Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 149

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 149

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On the 25th of July. 1897, Mr. and Mrs. Fran- zen celebrated their golden wedding, many neigh- bors and old friends taking them by surprise. A line of carriages over a half mile in length drove up the lane leading to the house and soon the yard was filled with people. Hearty congratulations, really meant. were in order. but clasped hands and true eyes spoke more than words. The present of a new carriage and har- ness further showed their love and respect. Tell- ing of old reminiscences, songs and music, and a wagonload of good things to eat and drink, which soon arrived, made the occasion quite happy and delightful. When the glow of sunset appeared Mr. Franzen thanked his friends in his masterly manner, in words of kindness and heartfelt expressions which will never be for- gotten by all present. Before another year had passed he elosed his eyes in peace on the 17th of April. 1898. and his widow has since taken up her abode in the village of Golden. where she is spending her last days in quiet and content.

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And here we will remember Mother Franzen. for our old pioneer women, who shared the hard- ships of such life with their husbands, are so often overlooked. If a true and faithful wife over took upon herself a full share of such life's burdens, it was she, and without such relief, this life's journey as herein pictured, would never have found its way.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: larm H., born in Wrisse. Ostfriesland. May 20, 1848, is now a merchant of Golden. Henry II. was born in St. Louis. Missouri, in February, 1850, and died when only eight days old. Henry IL .. the second of that name, was born in Adams county, July 16, 1851. and died about Easter, 1856. John Il. died about the close of the year 1855 at the age of twenty months. Henry 1 .. born Angust 30. 1860, is a resident of Gothenburg, Nebraska. Lena HI .. born July 24. 1863. is the wife of Eilert J. Buss, of Golden. John Il., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Anna 11 .. born Oc- tober 2, 1868, is the wife of Dirk Harms, of Ilil- dreth. Nebraska. For further ancestral record refer to the sketches of It. Il. Emminga and Mrs. Franzen-Buss elsewhere in this volume.

John H. Franzen grew to manhood in this county. and was here married on the 13th of April. 1890, to Miss Wiebke Meints, who was born April 8. 1867, but their happy married life was of short duration, for Mrs. Franzen died March 5, 1893, after giving birth to their second child two days before. When the little infant son was buried the mother elosed her eyes for this life. The only remaining child is Anna. who was born JJuly 4, 1891, and is a great con- solation and comfort to her father on his now lonely way in life. Mrs. Franzen was a daughter of Johan J. and Franke ( Keiser) Meints, who are still living on their old homestead only a few miles from Mr. Franzen. The father was born in Strackholt, June 7, 1831, while his wife was born in Nendorf, Ostfriesland, December 28. 1845. It was in the latter part of 1854 that he rame to America and settled in this county. His lather. Johan Il. Meints, was born in Amt Ehrenburg, Hanover, October 15, 1794, and died here February 4. 1882. and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mareke Imbins, was born in Strackholt, Ostfriesland, November 20, 1809. and died here February 15, 1878.

At the present time Mr. Franzen is principally engaged in handling lightning rods and house ornaments as a member of the firm of Cassens & Franzen, his partner being William Cassens. They have made their work a special study and it is their intention to protect the people from being bumbugged by worthless fixtures at ex- treme prices, so much having been heard of lightning rod swindlers. They handle a heavy

pure copper rable rod and thoroughly test it by artificial means before considering a job finished. They are meeting with good success. for they enjoy the confidence of the public and stand high in the esteem of their fellow citizens. Religionsly Mr. Franzen is a member of the Intheran church.

WILLIAM S. WOLFE, M. D.

Dr. William S. Wolfe, physician and surgeon of Quiney, was born March 6. 1878, in Rushville. Illinois. his parents being Dr. J. B. and Isabella ( Storts) Wolfe. The father was born in Bond county, Illinois, in 1843, and for many years. ['rom 1867 until 1900, was a prominent member of the Illinois Methodist Episcopal conference. In the latter year he left the ministry and is now associated with the Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany of New York, for which he is now serving as district manager and confidential agent. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and three daughters, namely: Bertha. who was drowned at two years of age: Ralph, who is mar- ried and living in Springfield, Missouri, and is in the employ of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company, running out of St. Louis; Leonard, who makes his home in Springfield, Mis- souri, and is in the employ of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company : Charles, an attor- ney, who is married and lives in Beardstown, Illi- nois: Viola, the wife of R. J. Montgomery, a resi- dent of Cincinnat, Ohio; and Grace, who is at home with her parents and employed as teacher in the public schools.

