Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 82

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 82

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).

pursuits and that he has prospered in his under- takings is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of a tine farm of five hundred acres in Honey Creek township. Here he is engaged in the raising of grain and stock, having high grades of cattle, horses and hogs. His fields are also well cultivated and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicat- ing the careful supervision of the owner.

Mr. Taylor was married in Honey Creek town- ship, in 1894, to Miss Anna Hewitt, a native of this township, and a daughter of William ITewitt. now deceased, who came to Men- don in 1850. He lived on a farm and for many years continued its cultivation, but has now passed away. Mrs. Hewitt, however, is still living. Mr. Taylor's mother died in November, 1899, at a very advanced age. Ile has one broth- or and two sisters living in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born four child- ren : Anna, Fannie, William and Sadie.

Mr. Taylor is a democrat in his political views, but has no time nor inclination to seek office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which having been well directed, have brought him richly merited success.

EDMUND M. BOTSFORD.

Edmund M. Botsford, one of the proprietors and managing editors of the Quiney Daily Her- ald, is a native of Fishkill, New York. His father, the Rev. A. P. Botsford, devoted more than sixty years of his life to the work of the ministry in the Presbyterian church and was widely recognized as one of its leading divines. The son, accorded liberal educational privileges, supplemented his early mental training by a Pourse in Princeton College, from which he was graduated in 1874 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, winning the senior prize medal in a class of one hundred for the best essay. His literary tastes and talents being developed have made him one of the foremost journalists of the central Mississippi valley. While his education had been directed toward the legal profession he displayed, while in his college days, a natural talent for journalism and as a college student did much of the editorial writing for the Port Jervis ( New York) Gazette.

On the completion of his college course he turned his attention to the profession of teaching as an initial step toward the study of law. in which he later engaged in Rochester, New York. Coming to the west in 1879 he located in Rock- ford, Illinois, where he devoted some time to the further mastery of the principles of jurispru-

457

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

dence and then entered permanently the field of labor wherein he has so directed his energies and abilities as to win recognition as one of the leading journalists of Illinois. Ile accepted an editorial position in connection with the Rock- ford Register and established the first daily newspaper of that city. Hle soon acquired a financial interest in the paper, which under his capable management proved a profitable invest- ment.

Ilis identification with journalism in Quincy dates from September 23. 1891, when he became one of the owners of the Quiney Daily Herald, of which he has since been managing editor. A contemporary biographer has said of him: "Mr. Botsford has the faculty of making the kind of newspaper the people want and under his direc- tion the Herald has become one of the leading papers of the state and a financial success as well. A ready and forcible writer, with an un- limited capacity for work, he combines to an unusual degree the qualities that make up the live, progressive journalist of to-day. As presi- dent of the local board of the Associated Press. the telegraph's news business of this section of the state is under his direction."

On the 31st of August. 1881, occurred the mar- riage of Mir. Botsford and Miss Caroline Butter- worth, danghter of Hon. Thomas Butterworth, of Rockford. Illinois, who at one time was a member of the state legislature and again was candidate for state treasurer. Ile thus figured prominently in politics and his characteristic integrity won him the pseudonyin of "Honest Tom." Mr. and Mrs. Botsford have a son and daughter who are prominent in the social and literary circles of the city. while as a journalist Mr. Botsford is well known throughout the state, having gained the friendship and favorable re- gard of many of the leading representatives of the profession in Illinois.

MIRS. MARTHA A. ADAIR.

Mrs. Martha A. Adair, who owns and occupies a farm on section 17, Keene township, was born June 4, 1843, in Scott county, Illinois, a dangh- ter of William and Martha (Allen) Ross. Her father was born about 1796. and the mother's birth occurred March 5. 1805. He was a farmer by occupation and continued to follow that pur- suit throughout his active career. llis life's labor's were ended in death September 5. 1866, and his wife died April 27, 1883.

Mrs. Adair was edueated in the public schools of Hancock county, Illinois, where her parents were living at that time, having removed from Seott county in 1847. In her girlhood she was

trained in the duties of the household and on the 30th of July, 1863, she gave her hand in mar- riage to Richard A. Adair, who was born April 13, 1839, and was a son of Abiah and Susannah (Isham) Adair. llis mother was born Septem- ber 5, 1817. They were well known residents of Lima township during the first half of the nine- teenth century, the father assisting in the pio- neer development of the country along agri- cultural lines. He died in 1857. while his wife, long surviving him, passed away January 18, 1901.

