Warsaw Township

Warsaw Township

Cyrus B. Adams, proprietor of the Adams House of Warsaw, is a native of Rochester, New York; was born May 25. 1S22, and is a son of J. D. Adams, who was a native of Vermont. He was reared and educated in JSTew York; came to Warsaw in 1858, and brought tlie first locomotive on the T., P. &. W. R. R. to Warsaw. He was master meciianic and assistant superintendent of the raih'oad until 1862, when he entered the navy; was 1st Asst. Engineer of the Mississippi squadron, being 3 years in the service, which closed in 1865. Soon afterward he opened the Adams House, and is still proprietor, and keeps a first-class hotel. He was married Dec. 12, 1843, to Catharine Lanard, of Canada. On his father's side he is of Scotch ancestry. His father was in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Lake Champlain. He was Ensign in the navy. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in the first battle of the Revolution. On his mother's side he is of French ancestry. Her uncle was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; also was in the frigate Boston; was ranked as Captain in the army. The Master was taken prisoner and confined in Dartmere prison in London, about 8 months.

C. Alhers is a native of Hanover, German^', and was born in 1817. He emigrated to America in 1836, and to Warsaw in 1847. He here became a prominent merchant, and in 1856 erected a large flouring mill at a cost of $30,000. This mill is known far and near as the " Grace Mills," and stands on the foundation of the Water street mill that was erected in 1854, and was burned in 1855, during the great conflagration that occurred in Warsaw at that time. C. Albers & Co. manufacture the best of flour, and have entirely a merchant trade. They use Thropp's patent middlings purifier, and Becker's brusher. There are 6 stands of burrs, which are driven by an 80 horse-power engine. The present capacity of the mill is 250 barrels in 24 hours.

Mr. Albers was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 5, 1839, to Miss Rebecca Knoop, by whom he had 10 children; of these, 7 are living; viz., Henry, a partner of his father; Sophia (now Mrs. Vanmarter. of Florence, Italy); Anna (now Mrs. Kev. J. G. Kessler, of Warrington, Mo.); Rebecca (now Mrs. William Zuppann, of Warsaw, 111.); Charles, Wm. Edward and Homer.

MarJc A. Aldrich was born in Warren county. New York, in 1801. He was of English descent, his ancestors emigratingto this country prior to the American Revolution. He received a thorough (653) collegiate education, and commenced the study of law, whicli he subsequently abandoned. In 18"29 he married Miss Margaret Wilkinson, of Calvert county, Md., and removed to St. Louis, where he received an appointment in the American Fur Company. He left St. Louis June 19, 1829, on the steamboat Red Rover, and after a two weeks' trip, landed at the Point (now Keokuk, Iowa), on the 2d of July, and took charge of the company's station at that place. In 1832 he removed to Fort Edwards, and in 1833 entered the land where Warsaw now stands, and built the second house that was erected outside of the fort. In 1836 he was elected to the Legislature, and in 1838 was re-elected to the same office. Two of his cotemporaries in that body in after years inscribed their names in imperishable characters on the roll of fame: Abraham Lincoln and the gifted and lamented Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. Aldrich was a man of great enterprise, and took a leading and active part in the early affairs of Hancock county. In 1850 he removed to California, and a few years later went to Arizona. He was a member of the Arizona Legislature for five years, and held other important offices in the Territory. Pie died in Tucson, Arizona, on the 22d of October, 1874.

His wife, Margaret Wilkinson Aldrich, was born in St. Genevieve, Missouri, in 1812. Her father. Dr. Josejih Wilkinson, a Surgeon in the United States Army, was at that time stationed at Jefferson Barracks. Mrs. Aldrich's ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Calvert county, Maryland. Her great-grandfather, James Wilkinson, second son of Sir Robert Wilkinson, of Northumberland county, England, came to this country in 1693. Her grandfather, General Joseph Wilkinson, and her uncle. General James Wilkinson, both served with distinction through the war of the Revolution. The latter afterward became one of the most eminent men of his day. In 1817 Mrs. Aldrich's father resigned his commission in the army and returned to his father's home, in Calvert county, where he died the following year. In her grandfather's home and in the city of Baltimore, Mrs. Aldrich spent her childhood and youth; but, after her marriage, in 1829, she cheerfully bade adieu to the refined associations and luxuries of her native place, and went forth to encounter the privations and vulgarisms of a new country. When Mrs. Aldrich landed at Keokuk, in 1829, there was but one wihte woman in the place. She remained in Keokuk two years, and in 1831 removed to Fort Edwards. In 1834 she moved into her own house, where she still resides - in the old home, made dear to her by a thousand tender and joyful, as well as sad and melancholy, scenes. In fact, her life may well be considered an episode in the history of Hancock county. From the unbroken solitude of the forest she has seen cities and towns spring up, as if by magic, from the bosom of the earth. Where once her eyes beheld the wild flowers and waving grass of the prairie, she sees the tokens of untiring industry and ceaseless labor; and over the bright waters of the great river, once broken only by the birch canoe of the savage, she hears the sullen roar of the iron gods, as with labored breath thej bear their floating palaces along the waves. The whir and noise of constant toil has driven the genii of silence from every nook and corner of the land; they have wandered off with the birds and the wild flowers to faraway regions in the glowing West. In the fifty years that she has lived within her quiet home slie has seen the rise and fall of two generations - looked upon a thousand changes in the social world around her, as the busy wlieel of life, with its noiseless rotation, has reeled off the threads of fate. One by one she has seen the friends of her early life pass away; seen them float out into the shadows of that troubled seaover whose waters no return boat is ever seen to glide, until she is left alone - one of the few remaining links in the great chain that binds the bustliTig, toiling, rushing present to the silent, half-forgotten memories of the beautiful past.

