Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 92

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 92

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On the 8th of October, 1882. occurred the marriage of Mr. IIndson and Miss Mary E. Sterrett, a native of Fayette County, Pennsyl- vania, and a daughter of Moses Sterrett, who is still living in that county. One child blessed this union, Alma I., who was born Sept. 9, 1883. and was married Ang. 29, 1901, to Martin Sher- rick, a farmer of Houston township.

The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Hudson belongs to Loraine Lodge No. 641, I. O. O. F. llis political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he has served as school director but has never been active as an office seeker, pre- ferring to give his attention and concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, whereby he has earned a comfortable living.

WILLIAM B. SHEETS.

William B. Sheets. ranking with the distin- quished lawyers of Quincy. started out in life without pecuniary assistance or the aid of in- fluential friends, and by the force of his char- acter, his strong determination, resolute will and close application he has steadily worked his way upward until to-day he is classed as a leader among the younger lawyers practicing at the Quiney bar.

lle was born on a farm in Walton township, Hancock county. Illinois, January 23. 1871. Ilis parents, John and Catherine (Banm) Sheets, were both natives of Germany. They were born on opposite banks of the river Rhine. and be- came acquainted while on, a voyage to the United States. Mr. Sheets had previously come to Ameriea. having first crossed the Atlantic in 1849. at which time he located in Albany, New York. It was after a visit to the fatherland when he was a second time crossing the ocean that he formed the acquaintance of Miss Banm.

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and they were married in New York city in 1856. He first worked at the cabinet maker's trade, but soon after his marriage brought his bride to Illinois and settled ou a farm in llan- cork county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1872. He then sold his first farm and purchased a traet of land in Adams connty, to which he removed the same year, his son. William B., being at that time only a year old. Mr. Sheets was a thrifty and prosperous farmer, never delaying his work. but being seasonable in all that he did. and thereby securing good erops. Realizing the value and benefits of edu- cation he gave his children good advantages in that direction. He had himself enjoyed a liberal education in his native town and felt that in giving good school privileges to his children he furnished them something which could never be taken from them and which would prove as the sure and safe foundation for their success in later life. Hle is now living at the venerable age of eighty years in Loraine, Illinois, and re- reives the veneration and respect of all who know him. In the family were nine children and all are yet living- a remarkable record.

William B. Sheets, the eighth in order of birth. was early instructed in the value of labor. and when a young lad began working upon his father's farm. Between the ages of nine and seventeen years he did half of the work and managed two hundred and twenty acres. From his youth he manifested praciteal aptitude at his studies and special fitness for his books. IFe was able to read well in the first reader when but four years of age and as he advanced in years he applied himself with assiduity to the mastery of the lessons taught in the public schools. Early determining to become a lawyer, his reading was directed largely to this end. After he had completed a district-school course in the Oak Forest school his father allowed him to put out erops for himself when seventeen years of age in order that he might continue his education and prepare for the profession which he had determined to make his life vocation. Ile spent the years 1888. 1889 and 1890 as a stu- dent in the State Normal school and in 1891 in Chaddock College, where he pursued a two years' scientific course. He then continued as a student in the law department and was graduat- ed with the class of 1895. Mr. Sheets was ad- mitted to the Quincy bar in 1895, and in 1900 opened a law office in this city, being now lo- cated at No. 23-24 Stearns building. He has been successful from the beginning. Ilis first case, an action to divide a school district, ex- cited great attention and aroused interest in the young lawyer whose ability was manifest in his able handling of the suit. In 1903 he was a candidate for police magistrate and ran four

hundred and one votes ahead of his ticket. In 1904 he was nominated for city attorney. A thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles make him an ef- fective and successful advocate and will insure him equal rank with the distinguished members of the Quincy bar. Already he is a recognized Jeader among the younger lawyers of Quincy, having gained a prestige which is as desirable as it is admirable and which is the direct result of earnest effort, close application and the ex- ercise of his native talents.

