Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 148

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 148

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county and he so lived as to win the favorable re- gard and friendship of many with whom he was associated. His death occurred November 8, 1889, and was deeply regretted by those who had known him as well as by his immediate family.

CHRISTIAN F. MAST.

Christian F. Mast, a well known farmer of Melrose township, living on section IS, was born in this locality, January 15, 1850. lle is a son of Casper Mast, a native of Baden, Germany, who came to the United States with his parents when ten years of age. He married Rosina Dold, also a native of Baden, Germany. Ilis father, Michael Mast, had located three miles south of the farm on which Christian F. Mast now re- sides and devoted his time to general agricul- tural pursuits. He took up his abode in this county about 1840 and was, therefore, numbered among the pioneer settlers. Casper Mast was reared upon the old homestead farm and there remained until 1858, when he purchased the farm on section 18, Melrose township. continuing to make it his home until 1860. He then re- moved to Quincy, where he lived a retired life. He purchased his land, comprising a tract of sixty acres for one hundred dollars in gold. Few improvements had been made thereon, and with great energy and determination he set abont the work of clearing the place and improving the fields, ultimately making it a productive and val- uable property. He died in Quincy in 1894, at the age of seventy-eight years, his birth having ocenrred in 1816, and at that time he had all his teeth. He was a remarkably well preserved man, and although well advanced in years he enjoyed good health almost to the last.

Christian F. Mast obtained his education in the public schools of Adams county and in Quin- cy College. He was reared to farm life, carly becoming familiar with the work of the fields and as he neared manhood he determined to en- gage in the same labor as a life work. Ile has always continued to reside upon the old farm homestead which he now owns, and the farm is conveniently located about five miles southeast of the courthouse. It comprises ninety-nine acres devoted to general farming, to the enltiva- tion of fruit, and to the raising of poultry and stock. He has some very fine chickens, and also good grades of cattle, horses and hogs. Every- thing on his farm is indicative of his progressive spirit and practical methods and he is accounted one of the leading and representative agricultor- ists of this community.

In 1870 Mr. Mast was married to Miss Mary E. Freeze, who was born in Quincy and is now

deceased. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom are now living, namely : Joseph Casper William, Benjamin, Casper, Mary, Christian, Lawrence, and Clarence.

In his political views Mr. Mast is a democrat and has served as town clerk and commissioner. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. His entire life has been passed on the farm which is yet his home and he has, therefore, wit- nessed much of the development and upbuilding of his county as it has put off the evidences and conditions of pioneer life and taken on the changes and improvements of civilization known to the older east.

ALFRED JOHN BROCKSCHMIDT.

Alfred John Brockschmidt, who in the prac- tice of law has advanced beyond the ranks of mediocrity and stands among the successful few, was born August 11, 1860, in Quincy, his pa- rents being John Henry and Caroline (Epple) Broekschmidt, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Between the ages of six and twelve years he was a student in the parochial school connected with St. Boniface church. He afterward entered St. Francis College, de- voting three years to the preparatory course and four years to the collegiate course, and later he pursued a two-years' post-graduate course. He was graduated in 1879 at the age of nineteen years, winning high honors and receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Dur- ing the last two years of his college course he read law under the direction of O. H. Brown- ing. In 1881 he received the Master of Arts degree from his alma mater, and it was in the same year that he was enrolled as a law student in Yale University, where he remained for two years, being graduated in 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He afterward took a two- years' post-graduate course and, advanced by thorough preparatory training, became well qualified for the important duties which have devolved upon him. The degree of Master of Law was conferred upon him in 1884 and in 1885 he received the degree of Doctor of Civil Law. At the time of his graduation in the lat- ter year he also won the Winchester scholarship, which entitled him to spend one year at Berlin and one year at Paris, but he did not take ad- vantage of this at the time.

