USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 98
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L. S. ALLEN, farmer and teacher ; P. O. Topeka ; son of Sylvanus Allen, who was born in Mason Co., Ky., Feb. 10, 1797, and moved to Ohio in 1804 ; was married Nov. 29, 1821, to Miss Bakehorn, daughter of George Bakehorn ; she was born April 11, 1803, in New Jersey, and died Dec. 31, 1875. In the spring of' 1830, they moved to Miami Co., Chio, where they afterward resided. Mr. L. S. Allen was born Jan. 24. 1834, on a farm in Miami Co., Ohio ; at the age of 17, he began teaching, and made his home with his parents until he was married, Ang. 27. 1865, to Mrs. Ella F. Davis, a daughter of Amos Flowers ; her husband, Mr. Davis, died in the late war. In 1864, Mr. Allen began merchandising at Lena, Ohio, in partnership with Mr. Brecount. In 1865, Mr. Brecount drew ont, and Mr. Allen continued the business until 1867, when he came to Mason Co., Ill., and soon engaged in merchandising, at Topeka, in partner- ship with his brother-in-law, Mr. Flowers, and continued thus until about 1874, when they sold the business to Colvin & Hoagland.
He then began teaching during the winters and farming in the summers, which he still continues. They have, by their frugality, secured themselves a house and lot in Topeka, and eighty acres of well- improved land near by. They have no children ; he has held the office of Town Clerk, and is at present a Notary Public ; he and his wife are members of the ME. E. Church. at Topeka, in which he has held the offices of Steward anl Trustee, and is now KK
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Superintendent of the Sabbath school in that Church. He was once Justice of the Peace, and was also in the war, enlisting in the 147th Ohio V. I.
A. B. APPLEMAN, farmer ; P. O. Topeka; is the son of John and Catharine Appleman, both of New Jersey, the former of whom was born Oet. 7, 1800, came to Illinois about 1848, and was killed by a team running away, Sept. 28, 1866. He was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church. His wife was born Oet. 26, 1800; her maiden name being Cross. Her confession was with the Reformed Church, but she afterward united with the Presbyterian. in which communion she died, April 6, 1872, a faithful Christian, sincerely devoted to the interests of the Church. They had a family of eleven children-William C., born Dec. 4. 1821 ; Mary A., Jan. 2, 1824; Cornelia E., Jan. 27, 1826; Sarah L, May, 1928: Margaret A. ( deceased ), Nov. 18, 1830; Alexander C., Jan. 22, 1833 ; Emeline, Sept. 22, 1835; Fannie C., Feb. 14, 1837 ; . Augustus B., Nov. 1, 1838 ; John, March 14, 1841 ; Josephus M., Nov. 5, 1843. The subject of this sketch was born in Somerset Co., N. J., and when 9 years old came with the family, by team, as was customary in those days, to Mason Co., Ill., and settled on the farm which he now owns. It was then a raw prairie, but by their labors has become fine arable land. At 21, he rented of Mr. Anno for one year, afterward working on the farm of his brother-in-law, Mr. Cross. He then bought the present farm, the old homestead of his father, of 160 acres, and has since increased it to 280 acres. His marriage with Hannah (. MeReynolds was celebrated Dec. 31, 1869, by Rev. Henry
E. Decker, of the Reformed Church. Her father's name was Robert MeReynolds, who was born April 13, 1791, in Columbia Co., Penn. He was a farmer, Assessor and Judge. Her mother's maiden name was Moyier. She was born Nov. 14, 1801, in Pennsylvania. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which communion they died. Mr. Appleman has been blessed with the following children-Clara F., born in February. 1870; Clarence and Clayton, twins, Aug. 30, 1872; Frank M., Dec. 11. 1878. He has been and is now School Director, and was once Road Commissioner. His farm, which lies two miles northwest of Topeka, is one of the finest in the country. One could not be otherwise than happy, being thus surrounded by the fields and groves that lie adjacent to this residence. Yet Mr. Appleman has reasons for desiring to change localities.
CHARLES BARTELS, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Topeka ; son of Henry Bartels, a native of Germany, who came to America some thirty years ago, was a farmer and coal miner, and now makes a home with Mr. Bartels, whose mother's name was Long, daughter of a noted farmer of Germany ; she came to America about thirty- three years ago. The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 15. 1849, in Pottsville, Penn., where he remained until 21, at which time he came, with his parents, to Illinois. settling on the present farm of 160 acres, eighty of which now belong to him, the rest to a brother ; this is the old homestead of his father. Mr. Bartels has made good improvements and possesses a fine little home. His marriage with Anna Wills was odebrated Ang. 11, 1872; she is a daughter of William Wills, of Topeka, one of the noted men and carly pioneers of the township, and one of the first settlers of Mason Co. ; she was born in 1854, in Mason Co., Ill .; two children were the fruit of their marriage-George H., born May 30, 1873: Lillie A., Aug. 7, 1576. Mr. Bartels has followed threshing and carpentering; he has been no office secker, and has spent his past years in rural life.
