Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 28

Author: Wilcox, David F., 1851- ed
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 952

USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II > Part 28

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A faithful, loyal and public-spirited citizen, believing nothing is too good for Quincy. Mr. Heller has donated liberally to various worthy causes. He was the first to contribute toward purchasing a site for the State Armory at Quincy, and toward the building of the new shoe factory, and later he won the gratitude of the people by giving $6,000 in cash towards erecting a permanent home and exposition building for the Quincey Chamber of Commerce, of which he is an esteemed and useful member.

An intelligent reader and a keen observer, Mr. Heller is a self-educated man, having a comprehensive knowledge of science and nature. He has written many works of note, and in 1912 he presented to the Quincy Public Library 100

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copies of his "Scientific Volumes." He also compiled in 1870 a chart of all the lines and signs of geometry, and a chart comparing zoology to geology, and iboth of these charts, and a cabinet containing upwards of 1,000 fossils and mineral specimens, he gave to the Quincy High School. Mr. Heller is a firm believer in evolution, being a faithful disciple of Darwin, Spencer and Draper. As strong physically as mentally, Mr. Heller enjoys life, and expects to watch for many more years the wonderful developments of modern science and elec- tricity yet to come.

Mr. Heller married Martha Jane Weidenhammer, who was born in Ohio, and died at her home in Quincy November 9, 1910, leaving no children. In politics Mr. Heller is independent.

JOHN T. HEWITT is one of the most widely known stock men in Western Illinois. For many years his specialty, carried on at his farm in Honey Creek Township 234 miles east of Mendon, has been the breeding of the finest of Percheron horses and the Mammoth Jacks and Jennets. Some of the finest animals of these types in the world have been kept or produced on the Hewitt farm, and his industry has been one of the important factors in raising the standards of livestock production in Adams County and over a wide territory around here.

Mr. Hewitt was born in Honey Creek Township March 9, 1856, son of Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Kells) Hewitt. His parents came from County Cavan. Ireland, with four children, leaving on a sailing vessel January 1, 1850, and on account of storms and other delays spending several months on the ocean before landing at New Orleans. They came up the river and landed at Quincy on the first of May and soon afterward settled in Mendon Township, where William Hewitt had relatives including his brother Thomas, who had come in 1849, and Samuel Heaney, who had accompanied Thomas Hewitt to this conn- try. William Hewitt in order to make a living for his family and gain the experience necessary for independent agriculture, spent a year working for Deacon Weed on his farm in Honey Creek Township, and for three years was with Amos Scranton. At the end of that time he bought a tract of wild land, using the savings from his wages to make the first payment. He had also ae- quired one or two teams, and at once took up the improvement and develop- ment of the eighty acres which constitutes the present home. He built a log house, and though the land was all in timber except two acres he managed to live from its proceeds, largely from the sale of wood, which he cut and hauled from the place. William Hewitt lived honorably and usefully in that commu- nity until his death January 10, 1884, at the age of seventy-seven. His widow survived him many years and passed away in 1907, when almost ninety-five years old. William Hewitt built the good substantial house that is now stand- ing on the farm in 1871, also built and improved the barns from time to time. and before his death had acquired an additional eighty acres. After getting American citizenship he affiliated with the republican party and his sons have followed his example. He was reared in the Episcopal Church and was member of the vestry of the church at Mendon. His wife was the oldest member of that church at the time of her death. William Hewitt and wife had the fol- lowing children : Mary, who has never married and lives at home with her brother John. Robert, who when a young man went out to Nebraska and died in the State of Washington at the age of fifty. Eliza, who is the second wife of James Mealiff, of Honey Creek Township: Jane, who was the first wife of James Mealiff and died at the age of thirty ; Mattie, unmarried and at home : William, who died at the age of fifteen ; John ; and Anna, who lives on the farm in Honey Creek Township, the widow of William Taylor.

John T. Hewitt since the death of his parents has shared the old homestead with his two unmarried sisters, and they have always lived together in utmost harmony and with great advantage and efficiency in their co-operation in business

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affairs. So well satisfied have they been with their home life that none of them has so far sought other companionship by marriage.

