Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 71

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 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Edward J. Parker, a native of Hartford, Con- necticut, was born in 1842, pursned his education in the public schools there and in Boston and continued a resident of Hartford until 1863, when with some previous business experienee he came to Quincy to associate himself with the banking firm of L. & C. H. Bull. Since that time he has been closely associated with financial interests in this city and his connection with the banking house of L. & C. II. Bull and its suc- cessors has been continuous save that for the period of six years, extending from 1873 until 1879, he was conducting a private banking house on his own account. His institution was con- solidated with the banking business of L. & C. H. Bull in the latter year, Mr. Parker becoming a member of the firm, and when the State Savings, Loan & Trust Company became the successor of the banking business established by Lorenzo and C. II. Bull, Mr. Parker was chosen cashier and

365

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

has since been retained in that position. He has . given very largely of his time and his artistic contributed his full share to the development of this strong financial institution and is still one of its active managers. The State Savings, Loan & Trust Company is the largest banking institu- tion of Illinois outside of Chicago under state charter and is one of the most important in volume of business in the entire west.

A man of resourceful business ability, possess- ing keen insight that enables him to anticipate business opportunities and to utilize the means at hand toward the successful accomplishment of desired results, he has extended his efforts into many fields of activity, which have had impor- tant bearing upon the substantial upbuilding and promotion of Quiney and at the same time have resulted profitably for the investors. For some time he held the office of treasurer of the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City Railway Com- pany and was until within a few years cashier of the successor road, the Omaha, Kansas City & Eastern Railway, now an adjunct line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. He was identi- fied with the extensive business of the Quincy Paper Company as director and secretary up to the time of the formation of the American Strawboard Company and through a long period was one of the directors of the Street Railway Company, acting as a member of its board when the present splendid system of rapid transit was introduced. In his business life he has always manifested a keen discernment that has enabled him to anticipate conditions growing out of the rapid increase in population and the demands that would be made for concerns of publie util- ity and benefit. Ile forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution and yet his actions are the result of careful and mature delibera- tion.

The benefits which Quincy has enjoyed from the efforts and labors of Mr. Parker have been many and far-reaching. His name is very closely associated with the development of the magnifi- cent park and boulevard system of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Park and Bou- levard Association and from the beginning has served as its president. Ile has been tireless in his efforts for the promotion of the work and although by reason of the limited resources of the city the revenues available for the work have been small, yet through his energy and deter- mination Quincy now has one of the most beau- tiful public park systems in the entire country. The commanding sites along the river north and south of the city have been preserved for publie parks, South Park and River View Park have been created and the older parks have been greatly beautified. Broad boulevards encircling the entire city and connecting parks have also been provided. To this work Mr. Parker has

genius and he has accomplished seeming impos- sibilities with the limited resources at com- mand. An active and prominent member of the American Forestry Association and of the Amer- ican Park & Outdoor Art Association, it is particularly fortunate that Quincy should enjoy the benefit of his genius in park development.

Mr. Parker, while controlling extensive busi- ness enterprises, has kept in touch with the best thinking men of the age, and the questions of sociology, political economy and the financial and other political problems have been to him matters of keenest interest and of broad investi- gations. His public addresses have displayed a thorough mastery of the subject of which he has treated as have his writings, and he wields a facile pen. As orator and speaker he has been the champion of many publie progressive move- ments and in recent years he has been actively connected in this regard with the subject of sound currency and the corn propaganda. He was vice president for Illinois of the Indianap- olis Monetary Conference, is a recognized factor in the National Business League and a promi- nent member of the Illinois and the National Bankers Associations. His counsel and many times his personal co-operation have contributed to the successful conduet of Quincy's business interests and he has been particularly helpful to young men starting out in life for themselves, aiding many to secure employment and also giv- ing to them assistance in a substantial way. The militia and naval organizations here have also received Ins active co-operation and his assistance has been extended to many benevolent and charitable movements tending toward the general good and to the relief of many conditions which work hardships and privations to his fel- lowmen. From the organization of the Blessings Hospital Association he has been one of its gen- erous supporters and is now serving as its treas- urer and he is likewise actively identified with other charitable associations devoted to the pub- lie good.

