Quincy Township (part 43 of 74)

Mr. and Mrs. Binkert had six children to grow up. One son, Thomas, died in New Mexico, leaving a wife and two children. The living children are: George A., who is associated with his brother William J. in the real estate business at Quincy. Both sons are married. George has two children, Paul and Charles, and William has a son, Donald. John Binkert, the third son, is connected witli the Gas, Electric Light and Heat Company at Quincy and has a son, Emmett. The daughter, Cora, married Herman Lubbe, and they live in St. Louis. Mr. Lubbe is commercial salesman for a St. Louis wholesale house. They have a family consisting of Richard, Margaret, Robert and Mary, all the children being well educated. Maude, the youngest child, is the wife of Fred Moller of Quincy, a member of the Moller Lumber Company. They havQ two children, Lawrence and Mildred Moller, both of whom have completed the work of the parochial schools.

Henry H. Stein.\gel. One of the most interesting farms of Gilmer Township is that occupied by Henry H. Steinagel and his sister. Mr. and Miss Steinagel have had their home a mile east of Fowler for many years and have combined their efforts most profitably and have a great volume of productive service credited to their energies and intelligence.

Henry H. Steinagel was born in Melrose Township October 11, 1861, fourth among the five children of Adam and Minnie (Fisher) Steinagel. A more complete account of the Steinagel family will be found on other pages. Henry H. Steinagel was a small child when his father died, and during his youth he owed much to the self-sacrificing work and care of his widowed mother, who kept her children about her until they were grown and ready to do an independent part in the world. Henry H. Steinagel had experience in working out for different employers, and many years ago he and his brothers bought land in partnership and finally he acquired as his individual share ninety acres, constituting his present farm. Since then he has added forty acres to this place, and also has seventy acres three miles distant adjoining the farm of his brother William H., and another half interest in twenty acres of timber land. His home farm is the old John Stewai-t fruit farm of Gilmer Township. John Stewart was one of the pioneers in the development of Adams County land to fruit growing, and forty years ago had a nursery and a large acreage in various fruits. Henry H. Steinagel bought this farm, improved with good house and

As already indicated, he has had a valuable assistant in his sister Margaret Caroline, who has been his housekeeper, and they have always lived together and neither have married. Miss Steinagel for many years has been a noted butter maker, and for a long time one merchant took all the product of ten or twelve cows. She also owns a fine farm of 160 acres near her brother's place, and a half interest in all the livestock on the homestead. Mr. and Miss Steinagel are active members of the Lutheran Church at Fowler.

Alois W. Dxtker. Industrious and capable and endowed with good business ability and judgment, Alois W. Duker has had a busy career and is now actively associated with the industrial interests of Quincy, which is his native city, his birth having occurred here on January 23, 1881. He is a son of Theodore and Elizabeth (Brinkhoi?) Duker, and a brother of W. T. Duker, in whose sketch, which appears on another page of this volume, further parental history may be found.

As a boy and youth Alois W. Duker received excellent educational advantages, attending first the parochial school, then St. Francis College, and being prepared for his future career at the Gem City Business College. Starting then in life as a clerk in the department store of J. S. Slusher of Quiuey, he remained thus employed for five years. The following two years Mr. Duker had charge of the shoe department of the Ebert & Freed store at St. Louis, Missouri. Returning to Quincy, he was engaged in the shoe business on his own account for about four years, and later, in partnership with his brother, was engaged in mercantile pursuits for two years. Disposing of his interest in the firm, Mr. Duker bought the Mills Brothers' Bottling Works, which he has since operated with success.

Mr. Duker married December 8, 1902, in Saint Louis, Missouri, Lulu Dorothy Sullivan. Her father, James Sullivan, a native of Virginia, located in Quincy in 1877, and for several years was emploj'ed as a mail clerk. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Dorothy Lightner, was born and bred in Lewis Count}% Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Duker have one child, Olivia Margaret, born Febi-uary 18, 1909. Politically Mr. Duker is a democrat and an earnest advocate of the principles of that pai-ty. Socially he is a member of the South Side Boat Club, and of the Quincy Turnverein. Religiously he is a member of Saint Boniface Church.

Frederick "W. Knollenberg, president of the Knollenberg ^Milling Compan.v, was born in Quincy, Illinois, December 2, 1849. As a boy he attended the public schools, later attending the commercial department of Quincy College, now the Gem City Business College, where he was awarded the first diploma issued by Professor Mus.selman.

On November 27, 187.3, he was married to Miss Louisa M. Pfanschmidt, of Quincy, Illinois, who died in 1908. To this union were bom seven children.

Fred C, a graduate of the Gem City Business College and of the Law Department of the University of Michigan, now a very prominent lawj'er of El Pa.so, Texas, where he has built up a very extensive legal practice. He married Miss Florence Cox, of ^Monmouth, Illinois, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth.

Bertha M. was man-ied to William H. Paul in 1898. She died in 1901, leaving an infant daughter, Gladys, who has made her home with :Mr. Knollenberg, graduating from the Quincy High School in 1918 and now a student in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois. Mr. Paul is now living in Colorado, where he owns and operates a 900 acre ranch.

Mary E. married Dr. Loran E. Orr, a practicing physician of Petersburg, Illinois, who has been in service as a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps, United States Army.

Luella M. is at home. She is a graduate of the Quincy High School and of the Quincy Conservatory of Music and is a teacher of that art in her alma mater- She is also connected with the school, being secretaty and treasurer.

Florence K. married Phil S. Herr who is the efficient superintendent of the Knollenberg Milling Company. They have two children, Robert W. and Jeanne Louise.

Mr. Knollenberg is a republican and he and his family attend the Congregational Church. He is a member of Quincy Lodge 296, Ancient Free and Accepted ilasons; Quincy Chapter No. 5, Royal Arch Masons; Quincy Commandeiy No. 77, Knights Templar, and also of Quincy Lodge No. 100, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In 1872 Mr. Knollenberg established a flour and feed store at 1026 Maine Street. In addition to handling flour and feed, he packed apples, bouglit wheat, corn and other grains besides handling considerable poultry. These varied enterprises made him a very busy man and brought him considerable success. Then in 1876, in company witli Jacob Williams and J. H. "Wavering, a flour milling company was organized under the firm name of Knollenberg, Wavering & Company, in the construction of the mill at this time, the services of the well known millwright, the late Henry Grimm, were secured. In 1878 Mr. Williams, who is now deceased, sold his third interest and the mill was then operated under the firm name of Knollenberg and Wavering for a period of twenty-eight years.

In 1883 the mill was remodeled, introducing the gradual reduction system and at the same time the capacity was increased to 100 ban-els per daj'. An elevator was erected in 1891, having a storage capacity of 30,000 bushels. In 1902 the mill was again remodeled at which time the capacity was again increased to a capacity of 200 barrels per day.

In 1904 Mr. Knollenberg purchased the interest of J. H. Wavering and incorporated the present company as the Knollenberg ililling Company. The company has erected two new storage steel clad warehouses 40 by 180 feet with a combined floor space of 14,400 square feet. These warehouses permit the expeditious handling of all kinds of commercial feeds and are built adjoining the Wabash industrial swatch. They are connected with the railroad by platform, so that two or three cars can be loaded or unloaded at one time. A train shed has been built to cover the track so that loading and unloading goes on without any interference because of bad weather.

' The company has also constructed an underground conveyor for carrying wheat and other grains from the cars across the street to the elevator, where the grain is elevated and weighed in an automatic scale before being stored in bins.

Thousands of families in this part of the country as well as some of the southern states are familiar with the soft wheat flour put oi;t under the names of "Citj'," "Excellent" and "Banner" brands and the hard wheat flour under the names of "Star" and "Crescent."

This enterprising concern is under the efficient management of the following named officers: F. W. Knollenberg, president and treasurer; Grover G. Jones, secretary- ; Phil S. Herr, superintendent.

James A. Martin. All the years of his life Adams County has been the home of James A. Martin, and those have been j^ears of achievement in the material sense and also in the acquisition of community esteem paid him for his worthy life and the influence he has exerted for good.

The Martin family has been longest identified with Gilmer Township. Mr. Martin's home is fifteen miles east of Quincy and 3i/4 miles from Columbus.

He has been a successful farmer, and has been equally successful in handling eorammiity obligations. He is now road commissioner of the township.

Mr. Martin was born on the old Columbus Road near St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gilmer Township, January 1, 1860, son of Gregory and Mahala (McAfee) Martin. Gregory Martin was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, January 1, 1816, was reared in Kentuekj-, spending ten years in Bracken County and lived in Grant County from 1832 for five years. In 1837 he first came to Adams County, Illinois, but went on to Clarke County, Missouri, where he lived over seven years and while there he married Miss McAfee. She was born in South Carolina in 1826. She moved with her parents to IMissouri at the age of seventeen and was eighteen when she married Gregory Martin. In 1846 they came to Adams County and settled on the old farm where their only son and child, James, was born. Gregory Martin died on that homestead April 7, 1887, at the age of seventy-two. His widow died there in 1908 aged eightythree. He was a member of the Baptist Church at Columbus and his wife was a Methodist.

