Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 72

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 72

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).

ZALMUNNA MORTON.

Although Zalmunna Morton has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey he is vet a hale and hearty man, actively interested in farming operations in Adams county, where for many years he has carried on agricultural pursuits, gaining success through his diligence and honorable effort. Ile was born in Cinein- nati, Ohio, September 24, 1830, and is descended from ancestors who came to America on the May- flower. His grandfather was a native of Ply- mouth, Massachusetts, and espoused the cause of the colonies at the time of the Revolutionary war, rendering valiant aid in winning the in- dependence of the nation. Ile became a success- ful contractor and builder and in an early day in the development of ('incinnati. Ohio, estab- lished his home there and assisted materially in its early npbuilding and progress. He became well known throughont that locality. where he spent his remaining days, and was a loyal mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Zalmunna Morton, Sr., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Massachusetts and was one of a family of five children. In his youth he worked at the mason's trade with his father and was associated with him in contracting en- terprises in Cineinnati. In 1848 he established his home in Quiney, where he spent the winter, and then purchased two sections of land in Gil- mer township, after which he turned his atten- tion to agrienltural pursuits which he earried on extensively. In whatever he undertook he prospered, owing to his close application, keen business sagacity and unfaltering enterprise. As his financial resources increased he made judi- cions investments and became the owner of valu- able property in Cincinnati. He married Clar- issa Marshall, who was born in New Jersey and with her parents removed to Cincinnati. IIis death oeeurred when he was fifty-two years of

372

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

age, and his wife passed away in 1852. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were held in the warmest regard by all who knew them. Their family numbered six chil- dren.

Zalmunna Morton spent the days of his youth in his native city and attended its public schools. Following the removal of the family to Adams connty he began life on his own aceonnt as a farmer of Gihner township, where he resided for eight years.

In 1860 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 27, Honey Creek town- ship, and as the years passed he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchases but later divided with his children. He has always been a progressive and enterprising agri- enlturist, qniek to adopt new methods which promise to prove of practical value and benefit. He has used the best machinery in cultivating his farm and he has excellent buildings upon his place, keeping all of them in good condi- tion and repair.

Mr. Morton has been married three times, Miss Sarah Byler becoming his first wife in 1855. She was a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this county, her father, John Byler, having settled in Honey Creek township at an early day. Ile was born in Hawks county, Ten- nessee, April 29, 1798, and received bnt limited educational privilege, for there were no free schools in his district at that time. He was reared to farm life and he also worked in a tannery for six years but his love of nature caused him to return to agrienltural pursuits. Ile remained in his native locality until thirteen years of age, when he removed to Indiana and in 1835 he visited Missouri and Ilinois, looking for a favorable location, where he could find good prairie land for farming pursnits. He decided to establish his home in Honey Creek township and became a leading and enterprising farmer of that locality. The land at the time of his ar- rival, however, was not in the market and he re- turned to Tennessee for his family, coming again to Adams county the following year. Ile then purchased his farm and began its improvement, paying three dollars per acre for the property. This farin to-day is worth eighty dollars per acre. He made purchase of three hundred and twenty acres and afterward added to the proper- ty until he had four hundred and fifty acres. He was married twice and had fourteen children. He was called to fill a number of local offices and was prominent in community affairs, as- sisting materially in the pioneer development of the county and in its later progress. He was a beneficiary to the church, a friend to the poor and needy, and was a man of unquestioned integrity. Hle died at the age of eighty years.

Ilis daughter, Mrs. Morton, departed this life in 1865, leaving three children : John W., Joseph HI. and Silas Z., all of whom are now married and are leading and successful farmers of Adams county.

