illin6is historical survey
HISTORY
OF
FORD COUNTY, ILLINOIS
From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908
VOL. II.
BY E. A. GARDNER
Illustrated With Portraits and Views
With Biographical Sketches of some
Prominent Citizens of the County.
CH I C AO O
THE S. J. CI^ARKE PUBLISHING CO.
1908
^
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JUDGE HUGH PARISH BEACH.
Judge Hugh Parish Beach, a lawyer of Piper City and editor and proprie-
tor of the Pan Handle Advocate, was born in a log cabin in the then wilderness
about thirty miles south of Cleveland, in Montville township, Medina county,
Ohio, more than sixty-six years ago. On the paternal side he is descended from
an old family of New Jersey. His grandfather, David Beach, served in the war
of the Revolution, and his grandmother, Mary Tomkins was a near relative of
Daniel D. Tomkins, who was prominent in the early history of this country and
at one time was governor of New York, and afterward vice president of the
United States, for eight years, with President James Monroe,
Moses Tomkins Beach, father of our subject, was born in Cayuga county,
New York, in 1810, and was reared to agricultural pursuits in that state. He
married Maria Wylie Gillett a native of Bergen, Genesee county, New York,
but directly connected with the Gilletts, TuUers, Phelpses, Pages and other
leading families of Hartford, Connecticut, and vicinity, in the early history of
that state. Her mother's maiden name was Pattie Tuller, who married
Grandfather Gillett at Hartford, Connecticut, before they moved to Genesee
county. New York. With his young wife Moses Tomkins Beach moved to the
Western Reserve of Ohio about 1830. Being a skillful woodsman, he cleared
and improved several farms in that heavily wooded section but later in life
engaged in the practice of medicine until his death. In politics he was a whig
and afterward a republican, and was a strong opponent of slavery.
The mother of our subject died when he was fourteen years of age but
to her teachings and the remembrance of her exemplary character he owes
much. He was the fourth in a large family. He was early inured to hard
labor on the farm but acquired a good education for that period, for the
settlers in the Western Reserve always established good schools, no matter
what else had to be sacrificed. When his mother died he left school and
began to earn his own livelihood, with no resources but his intellect and a
strong determination to succeed. 'He had read accounts of the struggles
and successes of Benjamin Franklin and a desire was created thereby to
446 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
become a printer. In the spring of 1857 the opportunity presented itself to
gratify the ambition, and for the next two years he was constantly employed
in that work, successively in two well appointed newspaper offices, in the
course of which he passed through all grades of work, from "printer's devil,"
to assistant in the local news department. Like many others, he is indebted
to this early newspaper work for much of his earlier general information in
regard to public affairs. Succeeding this, a desire was aroused to become a
lawyer and accordingly, for two following years he was found under the able
tutelage of two of the leading lawyers of the state, Hon. Henry Grove and
Hon. J. K. Cooper (both now deceased), pursuing the "labyrinthine intri-
cacies" of the law, as embraced in Blackstone, Kent and other leading text-
books of that department of learning. At that time he was a member of a
home company' of Zouaves, and w^hen the country was startled by the firing
upon Fort Sumter, the services of his company were immediately tendered to
Governor Richard Yates, at Springfield. Not receiving any satisfaction
from the governor, they sent one of their officers to Springfield to confer with
him but, such was the patriotic rush to the defense of the country. Governor
Yates replied to the effect that the applications ahead of the Zouaves were
sufficient to fill the Illinois quota several times over. Nothing daunted, these
determined patriots met in their armory and decided to tender their services
direct to the general government and thereupon wired the then secretary of
war, Hon. Simon Cameron, at Washington, D. C, to that effect. Imagine
their disappointment when his reply came back: "Consult your governor!"
This tended to abate the ardor of their patriotism, as there was no immediate
hope of their services being accepted. A good part of the company returned
to their accustomed pursuits but others kept up the organization and, months
afterward, with recruited ranks, w^ent to St. Louis and joined the Eighth
]\Iissouri Infantry. Still engaged in the study of the law, it was not until
the government called for three hundred thousand volunteers tliat our subject
went into actual service. Then for more than four years and a half contin-
uously, in both infantry and heavy artillery, he served successively in about
all positions from private to that of commander of his company. He was
for a time cleric in the (luartermaster's department at New Orleans, Louisana;
also clerk of a court martial in that city, and after ])eing promoted to a
commissioned officer was a member of a military commission by appointment
of General Sheridan, commander of the Department of the Gulf. He cam-
paigned through Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi,
Louisiana and across Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf of IMexico. He par-
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 447
ticipated in some of the most important military operations of the Mississippi
valley, under Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Banks, McClernand, A. J.
Smith, Canby, Hurlbut, Ord and others, and was present at the engagements
at Haine's Bluff, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Magnolia Hills, Grand
Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Raymond, Black River Bridge and the
siege of Vicksburg. He went on the famous campaign of General Banks up
Red river, then across Lake Pontchartrain, and on the nuirch of General Gor-
don Granger through eastern Mississippi in the combined movement against
Mobile, being then in command of his company, and in all engagements of that
campaign. During the latter part of his service he was stationed successively
at Fort St. Philip and Fort Jackson, commanding the defenses of New Orleans,
on the Gulf coast, at the mouth of the Mississippi. Through all his long and
perilous service he received only two slight wounds, but he has now in his
possession his army cartridge-box which undoubtedly saved his life, as it was
perforated by a ball of the enemy in an engagement, while it was drawn in
front of his body for convenience in loading his gun, as it was the practice in
a fight.
While in the service and in command of his company, he raised a subscrip-
tion in the company to the National Lincoln Monument at Springfield of seven
hundred and fifteen dollars and thirty cents, and received a personal letter
from Governor Oglesby in acknowledgment of its receipt, expressed in the
most complimentary terms. The documents accompanying the subscription
are now in the archives of the National Lincoln Monument Association.
Just about the close of his military career he was brevetted to a higher
rank by the president of the United States "for faithful and meritorious ser-
vices," as the parchment commission states. A singular incident is connected
with this. The commission was forwarded at the proper time but to the
wrong postoffice, and, not being called for, was returned to the war department
at Washington. As the fact of being brevetted was unknown to the recipient
of the honor, no call was made for the commission until many years after his
return to civil life, when, accidently, a brother officer in the east, who knew
about it, mentioned the fact in a letter. This gratifying news led to corre-
spondence with the War Department, at Washington, and the highly prized
document was forwarded by return mail, after slumbering in the official vaults
of the government for about twenty-four years; however it was none the
less gratefully received.
Another matter relating to his military service, which also has a most
grateful side to it, is the fact that no complete settlement was ever had with
448 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
the government of his accounts as an officer until the winter of 1892, when the
government found itself indebted to the Judge several hundred dollars.
While in the military service, Judge Beach wedded Mary Estelle Smith, of
Louisiana, a daughter of Captain Henry Lyon Smith, of the engineer corps of
the regular army, and Mrs. Armalie H. Smith, nee Hebert. Captain Smith
was a graduate of the West Point IMilitary Academy and for a time professor
at that school. Although himself a native of Maine, his military duties took
him to Louisiana, where he marrietl Armalie H. Hebert, a sister of his class-
mate at West Point, General Louis Hebert. The Heberts were a very
prominent family' under the old order of affairs before the war. Grandfather
Vallery Hebert held a prominent position under General Jackson at the
battle of New Orleans in 1851. Paul 0. Hebert was a governor of Louisiana,
another representative was a speaker of the legislature, still another was a
superintendent of one of their railways, while another, Mrs. Ernestine S.
Stevens, widow of the late General Walter Stevens, another graduate of the
West Point Military Academy, was first librarian of the patent office at Wash-
ington, D. C, and for many years was librarian of the department of
agriculture. She is rightfully classed among the great women of the nation.
She is Mrs. Beach's aunt.
The subject of our sketch received his discharge from the army February
22, 1867, and, with his young wife, immediately came north, locating at Piper
City (then called New Brenton), where they arrived April 19th. His sister,
Mrs. Mary A. Wilber, now deceased, then resided here. It was her advice
that brought him here. She and her husband and family had come from Ohio
a couple of years before, when there was no town and only a few scattered res-
idents near groves of timber on the then broad expanse of virgin prairie. She
was a well educated, talented and exemplary woman and an especially devoted
wife and mother. As a school teacher before her marriage and a shrewd
investor in real estate after her marriage, she was a marked success. She died
all too soon, in 1869, leaving a large family of young children to mourn her
untimely loss. Her remains were laid to rest in Brenton cemetery at Piper
City. Her husband l)uilt the first hotel in the town — the Wilber House — in
1867.
At Piper City, Judge Beach resumed the study of law and in 1870 was
admitted to the bar by the supreme court of the state, and has since practiced
that profession. In the early history of Piper City he was elected president
of the board of trustees and it was during his administration that many im-
portant streets were graded, the town park, now a ])eautiful grove, was
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 449
planted, and a number of artesian fire wells sunk in different localities, which
latter have since saved the place at least two very disastrous conflagrations.
During said term the first fire engine was bought, which eventually led up to
the present efficient fire department service of the village. In the spring of
1873 his fellow townsmen elected him a member of the county board of super-
visors. In that body his advocacy of retrenchment, economy and reform in
county affairs called public attention to him, and he was the same year
nominated and elected county judge, and was reelected for two successive
terms. He served until December, 1886, a year having been added by an amend-
ment to the state constitution, and it is not too much to say that he had the
good will and confidence of the people as a just, faithful and upright judge.
For the past quarter of a century he has been editor, publisher and
proprietor of the Pan Handle Advocate. It is sufficient to say that as a
journalist he has always endeavored to advocate that which was for the very
best interests of the people among whom the paper circulates, and he is always
able to state in clear and forcible language just what lie means. His success
in this department is highly deserved. He is an acknowledged forcible
public speaker and has delivered many public addresses. In the presidential
campaign of 1900 he was one of the campaign speakers in the state for the
McKinley and Roosevelt Campaign Committee.
He is a Knight Templar in Masonry, is a patriarch in Odd Fellowship and
has been in attendance upon the grand lodges of both bodies. He is a past
post commander of Piper City Post, No. 361, Department of Illinois, Grand
Army of the Republic, and while commander took the initiatory steps which
resulted in organizing Gresham Camp, No. 187, Sons of Veterans, of which the
Judge is an honorary member. Judge Beach cast his first presidential vote
for Abraham Lincoln at Chicago in 1860, and has always been a believer in
republican principles. He heard Lincoln and Douglas at Ottawa in the great
joint discussion of 1858; has also listened to Lovejoy, Logan, Trumbull,
Seward, Corwin, Hale, Ingersoll, Blaine, Oglesby, Harrison and a host of other
leading orators of their day; has heard the greatest pulpit orator, Beecher;
the greatest actor. Booth; and the greatest songstress, Patti. He was a
member of the Pioneer Wide Awake Club of Chicago, in 1860, the captain of
which was Orderly Sergeant J. R. Ilayden, of the famous Ellsworth Zouave
cadets.
Judge Beach has not accumulated wealth, l)ut his love of good literature
has brought around him one of the finest private libraries to be found any-
where. The field covered is very wide. Besides his law library, there are
450 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
works of history, biographj', travel, philosophy, science, mathematics, rhetoric,
poetry, art, music, also medical, theological, political, militarj^, agricultural,
horticultural, pomological, stock-raising and various other works, the accumu-
lations of a half century. These, and current leading journals and magazines
of the day, furnish an extensive field for intellectual thought and culture on
all manner of interesting subjects.
Some years ago the judge found that his long and arduous military
service, and too close confinement to sedentary pursuits since, had made
inroads upon his health, to counteract which he has felt compelled to seek more
active life in the open air than formerly, and in this connection he has what
he calls his ' ' gymnasium. ' ' It consists in interesting himself in the raising of
blooded roadster horses and Jersey cattle, and taking care of them himself.
Also in engaging in horticultural and other open air pursuits.
