Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 87

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 87

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ISAAC GROVE.

Isaac Grove, the owner of a valuable farming property on section 20, Payson township, was horn January 3, 1839, in Licking county, Ohio, his parents being Isaac and Rebecca (Lionber- ger) Grove, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia. The mother, whose birth occurred March 8, 1804, went with her parents to Ohio in 1811, the family settling in Licking connty, where her father secured land and developed a farm. Ilis parents were natives of Germany and had set- tled in Virginia in colonial days, so that sneces- sive generations of the family have been closely identified with pioneer development in various localities. Isaac Grove and Rebecca Lionberger were married in Ohio and the father died there in 1838. In 1844 the mother, with her three children, came to Adams county. Illinois, and settled upon the farm which is now the home of Isaae Grove, of this review. No improvements had been made upon the land and for one sum- mer the mother and her children lived in a pole pen or honse. There were many rattlesnakes in

the district, and there was also much will game including deer, and the wild fowls furnished many a meal for the carly settlers. While living in the little pole pen Isaac Grove became ill with the measles. He was the youngest of the three children. The mother obtained her land by buy- ing two patents, one of course which was not an- thentie, so she had to pay for it twice, because a man by the name of Schofield brought up a bogus patent, compelling her to pay five hundred dollars a second time. Many hardships and trials were borne by the little family in their attempt to establish a home and gain a living in the west. The mother continued to live upon her original farm until her death, which occurred in 1880, her remains being interred in Payson cemetery. ller elder son, Jesse Grove, who resided in Han- cock county, Illinois, died in May, 1903, leaving a daughter, who lives near Dallas City, Illinois. Nancy Grove makes her home with her brother Isaac.

In the Sodom school south of his present home, Isaac Grove acquired his education and from early boyhood worked on the farm, assisting in the arduous task of developing and cultivating the new land. From the time he was fifteen years of age he hired a hand to assist him and operated the farm for his mother. lle has through his industry and careful management acquired three hundred acres, constituting a splendid property. in which he has erected the finest country home in the vicinity of Payson. Ile has added to the place all modern equipments. Good barns and ontbuildings are kept in oveellent repair and fences divide the place into fields of convenient size, in which are annually harvested rich erops. the owner being regarded as one of the leading farmers of the county.

Mr. Grove was married, November 24. 1861. to Miss Sarah Tull, a daughter of John R. and Naney ( Langford) Tull. who were natives of Maryland, whence they removed to Ohio and thence to Hancock county, Illinois, settling four miles east of Fort Madison, this state. Her fath- er entered his land there about 1830 and became closely identified with the pioneer development of that part of the state For many years he carried on farming and died December 3. 1897. while his wife passed away in 1889, their remains being interred in the family burial lot upon their farm, in what is known as the Tull cemetery. Mr. Tull was in his ninetieth year and his wife about eighty-two years of age at the time of death. They were the parents of five children : Hester Ann, born February 26. 1827, is the wife of Lorenzo Little, a farmer of Hancock county, Illinois, and they have four children. Josiah Tull, born Sep- tember 26. 1829. married Sarah Briley, by whom he had one child, and after her death he married

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Hettie Rank, three children being born of this union. The wife and mother died in 1900 and Josiah, March 21, 1870, and his children now live in Hancock county, Illinois, just across the river from Fort Madison, Iowa. Elizabeth, born March 21, 1833, is the wife of Daniel A. Little, who resides on a farm adjoining his brother Lo- renzo's place, and they have four children, -Jen- nie, born December 9, 1840. became the wife of Dr. J. M. Lionberger, of Dallas City, Illinois, and both are now deceased, while their only child died in infancy. Mrs. Grove is the next of the family.

Mrs. Grove, who was born June 7, 1843, was educated in Hancock county, Illinois, in a conn- try school, and after reaching womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Isaac Grove. They have one child, Mand J., who was born August 22. 1865, and is the wife of W. H. Kay, a farmer in Salt river valley, Arizona. Mrs. Grove is a mem- ber of the Methodist church and her father was a local minister of the denomination. Mr. Grove is a democrat in his political views, and both enjoy the esteem of many who know them and to whom the hospitality of their beautiful home is freely and generously accorded.