Dr. Joseph Atkinson was born in Brook county, Ya., and is a son of John Atkinson, deceased. The Doctor received a dental education under Dr. King, of Pittsburg, Pa., and came to Illinois in 1864, locating in Rushville. where he engaged in the practice of dentistry a few years, assisted bj- his sons. He then resided seven yeai'S in Bloomfleld, Iowa. He afterward spent about five years in Chicago. He located in Warsaw in January, 1879, where he still resides, engaged in his profession, with good success.

Dr. J. M. Barth is a son of Rev. Philip Barth, Pastor of the M. E. Church of Jacksonville, 111., and is a native of Nashville, Tenn. He was educated at Rock Island, 111., and Iowa City, Iowa, and began the practice of his chosen profession (dentistrj-) in 1875. In JVov., 1879, he located in Warsaw, where he is enjoying good practice. The Doctor's work recommends itself, and his business is constantly increasing.

Geo. J. Bird was born in Highland county, Va., Nov. 27, 1852, and is a son of Andrew J. Bird, deceased. Mr. Bird came to Elvaston, this county, in 1870, where he soon after engaged in teaching music, which he followed until recently, when he commenced the sale of Whitney & Holmes' organs, of Quincy, 111. He is a success, both as a teacher and salesman. He was married Oct. 31, 1876, to Miss Laura A. Crouch, b}' whom he has 2 children. Bertha B. and Carlos A.

A. F. Bliesner was born in Germany Feb. 2, 1839. His father's name was William F. Bliesner. Our subject emigrated to America in the year 1869, and came to this county in the year 1875. Was married March 31, 1872, to Minnie Gaede, by whom he had 5 children; of these but one is living: its name is Willis. In the year 1876 Mr. Bliesner purchased the flouring mill known as the Planet mill, of Warsaw. This mill has 2 sets of burrs, which are driven by a 20 horse-power engine. Mr. B. manufactures the best quality of flour and does both custom and merchant work. The capacity of the mill is 35 barrels in 12 hours.

R. A. Brinhnmi, druggist and apothecary, Warsaw, keeps on hand a full stock of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, varnishes, lamps, fancy goods, perfumery, sponges, etc., etc. He was born in St. Louis Oct. 14, 18 - , and is the son of Henr^' and Mary Brinknian, who reside in Warsaw. H. A. came here as an apprentice when the establishment was in other hands, and in the year 1867 he purchased an interest in the stock and continued until 1872 when he bought the entire stock, which is now estimated at -$5,000, and has since been conducting the business witli good success.

H. G. Bristoui, a native of Cumberland county, Ky., was born Aug. iJl, 1824, and was brought by his parents, Elijah and Susanna Bristow, to McDonough county, this State, when three years old, where he was reared. He remained thereuntil 1867, when he came to this city, Warsaw,, where he has since resided, and is at present engaged on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad. Our subject also participated in the battle against the Mormons, was one of the soldiers that guarded the jail at Carthage, wherein Joseph Smith was contined, and was discharged by the Governor on the morning of the day that Joseph Smith was killed. Mr. Bristow was married in December, 1846, to Miss Sarah Cherry, by whom he had 5 children; of these, 4 are living; viz., Etna, Addle, Jennie and Harry.

Werner Brtickman, a native of Prussia, was born in 1829, and came to America in 1849, settling in New York; in 1874 he came to this city, Warsaw, where lie has since resided. Our subject was married in 1853 to Catharine Beiesle. They have had one child; viz., Elizabeth. Mr. Bruckinan owns a house and about five acres surrounding it.

W. W. Chittenden came from Oxford, Ohio (the place of his birth), to Adams county, 111., in 1834, where he remained until 1839, when he removed to Warsaw. He has resided here since that time, save eight years he was engaged in the mercantile business in Montrose, Iowa In early days Mr. Chittenden endured hardships and privations in this then wild country', even though he was but a bo}' when he first came. He hauled beef to Carthage, a distance of 35 miles, selling it for $1.50 a quarter, which was something over 1-| cts. per pound. He relates an incident that would be well enough for the boys of to-day to notice. On one occasion, when on his way to Carthage with a load of beef, he encountered a fearful snow storm. It grew dark, and he was compelled to get out and grope along on his hands and knees to find the road, while a minister who was with him drove the horses after him. Mr. C. states that the preacher was very much cast down, and very frequently almost gave up in despair, saying that they must perish there in the blinding storm; but Mr. Chittenden, then about 17 years old and not a Christian, reprimanded him severely for not having more faith in his God and religion than that. But they arrived at a farm house not long after, and were safely housed until the next morning, when they yei'y readily made their way to Carthage, and there dis- posed of tlieir beef. This incident occurred upon the Big Meadow soutli of Carthage. Mr. Chittenden sold flour in Keokuk wlien there were but four houses in that phice, besides the Government buildings. He states that t!ie Government oflicers guarded their money with pistols and "Arkansas tooth-picks." Mr. Chittenden took an active part in driving the Mormons from Illinois, and was present when Smitli, the Mormon prophet, was killed. He knew the men who tired the fatal shots - tiiere were four of them. Our subject was married Feb. 3, 18i!2, to Miss Helen M. Aldrich, by whom he has 6 children ; viz., Mary C, William W., Isla J., Helen M., Arthur W. and Clara E. Mr. and Mrs. Chittenden are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. C. is engaged in fruitgrowing in Warsaw, and has also recently planted a vineyard. He was born in Oxford, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1818, where he was reared and educated in the Oxford University.

