USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 60
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The subject of this biographical notiee was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February 12, 1824, being the eldest member of the parental family. He grew to manhood on his father's farm in this county and in the township of which he was a resident married Miss Elizabeth McKenney, who proved a faithful, efficient helpmate to her husband, and a wise, af- fectionate mother to their children. She was born in lIagerstown, Ohio, May 27, 1829, but was reared chiefly in this eounty to which she came when about ten years old. She is the mother of three children, one deceased, Hiram Herbert, who died at the age of twenty-two months. The living are Frances F., wife of John Hollihan, who lives on and works the Reed homestead; Thomas L., who married Ger- trude Weber and occupies a farm in this township.
The parents of Mrs. Reed were William and Elizabeth (Douglas) MeKenney, the former of whom was born on the ocean while his parents
were coming to the United States. His mother died at his birth and was consigned to a watery grave. Ilis father landed in New York City, and the eliild was ere long adopted by a Virginia family and in the Old Dominion grew up a useful man, learning the trade of a blacksmith. In that State he married a lady of Scotch birth who had accompanied her parents to the United States in her youth. She grew to womanhood in the Old Dominion. whence after her marriage she removed to Hagerstown, Ohio.
There Mr. McKenney followed his trade until 1837, when with his wife and family he made the overland journey to what is now Kingston, Taze- well County, Ill., and there established a smithy. A few months later he was kicked by a horse he was shoeing, dying from the results of the injury some weeks later. Ile had served in the War of 1812. His wife survived him a year, dying near Peoria when upwards of three-score years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. McKenney belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Of their nine children. Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Naney Thomas, of Rutland, this State, are the only survivors.
NTHONY W. HAMMETT, a prominent resident of Chillicothe Township, his birth- place, represents one of the leading interests of this part of his native county. as a prosperous owner and operator of a coal mine, and he is also connected with the agricultural concerns of this re- gion. Ile is a son of one of our earliest and most respected pioneer families, and was born in this township, near where he now lives, September 6, 1833.
His father, John Hammett, was born in 1803, in the State of Kentucky, and it is thought his parents were Southerners. lle was reared on a plantation in his native State, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Sumner. She was born in Ken- tueky of Southern parentage, and was reared in that State. After marriage, she and her husband set- tled near Bowling Green, and there resided until
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1829, when they left their old Kentucky home, to establish a new one on the wild prairies of Illinois. They located in Chillicothe Township, on a part of the land now owned by our subject, which was then in possession of the Government, but which they afterward purchased as soon as it came into the market. There they did their share of the pio- neer labors in developing the agricultural resources of the township, and improved a good farm. When they grew old they retired from active life to a pleasant home in Chillicothe, and there the father died April 21, 1883, leaving behind an unblem- ished record of a life well spent, and his memory is cherished like that of other pioneers who have passed away. He lived here during the Black Hawk War. and as he was unable to go himself, sent a substitute in his place to take part in the struggle. He was a truly good man, and had many friends. Of a sincerely religious character, he died in the faith of the Methodist Church. In early life he was a Demoerat, but not liking the policy of that party with reference to the conduct of the affairs of the nation before the war, he identified himself with the Republican party, and ever after was a strong advocate of its principles. The mother of our subject is still living, and has attained the ad- vanced age of eighty years. She makes her home in Chillicothe with her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Miller. She has been a member of the Methodist Church for many years.
Our subject is the third iu a family of nine chil- dren, of whom the eldest daughter was born in Kentucky, and four of the family are yet living, namely : Ilannah, wife of Timothy Mclaughlin, a farmer in Nemala County, Kan .; our subject; Emily, wife of W. 11. Miller, Esq., of Chillicothe: and Ellen, wife of Samuel Hostleton, of Chillicothe; all of these four children were born in this town- ship and county.
