Quincy Township (part 49 of 74)

It was his recognized position as a citizen of ability and of long standing influence, his successful record as a farmer, and his level headed judgment in all his relations with men and affairs that brought Hon. Samuel H. Thompson the honor of election to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1916. He was one of the representatives of the Thirty-sixth Senatorial District, and though that district is normally democratic he received a majority of 14,000 votes. The district comprises Scott, Pike, Calhoun and Adams counties, and he carried every county except Pike. During the Fiftieth Assembly Mr. Thompson was a member of the committees on agriculture, charities and corrections, farm drainage, revenue and temperance. These committee assignments indicate fairly well the chief object of liis attention and work while in the Legislature, though as a matter of fact he neglected none of his responsibilities and throughout a long session of six months he was on duty at every roll call and was const/antly a student of measures both in the committee room and on the floor of the House. He was assigned to the duty of floor leader during the consideration in the House of the Pure Seed Law. This i^roposed legislation did not pass, and today it is one of the big and fundamental questions affecting not only the farmers of Illinois but every citizen of the state whose interest in agi'iculture is measured by a backyard garden. The essential provisions of the bill in which Mr. Thompson was interested provided certain safeguards, particularly the high germination test, to prevent spurious and worthless and old seeds from being shifted upon purchasers by unscrupulous seed dealers. The measure from first to la.st was bitterly fought by the big seed houses, and yet the bill got through both Houses of the Legislature and was defeated onlv through the Governor's veto, who claimed that the measure was unconstitutional. Mr. Thompson also advocated every worthy measure and proposal looking to the improvement of Illinois highways, and voted for the proposed issue of .$60,000,000 of bonds for permanent highway construction. He also favored the constitutional convention, which is still one of the vital issues in Illinois politics.

The Thompson home and farm is in section 34 of Gilmer Township, ten miles east of Quincy and five miles south of Paloma, which is Mr. Thompson's postoffice. On a farm adjoining his present home Mr. Thompson was born August 18, 186.3, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (MeConnell) Thompson. His parents were both born in Ireland, his father in County Derry and his mother in County Monaghan. The father came to this country about 184.5 and the mother in 1850. They were married in Adams County in 1852, and at first located a mile west of the land to which they moved in 1854. The land was then wild prairie and Samuel Thompson did his part as a pioneer in reclaiming it and putting it under cultivation. The price he paid for the land was about $7 an acre. He had a good farm and provided well for his family, and died with the respect of an entire community January 10, 1891, at the age of sixty-seven. His wife passed away September 27, 1903, aged seventy-one. Samuel Thompson was a republican, and though a member of the Presbyterian Church he worshiped at the Mount Pleasant Methodist church, which was only a mile from his home, while the Burton Presbyterian church was five miles away. His children w^ere : Sarah Margaret, Mrs. Henry Baker of Augusta, Illinois ; Anna Belle and Mary Jane, who have built up a successfiil business as dressmakers at Quincy; Alexander, a farmer and stock man at Camp Point : and Samuel H.

Samuel H. Thompson grew to manhood on his father's farm and his education was such as the home district school supplied. Upon reaching his majority he took service with his father on the farm and remained at home until he was twenty-five.

Januarj- 23, 1889, Mr. Thompson married Miss Lemmie Dickhut, who was born in Gilmer Township, and lived near Coatsburg until her marriage. Her parents, Charles and Kate (Schnur) Dickhut, are both deceased. Her mother was a native of Germanj% and was brought to this country when a child. Mrs. Thompson was nineteen at the time of her marriage.

They began housekeeping on eighty acres adjoining the old Thompson homestead. Mr. Thompson paid $75 an acre for this land which had as its chief improvement an old house and barn. Later he acquired the interest of the other heirs in the Thompson farm, and some years ago he and C. L. Anderson bought as partners the noted Paris T. Judy farm of 504 acres. They paid .$30,000 for this estate, one of the oldest and best known in that section of the county. In the division Mr. Thompson took 260 acres without improvements in the way of buildings. He has since acquired a third farm, the J. P. Yeargain farm of eighty acres. This was a highly improved place, and the purchase price was $175. These various holdings combined give ilr. Thompson an even 500 acres, all situated in a body, and so arranged and equipped as to constitute a model stock and grain farm. AYith the assistance of his son he operates the entire property and for twenty-five years has been one of the largest stock feeders in the county. As high as 200 carloads of fat stock have been shipped from Paloma by Mr. Thompson. The principal product of the Thompson farm for some j-ears has been hogs, and everj' bushel of grain raised on the land is fed there, and thousands of bushels of corn are bought every year. During his earlier life Mr. Thompson for seven years operated a threshing outfit and it is as an old time thresherman that he is remembered by many farmers over a wide territory. Mr. Thompson early decided on the strength of his observations that laud was an iron clad investment and that land values must always increase instead of decrease, and it was on the strength of this policy that he has never hesitated to invest his surplus in additional lands, even at the highest market price. He took an active interest in public afi'airs from the time he cast his first vote. "When he was twenty-two he was elected tax collector of the township and had the responsibility of collecting about $11,000 every year. For nine years he was also a county commissioner, and six years township supervisor. Some years ago Mr. Thompson was in the race for county treasurer but was defeated by a few votes. He is an active member of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal church, and is steward of the church and superintendent of its Sunday school.

^Ir. and Mrs. Thompson had a family of seven children. Charles, the oldest, married Lois Martin, and their three children are Lawrence, Herbert and Ruth. Ray married Blanche Neal and has a son, James Robert. Mabel is the wife of Orin Crossland, who is a lieutenant in the United States anny, now serving his country in France. The four younger children, all at home, are Grace, Florence, Edith and Samuel. Grace is a graduate of the local high school and the Illinois State Normal and is a teacher in the home school. Edith is a graduate of the Gem City Business College.

William Taylor, who died April 25, 1907, was one of the men of achievement and high purpose in Adams County, and it is eminently fitting that some permanent record of his career should be made in this history.

He was sixty years of age when his life came to its close. He was born January 4, 1847, near Dublin, Ireland, and was an infant when his parents came to America. His father, Edward Taj'lor, was born in County Kildare, Ireland, September 29, 1812, and died June 21, 1884. He married in Ireland ilartha Wilkinson. She was eighteen and he twenty-six at the time of their marriage. In 1849 they started for America on a sailing vessel. Cholera broke out during the voyage and thirteen of the passengers died of that dread disease. One of them was Edward Taylor's sister. From New York the Taylor family first went to Philadelphia and thence came by railroad and water to Quincj'. Edward Taylor soon settled on a farm in Honey Creek Township and eventually developed important interests as a farmer and stock feeder. In

Ireland he had followed the trade of blacksmith. His old homestead is now owned by his two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann. 'Sirs. Edward Taylor died in November, 1899, after having lived continuously on the old homestead fortythree years. Edward Taylor was a democrat and was active in the Episcopal Church, serving as vestryman. He and his wife had eight children : Thomas, who died October 27, 1913, at the age of sevent.v; James, who died at the age of forty-seven, a bachelor ; Edward, who died at the age of twenty-six ; William, also deceased; Ann Olivia, who died in infancy; Sarah Ann; John, who died at the age of thirteen ; and Martha Elizabeth.

William Taylor grew up in Honey Creek Township, attended the schools there, and remained at home and assisted his father in the operation of the farm. After the death of his father he became an independent farmer and on April 2, 1894, married Miss Anna Hewitt. Mrs. Taylor was born in Honey Creek Towoaship, daughter of William Hewitt, of a prominent family from County Cavan, Ireland, whose membership and experience in Adams County are given record on other pages of this publication.

In September, 1894, Mr. and Mrs. Ta.ylor moved to the farm five miles southeast of Mendon in Honey Creek To^aiship where Mr. Taylor was busied during the remaining years of his life and where Mrs. Taylor still lives. At that time the place consisted of 320 acres. The farm now embraces 519 acres all joining. It is one of the leading centers for the production of high grade stock, and a silo has been added to the farm equipment by the son William E., who is one of the most capable and progressive younger men in the agricultural circles of Adams County. William Taylor was a democrat and served four years as township supervisor. He was a member of no church or fraternities.

Mrs. Taylor, who is a member of the Episcopal Church at ]\Iendon, is the mother of four children : Annie W. and Fannie E., twins, both at home ; William E., who since attaining his ma.jorit.v has assumed the business responsibilities of the home farm; and Sara M., who is a graduate of the Mendon High School and now a school teacher.

David L. Myers. Some of the most interesting family records published in this work are those of the Myers family. These records show that as a family they have been for a long period of years identified with several townships, principally Gilmer, have been workers, producers, have cleared and cultivated the land, have built good homes, have conducted themselves as public spirited citizens, and their influence has gone steadily to the betterment of their respective localities, churches, schools, good roads. The presence of such men and women mean a great deal to any county.

One of the present generation of this family is David L. Myers, proprietor of the Prairie View Stock Farm in section 13 of Gilmer Township, his farm ad.joining the Village of Columbus on the south. ]\Ir. ]\Iyers was born in the same locality FebruarA^ 25, 1865. For his parentage and other items of the family history the reader is referred to other pages.