A permeating influence of his life and his activities has been his belief in the doctrines of Christianity as exemplified in the Episcopal church. He was one of the organizers of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Quincy and his donations thereto have been most liberal. He was instrumental in causing a division of the diocese of Illinois, resulting in the creation of the diocese of Quincy, and the home church has found him a co-operant factor in many of its lines of activity. He aided largely in the organ- ization of the Woodland Cemetery Association and he is a valued representative of various social clubs and societies, including the Quincy Country Club and many of the leading clubs of Chicago

366

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

and the eastern cities. With expanding powers that have come with the advancing of the years he has been involved in great affairs, being re- sponsibilities that have acted and reacted upon his nature, that a large and varied experience has modified, educated and developed. He has amply lived the life of his times, has known humanity in many phases and has had wide sympathies and many interests, and his multi- form experiences have made him a man among men, living a life that has been of direct benefit to his co-laborers and his city.

JUDGE JOSEPH N. CARTER.

Joseph N. Carter, lawyer, jurist and statesman, whose career reflects honor upon the state that has honored him and who in 1898 became chief justice of Illinois, comes of a Virginia parentage, whose ancestral history is traced back to Eng- land. His grandfather, James Carter, was a native of Virginia, as was William P. Carter, the father of the Judge. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Martha Mays, likewise be- longed to one of the old families of that state. William P. and Martha (Mays) Carter became the parents of ten children, of whom Joseph N. was the fourth. They were residents of Hardin county, Kentucky, at the time of his birth, which occurred in 1843, and when he was a youth of thirteen years they removed with their family to Illinois, settling at Charleston, Coles county. After a brief residence there of a year they established their home in Douglas county. Illi- nois, and Judge Carter remained under the parental roof save for the periods in which he was attending college. He began his education as a student in a private school at Big Springs, Kentucky, and continued his studies in the pub- lic school at Tuscola, Illinois. Later he engaged in teaching in a district school for three years, but ambitious to enjoy further educational privi- leges himself, he matriculated in Illinois College at Jacksonville in 1863 and completed a course there by graduation with the class of 1866.

Attracted to the profession of law, Judge Car- ter determined to make its practice his life work and to this end became a student in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Close application, resulting in the ready mastery of the fundamental principles of jurisprudence, enabled him to graduate with the class of 1868, and in 1869 he located for practice in Quincy, being admitted to the bar in the same year. Advancement in the law is pro- verbially slow and yet no dreary novitiate awaited him, owing to his strong determination

to win suecess, his capability and his close appli- cation in his preparation of any legal interests intrusted to his care. During the second year of his residence in Quincy he became a law part- ner of William H. Govert, which connection was maintained without change until 1879, when Judge Sibley beeame a member of the firm, con- tinuing therewith until 1884. Four years later Theodore Pape became the junior member of the firm of Carter, Govert & Pape and no change then ocenrred for six years or until Judge Car- ter's election to the supreme bench of Illinois in 1894.

From early manhood Judge Carter had mani- fested a deep interest in politics, and although his father had been a slaveowner in Kentucky, the son on reaching his majority became an aetive supporter of the republican party. He made a close and earnest study of the questions and issues of the day and because of his thor- ough understanding of the party platform, com- bined with his gift of oratory, he became an in- Hluential factor in the politieal circles of Adams county. IIis patriotic spirit and his fitness for leadership won him recognition in 1878 in an election to the thirty-first general assembly of Illinois. He became an active working member of the body connected with the constructive legislation that is carried on in the committee rooms and his service was so aceeptable to the public that he was re-elected in 1880. In 1882 he received his party nomination for state sen- ator and although the normal democratie major- ity was fifteen hundred he ran more than one thousand votes ahead of his ticket, being defeated by a majority of less than five hundred-a fact which indicated his great personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by the people of his home locality. In 1894 he was accorded the republican nomination for judge of the fourth supreme judicial district as the successor of JJudge Simeon P. Shope. The district, com- prising twelve counties, was aeceded to be a dem- ocratie stronghokl, usually giving a plurality of twelve thousand. Judge Carter's abilities were so fully recognized that this majority was over- come and he was elected by a vote of fort-five hundred more than was given to the opposing candidate. The eampaign attracted attention all over the country and Judge Carter at once sprang into national fame. For nine years he continued a member of the supreme court and in 1898 was chosen chief justice. On his retire- ment from the court at the end of his term in 1903, he resumed the practice of law at Quincy. At the bar and on the bench he has won marked distinction. A man of unimpeachable character, of unusual intellectual endowments, with a thor- ough understanding of the law, patience, urban- ity and industry, Judge Carter took to the bench