In 1868 Mr. Morton wedded Lydia E. Langh, who was born in Ohio and died in 1878, leaving three children: Elmer, Wesley and Annie. For his third wife Mr. Morton chose Olive A. Allison, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, July 13, 1858. Her parents were William and Hannah ( Titus) Allison, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Ohio, in which state they were married, coming thence to Illinois when Mrs. Morton was young. By his third marriage our subject has five children, namely: Grace E., Edwin L., Clara O., Arthur C. and H. Pearl. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in which Mr. Morton has served as deacon and in the work of which he takes an active and helpful part. His political support is given to the democratic party and he has filled local offices in a most capable and trustworthy manner. lle is a gentleman of sterling worth, commanding the confidence and good will of all who know him and during his residence in Adams county he has been classed with its honored pioneer settlers.

WILLIAM HENRY CHANNON.

William Henry Channon, a representative of industrialism in Quincy who has been actively associated with various manufacturing and com- mercial concerns, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1844. His father, William V. Channon, was a native of Devonshire, England, and came to the United States in early manhood, locating in Philadelphia. Ile was a paper-maker by trade. The year 1848 witnessed his arrival in Illinois and he established his home in Quincy in Angust. After some time he became connected with the foundry business, engaging in the man- ufacture of stoves in this city. Hle instituted the Channon Emery stove foundry in 1881, but had been identified with the stove business from 1854. During one sinnmer he also engaged in the manufacture of brick in St. Louis. As the years advanced his business expanded under his capable control and enterprise and he became an active factor in the manufacturing interests of the city. His death oceurred in 1893 when he was eighty-one years of age. He was a trustee of the First United Congregational church, and was a warm-hearted supporter of the republican party. Prior to the foundation of that party he voted for John P. Hale, the abolition candidate

N. F. Chamon

375

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

for president. Zealous and earnest as a champion of any canse that he esponsed, he rendered effec- tive aid both to the church and to the political organization and his co-operation was counted upon as a valued factor for the promotion of many interests for the general good. Ilis busi- ness career. too, demonstrated his ability and furnishes an example well worthy of emulation, for though he met obstacles and difficulties he overcame these by determined and resolute pur- pose and gradually worked his way upward until he had acquired a handsome competence. Ile married Elizabeth Ilayward, who was born in Devonshire, England, and was married there in 1835, coming with her husband to the United States. They spent their first summer in con- ducting a dairy in the state of Delaware, not far from Philadelphia. They were the parents of three children, but only the subject of this sketch is now living.

William Henry Channon was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Quincy. He obtained his education in the public schools and in a private school, in which he was a student for two years, and later he engaged in teaching for three months in Pike county, Illinois. He then returned to Quincy and in 1863 went to Nashville, Tennessee, where for about five months he was employed in the quartermaster's depart- ment under Captain Stewart. On the expiration of that period he returned to Quiney and for a year occupied a clerical position in the post office. In the fall of 1865 he entered the services of Pope & Baldwin, dealers in agricultural implements, conducting the first establishment of the kind in Quincy. Mr. Channon was a faithful represen- tative of that house until 1873, when he formed a partnership with S. W. Park, who had been traveling salesman for the firm. They began business on their own account and were thus engaged until January, 1879, when Mr. Channon entered the services of the Comstock Castle Foun- dry Company as shipping clerk, con- tinning with that house for two years. When the Channon Emery Stove Com- pany was incorporated. his father being one of the principal stockholders, he became shipping clerk and bookkeeper and thus continued until 1897, when he withdrew from the active manage- ment of the business in order to participate more largely in the conduct of the business of the Empire Light and Power Company. Of the latter he was chosen president and still continued to hold the office of secretary of the Channon Emery Company, which is his present relation with that house. In the fall of 1897 the light and power company was sold to the Quincy Gas and Electric Company. Three or four years later Mr. Channon became interested in the business of

the Snow-Schmiedeskamp Company, manufac- turers and dealers in incubators, fixtures and poultry supplies; also manufacturers of a steel range body. This concern was incorporated in 1902 with Mr. Channon as president. The plant is a young and growing one and the company is doubling its business from year to year. Its offices are located at 210-212-214 North Fourth street and the business has already reached ex- tensive and profitable proportions and has won a place among the leading productive industries of Quincy. Mr. Channon is a man of resource- ful business ability, activity and enterprise, and in addition to his other interests he is also secre- tary of the Quincy Fruit and Produce Com- pany, incorporated, making a specialty of the shipment of apples by the carload.