Dr. Wolfe began his education in the schools of Mattoon, Illinois, and was a student in the high school of Carlinville, this state. Ile after- ward continued his literary course in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, where he spent four years, and in 1898 he matriculated in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he spent one year. lle next entered the Marion Sims-Beaumont College of Medicine, at St. Lonis. and was graduated in 1902, locating for practice in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where he re- mained for a year and a half. In the fall of 1903 he came to Quiney, where he has established an exceptionally fine practice in a very short time. the public and the profession according him an enviable position as a representative of the medi- eal fraternity. He belongs to the Adams County Medical Society. the Illinois State Medical Soci- ety and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Wolfe was married to Miss Martha E. Kobel of Quiney, a daughter of Laurence and Anna Kobel of this city. ller father is in the

DR. W. S. WOLFE

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employ of the street railway company. The wed- ding was celebrated October 31, 1901. In his political views Dr. Wolfe is largely independent. His energies are concentrated upon the duties of his profession, which are very conscientiously and promptly performed, and he is now the youngest physician in the city.

WILLIAM S. KNAPHEIDE, M. D.

Dr. William S. Knapheide, a skilled and emi- ment surgeon of Quiney, in which city he was boru April 14, 1865, and who under some of the most distinguished medical educators of this country and of Europe prepared for his chosen profession, is a son of Henry and Katharyn (Achelpohl) Knapheide. The father, a native of Germany, learned the wagonmaking trade in Hanover, and in 1848 crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans, whence he proceeded up the river to St. Louis, working at his trade there for two years. He was also married in that city. In 1850 he came to Quiney and organized the Knap- heide Wagon Company, which was started on a very small scale, but which was expanded into an extensive industry, a large number of wagons and trucks being annually manufactured in the factory. In this business Mr. Knapheide con- tinned until his death, which occurred in 1891. Employment was furnished to twenty-five men and the business became one of the leading pro- duetive industries of the city. At the time of his death the business was re-organized as a stock company with Henry Knapheide, Jr., as manager and the factory is located at the corner of Sixth and State streets. The trade has con- timally increased and employment is furnished to forty-five men, while with the use of modern improved machinery the output of the factory is four or five times what it was at the time of the death of the father. Mr. Knapheide, how- ever, was a very industrious and enterprising man and deserved much credit for the success which he achieved in the control of his indus- trial interests. In his family were three sons and three daughters: Mary, the wife of Henry Huffman, of Sigourney. Towa; Henry E., who married Augusta Beck and is the manager of the Knapheide Wagon Company: Emma. the wife of John Hopmeister, of Kingston, Illinois; Edward J .. of Quincy : Melinda, who is now Dr. Germann, the wife of Henry Germann, a drug- gist of Quincy; and William S. The mother is still living at the age of eighty-two years and is well preserved. She makes her home with her son Henry.

Dr. Knapheide attended the grammar and high schools of Quiney, and at the age of twelve

years entered the employ of the Holbach-Schroe- der Dry Goods Company, with whom he re- mained until fifteen years of age. when he be- came a student in the Gem City Business Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1885. Later he became bookkeeper for Behrensmeyer & Company, with whom he remained for four years, after which he attended the Quincy Col- lege of Medicine and was graduated in 1889, meeting the expenses of his college course by acting as bookkeeper at night for the firm with whom he had formerly been associated. Later he spent a year in study in the east and was graduated from the Long Island College Hos- pital at Brooklyn, New York, in 1890. Desiring to attain a still higher degree of efficiency, he went abroad and spent some time in the city of Vienna, Austria, studying under the famous surgeon, Professor Rudolph von Bilroth, for a year in a surgical hospital containing five thou- sand beds, and in which all kinds of cases were met with, thus bringing liim a most varied expe- rience. Ile entered a competitive examination at the Royal Surgical Hospital at Berlin under the direction of Professor von Bergman, and for one season held a position as interne. That hos- pital is the most perfectly appointed surgical hospital in the world, and his position there was not only an evidence of his superior qualifica- tions but also greatly promoted his efficiency. He next went to Strausburg, where he studied pathology under Professor von Rieklinghausen, after which he traveled through Germany. Switz- erland. Austria, France and England.

