Full text of "The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois"

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

lri|iii|iiiiu|i|.il|ll|Ui'<'' ~

3 3433 08182105 4

v-v

tpi-ie:

Biographical Record

Livingston County

ILLINOIS.

sTi^j>i.'rE:o.

A people that take no pride in llie noble aeliieveinents of remote aiieestors \eill never neliiei'e
anything— Morthy to be renieniberej icith pride by remote i^enerations." — M At Ai'r.i-n .

CHICAGO:

The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company.

1900.

W YORK

JBRARY

*H0

ri.'1'KTII »T,, LOi; 4 MifORT. I>!0.

PREFACE.

HE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most
biilliant writers of the present century, has said : "The history of a
country is best told in a record of the lives of its people.'" In con-
formity with this idea, the Biographical Record has been prepared.
Instead of going to musty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical
matter that can bi- appreciated by but few, our corps of writers have
gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise
and industry, brought this county to a rank second to none among
those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have tlie story of their life
struggles. No more interesting or iiistructixe matter could be presented to an intelligent
public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation
of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and
econoni)' have accimuilaletl wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing
an education, iiaye become learned men and women, with an intliience extending throughout
the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of
life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in
every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usually
crowned their efl'oits. It tells also of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause of the
world, have pursued the " even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ
said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — " They nave done what they could."' It
tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the
lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's
call went forth valiantly " to do or liie," and bow through their efforts the Union was
restored and peace once more leigned in the land. In the life of e\ erv man and of every
woman is a lesson that should not be lost u[jon those wlio follow after.

Coming generations will appreciate this \olume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from
the fact that it contains so much that would never lind its way into public records, and which
w<nild otheiwise be inaccessible. (jreat care has been taken in the compilation of the work,
and every opportunity possible given to those lepresented to insure correctness in what has
been written ; ami the publishers Halter tliemselves that thes' give to their readers a work with
few errors of consequence. In aildition to biographical sketches, portraits of a luimber of
representative citizens are given.

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be misseil in this volume.
l"or this the publishers are not to blame. i>Iot having a proper conception of the work, some
refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent.
Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of sue!)
opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men
never could be found, though repeated calls w^ere made at their residence or place of business.

October, 1900.

The S. T- Cl.^rkk PfBLi.sHiNc; Co,

"rsiO(|r(if)lui b the onlij hue hLstorg."— En^crson.

GEORGE W. PATTON.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ox. GEORGE W.
PATTON. At the
present time it is sel-
dom that one wins
prominence in sev-
eral lines. It is the
tendency of the age
to devote one's en-
tire energies to a special line, continnally
workingupwardand concentrating his efforts
toward accomplishing a desired end ; yet in
the case of Judge Patton it is demonstrated
that an exalted position may be reached in
more than one line of action. • He is an emi-
nent jurist, an able judge and a leader in
political circles. For several years he was
successfully engaged in the practice of law in
I'ontiac, and is now serving as judge of the
eleventh judicial circuit.

The Judge is a native of Pennsylvania,
and during his infancy was brought to
Woodford county, Illinois, in 1851, by his
parents, Samuel R. and Jane (Haines) Pat-
ton, who were also natives of the Keystone
state. His paternal grandfather was Rev.
James Patton, and his great-grandfather,
Rev. John Patton. both of whom achieved
some local celebrity as Bai)tist ministers in

western Pennsvlvania.the latter having been
2

pastor of the church at Smithfield, Fay-
ette county, for thirty consecutive years, as
the inscription on his monument, erected by
his church, still attests. Judge Patton's ma-
ternal grandparents were John and Marga-
ret (Anderscin) Ilaines, farming" people of
western Pennsylvania. The latter was a
daughter of James Anderson, a native of
Ireland, who carried a mu.sket for six years
in General Washington's army during the
Revolutionary war. During their entire
residence in this state the parents of Judge
Patton made their home in Woodford coun-
ty, where the mother died in 1873, the father
in 1886. He was a Democrat in politics, a
successful farmer, a man of great industry,,
indomitable will and strong common sense,
while the mother was a woman of keen wit,
remarkable memory and forceful intellect.

Reared on the home farm in Woodford
county, Jutlge Patton attendctl the common
schools of the neighborhood until twenty
years of age, and then took a three years'
course at Xonnal, Illinois, completing the
same in 1871. During the following two
years he taught school in Secor and El Paso,
\\'oodford county, and with the monej' thus
earned he commenced the study of law with
Hav, Green & Littler at Springfield, Illinois,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and was admitted to the bar in 1875. being
a member of tlie same class as W. J. Cal-
houn. ex-Senator T. C. Kerrick and Cleorge
Torrance. Subse<|uently lie again taught
school and engaged in other pursuits until
1881, following farming for three years
to regain his health. In 1881 he com-
menced tiie practice of law at Fairbury, this
county, and two years later located in Pon-
tiac, where he formed a partnershij) with C.
C. Strawn, which was dissolved in 1888. Af-
ter that time he was alone and succeeded in
building up a large and lucrative ])ractice.
On the 7th of June, 1897. he was elected one
of the judges of the eleventh judicial circuit,
composed of Livingston, Woodford, Ford,
McLean and Logan counties, and is now
most creditably tilling that office. His mind
is analytical, logical and inductive. With
a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of
the fundamental principles of law, he com-
bines a familiarity with statutory law and a
sober, clear judgment, which makes him
not only a formidable adversary in legal
combat, but has given him the distinction
of being one of the ablest jurists in this sec-
tion of the state.

Although reared in a Democratic at-
mosphere. Judge Patton has never voted
that ticket, but is a stanch Republican. He
was a member of the state central commit-
tee of his party from 1894 to 1896. He was
made a Mason at F^airbury, and is now a
member of Pontiac lodge. Xo. 294, 1". &
A.M.; Fairbury chapter. R. A. M.; Chenoa
council. R. & S. M.; and St. Paul com-
mandery, K. T., of F'airbury. He also be-
longs to the Odd Fellows lodge and en-
campment, and Ixith he and his wife are
members of the Pontiac Methodist Episco-
pal church, in which he is serving as an offi-
cer. The Judge was married, September

20. 1877. to Miss Flo Cook, daughter of
James and Lucinda Cook, of Fairbury. and
they now have two chiKlren. Marie and
1 'roctor.

HAMILTON R. STEWART.

Hamilton R. Stewart, who fur the last
hfteen years has successfully operated the
farm of B. M. Stodtlard on section 8. Avoca
township. Livingston county, was born in
cnunty Derry. Ireland. June 4. 1854. and is
the oldest child of William and Mary A.
(McLaughlin) Stewart, also natives of
county Derry. where the father successfully
engaged in farming from early manhood un-
til his death in 1868. Subsecjuently his
widow came to America with her family of
five sons and one daughter, namely: Ham-
ilton R., the subject of this sketch; Joseph,
a farmer, who died in Iowa ; Samuel, a resi-
dent of Avoca township; William, a laborer
of Ogden, Iowa; Tohn, deceased: and Han-
nah, wife of William Scott, who lives near
Kochelle. Ogle county. Illinois. On their
emigratit)n to .America the family located in
Lexington. Illinois, where they made their
I'.ome for four years, and in 1872 moved to
La Salle county, where the following two
years were passed, coming to Livingston
county at the end of that time. While in
I^xington the mother married Thcjmas
L'linton. by whom she had <!ne son. Thomas
I'., now a school teacher in Swygart. Illincjis.
Her second husband died in Livingston
county and she is now living with our sub-
ject at the age of sixty-seven years.

Hamilton R. Stewart commenced liis
education in the common schiM>ls of his na-
tive laiul. and after coming to .\merica, at
the age of fourteen years, attended school in

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lexington, Illinois, for a short time. Be-
irsf the oldest of the faniilv he had to so to
work on a farm that he might aid in their
support, and lived at home until twenty-
two. While in La Salle county he worked
in a coal mine in Streator for two years. In
1876 he left home and was employed as a
farm hand ahout five years, at the end of
wiiicli time he rented land and emljarked in
tanning on his own account.

In 1883 Mr. Stewart married Miss Jane
I'dair. who was horn in Tazewell comity,
this state, in 1862. Her parents, \\'illiam
and Mary (Gillian) Blair, hoth natives of
Ireland, located in Tazewell county on their
emigration to the United States, and after
residing there for a few years moved to Mc-
Lean county, where they now make their
h.ome. The father is a successful farmer.
In the family were seven children, namely:
Thomas, a farmer of McLean county ; Jane,
wife of our suhject ; David, a prosperous
farmer of McLean county; Annie, wife of
li. .Gillian, of the same county; William.
also a resident of McLean county ; and L}-dia
and Addie, both at home. Of the nine chil-
dren horn to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, one died
in infancy. The others are as follows;
William J. and Mabel M.. who passed the
central school examinations at the ages of
fifteen and thirteen years respectively, be-
in.g the youngest who ever passed from their
school, and standing high in rank in a classof
forty; Minnie P.. Litta G., Ira J.. Hamil-
ton G.. Geneveive and Morris M. The par-
ents are giving their children the best possi-
ble educational advantages.

After his marriage Mr. Stewart located
en a farm in McLean county, where he siic-
cessfuUy engaged in general farming for two
years, and in 1885 moved to the farm of two
hundred acres in Avoca township, Livings-

ton county, where he now resides. He is
a conscientious man. upright and honorable
ir. all his dealings, as is shown by his re-
maining on one farm so long. During his
residence here he has been prominently iden-
tified with local politics. He was justice of
the peace fi\c years, school trustee six years
and assessor two years, being re-elected for
a third term. an<l serving in each office to
the best of his ability anil for the interests
of the peoi)Ie he represents. He is a man
who does not draw party lines in local af-
fairs, but supports those whom he believes
best c|ualilied to fill the positions, regardless
of party affiliations. For the past twelve
years in national elections he has supjiorted
the nominees of the Prohibition party and at
present is township C(immitteeman of that
party. Socially he is a member of Fairbury
Camp. No. 6, M. W. A., and religiously is
a member and active worker in the Meth-
odist Episcojjal church and Sunday school,
serving as a member of the board of trustees
for the past fourteen years. He is a genial
gentleman, who is well liked 1)y a large circle
of friends and ac(|uaintances.

FREDERICK DUCKETT.

Success is determined by one's ability to
recognize opportunity, and to pursue this
with a resolute and unfiagging energy. It
results from continued labor and the man
who thus accomplishes his purpose usually
becomes an imjtortant factor in the business
circles of the community with which he is
connected and also jjrominent in public life.
Through such means Mr. Duckett has at-
tained a leading place among the representa-
tive men of Livingston cmuity, which he is
now serving as county clerk.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

A son of Benjamin and Jane (Redmond)
Dnckett. lie was born November lo, 1840,
iii Wechncire, Somersetshire. England, wliicli
place lias l)een tiie ancestral home of the
family for many generations. There the fa-
ther engaged in farming until his death,
\vhich occurred when our subject was a boy
of fi\e or six years. The mother was left
with si.x children, five sons and one daugh-
ter. She spent her entire life in her native
land and died in the faith of the Episcopal
church. Those of the family who came to
America were Francis, now a resident of Des
Moines, Iowa ; Daniel, a physician, who died
ill Forrest, this county, in 1890; Sarah, wife
of Jesse Arney, of Kent, Washington ; and
Frederick, our subject. The youngest son,
Gabriel, is a resident of Australia.

Frederick Duckett received a good prac-
tical education in the schools of his native
lr.nd. In 1854, at the age of thirteen years,
he came alone to the United States and spent
two years in Xew York state, where he found
emi)lo_\ment. In 1856 he came to Illinois
and first located in Henry, Marshall county,
working on a farm near there until fall, when
lie went to Peoria county and obtained a
position, where he worked for his board with
the ])rivilege of attending school. He re-
mained in that county until the Civil war
broke out and in the spring of 1862 enlisted
in Company K, Eleventli Illinois Cavalry.
Going immediately to the front, he joined
his regiment at Memphis, Tennessee, and
was first under fire at Lexington, that state.
He took part in the second battle of Corinth
and the siege of Vicksburg. antl remained
ji. active service until mustered out Septem-
ber 30. 1865, being never ofif duty a single
day. He was serving as second lieutenant
at the time of his discharge. Returning to
Peoria county he remained there until i8(j7>

when he removed to Forrest, Livingston
county, and entered in the drug business with
liis brother. Later he became sole proprietor
of the store, and though he began in a small
way he carried a large and well-selectetl
Slock and had built up an excellent trade at
the time of disposing of his business.

On the 19th of February, 1866, Mr.
Duckett married I\Iiss Mary E. Munhall.
of Peoria county, a daughter of Samuel
Munhall, and to them have been born six
children: Jeanette, now the wife of H. C.
Amsbury, of W'ellsville Xew York ; Arthur
F., who married Grace Stillwell and resides
in Forrest : Jesse, now serving as deputy
county clerk under his father; Nellie M. ;
Maliel M., wife of Everett Tate, of Pontiac;
and Aldine, at home.

Mr. Duckett attends and supports tb.e
Methodist Episcopal cluux'h. of which his
wife is a member. He is a very active and
prominent member of several civic societies,
was one of the organizers of Forrest Post,
G. A. R., and served as its first commander.
He has represented it in the state encamp-
ment several times and was a member of the
commander's staff one year. He was a
charter member of Forrest lodge. No. 614,
F. & A. M., of which he was master about
ten years, and is now a member of Pontiac
lodge, No. 294. F. & A. M., oi" which he has
been secretary, while at present he is high
priest of Pontiac chapter, R. A. M., and
past C(immander of St. Paul Commantler\-,
K. T.. of Fairbury. He also belongs to
Chenoa Council, R. & S. M., of F"orrest
ledge. K. P., of which he is past chancellor,
and the Modern Woodmen of America, of
which he is past venerable consul.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Duckett
lias been an active Republican. He served
as collector of his township several terms

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and was a member of tlie township lioard at
ditterent times. In 1894 he was elected
county clerk liy a .sfood majority and after
filling that office for four years was renom-
mated by acclamation in 1898 and elected
by an increasing- majority, which sj^eaks well
fur the estimation in which he is held 1)\- the
].eople of the county, who recognize his abil-
ity and fitness for the office. His present
term will not expire until Deceml)er. 1902.
.\s a citizen lie has always been found true
to every trust reposed in him, so that liis
loyalty is above question, being manifest in
tiays of peace as well as when he followed
the old flag to victory on sduthern battle
fields. Since he entered upon the duties of
his present office he has made his home in
Pontiac.

JAMES P. DAHL.

James P. Dahl, who is successfully en-
gaged in farming on section 3,Eppards Point
township, Livingston county. Illinois, two
miles from Pontiac, is a native of Denmark,
horn on the Baltic Sea March 24, 1839. and
i.- a son of Lars P. and Christina f Peter-
son) Dahl, who .spent their entire lives as
farming people in that country.

Our subject was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools of his na-
tive land. His knowledge of the English
language has been acquired through his own
tinaided efforts. It was in i860 that he
crossed the broad Atlantic.' sailing from
Liverpool, England, to New ^'ork, and land-
ing in the latter city on the 25th of Mav,
that year. He came direct to La Salle coun-
ty, Illinois, where he had friends living,
and where he worked on a farm by the
month for some time. Later he was similarh'

employed in Putnam county for five vears,
and from there went to Peru, Illinois, where
he formed a partnership with his brother-in-
law. John Dixon, and engaged in fruit grow-
ing and the milk and dairy business for nine
years, .selling out on coming to this county.

On the ioth of .\pril. 1877. '" Peru. Mr.
Dahl married Miss Lydia Jensen, a native
of Coijenhagen, Denmark, and a daughter
of Paul and Louisa ( Otto) Jensen, who were
also born in that country. The father was
a business man of Copenhagen. Mrs. Dahl
\yas well educated in the schools of that city
and came to the new world in 1875. To our
subject and his wife have been Ijorn six chil-
dren, of whom four are living, namely:
.Anna is a well educated young lady, who is
now successfully engaged in teaching music
and also serves as organist of the McDowell
Methodist Episcopal church: William assists
his father in the operation of the farm: and
' Joseph and Clinton are also at home. Carrie
died at the age of ten years : Mary, at the
age of six months.

The day after their marriage Mr. and
I\]rs. Dahl came to Livingston county and he
purchased eight\--four acres of land on sec-
tion 3,' Eppards Point township, where he
now resides, and has since -bouglit forty
acres more, making a fine farm of one hun-
(h-ed and twentv-four acres, which he has
tiled and ])laced under a high state of cul-
tivation. He has remodeled the house,
l)!anted an orchard, erected outbuildings and
made many other useful and valuable im-
provements on the place which add greatly
to its attractive appearance. He is quite suc-
cessfully engaged in general farming and
stock raising. Originally he was a Repub-
lican in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist,
and at local elections votes for the men whom
he believes best qualified to fill the offices.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

regardless <>t party affiliations. He is now
an efficient member of the scIukjI board and
president of his district. Religiously Mr.
Dalil and bis family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church of McDowell
and are highly respected and esteemed by
all who know them.

JAMES H. GAFF.

James H. Gaff, a prominent old resident
of Pontiac. Illinois, who is now serving as
justice of the peace and deputy sheriff of
Livingston county, was born in Xenia,
Greene county, Ohio. March 27,. 1827, a son
of David M. and Hannah (Mock) Gaff.
His jjaternal grandparents were John and
Martha (Scott) Gaff, natives of Pennsyl-
vania and Maryland respectively, the birth
place of the former being not far from Get-
tysburg and Hagerstown. They were of
Scotch- Irish descent and members of the old
Covenanter church. The maternal grand-
parents were John and Mary (Horney).
natives of North Carolina. In 1801 they
removed from that state to Xenia, Ohio, in
a one-horse wagon, resting always on the
Sabbath dav during the journey. Mr. Mock
helped build the first house ever erected in
Xenia and owned one hundred acres of heav-
ily timbered land about five miles south of
where that city now stands. This he cleared
and transformed into a gfxid farm. Leav-
ing bis family and several children at home,
lie enlisted in the war of 1812. and was sta-
tioned at Mcpherson's block bouse on the
line between Indiana and Ohio. He and
his wife spent their last days upon a farm
which he imjirovcd in Fayette d'unty. Ohio.
She was nf Ouaker descent and was a flaugh-

ter of James Horney. who had charge of the
train of seventeen wagons in which the Mock
familv moved to Ohio from North Carolina.
They became members of the Metliodist
Episcopal church and old Peter Cartwright
preached in their house.

David M. Gaff, the father of our subject,
was born in Maryland near the Pennsylvania
hue, and. was a young man when the family
moved to Xenia, Ohio, where he married
Hannah Mock, a native of Ohio. He fol-
lowed farming, but died at the early age of
twenty-seven years, being accidentally killed
March 2j. 18,^1, when our subject was only
four vears old, leaving his widow with three
small children to sup]Dort. This she tli<l In-
engaging in weaving. Later she married
John Calhoun and moved to Montgomery
county. Ohio, locating si.x miles south of
Dayton, wiiere the family lived until about
1857. when they came to Illinois and settled
near Decatur. Macon county. Mr. Calhoun
died in Decatur in 1866 and his wife died
near Bloomington. this state, in 1892. at the
age of eighty-five years. .\t an earlyday John
Gaff, our subject's paternal grandfather, who
was also a soldier of the war of 18 12, floated
down the Ohio river on a flat boat to Cin-
cinnati, and from there drove across the
oumtry to Xenia. where in the midst of the
forest he commenced to develop a farm,
which was to have been inherited by our
subject's father had he not been killed so
early in life.

Just before he attained his eighth year
James H. Ciaff. our subject, went to live with
an uncle, with whom he remained for four
years, and then made his home with his
grandfather Mock. L'ntil eighteen years old
In attended school not to exceed thirty days
a year, his first l>ooks being an elementary
speller and ttstameiu, which were later sup-

TIM". r.K^C.RAPlilCAL RECORD.

l;!eincnteil 1)_\- tlie American reader and
Smitli's aritlimetic. Tlie scliool house where
ho pursued Iiis studies was a ])riiuiti\e struc-
ture huilt of log's, witii punclicon floor and
seats and greased paper windows, and the
little room often had to accommodate forty
pupils.

After leavinjj school at the ag^e of eight-
een years Mr. Gaff learned the blacksmith's
trade in Teffersonville, serving a three-years
apprenticeship, and then working as a jour-
neyman at that ])lace for a time. \\'hile there
he was married. December 2I1. 1850, to Miss
Catherine Powell, a nati\e of Fayette coun-
ty, Ohio, and a daughter of Harper I'dwcll.
a farmer. They have one child, Ann E.,
now the wife of Charles Tanquary, of Chi-
cago, by whnm she has a daughter, Helen G.

On leaving Jeffersonville. Ohio, in the
fall of 1 85 1, Mr. Gaff moved to what is now
Cooksville. McLean county. Illinois, where
he bought eighty acres of land and com-
menced breaking prairie with an ox team.
In i8;4 he moved to Pleasant Hill and
opened a blacksmith shop, which he con-
ducted for fi\-e years and then sold. Coming
to Pontiac he was here engaged in general
blacksmithing until after the Civil war
broke 1 ut.

In the fall of 1862 Mr. Gaff enlisted in
Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-
rinth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and tirst
went to Louisville, Kentucky. He was at
the engagements at Bowling Green, Gallatin
and Xaslnille and later started on the Chat-
tanooga ami Atlanta cam])aign. his regi-
ment being one of the first to enter .\tlanta
after the evacuation. They were on the left
wing of the army in the march to the sea
and up through the Carolinas to Goldsboro
and Raleigh. The war having ended thev
continued their march through Richmond to

Washington, D. C, where they ])articipated
in the grand review. They were mustered
mn at Washington June 8, 1865, and dis-
charged at Chicago on the 21st of that
month. Mr. Gaff had four half-brothers and
one step-brother in the service, not one of
whom was ill or wounded while in the <urniy.
although their aggregate service amounted
tC' over nineteen years.

Returning to his home in Pontiac. Mr.
Gaff resumed blacksmithing, at which he
worked until the fall of 1866, when he was
elected sheriff of the county for a term of
two years, and the following two vear.s
served as deputy sheriff', ha\ing charge of
the office for his successor. After clerking
in a store for one year he again ojjened a
blacksmith simp and Iniilt up an extensive
business, furnishing em])lovment to four
men. During President Hayes' administra-
tion he was appointed postmaster, having
always lieen an active Republican and chair-
man of the central committee during the
Hayes campaign. He had previously filled
the office of assessor for a number of terms.
While serving as postmaster the jxtstage on
a letter was reduced from three to two cents,
which naturally affected the revenue of the
ofKce. He was reappointed by President
Arthur and for eight years devoted his time
exclusively to the tlutie s of his ])()sition.
Later he spent a year and a half in Kansas,
returning to Pontiac in 1890. He has served
as constable four years, justice of the jieace
three years and deputy sheriff since 1891,
h.aving charge of the circuit court. His
official duties have always Ijeen discharged
ill a prompt and able manner, which has
won the commendation of all concerned.

Mr. Gaff is one of the oldest members of
T. Tyle Dickey Po.^t. Xo. 105. G. .\. R.,
and has served as its commander. He

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is one of tlie oldest Masor.s belonging' to
Pontiac lodge, Xo. ^94. F. & A. M..
and is a nicmher of Fairbury Ciiapter.
R. A. M. F'or forty years lie aiul his
wife have held memhersliip in the Meth-
odist Episcopal cluirch and during that
entire time he has ser\ed as steward or in
other official positions. He. has also been
class leader for some time and takes an acti\e
and prominent part in church work. Dur-
ing the long years of his residence in Liv-
ingston county he has been one of its most
influential and popular citizens — a man hon-
ored and respected wherexer known.

GEORGE TORRANXE.

Whatever else may be saitl of the legal
fraternity, it cannot be denied that mem-
bers of the bar have been more important
actors in public affairs than any other class
of the American people. This is liut the
natural result of causes which are manifest
and re(|uire no explanation. The ability
and training which qualify one to practice
law also qualify him in many respects for
duties which lie initside the strict path of
his profession and which touch the general
interests of society. The subject of this
record is a man who has brought his keen
discrimination and thorough wisdom to
bear not alone in professional paths, but also
for the benefit of his fellow citizens and the
community in which he lives. He is now
most efficiently and satisfactorily serving as
superintendent of the Illinois state reform-
atory at Pontiac.

Mr. Torrance was born in Lancaster,
Ohio, May 15, 1847, a son of David and
Sarah (Kerns) Torrance, both natives of

Pennsylvania, and the former of Scotch-
Irish and the latter of German descent. The
parents removed from their native state to
Lancaster, Ohio, and in 1863 came to Illi-
nois, locating in Danville, \'erniilion county,
where for some time the father engaged in
business as a contractor and builder, being a
carpenter by trade. He died in that city.
While a resident of Ohin he took (|uite an
interest in educational affairs, and always
attended and supported the Presbyterian
church, though not a member. His wife
still sur\i\es him and continues to make
her home in Pontiac.

During his boyhood George Torrance
attended the common schools of his birth-
place. He removed with the family to Dan-
ville, Illinois, and there enlisted, in 1864, in
Company E, One Hundred and Forty-ninth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was with
his command in Tennessee, Georgia and Ala-
bama. He remained in the service until
the close of the war, being musteretl out at
Dalton, Georgia, and discharged at Camp
Butler, Illinois. At the age of twenty
years Mr. Torrance began his business ca-
reer as clerk in a grocery store, and was
later in the United States express office and
a clothing .store of Danville. He came to
Chatsworth, this county, as a dry-goods
clerk, and held that position for some time,
after which he was employed as a commer-
cial traveler. He served as justice of the
peace and read law with the firm of Fosdick
^c Wallace, the latter being now Judge Wal-
lace, of Pontiac. Later he studied for a
time with A. M. Wynian, and was admitted
to practice by examination January 9, 1875.
He was engaged in practice at Chatsworth
until the .spring of 1881, when he came to
Pontiac. Here he began practice alone, but
later was in partnership with R. S. Mclll-

GEORGE TORRANCE.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(luf, as a member of the firm of Mclllduf &
Torrance, and wlien tliat was dissolved he
was alone for some years. Subsequently
he was engaged in practice with his son un-
der the firm name of Torrance & Torrance.
He would never accept criminal cases, but
as a civil la\v\cr met with mi.)st excellent
success in his chosen profession.

On the 9th of June, 1869, Mr. Torrance
was united in marriage with Miss Eliza M.
Fenn, of Chatsworth, a daughter of Elam P.
Fenn, a farmer, from Connecticut, and to
them ha\'c been born two children : Herbert
E., now an attorney of Pontiac; and Grace
Tren. Tiie family attend the Presbyterian
church, of which Mrs. Torrance is a mem-
ber.

As a Republican Mr. Torrance has
taken an active and infiuential part in po-
htical affairs, and has been chairman of the
county committee. In the fall of 1880 he
was elected to the state senate and ser\-ed
two terms of four years each with credit to
himself and to the entire- satisfaction of his
■constituents. During this time he was one
of the one hundred and three who helped to
elect General Logan to the United States
senate.

Mr. Torrence was appointed superin-
tendent of the Illinois State Reformatory,
J\Iarch I, 1897. Realizing that if it was
to properly perform the work designed for
it many changes must be made in its build-
ings, schools, etc., he immediately began his
labors along that line. This in.stitution,
with the great outlay of mone\' necessary to
its building, and the wants of fifteen hun-
dred inmates to look after, including their
schooling and discipline, would be a tax
upcin the strength of any man. but with this
additional work has been a heavy burden,
which he has borne with wonderful forti-

tude. Though critised and condemned at
times, he has never faltered, but patiently
awaited the time which he felt sure must
come when his work would meet with pub-
lic approval. It has now arrived and the
discipline of the inmates, the success of its
trade and Cdnimon school work, and the
beauty of the grounds are generally com-
niended and the institution is recognized as
among the most successful of its kind in the
wiirld. Air. Torrance has been told that
he expected to leave the institution as a
monument to his work in this state, and if
given time would place it in such a position
that it could not be surpassed by any other
in tiie near future. That he has succeeded
is now conceded and his former critics are
l<Hid in his ])raise. and the donbting yet hope-
ful friends jubilant over his success.

The discipline is excellent, yet without
apparent se\erity. There seems to be a liope-
ful. c<.intented air permeating the whole in-
stitution, and he lias not elsewhere and prob-
ably never will have better friends than can
l)e foimd among the bovs in his custody.
They speak kindly of him, are very respect-
ful to him and obey his recpiests or com-
mands as cheerfully as if he was paying
them salaries. One by one the former modes
of punishment have been abolished until the
shackle, hand-cuff, ball line, solitary, etc.,
are relegated to the things that were. Pa-
rade and assembly grounds have been ar-
ranged, fine lawns, cement walks and llower
beds constructed, until the mner yard is a
beautiful park, the admiration of all that
see it. Great attention has been paid by
him to the training of inmates in both in-
strumental and \-ocal music until tiie insti-
tution has one of the best bands in tiie state.
.\ military organization has been perfected,
and it is unsurpassed anywhere, outside of

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

West Point. To insirucl the inmates he
has about twenty-two common and twenty-
five trade scliools. classes in etliics, Sunday
school, chapel services, lectures, concerts
and entertaimnents of \arious kinds.

\\ itli liiin the wurk is nut pertHrnieil tor
the salary alone: it has become a work into
which he throws his entire energy and
ability. .\ visit to the institution is very
instructive and interesting, and hundreds
inspect it every week, as many as fifteen hun-
dred being conducted through it in one
week last summer. In the handling of hun-
dreds of thousands of dollars, the making
and looking after many contracts with build-
ers, machinists and plumbers, not one word
t)f scandal has ever been heard, not a dif-
ference ever existed but has been adjusted
.without discord. The same is true in re-
gard to his officers; differences often e.xist,
but under his direction they are harmonized
or he takes hold with a firm hand and set-
tles them beyond further controversy. One
employe said : "I have worked at other
institutions and found much trouble among
the officers always existing. This one runs
without friction." .\s an organizer and di-
recttir, he is unsurpassed. He ]X)ssesses ex-
ecutive ability of a high order, has had great
experience in public matters, is an excellent
lawyer, an extensive reader and possesses a
brain that works rapidly. Probably no man
in the state is refpiired to promptly pass
upon so many matters embracing all the
lines of industry and education as he is, or
that could do so with less deliijeration.

For nearly six years Mr. Torrance has
been officially connected with the high school
of Pontiac, and was i)resi<lent of the board
almost five years, during which time the
school was ojjened and raised to its present
iiigh standing among similar institutions in

the state. Other official honors would have
been conferred uj^n him had he not de-
clined, refusing to allow his name to go far-
ther on the ]>arty ticket. Upright, reliable
and honorable, his strict adherence to prin-
ciple commands the respect of all, and as a
l)leasant, affable gentleman he makes many
friends.

JOHX K. OLESOX.

Jiiim K. Oleson, who resides on section
8, Pontiac township, is one of the success-
ful farmers of Livingston countv. He is
a native of Xorway and was born June 20,
1 83 1, just sixty-nine years from the daj- the
notes for this sketch were taken. He grew
to manhood on a farm in his native country
and until about thirteen years old attended
the parochial schools. He then had to begin
making his own living and engaged in farm
labor.

The life of a poor man in Xorway is
not one for envy, and the opportunity for
adxancement is not such as is afforded in
the United States. Realizing this fact, Mr.
Oleson determined to emigrate to this coun-
try, and accordingly, in 1858, he took pas-
sage in a sailing vessel, crossed the .\tl^it;c,
and landed in Quebec. From that city he
came west U> Chicago, and from there to
La Salle county, Illinois, where he com-
menced work on a farm by the month, and
continued to be thus employed for .several
years, saving as much of his wages as possi-
i)le.

W'liile yet living in La Salle county, Mr.
Oleson was united in marriage with Miss
Elsie Olson, by which union two children
were born. Ole R., the eldest is now mar-
ried and has one son. He is enaged in farm-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL -RECORD.

ing in Livine^ston county. Emma is the wife
of Ole Kniulson and tliey have four sons.

In 1870 Mr. Oleson came to Living;ston
county and purchased a farm of eiglity acres
and also rented a place on which was an old
log house. The place had formerly heen
worked, hut when he ohtained possession it
had mostly s''"^^'" i^'P to grass and weeds
and only ahout fifteen acres was fenced.
Life in Li\ingston county was commenced
tuidci- \ery discouraging circumstances, but
he had grit and determination, and the un-
sightly weeds soon disai)peared and the land
was placed under cultivation. A small house
was first erected, which in due time, gave
place to a larger and better one, and the
area of the farm was increased until the
farm now comjjrises two hundred and twenty
acres, all of which is under culti\ation and
the land tilled and well drained throughout.

Politically Mr. Oleson is a Republican,
\\ ith which ])art}' he has Ijeen identified since
coming to this country. On his arrival the
slavery question was being agitated and the
country was almost in the midst of the throes
of a revolution. Lincoln and Douglas were
holding their great debate, and the \oung
Norwegian naturallv took his place on the
side of those who were fighting for freedom.
His first presidential vote was cast in 1864
for Abraham Lincoln, while his last was
cast for \\'illiam McKinley. He was reared
in the Lutheran faith and is yet a memlicr of
that church, llis wife is also a member of
the same church.

Mr. Oleson was a poor man when he
came to the United States, and for several
years he had a hard struggle to obtain a
foothold, but he persevered, with the result
that he now has one of the best improved
farms in Pontiac township, within three
miles of the county seat, and he can calmly

look the future in the face, knowing that he
has sut'ticient to carry him through old age
in comfort, if not in luxury. His forty-two
years in this country have served to broaden
his views and to make him progressive and
thoroughly American in all things. .Ml who
know him ha\-e for him the utmost respect.

JOEL ALLEX. M. D.

Joel .Mien, ~S.l. D., a i)rominent and suc-
cessful ])hysician of Pontiac, Illinois, is a
native of this state, born on his father's farm
in Jefferson county. November 13. 1S27, and
is a son of Abel and Prudence ( W'ilkey)
Allen, naties of Kentucky and Georgia, re-
spectixely. His paternal grandfather. James
Allen was born in \^irginia, and when quite
young moved to Kentucky, where he en-
gaged in farming for some years, coming
to Illinois about 1S19, locating in Jefferson
county, where he spent the remainder of his
life, (lying about 1830. The Doctor's father,
who was a prosperous farmer, li\ed in his
native state until about thirty-five years of
age, when he came to Illinois and settled in
Jefferson county, where he continued to fol-
low his chosen occui)ation until his death,
which occiu'red at his home March 29. 1869,
at the aee of seventy-four years. His wife
sur\i\ed him about six years and died on
the old homestead in Jefferson county. June
3. 1875. h\ir a quarter of a century she
w as a great invalid and for the last ten years
of her life was also entirely helpless, requir-
ing much care and attention. The Doctor
has one brother in this coiuity. Christopher
Columbus .Mien, a farmer of Pontiac town-
ship.

Dr. Allen obtained his early education
in the district schools of Jefferson county.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and assisted liis fatlier witli tlie farm work
until twenty-two years of age. He had a
great fondness for the study of niechcine
and for some time read witli his uncle. Dr.
Carter \\'ilkey, with a view of fitting liimself
for tlie medical profession.

On the 14th of Xovember. 1S49. Dr.
Allen was united in marriage with Miss
Martha Trowbridge, a daughter of Philo
and Martha Trowbridge of Jefferson county,
Axhere her fatiier was successfully engaged
in farming until his death, about 1855. By
this union were four children, all of whom
are living, namely: Hardin A., born in Jef-
ferson county, wedded Mary Kinnehan. of
Livingston county, and is now a pavement
and concrete walk contractor of Streator,
Illinois: Lydia A. is the wife of A. C. Scott,
a prominent farmer of E])pard"s Point town-
ship, Livingston county; Laura is the wife of
T. C. Taylor, a dealer in hardware and ag-
ricultural im])lements of Pendleton Oregon;
and J. Brown married Lizzie Labourn and
is a street car conductor of Denver, Colo-
rado.

.■\fter his marriage Dr. .Vllen continued
farming for some years in Jefferson county
and then went to Lincoln. Logan county,
where he was engaged in the maiuifacture
of brick until the death of his wife, which
occurred January 15. 1858. He then came
to Livingston county and again tn^k uj)
farming, at the same time continuing his
medical studies, being thus emplo\ed until
the outbreak of tlie Civil war. He was again
married. December 6, i860, his second union
being with Emily Tromly. by. whom he had
two children: Gertrude. I)orn in La Salle
county. .August 2t,. 1861. resides at home,
and Jessie P.. born in this count)-, Julv 17.
1866, is the wife of R(jbert Harms, a farmer
of Rock Island, Illinois.

In August. 1862, Dr. .\llen enlisted at
Minonk. \\'o(^dforiI county, in Company H,
Seventy-seventh Illinois \'olunteer Infantry,
as hos])ital steward and remained in the serv-
ice three years, having charge of his regi-
ment as physician and surgeon the last two
years. He was serving as second assistant
surge(Mi at the time he was mustered out
with his regiment at Mobile, July 25, 1865.
They participated in sixteen battles, the first
being at Chickasaw Bluff, in the rear of
\'icksburg, and for forty days was in the
siege of X'icksburg. The following winter
was i)assed in Xew Orleans and in the spring
the command took Fort Gaines on Mobile
Bay. also Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley.

After the close of tlie war Dr. Allen re-
turned to Livingston county. While in Xew
Orleans he took a course of medical lectures
and on his return, as a representative of the
Fxlectic School of Medicine, he commenced
practice in this county, and was not long
111 securing a liberal patronage. In the fall of
1882 he nio\-ed to (Iravniont, where he en-
gaged in practice an<l also conducted a drug
store initil coming to Pontiac, in October,
1888. He has his office at his handsome
residence. Xo. 307 East Xorth street, and
although well advanced in years continues
to engage in active practice.

For his third wife Dr. Allen married
Mrs. Mary Hallam, of Livingston county,
a daughter of James Carson, a farmer of this
county, now ileceased. She died in Pontiac,
December 3. 1888, leaving no children. On
the 1 2th of Xovember, 1889, in P'ontiac,
the Doctor married Mrs. Addie E. Pound,
oldest daughter of John S. and Eunice
(Packer) Lee. The father, a native of
Connecticut, and a lilacksmith by trade,
came to Illinois in 1857 and .settled at Pleas-
ant Ridge, near Lexington, where he fol-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lowed his trade for two years, and then
came to Pontiac. He now makes his home
with tlie Doctor and his wife, Mrs. Lee
having died at her home in Pontiac in 1896.
They had tlnxe children besides Mrs. Allen,
namely: Hattie, wife of Joseph Roggy, a
farmer of Nebraska; Frank P., who is em-
ployed in a pork packing establishment in
Chicago, and Charles, agent on the Ilinois
Central Railroad at Riverdale, Illinois.

Mrs. Allen was born in Connecticut, De-
cember 24, 1850, and was seven years of age
when she came to this state w-ith her par-
ents. She is a lady of rehnement, highly
educated, anil after the death of her first
husband she was, for a number of years,
successfully engaged in teaching in the dis-
trict schools of this county, and for a period
gf eight years in the public schools of Pon-
tiac. Her first husband was Joseph Pound,
a farmer living near McDowell, Livingston
county, by whom she had two children, Mary
and Alfred, both now deceased. The Doc-
tor and Mrs. Allen have one child, Wayne
Lee, who was born in Pontiac, May 10, 1892.
In his political views Dr. Allen is a Republi-
can, but has never sought or desired public
office, preferring to devote his entire time and
attention to his professional duties. He is
a member of the Methodist church of Pon-
tiac, and is honored and respected by all
who know him. Mrs. Allen is also a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.

REV. E. F. WRIGHT.

Rev. E. F. Wright, who for six years
has been the beloved pastor of the Congre-
gational church at Dwight, Illinois, was
born July 21, 1842, in Shoreham, Vermont,

ailjoining Whiting, where Senator Sawyer
was born. His paternal grandfather was
Andrew Wright, a native of Connecticut,
and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. who
after that struggle migrated to Shoreham,
\ ermont, and took up a large tract of land.
He was married twice and reared a large
lamily. The youngest of his children by the
second marriage was Samuel Wright, our
subject's father, who in early life followed
the sea, sailing first on a whaling vessel and
later on a merchantman. After giving up
the sea he made his home in Vermont for
some time, but spent the last three years of
his life in Jackson county, Michigan, where
he died when our subject was only four
years old. He was twice married, but his
first wife died young, lea\iug no children.
His second wife was ilinerva Knowlton, a
native of Xew York state, by whom he had
three children, namely: E. F., our subject;
IHorence, wife of C. W. Piatt, of North
Adams, Massachusetts; and Charles T., a
resident of Crow Point, New York. The
mother survived her husband many years,
dying in Rutland, Vermont.

Our subject was reared by his father's
sister and her husband, Mr. and !Mrs. Lu-
cius Robison, and his early education was
acquired in the district schools of \'ermont,
which he attended during the winter months.
He w as eighteen years of age when the civil
war broke out and was one of the first from
his state to enlist, joining Company K, Sec-
ond Vermont Volunteer Infantry, May 17,
1 86 1. He was mustered into the United
States service at Burlington, and in June
went to the front, participating in his first
battle — that of Bull Run — on the nineteenth
anniversary of his birth, July 21, 1861. His
regiment was in the Peninsular campaign,
the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Lee's

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ilills and W'illianistftwn, and tlie se\en days'
battle in front of Richmond. He was ill
and off dnty from August, 1862. until Jan-
uary, 1863. and after rejoining his command
took part in the battle of Chancellorsville.
The regiment gained distinction the follow-
ing day by making a famous charge on St.
Mary's Height, antl later participated in the
battle of the Wilderness, where they lost
three hundred and thirty-six men. The
brigade of which Mr. Wright was a mem-
ber probably lost more than any other in
the service. He was mustered out June
29, 1864, and returned home.

Previous to leaving the army ^Ir. Wright
was converted, and soon after his return
home entered the academy at Barry, \'er-
mont, where he spent two years. The fol-
lowing year he was a student at Newbury,
Vermont, and in the summer of 1866 en-
tered Midillebury College, from which he
was graduated in 1870, with the degree of
A. B.. receiving the degree of A. M. three
years later. In the autumn of 1870 he com-
menced teaching in the academy, where he
remained two years, and in 1872 was called
to the pastorate of the Congregational
church at Danby. Vermont, where he was
ordained and installed in 1873.

On the nth of November, 1871, Mr.
Wright married Mrs. Ellen M. Marsh, of
Norwich, Vennont, who died July 4, 1874,
leaving one son, Robert Hoi)kins, who is
now married and in the employ (jf the Illi-
nois Central Railroad at Dubu(|ue, Iowa.
After the death of his wife, Mr. Wright en-
tered the Chicago Theological Seminary,
from which he was graduated in 1876. While
attending that institution he had .served as
])astor of the Congregational church at Des
i'laines, Illinois, and later was in charge of
the church at Seward, \Vinnebago county,

eight years; Rockton three years, and Crys-
tal Lake. Illinois, for a time. From the last
n.amed place he came to Dwight, where he
has now been for the past six years, during
which time he has Iniilt up the church and
has ministered faithfully to the spiritual
needs of his people. He is not only well
liked by his own congregation, but is hon-
ored and esleemetl by all who have wit-
nessed his de\otion to his noble calling.

Mr. Wright was again married, Septem-
ber 7, 1876, his second union being with
Miss M. S. Stone, of Pecatonica, Winne-
bago county, Illinois, by wdiom he has two
children, namely: Florence, who is now
bookkeeper and stenographer for the Dwight
Star and Herald; and Clarence. Both re-
side at home.

ARCHIE CRABB.

The earl}- Imme of this well-known and
honored citizen of Pike township was on
the other side of the Atlantic, and on com-
ir.g to the new world he was in limited cir-
cumstances, but so successful has he been
in his business undertakings that he is now
able to lay aside all labor and live a retired
life u])on his farm on section 4, Pike t<nvn-
ship, Livingston couiUy, about eight miles
from Chenoa.

Mr. Cral)b was born in .\rbroath, For-
farshire, Scotland, June 18, 1833, a son of
James and Cecelia (Monroe) Crabb, also
natives of that county, where the mother
died. The father. wIkj followed the sea in
early life, came to the I'nited States after
the death of his wife and spent his last years
with a daughter in Illinois. During his
boyhood and youth our subject had limited

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

schodl advantages, and is mostly self-edu-
cated. In 1854 he took passage on a sail
vessel l)ound for Montreal. Canada, and was
seven weeks in crossing the .Atlantic, dur-
ing which time the ship encountered some
severe storms. On their arri\fal in Quebec
they were (|uarantined for two weeks, there
being some twenty cases of smallpox on
board. Air. Crabb spent about six months
in the city of Montreal, where he wt)rked at
his trade, that of a l.)lacksmith.

In ICS54 he came to Illinois, and first lo-
cated in Tazewell county, where he worked
lor liis uncle, William Mnnroe. as a farm
hand, for about two years and a half, at
ten dollars per month. He ne.xt engaged
in farming for himself upon rented land in
the s;mie count}-, where he cimtinued to
make his home until icS66, and in the mean-
time purchased eighty acres of land in I 'ike
township. Livingston count}-, where he nci\\-
resides. He located here in 1866, and com-
menced immediately to break the virgin soil,
upon which he built a small house. Later
he purchased an adjoining eighty-acre tract,
and still later another eighty-acre tract, and
today has a fine farm of two hundred and
forty acres, which he has placed under a
high state of cultixation and improved with
good and substantial buildings, which stand
as monuments to his thrift and enterjjrise.
After years of faithful toil he can now well
afford to lay aside all business cares and en-
joy a well earned rest.

In Tazewell county. December 25. 1861.
Mr. Crabb married Miss Mary .\nn Dor-
ward, who was born and reared in the same
neighborhood in Scotland as her husband
and came to the new world in 1853. locat-
ing in Illinois. To them have been burn
six children, namely: Florence, now the
wife of William Snethen, of Pike township;

John Henry, who is married and engaged in
farming in the same township: Robert, also
an agriculturist of Pike township; Marga-
ret, wife of Lewis Brinkman, of Rooks
Creek township: Cecelia, wife of Louis Salz-
man. of the same township; and Agnes, wife
of C. B. Ki)llins. who operates the Crabb
farm.

Mr. Crabb \-oted for .\braham Lincoln
in i8()0, but since 1868 has been independent
in politics, giving his suport to the men and
measures that he believes will best advance
the interests of the public regardless of party
lines. He has taken (|uite an active part
in local jjolitics. and is now serving his si.xth
term as supervisor, and is now a member of
the conimittees on public buildings, county
house and farm, fees and salaries. He has
also served as township clerk, assessor and
treasurer, which office of treasurer he now
holds, and as township trustee eighteen
years. He and his wife are active members
of the Presbyterian church, and his public
and ])rivate life are alike abo\-e reproach, for
his career has ever been one characterized
by the utmost fidelity to duty. He and his
family receive and merit the high regard of
the entire communitv.

THE, LE.sr.lE E. KEELEY CO.

Time tests the merit of all things, and
the years with unerring accuracy set their
stamp of a])pro\al upon all that comes be-
fore the public notice, or cause to sink into
oblivion that which is not worthy of atten-
tion. Only truth is eternal, while "error
wounded, writhes in pain and dies among
her worshippers." There is no escape from
such results ; the ages have jmnen this, and
the law- will hold good throughout all time.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In tlie face of the most bitter opposition
tliere was given to the world a wonderful
discovery by Dr. Leslie E. Keeley. of
Dwight, Illinois. Me early met the ridicule
and persecution of the medical fraternity, of
w hich he was a member, and the amused and
oftentimes abusive disbelief of the world, but
time proved tlie efficacy and vakie of his
discovery, and today he is known as one
of the greatest benefactors that America
produced in the nineteenth century.

Although the founder has passed away
his living record forms an epitaph time will
never efface, ami the work he created is con-
tinued under the corporate name of The
Leslie E. Keeley Company, the leading mem-
bers being Major Curtis J. Jutkl and John R.
Oughton, the latter the present mayor of
Dwight, while the former for several years
was a successful merchant and tilled posi-
tions in the executive de,partments of the
village. The history of the Keeley Insti-
tute forms the most important cuapter in
the history of Dwight, for prior to its es-
tablishment the little village was scarcely
heard of outside of a radius of a few miles,
and seemed to have little business or com-
mercial prosperity outside of the farming
industry before it. Today no city of etjual
size in the Union is as widely known.

In 1866 Dr. Leslie E. Keeley was grad-
uated fmm Rush Medical College, of Chi-
cago, aiifl in seeking a location, determined
iijKjn this little village in Livingston county,
Illinois. He soon won an enviable repu-
tation, and enjoyed a large practice whicii
came to him from miles around ; but while
lie successfully performed his daily duties
as a general practitioner, he became inter-
ested in the question of a possible cure for
inebriety. He gave careful thought, study
and investigation to the matter, prompted by

a love of scientific research, but more than
all by the great humanitarian principles
which ever formed a basic element in the
character oi Dr. Keeley. At length he be-
came convinced that drunkenness was a dis-
ease just as surely as a fever or any other
disease which comes under the care of the
physician. He became convinced that there
was nothing in the claim that heredity had
anything to do with either. He believed
that while a neurosis might be entailed upon
descendants, they were not from necessity
liquor or drug users. He defined drunken-
ness as "'a conditon wherein the ner\e cells
have become so accustomed to performing
their duties and functi(jns under the in-
lluence of alcohol that they are dependent on
it and will no longer perform those duties
and functions properly and painlessly ex-'
cept when under its inthience." This
theory has Knig Ijeen accepted by j)hysicians
throughout the country, and is taught in the
leading te.xt-books on physiology and hy-
giene in our public schools, but at the time
Dr. Keeley advanced it he met with the
greatest opposition from the medical frater-
nity. Hoping to perfect a cure for this con-
dition of the nerve cells, he wrote to several
well-known physicians to ascertain what
they knew about the effects of salts of gold.
A few responded and their information was
meager, but 1 )r. Keeley continued to investi-
gate and exi)erinient, and as a result, per-
fected not only the cure but the system of
treatment. '1 he storm of abuse and oppo-
sition wliich he bruught down upon him-
self can hardly be imagined. The president
of a prominent medical college, with whom
he took counsel, advised him thus: "Main-
tain the secret of your discovery if you
think it of use to humanity, but the pro-
fession will not leave a shred of vour me<lical

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

r(.'i)utali(in." Tliis was [jaintully true. l)ut
lie fous^ht his and liuniaiiily"s battle nohly,
until now thousands have been beneliteil by
bis treatment, the number rcacbinef more
than three hundred thousand.

It was in tSSo that Dr. Keeley abandoned
general i)ractice and began giving his en-
tire attention to the cure oi those who had
become slaves to alcohol, opium and other
\er_\- injurious drugs. He early associated
with him Major Judd and Mr. Oughton. and
the connection was maintained until the
Doctor's death. These gentleman were
prominent, popular and reliable business
men of Dwight, and their faith in Dr. Kee-
ley and his discoveries did much to gain for
him the confidence of his home c(.)nimunity.
Major Judd is now the secretary and treas-
urer of t!ie company, and Mr. Oughton is
president and chemist. S<,)on after the part-
nership was formed Mr. Oughton was given
the formulae and being an expert chemist
has compounded the Keeley remedies to the
present time.

With three such men as Dr. Keeley, Ma-
jor Judd and Mr. Oughton at the head of
the Institute its success was assured, al-
though it was almost a decade before it
gained the recognition and assistance of the
press. Gradually public opposition was
lessened, as those who came to the Institute
luider the curse of inebriety went away sober,
intelligent citizens, ready to take their places
again in the work of the world. Their tes-
timony and influence lead to the growth of
the work, the number of patients gradually
}'et constantly increased, and it is estimated
that twenty-five thousand t(jok the treatment
prior to 1S91, when Joseph Medill became
its cham])ion and a(l\ofaled the cause
through the columns of the Chicago Tribune.
Before so doing, however, he thoroughly in-

\estigated the cure. In an editorial in the
Chicago Tribune he said : "I tested this
cure; I selected a half-dozen of the toughest
products of alcoholism that the Chicago sa-
loons had been able to turn out, and the
(Ivunkard-making shojjs in no other city can
beat them in their line of workmanship. The
exi)erimental cases were sent down to
Dwight, one at a time, extending over a
period of scx'eral \veeks, and in due time
they were all returned to me, looking as if
a veritable miracle had been wrought upon
them. The change for the better was so
great that I scarcely recognized them. They'
went away sots and returned gentlemen. It
was amazing, and converted me to a belief
in the efficacy of the "Gold Cure' for alco-
holism and opium. Well, I did not stop
with the half-dozen specially selected cases,
but sent down to Dwight a number of ine-
briate acquaintances to take the treatment,
as I was anxious to reclaim those old friends
who had been respected and useful citizens
before the 'drink habit' had ruined their
lives. When 1 bad thus become full)' con-
\inced that drunkenness was a disease, the
result of imbil)ing poison, and that a medi-
cine had l)een discovered which released the
\ictim from the irrepressible thirst for alco-
hol, and that it restored the man to normal
health of body and mind, I felt it to be a
dutv which 1 owed to humanity to make
known the virtue of the Keeley Cure as fast
and as far as in my power, and I rejoice that
the control of a widely-read journal enabled
me to reach the minds of a multitude of in-
telligent people. I opened the columns of
mv paper freely to the rescued \'ictims of al-
cohol, who related their experience and tes-
tilied to what the Keeley Cure had done for
them." The Tribune's example was imme-
diately followed liy that of other leading

THE UIOGRAI'HILAL RECORD.

journals in Cliicagn. and then tlin.n>,di(>iu
tlie country, until the Keeley institute ot
Uwi.tjht l)eca:iie largely known throughout
the length and breadth of the Ian

It was soon found tiiat the accommoda-
tions at Dwight were totally inadei|uate, so
greatly did the number of patients increase.
Ur. Keeley. Major Judd and Mr. Oughton
held consultation and it was determined that
the congestion at Dwight sliould be relieved
at once by the openiing of branch institutes.
The first <me was e.staljlished at Des Moines.
Iowa, soon others were started in New \ ork
and Pennsylvania, and after this branches
sprang up in various places until at the pres-
ent time there are one or more in nearly eve>'v-
state and territory. The most notable work
perhaiis was accomplished at the Lea\cri-
wortli branch of the National Soldiers'
Home, where nearly fifteen hundreil \eter-
ans of the war of the Rebellion were treated
with the most gratifying results, and the re-
port of the Ixiard of managers to congrc,>>
and the secretary of war spoke of the .great
good accom])lished. The treatment was
also administered in tlie Soldiers' Home at
Milwaukee. Wisconsin, Hampt.m, \irgiuia.
Los Angeles, California, and others, with
excellent results. Many men and officers
of the regular army have also taken the
treatment, sixty Indians from tlie Cherokee
and O.sage reservations were sent to the
branch in Kansas Citv. and the results were
so favorable to the cure as to prompt the
writing of a letter l)y Chief Justice Connor,
of the Indian Territory, to Dr. Keeley. |)rais-
ing the treatment in the highest terms. Si.xty-
tive men in the work-house of Minneapolis
were sent by the mayor of that city to the
branch institute there, and a large m.ijority
of them. ;ilthou.gh they h;id liecu \ictiius of
inebriety, convicted from two ti> twentv-

nine times, were enabled to leave the work-
house, and were changed fmiu wards of the
state tL> self-supporting, self-resjjecting citi-
zens. To cite, either collectively or indi-
vidually, the wonderful cures elifected by
the system inaugurated by Dr. Keeley would
fill a lar.ge volume: suffice it to say that
more than three hundred thousand have
taken the cure, and the greater number have
remained sober, useful citizens.

The cure for drunkenness is usually ef-
fected in four weeks. There is no sickness
attendant upon the treatment, and the phys-
ical condition improves from the start. Men
are also freed from the opium, morphine,
laudaniun. cocaine and chloral habits. The
])atients are left absolutely free, there being
no restraining intluences other than those
of law-abiding citizenship. .\11 ])atients
arc treated alike and stand on the same
footing. It is interesting to note the many
exhibitions of kindness and good will of
the patients towards each other. A useful
lesson is taught by this democracy of the
Keeley Institute — a man of humble station
is lifted up and given a new trend, whereas
a man of bi.gh jxisition is convinced more
than e\er of the leveling qualities of drink
toward the lowest strata of society.

The Livingston Hotel of Dwight is
owned and conducted by the Leslie E. Kee-
ley Company, and is an excellently conducted
hostelry, with ])leasantly arranged rooms,
well lightctl and ventilated, and tastefully
furnished. The lalK)ratt)ry is one of the
finest and best e(|ui|)ped in the country, and
the offices are models of convenience.

Dwight certainly owes her prosjjcrity
in very large measure to the Leslie E. Kee-
ley Company. IVior to the establishment
of the institute it was an ordinary country
town, without electric lights, without water-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

works anil without (lraina_^;e. Today it lias
all the accoiiiniodations and iniprovenients
of cities many times its size, this result being
largely obtained through the efforts of the
members of the Keeley Company. Jt is
safe to say that no |>ri\atL' insliliition in the
entire countr\- is so well known as the insti-
tute at Dwight, nor is there one whose in-
liuence and efforts have been so beneficial
and far reaching.

The business of the Leslie E. Keeley
Conii)any is conducted upon a lilieral prin-
ciple and most appro\ed business methods.
'1 he system is the result of years of expe-
rience and intelligent work, and cannot be
imjiroved upon. Visitors to Dwight inva-
rialilv inspect the general offices as one of
the sights of the village. While it has been
a paying investment to its owners, it cer-
lainlv deserves to be ranked among the
greatest institutions for good that tiie nine-
teenth ccnturv has known.

M \TTHI.\S TOMB. XrC.H.

Matthias Tombaugh, decea.sed, was one
of the most jM-oniinent of the early educators
of this county, and served as county super-
intendent of schools for several years, dur-
ing which time there was a marked ini-
]irovement made in the educational sys-
tem then in vogue here, lie was born near
Washington, Washington county. I'ennsyl-
vania. June ii, 1835, and there grew to
manhood. His parents were Mathias ami
Rachel (Six)hn) Tombaugh, life-long resi-
dents of that county and of (iernian descent.
The mother survivetl her husband several
years, dying about 1890.

Our subject completed his literary edu-

cation at Mt. Union College, and then com-
menced teaching school in his nati\e county,
serving as superintendent of schools at
Monongahela City for a time. While there
he married Miss Elivira j. Letherman. who
was Ixirn [une 1 1. 1 S3S. a daughter of John
and Christina Letherman, of Washington
county, Pennsyhania, and of (iernian de-
scent. Her father was a soldier of the war
of 1 81 2, and a farmer by occupation. To
Mr. and Mrs. Tombaugh were born seven
children, five of whom are still li\ing. name-
ly : Charles R.. who is rei)resented on an-
other page of this xolume: .Mice I., wife of
E. F. Pound, of (ilen Elder, Kansas: Dr.
Frank M., medical examiner for the Chi-
cago, Burlington & Ouincy Railroad at
Burlington, Iowa: Nettie Z., wife of W. F.
Worthlev, of Odell, Illinois: and John L.,
a student in the Chicago Medical College.
Raymond R.. the third in order of birth,
died June 25, 1886, at the age of nineteen
years. Horace Reid, the fifth child died
in infancy.

In 1865 Mr. Tombaugh came to Living-
ston county, Illinois, and purchased land in
J^eading township, when this country was
((uite new and but slightly improved. Af-
ter making his home there for three years
he moved to Sunbury township and bought
another farm. While living there he .served
as princiiial of the schools of Odell for one
year, and in 18873 was elected county su-
perintendent of sch(/ols, which important
])osition he held until i8S_', the term at that
time being four years. While in ofiice a
change was made in the election laws and
he was elected b\- the Ixiard of supervisors
for one year. During his incumbency he
made many important changes in the schools
which have been of i)eniianent value, and it
is conceded that he was a very eft'ectiye

3°

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORU.

school officer. Selling' his farm in Sun-
bury township, in 1876. he bought property
in Odell townsliij). and successfully en-
gaged in farming there up to the time of
his death.

After 1882 Mr. Tombaugh served as su-
pervisor of his township and was also a
member of the Odell school board. He
was a Republican in politics and a member
of tlie Masonic fraternity. Both he and
his wife lield membership in tiie Methodist
Episcopal church, and took an active part
in its work. He served as superintenilent of
the Sunday schools twelve years ; was presi-
dent of the Count V Sunday School Associa-
tion; and was also steward, trustee and
church secretary, in fact was one of the i)il-
lars of his church. While one of a fishing-
party at Marseilles. Illinois, May 13, 1887,
lie was drowned while attempting to rescue
another member of tlie party who had fallen
in the river. He was highly respected and
esteemed by all who knew him on account
of his sterling worth and true nobility of
character, and liis death was widely and
deeijly mi,>urned. His estimable wife still
survives him and makes her home in Odell.

CHARLES R. TOMBAUGH.

Charles R. Tombaugh, the present county
superintendent of schools, was born near
Washington, Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania, October i. i86j, and is a son of Mat-
thias and Elvira J. (Letherman) Tom-
baugh, a sketch of whom appears on another
l)age of this work. He was about three
years old when brought by his parents to
Livingston county, Illinois. He began his
education in the schools of Sunburv town-

ship, later attended, the common chools of
Odell and then taught school for five win-
ters in this county, at the end of which time
he entered the Xorthwestern University at
Evanston, Illinois. After his return home
he resumed teaching and taught for six
years, during which time he was principal
of the East Side School at Dwight, and also
principal of the schools at Chebanse and
Odell. ^\'hile at Odell he was president of
the Li\ingston County Teachers" Associa-
tion for two years, and also an instructor
in the County Teachers' Institute. After
the death of his father, in 1887, he took
charge of the home farm and carried it on
until he assumed the duties of his present
position as county superintendent of schools.
He was elected on the Repul)lican ticket,
and in 1898 was renominated by acclama-
tion and again elected to tliat ofiice. The
educational meetings held during his term
have been most successful, and he has the
entire confidence and respect of the people.

On his election to his ])resent office Pro-
fessor Tombaugh moved to Ponliac, and
now has a i)leasant home at Xo. 3 1 1 South
\'ermilion street. On the 20th of January,
1892, he married Mrs. Anna L. Bradrick,
a daughter of Rev. Samuel Deach, of the
Central Illinois Methodist Episcopal con-
ference. Rev. and Mrs. Deach were in
Kansas for a time on account of iiis health,
and Mrs. Tombaugh was educateil in Sa-
lina, that state. By a former marriage she
has one cliild, Margaret L. Bradrick. an<l
she lias borne our subject three children:
Alice v.. Glen D. and Stella M.

Professor Tombaugh was made a Ma-
.son in Odell Lodge, No. 401, F. & .\. M.,
in which he served as warden, but has since
(leniitted to Pontiac lodge, Xo. J94. where
he is now sering his fourth year as mas-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ter. Ijotli he anil his wife are active nienv
hers of tiie ^[etiiodist Episcopal churcii, and
he is now a member of the offical l)oard of
tlie cliurcli and ])resident nf the lJ\'in^stiin
Connty Snnday Scliool .Association. While
a resident of Dwight, Chebanse and Odell,
lie was superintendent of the Sunda}- schools
there, having like his father devoted much
time to Sunday school work. He has fol-
lowed closely in the footste])s of his father,
having held practically all of the local,
county and church olTices held by the latter.
As a citizen he ever stands ready to dis-
charge any duty de\'olving upon him, and
as an educator he stands (leser\e(llv high.

EMILE A. SIMMONS.

'i he man who achie\-es success in the le
gal profession is even more strictly the "ar-
chitect of his own fortunes" than is the
average self-made man, there being in the
keen competition of the lawyer's life, with
its constantl}- recurring mental duel be-
tween eager and determined antagonists, no
chance for the operation of influences which
may be called to the aid of the merchant, the
manufacturer nr the financier. Among the
men of Livingston coimty who have demon-
strated their abilites in this diCiicult field
Emile .\. Simmons holds a leading place.
being one of the ])romiiient attornevs of
Pontiac.

A native of Illinois, Mr. .Simmons was
born in Avon, October 19, 1865, and is a
son of (ieorge and Charlotte L. J. (Mail-
Hard ) Simmons. The father was born,
reared and educated in Hamilton. Madison
county, Xew York, and as a voung m;m
removed to Avon, Illinois, about iS^o. where

he followed tlie carpenter's trade, and also
engaged in farming, making his home there
until his death. He held different local
offices, including tho.se of justice of the
])eace, assessor and collector, and was a Re-
])ublican in politics, having been an abi^li-
tionist in New York, llis father was a
soldier of the war of iSij, and a life-long
resilient of Hamilton, Xew \drk, where he
followed the occupation of farming. The
mother of our subject was born in Flor-
ence, Italy, of I'rench parentage, and was
reared in France until twelve years of age,
when she came to America with her family
and settled in .Xxon. Illiiio's. Her father
was Ely Mailliard. She is still living, but
the father of our subject died in 1892.

During his boyhood and yotith Emile A.
Simmons attended the public schools of
A\-oii, and at the age of si.xtecn commenced
teaching. After following that profession
for six years, he liecame a student at the
Normal School in Normal, Illinois, and af-
ter leaving that institution again taught
school for two years, being principal of the
school at Vermont, Illinois. In December,
1889, he came to Pontiac and entered the
office of A. C. Ball, studying law with him
two years, and also teaching the latter year.
The following year he was in the oftice of
.Mcllduff & Torrance, and in May, 1892,
was appointed dei)uty circuit clerk. While
in that position seeing the practice of lead-
ing law vers was of great benefit to him. In
.\ugust, 1892, he was examined at Mt. \'er-
iion by the judges of the api)ellate court,
and a certificate issued at the ne.xt session of
the supreme court at that place the follow-
ing November. ]n December he left the
clerk's office and entered the office of Mr.
Mcllduff'. remaining with him until .Vugust,
1894. when he ojjened an offfce of his own.

Till". r.!()(;R.\I'lliC.\l. RECORD.

He i> iKiw successfully engagfed in practice
befiire all the cmirts nf the state.

On the 31st of December, 1894. Mr.
Simnmns was unite<l in marriage with Miss
Katherine M. Smith, of Avon, a daughter
of r. II. Smith, and to them has been horn
one child. Loui.se A. They lioltl nienil)er-
shij) in St. Mary"s Catholic church, of IVmi-
tiac. and fraternally r^lr. Simmons is a
member of Crescent Lodge, K. P., is clerk
of the Camp. M. \\ . A., of Pontiac, and is
president of the Pontiac Colony Pioneer Re-
serve Association. He is also director and
treasurer of associate*! charities of Pontiac.
Lor .some time he has been secretary of the
Pontiac Loan & Building Association — a
home loan building concern, whose assets
amount to one hunilred and twehe tliou-
sand dollars. He is also a mcmljer of the
company. By his ballot he supports the men
and measures of the Republican party, and
takes an acti\e and i)roniinent pait in local
ix'litics. He still retains an interest in edu-
cational affairs, and in April, 1900, was
elected to the I'ontiac township high school
)>oard. He is also serving his second term
as a member of the boanl of directors of the
J'ontiac public library, receiving his appoint-
ment from the mayor, and as a progressive
and ]>ublic-spirite<l citizen, he takes a deep
interest in every enteriirise calculated to ad-
vance the moral. s<icial and educational wel-
fare of his cmmunitv.

COLONEL FR.\.\K L. S.MITH.

Colonel I'Vank L. Smith, of Governor
Taiuiers staff, is one of the leaders of the
Republican jtarty in Livingston count v, his
large acipiaintance and unbounded ixiini-

larity .giving him an influential following,
while his shrewd judgment of men and af-
fairs make his coun.sel of value in all im-
portant movements. In business circles he
also takes a foremost rank, his success as a
real estate dealer being all the more notable
from the fact that it has been secured by liis
own judicious management.

This prominent citizen of Dwight. a
member of tlie well-known firm of Romber-
ger & Smith, was born in that citv Novem-
ber 24, 1867. and is a son of Jacob L and
Jane V.. (Ketciiam) Smith, natives of (ier-
many and Xew ^'ork, respectively. The
father. was only four years okl when brought
to America by his parents, who located in
Pennsylvania, but at the age of fifteen he
came to Dwight. Illinois, which continued
to be his home until 1891. when he removed
to Chicago, where he died in 1894. His
wife died nine years j^revious. In their
family were three children.

Colonel Smith received his early educa-
tion in the public schools of Dwight, and
at the age of seventeen taught school in
Round Grove township for about one year,
after which he accepted a position in the
freight department of the Chicago & .\lton
Railroad at Dwight, remaining with them in
a clerical ca])acity about four vears. In
1887 he went to Chicago and accepted n
similar ])osition with the Rock Islanil Rail-
road, being located at tlu- I'.nglewood sta-
tion two years. Subseipiently he served a.s
cashier with P. H. Bolton & Company, com-
mission merchants on South Water street.
Chicag<i, until 1890, when he returne<l to
Dwight and entered into partnershi]) with
W. I]. Ketcham in the real estate and loan
business. When that tirm was dissolved
-April I, 1895, Colonel Smith became con-
I'ccted in business with C. L. Roniberger un-

'['HE lUOGUAriilCAL RliLUKU.

(Icr tlie name of Runilierticr «S: Smiili. ilicir
s])ecialty being real estate and real estate
work, altiiDUgli tliey <lo a private hanking
business for tlie accommodation of friends
and ac(|uaintances. W'itiiout (|nestion the
Ih-m does one of the largest loan and real es-
tate l)usinesses in central Illinois, this fad
being conceded by all other hrnis in th^ir
line. At ])resent they are extensively inter-
e^teil in Mississippi and i.onisiana lands.
Their holdings in the latter state are tim-
ber lanils. which the tirm purchased with tlie
view of enhancing their \alue. and in Jan-
uary, 1900, tiiey sold one tract of twelve
thousand acres in Madison jjarish. This is
clesiral)le pro])ertv, being accessilile to steam-
boats and the X'icksburg, Shreve])ort t^ Pa-
cific Railroad. The Mississippi land is in
the Delta country, and is also covered with
liard wood timber, principally oak, pecan and
gum. When cleared this will become ex-
cellent cotton land, iiesides tiiis jiroperty,
the tirm has about fifteen hundred acres of
line farming land in Lee count\', Illinois,
which is well improved and under a high
state of cultivation, and also operate largel}'
in Iowa and Indiana lands.

(.)n the Sth of February, 189.V M''-
Smith was united in marriage with Miss
i'j'ininie Aliern. of Dwight. a daughter of
John and .Margaret .\hern. who are at pres-
ent living in Ogden. L'tah. .Mrs. .Smith is
a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church,
of Dwight. and the Colonel belongs to He-
l)ron lodge, Xo. j^. K. P.. and Dwight
Cam]). M. W. .\. Since attaining his ma-
jority he has affiliated with the Republican
l)arty. and has taken a very active and jiromi-
nent part in political affairs, alwavs attend-
ing the county conventions and serving as
a delegate to the state conventions three
times. In the spring of 1900 he was oft'ered

the nomination for state senaioi- on his party
ticket, but would not accept on account of
his business interests, though the nomina-
tion was e(|uivalent to an election in his dis-
trict, which is strongly Re])ublican. l*"arly
in his career he served as city clerk in
Dwight, 1nit since then he has ne\-er been
jirexaileil upon to accept (Office. In January,
1897. li^ ^^'i'' fil'l'*''"'^^'! colonel on (io\ernor
Tanner's staff, and in thai capacitv lias par-
ticipated in many important functions, being
present at the inauguration of I 'resident Mc-
Kinley at Washington. 1). C. in March,
iSgj; the unveiling of the (irant monument
at Xew York; the inneiiing of Logan's
nionunient at Chicago; the christening of the
battleshi]) Illinois at .Newport .\ews. \'ir-
ginia: and the dedication of the Illinois
monument at Chattanooga. Tennessee.

IIOX. XI'.I.SOX J. .MVER.

There arc in every communitv men
of great force of character and exceptional
ability, who by reason of their capacity for
kaflership become recognized as foremost
citizens, and take a very iniportar.t part in
])ublic affairs. Such a man is .Mr. Myer,
who is now so efficiently surving as superin-
tendent of the Livingston county farm in
P.ppards Point township.

He was born in that township. July 30,
1S51. and is a son of Judge i-iiii Myer. who
was born and reared in Maryland, and at
the age of eighteen years moved to Licking
county. Ohio, locating near Xewark. There
he married, and continued to make it his
home until after the birth of several 'if his
children. In 1^50 he came to Livingston
county. Illinois, and purchased a tract of
raw land in I^ppards Point township, to

THE BIOGRArHICAL RFXORD.

tlie cultivation and improvement of which
he at once turned his attention. Later he
l)onght more land and at one time owned
five linndred and sixty acres, which he
jilaced under a high state of cultivation and
improved witii a good set of farm buildings.
He was a man i>i good business aliility, and
was one of the most prominent and intUien-
tial citizens of his community, being called
upon to serve as associate judge, and town-
ship treasurer and clerk for some years each.
He died upon the old home place Decemlier
28, i8f>S. and his wife passed awa\- June 5,
1875.

Xclson J. !Myer grew to manhood upon
the farm and attended the local schols, but
the knowledge there acejuired has been
greatly supplemented by reading and study
in later years. For some time he and his
brother operated the old homestead together,
and in 1875 Mr. Moyer purchased eighty
acres in sections 21 and 16, on which he
lived and there made his home until 1895,
when he took charge of the Livingston
county farm. He has been very successful
in the management of this place, and has
gained an en\iable repiUation as one of its
most efficient superintendents. When he
took charge of the farm it had lifty-one in-
mates, but the number has since been in-
creased to eighty-four, which includes a
number of insane, old and decrepit persons.
]n the management of the i)hRe and the
care of the inmates, he has been greatly as-
sisted by his estimable wife.

In this county, December 17, 1871. Mr.
Myer married Miss Helen E. McElhiney,
who was born in Careen county, Wisconsin,
but was reared and educated in Stephenson
county, Illinois. Her father was James
McElhiney, To our subject and his wife
have been born two children: Xelson 1)..

who is attending the Pontiac High School,
and James ()., a student in the Imme school.
In his political affiliations Mr. .Myer is a
l)rt)nounced Repul>lican, and cast his first
presidential vote for (ieneral L'. S. Grant
in 1872. He has taken a very active and
])rominenl jiart in political affairs, and has
been elected to several offices, serving as
township collector .sexeral years, and was
justice of the i)eace for eight years from
1876. In i88i he was elected supervisor,
and filled that office continuously for ten
years, during which time he was chairman
of a number of important committees. He
was elected to the state legislature in 1888,
and so acceptably did he fill that office that
he was re-elected for another term, and
was a UK'niber of the committees on state
institutions, re\enue and others. In 1893
he was again elected sujjervisor, was re-
elected two years later and made chairman
of the county board. He resigned that
office to accept his present positi(jn as su-
perintendent of the county farm. His offi-
cial duties have always been di.scharged with
a fidelity and jjromptness worthy of the
highest commendation, and he is today one
of the best-known and most popular citizens
of the oiunty. Religiously both he and his
wife are members of the Center Methodist
Episcopal church.

CHKlSTOrilllR W. STERRV,

Christopher W. .Sterry, of Pontiac, was
Ijorn in Somerset county. Maine, .\ugust 12,
1826. His father, Samuel Sterry, also a
native of Maine, was born in 1782, married
Hannah Harding, in 1807, and serveU
through the war of 1812, dying at his home
in Somerset county in 1827, when Christo-

C. W. STERRY.

Till£ BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

plier was less tlian one year old. The pater-
nal grandfather, David Sterry. was one of
the heroes of the Revolutionary war. and
<.lied at his home in Maine at the advanced
age of citjhty-eight years and eig;ht months.
The m(.)ther, Hannah Marding Sterry,
was a devoted Christian woman. She was
born in 1788, and died in Maine in 1871,
when eightv-two years old. At the death
of her hnshand she was left with five sons,
the eldest less than eighteen years old and
the youngest, Christopher, not a year old,
to face the stern realities of life with hut
scant means of support. The tIe\'oted
mother, after a heroic struggle for several
years to keep her family of boys together,
found it necessary to find homes for them.
Thus the subject of this sketch, when but
eight years of age, was placed among
strangers, where he remained under harsh
treatment and hard \vork, and but few op-
portunities for school prix'ileges for four
years, when he could endure it no longer,
and ran away. When fifteen he worked
si.x months for twenty-five dollars, and at
eighteen he went into Massachusetts and
commenced work at tweKe dollars and a
half per month on a farm. Then he be-
came engaged in manufacturing business,
in which he continued imtil he came to Illi-
nois in 185 J, and located in Chicago, where
he remained four years, ha\ing charge of the
stone sawing works of A. S. Sherman &
Company. In 1856 lie was engaged as
bookkeeper of the Sheffield Mining & Trans-
portation Company, of Sheffield, Bureau
county. It was in this year, 1856, that Mr.
Sterry came into Livingston county and
settled in Esmen township, where he bought
a farm of one hundred and sixtv acres of
raw ])rairie land. se\'en miles north of Pon-
tiac. This he improved, erecting buildinos

and making of it a pleasant home, on which
he li\ed for many years, engaged in farm-
ing and stock-raising. During this time he
added one hundred and sex'enty acres to
the homestead, which he still retains in the
hi"-hest degree of cultixation. and became
possessed of large business interests and
property holdings in New Orleans, Louis-
iana. The latter required so much atten-
tion that he left his farm in 1884 and moved
into Pontiac. Securing one of the finest lo-
cations in the city on the north bank of i)ic-
turesc|ue X'ermillion, Mr. Sterry erected on
it one of the most elegant modern residences
in Pontiac. It is located on I-last Water
street, in the midst of spacious grounds ex-
tending back to the river, and is shaded by
grand old oaks and native forest trees. Here
he makes his home, though business as well
as comfort calls him south during the win-
ter months.

Soon after becoming a citizen of Pon-
tiac, Mr. Sterry became identified with the
business interests of the city, first by es-
tablishing the jewelry, drug, book and wall
paper firm of John S. Murphy & Company.
A. little later he was one of the principal or-
ganizers of the Pontiac Shoe Manufactur-
ing Compan\-, which was incorporated in
1889, taking one-third of the stock and fur-
nishing financial backing to a much greater
extent. He has been a director and presi-
dent of the company from its organization.
It is the chief industry of Pontiac, and is
considered a prime factor in itspros])erityand
growth. Starting up in October, 1889, it
has grown to a capacity of two thousand
pairs of shoes per day, and furnishes em-
l^lovment to three hundred men and women,
the maioritv of wlmm are skilled workmen.
The product of the factory is disposed of
throughout the territorv from Ohio to the

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Pacific coast on the west and tlie Gulf of
Mexico on the soutli.

In iS(;7 Mr. Stony purchased Riverside
I'ark. ailjoininj"^ the city on tlie east, and
ahuDSt encircled hy the Vermillion river,
shaded l)y stately native forest trees, thus
securin<!^ its use for the Pontiac Chautauqua
Association, which he assisted in organizing,
and in which he was the largest stockholder.
He is also largely interested in the Pontiac
State Bank, of which he has been director
and vice-president since its organization.
While he does not give special attention to
the details of this business, yet the mere
fact of his connection with its has served
to increase the confidence of the business
community in its conservative management.
He is also president and largest stockholder
of the Riverside Irrigation Company, of
Idaho, which controls some fifteen thousand
acres of arable land in that state. Aliout
thirty miles of canal have been constructed
and is in operation for irrigation purposes.
In 1899 he erected the four-story office
l)uilding on the southwest corner of Court
House S(|uare. It is known as the Sterry
block, and will (kjubtless be a landmark for
years to come as its equal has not appeared
in any city the size of Pontiac. It fronts
eighty feet on Washington street and one
hundred feet on South Mill street, and is
four stories above the basement. It con-
sists of two stores and the Pontiac State
Bank below, and of .sixty suites of offices
al)()ve. which are made accessible by an elec-
tric-])ower i)assenger elevator, heated by
steam and snp])lied with cit}' water and with
electric lighting.

.\s a citizen Mr. Sterry has ever been
ready to accept the resixmsibilities an<l jier-
form his diUy in the most conscientious way.
\\ bile as a matter of choice he would have

avoided the cares of public office, yet he hns
served many years in various official posi-
tions. In busmen township he served as
school director, trustee, school treasurer,
justice of the peace and supervisor. He was
a member of the Ixiard of supervisors of
Livingston county for .several terms, and
as such, aided in securing the location of
the State Reform School at Pontiac.

Having been a strong advocate of anti-
slavery i^rinciples even as an abolitionist, on
the organization of the new party, he be-
came a stanch Republican, antl during the
war of the Rebellon was an active member
of the Union League. He continued to
act with the party until the old issues were
settled, and he became convinced that the
new and greater issue of temperance could
expect no real sup])ort from the old party.
He then ga\e the Prohibition party his lib-
eral support an<l became an anient >uppi>nei"
of that party.

Realizing in his own life what he mi.ssed
through want of school privileges, he has
been an ardent supporter of the ])ublic school
system and also of higher education. He
has been a supporter especially of Xew Or-
leans University, of which he is a trustee, of
Wheaton College, ami of Illinois W'esleyan
University.

in 1847 ^''- Sterry was married to Miss
Elizabetli Day. who li\ed with him seven
years, bearing to him three children, all of
whom died in infancy, while her death oc-
curred March 25, 1S55.

In 1858 he married Miss .Xmanda Had-
ley. daughter of the late James P. Hadley. a
])rominent farmer of Sunbury township,
this county. One chiUl was born, and lived
but a short time, and the wife also was taken
away after a inn'on of a little more than one
vcar. In 1861 he was united in marriage

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

w illi ]\lrs. Mary C. Beelcr.a daughter df John
Ross, of Sangamon county, and she has
been sparetl to live with him until the pres-
ent time. To tliem ha\e been born six
cliildren : Lida, wife of Ur. C. H. Long, of
Pontiac. wliose sketcli appears elsewliere in
this volume; John L., the only son, a young
man of great promise who died at the age of
twenty years, in 1884, while attending the
Illinois Wesleyan University at Blooming-
ton, where he was preparing himself for the
ministry : Hattie and Josephine, who both
died in infancy; Mary E., wife of E. M.
Kirkpatrick, a i)rominent grain merchant of
Chenoa, Illinois; and Jessie, wife of Clar-
ence B. Hurtt, now a resident of Roswell,
Idaho, where he is serving as secretary of
the Riverside Irrigation Company. They
have also four grandchildren, Christopher
Sterry Long, Mary Catherine Long. John
Nelson Hurtt and Baby Hurti.

Mr. Sterry early identified himself with
the Methodist Episcopal church, and for
many years has served in official capacity as
steward, trustee and Sunday school super-
intendent. While in Esmen he was instru-
mental in securing the erection of the Es-
men CeiUer church. On moving to Pon-
tiac he was immediately chosen as a trustee
of the First Methodist Episcopal church,
and on the destruction of the old church i)v
fire in 1SS5. he aided in the Iniililing of the
present church edifice. He is president of
the board of trustees, having held that office
for a niunber of years.

For almost half a century Mr. .Sterrv
has been a resident of Livingston county.
On his arrival here the greater part of its
rich land was yet unbroken, its inhabitants
were few in numl)er: w idel\- scattered and
the improvements were not of the best. Pie
has certainly done well his part. Thor-

oughly honest and conscientious in all he
does, he has won tlie respect and confidence
of all with whom he has been brought in
contact, and his lifcwork is worthy of emu-
lation bv the generations to follow.

CAPTAIN SILAS MILTON WITT.

Captain Silas Milton Witt, an honored
veteran of the civil war and a prominent
resident tjf Pontiac, Illinois, who is now liv-
ing a retired life, was born in Lebanon.
Boone county, Indiana, February 1, 1842,
and is a son of Michael and Lohama (Wall )
Witt, the former a native of (niilford coun-
ty. North Carolina, of which state bis fa-
ther, a soldier of the Revolutionary war,
was an early settler. The maternal grand-
father. Elisha Wall, also fought for the in-
dependence of the colonies. He was a
relative of Daniel Boone, who was a fre-
(juent \isitor at his home, antl they often
huntetl and trapped together. Later Mr.
\\ all went with Boone and a numlier of
others t(j Kentucky, becoming i)ioneers of
that state.

Michael Witt, our sul)ject"s father, grew
to manhood on the home farm in his native
state, and from there entered the service of
his coimtry during the war of 181 2, serv-
ing as captain of a company. Later he
was commissioned colonel in the North
Carolina militia, and after his removal to
Indiana was an officer in the state mibtia
there. Our subject well remembers seeing
him on horseback on general training days,
which at that time were the important days
of the year. Soon after his marriage .Mi-
chael Witt and his wife removed to the ter-
ritory of Indiana, and she was the first white
woman to locate in Lebanon, the connt\'

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RIXOKD.

seat of Boone county. Tliere he engaged in
farming for a time, and after the town was
started opened out an old fashioned general
store, liauling liis goods first from Cincinnati
and later from Indianapolis and Lafayette.
He became one of the successful men of
that locality, owning large tracts of land,
and part of the town of Lebanon was Iniilt
on the first three iiundred and twenty acres
which lie purciiased. He heltl much of this
property until his death, the land later be-
coming very valuable. As a ^^ hig he took
(juite an active and prominent part in local
]X)litics, and held a number of offices, in-
cluding those of county judge and coroner.
He left the south on account of slavery,
and also because he believed that men of
moderate means could do better in the north.
Both he and his wife are <le\i>tU members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his
home was always the stopping place for the
ministers. His first house in Lebanon was a
sort of hotel for travelers journeying be-
tween Lafayette and Cincinnati, and in those
<lays he was the man of tlie town. He died
there March 2. 1861, and was Iniried the
day President Linctjin was first inaugurated.
Our subject's mother died in Dwight, this
county, in 1874. They left a family of six-
teen children, of whom our subject is the
youngest. Both had been married before,
the mother's first husband being a Mr.
Blair, of Kentucky.

Ca])tain Witt received a good ]>ractical
education in tiie schools <jf Lebanon, and
aided his fatlier in the work of the farm
and store until the civil war broke out. On
the night of the surrender of Fort Sumter,
April i.^. 1861, he enlisted for three months
as a private in Company I. Tenth Indiana
\'olunteer Infantry, at the president's first
call for seventv-five thousand men. 'ihev

joined Ceneral McClelland in West Vir-
ginia, and with him participated in the bat-
tle of Rich Mountain, July ir. wliich was
fo]I()wed by the engagement at I'hiilippi
Tunnel Hill. When his term of enlistment
expired, (.'apiain Witt returned home and
was made recruiting officer at Lebanon,
where he helped recruit the Tenth, Fortieth,
Eighty-sixth and One Hundred and Six-
teenth Indiana Regiments, raising two com-
panies for the Eighty-sixth. In the .spring
of 1863 he enlisted as orderly sergeant in
Company G. One Hundred and Sixteenth
Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, and was first
ordered to Dearborn, Michigan, to guard the
arsenal there during the time of the V'allan-
dingham trouble. Crossing the lake to
Cleveland, he proceeded to Camp Xelson,
Kentucky, where he joined his brigade, and
later was through the east Tennessee and
Knoxville campaign, capturing Cumberland
Cap the last time. This was followed by the
siege of Knoxville and the engagement at
Walker's Ford and Tazewell, Tennessee,
where his regiment was on the extreme left
of Burnside's army. In March, 1864, he
was mustered out and appointed deputy
provost marshal with heafl{|uarters at La-
fayette, Indiana, where he helped the deputy
proxost marshal organize a regiment, then
went to Indianapiilis. where he securetl
arms and annnunition and started in pursuit
of Morgan. He spent sixty days on this
expedition, and assisted in capturing some
f)f Morgan's forces at Mt. \'ernon. When
the president called for troops to push the
.Atlanta campaign, he helped organize Com-
pany E, One Hundred and Thirtv-fifth In-
diana V'olunteer Infantry and was commis-
sioned second lieutenant. They were on
duty in Kentucky. .Maljama and Xorth Caro-
lin.i. and participated in the battle of Look-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

out Mountain. Captain Witt was always
with his regiment witli the exception of
three clays when ill with fever after the hat-
tie of Tazewell, lint was never in the hos-
pital. After being mustered out in the fall
of 1864 he returned to Lebanon, Indiana.

At Lebanon Captain Witt was married,
No\-cml_)er 10, 1S64, to Miss Maria L. Lan-
don, a daughter of iNIyron and Martha
(Jeffers) Landon. Her father remo\-ed
from Ohio to Indiana at an early da\-, and
was one of the first teachers in his locality.
He was a prominent Mason. He died when
Mrs. Witt was only a year old and her
mother died two years later. Their eldest
son, Albert Landon, was a prominent mem-
ber of the Humane Society, of Chicago, and
was the publisher of the Humane Journal
initil his death, a period of o\er thirty years.
Airs. Witt spent her early life in Shelbyville,
Indianai)olis and Lebanon, Indiana. To
the captain and his wife were born three
children, namely: Hattie A., now the wife
of L. S. Baldwin, of Xoblesville, Indiana;
Jessie M., wife of Philip Piper, a dentist of
Pontiac ; and Albert M., at home, who has
l)een a memlier of the National Guard for
three years, and ser\ed as corporal in Com-
pany F, Third Illinois \'olunteer Infantry,
during the Spanish-American war.

On the 13th of November, 1864, Cap-
tain Witt removed to Dwight, Illinois,
where he engaged in the real estate business
one year, dealing first in farm and later in
\illage property. In 1866 he was appointed
marshal of that town, and held the office
thirteen years; was also deputy sheriff ten
years and constable nineteen years. For a
year and a half he engaged in the harness
business, but at length was forced to give it
up as his various official duties required his
entire time. At the same time he als;) held

other local offices, sucli as sciiool director,
street ccjmmissioner, and was fire marshal
fourteen years. As a Repulilican lie has
always taken an acti\e part in ])iilit;cal af-
fairs. In 1866 on the first organization of
the Grand Army Post at Dwight, under the
old dispensation Captain \\'itt became one
of the charter members, l>ut the organiza-
tion afterward went down. Since 1880 he
has been a member of T. Lyle Dickey Post,
of Pontiac, of which he is now past com-
mander, and which he has repre.sented in
the state encamiiment, and was also elected
to represent his district to the national en-
campment at Chicago in the fall of 1900.
He was a member of Dwight Lodge, I. O. O.
F., and admitted to Pontiac Lodge, No.
262, in which he has filled all the chairs. He
is also a member of the encampment, and
was the organizer and captain of the Canton
for three years. For many years he was
an active member of the Independent Order
of Good Templars, and was an officer in the
same until the lodge disl)anded.

For ten years Captain Witt was a mem-
ber of the Illinois National Guard, and rose
from second lieutenant to captain of his
company, thus gaining his title. During the
strike of 1877 he was in active service with
his company for three months, being sta-
tioned at Braidwood. After his election
to the office of sheriff he had to disband the
company as his men refused to elect another
captain, so well was he lo\ed b_\' them, and
he was given permission to disband tliem
by Governor Cullom.

It was in 1882 that Captain \\ ilt was
elected sheriff of Livingston county, which
office he filled for four years with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
At one time he had lhirl_\--two prisoners in
the jail. Later he was ajjpointed an officer

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the Illinois State Retorinatory under Dr.
Scoiiller, Init resigned after holding the po-
sition for two years and four montlis. and
returned to Dwiglit. wliere lie was engaged
in business for a year and a half. Suhse-
(juently he conducted a bakery in Pontiac.
but is now living retired, enjoying a well
earned rest. His beautiful home at Xo. 603
West Grove street, is pleasantly located on
the banks of the \'ermilion river in what is
now the best portion of the city, and the
lawn and garden surrounding it cover one
acre of ground. The Captain and his wife
are leading members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, of Pontiac. and are highly re-
s])ected and esteemed by all who know
them, while their circle of friends through-
out tiie countv is extensive.

WILLI. \.\! KIMBER.

William Kiml)er. a thorough and skill-
ful farmer residing on section 10, Esmen
township, Livingston county, six m.les west
of Odell, was born near the city of London,
England, October 10. 1853, a son of Jesse
and Alice (Hacket) Kimber, natives of the
same country. In 1873 he crossed the
i)road .Atlantic with his parents, and on land-
ing in New York proceeded at once to La
Salle county, Illinois, where his brother
and sister had located four years pre\iously.
There the father rented land and engaged
in farming for several years, but finally
came to Livingston county and spent his last
days on a farm in Esnicn township with oiu"
subject, dying here May 11, 1883. The
wife and mother departed this life October
ig, 1883, antl both were laid to rest in Es-
nien tnwnsliip cemeterv. In their f;iniil\-

were three children : Mary, wife of Samuel
Mills, of Grundy county: Percival, a farmer
of Esmen township. Li\ingston county; and
William.

Our subject was given good educational
advantages in his native land. On the emi-
gration of the family to America, he assisted
his parents and worked as a farm hand by
the month for six years. He was married
in De Kalb onuity. January i. 1880, to Miss
Caroline Rose Tomlin, a native of Adams
township. La Salle ci>unty. Her father,
James Tomlin. was born in England, and
came to America in 1842 when a young man,
and located in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs.
Kimber were born seven children, namely:
Bertha May, now the wife of Henry War-
ner, of La Salle county; Jesse Arthur. Ella
Alice, Edward James. Dora Ann, Caroline
Eliza and William Andrew, all at home.

For five years after his marriage Mr.
Kimber operated a rented farm adjoining
liis present place, and in 1884 bought eighty
acres where he now resides, but did not lo-
cate thereon until a year later, though he
had engaged in its cultivatitm for two years.
To the original purchase he has since added
a forty-acre tract, and now has a fine farm
of one hundred and twenty acres which he
has placed under a high state of cultivation
and improved with good and substantial
buildings. He is an industrious, enterpris-
ing and ])rogressive man. and to these char-
acteristics may be attributed his success,
for he received no outside aid.

I5v his ballot Mr. Kimber supports the
men and measures of the Prohibition party,
and he .served one term as a member of the
school lioard. but has never cared for ofti-.
cial honors. Religiously both he and his
wife are earnest and faithful members of
the Mcth<idi<t E])i-i(op.il ihunh ;it I".>men

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Center, of wliicli he is a trustee. In tlie
Sunday sclioo! he lias sersed se\eral years
as superintendent.

WILLIAM W. W.VSSO.M.

William W. \\'assom is one of Pontiac's
highly respected citizens, whose useful and
well-spent life has not only gained for him
the confidence of his fellow men, hut has
also secured for him a comfortahle compe-
tence wdiich enables him to lay aside all
business cares and live retired. A native of
Illinois, he was born in Spring" \'alle\'. Bu-
reau county, December i. 1848, and is a son
of Jacob and Jane ( Sc<5tt ) Wassom. The
father was born in Pennsyhania, but when
a small boy accompanied his parents on their
removal to Tennessee, where he was reared,
and as a young man came to this state, lo-
cating in Bureau county. There he was
married, and subsequently removed to Bur-
lington, Iowa, where he purchased a farm
and successfully engaged in general farm-
ing and stock-raising, where he remained
seven years. Then returning to Bureau
county he ])urchased a farm on the site of
the present \illage of Si)ring Valley. He
\\as a prominent man in his community and
took an actix'e interest in the early schools.
He tlied there August 25, 1879. The wife
and niiithcr died when our subject was unh-
four }ears cild. Both were earnest mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. She
was a native of N'irginia. and a daughter of
Robert Scott, of Scotch descent, who w;is
one of the earliest .settlers and nio.st pros-
])erous farmers of Bureau county. He
manufactured the brick of which bis house
was constructed, and iliat buildino- is still

standing. Me was ])ri>bai)l\- the first manu-
tacturer of l)rick m that countx.

\\ dliam W. Wassom was educated in the
schoo.s oi iiall townsiup, and renuuned
w itli li.s lather unul cum.ug to Ln-ingslnn
cuiuity m 16O8, wlien lie tcnk up Ins resi-
lience in Nevada township. \\ liilc living
there he was married, June 29, 1871, to
Miss Hannah Sharp, a native of Farm
Ridge, Illinois, aiul a daughter of George
and Catherine (Spence) Sharp. Her father
was born in Ireland of English parentage,
be.ng a son of .Nohle Sharp, who never emi-
grated to America. tieorge Sharp was
married in Ireland, and later crossed the .At-
lantic to Toronto, Canada, whence be re-
moved to Farm Kidge, Illinois. Suijse-
(|uently he took u]3 his residence in Dwight,
and later upon a tarin in Xevada township,
this count}-. He was highly respected and
was called upon to fill ditt'erent township
offices. Mr. and Mrs. Wassom have a fam-
ily of six children, .namel}' : Jacob, a resi-
dent of Marengo, Iowa ; Charles Bert, who
is living on the Blackstone farm, in Sun-
bury township; Fannie, who married Ev-
erett Ferguson, of Saunemin, this county,
ami has two chiklren, Laurine and Leia;
-Vda, who resides at home and is success-
fully engaged in teaching in the schools of
this count}-; Cieorge, who was graduated
from the Pmitiac High Sclmol in 1900; and
Catherine, who is still attendin.g the high

sClllKll.

On locating in this county. .Mr. Wassom
found considerable wikl game and much of
the land was still in its jjrimitive condition.
1 le purchased eighty acres of raw prairie
in Xexada tinvnship, which he at once com-
menced to break, fence and improve. Pros-
])ering in his new home, he purchased more
land until he owned five eighty acre tracts,

THE BIOGRArillCAL RECORD.

Vvliich lie tiled and pul in first class condi-
liiin. making one of the best improved
farms in the township. He also owned an-
other eighty-acre tract in Sunbnry town-
ship, and in ciMinection with the operation
of his land was engaged in stock raising.
He always kept a good grade and had con-
siderable registered stock on hand, being
ami mg the tirst to introduce it. In 1895 he
moved to Pontiac and bought a jjleasant
home at Xo. 608 North Mill street, where he
has since lived retired.

Politically Mr. Wassom has always been
identified with the Repul)lican party, Init
has never held ofhce, his home being in a
strong Democratic township where his party
could get nothing that the Democrats would
take. He was an efficient member of the
school board for some time, and helped to
erect the .school buildings in his township.
He and his wife are active members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and while liv-
ing in the country he served as superintend-
ent of the Sunday school one year and took
a leading ])art in church work, filling all of
the different official positions. He was a
member of the building committee when the
church was erected in Nevada in 1873, and
hauled the first load of stone for its founda-
tion. He is now connecte<l with the church
ir. Pontiac. Wherever known he is held in
high regard, and justly merits the confi-
dence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

J lux. rui;i;ri r. \\.\ll.\ce.

In the legal profession, which embraces
some of the finest minds in the nation, it is
difficult to win a name and jjlace of promi-
nence. In commercial life one may start

out on a more advanced plane than others;
he may enter into a business already estab-
lished and carry it further forward, but in
the legal profession one must commence at
the beginning and work his way upward by
al)ility, gaining his reputation and success by
merit. I'eople do not place their legal busi-
ness in unskilled hands, and those who to-day
stand at the head <jf their profession, must
merit their position. Among the most promi-
nent lawvers of Livingston countv is Robert
R. Wallace, of Pontiac, who served as coun-
ty judge for the long period of twenty-one
years.

i he Judge was born in Belmont count)',
Ohio, March 13, 1835, a son of David and
Prances (Rossj Wallace. tlis paternal
grandfather was David Wallace, who came
to this country from the north of Irclanil
and was a strong United Presbyterian in re-
ligious belief. The maternal grandfather,
Robert Ross, was of Scotch descent, and also
a stanch member of the United Presbyterian
church. The Judge's father was bt)rn in
western Pennsylvania, and reared there anil
in eastern Ohio, while the mother was born
near Chambersburg, in eastern Pennsylvania,
and when young removed to the western
part of that state. During his active life
David Wallace engaged in farming in Bel-
mont and Guernsey counties, Ohio, and in
1869 came to Illinois, locating near Biggs-
ville, tienderson county, where he continued
to engage in agricultural pursuits until his
death in 1875. ilis wife still survives him
and is now living w ith a daughter in Kansas
at the age of ninety-one years.

During his boyhood Judge Wallace at-
tended the common schools of his native
ci'unty and completed his education at Mon-
mouth, Illinois, where he received the de-
grees of .-\. B. and .\. M. and was graduated

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^JpT

^^^H

^^m f '^^' '^'

^^^^^^^^B

■ ' mrs

R. R. WALLACE.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

uitli the class of 1861. In l)ccfinl)cr oi
tliat vear lie responded to his country's call
for troops, enlisting in Company K, Seventy-
fourth Ohio \'olunteer Infantry. He was
first sent to Xenia, Ohio, and from there to
Camp Chase, Colunihus, where he was en-
gaged in guarding prisoners for a time, and
later with the Army of the Cumberland he
participated in all the battles from Nashville
to Atlanta, and after the fall of the latter
city took part in the defense of Nashville.
Later he was on post duty near there and
Memphis until the close of his term nf enlist-
ment. He had re-enlisted in the same regi-
ment and was promoted to captain during
the summer of 1864, remaining in the ser-
vice until 1866.

Judge Wallace had previously com-
menced the study of law, and after the war
continued his studies at Ottawa, Illinois,
being admitted to the Ijar in Ajjril. 1867.
In the fall of that year he located in Chats-
worth, Livingston county, where he was en-
gaged in general practice until his removal
lo Pontiac in the spring of 1874, having the
previous fall been elected county judge on
what was known as the anti-monopoly ticket.
He took the otifice in December, 1873, antl
held it fi\-e consecutive terms — a longer
period than other county officer has been
retained in one position. 1 his fact clearly
indicates his efficiency, popularity antl fidelity
to duty. During all this time he continued
to engage in active practice, and is to-day
one of the leading general practitioners of
the county. He is an honored member of
T. Lyle Dickey Post, G. A. R., and is past
commander of the same.

On the 3d of June, 1867, Judge Wal-
lace was united in marriage with Miss C.
Louise Strawn, a daughter of Isaiah and
Elizabeth (Chami)lain_) Strawn, of Ottawa,

Illinois, and to them were born four chil-
dren: Ross S., now chief engineer of the
People's Gas & Electric Company, of Peoria ;
Francis; Lucile, and Grace, a teacher in the
schools of Joliet. The family have a pleas-
ant home at No. 303 East Howard street,
and are prominent members of the Presby-
terian church of Pontiac.

MILLER HOTALIXG.

Aliller Hotaling, a successful farmer and
land owner on section 31, Avo'ca township,
and a resilient of Livingston county since
1876, was born in Greene county. New
York, July 30, 1850, and is a son of Rich-
ard and Helen (Miller) Hotaling, both na-
tives of that state and of German descent.
The father died in New York in 1882, where
he had followed farming since early man-
hood. His wife survives him and lives on
the old ]\liller homestead, which was occupi-
ed by her father for sixty years, never pass-
ing out of the family. She is now seventy-
three years of age, and has always been act-
ive. Our subject's paternal grandfather
ser\e(I as lieutenant through the war of 1812.
The family were formerly Whigs, and upon
the formation of the Rc]nil)lican i)arty joined
its ranks. To Richard Hotaling and wife
were born eight children, hve of whom are
still living, namely: Annie, wife of John
Jacobs, of Hazelton, Pennsylvania; Augusta,
wife of Harry Herr, of Athens, New York;
William, who lives with his mother on the
old ^vliller homestead; Van Allen, a pros-
perous farmer and land owner of Livingston
county, Illinois; and Miller, the subject of
this sketch. Jacob, the oldest son, was a
member of the Sex'enth New York Artillery

Tllli; I'.IOGRAI'HICAI. KI-XURD.

diiriiiCT tlie civil war. was taken prisniier and
sent to Andersonville. wliere lie was incar-
cerated twenty-two months before ex-
changed, and contracted disease from which
he died in iSh^, just as he was released.

Miller Hotalin,i( received a comm()n
school education in his native state and
^rew to manhood on his father's farm. On
leaving the i)arental roof at the age of seven-
teen years he came to Illinois and worked
as a farm hand for two years in Mcl-ean
county, at the end of whicli time he rented
a farm and carried im farming (|uite suc-
cessfully in that way for a number of years.
In 1885 he purchased fifty acres of ricli and
arable land on section 31. A\oca township,
Livingston county, and has since engaged
i" general farming here witii marked suc-
cess. He has added to the original pur-
chase another fifty-acre tract ; has made
many valual)le impro\ements on the place
and to-day has a most desirable farm. He
gives his entire time and attention to the
improvement and cultixation of his land.

In 1874 Mr. Hotaling was united in
marriage with Miss I-'iora I'ulsipher. a na-
tive of Oneida. Kno.\ county. Illinois, and
to them were born four children : Lewis,
who graduated at Eureka College and is
now a Christian minister at Kentland, In-
diana: I'hili]). who was .graduated at the
same institution, am! is now assisting his fa-
ther on the farm; Leah and Chloe, who
are both at liome. The wife and mother
died at their home in .\voca township in
1887, and in 1890 Mr. Hotaling married
Miss Martha \'an W'ormer. a native of
Brimfiekl, Peoria coimty. l)y whom he has
three cliildrcn. Edna. Millie and Leola. ?%lis.
Hotaling is a daughter of William and Mar-
tha ( .She])herfl ) Wan W'ormer, her father
being a veteran of theCivil war.and who for

years was engaged in farming. Loth he
and his wife are yet living, and are mem-
bers of the Methodist Ejiiscopal church.

As a Republican Mr. Hotaling has al-
ways been an active worker in the interests of
his party, and has held se\eral minor (jfifices
in the township, faithfully fulfilling every
trust reposed in him. in 1899 '^^ ^^'^^
elected supervisor. He has been a sch(K>l
director fifteen years, always taking a stand
for good schools and teachers. Re-
ligiously he is a member of the Christian
church, in which he is serving as eider, and
socially is a member of the Court of Honor
of Eairl)ury. He is a man of rather un-
jH-etentious nature, but is well liked by all
who know him. ^^Irs. Hotaling is also a
member of the Christian church.

HEXRY C. JOXES.

Henry C. Jones, a well-known citi;:en of
Lontiac, Illinois, was born in Cicero, Ham-
ilton county, Indiana, Eel>ruar\ 11, 1838, a
son of Henry Jones, who was born near
Cincinnati, Ohio, where during his y<juth
he learned the blacksmith's trade. When
a young man he removed t:) Cicero, Indiana,
and turned his attention to mercantile busi-
ness. Here he married Emily I)e Moss, a
daughter of James De Moss, a Erench Hu-
guenot and a carpenter by trade, w ho passed
his last days as a farnn- in Livingston
coimty, Illinois. The i)arents of our subject
came to this county in 1845. but after a
short time s])ent here they removed to the ter-
ritory of Iowa, locating at Beilevue. where
our subject began his education. In 1847
the family returned to this county, and after
following farming for a short time the fa-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tliei". in 1849. went to California, wliere for
.'iCNeral years lie was engaged in mining and
mercantile pnrsnits. Re turning to I'ontiac
in 1855 he again engaged in mercantile busi-
ness here, and was, in 1857, elected county
judge. In 1859. resigning his office of coun-
ty judge here, he returned to the I'acilic
siiipe in company with our sul)ject and fif-
teen young men. He engaged in mercantile
business in Shasta, California, and became
one of the most ])rominent and pi"osperou.s
men of that place. He was elected a member
(if the board of supervisors, and was als(j
alcalde I or mayor) of Shasta. In connec-
tiiiii with bis other Inisiness he was (|uite
extensively engaged in gold mining. He
dill much to build up the town and was rec-
ognized as one of its most intUiential and
jirominent citizens. After the Civil war
he supporteil the Repulilican jiarty and took
a leading part in public affairs. He died in
Shasta in 1893. and the mother of our sub-
ject died in the same place in 1868, leaving
ti\e children, of whom Heiirv C. was third
in urder nf birth.

During his boyhood our suljject attended
the i)ublic schools of Pontiac, and when his
education was completed clerked in his fa-
ther's store until going to California in 1859.
They made the trip o\ei"laiid with horseless
vehicles (ox teams; and were si.x months
upon the way. They- jiassed througii St.
Joseph. Missouri, went up the Platte when
the Indians in that region were (juite hostile.
and passed through what is now Ogdeii,
L'tah, and through Nevada. Arriving at
Shasta. California, which was a good min-
ing town, father and son opened a store and
as merchants soon built up a good trade,
i'or some years they were interested in
placer and later in (|uartz niining. Our suli-
ject continued in business with bis father

until 1864, when he enlisted in the volun-
teer service and was elected lieutenant of his
Company, iiut when they were put in bar-
racks and the regulars sent U> the frniit. he
resigned. 1 hat be might see some active
ser\ice be went, t/k i'anama. to Xew York
with the intentiiin of enlisting there, but
the war ended befure be found the uppor-
tunity.

i\eturniiig to J-i\ingston count}'. Illinois,
-Mr. jiiiies entered the newspaper held, and
with Mr. Renoe estiiblished the Free Press
at Pontiac. Later he bought the Sentinel,
the i)ldest newspaper in the count}-, from
James Stout, and, consolidating the two,
j)ul)lished a paper known as the Sentinel and
l^ress. Mr. Renoe was a Democrat, while
he was a Republican, but .Mr. Renoe later
withdrew, leaving i\Ir. Jones as sole editor
and proprietor, and the paper resumed its
<ild name as Sentinel. Pie continued the
put)lication of the Sentinel for nine years,
during which time he built up a good cir-
culation and made it the leading Republi-
can paper in the count}'. Selling out in
1875. he went to Te.xas, and engaged
in the au.xiliar}- newspaper business in Dallas,
getting out patent insides. In this enter-
]>rise he was remarkably successful, having
a list of two hundred and sixt}-tw(j local
papers to supjil}'. He also published the
I'lanter and Farmer, and in that undertaking
was also successful, but (in account of the
ill health of his wife, he disposed of his in-
terests in Texas and removed to Santa Cruz,
California, where he owns a valuable prune
nuicli.

in iS(jj .Mr. Junes returned to Pontiac
and ac(|uire(l a three-fifths interest in the
electric light plant, having helped to develop
the enterprise. This company was incor-
porated as the Pontiac Light, Heat & Power

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Company, and has grown to large propor-
tions. Mr. Jones served as its jiresident for
seven years, tliougli lie recently sold his
interest in the same. He has heen a ta.\-
payer in Pontiac for over thirty years and
is recognized as one of her most progressive
citizens, giving his support to those objects
which he believes will j)rove of public bene-
fit. Socially he is a member of the Pontiac
Lodge, Xo. _'94, F. & A. :\I.

On the 25th of September, 1873, Mr.
Jones was united in marriage with Miss
Mary A. Bancroft, a native of New York,
and a daughter of Luther Bancroft, of Pon-
tiac. They have one daughter, Xellie A.,
who with her mother is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church of Pontiac.

LUTHER C. HAYS.

Luther C. Hays, a practical and enter-
prising agriculturist of Eppards Point town-
shij), owns and operates two hundred and
fifty acres of land on section 32, constitut-
ing a \aluable and highly improved farm,
pleasantly located nine miles south of Pon-
tiac and three and a half miles northeast
of Chemia. His p(jssessions have been ac-
quired througli his own efforts, and as the
result of his consecutive endeavor he lias
won a place among the substantial citizens of
his community.

Mr. Havs was born in Brown county,
Ohio. July 27. 1836, and is descended from
an old Connecticut family of Scotch-Irish
drigin. His great-grandfather, Celia Hays,
was a native of that state and a pioneer of
Pennsylvania. He was a soldier of the
Revolutionary war, while the grandfather,
Warren Hays, aided in the defense of his
country during the war of 181 2. The lat-

ter was born in Pennsylvania, and married
a Miss Stark, a cousin of Rev. Lorenzo Dow.
Abiel Hays, father of our subject, was born
in Xew ^'ork, in 181 3, and from that state
removed to Kentucky and later to Brown
county, Ohio, where in the midst of the for-
est he cleared and improved a farm. There
he wedded Mary Kennedy, a native of \ir-
ginia, and a daughter of James and Mar-
garet Kennedy. In 1855 he brought his
family to Illinois, dri\ing across the coun-
try with an ox team and locating first in
Woodford county, but a \ear later he re-
moved to Chenoa township, McLean county,
where he bought land and improved a farm,
making his home there for some years. He
helped organize that township, which was
previously only a voting precinct. His last
days were spent upon a farm in southern
Illinois, where he die<l in 1890, at the ripe
old age of seventy-seven years, and his wife
died in 1884, at the age of sixty-nine years.
Our subject is the oldest of their family of
seven children, two sons and five daugjiters,
all of whom reached years of maturity, the
others being as follows: Arminda J., de-
ceased wife of E. C. Hyde: Clarissa .\., who
married John G. Dodge and dietl in 1898;
Ellen, deceased wife of Elijah Cole: Minerva
E., wife of A. D. Polk, of Minneapolis, Min-
nesota ; Eva, who died when a young lady,
and Thomas J., a resident of San Diego,
California.

Luther C. Hays was a young man of
nineteen years on the removal of the family
to this state, and he aide<l his father in o|)en-
ing up and developing the farm in McLean
county, remaining with him until his mar-
riage. He was educated in common and se-
lect schools of his native state. With the
exception of the oldest, all his sisters engaged
in teaching school in McLean cfuinty.

THE BIOGRAl'HICAL RECORD.

In Cliicagci. Illinois, September 26, i860.
Mr. Hays married Miss Matilda Eraser, a
nati\'e of Canada and a dang;hter of Eonis
and Mary I*'raser. who were born in that
country of Erench ancestry, and removed
to Chicago during the childhood of Mrs.
Hays. They began their domestic life upon
a farm of forty acres in McLean count}-, to
which our subject added until he bad one
liundred and twenty acres, ble contiiuied
to operate that farm until 1888, when be
purchased the two-bundred-and-fift}-acre
tract of land in Eppards Point townsbii),
Livingston county, where he now resides.
It was known as the ".^cjuire Pa^'ue farm,
being entered by bim in 185.3. Since tak-
ing possession of this place, Mr. Hays has
remodeled the residence, built a good barn,
set out fruit and ornamental trees, and made
many other improvements whicii add greatly
to its \alue and attracti\e appearance.

