Quincy Township (part 58 of 74)

Mrs. Rankin is one of the most proficient home makers in Adams County. She has made a close study of home economics of all kinds, and the handsome Rankin home was built from her plans and under her immediate supervision. Her success in planning this home has put her services in demand by many friends and neighbors, and she has devised and drawn plans for a number of excellent houses. The Rankin home is widely known because for a number of years Mrs. Rankin has extended its hospitality and facilities to parties and individuals seeking a beautiful and quiet retreat in the country for a few days or weeks, especially in the summer season. Everything in the home is thoroughly modern, and especially with a view to utmost convenience and lightening the burdens of necessary household work. It has a hot water heating system, a gasoline gas-light system, gas for cooking, and there is a perfect water supply. The source of water is from a spring 110 feet lower than the house and a half mile distant. It is piped under pressure from a hydraulic ram, and the capacity of the supply is 700 gallons each twenty-four hours. In the basement is a pressure tank by which the water is distributed to all the floors of the house. Mr. Rankin has served as a member of the Farm Bureau and in other departments of the Adams County Farm Improvement Association, and Mrs. Rankin is also active in the organization of the Home Bureau. He has served hs justice of the peace eight years, and used that official place always as a means of adjusting petty disputes and quarrels rather than to exercise a mere supervision over technical legal processes. Mr. Rankin's name was on the republican county ticket for county surveyor in 1888.

John Bond C.\rroll is assistant postmaster of Quincy, and has held that office for the past eight years. He is a young man of thorough qualifications, of good native ability, and as a young man he learned to depend upon himself as a means of advancement and in order to make his services appreciated in the world.

Mr. Carroll is a native of Minnesota, born at Pipestone on October 14, 1884. His parents are Edward and Marj- (Winters) Carroll, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Scotland. Edward Carroll came to the United States in 1880. first locating at Hastings, ^Minnesota, moving from there to Pipestone, later to Adair, Missouri, and finally to Kirksville, Missouri, where he is still living a civil service employe.

John Bond Carroll, who was the fourth in a large family of thirteen eliildren, remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one and received his education in the public schools of the various localities where his father lived. For a brief time he was employed by the Adams Express Company and then entered the State Normal College at Kirksville, Missouri, and in 1908 took the course of the Gem City Business College at Quincy. From that he entered the civil service by examination and was appointed assistant postmaster of Quincy on January 1, 1909.

Mr. Carroll is independent in polities, is a member of the Ad Club of Quincy, a director iu the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, and is a leader in the Catholic Church. His church membership is in St. Peter's parish at Quincy. He is a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus and is president of the Illinois Federation of Catholic Societies.

Daniel Jefferson Boijng. "With the exception of a year or so spent in Missouri Daniel Jeffereon Boling has been a resident of Adams County all his life. He has been content with the role of an industrious and hard working farmer, has performed the duties of citizenship that came in his way, and is looked upon by his fellow men as one who has achieved a worthy success. Mr. Boling is now living retired at the Village of Columbus.

He was born in Liberty Township February 17, 1851, on what is now known as the Fisher farm. His parents were Louis and Amelia (Hughes) Boling. Louis Boling was born in the State of Georgia, son of Thomas Boling, who brought his family to Tennessee, where he and his wife spent their last years as farmers. Louis Boling when a young man left Tennessee and came to Quincy. This was during the late 'SOs, and Governor Wood was still living in his log cabin on the site of the present City of Quincy. Louis Boling came to the county in company with Mr. Pevee. Louis Boling was born in May, 1801. After coming to Adams County he married iu one of the southern townships Miss Hamilton. She died eighteen months later, leaving one son, William H., who died eight years ago at the age of seventy-four, survived by three children. After the death of his first wnfe Louis Boling moved to Liberty Township ajid there married Amelia Hughes, daughter of William Hughes. The Hughes family wei-e among the pioneers of Liberty To-miship. Louis Boling after his second marriage began life on a new farm three miles east of Liberty Village, cleared up some of the woods and converted them into cultivated fields, and in 1873 sold that farm and bought another place, where he spent his last years. He died February 8. 1878, at the age of seventy-seven. His widow sun-ived him some years and passed away at Elveston in Hancock County in January, 190-1. She was born in June, 1811. Both are buried in the family lot on the Jeiferson farm in Concord Township. They were members of the Duukard Church and were good, faithful Christians, hard working and enjoyed the complete esteem of their community. The mother wa.s a real pioneer housewife, and was proficient in the arts" of weaving and spinning. Of their living children Daniel Jefferson, George W., of Columbus Township, and Mrs. Harriet Edwards, widow of Joseph Edwards, of Camp Point, remain as descendants of these worthy pioneers.

Daniel Jefferson Boling grew up on the old farm in Liberty Township. He attended the old brick schoollinuse in the T^nion district east of Liberty Village. After he was grown he moved to Concord Township and for thirty yeai-s was a successful farmer in that community. He eventually sold his farm there and bouffht a place in Columbus Township comprising 168 acres in section 20. This he also improved, erected substantial buildings, and for some years did a considerable business in buying and selling horses and cattle and to a less extent of hogs and sheep. Five years ago Mr. Boling moved to Camp Point, and then in 1914 came to the Village of Columbus, where he bought a good six room house v.ith two large lots.

ter of William Hanke. She was bom in Adams County August 12, 1851, and died at the old farm in Columbus Township July 24, 1910. Of her six children Orville is referred to on other pages. Cora E. is the wife of Lorin ^Marshall, a fanner in Columbus Township, and they have two children, Emerson and Ruth. Lawrence now lives at Elcentro, California. He married Sadie Brinkman, daughter of Louis Brinkman, and has a son, Galord. Arthur Boling is one of the j'oung men of Adams County whose record is perpetuated with a gold star in the honor flag. He enlisted as a member of the Engineers Corps and while at Camp Fremont died of illness April 6, 1918, at the age of thirtyone. Iva E. is the wife of Robert McParland, and they live on a farm in Columbus To\vnship. Their children are Maxine and Francis. Clarence E. is also a soldier, was trained for the artilleiy service, but is now in Company D of the Depot Brigade of an infantry regiment.

For his second wife Jlr. Boling married Mattie E. (Whiteside) Kinnaman. She was born in Brown County, Illinois, and first married ilr. Harvey Hoffman. By that union she had three sons and three daughters, all of whom are married and have children of their own. These children are named Alva, Jessie, Gertrude, Omer, ]\Iaude and Harry. For her second husband she married A. J. Kinnaman, who died seven years ago. There were no children by this marriage, but Mr. Kinnaman had two children by a former wife. Jlrs. Boling has ten grandchildren. Mr. and Mi*s. Boling are members of the Christian Church at Columbus, and he is an elder. He served as a township officer in Concord Township for a number of years.

John H. Belker. In making productive the vast regions of the iliddle West no one class of people has borne a more steady and effective part than the German element. Representing the second generation of this class of worthy people in Adams County is Mr. John H. Belker, concerning whose work and .standing as an Adams County farmer only the highest words of praise may be spoken. Mr. and Mrs. Belker occupy a fine home in Melrose Township. ]\Irs. Belker is also of a prominent German family in Adams County, and at all times has proved herself a valuable helpmate and counsel to Mr. Belker in the establishment and building up of their beautiful nu-al home.

That modern home and its conveniences stands in vivid contrast to the little log cabin in which John H. Belker first saw the light of day on August 9, 1859. His birthplace was on Shell Creek in Adams County. He was the oldest of nine children, four sons and five daughters, whose parents were Gerhardt and Mary (Oenning) Belker. It is testimony to the vitality of the family that all the children are still living and all are residents of Adams County except Mrs. Katie Leffers, widow of Barney Leffers. She is living in St. Louis and is a member of St. Anthony's parish in that city.

Gerhardt Belker was bom at IMimster, Germany, in 1825. He died in Adams Count j^ in 1905. He was a soldier in the German anny and for four years was in the forces commanded by Emperor Wilhelm I. Part of the time he was one of the guards at Berlin. He frequently saw and alwa.vs carried iri his recollection those famous German leaders General Von Moltke and Prince Bismarck.

About 1858 Gerhardt Belker came to the Lhiited States, traveling on a steamship and landing in New Orleans, whence he came to Quincy. He arrived at Quincy about the time of the cholera epidemic. He stood high in the favor of a childless old couple in Melrose Township, and the.v made him their heir to eighty acres of land. Gerhardt Belker was a member of the Catholic Church and very active in St. Antonio's parish in Melrose Township. His wife was also born at ]\Iunster, Germany, and crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, the voyage requiring three months. She also landed at New Orleans. She is remembered as a kind and loving mother, and she tended the entire community in times of sickness and distress. She is still living in advanced years in St. Joseph parish in Gilmer Township.

aud had a good practical traiiiioo- for the responsihle duties of life. Wlieu his were ended he took up farming, and his recollection extends back over a period of forty years or more when much of the now highly cultivated sections of Adams County were largely waste and uncultivated lands. He made his real start to success when he found his life companion, iliss Frances B. Weidemann. They were married May 10, 1888. To their union have been born five children, three sons and two danghters, four of whom are still living: Mary E. was educated in the parochial school, was given a musical ti'aining, and is now the wife of John Lenz, of Melrose Township, and they live on one of the good farms there. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lenz are members of St. Antonio's parish. Gerhardt Belker, the second child, was educated in parochial schools, and is a farmer on the old homestead. He married ^liss Bertha Schmezle, and they are members of St. Antonio's parish. Henry has completed his education in the parochial schools and is still at home, as is Alfred, the youngest of the family, still a schoolboy.

