Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 91

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 91

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).

Quiney, benefitting by his efforts along many lines, acknowledges her indebtedness to him for his efforts in connection with the Public Library Association, of which he has long been the presi- dent. He was also president of the Graceland Cemetery Association and treasurer

and trustee of the Anna Brown Home for the Aged, also a director of the Associated Charities, and a generous supporter of many worthy causes for the benefit of the needy and for the upbuilding and improvement of the city. In the years of a long, active and useful life, there has been no esoterie phase in his career, for public service. social relations and private business interests have been actuated by high and honorable mo- tives.

WILLIAM O. POWELL.

William O. Powell is the owner of a fine farm on section 31, Gihner township. Ile was born March 11, 1858. His father, Joseph Powell, was a native of Delaware and came to Illinois in 1832, establishing his home on section 31, Gilmer township, where he purchased land from the gov- ernment at the usual price of one dollar and a

537

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

quarter per aere. He at onee began to cultivate the land and continued its improvement for a long period. At the age of thirty-seven he was married to Miss Phoebe Boddy. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Boddy, who came to Ilinois from Delaware and settled in Ellington town- ship. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born eleven children : Mary, Sarah A. Roxanna, Jossee W., Jason, Laura, Joshua, Susan A., Mark. William O., and Martha. Of this number Jason is now deceased. Throughout his entire life the father carried on general farming and also raised stock and was well known at an early day as a reliable and trustworthy representative of agricultural interests.

William O. Powell was reared to farm life in his boyhood days. The ocenpation which then claimed his attention he has made his sonree of income since attaining to man's estate and he now owns a fine farm in Giher township, where he has richly eultivated fields and raises fine stock There are good improvements upon the place and he has equipped it with all modern accessories.

On the 26th of October, 1887. Mr. Powell was married to Miss Clara Yeargain who was born in Gilmer township in 1863, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs M. M. Yeargain, who now reside in Gilmer township. Three children have blessed this marriage : Edna M., Muriel and Mabel, all at home. Mr. Powell gives his political support to the republican party, and although he has never sought or desired office he keeps well in- formed on the issnes of the day and takes an in- terest in politics, as every true American eitizen should do. He belongs to the Methodist Epis- opal chureh.

JOHN L. ENSMINGER.

.John L. Ensminger, who is engaged in general farming on section 3. Lima township, was born in Hancock county, January 5, 1849. He is a son of Philip and Elizabeth Jane ( Wilson ) Ens- minger. The father was born in Maryland. .July 17, 1819. a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Stam) Ensminger, and when very young was taken to Virginia, while at the age of eight years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana. He there remained nntil twenty years of age, when he became a resident of Illinois, lo- eating in Lima. His wife's parents had come to this state in 1832, and he and Mrs. Ensminger were married in Adams county. After living in Lima for some time, Philip Ensminger removed to Warsaw, where he studied law. being admitted to the bar. In 1849 he went to California. where he remained until 1854. TIe then returned home

and in 1859, again attracted by the discovery of gold, he started for Pike's Peak, but never reached his destination and returned to this state. The following year, however, he went to Pike's Peak. On the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the union army in 1861 and re- mained for three years as a defender of the old Hag and the eanse it represented. Ile joined the army as a sergeant of Company G. One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, and when mus- tered out he held the rank of commander. having been promoted in recognition of his faithful and meritorions service on the field of battle. Dur- ing the time he was in California he was elected district judge, filling that office at a period when there was much danger attached to defensive jus- tiee because of the lawless element that had been attracted to the Pacific coast, with the discovery of gold and the opportunity that it gave the criminal class to gain booty through unlawful means. Following his service in war, Mr. Ens- minger returned to his home in Adams county and spent his remaining days upon his farm. ITis was an eventful life in many respects and he was connected with many experienees which have left their impress upon the history of the country. He died in February, 1880, and his wife passed away in April, 1897.

