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IROQUOIS COLIXnX ILLINOLS

Bv J. W. KERN. M. A.

TOGETHKK WITH

f^lOr.KAPIIICAL 5KI:TCHE5

OF MANY OF ITS PROMINENT AM) LEADING CITIZENS
AND ILLLSTRIOUS DEAlJ.

ILLUSTRATED

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THE .S. J. CLAHKK FIBLISHING CO.

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"H>e^icatc^ to tbe
IPlonccvs
ox llroquoii? (loimtB

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UNIVEKiiliy u^ ILLINOIS

RIOCPwAPIIIC/AL.

iiox. ADDisux guodi:ll.

Hon. Addison Goodell was for many years
]-oda's foremost citizen. Almost countless are
llic individuals who unite in expressions of praise,
gratitude and honor in speaking of him. and his
memory is today enshrined in the hearts of all
who knew him. Althou.nh his success was great
it was his strong and sterling traits of character
which gained for him the place that he occupied
in the affections of his fellowmen. Said one who
knew him well, "He was cast in the same mold
of nohle manhood, physically, mentally, morally
and intellectually, as was .\braham Lincoln."
He possessed too that entire freedom from osten-
tation which characterized tlie martyred presi-
dent, and it is improbable that he ever weighed
an act of his life in the scale of policy. The
course which he followed in all of his relations
with his fellowmen was ])rompte(l by a spirit
"i kindly consideration for others and a desire
to do the right as he saw and understood it.

Addison (loodell was born near Mentor in
Lake county, Ohio, on the i6th of July. 182J.
and was a representative in both the pateriril
and maternal lines of old Xew England families.
His parents, Xathan P. and Hannah M. (Ciris-
wold) Goodell. were natives of Windham county.
Connecticut, and further mention is made of the
ancestral history of the family in connection with
the sketch of Warren S. Goodell on another i)a.t;e
of this work. But in this writing we are more
closely concerned with the life record of .\ddison
GiTodell, who left such an indelible imjiression
upon the roniniiri-i.il niid financial historv of

Iroquois ct)unty and e.xerted so strong and bene-
ficial an inlluence over the lives of those with
whom he came in contact. On leaving Xcw Eng-
land his parents removed to Ohio, becoming pio-
neer residents of that section of the Western Re-
serve which is now included within the borders
of Lake county. The father was a woolen manu-
facturer and in coimection with business inter-
ests of that character was identified with farm-
ing and milling. Public spirited and energetic,
he t<jok a prominent and active part in all that
pertained to the welfare of the community in
which he made his home. His political alle-
giance was given to the whig party, subsefjuently
to the free soil party and later to the republican
party. He and his wife were members of the
Christian church and in the early days of Mor-
mon influence Sidney Rigdon, then pastor of
the church to which Mr. and Mrs. Goodell be-
longeil. succeeded in carrying off all of the mem-
bers of his flock to the new religion save Xathan
P. and Hannah Goodell. Arousing the ire of the
Mormon leaders by his expose of some of their
deceitful practices, Joseph Smith, their leader,
claimed to have received the revelation "that the
earth woidd drink Mr. Goodell's blood within
a year." His life thus threatened Mr. Goodell
disposed of his interests and removed to Paines-
ville, Ohio, where he operated the city flouring
mills until his demise, which occurred when he
was seventy-six years of age, while his wife was
seventy years at the time of her death.

Farm life early became familiar to Addison
Goodell and while spending his boyhood days
under the parental roof he aided in the work of

I 109479

PAST AND PRESENT OF

he died, and feel yet, a sense of personal be-
reavement and loss that makes it seem an im-
possibility to say why I loved him so. I never
knew of his doing a littje or mean thing. The
mould in which he was rim was too large for
small things or mean things. If courage in
convictions of right, if nobleness of character, if
kindness of heart, if goodness of intention, and
success in putting an abstract intention into con-
crete definite and kindly action, if all the charac-
teristics that make people lovable, so richly
possessed by him, are assets for this life and of
value in the life he has now entered, then he
was a rich man in the esteem, affection and love
of his fellowmen here, and now enjoying the
enduring riches and fellowship of that life that
shall never know a close."

From Hon. Horace Russell, member of the
forty-third general assembly, came the following:
"I have appreciated the honor he conferred on
me by being friendly to me always, for back in
the past when he was a younger man I became
acquainted with him. He was always kind to
me and while he was aware of my many failings
and shortcomings he always passed them by and
encouraged me to do better. He has left to you
boys a name that few can have. It was not local
by any means, but was linked with all of eastern
Illinois and especially of our county. There is
no one man in our county who was so well and
favorably known as was Mr. Goodcll. His name
meant all that was honorable and good."

Writing of their father to the sons. W. R.
Jewell said : "Through a period of a generation
I have known .\ddison Goodell as one of the best
men with whom I have ever associated. He had
all the elements of one of the Lord's noblemen.
As a citizen he was a devoted patriot. In the
day of his country's deepest need he was on the
side of the Union and for freedom. He was
one of the best supporters of the martyred presi-
dent. .\braham LincDhi. and was cast in tlic same
mold of noble manhood physically, mentally,
morally and intellectually, as was Mr. Lincoln.
He was a man of the common ])e(>ple, above llie
small tricks of small men. .\s a husband and
father he filled to fullness the siiirit of IIolv
Writ and the laws of the land. His children will
cherish his memory while their lives shall last.
The older they grow, and the more thev recede

by lapse of time from the days when they were-
in their childhood, in their good old home, the
more will the noble fatherhood of their father
shine upon them, full of all precious memories-
of simple going, coming, working, providing,,
thinking and planning for them, for their future-
happiness and well-being. I saw him often
about this fatherly duty, and even to me the
memory is now a sacred possession. He was re-
ligiously devoted to home — to making it happy ,.
to filling it with peace, unpretentious but solid
love, and all physical comforts. He was public-
spirited and worked and planned for the prog-
ress of his town, his community. We believe that
all the people of Loda will join me in saying that
he was the father of your beautiful place. That
he was one of the foremost of its citizens in build-
ing up the churches, your library, your school
houses, parks, and that all good and useful move-
ments found in him a ready, cheerful helper.
Soon after I became acquainted with Mr.
he became a member of the constitutional
convention which framed the present constitu-
tion of this state. I was told by Governor Bev-
eridge and others that he was one of the most
useful members of that body of distinguished
men on account of his great common sense and
business ability. He had the elements of practical
statesnianship and had he devoted himself to
statecraft instead of to business he would have
made an able constructive statesman. While in
the constitutional convention he did service for
the people which has lasted and served to this
day and will last and serve for many years to
come. Mr. Goodell was really a professional
business man ; the soul of honor, an example of
industry, exactness and thrift. He belonged to
that nvighty host of business nien who have
pushed this country along for almost three
quarters of a ccntm-y. until it has become the
greatest in the world. His word was as good
as his bond, liis name was a synonym of honor
and confidence, .\ddison Goodcll is a household
word for miles and miles around Loda, and the
circles of business men in Chicago. New York
and other centers. It is a great triumph to gain
a fair competency by sobriety, inilustry. honesty,
persistence, and Mr. Goodell achieved that vic-
tory. Besides all this he was a liberal, charitable
Christian gentleman. On that side of his life I

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

owe him iiuicli, tor lie did imicli to leach me,
when I was a young man and somewhat arrufjant
and dogmatic in botli pohtics and religion, how
to be tolerant to other men's views while firmly
holding my own. He seems to me as an older
brother, and I sincerely mourn his loss. IJut I
believe in the future life most fully and stead-
fastly. I believe that He who brought us here
has made the noble service of this life to fit us
for the future life in the highest degree. In
this service Mr. Goodell had a long and noble
discipline, and he has gone onward and upward
with all the beauty, the sweetness, the nobleness,
the love and service through which he has
passed in this life, gathered into his great heart,
as a store of joy in the other life. He has not
left this world empty or naked, but there is a
house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens, into which he passes, clothed in the
righteousness of a noble life. His soul has be-
come as vast as a world, and into it is gathered
all things that are holy and true. His soul lives
in God's heavens : his deeds of goodness live in
this life."

HON. A. M. jnXES.

Hon. .\. M. Tones has left and is leaving the
impress of his individuality njjon public life in
Iroquois county. He is distinctively a nian of
affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence,
and while he is known in political circles he is
equally respected and honored as an enterprising
and reliable business man, successfully controlling
important and growing business interests in Mil-
ford, where for over a (juarter of a century he has
dealt in hardware, lumber and farm implements.
His life record is in contradistinction to the old
adage that a "prophet is never without honor
save in his own countrv," for Mr. Jones is a na-
tive son of the coui.cy in which he has so directed
his lalx)rs as to gain more than local distinction
and honor.

He was Iwrn in .'^tockland townshij). .May 15.
1857, and is a son of the Hon. John H. and Han-
nah ( Pugh ) Jones, both of whom were natives
of Oliio. The father was born in Miami county,
October 30. 1823. but was reared in Warren

count\, Indiana, and it was there that he wedded
Miss I'ugh. He removed to Illinois in 1850, set-
tling on a farm in Stockland township, Iroquois
county, where he ])urchase(l a tract of raw land.
It was entirely destitute of improvements and not
a furrow had been turned, but with characteristic
energy he began the arduous task of develo])ing
a new farm and brought the place under a h ^h
state of cultivation. He was one of the most
prosperous agriculturists of this portion of the
state and to his ])ossessions added from time to
time until his holdings aggregated sixteen hun-
dred acres of well improved and valuable land.
He was indeed one of the ]>rominent and success-
ful agriculturists of Iroquois county, and in his
business life manifested a s|>irit of energy and bus-
iness integrity that commended him to the confi-
dence and won for him the admiration of all who
knew aught of his industry. He exerted, too. a
wide influence in public aflairs and was well fitted
for leadership because of his known ability, his
thorough understanding of the jiroblems relative
to the general good and his marked rievotion to
the interests of the people at large without the
display of class distinction. Again an<l again
he was called to positions of public honor and
trust. He served for a number of years as super-
visor, was township school trustee and township
treasurer for several years, filling the office at the
time of his demise. In 1883 he was elected to
the general assembly, where he represented his
district with credit to himself and satisfaction to
his constituents, being appointed on a number of
im[)ortant committees and doing valuable work in
connection with instructive legislature. He was
faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless
in rcinitation, and his life of business activity and
public service well entitled him to mcnt'un with
the foremost men that Iro{|uois county has pro-
duced. He died at his old home, OctolxT 27,
1893, at the age of seventy years, and for about
three years was survived by his wife, who passed
away in December, i8ty>- The family of this
worthy couple numbered six sons and two daugh-
ters, and in that number no death has yet oc-
curred.

• .\. M. Jones was reared upon the old home-
stead. The usual experiences of the l)oy upon
the farm were his. .\s age and strength jiermit-
teil he worked in the fields from the time of earlv

PAST AND PRESENT OF

s]jring planting until crops were harvested in
the late autumn but he was also given opportu-
nity to attend school and mastered the element-
ary branches of English learning in the district
school near his father's home. He completed his
studies at the Northern Indiana Normal College,
at X'afparaiso, and thus well equijjped for the
respons'fole duties of life he entered the field ol
business activity as an employe in a hardware
store in A\'atseka, where he received ])ractical
training in mercantile life. He was ambitious
for advancement and success, and eagerly im-
proved every opportunity toward that end. In
1879, in connection with his twin brother, E. S.
Jones, he embarked in the hardware and imple-
ment business at Milford. The firm of Jones
Brothers carry a large and well selected stock of
hardware and farm implements, valued at twenty-
five thousand dollars, and have built up an exten-
sive trade. They are recognized as leading busi-
ness men of broad capability, keen insight and un-
faltering determination, ant! in connection with the
hardware and implement business they also have
a lumberyard and carry a large stock of lumber
and building materials, for which they find a
ready sale.

.'\. M. Jones has gained equal prominence in
political circles, in which connect'on he has
wielded a wide influence, having made a close
study of all those problems which divide the two
great political organizations. His position has
never been an equivocal one. for he has always
been known as a stalwart republican. He was
elected and served for eight consecutive years as
supervisor, being chosen to that office when he
had scarcely attained his majority, so that he was
known as the ''boy supervisor." While a member
of the honorary county board he served for two
years as its cha'Tman. When choice was made
for a candidate for the thirty-eighth general as-
sembly the delegates to the cnnvenlion agreed
upon Mr. Jones and he was elected. He gave
such uniform satisfaction in discharging the du-
ties of the office that he was re-elected and thus
served for four consecutive years, giving to each
question which cune up for settlement "n the
Igislatnre his careful and thoughtful considera-
tion, lie has filled numerous official ])ositions
and has always been deeply interested in the
cause of ])ublic instruction, serving as a member

of the school board of Milford for a long period
and as :ts president for twelve years. He also
.served on the town board as trustee, was president
of the board, has been township treasurer for sev-
eral years and in all these offices has rendered effi-
cient aid and made an untarnished record.

In 1881, in Milford, occurred the marriage of
A. M. Jones and Miss Frances Monett, who was
born and reared in Ohio, and is an accomplished
and cultured lady, a daughter of John Monett.
She is one of the acti've members of the Methodist
church at Milford and has done much to advance
its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Jones is
an exemplary representative of the Masonic lodge
at Milford. and he and his wife are connected with
the Eastern Star. He has also taken the degrees
of capitular and chivalric Masonry in the com-
mandery and chapter at Watseka. As an Odd
Fellow he has filled all of the chairs in the local
lodge and is a past grand at Milford. He has
likewise been district deputy and a representative
to the Grand lodge of Odd Fellows in the state.
He and his brother have contributed in substan-
tial measure to the development of the town in
which they reside and have here erected a two-
story business block, while each has built an at-
tractive modern home. They are among Mil-
ford's most prominent and public-spirited men.
To evei\v enterprise calculated to advance the
prosperity of Milford, A. M. Jones is a contribu-
tor and is justly accounted one of the prominent
and pojnilar citizens.

IIOX. MATTHi:\\' HEXRY PETERS.

Among tlie residents of Iroquois county the
public service of few have extended over so long
a period as that of ^Matthew Henry Peters and
none have been more faultless in honor, more
fearless in conduct or more stainless in reputa-
tion. As mayor and legislator he has rendered
far-reaching and eft'ective service to the city of
Watseka and the district at large and as a busi-
ness man his efforts have been a factor in pro-
moting commercial progress and prosperity,
while viewed in any light he is a strong man —
strong in his honor and his good name, while
his life record should .serve as a source of inspi-

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OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLIMOIS

IROQUOIS COrXTV. 1 1. 1. 1. Vol. s.

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ration and cnciiiira,ij^cnii.'iU to others, sliouinj^j
that without tlic advantages of family, wt-altli or
position at tliu outset of one"s career an individual
may rise to prominence and success, winning the
esteem :uul resjiect of all with wlioni he is asso-
ciated.

A native of (iermany, .Major I'elers was horn
in Rhenish ISavaria, June (>, 1843. and his par-
ents, (.ieorse and Mary (Moock) I'eters, were
also natives of that country. 'I'hc father in tlie
year 1843 brought his family to America, land-
ing at New Orleans, but tlie climatic conditions
of the city were detriment.al to the health of the
family and within a few years the mother and
two sisters of Major I'eters died, leaving two
small hoys to the care of the father, who was
unfamiliar with the language and customs of the
people among whom he had come to dwell. His
limited financial resources were .soon com])letely
exhausted through the expenses occasioned by
sickness and death and a short time afterward
he suffered an attack of yellow fever which ter-
minated his life, .so that the two little liovs were
left or])hans. Samuel, the younger brother, was
cared for in an oriiiian asylum.

.\ conteni]>orary biograi)her in a hisiory of
Major I'eters said, concerning his early life, "Mat-
thew, then but ten years of age, was taken by
an acquaintance to bring up. Instead of finding
the comforts of a good home and the tender
care of a humane and worthy guardian, the lit-
tle orphan fell a victim to the grasjiing cupidity
of a cruel and heartless monster. He was poorly
clad, nearly starved, beaten. ;inil instructed in
criminal processes that would have done credit
to the Jew I'agan, made famous by the pen of
Dickens as the tutor of little ( )livcr Twist. This
man kept a small tailoring shoji, where the boy
was compelled to work from early morn until ten
or eleven o'clock at night. A small slice of bread
three times a day constituted bis entire rations,
so that be never knew while there what it was
not to be hungry. Ilccoming desperate, be re-
solved to make bis escape, feeling that any
change must be an improvement; so early one
morning in the winter of 1854-55 he, without the
trailitional bundle that the small aiiprentice is
supposed to carry when he runs away, made a
start for liberty and fortune. The rags on bis
back and the welts and bruises under them were

all he had to take exce|)t a b,'ih'-iloli,'ir that had
been entrusted to bis care overnight for market
purposes, b'eeling that be could justly appropri-
ate that amount of capital in consideration of his
um-e(|uitted service and privation, he niaile the
most of it by soon getting sonielbing substan-
tial with which to satisfy a mucb-.abuseil stom-
ach. \\ ith fear ami trembling, be sought safety
in a distant |>art of the city. His nights were
spent sleeping among the cotton bales and sacks
of coffee, or in other places where rest could be
.secured. In the daytime he ran the streets, mak-
ing a meal from anything he could find that was
edible, the waste from partially decayed fruit
and the refuse from hotel tables being his prin-
cipal fare.

"In the succeeding March, by good lortinic, the
little lad secured empKniuent on a Mississippi
river steamboat as assistant cook, and for once
in many years he was well fed. This change
marked an era of improvement in bis fortune,
for shortly afterward a traveling gentleman,
Henry S. Roberts, attracted by the intelligent
face of the boy and learning his sad story, took
a fancy to bini and offered him a home. This
kind off'er was gladly accepted, ancl in company
with his new-ft)und friend, Matthew went to
( )hio. For a time everything went well ; he
made himself u.sefnl to bis benefactor and was
given sdmol advantages; but misfortune again
befell him with the death of Mr. Roberts, which
happened only a few weeks after young I'eters
had found a bonx' with him. He left the boy
with his widowed mother, whose kindness and
motherly love have found a full recompense in a
lifelong devotion and care on the part of the
befriended boy. Since he has grown to manhood.
Major Peters has given her a home in bis f,im-
ilv. where she was loved and revered as though
indeed his real mother. Mrs. Roberts attained
the remarkable age of one hundred and three
vears." Her death occurred at Maior I'eters'
home January 6, 1894.

.\fter Itecoming a rcsi<lent of ( )hio Major
I'eters devoted his time and energies at different
periods to farm labor and the trade of brick-
making an<l bis leisure hours were largely de-
voted to rea<ling aiul study. His school privi-
leges had been very limited but with laud.iblc
ambition he desired an education and improved

I-t

PAST AND PRESENT OF

everv oppormmtN mr liroaiknmy li:s knowlcilyc
and promuting his mental culture. Oftentimes
he studied by the light of the burning kiln that
he was watching while wt)rking in the brickyards.
In this way he gained sufticienl knowledge to
enable him to successfully pass a teachers e.xam-
ination and entered actively upon the work of
the profession, at the same time pursuing his in-
dividual studies. It was in i860 that he became
a rejiresentative of the work of public instruc-
tion, in which he continued until the outbreak
of the Civil war.

In the meantime Mr. I'eters had watched with
interest the trend of modern thought, noting the
events which were shaping the history of the
country. He saw the threatening attitude of the
south and resolved that if a blow was struck to
overthrow the Union he would .stand loyally in
its defense. Accordingly on the 2^<\ of .\pril,
1861, he joined the Jefferson Guards of Spring-
field. Ohio, becoming a member of Company E,
Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, for three months' serv-
ice. The regiment was assigned to duty in \'ir-
ginia and with his command he took part in the
engagements at Philippi, Laurel Hill and Car-
rick's Ford, at which place the first Confederate
general, Garnett, was killed. Having served
out the term of his first enlistment Mr. Peters
re-enlisted in November of the same year at
Nenia, Ohio, as a private of Company F, Sev-
enty-fourth Regiment, under Colonel Granville
Moody, the fighting parson ; Walter Crook,
brother of General George Crook, of Indian no-
toriety, being his captain. .\t this time, Mr.
I'eters was made sergeant, soon afterward was
chosen lieutenant by the company and was com-
missioned by Governor Todd of C)hio on the
7th of January, ii^>2. During that year, he was
in active service and j)articipated in all the bat-
tles and engagements in which his regiment took
part.

.\t the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, De-
cember 31, \SC>2. our subject was severely
wounded and was thought to have been killed ;
indeed, was so reported, his comrades being
ol)liged to desert him on the field. However, he
received attention in time and was eventually
able to rcsmne his post of duty. lie particijjated
in the battles of a hundred d;iys' <hir.iti(in before
.\tlanla. On the «jth of Ma\, iSiq. l.itiiteii.int

Peters, who had been made adjutant of the
Seventy -fourth by his colonel on the reorganiza-
tion of the regiment as veterans, was again
wounded, while charging a rebel battery on Buz-
zard Roost Mountain, being struck by a frag-
ment of a shrapnel shot in the right leg. He
was left lying on the field two days. On the
13th of July following, by the recommendation
of his colonel, he was commissioned captain for
"gallant and meritorious services." During the
greater part of that summer, he was confined
to his hospital cot by the serious nature of his
wound, but as soon as convalescent he rejoined
his regiment in Savannah. Georgia, though very
feeble. During the remainder of the campaign,
he was on active duty and participated in the
closing battles of the war in the Carolinas under
Sherman. He took part in the battles of Ben-
tonville. Averysboro and Greenville, North Car-
olina, and the surrender of General Joseph E.
Johnston, April 26, 1865. The proudest day of
his military career was enjoyed at the Grand
Review of the armies at Washington, May 24
and 25. 1863. when he was detailed by General
George I'. lUiell. commanding the brigade on
his staff, as assistant inspector-general. Captain
Peters was retained on General Buell's staff un-
til notified that his regiment was about to be
mustered out. when he asked to be relieved, re-
joining his comrades in their march homeward,
and was mustered out July 12. 1865. But just
prior to that happy event he was complimented
l)y being conimissioned major of his regiment,
the regiment in which he had enlisted as a pri-
vate in the first year of the war. The compli-
ment was the more gratefully received as it was
unsought and came as an appropriate recognition:
of merit and faithful and gallant service in the
field.

Major I'eters" identification with the interests,
upbuilding and progress of Watseka dates from
.\|)ri]. 18U1, at which time he became interested
in the hardware tr.'ide in this city in partnership
with Alexander .\rchibald. but he did not find
the business congenial and in the course of a
year dis|)osed of his interest to his partner. In
the spring of 18(17 he opened the first book and
stationery sture in Watseka and from the be-
ginning success attende<l the new venture. I le
condncteil the business until November. iSr*),

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

when lie suld out to Henry 11. Alter, wliu liml
been in his employ as a salesman for more th.m
a decade. Major Peters had met with a jjoodly
measure of success while conductintj his mer-
cantile interests and in the meantime he extended
his operations into the field of journalism, as-
suming control of the Iroriuois Times in De-
cember, 1872. lie remained in charge of the
paper for eighteen months and then sold out,
but again became owner in June. 1878. conduct-
ing it ably and successfully until January i,
1891, when he again disposed of his interest. He
gained for the Times a widespread and envialile
reputation, making it one of the leading papers
of this part of the state, and its editorials were
ever read with interest and did nnich toward
molding public thought and action. He has ever
been recognized as a fearless champion of what-
ever he has believed to be right and moreover has
ever stood for reform, progress and improve-
ment, while community interests have found in
him a stalwart champion. His has been a potent
influence in political circles and tiie «talwart hon-
esty of his character has been found in his flexi-
ble adherence to principles in which he has be-
lieved, even though greater personal honors and
popularity could have been gained in other ways.
When the republican party was formed to pre-
vent the further extension of slavery and became
the champion of the Union cause, he advocated
its purposes and its principles and supported it
by his ballot. At the time of the liberal move-
ment of 1872 he followed the lead of Horace
Greeley and other eminent republicans in oppo-
sition to the leaders of the old party and in that
year was nominated for clerk of the circuit court
of Iroquois county and received the endorse-
ment of the democrats, .\lthough defeated it
was a defeat which amounted almost to a vic-
tory because of the largely reduced rcpublicni
majority. In 1875 he was called by the vote of
his fellow citizens to the office of mayor of Wat-
seka and gave such a practical, businesslike and
public-spirited administration that in October.
1877, he was re-elected to fill out the imexpired
term of the Hon. Franklin Blades, who had re-
signed to accept elevation to the circuit bench.
In .\ugiist, 1878, Major Peters was made the
nominee of the national party for the office of
representative to the Illinois legislature and in

November Iniluwrng was elected by a very flat-
tering majority. .\s a meml>er of the house he
gave thiiughtful and earnest consideration to
every question which came up for settlement and
was connected with considerable imiK>rtant con-
structive legislation. In 1884 he was the demo-
cratic candid.ite for state senator and in 1886
was that i>arl\s candidate for congress, but his
district is strongly republican and although he
received a com])liment:iry vote was nt)t elected.
He has never ceased, however, to exert a strong
and widely felt influence in political affairs and
was chairman of the Iroquois county democratic
central committee in the campaign of 1884, which
resulted in the election of Cirovcr Cleveland.

Major Peters has never ceased to feel a great
interest in military aflfairs and was largely in-
strumental in organizing the first militia com-
pany of Inxjuois county in May, 187.4. He was
honored with election to the captaincy and when
under the military code of the state the various
companies were organized into regiments and
battalions, the Watseka Rifles were designated
as Company A, Ninth Itattalion, Illinois National
Guards, and Captain Peters was elected to com-
mand the battalion by the line officers who met
at Champaign, October 10, 1877, for that pur-
pose, thus gaining the later title of colonel, by
which he is often called.

Of various fraternal and civic organizations
Colonel Peters has been a valued and prominent
member. He is identified with Williams post.
No. 23, (i. A. R.. which he joined on the 28th
of August, i8<'i7. He was its first adjutant and
has many times filled the office of conunander.
He belongs to the Illinois Commandery of the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion and has been
a member of the Society of the Army of the Cum-
berland since its organization. He is a past
chancellor commander of Mon Ami lodge. No.
2^1. K. P.. and is prominent in Iroquois lodge.
No. 74, I. O. (). F., ami in InM|uois encampment.
.No. 81. reiiresenting both organizations in the
grand bodies of the fraternity. He holds mem-
bership in Watseka lodge. No. 1(18^1, Knights
of Honor, of which he is a past dictator, and
has represented the l<xral organization in the
grand lodge of the state, while in 1880 he repre-
sented Illinois in the sujireme lodge of the L^nited
States. He also belongs to Watseka lodge. No.