Mr. Hays' first wife died in McLean
county, in 1872, leaving four children,
iianiel}- : Samuel L., who is married and en-
gaged in farming in Oregon ; Mary Erances,
wife of (i. L. Howard, of Byron, Nebraska ;
Jessie, wife of Andrew X'ercler, of Salem,
Oregon, and W. C, who is married and fol-
lows farming in this county. Mr. Hays
was again married, in Lix'ingston county,
in 1874, to Mrs. Frances .A. Clark, a daugh-
ter of Almon Rhodes, an early settler, first
of La Salle county and later of Livingston
county. She was first married in the former
count}- to Wilson M. Clark, a veteran of the
Civil war, who died in 1870, lea\'ing two
daughters: Alda, a teacher of Black Hawk
county, Iowa, and Laura i'.. wife of J. C.
Rainbow, of Pottawattamie county, Iowa.
By his second union our subject has six cbil-
<lren, namely : (leorge M., who assists in the
operation of the honic farm: .\ellic. Pearl

M.. E.va E., John S. and Lottie L.. all at
home.

i'olitically Mr. llays was idenlilied with
the Republican i)art\- initil i8y6, when he
^■oted for W. J. P)r}-an and free siher. He
cast his lirst presidential l)alk)t for Abraham
Lincoln in i860. He has been a delegate
to numerous conxeutions : ser\ed as com-
missioner of highways in McLean C(junty
for six years, and as a member of the school
board for over thirty years, having always
taken an active interest in educational af-
fairs. Mrs. Hays and her daughter are
memliers of the Baptist church and the fam-
ily is one of prominence in the comnnuiity
where tbe\- reside.

CAPTAIN HENRY B. REED.

Captain Henry B. Reed, an honored cit-
izen of Pontiac, now- li\-ing a retired life at
No. 504 South Mill street, is a veteran of
the Civil war and bears an honorable record
for brave service in the cause of freedom
and tuii<iu, and in the paths of peace has won
an enviable reputation through the sterling
<|ualities which go to the making of a good
citizen.

The Captain was born near Pottsville,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, January
29, 1833, a son of Thomas and Elizaljeth
(Barley) Reed. The father was also a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and a son of Thomas
Reed, who was born in the North of Ire-
land and came to this country six years prior
to the Revolutionary vvar, in which be took
part. He tirst settled near Philadeli)hia, and
throughout life followed farming, dying at
aI)ont the age of eighty years. Our sub-
ject's father was a life-loni; resident of I'enn-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sylvania and a carpenter hy trade, Imt at the
time (if liis deatli was tallowing farming in
Scluiylkill county. He died in Febrnary.
1833, when tiiir subject was only three weeks
old. and the motlier, who long survived him,
dejiarted this life in 1873. They had eleven
children, of whom the Captain is the young-
est. Only three are now living. Elijah,
now seventy-six years of age, is living re-
tired in Schylkill Haven. Pennsylvania,
after having serxed for twenty-two years as
sui)erinten(lent of the car shops at that place.
His wife died leaving fue children that are
still living. Rebecca is the wife of Jacob
Zimmerman, who also worked in the car
shops at that place for a great many years,
but is now living retired at the age of sev-
enty-five years, while his wife is si.xty-nine
years of age. They have a family of three
sons and three daughters.

Ca])tain Reed remained with his mother
jn his native ci;)unty until nine years of age.
and then lived with a married brother on
his farm in the same county until twelve
years of age. when he commenced learning
the shoemaker's trade in Schuylkill Haven,
serving a three-years apprent'ceship. The
following year he was foreman in the shoe
factory of Frederick Millett, at Tamacjua,
I'ennsylvania. and then started in business
for himself at that place, remaining there
until 1852 and building up a large business
for those times. Receiving a good offer
from the firm of Packer & Olewine. shoe
manufacturers of Mauch Chunk. Pennsvl-
vania. he accejjted the position as foreman
for that company, and was in their employ
a year and a half, after which he returned
to Tama(|ua. He was elected constable and
held that ottice until coming to Illinois in
1855. He first located in Du Page countv,
where he worked at his trade for a time.

and later \vas foreman for John Wallace,
at Joliet. for about a year and a half, at the
end of which time he removed to BloiMiiing-
ton. During the Lincoln campaign of i860,
he was captain of the \\'ide-.\wakes. and
came to this county with that political or-
ganization. Being pleased with this locality
he decided to remain and was engaged in
the shoe business in Pontiac until the Civil
war broke out.

At the i 'resident's fir.st call for troops,
Captain Reed responded, being the first to
enlist in Pontiac. and he helped organize
the first company from that city, which was
mustered in as Company D, Twentieth Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry. He went to the
front as second sergeant, but after the liattle
of Fort Donelson was promoted to second
lieutenant, his commission citing that his
promotion was for meritorious conduct on
February 14. 15 and 16, 1862, at Fort Don-
elson. Returning home June 30. 1862, he
organized a company under the large call of
that year, and again entered the service as
captain of Company G. One Hundred and
Twenty-ninth \'olunteer Infantrv. which
was inidcr Ceneral Sherman's command
on the march to the sea. and from there
marched on to Washington. D. C. Our sub-
ject was mustered out ;it Chicago, in June.
1865, as ca]Jtain.

After the war Ca])tain Reed returned
tc his family in Pontiac, and was here en-
gaged in the boot and shoe business for a
number of years, but finally retired on ac-
count of ill health. He was appointed by
(iovernor Oglesby as custodian of memorial
hall at Springfield, and was re-ap])ointed by
Governor I'ifer. Since 1894 he has led a
quiet, retired life at his home in I'ontiac.
By his ballot he supports the men and meas-
ures of the Republican party, but has never

THE BIOGRAPlllCAI. Rl-XOKD.

snuijlit |)(>litical IiDiiors. Rc1ig'i(nisly lie is a
iiicmliei" of tlie Mctlmdist church, and so-
cially belongs to Pontiac Lodge. Xo. 294,
F. & A. M., and T. I.vle Dickey I'ost. Xo.
105. (i. A. 1\.. iif I'diitiac. ot' wliich he is
jiast commander. His lnyaUy as a citizen
and his dcviilinn tn liis connlrv 's interests
liave ever been among his marked cliarac-
teristics, and the community is fortunate
that numliers iiim among its citizens.

On the j(Kh of Septeml)er, 1850. in
Tamaiiua, Pennsylvania. Captain Reed was
imited in marriage with Miss Esther Beck,
a (laughter of (leorge and Mary ( Barhary )
lieck. of Carhnn cmnUw whi) were farming
lieoplc and life-long residents of that state.
'I he father died on his farm in Carbon cmin-
t\' at the a.ge of eighty-five \ears, his wife
at eighty-si.x. Mrs. Reed's paternal grand-
father was a native of Germany and came to
this coiintrv at an early date. To the Cap-
tain and his wife were born nine children.
si.x (if whom are now lixing. namely: (ieorge
O., born in Tama(|ua. Pennsylvania, is now
engaged in the l)oot ;ind shoe business in
Pontiac; Katie L., born in Du Page county,
Illinois, is the wife of Tiiomas Ka}'. a dry-
goods merchant of Pontiac; l^dward ( )..
horn in Bloomington, in i(S()0. is now scr\--
ing as comity treasurer of this county, and
is a iiroinineiit citizen of J'ontiac; Harry B..
born in Pontiac, March 17. ]8f>2, has been
mail clerk on the Chicago & .\ltou Railroad
for fourteen years, running between Chica-
go and St. Louis, and makes his home in his
birth])lace; Jose])h .S., born in Pontiac. in
1864, is now a grocerymau of that city and
has served as alderman from the second
ward: Cora E. is the widow of Frederick
O. Scrivens, late of Pontiac, and is assist-
ant county treasurer at the ])resent time.
The other children died at an earlx' age.

i'Ri-:nh:RicK schoI'.xbp.ck.

Frederick Schoeiibeck is one of the
worthy citizens that (lermaiiv has furnished
to Li\-ingston county, and is to-day one oi
her most prosperous and successful farmers.
Me resides on section 15. I'ike townshi]),
where he has a tine farm of one hundred
and sixty acres, and besides this property
he owns two other farms of similar size on
sections 10 and 20. respectively.

Mr. Sciioenbeck was born in the king-
dom of Prussia. Ciermaiu', l-'ebruarv 26,
1S30, and attended the sclioi Is of his native
land lor eight yeai's. Ilis knowledge of
Juiglish has mainly been ac(|uired through
his own unaided efforts. In iSC)7, at the
age of seventeen years, he crossed the ocean'
with his mother, brother and sister and
joined an uncle in Peoria, where the mother
subse(|ueiitly married John Rutz, who later
came to Lix'ingston county and settle<l on a
farm in Pike townslii|). Our subject worked
for an uncle in Woodford county, and then
spent a year in Peoria count}-. In icSji he
came to Li\iiigston county, and after work-
ing for others two years lie rented a farm,
wh'ch he ojierated for the same length of
t'nic. .\t the end of that period he pur-
chaseil eiglit\' acres in sectimi 15. Pike town-
shi]). where he now resides. JMie improve-
ments u])on the place at that time were of
a \'er\' inferior order, but he has since erected
a pleasant residence, good barns and out-
buildings, has buiU fences, jjlanted fruiit
and ornamental trees and to-day has one of
the best im])ro\ed farms in the township.
J le has e.xtended its boundaries until it now
contains one Inni(h-ed and sixty acres, and Ills
other farms are Ix th valuable places of one
hnndreil and sixty acres each.

( )n the _'5th of .March. 1X75. .Mr. Sclioen-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

beck was marricil, in Penria. Illinois. ti>
Miss Frederica Wenke. a native of OUlen-
burg, Germany, and a daughter of Jobn F.
^^'enke. who, on his emigration to America,
settled in Peoria and purchased a farm atl-
joining the city, where he spent the re-
mainder nf his life. (l_\-ing there in 1875.
Mr. and Mrs. ScliDenbeck ha\e four chil-
dren, namely: I'rederick. Jr., at hcnne:
Katie, wife of John 1). Klein, a son of John
Klein, who is represented on another page
of this volume; Anna and William, both at
home.

Mr. Schoenbeck cast his fust presidential
ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876. and
has never wavered in his allegiance to the
Republican party since that time, but he has
nex'er cared fur political preferment. His
life has been one of industry and persever-
ance, and to these characteristics as well
as his good business al)ilit\- ina_\- be attributed
his success, for he has received no outside
aid. Both lie and his wife were reared in
the Lutheran faith and .are highly respected
aiKl esteemed b\- all who know them.

D.Win S. MYERS.

David .S. Myers, of Pontiac. president of
the I'ontiac State Bank, is ranked generally
as one of the safest financiers and most sa-
gacious business men in central Illinois. If
success is to be measured by results he must
be regarded as an eminently successful man,
for not only his individual affairs, but all
the enterjjrises he has organized and pro-
moted in Pontiac and elsewiiere ha\e pros-
jjered even beyond his predictions and the
exi)ectations of those he enlisted in these
\ariiius undertakings. His acti\e connec-

tion with .so many jirojects, both of a public
and private nature, most of which contrib-
uting to the material advancement of his
county anil city, marks Mr. Myers as one
of the useful and prominent citizens of Liv-
ingston county.

David S. Myers was born I-"ebruarv lO,
1S58. on a farm near Kussellville, Ohio,
and is now, July, 1900, only in the earlv
maturity of intellectual and physical man-
hood. He inherited much of the vigor of
his constitution and force of character from
liis ancestors, who were ])eo])le (jf reputation
and intelligence, conspicuous in the pioneer
historv of Ohio. He is the son of William
and Margaret Myers, both natives of Ohio,
the former being 1)orn March 22, 1814, at
Kussellville. and the latter in iSj_^ at George-
town. This ladv, wIkj was a woman of
practical merit and mental attainments,
was the daughter of Ebenezer Moore, a sub-
stantial and influential citizen of I'rown
count}'. Ohio, where he resided all his life
as a prosperous farmer and usefid memljer
of the comnuniity. I lis first political affilia-
tions were with the Whigs, but later the
progressive principles of the Republican
party appealed to his sympathies and won
his ardent sup])ort. .\s a girl Margaret had
what she afterward considered the rare dis-
tinction of being the schoolmate and study-
ing the same lessons with an un])retentious
lad who was destined to become the most
famous soldier of his time, (ieueral L'. S.
(irant. the Grant and Moore families being
neighbors.

Francis Myers, grandfather of D, S.
Myers, was among the earliest settlers of
southern Ohio, actively assisting in the de-
\elopment of the countx. and. together with
his family, resolutely undergoing all the toil
and privations that were assume<l by those

D. S. MYERS.

THE
11 New Yonu- W

Til

niOCRArillCAL RECORD.

<levoted pioneers \\\v> I)Iazed the way and
smoothed tlie patli fur the cominii' srenera-
tions.

William Myers, father nf D. S. Myers,
was in many respects a remarkahle man.
He passed the largest pijrlion of his life in
Ohio, liis native state, where he achieved
the noteworthy record of having taught
school nninterruptedl}- f<M- forty years. The
entire, course of his life was regulated and
directed by his lo\-e of humanity, his sense of
justice and his s\nii)athy with the oppressed,
and he was one of those dauntless spirits,
who, known as Abolitionists, were the
vanguard of that grand movement which
resulted in the extinction of slavery within
the borders of the United States. His home
was one of the stations on the "Underground
Kailwav." which was the significant name
of a secret byway over which fugitive slaves
Were assisted and hurried from the yoke of
bondage to the blessings of liberty. He was
suspected and his life often endangered,
but no intiiiiidation could swerve him from
his convictions of right. William Myers
had been a Whig, hut the noble mission of
the abolition of skuery proclaimed by the
Republican party induced him to pledge his
voice and \ote to that organization. For
a time but two Rei)uhlican votes were re-
corded in his township, one of which was his
own. He enjoyed the distinction that few
could claim of having cast his lirst presi-
dential vote for William I lcnr\- Harrison
and his last for that i)resident's grandson,
Benjamin Herrison. William Myers was a
man of culture in hook knowledge as well
as of practical intelligence in the affairs of
life, being a close observer anil a clear
thinker, with distinct though liberal views
on ail the political and social problems of
the time. He was e\ervwhere honored for

his excellent qualities of head and heart and
universally respected for his unyielding
tidelity to principle. He residetl on his farm
until iXNS, when his son induced his father
antl mother to come to Pontiac and make
their home with him, and he contributed to
their comfort and the serenity of their de-
clining years until death closed their eyes
in eternal slumber. After a life seldom
e(|ualled in its steadfast purpose of uplift-
ing his race, William Myers died in March,
1896. and was followed a year later by his
worthy heli)mate, a loyal wife, devoted
mother and sympathetic friend. I'.oth lived
as e.xemjjlary Christians, being until death
memljers of the Presbyterian church.

The boyhood and early manhood of
David S. Myers was passed upon his father's
farm, where he formed habits of industry,
a fixed purpose in life and stability of char-
acter, and in the district schools where he
acquired the elementary principles of edu-
cation, anil under llie \igilant eye of his fa-
ther, the most eftecti\'e training that any boy
could receive. To prejiare himself for the
])rofession of teaching he attended dififerent
normal schools in southern Ohio and so im-
proved his advantages that he soon qualified
and was called to take charge of schools,
first in Kentucky and then in Ohio. In 1883
he came to Livingston coinUy. Illinois, a
movement upon which all his later successes
appear to hinge. Here he engaged in teach-
ing for nearly two years in Owego and
Saunemin townships, with the most satis-
factory results. Going to Chicago he en-
tereil a real estate otlfice, where he diligently
applied his time for a year, familiarizing
himself with the details and accpiiring much
\aluable knowledge of real estate transactions.
Returning to Livingston county he, with X.
y. Tanquary. opened the real estate otilice

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Taii(|uarv S; Myers in Pdntiac. an ar-
rangement wliich ointinned in force until
1889. wlien Mr. 'I'antiiiary's w itlidrawal dis-
solved the tirni. since which time Mr. Myers
has conchicted an extensive real estate husi-
ness independenllv. al\\a\s beneficially to his
patrons and satisfactory to himself. During-
the years following 1888 several additions
to the city of i'ontiac. owned by Mr. Myers,
were platted and ojiencd to market. By
inviting buyers who improved tiie property
and l)ecame actual residents, lie has promoted
the growth of the city in wealth and popu-
lation and therebv enhanced the \"alue of
all real estate, stimulated business and in-
creased the general prosperity. The first
project of this kind in which he was inter-
ested, known as Cam])"s addition, comprised
si.xteen acres of eligible lots and is now the
most desirable residence ])ortion of the city.
A second addition to this tract has since been
t)pened. Myers' first, second, third, fourth
and fifth additions have also been platted,
all of which ha\e their attractions and in all
of which lots are being rapidl\- disposed of
to home builders, many of whom he has
assisted in their impro\ements. .\t this
time. July. J900. there are but two other
additions on the market, and in one of these,
the Riverside addition, near the shoe factory.
he holds an interest. In 1899 Myers sold
thirty thousand dolhuvs worth of \acant lots,
in his \arious additions to I'ontiac, which not
onl_\- attests his ability as a real estate dealer,
I)Ut is substantial evidence of the remark-
able growth and improvement of the city.
I' or the ))ast ten years Mr. Myers has been
interested in drainage and reclaiming e.x-
tensive tracts of swamp lands in Livingston.
Lee. Henry and I>ureau counties, in Illinois,
and La I'orte county. Indiana, and is the
owner of a large amount of verv valualtle

and highly producti\e land in each of these
counties.

Mr. Myers does not belicxc thai a city
can become ])ermanentl\' prosperous without
productive industries employing skilled labor.
Hence he has encouraged such enterurises
in I'ontiac. and was one of the founders, as
well as the first stockholder, and is still a
director, in the I'ontiac Shoe Manufacturing
Comiianx'. one of the most extensixe and
])rosperous ])lants of this kind in the L'nited
States, affording employment to more than
three hundred persons, disbursing for its
pay roll more than one hundred and twenty-
fi\e thousand dollars annually and an aiuuial
])roduct valued at nearly one million dollars.
In 1899 Mr. Myers became interested in the
Allen Cand\- Company, which was incor-
porated with a ca])ital stock of twenty-five
thousand dollars. He was chosen as one of
the directors and the company is ni>w in suc-
cessful oijeration. Mr. Myers was the chief
promoter of the organization of the I'ontiac
State Bank, which was incorporated and
opened for business in h'cbruary. 1899. lie
was the larest stockholder and was elected
president, which ])osition he still fills ac-
cejitably to ])atrons and to the liest interests
of the bank. L'nder his able management,
assisted bv an efficient board of directors,
comprising some of the most cai)able business
^men of Pontiac. the Pontiac State Bank was
a success from its incei)tion. and is recog-
nized as one of the solid tin;uicial institu-
tions of central Illinois. The b.ank occupies
clegantlv ai)pointed rooms in the corner of
the new Sterry block, which were especially
designed for that i)iu'pose.

The Pontiac Chautau(|na .\ssociati<Mi is
the ])ride and boast of e\ery citizen, and has
l)een ijojjular as well as prosperous from its
first ;issemblv. Mr. Mver>; aclivelv pro-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

muted its orij;anizalion and lias since 1jeen
one of its directors. In 1899 its earnings
were fifty-five per cent, on its stock. He
rendered valuable aid in founding' the public
library, and purchased, at a liberal jirice. land
donated I)y Mr. Bal)Cock. besides contribut-
ing generouslv to the lil)rarv fund. The
tiiwnship high schiml was annihcr (ibject uf
his generous ]nil)lic spirit, donating the
grounds in the center of which stands the im-
posing school building.

Mr. Ahers has always been an interested
student of state and national affairs, and is
well informed on all the public questions of
the day. Politically, he is an avowed Re-
]niblican of the most ])r(ini)unced type. His
first presidential \ote was given to General
(iartield in 1880. He has ])artici])ated act-
ix'ely in county and citv politics and rendered
valuable assistance to his party. In 1892
he was selected as councilman from the first
ward, and while acting in that capacity ad-
vocated the system of sewerage and ado])tiou
of water works which marked the beginning
of an era of city improvements. In 1897
he was elected mayor of the city, his ad-
ministration being one of the most iiu])ort-
ant and successful in its benefits to the city
in the ni'toiy of Pcntiac. including the removal
of the unsightly raised sidewalks and liring-
ing the streets and sidewalks to a unifonu
grade. From June. 1898, to June, 1900, he
served as chairman of the Republican county
central comiuittee and brought to that posi-
tion the same energ}- and sagacity that he
exercised so effectivelv in other affairs. .\s
a ])rominent and actixe l\c]>ublican Mr.
Mvers is well known to the Icailcrs tln-ough-
out the state.

Mr. Myers is a man of keen ])erce])tions.
almost unerring in his judgment of men
and affairs and of the verv first order of

e.xecutive ability. In his methods of
thought and action he is \ery deliber-
ative, weighing every word before it is ut-
tered and measuring everv step before it is
taken. He is (piiet and self-possessed, and
he turns oft' transactions involving tens of
thiiusands of dollars with less palaver than
many men wnuld re(|uii'e to consummate the
most trifling transaction. The elements
that contribute to his unexampled successes
are undoubtedly his self-evident honesty and
sincerity, which inxite confidence, the clear
manner in which he ])resents a ])roposition,
his excellent judgment in making invest-
ments and his exceptional ability in organiz-
ing and maturing extensive enterjjrises. He
is unselfish in his success, for every step in
his prosperity has been marked by some ad-
^•antage to his city and county. As an ex-
ample of what luay be accomplished by a
well-balanced, energetic and ambitious young
n-.an, de])endent absolutely u])on his own ef-
forts, the career of Mr. M_\-ers is in\-aluab!e.
Although an intensely busy man, and
while engaged in business oblivious to every
distraction. Mr. Myers, recognizing all the
obligations of citi/enship and society, has
a very agreeable social side to his nature.
He has a refined home, one f)f the most ele-
gant residences in ].i\ingston county, which
is located on (iro\'e street, ovei'looking the
Vermillion ri\er, and has a cultured family.
On February 9, 1887, David S. Myers and
Miss Louise Catherine Slyder were united
in marriage. Mrs. Myers is a lady of
acknowledged refinement, suppleiuented by
a [jractical, womanlv (lis])osition and a cheer-
ful nature. She was born in Lixingston
county, one of ten children, her father being-
Simon F. Slyder, a prominent citizen of the
same county. Four children came to bless
this union, two of whom are lixing. Diller

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Slycler ami Aiiiui l.Duise. The famih' are
regular attendants of and liberal contributors
to tbe maintenance of the Metbo(Hst Epis-
copal church of Pontiac. The passing years
lia\e justified tlie wisdom of Mr. Myers in
tlie choice of a bride, for tlieir domestic re-
lations are very liappy and their home Hfe
^\hat mav be trulv termed ideal.

CHARLES L. RO.MHERCiER.

Prominent among the enterprising, pro-
gressive and successful men of Dwight is the
sui)ject of this sketch, who as a lawyer and
l)usiness man has been proniinentlv identified
with its interests for several years. His life
liistory most happily illustrates what may be
attained by faithful and continued effort in
carrying out an lionest purpose. Acti\ ity and
energy iia\e been the crowning points of his
.success, and his connection with \arious en-
terprises liave been of decided advantage to
bis community, promoting its material wel-
fare in no uncertain manner.

Mr. Romberger was burn in a lug cabin
in \\ yanet. Bureau county, lUindis. lune 12,
1H62. His father. L. 1). Romberger. was
born in Peimsylvania, April 2^, 1831, of
Clerman ancestry, and was left an orphan
when only a year old. .\i the age of eight he
started out in life for himself and served an
<ipprenticeship to the tinner's trade. He was
about twenty-three years of age when he re-
moved in W'yanct. Illinois, where he was
married, March i, iJ<6o, to Francisca L.
Weaver, who was also l)orn in l'cnnsy]\ania,
lebruary 20, 1839, ;iiul had cumc west with
her ])arents, who were engaged in the hotel
business. Mr. Romberger was engaged in
merchandising in W'yanet for a few years

and later follnweil farming for two years,
after which he moved to Princeton, Illinois,
where he was engaged in the mercantile
business until his health failed, in 1880,
when he sr>l(l (jut and has since devoted his
attenti<jn to bee culture, having one of the
largest apiaries in the L'nited States. He
lias always been a stanch Republican in poli-
tics, but never an aspirant for office, though
he is now ser\ ing ;is justice of the peace.
Of his three children, one died in infancy;
Emma L. is now the wife of Frank H. Hott-
man. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and
Charles L. completes the familv.

The primary education of our subject
was obtained in the public schools of Prince-
ton, and he was graduated from the high
school of that city at the age of seventeen
years. He then entered the law department
of the University of Michigan at .\nn .\rbor,
where lie was graduated at the age of nine-
teen and received the degree of LL. B.,
March 20, 1882. He was not permitted to
practice, however, until he attained his ma-
jority, when the state of Michigan forwarded
his certificate, and he was admitteil to prac-
tice at the bar of Illinois, September 24,
1883. .\fter his graduation he located at
Ottawa, Illinois, and entered the office of
Mayo & Widnier, prominent attorneys of
that i^lace, with whom he remained for fif-
teen months.

In 1884, at the suggestion of Hon. W'al-
ter Reeves, now member of congress from
this district, Mr. Romberger came to Dwight
and opened a law office over the People's
I'ank, Ijeing alone in business until 1887,
when he formed a partnership with John
C. Hetzel, a real estate and insurance agent,
under the firm name of Hetzel & Romberger.
In 1 891 he bought out his partner and con-
tinued alone until Xovember, 1895, when he

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sold a lialf interest in the business to Frank
L. Sniitli.the firm l^eing known as Roniberger
& Smith. '1 lieir speciahy is real estate and real
estate work. allliou,<;h they dn a private hank-
ing business for accommodation of friends
and acquaintances. Without question the
firm does one of the largest loan and real es-
tate businesses in centrid Illinois, this fact
being conceded b\- all other firms in their
line. At present they are extensively inter-
ested in Mississippi and Louisiana lands.
Their holdings in the latter state are timber
lands, which the firm purchased with the
view of enhancing tlieir \aiue. and in Jan-
ar\', n;oo^ the\' sold one tract of twch'e
thousand acres in Madison parish, d his is
desirable propertx', being accessil)le to steam-
boats and the N'icksburg. Shreve])ort & Pa-
cific Railroad. The Mississippi land is in
the Delta country and is also coxered with
hardwood lumber, principally oak, pecan
and gum. When cleared this will be-
come e.Kcellent cotton land. Besides this
property the firm has al)out fifteen lunulred
acres of fine farming kuul in Lee coimty,
Illinois, which is well improved and under
a high state of cultivation, and also oper-
ates largely in Iowa and Indiana lands.
Since coming to Dwight Mr. Romberger
has had complete charge of the Keeley Com-
pany's legal business, and is attorney for
the estate of Dr. Leslie E. Keeley. He is
also local attorney for the Chicago & .\lton
Railroad. He does very little court work,
however, his entire legal business being con-
fined to office practice. He is interested in
the Keeley Institute, located at Xo. 2803
Locust street, St. Louis, Missouri, being a
partner of Dr. J. E. Blaine, who for eight
years was chief of the medical staff of the
Leslie E. Keeley Company of DwiglTt.

On the 7th of Octolier. 1884. Mr. Rom-

berger married ]\Iiss Nellie M. Ensign, a
native of Connecticut, and a daughter of
Edward H. and ^lartha S. Ensign. Bv
this iniion three children were horn, the old-
est, a daughter, died in infancy. Louise E.
died very suddenly of tonsilitis, November
2, 1899, at the age of twelve vears. Emma
T., aged eleven }ears, is attending school in
Dwight.

pjoth Mr. and Mrs. J\omherger are mem-
bers of the Congregational church, and he is
also a prominent member of the Masonic
fraternitv. In 1884 he was made a Master
Mason in IJvingston Lodge, No. 371, A.
b". & A. M., of Dwight, of which he is now-
past master, and received the higher degrees
in Orient Chapter, No. 31, R. A. M., and
Blaney Commandery, N0.5, K. T., of Morris,
Illinois; J)wiglit Chapter, No. 166, O. E.
S., of which he is past worth}- patron ; is a
member of the Oriental Consistory and Me-
dinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, both of
Chicago. He is now- a niemljer of Wil-
mington Cha^jter, No. 142, R. A. M., of
which he is past high priest, and Joliet Com-
mandery, No. 4, K. T., of \\-hich he is senior
warden. Since old enough to vote Mr.
Romberger has affiliated with the Republi-
can party, and in 1892 was elected president
of the board of trustees of the \'illage of
Dw ight on the ticket advocating public ini-
l)rovements. He has always taken the lead
in anything tending to advance the inter-
ests of his town and worked hard to get the
sewerage system, electric light and water
works adopted and cement sidewalks laid.
Therefore during his administration there
were more improvements made than at any
other time, and he is justly numbered among
Dwight's most jjrogressive and public-spir-
ited citizens. He is emphatically a man of
enterprise, positive character, indomitable

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

energy, strict integrity and liberal views,
and is thoronghiy identified in feeling with
the growth antl prosperity of his city.

X.VTHAX S. GRAXDY.

Xathan S. (irandy. deceased, was nuni-
hered among the honored pioneers of Liv-
ingston connty, wiiere lie located when tliis
region was wild and nnimproved. In tiie
work of development he took an active part
in the early days and aided in ojjening u])
the conntry to civilization. As the years
passed his faithfully performed duties of citi-
zenship and his interest in the welfare and
progress of the community never abated.
Becoming widely ;ni(l favorably known he
made many friends, and his death was a loss
to the entire community.

Mr. (irandy was born October 6. 1816.
in Phantom township. Addison county, \'er-
niont, where he grew to manhood, and there
worked at the car])enter's trade, as a manu-
facturer of sash, doors and blinds. He first
married a Miss Kent, who died in Illinois a
few vears after soming here. After his
marriage he came to Illinois, arriving in Chi-
cago about tlic 1st of May, 1850. when only
thirty miles of railroad extended from that
citv toward (ialena, and a few miles had been
Iniilt in this direction, there being not more
than one hundred nnles in the state. From
Chicago Mr. (jrandy went to .\lton. a part
of the journey being made by way of the Illi-
nois river, and the whole trip occu])ying over
a week. He first located in Kane, Greene
County. Illinois, where he had a brother liv-
ing, and there he engaged in farming for a
time.

While a resident of Greene countv. Mr.

Grandy was married. February 12, 1854, to
Miss Harriet E. Christy, a native of Law-
rence county. Illinois, and a daughter of
John and Elizabeth ( Dannison ) Christy, pio-
neers of that county, where their marriage
was celebrated. The father, who was a na-
tive of Ohio and a farmer by occupation, re-
moved to Greene county soon after the birth
of Mrs. (jrandy and bought a tract of land
in Kane, where he spent the remainder of
liis life. In religious ])elief he was a Baptist.

To Mr. and Mrs. Grandy were born eight
children, namely : T. E., a real estate ilealer
of Pf)ntiac. married Elizabeth L. Mason;
Harriet .\.. at home with her mother: Clara
is the wife of Albert G. Mason, of Pontiac,
and they have four children living, OUie.
I-eonard L., Alice and Cress; Charles E.,
who li\es on a farm three miles and a halT
east of Pontiac, married Susan Foster, of
Owego township, and they have two chil-
dren. Mabel E. and X'ictor J.; George \\'.,
a resident of St. John's, Kansas, married
Jennie Dudley, of Missouri, and they have
one child. Pearl: William .\.. a lumberman
of Mason Cit\'. Illinois, married l-jnma .An-
trim, and they ha\e one child, Marger\-;
Henry lives on the home farm and married
-Miss Tillie Hill: Mary J. is the wife of \V.
C. ^'oung, a farmer li\ing three miles east
of Pontiac, and they have three children,
Edith, Marshall and Lewis.

Ill 1856 Mr. and Mrs. (irandy came to
Livingston county and took up their resi-
dence in Owego townshi]), where he pur-
chased a farm of eighty acres, on wliich
was standing a small cabin. I4.\i8 feet. ma<le
of rough slabs from the sawmill set up on
end and the cracks filled with clay. The
floor was <if ash and oak boards about ten
inches wide hewed down, while the roof was
maile of real old-fashioned clapboards split

THE UlOGRAi'lilLAL Rl'XXJRU.

fnnii nak limlier. In tliis rude dwcllini;- the
faiiiilv lived tor over a year. W ith the ex-
ception of a few acres tlie farm was un-
broken. On taking- up liis residence here
Mr. (jrandy at once turncfl iiis attention
to the inii)rovenient and cultivation of his
farm. 'Die first winter lie constructed a
stable In- ])iitting" forked ])cilcs intu the
gnuind, laving other poles across these and
covering- them with brush and then with hay,
while the sides were also banketl up with
bay. This con-ifortably sheltered his stock
until a better l)arn cmdd he built, lie fenced
his land and placed acre after acre under the
plow until all was hig-hl\- culti\-ated. In
1861 a more substantial and ci mifortable
residen.ce was built, mucli > if tlie timber being
taken from bis nwn wdud lot. two miles
from bis home. Men were making the sills
for the new bnuse when the news came nf
the firing u])on l-'ort Simiter. The house
was completed that summer and is stiiU
standing. A large jiart of the finished lum-
ber used in its construction was bought at
sixty dollars per thousand and paid for with
corn at ten cents ])er bushel. This had to be
shelled, sacked and hauled to Pontiac. j\Ir.
(irandy used a small twd-lmle corn sheller.
run by horse ])ow-er.

When he U)cated in this coinit_\- he cnnld
travel in a northeasterly direction from his
home and hnd not a house nor a fence initil
within twii miles of Kankakee, while his
nearest trading places were l^ontiac and
Fairbury. Coal was alniost unknuwn an<l
was very high when obtainable. Several
times dining the first four years spent here,
the Cirandy home came \erv nearh- beiiig
destroyed b\- the prairie lires. Mrs. (irandy
once saved the house with a ])ail of water and
her mop. They added to the farm by addi-
tional purchase as their financial resources

increased, but in iSjj scild it and bought two
hundred and fi ur acres in I'ontiac townshi]).
one mile from the court house, which Mrs.
(irandy stdl owns, and on which the family
nin\ed that _\-ear. Our subject made all of
the improvements upon the place, including
the erection of a fine house, a good barn and
substantial outbuildings. He was acti\'ely
engaged in agricultm-al piu-suits tuitil 1877,
when he was injured by a saw, after which
be practically lived retired until his death,
being blind the last tw-o years of his life.

Mr. (irandy was a Democrat in politics
rmd took an acti\e and jjrominent ])art in the
pulilic affairs of his time. While a resident
of (Dwego township be served as school treas-
urer, assessor and justice of the peace, and
was known throughout the comity as Scjuire
(irandy. In I'oiitiac townshi]) he served as
mad ccimmissioner some years and took an
active part in building the bridges and iin-
pro\ing the roads of bis locality, assisting in
the construction of the fine iron l)ridge three
miles west nf I'untiac. In i8()8 he was aj)-
])oiiited county commissioner by the l)oar(l
of super\isors to go over the county and re-
appraise the swamp lands, to which business
be de\otefl one whole summer, spending
nearly all the time (lri\-ing o\er the county.
] ie was one of the early members of the Bap-
tist church and later attended services at
Avoca. where a church was built tor the use
of anv denomination, this being much nearer
his home. After his removal to l\)ntiac be
united with the Baptist church in that city.
He died on bis farm, one mile east of Ponti-
ac. June 26, ]8yo. honored and respected
by all who knew iiim. Throughout his career
of continued and far-reaching usefulness bis
duties were i)erformed with the greatest care,
and his pers(jnal honor and integrity were
without blemish.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mrs. Grandy still survi\es lier husband
and now makes her home in Pontiac, where
she has a lovely lumie at NO. 317 East How-
ard street. She lias only lived here a year,
though owning tlie place for some time. She
was always a true helpmeet to lier husband,
aiding him in every possible way, and is a
most estimable lady, beloved and respected by
all who know her on account of her sterling
worth and manv excellencies of character.

JOIIX W. HOO\'ER.

John W. Hoover, whose liLmie is at Xo.
215 East Livingston street, Pontiac, is one
of the most public-spirited and enterprising
citizens of that place. He is a native of Illi-
nois, born in Putnam county, March 9, 1840,
and is a son of Henry Mann and Sarah
(Hunt) Hoover. The father was l)orn in
Pennsylvania, June 10, 1808, and in 1838
came to Illinois, locating in Pureau county,
where he engaged in farming until 1848
and then went to California, crossing the
plains with an ox team. The following four
years were passed in prospecting and min-
ing, during which time be accumulated con-
siderable i)roperty, but when just ready to
return to his family in Illinois he met with
a violent death and his hard-earned treasure
was taken from him. His widow is still liv-
ing at the age of eighty-eight years, and
resides with her daughter in r^Iinonk, Wood-
ford county, Illinois. Only three of her ten
children survive. Two sons, George H. and
Julius G., were soldiers of the Civil war, and
died in Tennessee during their service.

Our subject remained with bis mother
on the home farm in I'ureau county until
1857, when they remo\ed »■• T.i\ingston

county and located in Nebraska township,
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits
until the breaking out of the Civil war, in
1861, when he enlisted in the Third Illinois
Cavalry, Comi^any K, for three years. He
participated in a number of battles in ]\Iis-
souri and Arkansas, including the engage-
ment at Pea Ridge, where he was wounded.
He went u> the gulf, was stationed at Xew
Orleans for a time, and was in the sieges of
I'ort Hudson and N'icksburg. He was at
the latter place at the time of the first re-
pulse of Sherman, and remained there until
the surrender to Grant, lie was mustered
out at Springfield, Illinois, as commissary
sergeant, ha\ ing held that position two years.
After his discharge Mr. Hoover returned
to Livingston county and again engaged in
farming in Nebraska township, 'i he sud-
den death of his father had left the family
in \ery straightened circumstances and
placed a very heavy burden on the siioulders
of our subject, but he early displayed that
determination and grit which have carried
him forward to a successful life. ' He was
devoted to his mother and toiled early and
late that she might have the comforts of life
that she had been accustomed to before the
death of her husband. He continued to en-
gage in farming until the fall of 1870, when
he was elected sheriff of Livingston county
on the Democratic ticket and moved to Pon-
tiac. He filled that office for one term with
credit to himself and to the general satis-
(action of the iiublic, and at its close em-
barked in general merchandising, which he
carried on until his store and its contents
were destroyed by fire, July 4, 1874. Al-
though he lost almost everything he pos-
.sessed, he was not cast di>\\ii nr crushed by
the misfortune, but with characteristic en-
ergy he immediately purchased another stock

J. W. HOOVER.

MRS. JOHN W. HOOVER.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of goods and continued business until i^9/,
lieingassociateil with \\ ilson Pittenger some
\ears, and afterwartl with W. S. Sims for
about five years, the firm name lieing Hoover
& Sims. He was then aii.>ne in liusiness until
selling out. in 1897.

Mr. Hoover was married, December 31,
i8(i8, ti) Miss Mary E. Van Doren, of this
county, a daughter of Hilyanl and Eliza
(Thompson) Van Doren. Her father was
born in Xew Jersey, in 1808, and was six
years old when he removed to Ohio with his
parents. His father, John \'an Doren, also
a native of Xew Jersey, conducted a hotel
near Clarksville, Clinton county, Ohio, for
many years. Throughout the greater part
of his life Mrs. Hoover's father followed
the carpenter's trade, but after coming to
Li\-ingston county, Illinois, engaged in farm-
ing and stock raising in Nebraska township.
He was school trustee for many years and
also filled the ofiice of collector and super-
visor for some years. He helped build the
first school house in his tdwnship, advanc-
ing money for the -work until the district
could reimburse him, and lie organized the
first Sunday school within its borders, serv-
ices being held at his home until the school
house and church were built. In 1885 he
retired from active life and moved to Pon-
tiac, where he died September i, 1898. His
wife had departed this life February 14,
189J. Mrs. Hoover is the youngest of their
seven children. William T., the oldest, mar-
ried Julia Smith in 1855, and is a j^rominent
contractor and builder of Pontiac. Frank
M. and Luther were both members of Com-
]iany A, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth
Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, during the Civil
war, and the latter was drowned in the Cum-
berland river in Tennessee after serving one
vear. I'^rank M. married Xettie X'ickerson

and resides on the okl home farm in X'e-
braska township, yiv. and Mrs. Hoover
ha\e a family of four chiklren, namely:
Ella I., born in Pontiac, was married. May
10. 1898, to Halbert Opperman, a grocer
of Pontiac; Helen P. has for the past three
years been head bookkeeper at the Pontiac
Shoe manufactury; Edna R. is at home,
and Maude W. is a student in the high school
of Pontiac.

In 1898 Mr. Hoover was elected super-,
visor of Pontiac township, and his services
gave such universal satisfaction that in the
spring of 1900 he was re-elected, Ijeing the
only Democrat elected on the township ticket,
which speaks well for his personal popularity
and the confidence and trust reposed in him
by his fellow citizens. He has been fire
marshal of the city for the past twenty-five
vears, and was a member of the department
for some years before. It has been his con-
stant study to improve the department and
the time he has devoted to that work has been
well spent, for his efforts have been crowned
with success. At present a new city hall and
engine house is being erected. Mr. Hoover
is an honored meml)er of T. Lyle Dickey
post, G. ^\. R., and attends and supports
the Methodist b'piscopal cluu-ch.

GEORGE Z. FLAGLER.

Prominent among the citizens of Dwight
who ha\e witnessed the marvelous develop-
ment of Livingston county in the last half-
century, and who have, by honest toil and in-
dustry, succeeded in acquiring a competence
and arc now spending the sunset of life in
quiet and retirement, is the gcnilmi.in whose
name introduces this sketch.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. l-"lagler was born in Herkimer. New
York. June 4. 1828. and was reared tliere
until ten years of age. wlien lie removed to
Oliio with liis parents. I'hili]) and X:incv
( Dygert ) I'lagler. also natives of New York.
His paternal grandfather. Zachariah Flagler.
was born in France, and on his emigration
to America settled in Dutchess county. Xew
"^'ork. where, in the midst of the wilderness.
he develoi)ed a farm and spent the remainder
of his life. He reared a family of eleven ch!l-
<lren. ten sons and one daughter, of whom
I'hilip was fifth in order of birth.

On reaching manhood Philip Flagler re-
moved to Herkimer couniw Xew \'ork. be-
coming one of its early settlers, and there he
married Xancy Dygert. a daughter of \\'ill-
iam Dygert. who emigrated from German}-
to the L'nited States at an early day. After
his marriajre Mr. Flagler conducted a meat
market in F'rankfort. Herkimer county, until
our subject was ten years of age. and then
moved to Middlebury. Portage county. Ohio,
going by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo.
l)y lake to Cle\eland. by canal to Akron.
Ohio, and ivm tlierc across the country by
vagon to Middlebury, where he worked at
the shoemaker's, trade five years. He then
returned to Xew York by the same route,
this time locating in Dutchess county, where
he follf^wed farming until a few years prior
to his death, when he sold his farm and
moved to Rochester. Xew York. There he
lived retired until called to his final rest.
at the age of seventy years. The mother
of (jur subject had dieil many years previous,
leaving six children, who reached man and
womanhood, namely : (jeorge Z., Catherine.
Walter. Albert, William and Oscar, all still
living with the exception of Walter. Cath-
erine is the wife of I'hilip Miller, of Dwight.
Illinois. I'or his second wife the father mar-

ried Katlierine W'right. by whom he had one
(laughter. Annie.

(ieorge Z. I'lagler received his education
in the schools of Portage county. ( )liio. and
Dutchess county. Xew York, and remained
at home with his father until after his mar-
riage. On the 27th of September. 1848.
when twenty-one years of age. he married
Phebe Jane Clarkson. then sixteen. They
met at the village .school in Stormville, Xew
York, and the friendship there formed soon
ripened into a love that has never died out,
for they are still lovers, the same as in the
days long gone by. Mrs. Flagler was born
in Dutchess county, of which her parents,
Egliert and Maria ( Jacox ) Clarkson. were
also nati\es. while her ])aternal grandfather,
Charles Clarkson. was a native of England,
having emigrated to this country at an early
day. For many years her father followed
farming in Dutchess county, but in the fall
of 185'') he came to Li\ingston county. Illi-
nois, where he lived retired until his death,
at the age of sixty-three years. His wife
died at the age of seventy-three. In their
family were four children, William. Hamil-
ton. Phebe Jane and Mary Elizabeth.but Mrs.
]-"lagler is the only one now living. To our
subject and his wife were born three chil-
dren, namely: ( 1 ) Eugene, a resident of
Dwight. married 1-etty Potter, and they have
two ciiildren : .Stella, wife of I'.berett Lewis,
a jeweler of Dwight. by whom she has one
child. Harland: and Louise. {2) John W.,
an invalid residing in Dwight. married
Laura Lee. and they have one child. Helen.
(3) George X.. who has succeeded his fa-
ther in the lumber business, married Letty
Saltmarsh. and they have two children. Ed-
die and Mattie.

After his marriage Mr. F'lagler remained
with \u< father a year, but determining to

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

engage in business for liiniself, he rented a
farm of one liundred and se\en acres in
I )utcliess county, Xew ^'<lrk, which lie suc-
cessfully operated for three )ears. Selling
out in the east he came to Illinois in 1855,
and after spending ten days at Joliet pro-
ceeded til Dwight. Livingston cminty. where
he hired nut to a Mr. Spencer, whose farm
included the ])resent home of our subject.
After w I irking fur him one year he was va-
riously employed for a time, and then turned
his attention to the carpenter's trade. One of
the first JKJUses which he built is the one he
i> niiw living in, it being situated on a part
of the old Spencer farm and is one of the
most beautiful places in Dwight, surrounded
hv fnur acres of well-kept grounds. Here
.Mr. l-'lagler located in 1899. The first house
that he owned in Dwight is still standing.
He continued to follow the carpenter's trade
for several years, ami in 1874 became inter-
ested in the lumber business, which he car-
ried on alone for three years, when he
formed a partnershi]) with Thomas Sims,
under the name of Flagler & Sims. Three
years later this was dissolved and Zed John-
son purchased an interest in the business,
which was conducted under the lirm name of
Flagler & Johnson for three years and a
half. I'rom that time on he was alone in
business until 1897, when he was succeeded
by his son, George X., who still carries it on,
while our subject is practicall}' li\-ing retired,
though he still continues to look after his
proj)erty interests in Dwight, which include
a number r)f houses.

Mr. Flagler has been prominently identi-
fied with almost the entire growth and de-
velopment of Dwight, as when he located
there there were only six houses in the ])lace.
During the first year of his residence here
he and his wife, with another familv, oc-

cupied a little shanty, i6.\24 feet. In 1856
he and William Clarkson each built a house,
the tirst that were erected that year. One
-Sunday the two men went out about three
miles in the country and got some young
basswood trees, which they brought to town
on their backs and i)lanted, these being the
first trees set out in Dwight. as the ])!ace at
that time was flat prairie land, unadorned
bv trees or shrubs. Mr. I'lagler helped or-
ganize the village and has aided materially
in its growth and building, assisting in the
erection of most of the older dwellings of
the place. He helped build the Presbyterian
church, which was the first house of worship
erected in Dwight, and later, as a contractor,
built the Methodist E]jiscopal church. He
was one of the first trustees of the village,
being elected on a temperance ticket, and
was a member of the \-illage board four
terms. l?y his ballot he has always sup-
])orted the men and measures of the Dem-
ocratic party at national elections, but in
local affairs, when no issue is involved, votes
for the man whom he believes best qualified
to fill the office. Socially he is a member of
Livingston lodge. Xo. 371, F. & A. M.. and
Wilmington Chapter. Xo. 142, R. .\. M.
During their long residence in Dwight Mr.
and Mrs. Flagler have made a host of warm
friends, have gained the confidence and re-
spect of all who know them, and as honored
pioneers and repre.sentative citizens are cer-
tainly deserving of prominent mention in a
work of this kind.

STFPHI-:X .\. GOODMAX.

Stephen A. Goodman, the efficient en-
gineer of the Dwight Electric Light Com-
I)anv and a highly respected citizen of

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Dwight. Illinois, was ))orn in Huntingdon
county, Pennsylvania. December j6, 1851,
and is a son of James J. and Catherine (Xu-
men) Goodman, also natives of Pennsyl-
vania. By trade the father was a wagon-
maker and bridge carpenter, and during hi.s
residence in the Keystone state followed
bridge building on railroads and canals. In
1867 he Ijrought his family to Illinois and lo-
cated on a farm in Dwight township, two
miles southwest of the town of Dwight. mak-
ing his home there fur two years, at the end
of which time he took v.\> his residence in
town, where his death occurred, in 1884, and
wliere his wife is still living. In their fam-
ily were ten children, namely: Anna, wife
of W. H. Watson, a con(hictor on the Penn-
sylvania Railroad and a resident of Altoona,
Penn.sylvania; Mattie, widow of G. W.
Stewart and a resident of Union Furnace,
Pennsylvania: Stephen A., our subject;
Emma, wife of George Taylor, a farmer and
dairyman of Dwight township: Alfred, a
farmer of {}rundy county, Illinois; James,
a conductor on the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road ; George, who is employed in the round
house at Dwight ; Mary, twin of George and
deceased wife of John Camerorn, of Ono,
Willow county, Nebraska; Nora, wife of
Frank Phole, of Dwight ; and Bruce, an en-
gineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad.

The boyhood and youth of Stephen A.
Goodman were mainly passed in Pennsyl-
vania, and at the age of fifleen he entered
the Mill Creek furnace shops to learn the
blacksmith and machinist's trades, his father
being then engaged in the hotel business at
^lill Creek. He was si.xteen years of age
when the family came to Illinois, and for a
time he worked at his trade in Dwight. Sub-
sef|uently he accepted a position as engineer
and general assistant with the firm of Hef-

fenbaugh & Rutan. but his first permanent
position as engineer was in the old sti>ne m!ll
of Hahn & Siegert, where he was emi)loyed
two years. He ne.xt entered the service of
the Chicago & Alton Railroad in the round
house at Dwight, and later was fireman on
the Streator branch of that road ajvl served
the company until 1893. He spent two years
as fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad,
running between Altoona and Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania. In November, i8g6, he ac-
cepted his present position with the Dwight
Electric Light Company, and has since filled
it in a most capable and satisfactory manner.

On the 22d of September, 1877, at
Dwight, was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Goodman and ]\Iiss Belle Cioodspeed. a na-
tive of Grund}' county, Illinois, and a daugh-
ter of George R. and Emily ( Starkev)
Goodspeed. Her father gave up his life for
his country as a soldier of the Civil war.
During tiie last ten years of her life Mrs.
Goodspeed made her liome with our sub-
ject and there died March 31. 1897. Mrs.
Goodman died January 12, 1893, and of the
three children born of that union, Emma
died at the age of four years and Hattie
at the age of eleven. Charles is still living
and is with his father. Mr. Goodman was
again married, in Peoria, Illinois, April 20,
1897, 'I'S second union being with Miss
Agnes McCloskey, a native of Blair county,
Pennsylvania. They have a pleasant home
in Dwight, erected by him in 1882.

In political afTairs Mr. Goodman sup-
ports the Democratic party. While a resi-
dent of .Altoona, Pennsylvania, he joined the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and now
affiliates with Dwight Lodge. No. 513, of
which he is past noble grand. He is also a
member of Pacific Encampment. No. 126,
and was elected and installed chief patriarch.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

but resigned on accmmt ot liis niglit work,
which occupies his time to tlie exckision of
everything else. He is a thorough and
skilled machinist and is a highly respected
and honored citizen of Dwigiu. He was for
live years a member of the Illinois slate
guards and was honorabl_\- discharged.

X. M. A.\-|> TkU.MAX M. KELLOGG.

These Ijmthers, who are numbered among
the representative citizens of Pontiac town-
ship. Livingston county, own and operate
a fine farm of three hundred and twenty
acres on section 8. pleasantly located on
\\'o\\ creek, within three miles of the
city of Pontiac. They are nati\'es of
Oneida county. New York, the former
li'irn near L'tica June 29. 1829. the lat-
ter Octolier 7. 1835. and belong to an old
colonial famil\- of English origin, which was
founded in this countrv by tWD limthers.
who were among the pioneers of Connecti-
cut. Our subjects' paternal grandfather.
Truman Kellogg, was a native cf that state
and a pioneer of Oneida county. Xew York.
where he located in 1790. There he cleared
and improved a farm in the midst of the
wilderness, making it his home throughout
the remainder of his life. The father, who
also bore the name of Truman, was born in
that county, in 1795, and on reaching man-
hood married Malinda Marsh, also a native
of Oneida county. He was a farmer by oc-
cupation and lived on the old Kellogg home-
stead throughout life, dying there Ma\' 17.
1867. He survived his wife only a few
weeks, as she died March 3. 1867. In their
family were four children, two sons and two
daughters, but only the former are now liv-
ing.

Jn the count}' of their nativity the broth-
ers ijassed their boyhood and youth, being
provided with good educational advantages
in both common and select schools. In 1852
Truman M. went to Chicago, where he en-
tered the em])loy of the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company, in the engineer department,
as a rodman, and for twenty years was em-
ployed in the general office of the civil en-
gineer for the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany at that cit\-. being i^romoted for suc-
cessful service from rodman to dixision en-
gineer, and as such he superintended the con-
struction of the Lake Shore harbor. X. M.
Kellogg remained at home with his parents
until their deaths, having charge of the
farm. In 1868 he came to Livingston coun-
ty, Illinois, and purchased the farm in Pon-
tiac township where the brothers now re-
side. Thev located thereon in 1871. and
ha\'e since de\'oted their time and energies
to the further improvement and cultivation
of the place, converting it into one of the
most desirable farms of its size in the coun-
ty. They follow sfencral farming and have
engaged extensi\ely in feeding and shipping
stock, fattening from six to ten car-loads of
cattle and hogs annually. To this branch of
their business they have ilevoted considerable
attention for the past fifteen years, and re-
cently have made a specialty of the breeding
and raising of good roadster horses of the
Hamiltonian and other standard bred stock.
Success has attended their well-directed ef-
forts and they are now numbered among the
most substantial men of the community in
which they live.

Politically the Kellogg brothers have
been life-long Democrats, and X. M. has
served as highway commissioner for fifteen
years, but neither ha\e cared for official hon-
ors, preferring to give their undiviiled atten-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tii>n to their exteiisi\e l)usiness interests.
Tliey are men of keen perception and soimd
jucignieni and tlicir success in life is due to
tlieir own well-directed efforts, so that they
<ieser\e to be prominently mentioned among
the leading and representative business men
of this county. Fraternally, Truman M. is
a member of the Masonic lodge of Pontiac.
ha\ing been made a Master Mason some
years ago.

CHARLES H. LONG, M. D.

The workl has little use for the misan-
thrope. The universal truth of brotherhood
is widely recognized, also that he serves God
best who serves his fellow men. There is no
profession or line of business that calls for
greater self sacrifice or more devoted atten-
tion than the medical profession, and the suc-
cessful physician is he, who through love of
his fellow men gives his time and attention to
the relief of human suffering. Dr. Long is
one of the ablest representatives of this noble
calling successfully engaged in nractice in
Pontiac, Illinois.

The Doctor was born in Dinimick town-
ship. La Salle county, this state. May 14,
1S50. a son of -Archibald and .\deline
(Leigh) Long. The father was born in Gal-
lipolis, Gallia county, Ohio, in October.
1825. a son of Archibald and Catherine
(Keller) Long. Tiie grandfather was born
near Wheeling, West X'irginia, September
24, 1 79 1, and was one of a large family of
children left orphans at an early age, and
who were thrown upon the world to make
their own way with little educational ad-
vantages. He managed, however, to acquire
much varied information, which, with untir-
ing energy, he ever jnu ti> use fi«r the uplift-

ing of his fellow men. After drifting al)out
through Tennessee, Georgia and Xorth Car-
olina during his boyhood he was finally mar-
ried, in October, 1813, and settled in Gal-
lipolis, Ohio, where most of his family were
born and where he accpiired some property.
He also secured the maintenance of select
schools in the county, and early became a
leader and exhorter in the Methodist Episco-
pal church, and afterward a licensed
preacher. He spent a few years in Indiana,
and then, in order to secure homes for his
children, now grown, he came to Illinois,
locating first in the military tract, near Knox-
ville, Knox county, in 1834. He built the
first mill in that section and opened his house
for church and school purposes, there being
neither in his locality. He regularly filled
appointments to preach for miles around,
and our subject now has in his possession the
parchment certificate given by liisho]) Mor-
ris, in 1839, at his ordination as deacon.
He soon secured the building of a church
at Hermon. the exi^ense of which was largly
borne by himself. At camp meetings and
revivals he was recongized as powerful in ex-
liortation and prayer. It was at a meeting
in his house that his sun. Archibald. Jr.. and
Rev. M. L. Haney were couNcrted. In 1849
he removed to La Salle county, and early
the fnllowing year secured the organization
oi a church at La Salle, there having been
no religious society there prior to that time.
He resolved to build a house of worship and
went about with his usual energy t<> accnm-
])lish this, hauling lumber, raising money and
working on the building. While thus en-
gaged he was exposed to the inclemency of
the weather and contracted a disea.se that
affected his lungs and eventually caused his
death. His home was always the sto|)ping
place for all ministers, and he labored un-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tiringly ii<v liis church. He lield nmst all
the local offices, inchuliug' those of school di-
rector and justice of the peace, and in his
death the comnuuiit}' realized that it had
lost one of its most \alucd and useful citi-
zens.

Archiliald I-ons^'. Jr.. the father of our
suhject, was reared on his father's farm near
Knoxville, and recei\ed a good practical ed-
ucation in the select school conducted in his
father's home. This was largel\' supple-
mented in later years h\' e.\tensi\'e reading'
and obser\ation. lie huilt the iirst saw-
mill at Kno.willc ami engaged in milling
lor some time, in earl\' davs before the
grist-mill was huilt. the famil\- hauled their
grain to Chicago, a distance of two Inin-
th"ed miles. The early pioneers ground their
cornnieal on stones. After Iniilding the mill
the Long family sometimes rafted flour
down the Mississippi ri\er to St. Louis.
In Kno.x county, Archibald Long, Jr., was
married, in 1847, to Miss Adeline Leigh, a
daughter of Robert Leigh, a veteran of the
war of 1812, and an early settler of that
county, where he followed farming until his
death. Her paternal great-grandfather,
Leigh, was private secretary to Ciei>rge
III, of J'jigland, and for political reasons
lied to the L'nited States. He was the pos-
sessor of a large fortune, which the family
never recei\'ed. After his marriage, the
Doctor's father engaged in farming in Dim-
mick township. La Salle county, and was
one of the large land owners of his localitv.
Although he gave .strict attention to his
business afifairs he never neglected his duties
to his fellow men, and took a \erv active
l)art in education and church work, ahly
seconding his father in the sui)i)ort of the
feeble little church at La Salle. He was a
member of the official hoard throughout life

and after his father's death was its strong-
est mainstay for forty years. He was hon-
ored with all the township offices. He died
in La .Salle county, December _^i. 1892, and
the mother of our suliject departed this life
in 1856, leaving two children, the younger
being Robert, now a resident of Koszta,
Iowa.

Dr. Long began his education in the dis-
trict schools near his bo\diood home, and at
the age of lifteen years entered the acailemic
department of Wheaton College at W'heaton,
Illinois, where he was a student for two
years. in i8t)6 he entered the Illinois W'es-
leyan L'niversity at Lloomington. where he
was graduated with the degree of P.. S., in
1^7;^. being president of the class organi-
zation during his senior year. In the mean-
time he had engaged in teaching schools,
and after leaving college followed that pro-
fession for three years as princijial at Mack-
inaw, Stanfonl anil Homer, Illinois.

Having decided to make the practice of
medicine his life work, Dr. Long matricu-
lated at Hahnemann Medical College, Ciii-
.cago, in 1875, and was graduated with the
degree of M. 1).. at the Chicago Homeo-
])athic Medical College in 1878. He is n(jw
the leading hi}meopathic physician of Pon-
liac, and enjoys a large general practice.
1 le served as Cnited States pension examiner
under Presidents Hayes and .\rthur. doing
all the work in that line for the county, there
being no pension ho.ard at the time. In 1880
he was elected coroner of Livingston county
and ser\ed by re-election eight years, dur-
ing which time lie held the inquests made
necessary by the terrible Chatsworlh wreck
when seventy-four Niagara excursionists
lost their li\es. He is an honored member of
the Illinois Hoineoi)athic Medical Associa-
tion!, of which he was ])ro\isional secretary

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

two terms, endinsj in May, 1899, and is also
ail active member of tlie Central Illinois
Homeopathic .Xssociatinn. lie is medical
examiner for the Modern Wnodmeii of
America at Pontiac.

Dr. Long has been twice married, his
first wife being Miss jMartha \'eimont. who
died March 20. 1884, leaving two children,
who are still living, namely: Eva Mary,
now attending the Northwestern University
at Exanstrm. Illinois, and Archibald \'., at
home. For his second wife he married Lida
Sterry. daughter of C. W. Sterry, of Pon-
tiac. and to them ha\e l)een born two chil-
dren : Christopher Sterry and Katherine.
The family have a beautiful home at Xo.
304 East W'ater street, Pontiac.

From the start Dr. Long has ser\ed as
secretary of the Pontiac Riverview Chau-
tauqua Association, \\hich is to-day one of
the most successful organizations of the kind
in the west, financially and otherwise, and
he is also a trustee of the Illinois Wesleyan
L"niversity at Bloomington, and also trustee
of tJie brjard of finance for the same institu-
tifMi. ^\'ith such ancestry it is not strange
that the Doctor takes a very active and
prominent ]jart in church work and has al-
ways been willing lo cimlribute his share to
any enter])rise for the ])ul)lic good, lie is
one of the leading and influential members
of tlie Methodist Episcopal church of Ponti-
ac, and is now the oldest member of its ofifi-
cial board in point of continuous service,
having held some office for the past twenty-
two years. After serving eight years as su-
j)erintendent of the Sunday school, he re-
signed that position to become superintend-
ent of the primary de])artment, which has de-
veloped ra])i(lly during the seven vears he
has been in charge, the enrollment at pres-
ent being two hnndrt'il and fiftv. He was

also secretary of the Livingston county
Sunday School Association seven years;
was chairman nf the executive committee
a num])er of }ears: \ice-president of the
lliird Illinois district, and has been chairman
of the finance committee a number of years.
At the age of thirteen he was elected sec-
retary of the Sunday school, which he at-
tended, and has since been officially con-
nected with Suiula\' schonl work, lie was
a lay delegate to the general conference of
the MetlKxIist Episcopal church, at Cleve-
land, in 1896. and at Chicago, in May, 1900,
and for fnur years was president of the Lay
As.sociatiini of the central Illinois conference.
He is also editor of the Pontiac Methodist,
with which he has been connected from its
bcginnnig. in 1896. .-\s a physician he
ranks among the ablest, and as a citizen he
stands deservedly high in public esteem, be-
ing honored -and respected by all who know
him.

ACSTIX GIBBONS.

Austin (lihliiiiis. nf Dwighl. was Imni in
ci unty Mayn. IroJaiici. Jamiar\- 3. 1S46. a
^on iif I'liih]) .lud iiriilget (McDonald)
(iil)bons. also natives of that countv'. The
father was born December 10, 1819, and
continued to make his home in county Mayo
until his emigration to .\merica in March,
1851. I'cir three years the family made their
hnme in New \'ork state and in 1854 came
ti' lllinnis. locating first in Kendall county
and removing to Livingston county in 1865.
Here the father purchased a half-section of
lr;nd in Nevada township, which he operated
eighteen years, and tiien moved to Chicago,
where he has since made his home. He is
highly respected and esteemed and is a de-

THE UIUGRAI'HICAL RECORD.

vout member of the Catliolic church, to
\vhich his wife also belonged. Slie (bed in
the fall of i8q9, at the age of eighty years.
In their family were nine children, all of
whom are still li\-ing, namely: Mary, a
resident of Chicago; Austin, our subject:
Margaret, widow of Denslow Marsh and a
resident of Pittsburg, Kansas; Ellen, of
Chicago; John, of Barton county, Missouri;
I'hilip, Jane, Sarah and Thnmas, all of Chi-
cago.

Our subject was only four years old
when brought to this country by his parents
and his education was begun in Xew York
state, though the greater jxirt of it was ob-
tained in the schools of Kemhill county, Il-
linois. At the age of twenty-two lie started
out in life for himself by learning the trade
of bridge builder antl carpenter, which he
followetl twehe years. During this time he
made his home in Ne\ada township, Li\-
ingston county, and on retiring from that
business, in 1877. he engaged in farming on
section J. that townshi]). where he purchased
eighty acres of land. To this he added one
Innulred and sixtv acres in 1896, making a
tine farm of two hundred and forty acres,
which he placed under a high state of cul-
tivation. In connection with general farm-
ing he always gave considerable attention to
stock raising, his specialty being Xornian
liorses.

In i8gT Mr. (jibbt)ns commenced buying
grain for Edmund Mezger. of Dwight, and
continued in his employ until that gentleman
failed in business in March. 1898. when he
entered the employ of William Rope, who
then took the elevator, remaining witii him
until the fall of 1899. when Mr. Tope sold
out to Merritt Brothers, of Dwight. by whom
Mr. (iibbons has been retained as manager
of the ele\ator. That fall he built a pleas-

ant residence at the corner of W'aupansie
and North Clinton streets, Dwight, and in
the spring of 1900 t(X)k un his residence
there, having remained on his farm up to
that time.

On the 6th of January, 1878, Mr. Gib-
bons married Miss Margaret Kane, a native
of Wisconsin and a daughter of Robert and
Ann Kane, of that state, where her father
died a number of years ago. Her mother
met her de:ith in the tornado at St. Paul,
Minnesota, in 1893. Mrs. Gibbons was their
only child. Our subject and his wife have
a family of fi\'e children : Nellie, now the
wife of William Neville, a farmer of Good
barm townshii), ( lrund\- county. Illinois, by
whom she has one child. Frank; bVank. son
of our subject and his father's assistant in
the grain business in Dwight ; and Annie,
I'bili]) and Sar;di. students in the public
schools of Dwight.

Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. (iilibons
are members of the Catholic church of
Dwight. He has always been a stanch sup-
porter of the men and measures of the Dem-
ocratic party and taken an active and promi-
nent ])art in local politics for a number of
Acars. He was assessor of Nevada town-
shi]) in 1 87 1 and 1872 and served as super-
visor of that townshi]) for more than twenty
vears. which oHice he tilled continuously un-
til the s])ring of 1900. when, owing to his
removal to Dwight, the township was forced
to seek another rejjresentative. His long
retention in office plainly indicates his effi-
cient service and the c<inhdence and trust
rejiosed in him by his fellow citizens. He
was ch;iirm;m of the board in 1897 and 1898
and was one of the s]>ecial committee to
oversee the building of the county house,
which was built during his term at a cost
of se\entv five thousantl dollars. He was

THK BIOCRAPHTCAL RECORD.

cliairman of the l)i>anl of e<|ualizati()n for
sixteen consecutixe years and served on
most of the committees, especially the more
important ones. He was school treasurer
for ten years ])rior to his removal to Dwig^ht
and the cause of education always found in,
him a taitlitul friend. In iSi)_' he was the
Democratic candidate from his district for
nieml>er of the state board of ec|ualizatii)n
and althoueii he failed of election he suc-
ceeded in reducinj^ tiie usual Republican ma-
jority from t\\enty-fi\e hundred to five hun-
dred, a fact which testifies strinigly as to
liis ])ersonal jxvpularity. .\t jiresent writ-
ing he is the Jioniinee of his party from the
twentieth district as a member of the legis-
lature. No man in iiis conimuiu'ty is luore
highl}' respected or esteemed, and he has
been called upon to settle a number of es-
tates in Livingston. Will and (irundy coun-
ties, and is now in charge of three estates
as executor and administrator.

S. 11, rcJTTER. 1). I). S.

S. H. Potter. 1). D. S., a i)rominent and
successful dentist of Dwight. Illinois, was
born on the 7th of July. 1S74. in Sheldon.
Iro(|uois county, this state, and is a son of
M. G. and Maliala (Griswold) Potter, na-
tives of New \'ork state and ])ioneers of Iro-
(|Uois countx'. Illinois. In earlv life the fa-
ther engaged in farming and as a progressive
and cnter))rising agriculturist he met with
marked success, becoming owner of some
li\c hundred acres of valuable land in that
ci>unty. Having secured a handsome prop-
erty he move<l to Sheldon, in 1881. and has
since lived a retire<l life, enjoying the fruits
of former toil. In his family were ten chil-
dren, nine of whoiu are still living.

Of this family Dr. Potter is ninth in
order of birth. He received his literary ed-
ucation in the public schools of Sheldon and
was graduated from the high school of that
lilace. In 1893 he entered the Northwestern
Dental College, of Chicago, where be pur-
sued the re.gular course and was graduated
in April. 1896, with the degree of D. D. S.
That .same month he came to Dwight and
opened an otitice. Although he met with
strong opposition from his competitors, he
was not discouraged, and. as his skill and
ability were soon widely recognized, he was
not k)ng in building up the excellent practice
w hich he now^ enjoys. He is especially pro-
ficient in bridge and crown work aufl has met
with remarkable success. His younger
brother. lulgar C, was graduated at the
Northwestern Dental College, May i, 1900,
and is now engaged in practice with our sub-
ject, under the firm name of Potter Brothers.
Politically, the Doctor is identified with
the Republican party, and socially, affiliated
with Hebron Lodge, No. 176, K. P., of
Dwight.

JOHN (J. JOIIXSOX.

John Q. Johnson, whose home is on sec-
tion jg, Ksmen township, has been identified
with the agricultural interests of Livingston
comity since Jul}'. 1857, and has borne an
acli\e part in its development and progress.
He comes from across the sea, for be was
born in Norway, November i, 1835, and is
a son of John and Martha (Iverson) John-
son, who spent their entire li\cs as farming
))eoi)le in that countr\-. The father was four
times married, and our subject is the young-
est of the five children, two sons and three
daughters, born of the second union. He

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and a sister are now tlie only survivors. He
was reared on a farm antl had fair common
sciiool advantages. His I<no\vledge of tlie
English language has all lieen ohtaincd
through his own etYorts since his emigra-
tion to America.

Before leaving Norway, Mr. Johnson
was married, in A]iril, 1856. to Miss Caro-
line Mitchell, also a native of that country,
and the following year they came to tiie new-
world, taking passage on a sailing vessel at
Stovanger and reaching Quehec, Canad.i.
after a voyage of six weeks. They crossed
the lakes to Chicago and proceeded at once
to La Salle county, this state, where friends
from Xorwa\- had previously located. Soon
afterward they came to Livingston county
and located in the town of Amity, where they
made their home while Mr. Johnson worked
by the day or month as a farm hand four or
five years. He next rented land, and in 1864
bought eighty acres of the farm in Esmen
township, where he now resides. At that
time it was wild prairie with no improx-e-
ments, but he built thereon a small house
and soon placed the land under excellent cul-
tivation, lie has since purchased an ad-
joining eighty-acre tract, and the whole has
been con\erted into a well-improved farm.
He has tiled and fenced the land, has erected
a good residence and substantial outbuild-
ings, and has set out fruit and shade trees.
In 1893 he bought another i)lace of forty
acres on section 29, Esmen townshi]). where
he now li\es, and he has since made m.iny
improvements upon that farm.

To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born
seven children, namely : Isaliel and Martha,
twins, the former of whom died at the age
of seven years, the latter now the wife of
James Street, of Hamilton county, Iowa;
Mitchell, who is married and engaged in

farming in Minnesota; John, who is married
anil assists in the o]3eration of his father's
farms; Dora, wife of Olixer Ilenderocker,
of Hamilton coimtv, Iowa; Isabel, wife of
James Jacobson, a farmer of South Dakota,
and Theodore, who died at the age of three
years.

.Since casting his first presidential vote
for .\braham Lincoln, in 1864, Mr. John-
son has been an ardent Repul)Iican in politics,
anil has eiven his support to every enter-
])rise which he belie\ed would i)ro\e of pub-
lic benefit. I le served one year as road com-
missioner and was a member of the school
board three vears. but has never sought
official honors. Religiously, both he and his
wife are members of the Lutlieran church
and are highly respected and esteemed by
all who know them.

GEORGE SKIXXER.

The deserved reward of a well-spent life
is an honored retirement from business in
which to enjoy tlie fruits of former toil.
To-dav. after a useful and beneficial career,
?\lr. Skinner is (|uiotly li\ing at his be:uuifnl
home in I'ontiac, surrounded by the comfort
that earnest labor has brought him.

Mr. Skinner was born in Troy. Ohio.
December 5, 1822, a son of Jose])h .M. and
Lydia (Stillwell) Skinner. His paternal
grandfather was George Skinner, a Revolu-
tionary soldier, who was born in b'ranklin
countv. I'ennsylvani.i. in May, 1761, and
there was married, .Se])tember 2^. 1789, to
.Susanna I'reeman. wli<i was I)orn in A])ril,
17:^9. At an earl\- dav they tloated down
the Ohio river to Cincinnati, and located

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1)11 a farm of one liundred and sixty acres
near Milford. Ohio, one mile from Camp
Dennisiin. which ])lace is still in possession
of tlie family. There the grandfather died
in 1853, his wife in 1849.

Joseph M. Skinner, father of uur sul)-
ject. was horn in Franklin county. Pennsyl-
vania. January 25. 1795, and accompanied
his i)arents on their removal to Ohio, where
he grew to manhood, remaining at home
until he attained his majority. On the 27th
of September, 1820, he married Lydia Still-
well, who was born in Xew Jersey, January
24, 1792. As a young man he built many
mills in the unbroken forests of Ohio. On
leaving the parental roof, he went to Troy,
that state, and entered a general mercantile
store, later becoming a leading merchant and
])ri 'niinent business man of that section. He
engaged in jjork jjacking through the winter
months and also shipped produce quite ex-
tensively down the Miami. Ohio and ^lis-
sissii)])i rivers to New Orleans. At that
time it re(|uired three months to go to New
^Lirk. buy goods and convey them to his
store, as the trip had to be made with horses.
\'ahie of money was unstable and postage
on a letter amounted to twentv-five cents.
Mr. Skinner (jwned the first freight boat at
Tmy. which ])ripved of great benefit to the
township, and he was extensively engaged
in the freighting business for some years.
Later he owned and conducted a l)ranch store
at Covington, Ohio, and when the canal was
completed engaged in the commission and
shi])]>ing Inisiness. owning and running Ijoats
on the canal, while he left his ])artner in
charge of the store at Troy. General Har-
rison was present at the opening of the canal,
and our subject well remembers that import-
ant occasion. The father had served in the
war <if 1812 under that general, was a strong

\\'hig and anti-slavery man, but never an
office seeker. For many years he was an
elder in the Presbyterian church and also a
Mason, but during the Morgan trouble, he
was forced, bv iniblic o])inion of the church,
to withdraw from the order. He died Sep-
teniber 12, 1869, and his wife passed away
December 19, i860.

Our subject was educated in a subscrip-
tion school at Troy, and during his youth
assisted in his father's store. Later he com-
menced to learn the tanner's trade at Cov-
ington, Ohio, where he remained one year.
Later, Mr. McCorkle, the leading tanner of
Troy, dying, he took charge of the business,
his father being administrator of the estate.
In 1 85 1 he went to Louisville, Kentucky,
where he was engaged in the ice business,
Ijeing the first man to bring northern ice into
that citv. This he .shipped down the Ohio
river. He was living there during the great
American, or "Knownothing" mob, of 1856,
but that summer he was forced to give up his
business on account of failing health, and
came to Livingstf)n county, Illinois. He
purchased two hundred and ten acres of
land in Odell township, near the station of
Cayuga, and in the spring of 1857 brought
his family to their new home. They often
traveled ten or fifteen miles without seeing
a single habitation of any sort, and wolves
were still (|uite numerous in this region.
Mr. Skinner's land was still in its primitive
condition when he located thereon, but he
soon bnike and tiled it, and erected good
and substantial buildings, making it one of
the most desirable farms of its size in the
county. Though he still owns the i)lace, he
has made his home in Pontiac for the past
twelve years, and has a fine brick residence
here, which is sup])licil with many comforts
and luxuries. In connection with general

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

farming lie always engaged in stock raising,
and while living in the country served as
school director, but would ne\-er accept po-
litical positions.

In the fall of 1862 ]\[r. Skinner returncvl
to his old home in Trov, Ohio, where he re-
mained two years. As a young man he
iiad lieen a menil)er of the La Fayette Blues
of that place, an infantry company that
drilled all over the state, and in May, 1864,
lie joined the Home (iuards as a member of
Company K, One llundred and Forty-sex-
enth Ohio Infantry. They first went to
Camp Dennison, Ohio, and from there to
l'"ort Morrisy, Washington, D. C, where
they were stationed at the attack oi General
Ewell, the last attempt of the rebels to cap-
ture the capital. Mr. Skinner remained
there until the close of his term of eunlist-
nient and was mustered out at Camp Denni-
son.

On the iJth of April, 1849, Mr. Skin-
ner was united in marriage with Miss Eliza-
eth Shafer, who was born November 15,
1829, a daughter of Eckert and Rachel
(Smith) Shafer. Her father was born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, December
29, 1804, a son of George and Barbara
Shafer, and was reared in Earl towaiship,
Lancaster county, between that city and
Philadelphia. His father was of German
descent and a soldier of the Revolutionary
war. Mrs. Skinner's mother was born at
New Holland, Pennsylvania, March 25,
1809, a daughter of Edward Smith. After
following farming in his native state for sev-
eral years Eckert Shafer left there in the
spring of 1847, accompanied by his wife
and six children, and moved to Troy, Ohio,
by way of the canal and Ohio river. He
bought a farm two miles from Troy, where
his wife died March 7, 1854. Later he came

to Livingston county, Illinois, and purchased
land in Ivsmen township, to the iniprovemtn
and cultivation of which he devoted his en-
ergies until after his children were all mar-
ried, lie then made his home with his eld-
est child, Mrs. Skinner, dying there Decem-
ber 13, 1882.

]\Ir. and Mrs. Skinner have a family of
nine children, namely: Loretta, wife of John
J. Pfau, of Odell; Clara L., wife of Joseph
French, of Indiana, by whom she has one
daughter, lulna May; Elias Freeman, now
a resident of Missouri; Rachel L., who mar-
ried James Jones, of Streator, Illinois, and
they have three children; ]\Iartha L., who
married J. W. Adams, traveling passenger
agent for the Vanderbilt lines, and a resi-
dent of San Francisco, and they have four
children, Nona L., Nina L., George J. and
Harry \'. ; Eckert, aLso a resident of Cali-
fornia; Joseph Morris, who married Minnie
Streator, has one child, Irma, and operates
the home farm near Cayuga; Luella and
Emma L., at home.

Both our subject and his wife are active
members of the Presbyterian church. He
assisted in organizing the church at Cayuga,
and was one of the leading contributors to
the erection of the house of worship there.
He also served as elder of the church at
Louisxille, Kentucky, and has lilled that of-
fice e\er since in different societies with
which he has been connected. He was most
of the time superintendent of the Sunday
school during his residence at Cayuga, and
has never missed in his attendance at Sun-
day school or church since coming to Pon-
tiac. His life has been exemplary in all re-
spects, and it is safe to say that no man in
his community is held in higher regard or is
more deserving the respect and esteem of his
fellow men than George Skinner. He has

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

liecn an active worker iDr tlie Reiniljlican
])arty and its ])rinciples. Imt has ne\er Ijeen
an aspirant {'<v ofilice.

]()HX Kl'LL

It is astdnisliing to witness tlie success
of men wlio liavc emigrated to America
witliout capital and from a position of com-
l)arative ohscnrit\' li;i\ e worked their way uji-
ward to a position of prominence. The read-
iness witli which they adapt tliemselves to
circumstances and take advantage of op-
portunities offered l)rings to them success
and wins them a place among the leading
husiness men of the comnumity in which
they reside. \o better illuslratinn of this
can he found than in the life of John KuU.
the well known pro])rietor of the Pontiac
Steam Mill and manager of a meal and feed
store on the .\lton Kailmad and Water
street. Pontiac, of which place he has been a
resident since October i i, 1894.

Mr. Kull was born in Xiederlenz. Canton
Argau. northeastern Switzerland. October 5.
1834, a son of John Kull, a baker by trade,
who sijent his entire life there. Our subject
attended school there, but the times being
hard he commenced work at the early age of
nine years with the ho])e of being of some as-
sistance to his ])arents. lie entered the s])in-
ning room of a cotton factory, where he
worked from si.x in the morning until nine
at night, with only an hour each day for
dinner, and received only the eipiivalent to
(sne dollar per month in our money. W'iieu
all tired out with the day's work he had to
walk a distance of three miles to his home
before getting liis supper. In the winter
he jnit in six hours of school work each day

iluring the si.\ years sjjent in the cotton fac-
tory. .\t the end of that time he began serv-
ing a three-years apjirenticeship to the mil-
ler's trade with his uncle, and while thus
employed received only his board and clothes
in com]iensation for his labor, but he thor-
ough! v learned the business and at the age of
eighteen had a good trade, having pas.sed the
examination and received his papers.

\\'ishing to see more of the country Mr.
Kull tniveled over Switzerland and Ger-
many, working in mills in all of the import-
ant cities of tiiose countries. He also spent
some time in F"rance and learned to handle
and put together the French burrs, this be-
ing an imi)ortant ])arl of his trade. By
working in so many ditTerent mills he gained
a varied knowledge of the methods in use
and became an ex])ert miller. Kclurning to
Basal. Switzerland, one of the largest cities
of his native land, he served as head miller
in its largest mill for three years to the en-
lire satisfaction of the owners.

In April. iSf)/. Mr. Kull came to the
L'nited Slates, landing in Xew "\'ork after
a fifteen-days voyage in a steamer with an
excellent knowledge of a good trade, but
unable to s])eak a word of luiglish. Coming
directly to Highland. Illinois, he served as
miller there for a time, and then went to
Pocahontas, Illinois, where he was similarly
ein])loye<l for three years. He then removed
to Greenville, Pmone county, Illinois, and
took charge of a mill for J. 1^. Walls, an
I'jiglish gentleman, who wanted ii first-
class, practical miller. All of the employees
of the mill being .\mericans but liimself. he
le.irneil the I'.nglish language more readily
than had ever before been necessary, and
this has since been of great advantage to
him. I'rom Cireenville he went to Litch-
lield. lllini'is. ami other places throughout

THE JJIUGRAI'HICAL RECORD.

tliis state, and also \ari(nis ])laccs in eastern,
sciutlnvestern and nnrtlnvestern Missouri.
Suhse(|uentl\- lie liad charofc of some of the
best mills in Kansas. On the 1 st of Octo-
her. 1N94. lie came to I'ontiac, Illinois, to
take charg-e of the Pontiac Steam Mill fur 1-".
E. Wuerjiel & Com])any. of St. I.onis. and
in March, i^<.)~. purchased the mill, which
he h.'is since successfully conducted un his
own account, having- l)uilt up a .good husi-
ness. He has the leading custom trade of
the city, receiving the patronage of all the
extensive farmers of this section of the comi-
ty who ha\e grain to grind. He is also gen-
eral agent for the Jersey Lily fluur. m;ide hv
Jenni.sou lirothers & dimpany, of janesxille,
Minnesota, and has huilt up a line whole-
sale and retail trade, as the llcjur is of a su-
perior t|uality and gives excellent satisfac-
tion. As a wholesale dealer he sells in car-
load lots. In the spring of 1900 he equipped
his mill with electric motors aufl now very
successfully uses electricty for his motive
power. He w;is the first nuller in this part of
the county to adopt it ;nid this sliows the
characteristic enterpri.se of the man. While
by nature conservative, he is yet readv to
ado])t new ideas in his business and kee]) in
the front.

On the iSth of June, 1867, in Pocahon-
tas, Illinois, Mr. Kull married Miss Karo-
line Bornhauser, who was born in Wein-
feldeu. Canton Thurgau, Switzerland, and
who came to this country on the same ves-
sel with him, joining her father, Jacob
Bornhauser, a cabinetmaker by tr.nde, who
crossed the .\tlantic in [H<>6. By this union
has l)eeu born one daughter. Carrie. Mr.
Kull and his wife are both earnest members
vi the Presbyterian church and he is a
Democrat in politics. He is enterprising
and progressive and gives his support to any

object he believes will prove of jniltlic bene-
fit. He was one of the men who felt the-
need of a britlge at N'enuillion street. lie
got up the ])etition and secured a subscrip-
tion of nine hundred dollars from citizens
;nid also a good one from the Chicago &
.\lton Railroad Company. With such a
backing the council passed the ordinance and
appropriated twenty-li\e hundreil dollars to
the enteri)rise, while the board of super\-isors
gave one thousand dollars. So Mr. Kull
was realley the founder of the bridge, which
is a great imiiro\-ement to the western part
of the city. Its need was long felt, hut it
re(|uired an active and energetic man like
.Mr. Knll to carry the enterprise through
successfulh'.

W II.Hi;i..M BISCHOFF.

\\ ilhelm BischolT, an industrious and en-
terprising agriculturist residing on section
14, .\\'oca township, Li\'ingston count\', is a
nati\e of Illinois, his birth having occurred
in Towanda townshi]). McLean county. I'eb-
ruary 5, 1862. I lis parents, Ludwig and
Mary ( .Mlendortl) BischofF, were both na-
ti\ es of ( iermany and came to .\merica when
voung, about 1850. Their marriage was
celebrated in lilooiuington, Illinois, and in
the \icinity of Towanda, McLean county,
thev began their domestic life up(»n a farm
which Mr. Bi.schott had rented. They re-
mained residents of that count}' utUil coming
to Livingston count\- in 1870, when they
hicated on the farm now occujjied by our
subject. The father ))urcliased the property
and at once began to clear away the timber
and break the land, having ])reviously erected
a small house suitable for a home for the
family. He died in 1893, having- survived

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his wife several years, her death occurring in
1894. Both were consistent members of
the Lutheran cliurch, and lie was a Repub-
lican in politics and an artlent worker for
the party. In their family were five chil-
dren, two sons and three daughters, but two
tlied in childhood, ^^'ilhelm, our subject,
is the oldest of those who reached maturity ;
Matilda is now the wife of Richard Mor-
ton, who lives south of Fairbury ; and Al-
vena married F. Burley. of Pleasant Ridge
township, and died in 1889.

W'ilhelm Bischoff came with the family
to Livingston county and upon the home
farm he grew to manhood, his education be-
ing acquired in the district schools of Avoca
township. He early became familiar with
the duties which fall to the lot of the agri-
culturist and has never left the homestead,
but carried on farming successfully with his
father imtil the latter's death, since which
time he has had entire charge of the place,
consisting of one hundred and twenty acres
of good land, nearly forty of wliich are
covered with timber, while the remainder is
under a high state of cultivation. He has
added, by purchase, an eighty-acre tract,
giving him a farm of two hundred acres.
He is a thrifty and energetic farmer, and by
these means has made a success of his labors.
He raises hops for the Chicago market and
in all his undertakings has steadily pros-
j)ered.

In 1891) Mr. Bischoff was united in
marriage with Miss Mary ]•'. Funk, who was
burn August 22, 1869. in .Morton, Illinois,
and daughter of John and Christian Funk.
Her parents, dying when she was an infant,
left her in care nf relatives, with whom
slie made her home until reaching woman-
hofxl. She has a sister. Mrs. Christina Lu-
cas, who resides in Stonington, Illinois. !Mr.

and Mrs. Bischoff have four children: Clar-
ence L., Ethel Mae, Lester E. and Irving F.,
all attending the district school with ex-
ception of the youngest. The parents are
active members and liberal supporters of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Bis-
choff is also a member of the Modern Wood-
men Camp of Fairbury and the Court of
Honor, in which later his wife is a meml)er.
He has always been a stanch supporter of the
Republican party, but would never accept
office or hold any public position, preferring
that they should be given to men whom he
considers more worthy of them. He is,
however, public spirited and progressive and
gives his support to those measures which he
believes will prove of public benefit.

JAMES A. CALDWELL.

I'rominent aniong the enterprising, ener-
getic and progressive business men of Ponti-
ac, Illinois, is the subject of this sketch, who
is now devoting his time and attention to
the real estate, insurance and abstract busi-
ness. He was born in Charleston, West
Virginia, March 22, 1831, a son of Joseph
and ]Mary Ann (.Adams) Caldwell.

Joseph Caldwell, the progenitor of the
family in the United States, emigrated
with his family from Derry, Ireland, m
1769, and settled in Sherman's Valley.
Perry county, Pennsylvania. He was of
Scotch descent. About 1780 lie moved
farther west, locating on Sewickley creek,
Pennsyhania. He had five children, of
whom Joseph, the eldest, was the great-
grandfather of our subject. The grandfa-
ther was James Caldwell, who was born in
Ireland. February 21, 1759, and was about

J. A. CALDWELL

THE BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.

ten years of age when brouglit to America.
He married Sarah Byram, who was born
1 ebruary 13, 1763, and was the eldest cliild
of Edward Byrani. At an early day her
father moved with his familv to the neigh-
borhood of Fort Pitt, now Pittsburg, Penn-
sylvania, and on the 7th of .\pril, 1779, dur-
ing the Revolutionary wai% he and one
daughter were captured b}' the Indians and
taken to Canada, where they remained in
captivity for a year. The child was allowed
to ride with the Indians cui horseback a
part of the way, but Mr. Byram was com-
pelled to walk. In 1780 they were taken to
Montreal and later to Quebec, being in prison
a'- both places, and finally, in the spring of
1 78 1, were transferred by boat with other
English prisoners throug'h Pake Cham-
plain and Lake George, then down the Hud-
sr n river and on to Morristown, Xew Jersey,
— their old Iiome.

The Byram family is traced back to
Nicholas Byram. son of a gentleman of
prominence in Kent county. England. He
was borir in 1610, and as a Ixjy was sent
ir. charge of an agent to a remote school,
but the agent took his gold and placed the
boy on board a ship to the West Indies,
where he was sold to pay his passage. Se-
creted in his clothes was some gold given
him by his mother and with this he came
to Massachusetts Bay in 1633 or 1634. He
settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Ed-
ward B}ram, previously mentioned, was
descended from John and Priscilla Alden
in the fifth generation. For a more extended
history of this family see the book entitled
"Abby Byram and her Father, the Indian
Captives," published at Ottumwa. Iowa, in
1898.

After his marriage James Caldwell, our
subject's grandfather, became a farmer of

Westmoreland count}', Pennsylvania, where
he spent his life, dying there Jul}' 11, 1847.
His wife passed away prior to 1833, He
was a zealous Christian, strong and positive
in his belief, and served as elder of the Se-
■\\ickley Presbyterian church for some years.
I\Iost of his sons adhered to that faith and
the father of our subject was educated for
the Presbyterian ministry. He was born
in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in
1786, and was a student at the college in
Cannonsburg, that state, — the oldest college
west of the mountains. In early manhood
Ik removed to Charleston, West Virginia,
where he embarked in merchandising, and
became one of the most prominent and suc-
cessful business men of the jjlace. He mar-
ried ;Miss Mary Ann Adams, who was teach-
ing school in Tennessee at that time. She was
a nati\'e of Weston, Massachusetts, and a
granddaughter of Ali)heus Bigelow, who as
a Re\olutionary soldier particii)ated in the
battle of Concord. On both sides she was
descended from okl Xew England families.
She was born in 181 1 and died in 1890, hav-
ing long survived her husband, who died at
Charleston in 1848. Of their eig'ht children
who reached years of maturity our suljject
i."- the oldest.

James A. Caldwell was about eighteen
years of age at the time of his father's death ;
he received a good academic educatidU in his
native city and began his business career as
clerk in a drug store at Charleston, West
\'irginia. where he continued to make his
h.ome until 1865, covering the period of the
Civil war. There he engaged in business for
liimself for a time. He lirst married, in
i860. Miss Jennie Harvey, of Springfield,
Ohio, a daughter of Captain John Harvey,
but she died in 1873, leaviup- two children,
one of whom, Jennie, is stillliving.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In July. iSf)5. Mr. Caldwell came t'
l\»ntiac. Illinois, and enibarkeil in the drug
busincs,-; on W'e.'^t Madison street in part-
nership with John A. Fellows, under the
tirni name of Fellows & Caldwell. They
continued in business tog-ether tor some
years and were finally succeeded by the firm
ol Caldwell & Mctiregor. who for twenty-
five years carried on a most successful busi-
ness, theirs being by far the oldest drug store
or business firm in the city. To their stock
of drugs and books they later added jewelry
and built up a good trade in that line. They
built the block on the northeast corner oi
Mill and Madison streets, then the finest
Inisiness block in the city, and also bought
the oj)|)osite corner, and after selling the
front i)art improved the remainder of the
property. In 1895 the partnership was dis-
solved and Mr. Caldwell retired from the
drug trade. For about eigliteen months he
conducted a grocery store, and since dis-
posing of that has successfully engaged in
the insurance and real estate business, hand-
ling property for others as well as himself.
After the dissolution of the firm of Fellows
& Caldwell he bought lots 4 and 5 at the
corner of Madison and Plum streets, which
he subdivided into three business lots and
sold to different parties. Ab(5ut 1880. in
partnership with Mr. McGregor, be bought
twentv feet front on the corner where the
Sterry l>lock now stands and sold it after-
ward to C. \V. Sterry. At the time of pur-
chase it was covered with a two-storv busi-
ness house. Mr. Caldwell still owns six resi-
dences in the citv and has a nice home at
the corner of Mill and Grove streets.

In September. 1874. Mr. Caldwell was
again married, his second union being with
i^Irs. Lovina Hill, of Ponfiac. a daughter of
G. E. Tibbets, who caiue here in 1866 from

Maine, which was the birthplace of Mrs.
Caldwell. They are active members of the
Presbyterian church, in which our subject
is now serving as elder. He has been a
member of the official board many years and
was superintendent of the Sunday school
si:me time. He always supported the Dem-
ocratic party until the campaign of i8g6,
but could not endorse the principles advo-
cateil by the Chicago platform. He has made
an untarnished record and unspotted reputa-
tion as a business man. In all places and
under all circumstances he is loyal to truth,
Inmor and right, justly valuing his own
self-res])ect as infinitely more jireferable than
wealth, fame and position. His success has
been the result of honest. ])ersistent effort
ir the line of honorable and manly dealing.

GEORGE \\'. WOMELDORFF.

George W. W'omeldorfT. one of the high-
ly respected citizens and successful farmers
of Ep])ar(ls Point township, residing on sec-
tion 33. is a native of Illinois, born near
Trcmont, Tazewell county, February 22,
1846. His father, Daniel ^\'omeldorff, was
born in Gallia county. Ohio, in 1804, and
there married Miss Harriet X. Kerr, a na-
tive of the same county and a daughter of
Major John M. Kerr, an officer of the war
of 181J. .\fter his marriage Mr. W'omel-
dorff f(jllowed farming in Ohio until 1844,
when he came to Illinois and settled in Taze-
well county. For about four years he was
engaged in flat-boating down the Mississippi
to Xew (.)rleans, and then turned bis atten-
tion to agricultural pursuits, having pur-
chased a claim in Tazewell c unty. Upon
that ])lace he died in 185 J. Subsequently

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Iiis widow took Iier family l)ack to Ohio,
locating in the old neig-lihorhood in (lalha
county.

There our subject grew to nianhootl antl
attended the common schooLs. On the 2!;th
of March. 1863, at the age of seventeen
years, he joined the boys in l)lue of the Civil
war, enlisting as a jjrivate in Company L,
Seventh Ohio Cavalry, which was assigned
to the Arm\- of the Tennessee, under com-
mand of (iencral Sherman. He particijjated
in the battle of Stone River, the eneaee-
ments of the Atlanta campaign, and then
with his command went to the relief of Gen-
eral Thomas at Xashvillc. Tliev were in
the battle of Franklin and followed Hood
to the Tennessee river. .\t (iravely Springs,
Alabama. .Mr. Womeldorff was severely
wounded, being shdt in the left fore-arm and
left side and receiving a saber thrust in tlie
right leg and a scratch on the right shoulder.
He was sent to a hospital boat at Waterloo
<in the Tennessee river, and fourteen davs
later was taken to Jeffcrsonville, Indiana,
where he remained in the hos])itaI until June
5. 1865, when honorably discharged from the
service, though his wounds did not heal for
nearly a year after his return home.

Mr. \\dmeldorff then attended a select
school for nine nn mths and engaged in farm-
ing in Ohio for a year, but in the fall of 1867
he returned to Tazewell county, Illinois, in
company with his mother, youngest brother
and sister. They dro\e tlie entire distance
and located in Treniont. For eighteen
months our .subject was employed as over-
seer of a farm and in 1869 came to Livings-
ton county, oijerating a rented farm in I'iko
township for three years, while his mother
and sister kept house for him.

In that township Mr. Womeldorff was
married, March 18, 1873, t" ^^'ss Maria C.

Beeks, a native of Pennsylvania and a daugh-
ter of James H. Beeks, who moved to Mar-
shall county, Illinois, in 1853, and later to
Livingston county, but is n.ow a resident of
Arkan.sas City, Kansas. Of the twelve chil-
dren born to Air. and Mj-s. Womeldorff five
died in infancy. Tho.se living are Eula,
wife of John \\'. Farley, of Eppards Point
township: luigene, at home: Delia, wife of
Albert D. Hewitt, of Pontiac: Gilbert, Min-
nie, Ethel and Bertcl, all at home. Mr.
Womeldorff's mother died at his home De-
cember 28, 1898, at the advanced age of
eighty-four years.

JMir two years after his marriage our
suljject continued to engage in farming upon
rented land in Pike townshi]x where he sub-
sequently jnirchased a tract of eighty acres.
This be sold six years later and bought one
liundred acres in the same township, upon
which he also resided six years. On dis-
posing of that property, in 1887, he bought
his present farm of two hundred acres on
section 33, Eppards Point township, to which
he has subsec|uently added a forty-acre tract.
He has made many useful and valuable im-
provements upon the place, and now has one
of the most desirable farms of its size in the
townshi]). Starting out in life for himself
emiity-handed, his career illustrates what can
be accomplished through industry, perse-
\erance, good management and a deternn'na- '
tion to succeed.

While with the army at .\tlanta. Georgia,
ir. 1864, Mr. Womeldorff cast his first pres-
itlential vote for Lincoln and has since been
a stanch supporter of the Republican party.
He has serx'ed bis fellow citizens as supcr-
\isor and is now filling the office of town-
ship trustee. He has al.so been school di-
rector for thirteen years and president of his
district in both Pike and Eppards Point town-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ships. Religiously he ami all his family,
with the exception of the youngest son, are
niemhers of tiie Methodist Episcopal church
at Weston. McLean county, and take an ac-
tive part in church and Sunday school work.
He is a prominent member of the Grand
Army Post at Chenoa, in which he has
served as commander and is now vice-com-
mander. In times of peace as well as in war
he is recognized Jis a most patriotic and
useful citizen, and is held in high regard by
all with whom he comes in contact, either in
business or social life.

LESTER EDWIX KENT.

Lester Edwin Kent, a retired grain deal-
er and a prominent early settler of Pontiac,
was born in Suffield. Hartford county, Con-
necticut, .\ugust 1 8, 1834. a son of Edwin
and Huldah ( lewettj Kent, also natives of
that state, his ancestors being among its
pioneers. The father was of English ex-
traction and of good Revolutionary stock.
He was a farmer of Suffield and a man of
considerable prominence in his community,
serving as selectman and road commissioner.
There bf)th he and his wife died. She was
a consistent memlier of the Baptist church.

Our subject was educated in the common
schools and academy of his native town and
remained at home until he attained his ma-
jority. In 1855 he came west to Chicago,
Illinois, but first located in Kane county,
having a cousin living at Kaneville. where
he spent one year. In the fall of 1856 he
came to Pontiac and entered the employ of
Sidney A. Kent, a grain dealer anfl a very
prominent man, who recently died in Chi-
cago. While with him our subject became

thorougiily familiar with the grain busi-
ness in all its details, and in 1858 jnirchased
the elevator in Pontiac and embarked in the
business on his own account. The elevator
was located on the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road. \\liich was then run bv Go\'ernor Mat-
teson.

At that time grain was brought into Pon-
tiac from distances of twenty or twenty-five
miles, and as the wagons of the farmers
would not hold shelled corn Mr. Kent fur-
nislied them with sacks. The elevators were
often more than full and sacks would be
])iled up elsewhere like cord wood. It was
sometimes impossible to get box cars to ship
the grain and it had to be loaded on flat
cars. Mr. Kent soon became interested in
the grain business in other towns. He en-
larged the elevator at Fairbury, when that
place contained but one small house and
store and before the railroad was liuilt. He
would drive over in the morning and back
again at night. He built the first elevator
at Odell. wlicn it liad but one store, and was
instrumental in building up the town, as
farmers bringing their grain to the elevator
wished to do their trading there. At Odell
the grain was shoveled into the cars at first.
Mr. Kent also built the first elevators at Cay-
uga and Blackstone, this county, where he
also engaged in the lumber business, and
for two years shipped grain from Nevada,
but did not build there. In those days he
was the largest shipper on the Alton road,
and would load full trains at both Pontiac
and Blackstone; the road being short of cars
they would run a train in for him to load
immediately. He kept one man at Ocoya
anil furnished employment to a number of
others mo.st of the time. ^b>st of his grain
was shipped to Chicago. For over twenty-
five vears he continued to be at the head of

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tlie grain ti-adc in this connty and i^MNC liis
attention entirely ti> that husiness. He ad-
vanced money Hlierally to farmers in need
of assistance wlien starting out, and was of
great help to Pontiac in Ijringing trade liere,
as well as to the other towns where he had
ele\'ators.

Mr. Kent was alsf) one of the orij^inal
stockliolders of the I'ontiac National IJank
and served as its vice-president for a nuniher
of years. At one time he owned and i_^>
erated a distillery and was engaged in cat-
tle feeding. He went into the former busi-
ness to assist a man in difficulty, knowing-
nothing of the business, and got into trouble
with the government, as the taxes were not
jjaid, but owing to liis influence and it being
ascertainetl that the delin(|uency was prior
to his taking possession he was soon cleared.
He closed the distillery, but fed cattle for
some years, doing a big business in that line,
ship])ing in cattle from Chicago.

-Mr. Kent married ]\Iiss Antoinette
Graves, of Joliet. and they have one daugh- "
ter, Mary L., wife of Victor Pearre, of Pon-
tiac, by whom she has two children, William
Pay.son and Kent Alden. He attends and
supports the E])iscopal church, of which his
family ai;e members. .About 1865 he pur-
chased a half-block at Xo. 206 Xorth Court,
opposite the park, which propert\- he still
owns and occupies, it ha\ing been impni\ed
by him. In 1894 he retired from active busi-
ness and is now enjoying a well earned rest.

Socially Mr. Kent is a member of Pon-
tiac lodge, No. 294, 1'. iV A. M.. and be-
longs to the chapter, council and St. Paul's
Commandery. all of Fairbury. He has al-
ways affiliated with the l\e])u1)licau jiarty,
casting bis first presidential vote for Fre-
mont in 1856. He served as alderman from
the second ward for four years and was in-

strument.il in getting se\enty-t"i\e car-loads
of stone put into the street from the court
house to the depot and also a sidewalk
around the court house square. Having
shipped so much o\er the Chicago & .Mton
road he got Mr. Chappel to ship the stone
free of freight charges. This stone made an
excellent foinidation for the city streets. He
has taken an active interest in promoting
the welfare of the town and county, en-
couraging and aiding all enterprises tending
to henetit the ]ju])lic. and enjoys in a high
degree the contidence and esteeiu of his fel-
low men.

LEOX.\Rl) Wl'.BFk.

Leonard Weber, a representative agri-
culturist of Pike township, residing on sec-
tion 10, has made his home in Livingston
county since 1869 and has taken an active
part in its de\'elopnient. He was born in
Xew York February 2. 1850. and is a son
of George Weber, who was born in \\'urtem-
burg, Germany, about 1822, and emigrated
to the United States when a young man,
locating near Utica, Xew York, where be
married Sophia Horner, also a native of
W'urtemburg. Her father died in Germany
and she came to America at the same time
as her future husband. In this country Mr.
Weber worked for others and also engaged
in teaming in Xew York for some years,
three of his children having been Iwrn in
that state, but in 1856 he came to Illinois
and first settled in Woodford county, where
he engaged in farming on rented land for
several years. At length he was able to pur-
chase a small place in the southern part of
the county, and on disposing of the same,
in i86y, he bought a farm of one hundred

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and sixty acres in Pike township, Livings-
ton county, whicli at that time was hut sliglit-
ly improved. After operating it for several
years he sold and hough.t another place in
Pike towr.ship. \\liicli he suhsequently dis-
posed of, and now makes his home in Poii-
tiac township, where he owns a valuahle
farm of three hundred and twenty acres.

The suhject of this sketch was a lad of
six years when he came to this state, and in
W'oodfurd and Li\ingston counties he grew
to manhood, his education being acquired in
the inililic schools near his home. He re-
mained with his father until he attained his
majority, and then rented a farm on section
3. Pike township, where he engaged in farm-
ing for about six years. Mr. \\'el>er was
married in this county, April 2, 1878, to
Miss Barbara Fischer, a native of W^oodford
county. Illimiis, and a daughter of Joseph
Fischer, a sulxstantial farmer of Pike town-
ship, Livingston county, who was formerly
a resident of Woodford county and was born
in Germany. Mrs. Weber was reared and
educated in this county. Our subject and
his wife have a family of three children:
Barbara S., Joseph G. and Leonard F., all
a': home.

After his marriage Mr. Weber contin-
ued to engage in farming upon rented land
for about five years. He rented his present
farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sec-
tion 10, Pike townshi]), for two years and
then purchased the place, to the further im-
provement and cultivation of which he bus
since flevf^ted his energies. In his farming
operations he is meeting with marked suc-
cess and the prosperity that has come to him
is certainly justly merited, for it is due en-
tirely to his own unaided efforts and good
management. Politically Mr. Weber is
identified with the Democratic party on na-

tional issues, but at local elections votes for
the men whom he believes best f|ualified to
fill the offices regardless of party lines. For
three years he served as school director, but
has never cared for jxilitical honors. Re-
ligiously both he and his wife are members
of the Evangelical ihunb of Eppards Point.

ED\\ ARD O. REED.

Edward O. Reed, who for several years
has been prominently identified with the
public affairs of Livingston county, and is
now most acceptably serving as county treas-
urer, was born in Bloomington. Illinois, June
12. i860, a son of Captain Henry B. and
Esther (Beck) Reed. The father is a native
of Pennsylvania, born near Pottsville.
Schuylkill county, January 29. 1833, anrl
there grew to manhood and married. In
early life he learned the shoemaker's trade,
which he followed prior to the Civil war.
On coming to Illinois, he settled in Xaper-
ville, later spent a short time in Joliet. and
then moved to Bloomington. In the fall
of i860 he came to Pontiac, where he was
engaged in the shoe business until the follow-
ing spring, when he enlisted in Comjjany D,
Twentieth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, with
which he served until after the battle of
Shiloh. On the field at Fort Donelson, he
was ])romoted for gallant service to the rank
of second lieutenant, and onr subject now
has in his ])ossession a reward of merit is-
sued by Governor '^'ates. His term of en-
listment having ex])ired. Lieutenant Reed
returned home. While being paid off at St,
Louis, the i)aymaster told the government
needed such men as he and suggested that
he see Governor Yates. This he failed to

THE BIOGRAl'llICAL RECORD.

do. lint tlie (idxenuu" sent fur him and askeil
him ti> help recruit tliree companies in tliis
part of the state. He hcii)e(l recruit five,
and again went to the front as cajitain of
Comj)any G, One Hundred and Twentx-
nintli Illinois \'oiunteer Infantrx'. lie was
with Sliernian on the inarch to tlie sea and
remained in the service until the close of the
war. participatins.;' in the grand review at
A\'ashington. District of Columbia. Re-
turning to his liome in I'ontiac. he resumed
the shoe business, which he carried on un-
til ai)])ointed b\- ( io\eruor Oglesby as custo-
dian of memorial hall in the state iiouse at
Si)ringlield. and ser\-ed four years at that
time. Iieing the first in the new hall and at-
tending to t!ie arranging of all the llags,
etc. He pro\ed a most cajialjle oflicial and
was re-ap]joinled by ("i!)\ern(jr {'"ifer. He
is an honored member and commander of T.
Lytle I^ickey Post, (i. A. R., also belongs to
Pontiac Lodge. Xo. 294, F. & A. ]\I., and
both he and his wife are members of the
^Methodist Episco])al church. He is now liv-
ing a retired life in I'ontiac. .\ more ex-
tended mention of this worthy gentleman
may be found on another page of this vol-
ume.

Our subject was educated in the public
schools of I'ontiac, and during his yoiuh
served an api^renticeship to the cigarmaker's
trade, at which he worked until twenty-seven
years of age. when he formed a ])artnershi])
with John C. Riess. luider the firm name of
Reed iJt Riess, ruid started a manufactory of
their own, which they still conduct. They
liave met with marked success in the under-
taking and furnish employment to six or
eight men. Mr. Reed built up the trade as
a traveling man. but the firm now sells their
goods mainly to home consumers, in this
county. He owns a good store building and

a fine residence on South Mill street, where
he makes his home. He was married, De-
cemlier 15. 1897. to Miss Eunice Stott, a
(laughter of John Martin Stott, of Chicago,
and thc\- have one daughter, Esther.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Reed
has been an ardent Republican in jjolitics
and has taken a i)rominent and inlluential
]!art in i)ublic afi^airs. He was serving as
alderman from the third ward when the
water works were put in and the sewer sys-
tem adopted, the city being bonded to jjiit in
the sewers. Before his term expired he was
elected assistant supervisor and was a niem-
l)er of the finance committee that found the
ways and means by which the county could
liuild the new court house, the contract being
let to a contractor pro\iding he would take
the county warrants. It was built at a cost
of sixt}' thousand ilollars ;md is one of the
finest in this section of the state. In the
fall of 1894. before his time as assistant
supervisor expired. Mr. Reed was elected
couiity sherift' and entered upon the duties
of the ofiice in December, that year. That
he filled the position in a most creilital)le and
satisfactory maiuier is shown by bis being
elected county treasurer prior to the exjjira-
tion of his term as sheriti'. taking the ofiice
oi treasurer the ilay he left the odier office.
When the auditing committee of the county
checked u]) his four years as sheriff they
found that the county was sixty dollars in
his debt insteatl of their being deticiencv.
He was a member of the Sheriff's Associa-
tion of the state. He is now supervisor of
assessment of the county, which makes his
position a very large and respoiisible one.
and he handles o\er one hundred and lifly
thousand dollars a year. His official duties
have always been discharged with a fidelity
and promptness worthy of the highest com-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

niendation, and he lias proved a most popular
and efficient officer. Mr. Reed is now, in
1900, cliairman of the Repuhlican central
committee of Livingston county, and the
party organization will, inuler his adminis-
tration, lie kejjt intact, and the lull vote of
the party he polled. Fraternally he is a
member of Pontiac Lodge, Xo. 294. F. & A.
jSI. ; Fairbury Chapter, R. A. M. ; the Council
R. & S. M.' of Gibson City: and St. Paul
Commandery, Xo. 34, K. T., of Fairbury.
He also belongs to a number ni nuitual or-
ders, including the ^lodern Wixxlmen of
America.

MRS. :\IARIA OWEX.

Mrs. Maria Owen, who now lias the dis-
tinction of having been a resident of I'onti-
a-: longer than any other of its citizens, came
here with her husband in 1842. She has
witnessed almost the entire development of
the county, has seen its wild lands trans-
formed into beautiful homes and farms, its
hamlets grow into villages and thriving
towns and all of the interests and evidences
of an advanced civilization introduced.

?klrs. Owen was born January 16, 1812,
in X'ew York, fourteen miles from Lake
Ontario, and is a daughter of Starks and
Esther (Gilbert) Tracy. The father was
a native of Sharon, Xew "^'ork, born .\pril
3, 1778, and an early settler of Oswego cmni-
tv, where lie bought land ])riiir to his mar-
riage and there continued to make his home
througliout life. He was a farmer by oc-
cupatif)n and one of the highly respected
men of his community. His estimable wife
was a member of the Congregational church.
Loth died in Oswego county, Xew ^'ork.
Mrs. Owen's maternal grandfather was

Allen Gilbert, a soldier of the Revolutionary
Wi.r, wlio was severely wounded in the heail
and left for dead on the battle-field, but was
found and cared for until he recovered. At
an early day lie remoxed from Sclioliarie
county, Xew ^'ork, to Oswego county, where
his daugiiter, Mrs. Tracy, was liorn August
-3- '793- He. too, was a farmer and a
jirominent man in his community.

In 1840 Mrs. Owen married Augustins
I*"eHows,who,witii his brother, owned a large
farm in Oswego county, Xew ^'ork, but in
1842 he sf)ld his interest in the same and
])urchased property in Pontiac, Illinois,
whither the family removed in the fall of
that year. 'J"hc tri]) was made bv way of
the great lakes and W'elland canal in a small
])roi)eHer to Chicago, and they lirought with
them all their household effects, which were
comexed from that city to Ottawa, Illinois,
l)y teamsters who were returning to the
latter place, where Mr. Fellows had a sister
living. There teams were hired to convey
the family and their effects to their new home
in Pontiac. A farm of two hundred acres
and a number of town lots belonged to the
estate they had traded for before coming
west, so that they practically owned all of the
jiresent city at that time. There were only
three families living there, and the build-
ings of tiic town consisted of a small frame
house and the coiu't house. Upon the farm,
which adioined the village on the east was
a good two-room log house, with large fire
places in both ro<jms, making it perfectly
comfortable.

Selling his town lots. Mr. Fellows turned
his attention to the improvement and culti-
vation of his farm and met with success in
its operation. On the lot now occupied by
Squire W'oodrow's residence he built the
first large lu'tel in Pontiac in i8_i7. and also

ELIJAH B. OWEN.