As already noted, the principal industry of John T. Hewitt is stoek raising and stock breeding. Ile has now and has had in the past a number of the splen- did registered mares and stallions of the Percheron breed. In this industry he is one of the American breeders who are planning and preparing to render an important serviee to Belgium when the time for reconstruction begins. The Percheron horses, as is well known, originated in Northern France and Belgium and practically all the animals of that strain in the war zone have been de- stroyed or taken by the Germans. It will therefore devolve upon American breeders largely, especially those who are members of the National Pereherou Breeders' Association, to restock Franee and Belgium when the war is over. During the last twenty years Mr. Hewitt has also bred the famous Mammoth Jaeks and Jennets and is a member of the National Association of Breeders of Mammoth Jaeks. While Kentucky and Missouri have a great reputation for their mule production, it is a fact well known among the leaders in that indus- try that many of the mules that come to maturity in those states are bred in Illinois. Many of the fine mules as well as the draft horses found on the farms of Adams County are directly the result of the enterprise carried on by Mr. Hewitt. He is one of the two men in Adams County who handle thoroughbred Percheron horses, the other being George Erich of Golden. Mr. Hewitt has exhibited his animals at many local fairs, and most of the owners and others interested in Percheron stock all over the country are familiar with some of the records and results of his farm and stables.

Mr. Hewitt is a republican, attends the Episcopal Church at Mendon, has filled all the chairs in the local lodge of Odd Fellow's and sat in the Grand Lodge and his sisters arc aetive in the Rebekahs. He has served as school trustee for some years and in polities is a republican. The first petition for a rural free delivery route to go to Washington from Adams County was pre- pared by Mr. Hewitt, assisted by Mr. David Wilcox, then postmaster at Quincy. As a result one of the first routes established supplied Mr. Hewitt and his neigh- bors. That was about twenty years ago.

GEORGE STEINAGEL was for many years one of the capable citizens, progressive farmers and homemakers of Gilmer Township. He received inspiration as well as practical assistance in his work from his very capable wife, who as his widow still occupies the farm which their joint efforts gained for them a mile and a half east of Fowler on the Cannon Ball Trail.

The name Steinagel has been identified with Adams County for a great many years. Originally the name in German was Steuernagel. George Steinagel was born August 3, 1855, in Melrose Township and died at his home Deeember 25. 1909, at the age of fifty-four. His parents were Adam and Minnie (Fisher) Steinagel. Adam Steinagel was a native of Germany and was married in Adams County. The principal provisions which marked the festivities celebrating their wedding consisted of potato pancakes. Adam Steinagel died when his son George was twelve years old. He left a widow and five children, the oldest being fourteen. The widowed mother had proved herself a most capable woman even before her marriage, since she had come alone to America and had pro- vided the means by which her parents were able to come over. Mrs. Adam Steinagel lived on a 120 acre farm near Fowler, and gave her children a good education and upbringing. She died in 1899. Her five children were: George ; Julia, who died at the age of fifty-one, the wife of August Schroeder: Caro- line, who lives with her brother Henry, whose home is near Fowler : and William H., who has the old homestead.

George Steinagel on April 9, 1885, married Caroline Lena Moolring, daugh- ter of Henry and Henrietta (Reuter) Moolring. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. George Steinagel located on a farm which Mr. Steinagel had owned jointly with his brothers. He acquired as his share seventy acres and continued the

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partnership relations until about three years before his death. He and his wife then bought 172 acres additional, giving them a total of 242 acres. On part of the present farm Mrs. Steinagel was born September 1, 1865. Her father was at that time renting this land. When she was a girl eight years old she went to another farm in that vicinity. Her father Henry Moolring, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1827, and was thirty-five years of age when he came to the United States in 1862. He arrived here with practically nothing, and did farm work of the heaviest kind, cradling wheat and cutting timber. He married at Quincy Henrietta Reuter, also of German ancestry, and after their marriage they rented in Gilmer Township a mile and a half south of Fowler, and later lived in Ellington Township, and finally moved to the farm where he and his wife spent their later years in comfort and plenty. Mrs. Stein- agle's father died November 15, 1900. Her mother died in 1899 aged sixty-five. They were the parents of five danghters and one son. The son now owns the old homestead. One daughter died in childhood and Emma at the age of twenty. The daughter Anna is Mrs. Henry Kollmeyer, while Mrs. Steinagel's other sister married Mr. W. H. Steinagel, her husband's brother.