Mrs. Belker was also born in a log cabin home in Adams County. Her birth occurred December 26, 1867. She is one of the six living childi'cn of Barne.y and Johainia (Willing) Weidemann. Barney Weidemann was born near Munster, Germany, and after reaching manhood came to the United States and settled in Adams County, where he married. He had a farm of fift.y acres in ]\Ielrose Township, and made that the scene of a laborious and profitable career. He and his wife were active in St. Antonio's Parisli and they both now rest in St. Antonio Cemetery. Mrs. Belker obtained her training in the parochial schools, and for the thirty years since her marriage has been devotecl to the duties and responsibilities of home making, rearing the children, and providing for the needs and duties of the present and the future.

W^hen Mr. and i\Irs. Belker started in life as young married people they had a very meager equipment. Mr. Belker had a cow and two pigs, and Mrs. Belker was given a similar dower by her father. Their labors and continued years have brought their jnst rewards. Mr. and Mrs. Belker have a farm of ninetyfive acres in sections 4 and 9 of Melrose Township, and their surroundings bespeak their thrift and energy. Mr. Belker is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for General Hancock. He has always supported the principles of democracy. He has served as tax collector. Both he and his wife are members of St. Antonio Parish and belong to the church societies. While Mr. and Mrs. Belker had to meet and solve many problems in their earlier years, the present and the future stretches before them completely unclouded, and they have many of those things that make life worth living. They keep in touch with their friends and with the attractions of the city aud remote districts by means of a Maxwell touring car.

J. Philip Deege has for sixty years been a resident of Adams County, and his life has been one of great usefulness, of much constructive work, with an expression of good citizenship and public spirit in every community affair, and he has well earned the competence he now enjoys and the respect and admiration of his family and friends.

Mr. Deege was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 14, 1839, oldest child of Wendel and Louisa Deege. His parents spent their lives in Germany and died in advanced years. J. Philip Deege came to the United States in 1857, by sailing vessel from Havre to New Orleans and thence up the river to St. Louis. He first located in St. Clair County, Illinois, and for two years followed his trade as blacksmith at Shilo in that county. In 1860 he moved to Quincy. where his uncle, Philip Jacob Deege, was then living. A brother of J. Philip, named Jacob, also came to America, was a farm laborer near Quincy four years, and then went back to Germany.

Adams County, daughter of Jacob and Christina (Everhart) Peters. Her parents after living five years in New Orleans came to Burton Township, and her parents died there in advanced years. They were among the foundei's of the Lutheran Evangelical Church near their home.

Three years after their man-iage Mr. and Mrs. Peters returned to New Orleans on accoimt of the wife's health, and during the two years they lived there Catherine Peters wa.s confirmed. She was born May 12, 1842. She had three sisters: ]Mrs. Daniel Dapper, a widow living at Quincy; I\Irs. William Schildman of Jacksonville, Illinois; and Mrs. Daniel Moellring.

In 1865 Mr. Deege located in Burton Town.ship and rented a blacksmith shop on the present farm of George C. Dean. He operated that four years, and rendered service to a large traffic on the highway in front of his shop. He made new wagons in addition to the general repair work of a blacksmith. He then established a shoiJ near the Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Churcli in Gilmer Township and remained there for six years, was then on a farm in Columbus Township as a renter four years, and in 1878 bought his present place of 160 acres in the northeast quarter of section 1 in Burton Township. Mr. Deege paid $8,000 for this land, going in debt $4,000 and paying 10 per cent interest on it. At that time hogs sold for only 2 cents a pound. The land had not been cultivated for many years and was merely a meadow and pasture. There were no buildings. Taking the property in that condition, Mr. Deege has made it what it is today, erecting good buildings and bringing the land to a point of cultivation where it is equal to any other Burton Town- .ship farm. His chief dependence in the way of livestock has been placed on hogs. He has marketed from 60 to 75 head every year. Mr. Deege got his start in life as a renter, and accumulated enough money from renting to buy his first land. He is now pi'actically retired from the duties of farming and leaves the operation of his homestead to his son-in-law. He and his wife are members of the Liberty Lutheran Church. For many years he continued to keep a blacksmith shop on his farm and did much of the work in that line required by his neighbors. He is a democrat, served twenty years on the school board, and for twenty years has been active in the church council.

ilr. and Mrs. Deege had a large family of children, and those that grew Tip they gave assistance in getting their start in life. Tlie record of the children is briefly as follows : Philip Jacob, of Columbus Township ; Daniel W., of Liberty Township; Frederick, a mill engineer at Great Bend, Kansas; Edmund, of Liberty Township ; Louisa C, wife of Xopharie Weisenberger, a mail carrier at Great Bend, Kansas; Anna A., wife of Lenus Weisenberger of Burton Township ; Mary M., formerly a music teacher, now Mrs. Albert Balzer, of Liberty Towmship ; Melvina, who died at the age of ten years ; Henry and Louisa, both of whom died in childhood ; Leanore, Mrs. Henry Schmiedeskamp, wife of a vrell Imown attorney at Quincy; Charlotte, ]\Irs. Elmo Pierce, and mother of one son, Paul. Mr. Elmo Pierce now operates the old Deege homestead.

Thomas Sturgis Elliott. Love of land, of peace and industry, cardinal virtues in the lives of men and nations, have been the ever present and controlling influences in the life of Thomas Sturgis Elliott of Payson. He ha.s lived in Adams County since early boyhood, has always preferred the quiet, plain life of the farmer, but from that position his influence, character and ability have radiated into many affairs, and he has served well and without price the interests of many others in bis community.

Mr. Elliott was born in one of the interesting sections of old Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, October 7, 1841. He is of Welsh, Scotch and Ii-ish ancestry. His parents were Joseph and Margaret (Sturgis) Elliott, both of whom were born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, his father April 18, 1803, and his mother in November of the same year. They were married October 19, 1826, and in 1849 brought their family west and settled at Payson. Jolin

Elliott, a brother of Joseph, also came to the county and spent his life in the home of his brother Joseph. A sister, jMrs. George Greene, had lived in Adams Couutv twelve years before Joseph came. Joseph himself had visited here two years prior to establishing his home. He bought a farm in Paj'sou, and for a number of years followed his business as a carpenter and bridge builder. He was a ver,y skillful and successful bridge contractor, building structures both of wood and stone. A stone arch bridge over Fall Ci'eek in Fall Creek Township is still standing, and its use for over fifty years testifies strongly to the ((ualifications of the builder. In 1852 he put up a wooden arch bridge over Mill Creek at Marblehead, and that seiwed at least sixty-five years. Another that is still standing is one at Paris, Missouri, built before the Ci\al war. Joseph Elliott made money easily, but was too generous, especially in going security for others, to build up a fortune, as many men of less ability did. However, he died well off. At one time he owned 1,300 acres of bottom lands, but sold them before the.y became valuable through drainage and reclamation. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church at Payson. He died in April, 1892, at the age of eiglit}--uine, and his wife in December, 1887, aged eighty-four. They had a family of nine children: Emmor became a minister of the Llethodist Episcopal Chui-ch and at one time presiding elder. He was a very brilliant and capable man, and especially fond of horses, and could tame the wildest animal. However, his death wa.s due to a runaway team, and his life was cut short at the early age of forty-one. Jane, the second child, became the wife of Samuel X. Spencer, and she died at Payson at the age of eighty-three. Her son G. Glenn Spencer occupied the old farm. Wilson B., who died at the age of eighty at Hannibal, Missouri, was a farmer in this county and also in Missouri. Maiy died in young womanhood. Joseph P. is a merchant at Payson. Elizabeth died at the age of sixty-one at Hannibal, and was twice married, her first husband being Anthonj- Lyonberger and her second, J. J. Allander. The next in age in the family is Thomas S. Elliott. Margaret S. married L. R. Kay, a farmer of Adams County and later of Kansas and now living retired at Long Beach, California. Sarah Ellen maiTied M. P. Whitcomb, and they reside at 2229 Hampshire Street in Quiney.

Thomas S. Elliott was eight years of age when brought to Adams County. He attended private schools of Payson, being a student when it was customary for the parents to pay the tuition for each child. He farmed for several years on his father's place of 160 acres, and about forty years ago eighty acres of that estate became his own portion. He has kept increa.sing and improving his land until he now has a large and complete farm of 400 acres. This includes one of the farms of his father, which was bought in 1850 for $2,800. Mr. Elliott has paid prices ranging all the way from $45 to $100 per acre for his additional land, much of it bought at $64 an acre. General farming, raising of stock, grain and hogs have constituted his chief activities. At times he grew as many as 200 hogs a year. In recent years he has not been active in farming, turning over those responsibilities to his son-in-law.

No part of his career is more jileasing to review than that recording his public activities and his unselfish interests as a member of the couununity. Mr. Elliott has been called upon to settle many estates, at least twenty-five, and some of them very large and valuable ones. For ten years he handled one estate as trustee, and was never required to file a bond. His neighbors have frequently asked him to look after sales and attend to other business details, and in managing some forty sales of this kind the only loss he can remember was the mere trifle of $17.50. He has been guardian for a number of children, and has supervised many delicate and important interests of this kind.