Mr. Myers remained at home until he was twenty-five, working for his father and also renting. Thirty years ago he began renting the farm which he now owns, and at the end of five years was able to negotiate a purchase of 197 acres, at a price of $60 an acre. His present farm comprises 208 acres, and it reflects the wonderful advance in land values when it is noted that Mr. Myers paid for this additional part of his farm $200 an aore. The Prairie View Stock Fami has been in cultivation a great many years, and some of its improvements that still stand were placed there by Mr. Myers' predecessors. The substantial brick house was erected bv the previous owner, Mr. Graves, and has been remodeled and modernized b.v Jlr. IMyers. Mr. Shephard built the barn, and that too has been remodeled by its present owner. This %\as one of several farms under the ownership of Mr. Graves, who is also remembered as having established and conducted for a number of years a mill in this conuuunity.

Twenty-five years ago, when he bought the farm, Mr. Myers had a capital of only $900. Hie has made the land pay for itself, and has always relied upon livestock as his chief source of income. He has handled hogs, horses and cattle and his best stock are tlie Durham cattle and the Poland China hogs. Some idea of the business transacted at the Prairie View Stock Farm is gained from the fact that ;\Ir. ilyera marketed about $5,000 worth of hogs in 1917. While the management of the farm and the paying for it has constituted a program sufficient to require his best energies and stock, Mr. Myers has also enacted the role of a pulilic spirited citizen, has given time to his work as member of the school board, as road commissioner, and is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

At the age of twenty-five he married Miss Ida Frances Bates, of Camp Point, daughter of W. I. Bates, a prominent fanner of Camp Point Township. Mi"s. flyers is a sister of Dr. A. D. Bates of Camp Point, and also of Dr. 0. L. Bates of the same village, ilr. and Mrs. Myers have two sons and one grandchild. The sons are Harry R. and Justin T. The latter lives at home and assists his father in the management of the farm, while Harry operates an adjoining farm. Harry married Lillian Booth, formerly a successful teacher of the county. Their child is Ida Elizabeth.

Mr. Myers is affiliated with the ^lasonic Order at Columbus, having taken his first degrees at the age of twenty-one. He is a past master of the lodge, and is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. His farm furnishes him his chief recreation as well as his steady productive employment, and this and his family and community interests furnish him a busy program from one j^ear's beginning to the end.

William H. ]Mn>DENDORF. Identified continuously with enterprises of large importance at Quincy during his entire business life, William H. Middendorf, president of the Broadway Bank, stands among the city's prominent and representative men. He was born at Quincy, Illinois, September 28, 1851. His parents were Bernard H. and Elizabeth (Jelsing) Middendorf, both of whom were born in Germany.

Bernard H. Middendorf for many years was a prosperous merchant in the grocery- line at Quincy, an honorable and upright business man and tnistworthy citizen. He came to the United States early in the '40s and resided until 1849 in the City of St. Louis, ^lissouri, and then came to Quincy. His last years were passed here in comfortable retirement and his death occurred in 1885. His widow survived until 1905. They had the following children : Elizabeth, who is the widow of William Schlagheck, of Quincy; Catherine, who died in childhood ; William H. ; Henry, who is associated with his brother William H. in the lumber business at Quincy ; ilary and Frank, both of whom are deceased : Theodore, who is a.ssociated with his brothers in the lumber business; and Joseph, who is a Franciscan monk and rector of St. Joseph's College, Teutopolis. Illinois.

William H. Middendorf was educated in the Quincy schools and in the meantime learned the basic principles of business as he served as a clerk in his father's grocery store. From there he entered the employ of the lumber firm of Vandorn, Diekhut & Company, where he remained for eight years and acquired such detailed knowledge of that business that later he was able to turn it to good account when he embarked in the business for himself. Before that, however, he conducted a grocery business under his own name for almost three years and after selling the same again became interested in lumber and in 1884, associated with his two brothers, started the lumber business which is carried on under the style of IVIiddendorf Brothers & Company. As his interests widened and broadened. Mr. iliddendorf recognized other business opportunities and was prei)ared to take advantage of them. One of these led to the Vol. n - 13 organization in 1910 of the Broadway Bank, in which enterprise he was associated with a number of other capitalists. Tliis financial institution is well financed and with Mr. Middendorf as president enjoys the fullest measure of public confidence. This bank, like far too many others within the last decade, met with a serious loss on July 3, 1915, when a bandit bank robber, under the guise of a depositor, seized and escaped with .$450, this sura lying within the cashier's cage. The authorities have not yet apprehended the robber, whose suspected activities are still in progress in other sections, where bank officials have lost their lives as well as funds.

Mr. Middendorf was married November 5, 1878, to Miss Josephine "Wismann, who was boru at Quinc.y, and seven children have been born to them, as follows : Agnes, who died in infancy ; Mary, who is the wife of Herman H. Rakers, of Quincj-; Clara, who is the wife of Joseph Kuhlman, of Chicago; Elizabeth, Roger and Coletta, all of whom are deceased ; and William, connected with the lumber firm of Middendorf Brothers & Company and now in the United States service.

Active as he has always been in business, Mr. Middendorf has always found time to consider the public welfare and to lend his influence to movements of a public nature that have promised to be beneficial, and this commendable attitude was clearly shown during the two terms that he served as alderman, being elected on the democratic ticket once as a representative of the Fifth Ward and the second time from the Sixth Ward. With his family he belongs to St. Francis Roman Catholic Church, belongs to the Western Catholic Union, and is president of St. Aloysius Orphan Society, and in other connections is known to be open-hearted, generous and charitable.

J. R. Little. Four score and five years old, Mr. J. R. Little is healthy, hearty and active physically and mentally. Mr. Little is a mechanical engineer and inventor of considerable note. He was the inventor of the all metal wheel now universally used on agricultural implements and machinery, practically the world over. He was the pioneer manufacturer in this art, having made and put on the market the first really successful all metal wheel for farm purposes, cost, durability and adaptability con.sidered.

Mr. Little is of Scotch descent, born in Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois. A life long democrat, a Presbyterian, and an Odd Fellow since 1862.

Mr. Little's grandfathers, Robert Little and Samuel Armour (as also their respective wives, Nesbit and McBride) came from Scotland to America before the Revolutionary war, in which war both grandfathers served under Francis Marion.

Mr. Little's father and mother, John Little and Maria Ai-mour, were born and raised in Chester district. South Carolina. It was there John Little's parents and I^Iaria Armour's mother died; after which Samuel Armour and the young people moved to Randolph County, Illinois, where Mr. J. R. Little was born.

To Mr. John Little and his wife, Maria, were born five children: James R., Mary A., Samuel A., William J. and Cinderelle J. Mary A. and Samuel A. died in Monmouth. In 1840 John Little and family moved from Sparta to Jefferson County, Illinois, where his wife, Maria, died in 1842, after which he and family moved to Monmouth, Illinois, where he died in 1888, aged seventyeight. It was there Mr. J. R. Little when a boy worked with his father and learned the carpenter trade, and later with his father engaged in the lumber and sawmill business.

On February 22, 1853, ^Ir. Little married ^liss Jaline Smith, of near Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, in the Canton (Illinois) House Hotel. To them were born nine children, Sarah L., who died in childhood ; James L., who was killed in an elevator accident in Quincy, Illinois; John A., who died of asthma in St. Louis, Missouri ; Mary L., who died of cancer in Decatur, Illinois ; twin girls who died in infancy; Bessie L., who is still with her parents; George G., who is master mechanic with the Mayo Brothers Clinical Company, Rochester, Minnesota; and Frank B., who is foreman machinist in the Dick-Daytou Foundry and ilachine Works, Quincy, Illinois.

lu 1865 ]\Ir. Little assisted William S. Wier in putting the Wier (pioneer) Straddle-row corn cultivator on the market, and was with the Wier Plow Company, of iloumouth, Illinois, until 1880, when he accepted a foremaiiship in the Collins Plow Company works in Quincy, Illinois. He was there nearly two years, in which time he invented the all metal wheel and much of the machinery requisite to its maoiufacture. In 1882 was formed the Quincy iletal Wheel Company for the sole purpose of manufacturing metal wheels.

Mr. Little in Illinois was tirst to advocate an Odd Fellow Home for aged and indigent Odd Fellows, their wives, widows and orphans. For ten years, from 1880 till 1890, by word and by pen in hundreds of articles in the Odd Fellows Herald, of Springfield, Illinois, J\Ir. Little agitated the cause which finally, with the aid of the Rebekahs, resulted in two homes, one at Bloomington, Illinois, for orphans, and one at Mattoon, Illinois, for old folks.

About 1887 the Quincy Metal Wheel Company sold out to the Bettendorft" Metal Wheel Company of Davenport, Iowa. After which Mr. Little devised another process for making metal wheels, for which he received patents on both the wheel and machinery for constructing it, and upon which was formed the J. R. Little Metal Wheel Company, now in operation at the foot of Cedar Street, Quincy, Illinois.

RoM.v T. BoEKENHOFF is a prominent business man of Quincy largely because he started in a business career when only a boy and has kept his energies moving along one line and with increasing prosperity ever since.