John L. Ensminger was edneated in the public schools of Haneoek county but his opportunities in that direction were limited for his father and elder brother were in the army and much of the work and management of the home farm de- volved upon him. On leaving home, in 1873. he purchased fifty aeres of land where he now lives and as his financial resources have increased he has added to this property until he now has one hundred and ninety aeres of very rich and arable land. Here he carries on general farming and has also been engaged in threshing for forty years, now operating two threshing outfits

On the 28th of December. 1870, Mr. Ensmin- ger was married to Miss Roxanna Stone, of Adams county, a daughter of Charles and Susan ( Lutman) Stone. Her father was a farmer hnt at the time of the Civil war he left the plow and went to the front in defense of his eonntry. serving with the Union army until 1863, when he gave his life for the cause of human liberty. Mrs. Ensminger died in February, 1879. leaving two children: Edward and Charles. The for- mer, born October 30. 1874, is now engaged in merchandising in Marcelline: Charles, born Oc- tober 15, 1876, married Julia Carroll and resides near his father's farm. For his second wife John Ensminger chose Eva M. Gallemore, a daughter of Nash and Rachel ( Yonng) Galle- more, who were residents of Lima township but are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ensminger were married in 1883, and unto them have been born

538

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

five children: Nellie, born November 30, 1887; Edith, born September 3, 1889; John L., born July 24, 1891: Jennie born February 28, 1897; and Freddie, born March 31, 1904.

Mr. Ensminger votes with the democratie party. He has served as school director for fif- teen years, was justiee of the peace and notary publie for fifteen years, commissioner ten years, assessor one year, and collector for two years. In all of these offices he has been most true to duty and capable in the discharge of the tasks that have devolved upon him. He has been a Mason since 1873. belonging to Lima lodge, No. 135. His wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant church Mr. Ensminger deserves great eredit for what he has accomplished in his business career, for every dollar that he pos- sesses has been earned through honest labor. He has worked very persistently, overcoming many difficulties and obstacles in his path, and as the years have advanced he has added to his capital until he is now one of the substantial citizens of his community.

HENRY B. DINES.

Henry B. Dines, financially interested in vari- ous business concerns of Quincy and actively en- gaged in the real estate and insurance business as the senior member of the firm of Dines & Orr, and also as the secretary of the Gem City Build- ing and Loan Association, was born in Knox county, Missouri, September 24, 1844. his parents being John W. and Nancy O. ( Murphy) Dines, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. The Dines family is supposed to be of English lineage. William Dines, the grand- father, was born in England and, with his father, came to America abont the beginning of the nine- teenth century, locating near Fredericksburg, Maryland. There he resided for a number of years, and about 1837 became a resident of Mis- souri. In his family were five sons: Rev. Tyson Dines. a prominent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, who was pastor of a church of that denomination in Quincy in the '40s: Thomas, who was engaged in merchandis- ing in Shelbyville, Missouri, and later in Illinois, and whose son. Tyson, is a prominent lawyer of Denver and attorney for the Colorado Southern Railway Company: John W .; Joseph, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth. and Henry W., who died in Texas.

John Wesley Dines, father of our subject. was a farmer by occupation and was accidentally killed by a runaway horse at the age of sixty-

eight years. His wife reached the age of sixty- seven year. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom Henry is the eldest living, the others being Mary E., the wife of D. B. Pritch- ard of Shelby county, Missouri : Amanda E., the wife of Colonel John W. Hersey of Chicago ; Ellen, the wife of Clay Balthrope of Kansas; Nance, the wife of John W. Freeman of Okla- homa : James Tyson, who is living in Shelby county, Missouri; John W. of Oklahoma ; Ollie, the wife of Edgar Taylor of Shelbyville, Mis- souri ; Ida M., who resides in Danville, Illinois; William, who died at the age of eight years, and Joseph C., who died at the age of twenty-two vears.