Mr. Hammett, of whom we write, grew to man- hood under the influences of a pioneer life, that obtained here in his youth. In those early times, when the county was sparsely settled, and there were but few neighbors, the family suffered many hardships and privations in their struggle to de- velop a farm from the beautiful prairies and up- lands of this region. Ile received his education in
the old log schoolhouse with its primitive furnishi- ings, which nestled among the hills of Peoria County. He has long been active in the mining and farming industries of this region, owns a valu- able farm of one hundred and ten acres on section 9, forty acres of which he devoted to agricultural purposes, and the remainder to mines, as underly- ing the soil is one of the finest veins of coal to be found in this locality. It is about three feet in thickness, and can be brought to the surface through the side hills at the rate of one and one- half tons a day to each miner. This coal is of a most excellent quality, and commands a ready mar- ket. Some years ago Mr. Hammett employed twenty men to mine for him on the hills of this sec- tion, and still has a number of men engaged in that occupation. By careful attention to his business, and by judicious management, he has acquired a comfortable property, and. is numbered among our well-to-do citizens.
Mr. Hammett was married in this township to Miss Margaret A. Brown. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 7, 1834, a daughter of James and Nancy (Dawson) Brown. Mr. Brown was born in Ireland, and came to America when a young man with his parents, who settled in Ross County, Ohio, where he grew to maturity. He there met and married his wife, who was a native of that State, and after marriage he began to farm in Ross County, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1840, ere yet he had reached mid- dle age. His wife died there some years later. She was a member of the church, and was looked upon as a good woman. Mrs. Hammett was the youngest daughter in a family of four daughters and four sons, and was quite young when she came West. She is the mother of eight children, of whom the fol- lowing are deceased: Charles, Olive B., and Minnie. Those living are: Cornelius, who married Margaret Kaiser, and lives on his father's farm; Eleanora, wife of Joseph Wipple, a carpenter of Westerly, R. I .; Agnes, wife of Charles Wagner, of Menden, Mo., of which place he is a railroad agent; Otto, a farmer in this township, who married Augusta Johnson; and James F., who lives at home with his parents.
During his useful and busy career, Mr. Hammett
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has displayed sagacity and fertility of resource in a marked degree, and these traits have made him what he is, and gained him what he has. He and his wife are people of warm hearts and generous natures, and are noted for their kindness and hos- pitality, and are regarded with sincere feelings of affeetion and esteem by the entire community. A man of Mr. Hammett's character and standing, is invaluable in a eivie capacity, and he has held many of the local offices, greatly to the benefit of the township. In polities he stands among the most stalwart Democrats of the county. Mr. Hammett's honesty and integrity of purpose are well known, and when his word is passed, all are cognizant of the fact that he will stand by it whatever betides.
QUIRE D. KEMP. Probably no resident of the farming districts of Brimfield Town- ship possesses a more highly cultured mind, a more upright character, or a more earnest interest in the welfare of humanity, than the above-named gentleman-an old settler living on section 32. He is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born December 21, 1845, and reared to man- hood in Peoria County, Ill., to which his parents removed in 1853. His progenitors having taken possession of an almost new tract of land, his early life was spent amid the scenes of pioneer develop- ment, in which he assisted from time to time as occasion demanded and his strength would permit.
The fundamental education of our subject was obtained in the district schools of his township, after which he studied for a time in the academy at Elmwood, still later entering Otterbine Univer- versity in Ohio. Owing to ill-health he was not able to complete the course of study there, but re- turned to his home after two years' attendance. He has been a continuous resident in Peoria County sinee that time, and has devoted himself with good success to the various departments of agricultural life. His home farm consists of a quarter-section of land, the appearance of which indicates that its owner is a man of good judgment and orderly ways, while the dwelling gives evi-
dence of the presence therein of refined woman- hood. Besides the home farm Mr. Kemp has an additional twenty-six acres in Elmwood.
In his political affiliations Mr. Kemp is a Pro- hibitionist, and in 1886, having been given the party nomination for Sheriff, received the highest vote on the ticket in the county. He belongs to the United Brethren Church, in which he has ofli- ciated as Class-Leader and Steward, and for a num- ber of years held the position of Superintendent of the Sunday-school. At the general conference of the church in 1885, Mr. Kemp was chosen member of a commission to revise the Constitution and Confession of Faith of that denomination. The commission, which included twenty-seven men ex- clusive of the Bishopric, met in Dayton, Ohio, in November, 1886, and the result of their delibera- tions having been presented to and adopted by the church in November, 1888, was finally ratified by the General Conference of 1889. For a number of years Mr. Kemp has been a correspondent for the Agricultural Department, for both Springfield, Ill., and Washington, D. C.