His own name has many prominent associations in Quincy business life while the name of the family is associated with pioneer annals of Adams County. Mr. Boekenhoff was born at Quincy, December 23, 1874, a son of Henry and Mary (Mehler) Boekenhoff, the former a native of Quincy and the latter of Pennsylvania. Henry Boekenhoff was born in Quincy about 1847. He was the only child of his father, who came to this country from Germany and died in the prime of life in the cholera epidemic at Quincy in 1848. So destructive was that epidemic that the physician who waited upon him died the day following, and the disease also spread to the infant son Heniw, who, however, recovered. Henry Boekenhoff 's mother afterwards married three times, but had children only hy her second husband, ]\Ir. Hollander. She survived all her husbands and died when past three score and ten years. She was a native of Germany. All the family in the different generations have been members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Henry Boekenhoff was a democrat. His wife, Mary Mehler, was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and came to Quincy when a young woman. She died when past forty years of age. Henry Boekenhoff as he grew up learned the trade of baker and followed it as a trade and as a business from the time he was eighteen yeai-s old until he retired a fewyears before his death, which occurred in 1913. He was well known to the trade and was one of Quincy 's good citizens. He and liis wife had seven children: Antoinette, wife of Harry Metz, of San Francisco, California: Harry, of Des Moines, Iowa ; Lillian, wife of A. A. Hutmacher, of Quincy : Roma T. ; Estelle, wife of M. A. Hutmacher, of Quincy ; Ilda, wife of Frank Weisenhorn, of Las Cruces, New ^Mexico; and IMargaret, who is the only one not married.

Roma T. Boekenhoff was educated in the public and parochial schools of Quincy. His first business employment was one year witli the Gardner Governor Works at Quincy, and from that he went into his father's bakery and has been identified with the baking business ever since. In 1901 he bought a bakery of his own at 827 ]Maine Street, and that was his business headquarters and home of a very flourishing trade for about eleven years. In December, 1912, he bought his present store at 626 Maine Street, and has kept this improved up to date and makes a specialty of cakes and rolls, a product in great demand all over Quiney, and also of several high grade confections. He has modern equipment in his shop, which is 20 by 100 feet, and he gives employment to about ten people.

Mr. Boekenholf married June 1, 1898, Minnie Urban, who was born at Nauvoo, Illinois, but grew up and was educated in Quiney. They have two children : Roma Urban, born July .'i, 1900, now a senior in the Quiney High School ; and Kathryn Mary, born April 10, 1910, and in the grammar school. Mr. Boekenhoff is a republican in politics, is an active member of the Kotary Club, the Advertising Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic Order, Loyal Order of Moose and the Knights of the Maccabees.

Stevens Nations. Few families of Adams Country have roots more substantially grounded in the pioneer past than that of Nations, numerously represented now as well as when this country was all new and when the Indians were friendly neighbors at every cabin and wild game abounded on every section of land.

It was a remarkable instance of brotherly affection, lifelong companionship and mutual service and sacrifice exemplified l)y the late Stevens Nations and his bachelor brother Joseph, who grew up as children on a pioneer farm in Liberty Township, and spent practically all the years of their lives together. Stevens Nations died at Camp Point, Illinois, May 5, 1912, and his brother Joseph on January .3. 1915. They were extremely devoted to each other, and together they owned and opei'ated the old homestead farm of 240 acres in section 3 of Liberty Township, a place which is still in the family and has had one family ownership through three successive generations.

Both these brothers were born in a log cabin home, Stevens on October 5, 1837, seventy-five years before his death, while Joseph was born in 1840. Their parents were Isaiah and Barbara (Roe) Nations, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Missouri. They married in Jlissouri in 1818 and a number of their children were born there, Matilda, David, Rebecca, Clara, Beri*yman, James, Mary, Dinah and John. In 1830 Isaiah Nations brought his family to Liberty Township of Adams County, and was one of the first settlers in that then wilderness region, where he took up a Government tract of 160 acres. This quarter section is part of the 240 acre homestead which the Nations brothers so long owned and occupied. Isaiah Nations lived there the rest of his industrious days. He died August 6, 1870, having been born Julj' 2, 1796. His wife died March 10, 1863, and she was then about sixty-three yeai-s of age. Liberty Township was largely settled by members of the Dunkard Church, and members of the Nations family were very prominent in that faith. Isaiah and wife were both buried in a family burying ground on the old homestead. His parents, Nathan and Tabitha (Stevens) Nations, were also buried in the same plot. Isaiah Nations' son John lost his life in the Civil war. Most of the children grew up and a number of them were very old when they died.

Stevens Nations was reared on the home farm, educated in the local schools, and in the community of his boyhood associations he reared his family. Fifteen yeai-s before his death he retired to the village of Camp Point. He was a splendid type of citizen, greatly beloved by all, and left above everything else the heritage of a good name to his descendants.

In Liberty Township October 25, 1868, he married Jane Wigle, representing another prominent pioneer family of this county. She was born in Liberty Township October 26, 1840, and was reared there, a daughter of Solomon and Nancy (Potter) Wigle. Her father was born in Union County, Illinois, April 11, 1816, while her mother was born in Pennsylvania, August 11, 1811. Solomon Wigle 's father was John Wigle, who left Germany to avoid militarism, and settled in Illinois Territory, where in Union County he married Margaret Wolf, a sister of Rev. George Wolf, one of the pioneer Dunkard ministers of Adams County. John Wigle and family moved to Liberty Township in 1827, and their habitation was one of the first to represent the advance of civilized men into that region, where Indians were almost as numerous as whites. John Wigle and wife spent the rest of their days in that connnunity. There Solomon grew up and married Nancy Potter, and he too followed farming and surrounded himself with the comforts of existence and enjoyed the riclieg of community esteem. He died October 25, 1881, while the mother of Jlrs. Nations died in 1863. ^Irs. Nations was the only child of her mother. Her father married for his second wife a ]\Iiss Hewes, and there were two children by that union.

Stevens Nations and wife had six children. Florence died when five years old. Mrs. Maggie "Wells is a widow living at Quincy. Emma is the wife of Dr. Trotter, a dentist of Quincy, and they have a daughter, Florence. Winifred is unmarried and lives at home, looking after her widowed mother. The two youngest of the family are Dr. Hugh S. and Dr. Guy J., both prominent dental surgeons of Quincy. Doctor Hugh married Christine Blersch and has two sons, Isaiah S. and Joseph.

Dr. Guy J. Nations, son of the late Stevens Nations, was born on the old homestead in Liberty Township, March 31, 1881, and grew up there, aeciuiring his enrly education at home and in the Camp Point schools. For one year he was a student in the dental department of the Northwe.stern University at Chicago during 1898-99, and then entered the dental department of Washington University at St. Lonis, where he graduated with the class of 1902. The same year he established himself in practice at Quincy and with the exception of the years 1904 to 1908 when he practiced at Palmyra, Missouri, has rendered service greatly appreciated by his large clientele at Quincy. He has a fine suite of offices at the corner of Sixth and Hampshire streets. He took his first degree in Masonrj' at Camp Point and is now affiliated with Lodge No. 296 at Quincy and is also a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory. His wife and daughter are active in the Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

In his home township he married ]Miss Frances Callahan, who was born in Columbus Township of this county in 1883, daughter of Wesley and Belle (Jeffrey) Callahan, both natives of Adams County and of Irish parentage and ancestry. Her parents married in Columbus Township, and Mrs. Callahan died there in 1900. An uncle of Mrs. Nations, Frank Jeffrey, is a well known missionary in India. Mrs. Nations' father has had a very successful career. For some years he served as supervisor of his township in Adams County and was once a candidate for the Legislature. For a number of years he has lived in Kansas, and was manager and owner of artificial ice plants there. Mr. Callahan now lives in Kansas City, though he still has business interests in Adams County, being connected with the Peoples Bank of Camp Point and the Farmers Bank of Liberty. Doctor Nations and wife have three children: F. Mildred, aged thirteen: Ruth J., aged ten; and Marjory W., aged six. The three daughters are attending the Webster School.

Philip J. O'Brien. Quincy people generally are familiar with the life and career of Philip J. O'Brien, who has been a factor in the city's business and civic affairs for many years. Mr. O'Brien was born here in 1880, and earned his first money carrying copies of the old Quincy Journal. He began that work at the age of ten years and was a newsboy until he was about fourteen.

In the meantime he attended the local schools, and his first independent venture was as a grocery merchant at Sixth and Vine streets. He was there three years, spent four .years with the Mills Soda Works on Cedar Street, after which he resumed business as a grocer at Seventh and Vine, and was there seven years or more. He then entered his present line of business operating a transfer .sy.stem and coal yards. For five years his yards were at Sixth and Cherrj- streets, and since then his headquarters have been 609 North Fourth Street. He does general city transfer work, handles some of the leading grades of coal sold in the city and is also a general contractor. He has done much road grading throughont the county and has a business which represents long experience and adequate organization for everj' department.

In 1907 Mr. O'Brien was elected a member of the City Council from the First Ward and served continuously for ten years, until May, 1917. At different times he was a member of most of the committees, chairman of the more important of them, and for thirty days was acting mayor of the city. His service in the Council was under the administrations of Mayors John H. Best and W. K. Abbott. He is a member of the City Central Democratic Committee.

His parents were Daniel and Anna (Meilahon) O'Brien, both natives of County Clare, Ireland. The3' came to this country when young and were married in Quincy. Daniel O'Brien spent most of his active career as a contractor on river levee work, but finally retired and died in 1897, at the age of fifty-eight. His widow is still living, past seventy, and enjoys vigorous health. She is a devout member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, as was her husband.

Of their children, Philip is the youngest. The others, all of whom are unmarried and living with their mother, are James, Julia, ilargaret and Nellie. These children now have the actual management of the grocer.y store formerly conducted by Philip O'Brien.