JOSEPH N. CARTER

369

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

the very highest qualifications for this responsi- ble office of the state government and his record as a judge has been in harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer, distinguished by un- swerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problem which has presented itself for solution.

In 1879 Judge Carter was married to Miss Ellen Douglas Barrell, of Springfield, a daugh- ter of George Barrell, who was for many years a sea captain and visited every habitable por- tion of the globe. Judge and Mrs. Carter have three children : Henry B., a graduate of Prince- ton College; William Douglas, a graduate of the Leland Stanford University of California; and Josephine. Their home in Quincy, while the center of a cultured society cirele, is equally noted for the brilliance of its functions and its cordial hospitality. Judge Carter is a typical American citizen in that he has advanced to a high position through his own efforts and in the fact that he has retained the pure democratie spirit that recognizes the true worth of an indi- vidual without regard to his ancestral heritage or his environment, judging merely the charac- ter of the man.

THOMAS B. SMITIL.

Thomas B. Smith is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres on see- tion 13, Ursa township, and is one of the ener- getic and prosperous farmers of his community. Ile was born June 13. 1853, and is a son of W. B. and Susan L. (Lowry) Smith. The father was born February 16, 1823, in Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, and was the son of James G. and Sarah ( Cundiff) Smith, also of that county. The grandfather came to Adams county, Illinois, on the 5th of October, 1829, driving over land with an ox team. On reaching his destination he pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 24, Ursa township, and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1853. His wife died about 1840.

W. B. Smith remained at home with his par- ents until 1848, when he was united in marriage to Miss Susan L. Lowry, who was born in Lon- donderry, Ireland, November 22, 1830, and came to this country in 1836. After his marriage Mr. Smith purchased one hundred and ten acres of land on section 18, Ursa township, and to that farm he added from time to time until at his death he was the owner of nine hundred and sixty-eight acres of valuable land, making him one of the extensive realty holders of this part of the state. Ilis land at that time extended to

and included a part of the village of Ursa. Ile laid out that village. He died March 26, 1882, respected by all who knew him, not only because of the success he achieved but also owing to the honorable business methods he ever followed. Ile left four children, namely: Sarah E., born October 17, 1849, was married in 1871 to Wil- liam MeCormick, who died in 1878, and in 1883 she wedded Otto Keim, now a resident of South Bend, Indiana. Isabelle L., born June 5, 1851, became the wife of Dr. W. A. Byrd, and subse- quent to his death married George HI. Walker and is now living in Quincy. Thomas B. is the next of the family. W. I., a resident of Quincy, who was born July 26, 1870, first married Flor- ence Kellermeyer and after her death wedded Maud Brazier.

Thomas B. Smith was born on his father's farm on section 18, Ursa township, and in his youth assisted in the labors of the fields and meadows. He continued to aid his father on the farm up to the time of his marriage, which oc- eurred when he was twenty-three years of age. the lady of his choice being Miss Josephine Frazier, who was born February 27. 1856, and is the daughter of Lemuel G. and Eva A. (Ahalt) Frazier, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Maryland. Mr. Frazier, who was a farmer and lived on section 29, Ursa township, lied Oetober 5, 1880, and his wife passed away December 7. 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of five children, all of whom are now living, namely : Edna, who was born JJanuary 24, 1878, and was married May 1, 1900, to D. C. Hill and lives upon a farm near her father's home: Jessie B., who was born September 17, ISS2. and is the wife of Arthur Bittleston, of Quiney : Thomas B., Jr., who was born July 22, 1885, and lived at home; Boyd F., born August 27, 1890, and Nellie M., born June 14, 1892.

