Quincy Township (part 62 of 74)

The founder of the family here was Henry M. Lewis, who was bom in Kentucky August 16, 1816. He married Sarah Kelley, who was born in Kentucky in 1819. Henry M. Lewis was the son of a native of Russia. Coming to America he entered business as a merchant at Louisville, Kentucky, and was especially successful as a stock dealer. His activities required much travel, and one time he started from his home with a drove of mules and was never heard of again. It is supposed that hei was robbed and murdered. Henry M. Lewis had a brother, Daniel, who died at the age of eighty-eight, his brother William died aged eighty-six, and his sister, Fannie, lived to be about eighty-five.

When Henry M. Lewis came to Adams County about 1836 he worked for a time for Peter B. Garrett, one of the well knowTi pioneers. Henry ^I. Lewis had no formal schooling, and learned to read and write through his self-directed efforts and acquired a good knowledge of business by actual practice. After living in Adams County for a time he returned to Kentucky, and in 1838 married and soon afterwards returned to Adams County. Settling in Clayton Township, he rented land for a short time, then bought a farm, and his operations expanded until he was one of the large land owners in the county, having about 1,000 acres. All of this property was acquired by his success as a farmer and his good judgment in handling his business affairs. About 1885 he retired and moved to Camp Point, where he lived until his death March 21, 1910, in his ninety-fourth year. His wife died in 1891. Henry M. Lewis began voting as a whig and afterwards as a republican, and was a faithful member of the Christian Church. He gave liberally to church and other public enterprises.

Henry M. Lewis and wife were the parents of twelve children. Samuel K., the oldest, died in April, 1918, at the age of seventy-seven, at Eldorado, Missouri. The second son, John, lives at Quiney. Jane is the wife of Samuel MauhoUand. Martha is the wife of R. W. Hoke. Susan married R. S. Curry. William M. is a resident of Oklahoma. Ai-menia married James Pierce, and they live at Kansas City. Joann is the wife of William Wisehart, of Camp Point. The ninth in age is Henry J. Lewis. Daily C. is the next younger. Lizzie married James E. Funk, of Camp Point. Charles is a farmer of Clayton Township, on the old home farm. This is a very notahle family. Of the twelve children all are living except the oldest. Their parents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1888, and the oldest son, Samuel K., and wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1914, while John Lewis, of Quiney, had a similar celebration December 18, 1917. Martha Hoke celebrated her golden anniversary December 31, 1918.

While the late Heniy M. Lewis was not an educated man in the accepted sense of the term, he had few superiors in those practical and fundamental things which are essential to success. At a glance he could tell the value of a load of grain or a bunch of cattle, "^lien he and his wife came to Adams County they walked from Qnincy to Camp Point, carrying all their possessions in a handkerchief. It was from these humble circumstances that his enterprise and industry took him on the road to a generous prosperity, and he was considered one of the wealthiest men in the Camp Point community.

Henry J. Lewis was born in Clayton Township January 12, 1857, was educated in the public schools there, and lived at the old homestead until he was twenty-seven, when he moved to Camp Point \\'ith his parents. He married at the age of thirty-four and has since lived in Camp Point. His father gave each son eighty acres of land, and his daughters each $3,000 in cash. Henrj- J. Lewis has accepted this talent and used it with good judgment and now owns 306 acres in Clayton Township on the main traveled road between Camp Point and Clayton. He also has a good residence and other property at Camp Point, and lives retired in that town, his farms being managed by tenants. Since 1911 Mr. Lewis has spent every winter in California but two, and has some financial interests in a gold mine in that state and in a quicksilver mine in Arizona. Mr. Lewis is a republican voter, though no desire to hold office has ever actuated him. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 197, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with Camp Point Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Clayton Commandery of Knights Templar and Quiney Consistory of the Scottish Rite Masons. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias at Camp Point. He and his wife are regular members of the Christian Church. June 16, 1891, he married Miss Jennie Pierce, who was born in Gilmer Township of this county, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Body) Pierce. Her parents were early settlers of Adams County, and lived on a farm in Gilmer Township many years, until they retired to Camp Point. Her father died there in September 1906, at the venerable age of ninety-one, and her mother in January, 1906, aged eighty-one.

John J. Dutton. a native Virginian, was reared in Adams County, and though he started life with little more than empty hands and an ambitious spirit, he has conquered the difficulties confronting the young agriculturist without land, and is now one of the leading farmers and stock men of Northeast Township.

He was born in Virginia October 31, 1871. son of William W. and Maggie (Carter) Dutton. His grandfather, John J. Dutton, was also a native of Virginia and married Louisa Williamson, a native of L-eland. John J. Dutton, Sr., was a blacksmith by trade and followed that occupation in Virginia for many years. He and his wife died in Washington County in that state. Their children were: Thomas, a Confederate soldier who fell at the battle of the Wilderness May 5, 1863: William W. ; Jane; Peter; David, who died at the age of twelve years; and James.

"William W. Dutton was born in Washington County, Virginia, September 4, 1846. He married for his tirst wife Maggie Carter, who was born in Scott County, Virginia, in 1847 and died in that state in 1874. In 1879 William W. Dutton brought his family to Adams County, Illinois, and for a time was a farm laborer" at monthly wages. Later he bought a place of eighty acres in Schuyler County, Illinois, and lived on that a number of years, but sold out about 1914 and retired to Golden in this county. By his first wife he had four children : William Thomas, John J., James Henry and Lula. For his second wife William W. Dutton married Rena Mendenhall, who was born in Virginia July 8, 1847. William W. Dutton is a democrat and attends the ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is an active member.

John J. Dutton grew up in Adams County, attended the public schools here, and ha.s made such good use of his opportunities and privileges, supplemented by good, hard common sense and incessant labor, that he now owns a fine farm of 260 acres in Northeast Township, has occupied it since 1903, and he is personally responsible for nearly all the imi:)rovements that give it value and convenience as a stock farm. Mr. Dutton is a breeder of the Polled Durham cattle, and raises stock on a large scale. He is appreciative of the duties of citizenship and has served as road commissioner two terms. He is a democrat, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, the former at Golden and the latter at Augusta. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at La Prairie.

On March 10, 1895, Mr. Dutton married ]\Iiss Mattie Estella Alexander, daughter of John and Catherine (Jordan) Alexander, of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Northeast Township. John Alexander was bom in Virginia November 26, 1828, and was brought to Adams County at an early age. He was three times married, and Catherine Jordan was his second wife. She was born in Virginia December 27, 1845. Both John Alexander and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton have five children : ^Mabel Lucille, Eva Blanche, Lawrence Alexander, Helen Catherine, and John, Jr., all living except Mabel, who died at the age of five years.

William Henry Woodruff is a member of the partnership Woodruff-Castle Company, one of the most prominent of Quincy firms today engaged in tJie wholesale and retail coal business. This firm succeeded and took over the business of the Wabash Coal Company, on September 6, 1916. The Wabash Coal Company is a landmark in Quincy 's business histoiy, having sold and distributed coal from this city for a long period of years and also operated large mines in Central Illinois. The Woodruff-Castle Company are among the most prominent distriliutors in this section for the noted Franklin County coal and also handle all other staple grades of anthracite and bituminous coals.

Mr. Woodruff is a native of Quincy and has spent his life here. It is a matter of pride with him that he was born here and has developed with Quincy and has found opportunity for usefulness in the community. He comes from one of the oldest and most substantial New England families, and besides the good qualities he inherited from his ancestors he gives much credit for the success of his personal career to the good woman who became Mrs. Woodruff.

He was born in Quincy August 29, 1860, and was reared and educated in the city, attending high school and later the Chicago University. His first employment was as bookkeeper with the old First National Bank of Quincy. Later he was secretary of the Quincy Lumber Company, of which his father was vice president. Then for ten years he handled the export business of the Taylor Brothers Milling Company at Quincy. This was one of the largest flour milling concerns in the state, manufacturing 2,000 barrels of flour per day, most of which was for export to Europe. The next step in Mr. Woodi-uff's business career was as secretary and manager of the Pure lee Company, with which he was connected for fourteen years, and as the company also handled

Mr. Woodruff traces his ancestry back in a direct line to Matthew Woodruff, who came from England and located at Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1639. His line of descent runs from this ancestor down through seven generations, five of whom bore the Christian name of Samuel. James Woodruff, father of William H., was born at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1821, and was long identified with the business affairs of Quincy. He came to Quincy in 1842, and in 1848 he married Mary Dalzell in Davenport, Iowa. She was a native of Philadelphia, of Scotch-Irish stock, and a Presbyterian in religion. He rendered service while the Civil war was in progress as provost marshal at Quincy. In polities he was always a strenuous republican. He died in Quincy in 1905 and his wife passed away in 1879.

William Henry Woodruff married Miss Laura H. Schanz, a native of Quincy, May 6. 1915. She graduated from the Quincy High School and the Gem City Business College, and prior to her marriage was bookkeeper for the Pure lee Company. Her parents, J. William and Sophia Schanz, were born in Quincy and are still living.

Mr. Woodriiff is a member of the Founders and Patriots Society of New England, and is an active member and one of the trustees of the Unitarian Church of Quincy. In politics he is a republican. Mrs. Woodruff is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Oev'el Harris is one of the men of Adams County who have identified their careers with agriculture. Mr. Harris was in the farming game long before it became so profitable or occupied so conspicuous a position in the destinies of the world as today, and he is therefore entitled to all the honors and benefits that go with his calling.