Mr. Philip O'Brien married in 1912 Mrs. Minnie (Bohney) Sipker. She was born in Quincy and was educated in St. John's Parochial School. Her parents were natives of Germany and came to Quincy when young people, were married and spent the rest of their days here. Mrs. O'Brien by her lirst husl)and, Clement Sipker, had two children, William and Jessie, the latter How eighteen years of age and educated in St. Mary's College. The soQi William finished his ediication at Valparaiso University of Indiana and for the past eighteen months has been a member of the Marine Corps, being at present a guard for a wireless station on the New Jersey Shore. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have two children, Phyllis and Philip J., Jr. The family are all members of St. Peter's Catholic Church and he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and is president of St. Rose Branch No. 52 of the Western Catholic Union.

His father, the late Noah Stahl, was widely known in Adams County, and lived as usefully and honorably as he did long. He was born in Somerset County. Peinisylvania, Marcli 14, 1823, representing an old Penn.sylvania family. He married JMary Horn, a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In 1865 Noah Stahl brought his family out to Adams County, where some of his relatives were already living, including three of his brothers and two brothersin-law. These earlier settlers and their families have died in this county and state. Noah Stahl on coming to Adams County bought 160 acres in section 6 of Gilmer Township, just north of the Village of Fowler. That land is still in the Stahl homestead, being owned by his son Resler M. Noah Stahl was chiefly identified with farming, though for about two years after the war he had a store at Fowler. He lived to be nearly ninety-two years of age, his death occurring August 18, 1914. He was well preserved in mind and body almost to the end. The liberal prosperity he accumulated was solely by his own elTort. When eighteen years of age he was without a cent and for some years he clerked in a store at $100 a year and also worked in the timber at $3 a month. He was a republican in politics and filled several local offices. He was a very liberal supporter of all worthy movements affecting his home community. Mrs. Noah

Stahl died in 1881, at the age of fifty-four. Both were active members of the United Brethren Church. They had five children, Jennie dying at the age of twenty-two and Sumner H. at the age of twenty-six. Sumner was a student at Westfield College, preparing for the bar, and overwork led to his early death. The three living children are: Elias B., a farmer near Fowler; Resler M. ; and Mary Elizabeth, wife of Fred M. Barrows, of iMount Sterling.

The late Noah Stahl built the present commodious i-esidence at Fowler in 1891, and this house has since been remodeled and is now modern in every particular, being lighted with electricity. Its present owner and occupant, Resler M. Stahl, was born in Allegheny County, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1854, and was about ten years old wlien his parents came to Adams County. He always lived at home and was his father's manager and later succeeded to the home establishment, comprising 570 acres of rich and fertile soil. Mr. Stahl has been an extensive grain and stock farmer, and though his land is now under the supervision of a tenant he still keeps his own stock. This farm was formerly divided into three separate places, but under his management has been comluned as one, making for greater efiSciency and productiveness. Mr. Stahl has always lived in that locality since boyhood, though for two yeai-s he was a student at "Westfield College. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is a repulilican voter but with no desire for party honors.

In 1891 Mr. Stahl married Miss Louisa King, of Huntsville, Schuyler County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl lost one daughter in infancy, and their only living child is Mary Harriet, still at home.

Frank H. Weems. Among the progressive business men of Quincy few will be found with a broader or sounder outlook or with more practical ideas than Frank K. Weems, who is identified with a number of important business enterprises, is president of the Quincy Pure Ice and Cold Storage Company, is largely interested in the dye industrj', and is secretary and ti-easurer of the Weems Laundry Company.

Frank H. Weems was born at Keokuk, Iowa, where his father was engaged in railroad building. May 21, 1862. His parents were Jesse E. and Louisa (Kimball) Weems, who established the family home at Quincy in 1870. As has been noted in another part of this history, the father of Mr. Weems for many years was a civil engineer largely concerned with railroad construction, several important divisions of the present great systems having been built according to his surveys. Jesse E. Weems is a highly esteemed resident of Quincy and his business interest and advice have been exceedingly helpful to his sons. Frank H. Weems was the third born in a family of four children and is one of the two survivoi-s. The children included : William Lock, who died in 1881 ; Milton K. ; Frank H. ; and Mary, who died young.

Frank H. Weems began his business career as a newsboy while attending .school, after which for a time he was employed on the iavm of Sir. Swope. On July 4, 1879, in association with his brother Milton K. Weems, he entered into the laundry business, in a small way, in a building on Jei'sey Street near Seventh, an interesting fact to keep in mind because of the contrast afforded by the passage of time and the great expansion that has been bi-ougbt about through business acumen and honest methods.

In 1888 the Weems Company purchased the present site of their large plant, on Fifth and Jersey streets, Quincy, and here erected one of the largest and best equipped laundries of that date, to which in recent years additional space and further improvements have been made use of. A large bi'anch is also conducted at Springfield, and through the use of automobiles laundry service is given all over the city and environs. It was a wise business idea that the partners acted upon when the.v added dye works, the operation of which is carried on largely by utilizing the power used in the laundry. Their facilities

Another example of how men of progressive ideas become successful by taking advantage of a practical situation was shown when the Weems people in 1894 started their pure ice company, being pioneers in the manufacture of artificial ice in this city. This business has developed to great proportions and among the buildings they have erected is a plant including cold storage warehouse, etc. They also deal in coal. Among Mr. Weems' other interests is membership on the directing board of the Illinois State Bank.

Frank H. Weems was married June 25, 1885, to Miss Annie Lee, who is a native of Quincy, Illinois, and they have four children : Louise, who is the wife of F. Prentice Abbott, of Brooklyn, New York ; Jessie, who is the wife of F. Montgomery Smith, of New York City: Charles Lee, who belongs to the United States Navy ; and Frank H., who resides at Quincy. All the children wei'e educated in the Quincy schools. Politically Mr. Weems is a republican. While vitally interested as a citizen and an active promoter of movements to add to the city's importance and also to her people's safety and comfort, he has never been willing to accept public office. He maintains fraternal relations with the Elks and the Eagles.

Robert Plebbe Gunther. Conspicuous among the leading .young hardware merchants of Quincy is Robert F. Gunther, an active and public-spirited citizen, whose influence and assistance are always sought in behalf of undertakings for the public welfare and the advancement of the best interests of the communitj''.

His father, Robert C. Gunther, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, October 31, 1851, and died at his home in Quincy, Illinois, April 3, 1916. Coming to Quincy in 1879, he established a hardware business, putting in a line of tools and builders' supplies. Successful in his undertakings, he enlarged his stock, putting in a line of sporting goods and kitchen utensils of all kinds, and at the time of his death was carrying on an extensive business. He married first, in Carlinville, Illinois, Clara Flebbe, who was born in ilacoupin County, Illinois, and was there brought up and educated. She died July 18, 1877, leaving one child, Robert Flebbe Gunther, the special subject of this sketch. He married for his second wife Miss Flebbe, a sister of his first wife, and they became the parents of four children, as follows : Elmer, deceased ; Agnes, wife of Arnold V. Scott, of Quincy : Edward, deceased ; and Felix, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, connected with the Pittsburg Crucible Steel Com- ]>any. The father was a man of mi;ch education, and for seven years served as a member of the school board.

At the age of sixteen years, having acquired a good education in the public schools, Robert F. Gunther entered his father's store, and under his tutelage became thoroughly acquainted with the details of the hardware business, with which he has since been actively identified. The business of which he is at the head is now owned by a stock company, with Mr. Gunther as president and treasurer, two responsible positions which he is filling most ably.

On December 6, 1899, Mr. Gunther was united in marriage with Lillian Mae Bimson, a native of Quincy, Illinois, and they have one child, Geraldine, born June 12, 1901. Mr. Gunther is a republican in politics; a member of the Quincy Rotary Club ; and in religion is a Christian Scientist.

Charles H. L.m'ter. As president of the J. B. Schott Manufacturing Company at Quincy Charles H. Lauter has given to that business, one of the largest in Quincy and one that has served to make the name Quincy significant of business enterprise all over the IMiddle West, the best of his own energies and abilities for thirt.v years. He became president eight years ago when the founder of the company died.

late Phillip D. Laiiter. His father, a native of Treves, Germany, received excellent educational advantages in his native land, becoming quite proficient in mathematics and kindred studies. In 1857 he came to the United States. For six years he was an accountant at St. Louis. In 1863 he moved to Quiney, and for seventeen years was a.ssociated with the tirm of S. J. Lesem Brothers & Company, wholesale dry goods. Returning then to St. Louis, in 1882, he engaged for a short time in the grocery- business. After that he resumed his former profession, and did not really retire from active work as an accountant until eighty-five years of age. He died January 16, 1915. His wife, whose maiden name was Louise Puehs, was born in Berlin, Germany, and is now living in St. Louis, a venerable and highly esteemed woman of eighty-six years. Nine children were born to their union : Bertha, widow of John F. Spaethe, of Chicago; Charles H.; Lena, at home; Emil and Arthur, of St. Louis; ilarie, Louise, Albert and Phillip, all deceased.

Acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools, Charles H. Lauter afterward continued his studies in the Quincy High School, and subsequently while assisting as bill clerk he became familiar with bookkeeping and accounting, and broadened this technical knowledge b.y a course of study in the Gem City Business College. In 1877 he entered the employ of the Ricker Bank, and was connected with that Quincy institution for fourteen months. From 1879 to 1884 he had charge of the books of the Herman Hirsch Hide Company. The next three years, with St. Louis as his headquarters, he traveled for an upholstery and saddlery establishment, covering a wide territor.y and getting an experience that has been of inestimable value to him in his subsequent business career.