Practically all the local offices have been bestowed upon him at some time. He was township supervisor for fifteen years, at different jieriods. for two years was chairman of the board, and has also been assessor and memlier of the Board of Review. An active democrat, he was for two years chairman of the County

Central Committee, and managed a congressional campaign. He was tlie first inheritance tax appraiser when that law went into effect in this section.

Those interested in the wholesomcness and essential comforts of country life find pleasure and encouragement in the beautiful farm and home Mr. Elliott has established for himself and family. His house is one of the most commodious among the country residences of the county, is beautifully situated, has a broad sweep of veranda, large grounds and ample shade, and inside has all the comforts and conveniences that make life worth living, whether in the town or country. Mr. Elliott heats his home with a large wood furnace, and is never bothered by scarcity of coal, since he has fifty acres of woodland on the farm. His loi'al school is on a part of his farm, and he has served many yeai-s as director. The school at one time had an enrollment of seventy-five pupils, but now its average enrollment is twent}^ He and his wife attend the Congregational Church at Payson. ]\Ir. Elliott is a director of the Ricker National Bank at Quincy and also of the Plainville Bank. For the last seven years he and his wife have spent their winters at Long Beach, California, but he has never been induced to buy or invest in California property.

November 2, 1864, Mr. Elliott married Miss Celena Whitcomb, who was born at the Village of Payson November 4, 1841, daughter of Jasper and Elizabeth (Duff) Whitcomb. Her father was born at West Hartford, Vermont, September 23, 1807, and her mother was a native of Ireland, of French descent, and she came to Adams County with a brother. Wyman Whitcomb, a brother of Jasper, was a member of the Board of Supervisors for sixteen years in Payson Township and was chairman of the board for eight years. Jasper Whitcomb, who came to Illinois about 1833, was a magistrate at Payson for twenty-four years, and a carpenter by trade. He was killed at the age of seventy-eight by the kick of a horse. ]\Irs. Elliott's mother died in January, 1902.

To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott were born two children, the son dying in infancy. The daughter, Florence, bom April 4, 1876, is the wife of R. G. Kay. She was educated in the schools of Payson and at Oberlin College. Mr. and ^Irs. Kay were married December 25, 1902, and they have two children : Garnet B., born in 1905, and Robert T., bom in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Kay live at the Elliott home, and he now has active supervision of the farm.

LoBiNG P. Wheeler. One of the oldest native living sons of Adams County, Loring P. Wheeler has for eight decades been identified with this part of Illinois. The development of the county's resources and the transformation of its lands from raw woods and valleys into beautiful farms has taken place liefore his own eyes. In that development he has shared as an individual, made a name for himself as a substantial and public spirited citizen, and has acquired those things ambitious men most desire - financial independence, the rearing and training of children to lives of usefulness and honor, a good name and many friends.

Mr. Wheeler was born August 24, 1838. He was the oldest of three sons of John and Rebecca (Pease) Wheeler. He has one living brother. George E., who was formerly in the milling business but is now a retired resident of Qnincy, with home at 413 Vermont Street.

Mr. John Wheeler was of Welsh ancestry and was born at Sudbury, ]\Iassachusetts, in 1813. He died in 1908, in his ninety-fifth year. He was reared in Massachusetts and his education largely depended on his private studies and the opportunities that came to him to acqiiire knowledge of men and affairs. During his long and active career he was identified with farming and milling at Quincy. John Wlieeler came to Quincy in 1837. He was here in time to meet and know the founders of the City of Quincy and all the early pioneers of the county, among whom he playecl a worthy and honored part. There w^ere Indians in Western Illinois when he arrived, and he witnessed the final emigration of the red tribes across the ]\Iississippi River. His location was in Melrose Township, where he obtained land from Captain Pease, a relative of his wife. This land is now owned by Loring P. Wheeler and has been in the family possession for eight decades. John Wheeler began voting as a whig, and cast a ballot for the tirst republican nominee for President, Genei'al Fremont. He and his wife were laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery, where a monument marks their last resting place.

Loring P. Wheeler, now in the shadow of his eightieth birthday, maintains all the vigor and intelligence of a man much younger, and his mind is as clear as many men half his age. He received a good education in some of the private schools of earl}- day Adams County, and his father sent him East to get an academic training, spending one year at Meredith and one year at New Hampton, New Hampsliire, in both of which places he attended academies. On returning to Adams County he did his first regular work on the Mississippi River. He was clerk on a steamboat, and when only seventeen years old was granted a master's license and wa.s captain of the steamer "Colonel Morgan." From 1859 to 1872 ]\Ir. Wheeler was a Quincy merchant and for four years he had an active part in the summer resort of Versailles in Brown County. Since then he has been located on his farm in Melrose Township. He has been prospered in his labors, has always been an exceedingly busy man, and aside from an inheritance of .$1,000 when he reached his majority his prosperity is the result of his own efforts.

June 16, 1863, in Will County, Illinois, Mr. Wheeler married Miss Clara E. Craw. Tliey became the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, three of whom are still living. The oldest is Ruth R., who lives at home with her father and was educated in the Quincy citj' schools and afterwards completed a four years course in the Chautauqua. She has always been a lover of good literature or books and has taken a commendable part in church and other local organizations. She is a member of the Methodist Church, of its avixiliarj- society the Honey Bee Society, and is president of the local Quincy unit of the Home Improvement Association of Adams County.

The son John P., who died October 31, 1895, at the age of twenty-nine, had already proved himself a man of acliievement and talents and his early death cut short a career of great promise. He was always interested in things mechanical and though he had only a common school education he acquired what was for the time an expert knowledge of electricity and had the distinction of installing the second electric light system in Quincy. He married Miss Elizabeth Burroughs. Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler is now superintendent of one of the dormitories, known as the Elliott House, at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Mr. and ilrs. John P. Wheeler had two children, a son and a daughter. The daughter, Marjor.y, is a graduate of Wellesley College and is now an employe of the large dry goods house in Chicago of Charles Stevens & Company. The son John Stephen finished his education in the Quincy High School and is in Uncle Sam's service, having been promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant and is now performing the duties of adjutant at Camp Devens, Massachusetts.

Miss Catherine Wheeler, the second daughter, is also sharing the comforts of home with her father. She is a graduate of LaGrange College at LaGrange, Missouri, and for five years was a successful teacher, four years in Adams County and one year in LaGrange. She has alwa3-s taken much interest in literary affairs and also in patriotic organizations. Through her grandmother Wheeler she is a direct descendant of an ancestor who bore arms in the Patriot cause during the Revolutionai'y war. With that lineage she is a member of the Quincy Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is affiliated with the Baptist Church at Quincy. She has made a number of trips across the states, has visited the home of her ancestors in Massachusetts and has seen a great deal of her own countrj'.

The son W. Frank Wheeler was educated in the Quincy High School and in the agricultural department of the University of Illinois at Champaign for one year, and is now living in Chicago, district agent for the Wilson Packing

Company. He is a member of the I\Iasonic fraternity and the Elks. He married Martha White, who died in 1903, and had two children, one living, Frank "White, now a student in a Chicago high school. W. Frank Wheeler married in October, 1917, Miss Eveline Lemen, of St. Louis, Missouri.

Mrs. Loring P. Wheeler was born at Bristol, Illinois, was educated in the common schools and had a musical training. She was active in the ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church, and her children and friends remember her for her man.y fine qualities as a kind and loving wife and mother. She died August 13, 1909, and was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery.

Mr. Wheeler has never shown any disposition to seek public office, and has done his part as a good citizen through other channels. He was at one time a member of the Military Company at Quincy, an organization which had on its roll such prominent names as General Morgan, Tilson, Prentiss and John Wood. The beautiful homestead of Mr. Wheeler is known as Elmland Farm. It is a highly productive place of 160 acres and also interesting and attractive as the abode of peace and contentment where any man might be happy to spend his declining years.

George Washington Dean was one of the notable figures in the agricultural and political life of Adams County for many years. It is but justice to a good and honorable name therefore that the following brief points in his career should be noted.

He was born in Fluvanna County, Virginia, February 14, 1836. When he was two years old his parents moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he was reared to the age of seventeen. Prior to that time he had taught school a year, for two years attended the Mount Pleasant Academy, and coming west to Illinois through Sangamon County entered the Illinois State Universit.y and remained through the junior year. Later he enrolled in the Indiana State University from which he graduated in the law course.

About that time he located in Adams County and here taught two years of school. He married Miss Mary S. Hughes, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hughes.

Mr. Dean represented a thoroughly American and patriotic family. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and defended the Star Spangled Banner from the encroachments of British power. George W. Dean was always a democrat in politics. IMany offices came to him during his residence in Adams County. He was supervisor, assessor, justice of the peace and notary public. His growing influence and prominence brought him before the people of the state in general. He was elected to the State Senate from the Thirty-sixth Senatorial District and sel-^-ed during the sessions of the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth assemblies. Afterward he was elected to the Lower House of the thirty-ninth assembl.y. While in the Legislature Mr. Dean was noted principally for the introduction and passage of two hills, one for admitting any inmate of the Soldiers and Sailors Home to the insane asylums of the state when declared insane, and the other a bill creating what is known as the Farmers Institute Law. After the passage of the Institute Law he became director of the Fifteenth Congressional District under its provisions, and continiied to hold that position until a short time before his death. For twenty-six years he held the position of member of the Adams County Agricultural Board and for five years was its president. For several years pi'cvious to and up to the time of his death he was a stockholder and director in the Farmers Bank at Liberty, Illinois, and also a stockholder and director in the Payson Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Pavson. He was a lifelong member of the Masonic order.