Returning to Qniney Mr. Brockschmidt en- tered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he has met with exceptional success. He is a general law practitioner, having compre- hensive knowledge of the principles of jurispru- dence and his careful preparation of his cases

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enables him to present his case before conrt or jury in a clear, concise manner that never fails to make an impression upon his auditors and seldom fails to win the verdiet desired. Successfully passing an examination in 1885 he was permitted to practice in the high courts of Canada. In June, 1884, he was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Connecticut, and in Oeto- ber of that year he was admitted to the bar of Illinois, while in 1886 he was admitted to prac- tice in the federal courts at Springfield. He was also admitted to the supreme court of New York in November, 1884. He has argued many cases and lost but few. No one better knows the necessity for thorough preparation and no one more industriously prepares his cases than Mr. Broekschmidt. His course in the court room is characterized by a calmness and dignity that in- dicate reserve strength. He is always courteous and deferential toward the court, kind and for- bearing toward his adversaries. He examines a witness carefully and thoroughly, but treats him with a respect which makes the witness grateful for his kindness and forbearance. His handling of his case is always full, comprehen- sive and accurate: his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive; he sees without effort the relation and dependence of the facts, and so groups them as to enable him to throw their combined force upon the point they tend to prove. His opinions show great research, in- dustry and care and challenge the approval of and commend themselves to the bench and bar. Mr. Broekselidt was married August 28. 1901. to Miss Mathilde Loire, a daughter of Philibert Loire, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Broekschmidt hold membership in St. Boni- fare Catholic church, and in politics he is a democrat.

WILLIAM J. BARBOUR, M. D.

Dr. William J. Barbour, who became a resident of Quiney in 1873 and whose residence in the county dated from 1860, was a man whose gen- nine personal worth and business integrity were such as to win for him an honorable place among the representative men of this portion of the state and therefore his death, which occurred on the 17th of March. 1873, was the occasion of deep spread regret among his many friends. He was a native of Belfast. Ireland, and a son of William and Elizabeth Barbour, both of whom were na- tives of Ireland, in which country they spent their entire lives, their home being in Belfast. It was this family that were the originators of the

well known Barbour linen thread, which has been sold throughout the civilized world. Mrs. Wil- Ham J. Barbour now has in her possession an old spinning wheel that was used in the family more than one Inindred years ago. The first rep- resentatives of the family to come to America were Robert and Thomas Barbour, who settled in New York eity and there began manufacturing linen thread, continuing in that business until their life's labors were ended in death and build- ing up an industry of large proportions.

Dr. William J. Barbour began his edneation in the common schools of Ireland and afterward entered upon the study of medicine preparatory to making its practice his life work. IIe at- tended the medical school in Belfast, where he pursued a full course and was therefore well qualified for his chosen vocation. Ile entered

upon practice in his native city, where he con- tinued for a few years and then came to America, settling in New York eity. He then removed to Washington, D. C .. and was connected with the medical fraternity of the capital for several years, subsequent to which time he came to the west, locating in St. Louis, Missouri. There he followed his chosen profession until 1860, when he came to Adams county. Illinois, settling at Columbus. Because of impaired health he de- vided to abandon practice and followed his pro- fession only to a limited extent among the farm- ers in his immediate neighborhood. He pur- chased a farm in the vicinity of Columbus and devoted his attention mere largely to general agricultural pursuits. He continued to reside upon the farm until 1873, when he removed to Quincy, although he never engaged in active practice here. If his friends desired a preseerip- tion he would gladly write one out as a favor. He delighted in travel, visiting many parts of the United States and also many foreign countries and thereby gaining the culture, broad knowl- edge and experience which only travel can bring.

