Quincy Township (part 50 of 74)

Mr. Andrew has been twice married. He married first, October 22, 1873, Fannie Heath. She died at a comparatively early age. May 13, 1902. Of this union five children were born, namely: ilariou, of Houston, Texas; Arthur, of Bloomington, Illinois; John, of Deti'oit, treasurer of the Wallace-Hagenbach Circus Company ; Metta, wife of Dr. C. M. Bumstead, of Monticello ; and Ethel, deceased. Mr. Andrew married second, November 7, 1907, Mrs. Lavonia (Duvall) Reeser, whose first husband, Charles Reeser, died in early life, leaving her with one child, Gladys, now living in Des Moines, Iowa. Politically Mr. Andrew is a democrat and active in party work. Fraternally he is a thirtysecond degree Mason, and prominent in Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, Shrine aud the Consistory. Religiously he was brought up a Quaker, the faith of his parents, but he is now a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John H. Geers. The career of John H. Geers might be analyzed and subjected to a thoroughly fair trial and it undoubtedly would reflect success at ever}- count and test. Mr. Geers went to work when thirteen years of age. He represents one of the old and substantial families of Quincy of German origin. At the age of thirteen he began handling and selling meats in a packing house at Quincy. This training was a long and extensive one of twenty-two or twenty-three years, and gave him a knowledge of the meat business that has had as much to do with his success as an independent merchant as any capital lie has invested. Then, twenty-six years ago, Mr. Geers opened a meat market at the corner of Vine and Eighteenth streets, and subsequently added a stock of groceries. In that one location he has been known to a widening circle of patrons for fully a quarter of a century. He has done well, owns his home and store, holds stock in banks and other industries, and those who keep in touch with patriotic activities of Quincy citizens know that "Sir. Geers has subscribed at least $1,000 worth of liberty bonds, besides varioiis other funds for patriotic purposes.

Mr. Geers was born in the Sixth Ward of Quincy October 6, 1857, and was reared and educated in this city, attending St. Francis Parochial School. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Jliddendorf ) Geers, both natives of the Kingdom of Hanover. Henry Geers came to America at the age of eleven years. His wife was eighteen when she came and after landing at New Orleans alone came north to join sisters who had previously located at Quincy. Henry Geers and wife met and married at Quincy and for many years lived in St. Francis Parish of this city and in the Sixth Ward. The father died here in 1914, at the age of eighty-two, and his wife in 1911, aged seventy-six. They were married in St. Boniface Catholic Church of this city, and Henry Geers helped build the present church edifice. By trade he was a brick molder and verj- skilled workman. During the winter season he worked in local packing houses at a lard Tenderer. Of their children, two, Josephine and Herman, are now deceased. Henry B., the oldest of the three now living, is married and lives in Quincy, at Thirteenth and Oak streets. Joseph H., the youngest, lives at Sixteenth and Chestnut streets. Both these sons are married and have families.

Mr. John H. Geers married in Quincy Miss Mslyj Graweman. She was born in St. Charles County. Missouri, in 1859, was reared and educated there, and at the age of seventeen came to Quincy. Mr. and Mrs. Geers had twelve children, one of whom, Frank, died in infancy. Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Weaver and has three children. Louisa married Edward IMusian and lives near Chicago, and they have three children. Henry B. operates two gi'ocery and meat market stores in Qniney, and by his marriage to Effie "Wilson has two sons. Joseph H. is associated with his father in business, and married Elizabeth Fritz, their family consisting of one son and one daughter. Otto is a meat cutter with Beiler Brothers, and married Carrie Willhock, and has a sou and daughter. Clara is the wife of Frank Wattering. Olivia lives at home. Edward is mari-ied and has one sou. Jlaria is living at home. Theodore, a machinist, and Cecelia, a student in St. Mary's Academj', constitute the younger children. The family are all members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Geers is a democratic voter and for two years served as aldenuan and had places of responsibility on sevei'al of the important committees. He is affiliated with the Western Catholic Union.

Oscar "W. Shannon. A live, wide-awake young man. full of push and energy, Oscar W. Shamion, of Quincy, is identified with the business life of Adams Coiuity as a representative of various prominent insurance companies, and is widel.y known in the sporting world through his counectiou with base ball activities and as lessee of Baldwin Park. He is a native born citizen, his birth having occurred May 7, 1884, in Quincy, where his father, the late James T. Shannon, settled in 1872.

James T. Shannon was born, bred and educated in Delaware. As a young man he entered the railway service, and gradually worked his way upward iiutil made conductor on a passenger train, being thus employed after coming to Illinois on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. While in the service on the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas Citj^ branch, he was accidentally killed at Green City, Missouri. He married Mary Belle Ross, who was born in Kentucky, and died in Quincy, Illinois, in 1907. Of the seven children bom of their union three have passed to the life beyond, and the following named are living: Effie May, of Seattle, Washington; Bertha, wife of William Corley, also of Seattle: Oscar W., with whom this brief sketch is chiefly concerned; and Mary, wife of William Grouert, of Chicago.

Exhibiting as a boy not only decided literary tastes, but much business ability, Oscar W. Shannon at the early age of fourteen years entered the jo^irnalistic world, and for three years thereafter edited and published The Little Gem, a w^eekly newspaper, said to be the smallest that ever passed through the United States mail. He met with rare success in his venture, having when he discontinued the publication of his paper, 2,200 paid subscribers at 25 cents per anuiun, the gTeater part of his profits, which amounted to $1,000 per year, coming from the advertisijig section of his sheet.

On his retirement from journalism Mr. Shannon, then a youth of seventeen years, entered the Union Business College, from which he was graduated two years later. The ensuing four years he was employed as stenographer and bookkeeper by an insurance firm. Forming then a partnership with Mr. Hofer, he was engaged in business under the firm name of Harn- F. Hofer & Company for four years, after which he bought his partner's interest in the concern. Mr. Hofer in the meantime had been activel.v interested in the financial affairs of the Quijicy Base Ball Club, and Mr. Shannon served as its secretan- for three years. Realizing the possibilities of the association, ]\Ir. Shannon then bought the Quincy Ball Club, and soon afterward astonished the athletic world by giving for the insignificant sum of .$2 a book entitling the purchaser the privilege of witnessing sixty-seven ball games, it being the first and only time that price was ever known in organized base ball. Mr. Shannon sold his interest in the club in 1917, and is devoting a part of his time to Baldwin Park, of which he has been the lessee for the past two years. Under his regime horse racing has been revived in this section of the state, and on his Baldwin Park track the half-mile record was broken in 1917. Mr. Shannon is still actively engaged in the insurance business, handling every branch of insurance, and is largely patronized throughout Adams and surroimding counties.

Mr. Shannon married, October 5. 1916, Charlotte Walbriug, of Mendon, Adams County. Politically he is a democrat; fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; and religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Shannon are Episcopalians.

^YiLLiAii Booth. The name Booth has been a familiar one in Gilmer Township for many years, and has always suggested traits of sturdy industry, good citizenship and sterling integrity which are invaluable assets to the community as well as to the individuals possessing them.

The late William Booth, who died at the Booth farm July 12, 1904, was one of the oldest men in the county at the time of his death. He was born at Feversham, near Loudon, England, July 12, 1813, and lived to the age of ninetyone, dying on his ninety-first birthday. The Booth farm where he spent most of his active life in Aclams County is situated 21-. miles south of Paloma in Gilmer Township, and within one mile of the county farm.

"William Booth came to America with his parents at the age of thirteen. He started life with no capital and only his hands and his ambition to make himself useful. He was twice married, his fir.st wife being a Miss Shields. Their only child was Jliss Eliza Booth of Paloma. On September 23, 1846, William Booth married Mar}' Ann Jeffery. She was born in England February 23, 1825, daughter of Richard and Mary Jeffery, who came to America and settled in section 10 of Gilmer To^\Tiship. The parents of Mrs. Booth both died in advanced years in this county. One of their sons, James Jeffery, is now living near Oklahoma City.

After Mr. Booth's marriage they located on a farm near Coatsburg in Gilmer Township, moved later to another farm near Paloma and then bought the farm where his death occurred and where his son Wesley now lives. On the old Jeffery farm in about 1860 William Booth erected the comfortable old house which still stands there. He was a verj^ active man in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Paloma, serving as class leader and steward.

The children of William Booth and wife were : Sarah, widow of WiUiam Lohr, a Gilmer Township farmer; William, who was assistant postmaster, merchant and during his last j^ears telephone operator at Paloma, where he died unmarried at the age of sixty-six ; Mary, widow of Marsh Fisher, of Gilmer Township ; Amelia, Richard Wesley, Hannah and Stephen, all of whom reside at the old homestead ; and George, who is a railroad man with the Burlington Road at Galesburg.

The sons Wesley and Stephen have bought the interests of the other heirs in the old farm, and are associated as partners in its management, their sisters keeping house for them. Stephen also owns an adjoining farm of eighty acres. These brothers are numbered among the progressive farming element of Gilmer Township. They are republican voters as was their father before them and the family all attend the Methodist Episcopal Church at Paloma. Stephen is a trustee and steward of this church.

Edward F. Schullian's name is best known in Quincy through his long and active career as a merchant. Twenty years ago he established a general grocery store at the corner of Twentieth and Chestnut streets, and used such good judgment and prosecuted his enterprise with such energA- that in a few years his business had an assured patronage and was performing a welcome service in the community. His success enabled him to build his present large store of stone and wood diagonally across from his old business home, and thus he is still at the corner of Chestnut and Twentieth streets, where he carries a coniplete line of staple groceries and meats and every year is extending the service of his store to new homes and larger patronage.