George Washington Dean died at his home in Burton Township July 28. 1911. He was survived by his vrife, Mrs. Mary S. Dean, by his sons E. B. 0. Dean of Camp Point, George C. Dean of Burton To^^mship, D. J. Dean of Chicago, and his daughter. Miss Bei'tha Dean, who is still at the old home with her mother, ilrs. Dean and all the children are still living and through their worthy individual careers perpetuate the worthy memory of their father.

George C. Dean is one of the valuable men of Burton Township, a successful farmer, a public official, and is worthily carrying many of the responsibilities formerlv devolvins; upon his honored father, the late George W. Dean, who died in"l911.

George C. Dean was born at the old homestead in Burton Township March 7, 1866, His mother is still living at the homestead. His brother Charles Sidney Dean died on the adjoining farm, the old Viekcrs place. He had married Polly Myei-s, daughter of Jacob T, Myers of Gilmer Township, and she is now the wife of Harry Coffield, an attorney living out West. Mr. Dean has a sister, Bertha W., unmarried and living at home. A brother, Daniel Justin, lives in Chicago and is engaged in telephone construction work. Another brother, Edson, is a farmer at Camp Point,

George C. Dean has spent his life close to the old farm, was educated in the local schools, and he tirst took the responsible management of the home farm when his father was on duty as a legislator. On December 28, 1891, 'Sir. Dean married iliss Emma G. Slade of Burton Township, daughter of Abraham and Amanda (Lj^le) Slade. Her father was born in Maryland and soon after his marriage came to Adams County, was a farm renter and later bought a place in section 13 of Burton Township. His was a conspicuous success in that agricidtural community. He was a real farmer, using all the qualifications that would have made him equally successful in business affairs. He developed a place of 240 acres, regarded then and now a.s one of the best farms in the township. He was also much concerned with the progress of his community and very public spirited. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, Mrs, Dean's father died at the age of seventy-five, surviving her mother three years. They spent their last years at Camp Point, The son Seldon 0. Slade now owns the old homestead,

Mr, and Mrs, Dean have been on their present farm twenty-seven years. It was formerly owned by I\Ir, Dean's mother, being part of her father's estate. This farm consists of 115 acres and has been much improved under :\Ir, Dean's management and ownership. He bought another eighty acres, so that his present operations involve 195 acres. He raises corn and hogs and has a number of registered Shorthorn cattle,

Mr. Dean has been much in local politics, has been tax collector, member of the Election Board, a delegate to various county conventions, and he was elected justice of the peace as successor to his father and is also a notary public, having held his commission for eight years. He is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, There is abundant evidence of his progressive attitude on all matters. He is one of the original members of the County Farm Association, serving on its executive committee four years, as director from Burton Township, He is also a director and second vice president of the Farmers Bank at Liberty, Mr, and Mrs, Dean have one daughter. ^lae Golden, now 'Sirs. Earl R, Sims, Mr. Sims being a son of John T, Sims of Burton Township, ilr, and Mrs, Sims have one infant child, Seldon Dean Sims.

Jacob B, Wolfe, The pioneer stories connected with Liberty Township always make a great deal of Elder George Wolfe, leader and one of the founders of the Dunkard Church in this county, a man of great nobility of character, a worker and organizer in his church for many years, and one whose influence went far toward establishing religious ideals and moral atmosphere in that community. Jacob B. Wolfe, the well known merchant at Coatsburg, is a grandson of that pioneer character. His own life has been devoted to farming, merchandising and public service. For many years he was a member of the Board of Supervisors, was formerly superintendent of the County Poor Farm, and he is the father of the well known attorney at Quincy who was elected ill 1918 to the office of county judge. Thus there have been four generations of the family in Adams Coiinty, and all of them distinguished by some unusual strength of character and vigor of enterprise.

Elder George Wolfe, who settled in Adams County about 1833, came here from Union County, Illinois, where he was a pioneer. Elder George Wolfe performed the first marriage ceremony in Liberty Township. He developed and owned a good farm in Liberty Township, but always carried on his work as a minister of the Gospel, and as long as strength and years permitted rode horseback carrying the message of the Gospel over a wide territory, going even as far away as Indiana. He established the Dunkard Church at Liberty, the first ehurcli of that denomination in the county. He was a prominent factor in the camp meetings held in that vicinity, when people came from miles around, brought their provisions with them, and celebrated all the special rites and ceremonies of the church, including the Lord's supper on Saturday night, and the observance of foot-washing and holy kiss. Elder George Wolfe and his son David built the church at Liberty, and David continued the work where his father left it off. For many years he was chosen at the annual meetings as missionary, and was also elder. There were several preachers in the congregation, but only one elder. His district as elder included Adams, Pike and Hancock counties. He visited the various churches and communities in these counties and also preached far beyond the boundaries of his district. As a missionary worker he was called by duty as far away as Texas, and many times to Indiana. Tor all the zeal with which he prosecuted his holy calling he was an able and successful farmer. Elder George Wolfe's wife died when her grandson Jacob B. was a few years old, but his grandfather lived to the age of eighty-four, passing away in 1866.

Jacob B. Wolfe was born in Liberty Township April 9, 1850, and is a son of Elder David and Pamela Ann (Francis) Wolfe. His father was born in Union County, Illinois, about 1820 and was a small boy when brought to Adams County. He' and his wife had five children, and the oldest and youngest died in childhood. Mary is Mrs. Isaac J. Poley, of Atlanta, Georgia, while Martha I. is the widow of Kodney Lambert, who spent most of his life in Quiney. Mr. Lambert was formerly associated with Jonah Hedges in the grain business, and later was partner in the Eagle Flouring Mills until the mill burned. Still later he was a lime manufacturer. He was killed while examining the timbers of an old mill in process of demolition, being caught under a falling wall. He was at that time about forty years of age.

Jacob B. Wolfe was" well educated in Liberty and also attended the Quiney Business College. He lived in Liberty Township forty years, and most of that time owned and operated his grandfather's old farm. About 1898 he moved to Quiney as deputy sheriff under John W. Roth, serving as turnkey in charge of the prisoners of the county jail. For about fifteen years he served as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, representing Liberty Township, and was finally selected by the Board as superintendent of the County Poor Farm. His administration was a most capable as well as a kindly and effective one. During his term the average number of inmates at the farm was 100, though at times the number rose as high as 180. He was occupied with the responsibilities of this institution for four years. Since then his time has been devoted to merchandising. He had a store at Paloma, but moved it to Coatsburg in January, 1910, and from that village his trade extends for miles around. He is one of the best known men in the county. He has long been active in the democratic party, serving as county committeeman in Liberty Township, and is in every sense a public spirited citizen. He was reared in the old family church at Liberty, but has had no active part in it for many years. For over thirty years he has been affiliated with the Liberty Lodge of Masons, has held all the chairs and for three years sat in the Grand Lodge. He is one of the oldest members of the Liberty Lodge.

]Mr. Wolfe married Emily C. Griibb, member of an old and well known famil}^ of Liberty Township. She died Angrust 4, 1880, tlie mother of four children. Everett E. is connected with the Street Railway Company at Quincy. Josephine P. is ilrs. Arthur V. Chandler of Carthage, Illinois. Frederick G. is the Quincy attorney above mentioned, who in 1918 accepted the nomination from the democratic part}- as candidate for county .judge. Ellen P., the youngest child, died at the age of twenty-six, wife of Charles Lawless, of Paloma.

William E. Hasse for a number of years traveled over the Central West as a commercial salesman, and has successfully capitalized his experience at Quincy as a hotel man. He is proprietor of the Hasse Hotel, located on Oak Street near the railway station. He built this hotel and established it in 1909, and has one of the best equipped and most popular hostelries of Quincy. The hotel contains thirty-five rooms, and Mr. Hasse gives his personal attention to all these details of management which affect the service and the comfort of his guests.

For twelve years he was on the road representing a Chicago firm of wine importers, and that extended travel brought him many friendships all over Illinois and other middle states.

]\lr. Hasse was born in West Prussia October 21, 1863, of an old Prussian family, and son of Dr. Carl and Florentine (Nixdorff) Hasse. His parents spent all their lives in Prussia, and both were more than eighty years of age when they died. His father was a scholarly and able physician, and both were lifelong members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They had twelve children. Three of them. William E., Martin and Anna, came to the Unitea States, all of them have married, and all have children. The sister lives in Indianapolis, and the brother in IMissouri.

William E. Hasse grew up in his native town and had the education given to the better class of German youth in the G\nnnasium. At the age of seventeen he came to America, traveling through Norway and Sweden and England before embarking for the passage to New York. He arrived in this country on the day that President Garfield was shot. From New York he came west to St. Louis, Missouri, where he found employment as clerk in a hardware store, and continued clerking in various establishments in that city until he went on the road as a traveling salesman. His has been a very busj^ career and he has been a substantial American citizen for over thirty years.

At Quincy Mr. Hasse married Miss Elizabeth Ottman. She was born in Quincy, daughter of Henry and Adclheide (Willscacher) Ottman. Her parents, after they came to the LTnited States, married at Cincinnati and later established a home iu Quincy. Her father was a very talented engi-aver in gold and other metals. He died in Quincy in 1906, when past seventy years of age. His widow is now eighty-seven years of age and lives at St. Louis. For a number of years she was a devout worshiper in St. Boniface Catholic Church. Her four daughters, all now married, were also of the same faith as their mother.