In 1863 Dr. Barbour was married to Miss Sarah A. Taylor, a native of Columbus and a daughter of William and Iney Ann Taylor, both of whom were natives of the south and came to Adams county, Illinois, at an early day. The father was a weaver by trade and he and his wife resided in the vicinity of Columbus until their deaths. There were three children born unto Dr. and Mrs. Barbour; William A., the eldest. married Anna b. Dunn, and resides in San Francisco, California, where he owns a. large factory at Nos. 224 to 226 Bush street. There he is engaged in the manufacture of linen thread for all the western trade and also does a large exporting business in this commodity. The daughters, Mary B., and Jane, are twins. The former is the wife of George II. Stahl, one of the leading business men of Quiney, engaged in

DR. WILLIAM J. BARBOUR

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the manufacture of the well known Excelsior in- enbator which has been on the market for nearly twenty years. To is active and influential in trade circles and he and his wife occupy a beau- tiful home at No. 300 South Eighteenth street. Jane is the wife of Harry HI. Charles, also con- nected with the incubator business in Dayton. Ohio.

Dr. Barbour endorsed the principles of the republican party but had no desire for political office. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Quincy and he and all of his family were members of the Presbyterian church here. He was very successful in his praetiee and became well-to-do, so that after his removal to Adams county he was enabled to make a large investment in property, wherefrom he derived a good ineome. His marked diligence and energy proved the foundation for a successful career and gradually he worked his way upward, winning not only suceess but also a most enviable reputa- tion because of his reliability in business and his devotion to the principles of an honorable manhood, displaying throughout his entire life those sterling qualities which in every land and elime command regard. Mrs. Barbour has many friends in Quiney and enjoys the hospitality of the best homes. She owns a nice home of her own at 1902 Kentucky street, but spends much of her time at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Stahl.

DANIEL A. REEDER.

Daniel A. Reeder was born May 14, 1851, on the farm in Melrose township which is now his home. ITis father was the first settler in this township and the name is, therefore, inseparably connected with the history of Adams county. Daniel Reeder, Sr., was a native of North Caro- lina, born in 1786, and after arriving at years of maturity he married Franees Johnson, whose birth occurred in Kentucky in 1804. Her grand- mother came to the United States on the May- flower. The Reeder family was an old and prom- inent one of the south. Daniel Reeder became a pioneer settler of Kentucky and when the country beeame involved in the second war with England he esponsed the American eause and proved a valiant soldier of his country. Fol- lowing this war he remained a resident of Ken- turky for a few years and came to Quincy in 1826. There was nothing but a little hamlet where now stands the beautiful and enterprising city and almost the entire county was wild and

unimproved, few settlements having been made within its borders. Ile soon afterward located in Melrose township, being the first settler with- in its borders. He and his family entered about one thousand acres of land and he built a log cabin, living in true pioneer style and experi- encing the hardships and trials which fall to the lot of those who establish homes on the frontier. During the preceding winter the family sub- sisted largely upon wild game which could be had in abundance. Wolves and other wild ani- mals were still numerous in the neighborhood and at intervals Indians visited this portion of the state. Mr. Reeder continued in the develop- ment of his farm on which his life's labors were ended in death in the fall of 1861. His wife sur- vived him for a number of years and died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a re- publican in his political views and in matters of citizenship he was practical and public-spir- ited, doing all in his power to aid in the perma- nent development and improvement of this por- tion of the state. Ile was one of the first subscribers for the Quincy Whig. He built the first frame house in Melrose township, it being now the home of his son, and was deeply inter- ested in the intellectual and moral as well as the material progress of his community. In his fam- ily were thirteen children, and those living are: Mrs. Elizabeth Shinn, of Spokane, Washington ; Mrs. Augusta Baneroft, of the same state; Mrs. Martha Sheperd and Daniel A.

Daniel A. Reeder acquired his education in the schools of Melrose township and in Quiney College. No event of special importanee oc- curred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth. He worked with his father in the cultivation and improvement of the old home- stead and continued to reside thereon until the time of his marriage. He wedded Miss Susan Crosom, who was born about six miles south of her present home in Adams county, and is a daughter of Alexander ('rosom, who was born at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and became a pio- neer settler of Adams county. He wedded Mary Hadley, whose birth occurred in Fall Creek township, Adams county, and who was the first white female child born in Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reeder were born three children, who are yet living: Grace, the wife of Julius Crocker; Hugh, who is a student in the Gem City Business College of Quiney, and Ester, at home.