Mr. SchuUian was bom in Quincy at Eleventh and Hampshire streets in 1866. He grew up and received his education in the parochial schools of St. Boniface Parish and as a voung man went to work for J. B. Schott as a collar maker, but finally gave up that work to manage a garden and milk route in Quincy. He was in that line of business for about fourteen years, and then used his accumulated capital in starting his grocery business, as above noted.

Mr. Schulliau is a son of John I. and ]Mary (Schupp) Schullian, the former a native of Wuertemberg and the latter of Baden, Germany. They came over with their respective parents at different times and in sailing vessels. The boat that brought the Schupp family was lost at sea before reaching port at New Orleans, and the family barely escaped with their lives with a very meager stock of clothing that could not be replaced fully until they arrived in Quincy. The parents of both John Schullian and his wife spent their last years in Quincy, and attained ripe ages, some of them dying when past eighty. They were early members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. John I. Schullian and wife after their marriage located in a small home in Quincy and for many years he was a stationary engineer in the employ of the old Gardner Governor Works. He died when past sixty, being survived by his widow sevei'al years. For a number of years they had their home in St. Francis' Parish. In their family were five sons and three daughters. The son Hei'man died before his father. Those still living are John, Joseph, Edward F., Frank, Anna, wife of Barney Brinks, Catherine, widow of Alexander Reardon, and Rose.

Edward F. Schullian married at Quincy Miss Margaret Fredericks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Fredericks, both of whom are now deceased. To their marriage have been born a son and daughter, George F. and Ruth M. George F., who was born in 1890, was educated at St. Rose School, and since attaining his majority has been a member of the firm Schullian & Company. He married Henerietta Brinks at Quinc.v, and they have a son, Norbet E., boi-n in 1917. The daughter, Ruth, was educated in St. Rose Parish and is also a member of the firm and contributing to its success. All the family are members of St. Francis Church. Mr. Schullian is affiliated with tJie Western Catholic Union and he and his son are independent in politics.

Landolin Ohnemus has contributed to the commercial enterprise of Quincy as a grocery merchant, and has one of the well patronized and progressively managed stores at 2001 Brady Avenue.

He is member of a family that has been numerously identified with Adams County for many years. He was born in Ellington Township, not far from Quincy, on August 11, 1859, son of John George and Mary A. (Ohnemus) Ohnemus. His parents were both natives of Baden, and though of the same family name were not related. John George Ohnemus was born in Febmary, 1832, and his wife a month later. Both were of Catholic ancestiy. They came to this country when young people. John G. Ohnemus took passage on a sailing vessel, a small craft, but bringing 500 passengers from Havre to New Orleans. He arrived at New Orleans forty-two days later and in 1852 came to Quincy. At that time he was in debt $35 and to support himself and repay his obligation he went to work cutting wood along the banks of Bear Creek near the Mississippi River in Adams County. His wife had come to Quincy to join her brothers Matthew, Conrad and Frank J. and her sister Frances. John Geoi'ge Ohnemus also had several brothers who were residents of Adams County, including Landolin, Theodore and Andrew. All of them became useful and hard working citizens, and all ai-e now deceased except John George Ohnemus. The latter after his marriage went to work on a farm in Ellington Township, and by his indnstrj' and the co-operation of his good wife bought and paid for a farm of 160 acres known as the old Ubanks farm. On that homestead he is still living at the age of eighty-six, and his wife died there September 7, 1905, at the age of seventy-three. They were married in St. Boniface Catholic Church at Quincy, and for a number of years were membei"s of that parish. John G. Ohnemus has been a democrat ever since he acquired American citizenship. He and his wife had fourteen children. Among those now deceased were Elizabeth ilary and ilrs. Theresa Gebhart. Those still living are: J. George; Landolin; Mrs. Lillie ^Mallard; Frank; Caroline, who is the wife of Mr. Herring, and her oldest son is now in the Government service; Elizabeth, widow of Oscar Holmes, has a son who is a lieutenant in the Electrical Corps at Key West, Florida ; Pauline, unmarried ; Charles, who is at the old homestead with his father; John Michael, who with his brother Theodore works the home fann; and Frances, uumai'ried and living at home.

Landolin Ohnemus grew up and received his education iu the country districts of Ellington Township and Quincy. In 1903 he came to Quincy and since 1905 has been successfully engaged in the gi'oceiy business. He is a live and progressive merchant and has identified himself with every movement of the local business men to promote the best interests of the citj'. His family are members of the St. Francis Parish, and he is affiliated with the Western Catholic Union and is a democrat in politics.

He married at Fort Madison, Iowa, Dorothy Mansheim, who was born near that city August 11, 1872. Her parents, natives of Gei-many, were Iowa farmers and are now deceased. Mr. and ]\Irs. Ohnemus had six children : Walter, who died at the age of two yeai's ; Adolph, who is twenty years old and is now helping his father in the groceiy Inisiness; Bertha F., a graduate of St. Mary's Academy; Carl V., a schoolboy; J. Roy, also in school; and Eugene M., who was born in 1914.

Richard Burgis Stiver. The name of this prosperous farmer citizen of Mendon Township, whose home is 2i/2 miles .southeast of the village of that name, serves to recall some of the pioneer characters who gave their strength and fortitude to the founding of Adams County's most typical New England community, a community where New England ideals and principles have largely predominated down to the present time. Mr. Stai'r is the only son of the Adams County pioneer, Col. Richard William Starr.

Colonel Starr was born at Guilford, Connecticut, April 30, 1809. He was descended from Dr. William Starr, of Ashford, County Kent, England, who settled at Guilford, Connecticut, as early as 1640. At least one uncle of Colonel Starr served in the Revolutionary war. Richard W. Starr began teaching when only seventeen years of age. At the age of twenty-two, in 1831, he went to Erie, Pennsylvania, and resumed his work as a teacher thei'e for about two years. In the fall of 1833 he made the long and toilsome journey to Western Illinois. He was attracted to Adams County no doubt by the presence here of a Guilford, Connecticut, colony headed by Col. John B. Chittenden, who had come to this county two years previously and was the founder of the Village of Mendon. Arriving in this community Colonel Starr entered and bought 160 acres of Government land at the regular price of $1.25 per acre. He then started back for Connecticut. The entire distance he traversed on horseback, having as companions two other young men of old Connecticut, Chester Talcott and Henry Fowler.

At Guilford, Connecticut, April 27, 1834, Richard W. Starr married Sarah Robin.son Benton. She was born October 11, 1811, and was a niece of Colonel Chittenden, whose wife wa.s a Robinson.

Immediately after their marriage they started west to their new home, a wedding tour such as was not unusual in that time and generation, but one involving more hardships than most bridal couples of the present day would care to endure. The entire joui-ney across half the continent to Adams County was made by water. Accompanying them were several other Connecticut people, including some members of the Benton family. There is an interesting letter extant, dated at Quincy, June 12, 1834, which recounts the interesting features of this journey and serves to tell how it was possible at that time to travel from Connecticut to Adams County entirely by water. Of course a railroad journey for any part of the distance was out of question. The first stage was made by boat over the Long Island Sound, thence up the Hudson

River, from Albany to Bxiffalo by the Erie Canal, across Lake Erie probably to Cleveland, where they re-embarked on a canal boat down the Ohio and Erie Canal to Cincinnati. Thence they went down the Ohio River and came up the Mississippi to Quincy. It was a voyage of a month, involving three weeks of constant travel and a week spent in the transfer points along the wa}-.

During his previous visit to the county Mr. Starr had contracted with a man to erect a cabin on his land. But as is often the case the contractor had failed to perform his duty, and not a single stick of timber had been cut for the purpose. In absence of such a shelter Colonel Starr and his bride lived during the summer with her uncle, Colonel Chittenden, three miles away. The husband spent many bnsy days in building his cabin and by fall it was ready for occupancy. The following winter was a very severe one, and as the house was not tightly constructed the snow freciuently drifted in and covered the floor. Their situation was also a lonely one, and their nearest neighbor was the Chittendens three miles away. But both of them were sti'ong and vigorous, in the prime of life, and had the determination and courage that enabled them to endure and make a cheerful lot of their pioneer circumstances. In the thirteen years that Colonel Starr was permitted to live he put forth strenuous exertions and improved his land in many ways. In 1841 he erected a comfortable frame house. He had had some experience in surveying and possessed a set of instruments, and was therefore frequently asked to perform work of this kind. He assisted in platting the Village of ]\Icndon, which was originally called the Bear Creek Settlement and later Fairfield. The events of the Black Hawk war were still fresh, and every western community had its military organization. Mr. Starr was active in such matters and Gov. Thomas Curtin in 1841 appointed him colonel of the Thirty-seventh Regiment of Militia. He held that rank and responsibility until his death. His sword is still owned by his son. A vacancy also occurred in the district representation of Adams County in the State Legislature, and in 1839 Colonel Stan- was appointed to till that vacancy. He became a member of the first Legislature that met in session at the new capital at Springfield, and was there when Abraham Lincoln was also a member of the House and Stephen H. Douglas state senator. During the '30s, as is well known, Illinois like other western states had entered upon a great program of internal improvement. The tasks undertaken were greater than the meager resources of the state justified, and furthermore much reckless appropriation and expenditure had been permitted, so that about the time Colonel Starr entered iipon his legislative career railroads and canals had come to be regarded as an expensive luxury. Tlierefore, in 1840, when he was a candidate for re-election he made his platform one of opposition to further railroad grants and increased taxation, and on that platfonn he was easily elected. He was also re-elected in 1842. His name appeared on the whigticket, and he was an active partisan of that party. Colonel Starr died in 1846. His death was the result of a chill following overheating in the harvest field. He came of a family noted for its longevity, both his parents living to past ninety, and his imtimely death therefore cut short a career which was just beginning to be useful. He possessed a keen mind, and it was well cultivated by extensive reading. Colonel Starr had a fine collection of books, such as was seldom found in the country homes of Illinois at that time. It included a copy of the Iliad, Plutarch's Lives, the \Yorks of Josephus, one or two histories of Rome, and was also rich in the standard English autliors, including Shakespeare, Cowper, Bxirns and Byron. All these books he knew as few men now know them, and his conversation as well as his fonaal utterances fi'om the public platform were adorned and elucidated by ready quotations from his favorite authors.