]\Ir. and ]Mrs. Hasse have five children : Alban A., who was educated in the city schools, is now a.ssociated with his brother Carl in a successful plumbing business under the name of Hasse Plumbing Company. He married at Quincy Wilhelmina H. Wessel. Carl Hasse married Pearl Polly, of Salina, Kansas, and also lives at Quincy. Erna G. is the wife of Ben Groetling, of Quincy, and they have a daughter, Yerginia, born Maj' 6, 1912. Martha C. is the wife of George Long, a farmer at Boone, Iowa, and they have a son, Carl, born April 1, 1914. William A. is unmarried and is registered for service in the United States army. Mrs. Hasse and daughters are members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Mr. Hasse is affiliated with Herman Lodge No. 39, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, also with the Quincy Consistory of Scottish Rite and the Shrine at Peoria. In politics he is a democrat.

Nathan Lytle is proprietor of one of the exeelleutly improved farms of Burton Township, twelve miles east of Qnincy. He is a very substantial citizen, and it is a matter of interesting record that he began his career in this country as a farm laborer and the highest wages ever given him was $19.50 a month. His career gives additional proof to the old assertion that it is not what one earns but what one saves that counts. A great deal is said about thrift in these days of war, but very few people at present conform to such rigorous economy as did Mr. Lytle. He saved his wages, and found opportunity to loan out every dollar at 10 per cent interest. In the course of time he had saved $2,000, and that was the basis of his real start in life.

Mr. Lytle was born in Harvard County, Maryland, March 5, 1850, son of George W. Lytle. His father was a cousin of James 0. Lytle, one of the earliest settlers in Burton Township. The Lj'tles are a rather numerous family in Adams County.

Nathan hytle came w-est to this county in 1868. He worked out by the month until he married at the age of thirty-five. Most of his work was done in Burton and Gilmer townships, and for five j'ears he was with Abraham Slade, and nine years with Cra.yton Slade.

January 1, 1885, Mr. Lytle married Miss Sarah A. Rife, daughter of David and Catherine (Stockslager) Rife. Her parents came from the vicinity of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and after several years in Adams County bought in 1864 the farm now' owned liy Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Lytle. Her father died here at the age of eighty and her mother at seventy-two. Mrs. Lytle was born in Columbus Township, and lived at home until her marriage.

For thirteen years after their marriage they rented farms, and then after the death of her parents bought out the other heirs and now have a well arranged and well equipped farm of 611/0 acres, comprising some very productive soil, and with good buildings. The original house burned and a cousin, Lige Carlin, was burned with the burning house. Mr. Lytle has replaced it with a neat home. Mrs. Lytle has a brother, John Rife, of Liberty Township.

Peter E. Murrah. The community of Coatsburg has long looked upon Peter E. Murrah as one of the most substantial representatives of the agricultural industry and as a citizen whose work and influence have always gone in the direction of improvement and enlightenment.

Mr. Murrah, who has recently surrendered the active cares and responsibilities of his farm and is now enjoying a well earned retirement, was born in section 13 of Honey Creek Township October 19, 1846. He is a son of John and Mary (Pite) Murrah. John Murrah was born in Kentucky, moved to Tennessee in early life and married there, and in 1838 drove across the country to Illinois. He located in Adams County, and Honey Creek Township has always aclmowledged him one of its pioneers and one of the men who did much to develop its i^aw resources. The James Bailey family came about the same time and both took up adjoining tracts of land. John Murrah paid only $1.25 an acre for his first quarter section and for another 160 acres he paid $2.50. Altogether he accumulated about 500 acres and some it cost him much more than the prevailing Government price. The barn which he erected on tlie premises many years ago is still standing. John ilurrah died in 1872, at the age of sixty-nine, and was survived by his widow a number of years. He and his wife had the following children: Sarah, who married William Evertson and died in Livingston County, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five; Alvin F., who died in Adams County in middle life, leaving a wife and two children ; Mary, who died in young womanhood ; Caroline, who married J. L. Derrick, a farmer at Coatsburg, and both are now deceased, their two living daughters being Adelaide, of Collins, Colorado, and Sarah, Mrs. W. P. Simons, of Honey Creek Township; Elizabeth, who married Fred

Murrah, a cousin, and they then went to Kansas and died in that state ; Frances, who married C. M. Gibbs, who for fifty yeai-s was railroad agent at Coatsburg, but is now living retired; John, w-ho was born June 30, 18-15, and died in the fall of 1917, at the age of seventy-one, his widow, Martha Kessler Murrah, still living; and Peter E., the youngest.

Peter E. Murrah grew up on his father's old farm, and at his father's deatii acquired the interests of the other heirs in the 160 acres which he still owns and which was developed and improved under his personal direction. This farm is in section 13 of Honey Creek Township, and Mr. ilnrrah can take satisfaction in reviewing the years of hard labor required in clearing it of brush and timber and otherwise bringing it to the full point of production. He built a good house and barns, and for about forty years gave all his time to the cultivation of his fields and the raising of good grades of livestock. Mr. Murrah is a democrat and served as tax collector in 1885, in which year he collected $16,000 in taxes. He was made a Mason at the lodge in Columbus, but his chief interests have been his farm and his family.

In 1869, at the age of twenty-three, Mr. Murrah married iliss Melissa Kooutz. She was born in Virginia, now West Virginia, in 1846, and was reared in ^Missouri. When a young woman she came to Illinois and at the age of nineteen became a member of the Murrah famih% where she remained until her marriage. Mrs. Murrah died in 1914, at the age of sixty-eight. She was the mother of nine children, two of whom died in early childhoocl. The seven still living are : Marietta, widow of John Gunn, of Loraine ; Peter Lawrence, who has never married and is now active manager of the home farm ; Joseph Arthur, a farmer in Camp Point Township who married Rilla Felsman ; Minnie Rebecca, wife of James P. Gunn, a farmer of Honey Creek Township ; Lula, widow of J. T. ]McCormick, of Loraine, this county : William E., who married Cora Gnenther and lives on the old homestead; and Rose Evelyn, wife of Frank Fite, now living in Iowa.

Derrick L. McNeall, cashier of the State Street Bank at Coatsburg and a former county official, has spent practically all his life in x\dams County and is connected with some of the oldest and best known families here.

His gi-andfather, Dr. Abraham B. IMcNeall, was an old time medical practitioner of Columbus Township. Abraham B. McNeall was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1810, the oldest of the nine children of Arth\ir and Elizabeth (Boyer) McNeall, also natives of Pennsylvania. During his infancy his parents moved to the vicinity of Cincinnati, and during his youth at Hamilton, Ohio, he learned the carpenter's trade. In the intervals of his mechanical emploAnnent he read medicine, studied at Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, during 1849-50, and in September, 1855, came to the Village of Columbus in Adams County. He practiced there, and in 1868, after further study, was graduated from the Keokuk iledieal College. He owned considerable land in and around the City of Columbus, served as a magistrate. Avas a member of the ^lasonic fraternit.v, and he and his wife were ^Methodists. November 21, 1833, he married Esther Haywood, who died September 5, 1864, leaving five children : Nathan H., Lydia A., Arthur A., Sarah E. and David F. Dr. Abraham McNeall married for his second wife, January 4, 1866, Ruth A. Carroll, and they had four children.

Nathan H. ^IcNeall, father of Derrick L., was also a physician, studying at first under his father and later graduating from Keokuk Medical College. He began practice at Columbus, and for a few years lived at Denver in Hancock County. He finally took up his residence at Paloraa and practiced there until his death in January, 1884, at the age of forty-eight. During the Civil war he served as first assistant surgeon in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantrv and was with his conuuand until discharged. He was an active member of the County and State iledical societies and the American Medical Association, and was also a good business man. The saddle bags in

Dr. Nathan H. McNeall married Louisa Whitlock, a daughter of Derrick Whitloek and a sister of Dr. Greenberry E. Whitlock. Derrick Whitlock was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, April 2, 1817, a son of John and Lydia (Howell) Whitlock. Derrick ^Yhitlock was reared in Butler County, Ohio, and married Rachel Elliott in that county December 18, 1839. Derrick "Whitloek in earl}' life was a tailor. He came to Adams County in 1853, and from 1857 to 1871 was a merchant at the village of Columbus. He was also town and police magistrate. He and his wife had two children, Greenberry E. and Loui.sa. Louisa Wliitlock McNeall survived her husband many j-ears and died May 3, 1914. She was the mother of three sons : Rolla E., a commercial salesman living at Quiney ; Wilbur H., who is rural free delivery carrier at Paloma ; and Derrick L., who was named for his grandfather Whitlock.

Derrick L. ]\IcNeall was born at Denver in Hancock County, Illinois, September 20, 1875, but spent his early life at Columbus, where he attended public schools. For eight years he served as deput}^ county recorder, pai-t of the time under his brother Rolla, and part of the time under David P. Lawless. He was also in the undertaking business at Columbus for a year or so. In the fall of 1909 Mr. McNeall entered upon his duties as cashier of the State Street Bank at Coatsburg. This bank is a branch of the State Street Bank of Quincj-.

Mr. McNeall is a republican. His father was also active in the affairs of that party, and in 1861 was elected school treasurer at Columbus, and fiftyseven years later, in 1918, Derrick L. took the same position. Derrick L. Mc- Neall resides at Columbus. He is superintendent of the Sunday School of the I\Iethodist P^piscopal Church, and is a member of the Masonic order. His home at Columbus is the old 'Wliitlock house of his grandfather.

