The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 98

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 98
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 98

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).

ANDREW SCHAAF, groceries, queensware, etc., Bath; was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, Sept. 7, 1834. He came to America when about 12 years of age, with his father's family, locating first in Arenzville, Cass Co., Ill., where they resided about three years, and then removed to what is now Bath Township, this county. Mr. Schaaf followed farming until 1875, when he engaged in his present business, under the firm name of Horstman & Schaaf, which continued under the above firm name till September, 1876, when he bought his partner's interest. He served as Collector in 1873; was a member of the Town Board about six years, and School Treasurer since 1873. Married, Oct. 8, 1857, Miss Sarah Welch, who was born in Ohio ; they have two children living-George S. and. Warren J.

JOHN H. STRUBE, SR., farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Bath ; was born in Hanover, Ger- many, in August, 1819. He came to America in 1839, locating at New Orleans, La., where he resided till 1844, when his father's family came to this country and with their son to Bath Township, Mason Co., the same year. His father, John H., was born in Hanover, Germany, December, 1787 ; died Aug. 7, 1870 ; his mother, Katrina (Kemper) Strube, was born in the same county as her husband in 1785; she died in September, 1844. Mr. Strube was married, July 8, 1849, to Miss Helen M. Nullen, who was born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 24, 1818 ; they have had five children, four of whom are living-John H., born Aug. 11, 1852, he resides in Quiver Township; Henry, born July 29, 1854; Mary, wife of Henry N. Stagin, resides in Bath Township, she was born Oct. 11, 1856 ; Richard F., Sept. 26, 1859. Mr. Strube owns 389 acres of land in Bath and 229 acres in Quiver Township.

WILLIAM W. TURNER, billiard hall, Bath ; was born in Scott Co., Ill., Nov. 30, 1834 ; when 10 years of age his father's family removed to Field's Prairie, Bath Township, this county. Mr. Turner worked on his father's farm till 22 years of age, then became a tiller of the soil on his own account. He enlisted in Co. D, 85th I. V. I., July 20, 1862; promoted to Second Lieutenant Dec. 21, of the same year, and resigned in 1864. During his term of service he was in the following engagements : battle of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Buzzards' Roost. Mr. Tur- ner was married, in 1858, to Miss Hannah Van Winkle, who was born in Morgan Co., Ill .; they have five children-Benjamin P., Lucy, Maggic, Felix H. and Bertha. He is a member of Havana Lodge, No. 88, A., F. & A. M. Owns 160 acres of land in Kansas. Since August, 1874, he has resided in Bath, his present home.

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JAMES C. WHELPLEY, groceries, Bath ; was born in the Province of Nova Scotia, Nov. 19, 1839, but removed in early childhood with his father's family to Port- land, Me., where he resided 'about seven years ; then removed to Peru, Ill .; he came to Mason Co. July 28, 1866, and first worked at the harness trade, and about two years ago engaged in the grocery business. He served as President of the Town Board in 1877-78, and as School Trustce one term. In 1869, he was married to Miss Mary Comyges, who was born in Peoria; Ill .; they have one child living-William E. Mr. Whelpley is a member of Bath Lodge, No. 125, I. O. O. F.

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LORING AMES, farmer; P. O. Topeka; son of Zephaniah Ames, whose ances- tors came over in the Mayflower during the reign of William and Mary. They were of English descent. His mother's maiden name was Case. She was born in Connecticut, and was married to Mr. Ames in Maryland. In 1818, they came to Illinois, and settled on a farm in St. Clair Co. for a few years. They moved, in 1823, to Adams Co., where they both died-he, in 1835, and she, in 1825. The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 13, 1806, and, when I year old, moved with his parents to Hem- lock Forest, in Pennsylvania, and was there until 15 years old, when he came to Illinois with his parents. In 1827, he went to the lead mines in the West. During the time he was there, he participated in a war with the Indians, who were headed by Red Bud. He returned in 1829, and shortly afterward took a flatboat, starting from Quincy, Ill., and running to New Orleans. This was the first flatboat ever run down from Quincy, and was loaded with hogs, corn, potatoes, onions and oak staves. . He returned in 1830, and worked on a farm for Gov. Wood, for two years. He had con- siderable management of Gov. Wood's business, and was often called Governor by strangers. He next worked on a steam mill for Holmes; afterward, on a farm until 1832, when he was in the Black Hawk war. On his return, he began farming, and continued it until married, which was in 1833, to Elmira Jones, daughter of Deacon Jones, who laid out Canton. In 1836, he moved to Fulton Co., and made brick in partnership with his father-in-law for one year ; he then farmed in Fulton Co. until 1856, when he came to Mason Co., and settled the present farm of 160 acres, which they have obtained by their own labor. He became a member of the Congregational Church in Quincy, Ill., in 1831, and is now with the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Topeka, Ill. His wife is also a member. The names of their children are Ardelia, Orpheus, who was in the war of the rebellion for three years ; Joel, also in the war ; George, Charles, Diantha and Emily. 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 dicd 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, Aug. 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 out, 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 M. E. Church, at Topeka, in which he has held the offices of Steward and Trustee, and is now

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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 Oct. 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 Oct. 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, 1828; 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 C. McReynolds was celebrated Dec. 31, 1869, by Rev. Henry E. Decker, of the Reformed Church. Her father's name was Robert McReynolds, 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 celebrated Aug. 11, 1872; she is a daughter of William Wills, of Topeka, one of the noted men and early 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, 1876. Mr. Bartels has followed threshing and carpentering; he has been no office seeker, 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 Co., 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 her

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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. H. 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 music, 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. He 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 passenger 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 Drakc, 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 timc. 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 thesc 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 McReynolds, daughter of a noted farmer of New Jersey ; he was born Aug. 11, 1856, on a farm in Mason Co .; Ill., where he remained until 16 years old, at which time he moved with his parents 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 acre; 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; when 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 mechanie 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, Ill., 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 stoek-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 1845; she came to Illinois, with her parents, in 1848 ; 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 aeres, 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, MeLean Co., Ill. 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., Iowa. At 42 years, le came with his parents, by team, as was customary in those days, to McLean Co., Ill., and then engaged in farming and attending school. When 17 years of age, he began learning photography with Benjamin Gray, at Bloomington, Ill. ; 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 1872, lie 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 MeLean 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 studics. 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 enthusiastic member of his profession, and enjoys an extensive practicc. 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 homestcad 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 therc 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 farin of 500 acres, which was then raw prairie, but now has become fine arable land. By marriage he added 200 acres, making 700 acres. Hc 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 wasSimmons; 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 McFadden & Simmons, at this place, which he still continues. He was married, in 1868, to Amelia J. Bandean, daughter of John and Janc Bandean ; her father was drowned in a lock at Louisville, Ky., about the year 1846; her mother died in July, 1874. Mr. Eckard has held the office of Township Collector and Clerk, and is now School Director. He has frugally used his means, and has sccurcd a nice house and lot in Topeka. Has three chil- dren-Freddie R., Elmer M. and Harry W.

D. W. FLOWERS, merchant, Topcka ; son of Amos and Phœbc 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 dicd Aug. 12, 1874. They had eleven children, all of whom died in infancy except four. Mr. Flowers was born June 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 camc alone to Mason Co., and settled, teaching school at the Walker district, Mason Co., for one term; he then came to Topcka and engaged as clerk in the dry-goods store of Eckard & Nichols for two years; he then went 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 1875, 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.

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 98

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