Judge and Mrs. Beach have a famliy of five living children. Henry
Lyon, born and educated here and also trained in journalism in the Advocate
office, was employed on the Chicago Tribune for four years and on the Record
for one year. For the past nine years he has been connected with the Union
Traction Company, now the Chicago Railways Company, of which he is a
superintendent. He was married in Chicago, in 1899, and has a little
daughter, Muriel. Carrie Estelle, Ernestine Kellogg, Metta Armalie and
Daisy May have all received instruction and training in various duties in the
office of the Advocate. All the children obtained a high-school education.
Lillian Mary, the second daughter, pronounced a very interesting child bj- all
who knew her, died suddenly of membranous croup in the fourth year of her
age.
In closing this outline of the biography of one of Ford county's best
known citizens, let us say that Judge Beach is an unassuming, pleasant and
companionable gentleman and stands among the first for integrity of purpose
and general high character in the community where he has so long resided.
JAMES M. HIDDLESON.
An excellent farm of eighty acres on section 16, Rogers township, is the
property of James M. Iliddleson. Today it is valued at two hundred dollars
per acre but he purchased one-half of it for four dollars per acre and the
remainder for seven dollars. Its rise in value is largely attributable to the
>
z
?3
V.
LIBRARY
ONIVERSITY of "TW
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 453
care and labor he has l)estowed upon it and the splendid improvements he has
made thereon.
He is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Little Rock
township, Kendall county, December 25, 1839. His parental grandfather was a
native of the city of Dublin, Ireland, and was the first white teacher in the
city of Philadelphia. A very highly educated man, he was closely associated
with the early intellectual development of that city.
William Hiddleson, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, April 23,
1801, and in 1836 took up his abode on a farm in Little Rock township, Kendall
county, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in ]\Iarch,
1896, at the venerable age of ninety-five years. When quite young he was left
an orphan and later he removed to the vicinity of Canton, Ohio, being reared in
that locality by George Williams. He was then a resident of the Buckeye
state until 1836, when he came to Illinois, driving across the country with an
ox-team. He suffered all of the hardships and privations incident to the estab-
lishment of a home upon the frontier. At one time, soon after his arrival in
Illinois, while living in a log cabin, six members of the family were ill. He had
only fifty cents in his pocket and no team, nothing but his two hands to aid in
providing a living for his wife and children. He worked diligently and
untiringly, however, to overcome the difficulties of pioneer life and win success
here. He hauled all his products to Chicago, a distance of fifty-two miles,
making the journey most of the time with ox-teams, before the building of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In addition to his farming operations
he conducted a brickyard on the bank of Fox river on the south line of his farm,
where the Black Hawk Indians encamped. He carried on general agricultural
pursuits and also the manufacture of brick, which he molded by hand. He was
a remarkable man, of strong character and of high principles, never using
tobacco nor intoxicants. His political allegiance was given to the democracy
and he was a stalwart advocate of the Union cause during the dark days of the
Civil war. He attended school but twelve days and in that time participated
in thirteen fights because the other children made fun of his poor clothing. In
the school of experience, however, he learned many valuable lessons and im-
pressed upon the minds of his children the worth of integrity and upright
character development.
William Hiddleson married Elizabeth Ferguson, who was born in Stark
county, Ohio, and died on the old homestead in Kendall county in 1856. Their
children were : Charles, a resident of Woodland, California ; Mrs. Sarah Sargent,
who became a resident of Ford county in 1863 and died near Cabery; John, who
454 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
died in infancy; Anna, the wife of H. N. Ryan, who is an attorney of Streator,
while she died abont two years ago ; James ]\I., of Rogers townsliip, whose farm
adjoins that of his brother William C, who is the sixth in order of ])irth in the
family; Erastns, a retired farmer living in Cabery; George, whose home is in
Rogers township ; Romelions, of Piano ; and Robert, who died in Gnthrie,
Oklahoma, in 1896. For his second wife Mr. Hiddleson chose Mrs. Hannah
Sargent bnt there were no children by that nnion.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for
James M. Hiddleson in his boyhood and youth. With the other members of the
family he shared in the hardships of life on the frontier, all around stretching
the Avild, unbroken prairie, while the farm implements were very crude as com-
pared with the modern machinery, and the homes were largely little frame or
log cal)ins. He embraced such educational opportunities as were afforded and
through much of the year was employed in the work of the fields, assisting
therein from the time of spring planting until crops were harvested in the late
autumn.
In August, 1862, Mr. Hiddleson, no longer content to remain at home while
the preservation of the Union was in question, enlisted for service as a member of
Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
under Captain John II. Lowe, of Piano, and Colonel John C. Van Armon. He
and his brother William and stepbrother, Thomas Sargent, and a cousin, John
Howard, all working in the same wheat field, left at the same time and went to
Piano, where they enlisted. All four then returned to the field and helped
finish the harvest. About two weeks afterward they Avent to Chicago and were
at Camp Douglas, being mustered into the United States service September 6,
1862. They were sent to Memphis, Tennessee, where they went into camp and
afterward marched to Pigeon Roost Gap, fifty miles away. They reconnoitered
for about two weeks and then returned to Memphis. After a short time they
took boats down the river to Milliken's Bend, unloaded and went into Chicka-
saw Bayou, being first under fire there. Heavy rains fell and the water stood
on the ground to such a depth that the soldiers had to climb on logs. At
Milliken's Bend they took boat for Youngs Point, near Vicksburg. Mr.
Hiddleson participated in the siege of Vicksburg and in the battle of Chatta-
nooga. He was all through the siege of Atlanta and was taken prisoner there
July 22, 1864, after which he was sent to Andersonville prison, where he was
incarcerated for two months. He was then exchanged and went to Cleveland,
Tennessee, where he continued for about two months. Later he went to Chatta-
nooga and Nashville and on to Cincinnati, Baltimore and Fortress Monroe,
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 455
whence he proceeded around Cape Hatteras and afterward to Raleigh, North
Carolina. He joined his regiment there and participated in the campaign
northward to Washington, where he took part in the grand review, the most
celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. Later he was
sent to Chicago, where he was honorably discharged with his regiment.
His brother William, who had enlisted at the same time, was wounded at
Atlanta, Georgia, August 26, 1864, sustaining a gunshot wound in both hands.
The first time he was wounded was on the 22d of July, when a bullet pierced his
shoulder, and on the 3d of August following he was slightly wounded in the hip.
At the battle of Resaca he received a part of a cap in the left eye, which nearly
destroyed the sight. The injuries which he sustained on the 26th of August
forced him to retire from active service and he was then transferred to Marietta,
Georgia, where he remained in the hospital for about four weeks. He was then
granted a furlough home and for three months was unable to feed himself. On
the 1st of June, 1865, he rejoined his regiment at Washington, D. C, partici-
pated in the grand review and was mustered out in Chicago.
When the war was over James M. Hiddleson returned to Piano, Kendall
county, Illinois, and in 1867 came to his present farm, where he has since resided.
He has here eighty acres on section 16. The land which he purchased for four
and seven dollars per acre is today worth two hundred dollars and constitutes a
splendidly improved farm. All of the buildings and trees upon the place have
been put here by Mr. Hiddleson, who has led a quiet but active and useful life
of the farmer and has today a valuable property, which not only gives him a
good living but also enables him to save something year after year.
On the 25th of January, 1868, Mr. Hiddleson was married to Miss Jessie
Oglesby, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, November 10, 1842. She came
to Illinois as a school teacher and resided with her brother James, who is now
living in Kankakee. The death of Mrs. Hiddleson occurred June 8, 1899, after
a happy married life of more than thirty years. They were the parents of two
children : Edith, now the wife of L. G. Webster, a resident farmer of Norton
township, Kankakee county; and Charlie M., who remains with his father and
operates the home farm.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hiddleson has been
a supporter of the democrat party and its principles. He voted for Douglas
and has filled some township offices, serving as collector for two terms, while for
the past five years he has been township assessor. He was also a school director
for eighteen years and has ever been loyal and faithful in the discharge of his
duties. lie is a charter member of Cabery Post, No. 664, G. A. R., and thus
456 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
maintains pleasant relations with his old comrades, delighting in the camp fires
and in recalling in his association Avith his old comrades at arms the scenes and
events which occurred upon the battlefields of the south. He has attended
nearly all of the national encampments of the Grand Army and has twice
visited California.
JOPIN L. KREITZER.
John L. Kreitzer has been identified with blacksmithing, farming and
merchandising but is now living retired, the activity of his former years being
succeeded by a period of well earned rest in which to enjoy the fruits of his
former toil. Of foreign l)irth, he first opened his eyes to the light of day in
Prussia, Germany, in 1849, his parents being Rudolph and Wilhelmina (Velkner)
Kreitzer, who w^ere also natives of Prussia. The father was a blacksmith anct
farmer and also practiced veterinary surgery. His wife died in Germany, after
which he came to the new world and is now living in Wichita, Kansas.
John L. Kreitzer spent the first sixteen years of his life in the land of his
birth and then determined to come to America, believing that he might have
better business opportunities in this country. He crossed the Atlantic alone
in 1865. He sailed from Liverpool on the boat "Wieland and landed at Quebec,
whence lie made his way to ^lihvaukee. Wisconsin. He was employed at an
early day as a farm hand hy the month by George Nolan and later worked for
an uncle in a blacksmith shop at Graften, Wisconsin. Subsequently he spent a
short time in the employ of M. L. Sullivan, at Sibley, Illinois, breaking prairie,
and afterw^ard Avorked on the railroad to some extent. He used every oppor-
tunity that opened to him for earning an honest living and by untiring industry
and careful saving he at length acquired a sum sufficient to justify his purchase
of land. In March, 1885, therefore, he invested in one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Champaign county, for which he paid forty dollars per acre.
He then rented it to Giles Gardner for a year, after which he sold it. in 1888,
for forty-seven and a half dollars per acre.
Mr. Kreitzer next bought three hundred and Iwenty acres from R. Fairbank
situated three miles south of Elliott on section 35, Dix township, Ford county.
He cultivated this farm for two years and then sold the south half to Charles
Johnson for forty-seven and a half dollars per acre, clearing seven and a half
dollars per acre on the purchase price. He next invested in forty acres in
J. L. KREITZER
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 459
Indiana, hut traded that property to W. A. Cameron, of Elliott, for a large
store in the village. He was afterward identified with merchandising for ten
years, from the 1st of March, 1893, until 1903, when he turned the business over
to his son, W. A. Kreitzer, who now conducts it. Since that time Mr. Kreitzer
has bought and sold different pieces of realty and has usually realized a good
profit on his investments. He purchased a house and two lots from Charles
Sanberg in the northeast part of Elliott and afterward bought a store building,
which he later gave to his daughter Mrs. Jones, she and her husband there
conducting a store and restaurant. Mr. Kreitzer purchased a nice home from
Mrs. Wilcox in the north part of the toMai, including four lots and the dwelling.
He also bought a lot of Louis Lorenz and sixty acres of land from Clarence
Alexander, which lies within the corporation limits of the village at the north.
Mr. Kreitzer was the first to put in a concrete sidewalk in Elliott and his son, W.
A. Kreitzer, was the second. He now owns two hundred and twenty-six acres of
rich and valuable land in Dix township and from his property interests derives
a good income which enables him to live retired.
On the 18th of February, 1872, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kreitzer and
Miss Avery Stowater, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of August and
Fredericka Stowater. Her father was a teacher and taught in both English and
German. He also possessed more than ordinar.y mechanical skill and ability.
Coming from Strassburg, Germany, to the new world, he settled in New York
city, where he remained for ten yaers, and then removed to Cleveland, Ohio,
after which he became a resident of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. He next purchased
four hundred acres of land but rented it. He died about thirty-five years ago
and is yet survived by his widow, who resides in Iowa.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kreitzer have been born three children : Gertrude, the
wife of Oscar Jones, conducting a store and restaurant in Elliott; Emma, the
wife of Charles Cameron, who is connected with his father in the banking busi-
ness at Elliott; and William, who married Bertha Frederick and is now
conducting the large general store which was formerly carried on by his father
in Elliott. He is a prominent and leading citizen and business man of the
village and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Kreitzer is a stalwart republican in his political views and for one year
served as village director. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and is
interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, political and moral
development of the community. Ford county finds in him a worthy and valued
citizen and, moreover, he deserves to be classed with the self-made men who have
been the architects of their own fortunes and have builded wisely and well. He
460 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
never had a single cent given him l)ut from an early age has been dependent
entirely npon his own resources. He became im])ued with a laudable desire to
attain something more than a bare living and through the improvement of his
opportunities and the recognition of his possibilities he has gradually worked his
way upward, building his prosperity upon a sure foundation of diligence,
perseverance and untiring effort. His fellow townsmen respect him for what
he has accomplished and admire him for the honorable methods he has followed
in attaining his success.
