Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 97

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 97

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LOUIS C. SCHROEDER.

Among the citizens of worth that the father- land has furnished to Adams county, is numbered Louis C. Schroeder, who was born in Prussia Germany, near Mossburg, January 10, 1839. He was, therefore, a lad of eight years when he came to America in 1847 with his parents. The father. Andrew C. Schroeder, sailed for the new world accompanied by his wife and children and ulti- mately reached the harbor of New Orleans. He then proceeded up the Mississippi river by boat to St. Louis, where he remained for a short time and then came to Quiney. Ile was a mill-wright by trade and followed that business for a num- ber of years, after which he began working for Gorvernor Wood in Camp Point.

Louis C. Schroeder, the only son in the family, was educated in the schools of Quiney, receiving instruction in English from Professor Martin and in German from Rov. Smeeting. The schools conducted by these two gentlemen were the prin- cipal ones of Qniney in those days, Rev. Smeet-

ing and Rev. Beckham being the teachers who conducted a school in connection with St. John's Lutheran church. After completing his educa- tion Mr. Schroeder worked at teaming and ear- pentering for a few years and then entered the employ of Governor Wood, assisting in the eree- tion of the Governor's home. His entire life has been characterized by industry and energy and the snecess that he has attained has been the di- reet result of his own labors.

In 1861 Mlr. Schroeder was married to Miss Josephine Bengert, a daughter of John and Eliza- beth Bengert, of Melrose township. They came to America at an early day from Baden, Ger- many, and Mrs. Schroeder was born in Adams county. being the youngest of five children. The others are: John, who died in infancy : Fred, of Quincy : Chris., deceased : and Joseph, who is living on Seventh and Jefferson streets in Quin- cy. Mrs. Schroeder's father was known all over the county as "Cooper John." He was a cooper by trade and made barrels for the early distil- leries of Quincy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have been born eight children : Louis, who is living in Camp Point township ; Louisa, the wife of Lonis Hapner, of Coatsburg, Illinois: Fred, deceased ; Albert ; Paul, who is living in Quincy ; Henry, at home : John, at Muskogee, Indian Ter- ritory ; and Walter, at home.

Few men have more intimate knowledge of the early history of Adams county and the events which constitute its annals than has Mr. Schroe- der because of his long residence here and his activity in business. Ile was well acquainted with the Hon. John Tillson and was a neighbor and friend of Governor Wood. He lived with and worked for the Governor for a number of years. Ile was also a personal friend of Messrs. Wheat and Browning, Indge Skinner, Joseph Reeker, Samuel Holmes, lohn Fisher, Henry Misner, and many other early settlers who molded the policy of the county at an early day. ITe arrived here with his father's family the year prior to the scourge of cholera in Quiney, in 1841. He has taken a very deep and active interest in whatever has tended to promote the public wel- fare and he has served as school director, ,as commissioner of highways, and was also alder- man of Qniney during his residence there. He belongs to St. John's Lutheran church and is a republican in his political views. He now makes his home on section 5. Camp Point township, where he has one hundred and eighty-four acres of valuable land, and also owns forty aeres on section 32, Houston township. ITis property has been acquired entirely through his own labors and his life record proves conclusively that sue- cess may be gained through persistent and hon- orable purpose. He has ever been a man of strong purpose and high ideals and has so lived

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as to win the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been associated from pioneer times down to the present.

OSMON BAKER GORDON

Osmon Baker Gordon, financially interested in various business enterprises of Quincy and asso- ciated with the active management of the shoe business of Upham, Gordon & Company and also with the Gem City Building & Loan Association as its president, stands to-day as a leading repre- sentative of trade interests here. He is equally well known because of his benevolent spirit that has prompted hearty co-operation in many move- ments for the amelioration of those conditions of life which work hardships for humanity. He has ever worked for higher ethical relations in business, for a more generous sympathy and sub- stantial aid for the unfortunate ones of the world and his unselfish devotion to the general good have led to a character development that commands uniform respect and admiration.

Mr. Gordon was born in Fremont, New Hamp- shire, July 7, 1845. his parents being the Rev. L. II. and Elizabeth Adams (Smilie) Gordon. The father was for fifty years a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, connected with the New Hampshire conference. His wife belonged to the famons Adams family of Massachusetts, one of the oldest in the east, the ancestors coming from Holland in the Mayflower. The Gordons are also of Old New England stock and earlier gen- erations of the family resided in Scotland.

