Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 64

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 64

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1123

QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY

John Bond Carroll, who was the fourth in a large family of thirteen chil- dren, remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one and re- eeived his education in the public schools of the varions localities where his father lived. For a brief time he was employed by the Adams Express Com- pany and then entered the State Normal College at Kirksville, Missouri, and in 1908 took the course of the Gem City Business College at Quincy. From that he entered the eivil service by examination and was appointed assistant post- master of Quincy on January 1, 1909.

Mr. Carroll is independent in politics, is a member of the Ad Club of Quincy, a director in the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, and is a leader in the Catho- lie Church. His church membership is in St. Peter's parish at Quincy. Hle is a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus and is president of the Illi- nois Federation of Catholie Societies.

DANIEL JEFFERSON BOLING. With the exception of a year or so spent in Mis- souri Daniel Jefferson Boling has been a resident of Adams County all his life. He has been content with the role of an industrious and hard working farmer, has performed the duties of citizenship that came in his way, and is looked upon by his fellow men as one who has achieved a worthy suecess. Mr. Boling is now living retired at the Village of Columbus.

He was born in Liberty Township February 17, 1851, on what is now known as the Fisher farm. His parents were Louis and Amelia (Hughes) Boling. Louis Boling was born in the State of Georgia, son of Thomas Boling, who brought his family to Tennessee, where he and his wife spent their last years as farmers. Louis Boling when a young man left Tennessee and came to Quincy. This was during the late '30s, and Governor Wood was still living in his log cabin on the site of the present City of Quiney. Louis Boling came to the county in company with Mr. Pevee. Louis Boling was born in May, 1801. After coming to Adams County he married in one of the southern townships Miss Hamilton. She died eighteen months later, leaving one son, William H., who died eight years ago at the age of seventy-four, survived by three children. After the death of his first wife Louis Boling moved to Liberty Township and there married Amelia Hughes, daughter of William Hughes. The Hughes family were among the pioneers of Liberty Township. Louis Boling after his second marriage began life on a new farm three miles east of Liberty Village, eleared up some of the woods and converted them into cultivated fields, and in 1873 sold that farm and bought another place, where he spent his last years. He died February 8. 1878, at the age of seventy-seven. His widow survived him some years and passed away at Elveston in Haneoek County in January, 1904. She was born in June, 1811. Both are buried in the family lot on the Jefferson farm in Coneord Township. They were members of the Dunkard Church and were good, faithful Christians, hard working and enjoyed the complete esteem of their community. The mother was a real pioneer housewife, and was pro- ficient in the arts of weaving and spinning. Of their living children Daniel Jefferson, George W., of Columbus Township, and Mrs. Harriet Edwards, widow of Joseph Edwards, of Camp Point, remain as descendants of these worthy pioneers.

Daniel Jefferson Boling grew up on the old farm in Liberty Township. He attended the old briek schoolhouse in the Union district east of Liberty Village. After he was grown he moved to Coneord Township and for thirty years was a successful farmer in that community. He eventually sold his farm there and bought a place in Columbus Township comprising 168 aeres in seetion 20. This he also improved, ereeted substantial buildings, and for some years did a considerable business in buying and selling horses and cattle and to a less extent of hogs and sheep. Five years ago Mr. Boling moved to Camp Point, and then in 1914 came to the Village of Columbus, where he bought a good six room honse with two large lots.

In Coneord Township he married for his first wife Mary F. Hanke, daugh-

1124

QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY

ter of William Hanke. She was born in Adams County August 12, 1851, and died at the old farm in Columbus Township July 24, 1910. Of her six chil- dren Orville is referred to on other pages. Cora E. is the wife of Lorin Mar- shall, a farmer in Columbus Township, and they have two children, Emerson and Ruth. Lawrenee now lives at Eleentro, California. He married Sadie Brinkman, daughter of Louis Brinkman, and has a son, Galord. Arthur Bol- ing is one of the young men of Adams County whose record is perpetuated with a gold star in the honor flag. He enlisted as a member of the Engineers Corps and while at Camp Fremont died of illness April 6, 1918, at the age of thirty- one. Iva E. is the wife of Robert McFarland, and they live on a farm in Colum- bus Township. Their children are Maxine and Francis. Clarenee E. is also a soldier, was trained for the artillery service, but is now in Company D of the Depot Brigade of an infantry regiment.