AUGUST ONKEN.
August Onken, now living in Gibson City, was in former years closely
associated with the agricultural interests of Ford county. He is a self-made
man and he deserves credit for wliat he has accomplished, for he started out
in life empty-handed. He was born in Ost Friesland, in northern Germany,
October 21, 3840, a son of Welki and Elizabeth (Hoyne) Onken. The father
was in limited financial circumstances and provided for his family by strenu-
ous effort at farm labor. The oportunities which his sou August enjoyed in
youth were rather meager. He had the advantage of only three years' train-
ing in the schools and afterward worked on different farms in the vicinity of
his birthplace for thirteen years until twenty-six years of age, Avhen he deter-
mined to seek a home and fortune in America, believing that he might have
better opportunities in the new world. When he crossed the Atlantic his pos-
sessions consisted of little more tlian the clothes which he wore. The middle
west was his destination and he made his way direct to Jacksonville, Illinois,
while later he went to Tallula, Menard county, west of Petersburg. It was
in the year 1867 tliat he crossed the Atlantic as a passenger on a sailing vessel,
whicli Avas forty-two days in completing that voyage. Mr. Onken worked as
a farm hand for two years and nine months in Menard county and then began
farming on his own account on rented land.
In file year 1871 he was married to Johannah Harms and unto them were
born two daughters, but both died in infancy, and the wife and mother passed
away in 1873. In 1876 Mr. Onken was again married, his second union being
with Tcany Elizabeth Weakman, of Ford county. They had four children:
Louis, who is now a broker of Spokane, Washington ; John, who is also located
in Spokane; and Henry and Emma, who died in childhood.
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 461
After ciiltivatiiiii' rented land for several years, Mr. Onken, as the result
of his unwearied industry and careful expenditure, was enabled in 1882 to
purchase one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid forty dollars per
acre. From that time on he has steadily progressed in the business world and
as his financial resources have increased he has from time to time added to his
property holdings until he became the owner of seven hundred and eighty acres
in Ford and Champaign counties. He gave three hundred and twenty acres
of this to his sons and the remainder he now leases for general farming. Two
years ago he removed to Gibson City and bought a fine home, which he occu-
pies in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He is a member of the Lutheran
church and g'ives his political alleg'iance to the democracy. Well known
throughout this section of the state, he has a wide and favorable accjuaintance
and enjoys in large measure the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.
Arriving in the United States with no capital save a stout heart and willing
hands, he realized the fact that while in this country labor is unhampered by
caste or class it is only by unfaltering diligence, guided by sound judgment,
that success can be secured. By the exercise of these qualities he has made
steady progress and is now one of the substantial residents of Gibson City.
WILLIAM M. MILLER, M. D.
Dr. William M. Miller, a physician and merchant of Cabery, who is meeting
with success in both professional and commercial lines and is regarded as one of
the foremost residents of the village, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
October 28, 1858. His father. Dr. G. M. Miller, was also a physician and a
native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He prepared for his chosen
calling as a student in Philadelphia Medical College, from which he was grad-
uated, and during his residence in the east his time and energies were always
devoted to the practice of medicine. After removing to the west he retired from
active life and spent his remaining days on a farm. His death occurred at
Ottawa, Illinois, when he liad reached the age of sixty-four years. In early
manhood he wedded Rebecca Chroyer, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
who still survives and is now living in Ottawa. In their family were five
daughters and four sons.
Dr. Wiliam M. Miller was a youth of twelve years when he accompanied
his parents on their removal westward to Illinois, the family home being
462 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
established at Ottawa. There he resided until lSS-4, when he came to Caber,\,
Ford county, where he has since lived. He completed his literary education in
Ottawa high school and then, determining upon the practice of medicine as a
life work, he supplemented his preliminary reading by a course of study in
Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class
of 1884. He located for practice in Cabery and in the same year established a
drug store. Six years ago he removed to his present quarters and increased the
scope of his business by adding a stock of general merchandise. In this enter-
prise he is associated with W. H. Clayton under the firm name of JMiller &
Clayton. They are conducting a growing and gratifying business, which is
pleasantly housed in a building erected by Dr. IMiller — a one-story brick
structure, thirty-seven and a half by eighty feet. They carry a well selected line
of drugs and general merchandise and a liberal patronage is accorded them.
As a physician Dr. IMiller is very successful and keeps in touch with the
general trend of progress and improvement made by the medical fraternity
through his reading and investigation.
In 1886 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. William Miller and Miss Alice
Clayton, a daughter of William Clayton. Their children, four in number, are
Hazel, Clayton, Genevieve and Charles, all born in Cabery. The family is one
of prominence here, having ever occupied an enviable position in social circles.
Dr. Miller is a stalwart Republican, and was at one time very active in political
circles, serving for a number of years as a member of the school board; was
also a member of the town l)oard and for three or four years w^as its president.
In that capacity he capal)ly administered the municipal affairs of the village,
and his devotion to the public good was manifest in his effective effort toward
promoting public progress and improvement.
WILLIAM A. WALLRICHS.
A valuable farming property comprising two hundred and forty-three
acres, situated on section 2, VcUa township, is the home of AVilliam A.Wallrichs,
who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stnclc raising, making a
specialty of the latter. lie was l)orn in Cermany, March 11, 1852, where his
parents lived and died. lie is the eldest of a family of eight children, the
others being: Ricka, the wife of J. J. Laiitry, of Kansas; Thomas J., who makes
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 463
his lioinc ill Liviiiiistoii (-(.uiily. Illinois; Wallnce, deceased; Delia, who has also
passed away ; Chris, who resides in Colorado ; and two, who are deceased.
Mr. Wallrichs acquired his education in the schools of his native land, and
was a youth of sixteen years when he emigrated to the new world, being
attracted by the favorable reports which he had heard concerning this country.
Upon reaching Aincricaii shores he at once made his way to Chatsworth,
Illinois, where for a year he was employed on the railroad. He then worked
at the blacksmith's trade for two years, subsetiuent to which time he entered
the butchering business, which occupied his time and attention during the
succeeding twenty-one years. In 1900, however, he disposed of that business
and located on his present farm, comprising two hundred and forty-three acres
of rich and productive land, situated on section 2, Pella township. He is here
engaged in cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and is also
engaged in raising stock, giving the greater part of his attention to this field of
activity. Altogether ]\Ir. Wallrichs has followed farming for fifteen years, and
is meeting with excellent success in his undertakings, following only the most
practical and modern methods in carrying on his work.
In 1876 ]\Ir. Wallrichs chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey
of life, Miss Sophia Dannaman, who is likewise a native of Germany, her birth
having there occurred in 1853, and she is one of a family of four children,
whose parents are both deceased. Unto our subject and his wife have been born
eight children, of whom six are living. The family record is as follows : Tena,
deceased; Henry, who resides in Ford county; Tena, the second of that name,
who married John Keefe ; Minnie, at home ; Mattie, who passed away ; Ricka,
who is still under the parental roof; Anna, who is engaged in teaching school;
and AVilliam, at home.
]\Ir. Wallrichs gives his political support to the republican party and for the
past seventeen years has served as school director, the cause of education ever
fmding in him a warm and stalwart friend. He is a memlier of Chatsworth
Lodge, No. 539, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the chapter at Fairbury. Both
he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, in the work of
which they take an active and helpful part, giving freely of their means toward
the support of this organization.
]Mr. Wallrichs is familiar with the development and imjirovement that has
been carried on in Livingston and Ford counties through almost four decades,
for when he located in tliis section of the state there were many pioneer
conditions still to be seen. IVIuch of tlie land was still unimproved, and deer
and other wild game were still to be seen roaming over the prairies. He can
464 ■ HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
recall an incideut in the winter of 1869, when he shot several deer about a mile
north of his present home. He is a self-made man, deserving of much credit for
wliat .he has accomplished in the business world, for though he came here in
early youth, dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood, he has through
his close attention, careful management and untiring industry, gained a success
which now enables him to enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of
life.
ROBERT E. PURDUM.
Robert E. Purdum, who is engaged in general farming on section 33, Pella
toA\Tiship, has a tract of land of one hundred and seventy acres, whose fertility
is indicated in the large crops which he annuallj' garners. He was born in
McLean county, Illinois, June 16, 1857, his parents being John and Nancy
(Hamilton) Purdum, who were natives of Brown county, Ohio, in which state
they remained until 1856, coming in that year to Illinois. They settled in
McLean county, where their remaining days were passed. Unto them were
born seven children, of whom four are still living: Samarimus, tlie wife of
Guy Farr, now living in Lamar, Missouri ; Whalen, whose home is in Colton,
California; Elizabeth, the wife of Colonel Wilson, a resident of Dallas county,
Iowa; and Robert E. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that
pursuit throughout his entire life in order to provide for his family.
Mr. Purdum remained at home with his parents up to the time of his
marriage. He then purchased eighty acres of land and liegan farming on his
own account. He had acquired his education in the public schools and when
not busy with his text-books had aided in the work of plowing, planting and
harvesting. He continued upon li is original farm for thirteen years, Avhen he
sold that property and purchased his present place of residence of one hundred
and seventy acres on section 33, Pella township. It has since been his home
and the attractive appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and
practical methods. There have been no exciting chapters in his life record
but year after year he has worked on diligently- and persistently and has thus
acquired a comfortable competence.
In 1887 i\Ir. Purdum was united in marriage to IMiss IMargaret Stevens, who
was born in Livingston ccmnty, Illinois, a daughter of Henry and Elnora
(Sickler) Stevens, both of whom were natives of I'cnnsylvania. tlicir family
numbering eight children. Both the father ami mother ai'e now deceased.
MR. AND MRS. R. E. PURDUM
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 467
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Purduiu have been born eight chiklren : John L., Elnora
Belle, Ida I\Iay, Ruby ]\Iargaretta, Edgar R., Clarence LeRoy, Pearl Odessa and
Blanche R. The four eldest children are now attending the high school at
Piper Cit}^, Mr. Purdum desiring that all shall have good educational advantages
and thus be well equipped for the duties of life.
He supports the Methodist EpiscojDal church and is a member of the Odd
Fellows lodge and also the Modern Woodmen camp of Piper City. His political
views accord with the principles of the republican party and he has held several
township offices, the duties of which he has discharged capal)ly. for every trust
reposed in him is faithfully performed, yet he does not seek nor desire joublic
office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which,
capably managed, have brought to him a fair measure of prosperity.
JOHN I\I. THO:\IPSON.
The name of Thompson has throughout a long period been closely identified
with the business and official interests of INIelvin and Ford county, representatives
of the name having occupied a prominent place in the public life of this section
of the state. John ]\I. Thompson is a native of the Buckeye state, his l)irth
haying occurred near Williamsburg, Noble county, April 24, 1837, and is the
fourth in order of birth in a family of children born unto William and Catherine
(Dyer) Thompson, natives of Virginia and of Ohio respectively. Three meml)ers
of the family died in infancy and those who still survive are : ]\Irs. Nancy
Grove, of El Paso, Illinois; John M., of this review; T. D., of Paxton ; ^Irs.