^^^r^l

^^^^^B '^Hf^'-N

IS^

.4 fl|H0||^BflBlfl

^^ ^^k^^B- *

MRS. MARIA OWEN.

H)!

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lOI

a large hani. In 1848 they rented the hotel
jiiul that siuiinier returned east on a \-isit,
but in 184Q t<iiik cliarg-e of the i)roperty.
While thus employed Mr. I'ellows ilied of
cholera in the summer of 1849, and two of
their children, aged seven and two years,
respectively, died of the same dread disease.
Having lost their three nther children prinr
to this time, JNIrs. l-'ellows was thus left
alone. For o\-er a year she carried on the
hotel and f;inn. hul found it a \-ery dilficult
task.

In the fall of 1850 she married Nelson
Buck, a surveyor and nurseryman of Bloom-
ington, where he was engaged in business
for some years. For several years they
conducted the hotel and also the farm, and
their place became the leading hostelry in
this section. In those early davs before the
railroad was built dro\-ers often stopped at
their house in large numbers. One man
would come in an hour in ad\'ance of the rest,
saying that tweU'e or fourteen men would
be there for suj^per. Tiiey also had a large
barn for the teams of the manv movers pass-
ing through this part of the state at tliat
time. In the spring of 1854, when the Chi-
cago & Alton Railroad was built, the\'
l:oarded the construction hands and did an
extensive business. .Mrs. Owen has enter-
tained Abraham Lincoln. Judge David
Davis and other illustrious men. Her hus-
band received api)uintment to conduct the
government survey between Kansas and Xe-
l raska. and while thus engaged he and his
party were killed by the Indians in Julv.
1869. Thus she was again left alone with a
hrge pro])ertv to care for, including the
farm, hotel and city lots. Mr. Buck had
th.ree children by his hrst marriage, namelv :
W'illard, a soldier of the Civil war. who is
now living in Wisconsin : Clarissa, deceaseil ;

and Cordelia, widow of William Watson
and a resident of Pontiac.

At intervals Mrs. Owen continued to
conduct her hotel for many years, it being
rente<l in the meantime. She made her
biOme on Water street until 1899, when her
])resent elegant home on North Main street
was built. It is sup])lied with .'ill modern
C(in\-eniences and accessories, including elec-
tric light, hot water, etc., and here, sur-
rounded bv ever\' comfort, she is spending
her declining days, loxed and respected by
all who know' her. Her youngest sister,
.Mar\- (i., was also one of the pioneers of the
countv, locating here alxnit the same time as
Mrs. Owen, and her home was two miles
up the river. Her tirst hu.sband was Mr.
I'.urgelt. her second Mr. I'ricks and her third
]Mr. Winslow. .\fter her last marriage she
lived on a farm two miles from Pontiac, but
spent her last days in the city, dying at the
borne of Mrs. Owen February 16, 1900.

I'or lier third husband our subject mar-
ried l-llijab Owen, who came from near El-
mira, Chemung county. New York, and dur-
ing his active business career engaged in
farming but later lived retired in Pontiac.
rvlr. Buck laid off two additions from her
original farm and Mr. Owen laid off the re-
mainder, the additions being known as
liuck's first and second additions and Owen's
afldition. Her name appears on many of
the deeds of this place. She was one of
the original stockholders of both of the na-
tional banks of Pontiac and has dis|)layed
lemarkable business and executive ability in
the management of her business affairs.
She united with the Presbyterian church in
Pontiac on its organization, and has since
been one of its active and prominent mem-
bers. \\'hen she lirst located here the only
religious services were prayer meetings held

374

C» t ^

I02

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in tlie C(Hirt liouse on Sundays, but as soon
as ilic railroad was built churciies were
erected, and to their erection and support
she has always contributed liberally. She
is a most estimable lady of many sterling-
qualities, and has a large circle of friends in
the citv which has so lone been her In mie.

LOUIS A. XAFFZIGER.

Louis A. Xaft'ziger. the popular cashier
of the Bank of Dwight, has won the envialjle
reputation as a most capable financier and
occupies a position of no little prominence
in connection with the public affairs of the
town. His life demonstrates what may be
accomplished through energy, careful man-
agement, keen foresight, and the utilization
of the powers with which nature has en-
dowed one, and the opportunities with which
the times surround him.

Mr. Xafifziger is proud to claim Illinois
as his native state, his birth occurring in
McLean county, March 31, i860. His fa-
ther. Peter Xafifziger, was born in Darm-
stadt. Germany, March 4. 1831, and there
he remained until reaching his majority,
when he came to America and located first
i:. McLean county on a farm, later went to
Butler county, Ohio, where he worked on a
farm, the ne.xt year removing to Chicago,
where he worked at his trade of baker for a
time. When his parents came to America
he removed with them to Putnam crmnty,
h.tcr removing to McLean county. At the
age of twenty-eight he was married in Mc-
Lean county, llinois. to Miss Catherine
Stuckey, who was born in Hamilton county,
Ohio, August 30, 1840. Her father, Peter

Stuckey, was born in .Switzerland in August,
1799, and died February 2^. i860. In 1824.
he married Elizabetli Sommers, who was
born o\ember 24, 1801, in Alsace-Loraine.
.-Mid in 1830 tliey emigrated to the L'nited
States and located in Butler county, Ohio,
\vhere they resided twenty years. In Octo-
ber, 1850, they removed to McLean county,
Illinois, and took up their residence in Dan-
vers township. Mrs. Stuckey died in 1885
in Pike township, Livingston county.

After his marriage Peter Xafifziger en-
gaged in farming in McLean count\- until
1869, when he came to \\'aldo township,
Livingston county, and purchased a tract
of raw land, which he commenced imme-
diately to improve and cultivate, converting
it into a fine farm, on which he lived for
many years. In 1876 he moved to Wash-
ington, Illinois, where he was engaged in
mercantile business for a few years, and
later followed the same pursuit in Stanford,
Illinois, until 1896, when he went to Slaugh-
ter. East Felician Parish, Louisiana, where
he is now engaged in cotton planting. Of his
four children, Louis A., our subject, is the
oldest; Emile died at the age of nine years,
the result of an accident ; Bertha is the wife
of George L. Riggs.a farmer and stock raiser
of Botna, Iowa, and one son died in infancy.

Christian Xaffziger, the paternal grand-
father of our subject, was born in Darm-
stadt, Germany, January 17, 1803, and came
to this country, locating in Putnam county,
later mf)ving to McLean county, Illinois,
dying there March 8. 1893. His wife, who
bore the maiden name of Barbara Staley,
was born January 22. 1805, and died Feb-
ruary 19, 1898.

Louis A. Xaft'?igcr, our subject, re-
received his ])rimary education in the public
schools of McLean count\', and later at-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

I05

toiiiled tlie liigli scliool of Washington, Illi-
nois, at tiie same time clerking in a cloth-
ing store mornings and evenings, and stead-
ily through the summer months. Leaving
school at the age of sixteen, he continued
to clerk in the clothing store of John Burkey
for one year, and then entered the dry goods
estahlishment of E. E. Hornish as clerk and
bookkeeper, remaining with him in that ca-
pacity for three years. In the spring of
1880 A. G. Dan forth, of the banking tirm
of A. G. Dan forth & Company, of Wash-
ington, Illinois, made Mr. Xaffziger a prop-
osition to enter the bank as bookkeeper and
assistant cashier, which he accepted, remain-
ing with him three years. At the entl of
that time, March 15, 1883, he accepted a po-
sition with David McWilliams of the Bank
of Dwight as bookkeeper and assistant cash-
ier, and in the fall of that _\car. when the
cashier, J. W. Watkins, resigned, he was
appointed to that position, which he has
since so efticiently tilled. In September,
1891, he built his present pleasant home on
the corner of Seminole and Clinton streets,
and besides this property he owns a well
improx'ed farm of one hundreil and sixt_\'
acres in section 2, Broughton township, Liv-
ingston county, and also some western lands.
On the 1st of June, 1882, Mr. XatYziger
was united in marriage with }kliss M. Car-
rie Hukill, of Washington, Tazewell county,
Illinois, wiio was born in McLean county,
a daughter of Jackson and Maria (Kern)
Hukill. Her father was born in I'ayette
ciiunty, Ohio, October 12, 1823. and for a
number of years was a traveling salesman,
representing a school furniture company of
\\'abash, Indiana. In early days he also en-
gaged in mercantile business in Lincoln,
Illinois. He died July 2";. 1893. but his

wife, who was born in Mnunt Pleasant.
Pennsylvania, December 28, 1829, is still
living and continues to make her home in
Washington, Illinois. Their children were
James H., M. Carrie, Ida Belie and Grace.
The last named is deceased. Mr. and Mrs.
Xaffziger ha\e two children : Clara, born
June II, 1883, and Oliver Hukill, born Oc-
tober 29, 1887. The former is attending
the high school, the latter the grammar
schools of Dwight.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Xaffziger are active
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
of which he has been an official member for
ten years, serving as superintendent of the
Sunday school two years; one of the board
of stewards at the present time, and chair-
man of the finance committee of the church.
As a Republican, he has taken an active
and prduiinent jiart in local politics since
attaining his maority, and was secretary of
the Repulilican club of Dwight during th.e
McKinley campaign of 1896. His tirst of-
lice \\as that of village clerk, and he was
afterward appointed \illage treasurer, v.Iiich
l)osition he filled two years. During the
boom of the town a sewerage s}steni, ccist-
ing over twenty-eight thousand dollars, was
put in, and Mr. Xaftziger was ajjpointed C(j1-
lector of special assessment by tl'.o president
of the village board. He was electei.1 trus-
tee of the village aiid served m that capacitv
t\\ o years ; was appointed township treasurer
and held that office six years. In all the re-
lations of life he has been f<iund true to
every trust rei)osed in him. whether public or
jjrivate, and is numbered among the xaluei'
and useful citizens of Dwight. for lie is pre-
eminently public spirited and progressive,
and takes an active interest in the enterprises
tending to public development.

I04

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

AUGUSTUS \\'. COWAX.

Augustus W. Cowan, wiio is now suc-
cessfully engaged in the abstract business
in Pontiac. with office at Xo. io8 \\'est
Washington street, was born near \\"ater-
town, X'ew York. October 14, 1837, a son
of \\'illiani and Emeline (CofYeen) Cowan,
also natives of the Empire state. For some
years the fatlier was engaged in business
as a tinsmith and hardware mercliant, in
W'atertown, l)ut died in Xaples, Xew York,
in 185 1, at about the age of forty-eight
years, our subjects maternal grandparents
were Henry Dale and Delight (Whitney)
Coffeen. Throughout life the former en-
gaged in farming near \\'atertown, in
Jefferson county, X"ew York, and was a
term as sheriff of that county. The
paternal grandparents of our subject
were Andrew and Eupliemia (Kelly)
Cowan, natives of Scotland, who came to
the United States in 1797. and .settled in
Schenectady, Xew York, where they made
their home throughout the remainder of their
lives. On leaving their native land the fol-
lowing testimonials were given them :

"Wegtowx. 25th March, 1797.
"Tliat Andrew Cowan and his wife Eu-
jfliemia Kelly are members of the .\ssociate
Congregation here and now remove from
this country to Xorth America with un-
blemi^licd cliaracters is attested by

TiiEO. Ogil\ie, Minister.

"We. the magistrates of the borough of
Wegtown. Xorth Britain, hereliy certif\' and
declare that the bearer Mr. .\ndrew Cowan
has resided in this borough since his infancy
and has always maintained an unexception-
able character for honesty and .sobriety, and
being about to de])art for Xorth .\merica
with his wife and children, also of gond

character, ought to meet with no molestation
or hindrance, he continuing to behave as
beci>meth.

"Given under oiu- hand and the common
seal of the borough this 25th day of March,
1797 year.

JOIIX X.VTHOM,

(Seal) l.vMES Hemm.\g.

.\lipended by

W'm. \\'. COXXELS,

Town Clerk.
The subject of this .sketch remained in
\\'atertown until eighteen years of age, and
was educated at the Jefferson County Insti-
tute. He came west in 1854 and the follow-
ing year took u]) his residence in Pontiac,
where he clerked in a general store for some
years. He then formed a partnership with
Judge Jonatlian Duff in the banking and
real-estate business, conducting it with such
success that in a few years the firm had
gathered together a considerable fortune. i!>
\ested mainl}- in lands in this section. In
1870 tlie partnership was dissolved. .\1-
though the business relations were discontin-
ued there still remaineil such warm personal
feeling as exists between brothers and the
closest friends, until the Judge's death in

1881. Bound together by ties not only of
personal friendship but that of political affin-
ity and the brotherhood of secret societies,
the two members of the firm were regarded
as almost members of one family, and it
was natural that the living member of the
firm should be deeply affected at the depart-
ure of one he loved so well. Mr. Cowan
continued in the real-estate business until

1882. when he was elected county treasurer
and for four years held tliat office, discharg-
ing its duties in a commendable and satis-
factory manner. Since 1889 he has been
owner of the Livingston couiUy title ab-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

105

stracts and lias devoteil iiis time and attcn-
tiiiu til that luisiness, meeting' with gen id
success.

At Rome, New York, August ji, 1867.
\vas celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cowan
and Miss Mary H. P. Christian, a daughter
of Luther and Margaret (George) Christian,
natives of that state. The mother died in
Rome, in 1868, after which the father lived
Viith our suljject for some time, hut died at
the home of his son in Port Erie, Canada,
in 1871. Throughout his actix'e business
life he engaged in blacksmithing. ]\lr. anil
Mrs. Cowan have one child, Emeline, who
was Ixjrn in Pontiac, in 187.2, and is at home.
The family all attend the Episcopal church,
and Ah". Cowan is connected with Pontiac
Lodge, Xo. 294, F. & A. AI., and the higher
orders of Masonry, belonging to the Com-
mandery at Bloomington. Until 1896 he
always affiliated with the Democratic jjarty,
and besides serving' as county treasurer he
has been called upon to fill several niinor
offices in his township and cit\'. 1 le has
always taken a deep interest in public affairs,
as every true American citizen should, and
gives a heart}- support to those enterprises
which he believes will prove of puljlic benefit.

JOB FARLEY.

Job Farley, deceased, \\as for many
years one of the leading agriculturists of
Eppards Point township, a man honored
and respected wherever known. He was
born in Wiltshire, England, September 16,
1829, and a son of Nias and Mary (Sell-
wood) Farley, both natives of the southern
part of England. They lived as farming

p/cople in that country throughout their en-
tire lives, both dying at about the age of
sixty-five years.

Our cubject was reared and educated at
the place of his birth, and before coming to
.America he was a meinlier of the London
police force two years, and the force at
Shaft.sbury one year. It was in 1859 that he
crossed the board .Atlantic and came at once
to Illinois, settling first near Oneida, Knox
county, where he commenced farming, an
occupation lie continued to follow until life's
labors were ended. After seven years spent
in Knox county, he removed to Henry coun-
ty, where fifteen years were passed, and in
1883 came to Livingston county, locating 011
section 28, Eppards Point township. In
1875 he purchased one Imndred and sixty
acres on this section, and in 1882 eightv
acres more, to which he added from time to
time until at his death he was the owner of
five eighty-acre tracts, with the exception
of one acre used ior school purposes, all un-
der a high state of cultivation and a com-
fortable house on each farm. These were
jnirchased and improved with the \'iew of
providing homes for his children.

On the I4tli of April, 1863, in Knox-
ville, Knox county, Illinois, Air. Farley mar-
ried Aliss Elizabeth Walker, a daughter of
James and Alary (Smith) \\'alker, also na-
tives of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, where
lier father, a machinist by trade, died at the
age of thirty-six years when Mrs. Farley was
only eleven years old. Her mother had
died eight years previous. She came to the
L'nited States in 1855, when nineteen years
old, and lived with her uncle and aunt, John
and Alary Else, in Truro township, Knox
county, Illinois, until her marriage. Air.
Else, who was a farmer by occupation, died
in Peoria in 1882, after which his wife maile

io6

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

her home witli Mr. and Mrs. Farley, where
she (lied Fehruary ii, 1900.

(){ ihe seven children horn to our sul)-
jcct and his wife five are still living, namely :
( 1 ) Ida, horn in Knok county, March 27,
1864, is the wife of Edward Folsom, a far-
mer of Eppards Point, and they have one
child, Edith. (2) Onias \V., horn in Kno.x
county, July 3, 1865, married Lizzie
-\rendts, and until recently was engaged in
farming, but is now living in Pontiac.
( 3 ) Mary, horn in Knox county, August 12,
1867, is the wife of Charles Moffett, a far-
mer of Eppards Point township, and they
h.ave three children, Lela Heath, ]\lerton J-
and Harold. (4) Anna S., horn in Henry
county, Maj' 28, 1869, is the wife of Sher-
man Myer, also a farmer of Eppards Point
township, and to them were horn five chil-
dren, three of whom are ncjw living, Maud
M., Glenn and Lee C. (5) John J., born in
Henry county. May 11, 1872, died January
26. 1874. (6) Arthur J., born January 7,
1S74, married Anna Earhardt, and follows
farming in Eppards Point. (7) The young-
est child died in infancy unnamed.

!Mr. Farley died at his home in Jippards
I'oint township, January 9, 1895, ^tter an
illness of about si.x months, though he had
been a sufferer from dropsy for twenty
years and was often in great pain. The fu-
neral was held at his home and the services
were conducted by Rev. Hussey, assisted
liy Rev. H(jbbs. The remains were interrea
in Payne's cemetery. In his religious belief
Mr. I'arley was an Episcopalian, and in po-
litical sentiment was a Democrat. Though
he never sought office, lie was called u]jon to
serve as township commissioner in Henry
county for nine years and also as school di-
rector. He was a hard working and indus-
trious man, strictly ullri^du and ]ionor;d)le

in all his dealings and one who made many
friends and no enemies. He was a devoted
husband and father and took great delight
in his home and children. He accumulated
considerable wealth and was able to leave
his family in comfortable circumstances.
Snice her husband's death Mrs. Farley has
moved to Pontiac and purchased a pleasant
home at Xo. 506 South Vermilion street,
where she now resides. She is a most esti-
n;al)le lady, highly respected by all who
know her.

ANDREW J. HOOBLER.

Andrew J. lloobler, who is now living
a retired life in Streator, Illinois, was
for many years actively identified with the
business interests of Livingstcn couiUy. and
was one <.)f its honored and representative
citizens. He is a native of Indiana, bjrn
in \'ermillion county, in October, i8j7, and
there grew to manhood. His father, John
Hoobler, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1801,
of old Pennsyhania Dutch stock, and was
one of the pioneer farmers of \'ermillion
county, Indiana. In 1853 he came to Liv-
ingston county, Illinois, and entered about
fourteen hundred acres of land in Xewton
township, becoming one of the large land
owners of the county in his day. Here he
continued to make his home throughout the
remainder of his life, dying in 1885. He
was elected a rei)resentative to the legisla-
ture on the \\ big ticket and filled that posi-
tion one term. He was one of the pioneer
United Brethren circuit riders and rode the
slate over at one time. He established the
church of that denomination in his township,
and spent most of his means in founding
churches throughout Illinois, lieing i)rac-
ticallv the lather of them all.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

107

Upon tlie liunie farm Aiulrew J. Iloohler
grew to manhood, receiving the usual etki-
cational advantages of the day. He married
Miss Sarali Leonard, a daughter of Dexter
and Eiizaheth Leonard, natives of Massa-
chusetts and early settlers of tliis county.
Three chiklren were horn of this union,
namely: Mrs. Fanny Syphers of Cornell,
Illinois; Wilder, of J^Ianville, this county,
ami l^rastus, the ])resent popular circuit
clerk, whose sketch appears on another i)age
of this volume.

Mr. Hoohler purchased a farm in Xew-
town township, hut after operating it for a
lew years he turned his attention to mer-
cantile husiness. conducting a store in what
is now Manxille (^then the \illage of New-
town) for some seventeen or eighteen years.
He met with marked success in the enter-
prise, and finally retired from husiness, turn-
ing it o\er to his sons. Moving to Streator
ht has since lived retired. He is well known
throughout Livingston county, and has the
confidence and respect of all with whom he
has come in contact either in husiness or so-
cial life.

JOHN M. ITXLEV.

John M. I'inley, a successful farmer
and honored citizen of I'ontiac township,
owns and operates a well-improved and
valuahle farm of two hundred and forty
acres on sections 3 and 4, three and tliree-
quarters miles north of the city of Pontiac.
He is a native of Ohio, bora in Delav>rue
county, November 25, 1831, and is a son of
Robert Finley, who was born in Virginia in
1801. The family is of Irish origin ^nd
was founded in the Old Dominion at an early
day. Our subject's paternal grandfather was

John l-'inley. a soldier of the Revolutionary
war. who remoNcd from \ irginia to Ohio
antl opened up a farm in Delaware couni\-.
There Robert Finley grew to manhood and
married Elizabeth Riley, who was born in
I'ennsvKania of (ierman ancestry. Her
father, Joseph Riley, was a native of Ger-
many, and when a child came to America.
The \'essel on whic he .sailed was wreckeil
and his parents were drowned. He was then
taken to the home of strangers and readed
by them, at the same time adopting their
n;nne. For a few years after his marriage
Robert Finley engaged in farming in Ohio,
and in 1837 came to Illinois, locating on
the Fox river, near St. Charles, Kane conty,
where he opened u[> a farm and spent his re-
maining years, dying there in 1886, at the
ripe old age of .seventy-five years. His wife
had passed away two years previously at the
age of sixty-nine years.

Our subject was about six years of age
when brought by his parents to this state,
and in Kane count}' he grew to manhood.
He attended the common schools, but is
mostly self-educated, haing always been a
great reader, and is to-day a well-informed
man. On leaving home in 1854 he came to
Livingston county, where he and his brother
Josei)h had purchased land in 1852 and
1833, and after locating thereon they oper-
ated it together until i8f)i.

On the 2ist of November, 1861, in this
county, Mr. Finley married .Miss Frances
E. McDougall, a native of New York, and
a daughter of Robert and Christiana Mc-
Dougall, who came from that stale to Illi-
nois about 1850 and settled in La Salle coun-
ty, where her father died in 1857. Her
mother is still living in California at tlie age
of eighty-two. ]\Irs. Finley was pricipally
reared in that county. To our subject and

io8

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his wife were born two children: Marian
E., who was educated at llie lontiac lii??h
school and Dixon College, and hai. success-
fully engaged in teaching in this county,
but is now at home with her parents, and
Orilla Eloise, wife of Warren Collins, who
operates a part of the Finley homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Finley began their do-
mestic life upon his present farm. He has
since erected a neat and substantial resi-
dence, good barns and other outbuildings,
has tilled the place and set out fruit and
ornamental trees, so that it is now one of
the best improved farms in the locality, r.i
connection with general farming he has en-
gaged in raising and feeding stock of a go \l
grade, and in all his undertakings he has
met with excellent success, becoming C|uitc
well to do. lie and his brother had little
means on locating here, but being indus-
trious, persevering and ambitious, his labors
were soon crowned with success. As a pub-
lic spirited citizen he takes a deep and com-
mendable interest in public affairs and gives
his support to those enterprises wl-.ich he be-
lieves will advance the general v.elfare.
Originally, he was a staunch Rcpuljlican in
politics and cast his firot presidential vote
for John C. Fremont in iS;V'), continuing
to affiliate with that party unci! 1896, when
he voted for W. J. Bryan and free silver,
lie has been a delegate to luinicrous con-
ventions, and for a quarter of a century has
been an efficient member of ihe school Ixnird,
but cares nothing for iwlitical preferment.

APOLLOS CAMP.

Apollos Camp, deceased, was for over
forty years jjroniinently identified with the
agricultural and business interests of Liv-

ingston county, and was justly numbered
among her honored jiioneers and leading
citizens, having located here in the spring of
1 85 1. He was horn in Thomaston (then
Plymouth Hollow j, Connecticut, March 19,
1806, and was a son of Ephraim Camp, a
Re\olutionary hero, who was born in 1750
and spent his entire life in Connecticut,
where he owned and operated a mill. Our
subject grew to manhood in his native place
and there learned the stone mason's trade in
early life.

There Mr. Camp married Miss Xancy
Thomas, a niece of Seth Thomas, the noted
clockmaker, by whom our subject was em-
ployed as superintendent of his outdoor
work for some time, and lived upon Mr.
Thomas" large farm for eighteen years. His
health failing, Mr. Camp purchased a farm
near by and for three years devoted his at-
tention to agricultural pursuits.

In the spring of 1851 Mr. Camp caiue to
Livingston county, Illinois, and located land
in Sunbur}' township, but the family did
not come until one year later, when the trip
to this state was made by water. In the fall
of 1852 he moved to Esmen township, his
first hnme in Illinois, where he took up a sec-
tion of land, though he still continued to
own a three-hundred-and-twenty-acre tract
ii'. Sunbury township. Pie built the best
house in Esmen township at that time. His
nearest neighbor was then three miles away,
and if he required anything such as black-
smithing or a sui)ply of groceries he had to
go to Ottawa, fordiup^ all the streams and
taking two days to make the trip, so sparsely
was the country settled at that time, so few
nnprovements having been made and so few
tmvns established. Mr. Camp continued to
reside upon his farm until 1876, when he
removed to Pontiac, but went day after day

APOLLOS CAMP.

THE UiOGRAPlliCAL RECORD.

1 1 1

to his farm until past eiglity years of age.
]le added to his landed possessions from
time to time until he and his son-in-law.
Air. Hnmiston, totjcthcr owned two thou-
sand acres of vahiahle land, most of which
was improved and uniler a high state of cul-
tivation. Of excellent husiness aliility and
Iiroad resources, he attained a ])rominent
place among the wealthy and snhslanlial citi-
zens of the county. ( )n locating here he
Iiad six thousand dollars in gold, and heing
a wide-awake lousiness man of keen discrim-
ination and sound judgment his accumula-
tions rapidly increased. He and his son-in-
law engaged in husiness together until the
hitter's death. They were among the orig-
inal stockholders of the National Bank of
I'ontiac, of which he was one of the early
directors. His career was such as to warrant
the trust and conlidence of the husiness
world, for he conducted all transactions on
the strictest principles of honor and integ-
rity, and he was highlv res])ected and es-
teemed hy all who knew him.

Mr. Camp died May 2, i8yj, and his
wife departed this life January 23, 1864.
She was a memljer of the Presbyterian
church for some years. To them were born
two children, but Edward Thomas died Sep-
tember I ^, 1861, before he attained his twen-
ty-first year. The only representative of the
family now living is Harriet, widow of Ben-
net Humiston, whose sketch appears on an-
other page of this volume.

JOHX H. SMITH.

This gentleman is entitled to distinction
as one of the most progressive and enter-
prising men of Pontiac, witli who.se business
7

interests he has lieen prominently identified
for many years. 1^'pon the commercial ac-
tixity nf a community depends its prosperity
and the men who are now recognized as
leading citizens are those who arc at the
head of important business enterprises. He
is a man of broad capabilities who carries
forward to successful completion whatever
he undertakes.

Mr. Smith was born in Half Moon \'al-
ley, Centre county, Pennsylvania, August
12, 1839, a son of Jacob and Lydia Ann
(Henderson) Smith. The father was born
in Union count}-, that state, of old Pennsyl-
vania Dutch stock, and being left fatherless
at the age of nine years was bound out to
strangers. There were only two children
ir; the family and his sister was taken to
another place. In Centre county, he mar-
ried Lydia .\nn. daughter of Da\id I lender-
son, who li\ed near Tyrone, Centre county.
Later he located near Pine Grove, Pennsyl-
sylvania. where he engaged in farming and
on stormy days worked at the gunsmith's
trade which he had learned during his youth.
Later he liveil in Huntingdon county, the
same state, but was with our subject in Pon-
tiac, Illinois, a short time prior to his death.
Both he and his wife were consistent and
faithful members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church.

In the county of his nativity, John H.
Smith was reared and obtained a gotxl prac-
tical education in its common schools. At
the age of eighteen he was bound as an ap-
prentice to a carpenter, working for his
board and clothes and the privilege of at-
tending school four months during the win-
terter. For three years and four months he
was thus em])loyed. during which time he
thoroughly mastered the trade, including the
making of doors, sash, etc.

1 1:

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

On the 30th of December. 1863. Mr. Smith
married Miss Mary J. Duff, who was born
December 8, 1840. Her paternal great-grand-
father come to this country from Scotland.
The grandfather. Jnhn Duff, was horn in
Philadelphia, and at an early day removed
to Huntingdon county. IVnnsylvania, where
he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer.
He married Winifred Couch, of Philadel-
phia, a daugliter of William Couch, who
was from Great Britain. Mrs. Smitli's
father, Charles Duff', was burn May 24.
1816. in Huntingdon county. Penn.sylvania,
where he grew to manhood and engaged in
farming for many years. There he was
married, August 31, 183S, to Eliza Cun-
ningham, who was l)orn October 2, 18 19, a
daughter of Robinson and ]\Iary J. (Lane)
Cunningham, of the same count}'. Her fa-
ther, a farmer of Huntingdon county, was
born in that state, lint his father was a na-
tive of England. Charles Duff continued to
reside on the old home farm in Pennsylvan a
until 1865, when he came to Pontiac. Illi-
nois, and purchased one huntlred and sixt\'
acres of land east of the corporation, which
he improved and which continued to be his
home throughout life. He also owned two
hundred and forty acres of land north of
Pontiac, and in all had about six hundred
acres. He was one of the prominent and
wealthy men of his community and was
liighly respected b}- all who knew him. He
died September 9, 1873. 'i"'' '^'^ ^^'^^ passed
away July 11, 1887. Both were earnest
memljers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
After learning his trade. Mr. Smith be-
gan taking contracts and erected many build-
ings in Huntingdon. Centre and Clearfield
counties, Pennsylvania. He met with ex-
cellent success, and altlnnigh a young man
he often employed eight hands. \\'liilc

erecting. a large church in Kerwinsvilie,
Cleartield cnunty. he cast his first x'ote for
.\braham Linculn. and when the war broke
out the Work was dropped as most of his
workmen entered the service. Returning
t( Tyrone, he aided in the construction of
tlie one-mile trestle of the Tyrone and
Clearfield Railroad at that place, remaining
there until going to Oil City, Venango coun-
ty, during the excitement of 1S64. There
he put down many wells, one of which was
fourteen hundred feet deep and the average
depth (»f the seventeen he drilled was six
hundred and fifty feet. For this work he
received one dollar per foot and an eighth
interest in the well, which ])rn\ed (|uite
quite profitable, as the one dollar per foot
paid all expenses, and he sold his eighth in-
terest from eight hundred to two thousand
dollars a well. On first going into the oil
region he was engaged by the New York
Oil Company, of which Mr. Hamilton, of
New York, was president, in the erection of
derricks. Mr. Hamilton noticing the rapid-
ity with which he worked asked him how
much a foot he would ask to drill the wells,
and later asked him to name a sum per
year as superintendent of all their wells. Not
caring particularly to engage in that work,
he named two thousand dollars per year,
believing the sum greater than the com-
pany would be willing to pay. His terms,
htnvever. were accepted, and he remained
with the firm one year, and then refused an
oft'er of two thousand five hundred dollars
a year to continue. Leaving the cmi)loy of
the oil company he commenced drilling wells
for himself, and his first well, which took
him twenty-si.x days to drill, he sold for
eighteen hundred dollars. During the time
tie sjient there he made enough to purchase
his father's farm of one liundred and sixty

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

i'3

acres for eight thousand dollars, and he
operated the place one year.

.\t the end of that time Mr. Sniitli sold
out and came to Pontiac. Illinois, and pur-
chased a farm three-<|uarters of a mile east
of the city, for which he paid fifty dollars
|ier acre although it was poorly improved
land. He huilt one of the largest and best
barns in this section at that time. He fenced
and tiled the land, bringing the first carload
of tile into the county. This he bought in
Joliet. paying thirty-seven dollars and a half
per thousand for three inch tile. Pre\'ious
to this he had put in some clapboard tile
and finding that it benefited the land, he re-
solved to thoroughly tile it. Some of it is
still in working order although in use for
over thirty years. Mr. Smith's next pur-
chase consisted of a (|uartcr-section of land
owned by .Charles Dviff, which adjoins the
city, and he also bought one hundred acres
of Mr. Duff north of his first home, making
four hundred and twenty acres adjoining
the town. All of this he has thoroughly
tiled and imjjroved, and being well located,
it is now among the best and most valuable
land of the county. At present he rents
his farm property.

For two years IVfr. Smith rented and
o])erated a tile factory near town erected
hy H. C. Bruner, and met with success in
that enterprise. In 1890 he erected a fine
brick residence on the corner of Walnut
and Washington streets, one of the first and
best brick houses in the city at that time.
It is heated by steam, lightetl by electricity
and supplied with all modern conveniences,
while the lawn about the house is a quarter
of a block in e.xtent. Mr. Smith also
erected a store building on Madison street
opposite the court house and still owns that
property. In 1893 he bought the coal shaft

at Pontiac, A\hich he operated a year, and
sank a shaft within twenty-eight feet of the
thiril vein of coal, afterward selling the
same at a i)rofit. being the only one to make
any money in that venture. I"or the past
two years he has again given his attention
to the tile business anil furnishes employment
to seventeen men in manufacturing both
brick ;uid tile.

Mr. Smith began life for himself with-
out a dollar, and in fact was sixty-two dol-
lars and fifty cents in debt. As already
stated he was apprenticed to learn the car-
])enter's trade. For the first year he was
to receive thirty dollars: the second year
fort)--ti\-c dollars: anil the third year sixty
dollars. Board was included and in ad-
dition be was to have four months schooling
each year. The first year he was i^ermitted
to go to school, according to contract, but
during the succeeding years on one pretext
or another he was kept at work. On the
advice of his mother he permitted his last
year's wages to remain with his emjjloyer
until the end of the year in order that he
might have a means to purchase a set of
carpenter's tools. His employer failed
about the end of his third year, and he never
received a cent. A local merchant kindly
agreed to furnish him the set of tools needed
and which amounted to sixty-two dollars and
fifty cents, and wait his convenience in pay-
ing. Securing the outfit he went to work
as a journeyman carpenter, and in due time
paid for his tools and felt like a free man.
On coming to Illinois, his father loaned him
five hundred dollars, but the wealth he has
since accjuired has been secured through
his own enterprise, good business ability
and sound judgment.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children,
namelv: Elizabeth is the wife of Carv W.

114

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Hill, of Pontiac. and ihcy have one son,
Harold Smitli : Cliarles is engaged in busi-
ness witli his fatlier and now manages the
tile works; and Winifred, twin sister of
Charles, is the wife of LVanklin Laver, who
operates the home farm and they have one
child. Alfred Veron.

During the Civil war, Mr. Smith was a
member of the Pennsylvania militia, which
was not supposed to leave the state, but the}'
went to Hagerstown, Maryland, and par-
ticipated in the battle of Antietam. At his
liome he could hear the cannonading at Get-
tysburg and also during the Morgan raid.
He has served as school director, but has
never cared for political honors, preferring
to devote his entire time and attention to
his business interests. Both he and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church and are highly respected and
esteemed bv all who know them.

ERASTUS HOOBLER.

Erastus Hoobler, the present well-
known circuit clerk, is one of the most
prominent \'oung men of Livingston county,
a leader in political and business circles,
and whether in public or private life he
is always a courteous genial gentleman, well
deserving the high regardd in which he is
held.

A native of this county, Mr. Hoobler
was born in Xewtown township, December
II, 1867, and is a son of Andrew J. and
Sarah (Leonard) Hoobler, a sketch of
whom a])pears elsewhere in this work. He
was educated in the public schools, which
he attended constantly until eighteen years
«)i age, and then began !n's l>U!>iness career

as a merchant of Melville, he and his
brother Wilder purchasi-ig the store for-
mery owned by their father an>l conducting
it under the firm name of Hoolik-r Brothers.
They did a large and successful business for
some seven or eight years, being energetic
and progressive young men of good busi-
ness ability and industrial habits.

On the 9th of June, 1888, Mr. Hoobler
was united in marriage with Miss Jodie
Beach, a daughter of Anson and Plv.ebe
Beach, formerly of La Salle county, and to
them have been born one child, Ernest E.
The parents both hold membershi]) in the
Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Hoob-
ler is now serving as one of the stewards
of the church in Pontiac. Fraternally, he
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America and of Beacon Lodge, \'o. 618, I.
O. O. F., of Cornell.

Since reaching man's estate Mr. Hoob-
ler has always been active in Republican
politics, doing all within his power for the
success of his party. In the spring of 1S94
he sold his store, and two years later was
nominated as circuit clerk for Livingston
county, to which office he was elected that
fall by a handsome majority. He has since
efficinetly discharged the duties of that po-
sition, and in 1900 was renominated by ac-
clamation.

TAMES XICOL.

James Xichol is the proprietor of an
excellent farm of two hundred and forty
acres on sections 1 1 and 3, Pike township,
Livingston county. The well-tilled fields
and neat and thrifty appearance of the place
testify to careful supervision of a painstak-
ing owner — one who is a thorough frunier

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1 1 '

and successful business man. He was born
in Arbmalli, I'orfarsliire, Scotland. June (>.
1849, a son of William and Jane (^Simpson)
Nicol, also natives of that country, where
the mother spent her entire life. After her
tieath the father married again. He was
born in Forfarshire in 1813, a son of James
Xicol, and in his native land was employed
as a pattern or model maker. In 1865 he
emigrated to the new world and came direct
In Livingston county, Illinois, where he had
previously purchased eighty acres of land on
section 3, Like townshij), where onr subject
now resides. At that time the tract was
wild prairie land, but he at once commenced
t(j fence, break and improve it. Later he
built a good house and made man}' other
permanent improvements. In connection
with farming he also worked at the car-
penter's and joiner's trade and built many
of the residences in his \rdvt of the county.
As one of the prominent and honored citi-
zens of his community, he was called upon
tc fill the offices of supervisor, justice of
the peace, school director and clerk of the
district some years. He was a man of sterl-
ing worth and strict integrity and was pre-
eminently public spirited and progressive.

Reared in his nati\e land, James Nicol
received the advantages of a good common
school education, and served a five-years'
apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's trade
after which he worked as a journeyman for
two years. In 1868 he decided to join his
father in America and sailed from Glasgow
to New York, landing in the latter city in
September of that year. He proceeded at
once to his father's home in this county, and
for the first six months of his residence here
he worked at the carpenter's trade. The fol-
lowing two years he engaged in farming and
then went to Chicago, where he was em-

l>li)ved at his trade for six months, returniu!:^
lo ijiis county at the end nf that time. He-
has since devoted his time to agricultural
l)ursuits, and now owns the old homestead,
which he has greatly imroved, and to which
he has added one hundred and sixty acres,
making a fine farm of two hundred and
forty acres.

In Livingston county, November 24,
18873, Mr. Nicol was united in marriage
with Miss Elizabeth Petrie, who was b'jrn,
reared and educated in the same town as
her Inisband. and is a daughter of William
Petrie, who is still living in Scotlaufl at the
advanced age of seventy-nine years, liy
this union have been born seven children,
namclv:' William P. and James, both fann-
ers of this county; I\label May, Alfred, Ed-
ward Arthur, D. Harry and Annie Edith,
all at home.

In his political affiliations Mr. Nicol is an
ardent Republican and cast his first presiden-
tial vote for Rutherford B. Hajes. He
has been a delegate to county conventions,
served as township clerk about seven years
;ind was a member of the school board and
clerk of the district twelve years. Socially,
he is a member of the Modern Woodmen
camp of Chenoa, and religiously is a member
of the Presbyterian church, to which his
wife also belongs. In all life's relations he
has been true to every trust reposed in him,
and is justly numbered among the valued
and useful citizens of his community.

JOHN GUTHRIE.

John Guthrie, who for over a third
of a century has been identified with the
agricultural interests of Livingston county,
and now makes his home on section 10, Pike

ii6

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

townsliip. was born in the city of Glasgow,
Scotland. December 26, 1827, a son of
James and Jane ( McMurtrie) Guthrie, who
spent their entire li\es in Scotland, mostly
in Glasgow, locating there soon after their
marriage. There all of their children were
born in that city and both parents died. By
trade the father was a stonecutter.

Our subject grew to manhood in his na-
tive land and obtained a good education in
an Ayrshire village school. He served a
four years" apprenticeship to the weaver's
trade with his uncle. David McMurtrie, and
then returned to Cilasgow, where he worked
in a factory, having charge of one depart-
ment four years. Later he was employed in
a wholesale store for three years, and then
emigrated to America, in 1850, takmg pass-
sage on a sailing vessel at Greenock on the
Clyde for Montreal, antl arriving in the lat-
ter city after a stormy voyage of eight
weeks. \\'hile in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
the masts were liroken and they were delayed
two weeks at Sidney. Cape Breton, while
new masts were set up. Mr. (nithrie and
two other men worked all one night at the
];umps in order to save the vessel from de-
struction. It was twelve weeks fmni the
time he left home until he reached his desti-
nation in Kendall county. Illinois, in Sep-
tember, 1850. There he had an uncle liv-
ing, while another uncle made the voyage
with him. The folldwing year he com-
menced work in Kendall county gathering
corn fur ten dnllars ))er month, and. being
unused to such work, the skin was worn
from his fingers in a .short time.

In 1852 Mr. Guthrie went to Madison
county, Iowa, where he spent one j'ear, and
on his return to Illinois settled in Wood-
ford county, wiiere he workctl l)y the month
until I.S64. During that year he purchased

the farm in I'ike township. Li\ingston coun-
ty, where he now resides, but engaged in
farming upon rented land in Tazewell
county for two years, at the end of which
time he located upon his own land, hav-
irig since February, 1861, made it his home.
He has ])lanled an orchard and considerable
small fruit, has divided his land into fields
of convenient size by good fences, has erect-
ed a pleasant residence and substantial out-
buildings and now has a well-improved and
desirable farm of eighty acres.

In Tazewell county Mr. (iuthrie was
married, in 1864. to Aliss Betsy Xicol, who
was born and reared in Arbroath, Scotlantl,
and came to the new world with her mother
in 1853. She died, leaving no children, and
for his second wife Mr. (nithrie married
]\Irs. Eliza (McCracken) McXeil, who was
l)orn and reared in Ireland. By her first
married she has three children : Martha,
wife of Henry Crabb, of Livingston county;
Lizzie, wife of Charles Richardson, of Pike
township, antl James, a resident of Chicago.
Mr. Guthrie has two children by his second
marriage : David M. and Maggie May,
both at home.

Since casting his first presidential ballot
for General U. S. Grant, in 1868. Mr. Guth-
rie has lieen a stanch Republican, but has
never cared for political h()nors. Both he
and his wife are active members of the
Presbyterian church of Chenoa, and are peo-
ple of sterling worth and strict integrity.

JOII.X H. CRUMBAKER.

Jojin 11. ("rumbaker, a well-known and
highly respected citizen of Avoca t<iwnshi]),
Livingston county, Illinois, was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, August 11, 1845,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ii;

and is a son df William A. and Margaret
(Piper) Crumhakcr, nati\es of \'iri;inia
ami P'eniisyhania, rcspcctixely. As chil-
dren 'thc_\- went to Ohio, and after that cim-
tinued to reside in that state tor many years,
the father being engaged in farming. Jn
1864 they came to Illinois and settled near
Lexington, ^\•here they still reside on a farm
of forty acres. ]^>oth are consistent mem-
bers of the Metliodist church, and in ])olitics
the father was formerly a Whig and is now
a Repul)lican. To them were horn twche
children, two of whom died in inlaiicy, while
those who reached years of maturity are
John H., our subject; Marion V., a Meth-
odist Episcopal minister of Kankakee; Sarah
C, wife of S. S. Smith, of Nebraska; Maria
E.. wife of William Stickler, postmaster of
Lexington; Oliver M., a resident of Cropsey
township, .McPean county; Samuel, a resi-
dent of the state of Washington; Joanna,
wife of J. C. Finley, of Nebraska; Jonas A.,
of Washington; Margaret, wife of H. Wil-
son, Nvlio lives near Lexington, Illinois; and
Alice E.. wife of Ralph Wilson, of Ne-
braska.

The early education of John II. Crum-
baker was obtained in the common schools
of Ohio, and after coming to Illinois with
the family, at the age of eighteen years, he
took an elective course at the \\'csle_\an Uni-
versity in Bhjomington and also attended
school in Onarga for a short tiiue. Subse-
c[uently he taught school in different parts
of McLean county during the winter months
lor sixteen years, while through the sum-
mer season he engaged in farming. In 1885
lie came to Livingston county and first rent-
ed a farm near Wing. Since then he has
lived in Avoca township antl has made his
home upon the J. L. McDowell farm of
three hundred and ten acres since 1894.

Two hundred acres of this tract are under
culti\ation and he de\'otcs the same to the
raising of grain.

On the _'5th of March, iSf^j, Mr. Crum-
li.akcr married Miss Elizabeth Jane Wilson,
who was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, in
1850, and they have become the parents of
eight children, two of whom died in child-
hootl. Those li\ing arc \ ictor .\.. who is
preparing for the ministry at Du Pauw
University of Indiana; William, who lives
near Chalmers, Indiana, is married, and has
two children, Bessie and an inf;uU;l). Theo-
dore, who is engaged in farming near Fair-
bury, and resides at home;Jonas K., George
R. and John P., who are all at home assist-
ing their father on the farm.

By iiis ballot Mr. Cruml)aker supports
the men and measures of the Repulilican
party,' has ser\'ed as collector of his town-
shii) two terms, town clerk two years and
sciiool director three years. Religiously, he
is an active member and sujiporter of the
Methodist I'.piscopal clnu'ch, and has the
confidence and resjject of all who know him
on account of his sterling worth ancl strict
integrity.

SOLON C. DUX 11 AM.

Solon C. I^unham, a wellkninvn agricult-
urist of Eppards Point township, who owns
and operates a fine farm of one hundred
and seventy-two acres on section 31, is a
native of Illinois, his birth having occurred
in Morgan county, October 18, 1848. His
father, Ebenezer Dunham, was born in New
Hampshire, in iSio. and was a son of Will-
iam Dunham, also a native of the old Granite
state. About i8_y Ebenezer Dunham came
west and located in Morgan countv, where he

ii8

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married Catherine Sweet, a native of this
state and a daugliter of Peleg Sweet, one of
the earhest settlers of that county. There
Mr. Dunliani followed -farming some years,
later spent' about eighteen years in W'aslv
burn, ^larshall county, and in 1865 came to
Livingston county and purciiased the farm
on which our subject now resides. At that
time it was a tract of wild prairie land, and
tc its improvement and cultivation he tie-
voted his energies throughout the remainder
of his life. There he died in 1884. hon-
ored and respected by all who knew him,
and is still survived by his wife, who resides
on the old homestead with her son.

During his boyhood and youth Solon
C. Dunham attended the local schools and
assisted his father in the labors of the farm,
and after reaching man's estate took charge
of the farm and business, which he has since
carried on with marked success. He has
erected a large, neat and substantial resi-
dence, built a commodious barn, and has
made many other improvements, which add
to the beauty and value of the place.

In this county, ^Ir. Dunham was married,
in 1880, to Miss Anna Stuckey, who was
born in England, l)Ut was reared in McLean
and Livingston counties, Illinois. By this
union have been born four children, namely:
Ralph, Roscoe P... Karl and Inez, all at
home. Mrs. Dunham and Mrs. Dunham's
mother are members of the Ba])tist church
and the family is widely and faxorably
known. In his political views Mr. Dunham
is a stanch Republican, and cast his first
presidential vote for General U. S. Grant,
in 1872, but he has never cared for the honors
or emoluments of public office. He is. how-
ever, a staunch friend of education, and has
been an -etilicient meml)er of the school board
for some years.

]•:. \V. PEARSON.

Among the pleasantcst rural homes of
I'ismen townshi]), Livingston county, is the
one belonging to this gentleman on section
26, and his farm is one of the model ]jlaces
of that locality, being supplied with all
modern conveniences and accessories needed
by the progressixe agriculturist of the pres-
ent day.

Mr. Pearson was born in Miami county,
Ohio, .\ugust II, 1836. and belongs to a
family which was founded in that state by
his grandfather, Enos Pearson, a native of
\'irginia. His ancestry can be traced back
to two peers of England, in which country
the family was quite noted. Aaron Pear-
son, father of our subject, grew to manhood
in Miami cnnntv, Ohio, anil there married
Rachel Moore, who was born in that state of
German parentage. In early life the father
followed farming and later engaged in the
manufacture of lumber. He died in Ohio
when our subject was about seven years old,
his wife three years later. In their family
were five children, four sons and one daugh-
ter, but onlv E. W'., I'ur subject, and John, a
resident of Marion county. Ohio, are now
living.

Our subject's school ])rivileges during his
boyhood were limited, and he is almost
wholly self-educated. Being left an orphan,
he was thrown upon his own resources when
a lad of se\en \ears. He grew to manhood
u]K)n a farm and remained in his native
county until October, 1855, when he came
to Illinois, joining his guardian in Bloom-
ington. He came to this state by himself,
driving across the country with a team of
horses. In Xovember of the same year he
located in Livingston county and bought
e!ght\' acres of land in Odell township, to

E. W. PEARSON.

•^ Pi .'<" .

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

121

the improNenient ami culti\atinn nf wliich
lie devoted his attention until 18(^)5. when
lie soil! that place and honght one hundred
and sixty acres of wild ])rairie land in I'.s-
men township, where he now resides, lie
has since added to it an eitihly-acre tract,
making a fine farm of two hundred and forty
acres, which he has placed under a high state
o( cnltixaticin. lie h.'is erected a modern
and commodious residence some distance
from the road, and leading up to it is a nice
<lri\e\\ay through grounds shaded h\' Invelv
ex'ergreen ;nid other shade trees. The land
is well tiled, there are two good orchards
upon the place and ;i (lowing well, which.
operated hy a windpunip, sujjplies the water
hoth for house and stock. Besides this valu-
able property Mr. Pearson owns two well-
improved farms near Hartley, O'Brien
ciiunty, Iowa, one of two hundred and fiirt\',
the other of eighty acres, and has two farms
of one hundred and sixty acres each in Col-
orado and one of three hundred and lwent\-
acres in Kansas, used as cattle ranches. In
connection with farming he has heen en-
gaged in buying and selling real estate. Ik-
is an energetic and progressive liusiness man
who carries forward to successful completion
whate\'er he undertakes, and his prosperit\-
is due entirely to his own well-directed and
energetic ef'fni-ts. lie was one of the orig-
inators and charter members of the Pontiac
JNIntnal h'ire Insurance Coni|)any, organized
in 1S9J. and was elected its first president,
which ])nsition he has filled most satisfac-
torily since that time.

Returning to his old home in .Miami
county, Ohio, Mr. Pearson was married
there. October 28, 185S, m Miss Rachel
Sheafer. who was born in Pennsylvania, but
was reared in that cmnity, and is a daughter
of lu'kert Sheafer. I'.v this unimi were l)orn

six children, namely: Rachel, at hniue ;
.\br;diain I... who is married and engaged in
1armin>- ;uid fruit raising in California;
.\rthur, who is married and follows farming
in Esmen t,iiwnshi]), Livingston county, Illi-
nois; Emma, wife of R. E. Knapp, of Ponti-
ac; .\nna, wife of Robert Brunskill. a farm-
er of 1-lsmen lownshi]); and Ida M.. who
was graduated at the .State Xormal .School
and has successfullv engaged in teaching for
some years, beins^ first assistant ])rincii)al
of the Jefferson Park high school at El Paso
at the jiresent time.

Politically ]\Ir. Pearson was formerly
identified with the Republican party and cast
l.is first ])residental vote for John C. Ere-
n:ont in iS^T), hut of late years has been in-
oepentlent in ])olitics. He is a stanch friend
of education, was elected a member of the
school bo.aril of Odell when nineteen vears
of age and filled that |)osition almost con-
tinually until mo\ing to Esmen townshi]).
1 le has served as township treasiu'er since
1S70 and at interv.nls has been a member of
the county board of su])ervisors for about
I; I teen years, during which time he was a
member of \arious committees and chairiuan
of the building committee in charge of build-
ing the poor house after the death of Mr.
.Morrow. lie has been a delegate to nu-
UH-rous County, congressional antl state con-
\entious of his ])arty and to two national
conventions, helping to nominate J. B. Weav-
er at the first Populist convention, and at the
St. Louis coiiventiou, in iN(;(), helping to
nominate liryan and Watson. He is always
to be foimd on the Populist county commit-
tee, having served as its chairman, and is
pojiularily known .is the father of the party
in this County, and he has alwavs taken an
active and commendable interest in public
affairs. He is pre-eminently public-spirited

122

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and progressive, and as a citizen iias always
been found true to every trust reposed in
I'lini.

tho:mas joiixsTOX

Thomas Jolmston. the weU-known super-
intendent of tlie I'dutiac Diamond Co-opera-
tive Coal Company of I'ontiac Illinois, is a
native of England, born in Staffordshire.
.\pril 20. 1884. and is a son of Thomas and
IMary Ann (Brown) Johnston. The father
was l)orn in Ireland, but when quite young
\\ent to England, where he continued to
make his home throughout life, dying
IMarch 12, 1878. at the age of sixty-seven
years. The mother died on the 21st of the
same nxonth He was always a hard work-
ing man and for many years was foreman of
an iron works in Staffordshire.

Oor subject is the sixtii in order of birth
in a family of eleven children, nine of whom
are .still living, but he is the only one in this
country. He obtained his education in the
common schools of Staffordshire and
learned the trade of an engineer in the em-
ploy of the Apedale Coal & Iron Company
of that ijlace, remaining with them five years.
In the fall of 1880 he came to the United
States, and first located in Streator, Illinois,
V. here he engaged in coal mining, and after-
ward became engineer for the Chicago,
\ ermilion & Wilmington Coal Company at
that place, but only remained with them a
year or two. He was next employed as en-
gineer with the Star Coal Company of
Streator for three or four years, and for
eleven years was with the Richard Evans
Coal Company of the same jjlace. In De-
cember, 1895, he came to Pontiac to take
charge of a shaft at this place as engineer,

and was thus employed until 1897, when the
shaft was leased by the present co-operative
company, of which Mr. Johnston is manager,
being associated with li\e others: Tlmmas
\'cl\in. president: Charles F. Acklin. treas-
urer; Walter Hogan. mine manager, and
Mathew Dickman and William Schress, di-
rectors, all of whom reside in Pontiac. The
shaft was leased for a period of fifteen years
from October. 1899, and the entire man-
agement is with the six men mentioned. Ac-
cording to the present law only six men can
work in one shaft, but the company has now
sunk another escape shaft and can put more
men to work so that they will 1:e able to take
out from two hundred and fifty to three
liundred tons of coal per day.

Before leaving England Mr. Johnston
was married, July 8, 1878, to ]^Iiss Mary
Ann Pickerill, of Staffordshire, a daughter
of Robert and Sarah (Eccles) Pickerill The
father was a shoe manufacturer and fol-
lowed that occupation throughout his active
business life. Init is now living a retired hfe
in Staffordshire, at the age of seventy-seven
years. The mother died in 1893, at the age
of sixty-six. Only two of their family came
to America: Mrs. Johnston and .\nna. wife
of Benjamin Copeland.a conl miner of Strea-
or, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have a
family of four children, namely: Thomas
Bowyer, born in Staffordshire, England, De-
cember 29, 1878, was educated in Streator,
and is now living in Wenona. Illinois, where
he is a hoisting engineer for the \\'enona
Coal Company. Sarah Ann, born in Staf-
fordshire, June 9, 1880, is at home: Fan-
nie, b(jrn in Livingston county, Illinois,
June 19. 1883, graduate<l from the public
schools of Pontiac in 1900, and Pearl, born
in Fulttm county, Illinois, January 3, 1890,
is attending school.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

123

By liis ballot ^^^. Jdhiiston has always
supported the men ami measures of the Dem-
ocratic party, hut has never sought nor de-
sired public office, though often urged by
iiis friends to become a candidate. He is a
jjrominent member and financial secretary
of the Episcopal ciiurch of Pontiac, which his
family also attend. He is also a member of
Court Pride, Foresters of America, of Pon-
tiac, of which he has served as trustee one
term ; is a member of the Court of Honor,
Xo. i8t, of Pontiac, and the National
Brotherhood Association of Coal Hoisting
Engineers. As a business man he is thor-
oughly reliable and the success that he has
achieved in life is justly merited, for it is
due entirely to his own industry, enterprise
and good management. He has a good
home. 411 East Prairie street, which he
bought in 189S.

WlLLlAAi WOODIXG.

William Wooding, a retired farmer
of Pontiac, who came to this country in
the spring of 1869, is a typical self-made
man, and in the following record of his ca-
reer there is much to arouse respect and es-
teem. He has placcil his reliance upon in-
dustry and perseverance, and by making the
most of circumstances, Iiowever discourag-
ing, has made his way to substantial suc-
cess, his fine farm in Pike township being a
tangible evidence of prosperity.

Mr. Wooding is a native (,>f Englaml,
born in Yarley Hastings, Xorthamptonshire.
November 17, 1831, and is a son of Jesse
and Ann (Rainbow) Wooding, who were
married September 13, 1828. The father
was born ni the same place in 1805, and

there made his home until coming to this
country two years after our subject crossed
the Atlantic, but died the ninth day after
landing at the home of our subject in New
Jersey. The mother came to America with
her husband and died here in 187 1.

William Wooding acquired his educa-
tion in the iniblic schools of his native land.
As a young man of nineteen years he emi-
grated to the L'nited States and located first
in Salem county, New Jersey, \vhere he
worked on a farm and also in a tile factory,
which was probably the first started in the
United States, the proprietor having sent
to England for the machinery. Our sub-
ject and his brother worked for him five
years and then came to Illinois, in 856,
with the intention of starting a factory of
their own, but finding land so cheap they re-
soh'ed to engage in agricultural pursuits.
After looking over the field Mr. Wooding
located near Farmington, Fulton county,
\vhere he engaged in farming for nine years.

In the spring of 1869 he came to Living-
ston county and in partnership with his
brother purchased a farm of two hundred
and si.xty acres in Pike township, which they
improved and o])erated together for a time,
Init finally dixided the property. Our subje ct
still owns an excellent farm of one hundred
and eighty-one acres in that and Eppards
]\>int township, which he has thoroughly
tiled and transformed into one of the most
Irighly cultivated and productive tracts in
the locality. It is hedged and cross hedged
and improved with good and substantial
Iniildings, which stand as a monument to his
thrift and enterjjrise. In connection with
geiueral farming he engaged in stock raising
(|uite extensively, and usually hatl a carload
of hogs for shipment each fall. Besides his
farm in this county, he owns land in Indiana,

124

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Avhich he is now im])roviiig; he Iniilt a good
home at Xo. 303 West Moulton street, at
the corner of Plum street, Pontiac, where he
has resided since the spring of 1896, having
retired from active la)x)r to enjoy a well
earned rest.

Mr. Wooding has l)een twice married,
liis first wife being Amanda Humphry, a
native of Wasliington county, Indiana. He
tootook her to Kearney. Nebraska, in 1885,
with the hope of benefiting herhealth, l)nt
she died there the same fall, leaving three
children, namely: 3tlary, now the wife of
Perry Morton, of Pontiac, by whom she has
two children, Mabel and Leonora; Lucy,
wife of ^\'esley Porter, of Owego township,
by whom she has two sons, Harry and
Charles; and William, who married Leona
Perry, and has two children, Orville and
Hazel Lorena. He lives on the home farm
in Pike township.

Returning to England in 1887, Mr.
Wooding there married Miss Mary Berrill,
of Yardley Hastings, a daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Morris) Berrill, and by this
union has been born a daughter, V mifred.
For twenty-five years Mrs. Wooding's sis-
ter, Sarah Berrill, has lield the position of
maid with Lady Southampton, who is a lady
in waiting on Queen Victoria, and as sucii
makes all the trips with tiie Queen's escort.
Her father, John Berrill, was a native of
Xortham]>l(in, where his ancestcjrs have re-
sided for at least three or four generations,
and on the maternal side Mrs. Wooding is
of an old and respected family tliat for many
generations have been lK)rn on the Marqnis
of Xortliamjjton's estate. Her grand father
Morris was a shepherd by occupation. The
records of the family arc to be found in the
parish church. In tracing iiis ancestry back
five or si.x generations, Mr. Wooding finds

that he springs from the same family as his
wife. His mother, Elizabeth Rainbow, was
a daughter of James and Elizabeth Ratley,
and the latter was a daughter of John and
.\nn Berrill, who were the great-grandpar-
ents of Mrs. Wooding. Her grandfather
was Richard, who in turn was a son of John
and .\nn Berrill, previously mentioned. All
were residents of Yardley Hastings.

Mr. and Mrs. \\'ooding have traveled
quite extensively, and visited their native
land again in 1890. He has ever taken an
active interest in educational afifairs and
most efiiciently served as school director of
his township while residing in the country.
He is a consistent and faithful member of
the Baptist church, and one of the highly re-
spected and honored citizens of the com-
nninitx'.

JAMES MURPHY.

James Murphy, the well-known engineer
of the water works in Pontiac, Illinois, was
burn in Campbellford, Xorthumberland
county, Ontario, Canada. August 7. 1854,
and is a son of Peter and Ann (Spence)
Muri)hy. The father was born in Xewray,
County Down, Ireland. a1x)ut 1822. and
there gained a thorough knowledge of the
shoemaker's trade. When a young man
he emigrated to Canada, where he married
.Ann Spence. a native of Xottingham. Eng-
land, who had moved to Canada with an
aunt after the death of her prents. In i€S64
they came to I'ontiac and were among the
early property owners of the city, building
their own house on west Water street.
Throughout the greater part of his life the
father engaged in mining. He died in

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

125

April, i8()5, tlie niotlier April 16, 1899.
iJotli were deNout members of St. Mary's
Catliolic cluirch, and were liighly respected
by all will) knew them.

This worthy couple left a faniil_\- of eight
cliildren, of whom our subject is the second
in order of birth. He began his education
in Canada and after the removal (^f the fam-
ily to Pontiac attended the ])ublic schools
here for a time. After the completion of
his education he was variously employed
for a time, but for the past twenty-five years
he has been principall_\- eng^aged in running;-
stationary engines, operating some of the
first ever brought to Pontiac. In 1884 he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
wild land in York county, Nebraska, which
he con\erted into a well improvetl farm,
and there he successfully engaged in mixed
farming for some time, during which period
the country was well settled up and became
a thriving agricultural district. He was one
of the school directors in his township for
four years, during w hicb time a school house
was built in his district. Renting his farm
he returned to Pontiac in 1896 and was
appointetl engineer of the water works,
which position lie has since filled in a most
efficient and satisfactory' manner, having
charge of two Gordon pumps with a capac-
ity of one million and five hundred thousand
gallons daily, which are fully taxed most nf
the time. These are kept running day and
night, his son serving as night engineer.
Fraternally he is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America.

On the 14th of September, 1881, ^Ir.
Murphy was united in marriage with Miss
Bridget Sullivan, and to them have been
born four children, namely : James, who
is an engineer with his father; Katie, Tose]ih
and Marv. Michael Sullivan, Mrs. Mur-

phy's lather, was born in Limerick, Ire-
k'.nd, and as ayoiuig man came to .\merica.
After some time spent in New "^'ork state
he came to Chicago, and entered the emplny
of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, aiding in
its construction frmn Dwight to Blooming-
ton. Being ])leased with this locality he
located in Pontiac when it was a very small
villagej, being among its early residents,
Ijuilding a home on North Vermillion street.
At Lake Station he had previously married
Catherine Arman, of Chicago, who was
born in Waterford, C(iunt\' Cnrk, Ireland,
and prior to her marriage worked in New
^'ork and latter in Chicago. They were
meml)ers of the Catholic church, and before
a cluirch was cslablisbcd in Pontiac mass
was said at the homes of the different mem-
bers. In 1880 they, too, removed to York
county, Nebraska, and purchased a tract of
die hundred and sixty acres adjoining our
suliject's farm, and upon that place Mr. Sulli-
van died June 2, 1885, his wife, February
21, 1896. In their family were only two
children, William, a resident of Nebraska;
and Bridget, wife of our subject.

LARS ENGELSEN.

Lars Engelsen, a well-known agricult-
urist residing on section 10, Esman town-
ship, Livingston county, was born in Nor-
way, July 12, 1845, and is the only child of
Engel and Ella (Mickleson) Engelsen, also
natives of that country, where the father
followed farming until his death in 1852.
Five years later the wife and son came to
America on a sailing vessel, and were al)Out
three weks in crossing the Atlantic from Ber-
gen to Quebec. They proceeded at once to

126

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Morris, ("iruiuly cnunty. llliiKiis. and in tlie '
tall of tiie same year moved to La Salle
connty. where Mrs. Eiigelsen was married,
in 1839. to Torris Jolin.son. also a Norwe-
gian hv birth and a cooper by trade, follow-
ing that ccupation in Dayton. Illinois, for
many years. Later they moved to Indian
Creek, the same county, where Mrs. John-
sen died.

Lars Engelsen lived with his mother and
step-father until grown, and received a fair
education in the schools of^La Salle county.
He besfan life for himself as a farm hand
and was thus employed for several years
before and after his marriage. He subse-
quently rented land. In 186S he came to
Livingston county and located upon his
present farm in 1880, it being a part of the
large tract of land owned by Apollos Camp
of Pontiac, for whom our subject worked
about seven years and who virtually gave
him the place. Mr. Engelseu has erected
thereon a large and sul)stantial residence,
a good barn and other outbuildings, and
has made many other improvements upon
the farm. In connection with its opera-
tions he also cultivates about one hundred
acres more, and has been quite successful
in his farm business.

On the 14th of February, 1865, Mr.
Engelsen was married in La Salle county,
to ^liss Aima Dora Engelsen, who was
born and reared in Xorway, and when a
young lady came to .\merica, where she
attended the English schools for a short
time. By this union were born si.x chil-
dren who are still living, namely : Engle
B., a resident of Iowa; Elmer T., of North
Dakota; Joseph E., who is in this county;
Milton L., Bertha E. and Ellen M., all at
home. Those deceased were James M.. who
died at the age of seventeen years; Lilly .\.,

who died at the age of eighteen ; Bertha and
.\ngeline. who died of scarlet fever at the
age of four and two years, respectively,
and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Englesen has been a stanch Reinib-
hcan since casting his first vote for General
U. S. Grant in 1868. Init he has never cared
for political preferment. In the spring of.
1900 he was elected township assessor, and
for some years was a member of the school
board in Pontiac township. Religiously, he
and his wife and daughters are members of
the Lutheran church, while some of his sons
hold membership in the Methodist Episco-
pal church. His life has been one of indus-
try and ])erse\erance and he is deserving of
the high regard in whicli he is held.

PATRICK H. KANE.

Patrick H. Kane, the genial and popular
proprietor of the Transient House of Pon-
tiac. which is conveniently located near the
Chicago & Alton Railroad depot, was Ixirn
in Holy(5ke, Massachusetts, March 14, i860,
a son of John and Mary (Lannan) Kane.
The father was a native of Ireland and as a
young man came to America, locating first
in ^lassachusetts. where he worked in the
woolen mills for many years, being night
foreman for some time. On leaving that
state in 1863 he came to Illinois and set-
tled five miles southwest of Ottawa, La
Salle county, where he engaged in farming,
later following the same pursuit in .\llen
ttiwnship, the same county. Selling out he
came to Livingston county and took up his
residence in Nevada township, but his last
days were spent as a farmer in Sullivan
township, where he held different township

THE DlOGRArHICAL RECORD.

127

offices. He was a Democrat in politics and
one of the early members of the Catholic
church of Dwight. Me died in July. 1895.
and his wife passed away in the fall of iSXi.

During" his hc:yhi)iid our subject attended
the public schools of La Salle and Livings-
ton counties, and at the age of eighteen years
began life for himself by working as a farm
hand. ha\ing become thoroughly familiar
with that occujjation on his father's farm.
Subsec|uently he went to Nebraska and en-
tered the employ of the L'nion Pacific Rail-
road as brakeman on the line running from
Lincoln to \'al]3araiso and later to Straw ns-
burg on the main line, remaining with the
compan}- four years and four months, after
which lie returned to Illinois.

Mr. Kane was married, July 2, 1881,
the day President Garfield was shot, to I\liss
Rosa Young, a native of Lincoln. Illinois,
and a daughter of Joseph Young, one of the
early farmers of Saunders county. Nebraska.
They lived in \'alparaiso, Nebraska, early
in 1883, before returning to Pontiac, where
Mr. Kane worked for H. C. Bruner as fore-
man and burner at his tile and brick works,
doing all tile Inirning until he severed his
connection with that gentleman in June,
1896. For two years he had entire charge of
the plant and burned eighteen or nineteen
kilns a week. Later he was with John II.
hmith. when he run the factory, and had the
entire confidence and respect of both gentle-
men. Before leaving their employ he built a
house in Ri\er \'iew addition to Pontiac,
which he traded in 1895 for a hotel in Clav
City, Illinois, but after conducting the latter
fi>r a year he returned to Pontiac, where he
engaged in the restaurant, bakery and con-
itctioiiery business until May 24, 1899, when
he bought the Transient House and has since
successfully engaged in the hotel business.

It is a nice two-story frame building, and
in connection with this Mr. Kane owns a
large lot. He also lias a good house and
lot on Madison street and has successfully
engaged in the real estate business for him-
self, ha\'ing owned a number of different
])laces. -Tie is a good, reliable business
n.an. and the prosperity that has attended
his efforts is certainly justly merited.

Mr. Kane"s first wife died while on a
visit to her old home, in 1888, leaving two
children. Elvira aiul Sadie, who are now
being educated in a convent. In 1894 he
married Mrs. Nancy .\dams, of Pontiac,
a daughter of Samuel (jarner, who was one
of the pioneer residents of this city and at
one time a prominent property owner.

As a Democrat Mr. Kane has e\er taken
an acti\'e part in local politics, but has never
been an aspirant for ofiice, though he took a
leading part in the political aft'airs of the first
ward, and is to-dav one of the most promi-
nent Democrats in the wartl where he is

SAMUEL H. BOYER.

Samuel H. Boyer, a well-known li\ery-
man and highly res])ecte(l citizen of Dwight,
Illinois, was born in lllair county, Penn-
syhania, July J5. 1858, a son of George
W. and Mary .\nn (Turnbaugh) Boyer.
The Boyer family is of German origin and
was founded in this country in early colonial
days. His great-grandfather, John Boyer,
was born in America, and throughout life
engaged in farming in Lancaster county,
I'ennsylva'nia. The grandfather, George
Boyer, was born in that county, in 1800,
and married Lydia Rupj), daughter of Jacob
Rupp, who lived near Reading, and belonged

128

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to a family of German origin, wliicli was
fonnded in Cuml)erland connty. Pennsyl-
vania, soon after the landing of \\'illiam
Penn. To (korge and Lydia (Rupp) Bdver
were born six children : Jacob, John, George
W., William. Samnel and Sarah. The father
of this family died in Pennsylvania, at the
age of sixty-eight years. He was a Lu-
theran in religious belief and a Republican
in politics.

George W. Boyer, father of our suli-
ject. was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
vania, February 20. 182 j, and accompanied
his parents on their removal to Blair county,
that state, where he engaged in farming sev-
eral years. He was reared oi: a farm and
received a common-school education. On
the 24th of May, 1849, h^ married Mary
Ann, daughter of Henry and Catherine
(Cherry) Turnbaugh, who were of German
ancestry and lived near Altoona, Blair coun-
ty. By this union were born seven children,
namely : Henry, who married Xellie Mor-
ris : .\nnetta, who married James B. Austin ;
Samuel H., our subject; Sarah C, wife of
Dwight P. Mills; Climenia E., now Mrs.
Muro Bertholic: Alfred A., of Dwight; and
George \\'.. who died at the age nf twelve
years. The father was a member of Company
E, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania
\^olunteer Infantry, during the latter part
of the Civil war. and was honorably dis-
charged at Philadelphia, after which he re-
turned to his home in Blair county. In 1S67
he came to Livingston county, Illinois, and
l)urchased a farm on section 20, Dwight
township, where he resided until a few years
ago. when he retire<l to Dwight. He has
always affiliated witli the Re]niblican party
and has Iield several township offices, in-
cluding those of school director and road
commissioner. Both he and his wife are

members of the Lutheran church and are
highly respected and esteemed by all who
know them.

Samuel H. Boyer was only nine years
of age on the removal of the family to this
county, and in the schools of Dwight town-
ship he acquired his education. Pie remained
at home until twenty-five years of age. On
the 30th of January, 1884, Mr. Boyer was
united in marriage with Miss Jennie Lower,
also a native of Blair county, Pennsylvania,
and a daughter of Samuel and Mary E.
(Downs) Lower, who were born in the
same state. In early life her father learned
the blacksmith's trade, which he continued
to follow until his retirement recently from
active labor. He brought his family to Illi-
nois in i86t and first located in Lanark, but
a few years later came to Dwight, where
he has since made his home, with the excep-
tion of a short time spent in farming in
Broughton township, this county. In 1891
he built a hotel in Dwight, to which he gave
the name of Pennsyhania House, and which
he conducted for seven years, and where he
still resides. In his family were ten chil-
dren, of wliom seven are now living, Mrs.
Bover being the second in order of birth.
Her mother died in February, 1898. To our
subject and his wife have been born five
children, namely: Harvey, Elwood, Clar-
ence. Ira and Ralph. •

After his marriage Mr. Boyer engaged in
farming upon rented land for a time and
then operated Mr. Lower's farm in Brough-
ton township for six years. In the fall of
1 891 he built a large livery stable in Dwight
and to that place he removed in Jaiuiary of
the following year, and has since devoted
his time and attention to the livery business
with good success.

In politics Mr. Boyer is a Republican, but

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

129

lias never been an aspirant fur oriicc. lie
attends the Nletliodist Episcopal church and
al'Hhates with Dwight Camp, No. 270, S.
of \'., (if w hicli he is captain ; Ifehron Li>dge,
No. 5i;v I. O. O. F., and Dwiglit Court of
Honor, Xo. 508.

JOFiX CRABB.

John Crabl), who is inthistriously en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits upon a good
farm of one hundred and twenty acres on
section (), Pike township, Lixingston coun-
ty, Illinois, was born in l'"orfarshire, Scot-
land. July I, 1839, a son of James and Ce-
celia I Monroe) Crabb, also natives of that
countr}', where the mother died. The fa-
ther was i.if English descent.

( )ur subject was rearetl and educated in
his native land and for three years prior
to his emigration to America he worked in
a foundrv. At the age of eighteen he de-
cided to try his fortune on this side of the
Atlantic and took passage on a sailing ves-
sel at Montrose. The voyage lasted six
weeks, during which time they encountered
two severe storms, but finally landed at One-
bee in safety in August. 1857, and proceeded
at once to Tazewell county, Illinois, where
his brothers. Henry and Archie, had pre-
\'iously Icjcated. They were joined by their
father two or three years later and he made
his home in this country throughout the re-
mainder of his life, dying in 1875 at the ripe
old age of eighty-one years.

At first John Crabb worked on a farm by
the month and later he and his brother,
.\rcliie. rented land and engaged in farm-
ing together for seven years. .\t the end
of that period the property was divided and
our subject came to Livingston county ;uid

])urciiasc(l a tr;ict of raw prairie land in
Pike townshi]), to the improvement and
culti\ation of w hich he devoted his energies
until 1889, when he sold that place and
bought his present farm of one hundred and
twenty acres of land on section 9, the same
townshi]). .\t that time it was only slightly
improved, but he has remodeled the resi-
dence, tiled the land, erected good outbuild-
ings and made many other improvements,
transforming it into a most desirable farm.

On the 25th of December, 1865, in Liv-
ingston covuity, Mr. C'rabb was united in
marriage with Miss Hannah K. Capes, a
sister of David D. Capes, whose sketch ap-
pears on another page of this volume. She
was born in i.incolnshire, England, Init was
only three years old when brought to this
country by her father, \\'illoughl)y Capes,
who lirst settled in Tazewell county, Illi-
nois, but later came to Li\'ingston county.
Mr. and Mrs. Crabb have a family of seven
children, namely: Charles, who is married
and engaged in farming in this county; Wal-
ter, at home;. Ada, wife of Henry Beeks,
a farmer of Benton county, Indiana ; Eliza-
beth, wife of Lucius Phillips, a farmer of
Pike township, this county; Dora, Ethel and
Zephyr, all at home.

Politically, Mr. Crabb was originally a
Republican, but of late years has supported
the Democratic party, and being a friend of
temperance he takes an interest in the Pro-
liibition movement. He was an efficient
member of the school board for some years
and gives his support to every enterprise
which he believes calculated to advance the
moral, educational or social welfare of the
community in which he lives. Religiously,
both he and his estimable wife are earnest
and consistent members of the Betliel Metli-
cidisl h'".[)iscopal church.

'30

HE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

CM.\RI.i:S A. Mc(ikl-.(i()R.

I'ew men arc more [jromiiieiit or more
widely known in tlie enter])rising; city of
Pontine than the i;entlenian wliose name
intro(hice> this sketch. He was l)orn in \\ il-
mington. Clinton comity, (^liio. March 14.
1843. ''"^' '* '^ ^"" "'^ John 11. Mc(iregor.
wlio was born in Orange county, Xorlli
Carolina, August 30, 1814. The grandfa-
ther. John Alcdregor, a native of the high-
lands of Scotland, settled in Xorth Caro-
lina on his emigration to this counry, and
there he was a professor in an educaticnial
institution and also a land owner. When his
son. John H., was three years old he re-
moved with his family to Creen River. Ken-
tucky, where he purchased a large amount
of land, but seven years later disposed of bis
property there and moved to Clinton coun-
ty, Ohio, where be b(jugbt more land, mak-
ing bis home there throughout the remainder
of bis life.

John H. McCregor, father of our sub-
ject, was educated in Louisville, Kentucky,
and was admitted to the bar in Clinton coun-
ty, Ohio. Jn \\'ilmingtt)n, Ohio, be was
married, October 3, 1838. by Rev. Joseph L.
Irvin, to Miss Mary J. Buxton, who was
born in Warren county, that state, March
2y, 1821. a daughter of Charles and Eliza
(Vandoren) Buxton. Her father, who was
of English birth, died when she was only
four years old. At an early day the father
of our subject removed to the territory of
Iowa and located in Davenport, owning the
original claim on which that city was
founded in jiartnersbip with his brother and
another gentleman. In 1850 be removed to
Ottawa, Illinois, where be engaged in the
practice of law, having his office with Dr.
Stout, the noted abolitionist, and in Octo-

ber. 185-'. before the railroad was built,
came to I'ontiac. where he was hrst engaged
ii: ])ractice with Mr. DeW'itt, the earliest at-
torney of the jilace, but later was a meml)er
of the lirm of Mc(iregor & Dart. He
erected one of the first buildings of anv
size in the town, the lumber being haided
from Ottawa, a distance of forty miles, and
was one of the most prominent citizens of
1 ontiac in that day, as well as one of the
leading lawyers of this section of the state,
being engaged in practice with Lincoln.
C aton and other illustrious men. He died
January 5, 185^), honored and respected by
ail who knew him. His wife is still living
and is one of the two surviving charter mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church of Pontiac.
He left fi\e children, namely: Elizabeth,
who married A. J. Laws, but is now de-
ceased ; Emma, Charles .\., .\lonzo H. and
II. I'urton. all residents of Pontiac.

The early education of Charles A. Mc-
(iregor, ac(iuired in the i)ublic schools, was
supplemented by a course at Dickinson Col-
lege, Carlisle. Pennsylvania. He left col-
lege to return home and enlisted in the spring
of 1863. joining Company C, Thirty-ninth
Illinois X'olunteer Infantry, which was then
stationed in front of Richmond. Erom that
time on be was in all the engagements in
which his regiment took part, including the
battles around Ricbmontl and Petersburg,
and after Lee's surrender did i)rovost duty,
remaining in the service until December,
1865, when be was honorably discharged.

Returning to Pontiac Mr. McGregor was
interested in a grocery store one vear. He
bad been practically brought up in the drug
business, as from the age of thirteen years
he had worked in a drug store when not in
school until he entered the army, and so
had acquired a very good knowledge of that

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

131

Imsiiicss. As a clerk lie had charjje of the
j^Tocei'v store of Mr. Turner. Init also re-
cei\e(i a ])ercentage of the ])rotits. and so
was reallv interested in the husiness. In
18^)7. in partnership with ). A. Caldwell,
under the tirni name of C;ildwell & McGreg-
or, he eniharked in the drui;' husiness on his
own account on Mill street, where husiness
was carried on for a number of years, hut
in uS7_' they l)uilt a fine block on the corner
of Mill and Madison streets, wliich at that
time was the l:iest husiness house in the city.
it heing" joxiio feet in dimensions and two
stories in height. Here .Mr. McGregor is
still engaged in business, occupying all of
the main floor, part of the second and most
of the basement. The firm built up the
largest drug trade in this section of the state
and about twcnt_\' years added to their stock
a line line of jewelry and silxerware, which
])ro\ed <|nite pr<ilitable. They also dealt in
books, stationery, wall ])aper. etc. They
erected the Ijuilding adjoining their store and
also owned another where the Sterry block
now stands. In I'ebruary. 1895, Mr. Mc-
(iregor purchased his partner's interest and
lias since ])een alone in business. He has
erected a number of business blocks, owning
live buildings on the main business streets
of the city besides the one he occupies, and
also has considerable residence property and.
with his children, owns se\-eral farms, lie
was one of the early stockholders of tho
Livingston County National 13ank and an
original stockholder of the Pontiac Nationii
IJank. as well as a director of Ixjth. In
business affairs he is energetic, prompt :\\u\
notably reliable and carries forward to suc-
cessful completion whatever he undertakes.
On the 23d of November, 1871. Mr.
McGregor married Miss Eunice J. Johnson,
a native of Johnson's Cross Roads, Green-

brier county, \'irginia, and a daughter of
Morris b)hnson, who came to i'ontiac about
i8()(j and was here engaged in general mer-
chandising and the stock business for many
vears. \'>v this union were born five chil-
dren, of whom three still live: llernice E. ;
I'.llis j., now ;i student in the law de])art-
ment of the L'ni\-ersity of Michigan; and
Lewis C, at home. The wife ;ui(] mother,
who was a consistent member of the Meth-
odist I'-jiiscopal church anrl a most estimable
Nvoman, died in J;uiuary, 1888. Mr. Mc-
(iregor holds membership in the I^'esliy-
terian church and for many years has been a
trustee of the s;nne. He also took an active
pan in Simday ychool work for some years.
He has ne\'er h;id time nor inclination for
l)olitical affairs, though he has .served as
alderman from his ward and e\'er stands
readv to discharge any dut_\' devt)lving upon
him.

ll().\. L.\l'..\.\ M. STROUD.

Hon. J.ab:m M. Stroud, who is now
living a retired life on his farm near Pon-
tiac, b.'is lieen a resident of the state since
1830. He is a native of Tennessee, born
near the city of Nashville, Dixon county,
Se])temher Jj. i8j2, and is the son of
Tliomas and Sally (Thompson) Strmid. the
former a native of North Carolina, born in
ij()i. and the latter a native of \'irginia
and daughter of Neal Thomp.son, who lo-
cated in Tennessee in 1789, and there be-
came a large and wealthy planter and where
the remainder of his life was passed. Thomas
.'^troud was a son of Jesse and grandson of
Icter Stroud, both of whom were natives
of North Carolina, but of English and Irish
ancestrv. Jesse Stroud moved from North

132

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Carolina to Tennessee ami located in Obiim
count}-, wliere he owned a large i)lanta{ion
and a number of slaves.

Thomas Stroud grew to manhood in
Tennessee and in jXij married Sally
Thompson, by whom he had a family of
two sons and seven daughters, two only of
the number now living, our subject and his
sister, Mrs. Artimissa Higgs, now living
with our subject. The other members of
the family were Cassa R.. Fanetta. Sinia
Sabury, h^llen, 01)edience Lee. Mourning
Tilford. Julian and Milton P.

Thomas Stroud was a soldier in the
war of 1 812 and served under General Jack-
son. He was a ])lanter in Tennessee for
some years after his marriage, but. with the
desire to better provide for his family, he
came to Illinois in 1830, first stopping in
Sangamon county, where he spent one sea-
son, and then moved to that portion of Taze-
well county which was later detached and
now forms the county of Logan. On settling
in the latter county he took up a claim of one
hundred and si.xty acres, a part of w hich was
government land, which he improved and on
which he continued to live until his death,
March 7, 1858. His wife passed away in
1857.

The subject of this sketch was eight
years of age when he came with his parents
to Illinois. His educational advantages
were limited, but his advantages for work
were not. The farm was to be improved,
crops were to be planted and harvested, and
he must do his share of the work. In his .
youth, however, he learned the carpenter's
trade with his uncle, Colonel S. M. Thomp-
son, but he continued to make his home with
his parents until some years after attaining
his majority.

On the 7th of .\pril, 1S47, ^I""- Stroud

was united in marriage with Miss El\y
Adams, who was Ixirn in Uedford cnunty,
Tennessee, January 9. 1826, and daughter
of Cajjtain John Cr. .Xdams. a native of one
of the Carolinas, but who came to Illinois
and located in Tazewell county in 1828,
when his daughter was but two years old.
He was in command of a ca\alry company
ill the Black Hawk war and was killed by
the Indians. His wife was so shocked by the
death of her hu.sband that she lost her mind
and never recovered, though she li\ed many
yeard afterward., dying when seventy-five
years old. The family were of Scotch an-
cestry and were early settlers of North Caro-
lina, from which state they moved to Ten-
nessee and later to Illinois.

After his marriage Mr. Stroud bought
one hundred and sixty acres of luiimproved
land, which he improved and on which he
continued to H\'e until Ji^J^). in the mean-
time adding to its area until it comprised a
well improved farm of four hundred and
twenty-five acres. Renting his place he
moved to Minier, where he bought residence
property and where he made his home for
ten years. He then came to Livingston
county and took up his residence on his
farm adjoining the city of Pontiac, which he
purchased at that time, comprising one hun-
dred and sixty-three acres, all of which is
under improvement. He had previously, in
1885, purchased a farm of four hundred
acres lying northeast of the city of Pontiac.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stroud seven children
were born. Louisa is the wife of H. H.
Darnell, of Tazewell county. Illinois. Mar-
tha is the wife of William Neal Mouutjoy,
of Logan county, Illinois. Thomas Frank
resides in Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Sarah
Jane Livesay is a resident of Livingston
countv. Parmclia Amiie resides at home.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

133

Jolui ( i. is married ami is cii^'agetl in fann-
ing in Li\inostoii ctmnty. Warren ^^. is
carrying on the lioine farm. .Vfler fifty-twn
years of a happy wedded Hfe Mr.s. Stroud
passed to her reward December 5. 1899,
while on a visit to the old neighliorhood in
Logan county, where so many years of her
life were spent. Her remains were laid to
rest in the .Xihiack cemeter}-. there to wait
the resurrection day. She was a faithful
hel])meet to lier husband, tn whom she was
greatly attached, and was a most loving
mother. The famil\- ;uid all who knew her
in this life \\ill always hold her in gi"ateful
remembrance.

Politically Mr. Stroud is a Jackson Dem-
ocrat and he h;is been an earnest advocate
of the princi])les of his jjarty throughout
life. His tirst jiresidential vote was cast for
James K. i'olk in 1844. and from that time
to tile present the nominee of his party has
always received his ballot. By his fellow
citizens he has been honored with various
local offices, serving for many years as a
member of the county board of supervisors.
In 1872 he was elected by his jjarty a mem-
ber of the General. Assembly, the flistrict com-
prising the Counties of Tazewell and Logan,
and served t\v(3 years, during which time he
served on several inijirotant committees and
was known as a working member. Believ-
ing th;it others shoidd ser\-e. he declined
further jjolitical honors. Since he was eigh-
teen of age Mr. Stroud has been a member
of the Christian church and has e\er t.akcn
an interest in the work of the church and in
the evangelization of the world. His good
wife was also a member of the same church.
.At the present time his membership is with
the church in Pontiac.

Like thousands of the well-to-do men of
this country, Mr. Stroud began life with but

little mc'ins. but he had health, a good con-
stitution, a stout heart and willing hands.
Jle was not afraid of work, antl with tem-
jierate habits and an earnest desire to do
right with his fellow men, he has labored on
until to-da_\- he is the owner of six well im-
proved farms, comprising about two thou-
sand acres, and is well content to live a (|uict
life, enjoying the fruits of his labor in the
])ast. while others shall take up the more
active duties. ^Vell known and universally
res]3ected, lie can (|uietly review the past with
the satisfaction of ojie who has not li\-ed in
\ain. while those that know him can feel
that the world is better for the life that he
has li\'ed.

WILLI.VM T. CR.\\\'FOKD.

William T. Crawford, a prominent horse
dealer, who has since 1875 heen an active
factor in the business life of P<ntiac, Illi-
nois, was born in New York Citv October
13. 183J, atid is a son of Andrew and Eliz-
abeth (Turner) Crawford, the former a
native of Ireland, the latter of New A'ork,
where their mjini.age was celebrated, the
father having come to this country when a
young man. Meeting with business reverses
in the metroplis, he removed to Harrison
couiUw ( )hio. where he took up Land .and
commenced life anew in \ery limited cir-
cumstances. Though the country where he
settled w;is hilly and stony and covered with
a heavy growth of timber, he steadily ])ros-
])ered, and by hanl work, good management
and close economy he became possessed of
consider.able land, being (|uite well off at
the time of his death, which occurred in
Xoxember, 1889. The mother dieil on the
old home farm in 1897. Both were faithful

134

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

memliers of the Metliodist Ejiiscupal (.liurcli
and were iiig-lily esteemed in tlie (.'•ninuinity
where the}' made their home.

Tlie siihject of this sketcli heyan liis edu-
cation in the schools of Xew \'oi-k *."it\-,
but was only eiglit years old when tlie family
removed to Ohio. The school house nearest
his father's home was two miles distance
and the jiath la\- through the wouds. His
mother went with him the first day. carry-
ing a hatchet, with which she marked the
trees that he might find his way home again
at night. The school ])ro\ed quite different
from the one he had attended in the city,
but he managed to acquire a good i)ractica1
education. On leaving home, in 1N34. at the
age of twenty-one years, he went to Scott
county. Iowa, and s])ent one year on a farm
some twenty miles west of Da\en])ort.

Mr. Crawford then returned hume and
was married, I'^ebruary 14. 185^. to Miss
Sarah Johnston, daughter of .Vndrew John-
ston, who was of Scotch- Irish ancestrv. and
to them ha\e l)een born si.\ children, namely :
Elizabeth, now the wife of Charles Strevelle.
of Salt Lake City, Utah: (ieorge A., who is
in business with bis father and has served
as alderman in I'ontiac: .\da. wife i>f Albert
Dolde: Elmer, a resident of .Montana: Will-
iam, who has been connected with the Xa-
tional Bank of I'ontiac for some years: and
Maude, at home.

In the spring of 183^). a short time after
his marriage. .Mr. Crawford mii\ed to
Blf>omington. Illinois, where he lulluwed
farming for three years, and then bouglit a
farm in Tazewell county, which he operated
six years. His next home was a farm north-
west of Blooinington, on which was laid out
tile town of ^'nton, and on .selling that i)lace
be mo\ed to IMoomington. where he was en-
gaged in the horse and cattle business for a

number of years, becoming a very extensive
shipjjer of cattle and hogs, lie was among"
the first from that city to send cattle to the
L'nion stockyards, Chicago, to be sold on
commission, and was the first to ship horses
there for that purpose. He owned the first
car-load of horses ever put in the old brick
barn known as the Cooi)er barn, and has
handled those animals on quite an extensive
scale ever since. He buys mainly in Iowa
and Montana, and sells from three to five
lunidred western horses every year, dealing
in draft horses and fine drivers. Xo one in
this .section handles as many as the Craw-
ford.s — father and son — and they have met
with most excellent success, .\ltbough he
has traveled so extensivelv in the interests
of his business and been brought in contact
w ith all cl.'isses of peo])le. Mr. Crawford has
ne\er tasted intoxicating drinks, and has
led a most e.xem|)larv life, commanding the
respect and confidence of all who know him.
He has never taken an active part in i)oli-
tics, preferring to give his imdivided atten-
tion to his business interests.

JOIIX ])1':XEHE.

It is said that biogra])hy yields to no
nther subject in ixmit of interest anfl profit
and is is especially interesting to note the
])rogress that has been made along various
lines of business by those of foreign birth,
who have sought homes in America — the
readiness with which they adapt themselves
to the different methods and customs of
.America, recognize the adxantages offered
and utilize the op])ortiuiities which the new
W(:)rld afi'ords. We find a worthy repre-
sentative of this class in fohn Denebe, the

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

'35

])reseiit foreman of the locomoti\e and car
(lepartnient at the rmiiul hmise in Dwiglit.
wliicii is the end nf tlie I'eoria ihvision of
the Cliicago iK; Alton Railroad.

Mr. Denelie was liorn in county \\ ater-
ford. Ireland, Deccinher j^. 1846. a son of
l^dward and .Margaret Dcnehe. farming' jieo-
])le, who spent their entire lives in that coun-
try. Our suhect grew to manhood on the
liome farm witli very limited educational ad-
vantages. At the age of twenty years ho
crossed the ocean alone and landed '<n .\mer-
ican soil, a stranger in a strange land. Ik-
stopped first in Xew N'ork. and remained
ahout tiiree years in that city and vicinity.
where he was emi)loyed as a gardener and
farm laborer.

At [•"lathush, .\ew \'ork, Mr. Denehe was
married, .\ugust J. 1868. to Miss Bridget
Taylor, a native of county West Meath, Ire-
land, who came to this country ahoirt the
same time as her hushanil. They have three
sons: Thomas E.. inspector and repairer ol
cars at Dwight: William, who married
Emma Smith, of Dwight, and is now a hre-
man on the Cliicago & Alton Railroad, and
John v.. at home.

After his marriage Mr. Denehe mo\ed
to Valparaiso, Indiana, where he worketl in
a saw-iiiill one season, and then went to Le-
nient, Jllinois, where he was emplo\ed on
the constructicin of the canal two years. In
1871 he took up his residence in Blooming-
ti>n and entered tlie slioi)s of the Chicago &
Alton Railroad, where he wDrked as car
truck imilder until the fall of iSjj. Xeed-
irig a re!ial)le man at Dwight. the company
sent Mr. Deneiie there in Septemljer of that
year to take charge of the car department.
He held that position until 1885, when he
was promoted to foreman, in which capacity
he has since served the road to their entire

satisfaction, lie has under him four men
in the car de])arimenl and seven in the lo-
ot imoti\e department, besides seven regular
train crews, lie also has charge of their
shop at Washington. Jllinois, and for some
time had charge of those at Lacon and
.Streator. He caiue to the new world with
the hope of making his fortune and his
dreams ha\e been more than realized, and
lie is to-day a \\ell-to-do man. Besides his
pleasant residence in Dwight. erecteil by
him in 1874, he has a fine farm of six luui-
(irod and twenty acres in Trego countv, Kan-
sas. He is intelligent and well informed
and that ho has prox'od an elticiont and valued
omi)loyee is ])roved bv his long' retention
with one company, for he has now been with
the Chicago & .\lton Railroad Company for
twenty-eight years. J lis success in life is
due entirely to his own well-directed and
energetic efforts, for he came to this coun-
try empty-handed and has had to make his
own way in the world luiaidod. lie ;ind his
family are communicants of the Catholic
ohurch, and he is i<lontihed with the Rei)ul)li-
can part}'. He takes an active interest in
public affairs and has efliciently served as
school tritstee. Eratenially. he is a mem-
ber of the Ancient Order of Hibernians,
and was one of tlio charter members of the
lodge in Dwight. He has held all the offices
in the lodge, being active in the order as
well as in public affairs.

111-:R.\I W l.( )MM AlSlll.

Many of the most ontorpriMug and pro-
gressive farmers of Eivingslon comity have
come from the lanil beyond the sea. and al-
though thov hail nil cntital when thev lo-

I3f^

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cated here they are now ])rosperous and siic-
cessfnl. Among tlie most prominent of these
is Herman Lonimatscli, wlio owns and oc-
cupies on excellent farm of three hundred
and twenty acres on sections 23 and 24. Pike
township, and also has jiroperty elsewhere
ill the county.

He was horn in Saxony, Germany. Oc-
tober, 27, 1835, and was reared on a farm
in his native land, at the same time attend-
ing school for eight years. In 1X34, at tiie
age of nineteen, lie came to America with
his father, William Lommatsch. taking pas-
sage on a sailing vessel at Bremen and ar-
riving in Xew York after a voyage of si.x
weeks. They proceeded at once to Cincin-
nati, and from there went to Ripley county,
Indiana, where for five years our subject as-
sisted his father in opening up a farm.

There Mr. Lommatsch was married, in
June, 18^9. to Augusta Fellwock. also a
native of Saxony, who came to the new
world when a girl of twelve years and grew
to womanhood in Indiana. By this union
have been born nine children, namely :Emma.
wife of Jonathan Chicodanse, a farmer of
Pike townshi]). Livingston county ; Laura,
wife of Fred .Altman. of the same county;
Theodore, who is married and lives on the
farm in Pike township, where Mr. Lom-
matsch first settled ; Louis, who is married
and follows farming in the same townshii);
Ciiarles, who is married and engaged in
business in Chenoa; Herman L.. a farmer
of Ep])ards J'oint township; Melan. a
farmer, at home; Lena and Nettie. Ixith at
hi>me.

.\lter his marriage Mr. Lommatsch con-
tinnerl to engage in farming u])on his fa-
ther's place in Ripley county, Indiana, fur
two years. In 1861 he came to Livingston
county, Illinois, and purchased eighty acres

of land in Pike townshi]). but for two years
he operated a rented farm in Eppards Point
townshi]), and then located u])on his own
])lace, whicli he improved by the erection
of a comfortable residence. That farm was
his home for several years, during whicli
lime he added to it a tract of one hundred
and forty acres adjoining, so that he had
two hundred and twenty acres in all. Sub-
sequently he jjurchased eighty acres where
lie now resides, and located thereon in 1878.
He has extended the boundaries of his ])lace
until they now jnclude three hundred and
twenty acres, and to its improvement and
cultivation he has devoted his energies with
excellent results. He has erected a large,
neat residence, a commodious Ijarn, cribs and
sheds, has tiled the land, set out shade and
fruit trees, and has convertecl it into one
of the most desirable farms in the township.
Besides his valuable projjerty he has an-
other farm of one hundred and sixty-seven
acres in I'2])i)ards Point townshij). His suc-
cess is due to his industry, energy and per-
severance, and comes as a fitting reward for
honest toil. Politically. Mr. Lommatsch is
a stanch Re])ublican. and religiously he and
I'.is family are members of the Evangelical
church.

JOSI.MI X. B.VRR.

For forty-five years this gentleman has
been identified with the agricultural interests
of Livingston county, and now owns and
o])erates a well-imi)roved farm of one hun-
dred and eighty acres on section 17. Esmen
townshi]). He was born in Lancaster coun-
ty. Pennsylvania, July 6, 1833, and is a son
of Jacob and Su.san (Barr) Barr. also na-
tives of Pennsvlvania and of German de-

J. N. BARR.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

139

scent. Our sul)ject's paternal grandfather,
Jaciil) llarr, Sr.. was one of tlie pioneers of
Lancaster county, wliere the faniil_\- con-
tinued to make tiieir home until 1836, when
tlie parents of our subject moved to Clark
county, Ohio, and there the father cleared
and im])roved a farm. In that county they
spent the remainder of their lives, the mother
dying January, 1846, and the father in 1848.
At the death of the mother there were seven
ciiildren living, of whom five yet survive:
Jacob, ()f Lawrence county. Illinois; Josiali
X., our subject; Cyrus, of Dwight, Illinois;
Susan, now Mrs. Kemp, of Iowa, and Laura
B., now Mrs. Foy, a widow living in \\'ash-
ington county, Nebraska. The oldest daugh-
ter, Elizabeth, died in November, 1846.

Josiah N. Barr was fifteen years old
at the time of his father's death. He then
went to work for various farmers, and con-
tiiuied to be thus employed in that vicinity
until he was twenty-one years old, in the
meantime securing a fair common school ed-
ucation, ;ind then came to lUinnis, in 1854,
locating first in Kane amnly, where he
■worked by the month as a farm band for one
year. .\t the end of that time he purcha.sed
one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec-
tion 17, Esmen township, Livingston county,
where he now resides, t<j its improvement
<md cultivation he has since devoted his en-
ergies with the exception of the time spent
in his country's service during the Civil war.
He broke about half of this tract before en-
tering the army. It is now a well improved
place, being tiled, fenced and under a high
state of cultivation. The buildings are neat
and substantial, and the whole farm indicates
the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

On the 30th of August. 1862, Mr. Barr
■enlisted in Company M, First Illinois Ar-
lillery, which was organized at Camp Doug-

las and .sent from there to Louisville, spend-
ing the time from October until the follow-
ing February in Kentucky in jiursuit of
Morgan. They next went down the Ohio
and up the Cumberland rivers, joining Rose-
crans at l-'ort Donelson, where they were
held in reserve for a time, afterward going
to Nashville and Franklin. As a reserve
corps they . proceeded to Chickamauga, in
which engagement they took part, it being
their first important battle. Later they
were in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and
were sent w ith .Sherman to relieve the forces
at Knoxville. On the 2d day of May. 1864,
they started on the Atlanta campaign, and for
ninety days were under fire almost constant-
ly. They participated in the liattle oi Kene-
saw Mountain and assisted in the capture
of .\tlanta, after which the artillery was sent
back to Chattanooga, where they were on
duty until the following spring, and then
proceeded to Cle\'eland, Tennessee, remain-
ing there until the close of the war. Mr.
I'larr was honorably discharged at Camp
Douglas July 25, 1865. He had lost but
little time on account of sickness, and, al-
though disabled for duty a short time, he was
never in the hosi)ital.

Mr. Barr was married, in Livingston
county. December 24, 1872, to Miss Tinnie
.\nnis, a nati\e of Lond(3n, England, and a
daughter of Mr. Chalmers. As her father
died \vhen she was (|uite small, she was
adopted by a Mrs. Annis, with whom she
came to America during childhood. They
located first in \'ermont. but when she was
about nine \-ears of age mo\ed to Nebraska,
where she grew to womanhood. She died
Sejjtember 22, 1895, and was laid to rest
in the l^smen cemetery. By this union were
born four children, namely: Lutie, who is
now keeping house for her father; Lorenzo

I40

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

N., a pharmacist, wlio is n<>\v engaj^ed in the
<lriig business in Idalio. and Thc(hi M. and
Loren C. botii at lidme.

Mr. Barr cast his first i)residcniial vote
for Jolin C. Fremont, in }<<-,(•>. and as a Re-
])ublican he lias since taken an active and
prominent i)art in local politics. He helped
organize his township and was elected first
collector, in which capacity he served for
two years. He was township trustee six
years, and at intervals has filled the otVice of
sui)er\isor ft>r twelve years, during which
time he served on various important commit-
tees. He has also been a delegate to nu-
merous Count V con\entions of his partv, and
whatever position he has been called upon
to till, it duties he has always faithfully and
satisfactorily ])erformed. He was a meml)er
of the Wesleyan Methodist church until it
was disbanded, and now attends the Method-
ist Episcopal cluu"ch. to which he coiuributes
liberally. He takes quite an active and
l)rominent ])art in church and Sabbath school
work, and is now serving as superintendent
of the Sabbath school. He has witnessed
the wonderful clevclopnient and progress
made in this region in the last half-century,
has seen Pontiac grow from a cross roads
town of two stores to be one of the important
cities in this .section of the state, and in the
vork of ad\ancement he has ever borne an
active ])art and is numbered among the most
ii.^eful and valued citizens of his communitv.

XELSOX COUXTRY.M \.\.

Xelson Countryman, decea.sed, was for
several vears jjrominently identified with the
business interests of I'ontiac. where he lo-
cated in 1S59, and b<.>re an active part in the

early dexelopmeiu of the city. 1 ic was born
in St. Johnsville. Xew York. July 11, 183J,
a son of Jacob Countryman. The father,
who belonged to an olil Xew \'ork familv,
was a shipbuilder by trade, and also engaged
in the practice of law in that state, b'or a
time he made his home in Syracuse and
later in Buft'alo, and built many of the early
lake boats. On coming west he soon located
in Ottawa. Illinois, where he purchased land
and engaged in farming until 1839. which
year witnessed his arrival in Pontiac, where,
as a well-to-do man he lived retired until his
death, which occurred ten or lifteen \ears
later. He erected one of the first brick
stores on the S(|uare. Religi<iusl\'. he was a
member of the .Methodist Episcopal church.

Xelson Countr_\inan was educated in tiie
schools of Syracuse and Buffalo. Xew York,
and later accompanied his |)arents on their
removal to Ottawa. Illinois. .\s ])reviously
stated the family came to this county in
1859. and our sui)ject bought and opened up
the first stone tpiarry near Pontiac. it being
three-(piarters of a mile northeast of the
court house, and for this land he ga\e two
hundretl dollars per acre. I'rom his (|uarry
nearly the stone for the foundations of
buildings in the city were obtained. He did
a large and ])rosperous business, furnishing
employment to many men. and had the name
of being one of the best workmen in bis line
in this seceion of the state. He contracted
to put in foundations and also shipped rock
and sand.

On the 3d ol October. 1854. Mr. Idun-
tryman married Miss Pask.ilenia Reynolds,
and to them were born two children, n.'uuely :
Mary E.. wife of D. B. Shiland. oi" i'ontiac.
and Minnie, wife of Frank Sinclair, al.so of
I'ontiac. I'enjamin I?. Reynolds. .Mrs.
Coimtrviuan's father, was born in Lewistoii^

THK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

141

MilTlin onuity. Pennsylvania. June 10. 1810,
anil there married l''.leaniir Seofieid. who was
born in Cleartield, Clearfield eountw renn
sylvania. .\ugust 14. iSij. lie was en-
gaged in the hardware Imsiness in Lew iston
until i<*^33. when, with his wife and two chil-
dren, he reniovetl to ()tia\\a. Illinois, heing
one of its first settlers, lie had lost a fort-
une of nearly fifty thousand dollars by the
failure of the state to pay for an ac(|ueducl.
In La Salle count\'. he purchased six hun-
dred and forty acres of land six miles from
Ottawa, where he made his home until 1877,
and then went to Indiana, hut his last days
were jjassed in Te.xas. His brother. Dr.
John P. Reynolds, was killed at the .\lanio,
and his property, consisting of four thou-
sand and forty-seven acres of land and twD
thousand dollars fell to Mrs. (.'ounlryman"s
father and his si.ster in Indiana. The fa-
ther went south to take possession of the land
and located every acre. The property also
included thirteen houses and lots in W ells
Point, Texas. He died in that state Febru-
ary J, i88j, leaving eight children, his wife
])assed away February 1 (>. 1 874. Both were
active members of the Methodist Ei)iscopal
church, and were people of prominence in
the community where they resided.

Mrs. Countryman was reared on a farm
near Ottawa anti was mostly educated by her
father, who had been a profes.sor of scliools
for thirtv vears. He also serveil as super-
visor of his township for over forty years,
and was considered the leading man of the
community, his fellow citizens always giv-
ing him their political sup])ort regardless of
])arty lines. He also took an active interest
in state affairs, and w as well ac(|uainted with
Lincoln and other ]irominenl politicians of
his day.

Mr. and Mrs. Countrvman resided for

a short time in \\"isconsin, and then returned
to Pontiac, where she has since made her
home at .\"o. _^ 1 _^ ICast Livingston street.
Here he died February 23, i88f). Through
his own well-directed effcirts he ac(|uired a
comfortable com])etence, and also won by an
honorable, upright life, an untarnished name,
and the record which he left behind is one
well worthv of emulation. Since her hus-
band's death Mrs. COuntrxnian has carried
on the business and cpiarry interests antl has
met with marked success, having more or-
ders than she can fill, although she knew
nothing of the business when it came utnler
her manageiuent. She gives employment
to ten men, and shi])s stone quite extensively,
having the only (piarry in this neighborhood.
It is a \erv \alual)le i)iece ot property, co\-
ering two acres of the eighteen and a half
tract which she owns. She is a member of
the P>a])tist church, and is honored, not alone
for her business abilit}', but for her straight-
forward, womanly course and true nobiKty
of character. Her circle of friends and ac-
(luaintances is extensive.

W Al.TF.R H.\Rr.

Walter Hart, a successful florist now en-
gagetl in business at .\'o. 507 Xorth Ladd
street, Pontiac, Illinois, was born near .\or-
age. England, February 27, 18.^3, and when
eighteen vears of age emigrated to .\mer-
ica with his jiarents, George and Mary .\nn
(Locke) Hart, also natives of ICngland.
where the father earned a liveliiiood as
a fisherman. The family settled near
.\mora. in Kane county. Illinois, where
the father engaged in fariuiug until a
few \ear< before bis death, when he came

142

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to Pontiac. w liere lie passed away September
15. 1884. at the age of seventy-three years.
After liis cleatli the niotlier lived with our
subject and at his lK)me she died December
9, 1884. at the age of nearly eighty-four.
They had a family of nine children, all born
in England, but only tiiree are now living,
namely : Dennis, a farmer of Sac county,
Iowa; George, a machinist of Des Moines,
Iowa, and Walter, our subject. The others
all died in England, with the exception of
Mrs. Mehalah Huggins, who died in Dwight,
Illinois.

Walter Hart never left the home of his
parents until his father's death. He ob-
tained the greater part of his literary educa-
tion in the evening schools of Xorage, Eng-
land, and for a brief time after coming to
this country- attended school in Bristol, Ken-
dall county, Illinois, where his father was
engaged in farming. In November, 1875,
he came to Pontiac with his parents and
entered the employ of the Illin(;is State Re-
formatory as gardener, remaining in their
employ for two years, after which he leased
a greenhouse on Mai)lewood avenue, and en-
gaged in business there as a Horist for five
}ears. The following eight years he carried
on business in the northern part of the city,
and then purchased his present place at No.
507 North Ladd street. Here he constructed
n greenhouse, but his business has increased
so rapiiily that it is fast outgrDwing his pres-
ent (|uartcrs. .\ man of artistic tastes and
good 1)usiness ability, he has met with suc-
cess in his chosen calling. He has been a
life-long member of the Methodist church,
and his career has ever been such as to com-
mend him to the confidence and high regard
of all with whom he has come in contact,
either in business or social life. In his po-
litical views he is a Republican.

In i860, in Kendall county, Illinois, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hart and
Miss Sarah Springer, of that county, the
sixth child of James and Katherine Springer.
.She was born in Indiana and came to this
state with her parents when quite young.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hart were born seven chil-
dren, namely: Anna C, who died at the age
of one year and eleven months ; Sebina, who
died in Pontiac at the age of five months;
one who died in infancy unnamed; James
\\ .. who marrietl Laura McKinsey. of Mc-
Dowell. Illinois, and is an electrician in the
employ of the Electric Light Company of
Pontiac; Marv Ann, wife of Pearl Carrier,
a farmer of Chenoa; Illinois: Adeline, wife
of Charles Page, a painter and paper hanger
of Pontiac, and George R., who is employed
']•.[ a sh<ie factor\- in Pontiac.

JOHN HANCOCK.

John Hancock, whose home is on section
25, Pike township, Livingston county, is one
of the most prominent and influential citi-
zens of his coinmunit}'. He takes an active
and commendable interest in public affairs,
and gives his support to all enterprises which
he believes will prove of jjublic benefit or
will in any way advance the interests of his
adopted county.

Mr. Hancock was born in Franklin coun-
ty. I'ennsyjxania, January 13, 1839, a son of
John and Catherine ( .Mooney) Hancock, na-
tives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, re-
spectively. Throughout the greater ])or-
tion of his life the father made liis home in
Franklin county. Pennsylvania, his time and
attention being devoted to agricultural pur-
suits, and he died there in 1875. ^^'^ wife,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

143

\\lio still survives him, a hale and hearty old
lady of seventy-five years, continues to re-
side on the old homestead with her young-
est son, Solomon Hancock.

During^ his boyhood our subject attended
the common schools and remained in his na-
ti\e countv until eighteen years of age, when
he came to Illinois, locating in McLean
county, March i, 1857. There he worked
by the month for two years, and then came
to Livingston county, operating rented land
in Pike township until the t)utbreak of the
Civil war. On the 14th uf June, iS6r, he
enlisted for three years, in Company A,
First Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned
to the western army, and his first engagement
was at Lexington, Missouri, lie partici-
pated in numerous skirmishes in that state
and -Arkansas, and was in active service two
years, being mustered out and honorably
discharged at Benton Barracks, St. Louis,
in 1863. After his return from the war Mr.
Hancock continued to engage in farming
upon rented for several years, after which
he speculated in farm property quite exten-
sively, buying and selling several places. In
1878 he purchased his present farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, on section 25, Pike
township, and has since successfully engaged
in its operation. He has erected thereon
good and substantial buildings, and has made
many other improvements, which add greatly
to the value and attractive appearance of the
place, making it one of the best farms of its
size in the township. By untiring industry
and sound judgment he has won a merited
success in his undertakings, and is in all re-
spects worthy the high regard in which he
is held by his fellow citizens.

On the 2d of June, 1863, in Livingston
county, while home on a furlough, Mr. Han-
cock was united in marriage with Miss

Rachel Campbell, who was born and reared
in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and
is a daughter of Archibald Cam])bell, a
teacher by profession, and a life-long resi-
dent of the Keystone state. To Mr. and
Mrs. Hancock were born five children,
namely: Ida, wife of Harry Reed, of Pon-
tiac; Lettie, Charles, Josephine and Bessie,
all at hnme. Jo.sephine was educated at the
Pontiac high school and is now one of the
successful teachers of the county, and Bessie
is now a student at the Chenoa high school.
Formerly Mr. Hancock was identified
with the Republican party and cast his first
presidential ballot for .Vbraham Lincoln, in
i860, but is now a stanch Democrat, and
takes quite an active and prominent part in
local politics and public aft'airs, having served
his fellow citizens as township collector, com-
missioner uf highways and a member of the
school board. He has filled the last position
for some years and is now president of the
board. As a citizen he ever stands ready
to discharge any duty devolving upon him,
and has taken an active interest in promot-
ing the welfare of his township and county,
his patriotism being manifest in days of peace
as well as when he followed the old flag
to victory on southern battle fields. He is
an honored member of the Grand Army Post
of Chenoa, and both he and his wife hold
membership in the Presbyterian church of
that place, with which he has been connected
since 1858.