PAST AND PRESENT OF

446, A. F. & A. yi., and W'atseka chapter, Xo.
114, R. A. M. He was likewise connected witli
the Illinois Press Association while a member
of the journalistic fraternity, with which he i.e-
came connected in 1874.

Since disposing of his journalistic interests
Major Peters has returned to that line of trade
in which he was formerly engaged and is now
conducting business as a book and stationery
merchant at Watseka. He has contributed to
the material improvement of the city through
the erection of the Times building in 1884 and in
various ways has been one of the promoters of
the business life of the town and with those in-
terests which work for civic virtue and civic
pride.

Fortunate in his home life. Colonel Peters was
happily married on the 19th of June, 1867, at
Sycamore, Illinois, to Miss Clara ]\I. Lyon, who
was born in Ontario county, New York, and is
a daughter of Oliver and Matilda (Hills) Lvon.
Mrs. Peters, whose natural culture and refine-
ment, combined with her opportunities for edu-
cational advancement, have made her a most es-
teemed lady, presides with gracious and warm
hearted hospitality over their home, which is
always open for the reception of their many
friends. They have one son, Arthur \"an Lisle,
who was born May 10, 1886, and until dcatli
claimed her Mrs. Roberts was a member of the
household.

Major Peters is broad gauged and liberal in
all his views, political, religious and social. In
other words, he looks at life in its momentous
phases from every possible standpoint and does
not form a speedy or biased judgment. Yet
when once he has determined upon a course that
he believes to be right neither fear nor favor can
swerve him therefrom. He is a man of action
rather than theory. While others might argue
and debate he has gone to work and demon-
strated. He has aided in pushing forward the
wheels of progress in \\'atseka and this part of
the state. Through the whole course of his ca-
reer the prime spirit that has prompted all of his
actions .seems to have been improvement and
advancement. The idea and intent of leaving
whatever he has touched better than he found it.
and this even when his personal gain might
often have been better advanccfl bv an opposite

course, has been dominant with him. He is a
man whose true character, to be rightly under-
stood, must be studied beneath the surface and,
thus e.Kamined, the unselfish and commendable
purpose and object of his life becomes apparent
and in fact unquestionable. It is usual that under
the ])ressure of adversity and the stinuilus of op-
position the best and strongest in men are brought
forth and developed and while the hardships of
his early life were many, thereb}' was awakened
in him a laudable desire for .something better,
and this spirit has been manifest throughout his
entire career.

O. F. MORGAN.

( ). F. Morgan, a practitioner at the W'atseka
bar. with broad and comprehensive knowledge
of the science of law. as is demonstrated by the
able manner in which he has handled important
litigated interests, was born in \Miite county,
Indiana, September 11, 1859, a son of David S.
and Magdalene L. (Layman) Morgan, the for-
mer a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana.
The father was a farmer by occupation and after
many years devoted to agricultural pursuits
passed awav on the 22d of November, 1903. at
the age of seventv-one years! His family num-
liered two sons and a daughter, of whom ( )rlando
yi. Morgan died when thirty-five years of age,
Init the daughter, Magdalene L., is still living.

O. F. Morgan, the eldest of this family, was
educated in the public .schools and at Purdue
L'niversity, in Indiana, where he completed his
more .specifically literary education. In 1879 his
parents removed to Kansas and he took up the
study of law in that state under the direction
of the firm of Fierce & Kline, of Rush county.
After thorough and careful preliminary read-
ing he was admitted to the bar in 1884 and en-
tered at once upon practice in Rush county,
where he remained for five years. In 1889 he
located for i)ractice at Covington, Fountain
county, Indiana, and in February. 1892, he re-
moved to ^^'atseka, being admitted to practice in
Illinois by the supreme court in 1893. The fol-
lowing vear he formed a partner.ship with David
A. Orebaiigh. .\t that time ^Ir. Morgan was

O. F. MORGAN'.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQL'OIS COUXTV. ILLINOIS.

•9

nut in aclivc pnicticc Init was associate editor uf
the Iroquois Times and the Kankakee Sun. The
firm of Mortjan & ( )rel)au;.ili. however, was estab-
lished and liad a continuous and prosperous exist-
ence until Iip3, when Mr. Orehaugh became
connected with the law department of the Inter-
national Harvester Company, and Mr. .Morsjan
has since been alone. His success at the bar
came soon because his e(|uipment was unusually
good. He has broad and accurate knowledge
of the principles of jurisprudence, is logical in
his deductions and sound in his reasoning. In
the application of a legal principle to a contested
point he is seldom, if ever, at error and in pre-
senting his cause he martials the points in evi-
dence with the ]>recision of a military comniantl-
•er. giving to each its tlue weight and prominence,
yet never losing sight of the important point
ujion which the decision in every case finally
turns. I le has thus gained a large and distinct-
ively representative clientage that has connected
him with the most important litigation tried in
the courts of his district during the ])ast decade.
In December, 1893. Mr. Morgan was united
in marriage with Miss Louise V. liarnliouse. a
daughter of Henry and Harriet X. (Straight")
Piarnhouse, of Ironton. Missouri, who, however,
were natives of X'irginia. They have two chil-
dren, lierwyn E. and Harriet M. Morgan.

-Mr. Morgan is a Mason and a member of the
M(xlern Woodmen of .\merica. His ])olitical
allegiance is given to the democracy. 1 le served
for one term as county superintendent of .schools
in Rush county. Kans;is, and in W'atseka he has
fdlefl the offices of alderman and citv attorney.
He enjoys the popularity which comes to those
generous spirits who are ever genial and affable,
while in his profession he has gained recogni-
* tion, and he is ranked among the foremost rep-
resentatives of the bar in Iroquois county.

E. C. .XXD S. I. \'.\XI)RRi'()(")RTEX.

The name of \'anflerp(x>rten is an honored one
in commercial circles in Irof|uois county and E.
C. \'anderpc)orten of this review has made a
creditable record as a financier in both private
life and public service. .\t the present time he

is at the head of the .Martinion Dank, which has
had a successful existence of four years. Uorn
in Clifton, lnK|uois county, March 4, 18^)7, he is
a son of Jo.seph X'anderpoorlen, a native of Bel-
gium, who in 1S34 crossed the .\tlantic to Xew
York. The following year he became a resident
of Chebanse township, Iro<juois county, Illinois,
and for many years was closely associated with
agricultural interests. In i8<;o he was elected
county treasurer and served for four years dur-
ing which time he made his home in the county
seat. He then returned to his farm, comjirising
two hundred and forty acres in Chebanse town-
ship, but in 1897 removed to W'atseka. at which
place Mrs. \'anderpoorten died July 3, 1900.
She bore the maiden name of .Vmelia lUmker and
was born in Canada. They became the parents
of si.x children, of whom three are living.

E. C. \'ander])oorten su])])lemcnted his pre-
liminary education by study in ( )narga Seminary
and through the periods of vacation and after
the completion of his school days he worked on
the home farm for some time. He was afterward
em|)loyed as clerk in a store and also had charge
of a creamery wagon. Following his father's
election to the office of county treasurer he filled
the position of deputy for four years and upon
his retirement engaged in the abstract business in
W'atseka until the 1st of May, i>jo^. when he
came to MartiiUon and entered the banking busi-
ness. The Martinton Piank was e.'Stablished in
1902 by R. F. Cummings. Thomas McSorley and
J. .\. .\rmfield. (On the 1st of December of that
year the bank was sold to \'anderpi«)rten Broth-
ers and at the present writing its officers are E.
C. X'anderpoorten. president ; S. I. \'andeq)oor-
ten. cashier; and J. .X. \'anderpoorten, assistant
cashier. The institution is capitalized for ten
thousand dollars and they do a general banking
and exchange business and are also fire insur-
ance agents.

E. C. \'anderpoortcn was married in Chebanse,
in i!*)5. to Miss Jennie I'ranklin. who was born
in that citv in 1871. They now have two chil-
dren. Ruby and Franklin. Mr. \'ander|)oorten
is a democrat in his political views, while his fra-
ternal affiliation is with the Masons, the Odd
Fellows an<l the Modern Woodmen.

.S. I. \'anderpoorten was born in Clifton, this
County. Xovembcr Q, 1874. and was educated in

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

Watseka and in the Xorthcni Indiana Xornial at
Valparaiso. After completing his education he
entered the office of his brother, assisting; hini in
the abstract business until 1897, when he engaged
in the shoe business in Watseka for three years.
He then sold out, came to Martinton and has
since been interested in banking here as a mem-
ber of the firm of Vanderpoorten Brothers. S.
I. \'anderpoorten was married to Miss Florence
Meinhard, who was born in Gilman, Illinois, in
October, 1884, and they have one son, Leland.

Like his brother, S. I. \'anderpoorten is a Ala-
son and both are prominent in fraternal circles
and public life, standing as champions of many
interests which have direct bearing upon the gen-
eral welfare. In connection with his other in-
terests S. I. Vanderpoorten owns a half section
of land in Minnesota. The A'anderpoorten
Brothers have not confined their attention alone
to one line but have extended their efforts into
various fields of activity which have resulted in
direct benefit to their localit}- as well as to them-
selves. They organized the Martinton Build-
ing & Loan Association in April 1903, with John
Euchner, Thomas McSorley, OUver Bunker,
Ernest Treischel, Octave Tatro and Thomas W.
Mayo as directors. The last named is secretary
of the concern, which has proved a strong ele-
ment in building operations and the improve-
ment of property in Martinton. In January,
1906, S. I. \*anderpoorten was elected secretary.
In 1903 the Local Telephone Company was
formed with J. L. Shaw as president, E. C. Van-
derpoorten, secretary ; S. I. Vanderpoorten,
treasurer ; and L. PI. Baron, manager ; and the
local office of the company is in the bank. They
have an exchange at Chebanse, Clifton, Ashkum
and Pittwood, and are connected with the Cen-
tral Union long distance service. This company
has a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. Van-
derpoorten Brothers are also owners of one
hundred and thirty acres of land on section 16
and one hundred and twenty acres on section 17,
Martinton township. They are most alert and
energetic business men and the wise system of in-
dustrial economics which they have followed,
combined with their unfaltering perseverance and
diligence, has brought to them a gratifying meas-
ure of prosperity. Moreover their interests are
of such a character that the comnumitv has been

directly benefited thereby. They have never
sought to acquire wealth through the inflation
of the values but have depended upon judicious
investment and the promotion of legitimate busi-
ness concerns, and along these lines have gained
a gratifying measure of prosperity and won an
honorable name.

WILLIAAI P. PIERSOX.

The name of William P. Pierson is so closely
associated with the growth and upbuilding of
Onarga that no history of Iroquois county would
he complete without extended mention of his
life. He was the first merchant of the city —
when it was a little crossroads village, and for
many years business interests here felt the stim-
ulus of his enterprise, energy and sound judg-
ment. His co-operation has been an active fac-
tor in many measures and movements that have
proven of direct and permanent good here, and
the beauty of the city has been largely enhanced
by the trees which he caused to be planted along
its highways, transforming it into a veritable
grove. Moreover he is the oldest resident of
Onarga and the most honored — honored by rea-
son of his years, his success and his strong traits
of character, which have ever been such as to
command respect and admiration.

His life record began in Leroy, Genesee
county. New York. December 8. 181 1, and he has
tlicrefore passed the ninety-fifth anniversary of
his birth. Pie comes of English ancestrv and
the first of the family to emigrate to the new
world was the Rev. Abraham Pierson, who ar-
rived on the shores of Xew England in 1639. He
was a graduate of Cambridge University, Eng-
land, and he labored as a minister of the gospel
at Southampton, Long Island, and at Bradford,
Connecticut. Mr. Pierson of this review is a
descendant in the seventh generation of the Rev.
Aljraham Pierson, who was among the first to
sow the seeds of Cliristianity and civilization in
the new world, and who was the founder of
Newark, New Jersey. Abraham Pierson, second,
was the first president of Yale College, while
Abraham Pierson, third, was for forty years

>'\J^-

OF THE

L'fv!V';RSin OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

justice of the peace at KilliiiRworth. Connecti-
cut.

I'liiln Picrsuu, fatlier of our .--ubejcl, died wlicn
liis .sou William was only nine years of a}.;e. In
the family were si.x children, of whom William
was the eldest and is the only one unw living-.
At the ape of fourteen years he plowed one
hundred acres of land with oxen in <irder to aid
in the support of his mother and yountjcr l)rolh-
ers and sisters. His mother, who bore the
maiden name of Lucretia Buell, was born in Kil-
linjjworth, Connecticut, in 1792, and was a
daughter of .\sa I'.uell. who served in the Revolu-
tionary war with the rank of captain, while
Philo Pierson and his three brothers were sol-
diers of the war of 18 12.

Reared to manhood in his native state William
P. Pierson was jtrovided with liberal educational
advantages, cominc; from a family of intellectual
worth, who valued rightly the opportunities of
mental development. In 1833 '^"^ became a stu-
dent in the University of Vermont and although
his course there w'as not continuous he was
graduated from that institution with the class
of 1839. He worked his own way through col-
lege, — thus showing the elemental strength of
his character and giving evidence of the laud-
able ambition which was to secure substantial
successes for him in later life, .\fter complet-
ing his collegiate course he went to Kentucky
and there took up the study of law, being admit-
ted to the bar in due course of time and success-
fully practicing in that state for some years.
His legal knowledge also proved to him a step-
ping-stone fr'Mii which he climbed upward, as it
enabled him to carefully direct his business af-
fairs in later years. From Kentucky he came to
the north. ;md in order to recu])crate his health,
which was then somewhat impaired, he settled
upon a farm, near Fairfield. Towa. which he op-
erated for a few years.

In Fairfield. Iowa, Mr. Pierson formed the ac-
(|uaintance of Miss .Mary T. Condit. of ( )swego.
New York, a daughter of Rev. W. W. Condit.
D. D., who for forty years was pastor of the
First Presbyterian church of Oswego, and later
went to Iowa as a teacher in a seminary. The
young couple were happily married .\pril 18.
1853. and Mrs. Piers<tn proved a most loyal and
devoted wife and companion to him through

many years, her assistance and encouragement
often ])roving iiis insi)iration. Siie was closely
identified with church and Sunday-school work
in ( )narga, and organized the first Sunday-school
in the town with only four pupils, and holding
the little meeting in her own home. The mun-
ber of pupils, however, increased rapidly, an<l in
time there were two hundred in attendance at
the school which she established and of which
she was long the guiding spirit. She was one
of ( )narga"s devoted Christian la<lies, was untir-
ing in her work for the moral development o{ the
community and the infiuence of her life remains
as a blessed benediction to many who knew her.
The greatest sorrow that has ever come to Mr.
Pierson was in the death of his wife December
30, 1890, after they had traveled life's journey
together for thirty-seven years.

For about a year after their marriage Mr.
Pierson was engaged in the lumber business in
Chicago, and with wonderful prescience he dis-
cerned the possibilities for development in this
section of the state and came to Onarga, June
22, 1854, arriving at what was then a little cross-
roads village of four houses on the Illinois Cen-
tral, which had then been comi^leted to a point
four miles south of Onarga. Here Mr. Pierson
erected a business house and was the first mer-
chant to make a permanent location in Onarga.
He engaged in dealing in lumber, hardware and
farm implements and was a very active and pn:)-
gressive business man, following methods even
in advance of his time. He practiced a most lib-
eral advertising policy and sold goods in numer-
ous towns in this section of the .state. < )n one
occasion, after extensively advertising, he sold
three carloads of implements at Middlejiort. now
Watscka. at .n single sale. His trade const;uitly
increased in volume and importance with the
growth of the town and the settlement of the
surrouniling country, and his business became
an extensive one, yielding him large profits. A
man of resourceful ability, he was continually
watchful of opportunities giving him wider
scope, and thus he extended his efforts into vari-
ous fields of activity. He laid out Pierson's ad-
dition — a twenty-acre tract — to the town of
Onarga and in other ways materially improved
the city. He built a commodious and tasteful
residence for his own home, and he set out lutn-

PAST AND PRESENT OF

dreds of evergreen and forest trees, all through
the city until it now has the appearance of a
grove, while the trees, grown to large size, af-
ford ample shelter along the streets, and add
much to Onarga's well deserving reputation of
being one of the beautiful cities of Illinois. The
erection of various buildings by Mr. Pierson
has also been a source of Onarga's growth
and improvement. He built the first brick busi-
ness block in the city and continued actively in
business until 1873, when with the substantial
rewards of his previous labor, he retired to en-
joy life amid the peace and prosperity which
he had well earned. Never has he been known
to take advantage of the necessities of his fel-
lowmen in any business transaction, his success
being won through close application, capable
management and judicious investment.

Since retiring to private life Mr. Pierson has
traveled extensively in Europe, both on the con-
tinent and through Great Britain, visiting many
places of historic, modern and scenic interest.
In his home town he has figured prominently in
coimection with the work of upholding the polit-
ical and legal status of the community and in
promoting its intellectual and moral development,
contributing liberally to the support of schools
and churches. Politically he was formerly an
old-line whig and upon the organization of the
rc|)ublican party in 1856 he joined its ranks
and served as a delegate to the fourteenth na-
tional convention. In i860 he was a delegate to
the convention which nominated .\braham Lin-
coln for the presidency, and he has taken an ac-
tive part in various campaigns in support of the
principles in which he believes, but has never
aspired to office for himself. He and his wife
were among the charter members and organizers
of the First Presbyterian church of Onarga, and
he is now the only survivor of those who assisted
in its founding. Ho lias helped to build tlireo
different Presbyterian churches in this city, the
last one, erected in kjjA, being a fine large,
brick structure, which was completed and a pipe
organ installed at a cost of twenty-five thousand
dollars.

Wliile Mr. and Mrs. Pierson never lind
any children of their own they adopted Janet
Breyt Spraak, when she was eight years of age.
She was born near Amsterdam, Holland, and

was reared and educated by Mrs. Pierson. She-
was cared for and loved as their own child and
now repays Mr. Pierson by filial devotion. She
is a lady of great intelligence and culture, and
now gives her time to the care of Mr. Piersoa
and his home, over which she presides with gra-
cious hospitality.

Mr. Pierson has now been a resident of Onar-
ga for more than fifty years and has not only
assisted in upbuilding the town but also has-
largely aided its people in many ways. He has-
ever kept abreast of the times and for fifty-three
years has been a reader of the Chicago Daily
Tribune. His has not only been a long but also-
a most useful life and while he has never sought
to figure prominently in any public light his la-
bor and influence have been of benefit to his fel-
lowmen, and constitute an example well worthy
of emulation. Considering his long years, his
splendid business successes, his public-spirited
assistance to his town and county and his co-
operation in those movements for the bettermen
of mankind, many who know him entertain for
him the feeling expressed by the bard of Avon :

"He was a man. Take him for all in all
I shall not look upon his like again."'

T. N. BOUE, M. D.

Dr. T. N. Boue, engaged in the practice of
medicine and surgery at Loda. and one of the-
oldest representatives of the profession in Iro-
quois county, has remained at his present place
of residence for over forty-two years, and
throughout this period has administered to the
needs of the sick and suffering with an ability
that has made him the loved family physician in
many a household. A native of Indiana, he
was born in Fountain county. May 18, 1837, and'
is a son of L. D. and Eleanor (Moffett) Houe.
In the state of his nativity the Doctor was reared
and his literary education was acquired in the
academy at Waveland and Ladoga. He began
the study of medicine under the direction of
Dr. Jehu .\dkins, of .Scotch Prairie, and pursued'
his first course of lectures at Rush Medical Col-
lege, Chicago, in the winter of 1863-4. He then:

Dr. T. N. BOUE.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROOLOIS COfXTV. ILLINOIS.

located at Loda, where lie entered iipnii the ac-
tive practice of his profession, but hiter he re-
turned ti> Rush, wliere he remained as a stu-
dent in the winter of i8<)5-(i, bciuj,' j^raduati-d in
the spring of the latter year.

After completing the regular course Dr. Iloue
returned to Loda and has since continucnisly
practiced here, his active identification with the
profession at this place covering more than four
decades. His friends gave to him an agreeable
surprise on the forty-second anniversary of his
arrival in Loda, Jul\ 27, 1906. Many of his ac-
quaintances gathered at his home to conuiiem-
orate the event, to extend him hearty congratula-
tions for what he had accomplished and to ex-
press their wish that he might long be permitted
to remain here in useful and successful practice.
He has drawn his patronage from a wide terri-
tory, being called for miles around to exercise
his skill and ability in alleviating human suffer-
ing and restoring health. He is probably the
oldest physician in years of continuous practice
in the countv and none more tboniugbly merit
the confidence and respect accurded liim he-
cause he has ever maintainetl a high standard
of professional ethics and through the ])assing
years has kept abreast with the advancement of
the medical fraternity.

Dr. Boue was married June 3. 18^17, to Miss
Effie L. Burnette, who died December 29, 1875.
In i8~Q. in Chicago, he wedded Emma J. Kelsey.
who was born and reared at Oregon. ]llin<iis.
There were two children by that union. \'era
June and Eleanor May. who are young ladies
at home. The second wife jjassed away in 1888.
and on the 6th of March, 1890, Dr. Boue was
married in Loda to Miss Minnie Carrington.

The Doctor belongs to the Masonic fraternity,
his membership being with the lodge at Loda,
with P'axton chapter and I'axton commandery,
K. T. He has filled all of the chairs in the blue
lodge, serving for twenty-two consecutive years
as master and afterward for another year, an
honor which has been conferred upon no other
member. He and bis wife hold membership in
the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. lioue is past
worthy matron. She is also a member of the
Congregational church and served as chorister
for a numlier of years. The Doctor has held
membership in the Christian church since his

y<iuth. lie belongs to the Inniuiiis and l-'<ird
Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Soci-
ety and the .\meric;in .Medical .\ssiiciation. His
political endorsement is given to the democracy
and he cast his first ballot for Stephen A. Doug-
las in iS(K> and for each nominee of the party
since that time. He votes inde|iendently, how-
ever, at local elections, nf)r has he been an as-
pirant for office, yet his worth and ability have
been recognized by his fellow townsmen who
have called him to some positions of political
preferment, lie has served as highway commis-
sioner for twenty-four consecutive years, as pres-
itlent of the town board for a number of years
and has also been a member of the school board.
His interest in community affairs is deep and
sincere and arises from genuine devotion to
the public good. His efforts have been discern-
ingly directed in behalf of the general welfare
and he is a public-spirited citizen, standing for
progress and improvement along all lines. He
and his familv are held in highest esteem and
it would he difficult to find any who have more
friends than Dr. Boue.

.\.MES E. OWEX.

The industrial interests of Onarga find a
worthy reiiresentative in James E. ( )wen. who
owns and conducts an electric light plant. He
is, moreover, entitled to representation in this vol-
ume as one of the pioneers of the county and state,
and as one of the few remaining veterans of the
Civil war. He has resided in Iroquois county
since 1855. having arrive<l when a youth of twelve
vears. He was born in P>irmingham. l-"ngland. in
1843. a son of James Owen, whose birth occurred
in the same city. Xovembcr 13. 1815. The father
was there reared and married, the lady of his
choice being .\nn EUiman. who was likewise a na-
tive of England. James ( )wen. Sr.. was a black-
smith by trade and followed that pursuit in his
native country until after the birth of four of their
children, when with his family he emigrated to
the new worhl. arriving in i84<>. He sjK-nt about
one year in Brooklyn. .New York, a;id then came
west to Illir.ois by way of the l'>ie canal to Buf-
falo and arornd the lakes to Chicago. H- !■ -

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

cated first in Mason county, Illinois, where he
took up his abode upon a farm which he culti-
vated for about five years. In 1855 he removed to
Onarga, where he again worked at the black-
smith's trade, establishing his first shop at this
place and he did work for patrons of Illinois at
a distance of twenty or thirty miles. Subse-
quently he again turned his attention to farming,
developing a raw tract of land, which he cleared
and cultivated until 1868, when he once more
took up his abode in Onarga, spending h s last
years here. He died in 1898, at the venerable age
of eighty-three years, while his wife survived him
and passed away in 1905, at the age of eighty-
five years, having spent her last days in the home
of her son, James E. Owen.

The educational privileges which James E.
Owen received in his boyhood days were quite lim-
ited, for in his youth he began work upon the
farm or in assisting his father in the shop and
his minority was therefore largely a period of
earnest toil. When a young man he also worked
at farm labor, and in 1861. when seventeen years
of age, he joined Company C. of the Fifty-sev-
enth Illinois X'olunteer Infantry. The regiment
went to the south and was attached to the Army of
the Tennessee. Mr. Owen was first under fire at
Fort Donelson, and later at Shiloh, where he sus-
tained a gunshot wound in the left leg. He was
sent to the hospital at Savannah, where he re-
mained for about three months on account of his
injuries. He then returned home on a furlough
of sixty days, after which he rejoined his regi-
ment at Corinth. He afterward participated in a
number of battles, including those of the Atlanta
campaign and went with Sherman on the cele-
brated march to the sea. being honorably dis-
charged on the expiration of his term of service
at Savannah. Georgia, on the 3nth nf nocembcr,
1864.

Mr. Owen then started on the return trip, mak-
ing the voyage up the .Atlantic coast to New York
city. He crossed the country to Iroquois county,
arriving in January, 1865. After recuperating
from the hardships and rigors of war he began
work on a farm and was thus employed by the
month. Subsequently he engaged in the manu-
facture of brick and tile as an employe and after-
ward as proprietor of a plant. In connection
with F. P. P>cach. he owneil and operated a brick

and tile yard at Dclrey, where he remained for a
number of years, after which he sold his interest
to Mr. Peach and entered into a partnership with
Horace Barnes in the manufacture of brick and
tile near Onarga. That business was conducted
successfully for several years, subsequent to which
time Air. Owen turned his attention to the grain
trade, in which he continued for four or five
years, when he sold out and in connection with
L. J. Risser established a canning factory, which
he operated for some time. On disposing of his
interest in that business he established the electric
light plant in Onarga, which is connected with
the electric light plant at Oilman, the power house
being at the latter place. He has the lighting
of the city and public buildings, which are well
illuminated, having about two thousand lamps
used for the city. He also furnishes light to
many private residences and the business is prov-
ing a profitable one.

I^Ir. Owen was married in Iroquois county, in
1867, to Miss Xancy H. Coblentz, who died Octo-
ber 5, 1868. There is one daughter by this union,
X'annie, now the wife of F. M. Chaney, who
resides at Longwood, Pettis countw Missouri.
On the 27th of August. 1873. Mr. Owen was
again married, his second union being with Mar-
tha Harper, who passed away about 1882, leaving
one son, Frank, who is now connected wkh his
father in the operation of the electric light plant.
In 1884 Mr. Owen wedded Emma Harper, a sis-
ter of his second wife, who was born and reared
in Onarga.