Dr. Knapheide returned to America in 1893, splendidly equipped and prepared for his chosen life work, and opened an office in Quincy, An- gust 1. 1893. For four years, from 1893 until 1897, he was physician in charge of Blessing Hospital. In the latter year he began practice according to the rotary system. His practice is extensive and involves the most intricate prob- lems which confront the surgeon. At different times he has been consulting surgeon and gyne- cologist to Blessing Hospital, and his skill and comprehensive knowledge of the science have made him one of the most eminent surgeons of Illinois. He is now associated in practice with his sister, Dr. Melinda Germann. under the firm name of Drs. Knapheide & Germann, with main office at No. 639 Maine street, and another office at the corner of Eighth and State streets. After graduating from the Quincy College of Medicine, Dr. Germann also went to Europe, where she studied under Professor Charcot Tuffier Possi, of Paris, France, and also at Vienna, Austria. and Zurich, Switzerland. She is a noted gyne- cologist and has a large practice in Quincy.

Dr. Knapheide is a member of the Adams County Medieal Society, the Illinois State Medi-

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cal Society and the American Medical Associa- tion. Fraternally he is connected with Bodley lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of Quiney, and be- longs to the Methodist church. In polities he is a republican, but the demands of his profes- sion leave him but little time for either political or social activity.

On the 17th of September, 1894. Dr. Knap- heide was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Brenner, a daughter of Henry Bremer, of Men- don, Illinois. They have one child, Merle Dong- las, attending kindergarten. Dr. and Mrs. Knap- heide have a wide acquaintance in Quincy and the circle of their friends is constantly growing.

ROBERT S. ALKIRE.

Robert S. Alkire, who is now living a retired life in Ursa and is the owner of valuable farming interests, was born March 31, 1851, in Chalmers, White county, Indiana, and is the son of John and Margaret L. ( Adams) Alkire, who were also natives of that state. Mr. Alkire has three broth- ers living: W. J., who lives in Delphi, Indiana ; llenry N., who lives in Chahners, Indiana ; Franklin II., who resides at Battle Ground, In- diana.

Our subject came to Adams county in 1883, locating north of Ursa on a farm owned by his father-in-law. He had been educated in the public schools of White county, Indiana, had been reared to farm life and after leaving school was married on the 18th of December, 1887, to Miss Elmora Alice Wren, a daughter of Nicholas and Maria (Burroughs) Wren, both of Adams county, Illinois. Her father was a farmer and owned and lived on his farm north of Ursa until his death, which occurred September 23, 1901. Ilis wife died in July, 1896. Mrs. Alkire was born in this county, April 24, 1853.

After living on his father-in-law's farm for several years, Mr. Alkire retired from active life and removed to Ursa. He bought a fine residence and is now enjoying the fruits of his early labor. Ile has a beautiful home here surrounded by three aeres of ground which is tastefully kept. Ile also has the rents and profits of two hundred and sixteen acres of land in Ursa township owned by his father-in-law, and this farm returns him a desirable income.

In polities Mr. Alkire is a republican and has served as school director for six years. He is an active member of Marcelline lodge, No. 127, I. O. O. F., and is true to the teachings of the organization, exemplifying in his life its benefi- cent spirit. He and his wife are both connected with the Rebekah lodge and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Ursa. Both Mr. and

Mrs. Alkire are members of the Christian church and their well spent lives have gained for them uniform respect and regard.

ANDREW J. CUTTER.

Andrew JJ. Cutter, a retired farmer of Beverly township whose home is on seeton 22, was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, July 25, 1824, and is a worthy representative of an old and highly respected family of this county, which was founded here in 1835, when this region was largely wild and unimproved. At that time bears, wolves and deer were still quite numerous and all kinds of feathered game was plentiful, furnishing many a meal for the carly settlers.