Sarah Day, of Melvin; and William II., also of Melvin. The father accom-
panied his parents from Virginia to Belmont county, Ohio, and it was there that
he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Dyer. In 1843 he removed with
his family to Monroe county, that state, but after seven years returned once
more to Belmont county, where the wife and mother died April 8, 1863, when
she had reached the age of fifty-four years. The year following the father
removed to Illinois, settling first in LaSalle county, near New Rutland, where
for several years he engaged in farming, which had been his occupation previous
to coming to this state. His death, however, occurred in JMelvin, in March, 1874,
where he had resided for about four years prior to his demise. Both he and his
wife were consistent' and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
468 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
John ]\I. Thompson of this review, spent his boyhood and youtli under the
parental roof, accompanjdng his parents on their removals in Ohio until 1864,
when he was brought to Illinois. He was reared to farm life, devoting his time
and energies during the summer seasons to worlv on the home farm, while in the
winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools. He also attended
Barnesville Academy, and taught school in Belmont county, Ohio, for three
years, from 1858 until 1861. It was in 1872 that he came to Ford county, and
engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business in partnership with his brother,
T. D. Thompson, wdio now makes his home in Paxton, where he is filling the of-
fice of circuit clerk. The brothers were quite successful in this undertaking and
conducted the business for several years, but in 1878 John ]M. Thompson sold his
interest in the business to his brother, after which he engaged in the implement
business, to which he later added a stock of lumber. He was thus successfully
engaged until 1886, when he disposed of his interests to his son, William E., and
his brother, William H. Thompson. In his business affairs he met with a gratify-
ing measure of success and acquired a competence which now classes him
among the substantial citizens of this section of Ford county.
Mr. Thompson has been married twice. He first married in 1861, to
Miss Jane Day. who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 18, 1837, a
daughter of John and Anna (Crew) Day, natives of Pennsylvania and of North
Carolina respectively. Their marriage was blessed with three children : William
E., who was born February 9, 1863, and wedded INIiss IMaggie Slather, now
making his home in Melvin ; Anna C, who died June 17, 1874, at the age of four
years; and Frank M., who was born February 3, 1877, and is now a practicing
attorney of Paxton, Illinois. On the 15th of ]\Iay, 1887, Mr. Thompson was called
upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, and on the 6th of December, 1888, he
was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Jennie Thompson, his
brother's widow. She was born in Lancashire, England, March 25, 1851, and
when a child of two and a half years was brought to America by her parents,
Joseph and Sarah (Brierly) Fletcher, who were likewise natives of England,
the family home being established in Kendall county, Illinois. The parents are
both deceased, the father having passed away in Illinois, while the mother's
death occurred in Iowa. The daughter first gave her hand in marriage to
Israel A. Thompson, by whom she has one daughter, Katherine, and by her
marriage to John M. Thompson she has one child, Gail Fletcher.
Mr. Thompson has given his support to the republican party since age
conferred uj^on him the right of franchise. His first presidential ballot was
cast for Lincoln. Ho has liilcd many public offices, having for twenty-five
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 469
consecutive years filled the office of justice of the peace, his long continuance
therein giving proof of his fidelity and trustworthiness in the discharge of his
duties. In 1898 he was elected drainage commissioner and served in four drain-
age districts, and has filled the office to the present time. He was also elected
township supervisor to fill out an unexpired term. He is a charter member of
Peach Orchard lodge, No. 179, K. P., in which he has filled all of the chairs,
including that of deputy grand chancellor. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Melvin, in which he is serving as trustee. It is fitting that
the sketches of the distinguished citizens of the county should find a place in
this volume, in which connection Mr. Thompson by the consensus of public
opinion is rated. He stands today as a high type of American manhood, who
has won the good will and confidence of his fellowmen by his public service and
private life.
HENRY STEDMAN.
Henry Stedman is one of the younger representatives of the farming
interests of Ford county, and one of its native sons. He now resides in Pella
township, deriving his income from a good farm of one hundred and eighty
acres situated on sections 10 and 11. He was born on the 25th of February,
1881, of the marriage of Nelson and Harriet (Read) Stedman, who are mentioned
elsewhere in this volume in connection wdth the sketch of Earl Stedman.
At- the usual age Henry Stedman was sent to the public schools and mastered
the branches of learning therein taught, thus qualifying for the duties of life
which come when one leaves the schoolroom. During the summer months he
had been inured to the work of the farm and the occupation to which he was
reared he determined to make his life pursuit. When nineteen years of age he
began farming on his own account and his first investment in property made
him the owner of forty acres. To this he has added until he now o^\^ls one
hundred and eighty acres on sections 10 and 11, Pella township, being regarded
as one of the young enterprising farmers of the community. His place has a
well kept appearance and the fields annually bring forth rich crops, for the
work of plowing, planting and harvesting is systematically done, due attention
being given to the condition and quality of the soil.
In politics Mr. Stedman is a republican and fraternally he is connected
with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 481, at Piper City, and also the Woodmen
Camp at Piper City.
470 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
111 1903 occurred the marriage of Henry Stedmaii and ]\Iiss Theresa
Drinan, who was born in Ohio. Her father, John Drinan, now lives in Oilman,
Illinois, but the mother is deceased. Mrs. Stedman was one of two children, and
by her marriage has a daughter, Lorna Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Stedman attend
and support the Methodist Episcopal church. They are well known in Ford
county, and arc much esteemed by a large circle of warm friends.
ARBY D. READ.
Arby D. Read, who has extensive farming interests in this county, is a native
of Chautauqua county, New York, where he was born on the 14th of April, 1854,
a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Read, further mention of whom is
made in the sketch of Thomas Read on another page of this work. Our subject
was one of a family of eleven children, six of whom still survive : Edwin T., of
LaSalle county, Illinois; Franklin and Henry, who have passed away; Helen,
the widow of Henry Morse, living in Indiana ; Harriet, deceased ; Thomas, who
makes his home in Piper City ; John, who also resides in Indiana ; Theodore,
deceased; Charles, of Pella township; Arby D., of this review; and James, who
has also departed this life.
When he was nine years of age Arby D. Read accompanied the family on
their removal to Illinois, working in company with his brothers until he had
attained his majority. He then followed farming in connection with his
brother Charles for fifteen years, on the expiration of which period he bought the
old homestead, where he still resides. He has, however, greatly improved the
place, having added all the accessories and conveniences of modern farming, and
in addition to the erection of n tine fifteen-room residence he has also built a
large barn. His landed holdings comprise eight hundred and thirty acres in
Pclhi township, Ford county, and seven hundred acres in ]\Iississipi)i. He is
a self-made man, who has worked persistently and earnestly for the success which
lias come to him, for although he started out in life empty-handed he has gained
the prosperity which is the reward of untiring perseverance and executive
ability.
In 1876 Mr. Read was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Long, a native of
IViuisylvania, who was one of a family of eight children. She also became the
mother of eight children, six of whom are still living: Dora and Edwin, both
?3
03
?3
HISTORY OF FORU COUNTY 473
deceased; Melvin, who follows farming' in Inxinois county; Edna, a school
teacher of Mississippi; Ethel, Wilbur, Mary E. and Ruth, all ;it home.
In his political views Mr. Read is a republican and has served as school
director for several years. He was also drainage commissioner and is interested
in all those movements and measures which tend to promote the general welfare.
Fraternally he is connected with lodge No. 608, A. F. & A. M., at Piper City, and
with the chapter at Fairbury, Illinois. Both he and his wife are members of the
]\Iethodist Episcopal church and are highly esteemed throughout the community
by reason of their genuine personal ^vorth and sterling traits of character. His
life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recogni-
tion of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial and prosperous
citizens of his county.
JOHN S. HUNT.
John S. Hunt is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the
state, where he has spent his entire life, so that he has witnessed much of the
growth and development of tliis section of the country. His memory goes back to
the time when all of the evidences of frontier life were here found ; when the prai-
ries were wild and uncultivated ; when the forests were uncut ; the streams
unbridged ; when deer and other wild animals roamed over the (countryside ; and
when the Indians still disputed the right of the white man to intrude upon what
he regarded as his domain. The memory of John S. Hunt forms a connecting
link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
He was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1829, his parents being Cor-
nelius and Ann (Sidell) Hunt, who were natives of New Jersey. The father
removed with his parents to Pennsylvania, and subsequently the family home
was established in IMuskingum county, Ohio, among the first settlers there. The
father built a log cabin with a clapboard roof and puncheon floor and door,
and in the true style of the frontier the family began their life in the Buckeye
state. There they cleared a farm and with the development of that place Cor-
nelius Hunt was actively connected, so that pioneer experiences were not
unfamiliar to him when he came to Illinois in 1828. He made a location in
Vermilion county, where he lived for eighteen months, and then removed to
Putnam county, purchasing a claim on which there was a log cal)in. It
remained his home for six years, after which he sold that property and removed
474 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
to Marshall county, Illinois. He there purchased two hundred and twenty acres,
entering eighty acres of timberland and paying for it the usual government
prices. With characteristic energy he began the development of the farm, turn-
ing the first furrows in the fields and carrying on the labor of general agriculture
for fourteen years. He then rented his Marshall county land and purchased a
farm in La Salle county, near Lostant. To this place he removed and made
it his iionie until his death, which occurred May 12, 1874. His wife survived
for about sixteen years, passing away in 1890.
In their family were ten children, seven of whom survive, as follows : Ruth
II., now the widow of Andrew Mailer and a resident of IMelvin, Illinois; John
S.. of this review; Jane, the widow of James Dixon, also of IMelvin; E. S., of
JMelvin ; P]lizabeth, the widow of George Dixon, who resides in ]\Ielvin ; William
J., who makes his home in the same town ; and Philip, who is located in Paxton,
Illinois.
John S. Hunt remained with his father until he had attained his majority
and his labors were those which usually fall to the lot of the agriculturist as
he took part in the work of field and meadow. He afterward took a trip
to California overland with an ox-team in the year 1850, making the long
journey across the stretches of hot sand and through the mountain passes until
he reached the district where he hoped to find gold in abundance. He
remained for fifteen months, and, while he did not meet with the success he
anticipated, he had many experiences of interest and value. The return trip
was made by way of the water route and upon again reaching Illinois he
located in La Salle county, where he purchased eighty acres of land. He then
began farming and his father gave him an additional tract of eighty acres,
while subsequently he bought twenty acres of timber and forty acres of prairie
land, thus coming into possession of a good farm of two hundred and twenty
acres. With characteristic energy he began the development and improve-
ment of the place and as time passed the tangible result of his labor was man-
ifest in rich crops and well developed fields, the work being systematized Id
every particular. It meant much hard labor, but he performed tlie work in
such a manner that the best results possible were accomplished and the years
l)r()ught him the reward of his diligence.
In 1852 Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to I\Iiss Jane Burley, who was
born ill Ohio, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Anderson) Burley, wlio
were natives of Pennsylvania but are now deceased. In their family were
nine children, but Mvh. Hunt is the only one now living. Hy lier marriage
she has become the mother of twelve cliiklren: Elizabeth A., now the wife
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 475
of Joseph IMcMann, a resident of Ch ats worth ; Ruth IT., the wife of WiDiarn
Thompson, who is living in IMelvin ; Nina B., the wife of Paul Hubler, who is
living near Buckley; Julia, the wife of Clarence Sauter, of Oilman, Illinois;
J. W., at home; Delia, the wife of Frank McClure, a resident of Ford county;
John M., also living in Ford county ; and five who have passed away.
While operating the farm, Mr. Hunt made a specialty of raising and feed-
ing stock, keeping good grades of cattle and finding a ready market for them.
He now owns four hundred and eighty acres of land on sections 25 and 36,
in Peach Orchard township, which cost him eight and nine dollars per acre,
but which is today worth between one hundred and two hundred dollars per
acre. His success is well merited, because it has come through diligence and
perseverance. He has now reached the age of almost four score years and
looking back over his life, there is no occasion for regret. Mistakes, of course,
have been made — for who does not make them — but in his entire life his inten-
tions have been honest and his work has been honorable. In his political
views he has always been a stalwart republican, unfaltering in his support of
the principles of the party which has ever been the political organization of
reform and improvement. He has served as supervisor and collector and for
ten 3'ears was school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm
friend. He has also done good work for the public highways as road com-
missioner and his influence has ever been on the side of improvement and
progress. He built three houses in his township and in the work of improve-
ment and development he has borne his part. In 1881 he removed to Melvin,
where he has since lived retired, owning in the village a fine residence and six-
teen lots, while from his farming property he derives a gratifying income. Mr.
and Mrs. Hunt are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and people of
the highest respectability, enjoying the full measure of confidence and trust
from their fellowmen.
DANIEL KEWLEY.