James A. Martin lived at home with his parents to the age of twenty-five. On March 30, 1887, he married Mary E. McConnell. She was born in Gilmer Township December 1, 1859, daughter of John and Margaret (Woods) McConnell. Her parents were both natives of County Monaghan, Ireland. Margaret Woods was brought to Gilmer Township in 1837, when six years of age, by her parents, William and Sarah Woods. John McConnell came to this county at the age of twenty-one. John ilcConnell died here about 1868, and his widow afterwards married James McConnell, his brother. James McConnell died in 1912, at the age of ninety-seven, and his wife in 1908, aged seventy-seven. Mrs. ilartin has three sisters and a brother: Margaret, Mrs. David West, of Wyoming ; Sarah J., who is unmarried and lives in Nevada ; Leona, widow of Dr. James Cornish and living with Mrs. Martin ; and W. J. McConnell, of Gilmer Township.

After his marriage Mr. Martin spent one year on the old homestead and was a renter for fourteen years. He was sole heir to the old Martin farm, and at his mother's death acquired that estate. In 1905 he bought his present farm, consisting of 160 acres, from Ed Yeargin. It was well improved with house and barn, but Mr. Martin has given closest attention to every detail of keeping up the buildings and other improvements of the place. He has done much to increase the value of the farm.

In the way of public service Mr. Martin served as tax collector, as constable twelve years, and for the past four years has been road commissioner. He is a republican living in a democratic community and it is personal popularity and a recognized eiificiency in getting public work performed that have brought him his frequent honors in politics.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin have three children: Edna M., wife of Clarence Ramsey, a machinist living in Nevada ; Harry J., who is first sergeant in the Field Artillery of the United States Army; and William Eldon, still at home with his parents.

William 0. McCormick. As noted elsewhere in this publication, some of the biggest work in modern times besides the improvement of Adams County land has been the reclamation of wet areas and swamps by the construction of drainage ditches and levees against the encroachment of river and creek waters. A large part of this work has been carried on within the present century, and credit for the improvements belongs especially to the Board of Levee Commissioners, one of whom since 1910 has been William 0. ilcCormiek. Mr. McCormick is a practical farmer and knows the problems of drainage in the bottom lands by long and practical experience. He has one of those bottom farms, located five miles west of Ursa. His own residence is in the Village of Ursa.

humble begiuning as au orphan boy. He was born near the Village of Loraine iu Keene Township August 4, 1868, a son of William and Emily (Pryor) McCormic'k. His parents were both natives of Ireland but were married in Adams County. William 0. MeCormiek was only three years old when his mother died and at the age of fourteen he was left an orphan by his father's death. His father was twice married, and by his first wife had five children : Mary, living at Dayton, Ohio, widow of James Loynds; Mrs. George Simmermacher, of Keene Township ; Rose, who lives at Loraine, widow of Joseph Hartman ; Thomas, who died at the age of fourteen ; and William 0., who was the youngest of his mother's family. The father married for his second wife Jane Taylor, who is still living. Her children are: EUa, Mrs. Thomas Payne, of Nebraska ; Theresa, who is married and lives in Nebraska ; and Phil, a rancher at Julesburg, Colorado.

After his father's death William 0. MeCormiek had little opportunity to attend school and was soon in the ranks of wage earners. He worked at fai-m labor, and for three .yeai-s was in the employ of one man, and was paid $17 a month, then considered high wages for farm hands. At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Cora A. Green, daughter of James and Catherine (Black) Green of Ursa Township. James Green was born in New York State October 21, 1829, and was a railroad man for a number of years, locating in Adams County in 1862. In that j'ear he married Miss Catherine Black, a native of Ireland. James Green acquired a large tract of land, about 400 acres, in the bottoms of Ursa Township, and before his death had converted much of it into a productive farm. He served with the Missouri State Militia in the Civil war, and was a democrat in politics. James Green died May 28, 1891, at the age of sixty-two, and his wife at the age of sixty-five. They had two children, Laura and Cora A. Mrs. MeCormiek was born December 8, 1869. After his marriage Mr. MeCormiek began cultivating a portion of the Green farm and has succeeded in bringing that tract of bottom land into cultivation and has placed some very valuable improvements there. He also owns 140 acres in the Conner Island District that borders the Indian Grove District in Ursa Township. For the past five years his home has been in Ursa, from which point he superintends the operation of his 100 acre farm. He was made levee commissioner in 1910 for a term of three years, his associates being Doctor Nickerson and Selden G. Earl. In September, 1916, he was again appointed to this office, his associates being Doctor Nickerson and William Griser, both of Quincy. Mr. MeCormiek is a democrat. He and his wife have two daughters. Goldie, widow of Fred Gnuse, who died in May, 1917; and Ivy, at home.

Herman W. Fleer is one of the live and progi-essive agriculturists of Ellington Township, with a well improved and ably managed farm in section 3. He is on Quincy rural route No. 3. The farm is kept in first class order in every respect, and he is one of the younger generation of men who now carry the heavy burdens of agriculture in Adams County.

He has lived on his present farm of 120 acres for the past four years. He grows abundant crops and feeds all the stuf? raised in the fields to his livestock. He has been a practical farmer all his life and has always lived in Adams County, and since he was five years of age in Ellington Township.

Mr. Fleer was born August 17, 1886, in Quincy. For twenty-eight years his home was on the Ingram farm iu Ellington Township, where his father was a tenant. While growing up there he attended the district school, the Washington Schoolhouse. ^Ir. Fleer is a son of Peter and Frederica (Heithold) Fleer, both natives of Herford, Germany. His father came to Adams County with his parents, while the mother came to this country alone. They met and married in Quincy, and lived here until their children were born, including five sons and two daughters. After they moved to the Ingram farm they spent the rest of their lives in Ellington Township. Mr. Fleer's father died at the home of his son, December 26, 1915. He was born May 24, 1838. The mother died on the old farm April 9, 1911. She was born September 22, 1845. They were members of the St. James Lutheran Church. Two of their children, Anna and Walter, died in childhood. A son, Henry, is now a tenant farmer and by bis marriage to Clara Beckman had the following children, Aurena, deceased, Florence and Clarence. Lydia Fleer married Ed Whittler and lives in Ellington Township. They have three sons and four daughters. Edward is a teamster in Quincy, is married and has one son. William is also in the teaming business in Quincy and has a family consisting of one son and three daughters.

Herman W. Fleer married in Quincy May 5, 1909, Laura Spilker. She was born April 6, 1885, and attended the public schools there from the eighth grade. Her parents were Henry and Anna (Pohlman) Spilker. Henry Spilker came to America with his parents at the age of twelve years. Ann Pohlman came to Quincy at the age of twenty-four with her uncle, Philip Guessling, and she married Mr. Spilker one year after arriving in Quincy. They then located in Quincy and Mrs. Fleer's father died there in the spring of 1909, at the age of sixty-five. Her widowed mother is still living in Quincy at the age of sixty-three. The Spilkers were long identified with St. Jacoby Lutheran Church. Mrs. Fleer's father by his first marriage to Anna Altheide, who died in the prime of life, had three daughters, all of whom are now married. Mrs. Fleer's brother George is married. Her sister Helen died after marriage. Lillie is the wife of Herman Snock, of Quincy, and they have one son. Harry Spilker is unmarried and living in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. Fleer are the parents of three children : Irene, born in 1909, now in the public schools ; Walter, born in 1911 ; and Milton, born in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Fleer are members of the St. Jacoby Lutheran Church. In politics he votes as a republican, and is especially interested in the welfare of the local schools, serving a.s one of its board of directors.

Francis Marion Jacobs. The story of Francis ilarion Jacobs is that of a man whose life was passed entirely within the limits of Adams County from birth until death. In that period, covering more than seventy years, he became known as a man of performance, of that sound industry which is the basis for all the things prized by civilization, was faithful to his obligations, and fully merited the esteem in which his name was held and is remembered.

He was born near Ursa August 10, 1838, a son of William and Caroline (Kirkpatrick) Jacobs. William Jacobs was one of the real pioneers of Adams County. A native of Kentucky, he came to Western Illinois in 1832 and for a time lived in Quincy when it was a mere village. The story is told that he was once offered the lot upon which the Newcomb Hotel now stands for $3. A blacksmith by trade, he followed that occupation in Quincy and afterwards in other sections of the county. He built the first blacksmith shop at Lima, and sold that about 1844 to Theophilus Crenshaw, whose name and whose family have a further connection with this history to be noted in following paragraphs. William Jacobs also had a shop at Marcelline, and died in that place in 1871, at the age of seventy -five. The mother of Francis Marion Jacobs died in 1839, when her only son and child was about a year old. William Jacobs later married Louisa Nicholson.

There were few good schools in Adams County when Francis Marion Jacobs was a youth, but such advantages as were at hand he utilized both in Ursa and Mendon Townships, and at the age of eight was for a brief time a pupil in the schools of Quincy. He learned the cooper's trade and followed that for a number of years. His half brother, James, conducted a shop at Lima and the cooperage business was then a thriving industry, owing to the fact that Quincy was a big pork packing center and required thousands of barrels in which to pack the pork. Ha was also a merchant for a couple of yeafs at Warsaw, and then bought land on Bear Creek in Ursa Township, which he occupied only two years.

In 1878 he bought a farm in section 18 of Lima Township, which he sold in 1892 and bought the old Crenshaw property-, which is still owned by his familj-. After that farming was his chief business, and he acquired two or three other tracts of laud in the county, including some of the land formerly owned by his father. In his old homestead he had 196 acres, part of it developed to fruit, and erected a model residence there with his own hands. In that environment, which his labor and industry had done so much to improve, he spent the peaceful years of his later life and passed away December 17, 1914. His widow Mrs. Jacobs still occupies the old farm.