May 15, 1913, Mr. McNeall married Ada F. Myers, daughter of Leroy L. and Margaret (Lummins) Myei-s, of Gilmer Township. Her mother is still living. ]\Ir. and Mrs. McNeall have one living child. Derrick Leroy McNeall, Jr.

James Sanfokd Lawless is one of the oldest members of a family that has been prominentl.y identified with Adams County for eighty years or more. He resides in Gilmer Township, eleven miles east of Quiney, and was born July 28, 1838, on a farm just 21/2 miles northwest of where he now lives.

His parents were John and Margaret (Skirvin) Lawless. His father was a native of Virginia, was reared in Grant County, Kentucky, and married there JMiss Skirvin. About 1833 they moved to Illinois. An ox team drew the wagon, while Mrs. Lawless rode horseback. Their first home was in Burton Township, but they soon moved to Gilmer Township, and secured a tract of government land at .$1.25 per acre. This land was partly covered with heavy timber and some of it was prairie land. There was also a spring of good water. In those pioneer days the grass on the prairie grew as high as a horse's back. Their nearest neighbor was David Harrison, five miles away on Mill Creek. There were at that time very few families in Gilmer Township, and Columbus was still the county seat. John Lawless died on the old farm' at the age of seventy and his wife at sixty-eight. Her brother, Joel Skirvin, also came to Adams County and settled 2^1 miles further north, and ther^ were several other members of the Skirvin family here. Besides his homestead John Lawless acquired between 300 and 400 acres, and helped all hig children to start in life. He and his wife had nine sons and daughters, and all of them reached the age of sixty except a daughter who died at the age of forty. Their oldest son, John Quiney Lawless, who was born in Grant County, Kentucky, in 1826, became one of the most extensive farmers in the county, owning land in several townships, and he died at Columbus at the age of eighty-six. He was the father of David P. Lawless, former county recorder. William C. Lawless was born January 7, 1829, and he and his brother John Quiney married sisters, daughters of David Pearce. The wife of William C.

Lawless was JIarv Pcarce, who was born in Baltimore, llarvlaud, Januarj- 26, 1830, and died in Adams County, July 6, 1907. William C. Lawless, who died at his farm in Gilmer Township at the age of seventy, was the father of Mr. Charles C. Lawless, the well known business man of Paloma. Thomas Lawless was a soldier in the Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry, was captured and held a prisoner fourteen months, lost his healtli and died at the eompa"i'atively early age of sixty. Susan was the daughter who died at the age of forty. She married Mr. iMcBroon and died in Iowa. The next in age is James Sant'ord. Oliver P. Lawless is a resident of Gilmer Township. Mary Ann, the oldest child, married William Judy and died when ninety years of age. Elizabeth married John P. Yeargain and died in old age. Sarah is the wife of J. Lummis, and their son is now postmaster at Quiney.

James Sanford Lawless remained at home to the age of twenty-four and in 1865 came to his present farm, where he and his brother Oliver were partners for a number of years, but James finally bought out his brother's interest. He began with a farm of about 160 acres and now has 500 acres in one body. He is an extensive hog and cattle raiser and markets two or three carloads of cattle and three carloads of hogs every year. He has never been an ofBce holder but is a republican.

At the age of thirty-three he married Miss Clara Vida Ferguson, of Burton Township. Their children are Clay; Bernadina, Mrs. Willis Cook of Paloma : Stephen G., a banker at Liberty and president of the County Exemption Board ; Emmett, who lives on a farm adjoining that of his father ; Homer, who is in the United States Army; Henry, who operates the home farm; and Emily, who is also at home.

Charles C. Lawless. One of the most frequently recurring names in connection with the business and civic interests of eastern Adams County is that of Charles C. Lawless, farmer, grain and stock dealer and leader in republican politics, whose home is at Paloma. His own record is merely in keeping with that of one of the oldest and best known families in the county.

Mr. Lawless was born in Gilmer Town.ship, September 4, 1873, and is a son of William C. and Mary A. (Pearce) Lawless. A number of references to the different generations of the family will be found on other pages. William C. Lawless spent his life as a farmer near the old homestead, and his home place contained 160 acres and he also owned another quarter section a half mile south. He followed farming on general lines, and bis chief livestock was hogs. He was never in politics, though a stanch republican. His wife, Mary A. Pearce, was a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Stabler) Pearce. Of the Pearce family none now remain in Adams County. David Pearce was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, March 18, 1807, and died in Gilmer Township December 16, 1878. He married Elizabeth Stabler February 27, 1829. They enjoyed their happy companionship for more than half a century. In 1835 David Pearce moved to Butler County Ohio, and in 1848 came to Adams County. At that time he was in limited circumstances, but his subsequent efforts brought him valuable property and the esteem of a large community. His farm was in the western part of Gilmer Township. He and his wife were active members of the ^Icthodist Episcopal Church. His wife was born in York County, Pennsylvania. September 15, 1808. David and Elizabeth Pearce had five children: Mary A.; John C, who died at Bowen, Illinois; Thomas D., who died at Camp Point; Elizabeth, who married J. 0. Lawless and died at Columbus ; and Ruth, who died in Gilmer Township the wife of E. A. Yeargain.

William C. Lawless and wife bad eight children, seven of whom reached maturity: Orville H., of Paloma; John T., who died at Bowen, Illinois; David O.. who resides at Bowen; William W., of Carthage, Illinois; Mary A., Mrs. William C. ^Morton, of Golden; Elizabeth, Mrs. M. Henry, of Paloma; and Charles C, the youngest.

Charles C. Lawless was twenty-three years of age when his father died, and after attainingr his majority he had taken the management of the farm and contiuned it until his mother's death. He then moved to Paloma and bought the Doctor MeXeall farm of eighty acres. To this he added in 1902, 110 acres and now gives his supervision to the entire farm, which is a large and valuable one. ilr. Lawless has paid varying prices for his land, securing some as low as $80 an acre and the top price was $143 an acre. A good residence was on his farm, built by Doctor McXeall, but IMr. Lawless has rebuilt and remodeled it. He carries on his farming partnership with Fi'ank AVilson, an old employe. He is also associated with Willis Cook in the stock and gi-ain trade and the firm handles about 100 carloads of live stock everj- year. They buy and ship grain from Coatsburg and Loraine. He is also a partner with G. A. "Wilkey under the name Wilkey & Lawless, proprietors of a general store at Paloma. ^Ir. Lawless and Mr. Cook have an eighty acre pasture in common ownership, and use it for gi-azing their stock before shipping.

As a republican leader Mr. Lawless has been very active in the party and in behalf of his friends, but never as a seeker for office. He is a committeeman of the thirt.y-sixth senatorial district and has been a delegate to a number of congressional and countj^ conventions. He is a member of the ilethodist Episcopal Church.

February 25, 1903, Mr. Lawless married Mrs. Ellen F. (Wolfe) Ferguson, widow of Cliff Ferguson and daughter of J. B. Wolfe. IMi's. Lawless died six years after her marriage, January 7, 1909. She was the mother of two children, William W., born ]Mareh S, 1904, and Eldon E.. born November 26, 1906. William is at home with his father, while Eldon lives with an aunt. On Januarv 4. 1911, Mr. Lawless married May Dickhut. Thev have one son, Kenneth D., born June 29, 1913.

Ory A. Scott. The Scott family has been identified with the southern part of Adams County for over three quarters of a century. They have been capable farmers, good citizens, and have supplied much of the work and influence through which Paysou and Fall Creek Township have been developed since pioneer days.

The member of the family now under special consideration is Ory A. Scott, whose home is in Payson Township, three quarters of a mile northwest of the village of that name. He was born just a mile away, in Fall Creek Township, January 28, 1859, son of E. C. Scott. E. C. Scott was a native of New Jersey, boi-n in 1824, and was sixteen years of age when in 1840 his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Scott, came west and settled in Payson Township. Samuel Scott and wife lived here and died at a good old age. After reaching his majority E. C. Scott settled in Fall Creek To^^aiship, adjoining the Payson Township fann and on the main Payson and Quincy road. Aljout 1869 he moved to the present farm of Ory A. Scott, and he lived here until his death at the age of eighty-six. E. C. Scott married Mary Leebrick, daughter of George Leebrick, who was one of the pioneer merchants of Quincy, being connected with the Dimmock firm at the comer of Fifth and !Maine streets. George Leebrick died when about eighty years of age. The last fifteen years of his life he was blind and spent most of his time with E. C. Scott, but eventually died at the home of a neighbor in ^Missouri. Mary Leebrick was born at Quincy and died at the age of fifty -seven. She and her liusband had thirteen children, four daughters and two sons coming to maturity. One son, L\nin, died at the age of seventeen.

Ory A. Scott has lived on his present farm since he was ten years of age. He had little to begin with when he reached his majority beyond a common school education and experience as a farmer, and has made his success through his own efforts. He bought out the other interests in the old homestead, and two years ago he also acquired the old Scott home in Fall Creek Township. At present he has 235 acres in his home fann and seventy acres in Fall Creek. It all constitutes a splendid farm, devoted to stock, grain and fruit. In 1907 Mr.

His father was a republican in politics until the prohibition party was formed, and he was one of the first in Payson Township to formally ally himself witli that organization. The son is also a proliibitiouist, mid both were workers for that cause when it was by no means as popular as it is today. Mr. Scott and family are all members of the Payson Baptist Church, including his four sons, and when he was a boy that wa.s the leading church in this part of the county.