On December 21. 1871, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between our subject and Miss Sarah Lingle, a native of Butler County, Ohio, and daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Schenck) Lingle. The father of Mrs. Kemp is deceased, but her mother lives, her home now being in Christian County, Ill. Like her husband, Mrs. Kemp is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, her earnest aim being to carry the principles of Christianity into her daily life. She and her hus- band have two children-D. Everett, born Decem- ber 29, 1872, and Malcolm E., born January 5, 1877.
The gentleman of whom we write is believed to be of German ancestry in both lines, and it is also supposed that both his parents were born in the Buckeye State. His father, David Kemp, breathed his last in this county, June 24, 1881. His mother, Sarah (Snyder) Kemp, still lives at an advanced age, having been born in April, 1823. The good couple removed from Ohio to Illinois in 1853, their journey being performed with a team and wagon, as was customary at that time. Mr. Kemp having purchased land in Brimfield Township, this county,
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lived on section 29, a number of years, removing from it to Elmwood, where he passed his last days. The farm on which his pioneer labors were ex- pended is still known as the Kemp homestead.
David Kemp was useful in his day and genera- tion, holding the public offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Supervisor for years, and doing much local ministerial work for the United Brethren Church, of which he was one of the foun- ders in the township. He was a member of the Democratic party. 'Ile had received but limited educational advantages, but had an excellent knowledge of humanity and its needs. By means of his industrious labors he secured a good estate, "nd by his personal character and upright life se- cured the respect of an extended circle of acquain- tanc.s. His family consisted of three children, our subject being the youngest. The others are: Maria C., deceased, formerly wife of Henry Schenck, of Elmwood Township; and Samuel S., of Brimfield Township.
RTIIUR T. ANTCLIFF. Among the num- erous manufacturing establishments of Peo- ria, that of Mr. Antcliff should not be unnoted. It is located on the corner of Adams and Persimmon Streets, and although the force employed is not so large as that in many establishments in the city, a good business is done, amounting to some $8.000 per annum. The busi- ness was established by Mr. Antcliff in 1887, being that of brass foundry and pipe-fitting works, in which the proprietor of the establishment has had an experience of years, which, following a thorough apprenticeship, makes him competent to partici- pate in the mechanical work or oversee that of his eight employes.
The parents of our subject were Thomas H. and Elizabeth (Wall) Antcliff, a worthy English couple who emigrated to America in 1850. They located at Brimfield, Peoria County, Ill., and the father having abandoned the tailor's trade, at which he previously worked, adopted an agricultural life, continuing it some years. He then bought out a
blacksmith shop, having charge of it for a time. In 1857 he was elected Constable.
His loyalty to his adopted country was so in- tense that Mr. Antcliff enlisted, in May, 1861, in Company A, Seventeenth Illinois Infantry. He served until after the battle of Shiloh, where he was struck by a shell, which broke his left arm in seven places and also injured his right elbow. Besides that disastrous battle he took part in the engage- ments at Fredericktown and Ft. Donelson. together with the usual skirmishes and minor campaign duties. After returning from the army he was elected Coroner of Peoria County, and while serv- ing his second term died February 14, 1865.
The parental family consisted of four children, two of whom, Elvira and Mary Ann, are deceased. Rosamond is the wife of Eugene Partridge, a blacksmith in Peoria; Arthur, our subject, who was born in England, June 7, 1847, passed his boyhood and youth in this county, and in September, 1861, became a drummer in the company to which his father was attached. Hle was in service two years and two days, being constantly with the Seven- teenth in the capacity of musician, but entering the smoke of battle only at Fredericksburg and Ft. Donelson.
After the war young Anctliff engaged as fire- man on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road, continuing in the service of that road about two years. He then served an apprenticeship in brass finishing with J. H. Thompson, for whom he did journey work two years, or until the death of his employer, when he went to Chicago, remained eighteen months, and returning to Peoria entered the employ of S. A. Kinsey. A year and a half later he went to Chicago a second time, and after working at his trade there another year came back to Peoria. Until 1872 he alternated between the firm of Frasier, Thompson & Co., and Mr. Kinsey as employers.