JOHN STEWART.

John Stewart is a well known jepre-
sentative of the business interests of Dwight,
Illinois, where he is e.xtensivel)- engaged in
contracting and building, and also deals in

144

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lumber ami coal. Of excelleiU husines.-; abil-
ity and broad resmirces. he has become one
of the well-to-do citizens of the place. He
has won .success by his well-directed, ener-
getic efforts, and the prosperity that has
ci ine to him is certainly well deserved.

Mr. Stewart was born in the north of
Ireland June 1 1. 1846, and is a son of John
and .Mary .V. (McKelvey) Stewart, also
natives of Ireland, but of Scotch parentage.
There the father learned the weaxer's trade,
which he followed until iiis emigration to
.\merica in 1S30. bringing with him his
family, consisting of wife and eight children,
lie located in Warrensburg. Warren coun-
ty. .\e\\ ^ drk, and accejited a jiosition as
tinisher in a tannery, but he was not long
])ermitted to enjoy his new home, for he
died li\e years after his arrival, at the age
cf sixty-three. He had ten children: Jane.
NN'illiam. Mary .\.. Robert. Thomas, Eliza-
heth, Ellen, Margaret, John and Rosa, all
.still living, but none residing in this county
with the e.NCeption of our subject. He has
one brother and three sisters in .\urora,
Kane county; one sister in Kendall countv,
Illinois; a brother in Missouri, and the
others are in New ^drk state.

Our subject was only four years old when
hroiight by his parents to this country, and
he received his education in the common
schools and seminary of Warrensburg. New
York. After leaving .school he worked m
lumber mills for four years, and on the 13th
of March. i<%5, came to Aurora, Illinois,
working one year on a farm in Sugar (Irove
township, Kane county. He then entered
the car shops of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad, where he followed the
trade of a carbuilder four years, but on the
advice of his ])hysician he again turned his
attention to agricultural pursuits. Going to

Grundy county. Illinois, he rented a farm for
a year and a half, and then came to Livings-
ton countN'. purchasing a farm of eighty acres
of im])ro\ed land in Nevada township, to
the cultixation of which he at once turned
his attention. .Miout six years later he
bought another eighty-acre tract, making in
all a fine farm of one hundred and sixty
acres on .section i _». .Nevada townshi]). which
he thoroughly tiled and placed under a high
state of cultivation. He gave the greater
part of his time and attention to the raising
of stock, feeding from two to three car-
loads of cattle ])er year and one of hogs. In
this way he more than used all of the grain
raised upon his own land. After fourteen
years devoted to agricultural pursuits, Mr.
Stewart moved to Dwight in the spring of
iSyo and commenced working at the cari)en-
ter's trade. Since the fall of 1891 he has en-
gaged in contracting and building on his
own account and has erected many of the
fine residences in the place. In 1900 he
purchased the coal business of F. B. Chester,
known as the Dwight Coal Com])any. and
now carries it on in connection with his
other Inisiness.

On the I4tli of September, 1870, Mr.
Stewart was unitcil in marriage with Miss
.Mary E. \'eale. a natixe of (irundy county,
Illinois, and a daughter of Charles and Mary
\'eale, who were born in England and came
to this country in early life, settling in Grun-
dy comity, where both died when Mrs. Stew-
art was a child of fmu' years. She then
made her home with her uncle, John \'ick-
cr}-. They were among the first settlers
of Cnmdy county and while imjiroving his
l;;nd Mr. N'ealc lixed in a wagon. To Mr.
and Mrs. Stewart were born three children,
namely: Ernest P., who died on his thir-
teenth birthdav and the anniversarv of his

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORO.

<45

])arents' marriag-e : Nellie O.. who was grad
iiated tnnii the Dw i.qlit h'ii\-i st-imol in the
spriiig- of 1S99 and is at ImiiK-: and l\<il)ert
Earl, aged ten years, is still in scIidoI,

Mr. Stewart is an earnest nu-inhei- id
the .Metluidist I'Lpiscupal clun-cli. has always
lived np to his professions and taken an ac-
tive part in church work. He has been an
official member for the i)ast sixteen years
and is now trustee of the church and sujjer-
intendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally
he is a member of Dwifjht Eodj>e. Xo. 513.
i. O. (). E.. of which he is deputy, and jjo-
liticallv is a Prohibitionist and served as
a deleg'ate to the county conxcntions ol his
])artv and as chairman of the township I'ro-
hibition committee. When there is no I'm
jiibition ticket in the field he suijporls the
Ke])ublican party. For the last four years
he has been an active and efficient mem-
ber of the \illatie board of trustees and has
been chairman of the water works committee
for the past three years, duriuij- which time
the system has been improved and a stand-
]jipe jilaced. He has the entire confidence
and res])ect of his fellow citizens and is held
in hiijh reLfard b\' all with whom he comes in
contact, either in business or social life.

S.\.ML'EL (iOODWlLi. MoKKlSO.V.

Samuel G.oodwill Morrison, a jirnmi-
nent farmer of Avoca township and a worth}'
representative of one of its old and honored
taniilies. was born in the house he now oc-
cu|)ies October 20. 1857, a son of Samuel
and Mary A. (Rtxkwood) Morrison, both
i)f whom were born near Buffalo, New
^'ork. and with their respective parents came
to Illinois when children, beinjj married in
this state. Our subject's paternal grand-

tather only lived a few years after settlinf^
in 1 .i\in<;sii n county, and his wife did not
lon|:;' survive him. They were pioneers of
the counlN' and made their home near where
our subject now resides. The i\ockwoo(l
lamil\- were also amons; the early settlers,
who, by persistent labors, subdued the wild
prairie lands and made homes for their de-
scendants. The grandparents both died in
Livingston county. The father was one of
the most successful farmers of Avoca town-
ship, where at one tiiue he owned five hun-
dred acres of laml. but later sold all but two
hundred and forty- four acres. \\ h ch he re
tained as a home ])lace. This was school
land when he purchased it and abounded
with ])rairie grass and rattle snakes, but he
imi)r(i\e(l ;nid converted the same into one
of the most fruit fid and valuable farms of
his localitv. In ])olit cs he was a Republican
and held minor ofTices in the township, which
were thrust upon him, as he never sought
])olitical honoi-s. His first wife died in 1866.
.^i.\ children were born to them, four son.s
and two daughters, nrunely: liets)-. who
died in infancx': Susan .\., wife of C. J).
Ilering. of Indiana; John O., an employee
of H. O. Ilabcock, of I'ontiac; (jeorge D.,
a successful farmer of A\'oca townshii);
James J., a resident of Spear. Nebraska;
and Samuel (•.. our subject. F"or his second
wife the father married Maria Phillips, of
Livingston county, by whom he had seven
children: Nellie, wife of Joel W. Banker,
of I'ontiac ; Joseph C. of Page county, Iowa ;
Lenora. wife of Charles FViant. of .Xvoca
townshi]); Will-am R., of Owego township;
Harry L., of Lodemia ; Mary, who lives
with our subject; and Charles, a farmer of
Avoca township, .\fter a successful and
honorable career tlie father died at home
May I. 18S4. at the age of .si.\ty-five years.

146

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

During his Ijoyliond Samuel C Morri-
son pursued his studies in liic district schtxil
near his home and when liis education was
completed he worked with his father on the
farm until the latter's death, when he was
appointed administrator of the estate. He
purchased the interests of the other heirs
in the home farm and now has one hundred
and eighty acres, on which he is successfully
engaged in general farming and raising stock
for market.

On the 1 8th of February, 1892, ]\[r.
Morrison was united in marriage with Miss
Rose Gregg, who was born in Osceola coun-
ty, Iowa, in 1868, and he brought his bride
to the farm which has since been their home.
Two children bless their union: Ivan (i.
and Samuel \\'., both bright boys. Mrs.
Morrison is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and her husband is a supporter
of the same. He Imlds membership in the
Modern Woodmen Camp, Xo. 6, of Fair-
bur}-, and n politics always affiliates with
the Republican party, though he would never
accept public office other than school di-
restor, a position he acceptably filled for
twelve years. He has led a (piiet. uneventful
life in the same neighborhood where there
are many who were his boyhood friends, and
those who know him best hold him in the
highest regard. His genial, pleasant man-
ner makes him (|uite ])opular. and he is rec-
ognized as a valued citizen of the com-
munity.

DAVID E. CAPES.

David E. Capes, a successful ice dealer
of Pontiac, is a native of Illinois, his birth
occurring June 16, 1862, six miles south
of W^ashington, in Tazewell county. His

]);'renls. \\illoughby and Elizabeth (Milner)
Capes, were born, reared and married in
Lincolnshire, luigland, where they continued
to make their home until after the birth of
three of their children. Then the family, in
1852, came to the new world and settled in
Washington, Illinois, where for two years the
lather supported his wife and children by
workingas a day laborer at fifty cents per day.
The second year he was able to purchase a
horse, and the following year bought another,
after which he engaged in farming on his
own account, operating rented land for
eleven years. At the end of that period he
j)urchased one hundred and sixty acres of
raw prairie land on section 9, Pike township,
I^ivingston county, for which he paid seven
dollars and a quarter per acre. He located
thereon in the spring of 1864, and at once
turned his attention to the improvement and
cultivation of his place, soon converting it
into a most desirable farm. In connection
with general farming he was also engaged
in stock raising, and each fall shipped a car-
lod of hogs to market. He built a fine house
upon his place and made many other im-
provements, costing as much as two sections
of land would have cost when he purchased
his property. As an agriculturist he met
with marked success and was able to assist
his sons in getting a start in life. He was
one of the early members of the Bethel
Methodist Episcopal church at Greymont,
which he helped to establish, and was one
of the main standbys in the erection of the
house of worship. From the first he served
as steward of the church, and was recognized
as one of the most honest, honored and
highly respected men of his community.
He was never an aspirant for office, but was
always a consistent and earnest Republican,
and never failed in his duties of citizenship.

WiLLOUGHBY CAPES.

D. E. CAPES.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

151

He was born at Mar's Cliapc!, near (iniusey,
Liiicolnsliire. luifjiand, October iK, 1819.
and died October 4, 1899. He was united
in marriage witb Elizabeth Mihier, in 1844,
and they became tlie parents of thirteen cliil-
dren. She was born in Yorkshire, England,
Marcli 13, 1827. In her seventeenth year
she was converted and jnined the Methodist
Episcopal chnrch, and her life was freely
given to the labors of the church, and her in-
fluence upon Bethel community will be felt
in the years to come. After a long illness
she fell asleep Se|>tember 4, 1898.

Our subject was the eighth in order of
birth in the family born to this worthy
couple. During his boyhood he attended the
public schools of Pike township, and aided
his father in the work of the home farm until
he attained his majority. On the j8th of
December, 1882, he was united in marriage
with Miss Alice A. Piper, of Rock Creek,
Illinois, and they now have two children :
Delbert R., born January 8, 1884, and Cora
Belle, born l-'ebruary i, 1886. Both are now
attending the high school of Pontiac.

After his marriage Mr. Capes remained
at home until the fall of 1883, when he pur-
chased eighty acres of raw prairie land only
three miles from Pontiac — a rare thing for
that late date. He had no money and it was
only with the help of his father as security
for the first payment that he was able to piu'-
cliase it. That fall he built a house and com-
menced breaking the land. He tiled it tlie
next spring and continued the work of im-
provement and cultivation until he had one
of the best farms of its size in the locality,
raising as much on it, by working it thor-
oughly, as many did who owjied twice the
number of acres. At the age of si.xteen he
commenced running a threshing machine,
which he operated thirteen years, and this

helped him out considerably in paying for
his land, which was soon free from debt.
I le was one of the youngest threshers in the
county and made a success of the business.
He continued to carry on his farm until
1^93. when he sold it for ninety-five dollars
per acre, having paid forty dollars for it.
Mr. Capes then moved to Pontiac, where
he was engaged in difYerent lines of trade
for a time, including the implement and milk
business. In July, 1895, he turned his
attention to the ice business. At that
time there were two firms of the kind
in the city; one of these he got his
brother to buy, while he purchased the
other and then, buying his brother's business,
he had entire control of the ice trade. His
ice houses were located on the Vermilion
ri\er near the Wabash Railroad, where he
owns two acres of land, on which are six
houses, with a storage capacity of eight
thousand tons. He puts up a full supply
and gives employment to many men in cut-
ting the ice. During the summer he runs
four teams and employs nine men in its dis-
tribution to his customers, and for the past
three years has controlled the ice trade of
tlie city and done a good business. He has
a line property on the south side of the river,
opposite the Chautauqua grounds and ex-
tending to the river. Here he has a nice
home where he can enjoy the results of his
labor. He belongs to that class of men
whom the world terms self-made, for, com-
mencing life empty handed, he has con-
quered the obstacles in the path to success,
and has not only secured a comfortable com-
petence, but by his eflforts has materially
advanced the interests of the community
with which he is associated. Politically, he
is identified with the Republican party and
fraternally affiliated with the Knights of

152

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Pythias. Modern \\'ooclmeii of America,
Royal Xeighbors and Toilers Fraternity. He
attends and aids in the support of the
Methodist Episco])al church, of which his
wife is a member.

SAMUEL J. FRISK.

Samuel J. Prisk. a well-known nursery
man and highly respected citizen of Pontiac.
who has made his home in this county for
the past eighteen years, was born in Corn
wall. England, December 20. 1836, a son i)f
Samuel and (irace (Williams) Prisk, na-
tives of the same place, where the father
engaged in mining until his emigration to
America in 1840. The grandfather. Joseph
Prisk. had ])re\inusly crossed the Atlantic
and located on a branch of the liast h'ork
river, four miles soiUheast of Galena, erect-
ing one of the i)ioneer homes of that lo-
cality. With his two sons. Willam and
Paul, he built the first Methodist Episco])al
church east of (ialena. a log structure, also
laid out a cemetery and a mound there, which
is still known as Joseph Prisk mound. He
owned and operated a farm of forty acres
and also engaged in mining. He was a
very active member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and his home became the sto])-
ping place for all the ministers. The fa-
ther of our subject bought a farm of eighty
acres between Scales Mound and Council
Hill, Jo Daviess county, and built the first
stone house in that i)art of the ci^untry. it
being also the first good liouse. During the
construction of the Illinois Central Kail-
road through that locality he boarded the
hands, and throughout his active business
life engaged in farming and mining. He

finally sold his farm and bought a two-hun-
dred-and-twenty-acre farm on Rush creek in
Woodbine township, living on it unt 1 his
death, which occurred in July. 1861. His
wife died June 14, 1892, at the ripe old age
of seventy-se\en years. Both were earnest
and consistent members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.

.\t a very early age our subject began
wDrk. and all the education he acc|uired was
obtained at Sunday schotil, which he at-
tended about three hours every Suntlay, but
by reading and observation in later years
he has become a man of broad practical
knowledge. He worked with his father in
the lead mines from the age of eight years
until he attained his majority, when he
started out in life for himself. Going to La
Salle, he found employment in the coal
mines, w iiere he worked fifteen years.

There Mr. Prisk was married. December
31, 1859, to Miss Mary .\nn Case, who was
born in Preble county. Ohio, in 1843. ^^^^
father, Conrad Case, was a native of Penn-
sylvania and went to Preble county, Ohio,
when a ynung man, locating eighteen miles
from Dayton, where he married Sarah Ann
Combs. He engaged in farming there until
1854, when he came to Illinois and settled at
Jericho, near .Aurora, where he followed
the same occupation two or three years. His
next home was four miles from De Witt,
Iowa, where he located when the country
was all wild and unimproved, but he bought
land, built a house and engaged in the cul-
tivation of his farm for three years, at the
end of which time he sold out and returned
to Illinois, this time locating in La Salle,
but his last days were spent in Ohio, where
he died in 1863. His wife had died in Jeri-
cho, Illinois. Both were members of the
Lutheran church. He was a cooper by trade.

THE . BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

'53

Mr. and Mrs. Prisk liave eight children
hving, while Mary Jane, wife of .\lhert Rer-
nell, of Streator, died at the age of twenty-
four years, .-\llen, a resident of Pontiac,
married Maggie Lanipkin and has four chil-
dren, Rohert, Marguerite, .Mien and Le\i.
William J. is now living in Si)ringlield.
Samuel, a resident nf Pontiac. married Ida
Block', and has four children. May, LIdviI
Lincoln, Lillian and Dewey. Lillie is at
home. Mrs. Esttlla McGill has one child.
Pearl, and lives with her parents. \\'esley
married I-lnima Laycock, now deceased, and
i;i ser\ing as corporal of Company H, Thir-
ty-ninth United States Volunteer Infantry,
in the Phili])pines. Clara and May are both
at home.

.After President Lincoln's first call for
seventy-five thousand men at the t)pening
of the Civil war. Mr. Prisk was the eight-
eenth to enroll his name among the volu
teers at La Salle, and was a member of the
first company to leave that place, it being
Compan\- K, I''le\enth Illinois \'olunteer In-
fantry. They went to Springfield, Illinois,
.April 20, 1 86 1, and from there proceeded
to Villa Ridge, near Cairo, where they were
detailed to guard a bridge. The)- were ne.xt
ordered to Bridge Point, Missouri, and when
their term of enlistment expired were honor-
ably discharged.

Returning to La Salle, Mr. Prisk en-
t-aged in mining and farming there for sonic
time and then devoted four years to the latter
])ursuit at Rush creek, Jo Daviess county,
after which he returned to La Salle, where
he again followed farming. Sul)se(|uently
he engaged in mining at Streator until com-
ing to Livingston county in i88j, when he
located northwest of Pontiac and engaged
in agricultural pursuits until 1889, in the
meantime serving as roadmaster two years.

1 le then came to Pontiac and has since de-
voted his attention to the nursery business,
becoming one of the best known and most
successful luirsery men of this section. In
1895 '1^ ''^"'t ^ f^'ic home at No. 117 Park
street, facing River \'iew Park. He was
the first to build on that street and the peo-
ple laughed at him for going so far out. but
it is now well built u]) and is one of the most
l^leasant parts of the city, being advan-
tageously located near the park and river.
Mr. Prisk has charge of the park, in which
the Chautau(iua .Association is held. lit-
is a member of T. Lyle Dickey Post. .\o.
105, (j. .\. R., of which he is now officer
of the guard, and both he and his wife are
active and faithful members of the Methodist
l-.pisco|);d church, in which he has served as
stewaril. class leader and superintendent of
the Sunday school.

JOHN C. T.KYLOR.

John C. Taylor, wIkj resides on section
36, Pontiac township, Livingston county, is
the owner of a fine farm of two hundred
and thirty-six acres, within three and a half
miles of the city of Pontiac. He is a na-
tive of Saratoga county. New York, liorn
near the great Saratoga springs October 5.
i84_^, and is a son of George C. Taylor, a
native of the West Indies, born on the island
of St. Bartholomew January 30. 1817. The
grandfather, George W. Taylor, was a pro-
fessional sailor and followed the sea for
many years, but later settled in Saratoga
county. New York, where his last days were
spent. George C. Taylor was reared in Sar-
atoga county and there married Miss L'retta
Bentley, a native of Saratoga county and

'54

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a daugliter of Otis Rentley. one of the pio-
neers of Saratoga county, who lived to the
remarkahle old age of ninety-nine years and
six months, and wiiose faculties were pre-
ser\-ed tn the last. He continued to vote
at every election initil within one mbnth of
liis death, voting at an election in March and
dying the next April. He never wore glasses
and could see to read until near the last.

In Saratoga county George C. Taylor
engaged in agricultural pursuits until his
removal to Livingston county in 1858. Here
he pui"chased an un<li\'i(le(l half of a half-
section of land which had heen entered hy his
lirother, John J. Taylor, and which had been
partially improved. In partnership with his
brother he commenced the further improve-
ment of the place and in due time had one of
the best farms in the township. He later
purchased the interest of his brother in the
half-section and continued to live on that
homestead until his death, December 9, 1893,
at the age of seventy-six years. He was
twice married, his first wife dying March
8, 1877. 1'l^c seconti wife is yet living. By
the first wife three sons were born. Otis B.
was a soldier in the Civil war and died in
1862, at Buck's Lodge, Tennessee, while in
the service. John C. of this review, was the
second in order of birth. George W. died
at the age of twenty-one years. He died
in Saratoga county and at his death was
just the same age as his brother when he
died.

John C. Taylor came to Livingston coun-
ty in his fifteenth year. His education,
which was begun in the common schools of
his native state, was completed in the com-
mon schools of Living.ston county. While
he gave the greater portion of his time in
assisting his father with the farm work,
lie spent a short time in teaching in the dis-

trict schools,' in which line he met with a
reasonable degree of success. He was first
married, April 22, 1866, to Miss Cecelia
Zeph. a native of W'urtemberg. (Germany,
but who came to this country in early life
and was reared to womanhood in Livingston
county. By this union were three children,
as follows: Hattie, now the wife of Grant
McCormack, of Livingston county: Zephyr,
wife of Lincoln Tuttle, of (iraymont. Illi-
ncjis: and William, who. married Daisy
Pearre, and now resides in .\rkansas. where
he is engaged in farming.

After his marriage Mr. Taylor continued
U- operate the home farm, on which he made
man}- improvements, including the erection
of a large barn. For some years he engaged
quite extensi\-ely in the stock business, in
which he met with good success. His wife
died in 1872 and October i. 1873, '^^ uiar-
ried Miss Eliza McManis, a native of Ohio
and daughter of Joseph McManis, who was
horn in Pennsylvania, but who removed to
Ohio and later to Illinois. He was married
three times and was the father of nineteen
children, sixteen of whom grew to mature
years. Mrs. Taylor was mostly reared in
Li\ingston county.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have fi\'e children:
George, who is assisting in the cultivation
of the home farm: John, a teacher in St.
Alban Academy, Knoxville, Illinois; y\r-
tbur G., a student at Zion College, Chicago;
Alice, a student in the Pontiac high school;
and Harry, in tiie home school.

politically Mr. Taylor was originally a
Republican and supporte<l the menand meas-
ures of that party for many years. Of late
he has given his support to the Prohibition
])arty. He never sought or desired pul)lic
cftice and declined several that were offered
him ; however, he served for a time as a

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

■55

memlier of the scliool hoard and as ])resident
of liis school district. Reared a liaptist, he
has since undergone a change of taitli and is
now a nienilier of tlie Christian Cathohc
cluircli in Zion. of wliich hody his wife is
also a meniher. .\s a citizen he has always
enjoyed the respect and confidence of those
l.v whom he is surrounded and h\- those who
know him hest.

WILLI.VM II. BRACE.

William 11. iirace. who is now success-
fully engaged in the milk husiness in I'onti-
ac, IIlin<iis. was horn in I'aldwinsville. Xew
"^'ork. Fehruar\- _> i . 1S43, a son of Moses
and h'rances (Sihhelds) I5race, also natives
of the Em])ire state. His paternal grand-
father, Benjamin Brace, was born in luig-
land and on his emigration to this country
settled in Baldw iusxille. When our suhject
was eight years old his father removed to
Chicago and shortly afterward Ujcated in
Will county, Illinois, where he engaged in
farming throughout the remainder of his
life.

William 11, Brace was reared on the
home farm in Manhattan township. Will
county, and was educated in the local scIkjoIs.
In .\ugust, i86j, he enlisted in Company
E, One Hundredth Illinois \'olunteer Infan-
try, being one of the youngest to serve for
three years as a regular soldier. His regi-
ment, which was assigned to the Army of
the Cumberland, went first to Louisville and
spent some time in Kentucky following
P>ragg's army. Mr. Brace's first battle was
that of I'erryville, followed l)y the engage-
ments at Stone River, Nashville and Chick-
amauga. He participated in the siege of
Atlanta ancl went with Sherman on the

march to the sea. He was mustered out at
Chicago in .August. 1865. At Chickamauga
he received two llesh wounds, but was never
seriously injured.

While home on a furlough, in 1864, Mr.
Brace married Miss Adeline Mossow, of
Manhattan, Illinois, who came here from
Xew ^'ork. After the war our subject en-
gaged in farming in Will county on his own
accoiuit for two years, and then went to
Chicago, where he had charge of the team-
ing business of .\. II. .\ndrews & Company
for eight years. On leaving there he came
to Chatsworth, Livingston county, where he
followed farrming one year, and engaged in
the same ])ursuit in l^ppards Point township,
successfull}- operating a farm of one hundred
and si.xty accres for eight years. On sell-
ing out, he moved to Pontiac and bought
thirteen lots on West Washington street,
where he has a nice home surrounded by a
beautiful law n. He also has a house and lot
elsewliere. I'or four years, under Dr.
ScouUer, he held the position of night of-
ficer at the reform school, having charge of
a dormitory, but on account of ill health he
was obliged to resign, and after a six-months'
rest he became night police in Pontiac, serv-
ing as such for ten years with credit to him-
self and satisfaction of all concerned, being
one of the best-known and most highly-re-
spected officials the city has ever had. He
resigned that position in 1898 and embarked
in the dairy business, keeping cows and sell-
ing his own milk, but on account of his wife's
health he sold his dairy, though he still re-
tains his milk route, which is the largest in
the city. He is a good business man, being
energetic and nrogressive, and has met with
success in this undertaking.

Mr. Brace lost his first wife May 30,
1894, and on the 7th of October, 1896, he

156

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married Miss Lizzie Kreil, of Pontiac, a
daughter of John Krell. of Havana. Illinois.
In his ])()]itical views he is a stanch Repub-
lican, and while living in the county served
as deputy under three different sheriffs.
Fraternallv he is a member of T. Lyle
Dickey Post, G. A. R. A pleasant, genial
gentleman, he makes friends and is held in
high regard by all who know liim.

PETER BAUMAX.

Peter Baunian, one of the representative
German-American citizens of Livingston
county and a prosperous farmer, residing on
section 26, Pike township, two miles from
Chenoa. was born in Luxemburg, (iermany,
April 30. 1834. and there grew to manhood.
He had good educational advantages, at-
tending school eight years, becoming familiar
with the (jerman language, but his knowl-
edge of English has been acquired through
his own unaided efforts since coming to the
new world. In 1854 he was one of the pas-
sengers on a sailing vessel, which left the
harbor of Havre. France, and arri\ed in
Kew Yorkafter twenty-eight dayss])ent upon
the water, which was considered a cjuick
trip at that time. He proceeded at once to
Chicago, joining his bnnlKT. Michael Bau-
man, who had located in Illinois in 1849.

Our subject found cmijloment on a farm
in Woodford county, working by the month
several years there and in Marshall county.
His first purchase of land was a partially im-
proved farm of one iiundred acres in tlie lat-
ter county, on which was standing a small
house, and there he made his home for sev-
eral years. In 1888 he bought the farm of
one hundred and sixty acres on section 26,

Vxke township. Livingston county, where he
now resides, and to its further improvement
and development he has since devoted his
time and attention, success attending his well-
directed efforts.

While a resident of Woodford county,
Mr. Bauman was married, in January, 1861.
u> Miss Helen Balbach. who was born and
reared in Bavaria, (iermany, and is a daugh-
ter of August and .Anna Elizabeth ( Keeler)
Balbach. The mother died in that country,
and in 1854. the father, with his three daugh-
ters and one son, came to America, joining
his older son. Jacob Balback, who had lieen
a resident of W'ootlford county, Illinois, since
1852, and who is now a merchant of Chenoa,
The other son. Paul Balbach, is a farmer of
I'ike township, Livingston county. The fa-
ther died in Woodford county, in 1856. Mr
and Mrs. Bauman have a family of eight
children, namely: Mary, wife of Chris
Pfeffinger. of Waldo township. Livingston
county; Lizzie, at home: Eftie. widow of
Alaxander Black, and a resident of Wood-
ford county: Peter, who is married and lives
in Pekin, Illinois ; Lena, Anna and Clara, all
at home. The last named was educated at
Chenoa and the normal cijllege at \'alpar-
aiso, Indiana, and is now one of the success-
ful teachers of Livingston county.

Politically Mr. Bauman is a stanch Dem-
ocrat, and cast his first presidential ballot
for Stephen A. Douglas, in i860. He has
never cared for jjublic office. !)ut has pre-
ferred to devote his undi\ided time and at-
tention to his business interests. His life
has been one of industry and due success has
not been denied him. His honorable, upright
course commends him t) the confidence and
respect of all, and he is well worthy of rej)-
resentation in the history nf his adapted
countv.

THE BJOGKAl'lllCAL RECORD.

•57

W ILLIAM 1. St. JOHX.

William I. St. Joliii, an hoimred veteran
of the Civil war, who is now living a retired
lite in Pontiac. was horn in Warren county.
Indiana. July jo. 1S44, a son oi Samuel and
Marjjarct ( Coldren ) St. John, both of whom
were horn in (^hio. the latter near Zanesville,
luit were married in Indiana, where the fa-
ther located when a young man. and where
he engaged in farming until coming to Liv-
ingston county, Illinois, aliout 1853. He
settled near Ocoya, in Eppards Point town-
shi]), where he jjurchased one hundred and
sixty acres of unimproved land. That lo-
cality was then all wild, there hcing hut li>in"
houses scattered through the timber, and his
nearest neighlxir was some distance away.
He devoted his time and attention to the im-
])rovenient and cultivation of that farm until
iSr/). when he rented it and moved to
Chenoa, where he wtjrkecl at wagonmaking
until called to his final rest. He was one
of the early members of the .Methodist Epis-
copal church in this county, and was a Re-
])nblican in jjolitics.

P)efore leaving Indiana. William 1. St.
Ji^hn attended .school a term or two. but there
was no school house in his district when the
family came to Illinois, and he was well
grown before a school which he could at-
tend was built. His educational advantages
were therefore limited, but he has become
a well informed man bv reading and ob-
servation in later years. He remainetl on
the iiome farm until after the Civil war broke
out, when be enlisted, .\ugust 6, 1862, in
Company (1. One Hundred and Twenty-
ninth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry. The regi-
ment spent much time in Louisville, but par-
ticipated in the engagements at Erankfort,
Crab Orchard and Bowling Green, and did

garrison duty at Mitchellville. Tunnel Hill
and Clallatin, Tennessee. Erom there they
went to Xashville and ])articipated in the bat-
ties of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge,
being on the inarch most of the time during
that campaign. They were also with Sher-
man on his celebrated march to the sea, and
at Peach Tree Creek, in front of Atlanta,
Mr. St. John was wounded He was sent to
the hospital at Chattanooga, was later trans-
ferred to Xashville, and from there was sent
home. At the end of three months he was
able to rejoin his regiment in time to take
part in the Carolina campaign. He was in
the battle of (ioldsboro, and was at Raleigh
when lohnston sm"rendered. He then
marched to Washington, I). C, and partici-
])ated in the erantl review, after which he was
mustered out at that place and discharged at
Chicago, after almost three years of faithful
service on southern battle fields.

Returning to his lu)me, Mr. St. John
engaged in farm work one year, and then
went to Chenoa. where he worked at the
cari^enter's trade four years. On the 6th of
September, iH^C), he was united in marriage
with Miss .Amelia Stone, a daughter of Will-
iam Stone, a farmer of Ohio. By this union
were born two children: William Seth, who
now o])erates his father's farm, married
.Minnie Talliot and has four children : Mabel,
Roy, Bert and an infant. Burton (i. is a
resident of Pontiac.

On leaving Chenoa Mr. St. John pur-
chased a farm of forty acres in Eppards
Point township, which he sold three years
later and bougbtti liftv acres of land in .\mity
township, but this he disixised of a year later
and bought an eighty-acre tract in the same
townshi)). where he successfully engaged
in farming for twelve years. At the end of
tha ttime be traded it for a farm ni two bun-

158

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dred and tliirty-five acres in Amity town-
ship, whicli he has greatly improved and
still owns. In 1880 he moved to Pontiac
and bought property at No. 211 South Ver-
milion street, where he has a large and nicely
kept place. Here he worked at the carpen-
ter's trade for a time, but is now living re-
tired, enjoying a well-earned rest, free from
the cares and responsibilities of business life.
Religiously both he and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he
also belongs to T. L}le Dickey Post, G. A.
R., of which he is junior vice commander.
He has always been a stanch supporter of the
Republican party and its principles, and he
has ever been a loyal citizen, ct>-operating
ill all that is calculated to promote the inter-
ests of his state or nation, his patriotism
being manifest in times of peace as well as
in war.

BEXXET IILMISTOX.

Bennet Humiston. deceased, was one of
the leading business men of Pontiac, Illi-
nois, who in his successful career showed
that he had the ability to plan wisely and
execute with energy, a combination which,
when ])ossessed by men in any walk of life,
ne\er fails to effect nnt.iblc results.

Mr. Humiston was born in Plymouth
Hollow, Connecticut, September (>. 1830, a
son of Bennet and Emily ( Warner) Humis-
ton, representatives of old and honored fam-
ilies of that state. On attaining to man's
estate the father started out in life for him-
self as a peddlec. traveli:ig tjirough the
south for many years, iiut after his marriage
he settled on a farm in Plymouth and de-
voted the remainder of iiis life to agricult-
ural pursuits.

Our subject grew to manhood on the
home farm and was provided with better
educational ])rivileges than most farmer
l)oys, attending school at Warren, Litchfield
county, Connecticut, for two years. He then
followed farming in his native state until
the fall of 1852, when he came west with
A])ollos Cam|), and together they took up
a section of land in Esmen township. Liv-
ingston county. Illinois. May 22. 1856. he
married his partner's daughter. Miss Harriet
Camp, .md they made their home on his lialf-
sectit)!! of land until 1876. In the mean-
time he erected good and substantial build-
ings thereon and placed the land under a
high state of cultivation. He introduceil
some of the first fine horses into the count v
and at the time of his death, which occurred
November 15, 1883, he had one hundred
head, lie and Mr. t'.'unp were alwavs in
business together and owneil in the neigh-
borhood of two thou.sand acres of valuable
h'.nd. They expended laree amounts in til-
ing and con\erting their land into highh"
])roducti\e tracts. They were among the
original stockholders of the Pontiac Na-
tional Bank, of Pontiac, of which Mr. Camp
was also a director. In his political views
Mr. Humiston was a Democrat. He was a
member of the Masonic fraternity and a
n,an of hii^h standing in the coniniunitx'.
Of keen |)erception, of unbounded enterprise,
his success in life was due to his own well-tli-
rected efforts, and he deserves prominent
mention among the leading and representa-
tive business men of the couiUv.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Humis-
ti iu has successfully carried on the vast es-
tate, and has displayerl most excellent busi-
ness anil executive ability in its management.
She was one of the heavy original stock-
holders of the Pontiac State Bank, and from

BENNET HUMISTON.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

i6i

its organizalinii has l)ccn a directnr. She
owns a good deal nt' pmperly in rniitiac.
also in Odell, Illinois, and I^klorado. Mis-
souri, where she has a husiness hlock. She
has heen a liheral donator to the public li-
hrarv of Pontiac and dlhcr i.-liarita1)le insti-
tutions, and never withholds her liberal sup-
port from any enterjjrise which she believes
will prove of benefit to the conuuunily. In
1876 Mr. lluniistiMi built a beautiful resi-
dence on Xorth Main street, Pontiac. which
is still owned and occupieil by his widow.
I: occupies a whole bluck on the hill and i^
one of the most attractive places in the cit\-.
Over this liome Mrs. Humiston presides
witii gracious dignitx- and its hospitable
doors are ever o])en tor the rece])tion of her
man\' friends.

JOHN r. .\RMSTROXG.

'1 he subject of this i)ersonal narrative is
one of the most successful ami prosperous
farmers of Eppards Point township, his home
being on section 16, five miles south of Pon-
tiac. He has made iiis special field of in-
dustry an eminent success, and is liighly re-
spected and esteemed by those who know
liim.

Mr. Armstrong was born in .Madison,
Ohio, April 28, 1839, and tiiere grew to man-
hood, receiving a common-school education.
In April, 1864, during the dark days of the
Civil war, he enlisted in the one-lnuidi\'d-day
.service, as a private in Company C, One
Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National
Guards. The regiment went to Virginia and
took part in the battle of Xew Creek and
several skirmishes, but only one luan died
in the service, his tleath occurring in a lios-
pital. On the expiration of his term of en-

. listment, Mr. .\rmstroug was honorably dis-
charged at Camp Denni.son, in August, 1864,
and returned to his Ohio home.

In the spring of 1865 he came to Liv-
ingston county, Illinois, and located upon his
present farm in I'"])pards Point township,
])urcbasing ft)ur hundred acres, about half
of which had been broken and a small house
erected thereon. He has since purchased
more land, and to the further improvement
and cultivaticjn of his place he has deyoted
his energies with most gratifying results, so
that he now has one of the best farms in the
township. Jn comiection with general farm-
ing he is engaged in feeding and dealing in
stock, and in this branch of his business he
has also jircjspered.

Returning to his old hoiue in Madi.son
county, Ohio, in March, 18O9, Mr. .\rm-
trong married L_\-dia Cousins, who was
born in Pickaway, that state, but was reared
in the same neighborhood as her husband
and educated in the same school. They
became the ])arents of six children, but only
three are now li\ing:.\rchie E., a pharmacist
of Dwight; Lida W. and Grant C, both at
home. Bernard C. and John both died in
childhood, and Sarah L., wife of O. I. Ellis,
died in Ancona, Illinois, at the age of twenty-
two years, leaving two children, O. I. and
Sadie Ellis.

.Mr. .\rmstrong cast his first ])residential
vote for .\braham Lincoln, in i860, and has
since been an ardent Republican. Although
be has never .sought political preferment, he
was elected and served three years as high-
way commissioner and was a member of the
school board for a number of years, during
which time he di<l all in his power to secure
competent teachers and advance the educa-
tional interests of his community. Relig-
iously, both he and his wife are active mem-

1 62

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

l)ers of tlie Centre Metliodist Episcopal
clnirch and tliey give their support to every
worthy enterjjrise which they l^elieve calcu-
lated to advance the moral, social or material
welfare of the township and county in which
thev live.

JARXIS C. SU.MXER.

Jarvis C. Sumner, one of the hest known
citizens of Pt)ntiac. was born in Elkhart. In-
diana. November 7. 1843. ^ ='"" "f John .M.
and Ann (Strong) Sumner. The father
was born in Xew York, March 3, 18 u. and
was a son of Harvey and Sally ( Sherwin )
Sumner, who were Imrn. reared and married
in \'ermont. The latter was a daughter of
Ahamaz Sherwin, a drum major from \'er-
mont in the Revolutionary war. At an early
day Har\ey Sumner and wife moved to
W'estport township. Essex county. Xew
York, and in 181S went to Ohio, .sailing out
of Bufifalo on the first steamer that ever navi-
gated the great lakes. They located four
miles east of Cleveland, where Mr. Sumner
followed farming for some time, but spent
his last days in Elkhart, Indiana. His wife
died in Cleveland about 1825.

John M. Sumner, father of our subject,
accompanied his i)arents on their removal to
(Jhio. and later went with his fatiier to Elk-
hart. Indiana, in the fall of 1834, when that
place contained but few inhabitants. On his
arrival there he had but six and one-fourth
cents, but be soon found employment and
the next summer was able to purchase forty
acres of land. There he married .\nn Strong,
a daughter of Walter Strong, who went to
Indiana from Ohio, but was born in Con-
necticut. He gave his daughter forty acres
of land, and upon that place Mr. and Mrs.

Sumner lived until 1850. when they moved
to Wisconsin, but a year later returned to
Indiana. He followed farming throughout
the greater part of his active business life,
but is now living retired with our subject.
The wife and mother, who was a member
of the Uni\ersalist church, dieil Xoxemhcr
.>4. 1886.

Our subject acquired his education in the
common and high schools of Elkhart, and
assisted his father in the operation of the
home farm until twenty-one years of age.
He manifested his jiatriotism 1)\' enlisting in
the Civil war. but was discharged on account
of illness and .sent home before leavinv the
state. He was a member of the Chandler
Horse Guards of Coldwater.

In 1864 Mr. Sumner moved to Eureka,
Illinois, where he engaged in farming on his
own account. Prior to his removal, he was
married, in Cass county, Michigan, to Miss
Sarah Martin, who was borr, in Elkhart
county. Indiana, Eebruary 6. 1846. a daugh-
ter of William and Mary A. ( Clinger)
Martin, natives of Ohio, whose home was
five miles east of Middlebury. in La Grange
county. Indiana. The mother died when
Mrs. Sumner was only two years old. and the
father dejiarted this life at Benton Harbor,
-Michigan. September 27, 187J. .Mr. and
Mrs. Sumner have three children, namely:
Charles M., .May Belle and William R..y.
The last named was a nieiubcr of the state
militia, but was not accepted inti> the Cnitcd
States service during our recent war with
Spain.

While at luireka. Mr. Sumner ser\e(l as
constable and deputy sheriff under Frank
Roman and Garman Gish for eight years.
He attended to all the sheriff's business in
his part of the county and served all the pa-
])ers in the Workman murder case. He also

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

163

carried on the largest and most iiii]M)rtaiit
livery business in the town. He finally sold
out and moved to Livingston county, in
the spring of 18S1. For two years he was
engaged in farming in P'ontiac townshi]).
and then moved to the city of I'ontiac that
he might provide his children with better
educational advantages, but was mostly en-
gaged in farming and teaming until ap-
pointed deputy l)y Sheriff Keed. He was re-
appointed by Sheriff Talbot and most cred-
itably and satisfactorily filled that position
for seven years. He did a good deal of work
in connection \vith the bank robbery case
of Cornell and the Kightsel nnirder case of
Fairbury. besides a large amount of civil
business and collecting. In Xoxember,
1896, he was elected constable, an<l is still
filling that office in a most cajiable manner.
He also has considerable property in his
Jiands to rent, and does a good life insurance
business. He owns a lovely home situated
on a large lot at the corner of Plum and
Cleary streets, surrounded by beautiful trees
and shrubs and is one of the best kept
j)iaces of the city. Since attaining his ma-
jority Mr. Sumner has aftiliated with the
Keiniblican party, and both he and his wife
are members of the Presbvterian church.

WILLI A.M II. KI;TC1I.\.M.

One of the busiest, most energetic and
most enter[)rising luen of Dwight. Illinois,
io the subject of this sketch, who is success-
fully engaged in the real estate and loan busi-
ness, as well as the practice of law. I le was
born in that place, February 9, 1861, and
there the greater part of his life has been

s])ent — an important factor in business and
public affairs.

William H. Kctcbam. .Sr.. father of our
subject, was born in I'ishkill. Dutchess comi-
ty. .\'ew ^'ork. Xo\eml)er jS. i.Sji. He re-
ceived a good English education and re-
mained at home until 1852, when he set sail
for California, leaving New York, February
4, and arriving in San Francisco Aoril 1.
He was shipwrecked off the coast of Mexico
and delayed five weeks. He was success-
fully engaged in mining about three years
and a half near Marysville, and then returned
to his native state by way of the Isthmus of
I'anama. In Dutchess count}', he was mar-
ried, November 30. 1840, to Miss Mary E.
Losee, \\ ho was born there May 23, 1822,
and was a daughter of John Lnsce. whose
ancestry can be traced back to Wilbur W'eber,
King of Holland and a son of the Prince of
Orange. His daughter. Anna Kanjanse
Weber, married liveretus Bogardus, the first
preacher who came to Xew ^'ork City. Mrs.
Ketcham was the seventh generation from
this king, who left ;in immense fortune, now
amounting to about five million dollars, and.
which is in litigation at jiresent. In the fall
of 1855, shortly after his return to Xew
\'ork from California, .Mr. Ketcham mi-
grated to Dwight. Illinois, which |)lace then
contained only eight fanulies. Here he at
first worked at anything he could tind to do.
and for a time engaged in farming anil op-
erated a corn sheller a number of years. He
was a publ:c-s])irited man and did much to
ad\ance the interests of his ado])ted town,
taking (|uite an active part in public .affairs,
and serving as justice of the peace fourteen
>ears, school director a number of years,
and also village trustee some time, and de])-
uty sheriff of the county in early tiays. In
1874 he joined Dwight Lodge, Xo. 513,

164

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

I. O. O. F.. and later became a member of
Pacific luicami)ment, Xo. 126. He died,
April 19, 1 88 J.

The subject of this sketch is the young-
est in a family of seven children, the otiiers
being- as follows: Berwin L., the eldest, died
in infancy. John L.. a memlier of the One
Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infantry, was
wounded in tlie battle of Kenesaw Mountain,
and died in the liospital at Chattanooga, June
25. 1864. Jane E. married J. J. Smith and
both are now deceased. Frank is the wife
of Hugh Thomp.son, of Pt)ntiac. Mary H. is
the wife of George Hoover, of Chicago.
Emma \'. is the widow of \\'. .-\. Chamberl-
lain and resides with lier children. Marietta
and Frank William, who li\e in Chicago.

William H. Ketcham, Jr., was reared and
educated in Dwight, and began his business
career as bookkeeper in the grain elevator
of Hugh Thompson, of that place, remain-
ng with him one year. He then became in-
terested in the stock business, which he car-
ried on alone for one year, Iniying cattle in
Livingston and Grundy counties. At the
end of that time lie formed a partnership
with John Thompsim in tiic same business,
shipi)ing stuck {<< the C hicagu market. This
connectii)n lasted two years, and Mr. Ketch-
am next purchased the real estate business
of Alexander McKay, which he conducted
from December. \XH(>. until .\pril. uSSj,
when he suld nut to llelzei & Rombergcr.

After disposing of his real estate busi-
ness, Mr. Ketcham mo\ed tn Marion county,
Kansas, where lie was interested in the same
pursuit until the fall of 1887, when he en-
tered tile law ofifice of Kellar & Dean, study-
ing under their instruction and at the same
time doing office work. Before his admis-
sion to the bar lie drew up the papers for
twenty-one forclosures in one week. He

v,as admitted to practice by examination be-
fore Judge Doster, the present chief justice
of the state of Kansas, August 20, 1888,
and before the supreme court at Topeka,
June 2, 1 89 1. He was associated in prac-
tice with W. H. Carpenter, of Marion, Kan-
sas, from 1889 to July, 1891, when he re-
turned to Dwight and resumed business as
a real estate dealer, in ])artnership with b'rank
1. Smith, under the firm name of Ketcham
& Smith. On the 23d of March, 1892, he
\\as admitted to practice in Illinois, and later
in the state of Indiana. By mutual agree-
ment the i)artnership between Mr. Ketcham
and Mr. Smith was dissolved in October,
1895, since which time our subject has been
alone in business. He gi\es the greater i)art
of his attention to real estate, but is also en-
gaged in the |)ractice of law in the courts of
this state and Indiana. He carried the
Clauson case through the supreme court of
Illinois.

On the i<)th of .Vpril. 1893, Mr. Ketcham
was united in marriage with Miss Nora A.
'J'aylor, a native of Grundy county. Illinois,
and one of a family of four daughters, all
living. Her father, G. L. Taylor, was one
of the lirst settlers of Grundv county, but
is now a resident of Dwight township, Liv-
ingston county. Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham
have three children, namel\' : Mary Emma,
Gcrtruile Xora and Xellie Maurine.

l''raternally, Mr. Ketcham is a member
of Dwight Lodge, .Xo. 513, and I'acitic En-
campment, Xo. 313. I. O. O. v., and Liv-
ingston Lodge, No. 371, F. & A. M. Since
reaching his majority he has always alYil-
iated with the Democratic party and taken
an active interest in politics. He is now an
advocate of the free coinage of silver, and in
1896 took the stump, speaking in Chicago
and other parts of the state. While engaged

TilE BIOGRAPHICAL RliCURD.

165

ill the practice of law in i\ansas lie assisted
tlie county attorne\' and during liis residence
in Dwiglit has taken an active part in pubhc
affairs. lie was elected mayor in i8(/) and
efficiently tilled the office one term, durinj;
whicli time the park ordinance was jjassed
and notable improvements made. He was
once a candidate before tlie Democratic con-
vention, for judge on the Democratic ticket,
but was defeated. In 1886 he was elected
village treasurer and was tilling that office
when he mo\ed to Kansas, and in Ai)ril,
1900, was elected village trustee, in which
capacity lie is now serving in a most credit-
able and satisfactory manner. A man of
keen perception, of unboimded enterprise, his
success in life is due to iiis own efforts, and
lie deserves prominent mention among the
leading representative business men of the
county. His genial, pleasing maimer makes
him quite popular in both business aiul social
circles, ami as a public-si)irited, enterpris-
ing man he is recognized as a \aliied citizen
of the communitv.

JOIJX R. OUGHTON.

To the ])resent mayor of D wight, Hon.
John R. Oughton, the city owes a deep
debt of gratitude, for through many years
he has been an important factor in its prog-
ress and advancement along social, educa-
tional, material and moral lines. His active
co-operation has been given to every move-
ment for the public good, and his support has
l)een withheld from no movement calculated
to advance the general welfare. His aid,
too, has been of a practical nature and the
substantial growth of the city is the out-
come of his well-directed and discriminat-
ing effort.

It is not an eas)' task to describe ade-
quately a man who has lead an eminently act-
ive and busy life and who has attained to a
])osition oi high relative distinction in the
mure important and exacting fields of liunian
endeavor. But biography fintls its most
perfect justification, nevertheless, in the
tracing and recording of such a life history.
It is, then, with a full apiireciatioii of all
that is demanded, and of the painstaking-
scrutiny that must be accorded each state-
ment, and )et \vith a feeling of significant
satisfaction, that the writer essays the task
of touchinbg briefly upon the details of such
a record as has ben the vijice of the char-
acter of the iKinored subject whose life now
comes uiuler review.

John R. Oughton was born in County
Tipperary, Ireland, in 1857, and resided in
his native land until sixteen years of age,
when he crossed the .Vtlantic to America, lo-
cating in Chicago, Illinois. He accjuired his
preliminary education in the schools of Ire-
land and there took uj) the study of chemis-
try. After reaching Chicago he resumed
his studies along that line in the Chicago
College of Pharmacy and later in the Rush
^ledical College. Previous to entering col-
lege, however, he engaged as a clerk in the
drug store of his cousin, Mr. Lee, who was
doing business on the west side of the city.
After completing his collegiate course he
came to Dwight ami soon afterward formed
an association with Dr. Keeley in the work
which has since made them and the city of
their residence famous throughout the land.
For many years Mr. Oughton was vice-
president and chemist of the Leslie E.
Keeley Company, but after the death of Dr.
Keeley he was elected president and has since
served in that capacity. The history of the
institution is too well known to need further

1 66

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ciiinnient liere. Its sjjkMidid work is slunvn
li\ tliousaiids of reformed men to whom
manhood has been restored and who now oc-
cupy honored positions in society and in
business Hfe. The volume of tlieir business
lias constantly increased and has assumed gi-
gantic i)roportions. Their extensive insti-
tution is fitted up with one of the most com-
])lete laboratories of the country, and the
work is progressing with undiminished
strength, its beneficent ])in"pose resulting in
good immeasurable.

Mr. Oughton has two children, sons,
James H. and Jcjhn R. Socially he is a Ma-
son and has taken the degrees of the blue
lodge, chapter commandery, c<jnsistory and
the Mystic shrine. He belongs to the Epis-
copal church, and in his political affiliations
is a Republican, ardent and earnest in his ad-
vocacy of the principles of the party. He
has served as a member of the school board,
has held a number other city ofifices, and in
the spring of 189C) was electeil mayor of
Dwight, to which position he has been re-
elected each succeeding spring. In 1898
]\Ir. Oughton, Major Judd and Dr. Leslie E.
Keeley erected and gave to the city of
Dwight the present stand])ipe and water-
works, built at a cost of twenty thousand
dollars and unequalled by any system in the
state in a town approaching the size of
Dwight. The cement sidewalks of the city
have been constructed during the mayoralty
of Mr. Oughton and the town now has bet-
ter sidewalks in proportion to its size than
any other in the state. Many other im-
pro\ements have received his co-operation
and Dwight owes much to his prt)gressive
spirit.

In 1895 Mr. Oughton erected his pala-
tial residence at a cost of about one hundred
tlKJUsand dollars — one of the finest homes in

Illinois and the best in this section of the
state. He is the owner of a very fine ken-
nel, ha\ing some very fine dogs, including
the famous prize winner, "Heather Lad,"
\alued at six thousand dollars. This fine an-
imal has taken prizes at all of the bench
shows, and in 1893 and 1894 carried off first
jirize at everv bench show in the United
States. Mr. Oughton alscj has a deer park
upon his place, containing some fifteen or
twenty head of fine deer. His saddle horses
are notetl throughout this section of the state
and for a numl)er of years Mr. Oughton
was extensively engaged in breeding fine
Kentucky stock. He owns over four thou-
sand acres of land in Livingston and Grundy
comities, and with the exception of eight hun-
dred acres, all is in Dwight township and is
under a high state of cultivation. While
intensely devoted to business and a man of
very decided views and strong convictions,
he is, by nature, of a very gentle and affec-
tionate disposition. His moral standing is
high and he lives up to it. His genial com-
panionship, his tenacious regard for the sim-
ple truth, his imostentatious generosity and
his large-hearted Christian benevolence are
among the ijualities which ha\e greatly en-
deared him to his fellow men. His wealth
has made no difference in his friendships and
the humblest can obtain from him an
audience.

1-K.\.\C1S FKEMOXT FRAKES

I'rancis Fremont Frakes, a well-known
carpenter of Pontiac, Illinois, was born in
Avoca townshi]), September 12, 1856, a .son
of Labin and Mary .\. (Tracy) Frakes.
The mother was born at Sandy Creek, New
\ ork, not far from Syracuse, a daughter of

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

167

A. \i. Tracv. ami came here alxmt tlic same
time as her sister. Mrs. .Maria ()\\ens, a
pioneer of Pontiac, whose sketch ai)|)ears on
another page of this vohinie.

Labin Frakes, fatlier of our subject, was
born in the soutliern part of this state, near
the Missouri line, and as a yonnj^- man came
to Pontiac. where he ])urchasetl property. Me
was a tailor by trade, but liere he engaged
ii\ the real estate business and also con-
tlucted a livery stable and stage jmd transfer
line between Pontiac and Blooniington. lie
was married here and later moved to Ne-
\ada City. Missouri, where he owned proper-
ty, lie also built a large livery stable at that
])Iacc and ran a stage between Sadlia to b'ort
Scott. After the railroad was built he re-
moved to Sullivan county, Indiana, and
while there the Civil wr broke out and he
enlisted. He participated in the first and
secontl battles of Bull Run, and was wounded
in the latter engagement, being taken to
Beverly, West Virginia, where he died from
the effects of his wounds. His wife then
returned to Pontiac, where she spent the re-
mainder of her life.

After the death of his father Francis !•",
Frakes lived with his aunt, Mrs. Maria
Owens, in Pontiac, for seven years, and at-
tended school. The only scIkjoI house then
in the place stood on the banks of the river
near the jail. He served a two years' ap-
prenticeship to the carpenter's trade with
Andrew Pierce, and later was with William
Holmes, during which time he helped erect
many of the early buildings of Pontiac. As
a journeman he worked in most of the build-
ings erected at that time, and also those built
in later years, including the Sterry block.
He is now one of the oldest carpenters of the
city in years of continuous service, and is
an expert and skillful workman.

On the 24th of .March. 1S7S. .Mr. I'rakes
was united in marriage with Miss Orilla
Fngland. a nati\e of Pontiac and a daugii-
tcr of Rue I'jighuid. who came here from
( )hio in pioneer days. ISy this union were
born si.\ children, namely: Orville Leon
and Rudy Rue, who are both employed in
the shoe factory in Pontiac: Coral, who was
graduated from the ])ublic schools in 1900;
Lorene, b'remont and luiima Susan, who are
all attending school. Mrs. l'"rakes and the
children are members of the Episcopal
church, while our subject leans toward the
Methodist L])isco]jal church in religions be-
lief. The family is (|uite well known and
highly respected. Mr. Frakes purchased
over a half-acre of ground at 1003 West
Madison street, and has erected thereon a
nice residence which has ncnv been his home
for se\en years, though he is one of the
oldest pro])crtv holders of the city.

J FAX P. .\. \1.\CEXT.

Jean P. A. Vincent, decea.sed, for many
}ears one of the honored and highly-re-
sjiected citizens of Pontiac, was born in De-
troit, Michigan, January 9, 1827, a son of
.Xarcisse and Clotilda ( Prevolsel) Vincent,
both of French descent. He dietl the same
year at Detroit when our subject was about
ele\en years of age, and he was then a]>-
]irenticcd to Charles Buhl, a hat manufac-
turer of that city, with whom he remained
until attaining his majority. There he re-
ceived his education in the public schools.

.\l the age of twenty-one, Mr. Vincent
was sent by the firm of Buhl Brothers to their
Chicago store, where he clerked for one year,
and then was employed on a railroad survey

1 68

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

through Bureau county. Ilhnois. In 1859
he entered the service of the government
to go to the northwest witli a party to take
meteorological ohservations, receiving his ap-
pointment to this position through the influ-
ence of General Lewis Cass, of Michigan,
who always took a warm personal interest in
our subject and befriended him in many
ways. Remaining with this expedition
over a year aiul a half, Mr. \'incent returned
to Illinois in the fall of i860, and went to
Cairo and also to X'icksburg, where he was
in government employ. ^Vhile at the lat-
ter place he was drafted, and served in Com-
pany C, Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantrv, until the close of the Civil war, when
he returned to Illinois and passed the winter
in \^'enona. In the following spring he
moved to Pontiac, ^\•here he w-as engaged in
the sale of pumps, etc., for about five years,
when, on account of failing health, he re-
tired from active business.

In Lacon, Illinois, August 17, 1861, Mr.
Vincent was united in marriage with Miss
Emma Stevens, a daughter of Nathaniel W.
and Mary (Mix) Stevens. In early life her
father was a resident of Lowell, Massa-
chusetts, but shortly after his marriage re-
moved to Lacon, Illinois, where his death oc-
curred. His wife died at Spring \'alley,
this state, in 1888, at the age of seventy-
four years.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
\"incent. Lewis Cass, the elder, died in
Henry, Illinois, at the age of fifteen months.
He w-as named for General Lewis Cass, of
Detroit, previously mentioned as a friend of
Mr. Vincent. Nathaniel N., born in Stark
county, Illinois, April 8, 1864, is now a resi-
dent of Spring Valley, where he is engaged
ill the manufacture of cigars. He mar-
ried Lucy O'Keef, by whom he had two chil-

dren. Pauline and Gwendoline, who, since
the death of their mother, have made their
home with Mr. Mncent in Pontiac. For his
second wife Nathaniel married Agnes Weir.
The only child born of this union died in
infancy.

Mr. \'incent died at his home in Pontiac
from a stroke of paralysis January 16, 1898,
at the age of seventy-one years. He had
drawn a pension since the close of the war.
He was always a stanch supporter of the
Republican party and its principles, and w-as
an honored member of the Grand Army of
the Republic and the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, belonging to the latter fra-
ternity in Chicago. An honest, upright man,
he was highly respected by all who knew
him, and was a faithful and consistent mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Vin-
cent, who is a most estimable lady, resides
in a pleasant home on North Hazel street,
Pontiac.

JOEL D. FOSDICK.

Joel D. Fosdick. familiarly known as
Squire Fosdick. owns and operates a valu-
able farm of four hundred acres on sec-
tion 20, Pike township, whose neat and
thrifty appearance well indicates his care-
ful supervision. Sulistantial improvements
are surrounded by well tilled fields and all
the accessories and conveniences of a model
farm are there found.

Mr. Fosdick was born in Allegany coun-
ty, New York, October 4, 1832, a son of
Aaron C. and Olive (Moon) Fosdick, also
natives of that state. The father, who was
born in 1808, was a carpenter by trade and
was also engaged in the manufacture of lum-
ber for a quarter of a century. In 1844 he

^\>

1^^^ i.

^ ' 'Vm^^B.i^

J. D. FOSDICK.

MRS. J. D. FOSDICK.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

«73

came to Illinois, niakiufj tlie trip with a team
ill twenty-two days, and locating^ in Alar-
sliall county, \\liere he houglit one lumched
and sixty acres of land and o])ened uj) a
farm. He subsecjuently purchased two hun-
dred acres, and was engaged in the manu-
facture of lumber in Peoria county for about
six years, after which be returned to bis
farm in Marshall county, but spent bis last
years with a daughter in W'estun. where be
died April 5, 1885.

( )ur subject was a lad of twelve years
when be came with the family to Illinois,
and in M;n"sliall cciuntv be ■■rew to manhood,
ins education l)eing olitained in the common
schools. He remained at home assisting in
the oi)eration of the farm until twenty-five
years of age, and was then married, in
IJoyd's Cirove church, Iiureau county, Alay
24, 1857, to Miss Caroline C (iriswold, a
native of that county and a daughter of
Henry Griswold. one of its early settlers.
Of the five children born of this luiion three
are living, namely: Olive, wife of John
ircanlan; and Charles and Albert, who are
both married and live on the home farm.
iJelphi E. died at the age of eighteen years,
and Joel C. died at the age of eleven.

After liis marriage 'Mv. Fosdick pur-
chased a farm of eight v acres in Saratoga
tnwnsbip, Marshall county, but operated one
liUndred and sixty acres, and on disposing
of that place bought eigiity acres adjoining
his father's jjlace and thirty acres along the
creek. This he broke, fenced and improved,
and continued its cultivation until 1875,
when he traded it for three hundred and
twenty acres of his present farm in Pike
township, Livingston county, to which he
lias since added an eighty-acre tract, making
a valuble place of four hundred acres. He

also owns eighty acres in Odell township.
10

He commenced life for himself in limited
circumstances, but being industrious, enter-
])rising and of good business ability and
sound judgment he has steadily prospered,
and is to-day one of the most substantial and
prosperous men of his community, as well
as one of its biglily honored and respected
citizens. In connection with farming he
operated a threshing machine during season
for forty years, and in that undertaking was
also successful.

Since casting his first presidential ballot
for .Abraham Lincoln in i860 Mr. Fosdick
has been a stanch Republican, but has never
sought nor desired public ofiice. He has,
however, taken an active interest in educa-
tional afYairs and has been an efficient mem-
ber of the school board for twenty-five
years. \\'ithout his knowledge he was
elected justice of the peace and filled that
office to the .satisfaction of all.

EPHRAIM HOUDER.

Ephraim Ilouder, an industrious and
skillful fanner who is now practically liv-
ing a retired life on section 13, Eppards
I'oint township, Livingston county, was born
in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Decem-
ber 24, 1822, and is a son of Jacob and Bar-
bara (Kurtz) Houdcr, the former also a na-
tive of that county, the latter of Germany.
Our subject'^ pateri^al grandfather, David
Houder, was of German descent. In 1831
the fatlicr, with his family, moved to Mont-
gomery county, Ohio, where he cleared and
improved a farm, making it his home until
his emigration to Ilinois in 1856, when he lo-
cated in Livingston county, buying a farm
three miles sjutheast of Pontiac, upon which

174

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he spent the remainder of his lite. He died
in 1862, his wife tiie year fdHow ing'. In
their family were six children, three sons and
three daugiiters. of whom Ephraim is the
oldest ; David is a resident of Pontiac ; Eliz-
abeth and Mary Ijuth died unmarried; Henry
was killed in the Civil war; Martha is the
wife of Joseph Thomas, of Pontiac ; and
Nancy is the wife of Daniel Shafer, of Mont-
gomery connty, Ohio.

Our subject received a fair common-
school education in ^lontgomery county,
Ohio, and there grew to manhood. He
came with the family to this state in 1856,
and in October, 18O1, enlisted in Company
C, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
which was assigned to the Army of the Po-
tomac and was first under the command of
General Butler. They participated in the
battles of Hancock, Virginia, Winchester,
Chapins farm and Weirbottom Church,
where Mr. Houder received a gun shot
wound through the ankle and was disabled
for a time. His next engagement was at
Fort Wagner, followed by the battle of
Drury Bluff, and many others. He enteretl
the service as a private, but was promoted
to corporal; and as such was honorably dis-
charged December 6, 1865. After his re-
turn home he helped carry on the farm for a
few years.

In Joliet, Illinois, May 15, 1867, Mr.
Houder was united in marriage with Miss
Hannah F. Harder, who was born near Port
Byron, Wayne county. New York, where
she was reared and educated, and when a
young lady came to llinois. Her father,
John I. Harder, was a native of Hudson,
New York, and from that place to Wayne
county, where he espent the remainder of his
life. I\Ir. and Mrs. Houder began their do-
mestic life upon his father's farm near Pon-

tiac, where they remained several years, and
then moved to a farm in Eppards Point
township, which was their home three years.
The following year was spent in McLean
county, and at the end of that time our sub-
ject pm"chased his present farm of eighty
acres on section 13, Eppards Point township,
Livingston county, which at that time was
only partially improved. He has tiled the
place, built a barn and luade other substan-
tial inii)rovements, but is trow living retired,
\\hile his only' son, Leroy G. Houder, oper-
ates the farm. Besides this property he
owns another farm of eighty acres in Owego
township.

In 1852 Mr. Houder suppportetl I'rank-
hn Pierce for the presidency, but since the
organization of the Republican party four
years later he has been one of its stalwart
supporters and earnest advocates of its prin-
ciples. He was formerly a member of the
school board, but has never sought nor de-
sired public office. At one time he and his
family were members of the Christian church
at Pontiac, but since it broke up they attend
the Baptist church. They are well and
tavorably known throughout the community
in which they reside and justly deserve the
high regard in which they are held.

ORLIX CONVERSE.

Orlin Converse, a worthy representative
of the agricultural interests of Livingston
county, owns and occupies a fine fariu of two
hundred acres of well-improved and valuable
land on section 33, Owego township, and
also has an eighty-acre tract two miles from
his home. A native of Addison county,
Vermont, he was born on Lake Champlain,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

175

umler tlie sliaclows of tlie Green mountains,
Xoeniber i, 1834, and is a son of Heman
Converse, who was born in the same state in
1799, his ancestors being among the pioneers
of X'ermont. There his grandfather, Pain
Converse, spent his entire hfe. He was a
soldier of the war of 18 12. The fatlier grew
to manliood in his native county, and married
Hannah Crampton, who was born in the
same house wliere our subject's birth occur-
red, antl where both parents died, tlie father
in 1S70, at the age of seventy-one years, the
mother in 1888.

Orlin Converse passed his boyhood and
youth on the home farm, aiding in its opera-
tion and attending the common schools of the
neighborhood. He came west in 1855, join-
ing his sister Emily, wife of Robert Smith,
who had located in Livingston county, Illi-
nois, a year or two previously. He en-
gaged in farming in partnership with his
brother-in-law until August, 1862, when he
enlisted for three years or during the war in
Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-
ninth X'olunteer Infantry, which was as-
signed to the .\rmy of the Cumberland. He
l)articipated in the battles of Resaca and
Kenesaw, and all the engagements of the
Atlanta campaign, being under fire every
day for a month. After the capture of the
city the regiment went with Sherman on the
inarch to the sea, and was in the Carolina
campaign, taking part in the last battle of the
war — that of Bentonville, North Carolina.
Marching through Richmond, they proceed-
ed to Washington, D. C, and participated in
the grand review in that city. Hostilities
having ceased, Mr. Converse w as honorably
discharged and returned to his home in Illi-
nois. He had lost no time from illness or
other causes, with exception of the twenty
days" furlough he was given in 1864.

Before entering the service Mr. Con-
verse was married, in this county, January
7, 1862, to Miss Rebecca Rockwood, who
was burn here. Her father, Daniel Rock-
wood, was a native of Massachusetts and one
of the pioneers of Livingston county, hav-
ing located here in 1834. Pie helped to lay
out the county seat and organize Owego
township, where he took up a claim and en-
tered land, making it his home until his
death. Two children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Converse, but RoUin P. enlisted in the
Third United States Infantry during the
Spanish-American war, and was taken ill
and died at Atlanta, Georgia, September 23,
1898. His remains were brought back and
interred in Patty cemetery. Jessie, the only
daughter, died in 1870, at the age of nearly
three years.

Mr. Converse's first purchase of land
consisted of forty acres in Owego township
where he now resides, and as his financial
resources increased he added to it from time
to time until he now has over two hundred
and eighty acres of fine farming land, which
he has placed under a high state of cultiva-
tii)n and improved with good and substantial
buildings. Pie commenced life here in lim-
ited circumstances, and the success that he
has achieved is due entirely to his own well-
directed and energetic efforts. After resid-
ing here for five years he returned east in
1861 to visit his mother, friends and scenes
of his youth. By this time he had accu-
mulated three hundred and fifty dollars in
the old George Smith money of Atlanta,
Georgia, but one week after his return home
it was worth only fifty cents on the dollar,
and at the end of another the entire amount
was not worth a dollar. He was thus forced
to walk back and was six weeks in reaching
this county.

176

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Since casting his first presidential vote
for John C. Fremont in 1856, Mr. Converse
has been a stanch supporter of the RepubH-
can party, and he most acceptably served as
supervisor of his township two terms, iluring
which time he was a member of some import-
ant committees. He has ever taken an
active and commendable interest in educa-
tional affairs, has been a member of the
school board twenty years, and clerk of the
district during that entire time. He has
watched with interest the wonderful devel-
opment of this region during his residence
here and has always borne his part in its up-
building and advancement.

JUDGE NATHANIEL J. PILLSBURY.

During the last half century the lawyer
has been a pre-eminent factor in all affairs of
pri\ate concern and national importance. He
has been depended upon to conserxe the best
and permanent interests of the whole peo-
ple and is a recognized power in all the ave-
nues of life. He stands as the protector of
the rights and liberties of his fellow^ men,
and is the representative of a profession
whose followers, if they would gain honor,
fame and success, must be men of merit and
ability. Such a one is Judge Pillsbury,
who served three terms as circuit judge and
is to-day a prominent citizen of Pontiac.

He was born in Shapleigh, York county,
Maine, October 21, 1834, a son of Stephen
N. and Susan (Averiil) Pillsbury, also na-
tives of that county and representatives of
good old New England families. He is of
the ninth generation in direct descent from
William Pillsbury, who came to the new-
world in 1640 and settled in Dorchester,

Massachusetts, where he lived until 1851,
and then moved to Newburyport, the same
state, where he purchased land that is still in
]jossession of his lineal descendants. From
him all the Pillsburys in this country are
descended. The father of our subject, who
was a farmer and machinist by occupation,
continued his residence in York county,
Maine, until after the birth of all oi his six
children, and held different local offices
there, including those of selectman and
school agent. In the fall of 1855 he re-
moved to Bureau county, Illinois, wdiere our
subject had located the previous spring, and
engaged in farming near Princeton for three
years. In 1857 both father and son pur-
chased raw land in Nebraska township, Liv-
ingston county, where the former made a
good home, living there until 1884, when he
moved to Pontiac and built a residence. This
continued to be his home throughout the re-
mainder of his life, though he died in Iowa.
In politics he was first a \\ hig and later a
Republican, and he held dofferent township
ofiices here. He was born July 12, 1812,
and died in November, 1890, while his wife
was born in August, 1812, and also died in
Iowa, in the fall of 1885. She was a daugh-
ter of Joseph Averiil.

Judge Pillsbury received a good common
school education and also attended an acad-
emy in his native county for one term. He
remained on the home farm with his parents
until 1 85 1, after which he engaged in teach-
ing school for tw'o years. He accompanied
the family on their removal to Saco, Maine,
where he was in the employ of the York
Manufacturing Company for a time and also
taught school until 1855. On the ist of Jan-
uary, that year, he married Miss Eliza J.
Cole, and the same spring, being threatened
with consumption, he came to Illinois.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

177

I'hough the jouniev was made l)y rail it
proved a Innt;' and tcdinus one. taking- six
days to reach Chicago.

As previously stated the Judge first lo-
cated in ]?ureau county, and in 1857 hought
a farm in Nebraska towiishi]). this county,
\\hich he operated until the .spring of 1863.
Moving to Pontiac he entered the ot^ce of
Samuel Fleming, and after studying law for
some time was admitted to the har hy exami-
nation, lie then formed a ])artncrsliip with
Mr. Fleming and in a short time had ac-
c;uired a lucrati\e jjractice and excellent rep-
utation as a sound and honest lawyer. In
1869 he was elected a member of the consti-
tutional convention which met the following
year, and in 1873 was elected judge of the
thirteentli judicial circuit, then composed of
Livineston, Kankakee and Irotpiois counties.
Four years later the circuit was enlarged l>\'
adding McLean and I'^inl counties and be-
came the ele\enth. He was re-elected in
1879 and again in 1885, serving in all eight-
een years to the entire satisfaction of all con-
cerned. He was also one of the first judges
of tlie api^ellate comt. being on that bench
ten and a half _\-ears from 1877, and an un-
deniable proof of his popularity is foimd in
his re-elections He wrote many ojjinions
that are to be found in the first sixteen vol-
umes of tlie appellate court reports of the
slate of Illinois

In 1 89 1 Judge Pillsbury was urged to
become a candidate for a fourth term by the
bi.r and iwople generally, but on account of
injuries received during his second term be
did not feel physically able to undertake the
work. On the ist of June, i88j. while re-
turning to Iiis home from Chicago the train
on which he was a passenger was besieged
by a mob of union strikers who desired to
capture and beat certain n(.)n-union laborers

who were being carried to their homes by
the railroad comi)any. The rioters began
firing in and about the cars and the Judge
received a painful wound from which he has
never recovered. He held the railroad com-
]iany liable and brought suit to recox'er dam-
ages. .\fter a long and tedious litigation
he carried it to a successful conclusion, al-
thoufh the great majority of the bar of the
state, who knew of the circumstances, were
;igainst his views. The case is reported in
\(ilunie 123, reports of the supreme court,
being written liy Judge John M. Scott, of
r.loomington.

For some time after his retirement from
tlie bench Judge I'illsbury attended to some
.selected cases, but was not able to do a
heavy general practice. He owns consider-
hea\\- general ])ractice. He owns consider-
■ible real estate in Pontiac and built the first
iwti-story double Hat building e\'er erectect
ii the city, it being planned by himself. At
one time he had a valuable farm of four
hundred and fifty acres south of the city,
and at different tiiues has owned consider-
able real estate in Nebraska, Kansas and
C alifornia. He still has a fine ranch in .south-
ern California, devoted to oranges and
lemons, and has spent a number of winters
on the Pacific coast on account of bis health,
lie has traveled (|uite extensively and
crossed the continent a dozen times.

The Judge and his wife have a family
of three children, namely: Clara A. is the
wife of S. E. Sims, of Pontiac, and they
ba\-e one child, Gladys; C. .-\vis is the wife
of E. J. Walker, of Sheridan. Indiana, and
tl.ey have one son, Ernest P.; and Dale E.,
ac home, is engaged in the real estate and
loan business. Mrs. Pillsbury is a member
of the Presbyterian church.

In bis political affiliations Judge Pills-

178

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

bury is a Republican and has been a delegate
to different state, county and judicial con-
ventions. Socially he is a Knight Templar
Mason, a member of Pontiac LcKlge, No.
344, F. & A. M. ; Fairbury Chapter. R. A.
M ; and St. Paul Commandery, No. 34, K.
T. He is also a member of the Odd Fel-
lows lodge and encampment, in which he
has held all the offices and has been a mem-
ber of the grand lodge and grand encamp-
ment since 1868. He was chairman of the
building committee and of the trustees th;it
erected the Odd Fellows block, but gave up
his official iX)sition when elected to the bench.
He is a man of high intellectuality, broad
human sympathies and tolerance, and is im-
bued with fine sensibilities and clearly de-
fined principles. Honor and integrity are
synonymous with his name and he enjoys
the respect, confidence and high regard of
the people of this section of the state.

NELSON D. LAWRENCE.

Nelson D. Lawrence, one of Livingston
county's thrifty and prosperous farmers re-
siding on section 26, Pontiac township, with-
in a mile of the city of Pontiac. was born in
Warren county, Indiana, June 26, 1850, and
is a son of Richard Lawrence, whose birth
occurred in Ohio March 8, 1826. His grand-
father, Wilham Lawrence, a native of Del-
aware, was one of the early settlers of Ohio
and also of Warren county, Indiana. In
the latter state Richard Lawrence grew to
manhood and in X'crmilHon countv, Indiana.
he married Amanda Deyo, a native of that
county. In 1854 they came to Livingston
county, Illinois, and settled on a tract of one
hundred and sixtv acres of wild land near

Pontiac, which Mr. Lawrence transformed
into a good farm. While a resident of Indi-
ana he conducted a wagon shop, but he soon
became a thorough farmer antl acquired a
comfortable competence. He was a man of
fair education and sound judgment and
^\■as well and favorably known. He s])ent
his last years in this county, but died wiiile
at Kirksville, Missouri, March 16, 1894. His
first wife had passed away many years be-
fore, dying October 24, 1858. She was
born February 6, 1830.

On the home farm Nelson D. Lawrence
grew to manhood, assisting in the operation
of the same and attending the local schools.
He remained with his father until grown
and then worked by the month as a farm
liand for seven or eight years, after \\hich
he rented land and engaged in farming on
his own account. In 1880 he purchased his
present farm and since his marriage, in
1885, he has resided thereon, having im-
proved the place with a good resilience antl
substantial outluhldings. He has broken
thirty acres of virgin soil, has laid many r(xls
of tiling and converted the farm into one
of the most \-aluable of its size in this .sec-
tion of the count}'.

Mr. Lawrence was married, April 9,
1885, to Miss Caroline M. McKee, a daugh-
ter of James and Nancy (Sterrett) AIcKee,
nati\es of Ohio. Her father was born in
Urown county, that state. June 19, 1813,
and l)rought his family to Illinois in 1856,
locating in Livingston county, where he ''•
chased land and successfully engaged in
farming for some years, but for the past
five years has li\'ed retired with Mr. and
Mrs. Lawrence. His first wife, who was
the mother of Airs. Lawrence, died Sep-
tember 5, 1868. She was born July 14,
1822, and married ]\Ir. McKee March 17,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

179

184J. Ten children were born of that union,
tive sons and five daup:lUers. of whom nine
readied mature vears. and live sons and two
daugnters are still li\inj^'. Mr. McKee was
postmaster of Rook's Creek postoffice for
manv vears. Mrs. Lawrence was reared and
educated in this county and hy her marriage
to our subject has become the mother of
four children, one of whom died in infancy.
Octa I), and James are students in the home
school, .\lethea ^[. died June 29, 1900.

In jxilitics Mr. Lawrence is indeijendent,
voting for the men he believes best (lualilied
to iill the offices, regardless of jiarly lines.
He takes an acti\-e interest in cilucational
aflfairs and for fifteen years lias lieen a most
efficient member of the school Ixxird, ser\ing
as clerk of the board ti\e or six years. His
estimable wife is a memlier of the Presby-
terian church and both are held in high re-
gard b vail who lia\e the jileasure of their
acquaintance.

CIIARI.F.S K. TRUITT. |.

Ciiarles R. Truitl, the well-known and
popular editor and ])ro])rietor of the !>entinel
of Pontiac. was born near Hillsboro, Mont-
gomery county. Illinois. July 22, 1858, a
son of Samuel and Cynthia -\nn (Carr)
Truitt. The father was born about 18 18.
not far from Louis\ille. Kcntnck)-. where
he grew to manhood and married. On com-
ing to Illinois he first located in Greene coun-
ty, where he spent a few years, and then
made an overland trip to California during
the early days of the gold excitement, re-
maining there three years and meeting with
fair success. He thus obtained a goo<l start
in life, and on his return to this state pur-
chased land in Montgomery county, becom-

ing one of its early settlers and extensive
farmers, owning and operating some five
hundred acres of land. There he si)ent the
remainder of his life, d\ing in February,
1863. He took quite an active interest in
educational affairs, but was never an as-
])irant for political honors. His wife sur-
\i\e(l him for many years, dying in the sum-
mer of 1894. Se was a faithful member of
the Christian church and a. most estimable
woman.

In the county of his nati\ity Charles R.
Truitt was reared, ac<|uiring his early edu-
cation in its common schools. He is a grad-
uate of the W illiston Seminary, a prepar-
atory schcxjl of East Hampton, Massachuy
setts. and for three years attended La Fayette
College at I'laston, Pennsyhania. Later he
successfully engaged in teaching for some
years, being assistant principal of the public
schools at Hillsboro. He next became in-
terested in newspaper work in the office of
the Hillsboro Journal and later purchased
the pa])er, which he conducted about four-
teen years with good success. While there
he took an active jiart in Republican politics,
was a member of the county and township
central committees and .served as a delegate
to the state convention of his party. I'nder
1 resident Harrison he ser\ed as deputy col-
lector of internal revenue in the eight of
Springfield district for two years.

After selling the Hillsboro Journal, in
1895. Mr. Truitt was out of business one
year and then went to Belvidere, Illinois,
and purchased a half interest in the Iklvi-
dere Xorthwestern, which he sold in the
spring of 1897. In July of that year he came
to Pontiac and bought the SeTltinel. wliicli is
the oldest paper in the county, being estab-
lished in 1857, ami which has always beeij
the oflicial l\epublican paper of the county.

i8o

THE BIOGRAPHICAL REC'ORD.

It is an eig'ht-page weeklv jiuirnal witli a
large circulation, w'hich extends all over tlie
county, and is in a flourishing- condition
under the able management of our subject,
who has entire charge of its publication.
Socially he is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and is past grand in
the latter lodge at both Hillsboro and Belvi-
dere. He attends and supports the Presby-
terian church, of which his wife is a mem-
ber.

On the ist of October. 1882. Mr. Truitt
n arried Miss Libbie E. Webber, who was
born near Collinsville. Madison county, Illi-
nois, a daughter of Nicholas A\'ebber, and
they have become the parents of three chil-
dren : Ora, Albert and Beulaih.

JEREMIAH COLLINS.

Jeremiah Collins is one of the representa-
tive agriculturists of Esmen township, his
fine farm of two hundred and forty acres be-
ii'g convenientlv located on sections 23 and
2S, within two miles and a half of Cayuga.
Lie was born in Miami county. Ohio. Jan-
uary 22, 1 83 1, and is a son of Daniel Col-
1ms, a native of Darke count\'. the same
state. His grandfather, Cajjtain Jeremiah
Collins, was born and reared in France and
came to the United States with La Fayette
to fight for .\merican independence. He
held a captain's commission in the Revolu-
tionary war. His last days were spent in
Darke county, Ohio, where he opened a
farm. There Daniel Collins grew to man-
h.ood and married Nancy Penney, a native
of Kentucky and a daughter of James Pen-
ney, who was born in Virginia and was later

one of the pioneers of Kentucky. In early
life the father of our subject followed black-
smithing in his native state until 1835, \vhen
he moved to Michigaii and settled at St.
Joseph, but three vears later he crossed the
lake and came to La Salle count}-. Illinois,
becoming one of the first blacksmiths of Ot-
tawa, where he arrived Julv 16, 1838. and
where he made his home for some years. Li
1844 he located on a farm in Rutland t(nvn-
ship and resided there luitil crossing the
])lains to California in 1850. After two
years spent in the mines he returned east
by way of the Panama route and New York.
He continued to live on his farm for many
years, but died at the home of a daughter
ir Seneca about 1890. His wife had passed
away some years previously. Of their thir-
teen children, six reached years of maturity,
but onlv Jereniiah and ^laria. wife of
Creorge Poi)e. of Seneca. Illinois, are now
living.

Our subject grew to manhood in La
Salle county and obtained a rather limited
education in the district schools. In 1852
he, too, crossed the plains to the Pacific slo])e,
being si.x months upon the road, and arri\--
ing in Volcano, California, September 16,
that year. He spent three years in that state,
but only engaged in mining for a short time.
He raised a crop of fall Nxlieal. worked in
the lumber woods over two years and in the
fall of 185; operated a threshing machine.
B\- way of the Panama route he returned
home and saw- the first railroad train he ever
saw on the isthmus. I'Vom New York he
proceefled to Chicago and arrived home in
October, T855. ^^ purchased a fanu in
La Salle county, which he operated until
1872 and then sold, coming to Lixingston
county. He bought one hundred and sixty
acres of land where he now resides; not a

JEREMIAH COLLINS.

MRS. JEREMIAH COLLINS.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

185

tree or shrul) adorned tlie jilace, witli the
exception of a wild rose, and tlie liouse was
small, but to its improvement and cultiva-
tion he has since devoted his energies and
now has one of tiie most desirable farms of
its size in the townshi]). lie has erected
thereon a i)leasant residence, two good barns
and other outbuildings, has tiled the land
and placed it under a high state of cultiva-
tiiiu and has set out both fruit and shade
trees, which add not a little to the attractive
appearance of the ])lace. He has also added
an eightv-acre tract to his first jjurciiase.

in La Salle county. November 19. 1865.
Mr. Collins married Miss Eliza J. Turner,
a native of England and a daughter of
George Turner, who came to the United
.'•'tates in 1844 'i"'' started as operator in
the first woolen mills at Dayton, Illinois.
Mrs. Collins died in La Salle county Febru-
ary 6, 1872. leaving five children: George;
\\'illiam; Martha J., wife of Simon Slyder,
of (3wego township. Livingston county;
Charles; and \\arren. Mrs. Slyder is the
owner of a can of cherries put up by her
mother in July. 1859. and they are still in
a perfect state of preservation and which
are claimed to be the oldest in the state. All
of the .sons are married and live in Esmen
township with exception of Warren, who
makes his liome in Pontiac township. Mr.
Collins was again married, in Li\ingston
county, ()ct<jber 20, 1872. his second union
being with Miss Rachel Wilkerson, who was
born and reared in Boonesboro, Kentucky,
and came to McLean county, Illinois, with
her parents. John and Mary Wilkerson. By
this marriage four children were born,
namely: Mary, wife of Samuel S])ears. a
farmer of Pontiac township; Cirace. wife of
Arthur Donahue, a farmer of Minnesota;
John E. and Sadie, both at home.

l^oliticall}- Mr. Collins and all his sons
are stanch supporters of the Republican
])arty. He was originally a Democrat and
cast his first presidential vote for Franklin
Pierce in 1852. On the 5th of August, 1862,
he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-eighth
Illinois ^'olunteer Infantry, and i)artici])ated
i:i the battle of Perryville. Kentucky, but
was soon discharged for disability, after
being confined in I he hospital ;it Xasluillc
for some time. He is now a member (if the
T. Lyle Dickey Post. Xo. 103, G. .\. R.. at
J'ontiac. Always a friend of education and
our public schools, he was for some years
an active member of the school board both
ir La Salle and Lixingston counties. He
has been a resident of this state for sixty-
two years and has therefore witnessed al-
most its entire develoi)ment, at the same time
aiding in its advancement and progress.

ALBERT L. Y.\rES.

.'Mliert L. Yates, a successful veterinary
surgeon of Dwight, Illinois, was born in
this county .Xoveniber 27. 1868. a son of Dr.
Christopher and .Almira (Heal) "^'ates. both
natives of Xew A'ork. the former born in
^blntgomerv count \- December 2~,. 1837, the
latter in ^ ates county December J^. 1842.
The father, who was also a ])rominent
veterinary surgeon, enlisted in the govern-
ment service in that cajiacity during the
Civil war and ser\ed o\-er three years.
.\,fter the w;i/r he located in Livingston
county. Illinois, and engaged in farming on
the .Smith f.arm in Dwight township for
some time, then removerl to Kankakee coun-
tv and from there to Irofpiois county, but
iii 1880 he returned to this county and again

1 86

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

took lip liis residence on a farm in Dwiglit
township. His sons tlien being old enongh
to carry on the farm work, lie devoted his
time to the practice of veterinary snrgery.
In 1885 he moved to the village of Dwight
and from that time until his death he gave
his entire attention to practice. Politically
he was an active worker for the Republican
]Mrtv and held a number of local offices ni
Livingston count v. He was a man of fine
physique, being over six feet in height, was
well informed, intelligent and generous to
a fault, and possessed a kindly dis|)osition.
Fraternally he was a meml)er of the Masonic
order and Grand Army of the Republic. His
wife died in Dwight township October 27.
1881. and his death occurred in the village
November 17. 1892.

After the death of the mother the eldest
daughter took her place as far as i)()ssible,
and the family remained together on the
farm, which the hoys operated. There were
eight children, namely: George C. and
William E., \\hii are miw farmers nf .South
Dakota: Albert L.. our sul)ject: Nellie M.,
wife of John Perkins, of Montgomery, Kane
county. Illinois; Bert, a farmer and school
teacher of South Dakota: Plarry, who was
born July 2. 1877, and died December 21,
1880; .\lice, wife of \\'illiam Neel. of Kane
county; and Lefa ]\l., wife of Fred Neel, a
brother of William.

The boyhood and youth of our subject
were passed upon the home farm and as he
grew u]) he received excellent practical train-
ing and experience in veterinary work from
association with his father. He assisted
him in his work and also pursued a course
of stud}- under his direction, i le then ])assed
a creditable examination and was granted
a license by the state board. After his fa-
ther's death he succeeded to his practice and

was alone until 1895, when he formed a
partnership with M. L. Livingston, a grad-
uate of the Ontario Veterinary College, but
after being associated with him in practice
for two years he purchased his interest and
has since been alone. Possessed of excellent
ability and skill in his chosen profession he
has built u\) a large practice, and by his
straightforward course has won the esteem
of the comnnmity in which he li\-es. P(^-
litically the Doctor is a stanch Republican,
and fraternally is a member of the Inde^
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons
of \'eterans.

Mr. Yates was married. May 29, 1900.
to Miss Agnes Chalmers, of Dwight. which
was her home from childhood. She is a
member of the Congregational church of
Dwight.

SAMUEL H. NICHOLS.

Samuel H. Nichols, a dealer in paints,
wall i)aper. etc., at No. 1 13-1 15 West Water
street, Pontiac. and one of its leading busi-
ness men, was born in that city January i,
1863, a son of Samuel V>. and Lucrctia
(Fox) Nichols. The father was a native
of Norwich, England, where he was reared
and educated. At the age of twenty years
he crossed the broad .\tlantic and settled
in Hamilton, Canada, where he was engaged
as a sailor on the great lakes and followed
that life for some years. He came to ]\)n-
tiac. Illinois, on the 4th of July, 1853, ar-
riving in this city on the first train that came
over the Chicago & .Alton l^ailroad. He
had been ])re\iously married, at Cincinnati,
Ohio, to Miss Lucretia Fox, a native of
Keene, New Hatnpshire, and a daughter of
Samuel and Dorothy Fox, and bv this union

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

187

were Ixini two children: Mrs. L. G.
Sclnvartz, of Cliicag<i. and Samuel H., our
subject. After coming to I'ontiac the fa-
ther enoaged in the restaurant business,
which he continued until his death, which oc-
curred Septeniher 30, 1865, He was a sol-
tlier of the Mexican war and a man highly
respected and esteemed l>y all who knew
him. His wife survixed him many years,
ii\ing at Pontiac, in 1887. at the age of si.x-
ty-three years.

The subject of this sketcii is indebted
to the public scliools of Pontiac for his edu-
cational advantages. During his \outh he
learned the ])ainter's and ]5aper hanger's
trade and worked as a journeyman until
1884. when he embarked in the same busi-
ness on his own account, and has succeeded
in building up a large and lucrative trade,
lie has the only exclusi\e wall paper and
paint store in the city or in fact in the coun-
ty, and occupies two large sales rooms, No.
I 13 and 1 15 West Water street, keeping on
hand a large stock of paints, oils, brushes,
wall paper, room moulding, etc. Mr. Xich-
ols devotes his entire time to the store, tak-
ing Contracts for large jobs of jjainting and
paper hanging, and furnishes employment
to a large force of skilletl workmen.

On the 8th of Septeml)er, 1888, in Pon-
tiac. Mr. Nichols married Miss Mollie Har-
iMson, of Carthage, Missouri, a daughter of
John \\'. and Mary Ann Harrison, of that
city, where her father is engaged in business
as a dealer in staple and fancy groceries at
73 1 West Chestnut street. At present Mr.
Nichols is living at 705 West Hc^ward
street, IVmtiac, in a modern two-story frame
dwelling erected b\- him in 1898.

He is an active and prominent member
of Pontiac Camp, No. 5, M. \\'. .\., of which
lie is at present banker, and a member of

tlie Pioneer Reserve Association, in which
order he is serving as local deputy. Re-
ligiously he is a member of the Presbyterian
church. By his ballot he supports the men
and measures of the Republican party, antl
in the spring of 1900 was its candidate for
alderman from the second ward, where he
iA so well and favoral)ly known, it having
always been his home. .\s a business man
lu ranks among the ablest in the city, l)eing
enterprising, energetic and intlustrious. and
the success that he has achieved in life is due
to his own well-directed efforts, for in start-
ing out in life for himself he was without
capital or inlluential friends to aid him. but
to-day is a prosperous and successful busi-
ness man.

JOHX MUXSON.

John Munson, one of the honored vet-
erans of the Civil war and a well known
farmer residing on section 20, Owego town-
ship, four miles from Pontiac. was liorn
November 28, 1842, in Denmark, where he
\\as reared and educated. He worked on a
farm and learned the car])enter's trade be-
fore his emigration to .\merica in i860.
On landing in this country he proceeded to
La Salle county, Illinois, where he found
employment as a farm hand for one year.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company B. One
Ilundred and Fourth Illinois \'olunteer In-
fantry, w hich formed a part of the Army of
the Tennessee, and he iiarticipated in the
battle of Hartsville, Tcimessee. where he
was taken i)risoner with his regiment. He
was held a caplise at Murfreeshoro until
l)aroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and
later to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where he
was exchanged at the end of six weeks. In

1 88

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tlie meantime lie contracted inflammatory
rheumatism and was sent to the hospital.
^^'he^ he had sufficiently recovered his
health to be about he was placed on hospital
duty and servetl in that capacity until hon-
orably discharged at the close of the war, in
1865. He has never yet fully recovered
from the effects of his army service.

On receiving his discharge ^Ir. INIunsnn
joined a brother in Livingston county, but
later returned to La Salle county, where he
spent one year. At the end of that time he
located permanently in this county, where he
and his brother operated a rented farm for
two or three years, and for three years he
clei-ked in a store in Pontiac. Subsequenth-
he engaged in the clothin<r and gents fur-
nishing business in that city for five years.
and at the end of that time traded his stock
of goods for a fanu west of Pontiac, but
sold that place at the end of a year and
lx)ught the farm in Owego township where
he now resides. .\t that time it was but
slightly improved. Init he has planted an
orchard, erected a neat and stibstantial resi-
dence and a good barn, and to-day has a
well-improved and valuable farm of eighty
acres. He also has another eighty acres on
.section 18, the same township. This prop-
erty has all been acquired by industry, per-
severance and good management, for he
came to thi-^ coiuitv em]itv-handed and has
had to make his own wav in the world un-
aided.

On the 30th of December. 1874, Mr.
Munson was united in marriage with Miss
Elizabeth Duff, a native of Huntingdon
county. Pennsylvania, who came to Illinois
with her father. Charles Duff, in 1866, at
the age of about fifteen years, locating on a
farm in Pontiac townshij). this county. By
this union were lx)rn two children. Eva, the

elder, is now the wife of Benjamin I\Iiller,
a farmer of Owego township, and they have
two children. Wilbur John and Frances Eliz-
abeth. Louis D.. the only son of our sub-
ject, assists in the operation of the home
farm. Mr. and Mrs. ]Munson have given
a home to a little girl, Toleto Hansen, whom
they are now rearing.

Politically Mr. Munson is a stanch sup-
]iorter of the Republican party, having cast
liis first presidential vote for L'. S. Grant in
1868. and for e\er}- nominee of the party
since that time. Socially he is a Master
Zslason. and religiously both he and his wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Pontiac. They are widely and
favorably known and have a host of warm
friends in the community where they re-
side.

HORATIO X. ^'AUGHAX.

Horatio X. \'aughan, whose home
is at Xo. 522 Xorth Chicago street. Pontiac,
Illinois, is one of the prominent citizens of
that place, a leader in musical circles. He
is a native of Springfield, Sullivan county,
Xew Hampshire, and a son of John
and Mary (Moran) Vaughan. Her paternal
grandparents were Samuel and Elizabeth
( Rider) Vaughan, natives of Halifax, Xova
Scotia, who moved from there to St. Mar-
tin's, Xew Brunswick, where the grandfa-
ther died at an advanced age. He followed
the ship carpenter's trade throughout life,
but also devoted a great deal of time to the
study of music and was a proficient ])layer
on several instruments, his favorite being
the violin. He was a member of an orches-
tra and band in St. Johns, Xew Bruns-
wick.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

189

Jolm \'auglian, the father of our subject,
was also Imrn in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and
was married at St. Martin's, New Bruns-
wick, but soon afterwartl he left Canada and
removed to Sullivan county, New Hamp-
shire, where all of his ten children were
born, our subject being the youngest. There
he engaged in farming on quite an extensive
scale, though, during his early life in Nova
Scotia, he had followed the ship carpenter's
trade. In 1837 he came to Illinois and was
one of the first settlers of Princeton, where
he conducted a hotel for ten years and then
lived retired until his death, which occurred
in 1877, when he was eighty-seven years
of age. Only two of his famil)' are now
living, our subject and his brother, John, a
retired merchant of Seattle, Washington.

Until he attained his majority, Horatio
N.Vaughanreni;unetl under the parental roof
and was educated in Illinois by private
tutors. At the age of twelve years he com-
menced the study of music and received in-
struction on the violin from some of the
best local teachers of that day. He contin-
ued his studies for a number of years and
he has since given his time and attention to
that art as a profession. About 1862 he
became connected with the band and orches-
tra of a theatrical company, and, as leader
of the orchestra, traveled with some of the
leading theatrical and show companies as
the Van Amberg, and others, at that time.
Leaving the road in 1872, he taught music
as a band instructor in various cities of Illi-
nois and Wisconsin until locating in Ponti-
ac in December, 1877. Here he formed a
class on the violin, and with the exception
of a few years spent in Seattle, Washington,
he has since taught music at this place.
About nine years ago he organized and be-
came leader of the "Vaughan orchestra of

]'nntiac, consisting of fourteen pieces, which
still exists and is the leading musical organi-
zation of the city, its services being in great
demand. Most of the players were former
l)upils of Mr. Vaughan.

In i\Iay, 1880, at Pontiac, Mr. \'aughan
married Miss ^largaret A. Stites, a daugh-
ter of Dr. J. J. Stites, one of the prominent
physicians of this city. She is a highly ed-
ucated lady and also an accomplished mu-
sician, receiving her musical education at the
College of Music in Cincinnati, under the
managenienl of Theotlore Thomas, one of
the most noted musicians this country has
produced. She plays lirst violin in her hus-
band's orchestra, and as teacher of the piano
forte has a large private class. She is also
supervisor of music in the public schools of
I'ontiac, a position she has most creditably
filled for a number of years, and which re-
quires much of her time and attention every
day. As will be seen Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan
are among the most prominent musicians of
the city and are entirely devoted to their
art.

OWEN FEEHAN.

Owen I'eehan, one of the most popular
and influential citizens of Nevada township,
Livingston county, whose home is on sec-
tion 20, was born in Grundy county, Illi-
nois, June 15, 1861, and is a son of Owen
and Maria (Killian) Feehan, natives of
Kings county, Ireland, where the father
followed the occupation of farming. Soon
after their marriage they emigrated to the
United States and took up their residence
in Grundy county, Illinois, where he pur-
chased land, making their home there until
1869, when they removed to Nevada town-

igo

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sliip. Li\ingston county. Here he had pre-
viously purchased the south half of section
20, which at that time was unimproved land,
but \\'as soon transformed bv him into one
of the most desirable farms in the locality.
He continued to reside there until the spring
of 1892, when he moved to Odell and has
since lived in retirement from active labor,
enjoying a well-earned rest. He and his
wife are members of the Catholic church of
that place, and are highly respected and es-
teemed by all ^\•ho know them. To this
worthy couple were born ten children, eight
of whom reached man and womanhood,
namely : Patrick, a resident of Nevada town-
ship; John, of Seward county, Nebraska;
Lawrence, of Nevada township, this county;
Ellen, wife of J. C. Lennan, a merchant
of Odell; Charles, a molder by trade and a
resident of Morris, Illinois; Lizzie, wife of
John Carey, a farmer living near Kinsman,
Grundy countv; Owen, our subject, and Ed-
ward, who was accidentally killed by the
train at a crossinp- at Kinsman.

The subject of this review began his ed-
ucation in the schools of Grundy county,
and after coming to this county, at the age
of eight years, continued his studies in the
schools of Nevada township. When he first
located here the nearest school was three
miles from his home. He continued to at-
tend school at intervals until he attained his
majority, and acquired a good, practical ed-
ucation.

On the 1st of June, 1887, Mr. Feehan
married Miss Julia A. Feehan, who was born
in Grundy coimty, June 18, 1861, and suc-
cessfully engaged in teaching for seven years
prior to her marriage, having charge of the
school in district No. 4, where she now re-
sides, besides six years in other counties.
She was educated in U^tica, La Salle county.

Illinois. Her father, John Feehan. was a
native of Ireland and came to the new world
in early youth. He resided in La Salle
ciiunty for many years, but his last days
were spent in Grundy county, where he died
in 1 89 1. He had a family of seven chil-
dren, six of whom grew to maturity, and in
order of birth these are as follows : Sarah,
wife of ]\I. J. Dempsey, who is engaged in
the shoe business in Chicago; Kate, widow
of J. M. Dempsey, who was engaged in the
grocery and meat business in that city, where
she still resides; John, a detective and ser-
geant on the Chicago police force; Thomas
F., who conducts a grocery and meat mar-
ket in the same city; Julia A., wife of our
subject, and \'incent, who is in the employ of
the Cuhady Meat Company, pi Chicago.
To i\Ir. and Mrs. Feehan were born five chil-
dren, namely : Edith Balbina, who died at
the age of eleven months; Mary Alice, Grace
Agnes and Julia K., all in school, and Eliza-
beth \'eronica, a bright baby of two and a
half years.

After his marriage, Mr. Feehan moved
to Chicago, where he was engaged in busi-
ness for two years, but at the end of that
time he returned to Livingston county. He
operated rented land for a time, and then lo-
cated on the old homestead, where he is op-
erating one hundred and sixty acres of well
improved and highly cul'tivated land, and is
meeting with good success.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Feehan are members
of the Catholic church of Odell, of which
Father Griffey is pastor, and he also belongs
to St. Paul's Court, No. 618, Catholic Order
of Foresters, of the same place, of which he
is one of the trustees, and is a member of
Nevada Camp, No. 4070, Modern Woodmen
of America, of which he is advisor. As a
Democrat he has always taken an active part

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

191

in politics; has been a delegate to county
conventions a number of times, and is now a
member of the townshii) central committee
of his party. On attaining his majority, he
was elected school director, which office he
held lor six years, and for one year he
served as collector. Pie was road commis-
sioner the same length of time, and assessor
six years. In the spring of 1900 he was
elected supervisor of his township and re-
signed the office of assessor.

His public service has been most exem-
pkuy and his private life has been marked
by the utmost fidelity to duty. He has
given his support to all measures for the pub-
lic good, and is justly numbered among the
valued and useful citizens of his community.

\\ILLIAM F. C. LEHMANN.

Germany has furnished to the new world
many of its most enterprising and jjrogres-
sive citizens — men who have taken an active
part in tiie development of the locality in
which they make their home, and have ex-
erted a great inHuence for good in the com-
munity. Mr. Lehmann is a worthy repre-
sentative of this class. He has met with
well deserved success in his adopted country,
and is now the owner of a valuable farm of
four hundred acres on section 29, Owego
township, Livingston county, Illinois, four
miles and a half east of Pontiac.

Mr. Lehmann was born in Mecklenburg,
Germany, May i, 1853, and attended the
schools of his native land, but is wholly
self-educated in English. In 1871, at the
age of eighteen years he emigrated to the
United States and first located in Peoria
county, Illinois, where some friends from

the fatherland were li\ing. He obtained
work on the farm of W illiam Spicer, a sub-
stantial farmer of that county, who proved
a good friend to the German lati, and he re-
mained in his employ four years. In 1876
he came to near Chenoa, in Livingston coun-
ty, where he commenced life for himself
upon a rented farm of one hundred and sixty
acres, which he successfully operated for
seven years. At length, in 1882, he was
able to purchase one hundred and twenty
acres of land in Owego township, where he
now resides. At that time it was only par-
tially improved, and the house standing
thereon was quite small, but it has since been
replaced by a more commodious and sub-
stantial residence, the land has been tiled,
fences built, also a good barn, and water
works and stock scales added, making it one
of the best equipped farms in the locality.
He has also extended the boundaries of his
farm until they now include four hundred
acres of rich and fertile land. This prop-
erty has all been acquired through his own
well-directed efforts, and he is to-day one
of the substantial men of Owego township.
In this county, Mr. Lehmaim was mar-
ried, January 22, 1877, to Miss Augusta,
Louise Leduc, who was born in New York
City. Her father, General Louis Leduc,
\\as a native of France and a highly edu-
cated gentleman, speaking eight different
languages. He was an officer in the French
arni\- and took part in several wars. Later
he came to America and was married in New
\ ork city, where he made his home for some
time, but subsequently came to Livingston
county, Illinois. Here Mrs. Lehmann was
reared and educated Ijv her father. Of the
ten children born to our subject and his wife,
two died in infanc}'. Those living are : Lena,
now the wife of George Rights, a farmer of

192

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Owego township, liv wiioni she had a son,
William; Alhert, who assists his father in
the operation of the farm; Emma, William,
Alattie, Julius, Rudolph and Willis Ellis, all
at home.

By his ballot Mr. Lehmann supports the
men and measures of the Republican party,
but has never cared for official honors. He
is now serving as Caiiada thistle commis-
sioner and as school director, having been
president of the district board for fourteen
years. He and his wife are prominent and
influential members of the German Baptist
church,and he takes a very active part in Sun-
day school work, serving as president of the
township Sunday school society seven years.
For some years he was superintendent of the
Methodist Episcopal Sunday school, and
now holds the same position in tJie Swigart
Sunday school. For a few years he was su-
perintendent of both Sunday schools at
the same time. In all the relations of life
he has been found true to every trust reposed
in him, whether public or private, and justly
deserves in the high regard in which he is
uniformly held.

JOHN KLEIN.

John Klein, one of Pike township's most
progressive and public-spirited citizens,
owns and operates a well-improved and val-
uable farm of two hundred and forty acres
on section 22. He is a native of Germany,
born in Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, August 24,
1833, ^"<i '^ '^ s°'^ o^ Jacob and Margaret
(Weiser) Klein, also natives of that coun-
try, where the father followed the weaver's
trade. In 1855, accompanied by his family,
he emigrated to America and located in

I'azewell county, where some of his friends
from Germany had previously settled and
where he rented a little house. At that time
he had four sons and one daughter, all of
whom worked and it took their wages for
one year to pay their passage across the At-
lantic and the expenses of their trip to this
state. The second year the father rented a
farm in Deer Creek township, Tazewell
county, for one-half the crop raised, and in
1864 purchased a farm in Pike township,
Li\ingston county, upon which ne spent the
remainder of his life, dying there in Decem-
ber, 1878, his wife in 1874. In their family
were seven children, of whom four sons and
one daughter are still living.

Our subject acquired a good practical
education in the common schools of his na-
tive land, which he attended for eight years,
but his knowledge of the English language
has been self-acquired. At the age of four-
teen he commenced earning his own liveli-
liood, working out while in Germany, and
for four years after coming to this country
he worked for and assisted his father in get-
ting a start. He then began life for him-
self as a farmer upon rented land.

In Tazewell county Mr. Klein was mar-
ried, January 25, 1864, to Miss Margaret
Moschel, also a native of Bavaria and a
daughter of Christian and Margaret
Moschel. Her father, who was a cabinet-
maker by trade, died in Germany, and sub-
secjuently she and her mother and seven
children came to the new world in 1862, lo-
cating in Tazewell county, Illinois, where
she lived for several years and then came to
Pike township, Livingston county, where
she purchased a farm and there died Octo-
ber 4, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Klein are the
parents of seven children, namely : Katie,
wife of Theodore Lommatsch, of Pike town-

JOHN KLEIN.

W^Mm-

w §

MRS. JOHN KLEIN.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

197

slii]). lias two cliildien. Clara and Ralph:
Lena, wife of Lonis Lommatscii. of the
same townshi]!. has one son. i-'lnier :
.\niia. at Imnie; John inarrieil Miss Katie
Schoenheck, and they have one daughter,
Mahet, and he ojierates a part of his father's
tarni; Matilda, August and I'jiielia. at
lionie: one. the oldest of the family, died in
infanc\-.

l'"or four years after iiis niaiM'iage Mr.
Klein continued to rent land in Tazewell
0)unty. and in iSOi) came to Li\ingston
county, locating u])on a ])artially ini|)ro\ed
tarm of forty acres in Pike township, which
he had ])urchased a \ear nr Iwi> hefore. .\s
his financial resuiu'ces have increased he has
adiled to his landed jiossessions from time
to time until he now has two hundred and
lorty acres of rich an<l arahle land, which
he has placed luider excellent cultixation and
imjiroved with a good set of farm Iniildings.
His success in life is due to his industry,
enterprise and good management. He is
a man of good husiness ahilitv and sound
judgment, and carries forward to successful
completion whatever he undertakes.

Originally Mr. Klein was identified with
the Democratic party and cast his hrst pres-
idential vote for Samuel J. Tilden in 1876.
hut of recent years has been independent in
]!olitics. su])porting the best men. regardless
of party affiliations. He has taken a very
active and influential part in ])ublic affairs,
has been a delegate to many county, sena-
torial, congressional and state comentions,
and has been honored with a iiumher of im-
|)ortant official positions, having served as
t( wnship clerk fourteen years, supervisor
two years, assessor two years, justice of the
peace eight years, a member of the .school
hoard, and president and clerk of the dis-
trict manv vears. His official duties have

always been most faithfully and satisfac-
torily performed, winning the commenda-
ti(*in of all concerned. In 1SK5 Mr. Klein
.ind .\". j. Myer and others established the
Eppards I'oint Fire Insurance Company,
and the former was made president, the
latter secretar\- of the same. Our subject
is one of the most ])ul)lic spirited and enter-
])rising men of his community and has done
much to aid in the development and further
the interests of I^ike township. Rebgit)us!y
he and his wife are members of the Lu-
theran church.

CHARLES EDWWKU W.XTSOX.

Charles Etlward Watson, now deceased,
was born in Indiana, in which state he was
reared and educated. In his youth he learned
the trade of wagonmaker and when a young
man he came to I'ontiac, first, in 1857, and
for a time engaged in his chosen occui)ation.
He later returneil to his native state, but in
i86j again came to IV)ntiac, which continued
his home until his death.

On the 19th of April, 1864, Mr. Watson
was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia
I'.uck, by w hom he bad three children. Clara
W. is now the wife of Alexander Algeo, a
farmer of Rooks Creek township, and they
ha\e two children, Anna Louise and Walter
Samuel. Jesse X.. born January 13, 1870,
married April 14, 1897, Miss Mary Lorena
Cross, of Peoria, and they reside in Chicago,
where be is engaged as a draughtsman.
Willim A., lx)rn September 4, 1872. is a
contractor and builder in Larkin, Kansas.
While still residing in Pontiac, be did a
good deal of architectural work.

Mr. Watson was called to bis reward
May 4, 1887. Fraternally he was a member

19S

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the Inilcpeiident Order nf Odd Fellows.
Politically he was a Repul)iicaii. and tor a
time held the office of street commissioner
of Pontiac.

Mrs. Watson still makes her home in
Pontiac, where she is well known and great-
ly esteemed. She inherited the musical
talent of her father and has sung in the
choirs of the Methodist Episcopal, Baptist
and Presbyterian churches of Pontiac, thus
aiding b->- her voice the worship in song in
the \arious churches.

JOHN H. OLESOX.

Among the prosperous antl successful
farmers of Esmen township, Livingston
county, who have made their own way in the
world unaided and ha\e succeeded in ac-
cumulating a handsome competence, is John
H. Oleson, whose home is on section 30.
He was born in Norway, in 1850, and when
seven years of age was brought to the L'nited
States by his father, Ole H. Oleson. who
first settled in La Salle county, Illinois, an<l
came to Livingston count}' five years later,
locating in Esmen townshi]), where he is
now li\'ing a retired life with his youngest
son, at tile age of seventy-eight years. He,
too, was an agriculturist and mot with ex-
cellent success in his labors.

Since the age of twelve years John 11.
Oleson has been a resident of Livingstou
county and is indebted tt) her public schools
for his educational advantages. The old
homestead adjoins the farm where he now
lives, and lie aided in its o|)eratiou until
twenty-four years of age. He was then
married, in this county, June 10. 1S74, to
Miss IsaljeJ Highland, who was also born

in Xorwa\-, ami came to this country at the
age of si.x years with her father, Ole 1 ligh-
land. They settled in Livingston county,
where she grew to womanhotxl. The chil-
dren born to our subject and his wife are:
I'llsie. wife of Benjamin Peterson, of Liv-
ingston county: Cordelia, wife of Oscar
Hetland : ld;i, wife of (ieorge Thompson;
Clara and Obed, both at home.

For two years after his marriage .Mr.
Oleson engaged in farming upon rented land
and then purchased eighty acres of raw
prairie land, t)n which he now resides, and to
the improvement and cultivation of which
he has since devoted iiis energies witli nK)st
gratifxing results. As he has prospered he
has added to his farm twn eight_\-acre tracts,
and now has a tine place of two hundred and
forty acres, which he has tiled, fenced and
placed under a high state of cultivation.
In addition to this he has an eighty-acre
tract, given him by his father, making a total
of three liuiulred and twenty acres. He
possesses many of the admirable character-
istics of the Norwegian people, being in-
dustrious, economical and persevering, and
to these may be attributed his wontlerful suc-
cess. By his ballot he sujjports the men and
measures of the Republican party, and has
served as scliool director in his district. He
and his wife are members of the Lutheran
cliurch and are widely antl fax't.irably kiiowii
throughout their sectitm of the countv.

