Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 86

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 86

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In 1860 Mr. Joseph Heekle married at Quincy, in St. Boniface Church. Anna Mary Mast. She is a member of the prominent Mast family, one of whom was the first German settler at Quincy. She was born in Melrose Township August 4, 1843, a daughter of Casper and Rosena (Dold) Mast. Casper Mast was born in Baden, Germany, in 1815, and came to Quiney in 1835. A brother of Casper Mast was Michael Mast, who is distinguished as the first German settler of Quincy. Michael was born in 1797, and located in Adams County in 1829. He was a tailor by trade, and had come to the United States in 1816. For a time he lived in Old Mexico, but in 1829 he came up the Mississippi River and sought a home on the frontier at what is now Quincy. For a number of years he was in business in the city, and died here a bachelor in 1852. Michael Mast and some of his fellow German colonists were the founders of St. Boni- face Catholic Church in Quincy. Casper Mast and wife were married in that church in 1841. The father of Casper Mast died at Quincy in 1849, during the cholera epidemic.

Mr. Joseph Heckle some years after his marriage was able to buy twenty- eight acres in Melrose Township, included in the present place of his son Albert, and he kept adding to that and improving until he had a good farm of about eighty-eight acres. In 1910 he retired from the farm and has since lived in his fine brick home at 1101 Adams Street. He and his wife are active members of St. Mary's Church. On June 19, 1910, they celebrated their golden wed- ding anniversary, surrounded with children, grandchildren and a host of friends who delight to honor them. Joseph Mast is a demoerat in politics. For a num- ber of years he was trustee of the schools of his home township.

Albert E. Heckle grew up in the country near Quincy and had a good edu- cation in the parochial schools and in St. Francis Solanus College at Quincy. On October 25, 1910, at the age of twenty-six, he married Miss Frances C. Delabar. They have two young daughters, Rita Marie and Rosalia Frances.

Mrs. Heckle was born at Quincy, at 1020 Hampshire Street, June 29, 1886, daughter of Constantine and Mary Magdalene (Nadler) Delabar. She is the youngest of their five daughters, four still living: Hannah, who was educated in the parochial schools, was a skilled dressmaker and is now the wife of Anton J. Jansen, a grocery merchant living at 1228 Broadway, Quincy. Mr. and Mrs. Jansen have five children, one son and four daughters, and all are members

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of St. Boniface parish. Dora, the second sister of Mrs. Heckle, was well edu- cated and was the wife of Frank J. Altnix, who is in the wholesale grocery business and lives at 1635 Broadway. She died October 19, 1918. They were members of St. Francis parish and had five children, three sons and two daugh- ters. Kate Delabar married Ed J. Helmer, a business man at Quincy and a resident at 911 Spring Street. They had one son.

Mrs. Heckle after completing her education in the parochial schools turned her talents to work as a modiste, and she and her sister were employed in the large Quincy store of Halbach & Schraeder. Mrs. Heekle also had a good busi- ness training in the National Business College.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heckle moved to their farm and together they have carried on the work and solved the problems of life as they have come up, and have made for themselves a happy home, gained many friends, and are people who uphold all good things in their locality. Mr. Heckle in national affairs is a democrat, but supports the man rather than the party in local offices. Office holding for himself has not been one of his active desires or ambitions. He and his wife are supporting members of St. Mary's Church and its varions societies. They have prospered as business-like farmers and enjoy the comfort and pleasure of a touring car. They have a home that is the abode of hospitality and good cheer and is frequented by their many friends.

EDWARD DENNIS HUMPHREY. One of the oldest homesteads in Melrose Township is the Humphrey farm of 100 acres, known as Hackberry Farm, situated in section 20. It is now owned and occupied by Edward D. Humphrey, who represents the third generation of this notable family in Adams County.

One of the noblest men in the county's citizenship was the late Edward F. Humphrey, who died April 5, 1917. Edward F. Humphrey was born at Sims- bury, Connecticut, November 25, 1823, and was in his ninety-fourth year when he died. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and was seventeen years old when he came with his father, Alexander Humphrey, in 1840 and settled in section 20 of Melrose Township, Adams County. This is the old farm which has been continuously under the Humphrey management for over three-quarters of a century and was obtained originally in a practically virgin state. From the standpoint of fertility and improvements it ranks with the best farms in the county. Alexander Humphrey was born in September, 1791. The first home of the Humphreys in this county was a typical log cabin, and it stoood only twenty-five or thirty rods from where the present modern residence is.