October 31, 1861, he married Celatha Crenshaw, who was born at Lima October 31, 1841. She was married on her twentieth birthday. Her parents were Theophihis and Martha (Martin) Crenshaw, the former born in 1815 and the latter in 1822. Theophilus Crenshaw, who was a native of Jefferson Count.y, Illinois, was also a blacksmith by trade, and in 1845 bought the shop at Lima from William Jacobs and was one of the pioneer mechanics in that part of the county. Later he bought the farm now kno\\Ti as the Jacobs farm and he also kept a hotel at Lima. He died May 25, 1891, his wife passing away November 18, 1894. Mr. Crenshaw was one of the early members of Lima Lodge of Masons and was a democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His only son died at the age of sixteen. There were two daughters in the Crenshaw family. Jincy first married Isaac Frazer and is now the wife of Perry Spencer of Lima.

Mrs. Jacobs became the mother of six children and also has a large number of gi'andchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her children were: Alice M., who was born March 9, 1863, married Don Vinson, occupying a nearby farm, and is the mother of four children. Bertha, Corinne, John William and Verna Frances. Carrie M., the second child, born May 25, 1865, is the wife of William Bolt, and her six children are Eva, Edward V., Frank H., Marion Jacob, Cecil Eugene and Blanche. Edward F. Jacobs is cashier of the State Bank of Lima and has a separate sketch in this publication. John T., the fourth child, was born April 12, 1871, and died August 9. 1892. James W., born June 5, 1874, is a well known citizen of Lima Township, and by his marriage to Daisy Clark has one child, Maxine. Jincy L., better known as Dollie, was born February 10, 1880, and in 1896 became the wife of Frank Gi-iffin. but is now the wife of Edward C. Hill, who operates the old Jacobs farm. Mrs. Hill is the mother of four children : Harrv M. Griffin, Celatha Estelle, Francis Irving and Hershel Everett.

The late Francis M. Jacobs was one of the prominent members of Lima Lodge No. 135, Ancient Free and Accepted Z\Iasons, and he and his wife were affiliated with the Eastern Star. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a democrat, and for six years was township supervisor, commissioner of highways six years and a school director three years.

Edward Francis Jacobs, a son of the late Francis Marion Jacobs, whose life story is told on other pages, has been identified with the Lima community of Adams County for over a quarter of a century as a practical and progi-essive farmer and a.s a business man. He is now cashier of the State Bank of Lima.

The State Bank of Lima was organized in 1910, and was operated for business on the 15th of December of that year. The first officers were George W. Frazer, president, E. F. Jacobs, vice president, and A. B. Deeper, cashier. In 1912 a change was made, at which time ^Ir. Leeper became president, L. S. Frazer vice president, and Mr. Jacobs cashier, and these men are the executive officers of the institution at the present time. The other directors at present are W. L. Wade, C. R. McNay, W. T. Frazer, H. F. J. Rieker. Jackson R. Pearce, all well known men of Adams County and their handling of the bank has brought it the confidence and patronage it deserves. The bank has a capital stock of .$25,000, surplus of $2,500 and carries deposits of over $100,000. Its total resources aggregate about $140,000.

Mr. Jacobs, the cashier, was born at Lima August 22, 1868. He grew up on a farm, attended the local public schools and also the Gem City Business College at Quincy. For a year and a half he was associated with I. M. Vinson in the general merchandise business at Lima, and then took up a career as a farmer. Abo\it the time of his marriage he began farming the Bolt place adjoining Lima, this being the farm of his wife's father. In 1897 he bought eighty acres of that land, and has developed one of the high class farms in that vicinity. The buildings, which he erected, are within the corporation limits, and he still gives close attention to the management of his farm and livestock in addition to superintending the bank.

Mr. Jacobs has also been prominent in local affairs. For several years he was a member of the school board, was township tax collector, and in 1911 was candidate for the nomination for county treasurer, there being five other candidates for the same office. He is a democrat, and is affiliated with Lima Lodge No. 135, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. At the age of twenty-three he was elected master of the Lodge and at that time was the youngest to enjoy such an honor in Illinois. In 1891-2 he represented the Grand Lodge. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Jacobs is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and takes an active part in Red Cross work.

December 7, 1892, he married Miss Effie A. Bolt, daughter of David and Nancy (Howse) Bolt. Her mother is still living at Lima. Mrs. Jacobs was born in Adams County March 14, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have two children : Ellett May, born May 12, 1895 ; and Henry Francis, born November 30, 1902.

Oliver P. Dickiiut, proprietor of the Richland Farm a half mile south of Paloma in Gilmer Township, represents one of the old and prominent families of Adams County. At this point it is unnecessary to repeat information concerning the family which appears on other pages, and which details the various experiences and the membership of the family since they came to this countj'.

Oliver P. Dickhiit was born at the old Dickhut homestead a mile and a half south of his present home on August 25, 1880. He is a son of John A. and Eleanor S. (Booth) Dickhut. As a boy he lived with his parents and attended local schools and made his independent start in life in 1908, having at that time a cash capital of about .$5,000. Having been trained from boyhood to farming, and looking upon it as the most useful of all vocations, he has kept his mind and all his energies concentrated on this one line, and doubtless to this fact is due his success. For his permanent home Mr. Dickhut acquired the Orville Lawless farm of 160 acres, a half mile south of Paloma on the Cannon Ball Trail. It was a high quality of land and cost $100 per acre, but his method of handling it has full.v justified the acquisition of this high priced Illinois soil. He has managed it as a combination grain and stock farm, and in 1917 he put up one of the best stock barns in the township, a bank barn 36 by 72 feet with a full basement under all. The barn cost .$4,000 and meets every purpose demanded of a place for housing and handling stock. Mr. Dickhut feeds about a carload of cattle every year, and also specializes in Poland China hogs, having about 100 of those high price animals for market every season.

October 26, 1910, about two years after he bought his farm, Mr. Dickhut married Miss Clara Morton, who was then twenty-four years of age. She is a daughter of Zelma and Olive Morton of Honey Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Dickhut have had two children, but one died in infancy. The living daughter is Judith ^Mildred. Mr. Dickhut is a republican and is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Dickhut is of the same religious faith.

Jesse Albert Vinson. The death of Jesse Albert Vinson on July 17, 1918, served as a reminder to the people of northern Adams County not only of an upright and stalwart citizen who had gone to his reward, but of a family who

The earlier Vinsons were allied by marriage with the Orrs, whom local history credits with the founding of the village of Lima. The Orrs were also from Kentucky and "William Orr had visited this region of Western Illinois at a very early date. He settled here contrary to the advice of many friends in Kentucky, who believed that this district was very unhealthy.

The father of Jesse Albert Vinson was Isaac D. Vinson, who was born in Giles County, Tennessee, May 26, 1804. He married Kittie Orr, who was born in Burton County, Kentuctv, October 8, 1807. Their first home in the West was in Missouri, but in 1830 they moved to Adams County and Isaac Vinson became identified with some of the pioneer manufacturers in Lima Township. He conducted a horse power carding mill at Lima, and one time had a leg broken by the power machinery. Isaac Vinson died June 9, 1847, and his wife November 9, 1862. They had a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters.

Jesse Albert Vinson was the first child of the family born in the house erected by Isaac Vinson on the old homestead in section 12. His birth occurred April 15, 1841, and he was about five years old when his father died. He was reared and educated in that community' and later turned his energies to farming, which occupied his time the greater part of his life. For fourteen years before his death he lived largely retired, though keeping his home on the old farm. He was made a Mason at Lima, and took much interest in the lodge, serving as pa.st master and representative to the Grand Lodge. He was a democrat, but not an office seeker, though he served on the village board.

On May 1, 1864, he married Sarah Tripp, who was born in the State of Maine and was brought to Adams County at the age of four years by her parents, Mr. and Jlrs. Alvin Tripp. Her father was a farmer and cooper and the Tripp family home was on the Hancock County line, 2i^ miles northeast of Lima. Mr. Alvin Tripp died at the home of Mrs. Vinson at the age of seventy-four, while her mother passed away at seventy-eight.

Mrs. Vinson died twelve years before her husband. Of her children only two reached maturity, Charles S. and Lottie M. Lottie is now the wife of John Harness, and for the past ten years they have operated the old Vinson homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Harness have two children, Thomas and Joseph.

Charles S. Vinson, the only son of Jesse Albert Vinson, has figured in the community chiefly as a merchant, and is proprietor of one of the principal general stores of Lima. He was born May 25, 1865, in the same house as his father, and gi-ew up in that country community. For the past thirty years he has been a merchant. At one time he was in business at Loraine, but moved his store to Lima, and now has a large new building completely stocked with general merchandise required by this commiuiity. He gives all his time to his biisiness and has never been a candidate for public office.

October 29, 1884, Mr. Vinson married Anna Lutman. She was born at Lima March 14, 1864, a daughter of Daniel and Rose (Reese) Lutman, both now deceased. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Maryland, and they married at Tully, Missouri, and settled at Lima before the war. Her father died at the age of forty-one, and her mother survived many years. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Charles Vinson are the parents of eight children. Norma, Nina, Albert, Pearlie, George, Howard, Hazel and Mabel. The three older daughters all taught school in Adams and Hancock counties before their marriage. Norma is now Mrs. Joseph Albert Conover of Lima. Nina is Mrs. Joseph B. Nelson of Lima, and Pearlie is the wife of Claude Miller. The only married son is Albert, whose wife was Elsie Beekman.