E. R. Clemens was born April 23, 1818, in Kentucky. He is a son of David Clemens, who was a native of Virginia, and is of Scotch ancestry. Our subject came to this county in 1843, where he has since made his home; engaged as an engineer on a boat plying the Mississippi. During the last war he was engineer on the gun-boat " Mound City," of a Mississippi squadron of the United States navy. This boat, with the full fleet, participated in the battle of Vicksburg, which lasted for the space of five hours. The fleet also fought at Greenville, the mouth of the Yazoo river and Red river. At the last named place Mr. Clemens was discharged on account of his inability to perform his duty; and when on his way home, he happened at Fort Pillow when General Forest made a raid on the soldiers and inhabitants there, and massacred them. Mr. Clemens was married June .5, 1843, to Mary J. Monday, by whom he has had 4 children. Of these ouly one is living, Endora.

D. H. Cox, agent for the St. Louis & Keokuk Packet Co., at Warsaw, 111., was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, June 7, 1824, and is a son of John Cox, deceased. He was educated at Delaware College, Delaware, O., and at A. C. Cumming's select school, in Pickaway county, O. He engaged for the most part in the mercantile business, until October, 1819, when he came to Warsaw, where he again followed merchandising for three years; since that time, with the exception of two years, he has been in the commission business, at Warsaw, and also agent for the Packet Company, as above stated. He was married in 1852, to Miss Eliza J. Armstrong, daughter of the late Reed Armstrong, a native of Ohio, who came to this county in 1851, and they have had 8 children, of whom 6 ai'e living; viz., Dan M., Edward V., Cora A., Anna B., Fannie and Harry E..

Philip Dallam, editor of the Warsaw Bulletin, was born in St. Louis, Mo., May 22, 1853, and is a son of Francis A. and Anna M. Dallam, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of New York. Our subject was educated for the most part in Quincy, 111. He began to learn the printer's trade in 1868, under his father, at

Warsaw. In the year 1S70, he was emploj'ed as a proof-reader ia tlie U. S. proof-readir.g room at Washington, but his health failing him he returned in the autumn of the same year. He took charge of the Warsaw Bulletin in 1875, which he is now successfully operating. He was niari'ied Mar. 17, 1880, to Miss Eugenia, daughter of M. T. Hunt, deceased.

Chai'les H. Davis, an enterprising young Pennsylvanian, from the region of Philadelphia, came to Warsaw say thirty years ago, and settled; finally engaged in the milling business, which he followed successfully several years. He married Miss Beta Wood, a sister to James H. Wood, Esq. Some ten years since the}' each emigrated to Denver, Colorado, where Mr. Wood since died. Mr. D. engaged there also in ihe business of milling, and has a fine establishment there known as the " West Denver Flouring Mills." We are glad to learn that Mr. D. has been quite successful as a ' business man, and is now ranked among Denver's many successful men, and is a subscriber to this history of his old home county.

0. C. DtiSowchet, of the firm of Du Sowchet & Sons, is a native of Cambridge, Ohio, and was born Aug. 8, 1S2S; he removed to Mt. Vernon, Ind., where he remained until the spring of 1863. He then c;ime to Warsaw and engaged in the lumber business with Hill, Knox & Co., for whom he worked two or three j-ears. The firm then changed to Hill it Co., and continued by that name until the spring of 1879, when Mr. Du Sowchet and his sons purchased the entire stock, and are now selling at wholesale and retail with unlimited success. They carry a stock of about $30,000, consisting of lumber, lath, shingles, doors, sash and blinds. Their annual sales amount to about $25,000. They are men of perseverence and enterprise; consequently their business will increase surel}' and steadih'.

Briggs J. Fuller, dentist, Warsaw, 111., is a native of Lee, Mass., and was born Dec. 8. 1845. His father was the late Albert Fuller, and the family are descendants of Dr. Wm. Fuller, one of the pilgrims who came to America in the Mayflower, The subject of this sketch came to Illinois with his parents in 1856, and settled in Warsaw, where he was educated. He is a graduate of the Missouri Dental College, of St. Louis. He began the practice of dentistry in Warsaw in 1874, and has been very successful, and has a large run of custom.

John H. Finlay . Mr. Finlay would not give his consent for us to insert his biography in this work, but we will just say (without his knowledge) that Mr. Finlay is one of the most prominent lawyers of Warsaw, and has a large practice.

First National Bank of Warsaw was established in 1864, by William Hill and others, with a cash capital of $100,000; first President, Wm. Hill; first Cashier, C. H. Mellen; first Board ot Directors, Wm. Hill, C. H. Mellen, Henry Hill, J. W. Knox, John and James B. Hill and James H. Wood. Mr. Mellen resigned his position as Cashier March 1, 1869, and James B. Dodge was elected in his place, who still holds that position. Jane 14, 1875, on account of high local ta.xes, the company reduced their capital stock to $50,000, which is the present amount. At a meeting of the stock-holders June 10, 1S71, tiie number of Directors was reduced from seven to five.

Christian Green was horn Aug. 25, 1822, in Washington county, Penns3'lvania, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine Green, who came to this city witii them in 1854, and is a partner in the firm of Rieman & Green, millei's (see Rieman's biography). He was married three times, and is the father of 12 children, 7 of whom are living, as follows: Sarah, Thos., Daniel, Laura, Edward, Kenben and Cora.

