Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 35

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794

USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 35

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He has a good residence on his farm, together with

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barn and other outbuildings, and is one of the suc- cessful farmers of Warren County. His attention in addition to his farm labors has been directed to the raising of Short-horn cattle, in which he is meeting with success. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination Mr. G. is present trustee and steward. In politics Mr. Godfrey is a staunch and active worker in the ranks of the Republican party. He has held the office of Collector, Assessor, Road Commissioner, Overseer of the Poor and many of the minor offices within the gift of the people of his township.

eorge Thayer. Upon section 28, of Rose- ville Township, there resides an intelli- gent farmer in comfortable circumstances and well known throughout the community, by the name of George Thayer. He was born in New York State, and is the son of Sabin Thayer, a native of that State. There, the elder Thayer, met and married Miss Lovina Kingsbury, who was also born in the Empire State. They were living there in the quiet and peaceful occupation of farming, when their son, George, was born. His birth occurred Aug. 24, 1828. Here young Thayer lived until 1840, when his parents started with their family westward. They found a desirable location in Knox County, where the senior Thayer purchased 80 acres of land, and began its improvement. He was however, not permitted to see the beautiful prairies develop to the high condition which they are in at present, for four years after his arrival here, he died. His wife lived 20 years longer, dying in 1864.

George Thayer left home at a very early age, the death of his father compelling the mother to start him out to help make a living for the family. He worked out by the month until he was 23 years of age, and by economy he had accumulated a little money, and bought the place where he now lives. This consisted of but 60 acres at that time, 1863, but since success has crowned the hard labor and good business judgment of Mr. Thayer to a certain extent, we now find him the owner of 220 acres

acres. He is now engaged in general farming, and is regarded in this community as a gentleman of good, sound business judgment, and a respected citizen. Politically he is a Republican, and together with his wife, belongs to the Baptist Church.

In 1851, August 23, the wedding ceremony which united in marriage George Thayer and Miss Jean- nett White, occurred. Miss White was born in New York State, and was the daughter of Ephraim and Sally (Crane) White, early and respected pioneers of Hancock Co., Ill., her father and mother dying in that county at a very early day, the death of the former occurring in 1845, and the latter in 1843. Mrs. Thayer is the mother of six children, namely : John W., Bion L., Charles A., Darwin N., Ida L. and Nettie. John W., married Mary Nisely, and their two children are named George and Mary. Bion L. selected for a wife, Stella Cunningham. Lovell and Malvin are the names of their children.

lbert Rodgers is an energetic and respect- ed citizen of Lenox Township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits, on section

27. He is a son of Clark and Nancy (Bar_ rett) Rodgers, and was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1840. His parents were

natives of the Buckeye State, and came to Illinois in 1853, locating in McDonough County. They after- ward removed to Fulton County, the adjoining coun- ty, where they died, the father Oct. 4, 1880, and the mother Aug. 11, 1871. They had a family of ten children-John B., James O., William H., Eliza A., Albert, May, Martha, Elvira, Scott, and Perry.

Albert Rodgers was but 13 years of age when his parents removed to the State of Illinois, and he con- tinued to live with them until he attained the age of 22 years, when he worked out for awhile at farming and mining. He remained a resident of McDon- ough County until 1871, when he came to Warren County, where he has since been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, having purchased 80 acres of land on section 27, his present location, in the year 1881, and engaged actively and energetically in its improve- ment and cultivation.

He was married in Berwick Township, Warren

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County, March 26, 1874, to Miss Martha, daughter of Greenbury and Mary (Moore) Ray, natives of Kentucky, who came. to Warren County in 1844. They lived in Berwick Township, where they made their permanent abiding place until their deaths, the mother's demise occurring Dec. 28, 1871, and the father Jan. 24, 1879. Their family comprised the following named children : Martha, Lizzie, Willis, Mary, Wilbur, Jennie and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Rodgers was the eldest of her parents' family, and was born in Kentucky, April 25, 1848. Herself and husband are members of the Baptist Church, and the latter in politics casts his vote with the Dem- ocratic party.

on. Ivory Quinby, deceased, son of Asa and Mehitable Quinby, was born on the 14th day of July, 1817, in Buxton, Maine, and died at Monmouth, Ill., Oct. 23, 1869. After completing his preparatory studies, he entered the Freshman Class of Waterville Col- lege, Maine, in 1832, being then a little over 15 years of age. While in college he ranked high as a student. His favorite study was natural science, and he was especially distinguished for his attain- ments in chemistry. He graduated with honor, his diploma bearing the date of Aug. 3, 1836, he being then a little over 19 years of age.

