Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 38

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

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A. OTIS ARNOLD is publisher and manager of several of Quincy's best known journals, one or two of which have a circulation practically national and serv- ing to acquaint the people of America with this splendid Mississippi River city. Success seems to create success, and a number of other interests have been at- tracted to and have grouped themselves around the name of Mr. Arnold. He is one of the leading republicans of Adams County and men of all parties are gaining an increased confidence in his judgment and ability. He is also promi- nent in fraternal affairs, being one of the leading Masons of Western Illinois.

He represents an old South Carolina family. His grandfather, Fleming Arnold, was born in that state, and in early manhood moved to Tennessee. Later, about sixty years ago, he came to Illinois and settled at Columbus in Adams County. After the war he moved to the Big Neck community in north- ern Adams County and for a time conducted a general store in that village. He died at the age of seventy-four. Fleming Arnold married Miss Mary Pieree, and he survived her several years.

John T. Arnold, father of the Quincy publisher, was born in Illinois in 1854, and was a small child when his parents came to Adams County. He married at Big Neek Miss Nancy R. Nelson. She was born in the same neigh- borhood and both her grandfather and her father James Nelson, had lived there. Before coming to Adams County her people lived in Kentucky and in later life moved to Missouri and died in that state. Her father died at Loraine, Illi- nois, when in advanced years. He was a farmer and had married in Adams County Miss Frances Willard. The mother of Mrs. John Arnold was born in the northern part of Adams County September 12, 1837, and died in 1909, in California. The Nelsons were Methodists.

After their marriage John T. Arnold and wife located on a farm at Big Neck near Loraine, and lived there many years. He finally moved into the Village of Loraine, where they are now living, and he is giving his attention to the coal business. They are members of the Methodist Church. John T. Arnold has been identified with the democratic party in polities. He served as assessor of Houston and also collector in Keene Township a number of years. He and his wife had three sons. The second, I. Otho, is a resident of Quincy, was con- nected with the Quincy postoffice twelve years, and is now with the Standard Oil Company. He married Cora Thompson, of Mendon, and they have chil- dren named Wanda May and Otho, Jr. Roy Arnold, the youngest son, is a farmer in the Big Neck community. By his marriage to Lona Lowary he has children Maxine, Myrtle, John Thomas, Leaffie M. and Robert B.

A. Otis Arnold was born in the northern part of Adams County in Janu- ary, 1878. He was educated in the country schools, attended village high school at Camp Point, and for two years was a teacher. Coming to Quincy in 1902, he at onee became associated with John M. Stahl, publisher of the Farmers Call. He was in the business office of that publication, and later acquired a half interest. In 1915 he became sole proprietor, the name of the paper having been changed five years previously to the Illinois Farmer. That name is well chosen. since the circulation of the paper is now practically state wide. In 1904 Mr. Arnold established the Home Instructor. In 1907 he acquired the

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Quincy Record, a local paper which has since been published and managed by him. His latest acquisition in the way of a publishing medium was made in 1917, when he took over the Poultry Keeper, which is published through his office and which is one of the best mediums of news, information and advertis- ing for everything connected with the poultry industry. Mr. Arnold is now owner of the majority of the stock of the Globe Printing Company, a business that has been in existenee more than forty years, and has a complete modern printing plant at 520 Hampshire Street.

In polities Mr. Arnold has affiliated with the republican party since reaching his majority and casting his first vote. Three years ago he was a candidate for nomination for state representative, and with the enhanced prestige gained by increased age and business prominence his name went before the party pri- maries in September, 1918, when he was nominated and later eleeted a member of the Fifty-First General Assembly of Illinois.

Fraternally Mr. Arnold is affiliated with Quincy Lodge No. 12 of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He soon became interested in lodge work throughout the state and was elected Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1914, in 1915 was Deputy Grand Master, in 1916 became Grand Mas- ter. He is also a member of Lambert Lodge No. 659, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Quiney, and is affiliated with the Seottish Rite Consistory. He is also a member of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, being one of the organizers and the first seeretary of the local organization of the Rotarians. In Adams County he married Miss Leaffie B. Lowary, who is also a native of northern Adams County. They have one daughter, Nancy A., who was a member of the class of 1920 in the Quincy High School but is now attend- ing Carthage College. Mr. Arnold and family are members of the Methodist Church.