His present home is in Houston Township, on the farm where he was born February 25, 1871. His parents are Clark and Mary (Suter) Harris. His father was born in Adams County March 6, 1848, and was the youngest of seventeen children all of whom but one lived to be more than twenty-one yeai-s of age. The father of this large famil.v was Solomon Harris and his wife was Lucinda Harris. They came and made settlement in Adams County in early days. Solomon HaiTis at one time owned a grist mill at Bowen in Hancock County. Later he acquired 320 acres in Houston Township, now kno^vn as the D. H. Carlin farm. Solomon Harris died at Bowen and is buried in Ebenezer Cemetery in Houston Township. He and his wife were very active Baptists, and practically all their descendants are members of the same church. Clark Harris wa.s reared in Houston Township, had an education in the local schools, and has spent his active career as a farmer. He now o^^ms the 200 acres adjoining the place of his son Orvel and under the latter 's management. Clark Harris now lives retired at Bowen. His wife died in 1910. Their children were : Sylvester, who died at the age of sixteen ; Anna, wife of Philip Nelson, of Bowen; Orvel; and Pearl, wife of Sidney A. McGill, of Hancock County. Mr. Clark Harris is a democrat in politics. He has given public service through the offices of towmship clerk and member of the school board.

Orvel Harris grew up on the old farm and after getting his education in the public schools took up farming as his serious business. He individually owns a fine and well improved farm of 200 acres, and looks after its productive resources in addition to the 200 acres of his father's farm. Mr. Harris raises good stock, though he has not been inclined to take up the fancy stock business. He keeps pure bred Poland China hogs, and also feeds a number of cattle every year for the market. Mr. Harris is a democrat and served as township clerk twelve years, and as assessor one year and tax collector one year. Perhaps his chief interest in local affairs is directed to the maintenance of good schools. This is indicated by the fact that he has been a member of his local

December 29, 1892, he married Miss Lillie Boyd, of Houston Township, daughter of Kobert and Margaret (Ross) Boyd, natives of Ireland, who came from Pennsylvania to Adams County about forty years ago, when Mrs. Harris was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have two very talented and capable daughters : Irene, the older, is a graduate of the Baptist Woman's College at Liberty, Missouri, and studied elocution and expression in the School of Oratory at Northwestern University in Chicago. She is the wife of R. C. Miller and lives in Chicago. The otlier daughter, Margaret, also attended the college at Liberty, Missouri, and spent one year in the University of Missouri at Columbia. She until recently made her home with her sister in Chicago and was bond clerk with the Northwestern Railway Company. She is now the wife of J. A. B. Mirrit of Chicago.

Louis Nicolai, of Camp Point Township, is the type of American citizen of which every community might well be proud. Mr. Nicolai is a fanner wlio conducts his business with all the care, method and efficiency that the most successful manufacturer bestows upon his factory, and the way he handles his farm is indicative of the results he obtains when he gets into the public affairs of his community. He has proven an invaluable man as a member of various committees who have the responsibilities of raising the lownship's quota for the different patriotic purposes, such as liberty loans. Red Cross and saving stamps drives.

Mr. Nicolai was born in Honey Creek Township of this county January 9, 1858. "When Adams County was little more than a section of the Western Illinois wilderness his grandparents, Henry and Christina Nicolai, came from Gennany and settled on a farm in Ellington Township, improving and developing 120 acres there. This old homestead remained their place of residence until two years before their death. Henry Nicolai and wife had five children : Christina, Christopher and Thiel, twins, Louis and John, all of whom are now deceased.

John Christopher Nicolai was born in Germany August 1, 1835, and was a child when the family came to Adams County. He was educated in the local schools, and as a farmer he rented land until about 1869, when he bought 160 acres now o^vned by his son in Camp Point Township. This land he kept and used as his home until his death in 1886, at the age of fifty-one. He was a very active republican, and for some years filled the office "of road supervisor. He and his family were members of the German Lutheran Church. John Christopher Nicolai married Christina Gunther, who was born in Germany and was brought to this country when a young woman. She was a sister of Louis Gunther, a prominent retired resident of Camp Point. Mrs. Christina Nicolai died in 1888. She was the mother of seven children: Louis; Ada, widow of John L. Smith; Louisa and Etta, both deceased; Anna, wife of George Cunningham ; Otto, decea.sed ; and Emma, wife of Armel Cantrell.

Louis Nicolai grew \\j) on his father's farm in Honey Creek Township, attended public schools there and in Camp Point, and completed his education in the Quincy High School. He entered the ranks of Adams County's independent farmers when he bought eighty acres of land in Camp Point Township. That was the beginning of his accumulations as a land holder. He afterwards acquired the old homestead of his father, comprising 160 acres, and still later acquired eighty acres, so that his extensive operations as a farmer and stock man are not limited by a restricted acreage. He makes complete use of all the 320 acres he owns, and is both an extensive and intensive farmer. He recognizes the value of modern improvements and facilities, and it would be difficult to find anything lacking which is required on a standard, all purpose Illinois farm. Mr. Nicolai was the first to introduce into this county the Polled Angus cattle, and he now owns a herd of about fifty, which is his pride and ex-

Mr. Nieolai is a republican and for about fifteen years has served as school director and for several terms as commissioner of highways. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church.

In October, 1885, he married IMiss Matilda Uht. She was bom in Missouri, but is a member of an old Adams County family, daughter of John Christopher and Martha Ann Uht, who came in an early day from Germany and settled in Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Nieolai had three children, one of whom died in infancy. Their son George is now renting a portion of his father's land and has much of the drive and enterprise which characterizes his father as a farmer and business man. The second son, Amos, is the family representative in the great war. He is a member of Battery C, Fifteenth Battalion, Field Artillery, and was at Camp Taylor in Kentucky but is now at home.

Theodore W. Critm is one of the good and successful farmers of Camp Point Township, a young man of much practical achievement in the most vital and essential industry of agriculture and stock husbandry.

He was born in Houston Township May 13, 1875, son of Theodore P. and Rebecca Ann (Willard) Crum. His mother is a daughter of John and Rebecca (McFarland) Willard, whose lives as pioneer settlers and important personalities in the early daj'S of Adams County have some further reference on other pages of this publication. Theodore P. Crum came to Adams County in early days, married here, and was a farmer. He served as a seldier in the Civil war, and died in Indiana. Mrs. Crum died on the old Adams County farm January 22, 1911. She was the mother of six children, Anna ; John ; Eliza Jane; Mary, who died October 13, 1907; Theodore W. ; and Irwin W.. who died in infancy.

Theodore W. Crum grew up on the old farm and was educated in the common schools. He and his sister Eliza J. now own and occupy the homestead of sixty-five acres, and both of them have remained single and the sister keeps house for her brother. Mr. Crum conducts his place as a general farm, raising considerable stock, and has always enjoyed a high standing and reputation in his community. For fifteen years he has been a member of the school board, is a democrat, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Golden. His sister is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Golden.

George H. Reutzel is one of the successful farmers, and good citizens and highly capable men of Columbus Township. Mr. Reutzel has never participated in public aflfairs to the extent of seeking office, but his friends have long recognized in him the material that would make a splendid official, since he is a man of good judgment, thoroughly honest and capable in everything he undertakes.

The Reutzel home is in section 9 of Columbus Township, where Mr. Reutzel has lived for sixteen years. He has a farm of 160 acres, well improved with good buildings, the land being rolling and of fine natural drainage, and well fitted for diversified cropping. There are two flowing springs on the land besides wells. Mr. Reutzel has done much to improve and increase the value of his farm. Besides crops of corn, wheat, oats and clover he keeps much livestock. He came to this farm from another place in the same township, and has lived all his life in Adams County.

Mr. Reutzel was born at Quincy September 8, 1859, son of Henry and Catherine (Ilurtcr') Reutzel. His father was born in Hesse-Darm.stadt and his mother in Baden, Germany. The.v came to America on sailing vessels at different times. The mother landed in New York after a voyage of seven week.s, while the father reached this country at New Orleans. They were married in Quincy and not long afterward settled on a farm in Gilmer To\vnship and still later on a farm in Columbus Township. They finally retired from farming and lived on the Gilmer Tov^Tiship side of the Village of Columbus. The father died there in July, 1915, aged eighty-five, and the mother in November, 1917, aged eighty-three.' They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics the father voted as a republican.

George H. Reutzel was one of a family of seven sons and five daughtei-e. Two sons died in infancy. Nine of the children are still living, a daughter, Mrs. Browning, dying and leaving two daughters.

George H. Reutzel was married on the farm where he now lives to Miss ilaria Goerker. She was born here February 12, 1867, and has always lived in this one community, attending the schools of her native township. Her parents were Henry and Catherine (Horneker) Goerker. Her father was born in Hesse Cassell, and her mother in Baden. They came to this country with their respective parents, her mother as a small child and her father as a young man. The voyage was made by sailing vessel, and from New York they came West and Mrs. Reutzer's parents were married in Adams County. They spent their married lives as farmers in Columbus Township, and improved much of that land from a wilderness condition. Her mother died at the old home in 1873, aged thirty-two, while her father pas.sed away in July, 1902, aged seventy-five. IMrs. Reutzel 's parents were lioth Lutherans, ilr. and Mrs. Reutzel are members of the Camp Point Methodist Episcopal Church.