After leaving college, he spent a short time in Parsonsfield, as an assistant teacher in the academy, . then under the care of his uncle, the Rev. Hosea Quinby. He then went to Saco and entered the office of Judge Shepley, as a student of law. His health prevented him continuing here long, and in the fall of 1837, when not yet 21 years of age, he sought a home in Illinois. He left Maine with $125, this being the sum total of his worldly goods.

He landed first at Quincy, where he made the acquaintance of Hon. O. H. Browning and John Mitchel, Esq. By the advice of Mr. Browning, he selected Monmouth, then an inconsiderable village, as his future home. He and Mr. Mitchel arranged a partnership and set out for the place of their choice. From Oquawka they came to Monmouth on foot, opened an office, and commenced business as attorneys and counsellors at law.

On March 14, 1839, when between 22 and

23 years of age, he married Miss Jane A. Allen. She died on the 7th of February, 1847. She was the mother of three children, all of whom died before their father.

He does not appear to have continued long in Monmouth at that time. For some cause he aban- doned the practice of law, removed to Berwick and went into the mercantile business.

On the 17th of February, 1848, he married Miss Mary E, Pearce, a native of Ohio and daughter of Thomas and Phebe (Little) Pearce, of Virginia and New Jersey respectively. Mr. Thomas Pearce was a soldier in the War of 1812. He came to Tazewell County, this State, in the spring of 1830, removing thence into Warren County in the fall of 1831. With his team Mr. Pearce hauled the first load of goods to Monmouth. In company with Hon. Sam- uel G. Morse, he laid out the town of Berwick, and resided tlere several years. He died in 1853, aged `75 years. His widow lived to be 78 years of ' age, and died in 1869. By his second marriage, Judge Quinby had born to him eight children, only four of whom survived him-Jane (Mrs. Dr. A. F. Bucknam) ; George, a resident of Dakota where he owns a large landed estate; Frank, an attorney-at- law at Monmouth ; and Ivory, a student.

Soon after the opening of Monmouth College, he became one of its warmest friends, and was elected a member of the Board of Trustees. For a short time he held the office of Treasurer. He was a member of the committee entrusted with the erec- tion of the new college building. He was also a member of the Executive Committee, and for some years President of the Board. Occupying these responsible positions, the interests of the college made large demands on his time ; yet it was cheer- fully given. He was punctual and regular in at- tending all meetings of the Committee and Board. The many reports, carefully prepared, on file in his handwriting, show that he gave the college much and careful thought. His colleagues uniformly paid the most profound respect to his opinion. It is be- lieved that no measure he favored was ever voted down. In addition to the time and thought given, he also made frequent and large donations to the college in money, which amounted to over $8,000. Those best acquainted with the history of the col- lege affirm that his assistance, in various ways, was

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so timely and valuable, that without him the enter- prise could hardly have succeeded.

Judge Quinby was distinguished for the soundness of his judgment and the candor with which he ex- pressed his opinions. It is doubtful whether there is a man in Monmouth whose opinion, on any ques- tion with which he was familiar, carried greater weight. Many a mooted point has he settled by simply stating his deliberate judgment.

In appearance and manner he was somewhat austere, yet, in fact, he was one of the most tender- hearted of men. There are many who can testify to substantial acts of kindness on his part, which they will be slow to forget. They are not a few who to-day bless his memory.

At the same time, he was peculiarly modest and unostentatious. In giving money, he shrank from notoriety. He made many offers, to stimulate others to like liberality; but in all such cases he uniformly enjoined secrecy as to his name. When he gave alms, he did not sound a trumpet before him. He hardly let his left hand know what his right hand was doing.

Above all, he was a Christian man. He early inade a profession of faith in the Baptist Church, and on his death-bed he confessed, unsolicited, in the broadest and most unequivocal terms, his faith in Christ.

All in all, in the death of Ivory Quinby, Mon- mouth lost one of the worthiest of her citizens. The vacancy will hardly be filled. Let those who survive imitate his virtues and follow his footsteps, while they revere his memory and lament his loss.