Mr. Sheets is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Court of Honor. His political support is given to the republican party and in citizenship he is publie-spirited and patriotic. He possess marked oratorieal ability, having the power to interest and sway an audi- ence, and in many campaign addresses as well as from the forensic platform he has made tell- ing speeches and elneidated strong arguments that have held the attention of his auditors and carried conviction with them.

TIFE SEYMOUR FAMILY.

The Seymour family is of English descent. Its first respresentative in America was Richard Seymour, who came from Chelmsford. England. in 1635, and settled in Hartford, Connecticut. Various branches of the Seymour family in the I'nited States trace their ancestry directly back to him and among his descendants are those who bear the name in Adams county.

Martin Seymour was born August 24, 1789. in Hartford county, Connecticut, and on the 29th of June, 1814, he was married to Miss Lucy Butler, by whom he had nine children. Finding it diffi- enlt to support his family on a New England farm, in 1835 he came to Illinois where agri- cultural pursuits could be followed to greater advantage. The following year he brought his family to Adams county, and purchased a quar- ter seetion of land in Fall Creek township, which has ever since been known as the Seymour home- stead. The following year he brought his fam- ily to the Mississippi valley, making the journey by way of New York, thence up the Hudson river and across the Erie canal to Buffalo, then down the Ohio canal and the Ohio river to its mouth and up the Mississippi river to Quiney, where they arrived on the 28th of June, 1836. Martin Seymour only lived a few years after coming to the west. passing away November 19. 1842. This wife survived him until September 4, 1845.

Edward Seymour, the eldest son of Martin Seymour, was born in Hartford county. Con-

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nectieut, September 15. 1818, and with his parent came to Illinois. He acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of his native state and was a man of liberal views and large observa- tion. Although he began life with very limited capital he accumulated a large property and at the time of his death was one of the wealthy men of the county. Hle possessed keen business dis- cernment and marked enterprise and his judg- ment was seldom at fault in a transaction. He was strictly straightforward in his dealings and his diligence and perseverance were the founda- tion upon which he builded his prosperity. Po- litically he was a republican and although not a politician in the sense of office seeking. his fel- low townsmen in recognition of his ability sev- eral times elected him supervisor and he served as township treasurer for more than twenty years in Fall Creek township. He was a liberal supporter of the Congregational church at Pay- son, in which he long held membership. Ite never married, but lived with his brother Charles on the old homestead, where he died, July 15, 1904. in the eighty-sixth year of his age.

Charles Willard Seymour, the youngest son of Martin Seymour, was born, in Hartford county, Connecticut, Angust 23. 1834. and was only two years old when brought by his parents to Adams county. He acquired his education in the pub- lic schools of this locality and at the age of six- teen years he entered into partnership with his brother Edward, which relation was maintained up to the time of his death. He was married on the 14th of May, 1863, to Miss Emily C. Kay, a daughter of Robert G. Kay, of Payson, who still survives him. They had five children. of whom four are living, namely : Henry M .; Lyman K. ; Loren B .: and Mrs. Stella M. Starr. Charles Willard Seymour died October 11, 1898, and the community was called upon to mourn the loss of one of its valued and representative citizens. While a man of quiet and unobtrusive disposi- tion his influence was always felt in everything with which he was connected. He was very suc- «essful in business and left a large estate.

Ilenry M. Seymour, the eldest son of Charles Seymour, was born, June 9, 1864, and when not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom he as- sisted in the operation of the home farm, thus gaining both practical and theoretical knowledge of the best methods of farming and stoek-raising. which are necessary for a successful farmer of to-day. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Imey W. Nicholson, the only child of John and Mary Ann ( Gilbert ) Nicholson. They were married August 29, 1895. and have had four children, of whom three are living : Charles Willard, Mary Gaskin and Elizabeth. They attend the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Seymour is a member.

Lyman Kay Seymour, the second son of Charles Seymour, was born. October 2. 1865, and his boyhood days were passed in the usnal man- ner of farm lads, his time being divided between the work of the fileds and attendance at the public schools. He was married on the 1st of February, 1900, to Mrs. Carrie K. Robbins, who died, April 17, 1901, and on the 29th of Septem- ber, 1904, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Agnes Jarrett. of Quincy. He is a member of the Congregational church, in which he has served as treasurer for twelve years.