Daniel Kewley is a retired farmer who yet has good income property in
the farm upon which he resided for so many years, giving his time and energies
to its cultivation and development. He was born on the Isle of Man, December
7, 1865, his parents being Daniel and Ellen (Clay) Kewley, who were also natives
of that isle. The father was a miner in the okl country and ere his emigration
476 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
to the new world as a permanent resident, lie made two or three trips to the
United States and also one to Australia. After takinj^c up his abode in this
country his life was given to farming and though he started out empty-handed,
he accumulated a fine estate and was for a long period numbered among the
substantial residents of Ford county. He had two hundred and twenty acres
of rich and valuable laud in the home place and a tract of four hundred and
sixty acres elsewhere in the county. While on a trip to California for his health
in 1903, he passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. In his political views he
was ever a stalwart republican and in religious faith was a IMethodist. Since
his death his widow has c(mtinued to make her home in California. In their
family were four children : Daniel, of this review ; James, who is cashier in
the bank at Onarga, Illinois; Anna, the wife of F. W. Willet, a jeweler of
Watsonville, California; and Lena May, who is living with her mother on the
Pacific coast.
Daniel Kewley was only about a year and a half old when brought by his
parents to Illinois, the family home being established in ]Mona township. Ford
county. In 1874 they removed to Brenton township, Daniel Kewley residing
there and in Pella township from that time to the present. He was reared to
the occupation of farming, early receiving practical training in the best methods
of tilling the soil and converting the fields into a productive tract of land,
bringing forth rich harvests. As he started out in life for himself his previous
experience well qualified him for the work which he undertook, and as the yeai*s
passed he prospered, transforming his farm into one of the valuable properties
of the county. He continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until
December, 1906, when he removed to Piper City, where he erected and now
o('cui)ies a beautiful and commodious residence, modern in every respect, it
being one of the best homes of Piper City. ]\Ir. Kewley is now giving his super-
vision to his real-estate interests, and to the enjoyment of such pleasures of life
as were denied him when his farming interests made heavy claims upon his
time and energies. His excellent farm property comprises three hundred
and twenty acres of land situated on sections 15 ami 16, Brenton township. It
is well improved with substantial buildings, and everything about the place
indicates his careful supervision and the practical methods which he brought to
bear in carrying on his farm work. He also operated his father's farm — a tract
of five hundred and forty acres — and was very successful in his labors as an
agriculturist. What he undertook he carried forward to successful completion,
and in all things was eminently practical. Besides his property in this state, he
owns a half section of land in South Dakota.
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 477
In 1888 ]Mr. Kewley was united in marriage to IMiss Cora A. IMunson, a
native of this county, and a daughter of Charles and Iowa (Jennings) Munson.
Unto ]Mr. and ]\Irs. Kewley have been born two children, Bertha and Helen.
The family is prominent socially, the members of the household occupying an
enviable position in the social circles in which they move, while the hospitality
of the best homes of tliis part of Ford county is freely accorded them. ISlv.
Kewley is a republican with independent tendencies, usually, however, voting
for the men and measures of the party. He has served as school director and has
recently been elected assessor. His religious faith connects him with the
Presbyterian church. Never heedlessly passing by the opportunities of the
business world, he has through the utilization of the advantages that have come
to him, steadily advanced from a humble position to one of affluence.
JOHN C. ]\IEYER.
John C. Meyer, postmaster and merchant of Garber, is a successful business
man who owes his prosperity to enterprise, unfaltering determination and
inflexible business integrity. These cpTalities never fail to win success and the
life history of ]\Ir. ]\Ieyer is another proof of the fact that they constitute a sure
foundation upon which to build the superstructure of business advancement.
A native of Indiana, he was born near Osgood, Ripley county, July 27, 1864.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him
in his boyhood and youth. His time was divided between the duties of the
schoolroom and the work of the home farm, for during the periods of vacation
he assisted in the labors of field and meadow. When about seventeen years of
age he left home and went to Dearborn county, Indiana, where he was employcMl
for one year as a farm hand. On the expiration of that period he removed to
Greensburg, Decatur county, Indiana, where for eight years he worked as a farm
hand. He afterward spent two years in Pekin, Tazewell county, Illinois, as
farm hand, coming thence to Garber, and after serving as farm hand for one
year he rented a one hundred and twenty acre farm and engaged in general
agricultural pursuits on his own account in the operation of rented land for
five j^ears, when with the capital he had acquired through his energy and
diligence he purchased the store building and property of S. D. Litwiler and
leased it to T. J. Williams for one year, but at the end of the year he purchased
the stock and fixtures of ]\Ir. Williams. At that time the stock was very small.
478 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
being' worth only about tliree hundred dollars, but he soon increased it, so that
today it is valued at over five thousand dollars and he is conducting a success-
ful ])usiness as a general merchant. Besides this he owns other property. He
is also acting as agent for the leading implement manufacturers of the country
and in 1907 his sales in all departments amounted to thirty thousand dollars.
His success is due to his earnest desire to please his patrons and the carefully
selected line of goods which he carries and to his straightforward dealings.
In 1894 Mr. Meyer "was united in marriage to Miss Katie Gerber, of Pekin,
Illinois, a daughter of Peter Gerber, a Frenchman. They have a daughter.
Hazel, now eleven years of age, but they lost their only son, Edward, at the age
of six years.
Mr. and Mrn. Meyer are members of the United Brethren church at Gibson
City and he is interested in the education as well as the moral development of the
community, having served as school trustee for the past ten years. He does
all in his power to further the interests of public education. In politics he has
always been a republican, with strong prohibition tendencies, and he has long
been recognized as a stalwart advocate of the cause of temperance. In fact, liis
aid and influence are always given to the side of reform, progress and improve-
ment, and he stands inflexibly for truth and justice on all occasions.
HARRY BONNEN.
Harry Bonnen owns and occupies a farm on section 29, Dix township. It
is a place of one hundred and fifty-six acres and the corner adjoins the corpora-
tion limits of the village of Guthrie. He is not actively engaged in the
development of the fields now but rents the land to others, although he still lives
there.
He was born in Germany on the 11th of January, 1850, his parents being
Bonnie P. and Tillie (DeGrote) Bonnen. wlio came to America in the fall of
1867 with their family of four sons and three daughters, namely : Richard, who
now follows farming in Dix township ; Harry, of this review ; Anna, who is
living in Kansas City; Peter, who was killed l)y a horse; Bertha, the wife of
Henry Farris, who is farming in Drummer township; George, who carries on
farming in Dix township and is mentioned elsewhere in this work ; and Caroline,
the wife of Harry Schutte, who is also represented on another page of this
volume.
>
a
P3
X
>
->
td
O
"Z
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY. 481
Tlu^ father was a farmer hy occupation, devoting his entire life to that
pnrsuit. Sailing for the new world on the vessel America, accompanied by his
family, he landed at New York city after a. voyage of fourteen days and then
went to Springfield. Illinois, where he remained for three days. He next
I)roeeeded to Petersburg, IMenard county, and soon afterward rented an eighty
aci'c farm about ten miles from Petersburg. In 1873 he purchased the tract of
one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Dix towniship, upon Avhich
Harry Schutte now resides. He lived in Menard county for three years and in
Cass county for one year and then came to Ford county, settling on a farm two
miles south of Gibson, which was his home until his labors brought him suffi-
cient capital to enable him to purchase what is now the Schutte farm. His life
was one of industry and enterprise and in this regard proved an excellent
example for his famil3^
Harry Bonnen was reared to habits of thrift, industry and perseverance,
lie acquired his education in the schools of Germany and the home atmosphere
was always one of culture and intelligence. His father was a highly educated
man, who acquired his education in Germany and for two years studied for the
ministry of the German Lutheran church. He was especially proficient in
mathematical lines and could readily figure out most difficult problems. Harry
Bonnen was about seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents to
the new world, assisting them in the work of the home farm until 1878, when he
started out in life on his own account. He has since been dependent entirely
upon his own resources, and his perseverance and diligence constitute the basis
upon which he has builded his success. After his parents died he remained
with his brother George for several years or until his marriage. Eighteen years
ago he purchased his farm of one hundred and sixty acres and for a considerable
])eriod was active in its management and development.
On the 15th of March, 1899, Mr. Bonnen was united in marriage to IMiss
]Mollie Gerdes, who was born in INIenard county, a daughter of Ubbe and Meta
(Oncon) Gerdes, who were farming people and came to Ford county in 1873.
After residing here for three years they removed to Champaign county, where
they are now living, their home being on a farm near Mayview. Their family
numbered seven children, namely: Mrs. Bonnen; William, who carries on
general agricultural pursuits near Urbana, Illinois ; Elizabeth, at home ; George,
who follows farming in Dix township ; Tena, the wife of Kirk Snedeker, who is
farming about three-fourths of a mile south of Champaign; Frank, who carries
on the same pursuit near Urbana, Illinois ; and Ernest, at home. Mrs. Bonnen
acquired her education in the schools of Champaign and Ford counties and by
482 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
her marriage she lias heeome the mother of three ehihlren : Boun H., Charles]
Edward and Leslie V.
]\Ir. Bonnen now rents his land and the property provides him with a good
income, obviating the necessity for further labor on his part. His political
allegiance is given the democracy but he has never sought the honors nor
emoluments of public office. His fellow townsmen have long known him as a
representative agriculturist and regard him as a citizen of worth.
C. A. LARSON.
Honored and respected by all there is no man who occupies a more
enviable position in commercial circles in Paxton than C. A. Larson of the P.
Larson Company, owning and controlling the largest mercantile house in Ford
county. His position in public regard is due not alone to the success which
he has achieved but also to the honorable, straightforward policy that he has
followed. It is true that he entered upon a business already established l)ut
he has enlarged and extended this and in so doing has displayed the strong
traits of character of the successful merchant, who recognizes and utilizes
his opportunity and upon the substantial basis of diligence and commercial
integrity builds his success.
Mr. Larson was born in Attica, Indiana, February 1, 1859. His father,
Peter Larson, was the founder of the present business, to which his three sons
succeeded upon his retirement. The father was a pioneer merchant tailor of
Paxton. A native of Sweden, he was born in Olmsted, Jonkopings Ian,
December 12, 1833. He was reared and educated in his native land and
learned the tailor's trade prior to his emigration to America in 1854. He
first became identified with the business interests of Attica, Indiana, and while
living there was married in 1857 to Miss Lovisa Gustafson, a daughter of Jacob
Gustafson, a native of Linderas, Sweden, whence she came to the new world
in 1853.
In 1864 Peter Larson removed with his family to Paxton, Avhei-e lie began
l)iisiness as a merchant tailor and dealer in ready-made clothing in company
with William Lindberg and John Nelson, under the firm name of Lind-
berg, Larson & Nelson. From 1870 until 1883 he was alone in business
and succeeded in building up a profitable trade. In October of the
latter year he sold out to his sons, Charles Albert and J. T. Larson, and C.
\
{
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 483
A. Eugluiid, who continued under the firm stjde of P. Larson & Company.
Mr. Larson made an excellent reputation for business probity as well as enter-
prise, and was the founder of what has become the leading mercantile house
of Ford county. He possessed the strong characteristics of the Swedish
nation — the perseverance and unfaltering industry" and the thorough reliabil-
ity which have ever marked the people of that peninsular country.
Unto ]\h-. and ]\Irs. Peter Larson were born six children, of whom four
survive : Charles Albert, Jacob Theodore and Peter Edward being associated
in mercantile interests; and T(l;i Otillia, of Paxton. Two children, Emil and
Ida Otillia, died in infancy.
Charles Albert Larson, the eldest son, was ])ut five years of age when
brought to Paxton by his parents. He acquired his education in the public
schools and was early trained in the work of the store. He gave close atten-
tion to the business and remained as assistant to his father until the latter 's
retirement in 1883, when, with his brother, J. T. Larson, and C. A. Englund he
succeeded to the business. They retained the firm name of P. Larson &
Company for business advantages accrued therefrom, the partnership remain-
ing the same until 1887, when a younger brother, Peter E. Larson, was admitted
to the firm. On the 27th of February of that year a branch store was opened
at Gibson City, w^ith Peter E. Larson in charge, and in August, 1891, another
store was opened at Watseka, the youngest brother at that time assuming the
management in the latter city. In October, 1901, they disposed of the
Watseka, store and on the 6th of February, 1903, the company was reorganized
as a stock company, under the name of the P. Larson Company, with Peter E.