In his political views Air. Owen is a stalwart
republican and served as postmaster under Presi-
dent Hayes and again under Presidents Garfield
and Arthur. Tlis second incumbency covered a
period of about six years, when he resigned. He
also served on the board of trustees for five years
and for two years acted as its president. He was
for five years a member of the board of educa-
tion and is now a candidate on the rejiublican
ticket for the office of county treasurer, to which
lie will (kniluless be elected. I Us official service
has ever been characterized liy a conscientious zeal
in the |)erformance of his duties and over the rec-
ord of his pul)lic lite there falls no shadow of
wrong or susjncion of evil. He has been a mem-
ber of the Odd Fellows society at Onarga since
1869. lias filled all of the cha'rs and is a past

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

granil. He is likewise connected witli tlie en-
campment and has served as gfrand patriarch and
lias been a dekgjate to the .urand lodf^e and the
^rand encanipment, serving; in the latter fur four
terms. Both he and his wife are identified with
the Rehckah degree and Mr. Owen holds niem-
bersliip relations with the tirand Army post at
Onarga, which he assisted in organizing and of
which he is the present commander, serving for
two terms. From his youth Mr. Owen has been
a resident of Iroquois county and has lived a most
active and useful life, jiromoting and conductiTig
numerous business enterprises, which have i)roven
factors in the business development and prosper-
ity of the community as well as a scurce of indi-
vidual profit. He is well known in the county
as a man of sterling character and worth, having
the confidence and trust of the entire community.
for in business he has made an unassailable repu-
tation and in private life has gained that warm
personal regard which arises from the possession
•of those traits which in every land and clime com-
mand confidence and admiration.

J. A. I'RUITT.

J. A. Pruitt, living retired in Goodwine, is fa-
miliarly and affectionately known throughout
Iroquois county as L'ncle Allen. Few residents
of the county have more friends, for during a
half century here passed he has so lived as to win
esteem and respect, while his kindliness and
geniality have brought him the closer ties of
friendship and love. His opinions have carried
weight and he has long been accounted an influ-
ential and leading citizen. For many years he
was actively engaged in farming but has now put
aside business cares and is living retired in
Goodwine.

Mr. Pruitt was born in Tippecanoe coimty, In-
diana, August 21, 1832, and is largely a self-
educated as well as a self-made man. His fa-
ther being in limited circumstances and with a
family of eleven children l<> su])port, our subject
went to live with his maternal grandfather
Beekcr when nine years of age and remained
with him about seven vears, or until the latter's

death, when he went to live with his uncle Daniel
Beeker. After attaining his majority he engaged
in the manufacture of lumber for a number of
years and in 1854 removed westward to Iro-
quois county, Illinois, where he worked by the
day or month for three years.

Mr. Pruitt then returned to Indiana for his
bride, being married in Carroll county, that stale,
in 1857, to Miss Barbara Heiney, who was born
in Indiana and remained there until she came
with her husband to Illinois. They began their
domestic life u|)on a rented farm in this county
but in iStKt Mr. I'ruitt was able to purchase
eighty acres of wild prairie land in Ash Grove
township, which he broke and improved, his
labors soon transforming it into a good farm.
\'ery industrious and energetic, these qualities
were manifest both in the tilled fields and in the
stock-raising interests which claimed his atten-
tion. In the early days there were many hard-
ships and privations incident to the establishment
of a home on the frontier, but as the fields were
cultivated and the state became more thickly set-
tled so that there was a better market for crops,
the financial resources of Mr. Pruitt increased
and he increased his acreage from time to time
by additional purchases until he owned eight
hundred acres in Milford and Lovejoy town-
ships and also bought land in Indiana, whereon
he engaged in farming for four years, begin-
ning in 1887. He then bought property in Wat-
seka, where he made his home until 1891, and
then removed to Goodwine, where he has since
lived, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of
his former toil. Indolence and idleness, how-
ever, are utterly foreign to his nature and he
finds it impossible to put aside business interests
entirely, but he drives out almost daily to his
farm and thus keeps the place in good condition.
He has the entire farm enclosed with woven wire
fence, attacheil to red cedar ]x>sts, shipped from
.\labama. There are good buildings and an
(orchard and the farm is a valuable properly.

Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt have become the parents
of four children : Mrs. Mary M. Hickman, of
Lovejoy township : Elias, who is living in Ur-
bana, Illinois: .\nnis, the wife of J. P. Hoffman,
a farmer of .\sh Grove township; and James
IT., who is engaged in the practice of law at
Sumpter, Oregon.

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt are members of the Chris-
tian church and he served as elder in the church
while living at \\'atseka and also at Milford. In
the work of the church they have been actively
interested and have labored earnestly for the ad-
vancement of the cause. Mr. Pruitt is a de-
mitted ]\Iason. having belonged to Milford lodge,
No. i68. His political allegiance was long
given the republican party but for some years he
has supported the men and measures of the pro-
hibition party, the cause of temperance having
ever found in him a stalwart exemplar and ad-
vocate. He has always refused to accept office.
yet he has ever been a progressive and public-
spirited citizen, and his advocacy of many meas-
ures has been an intiuencing factor in securing
them further support. In his business he has
been straigh forward and thoroughly reliable, his
success — -which is most desirable — coming
through legitimate business channels, and no
one more fully merits the confidence and respect
so uniformly tendered than does Uncle Allen
Pruitt and his estimable wife.

• JUDGE ROBERT W. HILSCHER.

Judge Robert W. Hilscher, who at the time of
.r» his death was serving for the second term as cir-
v\ cuit judge and who was accounted one of the
distinguished citizens of Watseka, was richly
endowed with all those traits of character which
work for intellectual development, the growth
of high moral purpose and of a kindliness of
spirit which results in consideration for the
rights antl interests of others. His life was so
unselfish, his motive so honorable and his public
usefulness so widely recognized that the news
of his death was received with a sense of personal
bereavement by all who knew him.

Robert Winfield Hilscher was born in Ly-
coming county, Pennsylvania. March 8. 1853, a
son of Joseph and I.ouisa Hilscher. The famil\-
comes of German lineage but has been repre-
sented in America througli several generations.
The father, a blacksmith by trade, followed that
pursuit in early life in the cast and in 1855 re-
moved westward to Indiana, .\ftcr two years
passed in that state he took up his abode upon a

farm near Lincoln, Illinois, and it was there-
amid rural surroundings that Judge Hilscher
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, working
in the fields as necessity demanded and attending
school when opportunity oflfered. Ambitious for
further knowledge than could be acquired in
the district schools near his father's home, he
entered the college at Adrian, ^lichigan, when
eighteen years of age and was graduated there-
from with the class of 1875. He then attended
the law school at Albany, Xew York, and follow-
ing his graduation was admitted to the bar in
1876.

His course as a lawyer was marked by steady
progress due to his thorough preparation in his
college days, his devotion to the interests of his
clients and his clear and cogent reasoning before
court or jury. He located for practice at
Hoopeston, Illinois, where he remained from
1876 to 1879, when he removed to Watseka,
where he continued to make his home until his
death.

The same year he was married on the 8th of
October. 1879. to IMiss Clara ^IcGill, and unto-
them were born a daughter and son, Elma and
Ralph, who with the mother still survive Judge
Hilscher. Theirs was largely an ideal home life,
for the Judge was devoted to his family and con-
sidered no personal sacrifice on his part too great
if it would enhance the happiness or promote the
welfare of his wife and children.

From the beginning of his connection with the
Iroquois county bar he rapidly rose to promi-
nence. In 1880 he was elected state's attorney
and discharged the duties of the office with such
fidelity and ability that he was re-elected in 1884,
remaining as the incumbent for eight years. He
was afterward master in chancerv for one term
and all this time his private practice was growing
and he was gaining a wider acquaintance and
a stronger hold upon the confidence of the people,
so that it was but the logical sequence of events
when in 1897 '^^ was nominated and elected cir-
cuit judge for a term of six years. I lis course
ii])nn the liench was distinguished liv a masterful
grasp of every problem presented for solution.
His decisions were models of judicial soundness
and lie had the endorsement of the liar as welt
as the general public. So creditable and satisfac-
tory was his record that in 1903 he was re-elected

OF iHt
UUIVEKl'lTY OF ILLIKOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLIXolS.

without ojipositioii. He had in the highest de-
gree the judicial teniperaiuent. His knowledge
of the fuiulaniental principles of law was pro-
found and he was thoroughly grounded in the
practice and procedure of the courts. His judg-
ment was sound and his industry and conscien-
tious devotion to the duties of his position were
proverbial. He was recognized as one of the
ablest jurists in the state.

Judge Hilscher was, moreover, a leader in ])o-
litical thought and action becau.«e of his well-
known devotion to high ideals in citizenship and
his stalwart championship of republican prin-
ciples. As a public speaker he stood very high.
His appearance on the rostrum was dignified and
impressive. His manner was deliberate and gen-
erally argiuiientative, but his speeches always
commanded attention and his language often rose
to periods of impassioned eIo(|uencc.

Aside from the intellectualitx with which na-
ture endowed him and which he cultivated to the
best of his ability Judge Hilscher had other
strongly marked characteristics, among which
was his fidelity to the Christian religion. He was
a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, closely followed its teachings, and that he
was honored in the denomination is indicated by
the fact that he was made a delegate to the na-
tional conference of the church at Los .\ngeles in
1904. This honor came unsolicited and he was
not even present at the session of the body when
chosen. Fraternally he was comiected with the
Masons, belonging to Wat.seka lodge. No. ^fi.
A. F. & A. M.; Wat.seka chapter, \o. 114, R. A.
M. ; and .Mary commandery. Xo. 67, K. T.

Perhaps no better summary of the life and

character of Judge Hilscher can be.^en than l)y

quoting from the W'atseka I'ijjptfljlican, which at

■ </ihc time of his death sai^^c^A strong man has

''- '^ fallen. In the death of Robert \\'. Hilscher, Tro-

C/-

quois county has lost her foremosi citizen, one
who has for many years stood as a splendid type
of all that was best and highest in the lives of her
peo])le. He was the embodiment of vigorous, up-
right, sterling manhood. His personality com-
bined the dignity of conscious power with the
simplicity of a pure and untainted life. He was
warm hearted, courageous and loyal. His char-
acter was true as steel, steadfast as granite. His
mind was clear, logical and vigorous. He was

incapable of fal.sehood or double dealing and he
possessed that instinctive honesty and straight-
forwardness that turned to truth as the needle
to the pole. His conscientiousness was inherent.
Honesty and justice and right dealing were the
natural result of the habitual bent of his mind.
He loved his fellowman with broadmindedness
and charity for human. frailty, sorrowing deeply
over misfortune and suffering. I'ew men have
ever enjoyed more completely the confidence and
respect of their fellow citizens — none have ever
more richly deserved such confidence nor more
sacredly respected it. His passing away in the
prime of manhood and at the zenith of his pow-
ers is felt as a personal loss by thousands in this
and iitluT counties.''

HON. GEORGE H. HAMILTON.

George 11. Hamilton, altorney-al-law at \\ at-
seka and vice president of the First National
Bank, also connected with cattle-raising in Texas,
is numbered among the native sons of Iro<|Uois
county, his birth having occurred upon a farm'
near Wellington on the 4th of .\pril, 1875. He
is a son of John L. Hamilton, whose sketch ap-
pears on another page of this volume.

Mr. Hamilton supplemented his early educa-
tional privileges by study in the W'atseka high
.school from which he was graduated with the
class of 1891. He afterward matriculated in
(Olivet College. Olivet, Michigan, where he won
the bachelor of Science degree ui)oti his gradua-
tion in i8«)4, and in Harvard University he won
the flegree of Hachelor of .\rts in 1896. On
leaving college he accepted the position of book-
keeper in the First National Hank at Watseka,
where he remained for two years, when he be-
gan prci)aration for a professional career as a
'.student in 'the Northwestern "La-W School at
Chicago.

His course completed. Mr. Hamilton was ad-
mitted to the bar in i»joi and entered upon active
practice in Watseka. where he has already gained
a large clientage and demonstrated in his hand-
ling of iiuportant litigated interests his ability
to solve intricate legal problems. With a mind
naturallv analvtical and imluctive he has found

PAST AND PRESENT OF

great interest in liis law work and liis devotion
to his clients is proverbial.

His law practice, however, does not comprise
the extent and scope of his business interests
and activities, for he is also a factor in financial
circles here, having in 1904 been elected vice
president of the First National Bank, of which
he has been a director for a number of years.
Associated with his two brothers, John L. and
AV. A. Hamilton, of Hoopeston, he is likewise
connected with cattle-raising interests in Texas,
from which state the cattle are shipped north
and fattened for market upon his farm of eight
hundred acres near Wellington. This business
has reached extensive proportions and is a profit-
able source of income.

Mr. Hamilton is a republican in politics and
•on his party ticket was elected to the forty-fifth
general assembly of the legislature on the 6th
■of November, 1906. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the
degrees of the lodge, cliapter and commandery.
He is also president of the Iroquois Club and as
•chairman of the building committee has taken a
most active part in the erection of the new club
house, which is now in course of construction
and will be ready for occupancy about the ist of
February, 1907. The cost of the building and
furnishings is fifteen thousand dollars. Mr.
Flamilton is a man in whom nature and culture
have vied in making an interesting and entertain-
ing gentleman, while the development of his
latent powers and energies, combined with close
application, have gained him a goodly measure
of success in his professional life and financial
interests.

B.\RTON BISHOPP.

Among the earnest men whose depth of char-
acter and strict adherence to principle excite
the admiration of his contemporaries is Barton
Bishopp, who, moreover, fi,gures promincnth in
the business life of Sheldon in connection with
the e.stablishment and conduct of an important
industrial enterprise, for the Bishopp Hominy
Company is a factor in the business activity and
prosperity of the city, furnishing employment to

a number of workmen, while at the same time
bringing success to the individual stockholders.

Mr. Bishopp was born in Kent county, Eng-
land, November 28, 1838, a son of Edward B.
and Matilda Elizabeth Bishopp. The father's
birth occurred in En,gland in 181 1 and in 1853
he emigrated with his family to America. The
year after his arrival in this country he settled
in Iroquois count}-, Illinois, where he spent his
remaining days, and in his death, which occurred
in February, 1883, the community lost one of its
valued and most respected citizens.

Barton Bishopp is the eldest of a family of
nine children. The first fifteen years of his life
were passed in his native country and he then
crossed the briny deep with his parents, remain-
ing at the family home in Sheldon township for
fifteen years, during which time he learned and
followed the carpenter's trade. Since a lad of
sixteen years he has resided in this community
and has therefore witnessed almost the entire
growth and development of the county. He
has assisted in many ways in its progress and ad-
vancement and most particularly through the
conduct of his business interests, for the growth
and prosperity of any community depends upon
its active and prosperous business men.

On the 4th of September. 1867, Mr. Bishopp
\vas united in marriage to Miss ^Martha A.
Moore, a native of Iroquois county and a daugh-
ter of John B. and Sarah I\I. (Fleming) Moore,
both of whom were natives of Ohio. In the
spring of 1831 they emigrated to Illinois, set-
tling in what is now Belmont townshi]), Iroquois
county. The father entered a quarter section
of land from the government and through his
industrious efforts the wild tract of prairie was
converted into rich and fertile fields. He added
to the property as his financial resources would
permit until he owned four hundred acres, thus
becoming one of the substantial residents of the
county. His death occurred November 20, 1870.
Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs.
Moore, six of whom are yet living: Joseph
B. : Micajah S., who died in Alay, 1863 ; Flem-
ing R. : Mrs. Martha A. Bishopp : William F. ;
Nancy J., who died in infancy ; Z. \'. ; and
John A."

Following his marriage Mr. Bishopp removed
to Stockland township, where he resided for four

BARTON lilSIK U'l'

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IRt)(U"()IS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

years and tlu'ii took up his almilc in Slulddn.
where he became connected wit!) the hnnher
trade. He also took contracts for the erection of
huiMin.iis for a nninher of years but eventually
sold out that business and became inlereste<l in
the grain trade, with which he iias since been
connected. In i8<ji he orj^anizid the liisliopp
Hominy Company, of Sheldon, of which he is
now manager. This company is dning a very
extensive and constantly increasing business and
has a most excellent trade. In 1905 another
large mill four stories in height, adjoining the
old one. was crectetl in order to meet the in-
creasing demands of the trade. In the year
1888 Mr. Bishopp was made president of the
Building and Ix>an .\ssociation of Sheldon, in
which capacity he has continued for several
vears. He is a man of resourceful ability, who
in the recognition and utilization of his ojiportii-
nities has made steady advancement in the com-
mercial world, .\lthough his life has been a very
busy one he has yet found time to devote to pub-
lic interests and in 1868 was elected su])ervisor
of Slieklon township, which position he filled
until 1886. He has been a member of the town
council for a number of years and was a member
of the board of education from 1882 until i8<^o,
doing effective service in tlie interests of the
schools. Politically he is a republican, greatly
interested in politics affecting both national and
local conditions.

Mr. liishopp and his wife have a family of
eight children: Edward I'.arton, deceased; \V.
Frank, who is now a stockholder and secretary
of the P.ishopp Hominy Com]>any : \irginia Mi-
nerva : Harry I'..: John D. : .\rthur .\. : .Martha:
and Benjamin. The family arc pleasantly sit-
uated in a comfortable home and the members
of the household occujiy an enviable position in
the social circles in which they move. Tlial
they are enabled to enjoy the comforts and stime
of the luxuries of life is due to the fact that
Mr. Bishopp has been very active in business
since attaining his majority, utilizing his time
and talents to the best advantage. In manner
he is courteous and pleasant, winning friends by
his genial disposition and honorable character,
which commands the resj)ect of all. Through
the years of his residence in Ir<K|uois county he
has given his support to whatever is calculated

to proiiiiiu- tin.- j;iiieral welfare and in all the re-
latinns of life he has been faithful and true, while
over his life work there falls no siiadow of wrong
or susjMcion of evil doing to darken his honored
])athway.

JOHN Wll.Ll.X.M /,E.\,

John William Zea has contributed in large and
substainial measure to the upbuilding of La
Hogue and the improvement of this portion of
the county. His mind bears the impress of the
early historic annals of this part of the state and
since pioneer times he has borne his full share
in the work of progress and improvement that
has converted tlvB locality into a rich agricultural
and commercial district. He was born October
'•^' ''^.^.v '" Cazenovia. Madison county, New
York, aiifl is descended from one of three broth-
ers of the name of Zea who were natives of Ger-
many and crossed the .\tlantic to Manhattan
Island (luring the colonial period in the history
of this country. Two of the number afterward
retuiiKil 111 the fatherland, but the great-grand-
father of our subject remained on Manhattan
Island. William Zea. father of John William
Zea of his review, was bi>rn in Schoharie county,
Xew York, and became a resident of Madison
county, that state, where he met and married Miss
Laura I'llackman. who was lx>rn in Connecticut
and was descended from Puritan ancestry. Mr.
Zea followed the occupation of farming, which
was the life work of his ancestors, and in 1846
he sought a home in Illinois, carrying on general
agricultural pursuits for many years in La Salle
county. The journey westward was made by way
of the lakes to Chicago and thence by wagon to
his destination. His early political support was
given the whig party and upon its dissolution he
joined the ranks of the new republican party.
Both he and his wife held membership in the
Methodist church and he passed away in that
faith when about seventy years of age. while his
wife dei)arteil this life at the age of alxiut eighty
vears. Their fam'Jy numbered six sons and three
daughters, of whom John W. was the second in
order of birth.

In the usual maimer of farm lads Mr. Zea of
this review spent the days of his boyhood and

PAST AND PRESENT OF

youth. He was but eleven years of age when the
family came to Illinois and after that time was
never able to attend school for more than three
months in a year. From the age of eleven years
he has practically been dependent upon his own
resources in life, so that whatever success he has
achieved is entinrely the reward of his labor and
industry. He was first employed as a farm hand
at five dollars per month and remained on one
farm until nineteen years of age. He was then
married and established a home of his own.

It was on the 17th of March, 1855, that Air.
Zea wedded Mary E. Arris, at Ottawa, La Salle
county. She is a native of Maine and a daughtei
of James and Hannah Arris, who came to Illi-
nois in 1850. Soon after their marriage the young
couple removed to Brenton township. Ford coun-
ty, where Mr. Zea engaged in the hay business.
The first land which he ever owned was a tract
of twenty acres in La Salle county, but he sold
tliat in 1868 and removed to Ford county, where
he purchased eighty acres, improving it and mak-
ing his home thereon until 1872. When the To-
ledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad was built
through Iroquois county he was made station
agent at La Hogue, but at that time there was only
a railroad switch there. He built the first dwelling
in the town and continued to act as station agent
until he was succeeded by his son Sherman. He
likewise extended h'ss efforts into other fields of
activity, for in the fall of 1872 he began dealing
in grain and hay and has since continued in that
line. For the first five years he was in partner-
ship with James O. Barnard and for twenty-nine
years he has represented the firm of P. B. and
C. C. Miles, of Peoria, in the grain and coal busi-
ness, in which he has secured a liberal patron-
age. He has moreover promoted the growth and
improvement of La Hogue through the building
of several houses and in addition to this property
he owns a farm just outside the corporation lim-
its.

As the years passed the family of Mr. and
Mrs. Zea nnnihcrcd nine chiJdren : John C, who
is engaged in merchandising at Manchester. Kan-
sas ; Clara E., the wife of .\dam Laub, of La
Hogue; Charles E., who is living in Minnesota;
Mary Alice, the wife of George Hill, of La
Hogue ; Frank E. ; Harry E., who died January
17, 1897, at the age of twenty-eight years, four

months and eleven days ; James A., a resident
farmer of Ridgeland township ; Sherman L., who
is a graduate of the Onarga Commercial College
and is connected with his father in business and
is station agent at La Hogue; and Lester M.,
who completes the family. On the 17th of
March, 1905, the parents celebrated their golden
wedding. It was a most enjoyable occasion, at
which all of their living chiJdren were present
save their son Charles.

Since casting his first presidential vote for John
C. Fremont Mr. Zea has been continuously a stal-
wart advocate of republican principles and has
frequently attended the conventions of his party.
He is rniterested in the growth and success of the
political policy that he endorses, yet he has never
sought or desired office for himself. Fraternally
he is an Odd Fellow and a Alason, having at-
tained the Royal Arch degree in the craft. Both
he and his wife are active and helpful members of
the Alethodist church, in which he has served as
steward and trustees. He is well known in the
business life of the community and La Hogue
numbers him among its founders and promoters,
his efforts being of great benefit in the improve-
ment of this section of the county. In all of his
dealings he has been straightforward and reliable
and his life has been one of continuous activity,
in which has been accorded due recognition of
labor, so that he is numbered among the substan-
tial citizens of the communitv.

J. M. SIBBITT.

J. M. Sibbitt, a veteran of the Civil war, who
dates his residence in Iroquois county since 1871,
owns and operates a well improved farm of two
hundred and forty acres situated on section 17,
Prairie Green township, his postoffice being Wel-
lington. He was born in Carroll county. In-
diana, November 22, 1848, a son of Benjamin
Silibiit. a native of Ohio, where he was reared
and married to Miss Melinda Schoficld, also a
native of the Buckeye state. The father then re-
moved to Carroll county, Indiana, where he be-
came one of the early settlers and followed farm-
ing until about the year 1850, when he removed
to Jasper county, that state, where he bought a

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ll.I.IXoIS.

39-

large farm of eight liuiulrcil acres, ami llieri
reared his family, his death occurring in the
latter connty in 1869. His wife had preceded
him several years before, her death occurring in
1852. Three of their sons served in the Civil
war, one of the number, ( )liver Perry, having
lost his life in the battle of Fair Oaks. The
eldest son, Joseph, passed away in Indiana, lien-
jamin died at the age of si.xteen years, and the
only daughter of the family, Nancy, died after
she had reached mature years. The second son,
Richard, and J. M. of this review are the only
surviving members of the father's family.

J. M. Sibbitt was but two years of age when
taken by his parents from Carroll county to
Ja.sper county, Indiana, so that he was reared
and educated in the latter place, lie was early
trained to the duties of the fields, and when not
thus engaged, pursued his studies in the common
schools, wherein he was afforded good advant-
ages. He remained with his father, giving him
the benefit of his services until he had reached tlie
age of twenty-three years, when in 1871, he came
to Irocjuois county, where he was first employed
in breaking land for others, breaking in all five
hundred and si.xty acres. He then rented that
property and made many improvements thereon,
building five and a half miles of fence, erected
good outbuildings and otherwise improved the
place, making his home thereon for fifteen years.
Having prospered in his work, he then felt justi-
fied in making purchase of land, and accordingly,
in 1878, he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres, a portion of which had been cleared. He
soon had the entire tract cleared and cultivated,
drained the land by the use of tiling, and thus
owing to practical methods which he followed in
his farm labor he annually harvested good crops.
He further improved the place by the erection
of a good residence and outbuildings necessary
for the shelter of grain and stock. He divided
his land into fields of convenient size by the use
of both hedge and wire fencing, and altogether
has made it a valuable property. He later added
an additional tract of eighty acres to his original
purchase, so that he now owns two hundred and
forty acres in his home place, and here he is
carrying on general fanning and also raises high
grades of stock, this branch of his business prov-
ing a gratifying source of income to him.

Choosing a companion and helpmate for life's
journey, Mr. Sibbitt was married in Carroll
county. Indiana, December ii>. 1873, to Miss
l"'lora Stretch, who was born anil reared in that
county, a daughter of Jonathan Stretch, an nld
settler of that state. Their marriage lias beea
blessed with three sons and one ilaughter; lien-
jamin J., who is married and is a mail clerk on
the Toledo, I'eoria & Warsaw Railroad, making
his home in I'eoria, Illinois; J. .\rthur, a farmer
residing near Hoopeston, in X'ermilion county ;
Jessie, who is a successful teacher in the schools
of Inxjuois county; and James II., who assists,
his father in the operation of the home place.