Mr. Reeder's farm comprises one hundred acres of arable land located about four and a half miles southeast of Quincy, on section 19. Melrose township. Ile has an excellent orchard, covering fifteen acres and he also has four aeres planted to strawberries. In addition to the raising of fruit he carries on general farming

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and stock-raising and he now has fifteen cows and a number of good horses on his place. Everything about the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance and his prodnets find a ready sale on the market, so that he annually receives a good income in return for his labor. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church and in his fraternal relations he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party, but while he keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day he has never sought office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs which have brought him signal snecess.

JOSEPH W. NICHOLSON.

Joseph W. Nicholson is the owner of one of the finest country homes in Adams county and is largely engaged in horticultural pursuits. lle was born Derember 6. 1849, his parents being John and Hester ( Orr) Nicholson, the former a native of Falmouth. Kentucky, born Angust 27, 1811. and the latter of Indiana, born December 27. 1823. The father came to Adams county. Illinois, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Nicholson. the family home being estab- lished in Quiney when this was still a pioneer re- gion of the state. there being only a few build- ings on the site of the present beautiful and thriving city. John Nicholson afterward re- moved to Ursa township and bought the farm on which he spent his remaining days. His death occurred on the 3d of March, 1890. and his wife died Anne 16, 1884.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: Theresa, born in 1847, is now the wife of Francis Roan, a resident of Ursa township, and they have three children. Joseph W., of this review. is the next in order of birth. John, born in 1851, married Serelda Nicholson and has two children. Saville, born in 1853, died in infancy. Susan, born in 1855, married Na- poleon Orr, of Kansas City, by whom she had five children, and she died in 1894. Fafayette, born in 1857, married Emerine Long and has three children. They live in Ursa township. Olive B., born in 1859, is the wife of Henry Morris, of Riverside township, and they have nine children. George, who was born in 1861 and lives in River- side township, married Nettie Predmore, who died in June, 1888, leaving two children, and he subsequently married Dora Broachinan, by whom he has five children. Kate, born in 1864, married William Mitchell, now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, and she died in 1892, leaving six chil-

dren. Hester E., born in 1866, is the wife of William Darnell, of Mendon township, and they have six children.

J. W. Nicholson was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. lle is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land. of which one hundred and seventeen acres is planted to fruit, there being a pear orchard cov- ering twenty-five acres. Ilis farm is splendidly developed, the fields being under a high state of cultivation, and he is particularly well known as a horticulturist, the fruit he raises being of the finest size and quality and, therefore. command- ing a good price on the market. He has a fine home, which was erected at a cost of twenty-five Imindred dollars, and also owns two fine business houses in Quincy.

On the 26th of August, 1880. Mr. Nicholson was married to Miss Adealia King, who was born October 2, 1863, a daughter of William and Eliza ( Galamore ) King. The father was born in Ken- tueky. April 11, 1811, and came to Illinois in 1830. The was then a poor man but worked hard and saved his money and at the time of his death. which occurred November 14, 1879, he was one of the weathiest farmers in this part of the state. His wife, who was born in North Carolina, Feb- ruary 14. 1820, died on the 15th of February, 1879. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have been born five children, three of whom are yet living : Una Opal, who was born August 27. 1881, was married October 15, 1903, to Vernie Inman, of Ursa township, and they have one child. Jessie E., who was born August 13, 1883, was married November 12, 1902, to Elmer Dangherty, who re- sides near the Nicholson farm, and they have one child. Fay King, who was born August 5, 1895, lives at home.

The Nicholson farm is pleasantly situated two and one-half miles from l'rsa on section 20, Ursa township. Mr. Nicholson served as school trustee for several years and in polities is a democrat. He and his wife hold membership in the Chris- tian church. of Ursa, and are people of the high- est respectability, enjoying the warm regard and friendship of many who know them.

JOHN HI. FRANZEN.