Colonel and Mrs. Starr had four children : Susan ^laria, who died in infancy; Sarah Cornelia, who lives at Sioux Falls, Soutli Dakota, widow of Walter R. Kingsbur\-: Caroline Elizabeth, who resides at Oak Park, Illinois, widow of Moses J. Pitch ; and Richard Burgis. the onlv son.

Richard Burgis Starr was borii on the site of his present residence June 25, 1842. He was only four years of age when his father died. His widowecl mother was left with the care of three cliildren, tlie oldest being nine. It was a heavy task which she assumed to keep the farm and rear her children. She was a woman of great native capacity and intelligence, and had all the courage and resourcefulness usually associated with the women of pioneer epoch. As a result of her thrift and industry she was able to send her oldest daughter to an institute at Guilford, Connecticut, and thus afforded licr advantages not to be had in Illinois at that time. Mrs. Starr was a daughter of Isaac Benton, who came to Illinois to make his home with liis daugliter, and he was of great assistance to her in bringing up the family. He died at the venerable age of eighty-seven. Mrs. Starr died November 18, 1879, at the age of sixty-eight.

As a result of the conditions and circumstances thus described, some unusually heavv' responsibilities awaited Richard Burgis Starr when a boy. He was only fourteen when he took practically all the management of the home farm. In the meantime his education had been limited to a few terms each winter in the district school at Mendon. After reaching his majority he bouglit the interests of his sisters in the old homestead, and has lived continuously in that locality all his life. He has extended his possessions until the farm now comprises 240 acres. In 1881 he erected a modern home to replace the one built by his father forty years before. Mr. Starr is engaged in general farming and stock growing, and during the last half century he has been identilied with all the worthy interests and improvements of his community. He is a republican and a strong temperance man. His partisanship is not so strict as to prevent him from supporting a worthy man for ofSee, and he was one of tlie many Illinois republicans who supported Mr. Wilson for the presidency. He has served one term as justice of the peace and also as a.sses.sor, and used his official power in the latter position to rectify many eases of tax dodging. He lias been a member of the Congregational Church at Mendon, the First Congregational Church established in Illinois, since he was twenty-one years of age, and for half a century has been active in its Siuiday school either as a teacher or superintendent.

November 9, 1871, Mr. Starr married Althea Elizabeth Taylor, of Urbana, Illinois. She was born at Dayton, Ohio, January 31, 1848, and died November 24, 1909. She was reared in Illinois and was a successful teacher before lier mari'iage. There were three children bom to them: Gilbert Taylor Starr, born April 9, 1873, is now the active manager of his father's farm. He married Leota Quinn, and they hare one child, Charles Taylor, born April 24, 1911. Charles Burgis Starr, bom October 24, 1877, is in the real estate business at Los Angeles, California, and he married Rose Dillon. "Willis Fitch Starr, the youngest child, was born August 24, 1881, and died February 14, 1884.

John Franklin Sloniger is an Adams County citizen who has shown ability to handle his own affairs successfully, to establish a home and win a most substantial promise of continued prosperity and usefulness. Mr. Sloniger has one of the good fanns of Honey Creek Township, located three and a half miles northeast of Mendon.

In the same township he was born March 11, 1873. His birth occurred in a building that had been used as a smoke house on Jim Sloniger 's farm. His parents were John and Sophronia Jane (Miller) Sloniger. John Sloniger was a son of Oliver Sloniger, who had brought his family west and settled in ^Marshall County, Illinois. Oliver remained in that count.y, while his three brothers, Joel, Joshua and Jacob, all became residents of Honey Creek Township. John Sloniger came to Adams County when a young man, married the daughter of Sanniel F. Miller, of Honey Creek Township, and then returned to ^Marshall County. One child was born in that county, and the family tlien came back to Adams County and John Sloniger worked for his cousin, Jim Sloniger, and was so engaged at the time of the birth of John Franklin Sloni- ger. John Sloiiiger was an expert mechanic and machinist, and one of the best qualified men in Adams County handling a separator. He operated a threshing outfit of his own for a few years. He was a man of fine principles, had many friends, but was not actuated by the spirit of acquisitiven&ss and was well satisfied to go through life with little property to encumber him. His death occurred in Honey Creek Township in 1917, at the age of seventytwo, and his wife died six months later. The first death to break up the family circle occurred only a year before the father passed away. Their family of four children were: Eva Ellen, wife of Robert Hastings; John Franklin; "William, who lives at Mendon and married Sallie O'Dear; and Anna May, who died in 1916, at the age of twenty-nine, wife of Fred Hastings.

John Franklin Sloniger lived at home with his parents to the age of fourteen. When eleven years old his skill in handling the plow and proficiency in setting up bundles caused his services to be in demand by some of the neighboring farmers at the small wages then paid boys and farm hands. At the age of fourteen he regularly began emplojonent at a monthly wage, and received what was then considered the best wages for that service, eighteen dollars a month, board and the keep of a horse. When he was eighteen he took the next step in his progi-ess, renting Charles Towers' farm. While there his mother kept house for him two years, and one of his sisters was also with him part of the time.

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Sloniger married Miss Cora Elizabeth Hastings, who was then twenty years of age. She is a daughter of William Ha-stings, of one of the old and honored families of Adams County. The first year after his marriage Jlr. Sloniger worked roads for Dan Hawe, then commissioner of highways. During that time he lived on the same place where he was born. He then rented again, worked roads for two years, and for six years occupied as a tenant the 120-aci-e farm of P. S. Judy. For two years he was on the William Kells farm and then for two years rented his present place from its owner, Alfred Schill. In 1907 Mr. Sloniger was able to put a long cherished plan into effect to acquire a financial interest in the soil. He bought from Mr. Schill 108 acres, at a price agreed upon of .$69.50 an acre. He had only $.500 as cash payment, as shortly before the sickness of his wife had cost him $600. Though he had little capital he had gathered considerable stock and farm implements, and he started out bravely with $7,000 indebtedness. Since then, with continued work, he has cleared away practicallj^ all his debt and at the same time has greatly increased the value of his home. Four j'ears ago he built a new house, and he also has a new barn. His land lies partly in Keeue as well as in Honey Creek Township. Mr. Sloniger handles some good stock, including about fifty head of Jersey Red hogs.

For seven continuous years he served as road commissioner, his district in the northwest part of the township containing many large bridges, and for nine years he was also a school director, ilr. and Mi-s. Sloniger have one son, Chester Earl, who is farming in Gilmer Township and married Elfa Shepard. Mr. and Mrs. Sloniger also have two boys in their home. Gilbert and Albert Shay, who were taken at the respective ages of five and six and are now thirteen and fourteen. These are children of his wife's sister. Still another member of the household is Merle Hastings, the child of I\Ir. Sloniger 's sister. Merle was taken into the home at eleven. Thiis considering his public service the way he has worked to win a home, and the young people who have enjoyed the benefits and comforts of that home, it is evident Mr. Sloniger has not lived to himself wholly, but has exemplified a commendable degi-ee of public spirit and a spirit of doing something for others.

Theo. Ehrhart. By its products the Excelsior Stove & ]\ranufacturing Company, of Quiney is known practically around the world. It is a great corporation, an immense plant, in normal times employing between 450 and 500 men. and it goes without saying that it requires a man of superior ability and experience to handle all this immense establishment. Its general superintendent is Theo. Ehrhart, who began his career as an iron or stove molder, and by gradual processes as his merits justified raised himself to a position where he is one of the leading business men of Quincy.

Mr. Ehrhart wa.s born in St. Louis, October 17, 1866. He attended the common schools of his native city, and learned the trade of molder with the Bridge & Beach Stove Company. He was in their employ until he came to Quincy in 1887, and here began work for the Channon-Emery Stove Company. He followed his trade actively until about 1895, and then was sent on the road as salesman of repairs, and as such traveled for three j'ears over portions of the states of Kansas and Missouri. In 1898, when the Excelsior Stove & Manufacturing Company was incorporated, Mr. Ehrhart was one of the men most active in the organization and became superintendent of the manufacturing department, a position which entails the general supervision of the plant. Mr. John J. Fisher is president and general manager of the company.

Mr. Ehrhart 's parents were Matthew and Magdalena (Vogel) Ehrhart. They were born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, and came to America when young people. At St. Louis they were married in old St. Mary's Catholic Church. The father was a cooper by trade and conducted a shop of his own in St. Louis from 1866 until he retired in 1899. He died at St. Louis in 1902, at tlie age of seventy-five. His widow passed away in 1911, and was of the same age. They were for many years members of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Louis, and they were laid to rest in the family plot of the churchyard in that parish.