HENRY LONG in the flush of young manhood, only recently married, located in Adams County seventy years ago, and was one of the leading citizens of Payson Township for nearly half a century. Prior to the Civil war he located in the Village of Payson, and he lived there until his death May 8, 1896. Mrs. Long has survived him more than twenty years and it is now seventy years sinee her marriage. Mrs. Long, now in the shadow of her ninetieth year, is still occupying the old home in Payson Village, tenderly cared for by her de- voted daughter Ada V.

Henry Long was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia, then the State of Old Virginia, October 25, 1823, and was seventy-three years of age when he died. He was the fourth of six children of Clawson and Rachel (Wagner) Long, also natives of Virginia. Henry Long grew up on a Virginia plantation, and on September 12, 1848, at the age of twenty-five, married Miss Elvina C. Baker. Mrs. Long was born in the same county of Virginia as her husband, on February 2, 1829. Her parents also came to Adams County. They were George and Anna (Lyon) Baker. Her father bought land in Payson Township and located where his son George W. L. Baker is still living, just south of Payson. Mrs. Long was the oldest of ten children, three of whom are still living, includ- ing George W. L. Her brother Michael is a resident of the State of Louisiana. Two other brothers of Mrs. Long came west, Frederick, who practiced medi- cine in Missouri for a number of years, and Edward, who also lived in Missouri.

Henry Long and bride reached Payson Township in the spring of 1849. Here they began farming, having 160 acres four miles from Payson Village on Pigeon Creek, but sixty-two years ago he moved into the Village of Payson, where he had a residence and about ten acres of ground. Mr. Long was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Churel, serving as a member of its official board for many years.

He and his wife became the parents of cleven children, five of whom reached mature years. George W., the oldest of these, is a carpenter now living at Fort Collins, Colorado. Curtis B. is a street railway employe at Los Angeles,

LIBRARY JT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

GM. Finlay

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California. Eugene died July 1, 1907, at the age of forty-two. Anna M. mar- ried Charles W. Coughlan, editor of the Pike County Times at Pittsfield, Illi- nois. Ada V., the youngest, has always made her home with her mother. Mrs. Long is a great lover of flowers, and for many years has found pleasure, health and recreation in tending her plants and shrubbery both inside and outside the house. She has produced some wonderful roses. Mr. and Mrs. Long while they had a large family of their own always kept something of an open house for other people not blessed with homes of their own. They reared an adopted child, Charles W. Long, who for many years ran the hack to Quincy and is still living at Payson.

CAPT. GERALD M. FINLAY. For over half a century one of the honored and conspicuous figures in Adams and Hancock counties was the late Capt. Gerald M. Finlay, who was an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which he organized and led a company, and for many years gave faithful and diligent attention to his affairs as a merchant and property owner. He was a man well fitted for leadership. but aside from the services he rendered when his country was in danger and one or two honorary offices he was content to remain a private citizen.

Captain Finlay was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, December 29, 1836, and died at his home, 411 South Twenty-Fourth Street, in Quincy September 29, 1914. Rev. William B. Finlay was born in County Cavan, Ulster, Ireland, February 15, 1809, and was of Protestant ancestry. He married Charlotte Best, of the same community in Ulster, and both the Best and Finlay families have furnished other citizens to this section of Illinois. Rev. William B. Finlay was carefully reared and trained, was educated in Kildare College prior to his ordination as a minister of the Wesleyan Church. In 1839 he brought his family to the United States by sailing vessel, and soon afterward located in Mel- rose Township of this county. Here he entered upon his services as a local preacher in September of the same year, and was regularly ordained in 1849 by Bishop Jones. In 1857 Rev. Mr. Finlay moved to Chili, Hancock County, bought a farm there, and gave his time to farming and preaching for many years. He subsequently moved to West Point, Adams County, where he died when past ninety-two years of age and his wife also died at West Point. Two of his daughters are Mrs. Mary Woods and Mrs. Helen Garner of Adams County.

