USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 70
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Mr. Davis had been a resident of Quincy for a little more than two years. when in January, 1885. he returned upon a visit to his old home in New York and while in Monroe county he married Miss Persis C. Root, a daughter of Edwin S. Root, of Chili, Monroe county. He then returned with his young bride to his own home, where he entered at once upon the active practice of his profession. They traveled life's
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journey together for more than thirty-one years, when in July, 1886, Mrs. Davis was called to her final rest, leaving her husband and eight children. The sons and daughters of the family are as follows: Lottie V., the wife of Nelson R. Mc- Clain, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Celia, the de- ceased wife of George W. Waterhouse, of Ypsil- anti. Michigan : IIope S., of Kansas City, Kan- sas: Persis C., the wife of Frank E. Tryon, of Savannah, Georgia; Mary B., of Los Vegas, New Mexico: Irma G .. who became the wife of W. G. Gortner, of Los Vegas, New Mexico, and died in 1900; Philo G., of Topeka. Kansas; and Wait Il., of Los Vegas. In 1895 Mr. Davis married Melissa JJ. Ward, a danghter of Lewis Ward, of Quincy.
Viewed in a personal light Mr. Davis possesses qualities which have surrounded him with warm friends. He has ever been a man of keen discernment, recognizing opportunities in his profession and citizenship. His correct prin- ciples have been the guide to a life that has ever been faultless in honor, fearless in conduet and stainless in reputation. Ilis scholarly attain- ments, his statesmanship, his reliable judgment and his charming powers of conversation would have enabled him to ably fill and grace any position and yet he has felt the duties of his pro- fession and his obligations of eitizenship to be worthy of his best efforts and has concentrated his energies upon professional service and bore an effective effort for the city of his adoption.
COLONEL JOHN TILLSON.
John Tillson, long a resident of Quincy, was born at Hillsboro, Illinois, October 12, 1825. He was educated at Hillsboro Academy and Illi- nois College, but did not graduate. He was graduated from the Transylvania Law School in Kentucky in 1847 and was admitted to the bar at Quincy, Illinois, the same year. Ile practiced law two years in Galena, when he returned to Quincy.
Colonel Tillson married Miss Ann Eliza Wood, daughter of John Wood, one of the founders of Quiney, who became governor of Illinois on the death of Governor Bissell.
In 1861, Mr. Tillson enlisted and after three months' service became the lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Illinois Infantry. On the promotion of Colonel James D. Morgan to the position of brigadier-general, Mr. Tillson was made eolonel. In July, 1865, he was mustered as a brevet briga- dier-general. For two years he held a commis- sion as captain in the regular army. In 1869-70 he was editor of the Quiney Whig.
In 1873, he was elected representative in the twenty-eighth Illinois general assembly to suc- ceed Nehemiah Bushnell, who died in office. Dur- ing the same year Colonel Tillson was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Quincy dis- triet and served till 1881.
Colonel Tillson died August 6, 1892. His wife, who was born at Galena, Illinois, in 1827, died at her home in Omaha, Nebraska, March 25, 1905, and was buried in Quincy. Three chil- dren survive, namely, the Misses Nannie and Ada Tillson, and one son, John Tillson, all of whom reside in Omaha, Nebraska. The son is connected with the engineering department of the Union Paeifie Railroad Company.
IIENRY DUKER.
The Duker family has from an early period in the business development and progress of Quincy figured prominently in its commercial eireles. IIenry Duker, a worthy representative of this family was connected with his brother, John H. Duker, in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness under the firm name of Frank Duker Sons. He displayed the sterling characteristics of a reliable business man and his worth to the eity was therefore recognized. He was born in Quiney, Mareh 12. 1870, his parents being Frank and Caroline (Smith) Duker, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father eame to the United States at an early age and settled in Quiney. Here he turned his attention to the fur- niture business, in which he engaged for several years and then extended the field of his enter- prise by adding an undertaking department. To this pursuit, as well as the sale of furniture, he devoted his energy until he retired from active business life. He continued, however, to make his home in Quiney until his death. His widow still survives him and resides at the family resi- dence at No. 1022 Maine street.