Mrs. Steinagel has distinguished herself as a very capable business woman. HIer share of her father's estate she converted into the 172 acres that now com- prises part of the Steinagel farm, and she was also deserving of much credit in assisting her husband in paying for the first farm. She now retains the active management of both places, and is in partnership with her tenants. She gives her close attention to stock and her judgment is one that is seldom at fault in the practical affairs of farm and stock husbandry. Mr. Steinagel was for some years a practical thresherman. He was also active in elections and was a repub- lican, serving as tax collector, assessor and school director and for eight years as a justice of the peace. He was also a trustee of his church.

Mrs. Steinagel lives in 'a good country home which was built about 1880. She has no children of her own, but her nephew, Fred Kollmeyer, who was with her seven years, is now married and living in the same neighborhood. For the last year she has also had Martha Hagemever as one of her household. Mrs. Steinagel is active in the Lutheran Church at Fowler.

HENRY BORNMANN was born in Quincy May 1, 1846. His parents were John and Katherine (Bald) Bornmann, who emigrated from the Grandduchy of Hessen, Germany, and arrived in Quincy November 12, 1845. At the age of six Henry Bornmann was sent to school, which he attended for seven years. Then he was apprenticed in the printing office of the Quincy Tribune, a German daily and weekly paper. After he had served his apprenticeship of three years he was apprenticed to a tinner to learn the tinner's trade. At the age of eighteen he answered the call of President Lincoln for "three hundred thousand more," and enlisted in the Union army, serving as corporal in Company H, Forty-Third Illinois Infantry, to the end of the war, returning to Quincy with his company December 20, 1865. He then completed his apprenticeship with the tinner and worked as a journeyman until the end of 1867. In February, 1868, he returned to the printing business and worked for T. M. Rogers on the Rural West, an agricultural monthly; then in the job department of the office until May, 1874, when he became foreman in the office of the Quincy Tribune. In November, 1874, he became foreman in the office of the Germania Printing and Publishing Company, and continued until November, 1885, when he resigned to accept the editorship on a new publication, the Quincy Teutonia. A year later this paper suspended and in January, 1887, he again entered the office of the Quincy Germania, finally becoming editor of the paper, which position he held for many years. September 1, 1914, he accepted a position as reporter on the Quiney Herald, being engaged as such until June, 1917.

May 16, 1872, Henry Bornmann married Miss Katherine Uebner, of Fall Creek Township. She died March 20, 1881, leaving two daughters, Rosalie

Kewy Barnmann,

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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Maria, wife of Herman Stork; and Clara Sophia, widow of Henry Budde. May 10, 1883, Henry Bornmann married for the second time, chosing as his wife Miss Hanna Niehaus, born in Quincy. Their children were: Ida Johanna, wife of Professor William Heidbreder; Hilda Wilhelmina, wife of William Lepper; J. Henry Bornmann, a chemist, in the service of the Government; Alma became the wife of John Rettig and died in 1913; Irene, at home; and Ruth, a steno- grapher in the service of the Government.

O. FRANK WADDELL. The original settlement of Adams County was made by people of the sturdy old American stock, and the pioneers were the more representative of American ideals because they came from both the south and north Atlantic states, combining here the ideals and customs of practically all the original thirteen colonies.

Of that old American stock one of the earliest representatives in Adams County was the Waddell family, represented by Mr. Frank O. Waddell of Quincy.

His great-grandfather, Jesse, married Elizabeth Griffin, and they had seven children. He was one of the early settlers of Adams County. Mr. Waddell's grandfather was born in Monroe County, Illinois, in 1796, more than twenty years before Illinois was admitted to the Union. When the second war with Great Britain came on he entered the service as a scout, and participated in a number of engagements but escaped unhurt. He married Millie Thompson, who was born in Pendleton District of South Carolina in 1799. Her family had come to St. Clair County, Illinois, at an early day and she grew up there.