Henry M. and Lyman K. both have commodi- ous and well kept homes on the old homestead. where they are extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, owning over twenty- seven hundred acres of the best land in Adams and Pike connties besides having charge of about eight hundred acres belonging to other members of the family. They are also engaged in loaning money on real estate. The Seymour family has ever figured in Adams county as among the best citizens within its borders. The influence of its various representatives has ever been on the side of improvement and upbuilding and the work in this direction instituted by the grandfather was carried on by his sons and now finds promoters in the grandsons. The business integrity of the family has always been unassail- able and Henry M. and Lyman K. Seymour are to-day numbered among the reliable and repre- sentative business men of this part of the state.

GEORGE J. SCHLAG.

George J. Schlag, whose position as chief of the fire department of Quiney, in which capacity he has served for fourteen years, entitles him to distinction as one of the representative men of the city. is one of the city's native sons. his birth having here occurred March 8. 1858. Ilis father, John Schlag, arriving in Quincy in 1835, east in his lot with the pioneer settlers who gave an impetus to the progress and upbuilding of the city. largely resulting in its present condition of improvement. He died dur- ing the boyhood days of his son George, who after benefiting by the educational privileges af- forded in the parochial schools, started out to make his own way in life. He was still but a youth when he entered the tobacco factory of Goodman & Heidwich on Fifth and JJersey streets and continued in that service until after the organization of the Gem City Tobacco works. when he entered the new house. Later he was

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for four years employed in the grocery store of Ording & Glass on Twelfth and Maine streets.

Mr. Schlag's connection with the fire depart- ment in which he was always deeply interested dates from Deeember, 1885, when he became a minute man at the No. 1 engine house. The fol- lowing spring he was appointed roundsman and after five years' work in the department was ap- pointed chief engineer May 6, 1891. Tle has sinee occupied that position with the exception of a brief period of a year, when he was retired on account of political reasons. Mr. Schlag seems the embodiment of all that a fireman should be. He is a man of splendid physique and an iron constitution that enables him to en- dure great hardships and exposure. Ile has, too, that element of personal courage which inspires and encourages his men, and added to this he is (miet and calm in the midst of excitement, thus being able to direct the efforts of the men and of the fire apparatus to the best advantage. Great changes and improvements have been made in the fire department since his connection there- with. In 1892 a four-wheel hose cart was pur- chased for No. 6 engine company, replacing a two-wheel cart. In 1896 No. 7 engine house was built and the following year a combination chem- ical engine and hose wagon was purchased for No. 7 company; in 1899 an engine house was built for No. + engine company : in 1900 a double eighty-gallon tank chemical engine was por- chased for No. 2: in 1903 a third size metropoli- tan engine was purchased for No. 7 engine com- pany ; and in 1904 a combination chemical and hose wagon was purchased for No. 5 engine com- pany. so that the department is well equipped with every facility needed for fighting fires. Thirteen men have been added to the force since 1891. so that its membership is thirty-two in active service with fourteen additional minute men. Mr. Schlag is a member of the Interna- tional Association of Fire Engineers, and stand- ing at the head of the Quincy department he has gained much more than local reputation. He is a gentleman of marked force of character and strong purpose who enjoys and receives the friendship and regard of many with whom he has been associated.

REV. MICHAEL WELS.

Rev. Michael Weis, pastor of St. Boniface Catholic church since 1887, and one of the strong- est representatives of the Catholic ministry in Illinois, was born in Bavaria, Germany. June 8, 1838, and is the oldest son of Michael and Ursula

" Nestmann) Weis, who, about 1852, crossed the Atlantic to America with their large family of sons and daughters, Father Weis being at that time thirteen years of age. lle began to earn his livelihood here by working as a farm hand. and, after spending five years in one locality. he secured a similar situation near Teutopolis. Illinois, where he devoted all his leisure hours to study, having become imbued with a desire to enter a field of labor demanding a more largely developed intellectual force. For a year he en- gaged in teaching in the public schools of Tento- polis and spent two years as a teacher in a parochial school at Edwardsville, Ilinois, sub- sequent to which time he was enrolled as a student in St. Joseph's College, at Tentopolis. Three years he studied there and then matrien- lated in the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Canada.