Osmon Baker Gordon pursued his education in New Hampshire and after leaving the high school came to Quiney, where he attended the old German and English College, now a part of the publie school system of the city. He was in- dueed to come to the west by a brother who was living in Quiney and he arrived here on the 15th of August, 1860. When his education was com- pleted he entered his brother's retail shoe store and there learned the trade. In 1867 he became connected with the firm of C. Brown, Jr., & Com- pany. of Quincy, going upon the road as travel- ing salesman and representing that house for eleven years. When he had been associated there- with for four and a half years he was admitted to a partnership and was for six and a half years a member of the firm, when the business style was changed to Upham. Gordon & Company. the change being made in 1879. Six men are now upon the road, representing this house. At Springfield. Missouri. they have a branch house. which is represented by five traveling salesmen, this having been established in April, 1901. The

firm controls a large wholesale trade in shoes and the output of the house is extensive. Mr. Gordon is also president of the Gem City Building & Loan Association, which was established in 1889, he being one of the original incorporators. He is also a stockholder in various other enterprises of the city and his business judgment and wise connsel have proved effective factors in the suc- cessful conduct of these.

On the 21st of June, 1883, Mr. Gordon was married in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Miss Har- riet E. Adams, a daughter of the Rev. Sullivan Adams, a Baptist minister since deceased. ller mother now lives with her at the age of seventy- three years. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have but one child, Osmon B., Jr., who was born December 16, 1885, and is now a student in the high school.

Mr. Gordon belongs to Quincy lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F. Ile takes a very active interest in the moral development of the community and chari- table work and belongs to the First Congrega- tional church, of which he is one of the trustees He is also president of the Woodland Home and has been vice president of the Anna Brown Home for the aged from its organization. IIe is greatly interested in all of the benevolent organizations of the city, having a most charitable spirit and broad humanitarian principles. Ile gives gen- erously of his time, means and active co-opera- tion toward the advancement of charitable meas- ures and benevolent institutions and the poor and needy have reason to count him a stanch friend.

MORTIMER HALEY.

Mortimer Haley, who is operating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Lima township, was born Angust 11, 1866, in Missouri and is a son of Elder and Angeline Haley, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of England. The father was a carpenter by trade and was engaged in building operations throughout his entire life. He made his home for many years near Canton, Missouri, and died in 1885, while his wife passed away May 10, 1903.

In the public schools of Missouri Mortimer Haley acquired his education and after putting aside his text-books was employed as a farm hand for several years, but desiring that his la- bors should more directly benefit himself he be- gan renting land. Ile came to Adams county in 1895 and has since lived in Lima township, where he now rents and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of rich bottom land, the fields an- nally returning him golden harvests as a re- ward for the labor he bestows upon them. Ile has prospered in his work as the years have gone

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by and now owns some fine town property in Meyer.

On the 5th of May. 1899, Mr. Haley was mar- ried to Otie M. Roberts, who was born January 12. 1872, and is a daughter of Isaac and Indie Roberts. Her father was born in Missouri and vet follows farming in that state. His wife is a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Haley was educated in the schools of Missouri and remained a resi- dent of that state until her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haley have been born two children : Cleo, who was born July 3, 1891 ; and Beulah. born July 16, 1900.

Mr. Haley is independent in his political views. regarding the qualifications of the can- didate rather than his political allegiance. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Meyer, and he and his wife are communicants of the Episcopal church there. Ile had no pe- euniary assistance or financial influence to aid him when he started ont in life for himself, and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors.

CAMPBELL S. HEARN.

Campbell S. llearn, who throughout his busi- ness career followed agricultural pursuits and is now living a retired life near Quincy, has for many years figured prominently in political eir- eles in his district and is widely known among the leaders of democracy in Illinois. He has fostered many measures and movements for the growth and success of his party and in his career has ever manifested a publie-spirited citizenship, which on many occasions has been of direct ben- efit to the county.