At a meeting of the Warren County Bar, Oct. 26, 1869, Mr. Delos Phelps read in open Court the fol- lowing resolutions :

WHEREAS, Divine Providence, in His inscrutable dispensation, has removed from among us Ivory Quinby, long and well known to the citizens of our county, for many years a practicing attorney of ac- knowledged probity and ability, in our courts, and for a long time occupying a judicial station among us. Therefore be it

Resolved, By the members of the Warren County Bar, assembled out of respect to the memory of our deceased brother, and to pay a proper tribute to a good man who has fallen in our midst, that in the loss of him who now " after life's fitful fever sleepeth well," the members of the legal profession have lost one who to the virtue of private life added the calm, dispassioned judgment and consistent uprightness of

character, which rendered him, while in the prac- tice of law, an ornament to the profession, a guide to his brethren, and one who worthily illustrated the exalted principles of enlightened jurisprudence.

Resolved, That we willingly bear testimony to the ability, sterling integrity, and great usefulness in his day, of our departed friend and brother. That we deplore his loss, as an important member of the com- munity at large, and sincerely sympathize with his wife and family in the irreparable loss sustained by them in the death of their husband and father.

Resolved, That as members of the Bar of Warren County, we will attend his funeral in a body. That a copy of these resolutions be published in the city papers, a copy sent to the family of the deceased, and a copy spread on the records of the County and Circuit Courts of Warren County at the next terms of the same. A. C. HARDING, Chairman.

J. J. GLENN, Secretary.

Hon. A. C. Harding then said :

"If the Court please, I move that these resolutions be unanimously adopted by the Bar of this county, and spread upon the records of this Court. They express the respectful and grateful feelings we all entertain for our friend and colleague, Ivory Quinby, Esq., who, since your last adjournment, has passed from the scenes of earthly usefulness to the bourne of the blessed. He went to the tomb with an escort of a multitude of people, who bedewed his grave with tears. The. college and the pulpit pronounced and expressed eulogies upon his character, and im- mortalized his memory. No words or tears of mine can add to that homage which his noble life has earned and received. His connection with the courts as a lawyer and Judge has rendered lionorable the profession of the law, and left impressions of respect for judicial urbanity and integrity which will long remain upon the minds of his colleagues and the people. His long career at the Bar of this Court was never blotted by trick or chicanery ; but at every step of his legal practice he honored his profession by frank, manly, courteous and honest conduct. To him the Bar of this county owes as much as to any of its members for the honorable character it bears. I refrain from entering the fields of eulogy which have been so abundantly harvested to the memory of Judge Quinby by the Rev. Doctors of Divinity, Matthews and Wallace, and by the Reverend and eloquent Wasmuth. - But because his character was so peculiarly unostentatious and his charities secret, I deem it proper to add that while I knew him in the confidential relation of a partner in the practice of the law for more than 15 years, and for more than eight years in the construction of railways, I never knew him to violate the rule, ' Do unto others as ye would they should do unto you.' In all distribu- tions of gains and losses he was liberal and just. While differing in political relations until the great

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Rebellion, no scenes of bitter strife between us is remembered to have ever existed, and we rallied together in the hour of the nation's trial with the good and the true of all parties to the rescue of our imperiled government. In one characteristic, our friend was not generally well known. From some consideration-it may have been that he dreaded the appearance of a desire to distinguish or aggrandize himself-he sedulously shrouded in secrecy his best charities and noblest acts. I know of some of his charities to the destitute in past days that I never heard mentioned by him or others. His many acts of beneficence to the college of our cities, and his efforts to found a library, were all marked by modest retirement from public notice. After all business relations between us had been closed, I became en- dangered, and should have been pecuniarily ruined, but that my friend, Judge Quinby, almost unsolicited (for I felt the danger so great that I ought not en- danger him), became absolute security to pay a judgment of more than $300,000. Sir, few or none others could or would have done this from philan- thropic obligations only. But I forget. Pardon this digression. Let us cherish his memory and follow his example, that like him, when we pass away, those who remain may strew words of kind remem- brance over our graves ; and our names find a place on the pages of this Court, and be written above in the great Book of Eternal Life."