Mr. Sibbitt gives his political support to the
re])ublican party, and cast his first presidential
ballot in sup]5ort of General U. S. Grant, in 1872,
and has supported each candidate of that party
since that time. He has taken an active and
helpful part in local political ranks, and is popu-
lar with his fellow townsmen, having been called
to fill a number of positions of public honor and
trust. He has served as town clerk, as assessor
for two terms, was school trustee for several
years, and in 1901 was elected supervisor of his
township, to which office he was re-elected, so
that he has now serveil for five vears in that
office. He is an honorary member of the county
board of supervisors and has served on a num-
ber of important committees, having been on the
committee on building of roads and bridges, and
has acted as chairman of the committee on print-
ing, lie has also been a ilelegate to county and
state conventions, and in many ways has given
excellent service in the various offices, the duties
of which he has ever discharged with prompt-
ness and fidelity. Not the least important of
his public service, however, was that given in
defense of the Union at the time of the Civil
war, when, in 1864, he joined Comjiany K. One
Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana \oluntcer
Infantry, and was in active service in Kentucky,
Tennessee, .\labama and Georgia, and jiartici-
patcd in the important engagement at Nashville
He served until the close of the war, being mus-
tered out in the spring of 1865, returning home
with a most honorable military record, and in
the discharge of his public duties since that tim.
he has been equally loyal to the best interests of
the community at large.

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

Both Mr. and Mrs. Sibbitt are devoted and
loyal members of the Presbyterian church at
Hoopeston, and he holds membership with the
Knights of Pythias at that place. He has made
his home in Iroquois county for the past thirty-
five years, and therefore enjoys a large acquaint-
ance, and during that period has witnessed the
many changes that have here been wrought, for
when he came to this county few settlements
had been made, and much of the land was still
wild and unimproved, but in the years that have
since come and gone the land has all been set-
rtled, fine homes have been erected, thriving
towns and villages have sprung into existence,
and altogether this is one of the most prosper-
■ ous sections in the great state of Illinois.

ORLAXDO BUSH. M. D.

Dr. Orlando Bush, who during the years of
his residence in Iroquois county occupied a prom-
inent position in business circles and won the

■entire respect and confidence of his fellowmen
bv reason of an upright life, honorable business
practices and fidelity to high principles, passed
away February 20. 1889. when in the si.xtieth
year of his age. He was born in Tippecanoe

.■county, Indiana, November 28, 1829, and was a
son of William Bush, whose birth occurred in
Berkshire county, ^lassachusetts. and who re-
moved to Tippecanoe county at a \-ery early
epoch in the development of that part of the state.
He was a son of Captain Daniel jjush, who
fought with the American army in the battle of
Bunker Hill and was a valiant defender of the

•cause of liberty in the Revolutionary war.

Dr. Busli, reared after the manner of the fron-
tier at his home in Indiana, supplemented his
more specifically literary education b\- a course of
study in St. Louis Medical College at St. Louis,
Missouri, then one of the leading medical col-
leges of this country, liaving a high ri]nitation
for the proficiency and ability of its aUnnni.
Following his graduation he located at Dayton,
Indiana, where he practiced his profession for
twenty-five years near his boyhood home. He

"kept abreast with modern thought and ]irogress
in ctinncction with the practice of medicine ami

surgery and his ability was widely acknowledged
and indicated in the liberal patronage which was
extended him. .-Vs he prospered he began to in-
vest money in western lands in Indiana and Illi-
nois and in 1871 he removed to Sheldon in order
to more directly supervise his business interests
in this part of the state. He then spent his
remaining days in Sheldon, one of its most hon-
ored and respected citizens. He never resumed
the practice of medicine after coming to Illi-
nois but devoted his entire time and attention
to his landed interests, which were very exten-
sive, for he had made many investments in prop-
erty in this part of the state. His farms were
purchased with the intention of devoting them to
stock-raising and he always saw that they were
well supplied with living water. He purchased
his first tract of land in Iroquois county in 1859.
In later years he bred Hereford cattle to a great
extent and became well known in that connection.
His judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault in
any matter of business. He formed his plans
readily and was determined in their execution.
He seemed to solve intricate business problems
with ease and facility and his investments were
so judiciously made that they brought to him a
splendid financial return.

In 1867 Dr. liush was united in marriage to
Miss Ada Davis, who was born in Butler county,
Ohio, but was taken in early girlhood to Tip-
pecanoe county, Indiana, by her parents, Samuel
and .\bigail (Lindley) Davis, both natives of
\'ermont. The father removed from the Green
Mountain state to ( )hio at a verv early day and
subsequently went with his family to Indiana,
settling near Dayton, where he became the owner
of a fine and well improved farm. He had two
children: .Mrs. Ihish; and Mrs. Julius liull,
who was a resident of Lafayette, Indiana, until
her death. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Bush were born
two daughters. Clara P>. became the wife of Dr.
Horace Gib.son, of Sheldon, and died in Novem-
ber, 1905, leaving one child, Genevra. Rosa-
mond P.. is the wife of H. Clayton Dowell, a re-
tired attornev of Sheldon, and tliey reside with
Mrs. r.ush.

In his iiolitical views Dr. P.ush was a stalwart
democrat but never held or sought office, as he
believed in every man having an equal chance.
IK' \\;is a broad-minded gentleman, of wide in-

..... ^^ f^E

^'-".:.'^:.'n' or uircn

Oh^i^.^^^

'yUi

J-^ ^ Jo . fi,^ ^ .

OF THE .
UUlVCfiClTY 01- ILLIKOIS

IROQUOIS COUXTV. II.I.I .\< )IS.

telligciicc. who kept tlioroug:lily informed on llie
questions of the day, jjohtical and otlierwise.
Moreover he jjosscssed a kind and synii)athetic
nature tliat responded readily to any tale of (hs-
trcss or of need./MIis benevolence was one of the
stronjj elements in his nature and in its disi)lay
he was entirely free from ostentation. A liiy;h
type of manhood, lie st(K)d for all that is iionor-
able and ui)ri,i;ht in man's relations with his fel-
lowmen and in liis home dis|)layed those traits
of character which constituted him larijely an
ideal husband and father. The brea<llh of his
mind and his intellectual resources were such
as to render liim a cherished companion of many
of the lea<linjj thinkers of the a.i;c. Robert ti.
Ingersoll, who was a long-time friend, wrote to
Mrs. Bush shortly after her husband's death :
"Dr. Piusli was one of my best and truest friends
and I held him in the highest esteem, liis head
was clear and his heart was on the right side.
Xo one had greater courage. He said what
he thought was true, and he did what he thought
was right." Mrs. Bush was left by her husband
large tracts of land, which she has managed with
care and good judgment. She also owns a beau-
tiful residence in Sheldon, where she resides, it
being one of the most attractive homes of the
town. She spends the winter seasons in l-'lorida
and the summer months in Illinois. ( )f kind
and loving disposition, she has a ho.'it of friends
in tlie community in which she lives and de-
served and receives the respect and esteem of all.

JOHX R. .McMAIIoX.

John !•-. McMahon, whose ]x)sition in financial
and political circles in Chebanse is one of leader-
.ship, is the president of the .State Bank of C'he-
banse and has continuously served as mayor of
the city since 1897. One of Illinois' native sons,
he was born January 24. 1864. at Kankakee, be-
ing the eldest in a family of four children burn
unto Michael and Klizabeth ( Maloney ) Mc-
Mahon, who were natives of Ireland and came
to the I'nited States in 1848. The brothers of
our subject are: T. J. McMahon, assistant
• cashier of the State Bank of Chebanse and a real-
restate dealer, and W. H.. who is eiiLr.iiri'd in the
3

grain and elevator business at Otto, Illinois.
The sister is Mrs. 11. .\. Mlvin, i>i Chebanse
township.

Brought to Chebanse in his boylxjod days,
Mr. McMahon completed his education by gradu-
ation from the |)ublic schools here and afterward
engaged in teaching school in Chebanse lown-
shi]). .\lert and enterprising, he has figured
prominently in business circles here for a num-
ber of years, is a director and manager of the
firm of R. I". Cummings Grain Coiupany, incor-
p(jrated, (nvners of an elevator at Chebanse. .\s
l)resi<lent of the State Bank of Chebanse he is
associated in the enterprise with II. C. Burns,
vice ])resident : Thomas Ferris, second vice
president; William .M. llickey, cashier: and T. J.
McMahon, assistant cashier. These gentlemen
are all members of the board of directors to-
gether with \. .\llen, J. C. Beardsley. 11. 1'.
Xordmyer, l-'rank Peters, J. C. Kerin. W. !•".
.\der. II. J. Legris, Thomas Hickey, I). Iloran
and William Mur])hy. The State Bank of Che-
banse was established September 12, 1906, with
a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars and at
present has seventy-four stockholders. It was
organized by T. J. McMahon, now assistant
cashier. The company own the building in
which the business is carricil on and it is valued
at seven thousand dollars. They conduct a gen-
eral banking and loan business and success has
attended the new enterprise, a liberal patronage
having already been secured.

Mr. McMahon has been called to various pub-
lic offices of honor and trust. In i88<) he was
elected collector of Chebanse and from iSt/) until
1898 inclusive was town clerk. In i8«97 he was
elected mayor and .still fills the office, his re-
election standing in imcontrovertible evidence of
the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen
and the cr»p;diility which he has displayed in the
discharge of his duties, lie is watchful of the
needs and opportiuiities of the city for substantial
growth and advancement and in the discharge
of his duties in coiuiection with municii)al busi-
ness he has displayed marked enteri^rise and
keen discernment.

Mr. McMahon was marrie<l June 16, i8i>7. at
Chebanse, to Miss Mary J. McGivney, of this
place. Fraternally he is connected with Che-
banse lodge. Xo. (>)4, M. W. A., which he joiiu-d

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

in 1895. Both he and his wife have a wide ac-
quaintance in the city where the\' have long re-
sided, while the circle of their friends is almost
co-extensive with the circle of their acquaint-
ance. Of cordial, genial manner as well as of
excellent executive and business ability. ^Ir. Mc-
Mahon proves a popular officer in the bank as
well as in municipal interests and his labors are
directly beneficial in the management of those
affairs which are matters of civic virtue and of
civic pride.

WILLIA.AI H. SHEDD.

The business life of a community and its con-
sequent prosperity depends upon the enterprise
and energy of those who control its industrial
and commercial interests in which connection
William H. Shedd made a creditable record dur-
ing his residence in Watseka. He became wide-
ly known as a thoroughly reliable merchant who
kept in touch with the trend of modern progress
and who well merited the liberal patronage that
was accorded him. In his death therefore the
community lost one whom it could ill afford to
spare because he not only was a promoter of the
commercial interest.s of the town but also con-
tributed in substantial measure to the further-
ance of those movements which have tiirect bear-
ing upon the general welfare.

Born in Pepperill, Massachusetts, October 8,
1821, his youth was passed in the east, where
his parents always resided. He acquired his
early education in the public schools of his na-
tive town and afterward went to Boston, where
he had the benefit of instruction in some of the
best schools of that city. Attracted by the
broader business opportunities of the growing
west, he made his way to Michigan City, Indi-
ana, where he engaged in the dry-goods business
for a few years. He then went to Chicago in
company with his brother Joshua and in that
city they established and for a few years con-
ducted a lumber and stove business, but the dis-
covery of gold in California led Mr. Shedd to
di.spose of his commercial interests in the mid-
dle west and seek his fortune upon the Pacific
coast. Accordingly in 1849 ^^ started for the

mining region and was there engaged in a search
for gold for several years. He was much more
fortunate than many and in fact was very suc-
cessful in his mining operations, after which he
returned to the east and settled at Deep River,
Indiana, where in connection with his brother-
in-law, Mr. Wood, he conducted a dry-goods
business for a few years. His next place of resi-
dence was at \'alparaiso, Indiana, where he also
engaged in the dry-goods business for several
years and in 1866 he located at [Middleport, Illi-
nois, where he remained until iSCx), when he
came to Watseka.

Believing that there was an advantageous
opening for a furniture store, Air. Shedd secured
a stock of goods in that line and at once began
business. From the beginning the new enter-
prise prospered and after a brief period he ex-
tended the scope of his activities by also engag-
ing in the undertaking business, owning the first
hearse in Watseka. He afterward also engaged'
in the marble business, dealing in fine marble
and granite monuments and gravestones. In
these various lines he continued with good suc-
cess until 1889, when impaired health caused
him to close out his business and for two years
he was an invalid.

Air. Shedd was, first married in Deep River,
Indiana, to Miss Abbie Wood, of that place, who
died three years later, leaving a daughter, Abbie.
For his second wife Mr. Shedd chose Miss Jo-
sephine Blachley, a native of Ohio, and they
became the parents of two sons. The elder,
William T- Shedd, is a leading business man of
Chicago, being vice president and general mana-
ger of the Knickerbocker Ice Company and one
of its largest stockholders, in which connection
he controls a large share of the ice trade in the
citv. He also owns a large plantation in Cen-
tral America. He married Miss Alice M. Till-
inghans. of a prominent Watseka family, and
they reside at No. 4033 Mncennes avenue, Chi-
cago. He is a prominent member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity there and the extent and impor-
tance of his business connections makes him well
known in commercial circles in the metropolis.
Cornelius Orton, who died at the age of forty
vears. was also president and general manager
of a large ice company in St. Louis, Missouri,
for manv vears. He wedded Aliss Fannie H.

WILLIAM II. SHEDD.

OF fHt
UKlVEKiJiTY Of ILLlKUkS

IR(.1QU()IS COUNTY, ILLIXUIS.

llaniiltoii, whose people were also |)roniinent in
Watscka.

The death of Mr. Shedil occurred April 22.
1891, and he left to his faniil\ an initaniislieil
name and a comfortable competence. He was a
prominent member of tiie Masonic fraternity in
\\'atseka and exemplified in his life the benefi-
cent .spirit of the craft, which is based ujxm mu-
tual helpfulness an>l brotherly kindness. lk)tli
he and his wife were members of the .Methodist
Episcopal church and his i)olitical allet^iance was
given to the republican party. His fraternal,
church and social relations thus indicate much of
the character of the man, who full\ merited the
esteem in which he was uniformly held. In his
business life he never made en,s;aijements that
he did not fill nor incurred obligations that he
did not meet and nis word became synonymous
with commercial integrity in W'atseka.

Mrs. Shedd .still survives her hu.sband and
maintains the family home on West Walnut
street, where she owns a large and beautiful resi-
dence, which was built by Mr. Shedd a number
of vears ago. She spends the winter months
with her son in Chicago or with her sister in
Topcka. Kansas, but always passed the summers
in Watseka. where she occupies a very prominent
and enviable position in social circles.

R( )i'.i:RT 11. ri:kRV.

Robert H. Perry, deceased, was one of the
leading fanners and landowners of Iroquois
county, at one time having a large farm near
the village of Crescent, upon which he resided
until he t«x)k up his abode in Wat.seka. where
his last (lavs were passefl. .Ml who knew him —
and his acquaintance was a large one — enter-
tained for him resjicct. confidence and good will
and thus his death was deeply regretted by many
friends, while his life record will be received
with interest by all who knew him. He was
born in Clarkson. Monroe county. Xcw York.
February 17. 1830. his parents being Samuel .\.
and .\nna (Hoy) I'errv. who were likewise
natives of New 'S'ork and resided in Clarkson
for several years. In early manhood, however.
Samuel .\. Perrv removed to a farm near I.ock-

port, .\ew York, when that section of the lomi-
iry was largely wild and unsettled. He cleared
a tract of lanri and converted it into farming
purposes, residing thereon throughout his re-
maining days, his time and energies being de-
voted to general agricultural i)ursuits. The olil
homestead also remained the i)lace of residence
of his wife until she t(Xi was called from this
life. There they reared their family of twelve
children. .\lr. I'erry was recognize<l as one of
the inlluential and leading resiclents of his com-
nnmitv and he left the im])ress of his individu-
ality upon public life and ]>rogress. serving for
twenty years as justice of the peace, in which
office he rendered decisions that were strictly fair
and impartial.

Robert 11. I'erry was educited in the common
schools of Lockport and began farming on his
own account in early manhood, but thinking to
find other ])ursuits more congenial he went to
Xiagara I'alls, where he accepted a ])osition in
the employ of the Erie Railroad Company as
ins])ector of cars, acting in that capacity for eight
\ears. In the meantime he inve.sted his money
in coal lands in Cirundy county, Illinois, and on
severing his connection with the railroad com-
pany he came to the middle west to look after
his interests in this state. Locating at Coal City
in (irundy county, he there purchased more land,
which was imderlaid with bituminous dei)osits
and thus became the owner of .several thousand
acres. .\s the mines were operated the lan<l
became more valuable year by year and Mr.
I'erry continued to reside there until he had sold
off most of the property, which proved to be a
splendid investment, bringing to him handsome
financial resources. On leaving Grundy county
he came to Iro(|uois countv and .settled u])on a
farm near Crescent.

.Mr. I'erry had been married in 1850, in Lock-
port, Xew ^'ork. to .Miss Esther Soper, a native
of that city, born July 15. 1832. ."^he was a
daughtir of Isaac and Phoebe (Pennington)
i^oper. both of whom were natives of Xew York
and early settlers of Lockport. where the father
engaged in farming for many years. He then
removed to the middle west, purchasing a farm
near Woodstock in McHenry countv, Illinois,
where both he and his wife spent their remaining
days. Mr. and Mrs. Perry became the parents

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

of three sons : Arthur, who married Miss Ger-
trude Smith and resides at Gardner. Illinois,
where he is now bookkeeper for a mining com-
pany ; George, who wedded Anna Cotton, of
Grundy county, Illinois, and makes his home in
Denver, Colorado, where he is engaged in the
grocery and market business ; and Eugene H.,
who married ]\Iiss Emma Plowman, and resides
on the old Perry farm near Crescent. He has
four children, while George Perry has five chil-
dren.

On coming to this county the father. Robert
H. Perry, purchased a farm of three hundred and
twenty-five acres near Crescent and there devoted
his energies to general agricultural pursuits fnr
five years. About the same time he invested in
another valuable tract of land of one hundred and
twenty acres near Creston, Iowa. His health
becoming impaired, he abandoned farming and
removed to \\'atseka to live retired and for sev-
eral years he was in poor health. For man\-
years he was president of the Alutual Insurance
Company of Iroquois covuity and throughout his
business career he displayed excellent powers of
management and keen discernment in placing his
investments. He formed his plans readily, was
determined in their execution and carried for-
ward to a successful termination whatever he
undertook. After removing to \\'atseka he
erected a beautiful residence on South Fourth
street and there he passed away May lo. 1898.
He was never an office seeker but was a stanch
democrat in jiolitics and though not connected
with any religious denomination he always at-
tended the Presbyterian church, of which his
wife was a member. Mr. Perry could well be
termed one of the t\pical business men of the
middle west, possessing in large measure the
spirit of dcterniinaliim and progress which liave
been the dominant factor in the upbuilding nf
this section of the country. He was watchful
of oppdrtunities and seemed to recognize when
and where and how to use his native talents to
the liest advantage. Thus his efforts were dis-
cerningly directed and brought to him a measure
of prosperity that classed him with the sub-
stantial residents of Watseka. Moreover he ])i)s-
sessed a kindly and genial spirit that wim him
warm friendship and made him a devoted hus-
band and father. Mrs. Perrv still resides in

Watseka in the home built by her husband and
she also owns the farm near Crescent upon which
her son resides and also the farm property in
Iowa.

WILLIAM H. MARTIX.

William H. Martin, prominent in the public
life of Belmont township, was born and reared
on the farm where he now resides on section 34.
His natal day was September 5, 1870. His
father. John J. Martin, a native of \\'ashington
county. Pennsylvania, was born in 1837 and was
only three years old when brought to Illinois by
his parents, who purchased what is now known as
the Martin homestead. Upon this place John J.
Martin has resided continuously, recognized for
man\- years as one of the leading agriculturists
of the community. He was married here to
Miss Elizabeth John, a native of Iroquois county
and a daughter of William John, one of the
early settlers who came from Adams county,
Ohio, to Illinois. Following his marriage John
Martin engaged in buying and trading in land
and at one time owned over four hundred acres.
He built a comfortable residence and substantial
outbuildings upon his place and actively carried
on farm work, placing many rods of tile in the
fields and thus draining the land and adding
greatlv to its productiveness. He has since sold
a part of his property but still retains die owner-
shi]) of two hundred acres.

William H. Martin was the only child born
unto his parents and upon the home farm he was
reared, being accorded good school privileges.
He has never left the farm and his parents now
make their home with him. On the 3th of May,
1897. It-' ^\'«is united in marriage to Miss Myrtle
I >. .Strain, a native of Milford. Iroquois comity.
1)1 irn in iSSo, and a daughter of J. M. Strain,
of Milford township. Mrs. Martin died .\ugust
23, 1906. leaving three children : Eliuer \\'ar-
ren. Ruth Elizabeth and Jessie Fay. Mr. Mar-
tin's mother now takes care of the gramlchildren.

Reared to farm work in all of its departments,
William H. Martin is regarded as one of the
enterprising a,griculturists of this part of the
state. He raises full blooded Poland China hogs
and also good grades of cattle and sheep, and

IR(K)rt)IS COUXTN' II I IVi il<

in connection witli liis stock-raising interests and
the cultivation of cereals he also owns and oper-
ates a thrcshintj outfit, havinj; enjjaRed in the
business for fifteen years. He is also aj,'ent for
farm machinery and in the season of kjcXj sold
two steam threshers. He is well known through-
out the county as a business man of enterprise
and energy, who forms his plans readily and is
determined in their execution. He cultivates the
old homestead farm of two hundred acres, which
is highly improved, and through modern meth-
ods of farming, the rotation of crops, the ju-
dicious use of fertilizers and the utilization
of the best improved farm machinery he is meet-
ing with excellent success in his undertakings.

Politically Mr. Martin is independent at local
elections, but where political issues are involved
he gives his support to the republican ])arty, be-
ing in thorough sympathy with its principles. He
has served his ])arty in public life for ten years,
acting for four years as constable and six years
as justice of the peace, still filling the latter
office. His decisions are strictly fair and im-
partial, being based upon the law and the equity
in the case pronounced without fear or favor.

Mr. Martin is a member of Woodland lodge,
Xo. 649. I. O. O. F., of which he served for three
terms as noble grand and secretary for four
terms. He has also been a member of the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America at Woodland and is
serving as venerable consul. The higher and
holier duties of life are not neglected by him. for
he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. By the faithful performance of each
day's duty as it comes to him he finds encourage-
ment and inspiration to take up the work of the
succeeding day, conscientiously meets every ob-
ligation that rests upon him and. with true
appreciation of life's values and responsibilities,
he apportions his time between the business,
social, political, home and moral interests.

GEORGE SWARTZ.

George Swartz is one of the largest land-
owners in Iroquois county, owning five hundred
and forty acres of valuable land, which is situ-
ated on sections 16. 21 and 24, Prairie Green

luwujliip, and i.-. divided inlci three farms, lie
is a native son of Illinois, his birth having oc-
curred in lUiKjmington. .\pril 16, i8<io, a son of
IMiilip Schwartz, a native of Germany. The
father was there reared and educated, and
when a young man crossed the .\tlantic to the
new world, landing in New York, where he li>
cated. He was there married to Miss Mary
Hartzog, a German lady. In 1857 he took up his
abode in the west, settling at liloomington. Il-
linois, where he was engaged in farming for a
number of years, when, in 1867, he came to
Iroquois county and settled on a farm in Prairie
Green township. He first purchased one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land, to which he after-
ward added from time to time until he was the
lX)Sscssor of eight hundred acres, and was the
largest landowner in his township. He there
reared his family and continued to follow agri-
cultural pursuits throughout a long period, but
he later took up his aljode in Dunnington, In-
diana, where his death occurred August 16, HJ04,
when he had reached the very advanced a.ge of
eiglUv-two years. His wife still survives and
makes her home in Dunnington, Indiana.

George Swartz. whose name introduces this
review, is the second in order of birth in a fam-
ilv of five sons and one daughter born of his
father's niarria.ge. He was reared in much the
usual manner of farm lads of his period, assist-
ing his father in the various tasks of carrying
on the home farm, and when not thus engaged
pursued his studies during the winter mcmths in
the Prairie Green school. He remained on the
home farm until he had reached maturity, when
he established a home of his own by his mar-
riage, on the 2d of December, 1886. to Miss
Emma Fields, a native of Illinois, born near
Danville, where she was reared and educated.

Following their marriage the young couple
located on the farm which has since been their
home, but his first purchase comprised but eighty
acres, which he tiled and fenced, and in course
of time placed his land under a high state of
cultivation. He set out considerable fruit on his
place and further improved the property by the
erection of good buildings. .\s he prospered he
added to his property from time to time, and also
inherited some land, so that he has now alto-
gether a tract of five hundred and forty acres,

PAST AND PRESEXT OF

which is divided into three farms. In addition
to his general farming pursuits he also raises
good grades of stock and this branch of his busi-
ness is proving a profitable source of income to
him.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Swartz has
been blessed with four children, Susie, Lester,
Claude and Lillian, all still under the parental
roof. Mr. Swartz adheres to the faith of the
democracy where national issues are involved but
at local elections votes an independent ticket,
supporting the men whom he believes best quali-
fied for office, regardless of party affiliation. He
has never been active as an office seeker, but is
a believer in good schools and competent teach-
ers, and served as township trustee for two or
three years. Fraternally he is connected with
the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Swartz was but a little lad of six years
when the family home was established in Iro-
quois county and has therefore spent the greater
part of his life in this section of the state, so that
he has a very wide and favorable acquaintance
and is today numbered among the progressive
and well-to-do agriculturists of Prairie Green
township.

< r W (

GEORGE C. HARRINGTON.

J^ George C. Harrington was born in St. Law-
/"VxiJ rence county. New York, June 30, 1834, the son
^ of Benjamin O. and Harriet E. (Langdon) Har-
rington, both natives of WTmont. When three
years of age he came witli his parents to Jolict.
Illinois, where the family made their permanent
home. At the age of thirteen he entered the of-
fice of the True Democrat ( now the Joliet Re-
publican ) to learn "the art preservative of all
arts." Here he ap])lied himself industriously ami
faithfull\- 111 his chosen vocation and acquired a
thorough knowledge of the printer's trade. Hav-
ing served out his a])prenticeship in the compos-
ing rooms of the True Democrat he went to
Skowhcgan Falls, Maine, and there, by a proper
course of study, prepared himself for college. He
afterward entered I'liiiin College, Schenectady,
New York, tlun under the i^residency of the dis-
tinguished Dr. i'liphalct Nntt. His career in this

celebrated institution of learning was a series of
marked triumphs, standing at the head of his
class in the classics, and in point of literary ability
ranking first among the many able students then
in attendance. From Schenectady he returned to
the great west and rested at Davenport, Iowa,
which presented an inviting field to the young
student all aglow with enthusiasm and ambitious
to carve out for himself a useful and worthy ca-
reer. In connection with Franc B. Wilkie ( Poli-
uto), then of the Chicago Times, he established
the Davenport Daily News, which soon took rank
as one of the leading democratic journals of
Iowa.