They are deservedly proud of their family of children, one of whom is already sei-ving with the National Army in France. Harry I., born December 28, 1890, enlisted in December, 1917, for the coast artillery, served in France with the heavy guns along the coast of the North Sea, and is now on way home. The daughter. Bernice I. married Fred Bowling, a farmer in Concord Township. Clifl'ord IL, who was registered in the draft, is a Columbus Township farmer. He married Gertrude Balsar and has a daughter, Dorothy. Ralph "William, born in 1899, also registered for the recent draft, is a partner in the management of the home farm. Henry H., the youngest child, is sixteen years old and is still at home.

S.\MUEL Griswold. 3 wcU knowTi retired resident and property owner of Camp Point, spent his most productive years in the northwestern states, especially in Washington, where, beginning as a homesteader he accumulated a large body of land, and for many years farmed it successfully to wheat, fruit and the other staple crops of the Northwest. But in the end Mr. Griswold chose to spend his later years in the State of Illinois, and is now enjoying the comforts of one of the best homes of Camp Point. He has three sons who are serving their country in the war.

Mr. Griswold was born in West Virginia August 1, 1857, son of Lyman and ilary Jane (Wickline) Griswold. His paternal gi-andfather, Giles Griswold, died in Ohio at the age of seventy-two, while his widow, Sallie Griswold, came West and spent her last years in McDonough Coiinty, Illinois, where at the time of her death in 1875 she was lO-l years of age. Lyman Griswold was born in Connecticut in 1818. He was taken when a child to Ohio, grew up there, and married Mary Jane Wickline, who was born in that state in 1828. After their marriage they moved to West Virginia, and in 1858 settled in Fremont County, Iowa, and in 1863 came to McDonough County, Illinois. Both were very capable school teachers in early life, though Ljmian Griswold was unable to read or write until he was eighteen years of age. His thirst for knowledge enabled him to acquire an education beyond the average of most men, and he was also very successful in imjiarting instruction to others. He was also a capable farmer and business man and owned 320 acres in McDonough County at the time of his death. He died there in 1890 and his wife in 1908. He was a democrat and served as justice of the peace and collector, and was very active in politics in IMcDonough County. The children of Lyman Griswold and wife were : John, Sallie, Samuel. Giles. Jeremiah. Thomas. Louis and Anna. All are still living except Jeremiah, who was accidentally killed in Montana September 11, 1914. At the present time there are thirtj'-six surviving grandchildren of Lyman Gris- wold and wife. During the last thirty years in the Griswold family circle there have been only three deaths, and only one of these was from natural causes.

Samuel Griswold though a native of West Virginia first became conscious of the world in Iowa, and grew up in McDonough County, Illinois. He was educated in public schools, and was twenty-four years of age when in 1881 he went WcvSt to the Territory of Washington. He had many interesting experiences in the far West, and for several years was employed at monthly wages. He took a homestead of 120 acres, and around that developed from time to time a splendid body of land until he had 1,200 acres near Davenport, Washington. Through his personal efforts and through hired labor he broke most of the land and farmed it either under his personal supervision or by renting. He succeeded well as a wheat grower, and was also early in the business of fruit raising. He had fifteen acres in fruit, apricots, cherries, peaches, apples and plums, and was one of the pioneer producers of the famous fruit of the Northwest. Mr. Griswold sold some of his land but still has 1,000 acres in that state.

On November 1, 1905, he resumed his residence in Illinois, at Camp Point, and now owns a fine home at the end of Ohio Street, a place which he has greatly beautified both in the buildings and the surrounding grounds. He also owns forty acres adjoining the village. Mr. Griswold is a democratic voter, and is liberal in religious matters.

October 30, 1892, he married Miss Minnie Douglass. Mrs. Griswold was born at Tennessee in McDonough County, Illinois, December 11, 1866, daughter of John S. and Caroline (Bevan) Douglass. Her father was born in Maryland June 3, 1814. and from his native state moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, then crossed the Ohio River into Belmont County, where he met and married Caroline Bevan, who was born in Belmont County October 31, 1822. After their marriage they came West to Tennessee in McDonough County, Illinois, during the '50s, and John S. Douglass was for many years a merchant at Tennessee. He died there May 7, 1887, and his wife September 18, 1907. Mr. Douglass was a republican, and he and his wife were active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children were: Louis, deceased; Stacy B., deceased; Martha A.; Ellen R. ; William R., deceased; Elmer E.: Minnie L. ; and Edward H., deceased. Mrs. Griswold was educated in the schools of Tennessee and of La Prairie in Adams County, and attended the old normal at Macomb. For eight years she was a successful teacher, and in that occupation she followed the example of her father, who had been an educator for some years.

The three sturdy and patriotic sons of 'Sir. and Mrs. Griswold are Jay S., born May 23, 1895," John D., born June 25, 1898, and Emerson, born January 16, 1899. The youngest graduated from the Maplewood High School at Camp Point in 1918. " Jay S. is also a graduate of the Maplewood High School and attended Illinois University li/o years. With this training he went to the Northwest to look after his" father's ranch in Washington, but when this country entered the war against Germany he enlisted and is now a member of Battery C Thirteenth Regiment, Field Artillery. During the summer of 1918 he was at Camp Taylor, Kentucky-. John D., the second son, graduated from the Maplewood High' School and also had one year of university training. June 28, 1917, after he had .just passed his nineteenth birthday he left school to enlist in the navy. Preparatory to that he had taken wireless telegraphy courses at Harvard University and also at New London, Connecticut, and is now a wireless operator on the United States torpedo destroyer Murray.

Francis Delano SiirrH. The records of early settlement in Columbus Township do not go back much farther than the date of the first settlement of the Smith family here. Four generations of the family have lived in the county, including Francis Delano Smith, who for many years has been one of the leading farmers in section 4, where for over eighty years the family have owned land in that section of Columbus Township.

The Smiths are of Scotch ancestry. Philip Smith was an early Kentucky pioneer. He was a farmer and died in Kentucky. Among his children was George Smith, who was born in Kentucky-, in Jefferson County, near the falls of the Ohio at Louisville. He married Isabel Carmiehael, who was born in Pennsylvania and was taken as a child to Jeffei-son County, Kentucky. Her parents were James and Jane Carmiehael, who spent the rest of their days in Kentucky. George Smith and wife w-ere married in 1815. Their children were born in Kentucky. In 1837 George Smith came West, bringing his wife and children, and they brought their household possessions on wagons drawn by teams of horses, traveling all the way by country roads until they reached section 4 of Columbus Township. This was a wild and almost desolate part of the county at that time, but George Smith located there because of its fine timber, and also because of its splendid water supply. On his farm was a spring which even todaj- had a flow of a hundred fifty gallons per hour. George Smith acquired four hundred acres of this wild land, and his first home was a log cabin, later replaced by a. hued log cabin of two apartments, and gradually, assisted by his sons and daughters, George Smith cleared and put much of his land into cultivation. George Smith died on the old farm, June 7, 1846. His widow survived him and passed away at the age of ninety. George Smith was a very large man, weighing 250 pounds. He served a number of j'ears as a county commissioner.

Alexander M. Smith, father of Francis Delano, was bom in Jefferson County, Kentucky, May 31, 1821, and was sixteen years old when brought to Adams County. He grew up on the old farm, and had an active part in its clearing and development. When the estate was divided he inherited his share and later bought the interests of his brothers James and John and his sister Celesta. These other children all married and left families. Alexander M. Smith made many improvements on the old homestead. He erected a fine barn in 1857, considered at that time and for some years later as the best barn in the township. In 1871 he built a commodious house, and in that, with an ample competence, he spent his last years. He died October 14, 1894.

December 4, 1845, Alexander M. Smith married Eliza A. Turner. She was born in Clark County, Indiana, and died in August, 1861, the mother of two children : Ellen A. and Winfield S. Ellen died unmarried in 1894. Winfield now lives at Pomona, California, and is married but has no children. On February 25, 1862, Alexander M. Smith married Rebecca J. Turner, sister of his first wife. She was born in Indiana about 1825, and when a young girl was brought to Adams County by her parents, Francis and Elizabeth (Beadels) Turner. The Turners located on almost new land, and her father died in advanced years. Her mother died in Clayton Township. Mrs. Alexander Smith died December 19, 1893, when past sixty-eight years of age. She and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Alexander Smith was elected a member of the first Board of Supervisors of the county and served altogether for eleven years. For two terms he was a member of the State Legislature, and for about fifteen years was one of the Board of Managers of the County Poor Farm. In polities he was a republican.

Francis Delano Smith, only child of his father's second marriage, was born August 17, 1865. He grew up in Columbus Township, attended the country schools and also the graded school at Coatsburg, and since reaching his majoritj' has been owner and operator of the old homestead. He lost a good barn in the cyclone of October 12, 1902, and some years ago built a large barn 30 by 40 feet, with 12-foot .sheds. His fann produces all the cereal crops, and is the more valuable because of its excellent drainage.

Mr. Smith married in Columbus Township of this county Miss Anna Davis. She was born near the Village of Columbus, February 27, 1871, and was educated in the town.ship schools and in the Camp Point public schools. Mrs. Smith has been a most capable home maker and de.serves much credit for the upbringing of her children. She is a daughter of George H. and Amanda (Hendricks) Davis. Her father was born July 3, 1841, and her parents were married October

10, 1867. Her grandpareuts, Henry and Ann (Silk) Davis, were nativefs of England and after their marriage came to Adams County and settled in Columbus Towiiship. Her grandfather died in California and her grandmother, Ann Davis, died in Columbus Township, January 27, 1871. Her grandfather was a California forty-niner, going across the plains with ox-teams to that state. Her father, George H. Davis, at the age of nineteen also went across the plains with an ox team in 1861, and was four months and twenty days in reaching California. He was thei-e four years, and then returned to the States by way of the Isthmus. He married and spent the rest of his days in Adams County. George H. Davis died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Smith, August 1, 1914, aged seventy-three. His widow, who was bona in 1851, is still living, a resident of Clayton. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had two sons : Alexander H., born October 9, 1893, married Florence ]\IcFarland, and died when about twenty-three years of age. Francis W. Smith, born July 14, 1900, is a member of the cla.ss of 1919 in the Maplewood High School at Camp Point. The Smith family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church at Camp Point. Mr. Smith has always been a strenuous advocate of temperance, and jMrs. Smith's father wa.s one of the pioneer prohibitionists of the county.