At the age of twenty-three Mr. Scott married iliss ;\lollic Jlarrcll, who came when a child from North Carolina to Payson Township with her widowed mother, Rebecca Ilarrell. jMr. and Mi-s. Scott had a family of five sons, one of whom died in childhood. Ira E. lives on his father's ranch in Ilai'tley County, Texas, and is married and has three children. Noble H., ou the old Scott farm in Fall Creek Township, has a daughter, Tamar Blanche. Harvey L., occupying part of the home farm, has four children, Russell, Thomas, Elizabeth and Loyd. Otis L., who also operates part of the home farm, which has three complete sets of buildings, is married and has a daughter, ]Margai'et, and a son, Harrell.

Charles C. Bangeut is an enviable citizen of Ellington Township, owner of a fine farm in section 2, a thoroughly progressive agriculturist and a citizen whose name is spoken with the respect it deserves throughout a wide community.

Since 1895 he has owned his farm of 111 acres. It has a fine house of seven rooms built several years ago, and in 1912 he erected a substantial modern barn 36 by 42 feet. The land has a good natural drainage, and is capable of growing all the crops fitted to this soil and climate. Mr. Bangert keeps some fine livestock, and for a number of years has been a successful dairj-mau. He ha.s a herd of about a dozen good grade cows, and uses them for the production of cream and makes about 1,000 povmtis of butter every year. ]\Ir. Bangert also raises a number of sheep. He is a practical all around farmer, capable of handling any class of livestock, and has also proved equal to the emergencies that at times confront every farmer.

j\Ir. Bangert was born in McKee Township of Adams Comity October 7, 1860, but has lived in Ellington Township for over half a centuiy since early boyliood. He has always been a farmer, and since 1895 has owned and occupied his present place.

His parents were Charles F. and Mary (WoUet) Bangert, both natives of Germany. Charles P. Bangert was born in Germany October 18, 1834, and came to Adams County in 1853, his parents settling in Melrose Township. After six years he moved to Concord Township, and three years later to Ellington Township. The Bangert family came to America by way of New York City in a sailing vessel. The parents of Charles F. Bangert both died in Quincy. Charles F. Bangert married in Adams County IMary Wollet, who had been brought from Germany by her parents on a sailing vessel, which landed at New Orleans. The parents of Mrs. Bangert died in Gilmer Township. All of them were Lutherans. After Charles F. Bangert married he farmed as a renter for a time, and on moving to Ellington Township bought a place in section 16. There he lived thriftily and in complete enjoyment of the esteem of his neighbors and friends and died there in 1890 at the age of fifty-six. His wife was born in 1840 and died in 1902. They were members of St. John's Lutheran Church at Quincy and he was a democrat. Charles F. Bangert and wife had eight children, four sons and four daugliters. Third in age amonir them is Charles C. Bangert. He is now the oldest of the three sons and two daughters still living. His brother Fred is married and lives in Wisconsin. Mary is the wife of Joseph Hildman, and she has a family of sons and daughters. Elizabeth has been an invalid since earlv childhood.' Gus Bangert lives in Quincy and is a tinner by trade.

Charles C. Bangert married at Quincy May 12, 1886. ]Miss Mary M. Meyer. They were married in St. John's Lutheran Church by Rev. A. Willner. Mrs. Bangert was born on her father's farm in Ellington Township January 15,

1863, and attended the Franklin district school in her girlhood. Her parents were John and Caroline (Oehse) ileyer. John Meyer was born in Germany and came to this countrj- alone on a sailing vessel, and was a farmer in Adams County for many years. His wife was bom in Adams County in 1832, daughter of Jacob and Maria Oehse, both natives of Germany, but among the very earliest settlers of Adams County as the date just mentioned indicates. The Oehse family put up with all the conditions and hardships of the pioneer country of Ellington Township, buying new land, making homes that lacked most of the comforts and conveniences, and only after many years seeing their foresight and energy rewarded by well tilled fields and comfortable houses. Mr. Meyer died there at the age of sixty-five. His first wife died when only thirty-thi-ee years of age. The Mej'ers wore charter members of the Salem Evangelical Church at Quiney. In the Meyer family besides Mrs. Bangert were the following children: John Meyer, a Gilmer Township farmer, who is married and has two sons and three daughters ; Jacob J., a resident of Portland, Oregon, and father of two sons and one daughter; Charles, who died after his marriage in Ellington Township and left one daughter, his wife being now deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Bangert 's family of children are the following: George, who is unmarried and is still at home ; Emma, who was born in 1888 and died at the entrance to young womanhood in 1907 ; Laura, wife of John F. Disselhorst, an Ellington Township farmer and mother of two children, Lloyd and Garner; Amanda R. F., who is still at home; and Clara Emma, who like her sisters was well educated in the l6cal public schools and also attended the Gem City Business College and is also at home. The family are all members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Bangert is a democrat and has filled the office of township tax collector.

William 0. Larimore, son of Albert "W. and Julia (Pottle) Larimore, has done much to carry on the reputation of the Larimore and Pottle families for their steadfast industry and successful farm management M'hich have been characteristic of the names in the southern part of Adams County for three generations. He is owner of a fine farm, the original Pottle homestead, located li/o miles north of Plainville and eighteen nnles southeast of Quiney.

Mr. Larimore was born May 26, 1863, in Payson Township. As a boy he lived at home with his father, attended the local schools and spent one winter in the Knox College preparatory school.

September 30, 1885, Mr. Larimore married Miss Blanche Humphrey, of Burton Township, her birth occurring in Burton Village June 25, 1864. She is a daughter of William aud Cinderella (Childers) Humphrey. Her mother was brought to Adams County as a child from Grant County, Kentucky, by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Childers. Joseph Childers died when his granddaughter Blanche was six yeare old. William Humphrey came to this county at the age of fifteen with his parents, John G. and 'Mary (Vickers) Humphrey, who established their home in Burton Towaiship. William Humphrey served as deputy sheriff and was sheriff at the close of the war. He had under his charge at the county jail two horse thieves, and they were taken from liim and hanged by a mob. After his official term he returned to Burton Township, later moved to McDonough County, but spent his last years in Adams County, where he died at the age of sixty-two. His widow survived him eighteen months and passed away at the age of fifty-seven. There were seven children in the Humphrey family by two marriages. Six are still living : Marj% Mrs. Thomas Spence of Peoria ; Gill M., who died at the age of fiftyeight; Thomas L., a retired farmer of McComb ; Alice, Mrs. ,G. M. Muhl, of Denver, Indiana; James, a mine superintendent at Idaho Springs, Colorado; Charles P., a farmer in IMissouri ; and Blanche, Mrs. Larimore.

In 1887 Mr. and I\Irs. Larimore moved to their present home on the old Pottle estate of 160 acres. He has subsequently acquired other land until his total acreage is 298. Twenty-six acres of this is a high class apple orchard.

However, his chief dependence in the way of farming has been stock raising. For a number of years he was a breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle and draft horses. He has been more of a stock feeder than a breeder, having about sixty head of cattle and handles about 200 hogs j-early.

The substantial home in which Mr. Larimore lives was built by his grandfather fully seventy-five years ago. It cost $5,000, was made of brick manufactured nearbj', and was the first brick house in the township and at that time the largest and most commodious residence, ilr. Larimore recently had the house stuccoed M-ith cement, increasing its warmth and durability. He also built a large barn in 1905. He has had no inclination to hold office and has steadfastly refused any tenders in that direction. He, like many other Americans of the modern generation, has chosen an independent course in politics and is now what might be described as a Wilson republican. He and his family attend the Congregational Church.

Mr. and Mi's. Larimore have the following children : Humphrey, of Richfield Township, who married Edna Inmau, and their three children are Carl, Maurice and Donald. Harry, a farmer on part of his father's land, married Nellie Linthicum, and they have two children, Carson and Frances Mae. Mae, who attended the Paj^son High School and the Illinois State Normal Univei-sity, was a teacher for four years in Adams and McDonough counties, and is taking the nurse's training course at Blessing Hospital in Quincy. She is living at home with her parents. Edna is the wife of J. B. Thompson, of Fall Creek Township. Alice is a graduate of the Paysou High School and for tlu-ee years has taught in the "Whitcomb School in Adams Countj'. Ray and Merle are schoolboys, the former in the Payson High School.

Joseph H. Blxjmer, M. D. Highly educated, a polished gentleman and thoroughly capable physician and surgeon, Doctor Blomer has gained a place of recognized skill and prominence in the medical fraternity of Quincy, where he has practiced for ten years. His offices are in the Mercantile Building.

Doctor Blomer is a gi-aduate both in the literary and medical departments of the University of Chicago. He graduated in medicine at Rush IMedical College with the class of 1906, and post graduate work in the Post Graduate Medical School of New York for a year, and then entered St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, for a year. In 1908 he returned to Quincy, and besides his service to an increasing private clientele he has for six j^ears been a member of St. JNIary's Hospital staff. He is a member of the County and State Medical societies and the American Medical Association.