JOEL KINGSBURY SCARBOROUGH.

Joel Kingsbury Scarborough, who has at- tained the age of four seore years and who dur- ing a long residence in Adams county has always been known as the champion of its material, in- tellectual and moral progress, was born Novem- ber 12, 1824, in Brooklyn, Wyndham county, Connecticut, the sixth child of Joel and Imeretia (Smith) Scarborough. The father died before the birth of his son and he was left an orphan by his mother's death when twelve years of age. He early displayed a great love for books, read- ing Rollin's Ancient History at the age of eight years and studying Latin and geometry at the age of ten years. In 1838, when a boy of four- teen, he came to the west with his sister Mary A., afterward the wife of Rev. C. A. Leach, pas- tor of the Congregational church in Payson. The first part of the journey was made partly by rail, partly by steamboat or canalboat, and partly by stage coach, and from Pittsburg he traveled by stage to Cincinnati, for the river was too low for the boats to run. At Cincinnati, however, he took passage on an Ohio river steamer and on reaching the Mississippi proceeded up that stream to Quincy. At Cairo, Illinois, it was necessary to change boats and he was thus de- layed for some hours, thankful, however, to get away before night, owing to the reputation that the hotel at that place hore.

After reaching Payson, Joel K. Scarborough began working for his uncle, Deacon Albigence Scarborough, the founder of the town, who was then living in a log cabin on the site of the house now occupied by his daughter. When seventeen years of age Joel Scarborough went to Hudson, Ohio, where he remained for two years, a part of the time as a student in Western Reserve Col- lege, and a part of the time studying at home, after which he returned to Payson and again worked for his unele until twenty-one years of age. His evenings during this period were largely devoted to reading Latin and he re- viewed his geometry as he followed the plow or drove the team. IIe was only fifteen years of age when he purchased land where he now lives, becoming the owner of a traet of raw prairie on which not a furrow had been turned or an im- provement made. On attaining his majority he began the cultivation of this place and all of the improvements now found here-and this is one of the best equipped farms of the county-have been made by him or his son. Even the trees which adorn the lawn have been planted by him. In his business affairs he has displayed unremit- ting diligence, energy and keen discrimination. In his early years he devoted his attention to the raising of crops on which he realized a fair profit and as his financial resources increased he invested in land, which he now rents, while his attention is devoted largely to the feeding of stock. Many years ago, appreciating the advan- tages of having a good supply of timber, he drove to Pittsfield to attend a sale of swamp land and bid in a quarter section at ten cents per acre and another at fifteen eents. Since then he has acquired several sections of land on the Missis- sippi bottom and on Sni Island. He has thus been actively interested in building and improv- ing the Sni levee.

In November, 1849, he married Miss Julia Seymour, who died a few years later, leaving one child, who survived her for only a few months. In 1856 he married Miss Harriet Spen- cer, who was a loving, faithful wife and trne helpmate. She died in 1903, leaving a son, Henry Flagg, their daughter Julia having died at the age of seven years.

Mr. Scarborough, when seventeen years of age, united with the Congregational church in Payson and has ever since been prominent in its affairs, giving it much of his thought and atten- tion and co-operating largely in its efforts for upbuilding and the extension of its influence. He was elected clerk of the church in May, 1844, and has been re-elected every year since, so that the church records for more than sixty years have known no pen but his. He has been super- intendent of the Sunday-school since January 1, 1868, with the exception of little more than a

MRS J .! SCARBOROUGH

J.& Scar brough

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vear, and has been greatly interested in all mat- ters relating to the school and its improvement. For nearly forty years he has conducted a mnost interesting teachers' meeting and has also been president of the township Sunday-school organ- ization for more than thirty years, and he has also been president of the Adams County Asso- ciation for many years. He has twice been elected delegate to the National Triennial Coun- cil of Congregational churches and has long been a corporate member of the missionary society of that denomination.