Daniel A. Oardner, deceased, was a native of New York, and was born in 1817. He received a common-school education in New York, and came to Illinois in an early day. He was married in 1853 to Miss L. T. Ingersoll, by whom he had 4 children ; of these, 2 are living, Charles H. and George W. Mrs. Gardner is a daughter of Moses Ingersoll, deceased, who was a relative of the celebrated orator, Robert G, Ingersoll. Mr. Gardner removed to Warsaw the same year of his marriage, where he engaged in the lumber trade until about the year 1861, when he retired. He resided in Warsaw until his death, which occurred May 2, 1868. His remains were consigned to the narrow limits of the grave in Oakland cemetery, Warsaw, 111.

Dr. Charles Hay was born in Fayette county, Ky., in 1801. His father's name was John Hay, born in Berkeley county, Va., and his mother's name was Jemima Coulter, who was born at Red Stone old fort, in Pennsylvania. Mr. Hay's parents located in Kentucky in 1794, with whom he lived during his youth, working on the farm and attending school. Charles attended Transylvania Medical College, located at Lexington, Ky. He graduated in 1829 with a record admired by class-mates and faculty. The Doctor has had great success in his chosen profession, ranking among the first physicians in the States where he has practiced. He was examining pension physician for the United States at Warsaw from 1864 to 1879, when, from his own choice, he i-esigned, being too old to attend to his many duties. Mr. Hay was married in 1831 to Helen Leonard, and their children are Edward L. (deceased), Augustus L. (now a Captain in the 9th U. S. Vol. Infantry, stationed in Wyoming Territory), Mary P. (widow of Major Austin Woolfolk), John, Charles E. and Helen J. (deceased). John Hay is a graduate of Brown University, at Providence, R. I. While reading law in Springfield he became acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, who afterward appointed him as his private secretary', which position he held about four years, during the late war. Mr. Lincoln in 1865 appointed him as Adjutant General, with the rank of Major, upon Gen. Gilmore's staflf. He also received an appointment from Lincoln as Secretary of the Legation that went to Paris in 1865. He was present at Lincoln's assassination. John was also " leader editor"

the New York Tribune for four years, and is now 1st Assistant -Secretary of State at Washington. Charles E. Hay was an aid-decamp to Gen. Hunter during the late war, and is at present a leading grocer in Springfield, 111. Dr. Hay came to Warsaw in 1841, and by his integrity and untiring energy has amassed considerable property. His residence is one of the finest in the city, and is furnished with all the luxuries necessary to make old age comfortable and happy. When he came to Warsaw the census showed a population of abo\it 400. Most of the land on which the city now stands was covered with heavj' timber, principally oak. The ground on which Mr. Hay's house now stands was known as Fort Fraction, intended for hospital purposes. Fort Edwards, of historical importance, was built by Zachary Taylor, afterward President of the U. S. The fort was located at the head of Fort street.

John Say. - Hon. John Hay, present Assistant Secretai'y of the Treasury- at Washington, though for years residing abroad, is claimed as a Hancock count}- boj'. He was born in Indiana in Oct., 1838, two or three years before his father, Dr. Charles Hay, emigrated to Warsaw. In Warsaw he received a common-school education, aud was sent to the State University at Springfield, and afterward to Brown University, at Providence, R. I., where he graduated with honor. He chose the profession of law, and studied with his Uncle Milton in Springfield, of the then firm of Hay, CuUom & Campbell. The election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency necessitated tlie employment of private secretaries, and he chose John Hay as one of them, and then coranaeiiced that course of public life which has resulted in giving to young Hay a national reputation as a diplomatist and statesman. He seems to have been throughout the honored confidant of the President, and was placed b}' him in many positions of trust, in all of wliich he acquitted himself with credit. He was sent to Paris as Secretary ot Legation under Minister Bigelow; afterward to Austria as Charge d' Affaires; and again as Secretary of Legation to Spain under Gen. Sickles. He was, also, for a period during the war, on Gens. Hunter and Gilmore's staflfas Adjutant, with the rank of Major.

Afterward, in an eifort to start a new Republican paper in Chicago, Dana, now of the New York Sun, was engaged as editor-inchief at an excessive salary; and on his failure, Col. Hay, with his friend and former associate. Private Secretary Nicolay, were put in charge. But the venture proved unsuccessful, and the Chicago jRepuhlican ceased to exist. Mr. Hay also served for four years as one of the chief editorial writers on the New York Tribune, a position he was compelled reluctantly to resign on account of failing health. Since his marriage he has been residing chiefly in Cleveland, Ohio, until elected by President Hayes and Secretary Evarts to fill the post of Assistant Secretary, in Oct., 1879.

Notwithstanding Col. Hay's brilliant public career, he is, perhaps, most wideh' known as a writer. He has been from his youth a well-read historian and scholar; and his long residence abroad gave hiin extraordinary advantages in his literary studies. As a prose writer lie has few superiors, and his reputation as poet is equal to that of any other of tlie later American poets. His scholarship, his line literary taste, his extensive knowledge of history and general literature, and his European experiences have made him a most agreeable and fascinating writer. The regret is lately felt that the cares of public and private life are drawing him awa}' from literary pursuits, for which he has such eminent qualifications, and in which he would achieve an exalted and enduring reputation.

It is understood the Messrs. Ha}' and Nicolay have been for years engaged on a Life of President Lincoln, a work which is anxiously looked for, and one which will, doubtless, occupy a high place among American biographies.

This tribute to a Warsaw boy is given - without his knowledge - by one who has known and esteemed him from his childhood up, and who takes pride in being thus able to write truthfully of his most successful career.

