Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 81

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 81

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the present fine brick residence now occupied by his widow at No. 337 Chestnut street. In addition to this property Mrs. Van Frank also owns five other dwellings in different parts of the city, which she leases, the rental therefrom bringing to her a good income that supplies her with all the necessities and comforts and many of the luxuries of life. A most congenial rela- tionship existed between her and her husband and his death came as a particularly heavy blow to her. She has in Quiney many friends who extend to her high esteem and she shared with her husband in his interest in the work of the church and for the upbuilding and development of the city.

JOHN C. KIELY.

John C. Kiely, deceased, who was head janitor at the government building in Quincy for many years and was well known among the business men of the city, came to Quiney about 1854. Ile was a native of Ireland, born in .Inne, 1834. Ilis father, John Kiely, always resided on the Emer- ald Isle, where in early life he was a laborer and afterward engaged in farming there until his death. ITis widow later came to America and made her home with her son John in Quiney un- til her demise.

John C. Kiely obtained only a common-school education in Ireland and when twenty years of age he came to the new world, making his way direct to Quiney. The Chicago, Burlington & Qniney Railroad Company was then extending its line to this city and he took the contract for boarding the men who were laying the traek. Ile conducted a railroad boarding house for a few years and afterward accepted the position of steward of the Occidental Hotel, serving in that capacity for nearly thirty years. He then took the position as night watchman in the bank of the State Savings, Loan & Trust Company, in the employ of Lorenzo Bull, and when three years had passed he resigned that position to be- come head janitor of the government building, in which capacity he served until his demise.

When Mr. Kiely came to America he landed at New Orleans and in that city was married to Miss Ellen Connell, a native of Ireland. They became the parents of seven children, Dennis and John, who are residents of Chicago; Annie and Alice, at home ; and Thomas, Catherine and Alice, who are deceased. Mr. Kiely passed away July 14. 1904. lle was supervisor in Quincy for several years and in all positions of public trust he was found faithful and reliable. In polities he was a democrat, giving staunch sup-

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port to the party. Ile belonged to the Catholic Knights of America and held membership in St. Peter's Catholic church, of which his wife and children are also communicants. He became a prominent and well-to-do resident of Quiney. acemulating a comfortable competence during his active business career. He also gave very lib- erally to charities for he was a man of benevo- lent spirit, his good qualities of heart and mind winning him many friends among the business men of the city, where he long resided. His wife owns a nice home at No. 913 Jersey street, where she and her daughters reside, it having been the family residence for many years.

RICHARD F. NEWCOMB.

Richard F. Newcomb, for years one of the most distinguished citizens of Quincy by reason of the extent and importance of his business interests and his activity in public affairs, might well have been classed among the cap- tains of industry. He did not belong to that class whose paths are strewn with the wrecks of others' fortunes, who go down to gilded tombs with the old regard or the bitter ex- eeration of their fellows, for his was a life of service. While he promoted business enter- prises of magnitude that brought him wealth. they were at the same time important factors in the upbuilding, progress and substantial prosperity of the city whereby all of the citi- zens were benefited. ITe labored to advantage along many lines connected only with the city's upbuilding and having no effect upon his individual business concerns. Ile was end- lessly. wisely and intensely interested in some of the most important enterprises of good citizenship, both local and national, and was truly one of the builders of his state.

Richard F. Newcomb was born in Bernard- ston, Massachusetts, on the 20th of September. 1837. and was the youngest of nine children. born unto Zebina B. and Maria L. (Goodale ) Newcomb. His father was for many years engaged in general mercantile pursuits and possessed the marked exeentive force and busi- ness enterprise that leads to success, while at the same time he bore an enviable reputation as a most charitable and benevolent gentleman. The son obtained his preliminary education in the schools of his native town. later attending Williston Seminary at Easthampton. Massa- chusetts. His business life began in Boston. where he was for a number of years a valued employe of Benjamin Callendar, at the head of

a large hardware house in that city. On the expiration of that period he returned to his native town and became an assistant to his father, who was engaged in merchandising and farming and in the operation of a sawmill.

llis patriotic spirit, however, was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to over- throw the union, and on the 9th of September. 1862. he was enrolled as a member of Company A. Fifty-second Massachusetts Infantry. lle went with Banks' expedition, his regiment he- ing the first to march into Port Hudson after the surrender. For some months he served on the brigade staff, having charge of the ordi- nance supplies and later of the entire medical stores. When the nine months' term of his en- listment had expired he received an honorable discharge and again assisted his father in mer. «handising in the east.