THEODORE BELL, druggist and hardware, Topeka ; son of William Bell, who was born in Pennsylvania ; was a stonemason, and died in August, 1861 ; his wife's maiden name was Hennigh, daughter of Daniel Hennigh, a noted farmer ; she survived her husband and, two years after his death, came to Illinois, and is now making her home in Kansas, with her son Daniel. The subject of this sketch was born May 18, 1846, on a farm in Pennsylvania, and remained there engaged in going to school most of the time until 15 years old, when he left the scenes of his childhood soon after his last farewell to his father, and came, with his two sisters and one brother, to Mason C'o., Ill. ; two years afterward, his mother came. Mr. Bell engaged, at his settlement, in farming for his older brother, Mr. Daniel Bell, with whom his mother makes ber
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home in Kansas, and worked for him one season ; when nearly 18, he enlisted in Co. L, 11th I. V. C., and served eighteen months; returning from war, he began working for his brother, on a farm, for one summer, and then engaged in clerking in a drug store for Harper & Robinson, of Havana, for six months; he then taught school for some time in Sherman Township, Mason Co., and afterward attended school at the Northwestern University at Plainfield, Ill., for two terms ; from there he went to Penn- sylvania and engaged in reading law for a year with the firm of Longworth & Jenks ; afterward, he made a visit to Kansas and soon engaged in teaching school for three years, and, in 1875, he, like others who have left the beautiful plains of Mason Co., returned and engaged in teaching school for three years; he then bought the drug store at Topeka, owned by C. II. Martz, to which he has added a hardware department, and in which business he still continues ; he has held the office of Town Clerk.
NATHAN CLARK, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg ; is a native of Otsego Co., N. Y., where he was born May 9, 1818. There his boyhood and early life were spent, and, being of a musical turn, he studied mnsie, and was for many years leader of a string band that became quite noted. He remembers furnishing music for Gen. Winfield Scott, and a number of other distinguished guests. He came to Illinois in 1863, locat- ing in Mason Co. He now owns a fine tract of land. He removed to Petersburg in 1877, and renovated the Elmo House, and opened it as the Clark House. Ile married Elvira, daughter of Capt. Benedict, of Maryland. Sept. 2. 1845. They are parents of nine children, all of whom are now living and well educated, five being already teach- ers. Few can look back with more satisfaction over their past life than Mr. and Mrs. Clark. Mr. Clark was for a number of years pas-enger conductor on the P., P. & J. R. R. In 1879, Mr. Clark moved upon his farm in Quiver, where he now resides.
GEORGE D. COON. farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Topeka; son of Reuben and Anna Coon. The former was born on a farm in New Jersey, in 1787, and came to Illinois in 1842. His wife's maiden name was Drake, daughter of George Drake, of New Jersey. She was born in 1793. They are both dead; he died in 1862. she in 1853. They were both members of the Baptist Church of New Jersey, and died in that faith. The subject of our sketch was born April 9, 1813, in New Brunswick, N. J., and remained there until 1839, and was engaged in farming and blacksmith- ing. In that year he came, by team, to Illinois, and settled in Greene Co., where he remained until 1842, at which time he moved to Mason Co., and settled on a farm for some time. He then settled on the present farm of eighty acres, which he had entered from the Government prior to his settlement on the same. He has given his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits, and has increased his land to 820 acres, and has improved the same. Seven hundred and twenty acres of this land is the fruit of their own labor and management. He celebrated his marriage, in 1836, with Harriet Brown, daughter of Stephen Brown, of New Jersey. He came to Illinois in 1849, with a family of seven children. His wife's maiden name was Bishop. Mrs. Coon was born in 1815. Six children were the fruit of this happy marriage-Mary J. ( now Apple- man ), who has taught school, Walter L., Reuben G., Sophia B., George D). ; deceased, R. R. Mr. Coon retains a membership in the Baptist Church in New Jersey. At the time of Mr. Coon's settlement the county was but little settled, and there yet remained now and then a wild animal which had perhaps narrowly escaped the flint-lock and spear of the savage. He has toiled on in rural life in the same channel with his neigh- bors, and has improved these raw prairies.