Charles Hilker is a native of the province of "Westphalen, Prussia, and was born in ISIO. He came to America in January, 1844, locating in Augusta, Mo., where he resided until 1850, and was a carpenter and cabinet-maker. In 1850 he removed to Warsaw, where also he engaged in his trade for about 14 years, when, in 1S64, he was elected to the ofSce of Police Magistrate, which office he held for 12 years, being re-elected twice. He was then elected City Clerk, which office he held one year, having had the same office in connection with that of Police Magistrate the year previous. Was again elected to the office of City Clerk in 1879. He was married in 1833, to Dorothy Koch, by whom he has had 11 children, of whom but 3 are living, Gottlieb, Wilhelmina, in Kansas, and William, of St. Louis.

Jaraes B. Hill^ deceased, was a native of England, and was born May 12, 1S30. His parents emigrated with their family to America in 1834, and located in Pennsylvania. They were John and Harriet Hill. They brought their family to Warsaw in 1885. James B. was educated in Warsaw, and was married May 25,1850, to Miss Charlotte Ellis, by whom he had 9 children; of these, 7 are living; viz., Cora, Willis, Belle, Harry, Lottie, Frances and James Etta. Cora has been married, and has 2 children, - Frank and Guy. Mr. Hill was a machinist, and was engineer on the Mississippi river the greater part of his life. He died Febuary 4, 1869, much loved and esteemed by the citizens of Warsaw. He was a very generous man, alwaj's lending a helping hand to the needy. He took seven orphan children under his charge, educating and otherwise caring for tliem as he did for his own children. He was a soldier in the Mormon war.

Geo. S. Knox, deceased, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., March 9, 1S2S, and was a son of Wm. D. and Sail}' Ann (Winters) Knox. He was educated in Ifew York State, and came with his parents to this county in 1844. He afterward went to Galena, 111., where he engaged in mining a few years. In 1S52 he returned to Warsaw, where he was identified with business enterprises that helped to develop the place. He was interested in the AVarsaw woolen mills also. By enterprise, keen foresight and close attention to business he amassed a large fortune. In later years he lived a retired life. He was married May 6, 1857, to Miss Emily A. Hill, daughter of John Hill (deceased), so well known in the early history of Warsaw, and a sister of the popular banker of Warsaw, Mr. William Hill. This union was blessed with 3 children, of whom but one, Clara E., is living. Mr. Knox died in Cliicago, Oct. 28, 1879, while located temporarily there for his health.

Benjamin Franklin Marsh, the present efficient member of Congress for the 10th Illinois district, is a native of Hancock county,born on his father's farm four miles east of Warsaw, and is now about 40 years old. We have no particulars of his early life, and only know that his boyhood days were spent on the farm, that man}' of them were employed in driving an ox-team in turning over the prairie sod, in plowing corn and potatoes, making fence, and feeding hogs and cattle,and in other laborious and exacting farm labor. At home the facilities for acquiring the rudiments of an education were very limited so at times he was sent to the village to school. In time he reached college, wiiere, we do not remember, nor for how long a period. From college he went into a law oftice, and afterward to the practice of law, chiefly with his brother John W., at Warsaw. When the Rebellion broke out, Frank took up arms for the U'nion, as did also his brother Artiiur (whose life was sacrificed in the cause). J\>r his career in the army the reader is referred to the report in anotiier chapter.

In 1S76 he received the Republican nomination for Congress and was elected, and returned again in 1878, in both of which terms he served his constituents faithfully and with honor, and ac(juired a prominent standing with his fellow members. And at the late Republican Convention (ISSO) lie received a unanimous vote for a third term, a compliment seldom extended to a candidate.

This meager account of "our ujember " is hastily thrown together from the recollection of the writer, without data before him from which to make a more extended report.

Thomas McDougal was born in Jackson countv, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1833, and is a sou of Richard and Mary McDougal. He came to Warsaw in 1856, where, in 1866 he engaged in the liver}' business, which he is still pursuing with prosperity. He was married in 1856 to Miss Mary F. Lewis, by whom he has 2 children, Jennie (dec.) and Donald.

George 8. McFcrran was born in Beaver county. Pa.. May 10, 1827. He was reared and educated in Hookstown, Pa., and came to Warsaw in 1859, where he has since resided. He is a mechanic, lielped erect this road in the winter of 1S67-'S. He has been married twice, and is the t'atlier of 5 children, of whom 2 are living, George M, and Willy D. George is a member of the graduating class in the Warsaw high school (April, ISSO). Mr. McFerrau's present wife was Miss Mary J. Mackey. She came to America on a visit to her sister in 1859, and has prolonged her visit until the present. She became the wife of Mr. McFerran in 1862.

Lemuel Mussetter was born in Frederick county, Md., Nov. 11, 1806, and was raised on a farm, on which the principal crops were tobacco. His father was the first man in the United States to sell tobacco at $25 per cwt. after the war of 1812. When Lemuel was 23 years of age he was employed by the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Company; in about a year and a half he was taken sick, and after recovery he commenced in the grocery business at a new town called Ijainsville, and was appointed Postmaster at that ])lace by the influence of George C. Washington, a nephew of the old General, the '- Father of our Country," and soon ailded dry goods to his line of trade. June 7, 1836, he left for the West; spent the summer in Ohio, and tlie last day of September arrived in this State, where his first erapkiymeut was to assist James Brattle, the County Surve3-or, in the survey of lots of the town of Warsaw, for public sale. He boarded with Mr. Newberry at the old Fort Edwards. From that time until 181:3 Mr. M. followed various kinds of busiuLSs; he then bought the grocery of John Swett, situated on the river. When Mr. M. first landed at Warsaw there were more Indians than white people in the vicinity. In 1845 he was appointed Postmaster, and in this capacity served until the inauguration of President Taylor, when he was removed on political grounds. Then Mr. M. moved to the hill and added drj^ goods, etc., to his business, and continued until 1859, when he sold out to Wm. Cooper and lost $3,000 by the operation.

