Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 93

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 93

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Mr. Webster continued to engage in real es- tate operations in Quiney throughout his ro- maining days, largely dealing in city property. Ile negotiated many important transfers and had a large clientage, doing a business which resulted in gratifying success. He died Septem- ber 30, 1852, while his wife passed away in Isss. Not only as a business man, but also because of his acitvity in public affairs was he well known and his value to the city demonstrated, insti- tuting many needed reforms and improvements and winning high encomium from all classes of people because of his effective effort in promot- ing the general good. In politics he was a re- publican, but at local elections he voted for the men rather than party. Both he and his wife attended the Presbyterian church and likewise contributed generously to the support of the church. In his business affairs he anticipated the growth of the city and so conducted his interests as to profit thereby and at the same time he belonged to that class of representative business men whose individual business efforts likewise prove of value in promoting the general prosperity and improvement of their respective localities. Mrs. Roberts owns a residence at No. 1800 Grove avenue, where she and her daughter reside.

THADDEUS MAXON ROGERS.

When Quiney was a pioneer village on the Mississippi river, when the entire state of Illi- nois was largely unsettled and when the greater part of the traffic and travel were by means of water transportation, the Rogers family estab- lished their home here. Thaddeus Maxon Rogers being at that time but three years of age. He continued a resident of the city until his death, sixty years later, and his interests for many years were closely allied with the industrial and commercial development of the city, while an ever-widening acquaintance and growing friend- ship bore testimony of his worth as a man and citizen.

A native of Somersville, Connecticut, Mr. Rog- ers was born Angust 20. 1835, his parents being Timothy and Dorothy ( Billings ) Rogers, also na- tives of Somersville, wheure they removed to Illinois in 1838, attracted by the opportunities of the great and growing western country. They traveled by wagon, after the primitive manner of the times, an! eventually reached Quincy. Mr. Rogers had very little money. but by untir- ing industry and strict economy he at length se- cured capital sufficient to enable him to estab- lish a small wagon factory. Ilis business soon increased and in course of time his plant became one of the largest in the state. He was the

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

manufacturer of what was well known in those days as the "Rogers wagon," which won the first prize at the Philadelphia centennial. Ile engaged in the business here for many years and was then succeeded by his sons. W. T. and E. A. Rogers, after which he lived a retired life, enjoying a rest made pleasant through the com- forts that came to him as the result of his earn- est toil and careful management in former years. He passed away January 6, 1888, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, having con- tributed his full share to the industrialism which upbuilded the city and proved the foundation of its present prosperity. His wife survived him until November, 1892. One of their sons, William T. Rogers, was mayor of Qniney for a few years. Only one of their children is now living, Edward A. Rogers, who is engaged in the real estate business here.

Thaddeus Maxon Rogers was provided with liberal educational privileges, his preliminary pourse being supplemented by study in the Mich- igan State University, at Ann Arbor, after which his parents sent him abroad to Heidel- burg, where he attended lectures for four years. Returning to America he entered upon the prac- tice of law, for which his scholarly attainments and specific education along the line of jurispru- dence, well qualified him. After a short time, however, he turned his attention to the printing business, establishing the firm of T. M. Rogers & Company, under which name the business is still conducted by his sons The firm did all kinds of printing and at one time Mr. Rogers owned and published the Quiney Daily News. He engaged in the printing business for many years and was financially interested therein until his death, al- thongh in later years his sous relieved him of the active management and he began traveling, vis- iting all parts of the United States, Europe, Cuba and Mexico. During that time he acted as correspondent to the Quincy newspapers and his widow now has a large serap-book filled with these accounts of his journeys. He gained that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring, and his facility of expression made him a most entertaining writer.

