yet a stu- dent before he graduated in 1873. His gradu- ating thesis was upon the same subject. He published and read the first illustrated paper on Electric Injuries at Louisville, Kentucky, be- fore the Mississippi Valley Medical Association. Besides this he has had a number of papers on surgery and medical subjects.

About twenty years ago he earnestly advo- eated the subject of criminology, and he earn- estly advocated the prevention of crime, first health certificates, for those that are anticipating marriage : second, unsexing of eriminals to stop the provocation of crime; third, extermination of those who are hopeless degenerates.

He delivered an address before the national prison congress in 1904, and during the fol- lowing winter did all in his power to influence the law-makers of the various states to cause the passage of a law for the betterment of hu- manity. From 1882 until 1887 he was professor of the principles and practice of medicine in Chaddock College. He was physician in charge of Blessing Hospital from 1882 and is now gynecologist to Blessing Hospital, and physician in charge of Woodland Home. He has been surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company since 1893 and he is a mem- ber of Adams County and Illinois State Medical Societies, the American Medical Association, the Academy of Railway Surgeons, the International Association of Railway Surgeons, the Mississippi Valley Medical Association and the Tri-State Medical Association. He is patient under ad- verse criticism, helpful to younger members of the profession and at all times his duties are performed with strict regard to a high standard of professional ethics. He is now an examiner for several life insurance companies, in addition to a large private practice of an important ehar- acter.

On the 28th of November, 1872, Dr. Hatch was married to Miss Clara E. Crawford, of Griggsville, who died June 12, 1892, and on the 6th of September. 1893, he was married to Miss Emma L. Lyon, of Sedalia, Missouri. They have one danghter, Marion Emma, born April

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30, 1895. Dr. Ilatch is a member of the Masonic fraternity and other social organizations and a genial nature, supplementing his strong intellec- tuality and force of characer, renders him popu- lar in social cireles, while his life work commands for him the respect and admiration of all who know aught of his career.

CHARLES DUKER.

Charles Duker, deceased, who was on of the well known managers and bookkeeper of his father's wholesale liquor store in Quincy and who was accounted one of the prom- inent young men of the city, was born here on the 22d of December, 1862, his parents being J. Her- man and Clara E. (Glass) Duker. The father was a native of Germany but the mother's birth oeeurred in this city. J. Herman Duker was engaged in the wholesale liquor business here for many years and was also president of the Quincy National Bank. Ile stood prominent among the leading men of this city, wielding a wide influence in publie life and business affairs and his career was an illustration of the fact that success is not the outcome of genius but is the result of clear judgment and experience.

Charles Duker supplemented his early educa- tion by studying at St. Francis College at Quiney and prepared for business life as a student in Musselman's business college of this city. Ile put his theoretical training to the practical test as a clerk in a men's furnishing goods store at Quincy, acting as a salesman for several years. Later he joined his father in business, becoming bookkeeper in his wholesale liquor house, and he also had charge of his father's invested interests in that enterprise. He was thus connected with commercial pursuits of Quincy until his death.

On the Sth of November, 1883, Charles Duker was married to Miss Anna Kathe, who was born in Quincy. Mareh 7, 1863, a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Ileiman) Kathe, who were na- tives of Germany and came to America about 1850, settling in this city. They were among the early residents here. The father was a cabinet- maker by trade and followed that pursuit until his life's labors were ended in death. Mrs. Kathe still survives her husband and makes her home in Quincy with her daughter Mrs. Duker. Unto our subject and his wife were born two children : Winnifred, who was born March 19, 1885; and Florence, born September 22, 1886. Both are still with their mother.

Mr. Duker died August 3, 1886, and his death was deeply deplored by his many friends throughout Quiney, for he had a wide and favor-

able aequaintanee in the city of his nativity. He was a member of the Benevolent Association of Quincy and served as its financial secretary for several years. In polities he was a demoerat and he and his wife held membership in St. Bonifaee Catholic church. Ile had the ability and qualifications that have ever characterized the Duker family and in his active business eareer met with success. He was also prominent in social circles and those who knew him esteemed him because of his genial manner, cordial dis- position and deference for the opinion of others. Mrs. Duker and her mother are now residing at No. 1501 Broadway, in a splendid double briek modern residence, just built.

A. E. HASE.

A. E. Ilase, a leading representative of indus- trialism in Quincy, conducting business under the name of The Wenzel Wagon Company, was born in this city in 1874, his parents being Henry and Emma Hase. Henry Hase came to America from Germany with his father in 1850 and was at one time engaged in teaming in Quincy but is now retired. His wife died in Au- gust, 1904. They were the parents of six chil- dren : Charlie, who is married and resides in Chicago; Ida, the wife of Charlie Higgins, of Qniney: A. E., of this review: Edwin, a tailor, who is married and lived in Atchison, Kansas; Richard and Jacob, both of Quiney.

A student in the public schools of Quincy be- tween the ages of six and sixteen years, A. E. Hase then put aside his text-books and began to learn the trade of nickel-plating. Later he was employed in the Newcomb Hotel and when seven- teen years of age he began working for P. B. Hynes, learning the trade of carriage painting in his carriage factory. He was thus employed for three years and in 1893 he went south to New Orleans for the winter. Upon his return he en- tered the employ of J. P. Wenzel, builder of wagons and buggies at No. 906 Maine street, be- ing employed in the painting department. In 1901 be purchased a half interest in the busi- ness and the firm of Wenzel & Company was then formed. Two years later he purchased his partner's interest and the name was changed to The Wenzel Wagon Company, A. E. Hase, pro- prietor. He manufactures buggies and wagons, employing on an average of six men throughout the year, while in some seasons eight or ten men are employed.