In June, 1868, occurred the marriage of Wil- liam Henry Channon and Sarah Taylor, who was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, in 1845. Her father, Shubael L.Taylor, was a furrier and com- ing to Quiney in 1861 here carried on business in that line and also conducted a tannery. He likewise extended the scope of his powers, con- ducting a wholesale saddlery and hardware busi- ness. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Channon were born three children : Harry O., superintendent of the Quincy Gas and Electric Company ; Cora E., who is prominent in musical cireles and is now mak- ing her home in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Grace, who is with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Channon are leading and in- fluential members of the Baptist church. He has for many years been very active in church work, is now chairman of the board of trustees, senior deacon and superintendent of the Sunday- school, acting in the latter capacity since 1869. Tle is one of the oldest members of this church now living in Quincy and is deeply interested in everything that tends to promote the growth and extend the influence of the denomination. Ile is moderator of the Baptist Association of Illinois, president of the Baptist Young Peoples' Union, chairman of the missionary committee. treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Illinois and for a number of years has been a member of the State Young Peoples' Union and also of its board.

His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party and he served two terms as alderman of the seventh ward. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates, not only for his success. but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings, but also in his church work and in his social and private life. His activity in business has not only contributed to his individual success, but has also been an

376

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

active factor in the development of the city and his labors along other lines have upheld its legal and moral status.

AMOS GREEN.

Amos Green, deceased, was one of the notable ngures in the history of Quincy. so controlling his business interests as to contribute in large measure to the substantial development of the city and co-operating so earnestly and effectively in its publie movements for the general good that for years yet to come the city will enjoy the bene- fit of his efforts. There was in him a strong in- dividuality. a weight of character. a far-sighted liseernment that made him a natural leader of men and one who wielded a wide influence and vet had never sought the power that comes through political preferment, content to do his duty to the public as a private citizen. It was, however, the character of the man that so en- deared him to his friends. While the extent and success of his business operations made him one of the central figures in the financial history of Quincy, it was his reliability that won him the unqualified confidence of those with whom he had dealings, his consideration for others that gained him respect and confidence, his kind, charitable spirit and ready sympathy that brought him ad- miration and love.

The life record of Amos Green covered eighty- six years. He was born in Wrightsville, York county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1815, a son cf George and Elizabeth ( Elliott ) Green, who were also natives of the Keystone state, having been born in Chester county. The father was of English descent, the founder of the family in America being Robert Green, who emigrated from England at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war and had some share in the imposing history of that period. The family home of George Green was upon the bank of the Susquehanna, and there Amos Green spent the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving a limited education, such as was afforded by the public institutions of learning at that time. When he had put aside his text-books he learned the earpenter's trade and thus beeame qualified to enter the business world as an artisan.

Mr. Green moved to Mississippi, but came in contact with the worst side of slavery, which made him antagonistie to that peculiar institution of the south, and, after staying a short time in that state, he left for the north.

AAttracted by the opportunities of the west, where competition was not so great, but where there was promise of continuons growth and of business development, he came to Quiney, arriv- ing in this city in 1836, when a young man of

twenty-one years. The following year his par ents came to the west, settling on a farm near Payson, and the father prospered in his agricul- tural pursuits there. He continued to make his home upon the farm until the death of his wife. when he came to Quincy to live with his son Amos and died in this city in 1872, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years. In the family were nine children, of whom Amos Green was the eldest.