Sammel Cutter, onr subject's father. was also a native of New Jersey and by trade was a car- riage-maker, though he followed farming to a great extent throughont life. He married Miss Nancy Inslee, who was born in New York. though her parents, William and Experience ( Moore) Inslee, were from New Jersey. In 1835 Samuel Cutter brought his family to Adams county, Illinois, and located in Beverly township. lle had eleven children, namely: Charles, who was drowned in a erecek in infancy : Andrew .... of this sketch : William, now a resident of June- tion City. Kansas: Experience, who died in Baylis, Illinois: Henry, Stephen and Samnel, who all died in infancy; Charlotte, the wife of Ilon. James Harvey, who served as a soldier of the Civil war and was governor of Kansas for two terms, having previously represented that state in the I'nited States senate for three terms: Tabitha, wife of William P. Rubart, of Kansas; Sammel, also a resident of that state, and Eliza- beth, wife of William Lawson, of Beverly, Illi- nois.

Before leaving New Jersey, Andrew J. Cutter began his education in the schools of that state. and later attended the schools of Adams county. On starting ont in life for himself he commeneed farming, but during the gold excitement on the Pacific coast, he went to California in 1850, leaving home in January and arriving at his des- tination on the 15th of the following August. The trip was made in a sailing vessel around Cape Horn, and after spending two or three years in the gold fields he returned to the east by way of the Nicaragua route and the Carri- bean Sea, having in the meantime made enough to pay all of his expenses. Since then he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and is to day the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres on sections 22, 14 and 15, Beverly township. In connection with general farming he conducted a nursery and also engaged in

MR. AND MRS. R. S. ALKIRE

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stock-raising. but for the past few years has practically lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce and now supports the men and measures of the republican party.

Having never married, Mr. Cutter makes his home with his youngest sister, Mrs. William Lawson, of Beverly, who had nine children, namely: Elsie, now the wife of Addison Cor- baugh, of Beverly township: Frank, a resident of Barry, Illinois; Grace, wife of Charles Wells, of California: Samuel, of Beverly; Clarence, at home; Katie, wife of James E. Richardson; Sherman. at home, and William and Mamie, who both died young.

JACOB REICHERT, SR.

Jacob Reichert. Sr., who died March 22. 1905. at his home on section 12, Melrose township, was one of the worthy farmers that Germany has fur- nished to Adams county and manifested in his life many of the sterling characteristics that have ever marked the Tentonie race. His birth occurred on the river Rhine, in Germany, May 9, 1830, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Dietrich) Reichert, the former a farmer of Ger- many, owning a traet of land there.

Jacob Reichert spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and acquired a good education in the schools of his native country. Between the ages of twenty and twenty-three years he was a member of the German army and after receiv- ing an honorable discharge he came to America at the age of twenty-four years with his father and family. Thirty days were spent upon a sail- ing vessel, which eventually dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans in the year 1854. They proceeded up the river to Quincy, where they ar- rived on the 9th of May. The father was at that time fifty-four years of age and he was accom- panied by five children-Jacob, John, Mike, Elizabeth and Clara. Upon their arrival the fath- er and his sons engaged in farming. At the time of the Civil war John responded to the call of his adopted country for aid and became a lieutenant of the Illinois Regiment, but died during the ser- vice at Richmond, Virginia. Mike remained in Adams county until he attained his majority. when he went to Minnesota and afterward con- tinued his travel westward with the intention of entering land in a frontier district. Ile was killed by the Indians while residing in the far west. The father purchased eighty acres of land in Adams county and continued farming opera- tions here until his death, which occurred in

1869, he being at that time seventy years of age, his birth having occurred in 1799.

Jacob Reichert made his home with his father until the latter's death. but at different times was employed by others. The first work he did in this country was for Nichols Herlemann, and later he worked for George Wells, of Burton township. being employed as a farm hand for two years. After his father made purchase of the home farm he continued upon that place. Only ten aeres had been cleared and the remainder was covered with timber and brush. Jacob Reichert, to acquire this land, hore all the hardships and trials incident to the development of a new farm. IFe was always an earnest and untiring worker and became the owner of one hundred and twen- ty-six acres of good land which is the visible evi- dence of his life of thrift and industry. The farm is located seven miles south and east of Quincy and he engaged there in the raising of stock, making a specialty of cattle.