Henry Duker acquired a good education, at- tending first the common schools and afterward continuing his studies in St. Francis College. Later he pursued a thorough business course and entered upon his active business eareer as a elerk for his father, with whom he remained for several years. He was then married to Miss Clara Sehwab, who was born in Quincy, August 13, 1868, and is a daughter of Casper and Anna (Heinlen) Schwab, both of whom were natives of Germany, whenee they eame to Quincy at an early day. The father was engaged in the meat market business here until his later years, when he retired to private life in order that he might enjoy the fruits of his former toil. He continued to make Quiney his home until his death, which
COL. JOHN TILLSON.
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occurred on the 24th of September, 1904. His first wife had died May 13, 1879, and he was mar- ried again, his second union being with Miss Jo- hanna Kunkel, who is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Duker became the parents of two children : Lawrence, born August 6, 1893; and Harry, born August 1, 1895.
After his marriage Henry Duker entered into partnership with his brother, John H. Duker, in the furniture business under the firm name of Frank Duker Sons, their store being located at No. 712 Maine street. Later they turned their attention to the undertaking business, which they conducted at No. 717 Maine street, and the brothers continued in both lines of trade until the death of Henry Duker, which occurred on the 6th of September, 1902. His political sup- port was given to the men and measures of the democracy. Socially he was a member of sev- erał insurance orders, but he preferred to con- centrate his energies upon his business affairs whereby he won very desirable success. He held membership in St. Boniface Catholic church.
Mr. Duker was a young man, who, in his busi- ness career displayed a broad outlook and keen discrimination. He was very energetie and overcame all obstacles and difficulties in his path through resolute purpose and strong will. His responsibility was also one of the salient features of his career and gained for them the trust of the business world. In his home life he manifested a kindly, generous spirit, which endeared him greatly to his friends as well as to his immediate family and made him a popular man. Mrs. Duker still owns one-half interest in the furni- ture and undertaking business and has a nice residence at No. 824 Vine street, where she and her children reside.
WILLIAM S. WARFIELD.
William S. Warfield, the extent of whose con- nection with business enterprises of magnitude and importance makes him one of the foremost faetors in the industrial and financial circles of Quincy, has through his inherent force of char- acter and acquired ability developed the powers that have enabled him to recognize conditions of the present day and utilize them in the success- ful control of large business concerns.
William S. Warfield, president of the War- field-Pratt-Howell Company, of fowa, and Well- man & Dwire Tobacco Company, of St. Louis, was born at Uniontown, Belmont county, Ohio, in 1836, a son of John Warfield, who for many years was a successful business man of that state. Following the acquirement of good practical ed- neation the son entered business life in connec-
tion with the wholesale grocery trade at Bridge- port and his identification with Quincy dates from 1866, at which time he became the founder of the business conducted under the name of the Warfield Grocer Company until about five years ago when he sold. Under his guidance this commercial enterprise continuously developed until its extent made it one of the foremost con- cerns in this line of trade in the middle west. For over thirty years Mr. Warfield has been con- nected with the Thompson Taylor Spice Com- pany, of Chicago, and in February, 1901, he bought a controlling interest, his son being now president and manager of the same.
With a ready recognition of business opportuni- ties and with an understanding that has enabled him to foresee conditions that would arise and prepare to meet the demands of a growing popu- lation Mr. Warfield became the organizer and president of the Warfield-Pratt-Howell Com- pany, of Iowa, one of the strongest concerns in this line of business in the west, with a paid-up capital of one million dollars and operating lead- ing houses at Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Sioux City, Iowa. The presidency of the Well- man & Dwire Tobacco Company at St. Louis, with its attendant duties and responsibilities, also claims a part of his time and attention. He is likewise actively interested in other important enterprises. For many years Mr. Warfield was president of the First National Bank and when it was consolidated with the State Savings, Loan & Trust Company, he became president of the lat- ter institution which has assets exceeding three million dollars and it is the strongest financial concern in the state outside of Chicago.