He has always felt a deep and active interest in educational matters and many times served as school director. It was during his ineum- beney in that office and largely due to his patient, persistent effort, that the present sub- stantial school building was erected in spite of much opposition from those who regarded it as a needless extravagance. Mr. Scarborough is also president of the Farmers' Mutual Fire In- surance Company, carrying polieies to the amount of one and a half million dollars. Mr. Scarborough's activity has thus tonched many lines which have proven of benefit to the com- munity and while he has carefully directed his business affairs so as to win success, he has also aided largely in the promotion of measures con- cerning the general interests of the city.

HENRY FLAGG SCARBOROUGH.

Henry F. Scarborough, the only living child of J. K. and Harriet (Spencer) Scarborough. was born November 7, 1859, in the house which has been his home up to the present time. He was educated in the public schools at Payson and in Knox College, at Galesburg, and during the periods of vacation assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and when he had attained his majority was admitted by him to a partnership. They at that time carried on gen- eral farming and gradually have confined their attention more and more to the business of rais- ing and feeding stoek, being well known as lead- ing representatives of this line of business.

In 1885 Henry F. Scarborough was united in marriage to Mary Estella Wolfe, a daughter of Rev. George B. Wolfe, at that time a minister of Payson. She died in 1900, leaving a son, Joseph Kingsbury, and in 1903 Henry F. Sear- borough wedded Mrs. Jennie Thompson Robbins, a daughter of the late Philo E. Thompson, who was one of the pioneer residents of Payson and assisted in laying out the town. He was well known as one of its trustees and publie-spirited citizens until his death in 1893.

JFr. Scarborough is a republican in his politi- cal views and in 1901 was elected supervisor of Payson township, which office he still holds, hav- ing been re-elected in 1903 and again in 1905. From early days the name Scarborough has fig- ured in connection with substantial improvement and progress in Adams county, father and son each taking his part in the work of public im- provement, while at the same time successfully carrying on business affairs and gaining thereby honorable prosperity.

BLESSING HOSPITAL.

Blessing Hospital, one of the most commend- able institutions of Quincy and one whose prac- tical value has been demonstrated year after vear through the period of its existence, was or- ganized in 1865 as the Charitable Aid and Hos- pital Association and was re-organized in 1873 as Blessing Hospital. the incorporators being John Wood, O. II. Browning, H. S. Osborn. II. A. Williamson, Gustav Levi, F. S. Giddings, E. K. Stone, W. S. Penfield, R. W. McMahon. W. B. Bull. M. B. Finlay and R. W Gardner. Of the original incorporators only R. W. Gardner remains an active member. The building was erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars and was opened in 1875. Twenty years later an ad- dition was built on the west of the original build- ing and in 1903 the original structure was torn down and an elegant new three-story structure was ereeted. Land was also purchased on the east and the alley was closed in so as to extend the building, the nurses' home now occupying the east end of the same. During the fiscal year closing May 1, 1904. four hundred and ninety- five cases had passed through the hospital. There are now fifty beds and patients are received with- out regard to creed. the institution being non- sectarian. Since the nurses' school was opened forty-nine nurses have been graduated there- from.

The superintendent of the school is Mary C. Wheeler, who is a native of Brooklyn, New York. and a daughter of Norman W. and Emma S. Van Amringe) Wheeler. The father was born in New York. He was a civil engineer and died in 1899, while his wife passed away in 1876. Their daughter Susan married Henry Howard and is now living in Bath, Maine. Mary C. Wheeler was a student in the public schools of New York city and on the death of her mother she and her sister went to Wisconsin, where they continued to reside for five years, returning to Brooklyn in 1881. In 1885 Miss Wheeler again went to Wisconsin, and became a student in Ripon College, being graduated from that insti-

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tution with the class of 1890. In 1891 she at- tended the THinois Training School for Nurses in Chicago and was graduated in 1893. From that time until 1899 she was superintendent of the Sherman Hospital at Elgin. Illinois, and in the winter of 1897-8 she took a special course at Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1899 she came to Quincy to take charge of Blessing Hospital, where she has since remained. She spent the winter of 1903-4 in New York at Columbia Uni- versity, where she took a special course in hos- pital economies, returning in the spring of 1904 to resmine her position at the head of the nurses' school in Blessing Hospital. She is a member of the Congregational church. She is also a member of the American Society of Superintend- ents of Training Schools for Nurses, the Illinois State Association of Graduate Nurses, the Ripon College Alumni Association, the Thinois Train- ing School Alumni Association, and is an hon- orary member of the Ahunni Association of Blessing Hospital Training School for Nurses.