CHRISTIAN VERCLER.

For over a i|uarter of a century this gen-
tleman has been prominently identified w itli
the agricultural interests of Livingston coun-
ty, and now owns and successfully operates
a valuable farm of three hnndred and tweiilv

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

199

acres on sections 27, 31 and ^3' Pil<e town-
sliip. He was born July 14, \H~,j. in tlie
province of Lorraine, France, now ;i part n\
Germany, and is a .son of C"lirisi;an X'ercler.
.Sr., one of the most prosjierons and pro-
t;ressi\e farmers in tliat part of tlie county.
J le was educated in both tlie I'rcnch and
German languages, bin has acquired his
knowledge of English since coming to Amer-
ica. He sailetl from Havre and landed in
Xew \'(>rk, September Jj, iSjJ, antl came
direct to Livingston county, Illinois. Two
years later he was joined by his father, who
hnuglu twii hundred and forty acres of land
in I'ike township, but was not long permitted
to enjo}- his new hume, as he died the same
year.

( )n his arri\al here our subject com-
menced working by the month at farm labor,
and was thus employed for a _\ear and a
half. He then assisted his father in the im-
jirovement and cultixatiini i>f the place, and
after the hitter's death, he and his brothers,
.\ndrew, Joseph, Jacob and Peter, continued
its operation for three years. In 1881 our
subject purchased eighty acres of liis preseiu
farm, and to it he lias since added until he
now owns an excellent farm of three hun-
dred and twenty acres, which he has placed
under a high state of cultivation and ini-
jjroved with good and substantial buildings.
He has made for himself an honorable reconl
in business and by his well-directed efforts
has acquired a handsome competence.

On the 1st of January, 1881, in i'ike
township, Mr. Vercler was united in mar-
riage with Miss Emma B. Le Due. a n.itive
of that tt)wnship and a tlaughter of one of its
most prominent old settlers. Louis Le Due.
I'ive children blessed this union, but Bertha
died in childhood. Those living are. Will-
iam, .Mice, Rudolph and Nettie.

By his ballot Mr. Vercler usually sup-
])orts the men and measures of the Demo-
cratic party, but at local elections votes in-
de])endent nf ])arty lines, su])iK)rting the men
whom he believes best qualified to till the
oflices. He served some years as township
clerk, collector of taxes one year, highway
commissioner six years, and a member of the
school board and district clerk nineteeu
years. He is a worthy representati\e of
that class of citizens who lead (|uiet, in-
dustrious, honest and useful lives, and con-
stitute the best portion of the community.
Religiously he is a member of the Mennonite
church. .Mrs. X'ercler is a member of the
(icnnan Baptist church.

JOHN W. BRUNER.

John \\ . Bruner, a })roniinent and rejire-
sentative business man of l\)ntiac, residmg
on I^ast Water street, was born in Greene
comity, Ohio, July 8, 1837, a son of Peter
and Elizabeth (Tytusj Bruner. The father
and mother were both born in Loudoun
county, Virginia, and about 1835 removed
to Ohio, locating near Xenia, where he en-
gaged in milling and mercantile business.
J,ater he carried on the dry-goods business
in P>uller county and at Germantown, Mont-
gomery count)-, Ohio, and from that stale
he moved to Wabash county, Indiana, where
he ijurchased a large tract of land and en-
gaged in farming throughout the remainder
of his life, dying there in 185J. His widow
continued to reside on the farm until 1855,
when she went to hve with her brcjtber, F.
J. Tytus a prominent merchant and pork
])acker of Middletown, Butler county, Ohio,
and a very wealthy and benevolent man. who

200

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was liorn P'elM-uary 5. 1806, and died at the
age of sixty years. After lixing' with him
two years, Mrs. Bruner made her home with
her son-in-law. Dr. Samuel Stewart, in Ham-
ilton, Ohio, where she died at the age of
about sixty years. The Bruner "family is of
Cjerman descent, the grandfather of our sul)-
ject haying come to this country from (Ger-
many with three brothers and settled m the
west. Peter Bruner, wh<) was born Decem-
ber 2, 1 79 1, was a son of George Peter
Bruner. His wife, Elizabeth, born Febru-
ary 2^, 1801, was a daughter of Tunis and
Jane 1 ytus.

To Peter and Elizabeth (Tytus) Bruner
were born five children, four of whom
reached years of maturity, namely: (ij
Francis )., who owned a large sugar plan-
tation in Louisiana, was a Confederate sol-
dier in the Civil war, and died in that state
in 1899. Three of his children are still liv-
ing on the plantation. {2) Jennie E. is the
widow of Dr. Samuel Stewart and is now
living in Pontiac, Illinois. She has three
children : Frank, a finisher in the shoe fac-
tory of that place; Lizzie, wife of S. W.
Strong, assistant superintendent of the Illi-
nois state reformatory, and John K., who
is employed in the shoe factory. (3) Will-
iam H. married Elizabeth Cook, of Pontiac,
and is engaged in the grocery business in
that city. (4) John \\'., our subject, is the
youngest of the family.

During his boyhood John W. Bruner at-
tended the common schools of Butler county,
(^hio, and comjjleted his education at Dcn-
nison University, Granville, that state. He
remained at home until 1852, and after leav-
ing college e-ntered the dry goods business
at Cincinnati and later at Middletown, in
1861, where he remained until the fall of
1864, when he sold out and came to Pon-

tiac, Illinois. J'or nine }'ears he carried on
farming in I'muiiic township, Livingston
county, where he owned two hundred and
sixty acres, and also three hundred and
twenty acres in Epjiards Point tow nshii). and
also raised, bought and sold st(Kk. At the
end of that period he remo\ed to the city of
Pontiac, where he has since engaged in the
real estate and stock business, meeting with
marked success. He has also three thousand
acres of land near Stuttgart, Arkansas,
w hich is devoted to stock raising at the pres-
ent time. He is an enterprising and pro-
gressive business man, energetic and reliable,
and easily wins the confidence and good w ill
of all \yith whom he comes in contact. J'o-
litically, he is a stanch Kepublican, but has
never cared for official honors, while re-
ligiously he is a member of the Baptist
church, and socially affiliates with the
Knights of ]'}-thias, being one of the older
members.

On the 15th of August, iSOi, Air.
Bruner married Aliss Eliza J. Crane, a
daughter of Stephen C. anil Elizabeth
(Simpson) Crane. Her father, a native of
New York, moved to Butler county, Ohio,
at an earl\- day and there engaged in farm-
ing with most gratifying success, l)ec(Jming
the owner of a large amoui'''" of both farm
and city property. About 1865 he brt)ught
his family to Pontiac. where he engaged in
the real estate business quite extensiA'ely.
He was a large stockholder in the first coal
shaft sunk at this place, and was also con-
nected with the lirst woolen mill established
here. He seemed to prosper in all his un-
dertakings and accumulated considerable
wealth. He died in Pt)ntiac, in 1880, leav-
ing over two thousand acres of improved
farming land in Livingston county, besides
a large amount of city property and a thou-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

201

sand acres of land in ntlier parts of tlie
west. Mrs. Bruner was l)i)rn in Bntler coun-
ty. Ohio, January 23, 1843. Of tlie four
cliililren l>orn to our sul)ject and liis wife
only one is living. Hal C. residing at 208
I'last Water street, is engaged in the tile
business in Pontiac, and is also interested
in a manufacturing business in Chicago.
lie married Carrie S. Sims, of Pontiac. and
they have three children, namel\-; Eva,
J .eonora and Crane.

JOHN r..\L.\li':R, Sk.

.\ brilliant exam])le of a self-made .Amer-
ican citizen and a grand examplitication of
the progress that an ambitious foreigner can
make in this country of unbounded oppor-
tunities, is show n in the case of John Balnier,
one of the most successful and prosjjcrous
farmers and stock raisers of Livingston
county. He resides on .section 26, Pontiac
township, within one mile of the citv of Pon-
tiac.

Mr. Balmer was born in Switzerland, Oc-
tober 31, i82(), and came to .\mcrica with
his father. Christian Balmer, in 1840, lo-
cating tirst in Hancock county. Ohio, near
the present city of Findlay. where the fatiier
hougiit land. With the assistance of his
sons he cleared and imprined his j)lace, trans-
forming it into a good farm. There he died
about 1853.

Our subject attended the [lublic schools
of iiis native land, but his knowledge of Eng-
lish has been accpiired through his own ef-
forts since coming to the new world, at the
age of eleven years. He aided his father in
the arduous task of clearing the hr>me farm,
and remained with him until grown. It was

in 1832 that he came to Li\'ingston county,
Illinois, and the following year he purchased
the farm where he now resides, consisting of
one hundred and thirty-seven acres, which he
bought in partnership with his brother-in-
law, but since 1861 he has been sole owner
of the ])lace. .\s an agriculturist he has
steadily ])rospered, and has added to his
landed possessions from time t(j time until
he is now the owner of eleven hundred acres
of valualile lanfl in this coimty, besides his
investments in .Xebraska and Kansas. In
connection with general farming he has en-
gaged extensively in the raising and feetling
of cattle for market.

In the fall of 1834. Mr. Balmer drove
)>ack to Ohio, and was there married to Miss
Xancy .Kdkins. a native of Pickaway county,
that state, and a daughter of David .\dkins.
By this union four children have been bom,
namely: Melissa is now the wife of Allen
Sct)tt, of Joplin, Missouri, and they have
two children, John and Pearl: J. P., who
assists in the operation of the home farm,
married Anna Belle Blair, and they have
two children living, Everet and Angle, tvvt)
having died: Leonard S. is at home, and
Anna is the wife of Madison Phii)ps. a
farmer of this county, and they have one
child, Jesse R.

In his political views Mr. Balmer is a
stanch Republican, but at local elections he
endeavors to support the best man, re.gard-
less of jjart affiliations. He has never cared
for i)ublic ot^ce, ])referring to devote his
entire time and attention to his exten.sive
business interests. Socially he is a tuem-
lier of the Odd Fellows society at Pontiac.
and has filled all the chairs, being at ])resent
past grand of his lodge. I-'or almost a half-
centin'v he has made his home in Livingston
couiUy, and has bore his part in its develoj)-

202

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ment during- that period. He lias seen the
swamp.s drained, and a large tract of what
at first appeared to be waste land trans-
formed into rich and fertile fields. The
career of Mr. Balmer seems almost phe-
nomenal, yet his success is by no means the
result of fortunate circumstances. It has
come to him through energy, labor and per-
severance, directed by an evenly balanced
mind and honorable business principles. He
has always made the most of his opportuni-
ties.and his successful life e.xcites the admira-
tion of all.

^^TLLIAM ARMITAGE.

William Armitage, deceased, was born in
Tipperary, Ireland, on the 13th of Decem-
ber, 1826, and when twenty-two years of age
came to the United States with his father,
Richard .A.rmitage, who settled in Wayne
county, New York, where he died at an ad-
vanced age. Our subject located in Roch-
ester, New York, where he engaged in the
manufacture of brick for a short time, and
in 1865 came to Illinois, settling near Odell,
Livingston county, where he engaged in
farming for a few years and then established
himself in the brick and tile business in
Odell, in which line he was engaged for
over twenty years. He commenced life as a
j)o(jr boy, but b}' his industr\-, ]jerseverance
and u])right dealing with all with whom he
came in business contact, he soon became a
tlirifty business man, and one who had the
re.sj)ect of all his fellow citizens.

When Mr. .Armitage first settled in Odell
there was no church or cemetery in the place,
and he helped build the first church and was
always a large contributor to its support.
Ilis 1)usiness constantlv increased under his

able management until it became one of the
leading industries of that part of the coun-
try, furnishing employment to a large num-
ber of men and turning out a product all
knew as excellent. Later he sold the tile
and brick business to Trecker Brothers and
moved to Iowa, but after spending two years
in that state he returned to Odell, where he
niade his home until the fall of 1899 and
then came to Pontiac to live quietly after
the labors of a well-spent life, during which
he had prospered. He had surrounded him-
self by all the comforts of life and was en-
joying the rest which comes to the faith-
ful worker, when he was called to that long
and peaceful rest, February 25, 1900, after
an illness of only a few days, leaving a
widow and four children to mourn the de-
jjarture of a devoted husband and a kind and
mdulgent father.

Mr. .Armitage was married, in Tvre,
New York, in 1854, to Miss Ann M. Thorp,
a daughter of Munson and Ann Eliza (.Ar-
mitage) Thorp. Her father was a native
of New Hampshire, but at an early age
moved to New York and located in Onon-
daga county, where as a mechanic he spent
over si-xty years of his life, dying there at
the age of eighty-seven. His wife died in
\\'ayne county, the same state, when Mrs.
Armitage was only four years of age. Mrs.
.\rmitage has only a brother living. Rev.
Wallace W. Thorp, a Presbyterian minister
i>i Poughkeepsie, New York.

To our sul)ject and his wife were born
eight children, three of whom died in New
^'ork state and one in Odell, this county.
The living are as follows : ( 1 ) Clara Belle
is the wife of .Alfred Burns, a farmer of this
county, and they have two daughters : Ruth
.\. and Charlotte. (2) Wesley L., of Odell,
married Ivlith Bockman, and thev ha\-e three

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

203

cliiklren, William S.. Liicile and Floyd V>.
(3) Elton C. an attorney of Cliicago, mar-
ried Alice McConnclt, and tliey liave one
child. Edna. (4) Lillian F. is the wife of
S. X. Donaluie, wlio lias a large restaurant
and hakery in Pontiac.

Mr. Annitage was converted anil united
with the Methodist Episcopal church at the
age of twentv-thrce years, lie was soon
elected superintendent of the Sunday school.
and was also a class leader. .\ devoted
Christian, an upright citizen and business
man, he was always found on the right side
of every moral issue, and was strictlv tem-
perate and a faithful worker in the temper-
ance mo\cment, and was a constant reatlcr
v,i the best literature, having a well-stocketl
library. While devoted to his business and
the accumulation of property, he found time
to gratify bis fondness for held sports with
rod and gun. In politics he was a Republi-
can, but took no active jiart in political mat-
ters, yet was always interested in all public
affairs that tended to advance the wlfare of
the community in which he lived. Mrs. -\r-
mitagc laid the remains of her beloed hus-
band to rest in the cemetery at Odell, where
so many j'ears of their luqipy life had been
passed, near the church he had helped to
build, and of which he had been such a de-
voted member and constant attendant. .Mrs.
Armitage has bought a large, pleasant home
on East North street, Pontiac, where she
exj^ects to spend her remaining years be-
loved and respected by all who know her.

JOHN FRA.VCIS SL'LLIN'AX.

John Francis Sullivan, a well known
and prominent druggist, of Cliatsworth, was
born in Peoria, Illinois, March 10, 1868, a

sou of Tolin and Fdlen .Sullivan. The fa-
ther, who was born in county Cork, Ireland,
came to .\merica in 1862, and after s])en(l-
ing fi\e Acars in New York City, became
a resilient of Peoria, Illinois, where for two
years he was employed as .section foreman
on the Toledo, Peoria & Wabash Railroad.
His wife died in 187^ leaving three chil-
dren: Mary Ellen, who died in Sciota, Illi-
nois, ill 1893; Julia, a resident of New
\'ork Citv, and John !•'., our subject. Shortly
before the death of his wife Mr. Sullivan
mo\ed to .Sciota, McDonough count}', Illi-
nois, where he made his home for twenty-
tive years, being in the employ of the rail-
road as section foreman ncarl\- all of that
time. He owned a farm, which he improved
and operated for about two years. He is
now a resident of Cliatsworth and is still
in the em])loy of the railro;id, having been
connected with .section work for thirty-one
vears. I'^or bis second wife he wedded
Mary Laverv. b\- whom he has four chidren :
Cornelius, who is married and lives in Ma-
comb, Illinois; Sarah, .\nnie and Elizal>eth,
all at home with their parents.

Our subject received his education in the
laiblic schools of Sciota and at the Macomb
Normal .School, lie remained at home
with his father until sixteen years of age,
and then entered the L'hicago College of
Pharmacy, where he took a two-years course
and was graduated in 1884. He f(jund em-
j)loyment as i)rescription clerk in different
drug stores of Chicago for nine years, and
in 1893 came to Cliatsworth, where there
appeared to be a good oi)ening ami purchased
the old established busine.ss of H. M. Bangs.
Since the store came into his possession he
has increased the stock to double the amount,
and the volume of business is several times
what it was. He carries a complete line of

204

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

drugs.druggists" sundries, wall paper, paints,
oils, etc., and is meeting: with well deserved
success.

Mr. Sullivan was married. Tune 28. 1895,
to Miss Mary Eva Smith, a native of Chats-
worth, antl the oldest daughter of James
A. Smith. They have one son, Richard
Francis, horn June 19, 1896. In his po-
litical affiliations Mr. Sullivan is a Repub-
lican, but has never accepted office, though
he has been tendered public position, pre-
ferring to give his entire time and attention
to his business interests. He is a communi-
cant of the Catholic church, and a member
of the Modern A\'oodmen Camp. Xo. 1829.
of Chatsworth.

XELSOX BUCK.

Xelson Buck, deceased, was a well
known citizen of Pontiac from 1850 to 1869.
He was born in Chemung county. Xew
York. A])ril 10. 1808. and was a sc)n of
Aholiab and Annis ( Drake ) Buck, natives
of Chemung county. Xew York, but who
at a very early day came west and located in
I'eoria county. Illinois. On his rem ival to
Illinois, on the present site of the city of
Peoria there was only a block house and the
place was known as Fort Clark, .\holiab
Buck took u]) a tract of land from the gen-
eral go\ernment about ele\en miles from the
l)resent city, which he impro\ed and on
which he resided until his death. His wife,
who was a member of the Presbyterian
church. survi\ed him for some years, dying
in i860, at the age of nearly eighty-three
years. She was a daughter of Benjamin
Drake, a native of one of tlie eastern states.

Xelson Buck grew to manhood in his
native county and there received a gcKxl

literary and musical education, being for
some years a teacher of vocal music. He
first married Miss Fidelia W'ithey. of Port
Byron. Xew York, and they made their
home in that place until her death. With
his father's family he then came west to
Peoria county, and later married Miss Annis
Knapp. daughter of James and Margaret
(Drake) Knapjj. also eastern people from
near Ikmier. Xew York. She was born in
181J.

After his arrival in Peoria county Mr.
lluck learned surveying and followed the
occupation of a surveyor during the re-
mainder of his residence in that county, do-
ing much of the early survey work, and
being a careful and methodical man the cor-
rectness of his lines was seldom cpiestioned.
He continued to reside in Peoria county
until about 1840. when he mo\ed with his
famil)' to Bloomington. iMcLean county,
where he continued to follow his chosen
occuiJation. He also established one of the
Hrst nurseries in that vicinity, in which line
of business he was quite successful. While
residing in Bloomington. in 1844. his wife
died, leaving five children. Clarissa died, a
y<jung, lady, in 1854. in Pontiac. Willard
]'. was a member of the Forty-seventh Illi-
nois \'oluuteer Infantry tluring the Civil
war. and faithfully served his country in
that terrible struggle f(jr the ])reservation of
the L'nion. He is now a resident of Cirand
Rapids, Michigan. Cordelia is now the
widow of Charles Watson and resides in
l*ontiac. Alice and Edwin died young.

Mr. Buck lived in Bloomington and con-
tinued his business there until his marriage,
in 1850. with Mrs. Maria I'ellows, of Pt>n-
tiac, when he removed to the latter city and
took charge of her estate, which consisted
of a farm, hotel and manv town lots and

NELSON BUCK.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

207

undivided real estate in tliat place, liy his
sound business judg-nient lie put the estate
into good shape and which later realized a
handsome return. He never would permit
a l)ar to he run in connection with the hotel,
hut run it on strict temperance principles.
Ic burned down July 9, 11^56.

Mr. Duck's skill as a surveyor secured
him the appointment as government sur-
\e\or in iS')^. and he was sent to resurvey
the line l)etween Kan.sas and Nebraska. He
left IMattsmouth, Nebraska, July 5, 1869,
and was last lieard from at Fort Kearney,
from which place he started for Fort Mc-
I'her.sou. hut never reached the latter place.
Ijeiug killed by the Indians while <'« route.

\n the \arious places where he made his
liome. .\lr. Huck hecaiue somewhat i)romi-
nent in business, social and musical circles.
He was one of the early trustees of the vil-
lage of I'ontiac. before the ])resent thriving
place put on city airs. He tiM)k an active
])art in the ])rosecutiou of e\'ery movement
for the improvement of the village, and
much credit is due him for its substantial
growth just i)rior to and alter the close of
the Civil war.

Mr. lUick never lost his interest in nui-
sical affairs and while residing in lUoom-
iugton he was one of the most [jroniinent
nuisicians of the place. He was a member
of the Presbyterian church, connected with
its ciioir and early iutrtxluced a violin as a
help to the nuisical exercises of its services,
nuich to the horror of some of the good,
staid old meniljers of the church, a few of
whom arose and walked out of the church.
On his reiiKJval to Pontiac he became |)rom-
inent in musical circles here, as well as lead-
er of the choir in the Methodist Episcopal
church. I'raternally he was a member of
the Independent Order of Odd b'elhnvs.

Few men in Livingston county were bet-
ter known or held in higher esteem than
Nelson Buck, and bis untimely death was
mourned not alone by his immediate faniil}-
but the entire conimunitv as well.

WILLI. \M ROOK.

William Rook, a thrifty and prosperous
farmer residing on section 26, Forrest town-
ship, Livingston county, Illinois, was born
October 20, i8ji. in Lincolnshire, England,
where his parents. Thomas and Mary (Sut-
ton) Rook, spent their entire lives. The
father was a prosperous farmer, was a hard
working, industrious man, and highly re-
spected by all who knew him. lioth he and
his wife held membership in the church of
F.ngland. He died at the age of seventy-
five years, and his wife, who passed away
several years previous, died at the age of
sixty. Our subject was the oldest of their
eight children, four of whom came to this
country.

William Rook obtained his early eiluca-
tion in the common scliools of bis birth-
])lacc. and remained at home assisting his
father on the farm until 1S51. when he
emio-rated to .\merica, landing in I'hila-
delphia Jul\- I'l. 1 le hrst went to Delaware,
where be worked im a fariu two summers,
and then removed to New \'ork state, but
remained there only a few months, not being
pleased with the outlook in that state, and
hearing of the cheap lands in Illinois, he
decided to locate here, and on the 8th of
October, 1853. he arrived in Peoria county,
where he rented land and engaged in farm-
ing for tweKc years. For two years he
wx)rked bv the luonth and in 1868 came \.o

20S

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Livingston county, wlicre he purchased
eiijhty acres of raw land on section 27. For-
rest township. Tliis lie hroke. tiled and im-
])r()ved. hy the erection of a good residence
and large barn, and he still owns the prop-
erty. It was his home until 1882. when he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres on
section 26. the same township, and erected
another set of farm buildings. He has added
other imi)rovements from time to time an<l
ni>w has one of the best farms in his local-
it v. He has a pleasant home, which is ])re-
sided o\er by his daughter. .Mrs. S[>ray.

On the 5th of May. 1851. Mr. Rook was
united in marriage with Miss Mary Bickett,
also a native of England and the only chilil
of ver\- highly respected parents. She died
September j. 1875, at the age of forty-seven
years, and was laid to rest in l'"orrest cem-
etery. She was a consistent member of the
Methodist Eijiscopal church, a woman of
many excellent qualities, a devoted wife and
losing mother. Hers was a well-spent life
and Mr. Rook gives her credit for a large
share of his success. She was industrious
and ambitious and was ever a cheerful help-
meet.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rook were born fixe
children, namely: ( 1 ) Marrw born in Del-
aware, in .\ugust, 1832, is now the wife of
deorge Swartz. a pros])erous farmer of Ne-
braska, and thev have five children, Emma.
William, Harry. Clara and Ollie, all born in
Livingston Cdimty. Illinois, except Ollie,
who was burn in Nebraska. (2) J. Will-
iam, born in I'eoria cf>unty. Illinois, in
March, 1854, wedded Mary Ciouldsbury, and
lived on the original homestead of the fam-
ily on section 2"/. I'^orrest township, biU is
now working by the montli on a farm in
McDonougli county, this state. His wife is
now deceased, leaving one son, Frederick,

who was born in Forrest township, and is
now sixteen years of age. He is working on
I'.is uncle's farm nn section 2". that town-
ship. I3) Eliza, burn in I'eoria county.
March 6. 1836, was educated in the common
schools of Livingston county, and was mar-
ried, February 4, 1875. to Ei)hraim R.
Sprav. \\ho was born in l-"ountain coimtv,
Indiana, February 18, 1850, a son of J. T.
and Mary Spray, and died October 18, i88r.
He was con.scious up to the time of his death
and exi)ressed a w illingness to die. He was
aware of the apjiroach of the end. saying,
"Oh, mother, the great transaction is done.
ii is all well with me." His remains were
interred in Forrest cemetery. He was a de-
voted husband and father, and left a wife
and three children to mourn his loss. Of
the children Mary, born in Livingston coun-
X\ .\pril 12, 1876, was married. January 12.
1898, to Robert McKinley. who is engaged
in farming on a (piarter-section of land in
Charlotte townshij), Livingston county, and
they have one child. Clarence, born Decem-
l)er 26, 1899. John, born June 3, 1878, and
Charles, born .August 18, 1880, were edu-
ci'.ted in the district schools of I'orrest town-
ship, and arc now working upon oiir sub-
ject's farm. (4) Thomas, born in Peoria
county in October. 1858. married Katie
b'aragher, of I-'orrest township, and lives
on his father's farm of eighty acres on sec-
tion 2"/. although he owns a farm of his
own. (5) Sarah, born in I'eoria county,
died at the age nf ibrce years and was buried
there.

Since casting his first ])residential vote
for Ste])hen .\. Douglas Mr. Rook has af-
filiated with the l>mocralic ])arty. and as a
i;ublic-s])irited citizen he takes an active in-
terest in all that tends to the im])rovcment
and advancement of the connnunitv in which

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

209

lie lives. He has always been a hard wnrk
h's: and ])erseverin<j man, whose spirit was
not cast down hy the hardships of his early
pioneer life, and his determination to sue-
cted soon enalilcd him to accunndate ])rop-
erty. so that he is to-day one of the uros-
perons as well as one of the highly respected
citizens of the township. He has many
friends and no enemies, and now, at a ri])e
old age, is enjoying the fruits of his early
industry.

J.VCOB E. P.ROW X.

Jacob ]■'. Brown, who is engaged in the
general banking business, together with the
ii surance and loan business, has been a resi-
dent of Livingston count v since iJ^S/. dur-
ing which time he has been an important
factor in its material growth and ])rosperity.
He was born near W'atertow n, Jefferson
county, \ew York. .Sejjtember 29, 1838,
and is the son of Thomas \'. and Marv A.
(Everett) Brown, both of whom were na-
tives of New York, born in the same local-
it\-. near Brownsville.

The paternal grandfather of our subject.
Henry county, was born in Bucks county.
I'ennsylvania, near the city of I'hiladeli)hia.
but in an early day moved to Jefferson coun-
ts. New ^'ork. where he cleared the land of
timber and made ;i farm of eight hundred
acres. The city of Brownsville was named
iv his honor. There he lived and died. Dur-
ing the boyhood of our subject there were in
the neighborhood of Brownsville about eight
hundred people, over three-fifths of whom
bore the name of Brown, and all relateil.

Tiionias Yarley Brown, the father of
our subject, was engaged in farming in his
native state, a portiou of the time in partner-

shij) with his father. For some years he
was ;i brigade commander in the New York
militia, serving with credit to himself and
the state. In 1S53 he came west and ])ur
chased a large tract of land in what is now
(lermanville t<i\\nship, Livingston county,
and in \H^(> he came out with the intention
o* making it his permanent abode. In 1857
his wife and family joined him and the\- took
u]) their residence in a story and a half
frame cottage which he had ei^ected for tlie
purpose. It was 16x24 feet and served as
the home for the family a few years, when
it was added to, making a larger residence.
On that farm he continued to reside until
1S7C). when he mo\ed into the village of
Chatsworth. where he lived a (|uiet. retired
life until his death, February 4, 1899. H's
wife is yet living and makes her home w^tli
our subiect. Thev were the ])arents of three
children, of whom our subject is the coldest.
Sarah .A. is the wife of J. C. Shear, of
(3narga. Illinois, where he is living a re-
tired life. .Mary I'rances is the wife of Joel
R. Straw n. \\lii> for many years was en-
gaged in f.'irming in Forrest township, but
is now li\ing retired in the village of b'or-
rest. Mrs. Mary .\. Brown is now eighty-
three vears of age and is a well preserved
woman. She was a meniber of the Fpisco-
jjal church. Her husband was ])ast c'ghty-
eight years old at the time of his death, his
father, Henry l>rown. also dying at the
same age. In politics he was originally a
Whig, but later a Republican. In the early
days he served as assessor for s<ime years,
and was also a member of the scbocil bo.ard
for many years, and served for a time as a
member of the board of trustees of the vil-
lage of Chatsworth. He was a member of
the board in Chatsworth when the present
school house was erected.

2IO

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Jaciib E. Rrnwii. our suliject. was named
for General Brown, who was commaiuler-in-
chief of the United States army for a time,
a man of more than ordinary ai)ility. His
l,ovhood and youth were spent in liis native
county and state, and in the pubhc schools of
Brownsville he took his primary course,
after which he entered Brownsville Acad-
emy, and after pursuing the regular course
he graduated therefrom. After coming
west he took a commercial course at East-
man's Business College. Chicago.

Coming west with the family Mr. P)rown
remained with his i)arents. assisting in the
management of the farm until in August.
1S62. when he enlisted in Com])any M. Xiiuli
Illinois Cavalry, and was mustered into the
service at Springfield, Illinois. The regi-
n.ent was sent to Chicago, and in Xovemlier.
1862, was sent south, having its first brush
with the enemy at I'ilot Knob, Missouri.
I'rom that time until the close of the war
it was in active service. Crossing the Mis-
sissip])i ri\er at Helena. .Arkansas, it took
])art in many shirmishes from Cairo to
\'icksburg. and also around Little Rock,
.\rkansas, and up the White river, the na-
ture of the service ])artaking of a guerrilla
warfare. This was the case until the spring
of 1864. It was then with the main army
through Mississippi, Tennessee. .Alabama,
and all through that section until the close
of the war. During its term of service it
enlisted over eight thousand men. but only
alxjut six hundred returned home at the close
of the war. It was in some very severe en-
gagements. .\t La Grange, .\rkan.sas. the
division with which it was connected lost
over two thousand men in an hour and a
half.

Mr. I'.rown entered the service as a
])ri\ate. but in a short time was appointed

corporal and later sergeant in his company.
(Jn the 19th of Xovember, 1864, with forty-
two other men, he was taken prisoner at
Shoal Creek, Tennessee, while reconnoiter-
ing in front of Hood's army, which was
making its advance on Nashville, Tennes-
see, lie was held a prisoner until March.
1865. when he was paroled and sent to the
]}arole camp at \'icksburg. He was impris-
oned at Cahaba, Alabama, where ten thou-
sand L'nion jirisoners were held. While
vet a prisoner he was commissioned second
lieutenant and was later assigned to the
staff of Cieneral Hatch. He was honorably
discharged from the service in May. 1863,
with the rank of second lieutenant.

.\fter receixing his discharge Lieutenant
ISrown returned hnnie and shortly after-
ward took the course in Eastman's Business
College, as already stated. Com])leting the
course he returned to the farm and continued
to l:>e actixelv engaged in farm I;d}cir tnuil
1875, ha\ing the management of the home
farm of over twelve hundred acres. The
hard work necessary to the management of
such an estate told upon h's health, so much
so that he was compelled to abandon it. and
in January. 1875. ''^ moved to the village of
Chatsworth and for a time engaged in no
active business.

On the 1 6th of January, i8()8, Mr.
Brown was united in marriage with Miss
Elizabeth B. I'ope. a native of Kentucky and
fourth in order of birth in a family of se\en
children. Her father. Thomas W. Pope,
moved from Kentucky t(^ Illinois in 1856.
locating in a grove in Ford county, now
known as Pope's gro\e. and which was
named for him. There he engaged in farm-
ing for many years and then mo\eil to I'iper
City. Eord county, Illinois, where he li\ed
retired and where his death occurred.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

21 I

i'o Mr. ami Mrs. I'nnvn were horn three
cliildrcn. K. iMiiley. who is engageil with
lis fatlier in tlie hankina; business, and who
is vice-president of the bank, was a mem-
ber of Troop K, First Illinois Cavalry, dur-
int;' the Spanish-American war. With his
reijiment he was sent to Chickamauga I 'ark.
where he was taken ill and retin-ned home.
Later he was sent to Fort Sheridan, where
he was honorably di.scharged and mustered
out of the service. He is a graduate of
I'eeksville. Xew York. Military .\cademy.
and also of the .\'e\v \'ork Militar\- Academy
at Cornwall, New York. Elizabeth McKee.
at home, is a graduate of a female seminary
near J'eekskill. Xew York. .Madge Everett
is attending O.xford College at Oxford.
Ohio.

On his restoration to health, iibout one
vear after his rem<n-al to Chatswurth. .Mr.
J'.rowii went into the bank of C. A. Wilson
& Compau)- as cashier, and held that posi-
tion until 1XS5, when he jnirchased the
business, and under the tirm name of J. K.
lirown & Company it was continued until
January, 1900, when it was re-organized as
the P>ank of Chatsworth, with Mr. Brown
as president. K. I'iidey Brown, vice-presi-
dent, and I'.d .M. Keesing, cashier. The
bank is doing a very satisfactory business
and has the confidence of the entire com-
nnmity. In addition to his regular banking
business Mr. I^rown is agent of .some of the
leading fire insurance companies of the
I'nited States, in which he has placed many
l)olicies. Me is also interested in farm lands
in Illinois. Indiana and North Dakota, and
in the latter state has two thou.sand. five
hundred and sixty acres in the counties of
Steele and Cass. He was formerly largeiv
interested in the Ogallala Land & Cattle
Company, importers of Hereford cattle, but

('! late years he has confined himself to his
])rivate business.

Mr. Brown is a worker in the I'resby-
terian church of Chatsworth, in which for
many years he has been one of the trustees.
Fraternally he is a member of Chatsworth
Lodge, No. ^^H. .\. V. & .\. M.: Fairburv
Chapter. No. 99, R. .\. M.. and St. Paul's
Commandery. No. 34, K. T.. of Fairbury.
He is also a member of E. G. Trask Post,
No. 388. Ci. A. R.. and was its fir.st com-
mander, and has since almost continuously
ser\-ed in that office. in ]iolitics he is a
Republican anil cast his first presidential
vote for the great .\braham Lincoln. He
has served as a member of the village board
of trustees and has been president of the
same. He also served on the school board
while residing on the farm. He has. how-
e\er. never been a seeker after office.

-As a citizn Mr. Brown has always been
enterprising, ready to do his duty when that
duty is ])resented to him. He shipped the
first car-load of corn froiu' Chatsworth, go-
ing to Gilman to order the car. At that time
corn was shelled with a hand sheller, there
being no others in use. In the forty-three
years in which he has been a citizen of Liv-
ingston county rapid changes have been
made, the cinmty now ranking with the
best in the entire state, with improvements
second to none. In all that has been done
he has borne well his part.

JOSEPH FARNEY.

Joseph Farney. who is successfully en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits on .section
j8. Forrest townshii), Livingston c(^unty,
Illinois, was born in I^wis county. New
York, March 16, 1842, a son of John and

212

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Annie I Zelir ) P'arnev. The fatlier. a native
lit" (iermany. came tn tlie Liiited States at
the age of sixteen years and located in Lewis
cotmty. Xew "S'ork, becoming one of its well-
to-do and prosperous farmers. He died
there at about the age of sixty-three years.
His wife is still living near the old liome-
steatl at the age of eighty years. Our sub-
ject is the oldest of their nine cliildrcn, six
of whom survive.

Jose])h Farney remained at home with
his parents, assisting in the work oi tlie farm
until 1 868. when he came to Livingston
County, Illinois, and purchased a farm of
eighty acres in Forrest township, which he
operated for ten years. He then bought one
hundred and forty acres of lis present farm,
which at that time was only partially im-
pnned. and to its further development and
cultivation he has since devoted his energies
with most gratifying success. He has e.x-
tended its boundaries until he now has two
hundred and forty acres, u])on which he has
built a substantial residence, a commodious
barn and other outbuildings, and now has
one of the best improved farms in the local-
ity. His success is well deserved, as he is
an industrious, enterprising man — one who
lias helped to make the county what it is
to-day, one of the richest farming districts
in the state. Besides the valuable farm al-
ready mentioned he now owns forty acres
on section 21 and eighty acres on section
16, Forrest township. For several years he
has held the ofilice of school trustee and has
done mucii to improve the scho(jls of district
Xo. 8.

On the I2th of .April. 1871, Mr. I-'ar-
ney married Miss Lena Voder, one of a
family of six children, whose ])arents were
Joseph and Annie (Kempf) Voder. The fa-
ther was born in Alsace, France, in 1822,

and when a boy came to .\merica, residing
in the .\'ew England states until he reached
manhood. Subseciuently he made his home
ill Xew Vork state for a number of years,
and in the spring of 1867 came to Livings-
ton count}-. Illinois, and purchased a farm
in Forrest township, which he improvetl and
cultivated for some time, but the last three
years of his lite were spent in retirement
from active labor in Fairburv. He became
(|uite a prominent and prosperous man of his
community. He died May 2^. 1888. leaving
a widow, who is still lixinsr, three sons, three
daughters and twenty-seven grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Farney are the parents of
seventeen children, all living with the ex-
ception of Lydia, who died at the age of
eight weeks. John, the eldest, now twenty-
se\en years of age, is a farmer in the em-
])loy of Mr. Watson, of Forrest township:
Samuel works on his father's farm ; Edward
o])erates eighty acres belonging to his fa-
ther : Joseph is engaged in farming near the
homestead: .Vndrew is also an agriculturist;
Rachel, now residing with her father, is the
widow of .\ndrew W'eissei', a carpenter,
who died May 24, 1899, leaving one child,
-Mcline. born March 3, 1899: Mina is the
wife of Conrad Wenger, a farmer of Fair-
bury, and they have one child. Roy; .Vnnie.
Emma and b^inier. twins, Fred, Malinda,
( )rville, Walter. Jess and .\rtlnir are all
at home. .\11 were born in Livingston coun-
t\. e<lucated in the local schodls and li\e on
the home farm or near il.

.\r.R.\.M L()\\I-:R.

.\bram Lower, a prominent and influen-
tial citizen of Brougliton township, residing
on section 10. has been a resident of Liv-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

213

ing'Stnn cmuity since the s'lrini;' ni 1S60,
and lias been actively iilent lied willi its ag-
ricultural and ])i:i;t cal interests. He was
born in Blair county. reinis\l\an'a, Octi>-
Ijer 10, 1835. a son of l)a\id and .Susan
(Rhodes) Lower. Thougii in early life the
father learned the trades of weaver, carpen-
ter and joiner, he followed farni'nij prin-
cipally. On coming to Illinois in iSdi he
settled in Livingston county, hut two years
later moved to Carroll count), and died at
his home in Lanark, in iSSj. at the age of
eighty years. His wife siu"\i\ed him t"or
some time, dying in December, 1S9S. at the
age of eighty-eight years. To them were
born ten children, of whom one died in in-
fancy. The others were l,e\i, a veteran of
the civil war. who now li\es in Kansas and
whose sons are ])rominent in banking cir-
cles; Saiuuel. a resident of Dwight, Illinois;
Abram, our subject: Catherine, wife of
Sanniel McCoy, of Lanark: Rebecca, who
died in 18(^14: Martin, who die<l from disease
contracted in the army during the ci\il war:
Anna, wife of John Chestnut, of Adair.
Iowa; Leah, wife of Ceorge Weed, of La-
nark; and Eli L., who was also one of the
boys in blue during the civil war and is now
a resident of Lanark.

Abram Lower recei\-ed h;s education in
the common schools of his nat've state and
was reared ui)on his father's farm. In 1S58
he came to Illinois and settled on the pres-
ent site of Lanark, the li cality at that time
being imbroken jjrairie. In iSho he came to
Livingston comity, where his father had pur-
chased land, and he undertook the arduous
task of opening up the farm, on which not
a furrow had been turneil nor an ini|)rove-
ment made. ' J""or some time he operated a
half-section of land and still owns one hun-

dred and sixty acres in the home place on
section 10, Broughton townshi]). anil eighty
acres on section 14. all of which has been
under cultix'ation for many years and is
well ini])ro\ed. In coinieclioii with general
farming he carries on stcKk raising and has
made a decided success of his life work.

October 16, i860. Mr. Lower married
Miss Catlierine Miller, a daughter of (iieorge
aiul Margaret (Davis) .Miller, natives of
(iermany and Pennsylvania, respectively.
The Miller family made their home in Penn-
sylvania until 1834, when the\' came to Illi-
nois and settled in Carroll county, where. the
parents spent the remainder of the'r lives,
the father dying in June, 1877. the mother in
December, 1891. Thev had thirteen chil-
dren, of whom two died in infancy. The
others are still living, namely: Mary .\..
wife of C. E. Cross, a veteran of the ci\'il
war and a railroad engineer residing in
Marion. Iowa: Catherine, wife of our sub-
ject, who was born August 7, 1842; Samuel
K.. a resident of Chenoa. Illinois: Emma
P., wife of Phili]) (ialwicks, of I'utler coun-
t\-, Nebraska: William .\.. a hotelman of
-Streator: John L.. of Beatrice, Nebraska;
Martin L.. twin brother of John L. and a
resident of Mt. Carroll: L'liton, a magnetic
healer: (jertrude. wife of lulward Sullivan,
of Aurora: A. L.. a physician of Dixon;
and Margaret, a resident of Rockford. The
three youngest were born in Illinois, the
others in Pennsylvania.

Of the tweKe children born to Mr. and
Mrs. Lower three died in infancy. The
others were as follows: ( i ) Maggie is the
wife of Walter Morrison, a railroad man of
Omaha, Nebraska, and they !ia\e four chil-
li ren : Clarence, Li Hie, Eetliel and Clara.
(j) .\ugusta is the wife of P. D. Cdover,

214

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a farmer of Custer county. Xehraska. and
tliey have seven cliildren : Earl. I"'ay. (niy,
Ruth. Lloyd, (ilenn ;uul Rex. (3) Albert,
who li\es on liis father's farm, is extensively
engaged in general farming on a half-section
of land and also carries on stock raising.
He married Mary V.. Lorigan. and has five
children : Al)ram. .Salisbury, Bernice, Al-
bert and Madeline. ( 4 ) Le Roy, a pros-
perous farmer and stock raiser, operating a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in
Broughton township, married Hannah E.
Morris and has two children, .\rthur and an
infant. (5) Frank I)., also a fanner and
stock raiser of Broughton townsinp. married
Mary E. W'eller and has one daughter,
Euialia. (6) Marriette is the wife of Cyrus
Hiddleson, of Broughton townshiii. and they
have two children, \'era and (ieorge. I 7)
Lillian is a dressmaker residing at home.
(8) Crace is the wife of Benjamin .Morris.
of Roimd (iro\e township, and they ha\e
one daughter. Lila. (9) Certrude is at
jiome.

In politics Mr. Lower is a stanch Dem-
ocrat, and his fellow citizens, recognizing hi^
worth and ability, have often called him to
office. He has .served as supervisor five
years, road cummissioner seventeen years,
and after assisting in organizing the school
district in iSCio was made one of the first
directors, which office he held fur fifteen
years. He assisted in layiu"" out all of the
roads of Brnnghton townshi]), and did nut
resign his position as commissioner until
the last mile had been opened up. He is one
nf the best known men of his community,
and tiiat lie has the entire confidence and
respect of his fellow citizens is manifest by
his i)eing called u])i'n to act as guardian for
several children and as administrator of sev-

eral estates, which were settled up most sat-
isfactorily. Since 1894 he has lived a
retired life upun his farm, surnnmded by all
the comforts which earnest toil in former
years have brought him.

ROBERT RUMBOLD.

Robert Rumliold. who is engaged in the
insurance business in Chatsworth, dates his
residence in Livingston county from 1856,
almost half a century. He was born in
Hampshire. England, July 23, 183 1, and
is a son of Joseph and Martha (Sherman)
Rumbold, both of whom were also natives
of England, the latter dying there about
1845. They were the parents of seven chil-
dren, three of whom died in infancy, while
the family were yet residing in England,
and three died after coming to the United
States, so that our subject is the sole living
representative of the family. Joseph Rum-
bold became a veterinary surgeon in Eng-
land, and followed that i)rofession, in con-
nection with farming, after coming to this
country. Shortly after the death of his
wife Joseph Rumbold, Sr., came with his
family to the I'nited States, and first lo-
cated at Lockport, Will county, Illinois, but
shortly afterward moved to Livingston
county and commenced farming near Fair-
bury, an occupation in which he success-
fully continued until his death, in 1868.

Robert Rumbold, the subject of this
sketch, received his education in the board-
ing schools of his native country, and was
twenty-one years old when he accompanied
his father to the United States. On his ar-
rival he engaged in f.irming. in connection
with his father, and they were extensixely

ROBERT RUMBOLD.

THE UJUGKAl'lilCAL RECORD.

217

engajjed in taniiiiiij tui rented laiul in Ken-
dall enmity, until ii<5(). wiien they came to
],i\ ins^slon edunty. thir suhjeet here pur-
chased an interest in a (Quarter section of
land near I'airbury atul was successfully en-
gaged in farming there until 1869, when he
tlisposed of his interest in that farm and pur-
chased eighty acres of his present farm in
Chatsuurth township, which was then un-
improved prairie land. Tliis he began to
improve and soon had it all under cultiva-
tion, and on that farm he has since contin-
ued to reside. For some years he continued
to superintend the work of the farm, but has
now given its management mto the hands
'• his son, who is a thorough and practical
Jarmer.

in 1859, after he had made a start in
this new country, Mr. Rumbold visited his
natue land, ani^l while there was united in
marriage with Miss Sarah Osmond, who
was born, in 1830, in Hampshire, England.
With his bride, he returned to his new-
home, since w hen he has been identified w ilh
the comity in many ways. Seven children
came to bless their union, two of whom
died in infancy. Of the live living chil-
dren, Edward H. resides in West Pullman,
w here he is engaged in the real estate and
insin'ance business, in which he is making
;. success. He is married and has one
<iaughter, Estlier. Alice ^I. is the wife of
."sanuiel il. Wilson, and they have one
daughter, Edna. Their home is also in West
J'ullman, where he is assisting his brother-
in-law in the real estate and insurance busi-
ness. Ann Elizabeth is casiiicr for her
brother in his ofiice at West Pullman. Cecil
Robert is assisting his fatiier in the insur-
ance l)usiness in Chatsworth. Joseph B.,
who, after leaving school, engaged in teach-
ing for one year, is now managing the farm
la

of his fatiier, anil is dning a successful busi-
ness.

Mr. Rumbold commenced the insurance
business in 1809 anil is now one of the old-
est in i)oint of service in this line of busi-
ness of any in Livingston county. He has
the agency of fourteen of the best tire and life
insurance com])anies in the country, inchuliu!''
the Aetna, of Hartford. Connecticut; Home,
of New York; Continental, of Xew York;
Insurance Company of North America, of
I'hiladelphia; Underwriters, of Philadelphia;
.American, of Philadelphia, and the Wash-
irigton Life Insurance Company. For the
last twenty-live years, Mr. Rumbold has
gi\en his entire time to the insurance busi-
ness and has built up an excellent trade,
lia\ing many patrons, not only in Livings-
ton, but in adjoining counties. He has
made a success of the business and deserves
all that he has made.

Mr. Rumbold came to this country at
a time when the slavery question was the
all-absorbing topic of interest and he be-
came a voter just about the time of the or-
ganization of the Republican party. With
that party he became identified and has since
been an earnest advocate of its principles.
While he has always manifested a coni-
nicndal)le interest in the questi(jiis of the
day, he has never been a politician as the
term is generally understood. By his friends,
he has been elected and served as assessor
of his township, collector, justice of the
peace, and is now serving as trustee of
schools. He has been a delegate to many
county conventions, and also to the con-
gressional convention of his party. He is
a man ever ready to take his share of re-
sponsibility and to advocate any good cause
beneficial to the community in which he
lives.

2lS

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

l-'raterually. Mr. l\unil>iil(I i> a Mason.
first l)ec<imin<jf identitieil witli ilie order
v>liile liviiii: in (lnincl\- county. lie is now
a niemlier <ji' Cliatsworth Lo(l<>e. Xo. 539,
A. F. iK: A. M.: of Fairlniry ChaiJter. Xo.
99, R. .\. M.. and of Fairhury I'oinniand-
ery, Xu. 34. K. 1". He is the only living
charter member of the blue lo(l<^e in Fair-
bury. In the principles of the order he has
ever had an abiding faith, believing them
to be beneficial to mankind. On the occa-
sion of Mr. Kiimbold's' re-election for the
twenty-first time as treasurer of the Chats-
worth Lodge, he was presented w itli a beau-
tiful gold headed cane bearing the inscrip-
tion :

"Fresented December 16, 1898, to
Robert Rumbold at his twenty-first election
as treasurer of Cliatsworth Lodge, Xo. 539,
A. F. & A. M."

It is needless to say Mr. Rumbold values
the gift very highly, not for its intrinsic
value, but from the associations surround-
ing the gift. Mr. Rumbold has passed
through all the chairs of the lodge and is
now holding the office of worshipful master.
Reared in the Fpiscopalian faith, he has al-
ways adhered to the teachings of that de-
nomination. As a citizen, no man in Liv-
ingston county is held in higher esteem.
Of a .social nature, it is easy for him to make
:m(l retain friends.

MICll.M

l^;i:i.slX(,.

Michael l\eising, engaged in the general
mercantile business, Cliatsworth. Illinois, is
a native of ilanover, Hremen. Cierm.'uiy.
:ind was born July 17. 1838. He is a son of
(ieorge .\. and .Margaret ( Keising) Keising.

who. although of the same name, were not
related. I'.otli were natives of Bav;iria. (ier-
m;uiy. where they were married. Hv occu-
I'ation ( ieor<>e .\. Re'sing was a farmer in
his nati\e land, a vocat'on which he foll.iwed
llironghout life. With a v'ew of bettering
l;is condition he left the old world, witii his
family, when our subject was but a few
weeks old. coming to the L'nited States and
direct to Woodford county. Illinois. On his
arri\al in the latter county he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of land, only
one acre of wliicii hail been ])lowed. Clear-
ing the land of its timber he commenced the
i:n])ro\ement of the farm and later added to
its area l;y the ])urchase of eighty acres from
the goxernment and f( rty acres fr:ni an-
<tiher man. With the exception of two vears
spent in I'coria. Illinois, he spent the re-
mainder of his life on that farm, dying when
sixtv-one years old. llis wife died when
she was forty-seven years old. They wen'
the parents of six children that grew to ma-
turity and two that died in early childhood.
Those who grew to man and womanhood
were i'eter. .\dam P.. .Mary. Michael. Eliz-
abeth and .\nnie. .\11 are y^-t K\ing save
IClizalietli.

The subject oi this sketch grew to man-
hoo<l on his father's farm in Woodford coun-
tv. Illinois, and as the i)i)|)ortunity was af-
forded him attended the common subscrip-
tion school, having to walk a distance of
two miles to tlie school house. He could
only attend a few weeks in the winter, as
his ser\ices were neede<l on the farm at other
limes. He remained at home until he at-
t.iined his majority, when he renle<l land
and engaged in farming for himself, .\fter
tli: death of his father he went to Tazewell
county, where he rented a farm anrl engaged
in its cultivation for two \ears. I'n ni

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

2 19

Tazewell he returned to Woodford county
and hdusjht eig'hty acres of land near El
]'asii. which he farmed fi >r almut three vears.
Seli'n<i' this place he niuxed tn C'lareniunt
ciiuntw ()hii), where he remained for fuur
\cars. 1 le then returned tn Wmxlford coun-
tw Uhnnis. and engag'cd in faiinini;- f >'■
two }ears. He next came to Chatsworth.
Illinois, and purchased the general store of
Mrs. Harhara Scherer. and here he has since
contiinicd to reside. In iSS^ Mr. Reisinj^
met with a serious misfortune that left him
thirty-fi\e hundred dollars worse than ])enni-
Itss. Init with that sturdy determination that
characterizes the (lerman race he would not
own that he was beaten, hut ])ushe(l forward
iv the face of obstacles that would ha\e dis-
uKixcd alnif)St any other man, and by dint of
liani \\(irk and perseverance succeeded in
a.!.;ain establishing himself in business, .\ftcr
a few vears. however, seeing that he was
];aving out his i)rotits for rent, he assumed
fresh indebtedness and built the fine store
building that he now owns. I'ew men could
have accomplished what Mr. Reising has.
being forced as he was to start over the bat-
tle of life at almost fifty years of age. b'or
the jiast twenty years Mrs. Reusing has been
engaged in the millinery business in connec-
tiou. .^he has a good traile ;nul gives sat-
isfaction to her patrons.

On the 24th of January. iX()o. Mr. Reis-
ing was united in marriage with Miss Mar-
garet I'farr. ,1 native of Claremont county,
Ohio, and daughter of (ieorge I'farr, a na-
tive of (iermany, who came to this country
when a young man, locating in Clarem int
county, and later moving to \\'o(jdford coun-
ty, Illinois. Mrs. Reising is one of a family
of six children, the others being Barbara,
M.iry. I'eter, Kate and John. ( )f these Bar-
bara and Peter are now decea.sed. Mr. and

Mrs. Reising have n<i children of their own,
but have an adopted son, Joseph, who bears
their name.

-Mr. and Mrs. Rei.sing are members of the
Catholic church, and in politics he is a Dem-
ocrat, having voted the party ticket since at-
taining his uKijoriiy. lie has ser\ed sev-
eral terms as a member of the village board
of trustees of Chatsworth. but has no in-
clination for office holding, lie ])refers to
gi\e his time and attention to his business
and work for the interests of the people in
selling them goods at living ])rices. He
aims at all times to carry as com])lete a
stock of goods as the wants of the comnnni
ity will warrant. His residence of iwenty-
se\en years in Chatsworth has m.ade him
nian\- friends.

liV.V. SAMUEL ELBRIDGE \'AXCE. ■

Rev. Sanuiel Elbridge \'ance, who is now
living a retired life in Pontiac, enjoying a
w ell-earned rest, was for many years actively
engaged in religious work as a Presbyterian
luinister. He was born in Paris, I-ldgar
county, Illinois, July 29, 1835, a son of .\n-
drew Milton and Esther (Shelledy) X'ance,
who were married in that city, of which city
bis paternal grandfather, Samuel \'ance,
was a prominent j)ioneer. He was ,1 native
of .Vbingdon, X'irginia, and on leaving that
state removed to east Tennessee, but as
early as 1822 he came to Illinois and took
u]) his residence in Paris, erecting the sec-
ond house in that place. There lie engaged
in farming throughout the remainder of his
life, dying about 1857, at the age of eighty-
five years. He was an elder in the Presby-
terian church of Paris for a great many
vears, and donated all the brick for the first

THE BIOGRAPHICAL KIXORD.

cliurch (if tliat deiiomiiiatinn erected tliere.
He was a life-long Deiiiocrat, and in tlie
south had been a slave owner, but freed all
iiis slaves on coming to this state. The fa-
ther of our subject was born in \'irginia,
in 1809. In 1826 he came to Illinois and
followed merchandising in Paris through-
out his active business life. He died there in
1874, at the age of sixty- four years. He held
some minor offices, but never sought political
honors, and in politics was a Democrat until
the organization of the Republican party,
V hen he joined its ranks, becoming a stanch
supporter of its principles. He, too, was an
elder in the Presbyterian church for many
years, and was a man honored and respected
bv all who knew him. The mother of our
subject died when he was only twelve years
old, leaving three children, of whom he
was the oldest. Julia married J. C. Collom,
a merchant of Paris, and died leaving a
family. James .\., a resident of Pierce City,
Missouri, was a soldier of the civil war
and is an attorney by profession. He is
married and has a family.

Our subject remained at home until
twenty years of age, and was prepared for
college at Edgar ^Academy, in Paris. Later
he spent one year in Hanover College, In-
diana, and then entered Jefiferson College
(now known as Washington and Jefferson
College J, Pennsylvania, where he pursued
a literary course and was graduated in i860.
He was next a student at the Northwestern
Theological Seminary, Chicago, and was
graduated at that institution in the spring
of 1863. He was licensed and ordained by
the Presbytery of Palestine, now known as
the Presbytery of Mattoon, and his first
charge was John Knox church, in Knox
county, Illinois. At the same time he also
preached in the village of Oneida, the same

county, remaining there six years. Subse-
quently he was at Lexington, Illinois, for
five and a iiajf years, and from there went to
\\'isconsin. where he spent sixteen years in
the work of the ministry. His health fail-
ing him, he went to Kansas, where he re-
mained some years, and in 1895 came to
Pontiac, Illinois, where she has since lead a
retired life, having never recovered his usual
hetilth.

On the 2_'d of Decemlier, 1863. at Mor-
ris, Crundy county, Illinois. Mr. \'ance was
united in marriage with Miss Catherine
Erame, a daughter of Rev. Reuben and Mar-
garet Stewart ( Selby ) Frame, and grand-
daughter of Captain Selby, who followed
the sea throughout life. Eor many years
her father was in charge of the Presby-
terian church in Morris, but died in Chi-
cago, in 1891, at the age of eighty-seven
years. His widow is still living in that
city at the acK anced age of ninety-two xears,
making her home with a daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Nance have a family of
five children, three sons and two daughters,
(i) Selby Erame, born in Knox county,
November 17, 1864, was ordained a Pres-
byterian minister and preached for some
years, but is now professor of Creek at
W'ooster L^niversity, Ohio. He is married
and has one child. (2) Harriet Shelledey,
a native of Knox county, is a graduate of the
classical department of Lake I'orest Uni-
versity, and once hckl a position in a young
ladies' seminary, but for the past five years
has been one of Pontiac's best i)liotog-
r.iphers, having won special praise for her
artistic work, especially of babies and chil-
dren. She was the first to introduce the
l)latinuni finish in the city. (3) Edward
L2Ibridge, a native of Illinois, is a Presby-
terian minister of Cooksville. McLean conn-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

221

ty. Illinois, ami is now trinclint^ in the west
on account of ill health. (4) James Milton,
born in Lexingfton, Illinois, is also a gradu-
ate of Lake Forest Universivty, and for
three years taught Latin and Greek in the
township high school of Pontiac, hut is now
attending the Theological Seminary at
Princeton, New Jersey, studying for the
ministry. (^5) Catherine Stewart, Ixirn in
ortage county, Wisconsin, is now fourteen
years of age and is attending the higii school
of Pontiac.

GKOKC.K FRY.

George Fry, the owner of a good farm of
eighty acres on section 29, Forrest town-
ship. Livingston county, is a native of Eng-
land, born in Devonshire, in i'S_^4. and is
a son of John Fry. He lost his mother
when quite young, but his father, who was
also a farmer by occu[)ation. lived to the ad-
\anced age of ninety-two years, and was
still very active at the time of his death,
having a short time before walked a dis-
tance of nine miles and sheared forty sheep.
Our subject is the youngest of a family oi
ten children, and he and his brother. Rich-
ard, were the only ones to ci>mc to tliis coitn-
trv.

(ieorge Fry remained in his native land
until seventeen years of age, when he crossed
the ocean and settled in Lisbon, Kendall
county, Illinois, where he worked on a
farmand then uprated rented land for seevral
years. In iSOO he became a resident nf
Livingston county, and after farming for six
years in Belle Prairie township, he came to
Forrest townshii) and bought the eighty-
acre farm which has been his home ever
since. He started out in life as a poor boy,

but by industry and good management has
secured a comfortable competence.

Mr. Frve married Mrs. Susan Evans,
also a native of England, whf> died nine
months later, leaving one child, by her
former marriage — William Evans — now a
resident of Kansas. Mr. Fry was again
married at the end of four years, his second
nniriii being with Mrs. Susan Gas, of Penn-
sylvaia, whose first husband was killed in
the civil war. She is now seventy-seven
year of age and although nearly blind and
(|uite deaf, she hears u]) patientlx' under her
afflictions. She and her husband have many
warm friends and are highly respected and
esteemed bv all w ho know them.

ILXKV KIXGLKR.

Henry Ringler, a prominent business
man of Strawn, Livingston county, Illinois,
was born in the province of Hcrsfeld, Ger-
many, June 16, 1844, a son of Peter and
(iertrude (More) Ringler, who were of
pure German ancestry. The mother died
in that country at the age of thirty-eight
years. She was the third wife of Peter
Ringler and the mother of eight sons : Peter;
Cieorge; one who died in infancy unnamed;
Henry and John, twins; William; Fritz and
August. With the exception of the one who
died in infancy, all came to this country
and li\e are still Jiving. It i)eing the custom
from time iiumemorial for the Kurfusten-
thiuii Hessen to give the father of seven suc-
cessive sons ft)rty-two dollars, Mr. Ringler
received that anioinu from Emperor Will-
iam, the grandfather of the present ruler of
(iermany. Of this family Fritz and .\ugust
are residents of Xew \'ork Citv. and com-

THE UIOGRAPUICAL RECORD.

IX)secl the firm of F. A. Ringler & C"om])any,
will) ha\e the largest electrotype foundry
in the world, employing over one hundred
and lifty hands, and are prominent business
men ()f that city. Two years ago they cele-
brated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the es-
tablishment of their business, and at the
World's Fair, in 1893, received the first
prize for an engraving of Columbus dis-
co\ering America. They came to the United
States in 1867. George Ringler. anotiier
brother of our subject, emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1858, and also located in New York
City, where he was foreman of a brewery
for some years, and then, in partnership
with another gentleman, engaged in that
business on his own account. The Inisiness
established by him is still carried on under
the firm name of George Ringler & Com-
pany, its present ofificers being his son, Will-
iam G. Ringler, president ; George J. Jetter,
vice-president; J. Edward Jetter, secretary
and manager, and Heiu-y ] lachemeister,
treasurer — one of the largest in New York
Cit\- — and have a large and elegant office
at the corner of Xinety-second and Third
avenue, wiiile their brewery is fitted up with
the latest imjiroved machinery and was one
of the first to put in operation an ice plant.
George Ringler died about ten years ago,
leaving an estate valued at over one million
dollars. He. had two children: William G.,
mentioned above, and Rnse, wife ni (ieorge
]■ Jetter.

In 1869 Peter Ringler. the father of our
subject, came to tiie United States, and after
residing for a time in Xew York state, came
to Livingston county, Illinois, locating in
Belle Prairie townsIii|>, where he engaged in
farming, and also contracting and building
for a time. He iiad previously done ex-
tensive business as a contractor and builder

of roads and railroads and accumulated a
large fortune, which he lost through the
schemes of a railroad company. He died
in Belle Prairie township, in 1875, at the
age of .seventy-two years, and was laid U)
rest in the cemetery at Fairbury. He was
four times married, his last wife being Cath-
erine Shirteruff, by whom he had four chil-
dren : I'eter. now a prosperous farmer of
Iowa; Catherine, wife of Conrad Heppe, a
farmer of Chatsworth, Illinois; Anton, a
farmer of Cullom, and Lizzie, wife of A.
M. Marks, of Xew York City.

Henr\- Ivingler was educated in the
schools of his native land, and later spent
about five years in traveling. He worked
for a year and a half at the blacksmith's
trade in Germany, and after coming to this
country followed the same occupation for
several years. He crossed the broad At-
k'.ntic at the age of eighteen years, and in
1866 became a resident of Livingston coun-
t\', Illinois, locating first in Indian Grove
township, where he leased a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres for si.x years
Later he rented a farm in Forrest township
for fiiiir years, and at the end of that time
came to .Strawn, where he purchased prop-
erty, embarking in the grocery business at
that jjlace in 1877. and carrying it on seven
vears. He then purchased a half-section of
l.ind on section 3, Fayette township, which
he operated eleven years, and then .sold, re-
turning to Strawn to resume the grocery
business, which he has since successfully car-
ried on. He is one of the prosperous men
of his community, whose success in life is
due to his own unaided efforts, good man-
agement and .sound judgment.

On the 1st of March, 1868, in Belle
Prairie townshii), Mr. Ringler was united
iii marriage with Miss Catherine Fox, also

THE iilOliRArillCAL RECORD.

22^

a ii:iti\e of ( lorniiuiy. and a daughter of
Jacol) and l^lizalieth (,Ery) Fox. who emi-
grated to .\nierica about 1866, ami livetl in
Chicago until 1870. Tlicir last years were
spent with our subject in Livingston coun-
ty, where the mother died in 187-'. the fa-
ther in 1878, leaxing a large family of chil-
dren. To Mr. and Mrs. Ringler were horn
eight children, all of whom arc still li\ing.
namely, (i) Fritz, who is now t\irenian of
his uncle's electroty|ie fcnindry. in Xew
York, and commanding a high salar\", mar-
ried Lizzie Shutt. and had one cliild that
died in infanc\-. (2) Lizzie is the wife of
Thomas Dolan, secretary of the Western
Union Xews])aper Company, of l)en\er. Col-
orado, and the}' ha\e two children. N'irgil
antl Gertrude. (3) August, a successful
contractor and builder of Strawn, married
Rosa Kuntz, and they have four children,
Raymond, Dora, Ellen and August. (4)
Alary is the wife of J). F. Keller, a printer,
of Chicago, and they have one child, X'eron-
ica. (5) I ienr}- married i lerniine Bousand
and is engaged in the saloon business in
iVmtiac. {b) George is engaged in the
l>rewery business in Brookyln, Xew York.
(~) Katie it at home, and (8) William, also
ai home, is clerking in his father's store.
All of the children were born in Livingston
county, and educated in the township
schools.

As one of the leading inisincss men and
irilluential citizens of Strawn, .Mr. Ringler
lias been called upon to till several important
official positions, tiie duties of which he has
alway.i faithfully and satisfactorily per-
formed. He was supervisor of I'ayette
township four years; school director, ten
years; a member of the t<n\n board a num-
ber of years, antl is at present police magis-
trate of the village, being elected in the

spring of i<)Oo. In politic, he is inde-
]icndcnt, \'oting for the man and not the
l)arty. and in his religious connections he
and his family are members of the Reformed
Lutheran church. For thirteen years he
was a member of the Independent Order of
Otld Fellows, but recently withdrew from the
order, though he still holds membership in
Sibley Lodge, Xo. j<u . F. & .\. M. I'ro-
gressive and public spirited, he takes a deep
interest in public afTairs, and is justly num-
bered among the valued citizens of his town
;md county.

Kv\. j.\.Mi';s I. (jnxx.

Re\-. James J. Ouinn. resident pastor of
St. John's Catholic churcli, of Chatsworth,
was born in Folono, Champaign county, Illi-
nois, May i(), 1857, and is the second child
of Patrick J. and Margaret (Doheney)
Ouinn, both (^f whom were natives of coun-
ty Tipperary, Ireland, and came to the
Cnited States when young. For several
years the father was successfully engaged in
the mercantile business in Xew York, and
\vhile a resident of that cit\ was married,
at St. Peter's Catholic church, and Barclay
street, June 11, 1854. Shortly afterward he
came to Illinois and located in Tolono, where
he opened a general store, being one of the
liist merchants of that village. While liv-
ing there he assisted in building the Catho-
lic church and in securing twenl\ -twu acres
of land adjoining for church use. Since
1885 he has lived a retired life, and has
made his home in Danville the last few
\cars. In his famil\- were six children, four
sons and two daughters, but the daughters
are both deceased, and l-'rank. a successful
physician and surgeon, of Peoria, died in

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1S96. Of those living, James J- is tlie old-
est. John P. is now pastor of St. John's
Latholic church of Peoria, where he has be-
come ])rominent as a successful organizer
and builder of chiuThes. Joseph W. is
station agent for the Chicago. Milwaukee
&: St. Paul Railroad at .Milwaukee. The
sons were all graduated at Xotre Dame,
C'dllege. Indiana.

Father Ouinn, of this review, remained
at home until fifteen years of age attending
the public schools and worked with his fa-
ther in the mercantile business. He also
spent two years with a large wholesale firm
in Chicago. At the age of seventeen he en-
tered Xotre Dame College, where he was
graduated in law in 1878, and in the clas-
sical c<nirse in 1879. I-'or f)ne year he en-
gaged in the ])ractice of law, and then en-
tered the Theological Semilary, where he
was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal
Gibbons, in 1882. The following year he
served as secretary to Bishop Sjjalding of
Peoria, and in 1884 as assistant to Rev. T.
S. Ketling of Champaign. From 1884 to
1887 he was assistant to Rev. Weldon. of
l^oly Trinity church, Bloomington, and dur-
ing this time aided in buililing several
churches, being especially (|ualitied fur that
work by the business training he had re-
ceivefl. From 1887 to 1889 he was ]iastor
of the churches at Chcbanse and ("liftun.
Iroquois county, and the churches at both
])laces were built under his i)astorate. In
1889 he was given his present charge in
Chatsworth. and there again his business
ability has been called into Jilay. J le i)ur-
chased property and erected a modern brick
edifice, also a parsonage and academy, which
are now valued at over sixty thousand dol-
lars. The church is a mtxlel afifair, being
the most substantial and beautiful, as well

as valualVle property, in the Peoria diocese.
The furnishings were all imported and the
\ery best obtainable.

The school ftrsanized Ijy bather Uuinn
is one of the best in the county, is supported
by money collected from the parishioners,
and is open to the children of the town and
County, while the teachers are among the
best in this country, all talented ladies of the
Order of Sisters of the Holy Cross of Xotre
Dame. Father Ouinn began work on the
church in 1889, and in 1894 the debt was
lifted through his skillful luanagement. He
also erected the church at Forrest, which
property is valued at twenty-five hundred
dollars, and in eight months it was dedi-
cated and free from indebtedness. He is
ri^vered liy all his people and is their chosen
leader. Through his early experiences and
business education he has accjuired a knowl-
edge which is invaluable to him as a pastor,
bringing him in tL>uch with his congrega-
tion, of whom he has the entire confidence.
He is also one to whom the town owes much
of its advancement, both in business and
social life, and his advice is sought by all
who know him, both Protestants and Catho-
lics. His familiarity w ith the law and busi-
ness aft'airs gives him a decided advantage,
and he interests himself in any enterprise
which he believes will benefit the people of
bis tc i\\ 11 or count\'.

JCJIIX A. Pi-:TT1-;TT.

John A. Pettett, a well-known postal
clerk in chart'e of the sixth division on the
Chicago tH: .\hon Railroad, from Chicago to
St. Louis, and a jjrominent citizen of
l")wight, Illinois, who has always been es-
j)ecially active and prominent in fraternal

J. A. PETTETT.

MISS MATILDA F. PETTETT.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

societies, was boni in Hastings, Sussex,
Englaml, December _>o. 1846. and is a son of
Henry and Mary Ann ( Standin) Pettett,
representatives of old Juiglisli families. On
crossing- the Atlantic, the parents first
located in Canada, hut after a short time
spent there, they went to Tonica, Illinois,
and from there came to Dwight, where the
father followed his trade of mason until
called to his lina! rest, February 2, 1892.
Jn politics he was a Republican and in re-
ligious belief a Methodist. His wife died
January 26, 1892. To this worthy couple
were born seven children, three of whom
died in England during childhood. The
others are George T., a resident of Dwiglit:
John A., our subject: Henry S., who is
living a retired life in Lacon, Illinois, and
Howard C, Repul)lican nominee for states
attorney of Peoria county, Illinois, in 1900,
and a resident of Chillicothe.

The boyhood and youth of our subject
were passed under the parental roof, and
his education was obtainetl in the common
schools. .\t tlie age of thirteen he worked
in a tailor's shoj) in his native town of
Hastings, and followed that occujjation until
coming to America, in 1868. Before leav-
ing England lie was married, in October,
1865, to Miss Fannie Freeman, a native of
Bidden<len, England, and a daughter of
James Freeman. ]>y this union were born
four children, namely: Matilda !•"., her fa-
ther's faithful and efficient housekeeper;
Henry J., who married Xellie Lutz, and is
now an employee of the Santa Fe Rail-
road, residing in Streator, Illinois; (jeorge
T., who is engaged in the butcher and mar-
ket business in Kingfislier, Oklahoma, and
Alice E., who died at the age of two and a
lialf years.

Coming to the United States in 1868,

^Ir. I'ettett located in Tonica. Illinois. He
concluded to try some employment which
would give him more outdoor exercise than
liistrade,and being willing to accept and hon-
est and h(jnorable work, he took that which
was most available, and for some years was
engaged in farm labor, which he found,
when pursued on the hustling, hurrying
plan of the Illinois farmer, to jjresent r^uite
a contrast to his previous sedentary (}ccnpa-
tion. On the 20th of March, 1870, he came
to Dwight and entered the service of the
Chicago & Alton Railroad, being employed
for about ten years in \arious capacities
in the round house and as fireman on the
road. In 1880 he entered the general bag-
gage office of the same road at Chicago,
where he spent two years, and in 1882 was
appointed railway postal clerk from Chicago
to Peoria, but after a few weeks was trans-
ferred to the Chicagt) and St. 1-onis run
in the sixth division, which position he has
faithfully and efficiently filled for eighteen
years. For several years past he has served
as clerk in charge of the force on this di-
\ision. which is composed of three men he-
sides himself. This dix'ision is one of the
most important in the state, being between
the two principal cities of the Mississippi
\alley.

The greatest misfortune that has be-
fallen Mr. Pettett was the death of his wife,
\\ho was to him a faithful companion and
helpmeet and was beloved by all who knew
her. She passed away Septeml)er 19, 1874,
and his parents then made their home with
him until they, too, were called to their final
rest. For three years he has now been a
resident of Dwight and is numbered among
its honored and highly respected citizens.
His present responsible position indicates
the character of his service and its apprecia-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tion l.y those over him. His exactinof (hi-
ties have always ])reveiited him from takinjj
any active part in political affairs, and al-
tliough lie is an uncompromising sui)pt)rter
oi Repuljlican princijiles and a worker in the
ranks of his i)arty. he has never asjjired
to political honors. The only i)ul)lic office
he has e\er accei)ted has been in connection
with educational work as a member of the
school board, and he resigned that position
after serving five years. He is a member
of the Hamilton Republican Club, of Chi-
cago, and is an active and official member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, of
Dwight.

It is in social and fraternal matters that
Mr. Pettett is best known to the public, hav-
ing always taken an active part in such work.
He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a mem-
ber of Livingston Lodge, No. 371, F. &
A. M., of Dwight: Wilmington Chapter,
Xo. 14J. R. .\. M.; St. Bernard Command-
ery, Xo. 35, K. T., in which lie has served
as commissary and (|uartermasier; Chicago
Council, Xo. 4, K. & S. M. : Oriental Con-
sistory, of Chicago, and ^ledinah Temple
of the Mystic 'Shrine. He is also a member
of the St. Bernard Drill Corjis, which is
coiicetled to be the best in the L'nited States
and has won many honors in competitive
exemplilication of the work, and in 1891
h.e organized Dwight Chapter, Xo. 166, O.
E. S., of which biiih he and his tlaughter
are charter members, and take an active
part in its wi>rk. He first joined IJlooming-
ton Chapter, Xo. 50, but on account of dis-
tance and inconveniences, he set on ioot
measures which resulted in the (jrganiza-
tion of Dwight ChajUer, with himself as
worthy ])atri)n. In this, as in other fra-
ternity work, Mr. Pettett has taken much
l)ains and is given high ])raise by the

founder of the floral work of the order,
for his inimitable manner of exemplifying
the work. His daughter is at present hold-
ing the office of worthy matron, and like her
father takes a deep interest in the order,
as well as in other society and church work.
liotli are charter members of Prairie Queen
Chapter, Xo. 370, Daughters of Rebecca,
and she has twice served as presiding officer
and as representative to the grand lodge.
^Ir. Pettett is a prominent member of
Dwight Lodge, Xo. 513, I. O. O. F., of
which he is past noble grand, and is also
j.-ast chief patri;ircli of Pacific luicampiiient,
Xo. 126. He is a charter member of
Hebron Lodge, Xo. 175, K. P., of Dwight,
and for twenty years has been a member of
the Independent Order of Mutual Aid. He
is the organizer of Pettett Lodge. Xo. 347,
A. O. V. \\'., of Dwight, which Vvas nanietl
i:i his honor. He was elected the first
master workman at its organization, in
March, 1888, and since then has served con-
tinuously as deputy grand master and ren-
lesentative to the grand lodge. In the work
of all these orders he has taken an active
and prominent jiart and stands deservedly
high in the esteem of his fraternal brethren.
Probably no man in the state is better or
more faxorably known in fraternal circles
than he, and lie is also numbered among
the representative citizens of Dwight — one
whose genial, cortlial nature has made him
hosts of friends.

JOSEPH S. 1-KAXClS.

One of the most straightforward, ener-
getic and successful business men of Liv-
ingston county is Joseph S. I-'rancis, who is

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

^3'

iKiw prciniineiuly ami acti\cly oi>niiccleil
with the (.■iiinnierc.al interest^; of I'orro-t.
In the tieltl of l)usiiiess opixirtiinity is un-
h'lnited. Military and ])(ilitical life have
hiy;h honors for hut few, hut in the field of
trade the possihilities are many, and the ani-
hitioiis, energetic and determined man may
work his way steadily upwaid. attaining a
position of afiflnance and prominence that
cammands the respect and admiration ot all.
This Mr. !-"rancis has won, and the salient
features in his success are indefatigahle
energy, untiring- lahor and sound husiness
judgment.

He was born in Jackson lowiishi]).
Brown county, Ohio, .\ugnst i'), i<S45, a
Son of John and Margaret (Ross) Francis.
The father was horn in county (_'a\an, Ire-
land, in I-'ehrnar)-, iSu, ;uid when live years
of age came to the I'niled States' in com-
pany with his father, Ivlward h'rancis, who

brought h;s familv to this country.

The

grandfather of our subject was born in Scot-
land and on account of the feudal wars w'ent
to England, where he married. He after-
ward removed to the lunerald Isle, where
lie carried on farming. On crossing the
Atlantic he located in I'.rowii county, < )hio,
wiiere he purchased a farm at a place called
.Ash Ridge. There he built a good home and
became one of the leading residents of the
commnnit}'. He belonged to the Presby-
terian church and died in that faith in 1852.
John Francis was one of a family of four
sons and three daughters. He was reared
in lirown county, Ohio, there learned the
cooper's trade, and after bis marriage also
engaged in farming, making his home in
Ohio until i860. In early life lie joined the
Methodist Episcopal church and became one
of the leading members of his congrega-
tion — the Mount 01i\et church. The house

of worship was located on his larm. He
served as class-leader and steward and his
home was always the place of entertainment
for the ministers who visited in that local. t_v.
.\11 of his se\cn children were also mem-
bers of that church. In his fanning opera-
tions he was alst) \ery successful. He was
also recognized as one of the public-spirited
men of the community, held a number of
otiices, including those of school director
and supervisor, and faithfuby discharged
e\ery trust reposed in him. On the lOth
of August, 1837, he married .Miss Margaret
Ross, a native of Ohio and a daughter of
I-azarus Ross, who was born in N'irginia
and at one time \vas engaged in packing
salt across the mountains to Cincinnati,
w here he traded it to the settlers. He linally
located in Claremont county, Ohio, where
his daughter Margaret was born. Subse-
(|uentl\' he moved to Ijrown county, Ohio,
and lived with his children for some time,
but his death occurred in ( Iraul county. In
(liana.

All of the cliildren of John and Mar-
garet Francis were bcM^n in Brown county.
Cdiio, and in i860 the family removed theace
to Illinois, the father ])urcliasing tw<.) hun-
dred and forty acres of laud adjoining the
town of Forrest on the south. His pioneer
home was only jj.\14 feet, but as time
pase<l he made many substantial iin])r<ive-
ments on his ])lace, erected a more commo-
dious residence, and, by additional pur-
chase, e.Ntended the boundaries of his farm.
When he came to the county there were but
five or six members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church in the locality. He at once
identified himself with the earnest little band
of Christians, was one of tiie most liberal
contributors toward the building of the new
house of worship and was o'ie of the four

232

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wlio guaranteed t'le payment f.ir the build
in.o^ of rhe cluirrli. His contnimtions to the
work amouiUed tn tlirec thousand dollars.
He served as class leader and steward and
did ail in his power to promote the grow tli
of the church. For several years prior to
his death he lived in town and devoted most
of his time to church work. He was one
of the lirst justices of the peace of his neigh-
horhood. elected in 1861, and in that oftice
he served through the exciting period of the
war. He was also school treasurer for sev-
eral years, and held that ofhce at the time
of the erection of the new building. He
died September 5, i89_^. respected li}- all who
knew him. His widow, who was born
January 14. 1814, still survives. They had
five sons and two daughters, all of whom
are living, namely: James G., now of Fair-
•iiury; Edward R.. of Forrest; William \\'.,
of Monticello, IndiaMia: J. S., of this re-
\iew : Albert, who is living on the old home-
stead; Emma J., now the wife of H. B.
Watson, of Forrest; and Lydia F., wife of
Nathan Hiu-t. of Oakland. California.

Mr. Francis, whose name introduces this
review, began his education in Ohio. He
worked on the home farm through the siun-
nicr months and in the winter attended the
•district schools. With his parents he came
to Livingston county in i860, and in 1864,
at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in Com-
pany E. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth
Illinois Infantry. He was sent to Chatta-
noga and joined his regiment at Atlanta,
just before Slierman started on the march to
the sea. He took jjart in that celebrated
movement, i)artici])atcd in all the engage-
ments of that cam])aign and was in the
Grand Review at Washington. He was dis-
chargefl from Company ]•' and assigned to
the h'orty fifth Illinois Regiment, sent to

Springfield, and was there paid off and dis-
charged, in June, 1865.

For two years thereafter Mr. Francis
remained on the home farm. In 1869 he
came to Forrest and was employed as a clerk
in a general store until 1871, when he began
dealing in general merchandise on his own
account, continuing in the business until
1876, when he returned to the farm. He
then engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
in connection with his brother Albert he es-
tablished the first tile factory in this pa'rt of
the state, continuing its operation with
marked success until the fall of 1885, when
he sokl his interest to his brother and came
to Forrest. Here he began dealing in coal
and feed at his present location. He soon
secured a large trade, and in i8i;j he ex-
tended the field of his <jperations l)y pur-
chasing a half interest in a grain warehouse
and ele\'ator. He began buying and ship-
])ing grain, carrying on a \erv extensive
business, with Chicago as his market. He
afterward became sole prt>prietor of the en-
ter])rise. which he carried on \ery jirosper-
ously until April, 1900, when he sold out. '
He still deals in coal, feed and stone and
takes contracts for stone wt)rk and building.
His business interests are always carefully
directed, and his sound judgment anil un-
faltering energy have enal)led iiim to work
his way continuously upward. For seven
or eight years he has I)een a director in the
Building S: Loan .\ssociation of I'"orrest.

On the i()th of August, 1881. Mr. Fran-
cis was united in marriage to Miss Ella S.
Williamson, a daughter of William J. and
Xancy (Snedeker) W'illiam.son. Her father
was from RusselK ille, Brown comity, Ohio,
where he spent his entire life, engaged in
farming. Both he and his wife were very
earnest ami ardent members of the Presbv-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

233

tcrian cliurcli of RussclK ille. L iiln Mr. and
Mrs. I'^rancis lia\e heen Ixirn nine children,
seven of wlium arc li\in!;': i.ulu \\ ., llcrtha
1.. Xancv M.. Mary !•".. Jds e, J.awrcnce D.
and Miirris L. 1 lie two deceased were
Walter, who died at the age of four }'ears;
and 1 liinicr. who died when two months old.
riiey ha\c a beautiful three-story brick resi-
dence in J-'i irrest — the tirst brick house in
the cit}'. and the household is noted for its
charming hcjspitality.

J lis fellow townsmen, recognizing- his
worth and ability, have frequently called
upon Mr. l'"rancis to serve in positions of
public trust. J le ser\ed as highway com-
missioner from 1884 until i^^j^, during
which time all of the iron and steel bridges
of the township were built. He was a mem-
ber of the board of education three terms
and was on the building committee when the
school-house was enlarged. He and his
wife are members of the Congregational
church, and he also served on its building-
committee at the time of the erection of its
house of w-orship. He has twice served as
superintendent of the Sunday-school and
has always taken an active part in the work
of the church, contributing most liberally
to its support. He belongs to Forrest Post,
No. 114, Ci. A. R., has several limes been its
commander antl has been its representative
to encampments. He is a charter member
of the iloderu Woodmen Camp at Forrest,
lias six times been its principal officer and
has twice been delegate to the grand lodge.
As has been indicated in this sketch, Mr.
Francis is a prominent factor in business,
social and political life in Forrest. He
withholds his support from no movement
' 'r measure calculated to prove of public
good, and is indeed a public-spirited and
\ alued citizen ; in business his word is as

good as any bond thai was c\'er solemnized
by signature or seal; and in private life he
has an unassailable reputation, which com-
mands the i;espect and has won him the c<jn-
lidence of all.

W ll.]J.\Al LARGE.

William Large, a representative farmer
of Pleasant township, Livingston county,
who owns a good farm of one hundred and
twent}- acres on section 14, was born in
luigland. March 15, 1856, and when a year
and a half old was brought to .\merica 1)_\-
liis parents, Leonard and Sarah ( Mitchell j
Large. The famil\- lirst k)cated in Wood-
ford county, Illinois, where the father pur-
chased lai-id and engaged in farming for a
time, but about 1873 sold that property and
bought eighty acres of hunl in Pleasant
Ridge township, Livingston count}-, south
of our subject's present farm. He im-
proved that place and made his home there
until death. There the mother is still living
at the age of seventy.

'J he greater part of the education of our
subject was acquired in the public schools
of Woodford coiuUy, though after coming"
to Livingston county he atended school
for four or live w-inters, his adxantages
along that line being beter than the aver-
age boy of that time. When not in school
he assisted in the work of the farm, and at
the age of twenty-one commenced operating
a farm on his own account, meeting with
success from the start. Prior to his mar-
riage he piuxhased his present place, which
at that time was only partially improved.
1 le has since l)uilt a good house and barn,
set out trees and placed the land under a
high state of cultivation. Tn connection

234

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

■with general farming lie is engaged in stdck
raising, making a specialty of hogs. Besides
iiis proj)erty here, he owns land in \\ hite and
Jaspei- counties, Indiana, which he has im-
]);-ove(l. and he is acknowledged as one of
the most successfnl farmers of the connty.
On the ^oth of Septemher, 1881, Mr.
Large married Miss Clara Sntton, a daugh-
ter of J. B. Sutton, whose sketch appears on
another ])age of this volume. She dieil
July 3. 1893, leaving four children: Maude,
JJw:gln, Marion and Ethel, who have heen
given good school advantages and are still at
home. Mr. Large is an active member and
liberal supporter of the Methodist Episco-
j)al church, of which his wife was also a
member. He is also connected with the
Court of Honor and affiliates with the Re-
jnibLcan party. Wherever known he is held
in high regard and his friends are many
throughout the countv.

(iEORGE W. .\kC.\BE.

George W. McCabe, the leading banker
of Chatsworth and one of the representa-
tive business men of Livingston county, is
a native of Illinois, born in Brimfield, Peoria
county, March i, 1863. His father, Pat-
rick McCabe, was a native of Ireland, and
in 1845 came to the L'nited States, landing
in New Orleans. During this time he en-
listed and served about eighteen months in
the Mexican war. He settled in Peoria
county. Illinois, three years later, but in .\'ew
(Jrleans he was married, in 1850, to Cath-
erine Fo.x, wh<j was also born in Ireland
and came to America about the same time as
her husband. Since his marriage he has
made his home permanenty in this state.

and until 1894 carried on farming very suc-
cessfully, though devoting most of his time
to the stock business. He came to this
coinitrv w .th the hope of securing a home,
antl w.th the characteristx energy of his
race he succeeded far beyond his expecta-
tions, and was the owner of a well-
improved farm of two hundred and forty
acres in Peoria county. In 1894 he re-
tired from active labor and moved to the
city of Peoria, where he purchased a coni-
fortal)le home and resided there until his
death, August 14, 1900, at the age of sev-
enty-eight \ears. His widow survives him,
being seventy-one years of age. To this
worthy couple were born eight children, of
whom five are st.ll living, namely: Alice
is now the widow of J. McClary, of Chicago.
Edward I)., a graduate of the Michigan
L'ni\ersity at Ann Arbor, and now a promi-
nent attorneys of Peoria, has been success-
fully engaged in practice for several years
and is one of the l)est probate and chancery
attorneys in the city. He served four years
under President Cleveland as government
storekeejjer at Pe< ria. Elisha B. follows
farming on the old home place in Peoria
county, tieorge \\'., our subject, is ne.xt
in order of birth. Kate E. is at home with
her i)arents in Peoria.

'Ihe early education of George W. Mc-
Crd)e was ac(|uired in the common schools
of Brimfield. and he later took a commer-
cial course at St. \iatur's College at Kan-
kakee, and a business course at Bryant &
Stratton's College, in Chicago. During tlie
vear of 1892 he read law with his brother
in Peoria, but the following year came to
Chatswortli and purchased a lot, upon which
he erected a modern fire-proof bank building,
l-.egiiming work in .\pril and opening for
business in October of that year. Almost

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

!35

immediately he secured a lilieral patnmajje,
ar.d is now doing the leadiuij ijeneral hank-
in-j l)usiness "i the community, liaving as liis
assistant H. S. Cow ling;, a prominent young-
man of Cliatswortli. He is enterprising,
energetic and progressi\e and has conducted
the husiness for seven years without the loss
.if a dollar. He is also (juite extensively
interested in real estate and loans, and is
president of the Peoria & Eastern Telephone
Company, a growing concern, having sev-
eral exchanges in tlie system. In 1897 Mr.
McCahe purchased a lot at the corner of
Fourth and Hickory .streets and erected a
modern residence, fitted with all improve-
ments, and one of the handsomest and most
convenient houses in Chatsworth. ( )n the
jt\ of August. 1900, was incorporated the
Commercial .Xational Bank of Chatsworth,
with capital stock amounting to twenty-five
thousand dollars, of which amount Mr. iMc-
Cabe took nineteen thousand dollars. To the
new institution he turned over the entire as-
sets of his private bank, and it was mainly
through his efforts that the hank was organ-
ized. Believing that a .National bank afforded
more security to the depositors of the l)ank,
and would tlie f>etter secure the confidence of
the community, he undertook the worl: of or-
ganization and incorporation. This new in-
stitution will afford to the citizens of Chats-
worthand vicinity every facility for safe
hanking, and under the general management
of Mr. McCabe it will secure the confidence
of the c<;mnumity, as he occupies the po-
sition of cashier anil general manager. The
other officers of the bank are Stephen Herr,
president; John F. Ryan, vice-president;
and II. S. Coyvling, assistant cashier.

( )n the _'9th of September, 1897, Mr.
Cahe married Miss Thresa M. Kehoe, a na-
tive of Chicago, of which city her father has

been a i)rogressive merchant for se\eral
years. Bv this union have been born two
children: Katherine ( i. and (ieorge K. In
])olitics Mr. .McCabe is a Democrat on na-
tional issues, but in local affairs always sup-
ports the men best <iualified to fill the offices
regardless of party lines. He is a member
of the State Bankers' .\ssociation of Illinois,
and for over six years has been a member
of the Knights of I'ytbias Lodge of Chats-
worth, in which he has held the office of
chancellor commander for some time. Re-
ligiously he is a member of Sts. Peter's and
Paul's Catholic church. In manner he is
])leasant and genial, and is iiuitc pojnilar both
in social and business circles.

JOHX W. FLLLUWS.

John W. l-'ellows, one of the oldest resi-
dents of Plea.sant Ridge township. Livings-
ton county, Illinois, was born in Otisco.
Onondaga county. New ^'ork, September
]T,. 1820. a son of Daniel and Jerusha ( Ful-
ler) Fellows. The father was a native- of
Cermanv and a farmer by occupation. In
the cimiity of his nativity our subject was
reared and educated in nnich the usual man-
ner of farmer Ixys of his <lay.

There iMr. Fellows was married. Oc-
tober 20, 1846, to Mi.ss Margaret M. Len-
son, who was born Se])teml)er 5, 1828. Her
father, Xicholas Lenson, was also a native
of (jermanv, and on bis emigration to the
United States .settled in Tully township,
Onondaga county. New York. Mr. and Mrs.
Fellows have four children living, namely:
lames H.. a wholesale dealer and manu-
facturer of candv in Kankakee, Illinois;
Stephen, resident of W.itsek.i : naniel 1).. of

:36

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

\\'ingf. and Alfred \\'.. wlio wedded Mary
Tobenski and lives at home with his ])arents.
Nicholas A. went smith as a foreman in
1869 and is supposed to ha\e died of yellow
fever, and J. Henry died in Wing, Illinois,
at the age of forty-two years, leaving five
children.

.\fter their marriage Mr. and .Mrs. Fel-
lows continued their residence in New York
until 1852, when they started west. They
made the journey liy boat from Buffalo to
Chicago, where they arrived on the 2d of
November, that year, when that city was
([uhe small, and then drove across the coun-
try with a team to Plainfield, Will county,
Illinois, where Mr. P^ellows engaged in farm-
ing upon rented land for seven years. The
following two years were spent in McLean
county. Determined to have a home, Mrs.
Lellows worked hard until she had earned
criough to purchase eightv acres of land in
Pleasant Ridge township, Livingston coun-
t\, to which she still holds the deed. The
family located here in 1862, and the logs for
their first home were hauled from Avoca.
In 1 781 a good frame residence was built
and is still the home of the family. Mr.
Eellows purchased eighty acres of land ad-
joining his wife's property, has tiled the en-
tire amount and ])laced it under a high state
of cultivation. They have planted shade
trees and converted the place into a pleasant
home. He has always engaged in general
farming and has been quite successful. Al-
though he has never taken a very active
part in public affair*, he has served as school
director and takes an active interest in all
enterprises for the public good.

Since the age of twelve vears Mrs. Fel-
lows has been an earnest and consistent mem-
ber of the Methodi.st Episcopal church, and
has been a subscriber to the Christian Advo-

cate since the first number of that i)aper
was issued. She is (juite fond of reading
and is a most estimable lady. She and her
luisband have watched with interest the won-
derful changes that have taken place in this
region since locating here, have seen the
wolves, deer and wild turkeys disappear,
the railroad, telegraphs and telephones in-
troduced, and towns and villages spring up.

OWEN MURTAUGH.

Owen Murtaugh, an honored and highly
respected citizen of Chatsworth, is the pos-
sessor of a handsome property which now
enables him to si)end his declining years in
the pleasurable enjoyment of his accumula-
tions. The record of his life, previous to
1890, is that of an active, energetic, meth-
odical and sagacious business man, who bent
his energies to the honorable accjuirement
of a comfoitable competence for himself and
famih.

Mr. Murtaugh was born in county
Louth, Ireland, June 8, 1826, and belongs to
a race of jjeople who have been renowned
for their energy and willingness to brave
any danger that they may better tiiemselves.
He received his education in the common
sch<j(jls of his native land and remained in
Ireland iiiuil twenty-six years of age, when
he resolved to try his fortunes on this side
of the Atlantic. Coming to what was then
considered the far west, he located in Bing-
h;iiiUon, now Amboy, Lee county, Illinois,
before the llliinjis Central Railroad had been
surveyed. He purchased eighty acres of
raw prairie land near Sublette, that county,
which he partly improved and then disposed
of at a profit. He had previously worked as

founrfaiions, Z'

OWEN MURTAUGH.

REV. WILLIAM M. MURTAUGH.

>-':\

JHE BlUGKAriilCAL RECORD.

241

a farm liand for some time, and with tlie
money thus obtained lie i)urcliase(i lliat prop-
erty. Later lie purcliasetl a tract of nuini-
[iruved land in .Marshall county, where he
made liis Imme for some lime.

While residing there, Mr. Murtaugh was
married, in 1855. to Miss Bridget Lawless,
also a nati\e of Ireland, and an only daugh-
ter. whi> came tu America with her [)arents
in 1849. and died in 1864. By this union
were i)orn two sons : William ^latthew,
linrn in i860, took a business course at St.
X'iateur's College, in Kankakee, and began
studying for the priesthood at W'atertown,
\\ isconsm, where he remained three \ears.
Later he attended school in .Munlreal, Can-
ada, t\)r a year, and was graduated from St.
Mary's in Baltimore, Maryland, being or-
dained to the priesthood at Peoria, Blinois,
in 1888, by BislK>p Spalding. He served
as assistant to Father Hedges, of Fontiac,
Illinois, for one year, and for nine years was
stationed at Keithsburg, Illinois, where by
his business ability and good managemeiu'
he built a tine church and parsonage. Jn
J8y8 he was transferred to Sheffield, and is
now doing a good work in improving that
parish. Francis, the younger son, o\\ ns and
operates a valuable farm of one hundred and
sixty acres in Ciiarhjtte township, Liv-i
ingston county. He married Sarah Har-
rington, and they have four children:
.\gnes ^L, Hazel G., Owen W. and James
J. F., all attending the district schools.

Soon after his marriage, upon seeing the
men who were returning from the gold
lields of California, and hearing the reports
they made, Mr. Murtaugh decided he could
make nn mey tiiere, being young and strong,
as well as willing to brave any dangers that
lie might add to the comfort of himself and
his young wife. After making prepara-

tioiis for the journey he went to .\'ew Or-
leans by w.iy (if ilie .Mississippi river, and
then crossed the Isthmus, and 1)\' steamer
proceeded to San L'rancisco, where he landed
after an iiueresting \oyage of four weeks.
For eighteen months he follow ed mining and
prospecting, meeting with hardships and
enciiuntering many Indians and wild beasts
in the mountains. Feeling abundantly re-
paid for his labors, his thoughts turned to-
ward home and the bride he had left in Bli-
nois, in J 857, by way of the Panama
route, he returned tn .Marshall county, Bli-
nois. Jn .March of the following year, with
his family, he came to Livingston county
and imrchased a (juarter-section of land in
Charlotte township, which at that time was
all swamp and prairie land. The nature of
the countr\- is shown by the fcjllowing ad-
venture which one day liefell him. He
started from Pontiac with about eight hun-
dred feet of lumber, but owing to the poor
condition of the raods was obliged to throw
abciul half of the lnad oil when iialf way
home, and nearly all of the remainder when
within live miles of home, where he arrived
on horseback with only a few boards, find-
ing that an empty wagt)n was a load of
itself through the swamps. The family-
camped out for a few weeks until he could
erect a cabin, .\fter eleven years of hard
labor he succeeded in getting his land well
improved. Not liaving enough land, Mr.
Murtaugh sold his farm in Livingston
county, in 1809. and h) moving about a mile
away purchased four hundred and forty
acres in Ford county, which was then but
])oorly improved, but he soon transformed it
into a most desirable farm, and successfully
engaged in fanning there until 1890. He
made a specialty of stock raising, and also
bought and fattened stock for the Chicago

242

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

markets. shi])])in<:f on an average of two car-
loads of cattle and the same amonnt of liogs
f)er year. He met witli snccess in all his
undertakings and l)ecanie one of tlie well-
to-do men of his community. He sold one
hundred and twenty acres of his farm and
gave the proceeds to his son Francis to give
him a start in life, but still retains three
hundred and twenty acres, which he rents,
it bringing him a snug income. In 1890 he
purchased a pleasant home in Chatsworth.
for which he i)aid one thousand dollars, and
which he has since greatly improved, antl
there he is now living a (juiet. retired life,
free from all care and respijnsibiLty.

In 1865, Mr. Murtaugh was again mar-
ried, his second union being vvith Miss Alice
Cleary, who was born in Ireland in 1828,
and came to America in 1852. Alter living
in the east for a time, she came to Will
comity, Illinois, in 1859, and was living
there at the time of her marriage. Three
children were born to them, namely: Mary,
who died in 1889; Eugene P., who was
killed by the kick of a horse. June 8. 1891 ;
and Alice E., an accomplished young lady,
at home with her ])arents.

In jjolitics Mr. Murtaugh is a Democrat,
though he cast his first vote for Abraham
Lincoln, and at local elections supports the
men whom he considers best qualified to
fill the ofiices regardless of party lines. He
has never been radical in his views. Dur-
ing his early residence in this county he
served as school trustee, and filled the same
office in Ford county for twenty-one years,
also road commissioner for several years.
He is a member of the Catholic church of
Chatsworth, and is highly respected and es-
€Steemed by all who know him, his pleasant,
genial manner winning him many friends.
In 1873 Mr. Murtaugh returned to Ireland

to \isit the scenes of his bovhood. and on his
arrival there found that his father. Matthew
Murtaugh. had been dead about three
montiis. He spent three months in renew-
ing early acquaintances and traveling over
Ireland and Wales, and also \isiting several
places of interest in Scotland. As he e.x-
presses it. he "went for a good time and had
one."

HARVEY BUTTON.

There is no rule for achieving success,
\et certain elements are always found in the
acquirement of prosperity and these are
close ai)i)lication, indefatigable energy and
sound judgment — (pialities which have
proven salient features in the success which
has attended the efforts of Mr. Button and
made him one of the substantial citizens of
Forrest. From a humble apprenticeship, he
has advanced steadily step by step, until he
has long since left the ranks oi the many
t(. stand among the prosperous few, and at
all limes his career has been such as to
command the public adimration and the re-
spect and confidence of those with whom
l;e has been associated. He is now engaged
in looking after his real estate investments,
including both city and country property,
but for many years he was a well known
figure in railroad circles.

Mr. Button was born at Palatine l^ridge,
Montgomery county. New York, November
II, 1838, a son of Jesse and Nancy (Van
Slyke) Button. His father was born in
Syracuse, New York, in March, 1820, and
the grandfather was Jesse Button, who was
])robably a native of Syracuse, but was born
of English parentage. He became a i)romi-
nent farmer near Svracuse and died in that

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

243

city at the advanced age of eiglitv vears.
The father of our sul)ject was reared at
Syracuse and in early manhood went to I'ala-
tine Bridge, where he engaged in contract-
ing and builcHng. There he married Miss
\ an Slyke. a daughter of WilHam \'an
Slyke. wlio was liorn at Palatine Bridge or
in that locality. 1 le was a farmer and a
member of the Lutheran church. His father
was a native of Holland, but came to .Amer-
ica in colonial days and served in the Ke\ci-
lutionary war with the colonial armv.

The father of our subject removed to
Little Falls, \ew ^■ork, about 1849, and
there continued contracting and building
initil he was killed while raising a buildine
in 1861. He left seven children, of whom
our subject was the eldest son and second
child. The mother, who lived in Illinois
for some years, died at I'alatine Bridge, in
January, 1898, at the age of eighty, her
birth having occurred on the 1st of .M.irch,
181S. The parents were worthy members
of the L'niversalist church.

Mr. Button, of this review, was edu-
cated in his native town and at Little Falls,
s))ending two years in an academy. He
then learned the trade of a machinist, serv-
ing regular apprenticeshij) of three years.
In 1856, soon after its com])letion, he went
to Detroit. Michigan, and there began rail-
road work, being employed near Windsor.
en the construction of the old Great Western
Railroad. He was then working on the
Michigan Central from Detroit, tilling the
position of fireman until 1S60. when he was
made an engineer, and ran from Detroit to
Marshall. He served in that capacity for
two years, after which he spent six months
on the construction engine of the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy, running from Men-
dota, Illinois. .Xftcr the expiration of that

period he ran from .\urora to Galesburg
and Quincy, being thus engaeed until the
fall of 1865. He hauled many of the sol-
diers proceeding to the south. He carried
eighteen cars of soldiers out of Quincy one
day and another train of eighteen cars fol-
lowed. They stopped at Keokuk Junction
for water and the second train oertook them.
The soldiers had been fooling with the hand-
brakes, and Mr. Button told the officers if
they did not keep the men away from tlie
brakes they would be stopped and the other
train would run into them. This did little
good and after six or seven more miles had
been passed, as they were going around a
cnr\e near .Augusta, the soldiers again
stojjped the train. Mr. Button then junii)ed
off and told the conductor to start the train
as soon as he could get the brakes off, and
lie ( Mr. Button ) would crawl over the train
and into his engine, his object being to get
tlie brakes off as soon as possible and get
out of the way of the other train. He just
succeeded in this when the other train came
around the cur\e, and he signalled to the
fireman to go ahead and get out of the way,
thus saving the lives of many soldiers. Mr.
Button then again saw the officers in charge
and told them he wnuld not pull out until a
guard was \nn at the brakes. This was
done, after which all went well.

In the fall of 1865 Mr. Button went to
Springfield, Illinois, and ran an engine on
the Wabash road until the fall of 1880. when
he was sent to Forrest to take cliarge of the
sho])s as general foreman, holding that posi-
tion until January. 1893. This is an im-
portant slio]). in which manv men are em-
|)loyed. It was not then finished and he
]iut in the machinery, placing everything in
working operation. He had charge of about
sixty men and continued as superintendent

244

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the shops and liis retirement from acti\e
business labor, other than the su])ervision of
his jiropcrty interests. Working his way
steadily upward, lie was familiar with e\er_\-
branch of the work and was therefore very
competent to direct tiie labors of others.
He was one of the most trusted representa-
tives of the road, cnjoving the confidence
of the corporation and the respect of all
whom he superintended.

In the meantime Mr. Button had l)e-
come the owner of both farm and town prop-
erty, and in addition to his realty in Li\-
ingston county, he owns farms in McLean
ct)unly, Illinois, and also in Indiana. He
erected the business block at the corner oc-
cupied by the drug store and by the Masonic
lodge — one of the best blocks in the town.
He lias also built a large two-story l)rick
Iniilding on the next corner — one of the most
modern and improved in the city. Since
1893 his attention has been given to the
management of his investments and to real
estate dealing.

While in Mendota ]\lr. Butltm was mar-
ried on the 24th of December, 1863, to
Miss Jennie Jewitt, daughter of Charles
Jewitt, who removed to IMendota from De
Kalh county, where he had engaged in farm-
ing until 1849, when he went to California,
where he remained until 1852. He then
engaged in the grain business in Mendota.
He had come to Illinois from Yorkshire,
England. After his first residence in Cali-
fornia, he again sjjcnt two years tiiere, and
then once more lived in Menilota for a time,
but ultimately removed to Remington, In-
diana, where he purchased a farm. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Button has been
blessed with one child, Clara, now the wife
of David T. Torrence. of Chicago. Mr.
Button is a Republican in his political views

and votes for the men and measures of the
])arty, but has never been an aspirant for
office. He belongs to Forrest Lodge, No.
014, F. & .\. M.. and attends and supports
the Congregational church. In politics he
is recognized as an important factor in local
l)arty ranks and has frequently been a dele-
gate to county and state conventions. He
aided in nominating" (jovernor Fifer. was
again a member of the state convention in
1892, and sii])ported (governor Tanner's
candidacy in 1896. His life has lieen one
of marked industry and usefulness, and in
every relation of life he has commanded the
respect, confidence and esteem of his fellow
men. Always just and upright, ofttimes
generous and liberal, ever an advt)cate of the
right, his life stands in exemplification of
our highest type of American manhood.

WILLIAM A. WILLIAMSON.

William A. Williamson, one of the high-
ly respected and honored citizens of Saune-
min township, Livingston county, Illinois,
was born near Russellville, Brown county,
Ohio, March 18, 1858. His father, William
Williamson, was a native of Fleming comi-
ty, Kentucky, and a son of John William-
son, a Revolutionary soldier, who removed
to southern Ohio when his son was only ten
}earsold and there followeil farming through-
out the remainder of his life. He died at
the advanced age of eighty-nine years. The
father grew to manhocHl in ( )hio and also
followed the occupation of farming in that
5-tate until his death, which occurred October
20, 1889. He was quite an extensive farmer
and ser\ed as justice of the peace. In early
life he married Nancy Snedaker, a native of

THE BIOGRArHICAL RECORD.

?45

soutlicnt (Jhio and a daui^iiter i>t (iarrctt
Snedaker, wlm iimxcd Irum I V'nns\l\ania
to that state and was also an agriculturist.
Mrs. Williamson now makes her home with
our stihject. She is a consistent mcmher of
liie Preshyterian church, of which her hus-
band was an elder for twenty years and a
Sunday school teacher many years, always
having" taken an acti\e ])art in church affairs.

Duriii"^ his boyhood and ynulli William
A. Widiamson obtained a good education
in tlie common schools near liis home and
.-t Russellville. Ohio. At the age of twenty
}-cars lie left home and commenced life fi>r
himself as a farmer. In 1HH4 he came U>
IJvingston county. Illinois, and renle<l a
farm in Forrest township for eight years,
in the fall of 1891 he purchased his present
farm nf 1 ine hundred and sixty acres in
Saunemin lnwnshi]). hin did not lucale there-
on until the spring of 1893. Jt had pre-
viously been used as a pasture and there was
not a single improvement upon it. hut he
erected a ])leasant residence, a good barn
and windmill, set out trees, and made many
other improvements which add greatly to the
value and beauty of the place.

On the 4th of September. 1884. Mr.
Williamson was united in marriage with
Miss l-llla Heckert of I*"orrest. a daughter
of Joseph and Margaret (Miller) lieckert.
She was reared by K. R. I'rancis, as her
mother died when she was cpiite young. By
this union ha\e been born five children: Ed-
ward, .Susie and Ilarry. li\ing, and .Mnrris
and Ada, deceased. Jhe parents are both
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
and the family is one of high standing in the
community where they reside. Socially,
Mr. Williamson aftiliates with the Modern
Wodmen of America, and j)olitically, is
identified with the Reiniblican party. For

six \ears he has served as school director,
and in lyoo was elected road commissioner,
in which capacity he has assisted in making
manv improvements in his township, includ-
irig the construction of a new bridge over
the Vermilion river at a cost c)f three thou-
sand dollars.

willia:\[ p. goembel.

When after years of long and earnest
l;ib(ir in some honorable held nf business, a
man puts aside all cares to spend his re-
maining years in the enjoyment of the
fruits of his former toil, it is certaiidy a
well deserved reward of his early industry.

"How blest is he who crowns in shades hke these
A youth of hibor with an age of ease,"

wrote the ])oet, and the world everywliere
recognizes the justice of a season of rest
following an active period of business life.
Mr. Cioembel is now li\ing retired at his
home on .section 4. h'ayette township, Liv-
irigston county, and his history is one that
show's the accomplishment of well-directed
labiir.

.Mr. ( ioembel was born in Hesse-Cassel,
dermany. h'ebruary 20, 1833, a son of Philip
and Caroline Eliza (Stoeber) Goembel, also
natives of that country, where the father
carried on a damask manufactory for a pe-
riod of thirtv years. He then came to the
Lnitcd States in 1831. and first settled in
Tazewell county, Illinois, where he fallowed
farming five vears. At the end of that time
he came to Livingston county, and made
his iKinie in the extreme southeastern part
of what was then known as Oliver's Grove,
but is now (lermanville township, until his
death in if^75. In early life he was an in-

246

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(lustrious. energetic man, l)ut spent his last
years in retirement from active labor. His
wife also died in Germanville township in
1872, and they now sleep side hy side. In
their family were only two children: Will-
inin P.. our subject; and Caroline, also a
native of Germany, and now the wife of
Nicholas Froebe, a well-to-do farmer of
California, who still owns o\-er two hundred
acres of land in German\ ille township. Liv-
ingston county, Illinois, which he leases.
They had six children, namely: William
P., a farmer of that township, who died at
the age of thirty-eight years, leaving a
widow and five children, the former now de-
ceased; Caroline, wife of Henry Hendricks,
a prosperous fru'mer of Germanville town-
ship, by whom she has si.x children; Ma-
tikla, who married Henry Hummel, a well-
to-do farmer of the same townshi]), ;uid
died in iSyf), leaving four children; Mliza-
bctli, wife of John Hummel, of Germanxille
township, by whi^m she has several children;
Emma, who is with her parents in Califor-
nia; and Charles, a farmer of that state, who
is married and lias one child.

\\ illiani P. Goeml)el was educated in
private schools of his native land, and ac-
companied the family on their emigration
to America, remaining with his jjarents un-
til twenty-three years of age, when he com-
menced farming for himself in Tazewell
county. Jn the fall of 1S56 he came to Liv-
ingston county and purchased one hundred
and four acres of raw prairie land in Ger-
manville township, which he tiled, broke
and improved, making it one of the best
farms in that locality. He resided there
twenty-four years, during which time he
Innight a large amount of land, including
two hundred and forty acres in Charlotte
township; one inmdred and si.xty acres ad-

joining his home farm in (iermanville town-
ship, and also i)roperty in Chatsworth and
Fayette townships, Livingston county. In
connection with general farming he devoted
considerable attention to the raising of stock.
In Xovember. 1880. he mined to the village
of Strawu, where he successfully engaged
\v business as a dealer in grain, lumber, coal
and farming implements until 1891, when
he located upon his present farm on section
4. Fayette township, making it his liome
ever since. It consists of three hundred
and twenty acres of rich and arable land, and
is successfully operated by his sons. After
his removal to the farm. Mr. Goembel con-
tinued to carry on his business in the vil-
lage for a few years, but for the i)ast six or
seven years has lived a retired life.

On the 13th of December, 1863, Mr.
(ioembel married Miss Elizabeth Shroen,
also a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany,
born in 1844, on the farm of her father,
who spent his entire life on his native soil,
dving there in 183J. Her mother came to
this country and died in Fayette townshij),
Livingston county. To Mr. and .Mrs.
Goembel were born the following children:
Catherine is the wife of .Xelson Kiner, a
])ros[)erous farmer of Marseilles, Illinois,
and they have two children. Earl and I-lva;
Mollie is the wife of F, M. Curyea. a f;irmer
of I'avette townshi]); Maggie is the wife of
J. M. Mahon. station agent for the Big I-"our
Railroad Company at Mansfield. Illinois;
John, a farmer of I-'ayette townshii), married
Laura Welling, and they have two children.
Marguerite and William P.; Charles N. is
jiving on the home farm; Mary is the wife
of C. J. Bartlett, station agent on the Wa-
l)ash Railroad at Mansfield, and they have
two children, Clinton and Elizabeth; Will-
iam, a farmer of Belle Prairie township,

THE UIUGKAI'HICAL RECORD.