Mr. Antcliff then went to St. Louis, Mo., spend- ing four years as foreman for Kuperflee Bros., then pursued the same avocation in Kansas City for a short time. In 1877 he started a brass factory in Jacksonville, Ill., but eighteen months later went again to St. Louis for a short sojourn. His next move was to Litchfield as an employe of the Litch-
Mrs Ann Potts.
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field Car & Machine Company, going thence to Pana to labor in the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad shops. In 1880 he returned to Peoria, where after a few years he instituted his present business estab- lishment.
Mr. Anteliff is a member of Bryan Post, No. 67, G. A. R., and of Columbia Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F. His political adherence is given to the Repablican party, for whose principles and candidates he never fails to deposit his ballot upon election day. He has made it an object to become well informed re- garding the news of the day and the topics which bear upon his life-work, while not neglecting those of general interest. His manly life reflects eredit upon his character and training and wins for him the respect of those who know him. His pleasant home is presided over by an intelligent and worthy lady who became his wife January 2, 1870. She was known in her maidenhood as Miss Angusta Kem- per, the family to which she belonged being from Henry, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Anteliff are the parents of two children living, Emma and Augusta, and a son, Freeman, who was taken from them in infancy.
M RS. ANN (PAGTTER) POTTS. Among the portraits of representative residents of Peoria County presented in this volume. the reader will notice on the opposite page that of Mrs. Potts, whose energy, force of charac- ter and business tact are apparent at a glance. She is an example of rare business talent, which is often developed by women when situated favorably for its exercise. In the management of her affairs she shows a keen foresight, quick intelligence and prudent economy, that have placed her in the front rank among the business members of the community.
The father of Mrs. Potts was Jonathan Pagtter, a native of Fathringo, England. Her mother was Susan S. Kelcie, a native of Shilton, Warwickshire. England. The former died in his native country in 1842, but the latter, who survived her husband a number of years, took up her residence in Amer- ica at the advanced age of eighty- three years. She
made her home with her daughter, onr subject, for some three years, when she laid aside her mortal body and departed to the land where the inhabi- tants never grow old or say, "I am sick." Four- score years and six she traveled life's path way, doing good as she had opportunity. and has richly carned her present rest. Mr. and Mrs. Pagtter were the parents of nineteen children, of whom onr subjeet is the youngest.
Mrs. Potts was born March 28, 1832, in Folshill, Warwickshire, England, where she grew to woman- hood. She was married in Folshill church, October 13, 1845, to Samuel Potts, who was born in Breedon, Leicestershire, England, December 24. 1821. They settled first in Folshill, where Mr. Potts was engaged in coal mining. They made their home in Warwick- shire and Staffordshire until 1856, when they came to the United States aud took up their abode in Penu- sylvania, where they remained something over one year. Trusting to do better in the West, they once more packed up their household goods and journeyed toward the setting sun. Upon arriving in Peoria County they were so well pleased that they decided to locate here permanently, and pur- chasing a plot of ground in Kickapoo Township, they erected a large brick house, which overlooks the village of Pottstown and the surrounding coun- try.
Mr. Potts engaged in mining extensively, and was also employed in building stone bridges, taking the contracts and supervising the work while it was being performed. IIe resided in the old home until January 6, 1889. Ile was Supervisor for three years, Highway Commissioner several years, and took an active part in political affairs, but did not ally himself with any party, preferring to be independent, and cast his vote as his judgment dictated.
Mrs. Potts was the mother of fifteen children, nine of whom are deceased. The living members of the family are: Samuel, George; Lucy, who is the wife of Andrew J. Maxwell; Eveline, the wife of John Wright; Nettie, who is the wife of Edward M. Cannan; and Leah G. The deceased children are: Mary A., John, John H., Isadore L., Michael ; Hannah was the wife of Michael Clancy, and died in Pottstown; Susanna was the wife of William
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McLoughlin, and died at Pottstown in December, 1872; Sarah was the wife of B. F. Thurston, and died at Pottstown, December 27, 1872; one died unnamed. Mrs. Potts is, as before stated, an ex- cellent business woman. She has operated mines in Pottstown, a village named in honor of Mr. Potts. and. at present is engaged in managing a large brickyard, in addition to taking the oversight of of a farm of some three hundred and twenty acres of land. Although so busy with the various cares devolving upon her, Mrs. Potts yet finds time to devote to the welfare of those with whom she is associated, and stands high in the esteem and re- gard of her friends and acquaintances both as an honorable and reliable business woman, and as a true and warm friend.