ALBERT CROSS, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Topeka; son of S. B. Cross, of Mason City Township ; his mother's maiden name was MeReynolds, daughter of a noted farmer of New Jersey ; he was born Ang. 11, 1856, on a farm in Mason Co .; Ill., where he remained until 16 years old, at which time he moved with his parent- to Mason City Township, where they remained engaged in farming for four years. Mr. Cross, Sept. 20, 1876, was married to Fronia Slade, of Ohio, daughter of J. W. Slade; her mother's name was Van Gorden. a native of Ohio. After marriage they settled on his father's farm in Mason City Township, and remained there some time, when they moved to the present farm of 160 acres, owned by J. W. Slade, which Mr.
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Cross controls, and on which he is having good success, having this season raised wheat which averaged over twenty bushels per nere; this farm is finely improved. They have been blessed with one child-Stephen R., born Nov. 23, 1878.
SARAH A. CADWALADER, boarding, Topeka ; is a daughter of Isaac Wise- man. a farmer of Ohio; he was born in 1776 in South Carolina, and died Dec. 31, 1833, in Hamilton, Ohio. Her mother's maiden name was Harper, daughter of a farmer of Virginia; she was born in 1789 in Virginia, and died in 1856 in Ohio. The subject of this sketch was born in 1819 in Butler Co., Ohio ; wheu 14 years old, she went with the family to Hamilton, Ohio, where the family had gone for the benefit of part of them who were suffering with consumption, which disease ended the life of her father. In 1837, she was married to Hugh Beaty, a bricklayer and plasterer ; they settled at Hollow Springs for one year ; in the latter part of 1838, Mr. Beaty died, leaving her with an infant, which, shortly afterward, died also; she then went to her mother's home in Hamilton, Ohio, where she bore this sad bereavement. In 1842, she came with her mother and sister to Havana, Ill., where she remained seven years. We here note a matter which shows a kind and sympathizing heart: This lady helped to make the shrouds and to lay out the bodies of eighty-five persons during a period of seven years. In 1849, she was married to Rees Cadwalader, a mechanic of Pennsylvania ; he was of a Quaker family. in which denomination he con- secrated his all; he died in 1867. She, sometime afterward, bought and improved some property in Topeka, Il., where she now resides. By her last husband she had two children, both of whom died while infants. She is a strict member of the M. E. Church at Topeka, Ill., in which communion she consecrated herself' early in life.
JOHN G. DEVERMANN, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Topeka ; son of John Deverman, of Hanover, Germany, who died about 1862. Mr. Deverman's mother's maiden name was Hurkamp; she was born in 1803 in Germany, and died May 8, 1879, at Mr. Deverman's residence, in Quiver Township, where she had been living for some time : she came to Illinois about 1863. Mr. Deverman was born Nov. 19, 1835, on a farm in Germany, and remained there until 22 years old. when he came to Illinois, settling in Havana for two months, and working for his brother-in law, at butchering; he next went to Matanzas, and engaged in farming for R. Havighorst, for one year, when he began farming, renting of George Beal for five years. He then, in 1864, married Anna Budke, of Germany, born in 1815 : she came to Illinois, with her parents, in Is48; they were blessed with seven children-Henry, Mary. Heoman, Willie, John. Lizzie and Katie ( deceased ). Mr. Deverman is now holding the office of School Director. He certainly felt decidedly the effects of poverty in his younger days; on his arrival in this country he had but $15; this talent he improved, until now he has a farm of 225 neres, finely improved, the reward of his energy.
J. W. DOWNEY, physician and surgeon, Topeka; son of W. B. Downey, who was a native of Indiana, and is a farmer, now living in Allin Township. McLean Co., III. His parents were English descent ; his mother's maiden name was Eaton, a daughter of John Eaton, of Indiana ; his father was also a farmer. Dr. Downey was born Nov. 4, 1851, near Martinsburg, Keokuk Co., lowa. At 43 years. he came with his parents, by team, as was customary in those days, to Melran Co., III .. and then engaged in farming and attending school. When 17 years of age, he began learning photography with Benjamin Gray. at Bloomington, HI. ; he continued this for one year, and then engaged to Gray and managed a gallery for him at Lincoln, Bloom- ington, and Fairbury ; while at the latter place, he bought this gallery from Gray, and moved it to Chatsworth, and there continued the business for six months In 1871, he quit photography, and returned to Allin Township, Mclean Co., Ill., where he attended school in the country. In 1572, he began teaching, which he continued, in connection with reading medicine, for over three years. In 1872, he attended one term at the Normal School, in McLean Co., Ill .; during the period he was teaching, he devoted every spare moment to the study of Latin and other branches congenial to his taste ; so earnest was he in the pursuit of the knowledge requisite to his future profession, that he studied on his way to and from school, and recited at night to John Q. Harris, who
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was Principal of the Stanford Schools. He has passed through many of the higher studies. In 1875-76, he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, in which he graduated, and then engaged in practice with Dr. S. B. Wright, at Stanford, Ill., for one year. In 1877, he came to Topeka, Ill., where he has since practiced. He is an active and enthusiastie member of his profession, and enjoys an extensive practice. He has served a full share of those humble, but important public offices. He has twice been a member of the Board of Trustees of Stanford, Ill., and was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library at the same place, of which he was one of the founders. He is now Police Magistrate of Topeka, and also Town Treasurer.