247

Livingston connty, married hla Nnuns^er,
and they liavc one cliiid ; Taulina and Min-
nie are hotli at iionie: and Delia died in l-'av-
ette tcjwnsiii]). Septemljer 17, i88(>.

'I'lie I'ainily are nieinlnTs of ijie ( iernian
Entiieran ciiurcli. and .Mr. (ioenil)ei is also
a member of Sibley Lodge. F. & .\. M.. and
tlie Chajjter and Commandery at l'"airbury.
In his political affiliations he is a Democrat,
and has taken (|uite an active and inflnential
jiart in local politics. Dnrinj;- his entire
residence in Straw n lie was a member oi the
\illage board; was the first supervisor of
(jcrmansiile township, which office he held
for a numlier of years in that township, and
for some time in l'"ayetle township. He has
also served as township treasurer several
years and as justice of the peace, and takes
a dee]) and commendable interest in public
affairs, doin;;' all in his power to promote
the general welfare.

JOHN THOMAS LO\'F.LL.

John Thomas Lovell. one of the most
successful agriculturists of Broughton town-
slii]5. Livingston county, and one of its rep-
resentative citizens, was bom in Barnwell.
Northam])tonshire. England. April 2,. 1X3".
and is a son of Moses and Mary ( Bow en)
Lovell. Throughout life the father was em-
ployed as a shepherd in that country, and
also as a stacker during harvest. .After a
long and u.seful life he died, in 1888. and
lus wife passed away in 1885. In their fam-
ily were five children, namely: William,
who died at the age of nineteen vears;
John T., our subject: James, a farmer of
Knox county. Nebraska: Samuel, a resident
of England: and Elizabeth, wife of Henry

(iolden, a c;diinctmaker of that country.
Only our subject and James came to the
United States.

John T. Lovell was reared on a farm and
attended the public schools ni his native
hind. .\t the age of ei.ghteen years he came
to .\merica, landing in Xew York, and first
settled in Castleton, Rutland county, Ver-
mont, where he was in the employ of Dr.
Joseph Perkins, a ])rofessor in the Burling-
ton -Medical Callege for eight years, work-
ing at first for twelve dollars per month. He
remained with him until after the civil war,
and in 1866 came to Illinois, si)ending a year
and a half in Grundv countv, where he
herded cattle or worked at anything he couUl
find to do. Subsecpiently he rented a farm
and began life for himself.

In \H()/ .Mr. Lovell married Miss Caro-
line Coskey, a daughter of John an<l Eliza-
lieth (Xooks) Coskey. The mother is now
deceased, but the father is still living at the
age of seventy-eight years and makes his
h.onie in Braceville, (irundy count}'. Mrs.
Lovell was born in Lockport, Illinois, in
May. 1850, but was living in (irundy county
at the time of her marriage. .She is the
oldest of a family of eight chiklren, the
others being .Mice, Emma, Martha, Louisa,
Mary, Frederick and Charles, a farmer of
Sullivan township, Livingston connty. Our
subject and his wife had fonr children, of
whom .\lvin died at the age of six-
teen years. William, a farmer of Broughton
township, married Lena Trecker and they
have two children. John and I'rederick.
l^ertram operates the home farm for his fa-
ther. OIlie Mae is the wife of George Ker-
sey, a farmer of CardrifY. Illinois.

( )n coming to Livingston county in 1867
.Mr. Lovell purchased forty acres of wild
pr;iirie land in Bronghton township and has

248

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

made every improvement upiui the place, in-
cliulint;- the erection of a l)arn and resi-
dence, tlie planting' of an orchard and the
tiling of the land. So siiccessfnl has he been
that he has added to his landed possessions
from time to time imtil he now owns si.x
forty-acre tracts, all under a high state of
culti\ation. In June. 18S7. he had the mis-
fortune to lose his harn, which was struck
l)y lightning, killing; his horses and destroy-
ing his hay. Elis loss, which amounted to
about one thousand dollars, was only jjartly
covered by insurance. With characteristic
energy. iKJwever. he at once erected a larger
antl better barn. He carries on both, farming
and stock raising, and has prospered through
his own unaided efforts. He is a man of
good business ability and sound judgment
and well deserves the success that he has
achieved. Since 1S98 he has ])ractically
hved a retired life, and has recently jnir-
chasetl a comfortable residence in Caberv.
where he expects to make his home and
enjoy a well-earned rest.

In his political views Mr. Lovell is a Re-
])ul)lican and during almost his entire resi-
dence in this county has tilled the office of
school director in a most acceptable man-
ner, having always taken an active interest
in maintaining good schools. 1 le also served
as Constable four vears.

GEORGE H. CII.\1'.\1.\.\.

George H. Chapman, a progressive, en-
ergetic and successful agriculturist, whose
home is on section 12. Odell township. Liv-
ingston county, Illinois, is a native of .\ew
"S'ork, his birth occurring in (Ontario coun-
ty. January 4, 1851. His parents. Hiram

W. and .\nn V.. (Davis) Chapman, were
born in the same county of good old Xew
England stock, and were farming people,
who continued to reside in Xew York until
1855. in which vear thev moved to La Salle
county. Illinois, the father purchasing a
([uarter-section of land near Marseilles, to
which he subse(|uently added another (juar-
ter-section. He speculated in land (juite ex-
tensively, and was very successful in his
o])erations, owning at the time of his death
about five hundred acres. In political senti-
ment he was a Re])ublican. but at local elec-
tions voted for the man and not the party.
Although he was not ;i member of any
church, he gave to their sui)port, and liis
wife was a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. She died on the old home
farm in 1882, at the age of fifty-nine years.
I hree years later he retired from active
labor, and died March 2, 1897, at the age of
seventy-.seven. In their family were six
sons and one daughter, of whom two died in
infancy. 1 he others are Geor.ge H.. our
subject; Osmer, who was born in Xew
\ ork, and is now engaged in farmmg near
the oUl homestead in La Salle county: l-rank
()., who is engaged in farming and the rais-
ing of full-blooded I'oland China hogs and
Short-horn cattle near the homestead: Lu-
cina. who died in 1878. .soon after grad-
uating at a school in i5attle Creek, Michigan;
and Otis, who also lives on the old home
farm. Those living are married and have
families of their own.

During his I)oyhoo(i and youth George
H. Cha])man aided in tlie work of the farm
through the smiimer season and attended
school in winter. lie remained uiidei" the
jiarental roof until he was married, January
24. 1877. to Miss Roselle (Jlmstead. who
was born in Grundv coinitv, Illinois. Mav

G. H. CHAPMAN.

MRS. G. H. CHAPMAN.

:' V

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

253

I, 1S55. a tlaugliter of Aiidrus and Ann
E. (Archibald) Olmstead, residents of l.a
Salle and Grundy counties for <)\er fifty
years. 'Plie mother, who was of Scotch
descent, died in 1S84, hut the father is still
liviufj at the age of sixty-eight years and
finds a i)Ieasant home with our subject. Ik-
had four daughters besiiles Mrs. Chapman,
namely: Mrs. J. I'.. Kingston, whose hus-
bend is a butcher of Odell ; Mrs. Eliza Lay-
man, a resident of Scandia, Kansas; Mrs.
llelen 1 )uttcniiavor, who lives near Kent-
land, Indiana: and .Mrs. h'.sther Pojie, who
died in Odell, in 1883. Of the seven chil-
dren, four sons and three daughters, born
to Mr. and .Mrs. Cha])man, one died in in-
fancy, and Harry at the age of nineteen
years. Those living are Fred; .Annie; Hat-
tie, twin sister of Harry; Ernest and Gracie.
They were educated in the Odell high .school
and the .sons are now assisting their father
on the farm.

I'or one year after his marri,-ige Mr.
Cha])man was employed as a traveling
salesman, having previou.sly followed that
occu])ation during the winter for eight years
with good success. He lived upon a part
of his father's land in La Salle countv until
the 1st of January. 1883. when he came to
Livingston county and purchased one hun-
dred and si.xty acres of land in Odell town-
ship, which he im])nivcd and transformed
into a good farm. Later he bought one
hundred and si.xty acres of land near
Dwight. which he fully improved and after-
ward sold, and at one time owned a similar
amount in Iowa, which he sold at a good
j)rotit. I'pon his fine farm in Odell town-
ship he has now (in the summer of Kpo)
erected a commodious and beautiful resi-
dence at a cost of thirty-five hundred dol-
lars, fitted with all modern impro\ements

and finished in natural woods, mostly
cy])ress. Jt is bcautifulK' located and will
be one of the finest Ikmucs in the township.
In connection with general farming Mr.
Cha])man has carried on dairying and has
also dealt in short-horn cattle, for which he
finds a ready sale in the local markets. For
the jiast three years he has lived retired from
acti\e labor, but still superintends the opera-
tion of his farm.

.\t notionrd elections Mr. Chapman suj)-
])orls the Republican' party, but in local
aft'airs he \-otes independent of party lines,
sujiporting the men whom he beliex'es best
iiualified for office. lie has ser\-ed as
jiathmaster and school director, but ha.T
ne\er cared for jxilitical ])refernient. So-
cially he is a member of the lnde])endenc
Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern
Woodmen of .\merica, being chief consul
of his camp tlnx'e years and a charter mem-
ber of tiie same. He is a man of high
standing in the comnumity where he lesides,
and has many friends both in La .Salle and
Lix'ingston counties.

ELVIE T. rOTTKK.

I-",l\ie r. Potter, a pros])erous t'anuer
;nid one of the most popular and in-
fluential citizens of Round Grove township,
Livingston comity, Illinois, his home being
on section 15, was born March 9, 1857, in
the house where he still resides, a son of
Stephen and Mary .\. ( Killmer) Potter, na-
ti\es of Washington county. New 'S'ork,
the former born .April 1. i8of). the latter
February 23. 1814. In the county of his
nati\ity the father was reareil on a farm
and educated in the comiuon schools until

!54

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fourteen years of age. when lie went to Es-
sex county. New ^Ork. and was there mar-
ried August 25. I1S34. Immediately after
his marriage he removed to Cuyahoga
ccjunty. Ohio, where he bouglit one hun-
dred acres of heavily timbered land, to
the improvement and cultivation of which
lie devoted his energies until 1844, when
he sold the place and moved to Joliet,
Illinois, becoming one of its early ])io-
neers. Leaving his family in that city he
went to California in 1849. and engaged in
mining for five years with good success.
He returned to Joliet in 1854. and in the
.spring of 1855 came to LivingstcMi county,
where he purchased a claim, consisting of
the south half of section 15. Round Grove
township, which at that time was all raw
prairie. He erected thereon a story and a
half frame hou.se, eighteen by eighteen feet,
it being the fifth house in the township and
the first frame hou.se. the rest being built
of logs along the east branch of the Alazon.
He made his home there until his death,
which occurred August 31, 1889. and his
remains were interred in Round Grove cem-
etery. He took an active part in public
affairs and always supported the Democratic
I)arty. He was one of the leaders in organ-
izing his town, and held most of the town-
.ship offices. He was especially active
in school matters. ha\ing assisted in
r)rganizing the school districts and build-
ing the first frame house. During the
most of his life he was a member of the
school board, serving as either directur or
trustee. His wife is still living and now re-
sides with a daughter in Dwight. His
parents. Thomas and Wealthy ( W'eller)
Potter, were als(j natives of New ^'ork.
while the former was of English and the
latter of German extraction.

The subject of this sketch is the young-
est in a family of eight children, the others
being as follows: Charlotte B., born Octo-
ber 17. 1835, married Jesse Eldred. of
Round Grove township, and died leaving
four children: Cora, wife oi .\nthony Kern,
of Streator, Illinois: L. J., a resident of
Stockton, California; Stephen, of San Fran-
cisco; and Minnie, wife of William Farrar,
of Peru, Indiana. (2) Mary died in child-
hood. (3) (jeorge W.. born Octol)er 27,
1839. is connected with the Enterprise Man-
ufacturing Company, of Joliet. He married
Emma Godfrey, of Du Page county. Illi-
nois, and they have three children : Edna,
wife of Roy Hess, of Joliet ; Pearl and Ciaire.
(4) Margaret S. is living with her mother
in Dwight. (5) Reuben K., born September
26. 1844, was telegraph operator and sta-
tion agent at Dwight and Joliet for many
years, and died July 7. 18S3. unm.nrried.
(6j Albert, born December 3. 1847. ^^'^
engaged in detective work for some years,
and is now servmg as deputy sheriff of
Miami county. Indiana, his home being in
Peru. He married Louisa Hubbard, of
Round Grove township, this county, and
has one son, Guy E. (7) .Alanson, born Oc-
tober 2^, 1855. died January 28. 1858.

El vie T. Potter grew to manhood on the
old homestead and was educated in the dis-
trict schools of the neighborhood. His
brothers had all left home by the time he
was fifteen years old, and he was therefore
his father's only assistant in his extensive
farming and stock raising operations. I'or
ten years prior to his father's death our sub-
ject had entire charge of the place, and
since then has i)urchased the interests of
the other heirs in the farm, consisting of
two hundred and forty acres of rich and
arable land, lie has engaged extensively

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

255

in feeding cattle and raising Hanibleionian
liorses, and was actively engaged in agricult-
ural pursuits up t{i within the last two years,
when he leased his land, thnugh he still re-
sides thereon.

At the hduie of his father. April 22,
iSSd, Mr. Potter wedded Miss Mary Glover,
a pni)ular and successful teacher, who taught
school in this and Grundy counties for ten
years ])rii>r to her marriage. Her parents
were Samuel L. and Martha J. (Dunn)
Glover, also early settlers <jf this county,
their home being in Broughton township.
Her father was a native of \ew York, her
mother of Pennsylvania, where their mar-
riage was celebrated. They are now resi-
dents of Nebraska, and both here and in
that state, Mr. Glcn-er has taken an active
]]art in jiublic affairs, serving as supervisor
and school trustee. He is a Republican in
politics, and in early life was a member of
the In(le])cndent Order of OtUl I'ellows, and
was active in organizing the (irange. In
his family were the following children:
Deett. wife of Warren McKae, a tanner of
Custer county, Nebraska: Mary, wife of
our subject: firace, wife of 1^. \'. Sparks,
a ranchman and teacher of Trapahoe county,
Colorado: Henry B., who is at home with
his parents in Custer county, Nebraska;
Percy D., who married .\ugusta Lower, of
Broughton township, this county, and is
now living in Custer county, Nebraska; and
Sidney L.. a cari)enter. who is living with
our subject.

Mr. I 'otter has always taken an active part
in ])olitical affairs and is a stanch suiijiorter
of the Democratic party. The hrst office he
was called upon to fill was that of township
collector, in which capacity he served his
fellow citizens from 1887 to 1894. inclusive.
He was also elected supervisor of his town-

ship in 1887 antl held that office for eight
consecutive years, at the end of which time
he declined a re-nomination. For several
vears there had been no opposing candidate,
and when there was he was always elected
Ijy a large majority. He ser\ed on the e(|uali-
zation committee his entire term; was chair-
man of the judiciary committee two years,
and was also a member of the committees
on education, fees and salaries, auditing,
jail and jail acoums. During his admin-
istration the new county house was erected.
For sixteen years he has served as school
director in district No. 5. In 189.2 he re-
ceived the Democratic nomination for the
legislature, and. notwithstanding the large
Republican majority in other nortions of the
district, he received a vote sufficient to make
his campaign a worthy one as an index to
Ins po]nilarity and abdity. In all the rela-
t''Mis of life he has been found true to every
tru.st reposed in him. and commands the
respect and confiilence of all with whom he
comes in contact, either in public or private
life. Socially he is a charter member of
Campus Camp. No. 2619. Modern WdcKlmcn
of America.

ALBERT J. SN1-:VD.

Albert J. Sneyd. one of Chalsworth's
representative business men and most pro-
gressive citizens, was born in Lockport, Illi-
nois, July 19, 1867, a son of Joseph and
Marv ( Kobliska ) Sneyd. natives of Austria.
who came to America with their respective
])arents when about fourteen years of age.
The families settled near Lockport. Illinois.
where the grandparents of our subject died
soon afterward. There the father worked
as a farm hand for eleven years, and after
his marriage moved to Ashkum. Illinois.

2;6

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

where lie purchaseil and iinpn)ved a halt-
section of land. He was successfully en-
gaged in general farming and stock raising
until his death, which occurred in 1890.
His wife died at the home of our suhject in
Chats worth in 1896. Both were members of
the Catholic church and he was a Democrat,
hut never took any acti\e ]iart in ])oIitics
aside from voting.

Albert J. Sneyd grew tn nianlKxul (ui tl'C
home farm, aiding his father in its opera-
tion and attended the public schools of Ash-
kum. On leaving the farm in 1 893 he came
til Chatsworih, where, in p;irtncrship with
Charles Burns, he embarked in the hardware
business, purchasing the stock of E. A. Jack-
son. Under the firm name of Sneyd &' Burns
they successfully carried on business fur six
years, during which time they enlarged their
stock, as well as increased the \olume of
trade. In the s])ring of 1899 Mr. .Sneyd
sold his interest to Mr. Burns, who still
continues the business, and for a year lived
retired, but in the sjjring of 1900 he jiur-
chased a l<it, upon which be erected a cnm-
modious warehouse and stocked it with a
full line of buggies, wagons, ])lanters, and in
I fact all kinds of heavy and light farm ma-
chinery and implements. He has ma<le a
(^lecided success for the first season's venture
in the new enterprise, for, being among
the well-known and relial)le business men nf
the town, he has secured a liberal share of the
public patronage. He not only owns his
present i)lace of business, but has a half
interest in the building where he was for-
merly engaged in the hardware trade, his
home pro])erty in Chatsworth and a fine
farm of one hundred and ten acres on sec-
tions 16 and 17, Asbkum townshi]). Iro-
quois county, which was part of the old
homestead.

On tiie 23<I of May, 1894. Mr. .Sneyd
was united in marriage with Miss Annie Iv
Phillips, who was born in Chebanse, Illinois,
October l, 1869, a daughter of Thomas and
Kate (McGlone) i'hilli])s. Her father is
now deceased, but her mother is still living
and resides on the old home farm near Ash-
kuni. To Mr. and .Mrs. Sneyd have been
born two children: I'Vancis and Leo Al-
liert. bright children, who are the jov of the
home. The parents are both members of
the CatlK)lic church and Mr. Sneyd is also
a meiuber of the Modern Woodmen Cam]),
Xo. 18J9, of Chatsworth. Politically he
affiliates with the Democratic party. He
is widelv and favorably known and in s<Kial
as well as bu.siness circles stands deservedly
high.

\\1L1J.\M n. McMlLL.W.

William 1). .McMillan, the well-known
I-'orrest. Illinois, and a member of the vil-
lage board of trustees, is a native of Liv-
ingston county, born in Rooks Creek town-
shi]) October 3, 184'^). and is a son of Will-
iam and grandson of .\ndrew McMillan.
The father was born in Jones\ille. Lee coun-
ty. X'irginia. September jj. 180J. and there
grew to manhood u|ion h:s father's farm.
He came to Livingston county. Illinois, as
early as 1834, and located in KtM)ks Creek
township, when the Indians were still liv-
ing in this region. Here he took up a large
tract of governmeiU land. al)out foiu" hun-
dred acres, which he impro\cd, retaining
most of it until his deatli. He became one
of the most prominent and influential citi-
zens of his community, in politics was first
a \\ big anrl later a Democrat, and held the
office of justice of the peace from the earliest

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

257

recullectioii of our siil)ject. In 18^8 lie mar-
ried Eliza Breckenri(l|;^e. a (laughter of Rob-
ert Breckenridge. who was also one of the
]iioncers anil land holders of Rooks Creek
tnwnship. ha\ing conic here from near Sar-
dinia, r>n>\\n county. ( )liio, about the same
time as Mr. McMillan. By this marriage
were horn four children, three of whom
are still living, one of these being our sub-
ject. The niiither. wlm was a member of
the Methodist church, dietl in 1849, "^'I'l tJic
father subsequently married her sister, Mrs.
Anna .\nderson. He died in June, 1864,
hnnorcd and resi)ected by all wlm knew him.

The early education of William D. ]\lc-
]\Iillan was ac(|uiretl in the common schools
o.f Rooks Creek township, and he remained
at home until his lather's death. Desiring
a better education he sold forty acres of the
home farm, and after gi\-iiiir his mother
her dowry used the remainder in i)aying
his expenses at Eureka College. Having
thus secured a good practical education ho
returned home and engaged in farming until
1870, when he went to Pontiac. The fol-
Kwiiig year he commenced learning photog-
raphy and devoted his attenti(Mi to that art
until 1874, when he entered the service of
the United States Express Company at I'on-
tiac. A year later he was transferred to
Springfield, and in 1880 was made express
messenger on the Forrest and Streator train
of the Wabash Railroad. On the ist of
June. 1893, 'ic ^^''^ appointed agent at For-
rest, where the company docs a large busi-
ness, as the town has two lines of railroad.
The ])osition is therefore one cjf much re-
si)onsibility, and he discharges his duties
in a most creditable and satisfactory man-
ner.

On the 8th of April, 1876, Mr. McMillan
married Miss Laura Harper, of Livings-

ton county, who was born in \\'aynestown,
Indiana, a daughter of John Harper, an old
resident here, who settled in this count v
when Mrs. McMillan was only si.K years old.
By this union have been born five children :
Ira Douglas (deceased), Frederick W.,
Artie Ray (deceased), Leslie C. and lulna
11. The parents are both members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr.
McMillan is now ser\ing as steward. He
cast his first vote for the Democratic party,
but since then has been a stanch Reiniblican,
though he has taken no active part in politi-
cal affairs. While a resident of Rooks
L'reek township he filled the office of col-
lector, and without his knowledge he was
nominated as a member of the city council
on the no-license board in i8(;(; and elected
by a good majority, though he made no ef-
fort to secure the office. During his term
the board has done considerable toward
street impro\ements. which ha\e greatl)'
pleased the people of the town. Fraternally
Mr. Mc^Millan is a member of the ^b-)dern
Woodmen of America and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN ELLINGER.

John Ellinger, a prominent tarmer of
section 35, Pontiac township, Livingston
county, comes from the fatherland, and
the strongest and mostcreditable chriracter-
istics of the eutonic race have been ?narked
elements in his life and ha\e enabled him
to win success in the face of opposing cir-
cumstances. He possesses the energy and
determination which mark the people of Ger-
many, and by the exercise of his powers
has steadily progressed, and has not only
won a handsome competence but has com-

2^8

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

maiided universal respect l)y his straiglit-
U)r\var(l business methods.

Mr. Ellinger was born in W'urtcniburg,
Germany. October 16. 1849. ^ son of George
and Carrie D. ( Keihler) Ellinger. life-long
residents of that place and active members
of the Lutheran church. The failier was a
farmer and land owner and was one of the
highly respected men of his community.
He died in 1893. the mother about eight
years before.

Our subject obtained a good practical ed-
ucation in the public schools of his native
land, and at the age of fifteen went into
the \illage of Oppenweiler. which was near
liis father's home. de\nting a year and nine
months to learning the l)aker"s trade. Xoi
liking the business, he decided to try liis
fortune on this side of the Atlantic, and
celebrated the seventeenth anni\er:ary of JTJs
birth f)n board a vessel bound for America.
liis ticket took him ti 1 Washington. Illinois.
where h.e borrowed three dollars \vitl> which
to proceed to Peoria, from a fellow passen-
ger, his own means being exhausted by this
time. He secured work on a farm near that
city, where he remained for some time, and
with his employer went to Peoria, work-
ing for him two years, but his wages were
never paid for the last six months. Sccur-
irg an (^Id h.orse he again started for the
country and after spending a few weeks in
El Paso, he hired out to a farmer north-
west of that place for one year. Later,
being refused the privilege of attending
church, he entered the employ of a neighbor,
for whom he worked until fall. lie was
empkjyed in that neighlxirhood for five
years during which time he managed to
save enough money to start in life for him-
self, renting eighty acres of land in Ford
countv for two years.

In the meantime Mr. Ellinger was mar-
rried. July 2"/. 1870. to Miss Sophia Muel-
ler, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daugh-
ter of George Mueller, who with his family
mo\ed from that state to Indiana and later
to Illinois. To our subject and wife have
been born twelve children, namely: Carrie,
now the wife of John Schaffer of Eppards
t'oint township. Livingston county ; Lizzie,
wife of William Schaffer, of the same town-
shi]); George, who married Maggie Young,
and also lixes in Eppards Point township;
John, who married Alta Porter and resides
in Pontiac : iMuma. wife of Edward Greid-
ner of that city: Katie. William. Christian,
Arthur. .Mbert. Frank and Robert, all at
home.

In i87_' Mr. ICIlingcr came to Living-
ston county and successfully engaged in
farming upon rented land in Saunemin
township two years, at the end of which
time he purchased eighty acres of land in
that township, but hard times coming on,
he lost it, and again rented a number of years,
one year being spent in Sullivan township.
and ten on one farm in Owego township.
Subse(|uently he bought eighty acres in Char-
lotte township, which he soon sold to ad-
vantage, and then came to Pontiac town-
shii). where he rented a half-section of land
one year, it being sold at that time he had
to move, and in 1893 he purchased his pres-
ent fine farm of two hundred and forty
acres, one and a half miles from Pontiac,
for which he paid ninety-two dollars and a
half per acre. It is one of the finest and
most productive farius in the county, and
is well im])roved with good buildings. In
connection with general farming, Mr. Ell-
inger gives considerable attention to the
raising of cattle and hogs. While a resi-
dent of Owego township he bought a half-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

259

section of land in Minnesota, for wliich he
j)ai(l cash, and wliicli lie lield nntil iSi^i;.

In 1899 Mr. EUinger returned to his old
home in Germany to visit his father. Since
the aye of nineteen years he has heen a nieni-
i)er of the I^vansjelical church, and he and
his family are now connected with the church
at l-lpparcls Point. He is a Repuhlican in
politics hut has never heen an aspirant for
oftice. though he served as school director
three vears.

CHARLES T. I'.LRNS.

Charles T. Burns, who is engaged in
the hardware husiness in Chatsworth,
Li\'ingston count}-, has heen one of the
leading husiness men of the city since
1893. He commenced business as a junior
member of the tirm of Sneyd & Burns, No-
\emlKM- 21), 1893. and that relation was con-
tinued until 1899. when his brother, Thom-
i\s, purchased the interest of Mr. Sneyd, and
the business has since been conducted under
the tirm name of lUuns Brothers.

Charles T. Burns was bcjrn in Chicago,
Illinois. June 11, 1863, and is the son of
Thomas and l*Iliza (Gallagher) Burns, both
of whom were horn in Ireland, and both
coming to this country in childhood, the
former locating in Boston. Massachusetts,
and the latter in Chicago. Illinois. In his
youth Thcjmas Burns learned the ship car-
penter's trade, which he followed for some
years, and until coming west and locating
in Chicago, where his marriage with Miss
Gallagher was celel)rated. He is now en-
gaged in farming in Irocjuois county, Illi-
nois, whicii has been his iiome for some
years, and where lie owns a farm of two
hundred acres of well improved land. In

his family were nine children : Charles T.,
the subject of this sketch ; James, living on
a farm in iro(|uois countv : .\nna. li\ing at
home; Mary, who resides in Chicago;
'1 homas. now in partnership with our sub-
ject; Kate, wife of (). lirgang. who is in
the postal ser\ice in Chicago, which is their
home; Walter, in a grain oftice in .\shkuni,
Illinois; Terrencc and William, at home with
their father. The mother of these children
died in 1886. She was a devout member of
the Catholic church, in which faith she died.

The sul)ject of this sketch grew to man-
hood on the farm in lro(|uois countw and in
its pulilic schools received his education,
which was supplemented by one term in the
commercial department of the Northern In-
diana Normal School at \'al])araiso. Indi-
ana. He remained at home until he came
to Chatsworth in 1893 and embarked in his
present business. Success has crowned his
efforts, and in addition to his stock of hard-
ware, paints, oils, etc.. he owns residence
property in the city and an interest in the
store building occupied by himself and
brother. The firm carry a fine stock of goods
and have an excellent trade, which extends
many miles into the surrounding country.

In pi clitics Mr. Hums is a Democrat in
national affairs, but in local matters he votes
ior the best man for the otifice regartUess of
partv ties. By his fellow citizens he has
been honored with local oftice. having served
as alderman for fi\e successive years. As a
member of the board he has shown himself
a progressive citizen, advocating every meas-
ure proposed that seemed beneficial to the
best interests of the place. He was interested
in the putting in of brick walks, the building
of the bell tower, the improvement of the
water works, and the erection of the new-
brick citv hall. He is chairman of the fire

26o

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and water ctuiiiiiittees and a lucmher of the
finance committee and otlier committees. lie
is also a member of tiie \olunteer fire com-
pany.

Fraternally .\lr. liurns is a member of
Camp No. 1829, Modern Woodmen of
America, and religionsly he is a member of
the Catholic church. As a citizen lie is en-
terprising and loyal to his adopted city and
county.

CAPTAIN HENRY FOX.

Captain Henry F'ox, a gallant ana fear-
less or^icer of the civil war. and now a prom-
inent citizen of Dwiglit, Illinois, was born
in \\'unenil)urg-, (iermany, October 4, 1833.
He was educated in a college near Stutt-
gart, taking a literary course, and on leav-
ing school entered a general mercantile
establishment, where he served a three-
years' apprenticeshii) and was then granted
a diploma. Fie remained with that firm
two years longer and then entered the em-
ploy of a commission house, where he con-
tinued to work imtil his emigration to the
United States in 1854, landing in New-
York city on the day he attained his ma-
jority.

Ihisiness being dull there, Mr. Fox pro-
ceeded to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he
clerked in a wholesale dry-goods house for
two years, and while there served as second
lieutenant in the Wisconsin Militia. His
company was sent to Madison on the in-
stallation of a new governor, in January,
1856, they having much the same trouble
as has recently been experienced in Ken-
tucky. The incumbent of the office denied
the validity of the claimant and who had
the certificate of the canvassing board and

refused to give up the ot'fice. This was the
Hash/ord and Barstow contest which cre-
ated great excitement throughout the coun-
try at the time. In September, 1856, Mr.
Fox went to St. Louis, where he engaged
in clerking for a short time, and then re-
moved to Mt. Pulaski, Logan county. Illi-
nois, where he was employed in the general
store of John Mayer, who was engaged in
business there for many years, and was one
of the first settlers of Logan county. While
there Mr. Fox married his employer's
daughter, Miss Magtlalene Mayer, Septem-
ber 10, 1857. After his marriage he was
engaged in business for himself at Mt. Pu-
laski a short time, but in the spring of 1861
remo\ed to Lincoln, Illinois, where he was
living at the outbreak of the civil war.

In August, 1862, Mr. Fox enlisted as
sergeant in Company H, One Hundred and
Sixth Illinois X'olunteer Infantry, and was
nuistered in at Lincoln, being ordered to
Jackson, Tennessee, in September. In refer-
ence to his service we cpiote the following
from the Chicago Inter-Ocean : "A Sol-
dier's Brave Deed. In the later part of
December, 1862, when a small detachment
of soldiers was scattered along the line of
the railroad from Columbus, Kentucky, to
Holly Springs, Mississippi, guarding the
bridges and trestle work, the following in-
cident took place, which foi* cool courage
excelled anything that came to my attention
during my three years' service. .Vfter the
capture of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Gen-
eral P'orrest's cavalry made a raid north-
ward upon this line of railroad and captured
every station between Jackson, Tennessee,
and Columl)us, Kentucky, exceut a small
detachment of about seventy-five men who
were guarding the bridge and the long tres-
tle work across the Obion river about ten

HENRY FOX.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

263

miles nortli of Jackson. This (letaclinient
was comp()se<l of parts of Companies II and
I, One linndreil and Si.\lh Illinois Infantry,
and I'unmanded l>y C;4)tain P. W. llarts,
now of Springiielil. Illinois, and Captain
loliii Siiin-key. now of Pappinsville. Mis-
>ouri. .\uci- ilic attack on Jackson and the
capture of Colonel Ingersolj and a ]>art of
the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, a detachment
Lif some li\e Inuulred of Forrest's cavalry,
with two pieces of artillery, was sent hy
General Forrest against this handful of men
guarding the Ohion bridge. The I'eileral
guard had hastily made rude breastworks
directly muler the briilge, tletermined to

I make the best possible defense. Promptly
at I o'clock i>n December 23, before the
breastworks were completed, this station
north of the river were surrouinled by these
live hundred rebel cavalry, wln). after mak-
ing a great display on horseback, riding
round m a circle three or four times, thus
making belie\e that the whole of l''orrest"s
ca\alr\' was present, dismounted and made
a desperate effort to capture the guard and
destroy the bridge and trestle-works in order
to break the railroad communication with
Jackson, Tennessee. Here the unetiual bat-
tle raged until the midtlle of the afternoon,
the shrieking shells and the swishing bul-
lets crashed through the heavy bridge tim-
bers with which the breastworks were made.

; Capture seemed inevitable. Reinforcements
could only be hoped for from Jackson. It
was decided that some one should venture
to leave the fort, climb the open trestle some
fifteen feet higii and run over this, about
one hundred and twenty rods, then through
the timber toward Jackson, to secure rein-
forcements. This task was solicited by
."Sergeant Henry Eo.x, of Company H. Hand
over hand he gained the top of the bridge,

and then with a regular double-iiuick step,
he ran from tie to tie across this dreadful
line, the enemy from both sides of the road
shooting at him. but while his clothes bore
ample evidence of the danger he had run,
he was untouched. Fortunately, the hre
from the breastworks was too dangerous to
permit the enemy to bring then" artillery
tin-ough the woods within close range of the
fort and from the distance the heavy tim-
iier oj)sirucied the effectiveness of the
siiot and shell. The station was not cap-
tured, the bridge was .saved, reinforcements
arrived after dark, and after the enemy had
willidraun and left their dead in the farm-
house on the hill. Sergeant Fo.\. after call-
ing for reinforcements, returned alone, mak-
ing the run of nine miles in one Imur and
forty miiuues." This article was written and
signed by David Harts, cai)tain i>i Company
L', One Hundred and Si.xlh Illinois Xdlun-
leer Infantry, l-'or this gallant service our
subject received a medal from congress with
the following inscription : "The congress
of the Cnited States to Serg"t Henry h'ox,
Companv H. One Hundred and Si.\th Illi-
nois Infantry, for gallantry near Jackson,
reimessee, December 23, i86j." In Janu-
ary, 1803, he was detailed as recorder of
military commission at .Memphis, and in
May was appointed by (ieneral Hurlbut as
captain of the Fifty-ninth Regiment L'nited
States Colored Troops, being mustered in
as sucli June 1, 1863. He participated iu
the battles of Parker's Cross Road, Gun-
town and Tupolo, and went on to the e.x-
pedition of Oxford. In April, 1865, he was
detaile<l as acting assistant inspector gen-
eral of post and defenses at Memphis, Ten-
nessee, and was on the staff of Brevet Major-
General .\. L. Chetlain. In July. 1865, he
was detailed on the staff of Major-General

264

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John E. Smith, United States Army, in the
same capacity, for tlie district of lennessee,
and was finally mustered out on the last day
ot January, 1866.

Returning to his home in Lincoln, Illi-
nois, Captain Fox worketl in the lumber
office of Buff ham & Company for a year and
a half, then for Elliott & Company in the
same business until New Year's Day, 1869.
By his doctor's advice, he then removed to
a farm in Logan couiUy, wluch he had pur-
chased al>out a year previous, but as his
health did not improve, in May, 1874, he
moved to Dwight, Illinois, where he has
since had charge of William Ccully's lands.
consisting of several thousand acres, which
he has managed in a most creditable and
satisfactory manner.

To the Captain and his wife were born
eight children, namely: Frederick W'.,
who died in February, 1897, at the age of
forty years, leaving a widow and two chil-
dren; Henry, who has charge of a large
tract of land for Mr. Scully in Nelson, Xe-
bra.ska; Anna E., wife of Benjamin Show-
waiter, (jf Davenport, Nebraska; Lydia L.,
who is teaching in the public schools of
Dwight; Louis E., a resident of Kansas
City, Missouri; Susan M., who is an artist
of superior ability and is now giving paint-
ing lessons in Dwight and neighboring-
cities; Pauline E., bookkeeper and cashier
for Miller Brothers, at Dwight; and Daniel
S. I-"oN, who was b(jrn in Dwight, Illinois,
January 2-j, 1876, and was educated in the
city and higli school. He was then with
his father until the time of his enlistment,
April 26, 1898, in Company A, Third Illi-
nois Cavalry, for a term of two years. The
regiment was organized at Springfield. Illi-
nois, from which place it was sent to Chick-
amauga, where, on the 6th of July. 1898. he

was appointed corporal. From Chicka-
mauga the regiment was sent to Porto Rico
with Major-General Brooks, it being his
guard. With his regiment Daniel S. re-
mained until after the clo.se of hostilities,
w lien it returned, and he was honorably dis-
charged at Streator, Illinois, January 20,
1899, antl returned to his home, and is as-
sisting his father in the business. The
mother of these children died October 7,
1879. and was buried in Dwight. Captain
Fox was again married, October 28, 1880,
his seconil union being with Miss Hattie A.
Chamberlain, who was born near Syracuse,
New York, and came to Illinois in 1873.
Her father, William Chamberlain, never
came west. She has proved a true helpmeet
to her husband and a devoted mother to his
children, wlio were young when she married
him.

Cajitain Fox is a prominent member of
several civic societies, including Livingston
Lodge, No. 371, F. & A. M.; Wilmington
Chapter. No. 142. K. .\. M. ; Streator
Louncil. R. & S. M.; lUaney Conimand-
ery. No. 5, K. T.. of Morris, Illinois;
Dwight Lodge, No. 513, and Dwight En-
campment, No. 126, I. O. O. F., of which
fraternity he has been a luember for forty-
two years. In the subordinate lodge he has
served as noble grand, and is now past chief
])atriarch of the Encampment. He is also
an honored member and past commander of
Dwight I'ost. No. (mU. C. A. R., and a
member of the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion. Politically he is a stanch Repub-
lican, l)ut at local elections, when no issue is
in\olvcil. he votes indejjendent of party
lines. He has ever taken an active and
l)rominent part in local politics, and has been
a member of the town board four times and
served as jnayor of Dwight two ternis. He

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

265

has ever manifested the same loyalty in days
of peace as in time of war, and hy all who
know him is held in high regard.

SAMUEL A. LEISEROW rrZ.

Samuel .-X. Leiserowitz, a i)rominent
citizen of Cullom. and a niemher of the well-
kniiwn firm of Leiserowitz brothers, general
merchants of Cullom, Herscher and Cabery,
Illinois, was horn in Sarle, State of Korne,
Russia, June _'i, iii()\. His father, Mendel
Leiserowitz. a rahhi and school teacher of
that country, has been active in church work
since seventeen years of age and for the
past fifty-three years has engaged in preach-
ing and school teaching. He is very well
educated and is a well known expounder of
the Hebrew faith. He has preached in
Sarle. Moscow, and many smaller places in
Russia, and while visiting in this country
preached and taught scIkioI in South Chi-
cago for four years. liis father. Moses
Leiserowitz, was also a rabbi and school
teacher, and died while reading the Bible
at his home in Yurgenborg, Russia, at the
age of eighty-three years. To the parents
of our subject were born eleven children,
six of whom are living, and one oi the
number is still living in Russia taking care
of the ])arcnts. Those in .\mcrica are:
Tane L.. who i.s engaged in general mer-
cantile business in Kempton, Illinois; L. L.,
who is engaged in the i)ainting Inisiness in
Chicago; Samuel .A., our subject; Wolf,
l)artner of our subject and a resident 1. f
Herscher, Illinois; and Simrm, who conducts
the store for his brothers at Cabery.

Samuel A. Leiserowitz attended school
in his native land, but his early education

has been greatly supi^lemented by reading
and obser\ation in later years. At the age
of twelve years he began his business career,
being employed in the office of a dealer in
grain and all kinds oi produce until he at-
tained his majority. He then entered the
Russian arm\-, December i, 1881, and served
until -August I, 1886. He was first a mem-
ber oi the Twentieth Foot Division, but on
the 1st of August, 1882, was transferred to
the brass band, liis instrument being a
French horn. As a common .soldier he re-
cieved ninety cents pay every four months
or two dollars and seventy cents per year,
but being ])romoted to what corresponds
to our corporal his salary was raised to
four dollars ])er year. In giving a des-
cription of the Russian ;irmy Mr. Leisero-
witz says: "Besides their high salary the
soldiers were given their clothes, consisting
of one overcoat made of material resembling
horse blankets, an under coat of a finer
grade of goods, a cap and trousers made of
the same material. These were sujiposed
to last two years with exce])tion of the trons
ers which were worn a year. Vests were
not worn in the scrsice. Each soldier re-
ceixed a pair and a half of leather boots
each year, the leggings of the first pair do-
ing service for the second. Vov under :md
o\er wear linen similar to course towling
was furnished, h'or hosiery the same kind
of goods was used, and instead of being
drawn on the feet was wrapjied around. Mit-
tens and neckties were of black blankec
goods, and the ties were worn as Catholic
priests wear them. Out of their salaries
the soldiers have to i)ay for making their
boots and underwear , buying lilackening for
shoes and belts and oil for guns. P-acli are
given seventy cents extra for incidentals, but
this with their salarx- does n(;t half co\'cr

266

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tlieir expenses. They are given tliree pounds
i)f rye bread a day and six cents in money
to pay for other food, but when a company
is stationed at one place the money goes
into the general fund for cooking purposes,
amounting to si-\ dollars tor one hundred
men per day. Each soldier gets alx)ut a
half pound of beef and soup, which is made
of barley broken up and boiled with the
meat. This they have for dinner and sup-
per, while for breakfast they have only
bread, salt and water — plenty of water but
not always salt. A mess of ten or fifteen
men arc given a W(xxlen pail in which the
soup is served. Tliey carry a red wooden
spoon in their boot leg and with these each
dip into the bucket as they have no other
dishes, knives or forks. .\fter the meal
however, they are generally as happy as
larks, singing and dancing. The higher
officers are treated as ours are.

When his term of service expired, Mr.
Liserowitz received a recommndation from
his general testifying to his conduct, temper-
ate habits, and general beha\ior and that
should he again desire to enter the army he
was to be taken back at one hundred and
twenty dollars per year. Returning to his
home, he remained there until January i.
1887. when he sailed from Hamburg by way
of Liverijool for Xew York. He proceeded
at once to Chicago and on the train met a
conductor, who was a relative of his father
and who took charge of him. seeing that
he got to his brother all right. He remained
about twenty-four hours in Chicago. His
money by this time was exhausted but he
finally found a relative who let him have
enough to go to Danforth. Illinois, where
his brothers Wolf and Tane were then liv-
ing. A week later tiie brother Wolf ordered
for him a stock of goods amounting to little

over forty-nine dollars, and with this he
started out as apeddler with his pack upon his
back. His brother drove a team and went
a couple of miles ahead toward Cullom their
destination. Our subject met with most
excellent success from the start and at the
end of three weeks was able to buy a horse
from Frank Drendel. living east of Cullom,
for which he paid eighteen dollars, tf) be
taken out in trade. He then went to Dan-
forth where liis brother Tane was living
and bought a wagon. With horse and
wagon he traveled for one year, and at the
end of that time he and his brother Tane
bought property in Cullom. where they suc-
cessfully conducted a pool and billard hall
one year. On selling out. in 1889. he and
his brother Wolf started a store with a small
stock of goods costing about two thousand
dollars, and later took in another partner
B. Brode. who was a member of the firm
for about a year, but this venture did not
pro\e a success, as three families could not
live off the profits of the small store. The
brother then went to Herscher. where he has
since prospered, but our subject remained
in Cullom, where he rented a buildinsf of
J. W. \\'hite for two years, and then of
Walter Rider of Saunemin for five years,
but at the -end of five months he purchased
the latter, which he subsquently enlarged.
Later he bought a house and lot adjoining,
sold the house and moved the oldest store,
and erected a double store building. 40x120
feet, and half of which is two stories in
height, the other one story. He has stead-
ily prospered and has never yet had occasion
to regret his emigration to the new workl.
In March. 1899. he and his brother Wolf
formed a partnership, and under the firm
name of Leiserowitz Brothers have the larg-
est stores at Cullom and Herscher, and also

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

267

liave a gfood store in Caljcrry, tlie building
also lieintj owned l)y them. To-day tliey are
minihered among tlie most successful and
progressive business men of this sectiori.
The Cullom store is in use as a department
store, having added hardware, paints, wal!
paper and undertaking in addition to the
general line handled before. There is a
special department of silverware, jewelry,
clocks and watches. A watchmaker of thirty
years experience. Air. Lawrence Holland,
is in charge of this department. He for
the past twelve years has been a resident of
Cullom.

In .\ugust, 1886. Mr. Leiserowitz mar-
ried Miss Golda S. Cohn. and to them were
born se\en children, but the three oldest
<lied in infancy. The other.^, Joseph, Jane,
Isadore and Esther, are all attending school.
In politics Mr. Leiserowitz is a Republican,
and in his social relations is a member of
Saunemin Lodge. Xo. 728. I. O. O. F., and
is a charter member of Star Camp, Xo. 1886,
M. \V. .\. of Cullom.

SHERMAX 11. JOILXSOX.

Sherman 11. Johnson, who is prominently
identified with the agricultural interests of
Germanville townshii). Livingston county.
owns and operates a tine farm of one hun-
dred and twenty acres on section 15. The
neat and thrifty api)earance of the place
testifies to his careful supervision, and shows
him to be not only a thorough and skillful
farmer, but also a man of good business
abitity.

Mr. Johnson was born in the town of
Peru. Clinton county, Xew York, September
13. 1847, ^ son of Jeremiah and Harriet

(Bridges) Johnson. The father was born
in Hartford, Connecticut, and resided there
for some years. He enlisted in the war of
181 2, and served for five years under Gen-
eral Scott, coming out of the service as first
lieutenant. After receiving his discharge
at Plattsbiu\g, New York, he remained at
that place and engaged in the lumber busi-
ness, which he carried on until si.xty-eight
years of age, when meeting with loss fmni
fire, he retired from active business. He
died in 1872, at the age of ninety-two years,
his wife in the same year at the age of
eighty-two. In their family were twelve
children, eight of whom are still living. Our
subject is the youngest son, but has two
younger sisters.

In the common schools of his birthplace
Sherman H. Johnson ac(|uired his educa-
tion, and remained at home until eighteen
years of age, when, in 1863. he came toLiv-
ingston county, Illinois, .\fter si)en(ling a
few mrmths in 15eile Prairie township, how-
ever, he went ti 1 .Minnoota. where he worked
by the month two years, and then returned
to this county, being engaged in farming
upon rented laud in Belle Prairie township
for a number of years. Subse(|uently he
leased a fariu in McLean county, which he
afterward bought, and on .selling that prop-
erty in 1876 went to Bates county, Missouri,
where he followed farming one year. Re-
turning to Belle Prairie township, Livingston
county, he rented a farm for three years,
and then moved to Forrest township, where
he leased a half section of land for the same
length of time. During the following three
years we again find him in Belle Prairie
township, and in 1888 he located upon his
present farm in Germanville township. He
purchased two hundred and eighty acres,
and two vears later sold one hundred and

268

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sixty acres to Henry Xettleton, but still owns
the remainder, which was only partially ini-
])ro\etl when it came intt> his pt)Ssession, but
he has since erected a largfe and substantial
ham, improved the house, and tiled the land,
placing it under excellent cultivation. In
connection with general farming he raises
considerable stock, including short-horn
cattle and Poland China hogs.

On the 7th of October, 1869, in Belle
Prairie township, Mr. Johnson led to the
marriage altar Miss Emeline .\lford, a
daughter of W'e.sly J. and Emiline C.
(Randall) Alford. The father was liorn
in Vermont, but when a small child moved
with his parents to New York state, where
he continued to make his home until Mrs
Johnson was two years old, and then brought
his family to Illinois, locating in Kendall
county, where he engaged in farming for
some time, but is now living a retired life in
Rose Lawn, Indiana. He was a very i)rospcr-
ous man and highly respected. His wife died
six years ago. leaving a family of seven
children, of whom Mrs. Johnson is the fifth
in order of birth. Ten children have been
horn to our subject and his wife, namely:
William H., a well-driller of .Strawn, who
married Clara Johnson and has four chil-
dren. Myrtle, I'earl, Elmer and Clarence
Sherman; Cornelia, wife of William Day, a
farmer of Ford county, Illinois, by whom
she has five children, Myron William, Sarah,
Ainiie and Hershal A.: Lorenzo, Hannah
and Bertha, all at home: Myron, who died
at the age of sixteen years: Myra, who died
in Missouri, at the age of three years: and
three, who died in infancy.

Mr. Johnson is a supporter of the Repub-
lican |)arty, and as a public-si)irited and pro-
gressive citizen is an advocate of those en-
terprises that tend toward public develop-

ment. He filled the ofiice of school director
during the first seven years of his resilience
in Germanville township, and has efiiciently
served in the same capacity for the last three
years, during which time he has done much
toward bettering the schools in his locality.
He is an active member of the Methodist
church, in which he served as deacon four
vears.

JAMES J. BROADHE.Vi).

James J. Broadhead, a prominent repre-
sentative of the l)usiness interests of Forrest
is a native of Illinois, his birth having oc-
curred near Mackinaw, September 22. 1857.
His father, Edward Broadhead, was born
July 2, 1827, in Manchester, England, where
he grew to manhood and learned the trade
of a machinist. There he was married,
-March 6, 1847, t'' Miss Xancy McDonald,
also a native of Manchester, and in 1855
they came to the I'nited States, locating first
in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he found
employment on a farm. In 1859 he settled
near Danvers, McLean county, and com-
menced farming on his own account. In
1867 he purchased a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres of wild prairie land in For-
rest township, Livingston county, for which
he paid fifteen dollars per acre, and for
which he was later offered one hundred dol-
lars j)er acre. He made all of the improve-
ments u|)on the place, erecting a good set of
farm buildings, tiling the land and placing
it under excellent cultivation, and dix'iding
it into fields of sufficient size by good hedge
fences. He also planted trees and ornament-
al shrubs, and made his farm one of the best
in the locality. He continued to actively en-
gage in agricultural pursuits until six or

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

269

seven years Ijetore liis deatli. wlien he incixed
to Forrest and li\ed retired, dving' tlicre
March 8. 1896. He purchased a good resi-
dence in that town, wliich is now tlie home
of Iiis widow. On coming to this country
lie was in very limitetl circumstances and his
success that he achieved in Hie was due en-
tirely to his well-directed labors. Politically
lie was always identified with the Republican
party, and religiously was a member of the
Methotlist lipiscopal church, to wiiich his
wife also belongs. To them were l)orn eight
children, seven of whom are now liv-
ing, namely : William, a resident of
Normal, Illinois : John, of Chatsworth ; Mary
J. resides with her nn iilicr : James ]., our sub-
ject ; George H., of Indiana; Cornelia, wife
of W. B. Moyer, of Galva, Illinois ; and
Lovina, wife of J. L. Mover, of Forrest,
liic subject of this re\icw was a lad of
ten years when the family came to Liv-
ingston county, and he attended both the
country schools and those, of Forrest.
On the home farm he acquired an ex-
cellent knowledge of agriculture, ami on
starting out in life for himself at the
age of twenty-one years commenced
farming, which occupation he followed
with good success until his removal to
Forrest, in 1897. He hail previously spent
two winters in town, those of 1893 and
1894. He now conducts the only real estate
ottice in tb.e |)lace. a; d l.andles a large anii^unt
of city and farm property. He is also en-
gaged in merchandising and the fire and life
insurance business, and is a director of the
Peoria luistern Telephone Comjjany, of
whicii he was one of the original incorpora-
tors and was an active member of the com-
pany when the lines were put in o])eratioii.
As a business man he is reliable, energetic
and iirogressive, and generally carries for-

ward to successful completion whatever he
untlertakcs.

On the JOtli of ALu-ch, 1884, AL". Broad-
head was united in marriage with Miss Ella
Rose, of Fairbury, a daughter of f. \'. R(jse,
a farmer of Indian Grove township, Living-
ston county, and to them have been born
two children; Ralph R. and Ray V. The
family have a pleasant home in Forrest and
attend the Methodist Ej)iscopal church, of
which Mrs. Broadhead is a member. So-
cially Mr. Ihoadhcad is connected w'ith the
Knights of Pythias, the Alodern Woodmen
ot Amreica, and the Court of Honor, aiul is
now keeper of records and seals in the lirst
named order. Since attaining his majority
he has atiiliated with the Republican party,
and although he has never aspired to office
he was elected trustee of the \ illage, taking
his seat May 1, 1900. He is public-spirited
and progressive and as a citizen ever stands
really to discharge any duty devolving upon
him.

TllkCJXK & HATFlb:LD.

Throne & Hatfield is the name nf a well-
icnown firm of Cullom, Blinois, composed of
Charles H. Throne and George H. Hatfield,
two of the niMst enterprising and progress-
ive business men of that town. They are
successfully engaged in the li\cry business
and also have control of the dray line.

Mr. Throne is a native of Livingston
county, born in Sullivan township. Septem-
ber 23. 1876. and is a son of W. H. and
Laura E. (Ivlwards) Tiirune. wlm were
also born in this state. The father, who is
a farmer ly occui)ation. lived in Sullivan
townshii) many years, but for the i)ast
eighteen \ears has made his home in Cullom.

^^o

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His children are: Maggie, wife of B. A.
Park, of Fisher, Illinois; Calvin, a general
merchant of McCook, Nebraska; Bertha,
wife of S. M. Boenian, of Cullom, Illinois;
Nellie, wife of Frank Copp. nf I'isher;
Charles H., our subject; and Reta, at home.

Mr. Throne was educated in the schools
of Cullom, and at the age of thirteen years
began his business career as clerk in the
general store of Enos Flessner, of that place,
remaining with him six years, and with the
firm of Flessner & .\machee fnur years. In
1K96, in connection with John Tyrrell, he
purchased the livery stable and dray line
of John Fritzon, and at the end of four
months George H. Hatfield purcliased Mr.
Tyrrell's interest in the business, which has
since been successfully conducted under the
firm name of Throne & Hatfield. In 1898
Mr. Throne and B. A. Park purchased a
li\ery and sale stal)le in Fislier. Illinois,
which they carried on together until the
spring of 1900, when our subject .sold out
to his partner. During all this time Mr.
Throne was still employed in the mercantile
establi.shment of Flessner & Amachee. but
in March, 1900, concluded to give his whole
time and attention to the livery and dray
business, which he has since done.

On the 6th of Septemlier. 1899. Mr.
Throne married Miss Jennie Kewley, a na-
tive of F(jrd county, Illinois, and daughter
of Thomas Kewley, one of its old settlers.
She is second in order of birth in a family of
five children. Politically Mr. Throne is a
ReiHiblican, and socially is a member of
Cullom Camp, No. 1886, M. W. .\.

Mr. Hatfield, the junior member of the
firm, was born in Mona tnwnshi]). Ford
county, Illinoi.s, September u, 1876. a son
of Je.sse S. and Sarah (Cart) Hatfield, na-
tives of Indiana. The father carried on

blacksmithing in h'ord county until 1X80.
when he removed with his family to Cul-
lom, where he opened a shop and has since
conducted a successful business. He is a
veteran of the Civil war. In his political
views he is a Democrat. He has two chil-
dren: George H., our subject; and Edward,
at home with his parents.

George H. Hatfield received his educa-
tion in the public schools of Cullom. When
about twenty-one years of age he embarked
in the li\ery business with Mr. Throne and
has since devoted his energies to that eri-
terprise. They are wide-awake business
men of known reliability, and are meeting
with well-deserved success. Mr. Hatfield is
a Republican in politics, and is an active
member of Star Caiup, No. 1886, M. W.
A., of Cullom, and Livingston County
Lodge. No. jf)4, K. P., of Chatswortli.

ALPHA BAKER.

Al[)ha Baker, an honored and highly
respected citizen of Dwighi, Illinois, who
is now living a retired life, was born in
Oneida county. New \'ork, September 19,
1831, and is a son of Samuel A. and Sophia
(Porter) Baker, who spent their entire lives
in that county, where the father cleared ami
iini)roved a good farm of one hundred and
sixty acres. He was a most progressive and
enterprising luan and an e.Kcellent judge of
g(XKl stock. t<) the raising of which he de-
voted considerable attention. He died at
about the age of sixty years, his wife at the
age of seventy-seven. His father was Henry
Baker, a ship carpenter in early life. Our
subject is the second in order of birth in a
family of three children. Ellis, the oldest,

,7 PIJR'J " LIBRAFTY

J Asfof, Lenox and TUden j
roiirdalinns.

A. BAKER.

MRS. A. BAKER.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

275

now seventy-two years of age, folli)wed
farming:, and is now living on his okl hoine
farm in Xew ^^)rk state. lliii)e. the voung-
cst. died in girlhood.

In the county nf Iiis nati\ity. .Mpha
Baker was reared and educated, and re-
niianed under tiie parental roof until twen-
ty-three years of age. when he went to Con-
necticut, working three years in Hartford
and Xew Haven counties. At the end of
that time he mo\ed to \\'arren, Ohio, where
he worked aliout a year at anything he
could hnd to do. and then came to Illinois,
stopping in (irundy countv from iS3(^) until
iSgo. The winter of 1 856-7 was spent in
the lumlier woods on the Eau Claire river,
Wisconsin, l)ul tiie following spring he re-
turned to Cirundy ct)inU\, Illinois, where he
worked hy the month one year. He next
rented a farm in Mazon township, which
he oi)erated three years, and then purchased
a wild tract oi one humlred and si.xt}' acres,
which he commenced immediately to im-
prove and cultivate, erecting first a house,
22\2J feet in dimensions and containing
three rooms.

Mr. Baker was married, September 25,
1861. to Miss Sarah J. Collar, a native of
St. Lawrence county. Xew "S'ork, and a
daughter of Lyman and Eliza Jane (Cral)b)
Collar, also natives of that state. The
father engaged in farming and also followed
the wagon-maker's trade in St. Lawrence
county until Mrs. Baker was eight years of
age. when he came to Illinois with his fam-
ily. k)cating in Grumly county, when it con-
tained only a few houses and these widely
scattered. He took up a tract of govern-
ment land, to which he later added by pur-
ciiase. He lived to the advenced age of
ninety years. In his family were ten chil-
dren, of wh(jm five dieil young, namely:

AiUIison, Jessie. Keuhen. I'rank and Har-
riet. Those living are X'orman, a resilient
of Iowa; George, of Jolict. Illinois; Alfred,
of Iowa; Malinda, of Mazon township,
(irundy county, Illinois: and .Sarah J., wife
of our subject. luglu children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Baker, but four died in in-
fanc}-. The others are Frank, who is now
engaged in farming in Storm Lake, Iowa;
lunery, a stock raiser of Lincoln county,
Xebraska : Stella and Ada Sigourne}-, at
home.

After his marriage Mr. liaker took up
his residence upon the farm which be had
])re\iously purchased, and fi\e years later
aiKled to it a tract of eighty acres and after-
ward one hundred and twenty-six acres
more. His landed possessions in Grundy
county now aggregate six hundred and
sixty-two acres, consisting of two hundred
and forty acres on sectitni 1 _> and one bun-
ilred and sixty acres on section 24. High-
land township; and one hundred and twen-
ty-six on section 7, and one hundred and
thirty-six acres on section k;. Goodform
townshij). He also owns one hundred and
ninety acres of imprf)ved land in N'ork coun-
ty. Nebraska, and ten lots in Dwight. In
connection with general farming he always
engaged in stock raising, but since Febru-
ary, 1890. be has made his home in Dwight
and lived retired, laying aside all business
cares.

Fraternally Mr. Baker is a member of
X'erona Lodge. No. /^~. F. & .\. M.. of
\'erona, in which he has held office. He
is idependent in politics. Noting for the man
whom he belie\es best i|ualified for office re-
gardless of party lines. He efficiently
served as commissioner of highways for
two terms of three years each and put vi\)
the first iron bridges and stone abutments

276

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Higlilaiul township during his term. For
a number uf years lie and his wife liave
traveled in the west quite extensively, and
can nnw take life easy after their early years
of toil and privations. As a business man
Mr. Baker has been remarkably successful,
and his career affords an excellent example
to the young in that he commenced life
without capital, but having a determination
to succeed he industriously applied himself
until he has acquired a handsome property,
and has also won the confidence and respect
of his fellow men in a marked deerree.

JAMES BROWN.

The career of him whose name heails
this review illustrates most forcibly the pos-
sibilities that are open to young men who
possess sterling business (jualifications. It
proves that neither wealth or the assistance
of intluenlial friends at the outset of his
career are necessary to place him t)n the road
to success. It also jjroves that ambition,
perseverance, steadfast purpose and inde-
fatigable industry, combined with snuiul
business i)rinciples will be rewarded, and that
true success follows individual effort only.
For many years Mr. Brown was actively
identified with the agricultur.d and stock
raising interests of Livingston countv, but
is now li\ing a retired life in Dwight, hav-
ing accumulated a handsome competence
through his own well directed efforts.

He was born in Oneida county. Xew
York, September 14, i<Sj<S. a .son of David
and Sophia (Mumford) lirown. the former
a native of Scotland, the latter of Connecti-
cut. When David Brown was ten years of
age he was brought to America by his fa-

ther, David Brown, Sr., a st<jcking weaver
by trade, who settled in Herkimer county,
Xew York, and in the midst of the forest
cleared and developed a farm of one hundred
acres, upon which he set out one of the finest
orchards in the country. In those early
days it often hajipened that he sold his best
aj^jjles for six cents a bushel and farmers
wciuld come from miles aroiuid to get them.
He also owned and oj)erated a cider mill,
manufacturing from two to three huntlred
barrels of cider in one season. He died at
the age of sixty-six years, his wife at the age
of eighty. In their family were twelve chil-
dren. Om- subject's maternal grandfather.
Captain William Mumford, of the Revo-
lutionary war. died at the age of about sev-
ent\. while his wife li\ed to the advanced
age of ninety-fi\e years. To them were also
born twelve children. .After reaching man-
hood. David Ihiiwn. Jr., also followed
farming and became (|uite well-to-do, being
able to give his children good educational
advantages. He died at the age of ninety
years, while the mother of our subject de-
parted this life at the age of forty- four. For
his .secon<l wife he married Cornelia Marvin,
but had no children by that marriage. By
the tirst union nine children were born,
seven of whom reached years of maturity,
namely: Charlotte, Jeanette, Mary, David,
James, John and Elizabeth. All are living
with the exception of Jeanette, and all are
residents of Xew York state except our sul>
ject.

louring his boyhood James Brown at-
tended the public schools of his native coun-
tv imtil fifteen years of age, wlien he went to
live witii his luide. James Brown, a lawyer
of Oswego, Xew York, who .sent him to
school and also assisted him in his algebra,
geometry, trigonometry. philosoi)hy and as

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Z77

ti\)ni)my at huiiic iluriiig tlie cvciiinj;s, in
this way acquiring a good education. He
was a student at the \\'Iiitesl)oro Academy,
L'tica, Xew York, for a t'nie. and after
lea\ing that institution taught school for six
winters, while through the summer months
he engaged in farming.

At the end of that time Jklr. IJrown had
saved one thousand dollars, wii^ch he invest-
ed in cattle, and for ti\e years was success-
fullv engaged in the hutcher husiness. He
then went to Wayne ounty, New York,
where he bought some dairy stock, which
he sliipped to Herkimer county, and from
that time on was e.xtensively interested in
the stock husiness, traxeling all o\er western
Xew \'orh and (,'anada huying dairy stock
most of the tiiue and shipping the same to
every stat on from Jiuft'alo and Erie.

Coming to Livingston county, Illinois,
in 1807, Mr. I'.rown purchased an impro\ed
farm of one hundred and eighty acres in
Nevada township but ditl not locate thereon
until 1869, and the first year raised nothing
as the season w-as so wet. He had married
July J/, 1866, Miss Eudora Wood, a native
of Oswego county. New Y'ork, and a daugh-
ter of Moses Wood, one of the early settlers
of that county and a successful farmer and
cattle dealer. She was the second in order
or birth in a family of twelve children, nine
of whom grew to maturity. Mr. and Mrs.
Brown had one son on coming ti> this coun-
ty, and here the family circles was increased
i)y the birth of seven other children. They
were as follows: James, who died at the age
of eighteen months; Eva, who married W'il-
bur Reed, a business man of Chicago, and
has two children, James and George; Ade-
laide, at liome; George, who is engaged in
the stock business and resides at home; Ma-
bel, who died at tlie age of tliree years; Da-

vid, who died at the age of five years;
Blanche, who is attending school in Dwighl;
and one who died in infancy.

When he located here Mr. Brown had
about one hundred steers, and being unable
to buy corn to feed them he went to Mason
county, where he purchased 'iw<i thousand
bushels and shipped to his home. He con-
tinued to feed from one hundred and fifty
to two hundred bead of cattle each year un-
til J 888, when he turned his attention to the
raisiug of blooded stock, making a specialty
of Norman draft liorses, starting in this
business with a capital of seven thousand
dollars. He \vas interested in that enterprise
until i8o~, when be retired from business,
ha\ing at that time ninety-five head of
horses. He had previously given considera-
ble attention to the raising of Poland China
hogs, shipping about two hundred each year.
He nexer sold any of the grain that he
raised ujjon his land, but i'i'.X it all to his
stock. He still owns eight hundred acres
on sections 12, 13 and 24, Xevada Jtownship,
and also has fourteen hundred acres of land
in LaPorte county, Indiana, which he pur-
chased in 1897, 'I't' which is partly improved
and cultivated. lie forniei'ly owned lands
in Kansas and Nebraska, but has since dis-
po.sed of them. He has building property in
Dwigbt, where he removed in Xovember,
1899, and has since made his honie. Start-
ing out in life for himself with no capital
his success seems almost i)henomenal. but it
is due to his own industry, enterprise, per-
severance and good management.

Mr. and I\Irs. Brown hold membership
in the Methodist Episcopal church, antl he is
identified with the Republican ])arty. but
has never taken an active part in politics
aside from voting, preferring to give his
entire time and attention to his business in-

278

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

terests. He and his wife have returned to
Xew York on \isits several times. After
a useful and honorable career lie can well
afford to lay aside all business cares and
live in ease and retirement, enjoying a well
earned rest.

SAMLEL HOKE.

Samuel Hoke, deceased, was for many
years pruminently identified with the agri-
cultural and business interests of Livingston
county, and also took quite an active and in-
fluential j)art in public affairs, especially
along educational lines. He became a
resident of the county in 1S39, cnming here
fnmi \\'illiamsbvu-g, Blair county, Pennsyl-
\ania, then a part of Bedford county, and
spent his last days in Odell.

Mr. Hoke was born in Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, -\pril 24, 1827, a son of
Jacob and Margaret Rebecca Hoke, natives
of Gettysburg, Pennsyhania, whose parents
came from (iermany to America sometime
during the eighteenth century. The father
of our subject was a soldier of the war of
18 1 2, and was a potter by trade, following
that occui)ation in Gettysburg .md AlcCon-
nellsburg, I'enn.sylvania. Samuel was the
youngest in his family of ten children, six
sons and lour daughters, of whom Mrs,
Julia Phenice, of Tacoma. Washington, is
now the only survivor.

In the common schools of his native
county Sanuiel Hoke acquired his education
and remained with his father until reach-
ing man's estate. Jn early life he learned
the trade of paper hanger and cabinet-maker
in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and for
eleven years worked at the sajiie in that
state. Taking an active part in political

affairs, he sered as deputy sheriff of his na-
tive county, school director and trustee.

On the 1 8th of April, 1850, Mr. Hoke
was united in marriage with Miss Laura
M. Kenncy, who was also born in Bedford
county, November 22, 1831, a daughter of
Alexander W. and Hannah E. (Harvey)
Kenney. Her ancestry were residents of
Pennsylvania for many generations, and
were among the first settlers of Philadel-
phia. She is only one of a family of seven
children now living.. Having received a
g\)od common school education, she success-
fully engaged in teaching for several years,
and also served as assistant in the postoftice
at Williamsburg, of which her father was
postmaster for twenty-five consecutive years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hoke were born six
sons and one daughter, namely: ( i ) Ale.K-
ander R. took a course at the W'esleyan Nor-
mal School, of Bloomington, Illinois, and
followed teaching for some time, but is iio>v
employed at the State Reformatory in Pou-
tiac. He is married and has two children,
Frank 1'. and Samuel L. (2) Hannah M.
is the wife of J. W. Houchins, who was
graduated at a college in Chicago and en-
gaged in teaching during his active business'
career, liiu is now living retired in Odell.
He owns a large amount of land in Illinois
and Nebraska. (3) William Ji. is repre-
sented on another page of this volume. (4)
Charles H., who is now living in Pontiac
and serving as deputy sheriff of the county,
was formerly engaged in the undertaking
business in Odell for some time, and has filled
the offices of constable and collector. He
is married and has one daughter, Georgetta
1 ). ( 5 ) f ieorge K.. a farmer and liveryman,
died at his home in Odell from the effects
of injuries received in the collapse of a
brick building during a cyclone in 1886.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

2/9

I le was married and iiad one daughter,
Laura R. (6) Sanuiel L., deceased, was
f^raduated at the Odeh hij^h scliool in 1885,
and the Xnrtiiern Hhnois Xorinal Scli<»)l at
Dixon in i88(), and followed teaching for
several years, hut was preparing to enter the
ministry at the time of his death in 1887.
yy) I'rank Lincoln, who lives at home with
his niciiher, has a good education and is a
harness maker hy trade. He took the gov-
ernment census in Odell in 1900.

After his marriage Mr. Hoke continued
to reside in J'ennsyhania until 1859, when
he Sold his propert}' there anil came to
Dwight, Illinois, where he was engaged in
the furniture and undertaking husiness for
six months. He then located on the farm
ir Odell township, which he had previously
purchased, it heing a tract of eighty acres
of wild i)rairie land, which now forms a
l)art of L'ninii lownshii). fie erected huild-
ings thereon, luatle many other improve-
ments, and added to his property until at
one time he had five hundred acres of val-
uahle land, nearly all improved hy himself.
During the civil war he was drafted hut hired
a substitute, and met with excellent success
in his business affairs during that period.
Although his early training htted him for
far (Hfferent work, he pros[)ered in his farm-
ing operations, lieing a man of sound judg-
ment, observant and energetic. He made a
specialty of the raising of horses and cattle,
and was wonderfully successful.

Mr. Hoke was one of the men who laid
out the school districts of Union township,
and his wife was one of the first teachers,
conducting a school in their own home, in
addition to taking care of her three chil-
dren. .She taught six months for twenty
dollars per inoiuh and with the money
thus earned purchased their first horse.

Hieirs was the third .school house of the
township, and was built on land donated by
Mr. Hoke for that purpose. He served as
school director and school trustee for many
years, and was one of the infiuential Repub-
licans of his community, with which party
his sons also affiliate. For over twenty
years he successfully engaged in farming,
and in 1880 moved to Odell, purchasing the
house now occupied hy his widow. He
sold one hundred and si.xty acres of his
land and engaged in the loan and real es-
tate business, still retaining two hundred
and forty acres of the original farm, which
is all under a high state of cultivation. At
the age of eighteen years Mr. Hoke joined
the Sons of Temperance, and was also a
member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Presbyterian church, though
he later in life attended the Congregational
church. He died at his home in Odell, May
23, 1898, honored and respected by all who
knew him. His estimable wife still carries
on the business left by him. and has met
with excellent success in all her business
ventures, being a woman of more than or-
dinary business ability and soiuul judgment.

JAV G. I;.\K.\111ZFR, M. D.

Jay G. Barnhizer, M. D., a prominent
and successful homeopathic physician of
l-'orrest, Illinois, was born in Thornhurg,
Jowa, January 11, 1S75, and is a son of
Joseph and Samantha (Stout) Barnhizer.
His paternal grandfather was Joseph Barn-
hizer, a native of Holland and a soldier of
the Revolutionary war, who lived to the ex-
treme old age of one hundred and six years.
The father was born, reared and educated

j8o

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Pennsylvania, and in early life went to
Ohio, where he married Saniantha Stout,
a native of Leipsic, that state, of whicli place
her father. Elisha Stout, was one of the
pioneers and a wealthy farmer and miller.
He was also one of the early memhers and
a minister of the Christian church. In 1874
the Doctor's parents moved to Coal Creek,
Iowa. His father had been successfully
engaged in milling in Ohio, and traded his
milling property there for a half section of
land near Thornburg. Iowa, which place he
improved and operated with marked success
until 1888, when he sold nut and moved to
California. After a short time spent in
Pasadena, he returned to Iowa and piu"-
chased a farm adjoining Sigourney, in which
town he lived until his death, which occurred
April 9. 1898. He was quite wealthy, his
capital being largely invested in stock. Re-
ligiously both he and his wife were promi-
nent members and actixe workers in the
Christian church, and practically building
the church at Sigourney. She died Decem-
ber 9. 1893.

Dr. Barnhizer obtained a good common -
school education, graduating at the higii
school of Sigourney in the class of i8()i.
and he then read medicine with Dr. F. A.
Strawbridge, of that place in 1893 and 189.1
He took his first course of lectures in the
medical department of the Iowa State Uni-
versity at Iowa Cily, in the latter year, and
was graduated at the Chicago Homeopathic
Medical College in 1898, the same year tak-
ing a post graduate course at that institu-
tion. I-'or a year he was engaged in practice
at (iilman, Illinois, and in .April. 1899. came
to Forrest and opened an ulitice. .\llhough
he has been here only a short time, he has
already built up a large and constantly in-
creasing practice, and the liberal ])atronage

he enjoys attests his skill and ability in his
chosen calling. He is examiner for the
Court of Honor. On the J4th of October,
1899, Dr. Barnhizer married Miss Eliza-
beth D. Bond, of Sigourney, Iowa, a daugh-
ter of Lorenzo D. Bond, antl the young
couple liave already made many warm
friends in their adopted city.

\VII.LI.\M T. GARDNER.

^\'illiam T. (jardner. dealer in hard-
ware, stoves, tinware, staple and fancy gro-
ceries. Chatsv.-orth, Illinois, was born near
Lawrence. Kansas, June 6, 186.2, and is a
son of jolni J. and Mary (Lambourne)
( jardner. the former a native of Scotland and
the latter of England. She is a sister of
.Mrs. D. B. Puffer, of Chatsworth. John
P. Gardner emigrated from Scotland to
Canada, where he resided for a time. He
was a coal miner in the old country, and was
engaged in that occupation for some years.
I'rom Canada he removed to Kansas where
he engaged in farming, but later came to
Illinois and located near Streator. where he
remained a short time and then removed to
Deer Park township. La Salle county ; James,
engaged in farming. He yet makes his
home in that township, where he owns a
iarni of two hundred and fifty acres. His
wife died in 1898. They were the parents
of fourteen children, eight sons and six
daughters, of whom two died in childhood,
and Emma, in 1898, at the age of nineten
vears. The living are Matthew T.. a farmer
of Pleasant Ridge township. Livingston
county; William T., the sul)ject of this
sketch: Mary, wife of Emerson Calkins, of
La Salle cwunty: John, living in Iowa Falls,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

281

Iowa: Jennie, wife ot Tiiomas Nicliolson,
living in Iowa Falls, lnwa: Fred, also of
Iowa Falls; Nellie, wife of L. Calkins, of
Der Park township. La Salle county; James,
of Vermillonville. La Salle county; Char-
lotte, wife of Roy Logan, of I^a Salle county:
Sadie and Ceoro-e. residing at home with
their father. In politics John 1'. Canlner
is a Democrat, hut has never sought or would
serve in any official capacity. Religiously
he is an .\dventist. For several years he
has lieen living a retired life in N'erniillion-
ville.

The suhject of this sketch was InU a
small child when his parents removed to
La Salle countv, Illinois, and on his father's
farm in that county he grew to manhood,
and in the district schools he reccivetl his
education. He remained at home until he
was twenty-one years of age, when he came
to Charlotte township, Livingston county,
where he engaged in farming for himself.
After remaining on that farm for two y-'ars
he went hack to La Salle county, and, in 1S85,
was marrietl to Miss Ann;i liamp>-on, who
was horn near Washington. I'enn.sylvania,
and a daughter of Lindsey and iMartha
(Earl) Ham[)son, hoth of whom were also
natives of Pennsylvania, where their mar-
riage occurred. They later moved to La
Salle county, Illinois, hut are now deceased.
They had a family of three sons and three
daughters, all of whom ;irc living, as fol-
lows: Mary, wife of William luit<in, of
Ueer Park township. La Salle county; Anna,
wife of our subject ; William. Clara, James
and Minor, all of whom are living in La
Salle coiuity.

After his marriage, Mr. ( lardner engaged
iu farming on a forty-acre tract. He re-
luained there for three years, left it, hut re-
turned and remained there five years longer.

when he was compelled to give up farming
He then moved to Chatsworth, purchased
a lot, erected a building and ojiencd up in
the restaurant and hotel business on the
15th of August, 1893. He continued in
that business very successfully until .Novem-
ber, 1898, when he closed out and put in
a stock of hardware and groceries. He
now carries a full line of shelf and heavy
hardware, stoves and tinware, staple and
fancy groceries, and is doing a good business.
Owning tjie building in which his store is
located, his expenses are light, and he can
and iloes compete with stores in the larger
towns.

To Mr. and Mrs. Canhicr ha\e been
born five children, as follows: fiertrude,
h'.dith. Edna. Ola and Leslie J., all of
whom are pupils in the public schonls. with
the exception of the last named.

In politics Mr. (iiu'dner is a Denn ciat,
and while he has invariably refused to ac-
cept public office, was elected a meiuber )f
the board of e<lucation in 1900. Fraternally
he is a member of Camp Xo. 1829. M. W.
A. He is on the working team in his camp,
and takes great interest in its proceedings.
As a citizen he is enterprising and progress-
i\e. ever willing to dd his share in a<l\ancing
the welfare of his adopted citv and county.

WILLIAM S. SKL\.\b:R, M. I).

William S. Skinner. M. I)., a prominent
and successful physician and surgeon of For-
rest. Illinois, was born in London, Ontario,
L'anada, January 20. 1872, and is a son of
deorgc R. and Hina ( Reeves) Skinner, na-
tives of the same place. His paternal grand-
father, Rev. James Skinner, a Presbyterian
minister, remo\ed from Scotland to Canada

282

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1837, and for twenty-six years was i)as-
tor of a churcli in the township of London,
Ontario. He also served as snperintend-
ent of schools for Middlese.x county a num-
ber of years, and died there about 1866.
The Doctor's maternal grandfather, Will-
iam Reeves, was a native of England, an
early settler of London, Canada, where he
followed the occupation of farming through-
out life. The father of our subject engaged
in the same pursuit, and l)ecame quite an
extensive dealer in real estate in Dakota.
He is now a resident of Manitoba, where he
conducts a large stock and grain farm. In
his family of seven children the Doctcjr is
the second in order of birth.

Dr. Skinner began his education in the
public schools of London, Ontario, and spent
three years at the Collegiate Institute. He
next attended the AX'estern Medical College,
of London, one j'ear and then entered the
medical department of the Xorthwestern
Uni\ersity. at Chicago, where he t(Jok a full
three-years' course, during which time he
was assistant to Professor McDiarmiel, who
occupied the chair of gynecology and ob-
stetrics in the Post-( iraduate School. He
was graduated in 1899 and took a competi-
tive examination for a position in the Ly-
ing-in Hos])ital. and standing third highest
was resident physician there for a time. He
then came to Forrest and opened an office,
buying the practice f>i an old physician. He
has had a remarkably successful career for
so young a man and his practice is steadily
increasing. His practice now is of a general
character, tending toward a specialty in sur-
gery. The Doctor is now a member of the
board of health of Forrest and assistant
physician for the Wabash and Toledo, Pe-
oria and Warsaw Railroads, in which ca-
pacity he does much work.

On the 4th oi Xovember. 1899, Dr.
Skinner was united in marriage with Miss
Mabel Cracraft, of Forrest, formerly o£
Wilmington. Illinois. She is a well-edu-
cated lady and has successfully engaged in
teaching school. Both the Doctor and his
wife are active members of the Congrega-
tional church, and she is now serving as sec-
retary of the Ladies' Aid Society and holds
the same office in the Eastern Star. Fra-
ternally the Doctor is a member of the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America. He is the med-
ical examiner for the L'nion Central Life In-
surance Company, of Cincinnati.

WILLIAM LOITS RABE, M. D.

\\ illiam Louis Rabe, M. D., is a skilled
physician antl surgeon of Dwight, whose
kn(jwledge of the science of medicine is
broad and comprehensive, and whose ability
ill applying its principles to the needs of suf-
fering humanity has gained him an enviable
prestige in professional circles.

The family to which the Doctor belongs
was founded in America by his paternal
grandfather, Jacob Rabe, a native of Ger-
many, who came to this country when a
young man prior to the war of 1812. His
ancestors had. for many generations been
widely known throughout Prussia, and two
of his brothers were publishers at Berlin.
On his arrival in America he located on a
tract of land near what was then the unim-
portant little town of Monongahela, Penn-
sylvania, where he spent the remainder of
his life as a farmer. There he married
and reared a family of three children, and
was a soldier of the war of 18812. Being
a temperate man and of good habits, he

WILLIAM LOUIS RABE, M. D.

Till': HlUGKAPlllCAL RECORD.

285

liveti t(i tlic extrcinc old age of one iiuiKlred
years and tbree niontlis, and preserved his
mental and |)hysical strength to a remark-
ahle ilegree. He was noted for liis indus-
try and integrity, and whetlier at iiome or
among his neighl)ors ureserxed that ecjua-
nimity of temper and well-bred manner
which at once singled him out as a gentleman
by birth and Ijreeding. Tlie celebrated
opera singers, the Rabe sisters, belonged
to the same lamily, and were widel\- known
tIn"oughout luu'ope, wiiere the_\' made a for-
tune b_\- tiieir talent, w In > in the carlv "30s and
"4OS twice crossed llie Atlantic to please and
deliglit the Gothamites with the si}ngs and
melodies of Fatiierhnul.

John !\al)e. the Doctor's father, was
liorn on the old homestead near Mononga-
hela, PennsyKania, and in the schools of
tliat locality fitted iiimself for the teacher's
profession, whicii he foilowetl for some
time, also farmed during summer. On
reaching manhood he married Miss Eliza-
beth Luce, also a native of Pennsylvania,
and to them were horn the following chil-
dren : Melesendra, wife of Dr. Henry Mor-
rison, of Pittsl)ure; Amanda, wife of Samuel
A. Frederick, of Ohio; Maria, who died at
the age of sixteen years; Hiram, a capitalist
of Clyde, Ohio; John, a physician of Mo-
nongahela, Pennsylvania; and William L.,
our subject. In 18^0 the father moved with
his family to Jefferson county, Ohio, and
jturchascd a farm, which continued to be his
home until called to his final rest in 1872.
He was a man of more than ordinary ability,
and was at once recognized as a valuable
addition to the comnumity. Religiously
he was a prominent member of the Presby-
terian church, and politically was first a
\\ big and later a Republican. As one of

'.he leading citizens of his township he was
16

c;dled ujion to fill various local ortices. lie
sought to wield a healthy infiuence over his
children, to whom he ga\e a liberal educa-
tion and encouraged them in tlie e.xercise
oi those \irtues by which they became \alued
and reputable citizens.

William Louis Rabe was born near
Steubenville. Ohio, May 8, 1839. His ele-
mentary education was conducted chiefly by
his father, an intelligent farmer and teacher.
Sul)se(iucntly he was thoroughly lr;iined in
the higher branches, first taking a course in
Richmond Colles.>'e and then matriculating in
the Cle\elanil Medical Universit)'. He be-
gan the practice of his profession at Wells-
\ ille, Ohio, the larger portion of which was
on the Virginia side of the Ohio river. Dur-
ing the civil war he .served as assi.stant sur-
geon with the Union forces, and was
w ountleil upon the occasion of General Mor-
gan's capture in Columbiana county. As
hostilities drew to a close, in comnnMi with
other industrious citizens he prepared to re-
sume the occupations of peace. For a time
his decision wavered between the adoption
of the clerical and the medical professions.
In 1862 he was chosen president of the Rich-
mond (OhioJ College, which position he
resigned after filling it two terms. In 1865
he entered both the McCormick Theological
Seminary and Rush Medical College, of
Chicago, two years thereafter receiving a
diploma from each of the institutions named.
After his graduation he was honored with
calls from the First Presbyterian church, of
Bloomington, Illinois, Mattoon. Illinois, and
LaPorte, Indiana. In 18O7 he located at
the place first named and remaineil there
nine years, when he removed to Dwight to
engage in the practice of medicine. Here
for more than twenty years he has given
faithful and effective attention to his pro-

286

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fcssional duties, and has establislied one of
tlie largest and most lucrative practices to
be found in tlie interior of the state. He is
a constant reader of the best medical litera-
ture of the day, to which he is also a valued
contributor. He is a member of the state,
inter-state and national societies, and cor-
respondent of tlie World's Medical Con-
gress. He has rei)eatedly delivered ad-
dresses before medical associations. The
following is an extract from an address
made before the Inter-State Association:
"Gentlemen or Brothers — Wise and learned
as we are supposed or ought to be — walking
or moving thesaurus of medical knowledge,
can anyone answer satisfactorily why or of
what a pain is? Why are so many so se-
riously sick? Or most of all, why do so
many die?"

Conservative in medical practices as he
is, in theorv lie is always resi)ecting and try-
ing a new remedy. He never discharges an
old soldier (so to speak) in old attire for a
recruit in costlier dress, imtil he knows the
latter can more (juickly wound or kill one
or more of the twenty-five hundred diseases
that not only afflict but by which mankind
ultimately dies. He has a bitter hatred of
artful or underhanded dealing of any kind;
is in fact an uncompromising but honest
fighter when he believes he is in the right or
has been unjustly assailed. .\ case in point
was the protracted contest which was waged
;igainst him by the Keeley Company. A
l)fist graduate of the Keeley Institute, and
ill the same time an attorney for the same,
bad him called before the United States
court for a technical violation of the reve-
nue laws. The Doctor was asked to plead
for himself and in ten minutes his case was
dismissed, the United States district at-
tiirney emphasizing the. fact by the remark :

"This is a vindication of a noble man." The
closing ])eriod of Dr. Kabe's address was as
follows: "If there is any secret oath re-
corded as 1 know on earth, and 1 trust in
heaven, it is that I am a good Templar. .\ni\
more: 1 have on my body the mark of a
wound out of which blood flowed, mure
than several drops of blood, over thirtv
years ago, in defense of a country the best
of which history gives any record. Xow
please do not even intimate when I am get-
ting old and gray and feel I am verging to-
wards the close of active life, that I should
for any cause be forgetful of the past, recre-
ant to sacred duty; in a word, be a semi-
traitor to the strong, lasting, benefiicent
government that not only protects my prop-
erty, but graciously shields and preserves
my person." The sequence of the case was
the dismissal of the attorney l)y the com-
pany, and they in turn were summoned by
the people to appear before the bar of one
of the lower and higher courts of the com-
monwealth of Illinois for actual violation of
law and good order.

In 1867 Dr. Rabe was married to Miss
Emma Clay Temple, of Bloomingt<jn, Illi-
nois, whose parents were natives of Vir-
ginia, and lineal descendants of the Parke
Curtis (^lartha Washington) f;inii]y. Mrs.
Rabe died in August. 18SS. leaving four
children: Mildred T., born July 17, 18O8.
is the widow of Leonard Howlett, of Syra-
cuse, Xew York, and a resident of that
])lace; William L., born October 8. 1869, is
connected with the Chicago iSc .\l;on Railroad
and is a resident of Washington, Illinois;
Clarence Parke, born January 10, iHyj. is
connected with the firm of Nicolas Cramer
&. Company, dealers in real estate, insurance
and loans, of Chicago; Lucy K.. born Jan-
uary Ji, 1874. is at home. All have been

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

287

provided witli good educational adsantages,
and Mrs. Hewlett studied music for two
years under Professor Phelps, of Chicago.
Both she and her sisters are singers of unu-
sual ability. The former is and has been
for several years a salaried soloist in the
I'irst Presbyterian church, of Syracuse. Xcw
^ Ork, devoting herself to concert and church
service, or engagements.

JAMES MiCOkMICK.

James McCormick. one of the early set-
tiers and highly respected citizens of Living-
ston county, who is now li\ing a retired life
in the \illage of Straw n. I'avettc lowiishi]),
is a native of this state, born in La Salle
count}-. October ji. 1S37. and is a son of
Alfred and .\manda (Dowiicrd) .McCor-
mick. His paternal grandfather was Charles
McCormick. a nati\e of Count\- Tyrone,
Ireland, who, on coming to this couiilrv at
.11 early day. .settled in Eayette canity. Penn-
syhania, where his three sons and twn
daughters were born and reared. He went
to La Salle county, Illinois, with the father
if our subject, and engaged in farming in
I'arm Ridge township for many years, but
died in Bruce township at the age of
seventy-three years. His wife, who
-urvived him several years, died in
the same place an<l was laid to rest by his
side. Alfred McCormick was born in Eay-
ette county, Penn.sylvania. about 1808, and
remained there until twenty-five years of
age, assisting his father in the work of the
farm. In 1833 he moved to La Salle coun-
ty, Illinois, and purchased one hundred and
>ixty acres of government land in Farm
Ridge townshijx whfcli ])r.ipcrty he im|)ro\ed

and made his home for about eight years.
On selling out he bought another farm in
the same townshi]). ruid li\cd there f(-r a
number of years, when he dispiised of that
place and moved to Streator, where he spent
the last ten years of his life in ret'remcnt
from active labor, dying there in i88(). 1 Ic
was a consistent member of the Methotlist
church, which his family attended, and was
a life-long Democrat, but never .sought nor
held iiublic office. Me was a jjublic-spirited
man, an advocate of all that would tend to
advance or improve the community in which
he lived. His wife survived him about three
years, and also died in Streator. Of their
eleven children, eight are still living, our
subject being the .second in order of birth.

L'ntil he attained his majority James .Mc-
Cormick lived with his parents, assisting in
the farm work and attending the common
schools of La Salle county, lie then en-
gaged in farming tor himself ui)on rented
land in that county until after the Civil war
broke out, when he enlisted at Ottawa, in
-August, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred
and h^iurth Illinois \'oluntcer liifaiUry.
At Harts\ille, Tennessee, he was taken
])risoner. and held for about six months
before being exchanged. Returning home
sick, he was finally fli.scharged at Ottawa, in
the winter of 1863.

.\fler recovering his health Mr. McCor-
mick came to Livingston county, where for
a year he worked by the month for Mr.
Morgan, one of the earliest settlers of the
Cf)unty, and for the same length of time
herded cattle where the town of Strawn now
stands. He next engaged in farming for
himself in Eayette township, and followed
that occupation continuously for twenty
years. Eor four years he was then engaged
in the liquor business in Strawn. and at

288

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Kanfjley, La Salle county, ten years, after
whicli he returned to Strawn. where he con-
ducted a saloon one year, but since that time
has lived a retired life, enjoying tlie fruits
t<f former toil. Since attaining his major-
ity Mr. McCorniick has always affiliated
with the Democratic party, and is a member
of the Roman Catholic church of Strawn, to
which his family also belong. He is widely
and favorably known and has many frientls
throughout Livingston and La Salle coun-
ties.

In Farm Ridge township. La Salle cmm-
ty, Mr. McCormick was married. February
4, 1858. to ^liss Jane Conelly. a native of
Oswego. Xew York, and the third in order
of birth in a family of ten children, seven of
who are still living. Her parents were
Michael and .Margaret (Coregan) Conelly.
Her father, who was a miller by trade, died
in Oswego, at the age of thirty years, but
her mother lived to the advanced age of
ninety and died in Fayette township. Living-
ston county. September 24. 1S99.

To Mr. and Mrs. McCurmick were born
the following children: (i) Thomas P.
died at the age of two months. (2) Ed-
ward, an engineer on the L'nion Pacific Rail-
road and a resident of Pittsburg, Kansas, has
been married three times, his first wife being
Mary Saughnessey, by whom he had four
children : James; Thomas, who died at the
age of sixteen years; William and Edna
Jane, who Ijoth died in infancy. 1 lis second
wife was Florence Lossing and In them were
b,orn two children, Ruth and Edith. His
present wife was Delia Otterman. (3)
Maggie is the widow of Thf)mas Smoot, a
telegraiih oi)erator of Strawn, where she is
now keeping a boarding house. She had three
children : Robert, Maude and Thomas, all
living; and Catherine, deceased. (4) Min-

nie is the wife of William A. Somers, of
Strawn. and they had nine children, namclv :
Frank. Elizabeth J.. Cleneva, William. Peter,
Katie. Cora. Marie and William, 2nd. (5)
Rose, the first white child born in Fayette
township, Livingston county, is the wife of
James Keeley, a farmer of Forrest township,
anil they lia\e .seven children: Edward,
•Maggie, Thomas, May. .\gnes. Teresa and
James. (6) Cora died at the age of nine
months. (7) Agnes is the wife of W. .A.
Myers, of Chicago, superintendent of the
Harlem race track. (8) Lizzie is at hnme.
(9) Teresa is now teaching in the public
schools of Sibley, and also taught in Kangley
five years. ( 10 j Katie died at the age of
two years and four months. (11) Martha
is the wife of Elmer Davis, a farmer of For-
rest township, and they have two children,
Josephine and Jane Frances,

AUGUSTUS ROBIXSOX,

Augustus Robinson, who for a third of a
century has been prominently identified with
the agricultural interests of Broughton town-
ship, Livingston county, his home being on
.section 30, is a native of Illinois, born in La
Salle county, October 24, 1840, and is a
son of James and Sophia (Ricliey) Robin-
son, who were born in Ohio, in 1815 and
i<Si8, re.spectively, and when young came to
this state with their parents, settling in La
Salle county during the Indian troubles.
There the families engaged in farming un-
der great difficulties, hauling their wheat
to Chicago markets. The grandparents of
our subject all died in La Salle county upon
land which they had taken up from the gov-
ernment. His grandfather, Nathaniel Richey.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

289

served as a private in the war of 181 2. Our
siiliject's parents were married in La Salle
ci unity and settled nn ydvernnicnt land
where they made their home throughout life,
the father dying June 2. 1899, the nK)ther
in 1864. He was a radical Kepuhlican in
politics, hut never took an active i)arl in pn-
iitical affairs, however, and hoth were earn-
est and consistent memhers of the Congre-
gational church, .\ugustus was their old-
est ciiild, the others being Priscilla. wife of
Ellison Shepherd, a farmer of La Platte,
Missouri; .\le-xander, a fanner of High-
more, South Dakota; Andrew J., a resident
of Granville, Illinois; Eva S., w'ife of R. X.
West, of Mexico. Missouri: John H.. who
is living near that place; James \'., whn lives
near (ieneva, Nebraska; and Sophia, wife
of William E. Hoke, of Odell.

Augustus Robinson is indebted to the
public .schools of La Salle county for his
early educational advantages. He remained
upon the home farm until he attained his
majority, and then enlisted in 18(12 in Com-
pany B, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. He followed !iis regi-
ment to the Cumberland mountains, where
he was taken ill and assigned to other duty.
He participated in the battle of Nashville,
and was honorably discharged in July, 18^)5.
After his return home he rented land and
lived near his parents until his marriage. In
1866 he imrchased one hundred and sixty
acres of iniimpr<>\ed land in I'roughton
township, Livingston county, but did not lo-
cate thereon until two years later. It was
canal land, which bv hard work and skill-
ful management he has transformetl into one
of the most productive and best improved
farms of the locality. As he succeeded he
added another one hundred and eighteen
acres to his farm, and now has twn hundred

and seventy-eight acres on section 30 under
a high state of cultivation. He has made
a specialty of stock raising, devoting his at-
tention principally to hogs.

Mr. Robinson was united in marriage
January 9, 1868, with Miss Alice Hayward,
who was born in county Kent. England.
August 2^. 1842, and about 1850 emigrated
to Toronto, Canada, with her parents, John
and Mary (Waghorne) Hayward. In 1866
she came to La Salle county, lllinnis. 1 ler
parents made their lH)me in Saugaluck,
Michigan, but her father died while im a
visit at the home of our subject. Mr. .md
.Mrs. Robinson have five children: (i)
William .\., who lives near Kirksville, Mis-
souri, married Edith (iilberl. daughter of
C. H. Gilbert, (if Lmingtim, lllini)is, and
they have four chiklren, lilsie G., Lael I-".,
Clyde A. and Mary A. (2) Mattie 1., who
was educated at Oberlin College, is the wife
of Dr. C. 1'. W'ikoff, a prominent physician
of Emingtim, and they have one daughter,
Alice 1'". (3) (iertrude took a course of
music at Wheaton College, and is now at
home. (4) Horace E., who o|)erates a
part of his father's farm, married .Mice
Drew, daughter of Thomas Drew, of Eming-
tiin, an<l they have two children. 1 l.uland
Drew and Irving Clare. (5) Charles .\.
i> at home.

Politicalh' -Mr. Robin.st)n is a sl.inch l\e-
public.'ui. and has held nearly e\ery (iffice
in the township, ser\ing as collect(.)r, assessor
and supervisor one term each, and school
treasurer since 1875. He takes (|uite an
active and ])rominent part in local politics,
and has l)een a delegate to state and cnunty
conventions of his jiarty. Fraternally he is
a member of the Grand Army Post of Saune-
min; and religiously is a member of the
Congregational church, of which he is treas-

290

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

urer and trustee. He is a worthy Cliristian
g'entleniaii. well liked hv all wlio know

ii.m.

ELIAS HART.MAX.

Elias Hartman, a prosperous and sub-
stantial farmer residing on section 23. Sulli-
van township, Livingston countv, Illinois,
was horn in Tazewell county, this state, July
20, 1842, a son of Peter and Agnes (Hart-
man) Hartman, who, though of the same
name, were not related prior to their mar-
riage. They were natives of Germany, and
shortly after their marriage emigrated to
the new world, locating first in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania. Not long afterward
they went to Ohio, and after a short time
s])ent in that state came to Tazewell county,
Illinois, where they were numbered among
the early settlers. There the father pur-
chased land and engaged in farming until
his death. In the family were six children :
Ann, who died young; Henry, a resident of
Tazewell county; Elias, our subject; Ben-
jamin, deceased, who spent his entire life in
Tazewell county; Sarah and Emanuel, still
residents of that county.

The subject of this review began his edu-
cation in an old log school-house in Tazewell
county, one mile from his boyhood home,
where he pursued his studies for two months
during the winter, and later walked two
miles to school through timber, over hills
and hollows. .\t intervals he attended
school through the winter as he liad oppor-
tunity until about twenty years of age, and
thus acf|uired a good practical education.
His father had died when the family was
young, and he remained at himie with his
mother until he attained his majnritv. and

then commenced farming on a small tract
of land for himself, at the same time assist-
ing in the management of the home jjlace.
In 1866 he came to Livingston and bought
a forty-acre tract of land adjoining the
eighty acres of raw prairie land purchased
by his mother, and that year broke both
places. As he was unmarried he returned
to the old home in Tazewell ctnnitv each
winter for four years, and in the spring
v.ould resinne his farming operations here.

On the 24tli of (annary. 1871. Mr. Hart-
man was united in marriage with Miss Sarah
Shelly, a native of Butler county, Pennsyl-
vania, and a daughter of Henry and .Marga-
ret (Drushel) Shelly who was also born m
that county, and spent his last days in Kan-
kakee county, Illinois. She is the second in
order of birth in a family of five children,
the others being Elizabeth, wife of Emanuel
Hartman, of Tazewell: Reinhard, a resident
of Round Grove township. Livingston coun-
ty ; Matilda, wife of .\lbert Wild, of Ogle
county. Illinois: and Mary, who died at
about the age of ten years. Of the twelve
children born to Mr, and .Mrs. Hartman
one died in infancy. The others are Mar-
tha, wife of Elias Christophel, residing on
section 12, Sullivan township, Livingston
county; Henry, who marrietl Ida Engle and
lives in Tazewell county: Peter, a resident of
Livingston county; Margaret, wife of John
Diebel, living on .section 22. Sullivan town-
ship: and John, Emanuel. Levi. Amanda,
Harvey. Reuben and Lewis, all at home.

After his marriage Mr. Hartman moved
into a house on his mother's eighty-acre
farm in Livingston county, and three years
later built his present residence on his own
land. .\ year or two after making the first
purchase he bought another forty acres, and
in Course of ten years bought the eighty

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

291

acres hcloiigiiig- to his nidihcr, so thai Iio
owiK'il all of llie nortlieast (juarter of sec-
lion 23, Sullivan lownsliii). lie has since
bouglit eighty acres on section 14. and the
southwest quarter of section jj, making
liiur hundred acres, lacking one acre, on
which the school-house is located, and the
track of the Illinois CeiUral Raihx)ad, which
runs through one quarter-section. He is a
tiiorough and skillful farmer, a man of good
business ability and sound jutlgment. and
has met with well-merited success in his
farming operations. Jioth Mr. and Mrs.
llartman are members of the Alennonite
church, of Cullom, and he is independent
in politics, voting for the men best qualified
for the positions regardless of parl\- lines.

J().SI-:i'll KIXTZ.

Joseph Kuniz, a highly esteemed and
honored citizen of Straw n, Li\ingston coun-
ty, Illinois, was burn in .\lsace, France,
July i6, i8_'5. and is a son oi .Michael and
Barbara ( Bochj Kuntz, who spent almost
their entire li\cs as farming people in Ba-
varia, (iermany, going there in iiSjij.
In their family were live children, namel\' ;
Jacob, Frederick, Joseph, .Magdalena and
Barbara.

The early life of our subject was spent
in his native land, but in i805"he crosseil
the broad Atlantic and took up bis residence
in Tazewell couiU\. llilnois, where he en-
gaged in farming until coming to Livingston
county, in iSOS. Me then purchased one
hundrcil and sixty acres on section 18, Fay-
ette township, to which he added from time
to time until be became the owner of .seven
hundred and twentv acres of rich and arable

land, basing one of the largest and best
.mproved farms in the county. In connection
With general farming be engaged in stock
raising cpiite extensively, and in all his un-
dertakings met with most gratifying suc-
cess. He has ever been fouml upright and
lionorable in all his dealings, autl the pros-
l)erity that has come to him is certainly
well deser\'ed.

( )n the 7th of .\pril, iSs'i. -Mr. Kuntz
married Aliss Barbara Meisier, who was
also burn in (iermany, September 17, 1837,
and to ihem were burn the follow nig chil-
dren : ( I ) I'eter, a resident of Fayette town-
ship, married Elizabeth Garboge, and they
have si.\ children, Joseph, William, Her-
mann. Clara, Catherine, llalliu and an in-
fant daughter. [2) Joseph, a resident of
i-drd count\', Idinois, married Elizabeth
Kanauer, and has one son, Frank. (^3) Hen-
ry, a farmer of McLean county, married
lunma Friday. (4) Mary is now the wife of
luic X. (inllberg, mentioned below. (^5)
Susan is the wife of Jlenry W'itzburger, a
farmer of h'ayette township, Livingston
county, and they have one ilaughter, Stella.
(6) Albert married Sarah Schrine and re-
sides in J'"ord count}. (7) juhn married
Lena Schrine and resiiles on the home farm
I if Mr. Kuntz. (8) Kittie married .\ndrew
Roth and they live in Ford county. (9) Rosa
married (iustnlpb Ringle. and resides in
Straw n.

-Mr. Kuntz and his family :ire de\out
members of the Catholic church, and are
people of iHi iniinence in the comnnmities
where they reside. J'olilicaly he is identi-
lied with the Democratic iiarty. and has e\er
t;iken a dee|) and cummendable interest in
])ul)lic affairs. He filled the office of road
commissit)ner two terms and schoul ilirector
for the same length of time.

292

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Eric X'. (iullberg. one oi the leading
business men of Strawn. was l)orn in the
southern part of Sweden, January i8, 1858,
a son of Xels and .Vnna (Olson) Erickson.
For about eighteen years tlie fatlier was en-
gaged in tlie manufacture- of shoes, conduct-
ing a large shop and empjovng seven or
eight hands. On retiring from that business
he turned his attention to farming, which he
followed for many years. He died at his
home in Sweden, in 1881, at the age of
sixty-live years, and the mother departed
this life in 1895, at the age of eighty-one.
In their family were six children, three of
whom are still living, namely: Peter N,
Erickson, who is now engaged in tlie shoe
business in St. Paul, Minnesota: Xellie
Erickson, who is unmarried and still resides
in Swe<len : and Eric X. Gullberg. our sul)-
ject.

Mr. (jullberg was reared and educated in
Sweden, attending the high .school of his
birth-])lace. He worked on his father's
farm until seventeen years of age, and then
entered the Swedish army, serving fi\e years
as a corporal in a cavalry regiment, and
during his vacations was emi)loyed in a
wholesale house in Sullvesbui'g. On enter-
nig the army he changed his name from
Erickson to (iuUberg, which was the name of
one of his cousins, and has since retained
the latter. In 1883 he embarked in the gro-
cery business in Pukawic, but his store was
destroyed by fire in .\ugust. 1885, and he lost
all he had. He then worked in a grocery
store until cuming to the United States
.Ajjril 15, 1890. He made his home in Chi-
cago until March, 1891, and then went to
Goodland, Indiana, where he worked on a
farm for nearly a year. On the 3d of Febru-
ary. 1892, he came to Strawn. and after
being employed a-^ a farm hand fur about

four years, he embarked in the licjuor busi-
ness in that village, which he still carries on
with good success.

On the 23d of -\ugust, 1898, in Strawn,
Mr. Gullberg was united in marriage with
.Mrs. Mary L. Benway, daughter of Joseph
Kuntz. and widow of Joseph P>enway, by
whom she had three children, all still liv-
ing, namely: .\lbert J., Oscar W. and Will-
iam J. In his ])()litical views Mr. Gullberg
is a Republican, and in his social relations is
a member of Payson Lodge, Xo. 705, 1. O.
O. P.. and Fayette Lodge, Xo. 458, K. P.,
of Strawn. He has passed all the chairs in
both orders, and is now secretary and repre-
sentative in the former and master of ex-
che(|uer in tlie latter, having held the last
named office ior the past three years. He is
also a prominent member of the Living-
ston County Li(|uor Dealers' .Association,
and has been treasurer nf the same since its
organization.

CHARLES H. HOKE.

Charles H. Hoke, chief deputy slierift'
of Livingston county, and one of the lead-
ing citizens of Pontiac, was Ixirn in L'nion
township, this county, June 2i<. 1861. a son
of Sanuiel and Laura X. (Kenney) Hoke.
The father was born in Bedford county.
Pennsylvania, and there grew to manhood
an<l learned the cabinet-maker's trade. The
mother was a native of Williamsburg, the
same state, and a dughter of a Mr. Kenney,
a well-known attorney of that jilace. Three
of their children were born in Peinisylvania
before the family came to Illinois. There
the father cunducted a large furnture and
undertaking establishment, but on account of
failing health he was obliged to discontinue

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

293

tl)c business. Selling his store, he came to
Livingston county, Illinois, in 1859, and
purchased eighty acres of land in Union
township for eight dollars per acre. In the
house he erected thereon his wife taught the
first school in the township, having pre-
viously entragcd in teaching in her native
state. He turned his attention to the im-
provement and cultivation of his land, and
so successful was he in his farming opera-
tions that he added to his place until he had
four hundred acres, two hundred and forty
acres of which is still in possession of the
family. He tiled the land and converted it
into one of the best farms of the county. He
t(K)k a prominent and active part in public
affairs, es])ecially along educational lines,
serving as a school director and member of
the board for many years. He also filled
the ottice of as.sessor for a number 0/ years,
and was a stanch Republican in politics. In
18 — he left the farm and mined to Odell,
where he lived retired until his death, in
1898. He was a faithful meml)er of the
Congregational church, to which his wife
also l)elonge<l. She is still a resident of
Odell. In their family were fi\e children,
namely: .\Ic\ander K.. a teacher who lives
in the Illinois State Reformatory; Mrs.
Margaret Houchin; William E., a real es-
tate <lealer of Odell: Charles H.. our sul)-
ject: and I'rank L.. a harness-maker of
Odell.

Our subject commenced his etlucation in
the district schools of Union township, and
later attended the Odell high school. On
leaving the home farm at the age of twenty-
two years, he went to Odell, where he suc-
cessfully conducted a livery, sale, feed and
exchange stable, building up a large and
profitable business and shipping in car-
load lots to Xew York, Chicago and other

markets. He was a fine judge of horses
and was thoroughly conversant with e\ery
department of the business.

While engaged in business at Odell Mr.
Hoke Ijecame interested in Republican poli-
tics, and was elected constable, which posi-
tion he acceptably filled for twelve years.
He was a delegate to most of the county and
state conventions of his party, and served
as deputy sheriff for Odell under Sheriff
Wilson for two years; four years uiuler T.
W'. Coe, and four years under E. O. Reed,
the present county treasurer. He was also
prominently mentioned as candidate for
sheritY in 1807, '^'t' received the second
highest number of \iites. W. L. Talbott
being the successful candidate of the se\en
in the fiekl. Mr. Hoke made a thorough
canvass and after the election was at once
appointed chief deputy by Sheriff Talbott.
Since then he has been a resident of
I'ontiac, antl now owns a beautiful home
at Xo. 610 East Madison street. In his
present position he has had charge of a
number of noted criminals, including Sam-
uel Rightsel. convicted of nnirder at I'air-
bury ; and the six bank robbers who looted
the Cornell I'.ank. He lia> piii\ed a most
efiicient and satisfactory ofiicer, being
prompt and faithful in the discharge of his
tluties and true to e\ery trust reposed in
him, whether public <<y private.

On the _'2d of April, 1893, Mr. Hoke
was united in marriage with Miss Minnie
(i. Wiirthley, of Harvey, Illinois, a daugh-
ter of Daniel W'orthley, a veteran of the
Civil war and an early settler of this state
from Ohio, who is now living retired in
I'ontiac. By this union has been born one
child, Georgetta D. They attend and sup-
port the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs.
Hoke is a member. Fraternallv Mr. Hoke

294

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is an honored member of the Odd Fellows
Lodge. Xo. 464, of Odell, of whicli he is
past grand; also a member of the encamp-
ment : tlie Court of Honor at Pontiac, and
one of the charter members of the Toilers"
Fraternitv.

ALBERT (",RA.\'T TL'TTLE.

Albert Grant Tuttle. one of the most en-
terprising agriculturists of Livingston coun-
ty, now owns and operates the northwest
quarter of section i, Saunemin township,
which he has converted into one of the best
improved farms of that localit)-. He was
born in \'erona township. Oneida county,
New York, June 28, 1845, '^"d is the only
child of Solomon and Emeline (Page J Tut-
tle. The father was born near Camden,
2\ew York, August 15, 181 5, and is a son
of Zopher Tuttle, a soldier of the war of
1812, who was born in England and on fust
coming to this country located in Connecti-
cut, where he marrieti, but later mo\ed to
Oneida county, Xew York. He followed
farming and reared a large family of chil-
dren, one of whom, Zopher Tuttle, became
a prominent pioneer of Illinois and a large
land owner, who recent)}' died in Wichita,
Kansas.

The father of our subject grew to man-
hood in Oneida county, Xew York, and in
early life was a successful boat budder on
the Erie canal. He invested his cajjital
largely in real estate and the dairy Inisiness
and made quite a fortune. He was one of
the early land owners in La Salle county.
Illinois, and for years was a director and
large stockholder of the First Xati(jnal
Bank, of Rome, Xew York. He was one
of the most influential men in his ci immu-

nity in raising money and soldiers for the
Civil war, and has always been a stanch sup-
porter of the Republican party. He scrveil
as supervisor of his township for some years,
and is one of its most highly esteemed citi-
zens. Religiously he is an active member of
the Methodist Episcopal church, to which
the mother of our subject also belonged,
has ever taken an acti\e part in -its 'work,
and is one of its most liberal supporters.
The mother died Avhen our subject was only
a few days old. She was a native of Oneida
county. Xew York, and a daughter of Xa-
th;uiiel I'aee, who at one time was a i)rom-
ment boat builder and real estate owner of
that county. He was born in England, and
before his removal to Oneida county lived
in Herkimer, X'ew York, for a time. When
our subject was two years old his father
married Sarah Bailey, bj- whom he had
three sons.

During his boyhood Grant Tuttle at-
tended the common schools of Xew Lt)ndon,
Xew \'ork, and remained at home until he
attained his majority, when he started out
to make his own way in the world, working
as a driver on canal boats for six months.
Tiie following year he steered, and then ran
a boat for one man two seasons, at tlie end
of which time he bought a boat and success-
fully engagetl in the same business for him-
self, making seven trips each season between
Buffalo and Xew York. He became well
acquainted with the boatmen along the canal,
and, when business began to drop off and
he sold his boat, he was offered a position
with a commission house in Buffalo, at good
wages, the firm trying hard to get him. In
September, 1882, Mr. Tuttle came to Liv-
ingston county, Illinois, and purchased his
present farm in Saunemin township, which
at that time was entirely unimproved. .\f-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

295

ter !)iiildiiig a small Imuse he was joined by
liis family, December u, i88j. He has
thoroughly tiled his land, which was at tirst
swampy, has built fences, a good set of farm
buildings, and a l)eautiful country home in
1895 — one of the hncst in the townsiii]). lie
has been (juite extensi\ely engaged in horse
raising, hut now devotes most of his atten-
tion to general farming, in which he has
met with well-merited success.