On his arrival in Quincy Mr. Green turned his attention to carpentering for several years. His laudable ambition, however, led him into larger undertakings, and in 1841, with the capital he had acquired through his earnest effort and econ- omy, he purchased a hardwood sawmill near the foot of Spring street on the site later occupied by the freight depot of the Chicago, Burlington & Guney Railroad Company. This new undertak- ing not proving verv desirable, he found an op- portunity to make a change, and, after three years. established himself with his brother-in-law. James M. Pittman. in a lumberyard at the south- east corner of Fifth and Vermont streets. They remained co-partners for several years and then dissolved, Mfr. Green starting another lumberyard on his own account at the southwest corner of Fifth and Broadway and later on moving to the northwest corner of Maine and Sixth streets. For more than twenty years he was actively and sue- cessfully identified with the lumber interests of the state, at one time operating quite extensively in Chicago.

A man of resourceful business ability, as oppor- tunity afforded he extended his efforts into other lines, and many enterprises that have proved of direct commercial and financial benefit to Quincy have been fostered or promoted through his labors and co-operation. His name, too, became closely associated with railroad building in the middle west. In 1852 he entered into a partnership with William Shannahan and Samuel Holmes for the construction of the Iron Mountain Railroad, now one of the ' ading lines entering St. Louis from the southwest. This venture proved profitable and won for Mr. Green a place among the fore- mest business men of the Mississippi valley. Fol- lowing the close of the Civil war there arose a discussion concerning the feasibility of building a railroad from Quincy west to the Missouri river, and Mr. Green became deeply interested in this enterprise. It was ealled the Quiney, Missouri Pacific Railroad, and the work of construction was soon begun, but was abandoned before the line had been completed to its original destina- tion ; in fact, for a number of years the history of the road was that of adversity. There were many changes in the ownership and at one time the line was the property of Jay Gould. Ilow- ever, it reverted to the original owners and be-

AMOS GREEN

379

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

rame known as the Quiney. Omaha & Kansas City Railway. Mr. Green continued with the road much of the time, putting forth every effort pos- sible to place it upon a reliable financial basis and himself sinking forty thousand dollars in the enterprise, as did a number of his associates. II. 1886, however, he became the vice president and general manager of the road, and, after it had again come into possession of the original owners, he remained as the aetive head of the road until it was purchased by the Gilman syndi- cate about 1893. At that time Mr. Green retired to private life, giving his attention only to the supervision of his invested interests. He had keen discernment in business affairs, and the un- failing energy which he manifested when a car- penter's apprentice continued with him through

hře, being one of the basic elements in his suc- cess. It is true that one of his railroad enter- prises did not prove profitable, but his other busi- ness ventures netted him a handsome return, making him one of the wealthy men of Quiney. In an account of his death which appeared in one of the local papers was the following statement : "In The Journal of Friday. September 18. 1900. in the writeup of the business men's exeur- sion over the O. K. line, the following paragraph appeared :

"'A touching feature of this tour along the O. K. line were the many kind inquiries made for Amos Green. How the people along the road love that dear old man' To-day they would carry him around in their arms. if he would go over there. After all. Amos Green is the heroic figure in the history of that railway line. He really is the father of that road. How he spent his money for it ! How he planned for it! How he worked for it! Ilow he struggled for it! Into that road Amos Green put his very life. Through every vicissitude he stuek to it: he faced every storm that struck it, and hung on. All honor to the old hero! Little he knows about the store of love that exists for him along the line of the old Quiney, Missouri & Pacific.' "