Richard A. Adair pursued his education in the public schools of Lima and when not engaged with his text-books, assisted in the development and cultivation of his father's farm. Following his marriage he located on a farm in Lima town- ship, not far from the boundary line of Keene township. When the Civil war was inaugurated he had responded to the country's call for troops. enlisting in 1861. as a member of Company B. Seventy-eighth Ilinois Infantry. While en- gaged in active duty he was taken prisoner at Elizabeth Ferry and paroled. Ile then returned home and it was during this period of his parole that he was married. Later he was exchanged and rejoined his company and on the 13th of August, 1864, he was wounded in the siege of Atlanta and because of his injuries he was sent to the hospital. where he remained until the close of hostilities. lle afterward purchased the farm upon which his widow now resides, becom- ing the owner of this property in 1872. He at once began its further development and as the years passed, placed the buildings in good condi- tion, kept the fences in good repair. added the latest improved machinery, and altogether made this one of the model farms of the community.

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Adair were born five chil- dren. namely : Nanny W., who was born May 21, 1864, and died September 13, 1564; Alfaretta. who was born August 17. 1872, and became the wife of Addison Curliss, her death occurring September 29, 1894. while her husband is now engaged in the dry goods business in Loraine: Violetta, who was born JJuly 24, 1875, and died April 21. 1877 : William IL., who was born Sep- tember 19, 1878, and is living at home: and Jo- soph F., who was born March 1, 1883. and re- sides in Keene township. He married Agnes Steiner and is a farmer of that community. The son William, who resides with his mother. is also a progressive agriculturist and is now the owner of one hundred acres of fine land on sec- tion 12. Lima township. Mr. Adair died Janu- ary 22. 1858, and his death was deeply deplored by many friends as well as his immediate family. Mrs. Adair resides on the home farm. where she now owns eighty acres of land and also forty acres one-half mile west of the town. She is a

458

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

member of the Christian church, very active and influential in its work and has served as trustee and clerk of the church and was treasurer for thirteen years. Her efforts have largely pro- moted the influence and growth of the church and she does all in her power to advance its activities along various lines.

ISAAC OGDEN WOODRUFF.

Isaac Ogden Woodruff, deceased, became a resident of Quincy when it was a village of small proportions but large possibilities, and in its growth and development he became a far- tor, eventually controlling important and ex- tensive business enterprises and also taking an active part in municipal affairs. He was born in New York city, May 15, 1813, and was a son of Thomas Tyson and Mary (Ennis) Woodruff, both of whom were natives of the east. The Father eventually settled in New York city, where he engaged in the real estate business during the latter part of the eigh- teenth and early part of the nineteenth centur- ies. The size and development of the city at that time may be imagined from the Fact that Iris home was located on Tenth street and Fifth avenue. Ilis last years were spent in retirement from active business pursuits and both he and his wife died in New York city.

Isaac O. Woodruff attended the public schools of New York and acquired a good foundation knowledge on which to build a sue- cessful business career. He was twenty-one years of age when, in New York city, August 22, 1836, he was married to Miss Arethusa IL. Dewey, a native of Albany, New York, born December 8, 1814. She was descended from old Revolutionary stock and was a daughter of Timothy Dewey, who was a pioneer of New England. To the same family Admiral Dewey belongs. Mr. Woodruff had a brother hving in St. Louis, Missouri, and because of this he and his bride made their wedding journey in 1836 to that city, but remained there for only a brief period. They then came to Quiney, which had not yet emerged from its villagehood, but which was advantageously located, and, be- cause of the growth of the west, seemed to promise good advantages. Mr. Woodruff opened a small store and began general mer- chandising, which he followed for a few years and then turned his attention to the life insur- ance business. He prospered in that undertak- ing and later embarked in the banking busi- ness, opening a small private bank, which he