Theo. Ehrhart married at Quincy Miss Ottilia Fisher, a sister of John J. Fisher, president and manager of the Excelsior Stove & jManufacturing Company, whose individual career is the subject of a separate sketch published elsewhere. Mrs. Ehrhart was born in Quincy, attended St. Mary's Parochial School, and the marriage of IMr. and Mrs. Ehrhart was the last celebrated in old St. JIary's Church before it was burned. They are now active members of St. Boniface Church. Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhart have an interesting family of eight children. Matthew J., who was educated in St. Mary's Parochial School, the Irving Public School and National Business College, is now secretary of the N. Kohl Grocer Company, of Quincj'. He married Agatha Kohl, of Quincy, and their son, ilatthew, Jr., was born in 1918. Lieut. Theodore F. Ehrhart was educated in the same schools as his brother, is a graduate of Gem City Business College, and for nine years was connected with the clerical department of the Excelsior Stove & Manufacturing Company, being in charge of their claim and billing departments. He is stationed at Camp MeClellan, Alabama. Herbert W., the second soldier of the family, had an education similar to that of his brothers, having finished school in 1913. For four yeai-s he was connected with his father's company in a clerical capacity, then went with the International Harvester Company, and is now stationed at Camp Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina, a member of the Forty-sixth United States Infantry. Irene H. is a gi'aduate of St. Mary's Parochial School and the Quincy High School. Paul F. is a member of the class of 1919 of the Quincy High School. ]\Iae M. is a student at St. Mary's Academy, while the youngest of the family are twins, Edna Ottilia and John J., and both in St. Boniface Parochial School. Mr. Ehrhart and his three eldest sons are members of the Knights of Columbus. Matthew J. and Theodore F. are fourth degree members of that order, and Tlieodore F. has a prominent place among the Knights of Columbus of Illinois. He has served as chancellor and deputy grand knight of Quincy Council, being elected grand knight of that council at the age of twenty-two.

Lkroy a. Noll is secretary of the Noll-IIauworth Company, a liusiness that would be immediately classified as one of Quincy 's important and most distinctive manufacturing and wholesale firms. They are manufacturers of a large line of overalls and workingmen's clothes, and they also do a big wholesale business in manufactured furnishing goods. Their output is distributed all over the Central West. Mr. Leroy A. Noll in addition to his duties as secretary of the company is also its commercial representative on the road, and is the man primarily responsible for the maintenance of cordial and profitable relations with the retail trade through the states of Nebraska, Kansas and Eastern Illinois. He has been secretary of the companj^ since January, 1914.

Jlr. Noll was born in Quincy, December 3, 1876, and grew up here, being a graduate of the high school and of the Philbrick Business College. After leaving school he went into the railroad service and was with the general offices of the Burlington and also the Northern Pacific. He was in the railroad and transportation work from 1894 to 1915. During eight years of this time he had charge of the ti-affic department of the United States Steel Corporation at Duluth, Minnesota.

His gi-andfather was one of the early settlers of Quiney, and died here when past eighty years of age. Mr. Noll is a son of August Theodore Noll, who was born in Quincy about sixty-five years ago and died here in 1898. He was for many years a commercial salesman, and became well known over a large territory as well as in his home City of Quincy. August Theodore Noll married Alice Hildebrand. She was born in Moline, Illinois, but was reared and educated in Quincy, where she is now living at the age of sixty-five. She and her husband have been members of the Methodist Church and in politics most of the family have been republicans.

Leroy A. Noll has a brother, W. G. Noll, who is head of the Noll-Hauworth Company. Their only sister, Frances Elvira, is the wife of Arthur "Wehmeyer, a traveling salesman with home at Jacksonville, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Wehmeyer have a son, Noll.

Leroy Noll married at Brookfield, Missouri, Matilda M. Gardner. She was born there in 1878, and was educated in the high school and the Brookfield College. Her parents, J. C. and Jane E. (Spivey) Gardner, were natives of Virginia, were married in that state and two years later moved to Brookfield, Missouri, where they are still living. Their five children are all married, and one of them. Dr. A. J. Gardner, a graduate of the medical department of the University of ^Michigan, . is now enjoj-ing a success practice in medicine and surgery in Soiithwestern Nebraska. Mrs. Noll is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Noll is a republican and is affiliated with the United Commercial Travelers.

Judge Benjamin Heckle. In the annals of Adams County the name of Benjamin Heckle, of Quincy, will long occupy a place of prominence, he having in his official career filled many important public positions with credit to himself and to the honor and satisfaction of his constituents. A native of Germany, he was born June 18, 1847, a son of Theodore and Marnana (Meyer) Heckle.

In 1851 Theodore Heckle came with his family to the United States, locating first in Detroit, Michigan. Subsequently migrating to Scott County, Iowa, he bought a tract of land near the present site of the town of Buffalo, which he laid out, and there both he and his wife spent their remaining days. Of the twelve children born of their union, three are now living, as follows: Joseph, residing in Quincy ; Katherine, widow of Henry Springmeyer, lives in Buffalo, Iowa : and Benjamin, the subject of this sketch.

Coming from Iowa to Adams County, Illinois, soon after the death of his mother, Benjamin Heckle completed his early education in the parochial schools, and on attaining man's estate engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1882, at the urgent solicitation of friends, he became candidate for sheriff of Adams County, and being elected to the office served acceptably for four years. He was afterward appointed internal revenue collector by President Cleveland, and rendered excellent service in that capacity from 1888 until 1892. Being then elected county recorder, Judge Heckle served satisfactorily for four years. Just after the expiration of his term of office as sheriff' he had for a time been engaged in the manufacture of shirts and overalls, and in 1896 he again turned his attention to his private intei'ests. In 1900 he once more entered the public arena, and being elected county recorder served faithfully for four years. He was then elected justice of the peace, and has served continuously in that capacity ever since, a length of time that bears visible evidence of his ability and fidelity.

Judge Heckle married, November 7, 1871, Victoria S. Mast, a native of Adams County, Illinois. Eight children have been born of the union of Judge and Mrs. Heckle, namely: Cecelia, wife of A. ;\I. Simons, of Visalia, California; Alois, with whom the judge is associated in the insurance business in Quincy ; Joseph, who was accidentally killed ; Carl, living in Quincy ; Benjamin J.; Edith, wife of Harry Kirtley, of Bushnell, Illinois; Robert F., of Bushnell ; and Theresa, wife of Robert ^Mueller, of Quincy, now serving as county surveyor. Politically Judge Heckle is a steadfast democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Since early manhood he has been conspicuously identified with religious matteiis, and is an active member of St. John's Catholic Church, to which Mrs. Heckle also belongs.

The Merkel Hardw.vre Comp.\ny is a Quincy firm with which nearly all the people of Adams County are familiar. It is a business that has had a" substantial growth and for several years has represented the enterprise and initiative of four splendid young business men, brothers, who combine with their business ability a high degree of patriotic fervor. All but one are of draft age, and two are now serving with the colors. They are the material of which good soldiers are made. All the brothers stand about six feet in height, are X^hysically perfect, and all of them have a wonderful fund of robust energy at their command.

The president of the company is Carl E. Merkel. The vice president is Albert 0. Merkel, now serving with the rank of sergeant and stationed at Camp Logan. The third brother, Arthur C, is secretary and trea.surer of the company and is manager of the company's branch store at 1203 State Street. The other member of the firm is Allen H., who is now in the army at Camp Dodge, Iowa.

The business was established by the honored father of these brothers, John J. Merkel, who began it as a partner with William Heim. They opened their stock of goods at the present location of the main store, 1711 Broadway, in 1902, and later the business was incorporated. In 1908 John J. Merkel acquired Mr. Heim's intei-ests and took in his son Arthur C. as a partner. In 1908 the Merkel Hardware Company was organized, and the father continued a general supervision of the business until his death in June, 1911. He had carefully trained his sons so that they have been worthy successors of their father. Continuing the main store, they have added the branch store on State Street, both being about the same size. They have these stores stocked with staple hardware of all kinds, auto accessories, fencing, roofing and other materials.

All the ]\Ierkel brothers were born in Quincy and all were educated in the high school. Allen H. and Arthur C. also attended the Gem City Business College. Allen H. is a Mason and Shriner and Elk, while Arthur C. is affiliated with the Elks. Arthur married Jessie Abbott, of Quincy. Mr. Carl E. Merkel married in January, 1918, Miss Helen I. McDonnell, who was born in Quincy and educated in the city schools. She is of Irish and French ancestrj-, and both her parents are still living in Quincy, where her father is a gas specialty man representing the Russell Engineering Company of St. Louis.

John J. Merkel, father of Merkel Brothers, was born in Pennsylvania of German parentage, and was a small child when the family located in Quincy. He grew up here, learned the tinner's trade, and later was the commercial traveling representative for the Gem City Stove Company. He was one of their leading salesmen for twenty-five years, and one mark of the esteem in which he was held by the company was a fine gold watch presented him for his services. While on the road for this concern he established the hardware business so that his sons might have it as their business opportunity when they came to age. John J. Merkel married at Quincy Miss Mary Lepper, who was boim in this city of German parentage. She died at Quincy in 1912, at the age of fifty. John J. Merkel was about forty-eight when he died. He was a member of the Congregational Church and his wife of St. Jacobi Lutheran Church.