Henry B. Dines began his education in the pub- lic schools of Shelbyville, Missouri, and also at- tended a high school of that town, conducted under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church. He engaged in teaching school in early manhood and afterward turned his attention to merchandising in Shelbyville, Missouri, continu- ing his operations there from 1866 until 1878. In the latter year he embarked in journalism as a publisher of the Shelby County Herald, which he conducted for ten years, when he sold his property and came to Quiney, entering the real estate and insurance business, in which he has since continued. He is now the senior member of the firm of Dines & Orr, his partner being Mathew S. Orr. He is likewise secretary of the Gem City Building and Loan Association, which was organized in 1889, at which time he was chosen for the official position which he yet ocen- pies. He is president and treasurer of the Quincy Egg Carrier Company, the secretary and treas- urer of the Quincy Elevator Gate Company. Thus connected with various business interests which have important bearing upon the commer- vity activity of the city, he is now classed with the representative men of Quiney and, moreover, his reputation is one which will bear the closest investigation and serntiny, for he has always been a strict adherent of high commercial ethics, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction.

Mr. Dines proved his loyalty to the government at the time of the Civil war by enlisting as a member of Company B, Second Provisional Regi- ment of Missouri, as a bugler. He served from January until November in that company and was afterward with Company G of the Seventieth Regiment of the Missouri State Militia as first sergeant, and, after serving for four months, he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. lu community interests he was also prominent and influential in Shelbyville, and his fitness for leadership and devotion to the public good were recognized in his selection to several positions. He was justice of the peaee for eight years and

H. B. DINES

541

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

was afterward chosen mayor, giving to the city a business-like. practical and progressive admin- istration. After the close of the Civil war he be- rame an advocate of republican principles, but in 1874 severed his allegiance with the party, and has since been praetieally independent in poli- ties. although he is a stanch advocate of prohibi- tion principles. His vote. however, is cast inde- pendent of party ties. JJe is a member of the Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal church. is most active and energetic in its work, is now serving as president of the Board of Trustees and for eighteen years he was superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school at Shelby- ville. His social relations connect him with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Ilenry B. Dines was married on the 13th of June. 1867, to Miss Mattie L. Duncan, a daughter of John S. and Matilda Lyne) Duncan. Their children are: Etta C .. who is a teacher of voice culture in Sullin's College at Bristol. Virginia ; Nellie : Flora M .: Homer D., who wedded May Diekson and is private speretary to Judge Scott of the supreme court : Lloyd L. and C. Ross, who are students in the Northwestern University. Mr. Dines commands the uniform confidence and re- spect of all with whom he has been associated. His life has been one of continuous aetivity. in which has been accorded due recognition of labor ; and to-day he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. Ilis interests are thor- oughly identical with those of the northwest, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co- operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonder- ful development.

FRANKLIN M. McCANN.

In this enlightened age when men of industry and energy are constantly pushing their way to the front those who have gained success may properly claim recognition. In the professions, especially, advancement is seeured only through individual merit, and the elements of a success- ful career at the bar are strong intellectuality, thorough preparation. unremitting diligence and close application. Possessing all these requisites Franklin M. McCann has won for himself an honorable name and place as a legal practitioner in Quiney.

A native of Columbus. Adams county. Illinois, Mr. MeCann was only a few months old when his parents removed to this city. where he has sinee resided. His father. Wesley D. MeCann, was a native of Kentucky and on emigrating to Illinois settled first at Columbus, Adams county.

which then gave promise of rapid growth and future importance. Quincy was but a small vil- lage, but soon it forged ahead of Columbus, and seeing that it was destined to be the greater of the two places Wesley D. MeCann came to this city, where he continued to reside until his life's labors were ended in death. It has been said of him that he was a strong character in every way and while he was unostentatious in all of his methods he left the impress of his individuality upon the community by reason of his personal character and upright life. Ile never tolerated dishonorable methods and in all of his dealings with his fellowmen was strictly honorable, never being known to take advantage of a single indi- vidual. The poor and needy found in him a warm and helpful friend, while in his family he was a devoted husband and father and to his wife and children left the priceless heritage of an untarnished name Ilis widow still resides at the old family home on East Maine street in Quincy, where through long years she has made her home, enjoying the esteem and friendship of many with whom she has been brought in con- taet.