Attracted by the possibilities of the great and growing west Mr. Newcomb resolved to investigate conditions of the Mississippi val- ley and, if possible, become a factor in busi- ness life in that portion of the country. Ac- cordingly, in Angust. 1886, he located in Beloit. Wisconsin, and seenred a position in a mill wherein wrapping paper was mannfac- tured. Hlis capability and efficiency won ready recognition in successive promotions and he was soon admitted to a partnership in the busi- ness. The following year the Northwest Paper Company was organized, with Mr. Newcomb as the vice president, and an extensive whole- sale paper house was established in Chicago. With their mill at Beloit and their house in Chicago this was one of the leading concerns in the paper trade of the west. The company lost heavily during the great Chicago fire of 1871 and following this Mr. Newcomb with his brother came to Quiney and purchased a paper mill here, which they placed in operation in April. 1872. under the firm name of Newcomb Brothers. The mill property was located on South Front street. Two years afterward Richard F. Newcomb sold his interest in the Northwest Paper Company to his brother and became sole proprietor of the Quincy plant. which he greatly improved, adding new ma- chinery and increasing the capacity of the plant. It was not long until he demonstrated to Qniney his business and executive power and his marked enterprise. In 1880 he was instru- mental in organizing the Quiney Paper Com- pany of which he became the head. and under his guidance the business developed so rapidly that it soon became the second largest straw- board mill in the country. In 1889 it was ab- sorbed by the American Strawboard Company and Mr. Newcomb was retained as one of the

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

controlling powers in this corporation, of which he eventually became president, acting in that capacity for six years. An era of gratifying growth followed, and the develop- ment of this important industry to its present magnificent proportions is due very largely to the rare foresight and unusual executive and business ability of Mr. Newcomb. One of the first to appreciate the opportunities which this branch of business offered he began to utilize the factors at hand for its development and be- came closely associated with the control of many large paper mills throughout the coun- try. The extent and importance of his opera- tions also made him a well known figure in commercial and financial circles throughont the country. By no means was the attention of Richard F. Newcomb concentrated alone up- on this business for his efforts extended to other lines with the result that Quincy bene- fited by the upbuilding of its commercial and industrial affairs. Ile formed his plans readily and was prompt in their exeention, yet his de- visions were never marked by lack of judg- ment, which often follows quick action. Ils celerity of mental action was the basis of his later labor and caused the rapidity with which he put into execution any method which his judgment sanctioned. He became the presi- dent of a company organized to build the Quincy. Beardstown & llavana Railroad. He was interested in building the Newcomb Hotel on Fourth and Maine streets, becoming one of the stockholders and a director of the com- pany. The hotel was named for him on account of the great interest he took in the eu- terprise and his influence in raising money for its erection. lle also gave generously toward building the public library. In 1891 he erect- ed his home, which was one of the palatial resi- dences of Illinois.

Mr. Newcomb was married on the 2d of May. 1860, to Miss Eliza A. Bowman, of Flushing. Long Island, who died four years later. leaving a daughter. Mrs. Joseph W. Emery. On the 22d of September, 1869. he married Miss Anna N. Ritchie, of Beloit, Wisconsin, and they had three daughters and one son: Mrs. John A. Stillwell, Mrs. Frank II. Whitney, Mrs. E. H. Castle and Richard Bernard Newcomb.