DAVID E. HOWE.

David E. Howe, deceased, was for many years a resident of Quiney, arriving in the city about 1844, and his activity in business made him well known as a representative of industrial in- terests. He was a painter and decorator of fine woodwork. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, his birth occurred Jannary 5, 1830. his parents being Edward and Sophia ( Bealert) Howe, also natives of Lexington. The father was a wood- worker by trade and followed that pursuit in Lexington during the greater part of his life. Tle died while en route to Quiney and his widow afterward came to this city and made her home with her son David E. at the corner of Eighth and Oak streets. She was married here to George Bowers, who was a prominent citizen of Quincy and both died in this city.

David E. Howe began his edneation in the public schools of Lexington, receiving fair ad- vantages. He was partienlarly fond of music and possessed superior talent in that direction. When his mother removed to Quincy he was a youth of fourteen years and he soon afterward began the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked for a short time. Later he returned to Lexington. Kentucky, to visit his annt and while there he began learning the trade of painting and decorating, doing the fine inside finishing work on houses. He continued to reside in Lex- ington for a few years and then went to San Francisco, California. where he followed his trade for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to the past, but after a short

time he went to the south on account of rheuma- tism and for a year was employed at painting and decorating in New Orleans. He returned to Quiney when twenty-four years of age and en- tered the business circles of this city as a painter and decorator. He continued to follow that busi- ness throughout his remaining days and did the fine interior work on many of the best buildings and residences of this city. He possessed an ar- tistie skill that enabled him to combine coloring and the best workmanship so as to produce the best results and he continuonsly had a liberal and remunerative patronage.

In Liberty township. Adams county, Mr. Howe was married to Miss Mary M. Gordon, also a native of Lexington. Kentucky, born March 24, 1843. In her girlhood days she had been a friend and playmate of Mr. Howe. Iler parents were George and Margaret (Smoot) Gordon, the former a native of Lexington and the latter of Alabama. Both died in Lexington when Mrs. Howe was very young and she came to this county with relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Howe had no children of their own, but they adopted and reared two daughters, Lilly, the wife of Benjamin F. Schenek, a resident of Brookfield, Missouri; and Ida M .. the wife of Frank Jezler, a resident of Quincy.

Mr. Howe gave his political allegiance to the republican party and as every true American citi- zen should do. felt an interest in politics and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but was never an office seeker. He was snecessful in his business because of his trained efficiency and indefatigable enterprise and he continued active in the industrial circles of the city until his last illness, which continued for some time and was terminated in death Feb- ruary 10. 1897. From an early age dependent upon his own resources he had with a full reali- zation that labor is the basis of all success worked on untiringly year after year and at all times was straightforward in his dealings with his fellow- men, never taking advantage of the necessities of others in any business transaction. He thus gained a most enviable reputation and was re- speeted by all with whom he had come in con- tact ITis widow still resides in Quincy.

CHRISTOPHER SEALS.

Christopher Seals, who for fifty-four years has been a resident of Adams county and has oper- ated land of his own since 1853, was born in Cler- mont county, Ohio, February 22, 1831. his par- ents being James and Catherine (Smith) Seals. The father was born November 15. 1786, in Pen- sylvania, and the mother, also a native of that

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state. was born April 10, 1789. His death oceur- red February 1, 1864, while his wife passed away April 15, 1869. Mr. Seals of this review has two sisters and two brothers, who are yet living : Aben, who was born July 23, 1824, and resides in St. Louis, Missouri ; Mrs. Sarah A. Ketchum, who was born May 17, 1825, and lives in Lo- raine : James, who was born March 27, 1833. and makes his home in Loraine: and Rebecca. who was born September 3, 1835, and is living in Mendon township.