In 1859 Mr. Harrington came to Iroquois
county and associated himself with the Iroquois
Press, a democratic newspaper. In the follow-
ing year the democracy of Iroquois covmty placed
him in nomination as their candidate for circuit
clerk and although defeated at the ensuing elec-
tion, he ran largely ahead of his ticket. He still
contimued his connection with the Press until
1862. The country was then writhing in the
agonies of the Civil war. and as a patriotic son
he felt that his services were retpiired in the field.
He consequently abandoned his editorial duties
and began recruiting for the service, and after
taking the first company into camp at Kankakee
for the Seventy-sixth Illinois Regiment, assisted
in filling up two other companies for the One
Hundred and Thirteenth. He enlisted as a pri-
vate soldier, but his superior ability being recog-
nized, the members of his company (A) elected
him captain. In January, 1863, he was promoted
to major. He was. however, not permitted to
serve long after this. On July 4. 1863, near
\'icksburg, Mississippi, he w'as reluctantly
obliged to resign on account of disease contracted
in the army.

On his return from the army he engaged in
the hardware business at Watseka, in the firm of
\\'oodford & Company. He was soon appointed
collector of internal revenue for Iroquois, Ford
and Champaign counties, in which capacity he
discharged his duties conscientiously, so that at
the close of his official term not one cent of the
large amounts of money handled by h'tu was
missing, and he turned over the tooks to his suc-
cessors with ;i clean record. In i8(k) Major Har-
rinsfton was olecteil niavor nf \\'atseka, and re-

jCH <&

^^ JL^. &. Ji a^^'y oo, o -< <^

LIdiRAi-Y
OF THE

i;v:v:!;siTY cf illikois

1RI)QU)1S CUfXTY. ILLINOIS.

elected the followinj; year, declining; the office
after havinji served tliree terms, tlionjih iirj;cntly
pressed to accej)! a fourth term. Tliis eviilences
the hipli esteem in which he is lield l)y the people
of \\atseka.,' In the vear 1870. in connection with
several other enteri>risiT)g' citizens. Major llar-
ringfton organized the First National I'.ank of
Watseka. of which corporation he was promptiv
chosen as cashier, which office he still holds.
This institmion is one of the stanchest anil most
flourishing in the county, havintj. from its or-
ganization, won the confi<lence of the jH'opk'.

-Major Harrington was married to .\[ary L.
Hutchinson, at Crawfordsvilli-. Indiana, in i8(')4.
and has two children living. \ery domestic in
his habits, his home is a model of comfort and
good taste. He has taken considerable interest
in politics, though not an active politician in the
usual sense of that term. He is recognized
throughout the state as a prominent democrat,
prominent more for his ability than his activity.
Though never an office-seeker. Ik- was, in 1876,
without his consent, mentioned by several ])apers
and prominently spoken of by eminent democrats
as a candidate for secretary of state but he induced
his friends to withdraw his name from the state
convention. He presided over the democratic
congressional convention held at Fairbury in 1878,
and on invitation of that tody addressed them,
making a masterly speech, which was published
and scattered broadcast as a cami)aign document.
The same convention would have nominated him
as their candidate for congress, but he emphatic-
ally declined the proffered honor. In 1878 he
was elected a member of the democratic state cen-
tral committee: in 1880 chosen delegate to the
national democratic convention at Cincinnati,
which nominated General Hancock as its candi-
date for the presidency : and in 1884 was presi-
dential elector from Illinois on the democratic
ticket.

Mr. Harrington as a financier ranks among the
leading men of the state, while his views on finan-
cial questons, expressed by speech and in the
press, command general attention among bankers.
He is an active member of the Inde|)endent ( )r-
der of Odd Fellows and nyich esteemed by his
x brethren of the fraternity/ .\ gentleman of cul-
" turc. a fine scholar and still a student from habit,
a man towering high among his fellows, all recog-

nize his superior ability and worth of character,
and pay deference to his excellent qualities. A
democrat in i)rinci])Ie and practice, he believes
with a faith born of conviction in the e(|uality
and brotherhood of man. He is ])ublic-si)irited,
liberal and charitable, ever ready to assist, with
his purse or his pen. in any cause that ])romises
g(Xid to his fellowman or the public. A man of
broad and com])rehensive views, he looks upon
the world as he finds it and is therefore conserv-
ative rather than radical. The people of Watseka
look u])on him as an exem]>lary man an<l arc
])r()ud to call him their own.

I'lR.^r XA ri( »x AL r.AXK oi- \\.\isI':k.\.

The I'irst National Bank of Watseka was or-
ganized in the year 1870, with a capital of fifty
thousand dollars, the stockholders representing
some of the best known and wealthiest citizens
of the county. .-\t the first election of officers
Hon. Samuel Williams was chosen president,
David McGill. vice president, and George C.
Harrington, cashier. Xot knowing whether the
enteqirise would receive immediate recognition
by the public, the bank made its first office in
the second story of the Willoughby building.
However, meeting with unexi)ecte<i favor, it was
soon necessitated to seek more accessible and com-
modious quarters and shortly erected a wooden
structure. This building not proving adequate,
the bank, in connection with the lodge of ( )dd
Fellows, erected a building in t875. This latter
building was sold by the bank and in connection
with the Masonic fraternity erected its present
fine building.

During the financial ]ianic of 1873. when most
of the banks of the country were necessitated
to close their doors, the h'irst National I'.ank of
Watseka kept open doors and honored every de-
maud ma<Ie upon it. It is recognized as one of
the institutions of the county in which the people
feel a just i)ridc.— solid and safe beyond <|ues-
tion. and its management conservative enough to
keep it so. The officers of ]()oC> are. David Mc-
Gill. president. George II. Hamilton, vice presi-
dent, (ieorge C. Harrington, cashier, and II. II.
.Mter and H. T. Riddell assistant cashiers. Its

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

capital and surplus is over one hundred thou-
sand dollars at the commencement of its thirty-
seventh year, 1906.

JAMES O. FREEMAN.

James O. Freeman is an honored veteran of
the Civil war and for years was a prominent
farmer of Iroquois county but is now living re-
tired in Milford, for his former toil brought to
hin: a competence sufficient to enable him to en-
joy the comforts of life without recourse to fur-
ther labor. He has lived in the county since
1852, having arrived here when a youth of ten
years. His birth occurred in Warren county,
Indiana, April 21, 1842. His father, George \V.
Freeman, was born in Chatham county. North
Carolina, in July, 1818, and removed thence to
Ohio and subsequently to Warren county, Indi-
ana, where he met and married Aliss Rebecca
Hooker, a native of Ross county, Ohio. He be-
gan farming in the Hoosier state and there
cleared up a tract of land, which he converted
into fertile fields, making his home thereon until
1852, when he came to Iroquois county, Illinois.
The work of development, settlement and im-
provement had scarcely been begun here, as is in-
dicated by the fact that a part of the land was
still in possession of the government. Mr. Free-
man entered a claim in Stockland township of
one hundred and sixty acres and began to culti-
vate the hitherto wild tract, turning the first
furrows in the fields and continuing the work of
plowing, planting and harvesting until rich
crops rewarded his efforts. In later years he re-
moved to Columbia county, Oregon, where he
joined a son and daughter and there he passed
away in September, 1894. His wife died on the
•old homestead in Iroquois county, in February
of the same year. The family of this worthy
cou[ile numbered three sons and three daughters
and with the exception of one daughter all are
yet living.

James O. I'rceman was reared in the usual
manner of farm lads in a frontier district and
a common-school education qualified him for the
work of life. He was only twenty years of age
when, his patriotic spirit aroused, he oflfered his

services to the government and on the 9th of
August, 1862, was enrolled as a member of Com-
pany E, Seventy-sixth Illinois \'olunteer In-
fantry. The regiinent was attached to the West-
ern .\rmy and he participated in the Tullahatchee
campaign, the ^'icksburg campaign, the battles
of Jackson, Black river bridge and numerous
others. Later he took part in the engagements
at Mobile and at Fort Blakely, Alabama. He
was wounded at Jackson's crossroads, this oc-
curring from an accident, a comrade's gun dis-
charging as he fell wounded by a shell. Islr.
Freeman continued at the front until the war
ended and he was mustered out with the rank
of corporal at Galveston, Texas, July 22, 1865.
He returned home with a creditable military
record, for on many a hotly contested battle-field
he had given proof of his loyalty and was equally
faithful when on the lonely picket line or in the
di.scharge of any military duty assigned him. The
war ended, he returned home and resumed farm-
ing.

Mr. Freeman was married in this county in
February, 1868, to i\Iiss Clara Hunter, a daugh-
ter of S. P. Hunter, an old settler from Indiana,
who was originally from Ohio. Mrs. Freeman
was born in Warren county. Indiana, but spent
the greater part of her girlhood in this county.
Following their marriage they settled on a farm
in Stockland township, commencing with forty
acres. ^Ir. Freeman cultivated that and other
lands and as his capital increased as the result
of his industry and economy he added to his
property until he was the owner of one hundred
and twcnt\- acres. On this he erected a comfort-
able residence and good barn, put up a wind
pump, set out an orchard and made the farm a
productive place, well ci|uip|ied in its \'arious de-
partments. There he successfully carried on the
work of tilling the soil until 1901, when he rent-
ed his land, purchased a residence in Milford
and has since lived retired in the town. Unto
him and his wife has been born but one child,
Rosa Belle, who died in infancy.

Mr. Freeman's political jiosition is never an
equivocal one, as he has always stanchly sup-
I)orted the republican party wdiere state and na-
tional questions are involved, while locally he
votes independently. While on the farm he was
elected and served for fourteen consecutive vears

MR. AM) MRS. J. U. I-Kl-IK.MAX.

LlbKrtKY

OF fHt

UNIVEK6I1V OF ILLINOIS

IKOQUOIS COUN'TV. ILLINOIS.

as siipervisDr ami was a member ol' the commit-
tees on claims ami the poor farm, acting as cliair-
nuin of the former for two or three years. Me
has also Tilled the office of township collectur,
has been director and township school trustee for
four vears. and in these various positions ha *
manifested an unquestioned loyalty to the public
g<Kid. He also maintains pleasant relations with
his old army comrades throui^h his mem-
bership in \ennum post. No. 471, G. A. K. More
than a half century has come and gone since he
was brought to lro»|uois county and as the years
have advanced he has kept pace with the gen-
eral growth in his business life and in his devo-
tion to the public good. He has been a capable
officer, a reliable and progressive business man
and a citizen whose loyalty is today as markca
as when he followed the old flag upon the bat-
tle-fields of the south.

FRANK A. CAN I:N1-:V.

l-'rank .\. Caveney. filling the office of sui)er-
visor of Iroquois township, was born in Kendall
county. Illinois, February 11, 1861. his parents
being John L. and Fsther (Lincoln) Caveney,
both of whom were from New York. They came
to Illinois at an early period in the settlement
and development of this state and both are now
deceased. Two daughters of tlie family are yet
living, Mrs. Edgar Harrown, a resident of W'at-
seka. and Mrs. Mary F. Leonard, who is living
in Mayfielil. Washington.

Frank A. Caveney was educated in the com-
mon schools and always folhiwed farming. He
bought his first farm, which consisted of eighty
acres, in Crescent townshi]). in iKi)i, but never
lived there, the property being his father's old
home place, lie now has a valuable farm of one
hundred and eighty-five acres in Irotpiois town-
ship, where he now resides, eighty acres in a
second tract and fifty-three acres in a third tract.
His holdings therefore aggregate more than three
Inmdrefl acres and the land is rich and i)roduct-
ive because of the care and labor which has been
bestowed upon it. .Mr. Caveney carries on gen-
eral farming and stock-raising. He tills his
fields acforiling to the mo<t niii(lern methods ami

aimiially harvests gixid crops. His sl<Kk. too. is
an important source of income to him. and he
is likewise a large sluireholdcr in the I"irst Na-
tional I'.ank. at Crescent City.

In l-ebruary. 1884. Mr. Caveney was married
to Miss Sophia .\luller. of Ircxpiois county, and
mito them have Ix-en born four children: Lula.
who was educated at ( »narga and is a graduate
from the art dei)artmenl of the ( >narg3 Sem-
inary, is now the wife of W. S. Malany. of Iro-
(juois township : Maud also attended school in
()narga: Frank .M. is attending the State L'ni-
versity : and Clara is in school at Crescent City.
The chililren have thus been |)rovide<! with ex-
cellent educational privileges. The family home
is pleasantly and conveniently situated two and
a half miles from Crescent City and is attractive
by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality.

In his political affiliation Mr. Caveney is a
democrat, recognized as one of the local leaders
of the i)arty, and for five years he has done ef-
fective service in behalf of the general welfare
as supervisor of Irtx(uois township. He is also
a member of the school Ixiard and there is no
more stalwart champion of the cause of public
instructi<jn. .\ gentleman of excellent personal
worth, well liked by all who know him, he is
regarded as one of the prominent residents of
Ir(X|uois township. He is also accounted one of
its most successful agriculturists, having so di-
recte<l his business interests that the legitimate
outcome of labor is his and he is now a pros-
perous farmer.

TIIOMA.'^ .\1. 1, \NN( iN.

Thomas .M. ( iannon. of Middleport township,
was born March i. i8''/j, in Kankakee county,
his father. Thomas (iannon. entering lan<l on
both sides of the Kankakee-Iroquois countv line.
There his boyhood and youth were spent u]>on
a I'arnt and when his parents removed to Kan-
kakee he went to Chicago. His father and
mother, however, died and lie burie<I at Kanka-
kee. 'There were three sons in the family, the
brothers of our subject being Kolx'rt 1'. and
William H. (Iannon. who live in the west. He
.'dsit has five sisters: Mrs. Julia Hollanrt Mi«

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

Ellen Lamm, Mrs. Alargaret Ariiitt. Mary and
Mrs. Catharine Cleary.

As stated, Thomas il. Gannon went to Chi-
cago when his parents removed to Kankakee,
but on the ist of March, igoo, he bought the
land upon which he now lives. Here he is en-
gaged in farming and stock-raising, handling
cattle, hogs and sheep and shipping dressed
meats to the Chicago market. He leases other
land for pasture and has a convenient shipping
point at Pittwood, only one mile from his home.
His land is well adapted to grazing purposes
and he keeps the farm well stocked, does his
own butchering and by reason of his capable
management, enjoys prosperity.

On the 13th of October, 1891, Thomas M.
Gannon was united in marriage to j\Iiss Jo-
sephine Alartin, whose death occurred August 17,
1898. There were two children of that mar-
riage: Josephine, who died at the age of two
years; and Forest Glenn. On the ist of March,
1900, Mr. Gannon was again married, his sec-
ond union being with ]\Iiss Hattie ]\IcCue. and
they have two daughters : Catharine, born Au-
gust 7, 1904 ; and Marcella, born December 5,
1906.

Mr. Gannon has a comfortable home and
takes pleasure in country life. He is disposed
to help a neighbor and is interested in the atTairs
of the county that is his chosen abiding place.
Public-spirited, he is glad to be of use to his
fellowmen in matters of citizenship and he votes
with the democratic party but does very little
campaign work, preferring to concentrate his
energies on his business affairs, in which he is
meeting with good success.

FRED WEBER.

Fred Weber, living retired in Buckley after
long, close, successful and honorable connection
with farming interests in Artcsia township,
where he still owns two valuable tracts of land,
was born in Germany, July 23, 1833, and has
therefore reached the seventy-third milestone of
life's journey. He was reared to manhood in
his native country and is indebted to its educa-
tional system for the school privileges he en-

joyed. He was also trained to the work of the
farm and remained in his native country until,
about twenty-five years of age, when the favor-
able reports which he had heard concerning the
new world and its advantages influenced him to
seek a home on this side of the Atlantic. Ac-
cordingly in 1858 he bade adieu to friends and
fatherland and took passage on a sailing ship at
Bremen, which six weeks later dropped anchor
in the harbor of New York, reaching that port
in June.

Mr. Weber flid not tarry long in the east but
came at once to Illinois, locating in Dupage
county, where for a year or two he was employed
by a friend whom he had known in the old coun-
try. He continued to work as a farm hand by
the month until after the inauguration of the
Civil war. Many were the German-American
citizens who responded to the call of the coun-
try for aid and Mr. \\"eber was among the num-
ber who flocked to the standard of the Union
and fought in the defense of the stars and stripes
on the battle-fields of the south. He enHsted
August 23, 1862, as a member of Company I,
One Hundred and Fifth \'olunteer Infantry, the
regiment being assigned to the Army of the
Cumberland. For eight months he was ill and
in the hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee. Upon his
recovery he joined a regimental train on de-
tached duty engaged in guarding the railroads
in Kentucky and Tennessee until the close of the
war. He was then mustered out and honorably
discharged in Chicago in June, 1865. He never
faltered in his allegiance to the cause which he
espoused and he deserves classification with those
to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude
that can never be repaid.

Once more returning home Air. Weber was
employed at farm labor until 1867, when he
came to Iroquois county. He purchased one hun-
dred and twenty-four acres of land, of which
forty acres had been broken and fenced and at
once he began the task of further developing and
improving this property. As his financial re-
sources increased he added to llie farm from
time to time. He further made arrangements
fcir liaving a home of his own by his marriage in
1 )ii])age county in the spring of 1868 to Miss
Dora Neiman, who was born and reared in Ger-
many. The young couple began their domestic

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ll.I.IXt US.

life on the farm two miles cast of lUicklex . LatiT
.Mr. \\el)cr boiiglit cit;hty acres adjoining and
sul)sc(|UiiUly line hundred and eighty-two acres
and lor twenty-eight years he followed general
agricultural pursuits there, erecting good build-
ings and making all the substantial modern im-
|)rovements which go to facilitate the work on
the farm. His time and energies were concen-
trated ui)on the task of tilling the soil and caring
for his stock until 181^5. when he bought seventy
acres of land, fourteen acres lying within the
cor])oration limits of I'.uckley, while the remain-
der adjoins the town. This constitutes a neat
and well improved farm. u|)on which lie makes
his home. He started out in life not only emi)ty-
handed but in debt, but a resolute spirit and stal-
wart determination have enabled him to over-
come difficulties and obstacles, to make judicious
investment and to work his way steadily upward.
He has a valuable farm and good home and he
has also won an honored name in his business
life.

Mr. and Mrs. Weber are the parents of eight
children, to whom three sons and three daugh-
ters are yet living: Henry, who is engaged in
business as a dealer in hardware and farm imple-
ments in Buckley ; \\'illiam, who is married and
resides on one of his father's farms ; Ella, the
wife of Professor John Schader, who is teaching
in the German schools of Cincinnati, Ohio; Min-
nie, the wife of Fred Lcetz, a partner with Henry
Weber in the hardware and implement business
in Buckley ; Tillie. the wife of Rev. Theodore
Blanken. a minister of the Lutheran church at
Uillsboro, Indiana; and Fred H. W., who is now
a student in the German schools at Edison, Illi-
nois. Those who have passed away are: Louis,
who died at the age of two years : and Mary, who
became the wife of Albert Ecker, at Woodworth,
Illinois, and died two years later.

Politically Mr. Weber was formerly a repub-
lican but now votes the democratic ticket. Ik-
has served as highway commissioner for several
years and as school trustee for a number of years,
yet has never been a politician in the sense of
office seeking, preferring to do his public service
as a private citizen. He was born and reared
in the Lutheran faith and has always stood for
advancement and progress in those lines which
lead to material, intellectual and moral develop-

ment. He has been greatly interested in the
changes which have transformeil Inxjuois county
from a wilderness and swamp into one of the
richest agricultural counties of this great state
and he has borne his full share in this task. .\s
the years passed by he gatliered a comfortable
competence from his labors and ior eleven years
has now lived retired in Buckley, enjoying the
fruits of his former diligence.

GUST MALRITS.

A well im|)roved farm of eightv acres on sec- '
tion 15. Beaver township, constitutes the home
of (iust Maurits, wlio has improved and made
the property what it is today, for when it came
into his possession it was still in its wild and
unimproved state. He is a native of Sweden,
born in 1852, a son of John and .\nna ( Poultes)
Maurits, who were farming peojile of that coun-
try, and the father held public office there.

Mr. Maurits had heard favorable reports con-
cerning the opportunities which were here of-
fered to young men of ambition, and when a
youth of seventeen years he decided to try his
fortune in the new world, and accordingly, in
1869, took passage on a sailing vessel bound
for American shores, where lived two uncles,
who had emigrated to this country from
Sweden. L'pon arriving in tlie United States,
Mr. Maurits at once made his way to Iroquois I
countv and rented a farm in Beaver township,
which he conducted for five years. He had prac-
tical knowledge of the best methods of carrying
on a business of this character, so that his labors
brought to him the sum whicli in 1886 enabled
him to purchase the farm which is his present
place of residence. As time has passed he has
made added improvements on the place. In 1896
he built a fine barn, while two years ago he
erected a modern country residence, containing
eight rooms, which is supplied with every con-
venience and comfort for the family. He has
laid many rods of tiling on his land, thus mak-
ing his fields very productive, so that he annually
harvests good crops as a result of the care and
labor which he bestows upon them. In addition
to his farm work, he is likewise engaged in rais-

'62

PAST AND PRESENT OF

iny; cattle, horses and hogs, which, when placed
upon the market, command high prices.

In 1896 Mr. Maiirits was happih- wedded to
Miss Minnie Johnson, who was born and reared
in lieaver townshi]). and by her marriage has
become the mother of four children: Earl Sigs-
bee ; lone Caroline, who is attending school ; and
Ruby Irene and Emma ( )rpha Medora. at home.
Mr. Maurits gives his political support to the
republican party, for his study of the important
events of the day has led him to lielieve its prin-
ciples are most conducive to good government.
He holds membership in the Swedish ]\Iethodist
church of Beaver.

Mr. Maurits took up his abode in a strange
land when but a youth but in the years which
have since come and gone he has demonstrated
his ability to rank with the best citizens of
America, and his well improved farm in its neat
appearance, indicates that his life has been a
.success.

JUDGE STEPHEN G. BOVIE.

In the interpretation and execution of the laws,
as attorney and county judge, Stephen G. Bovic
was long accorded a position of distinction in
connection with the Iroquois county bar, and the
strength and breadth of his intellect and powers
made him well fitted for leadership in the public
life of the community. In his political work in
those da)s which gave incc])tinn to the repub-
lican party, he was the fi-ieml ami co-laborer of
Abraham Lincoln, David Davis and others who
attained national fame, and with whom he was
also associated at a period whrn the practice of
law meant "riding the circuit" in order to engage
in the trial of cases at the clift'ereni centers in
vvliich the court convened.

Coming to Iro(|uois count\ in iS5_^. judge
Bovie was a factor in the life of the county at the
most dramatic. pictnre.sc|ne and thrilling e]ioch
in the hislorx- (if the state, lie was burn in Liv-
ingston county, Xew York, November 21, 1827,
a son of John E. and Amy (Gardner) Bovie.
The father a farmer by occupation spent his en-
tire life in the east and both he and his wife
passed away there many years ago. In the com-

mon schools of his native county Judge Bovie
received his early mental discipline, pursuing his
studies through the winter seasons, while in the
summer months he assisted in the labors of the
farm. In early manhood, having made marked
progress in the work of the schoolroom, owing
to his special aptitude in his studies, he engaged
in teaching in his native county, and his naturally
strong intellect prompted him to a professional
rather than an agricultural life, so. while con-
ducting his classes in the schoolroom, he utilized
his leisure hours for the study of law and follow-
ing his admission to the bar. engaged in the
practice in the east for several years. Admitted
in Monroe county. New York, in 1851. he re-
mained there as a member of the legal fraternity
imtil 1853, when he came to Watseka. Here for
a year he engaged in teaching school, when, be-
lieving there was favorable opportunity for law
practice, he entered actively upon the work of the
profession for which he had prepared and for
many years was regarded as one of the strongest
practitioners of Iroquois county. In the un-
settled condition of Illinois at that time, it was
necessary that the attorneys should travel the
circuit with the court and thus Judge Bovie
passed froiu one county seat to another in the
prosecution of his profession, going at various
intervals to Kankakee. Grundy, La Salle, \\"\\\.
Iroquois, Chami)aign and Ford counties. On this
circuit he often met Abrahaiu Lincoln. David
Davis and others who afterward became famous
in state and national politics.

In 1856 Judge Bovie was made a delegate to
the convention at Bloomington. Illinois, where
was organized the re|)ublican ])artv of the state.
and he remained throughout his remaining days
a stalwart cham])ion of its principles. He was
master in chancery at \\'atseka for several years
and in 1S80 he was elected county jud,ge to fill
nut the unexpired term of Judge M. B. Wright.
divoased. In his law practice he enjoyed a
liberal and distinctively representative clientage,
by reason of his ability to successfullv solve in-
tricate legal ]>roblenis and present his cause in
the strong, clear light of reason, correctly ap-
plying the |)rinci|jles of law and seldom failing
to win a verdict favorable to his clients. I'pon
the bench his decisions were so entirely the em-
liodiment of judicial wisdom and knowledge that

Of THE
'-'1^ Of ILUmiS

Mf^^ LJ, iB.

Li-

UNIVERSITY OF ILLIMOIS

IROQL'OlS COUNTY. IIJ.IN'OIS.

at tlie rtpublican conventions of 1882 and i88(j
1k' was n<iniinatc<t by acclaniatiun and at cacli
election received increased majorities, runninj;
far ahead of his ticket. His decisions were
inoilels of jndicial sonndness and liis compre-
hensive \vfin\ knowledge coinniandetl the respect
of the bar and of tile general pnbHc. His private
practice t(X) was extensive and his attention to
the duties of his office was unremittinfj. Much
important legal work aside from that of the
ciiMrtriH)m was enlru.sted him and he seemed to
fHjsscss a special faculty for directing the settle-
ment of estates with as little loss as i)ossible.
It is remarkable \v<w few were his decisions from
which an appeal was taken and how little litiga-
tion grew out of the vast business that passed
through his court. In him the widows and or-
phans of the county found a trustworthy advisor
anil true friend and the assistance which he
rendered them i)i a legal capacity was often of
the utmost value in their affairs.

Happy in his home life. Judge IJovie was mar-
rie<l in 1^5.2. in Monroe county. New York, to
Miss Julia .\. Symson, a native of the Knipire
state, and they traveled life's journey in most
congenial conipanionship until his death, which
occurred Xovember 30, 1888, after a brief illness.