Mr. Newcomb's political allegiance was usul- ally given to the democracy, though he voted for President MeKinley at both elections, being a sound money democrat. He took an active interest in local, state and national politics. In fact his was a public-spirited citizenship that regards with interest every question. movement or measure that has a bearing upon the development of the country. whether com-

mercial. political or intellectual. Ile held a responsible place in large affairs of finance and he had the perfect confidence of his financial associates, working-men and of the general pub- lie. He may well be numbered among the builders of Quincy because of the effective co- operation which he gave to every movement tending toward its benefit. Ilis benevolence had the stamp of citizenship. Modesty, devo- tion, mental and moral strength were splendid- ly combined in his career and his death, which ocenrred May 15, 1904, was the occasion for deep and uniform regret throughout the city of his residence and in every community where he was known.

G. W. GRAMMER.

G. W. Grammer, who is now serving as super- visor of Beverly township and is regarded as one of the most influential and prominent citi- zens of his locality, was born in that township on the 25th of November, 1862, his parents being Seth W. and Anna ( Phillpot ) Grammer. On the maternal side he is of English descent, his grand- parents having come from England in 1837 and settled in Pike county. Illinois, where their daughter gave her hand in marriage to Seth W. Grammer. He was a native of Massachusetts and had come to Illinois in 1842. In 1854 they removed to Adams county and took up their abode in Beverly township. In their family were six children, namely: Lizzie, the wife of Fred Hill, of Pike county : Charles, now a resident of Nebraska ; Seth T., deceased; Mary, the wife of James Toalen, of Villisea, Towa: John 1., of Baylis. Pike county, Illinois; and G. W .. of this review.

G. W. Grammer is indebted to the district schools of Adams connty for the educational ad- vantages he enjoyed in his youth, and after leay- ing school he devoted his entire time and atten- tion to farming for a few years, but he now makes his home in the village of Beverly. where he is successfully engaged in blacksmithing. Hle also operates a mill and is engaged in the thresh- ing business. Ile is a wide-awake, energetic and progressive business man and usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

In 1544 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Grammer and Miss Celia Breckenridge. a dangh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. William Breckenridge, who rame to this state from Pennsylvania at an early day and located in Adams county. To our sub- jert and his wife have been born five children :

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Lewis E., who is now living in Ilannibal, Mis- souri; Alva W., who is attending school in Quincy ; and Pearl. Earl C. and Arthur h., who are also in school.

In his social relations Mr. Grammer is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Modern Woodmen of America. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party and he takes quite an active part in public affairs, having been hon- ored with a number of local office of trust and responsibility. Ile has served as town clerk, con- stable and collector of both town and township. and is now most acceptably serving as supervisor of Beverly township. His official duties have ever been most faithfully discharged and have won for him the commendation of all.

JOHN DECATUR JUSTICE, M. D.

Dr. John Decatur Justice, who, in the ten years of his connection with the medical profession of Quincy has gained an enviable reputation, was born in Scotland county, Missouri, September 22. 1854. Hle is a son of Henry S. Justice, a native of Columbus, Ohio, who in his boyhood days ae- companied his parents to Missouri. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he followed the same ocen- pation throughout his entire life and died in Mis- souri. August 20, 1881, when fifty-two years of age. During the Civil war he was a member of the Missouri Militia and was also in the regular service as a member of the Thirty-ninth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained for six months, joining the army at the last call. His political views were in harmony with republican principles and he was a respected citizen of his home locality. He married Minerva Jane Witt. who was born in Estill county, Kentucky, Decem- ber 28, 1837. and is now living with her son in Quincy. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. By her marriage she became the mother of two sons, but the younger, buther P., is de- erased.