Christopher Seals pursued his education in the public schools of Ohio and remained a resident of that state until about twenty years of age, when in 1851, he came to Illinois, settling in Keene township, Adams county, where he has since lived. Hle purchased his first land in 1853 and has since owned good farm property, to which he has added as the years have passed by until he is to-day the owner of a valu- able farm of one hundred and seventy acres lo- eated on seetion 28. Hle also owns a large amount of property in Loraine and has always carried on agricultural pursuits save for a brief period of six years, when he went to Quincy, building Cedar Creek Hotel on Twelfth street. This he eondneted for abont six years. after which he resmned his farming operations. He now lives about one and three-quarters of a mile southeast of Loraine, where he has a comfortable home and a farm that is supplied with all mod- ern equipments and accessories.

On the 17th of Angust, 1851, Mr. Seals was married to Miss Margaret Lukemeyers, who was born October 27, 1836, in Clermont county, Ohio, and died October 3. 1884. They had one child. Rebecca A .. who was born January 24, 1854, and became the wife of Charles Bowles. After his death she married Joseph Cabbage and fol- lowing his demise became the wife of William Richards, her home being now in Quincy. Mr. and Mrs. Seals have also reared an adopted son, who came to their home in infancy and to whom they gave the name of Charles II. Seals. He has now grown to manhood and oeenpies the posi- tion of foreman in the wheel works in Quincy.

Mr. Seals was again married February 26, 1885, his second union being with Kezia MeDon- ald, who was born in Marshall county, Indiana, February 6, 1836.

Mr. Seals has been prominent in the Odd Fel- lows society and was instrumental in organizing the lodge at Loraine. He has served as commis- sioner of highways for several years and is also interested in the publie progress of development and improvement. ITis wife holds membership in the Christian church. Mr. Seals well deserves mention among the honored pioneer settlers of Adams county. for he has long been a witness of its growth and upbuilding. taking an interested

and active part in the work of improvement as far as possible.

JACOB RUDOLPH URECH.

Jacob Rudolph Ureeh, editor and publisher of the Mendon Dispatch, was born in the village of Zofingen, Switzerland. February 21, 1845, his parents being Frederick and Elizabeth Urech. Following the mother's death the father mar- ried again, his second wife being Mary Hardy. Hle was a dairyman, following that business throughout his entire life.

Jacob R. Urech pursned his education in the public schools of his native country, but did not continue his studies long enough to graduate. In 1856 he was employed in a printing office. where he remained until 1860. and afterward served a three-years' apprenticeship to the har- ness-making trade. He left Switzerland for America in company with his parents. August 3. 1854, and their first location was at Ports- month, Ohio, where they remained for two months, during which time Mr. Urech attended his first school in the new world. The family

afterward removed to Louisville, Kentucky, where they remained for about nine months, dur- ing which time Mr. Urech attended school and also worked in a tobacco factory On the expi- ration of that period the family home was estab- lished in Quincy, Illinois, which continued to be the place of residence of the subject of this re- view until February. 1868 when in company with his brother he removed to Payson. There he engaged in the harness business, continuing in that place until April, 1873, when with his family he removed to Mendon. Here he has sinee lived and has long been classed with the most enterprising and progressive residents of the town. He engaged in farming until the fall of 1877, when he secured a position as printer on the Enterprise, the first paper ever published in Mendon. Eventually ho leased this and in the fall of 1877. always preferring the printer's trade, he purchased an outfit. with some financial aid, and established the Mendon Dispatch, which has since had a continuous existence. In Jann- ary, 1884, he sold a half interest in the paper to W. H. MeIntyre, with whom he continued in business until September 1, 1890. when he sold ont to his partner. On the Ist of January. 1899. however, he formed a partnership with his son and they purchased the plant of Mr. MeIntyre and have since edited The Dispatch, which is au excellent country newspaper, having a large eir- eulation.

In February. 1865, Mr. Urech enlisted in de- fense of the Union as a member of Company II.

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One Hundred and Fifty-first lllinois Infantry and remained in service until the following Feb- ruary. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he was elected as supervisor of Mendon township in 1887. serv- ing for one year. In 1866 he became a Mason and now belongs to the Royal Arch chapter and the Order of Eastern Star, having served as patron of the latter for thirteen years. He has filled several offices in the blue lodge and chapter, including those of worshipful master and high priest. Ile was also secretary of both for a num- ber of years and is now filling that position in the chapter. His religious faith is indicated by membership in the Mendon Congregational church.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 87

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