"William Levi Rutledge. A more enviable class can not be found in America today than the farm owners, those especially M'ho went through many trials and hardships to acquire and develop their land, and in recent years have come to realize worthy i-ewards for the many sacrifices they made in earlier life. One of this class is William Levi Rutledge, who now past three score and ten lives in comfortable retirement on his farm two miles south of Paloma and fourteen miles northeast of Quincy in Gilmer Township.

Mr. Rutledge has been a resident of Adams County for over sixty years. He came here when a boy of eight. His birth occurred in Baltimore County, Maryland, July 25, 1847. His parents, Benjamin and ^lavy Ann (Rutledge) Rutledge, came West and arrived at Quincy April 19, 1855. They soon afterward settled on the farm that is now owned by J. B. Thomas south of Columbus in Gilmer Township. Benjamin Rutledge acquired 255 acres in that locality, and one of his pioneer experiences was hauling corn sixteen miles to a distillery near Quincy and then selling it for 121^; cents a bushel. On that farm the father built the comfortable home that still stands in 1877. The previous residence was burned in that spring. Three years before he had erected a good barn. Benjamin Rutledge spent the last six years of his life in Columbus, and finally sold his farm to Judge John C. Broady. He died at Columbus September 4, 1905, at the age of eighty-four. His widow survived him until October, 1916, and died at the age of eighty-six. In Maryland Benjamin Rutledge had operated a paper mill in company with his wife's father. The latter was a millwright b.y trade. Their establishment was twenty-four miles north of Baltimore. Benjamin Rutledge 's father-in-law, Levi Rutledge, also came to Illinois and bought land adjoining that of his son and daughter, and died there at the age of seventy. Benjamin Rutledge and wife had seven children : AVilliam L. ; Adam T., who lives in the State of Oregon; Frank, a resident of Kansas: Elizabeth, wife of Steve Pollock, of Colorado; George W., of Clayton, Illinois; Laura, wife of Grover Haley, of Kansas; and John H., who has greatly prospered as a farmer and land owner at Smithfield, Xebra.ska.

William Levi Rutledge grew up on his father's farm and besides his training in the local schools was well fitted for the tasks of a practical agriculturist. On February 28, 1867, at the age of nineteen, he married Miss Mary Etta Wiseman. Mrs. Rutledge was born near Taylor in Marion County, Missouri, February 15, 1846. Her brothers moved to Illinois on account of conditions growing out of the Civil war. After his marriage Mr. Rutledge lived one year on the home farm, then spent seven yeai's in Burton Township, two years at Columbus, and in 1877 came to his present home, comprising 160 acres. For this land he paid $52 an acre. He began his home making embarrassed with a heavy load of debt and it was bearing 10 per cent interest, and it seems almost incredible to the present generation how he paid it off and lived when hogs sold at 21/0 cents a pound and corn at 16 cents a Ini.shel. But he succeeded in making the land pay for itself. Gradually from year to year many improvements were made. His first necessary improvement was the construction of a barn. Tlie old house which stood on the land when he bought it has undergone many changes until it is now modern in comforts and conveniences. Mr. Rutledge, it should be mentioned, bought this land in partnership with his brother Frank, and soon acquired his brother's interest. The land when they took possession did not have a single cross fence, but is all now divided into twenty acre fields with most substantial fences, and is an efiSciently arranged stock and grain farm. Mr. Rutledge has marketed between 150 and 200 hogs per year, and frequently turns out a carload of cattle. Gradually he has turned over the heavier responsibilities to younger men, and for the past eight years the farm has been operated either by his son or his son-in-law or both.

Mr. Rutledge lost his good wife June 11, 1905, after they had been married nearly f oi"ty years. She was the mother of eight children : Zilla, wife of Samuel Martin, of Columbus; Clara, wife of William Gibbs, living near Mendon; Frank Henry, now at Smithfield, Kansas; Lizzie, who died in May, 1917, in Houston Township, the wife of F. S. Finley; Nellie, wife of Thomas Johnson, of Keene Township ; Lula, wife of Floyd Tilton, Mr. Tilton having had the active management of the Rutledge farm for six years; Iva, wife of John C. Hoeamp, of Liberty Township ; and William A., of Columbus Township. Mr. and I\Irs. Tilton are the parents of three children, Ruth, Grace and Loretta.

In addition to his achievement in acquiring and paying for a farm Mr. Rutledge has been liberal of his time and efforts in behalf of community improvement. He served nine years as road commissioner and was treasurer of the board all that time, handling about $2,000 or $2,500 annually. It was during his official membership on the board that the first real efforts toward permanent road making were achieved. Mr. Rutledge served two years as township clerk and was elected and re-elected assessors for eighteen years and is now serving in that office. He is a democrat, but locally independent in politics, and he has been identified with the Christian Church at Columbus for forty years. It was also the place of worship for his parents. His father was identified with the building of the old church. Mr. Rutledge acknowledges as his chief outdoor sport fishing, and he is a skillful disciple of Izaak Walton. He and 0. P. Lawless and Ben Wilhite are a trio with a great reputation as fishermen.

GoRHAM J. CoTTRELL, whosc death occurred in January, 1906, was for many years identified with Quincy business affairs as a hardware merchant. He was successful, prosperous, energetic, and his memory is one that is treasured by his many friends and former associates. His widow, Mrs. Cottrell, is still living in a fine home at 1801 Maine Street.

The Cottrell family is of English ancestry. Lemuel Cottrell, father of Gorham J., was a native of Chautauqua County, New York, and spent his life there. He was twice married and by his first wife had four sons, including Gorham J. as the second. The latter 's brothers were Norman, Charles and Nahum. Nahum is still living at Aurora, Illinois.

Gorham J. Cottrell was born in 1830 in Chautauqua County, grew up there, and came to Illinois for the purpose of recovering his health. Later he went back to Chautauqua County and married there Sarah Cole. She was a native of that count.y. After his marriage he again came to Illinois, locating at ]\Iacomb, where he had previously entered business with his brother Charles. They were associated for some years, and then dissolved partnership about the close of the Civil war, Charles keeping the business at Macomb, while Gorham J. moved to Quincy and entered the hardware trade with his brother-in-law, Mr. Havens. That business association was continued until 1877.

Mrs. Sarah Cottrell died in Quincy, and some years later Mr. Cottrell married for liis second wife ]Mrs. Lavina (Cole) Havens, sister of his first wife and widow nf his former business associate, Hiram T. Havens. Mr. Havens had first entered business as a hardware merchant in Chautauqua County, where his father had been in a similar line for a number of years.

Mrs. Cottrell by her first husband had one daughter, Sarah Cole Havens. She was bom in Chautauqua County, New York, and was two years old when Vol. n - 15 her parents moved to Macomb, Illinois. She received most of her education in Quiney. In 1877 her father and mother moved to Texas and lived in Fort Worth, where her father died fifteen years later, in 1892. Mr. Havens was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery in Quiney. Mrs. Havens then moved to Quincj'.

Mrs. Cottrell's daughter was married at Fort Worth, Texas, to George H. Dashwood. He was born in England and was brought to the United States at the age of six years. He lived in Kentucky and took up the biLsiness of pharmacist. He was in that business at Fort Worth, Texas, and some years ago returned to Quiney, where he continued the drug business until eight years ago, when he sold out and has since been one of the live real estate men of this city. Mrs. Cottrell and her family attend the Congregational Church.

Orson H. Cr.\nd.\ll. M. D. One of the oldest men in the medical fraternity in the State of Illinois is Doctor Crandall of Quiney, now retired, and who is still bright, vigorous and active, occasionally looking after some patient who will have the services of no other doctor. Doctor Crandall is ninety-two years old, and has lived in Quiney nearly half a century.

He was born in Onondaga County, New York, son of Beman and JIary (Tuttle) Crandall. His father was a native of the same state and his mother of Ohio and both were of English ancestry. They married in New York State and were farmers there. When Doctor Crandall was four years old, in 1830, his parents came to the western wilderness and settled on the prairie thirtyeight miles northwest of old Fort Dearborn, the incipient Village of Chicago. Their home was near Crystal Lake, Illinois. They put up with the primitive circumstances of that time and place, lived without immediate neighbors for some years, traveled miles to get their grain ground into tlour, and as years passed they saw the country develop and grow into one of the richest farming districts of Illinois. Doctor Crandall's parents both died when old, and they had long been identified with the progressive and enlightened citizenship of their community.

It was in this now rich agi'icultural section of Illinois that Doctor Crandall grew to manhood. He had all the experiences of the old border times in Illinois, and began life with only such advantages as were afforded by the common schools of seventy or eighty years ago. In 1851 he received his license to practice and for several years was located at Crystal Lake and subsequently at Elgin. He received his first diploma from the Eclectic School of Medicine at Cincinnati, but finally took up homeopathy, and has practiced according to that school of medicine for a great many years. He became known as one of the most progressive medical men in his part of the state. Recently he received a certificate of membership in the American Association of Progressive Medicine, and has certificates from various schools and medical societies.

At the outbreak of the war Doctor Crandall enlisted in the Twenty-Fourth Illinois Infantry, and served as a surgeon. During Banks' expedition he was captured in April, 1863, and was held within the Confederate lines until exchanged on the 13th of August in the same j'ear. During that time his diet as a pri.soner of war was chiefly raw and sour corn meal. On being exchanged he reported to General Butler at New Orleans and was placed in a regiment under the command of Gen. A. J. Smith, with whom he remained until honorably discharged in the summer of 1865.

