The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 93

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848

USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 93
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 93

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).

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

WILLIAM GINTHER, farmer ; P. O. New Holland; born in Prussia, Ger- many, Sept. 15, 1827 ; emigrated to America and landed in Baltimore July 7, 1842 ; he then located in Ross Co., Ohio, and followed farming until 1866, when he located upon his present place in Mason Co., and purchased 160 acres of land ; he now owns 280 of good improved land, with two good sets of farm buildings. He arrived in America without means, and has, by his own hard labor and correct business habits, accumulated all of the above property, and now stands among the large landholders and successful farmers of the county. He has been twice married; his first wife was Christina Ginther; married in Ohio Feb. 2, 1851; she died Oct. 31, 1874, leaving five children-Christina, Richard, Matilda, Reinhart and Josie. His marriage with Caroline Stouder was celebrated Nov. 7, 1875 ; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, April 4, 1850 ; they have two children by this union-Katie and veorge. Mr. Ginther is School Director in the district in which he lives.

L. R. HASTINGS, Mason City. Among the settlers who came to Mason Co. in 1851, we find the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Franklin Co., Mass., March 3, 1806, where he obtained his general education. In 1825, he removed to New York and followed farming and preaching until 1845, when he came to Indiana and followed farming and preaching until the fall of 1851, when he came to Illinois and entered 160 acres of land in Mason City Township, with land warrants, at an expense of 814 cents per acre; here he resided until 1876, when he sold at $60 per acre, and removed to Mason City, where he now resides. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1845, and has followed the ministry for a period of thirty-four years. . About the year 1854, he organized the Big Grove Baptist Church, a branch of the Crane Creek Church, and, a few years later, organized the First Baptist Church of Mason City, which at that time was known as the First Baptist Church of Prairie Creek. His marriage with Jane Eddy was celebrated in New York Nov. 11, 1830; she died in Mason City Township in 1856; there are now two children living by this union-James L. and Jane. He married for his second wife Mrs. Olive Peck in 1858: her maiden name was Olive Halstead ; she has three children by her previous husband.

OLIVER HOLLAND, farmer; P. O. Mason City ; he was born in what is now Menard Co., Ill., Dec. 23, 1823. His father, Henry Holland, emigrated from North Carolina to the above place about the year 1819. The subject of this sketch lived with his father until 30 years of age, when he commenced farming upon rented land, follow- ing the same two years; he then purchased in Logan Co., and in 1861, purchased 160 acres of his present place, to which he has since added, until he now owns nearly seven hundred acres, which he has accumulated by his own exertions. His marriage with Amanda Huffman was celebrated Dec. 12, 1858; she was born in Page Co., Va., April 12, 1842. They have six children-Annie E., born Sept. 7, 1863; Mary L., May 4, 1866 ; John W., Feb. 29, 1868; Araminda J., May 13, 1870 ; Oliver E., July 6, 1874, and William G., Feb. 12, 1878. The town of New Holland is located upon land owned by Mr. Holland, and named in honor of him.

E. HUFFMAN, farmer ; P. O. Mason City ; born in Virginia April 23, 1844 ; emigrated to Illinois, with his parents, when 2 years of age; located in Logan Co., where he was raised to farm labor, until 1865, when he came to Mason Co., and located upon his present place, where he has since lived. His marriage with Sarah Shugart was celebrated Sept. 22, 1864 ; she was born in fowa June 1, 1848. Seven children was the fruit of this union-Albert M., born Feb. 21, 1866; Oliver E., Dec. 28, 1867 ; George W., March 3, 1871; Rosanna, Aug. 3, 1873; Harry H., Sept. 26, 1875, and Charles D., July 20, 1877, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Huffman is Republican, having always voted that ticket.

JOHN HULSHIZER, dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, and proprietor of Huls- hizer's billiard hall, entrance upon Chestnut and Tonica streets, Mason City. Among the early settlers of Mason Co., we mention the name of John Hulshizer; he was born in the State of New Jersey Aug. 31; 1836 ; he removed to Ohio in 1844, and, in 1853,