Geoege Washington Cthus. Business and other public duties have kept George Washington Cyrus in close touch with the life and affairs of Adams County for half a century or more, and it was on account of these many qualifications that he was selected as one of the advisory editors of this publication.

Mr. Cyrus is one of the older native sons of Adams County. He was born in Houston Township March 15, 1842, son of Henry Arnols and Athaliah G. (Ruddell) Cyrus. His parents were Adams County pioneers, locating on a raw prairie farm in Houston Township in the year 1836. His father died here in 1847 and his mother in 1888.

George W. Cyrus had a country school education, and has successively followed as his chief line of business farming, proprietor of a drug store and newspaper publisher. His name stands high among the county journalists. He established the Camp Point Journal and was its editor from 1873 to 1910. When a young man and about fifty years ago, in 1869, he was made po.stmaster of Camp Point, and filled that office until 1885, when the fir.st democratic administration after the war took charge of national affairs. He served as justice of the peace of his precinct from 1879 to 1886, as supervisor from 1886 to 1893, and in 1912 came into touch with larger state affairs as a member of the State Board of Equalization.

Mr. Cyrus has been an undeviatingly consistent republican in all his political affiliations. He is affiliated with the ilasonic order. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias, has presided over the lodges of each of these bodies and has held some positions in the Grand Lodge of IMasons since 1870, and also in the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery. He is affiliated with Quincy Consistory of the Scottish Rite.

September 22, 1863, in Houston Township Mr. Cyrus married Emily Christina Strickler. She is a daughter of David and Anna Strickler, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus have two daughters, Annie and Jessie. The older daughter is unmarried and at home, while Jessie is the wife of John W. Creekmur, a prominent Chicago attorney.

Henry Sommer is one of the older residents of Columbus Township, where he located over thirty years ago, and has put his efforts to such good use that his advanced years are being spent in the comforts and plenty of one of the good farms and homes of that rural section. He owns 117 acres, all improved and with valuable buildings. When he located there in 1885 he also set out ilr. Sommer was born in Oldenburg, Germany, October 28, 1837, son ot John and Elizabeth Sommer and of old Catholic ancestry. His father was a farmer in Germany and died there at the age of fifty-five, while his mother passed away at seventy-two.

Henry Sommer grew up in his native province, and in 1852 was called to the colors for three years in the regular army. In 1865 he started for America, taking passage at Bremen and landing at New York. From New York he came on to Quiney and not long afterwards married Miss Minnie Suburg, who was liorn in the same section as her husband in October, 1843. They had been betrothed before coming to America. She started from Bremen to New York in 1866. The steamer which carried her was wrecked in mid ocean and for two weeks it drifted in a badly damaged condition and finally, when the passengers were nearly starved, they" were landed on the coast of Iceland, and from there were picked up and carried to Halifax by an English transport and thence transferred to a boat going to Boston. Minnie Suburg, during this long and eventful journey had been greatly befriended by a lady who was on the same voyage, and tlii-ough her kindness she got to Philadelphia. From there she came on to Quincv througli funds supplied her by her uncle Herman Einhaus, then a resident of "Adams County. In April after arriving at Quiney they were married.

ilr. Sommer after his marriage worked in Quiney two years in a machine shop, and was then on the farm of his wife's uncle in Riverside Township for seven years. Later they farmed at another place in that township, and in 1885 came to the present Sommer home in Columbus Towniship. Mr. Sommer has been a very successful farmer and stock raiser, and during his active years derived mucii of his revenue from Poland China hogs.

Mrs. Sommer died at the old home January 15, 1918, at the age of eighty years and five days. She was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. Mr. Sommer is still active and vigorous, and celebrated his eighty-eighth birthday October 29, 1918. He and all his family have for many years been members of St. Bridget's Catholic Churcli at Camp Point.

A brief record of the children is as follows : Henry lives on the farm belonging to his brothers John and George. He married Emma Hildebrand, of Ellington Township, and their children are Albert, Carl, Henrietta Minna, Mildred and Edith. John Sommer was born in Ellington Township in 1871, was well educated in the parochial and public schools, and is now one of the active managers of the home farm. He and his brother George own eighty acres in Columbus Township and he also owns another place of twenty-three acres. John Sommer, who is unmarried, has been a man of importance in his township and foi- twelve years was in commercial lines as a salesman of fence and implements, and is ecpially successful as a farmer and stock raiser. Kate is still at home with her father. Minnie is also at home. George, the youngest of the family, lives at Pea Ridge in Brown County, owns eighty acres there, and is married.

Jacob Oberling is owner and proprietor of the Overlook Farm in Columbus Township. The ownership of this farm constitutes him without further question as one of the most substantial men of Adams County. It consists of land which his father, George Oberling, helped to convert to agrieidtural purposes. It lies in section 6. and the farm comprises 260 acres. The buildings are first class in every particular. The large, square eight room house was built by Mr. Oberling and completely remodeled and furnished and equipped in 1913. There is a new barn 48 by 48 feet, and other buildings include a cattle barn and tool shed. All the land has good natural drainage, and is highly productive of all the staple crops. Mr. Oberling keeps good grades of livestock, including horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. Farming with him is a business but is also

Mr. Oberling has handled this farm for twenty-five years and he learned how to plow and all about farm work on the land which he now cultivates. He was born in Quincy October 9, 1866, and as a boy attended school in the Hazelwood district and in Camp Point.

His parents were George and Katie (Seller) Oberling, both natives of Germany. The grandfather, George Oberling, Sr., and the maternal grandfather. Christian Seller, brought their respective families to the United States and settled in Adams County in the early '40s. His father located as a pioneer on land now included in Overlook Farm. He and his wife spent their last years there, his death occurring at the age of eighty. George Oberling, Sr., spent all his life in Quincy and followed the trade of shoemaker. These families were Lutherans and all the male members were democrats.

George Oberling, Jr., was about eighteen years of age when he enlisted at Quincy in an Adams County regiment in 1861 for service in the Union army. He was fighting the cause of freedom three years, and during that time participated in such memorable battles as Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Atlanta campaign and many others. He had many hardships but, had no real wounds. Once a ball pierced his canteen and he had many other narrow escapes.

After returning from the war he married Miss Seller. She died in Columbus Township when past three score years. George Oberling was born October 26, 1843, and is now living in the Soldiers Home at Quincy in rather feeble health.

In Columbus Township Jacob Oberling, who is always known among his friends and associates as Jake Oberling, married Miss Anna M. Senner. She was born on what is now the J. C. Gibbs farm in Columbus Township April 5, 1871, and was reared and educated there. Her parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Kereher) Senner, both natives of Germany. On coming to the United States they located on what is now the farm and home of Supervisor Gibbs of Columbus Township. They practically dug that land out of the woods, and lived there many years, seeing their efforts blessed with abundant fertility and ample provision for themselves and their family. Mrs. Oberling 's father died in another part of Columbus Township at the age of sixty. Mrs. Senner now lives with a daughter in the Village of Columbus and is past seventy-four years of age. She is a member of the Lutheran Church at Coatsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Oberling and their family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chvirch. A brief record of their children is as follows: Charles is a farmer in Columbus Township, married Eunice Leash and has a daughter, Ethel, now four years old. Oscar lives in the Village of Columbus and married Mabel Knoblock. William is an exceptionally fine mechanic and is now employed as an instructor in the government automobile and tractor school at North Kansas City, Missouri. He married Helen Wheeler. Lee Oberling married Margaret Knoblock, and they live on one of Mr. Oberling's farms in Columbus Township. Maria is still unmarried and at home.

John Christ Gibbs. While the business eai'eer of Mr. Gibbs has been that of a farmer, and a very capable one at that, in Columbus TowTiship, his long and effective public service as a supervisor has made his name familiar all over Adams County. He is now in his fifth term as supervisor for Columbus Township, and has for three consecutive terms served as chairman of the board. He was elected to this office on the democratic ticket. His home is a good farm of eighty acres in section 5 of Columbus Township. This farm is all improved and thoroughly cultivated, and contains a substantial nine room house built in 1903, and his barn, well equipped for both stock and grain, is several years older. He also owns fifty-four acres in section 6 of the same township, using this land chiefly for pasturage. Mr. Gibbs bought his present home farm twenty-one years ago. He had previouslj- lived on another farm in the same township.

John Christ Gibbs was l)orn in J\lemphis, Tennessee, September 21, 1870, and was two years of age when brought to Adams County. He is a son of William and Harriet I. (Shadden) Gibbs, both natives of Tennessee. His father on coming to Adams County located in Honey Creek Township, and for a number of years conducted a blacksmith shop in Coatsburg. He died there July 8, 1889, aged fifty-eight years, two months and ten days. He was a democrat in politics. His first wife, whom he married in Tennessee, died leaving the following children: Frances T., Cordelia, America and Mason. Cordelia is now deceased and the others are still living, all of them in Adams County e.xcept America, whose home is in Oklahoma. William Gibbs married for his second wife Harriet I. Shadden, of an old Tennessee family. She died when her son John C. was two yeai's old. She was the mother of three children. William Gibbs married a third time, but had no children by that wife. He was an active member of the United Brethren Church.