Larson as president ; C. A. Larson as secretary and treasurer ; and T. J. Larson
as vice president. This company oAvns and controls the Paxton store, while
the Gibson City branch is under a separate management, with the name of the
P. Larson Clothing Company. Of this latter business organization C. A.
Larson is the president. In September, 1905, a branch store was opened by
the incorporated company in Hoopestown, which proved to be very successful
from the beginning and is noAV profitably conducted. During the early years
of their business career the brothers also operated a branch store in the town
of Roberts but later disposed of that.
On the 13th of January, 1887, C. A. Larson was married to JMiss Anna
Larson, a daughter of Andrew Larson, of Paxton, and unto them have been
born four children, of whom three are now living: Clarence R., who is attend-
ing Culver Military School at Culver, Indiana ; and Mabel A. B. and Grace V.,
both at home. The second son. Noble, is deceased. The father is a member
484 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
of i'axtoii Lodge, No. 210. I. O. 0. F., and Patton Lodge, No. 398, K. P. He
also belongs to the Court of Honor, the Independent Order of Foresters, the
Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen of America. In community
affairs he is deeply and helpfully interested, being a member of the board of
trustees of the public lil)rary of Paxton, a member of the Swedish Lutheran
church and a cooperant factor in many measures for the public good. He is
one of the most prominent of Paxton 's successful business men and one of its
foremost citizens.
T. J. Larson, vice president of the P. Larson Company, and also of the P.
Larson Clothing Company of Gibson City, was born in Attica, Indiana,
September 26, 1861, and was therefore but three years of age when his parents
arrived in this city in 1864. At the usual age he began his education, passing
through successive grades in the Paxton schools until he became a high-school
student. His business training was received under the direction of his father
and as a salesman in the store. He continued in active connection with the
business until 1883, when he became a member of the firm that succeeded to the
father's business.
T. J. Larson was first married to Miss Nellie Nelson, a daughter of August
Nelson, of Paxton. The only child of that marriage is deceased, and the
mother has also passed away. In 1887 T. J. Larson was again married, his
second union being with Emily Peterson, by whom he had four children, three
yet living: Harry P., who is attending the State University at Champaign;
Edna and Orville, at home. Fraternally he is connected with various branches
of Masonry, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of
Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his wife is connected
with the ladies auxiliary of the last named. For a numbt'r of years T. J.
Larson served as a memlicr of the board of aldermen of Paxton and his
official support was ever given to those measures W'hich tended to promote
municipal interests and upbuilding. He is a man of genial nature whose
friends are many, Avhile his record in l)usiness circles commands for him the
confidence and admiration oF all.
Peter E. Larson, the youngest of tlu^ three brothers, was l)orn in Attica,
Indiana, in August, 1863. Like the otlu'rs, he was a shuh'nt in the pu])lic
schools of Paxton and later he continued his education in Rice Collegiate
Institute. He, too, received his ])usiness training in llie store established by
his father, and in 1S87 Ix'caiiie a member of the firm, in which year the Gibson
City store was established and lie became manager. In 1891 on the opening of
the store in Watseka, he removed 1o lliat city and took charge there. In
Watseka he wedded Mary E. Netterville, and to them has been born a daughter,
HISTORY OP FORD COUNTY 485
]\rargnerite L. They still reside in Watseka, where Peter E. Larson is
numbered among the leading and public-spirited citizens.
The Larson brothers are extensive owners of farm property in this state
and Iowa, having made judicious investments of their surplus earnings in
real estate. They are numbered among Ford county's most successful
l)usiness men and belong to that class of representative American citizens
who promote public progress in advancing individual success. Perhaps no
history published in this volume can serve as a better illustration to young men
of the power of honesty, integrity and unabating industry in insuring success.
They are men of broad capabilities who have recognized and utilized oppor-
tunity and while making constant progress along the pathway of success they
have at the same time manifested a public-spirited devotion to the general
good that has received tangible evidence in their substantial aid of the vai'ion.s
measures that have contributed to Paxton's upbuilding and prosperity.
HENRY A. DRENDEL.
The name of Drendel has for four decades figured in connection with the
agricultural development of Ford county and upon the old family homestead
in ]\Iona township occurred the birth of Henry A. Drendel, his natal day being
November 16, 1875. He is a son of Frank S. and Mary (Slater) Drendel and a
brother of George Drendel, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. At the
usual age he entered the public schools and mastered the branches of learning
therein taught. In the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the fields
and under the careful direction of his father gained intimate knowledge of the
best methods of carrying on the farm work in all of its departments. Ambitious
to engage in business on his own account, on attaining his majority he began
farming where he now lives and is today engaged in the cultivation and further
improvement of two hundred acres of the old homestead. He is living a life of
industr}^ and enterprise and the years have marked successful accomplishments
in his business.
]\lr. Drendel is pleasantly situated in his home life, having been married in
1900 to Miss Lucy Koerner, who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, and was
one of the seven children whose parents are Prank and Gertrude (Elbert)
Koerner. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Woodford
county, Illinois. They are now living in Cullom, being Avell known residents
486 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
of that place. The home of Mr. and ]\Irs. Drendel has ])eeu blessed with four
children : Esther E., Harry F., Francis H. and Viola E.
The parents are communicants of the Catholic church at Cullom and Mr.
Drendel gives his political allegiance to the democracy. He is serving as a
school director but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking,
preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs. He
has been a member of the Woodmen lodge at Cullom since November, 1896,
and is much esteemed in the order and wherever he is known. His life history
is as an open book to his many friends in Ford county, for he always lived
within its borders.
AUGUST VOGELBACHER.
August Vogelbaeher is cultivating an excellent farm of two hundred and
eighty acres on section 2, Brenton township. It is a fine property to which he
has added modern improvements and equipments and throughout this locality he
is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists. He was born in Baden, Ger-
many, December 26, 1867. his parents being John and Nothburger (Hettich)
Vogelbaeher, who spent their entire lives in Baden. Their family numbered six
children, of whom August was the fifth in order of birth. He was, however, the
first to come to America and the others arrived in the following year. The
members of the family are : Isadore, who is living at Big Stone City, South Da-
kota ; IMary, now the wife of Anthony Boma, of Brenton township ; Bertha, the
wife of Killian Way of Iroquois county, Illinois ; Julius, living in Big Stone City,
South Dakota ; August of this review ; and Pauline, the wife of John Smith, of
Mason City, Iowa. The mother was killed l)y lightning when her son August
was but nine years of age and by a second marriage the father had three chil-
dren : Xavier, Emma and Nothburger.
August Vogelbaeher was a youth of seventeen years wlu-n in 1884 he crossed
the Atlantic to the United States with a cousin, Anthony Boma. He has lived
in Ford county continnously to the present time, covering a period of twenty-
four years. Empty-handed at the time of his arrival he immediately sought and
secured employment as a farm hand and was thus engaged for sevcm years when,
desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he rented a tract of
land, on which he lived for ab(mt five years. He also became a partner of his
father-in-law, Joseph Burger, and at his death ]\Ir. and iNIrs. Vogelbaeher re-
MR. AND MRS. AUGUST VOGELBACHER
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 489
moved to their present farm, which had formerly belonged to her father. They
have two hundred and eighty acres of land all in Brentoii township. There is
eight}' acres in the home farm on section 2, another eighty acre tract on the
same section, forty acres on section 3, and eighty acres on section 6. Upon this
farm are tAvo sets of good buildings. The fine modern residence which adorns
the place and is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vogelbacher was erected l)y our sub-
ject. It is attractive and commodious, containing ten rooms, and is modern in
all of its appointments. He also erected good outbuildings, putting up all
excepting the barns. His entire time and attention are devoted to the farm
and his business interests are bringing him a gratifying financial return.
On the 16th of June, 1892, ]Mr. Vogelbacher was united in marriage to ]\Iiss
Ruth Augusta Burger, who was born at Norwich, Connecticut, April 6, 1857, and
with her parents went to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1866, removing thence to
Ford count}' in the spring of 1869. Extensive mention of her father and his
family is made elsewhere in this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vogelbacher have
been born four daughters : Edna, Dora, Mary and Josephine. The family are
prominent socialh', their many friends entertaining for them warm regard.
In politics j\Ir. Vogelbacher is a democrat and has served as one of the three
school trustees of Brenton township. lie belongs to Piper Camp, No. 718,
]\I. W. A. Ford count}' has no more loyal citizen than this adopted son, \vho
has a deep attachment for America and her institutions. While he still main-
tains a love for the land of his birth his interest centers in the United States and
he is in hearty sympathy with its institutions, its purposes and its govermental
policy.
AUGUST BRUCKER.
August Brucker has since 1890 resided upon his present farm which at the
time of his purchase comprised one hundred and sixty acres. In the years
which have since elapsed he has added to his possessions until he is now one of
the extensive landowners of the county and one of its most prominent agricul-
turists. With him tlie possession of wealth indicates a life of well directed
industry and unfaltering perseverance, the careful utilization of his opportunities
and the ability to adjust himself to circumstances.
Mr. Brucker is a native of Tazew^ell county, Illinois, born February 27, 1861,
his parents being Gotlieb and Catherine (Clabe) Brucker, who were natives of
490 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Germany. They came to America about 1848 and settled in Tazewell county,
where they were identified with farming interests. Following a later removal
to Livingston county, ]\Ir. Brucker there purchased land and for a long period
carried on general agricultural pursuits, meeting with success in his undertakings
l)nt at length he retired. He died in Cropsey, May 22, 1908. at the age of
seventy-six years. His family numbered nine children, namely: Adam;
August, of this review; Henrj'; Annie, the wife of Jacob Huppert; Caroline,
the wife of John Stein; Charley; Emma, the wife of Ernest Lange; John; and
Elizabeth, the wife of Henrv Sutter.
The public schools afforded August Brucker his educational privileges
although his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited. When he
attained his majority he began farming on his own account, renting land for
this purpose. For eight years he continued to cultivate leased land and eventu-
ally purchased one hundred and twenty acres of improved land, for which he
paid fifty dollars per acre. It was with genuine jDleasure that he located upon
this farm, knowing it to be his own, and for some years he continued its im-
provement and development. He then sold it and in 1890 he purchased the
place upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, for
which he paid forty-seven dollars per acre. It was also improved to some
extent. As the years passed he has added to the property from time to time
until he now owns in all nine hundred acres, costing from fortj'-seven to one
hundred and fifteen dollars per acre. Today it is worth on an average of one
hundred and fifty dollars per acre and upon it are good improvements. He and
his sons cultivate the entire amount and all are men of untiring industry and
commendable energy.
Mr. Brucker was married on the 8th of November, 1882, to ]\Iiss IMary E.
Steine, a daughter of Henry and Christina (Burlett) Stein(\ who were natives of
Germany. They came to America in 1868, settling in Livingston county, where
]\Ir. Brucker engaged in farming. In 1881 he removed to Ford comity, where
his remaining days were passed, his death occurring November 24, 1904. He
left a widow and five children, as follows: ]\Iary E., now ]\Irs. Brncla'r; John ;
Fred; p]li/abeth, the wife of Charles Brucker; and Henry.
The marriage of j\lr. and Mrs. Bruck(M' li;is been blessed with twelve
children and the record is a notable one in that the family yet remains unbroken
by the hand of death. The cliildren are as follows: Henry, William, George,
John, Albert, Edward, Catherine, Alice, Charley, Arthur. Ida and Oscar.
Both My. and ]\Irs. Brucker are members of the Evangelical church of Sibley
and he gives his political snpport to the republican party. He has, however,
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 491
never sought nor desired ot'iiee, preferring to give his undivided attention to liis
business affairs. He is a representative of the best type of American manhood
and chivalry. By perseverance, determination and energy, he has overthrown
the ol)stacles which barred his patli to success and reached the goal of prosperity.