Gerald M. Finlay was not yet three years of age when brought to Adams County. He attended school here, and in 1857, at the age of twenty-one, moved with his parents to Hancock County. At the age of eighteen he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a faithful and consistent member of that denomination until his death.

On August 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company I of the Tenth Missouri Vol- unteer Militia, and was active in organizing that company. When it was mustered into the Union Army he was made first lieutenant. He was with that command during the fall and winter of 1861-62 and participated in a number of military movements through Missouri. In the meantime some re- organization occurred in the regiment, and he was assigned as first lieutenant of Company C. From that time forward he was with his command in all its marches and battles, except at the battle of Iuka. He was not in that engage- ment because he was then convalescent from an attack of typhoid fever. On the advice of his surgeon he resigned his commission in January, 1863. Dur- ing his service he was in actual command of his company the greater part of the time, owing to the absence of the regular captain, and was always known as Captain Finlay, though he never held a regular commission with that rank.

After the war Captain Finlay engaged in the grain and general merchandise business at Augusta, but from 1877 to 1887 lived at Quincy and built a home at 1622 Hampshire Street. In 1887 he returned to Augusta, and resumed the grain business, to which he devoted his attention for many years. After re-

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tiring he and his wife spent two years in travel and in 1904 they retired to Quincy and lived in their home at 411 South Twenty-Fourth Street until his deatlı.

Captain Finlay was a very publie spirited citizen. He was one of those most influential in promoting the George Rogers Clarke Monument, served as chairman of the commission, and was influential in having that monument erected in Quiney. The only other publie position he ever held was as super- visor of the eensus for the Warsaw District in 1900. He was a staneh republi- ean after attaining his majority, was a member of John Wood Post, Grand Army of the Republie, member of the Masons and the Knight Templar and also a Scottish Rite Mason. Captain Finlay owned considerable valuable real estate in Quincy.

At Augusta, Illinois, September 15, 1864, Captain Finlay married Miss Martha J. Riec. Mrs. Finlay was born in Augusta March 30, 1841, and was reared there, finishing her education in the old Methodist College at Quiney. For a short time before her marriage she taught school. Her parents were David and Clarinda (Wilson) Rice, both natives of Missouri and of southern families. Her parents at one time owned a fine farm at Augusta. Her father was a skilled blacksmith, but in later years gave his attention chiefly to the development of eoal veins which underlaid his property, and became a very well-to-do eitizen. He died in Augusta at the age of seventy, while Mrs. Finlay's mother died at the age of sixty-two. Both were members of the Methodist Church and her father was a republican.

Mr. and Mrs. Finlay celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Sep- tember 15, 1914. This celebration took the form of a trip to St. Louis, and it was while returning that Captain Finlay was taken ill, his illness develop- ing into pneumonia and just two weeks later he died. Ilis prominence as a citizen is well reflected in the fact that the Quiney Whig used part of its first page to tell the details of his death and publish an interesting photographi taken when Captain Finlay was in the Civil war. Captain and Mrs. Finlay had no children. Mrs. Finlay still occupies the old home on South Twenty- Fourth Street. She is a member of the Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and Captain Finlay among other instances of his generosity gave $2,000 to this ehureh and also donated a similar sum to his Masonie Lodge.

ALBERT AKERS was born on a farm in Columbus Township, Adams County, Illinois, on the 26th day of September, 1849. His parents were of that sturdy pioneering stoek that pushed westward aeross prairies and into the forests, making them habitable for those generations to come. It was a life of priva- tion and self-sacrifice and oftentimes poverty. Such indeed were the environ- ments of Albert Akers' early life. He was the eighth child of a large family and his opportunities for anything other than hard labor were very meager. Schools were few and of a poor quality compared to the modern school. Up to the age of twelve years he attended the distriet school about three months in the year, working on the farm the rest of the time. When the Civil war broke out his four older brothers enlisted in the Union Army and the respon- sibility of the care and support of his widowed mother and the younger chil- dren devolved upon him, his father having passed away a short time previously. It was a burden under which many a lad of twelve would have faltered, but his earlier training and privations now became an asset of no mean value for the task thrust upon him and enabled him to perform his part manfully and uncom- plainingly. He continued as a farm laborer until he was twenty-two years old, when he entered school at Camp Point. Ile studied there for seven months, when he was granted a license to teach, and by teaching in the winter and attending normal schools in the summer he acquired a fair education.

