Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 147

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 147

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MARCUS L. THOMPSON.

Marens L. Thompson, a retired farmer, was born in Athens county, Ohio, January 6, 1816, his parents being William and Rachel ( Pilcher) Thompson. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion and came to Illinois in 1833, reaching Adams county on the 4th of July. He made the journey down the Ohio river in a flatboat to Louisville, Kentucky, and thence proceeded by wagon to Fall Creek township, AAdams county, where he purchased land on section 12, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres. Hle afterward bought eighty aeres and continued farming until he lost his eyesight. He remained blind until his death, which occurred in 1880, his remains being interred in the Fall Creek cemetery. His wife, who died of cholera in 1851, is buried in Payson cemetery.

In their family were nine children: Louisa, who died in womanhood ; Marcus L. : Emily, who is the the widow of Nathaniel Williams, by whom she had ten children, and makes her home in Denver, Colorado; Theresa, who became the wife of Franeis Bowman and died in Quincy, while her three children died within a week after her death, all of cholera ; Vinson S., a practising phy- sician of Payson and Mendon, who married Jean- ette Hoyt and died in California, as did his wife, leaving two children, Elizabeth, who married Henry Dills of Quincy, and both are now de- ceased, while of their family of ten children nine are living : Martha, who became the wife of Jason Bushnell of Barry, Pike county, Illinois, and both are now deceased, while their only child died in infancy; Jane, who became the wife of James

Kenworthy, who died in Nodaway, Missouri, while her death occurred in Chicago, and their family numbered five sons and two daughters; Ilarriet, who married JJames Ilastings and lived in Mendota and afterward in Seattle, Washing- ton, where his death occurred and where she still makes her home, while two of their five children are yet living. There were also two half-sisters in this family: Dora became the wife of David Tipple of Fall Creek township, and they have two living children and one deceased. Esther V. is now a teacher in the National Business Col- lege at Quincy.

Marcus L. Thompson received his education in Ohio and in Center school in Fall Creek township and throughout his entire life has engaged in farming on his present place. Ile followed that pursnit at a time when they used an old wooden mold board plow. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Elanisa. Gamble, a daughter of William and Catherine Gamble, who came from Ohio to Greene county, Illinois. Their ancestors had previously lived in Virginia and originally came from Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Gamble established their home near Carrollton, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson traveled life's journey together for more than sixty years and were then separated by death, Mrs. Thompson passing away January 2, 1904. They were the parents of nine children : Sarah Frances is the wife of Henry Walker of Tennessee, Illinois, and they had seven children, of whom three are liv- ing. Lois AA., who taught school for two years. is now living at home. William E. is a farmer of Fall Creek township and married Casander Blanser, by whom he has three children, one of whom is a teacher. Mary C. is the deceased wife of A. C. Berry, who formerly lived near Spokane. Washington. They had two children. Martha J. is at home with her father. Charles A., who formerly engaged in teaching school in Illinois and Missouri, is now living at Cashmere, Wash- ington. Ile married Ella Pfander and has three children. John G. married Ollie Shinn and is a farmer in Fall Creek township but formerly en- gaged in teaching for ten years. They have three children, a son and two daughters. Ella R., a teacher, became the wife of William Waddell and lives in Tennessee, Illinois, where he follows mer- chandising. Hattie died in infancy.

Mr. Thompson has an intimate knowledge of pioneer conditions in this part of the state. Ile can remember seeing Governor Carlin's wife milking cows and she was barefooted at that time. Customs have greatly changed since that age. Their home was near Ilampshire street. not far from the courthouse square in Quincy. The pres- ent city was then but a small town and gave little promise of becoming a metropolitan center, which