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came to Fulton Co., Ill. In 1854, he came to Mason Co., and, until 1857, was engaged in milling, at Havana. In 1857, he went overland with ox teams to Pike's Peak, and assisted in building the first log building at Denver City ; he remained here a short time, then returned to Leavenworth, and was in the employ of the Government as wagon master, freighting from the latter place to Camp Floyd. In 1860, his train of eighty wagons was burnt by the Mormons and Indians, and the following winter he resided in Salt Lake City. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in the 17th Regt. I. V. I., and served three years, when he re-enlisted in Hancock Veteran Corps, and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge after a service of nearly five years. He then followed milling one year, in Havana, and, in 1867, with his father, came to Mason City, and started the first mill at this place. under the firm name of Hulshizer & Co., which mill continued running by the Hulshizers until its destruction by fire, in 1874 or 1875. About the year 1870, he purchased his present business site, and engaged in the present business, which he has since successfully followed. He keers the finer grades of liquors and cigars, and is always found in readiness to attend to the demand of his numerous patrons. He was united in marriage with Minerva Bowsock in 1867; she was a native of Ohio. They have no children, but an adopted daughter 3 years of age, which they have raised from infancy, and treated as their own child, their intention being to provide for her the advantages of a liberal education. Godfrey Hulshizer, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born. in New Jersey in 1802 ; here he learned milling, which business he followed in connection with distilling, until he came West. In 1854, he came to Illinois, and for six years followed milling in Ful- ton Co. In 1860, he located in Havana, and followed milling until 1867, when he came to Mason City and erected the first mill, which he ran until about 1875, when the mill was destroyed by fire. He then followed milling in Nebraska two years, and returned to Mason Co. and followed his business in Quiver Township, and now has one of the largest and finest water mills in Nebraska, located at West Mills, Seward Co. He has been twice married ; his first wife was Phoebe Young; she died about the year 1856, leaving seven children, having lost one by death. He married Rosanna Dewitt about the year 1859, and has by the last union five children. He was the father of thirteen children, of whom twelve are now living.

J. P. HUDSON, Justice of the Peace, Mason City; one of the early pioneers of Mason Co .; born in Worcester Co., Mass., Dec. 30, 1805; at 16 years of age, he engaged in the cotton mills at Newton, Upper Falls, where, after a time of experience in the machinery department, his skill as a mechanic and workman in the machincry of cotton mills became known, and for several years previous to 1833, he was constantly employed in placing in the machinery in different mills, located in the Eastern States ; in 1833, he went to Newport, Campbell Co., Ky., where for two years he was Super- intendent of the cotton, hemp and flax mills of the place ; in 1835, he leased a mill at Maysville, Ky., which he ran three years, and in 1838, removed to Macoupin Co., where he followed the merchandise trade seven years ; in 1845, he came to Mason Co., . and located near Bath, and engaged in farming for awhile, when he leased his farm and removed to Havana, where he was engaged in business until 1867, when he removed to Mason City and engaged in the lumber trade and contracting and building until 1876, when he was succeeded by his sons. Mr. Hudson brought the first McCormick reaper to his place that came to Mason Co .; he located in Havana when there were only two houses in the place; his first home was built of birch poles, fished out of the river, which was erected at Matanzas, which now exists only in name ; he has now retired from active business, attending only to such matters as his. office as Justice of the Peace requires, which offiec he has held for the past three years ; in 1846. he was appointed by Gov. Ford as Justice of the Peace, resigning the same upon his removal upon his farm. In 1832, he was united in marriage with Abigail Harrington, who was a native of Paxton, Mass. ; children-Martha, wife of R. J. Onstott; J. Davis, engaged in business at home ; Preston C., lawyer, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Olive A., teacher in the Mason City school ; of his sons, J. D. served in the 2d I. V. C., and Preston C. enlisted at 17 years of age, in the 85th I. V. I., and served three years ; he was a graduate of the

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Class of 1872, at Ann Arbor, Mich. When Mr. Hudson located in Mason Co., his milling was done in what is now Quiver Township; he put up an ox-mill, of the capacity of ten bushels per hour, and was patronized by parties from different counties, for a distance of twenty-five miles.

B. H. IRONMONGER, miller, Mason City; firm of Ironmonger & Tibbets, proprietors - Mason City Mills; born in Staffordshire, Eng., Oct. 1, 1832; at 12 years of age, he came to America, arriving at New Orleans, then to St. Louis, and followed milling until 1856, then to Jacksonville, milling until 1860, when he removed to Pekin, and followed milling until 1869, when he, with A. Stubbs, erected the Young America Mills, at Delavan, which they run until 1872. when he located at Mason City, under the firm name of Ironmonger, Johnson & Tibbets, erecting their mill, which they com- pleted in the spring of 1873. Mr. Ironmonger & Tibbets have been associated with different parties, but are now running together, having purchased the interest of the other partner ; they have two runs for wheat and one for corn, being the only mill in Mason City, and has a capacity of forty barrels per day, their supply being mostly produced near home, but have some years received wheat from Kansas City, and other cities north and west. He was married, in 1855, to Elizabeth Stubbs ; she was born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1835; they have seven children now living-Olive E., Hattie, Laura, Minnie, Benjamin F., Arthur J. and Joseph D.