For his second wife Mr. Boling married Mattie E. (Whiteside) Kinnaman. She was born in Brown County, Illinois, and first married Mr. Harvey Hoff- man. By that union she had three sons and three daughters, all of whom are married and have children of their own. These children are named Alva, Jessie, Gertrude, Omer, Maude and Harry. For her second husband she mar- ried A. J. Kinnaman, who died seven years ago. There were no children by this marriage, but Mr. Kinnaman had two children by a former wife. Mrs. Boling has ten grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Boling are members of the Chris- tian Church at Columbus, and he is an elder. He served as a township officer in Concord Township for a number of years.

JOHN H. BELKER. In making productive the vast regions of the Middle West no one class of people has borne a more steady and effective part than the German element. Representing the second generation of this class of worthy people in Adams County is Mr. John H. Belker, concerning whose work and standing as an Adams County farmer only the highest words of praise may be spoken. Mr. and Mrs. Belker occupy a fine home in Melrose Township. Mrs. Belker is also of a prominent German family in Adams County, and at all times has proved herself a valuable helpmate and counsel to Mr. Belker in the establishment and building up of their beautiful rural home.

That modern home and its conveniences stands in vivid contrast to the little log cabin in which John H. Belker first saw the light of day on August 9, 1859. His birthplace was on Shell Creek in Adams County. He was the oldest of nine ehildren, four sons and five daughters, whose parents were Gerhardt and Mary (Oenning) Belker. It is testimony to the vitality of the family that all the children are still living and all are residents of Adams County except Mrs. Katie Leffers, widow of Barney Leffers. She is living in St. Louis and is a member of St. Anthony's parish in that city.

Gerhardt Belker was born at Munster, Germany, in 1825. He died in Adams County in 1905. He was a soldier in the German army and for four years was in the forces commanded by Emperor Wilhelm I. Part of the time he was one of the guards at Berlin. He frequently saw and always carried in his ree- olleetion those famous German leaders General Von Moltke and Prince Bismarek.

About 1858 Gerhardt Belker came to the United States, traveling on a steamship and landing in New Orleans, whence he came to Quiney. He arrived at Quiney about the time of the cholera epidemic. He stood high in the favor of a childless old couple in Melrose Township, and they made him their heir to eighty acres of land. Gerhardt Belker was a member of the Catholic Church and very active in St. Antonio's parish in Melrose Township. His wife was also born at Munster, Germany, and crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, the voyage requiring three months. She also landed at New Orleans. She is remembered as a kind and loving mother, and she tended the entire commu- nity in times of sickness and distress. She is still living in advanced years in St. Joseph parish in Gilmer Township.

John II. Belker was edueated in St. Antonio's parochial school for six years

1125

QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY

and had a good practical training for the responsible duties of life. When his were ended he took up farming, and his recollection extends hack over a period of forty years or more when much of the now highly cultivated sections of Adams County were largely waste and uncultivated lands. He made his real start to success when he found his life companion, Miss Frances B. Weidemann. They were married May 10, 1888. To their union have been born five children, three sons and two daughters, four of whom are still living: Mary E. was educated in the parochial school, was given a musical training, and is now the wife of John Lenz, of Melrose Township, and they live on one of the good farms there. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lenz are members of St. Antonio's parish. Gerhardt Belker, the second child, was educated in parochial schools, and is a farmer on the old homestead. He married Miss Bertha Schmezle, and they are members of St. Antonio's parish. Henry has completed his education in the parochial schools and is still at home, as is Alfred, the youngest of the family, still a schoolboy.

Mrs. Belker was also born in a log cabin home in Adams County. Her birth occurred December 26, 1867. She is one of the six living children of Barney and Johanna (Willing) Weidemann. Barney Weidemann was born near Munster, Germany, and after reaching manhood came to the United States and settled in Adams County, where he married. He had a farm of fifty aeres in Melrose Township, and made that the scene of a laborious and profit- able eareer. He and his wife were aetive in St. Antonio's Parish and they both now rest in St. Antonio Cemetery. Mrs. Belker obtained her training in the parochial schools, and for the thirty years since her marriage has been devoted to the duties and responsibilities of home making, rearing the children, and providing for the needs and duties of the present and the future.