Edward Sohm. In considering the important men of Quincy, immediate attention is called to Edward Sohm, president of the Ricker National Bank. Mr. Sohm has passed a long, busy and useful life in his native city and his business activities have always been of large commercial value, and at the same time his unblemished personal reputation has added prestige to every enterprise with which he has been identified.

Edward Sohm was born in the old family homestead on the corner of Third and York streets, Quincy, October 2, 1845. His parents were Pantaleon and Rosina (Specht) Sohm, the former of whom came to Quincy in 1840 and the latter in 1834. Their lives were spent here and they comfortably reared a family of children. They belonged to that dependable element that had mucli to do with the upbuilding of Quincy from a village to a city of wide importance. The father died in 1885.

Private tutors directed Edward Sohm's early education and at the age of nineteen he became an instructor himself and later took charge of St. Boniface school and conducted it acceptably until he formed other plans which necessitated resigning his position as principal of the school. In 1865 he accepted a position in the queensware house of Henry Ridder, and three years later became a partner in the firm of H. Ridder & Company, continuing until 1884, when the china and crockery firm of Sohm, Rieker & Weisenhorn was organized. This enterprise proved very successful and in 1894 removal was made from quarters that had become too constricted to the commodious building especially prepared for them. For a number of years Mr. Sohm continued to be identified with that firm and his name was widely known in both the wholesale and retail trade.

In the meanwhile Mr. Sohm became interested in other gi'owing enterprises contributive to the city's prosperity. He was one of the first directors of the Rieker National Bank, an institution founded in 1858 by Henry P. Joseph Rieker. In 1881 the bank was nationalized and in the same year Edward Sohm became its vice president and served as such until 1883, when he assumed the presidential responsibilities and has been at the head of this institution ever since. The present officers of the bank are : Edward Sohm, president ; Jackson R. Pearce, vice president ; H. F. J. Rieker, cashier.

In every movement of public importance Mr. Sohm has stood ready to co-operate with his fellow citizens. He has never been willing to enter the political field but his influence in business circles and in the city's substantial development has been marked. He was one of the organizers of the Quincy Freight Bureau and its treasurer.

In 1868 Mr. Sohm was married to Miss Mary Barbara Helmer, and to this marriage were born three sons and four daughters : Katherine, William H., manager of the Bolaska Theater of Tunay, Thirisie Brockman of New Sterling, Illinois, Edward, Jr., of "Waterloo, Iowa, Dr. Albert H., a dentist of Iowa, and tlie two youngest died in infancy.

A. C. BiCKHAUs. A worthy representative of the industrious, thrifty and enterprising men who have come to Illinois from countries far across the sea, A. C. Bickhaus, of Quincy, is well known in industrial circles as an expert file cutter, his large and well-equipped manufactory being located at 1110 Broadway, where he is carrying on an extensive and profitable business. He was born May 5, 1849, in "Westphalia, Prussia, a son of Ernest and Christina (Yeasing) Bickhaus. When he was a very small child his mother died, and when he was 3% years old his father died, leaving him an orphan with several brothers and sisters, he having been the tenth child in order of birth of a family of eleven children.

After leaving school A. C. Bickhaus served an apprenticeship of three years at the baker's trade, which he subsequently followed for a year in his native land. In 1867, following in the footsteps of his brother Frank, who had immigrated to the United States in 1864, he came to Illinois, locating in Quincy, where for four months he was employed in a bakery. A natural mechanic and skillful in the use of tools, Mr. Bickhaus then made use of his native talent by learning the trade of file cutting, serving an apprenticeship of two years. Then, ill partnership with his former employer, William Dienstuhl, he established himself in business under the tirm name of Dienstuhl & Biekhaus. Three years and nine months later, about 1S74, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Biekhaus moved to his present fine building on Broadway, where he has established a large and constantly increasing business.

On September 3, 1867, J\Ir. Biekhaus was united in marriage with Emma Seifert, and into their household thus established the following children have been born, namely: Elizabeth, deceased; Henry, foreman in his father's factory; Joseph, associated with his fatlier in the factory; Clem, deceased; Dena, deceased; Clem, deceased; Amelia, wife of Max Scott, of Quincy; Lydia, wife of William Dover, of Quincy; Emma, deceased; G. Roy, who died in infancy; George, deceased ; a daughter that died in infancy ; Julia, wife of Theodoi'e Stigeman; and Ernest, associated in business with his father.

In polities prominently identified with the democratic part.y, Mr. Biekhaus served as foreman of the old fire department, and since 1883 has represented the Fifth Ward as alderman, during wiiieh time he has been loyal to the interests of his constituents and lent his influence toward the establishment of beneficial enterprises. Fraternally he belongs to the Court of Honor, to the Knights of Columbus, to the Prairie Benevolent Association, and to the Travelers Proteetive Association. Religiously he and his family are members of St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Hexry L. ;Miciielm.\nn is secretary and general manager of an industry which was founded in Quincy the same year he was born and which for thirty years under his virile enterprise has achieved rank among the most importaiit of the city. This is tlie Michelmann Steel Construction Works. It was established on a small scale by his father, the late John H. Michelmann, buf the great degree of its prosperity and its widening scope in local industries is the direct result and product of 11. L. Michelmann 's broad technical understanding and executive administration.

Henry L. Jlichelmann was born in Quincy February 13, 1865. In that year his father, John H. Michelmann, started a small shop for the manufacture of boilers, and more particularh- the repairing of boilers. John H. Michelmann was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1830 and came to the Ihiited States at the age of twenty-three, in 1853. He first located at Evansville, Indiana, and in 1855 came to Quincy. In the old country he had learned and had followed the trade of blacksmith, but after coming to America he learned boilermaking. Thus in 1865 he was thoroughly cpialified by experience in the trade and as a general business man to establish an independent concern. At the beginning the shop was conducted under his individual name as J. H. Michelmann. His location was at the corner of Spring and Second streets. In 1900 the works were incorporated as the Michelmann Boiler Company, with John J. Michelmann as president and treasurer and Henry L. Michelmann secretary and manager. In 1906 a new incorporation was made under the name Michelmann Steel Construction Works.

Henry L. ?Jichelmanii was educated in the Quincy public schools and in the Gem City Business College, and at the age of sixteen went into his father's shop. He learned boiler making and sheet metal work as thoroughly as his father had done before him, and his skill in the trade and an apt comprehension of everything connected with the business brought him to increased promotion until he was secretary and manager of the works.

As early as 1886 he was foreman in the shops and he gradually took upon himself tlie greater part of estimating and management of the business both inside and outside. When he first took charge it was a small concern doing a business valued at from -tl 5,000 to $20,000 a year, whereas now the company's annual business is about $200,000. Chief credit for this achievement is undoubtedly due Henry L. Michelmann and his career stands out prominent bevoi. n - 8 cause of his singular devotion to one line of work. He started as a boy, learned all the technical processes by actual experience, and his own knowledge, character and business experience have been worked into the large plant of which he is today the active head.

Mr. Michelmann married June 21, 1893, Miss Ida Meyer, a native of Quincy. They have four children, Ruth, Irene, Flora and Ada. Another child, the first born, Robert, died at the age of six and a half years. Mr. Michelmann is a republican in politics, is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Knight of Pythias and a member of the local Young Men's Christian Association.

Otis Johnston, M. D. A native of Quincy, Doctor Johnston has for nearly thirty years been identified with his calling as a physician and surgeon, and his work as a surgeon in particular has brought him a front rank in the profession. He is now chief of the staff of St. Mary's Hospital.

Doctor Johnston graduated from the Quincy Medical College twenty-nine years ago and has given all his services in his home city. One indication of the rank and esteem he enjoys is that for a number of years he was president of the Adams County Medical Society, and is also a member of the State Society and the American Medical Association.

Doctor Johnston was born at Quincy in 1868, and was reared and educated here, attending high school. He is a son of John W. and Isabel (White) Johnston, both of whom were born in Kentucky of old Scotch ancestry. His people have been Americans for several generations. John W. Johnston after his marriage started for Missouri, and had to cut a road through a long stretch of timber in order to reach his land in Lewis County. He went there in 1856, subsequently settled in Marion County, and when still a young man came to Quincy. He and his wife spent their last years in Quincy. John W. Johnston was prominent in the tobacco industry of Quincy for a number of years. He was a maker of the old Navy Plug and the American Twist. Doctor Johnston has a brother, Virgil V., who is a rice grower and planter at Stuttgart, Arkansas. He also has two sisters, Exia and Ida, the former a teacher and the latter a stenogi-apher, both living in Quincy.

Doctor Johnston married at Quincy Maude Harrington Grieser. Her parents were natives of Baltimore, and Mrs. Johnston was only three years old when her mother died at the age of twenty-eight. Her father, who died at Quincy ten years ago, was John L. Grieser, one of the largest land owners and most prominent citizens of the county. At one time he owned over 2,000 acres of land south of Quincy, and he was the principal promoter and after years of advocacy and educational campaigns he brought about the construction of the Indian Drain Levee, which at that time was regarded as the greatest improvement in and around Quincy. It resulted in the draining of thousands of acres, and changed the value of land from about $10 an acre to $150. Doctor and Mrs. Johnston became the parents of two children. One son, Emmett, died in 1897, in infancy. Their only living son, Eugene A-, aged fourteen, is a student in the Quincy High School. Doctor Johnston is a member of the Christian Church while Mrs. Johnston belongs to the Congregational denomination. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and Elks, and he and his family have always taken an active part in social affairs.