John Christ Gibbs grew up in the Village of Coatsburg, attended school there, and since reaching his majority has given his efforts most successfully to farming. He married in Columbus Township Anna E. Marshall. She was born in that township March 10, 1868, and was reared and educated there. Her parents were John C. and Mary E. (DeMoss) Marshall, the former a native of Germany. Her grandparents, John C. and Mary Marshall, onl coming from Germany located in Columbus Township and improved some land there, where they died when past sixty years of age. The Marshalls were a Lutheran family. John C. Marshall, Jr., after his marriage lived on a farm in Columbus Township, where he died October 28, 1888. He was born in 1840. Mrs. Gibbs' mother is .still living, a resident of Columbus Village, making her home with her son Garnet. She was seventy-four years of age on July 4, 1918.

Mr. and Sirs. Gibbs have three children : Garnet C. born November 19, 1894, was educated in the Hazelwood district schools and in February, 1918, entered the service of Uncle Sam as a member of the engineer corps, was stationed at a camp in Oregon and at this writing is at Rockford, Illinois. Loyd Marshall, the second child, was born March 16, 1902, and is a schoolboy. Mildred A., born April 17, 1904, is in the ninth grade of the public schools. The family are members of the Christian Church.

Nathan F. Fisher, a son of Henry and Catherine (Fessenden) Fisher, has for many years been one of the leading farmers and progressive citizens of Liberty Township. His home place is 2y2 miles east of Liberty Village. The Fishers and the Fessendens have for a long period of years been among the most prominent people in that part of the comity.

Henry Fisher was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 11, 1836. In 1854 he came to the United States in order to escape enforced military service, and for a brief time remained at Ganesville. Ohio. Later he joined relatives in Brown County, Illinois. He learned the trade of blacksmith, and once worked in a foundry, receiving 25 cents for his first week's wages. In 1860 he came to Adams County and went to work in the blacksmith shop on the farm of Fred Miller. He was a skillful workman, thrifty and steady in habits, and continued employment on the Fred ]\riller farm until he had saved about $1,000. The Fred Miller farm was but a short distance from the Fessenden farm, and the young blacksmith soon made the acquaintance of Catherine Fessenden, and on September 30, 1866, they were married.

Mrs. Catherine Fisher was born February 17, 1842. on the farm where she now resides in Liberty Township. Her father, Nathan Fessenden, who came of the same family as that to which the late statesman, William Pitt Fessenden, belonged, was born in Vermont and followed the foundiy trade in Boston. After settling in Adams County he married Sarah Lierle, a daughter of William R.

Lierle, a member of one of the very old and numerous families in Adams County. The various members of the Lierle family and mueh other information will be found on other pages of this publication. Nathan Fessendeu died in August, 1868, at the age of sixty years. His widow survived him many years, passing away October 4, 1911. She was born October 28, 1817, and was "therefore in her niuety-foui'th year when she died. For tifteen years she had lived with her daughter Mi-s. Catherine Fisher, who gave to her mother most devoted care. At her mother's death ]\Irs. Catherine Fisher received eighty acres of the old homestead. Catherine was one of three sisters. Her sister Elizabeth married Calvin Craig, of New Canton, Pike County, Illinois, and died less than a year after her marriage. Her sister Lucy married Isaac Miller, a son of the Fred Miller, for whom Henry Fisher worked so many years. The Jlillers lived in Kansas some years but finally returned to Liberty Township, where Lucy died at the age of thirty-five. She was the mother of Maud, who died in childhood, and Fred, who now lives at Galesburg.

After his marriage Henrj^ Fisher took a shop in Liberty Village and conducted it with a large and flourishing trade for ten years. In those days he made in his shop practically everything used, even horseshoe nails. He worked long hours, practically night and day. He always had a keen interest in agriculture, and finally sold his shop in the village and moved out to a farm. He bought eighty acres adjoining his wife's home, built a good house and barn, and added more land until it was a complete farm. He also set up a shop on his farm, did work for his neighbors, and most of the work of his fields was performed by his children or by hired hands. Henry Fisher continued active until his death in May, 1906. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was a democrat in politics. His wife is a member of the Pleasant View Baptist Church. The Pleasant View Church grounds were donated by Henry Fisher, and recently its cemetery was enlarged by gift from Nathan F. Fisher. The latter is a trustee of the cemetery and is a trustee and deacon of the church. Mrs. Catherine Fisher now lives with her son Nathan. She is a remarkably bright and capable woman and though past seveiity-fivc years of age is still active. Much of her life has been spent in doing for others and in whole-hearted devotion to the welfare of the community and lightening its troubles. For years she was siiperintendent of the Sundaj^ school. She was the mother of three children, Nettie, Charles and Nathan. Charles died at the age of thirteen. Nettie Fisher was one of the most successful educators Adams County has ever had. She taught twenty-one terms, most of that time in the home school, and at one time was in a school near Des Moines. She had attended one term at the Dixon Normal School, and was constantly improving her advantages by attending educational institutions. She always received the highest wages as a teacher. Later she married Arthur Miller, of Mount Sterling, Illinois, and she died at Los Angeles, leaving one son, Carl Miller, now living in California.

Nathan F. Fisher lives at home and early took upon himself many of the responsibilities connected with the management of the farm. About seventeen years ago he bought eighty acres where he now lives, this having been originally owned by his father. He has built a good house and barn, has added forty acres besides, and in addition has conducted the old home. Mr. Fisher has been liberal in the support of the Red Cross, Liberty Bond and other patriotic movements. He is a democrat. Since he was twenty-one years of age he has served continuously as school director except for one year. He is a member of the Adams County ]\Iutual Insurance Company, is a Woodman, and, as above noted, is very active in the Pleasant View Baptist Chiirch.

At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Lydia Kuntz, of McKee To^vnship, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Kuntz, both now deceased. Her father was an old soldier and his life was shortened by his army service. Mrs. Fisher was born in McKee Towmship. Five children have conie to their union. Bertha, the oldest, is the wife of Harry Prischkorn, now living at Selma, Montana. They have one child, Florine L. Charles H. is at the same locality in Montana, where he and his brother-in-law took up homesteads. He married Ethel Carter and has two children, Delbert C. and Floyd Orville. Nettie, formerly a teacher in Adams County, is the wife of Everett Taylor, who now operates the old Fisher farm. Edith M. is at home, as is also Floyd F. The daughter Bertha was for seven years a teacher in Adams County before her marriage.

Ernst Willl\m Schafer. The best Americans today are those whose energies ai-e devoted to the productive processes by which the world is fed and clothed. Measured by this standard, Ernst William Schafer, of Fall Creek Township, has an enviable record. Mr. Schafer has been a practical farmer all his life, and has sought no honors beyond those connected with good honest toil and kindly relations with his community. Mr. Schafer 's place, where he was born and where he has spent all his life, is located near the town hall in Fall Creek Township.

He was born on that farm March 20, 1866, a son of William and Flora (Kruger) Schafer. His parents came with three children from Lippe-Dctmold to America and settled in Adams County. The father began renting the farm now owned by his son. He had about $200 on reaching this country, having earned that or rather saved it from his meager wages in a brick yard in Germany. He continued as a renter for some ten or fifteen years before he bought 160 acres included in the fine farm of his son Ernst William. For that land he paid $40 an acre, and went in debt for a considerable part of the purchase money. After that he made the land pay for itself. Some years later he bought another 160 acres ad.ioining, about half of it bottom land. By that time land values had greatly increa.sed, and he paid $10,000 for this tract. The first 160 acres is nearly all bottom land, with about five acres of big walnut timber. The present substantial residence on the farm was built the year William Schafer died. His first house was erected of logs, and his first considerable improvement was a good barn. The children slept in the loft of the barn, and in the winter they frequently woke up to find their covers overlaid witli snow. William Schafer also Ixiught sixty acres of chiefly pasture land. He was once asked to serve as road boss, but he never showed any inclinations to accept such public responsibility. He was a very active member and liberal supporter of the Evangelical Church, and was laid to rest in the churchyard. His good wife died in March and he passed away in ^lay, 1899, at the age of eighty-one. His family consisted of the following children : Jettie, who married Alexander IMiller, and both are now deceased ; Julia died about five years ago in Eubanks, Missouri, her first husband having been Henry Felton and her second, Fred Riese; Hannah married John Speckhart, a well known citizen elsewhere referred to : Latta is the wiie of Gns Higgenbarmer, a retired gardener living at Quincy; Henry lives on one of his father's farms; Louise, wife of August Reich, of Fall Creek Township; Ernst William; and Minnie and Amelia, both unmarried.

Ernst William Schafer has spent all his life on the old farm. He inherited the original homestead of 160 acres, and he and his brother Henry owned together the sixty acres previously refen-ed to, until he bought his brother's share. That gives him a farm of 220 acres, though a few acres have been taken out for the right of way of the Power Line and Railroad. Except the house and barn he has erected all the buildings on the farm. This is one of the most productive farms in the county for corn and wheat, wheat having been a special crop with ]\lr. Schafer for many years.