MR. AND MRS. M. L. THOMPSON

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it is to-day. Mr. Thompson had to haul all his grain to Quiney with ox teams and, after taking his oats to market in the manner indicated, he re- ceived only ten cents per bushel. It required a day and a night to make the trip. Ile can re- member the death of Mrs. Stewart and that she was hauled to the graveyard on a sled, although it was summer, for there was nothing else to take the body to the place of interment. An old mill stood at the head of the gorge and was owned by a Mr. Whitney, but a brother-in-law afterward purchased the building and removed it to Fourth street in Quincy. Mr. Thompson remained dur- ing his first winter in Adams county in an old log cabin with a elapboard roof and elapboard door, and it was often necessary to stand by the fireplace and eat their meals, for the remainder of the cabin was so cold. The snow would often drift in between the logs and lay to the depth of several inches on the floor. On one occasion while visiting in Marshall county he went to the polls and the judges asked him what state he lived in, saying they had to be particular. He was a whig and cast his first presidential ballot for William Henry Harrison, giving his support to that party until he joined the ranks of the republican party, with which he has now voted for many years. Ile and his family belong to the Methodist church. Ile is, indeed, a venerable citizen, one respected and honored by all, and his life forms a connect- ing link between the primitive past and the pro- gressive present.

JAMES N. SPRIGG.

Among the lawyers practicing at the Quincy bar whose advancement in life stands as an illus- tration of the fact that ability, genius and earn- est labor will win sure recognition in this country, is numbered James N. Sprigg. His early life was passed amid unfavorable circum- stances in which he enjoyed few privileges, edn- cational or otherwise. His birthplace was a log cabin upon a farm in Schuyler county, his natal day August 15, 1850. As a barefooted boy he followed the plow and worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn, performing a man's work often during the period of his early yonth. As opportunity offered he attended the district school, but his edneation was more large- ly acquired under the direction of the district- school teacher who usually boarded at his house and assisted him with his lessons in the evening after the work was done, and the love of books often inspired him to study far into the night. Thus he laid the foundation for a broad literary

education, and when opportunity offered he en- tered Harvard University, in which he com- pleted a full law course in 1876, winning the degree of Bachelor of Law. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar on public examination in open court, but the possibilities of the middle west attracted him and he resolved to make his native state the scene of his labors.

Soon afterward he located in Quincy, and hy the supreme court was admitted to practice at the Illinois bar. Entering upon the active du- ties of the profession it was not long before he had demonstrated his skill in coping with intri- cate problems of jurisprudence. His preparation of cases was characterized by earnestness and thoroughiness and in the presentation of his canse there was clear, cogent reasoning and logical arguments. After practieing for a time he be- came a member of the board of the United States district court and successively of the circuit, appellate and supreme courts. Hle has been a general practitioner with a growing clientage that in more recent years has connected him with the most important litigation tried in the courts of the district. For two years after lo- eating in Quincey he was the junior member of the firm of Keath & Sprigg. after which he prae- tieed alone until 1886, when the firm of Sprigg & Anderson was formed, thus continuing with the exception of two years until 1896, when the admission of another partner changed the firm style to Sprigg, Anderson & Vandeventer.

Mr. Sprigg, in his association with Mr. Ander- son, acted as corporation counsel of the city for several years. He was appointed by the board of supervisors county attorney of Adams county in 1893 as the successor of the late Mr. Wheat. and has since continued in that office, one of the most capable incumbents that the position has ever known. He is also regarded as a wise counselor, and his advice is often sought upon various matters of legal importance by the resi- dents of the city and county.

On the 27th of June. 1889, Mr. Sprigg was married to Miss Annie (. Gilman, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and they have an attractive home on East Jersey street, in addition to which they own a model farm east of Quincy, which is fre- quently the scene of delightful entertainment.

In his political views Mr. Sprigg was origi- nally a republican. IFis ancestors were advo- rates of abolition principles and he, too, was strongly opposed to the institution of human slavery, although but a boy at the time of the Civil war. Ile continued to vote with the repub- lican party up to the time of President Cleve- land's second term, when he endorsed the demo- cratie platform adopted at Chicago and has since been a stanch advocate of democracy. His po- litical position is never a matter of doubt, for he

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is loyal in the advocacy of his honest convictions, endorsing his views with absolute fearlessness, vet he has none of the aggressiveness which arouses bitter antagonism. Earnest effort, close application and the exereise of his native talents have won him prestige as a member of the Quincy bar, a fact which is highly complimen- tary, for this bar has numbered many eminent and prominent men.