At the same meeting, Mr. Strain, who had been intimately associated with Judge Quinby in the Board of College Trustees for many years, paid to his memory the following tribute :

" In every emergency, we sought his aid and coun- cil, and it was always, when possible, given in his quiet, unassuming way. His ideas were always clothed in plain, simple and expressive language. In his benefactions there was no sounding of trum- pets, and the public but seldom knew the benefactor. In his almsgiving-which was liberal-his left hand knew not what his right hand did. And it is high praise of him to be able to say that after a life of many years among us devoted to active business -- to the discharge of professional duties; to the per- formance of official trusts, and to the accumulation of a large estate-no tongue speaks but in his praise, and no breath of censure tarnishes his memory. Such a character is indeed a rich legacy to his family and friends, and the community of which he was a member, and an example of greatest worth to each one of us."

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees and Di- rectors of the Monmouth College, on Monday, Oct. 25, 1869, the following action was taken :

Resolved, By the Trustees and Directors of the Monmouth College :

1. That in the death of the Hon. I. Quinby, long

a member and officer of the Board, we lost a col- league, who we ever found, in all our intercourse with him, an upright, courteous, Christian gentleman, and in whose counsel we have been accustomed to repose the utmost confidence.

2. That we found him a fast, true and efficient friend of the college in the time of need ; by his able counsels, active services, liberal and timely dona- tions, he has placed the college under a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid.

3. That we extend to the family of the deceased our sympathies, in this their hour of great affliction, and express the hope that the richest blessings of a covenant-keeping God may descend and rest upon them.

4. That these resolutions be spread upon the records, published in the city papers and forwarded to the widow of the deceased.

D. A. WALLACE, Pres.

JOHN J. GLENN, Sec'y.

Thus, in arranging and compiling the accessible matter appertaining to a noble life, a bare recital of the generous acts whereof would alone fill a volume, the writer acknowledges his inability to do ample justice to the subject, and returns thanks to those from whose contributions he has so liberally drawn, and who, from their intimate relationship with Judge Quinbý in his lifetime, were best calculated to speak advisedly of him. A portrait of the Judge is shown on another page of this work.

Mrs. Quinby's second marriage took place on the Ist of May, 1877, to Rev. R. Haney, a prominent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Imon Kidder, attorney-at-law, Monmouth, was born in Warren County, Feb. 27, 1838, and was the son of Larnard and Mary (Hoisington) Kidder. The subject of this biographical notice was reared to man- hood on his father's farm, attending regularly the common schools, and in 1859 graduated from Lombard University, at Galesburg. " Leaving col- lege, he began directly reading law with Philo Reed, at Monmouth, and, in October, 1862, was admitted to the Bar before the Supreme Court at Ottawa. His first practice was with, James Strain as partner ; later with William C. Norcross, and recently with Mr. Frank Quinby, son of the highly reputed Judge

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Quinby, whose sketch is given in this work. At this writing (October, 1885), Mr. Kidder is unassociated with any one. Early in life he was an ardent Re- publican, but owing to the uncertain position of that party upon the question of the whiskey traffic, he abandoned it and politics altogether, and has since thrown his influence in favor of Prohibition. He has sought no office in any way, but in a spirit of duty has served the people in various minor places, such as School Director, Alderman and Justice of the Peace.

The wife of Mr. Kidder, Anna C., daughter of John Jacobs, Esq., to whom he was married at Mon- mouth, May 30, 1865, died Aug. 31, 1882, leaving one child, Nina. His second marriage occurred at Moline, Ill., Oct. 18, 1883, the lady being Mrs. Lucy E. Folger, nee Mapes, widow of Dr. Folger, of Youngs- town. Mr. Kidder devotes his time to his profes- sion, although he has various outside interests. He was one of the organizers of the Monmouth Home- stead and Loan Association, and in 1870 he found time to compile and systematize the Monmouth City Ordinances, a work well and satisfactorily done., He is considered a close student, known to be a sound lawyer, and, above all, a gentleman.