March 12, 1898, he married ]\Iiss Catherine Keil, daughter of George and Margaret (Speckhart) Keil. She grew up in the same neighborhood as her husband, and was twenty years of age at the time of her marriage. She is a sister of Adam Keil, and member of the well known family of that name frequently mentioned on other pages. Her father died about thirty-five years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Schafer have four children, all at home, named Andrew, Fred,

Besides his home place Mr. Schafer and his brother Henry some yeai-s ago secured 140 acres of bottom land on Sny Island, and they still own that in partnership.

Capt. William Somerville. Noteworthy among the citizens of honor and integrity whom Adams County has been called upon to mourn within the past few years none were more highly esteemed and none are more missed than Capt, "William Somerville, of Quincy. An officer in the Civil war, and later active in public affairs, his services in military and civil life are eminently entitled to honorable recognition and commendation. A son of James Somerville III, he was born August 15, 1837. in HoUidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania, where his great-gi'andfather, James Somerville I, located on immigrating to this country from Scotland in about 1735, and where his grandfather, James Somerville II, spent his entire life, dying in 1840, at the venerable age of ninety years.

James Somer\'ille III. born in 1800, lived in Pennsylvania until 1850. Following the march of civilization westward in that year to Hancock County, Illinois, he settled with his family on a farm in Carthage. Listening to the lure of the far distant gold fields, he went to California in search of the precious metal, but being disappointed in the re,sults of his mining ventures he soon returned to Carthage, served in Civil war for a time, and was afterward engaged in tilling the soil during the remainder of his active life. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Stover, daughter of Michel and Katherine (Fischer) Stover, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1810, coming from pure Dutch ancestry, and she died in 1856 in Hancock County, Illinois, aged forty-six years.

A lad of thirteen years when he came with his parents to Illinois, William Somerville attended the public schools for a time, acquiring the common branches. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, tilled with the same patriotic ardor that inspired his Grandfather Somerville, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary army, he enlisted May 9, 1861, in Company D, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, one of the most noted regiments of the Western army, and with his comrades participated in many of the more important engagements of the conflict. Faithful at all times to the duties imposed upon him, and brave and fearless in battle, he won promotions by gallant conduct on the field of battle, rising from the ranks to the responsible position of captain of his company.

Among the many battles in which Captain Somerville took an active part was the one at New Madrid, the engagements at Island No. 10, and the two at Farmington. He was with his command during the Atlanta campaign, fighting gallantly on various occasions. He accompanied Shennan on the march to the sea, thence through the Carolinas up to Bentonville, North Carolina, where, in March, 1865, the captain was wounded in the groin by a minnie ball and incapacitated for further service, the war being ended when his wound had healed.

Returning to Illinois after receiving his discharge from the army. Captain Somer\'ille was actively identified for a period of twenty-eight years with the internal revenue service, a position that he filled most acceptably, gaining national distinction for the bravery and tact with which handled the moonshine distillers and other crooked employes of the Government, who were apprehended through his vigorous efforts. In his brave and fearless pursuit through the mountain strongholds of the illicit distillers, the captain made himself so obnoxious to the moonshiners that they placed a price upon his head and vowed to shoot him if they ever had a chance. In the spring of 1897 Captain Somerville resigned his office in the revenue service to accept the position of superintendent of the Soldiers' Home at Quincy, Illinois, having been appointed by Governor Tanner. In that capacity he displayed rare good judgment and execu-

Conspicuous in political matters, Captain Somerville was active and influential in republican ranks ; fraternally he was prominent in Masonic circles, having been a member of lodge, chapter and commandery; he was likewise an active and interested member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Loyal Legion.

For his first wife Captain Somerville married Helen M. Alexander at Eaton, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas K. and Charlotte (Perry) Alexander. The Perrys came to the United States about 1635, and the Alexanders are an old Virginia family. Mrs. Somerville was born at "West Alexander, Ohio, January 23, 1841, and died in Quincy in April, 1871, when thirty years of age, leaving four children, two of whom died in infancy. The remaining two are Miss Carrie Somerville, and James A. Somerville, who is identified with the Missouri Pacific Railway Company and makes his home in Saint Louis. Captain Somerville married for his second wife Mary Thompson, a daughter of Thomas and Amelia (Williams) Thompson. Mi's. Somerville was a native of Quine}\ Captain Somerville died January 9, 1911, in Quincy, which had been his home for upwards of forty years, and his wife, who survived him, passed to the life beyond December 21, 1915.

Thomas B. Dempset. One of the oldest as well as one of the best country estates in Ellington Township is the old Dempsey homestead in section 2. It has been continuously occupied by people of the Dempsey name since it was acquired, largely in an unimproved condition, by James Dempsey seventy years ago. Through all these years it has responded to intelligent cultivation and management, and is today more valuable and productive than ever, with a grandson of the original owner in charge of fields and general management.

At that old homestead the late Thomas B. Dempsey was born October 1, 1855, and in the same environment spent practically all the days of his life. He died September 1, 1916, at the age of sixty-one.

His father, James Dempsey, was born in Londonderry August 15, 1820. He was one of the interesting pioneers of Adams County, and had a long and useful life, terminating March 12, 1899, when he was seventy-nine years of age. He was of pure Irish ancestrv, the Dempseys all being Catholics, and with few exceptions Irish farmers. James Dempsey gi'ew up in Ireland and had aliout rounded out his ma.iority when in 1841 he came on a sailing vessel with his brother Charles to New York City. They landed there six weeks after starting from home, and James Dempsej^ soon went to Pennsylvania and found self supporting employment. While there he married Bridget McCafferty. She was born in the same Irish county as her husband, being a year or two younger. She had come to America %vith her brothers William and Robert, also by sailing vessel. In Pennsylvania she found employment at Catasaqua, and was there until her marriage. Her brothers William and Robert both enlisted at the time of the Civil war, one fighting for the North and the other in the luiiform of the gray. William lost his life during the war, and after his army career Robert returned to Ireland.

James Dempsey after his marriage worked at the Iron Works at Allentown, Penn.sylvania. About that time his parents, Patrick and Mary Dempsey, came to America, and they spent their last j'ears in Ellington Township of Adams County. Other members of the family to live in Adams County were Mark, Ed, Charles and Patrick Dempsey.

Two children were born to James Dempsey and wife in Penn.sylvania. Then in the late '40s by canal boat and river and overland traffic they reached Adams County. They invested their limited capital in a tract of partly improved land, 160 acres, in section 2 of Ellington Township. It was years of toil and unceasing diligence on the part of James Dempsey that this land was converted into a fine farm. He lived there the rest of his life. Both he and his wife were active members of St. Peter's Catholic Church in. Quincy but later became identified with the founding of St. Joseph's Church in ilendon Township, and they gave liberally of their means to the building of the church and were alwavs workers in its organization. James Dempsey and wife had the following children: Thomas, James, Jr., William, John, Patrick, :\Iary. Sarah, Catherine and Ellen. All the sons are now decea.sed. The only one of the sons to marry was Thomas B. Dempsey. The daughter Mary died as the wife of Frank Doughertj-, and left nine children. Sarah died after her uuirriage to George Burns, and left a son who wa.s later killed in a railroad accident. Another daughter, Ellen, is the wife of Gotlieb Schueiic, of Quincy, and they have five .sons, two of them in the "United States service.

Thomas B. Dempsey received his education largely at Bloomfield in the public schools. He lived on the home farm and became owner of it while his father was still living. He was as provident and thrifty in managing land and its resources as his father had been before him, and the farm as it is today represents much of his labor and thoughtful care. Among other improvements he erected a large barn 40 by 44 feet, with all facilities for convenience and dispatch for farm work. There is also a substantial seven-room house on the farm. A well 132 feet deep was dug a few years ago which is noted for its good drinking water. The land is all productive and thoroughly cultivated and the possibilities of its cultivation now devolve upon his youngest son, Orville Dempsey.

October 26, 1887, Thomas B. Dempsey married in Ellington Township Minnie Aneals. She was bom on her father's fine farm in section 10 of Ellington Township, and was educated at the public school and also in Chaddoick College at Quincy. Mrs. Dempsey has proved a most devoted wife and mother and incidentally an able manager of the farm and home. Her father was Francis A. Aneals. He was born in Boone County, Missouri, October 30, 1826, and was brought to Adams County by his parents in 1832. His father died during a cholera epidemic in 1833. Francis Aneals married in 1847 Almira Frost, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, June 5, 1827. They began as farmers in Adams County, and some years later bought their place in section 10 of Ellington Township, where he made a fine estate of nearly 300 acres, one improved with the best of buildings. Francirs Aneals died there October 28, 1908, at the age of eighty-two. He was a republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died June 27, 1906. Francis Aneals and wife had one son and two daughters. Ella is the wife of William Reynolds and lives in Portland, Oregon, being the mother of two children, Hallie and Mamie. William Aneals is in the railway mail service and lives at Fowler, Illinois. He married Clara Dickhut and their family consists of Roy, Pearl, Myrtle and Dorothy. ]Mrs. Dempsey is the mother of five children : Frank, born at the old home, is now a successfixl contractor in St. Louis. He married Lydia Schlipman, of Ellington Township. Their children are Frank, Jr., and Thomas H. Elmer Dempsey is a farmer in Honey Creek Township of this county. He married Ruth Seckman, and has a son. Gerald E. H. IMyra was educated in the local schools and is now the wife of John Sehipraan. of Ellington Township, and has a son, Eugene J., born in 1917. Laura Grace, who was educated in the public schools, still lives with her mother. The youngest son is Orville Dempsey. He has proved a most competent manager of the old Dempsey homestead. The children were all confirmed in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Laura and Or%'ille are competent musicians, she playing the piano and he the violin. Orville is also a singer, having a melodious voice. The late Thomas Dempsey was a democrat and his sons have the .same political allegiance.