Immediately after the war Doctor Crandall was assigned to the dutj' of incorporating and organizing at Milwaukee the first soldiers orphans home in the country. From there he came to Quinc.y, and practiced here steadily until he was eighty-five years of age.

Doctor Crandall has been happily married since 1880, when Mrs. Ruth A. Curtis became his wife. Her maiden name was Patchin and she was born in Steuben County, New York, October 10, 1842, and was reared and educated there. Her father was Warren Patchin, Jr., and her grandfather, Warren

Patehin, Sr., both of whom were prominent farmers and millers in Steuben County. Her grandfather at one time was known as the richest man in the county, and died when past ninety-two years of age, while her father was seventy-one when he died. ]\Irs. Crandall's mother bore the maiden name of Jane Crawford, and she also spent her life in Steuben County. Her parents were members of the Methodist Church. By her first marriage to Albert D. Curtis, a Union soldier, who died soon after the war, Mrs. Crandall has one son. Grant D. Curtis. He is editor of the well known Poultry Journal published at Quincy. Grant Curtis is married and has four sons, Norman and Warren, both of whom are now in France with the Amei'ican Expeditionary Forces; and Donald and William at home. Doctor Crandall was for many years associated with the Masonic order but has given up his membership.

WiLLi.Mi J. HiRTH was for a quarter of a century active in business affairs at Quincy, but for the past half dozen years has been prosperously and pleasantly engaged in tJie management of a fine farm in Ellington Township. Mr. Hirtli represents one of the sterling German-American families of Adams County, and personally represents the undiluted Americanism w'hicli has given this county such an enviable record in support of all war measures and financial contributions.

He was born in this county September 15, 1858, son of Jacob and Catherine (Mause) Hirth. His parents were both natives of Germany and his father for many years occupied a farm in section 18 of Ellington Township, ilr. Hirth is third in a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Four of these are still living, all residents of Adams County.

Prior to taking up an active business career Mr. Hirth had a liberal education in the public schools and the Gem City Business College. Many will recall his activity as a hardware merchant. For thirteen years he was in business at 528 Maine Street in Quincy. After leaving that he was local representative of the Adams Express Company for thirteen years. In 1912 Mr. Hirth bought his present farm of 100 acres, situated two and a half miles from the city limits of Quincy on the extension of Twelfth Street. It constitutes a property valuable for its productive energies and also is a splendid home, provided with all the comforts that make life worth living.

Mr. Hirth began life with limited capital and his success has been a matter of gradual accumulation on the part of himself and his worthy wife. May 28, 1890, he married Miss Amanda Pfanschmidt. They have a son and two daughters. The oldest is Laura E., who has distinguished herself for her scholarship. P^rom the public schools she entered the Illinois State University at Champaign, where she is a graduate. She is now head of the household science department at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois. She is a member of her college sorority and of the Baptist Church. Mildred 0., the second daughter, is now in the sophomore year of the Illinois State University. She is also active in college social circles and a member of the Baptist Church. The son is Delmar H., a graduate of the Quincy High School and now associated with his father on the farm.

Mrs. Hirth was born in Adams County, September 20, 1857, and was reared and educated here. Her parents, Herman C. and Charlotte (Meise) Pfanschmidt, were both born in Germany and are now deceased.

Mr. Hirth is a republican, having cast his first vote for President James A. Garfield. Office holding has not been in his line and he has kept away from politics and given all his time to his business affairs. Fraternally he is affiliated with Camp No. 219, Modern Woodmen of America, at Quincy. Mrs. Hirth is active in .sharing the duties and responsibilities of membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hirth still retain a city property at 621 Vine Street. They have been industrious workers and have tried to live as they went along, a fact which is in much evidence at their home.

In 1903 they took a vacation and visited the Pacific coast, including such cities as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Denver and Salt Lake City.

Chardes C. Osborn. One of the oldest names of the commercial life of Quincy is that of Osborn. The Osborn family came here over seventy years ago and they have been successively identified with milling, the coal business, and other extensive affairs.

The founder of the family was the late Henry S. Osborn, who was Iwrn in London, England, in 1814. He settled in Rochester, New York, in 1834, moved in 1837 to Pike County, Ohio, where he was in the milling business, and in 1846 came to Quincy and erected the Eagle Mills. He came to Quincy by way of canal and river. His partner in the Eagle Mills was John Wheeler. Their first plant was at the foot of Broadway on Front Street. .Wlien the Burlington Railroad was built to Quincy they moved their property to Second Sti'eet and Broadway. The mill was burned about 1855, and soon afterwards the railway acquired the property for their present freight house. About that time Mr. Wheeler retired from the business. Henry S. Osborn then became interested in the coal business about 1859, and for many years was president of the Quincy Coal Company, a wholesale and retail and mining business. The company had extensive mines at Colchester, Illinois, where they sunk and drained thirty-one coal shafts. The product from these mines was widely distributed at Quincy and for many of the river boats then plying up and down the Mississippi. The mines were continued until they were exhau.sted in 1912. For many years the Quincy Coal Company has had its offices at the foot of Broadway. Henry S. Osborn continued the active management of the business until his death in 1895, and he was then succeeded by his son Charles C. Osborn, who finally sold his interests to Mr. M. E. White.

Henry S. Osborn married Sarah A. Carter. Henry S. Osborn was a republican and served a number of years as alderman from the First Ward. He and his wife had two sons, William H., born in 1840 and Charles C, born in 1842.

After selling his interest in the coal business Charles C. Osborn retired, and is now spending his declining years in a comfortable home at 816 Spring Street. He has always been one of the good and stanch citizens of Quincy, and has contributed largely to the hospitals and other worthy causes. His brother William was for a number of years a Mississippi River boatman and was clerk on the old ' ' Divernon ' ' running between St. Louis and Keokuk. He died in 1877, leaving a widow and two sons.

On April 14, 1864, Charles C. Osborn married at Quincy Miss Mary Arthur, who was born in St. Louis June 30, 1841. The,y lived together a happy period of half a centurj' and on April 14, 1914, were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Osborn died a few months later, in November of the same year. She was reared and educated in St. Louis. Her parents were natives of Ireland but were members of the Methodist Church. Mr. and ilrs. Osborn had their church home in the Vermont Street Church for many years. Mrs. Osborn was a teacher of the primary department of the Sunday school for twenty years. For over a dozen years Mr. Osborn served as trustee of the church. When his wife died the church presented him and his children with a splendid testimonial as to her long continued and faithful membership.

Mr. Osborn 's oldest child is Charles A., born Januaiy 19, 1865. He is a resident of Quincy and married Olive Smith. Frank W., the second son, was born August 24, 1867, and is now in the real estate and loan business at Kansas City under the firm name of Lemley and Osborn. He married Jennie Hull and they have a son, Arthur, born in 1900. Alice Osborn, born ]\Iay 24, 1872, is the widow of Mr. Hedges, and she and her daughter ]\Iary E. Hedges, now a student in the Quincy High School, reside with her father. Mary Ann, the youngest child, born November 24, 1876, is the wife of William R. Lemley, of the firm Lemley & Osbom at Kansas City. Mr. and Mrs. Lemley have two sons, Frank and Eobert, both students in the Kansas City High School.

Samuel Smith Nesbitt, M. D. In the eightieth year of a long and well spent life Samuel Smith Nesbitt is enjoying a well earned retii'ement at Paysou. He was a physician, a man of high standing in his profession for many years, but finally gave that up to go to farming, and the modern genei'ation knows him almost entirely as a farmer.

Mr. Nesbitt was bom at Orangeville, Wyoming County, New York, February 10, 1839. His father, Henry Nesbitt, came from County Cavan, Ireland, when a young man and married in New York State Eleanor Smith, a native of that state. Henrj- Nesbitt died in 1888, at the age of eighty years.

Samuel Smith Nesbitt at the age of twenty, in the fall of 1859, came to Illinois with his older brother George. George was already a successful physician, having located at Sycamore in DeKalb County several years before. He was one of the first practitioners to practice medicine there, and died an honored and respected member of the community when about sixty years of age.

Dr. Samuel S. Nesbitt had been reared on a dain- fann, and his first work in Illinois during the winter of 1859 was teaching a term of country school. The custom still prevailed of the teacher boarding around with the parents of his pupils, and every week he had to change boarding places. The following spring he went to Knox County, Missouri, and taught near Novelty until the spring of 1862. At that time war conditions made it almost impossible to collect taxes and he therefore return-ed to Illinois and found a school in Burton Township of Adams County. This was the Tandy School. He taught there during the winter of 1862 and also taught a school at Payson. In the meantime he had studied medicine and during 1863-64 he attended a course of medical lectures in the medical department of the Tfniversity of Michigan. In the interval he taught another term at the Tandy School, and then entered Buffalo University, from which he was graduated M. D. with the class of 1866. Doctor Nesbitt did his first practice at Virginia in Cass County, Illinois. The county had become so filled with tenant farmers that collections were almost impossible and he finally decided to abandon medicine and take up farming.

In the spring of 1867 Doctor Nesbitt married ]\Iiss Emily Wheeler. She had been a pupil of his while he was a teacher in the Tandy School. Her parents were William B. and Matilda Wheeler. The old Wheeler home was a half mile west of the Tandy Sehoolhouse, and Mrs. Nesbitt was born there. She was one of nine children, only four of whom reached maturity. George Wheeler lived and died on the old farm in Burton Tow^lship and was only twenty when his life was terminated. Elizabeth married George Morris, of LaGrange, ^lis.- souri, and died at the age of thirty-five. Of her children William and Thomas are in Quiney, the latter a street railway man, while Will is connected with the Herald. Another brother, Jacob, is a carpenter at Hannibal. Emily Wheeler Nesbitt is the only sur\avor of her parents' children. Scott died at the age of eighteen on the old farm.