In 1878 he entered the office of Carter & Govert, where he studied law for a year, and then went to Shelbyville, Indiana, where he completed his law

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studies and was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in 1880. He continued the practice of law in Shelbyville eight years, during the latter part of which time he was editor and part owner of the Shelbyville Times, and was a member of the city council always taking an active interest in political affairs.

Judge Akers returned to Quincy in 1888 to practice his profession in his native county and soon became one of the leading and aggressive practitioners at the Adams County bar as a member of the firm of Akers & Swope. He was elected state's attorney in 1892 and served as such the full term of four years. Among the important cases which he prosecuted were those of the Kingston white-cappers, and George Coward, who was sent to the penitentiary for life for murder. He was elected alderman from the Sixth Ward in 1897, and was one of the influential members of the city council. In 1903 he received the nomi- nation on the democratic ticket as candidate for judge of the Adams County Circuit Court and was elected to that office on June 18, 1903. was re-elected in 1909, and again in 1915. His popularity throughout the entire district is the strongest possible testimonial that in his administration as judge of the Eighth District he has been fearless, impartial and has administered the law as he finds it, tempered with such justice as the exigencies of the case will allow. His ability to retain clearly within his mind the evidence submitted in long and complicated litigation enables him to winnow the wheat from the chaff and strike squarely at the heart of the matter in hand, basing his decisions upon the actual facts in the case, giving opinions that are accorded more than usual respect by the bar as a whole.

Upon the resignation of Mr. Justice George A. Cooke in December, 1918, Judge Akers has been prominently mentioned as a candidate for the Supreme bench, but promptly and emphatically refuses any such additional honors.

At Cincinnati, Ohio, September 8, 1876, Judge Akers married Miss Ida May Silver. Mrs. Akers was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, October 9, 1857, and died at Quincy, November 13, 1917. She was reared and educated near Cincinnati, and came as a bride to Quincy after her marriage. Mrs. Akers was a member of the Baptist Church and widely known throughont Quincy for her many splendid traits of character and personal kindness. Judge and Mrs. Akers had four children, three of whom are living: Mrs. Alice Durant, wife of Carl Durant, of Brookfield, Missouri; Albert Earl Akers, of Quincy: and Ida May Akers, still at home. There is also one grandchild, Richard V. Akers.

HARLOW MILLS SPENCER. In the death of Harlow Mills Spencer, which occurred at his home a half mile south of Payson August 15, 1915, the services of one of the valuable men of Adams County were lost and at a comparatively early age. Mr. Spencer was not yet fifty years old. All his neighbors knew his ability and success as a farmer, but it is important to remember not only that fact of his career, but the steady influence he radiated for good in the communi- ties where he lived.

He was born on the old Spencer home farm now occupied by his brother Glenn on March 7, 1866. He lived there during his boyhood and up to the age of twenty-four. After reaching his majority he determined to secure a better education than that furnished by the common schools and paid his way during his course at Oberlin College in Ohio. When he went to farming it was in Pike County on Sni Island, in the Draining District of that name. He and his wife lived there in a community of rather backward social conditions, and their influence did a great deal to clevate and improve the social standards of their neighborhood. Mr. Spencer raised wheat on the bottom lands. Decem- ber 31, 1891, he married Olive Bennett, of Payson, daughter of George E. and Delilah V. (Baker) Bennett. Her father was long a prominent citizen of Payson Township. Mrs. Spencer was second in a family of three children, her brother Edgar E. being a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and identified with oil production. Her sister, Hester A., married William Inman and died

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at the age of twenty-nine. Her father married for his second wife Mary E. Williams, who is now living in Ohio. George E. Bennett died May 17, 1917. Olive Bennett was 412 years old when her mother died, and she was carefully reared by her stepmother. She was twenty years old at the time of her mar- riage.