In 1845 Mr. Mussetter married Miss Hannah Aegus, and they have had 10 children. In 1869 Mr. M. made a trip to the Rocky Mountains, spending a summer there; that region is now Colorado. He has been Trustee, Councilman, Magistrate, Member of the Legislature, etc. Was elected Supervisor on the first adoption of tp. organization. He has seen this county develop from its original wild condition to that of wealth and refinement, and has been jirominently identified with that progress.

E W. Oliver is h native of Adams county. 111., and was born, Nov. 2, 1836. llis father, Elias Oliver, of Decatur, was among the first pioneers who settled in Adams county. He was tendered 20 acres of land where Quincy now stands, as payment for three months' work. They came to this county about 1847, where Mr. E. W. Oliver still resides, the popular artist of Warsaw. He engaged in photograph}^ in the autumn of 1863, in Warsaw, having learned the art in Quincy; traveled some throughout the country. He has since i-emained'in Warsaw, except two year? ot this time.

which he spent in St. Louis and Qiiincy. He was married in the fall of 1860, to Miss Mary J. Walker, daughter of John Walker (dec), of Brecken ridge, 111. This union has been blessed with 4 children, of whom 3 are living; viz., Warren M., Eufus W. and Cora A. Mr. Oliver's reputation as a photograplier is well known in this locality, and he deserves the patronage of the people.

David Ogden, a native of Buffalo city, N. Y., was born Apr. 27, 1823, a son of Jesse B. and Charlotte Ogden, both natives of that State. He came to this (Hancock) county in 1856. He is a machinist by occupation, having learned his art in the Buffalo city steam engine works; is now the engineer of the Grace Mill, of Warsaw. He was married Aug. 14, 1858, to Miss Sarah E. Dorsey, by whom he has had 7 children; of these, 4 are living: Lurenda, Lilly, George, Eudora.

Rev. John Q. SanJctn, a native of East Tennessee, was born March 31, 1821, and is a son of Rev. Wm. C. Rankin, a Presbyterian minister, who removed with his family to Soutliern Indiana in 1837, where he engaged in the ministry for about 5 years, when he removed to Des Moines count}', Iowa; here he took charge of the Yellow Springs (now Kossuth) Church. He remained there but two or thi-ee years, when he removed to this county and engaged in the missionary work for the most part, until 1870. He now lives a retired life at Fort Madison, Iowa, at the age of 85 3'ears.

Our subject, Rev. John G. Rankin, graduated at Mission Institute, near Quincy, 111., in 1845, and at Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, O., May 5, 1847. He was ordained by the Schuyler Presbytery, Sept. 13, 1849. He commenced laboring with the First Presbyterian Church, of Warsaw, 111., Sept. 10, 1848; resigned in March, 1850. In March, 1851, he took charge of Carrollton Church, Greene Co., 111., where he remained 10 years. In March, 1861, he returned to Warsaw and continued until December, 1868; he then took charge of Monticello Church, Madison Co., 111., and was Chaplain of Monticello Seminary. In 1872 he was with the Ferguson Church, St. Louis county, Mo. His next field was Centralia. 111., from whence he returned to his old field, Warsaw, 111., where he still remains the Pastor of the Church. He was married in Quincy, 111., to Miss Philomela Prentiss, April 3, 1851. Her native place is Prattsburg, Steuben county, N. Y. Her father, Harvey P. Prentiss, still resides in Quincy. Her motlier was Livonia Loomis, daughter of Deacon Gamaliel Loomis, of Prattsburg, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin have no children.

J. P. Rieman was born near Gettj'sburg, Adam.s Co., Pa., Jan. 7, 1827; came to Warsaw in April, 1854; was a son of John and Lydia Rieman. He worked as a laborer at various occupations until 1863, when he purchased an interest with Christian Green in a flour mill, and has since continued in business there. The mill is now known as the " Eagle Mills" of Warsaw. The capacity of this mill is 30 barrels per 12 hours, and the flour is of the very best quality. They also manufacture patent floijr. Tliey use McGin- nis's patented snnitter. Mr. Rieman was married to Martha Ann Benson in 1S55, by whom he liad i children; of these, 2 are living, Edward F. and John William.

Silas Rohinson, son of the noted Fayette Robinson, America's great showman (more commonly known as "Yankee Robinson "), was born in Dansville, N. Y., Jnly 22, lS-i5. He was educated in Canandaigua, N. Y.; when the war broke out in 1861 he enlisted in the 13th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, but was rejected on account of a wound he received in 1857. He came to this county in 1879 and edited the Augusta Herald for one year, when, iu the spring of 1880, he removed to Warsaw, where he establislied the Warsaw DemoGrat, and also is editor of the VV^arsaw Daily Independent, the first and only dail}' paper in Hancock county since 1857. He was married Sept. 3, 1869, to Miss Jennie Smith. His father, Fayette Robinson, was born at Dennison's Corners, N. Y., and was the first to render the celebrated Uncle Tom's Cabin under a canvas.

A. Boeder, dealer in stoves, tinware, hollow-ware and housefurnishing goods, AVarsaw, has, since 1854, continued in this line of business, sustaining a high reputation and enjoying an extensive patronage. He was born in Germany; came to America in 1848, stopping in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1851 settled in Warsaw. In 1851 he married Miss Susan Rett, and of their 4 children 2 are living - Rudolph and Oscar. Mr. Roesler is the pi-eseut Mayor of Warsaw.