When Mr. and Mrs. Belker started in life as young married people they had a very meager equipment. Mr. Belker had a cow and two pigs, and Mrs. Belker was given a similar dower by her father. Their labors and continued years have brought their just rewards. Mr. and Mrs. Belker have a farm of ninety- five acres in sections 4 and 9 of Melrose Township, and their surroundings bespeak their thrift and energy. Mr. Belker is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for General Hancock. He has always supported the prin- ciples of democracy. He has served as tax collector. Both he and his wife are members of St. Antonio Parish and belong to the church societies. While Mr. and Mrs. Belker had to meet and solve many problems in their earlier years, the present and the future stretches before them completely unclouded, and they have many of those things that make life worth living. They keep in touch with their friends and with the attractions of the city and remote dis- triets by means of a Maxwell touring ear.

J. PIIILIP DEEGE has for sixty years been a resident of Adams County, and his life has been one of great usefulness, of much constructive work, with an expression of good citizenship and public spirit in every community affair, and he has well earned the competence he now enjoys and the respect and admiration of his family and friends.

Mr. Deege was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 14, 1839, oldest child of Wendel and Louisa Deege. His parents spent their lives in Germany and died in advanced years. J. Philip Deege eame to the United States in 1857, by sailing vessel from Havre to New Orleans and thence up the river to St. Louis. He first located in St. Clair County, Illinois, and for two years followed his trade as blacksmith at Shilo in that county. In 1860 he moved to Quiney, where his unele, Philip Jacob Deege, was then living. A brother of J. Philip, named Jacob, also came to America, was a farm laborer near Quincy four years, and then went baek to Germany.

J. Philip Deege worked in the Rogers blacksmith and wagon shop for sev- eral years at Quincy.

In 1863 he married Miss Catherine Peters. She was born at Loraine in

1126

QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY

Adams County, daughter of Jacob and Christina (Everhart) Peters. Her parents after living five years in New Orleans eame to Burton Township, and her parents died there in advanced years. They were among the founders of the Lutheran Evangelieal Church near their home.

Three years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Peters returned to New Orleans on account of the wife's health, and during the two years they lived there Catherine Peters was confirmed. She was born May 12, 1842. She had three sisters: Mrs. Daniel Dapper, a widow living at Quiney; Mrs. Wil- liam Schildman of Jacksonville, Illinois; and Mrs. Daniel Moellring.

In 1865 Mr. Deege located in Burton Township and rented a blacksmith shop on the present farm of George C. Dean. He operated that four years, and rendered serviee to a large traffic on the highway in front of his shop. He made new wagons in addition to the general repair work of a blacksmith. He then established a shop near the Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church in Gilmer Township and remained there for six years, was then on a farm in Columbus Township as a renter four years, and in 1878 bought his present place of 160 acres in the northeast quarter of section 1 in Burton Township. Mr. Deege paid $8,000 for this land, going in debt $4,000 and paying 10 per eent interest on it. At that time hogs sold for only 2 cents a pound. The land had not been cultivated for many years and was merely a meadow and pasture. There were no buildings. Taking the property in that condition, Mr. Deege has made it what it is today, erecting good buildings and bringing the land to a point of cultivation where it is equal to any other Burton Town- ship farm. His chief dependence in the way of livestock has been placed on hogs. He has marketed from 60 to 75 head every year. Mr. Deege got his start in life as a renter, and aeeumulated enough money from renting to buy his first land. He is now practically retired from the duties of farming and leaves the operation of his homestead to his son-in-law. He and his wife are members of the Liberty Lutheran Church. For many years he continued to keep a blacksmith shop on his farm and did much of the work in that line required by his neighbors. He is a demoerat, served twenty years on the school board, and for twenty years has been aetive in the church council.