For twelve years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Spencer lived in the Mississippi Bottoms. They added to their possessions until they had 277 acres, all devoted to corn and wheat crops. The experience was a successful one and on selling out their farm they bought the present home of Mrs. Spencer, a half mile south of Payson. This farm was originally owned by his grandfather, Joseph Elliott, one of the prominent pioneers of Payson Township elsewhere re- ferred to. The farm comprised 160 acres. Mr. Spencer was always progres- sive and though he took the farm in a good condition he did much to further improve it. He supplied it with buildings of all kinds and made it especially well known as the home of high class livestock. He was the pioneer in intro- ducing into this part of Adams County the full blooded Polled Duram cattle. He obtained the nucleus of his herd from Knox City, Missouri, about 1911, and devoted much time and study to improving and maintaining the stock. He kept his animals registered and many of them have since been acquired by neighboring farmers, with resultant benefit in raising the general standard of livestock in that community. Mr. Spencer's son has continued the operation of the farm and has bestowed equal care and effort upon the livestock.

The late Mr. Spencer was active until within a few weeks of his death. He was never an aspirant for official honors for the sake of the honor, but was for a number of years employed in some official duty. He served as road and bridge commissioner in Pike County, as school director and school treasurer, and when he was elected school treasurer his wife succeeded him as director. In politics he was a republican.

Mr. Spencer was married at the age of twenty-four and from that time until his death he was never away from his wife for a longer time than a week, while engaged in jury duty. He was very unselfish, always wanted his wife with him and sharing in all his pleasures, and they took many trips together. Mr. Spencer was a member of the Congregational Church from boyhood, and he succeeded his father as deacon of the church at Payson. He was a splendid bass singer and for many years sang in the church choir, in the Sunday school and also in the Payson quartette. He was exceedingly faithful to all his duties in church and Sunday school, and he apparently never found time to ally him- self with any fraternity. He was a member of the County Farm Improvement Society, and he took a great deal of pride in keeping his own farm improve- ments to the very highest standard. Mrs. Spencer has remained on the farm since her husband's death, and a son is now handling its affairs very com- petently.

Mrs. Spencer is the mother of five children. Samuel George Spencer, oper- ating the home farm, was liberally educated, taking a special agricultural course in the University of Champaign. He is an expert machinist, and is one of the farmers of Adams County who have been successful in managing the tractor. He also has a feed mill, and has made his farm a factory as well as a source of raw production. He married Miss Ella Speckhart, and they have one child, Harlow George. Esther L. Spencer, the oldest daughter of Mrs. Spencer, married Paul Reinebach, and they live on the old Reinebach home- stead in Fall Creek Township. Mary J. Spencer is the wife of Carl Speckhart, a farmer of Fall Creek Township, and has one son, Harlow Adam. Olive Ruth Spencer is a graduate of the local high school and attended the Normal at Macomb, and is a teacher. Lois E. is now in the sophomore class of the Payson High School.

Mrs. Speneer has been active in church work, served as church organist eleven years, is a member of the Missionary Society, Red Cross and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The late Mr. Spencer was always a man

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of literary interests, in spite of the absorbing nature of his farm interests. He constantly read magazines and good books and kept in close touch with the big questions of the day and enjoyed nothing better than the society of his friends and the discussion of affairs which always marked these meetings. Reference has already been made to the value of his presence in the bottom land district of Pike County. He and his wife were among the very few land owners then cultivating the lands of the district, most of the land being owned by non-resi- dents and worked by tenants and transient labor. Naturally the instituions of a settled community had made little progress there. Mr. Spencer as soon as possible secured a minister to hold service, and in a year's time had built the Spencer Chapel on his own farm. This is still a prosperous congregation and is now a Methodist church, Mr. Spencer giving the land for the building site. The church was more than a source of religious inspiration, and became in fact an educational center for the entire community. It has done a great deal to elevate the standards of the community. Within a few years after the Spencers located there the people were buying buggies, the women were wearing good dresses, and there were many other evidences of an enlightened spirit. The late Mr. Spencer had a fine mind, and an especially good muemory, and though exceedingly busy with practical details he carried much choice literature in his mind, and could quote at length many verses and fine examples of the standard poetry which he had learned as a boy in school.

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Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 38

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