In Morgan County was born James O. Waddell on November 8, 1822. He was seven years of age when his parents moved to Adams County and in 1829 settled on a tract of Government land four miles northwest of the village of Payson. The title to this tract of land was granted during Monroe's admin- istration. The grandparents spent the rest of their lives there, the grandfather dying a the age of seventy-nine and the grandmother at about seventy-five. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The grandfather affili- ated with the democratic party until after 1856, when he joined the republican ranks. Of nine children three grew up and married and all had families, and all are now deceased.

James O. Waddell was reared in Payson Township and at Paloma in this county married Miss Lucinda Ogle. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 11, 1835, daughter of Edward and Mary (Young) Ogle, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1845 they came west and settled in Gilmer Township of Adams County, and Edward Ogle died there in 1856, at the age of fifty-two and his wife in 1879. She was born in 1804. The Ogles were also a Methodist family, and Edward Ogle was a democrat in politics. Their children consisted of Jacob, Howard, Lucinda, Frank, Elizabeth, Rettic and Mattie, all of whom married. Mattie now lives in California, widow of Miles England.

James Waddell after his marriage lived in Gilmer Township on the farm now owned by his son Frank. He died there February 18, 1894, and his wife on October 31, 1915. They were active Methodists. Of their children, Charles lives in Quincy, is married and has two children, Elliot and Bulah. Laura is the wife of Polk Pierce, and they lived retired at Canyon City, Colorado, and their daughters Grace and Lula are both married. The next in age is O. Frank Waddell. Edward is a farmer at Shelton, Nebraska, and has a daughter, Mabel, who is married. The youngest child, Mary, died after her marriage to Joshua Powell, who is also deceased.

O. Frank Waddell was born at the old Gilmer Township homestead August 14, 1859, and was reared and educated in that community. He succeeded to the ownership of the old farm and taking it up where his father's improve- ments left off he has made further improvements and greatly enhanced its value under his ownership and control. To that farm he gave the best ener- gies of his life and it is one of the most valuable country estates in the county,

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comprising 274 acres, fitted out with a full equipment of buildings and other facilities.

In 1917 Mr. Waddell retired to Quincy and owns a beautiful bungalow home recently completed at 2040 Broadway. On April 5, 1917, he married Miss Ida. Moellring. Mrs. Waddell has spent all her life in Quiney and had a very active and sueeessful business career as an employe and as a business woman on her own account. She was born in Quiney at the corner of Seventh and Jersey streets April 16, 1866, and was reared and educated in the city. Her father, Frederick Moellring, was born in the Kingdom of Hanover December 26, 1836, and died in Quiney September 8, 1914. At the age of seventeen he set out for the New World, making the journey on a sailing vessel to New Orleans and then coming up the river to Quiney. For a time he worked on a farm and in 1864 married Magdalena Tromm. She was born in Quiney July 22, 1841, and died December 19, 1903. After his marriage Mr. Moellring became a moulder, and for many years worked in that line and was also a stockholder in the Excel- sior Stove Company. He finally retired to his home on South Twenty-Fourth Street and died there. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. Five of their children died young. Mrs. Waddell's sister Minnie is the widow of Henry Lagemann, formerly a well known hardware merchant of Quiney, who died in 1901. Mrs. Lagemann lives at the old Moellring home on South Twenty-Fourth Street. She is the mother of three children : Herbert F. is twenty-four years old and a farmer; Clarence, born June 20, 1897. was edu- cated in the high school and is employed by the Quiney Lubricating Company. Mildred born in 1901, had a high school education. was a student in the Gem City Business College, and is now with the Reliable Poultry Journal.

Mrs. Waddell was educated in Quiney and first learned the trade and busi- ness of hair dressing. After ten years she became a clerk with W. T. Duker & Company, and five years later joined the Halbach & Schroeder Company, who conferred upon her the important responsibilities of buyer for the wash goods department, and she continued that work fifteen years, until a short time before her marriage.

EDWARD EVERETT HOLLISTER is president of the Hollister-Whitney Com- pany, one of the firms that have given Quiney distinetion in the world as a center of manufactured products of wide distribution and great value. The company now confines its output exclusively to elevator machinery and equip- ment, but formerly manufactured a general line of mill supplies.