In 1859 Mr. Reichert was married to Miss Mary M. Hornecker, who was born in Germany and was a daughter of Andrew Hornecker, who came to Adams county in 1857. Mrs. Reichert died, in 1904, at the age of sixty-five years. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children : Jacob, who is now a progressive and practical farmer of Melrose township; Charles, who owns and operates a farm of eighty aeres in Ellington township; Henry. a resident farmer of Mendon township; John, who rents and enl- tivates a farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Melrose township: William, who died Jnne 26, 1904. at the age of thirty years, and Mary. who has charge of the home farm since her father's death.

Mr. Reichert was a democrat in his political views and a Catholic in religious faith. After coming to Illinois his attention was always given to farm labor and he prospered because he worked untiringly, and his labors were guided by sound judgment and business ability. He was a popular man with his neighbors and friends because of his genial disposition and many ster- ling traits of character.

W. H. BEAVERS.

One of the most progressive, energetic and sue- cessful farmers of Richfield township is W. II. Beavers, who is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred aeres on sections 21 and 28. A native of Illinois, he was born in Morgan county on the 14th of June, 1844. and has spent his entire life in this state, watching with interest its growth and development. His father, Wil- liam Beavers, was a native of England. and on

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coming to the United States in 1830 located near Jacksonville, in Morgan county, Illinois. Ile wedded Miss Mary Stout, who was born in In- diana, and they became the parents of ten chil- dren, namely: Cavilia, now living in Sedalia, Missouri, first married James Mellenry and after his death wedded William Huston, while her third husband is Thomas Christlo. Robert is a resident of Morgan county. Nancy is the wife of Schweril Cain of Plainville, Ilinois. Sarah J. is the wife of Jefferson Carter of Plainville. W. H. is the next in order of birth. Rachel C. lied at the age of two years. Mary J. is the wife of Sammel MeGlanghan of Plainville. George W. is deceased. Fannie is the wife of Jesse Lighter of Morgan county. Lydia L. died when young.

W. H. Beavers obtained his education in the public schools of Morgan county and since put- ting aside his text-books has devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits with most gratifying success. As previously stated, he now has a fine farm of two hundred aeres in Richfickl township, upon which he raises principally wheat, corn and hay, and he devotes considerable attention to the raising of cattle and hogs.

In 1865 Mr. Beavers was united in marriage to Miss Nancy George, who died on the 8th day of May, 1901. There were two sons born of that union : Charles, who was born August 9, 1867. and is now a practicing physician of Barry, Illi- nois : and Virgil, who was born February 3. 1871. and is a physician of Hutchinson, Kansas. Mr. Beavers was again married May 14, 1902. his second union being with Mrs. Margaret ( Me- Cardell) Moorehouse, whose parents were born in New Orleans, and from that city removed to St. Louis and later to Canton, Missouri. In his political views Mr. Beavers is independent, and in religions faith is a Baptist. His life has been upright and honorable and he justly deserves the surveys that has come to him and the high re- gard in which he is uniformly hekt.

ED. P. SMITIL.

Ed. P. Smith, who is acceptably filling the position of county sheriff of Adams county, was born in Mendon township in 1852. His par- ents were Patriek and Margaret ( Carlin) Smith, both natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States in 1847, locating in Mendon town- ship, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing. He was a man of marked industry and en- terprise, and through the careful conduct of his business affairs accumulated considerable prop- erty. His political allegianee was given to the democracy and he was a member of the Catholic

church. His death occurred in 1900, when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife passed away in 1886, at the age of sixty-two years. She came to the United States at the same time her husband crossed the Atlantic, being accompanied by her mother and brother, and in this country she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Smith. They became the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom eight are yet living.

Ed. P. Smith. educated in the district schools of Mendon township, was reared upon a farm, but, believing that he would find other ocenpa- tions more congenial, he turned his attention to the grocery business, which he followed for a year and a half at Bloomfield. He was after- ward engaged in various enterprises, including the poultry business at Camp Point, which claimed his attention for five years. While re- siding there he served for eight years as deputy sheriff, being for four years under John W. Vaneil and four years under A. F. Roth. In 1898 he came to Quincy and became city deputy sheriff under John W. Roth, and in 1902 he was elected sheriff and has since acted in that eapacity, proving a very capable offieer and one who is ever fearless and prompt in the dis- charge of his duties.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 149

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