The late Edward F. Humphrey in the winter of his nineteenth year tanght school and continued teaching for about ten years. He taught six years in the schools of Quiney and for two years of that time was principal of the high school. A number of men and women now in mature life remember him for his instruction to early lives. He always loved good literature and was a man well versed in books as well as in human character and affairs. He possessed a remarkable fund of energy, which kept him busy up to his final years. At one time he was an old time photographer with Warren A. Reed at Quincy. After leaving his school work he engaged in the lumber business at Hamilton in Hancock County, and had charge of some lumber mills there.

Alexander Humphrey died May 1, 1865, and soon afterward his son Edward returned to the old homestead in Adams County and began farming with his brother A. A. Humphrey. During his residence at Hamilton, Ohio, he served that city five years as mayor. The old log house on the Humphrey homestead made way to the stately brick residence which is still standing, and the brick was burned on the farm. It was at the time one of the most pretentious homes in the township. The farm gets its name Hackberry Farm from the fact that Edward F. Humphrey's brother Alexander set out in 1842 a hackberry tree, which was then a mere twig, but which with seventy-five years of growth lifts

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its twisted branches high in the air and is one of the finest specimens of that tree to be found in the township.

Edward F. Humphrey began voting as an old-line whig, but was an early convert to the republican party. In the spring of 1878 he was elected super- visor of Melrose Township, and for many years was treasurer of the school district. He was distinguished by a highly methodical mind and had the ability of the expert accountant at a time when that was hardly recognized as a special profession. His penmanship, still extant, looks like eopperplate, and his old account books, which preserve their records up to the year 1876, show a neat- ness and legibility such as few modern bookkeepers could surpass. He was a member of the Congregational Church and served as superintendent of the Sunday school at Hamilton, Illinois, and as soon as he returned to Melrose Township was elected superintendent of the Melrose Chapel Sunday School and filled that office for about thirty years. He and his wife were laid to rest in the Melrose Cemetery.

Edward F. Humphrey married in 1850 Mary Ann Keyes, daughter of Wil- lard Keyes, of Quincy. She died April 20, 1853. On December 18, 1861, Ed- ward F. Humphrey married Mrs. Martha E. (Dennis) Carey, widow of Thomas D. Carey, of Hancock County. She was born September 6, 1833, at Peterboro, New Hampshire, and came to Illinois in 1858. She died in 1911. She was well educated and had taught school at Nauvoo, Illinois, and also in her home district.

Edward Dennis Humphrey, only son of his father and mother, was born in Hancock County, Illinois, October 7, 1868. However, his home has been in Adams County since early infancy, and here he was educated, supplementing his public school training with work in the Northern Illinois Normal at Dixon, and also by 21% years in the Illinois State Normal at Normal, Illinois. He entered that school in 1890 under President John Cooke. Mr. Humphrey taught in one of the schools of Melrose Township, and while that was a very congenial profession the most of his years have been spent in farming and stock raising. He has done much to improve the grades of livestock in his community, and has some registered Poland China hogs and thoroughbred Jersey cattle.

June 21, 1892, Mr. Humphrey married Miss Irene Timmons. To their mar- riage were born four children, three sons and one daughter, all still living. The oldest are Leo and Leone, twins. Leone is the wife of Wilbur Coe, a Mel- rose Township citizen referred to on other pages. Leo, who completed his edu- cation in the high school of Quincy, which he attended two years, is a practical farmer in Melrose Township, is a republican, and an active member of Melrose Chapel. He married Miss Alma Lepper, who is a teacher in the Melrose Chapel Sunday School. Elmer T., the second son, is a gardener in Melrose Township, was educated in the common schools and in the Gem City Business College, and he and his wife are members of the Melrose Chapel. He married Miss Elsa Hagerbaumer, and their two children are Elmer, Jr., and Vernon Edward. Verne L., the youngest of the family, is one of the bright boys in the public schools of his home district and is now in the sixth grade.