MOSES ECKARD, farmer; P. O. Topeka; son of Henry Eckard, of Balti- more, Md. ; was of German descent. His mother's maiden name is Glass. She was from Maryland, and of German descent. They raised a family of four, two of whom survive- Mr. Eckard and Elizabeth Morton. She is now living on the old homestead of her father. Mr. Eckard was born Oct. 8, 1812, in Fredericks Co., Md. He worked at farming. In 1837, he left the scene of his childhood for Ohio, where he worked at farming, carpentering, and such work as he could get to do. He afterward went to Kentucky, and there worked by the month at $12 until 1839, when he settled in Fulton Co , Ill., for one year, and then worked for Jacob Moss for one year. He then came to Mason Co., and worked by the month for a long time. In 1844, he began farming eighty acres-a part of the present farm of 500 acres, which was then raw prairie, but now has become fine arable land. By marriage he added 200 acres, making 700 acres. He was married to Sarah E. Simmonds Feb. 15, 1844. She was a daughter of Pollard Simmonds, who was born May 2, 1799, and was a farmer and mil- ler. His father was born in 1773. His mother's maiden name was Ritter. She was the daughter of Richard Ritter, of Maryland, born in 1763. Their marriage occurred Aug. 7, 1821, in Kentucky. Mrs. Eckard was born June 29, 1822, in Mason Co., Ky. She was the oldest of nine children, of whom but five survive Her father and mother are dead. He died Feb. 14. 1864, in Illinois, and she died May 10, 1855, in Illinois. They have had six children ; the living are-Sarah, W. H., station agent at Topeka, James P. and John R.
W. H. ECKARD, express and station agent and grain merchant, Topeka ; son of Moses Eckard, who was born in Maryland and a mechanic ; his mother's maiden name was Simmons; daughter of P. Simmons, of Kentucky; she was born in 1823, in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was born May 1. 1846, on a farm in Mason Co., Ill., and remained there engaged in farming until 1867, when he engaged in merchandising at Topeka for a year, after which he engaged as station and express agent at Topeka ; also in buying grain for MeFadden & Simmons, at this place, which he still continues. He was married, in 1868, to Amelia J. Bandean, daughter of John and Jane Bandean ; her father was drowned in a lock at Louisville, Ky., about the year 1846; her mother died in July, 1874. Mr. Eekard has held the office of Township Collector and Clerk, and is now School Director. He has frugally used his means, and has secured a nice house and lot in Topeka. Has three chil- dren-Freddie R., Elmer M. and Harry W.
D. W. FLOWERS, merchant, Topeka ; son of Amos and Phoebe Flowers ; was born in Pennsylvania ; the former was a merchant, physician and minister of the M. E. Church ; he died July 30, 1861, in Ohio ; the maiden name of the latter was Longstreth, daughter of Miller Longstreth, a noted farmer ; she died Aug. 12, 1874. They had eleven children, all of whom died in infancy exept four. Mr. Flowers was born Jun . 9, 1846, in Pal estine, Darke Co., Ohio, and remained there until 6 years old, when the family moved to Miami Co., Ohio, where Mr. Flowers remained until 1866, when he came alone to Mason Co., and settled, teaching school at the Walker district, Mason Co., for one term; he then came to Topeka and engaged as clerk in the dry.goods store of Eckard & Nichols for two years; he then weat into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. L. S. Allen, in dry-goods, under firm name of Allen & Flowers, and was thus connected six years. They then drew out, and the firm became Colvin
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& Hoagland. He then engaged in buying grain at Topeka for two years, for himself, after which he engaged in clerking for the firm of S. V. Brown (now Oliver Brown ), which he still continues. His first marriage was in 1869, to Cassie Kelley, daughter of James Kelley, a farmer and stock-raiser; she died July 5, 1873, leaving two chil- dren-Harry W. and Ellis C. In 1975, he was married to Mattie Curtis, daughter of Alfred Curtis, of Butler Co., Ohio. By this wife he also had two children-Edna M. and Laura B. He has held the office of Town Trustee of Topeka, and Director of Schools, which he still holds, and has also been Town Clerk and Postmaster. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church of Topeka.