Doctor Blomer was born in Quincy July .30, 1877, and before entering the University of Chicago completed the business, literary and philosophical courses in St. Francis College of this city. He spent six years in the University of Chicago. Doctor Blomer represents one of tlie old and substantial German families of Quincy. His grandparents came here during the '30s. Doctor Blomer is a son of Henry John and Anna (Klatte) Blomer, both natives of Gei'many. A portrait and more complete sketch of the father is found on other pages of this work. They were brought to this country when young by their respective parents, landing in New Orleans and going first to Cincinnati and then to Quincy. They married in this county, and Henry John Blomer for a number of years followed the trade of brick mason and building contractor. He constructed a number of the substantial business blocks of Quincy. He was in that business until 1872, but for several years had devoted his energies during the winter seasons to the killing and packing of pork. He finally concentrated all liis attention on that industrv and is listed among the prominent pork packers of the city from the '70s on until his death in April, 1906. He was a hard working man and a very intelligent and public spirited citizen. He was alwa.vs a democrat and for some years represented his ward in the city council. His widow died at the old home in Quincy in

Febi'uary, 1911. Both were about seventy-three years old when they passed away, and both had been members for years of St. Francis Catholic Church. Doctor Blomer has a brother, John, of Quincy, and three sisters: Anna, wife of Joseph B. C. Freiburg, a shoe merchant of Quincy, of whom mention is found on other pages of this work ; Christine Tibesar, who with her husband lives at Quincy, and they have a family of children; and Jliss Ida, of Quincy. Doctor Blomer married in 1915 Mrs. Idelle (Martin) ]\IeDavitt. She was born near Centralia, Illinois, daughter of the late Reverend Martin, of Scotch- Irish ancestry. Her father was for many years Secretary of Foreign Missions of the Christian Church, and charing the girlhood of Mrs. Blomer took his family abroad to England, where he did church missionary work for some years. Thus Mrs. Blomer was educated in the schools of England. Prior to her marriage .she was a teacher in the public schools of Quincy, Illinois. She is a member of the Episcopal Church of Quincy, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Dorothy Quincy Chapter, Colonial Dames, and Daughters of 1812, while Doctor Blomer retains membership in the church in which he was reared, St. Francis Catholic Church. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Western Catholic Union.

Albert IMeyer. Burton Township is the home of this live and progressive farmer citizen of Adams County. He lives two miles southwest of Adams Postoffice, his farm meeting the township line on the south.

Mr. Meyer has spent all his life in Adams County, and is esteemed in his community as a man of much capability both as a farmer and a.s a good citizen. He was born in Melrose Township December 25, 1868, son of Frank and Caroline (Mast) Meyer. His father, who was born in Baden. Germany, lost both his parents there when he was a boy and was placed in the care of liis oldest brother, Landelin. At the age of sixteen he accompanied his brother and wife to America, and after a short time in New York he began earning his living at farm work at wages of $16 a month during the summer. He married in Quincy Caroline Ma.st, who was born in Melrose Township on the farm where Frank !Meyer is still living. Htr father, John B. Mast, was a prominent early citizen of that locality. Mrs. Prank Mej-er spent all her life on the old farm and died in 1900, at the age of fiftj'-seven. Frank Meyer is now eiglit.v-two years of age, and is practically retired from active responsibilities, the farm Iseing conducted by his son John. There were five children : Regina, ]\Irs. John Vogel of Melrose Town.ship ; Theodore, a farmer in Burton Township : John, on the old homestead; Albert; and Henry, connected with the Standard Oil Company at Quincy.

Albert Meyer lived at home with his parents to the age of twenty-two, acquiring his education in the local schools. He then spent 21/2 years in Quincy learning the blacksmith's trade, woi-ked in different shops, and was also a general worker for six years. For two years he was employed by the month by August Kaltenbach in Burton Town.ship. November 15, 1898, he married the daughter of his emplo.ver, Rosina Kaltenbach.

For the next fourteen years they rented the Kaltenbach fai'm, ^Mrs. Meyer's father living with them until his death April 10, 1917. It was the desire of August Kaltenbach that his daughter, Mrs. Me.ver. should have the old home place, and in 1912 he sold the farm to them. Each of his children also had an interest and share and ^Ir. and IMrs. Jleyer have since bought out the other interests. Mr. Meyer has done much to further improve the farm, erecting cow sheds and other outbuildings. The main house and barn were built by ]\Ir. Kaltenbach. The fai*m is a fine body of land and is very productive.

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have three children, all at home, Clara, Alvina and Oscar. Mr. Meyer is a democrat in national politics but independent loeall.v. He and his wife are Catholics and they attend St. Bridget's Church at Libert.v five miles awav, their home being ten miles from St. Anthonv's Church.

Edward H. Dedert. Of Adams County's pioneers few couples who came as emigrants made such excellent provision for themselves and their children, lived more industriously, frugally, and met all tlie obligations of citizenship more truly than did William Dedert and his wife. Their record in full is traced on other pages. Here it is proposed to speak briefly on the career of one of their sons, Edward H. Dedert.

He was born in Ellington Township in 1867 and grew up on the home farm, accustomed to hard work, to discipline at home, and was trained to be honest as M'ell as strong and be straightforward and trustworthy in all things. He received such advantages as were aifox-ded by the local district schools, and since reaching manhood has been very successful as a farmer.

He received his share of the estate at the death of his parents, and twentysix years ago he bought a fraction over sixtj'-three acres in section 3 of Ellington To-\raship, located near the little village of Bloomfield. Of this he has made a splendid farm, in every way attractive and valuable, and highly productive. His barn is 30 by 60 feet and he has a good seven-room house, besides otlier good buildings. He grows crops of all kinds, and excepting the wheat feeds all the grain and other produce on the land to his graded live- .stock. In 1907 he also bought just across the line in Mendon Township seventysix acres, and this also has building improvements and constitutes a farm by itself. It is chiefly used for the production of Shropshire sheep. Mr. Dedert raises a large amount of feed stuffs on his land, and fattens hogs, cattle and sheep for the market.

Besides farming he has been quite active in local affairs and in politics is a republican. Especially noteworthy was his fifteen years of service as highway commissioner, for one period of six years and another period of nine years. Altogether these fifteen years represented a high water mark in the care and improvement of the local highways. He has also taken a keen interest in .every other matter of general concern and especially the patriotic movements of the recent year or so.

In Quincy in April, 1892, ilr. Dedert married ]\Iiss Carrie E. Burgdhoff. She was born in Melrose Township Noveml^er 5. 1867, and attended the public schools and the Liitheran Parochial School. Mrs. Dedert is a daughter of Charles H. and Mary (Frazier) BurgdhofT, both natives of Germany. Her father was born in Hanover in June, 1836, and crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel in 1844, arriving at New Orleans and coming up the Mississippi River to Marion County, Missouri. His wife was born in October, 1845, and came to America with her parents, who were fariuers and lived on a small place on East Broadwaj' in Adams County. Mrs. Dedert 's parents were married in Quincy and her father died Jmie 7, 1916, when nearly eighty j^ears of age, and her mother on March 7, 1901. They were faithful members from, confirmation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mrs. Dedert was one of a family of six daughters and one son, all of whom are living and married, and there are two daughters deceased. j\Ir. and Mrs. Dedert have two sturdy young sons. Elmer C, the older, was born May 23, 1895, and his name appears on the honor roll of Adams County as one of the country's soldiers. He was a corporal in Company II of the Forty -fifth Regiment, stationed at Camp Sheridan in Alabama. The younger son, Irwin, born October 9, 1905, is still pursuing his studies in the public schools of Bloomfield. All the family are members of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church at Quincy.

John Ihrig. It is probable that every stock man in the country who is a liandler or admirer of the Pereheron horses knows by reputation at least ]\Ir. Jolni Ihrig of Adams County. As a breeder and raiser of this fine stock Mr. Ihrig has a reputation far beyond the limits of Adams County. The registry list of the Pereheron Association might be searched in vain for any animals that point higher than those that have been owned on the Ihrig farm. Thus ]\Ir. Ihrig and his father, both long known to the substantial farming

Mr. John Ihrig was born at La Prairie in Northeast Township in July, 1883. His parents are George and Susan (Lummis) Ihrig. His mother was born in Adams Comity in 1851, a daughter of John Lummis, one of the native pioneers of the county and member of a family frequently referred to in these pages. George Ihrig was born in Melrose Township of this county in 1855, son of Henry Ihrig, who came here in the early days from Germany. Henry Ihrig owned a farm of 160 acres in Melrose Township, where he spent his last years. George Ihrig was reared on a farm, liad his education from the local schools and by his own observation and experience, and as an independent farmer he lived for some years in Northeast Township, but in 1888 removed to the farm where he and his sou have their affairs in common. In 1904 George Ihrig retired and moved to a comfortable home in the village of Golden. He is a republican voter and a member of the Methodi.st Episcopal Church. There were only two children in the family, John Henry and Clara Belle. The daughter died in infancy.

John Ihrig grew up on the farm where he now lives, attended the public schools at Golden and graduated from the Maplewood High School at Camp Point in 1904. Since then he has been giving all the energy and intelligence he possesses to the business of his choice, farming and stock breeding. Mr. Ihrig owns eighty acres adjoining the homestead, works the home place of 160 acres, and he and his father also have 200 acres in Columbus Townsliip, which is under the immediate supervision of John Ihrig. In their stables they have six high class registered stallions of the Percheron breed, and they also keep a jack, and have a number of high grade Duroc Jerseys hogs. One of their Percheron mares won third prize at the International Stock Show at Springfield, Illinois. They also own a stallion which was awarded the first prize and the championship as a two year old at Paris, France, where it was in competition witli many of the finest of its class from the original home of the Pereherons.