A native of Woodford county, Kentucky, Campbell S. Hearn was born November 20, 1844, and is a representative of one of the oldest fam- ilies of that state, his paternal grandfather, JJacob Hearn, having emigrated from Maryland to Fay- ette county, whence he removed to Owen county, where he built one of the primitive mills ope- rated by horse power. He possessed consider- able ingenuity and business ability and was thus well qualified to cope with the hard conditions of pioneer life. He was a man of strong convictions, fearless in espousing his views upon either re- ligious or political subjects. He was a soldier of the war of 1812.

Ilis son, Warren Ilearn, was the first white child born in Owen county and was therefore reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life. He remained a resident of Kentucky until 1867, when he came to Adams county, making his way to the home of his son Campbell, in Melrose

township, where he died in July, 1882, at the age of seventy-eight years. Ile, too, was fearless in his advocacy of whatever he believed to be right. He supported the democratic party and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church south. He married Jane Alexander, who was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, September 6, 1806, and was a daughter of Peter Alexander. a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky in 1792. TIe served all through the Revolution- ary war. Mrs. Hearn died at the home of her son Campbell, May 21, 1875. By her marriage she had become the mother of eight children, five sons and three daughters: John Harrison, a ranchman of Stanislaus county, California ; Rob- ert S., a merchant of Georgetown, Kentucky, who is serving as a member of the state legislature; Margaret, of Stockton, California, the widow of John Llewellyn, who was a farmer; Mary K., wife of Ed Whittington, a carpenter of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Jacob L., who died in Okla- homa: Campbell S .; Melvina E., who married William Gravart, but both are now deceased : and Alexander W., a ranehman of California.

Campbell S. Hearn is indebted to the public school system of Kentucky for the educational privileges he enjoyed. Ile was not yet eighteen years of age, when, on the 6th of May, 1862, he enlisted at Little Rock, Arkansas, in the Fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, C. S. A., with which he served for more than three years, par- ficipating in many engagements under Generals Price, Joseph Johnston, Van Dorn, Hood and D. H. Mowry. When the surender took place at Fort Blakeley, across the bay from Mobile, Mr. Hearn was captured and for two weeks was held as a prisoner on Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico.

Following the close of the war Mr. Hearn speut two years in Kentucky, and then came to Adams county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming, endeavoring to recoup his lost fortunes, and until his retirement from active business life he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, meeting with de- sirable success.

On the 10th of September, 1872. Mr. Hearn was married to Miss Elizabeth Hastings, who was born in Adams county. March 6, 1855, and died April 21, 1875. at Stockton, California. They had two children: George R. L., who is now freight collector for the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad Company at Monmouth, Illinois, and John C., deceased. In 1879 Mr. Ilearn married Emma Felt, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, February 15, 1858. a daughter of George Felt, a farmer. They have four children : Warren F., a himberman of Pine Bluff. Arkansas: Mary K., at home; Nickerson, deceased ; and T. C. Inike, at home. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal

C. S. HEARN

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church and Mr. Ilearn is a member of the Mod- ern Woodman camp in Quincy.

Always a democrat in his political views, Mr. Ilearn has been a very active worker in party ranks. He has served as supervisor of Melrose township for a quarter of a century, and has been chairman of the board ten years. In 1892 he was elected a member of the state board of equalization for a term of four years and then resigned to accept the position of commissioner for southern Illinois penitentiary, serving in that capacity for two years. He was chairman of the democratic county central committee for twelve years, and has been one of its members for a third of a century. In 1904 he was elected to the state senate from the Thirty-sixth distriet. Ile has always taken an active interest in po- litical matters, advocates the care of the insane in the almshouses by the state and has always championed the interests of the unfortunates who are in the state's care, his efforts being prompted by a humanitarian spirit, worthy of much commendation. His interest in all matters of public concern is that of a publie-spirited, progressive citizen.

PHILIP CAIN.