John Scott, deceased, was born July 9, 1S04, in Ashe county, N. C. He removed to Kentucky in the fall of 1816, and to Madison county, 111., in 1817, when it was a Territory; then he moved to Morgan county, 111., where for the first two years he had to go 80 miles to mill. He came to AVarsaw in the spring of 1834. He was married Dec. 13, 1836, to Louisa J. Frazier, of Quincy, 111., and they have had 5 children, 3 of whom are living - Mary F. (now Mrs. George J. Rogers, of Carthage), Louisa (at home with her mother) and John F., who is the present Deputy County Clerk at Carthage. Mr. Scott died May 1, 1865. He was a merchant and commission agent most of his life.

Christopher Stephens, deceased, was a native of Germany, and was born in 1802. He came to America in 1843, stopping for a season at Baltimore, Md., and in the year 1844 he came to St. Louis, and thence to Warsaw the same year. He was a wagonmaker at Warsaw for many years. He died in Jnly, 1866, loved and , respected by his many friends and acquaintances. He was a prominent citizen.

Eev. Peter Wallace, pastor of the Warsaw M. E. Church, was born in Mason county, Ky., April 11, 1813, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine Wallace, deceased. His parents removed to Brown county, Ohio, when he was but an infant. He was here reared on a farm, witii but limited educational advantages; but by hard study he has mastered several branches of literature and science, and is- therefore a self-made man. He came to SpringSeld, III., in 1833; and in 1835 married Miss Emeline Johnson, bj whom he had 6 children. Of these, 3 are living; viz., Joseph, Laura (now Mrs. Clark), and Emma (now Mrs. Arrowsmith). Mrs. Wallace died Oct. IS, 1860. While a young man in Springfield Mr. Wallace had for associates such persons as Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, E. D. Baker, Milton Hav and others, afterward noted men. His first vote was cast for Lincoln for the Illinois Legislature. Mr. W. became a member of the M. E. Conference at Beardstown, 111., in 1853. He labored in the ministrv until 1860. In 1862 he organized a company of soldiers, mostly from Sangamon county, which was mnstei-ed into the United States service Aug. 21, 1862. Mr. Wallace was elected Captain of the company, and they participated in the battles of Perry ville, Ky., Stone Elver, Nashville, and other smaller engagements. He commanded the regiment during most of the battle of Stone River. He was discharged from the service on account of physical disability in May, 1864. He then supplied the Park Street M. E. Church, of Cincinnati, O., until his own (Illinois) conference met at Danville, 111., in the fall of the same year, when he received an appointment to Moweaqua. He was appointed Presiding Elder of Mattoon district in 1867, and in 1871 was appointed Presiding Elder of Quincy district, which he traveled for four years. He was President of the Board of Trustees of Chaddock College si.\ years; afterward pastor at Wincliester and Beardstown stations, and is now stationed at Warsaw, 111., in charge of the M. E. Church.

Major John II. Wilcox, the subject of this memoir, was born in Addison county, Vermont, in 17!:*8'. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that State. His childhood and youth were employed in obtaining the best education that the schools of his native town afforded. In very early life he accompanied hisYather to Portage county, Ohio. In 1818 he was appointed a cadet to West Point, by Congressman Sloan, and performed the jonrne}' from his home to West Point, a distance of many hundred miles, on horseback. He graduated in 1822, received an appointment of 2d Lieutenant, and was ordered to Fort St. Anthony. He arrived at the fort about the time of its completion, and was present when General Scott, in compliment to its brave commander. Col. Snelling, changed its name from Fort St. Anthony to Fort Snelling. The winter of 1822-'23 he spent in Jefferson Barracks, and in the spring was ordered to Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, 111'., at that time considered the ne plus ultra of civilization. In the fall of 1823 he acted as second in a duel that was fought between Col. Marston, the commander of the fort, and Captain Home. In 1S24, Major Wilcox resigned his commission in the army, and soon after received an appointment in the American Fnr Companj'. In 1826 he svent to the Galena lead mines, but subsequently returned and settled in Warsaw, where he resided until his death, in 1839. In 1*^24 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kinney, daugiiter of Col. Lonis Kinney, one of the first settlers of Louis coiwit}', Missouri. The fruits of this union were 7 children, 3 of whom died in infancy. Major Wilcox died at his home in Warsaw, on the 3rd of October, 1S39, which event had been preceded by tlie death of his amiable and accomplished wife, two years before. Major Wilcox was a social, benevolent, high-toned gentleman - a man of understanding, well informed, sincere, and honest. His feelings were strong but tender, and in the domestic circle they shone with peculiar lustre. To the testimony of private friendship may be added that of less partial strangers, who have borne witness to the many virtues of one whom it was impossible to know without esteeming, or to see without admiring. Major and Mrs. Wilcox left 4 cliildren. The eldest daughter, Martha, attended school in Hancock county for several years after her father's death, then went to Ohio, completed her education, and married Dr. William English, who was for many years a prominent physician of Warsaw. The second daughter, Elizabeth, was adopted and raised by an aunt in Ohio, where she married and is still living. The youngest daughter, Virginia, was adopted by another aunt, Mrs. Gallaud, wife of Dr. Galland, a gentleman who occupied a prominent place in the early history of Hancock county. This daughter, celebrated as well for her amiability and grace of manner as for her wit and beauty, married Mr. William Ivens, of Keokuk, Iowa, and with the exception of a few years spent in California, has resided in that city, an acknowledged queen of society. Their only son, Louis Kinney Wilcox, was reared and educated in Vermont; returned to Warsaw in ISJrS. and commenced the study of medicine witli his brother-in-law. Dr. English; attended lectui-es at the medical college in St. Louis, from which institute he graduated -with high honors. In 1852 he commenced the practice of medicine in Warsaw, and, with the exception of a year spent at the medical college at Philadelphia, and three years in the army, has made that city his home, where he has had for many years an extensive and lucrative practice, being considered one of the most skillful and prominent physicians in the county. Major Wilcox and his wife passed away in the summer of their lives, ere the journey of life was half completed; passed away while j^et the golden floss of youth entwined their hearts, and tiie dim gray shadows of old age were but phantoms hovering in the distance. For long years they have slumbered in their darkened palaces of rest, and while the pitying stars have kept their everlasting watch and ward above them, and the night winds have sung a never-ceasing requiem o'er their graves, the Genius of improvement has passed with hurried tread over the scenes once familiar to their mortal eyes.