Mr. Rogers was married in Qniney to Miss Anna Nance, a daughter of Clement and Par- melia ( Watson) Nance, also early settlers of Adams county, establishing their home in pio- neer times in the village of Columbus, where Mr. Nance entered into partnership with Timo- thy Castle, in the mercantile business, in which he continued for many years, meeting with ex- cellent snecess. He then removed to Quiney, re- tiring from active business life, and both he and his wife died here. They, too, were prominent pioneer people with a wide acquaintance among the best citizens of the county. Unto Mr. and

Mrs. Rogers were born nine children: Isabelle and John, who are residents of St. Louis; Genevra, living in Brookfield. Missouri; Walter (". and Charles T., at home: Thaddeus M., of Quincy ; Ella A., who is living with her mother ; Aline Blanche, who died in infancy, and Rich- ard Nance, who died at the age of sixteen years. The three sons living in Quiney have charge of and own the printing plant of T. M. Rogers & Company.

After traveling for several years Mr. Rogers returned to this city. He had been very sne- cessful in his business undertakings and had in- vested largely in property here. Giving over his business to the eare of his sons, he lived re- tired until his death, which occurred very sud- denly. December 7. 1898. He was prominent and influential in public affairs and at one time was candidate for the office of representative, while several times he represented his ward in the city council, giving tangible proof of his devo- tion to the general welfare by his championship of progressive measures. He was a very stanch republican, aetive in the work of the party, and frequently delivered addresses, expounding its principles. In connection with Mr. Emery he founded the Ilistorieal Society of Quincy and was deeply interested in the matter of preserv- ing the early records of the city and county. He was himself, by reason of his long residence here and his activity in business and public life, largely familiar with the events which constitute the annals of this part of the state and was one hose influences and labors proved no unimpor- tant element in advancing general progress. He and his family were members of the Unitarian church. Mrs. Rogers owns a beautiful residence at No. 2203 Spring street, where she and her blocks in the city. The family are prominent in social circles of Quincy and following in their children reside, and she also has several business father's footsteps, the sons are contributing to good citizenship and connnercial prosperity in their native city.

GEORGE MeADAMS.

George MeAdams is one of the most enter- prising business men in U'rsa, where he is en- gaged in the grain trade. He is also one of the land owners of the county. having valuable property. He was born July 8, 1863, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Taylor) Me- Adams. The farther was born in Kentucky, January 14, 1817, and came to Adams county, Illinois, in Inne 1837. being at that time a young man of twenty years. He was married in 1840 to Miss Taylor, who was born in Nicho-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

las county, Kentucky, June 7. 1819. There were born to them nine children, four sons and five daughters, but only two sons are now liv- ing, George and John, the latter a resident of Quincy. The father became an energetic and successful farmer of Adams county and was the owner of three hundred acres of rich land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, mak- ing it one of the best farms of this locality. He died in January. 1892, while his wife died in 1879. He was survived by one brother, Nathan McAdams, who is living in the village of I'rsa.

George MeAdams attended the public schools and later was a student in Carthage College and also the Gem City Business College. He was with his father until the latter's death in 1892 and has since engaged in the grain business in Ursa, annually handling large amounts of grain and making extensive shipments. He also owns two hundred and eighty acres of fine land of which one hundred acres are situated at Rock Creek Station, while one hundred and eighty acres adjoin Ursa on the east. This land he rents and it returns to him a good income. In 1894 he removed to Quiney, where he remained for nine years, and during four years of that time he served as county treasurer and also su- perintended his grain business in Ursa and man- aged his farm interests, He was a member of the county board for eight years prior to 1894.

Mr. MeAdams was married to Miss Blanche Leachman, of Adams county, a daughter of James and Imey (Selby) Leachman. Her fath- er died in February, 1891, and her mother's death occurred in December, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. McAdams are the parents of two children, Chauneey, born in January. 1896; and Lucile, børn December 13, 1897.

Mr. MeAdams is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and in polities he is a democrat, interested in the welfare of his party and doing all in his power to promote its sne- cess and upbuilding. He is popular among his fellowmen because of his publie spirited inter- est in the general welfare and because of the many admirable traits which are manifest in his social relations.

WILLIS HASELWOOD.

On the roster of county officials in Adams county there has appeared no name that has been associated with more honorable service than that of Willis Haselwood, deceased, who held the of- fice of county clerk for a quarter of a century. He was one of the best known citizens of the county, the Haselwoods having located here in

pioneer times. Other members of the family aided in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this part of the state, and the work which they instituted he continued, being the champion of every progres- sive measure that he deemed would prove of practical benefit in the permanent development of western Illinois.