In 1870 Doctor Nesbitt and wife returned to the old Wheeler farm of 214 acres. The land of the old Wheeler home was pre-empted by Mrs. Nesbitt 's grandfather in early days, and the old house built about 1842 was constructed of brick burned on the land. Mr. Nesbitt 's son Harry E. now occupies this old farm. Mr. Nesbitt himself retired from the farm in 1911. after having managed its resources steadily since 1880. He was a general farmer and gave particular attention to the raising of hogs.

Doctor Nesbitt served as a.ssessor of Burton Township and for six years was supei-visor of that township. He was also a director of the old Tandy School District and is now president of the Board of Education of Payson Village. The new high school building was erected during his administration. He has always been a democrat in politics and attended as a delegate many county and state conventions. In 1863 he was made a ^lason in Payson Lodge, while a teacher in the local schools. He is the oldest member of that lodge to receive Ms degrees there. He and his wife have always supported the Christian Church.

]Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt had five children: Walter S. is a harnessmaker at Payson ; Lemuel V. is in the grocery and feed business at Sixth and Kentucky streets in Quincy; Lillie May married Henry Seehom, in the railway mail service but living in Fall Creek Township ; Harry E. is on the old Wheeler farm; Leona Ada is the wife of Henry Eugene Barry, a railway mail clerk living at Quincy.

Jacob Young. For fiftj' years Jacob Young has been a farm worker and farmer in Adams County, and after many years of thrifty co-operation with the soil has earned the competencj' that now enables him to enjoy life and leisure in his attractive home in Quincy.

Practically all his farming was done in Melrose Township. In 1872 he made his first purchase of land, a small tract in section 25 of Melrose Townshij). Later he increased it to eighty acres and kept constantl.y adding to its value by the addition of good buildings, fences and other improvements. He built a house, a barn 32 by 40 feet, and had practically all of it in cultivation. The land is well drained, and has for many years produced abundant crops. In 1900 he sold this farm to his son William H. Young, who is still its proprietor. In 1881 Mr. Young had also bought eighty acres in the South Quincy drainage district, a greater part of which is tillable. He continued his farming career until 1900, when he built a six room brick house at 1112 South Ninth Street, and has made that his home and has been largely retired or has mei-ely devoted his time to his private affairs.

Mr. Young was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 17, 1851, and received part of his education in the old country. His father, Ludwig Young, also a native of Bavaria and a farmer there, died in 1861, at the age of fifty-seven, when his son Jacob was ten years old. He had married Catherine Wagner, and she was left with six children : Henrietta Catherine, who is married and still living in Bavaria; Ludwig, Jr., who married in Adams County, but died in Missouri, leaving one child; Louisa, who married at Quincy, died in 1876 and left a son and daughter, her husband being Lawrence Ludwig ; Jacob is the next in the family; Adams is a cigar maker at LaSalle, Illinois, and has two daughters; and Minnie died in 1876, at the age of eighteen.

After the death of the father the children gradually broke away from home towns in Germany and all but one came to America. In 1869 'Sirs. Catherine Young, her son Jacob and her daughter Minnie sot out from Hamburg on the steamship "Simbria" and made the voyage from Hambui-g to New York and thence came direct to Quincy, where the daughter Louisa had ali'eady located. The mother spent the rest of her years in Adams County and died in 1891, at the age of seventy-two. She had reared her family in the faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Jacob Young came to manhood in this county, was a farm laborer for some years, and when about twenty-one years of age bought his first land, as above noted.

He married in Melrose Township Mrs. Mary Boelling. She was born in Westphalia, Germany, March 1, 1841, and came to this country with her sister Anna in 1867. They sailed from Bremen and were nine weeks in crossing the ocean to New Orleans. They came up the Mississippi River and in the fall of 1867 reached Adams County, where Mrs. Young has now lived for over half a century. Her sister Anna married Herman Boelling, and they are now i-etired farmers in Sumner County, Kansas, and have six living children, all married and all with families of their own.

Mrs. Young first married in Quincy Philip Merker, a native of this country of German parentage. He was a farmer and died in Melrose Township in the prime of life. His only child, Fred Merker, is now living in the South. He also had a daughter. Eiiuna, that died in 1876, when four or five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Young have a son, Ludwig, now a farmer in Arkansas, and is married. "Wilhelmina, who was educated in the public schools and is the wife of George Schauffnit and lives on a farm in ]\Ielrose Township. Their children are Clara, Freda, Arthur, Flora, Henry and Esther. William H. Young above mentioned is proprietor of the old homestead, married Tillie Kappner, and has three children, Albion, Walter and Elsa. Anna ]\L, the youngest of the children, is the wife of Harry Spelker, a machinist at Quincy. They have a daughter, Ella M. and an infant son. The family are members of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church at Quincy. Mr. Young and sons are democrats in polities.

A. Otis Arnold is publisher and manager of several of Quincy 's best known journals, one or two of which have a circulation practically national and serving to acquaint the people of America with this splendid Mississippi River city. Success seems to create success, and a number of other interests have been attracted to and have grouped themselves around the name of ]\lr. Ai-nold. He is one of the leading republicans of Adams County and men of all parties are gaining an increased confidence in his judgment and ability. He is also prominent in fraternal affairs, being one of the leading Masons of Western Illinois.

He represents an old South Carolina family. His grandfather, Fleming Arnold, was born in that state, and in early manhood moved to Tennessee. Later, about sixt.v years ago, he came to Illinois and settled at Columbus in Adams County. After the war he moved to the Big Xeck community in northern Adams County and for a time conducted a general store in that village. He died at the age of seventy-four. Fleming Arnold married Miss Mary Pierce, and he survived her several years.

John T. Arnold, father of the Quincy publisher, was born in Illinois in 1854, and was a small child when his parents came to Adams Coiuity. He married at Big Neck Miss Nancj- R. Nelson. She was boi*n in the same neighborhood and both her grandfather and her father James Nelson, had lived there. Before coming to Adams County her people lived in Kentucky and in later life moved to ^Missouri and died in that state. Her father died at Loraine, Illinois, when in advanced years. He was a farmer and had married in Adams County Miss Frances Willard. The mother of Jlrs. John Arnold was born in the northern part of Adams County September 12, 1837, and died in 1909, in California. The Nelsons were Methodists.

After their marriage John T. Arnold and wife located on a farm at Big Neck near Loraine, and lived there manj- years. He finally moved into the Village of Loraine, where they are now living, and he is giving his attention to the coal business. They are members of the Methodist Church. John T. Arnold has been identified with the democratic part.v in politics. He served as assessor of Houston and also collector in Kecne Township a number of years. He and his wife had three sons. The second, I. Otho, is a resident of Quincy, was connected with the Quincy postoffice twelve years, and is now with the Standard Oil Company. He married Cora Thompson, of Mendon, and they have children named Wanda May and Otho, Jr. Roy Arnold, the youngest son, is a farmer in the Big Neck community. By his marriage to Lona Lowary he has children Maxine, Myrtle, John Thomas. Leaffie M. and Robert B.

A. Otis Arnold was bom in the northern part of Adams County in January, 1878. He was educated in the country schools, attended village high school at Camp Point, and for two years was a teacher. Coming to Quincy in 1902, he at once became associated with John 'SI. Stahl, publisher of the Farniers Call. He was in the business office of that publication, and later acquired a half interest. In 1915 he became sole proprietor, the name of the paper having been changed five years previously to the Illinois Farmer. That name is well chosen, since the circulation of the paper is now practically state wide. In 1904 Mr. Arnold established the Home Instructor. In 1907 he acquired the

Quincy Record, a local paper which has since been published and man-aged by him. His latest acquisition in the way of a publisliing medium was made in 1917, when he took over the Poultry Keeper, which is published through his office and which is one of the best mediums of news, information and advertising for everj^hing connected with the poultry industry. Mr. Arnold is now owner of the majority of the stock of the Globe Printing Company, a business that has been in existence more than forty years, and has a complete modern printing plant at 520 Hampshire Street.

In politics Mr. Arnold has affiliated with the republican party since reaching his majority and casting his first vote. Tliree years ago he was a candidate for nomination for state representative, and with the enhanced prestige gained by increased age and business prominence his name went before the party primaries in September, 1918, when he wa.s nominated and later elected a member of the Fifty-First General Assembly of Illinois.

Fraternally Mr. Arnold is affiliated with Quincy Lodge No. 12 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He soon became interested in lodge work throughout the state and was elected Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1914, in 1915 was Deputy Grand Master, in 1916 became Grand Master. He is also a member of Lambert Lodge No. 659, Ancient Free and Accepted !!Masons, at Quincy, and is affiliated witli the Scottish Rite Consistory. He is also a member of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, being one of the organizers and the first secretary of the local organization of the Rotarians. In Adams County he married Miss Leaffie B. Lowary, who is also a native of northern Adams County. They have one daughter, Nancy A., who was a member of the class of 1920 in the Quincy High School but is now attending Carthage College. Mr. Arnold and family are members of the jMethodist Church.