Milton S. Cabell is one of the most sterling citizens Quincy has ever had. He represents in one sense some of the older activities and older spirit of Quincy when this was a typically river town. Mr. Cabell was an engineer on river steamboats for a number of years, and his father was a noted captain of river boats from pioneer times. Milton S. Cabell until he retired was in service as an engineer for fully half a century. He won an ample competence for

For twenty-two years Mr. Cabell was in service as engineer for the Quincy postoffice, and perhaps the larger number of people in the city associate that service with his name, though it constituted only about half his active lifetime. He was first appointed to the ofSce by Judge Thompson, then postmaster, in 1892. He served under successive postmasters, James Montgomery, Chet Wilcox, David P. "Wilcox, editor of this history, and finally resigned his office while Mr. Wilcox was still postmaster. Mr. Cabell enjoyed the personal friendship of all these men, and holds them and their memories in the highest regard.

^Ir. Cabell was born in Quincy, on Vermont Street, back of the present Blackstone Building, May 27, 184:7. He attended local schools here, and at the age of fifteen went to work on ^Mississippi river boats and learned the trade of engineer. He was employed on the boats of the St. Louis and Keokuk packet line for about seven years, and on leaving the river he went to work as engineer in the Castle mills. He was also with the Telco mills, the Gem City mills, the Dick Brothers mills, and from that branch of sei-vice entered the engineering plant of the local postoffice. Through fifty years Mr. Cabell was never without a job, and that speaks highly of his efficiency and skillful ability and also the faithfulness with which he has done his chosen work in life.

His father was the well known old river man Capt. Samuel G. Cabell, who was born in Virginia and married Sadie Harris, a native of Kentucky. Both were of old southern stock and possessed many of the traditions of the best of southern families. Captain Cabell and wife were married at Carrolton, Illinois,' and soon afterward moved to Quincy. Captain Cabell served as chief engineer on the St. Louis and Keokuk Packet Line, at first with headquarters at Carrolton, and it was at the suggestion of Governor Carlin, a lifelong friend, that he moved to Quincy. He was chief engineer on river boats for a dozen 3'ears, and after tlmt was owner and captain of many of the best known vessels on the Mississippi. He was also captain of the St. ]\]^ry and the William Campbell, two boats well known on the Missouri River between St. Joseph and Omaha just before the war. He was captain and owner of the Sparrow Hawk, the Georgetown, the H. T. Yateman, the Ed I\Ianning, all of which plied on the ^Mississippi. Captain Cabell spent the last twenty years of his life in retirement, and died in 1898, at the venerable age of eighty-four. His name is still spoken with respect by the old time Mississippi River people. He survived his wife a number of years, she passing away at the age of about sixty. Captain Cabell was a democrat and a Methodist, while his wife was a Baptist.

Milton S. Cabell is the only surviving child of six in his father's family. He had a brother, John, who married, but had no children, and a sister, Emma, died unmarried at the age of forty-two.

In 1867 Milton S. Cabell married at St. Louis Miss Nellie M. Martin. She was born at Camden, Missouri, in 1850, was educated there, and during more than half a century of married life she and Mr. Cabell have enjoyed a rich and rare companionship, have labored together, have made their lives worth much to the community as well as to themselves, and without children of their iown they have done much to brighten life for others less fortunate. Mrs. Cabell's father, Thomas Martin, died in California when about seventy-five years of age. Thomas Martin married Miss Humphrey, who died at the home of her daughter when about seventy-five. Her parents were both natives of Indiana. IMrs. Cabell has a sister, Mrs. Gus Bowman, a widow, and mother of a .son, William B. Bowman. The latter has two sons, William Bowman, Jr., and Charles, the former now serving in the aviation corps in France, while the latter is employed on a Mississippi River boat in Government service, the William Eastman. Mr. and Mrs. Cabell are members of the First Baptist Church of Quincy. He has been a Mason of high standing for forty years and is affiliated

, IIk.vky F. SriiENGER. Careful, methodical and scieutitic farming at its very best is perhaps nowhere in Adams County better illustrated than on the plaee of Henry P. Sprenger in Honey Creek Township. This is in every sense a practical farm. Mr. Sprenger is not a wealth}" business man running a farm for a diversion or pleasure, and his place has all the more significance and value as an examjtle wlicn it is remembered that he went in debt for the land when he ac(iuired it, and made the farm pay for itself and bring the enviable prosperit.v he now enjoys.

Mr. Sprenger was born in Gilmer Township of this county, November 5, 1863, son of Frederick S. and Ida (Payraour) Sprengei*. His parents were natives of Germany, his father born in Prussia and his mother in Hanover. As soon as they were married they started for America in 1858, landing at New Orleans, and coming north by boat to St. Louis. After a brief residence in <^uincy they moved to Gilmer Township, and in 1862 moved to the old Sprenger homestead in section 23 of Honey Creek Township. Here Frederick Sprenger lived a busy and profitable life, which came to a close in February, 1897. In the family were five children: Henry F. ; Mrs. Mary Wiegmann ; Frank, who died March 21, 1905; Mrs. Ida Dinklage ; and Mrs. Minnie Bauers. Mrs. Ida Dinklage still occupies and owns the old homestead farm in section 23. The Sprengers are of old German stock, and some of the interesting relies they brought with them from the fatherland are still in the family possession, including some (ierman books which are more than a century old.

Henry F. Sprenger grew up in Honey Creek Township, was educated in the local schools and in the German school at Coatsburg, and was with his parents until he was about twenty-seven years of age. He bought the land included in his present farm in 1890 from the John Byers estate, but it was not until 1896 that he occupied it, in the meantime having operated his own land as well as his father's homestead. Oft November 18, 1896, Mr. Sprenger married Miss Mai-y Linkerman, daughter of Henry and Louisa (HoUe) Linkerman. Her fathei- was born in Germany and came to the United States in the '60s and died in 191)! in Camji Point Township. Her mother is still living. Mary Linkerman was born in Hancock County, and was twenty years of age at her marriage. She died .laniiai-y 15, 1906, leaving one son, William Henry, who is still at home. On June 15, 1910. ^Ir. Spi'enger married Frederieka E. Liukerman, sister of his first wife.

It was in 1910 that Mr. Sprenger rebuilt the original home and that gives him the neat and attractive house in which he and his family now reside. In 1904 he erected the barn. His barn is now well supplied with a complete equipment and perfect ari-angement of buildings, including hog barns, garage and granary, and he has carefully looked after and provided for an uninterrupted water snj^iily, obtained from a deep drilled well 275 feet, and brought to the surface and distributed by means of a combination of windmill and gas engine. Mr, Sprenger has carefully giadetl up and improved his own livestock, marketing about a hundred head of Pohuul China hogs every year, and occasionally feeding some cattle for market. All his own corn is fed on the farm. For his work horses he has some good grades of Percherons.

When Mr. Sprenger bought his present farm in 1890 he had only $800 to invest, and had to shoulder a big debt for the remainder. By steadily keeping at his work and always studying to better his land and his method of handling it, he has gradually emerged from all his obligations and his farm today would be hard to equal in the matter of eftieiency and general value. He is a member of the Farmers Imiu'oveinent Association of the county and takes pride in transforming his own farm enterprise and efforts toward the general betterment of the communitv. He served as a director of the Center School Board fifteen years, is a deiuocrat. a iiicinlici- and ti'tistee of Coatstnii-n: Lutheran Clnircli. and all ill ail is one of the most suljstantial citizens of the county.

Chakles II. Wood. As a farmer and Imsiness managrer Adams County has few men to compare with the late Clyu-les II. Wood. For many years he was one of the most influential citizens of Ellington Township.

He wa.s born on his father's farm in section 4 of tiiat township, ^March 20, 1842, lived there all his life and died February 10, 1898. His parents were Charles aiul Ann Wood, both natives of Enjiland and of old Enolish ancestry. They were married in England and their children born in tlie old country died before the parents came to America in 1S40. They came to this country in a sailing \cssel and after nuiny weeks landed at New York and came on to Adams Comity. In England Charles Wood. Sr., had been a skillful weaver by trade, but in Adams County he bought land in Ellington Townsliip and developed his property and owned a large and profitable estate. Both he and his wife died on the old farm, he at the age of fifty-six and she when seventysix. They were members of the Episcopal Church.

Charles II. Wood was the only child of bis jiarents to reach maturity. Wlicn a young man he took the management of the home farm and later became its owner. He increased his ])ossessions and at one time had more than 400 acres, all well iinprovetl and con.stituting a most valuable jiroperty. He did general faj-ming and was also an extensive fruit raiser. He dcvelo])ed several acres to fruit. His home was a substantial ten room house and there were other sul)- stantial buildings.

He first mai-ricd Mary Kinkade, who was born and educated in Adams County. She died at the home in Ellington Township in 1884, when in the prime of life. Of her children the oldest, Enoch, is a resident of California and is the father of four dauglitei's. S. Edmond has one of the finest farms in the vicinity of Augusta, Illinois, and is married and has two sons and four daughters. Abraham L. is a bachelor living in California. Isaac X. has a truck garden in Riverside Township of this county, and his family consists of a .son and daughter. Lewis died at the age of twenty-three.

In the fall of 1886, in Gilmer Township, Mr. Wood mari'icd .Miss Sarah McKec. Mrs. Wood since her husband's death has shown remarkalile abilities in the handling of her affairs, and is regarded as one of the shrewdest business women in the county. She was born in Ellington Townsliip and has s] cut ail her life in this county. Taking property left fo her managemeiif by her husband, she has greatly improved it, and has also ar(|uired miicji ])ropcrty in Quincy. She now lives in Quiney at 524 North Ninth Street.