In 1877 Thomas B. Smith purchased the farm upon which he now lives. He first bought one hundred and sixty acres and since that time has added to the tract one hundred and twenty aeres adjoining the original farm on the south. He also owns eighty acres on seetion 26, Ursa township. Hle and his sons are cultivating all the land. carrying on general farming and rais- ing considerable wheat, hay and other grains. His home is about one mile and a half west of Ursa and his postoffice is at Quiney, receiving mail on the rural free delivery route No. 2.

Mr. Smith is a member of Ursa camp, No. 995, M. W. A .; of Quincy lodge, No. 44, K. P .: and also of Marcelline lodge, No. 127. I. O. O. F. In polities he is a democrat and is now serving as supervisor of Ursa township. He has held the offices of town elerk and assessor and is always true to every public trust reposed in him. He

370

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

has been secretary of the Mutual Insurance Company of Ursa township for ten years and was its president for twelve years prior to that time. ITis wife belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Smith is an earnest and interesting worker, active and energetic in all that he does, and that he is the possessor of a fine farm property is due to his untiring efforts and honorable busi- ness dealings.

JUDGE SAMUEL ALEXANDER HUBBARD.

Judge Samuel Alexander Hubbard, engaged in the practice of law in Quincy and in Mount Sterling, was born near Goreville, Illinois. Ilis father, William J. Hubbard, was a native of Alabama, born October 2, 1837, and removed from that state to Tennessee, whence he eame te Illinois in the '40s with his parents, locating on a farm near Goreville, where he has since lived, devoting his entire life to agrienItural pursuits. Hle is now one of the prosperous farmers of that locality. In his religious faith he is a Baptist and fraternally is connected with the Odd Fel- lows and the Masons, while in his political views he is a democrat. He served for a short time in the Civil war and has always been loyal to the best interests of his community in all matters of citizenship. He married Rhoda Ann Esken, who was born in Tennessee, in 1839, and her par- ents were also natives of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard became the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, of whom eight are vet living.

Samuel A. Hubbard, the eighth member of the family, acquired his early education in the publie schools and afterward entered the state normal school at Carbondale. He was there graduated with the class of 1893 on the comple- tion of the English and Latin courses. At- tracted by the practice of law he entered the office of Judge F. M. Youngblood, of Carbondale, with whom he continued his preliminary read- ing for three years and was then admitted to the bar in 1895 at Mount Vernon. Ile entered upon the active practice of his profession at Mount Sterling, Illinois, in February of 1896 and has there remained to the present. At various times he has been associated with George Il. Lee, Wilson M. Reid and former States At- torney W. I. Many, of Mount Sterling. In January, 1904, he entered into partnership with F. I. Penick, of Quiney, with whom he is now associated in the practice of his profession, with offices in the Stearns Building in Quincy. IIe has made gratifying progress in his profession and his devotion to his clients' interests is

proverbial, while his careful preparation of his cases makes him a formidable adversary in the courtroom.

Mr. IJubbard was married in Redfield, Iowa, October 11, 1898, to Miss Phoebe Hammond, who was born in Earlville, Illinois, March 14, 1876. a danghter of Professor H. E. Hammond, principal of the publie schools. Her mother was Azelia Richardson in her maidenhood. Mr. and Mrs. Ihubbard are the parents of three children, but lost their youngest in infancy. The others are Carl and Vera.