Dr. Justice, reared under the parental roof upon the home farm in Missouri, was a student in the public schools and in the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri. He attended the Keoknk Medical College in 1876 and was graduated from the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis, in March, 1878. Immediately afterward he began practice in Memphis, Missouri, where he re- mained until the following October, and for fif- teen years thereafter he was located at Belle Plaine, Kansas. Desiring a broader field of labor that would furnish greater scope for his profes- sional attainments. Dr. Justice came to Quincy in March, 1894, and has since practiced here with

marked success. While in Kansas he was the local surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railway and was a member of the Kansas State and County Medical Societies. During his residence in the west he took a post-graduate course in microscopy in the laboratory of the late Carl Heitzmann in New York and further added to his knowledge and promoted his efficiency by at- tending the surgical elinies of Thomas H. Manley at Ilarlem Hospital, John A. Wyeth and Paul F. Mundie at Mount Sinai Hospital, Charles A. Me- Burney of the Roosevelt system and also attended the Vanderbilt medical clinies and the clinics of the Bellevne Hospital Medical College. Ile has sneceeded in his practice because his equipment has been unusually good and because to a natural adaptability for the profession he added conscien- tious service, arising from a just appreciation of the responsibilities which devolve upon the physician.

Dr. Justice belongs to the Adams County and Illinois State Medical Societies, also the Military Tract Medical Association and the National Asso- ciation of Railway Surgeons. He was assistant chief surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital and chief surgeon of the Fairchild Sanitorium, served as secretary of the staff of the former and, when he resigned the position, was tendered a handsome banquet.

Ou the 17th of November, 1888. Dr. Justice was married to Miss Sarah Ambrosia Love, a dangh- ter of Hon. James M. Love. the dean of the news- paper fraternity in Macon, Missouri, which is Mrs. Justice's native city. They are members of the Baptist church and are prominent socially, while Dr. Justice belongs to the Masonie fra- ternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. His political endorsement is given the republican party.

JAMES S. THORNTON.

James S. Thornton, who is the owner of nine- ty-seven aeres of fine land on section 26, Men- don township, was born August 20, 1844. in Pen- dleton county, Kentucky. Ile is a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Thornton, who came to Adams county in 1866. In their family were six children : Lewis L., William, Thomas. Hen- ry, Martha, Mary and James S.

James S. Thornton spent his boyhood days in the state of his nativity, acquired his education in the public schools and in October, 1861, when only seventeen years of age, enlisted in the Confederate army, with which he served for two years and nine months. In his youth he was a pupil of Hon. John G. Carlisle, who was then

D.Ja Justice

Mrs. S. Love Justice,

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

teaching his first term of school. After the war Mr. Thornton came to Adams county, Illinois, where he worked for two years, and then went to Missouri, where he engaged in farming for three or four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to this state and has since made his home in Adams connty, carrying on general farming. Ile is to-day the owner of ninety-seven acres of rich land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. IFis farm is equipped with all modern accessories, including the latest improved machinery for carrying on the work in the fields.

In 1878 Mr. Thornton was united in marriage to Mrs. Susan Crandall, of Adams county, who was born April 15, 1842, and was the widow of David Crandall. There are two children by this union : Edith, born October 13, 1879, is now the wife of Samuel Pitney, who resides near her father, and they have one child, Thornton, born in August, 1903; Erma M., who was born May 24, 1883, is living at home.

Mr. Thornton holds membership in the Bap- tist church and gives his political support to the democratic party. He has served as school di- rector for several years and the cause of educa- tion finds in him a warm friend. His wife is a member of the Christian church. He has led an active life in which energy and perseverance have been his strong and salient characteristics. Realizing that labor is the basis of all success, he has worked persistently and earnestly, and his property is a monument to his business activ- ity and good judgment.

EDWIN FREEMAN BRADFORD.

The ancestral history of Edwin Freeman Bradford is distinctively American, both in its lineal and collateral branches. He is a descend- ant of William Bradford, first governor of the Plymouth colony, and a great-grandson of Cap- tain Samuel Bradford, of Connectient. In dif- ferent generations the name has figured conspic- uously in New England and it was in that sec- tion of the country that E. F. Bradford was born on the 27th of April, 1841, the town of South- bridge, Massachusetts, being his birthplace. His father, William Bradford, was a farmer by oc- eupation and on the family homestead the son was reared, attending the district schools and when not occupied with the duties of the school- room assisting in the labors of the farm. Finan- eial reverses followed by the death of his mother necessitated his starting out in life on his own account at a comparatively early age and he en- tered a shoemaking establishment, where he served a regular apprenticeship. Ambitious to

enjoy further educational privileges, however, he became a student in Nichols Academy in Dudley, Massachusetts, when a youth of sixteen. By working at his trade on Saturdays, doing farm work in the summer and teaching school in the winter he was enabled to meet the expenses of an academic course and completed his studies there at the end of five years. Learning that telegraph operators were needed in Illinois, he devoted three months to mastering the art of telegraphy at Nashua, New Hampshire.