Maj. Reuben Woods, Surgeon of One Hundred and Nineteenth Volunteers. The nineteenth century furnished to the people of the United States opportunities which were never excelled by any age of the world, and these were taken advantage of by many men of enterprise, ability and determination, and by none with more spirit and high resolve than by the subject of this sketch, Dr. Reuben Woods, Major and Surgeon of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers.

A brief sketch of his forebears will give some indications of the elements which combined in him the efficiency, the zeal, the lofty spirit, the high aspirations and the untiring industry which characterized Doctor Woods through a life of vicissitudes, of adventure, of danger, of capture by the enemy, of exposure to disease, through all of which his undaunted courage sustained him and brought him to an advanced age in the peace which he so richly won.

In the seventeenth century the Scotch Covenanters, expanding in numbers from their native heath, sought the more fertile and less peopled vales of the north of Ireland to found new homes. Among these were the progenitors of the Woods family, who settled in County Tyrone, and who maintained their sturdy Scotch Presbyterianisni through all changes of surroundings.

In 1792 a branch of the family headed by John W^oods, came to America and settled in the coal regions of Southwestern Pennsj'lvania. Here Jolin Woods met and married ]\Iiss Nancy Ann Peairs whose parents had come to America in 1750. Her father, Joseph Peairs, of Holland Dutch Presbyterian stock had bought a piece of land from one of William Penn's Indians, the parchment title deed of which shows tlie picture of a hatchet and a pair of moccasins, the consideration given for the land. This farm is still in possession of the Peairs family and the Presbyterian Church twice rebuilt by the family is still open for worship.

Nancy Ann Peairs was born on this farm. While she was still an infant the family were hurried into Fort Duquesne for safety during an Indian uprising, and while there little Ann, the pet of the soldiers, learned to walk.

Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Woods moved to Mercer Comity, Pennsylvania, where they purchased a farm. In this clearing in the primeval forest, they brought up their family of ten stalwart sons. James J. the fifth son married lliss Jane Thompson and Reuben, the second son in their family of four sons and three daughters, was born on a farm near Greenville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

In 184.5, Jlr. James Woods emigrated, first going to Munroe, Wisconsin, but the rigorous winters of 1845 and 1847 induced him to seek a milder climate. He then came to Adams County, Illinois, and settled on the well kno\^^l Mound Farm, six miles north of Barry, Pike County. He brought west vnth him his aged mother, whose gentle presence filled the home with kindly cheer until the day of her death.

Here the boy Reuben grew to early manhood. At the age of seventeen he went to Galesburg where his father's elder brother, William J. Woods, a reformer, a hater of slavery and of strong drink, was publishing a newspaper. This paper. The Free Democrat, was the organ of the advanced thought in that center of education.

Here the young man entered Lombard University and acquired that solid education which prepared him for active life. During vacations, our student taught school and while teaching at Payson, Adams County, he met a young woman of such grace and culture that the farmer boy was captivated by the loveliness of the girl and the brilliancy of her intellect. She was Miss Anna Shepherd, whom he afterward married. Wliile in Payson he studied medicine under the direction of Dr. jMoses ]\I. Bane, who was later the colonel of the Fiftieth Regiment of Illinois Volunteei-s and he took his course of medical lectures at the University of iMiehigan, Ann Ai-bor.

Then came the Civil war. Doctor Woods immediately offered his services to. his countrv and was appointed assistant surgeon. One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers and mustered into the United States service October 10, 1862. On June 10, 1864, he was promoted surgeon of the regiment.

We cannot here give the history of this splendid regiment. It served in Kentucky and Tennessee, in the battles with General Forrest at Rutherford and Dyer Station. At Dyer Station, Doctor Woods, who had been ill for more than a fortnight, was captured with other invalid soldiers and then paroled by Gen. Norman B. Forrest. The regiment served in the campaign of West Tennessee, to Memphis in 1863, with General Sherman in Mississippi, culminating in the capture of Meridian, in the Red River campaign with General Banks, with its disastrous results, and in the Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, fight under Gen. A. J. Smith. Then the regiment distinguished itself in the battle of Guntown, Tennessee. It then reported to General Halleck at St. Louis and pursued General Price in the Missouri campaign, a march of 700 miles. From thence np the Cumberland River to General Thomas, December 1, 1864, the regiment had a glorious part in the battles of Nashville and Franklin and in the pursuit of General Hood's retreating battalions. But there was no rest for the One Hundred and Nineteenth. It was rushed down the Mississippi and across the gulf to Mobile Bay to the siege of Spanish Fort and took Fort Blakely on the 9th of April, 1865, after the war was over.

After the war. Doctor Woods took a post graduate course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, receiving his degree in 1866. He practiced medicine successfully in Chicago and in Payson for some years. Interested particularly in diseases of the eye, he qualified himself by .special courses in ophthalmologv' in Chicago and in New York and then went to the Pacific Coast. He wa.s the first oculist who located in Oakland, California, where he established an excellent and memorable reputation. Called back to Illinois by family bereavement. Doctor Woods opened an office in Quincy in 1881, and soon acquired a large practice from adjacent territories.

In the family home a genial old-fashioned hospitality has been limited by the prolonged ill health of Mrs. Woods. Always unselfish. Doctor Woods ha.s accepted this disappointment with a patient, tender watchfulness, which throughout the years, has surrounded his wife with every comfort which love could suggest or science devise. Precluded from taking part in general social affairs. Doctor and Mrs. Woods have maintained an unobtrusive, persistent influence in intellectual and humane activities for the welfare of the city.

The doctor has long since discontinued professional work and is devoting his time to the management of his farm property in the south part of the county. In this pleasant health-giving pursuit he is spending his ripening years with the consciousness of having done his full duty during a long and strenuous life.

The Rev. Joseph Orlando Metcalf, A. M., 1815-1900. The ancient Hebrew words "With long life will I satisfy him," apply well to the mernory of a worthy man, whose years on earth were eighty-five, whose years in Illinois were fifty-four and whose years in Adams County were given to work of excellence and quickening power.

Joseph Orlando Metcalf enjoyed a happy boyhood in his native town of Lebanon, Connecticut. In the first quarter of the century his parents, attracted by the opportunities of what was at that time considered the western country, "moved to Clinton, Oneida County, New York. His mother was of Scotch Puritan ancestry, tracing a direct descent from Colonel McCall, who served under the command of Oliver Cromwell during the English civil war. She was a woman of much intellectual ability, endowed with a strong religious sense and maintained always a close sympathy with the career of her son. ^Ir. Metcalf was a graduate of Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, and of the theological department of Madison University, a Baptist institution, renamed Colgate University, in Hamilton, New York, educated at the Young Ladies' Seminary of Whitesboro, New York, where she was much influenced by the teachings of Miss Emily Chubbuek, well known in the literary world as Fanny Forrester, who later became the wife of the distinguished Adoniram Judson, D. D., the pioneer American Baptist missionary in India.

Immediately after their marriage the young couple started on their long journey by stage coach to Illinois, where Mr. Metealf began his pastoral work in the Baptist Church of Knoxville, the county seat of Knox County. From there he was called to the Baptist Church of Perry in Pike County, and later became pastor of the Baptist Church at Payson, Adams County. Two little children, Yinet AMiite and his baby sister, came to the home in Payson but remained for a bi-ief time only. In this town, aside from his services as a clerg>-man, Mr. Metealf is remembered particularly on account of a private school which he conducted for several years. With thorough, individual instruction, he prepared young men for a good standing in college or for an intelligent management of affairs in active life. Many well known men in the southern part of Adams Coiuity are representative pupils of his training.

Although successful as a teacher Mr. Metealf 's heart was always in his chosen profession of the ministry, and in the spring of 1860 he gladly resumed church work in Macomb. Afterward he had charge of Baptist churches in Avon, Leland and LaGrange. Illinois. When advanced years made it necessary to retire from active pursuits Mr. and Mrs. Metealf returned to Macomb and purchased a home, desiring to spend among the faithful friends of that city the quiet days that might be allotted to them. During the five years that followed the sudden death of his wife, Mr. Metealf resided in the family of an endeared acquaintance where every possible kindness and care was given him durins his increasing vears and waning strength. He was called to the life beyond October 20, 1900.

Mr. Metealf 's pulpit addresses were characterized by careful, studious preparation. However one may have differed from the man in opinion or in methods, it was impossible to be with him and not to recognize his firm convictions of diity and his unswerving allegiance to the highest standards of excellence and righteousness. In every community where he lived he is remembered for his thoughtful attentions and helpfulness as pastor, friend and neighbor. He had a rare power of sjnnpathy for those in sorrow and bereavement ; with compassionate understanding he brought to the sick room encouragement and calm.

"I speak of him As he is known to all. The calm delights Of unambitious piety he chose. And learning's solid dignity. He sought not praise, and praise did overlook His unobtrusive merit, but his life, Sweet to himself, was exercised in good Which shall sur%-ive his name and memory."

Maximilian Shepherd, M, D., December 28, 1814 - March 8, 1880. A distinct type of that old time character "the Country Doctor," whose arduous life of kindly service has furnished theme for verse and story, was Dr. M. Shepherd of Payson. Illinois.