Mr. and Mrs. Deege had a large family of children, and those that grew up they gave assistance in getting their start in life. The record of the children is briefly as follows: Philip Jacob, of Columbus Township; Daniel W., of Liberty Township; Frederick, a mill engineer at Great Bend, Kansas; Edmund, of Liberty Township; Lonisa C., wife of Xopharie Weisenberger, a mail carrier at Great Bend, Kansas; Anna A., wife of Lemus Weisenberger of Burton Township: Mary M., formerly a music teacher, now Mrs. Albert Balzer, of Liberty Township; Melvina, who died at the age of ten years; Henry and Louisa, both of whom died in childhood; Leanore, Mrs. Henry Sehmiedeskamp, wife of a well known attorney at Quiney; Charlotte, Mrs. Elmo Pieree, and mother of one son, Paul. Mr. Elmo Pierce now operates the old Deege homestead.

THOMAS STURGIS ELLIOTT. Love of land, of peace and industry, cardinal virtues in the lives of men and nations, have been the ever present and eon- trolling influences in the life of Thomas Sturgis Elliott of Payson. He has lived in Adams County since early boyhood, has always preferred the quiet. plain life of the farmer, but from that position his influence, character and ability have radiated into many affairs, and he has served well and without priee the interests of many others in his community.

Mr. Elliott was born in one of the interesting seetions of old Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, October 7, 1841. He is of Welsh, Scoteh and Irish anees- try. His parents were Joseph and Margaret (Sturgis) Elliott, both of whom were born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, his father April 18, 1803, and his mother in November of the same year. They were married October 19, 1826. and in 1849 brought their family west and settled at Payson. John

Thomas, S. Elliott

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

1127

QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY

Elliott. a brother of Joseph, also eame to the eounty and spent his life in the home of his brother Joseph. A sister, Mrs. George Greene, had lived in Adams County twelve years before Joseph eame. Joseph himself had visited here two years prior to establishing his home. He bought a farm in Payson, and for a number of years followed his business as a carpenter and bridge builder. He was a very skillful and successful bridge contraetor, building structures both of wood and stone. A stone areh bridge over Fall Creek in Fall Creek Township is still standing, and its use for over fifty years testifies strongly to the qualifications of the builder. In 1852 he put up a wooden areh bridge over Mill Creek at Marblehead, and that served at least sixty-five years. An- other that is still standing is one at Paris, Missouri, built before the Civil war. Joseph Elliott made money easily, but was too generous, especially in going security for others, to build up a fortune, as many men of less ability did. However, he died well off. At one time he owned 1,300 acres of bottom lands, but sold them before they became valuable through drainage and reclamation. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church at Payson. He died in April, 1892, at the age of eighty-nine, and his wife in Deeember, 1887, aged eighty-four. They had a family of nine children: Emmor became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and at one time presiding elder. He was a very brilliant and eapable man, and especially fond of horses, and eould tame the wildest animal. However, his death was due to a runaway team, and his life was cut short at the early age of forty-one. Jane, the second child. became the wife of Samnel N. Spencer, and she died at Payson at the age of eighty-three. Her son G. Glenn Speneer oeeupied the old farm. Wilson B., who died at the age of eighty at Hannibal, Missouri, was a farmer in this county and also in Missouri. Mary died in young womanhood. Joseph P. is a merchant at Payson. Elizabeth died at the age of sixty-one at Hannibal, and was twiee married, her first husband being Anthony Lyonberger and her second, J. J. Allander. The next in age in the family is Thomas S. Elliott. Margaret S. married L. R. Kay, a farmer of Adams County and later of Kansas and now living retired at Long Beach, California. Sarah Ellen married M. P. Whiteomb, and they reside at 2229 Hampshire Street in Quincy.

Thomas S. Elliott was eight years of age when brought to Adams County. He attended private schools of Payson, being a student when it was eustomary for the parents to pay the tuition for each child. He farmed for several years on his father's place of 160 acres, and about forty years ago eighty aeres of that estate became his own portion. He has kept increasing and improving his land until he now has a large and complete farm of 400 acres. This in- cludes one of the farms of his father, which was bought in 1850 for $2,800. Mr. Elliott has paid prices ranging all the way from $45 to $100 per aere for his additional land, mueh of it bought at $64 an acre. General farming, rais- ing of stoek, grain and hogs have constituted his chief activities. At times he grew as many as 200 hogs a year. In recent years he has not been active in farming. turning over those responsibilities to his son-in-law.