In November, 1863, Mr. Bradford arrived in Illinois, bearing with him letters of recommenda- tion to A. N. Towne, then assistant superinten- dent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road in Chicago. He was given a position, being appointed telegraph operator on the line of that road at Kewanee. The following year he went to Young America as clerk and operator and in 1865 he was given the position of station agent at Macomb, where he remained until 1881. In the year mentioned he was transferred to Han- nibal in charge of the business of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern Railroads. Two years later his duties were further in- ereased by adding to his position the business at that point of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- road Company, and he was made general agent. In 1887 he was transferred to Quiney, where, in addition to having charge of the city business of the above mentioned lines, he has charge of the freight and passenger business of the Burling- ton system through Illinois from Louisiana, Mis- souri, to Burlington, Iowa. He is to-day one of the most trusted representatives of these roads with important and onerous duties devolving upon him, for which his long experience. marked business capacity and executive ability well qualify him. It has been during his administra- tion in Quiney that the new passenger station was built, the new depot and the new system of terminals located here, involving the expendi- ture of nearly a million of dollars. He controls the business with marked dispatch, being thor- oughly conversant with every detail as well as the principal points that come under his charge and to-day stands high among railroad men of the central Mississippi valley.

Since establishing his home in Quincy, Mr. Bradford's efforts have proved a resultant factor in promoting the welfare and progress of the city. Publie-spirited in an eminent degree his co-operation has largely promoted the general welfare and yet all of his public service is per- formed in a quiet, unostentatious manner. being a work of influence rather than aggressive action and yet he hesitates not to put forth the personal effort that result in successful accomplishment.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

He has a force of character that enables him to account. He has always carried on agricultural carry forward to completion whatever he under- takes and yet withal his manner is quiet and free from the display which seeks the landation of the public.

In 1868 Mr. Bradford was married to Miss Emily MI. Prince, of Dudley, Massachusetts, who was also educated at Nichols Academy. She, too, was descended from an honored ancestry of New England, her grandfather having been one of the minute men at the battle of Lexington. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford have four daughters and during their residence in Quincy have gained many friends, having here a wide acquaintance.

WILLIAM TAYLOR.

William Taylor, who for fifty-six years has been a resident of Adams county, eame to Men- don in 1849. He was born near Dublin, Ireland, a son of Edward Taylor, who in the year 1849 crossed the Atlantic to New York city. where he remained for six month.s On the expiration of that peried he came to Adams connty, settling first in Mendon and later taking up his abode in Honey Creek township, where he secured land and followed farming and stock-raising until his death. In his native country he had learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, but during his residence in Adams county was always identi- fied with agricultural interests. He married Martha Wilkinson, who was also a native of the Emerald Isle, in which country they were mar- ried. Three of their son were born in Treland : Thomas : James, now deceased : and William.

In taking up the personal history of William Taylor we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Honey Creek township. His education was largely acquired in the schools of this neighbor- hood and he became a well-informed man, his knowledge fitting him for life's practical and responsible duties. Hle well remembers the jour- ney from Ireland to the new world and on to the West. The family crossed the Atlantic in a sail- ing vessel, which was forty-two days in making that voyage. Cholera broke out among the pas- sengers and fourteen of the mumber died, in- «Inding an aunt of Mr. Taylor, with whom he was sleeping, but he did not become a victim of the disease. It required as long a time for the family to travel from New York to the West as it had for them to cross the ocean. They made their way first to Philadelphia by canal and by boat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Quin- ey. Mr. Taylor continued to assist in the opera- tion of the home farm until after his father's death, when he started out in life on his own

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 81

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