-Mr. Tuttle was married. October i, 1872,
to .Miss Henrietta lielcher. a native of \'e-
rona. .\ew York, and a daughter of Alex-
ander Belcher, a well-known farmer and
mill owner of that place. Oi the seven
children born to them two are ilecea.sed.
Tiio.se living are .Marcia. Wells. .Morris.
Julia and Ellis, all at home. Although form-
erly Methodists. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle now
attend and support the Emington Congre-
gational church. He is a stanch supporter
of the Kei)ublican party, but has never been
an aspirant for office, i^referring to devote
liis undivided attention ti 1 his business in-
terests. He is. however. ])ul)lic-spirited an!
progressive, and gives his influence toward
advancing any enterpri.se which he believes
will prove of public benetit.

GEORGE J. W ALTER.

George J. Walter, who has success-
fully engagetl in the manufacture of
brick and tile for the past twenty years, is
numbered among the leading and most suc-
cessful of the business men of Chatsworth,
of which city he has been a resident since
September. 1866. He was born in Xew
York city. I^ecember 5. 1852. and is the son
of fohn and Elizabeth ( Reille) Walter, the

former a native of lladen. Germany, and the
latter of Wurtemburg, Germany, but who
came to this country in early man and wiun-
anhood and were married in Xew York city,
where they lived for some years.

In his youth John Walter learned the
shoemaker's trade which he followed for
twenty-five years, after which he engaged
in the mercantile trade, in which he con-
tinued until about i8yA. since which time he
has lived a retired life. After leaving Xew
N'ork he remained for a time in Indiana,
and then came with his family to Chats-
worth, in 1866, and here has since con-
tinuetl to reside. For many years he was
one of the leading business men of the city,
and carried a general stock of goods. For a
number of years he served on the school
board of that city, and was also for sev-
eral years a member of the \-illage board of
trustees. John and I'Llizabeth Walter were
the parents of six children, two of whom ilied
in infancy, while Elizabeth died at the age of
twenty-one years. GeorgeJ. is the subject of
this sketch. Louis A . is in the lumber busi-
ness in Chatsworth. while .\lbert F. is in
the dry goods business in the same city.

George J. \\"alter was fourteen years old
when he came to Chatsworth. His educa-
tion, begun in the iiublic schools of his native
citv. was continued in the public schools
of Indiana, where, as .stated, the family re-
sided t\)r a time. On coming to Chatsworth
he entered the public schools of the place and
for about three years attended the high
school. The education received in the
schools was a practical one, and on leaving
school he entered the store of his father,
ai:d later, in company with his brother
I.ouis. took charge of the business for about
two years.

In Septemlier. 1877. Mr. Walter was

296

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

liiiited in marriage with .Miss Lena lleil-
iiiann, wlio was burn in Baden, German}, in
1857, and wiio came to this country with her
parents when Intt two years of age. By this
union there lia\e l>een l)nrn six children,
one of wliom died in infancy. Edna E. is at-
tenchng Xorthwestern College, Xaper\ille,
Illinois, where she is taking a commercial
course, and also the music and art course.
Lydia is at home attending the high school
of Chatsworth. Clara, .\rthur and Esther
are all at home.

After his marriage. Mr. Walter embarked
in the bakery business in w hich he remained
about two years with a fair degree of suc-
cess. He was then one year in the furniture
business, and in 1880 sold out and broke
ground for his present plant for the manu-
facture of brick and tile, and at once engaged
in the business. He has four kilns for burn-
ing brick and tile, and has erected large
buildings aiid sheds for drying, with a floor
space (jf nine thousand square feet. In 1881
he put in an engine of eighty-fi\e horse
power, and also two boilers of one hundred
and ten horse power. The plant has a ca-
pacity for thirty thousand brick and Mr.
Walter does the largest business of any firm
in the county, shipping his product by rail
to man)- points in and out of the county.

In politics Mr. Walter is a Re])ul)lican,
and has taken an acti\e interest in the ])oliti-
cal affairs of his country, though never an
active politician. He has been a member of
the school board in Chatsworth for seven
years, and has taken great interest in main-
taining good schooKs. Religiously he and
his wife are members of the Evangelical
As.sociation.

In his business life Mr. Walter has been
very successful. For a short time he had
a |)artner. and for about five vears his fa-

tlier was associated with him in business,
Init for the greater part of the time he has
managed it alone, and as stated does the larg-
est business of any firm in the countv in
like business, and he has the largest plant in
the county. In addition to the plant which
co\ers two and a half acres of ground, he
owns eighty acres adjoining the city on the
east. As a citizen no one is willing to do
more to advance the interests of his adopted
city and county, and as friend he is kind
and obliging, ever willing to do a good turn.
.\s such as he is entitled to a place in the
historical annals of his countv.

WALTER LEGGATE.

Walter Leggate. one of the leading agri-
culturists of Gernian\ille township, whose
fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres is
pleasantly situated on section 14. was horn
in the city of Xew York. December 7, 1853, a
son of John and Elizabeth ( I-'leming) Leg-
gate. The father was born on the 23th of
August. 1816. in Lanarkshire. Scotland,
through which county flows the far-famed
and beautiful river Clyde, and is a son of
James and [Margaret (Dalgleish) Leg-
gate, who had three children: Robert, who
served for twenty years in the British army.
and died at his home in Scotland in 1885:
John, father of our subject: and James, who
came to .America when a young man and is
now li\ing in Xew Jersey. In carl\- life
John Leggate learned the weaver's trade,
and in 1837 married Elizabeth I""leming, also
a native of Lanarkshire. In 1848. with their
lamily of four children, thev took passage
on a sailing vessel at (ilasgow. and after ten
weeks spent upon the water landed in .\ew

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

297

'Siirk city, wliere the tatlier worked at lii.s
tr;i<le tlirec _\-ears. and in a glas.s factory the
same length of time. Later lie nioxed to
Canada, and made lii.s liome near London,
until 1837, being employed in a brickyard
most of tiie time. Having sa\-efl a little
money by clo.se economy and untiring in-
dustry, he resoh-ed to invest it in western
land and came to Li\'ingston countv. llli-
r!ois. where he ])urchased eight}' acres in
( iermanville township. He |)ros])ered in his
new home, and at length became the owner
of two hundred and fort\' acres of vahialjle
land on section 10. where he is now living
a retired life enjoying the fruits of former
toil. He is a man of many noble traits of
character, and is highly respected and es-
ttemcd by all who know him. Religioush-
he is a faithful member of the I'resbvterian
church, and has always taken an acti\-e part
in church and Sunday school work. In
b.is political views he is a l\e])ublican. and
tilled the otiice of justice of the peace in his
township for many years. His wife died in
May. 1X9,^. at about the age of seventy-
eight years, and was laid to rest in derman-
vilje cemetery. She, too, was a devout member
of the Presbyterian church ruid a most es-
timable lady.

To this worthy couple were born nine
cliildren, of whom four are now living:
James, a brick manufacturer of Chicago,
w ho first married Matilda Linn, and second
-Anna Smith, of Chicago; John, an engineer
of Chicago, who married Xancy McKav;
\\"alter, our suliject : and Sarah, wife of
Owen McMahon, who operates his father-
in-law's farm in Germanville township.
Of those deceased Marion died when a small
child in Scotland ; Margaret married John
Bcckman of German\ille township, and died
in Iowa, where her husband is now engaged

ill larnung; Robert served three ^"ears in
Conii)any IC, Eighty-ninth Illinois \'olunteer
Infantry, and died in Iowa, leaving a wife
and two children; George, born in Scotlanil,
married Dora Lutson, of Germanville town-
sliip. where he followed farming for some
time, but about fourteen years ago moved
to Iowa, where he died in March, 1898, leav-
ing a widow and four children; and Archie
died in ( iermauNille, at the age of four
\ears.

Walter Leggate was only a year old
w hen the family mo\ed to Canada, and came
with them to Illinois, in the spring of 1857,
At the age of nine years he entered the pub-
lic schools of (iermanville township, where
he was educated. He continued tu assist in
the operation of the home farm until four
teen yearge ago, when he located upon his
jiresent place, and has since devoted his en-
ergies to its further improvement and culti-
vation. Politically he is identified with the
Republican party, and he has been called
ui)on to serve his fellow citizens as town-
ship ct)llector several terms and also as con-
stable. He is widely and favorably known
in his ado])tetl county, and those who know
hnn best are numbered among his warmest
friends.

On the 25th of December, 1876, in Ger-
n'.anville townshi]). Mr. Leggate was united
in marriage with Miss Ruth Ellen Mahood,
a daughter of .Me.xander and Mary (Sum-
ney) Mahood. The father, who was a
proiuinent and prosperous farmer of that
township, died in 1874. and was buried there,
but the mother is still living at the age of
seventy-one years, and makes her home with
our subject. Mr. Leggate has been called
upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife,
who died Jime i, 1897, leaving four chil-
dren, namely : John Ale.xander, born March

298

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

30, 1878; Laura, August 26, 1880; Waltcr
F., July 12, 1884; and Eva May, January
26, 1889. All were born in Livingston
countv. and the family is one of prominence
in the communitv where thev reside.

BOX. CHARLES M. BARICKMAN.

Hon. Charles M. Barickman, judge of
the county and probate courts of Livingston
county, is a native of the county, and was
born in Newtown township, December 28,
1862. His father, Benjamin Barickman, is
one of the oldest living settlers of the county,
having located bore in 1832, when a lad of
eight years. (See rketch on another jiage
of this work.)

On the home farm Charles M. grew to
manhood, and in the common schools of
the neighborhood he received his primary
education, while during his vacations he as-
sisted in the operation of the farm. With
tlie desire to obtain a more liberal education
than that afforded by the public schools, he
entered the Illinois Wesleyan University,
Bloomington, Illinois, from which institu-
tion he was graduated with the class oi
1887.

Leaving the university for the ne.xt two
years, Mr. Barickman was engaged in teach-
ing, first at Ancona and later at Cornell,
s]3ending one year in each place. During
that time, in his leisure hours and during his
vacations, he read law and made such i)nig-
ress in his studies that in 1889 he was ad-
mitted to practice in all the courts of the
state by the supreme court in .session at Mt.
Vernon, Illinois.

On his admission to the bar, Mr. Barick-
man located in Pontiac and at once entered

upon the practice of his profession. He
\ ery soon took rank with the leading prac-
titioners of the place, and became well
known throughout the county. His ability
as an attorney was recognized, and in 1894
he was nominated for the office of county
judge, and at the election in November of
that year he was elected by a majority of
about eight hundred over his Democratic
opponent. So well did he transact the
business of the office that in 1898 he was re-
nt)minated and elected by a largely increased
majority, receiving the largest number of
votes of any candidate upon the ticket, his
majority being twelve hundred and twenty-
six votes. He is now serving his second
term, and to say that his management vi the
office is satisfactory to the people goes with-
out question.

On the i6th of April, 1890, Judge Ba-
rickman was united in marriage with Miss
Rena ^I. Ten Eick and daughter of Matthew
and ]\Iary (Means) Ten Eick, of Blooming-
ton, Illinois. The judge and his wife attend
and support the Methodist Episcopal church,
< f Pontiac, and .socially they are held in the
highest esteem. They occupy a fine resi-
dence on Maplewood avenue, erected by the
Judge, and their home is ever open to their
many friends.

Judge Barickman was born dining the
time of the civil war, and grew up a loyal
citizen and an ardent Republican. His
first presidential vote was cast for James
G. Blaine in 1884, and since that time he
has ever taken an active interest in politics,
and his influence has been felt in the councils
of his partv and in the county of which he
has been a life-long resident. Fraternally
he is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 294,
A. F. & A. M. ; and of Crescent Lodge, No.
118, K. P. In the latter lodge he has held

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

299

all the chairs, and has been a representative
to the Grand Lodge of the state. He is
also a member of the Uniformed Rank, K.
P., and lias served as captain two terms.
As a citizen he is alive to all that has a tend-
ency to make the city of his adoption and
the county of his birth take rank with the
best in our fair state.

LEON.VRU LARGE.

Leonard Large, deceased, was for many
years identilied with the agricultural inter-
ests of Pleasant Ridge township, Livingston
county, Illinois, and was numbered among
its highly respected citizens. He was born
May 3, 1818, in Farrington, five miles from
Lynn, England, and there grew to manhood
on a farm, his father being empkiycd as a
farmer on an estate there. In 1S53 he mar-
ried Miss Sarah U. yihchcW, who was born
near the same place, May 4, 1829. Her
father was Freeman Mitchell, a native of
\\ ispich, England, and a blacksmith by
trade, who died when she was eight years
old, leaving a widow and four children.

For one year after their marriage Mr.
and Mrs. Large made their home in Rose-
berry, Topham, Yorkshire, England, and
then came to the United States, settling first
in Stony Rocks, New York, not far from
Auburn, where they spent four years. At
the end of that time they came to Illinois
and bought a small tract of ten acres of land
five miles from Eureka, on which a log house
was built. As his financial resources in-
creased Mr. Large added to Ills property
little by little until he had forty acres, which
he subse(|uently sold for eleven hundred
dollars. In 1870 he came t<> Pleasant Ridge

township, Livingston county, and i)urcliased
eighty acres of land on which the family
still reside. At ihat time not a fence had
been built or an imjirovement made, but he
erected a good house and barn, [)lanted fruit
and shade trees, tiled the land and placed it
under a high state of cultivation, so that it
i.i now a valuable farm.

Mr. Large died September 11, 1880,
honored and respected by all who knew him.
lioth he and his estimable wife held mem-
bership in the Episcopal church. In their
family were the following children : Will-
iam; Sarah A., deceased; Leonard, Isaac,
Thomas, Mrs. Rebecca Minear, Mrs. Martha
Druner and John, all living near Lexington,
-Xebraska; Rachel and Robert, l)oth at home.

MILES DESIRE.

Miles Desire, a farmer and stnck raisi-r,
residing on section 28, Chatsworth townshi]),
while not numbered among the early settlers
is a well known citizen of the county, which
has been iiis liume since 1876. He is a na-
tive of France, born March i. 1853. and is
a son of Casimer W. and Mary (Savorvin)
Meillian. both of win mi were also natives of
hrancc, where tlicir entire li\es were spent,
and wiiere they died about i8(y). They were
the p.arents of eight children, oi whom one
died in infancy. The li\ing are Desire, the
subject of this sketch ; .Marrius. Dennis,
b'crdinantl, Julius, Mary and Susan. Of the
children none came to this country but our
subject and Dennis. The latter is jiving in
Colorado, where he is engaged in mining.

The subject of this sketch grew to man-
hood and was educated in the ])ublic schools
of his natixe land, lie was reared t(.> farm

300

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

life and assisted his fatlier on the home farm
nntil 1873. wlien lie came to the Tnited
States, with a \iew of hettering his condition
in lite. On his arrir\al he took np his resi-
dence in Marshall connty, Illinois, where
worked as a farm hand for three \ears. He
tlien came to Livingston connty. rented land
in (iermanville township, and commenced
farming tor himself. Twn years later. Sep-
tcmher Ji, 1878. he was nnued in marriage
with Miss Martha Bevins, who was horn in
Bnrean connty, Illinois, in i860, .\fter his
marriage he continued to farm rented land
in (jerman\ille township until iS(Si. when he
moved to Chatsworth township, where he
also rented and continued to farm nntil 1889,
when he purchased one hundred and si.xty
acres on section 30. a ])arth- improved farm.
To that farm he moved and put it under an
excellent state of cultivation. tiling and other-
wise improving the place. He remainetl on
that farm for six years and then purchased
three hundred and sixty acres of swamp
and timlier land on section j8. This land
was entirly imim]>ro\ed, havin^^' neither
Iniilding or fence on the place. He has since
cleared ahout two hundred acres of timber,
drained the swamp, and now has a good
farm. The first year he raised ninety bushels
of sod C(jrn to the acre.

Mr. and Mrs. Desire arc the parents of
three children: Mary Ami. who is engaged
in flressmaking in Chatsworth: and Lizzie
and Joseph, at home. Mrs. Desire was one
of a family of four daughters and one son,
as follows: .\nnie, wife of Carl Drake, liv-
ing in Chicago: Martha E., wife of our sub-
ject; Sarah E., wife of George Pyles, now
living in Missouri : Mary A., wife of M.
Krebb, of Chicago; and Caleb E., living in
Whiting, Indiana.

When Mr. Desire came to the United

States he could not speak a word (jf the liing-
lish language, and he was seventeen dollars
in debt when he landed in Chicago. He
came here. howe\er, with the intention of
overcoming all obstacles, and that he lias
oN'crconie them this record of bis life will
attest. By his iiulustry and enterjjrise lij has
become the owner of a fine farm, well
stocked, and the future is bright l)efore
him. In addition to general farming he has
usually engaged in the stock business, not
only raising but buying and shipping as
well, and in this he has met with a reasonable
degree of success.

Mr. Desire cast his first presidential vote
for Samuel J. Tilden. but now \-otes the
Re]niblican ticket straight. He has served
as commissioner of highways for ten years,
urer of the commissioner of highways for
school director nine years, and has been tras-
the last three years. Fratcrn;illy he is a
member of the Knights of Pythias of Chats-
worth. and has been trustee of the same,
lie is also a member of the Moilei-n Wood-
men of .\nierica of Chats\V(n-lh. Religiously
be is a member of the Catholic church of
Chatsworth. He has lieen a successful man,
is well esteemed in the community which
hr.s been his home for nerndy a ipiartcr of a
centur\- and has m:in\- wai'm friends.

D.WID SHA.XTZ.

Dax'id .^liant/, who owns ;nid operates
a valuable farm of three hundred an<l twenty
acres on section 27. Sullivan township. Liv-
ingston county, Illinois, is a native of Can-
ada, bom in Berlin. Waterloo county, Jan-
uary 30, 18.46, and is a son of Isaac C. and
Elizabeth (Snyder) Shantz. both natives of

THE EIOGRAPHICAI, KF.CORIX

301

Peimsvlvania. The SliaiUz family came
oris^iiiall} from Switzerland, and were
.-imong- ilie liist settlers of Rucks county.
Pennsylvania. The tjreat-grandtatlier of
our sul)ject was Isaac Sliantz, who was horn
in .Nhnitjjomery county, that state. January
14, 1 74S. and was married, in 1774. to liar-
hara Keiff, who was horn in Scinemher,
'75,v When our suliject's father was only
tliree years old. the grandfather. L'hristian
Sliantz. took his famih' to Waterloo county,
Canada. l(U-atin_o- there when the Indians
were far more numerous than tlie whue set-
tlers. Tliere he and his wife spent their re-
maining" days. The father grew to manhood
in Canada and in early life learneil the cah-
inctmaker"s trade, i'or many years he ran
a sawmill and furniture factory at Man-
iieim. manufacturing all kinds of furniture,
hut luisfortime overtook him and he sold
out. in 1S51S he removed to ( iardner. (Irim-
cly countv, Illinois, where he engaged in
farming uuou rented land for two years,
ai.d fc r the same length of time rented land
in Round Grove and Dwight townshi])s, Liv-
ingston coimty. Coming to Sullivan town-
sliip in 1864 he purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land, for which he paid twenty
dollars per acre, it heing the farm on which
our siihject now lives. .\t the time of his
death he owned two hundred acres, a part of
which was wild prairie when he ])urcliased
it. Mis first home here was a small struc-
ture. I4\i'( feet, the lumher for which he
hauled from Pontiac. a distance of twenty
miles. While a resident of Dwight towii-
•ship he sold one horse for war ])urposes for
two hundred dollars. On first coming to
this county our suhject herded cattle on the
])rairies. hringing them from Ottawa each
spring and taking them hack in the fall. For
this he recei\cdone d tllar and a half per head

for the season, and has cared for as many
as seven hundred at one time. The father
died .'>ei)leml)er jo. 1SS3, at the age of
eighty-two years, and was laid to rest in
Sullivan Center cemetery, while the mother
died in Deccmher, 1892, at the age of eighty-
ti\e years. In their famih- were the follow-
ing children: Daniel, who died in Round
(jroxe township, at the age of twenty-eight
years, leaving twd sons, who are still living;
Lena, widow of Jacoh .\macher and a resi-
dent of Cullom, Illinois: Christian S., wlio is
now lixing retired in the same place; Eliza-
heth, who died at the age of two years;
l)a\id. our suhject: and Isaac, a farmer of
Sulli\an township.

During his hoyhood and youth David
Shantz attended school fur two or three
months during the winter seasons, and re-
mained at home until he was married. I'eb-
ruary _'5. 1893. to Mi.ss Elizalieth Wenger,
who was horn in the Shenandoah valley, Ef-
fingham count}-. X'irginia. Her parents,
Daniel and Sarah iC'offn-ian) Wenger. were
natixes of the same state, and her grandfa-
ther, nenjamin Wenger, was also a Virgin-
ian hy hirth and a planter, who in the midst
ol the timher cleared and improved a farm.
The father, who also followed the occu])a-
tion of farming, died in 1889. the mother
in 1896. They had twelve children, namely:
(lideon, Benjamin, Samuel, Daniel, .\nnie,
David, Elizabeth. Sarah. Solomon, Mary,
Moses and John. With one exception all
reached years of maturity. (Jne is now liv-
ing in Kansas, another in Michigan, Mrs.
Shantz in Illinois, and the others in X'ir-
ginia. [ohn and tw-o sisters live on the old
homestead. Mr. and .Mrs. Shantz have five
chililren: John and Sarah, who are now
attending school: .\l\-in and i-^arl. twins;
anil Marv,

302

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In 1885 Mr Shaiitz iniicliased the inter-
est of the other heirs in his tatlier's farm,
and in 1899 Innight an adjoining tract of one
hnn(h-ed and sixty acres, so that lie now has
a line farm of tln'ee lumdred and twenty
acres, wliicli is nnder a high state ol cnhi-
vation and well improved. He makes a
specialty of raising thoronghhred l)rown
Swiss cattle, and also keeps a thoronghhred
shire stallion. ••Barnie," for hreeding pnr-
poses. Since casting his tirst presidential
vote for U. S. Grant Mr. Shantz has always
supported the Kepuhlican party, hut would
never accept office, preferring to devote his
undivided attcntinn to his hnsiness interests.
He and his wife are memhers of the Men-
nonite church, and are hifj-hly respected and
esteemed hv all who know them.

WILLI. \.M -M. DULLER.

A\'illiam M. Miller, the well-known en-
gineer of tlie city water works of Dwight.
was horn in Aurora. Illinois. Octoher 25.
1855, and is a son of John S. and Celia J.
(Kennedy) Miller, natives of Fulton county.
New \'ork, where they were reared and mar-
ried. In 1854 they came west and located m
Aurora, Illinois, wdiere the father followed
his trade of stone mason until 1866, when he
removed to Dwight. Here he engaged in
contracting and did a great deal of the stone
work in Dwight and vicinity for many years,
but is now living a retired life, in his eighty-
eighth year. His wife died January 14.
1899, aged eightv years. Our suhject's
paternal grandfather Miller came of a titled
Holland family. He was i)ressed into the
British ariuy during the Rex nlutionary war
;uid hrought tu .America.

The suhject of this sketch is the eighth
in iirder of hirth in a family of eleven chil-
dren, ten sons ;ind one daughter, of win mi
the eldest, a son. died ni infancy; James .\.
enlisted, at .\urora. in the I'orty-third Illi-
nois \'olunteer Infantry during the civil war.
and after two years re-enlisted as captain
in the One Hundred and Si.xty-si.xth regi-
ment, was captured at Fort Donelson and
died in .Andersonville prison ; Charles is a
contractor and huilder of Chicago; .\ntlrew
has heen an engineer on the Wahast Rail-
road for thirteen years, and is now a resitlent
of Decatur, Illinois; Amos is a jirominent
farmer of Ford count}'. Illinois; Rohert was
for several years yard master for the Wis-
consin Central Railroad at the Rohy .street
yanls, Chicago, in w hich city he dxd in Sep-
temher, 1895; Alfred was for eleven years
a conductor on the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa
Railroad, and was killed near Walkerton.
Indiana, .\pril 20, 1899, leaving a witlow
and three children, who reside in Chicago;
Jennie is the wife of Zerum Johnson, a resi-
dent of Dwight; Joseph and Dewitt hoth
dietl of dii)htheria, aged, respectively, seven
and four years.

William B. ^Miller was hut a lad of eleven
}'ears when the family removed to Dwight,
w hich has heen his home ever since. 1 le
assisted his father in stone work until si.x-
teen years of age, when he entered the em-
ploy of the Chicae't) & .\lton K.-iilroad ;is
section hand, and in less than a year was
luade foreman. Two years were sjient in
the rounil house at Dwight. and he was then
promoted to engineer, running a local
freight from Dwight to Washington. Illi-
nois, for three years and a half. During
the hig strike of 1892 he left the ra:lro;id
and for one ye.ar was eneaged in runin'ng
a stationary engine. In i8()_^ he accejUL-d his

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

303

])resent position as engineer of the city water
works at Dwight. and lias since given liis
entire attention to tiiat work. The construc-
tion of the plant was commenced in 1892
and finished the following year, and at that
time was run 1)y steam, hut in 1897 the
Leslie E. Keeley Compan\- donated to the
city a modern Fairhank & Morse gas engine
of twenty-five horse ])ower, two Gould seven-
inch pumps witii a lift capacity of seven
tliMusand gallons ])er hnur. and a stand pipe
one hundred and twenty feet high, the upper
part of which is a still tank, fifty-two feet,
with a capacity of fifty thousand gallons.
'Ill's furnishes an am])le lire pmiection as
well as supply for general use.

On the i8tli of l-'ehruary. 1881. [Mr.
.Miller was united in marriage with .Miss
jennie Heffner, daughter of Andrew and
lane ( N'ocuni ) Heffner. Her father was a
prominent citizen and miller of Huntirigdon
count}-, I'ennsylvania. and was in t;d for his
henevolent and charitalile disiiosition. Mrs.
Miller was born in that county October 27,
i8(>o. and there our subject met her, while
on a visit to Pennsylvania. She is the fourth
in order of birth in a family of si.x children,
the others being Mary, wife of Stewart
Africa, of Huntingdon county, Pennsyl-
vania; Rachel, wlici is at home with her
mother; John, who succeeded his father in
business; Rel)ecca, at home; and Thomas,
will) is li\ing nn the old homestead. To
Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born eight chil-
dren, namely: Lawrence A., who died at
the age of twelve years; Celia J., Francis
j.. Ralphus A.. Milton ].. .Mary R., Rachel
and Rebecca.

Fraternally .Mr. Miller is a charter mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Mutual
Aid; of Hebron Lodge. Xo. 175, K. P., in
which he has filled most of the offices, and a

charter member of the Knights of Macca-
bees of Dwight, and finance keeper of the
same. He takes an acti\'e interest in the
progress and growth of his town, and by
his ballot supports the men and measures
of the Republican party.

JOHX LEGGATE.

John Leggate, one of the highly honored
and respected citi;?ens of Germanville towa-
ship, Livingston county, owns and occupies
a well-improved and highly cultivated farm
of one lumdred and si.xty acres on section
10, and has most cfliciently ser\-ed as justice
of the peace for many years. He was born
in Lanarkshire, near (ilasgow, Scotland, .-\u-
gust 25, 1816, and is a son of James and
Margaret ( Dalgleish ) Leggate, who spent
their entire lives in that country. The
mother died when our subject was only four
years old, and the father afterward married
Esther Cooper, also a native of Scotland.
He followed the occu])ation of weaving
throughout life and died at the age of forty-
se\en years. By his first marriage he had
three childrlen, of whom our subject is the
oldest. James, who is now living retired
in Patteron. Xew Jersey, also followed
weaving during his active life and has ac-
cumulated considerable i)roperty. He mar-
ried Elizabeth Watson, of Scotland, and to
them have been born six children. Robert,
the other l)rother of our subject, served
twenty years in the I'ritish arni\-, and died
at his home in .Scotland at the age of fifty
years, leaving a family of cliiklren. none of
whom ever came to this country. By his sec-
ond marriage the father had four children:
Esther. George, William and William, all
of whom died when (|uite young.

304

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John Leggate was educated in tlie pub-
lic schools of his birthplace, and in early life
learned the weaver's trade with his father,
following that occupation continuously un-
til coming to th:.' United States at tiie age
of thirty-two years. In his native land he
was married, December 29, 1837. to Miss
Elizabeth Fleming, a daughter of John and
Marian (Stuart) Fleming, life-long resi-
dents of Scotland. Her father was also a
weaver.

In 1848, with his wife and children. Mr.
Leggate sailed for .America, and spent the
first six years of his residence here in Xew
York City, where he followed his trade three
ye^rs, and also worked in a stained glass
factory the same lengtii of time. Subse-
quently he spent two years near London.
Canada, where he was engaged in tiie manu-
facture of brick, and in 1857 came to Liv-
ingston county. Illinois. He had previously
acquired some capital, being economical and
industrious, and this he invested in land on
section 10, (lermanville township, where he
now resides. .\s his financial resources have
increased he has added to his landed posses-
sions, and now owns two hundred and forty
acres of land, eighty acres of which are on
section 14, the same township. When it
came into his possession it was wild prairie
land, but acre after acre were soon placed
under the plow, a comfortable residence was
erected, good barns and outbuildings were
also built and many nther improvements
made, so that it is now one of the most de-
sirable farm of that section of tlie C(iunty.

Of the nine children born to Mr. and
Mrs. Leggate only four are now living,
namely : James, born in Scotland, is now
a brick manufacturer of Chicago. He mar-
ried Matilda Linn, by whom he had four
children, two still living, l-illie and Mancel.

His second wife was Anna Smith, of Chi-
cago. (2) John, born in Scotland, is an
engineer of Chicago. During the civil war
he enlisted in Company D. Eighty-ninth Illi-
nois \'o!unteer Infantry, but was wounded
shortly after entering the service and hon-
orably discharged. He married Nancy Mc-
Kay and has three children. Rebecca. Liz-
zie and Maggie. (3) Walter, a farmer
of Germanville township, is represented on
another page of this work. (4) Sarah is
the wife of Owen McMahon. who operates
(•ur subject's farm. Of those deceased,
Marion died in Scotland when quite young.
Margaret married John Beckman, of Ger-
manville township, and died in Iowa, at the
age of twenty-seven years. Robert, born in
Scotland, was a member of the same com-
Ijany as his brother John, and served until
the end of the war. He married Mary Sher-
man and died at the age of thirty-eight years,
leaving two children, Viola and Etta.
George, born in Scotland, married Dora Lut-
son and li\ed in Germanville townshi]) for
some time, but spent his last days in Iowa,
where he died, leaving four children. Xancv
James. \'iola and Martha. Archie died in
(iermanville at the age of four years.

Since becoming an American citizen Mr.
Leggate has affiliated with the Republican
party, and has taken (|uite an active interest
in public affairs. Since i&x) he has most
creditably and acceptably filled the office of
justice of the peace. an<l at different times
has held all of the township offices, being
schoiil treasurer twelxe years. Ujiright and
honorable in all things, he has been found
true to every trust reposed in him. whether
])ublic or private, and is accounted one of
the most valued and useful citizens of his
community. In religious faith he and his
taniilv are Presbvterians. His estimable

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

305

wife died in May, 1893, ^^ the age of sev-
enty-eiglit years, and was laid to rest in the
Ciernianville cemetery. He is now ])racti-
caily hving retired, surronnded by a large
circle of friends and acquaintances, who es-
teem him highly for his sterling worth.

ADAM SHAFER.

Adam Shafer, who resides on section 27,
Chatsworth township, has lieen a resident of
Livingston county since 1863. He was born
in Koor. Hessen, Germany, September 26,
1847. His father dying when he was but an
infant and his mother marrying again, he
was reared by an aunt until twelve years of
age. when he went to live with his mother
and step-father, Jacob Gabriel. In 1857
the family came to the L'nited States and lo-
cated in Tazewell county, Illinois, where
they remained for five years, and in 1863
moved to what was then the southern part
of Chatsworth townshij), but is now Ger-
manville township. On the farm of his step-
father our subject grew to manhood, in the
meantime receiving a limited education in
the public schools. From the time he was
old enough to follow a plow he had to do
his share of the farm work, and therefore
he became a tlmrough. practical farmer.
When twenty-one years old he left home
and for the next three vears worked as a
farm iiand, during which time he saved up
the greater ])art of his earnings and was
enabled to commence farming for himself.

In Decemljer, 1870, Mr. Shafer was
united in marriage with Miss Kathrina
Xeiding. who was born in (jcrmany in 1845.
She came to this country when twenty-three
years of age, after the death of her parents.

She had one brother and three sisters in this
country, but of the five her brother John
and her sister Martha are the only ones now
living. The latter is the wife of Henry
Brents, of Brule, Nebraska. The former is
engaged in farming in Chatsworth town-
ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Shafer were born
nine children, two of whom died in early
childhood. Those living are Christ, a pros-
perous young farmer in Chatsworth town-
ship, who is married and has three children.
He is living on his father's farm in that
township. Lizzie is the wife of Henry
Klehm. and they have two chiUlren. They
reside on a farm in Ford county. Katie is
the wife of Philip Keosner, and they live
near Chenoa. McLean county. They have
one son. Edward. Charles. Bcrt'e and Lena
yet remain at home with their father, the
sons assisting in the farm work, while the
daughter attends to the housekeeping.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs.
Shafer continued to reside on rentd land in
(iermanxillc township for live years, <luring
which time he succeeded in accumulating
sufficient means to purchase eighty acres of
])artially improved land in Chatsworth town-
ship. South of the cil_\'. To that farm they
removed, and here he has continued to reside
until the ])resent time. From time to time
he added to his possessions imt'l he now
owns twD hundred acres on section 2j. one
hundred and twenty acres on section 23 and
one lumdred and si.xty acres on section 16,
Chatsworth townshii). all of which is under
a high state of cultivation. When twenty-
one years old he had to face the world, a
y(iung man without means and the owner
of not an acre of God's green earth, but by
industry and the help of his wife, and also
that of his children in later years, he is now
possessed of a competency and can have no

3o6

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fear of the future. During the greater part
of the time in which he has been accunuilat-
ing hi.s wife was in ill health, and for much
of the time under the care of a physician.
He nexer went into the field without fear in
his heart fur the good wife at the liouse.
Xotwitiistantiing lier illness she was to him
a true helpmeet and an inspiration, and no
sacrifice but was cheerfully made to secure
her happiness. By her cheerful disposition
and loving coun.sel she assisted him in the
toils of the day. The improvements on his
farm, including the residence, and the barns,
the fences, the tiling and the orchard, is
the result of his own labors, and he has rea-
son to be proud of what has been accom-
plished. For a number of years he owned
and operated a corn sheller and a tiiresher.
which added materially to his income.

On the 24th of .\pril. 1899, -^^rs. Shafer
passed from her earthly cares to the ha\en of
rest. In the old country she was a member
of the Lutheran church, but after hsr ma
riage she united with the Evangelical Asso-
ciation, with which body she remained a
faithful and consistent member until her
death. She was a loving wife, a kind
mother and a deserving Christian woman,
beloved by all who knew her. With the
hope of a restoration to health she was taken
to a hospital in Chicago, and there under-
went a severe surgical operation, hut it was
without avail. Death claimed her, but she
was ready to go. During her long illness
she bore it all uncomplainingly, and when
the dread summons came she was ready, hav-
ing an abiding liDjie in her blessed Saxior.
and with the full assurance that in the home
beyond she would meet her loved ones, for
they are all followers of the meek and lowly
one. In her life she was an earnest and
willing supporter (jf the church, and when

able a worker in the Sunday school. Her
life was a life of good works, and it can well
be said of her, "Blessed are the dead who
die in the Lord, for they shall rest from their
labors and their works do follow them."

Like his wife. Mr. Shafer is a meml^er of
the Evangelical .Association and a firm be-
liever in the Christian religion. Politically
he is a Republican, but he is not an office
seeker. Time and again has he refused local
office that would be forced on h'm by well
meaning friends. His taste, however, did
not run in that direction. He preferred to
attend to his duties as a husband and father
and to his farm work. However, he served
as a school director for several years, but
I ml}' for the reason t'lat he was interested
in the ])ublic schools and the cause of educa-
tion. He is a citizen deservedly held in high
esteem.

REV. GEORGE HERTLEI.X.

Rev. George Hertlein. who is now liv-
ing a retired life in the village of Cullom,
Livingston county. Illinois, was born in
Bavaria. Germany, November 30. 1849, ^nd
is a son of Lawrence and Mary Hertlein,
both of whom were natives of the same
country and there spent their entire lives.
They were the parents of three children, one
of whom, Christ, died in 1897. «'t the age
of forty-five years. Elizabeth lives in Ba-
varia, and (ieorge is the subject of this
sketch.

George Hertlein grew to manhood in
his native country and was educated in the
parochial schools, supplemented l)y a four-
years' course in a theological seminary, pre-
iwring for the ministry. He was graduated
from the seminarv and ordained to the min-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

307

istry in liis native cnnntry. In i<"^77 lie
came to tlie L'nited States and located in
Iowa Cit\-. li)\va. where lie ser\ed as assist-
ant pastor of a clunTh tor six months and
was then called to the chnrch at Sharon
Center, Iowa, and for two years served as
its i)astor. tilling^ tlie tluties of the sacred
office to tlie entire satisfaction of liis pa-
rishioners, while enjoying the confidence of
tiie community at large. He was then taken
sick with infiamniation of the lungs and was
compelled for a time to aliandon the minis-
try. While yet residing in his native land
he ser\cd three years and a half in the Cjer-
man arm\', and his disahility dates hack t;>
tliat time. A half-brother. Rev. Lorenz
Schorr, preceded him to the L'nited States,
coming in 1861. He died in 1871. and our
subject took up the work wiiere his brotlier
left off.

In 1878, about one year after his ar-
rival in this country, Mr. Hertlein was
united in marriage with .Miss Mary Laul)-
pender. a native of Ohio, born in 1856, Init
wiio was then li\ing in Sharon Center, Iowa,
where the wedding ceremony was solemn-
ized. Iiy this unit)!! ten childi'en ha\e Ijeen
l)orn, two of wlioni died in infancy. Of
tliose living. Sophia is now the wife of Pi'o-
fessor L. Sheldahl, professor of iiistory and
languages in the Iowa Synotl College, at
\\'averly, Iowa. TJiey have one child,
Ciuido. Emma, at the age of eighteen,
graduated from Iowa College, having taken
the classical course. Matilda. Maiy, .\nie-
lia, Ruth a!id George- are attending school
in Culloni. Hans is the xoungc^t of the
children.

\\'hen compelled to i-elinquish his charge
at Sharon. Iowa. Mr. Hertlein emliarked in
the mercantile business at that place, in
which he leniained some vears. I!e was

also commissioned as postmaster and served
as such until 1883. Regaining his health,
he notilied the E\angelical Lutheran Synod
of Iowa, with which he was connected, that
he was again prepared to take up his life
work, and receiving a call from the church
at Cullom, he moved to the place and for
si.x months engaged in his chosen calling.
He soon found that it would be impossible
to continue in that work. and. resig!iing,
again entered into the nieixantile business,
carrying a general stock. Turchasing a
lot. he erected a building and commenced
what pi-oved a successful mercantile career.
In i8(/) he sold out his stock, having in the
tiieantimc, by gdud management and the
exeixise of good business ability and
sound judgment, acquired enough of
this world's goods to enable hi!ii to
live in comfort. He has now one hun-
dred and twenty acres of latid in Indiaiia
and one hundred and sixty aci'es in Sulli-
\an township. Livingston county, together
with some village jiroperty. hi 1897 ha
erected on his business block a good two-
story brick l)i!il(ling. well suited to the
wants of the place, and which adds mate-
rially to the business sectif)n of the town.

When Mr. Hertlein came to Culloni it
had only about one huntli'ed inhabitants. a!id
to him much of the credit is. due for the
advancement it has made in populatioti and
wealth. He assisted in securing the tile
factoi-y for the place, and went i!ito part-
nershi]) with l'. .\. ( )rima!i in the busitiess,
and they together operated it for seven years
with good success. In 1898 he sold his in-
terest to Mr. Ortman. since which time he
has lived a (juiet. retired life. givi!ig his at-
tention only to liis farm a!id his \illage
pr( iperty.

In iK)litics Ml". I Icrllein was a Democrat

3o8

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

until 1896, since wliicli time lie has voted
independently of party lines. For two
terms lie served as treasurer of the village,
and was elected village trustee, hut after
serving six months he resigne<l. He also
ser\ed as a memher of the school hoard for
several terms, and while no the board he
succeeded in having consolidated districts
No. 6 and 7. and also secured the erecticm
of a fine school building, which is an honor
to the place. The first class to be grad-
uated from the school was in June, 1900,
and his daughter Mary was mie of the grad-
uates.

.Mr. Hertleiii was reared in the Evan-
gelical Lutheran church and has ever been
an earnest advocate of its doctrines and its
polity. Since 1883 he has served as an
elder in the church, and until recently he
was treasurer of the chuich in Collum.
When he came to the church as its pastor
there was a debt of thirteen hundred dol-
lars on the building and he made it his first
duty in clear that, which he did in a short
time by securing subscriptions from its
members and friends. He later as-
sisted in the erection of the parson-
age, and since the death of its last
minister he has had the financial man-
agement of it, and has placed it in good
financial condition. He has always taken
an active interest in the Sunday-school
work, and is at present superintendent of
the school anrl also serves as teacher.
Active in whatever he undertakes, he has
met with uniform success in all things, and
to such as he the general welfare of a com-
munity depends. All esteem him as a true
Christian, a successful business man and a
good citizen, one having at heart the best
welfare of the coinmunitv in which he
livev

J. E. BANGS.

Joseph lulward Bangs, a well known
educator of this state, and the subject of
this sketch, was lx)rn in Bureau county,
Illinois, and is the seventh in a family of
eight children, five of whom are now living.
His parents were Samuel L. Bangs and
Margaret (Howard) Bangs.

The father was a native of Massachu-
setts, where his ancestors had resided .since
1624. Tliey were originally from England.
Our subject's paternal grandfather served in
the Revolutionarv war and Professor Bangs
is therefore a veritable "Son of the Revolu-
tion." In the '50s Samuel L. Bangs came
to Illinois and settled in Bureau county,
but later moved to La Salle county, which
was his home for nearly forty years. He
died in 1898 at the ripe age of ninety years,
having seen Illinois transformed from a wil-
derness to a garden. His wife, who is still
living, was born in England. She belongs
lo the well-known Howard family and is a
direct descendant from the Duke of .\'or-
folk. She possesses an unusually bright in-
tellect and now. at the age of eighty-one,
is an interesting and lovable character.

Mr. Bangs is essentially a self-made man.
His boyhood was sijent on the farm in La
Salle county, where he early learned self
sacrifice and endurance through the di.sci-
])line of hard work. .\t seven years of age
he was nut to driving a team, at nine he
drove a four-horse reaper, at fourteen he
was making a "hand." regularly, binding be-
hind a McCormick harvester. I-rom earli-
est boyhood he was a great reader and ever
anxious to secure an education, but. for nianv
years, necessity compelled him to be content
with the schooling which the three months
winter school afforded. By studving at

PROF. J. E. BANGS.

MRS. J. E. BANGS.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

311

niglit and by improving odd moments, how-
ever, he was able to keep uj) willi his more
fortunate companions, wiio conld attend
school the year around, l-'rom the age of
sixteen he earned his own spending money,
paid for iiis ciniiies and l)cMiks. and later
made his own way tinnugli scliool.

On leaving college, he immediately began
to teach, and after several years of successful
experience, he took the rigid four days' ex-
amination for a state license. This he suc-
cessfully i)assed and received the state's seal
upon his al)ility as an instructor in the form
of a state certificate, good for life.

In the same year he took charge of the
schools of Washburn, Jllinois, where he es-
tablished a course of study, doubled the en-
rollment of the high school, drawnig in pu-
pils irom outside the district until one-half
of the high schi>oi was conii)osed of tuition
pupils, who brought into the district enough
nionev to pay a good teacher's salary. He
was especially successful in holdin.g the boys
in .-chool and in sending his graduates to
c«->llege. Here he graduated a class com-
posed entirely of boys, nearly all of whom
later entered college. His school became
the inspiration of the schools of the county,
while the results of the influences for higher
education which he set at work aiuong the
people, can scarcely be estimated.

After four years at Washburn, Mr.
Bangs was called to a wider held of action
at i''airbury, where he remained eight years,
a.-; superintendent and principal of the city
schools, and a similar result is found. Diu'-
ing his administration, while the city in-
creased but a few per cent, in population, the
average daily attendance of the iiigh school
increaseil over one hundred and fifty per
cent. A large increase was also fountl
in the amount of tuititm received. .\t the

close of his work his patrons declared, "He
left the schools on a practical and tirm basis,
second to none in the state."

In 1894 Fairbury reluctantly yielded Mr.
P.angs to Pontiac, where the building of a
township high school bad opened a larger
field for the exercise of his executive abilitv.
Here his practical methods, his capacity for
details and his organizing talent brought the
school very soon into a creditable and con-
spicuous place among the educational insti-
tutions of Illinois. Every year has shown
a marked increase in the power and ihijiu-
larity of the school, in the amount of the tui-
tion received from foreign students and in the
enrollment of boys. In 1900 there were en-
rolled one hundred and fourteen boys and
one hundred and four girls, and a class com-
posed of thirteen i)oys and six girls was grad-
uated, while over twelve Inmdred and lifty
ilollars tuition was collected outside of the
thirty-six miles of free territory. During
the si.x years of Mr. Bangs' administration
he has collected and paid into the township
treasurv between five and six thousand
dollars of tuition money. 1 f the saiue
average increase continues, it can be
expected that the high school building
will be paid for by outside tuition in a little
over a-score of years. The best test of any
school is found in what its product accom-
plishes after leaving school. Judged by this
test, the township high school stands in the
front rank. Its graduates are making a
good record. In six years fifty graduates
have become teachers and as many more
of its undergraduates. .\ large number
have gone to college and an unusually large
number are succeeding in business.

By conscientious effort, the grade of the
school has been .steadily raised until the in-
stitution is now recognized by our leading

312

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

colleges and universities and Ikis a place
upon their lists of accredited schools. It is
doubtful if any township high school in the
state has made a better record in the first
si.x years of its existence than the Pontiac
high school under the d'rection of Mr. Bangs.
He has ever been found faithfully tlischarg-
ing his duties in the least pretentious ])osi-
tions as in the most important ones and his
efforts ha\c invariably benefited the school
permanently. It has been well said that
"few men naturally pi)ssess the executive
ability and talent for organization that we
find in Mr. Bangs." This is amply proven
by the fact that he has built up every school
with which he has been connected.

In addition to his work as princi]jal and
superintendent, during the past si.xteen
years. Air. Bangs has spent from three to
twelve weeks of his summer vacations, each
year, as an institute instructor or conductor,
so that his name is a familiar one in many
counties of the state, and be has justly
achieved the reputation of being a strong in-
stitute worker. In one ccjunty he has been
engaged twelve consecutive years.

Few men count more friends among
their fellow workers than does .Mr. I'angs,
for teachers recognize in him an earnest,
sincere, loyal, helpful co-laborer — one who is
working for the best in education every-
where. This was markedly shown by the
resolution of endorsement for state su])erin-
tendency given him by the Teachers' .\sso-
ciation of Livingston county, in 1898. This
resolution was seconded by teachers of every
political ))arty and unanimously adojjted w itb
cordial enthusiasm. Mr. Bangs is an ardent
Republican, and ever has been, but he never
lets party come liefore princijjle and where
be is known he commands the respect of all
parties.

He was for several years president of the
Livingston County Teachers' Association;
has served in an active manner on various
committees in the state associations; was
vice-president of the Xorthern Illinois
Teachers' Association in 1896, and is now —
1900 — one of the vice-i)residents of the Illi-
nois State Teachers' Association.

In 1898 Mr. Bangs was urged by his
friends to become a candidate for nomina-
tion for state superintendent of ])ublic in-
struction. Being engaged in teaching, be
made no canvass, but the race be made was
declared by old p(jliticians to have been most
creditable. Starting with but twenty-seven
pledged votes, by the time the first ballot was
taken he had three hundred and sixty-five
recorded for him. .\ ])rominent i)aper in
speaking of the convention, said: "Xo can-
didate ever overcame odds more rajMclly or
made friends faster than di<l Mr. l'>angs.
His head(|uarters were always crowded.
Had he started on ecpial terms with the suc-
cessful candidate there is little doubt but that
he would have been nominated."

Mr. Bangs is deeplv interested in all the
great moral, social and economic ([uestions
of the day and is ever ready to helj) in ;Lny
good cause. He has been a teacher in Sab-
bath school nearly all his mature life, was
for some seven years superintendent of one,
and is a regular attendant on dixine service.
He is a stockholder and director in the Pon-
tiac Summer Chautaufjua and h.is interests
in other public enterprises.

The principal fraternal societies claim him
as an active member. He belongs to the
Woodmen. Odd I'ellows. Knights of Pythias,
the various orders of Masonry and has
])assed through the "chairs" and been pre-
siding officer in the majority of them. 1 le is
past commander of St. Paul commandery.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

313

Kniglits Templar, a nieinber of the grand
conimandery of Illinois and of the Past
commanders' Association of Chicago. He
was active in working ui) the nniform rank,
K. P., in the county and was successively
elected first lieutenant, then captain of divis-
ion \o. 63. and later, in 1893, he was unani-
mously elected lieutenant colonel of the
Third Regiment, L'nifurni Rank. K. 1'..
which is composed of companies located at
Joliet, Seneca, Lemont. Ottawa. Kankakee,
Maz(jn. Streator, Pont!ac, F'eoria, Fairbury.
In [897 he was re-elected to this office and
has been for nearly eiglit years a held officer
of the Illinois brigade. In each of these po-
sitions he has served his brethren well and
faithfully, and they, in turn, have shown
their a])preciation on various occasions, by
testimonials of esteem and confidence.

i\Ir. Bangs is a member of the Marc|uettJ
Club and also of the Hamilton Club, buth
of Chicago, and takes an active part in ad-
vancing their interests. Without e.xception,
those who know Mr. Bangs best have always
said, "He is the right man in the right place."
aiul if his friends were to name his leading
characteristics they would say, ■"hixecutive
ability, industry, kindness, honesty and strict
integrity." Some one has said of him,
"Having successfully fought his own wav
through the difficulties which beset the poor
boy's path, he is eminently fitted to sympa-
thize with others similarly situated and to
guide them to a like profitable course of
action." As Mr. Bangs is yet in the jirime
of life we may e.xpect still greater service in
the years to come.

Mr. Bangs was married August i. 1894,
to Margaret R. Maloney. daughter oi Dr.
N. v. and Anna ( Krater) Maloney. of
Washburn, Woodford county. Illinois, of
which her father was one of the pioneers

and prominent ])h\sicians. Both parents are
now dead, the father dying in 1892 and the
mother in 1898. iMrs. Bangs is a .graduate
of i\Ionticello Seminary and was \aledic-
torian of her class. She was a remarkably
successful teacher, her work being in the
grammar school at Washburn, as superin-
tendent of schools at Rutland, La Salle coun-
ty, lor se\en years, as ])rincipal of the I'au"-
bury high school, with Mr. Bangs as superin-
tendent, and also in the Pontiac township
high school.

Mrs. Bangs was also a successful insti-
tute instructor, and was at one time the Re-
publican candidate for county superintendent
of schools in Wotnlford county. Her jjopu-
larity as a teacher was great and many
a boy and girl marks a mile stone in true
progress from the time they came under her
influence. Some one has said, "She thinks
of every one else first, herself last, or not
at all." She is a memlier of the Presby-
terian cinuch. a teacher in the Sabbath
school, an officer in the county Sunday
school organization, secretary of the .\s.so-
ciated Charities and an active sympathizer
with the unfortunate everywhere. She is a
woman of excellent literary attainments, is
a ready writer, an able critic, has occasion-
ally contributed to leading periodicals and
has assisted in the prei)aration of sc\eral
text-books.

JOSEPH Pd<OWX.

Joseph Brown, a prominent farmer, who
owns and operates one hundred and sixty
acres of valuable land on section 19. Pleas-
ant Ridge township. Livingston county. II-
Hnois, was born in Camillus. Onondago

314

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county, Xew Vurk, September ". 1S40.
His fatlier, John limwn. was hnrn in Edin-
burg, Scotland. January 2, 1810. and when
twenty years of age crossed the broad .At-
lantic anil settled in Onondago county, Xew
York, where he worked on a farm for a
time. There he married Rebecca Conklin.
a nati\e of Fulton county, Xew York,
and they continued to make their home
in Onondago county until 185C). when
thev came to Peoria. Illinois, where
the father engaged in fanning until
the spring of 1868. On our sub-
ject purchasing a tract of wild prairie
land in Eppards Point township, Liv-
ingston county, he came with him and
made his home there with our subject
in Pleasant Ridge township until his death,
which occurred Xovember 2/, 1897. The
mother, who was a consistent member of
the Methodist Ep'iscopal church, died in
1852.

The greater part of the early eilucation
of our subject was obtained in the schools
of Xew York, though for a short lime he
attended school in Peoria. In early life he
worked by the month as a farm hand for
six years. On the 2d of August. 1862. he
joined the boys in blue as a member of
Company H. One Hundred and Twenty-
second Xew N'ork N'olunleer Infantry, and
went brsi to Wa.shington, 1). C". He par-
ticipated in the battles of .\ntietam, the
Wilderness, SpottsyKania. Cold Harbor,
Gettysburg, Mine l\un. and the engage-
ments in the Shenandoah valley, being with
Sheridan at Winchester. Strasburg and
P^isher's Hill. They then joined Grant's
army at Deep Bottom, ami from that time
until the close of the war were near the
Potomac. Mr. Brown was in the front line
of battle when Lee surrendered and par-

ticipated in tlie grand review at Washing-
ton, being mustered out July 2. 1865.

Returning to Peoria, he worked in the
coal mines there for two years, and then
purchased a farm of eighty acres in Ep-
l)ards I'oint township, Livingston county,
upon which he made all of the improve-
ments, but in 1883 he traded that property
for his present farm of one hundred and
sixty acres in Pleasant Ridge township,
which at that time was only partially im-
])roved. He has since thoroughly tiled the
l)lace. using from twenty-five to thirt_\' thou-
sand tiles, has planted an orchard and erected
a good residence and barn, so that he now
has one of the most desirable farms of its
size in the township. Every foot of space
is now available for cultivation. Besides
this \alual)le farm Mr. Brown owns another
one hundred and sixty-acre tract in Ford
county, all of which has been acquired
through his own well-directed and ener-
getic efforts since 1865.

On the 24tli of October, 18O5. Mr.
Brown married Miss Emily L. .\rchdale.
of Pet)ria. Her parents, William and Sarah
( Lacey) .\rchdale, who were born, reared
.and married in Yorkshire, England, came
to the United States in 1837, being among
the pioneers of Peoria. The father died
there Augu.st 15, 1870. the mother Xovem-
ber 1. 1872. '1 o Mr. ;uiil Mrs. lirown were
born eight children, namely: William I..,
born Decemljer 6, 1866, is a resitlent of
Ford county, and has filled the office of
school director. Alice M., born October
29, 1869. is ow the wife of Edison Howe,
of Windom, Minnesota, and they have three
children: Joseph, born Februar\' 16, 1894:
Francis, born June 22, 1898; and Harry,
born December 7, 1899. Charles R., born
Xovember 24, 1872, lives in Ford county.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

315

He married Xeilie D:\y and has two chil-
dren: Emily I'., boni Xovember 5, 1897;
and ora, born September 20, 1899. Jo-
seph, born Marcii 26, 1878, is living at home
and ser\ing as school director. Edwin,
born February 6, 1881, and P'lorence. l)orn
Ma_\- 19. 18S3. are buth at Imnie.

Mr. Brown is a member of Fairljury
Post. Xo. 75, (i. A. R., and attends and
supports the Methodist Episcopal ciiurch.
In his political \ iews he is a Republican, and
has tilled the offices of road commissioner
and school director, serving in the latter
position ten or fifteen years and alwavs tak-
ing a deep and commendable interest in edu-
cational affairs. In all the relations of life
he has l)een found true t(i e\erv trust reposed
in him. and has manifested his loyalty and
patriotism in days of peace as well as in
time of war.

COXRAU TRECKER.

Among the representati\e Inisiness men
of Livingston county none are more de-
serving of representation in this volume
than Conrad Trecker, the well-known tile
manufacturer of Odell, who, through his
own well-directed efforts, has gained a
comfortable competence that numbers him
among the substantial men of his commu-
nity. He was born in Prussia, Germany,
October 2. 1850. a son of Theodore and
Elizabeth ( Franken) Trecker, natives of the
same place where the father followed the
carpenter's trade, which he had learned when
a young man. In 1852 he brought his
family to America and first located in Peru,
Illinois, where he lived four years, later
makin,a: his hoiuc in Mendota, and following

his trade in each place. In 1868 he pur-
chased one hundred and si.xty acres of land
in Union townsliip. Livingston comity,
which he developed from raw band into a
good farm and which he successfully oper-
ated until Iiis death, dying in 1886, at the age
of sixty-three years. He was a self-made
man. ha\ing no capital when he came to this
country. In politics he was a Democrat, and
in religious views both he and his wife were
Catholics. She died in 1897, at the age
of sixty-nine years, and the pro])erty in
liiion townshij) was then divided among
the children. The family consisted of the
following named: William, a shoemaker of
Cabrey, Illinois, died in 1884; Conrad is next
in order of birth; Peter, a farmer, died in
L'nion township in 1881 ; Joseph is engaged
in farming in that township, and owns a
half interest in the tile works of which our
subject has charge; Katrina is the wife of
Charles Sieberg, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
Elizabeth is the wife of John Cheslie, of the
same city: Ellen died at the home of her
sister in Kankakee, in 1887; CiuMstina is
the wife of Peter Kcttwich, of Peru, Illi-
nois; and Theodore is the owner oi a ma-
chine shop in Milwaukee, having learned
the trade when young.

Conrad Trecker received only a limited
common-school education, and during liis
boyhood he worked at farming and at the
carpenter's trade with his father. After liic
latter purchased a farm our subject devoted
his entire time and attention to its cultiva-
tion until twenty-two years of age, and then ^
commenced operating rented land on his
own account. He was married, in 1875. to
Miss Nettie Meyer, who was born near
Sandwich, Illinois, September 29. 1855.
Her i)arents, Henry and Elizabeth Meyer,
nati\es of Germanv, moved to Li\in,tistor.

316

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

■county when she was but a small child. She
was the eldest of their eight children, the
■others being W'illiam and Herman, both
farmers of Union township, Livingston
county ; Albert, of Odell township ; Adeline,
wife of George Miley, of Odell; Martha,
wife of William Bowers, of Odell ; Norman,
who died at the home of his father in Iowa,
in 1898; and Frank, a resident of Sunbury
township. Livingston county. The mother
is deceased, but the father is still living and
makes his home in Iowa. To Mr. and !vlrs.
Trecker have been born the following chil-
dren: Theodore, who assists his father in
his business; Elizal)eth, who died in infancy;
Katie and Nettie, both at home; Joseph,
who died April 30, 1900; Addie, at home;
Henry, who died in infancy; Annie, Mary
and Conrad W'illiam, all at home. The
children have had the advantages of a high-
school education.

After his marriage Mr. Trecker con-
tinued farming and also managed and owned
a corn sheller and threshing outfit. He
commenced handling machinery at the age
of eighteen years, and met with excellent
success in that branch of his business, doing
more work along that line than any other
man in the community. He still owns an
interest in an outfit, but does not ]:ersonally
attend to the business. In 1881 he pur-
chased eighty acres of land in Union town-
ship, which he sold two years later on his
removal to ( )(lcll. and boui^iit a half interest
in the old brick and tile yard, then operated
by horse power. New buildings were
erected, steam power put in, as well as pat-
ent kilns, and the manufacture of tile was
carried on on an extensive scale for live
years. During the following two years
Mr. Trecker engaged in the hardware and
implement business, and at the end of four

years he and his brother Joseph purchased
the tile factory, which he now conducts in
a most profitable and satisfactory manner,
doing a business w hich has amounted to as
much as twenty thousand dollars per year.
In the meantime he added to his land posses-
sions until he now owns two hundred and
eighty acres of land, all under cultivation,
and now divides his attention between tile
manufacturing and farming. W hen he
started out in life for himself he
had no capital, but being a good man-
ager, he has met with excellent suc-
cess in his labors, and he is today
one of the substantial citizens of his com-
munity. For the past three years he has
given considerable attention to the raising
of brown Swiss cattle for dairy and beef
purposes, owning some of the first brought
to this part of the country. They were pur-
chased by him at Roberts, Illinois, being
imported stock from Switzerland. Mr.
Trecker is a Democrat in politics, but has
never found time to accept or hold any
office. He and his family are members of
the Catholic church of Odell, and he is also
connected with the ^lutual Aid Insurance
Comi)any.

HERMAN E. SIEGERT.

No better illustration of the character-
istic energy and enterprise of the typical
German-American citizen can be found than
that afforded by the career of this gentle-
man, the well-know n proprietor of the elec-
tric light plant of Dwight. Illinois. Com-
ing to this country with little capital except
his abilities, he has made his way to success
through wisely-directed effort and l;e can

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

317

now look back witli satisfaction upon past
struggles.

Air. Siegert was born May _'6, 1S30, in
Neudam, Badenburg, Germany, in which
country his parents, Gotlieb and Sophia
(Siegert) Siegert, spent their entire lives.
]Iis father was a paper manufacturer of
Xcudani-by-Custrin, where lie was Imrn. and
he inherited the factory from the grand-
father of our subject. He did tiuite an im-
pDrtant business, wliich he continued up to
the time of liis death. He died in 1836,
at the age of forty-tive years, and his wife
departed this life in 1861, at the age of
al)out sixty-one. Ihcre were two other
children in their family, namely: Amelia,
who married and died in Germany ; and
Hannah, wiio is the wife of Frederick Mil-
ler, a printer of that country, near the old
home.

Herman E. Siegert, the only son, re-
mained with iiis mother until twenty-two
years of age. At the age of sixteen he com-
menced learning the miller's trade at Ouart-
.^llan, where he spent four years, and then
worked as a journe}inan miller and mill-
wright in various places for seven years.
Jn June, 1857, he sailed from Bremen on
the Asia, a sailing vessel, which, after a
voyage of seven weeks, landed him in Xew
Vnrk. He proceeded at once to Chicago,
and from there to Somonauk, Illinois, w here
he was engaged in erecting a steam gristmill
for a Mr. Bli.ss, and remamed in that town
for two years, working at the carpenter's
trade. From there he went to Morns, Illi-
nois, where he engaged in building a mill
and operating it for five years.

While there Mr. Siegert was married,
in October, 1863, to Miss Magdalene Born-
man, a native of Hohenvard, Saxon Wimer,
Fisenher, the i)lace wiiere Martin Luther

was imprisoned. She came to America
with her cousin and lived with relatives in
Morris, Illinois, until her marriage. By
this uniiin were bcirn seven children, of
whom live live, namely: St)pliia, who was
born in 1864, and is now the wife of Leon-
ard G. Halm, a grain dealer of Dwight;
George, who was born in i8f)5, and is now
a resident of Los Angeles, California: John
C, born in 1868, and Henry E., born in
1870, who now have charge of their father's
business: and Herman C, born in 187J, a
minister oi the Lutheran church at I'lpe
Stone, Minnesota; Anna and Mar}, twins,
born in Jul\-, 1869, (.lied at the age of about
six months.

On leaving Alorris, Mr. Siegert moved
to Channahon, Will county, Illinois, where
he leased a gristmill and successfully oper-
ated it for two years and a half. On the irt
of April, 1867, he came to Dwight, and in
company with Michael Hahn boLight the
old stone mill at that place, where he car-
ried on business m partnership for ten years,
at the end of which time Mr. Siegert pur-
chased his partner's interest and operated
it alone until 1891, when he put in an elec-
tric light plant, the first in Dwight. As the
latter business increased in importance and
the (.lemand for more light, he ga\'e up mill-
ing at the end of three years and converted
the okl stone mill into his present electric
light plant. This is supphed with a Cor-
liss engine of one iuindred and seventy-five
horse-power, three dynamos, one for arc
and two for incandescent lights, there being
thirty arc lights used in the town and
t\vel\e hundred incandescent lights. His
sons, John C. and Henry E., now atteiul to
the active business.

Mr. Siegert has a comfortable lu>me in
Dwight, erected by him in 1871. In poli-

318

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tics he is independent, and in his sucial re-
lations is connected with the Indeijendent
Order of Mutnal Aid. He and liis family
hold menihership in the Lutheran church,
and he has ever taken an active part in its
work, serving as an officer of the church
for many years. For the success that he
has achieved he deserves great credit, it
heing due entirely to his own industry, per-
severance and good management, and he lias
not only won a comfortable competence, hut
has secured the high regard of all with whom
he has come in contact by his upright, hon-
orable life. He spent the spring of 1900
in visiting old friends and the familiar
scenes of his Ijovhood home in Germanv.

KXXO FLESSXER.

Enno Flessner, who is engaged in the
general mercantile business in the village of
Cullom, Livingston county, has been a resi-
dent of the county since 1888. He was born
in Ostfriesland. province of Hanover, Ger-
many, February 15. 1856, and is a son of
Joannes and Almuth Flessner. both of whom
were born in the same province and there
spent their entire lives. They were the par-
ents of five children, of whom one died in
childhood. Helena is. the wife of Jerre
Gulmers. and they live in Charlotte town-
ship. Livingston county, where lie is en-
gaged in farming. Gretciien died in the old
ciiuntry. Enno is the subject of this sketch.
Herman died in (iermany. The father was
reared to the mercantile business, which he
followed during life and in which he met
with gratifying success. He was also the
owner of a farm, which was operated by
hired help, he devoting his time to his mer-
cantile business.

The sul)ject of this sketch was reared in
his native country and received a good high-
school education. At a \ery early age he
entered his father's store, and when not in
school was generally assisting in the store.
At the age of twenty he went into the
army and served three years with his regi-
ment in Berlin. Returning home at the
expiration of his term of service, he there
remained until 1883, when he resolved on
emigrating to the new world.

Leaving his native land. Mr. Flessner
crossed the ocean and came direct to Liv-
igston county. Illinois, to first visit a sister.
He remained here for two years, and then
went to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he
engaged in fanuing for two years. While
residing in that county, in 1886, he was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ricken,
a native of Illinois, born in 1865. of Ger-
man parents. Six children have come to
bless their union: — John. George, Alma.
Fred. Charles and Marie. Ihe four first
named are attending the pui)lic schixils of
Cullom.

.\fter his marriage, Mr. Flessner con-
tinued on the farm in Iroquois county
until 1887. when he returned to Livingston
county and located in the village of Char-
lotte, where he formed a partnership with
Mr. Bruns erected a store Iniikling and put
in a general stock of merchandise. Tl;e
business was conducted one year by the firm
with good success, when Mr. Flessner s.ild
out to his partner, and in 1888 moved to
Cullom, where he rented a building and put
in a .small stock of goods. As the volume
of his trade increased he enlarged his stock,
and now carries a very complete line of
dry-goods, groceries, ladies' and gents' fur-
nishing goods. (|ueensware. and in fact
everything contained in a general store

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3'9

suited to tlie wants of tlie cnninuinity. lie
has met with gratifying success and has a
trade of which the more pretentious ukm'-
chants of a larger town might well l)e
proud. He owns a neat, nindern residence,
which he has lately erected, and is acknowl-
edgeil as one of the leading and successful
husiness men of the place, one worthy of
the confidence and respect in which he is
held.

In politics Mr. Elessner is a Rcpul'licin.
He has been a member of the town board fur
several terms, and as a member of the board
has taken achanced views in everything
where the best interests of the peop'e were
at slake. He was on the committee on per-
manent sidewalks and advocated the policy
iif having the best suitable for the place.
In the spring of 1900 he was elected r. mem-
ber I if the school board. He is a nieniijer
of the E\angelical Lutheran church of Cul-
lom, and has been one of its trustees, and
is now serving as treasurer of tlie church.
Interested in the work of the church, he has
always contributed generously of his means
for its support.

JOEL W .\LLACE \VHn\\nRE, M. D.

Joel Wallace W'hitniire, M. D., of Forrest,
Illinois, is one of the leading physicians of
Livingston county and surgeon for both the
\\'abash and Toledo, Peoria and Warsaw
Railroads. He was born in Aletamora,
Woodford county, October 25, 185 1, and
is a son of Dr. James S. and Sidney (Rob-
inson) Whitmire. The father was born in
\irginia. in 1821, and in childhood removed
to Ohio with his parents. The grandfa-
ther Whitmire was a tanner and currier by

trade, and on his remo\ al from Sidnev,
Ohio, to Virginia, Cass county, Illinois, took
witii him a stock of leather, which he con-
verted into boots and slu)es for the early
settlers. As a minister of the New Light
church, he also preached at that place (or
some time. Later he became identified
with the Christian church, and always took
an acti\e part in church work. His last
days were spent in Johnson count}', Texas,
(^ur subject's father, Dr. James S. Whit-
mire. Iiegan the study of medicine with Dr.
Kyle, of Alaconib, Jllinois, and later was
graduated at the old Illinois Medical Col-
lege, in Jacksonville. In 1846 he settled at
Mctamora, Illinois, where he engaged in
practice until 1851, when he took his degree
at Rush Medical College, Chicago. He
returned to practice in Metamora, and later
took a third course at JeiYerson Medical Col-
lege. Philadeli)hia. During the Civil war
he served as assistant surgeon with the Sixth
Illinois Regiment of cavalry one year, and
was then transferred to the Eifty-sixth Illi-
nois Infantry as surgeonof Greene B. Raum's
regiment, with which he remained until after
the battle of Vicksburg. when he took charge
of his brother's private practice, allowing
the latter to go to Springfield and serve as
examining surgeon. He was one of the
most prominent ])hysicians and surgeons of
his section oi the state, and was also a prom-
inent charter member of the Woodford
County Medical Society and the North Cen-
tral Medical Society. The State Medical
Society had only been organized a short
time w hen he joined it, and he has served as
its vice-president a number of times, and
was president for the first two, and an ex-
tensive writer for medical journals thrt)Ugh-
out life. Socially he was a member of the
Grand .\rniy of thfr Republic and the Ma-

320

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sonic order. He died in July, 1897.
C^ii tlie 4tli of July, ]S4C). he married Miss
Sidney Kubinson, a native of Morgan coun-
ty, Illinois, and a daugliter of Joel Rubin-
son, an early settler of tliat county, for-
merly of Ohio, where the families had been
intimate. The Robinsons were also from
A'irginia. At his death the father of our
subject had three living children.

Dr. Joel W. \\'hitniire acquired his early
education in the sciiools of Metamora and
later attended the Soldiers' College at Ful-
ton, Illinois, and then Eureka College for
two years, linishing the junior .year. He
commenced the study of medicine with his
father, and took his first course of lectures
at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in the
winter of 1874-5, graduating from that
noted institution in the spring of 1877. It
is a peculiar fact that the father had two
brothers who read with him and graduated
from the same school, and also three sons
and one nephew. The other sons were Dr.
Clarence L., who was engaged in practice
at Sublette, Illinois, and later at Waverly,
Iowa, where he died; and Dr. Zach-
ariah Lincoln, of L'rbana, Illinois, who died
in 18(^9. After his graduation our subject
was engaged in practice with his father for
eight years, and then came to Forrest, where
he has successfully followed his chosen pro-
fession for fifteen years, being acknowl-
edged one of the l)est and most skillful phy-
sicians and surgeons in the eastern part of
the county. For some years he has been
surgeon for the Wabash and Toledo,
Peoria and Warsaw Railroads, and his duties
were quite arduous when their shops were
located in Forrest. He is also a member of
the examining board for jiensions, of which
he is treasurer; has been a member of the
board of health some years, and was the

first to inaugurate the .strict quarantine of
certain contagious diseases. He is e.xam-
irier for all the old-line life insurance com-
panies doing business in Forrest, and for
a time was engaged in the drug business at
that place. Fraternally he is an honored
memlier of the Woodford County, the
Xorth Central and the State Medical So-
cieties.

In September. 1877. Dr. Whitmire mar-
ried Miss Laura Xorthcott. of Christian
county, a relative of Lieutenant-Ciovernor
Xorthcott, and to them have been born two
chiklren, Mary Maude June and Sidney.
The family have a beautiful home in the
west part of town, and attend the Christian
churcli. of whicli Mrs. Whitmire is a mem-
ber. The Doctor affiliates with the Ma-
sonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 1 Ic
joined the last named fraternity at Mata-
mora and was past grand there. In ])olitics
he is an ardent Republican, and has fre-
c|uently been a delegate to different con-
ventions of his party, including the state
conventions, and has served as a meml)er
of the township board.

IIOX. MICHAEL CLEARY.
11(111. Miihael Cleary, who is represent-
in the twentieth district as a member of the
General Assembly of Illinois, and who for
more than a cpiarter of a century has repre-
sented his township as a member of the coun-
ty board of supervisors of Livingston coun-
ty, was born in Clonmell, county Tipperary,
Ireland, February 9, 1840, and is a son of
Philip and Mary (Heflferman) Cleary, the
mother being a cousin of Colonel HefTer-
man. of Bloomington, who served on the
staff of Governor Altgeld.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

321

Pliili]) Cleary was a farmer in county
Tipperar\', Ireiand, on a place wliich had
been the himie uf tlie family for many gen-
erations. Hearing so much of tlie great
United States, and with that laudable desire
to better provide for his family, he emigrated
witli tliem to this country in 1840, landing at
Philadelphia on the 25th of May, our sub-
ject being then but a few months old. From
Philadelphia he went direct to Youngstown,
Ohio, where he found employment, with
others, in digging tiie Hocking Valley canal.
1 le remained at Youngstown one year and
then came to Illinois, locating at Spring
Creek, now Spring Valley, Bureau county,
where he engaged in farming. In 1845 ^^^
moved to Grundy county, Illinois, and was
working on the Illinois canal when it was
opened up the second time. He continued
to work on the canal until its completion,
in 1X48. when he located near Ottawa, La
Salle county, and again resumed farming.

While residing in Bureau county Philip
Clarey hauled his grain to Chicago with oxen.
There were there no liridges and all the
streams had to be forded. The grain was
development of the home farm and in due
the wagon the more easily and carried across
the sloughs when the oxen stuck in the mud.
Clothing for the family was all home-made,
and all were thankful for what they coulJ
get. The family were among the first Cath-
olics to locate in Bureau county, and they
liad to go to Peru to attend religious services.
While residing in Ottawa, in 1861, thej
mother died, and in 1868 the father came
to Livingston county and made his home
with our subject until his death, in 1884.
He was a firm believer in the Catholic relig-
ion and gave liberally for the support of the
Catholic church.

When the familv moved to Ottawa our

subject was ab(jut eight years old. From
that time on he was of assistance in the
time was thoroughly conversant with the
details of farm work. He was educated in
the schools of Ottawa, but the l)ri:)ad gen-
eral information which he now possesses was
principally obtained in the school of ex-
perience. Like a dutiful son, he remained
at home and assisted his parents until he
was twentv-one years old, when he began
life for himself, and that his life has been
a .successful one is fully attested by the
record here given.

On the 14th of .\ugust, 1865, Mr. Cleary
was united in marriage with ^liss Ellen
Burke, of Sandwich, Illinois, but a native
of county Tipperary, Ireland, and daughter
of Jeffrey Burke, who was also born in coun-
ty Tipperary. By this union ten children
were born, all of whom are yet li\ing. Will-
iam P. is now a druggist in Odell, Illinois.
Hon. John M. graduated from the law de-
partment of the Wesleyan University, of
Bloomington, with the degree of LL. B.
He is now one of the leading attorneys of
Kansas City, Missouri, and is a member of
the legislature of that state. Katherine.
Alice. Ellen and Lillie are each graduates of
the best convent schools of the country.
Frank. Albert. Joseph and Leo are engaged
in farming. All of them have had good ed-
ucational and other advantages.

Immediately after his marriage Mr.
Cleary rented a farm near Ottawa, Illinois,
and engaged in general farming and stock
raising. With limited capital. Init with un-
liounded courage and steadfast determina-
tion, he began farming, and in three years
he accumulated means sufficient to purchase
a farm for himself. In 1868 he came to
Livingston county and purchased the south
half of section i, Odell township, and at

322

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

once began its impro\ement. Tlie lanJ was
in its virgin state and the first thing neces-
sary was tlie erection of a house for his fam-
ily. This (lone, he set out a hedge fence,
broke tlie ground and cammenced tilling the
soil. That first three Jumdred and twenty
acres he yet owns, but he has added to his
possessions until he has thirteen hundred
acres in the vicinity, all of which it under
the highest state of cultivation. Being a
broad guaged man he has ever been willing
to learn and to ad(jpt any theory or sugges-
tion that seemed best, and which would in-
crease the value of his farm and possessions.
He constructed the first ditches for drain-
ing in his \icinity, and also laid the first
tile, hauling the same a distance of fifteen
miles. In 1879 he moved "out of the old
house into the new." At that time he built
and now occupies one of the finest houses in
Livingston county, and which, when erected,
was far superior to any. The large elegant
parlors, with their furnishings, would grace
a modern city home.

Mr. Cleary has also one of the finest
barns in the state, which was erected about
the same time that his house was built. It
is occupied by grain bins and by his horses,
being used for cattle, while the second story
is occupied by grain bins and by his horses,
and the third floor for agricultural imple-
ments and liay. lie has bins for six thou-
sand bushels of oats, and from the bins,
by means of .six)uts, the grain is carried
to the basement. He has also large cribs for
corn, of which a great quantity is always
kept on hand for feeding purposes.

While carrying on general farming Mr.
Cleary has been especially interested in the
importation and breeding of the best grades
of cattle and hogs. He had the first Poland
China hogs in the county, and did much to

secure the general introduction of this breeil,
to the great benefit of all farmers. He al-
ways has upon his place a large number of
short-horned cattle, which he feeds and pre-
jjares for the market. He has been one of
the most successful farmers in the county,
being thoroughly progressive in all things.
While others complained of the times and
of Providence, he worked, and the result
is plainly to be seen. In addition to his Liv-
ingston county property he owns a half-
section of well improved land in Iowa, and
a full section in South Dakota.

In politics Mr. Cleary has always been
a Democrat and since he attained his ma-
jority he has always taken an acti\e interest
in political affairs. He has never been able
to see the necessity of leaving political af-
fairs to the professional men and to the ward
politician, but believes that every man should
take such interest in public matters as will
ele\ate politics and make better citizens.
Since coming to Livingston county he has
had large influence in moulding public opin-
ion and in the dissemination of Democratic
])rincii)les. He has served on the county cen-
tral committee of his party and has repeat-
edly been a delegate to its state conventions.
In 1892 he was one of the Cleveland electors
and had the honor of being a member of the
electoral college that elected a president, an
honor that comes to but few.

Although in a Republican township Mr.
Cleary, in 1874. was elected to represent it
as a member of the lx)ard of supervisors,
and from that time to the present has been
continuously re-electerl. and is now the old-
est member of the board in point of service.
His influence on the board has always been
felt and for many years he served as its
president. When not chairman of the gen-
eral lioard he has usuallv served as chairman

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

323

of some of its most important committees.
During liis first year tlie wection of the pres-
ent court house of the county was com-
menced, tlie old building having been de-
stro\-ed by fire July 4, 1874. He has been
chairman of the county farm committee, and
of the public property committee, and in
e\ery position he has acted fur the best good
of the public. L'nder the «e\v revenue law
creating a board of public re\iew, he was
chairman of that board in 1899.

In 1882 Mr. Cleary was elected a mem-
ber of the legislature and was re-elected in

1884 and in 1886. During his first term
he introduced into the house the i)resent
farm drainage law, which was supported in
the senate by Hon. George Torrance. In

1885 he secm^ed the passage in the house of
a bill to regulate charges in the stock yards,
which was known as the stock yards bill,
but it was defeated in the senate, for the
rca>iin that that body seemed more friendly
t'l cnrpnraticins. In 1887 he secured the pas-
.sage of the game bill for the protection of
wild fowl, which bill passed the senate and
became a law. .After an interval of ten
years Mr. Cleary was again nominated by his
jKirty and was elected to the legislature. In
the session of 1898-99 he introduced a bill
into tlie bouse limiting the rate of interest
in the state to five per cent. The monied in-
terests were too strong for him and the bill
failed of passage. It will be seen, however,
that when a member of the General Assem-
bly Mr. Cleary was an active one, and all
his acts were in the interest of the ])eople.
His principal work has lieen in the committee
room. l)iit whether in committee or on the
lioor of the house he has always e.xerted
a commanding infiuence.

Realizing the benefits of a good educa-
ti n Mr, Clearv has alwavs been a friend

of the public schools, and for many years
served as a member of the school board,
and it is safe to say that his infiuence was
always for the general good and for im-
proved methods. While Catholic in re-
ligion, he is liberal in his views, and is will-
ing to grant to others the same liberty he
asks for himself in religious aft'airs, and he
numbers among his strongest friends those
of the Protestant religion. For the erection
of churches he has ever been a liberal con-
tributor, it mattered not what the denomina-
tion represented. He is a member of St.
Paul's Catholic clnuxdi of Odell. and was
the treasurer of the committee i>f fue who
built and paid for the church before even a
priest had located there. He was one of
the first members of the Catholic church in
his vicinity. His wife and family are also
members of the same church.

For nearly a third of a cenlur\' Mr.
Cleary has been a citizen of Livingston
county, and no man within its borders is
better known, or who has more earnest,
steadfast friends. With few advantages in
his youth, and starting in life for himself
with \ery limited lueans, he has labored
early and late, in sunshine and in shade,
until to-day he is numbered among the most
prosperous residents oi the county, sur-
rounded by all the comforts and many of the
luxuries of life, and more than all, by a
contented and happy family, a loving wife;
who has been a helpmeet indeed to him, and
children hel])ful to him as age creeps on.
In the years that have jia.sesd he has not
selfishly gi\en his entire time and best ener-
gies to the material welfare of himself and
family, but has given much time and his
best thoughts to the general good of the
comnuuiity in which he has lived. As a
member of the county board o* supervisors,

324

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and legislative halls, he has made his mark,
and the confidence and respect in which he
is held hy those who know him best is at-
tested by his continual re-election to office.
A thorough, progressive and energetic
farmer, a wise legislator, a good, substan-
tial citizen and a faithful friend, such, in-
deed, is Hon. Michael Cleary, of Living-
ston countv.

AAROX JAMES BEXXETT.

Aaron James Bennett, a representative
farmer of Avoca township, Livingston coun-
ty, was l)orn in the house now occui)ied hy
him, February j8, 1865, and is a son of
John and Rachel (Shaw) Bennett, both of
whom were born in Cape May, Xew Jersey,
and in early life UKJved with their respective
parents to Ohio, l)ut after spending one
winter in that slate the families went to
Indiana, settling near Rossville. It was
there that the parents of our subject were
united in marriage, and there the father be-
gan a successful career as a farmer and also
did teaming from Chicago to Lafayette, In-
diana. In 1852 he came to Livingston
county, Illinois, and rented land in Avoca
township for three years. I Ic llicii pm'-
chased one hundred and twenty acres of
government land, which is now a part of the
old homestead farm. By hard work and
untj^ing perseverance he converted this w'ild
tract into a fine farm, adding to its value
by erecting modern buildings, fencing, til-
ing and otherwise improving the same. He
also purchased other land until he now owns
a half-section, which has nearly all been
imi)roved by himself or under his direction.
In 1888 he purchased a comfortable home

in Fairbury, where he now resides, and
where his wife died in 1890. In politics
he is a stanch Republican, and being a well-
educated and popular man, has been elected
to numerous offices in his township, serving
as collector some time, supervisor six years,
and trustee of the school district a number of
years.

The subject of this sketch is the seventh
in order of birth in a family of eight chil-
ilren, the others being as follows : Sarah,
who lives with her father in Fairbury; Ma-
rian, wife of Joshua Alills, of Springfield,
Illinois; W. Scott, also at home; John E.,
a resident of Thawvdle, Illinois; George
II., a resident of Bell Prairie township;
F.nnna, wife of John Mitten, an employe of
Walton Brothers, of Fairbury; and Mary
].)., at home.

Aaron J. Bennett attended the district
schools near his boyhood home, also took
a course in the public schools of Fairbury,
and later w as a student at Onarga for a few
months. He grew to manhood upon his
father's farm, assisting- in its operation until
he attained man's estate, and he now rents
the place, being successfully engaged in the
cultivation of two hundred acres. He is
also interested in stock rsiising, which he
finds quite profitable.

In 1888 Mr. Bennett was united in mar-
riage with Miss Clara Davis, who was born
in Ohio in 1868. Her parents, Eben and
Dorothy (Maurice) , Davis, still reside in
that state. Clara is the oldest of their four
children; Rose is the wife of Fred Liedolf,
of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Edward is a resi-
dent of Lima, Ohio; and Harry is a mem-
ber of the Fourth United States Infantry,
and is now with the army in the Philip|)ines.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have two children:
Walter R.. born June 20, 1889: and Rachel

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

325

D., born July 22, 1890, are botli attending
tlie district school.

By his ballot Mr. Bennett supports the
men an<l measures nf iJie Rcpnhhcan partv
and is an active worker at tlie polls, looking-
alter the voters of his districe. For nine
\ears he served as .school director, as school
trustee two years, and was then ap|)ointe(l
scl'.ool treasurer, which position he now
iiolds. 1 le has never sought otiice, but when
elected has serveil the people faithfully and
well. He is upright and honorable in all
iiis dealings and supports church work, l-,eing
a nicinher of the Methodist Episcopal church
of Fairbury, as is his wife. Fraternally he
is a member ui the .Mutual .\i(l Society of
Fairburv.

TIIO.MAS J. O'COXXOR.

Thomas J. O'Connor, a well-to-do and
successful fanner residing on section 6,
Ciermaiuille township, Livingston county,
is a native of Illinois, born in La Salle coun-
ty. .March ly, iSoi. and is a scm of Tinidthy
and Margaret (.Murphy) O'Connor. The
father, a native of Ireland, came to the
I'nited States at the age of nineteen, and
lived for some years in Xew York state
betore coming to Illinois. He engaged in
farming near Ottawa, La Salle county, un-
til the fall of i8f)<S, when he moved to Liv-
ingston ciiunty, taking up his residence in
Charlotte township, where he purchased a
farm of eighty acres. Later he added to it
until he had one hundred and sixty acres,
and successfully engaged in its operation for
some years, but is now living a retired life
in Chatsworth, where he located in the spring
of 1892. He made all of the improvements
V on his place and transformed the wild

land into a highly productive farm. His
wife is still living, as are also five of their
si.\ children, our subject being the oldest.

During his Ixivlmiid and ynuth Tin mias
J. O'Conner attended the public .scIkjoIs, and
remained at home with his parents, assist-
ing in the work of the farm, until they re-
moved to Chatswcirlh. He served as clerk
of Charlotte township seven years, and al-
wavs took a deep and cummendable interest
in public affairs. In the spring of 1892 he
remcjved to (iermanville townshi]) and
bought the farm of one hundred and si.xtv
acres which is now his home. He has since
made man\- improvements on the place, and
has one of the most desirable farms of its
size in the township. He is now serving
as town clerk of (iermanville, and has al-
ready become pnimineiuly identified with
the interests of that section 'li the county.

On the 2(jth of October, 1887, in Chats-
wdrlli, Mr. O'Connor was uniteil in mar-
riage with Miss Julia Murphy, a daughter
of Patrick Murphy, of La Salle county, who
is now engaged in farming in Chatsworth
townshii). I'"i)ur children bless this union,
whose names ;uul dates of birth are as fol-
lows: Emmet, April 17. 1889: \'era, De-
cember 27, 1890; Lucile, April 2. 1892;
and Julia, September 8, 1898. The first
two were born in Charlotte township, the
others in (Iermanville township.

THOMAS AXDKIiWS.

Tliomas Andrews, of Pontiac, Illinois,
is now living a retired life in the enjoy-
ment of a rest which he has truly earned
and richly deserves by reason of his indus-
trious efforts of former years. .\cci>m-

326

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

plishment and progress ever imply labor,
energy and diligence, and it was these fjuali-
ties which enabled our subject to rise from
tlie ranks of the many and stand among the
successful few. He is one of the highly
respected citizens of Pontiac, and his long
residence in Livingston county and the
acti\e [tart he has taken in its development
well entitle him to representation in its his-
tory.

Mr. .\ndrews was born in Stamford,
Lincolnshire, England, October i6, 1844, a
son of James and Elizabeth (Plowright)
Andrews, natives of the same place. In
1855 the family emigrated to the United
States and located near Tonica, La Salle
county, Illinois, where the father worked
and rented property for some time until he
accunnilated enough to purchase land, ex-
periencing all the hardshi])s and trials oi
pioneer life. On landing in this state he
had but five dollars remaining and a wife
and si.x children to support. They received
twenty-five dollars at Clexeland, sent them
by ^Irs. Andrews' sister, but, having lost the
address of the man who was to identify him,
Mr. Andrews found considerable trouble in
securing the money. It was during the panic
tha the located here, which made it much
more difficult for him to secure a start, but
after a few years of hard work he was able
to purchase three hundred and twenty acres
of wild land from the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company by having enough money to
pay the interest on the amount, but going
in debt for the principal. He would shell
corn with a small sheller, and after hauling
it to Cridley over \ery bad roads would
only receive ten cents jjer i)ushel for the
crop. Steadily and persistently he worked
his way upward to success, jjaying for his
place and transf(.>rming it into a fine farm.

with good and substantial buildings sur-
rounded by trees, while the land was ])laced
under a high state of culti\ation. He en-
gaged in stock raising in connection with
fanning and became (juite well-to-do, though
he at first thought he would feel indepenil-
ent if he ever got a good team of his own.
He was recognized as one of the leading
men of his community, and was called upon
to serve as highway commissioner, school
director and fill other local offices of honor
and trust. Religiously he was a Congre-
gationalist. He died upon his farm Au-
gust 6, 1883. leaving a family of nine chil-
dren, of whom our subject is the oldest.
He gave each of his sons forty acres of
land, which they have since traded so that
it might all belong to a few of them. The
mother died Octolier 30, 1899. She would
h.ave been seventy-four years oi age liad she
li\ed until the following February.

'J'homas Andrews received his educa-
tion in the schools of his native land, his
school tlays being over when he came to this
country, for, being the oldest in the family,
he was obliged ti help in their support.
On account of his youth he was discouraged
from entering the army during the civil
v.ar. He remained with his parents until
])asl the age of nineteen years and then went
to Eureka, Illinois, where he worked four
months. Returning to Tonica, La Salle
county, he rented land, and while there was
married, May :. 1866, to Miss Mary E.
Brady, a daughter of James and Elizabeth
(Moore) Brady, natives of Brown county.
Ohio, of which her paternal grandfather
was t)ne of the pioneers. Her grandfather,
Moses Moore, spent his entire life there as
a farmer, and there iier parents also died,
the mother when Mrs. Andrews was only
two months old. .ind the fiuher ;i few vears

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

327

later. He was a blacksmith by trade. She
was raised by an aunt, with whom she came
to Tonica, Illinois.

Of the se\en children born to Mr. and
]\Irs. Andrews, three died in infancy. Those
living are James H., a business man of Grid-
ley, Illinois, who married Alinnic Settle and
has four children, Thomas, Amy E., Henry
and an infant; Sarah Ann, who married H.
L'. Grant, of Ellettsville. Indiana, and has
one child, l^elos Andrews; Susan Elizabeth,
who married Joseph Solon, of Graymont,
this county, and has four children, Elorence,
Helen, Duane and Evaline; and Mary Eva-
line, who is teaching in the puljlic schools
of I'ontiac. The children all receivetl good
educations, the father having left the farm
and moved to town for that i)urpose.

In the fall of icSGcS .Mr. Andrews Imught
eighty acres of land in Rock Creek town-
ship, which he improved and paid for in six
years, and then sold, buying one hundred
and sixty acres of land east of I'ontiac in
1875. 1 his land was entirely unimproved
and \ery wet, on which account it was con-
sidered very undesirable property, but he
tiled it and to-day has one of the best farms
in I'ontiac township. He erected thereon
a good residence, substantial outbuddings,
set out shade trees, and made manv other
impro\ements which add greatlv to its
\alue and attractive appearance. Lea\ing
tlie farm, which he still owns, he mo\ed to
Cayuga, where he was successfully en-
gaged in merchandising for some years
and a resident for eleven years, but since
1893 'i''^ li\ed in I'ontiac, haxing built a
pleasant residence on North Main street.
He has owned property in Cayuga, but sold
it, and now has two hundred acres of im-
l)rove(l rich land near Hamlet, Indiana, nt)t
far from South I'.end. In improving two

farms for himself and aiding in the develop-
ment of his father's place he has materially
advanced the interests of his adopted coun-
ty and promoted its prosperitv. He and
his wife are active members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and are honored and
highly respected by their fellow citizens who
appreciate their sterling worth atid many
excellencies of character.

\\'ILLIAM E. IinKE.

William E. Hoke, a well-known real-
estate dealer of Odell, Illinois, \\a3 born in
Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, October 2,
1856, a son of Samuel and Laura N. (Ken-
ney) Hoke, and a grandson of Jacob Hoke,
who was of old Pennsylvania stock and a
soldier of the Revolutionary war. The
father was born in McConnellsburg, Peim-
sylvania, April 12, 1824, and when a young
man learned the trades of cabinet-maker and
painter at Gettysburg. In 1859 he brought
his family to Livingston county. Illinois,
and purchasetl a farm four and a half miles
southeast of Odell.

On that place our subject grew to man-
hood and atended the common schools of the
neighborhood. Being injured at the age
of fourteen years and unable to engage in
active labor, he entered the Odell high
school two years later, and later engaged
in teaching school. At the age of twenty-
to years he became a student at Lincoln
Cniversity, Lincoln. Illinois, but his health
failed before he had completed the course
and he was obliged to give up stutlx . He
then taught school until twenty-foin-. when
he was appointed postmaster at Emington,
during President Hayes' administrat:i>n. at

328

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

which time the town was started, ami he
completed the .-second huildiiig- in the i)lace,
opening- a hardware st<M-e there. He
also named the town in linnor (if the wife
of the owner of the land on which it was
located, her name heing Emma. .Vs the
first postmaster he installed the office and
got it in good running order, l)ut at the end
of two years his health again failed and he
was compelled to resign his office and sell
his business. He had built uj) a good trade
and was doing a successful business. He
then went to Pella. Iowa, for Herbert
Spencer & Company, to (ipen a hanlware
store for \'an Houten Brothers.

\\'hile there JMr. Hoke was married,
March 23, 1882, to Miss Sophia Robinson,
who was born in La Salle county, Illinois,
]\Iarch 25, i860, and was there reared and
educated. Her father, James Robinson,
of Peru, Illinois, was also a native of La
Salle county, a representative of one of its
oldest families, and spent his last tlavs nn the
homestead taken up from the government.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoke had three children :
Laura M., who was born .\])ril 13, 1882,
and died at the age of two years: Harry
Harvey, born January 13. 1884; and Albert
E., born October 4, 1885. '1 he sons are
still in school. The name of Harvey is an
old one in the family, it being the maiden
name of Mrs. Hoke's maternal great-grand-
mother, who traced her ancestry back to
Lord Harvey.

After eight months spent in Iowa, Mr.
Hoke returned to Livingston county, Illi-
nois, and rented his father's farm near Odell
for three years. He met with success in
his farming operations, but was cri])pled by
barbed wire, which resulted in blood poison-
ing, and he lost all he had in his efforts to
save his life. In 1888 he li>cated in Oilell,

where he has since engaged in the real-
estate business, and has been remarkably
successful in that undertaking. He has
handled a large amount of western property
in Iowa and Minnesota, and his patrons, who
are mostly his friends, ha\e been well satis-
fied with their investments. He has sold
many thousand acres of land, in one year
disposing of twenty-one thousand acres, and
has secured good homes for hundreds of
people, whom he has sent to those states.
Since Iniying a home for himself in Odell
lie has invested every dollar he could get
in western lands, and now has over one thou-
sand acres in two different tracts in Wright
and Hancock counties, Iowa. He is a wide-
awake, energetic business man, of progres-
si\e ideas and indomitable enterpr.se, and
his success is certainly well deser\ed, for he
has had man}- difficulties to overcome. In
politics he is a strong and active Republican,
and has served as a member of the school
board, though he cares nothing for political
honors. Religiously he supports the Con-
gregational church.

W II.I.IA.M 11. TAYLOR.

William H. Taylor, the present well-
known and efficient highwaycon-in-iissionerof
Dwight township, and a resident of the town
of Dwight, has through his own e.xertions
attained an honorable position and marked
prestige among the representative men of
his conununity, and with signal consistency
it may be said that he is the architect of his
own fortunes, for he started out in life for
himself at the age of nine years and has
since made his way in the world unaided,

Mr. Taylor was born in Lancastershire,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

329

England. March 9, 1843, ^ son of James and
Betty (Mills) Taylor, also natives of Lan-
castershire, where the father followed the
blacksmith's trade for many years. In early
days during the gold excitement in Califor-
nia, he came to America and crossed the
plains to the Pacific slope, where he spent
two years, meeting with fair success in his
mining operations. His brother-in-law,
Robert Mills, who went with him to Cali-
fornia, died a millionaire in that state a
couple of years ago. After returning to
England from California Mr. Taylor brought
his family to the United States and located
ill Pittsburg. IV-nnsyhania, where he
worked at his trade for the i'ennsylvania
railroad many years. There he spent the re-
mainder of his life, dying at the age of sev-
entv-six vears. His wife survived him about
two years. They were the parents of eight
children : Elizabeth, William, John, Rachel.
Ellen. James. Charles and Delia, all of whom
reached mature years and all arc still Hving
with the exception of James. Our subject
is the only one living in the west, the others
l)eing still residents of Allegheny county,
I'ennsylvania.

William H. TayK)r was a mere lad on
the emigration of the family to America.
He attended school at Pittsburg, but at the
age of nine years he commenced earning his
own livelihood, and ever afterward supported
himself. Jn early manhood he went to In-
diana, and worked on a farm in l)e Kalb
county for a few years. Ert)m there he went
to Chicago, where he found employment in
the stock yards about two years, after which
he returned to his old home in Pennsylvania
and remained there about a year, when he
again went to Chicago and worked in the
stock yards a year. In 1866 he came to
Livingston county. Illinois, in the employ of

a Mr. McPherson, for whom he had worked
in Chicago, it being his intention to remain
only thirty days, but he has now been here
o\er thirty-three years. He continued to
work for Mr. McPherson four years.

On the loth of December, 1868, Mr. Tay-
lor married Miss Lydia H. Grub, a native of
Blair county, I'ennsylvania. and a daughter
of Da\id Grub, who never crmie west. To
our subject and his wife were born four chil-
dren, namel}' : William j.. the eldest, who is
engaged in farming in Dwight township,
married, first, ]\'Iaggie Jenkins,who died leav-
ing one child, Rebecca, and for his second
wife he married Catherine Debby Morris.
Charles and .\nnie are both at home. The
youngest, a daughter, died in infancy.

After his marriage Mr. Taylor rented his
present farm in l^wigbt tnwnsbi]) for several
years, and in 1873 ])urchascd twenty acres,
to which he later added until he now owns
eighty acres, all now within the corporate
limits of the town of Dwight. Formerly
he gave considerable attention to the raising
of stock, making a specialty of thoroughlired
animals, and for a luimlier of years he dealt
in stock, selling principally to the local ship-
pers.

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and politically he is identified with the Re-
])ul)lican party. He was a member of the
village board during the Dwight boom, and
i< ir the past sixteen years has most efficientlv
and satisfactorily served as road commis-
sioner of Dwight township. With one ex-
ception he has built all the bridges in the
township, and has made many other improve-
ments along that line. He is pulilic-spirited
and progressive, and takes an active part in
all enterprises calculated to prove of public
benefit.

330

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

THOMAS HUGHES.

Thomas Hughes, now hving a retired Hfe
in Dwight, Illinois, is a man whose success-
ful struggle with adverse circumstances
shows what can be done l)y industry and
economy, especially if a sensible wifo sec-
onds his efforts to secure a home and compe-
tence. Born of poor parents, he was obliged
to make his way in life without any of the
aids which are usually considered essential
tij success.

Mr. Hughes was born in county Mayo,
Ireland, in 1841, a son of Thomas and Mary
(Dowd) Hughes, who spent their entire
lives in that county, the father being em-
ployed as a herder on a large estate. Our
subject left home at the age of thirteen years
and came to the L'nited States with iiis uncle,
JamC'S Hays, who was mate on a sailing ves-
sel. He landed in New York and from there
went to Long Island, where he found em-
ploymont with a farmer and market gardener
near Flushing. His employer was a Mr.
Bayton, a Pennsylvanian by birth, and with
him -Mr. Hughes remained until he attained
his majority, receiving little more than his
board and clothes for his seven years" labor.
At the age of twenty-one he went to Xew
York City, where he worked as a labcjrer
for two years, and in 1864 he came to Chi-
cago, where the f(jllowing two years were
passed, during which time he assisted in lay-
ing the pipes for the city water works. He
ne.xt found employment at the docks unload-
ing vessels, and followed that occupation for
five years.

On the 25th of December, 1868, in Chi-
cago, Mr. Hughes married Miss Margaret
Higgins, a daughter of Francis and Mary
(Brady) Higgins. To them have been born
.seve:i children, namelv : Francis, now an elec-

trician of Seattle. Washington : John H.. who
married Julia Dunn and lives on the home
farm in this county; Xellie ^I., a successful
and popular teacher of Livingston and
(jrundy counties; Emma, who is clerking in
the store of Gordon Brothers of Dwight;
Julia, a graduate of the Dwight high school,
and now a successful teacher ; and two who
died in infancy.

In the fall of 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes
came to Dwight, where her father had lo-
cated some four years previous. Here, in
partnership with his brother-in-law, our sub-
ject engaged in farming for two years, and
then rented one hundred and sixty acres of
land from F. O. Caldwell in Round Grove
township, operating that place nine years.
Jn 1 87 1 he made his first purchase of land,
consisting of one hundred and si.xty acres
on the northeast quarter of section 23. Round
Grove township, which was all raw land, en-
tirely unimproved. Here he erected an
humljle home, sixteen by twenty-four feet,
with a kitchen twenty by fourteen fest. He
planted fifty acres of flax and broke all but
six acres of his land the first year. During
the ten years he resided thereon he placed
the land under a high state of cultivation,
and in connection with general farming en-
gaged in stock raising, feeding usually from
one to two hundred head of hogs. In Feb-
ruary, 1889, he bought a tract of thirty-six
acres of land just east of Dwight, and located
there in order that his children mitrht have
better educational advantages. He lived there
two years, cultivating his little farm, and in
1889 bought one acre of land in the village,
upon which he erected his present beautiful
home at a cost of five thousand dollars. It
is one of the most elegant residences in the
city. He has added to his landed iwssessions
from time to time and now has three him-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

331

dred and sixty acres of valued and well-im-
proved land, lie is on© of the successful
citizens of the county and deserves much
credit for what he has accomplished. Look-
ing hack through the vista of the past we see
a friendless boy who came to the New World
in search of home and fortune, at present we
see his ambitious dream realized, and could
the veil of the future te lifted we would
doubtless see an honored old age crowned
with respect and veneration which is ac-
corded a well-spent life. In politics ho is
independent, and in religious belief is a
Catholic.

\\IL1J.\.M L. OL'IXX.

William L. Quinn is one of the prosper-
nus citizens of Strawn. who has laid aside
all business cares and is now li\ing a retired
life. Success has attended his well-directed
effiorts and he is ot-day in possession of a
cnmfortable competence which enables him
"til spend his declining years in ease and re-
tirement from active labor.

Mr. Quinn was born in Ireland in 1842,
and is a son of Charles and Unity (Lynch)
(Juinn. also nati\es of that country, born in
county Tyrone. The father, who was a
farmer by occupation, died there at the ad-
vanced age of ninety-four years. The
mother had died at the age of twenty-four
years, and for his second wife he married
Jane Campbell, who is still living in Ireland
at the age of seventy-five. By the first union
there were three children, of whom our sub-
ject is the second in order of birth and the
only survivor. James died at the age of
twenty- four years, and one unnamed died in
infancy. Of the twelve children born of the
second marriage, seven came to the United

States, three locating in i^i\ingston countv,
Illinois, the others in Los .Vngeles. Califor-
ni;i. .Michael crusscd the .\tlanlic in 1869,
and after si.K years spent in Ottawa, Illinois,
took up his residence in Livingston county,
where he at first operated one of our subject's
farms and then purchased three hundred and
twenty acres of land on sections 5 and 6, Ger-
manville township. He is an industrious and
prosperous farmer, and the father of si.\ chil-
dren. Ale.xande.r came to .\nierica in 1874,
and also settled in Ottawa, Illinois, where
he worked for E. Y. Griggs one year. H-;;
then settled on a farm on sections 7 and 8,
Germanville township, owned by our sub-
ject, and there he continues to make his
home. He owns eighty acres of land on sec-
tion 8. He is married and has six children,
four sons and two daughters.

The subject of this review was reared
and educated in his native land, and in i860,
a! the age of eighteen years, came to Amer-
ica. For twenty-three years he was in the
employof Andrew Lynch, a general merchant
of Ottawa, Illinois, and at the end of that
time, in 1883, came to Strawn. He worked
on the farm with his brother Michael for one
year, but since that time has lived a retired
life in the village. In 1874, while still a res-
ident of Ottawa, he purchased three hundred
and twenty acres of land on sections 5 and 6,
Germanville township, which at that time
was all raw land and which was operated by
his brothers. He made all of the improve-
ments upon the place, including the erection
of a commodious and pleasant residence in
1879, which at that time was one of the best
in the county, and he also built a large barn
and laid over fifty thousand tiles. In due
time the land was all placed under a high
state of cultivation. In 1880 Mr. Quinn
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land

332

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

on sections 7 and 8, tlie same township, and
also improved that place with the assistance
of his brothers. Besides this property he
has si.xty-threo acres on section 7, German-
\illc township, purchased by him in 1S93,
and now leased to a tenant, and one hundred
and sixty acres of fine pasture land at Em-
poria, Lyon county, Kansas, purchased in
1 88 1. The same year he bought a house in
Strawn, which he has remodeled and made
one of the best in the village. It is a beau-
tiful place, surrounded by a large lawn, and
neat and tastefully furnished. For about
nine months Mr. Ouinn clerked in the hanl-
Avare and grocery store of Joseph Kuntz, in
Strawn, but with that exception has lived
retired during his residence here.

In Chicago, Illinois, February 20, 1884,
Mr. Ouinn married Miss Bridget Conlin, a
native of Ireland, who came to this country
in 1865. lier mother died in Ireland, after
which her father emigrated to America and
spent his last days in retirement from active
labor in La Salle, Illinois, where he died at
the age of eighty years in 1879. He had
followed farming in his native land.

Although Mr. Quinn has been a resident
of Livingston county only seventeen years,
he has by the improvements of his property
here been identified with its development for
many years. As a Democrat he takes an
active interest in political affairs, and gives
his support to those enterprises which tend
to advance the interest of his adopted coun-
try. He has served as trustee of the village
of Strawn for fourteen years, and village
treasurer nine years, and his official duties
were always most faithfully and conscien-
tiously discharged. Religiously both he and
his wife are devout members of the Roman
Catholic church, and are highly respected
and esteemed bv all who know them.

\\ALSH BROTHERS.

Walsh Brothers, consisting of L. F. and
T. M. Walsh, are the leading merchants of
Campus, Illinois, carrying a large and well
selected stock of general merchandise, furni-
ture, hardware, agricultural implements, car-
riages, wagons, coal, lumber, lime, cement,
and all kinds of building materials. They
also do a large undertaking business, keep-
ing a hearse and full equipments for the
same. In size and quality of stock and char-
acter of the building, their department store
would grace a much larger town, it being
something not often found in a place the size
of Campus, though Campus cannot be
judged by the average Illinois village of
three hundred population, possessing as it
does a standpipe and good water works; a
church and Sisters' school, both fine brick
structures ; and numerous elegant residences.
The people are enterprising and progressive
and give to the place an air of thrift.
Walsh Brothers have an elegant and com-
modious two-story brick beuilding, fifty by
eighty feet, with a basement, which w'as
erected by them in 1897 to take the place of
the old frame building recently destroyed by
fire. Forming a partnership, they pur-
chased the business of J. J. Foltz & Son, in
1891, and continued business at the old stand
until it was reduced to ashes. Besides their
store building they have another large build-
ing in which seasoned lumber is kept. They
do an extensive business as contractors and
builders, and have erected many of the
buildings in Campus and vicinity, including
nearly all those in the new mining town of
Cardiff, where in the spring of 19CXD they put
uj) a large store, which will be conducted as
a branch store of the one at Campus, and be
in charge of J. H. Walsh, another brother.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

333

Tlionias AT. W'alsli, tlic junior member
of tlie tirm of Walsh Brothers, is a nativo of
this county, born in Broughton township,
February 15, 1866, and is a son of Patrick
and Ann (Smith) Walsh, both natives of
Ireland. The father emigrateil to i\merica
in 1S49, and six }-ears later took up his res-
idence in Livingston count}', Illinois, being
one of its early settlers and successful farm-
ers. He is now living a retired life in Cam-
pus. In his family are nine children, name-
ly: John P., a resident of Chicago; L. F.,
the senior mcnil)er of the tirm of Walsh
Brothers; Kate E., at home; Thomas M.,
the junior member of the firm; Mathew, who
is in the employ of his brothers; James H.,
who has charge of the branch store in Car-
diff; Mary A., wife of William Alortison of
Cliicago; George C, who is with his broth-
ers, and Blandina, bookkeeper for her
brothers.

On the liome farm Thomas Ai. Walsh
grew to manhood, his early eilucation being
obtained in the common schools and the high
school of Dwight. Sul)se<juently he took a
literary course at St. Viature's College, and
a commercial course at Dixon College, from
which he was graduated in 1890. The fol-
lowing year he formed a partnership with
his brother L. F., as previously stated, and
has since successfully engaged in active busi-
ness at Campus. Fraternally he affiliates
with Campus Camp, Xo. 2619, M. W. A.,
and politically is identified with the Repub-
lican party. He has served as postmaster of
Campus since 1897; has filled the office of
justice of the peace since 1892, and has been
a member of the board of education for tho
past six years. As a business man he is
wide-awake, progressive and energetic, and
carries forward to successful completion
A\ hatever he undertakes, while as a citizen he

has promptly and faithfully discharged every
duty that has devolved upon him. On the
9th of February, 1892, he married Miss Mag-
gie Steger, who was born and reared in
Round Grove township, this county, a daugh-
ter of Christian and Louise Stoger. By this
union were born three- children, namely:
I'rancis Herbert, Clyde A., and Phik)mean,
who died at the age of seven years.

L. F. Walsh, the senior member of the
firm of Walsh Brothers, is also an enterpris-
ing business man of known reliability. He
was born March 18, i8(jo, was reared on tho
home farm and attended in the local schools,
completing his education, however, by a
general course at the Northern Indiana Nor-
mal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, lie was
married, Xoxcmber 27, 1896, to Miss Lena
Flynn, a daughter of Patrick I'lynn, and to
tiiem have been born three children, \iola,
I,C(^ and ISernice.

JAMES P. GOURLEY.

James P. Gourley, a representative
farmer and highly esteemcid citizen of Esmen
township, residing on section 17, was born
in Harrison county. West Virginia, October
8, i860. His father, Alfred Gourley, was
born and rcarcil in the Old Dominion, and
when a young man went to West \ irginia,
Locating in Flarrison county, where he mar-
ried Rebecca Jane Farris, a native of that
state. There the father continued to carry
on farming for some years, but in 1865
moved to Livingston county, Illinois, where
two of his brothers had previously located.
He first came to the county in 1855, but soon
returned to West Virginia and did not locate
permanently here until ten years later, when

334

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he purchased land in Amity township. He
prospered in his new home, being a thorough
farmer and good business man, and Ijecame
the possessor of a vahiable farm of four liun-
dreil and forty acres. Upon that place he
continued to make his home throughout life,
dying there May 30, 1898. His wife sur-
vives him, and continues to reside on the old
homestead with her son Charley.

In Amity township James P. Gourley
grew to manhood, and was educated in the
country schools near his home. He as-
sisted his father in the operations of the farm
until nineteen ye-ars of age, and then worked
on the farm of a cousin for two years. On
the 24th of December, 1882, in Livingston
county, he was united in marriage with Miss
Ida Buren, who was born and reared in
Grundy county, Illinois, and they have be-
come the parents of seven children, namely:
Ray, Fay, Clarence, Earl, Flavins, Florence
and Edith. All are living with the excep-
tion of Fay, who died at the age of eight
years, and the sons aid their father in carry-
ing on the farm.

After his marriage Mr. Gourley located
on the farm where he now resides, but after
operating it for four years he moved to the
Buren farm in Grundy county, in 1886, and
lived there for the same length of time. In
1891 he returned to the farm in Esmen town-
ship, Livingston county, on which he now re-
sides. Here he owns sixty acres, and also
operates an adjoining one hundred and sixty
acre tract belonging to the Gourley heirs,
and eighty acres more near by. He also
rents one hundred and sixty acres of pasture
land. He owns a valuable farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres in St. Joseph county,
Indiana, and in connection with his brother
Charles has a piece of three hundred acres in
LaPorte county, that state. In connection

w ith farming he is engaged in stock raising,
his specialty being hogs, but he also keeps a
good grade of cattle, including some full-
blooded registered Durhams. He is ac-
counted one of the most successful farmers
and stock men in his part of the county, and
is numbered among its most reliable and pro-
gressive business men.

In politics Mr. Gourley is independent
and cast his first presidential vote for Grover
Cleveland, the Democratic nominee, his last
for William McKinley, the Republican can-
didate. Fraternally he is a member of the
Cornell Camp of Modern Woodmen, and he
is held in high regard by all with whom he
comes in contact either in business or social
life.

ARTHUR MARSHALL.