On returning to Quincy in 1887 ^Ir. Lauter became associated as copartner with the J. B. Schott Saddlery Company. This, one of Quincy 's oldest mercantile houses, was established by John B. Schott in 1856. Mr. Schott, after interesting his sons and daughters in the business, retired in 1905, and the firm was incorporated under the present name. However, Mr. Scjiott continued as president until his death in 1910, when Charles H. Lauter succeeded him. On January 18, 1906, a disastrous fire entirely destroyed the plant, entailing a heavy loss. The firm immediately rebuilt and re-erected a fine four-story brick and stone building, 75 by 120 feet. This building was ready for occupancy in Januar\% 1907. In the rear of the main building, at 225-227 Hampshire Street, was also erected a three-story building 45 by 55 feet, where horse collars are manufactured largely, the output being marketed all over the I'nited States.

ilay 24, 1888, Mr. Lauter married ]\Iiss Julia M. Schott. Three children have blessed their union : Carl J., a graduate of the University of Illinois, now following chemical engineering, water survey and bacteriological work; Margaret L. and John L., twins, the former at home and the latter now deceased. Politically Mr. Lauter is independent, and is broad and liberal in his religious views, affiliating with the Unitarian Church.

Frank E. Bird. An enterprising, energetic and able business man of Adams County, Frank E. Bird, a well-known pharmacist of Quincy, is actively identified with tlie drug trade of the city, having a well stocked and well managed store at the corner of Eighth and Hampshire streets. He was born February 4, 1884, in Hannibal, Marion County, ^Missouri, a son of Abraham and Alice C. Bird, natives, respectiveh', of Kentucky and Missouri. His father, who followed the brick mason's trade for many years, is now living retired from active pursuits in Quincy, Illinois, where he and his wife have a pleasant home. They have one other child, Hamilton Bird, now a resident of Denver, Colorado.

An active and sturdy lad, Frank E. Bird began life as a wage earner at the early age of seven years, going into a parsnip patcli with his hoe and bravely fighting the noxious weeds, thus earning his first suit of store clothes. Four years later, in 1895, he was working hard in a drug store in Quincy, satis- factorily performing liis duties as clerk after school hours and attending both the day school and the evening school. Jlr. Bird took up the stud.y of pharmacy after clerking for several years, aud successfully passed his examinations in both Chicago and Springfield. In 1913 he bought his present .store in Quiucy, and though comparatively young in the business has built up an extensive and highly remunerative trade in his community, the people having the greatest confidence in his ability. Politically Mr. Bird is a consistent supporter of the principles of the democratic party. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Knight Templar. Religiously Mr. Bird is a valued member of the Episcopalian Church.

Ferdinand F. Gieping is an expert in the electrical trade, especially in storage batterj^ manufacture, and has utilized his skill to put him in a very satisfactory and commendable business position when still luider thirty years of age. He is manager of the Columbia Battery Service Company, which was recently incorporated, and now has a well appointed shop and plant at 219 North Sixth Street in Quincy. They furnish and charge batteries of every type and for every purpose, their capacity being -±00 batteries per day. These batteries are distributed to garages and for other purposes of the ten-itory surrounding Quincy to a distance of even 150 miles, and they send their work everywhere in this field.

Mr. Giefing is a very practical man in electrical work and has some splendid natural ciualifications as a business man. He was born in Quiucy January 15, 1890, was educated in the parochial schools and the St. Francis College, from which he graduated with the class of 1909, and since then all his time and enthusiasm have been taken up with his special trade. However, for two years he was a clerical worker in the Ricker National Bank, and for two years also repi'esented as a traveling man in Oklahoma the well known wholesale hardwai'e house of Wyeth Company of St. Joseph, ilis.souri. Several years ago Mr. Giefing built a large garage 100 by 50 feet at the corner of Twentieth and Hampshire streets, and conducted it for one year. He also conducted storage battery business in a retail way and then opened in a wholesale way in the storage battery service and was active in organizing the present corporation.

He is a son of Ferdinand and Frances (Bennig) Giefing. His father was born in Austria, Hungary, and came to Quincy when twelve years of age. He was an expert accountant and became well known in Quincy, where he died in 1912. at the age of fifty-eight. His wife was a native of Quincy and she died here in 1894. They were members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Their only other child, Frances, died at the age of thirteen.

In September, 1913, Mr. Ferdinand Giefing married at St. Joseph, Missouri, Miss Ethel Gladys Carson. She was bom in Albany, Missouri, but was reared and educated at St. Joseph. Missouri, where her parents Newton and Lucy f Duncan) Carson, reside. Mr. and Mrs. Giefing have one daughter, Julia "Slay, born January 18, 1917. ilr. and Mrs. Giefing are members of St. Boniface Catholic Chui'ch aud he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus.

William A. Martin. In the past twenty years the people have come to look upon William A. Martin as the source of administration and personal direction of the Quincy Street Railway System. Mr. Martin is a veteran in experience with the operation and management of public utilities, is a trained mechanical engineer and has been in the profession for thirty years or more.

He was born in New York City in September, 1867, son of George and Elizabeth (Rose) ^Martin, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Canada. George I\Iartin came to America when a young man and in 1877 went to Chicago. He has been an auditor and accountant and is now living retired in Florida. There were three children : William ; Lome, deceased : and George Bruce, a resident of Zanesville, Ohio.

was a boy, and gained most of his teclinieal education through his own earnings. When about sixteen years of age he was working for the Pullman Palace ,Car Company at Philadelphia. He remained there alxiut five years, and later entered the State University at Champaign, where he graduated as a mechanical engineer in 1892. For a time he was coimeeted with the electric light and street car service at Omaha, was an employe of public works at Chicago, and in 1898 came to Quincy and for the first two years was connected with the Gas and Electric Company. He then took charge of the street car service, and now for a number of years has been its general superintendent.

Mr. ]\Iartin is a republican, a member of the Ma.sons, Elks, Rotary Club and Congregational Church. In June, 1895, he married Mary L. Shaw, who died in August, 1912, mother of four children: Mabel L., wife of William J. Schlagenhauf, of Bushnell, Illinois ; Edith, at home ; George and William, both deceased.

Joseph Oertle. Eminently deserving of mention in a work of this character is Joseph Oertle, an esteemed and respected resident of Quincy, who is carrying on an extensive business as a manufacturer of candies of all kinds, the products of his factory being widely and favorably known throughout Adams and adjoining counties. He was born April 9, 1859, in Quincy, which he lias alwa.ys claimed as home.

His father, the late Joseph Oertle, was born in Herbolzheim. Baden, Germany, and was there bred and educated. Coming from there directly to Quincy, Illinois, in 1856, he followed his trade of a butcher until 1907, when, haying acquired a fair share of this world's goods, he gave up his business and lived retired from active pursuits until his death in 1915. He married Caroline Haas, who was born in Eichstettin, Baden, Germany, and died at her home in Quincy in 1912. Six children were born of their union, as follows: Joseph, the subject of this brief sketch; Anna, wife of David Riediugcr, of Quincy: Emma, who became the wife of Robert A. Gardner, ;M. D., of Quincy, now decea.sed; Bertha, wife of John Schoeneman, of Journal; Rosa, wife of Frank Dick, of Quincy ; and Charles F., also of Quincy.

A bright and active lad, full of vim and energy, Joseph Oertle began at the early age of fifteen years to do business on his own account, and until 1887 was profitably engaged in the buying and shipping of cattle. IMaking a change of occupation in that year, he formed a partnership with D. Redinger, and has since been successfully engaged in the manufacture of candies, in which he is an expert, the confectionery made by his firm being in great demand by both wholesale and retail dealers.

;Mr. Oertle married first, July 28. 1907, Miss Jennie Price. She died December 6, 1911, at an early age. Mr. Oertle married for his second wife, June 30, 1917, Miss Alice Riley. In his political affiliations Mr. Oertle is a democrat. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also belongs to the Turnverein. Liberal in his religious views he is a consistent member of the Unitarian Church.

J. Henry Hellmer. One of the olde.st and best kno«^l citizens of Quincy was taken away by death when J. Henry Hellmer was gathered to his reward April 13, 1913. The service for which he was best known and appreciated was the trade of barber. He was engaged in that occupation for sixt.v-five years and was the oldest man in length of service in Quincy, if not the State of Illinois. He left a good name, an honorable record, and that record is being continued in the life of the city today by his worthy children.

Mr. Hellmer was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 17, 1836. The home in which he died at 837 Oak Street was built bj' him nearly forty years ago. It is a large two-story brick house, containing eight rooms, and is still the home of Mrs. Hellmer and some of her children.

crossed the ocean to New York City, going thence to St. Louis, and in 1S57 the entire family established their home in Quiney. While at St. Louis J. Henry Hellmer and brother Adam learned the trade of barber under their father. After coming to Quiney all three of them were associated in the l>arber shop of the Tremont Hotel. While there the father and his wife died and the sons afterwards dissolved partnership. Henry Hellmer then had the l)arber shop of the Quiney Hotel, his brother Adam working for him. When tliat hotel burned he moved to Maine Street, and continued his work until he had put in sixty-five years at the trade. The brief remaining time allotted to him in mortal life he spent in quiet retirement at his Oak Street home. He had many friends in Quiney and many of the most prominent men of the city had been his customers and friends. He was active in the Catholic Church, was a charter member and organizer of the Western Catholic Union, and was long affiliated with St. Boniface Church.