Judge I'xivie was a prominent and honoretl
member of the Masonic lodge at Wat.scka and
his brethren of the craft had charge of the
funeral services held here prior to the removal
of the remains to his old home at Rochester, Xew
York, for interment. The news of his death
■causetl a sensation of jjrofound regret through-
out Iro<|uois county, for no man witliin its bor-
.ders had a wider accjuaintance or enjoyed more
general popularity. There were few indeed with
whom he diti not have more or less personal ac-
quaintance and the news of his demise brought
to the vast majority a sense of jK-rsonal bereave-
ment : to the community, where he was a value<l
citizen : to his clients who recognized in him a
trustworthy counselor and advisor; to the
widows and orphans, whose cause he had so
often befriended ; to his close personal acc|uaint-
ances, who cherished his friendship ; and to her
upon whom the wealth of his love and attention
was Ix'stowed. .Since the death of her husband
Mrs. IJovie has continued to make her home in
"Watseka. owning a Iwautiful home on West Wal-
4

nut street, but she also s|>en<is much time in
travel and in visiting relatives in ditTerent parts
of the countrv.

.\UMS .S. CHAI'.M.W.

Arms S. Chapman, editor and publisher of the
( iiliuan Star, is a representative of une <>! the
old families of Iro<|uois county, and in his pres-
ent business cai)acity is giving to the public a
journal which has had ilirect and im])ortant bear-
ing u])on the welfare and improvement of this
portion of the state. The press has not only
recorded the histi)ry of advancement but has also
ever been the leader in the work of progress —
the vanguard of civilization. The j>hil<jsopher
of some centuries ago proclaimed the truth that
"The i)en is mightier than the sword." and the
statement is continually being verified in the af-
fairs of life. In molding |)ul)lic opinion the power
of the news])aiKT cannot be estimated but at all
events its influence is of greater force than that
of any other single element and the Star has been
a potent force in the life of Gilman.

Mr. Chapman was a youth of twelve years
when he became a resident of lr<K|uois c<)unty,
his birth having occurred in Chicago in 1864.
The family comes of Irish lineage and was es-
tablished in .\merica by the great-great-grand-
father of our subject, who left the luuerald isle,
crossed the .\tlantic to the new world and estab-
lished a home in Xew ICngland. It was in that
part of the country that the great-grandfather
was born, while Henry D. Chapman, the grand-
father, was a native of .New Lebanon. Xew York.
He became a contractor and builder after learn-
ing the carpenters trade and was thus iilenti-
fied with industrial life in the east. His political
allegiance was given to the whig ])arty. He
wedded Maria .Arms, who was born in Conway,
Massachusetts, while her father was also a native
of Xew luigland and came of Knglish ancestry.
In i8,V) Mrs. Maria .\rms Chapman started with
her four sons for Michigan, driving through
C'anada and across the coiuitry with an ox teain
to Washtenaw county. The family opened up
two farms in Michigan, and Mrs. Chapman
sjunt her last days there.

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

Her son, Foster .M. Chapman, the second in
a family of five children numbering four sons
and one daughter, was born in old Sodus, Wayne
county. New York, September 19, 1819, and was
therefore a youth of seventeen years at the time
of the removal to Michigan. His educational
privileges were very limited and he earned his
first money by digging potatoes for a neighbor,
but his father collected his wages. He shared
with the family in the hardships and privations
of early residence in Michigan and in the winter
of 1839 engaged in teaching school in Living-
ston county, Illinois. He was married IMarch
20, 1845, to Miss Charlotte E. Spafard, a daugh-
ter of Thomas L. Spafard, who became a resi-
dent of Michigan in 1838. Mrs. Chapman was
born in the Empire state and was a maiden of
si.xteen years at the time of the removal of the
family to the middle west. For several years
after his marriage Foster M. Chapman followed
farming, and in 1851 began the sale of small
farm implements, making his headquarters in
Chicago. He handled the first John H. Manney
reapers which were brought to that city and for
a time he also conducted a branch house at De-
troit, enjoying an extensive trade in farm imple-
ments in [Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, con-
tinuing in the business until 1866, when he ac-
cepted the agency for the Manney reapers for
the territory of southern Indiana, Kentucky and
Tennessee. In 1867 he became a real-estate
dealer of Chicago and carried on an extensive
business there until 1876.

That year witnessed his arrival in Iroquois
county, where he invested his capital in six hun-
dred acres of land in Danforth township. The
farm was in an unimproved condition but by
judicious tiling and ditching and the erection of
good buildings he converted it into one of the
best kept and most fertile farms of the county.
In fact he was a pioneer in drainage in this sec-
tion of the state and to his efforts and the labors
of a few other enterprising men is due the splen-
did condition which is found in the agricultural
districts in Iroquois county, owing to the tiling
and ditching that has been carried on. At times
the whole surface of the country seemed cov-
ered with water. Prairie creek several times a
stop to planting or cultivating. An inclTcctive

ditch was dug prior to 1878, in which year Mr.
Chapman, in company with W. J. and C. G.
McUougall, George W. Decker and others,
started the enterprise uf cutting a ditch from
Prairie to Spring creek, thus giving a short out-
let for this entire flat country. That was the
first extensive effort to furnish a system of drain-
age and to this work Mr. Chapman gave time,
mone_\- and effort. Contracts for ditches were let
averaging from four to eight feet in depth and
forty feet wide, surface measure. As soon as
water would run they put a riding plow in the
ditch and teams on each bank. Mr. Chapman
managed the plow and often rode in water up
to his armpits. Day after day he worked in that
soaked condition until the completion of the
ditch. Xothing has done more to add to the
advantage of flat land in this section and the men
who persevered to obtain the enterprise deserve
much credit. Mr. Chapman also spent consider-
able time and money in lobbying at Springfield
for the law which finally passed, enabling the
lands of non-residents to be taxed for the bene-
fits they would receive. Today drainage has
made this one of the richest agricultural dis-
tricts of the entire countrv with farming lands
offered at from one to two hundred dollars per
acre.

In politics Air. Chapman was a whig in early
life and when the question of slavery became a
dominant one joined the abolition party, while
a further progressive step was made by him in
allying his interests with the republican party
when it was formed to prevent the further ex-
tension of slavery. He has always stood for
advancement and improvement in the various
interests relating to the public welfare yet has
never sought office for himself. After living for
many years upon the farm he removed to
Gilman in i8go, there to enjoy retirement from
further labor.

Arms S. Chapman, the only son and child,
was a youth of twelve years when he came with
his parents to Iroquois county. .\ short time
previously he had visited the farm with his
father. There were still many evidences of pio-
neer life to be seen here for the land was un-
drainecl and therefore untilled, and often times
the floods rendered further work of cultivation
impossible. The lakes and rivers abounded in

JRlJQL'OIS OJLNTY. I!.!.!N'0|S

fish and there was ample opportunity lor tlic
huntsman to indulge his love of sport where
countless tliousands of ducks, brants and Canada
geese were to be had. Prairie chickens were also
to be found.

Arms S. Chapman attended the public schools
and later the University of Illinois. In 1888 he
left college to begin newsjjaper work, practiadly
his first experience being as city editor of a morn-
ing paper at Little Rock, Arkansas. Later in
the line of service he became telegrapii editor of
the St. Paul News. In 1895 he married Miss
Minnie Cross, a daughter of one of the old resi-
dents of Gilman. After his marriage he worked
on Chicago daily papers until he returned to
Gilman in 1898 to acquire an interest in the Star.
Aside from his editorial work, Mr. Chapman has
contributed to eastern magazines, such as the
Century and the Outlook. He has three chil-
dren, two sons and a daughter. He is a Mason,
a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Press
Club of Chicago.

TOHN SMITH.

John Smith, of Unarga, is one of the largest
landowners and most active and enterprising
business men of Iroquois county. He owns
farms in the vicinity of the city, all well im-
proved and valuable, aggregating fourteen hun-
dred and forty acres. His residence in the county
dates from 1865 and throughout this period he
has maintained an unassailable reputation for
business integrity and at the same time has be-
come most widely known by reason of his un-
flagging diligence. cIikc aj>y>Iii-.iiiiin .tihI idiit-
prise.

Mr. Smith is a native of Imliaiia. having been
born in Hendricks county on the 26th of Decem-
ber, 1830. His father, .\bel Smith, was born in
Xorth Carolina, whence he removed to Kentucky
in his childhood days in company with his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. He was
reared in Owsley county, Kentucky, and when
a young man removed to Indiana. He was mar-
ried in Hendricks county to Miss Sarah Bales,
a native of the Blue Grass state and a daughter
of .Me.xander Bales, who removed to Kcntuckv

when tin mill. Ill- wen nnui- iiimiirini> tiiail the
white settlers and the warfare between the two
races had earned for the state the name of the
dark and bloody ground. Jolin Smith is one
of a family of two sons and si.\ daughters who
reached mature years and seven of the number
are still living, namely : James Smith, who re-
sidi-s in Warren county. Inwa; Mary, who is
living u|x)n the old home place in Warren
county; Susan, the wife of Thomas McClellan,
a resident of Washington; Mrs. Kmeline l!ick-
ford, a widow, of Warren county. Iowa; Mrs.
Louisa Jane Lewis, of the same cnunty ; Amanda,
the widow of Taylor Judkins: and John.

John Smith, whose name introduces this rec-
<ird. was reared upon the home fann in Hen-
ilricks county, Indiana, to the age of nineteen
years and then removed with his father to Iowa,
the family home being established in Warren
county. His school privileges were quite lim-
ited, so that he is largely a self-educated as well
as a self-made man. but in the school of experi-
ence he has learned many valuable lessons and
reading and observation have also added largely
to his knowledge, making him a man of good
business capacity and sound judgment. He re-
mained with his father in Iowa for one year
and then returned to Warren county, Indiana,
making the journey on foot. There he rented
land and engaged in farming for six years, dur-
ing which period he was married on the i8th of
Xovcmber, 1853, to Miss Hannah .^tarry, whose
birth occurred in that county. In 1856 he re-
turned to Iowa, settling in Hamilton county,
where he purchased a tract of raw land which
he broke and converted into a good farm. He
did his breaking witii ox teams and in the course
of years he improved an excellent farm prop-
erty, on which he erected good buildings and
added many modern cf|uipments and accessories.
He bought more hnd from time to time there
until he owned four hundred acres, residing upon
his farm until i8ri3. when he sold the pro|Hrty
and came to Iro<|uois county. Illinois. His first
investment in lan<l here made him owner of two
hundred acres which was jiartially improved.
He at once took up the work of further develop-
ment and cultivation and as his financial re-
sources increased he Ixiught other tracts of land
adjoining. He contiiund tin- work of f.-irmiiK'

PAST AXl) PRESENT OF

and luriher improving the property until the
old home place now comjjrises six hundred and
forty acres, ui)on which he has a good residence,
barns and corn crii)s. lie likewise invested in
three hundred and thirty-eight acres south of
the home place on the same section and improved
that. As opportunity has afforded he has con-
tinued his purchase of land and has over seven
hundred acres across the creek near Onarga, con-
stituting a well improved farm. He continued
to engage actively in farming until 1901, when
he removed to Onarga and hnilt the residence
which he now occupies. It is a commodious,
neat and substantial home and is one of the evi-
dences of the thrift and industr\- which have
ever been characteristic of Mr. Smith and wliich
have enabled him to advance from a htmilile
financial position to one of wealth and affluence.
His success has come as the result of careful in-
vestment, of keen discernment in business af-
fairs and of unfaltering energy and thus he has
accumulated a large fortune and is today one of
the well known and prosperous men of the
county. He is still very active and gives i)er-
sonal supervision to his extensive farming in-
terests.

L'nto J\Ir. and Mrs. Smith have been born
five children: James, who follows farming
in ( )narga township, is married and has
three children, Mabel, Prank and John. ( )scar
resides upon a farm in Kansas. He has si.\ chil-
dren: I'earl, of ( )narga ; Ralph, who resides in
Utah; Millie, who is living in this county; Har-
lan, who is residing upon one of the farms be-
longing to his grandfather; Hazel and Edith.
Margaret .\nu is the wife nf John Xielmlds, a
retired business man of ( )narga. and they have
one son, William. Mnlex'. who is operating one
of his father's farms, is also married. .Mr. ;uid
Mrs. Smith also lost one child, their first born.
Sarah IClizabelh, who reached womanhood and
became the wife of Alpheus Keiuiedy. She died
in 1877, lea\-ing a daugliter. who also reached
womanhood and passed away in the fall of H)04.
.She was reared by Mr. .-md Mrs. Smith. .Mr.
Snn'th gives his politic-al allegiance to the repub-
lican ])arty but cast his first ])resi(!ential ballot
for a democratic candidate. I'"ranklin I'iirce. in
1852. He has, however, for a niuuber of vears
been identified with the republican organization.

He has never sought or desired office, although
he .served as town clerk in Iowa and as a member
of the school board. He was formerly identified
with the Odd Fellows society and his wife is a
member of the Christian church. He has been a
resident of the county for forty-one years, wit-
nessing its wonderful growth and development
and at the same time has kept pace in his busi-
ness career with the progress of the county until
he is now one of its largest landowners and most
successful business men. There has been no esot-
eric phase in his life record. On the contrary his
history is as an open book which all may read.
He was trained to habits of industry and economy
and he early learned the value of unremitting la-
bor, and it is through his close application and
his watchfulness of opportunities for judicious
investment that he has advanced by gradual yet
l)rogressive stages to his present position.

willia:\i 'm. hickey.

William M. Hickey is a young man who has
gained a creditable place in financial circles, serv-
ing at the present time as cashier of the State
Bank of Chebanse and also as a member of its
board of directors. Roth he and his father are
largelv interested in this institution and also in
the Liank of Irwin at Irwin, Illinois, of which
William 'SI. Hickey is manager. Born in Che-
banse on the 25th of September. 1882, he is a son
iif Thomas and Beeze (Conley) Hickey, of Brad-
ley. Illinois. He is the eldest of three sons, the
others being John, a graduate of St. Viateurs
College at Bourbonnais, Illinois ; and Richard,
who is a student in the public schools of IJrad-
ley.

.Vftcr obtaining his preliminary education in
the ])ublic schools of Chebanse William M. Hick-
ey spent two years as a student in St. X'iateurs
College, of P.ourbonnais Grove, Illinois, and three
years in .St. Ignatius College at Chicago. FoUriw-
ing his graduation from the last named institu-
tion he inirsued a commercial course in the Atli-
enaetnn business college in Chicago, and was
thus well (|ualified b\' liberal training for life's
])ractical and res])(insil)le duties. When he had
permanently put aside his text-books he connect-

WILLIAM M. lilt Ki:V.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNI\'FRP!rv Of ILLINOIS

^3^

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

c<l himself with the National L'ank at Uliatswortli,
Illinois, as assistant cashier and bookkct-ptr and
thns served nntil Scptiniber. 1906, \>hen he en-
tered njjon his present position as cashier of the
Stale r.ank of Chebanse upon its organization.
He is a young man typical of the progressive
spirit of the times and his diligence and la1)or
constitute him a rejiresentative factor in the busi-
ness life of the town.

Mr. Hickcy is a member of St. Mary's and
Joseph's Catholic church at Chebanse and since
i8<)2 he has affiliated with the Knights of Co-
lumbus at Kankakee. Illinois. His political views
accord with the principles of the republican party
and at the polls he always gives endorsement to
its candidates. The place which he has already
made fur himself in business circles argues well
for the future, for his qualities arc such as will
brook no obstacles if they can Ik overcome bv per-
sistent and straightforward effort.

HERBERT E. IWCEV

Herbert E. Pacey, residing on section 6. Pigeon
Grove township, operates a good farm of one
hundred and forty-two acres, belonging to his fa-
ther's estate, upon which he was 1)om February
7, 1870. He is a son of John and Eliza (Harms-
ton) Pacey. both of whom were natives of Eng-
land. The father was born, reared and married
in Lincolnshire and carried on agricultural pur-
suits there before his marriage, or until 1S56.
when he came to the new world. He made his
first location in Peoria county, Illinois, where he
engaged in farming rented land for twelve years
and on the expiration of that period he removed
to Iroquois county in 1868. With the money he
had saved from his earnings he invested in fifty-
eight acres of land, which he bought at twelve
dollars per acre. Today this same property is
worth about one hundred and fifty dollars per
acre. He built a home and Iwgan to till the soil,
which in due course of time brought forth rich
and abundant harvests. He later Imught eighty-
four acres adoining and thus made a givxl farm.
He lived here until i8<>8. when he removed to
Paxton, Illinois, where he died January 23. i<K>4.
at the age of seventy-two years. His wifi- -nr-

vives him and yet lives in Paxton in her seventy-
first year. This worthy cou|)le were the parents
of seven children, and Herlx-rt E. and Walter
still reside upon the old homestead, Walter oper-
ating a rented farm near this place.

Herl)ert E. Pacey at the usual age became a
student in the public schools anrl afterward pur-
sued a commercial course in the college at Onar-
ga. He has always lived on this place and has
helpeil to carry on the home farm from his early
youth to the present time. When but a boy he
lK>gan plowing, planting and liarvesting and on
attaining his majority he rented the place from
his mother and has since conducted it, its well
kept appearance indicating his careful supervi-
sion and practical methods.

On the 15th of .\pril, 1897, Mr. Pacey was
married to Miss Hattie Hall, a native of Iro-
quois county and a daughter of John Hall, who
was Ixirn in northern England and came to this
county about 18^)0. He served in defense of the
I'nion in the Civil war and reside<l here until his
death. I'nto Mr. and .Mrs. Pacey have been born
two children, but one died in infancy, the sur-
viving son being Cuy Harold.

The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal
church at Buckley. Mr. Pacey is a stalwart re-
publican, giving earnest allegiance to the party
when are involved the questions that divide the
two great political organizations but at local elec-
tions he casts an independent ballot. He has
served on the school l)oard as trustee, but other-
wise has never consented to hold office. His time
and energies are fully occupied by his business af-
fairs, which are bringing to him signal success.
He raises good graded hogs, also some cattle and
<lraft horses and is now conducting a profitable
business.

HON. JdllN I.. II.\Mll.r( )X'.

Hon. John L. Hamilton, whose life record was
one of signal usefulness and honor, his distin-
guished service and personal characteristics gain-
ing him a place in public regard that caused his
death to come as a per.sonal bereavement to the
great majority of citizens in Iroquois county,
|)assed awav in K/X). Few indeed have been the
ri~M.i!t> t.f the county that have occupied .so

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

prominent a position in public esteem and no liis-
tory of this section of the state would be com-
plete without the record of his life. He was born
of Scotch parents in County Armagh, Ireland.
November 9, 1829. and was a young man of twen-
ty-two years when he sought a home in .America,
attracted to this country by the favorable reports
which he had heard concerning its business op-
portunities and advantages. The year 1851 wit-
nessed his arrival.

He landed at Xew Orleans and soon after-
ward came to Illinois, settling in Jersey county.
where he began work as a common laborer on a
farm. Carefully saving his earnings he soon
became enabled to make a payment on one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land, arranging for the
purchase in 1861. On selling out there he came
to Iroquois county and settled on section 11, Love-
joy township, purchasing the entire section and
also the north half of section 14. on which the
village of Wellington was afterward built. He
watched his opportunities for judicious invest-
ment and owned other farms in Pigeon Grove,
Prairie Green and Middleport townships, until
at his death his realty holdings had reached the
extensive figure of twenty-five hundred acres in
this county, besides seventeen thousand acres in
Texas. He was seldom at error in matters of
business judgment and thus his investments were
carefully placed and were to him an excellent
source of income. He was also vice president
of the First National Bank of Watseka, and presi-
dent of the private banking institution of Hamil-
ton & Cimningham at Hoopeston. In all that he
did he displayed an aptitude for successful man-
agement together with a fertility of resource and
a native sagacity that constituted him a pre-em-
inently a man of affairs.

Mr. Hamilton aside from the successful con-
duct of extensive and important business inter-
ests filled many local ofiices of honor and trust,
being three times chairman of the hoard of county
supervisors and four times treasurer of Iroquois
county. His re-elections were indicative of his
capability and fidelity in office and the unfaltering
confidence reposed in him by his fellowmen. Still
higher honors awaited him, for he was called to
represent the people of the sixteenth district in
the state legislature, where he served with fidel-
ity and honesty u]) to the time of his death. He

gave to each question which came up for settle-
ment his earnest consideration and was swerved

by no personal prejudice or partisan feelings in
his legislative service.

Mr. Hamilton was married February 24, 1857,
to Miss Ann Eliza Leemon, a native of County
Armagh, Ireland, and they became the par-
ents of nine children, of whom seven are liv- ^,
ing, namely : John L., of Hoopeston. Illinois ; J-"'^
Mrs. Fannie Ayres, of St. Louis, ^Missouri : ^Irs.
Nettie Morse, of Troy, Pennsylvania ; William
A. : Edward C. : Edith : and George H.

Mr. Hamilton was an exemplary member of
the Masonic fraternity^ It is a difficult task to
offer a fitting memorial to the life and accom-
plishments of a man of his character — remark-
able in the breadth of his wisdom and in his in-
domitable perseverance and his strong individu-
alitv, and _\'et one whose entire life had not one
esoteric phase, being an open scroll, inviting the
closest scrutiny. True his were "massive deeds
and great" in one sense and yet his entire life ac-
complishment but represented the result of the
fitting utilization of the innate talent which was
his and the directing of his efforts in those lines
where mature judgment and rare discrimination
lead the way. He carved his name deeply on
the record of the political, agricultural and finan-
cial history of the county which owes much of
its advancement to his efforts. X

ENXAN CLARK.

Evlan Clark has since 1848. or for a period
of six decades, been a resident of Iroquois county,
and for many years he carried on the work of
tilling the soil and raising crops, which in course
of time brought him an excellent annual income
and enabled him to add yearly to his competence
until it is now sufficient to permit of his living
retired. He makes his home at the present writ-
ing in Sheldon and is one of its worthy and
rej)resentative citizens. He was born in St. Jo-
sei)h county, Michigan, .\ugust 18, 1838, and is
a .son of Ouartus and Nancy (Nye) Clark. The
father came with tlic family to Iroc|uois county
in 1848. locating in P.cavcr township, which at
that time had few inhabitants. Hardships and

t^^irWut^ Wr'^i/^

OP THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IRoOroiS COUNTY, H.I.INolS.

privations siidi as are al\va\s incidi-m in iroiuicr
life were the Int <>f the family in those early days.
The father was luit long periniiled tn enjov his
new Ihiine, for he was called to his final rest
in 1851. leaving his wife with four young chil-
dren, three of whom still survive, namely : l-'vlan.
of this review: Xiles. who was nanieil for the
town of Xiles. Michigan, and who is now living
in lienton county, Arkansas: and Mrs. Sarah
Nordyke. a resident of (Oakland, L'alifornia.

I'-vlan Clark ac<iuired his education in the dis-
trict schools of this county but his opix)rtimities
in that direction were very limited. He was
ten years of age at the time of the removal to Illi-
nois and was a little lad of only thirteen when his
father died. He began to earn his own living when
verv young and always had to work hard, so
that his youth was largely a perio<l of unremit-
ting toil. \\'hen he was twenty-four years of
age, feeling that his first tluty was to his coun-
try, he enlisted in .\ugust, 1862, and joined the
br)ys in blue of Company E, Seventy -sixth Illi-
nois X'olunteer Infantry, under Captain Irving,
serving for three years in Tennessee, Louisiana,
Mississippi. .Mabama and Florida. He partici-
pated in the siege of \icksburg. the charge on
I'ort r.lakely near Mobile. .Mabama. and many
other engagements of minor importance, and for
a few days he was ill in the camp hospital at
\'icksburg. During his service he was appointed
first sergeant an<l as such was honorably dis-
charged on the 5th of August. 1865. after three
years devoted to aiding his country in the sup-
pression of the rebellion and the preservation of
the Union.

When the war was over .Mr. Clark returned to
his home and for one year etigaged in cari)enter-
ing. He afterward spent i>ne year at work as a
farm hand by the month, and in i8(>8 he began
faruiing on his own account, having previously
purchased eightv acres of land in I'eaver lown-
shi|). He made other investments during the
war and still owns the property which became
the nucleus of his [ireseiit extensive and valuable
|H)ssessions. for he has addetl to his original hohl-
ings from time to time until he is now the owner
of four hundred and eighty acres of giwid land
in I'.eaver township. The im]>rovcments on the
j)lacc as seen in the well tilled fields and sul>
stantial buildings were placed there by him and

lie also tiktl his land, thus adding greatly to its
l»roductiveiiess. He followed general farming
and stiKk-rai.sing for a long jH'riod ami then at
length retired from business cares.

Iiefore entering the army Mr. Clark was mar-
ried, on the 0th of December, i860, to Miss
Llarissa K. Watkins. who was l)orn in Imliana.
.■\ugust 1;, 1843. and is a daughter r»f Jonathan
Watkins, whose birth occurred in Montgomery,
Indiana, in 1820, and who is now living retired
in .SheMon, having taken up his alMwIe in that
city in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three
children. .MlK-rt W., who was educate<l in Shel-
don .ind in the Chicago Commercial College, is
now with the Cleveland firain Company, at
Cleveland, ( >hio. Charles K., who was educated
in I'.loomington and in Cham])aign, Illinois, is
now professor of architecture in the State Uni-
versity. Mary K.. who was educate<l in Hloom-
ington and in the State University at Champaign,
from which she was graduated, is at home with
her father.

Mr. Clark retired from the farm and removed
to (iridley in I'ebruary, 1888. He afterward
went to Donovan as representative of the grain
finn of Watkins & Company for three years but
in the meantime established his home in BlfM>m-
ington, residing there and in Champaign. Illinois,
for seven years in order to provide his children
with the cducatif)nal advantages that could be
enjoyed in those cities. While living in liloom-
ington he established a lumberyard at Sheldon.
forming a partnership in !8<)5 with H. H. l^ast-
burn under the firm style of Rastburn & Clark.
They conducted this enterprise for some time,
after which .Mr. Clark .sol<l out and permanently
|nit aside business cares, now living in honorable
retirement. In 1895 the family rfniiived to Shel-
don and now occui>y one of the fine homes of the
city, which was built by Mr. Clark.