Following his graduation from the latter insti- tution, Father Weis was ordained to the priest- hood at Alton, Illinois, and was assigned to the Church at Vandalia, this state, where his pas- torate covered one year and seven months. He officiated as resident priest of St. Elizabeth's church at Marine, Madison county, Ilinois, for a short time and then entered upon a most suc- eessful work at Effingham, where he spent five years, during which period he erected a fine house of worship. So arduous were his labors during that period that he was forced to seek rest and went to California and later to Min- nesota, being much benefited by the change, and upon his return to Ilinois he became chan- cellor of the diocese of Alton, filling that position until the 1st of January. 1880, when, at his own request, he was sent to Saline, Madison vonnty, Illinois. Ilis next pastorate, covering eighteen months, was at Litchfield, and for five years he was connected with the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, of Springfield. In 1887 he came to Quiney, to take charge of St. Boniface Catholic church, to which he has now ministered for eighteen years.

This church was founded in 1837, with Father Brickwoedde as pastor and was first called The Church of the Ascension of our Lord. In 1839 the property at the corner of Seventh and Maine streets was purchased, the house of worship was built and the name changed to St. Boniface church. In August, 1848. this church was finished and still stands, though it has since been greatly remodeled and additions made thereto. Father Weis erected the beanti- ful parsonage in 1898, is standing in the rear of the church on Seventh street, and is a fine resi- denee. The church has a membership of be- tween four hundred and fifty and five hundred families. St. Boniface school on Seventh and Hampshire streets belongs to this church and the

REV. MICHAEL WEIS

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present school building, four stories high inelud- Ohio river and up the Mississippi to Quincy, ing basement, was built in 1875 and occupied in November of that year, this work being done under the ministry of Father Ostrop. Father Brenner became pastor in 1880 and was sue- eeeded by Father Weis in 1887. He is a man of scholarly attainments, conscientious and zealous in his work, full of sympathy and yet continually looking on the bright side of life, and is respected and beloved by Catholics and Protestants alike.

WILLIAM O. LARIMORE.

William O. Larimore, the owner of a valuable and well improved farm in Payson township, was born May 26, 1863, on his father's farm, about one and one-half miles east of Plainville, his parents being Albert and Julia ( Pottle) Lari- more. The father came from Virginia and was one of the early settlers of Adams county, Ili- nois. In the family are three children, of whom William O. is the eldest. Ilis brother, Edward Norton Larimore, married Miss Winifred Harts- horn and lives one and a half miles east of Plain- ville. Mary is the wife of Frank Penick, an attorney of Quincy, and they have one son. Al- bert

William O. Larimore pursued his education in the common schools of Adams county and in Knox College at Galesburg. Illinois, where for two winter seasons he pursued an English course. He has always carried on general farming and began business on his own aecount on a portion of the farm on which he yet resides. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, Payson township, constituting a splendid farm property, supplied with all modern av- cessories and equipments. He has recently com- pleted a new barn, forty-four by sixty feet, and the other buildings upon his place are substan- tial and of modern appearance. He raises both grain and stock. le feeds cattle and raises hogs and horses, making a specialty of draft and coach horses. He is also engaged in the raising of Aberdeen Angus cattle. He has also dealt in North Dakota land and his speculation in this property has proved profitable. He is a young man of excellent business ability, seldom at fault in matters of judgment and his energy has resulted in bringing him a very gratifying measure of prosperity.