Mr. Hlase was married, May 5, 1897, to Miss Ida Wiggins, of Steffenville, Missouri, a daugh- ter of Peter Wiggins, formerly a wagonmaker. but now living retired in Steffenville. They had

CHARLES DUKER

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three children, one of whom is deceased : Edwin, who died in 1904, at the age of five and a half years. The others are Dorothy, aged four, and Ilenry, a year and a half old. In politics Mr. ITase is a republican. A young man, he has displayed the traits of character which lead to snecess. He has mastered his trade with a thor- oughness that made him an excellent workman. and so carefully controlled his financial resources that in time he was enabled to become the head of an enterprise that has now reached paying proportions.

WILBER STRICKLER.

Wilber Strickler, living on a fine farm on see- tions 30 and 31, Ilouston township, is a native son of this township, born March 6, 1861, his parents being Jeremiah and Sarilda (Downing) Strickler. The father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1835, and the mother's birth occurred in 1837. Mr. Striekler was brought by his parents to Illinois in 1837. when only two years of age, the family driving from Pennsylvania in a wagon across the country to Adams county. This was at that time a pioneer district, giving little evidence of the rapid changes which were soon to occur and transform it into one of the leading counties of this great commonwealth. After ar- riving at years of maturity he began farming on his own account and made that his life work. He is now living retired but his wife passed away about 1892.

Mr. Striekler, whose name introduces this re- view, was educated in the common schools of his native township and he, too, has made farming his life work. He was united in marriage on the 24th of January, 1883, to Miss Emma C. Groves, who was born April 7, 1863, and is a daughter of Stephen and Mary Jane (Campbell) Groves. Her father was born in Cabell county, West Virginia, February 22, 1818, and her mother's birth occurred December 2. 1845. The father has been twice married, however. He was of German lineage, his great-grandfather. JJohn Groves, having come from Prussia abont the time that Pennsylvania was established by William Penn, from whom he received a land grant and settled on what is known as Graf's Run, in the Keystone state. lle was of the Quaker faith and lived a quiet life in the colony of Pennsyl- vania. His son, Jacob Groves, was born in Penn- sylvania and following his removal to West Vir- ginia engaged in weaving for many years, his death occurring at Wheeling, that state. Among his seven children was JJoseph Groves, who was born in Jefferson county. West Virginia, but was reared in Cabell county. where he remained

until 1828, when he arrived in Sangamon conn- ty, Illinois. Three years later he removed to Brown county and carried on farming there as a pioneer settler. He spent his last days upon his farm in that county and died in his seventy- third year. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Staley, died at the age of fifty years. She was born in Jefferson county, Vir- ginia, and was descended from ancestors who lived in Pennsylvania.

Stephen Groves was the third of a family of ten children and his birth oceurred in Cabell county, West Virginia, February 22, 1818, so that he had reached the age of ten years when his grandparents traveled westward to Illinois in an old-fashioned prairie schooner drawn by horses. He was a student in a log schoolhouse with its clay and stick chimney, slab seats and other primitive furnishings. When eighteen years of age he started ont in life on his own account, and for two years was employed in a distillery, working for an uncle who lived about fifteen miles from Springfield, Illinois. IIe then sought employment as a farm hand, receiving twenty-five dollars per month for his services. In 1837 he became the owner of a farm by en- tering one hundred and twenty acres of land in Brown county, upon which he built a pioneer cabin and at onee began to clear and improve the tract. He also engaged in trapping at an early day, selling his furs to the American Fur Com- pany at St. Louis. A few years later he ex- changed his Brown county farm for land in IIonston township, Adams county, which he owned in connection with a brother-in-law, to whom he afterward sold his interest but pur- chased another farm in the same township. He continued to carry on farming throughout his entire life, and as the years passed accumulated a valuable property, owning six hundred and forty-four acres of land in Houston township and also forty acres in Andrew county, Missouri. He made a specialty of raising Poland China hogs, and in his business affairs was very sue- cessful.

He first married Mrs. Nancy Strickler on the 28th of December, 1846. She was Miss Nancy Witt in her maidenhood and her first husband, Abram Striekler, survived their marriage only a few months. Mrs. Groves died June 26, 1850. and the two children of that marriage are now living: Martha, the wife of R. L. Davis. of Bolekow, Andrew county, Missouri, and Jacob,

who married Margaret Campbell and resides in Camp Point. Illinois. Following the death of his first wife, Mr. Groves married Mary Jane Campbell and they had seven children: Emma. Joseph, John, Stephen, Daniel, Artimesa, the wife of George S. Reynolds, and one who died in infancy.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Striekler have been born five children : Joseph E., born January 25, 1884; Mary Olive, September 4, 1885; Nellie, March 18, 1888; Aubrey C., June 22, 1891, and Eva L., December 31, 1893.

Mr. and Mrs. Strickler own two hundred and seventy-seven acres of valnable land situated on sections 30 and 31, llonston township, about seven miles northeast of Golden and there he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, being a prosperous business man, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Hle votes with the democratic party and is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Mutual Protective League, both of Golden, while his wife belongs to the Methodist church. Their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance and they are widely known in Adams county, where they have long resided.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 146

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