Doctor Shepherd wa-s of Virginia descent. His parents, Kichard and Elizabeth Wingfield Shepherd, were natives of Culpeper County in that state. Most of their married life was spent in Iredell County, North Carolina. Mr. Richard Shepherd died in Asheville leaving his widow and four children, Thomas

Jefferson, Henry Milton, Caroline and Maximilian. Throughout all the years spent on the western prairies Doctor Shepherd treasured his memories of the picturesque scenery of the Blue Kidge around his childhood home. Mrs. Elizabeth Sheplierd married the second time. The family joined a company of neighbors in emigrating to seek hew homes in the western country. After crossing the Allegheny Jlountains the party divided, some going to Kentucky, others to Indiana and Illinois. The names of Wingfield, Stephenson, Nichols, Ewing and Shepherd were familiar in pioneer times and have been honorably maintained to the present day.

Doctor Shepherd's youth was spent in Putnam County, Indiana. At the age of sixteen he began his own support. His industry and economy enabled him to enter the Indiana Asbury University at Greencastle, which was under the management of the Rev. ^Matthew Simpson, who became a noted bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The institution is now known as De Pauw University. It was there Doctor Shepherd developed the love of choice literature which became an enjoyment and a solace in his future life. At the age of twenty-one he began the study of medicine with Dr. William L. j\Iahan of Pleasant" Garden, Indiana. His reading was continued with Doctors Talbot and Cowgill of Greencastle and he commenced his practice in Pleasant Garden in 18.38. In 1840 he removed to Payson, Illinois and there undertook his chosen life work so faithfully continued for forty years, a work well done, well remembered, well revered.

Few people living now, realize the hardships, self denial, discouragements and obstacles endured by the pioneer phj'sicians in the Prairie State. Visits were made mostly on horseback, as rough roads, unfrequented by-ways, obscure bridle paths or making a new course through the unbroken prairies and fording streams of uncertain depth made travel difficult and dangerous.

Very few also realize the watchful preparedness of the pioneer physician who must supply his own remedies and compound his own prescriptions. To do this involved the continual replenishing of a miniature apothecary shop carried in saddle bags especially constructed for .such purpose. For the mysterious deptlis of the aromatic caverns the doctor drew forth pills and powders, syrups and tinctures, extracts and oils, lotions and liniments, ointments and plasters. One compartment contained a tourniquet, bandages and a small leather case of .surgical instruments.

Doctor Shepherd soon became a partner of Dr. David Prince, the first physician who practiced in Payson, having come there with his parents from Brooklyn, Connecticut. After a time Doctor Prince went to Cincinnati for medical lectures and then settled in Jacksonville, where he became one of the prominent surgeons of Illinois.

Doctor Shepherd formed another partnership with Dr. William Chittenden Harrington, a newly arrived physician from Watertown, New York. The names of these two physicians were household words in a wide range of territory, as their practice extended to Liberty, Burton, Newtown, Kinderhook and Millville, now called ]Marlilehead. Their nearest professional neighbors were in Columbus, Barry and Quincy. Neither Doctor Harrington nor Doctor Shepherd made any claim to surgery, aside from minor cases. For major operations they depended upon Dr. Daniel Stahl of Quincy or Dr. David Prince of Jacksonville.

In 1844 Doctor Shepherd spent tlie winter attending lectures at the Louisville Medical Ii:istitute and was graduated in 1845. The college faculty contained men of mucli celebritj', including Dr. Daniel Drake, afterward of Cincinnati iledical College and Dr. Samuel Gross, later the eminent surgeon of Jefferson iledical College, Philadelphia.

The increasing population and prosperity of Payson attracted a number of professional men to the place. Dr. Moses ]\I. Bane came from Athens, Ohio, in 1849; Dr. Samuel Sturgis, the first dentist who practiced in Payson, came from Chester Coimt\-, Pennsylvania, in 1852 ; Dr. Moses F. Bassett from Worcester, ^lassacliusetts, in 1853; Dr. Henry W. Kendall from Cincinnati in 1856.

At the outbreak of the Civil war, Doctor Bane became colonel of the Fiftieth Kegiment of Illinois Vohmteers and Doctor Kendall surgeon of that regiment. The intimate acquaintance and warm friendship of these two gentlemen for Doctor Shepherd continued throughout life.

On first coming to Illinois Doctor Shepherd united with the Presbyterian Church of Newtown; in 1852 he transferred his membership to the Congi-egational Church of Paj'son where he was an influential and generous member.

In 1843 Doctor Shepherd was married to Sliss Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Col. John Gill and Mary Vickers Humphrey, who came with her parents from Leesburg, Virginia, to Burton Township in 1836. Mrs. Shepherd was a lady of unusual beauty and grace beloved by all who knew her. The only son", John Humphrey, died in 1848. The following year Mrs. Shepherd was a victim of acute tuberculosis and died September 28, 1849. She entrusted the little daughter, Anna, to her father's home and care. Never was trust more faithfully fulfilled. Neither cares nor fatigue prevented the father's watchful oversight of the physical welfare and mental growth of his delicate child. From the strict training given in the Payson academies by the Rev. Joseph 0. Metcalf and the Rev. William M. Corbin, Miss Shepherd was well prepared for the opportunities afforded in Brooklyn Heights Seminary, conducted by Dr. Charles E. West and Miss Mary A. Brigham, afterward president of Mount Holyoke College. Following her graduation Miss Shepherd taught in Brooklyn Heights Seminary until her marriage to Dr. Reuben Woods of Chicago. In 1870 Doctor and llrs. Woods came to Pa3'Son where Doctor Woods was associated with his father-in-law and continued in practice there for six years. A change of climate seemed essential for health and Doctor and Mrs. Woods went to Oakland, California, with the promise that Doctor Shepherd would soon follow them to the Pacific Coast. Business complications and close associatioiLS combined to retain him in the old home. A life of leisure ceased to appeal to him and he often expressed a wish "to die in the harness." The wish was granted. Despite the entreaties of the household and of the neighbors he insisted on riding through a raging storm to Bluff Hall where a patient was critically ill. To all remonstrances he answered in his firm, quiet way "the man has put his life in my care. I must not fail him." The exposure resulted in a brief fatal illness. On the eighth of March, 1880, the second phj-sician who came to Payson, the senior physician of Adams County, ended his consecrated service of forty years.

Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Seldom does the sense of sorrow so pervade an entire comnuinity as when the announcement of his death was made known. Sadly and gratefully was recalled what he had done, what he had stood for, what he was. There was bereavement not only for the trusted physician but also for the giving up of the devoted family friend. There were vivid memories of the low, mellow voice ag it spoke words of kindly cheer, of wise counsel, of fatherly comfort. There were sacred memories of hours when the tender clasp of his gentle hand conveyed a heartfelt sympathy which no words could express.

August F. Meter has spent all his life in and around Quincy, has been identified with business affairs in that city, but is now giving his time to the

He was born in Quiney November 13, 1872, son of William D. and Mary (Benhoff) Meyer. His father was born near Berlin, Germany, and at the age of twenty-one came to the United States, working for a time on a farm near Quiney. He also worked in local pork packing establishments and in 1860 became a lime burner along the Mississippi River. He was one of the first to handle imported cement. He continued the business until failing health compelled him to retire, and in 1891 his son William took his place in the business. William D. Meyer, Sr., died February 9, 1903, when nearly seventy years of age. He married in Quiney Mary (Benhoff) Giesecke. She was a native of Westphalia, Germany, and celebrated her eighty-eighth birthday May 22, 1918. Her first husband, Mr. Giesecke, and several of her children died during a cholera epidemic at St. Louis during 1848-49. By her marriage to William D. Jleyer, Sr., she had three children: Julia, Mrs. Fred Dralle of Quiney ; William D. ; and August.

Augiist F. Meyer attended the German parochial schools and also the Irving public schools of Quiney. At an early age he went to work for his father in the latter 's lime kiln. After the death of his father he kept a liveiy barn on South Eighth Street, and later provided a large storage house for automobiles, having a building 40 by 48 and 120 feet. Mr. Meyer has for several years suffered the affliction of partial deafness, and in 1916 he rented his business in town and moved to his farm of eighty acres in section 29 of Ellington Township. He conducts this farm on a businesslike plan, raises large crops and good livestock, and has a fine home of eight rooms.

In Quiney May 2, 1895, he married Amelia Shelp. Mrs. Meyer, who has been the best of wives and mothers, was born in Quiney January 11, 1876, and was reared and educated there. Her parents were Peter and Wilhelmina (Dickman) Shelp, both natives of Westphalia, Germany. They came when still single by sailing vessel to New Orleans, and thence up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, were married in that city, and afterwards established homes at Quiney. Her father died in Quiney March 1, 1894, lacking twentyeight days of the age of sixty-five. He was a carpenter by trade. Mrs. ^leyer's mother died December 1, 1916, aged eighty-two. Her parents were members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church and her father was a republican. Mrs. Meyer's brother, Herman Shelp, is a former alderman, is assistant supervisor and is married and has a family of sons and daughters. Her sister Hannah is the wife of Joseph Frese, of Quiney. Her brother August lives at Quiney and is married and has two sons. Her sister Minnie is the wife of Edward Reinstorff, of Quinc.y, and has one son and two daughters. Another brother lives at Quiney, is married, but has no children.

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer had three children. Florence, the second, died when ten years of age. Their daughter Ella was educated in the public schools of Quiney and is the wife of J. E. Strauss, now of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Their son Harve.y William, born May 4, 1903, has attended the Quiney city schools and is now a sturdy youth helping his father on the farm. The family are members of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church at Quiney, and Mr. Meyer is a republican voter.