MARCUS KAHN, Mason City. The subject of this memoir was born in Wur- temberg, Germany, March 24, 1848; at 2 years of age, he with his parents, emi- grated to America, and located at Mt. Pulaski, Logan Co., Ill., in 1850; here his father, Moritz Kahn, engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1856, when he removed his goods to Lincoln, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1866, at which time he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided several years, and about the year 1870, returned to Lincoln, where his decease occurred Aug. 24, 1876 ; his widow died Oct. 26, 1878. Marcus Kahn attended the common and graded schools at Lin- coln, and completed his education by a term at the Commercial College, at Cincinnati ; his mercantile education was obtained in the store of his father, after which, in 1868, he opened in the clothing trade at Harvard, McHenry Co., Ill., continuing the same until July, 1870, when he removed his stock to Mason City, and continued the same business until July, 1879, and is now engaged in the well-known banking-house of F. N. Smith & Co. His marriage with Anna Rothschild was celebrated in Petersburg, Menard Co., in October, 1876, at which place her birth occurred in 1857; they have one child by this union-Julius M. Mrs. Kahn was a daughter of Moses Rothschild, one of the early pioneers of Menard Co.

OTHO S. KING, Cashier First National Bank, Mason City; the subject of this sketch was born in Johnstown, Cambria Co., Penn., June 23, 1846, where he obtained his academical and commercial education, graduating from the Duff Commercial Col- lege at Pittsburgh, at 20 years of age ; in the fall of 1866 he came to Illinois, and was engaged in the banking business in Fulton Co. until Aug. 15, 1871, at which date the First National Bank of Mason City was organized, and Mr. King accepted the office of cashier, which office he has since held. His marriage with Alice B. Bliss was cel- ebrated Jan. 3, 1872; she was a native of Lewistown, Fulton Co., Ill .; they have one child by this union-Royal Elliott.

H. T. LEWIN, merchant, dealer in groceries, provisions, glass and queensware, etc., etc., Mason City. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Rut- land, Vt., upon the 29th of October, 1848; when 7 years of age, he removed with his parents to Stockbridge, and at 8 years of age, entered in the merchandise store of Amos Brown with whom he remained two years. To the kindness of Mr. Brown, Mr. Lewin expresses much gratitude for his interest manifested in his education, devoting all his spare time (as he did) instructing and educating his young clerk ; and, from this gentle- man, Mr. Lewin received his first lessons toward his education. At 10 years of age, he removed with his father to Rutland, Vt., and, having made sufficient advancement, he entered the high school, which he attended for three years. He then clerked three years in the dry-goods trade, after which, he was in business for himself three years in

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Whitehall and Fort Edward, N. Y., and upon the 3d of November, 1866, landed in Mason City, and, the following six months, was engaged in school-teaching. He then made a visit to his old home, and, in the fall of 1867, returned to Mason City, and, for one year, engaged in clerking, etc. The following year, he was engaged as Superin- tendent of the Griswold Opera House Restaurant and Billiard Hall, being the largest in the city of Troy, N. Y. ; he then went to Rutland, Vt., and, until 1873, was engaged in business for himself, at which date, he again came to Mason City, and, until May, 1879, was engaged in the billiard business and sale of wines, liquors, cigars, etc .; and, in the summer of 1879, refitted his store and placed in a new, full and complete stock of groceries, provisions, etc. Upon June 16, 1871, he was commissioned, by Gov. Stewart, Captain of Co. H, of the 2d Regiment of the Vermont State Militia ; he held the above commission until Sept. 20, 1872, when he was commissioned Major of the 3d Regiment Vermont State Militia, holding the same until he came to Mason City, when he resigned. In September, 1878, he organized the Modoc Tribe, No. 14 Improved Order of Red Men, and received a charter from the Great Council of the U. S. in 1879. He was the first Sachem of the same, and, in June, 1879, was elected by the Great Council of the State as representative to the Great Council of the U. S., to be held in New York, Sept. 9, 1879 ; he also holds the office of Deputy Sachem (of the State) of this Order. His marriage with Frances A. Weatherly was celebrated Aug. 28, 1867; she was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., April 25, 1849 ; they were the parents of two children, of whom one died in infancy ; the living Libbic was born in 1870.