Henry Long in the flush of young manhood, only recently married, located in Adams County seventy years ago, and was one of the leading citizens of Payson Township for nearly half a century. Prior to the Civil war he located in the Village of Payson, and he lived there until his death May 8, 1896. Mrs. Long has survived him more than twenty years and it is now seventy years since her marriage. Mrs. Long, now in the shadow of her ninetieth year, is still occupying the old home in Payson Village, tenderly cared for by her devoted daughter Ada V.

Henrj' Long was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia, then tlie State of Old Virginia, October 25, 1823, and was seventy-three years of age when he died. He was the fourth of six children of Clawson and Rachel (Wagner) Long, also natives of Virginia. Henry Long grew up on a Virginia plantation, and on September 12, 1848, at the age of twenty-five, married Miss Elvina C. Baker. Mrs. Long was bom in the same county of Virginia as her husband, on February 2, 1829. Her parents also came to Adams County. They were George and Anna (Lyon) Baker. Her father bought land in Payson Township and located where his son George W. L. Baker is still living, just south of Payson. Mrs. Long was the oldest of ten children, three of whom are still living, including George W. L. Her brother Michael is a resident of the State of Louisiana. Two other brothers of Mrs. Long came west, Frederick, who practiced medicine in Missouri for a number of years, and Edward, who also lived in Missouri.

Henry Long and bride reached Payson Township in the spring of 1849. Here they began farming, having 160 acres four miles from Payson Village on Pigeon Creek, but sixty-two years ago he moved into the Village of Payson, where he had a residence and about ten acres of ground. Mr. Long was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as a member of its official board for many years.

He and his wife became the parents of eleven childi'en, five of whom reached mature years. George W., the oldest of these, is a carpenter now living at Fort Collins, Colorado. Curtis B. is a street railway employe at Los Angeles,

California. Eugene died July 1, 1907, at the age of fortj'-two. Anna M. married Charles W. Coughlan, editor of the Pike County Times at Pittsfield, Illinois. Ada v., the youngest, has always made her home with her mother. ^Irs. Long is a great lover of flowers, and for many years has found pleasure, health and recreation in tending her plants and shrubbery both inside and outside the house. She has produced some wonderful roses. Mr. and Mrs. Long while they had a large family of their own always kept something of an open house for other people not blessed with homes of their own. They reared an adopted child, Charles W. Long, -who for many years ran the hack to Quincy and is still living at Payson.

Capt. Gerald M. FinLiAT. For over half a century one of the honored and conspicuous figures in Adams and Hancock coiinties was the late Capt. Gerald M. Finlay, who was an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which he organized and led a company, and for many years gave faithful and diligent attention to his affairs as a merchant and property owner. He was a man well fitted for leadership, but aside from tlie services he rendered when his country was in danger and one or two honorary offices he was content to remain a private citizen.

Captain Finlay was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, December 29, 1836, and died at his home, 411 South Twenty-Fourth Street, in Quincy September 29, 1914. Rev. "William B. Finlay was born in County Cavan, Ulster, Ireland, February 15, 1809, and was of Protestant ancestry. He married Charlotte Best, of the same community in Ulster, and both the Best and Finlay families have furnished other citizens to this section of Illinois. Rev. "William B. Finlay was carefully reared and trained, was educated in Kildare College prior to his ordination as a minister of the "Wesleyan Church. In 1839 he brought his family to the United States by sailing vessel, and soon afterward located in Melrose Township of this county. Here he entered upon his services as a local preacher in September of the same year, and was regularly ordained in 1849 by Bishop Jones. In 1857 Rev. Mr. Finlay moved to Chili, Hancock County, bought a farm there, and gave his time to farming and preaching for many years. He subsequently moved to "West Point, Adams County, where he died when past ninety-two years of age and his wife also died at "West Point. Two of his daughters are Mrs. Mary "Woods and Mrs. Helen Garner of Adams County.

Gerald M. Finlay was not yet three years of age when brought to Adams County. He attended school here, and in 1857, at the age of twenty-one, moved with his parents to Hancock County. At the age of eighteen he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a faithful and consistent member of that denomination until his death.

On August 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company I of the Tenth Missouri Volunteer Militia, and was active in organizing that company. iWTien it was mustered into the Union Army he was made first lieutenant. He was with that command during the fall and winter of 1861-62 and participated in a number of military movements through Missouri. In the meantime some reorganization occurred in the regiment, and he was assigned as first lieutenant of Company C. From that time forward he was with his command in all its marches and battles, except at the battle of luka. He was not in that engagement because he was then convalescent from an attack of typhoid fever. On the advice of his surgeon he resigned his commission in January, 1863. During his service he was in actual command of his company the greater part of the time, owing to the absence of the regular captain, and was always known as Captain Finlay, though he never held a regular commission with that rank.

After the war Captain Finlay engaged in the grain and general merchandise business at Augusta, but from 1877 to 1887 lived at Quincy and built a home at 1622 Hampshire Street. In 1887 he returned to Augusta, and resumed the grain business, to which he devoted his attention for manj- years. After re- tiriug he and his wife spent two years in travel and in 1904 they retired to Quiney and lived in their home at 411 South Twenty-Fourth Street until his death.

Captain Finlay was a very public spirited citizen. He was one of those most influential in promoting the George Rogers Clarke Monument, served as chairman of the commission, and was influential in having that monument erected in Quiney. The only other public position he ever held was as supervisor of the census for the Warsaw District in 1900. He was a stanch republican after attaining his majority, was a member of John Wood Post, Grand Army of the Republic, member of the Masons and the Knight Templar and also a Scottish Rite Mason. Captain Finlay owned considerable valuable real estate in Quiney.

At Augusta, Illinois, September 15, 1864, Captain Finlay married Miss Martha J. Rice. Mrs. Finla3' was born in Augusta March 30, 1841, and was reared there, finishing her education in the old Methodist College at Quiney. For a short time before her marriage she taught school. Her parents were David and Clarinda (Wilson) Rice, both natives of Missouri and of southern families. Her parents at one time owned a fine farm at Augusta. Her father was a skilled blacksmith, but in later years gave his attention chiefly to the development of coal veins which underlaid his property, and became a very well-to-do citizen. He died in Augusta at the age of seventy, while Mrs. Finlay 's mother died at the age of sixty-two. Both were members of the Methodist Church and her father was a republican.

Mr. and Mrs. Finlay eelebi-ated their golden wedding anniversary on September 15. 1914. This celebration took the form of a trip to St. Louis, and it was while returning that Captain Finla.y was taken ill, his illness developing into pneumonia and just two weeks later he died. His prominence as a citizen is well reflected in the fact that the Quiney Whig used part of its first page to tell the details of his death and publish an interesting photograph taken when Captain Finlay was in the Civil war. Captain and Mi-s. Finlay had no children. Mrs. Finlay still occupies the old home on South Twenty- Fourth Street. She is a member of the Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and Captain Finlay among other instances of his generosity gave $2,000 to this church and also donated a similar sum to his Masonic Lodge.

Albert Akers was born on a farm in Columbiis Township, Adams Count.v, Illinois, on the 26th day of September, 1849. His parents were of that sturdy pioneering stock that pushed westward across prairies and into the forests, making them habitable for those generations to come. It was a life of privation and self-sacrifice and oftentimes povert.y. Such indeed were the environments of Albert Akers' early life. He was the eighth child of a large family and his opportunities for anything other than hard labor were very meager. Schools were few and of a poor quality compared to the modern school. Up to the age of twelve years he attended the district school about three months in the year, working on the farm the rest of the time. When tlie Civil war broke out his four older brothers enlisted in the Union Anny and the responsibility of the care and support of his widowed mother and the younger children devolved upon liim, his father having passed away a short time previously. It was a Inirden imder which many a lad of twelve would have faltered, but his earlier training and privations now became an asset of no mean value for the task thrust upon him and enabled him to perform his part manfully and uncomplainingly. He continued as a farm laborer until he was twenty4wo years old, when he entered school at Camp Point. He studied there for seven months, when he was granted a license to teach, and )\v teacliing in the winter and attending nonnal schools in the summer he acquired a fair education.

In 1878 he entered the office of Carter & Govert, where he studied law for a year, and then went to Shelbyville, Indiana, where he completed his law studies and was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in 1880. He continued the practice of law in Shelbyville eight years, during the latter part of which time he was editor and part owner of the Shelbyville Times, and was a member of the city council always taking an active interest in political affairs.

Judge Akers returned to Quincy in 1888 to practice his profession in his native county and soon became one of the leading and aggressive practitioners at the Adams County bar as a member of the firm of Akers & Swope. He was elected state's attorney in 1892 and served as such the full term of four years. Among the important cases which he prosecuted were those of the Kingston white-cappers, and George Coward, who was sent to the penitentiary for life for murder. He was elected alderman from the Sixth Ward in 1897, and was one of the influential members of the cit}- council. In 1903 he received the nomination on the democratic ticket as candidate for judge of the Adams County Circuit Court and was elected to that office on June 18, 1903, was re-elected in 1909, and again in 1915. His popularity throughout the entire district is the strongest possible testimonial that in his administration as judge of the Eighth District he has been fearless, impartial and has administered the law as he finds it, tempered with such justice as the exigencies of the case will allow. His ability to retain clearly within his mind the evidence submitted in long and complicated litigation enables him to winnow the wheat from the chaff and strike squarely at the heart of the matter in hand, basing his decisions upon the actual facts in the case, giving dpinious that are accorded more than usual respect by the bar as a whole.