In his political views Mr. t'lark is independent.
His first Vote was cast for Stephen .\. Douglas,
the nominee of the democratic parly in i8^)0. He
has held various local offices, serving as assessor,
collector, school treasurer, highway commis-
sioner and town clerk, and many years ago was
commissifiner of the drainage canal. He is a sur-
veyor and does considerable work in that line.
l"raternally he is connccte<I with the Cirand Army
of the Republic, and he and his wife and chil-

PAST AND PRESENT OF

dren arc all members of the Methodist church.
At the time of his marriage he was empty-handed
and all that he has since possessed and enjoyed
has been acquired through his own labors. He
is strictly a self-made man, deserving of all the
praise which that term implies and as the archi-
tect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and
well. Moreover, the accumulation of wealth has
not been his sole aim and purpose, for he has
recognized his duties and obligation to his fel-
lowmen. to his friends and to his family, has
been honorable and just in his treatment of all
with whom he has come in contact, while in his
home he has regarded no personal sacrifice on
his part as too great if it would promote the
welfare and happiness of his wife and children.

A. L. PEARCE.

One of the well improved farm properties of
'Concord township is in possession of A. L.
Pearce, an enterprising and practical agricul-
turist. He was born in Warren county, Indi-
ana, September 9, 1835, and is numbered among
the early residents of Iroquois county, having
for almost a half century resided within its bor-
ders. His father, Andrew Pearce, was born in
Kentucky and removed to Indiana in 1826. He
cast his lot with the pioneer residents of War-
ren cotmty and entered from the government
two hundred and forty acres of land. Not a
furrow had been turned nor an improvement
made upon the place but with characteristic en-
•ergy he began its development and in course of
years the raw tract was converted into very pro-
ductive fields. He married Marinda Lewis, a na-
tive of ( )hio, ancl they became the parents of
eleven children.

The boyhood and youth of A. L. Pearce were
quietly passed in the state of his nativity. He
became familiar with farm work in all of its de-
partments, as he rendered active assistance to his
father in carrying on the home place. Having
arrived at years of maturity, he was married
in Warren county, Indiana, in 1857, to Miss
Esther Armstrong, who was there born in 1840.
The following year they started for Illinois, trav-
■eling by wagon to Milford, for it was before

the era of extensive railroad building and many
of the journeys throughout the country were
made by wagon or other private conveyance or
by stage. On reaching this county ^Ir. Pearce
rented land and so continued to engage in farm-
ing until 1865, when with the money that he had
managed to save he purchased forty acres of land
from Henry Sherl on section 6, Concord town-
ship. Ambitious, however, to have a much larger
farm, he added to the property as opportunity
offered. In 1866 he bought forty acres more
land, in 1868 an additional tract of forty acres
and in 1872 sixty acres on section i, Aliddleport
township. In 1884 he invested in another tract
of forty acres and still later bought one hundred
and forty acres. In 1872 he erected a good
dwelling on his place on section 6, Concord
township, and in 1875 built a barn, while in
1900 he built a fine new barn, forty-two by sev-
enty-two feet. He has ditched and tiled the land
and fenced all of it himself. Only fifteen acres
had been broken when the farm came into his
possession, but, being a man of diligence and
resolute spirit, he has continued the work of
placing the farm under cultivation and has made
it a valuable property. He was actively and
successfully engaged in general farming and
stock-raising until the last few years, when he
has lived retired, leaving the active work of car-
rying on the farm to his sons, although he still
gives to the business his general supervision.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearce became the parents of
five children, of whom three are yet living : N.
S., who runs the home farm ; Rosa Lee, the wife
of Charles Shaw : and Arthur M., at home. The
wife and mother died .\|iril 13, 1887, and her
death was deeply regretted by many friends, for
she was verv widelv and favorably known in
this jiart of the county. Their son, Newton, who
was born in IMilford in 1861. has always fol-
lowed farming and stock-raising and has been
at home with his father since 1892, now having
charge of the farm. In that year he was mar-
ried in Chicago to Miss Etta Piarriball, who was
liorn in Cook county, Illinois, and died May 6,

1904-

]\Ir. Pearce exercises his right of franchise in

support of the men and measures of democracy

and has served in several local offices, acting as

road commissioner and for three terms as su-

A. L. I'EARCE.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQL'OIS COUXTV. 1I.I.IX( »IS.

pervisor of Concord townsliip. He has likewise
l)een school dircclor lor tweiitv years and his
interest in conniuinity affairs is that »jt a pultlic-
spiriled citizen, wlio lias piven active co-opera-
tion to many ))laiis anil nioveinenls for tile gen-
eral g;<x)d. He has been a nieniiier of the Chris-
tian church since 1874 and lias cuntrilnited lib-
erally to its support. His life has been honor-
able, his actions manly and sincere and his poinl
qualities have won for him the favorable regard
mill trust i>f his fellowmeii.

TOHX ()\ kr.\cki:r.

While there is truth in the cry that corru|)tioii
«xists in political circles in the city, it is equally
true that in the rural districts an election to of-
fice is an expression of popular approval and
popular choice. .Abraham Lincoln said. "Vou
may fool all of the people some of the time and
some of the people all of the time, but you can't
fool all of the people all of the time," and when
a man has lonjj been continued in the public
service it is unmistakable ])roof of his fidelity
to duty and the confidence reposed in him by his
fellowmen. We are led to this train of reflec-
tion in considering the fact that John ( )veracker
has for twenty-seven years served as collector
of Danforth township, and has been elected for
the twenty-eighth year. He resides in the vil-
lage of Danforth. where be has made his home
for the past thirty-six years, carrying on busi-
ness as a contractor, carpenter and builder, so
that bis laliors have been a material elenuiit in
the improvement of the town and surrounding
country. .\ native of St. Lawrence county. Xew
York, his birth occurred .\pril 1. 1841. his par-
ents being John W. and Susan (Howes) ( )ver-
acker, both of whom were natives of the Ijiiiiirc
state. They were farming ))eo|)le ami contiinifd
their residence in Xew York until called to their
final rest, the father passing away in li^/t. at
the age of seventy-six years, having long sur-
vived his wife, who died in 1855. In their fam-
ily were seven children but with the exception of
our subject none ever came to the west. Two (»f
the number are now dcceasetl. while the others
reside in the old home town in St. I-awrcncc

County, .New \ ork. Having lust his lirst wiic
the father wedded Miss ZuUer, and they had
seven children, six of whom are residents of the
lMn])ire state, while one has passed away.

John Dveracker was reared in the county of
his nativity and though in iiis youth he worked
upnn the farm, he preferred iither occupation
and in early life learneil the carpenter's trade.
He has since been identified w ith building o]>era-
tiuns and one of the elements of his success is
undoubtedly the fact that he has continuously
devoted his energies to that occupation in which
he embarked as a young tradesman. He soon
Ix'came an excellent workman and his capability
and his fidelity to the tenns of a contract have
secured him liberal pain mage and won him
gratifying success. He dates his residence in
Illinois from i8(j3. at which time he took up his
abode in Kendall county with his bride. He
had lieen recently married in the Empire state
to Miss Jane I'ringle. who was born in Roxboro,
Scotland, in .\ugust, 1841, a daughter of James
and Catherine Pringlc, who came to .\merica in
May. 1S50, settling in St. I^wrence county.
Xew York, where their subsequent years were
passed. The father died during the early girl-
hood of Mrs. Overacker, and the mother after-
ward married a Mr. Ireland, and passed away in
i<^4. at the very advanced age of eighty-si.x
years. I'y her first marriage she liad two chil-
dren, the son being George I'ringle. a resident
of Michigan. By the second marriage there were
sons and daughters who are now living in the
east. .\s staled, in the year of their marriage
.Mr. ami Mrs. ( )veracker became residents of
Kendall county, Illinois. He had visited the
state two years before and had determined upon
locating here. He came from Kendall county to
lr<K|uciis county, settling in the village of Dan-
forth, where for thirty-six years he has made
his home, being closely connected with its build-
ing operations throughout this period. Many
important contracts have been awarded him and
he lias erected substantial public buildings and
residences Ixuli in the town and thningh the
surrounding country.

I'lito Mr. and Mrs. (Overacker have been born
three sons, who are yet living, while four chil-
dren have passed away. .Ml are natives of Iro-
(|iniis county and those who still .survive are:

PAST AND PRESENT OF

John W., who is proprietor of an elevator at
Danforth and resides with his father ; \\ilHam,
who is in business with his father, and Lyman,
who is connected with the elevator at Dan-
forth. Those who have passed away are :
Lester, Hattie, Charles and George, the last
named dying in 1903, at the age of twenty-nine
years, while Lester and Hattie died at the age of
four and six years respectively, while Charles
was a child of three years at the time of his
demise.

John Overacker is widelv recognized as one
of the leaders in the ranks of local democracy
and served for four years during President
Cleveland's administration as postmaster of Dan-
forth. As stated, he has for twenty-seven years
been collector of Danforth township and not a
cent entrusted to his care has ever been used for
other than its legitimate purposes. He was one
of the organizers of the town of Danforth, and
was a member of the board until 1905, during
one year of which time he served as its presi-
dent. He is thoroughly reliable, his political in-
tegrity being above question, while his honesty
in business life is also unassailable. Socially he
is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Ash-
kum and of the encampment at Onarga. In
his religious views he favors the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and his wife, the Presbyterian
church. During the long years of their residence
in Danforth they have ever occupied an honor-
able position in social circles, enjoying the es-
teem and confidence of all with whom they have
been associated and none are more \vi:)rthy of
honorable mention in this volume.

THOMAS L. CLIFTON.

Thomas L. Clifton is an agriculturist living on
section 2, Ash Grove township, and upon this
farm his birth occurred October 28, i860. His
father, John Clifton, was born in Delaware and
when a lad of seven years became a resident of
Indiana, being reared near Attica, \Varrcn coun-
ty, amid the wild scenes of frontier life. There
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Kennard, a
native of Pennsylvania, who was reared, however,
in Ohio and Indiana and engaged in teaching

prior to her marriage. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs.
Clifton removed westward to Illinois, where he
purchased raw land, upon which not a furrow
had been turned or an improvement made. He
resolutely took up the task of developing a new
farm, which in the course of years became very
profitable and productive. Upon it he reared his
family and spent his last years, passing away in
1886. His wife still survives him and resides
upon the old home place. After her husband's
death Mrs. Clifton purchased the interest of the
other heirs in the property and her son, Thomas
L., has carried on the farm. He was the eldest
of six children, the others being : Mary Lou,
the wife of A. E. Wilson, of Edgerton, Minne-
sota ; Sadie E., a teacher in the high school at
Crescent City, this county ; Emily C, twin sister
of Sadie E. and the wife of John Grunden, of
Oklahoma ; Eliza K., at home ; and John W., who-
assists in carrying on the home farm.

The farm upon which our subject was born re-
mained his playground in his boyhood and was
also his training school for business life, for he
early began assisting in the work of field and
meadow and soon became familiar with all de-
partments of farming. His more specifically liter-
ary education was acquired in the public schools
and when not busy with his text-books he aided
his father, continuing with him until the latter's
death, when he took charge of the farm and busi-
ness. Since taking charge of the property Mr.
Clifton has rebuilt and added to the residence,
which is now a neat and pleasant home. He has
also put up a good barn and granary, has set out
fruit and has drained his land by modern proc-
esses of tiling. He has also built many rods of
fence and in fact has carried on farm work along
the most progressive lines. In connection with
the tilling of the soil he raises full blooded Jersey
cattle and has some fine stock upon his place.
The farm embraces one hundred and twenty-five
acres of land and is an excellent property, which
from pioneer times has been in possession of the
family.

In his political allegiance Mr. Clifton is a demo-
crat and has been elected and served in several
local offices. In 1906 he was chosen supervisor
bv a good majority in a strong republican town-
ship and against a prominent re]niblican farmer,
and his election was certainlv an indication of his-

iRoQL'ois rorxTV. iii i\<>i<

«3

pcrsiinnl pii])iilarit\' antl ilu- con(i<k'ncc uimim-iI in
him by his fdlovvmcn. lie has also Ixcii noniinci;
of his party for sheriff of lro(|iiois couiitv. As a
member of the board of siiiH-rvisurs he is sirvinj^
on the road and bridge cnniiniltce and also on
the cnnnty farm committee. Mrs. Clifton and her
daii|;hters are mend)ers of the McthiMlist ICpiscfi-
pal cluirch and the family is well known in this
locality. Thomas Clifton lias a wide actpiaint-
ance in Watseka and throujihout the county where
he has spent his entire life, and he has a host of
warm friends. He is a man of ).;ood business
ability, of exemplary habits and ui>ri}j^ht charac-
ter, is worthy the trust of his fellownien and fully
merits the good will which is uniforndy extended
him.

JOHN' FROBISH.

.Among the residents of Onarga who are now
living retired, enjoying a well earned rest after
many years of active, earnest and honorable toil.
John Frohish is numbered. He was in fornn'r
years identified with agricultural pursuits in Iro-
quois and Livingston counties. He is moreover
a native son of this state, having been born in
Marshall county, near Lacon, on the 28th of
March, 1864. His father, John M. Frobish,
was a native of Gennany and was reared and
educated there. Coming to the new world, he
located in Monroe county, Ohio, and was mar-
ried there to Elizabeth Krunnner, a native of
Switzerland, in which land she spent her girl-
hood days and with her parents came to the new
world, settling first in Wheeling, West \'irginia.
It was in the year i86j that Mr. Frobish cainc
to Illinois, taking up his aljode in Marshall coun-
ty, where he 0|X'ned up a new farm, upon whicli
he believed for five years. It was during that pe-
riod that the birth of our subject occurred. lie
afterward removed with his family to Livingston
county, locating about ten miles west of Pontiac,
where he purchased and improved a large tmct
of land, adding to it many modern equipments
and accessories. There he died five years later,
or in 1869. His wife survived him and cai)ably
reared the family, spending her last days upon
the old homestead. She was the mother of seven

Suns and three daughters, ui whom five siin>
and the daughters are yet living.

John Froi)ish, reared to manhood in Livingston
County, enjoyed oidy common-schi«il advantages
in his youth. He was trained to the active work
of the fann and remained with his mother, as
did the other members of the family, until all
were of age. Mrs. Frobish was a woman of su-
perior l)usincss ability and iirit only paid oflf a
large indel)tedness u|)on the farm and reared her
family, but was also enabled to place good im-
provements upon the land. Under her direction
the farm was tiled and fenced and she success-
fully managed the financial interests of the busi-
ness until success resulted. Wherever known
she was esteemed for her ability and enter])rise
and she had the confidence and respect of all.
.Subsapient to attaining his majority John l-'ro-
bish traveled for the greater |)art of a year, go-
ing east to Ohio and Wheeling, West N'irginia.
also to Pittsburg and .Allegheny City, Pennsyl-
vania. He then returned home and for one year
engaged in operating a part of the old home-
stead farm. The estate was then divided, after
which he operated his own and his mother's
share and later his eldest brother bought out the
interest of the other heirs and has one half of the
homestead. For four years John Frobish carrie<I
on general agricultural pursuits there, or until
the death of his mother, after which the remain-
der of the estate was sold' and Mr. Frobish came
to Iroquois county. After farming for seven
years he bought land seven miles southeast of
Onarga on section 36, Onarga township, thus
becoming owner of two hundred and forty acres
He located thereon and at once Ixgan the further
development and improvement of the jilace. He
has since added to and remodeled the residence,
has built a liarn. cribs and granary and has laid
some eighty thousand tile on the place. He has
also fenced the fields and set out a young or-
chard. Thus year after year the work of im-
provement was carried forward along modern
lines of agricuhuml progress. Mr. Frobish re-
mained on the place for nine years, on the expira-
tion of which period he rented his land and took
uj) his alxide in Onarga, purchasing a lot on
which he erected a commodious modern resi-
dence, heated with furnace. lighted by eli-ctricity
and supplied with water. This is one of the 1h-.i

«4

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

residences of the town and would be a credit to
any city of much larger size.

It was on the 12th of January, 1888, in Living-
ston county, that Mr. Frobish was united in mar-
riage to Miss Ida Alice Dutoit, who was born in
that county. Four sons graced this marriage:
\\'alter E., Ralph E., Charles L. and Bert E.. but
the second son died at the age of eighteen
months.

Fraternally -Mr. Frobish is connected with the
Odd Fellows, having joined the order in Onarga,
and both he and his wife arc identified with the
Rebekah degree. His political allegiance is
given to the republican party and for eight years
he served on the school board while residing
upon the farm. He has also been district clerk
and while residing in Livingston county he filled
the office of township collector. He was also a
delegate to \^rious county conventions at Pon-
tiac and was known as one of the stalwart advo-
cates of republican principles. In the manage-
ment of his business affairs he has shown keen
discernment and sagacity, being rarely at fault
in a matter of business judgment. The value of
industry and close application he has fully under-
stood and by reason of the exercise of these
qualities he has advanced in his agricultural and
financial undertakings until his success makes
him one of the prosperous retired residents of
■Onarga.

CHARLES D. DISOSWAY.

Charles D. Disosway, living just outside the
corporation limits of Sheldon, has a beautiful
Ikiiiic. standing in the midst of five acres of
ground. The house and all of the surroundings
and cfjuipments constitute a most attractive pic-
ture in the landscape. Pleasantly situated in life
Mr. Disosway was fornn-rly actively (.n.Liaged in
farming and his toil and labor brought to him the
capital that now enables him to (.-ujoy a well
earned rest.

He was born in ninwiddic- couiitN, \'ii-ginia.
April 16, 1851. and is a son of M. R. lJis(jsway.
whose birth occurred in Xew York city in 1818.
l-roin the nietrojiolis he removed to .\e\v Jersey
and 1,-iter to \irginia. He was a farmer b\- oc-

cupation and at the time of the Civil war joined
the Confederate army and advocated the south-
ern cause. In 1867 he came to Illinois, settling
first in ^larshall county, where he lived until
1876. That year witnessed his arrival in Iro-
quois counts-, where he purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land, residing thereon until
1890. He had then retired and removed to Shel-
don, where he spent his remaining days, passing
away in February, 1901. His widow still sur-
vives and is living in Sheldon, at the age of
eightv vears. Thev were the parents of seven
children, of whom six are yet living, namely :
Charles D.. whose name introduces this record;
Mrs. Mary E. Gantz, a resident of Wenona, Illi-
nois: Airs. Willie A. Wright, residing in N'arna,
this state; Mrs. Letitia B. Slife, residing near
Milford, Illinois; Alark Randolph, who is a resi-
dent of Sheldon and is mentioned on another
page of this work; and Mrs. Louisa Turner, a
resident of Piper City, Illinois. The father gave
his political allegiance to the democracy and his
fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and
abilitv. called him to several local offices. He
served as supervisor of Sheldon township, being
the first democrat elected to that office in years,
lie s\as also a member of the school lioard and
gave loval support to many measures and move-
ments for the general good. Both he and his
wife were faithful members of the Alethodist
Episcopal church, living in harmony with their
professions.

Charles D. Disosway acquired his education in
the common schools of \irginia and through in-
struction received from his mother during the
])eriiid of the war. He afterward attended the
common schools of Marshall county but is largely
indebted to his mother for his intellectual ac-
c|uirements. Mrs. Disosway being a lady of su-
perior culture and attainments. Farm work
largely occupied his attention through the period
of his boyhoinl and youth and he worked at home
while in .Marshall county. After coming to Iro-
(|uois county he bought a farm of eighty acres,
which he still owns. This jiroved the nucleus
of his present extensive jjossessions, for as the
vears have come and gone he has added continu-
allv to his pro])erty interests until he has six hun-
dred and forty-five acres of fine land in Sheldon
and C"oncord townships. There is no richer land

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IROOrolS COrXTY. II.I.I.\')1:

ill all the cuiintry tliaii in Illinois and thus his
proptTty is very valuable. He has made all of
the iini>rovenients and erected all of the build-
ings on his two famis, together with the build-
ings at the place where he now resides. These
stand as monuments to his thrift, enterprise and
labor, and his persistency of purpose and unfal-
tering diligence constitute the secret of his suc-
cess, and enabled him to advance from an humble
position to one of affluence. He retired in 1898
and took up his abode at his present home, a<l-
joining the corporation limits of Sheldon. While
.on the farm he raised cattle, hogs and horses ami
was widely known as a successful stockman,
making a specialty of fine horses.

Mr. Disosway was married January 1, 1884, to
Miss Hulda 1!. Slife, of Huntington county, In-
<liana, and they have three sons. Mark D. is a
graduate of the Sheldon high school and will
complete the niechanical engineering course in the
University of Illinois with the class of KpJ.
Dan S. is a graduate of the high school of Shel-
■don and of the Quincy (Illinois) Business Col-
lege, and for one year was a student at the State
University. Charles Wilbur is now in his second
year in the Sheldon high school.

Mr. Disosway is a republican, and he keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of the
■day and is a stalwart advocate of the principles
in which he believes. He was elected supervisor
of Sheldon township in 1902 and served for one
tcnn. He has been a member of the board of
education since taking up his abode in the city
and he previously served on the school board
while living upon his farm. He is now one of
the directors of the Farmers Elevator Coinpany
at Sheldon, and in community affairs is deeply
interested to the extent of giving hearty support
and co-operation to many movements which have
direct bearing ujion the welfare and ujibuilding
of the county. He and his wife and their young-
est sons are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church. The family home is a fine two-story
residence. On the place is a large barn and he
keeps two horses for driving purposes. There
is also nnich small fruit upon the place. Their
home is one of comfort and hospitality, and their
friends greatly enjoy the entertainment which is
furnished them, noth Mr. and Mrs. Disosway
have a large circle of friends who esteem them
5

highly for their many good qualities. Without
sjiccial advantages at the outset of his career Mr.
Disosway has put ilue valuation upon life's opjxjr-
tunitics, has utilized his advantages to the best
of his ability and is now enabled to live retired,
surrounded by many of the comforts of life and
some of the luxuries.

THO.M.VS J. McM.MlOX.

liusiness records are largely the standards by
which men are judged today. This is a utili-
tarian age and the pmminent man is he who suc-
cessfully establishes or controls growing enter-
pri.ses which contribute to general development
and prosperity in the community in which he lives.
.\n able representative of the business life of Che-
banse is Thomas J. McMahon, assistant cashier
of the State Uank and a real-estate dealer, and
in the control of his interests he lias not only
shown an aptitude for successful management but
also has closely followed methods which neither
seek nor require disguise.

His life record began in Chebanse township,
October 17, i?/Ct~. his parents being Michael and
Elizabeth (Maloney) McMahon. He pursued his
education in the public schools of the village, of
which he is a graduate an<l, entering commercial
life, he was for three years employed as a clerk in
the general store of Hickey Brothers of Chebanse.
He afterward went to Chicago, where for two
vears he was a salesman in the establishment of
11. R. Eagle & Company, wholesale and retail
grocers, and on the expiration of that period he
returned to his native townshi]). where he en-
gaged in farming until March. i8(>3. In March.
1893, he took charge of the general store of Mrs.
Porter in Chelwnse and served as manager for
ten years. When that decade had passe<l he
turned his attention to the real-estate and insur-
ance business, in which line he has since l)een
very successful, negotiating annually many ini-
|)ortant realty transfers and at the same time
writing a large amount of insurance each year.
In (October, njo6, he closed the largest deal in
real estate ever consummated in the county — the
sale of five hundred and thirty-seven acres of land
in Chebanse township, for which sixty-two thou-

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

sand dollars cash was paid. Mis commissions,
because of the iiuniher and matjnitiide of his sales.
have been larjje and gratifying- and he has made
judicious investment in property, so that he now
owns a good farm near Heron Lake. Minnesota,
together with a house and lot in Chebanse. He
also holds forty shares in the State Bank of Che-
banse, in which he is filling the office of assistant
cashier. He was the organizer of this institution,
which is proving of great value in the business
life of the town.

Mr. McMahon is recognized as one of the lead-
ers in the local ranks of democracy and in 1892
he served as tax collector in Otto township, Kan-
kakee county. Illinois, while living upon the
farm. In 1902- 1903 he was collector of taxes
in Chebanse township. He served as a member
of the village council for six years and at the
present writing is a member of the central com-
mittee of Chebanse township. He keeps thor-
oughly informed concerning the questions and is-
sues which divide the two great parties and is in
thorough s}-mpath\- with those political ideas and
plans which constitute the platform of democracy.

Mr. Mc^Iahon is identified with various frater-
nal and civic societies, belonging to ^Modern
Woodmen camp, No. 994, of Chebanse, to St.
Man-'s Court, No. 485, of the Catholic Order of
Foresters at Chebanse, to the Royal Arcanum at
Chicago, to the Knights of Columbus at Bour-
bonnais Grove. Illinois, to the Illinois Central
Land Agents Association and to St. Mary's and
Joseph's Catholic church of Chebanse. In these
different organizations he has won warm friend-
ship of nianx' who recognize his genuine persona!
worth as well as his business ability and his public
spirit.

THOMAS JOHN.

The name of John has figured in connection
with the history of this county for a period
equalled by few, for when Indians still inhabited
this section of the state, when the homes of the
white settlers were very widely scattered and the
work of developing the land for the uses of
civilization had scarcely begun, Lemuel John,
father of our subject, took up his abode in Mil-
ford township, and the work which he instituted

is now being carried forward by Thomas John,,
who is justly accounted one of the leading agri-
culturists of the county.

Lemuel John, a native of Adams county, Ohio,
was born May 8, 1807. and was a son of Thomas
and Nancy John. His childhood and youth were
spent in the usual manner of farm lads of that
period and locality and. while he had the oppor-
tiniitv of attending the common schools, his
advantages in that direction were somewhat lim-
ited, because of the inferior condition of the
schools at that time. Thinking that it would
not be so difficult to obtain a farm upon the
frontier, yet realizing fully the hardships and
difficulties which he would meet in a pioneer lo-
cality, Lemuel John came to Iroquois county
when twenty-four years of age, and entered a
claim from the government. This was in 1831,
and his land lay in !Milford township. He at
once began to develop the farm, which up to this
time was entirely destitute of improvements and
after living upon the place for some years he
sold out to Air. \'ennum and removed to Bel-
mont township. In the latter township, about
1836, he married Aliss Catherine Williamson, a
native of Adams county, Ohio, and they became
the parents of three sons and two daughters :
William, who died in childhood ; Sarah, the wife
of George Wilson, of Nebraska: Nancy, the wife
of Robert Clifton, a resident farmer of Ash
Grove township; Thomas; and Samuel, who is
living retired in Woodland. As the years passed
Mr. John reared his familv and carried on the
work of the farm, advancing by reason of his
intense and well directed industry from a humble
financial position to one of affluence. In the
early days the family endured all the hardships,
privations and trials incident to the establish-
ment of a home upon the frontier, and at the time
of the Black Hawk war, they were forced to
flee to the fort in Danville for protection. The
father died in Belmont township, November 30,
1847, at the age of forty-one years, while the
mother survived until the loth of May. 1867.