Philip Cain, who follows farming and stock- raising on section 2, Northeast township, was born in Clayton, Adams county, February. 9, 1850, his parents being Philip and Ruth ( Mead) Cain. The father was born in Ohio, in Septem- ber, 1804, and the mother's birth occurred in Maryland, January 5, 1806. They were married March 8. 1837. and in 1839 they came to Illinois, settling in Clayton township, Adams county, casting in their lot with the pioneers of this por- tion of the state. They became the parents of twelve children : John, who was born December 6, 1827. and died April 5, 1905, on the old home- stead where his parents first settled on coming to this country: Abel, who was born September 23, 1829, and died in Golden; Hannah, born February 2. 1833, who became the wife of Henry Muller, of Camp Point, and died November 10. 1882: Nelson, who was born October 29, 1833, and died February 8, 1863, while serving in the Union Army : William W., who was born October 8, 1835, and died August 8, 1837: Samuel, who was born September 11, 1837, and is living in Clayton ; Lewis, born September 5, 1839; Laban, who was born June 27. 1841, and died in Car- thage, Illinois, October 19, 1902; Margaret, who was born April 13, 1843, and is the wife of Henry Crawford of Galesburg, Illinois: Ellen, who was born May 24, 1845, and died October 8. 1853:

Viola, who was born April 27, 1848, and died on the 4th of December following ; and Philip.

In the schools of Clayton township Philip Cain, of this review, gained his education and Jater he began farming on his own account. He had been reared to that occupation and therefore brought to his work practical knowledge and ex- perience. He is to-day the owner of one hun- dred and forty acres of land on seetion 2, North- east township, constituting a fine farm, for he has added many modern improvements and the place is now well equipped with good machinery, substantial buildings, high grades of stock and in fact everything in keeping with modern ideas of a progressive agriculturist.

On the 7th of March, 1872, Mr. Cain was mar- ried to Miss Cassanda Naylor, a daughter of C. J. and Elizabeth Naylor, who came from North Carolina to Illinois in 1861 and settled in North- east township. Adams county. They had the fol- lowing children: J. C., now of Kansas; M. .... the wife of J. B. Hackney, of Northeast town- ship: B. L., of Indian Territory ; and W. II., of Kansas. The father died in 1861, while the mother survived until March 25, 1894. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Philip Cain have been born seven chil- dren : Calvin. L., who was born July 25, 1873, and is now in Huntsville, Illinois: George E., who was born JJanuary 11, 1876, and resides in Augusta, Illinois: Orpha, born February 3, 1878, and is the wife of W. E. Hillyer, of Huntsville, Illinois; Clarence E., born November 27, 1879, and living in Northeast township: Bessie, born April 5, 1886: Elsie, born January 31, 1888 ; and Lulu, born February 5. 1891.

Mr. Cain is a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while his political allegiance is given the democratic party. He has spent his entire life in this county and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his ac- qmaintance.

HENRY ILART, M. D.

Dr. Henry ITart. who is engaged in the prac- tiee of medicine and surgery in Quiney and is making a specialty of gynecology. was born in Hancock county, Illinois, in 1863. Among his ancestors were those who followed the same pro- fession and thus his life work may have been in- fluenced by hereditary tendencies and environ- ment as well as by personal choice. ITis grand- father, William Hart, was a physician and about 1850 came to Illinois, settling near Siloam Springs, Adams county. AAfter a short time. however, he removed to Hancock county, Illinois,

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and continued in the practice of his profession at West Point for many years.

Flis father, Dr. John F. Ilart. was a native of Clark county. Ohio, born in 1829. Becom- ing a member of the medical fraternity he prac- ticed as a physician and surgeon throughont his entire life.

He accompanied his parents to Illinois about 1850. being at that time twenty-one years of age. Chosing as a life work a profession which had claimed his father's time and attention he began reading medicine and after completing his col- lege course responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting on the 8th of March, 1865, as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Eight- eenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. The con- tinned with that command until the close of the war, when he was mustered out June 6, 1865. at Quiney. He was detailed for hospital work and thus added to his theoretical knowledge varied and valuable practical experience. Following his return home he at once entered upon the ac- tive practice of his profession at West Point, where he continued until his death in 1896. HIe held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and was a man of upright life, whose ability in his profession and whose worth as a citizen were often times demonstrated. He be- longed to the Masonic fraternity, gave his po- litical allegiance to the democracy and on one occasion served as supervisor of his township. He married Narcisse Newcomb, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, and is now living at the age of sixty-five years. Her father, John Newcomb, was a farmer and on coming to Illinois located in the neighborhood in which the Ilart family were living. Mrs. ITart still makes her home at West Point and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. By her marriage she became the mother of six children: Mary, the wife of Dr. R. T. Madison, of Byron, Oklahoma ; Ilia May, the wife of Lonis Simmons, a farmer living near West Point ; Willard W., a dentist of Chi- cago: Henry. of this review, Flint W., a practic- ing physician at West Point: and Harry V., a dentist of Bowen. Illinois.