Mr. Warfield purchased the street railway sys- tem of Quincy, rebuilt and extended its lines and introduced one of the best managed and most thoroughly equipped electric street car systems to be found in any western city, thus giving to Quincy a rapid transit whose value in the business life of Quincy is inestimable. Every movement for the extension of its railway lines has received his co-operation and endorsement : nor have his efforts been confined alone to interests re- sulting in personal benefits for he has been the champion of many movements that have con- tributed to Quincy's upbuilding and improve- ment and to the promotion of its benevolent and educational interests. He co-operated with other leading men in securing the Soldiers & Sailors Home, in the building of the Newcomb Hotel and the Empire Theater, also in the building of the public library and in the maintenance of Bless- ing Hospital, the Woodland Orphans Home and other worthy charities.
The business record of Mr. Warfield is such as any man might be proud to possess, for he enjoys the unqualified confidence of his associates and
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co-laborers, having never made an engagement that he has not met or incurred an obligation that he has not discharged. Ile has gradually worked his way upward in harmony with the progressive spirit of the times and with ideas of modern business development and to-day he is prominent not only in banking and financial cireles of the west. but also in the jobbing trade and manufacturing business as well. He is, moreover, public-spirited and Quiney has found him one of its promoters. He has, too. a genial, kindly nature that makes itself at once felt in the courtesy and consideration which he shows to those who ask an andience with him on business or public affairs and to those whom he meets in social relations.
I. W. RANDLES.
1. W. Randles, occupying a beautiful home in Loraine, is well known in business eireles as a representative farmer and stock-raiser. Ile was born in Oxford. Ohio, May 25. 1850, and is a son of Abraham and Sarah J. (Taylor) Randles. The father died in 1856, but the mother, who was born about 1823. is still living, making her home in Columbus, Ohio.
1. W. Randles obtained his early education in the public schools of Adams county and after- ward pursued a course in a commercial school in Quiney. He worked by the month as a farm hand in early life and afterward began the operation of a farm, which was inherited by his wife from her parents. On the 13th of June. 1872, he was married to Miss Emma C. Grosh, who was born May 24. 1851. in Keene. and is a daugther of E. L. and America ( Roberts) Grosh. Her father was born in Pennsylvania. January 9, 1817, and in 1848 came to Adams county, settling on the farm on section 26. Keene township, where his daughter, Mrs. Randles, was reared. There he carried on agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred October S. 1876. His wife, who was born in Kentucky, June 7. 1825, died January 15, 1889. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Randles have been born two sons : Lonis E., who was born December 28, 1873. re- sides npon the home farm, on section 26. Keene township: Lawrence L. born Angust 6, 1875. resides on seetion 23. the same township.
Mr. Randles and his sons are associated in business and as the boys grew in years and strength, the father assigned to them more and more of the work and responsibility of the farm. They own together four hundred acres of val- nable land and are extensively engaged in stock- raising. Father and sons are men of excellent business ability. exeentive force and keen dis- vernment and in their operations as farmers and
stoek-dealers have met with very gratifying success. Each is an excellent judge of stock and they have thus been able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. They are now feeding two thousand head of sheep, one hundred head of cattle and about four hundred head of hogs annually. The father, now living retired sinee his sons have relieved him of mueh of the management and care of the farm, makes his home in Loraine in a residence which he built in 1904. and is the finest home in that town. He has well earned his rest and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
Louis E. Randles was married November 14, 1904. to Miss Sadie Forsee, who was born August 27. 1880, and is a daughter of Dr. B. W. and Lithia (Tate) Forsee, who came to Illinois from Lewis county, Missouri. The father was born in 1841, and the mother's birth occurred in 1844. Dr. Forsee engaged in the practice of medieine for a number of years and died in August, 1883.
Lawrence 1. Randles was married December 24. 1902. to Miss Mary L. Swain, whose birth ocenrred September 12. 1880, and who is a daughter of Charles and Rosa ( Samuels) Swain. the former born in 1841, and the latter in 1844. They are now residing at Camp Point and Mr. Swain is engaged in farming. The Randles families are well known in Adams county. and the various representatives of the name have a large circle of warm friends, while the hospital- ity of the best homes of the locality is heartily extended to them. The sons are worthy repre- sentatives of the farming interests of this por- tion of the state and as stock-dealers have oper- ated along extensive lines, doing a business which reaches a large annual figure.