JAMES LEGG, retired farmer, Mason City; one of the old settlers ; born in Fayette Co., Ind., in the year. 1816. He followed agricultural pursuits in Indiana until 1855, when he located in Allen's Grove Township, Mason Co., Ill., and purchased 280 acres of land to which he afterward added until he liad upward of 500 acres, and upon which he lived until Sept. 16, 1873, when he located in his present residence in Mason City, where he has since lived, retired from active labor, but personally superintends the management of his farms. In 1845, he was united in marriage with Vilura Corwin, also a native of Indiana; they have one child by this union-Euphemia, widow of Edward Craig, whose biography also appears in this work. Mr. Legg was Supervisor of Allen's Grove Township five years, and Justice of the Peace twelve years in succession.

THOMAS N. MEHAN, attorney at law, State's Attorney, Mason City. The subject of this memoir was born in the city of New York April 1, 1844 ; he emigrated West when 12 years of age, and located near Delavan, Tazewell Co., and followed farm- ing until he attained his majority, receiving for his nine years' services $100. He then entered the Lombard University at Galesburg, and attended one term. The following six years, he engaged in school-teaching and improving every spare hour for his own study ; he commenced the study of his profession with Roberts & Green, at Pekin, in 1866, was admitted to practice at the bar in July, 1868. After following his profession in Delavan a short time, he removed to Pekin, where he practiced until 1875; was City Attorney one year, received the nomination for the second, but would not accept. In the spring of 1875, he came to Mason City, and has a large practice with a constantly increasing business from year to year. In the fall of 1875, he was elected District State's Attorney for four years. Mr. Mehan is one of our self-educated and self-made men in every respect, and has, by his continued energy and perseverance, placed him- self among the first of his profession in Mason Co., and we expect for him a bright future. His marriage with Emily E. Stranbridge was celebrated Jan. 2, 1872; she was a native of Pennsylvania; they have three children-Saralı Etta, Willie M. and Benjamin A.

J. B. McDOWELL, physican and surgeon, Mason City ; born in Bedford Co., Penn., Feb. 22, 1818; his literary education was completed at the Bedford Academy. He commenced the study of medicine at 19 years of age, and graduated from the State Med- ical School at St. Louis in 1844. He then located in Lewistown, Fulton Co., where he successfully followed his profession for a period of twenty-eight years. In 1871, he located at Mason City, where he has since successfully followed his profession. In 1850, he entered 160 acres of land one-half mile west of where Mason City now

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stands. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the Church for many years. In 1849, he was united in marriage with Sarah W. Rice. She was a daughter of Dr. E. D. Rice, one of the old settlers of Fulton Co., and a practicing physician of Lewistown for nearly fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell were the parents of two children, of whom one died in infancy; the other is now farming in Mason Co. Mrs. McDowell died April 30, 1879.

L. NAYLOR, grocer, firm of Naylor Bros., groceries, provisions, etc., Mason City; born in Adair Co., Ky., April 21, 1834; at 1 year of age he emigrated to Illinois with his parents, and located in Morgan Co., and, after a residence of five years, he went to Virginia City, where he attended the graded schools until he obtained his majority. He then followed farming two years in Minnesota, and returned to Cass Co., and was engaged in business until 1862, when he engaged as steward and teacher at the Institution for the Blind, at Jacksonville, until 1867, at which date he, with his brother, came to Mason City and engaged in the above business, which they have since success- fully followed for a period of twelve years, and are the oldest continuous firm in their line in Mason City. His marriage with Lydia C. White was in 1862. They have four children-Minnie E., Mattie E., Frederick L. and an infant. Mr. Naylor has filled the office of Alderman for the Third Ward one term, and Mayor of Mason City two terms.

R. J. ONSTOTT, books and stationery, Mason City; proprietor of the Mason City Book Store, and dealer in pianos, organs, sewing machines, etc .; born in Menard Co., Ill., in December, 1830. When 9 years of age he removed from Salem to Peters- burg, where he lived until 1845. He then followed farming in Mason Co. five years, when he removed to Havana, where he followed clerking until the breaking-out of the rebellion in 1861, when he assisted in raising a company for the 27th I. V. I. He was then appointed mail-route agent upon the P., P. & J. R. R., holding this position two years. He was then engaged as clerk in Peoria and Pekin until 1871, and the two years following, on account of ill health, he was unable to attend to business. In 1874, he came to Mason City, and, in 1875, purchased of John Danby his business, which he has since successfully followed. His business card appears in the Directory of Mason City, in this work. The father of R. J. Onstott was Henry Onstott, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in Menard Co. in 1824. Mr. Onstott was married to Martha H. Hudson in January, 1864. She is a daughter of J. P. Hudson, one of our early pio- neers, whose sketch appears in this work. They have one child by this union. Mr. Onstott is a strong Republican, and assisted in organizing the first Union League in the United States, at Pekin, and from this sprang all the Union Leagues of the loyal States.