conducted successfully for several years. Ile was also one of the stockholders in the old Flagg & Savage Savings Bank of Quincy, with which he was connected until its failure. Later he lived retired from active management of business enterprises, but was financially inter- ested in many business eoneerns of importance to the city as well as to the individual stoek- holders.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff were born seven children, four sons and three daughters. as follows: Thomas T., who married Sylvia Ingersoll, now deceased, is living a retired life in La Junta, Colorado; Josephine, deceased. was the wife of A. E. Wheat, a prominent at- torney of Quiney ; Timothy Dewey, who mar- ried Frances E. Godfrey, resides in Quincy ; Helena became the wife of Thomas Leeming, but both have passed away ; Isaac O., who married Charlotte Colburn and after her death wedded Mrs. Mary Higbee, is now living in New York city, where he is engaged in dealing in physi- cians' supplies ; James E., who married Bertha Castleberry of Chicago, is engaged in dealing in oranges at Redlands, California, and Theresa Dewey occupies the old family home in Quincy.

Mr. Woodruff died JJuly 16, 1870, and his wife's death occurred June 16, 1904. Not only had he been active and enterprising in business affairs, but was also influential in molding the policy of the eity, and his fellow townsmen gave a public recognition of their belief in his ability and truthworthiness by electing him to the office of mayor and city treasurer. He served for one term in each, and he was also treasurer of the old Quincy city library and the Quiney & Toledo Railroad. Ile was a staunch democrat in politics, unfaltering in support of his principles, and was one of the early members of the Odd Fellows lodge in Quincy, joining Quincy Lodge No. 12, Mareh 9, 1850. He was a regular attendant at and lib- eral supporter of St. John's Protestant Episco- pal church, of which he was a charter member, and his wife was also a member from the time of its building until her death. Mr. Woodruff had a wide acquaintance among the early set- tlers of Quiney, enjoyed the warm friendship of many and the respect of all. Many were they to whom he gave substantial assistance. In 1868 he erected a commodions and beautiful residence at No. 1437 Maine street, but lived to enjoy his new home for only a year. Dur- ing that time a slight stroke of paralysis en- feebled his constitution and the following sum- mer a severe attack of cholera morbus eaused his death after an illness of five days. llis widow there remained until her death, dis-

A.tr. Nordreff

+63

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

pensing a warm hearted hospitality, and their daughter, Miss Theresa D. Woodruff, still oc- eupies the old home. Like her father, she is deeply interested in Adams county and in many worthy movements here. and the circle of her friends is very extensive in the city which has always been her home.

MRS. A. IT. WOODRUFF.

Mrs. Arethusa Helena (Dewey ) Woodruff was born in Albany, New York, December 8. 1814, her parents being Timothy Dewey (2nd) and Sylvia Canfield. The Family removed to New York city in 1820. Mr. Dewey, who was a civil engineer, went to Europe to study the manufacture of illuminating gas and built the first gas plant in New York city about 1823, his house on Grand street being the first in which gas was used.

On August 22, 1836, Miss Dewey was mar- ried to Isaae Ogden Woodruff of New York city and soon afterward they came to Quincy. which city became their home. She was the last of her family and survived her husband many years. She had a wonderful constitution until her eightieth year, when she Tell the length of the staircase in her home. No bones were broken and there seemed to be no serious injury. An attack of typhoid fever followed, her strength lessened, and illness was more frequent, but she was interested in everything and enjoyed driving. The loss of two daughters brought more keen sorrow to ber and she felt deeply the loss of a long-time friend, Mrs. Lorenzo Bull. saying she felt she was the last link of the past. On May 24, 1904, she fell upon the stone porel of her residence. Though able to walk up. stairs, there must have been some internal in. jury, for during three weeks she suffered in- tensely. The nervous shock was too great, and on June 16, 1904. the noble woman passed from sleep to rest. Mrs. Woodruff was a member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal church (now Cathedral) at its organization in 1837. She was for some time treasurer of St. John's Guild. "Her long life was full of good works. De- vont and charitable, 'she stretched out her hands to the poor, she reached forth her hands to the needy.' In the troublous days of the Civil war she was unwearied in her work for the soldiers, taking a prominent part in the work of the women of the county. At her sug- gestion the remaining funds of the societies were expended in the erection of the graceful soldiers' monument in Woodland, near which her mortal remains lie. Until the infirmities of

age increased upon her she was active and in- terested in church work. liberal in giving and always loyal to the interests of the church."