Mr. Haselwood was born in Payson township. September 8, 1838, and was the second son and child in a family of eight children, whose parents were James and Elizabeth (Buskirk ) Haselwood. In both the paternal and maternal lines he came of Irish lineage, but several generations of the Ilaselwood family have been represented in America, for the grandfather, John Haselwood, was born in Kentucky, in which state his father had located at an early epoch in its development. Both his father and mother were natives of Grant county, Kentucky, and the year 1836 witnessed their arrival in Adams county, Ilinois, at which time they took up their abode upon a farm in Payson township. where James Haselwood ear- ried on general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death on the 16th of September, 1867. His widow afterward removed to the village of Payson, where she purchased a home and continued to reside until her death. She was born August 8. 1814, and she was a daughter of Thomas Buskirk. Five of their children are yet living, two sons occupying farms in Payson township, while another son, William, is in Oklahoma: and one son, Perry, in Knox City, Missouri; while a daughter, Mrs. Mary Emily Shield, resides in La llarpe, Ilinois.

Willis Haselwood was reared upon the home farm and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the district schools of the neighbor- hood and after completing the branches of study constituting its curriculum he became a student in Berean College at Jacksonville. When he had completed his course there he engaged in teaching in the country schools and also assisted his father upon the home farm until 1873. when he was elected to office, being chosen county clerk of Adams county. Because of this he removed to Quiney and was thereafter a resident of this city. Hle continued the ineumbent in the office for a quarter of a century or until his health failed him, when he retired from the position. and as he had already personally invested in considerable property he began dealing in real estate in Quincy. and to his operations in that line devoted his energies until his death. Ile owned much valuable property in Quiney and also farming lands in the county and became very well-to-do. lle was a man of resourceful busi- ness ability. active and energetic in all of his business cares and duties, and he became well

Mirei Wavelword

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

known in connection with various important in- dustries and financial interests of Quiney. He was the vice president of the Rieker National Bank of Quiney for many years and was also president of the Gem City Building and Loan Association and of the W. L. Distin lee and Produce Company. Ile possessed strong pur- pose and unfaltering determination and those qualities proved resultant factors in winning him very desirable prosperity.

On the 14th of October, 1858, Mr. Haselwood was married in Payson to Miss Olive S. Bean, a native of Payson township and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Tibbets) Bean, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Maine. They were married in Ohio and in 1831 removed to Adams county, settling upon a farm in Payson township, where the father carried on agricul- tural pursuits until his death. He was one of the worthy pioneer residents and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and upbuilding of this portion of the

state. Into Mr. and Mrs. Haselwood were born five children : Lucy E., Sherman A. and Edith, all three deeeased : Margaret Z., now the wife of Morris Ketten and a resident of Denver, Colo- rado : and Willis II., who also resides in Denver. where he is temporarily engaged in newspaper work at this writing.

Mr. Haselwood's political position was never an equivocal one. He was ever fearless in up- holding his honest views and, keeping well in- formed on all questions and issues of the day, he was enabled to support his political position by intelligent argument. A democrat in politics he did everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party, and while living in Payson township he served as justice of the peace and was also assessor and collector, while in Quiney he served as a member of the board of education and for a quarter of a century capably filled the office of county treas- urer, carefully managing the financial interests and accounting with accuracy for every cent in- trusted to his care. He was a valued member of several fraternal organizations, belonging to Pay- son lodge, No. 379, A. F. & A. M. : Quincy chap- ter, No. 5, R. A. M. and several insurance 80- cieties, together with the Farmers' Benevolent Association. As the years passed he gained the wealth which is the direct outcome of carefully managed business interests, supplementing ex- cellent executive ability and keen discriminating judgment. He became a wealthy man and was prominent throughout the county, for he pos- sessed also those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command confidence and regard. Ilis widow now owns a beautiful home at No. 403 South Sixteenth street. where they

had lived for many years. She. too, has many friends in the city and like her husband has been popular with those who know her. The life record of Mr. Haselwood may well serve as an example to others who desire to achieve snecess and simultaneously win an honorable name.

DAVID PERCY STRICKLER.