0 RSON B. STOWELL. The life of the far- mer is not devoid of opportunities for the practice of the sterling virtues of industry, perseverance, honesty, and brotherly kindness. On the contrary, it affords abundant chance for the ef- forts of all who wish to build up a fine character, while carrying on the vocation in which they hope to secure a competence and make provision for their declining years. That this is true, may be seen in the life of the gentleman above named, an hon- ored and influential resident of Hallock Township. He is active in local politics, and in those move- ments which tend to advance the welfare of the community in material affairs, in mind and in spirit, and he and his wife are among the leaders of society in their section of the State.
The grandfather of our subject, Bisha Stowell, who was born in the Green Mountain State, De- cember 9, 1779, descended from a family who had settled in Massachusetts on coming from England about the middle of the seventeenth century. Some of the descendants afterward took up their abode in Vermont, where Grandfather Stowell, after at- taining to proper years became a farmer. He mar- ried Hannah Fields, who was born March 20, 1784, presumably in the same State, and died in 1819.
The husband survived her some years, and coming to Illinois in 1840 with a son, died at their new lo- cation in Hallock Township, Peoria County, a few days later-September 5. He had married a second wife, who also died in this county, the date of her decease being in 1859. She was born in 1792, and bore the maiden name of Mary Johnson. Bisha Stowell and his wives belonged to the Presbyterian Church, following its teachings with the strictness of the New England stock whence they sprang.
The children of Bisha Stowell and his first wife were eight in number, of whom Ebenezer, the fa- ther of our subject, was the third. All are now de- ceased, as are likewise five of the seven children of the second wife. Ebenezer Stowell was born in Chenango County, N. Y., October 19, 1807. He served a regular apprenticeship to a millwright, be- coming a skilled workman at the trade, which he followed in New York and Pennsylvania until 1843. At that date he made a permanert location in Peoria County, Ill., spending the remainder of his active life as a farmer. lIe had made his first trip hither with two kinsmen-Rosswell and Isaiah Nurse-in 1836, coming most of the way on foot. The three men purchased a large tract of wild land in Peoria and Marshall Counties, which was placed in the market that year, after which our subject re- turned to his native State to sojourn there a few. years longer. Besides carrying on his trade, Mr. Stowell was for a few years connected with a lum- ber company at Binghampton, N. Y.
Bringing his family and some household goods across the country with a team and wagon, Ebene- zer Stowell began the development of his land on section 3, where he ere long became well and favor- ably known. His first wife was Pauline Bridge- man, who was born in New York, April 14, 1811, and died there May 7, 1834, after the birth of her only child. She was a noble young woman in the prime of life, whose promising career was cut short by an untimely death, and left grief and sorrow in many hearts. Mr. Stowell married for his second wife Laura Bridgeman, a sister of his first com- panion, and her worthy successor as a helpmate. She was born July 11, 1808, and died April 2, 1889. She and her husband were Congregationalists, and charter members of the organization in this county,
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which was begun with six members, and located at Lawn Ridge. Mr. Stowell breathed his last May 7,1880.
The second marriage of the father of our sub- jeet was productive of eight children, six of whom are still living. They and their elder brother, our subject, were carefully reared, being given every advantage which their surroundings would allow to become intelligent, well-read, and upright in character. He of whom we write, was born in Binghampton, N. Y., May 7, 1834, and was but a small boy when he accompanied his father and stepmother to the West. He grew to the age of twenty years in the township which is now his bome, then spent four years on the road in this State and Indiana. He then married and settled where he has since resided, now owning two hun- dred and ten acres of good land, most of it under improvement. A full line of necessary and con- venient farm buildings stand upon the broad acres, the dwelling being particularly homelike in appear- ance, and the evidences of progressive, practical oversight being manifest on every hand.
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