"Sir. Hellmer married for his first wife at Quiney Magdalena Schwendenhann. She was born in Quiney. was educated in St. Boniface School, and died in 1869, after ten years of happy married companionship. She left two sons: Simon Henry, who was well educated and had learned the trade of barber, but died at the early age of twenty-one; and George J., who is now a resident of Boulder, Colorado, and by his marriage to Irene Murphy of that city has three children, Harry, George, Jr., and Anna M.

In 1871, at Quiney, Mr. Hellmer married for his present wife Miss Bertha Benz. Mrs. Hellmer represents an old and solid family of ilelrose Township. She was born in Quiney, however, sixty-nine years ago, but was reared at the farm of the Benz family in Melrose Township. She was educated in the public schools and in St. Anthony's School. Her father, Joseph Benz, was born in Germany March 19, 1819, was educated there and in 1847 came to America and after living in Quiney four years moved to Melrose Township. In the same year that he came to America he married Miss Chrissensia Nodler, who was born in Germany May 31, 1824. Their voyage to America wa.s in the nature of a wedding journey, but it was marred by a shipwreck and ninety-six days at sea before they landed at New Orleans nearl.y starved. Joseph Benz was a very active citizen, and though he died October 11, 1869, when only fifty years of age, he had developed a fine estate of 200 acres in Melrose Township. He was a democrat in politics and reared his family in the faith of the Catholic Church. His widow survived him many years and passed away in 1896,' at the age of seventy-two. They reared a family of four sons aud five daughters, all of whom grew to adult years except one, four are married, and two sons and three daughters are still living.

The concluding part of this record must pertain to the children of ilr. and Mrs. Hellmer, all of whom are held in the greatest respect. They are all membei-s of St. Boniface Church, and they acquired good educations in the local public and parochial schools. Edward J., the oldest, is connected with the Quiney store of Halbach & Schroder. He married Catherine Delabar and has one son, John E., aged eleven. Catherine L. is the wife of George D. Stratman. an employee of the Electric Wheel Works of Quiney, and they have two daughtei-s. Vary F., aged fifteen, and Rosemar\% aged five. Frank X., who is a jewelryman at Springfield. Illinois, married a Quiney girl, Ethel Kickert. and has a daughter, Audrey R., aged eight years. ]\lary O. was educated at Quiney and is now connected with a large store at Lincoln. Nebraska. Sophia H. is an usher in the Belaseo Theater at Quiney. Emma C, twin sister of Sophia, married Joseph Kiefer, a printer at Quiney. Bertha M. is the wife of Iven Kurz, of Lincoln, Nebraska, an automobile salesman there. Leona R. is employed in a book store at Quiney.

Wii^LiAM Edw.\rd Wright is said to be the largest stock feeder in Mendon Township, and that means that he is also one of the largest in Adams County. He has the farm and acreage and all the facilities required for his extensive operations. His home place is midway between Mendon and Ursa.

Quincy And Adams Couxty 937

Mr. Wright was born in Mendou Township November 19, 1865, and is a sou of Neheniiah and Marian (Taylor) Wright. The Wright family has been prominent since early times in Adams County, and Nehemiah had several brothers who were also early settlers of the county.

Nehemiah Wright was born near Banbury in Oxford Countj% England, November 4, 1823, a son of Abraham and Anna (Hyden) Wright. Anna Hyden's mother was a witness to the battle of Hedge Hill, and lived to a remarkable old age. One of Abraham Wright's brothers served eighteen j'ears in the British Army and was a veteran of the battle of Waterloo. Nehemiah was the youngest of ten children, five of whom came to the United States. One sister died soon after coming to this country and was buried at Mendon. Nehemiah 's brother Joseph moved to Southwestern Missouri, and two of his brothers remained in Adams County. The parents of Nehemiah died at the i-espective ages of eighty-three and seventy-eight. Their old stone house at Banbury is said to be .500 years old.

Nehemiah Wright as a boy learned the trade of shoemaker. He came to America in 1839 in company with a brother, and he paid his passage monej' of $-iO from wages earned after he located in Columbiana County, Ohio. He lived there until 18-14, when he came to Adams County. In 1855 Nehemiah Wright returned to England and married Marian Taylor, a native of the same locality as her husl^and. He brought his bride back to the country in 1856. In company with his nephew, John Wilcox, Nehemiah Wright cleared up forty acres of land, using ox teams to perform the heavy work. He added to that nucleus until he had a large estate, and his life was an exceedingly busy one. His wife died at the age of sixty-seven, and after that he lived among his children. He was one of the acting supporting members of the Congregational Church at Mendon. Nehemiah Wright died at Citronelle, Alabama, Januaiy 15, 1915, at the venerable age of about ninety-two years. He was the father of twelve children, ten of whom survived early infancy : John, who died in Kansas at the age of thirty-two; Walter, of Colorado; AVallace, an agricultural implement dealer at Mendon ; Mrs. Alice Trask, of Citronelle, Alabama ; William E. ; Edith, wife of George Jarman ; Frank, who lives in Iowa ; Arthur and George, both in Colorado ; and Julia, who died at the age of nineteen, just after her marriage. As noted, three of the sons are residents of Colorado and are successfully engaged in stock ranching in that state.

William Edward Wright was reared and educated in Adams County and at the age of twenty-one went out to Kansas and spent a year in Wichita Count}*. Returning, he worked on a farm in Adams County for wages 2yo years. The owner of this farm was Josiah Wihle of Ursa Township. On October 1, 1890, Mr. Wright married his employer's daughter, Laura Wible, who was at that time twenty-two years of age. Josiah Wible came to this county from Penn- .sylvania, when a boy.

After his marriage Mr. Wright conducted a meat market at Ursa for six years, and that venture was attended with very little success. Seeking a new avenue for his efforts, he bought a tract of timbered land included within his present farm and soon erected a mill which cut the timber for his own house and converted a large part of the timber growth of the thirty acres into lumber. Gradually he used the cleared land for farming, and has kept adding to his purchases until he now owns 420 acres and forty-five acres in another tract. His experience as a land buyer reflects the notable rise in values in farm property. At one time he could purchase land at about $33 an acre, while now some of his own soil is worth $210 an acre. Mr. Wright some years ago built a fine home on the main road 2iA miles west of Mendon, not far from the Burlington Railroad.

As a stock man he handles hogs, horses, mules and cattle. He feeds about ten carloads of cattle and five carloads of hogs every year, and is an extensive buyer, picking up animals of all sizes and ages both in the local community and in the larger markets. His feed lots usually have 100 or more cattle, and he frequently has about fifty head of horses and mules. There was a time not so many years ago when ]\Ir. Wright sold wood at -$1.25 a load in order to keep his family in groceries, and his prosperity as a land owner and stock feeder has been a matter of steady progress and advancement for a period of about eighteen jears. He is a republican in politics but is no office seeker. His wife is a member of the Christian Church at Ursa. Mr. Wright has spent several delightful vacations in the mountains of Colorado.

He and his wife have two children. Glen is a gi'aduate of the Mendon High School and is now farming part of his father's place. He married Eluora Corn well and they have a daughter, Eloi.se. Mr. Wright's daughter Flossie is also at home.

At this point some further matters should be noted concerning Mrs. Wright's family. Her father, Josiah R. Wible, long well known in Adams County, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1840. The first member of the Wible family to come to Adams County was grandfather John Wible, who came West in 1850 and acquired the land which was later owned by Mr. Wible and is now the Wright farm. Josiah Wible was twelve years old when he accompanied his father and other members of the family to Quincy. They made this interesting journey, which he well remembers, by boat down the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois, and thence up the Mississippi to Quincy, where they landed on the 22d day of November. Mr. Wible was one of a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. One son died in infancy and the others reached maturity. The oldest daughter was the wife of H. S. Loucks, who far over thirty years or more was a merchant at Ursa. The youngest son, Frank, died in 1916, at May wood, Missouri. The youngest daughter, Mrs. Anna L. Huston, is still living in Adams County, at Mendon, occupying the old home there. Josiah R. Wible grew up in Adams County and in 1863 married Mary E. Beam, daughter of W. W. Beam. Mr. and ]\Irs. Wible had their home near Ursa and Mendon until 1899, when they moved to Chicago and have since lived retired in that city. Their summer months they have spent regularly for a number of years at St. Joseph, Michigan. Of their nine children, eight daughters and one son, three died in infancy and one at the age of twenty-two. The living children are all residents of Chicago except Mrs. Wright, who is therefore almost the sole repi'esentative of this old and well known family still living in the county.

Albert H. Sohm, D. D. S., who holds the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Washington University of St. Louis, has been busily engaged in practice in his native City of Quincy for fourteen yeai's. He is a leader in his profession, one of the young men looked to for an active part in all civic and social matters, and belongs to the well known Sohm family, his father being Edward Sohm, the president of the Ricker National Bank.

Doctor Sohm was born in Quincy August 14, 1882, and was liberally educated. He attended the grammar and high school of Quincy College, the National Business College, and from there entered the dental dejiartment of Washington University, where he completed his work with the class of 1904. Doctor Sohm has done much to pvit himself among the leaders in the most progressive branches of modern dental surgery. He recently completed a special course under Doctor James at Chicago, who has a national reputation as a pyorrhea specialist. Doctor Sohm has not only kept in touch with every method and new discovery in the science of dentistry but has also supplied himself with every equipment req\;ired for the most expert service, including the X-Ray.