Mrs. Humphrey was born in MeLean County, Illinois, September 16, 1868, the youngest of six children, one son and five daughters. Her parents were James A. and Anna (Lawson) Timmons. Two of her sisters are still living, Lillie and Fannie. Lillie is the wife of J. H. Allred, a successful contractor at Kansas City, Kansas, the foundation for his business career having been laid as an expert mechanic and cabinet maker. Mrs. Allred was educated in the schools of Buffalo, Illinois. Fannie is the wife of Isadore Horner, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Mrs. Humphrey was reared in McLean County, Illinois, until young wom- anhood. In addition to the public schools she attended the Normal University at Normal. She is an active church worker and has chosen a full share of responsibilities in maintaining the Red Cross work in this county.

Her father, James A. Timmons, was born in Ohio and when a young man went to MeLean County, Illinois. He had a common school education and fol- Vol. II-34

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lowed the life of a farmer. He was a stanch republican, and he and his wife were Methodists. He died in October, 1892, and both he and his wife now rest in the cemetery at Buffalo, near Springfield. Ilis wife was born in Ohio and died August 1, 1911.

For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey have had their home at the beautiful old Humphrey place, and a more attractive spot it would be difficult to find anywhere in Adams County. Their home is thoroughly modern. The house and the outbuildings are lighted by electricity, and there is running water for both domestic and stock purposes. The power for this and other machinery about the farm is supplied by gasolene motors.

Mr. Humphrey is a republican and cast his first vote for William MeKinley. He has proved one of the useful men of his township, and in that is emulating the example of his honored father. He is executor of his father's estate and administrator of his mother's property. In 1906 he was elected school treas- urer of his district, and has taken pride in keeping the books and accounts as neatly and accurately as his father had always done. He was chosen a dele- gate to the Republican State Convention in 1906, and has served as delegate in various county conventions. Mr. Humphrey is a prominent Mason, having affiliations with the lodge at Quiney and in the Scottish Rite is a member of Lodge of Perfection of the fourteenth degree, Quincy Council of Jerusalem of the sixteenth degree, Rose Croix Chapter of the eighteenth degree and Quincy Consistory of the thirty-second degree. Both Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey are active members of Melrose Chapel and do much to support all church causes in that community. He was for a number of years superintendent of the Sunday school.

WILLIAM HENRY WOOD. Widely known by the traveling public as proprietor and manager of Wood Hotel, one of the leading hotels of Quincy, William Henry Wood has acquired popularity as "mein host," being genial, accommodating and ever mindful of the needs and comforts of his many guests. He was born July 24, 1862, in Tiverton, England, a son of Abraham and Elizabeth Ann (Treble) Wood, who were born, lived and died in England.

Attraeted by the wonderful reports of the prosperity to be obtained by the working man in the United States, William Henry Wood crossed the Atlantic, and soon after landing on the American shore made his way to Galesburg. Illi- nois, where he remained for a while. Coming from there to Quiney, Mr. Wood on July 31, 1898, opened a dining room in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Station, and operated it successfully for twelve years, gaining the good will, esteem and patronage of hosts of travelers. In the meantime he erected the Wood Hotel, a four-story, brick and stone building, 40 by 150 feet, containing 100 rooms, all being modernly equipped and furnished, and has since conducted it on the European plan, managing it in an efficient and highly satisfactory manner.

Mr. Wood married, June 2, 1892, Alice Fraser, a native of England, and they have two children, Gwendolen Gladys and Dorothy Phyllis. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are consistent members of the Episcopalian Church. Politically Mr. Wood is a steadfast republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Aneient Free and Accepted Masons, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Loyal Order of Moose. Socially he belongs to the North Side Boat Club.

FRANK DICK, treasurer of the well-known firm of Dick Brothers, and super- intendent of its brewing plant, is connected officially with one of the active and thriving industries of Quincy, his home city. He was born in Quincy June 28, 1862, and has here spent his life.

His father, John Dick, was born in Germany and as a young man came to America, the land of hope and promise. In 1851 he located at Belleville, Illi- nois, and eame to Quiney in 1856. In company with his brothers Jacob and

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Mathew he started in the brewing and milling business, establishing the original firm of Dick Brothers, with which he was associated until his death in October, 1889. He married Louisa Steigmeir, a native of Ohio, and into their home seven children were born, as follows: Anna, deceased ; Bertha, widow of August H. Glassner, of Kansas City, Missouri; Emma, residing in Quincy; Frank, of whom we write; Matilda, deceased; Ida, wife of F. L. Lampel, of St. Louis, Missouri; and John E., who died in April, 1917.