John H. Franzen is a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Northeast township, his home being located on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 33. Upon that place he was born February 11, 1866, a son of Hinrich II. and Antje II. (Flesner) Franzen, both natives of Germany. The father was born in Holtrop. OstFriesland, on the ISth of October, 1821, while

MR. AND MRS. J. W. NICHOLSON

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the mother's birth occurred in Westersander, Ostfriesland, August 6. 1828. She was a daugh- ter of Hinrich G. Flesner, who was also born in Westersander, August 23. 1784, and died in this county May 20, 1866. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Jubihelena Wietjes, was a native of lloltrop and died in Adams county, Illinois, on the 30th of November, 1862, at the age of sixty-eight years.

On the 24th of July, 1847, was celebrated the marriage of Ilinrich II. Franzen and Antje H. Flesner, and on the 28th of October, 1849, they left the fatherland in company with her parents. After a long and stormy voyage they landed in New Orleans, January 11, 1850, and proceeded up the Mississippi to St. Louis, where they were detained on account of the river being frozen. making it impossible for the boats to run. Leav- ing their families in that city Mr. Franzen and his father-in-law started on foot for Adams county. Illinois, climbing the steep bhiffs and making their way through the brush along the banks of the river, as they were afraid of get- ting lost if they got out of sight of the water. Totally exhausted they finally arrived at the home of their old friend, Jan W. Buss, who, with Gerd T. Franken and their families, were the first of their countrymen to settle on the prairie near the present site of Golden. having arrived in May, 1848. Mr. Franzen soou re- turned to St. Louis by the way he had come and remained there until spring. He was a black- smith by trade and a first class mechanic. In fact he was a naturally highly gifted and intelligent man. It took him but a short time to master the English language, and friendly and upright as he was, he became of great assistance to the early comers from the fatherland, who looked to him as their adviser.

In May, 1850, Mr. Franzen brought his fam- ily to Adams county, having previously worked at his trade in St. Louis for thirteen weeks, dur- ing which time he made eighty dollars. On his arrival here he opened a blacksmith shop east of the old German "Prairie" church in Clayton township, it being a welcome addition to the new settlement. but the early pioneers had no money to pay for work done for them. so Mr. Franzen accepted their produce instead first for the sup- port of his family, but as the supplies increased he conceived the idea of packing the hutter and eggs, hauling them to Quincy by cheap ox-team transportation, and then shipping them down the river by boat to St. Louis. This venture proved quite successful and the business finally developed into a regular pioneer country store. His old account books show a regular opening of such an institution on the 7th of April, 1851. The first regular bill of goods amounted to

one hundred and fourteen dollars and eighty- two cents, upon which twenty-four dollars and seventy-five cents was paid mostly in prodnee. Two weeks later there was another bill of one hundred and twenty-one dollars and thirty-six cents and twenty-two dollars and forty-three cents credited thereon. This was a much needed business and was first conducted in a shed at- tached to the log cabin. Mr. Franzen soon bought the northwest quarter, first described, from Fleming Burke for two hundred dollars, but had to buy a second title, costing also two hundred dollars. This land was bought by Mr. Burke a few years before for seventeen dollars and two wagon loads of fence rails, supposing that it would never be fit for cultivation. Being out on the open prairie he selected the highest point on the old wagon road winding its way across the prairie from Macomb to Quincy and erected thereon a log house in the Fall of Is51, these being the only dwellings known at that time. A group of them soon made their appear- ance around this lonely home, being a store and blacksmith shop, established by Mr. Franzen in this wild. open country, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He became widely and favorably known and at his place the tired trav- eler stopped for rest and refreshments. Here he could get his wagon repaired, the tires set and the broken chain welded. At the store the pub- lie could be accommodated with almost anything needed, be it a pair of hoots or a straw hat, a pair of jeans, a hickory shirt. bed rope, ox chain. coffee, nails, molasses, hairpins or pitchforks. no matter what. Mr. Franzen had it for sale. For many years he carried on business here, but his last years were spent in retirement.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 148

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