In early manhood -- in the year 1841-Amos Green was united in marriage to Elizabeth Me- Dade, a daughter of John MeDade, a native of Kentucky, who removed from that state to Quiney. Six children were born of this marriage, of whom three are living: George, who married Margaret Thompson and is engaged in the Ium- ber business in Chicago: Mrs. Mary P. Kelsey, who resides in Denver, Colorado, and has one son, Charles Burtis, living in Chicago; and Emma, the wife of E. A. Allen, of Chicago, by whom she has one son. Amos Green. In April. 1959. Mr. Green was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, and several years later he was joined in wedlock to Susan F. Riddle, who was one of the first white children born in Adams

county, her father being Ebenezer Riddle, who came from Kentucky to this county in 1829 and settled in the village of Mendon. It was on the 15th of January, 1901, that Mrs. Susan Green passed away. They had one daughter, Mrs. Ella G. Mills, who resides in Quincy, and has two children, Agnes and Kenneth Lockwood. She now occupies her father's old home, a large and beautiful residenee at No. 505 North Eighth street. This was one of the first residences of Quiney and was built by Mr. Green in what was then the middle of a cornfield, he having to ent away the corn in order to have space on which to ereel the house.

Mr. Green passed away on the 27th of October, 1901. He was called one of Quiney's "best loved citizens," for his personality had endeared him to the hearts of all with whom he came in con- tact. His life record covered a long period and was marked by the utmost usefulness and honor. In his later years, although he retired from busi- ness cares, he did not lose his deep interest in public affairs and kept thoroughly informed con- cerning the affairs of the city and country. He had an infectious smile and kindly greeting for all and was one of those people who shed around then much of the sunshine of life. One who was long familiar with his history and who knew him well said of him: "Ile was a person of imposing appearance and was a striking figure in any group. Ile stood over six feet in height and in his prime was a broad-shouldered giant. In his 'ater days his facial resemblance to William Ewart Gladstone, the grand old commoner of England, was striking. But. though large of frame, Mr. Green was tender and kindly in na- ture and would gladly temper justice with merey. In every sense in which the term may be used he was a splendid citizen- a clean-spirited, great- hearted, honest American."

SAMUEL FARLOW.

Samuel Farlow, living on seetion 27, Camp Point township, is one of the prominent business men of Adams county, successfully carrying on farming and stock-raising interests. He is the owner of very valuable traets of land, while three hundred aeres are comprised within his home place, which is a valuable and well im- proved farm, adjoining the corporate limits of Camp Point. Mr. Farlow, moreover, is num- bered among the pioneer residents of Adams county, for he has made his home within its borders since 1843. Ile is a native of North

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Carolina, his birth having oeenrred in Randolph county, April 18, 1836. His father, William Farlow, was also a native of that county and was there reared to manhood. After arriving at years of maturity he married Verlinda Walker, also a native of North Carolina, and in 1843 he came with his family to Ilinois, settling on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Samuel. He was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land and reared his family on the old homestead, becoming one of the leading and enterprising agriculturists of his com- munity. He spent his last days here and died suddenly in 1858. His widow, long surviving him, died in September, 1902, at the venerable age of eighty-eight years.

Samuel Farlow belongs to a family of six sons and four daughters. While a young lad of seven he was brought to Adams county and reared to manhood on the old family homestead, and in the common schools acquired his educa- tion. Reading and observation have also broad- ened his knowledge and he has gained much valuable information in this way since attaining his majority. He worked on the farm until after he had reached mature age and was then engaged in the hotel and livery business for seven years. On the expiration of that period he located on a farm north of Camp Point, con- tinning its cultivation for several years and also engaging in raising, feeding and shipping cattle and hogs. In 1866 he took up his abode npon the old homestead and here erected a large, neat two-story frame residence. He has further improved the place and it is nom a valuable farm. attractive in its appearance. Mr. Farlow was engaged in the pork-packing business at Quiney, contimming in that line for twenty-five years. At the same time he superintended the farm and carried on the stock business. Being a man of much energy, determina- tion and business force, Mr. Farlow started out with a farm of about two hundred and forty aeres and as his financial re- sources increased he extended the boundaries of his place until he now has three hundred acres in the old homestead and altogether bis landed interests amount to nearly eight hundred acres. This is very valuable land, making him one of the substantial citizens of Adams county.

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 72

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