She was president of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The organization did not disband and she was present with the few survivors of the society at a reunion of the Fiftieth Illinois Regiment a few years since. She was interested in the Woodland Home and was for some time treasurer of the women's executive board of that institution.

FRANK A. FREUND.

Frank A. Frennd, who for almost a third of a century has been a representative of the build- ing interests of Quiney and as a brick contractor has erected many of the fine and substantial structures of the city, was born in Bavaria, Germany. March 14, 1834, his parents being An- ton and Rosa (Boeik) Freund, the former a brewer of the fatherland. The son pursued his education in the schools of Germany and worked with his father in the brewery until he came to the United States in 1852. Ile crossed the At- Iantie to Baltimore, where he worked for about three years at the cooper's trade. Ile arrived in Quiney on the 5th of July, 1855, coming on a stern-wheel steamer from St. Louis. ITere he worked at the cooper's trade in the employ of John Lea for a year and then began learning the bricklayer's trade, which he followed as a jour- neyman for thirty years, when he began con- tracting and building on his own account and is now one of the leading brick builders of the city. enjoying a good patronage. In this way he has erected some of the leading structures of the city, including the Empire theater, St. Mary's church, the Newcomb home and many others, which stand as monuments to his thrift, enter- prise and skill. He has the entire confidence of the business community and his success has been worthily won, while his life work shows what can be accomplished when one has determination, ambition and energy in a land where effort is not hampered by caste or class.

In 1857 Mr. Fround was married to Miss Elizabeth Sehwebel, of Quiney, who was born in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis, in 1841, and is a daughter of William and Dorothy (Loose) Sehwebel. Mr. and Mrs. Freund have three liv- ing children and have lost two: Mrs. Rosa Mar- kus, the eldest, who had four danghters. Edith. Elda, Corletta and Olivia, the wife of William Seeger ; and Frank, who was the fourth in order of birth. The others are: Edith, the wife of II. A. Vanden Boom and has five children. Stella. Edith, Ralph, Julius and Oscar: Joseph H., who

tot

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY

is engaged in the business with his father and wedded Mary Chlein, by whom he has two chil- dren, Edith and Jovita ; and Stella, at home. The family residence is at No. 1301 Spring street and is justly celebrated for its gracious and warm- hearted hospitality.

In his political views Mr. Freund is a demo- erat and he served as alderman of the city from 1889 until 1891. He and his family are com- municants of the Catholic church. Mr. Freund is a member of the Firemen's Benevolent As- sociation and the Western Catholic Union. He is an excellent type of the self-made man, who views the future with good judgment. recogniz- ing the difficulties and possibilities of a business career, and with resolute spirit overcoming the former and utilizing the latter. lle owes his snecess entirely to his own labors and his career should serve to inspire and encourage others.

JOIN MULHEIN RUDDELL.

John Mulhein Ruddell was for many years a resident of Adams county and was prominent in public affairs, exerting considerable infinence in political cireles as well as in other relations of life: lle was born September 28, 1812, in Bour- bon county, Kentucky, and his parents were Stephen A. and Susan C. ( David) Ruddell, the former born in 1768 and the latter about 1780. The father was a farmer by occupation and was also a preacher of the Christian church, doing missionary work among the Indians. He was captured with his family by the red men at Ruddell, and Martin's fort in 1780 and they were held in captivity until Wayne's treaty, one of the provisions of which was that the Indians should give up all their captives. Subsequent to that time Mr. Ruddell engaged in the milling business until about 1817, when he disposed of all his business affairs in Kentucky and removed to Clarksville, Missouri, where he followed farm- ing until 1829. He then came to Ursa town- ship. Adams county, Illinois, settling on section 18, where he remained until a few years prior to his death, when he removed to section 7 of the same township, there passing away about 1840.

lohn M. Rnddell spent his early life with his parents, accompanying them on their varions removals up to the time of his marriage, when he started ont in life on his own account. settling upon the southwest half of the section upon which the village of Ursa now stands. After a few years he removed to section 16, Ursa town- ship, where he lived until 1842. He then took np his abode on section 2. where he re-

sided until 1851, when the big flood drove him from that farm. The following year he settled on seetion 1 of the same township, where he remained until his death. While in Clarksville, Missouri, he had attended the com- mon schools but his advantages in that direction were limited to about nine months' study in school. He learned many valuable lessons, how- ever, in the school of experience and gained a good practical business knowledge. He was al- ways a farmer and his energy and capability en- abled him to place his land under a high state of cultivation, so that his farm became produc- tive and returned him a good income.