After his graduation from the D. L. Musselman Business College Frank Diek worked in the office with his father for a year, and afterwards spent two years in the brewing plant, becoming familiar with its every department, and later worked in other breweries, making a thorough study of the more modern and scientifie methods used in brewing. Owing then to changes in the Dick Brothers' business, Mr. Diek assumed charge of the brewing department of the plant. He was later made superintendent of the entire plant, which is one of the most extensive in the state, and is still filling that position, and is also treasurer of the company. He is constantly increasing the interests of the firm, and through his influence the Dick Brothers "Pilsener" Beer was introduced to the trade.

Mr. Dick married, April 26, 1893, Rose E. Oertle, a native of Quincy, and their only child, Frank Joseph Dick, is a student in the University of Illinois. Independent in his political affiliations, Mr. Dick votes for what he deems the best men and measures. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

PETER H. MEYER. A stimulating and encouraging story might be written concerning the efforts and enterprise of Peter H. Meyer of Quincy. Mr. Meyer is a fine German, thoroughly affiliated with everything American and for the good of Quincy, and belongs in that class of citizens whose work constitutes a real service as well as a means of livelihood.

Mr. Meyer was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1865. His parents lived and died in that country and were farmers and Lutherans. He received his education in the old country and in 1892 started from Bremerhaven on the ship Oldenburgh, and landed in Baltimore in May. On the 29th of the same month he arrived in Quincy. He had learned the trade of baker in Germany and he found employment in Quincy in that line for four years. Then, on May 16, 1896, he started his own plant. It was a very modest enterprise, all his baking being done in a large summer kitchen. He has kept adding to and developing his plant from time to time, and he still keeps the old shop as a reminder of former days. His present plant is in a building 40x69 feet. The full capacity of the plant is 20,500 loaves per day. Other equipment comprises two wagons for delivery purposes and a truck. On the same lot, at 1036 Jefferson Street, he has his residence, an eight-room, two-story house. In 1900 a fire that started nearby resulted in the total loss of his property, with only $100 insurance. IIe rebuilt at once, and put most of his equipment in a brick structure practically fireproof. Other buildings of his plant include a barn, and the entire property represents in a measureable degree the prosperity he has acquired since coming to Quiney, and all of it the result of a steady and thoroughgoing service.

On September 8, 1892, in Quincy, Mr. Meyer married Miss Hannah Heit- kamp. She was born in the same province as her husband Angust 9. 1865. She was seventeen years old when her parents came to America. IIer father, Fred- erick Heitkamp. is still living in Quincy and celebrated his eighty-second birth- day February 9, 1918. Her mother is ten years younger. Frederick Heitkamp is a stone mason by trade, and the family for many years have been identified with the hard-working, honest and capable citizenship of Quincy. The Heit- kamps and also the Meyers are active members of St. James Lutheran Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have eight living children: Anna, the oldest, is the wife of Charles Kaull, of Chicago. Ida is a well educated young woman still at home with her parents. Emma was the victim of a tragic accident at Quiney

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June 15, 1915, when she met death in a motor cycle accident. William F. was well educated in the city schools and is now employed in his father's shop. He was born January 21, 1894. Harry H. was born November 23, 1895, and sinee completing his schooling has also been associated with his father. Otto was born April 18, 1899, and is through school and is learning his trade under his father. Freda was born November IS, 1900, and is a graduate of the grammar school of Quiney. Irene, born March 9, 1903, has also completed the grammar school course. Florence, the youngest, born May 13, 1905, is a student in St. James Lutheran parochial school.

CHARLES EDWIN SHANK is widely known over the eastern part of Adams County as proprietor of a successful business as a florist and market gardener. He went into that business at Clayton thirty-five years ago, having no special experience as qualifications, though the Shanks have always had some special proficiency in handling and growing crops. Being active in mind and vigorous in body, and with a wife whe was as enthusiastic and helpful in every branch of the business as himself, Mr. Shank rapidly acquired details, and though some- times at considerable cost has made his experience count for real success.

Mr. Shank was born on the old Shank farm in Brown County, Illinois, Sep- tember 5. 1861. IIe is a younger brother of the veteran horticulturist Daniel Shank, and sufficient details of the family history will be found on other pages of this publication. Mr. Shank remained at home until reaching his majority. He had a district school education and began life for himself as a farm renter. He rented land in Brown County for ten or fifteen years.