Mr. Kidder has spent his leisure moments for the last ten years in collecting a genealogy of the Kid- der family, which has occasioned considerable corre- spondence and other labor.

ames Bergen Van Arsdale is a farmer in the township of Point Pleasant. He was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Oct. 30, 1844. The family was originally of Holland origin, and in that country were respected members of society. The grandfather of Mr. Van Arsdale, of this narration, Abraham Van Arsdale, was born in the same county in New Jersey in which his descendants for several generations were also born. His farm was located near Harlingen, in Somerset County, and he was its occupant until his death. His decease took place June 22, 1836. He married Elizabeth Beekman, a lady likewise of Hol- land descent, who was born March 9, 1788, and died

May 26, 1847. Their son William was born in Somerset County, Feb. 8, 1815. Sept. 14, 1836, he was married to Johanna V. Bergen. She was born June 7, 1813. For a time after their marriage they remained in Somerset County and rented land. Mr. Van Arsdale then purchased a farm near the home- stead and was there a resident until 1850, when he sold all his interests in the State of his nativity and came to Illinois. His wife and three children ac- companied him. They crossed the mountains of Pennsylvania in the stage and arrived at Wheeling, W. Va. At that point they took passage on the Ohio River and made the journey to Illinois on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. They landed at Copperas Creek, in Fulton County, and the father bought land near Fairview in that county. No im- provements had been made on it and the new pro- prietor erected a dwelling and other needed buildings of good style, and was there engaged in the busi- ness of a farmer until his removal to Henderson County in 1856. He sold the estate in Fulton County and made a purchase of land in the county to which he had removed. It was wholly unim- proved and was situated in the vicinity of Raritan. On this he repeated his pioneer experiences, and was there a resident until 1869. In that year he made an exchange for another farm and moved to Raritan, where he has since resided. Three of the five children born in their family are still living. Abraham, who was born March 1, 1838, lives in Henderson County. Peter, born May 9, 1842, be- came a soldier in the service of the United States in the Civil War, in the 14th Ill. Vol. Cav., and after a term of active military life of nearly three years re- ceived an honorable discharge. He now lives in Henderson County.

Mr. Van Arsdale, of this narration, is the youngest child. He was hardly six years of age when his pa- rents removed to Illinois, and he reached manhood in Henderson County. He received the training com- mon to the children of farmers and a common-school education.

His mariage to Anna M. Lewis occurred April 25, 1868. She was born in Fulton County, July 5, 1849. She survived her marriage but a short time, and Dec. 6, 1871, Mr. Van Arsdale was again married, to Sarah M. Brokaw. She was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Nov. 3, 1848, and is the daughter of Henry A. and Mary S. (Baird) Brokaw. Her parents were both

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LIBRARY (" >HE UNIVERSITY WILLIRU:S

RESIDENCE OF LAMBERT LESTER, SEC. 13, POINT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF A. BURFORD, SEC. 4. MONMOUTH TOWNSHIP.

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natives of the State of New Jersey, came to Illinois in 1857 and settled in Henderson County. In 1863 her father entered the military service of the United States and died at Natchez, Miss. He was enrolled in the Fourth Ill. Cav. Her mother is living, at Canton, Fulton Co., Ill.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Arsdale have had three chil- dren. Willie, the first-born, died at the age of seven weeks. Nellie was born May 20, 1876. Paul was born Sept. 26, 1879.

mos Burford, a man who occupies a thor- oughly representative position in the con- munity, and whose success in life is the outgrowth of his own energy and clear judg- ment, is a resident on section 4, Monmouth Township. He was born in Donegal Town- ship, Lancaster Co., Pa .. Aug. 18,1829.

His father, Jeremiah Burford, was also a native of the Keystone State, a farmer by occupation and the son of Robert Burford, an Englishman, who came to this country when a young man and settled at his marriage in the State of Pennsylvania. He reared two sons, of whom Jeremiah, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. His father died be- fore he had attained the age of manhood. He was first married in Lancaster Co., Pa,, to Lyda Sterner, by whom he became the father of two children, La- vina and Aaron, both of whom grew to maturity and were married (the former of whom has since died). Of the second marriage of Jeremiah, to Jane Mont. gomery,- a native of Pennsylvania, eight children were born, of whom Amos, the subject of this notice, was the third. Of these offsprings, Margaret became the wife of John Burton, at present a resident of Erie, Pa .; Ann was united in marriage to James E. McNair, who is living in Prairie City, Iowa, and has accumulated a competency; Amos, the subject of this notice, was next in order of birth ; Samuel died at St. Joe, Mich., in the fall of 1883; Mary J. formed a matrimonial alliance with Porter Freborn, who is at present residing in Avon, this State; she died in 1868; Eliza was the wife of W. H. Sinith, who fol- lows the vocation of a farmer in Kansas, and died

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Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 35

Author: Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 794

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794