Doctor Sohm married twelve j'cars ago Miss Lyda A. Troja. She was born and reared at Ft. Madison, Iowa, and is a daughter of the late John J. Troja, one of the early wholesale and retail grocery and commission men of that city.

Doctor and Jlrs. Sohm are active members of St. Peter's Catholic Church. He is a member of the local, state and national dental societies, is a member of the Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus and past exalted ruler of the local lodge of Elks.

WiLTOx Ephr.mm AVhite is president of the Quincy Coal Company, one of the oldest organizations of the kind in Illinois, having over sixty years of history. The business was established at Quincy in 1857, being financed originally by Boston parties. William Morris was the first president when the company was incorporated in 1869. In 1875 he was succeeded by H. S. Osborn, followed some years later by his son C. C. Osborn, and still later by his grandson F. W. Osborn, who sold his interests to W. E. White, the subject of this sketch, in 1911. For many years the company operated mines in the Colchester and Farmington fields of Illinois, at the same time looking after the wholesale and retail distribution of coal. The company at present handles anthracite and bituminous coals from the different producing states, supplying Quincy and contiguous territory and reaching into Eastern Missouri and Southern Iowa.

Mr. White has resided in Quincy since 1891, and for many years carried heavy responsibilities in connection with the management of the famous Gem City Business College. He was with that school twenty years as instructor in general commercial subjects and lecturer on commercial "law and mathematics. He is the author of several text books on mathematical and commercial subjects. During the last fifteen years of his work there he was vice president of the college and a member of its executive board. On accepting the presidency of the Quincy Coal Company, he sold his interests in the .school and resigned his educational work. Thousands of young men and women who have been his pupils are now in useful and honorable positions as the result of his conscientious endeavors.

ilr. White's parents, J. A. White and Nancy (Ellis) White, were born in Ohio, and after thej- began housekeeping moved to Missouri and later to Iowa. His father enlisted in the Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry and gave three and a half years of strenuous service to his country in the Civil war. He participated in more than sixty battles, including Shiloh, where he was wounded. For a time he was with the armies of Grant, later he was under Gen. "Pap" Thomas, and finall.v marched with Sherman to the sea, and was present at the Grand Review at AYashington at the close of the war. He returned to Iowa, residing on a farm near llarion in Linn County. Here, on February 14, 1866, Wilton E. White was born. In 1872 the family migrated to Jewell County, Kansas, where the father preempted a homestead, and accepted the hardships of the early pioneers of that state. The family lived in a sod house, and the children attended school in a sod school house. At that time the settlers were frequently molested by Indians, and the coyotes were much in evidence. The settlers had no trouble in supplying their tables with buffalo meat killed from the herds that roamed at will over the broad prairies and ofttimes destroyed their crops. In 1873 the scourge of gra.sshoppers destroyed every vestige of green in that part of the state, and the unfortunate settlers would liave starved had it not been for "aid" sent from other states to relieve their distress. As an instance of the inadecpiacy of haphazard philanthropy Mr. White remembers that included in the carloads of supplies for cold and hungry people, taking up valuable space, were numerous large boxes of books, consisting chiefly of state and congressional reports and other statistical matter that was good for nothing but fuel. 'Sir. White's father and mother, now past eighty, still reside on the old homestead in Jewell County.

Wilton was but six years old when the family joiirneyed to Kansas, and there his real experience may be said to have begun. His school privileges were limited, but he was a diligent student and made the best use of every opportunitj-. When seventeen years of age he learned the printer's trade and was compositor and job printer for a number of years. He soon recognized his need for a better education than he had been able to get in the pioneer country school, and laid plans for a college course. By saving his earnings and by following his trade while pursuing his studies he took a course at the Kansas State Agricultural College at Manhattan and later at the University at Saliua, where for a time he edited and did the mechanical work on the conference paper of the Methodist Church. After finishing his college work he took up teaching, and followed that for several years before coming to Quincy.

Mr. White's wife was Miss Mary Frances Loss, of Marshalltown, Iowa. She is of the highly intellectual type and takes an active interest in social and club life. She is a member of Dorothy Quincy Cliapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of the Round Table and of the Friday Club. They are members of the Vermont Street Methodist Church. The children are Wilton P. and Virginia E. The son enlisted in the Navy on completing high school in 1916, and is now a petty officer on Dewey's old flagship, the Olympia, and is "Somewhere Across." The daughter, aged fourteen, is now in high school. The family residence is at 803 Sixth Avenue, North.

Mr. White is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a Shriner, and takes a great interest in all branches of the craft. He has served two years as master of Lambert Lodge No. 659, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has held numerous offices in the various bodies of the rite. He is at present sovereign prince of Quincy Coinieil, Princes of Jerusalem.

Mr. White takes a great interest in literary matters, is a lover of Shakespeare and the poets, and is an interpretive reader of no mean abilitj'. He has written a number of poems on patriotic and other subjects that have found their way into print, and have called forth considerable praise. The Quincy Herald of January 12, 1918, says: "Wilton E. White, former teacher, present merchant, scholar, litterateur, interpretive reader, has tried his hand at blank verse writing and has .succeeded in producing, under the title 'War and Progress,' a composition that shows an intimate knowledge of prosody as among the attainments of the author. Not only this. Also it shows Mr. White versed in the pliilosophy of life, versed in a world-embracing system of cause leading to effect, versed in world-history of humankind from brute-man in jungle and in cliff and his progress onward and upward - ever onward, ever upward - slaying and destroying each and all opposing forces that obstruct his pathway into the sunlight of a perfect civilization. In his blank verse composition, Mr. White has added to what is best in the literature of the day." The poem is too long for reproduction in this article, Init a few stanzas will serve to show its high character:

But count not all the gain as lost Of nations gone before ; for as, in turn. Each ancient race has struggled up the slope. Her warlike deeds have hewn a higher step And built the stairway nearer to the top. Where the sun of freedom shines ; and from The ashes of these hoai-y states, Phoenix-like, Have risen the great republics that today Are grappling at the throat of tlie last Great dragon - the last and fiercest.

And what shall be the fruit of present victory. When bleeding Plurope's wounds are stanched; And the frightful havoc Mars has wrought Is summed up ; and the staggering total Of fallen soldierv, of old men exiled.

Henry Knapiieide. The late Henry Kuapheide was born in Lengerieh, Muenster, Germany, August 16, 1824, grew to manhood in that coimti-y and was taught the trade of wagon worker. After completing his masterpiece, he traveled as journeyman through various cities of Europe and in 1845 left the old country with America as his destination. After arriving at New Orleans he found employment and worked at his trade some two years. He then departed from New Orleans and arrived at St. Louis, where he again worked at his trade. At St. Louis he met and was married in 1847 to Catherine Achepohl.

Catherine Knapheide was born in Borgholzhausen, Minden, Germany, March 16, 1823, and came to this country in 1844. Ocean travel in those days waS usually made by slow sailing vessels and to add to the hardships of her joiirney she was taken down with typhoid fever and had barely recovered on her arrival at the port of New Orleans. In her weakened condition she was carried oflE the vessel by friends and taken on a steamer about to leave for St. Louis. Under the kind treatment of her friends, assisted by her youthful vigor, she soon regained her strength.

After the marriage in 1848 they came to Quincy, which city they found to their liking and made it their future home. Henry Knapheide associated himself with another native of his country in the building of farm wagons, their shop being located in the 600 block on State Street.

It was about this time Mr. Knapheide introduced to the trade the first cast skein farm wagon in this part of Illinois, which proved a large success and resulted in its being adopted by all wagon manufacturers as the standard skein for farm wagons. This business was carried on for a number of years at this location, after which the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Knapheide became associated with George Goodapple in the same line of work in the 700 block on the same street. This business was continued until after the Civil war, at which time Mr. Knapheide bought his partner's share in the business. Coming from the old country, skilled in his trade, possessing the thoroughness and thrift for which his race was noted, with an ambition to build the best wagon, and with a Christian's faith, success was assured him. The trade soon recognized his work as the best and in a few years time the business grew to such proportions that considerable additional help was required to turn out the work.

Henry Knapheide became a naturalized citizen of the United States and usually voted the republican ticket. He and his wife were some of the charter mem])ors of the Kentucky Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Knapheide died August 4. 1890, having reached the age of sixty-six years. His wife reached the age of ninety-two years, dying February 9, 1915.

This worthy couple are represented by a family of six living children. The oldest is Mrs. J. H. Hoffman, of Sigourney, Iowa, the mother of three sons and two daughters, all having received a university education and the sons are in educational work.

The second in age is Henry E. Knapheide, who was boi-n in Quincy, April 15, 1856. He attended the city public schools and is a gi-aduate of the Gem City Business College. Under the direction and skillful eyes of his father he mastered and became an expert in the wagon buildei-s' trade and after the death of his father took charge of the business. He was married at Quincy to M. Augusta Beck. Mrs. Knapheide was born at Brooklyn, New York, being the daughter of Fred W. Beck and wife. Her father was a pharmacist and chemist, traveled extensively and for several years was a drug buyer in China. His wife died while Mrs. Knapheide, her brothers and sisters were quite young, after which he placed the children with friends. Rev. and Mrs. C. G. Lieberherr, who had charge of the Berea Orphanage at Berea, Ohio. Mr. Beck enlisted in the Federal Army during the Civil war and soon won his spurs as first lieutenant. After the war he again took up his profession of chemist. He was stricken with j'ellow fever and died at New Orleans in 1872.