JOHN SCHMIDT, M. D.
Dr. John Schmidt, who is now living a retired life in Quincy, enjoying the respect and con- fidence of all who know him, was born on the 22d of November, 1822. in a small village in the province of Bavaria, Germany, and was the only child of Nicholas and Margaret ( Handscher) Schmidt, who were also natives of Bavaria, where the father practiced veterinary surgery for some years. Deciding to try his fortune in the new world. Nicholas Schmidt and his little family boarded a sailing vessel at Bremen. Ger- many, and after a long voyage of eight weeks. during which they encountered some very rough weather, they landed in Baltimore. They located at Harrisburg. Maryland, where the father embarked in the practice of his profes- sion, but he was not long permitted to enjoy his
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new home, however, as he died one month after his arrival in this country.
After the death of his father, Dr. Schmidt of this review went to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where he obtained employment on the river boats running down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to St. Louis. He spent some time in the latter city and from there went to New Orleans, where he at length left the river. After spending about two years in the west, he returned to the east to visit his mother. and finally located at Louisville, Kentucky, where she joined him, keep- ing house for him. While a resident of Pennsyl- vania the Doctor had learned the shoemaker's trade and when living in Louisville he followed that occupation.
In early life he became identified with the German Methodist church and he later devoted a number of years to the ministry. For a time he had charge of the Washington street church of St. Louis, which was then the largest church in the eity. and was pastor of the church of his denomination at Belleville, Illinois, for two years and at Quincy for the same length of time. Hle was the first minister of the German Metho- dist church at Bloomington, Illinois, and also took charge of the first church at St. Paul, Min- nesota.
While preaching in Quincy, Dr. Schmidt's health became impaired and his friends ad- vised him to enter the medical profession. Ac- cordingly he matrienlated at Rush Medical Col- lege. Chicago, where he was a student for one year. Before leaving Germany he had studied medicine to some extent under his father's direc- tion and after leaving college he snecessfully engaged in practice at Galena, Illinois, for two years. Ilis health having improved, he then went to St. Paul and devoted the following year to the work of the ministry at that place. Dur- ing the succeeding year he was pastor of the German Methodist church at Quincy, but while thus engaged his health again failed and at the end of the year he entered the St. Louis Homeo- pathie College, where he was graduated with the degree of M. D. After his graduation he returned to Quincy and was successfuly engaged in the practice of medicine until 1904, when he laid aside all business cares and is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest.
Dr. Schmidt was first married at Louisville, Kentucky, but his wife died during their resi- dence at Belleville, Illinois, leaving one son, and in 1852, he wedded Miss Paulina Meise, of Quincy, a danghter of Frederick Meise, an early settler of Adams county, and a sister of A. Meise at the Soldiers Home. By the second union there were four children, namely: Edgar, who was a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Philadelphia and died at St. Paul in
1904, leaving a wife and four children: Albert 1., also a physician, who was graduated at an Allopathie school in St. Louis and is married and has four children : William, who is a graduate of the same college and is now engaged in prac- tice in Quincy, where he is living with his wife and one child; and Alice, who is keeping house for her father. There is also an adopted daugh- ter, Melinda Rothert, who became an inmate of the Schmidt home during her infancy.
After a happy married life of forty-seven years, Mrs. Schmidt was called to her final rest in 1899, at the age of sixty-eight years. From childhood she was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist church and her many noble traits of character gained her the friend- ship and love of all with whom she came in contact.
Dr. Schmidt is a splendid type of the self-made man. for he started out in life for hinself with no advantages or capital to aid him, but he steadily overcame the many obstacles and diffi- enlties in his path, working his way upward until he attained a prominent position in the medical profession and also acquired a competence that now enables him to spend the evening of life in ease and quiet, free from the cares of business life. He is now the owner of some valuable prop- erty, including a four-story building on Maine street. known as the John Schmidt block. In politics he was first a democrat but affiliated with the whig party when Henry Clay was practically at his head and joined the republican party at its organization, though he generally votes for the man whom he believes best qualified for office regardless of party lines. In early life he was a member of the Sons of Temperance and he has always supported any measure which he believed would advance the moral welfare of the com- munity, so that his career has ever been such as to command the respect and confidence of all who know him.