Mrs. Wood is a daughter of Samuel and -Alartha (McKeeman) McKee. Both parents were born in Ireland. Her mother was first married to William Boyle. They came fo the United States and settled in Adams County, wliere Mr. Boyle died, leaving two sons, John and Daniel. She later married Mr. Mc-Kee, who had come to Adams County when a young man. Mr. and ^Irs. ^JIcKec were Adams county farmers. He died in IS.'i.'i, and his widow passed away at the age of seventy. Both were members of the Presl)\teriaii Church, ^frs. Wood was the only child of her father.

I\Irs. Wood has three children: ;\Iartha .M., who graduated from the (,)uiucy High School in 1910. was a teacher for two years and is now the wife of William Shriver of Ursa Township. Their children are Eva May, William L. and Myrtle R. Ralph MeKee Wood, born in 189:!. graduated from high school in 1913 and is now a soldier at Camp Funston. ]\Iary Luciiula graduated from the Quincy High School in 1915 and is at home with her mother. ]\Irs. Wood and her eliildren are Pre.sbj'terians.

Eugene Weisinger. The men who desei've greatest credit for the immense productiveness of American agriculture are those who are in actual contact with the work and processes of the farms. An increasing part of American farms is owned by men who do not reside upon them and to only a limited degree are responsible for the fruits gathered from tJieir lands. It is in the class of farm managers and those whose time and resources are concentrated upon the trying processes that Mr. Eugene "Weisinger has his place. Mr. "Weisinger is one of the finest types of American citizens. He is of German birth, but has lived in this country since boyhood. He signalized his devotion to American ideals by service in the Spanish-American war, and the degree of community esteem in which he is held is well reflected by his present position as supervisor of Gilmer Township.

Mr. "Weisinger and family reside in section 35 of Gilmer Township, fourteen miles east of Quinc.y. He was born in the Kingdom of Wuertemberg May 29, 1875. He was educated in the German common schools and was seventeen j^ears old when he came to the United States. He wa,s the only member of his immediate family to come to this country. His uncle, Carl Eppinger, was at that time a resident of Quincy. ilr. "Weisinger arrived at Quincy July 2, 1892. A machinist by trade, he worked for the Plow Company and the Gardner Pump "\^'o^ks for one year, but since then has applied his efforts steadily to farming. He went to work as a farm laborer by the month, spending two years with "\Villiam Zanger of Burton Township, two years with J. S. Lawless in Gilmer Township, and in 1898 took employment with J. R. Ferguson of Burton Township.

In the meantime Mr. "Weisinger had been a member of the Naval Militia Company at Quincy, serving as acting boatswain's mate. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he enlisted in the United States Na\y, and was in active service from May 25 to November 13, 1898. He was on the flagship Newark, first commanded by Commodore "Watson and later by R^ar Admiral Schley. He was an ordinary seaman, and was in charge of the poop deck or admiral's quarters. During his service in the Naval Militia he had been granted a gold medal for proficiency as a seaman.

"When he received his honorable discharge from the navy Mr. "Weisinger returned to farm work. In December, 1902, he married Sophia Page, of Burton Township, daughter of Michael Page. She was boi-n in Burton Township and was twenty-two when she married. Up to the time of his marriage ]Mr. "Weisinger had been a rather easy going and a "good fellow," and consequently his accumulations and capital amounted to only the savings from a year's earnings and a horse and buggy, "^"ith the responsibility of a home he set himself seriously to providing for the future. For three years he farmed in Burton Township and in the fall of 1905 came to his present place, then the "^^ alter Gate farm in Gilmer Township. At that time he had the management of 140 acres and at present he has 300 acres under his control. This fine farm is owned b}' C. M. Henry. Mr. "Weisinger has made a splendid success as a farm manager, and handles his fields and livestock with profit both to himself and the owner of the land. About every year he sends two carloads of his own hogs to market and also buys and feeds both cattle and hogs.

Mr. Weisinger has given much of his time to public affairs. He served as township clerk two .years, was township collector of Burton Township the first year after his marriage, and was elected to his present office as supervisor of Gilmer Township in 19iS. He is also a director of his home school district. Mr. "Weisinger is a republican and is affiliated with the ]\Iasonie Lodge and Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Columbus. In the Odd Fellows Lodge he has passed all the chairs and has been representative to the Grand Lodge. He and his family are suppoi'ting members of the Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. "Weisinger have a happy family of seven

Fred "William Albsmeyer. One of the interesting old timers of Adams County is Fred William Albsmeyer, now living retired at Quincy, and whose active life was spent on a farm in Melrose Township. The story of Mr. Albsmeyer's career illustrates what may be accomplished by a man of determination and without capital, and in spite of vicissitudes and circumstances in the highest degree discouraging.

Mr. Albsmeyer came to Adams County over fifty years ago. He was born in Kreis Hertford, Prussia, in May, 1845. His parents were farming people and spent all their lives in German.v. In 1867 Fred was persuaded by a couple of young men then revisiting in Germany to come to America. Arriving in Adams County his friends took him to the home of George Beilstein of Melrose Township. Mr. Albsmeyer had a $10 gold piece on landing in this country. He had worked at low wages on farms and in the coal mines in Germany, and after coming to Adams County he spent four years working at $15 a month in Melrose Township for William Beugert. He was thrifty, looked to the future, saved his money, and at the time of his marriage had $400 for capital and also a team and an interest in a threshing machine.

February 21, 1872, Mr. Albsmeyer married Miss Charlotta Dickmann. She was born in Prussia, and came to the United States in 1871. After their marriage the.y rented a farm in Melrose Township five or six years. Mr. Albsmeyer then arranged for the purchase of the Peter Shear farm of 115 acres. This farm was in the very southeast corner of Melrose Township, cornering on Fall Creek, Burton and Payson Township. The purchase price was $6,300. Mr. Albsmeyer had only $300 to pay down, and went in debt for the balance at 8 per cent interest. The land had few improvements, chiefly a log stable and a small house. For several years there were no crops, and hog cholera swept away the few hogs he had. He was nnable to pay even the interest and had to borrow money for that purpose. Later he bought forty acres more at $70 per acre and the land had no building whatever. He kept steadily at work, clearing and improving his land, and using his fields for the production of wheat, oats and corn. In spite of losses he kept raising hogs, though two or three times his bunch was cleared out by the cholera. Gradually his debts shrunk, and in the meantime his farm increased in value. He built a new barn, enlarged the house, and made as fine a body of land as could be found in that communit}\ Later Mr. Albsmeyer bought 160 acres in Harper County, Kansas, and his son lived there for several years. Mr. Albsmeyer still owns this Kansas property. In 1907 he retired from the farm and has since enjoyed the comforts of a good home in Quincy, his son William being manager of the farm.

Mr. Albsmeyer early became an American citizen and has regularly voted the democratic ticket. He is a member of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church at Quincy.

The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Albsmeyer is William F. They have three daughters: Anna, wife of Ed Stockheke, of Mendon, and mother of one child, Grace; Lydia, who married William Speckhart, of Fall Creek Township and has four children, Alfred, Ralph, Alma and Wilma; and Clara, still at home.

William F. Albsmeyer mari-ied Catherine Speckhart, daughter of Adam Speckhart, one of the best known citizens of the county. For the past eleven years the son has operated the homestead farm. He and his wife have four children : George, Ebner, Esther and Marie. The son George is now a member of the Students Army Training Corps at the State University in Urbana.

James MejVliff, owner of Fairview Stock Farm, has been a resident of Adams County over half a century, and from farm hand at low wages has progressed through many years of strenuous effort to the ownership of one of the excellent places in Honey Creek Township, and has independence in material circumstances and at the same time has reared and helped the children who have grown up around him. Mr. Mealiff has had to work for all he got, but while out of necessity attending closely to his own affairs he has had an imselfish and public spirited attitude toward the community and has done what he could to help forward the wheels of progress.

Mr. Mealiff was born in County Cavan, Ireland, February 7, 1843. He grew up on a farm and the knowledge of farming as acquired in Ireland was practically the only asset he brought to America. He was not j'ct twenty-one when he landed at New York December 22, 1863. He remained in the east two months and in February, 1864, arrived in Mendon Township. At that time he was $35 in debt, and while this is an insignificant sum in the present day it required Mr. Mealiff the better part of a half year to pay off the obligation. For the first year in this county he worked for Abraham Chittenden at wages of $12.50 per month. Having a special use for his money and not enjoying a large social acquaintance which required its expenditure, he saved practically all that he earned. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Mealiff enlisted to serve his adopted country as a soldier in the Union Army. He enlisted in Company D of the One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Illinois Volunteers, and was sent to Tullahoma, Tennessee. He .spent his time there drilling and doing guard duty, and was still thus employed when Lee's army surrendered. When the news of Lincoln's assassination reached him he was standing on the picket line. He also did some duty in guarding bridges and railroads and was discharged in September, 1865, after eight months of service.

After the war l\Ir. Mealiff: continued work for Mr. Chittenden two years, and continued to give his labor to other farmers in the county for six or seven years longer. He commanded about the highest wages paid for farm labor, $22.50 a month for nine months out of the year. Among his other employers were Percy Sproat, Clark Strickler and W. W. Benton.

December 28, 1871, seven yeai-s after coming to Adams County, Mr. Mealiff married Jane Hewitt, daughter of William Hewitt, whose family also came from County Cavan, Ireland. Mrs. Mealiff died in 1886, at the age of thirty years. Mr. Mealiff in May, 1888, married his first wife's sister, Eliza Hewitt.