J. H. HUGHES, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Topeka ; son of Harry Hughes, of Scotland, who was awhile in Pennsylvania a physician and overseer of iron works. Ilis wife was Hannah Penchion, daughter of John Penchion, of Ireland. She was born in Pennsylvania. He died about 1849, and his wife some time afterward came 10 Ohio, where she died in 1871. They were both strict church members. The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 5. 1841, on a farm in Franklin Co., Penn., and there remained till 21, when he enlisted in the 21st P. V. C., and served nearly two years ; was a Corporal, and was wounded in the thigh at the battle of Bunker Hill, Va. Ou his return from the war, he engaged in teaching and teaming, in Noble Co., Ind., for about two years. In the spring of 1865, he left Indiana, with but little means, and came to Mason Co., Ill., having on his arrival at Havana only $13.60; he engaged at work in a livery stable for Joseph Taylor, of Havana, for three months, when having saved his means, he engaged in partnership with Taylor, and was thus connected for three years, when Mr. Taylor drew out and the firm changed to Hughes & Ranould, and continued such until . 869, when they sold to Taylor, and Mr. Hughes engaged in farming on 40 acres of land, near Mason City, which he owned; he was also renting in addition ; he continued his farming at said place for two years, during which time he added 50 acres, and then traded his 120 acres for the present farm of 250 acres to which he has since added, until he now has 450 acres, which have been obtained entirely by his own labor, and which he has improved and made of fine quality, and well adapted to cattle raising, which he makes a specialty. Mr. Hughes was married, in 1867, to Georgiana Taylor, daughter of Joseph Taylor, one of the carly settlers of Mason Co., and once Mr. Hughes' partner in the livery business; Mr. Taylor's wife's name was llonchin ; she was born in Kentucky, and is still living ; she had six chil- dren. Mr. Hughes has been no office-seeker, but has been connected with the schools. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Ebenezer. Their marriage blessed them with three children, all living-Cleggitt, born April 28, 1869 ; Ethiel G., July 31, 1871 ; Lulia B., Nov. 7. 1875.
CONRAD HEINHORST, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Bishop's Station ; son of William and Louisa Heinhorst of Germany ; the former was born in 1811 ; the lat- ter in 1811, also ; her name before marriage was Miller, daughter of Fred Miller ; they came to this country in 1854. The subject of this sketch was born in 1837, on a farm in Germany, and remained there until 17 years old, when he came with the family to Illinois, settling near Chicago and remaining there two years; while there, three of the family died with cholera. They next moved to Mason Co., and settled at Long Point, near Bishop's Station, where he lived until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. G, 38th I. V. I., and was four and a half years in the war, and was Corporal. On his return, he married Mary Himmel, daughter of John Himmel. They at once settled on the present farm of 160 acres, 120 of which was inherited by his marriage, and 40 he has made by his own labor and management. They have five children-Emma, Lula, Katie, Clara, and an infant deceased. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Bishop's Station, and have been since 1866; he is now Trustee in the Church and Secretary in the Sabbath school; he has been School Director six years, and is now : he also held the office of Roadmaster.
CONRAD HIMMEL, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Topeka; son of Adam Himmel, whose genealogy is given in the sketch of his son, T. F. Himmel, which appears in this work ; was born May 25, 1843, on a farm in Germany; when 3 years
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old, he came with his parents to Mason Co., Ill., and settled on the farm where his father now lives, and remained there until 1867, at which time he made his home on the present farm of 300 acres, about one-half of which he has made by his own labor and management, and by his improvements, has transformed into a farm which ranks among the very best. In 1867, he was married to Elizabeth Bishop, of Illinois- daughter of Henry Bishop, of Mason Co., Ill .; she was born in 1844; they began life together, on their new farm, which was but little improved, and by frugality, have made a happy home for their six children, five of whom are living-Mary M., Evaline, Clara, Emmit B. and Lewis W .; one deceased-Conrad. Mr. Himmel united with the Evan- gelical Church at the age of 14, in which he still continue -; his wife is also a member. He has held the office of Church Trustee, and is now Steward, and has also been Superintendent of Sabbath school.
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