JOUN A. KOCHI, M. D.

Dr. John A. Koch, of Quiney, who is prae- ticing along modern scientific methods and has thereby attained success and prominence that classes him with the leading representatives of the medical fraternity in his section of the state. was born here May 17, 1874, his parents being John L. and Anna L. (Albrecht) Koch, who are natives of Westphalia, Germany, and emigrated to America in childhood days with their respec- tive parents. The paternal grandfather came to the United States in 1832, loeating in Quincy when this place was a mere hamlet. He was a practical harness-maker and established a shop in which his son, John L., learned the trade and for many years thereafter was connected with that line of business. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John L. Koch were born nine children, of whom the Doctor is the sixth in order of birth.

In the grammar schools of Quiney Dr. Koch pursued his early education and later attended St. Francis College. In 1890 he entered the employ of the Miller & Arthur Drug Com- pany, of Quincy, with whom he served as clerk for some time with the intention of ultimately becoming a druggist. After a year he went to Chicago, where he worked for the Morrison Plummer Company and was also employed in a retail drug store on the south side of that city. Removing to Washington, D. C., he was appointed pharmacist of the Garfield Memorial Hospital. He was graduated in pharmacy at the National College of Pharmacy with the class of 1894. While filling the posi- tion as a pharmacist he took up the study of medicine and eventually entered the medical department of Columbian University, from which he was gradnated with the class of 1897. Immediately afterward he was appointed resi- dent physician of the Garfield Memorial Hospital, but in a short time he resigned that position and went to Europe, pursuing post-graduate work in Berlin University and also in Vienna. He thus thoroughly equipped himself for his chosen life work, and upon his return to the United States in the fall of 1898 he again came to

Quiney, where he opened an office and has sinee continued in the general practice of medicine and surgery. The success that ever comes in recognition of superior ability is today his and he not only enjoys the confidence of the public, but also has the good will and admiration of the profession who recognize his strict conformity to professional ethics and his thorough under- standing of the great principles that underlie the practice of medicine. He was appointed physician to St. Mary's Hospital, to St. Francis' College, the St. Mary's Institute and St. Vincent's Home for the Aged, and in all these positions is still serving, discharging his duties in con- nection with the work of a large general prae- tice. Ile is also a member of and president of the Adams County Medical Society, belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society and the Ameri- can Medical Association.

On the 4th of October, 1898, Dr. Koch was married to Miss Louise Irvin, of Watsontown, Pennsylvania. They hold membership in St. Boniface Catholic church and Dr. Koch belongs to the Knights of Columbus of Qniney and to the Western Catholic Union. He is yet a young man, possessing strong intellectual force, keen discernment and well developed talents, and his ability has already gained him prominence in his chosen profession, which undoubtedly holds in store for him higher honors and still greater successes.

THOMAS A. SCHERER.

Thomas A. Scherer, who is most ereditably filling the position of city attorney and since 1897 has engaged in the practice of law in Quiney, was born in Ottawa, Illinois. in 1873. His father, Anton Scherer, was a native of Germany and is now living in Ottawa. at the age of sixty-four years. He crossed the Atlantie to the new world in 1860, locating in La Salle county. where he worked at the trade of wood turning. He afterward conducted a hotel and is now engaged in merchandising. His political views are in accord with the principles of democracy. His wife, Mrs. Caroline Seherer, was also born in Germany and has now reached the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of six children, but one is now deceased. The others are Otto A., who is engaged in the jewelry business in Tolea, Illinois; William, who is a real estate dealer in farming lands, living at Ottawa; Charles, engaged in the marble busi- ness at Kankakee, Illinois; Angusta, the wife of Charles A. Renz, a stationary engineer at Ottawa ; and Thomas A.

THOMAS A. SCHERER

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Entering the public schools of the city of his nativity, Thomas A. Scherer began his edueation there and advaneed through successive grades until he had completed the high school course by graduation with the class of 1892. With good preliminary training he then entered the Uni- versity of Michigan in 1894, and pursued the law course until graduated with the class of 1896. The following year he located for practice in Quiney and was alone until 1898. when he formed a law partnership with W. P. Martindale, a relationship that has since been maintained. IIis practice has been very successful and he is now interested in a class of litigation that is an in- dieation of his ability and the trust reposed in him by the publie. The year prior to entering upon his law studies he was engaged in civil engineering in the employ of County Surveyor Irwin of La Salle county.