Franklin M. McCann. having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Quiney, pursued his more specific literary course in Illinois College at Jacksonvile, where he was graduated with high honors. With broad gen- eral learning to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge he took up the study of law assid- nously, applied himself to the mastery of its fundamental principles and when twenty-four years of age secured admission to the bar after successfully passing the required examinations. He then entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, to which he has given his undivided attention. The law is a jealous mistress and wishes no half-hearted loyalty and Mr. MeCann has throughout the years of his connection with the Quiney bar devoted his energies unremit- tingly to the building up of a good patronage. His allegiance to his clients' interests is pro- verbial and he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and precision, while in their pres- entation before court or jury he shows a clear- ness of thought, a logieal arrangement and a thorough understanding of the points at issues and of the law applicable to them so that he never fails to make a strong impression upon those who listen to his arguments and seldom fails to win the verdict desired.

In 1893 occurred the marriage of Franklin MI. McCann and Miss Luella Adams. of Topeka. Kansas, and they now have two children : Edith Adams and Franklin Adams McCann. They oc- cupy a prominent social position and Mr. Me- Cann possesses the qualifications that give him

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ready entrance into social circles. having a genial nature and a fund of humor which supplements a strong and determined character and resolute will that makes him unfaltering in support of his honest convictions or any position which he deems to be right.

WILLIAM HENRY JUDY.

William Henry Judy, an enterprising grain merchant of Coatsburg, was born in Gilmer township, October 8, 1847. Ilis father, William Judy, was a native of Kentucky, living in Gal- latin county until about twenty-five years of age, when he came to Illinois and settled in Gilmer township, Adams county, where he ear- ried on general farming and stoek raising, be- ing one of the pioneer residents of this part of the state, and aiding largely in early agricul- tural development. As he entered the land from the government not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, but he soon broke the soil, planted the seed. and in course of time harvested good crops. Ile was soon recognized as one of the leading farmers of his community, worthy of all respect. Ile had two brothers who came to Adams county in 1835-P. G. and P. S. JJudy. They, too, at- cumulated large tracts of land and became rep- resentative agriculturists of this part of the state. William Judy is one to whom the county owes a debt of gratitude for what he did in promoting the pioneer development, for he aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this part of the state. He married Miss Mary A. Lawless, who was born in Grant county, Ken- tucky, in 1823, and came to Illinois with her parents in a wagon drawn by oxen, the family settling in Gilmer township. She became the wife of Mr. Judy in July, 1845, and two years later his death occurred. Mrs. Judy is still liv- ing and she can relate many interesting inci- dents of the pioneer days. When the family came to Adams county, the journey across the Ohio river was made in a flatboat, Mrs. Judy being at that time twelve years of age. The only hotel in Quiney was then a log building under the hill. When her father planned to build a house he had to put up a pole in order to mark the site. for there were no land-marks of any kind around The little building was constructed of logs, had a puncheon floor and clapboard door and roof. The cracks between the logs were filled with mud and there was no plaster. It was necessary to go to Quincy for the mail and the now beautiful city was then a mere hamlet. There was no paper published

there and few business enterprises had been es- tablished. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Judy located on a farm, and after her hus- band's death she returned with her little son. William Henry Judy, to her father's home. She is still living at the advanced age of eighty- two years.