Early in his married career Mr. Mealiff and his cousin, William ilealiff bought 200 acres of wild land, and the.y were partners in its ownership and development for about ten years. James Mealiff then sold his interest to his cousin and invested the proceeds in his present farm of 160 acres, located 31/2 miles east of Mendon. Later he boiight another forty acres, so that his farm comprises 200 acres. His land has been carefully handled and improved with a good house, barn and other buildings, and has been the scene of some profitable mixed farming, gi-ain crops and the raising of Shorthorn cattle, hogs and horses.

It would be one of the interesting stories of individual experience could all the details be presented of Mr. jMealiff's struggle toward independence. When he married and bought his first land he had saved about $500 from his wages. Naturally he assumed a big debt, and for years paid 10 per cent interest. Care and provision for his family used \\p most of his earnings and it was thirty years before he could call himself entirely clear of debt. He also experienced the eras of low prices. Many times he sold his hogs at 3 cents a pound after feeding them 50 cent' corn, so that there was absolutely no reward for his labor and care. Mrs. Mealiff also raised a flock of turkeys, and the best price that could be obtained for these birds was 4 cents a pound. Mr. Mealiff is a vestryman in the Episcopal Chiirch at Mendon and while a republican voter has avoided any mention of office for himself.

By his first wife he had five children: William A., a bachelor, who is now handling the farm for his father; Elizabeth, who died at the age of twelve years; Sarah Jane, who died at the age of twenty-five, the Avife of John F. Diekerman ; James Edward, a fanner in Mendon Township who married Julia Talcott ; and Rol)ert II.. who for the past fifteen years has lived at Monte Vista, Colorado. By his second wife Mr. ^lealiff had one son, John K., a fanner in Keeue Township. This son married Ruth Cliittenden, daughter of H. F. Chittenden.

Charles E. Delaplain is a Quiney business man who has the reputation of having made a success in practically every one of life's undertakings. He has been a very busy man, was formerly a stock buyer and dealer, but has found his chief and most profitable field of operations as a real estate man. His offices are in the Sterns liuilding at Quiney, where he has been located since establishing his business at Quiney in 1916.

Mr. Delaplain was born at Plainville in Payson Township of this county April 27, 1868. His father, John Delaplain, was a native of West Virginia, of French ancestry. When a young man lie came West and settled near Quiney, and for several years followed his trade as a carpenter. He helped build the old Scheers barn, the largest in the county at that time. For some years he was also associated in trade with i\Ir. Watt, a merchant at Payson. Later John Delaplain built the first store at Plaiiiville in the south end of the county. In order to clear the site for his store building he had to cut and carry away part lof a field of corn there. Thus he was in a business sense the originator of Plainville and conducted a general merchandise store for the benefit of that community thirty-six years. Finally selling out, he moved to Winfield, Kansas, and died there two years later, in 1894. He was a democrat, and for six terms held the office of postmaster at Plainville. He was a very active man in his community and his influence was especially directed to the building and support of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his wife was also very active. It was in the Plainville community that John Delaplain married Miss Lucy Monroe, daughter of Elijah Monroe. Her father was born in Ross County, Ohio, and married a Miss Hendershot. Elijah Monroe came to Illinois and lived on the line between Adams and Pike counties. He died at the age of seventy-four and the mother at eighty-six. Mrs. John Delaplain was born near Zanesville, Ohio, and is still living at Winfield, Kansas, bright and active at the age of eighty-four. Her children are three in number : Ida, Ollie and Charles E. Ida married D. D. Iladzcll, of Oklahoma, and has reared to adult years three sons and four daughters. The daughter Ollie still lives with her mother in Winfield.

Charles E. Delaplain spent his j-outh and boyhood at Plainville in the southern part of the county and while there learned the trade of butcher, and that occupation introduced him to the general business of stock buying. He also had some experience as a general merchant, and the various things he undertook seemed to prosper in his hands. For the past nineteen years he has been giving nearly all his energies to the real estate 1)usiness. He is affiliated with the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Woodman Camp at Plainville. Mr. Delaplain has been twice married, but has no children. His pi'csent wife was formerly Miss Imo N. McEntee, who was born and reared near Barry, Illinois.

August Basse. For over sixty years the name Basse has been identified in the minds of many Quiney pcojile with the jewelry business. The Basses are a remarkable family, remarkable for their genius as artistic workmen in different kinds of material, and also as thorough business meu, upright citizens and people who are worth while in any community.

The late August Ba.sse was born in Essen, Germany, January 15, 1840. His people for many years had lived in the great German art center of Duesseldorf, and for years they had conducted a business for the manufacture of pewter ware. August Basse, Sr., was born at Essen and in 18.36 he man-ied Henrietta Hulsmann, also a native of Essen. August Basse, Sr., learned the trade of woodworker and wood carver. He had much of that wonderful skill which is attrib- uted to the world famous carvers in wood and other materials in Germany. Some of the rare pieces he executed are still extant. He brought to America with him a wonderfullj' intricate and interesting sample of wood carving, representing a spread eagle in wood and a Dutch hound in ivory. He attached these to a beautiful cane. He and his family came to America in 1855, and from Philadelphia came west to Illinois. In 1856 he established a jewelry store at 518 Maine Street in Quincy and there built up a large and successful business. His brother-in-law Mr. Henry Hulsmann, was associated with him as gold and silversmith.

This business was finally acquired and succeeded by August Basse, Jr. who had grown up and learned the trade in New York and Boston. He gave the best years of his life to its management and was one of the prominent business men of Quincy. He died in this city June 15, 1907. He was reared a Lutheran and was a republican in politics.

March 19, 1864, at Quincy, August Basse married Marie Kespohl, who was born in Germany May 21, 1842. She was reared and educated in Germany, a daughter of Henry and Augusta (Kuster) Kespohl, natives of the same place. The Kespohl family came to the United States and located at Quincy, where her parents spent the rest of their days. Her father died iii 1881 and her mother some j'eai-s later at the age of seventy. They were members of the Lutheran Church and reared a large family of children, four of whom are still living.

To Mr. and Mrs. August Basse were born six children : Clara died when one year old. August is now in business at Salt Lake City and is married but has no children. Bertha, who like her brothers and sisters was well educated in the city schools of Quincy, has alwavs lived at home with her mother. Sophie, who died March 12, 1916", was the wife of E. Roy Harris, of Perry, Illinois. Mr. Harris died July 28, 1914, and they left two sons, Richard A. and Lloyd E. Richard A., who enlisted in the army medical corps at Jefferson Barracks, was a student in chemical engineering at the University of Illinois. Lloyd E. is a member of the Quincy High School class of 1919 and lives with his grandmother. Henry Basse is successor to his father's business as a jewelryman, and thus continues a line of trade which has been in this one family for three generations. He married Valinda StoUberg. Marie L., the youngest of Mrs. Basse's children, is the wife of Henrj' Pieper, and they have two children, Marie L. and John H.

Edward N. Monroe. In all respects a worthy representative of the industrial and manufacturing interests of Adams County, Edward N. Monroe is numbered among its more active and successful business men, the large and well equipped plant in which he manufactures dye stuffs of all kinds being advantageously located on the bay, near Quincy. Coming from a long line of honored New England stock, he was born April 7, 1855, in Chillicothe, Ohio, where his childhood days were spent.

His father. Edward Monroe, was born and bred in Massachusetts. For a time during the Civil war he was connected with the Union army in Washington District of Columbia, but after the surrender of Lee he moved with his family to Putnam County, Missouri. Buying a tract of wild land, he improved a good farm, and there resided until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Hard, was born in Vermont, and died on the home farm in Missouri.

The only child of his parents, Edward N. Monroe acquired a practical education in the public schools, and soon after entering his teens, about 1870, began work in a drug store at Unionville, Missouri. In 1876 he embarked in business on his own account, and subsequently experimented largely as a manufacturer of dyes, meeting with exceptionally good results in his undertakings. In 1907 Mr. Monroe located in Adams County, Illinois, and established his present manufacturing plant in, or very near, Quincy, the factory covering an area of 40,000 square feet, while his chemical rooms and laboratory occupy a space of about

100,000 square feet. In the art of manufacturing dyes ^Ir. Monroe has met with rare success, the products of his factory equalling in beaut}- and durabilitj'' of color the dyes that were formerly imported into this country from foreign lands.

Mr. Monroe married Flora Waggoner, a native of Pennsylvania, and into the household thus established three children have been born, namely: Neal E., who is associated in business with his father, having charge of the manufactory ; Burk C, deceased; and Octavia, wife of Lawrence P. Bonfoey, of Quincy. Mr. Monroe is a republican in politics, and is a director and the vice president of the States Savings Loan and Trust Company.

August H. Heidbreder. The prominent and prosperous business men of Adams County have no more able or worthy representative than August H. Heidbreder of Quincy, a leading druggist who has established a chain of stores in the city and is carr.ving on an extensive and substantial business. He was born March 6, 18.56, in Quincy, Illinois, of German ancestry.

His father, John H. Heidbreder, was born, bred and educated in Germany. Soon after his marriage with Hannah Schaeffer he immigrated to the United States, and following the march of civilization westward to Illinois, he located in Quincy, where he at first engaged in teaming, and in 1875 he sold his teaming business and engaged in the drug business, with his son August H., with whom he was prosperously associated until his death. To him and his wife ten children were born, as follows: Louisa, deceased: August H., the special subject of this brief sketch ; Wilhelmina, deceased ; Minnie, widow of Philip Breer, of Salt Lake City, Utah ; Reeka, widow of Rev. William Meigar, of Quincy ; Mary, deceased : Hannah, of Quincy ; Emma, of Quincy ; George H., who died July 9, 1917; and Elizabeth, deceased.