He is widely and favorably known throughout his part of tlie state and his
record should serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what can Ix;
accomplished if one but has the will to dare and to do.
RANSOM REED MURDOCK.
There are few men whose lives can be crowned with the honor and
respect that were uniformly accorded Ransom Reed Murdock, nor in so large
a measure have enjoyed the love and confidence of their fellowmen. A life
governed by the most honorable principles, Mr. Murdock never deviated from
what he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen and in much
that he did was actuated by a public spirit that found manifestation in the
tangible aid which he gave to the city of his adoption. His personal charac-
teristics, his straightforward business career and his efficient public service
have made his memory sacredly cherished since he was called from this life.
He was born October 21, 1829, in tluj town of Ridgeway, Orleans county,
New York, and was the eldest child of Seymour B. and Eliza A. Murdock, the
former a farmer of considerable wealth and influence in his count}'.
In early life Mr. IMurdock displa3'ed a keen interest in horticulture and
fortified himself for work of that character by acquiring an extensive
knowledge along that line. After several prospecting trips to the west he
finally decided on Paxton as a location, and here purchased large tracts of
land. From the time of his settlement here he gave his heartiest efforts and
loyal support to the upbuilding of the city and county. He established and
conducted a large nursery, developing an extensive business in that line, and
he has propagated a breed of corn known today as Murdock 's Early, or
Murdock 's Corn. He was also the first to discover and make the test with the
clay of this region which proved that it was suitable for tile. He took the
clay for this purpose from the present site of the Brick & Tile Company in
Paxton. In many other ways he promoted the city and forwarded its
interests. His business affairs were always of a nature that contributed to
public progress. He learned to correctly value life's contacts and experiences.
402 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
111 1885 he removed to Chicago, where for fifteen years he was interested in
real estate, handling property in both the north and the south. He was largely
instrumental in the upbuilding of Hammond, Louisiana, whieli is now so well
known as a winter resort. He likewise traveled quite extensively, taking
])Mrties to Oklahoma and thus promoting the interests of the new state.
In 1858 ^Ir. ]\Iurdock was married to Miss Louise S. Hoag, and unto them
were born two daughters, Effie E. and Luella C, ])nt the latter died in 1893.
AVhile living in Paxton Mr. ^lurdock held many public offices, including
those of trustee and alderman. He was always a stanch democrat and was
connected with every public enterprise affecting the welfare of the city,
especially during the early period of its existence. He was largely instrumental
in securing the railroad station, the postoffice, the county seat and the court-
house. His public service was of such a nature as to render his history an
integral part of the annals of Paxton. For years he was an exemplary
member of the Masonic fraternity, but dropped his connection after removing
to Chicago. Although never a member of any church organization, in early
training and in belief through life he was an Universalist. He died at his
home ill Chicago, December 20, 1907. All who knew him found him a faithful
and considerate neighbor, a man of kindly thought and spirit, generous and
helpful in actions. He realized as few men seem to do, his obligation to his
fellowmen and to the city of his residence. He looked at life from a broad
standpoint, and the simple weight of his character and ability carried liim
into important relations with the public and with business affairs.
HENRY C. HALL.
Henry C. Hall was too well known in business circles in Paxton to need
special introduction to the readers of this volume. His name was an important
one in trade circles and was a synonym of all that is honorable, straightforward
and reliable in Imsiness transactions. For many years he operated extensively
in grain but later gave his attciilion to real-estate investments and the sale of
property.
Mr. Hall was a native of Fountain county, Indiana, born October 11, 1841.
His father, James Dow Hall, was liorn in Ross county, Ohio, April, 1821, and
died in Paxton. in January, 1903, when in the eighty-second year of his age.
With an ohler brother, William Hall, he went to Fountain county, Indiana, where
HENRY C. HALL
HISTORY OP FORD COUNTY 495
he remained for several years, subsequent!}' removing to Warren county, that
state, where he opened up and improved a farm, upon which he lived for nine
years. In 1852 he arrived in Ford county, Illinois. Two years previously he
had driven one hundred milk cows to Wisconsin, where he sold them to the
farmers in the dairy district, this being before the era of railroad shipment. On
the way he met George B. McClellan, afterward General McClellan, commander
of the Union forces, who, Avith a staff of assistants, was surveying for the route
of the Illinois Central Railroad. Through General McClellan he became
enthused regarding the conditions of the country through which the railroad was
to pass and decided to locate near the line. Accordingly, in 1852, he settled
twelve miles east of Paxton, at Henderson's Grove, Vermilion couutj^, but not
being able to secure government land in that neighborhood he removed in the
spring of 1854 to a claim five miles southeast of Paxton, where the greater part
of his life ^vas passed, his time and energies being given to the cultivation of his
farm, which became a valuable property. His early political allegiance was
given to the whig party and on its dissolution he became a republican. He was
elected the second sheriff of Ford county, serving for two years, beginning in
1860. During the first j'ear of his service the old courthouse was built and in
the following j^ear he had his office there, being the first sheriff in that temple of
justice. He married Eliza Whisman, a native of Wythe county, Virginia, who
was reared by her grandparents in that county. She died in Paxton, at the
age of seventy-nine. In their famil}^ were four children : Henry C. ; William
Franklin, who died forty years ago; Melvina E., the deceased wife of Dr.
Pickerd, of Indianapolis, Indiana ; and ]\Irs. Rebecca Snyder, a widow, living in
Paxton.
Henry C. Hall was but ten years of age when he came to Illinois, the
family home being established in Vermilion county, where for two years they
lived prior to a removal to what became the old farm homestead near Paxton.
For fifty-six years Henry C. Hall lived in or near this city. The experiences of
pioneer life wnth all its attendant hardships, privations, duties and pleasures
became familiar to him. His education was acquired in the common schools and
when not occupied with his text-books he aided in the labors of the farm. On
attaining his majority, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, Mr. Hall
came to Paxton in March, 1862, and entered the grain trade here, being success-
fully and extensively connected therewith until four years ago. He did not
confine his attention, however, to the grain trade alone but dealt also in live stock,
lumber and coal, operating in all those lines during the greater part of the time.
The sphere of his activity was also extended to include neighboring towns and
496 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
cities as well as Paxtoii and at one tiiiu' lie had twelve different stations. He
established business before he was of age and for about three years was alone,
after which his father becam<^ his partner, under the firm style of J. D. & II. C.
ITall. That relation was terminated after five 3'ears and Plenry C. Hall was
then joined l)y his brother-in-law. under the firm name of Hall & Snyder. They
were together for five or six years, after which i\Ir. Hall admitted Timm Ross to
a partnership and they oi)erated in the above mentioned lines under the firm
style of Hall & Ross. Later Mr. Hall was alone. He became the largest
operator in grain, lumber, live stock and coal of any man in the business. He
bouglit and sold grain most extensively, though he shipped large quantities of
live stock of all kinds and his annual sales brought him a very gratifying
financial return. For thirty-six years he has occupied offices in the Clark
block. After he had ])een in the office for a year he was married and built the
present residence of his widow on West Franklin street, which was afterward
his home. Four years before his death he sold his grain business and withdrew
from the trade for two years but later was engaged in the real-estate and loan
business. He admitted J. M. IMarsh to a partnership, under the firm style of
Hall & ^Farsh. In this connection he handled much property and negotiated
many important realty transfers. He was a man of resourceful business
ability, readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities and his efforts were so
discerningly directed along well defined lines that he won a most gratifying
measure of success.
On the 10th of October, 1872, ]\Ir. Hall was united in marriage to Lliss ]\Iary
Pierpont, who was born in 1849, in Morris, Connecticut, and in 1858 came to
Ford county with lici- parents, Leonard and Cynthia Pierpont, who were also
natives of Connecticut. Her father was the youngest brother of the Rev. John
l*ierpont, a man of national reputation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born five
children: i\Iary T., now the wife of George L. Shaw, of Chicago; Bertha M. and
Editii P., at home; Clara W. who died in 1880; and Henry Pierpont, who was
born in June, 1885, and died of typhoid fever in February, 1907. He was a
y(mng man six feet in height, of athletic l)uild and a favorite with his many
friends, so that his death was (leepl\' regretted in social circles as well as by his
immediate family.
In his political views Mi'. Hall was alwnys a stalwart i'e])u1)lican after cast-
ing his first president i;il l);illot for Abraham Lincoln in ISOl. He served as
township trustee for lorty consecutive years and declined to fill the office for a
longer period. This simple statement is the highest proof that can be given of
the position which he held in |»nl)lic regard and in the confidence of those who
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 497
kuew him. For twelve 3'ears he was a member of the city council and was still
serving on the board of alderman at the time of his death. His fidelity to muni-
cipal progress found tangible evidence in his active work for many movements
for the public good. He belonged to the Congregational cliurcli. to the support
of whicli lie contributed lil)ei'all\', and liis family were associated with him in
this membership. He found appropriate place among those men of business and
enterprise in the state of Illinois whose force of character, whose fortitude amid
discouragements, whose sterling integrity, whose good sense in the management
of complicated affairs and marked success in shaping large industries and bring-
ing to completion great schemes of trade and profit, have contributed in eminent
degree to the development of the resources of this noble commonwealth. His
career was not helped by accident, or luck, or wealth, or family or powerful
friends. He was in the broadest sense a self-made man, being both the architect
and builder of his own fortunes.
P. E. HUNT.
P. E. Hunt, a representative of the business interests of Paxton, is well
known as a gardener and farmer. He was born in La Salle county, Illinois,
February 12, 1848, his parents being Cornelius and Elizabeth A. (Sidel) Hunt,
the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Pennsylvania. They
Avere married in Ohio, to which state they had gone in early life with their
respective parents. In 1828 they removed to Putnam county, Illinois, at wliidi
time there were only two or tliree families living in the county. The journey
was made in a wagon drawn by ox-team over roads that were little more than
a trail and they had to go to Chicago for supplies. Previous to taking up
their abode in Illinois, they had resided for a time in Indiana on the Wabash
river, east of Danville, Illinois, and had raised a crop there, bringing Avith them
to this state supplies almost sufificient for one year's sustenance. There was
no mill nor market near and the settlers had to depend upon their own labors
and devices for everything. The method employed by Mr. Hunt to grind his
com into meal was primitive in the extreme. Having cut down a large oak,
he smoothed the top, bored holes in the stump some eighteen inches and set
fire to it so that each hole was burned in the shape of a bowl. He then
arranged a heavy sweep or hammer made of iron to pound his corn into
meal. Neighbors came from fifteen to twenty-five miles to use this improvised
498 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
mill, each man doing his own pounding and frequently remaining all night
awaiting his turn. All around was the unbroken prairie or the uncut timber
and the Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers. During the
Black Hawk wai- Mr. Hunt took his wife l)ack to Ohio, after which he returned
to Illinois and assisted the white settlers in prosecuting the w'ar and subju-
gating the savages. Purchasing land, he remained upon the farm for two
years after his wife came to Illinois and later he purchased a farm on the
prairie, where they lived until his death May 12, 1874. Thus passed away
one of the honored pioneer settlers whose worth in the community was widely
acknoAvledged, for he proved an able assistant in reclaiming this region for the
purposes of civilization.
He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, all of whom reached
adult age, namely : Mary, who first married John ]\Ioore and later became the
wife of Harry Crawford but is now deceased; John, a retired farmer living in
Melvin, Illinois ; Caroline, the deceased wife of Ephraim Frazee ; Sarah, who
became the wife of Joshua Polin but is now deceased ; Ann, who has also passed
aw^ay ; Enoch, a retired farmer making his home in ]\Ielvin ; Ruth, the widow of
Andrew Miller; Jane, the widow of James Dickson; Elizabeth, the wndow of
George Dickson ; William, who served in the United States army for two years
during the Civil war and is now living retired in Melvin; Jacob, who served
as a soldier of the Civil w^ar and was wounded at Altoona Pass, Georgia, his
injuries resulting in his death ; and P. E., whose name introduces this review.