Mr. Ruddell exercised considerable influence in political eireles as a supporter of democratic principles. His father and brothers, however, were advocates of the whig party. Mr. Ruddell was elected to the office of supervisor at the time the county adopted township organization in 1852 and served the time in that capacity at in- tervals for about fifteen years. He was a mem- ber of the state legislature abont 1846 and was school treasurer for about thirty-five years. In 1875 he was a member of the board of super- visors when the contract was let for the build- ing of the first county courthouse and he lifted the first shovelful of dirt on that occasion. He always believed in progress and improvement and supported every measure which tended to advance the welfare of his adopted county. He was a member of Marcelline lodge, No. 14. A. F. & A. M., joining it at an early day, and in 1852 he became a member of Mareelline lodge, No. 127. I. O. O. F. He was also identified with Marcelline lodge, S. of T., and throughout al- most his entire life he hekl membership in the Christian church, serving as elder for abont forty years.

In March. 1832. Mr. Ruddell was married in what is now Mendon township, to Martha Ann Dunlap, a daughter of John Dunlap, a well known and prosperous farmer of Mendon, who emigrated to this county from Mercer county, Missouri, in the fall of 1830. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom died in infancy, while those who lived to maturity are: William D., born in February, 1834; John D., born in 1836: Margaret, in 1838: George in 1840; Mary C., in 1843; James T. in 1855.

Mr. Ruddell passed away in 1896. He was a man of social, genial nature and did not have an enemy in the world. Although he possessed positive convictions and was firm in the sup- port of his belief, he never made enemies. That he prospered in his undertakings is shown by the fact that he often said he never went to bed hungry or owing a man a dollar, yet the accumu- lation of wealth was not the object of his life. He was very fond of hunting and fishing and

THE I. O. WOODRUFF RESIDENCE.

467

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

possessed considerable skill in those directions. Ile took a deep interest in public enterprises and for many years Adams county numbered him among its representative and valned citizens.

P. A. DUKE SCHROER.

P. A. Duke Sehroer, reporter on the Quincy Journal, was born September 19. 1865, in the city which has continuously been his place of residence. His parents are Ilerman C. and Louisa Sehroer, the latter the first child of Ger- man parents, born in Quincy. P. A. Duke Schroer acquired his education in the public schools of the city and afterward learned the printer's trade in the offices of the Manufactur- ers' Exchange, the Modern Argo and the Quincy Journal, after which he accepted a position on the Journal as a reporter, being connected con- tinnously with this paper from its first issue in 1883 to the present time with the exception of a period of four years, from 1888 until 1892. dur- ing which he served on the reportorial staff of the Quiney Herald and for two years, beginning in 1890, when he held the position of secretary to the Hon. J. Ross Mickey. member of congress from the fiftieth Illinois district.

Mr. Schroer gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is prominent in the social and fraternal organizations of the city, belonging to the Firemen's Benevolent Association, the Gem City camp. M. W. A .. the Globe tent of the Knights of the Maccabees and the Jefferson ('Inh.

On the 25th of November. 1894, Mr. Schroer was married in Quincy to Miss Mary Ellen Brophy, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Brophy, of Quiney. Illinois. They have two children : George Carl and Catherine Julia. A son and daughter, Paul and Louisa, died in early childhood.

F. O. DICKERMAN.

F. O. Diekerman ovenpies a beautiful home in Mendon, where he is now practically living re- tired after many years of active connection with agricultural interests. Ile was born in Mendon township, October 20. 1851, and is a son of Ira R. and Lanra E. Smith) Dickerman, the former born in Conneetient. August 7, 1814, and the latter in Ohio. May 28, 1819. They came from Ohio to Adams connty, Ilinois. in 1839. travel- ing across the country with a horse and wagon in the primitive manner of the times. They lo- cated first in Mendon township in a pioneer dis-

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 82

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