William Henry Judy attended the district schools in his early boyhood and continued his studies in the public schools and high school of Quincy. Following the completion of his edu- cation he returned home and began teaching in the public schools of the county, entering upon this work at the age of sixteen years. During the summer months he worked upon the home farm and employed a man to aid in the farm work throughout the remainder of the year. He continued teaching in connection with his ag- ricultural interests until thirty-nine years of age, when he went to Kansas for his health. While there he formed the acquaintance of Effa May Lillie, and they were married. They re- turned to Illinois, settling in Honey Creek township. They lived upon the home farm until 1901. and then established their home in Coats- burg, where he engaged in the hay and grain business, meeting with excellent success in this undertaking. Unto Mr. and Mrs. JJudy were born four children: Ethel M., Inez K., William Blaine and Albert S.

Mr. Judy was prominent in republican cir- «les and served on the central committee. He acted as school director and filled other local offiees and could have had any office within the gift of his fellow townsmen, but his ambitions were not in the direction of political prefer- ment. The cause of education found in him a warm friend and he was an advocate of any- thing that tended to promote the moral develop- ment of his community. At one time he owned one hundred and twenty acres of land northwest of Coatsburg, but sold that place on his removal to the village. He had a wide acquaintance in the county where almost his entire life was spent and where he had so lived and directed his efforts that he retained the friendship and regard of those with whom he was associated from his boyhood days. Mr. Judy died Jan. 16, 1905, his remains being interred in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Gilmer township.

JACOB EBERT.

Jacob Ebert, deceased, became a resident of Quiney about 1853 and was for many years a well known contractor of the city. He was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, November 24, 1827,

543

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

his parents being John and Katherine Ebert, both of whom were natives of Germany.

Jacob Ebert acquired a good education in the best schools of Wurtemberg and afterward left for America with his sister. making his way di- reet to Palmyra, Missouri, where he arrived in 1853. There he commenced business as a eon- traetor and followed that pursuit in Palmyra for a few years, after which he removed to Quincy, Illinois. Ile was thus employed here for several years when he removed to Bushnell, Illinois, where he was engaged in the grain trade for six months, but again he returned to Quincy and engaged in business as a stone contractor. Ile assisted in the erection of many of the important buildings of Quiney and was one of the contrac- tors on the Adams county courthouse. He was also foreman in building the Governor Wood mansion and many others of the best structures of the city. He continued in active identifica- tion with the building operations of Quincy until his death, which occurred very suddenly, after a brief illness of nine days, on the 25th of No- vember. 1882.

Mr. Ebert was married in Quiney to Miss Mary Schaefer, a native of Germany, born July 28. 1836, and a daughter of Wendell and Eva : Daum) Schaefer, both of whom were natives of Germany and were among the early settlers of Quincy.

Mr. Ebert gave his political allegiance to the republican party, but never sought or desired of- fice. Ile was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and belonged to the German Methodist Episcopal church, taking a very active and helpful interest in church work and doing all in his power to promote the growth and ex- tend the influence of his denomination. Mrs. Ebert also belongs to the same church. She re- sides at No. 717 North Sixth avenue. Mr. Ebert was a resident of Quiney during the period of its greatest development and belonged to that class of representative men whose worth in citizenship and interest in the public life are demonstrated by active service in behalf of many measures which contributed to the general good.

WILLIAM HUDSON.

William Hudson, who carries on general farm- ing about three and a half miles southeast of Loraine, was born May 5, 1847. in Jefferson County. Tennessee, and is a son of William and Nancy, ( White) Hudson, who were also natives of the south. The father died June 2. 1868, and the mother has also passed away. William Hud- son was reared in his native state until the age of twenty-one years. and during that time ae-

quired his eduration in the public schools of Tennessee.

He came to Adams County in 1868, abont the time he attained his majority, and settled in Honey Creek township. where he lived until 1870, when he took up his abode in Keene town- ship. Ile always followed farming in this coun- ty and his farm now comprises a quarter section of land about three and a half miles southeast of Loraine. This he keeps in excellent condition and his labors have wrought a marked transfor- mation in the appearance of the place, which is now equipped with modern accessories and good buildings, while well kept fences divide the farm into fields of convenient size. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, he raises some fruit.

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 91

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