Mr. Hubbard belongs to the Masonic frater- nity in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree and also holds membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen, the Mutual Protective League and the Rebekahs. In his political views he is a democrat and in 1902 was elected eounty judge of Brown county, which office he is still filling. He belongs to the State Bar Association and to the County Judges As- sociation. He brought to the bench superior qualifications for this important position and has ever been found strictly fair and impartial in his rulings, winning high encomiums because of his correct application of legal principles to the points in litigation.

HENRY D. HILL.

Henry D. Hill is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Adams county, on the 14th of De- eember, 1844. He is a son of Davis and Nancy C. Hill, who are natives of Kentucky. The father eame to Illinois, in 1829, and introduced the first Ben Davis apple that was ever brought. to this state, that apple being named for his brother-in-law, Ben Davis. Mr. Hill was a farmer by occupation and carried on that pur- suit throughout his entire life in order to provide for his family. He died April 27, 1871, at Lima, and his wife passed away in July, 1880. He had borne his full share in the work of pioneer de- velopment, for when he came to the county it was a wild and unimproved region, much of the land being still in its primitive condition. He aided in reclaiming this for the purpose of eivili- zation and was the advocate of all progressive measures that he believed would prove of benefit to the county. Henry D. Hill has one sister living, Mrs. Sarah Harris, who is a resident of Lima.

Henry D. Ilill acquired his education in the schools of Lima and was reared to farm work, early gaining a practical knowledge of the best methods of cultivating the fields and caring for

371

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

the stock. In early manhood he rented his father's farm, continuing its cultivation until 1879, when he purchased land and has since owned a farm, the development and improve- ment of which has claimed his attention for many years. He has, however, made his home in Lima for twenty years, taking up his abode there in order to educate his children. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of good land and is situated in Hancock county. In Lima he has one aere of ground and a good resi- dence. At his town home he has a fine orchard and also an exeellent apiary, containing two hundred hives of bees, and these yield to him a large amount of honey, which finds a ready sale on the market.

On the 3d of June, 1866, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Adelia Leeper, a daughter of Samuel and Lavina Leeper. both of whom were natives of Ohio. Mrs. Hill has one sister, Mrs. Belle Ott, who is living in Denver, Colorado. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters: Harry, who was born March 1. 1867, married Effie Wood- worth and lives upon his father's farm in Han- cook county : Willie A., born November 6, 1871, married Mint Meyers and lives in Ursa town- ship: Lee. born July 2. 1875, died February 7, 1895: Albert, born December 1, 1878. is with his brother at Ursa: Edward, born August 2, 1880, is at home: Bertha, born June 2, 1884, is attend- ing school in Quiney: Mary, born February 3, 1887, is at home and completes the family.

The parents and two of the daughters are mem- bers of the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Ilill gives his politieat allegiance to the demo- eratie party and has served in several township offices. Hle was commissioner of highways sev- eral years, was assessor for some time and has been a member of the school board for a number of years, and in the discharge of his duties has ever been prompt, faithful and untiring. His life has been an active one and his prosperity is due to his earnest labors. In all his dealings he has been straightforward and honorable and thus he has gained the respect and eonfidence of his fellowmen. A resident of Adams county for more than sixty years, he has, therefore, wit- nessed much of its development and growth and has taken just pride in what has been aceom- plished.

DAVID F. WILCOX.

David F. Wileox. postmaster of Qniney under appointment of Presidents MeKinley and Roose- velt, was born in Harford Mills, Cortland county. New York. October 27, 1851, and was brought to

the west by his parents in 1858, the family home being established in Janesville, Wisconsin, where his father, Daniel Wilcox, engaged in the news- paper business as publisher of the Janesville Gazette. Later he became the publisher of the Milwaukee Sentinel, and in January, 1874, re- moved to Quincy, becoming the publisher of the Quincy Whig. He died in May, 1878. At that time David F. Wilcox and his brother, Chester A. Wileox, succeeded their father as publishers and proprietors of the Quiney Whig. being thus connected with the paper until July 1, 1898, when they sold to the Whig Company. David F. Wilcox was appointed postmaster of Quiney, in July, 1899, and is still filling the office.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 71

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