Receiving his preliminary education in the public and parochial schools, August H. Heidbreder fitted himself for a business career at the Gem City Business College. In 1875 he embarked in the drug business with his father, being located at the corner of Eighth and State streets, and continued there for a numl>er of years. In 1892 Mr. Heidbreder admitted his brother. George H. Heidbreder, to partnership, the firm name becoming Heidbreder Brothers. In 1907 Mr. Heidbreder 's oldest son Albert H. Heidbreder, became a member of the firm, and the name was changed to Heidbreder Brothers and Company. Three years later this firm, with characteristic enterprise, built a three-story brick and stone building, more commodious quarters being needed to meet the demands of his trade. Mr. Heidbreder has founded five drug stores in Quincy, and in their management is actively and profitably interested.

He married Mary Niekamp, a native of Quincy, and into their home eight children have been born, namely: Albert H., associated with his father in the drug business; Charles A., secretary of the Quincy Stove Company, of which Mr. Heidbreder is president ; Frank H., deceased ; Minnie, wife of William Evers, of Quincy; Mamie, deceased; Ella, wife of Albert Niemeyer, a druggist, located at the corner of Twelfth and State streets, Quincy; and Herbert H. and Edgar Phillip, now serving in the United States Army, being members of the Medical Corps. Mr. Heidbreder is a valued member of the Saint Jacobi Lutheran Church, and of which his father was for thirty-two years the treasurer. He succeeded his father and served eight years in that office, a total of forty years for father and son to hold the same position.

Benjamin F. C.\te lives a mile south of Paloma in Gilmer Township, and ha-s been a factor as a farmer and good citizen of that locality all his active career. The Cate family came into Adams County about eighty years ago and they and their family connections have exercised an important influence in the various communities where they lived, always in behalf of better farming and better improvements, schools and churches.

The place where Benjauiin F. Cate was born September 29, 1862. is six railes south of his present home. His parents were "Walter and Jane (Pierce) Cate. Walter Cate was born at Greenfield, New Hampshire, and was twelve years of age when in 1836 he accompanied his parents by wagon and ox team to "Western Illinois. His father, "U'alter Cate, Sr., and wife both died in Gilmer Township. "VS'alter Cate, Jr., gi-ew up here as a frontier youth and before his marriage managed to accumulate a few acres of land and build a small house. He married Jane Pierce, daughter of David Pierce. She was born in Tennessee and came with her parents to Gilmer Township about 1840. The Pierce family also drove through with wagon and team. David Pierce died after reaching advanced years. Though "Walter Cate and wife began their housekeeping in limited circumstances, their thrift and industry enabled them to make a fine farm of about 300 acres, and this they finally sold, and for the last twelve years jNIr. Cate lived retired at Camp Point, where he died at the age of eighty-nine. His wife, who was sixteen when she married, died at the age of sixty. Walter Cate served as a .justice of the peace for a number of years, was a democrat in politics, and a Baptist in religious faith, though his last years were spent in the Methodist Church. He and liis wife had a large family, twelve children, and eleven of them reached maturitj- : Levi, a retired resident of Camp Point ; Nannie, who married R. L. Booth of Camp Point, where she died in 1918, at the age of sixty-one : Arthur, living retired at Camp Point : ^lary, Sirs. J. T. Sims, of Augusta, Illinois ; Ben.iamin F. ; George, an undertaker at Redondo Beach, California ; David, a resident of San Diego, California ; Emma. !\Irs. Clifford Richards, of El Centro in the Imperial Valley of California ; Lou, who is unmarried and lives with her brother George; Nona, IVIrs. A. B. Childs of Olathe, Kansas; and Iva, Mrs. Charles Tajior, living on a farm at Plymouth, Illinois.

Benjamin F. Cate was reared at the old home, attended the local schools, and remained with his father on the farm for several years after reaching his majority. "When twenty-four years old on January 19, 1887, he married iliss Emma Lummis, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Lawless) Lummis. The Luramis and Lawless families have been factors in Adams County since early days, and further reference to them will be found on other pages of this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Cate were married in a house that formerly occupied the site of their present home. Mrs. Cate has lived in this one locality since she was seven years old. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cate farmed for five years on a part of his father's place and in 1892 they bought her father's farm, at which date her father retired. This farm contains eighty acres and it has since been improved with a new house, barn and garage, and is operated up to the maximum of productiveness by Mr. and ]\Irs. Gate's son-in-law Ed Kopsieker. Recently Mr. and Mrs. Cate bought a home at Paloma, where they intend to spend their last years in comfort. Mr. Cate served as township clerk for seven years, and as supervisor eleven years, and for four years was deputy sheriff under Sheriff John Tombs. He is an active democrat, is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Paloma and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday School.

Mr. and ili-s. Gate's oldest child, "Walter, was a young man of much promise and was drowned at the age of twenty-two, while on a fishing expedition to the Mississippi River. Their daughter Alta is the wife of Ed Kopsieker, already referred to as the manager of the Cate farm. Mr. and Mrs. Kopsieker have a daughter, Alice Florence. The younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cate, Florence, is a graduate of the Coatsburg High School and is still at home.

Leonaed M. Schmttt, wIio died July 2, 1915, was for a long period of years an active merchant and druggist at Quincy, and represented one of the sterling German families that were identified with the pioneer upbuilding of this community. He was a good business man and was always straightforward in his

His parents were Leonard and Margaret (Jost) Schmitt, both natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. The}' came to America in 1836. Leonard Schmitt. Sr., had learned the trade of cabinet maker and carpenter in early life, and after locating at Quincy he was a follower of his trade, and much of his work was manufacturing coffins as needed in the town. About 1845 he became a contractor and builder, and many of the homes and other structures of the city dating from that year were monuments to his enterprise. He continued in business until 1865, when he retired with an ample competence and after that lived in the city until his death in April, 1898, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife died in March, 1896, at the age of eighty-one. They had been married over half a centurj' and practically all their married lives were spent in the home at 810 Hampshire Street which Leonard Schmitt, Sr., built. Tliey were earl,y and prominent members of St. Boniface Catholic Church, and he was identified with the Western Catholic Union and in politics was a democrat. They were the parents of a large family of children, all of whom grew up except one that died in infanc}'. Elizabeth, wife of Safford Dehner, lives on Hampshire Street; Mrs. Catherine Pireo died in St. Louis; Mrs. Lucy Denkhoff died at Quincy; Mrs. Margaret Schwantz died at Poplar Grove, Arkansas; Sister Hyacinth, of the Order of St. Francis, is connected with St. Elizabeth's Hospital at Louisville, Kentucky ; ilrs. Joseph Jacoby lives at Quincy : ilrs. Gerry Jausen lives in St. Louis; Leonard JL ; George died in Chicago; and Nicholas lives in St. Louis.

The late Leonard M. Schmitt was Ijorn in Quincy March 24, 1848. He was educated in the parochial schools and St. Boniface school, also St. Francis College, and in 1862 he went to work in a drug store, spending three years with Dowry & Morton. He then became connected with the house of Rogers & Malone, and was with that firm for twenty years. In 1882 he moved to Chicago and was a partner in the Hulburt Drug Company imtil 1887, when he returned to Quincy and bought a store at 629 Hampshire Street. He developed that as one of the best centers for drugs and drug merchandise in the city and continued active in its management until 1910, when he sold out to Mr. Kiefer, and from that time until his death lived a rather retired life. He was an early member of the Knights of Columbus, was also identified with the Western Catholic Union and the Catholic Knights of America and in polities was a democrat. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church.

In 1882 Mr. Schmitt married Frances K. Koenig, of Jacksonville, Illinois, where she was born and where she was educated in parochial schools. She finished her education in the Ursuline Academy at Springfield, Illinois. Mrs. Schmitt is a daughter of August and Anna (Busold) Koenig, both of whom were natives of Hesse Darmstadt and came to America when young people. They married in Louisville, Kentucky, and on settling at Jacksonville, Illinois, August Koenig engaged in the grocery business. Mrs. Schmitt 's mother died at Jacksonville more tlian fifty years ago, when the daughter was only four years old. Her father died in March, 1896. Mrs. Schmitt is one of two children, her sister being Mrs. Enoch Yentzer, of Ottawa, Illinois. Her father by a second marriage had four children, all now deceased except Mrs. Paulina Keating, of Jacksonville.

Mrs. Schmitt is the mother of three children. Augusta was educated in St. Mary's Academy and is the wife of Edward B. MoUer, a Quincy lumberman. Mr. and Mrs. Moller have a daughter, Lueile, aged five and a half years. Lenore, the second child, is the wife of William C. Walter, of Peoria. They have a son, William Leonard aged six years. Raymond G., the youngest child, was educated in St. Francis College and is a machinist by trade and his home is still with his mother. He has been serving his country in the war. The children were all confirmed in St. Francis Catholic Church at Quincy.

August C. Stroot. Noteworthy for his keen business intelligence, ability and tact, August C. Stroot holds high rank among the prosperous merchants of Quincy, where he is conducting an extensive trade in hardware, his wellstocked store being conveniently located at 1139 and 1141 Broadway. A son of the late Bernard Stroot, he was born April 24, 1860, in Hanover, Gei-many.