The last named was educated in the country schools of LaSalle county
and in youth became familiar with the arduous task of developing new land
and carrying on the w'ork of the farm. At the age of twenty years he was
married to Miss Alice Campbell, a daughter of Joseph and ]\Iary (Blakely)
Campbell, who came originally from Kentucky to Illinois. In their family
were eight children, as follows : William, who makes his home in IMattoon,
Illinois; Louisa, the deceased wife of John Longnecker; Alice, now IMrs. Hunt;
Sarah, the widow of James W. White ; Laura, the wife of Douglas Conrad ;
Wallace, who is editor of a newspaper at Anderson, Indiana ; Hilary, who is
now serving as postmaster at Roberts; and Lawrence, Avho resides in Paxton.
Through the period of his early manhood Mr. Hunt carried on agricidtural
pursuits but on the 17th of June, 1889, removed to Paxton and became one of
the founders of what is now the Paxton Hardware Manufacturing Company.
In 1891 he sold his interest to his partner, F. E. Bonney, and purchased his
present place at the edge of Paxton, consisting of twenty-four acres of land.
Here he devotes his time and attention to the raising of garden produce, for
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 499
which he finds a ready sale on the city market. His business is carefully
conducted and is bringing to hini well merited and gratifying success. He
raises about five hundred chickens each year, making a specialty of brown
leghorns and Rhode Island reds.
Unto I\Ir. and Mrs. Hunt have been born four children : Jaeol) W.. now
deceased; Murray E., who is engagetl in the grocery business in Paxton ;
Frank, a veterinary surgeon of Gibson City; and Gertrude, the wife of John
Waldron, a cabinet maker of this city.
Mr. Hunt has never aspired to office, although he has served as school
commissioner and road commissioner. His wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and they are both highly esteemed in the community, their
good qualities of heart and mind bringing to them the warm friendship of many
with whom they have come in contact.
JOHN KARSTEN.
John Karsten, who is now living retired in a commodious and
substantial home of his own at Melvin, was born in ^Mecklenburg, Germany,
September 2, 18-42, losing his father when but two years of age. He acquired
his education in the schools of his native land and remained in Germany until
1866, when he crossed the Atlantic to America, wishing to take advantage of
the broad(n' business opportunities offered in this country. He located in
IVIarshall county, Illinois, where he was employed as a laborer for three years
and then rented a tract of land, which he successfully operated for nine years.
On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres on section 23, Peach Orchard township. Ford county, where he made his
home for fifteen years. Having by this time accumulated a handsome compe-
tence he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Melvin in 1894,
where he has since resided in the enjoyment of well earned ease. He is now
the owner of four hundred acres of land, all on section 23 and 24, Peach
Orchard township, and is therefore numbered among the large landholders
and progressive citizens of the county.
While still a resident of Germany Mr. Karsten was united in marriage to
Miss Dora Haas, who was one of a family of five children. She is now the
mother of four children, namely: Mary, the wife of George W. Spelmier, of
Ohio; Charles F., who lives in Ford county; Anna, who became the wife of
500 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Henry Knox and also resides in this county; and "William G., likewise of Ford
comity.
In his political views Mr. Karsten is a republican and is (piite prominent
ill the local ranks of his party, having served as school director for thirteen
years and as commissioner of highways for seven years. Both he and his
wife arc mcml)ers of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they take an
active and helpful interest, Mr. Karsten having acted as trustee for many
years. Except for the aid of his estimable wife, he owes his present splendid
ju'osperity entirely to his untiring perseverance and excellent l)usiness manage-
iiiciit. for when he came to the United States he was empty-handed and has
since achieved the success which entitles him to a prominent place in the
history of the representative and enterprising residents of Ford county. He
and his wife have resided in this county for thirty years and are therefore
largely' familiar with its history from a very early period, being moreover
highly esteemed throughout the entire community by reason of their upright
and honorable lives and many good traits of heart and mind.
EDWARD McDERMOTT.
Edward ]\IcDerniott, one of the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists
and stock-raisers of Ford county, is a native son of Will county, Illinois, where
iiis l)irth occurred on the lOtli of April, 1864, his parents being John and
Katherine jMcDermott. The parents were natives of Ireland ])ut in an early
day emigrated to the new world, taking up their abode in New Yorlv, where they
remained for six years. On the expiration of that period they made their way
westward to Illinois, locating in Will county. In the year 1868, however, they
removed to Ford county, where tlie father purchased a farm aiul was successful
ill its operation. II(! passed away on the 14th of ]March, 1007, l)ut is still sur-
vived by liis widow, who makes her home in Piper City, Illinois. They were the
parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living: John, who resides in New
York ; ]\Iary, the wife of John McCormick, of Kansas City, IMissouri ; Bridget,
deceased; Owen, living in Pella township. Ford county; Edward, of this review;
William, of Piper City, Illinois; Peter, who makes liis home in Creston, Illinois;
Martin, residing m Champaign county, Illinois; and two who have passed away.
Edward McDermott acquired a common-school education and remained
under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he rented a
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD McDERMOTT
1
i
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 503
farm, Avliie-h he operated successfully for eight years. He then purchased a
tract of laud of two hundred acres in Fella township on section 14 and later, as
his financial resources increased, added eighty acres more on section 36 of the
same township. In addition to this property he also owns three hundred and
twenty acres near Winnipeg, Canada. His holdings are therefore cpiite exten-
sive and in the cultivation of his fields he is meeting with a gratifying measure
of prosperity hy reason of his well directed energy and capable business manage-
ment. In addition to his agricultural interests he makes a speciaUy of raising
cattle, horses and hogs and this branch of his business is also proving a good
source of income to him.
On the 5th of February, 1896, ]Mr. McDermott was united in marriage to
]\Iiss Mary E. McGreevy, who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, in 1866.
She was one of a family of fourteen children, the mother of whom is still living,
the father, however, being deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. IMcDermott were born
four children, as follows: John J., Edward L., William Vincent and Eugene
Francis.
In his political views ]\Ir. McDermott is a stalwart democrat and has served
as school director for several years, the cause of education finding in him a
stanch friend. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church
at Piper City and are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth and
sterling integrity. "Sir. McDermott has resided in this county from early child-
hood and is therefore largely familiar with its upbuilding and substantial
development, especially along agricultural lines, with which he has been con-
nected throughout the entire period of his manhood.
JOHN ADAM STADLER.
John Adam Stadler was for many years one of the leading, enterprising
and honored farmers of Ford county. He always exemplified in his work the
spirit of progress, and his successful accomplishment resulted from close and
unremitting application and well directed industry. ]\Ioreover, in his
business affairs he was so reliable that he commanded the unqualified
confidence of all with whom he was associated. His birth occurred in Baden,
Germany, June 8, 1836, his parents being George and Sybilla (Bachfisch)
Stadler, w^ho emigrated to America when their son John was a little lad of
eleven years. The family home was established at Newark. New Jersey,
504 HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
wiici'c John Stadler spent his youth, later, liowever, becoming a resident of
Coeheeton, New York, where he engaged in farming for a time.
Mr. Stadler was there married to Matilda Detzel, who died in the Empire
state, leaving two sons, George and John Stadler, who are now in bnsiness
in Chicago. In Coeheeton, Sullivan county, New York. ^Ir. Stadler was again
married on the 14th of August, 1861, his second union being with Catherine
Valendor, Avho is a native of Germany, having been born in Baden, her
parents being John and Catherine Valendor. She was a maiden of six
summers when brought to the Empire state, where the death of her father
occurred. Her mother died in Baden and the father was again married there
before he brought his family to the new world. I\Ir. Stadler continued to
engage in farming in New York until 1867, when he emigrated westward,
thinking to find better business opportunities in Illinois. Locating in Ford
county, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 20,
Brenton township. It was then a tract of wild prairie, but the possibilities
for the development of a good farm were there, and with characteristic
energy he began its development, and in course of time brought it under a
high state of improvement. He erected a comfortable home and good
outbuildings, planted many rods of hedge fence, and made other substantial
improvements which transformed the property into one of the attractive
farms of the locality. Although he started in life empty-handed, at his death
he Avas the owner of a valuable property of three hundred and sixty acres,
which annually returned him a good income. He kept everything about the
place in excellent condition, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm
indicated his practical ideas.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stadler as the years went by were born ten children :
Jacob, who was born in New York, wedded Annie Ristow, and now resides
in Piper City; Lewis, who died at the age of twenty-six years; Catherine,
the wife of Fred Ristow, of Piper City; Frank, who is mentioned on another
page of this work ; William, who died at the age of nineteen ; Helen, the wife
of Joseph K. Montelius, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Sam, a
resident farmer of Livingston county, Illinois, and also the owner of farm
property in Brenton township. Ford county; Annie, the wife of George D.
Montelius, who is also mentioned in this work; Elizabeth, the wife of
Ferdinand Luther, who resides in Piper City; and Charles, who is with his
mother in Piper City.
In his religious faith Mr. Stadler was a Lutheran and in all his relations
with his fellowmen was upright, honorable and reliable. His political
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY 505
allegiance was given to the demoeracy, but the honors and emoluments of
office had no attraction for him, as he preferred to give his entire attention
to his business affairs. He died September, 26, 1884, and was laid to rest
in Brenton cemetery. Many friends as well as his immediate family
mourned his death, for he was respected wherever known, and had a wide
accjuaintance in the county. For the past twelve years Mrs. Stadler has
resided in Piper City in a fine home which she erected. She has a wide and
favorable acquaintance in the city and in the surrounding district, having for
more than forty years resided in Ford county. Of its growth and develop-
ment she has lieen an interested witness, and her memory goes back to a
period when much of the county was still unimproved.
PETER J. PETERS.
Peter J. Peters, who owns and operates three hundred and forty acres
on section 19, Wall township, was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 11th of
September, 1851, his parents being Hans and Margaret (Heesch) Peters, both
of whom passed away in the fatherland, the former in 1867 and the latter in
1878. The father was a farmer by occupation. His family numbered eight
children, namely : Hans H., residing in Gibson City, Illinois ; Katherine, the
wife of Peter Linderman, who still resides in Germany; John, of New Orleans;
Henry and William, who are also living in the fatherland; and two who are
deceased.
Peter J. Peters acquired his education in the schools of his native land,
and when he had attained the age of twenty years emigrated to America,
having heard many favorable reports concerning the broader business oppor-
tunities and other advantages which the new world offered. On his arrival
in this country he located first at Bloomington, Illinois, where he worked as
a farm hand for nine years, on the expiration of which period he operated
a rented farm in McLean county, Illinois, for fifteen years. He then came to
Ford county. At that time he had gained capital sufficient to enable him to
purchase three hundred and forty acres on section 19, Wall township, remov-
ing to this place in 1896. He has partly improved his land and has also
built a fine residence and other buildings on the west quarter of the farm,
where his daughter now resides. He started out in life empty-handed and
the splendid success which he has achieved is entirely the result of his own
506 HISTOEY OF FOKD COUNTY
wi'll directed labor and enterprise. In the spring of 1908 he expects to retire
from the active work of the fiehls, having already made plans for the erection
of a handsome residence in Gibson City, where he will sj^end the remainder
of his life in the enjoyment of the frnits of his former toil.
^fr. Peters has been married twice. lie first wedded Miss Ida Sehoemaker,
a native of Germany, l)y whom he had one daughter, Mary, the wife of
Edward Tetzloff, Avho lives on a part of her father's farm. In 1876 our
subject was joined in wedlock to ]\Iiss ^Earia Lambrech, also a native of
Germany, by whom he had thirteen children, as follows : Emma, the wife of
Jacob Rammers, of El Paso, Illinois; William, who makes his home in Peoria;
Ella, who became the wife of Harry Sharp, and resides in Ford county,
August, at home ; Anna ; Henry ; Minnie ; Elma ; Albert ; Carl, deceased ;
Louise ; Ada ; and one who died in inf anc3^
In his political views Mr. Peters is a democrat and has served as school
director for fifteen years, the caiLse of education ever finding in him a stanch
friend. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Lutheran church
and are well and favorably known throughout the community as people of
genuine personal worth. Germany has furnished to the United States many
bright, enterprising young men who have left the fatherland to enter the
business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier
competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is
Mr. Peters. He found the opportunity he sought in the freedom and
appreciation of the growing country. Though born across the water, he is
thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in
his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history- 