Capt.J. B. Williams was born in Madison county, Ky., March 28, 1816, and is a son of Levi and Polly (Reid) Williams, also natives of Kentucky, who came to this county in 1831. Mr. Levi Williams was a soldier in the war of 1812, the Black Hawk war and the Mormon war. He was the father of 6 children, of w^r.ni the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Captain Williams was married in 1849, to Miss Angeline A. McMahan, daughter of Andrew McMahan, of Warsaw. This union has been blessed with 8 children, of whom but 3 are living, - Mary, Flora J. and Thomas L. Mr. Williams operated the steam ferry at Warsaw for eight years, and since 1865 has been a Captain for the Eagle Packet Company, now operating on the Mississippi at all points between St. Louis and Keokuk. He still owns the old homestead on the ]Sr. W. J of sec. 6, Walker tp. Thomas L. Williams is engaged in farming near Warsaw.

Amos H. Worthen was born in Bradford, Orange county, Vt., Oct. 31, 1813 ; was married to Miss Sarah B. Kimball, of Warren, N. H., Jan. 11:, 1834; removed to Harrison county, Ky., and taught school a year; thence to Illinois in 1836, locating in Warsaw. In that place he entered into the mercantile business, which he followed for a number of years, with moderate success.

In 1851 Mr. W. was appointed assistant geologist in the Illinois Geological Survey, and remained in that position for about three years. In 1855 he was appointed an assistant in the Geological Survey of Iowa, and was thus engaged when he was appointed State Geologist of Illinois by Gov. Bissell, March, 1858.

Prof. Worthen may justly be termed a self-educated man. With no education beyond that acquired at the common schools of New England, and no scientific training, he took up the study of geology and mastered it, to an extent excelled by few; and this, too, after his settlement in Warsaw, and amid the cares of a family and while engaged in business.

His attention was first drawn to the science of geology by observing the interesting minerals and fossils that were met with in such profusion on every hand. AV^e well remember seeing him out in the morning or evening, with basket and hammer, rambling over the blufis and among the ravines, collecting specimens, and then thought he was unprofitably engaged. The ravines were then full of geodes that had weathered out of the decomposing shales of the geode beds, and the beautiful crystals with which they were lined were objects of great interest. The limestones were also full of fossils; and although the forms of organic life they presented were entirely new to him, they excited an intense desire to know something of their history, and of the specific character of the animals to which they once belonged.

There had been no elementary work on geology published in this country at that time, and the first books he was able to obtain that contained any account of fossils, were a copy of Dr. Mantell's "Medals of Creation," and "Wonders of Geology," published in England. These, though they threw no light on the specific character of the specimens he gathered in his excursions among the rocks here, gave him some insight into the manner in which the rocks were formed, and how the remains of living beings came to be preserved in them. By collecting the minerals and fossils that were found in the vicinity ot" Warsaw, and exchanging them witli other collections, he gradnallj' acquired the information so much desired. Through these collections and exchanges, and by other means. Prof. W. obtained a valuable geological museum, which, when he was called to Springfield, thousands would not have purchased. Subsequently tlie first volumes of the Paleontology of New York were published, affording the first figures and descriptions of American fossils that he had been able to obtain. Those who commence the study of geology now, when the characteristic fossils of every formation on the North American continent have been figured and described in published works, that are accessible to the student, in public and private libraries, can form but little idea of the difficulties with which students in the same field had to contend 40 years ago.

Prof. Worthen's labors as State Geologist resulted in an extended survey of every county in the State, and the publication of six large volumes as a record of the work, - a publicatioa deemed of great value to the scientific world.

More lately Gov. Cullom has appointed Mr. W. to the position of Curator in the State Historical Library and Natural History Museum, a post which he now holds.

liev. L. Zumb'uehl, present Pastor of the Catholic Ciiurcli in Warsaw, a native of Switzerland, was in 1846 in the city of Luzerne. He entered the college of said city in 1860; in 1864 he continued his classical course in the renowned College of Schwyz, a town in the Canton Schwyz. After having been a short period a member of the University in Friburg, Baden, he graduated in the Theological Seminary of Kiir Graubiindten, in the Grisons, and was admitted to the dignity of priesthood the 19tli day of April, 1870. He emigrated with the P>ishop of Cleveland, Ohio, Rt. Rev. Rapp, to his first field of labor. In 1877 he started West, and joined the newly established Diocese of Peoria, Ills., of which the nephew of the deceased Archbishop Spalding of Baltimore, the most learned and eloquent T. L. Spalding, is the first Bishop.