About 189I he established his present business, at first as a fruit grower and gardener. He also conducted a small greenhouse for the purpose of growing flowers and propagating garden plants. After a few years he devoted all his time to gardening and small fruits on the thirty-two acre traet including his father's old home at Clayton. It was after some ten or fifteen years of varied experience in this line that he resumed the floraculture feature of his business. At present he has about 5,000 square feet of glass, and also a number of hot beds for the propagation of plants. His greenhouse is heated by a steam plant. He also cultivates some aeres in truck gardening, and is proprietor of the South Side Cemetery, which was originally established by Ben Bryant. The ceme- tery comprises about three acres, and Mr. Shank has added some from his own farm.

Mr. Shank grows vegetables chiefly for the home market, and has built up a considerable specialty in potted plants. He has the only greenhouse between Quiney and Jacksonville, and supplies a large trade in flowers to neighboring villages and towns. Mr. Shank has a neat home. located in the Village of Clay- ton, and is an active citizen of that community, having served several years as village trustee. He is a member and deacon of the Baptist Church and a worker in its Sunday school.

On May 15, 1889, Mr. Shank married Miss Frances May Bates, of Camp Point, daughter of Franeis H. Bates. Mrs. Shank was reared and educated at Camp Point, and is as much at home in the culture of flowers and the running of the business as her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Shank have three children. Marie is the wife of Roy B. Smith, a grocery merchant at Flint, Michigan. Jennie is assistant cashier of the State Bank of Clayton and lives at home with her parents. Reva is now a senior in the Clayton High School.

Francis HI. Bates, father of Mrs. Shank, was born in Boone County. Ken- tucky, May 15, 1839, son of Horace and Mary (Carpenter) Bates. He was eight years old when his parents moved to Brown County, Illinois, and he learned the trade of carpenter from his father. Later he took up mechanical engineering, and for a number of years was engineer of the Eagle Mill at Camp Point. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I of the Eighty-Fourth Illinois Infantry, and was in service until mustered out with the rank of corporal in January, 1863. Mr. Bates died May 30, 1914. October 31, 1861, he married

LIBRARY Of THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

H. E. Lamb.

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Mary J. Seott, who was born at Clayton in Adams County, March 18, 1843. She died October 29, 1910. Her father, Capt. William Scott, was born iu Cham- paign County, Ohio, September 8, 1813, and for many years was a snecessful miller. In 1837 he enlisted in the regular army, and during the next three years was a participant in the Florida Indian wars. In 1842 he married Eleanor Misenheimer. In 1846 he raised a company for the war with Mexico. Captain Scott located in Adams County in 1854, and for many years was engaged in the milling business at Camp Point. A participant in two wars, he raised a com- pany at the time of the rebellion, but on account of ill health served only nine months.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates had two children to grow up: Frances May, Mrs. Shanks, who was born March 23, 1866, and William Nelson, who was born October 29, 1869, now connected with the Quiney Casket Company.

CHARLES ALFRED LAMB was one of the live and enterprising farmers of Melrose Township, his home being three miles east of Quincy on State Street. He spent most of his boyhood in Adams County and afterwards lived with an Adams County settlement in Chariton County, Missouri, for a number of years. He finally returned to Adams County and was proprietor of one of the pro- duetive farms and a citizen whose substantial character was regarded as an asset in the community. His death occurred January 10, 1919.

Mr. Lamb was born in Morgan County, Illinois, November 5, 1859, and was brought to Adams County when five years old. His parents, Basil and Matilda (Kurby) Lamb, were both born in Mason County, Kentucky. They came to Illinois in 1840, settling near Jacksonville on a farm, and in 1864 moved to Lima Township of Adams County, seven miles north of Mendon. Their farm was on Bear Creek. In the winter of 1879, they determined to join the large colony of Adams County people, mostly from Mendon Township, who established homes in Chariton County, Missouri, and a new community center known as Mendon, named in honor of their Adams County home. Basil Lamb died there at the age of seventy-two and his wife at sixty-seven. All his business life was spent in farming. He was active in the Christian Church at Mount Hebron in Lima Township. Charles A. Lamb was the only member of the family in Adams County and was the youngest of nine children. Three are still living. Mrs. Mary McAdams, Sophronia Lewis and John W., all living in Oregon.

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Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. II, Part 86

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