FRANK M. BISHOP.
Frank M. Bishop, whose enterprise and indom- itable energy have made him one of the leading representatives of the fire insurance business in Quincy, his native city, was born April 27, 1862, his parents being James M. and Elizabeth N. (Cleaveland ) Bishop. His father was born in Redfield. Maine, June 24. 1835, and came to this city in August, 1855. For many years he was prominent in the business life of the city as an insurance agent and was also a leading factor in political circles, his efforts having been directed toward the welfare and progress of
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Quincy. In polities a stanch republican, he was twice elected mayor of Quincy. During his ad- ministration the present beautiful city hall was erected, streets paved, and a franchise was given to the street railway company whereby its motive power was changed to electricity. Many other progressive measures received the endorsement and official support of Mr. Bishop, and his efforts proved of a most practical and helpful character along the line of publie progress, improvement and substantial upbuikling. Following his re- tirement from office he removed to Omaha, Ne- braska. in 1891, and entered the insurance busi- ness, residing there for a year, after which he was called to his final rest. While in Quiney he conducted a very extensive and profitable in- surance business representing eighteen compa- nies, both native and foreign, with aggregate as- sets of one hundred and fifty-four million dol- lars. He married Miss Elizabeth N. Cleave- land on the 30th of May, 1861. She was born in this city. They became the parents of two children ; Frank M. and Edgar, the latter born December 26, 1867.
In the public schools of Quincy Frank Bishop began his education, which he continued until he had completed the high school course here. He was also for a time a student under Professor Morrison in his private school. Later he was two.terms a student in the Gem City Business College and was graduated therefrom when twenty years of age. Ile was thus employed by his father in the insurance business until about twenty-four years of age, when he went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he spent two years in the employ of the wholesale shoe house of Kirk- endahl. Jones & Company, and also of other business houses. Then returning to Quincy he took charge of the insurance business, which had been built up by his father, who had been elected mayor of the city. A short time after- ward the firm was re-organized under the name of James M. Bishop's Sons and the business was conducted under that style until 1898, when Frank M. Bishop took entire charge. Ile is to-day one of the most energetie insurance agents of the state, thoroughly understanding the busi- ness in every department and so presenting his subject to his clients that they cannot fail to recognize its value and importance. For two years he was special agent for the Liverpool, London and Globe Company for the state of Illinois. He is still its agent, also represents the German-American Company of New York: the Penn Fire Company, of Philadelphia ; the West- chester Fire Company, of New York : the Detroit Fire and Marine Company, of Detroit; the Hamburg-Bremen Company of Germany; the Franklin Fire Insurance Company, of Phila- delphia : the London and Lancastershire and the
London Assurance Company, of England. Ile conducts a purely fire insurance business and the policies which he writes annually represent a large investment.
On the 7th of June, 1888, Mr. Bishop was mar- ried to Miss Fannie Lnella Reichel, a daughter of A. D. Reichel, one of Quiney's early settlers, who having spent some time in Germany and Russia eame to America when a young man. There are two children of this marriage: Mel- ville Reichel, who was born October 31, 1889, and is attending the publie sehools: and Eliza- beth Catherine, also a public school student. born in 1896. The parents attend the Unitarian church and Mr. Bishop is a Mason, holding mem- bership in Lambert lodge, No. 659, A. F. & A. M. In polities he is a stanch republican. He has resided continously in Quincy with the excep- tion of the brief period passed in Nebraska and has a wide and favorable acquaintance here. The name has figured prominently in the business circles of the city for many years and like his honored father Mr. Bishop commands the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
EDWARD J. PARKER.
E. J. Parker, who is leaving the impress of his individuality upon public life of Quincy in its material, social, intellectual and moral develop- ment, has so directed his energies that his pow- ers have gained more than local recognition and he is accounted one of the distinguished repre- sentatives of the banking business in Illinois, with an influence that has also been felt to some extent in national affairs, although he has never sought to figure before the public in no light save that of a business man.
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