David Perey Strickler, a lawyer of Quincy, was born at Mendon in 1878 and although yet a young man he has given proof of superior le- gal qualifications that argue well for a success- ful future marked by consecutive progress. His father, Clark Striekler, was horn in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1833, and was of Ger- man lineage. In 1837 he was brought to Adams county by his father, David Strickler, who lo- cated in Houston township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. During the period of the Civil war. however, he engaged in merchandising at York Neck in Houston township, and later he resumed farm- ing, in which vocation he continued until about ten years prior to his death, when he retired to Mendon. There he again engaged in merchan- dising. this time being associated with his son Orville. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party during the troublons period that preceded the Civil war and after the ces- sation of hostilities he became a democrat. Sev- eral times he served as supervisor of Mendon township and held other local positions, the du- ties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He married Julia Sproat. who was born in Adams county, Ilinois, in 1841, a daugh- ter of Perey Sproat, who removed to this county from the Empire state about 1835, locating in Mendon township. Clark Strickler 1895, while his wife passed away in 1883. They died in were the parents of three children: Orville, who is engaged in merchandising in Mendon: Minnie MI., the wife of Charles Il. Nutt, a mer- chant of Mendon ; and David P.

In the public schools David Perey Strickler began his education and advanced through suc- cessive grades until he had completed the course in the Mendon high school. Ile afterward en- tered Whipple Academy, the preparatory de- partment of the Illinois College at. Jacksonville. and subsequently pursued therein a collegiate course. Thus he had broad literary knowledge to serve as a basis for his preparation for the bar. He entered the law department of the Northwestern University at Chicago in 1898 and after spending a year in that institution ma- trienlated in the law department of the Univer- sity of Michigan at An Arbor, Michigan. in

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

1899 and was graduated with the class of 1901. He thereafter entered npon practice in Quincy, forming a partnership with Louis II. Schroeder, which relation was voitinned until 1903, since which time Mr. Strickler has practiced alone with snecess, having offices at 2341. North Fifth street. He belongs to the Quiney Bar Associa- tion and he has won the respect of his fellow practitioners by reason of his strict conformity to a high standard of professional ethics and the capability with which he controls the liti- gated interests intrusted to him. lle also has agricultural interests, being part owner of a farm of three hundred and five aeres in Men- don township.

Mr. Strickler was married September 8. 1904. to Miss Edith Sinclair Rice, a daughter of Dr. J 11. and Mary (Sinclair) Rice. She was born in Niantie. Illinois, in 1879, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and to the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a mem- ber of the Delta Chi. a law fraternity of the Uni- versity of Michigan. Ilis political allegiance is given to the democracy.

JJOSEPH IL VANDEN BOOM.

Joseph H. Vanden Boom, whose energy and enterprise have been felt as a stimulating factor in the expansion and successful conduct of va- rious commercial and industrial interests of Quiney, and who is therefore classed with its prominent business men, was born here in 1854. His parents. C. A. and Gertrude ( Yessing! Van- den Boom, were married in Germany, their na- tive country, and in 1847 came from Prussia to the United States, locating first at Cincinnati, where he remained until abont 1850, when he moved to Quiney. The father was a wood turner by trade and on his arrival in Quiney established a furniture factory on Tenth and Broadway, first utilizing horse power and later steam power. He conducted the business until about 1869. when he sold out and turned his attention to pork packing. in partnership with Henry Blomer, un- der the firm name of Vanden Boom & Blomer. They were associated in this business until about 1883, when the senior partner withdrew and lived retired until his death in 1885, having acquired a handsome competence through his well directed efforts in former years. His political support was given the democracy and he was several times elected on that ticket alderman for the Sixth ward. In municipal affairs he was deeply inter- ested and his co-operation could be counted upon to foster any progressive publie movement. He

lost his first wife in 1861 and in 1862 he married Elizabeth Ellers. He had seven children by each marriage. Those living of the first union are: Henry : Louisa, widow of Henry Moller: JJoseph Il .: Lizzie, wife of F. Wolf; and Pauline M., wife of Nicholas Wand. The living children of the second marriage are: Mary, wife of George Einhaus: Barney: Mrs. Gertrude Freiburg ; Willie : Mrs. Anna Meller : and Mrs. Katie Able.