JOHN POWERS, farmer; P. O. Mason City ; one of the early pioneers of Mason Co .; born in city of Waterford, Ireland, June 18, 1829. At 2 years of age he came, with his parents, to St. John, N. B., living there three years ; then five years in New York City ; then to the West Indies for four years, from which place he shipped with his uncle as sailor, and followed the sea nearly six years. In the spring of 1849, he came to Chicago, and the following January came to Mason Co., and, in the spring of 1851, purchased forty-seven' acres of his present farm, upon which he located in 1855, and where he has lived for a fourth of a century. He now owns 235 acres. with good farm buildings, which he has made by his own hard labor. His marriage with Rebecca E. Sheples was celebrated in Lincoln, Ill., May 30, 1855. She was born in Scott Co., Penn., Dec. 27, 1836. Three children by this union-Joan of Arc, born April 9, 1856 ; Mary C., born Oct. 8, 1857, died Jan. 19, 1860, and Mary E., born Jan. 8, 1860. The oldest daughter is married, and lives three miles east of Mason City, the younger daughter living at home.

ROYAL W. PORTER (deceased), merchant and banker, Mason City; one of the old settlers; born in Gallia Co., Ohio, in 1833; he obtained a fair common-school education, and, in 1853, came to Illinois, and, in 1855, to Crane Crcek Township, Mason Co., and settled upon eighty acres of land, and, in 1859, came to Mason City and engaged in the merchandise trade, under the firm name of Hurst & Porter. In 1861, he raised Co. C, 27th Regt. I. V. I .; was elected Second Lieutenant, and, with

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his regiment, went forward to battle for the Union, leaving his partner managing the merchandise trade at home; in August, 1862, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, from which time he acted as Captain a large part of the time ; at the battle of Stone River, while acting as Captain, he so distinguished himself that his company unani- mously resolved to present him an elegant sword and belt, appropriately inscribed, which he held in grateful remembrance up to the time of his death. In April, 1864, he was mustered out of the service and returned to Mason City, and bought out his partner ; in 1867, he associated with G. H. Campbell, under the firm name of Campbell & Porter, and did an extensive banking and exchange business, in eonneetion with their merclian- dise trade ; in 1871, they organized the First National Bank of Mason City, with R. W. Porter as Vice President ; he soon after organized the firm of R. W. Porter & Co., of which he was the head for many years. The success and prosperity of Mason City owes as much to the efforts of Mr. Porter as to that of any man in the county. In 1855, he was united in marriage with Martha H. Baker ; she was born in 1836; four children were the fruits of this union-Laura L., Walter R., Jessie and Otho B. Mr. Porter was a member of the Mason City Lodge, No. 403, A., F. & A. M .; Chapter 86, R. A. M., and a Knight Templar. His death occurred May 16, 1879. While training a colt, he became entangled in the carriage ; the eolt ran away, and Mr. Porter was dragged a mile, and, when reached, life was extinct.

DAVID POWELL, banker (firm of F. N. Smith & Co.), Mason City ; one of the carly pioneers of Mason City ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, in the year 1830; at 5 years of age he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in Menard Co. two years. They then loeatcd in Fulton Co., where he was raised to farm labor, until 17 years of age, at which time he commenced the blacksmith trade, following the same four years. In 1852, he went by ox teams overland to California, where he arrived, after a tedious journey of four months; after following his trade, in eonneetion with mining, for upward of three years, he returned to Mason Co., and the following threc years engaged in farming and working at his trade. In 1859, he came to Mason City and was engaged in blacksmithing until 1864, when he associated in the general mer- ehandise trade with A. A. Cargill, and continued the same until 1871, during which time they purchased the lot and ereeted the building now oeeupied by Cargill & Swing; from 1872 to 1874, he was associated with E. M. Sharp in the general merchandise trade, and, at the latter date, on account of ill health, severed his connection with the mereantile trade, and, after spending the summer at Delaware Bay, returned to Mason City, and, upon Dec. 20, 1874, associated with F. N. Smith, in the banking business, which they have sinee successfully followed, their business card appearing among the business cards of Mason City, in another part of this work. His marriage with Mary A. Cox was celebrated in 1860; she died Mareh 16, 1877, leaving four children- Clara, Arthur, Laura and Flora.

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 93

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 848

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848