In 1903 Mr. Scherer was married to Alice Knight, a daughter of John and Mary (Fitz- gerald) Knight. She was born in Quincy in 1883. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scherer are members of St. Rose of Lima church and he is distriet deputy of the Knights of Columbus and also be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In his political views he is a demoerat and is serving as secretary of the democratie city central com-

mittee. Ile was elected to the office of city attorney in the spring of 1903, and re-elected in 1905 for a term of two years. At the time of the Spanish-American war he enlisted in Com- pany F, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until its discharge and he is now treasurer of the Spanish-American War Veterans Associa- tion at Quincey. IIe belongs to the Adams County and to the Quincy Bar Associations and is recognized as one of the most capable among the younger members of the Quincy bar.

JOHN L. NISWANDER.

John L. Niswander, senior member of the firm of J. L. Niswander & Company, electri- cians of Quincy, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, February 12, 1859, his parents being Samuel and Margaret (Fink) Niswander. His ancestors lived in Pennsylvania, whenee repre- sentatives of the name went to Ohio and Samuel Niswander was born in Holmes county of the latter state. Ile there followed the occupation of farming for some years and in 1866 removed to Indiana, where his death occurred in 1868.

John L. Niswander, the youngest in the fam- ily of nine children, attended the public schools of Holmes county, Ohio, and also of Elkhart county, Indiana. Leaving school when abont fifteen years of age he worked upon a farm

until nineteen, when thinking that he would find other pursuits more congenial and remu- nerative, he turned his attention to railroading in 1878 and was thus engaged for two years. In 1880 he entered the electrical department of the railroad service in Michigan, being engaged at construction and repair work and thus gained the first practical knowledge of the calling which has since claimed his time and energies. Ile was connected with the railroad service until 1886, when he entered the employ of the Edison Company, doing construction work with them for about three years. In 1889 he entered the service of the Thompson-Houston Company of Chicago, in the electrical depart- ment of the street ear construction work, eon- tinuing there for about seven months, when he came to Quiney for that company, about 1890, in order to change the system from horse to electric power for the operation of the Quiney street railway lines. When this was completed he accepted a position with the Quiney Horse, Rail & Carriage Company as electrician and continued to act in that capacity until 1899. when he resigned and went into the electrical business on his own account, under the name of J. L. Niswander & Company, doing all kinds of electrical work. The Independent Telephone Company runs its lines into his office and he had charge of the business at this end. He has been accorded a liberal patronage since embarking in the business on his own account and the secret of his success is his proficiency and straightforward dealing.

In 1883. Mr. Niswander was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara A. Salisbury of Petoskey, Michigan, who died in May, 1901, leaving two children: May and Alta Lind, both at home. Mr. Niswander is a member of Bodley lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and in his political views is a republican. ITis business career has been marked by steady progress, resulting from his strong determination and unfaltering energy and what he has accomplished indicates the strength of his character and his enterprising spirit.

EILERT E. WEERTS.

Eilert E. Weerts is numbered among the na- tive sons of Adams connty, his hirth having oe- eurred in Clayton township, March 2. 1878. He was born on the old homestead on the northeast quarter of section 9, which was first settled by his grandfather. Heic J. Weerts, who bought fifty acres of the same on January 4. 1853, for four hundred dollars, erected a log cabin thereon and broke the prairie land for cultivation. The