Joseph Vanden Boom began his edneation in the parochial schools and afterward attended Bryant & Stratton Business College, being graduated therefrom in 1869. He was first em- ployed in the Ricker Bank for three years in the capacity of a clerk and in 1872 entered the ser- vice of Vanden Boom & Blomer, with whom he continued for three years as bookkeeper. In 1875 he turned his attention to the lumber busi- ness in connection with Henry H. Moller, under the firm style of Moller & Vanden Boom, operat- ing at No. 632 Vermont street. From the begin- ning they prospered, enjoying a constantly in- creasing trade, and the connection between them was maintained until August 19, 1900, when Mr. Moller died, and the following year the Moller & Vanden Boom Lumber Company was incor- porated with Mr. Vanden Boom as president ; Henry Moller, secretary ; and Fred Moller, treas- urer. The company controls a large trade in the lumber business, and their enterprise has been marked by steady expansion in keeping with the modern spirit of the times. Mr. Vanden Boom, however, has not confined his attention to this one line of commercial undertaking, but is well known as a director of other enterprises, includ- ing the Rieker National Bank. Modern Iron Works and the People's Loan & Building Asso- ciation. Ile is also a stockholder in several other enterprises, is president of the Swartz Lumber Company, of St. Louis, and has extensive inter- ests in the south in the manufacturing of yellow pine lumber.

Quincy has benefited by his efforts in her be- half and his co-operation may always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good. In 1881 he was elected alderman from the Sixth ward and in 1883 was again elected on the democratie ticket. He was a member of the lighting committee when the city lights were changed from gas to electricity, was chairman of the ordinance committee and a member of the finance committee and whether in office or ont of it he is always a patriotie and public- spirited citizen. His political allegiance has al- ways been given to the democracy.

In 1876 Mr. Vanden Boom was married to Miss Amelia Kaeltz, a daughter of Adolph Kaeltz. now deceased, while her death occurred in 1880. She had two children. but Arthur died at the age of ten years and Edward when six years of age

C. A. VANDEN BOOM

J. H. VANDEN BOOM

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

In 1885 Mr. Vanden Boom wedded Miss Julia Kaeltz, and they have become the parents of two children : Joseph Il., who was born December 8, 1885, is a graduate of St. Canisius College, of Buffalo, New York, also pursued a course in the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, and is now assistant bookkeeper for the Moller & Van- den Boom Lumber Company : and Alvira, born May 30, 1891, is now attending St. Mary's In- stitute. The parents are members of St. John's Catholic Church and Mr. Vanden Boom belongs to the Western Catholic Union, the Firemen's Benevolent Association and the Order of Elks. lle is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. In an active busi- ness career he has eagerly embraced the oppor- tunities that have offered and each advance stop has been carefully and thoughtfully made and has therefore given a broader scope for con- tinued progress in the commercial world.

MRS. MARY E. CORT.

Mrs. Mary E. Cort, living on section 28, Mendon township, has passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey. She is numbered among the honored. pioneer women of Adams eounty and it is with pleasure we present to our readers the record of her life. She was born March 16. 1823, in Pennsylvania, and is a daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary Elizabeth ( Waltham) Harold. She came to the west in 1844, the jour- ney being made on a sailing vessel, which came down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers. Three years before this time she had given her hand in marriage to David Cort, who was born March 7, 1818, in the state of Pennsylvania. son of Joseph Cort of Westmoreland county, that state. Their marriage was celebrated February 15, 1841. and they lived in the cast for about three years, and thinking that they might have better business opportunities in the middle states they started for Adams countly, Illinois. On reaching their destination Mr. Cort seenred a tract of land and began farming. Ile was on- ergetie and preserving and carried on the work of the fields throughout his remaining days. At in early period in the development of the county he used the primitive farm machinery. the siekle and the seythe being an important part of the implements then utilized. Later, however, when improvements were made he secured better fa- cilities to carry on his work and his farm bene- fited by the change. As the years passed he harvested good crops and eventually seenred a comfortable competence as a reward of his labor.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 93

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