Following the acquirement of his preliminary edneation in the public schools at West Point, Henry Hart entered Chaddock College and after- ward became a student in the Quincy College of Medicine. Later he pursued a post-graduate course in the Post-Graduate Medical School and Ilospital of Chicago. In 1887 he won the first diploma and also won diplomas from the last mentioned institution in 1890 and 1894. Dr. Hart entered upon practice in Chili. Illinois, in 1887, and two years later came to Quiney, where he has been eminently successful in the prosecution of his chosen calling. Ile now has offices in the Wells Building and a very extensive publie pat-

ronage is accorded him. Thoroughly informed concerning the various departments of the medi- cal science, he makes a specialty of gynecology and his skill in this regard has won him promi- nence. He practices along strictly scientific lines, keeping in touch with the marked development made by the profession, and he is continually adding to his knowledge through the interchange of thought and experience that he gains in his membership relations with the American Medi- cal Association, the Illinois Medical Association, the Military Tract Medical Association and the Adams County Medical Society. He was con- sulting physician to the board of health of Quin- cy of 1900 and he has been gynecologist at St. Mary's Hospital for six years and is also serving on the surgical staff.

In 1886 Dr. Ilart was married to Miss Anna Agnes Corey, who was born in West Point in 1867, a daughter of Dr. V. B. and Mary O. (Con- vers) Corey. They have three children: John Franklin, born in 1887: Henry Floyd, in 1898; and Grace, who was born in 1893. and died in infancy. Mrs. Hart is a member of the Baptist church and the Doctor is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Country Club. His political views are in accord with democratie principles. but he has never sought or held office outside of the line of his profession. Gifted by nature with strong mentality he has developed his latent powers through close application, earnest study and sei- entifie research and to-day he is classed among the more learned and reliable physicians repre- senting the medical fraternity in Quincy.

CHAUNCEY II. CASTLE.

Among the men of marked enterprise and business achievement whose labors have resulted beneficially to the city of Quincy and who in the direction of private interests have won the suc- «ess which is the merited reward of all persist- ent and honorable endeavor, is numbered Chaun- cey II. Castle, the president of the Comstock- Castle Stove Company, one of the leading pro- duetive industries of Quiney. To other fields of activity he has also directed his efforts, his wise counsel and opinions proving valued factors in the control of varied enterprises.

Mr. Castle was born in Columbus, Adams county, Inly 10, 1843, his parents being Timothy Il. and Julia A. (Boyd) Castle, both of whom were natives of Brattleboro, Vermont. The fa- ther came to the west about 1832 and conducted a general store in Columbus until 1857, when he removed to Quiney and purchased an interest in

Charnay Hasthe

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

the stove factory then conducted by A. Comstock & Company. The firm style, however, was changed at that time to Collins, Comstock & Company, and Mr. Castle, was connected there- with until his death, which occurred in 1880. Ilis wife, surviving him about ten years, died in 1890. In polities he was a whig until the dis- solution of that party. when he became a stanch republican. He was closely associated with mercantile and manufacturing interests of Quiney and Adams county and his labors were of mueh avail in promoting business activity, whereon the prosperity and growth of every com- munity depends.

Chauncey II. Castle was a student in the publie schools of Columbus, also attended the Webster school of Quincy and the Methodist Col- lege. He put aside his text-books at the age of eighteen years in order to enter the army, enlist- ing in the Seventy-third Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, known as the Methodist Preachers Regiment. for all of the field officers and seven of the captains were ministers of the Methodist church, as well as a number of the minor officers. Mr. Castle enlisted as a private and went to the front, where he participated in a number of hotly contested angagements, including the battle of Chickamauga. He was five times wounded and in October, 1864, he was honorably discharged on account of the injuries which he had sustained at Chickamauga. He yet carries a rebel bullet in his left leg. He had enlisted in June, 1862, and had been mustered in at Springfield in Au- gust and during his connection with the army he was always a faithful soldier, ever loyally per- forming each daily duty.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 97

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