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grandfather and his family arrived from Hol- Ien. Ostfriesland, in the fall of 1852, coming by vessel to New Orleans and thenee by boat to Quincy by way of St. Louis. He died July 22. 1855, and his wife, grandmother Antje JJ., on the 15th of October, 1860. Their son, Eilert 11. Weerts, father of our subject, then lived in the home place. Tle was born in Hollen, Febru- ary 23, 1819, and was married Jannary 28. 1856. to Antje H. Franzen, who came here a short time before from Luebertsfehn. Ostfriesland, where she was born November 15, 1835. At his death, which occurred January 30, 1902, he owned five hundred and thirty acres of farm land. worth one hundred dollars per acre, besides mneh other property. The home place went to the youngest son and namesake, Eilert E. In the family were twelve children : Mena, the wife of John Schoe- neman, of Golden; Henry, living in Clayton township; Hye, a resident of Brown county, Illi- nois: Anna B .. the wife of John Buss, of Brown county: Minnie, the wife of M. H. Aden, of Northeast township : John, of Clayton township ; one son, who died in infancy: Ehme, also of Clayton township; Frank, who is temporarily located in Denver, Colorado, owing to ill health ; IIattie, the wife of George H. Flessner, of Clay- ton township ; Isa Il., a twin sister of Hattie and the wife of August Ileinecke, of Clayton town- ship. and Eilert E.

Reared in his parents' home, Eilert E. Weerts attended the public schools of Clayton township and also studied in the German school at Golden. When he had completed his education he began farming and stock-raising on his own aecount and has since engaged in this line of business. In connection with the tilling of the soil he raises, buys and sells stoek, being a well known breeder of fine stock, especially horses and eat- tle, and has some very fine animals upon his plare which sell at high prices. Mr. Weerts is a man of excellent business capacity, marked enterprise and keen foresight, and his labors have resulted successfully, making him one of the substantial citizens of his township.

Mr. Weerts was married in 1902 to Miss Chris- tina Flessner, and to them was born one dangh- ter. Fany Lucinda. August 21, 1904. Mrs. Weerts is a daughter of William II. Flessner, who came from Germany in 1850 and located in Clayton township, while at the present time his home is in Golden. Mrs. Weerts had eight broth- ers and sisters : Lena, the deceased wife of Wallie Weyen, of Golden: one son, who died in in- fancy: Henry, of Clayton township: Mary, the wife of Charley Totsch, of Northeast township; John, George and Simon, of Northeast township. and Ed, of Clayton township, who died May 19. 1904.

Mr. and Mrs. Weerts hold membership in the Lutheran church and he gives his political sup- port to the democratic party. Ilis attention is confined chiefly, however, to his business af- fairs which he has capably condueted so that he is now winning success and is, therefore, able to provide his wife and children with a com- fortable living.

MARCELLUS L. CHASE.

Marcellus L. Chase, deceased, who for many years was a leading farmer and fruit grower of Melrose township, was born in Ellington town- ship, March 27. 1837. Ile acquired his educa- tion in MeKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, and being thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties he returned to his home.

In 1860 Mr. Chase united in marriage to Miss Adelia S. Horner, a daughter of Nathan Horner, of Lebanon, Illinois, who died in Jackson coun- ty, Illinois, April 14, 1870. For his second wife he chose Miss Eliza J. Reeder, a daughter of Daniel Reeder, who was one of the first settlers of Melrose township. This marriage was cele- brated April 3. 1876. By the first union there were seven children, of whom three are living : Dr. Frank Chase, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, William, who is living in Portland, Oregon: and Robert, a resident farmer of Ellington township. By the second marriage there is one daughter, Nellie E., who is the wife of Casper Mast. Her mother died when she was only three years of age and Mr. Chase afterward wedded Miss Elizabeth King.

Mr. Chase and his father, William Chase, who was a pioneer settler of Adams county. beeame heavy landowners in Ellington township, mak- ing extensive investments in town property from time to time. Soon after his second marriage, however, he left Ellington township and located in Melrose township upon the farm which is now the property of his daughter. Mrs. Nellie Mast. This land was entered by her grandfather, Dan- iel Reeder, who to secure the property from the government paid the usual purchase price of one dollar and a quarter per aere. It is known as the old Chase homestead and comprises sixty acres of land situated on sertions 19 and 20. the home being located on the latter section. Mr. Chase always carried on general farming and he lived an active, busy life, owing his success to his own well directed labors.

In polities he was a republican and in re- ligious belief was a Methodist. holding member- ship with the church of that denomination in Adams county. His entire life was spent in this

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 147

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