.\rthur Marshall, a prominent and rep-
resentative farmer of Livingston county, was
born near Sandy Hill, Washington county.
New York, ^larch 16, 1834, and died in
Dwight, May 30, 1899. As his parents died
\\hen he was quite small, he remembered
nothing of his mother and but little of his
father. His early life was spent in western
New York and Pennsylvania, and in 1857
he came to Illinois, locating first in Bureau
county, l)ul in ^^larch of the following year
he drove across the country to Livingston
count V, where he continued to make his home
until his death. He purchase<l one hundred
and sixty acres of land in Union township,
to the cultivation and improvement of which
he devoted his energies until 1898, and in
his farming operations was quite successful.
He was a lover of good stock, especially
horses, and he fed cattle and hogs exten-
sively. In politics he was a strong Repub-
lican, very radical in his views, but would

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

335

never accept any public ofiice wliatover, say-
ing lluit he WduUl not be president if lie was
capable antl the position was ofi'ered him.
L'ntil late in life he was a member of the
IVesbytcrian church, but in 1H95, with his
wife, he united with llie Congregational
church (if Dwight. As in other affairs he
never would accept office, though ho took an
active interest in church and Supnday school
w ork and w as an erticient and and able leader
in the Sunday school. Jle was noted for his
kind and obliging disposition and was always
willing to assist those in need even at an in-
convenience to himself. Surely tlie life rec-
• <vd <if such a man is worthy of perpetuation
aiul will be read with interest by his many
friends and ac(iuaintances throughout tho

h county.

.Mr. Marshall was three times married,
lirst on the _'4th of January, 18O1, to Miss
Mary Thompson, a native of Guernsey
county, Ohio, and a daughter of Mitchell and
lane Thompson. At an early age she and
her threo brothers were left motherless.
She came to Livingston county to keep house

r for two (.)f them, William and J high, and
the other, Jetifersoii, located here later. The
lirst two were soldiers of the civil war, and
after their return from the war lived in
Union township, this county, but Hugh is
now a resident of Pontiac, while Jefferson
resides in Miles City, MoiUana. Mr. Mar-
shall made the ac(juaintance of his wife while
>lie was keeping house for her brothers, but
she removed to her father's home to be mar-
ried, and came as a bride to this county the

'■ second time. She died June i_', 1S69, leav-
ing three children : [i ) William E., born
Octol)er 8. i8()i, died June 5, 1895. (2)
aviary J., born January 23, 1864, is a gradu-
ate of the Dwight schools, and for some time
was a teachor of Livingston countv. She

had charge of an Indian agency school in the
west for a time, and was also connected with
the I laskell InsiJute in Lawrence, Kansas,
but is now teaching in Glendive, Montana.
(3) .\nna L., born October 14, 1866, is the
wifo of James W. McKinzie. of Glendive,
Montana.

Mr. .Marshall was again married, March
7. 1 871, his second union being with Margaret
( j. (jecjrge, wIkj was born in Belmont county,
(Jliio, .\pril 9, 1831, a daughter of John and
.\nn (^ Cross) George, the former a native
of Ireland, the latter of Maryland. Being
left an orphan, her father came to America
at the age of nine \cars and grew to man-
hood in Ohio. He owned and operated a
farm nf one hundred and sixty acres in
Dwight township, this county, where he
made his home until 1864, and then moved
to Dw ight, where his death occurred in 1872.
He was a liberal supporter and active worker
in the Presbyterian church, in which he
served as elder for many years, in his fam-
ily were twelve children, ten of whom grew
to maturity, and four are still living, namely :
Sarah A., widow of Benjamin Ogg, and a
resident of Parker, ^lisscjuri ; James C, a
retired farmer of Washington, Kansas; Liz-
zie M., the third wife of our subject, and
Rebecca, widow of Henry McDonald, of Al-
gona, Iowa. Those deceased are as follows :
Wm. C, born October 29, 1826, died No-
vember 29, 1826; Mary, born May 17, 1842,
died the same day ; Leatiiy, born October 5,
1835, married Jesse Cowgill, and died May
25, 1862, leaving two children, John Mc-
Daniel and Margaret A- ; Priscilla, born Oc-
tober 12, 1829, married John Cowgill, of
Guernsey, Ohio, where she died in 186S,
leaving six children; John C, born (X-tober
19, 1833, served three years in the Cnion
armv during the civil war, and made his

33<5

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

home in Dwight townsliip. tliis ci»uiity, where
he dieil Septeniher 17. 1899: Louisa, l)orn
June 15, 1837, (hed unmarried at the age
of twenty-nine years and thirteen days; and
Benjamin Cross, horn May 22, 1839. married
Olhe Burr, anil (Hed in Xex'ada, Illinois, in
1866, leaving two children, John and ]\hu\v.
The father of these children was born De-
cember 25, 1796, and died August 12, 1877,
while the mother was born May 25, 1804,
and died ALiy 25, 1885. Mrs. ALirgaret C.
Marshall, the second wife of our subject, died
January lo, 1887, leaving one daughter,
Minnie M., now the wife of George Crandell,
residing on the old homestead in Union town-
ship. 1 hey had three children, but Olive,
born February 25. 1895, 'l'*^"' April zy, 1897.
Those living are Mary M and John M.

On the 29th of October, 1888. Mr. Mar-
shall married Lizzie M. Brown, a sister of
his second wife, who was an in\alitl for se\-
eral years prior to her death, and Lizzie had
made her home with them for two years.
She was born October 23, 1844, 'I'l^l \^'i^
first married May 7. 1868, to Edgar D.
Brown, by whom she had four children,
namely: Edgar C, a resident of Schoolcraft,
Michigan; Frank, a soldier in Porto Rico;
and Eleanora M.. who is attending school in
Peoria, Illinois. By her second marriage,
Mrs. Marshall has one child, George A.. l)orn
December 14, 1889. She has [made her
home in Dwight since 1898, and is highly
respected and esteemed by all wiio know her.

PETER G. XELLLS.

Peter G. Xellis, who for many \ears was
auditor of the Chicago & .\lton I'iailroad,
Imt is now practically living a retired life in

PtMUiac. Illinois, is a man whose worth and
ability have gained him success, honor and
public conhdence. He enjt^ys the well-
earned distinction of being what the world
calls a "self-made man." and an analvzation
of his character reveals the fad that enter-
prise, well-directed effort and honorable
dealing have been the essential features of
his prosperity.

Mr. Xellis was born in Fort Plain. Xew
\ork, April 11, 1825, a son of Gerritt and
Madeline (Ehle) Xellis, both natives of
Palatine Bridge, Xew York. His paternal
great-grandfather was a bishop of the Lu-
theran church, and a resident of Schenec-
tady, Xew York. The maternal grantl-
father. Peter Ehle. was descended from
German .stock and was a farmer bv occupa-
tion. \\'hen a young man the father of our
subject moved to Fort Plain, of which place
he became a well-known and prominent
farmer. In religious belief both he and his
wife were Lutherans. He died at Fort
Plain, while his wife, who was lioni in 1800,
died December 22, 1889.

. Of the three children born to this worthv
couple our sul)ject is the oldest. He at-
tended the common schools of his natix'e
town and completed his education by an
academic course. He remained on the home
farm uiuil he attained his majority and about
1S48 came west b}- boat from Buft'alo to
Detroit, by rail to Kalamazoo, then the west-
ern terminus of the Michigan Central Rail-
road, and from there crossed the lake to
Chicago. After spending a short time in
that city, he maile a prospecting toiu' through
northern Illinois and Wisconsin, and finallv
located in l.ockport, Illinois, where he en-
gaged in merchandising, being one of the
first merchants of that place, which at that
time w;is a competitor of Joliet.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

337

Mr. Xellis spenl twn years in LuckpMri.
anil tlio e lie was niarricd. l-ehruai'v j i . i S50.
to Miss Louise Jennison. \\h.< was horn and
reared in Dinulee, Scotland, antl is a daugh-
ter of Cajjtain Rohert and Susan (Clarke)
JennisdU. the furniei- a natiw'iif WeynKuuh,
Enj^lantl. the latter of Dundee. Scotland.
here the family made tlieir home untH
Cuming to the L'nited States in 1S46. at
which time the father was a retired otiticer
of the Royal navy, 'i'hcy located in Chi-
cago, hut later removed to Lockport, where
Captain Jennison nwned a section i<\ land.
tliough he ne\er actively engaged in its
oi)eration. He spe.it his last days in Os-
wego. Illinois, where his wife also died.
Mr. and .Mrs. Xellis ha\e thrtv' cliildren :
Gerritt John, a resident of Chicago: Rufus
L.. of Denver: and Mrs. Louise Slocuni. of
Pontiac.

.\fter his marriage Mr. .Xellis tlisposed of
I'.is husiness in Lockport and accepted the po-
sition of paymaster for the Illinois Central
Railroad, then lieing Iniilt at Cairo. The
rails were hrought from England, and fn>m
Xew Orleans were towoJ up the Mississipi)i
river on tlathoats. He handled large sums
of money for the road at a time when lianks
and ciiecks were fow and rohhers plenty.
He remained with the company during the
entire construction of the road, (jeneral Mc-
Clellan heing chief engineor and later vice-
president. After its completion Mr. Xellis
served as the first agent at \'andalia. and
later was transftrred to LaSalle, heing three
years at each place. He was ne.xt appointed
traveling auditor for the Chicago & Alton
Railroad with home and lieacUpiarters at
Chicago, receiving his appijintmenl when
Roswell 11 Mason was presido:U and general
manager of the road, and J. C. McMullen
genera! superintendent, lie remained with

the company thirty-five years, traveling the
whole, extent of the road, w Inch in extent of
time is uni)aralleled hy any case in railroad
h. story. He was also considered one of the
finest accountants in the Utiited States, and
most acc.otahly lilled the position of auditor
until the retirement of T. 15. Blackstone. the
l)resident. in lyoo. though he is still with the
road in a local way. For years he has made
his home in I'ontiac. where, in 1890. he
erected the present residence where he now
lives. He is widely and faxorahlv known
throughout the stale and has a host of warm
friends in his adopted citv.

BE.XJ.\.M1X n.XRlCKMAX.

iienjamin ISarickman. who resides on
section 30. Xewton township, is numl)ored
among the pioneers of 1832. the date of his
arrival heing at the time of the celehrated
Black Hawk war. Ho was a lad of eight
years at the time, and has a \i\id recollec-
tion of the stirring e\ents of that dav. He
is a native of Adams county, Ohio, horn De-
cemher 11, 18^4, and is the son of Daniol
and Mary (Pitchenger) Barickman, both of
whom were natives of Maryland, where thoy
were united in marriage, and which was
their home until their removal to Ohio in
an early da\-. They made their homo iu
Adams county, that state, until 183J. when
they came to Illinois, making the journey
in a large "'prairie schooner ' drawn hy oxen.
On their arrival thoy located on what is now
section 30. Xewton township, the farm yet
heing in the ix)Ssession of i>ur suliject.

Securing his location. Daniel Barickman
set about the erection of his house, tho typi-
cal log cabin so well remembered by the

338

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

older rc-^iJonts of the county. .\t that time
there were but few persons residing in what
is now Livingston county, Init prairie wolves,
deer and other wild game were in abundance.
Our subject has counted as many as fifty
deer in one drove in the early day, and it was
many years before they were all extinct in
this section of the country. Prairie chick-
ens wero so numerous they at times destroyed
the growing corn.

Daniel Barickman was a sun of Daniel
Barickman. a nati\e of Germany, who came
to this c<iuntry with his wife early in their
married life, locating in iNlaryland, which re-
mained their home during the roinainder of
their live.s. Daniel and Mary Barickman
were tiie parents of nine children, Bartley,
James, Prudence. Daniel, Harriot, Benja-
min, Jacob, iMary Ann and L'pton. Of
these, four are yot living. Prudence, the
widow of Wesley Bishop, is living in Web-
ster City, Iowa. Daniel is living a retired
life in the city of Streator, LaSalle county.
Harriet is the wife of Proston Bishop and
they make their home in Towanda, Illinois.
Tile death of the father occurred when he
was seventy-four years old, and the mother
when she was seventy-one years old. In
politics, he was originally a Whig, but later
a Repuljlican. and in political affairs he
always manifested a commendable interest.

The first purciiase of laml by Daniel
Barickman was of two hundred and fort\'
acres on which he erected his cabin and at
once commenced to improve. Not a fur-
row had been turned, and there was no sign
of civilization. Indian wigwams were to be
.seen in the timber, and there was nothing
but the Indian trail and the path made bv
the deer as they came out of the timber.
Commencing the impro\ement of the jjlace,
lie soon hafl quite a large tract under culti-

vation, and in due time he addo 1 to his
original purchase and became a well-to-do
farmer. He continued to reside on his
original farm until his death.

The primary education of our subject
began in the common schools of his native
state, and soon after the arrival of the fam-
ily in Livingston county his father employed
a man named Button to teach school in an
out-house on his place, and t(j that school
lie went, and later in a log school house
erected about two miles from their home.
There were yet no roads located and the
children went through the timber to the
school. In winter time it was very hard to
make their way through the sno\v, which
sometimes was very deej). An education,
however, obtained under such circumstan-
ces is apt to be appreciated.

The early life of our subject was i>ne of
hardship. The farm must be improved,
and e\ery member of the family must do
his part. \\ ith his parents he remained,
assisting in the development of the place
until lie was about twenty-two years of age,
when he was united in marriage with Miss
Mary A. Latham, a native of Connecticut,
and daughter of Lyman S. Latham, one of
the early settlers of the county, who came
from the Xutmeg state about 1845, locating
in what is now Reailing township. By this
union eight children were born, of whom
three — Augusta, Franklin and Benjamin —
died in childhood. The living are: Daniel,
a farmer of Xewtown township; Prudence,
wife of Joseph Coe, living in Chicago; Car-
rie, wife of Cephas Coe, living in Reading
township; Charles M., county judge of Liv-
ingston county, residing in Pontiac; and
\\ illis H.. who is married and living on and
operating the home farm.

.After his marriage Mr. Barickman con-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

339

tinned to reside on the hnme place, whicli he
managed for liis father for some years, and
of whicli he later became the owner. To the
original farm he added eighty acres, which
he has since deeded to one of his sons. ,\s a
farmer he ranked among the best in the C( lun-
ty, and was fairly successful. He continued
to actively engage iri the management of the
farm until 1898, since which time he has
been living a retired life.

For many years Mr. Barickman has been
a member of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church,
and for the greater part of the lime he
served his church as a member of the official
board. He has always taken an active in-
terest in church work, and is a strong be-
liever in the teachings of the lowly Xaza-
rene. In jjolitics he was originally a Whig,
with which party he was identified until its
dissolution, since which time he has been an
ardent Republican. He was never an office-
seeker, but believed in every man doing his
duty, politically, in the advocacy of the prin-
ciples and the proper support of his party.

For sixty-eight years Mr. Barickman
has been a citizen of Livingston county. As
already stated, when he came here the coun-
try was almost an unljroken wilderness.
Wolves, deer and wild game of all kinds
was in abundance. One could scarcely
look out from the door without seeing wolves
or deer. His brother was a great hunter.
and was considered the best shot on the river.
Our subject was a hunter of no mean ability,
and has in his time killed many deer in the
vicinity of his home. He remembers on
one occasion that a party of hunters were out
with their hounds on a deer hunt, and one of
the munber shot a buck, which plunged into
the river. The dogs were sent in after him,
but the deer, fighting for his life, almost
drowned the di>gs i)efore an end was put to

his existence. Many anecdotes and incidents
of pioneer life are related by Mr. Barick-
man. to the wonder and amusement of the
}ounger generation. But in the almost
three-score years and ten that he has lived in
lliis county he has wilnesscil many changes
indeed. He has seen the old plow, with its
wooden mold-board, give place to the mod-
ern implement of steel, the sickle and the
tlail superseded by llic reaper and the steam
thresher; the log cabin rei)laced l)y the
stately farm house with all the comforts of
the nineteenth century. He has seen the
coming of the railroad, the telegraph and
the telephone. Fie has seen town and cities
si)ring up, and churches and school houses
find a place on almost every hillside, and in
every hamlet. Aladdin, with his lamp,
could never unfold greater wonders than he
has witnessed since becoming a citizen of
Livingston, one of the best and most pros-
perous of the counties in Illinois. In the im-
provements that have here been made he has
borne his part, and he has a right to the
years of rest which it is hoped that he may
be able to enjoy.

JOSEPH O. Al.r.Kla IIT.

Joseph O. .Mbrecht. one of the foremost
men of Waldo township. Livingston county,
is a native of Illinois, born in Princeton. Bu-
reau county, December 19. 1859, and is a
son of John and .\nnie (Clacho) Albrecht,
natives of Germany. In iS.V'^. at the age of
four vears, Tohn ,\ll)recln was brought to
this country by his parents, who settled in
Bureau county, Illinois. in tiic early days
of Chicago, the grandfather. Jacob .Mbrecht,
hauled his wheat to that city from Bureau

340

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ctnmty in a wagon wliicli he liewetl out of
logs. Tlirouglioiit lite lie followed farming,
and at one time also owned and operated a
brewery at Princeton. He died in 1877.
In his family were eight children, fi\e sons
and three daughters, of whom two, Christo-
pher and John Albrecht. are prosperous
farmers living at Tiskilwa. Bureau county.

The father of our subject followed farm-
ing in Bureau county until 1865, when he
came to Livingston county and bought the
west half of section 3. Waldo township, for
which he ])aid ten dollars per acre. Here
he prospered, and at the time of his death
owned seventeen hundred and twenty acres
of land besides several business blocks in
Flanagan. He died February 12. 1900, at the
the age of si.xty-si.x years, two months
and twenty-two days. He was well
known and highly respected, and had
many friends throughout this .section
of the state. () n the 8th of ^March,
1859, he married Anna Gacho, and
to them were born the following children :
Joseph O.. our subject; August, who was
born June 16, 1 86 1, and died February 16,
1892; John, who was born May 12. 1863,
and died February 21. 1885; Christonher,
who was born December 24. 1865. and died
October lo. 1890; Jacob, who was born
February 20, 1869, and died April 16,
1889: and Benjamin, who was born Novem-
ber 2;^. 1871, and now resides in Waldo
townshi]), Livingston county. The mother
of these children departed this life Decem-
ber 25, 1873. and on the 22d of Xovemljer,
1874. the father married Barbara Xafciger.
also a native of fiermanv. by whom he had
eight children, whose names and dates of
birth are as follows : Magdaline, Septem-
ber 18, i8t^; Peter, February 17, 1877;
Annie. March 5. 1879; Samuel, .\ugust 'i.

1883; Lydia, ^uly 5, 1886: William. Septem-
ber 12, 1888: and Daniel, February 16, 1894.
The oldest daughter is now the wife of Peter
Good, of W'aldo township.

The early education of Joseph O. Al-
brecht was acquired in the public schools near
his boyhood home, and under the able direc-
tion of his father he soon acquired an ex-
cellent knowledge of every department of
farm work. He has made agriculture his
life occupation, and now owns and operates
a (juarter-section of land on section 9, Waldo
township, and also has eighty-two acres on
section 2. besides one hundred and sixty
acres in Iowa. He is a wide-awake, pro-
gressive farmer, of good business ability and
sound iudp-ment, and is meeting with re-
markable success in life.

On the loth of February, 1884. Mr. Al-
brecht was united in marriage with Miss
Lizzie, daughter of Christopher and Mary
( Ingold ) Ringenlierg, of Tiskilwa. Bureau
county, and they now have one child. John
W., born December i, 1885. ^Ir. Albrecht
has held several local offices and takes a keen
interest in the welfare of his township and
count V.

JAMES E. GRAHAM.

James E. Graham, who is now li\ing a
retired life in the \illage of Long Point, and
is efficiently serving as assessor of his town-
ship, has made his home' in Livingston
county for over a third of a century, having
come here from near Wenona, La Salle
county, in 1865. He was born at Port
William, Clinton county, Ohio, in 1842, a
.son of Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Ellis)
Graham, also natives of Ohio. The father
was of Scotch ancestrv. the mother of Ger-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

341

man ami Englisli descent. W'lien a \Mung
man Thomas B. Graham learned tlie trade
of a millwriglit and cal)inet-maker. which he
followed throughout life, dying in Ohio in
1884. He left four children who reached
year.s of maturity, namely : Lydia, who
married Thomas Greer and died in Ohio
about 1855; John \\'., an attorney and jus-
tice of the peace of Harrisonxilie, Cass
county, Missouri ; Asa A., an attt^rney and
real estate dealer of Topeka, Kansas : and
James E., the subject of this sketch, .\fter
the death of the father, the mother married
Absalom Kinsey, bv wIkmu she had hve chil-
dren, bm only two are now living: Isaac
W., a farmer of Long Point township, Liv-
ingston county; and Malinda, wife of James
Merrill, in the employ of the Union Tea
Company at Champaign. In 1854 the fam-
ily moved to Marshall county, Illinois, and a
year later to La Salle county, where Mr.
Kin.sey followed farming, but both he ami
his wife spent their last days in Long Point
township. Livingston county. She was
born June 11, 1813, and died July 19, 1894.
James E. Graham was educated in the
.schools of La Salle countv, and remained
with his mother until he entered the Union
army during the ci\il war, at the age of
eighteen years. lie enlisted as a i)rivite
July I, 1 86 1, in Company C, Forty-fourth
Illinois X'oluntecr Infantry, antl remained
with his regiment all through the war. tak-
ing part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perry-
ville. Stone River, Chickamauga and Mis-
sionary Ritlge, ami in all the engagements
of the Atlanta campaign. Although he had
nuuiy narrow escapes, he was never wound-
ed, and was never in the lios])ital but for a
single night. At the close of the war he
was honorably discharged as commissary
sergeant September 26, 1865.

After being nuistered out Mr. Graham
located in Wenona, Illinois, and in 1866
came to Long Point township, Livingston
county, where he has since made his home
with the exception of one year. On the
_'9th of November, 1868, he was united
in marriage with Miss Emma Long, who
was born near l^anville. \'ermilion county,
Illinois, Xtnember 30, 1843, a daughter of
Reuben and Pliema (Lucas) Long, natives
of Ohio. Mr. Long was born June 18, 18 13,
and died September 29, 1885. He was of
Irish and German and his wife of German
and English extraction. She was born July
5, 1816, and is still living on the home place
near Cornell. She became a resident of
Vermilion county in 183 1, her husband in
1839, and in 1852 they removed to Living-
ston county, being among the early settlers
of Amity township. Both held membership
in the Christian church, and has always af-
filiated with the Democratic party. In their
family were eleven children, eight of whom
are still living: Emma, wife of our sub-
ject; Clarissa, who is the widow of Ellis
Kinsey and lives near Flanagan. Illinois;
Orlean. who lives near Cornell, in Amity
township: Joseph, who lives near Long
i'oint; John (twin of Joseph), who is a
carpenter and lives with his mother near
Cornell; Charlotte, who is a widow and also
lives with her mother; Lucretia. wife of Les-
lie Lawrence, living near Flanagan; and
Samantha. wife of Charles Talbott, of .\mity
township. To Mr. and Mrs. Graham were
born three children, of whom one died in
infancy. Leon, born .\ugust 30, 187J, was
educatetl at Eineka College, and is engaged
in school teaching. He married Laura
I'ilby, and has one son, Wilbur, .\rvilla
Mae, born October 7, 1876, is the wife of
Louis Stilson, a i)rosperous farmer of Han-

34^

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cock county. Iowa, and tliey liave two chil-
dren. Gladys and Milliurn.

After his marriage ^Ir. Graham took up
his residence upon a farm in Long Point
township, and successfully engaged in gen-
eral farming until his removal to the village
of Long Point in March. 189S. since which
time he has practicilly lived a retired life.
He purchased a jileasant home, and also
eighteen lots within the cori)oration limits.
In politics he is a pronounced Repuhlican.
and has served the people faithfully and
well as constahle; school director for sev-
eral years, and assessor for the past five
years. He is a prominent memher of the
Grand Army Post. Xo. 7S4. of which he
is chaplain, and hoth he and his wife are
active memhers of the Christian church of
Long Point, of which he is an elder.

GEORGE WHTTHAM.

George W'hilham is a prtmiinent husi-
ness man of Cornell, where he is now suc-
cessfully carrying on operations as a dealer
in hardware, agricultural implements and
grain. In all (jf his undertakings he has
steadily prospered, his excellent success be-
ing hut the logical result of his careful and
correct business methods.

Mr. Whitham is a native of Washington
county, Pennsylvania, born near Wheeling.
West Virginia. Januarv 30. 1854. His
father, Alexander B. \Miitham. was born in
Brown county, Ohio, and when a voung man
went to Washington county. Pennsvlvania.
where he married Martha J. Davis. In earlv
life he f(jlowed the shoemaker's trade, but
later devoted his attention to agricultural
pursuits. On first coming to Illinois, in Feb-

ruary. 1857. he settled in Marshall county,
and did not locate in Livingston county un-
til 1876. Here he sjjent his last days on a
farm and died October 22, 1886.

Our subject grew to manhood in Mar-
shall county and was educated in the Lacon
high school. After the removal of the
fr;niil_\- U* Li\ingston count}-, he aided his
father with the farm work, and continued to
engage in agricultural pursuits in Esmen
township, until coming to Cornell in 1893,
when he jnirchased an established hardware
and implement business, which he has since
carried on with marked .success. Since 1895
he has also dealt in grain and now ships
large quantities from Cornell. He is one of
the most active, enterprising and progressive
business men in his section of the countv.

On the 1st of October, 1879, '" Esmen
townshp, Mr. Whitham married Miss Emma
A. Rhodes, who was born near Lake Geneva,
in Walworth county, Wisconsin, her father,
Leland M. Rhodes,, being one of the ])i(>
neers of that county, and a native of Xew
\ ork. He brought his family to Livingston
coi.nty. this state in 1876. Mr. and Mrs.
Whitham have live children, namelv: Mil-
ton .\.. Charles E.. Mina May. Gracie and
Carrie. Mrs. Whitham is a member of the
Baptist church and takes an active part in
the work of the church an<l Sabbath school.
Fraternally Mr. Whitham is a member of
the Mndern Woodman Camp at the same
place, and has served as clerk a number of
years. In his political atirtliations he has besn
a life-long Democrat, and has taken (piite
an. active and prominent i)art in local ])olitics.
He has tilled the office of assessor, collector,
tiiwnship clerk and jiresident of the village
board. In 1895 'le was elected .supervisor
and has served as such for six consecutive
years. .Mtlunigh he has not met with strong

GEORGE WHITHAM.

■',,

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

345

opposition he was re-elected l)y an increased
majority at eacli election, lie has most
ably and satisfactorily represented his town-
ship on the board, has lieen appointed a mem-
ber of a nmnlier of important committees,
and is now chairman of tlie one on rules.
His public and private life are alike above
reproach., and he well deserves the success
that has come to him.

EUGENE A. WMIEY.

Eugene A. \'ahey, a jKipular conductor
on the Wabash Railroad and a prominent
citizen of Forrest, Illinois, was born in Mt.
Carmel, I'ennsylvania, August 31, 1851, and
is a son of Eugene and Julia (Cosgrove) \'a-
hey. The father was also a native of that
state and a contractor on railroad work,
doing an extensive business. He lielped in
the construction of the Erie Railroad, Dela-
^vare, Lackawanna & A\'estern, and Lehigh
Valley Railroads, but during the last twenty
years of his life lived retired from active
business. He made his lumie in rittston.
Pennsylvania, during the greater jjart (.)f his
life, and died there January 10, 1892, while
his wife passed away September 15, 1882.
Botli were members of St. Paul's Catholic
church of that place, and in politics the fa-
ther was a Democrat.

Our subject was educated in the common
and high schools of Pittston, and for two
years was engaged in the grocery lousiness
at that place. Selling out his interest, he
became connected with railroad work, in
1873, as brakeman on the Wyoming divis-
ion of the Lehigh \'alley Railroad, with
uhich he was connected three years. He
then went to Tersev Citv. Xew Tersey, and

entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, and remaine<l with them
until March 15, iS8j, making up passenger
trains in the yards at that place. Coming
west, ]\Ir. ^'ahey entered the service of tiie
W^abash Railroad on the 27th of that month,
as switchman at Forrest, Illinois, and six
months later was appointed yardmastcr. at
a time when all freight stopjied here. He
served in that capacity until September,
1888. when he went upon the road as con-
ductor, running at first from Forrest to
Chicago. Later he was assigned to tlie
Streator run, which is one of the best on the
road, as he gets home every night. In point
of service he and Mr. Stewart are the oldest
employes of the Wabash Railroad living in
Forrest, and have the entire confidence and
respect of the company.

On the 25th of Xovember, 1875, Mr.
\"ahey was united in marriage with Miss
Mary J. Garrison, of Paterson, Xew Jer-
sey, a native of that place and a daughter
of David and Mary A. (Garrettson) Garri-
son. The father, who was a cari)enter and
a son of Henry Garrison, spent his entire life
in that city, and Mrs. \'ahey"s maternal
grandfather, Henry Garrettson. was also an
old resident of Paterson. (^ur subject and
his wife have two children : Marguerite, and
Charles E., a teacher at Reading, Illinois.

Mr. V'ahey owns a nice home and other
propcrtv in Forrest. He has been very suc-
cessful in business affairs, and was one of
the promoters, incorporators and member
of the first board of directors of the Forrest
Building & Loan Association. Originally
he was a Democrat in politics, but in 1896
voted for McKinley. and still affiliates with
the Republican party. He served as city
clerk one term, and as alderman of Forrest
two vears. Fraternally he is a prominent

346

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and influential member of Wabash Division,
Xo. 260. O. R. C, of wliicli he has been sec-
retary and treasurer, and was a representa-
tive to the conventions held in Atlanta in
1895 and Detroit in 1899. He lias always
taken a leading part in the affairs of his di-
vision. Mr. X'ahey is also connected with
Forrest Lodge, No. 614, F, & A. M., the
Chapter and Commandery at Fairbury : and
Olive Branch Lodge. Xo. 154, K. P., of
which he has been chancellor commander
and deputy grand chancellor of his district,
instituting new lodges, including the one at
Long Point, and installing the new ofiicers
at each election. In all the relations of life
he has been found true to e\ery trust re-
posed in him, and is justly regarded as one
of the valued citizens of Forrest. Mr. and
Mrs. \'ahey are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Forrest.

tho:mas k. barton.

For a quarter of a century Thomas K.
Barton has dwelt in Livingston county, and
during this period has become well-to-do
and prominent. His life has been exempla-
ry and worthy of emulation, and unbounded
confidence in his integrity and high stand-
ard of honor is felt by the friends and neigh-
bors who have long enjoyed his acquaint-
ance.

.\ native of Juniata county, Pennsylva-
nia, Mr. Barton is a descendant of sterling
German pioneers of that state. His pater-
nal grandfather, Ephraim Barton, was born
in Germany, and at an early day in this
C'juntry's history cast in his lot with our
peo])le. He participated in some of the In-
dian wars, and also fought in the war of

1812. David B., one of his sons, and fa-
ther of our subject, was born in Juniata
county about 181 8, and departed this life in
1863, at his old home in the Keystone state.
His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Thomas
Kno.x. also of Pennsyhania. and of Irish
extraction.

The birth of Thomas K. Barton oc-
curred December 15. 1844. and for twenty-
two years he resided on his father's farm in
Juniata county. In 1866 he determined to
seek his fortune in the west, and, coming
to Illinois, he found employment with farm-
ers in La Salle county. At the end of a
year he leased a farm, and soon afterwards
returned to the old home, with the purpose
of escorting his mother and younger brothers
and sisters to the new home he had loyally
pro\ided for them, as the father had passed
to his reward. Mary, the eldest sister, be-
came the wife of George Vanata, and died
in 1897. Nancy, the next in order of birth,
wedded Joshua Frazer and lives in Ne-
braska. Samuel Barton is a citizen of \'er-
milion county, Illinois, and Susan, the
youngest of the family, is deceased.

For five years subsequent to his return to
this state Thomas K. Barton and the other
members of the family dwelt together, the
circle being unbroken. His home was upon
a farm in La Salle county, and he continued
to lease the place until 1875, when he re-
moved to another homestead, this being lo-
cated in Long Point township, Livingston
county. In 1883 he bought eighty acres in
section 30, .\mity townshiji — his present
home, and here he found a great task be-
fore him, for the impro\ements were very
])oor, a li)g cabin and a few acres of broken
l)rairie constituting them. With character-
istic energy he commenced the work of mak-
ing this a model farm, draining low lands

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

347

liy means of tiling, building fences, a large,
ci)n\eiiient house and good barns and other
necessary buildings. He also e.xpended
some time and means in planting fruit and
shade trees, and at length he bought forty
acres of adjoining property, thus increas-
ing his possessions to one hundred and
twenty acres.

In all of liis cares and joys. Mr. Barton
has been cheered and aided bv his devoted
wife, formerly Miss Sarah K. Smith. They
were married in La Salle county, February
14. 1 87 J, and have been numbered among
the upright, worthy inhabitants of this state
since they reached maturity. Mrs. Bar-
ton was born in Juniata county, Pennsylva-
nia, and was reared and educated there. Of
the five children born to our subject and
wife four are living, their little Jesse having
died when young. The eldest. Frank D.. is
married and resides in Cornell, wlierc he is
engaged in mercantile pursuits. Laura,
who received an excellent education, com-
pleting her studies in the Dixon (Illinois)
College, is one of the successful teachers of
this county. Leroy, an enterprising young
man, is at home, assisting in the manage-
ment of the farm. Frederick Carl, the
youngest, also is with bis parents.

The first presidential ballot oi our sub-
ect was cast f(jr Lincoln in 1864. In na-
tional affairs, he supports Democratic nom-
inees, while in local elections lie is intle-
pendent of party lines. For fifteen years
lie served as a member of the school board,
thus evincing the genuine interest which he
feels in the vital matter of educating the
young. He had the honor of being presi-
dent of the board during the greater share
of that period, and to his heartfelt concern
in the subject much of the ])rosperity of our
school system may be attril)uted. With his

estimable wife he holds membership in the
Methodi.st Protestant church. Fraternally
he is identified with the Cornell Lodge of the
Modern Woodmen of .\nierica. and is a
trustee of the lodge building.

CIBSU.X B. BKOWXSO.X.

Ciibson P>. Brownsoii. the jMcsent sui)er-
visor o\ Indian Grove townshi]). in which
the city of Fairburg is located, was for
many years one of the leading contractors
and Iniilders of that place, and many notable
examples of his skill are to be seen in this
section of the county, but be is now living
a retired life. Thoroughly relial)le in all
things, the ([uality of his work is a convinc-
ing test of his own personal worth and the
same adniir;tble trait is shown in bis con-
scientious discharge of the duties of different
positions of trust and resix)nsibility to which
he has been chosen in jjolitical life.

Mr. Brownson was born in Bradford
county. Pennsylvania, July 30, 183.2, a son
of Elisha Brownson, whose birth occurred
in Massachusetts, May 27. 1701. The i)a-
ternal grandfather, Isaac Brown.son, was al.so
a native of the old Bay state and a soldier
of the Revolutionary war. being with Wash-
ington when he crossed the Delaware at
Trenton. When Flisba was eight years old
the family moved to Sus(|uehanna county,
Pennsylvania, where lie grew to manhrxid,
and was married. Octol>er jo. 1823. to Mary
Titus, who was born Decenilier 23. 1803.
.\fter his marriage he moved to Bradford
county. Pennsylvania, where he cleared a
heavily timbered tract of land and trans-
formed it into a good farm. There the
grandfather lived retired until his death,

348

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

which occurred when imr sul)ject was luit
twenty-one years of age. In 1856 the father
brought his family to Ilhnois and took up
his residence in Livingston county, where
he spent the remainder of liis life, dying
June 22, 1874. During the war of 181 2.
he tried to enlist, but on account of his health
was not accepted. In politics he was an
old-line \Miig. a stanch Abolitionist, and
later a Republican. His wife died Novem-
ber 20, 1869.

Our subject had hut a limited oppnrtun-
ity to acquire an education, not being able
to attend school more than one year during
his boyhood, but in later years he devoted
considerable time to reading and study, and
in this way obtained a good practical edu-
cation. During his youth he served a three
years' apprenticeship tr) the carpenter's trade
in Xew \ ork, only a short distance from his
home, and recei\ed one hundred and fifty
dollars for his three years" work, out of
which he had to clothe himself. In 1854
ht came west on a prospecting tour and
passed through this county before the rail-
road was built, and not a house marked the
present site of Fairbury, while Pontiac was
a mere hamlet. Being homesick he did not
remain here long, but spent two years trav-
ing o\er the west. Being a good carpenter,
he could always find employment, and s]>ent
one summer working at his trade in Miss-
issippi. In this way he saw much of the
country. In December. 1856. he located in
this coimty. which has since Ijeen his home.
One year was spent in Avoca. which was
then quite a thriving little village, while
Fairbury was unknown, and he was one of
the few to vote on the township organization.
On lea\ing Avoca he took up his residence
on a farm and in connection with its opera-
tion worked at his trade in Fairburv, assist-

ing in the erection of one of the first houses
of that place.

In September, 1861, 'W.x. Brownson
joined the boys in blue, becoming a member
of Company K, Third Illinois Cavalry,
which was sent to Springfield to organize
and from there to ]\Iissouri, being with
Fremont when he made his raid on Spring-
field, that state. Our subject was with his
company until they reached Helena, Arkan-
sas, and was then sent to the hospital. On
his recover}- he joined the Mississippi Marine
Brigade, which was located on the river,
being in the cavalry department going up
and down that stream with horses on boats,
and whene\'er they discovered any scouts
landed and chased them. Mr. Brownson
was mustered out at \'icksburg. August 29,
1864. with the rank of sergeant.

After his return north he worked for .t
time at his tratle in St. Louis, and then re-
turned to Fairbury, which had continued to
l;e his home. In partnership with his brother,
he did an extensive business as a contractor
and builder and gave employment to four-
teen or fifteen men at one time. He erected
many of the residences, business blocks and
other houses of Fairbury. also built the
Catholic church — the first in the place: the
Presbyterian church which is still standing:
and other churches throughout the county.
Not a man lixing here has had as much to
do with the construction of buildings as
has practically li\ed retired. His own
our subject, but for the past year or two he
pleasant residence was erected the year of
h.is marriage.

On the I ith of March. t868. Mr. Brown-
son 'married Miss Susan Ormsby, of Brad-
ford county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of
Le\M Ormsby. and to them ha\e been born
two children, both of whom were provided

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

349

\vitli i^'ood eilucation;il advantajies. Alice,
the older, attended school in Dixon, and
prior til her marriage engaged in teaching in
Fairhnry. She is now tlie wife of John D.
W'atUins. of Cleveland. Ohin. and they have
one son. John. X'ellie 1. was educated at
the W'esleyan University, at Blomnington,
and is now a successful teacher in the jiublic
schools in h'airhury. The faniilv attend the
Presbyterian .cinnx'h.

By his ballot Mr. I'.rownson lias alwaxs
supported the Republican part\-. and in iS()X
servetl as assessor of Pleasant Ridge town-
ship. For nine years he was an active and
efficient meniljer of the school hoard of Fair-
bury, durins.;- which lime the tirst brick
school house was erected there, and was a
member of the board of village trustees when
the water works was ])ut in. Jn .X'ovember,
1895. he was appointed to till a vacancv as
supervisor, and at the ne.xt election was
elected to that office. He has since been re-
elected and is still tilling that office in a
most creditable and satisfactory manner.
He has taken an important part in the work
0I the board, and has proved a most com-
petent and trustworthy official, bis duties
having always been most faithfully dis-
charged. Fraternally he is a member of
Aaron Weider Post. G. A. R. ; Tarbolton
Lodge, No. 351, F. & A. M., and the Inde-
licndent Order of :\Iutual Aid. in all of
v.hicb he has held office.

WILLIAM ROBERT MORRIS.

William Robert Morris, a progressive
n'.ember of the agricultural class of Living-
ston county, is one of the most successful
young farmers of Amity township. His

emire life has been spent in this immediate
1< cality, and here, where he is so well known,
he bears a reputation for uprightness and
justice and a C(inscienti«ius regard for the
rights of others and bis dutv as a citizen and
head of a household.

William R. Morris, more familiar knijwn
as Robert Morris, comes from an old and
honored \ irginia family, and his grand-
father. Henry Morris, possessetl that spirit
\\ liich has tilled the hearts of all of the sturdy
br:i\e pioneers who laid the foundations of
future civilization and prosperity. Henry
Morris hrst removed from the Old Dominion
to the wilderness of Ohio. subse(|uently lo-
cated in Indiana and as early ;ts iN_^7. when
this country was new and sparsely settled,
came to Livingston county. Choosing a
tract of land in Amity township, he spent tlie
remainder of his life here, his death oc-
curring in 1841. His homestead, which he
had partially cleared and prepared for culti-
\ation, is the identical one now in the pos-
session of our subject.

C. F. Morris, father of William Robert
Morris, was born in Tippecanoe county, In-
diana, December ij, iS_'8. and from his
tenth year until his death, February 10.
1900, he tlwelt in .\mity townshij) — one of
her most esteemed citizens. His death is
felt to lie a public loss in this comminiity,
w liere so long and faitiifully he used his in-
Huence for its permanent welfare. In early
manhood he wetlded Susanna, daughter of
Joseph Sprin.ger, who was an early settler in
this locality, also. The young couple com-
menced keeping house in this township, and
in the course of time came to live on the old
Morris homestead, in section 17, having
bought the interests of the other heirs. Un-
tler his management the place was wonder-
fully improved, and a well-built house and

350

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

barns added nmcli to the value and desir-
ability of the farm. Mr. Morris was en-
gaged in the actual work of the farm until
about fifteen years ago. and in 1892 he re-
moved to Cornell, where he had purchased a
pleasant residence. His long and useful life
closed in peacefulness. and. surrounded by
his loving relatives and numerous sincere
friends he breathed his last and passed to his
reward. His mortal remains were tenderly
laid away in the old Morris cemetery, on
the homestead, with which the name has been
associated for more than three-score years.
His first wife, the mother of our subject,
died in 1874, and he afterward married
again. Joseph C. his eldest son is a resi-
dent of Kansas City, and Geneva, the only
daughter, is the wife of William Gregory,
a farmer of this township.

The birth of William Robert Morris oc-
curred on the old homestead. May 20. 1868.
and here his boyhood days were passed in
the usual quiet pursuits of country lads.
After completing the curriculum of the com-
mon schools, he further qualified himself for
life's duties by attending college at Dixon,
Illinois, where he was a student for two
years. He then returned home and assidu-
ously devoted himself to the cultivation of
the farm, deciding to make agriculture his
chief business in the future. Since 1890
he has had entire charge of the old farm,
and now manages about four hundred acres
of well cultivated and highly desirable land.
He is practical and in sympathy with the
progressive spirit of the age, and it is safe
to predict for him wealth and prominence,
though these things are not his chief aspira-
tions.

On the 27th of I^Iay, 1887, Mr. Morv.s
married Ella G. Blake, daughter of Daniel
Blake, of Cornell, her native place. Seven

children bless the union of this sterling
couple, namely : Fred. Lena, Robert B.,
Gertrude, Chester Warner, Daniel B. and
Mar_\' Geneva.

In his political faith Mr. Morris is a
Democrat. For himself he has never as-
pired to public office, as he finds his time
fully occupied in attending to his manifold
business affairs. Yielding to duty and the
desires of his neighbors, he has ofticiated as
district clerk and on the board of education,
giving his influence to all measures calcu-
lated to benefit the community permanently
in his opinion.

HEXRY J. SAXTELMAX.

Henr}- J. Santelman, one of the leading
agriculturists of Xewton township, whose
home is on section 14, has been a resident of
Li\ingston county since 1884. He is a na-
tive of Illinois, born in La Salle county, De-
cember 21, 1862, and is a son of Henry and
Sophia (Freeman) Santelman, natives of
Gerinan}v. who came to this country in early
life and were married in La Salle county.
By trade the father was a glazier, but here
he devoted his attention to farming, and
although he had no capital with which to be-
gin life, he worked hard and at the time of
his death, which occurred IMarch 12, 1898,
he owned two hundred and forty acres of
\alual)le land, acc^uired through his own
well-directed efforts. He was seventy-three
years of age at the time of his death. In
politics he was always a Republican, and
both he and his wife. were, members of the
German Evangelical church. She is still
living at the age of sixty years, and makes
her home in Sunbury township, Livingston
county. In their familj' were nine chil-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

35'

dren, namely : Cliarles, who u\\ iis and op-
erates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres
in Sunbury townsliip; Amelia, wife of Will-
iam Russow, who lias a farm of two hundred
and eighty acres in Xewtown township ;
Henrv j., our suhject : Mary, wife of Chris-
tian Cates. of La Salle county; I'rederick. a
resident of Sunbury township: \\ illiani, who
lives on the home place in La Salle county;
Edward, wlm works for his brother Charles;
Albert, who is with his mother; and Joseph,
who is with his brother Charles.

The subject of this review received his
education in the common schools of La
Salle county, and remained at home until
attaining his majority. On January i. 1885.
he married Miss Sophia lieckman, who was
born in (lermany. December 3, 1863. and
when seventeen years of age came to Amer-
ica with her mother and the other children
of the family, the father having died pre-
viously. She has t)ne brother. John, who
owns and operates a farm in Rock county.
Minnesota, and a sister, Mary, wife of
Charles Santelman. The mother is still liv-
ing with her children at the age of seventy-
three years. Mr. and Mrs. Santelman have
six children ; Hilda, born September 27,
1885; i'dla. Sei)tember 17. 1889; Walter,
December 7, 1891 ; Laura. September 7,
1894; I-'red, January 23. 1897; and Roy.
I-"el)ruary u, 1900.

On starting out in life for himself ]\lr.
Santelman's father gave him five hundred
dollars, a team and some farming imple-
ments. For nine years he successfully en-
gaged in farming in Sunbury township, and
on selling his projjcrty there bought his
present farm of one hundred and ninety
acres in .Xewtown township, for which he
l)aid fifty-eight dollars per acre. This he
has tiled and further improved, and as a

thorough and practical farmer he i> uK-ctuig
with well-deserved success. He possesses
man\- of the admirable characteristics of his
( ierman ancestors, being industrious, ener-
getic and persevering, and is highly re-
spected by all who know him. .\s a Repub-
lican he takes (piite an active interest in po-
litical affairs, but has never cared for office,
though he is serving as sclu>ol director in
his district. Religiously lie is a member of
tiie I'Xangelical church, as is also his wife.

IIAMMOXI) A. IM'.ARSOX.

Hammond A. Pearson, a prominent
f;irmer of .Xebr.nsk.i io\vnshi|). and a worthy
representative of one of the honored pioneer
families of Livingston county, was born
here, October 5, 1857, a son of .Xbel and
Mary .A. (Bloodworth) Pearson, both na-
li\es of England, the former born at Tydd,
St. Mary's, Lincolnshire, .\ugust 24. i8j(),
the latter at Tidd. ^t. (iiles. Jaiuiary 13,
1823. it was in 1849 that the father cro.ssed
the broad .\tlantic, and after spending one
season in Rochester. .Xcw York, came to
Illinois, settling at Wahnil Cirovc, now Eu-
reka. Woodford county. In May. i85fi. he
located on the west half of tiie northeast
(|uarter of section _m. Xeljraska township,
Livingston county, for which he paid
.scventv-five cents per acre, and the grant for
whicii he received from President lUichanan,
.\pril 15. 1857. On the i-'th of Eeiuuary.
1870, he bought the east half of the north-
west (|uarter fnun Josej)!) H. Stitt, at thirty-
five <IoIlars per acre, and the west half of ilie
northwest quarter from Thomas Ward, Jan-
uary 24, 1876. There he successfully en-
gageil in farming until 1881). when he moved

35:

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to Flanagan and laid aside all business cares,
living retired until his death, which occurred
December 31, 1893.

On the 26th of October, 1851, Abel Pear-
son married Mary A. Bloodworth. the cere-
mony being perfcjrmed -"by William Alartin,
justice of the peace, at-Metamora, Illinois.
She came to this country in that year, and
died April 9, 1826. In their family were the
following children: Susan A., born Sep-
tember 18, 1852, was married December 24,
1872, to Thomas Bennett, of Nebraska town-
ship. Livingston count}'; Abraham \\'., born
January i. 1854, died the following Octo-
ber: Mahala, born I\Iarch 4, 1855, was mar-
ried February 16, 1875, to F. H. Martin, a
nati\e i.if Li\'ingston count}', but now of
Goldfield, Iowa; Matilda J., born May 3,
1856. was married September 16, 1885, to
George Wood worth, of Nebraska township;
Hammond A., our subject, is next in order
of birth; Clark, born November 7, 1859, "J'^"^^
September 20, 1880; and Abel, born May 3,
1861, died October 6, 1862.

During his boyhood and }'outh Ham-
mond A. Pearson attended the district
schools, and on the home farm accjuired an
excellent knowledge of all the duties which
fall to the lot of the. agriculturist. Since
starting out in life for himself he has devoted
his time and energies to farming, and has
met witli good success in his chosen occu-
pation. He was married, January 18, 1883,
to Miss Fannie Wadsworth, a daughter of
William Wadsworth, of El Paso, Woodford
county, who was residing in McLean county
at tlie time of their marriage. They have
two children : Ernest B., born May 6, 1886;
and Myrta ^laud Lucile, born August 10,
1892.

Mr. Pearsn is president of the Nebraska
^Mutual Insurance Company, and has etili-

cicnllv serx'ed as schotil director in his dis-
trict for ten years. He and his family are
all members of the Christian church, and are
held in high regard by all who know them.

ELIJAH DEFENBAUGH.

Elijah Defenbaugh, deceased, was for
many years a well-known and honored citi-
zens of Reading township, Livingston coun-
t\', Illinois. He was born in Ross covnity,
Ohio, March 9, 1828, a son of Daniel and
Nancv ( .\rm.strong) Defenbaugh, natives of
Berks cnunty, Pennsylvania, the latter be-
ing of Scotch-Irish descent. The Defen-
baugh faniily is of Holland extraction, and
was founded in the L^nited States at a very
earlv da}'. Our subject's grandfather,
George Defenbaugh, moved from Pennsyl-
vania to Ohio, when the latter state was al-
most an unbroken wilderness, and in the
midst of the forest be made for himself a
home. There the father, Daniel Defenbaugh,
spent his entire life as a millwright. He
died and was buried in Ross county. In
his family were ten children, namely : James,
CJeorge, Elijah, Thomas and Caroline, all
now deceased; Isaac, Allen, Martin, Mar-
garet, and Angeline, now living.

In the county of liis nativity, Elijah Def-
er.bangh grew to manhood, receiving a coni-
nion-school education, and in early life work-
ing as a farm laborer for eight or ten dollars
])cr month. On October 5, 1851, he married
liis cousin, Miss Catherine Defenbaugh, a
daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Good-
man) Defenliaugh, also natives of Penn-
svlvania. The father was the oldest son
of (ieorgc Defenbaugh previously referred
to. lie was killed l)v a fall which broke his

'^-'|JL

ELIJAH DEFENBAUGH.

^^\

^^t'^""''^

j(k

\>#

./^

MRS. CATHERINE DEFENBAUGH.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lii'.ck. lly trade lio \\;is a tanner. Xeitlier
!u' nur liis wife ever came west to live.
Tlieir children were John. Daniel. Peter,
I'-lizahcth. Henry. Catiicrinc, .\dain. Duma,
Esther. Joseph, .Vmos and Maria, six of
\vhi>m are still li\ing. Of the ten cliildren
horn to our subject and his wife tlie oldest
died in infancy; .\mmon and Alfred are
hoth at home with their mother; Harvey is
running an elevator in Reading. Illinois;
Lucretia is the wife <if Gideon Slaughter-
hack, of Indiana: Milton is a resident of
Reading township, Lixingston county, Illi-
nois; Kphraini died at the age of eighteen
years; Dora died at the age of three years;
George died at the age of one month; and
I.ona did at the age of four years.

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs.
Defenhaugh came to Livingston county, Illi-
nois, and entered eighty acres of land in
Iveading townshii). for which he paid one
dollar and a (juarter per acre. At that time
it was all wild prairie land, ileer and wolves
were still to he seen in this region, and the
early settlers would get up parties to go out
and kill the latter to keep them from destroy-
ing their stock. From time to time Mr.
Defenhaugh added to his landed possessions
until he had over twelve hundred acres of
land, and throughout his active business life
was successfully engaged in general farm-
ing and stock raising. On coming to this
state he had only three hundred dollars in
money, a team and wagon ; hut being inilus-
trious, energetic and progressive, as well
as a man of good i)usiness and executive
ability, he pros|)ered in his undertakings and
ac(|uired a handsome competence. 1 le and
his wife experienced many of the hardships
and privations incident to frontier life. It
took them four weeks to drive acrtiss the
countrv to their new home in Illinois, there

Iieing no railroads at that time, and from
tiieir doorway they could look for miles over
what seemed to he boundless prairie witii
no habitations. Mr. Defenhaugh heljied to
haul ties t'or the tirsl railmail built through
Ins section, and his wife spun wo<il anil niailc
clothes for her family. He died December
19, 1886, and was laid to rest in Defenhaugh
cemetery, Reading township. In his polit-
ical views he was a Democrat, but never
cared for official honors, though he scrxeil
as school director in his district. His aid
was never withheld from any enterprise
which he believed calculated to prove of
public hcnelit, and in his death the com-
munity realized thai it had lost one of its
most valuable and useful citizens.

SIMOX J.\M1S()X.

Simon Jamison has been a resident of
Livingston county since the fall of 18O8,
and was for many years actively engaged iu
agricultural pursuits, but is now living a
retired life in the village of Cornell. He
was born in Ross county. Ohio, May 31,
1837, a son of William ami Sarah C. (.\d-
ams) Jamison, the former a native of Wash-
ington comity, Pennsylvania, the latter of
Ross ciiunty, Ohio. His paternal grand-
father was William Jamison, Sr., who was of
Irish parentage and died in Ohio in 1S21.
The father was born alwjut 1813, am! was.
only six years old when the family removed
to the Buckeye state, his early life being spent
in Ross county, w here he and his six brothers
cleared ami improveil a farm. Later he
lived in Fayette county, Ohio, and .spent
his last days upon a farm in Mercer county,
that state, where he died in iSSj. His wife

358

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

survived liini a number of years, dying in
December, 1894.

Simon Jamison grew to manhood upon
a farm in l-'ayette county, Ohio, and at-
tended tlie pubHc schools to some extent,
but at tlie age of fourteen commenced earn-
ing his own Hvelihood by working by the
month as a farm hand, and later was em-
ployed as engineer in a grist-mill at Jasper
for six years. In Fayette county he mar-
ried, January 6, 1859, to iliss Mary E.
Cline, a native of that county and a (laugh-
ter of George Cline, who was born in Cul-
peper county, Virginia, in 1809, but was
reared in Clinton county, Ohio. In Fayette
county, that state. Mr. Cline married Cather-
ine Figins, who was I)orn in that county
March 7, 1813, and belonged to one of the
early families of Ohio. He followed farm-
ing in Fayette county until his death, which
parted this life January 29, 1894, both being
laid to rest in Bush cemetery, where a sub-
stantial monument has been erected to their
memory. Mrs. Jamison's paternal grand-
father, Philip Cline. was also a nati\e of \'ir-
ginia. Our subject and his wife are the
parents of three children, namely : Edward
A., a business man of Pontiac and Cornell,
married and has one son, Clarence, who lives
with his grandparents; Cary A., a farmer of
Amity township, is married and has three
children, Stella, Harold and Ross ; and Cath-
erine is the wife of Professor Clarence E.
De Butts, superintendent of the Fairbury
schools, and they have two children, Cary
and Dean.

Mr. Jamison engaged in farming on
rented land in Fayette county, Ohio, until
1868, and then came to Livingston county,
Illinois, locating on a rented farm in Amity
township, wliich he purchased afterward,*
after living; there for foiu' A-ears. It con-

sists of one hundred and sixty acres of land,
antl to its further improvement and culti-
vation he devoted his time and attention for
many years. He erected a good residence,
barn, granary, cribs and sheds, set out an
orchard, and otherwise impro\ed the place
until it is now a valuable farm. In 1888
he rented it and moved to Cornell, where he
has built a large, neat residence, one of the
nicest in the village. He was in the store
of his son for about six years after coming
to this place, l)ut is now practically living
retireil, though he oversees the management
of his place. His success in life is due en-
tirely to his own well-directed efforts, for he
came to this state empty-handed and has
made what he has by industry, perseverance
and good management.

Mr. Jamison cast his first presidential
vote for Stephen A. Douglas, the Little
Giant, and has since been an ardent Demo-
crat, and has been a delegate to the county
conventions of his part. He served fifteen
}ears as highway commissioner and nine
as township trustee \\ith cretlit to himself
and to the entire satisfaction of all con-
cerned. His estimable wife is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church of Cornell,
and both are hekl in high regard by all who
know them.

IRA M. KNIGHT.

Ira M. Knight, a well-known farmer of
section 13. Germanville townsliip. Living-
ston county, is a native of lUinoi's, his birth
having occurred in Will county, .\ugust
23, 1861. His father, Marshall B. Knight,
was born in Susquehanna county. Pennsyl-
vania, April 5, 1831, and was a son of
Amasa and Lo\ina Knight, natixcs of \'er-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

359

iront. wlio ill 1845 l)n)Ught their family tn
Illinois, locating^ first near Ottawa, where
tliey engaged in tanning, .\niasa Kmight
(lied in 1S50. when well advanced in life,
and his wife, who sur\ived him some years,
died of smallpo.x in Burean omnty. this state.
Marshall B. Km'ght grew to inanhond upnn
his father's farm, and after the latter"s death
operated the place for some vears. In 1831
he married .Miss Althere C. Tillotson ami
they made their home in La Salle connty
for a time. Snhse(|uently he was thus en-
gaged in farming in Will dmnty fur ahout
ten years, and then mi)\ed tu the northern
part of Ford ci unity, where he followed the
same occnpatinn five years. Selling his
f;'.rni of one hnndred and si.xty acres, in
1874. he came to Livingston county, and
pmxhased three hundred and twenty acres
on section 13. Germanville township. ti>
the impro\-ement and culti\ation of which
he devoted his energies until his death,
which occurred Decemlier 4. 1895. ^^ ^^''^
a public-spirited and enterprising man. who
advocated all measures tending to the at'-
\ancement and improvement of the locality,
and was a stanch supporter of the Repub-
lican party. He served as school director two
of three terms, but never cared for political
jjreferment. His widow, who still survives
him. continues to reside on the okl home-
stead on section 13. (ierniamille township.
To them were born nine children, namely:
Mary, wife of Fred D. Pettis, of Xeliraska:
.\lnicda. wife of Charles Rudd. a carjjenter
i>f Juliet. Illinois: George, twin brother of
Alnieda. who died at the age of one year and
a half: Warren, who resides on the home
place: Ira M.. our subject: Elmer, who mar-
r-.ed Ella Xagle and lives on section 13. Ger-
nianville township: I-'llen. twin sister of
F.lnier and wife of William Marsh, a well

driller of Buckingham, Illinois: .Mice, who
first married M. J. Davis, and second Hil-
dred Cani])bell. veterinary surgeon and po.st-
niaster of Roberts. Illinois: Eva. wife cf
Thadeus J ledger of the same jilace.

Ira .M. Knight was educatetl in the pub-
he schools of Ford and Livingston counties,
and remained under the parental roof until
twenty-eight years of age. when he located
upon his present farm of eighty acres on
section 13. Germanville town>lii]). given him
by his father. He has since made many
improvements upon the place, and it is now-
one of the most highly cultivated tracts of
land in that locality. The Knight family
have been prominently identified with the
de\elopment of the county, and have been
instrumental in transforming the wild prairie
into one of the richest agricultural districts
of the state.

On the 13th of Xo\ ember. 1881;. in
Brenton towiishii). I-"<ird county. .Mr.
Knight was united in marriage with .Miss
Hannah Holmes, one of a family of nine
children, all li\ing. whose parents are Chris-
tian and Maria ( Han.son ) Holmes, prcnni-
iient agriculturists of that county. Our sub-
ject and his wife have two children : Al-
there C. born on the home place in Li\ings-
ton county .\])ril 4. 1890. ami (iladys M.,
born January u. 1S99.

Christian Holmes was born in Denmark
Feliruary 19. 1842. He was educated in bis
native land and at the age of twenty-five
years emigrateil to .\merica. He was a
carpenter by trade, having served his ap-
prenticeship in the lan<l of iiis birth. When
be came to this country he first located in
Xashville. Washington county. Illinois,
where he worked at his trade a lew years,
when he remove<l to X'ormal. Illinois, where
he also winked at his trade until he was ob-

36o

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

liged to discontinue it on account of failing-
health, in 1875. At this tmie he concluded
to engage in the more healthful pursuit of
tilling the soil. He accordingh- purchased
eightv acres of land in Brenton township,
Ford county, Illinois, where he immediately
moved with his family and still resides on
this farm of his first purchase. He also
has purchased one hundred and ninety-two
acres more since that time, which is under
a fine state of culti\-ation and which ranks
^Ir. Holmes among the extensive land invn-
ers of that prosperous community. He was
married, at Chicago, Illinois, in April. 1869,
to ^liss Maria Hansen, who was also a na-
tive of Denmark. She came to this country
in 1S69 and they were married upon her
arrival here. They reared a family of nine
children, seven of whom are living, viz. :
Hannah C. ; Mrs. I. M. Knight: Louis, who
resides near Piper City. Illinois ; George,
same place : Minnie, at home ; John, at home :
Freddie, at home; Willie, at home. Mr.
Holmes has never aspired to political ofiice,
but has served his township on several oc-
casions as school director. He is a stanch
Republican, and the family are adherents
to the Presbvterian faith.

HENRY M. CORNELL.

Henry ^I. Cornell, one of the honored
pioneers of Livingston county and a veteran
of the Civil war, is now living a retired life
in the village of Cornell, (juietly enjoying
the income which he accumulated in former
years. He has made his home in this coun-
ty since the spring of 1840 and can relate
many interesting incidents of the days when
this region was all wild and unimproved.

He has seen towns and villages spring up
and all the comforts of civilized life intro-
duced, and in the work of ad\-ance!nent and
progress he has ever btirne an important
part.

:Mr. Cornell was born in Newport,
Rhode Island, September 4, 1836, and be-
longs to a family of English origin ft)unded
ir, this country by three brothers, one pf
whom settled in Canada, the second in New
York and the third in Rhode Island. All
were members of the Society of Friends,
to which faith the ancestors of our sul)ject
have adhered for many generations. His
grandfather. Walter Cornell, was a life-long
resident of Rhode Island. The father, Wal-
ter Cornell, Jr., was born in Newport, that
state, .-\pril 3. 181 1. -and there married
Sarah C. Eldred, a native of Connecticut,
and a daughter of John Eldred, who be-
longed to an old New England family. The
original Eldred homestead is still in i)os-
session of the family and adjoins the birth-
place of Commodore Perry. In early life
the father of our subject was interested in
the manufacture of cotton goods and was
superintendent of factories. He came west
in 1838 and first located in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, but in the fall of the same year
came to Illinois' to take charge of a stationary
engine used in digging the canal. In 1837
he entered two hundred acres of government
land in Amity township, Livingston, which
he commenced to improve, and in 1840 re-
turned to Rhode Island and Ijrought his fam-
ily to the home he had prepared for them,
the journey being made by way of the great
lakes. In connection with farming he en-
gaged in raising stock, fattening cattle and
hogs, which he drove to the Chicago mar-
kets. He was one of the best educated
and well informed men of the county, as

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

361

well as one of its must prdininciu and in-
fluential citizens, and was iKimired with im-
portant official positions, serving as super-
visor, superintendent of schools and county
treasurer three years. He died in 1895.
l;i,nhly respected by ail v.ho know him.
Of his family two sons are still living:
Henry M.. our subject, and Walter B., a
resident of Great Bend, Kansas.

] leiirv M. Cornell was only four years
old when the family settled in Livingston
county, where he grew to manhood upon a
farm. His educatrional advantages were
rather limited, as the schools of this region
at that day were much inferior to those of
tiie present time. At the age of twenty he
started out in life for himself as a farmer,
but later rented his farm and traveled some.
In 1S61. at the opening of the Civil war, he
enli.steil in Company H, Eleventh Illinois
Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army
of the Tennessee, and his first battle was that
of Sliiloh, followed by the siege of Corinth.
He was in fue important battles and a num-
ber of skirmishes, being under fire twenty-
eight times. He was taken ])risoner by For-
est at Lexington, Tennessee, but was soon
paroled, when he came mirth and was put
in charge of paroled men until e.xchanged.
He was put on detached dutv as pro-
vost marshal at Grand Junction, Missis-
sippi, for a time, and was jiromoted from
orderly sergeant to first lieutenant. He
lost no time except when granted a short
furlough, but was at length forced to resign
and was mustered out on account of disabil-
ity, being taken home on a bed. When he
had sufficiently recovered he resumed farm-
ing, but sold his farm a few years later and
moved to the southern part of the state.
Ir. 1 87 1, however, he returned to Livingston
county, and purchased his old place in .\mity

tiiwnshi]), whicii he has since greatly im-
proved. He laid out that part of the village
of Cornell north of Main street ami whicli
\\as named for the family, and has since de-
voted considerable attention to the real es-
tate business, but is now living retired.

(~)n the 1st of January, 1861, in Livings-
ton count)', Mr. Cornell married Miss Mary
S. Coe. a daughter of William Coe. She
was born in Covington, Indiana, but was
principally reared in Illinois, and died in
this county Januar\- 3, 1890, lea\ing nine
children, two suns and seven daughters,
namely: Dick H., who has successfully
engaged in teaching school and served as a
soldier of the Spanish-. \merican war, being
with the army in I'orto Ricn; Wrdter, who
is now among the Indians in northwestern
Minnesota: S. Lillian, who is a graduate of
Eureka College, and was formerly engaged
in teaching school, but is nnw a resident of
Great Bentl, Kansas; Lora L., who taught
school five years, and is now the wife of C.
W. Hadley, of Cul)a, Missouri: Mattie E.,
who also taught five years, and is now the
wife of Stephen Dunbar, of Cornell: Ber-
tha E., who followed the same profession
five vears, and is now the wife of Irwin
Finley, who was deputy sheriff of Livings-
ton county four years and is now a resident
of Estherville, Iowa: Toe D.. a teacher re-
siding at home; Lulu, alsn a teacher: and
Alia, at home.

Politically Mr. Cornell has been a life-
long Republican, and has been a delegate
to a numl)er of county conventions, but has
never sought office, though he served one
term as supervisor, l-'raternally he is a
member of Cornell Post. G. A. K.. and is
a Roval Arch Mason, who serve<l three
vears as master of the blue lodge at Cor-
nell. As a liberal-minded and progressive

362

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

citizen lie has aided materially in the de-
velopment of liis adopted county, has given
Iiis support to all enterprises calculated, to
prove of public benefit, and is justly entitled
to prominent mention among her most hon-
ored and useful citizens.

CHRISTOPHER C. LEONARD.

Christopher C. Leonard, an honored vet-
eran of the Ci\il war, and a successful agri-
culturist of Xewtown township, has been
identified with the interests of Livingston
countv for almost half a century, havinsr lo-
cated here in 1852. He was born in Brad-
ford county. Pennsylvania. April 26. 1836.
and is a son of Edmnud D. and Elizabeth
H. (Remington) Leonard, natives of Mas-
sachusotts and Xew York, respectively. In
earlv life the father followed different occu-
pations, but after coming to Illinois, in 1852.
lie devoted his attention to farming exclu-
sively. He took up one hundred and sixty
acres of go\eriiinent land in Xewton town-
ship. Livingston county, which was wild
prairie land, entirely unimproved, and he
and our subject at once began to break it
and continuc'd to work together for some
time. The family endured many hardships
and pri\ations incident to pioneer life, and
at first had to haul all their produce to Ot-
tawa, which was the nearest market place.
The two oldest sons worked out at twelve
dollars per month and paid for the land,
while the father and our suliject devoted
their energies towards its improvement.
The father died in i860, but the mutlier.
who was born January 24. 1808, is still liv-
ing. To them were born nine children, of
whom one died in infancv; Franklin, the

oldest Soil, died in the service <>i his country
(luring the ci\il war. being a member of
Company G. One Hundred and Twenty-
ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Mrs.
Harriet Jacobs died in Ford county. Illinois;
and Mrs. Mary Ide in Aconda. Livingston
county. Those living are Alyra, wife of
Andrew Stewart, of Kempton, Ford coun-
ty; Roscoe, who owns a part of the old home
farm in Xewton townshi]); Christopher C,
our subject; Sarah, wife of Andrew Hoob-
ler. of Streator; and Isabelle, wife of John
L. Cusick. of Xewton township.

Christopher C. Leonard began his edu-
cation in the schools of his native state,
and after coming to Illinois, at the age of
ten years, attended school in Livingston
county for a time. He remained under the
parental roof until he was married, in 1858,
to Miss Mary Mason, who was born in
Michigan, in August, 1838, a daughter of
Enoch and Elizabeth Mason. Her family-
came to Livingston county in 1852 and set-
tled 1)11 the farm in Xewton township now
occupied by our suliject. where her parents
die'.l. She has one Ijruther. George, a
farmer in Iowa.

For a year and a half after his marriage
^Ir. Lemiard engaged in farming in Amity
township. Livingston county, and then re-
turned to Xewton township. After the
civil war broke out he laid aside all per-
sonal interests, and enlisted, in August,
1 802, in Company A. One Hundred and
Twenty-ninth Illinois X'olunteer Infantry,
with which he served until the close of the
war. being all through the Atlanta cam-
jiaign and taking part in many battles. He
entered the service as a private, and when
discharged, June 17, 1865. held the rank of
corporal. After his return home Mr. Leonard
operated his mother's farm until the death

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(if Ills wife's parents, wlicji he purchased
the interest of tlie heirs in tlie farm wliich
he now occupies. It consists of one liun-
(Ired and forty-two acres of ricli and arable
land on section 34, Xewtown township, upon
wliich he has made all of the improvements,
and he also owns forty acres in .'\mity town-
ship. In 1898 he purchased a general store
in Manville, which he now operates in ])art-
nership with his son. This property has all
been acquired through his own well-directeil
and energetic efforts, for he started out in
life for himself with no capital save a pair
of willing hands and a tleterraination to
succeed.

Of the nine children born to Mr. and
Mrs. Leonard, one died in infancy. The
others are as follows: (i) Edwin, a
farmer of Xcwton township, married Effie
Hoenshell. and they have three children,
Lloyd. David C. and Lela. (2) Olivia is
with her parents. (3) Emily is the wife
of John W'eidman, a farmer of McHenry
county. Illinois, and they have six children.
Ervie. Arthur. Lawrence, Bertha. Mary and
Roy. (4) Clora is the wife of Alvin Gil-
man, of Xewtown township, and they have
three children. Mary. Alma and Lula B.
( 5 ) 1 ra, a resident of Amity township,
married Lizzie Gilman. and they have two
children. Alma and Ralph. (6) Andrew,
also of Amity toavuship. married Ada
Walker, and they have one daughter. Flor-
ence. (7) Frank is at home with his par-
ents. (8) Fred married Ine I. Davis, and
is now a partner of his father's store in
Manville.

Since casting his first presidential vote
for John C. Fremont. Mr. Leonard has
been a stanch supporter of the Rei)ublican
party, and has taken fpiite an active and
prominent part in local politics, holding

some oflices for .several years, lie has
served as road commissioner six \ears.
school director, ten years; collector, three
years, and assessor, two years, being elected
to the last named office for 1901. In 1890
he was appointed census emimerator. and
has been a delegate to the count v conven-
tions of his party. He is an honored mem-
ber of the Grand Army I'ost, Xo. 761), at
Cornell, in which he has held all the oflices,
and is an active member of the .Mehtodist
E|iiscopal church, to which his estimable
wife also belongs. His useful and well-
spent life has gained for him not only a
comtoriable competence, but also ihc re-
spect and confidence of all with whom he
has come in contact either in Inisiness or
social life.

K()11RI:K.

G. E. Rohrer, a pojiular and successful
photographer of I'lanagan, was born in
Rutland, La Salle county, Illinois, Septem-
ber 20. 1866. and is a son of l'!manuel and
Harriet (Koontz) Rt)hrer, natives of M.iry-
land. who came to this state in 1844,
and first located in Chicago, which at
that time was a mere village. Six years
later they moved to Champaign, where the
father died Xovember 22. i8fK>. Since
then the family ha\e made their home in
Rutlanil. The chiMren arc as foll<JWs:
John, a harness-maker of Rutland ; Henri-
etta, wife of (i. B. Horner, of Lincoln. Illi-
nois: .\aron, a machinist of Rutland; Will-
iam, a grocer of that place; Elizabeth, wife
of L. W. Kelly, of Rutland: Silas, foreman
of the Kansas City Transfer Com|)any ;
Charles, a barber of Rutland; ami G. E.
our subject.

364

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In liis native town G. E. Rolirer grew
to manhood and is indel)ted to its public
schools tor his educatitinal adventages. At
the age of seventeen he commenced working
at the barber's trade there, and on coming
to Flanagan in 1885. opened a liarber shop,
Avhicli he successfully conducteil until March,
1899, when he sold out. In connection
with tlie barber business he had been en-
gaged in photography for ten years, and
since disposing of the former he has de-
votc-;I Ills entire time and attentii^)n to the
latter. He i'S well known for the excellency
of his work and receives a \ery extensive
patronage.

On the 28th of May, 1880, Mr. Rohrer
married Miss Carrie W'illoughby. of Rut-
land, who presides with gracious dignity
over their home. As a public-spirited and
progressive citizen, he takes considerable
interest in the welfare and progress of his
town, and has served several years as a
member of the board of trustees of Flana-
gan. I'olitically he is identified with the
Republican party.

WILLIAM H. ROTH.

William H. Roth, owner and proprietor
of the leading machine and repair shop of
Pontiac, was born in Lacon, Illinois, Sep-
tember 3, i860. His father, Henry Roth.
was born in 1S22. near Cologne, Germany,
where he was reared and educated, and for
some time lie was a soldier in the German
army taking an active part in the war of
1848. In 1852, on the expiration of his
term of enlistment, he came to the United
States and located in La Salle county, Illi-
nois, where he worked on a farm, having

become thoroughly familiar with agricultural
pursuits in his native land. While in La
Salle he was married to Elizalieth Weber,
who was also born in Cologne, Germany, in
1 83 1. After his marriage he .settled near
Lacon, where he operated a rented farm two
years, and then, ha\ing been able to save
some money, he purchased eighty acres of
raw prairie land, which he at once com-
menced to improve and cultivate. He has
since added to his farm and now has a
quarter-section of land in Bennington town-
ship, Marshall county, all tiled and under
a high state of cultivation, it being one of the
best kept farms in the township. There
the father still resides and continues to en-
gage in active farming. He came to this
country with no capital and the first year
workeil for twelve dollars per month, bur
his ability and fi.xed purpose have brought
him independence, and he is now one of the
successful and highly respected men of his
locality. He and his wife are members of
the Catholic church at ^klinonk, were among
the first to unite with the same, have con-
tributed liberally to its support and helped
to build the church edifice. The father also
lielped build the first school house in his dis-
trict. In his family are seven chiklren who
are still living.

During his boyhood William II. Roth
received a good ])ractical education in the
common schools, and being an inveterate
reader he has stored up a large fund of use-
ful information and has ac(|uired a fine li-
brary. He assisted his father in the opera-
tion of the farm until twenty-four ^ears of
age, and after working for others one year,
he traveled through t!ie west or. a sort of
inspection tour. On his return to ^larsliall
county, Illinois, he worked on a farm in
Bennington township four years, and then

WILLIAM H. ROTH.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

3''>7

came to L'niun township. Lixingslon county.
where he was similarly employed.

On Thanksgiving day. Xovcmlier ij,
i88i,Mr. Roth married Mifs Catherine Hor-
bach, a tlaughtcr of Jolin Ilorliach, who
who was born near Cologne Germany, and
they have became the parents of fom- chil-
dren, namely: Margaiet. \\'illiam. Mary
and L'erdia.

For fonr years after his marriage. Mr.
Roth engaped in farming near Emington,
and then came to Pontiac. where he was em-
ployed as engineer at the tile factory two
years, having previously become familiar
with the duties of that position. Liking the
work he decided to follow the Uiachinist's
tiade and opened a shop of his own, buying
his present property at Xo. 417 West
Ilowaril street. He mjw has the principle
machine shop in Pontiac and has met with
marked success in this venture, being em-
inently fitted for that line of work. Besides
liis business property Mr. Roth now owns a
good house and two lots in the west part
of the town. His success in lite is due en-
tirely to his own well-directed efforts and
good business ability. He and his family are
members of St. ^Mary's Catholic church, and
he also belongs to the Modern W'ooilmen
of America and the Toilers I'"ratcrnil\-.

THOM.\S G. RVERSOX.

Thomas G. Ryerson has witnessed al-
most the entire development of Livingston-
county, and has contributed his full share
to this grand work. By concentrated effort
and indefatigable energy he has wrought
out success, and now, in his declitiing years,
is reaping the just rewinds ..f lii> 1. luy vears

of toil. Commencing life, a stranger in a
.strange land, without a dollar, and, indeed,
in dobt for the cost of his voyage across
the Atlantic, he certainly has displayed a
fortitude and ai)])licati( a\ V > Imsinc-^^ ,iiu. imit-
ing to heroism.

The career of Mr. Ryerson possesses
much that is worthy of emulation by his
posterity, and his many friends will take
pleasuro in tracing this record. Born in
Stavanger, Xorway, September 8, 1834, he
grew to manhood there, and obtained a fair
education in his mother tongue. In com-
pany with an older brother, Ole Rverson,
he emigrated tt) America in 1855, '"'i'' ^^
the end of a voyage that consumed si.x
weeks and six ilays, they arrivetl at their
destination — Quebec. Coming to Chicago
by way of the great lakes, our subject then
])roceeded to Ottawa, where he witnessed
the celel)rations attendant on the fourth of
July. He was stricken with the typhoid
fever, and during that summer was in very
poor health in conseijuence. As soon as
be was al)le to work tho bra\e yoiuh ob-
tained a position on a farm, and for sev-
eral years thereafter worked for others.

On the 14th of August. i8f)_', Mr. Ryer-
son enlisted in the defeuso of his atlopted
country, becoming a member of Company
I', One Hundred and Eourth Illinois In-
fantry, which was placed in the .\rmy of
the Tennessee. At the first severe engage-
ment in which oin- subject was eiigageil he
was wounded by a shell in the right hip,
and being so disabled, was sent to the hos-
pital at Gallatin, Tennessee, .*^u1)se(|uently
he was transferred to the hospital in Xash-
ville, and thence to one in Chicago. When
he was convalescent he was honorably dis-
charged from the army and returned to La
Salle county in April, 1863.

368

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

\Mit';i he liail recoxered a measure of
his usual healtli. Mr. Ryerson resumed agri-
cultural labors, and in 1865 came to Living-
ston county. Here he bought eighty acres
in Amity township, only thirty acres of
which property had been broken and placed
under the plow. A small cabin served as
a home for a period, but in time this was
supplanted by a large, pleasant house, which
was built under the owner's supervision.
He also built barns, sheds and fences, and
])lanted an orchard and fine shade trees.
As he could afford it. he in\-ested his sur[)lus
funds in more land, and to-day is the owner
of four hundred and seventy acres. Most
of this is productive and valuable land,
yielding a generous return for the labor ex-
pended upon it.

The marriage of Mr. Ryerson and Liz-
zie Larson,, a native of Norway, took place
in La Salle county in 1863. The wife was
a child of, yerhaps, twelve years, when she
came to the United States, and, with her
husband, she has been a faithful member
of the Lutheran church since youth. To
her helpfulness and brave spirit during the
years of their struggle for a home and com-
petence, Mr. Ryerson attributes much of
his success in life. Two of their children
died in infancy, but nine survive. Lt)uis
is married and is a prosperous farmer in this
district. Anna Belle is the wife of Rasmus
Aarvig. of Pontiac. Theodore is the agent
and telegraph operator for the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad Companv at Cullom, Illinois.
The younger children who are at lionie are
named as follows: Oliver, Adolph, Mil-
dred, David. Clara and ^label.

Mr. Ryerson is especially desirous of
giving his children good educations, know-
ing that thereby they will be fitted for the
battle of life. He is deeply interested in

the maintenance of schools of a high stand-
ard, and for three terms has officiated as a
member of the school board, doing all within
his power to increase the ofiiciency of our
educational system. In political creed he
is a true-l)lue Republican, and since casting
his first presidential ballot for Lincoln, in
1864, he has ardently supported the party
of his choice.

ADAM F. MORRISON.

Lixingston county attributes its wonder-
ful growth and flourishing state to the fine,
enterprising citizens classed among its agri-
culturists, and in Amity township the sub-
ject of this article is one of the foremost.
He is a native of Illinois, his birth having
taken place in La Salle county. ]May 27,
1858.

His father. Adam Morristni. one of the
honored pioneers of the county mentioned,
was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1827,
and when he was in his eighteenth year he
sailed for America, his future home. He
accompanied his father, James Morrison,
who likewise was a natix'e of the land of the
thistle and heather, and their first location
in this country was at Fall River, Massa-
chusetts. In 1844 they removed to the
west, and thenceforth were identified with
this prairie .state.. .\dam Morrison, who
for the past four years has been living re-
tired at his home in Streator, was actively
engaged in farming in La Salle county for
many years. He made a success of the
business and accumulated considerable ex-
cellent land, about three hundred acres being
comprised in two or threi farms situated
near Streator. His wife. Fanny, a daugh-
ter of William Dickensi>n, was born in Man-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

369

cliester. Enelaiid. and with the . jiareiUal.
family came to tlie new \v(irld til't\-niiie
years ago. and. like the Morrisons, tirst set-
tkvl in the pretty town ni l-"all River. Mas-
sachusetts.

Adam l-". Morrison, whose entire life
has been sjjcnt in Illinois, became f;niiiliar
with the varied duties of a farmer when h.-
was a mero chikl. and it was not until he
had fully arrived at mature vears that he
left iiome and started upon his independent
career. The most important step in his
life, perhaps, was his marriage. July J3.
1880, to Miss Mary Welch, whose birth
had occurred in Marshall county, Illinois.
The young couple commenced keeping house
upon one of the farms belonging to the
senior Morrison, but by industry and econ-
omy they managed to make a good start to-
ward financial success within three or four
years.

In 1SS4 Mr. Morrison purchased a
homestead of some eighty acres, situateil in
Livin.gston county. l"'rom time to time, as
his means afforded, he bought additional
land, until his farm comprises two hundred
and five acres. By judicious expenditure
of money he has .greatly increased the value
of his lanil, and by tiling, fencing and rota-
tion of crops, he has proved his enterprise
and wisdom. For a period the family used
an old house and barn, but now all is differ-
ent, and a commodious new house and navus
an<l .granaries bespeak the thrift of the pro-
prietor. An orchard, in which a great va-
riety of fruits may be found, and an abund-
ance of well- trimmed shade trees about the
farm, add much to the licauty and desira-
bilitv of the i)lace.

In all cif his efforts to gain a livoHliood
and pleasant home. Mr. Morrison lias found
a true hel])meet in his wife. She is a dau.gb-

ter of Xoah Welch, a native of Kentucky,
and from his fourteenth year a resident of
Po:ins\l\ania. Missouri and Illinois, his ar-
rival in this state occurring in the earlv part
of the Civil war. His wife. Jane, was a
daughter of Jared Ely. and both were IVnn-
syl\ anians b\- birth. 1 hey were married
near St. Joseph. .Missouri, where, the Welcii
family were then living. The four chil-
ilren born to our subject and wife are Will-
iam _.M., Lee X.. Frank and Helen, all of
whom are promising students in the local
school. -Mr. Morrison is a Democrat, but
be never has been an aspirant to public
honors. He commands the res])ect i>l this
community, and his friends are le_gion
throughout the northern part of this county,
and wherever he is known. Tho family at-
tend the Methodist Episcopal church.

DEXXIS (".LI XX EX.

Dennis (llinnen. one of the old settlers
antl much respected citizens of .Vvoca town-
shi]) and a resident of Livingston county
for over half a century, was born in county
Westmeath, Ireland, May 9, 1833, a son
of lames and Mary (Dunn) Cdinnen, who
emigrated to .\merica in 1838 to make a
home for themselves and children. In Ire-
land the I'atlier worked as a laborer and
farmer, an<l on tirst coming to this country
found emi)loymo:it in an iron foundry in
Susse.K county. Maryland, where he re-
mained a number of years. In .Xovember,
1844. he came to Illinois, and six years later
purchased a claim and also some govern-
mcvit land in Livingston county, owning at
the time of his death, in 1858. two hundred
and fort\- .utcs .'f l.ind in .\voca township.

370

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He was a self-made man. who started out
in life as a poor laborer, and by hard work
and good management, as well as honest
dealings, not only won a comfortable com-
petence, but also commanded the respect of
all with whom he came in contact. Of his
seven children three died young, and four
are still living, namely: Dennis, the sub-
ject of this sketch; IMary, wife of John
^Monahan. who lives north of Chatsworth,
in Charlotte township: Christopher, a resi-
dent of Avoca township; and Matthew, who
owns and occupies the old home farm.

During his boyhood Dennis Glinnen
received a very limited education, which
was mostly acquired in the home schools,
but schools were scarce in those days and
bovs had no such opportunities as are now
ofYered. After the death of his father he
assumed control of the farm work, being
the oldest son, and for a numl)er of years
carried it on very successfully. At length
the pr(jperty was divided among the heirs
and the homestead fell to the youngest son,
with whom our subject lives. They have
made exte-nsive improvements upon the
place, erecting barns and feeding sheds for
the accommodation of their stock, and have
fully tiled the land and placed it under a
high state of cultivation. They make a
specialty of the raising of cattle and hogs.
Our subject is the owner of ele\-en hundred
acres of land in the belt of the most fertile
land in the township, upon which he super-
intends the raising and feeding of stuck,
which enterprise he has carried on most
successfully for some years. Since 1885
he has lived retired from active labor and
now rents a part of his land, though he still
has gcoieral supervision of the same and
attends to all repairs.

Religiouslv Mr. Glinnen is a devout

meml.ier of the Catholic church and a liberal
supporter of the same. On national issues
he is a Democrat, but at local elections votes
for the men whom he considers best quali-
fied to fill the offices regardless of party
lines. He has ser\'ed as school director in
his district for twenty years, and also filled
tile office of road commissioner in a most
creditable and satisactory manner. Though
c|uiet and unassuming, he makes many
friends, and is held in high regard bv all
with wlmm he comes in contact.

HEXRY GRIESER.

Henry Grieser, one of the industrious,
enterprising and successful citizens of Waldo
township, who has done his part toward
making Livingston county one of the fore-
most agricultural counties of the state, was
born in Germany, May 12, 1848, a son of
Christian and Catherine Grieser. He lost
his UKjther when only two years old, and
his father died two years later. He was
thus left an orphan at the early age of four
years. He was reared and educated in his
native land, and e-niigrated to America in
1868, locating in \\'oodford county, Illinois,
\\here he made his home for four years.
In 1872 he came to Livingston county and
located in Waldo townhsii), with whose
farming interests he has since been promi-
nently i(le:itified. Throughout his active
business life he has engaged n agricultural
pursuits, and his labors have met w itli well-
deserved success.

In 1873 Mr. Grieser was united in mar-
riage with Miss Elizalieth Smith, of Iowa,
a daughter of John P. Smith, who now re-
sides in Waldo tnwnshi]). and is one of the

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

371

prominent farmers of tliat section of Living-
ston county and to them have been born
four cliil(h"en. nanielv : jnhn. llenrv, Au-
gustus and Christian. In liis poHtical views
]\Ir. Grieser is decidedly a Democrat, and
takes a commendalile interest in the success
of his party. Me is one of Waldo tnwn-
ship"s most reliable citizens, and is a man
highly repecteil and esteemed wherever
known.

FRANK R. STEWART.

One of the oldest employees in years of
continuous service on the lines with which
he is connected is Frank R. Stewart, who
is agent for the W'abash ami the Toledo,
Peoria & Warsaw Railroads at Forrest.
Long connection with the extensive corpora-
tions which control the lines of transporta-
tion in our country indicates marked faith-
fulness, ability and fitlelity on the part of
employes, antl therefore Mr. Stewart's ex-
tended connection with railroad interests is
a high testimonial of his ability. He has the
trust and confidence of the company and is
a most popular agent, owing to his uniform
courtesy, obliging manner and his fidelity to
duty.

A native of Dixon, Illinois, he was born
on the 1 6th of March, 1856, a son of Lewis
Henry and Sarah E. (Appier) Stewart.
His father was a native of Uniontown, Car-
roll county, Maryland, born August 28,
1 83 1. The grandfather was also born there
and the great-grandfather was the owner of
large landed property in that locality. He
belonged to one of the old and prominent
families of the state and at the time of the
Revolutionary war loyally aided the colonies
'in their struggle for independence.

The father of our subject was educated
in the place of his nativity and was recog-
nized as a man of considerable intlucnce in
that locality. He married Miss Apjjler,
who was born in Carroll county, in May,
1834, a daughter of Isaac Appier, who lived
to be ninety years of age, dying in 1895.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Judith Winters, is now living at the ad-
vanced age of ninety-four years. Both he
and his wife were natives of England. He
became one of the wealthy landholders of
Carroll county, Maryland, where he resided
until his removal westward, in 1839. He
located in Hannibal, Missouri, and there re-
sided until called to his final rest. The fa-
ther of our subject left Maryland in Jan-
uary, 1856, en route for Hannibal, Mis-
souri, and while on the way, during a tem-
porary residence of the family at Dixon,
Illinois, Frank R. Stewart was born. The
family soon afterward proceeded to Han-
nibal, where the father remained until 1859,
when he went with his family to Ouincy,
Illinois, and there engaged in merchandis-
ing.

During the time when nuich of the Irallic
of the Mississippi valley was transjjorted by
means of the river, he was one of the leading
representatives of commercial interests
there, and he carried on business until 1875.
Pie then retired to private life, and seven
years later, in 1882, was called to the home
beyond. He was a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd l-"ellows, and at all
times he commanded the respect and es-
teem of his fellow men. His widow still
survives and is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. ti.king an active part in its
work. In their family were four children,
of whom our subject is the eldest son. He
has one brother still li^ '"l-- ni.ir1.-< \ , wb,)

IT-

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is a conductor on the Missouri Pacific Rail-
road, running between Sedalia, Missouri,
and Kansas City.

Mr. Stewart, wliose name introduces this
review, obtained his education in the schools
of Quincy, and received his business train-
ing in his father's store, where he spent the
months of vacation. In 1878, however, he
entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad
as brakeman on a passenger train, runnine
between Springfield and Ouincy. In 1879.
when the Chicago division of the Wabash
road was opened, he came to Forrest as
brakeman on a freight train, and in Felj-
ruary, 1880, was promoted to the position
of conductor on a freight train, while in
IMarch. 1883, he was made a passenger con-
ductor. In November, 1884, he was injured
at Cornwell, Illinois, losing one of his legs.
In 1885, after his recovery, he was made
clerk in the agent's office, at Forrest, in
1886 was promoted to the position of super-
intendent's clerk, and on the 30th of Xo-
ember. 1888 he was appointed agent of both
the Wabash and the Toledo. Peoria & War-
saw roads. The junction of the roads is at
this place and the station is a very important
one, his duty embracing a general oversight
of the business of Ijoth roads, passenger,
freight and also includes the supervision of
the trainmen. nunAering thirty. The busi-
ness of these roads at this point is constant-
Iv increasing, due in no small measure to
the efforts of the obliging agent at Forrest.
Among all the officials and employees of
the road there are but two his senior in
years of continuous service. He neglects
no duty or detail, no matter how slight it
may seem, is extremely accurate and care-
ful, and is at all times courteous to the
patrons of the road. Those qualities have
won him favor with the company and with

the public and he has gained the esteem of
all with whom he has been brought in con-
tact.

Mr. Stewart is a memljer of Olive
Branch Lodge, K. P.. in which he has passed
all the chairs. He is one of the oldest rep-
resentatives of the fraternity in the state,
liis connection therewith covering a period
of twenty-three years. He has six times
represented his local lodge in the grand
lodge, has man}- times been district dejjuty
and thus has instituted new lodges and in-
stalled many officials. He is also a member
of the Order of Railway Conductors, which
he joined in 1882 — one of the first to be-
come identified with the society. As a
member of the board of education he has
done efficient service in the interests of the
schools, supporting many measures which
have proven of value to the schools. He has
acted as treasurer of the board and was fill-
ing that office at the time the school build-
ing was remodeled, and also serving as chair-
man of the building committee. He has
likewise lieen treasurer of Forrest, and is
a citizen whose earnest support and co-op-
eration are given to all measures for the
pul)lic good.

Mr. Stewart was married on the _'8th
of Xovemlier. 1883. to ]^Iiss Cordelia \\'il-
son, of Forrest, a daughter of Nicholas and
Nancy Wilson. She was born in this city,
in i860, and b}- her marriage has become
the mother of two daughters, Iva Mildred
and Greta Rodell. ^Ir. Wilson, her father,
was born in Sweden and became one of the
pioneer settlers of this part of the state,
l)eing well known at an early day as a ped-
dler and later as a farmer. His wife was a
native of Ohio, and with her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Thompson, came to Livingston
county, in 1837. the family here entering

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

373

land from tlie government, ^^rs. Wilson
knew Sliabbona, tlie noted Indian chief and
saw many of tlie red men in this section of
the state. Mr. Wilson passed away in 1877.
and his wife, loii"' surviving him. was called
to her final rest November 15, 1898.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members
of the Congregational cluncli and in the
communit\' where they reside they are high-
ij- esteemed for their many excellencies of
character. They have a pleasant home in
Forrest, which was erected by Mr. Stewart.
He is also the owner of considerable farm-
ing land in Texas. He was one of the or-
ganizers of the lluilding & Loan Associa-
tion, of I'orrest, wherel)y many of the com-
fortable homes of the place have been
erected. In his political affiliations Mr.
Stewart is a i-Jepublican, and is recognized
as one of the leading members of the party
in Forrest. For tweKe consecutive years,
jirior to 1898, he was a delegate to every
county, state, jutlicial, cnngressional and
senatorial convention and was an alternate
to the national con\ention at St. Louis. Me
is a rect)gnized factor in political circles and
is a man of influence, active and prominent
in the community, his labors resulting to the
public benefit along social,' material, intel-
lectual and mural lines.

IWL'i- Hi:iS.\'FR.

Paul Heisner, one of the mo.>l i)rosperous
agriculturists of I'ontiac township, whose
home is on section jo. has been identified
with the upbuilding and development of
this county for over a third of a century.
He comes from across the sea. being born
in Castle Dume, Prussia. Ciermany. June 2j.

1837, and in that country grew to mauhon.l
and served for three years as a soldier in
the CJerman army. In the spring of 1864
he emigrated to .\merica. and came direct
to Illinois, joining some German friends in
Cook county, where he worked as a farm
hand by the month for a short time. In
October, 1864. he enlisted in Companv B.
Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
joined his regiment at .\tlanta. Georgia, in
time to take part in Sherman's celelirated
march to the sea. He i)articipated in the
engagements at Savannah, and through to
Raleigh, and after the surrender of the last
named city marched through Richmond on
his way in Washingtim, D. C, where he
liHik part in the grand review. Returning
to Illinois, he was honorably discharged at
Springfield, in July, 18(15.

In the fall of the same year .\lr. Heisner
came to Livingston county, anil purchased
forty acres of raw prairie antl swamp land
three miles south of Pcmtiac. upon which
he built a little shanty. For three years he
devoted his energies to the imi)ro\ement and
cultivation of that place, and on .selling it
benight eighty acres in Rock Creek town-
ship, of which a few acres had been broken
and a small house erectetl thereon. That
farm was his home for about four years,
at the enti of which time he purchased an-
other eighty-acre tract atljoining. and lived
there for six years. On disposing of that
place he bought one hundred and forty acres
of partially improved land on the river in
Pontiac township, where he now resides, and
to its further improvement and cultivation
he has since devoted his energies with most
gratifying results. .\s his financial re-
sources have increased he has added to his
])ropertv from time to time until he now
owns four hundred anil eighty acres of val-

374

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

liable an<l productiNe land, which he has
tiled and placed under a high state of culti-
vation. Upon this land he has built four
good resiliences, barns and other outbuild-
ings, and was actit\xly engaged in agricult-
m^al pursuits until 1900, when he rented his
land and is now living retired, enjoying a
well earned rest upon his farm, which is
pleasantly located within two miles of Pon-
tiac. He built a residence and lived in the
city for two years, but in 1898 he returned
to the farm. He now owns two residences
in the citv.

Before leaving his native land, 'Slv.
Heisner was married, in February, 1864, to
Miss Catherine Trender, also a native of
Prussia, and to them have been born five
sons, namely: Philip, a resident of Pontiac;
Frederick, William and Frank, who are en-
Paul, Jr., w ho travels.
gaged in farming on the home place, and

Since casting his first presidential vote
for General U. S. Grant, ]\Ir. Heisner has
been unswerving in his allegiance to the Re-
publican party, and in this regard his sons
all follow in his footsteps. He has never
cared for political office, preferring to de-
vote his undivided attention to his business
interests, but for six years most acceptably
served as school director. Fraternally he
is an honored member of T. Lyle Dickey
Post, G. A. R., at Pontiac. As a young-
man he came to America, and with no capi-
tal started out in a strange land to overcome
the difficulties and obstacles in the path to
prosperity. His youthful dreams ha\e been
realized and in their busy fulfillment he sees
the fitting reward of earnest toil. He is not
only one of the most successful men of his
community, but is also highly respected and
esteemed by all who know him on account
of his sterling worth.

LIBERTY LOUDERBACK.

]\lore than si.xty-three years ago this gen-
tleman came to Livingston county, and dur-
ing this long period, which covers nearly
the whole span of the county's development
from a primitive state to its present flourish-
ing condition, he has been identified with its
interests. For over half a century he car-
ried on farming in Amity township, but is
now living retired in the village of Cornell.

Mr. Louderback was born in Brown
county, Ohio, July 4, 1824, and was given
the name of Liberty by his grandfather,
Uriah Springer. Michael Louderback, the
paternal grandfather, was a native of Ger-
many, who came to this country with two
brothers at the close of the Revolutionary
war. He settled in Ohio, while one brother
located in \'irginia, the other in Pennsylva-
nia. Our subject's father, Thomas Louder-
back, was also born and reared in Brown
county, Ohio, and there married Sarah
Springer, a daughter of Uriah Springer,
who at an early day moved from \'irginia to
Ohio. There Mr. Louderback followed
farming until 183 1, when he came to Illi-
nois and settled in X'ermilion county, near
the present city of Danville, then a cross-
roads village. He bought land and resided
there a few years, but in 1837 moved to
Amity township, Livingston county, where
he entered a tract from the government and
opened up a farm, on which he spent the re-
mainder of his life, dying there ]\Iarch 6,
1854. His wife had passed away October
25, 1842. In their family were five sons
and three daughters who reached mature
years, and four sons and one daughter are
still living.

Liberty Louderback. who is the oldest of
this family, grew to manhood in Amity

LIBERTY LOUDERBACK.

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

377

t( iwnsliip. i>nl\' attenilini;' sclnml a lew
muntlis (luring the winter, but early becom-
ing familiar with e\'ery deiiartment of farm
work. On attaining his majority he began
life for himself by working as a farm haml
or at any ()ccui)ation which he could rind.
He took up a claim of about one himdred
and twenty acres of land, broke fourteen
acres, and commencetl farnn'ng. On the
26th uf April, 1849. in Li\ingston county,
he married iliss Mary Jane Corbin, who was
born in Virginia, in 1827, but was reared
in this county as her father, David Corbin,
with his family, located here in 1831.

Mr. and Mrs. Louderback began their
domestic life on his farm in a primitive log
cabin with fiu^niture of his own manufacture.
His first land he purchased from the Illinois
Central Railroad Comjjany, and to the origi-
nal tract he added until be had two hundred
and twenty-two acres of valuable land on
section 20, Amity township, which he placed
under a high state of cultivation and im-
proved with good buildings. He continued
to actively engage in farming until 1877,
when he moved to Cornell and purchased
the property where he has since made his
home. He was interested in the real estate
and insurance business for a time, but is
now living a retired life.

Mr. Louderback has been called upon to

mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who

died May 11, 1900, and was laid to rest in

Cornell cemetery. Si.x children were born

to them, namely: John H., who is married

and now operates the old homestead farm ;

George W'., who owns and operates a farm

adjoining the homestead; Chester W., who

is married and lives in St. Louis : Julia,

widow of Thomas J. Gregory, and a resident

of Cornell; Hersey J., wife of Harry L.

Manlev, of Streator, Illinois; Hattie C, wife
20

of W. 11. (iraser, of Luverne, Rock county,
Minne.sota.

In 1854 Mr. Louderback \\a> elecied
justice of the i)eace. and most creditably
and acceptably tilled that oflice for nearly
thirty-live years, lie is familiarly known as
Squire Louderback. He also served as su-
pervisor five years, township treasurer, col-
lector and school trustee, and always per-
formed his duties in a faithful and satisfac-
t()ry manner. He cast his first presiden-
tial vote for James K. I'olk, in 1844, and
became identified with the Republican party
on its organization, voting for Fremont in
1856, but since 1878 he has been a I'rohi-
bili(jnist, ha\ing always been an earnest ad-
vocate of temperance. He is an active mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, of
Cornell, and his upright course in life com-
mends him to the respect and confidence of
all wh(j know him. His labors as one of
the founders of the county justly entitle him
to a prominent place in its annals.

CIIRISTIAX WEI.TK.

Llinslian Welle, a prijspernus and pro-
gressi\e farmer residing on section 31, Ne-
braska township, Livingston county, Illinois,
was born in W'mtemburg, Germany, De-
cember 20, 1842, and is a son of X'incent
and El fans (Strubbj Welte. When he was
five years of age the mother died leaving
a family of six children, namely : Marccllus,
now a resident of El I'aso, Illinois; Bertha,
wife of John Rover, of low'a; Ansilem,
deceased ; Joseph, wlio was a member of
Conii)any F, Fifty-si.xtii Xew York \'olun-
teer Infantry, and during the Civil war was
killed at the battle of the Wilderness; Ma-

378

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tilda, wife of Christian Reust, of Kansas;
Christian, tlie subject of this biography;
Sebastian, of Panola, Illinois, and Peter, of
Wurtemburg, Germany. Under the guar-
dianship of the father the family emigrated
to America in 1855 and settled near the
Catskill mountains, in New York, where
they resided two years and then came to
Illinois, finally locating in Woodford coun-
ty. The father died in 1872, in Nebraska
township.

The same year Christian W'elte came to
Livingston county and purchased the farm
where he now resides. Its neat and thrifty
appearance shows conclusively that he is a
man of good business ability and sound
judgment, as well as a thorough and scien-
tific farmer. On the 7th of November,
1867, he married ]\Iiss Margaret Ingeler, of
Woodford county, and to them \mxe l^een
born eight children, namely: Staffan, wife
of William Kalwarf, of Flanagan; Thomas,
a resident of Woodford county; Joseph and
Christian, both of Flanagan; Effie, wife of
R. C. Evans, of Chalmers, Indiana ; John,
^Margaret and Clara, all at home.

When the war of secession threatened to
destroy the Union, Mr. Welte turned from
the quietude of home to join the awful scenes
of death and carnage south of the Mason
and Dixon line. He enlisted at Minonk,
August 16, 1 86 1, in Company I, Forty-
seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
participated in the engagements of New
Mardid, Island No. 10, Shiloh, Farmington,
Corinth, Jackson, Black River, Pleasant Hill
and the siege of Vicksburg. In the Red
river expedition he took part in the engage-
ments at Fort Berusha, Alexander. Grand
de Core, Shreveport, Mansville, Lake Chi-
coch, Tupelo and several minor skirmishes.
He was wounded in the second battle of

Corinth. His term of enlistment having ex-
pired. Mr. Welte was discharged at Spring-
field, Illinois, Octol)er 11, 1864. and is now
an honored member of the Grand Army
Post at Minonk. Although born on the
other side of the Atlantic he has become
a thorough American citizen in thoitght and
feeling, and is as true to his duties of citi-
zenship in times of peace as when he fol-
lowed the old flag to victory on southern
battle fields.

CYRUS S. ELLIS.

Cyrus S. Ellis, a well-known farmer re-
siding on section 22, Long Point township,
has been a valued citizen of Livingston
county, since December, 1879, Coming
from near Magnolia, Marshall county,
ll.is state. He was born in Greene ccnui-
ty, Ohio, February 11, 1829, and is a
son of Isaac and Elizabeth (X'enamon)
Ellis, natives of \'irginia, who spent the
greater ])art of their li\es in Greene count)',
Ohio, where the father followed farming
during his active business career. He died
on the home place at the age of fifty-seven
subject several years. She died at the age
years, having survived the mother of our
of thirty-nine, after which he was again
married, his second union being with Aman-
da Aldridge, a widow, by whom he had three
children, namely: John, a member of an
Ohio regiment during the Civil war and
now a resident of that state; Jesse, who lives
in southern Illinois, and James, wlio died at
the age of thirty-five years. By the first
marriage there were ten children, of whom
one died in infancy. Three sons and two
daughters are still living: Cyrus S., our
subject; Milton W., a retired farmer of

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

379

Nebraska: Henry R.. wlio ser\-e(l tliree years
as a nieiiilier of Company H. One Hundred
and l'"()urtli Illinois X'oluntecr Infantry,
durini;' the Ci\ii war, and is now lixiui;' in
Iowa, hut was formerly a resident of Cor-
nell, Illinois; Hannah, the wife of John
Hay, who lives in northern Ohit); and Emily,
wife of Thomas llrenn. of La Salle count\'.
Illinois.

Cyrus S. I-'llis was hut two years old
when the family left Xenia, Creene countw
Ohio, and moved tt) Clinton, the same coun-
ty, where he attended the common schools,
remaining with his father on the home fjrm
iiiuil the latter's death. .\t the age of sev-
enteen he started out in lite for himself, and
ill 1854 removetl to Indiana, where he op-
erated a rented farm for two years. .\t the
end of tliat time he came to Illinois and
made his home in .\hirshall county for twen-
ty-two years, his time and attention being
devoted to general farming. In the mean-
time he purchased land in Nebraska, and on
selling it bought his present farm of one
liundred and sixty acres on section 22. Long
Point township, Li\ingston couutw Illinois,
but did not locate thereon until two years
later, in 1879. At that time is was not im-
proved to any extent, but he has since tiled
it, erected a house and other buildings,
])lante<l an orchard and otherwise improved
the place.

On the _'3il of January, 1851, Mr. V.Wm
married Miss Martha J. Curtis, who was
born in Clinton, Ohio, May 23, 1834, a
daughter of Edward and l-'lizabeth (Lyons)
Curtis, who after her marriage moved to
Indiana, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. She has two brothers still liv-
ing, namely: Edward, a resident of Marshall
count}', Illinois, anil James, of Savanna.
Ohio. Of the twelve children born to Mr.

and Mrs. Ellis three died in early childhood,
while Mary E., wife of Amos Lake, of
Toluca, Illinois, died April j8, 1900. leav-
ing one daughter, Blanche. Those living
are Luemma, who is the wife of William
Gill, a representative farmer of Long Point
township, and has one son. Frank ; Laura.
at home: I'rank. a general farmer of Long
Point township, who married Lyda Cole-
man and has three children. Bessie. Ora and
\ era: .Mbcrtine. who married I'rank Clark.
of Reading town.ship, and hasone son, Elmer;
Cora, wife of Carl Stratton. of Long Point
township : Edw in. a barber of I'lanagan. who
married .\lta Ensign and has one daughter,
Elita; Alva C. and Ray. both at home a.s-
sisting in the farm work. The children
were educated in the common schools and
are well tilted for the positions they till.

Mr. and Mrs. I^llis are active members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which
he is now one of the trustees, and has held
other offices. In his political affiliations he
is a Republican, but has never cared for
public preferment, though he has efficiently
served as school director for a luimber of
}ears.

REV. HORACE TIEE.X.W.

b'or two-score years the Rev. Horace
liffany has dwelt in Livingsttni county, and
few citizens of this portion of Illinois are
better or more favorably esteemed by the
inhabitants. His devotion to the people and
his long years of indefatigable labors for
their welfare, have met with a just reward
in one respect, at least — that his name has
been a household word for goodness and
self-sacrifice, and to liis posterity he will
leave a record of which they must be proud.

38o

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The Tiffany family is of English origin
and early in the history of Connecticut they
were numhered among her pioneers.
Horace Tiffany, for whom our subject was
named, was born in Connecticut, whence he
removed to Delaware county. New York,
in its infancy, and there became influential
and prosperous. His son. \\'alter, father of
our subject, was born on the old homestead
in Delaware county, and for three decades
or more he was actively engaged in agri-
culture there. In 1856 he came to Illinois
and for twenty-one years was successfully
occupied in farming near Victoria, Knox
count V. In 1870 he removed to a home-
stead in the vicinity of Cambridge, Illinois,
and February 27, 1872, he as summoned to
his reward. His first wife, the mother of
our subject, died when the son was young,
and the father subsequently married again.
The wife of his youth bore the maiden name
of Jane Hammond, and her father, Jonathan
Hammond, was an early settler in Dela-
ware county, New York, in which state her
birth took place. He was from the old
Green ]\IouiUain state, and was prominently
connected with the founding of Delaware
county. I 1

The birth of the Rev. Horace Tift'any
occurred u])on the parental homestead in
Delaware county, September 4, 1831. He
received the l)enefits of the public schools
of that period and later attended the New
York Conference Seminary at Charlottes-
ville for two years. Thus thoroughly
equipped for the arduous duties of life, the
young man commenced his career as a
teacher and for seven consecutive years de-
voted himself to educational work.

In 1855 Mr. Tiffany removed to Vic-
to.ria. Illimiis, and for three years subse-
<juent to his arri\-al here he taught school.

In 1858 he l:)egan preaching the gospel
as a local preacher and in September,
i860, he joined the Central Illinois con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and was licensed to preach the gospel.
In 1862 he was ordained to the office
of deacon and two years later was con-
stituted an elder in the church. For forty
vears he has dwelt in Livingston and other
counties and for a score of years he was
one of the regular circuit riders, five con-
gregations being under his charge during a
part of this period. In many a humble home
he conducted funeral services, officiated at
weddings, participated in happy reunions
and gatherings of the country people and
old settlers, and wherever he went he found
the genuine, hospitable welcome, character-
istic of our pioneers. He is greatly loved
in hundreds of these homes and no one in
this section of the state is more certainly en-
shrined in the hearts of the young ami old.
He has dwelt in Cornell for several years
and previously lived in Reading and Rooks
Creek townships, this county. For some
four years he tlevoted his time as county
missionary in Livingston county in Sunday
school work and was greatly blessed in the
noble enterprise. In accordance with his
convictions of duty, he has given his influ-
ence to the Prohil)ition party for the past
(juarter of this century, but in his early
manhoocl he was a Republican.

In Otsego county. New York, ^Ir.
Tiffany and Lucy J. Teel, a native of that
county, were united in marriage, March 27,
1851. She was called to the better land,
June 12, 1897, and her place in this com-
munity can never be filled. Seven children
mourn the loss of their revered mother, and
lier lox'ely life ;uid high exami)le will al-
ways prove an inspiration to them, as to all

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

38f

wliii knew lier. O. M. and Artliur E. are
eiigaged in newspaper work, tlie latter l)eing
the editor of the Cornell Journal. O. J\[.
and L. H. Tiffany are residents of Tama
county, Iowa; W. B. is enaged in the grain
business at Oneida, Illinois ; Orrin S. is a
carpenter of Streator, Illinois, and William
S., of Cornell, is one of the street commis-
sioners. Rosa is the wife of U. G. Connett,
who owns a jewelry establishment in Cor-
nell.

\\'ILLIAM BIDDLE.

William Diddle, a prominent and well-
to-do farmer of Xewtown township, Livings-
ton county, is an Englishman by birth and
training. He was born in Staft'ordshire Xo-
\enil)er 7. 1833, and is a son of Lionel and
Elizabeth (Cumberbach) Riddle, who spent
their entire li\'es in that county, where the
father followed the occujjation of farming.
Ill the family were ten children, but twn
died before attaining the age of twenty
years, and all are now deceased with the
exception of Jane, wife of James Sjiffer-
botham, of England, and William, the sub-
ject of this sketch.

In the schools of liis nati\e land Mr.
Biddle acquired his education, and when a
young man commenced working in the
mines, following that pursuit for forty years.
He was married, in England, in 1853, to
Miss Harriet Barnett, and they have be-
come the parents of three children, two born
in that country and one in Illinois. ( i )
W'illiam, the eldest, is now engaged in min-
ing in Missouri. He is married and has
three children: .\lbert. wlm lives with our
subject; John and Herbert. The wife and
mother makes her home in Streator. (2)

John .\., who is living ui)on a part of his
father's farm in Xewtown townshi]), is mar-
ried and has two children, Lyle and Cecil.
( 3 ) Walter, who is engaged in farming
near Walnut, Lee county. Illinois, is mar-
ried and also has two children. Bertha and
Guy.

It was in 1869 that Mr. Bidille came
to the United States and first located in
Pennsylvania and later in Ohio, but in the
spring of 1S70 came to Streator, La Salle
county. Illinois, where he followed mining
for twentv years, and then came to Livings-

- - O

ton county. In 1889 he purchased his pres-
ent farm of one hundred and twentv acres
on section jf^. Xewtown township, and has
since de\'oted his time and energies to agri-
cultural pursuits. As he was a good miner,
he is also a good farmer, and is meeting
witii most excellent success in bis opera-
tions, carrying on general farming and
stock raising. He has tiled, fenced and im-
proved his land, making it a most desirable
farm. Religiously Mr. Biddle and his fam-
ily are members of the Methodist Ej)iscopaI
church, and politically he is