Mr. Knapheide, endowed with his father's ambition to produce nothing but first class work, his thoroughness and Christian faith, in addition to a good education, began to build where his father had left off. As the trade was brought to realize that the son's intentions to build the best were like unto his father's, the business continued to grow, imtil it was found necessary to seek larger quarters where the work could be turned out more rapidly in larger quantities. A new plant was erected on Sixth and State streets, and as the trade increased additional buildings were made necessary and today this firm's products are known all over the Central West in a class among the best. Mr. Knapheide is today surrounded by a host of friends and in his business and recreative activities is recognized as a leader. He is president and treasurer of the Henry Knapheide Wagon Company, and a member of the board of directors of several of Quincy 's leading business enterprises and banks and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.

Mr. and Mrs. Knapheide have both children and grandchildren to do them honor, namely: Ruby Clara, who is the wife of David C. Ganz and is the mother of Carlisle, Robert and Jack. She is a graduate of the Quincy High School. Oliver Carl is also a graduate of the high school and the agricultural department of the University of Illinois, and is a successful farmer and stock raiser in South Dakota, was married to Miss May Brown of Springfield, Illinois. To this union were born three sons, Oliver, Jr., Donald and Henry. Harold WaJdemar Knapheide acquired his education in the public schools and is now secretary of the Henry Knapheide Wagon Company, and is ably assisting his father in managing the plant. He married Miss Mai-y Frances Ganz. Their children are Harold, Jr., and Marcia Kathryn. Irma Helen is the wife of A. B. Parker, both high school graduates, and they have one son, Arthur B. Jr. Besides being a high school graduate Mrs. Parker is a graduate of the Columbia School of Expression and Dramatic Art. Jessamine Augusta, a gi'aduate of Quincy High School and the Macomb State Normal, is the wife of Paul 0. Botts, who is now serving in the aviation section of the United States Army. Mildred Carrie is a graduate of the Quincy High School and University of Illinois. Lowell Lester is at this time attending high school and is a member of the Farmer Boys' Reserve. Mar.jorie Ilortense, the youngest of tlie family is also attending high school.

' Mr. Knapheide 's sister. Emma, is the next younger and is the wife of John Hoffmeister, a successful farmer and stock raiser living near Liberty, Illinois. This couple has two sons and three daughters, all well educated.

Melinda C. has achieved an enviable reputation as one of the oldest and best known woman physicians in Illinois and is the wife of Henrj^ Germann, who is vice president of the Broadway Bank. ilr. aud Mrs. Germaun have a son and daughter, both graduates of universities and schools of medicine and surgery.

The youngest of the family is William S., now a prominent physician and surgeon of Quincy. Doctor Knapheide married May Brenner, of Quiuey, and they now have one living son, who is attending school. Doctor Knapheide is a member of the Masonic fraternity and he and family belong to the Methodist Church, of which all his brothers and sisters are members.

Otto H. Duker. Noteworthy for his good citizenship and many excellent traits of character, being especially a good salesman, Otto Duker is well known in the business circles of Quincy, being vice president of the J. H. Duker & Brothers Company, wholesale liquor dealere. A son of the late Theodore Duker, he was born in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, July 23, 1868. He is one of twelve children, eleven of whom are still living and "seven being residents of Quincy.

Otto Duker attended Saint Boniface school as a child and later was a graduate of the Saint Francis College. Upon leaving school his wish was to follow the blacksmithiBg trade, but through his father's persuasion, became familiar with the details of the wholesale liquor trade, with which he has since been actively identified. In 1904 changes were made in the original firm, the new firm of J. H. Duker & Brothers Company being incorporated with Simon Duker, Otto 's cousin, as president and treasurer ; Otto Duker, vice president ; and John C. Ording, secretary and office manager. Mr. Duker immediately assumed the duties of his position, and as one of the official members of the firm is carrying on an extensive and prosperous business.

Mr. Duker married Miss IMartha Fisher, daughter of Mr. and ^Irs. John C. Fisher, on January 28, 1897. Miss Fisher was born, bred and educated in Quincy. Mr. and Mrs. Duker have one daughter. Miss Esther.

Politically Mr. Duker is a loyal supporter of the principles of the democratic party. Religiousl.y he is a member of the Saint Boniface Catholic Church and also a member of the Saint James Branch of the Western Catholic Union. He is also a member of the Saint Aloysius Orphan Society. Fraternall.y he is a member of the Order of Eagles and of the Travelers' Protective Association.

Thomas Will Turner. In the fine farming district of Ellington Towmship, where the possession of land spells prosperity, one of the active factors today is Thomas Will Turner, who ha.s spent his life in Adams County and is thoroughly practiced in every pha.se of experience as a farmer.

He was born in this county August 13, 1859. youngest of the seven children, four sons and three daughters, of John T. and Harriet (Barnes) Turner. Five of these children are still living: Louisa, wife of J. F. Daugherty, the well known undertaker of Quincy, and they have a family of four children : Emma J., w^ho is a resident of Long Beach, California, and is a professional decorator and also active in Evangelistic work mth the Baptist Church; George 0., a farmer at Omaha, Nebraska, and father of two children ; and Ella, wife of Lewis Wilson, a grower of prunes, cherries and walnuts at Sunnyvale, California.

John T. Turner was bom at Livermore Falls in the State of Elaine in 1820 and died in 1900. He was only fourteen years old when his parents crossed the country in pioneer style with wagons and teams to the Jlississippi River and found a home in Adams County. The mother traveled all the way in a chaise. In 1834, when they arrived. Adams County was a wilderness, with some of the red men still in the forest, and not a single line of railway in the Middle West. As a hoy John T. Turner frequently saw deer jumping through the brush and timber and he knew Quincy when it was a small village with none of the pretentious streets and buildings of the present time. Grandfather Turner made his first purchase of land in Burton Township. The deed of that land, written on an old parchment and executed by President Martin Van

Buren under date of August 6, 1838, is now a much prized possession of Mr. Thomas "\Y. Turner, who also has another similar deed. The Turners owned several pieces of land in Adams County and were prominent early farmers and land owners here. John T. Turner first affiliated with the whig party and when that party died out became a republican and was enthusiastic in his membership and a devoted admirer of the great Lincoln. He attended the final obsequies of the martyred president at Springfield. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church and both are now at rest in Wesley Cemetery.

Thomas W. Turner attended the public scliools and academy of Quincy and the Gem City Business College, and since then has been busied as a farmer and stock raiser. June 16, 1887, he married Miss Edith Davenport. They are the parents of two highly educated and cultured daughters, Harriet B. and Margaret. Harriet was educated in the common schools, spent two years in the Quincy High School and a year in the W^inona Park School at Warsaw, Indiana, and for a number of years was engaged in teaching. She is active in the Presbyterian Church of Ellington Township and superintendent of the primary department of its Sunday school. The daughter Margaret is a member of the class of 1920 in the Illinois Woman's College at Jacksonville.

jMi"s. Turner was bom at Chelsea, Maine, August 27, 1860, the only child of Charles H. and Harriet R. (White) Davenpoi-t. When she was about nine years old, in 1869, her parents came west and settled in the State of Missouri and afterwards moved to Kansas, where her father died in 1872. Mrs. Turner has since lived in Adams Comity and was educated here and in the Academy at Galesburg.

Mr. Turner is a republican in polities, though in local affairs he supports the man best qualified for office. For many years he has served as township clerk of Ellington Township, for ten or fifteen years was a school director, and has done his full share of public work and helping forward community enterprises of different kinds. He is affiliated with Camp No. 995 of the Modern Woodmen of America at Ursa. He and his wife are active members of the Ellington ilemorial Presbyterian Church, and are active patrons of its Sunday school. Tlie farm of Mr. and Mrs. Turner is widel_y known as the Hunkadory Farm, comprising 174 acres, and with buildings and all the facilities well fitted and accommodated for perfect and adequate service. It is a home in which friends and acquaintances like to gather, and as a farm it is one of the most productive and best improved in the towniship.

John E. Andrew. A man of much force of character and of strong personality, John E. Andrew, superintendent of the Sailors' and Soldiers' Home at Quincy, possesses in a marked degree the ability and other qualifications fitting him for the responsible position, and is performing the duties devolving upon him with rare fidelity and efficiency. A son of the late John Andrew, he was born June 6, 1849, in Clinton County, Ohio.

John Andrew was born and bred in North Carolina. Going from there to Ohio, he bought a tract of land, and on the farm which he improved spent the remainder of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was ^lary Smitli, was born in North Carolina and died in Illinois. Of their family of seven children, three sous served in the Civil war, and all of the cliildren excepting the subject of this sketch are dead.

At the age of ten years, having been left fatherless, John E. Andrews was bound out, and thus forced to work earl.v and late for his board and clothes. When fourteen years old he ran away and enlisted in the Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Although but a boy, he took part in several engagements, and at the battle of Peach Tree Creek. Georgia, he was wounded. He continued in service until receiving his honorable discharge July 22, 1865. Locating then in Piatt County, Illinois, Mr. Andrew found employment on a farm, and for four years worked for one man. In the meantime by close application to his

Becoming active and prominent in public affairs, Mr. Andrew was elected sheriff of Piatt County in November, 1882, and served in that capacity for four years, his residence being in Monticello. He was very popular in public life, and later became mayor of Monticello. On Ma3' 20, 1913, he assumed charge of the Sailors' and Soldiers' Home at Quincy, and has since continued as managing officer of the institution.