On the 3d of September, 1885, Mr. Larimore was married to Miss Blanch Humphrey, a dangh- ter of William V. and Cinderella Humphrey. The Humphrey family is of English lineage and the father of Mrs. Larimore removed from Lou- doun county, Virginia, to Illinois in 1836, settling near Burton. The journey was made down the

Mr. Humphrey coming to this state in company with his parents, for he was then a lad. By his marriage he became the father of seven chil- dren, all of whom are yet living: Gill M., who married Margaret Yetten, lives in Carthage, Illi- nois, and has two children. Mary E. became the wife of George Potter and after his death mar- ried Thomas Spence, who is also deceased. She now resides in Chicago and has five children. Thomas L. married Susan Eckel, by whom he has four children. and lives in Macomb, Illinois. Alice MI. is the wife of George T. Muhl, of Miami county, Indiana, and they have five children. James is a miner, connected with an assaying company in Arizona. Charley married Clara Wagey, and with their four children they reside in Johnston county, Missouri. Mrs. Larimore is the youngest of the family and she pursued her edneation in the common schools and in a normal school at Macomb, Illinois.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Larimore have been born six children : Humphrey O., born June 25. 1886, who is a graduate of the high school of Payson, and is engaged in teaching in Adams county; Harry W .. who was born Ang. 20.1889, and is attending school: Blanch May, born July 23, 1892: Julia Edna, born Mareh 9, 1896; Aliee, born July 17, 1898, and William Ray, born Jan- mary 9, 1902. Since attaining his majority Mr. Larimore has given his political support to the republican party, and he is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. In his business ca- reer he has made steady progress toward the goal of snecess and his enterprising efforts have classed him with the leading and representative farmers of the county.

JOIN KEEP WEBSTER.

No history of Quiney would be complete with- ont mention of John Keep Webster, one of the most prominent and influential citizens that has ever resided here, his efforts proving of direct benefit to the city and county in public life and business affairs. IIe settled here in the year which witnessed the arrival of Lorenzo Bull, and the two men continued to be close friends until their companionship was terminated in the death of Mr. Webster.

Ile was born in Hartford, Connectient, March 11, 1817. and passed away September 30. 1882. His parents were Ira and Ann Lockwood ( Francis) Webster, the former a native of Hart- ford, Connecticut, and the latter of Burlington, Vermont. The paternal grandfather was an own cousin of Noah Webster. Fra Webster was a graduate of Yale College and had charge

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of the old Webster farm in the east, but merely gave his supervision to agricultural in- terests. le possessed more than ordinary literary tastes and ability and spent many of his most pleasant hours amid the rom- panionship of his books. About 1830 or 1840 he started westward. taking with him a large collection of books and literary matter, which he sold at Fort Dearborn. Ile afterward re- moved from Hartford. Connectient, to Weather- field, Massachusetts, where both he and his wife died.

John Keep Webster was largely a self-edu- cated and self-made man. His parents desired him to attend Yale College, but he preferred to enter the business world and after completing his publie school course he accepted a clerkship in a store at Hartford and later became clerk in a bank there. He followed that pursuit until his removal to the west, locating first at Galena. Illinois, and after a short time going to Spring- field. There he assisted in organizing and was one of the stockholders of the first state bank of Illinois. Ile was thus closely associated with financial interests for a few years, after which he came to Quiney and began in the real estate business here.

Mr. Webster was married in Quincy to Miss Keturah Armstrong Word, a native of Florida, Orange county. New York, born in ISI1, and a daughter of James and Mary Wood, who were also natives of that county and lived there, Mrs. Webster was educated in the best schools of Morristown and New York and received liberal privileges in that direction. She was a great friend of Professor Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. and was present when the first mes- sage was sent over the wires. Her father was a cousin of Governor Wood of Illinois, and she came to Quiney with the governor. She was one of the first school teachers here and taught in an old log schoolhouse, which was situated at what is the corner of Sixth and Maine streets. She also taught music, having considerable talent in that direction, and at the same time being well qualified for her Jabors in the schoolroom. There were six children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Web- ster. of who two are now living. Mrs. Anne W. Roberts, to whom we are indebted for the his- tory of her honored father, she furnishing the material for this sketch, resides in Quincy and has one child. Grave. now the wife of William L. Ellis, a member of the firm of W. L. Ellis & Company. retail dealers in shoes, at No. 128 North Fifth street. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis make their home with Mrs. Roberts. Henry S. is a retired attorney. residing in Brookline, Massachusetts. The four members of the family now deceased are William Wood, John, Thomas and Alice Caroline.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 92

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