The business was established by Mr. Hollister in 1899 and was continned by him individually until 1906, when Mr. Frank H. Whitney joined him and they incorporated as the Hollister-Whitney Company. Since then Mr. Holli- ster has been president and Mr. Whitney secretary and treasurer. Later they discontinued the mill supply part of the business. Their elevators and elevator equipment are now distributed through ageneies at Chieago, Kansas City, St. Louis and Indianapolis, and their goods are recognized as standard by the trade all over the Middle West.

The first plant was on the river levee, later they took over the old Herald Building on South Fifth Street, and in 1915 they construeted their present ex- tensive plant, comprising a building 100x200 fect at 211-219 North Seeond Street. It is a modern factory, with an immense window space, electric lighted and steam heated, and with every modern facility and sanitary equipment for the convenience and comfort of the large foree of employes.

Mr. Hollister has been a resident of Quiney sinee 1887. He learned the milling business in carly youth and being a man of great physical equipment was willing and eager to work at anything that would put him ahead. On coming to Quiney he was superintendent for the Taylor Brothers Milling Company four years and sinee then has been in business for himself.

The Christian names of Mr. Hollister indicate his historie family eonnee- tions with old Connectient. One branch of the family were the Everetts, known

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for many generations as people of distinction in old New England. The old homestead is at Glastonbury, Connecticut, where the Ilollister house is still standing, one of the oldest homes in the state, and the Historical Society of Conneetient has officially recognized it as such. In the same village are the Hollister Mills. owned by the family for many years and still conducted for the manufacture of Bon Ami, a mineral eleaner taken from the soil of that section. Mr. Hollister's parents were Richard and Susanna (Hoover) Hollister, both natives of Connecticut. When Edward Everett Hollister was born they were living at Felicity in Clermont County, Ohio. Mr. Hollister was born there in 1860. When he was a child his parents moved to Bloomington, Illinois, and they lived to a good old age in McLean County. In this loeality Mr. Holli- ster grew to manhood. acquitted himself diligently in his work in the schools and also learned the milling trade. At Bloomington he married Miss Eliza- beth Hull, who was born in McLean County. Her parents came from Virginia, were married in Illinois and spent most of their years in McLean County, where they were farmers and where they died when past eighty years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Hollister have three children: Edward Everett, Jr., was edu- cated in the city schools and is now chief engineer for the Hollister-Whitney Company. He married Miss Edna Linz, of Quincy. Gladys, the second child, was born in Quiney, and is the wife of Harvey G. Richardson, who is in the oil business at Ponea City, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, have two children, Edward and Mary J. The third child, Ruth, is the wife of E. Dale Reynolds, son of W. N. Reynolds, a elothing merchant of Qniney. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds live in Kansas.

The family are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Hollister has long been prominent in Masonie cireles, being past high priest of the Chapter and eminent commander of the Knights Templar, and is also a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory.

EDWARD II. DUDLEY. The farm was the scene of Edward H. Dudley's labors and activities until abont ten years ago, since which time he has lived nominally retired at Fowler. though he still keeps in close touch with business, with civie affairs, and with the many interests he has formed and cultivated throughout his life.

Mr. Dudley was born in Mendon Township of this county April 19, 1849. Ilis parents were James H. and Eliza Betsey (Bray) Dudley, of Guilford, C'on- nectieut. James H. Dudley was one of the early settlers of Adams County, coming here first in 1835. After prospeeting the land he went back to Con- nectient to elaim his bride. Her brother, David Bray, had already become a resident of Adams County and James HI. Dudley's sister was the wife of Joel Benton, another pioneer of Adams County. James H. Dudley spent a long and active career in this county and for the last ten years of his life lived at Men- don. He died in his ninetieth year, and survived his wife nine years. His home place of 160 aeres in Mendon Township is now owned by his son Edward H. and he also had eighty aeres in Honey Creek. He began voting as a whig, later changing to the republican party, and was a member of the Congregational Church. James H. Dudley and wife had five children: Mary, who died in middle life, the wife of Michael Worman ; Sarah, living at Mendon, widow of Cyrus Myers; Franklin F., a prominent farmer and land owner of Mendon ; Edward H. ; and Carlton, who left this country in early life, was a merchant for many years and died at Seattle, Washington, at the age of sixty.

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Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 28

Author: Wilcox, David F., 1851- ed Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 952

Author: Wilcox, David F., 1851- ed
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 952