No part of his eareer is more pleasing to review than that recording his publie activities and his unselfish interests as a member of the community. Mr. Elliott has been ealled upon to settle many estates, at least twenty-five, and some of them very large and valuable ones. For ten years he handled one estate as trustee, and was never required to file a bond. His neighbors have frequently asked him to look after sales and attend to other business details, and in man- aging some forty sales of this kind the only loss he can remember was the mere trifle of $17.50. He has been guardian for a number of children. and has supervised many delieate and important interests of this kind.

Practically all the local offices have been bestowed upon him at some time. He was township supervisor for fifteen years, at different periods. for two years was chairman of the board, and has also been assessor and member of the Board of Review. An active demoerat, he was for two years chairman of the County

1128

QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY

Central Committee, and managed a congressional campaign. Ile was the first inheritance tax appraiser when that law went into effect in this section.

Those interested in the wholesomeness and essential comforts of country life find pleasure and encouragement in the beautiful farm and home Mr. Elliott has established for himself and family. His house is one of the most commu- dious among the country residences of the county, is beautifully situated, has a broad sweep of veranda, large grounds and ample shade, and inside has all the comforts and conveniences that make life worth living, whether in the town or country. Mr. Elliott heats his home with a large wood furnace, and is never bothered by scarcity of coal, since he has fifty acres of woodland on the farm. His local school is on a part of his farm, and he has served many years as director. The school at one time had an enrollment of seventy-five pupils, but now its average enrollment is twenty. He and his wife attend the Congrega- tional Church at Payson. Mr. Elliott is a director of the Ricker National Bank at Quincy and also of the Plainville Bank. For the last seven years he and his wife have spent their winters at Long Beach, California, but he has never been induced to buy or invest in California property.

November 2, 1864, Mr. Elliott married Miss Celena Whiteomb, who was born at the Village of Payson November 4, 1841, daughter of Jasper and Eliz- abeth (Duff) Whitcomb. Her father was born at West Hartford, Vermont, September 23, 1807, and her mother was a native of Ireland, of French descent, and she came to Adams County with a brother. Wyman Whitcomb, a brother of Jasper, was a member of the Board of Supervisors for sixteen years in Payson Township and was chairman of the board for eight years. Jasper Whitcomb, who came to Illinois about 1833, was a magistrate at Payson for twenty-four years, and a carpenter by trade. He was killed at the age of seventy-eight by the kick of a horse. Mrs. Elliott's mother died in January, 1902.

To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott were born two children, the son dying in infaney. The daughter, Florence, born April 4, 1876, is the wife of R. G. Kay. She was educated in the schools of Payson and at Oberlin College. Mr. and Mrs. Kay were married December 25, 1902, and they have two children : Garnet E., born in 1905, and Robert T., born in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Kay live at the Elliott home, and he now has active supervision of the farm.

LORING P. WHEELER. One of the oldest native living sons of Adams County, Loring P. Wheeler has for eight deeades been identified with this part of Illi- nois. The development of the county's resources and the transformation of its lands from raw woods and valleys into beautiful farms has taken place before his own eyes. In that development he has shared as an individual, made a name for himself as a substantial and public spirited citizen, and has acquired those things ambitious men most desire-financial independence, the rearing and training of children to lives of usefulness and honor, a good name and many friends.

Mr. Wheeler was born August 24, 1838. He was the oldest of three sons of John and Rebecca (Pease) Wheeler. He has one living brother, George E., who was formerly in the milling business hut is now a retired resident of Quincy, with home at 413 Vermont Street.

Mr. John Wheeler was of Welsh ancestry and was born at Sudbury, Massa- chusetts, in 1813. He died in 1908, in his ninety-fifth year. He was reared in Massachusetts and his education largely depended on his private studies and the opportunities that came to him to acquire knowledge of men and affairs. During his long and active career he was identified with farming and milling at Quiney. John Wheeler eame to Quiney in 1837. He was here in time to meet and know the founders of the City of Quincy and all the early pioneers of the county, among whom he played a worthy and honored part. There were Indians in Western Illinois when he arrived, and he witnessed the final emigration of the red tribes across the Mississippi River. His loca- tion was in Melrose Township, where he obtained land from Captain Pease, a

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 64

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