The old homestead farm in Belmont township
was the birthplace of Thomas John and his
natal day was October 29, 1841. His environ-
ment in youth was such as is usually met on the
frontier. When but a small boy he began w^ork
in the fields, for he lost his father when only

TIIu.MAS JOIIiW

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UNIVERSITY OF ILUNOIS

IROgiUlS c. ilXTV, 11,1. 1.\i >\

six years of age. and as his years aiul .^tniijiili
increased more and more of the work of the
farm devolved upon liim and wlien still (|nite
younp he assumed its entire manajjemenl. With
the assistance of his mother he carried on tiie
farm and attended to all of the business interests.
He has never sought to change his occupatiim
but has always carried on the work of the fields
and also raised stock. He owns today four
hundred and forty-five acres of valuable land.
A commodious and attractive residence and sub-
stantial barns, sheds and cribs are leading fea-
tures of the place and the farm is one of the
desirable properties of Belmont township, with
its richly cultivated fields and good grades of
stock.

On the ^3d of October. 1867. Mr. John was
united in marriage, in Milford township, to Miss
Elizabeth \'. Webster, a native of Ohio, and a
daughter of Robert and Mary J. Webster, who
came with their family to Illinnis from Indiana.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. John were born six children.
Elizabeth \'., the wife of Guy Davis, was for
some time prior to her marriage a successful
teacher. She died at the age of thirty-one years,
leaving two children, Lavern and Elizabetli.
The oldest living member of the family is Cath-
erine Edith, now the wife of Isaac Kirby. a
resident fanner of Scotland county, Mis.souri.
Lillian, who also engaged in teaching, is the
wife of Ed Hawk, a farmer of Iroquois town-
ship. Eloise is the wife of Louis Benson, a
farmer of Belmont township, who is mentioned
elsewhere in this volume. Sarah Maud is the
wife of C. .\. Long, a railroad contractor at
Dayton. C)hio. Lemuel C. a graduate of ( )nar-
ga Seminary, is operating the home farm. The
mother died March 30. 1891, at the age of forty-
five years and Mr. John and his son Lemuel em-
ploy a housekeeper to take care of the home.

With the exception of one year spent in the
Idaho gold-fields. Mr. John has continuously re-
sided in Iro(|uuis county, and the pioneer home of
the family, a log cabin of a typical character, is
now in possession of the Old Settlers' .Association
of Watseka. He has cleared land and s])lit rails
for fences. The old homestead stood on Sugar
creek and as was the custom in pioneer times,
the cabin was built near the water. They suf-
fered much from fever and ague rather than

brave the wiiuers on the prairies. The wi>rk
of development and cultivation has been carried
forward with the advancing years according to
modern ideas of agricultural progress. There
is today fifteen hundred rods of tile on the
place and the farm is well fenced and ecjuipiu'd
with the latest improved machinery.

Mr. John is a stanch advocate of the democ-
racy but votes independently at local elections.
He served his township as highway commis-
sioner for seven years and was school director
and trustee for over twenty years. He i.^ a
valued member of the ( )dd I'ellows society, at
Woodland, and the Masonic lodge, at Watseka.
and is trustee of the W<Midland Methodist h'pis-
copal church. His life has been characterized
by honorable principles and manly conduct, by
faithfulness to duty in frieiidslii]) and by trust-
worthiness in his business. The family name
lias ever been a resjU'Cted one of this county,
where from the earliest period in the develop-
ment of the locality, the naine has been known.
The life record of Thomas John is in harmony
with that of others of the name and as a repre-
sentative citizen we ])resent his record to our
readers.

JOH.X 1). WEBSTER.

John D. Webster is one of the active business
iiien of Woodland, where he is engaged in deal-
ing in grain, lumber and coal. He has thus
been identified with the interests of the town
for the past four years and previously he was
classed with the prosperous farmers of Milford
townshiji for more than four decades. His long
residence in the county makes him one of its old
settlers for here he has lived since 1861. .Mr.
Webster was born in Ireland and came to the
new world with his father and his family, settling
first in ( )hio, while subsecpiently they removed
to Montgomery county, Indiana, locating near
Crawfordsville. In 1861 they came to Ir<K|uois
county, Illinois, and the father purchased a farm
upon which he spent his remaining days, passing
away on the old home j)!ace on the 29th of Octo-
ber, i<)Oi. His wife had died some years he-
fore.

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

John D. Webster, whose name introduces this
review, was but a younsj lad when brought to the
United States, and in Indiana he was reared. He
received only common-school advantages and re-
mained with his father until his death. His train-
ing at farm labor was not meager, for at an early
age he began work in the fields and soon became
familiar with all of the duties and laljors that
fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As the years
passed by he took charge of the farm and busi-
ness and in due course of time succeeded to the
old homestead, comprising three hundred and six-
ty acres of rich land, in the midst of which
stands a good residence and substantial barns
and outbuildings. He has tiled the place and
thus added to its productiveness, and fenced the
fields, while several artesian wells furnish an
exhaustive supply of flowing water for the stock.
At one time he was also the owner of a farm of
one hundred and thirty-one acres two .and a half
miles west of Milford. Later he sold that place
and in 1902 he put aside the more active work
of the fields and removed to Woodland, where
he purchased the elevator, lumberyard and coal
business. He has been quite successful as a mer-
chant and has secured a liberal patronage here
which makes his trade a profitable one.

Air. ^^'ebster was married in 1877 to Miss
Ella Williamson, who was Ijom and reared here
and died February 13, 1884. There were four
children by that union, three sons and a daughter :
Nellie Grace, a graduate of the state normal
school and now a teacher in the public schools
of Decatur, Illinois ; Robert P)., who is now con-
nected with mining interests in Arizona ; John
Wesley, who is the manager of the grain and
lumber business for his father : and George, who
is married and carries on the home farm. After
losing his first wife Mr. Webster was again
married, when in Milford townshi]5, in i8gi, he
wedded Miss Mary E. Goodyear, who was also
born and reared in Iroquois coiuuv. 'i'here arc
four children of this union, of whom three are
living: Alice Mabel, Jennie D. and .Mary llelen.
They also lost one child, Olive G.

Mt. Webster affiliates with Watseka lodge
A. F. & A. M., and is in thorough svmpathy with
the teachings and tenets of the craft. He is un-
faltering in his advocacy of republican princii)les.
believing that the ])art\- jjlatfurm cnntains the

best elements of good government. When on
the farm he served as district clerk for thirty
years and he is a stanch advocate of the public
schools. He is highway commissioner in Wood-
land, and has been re-elected. His life has
been one of continuous activity, in which has been
accorded due recognition of labor. He has been
practical in all that he has undertaken, working
toward results that are gratifying, and in his
business life has manifested a spirit of devotion
to wearisome details, without which success can
never be achieved.

ED\\'ARD ELAIING.

Although born in Sweden in 1863. Mr. Elming
was brought by his parents, Andrew and Bertha
(Anderson) Elming. to the United States when
he was two years of age, and with the exception
of about a decade has resided in Iroquois county
since that time. Coming to America in 1866, the
father located in Beaver township, Iroquois
county and in 1874 purchased a farm of eighty
acres on section 14. He developed and cultivated
the farm, made all of the improvements upon
the place and followed farming and stock-raising
there throughout his active business career. His
family numbered a dau.ghter and two sons, name-
ly : Airs. Emma Swanson : Edward, whose name
introduces this record ; and Albert, deceased.
The wife and mother has also passed away.

As stated, Mr. Elming was brought to Amer-
ica in 1866. being then but two years of age.
He was here reared and educated, remaining with
his parents until twenty-two years of age, when
he went to Kansas, and later to Chicago, Illi-
nois, where he worked for one year at the under-
taking business. He then engaged in the gro-
cery business, which he followed for nine years,
after which he came again to Iroquois county
and took up his abode on the old homestead farm,
which he rented and operated tor three years.
He then bought an improved farm of eighty
acres on section 14. I'.eaver township, and in ad-
dition to the cultivation of his own land he leases
a tract of eighty acres from his father, thus culti-
vating altogether a tract of one hundred and
sixtv acres. In addition to raising the cereals

IROOUOTS COUNTY. II.I.IN'OIS.

bi>i a<lapti'd to soil ami climate In hkismsc cn-
pajii-s in the raisinjj of cattle and hfijjs.

It was (luring his residence in Chicago that
Mr. Miming met ami married Miss Minnie I'os-
tcr, a resident of that city, their marriage being
celebrated in iS<>5. They have become the par-
ents of two children, both still under the ])arenlal
roof, these In-ing .\lbcrt Foster and Aura Chris-
tine.

Mr. l-;iming's siuil\- of the current lojjics and
events of the day has led him to give his sup-
port to the prohibition party. His religious faith
is indicated by his mcmbershi]) in the Methodist
church, of which he is a trustee and the secretary,
while in the Sunday-school he is now acting as
superintendent. Mr. Elming and his family are
highly esteemed in the community where they re-
side and are prominent in church and social
circles.

D.WTD I.. PARKER.

David L. Parker, who I>ecame a resident of
Iroquois county in 1876 and made his home here
until his death in 1889, became clo.sely associated
with agricultural and manufacturing interests
and in his business career manifested those traits
and qualifications which contribute to general
commercial progress as well as to individual suc-
cess. All who knew him — and his friends were
many — respected him and thus his death was
the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Born
in Jcflferson. Indiana. December 23, 1844. he was
a son of Samuel and Lydia (Adelott) Parker,
both of whom were natives of the Keystone state,
whence they removed to Indiana at an early day.
The father purchased a large tract of land near
Jcflferson, where he engaged in general farming
until his death, which occurred when he was at
the coinparatively early age of thirty-eight years.
His widow also died there.

Having mastered the branches of learniuR
taught in the common schtxils. David L. Parker
continued his education in the high school of
Jefferson and was thus well qualified for the
practical and res[)onsihle duties of business life.
As his |)arents died when he was quite young
he was reared by his uncle. David Parker, upon
a farm near Linden. Indiana, and from him re-

C' \ hill) wen-

"'i c<l with his

uncle until after the inauguration of hostilities
iK'tween the north and the south am' !k-

latter part of the war, when alioul ci};i .ira

of age, Davi<l L. Parker, of this review, enlisted
in the < hie Hundred .ind Thirty-fifth Indiana
Regiment, with which he serveil for a short time.
His cominny was in no engagcnH*nts but while
they were in the south Mr. Parker was taken
fll and did not recover his health until after his
return liome. He was honorably discliargcd at
Indiaiia])oIis, Indiana, in 1865.

l-ollowing the close of hostilities he located iti
Lafayette, Indiana, where he began the manu-
facture of brooms and while residing there he was
married. He wedded Miss Eva Tunkey. a na-
tive of that state and a daughter of William an<l
Angeline (Gould) Tunkey. the former a native
of Canada and the latter of the state of New
York. Mr. Tunkey removed to I^fayctte, In-
diana, at an early day and there engaged in the
grocery business for many years or until his
death, while Mrs. Tunkey died at the home of
her son. at Ash Grove, Illinois.

Following their marriage Mr. ami .Mrs. I'arker
resided in I-afayettc for three years and in 1876
removed to Irrxpiois cojmty. He iK-gan f.inning
on what is known as the old James farm, east
of W'atseka. where he resided for two years, and
then took up his abode on a farm near Crescent
City in this county, where he continued in active
agricultural pursuits for a few years, but failing
health caused him to abandon that liiK of work
and he removed to W'atseka. locating in the west-
ern |>art of the town, where he again engaged
in the maimfacture of brooms. He employed
several men and diti an extensive business in that
line, continuing in the trade throughout the re-
mainder of his life.

I'nto Mr. and .Mrs. Parker were Ixirn five
children: Harry C, who married .Myrtle Davis
and resi<k's in W'atseka.. is one of the leading
business men of the town, being the senior part-
ner in the retail slux" store of Parker & .\sh. 1 Ic
is alsMJ engaged in the n-al-estate and insurance
business. Charles H.. who married Miss Helen
I lenning. is manager for the Bell Telephone Com-
pany, at W'atseka. Laura L.. who <lied at the
age of twenty-two years, was the wife of Dr.

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Fred E. Corless, a dentist of Chicago. Fred,
who resides with his mother, is a rural mail car-
rier. Robert, also at home, is connected with
the telephone business in Watseka. The first
death in the family was that of the husband and
father, who passed away June 16. 1889, and he
was laid to rest by the Grand Army Post of Wat-
seka, of which he was a valued member. He
was always very much interested in political
questions and gave stalwart allegiance to the
republican party. Both he and his wife were
members of the Presbyterian church. For ten
years Mr. Parker was in ill health but he con-
tinued in business to the last, and the persever-
ance, energy and enterprise which he displayed
in his business affairs won him the admiration
and respect of all. In his death the community
lost a good citizen, his associates a faithful friend
and his family a devoted husband and father,
who always reserved the best traits of his char-
acter for his own fireside. Mrs. Parker now
owns a nice residence at 502 North Third street,
where she and her two sons reside.

DAVID BRUiMBACK.

David Brumback, supervisor of Danforth
township, is serving for the twenty-fourth year
in that office and is the present chairman of the
board of Iroquois county. No higher testi-
monial of his capability and trustworthiness
could be given than the fact that he has been
so long continued in this office, and the county
numbers him among its leading and valued resi-
dents. He makes his home on section 20, Dan-
forth townsliip, where he owns a half section of
valuable land and elsewhere in the county he has
fine farms, liis ])osscssions aggregating over six
Inuidred acres of land. He is still interested in
the care of .grass lands but leases some of his till-
able land and from this he derives a gratifying
income.

Mr. Brumback is one of the native sons of
Illinois, his birth having occurred in Sangamon
county, August 31, 1832. His parents were
Henry and Elizabeth (Pitzer) Brumback, who
came to Illinois from Newark, Licking countv.

Ohio, and settled in Ottawa, La Salle county, irt
1829. The father was born in the Shenandoah
valley, ^'irginia, and removing to Ohio at an
early date, made his home in Licking county,
where he was married. The journey westward
to Illinois was made with an o.k train with a
party of twenty-nine pioneer families, only one
of whom is now living, — Jesse Green, of Ottawa.
They drove through Iroquois county and took
up their abode in La Salle county. During the
Indian troubles Henry Brumback, like many
other settlers, took his family to Sangamon coun-
ty because of the more numerous population there
that offered better protection against the red man
and there it was that David Brumback first
opened his eyes to the light of day. When the
danger from the Indian outbreak was over his
parents returned to La Salle county and lived
about nine miles east of Ottawa until they were
called to their final home. The old homestead
is now in possession of two of the brothers of our
subject, .^s soon as the land came into market
the father secured claims, paying a dollar and
a quarter per acre for his homestead, and as the
y'ears passed he converted the property into
richly productive fields and assisted materially
in the substantial development and improvement
of the locality in which he made his home. His
death ocurred June 24, 1885, when he had
reached the age of eighty-three years, three
months and thirteen days, for he was born on the
nth of March. 1802. His wife, whose birth oc-
curred in Licking county, Ohio, August 11. 1805.
passed away September 19, 1869.

They were the parents of nine cliiUlren, of
whom the eldest two died in infancy, while
Richard, who was born in 1827, passed away at
the age of fourteen years. The eldest daughter,
Elizabeth, whose natal day was February 13,
1829, was the first white child born in Rutland
township. La Salle county, Illinois. She was
married in that county, January 22, 1855, to
Franklin Bruner, and pas.sed away October 10,
1896. David Brumback is the next of the fam-
ily. Jacob, born December 28, 1837, in La .Salle
county, died there January 3, 1877. Elton, born
November 26, 1844. '^ living retired at Mar-
seilles. LaSalle county. Tie was married Jan-
uary 3, 1867, to Cordelia Cate. Theodore, born
July 22, 1846, resides with his sister, .\lmira, on

^^^^X^r:^ (

OF THE

UMivEftsiry OF laiNois

IROQL'ot^ rnr-XTV. II F IV'-IS

the old homestead. She was born July S. ii<4\),
and is the youngest of the family.

David Urumhack was reared in La Salle coun-
tv amid pioneer surroundings anil enviroinncnts
and his memory compasses a period in the early
development in this portion of Illinois. His pre-
liminary e<lucation was acquired in the public
schools and he afterward spent one year as a
student in Jacksonville, Illinois. In his youth
lie was trained to the work of the farm, assist-
ing in the task of plowing, planting and harvest-
ing, and after reaching nian"s estate he carried
on general agricultural pursuits in La Salle coun-
ty until his removal to IrcKjuois county. For
the past thirty-nine years he has resided at his
present home, which is a finely improved prop-
erty, situated on section 20. Danfortli township.
He owns the south half o{ this section, and a
glance at the place indicates his careful supervi-
sion and practical methods, for it is neat and
thrifty in appearance, and gives every evidence
of progressive management. He also owns other
farms in Douglas and Danforth townshijis, his
holdings embracing altogether six hundred acres
of rich and valuable land of Iroquois county.

On the 2d of .March, 1858, in La Salle county,
was celebrated the marriage of David Hrumback
and Miss Helen G. Barnes, who was born in
Westmoreland, Oneida county. New York, March
12, 1841, a daughter of Hider V. and Lucia M.
(Goodwin) Barnes. The father was born in
Lanesboro, Massachusetts, and the mother's birth
occurred near Hartford, Xew York. They came
west in 1856, arriving in Illinois on the 20th
of March, at which time they took up their abode
in La Salle county and later si)ent the evening of
their days in Iroquois county, making their home
with our subject. The father died July 18, 1881,
at the age of seventy-four years, five months
and two days, and the mother's death occurred
February 20, 1888. when she was seventy-two
years of age. Mrs. Brumback was their only
child, and by her marriage she became the mother
of two sons and a daughter, .\llcn, the eldest,
born .April 25, 18^)3, is now residing in Califor-
nia. Lucia R., born November 17, 1867, is the
wife of C. E. Bogardus. and lives in Seattle,
Washington. Their children are .Mmon E.. born
September 28, i8<^5; Wallace D., born Deccmlx'r
21, 1896: and Helen E.. January 17, i8<>«>. \1-

mun Brumback, the youngest member of the
family. l)orn May 8, 1874, is at home.

Mr. Brumback is an active factor in comimi-
nity affairs and interests. He was one of the
organizers of the Iro«|Uois I-'armcrs .\gricultural
Institute and its president for a great many years.
He is president of tiie Farmers Mutual I''ire and
Lightning Insurance Company at Buckley, Illi-
nois, which in its operations covers nine town-
ships and has over two and a half millions of
insurance in force. The success of this comjjany
is largely attributable to the efforts of careful
planning and business management of Mr. Brum-
back, who in his farming operations also has dis-
played keen discernment and unllagging enter-
prise — qualities which always constitute a firm
foundation upon which to build the superstruct-
ure of success. Politically he is a democrat with
somewhat independent tendencies, usually voting
for the men and measures of the party yet not
considering himself Ixjund by jiarty tics. He has
served in various local offices of the township
and county and n<i resident of this part of the
state has so long been a member of the county
board as has Mr. Brumback, who is now serving
for the twenty-four year. In his official capacity
he discharges his duties with i)roniptncss and
fidelity and with a public spirit which indicates
his devotion to the general g<x)d. In political
thought and action he has always Ix'cn inde-
pendent, carrying out his honest views without
fear or favor. In business he has achieved suc-
cess through honorable effort, untiring industry
and capable management, and in private life he
has gained that warm [K'rsonal regard which
arises from true nobility of character, deference
for the opinions of others, kindness and geniality.

ALMET POWELL

.Almet Powell, who has l)een a resident of Gil-
man, Iroquois county, since 1871, has had marked
effect in shaping the public policy and in promot-
ing general prosperity, the former through his
service in jxilitical circles and as a member of
the state legislature, the latter as a business
man of broad activities and keen discernment
who has prf>moted and conducted several enter-

lOO

PAST AND PRESEXT OF

prises. Close application and thoroughness are
strong characteristics of his in every department
of life and have been essential elements in his
advancement.

^It. Powell was born in Alljany connty. Xew
York. March 20. 1846. and was bronght to Illi-
nois when nine years of age by his parents, who
settled in Peoria county. His father. Leander
Powell, was engaged in merchandising for a
number of years in that coi.nity and eventuall_\'
came to Iroquois county early in 1871. Here
they engaged in business under the firm name
of L. & A. Powell, general merchants, which
connection was continued for several years in
the conduct of an enterprise that proved very
successful. After the withdrawal of the father
the firm became Almet Powell & Company, with
H. C. Mosher as a partner, and in 1896 Mr.
Mosher retired from the business and was suc-
ceeded by B. B. Powell, a son of our subject.
The general mercantile store in Cilman is still
conducted under the firm style of Almet Powell
& Company, while a second commercial interest
is conducted under the name of the Oilman Im-
plement & Transfer Company, incorporated. Of
this A. Powell is president, B. B. Powell, secre-
tary and treasurer, and John H. Gleason, mana-
ger. The Almet Powell Bank is a private insti-
tution, managed largely by the subject of this
review. The bank was organized in 1898 and
the implement business was founded in 1904.
These varied interests which claim the time and
attention of Mr. Powell are now very important
elements in the commercial life and prosperity
of Oilman and no one has been more closely asso-
ciated with the business development here in the
past third of a century.

It is but natural that a man of strong mind
and broad outlook like Mr. Powell should 1)e
deei)ly interested in those questions which are
guided by pulilic legislation and which have such
direct and important bearing upon the welfare
and prosperity of connty. state and nation. Mr.
Powell has ever kept thoroughly informed con-
cerning llie issues and (|uestions which have di-
vided the country into great ]iolitical organiza-
tions and has never faltered in his allegiance to
republican ]n-inci])les. He has been called to vari-
ous positions of honor and trust, having been a
mem])er of the board of trustees of the Illinois

Eastern Hospital for the Insane, at Kankakee,
appointed by Governor Tanner, and re-appointed
by Oovernor Yates, and during the latter part
of Oovernor Yates' administration he was made
])resident of the board. He also held the office
for a vear under Governor Deneen, so that his
incumbency in the position covered seven years.
He was elected to represent his district in the
fortieth general assembly of Illinois, where he
served on a number of important committees and
took an active interest in legislative matters dur-
ing the session.

Mr. Powell married Miss Cordele Borthwick,
of Albany. Xew York, and they have one son,
B. P). Powell, who is now closely associated with
his father in business. In his fraternal relations
Mr. Powell is an exemplary Mason and has at-
tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish
rite. He is now a member of Oilman lodge. X'o.
591, A. F. & A. M. : Oilman chapter, X'o. 217,
R. A. M. : Ivanhoe commandery, K. T.. of Kan-
kakee : Oriental consistory, of Chicago : and the
Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Chi-
cago. He has thus taken the degrees of York
and Scottish rite of Masonry save for the thirty-
third or last degree and is well known in the craft
in this state. He comes of a family of William
Penn Quakers but in his religious views is lib-
eral. He is not in anv sense an office seeking
man in public life yet he has nevertheless exerted
immeasurable influence in the city of his resi-
dence ; in business life as a financier and promot-
er of extensive commercial enterprises ; in social
circles by reason of a charming personality and
unfeigned cordiality : in politics by reason of his
])ublic s])irit and devotion to the general good
as well as his comprehensive understanding of
many of the ([uestions affecting state and national
welfare.

WTl.T.IAM XATIOX.

\\'illiam Xation. who for many years figured
as one of the most prominent and successful
business men of Chebanse. and in whose death
the comnuniity lost a valued citizen, was born
in F.xeter, Devonshire. England. June j8. 1831,
but when he was only about a year old his par-
ents brought their familv to the new world and

^^B#^^ ^H

H ^^H

W II.LIAM NATION.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNlVERSiry OF ILLINOIS

IRugUUlS COUXTV. ILLINOIS.

103

settled ill Xcw Vnrk. Later »1kv removed to
Lajiorte. Indiana, and lie remained un<ler the
jjarental roof until about 1835. when at the a^e
of twenty-four years he came to Chebanse and
l)re-em])ted the southeast ([uarter of section ly.
Chebanse townshi]). l-'rom that time he owned
real estate in Iro(|nois county, and much of ins
fortune was made throng^h judicious and careful
investment in property, l-'or thirty years he was
eiijiaj;ed in tlie real-estate business in Chebanse
and negotiated many imporlant real-estate trans-
fers for others, at the same time improvinij his
opportunity to make purchases for himself tiiat
promised to prove profitable. The ra])id settle-
ment of the county and the improvement made
upon his land caused the substantial ap])recia-
tion of the value of his property and made him
one of the most prosperous landowners of the
county. In the earlier years of his residence
here, however, he was actively engaged in fann-
ing and converted wild land in productive fields.
He continued the work of tilling the soil until
1869, when he put aside the active work of the
farm and removed to Chebanse, where he lived
until his death, save for the vear 1897. which
he spent in California for the benefit of his
health.

Mr. Nation was married .March 16. 1865, to
Miss .\nna M. Eason. a daughter of J. D. and
Rliza ( Carr I Lason and a native of Williams-
port, Cumberland county. Pennsylvania. Mr.
and Mrs. Nation became the parents of six chil-
dren, as follows: Mrs. G. E. Mc.Vfee. who is
locatetl at Freei)ort. Illinois, her husband being
an official of the Illinois Central Railroad: W.
( >.. a farmer of Chebanse towiishij): Mrs. J. L.
Morrison, whose husbanil is engaged in the coal
and oil business at Doddsville. Wisconsin, where
they reside: J- Leroy. a resident of Loveland.
Colorado : Ethel, who is now attending the Slate
University at Champaign, Illinois, and will com-
plete the course in H)o8: and Eloise, at home
with her mother.

Mr. Nation, when in health, regularly attended
the services of the Congregational church and
was always a contributor to the support of the
various churches in Chebanse, although not a
member. He was a stalwart adv<Kate of the
republican party for many years and afterward
was equally loyal to the prohibition party, for

he was a strong temperance man and did all
in his power to aid in the suppression of the
li(|uor traffic. He p<jssessed excellent business
(|ualifications, keen foresight, indomitable ener-
gy and executive force, and the success of his
life was attributed to his own efforts, nor was his
pathway strewn with the wrecks of other men's
fortunes. He died March 7. icpi, at the age of
sixty-nine years and ten months, at his home at
Chebanse, and the community and his family
mourned the loss of a progressive citizen, a
capable business man and a devoted husband
and father. ^Irs. Nation still makes her home
in Chebanse, where she has gained many warm
friends during the long years of her residence
here.

THOM.AS TEMPLE.

Thomas Temple is living a retired life in Buck-
ley, but for a half century was an active repre-
sentative of business interests as a contractor and
builder of Iroquois and Ford counties. Since
1867 he has occupied the home which is now his
])!ace of residence and therefore he is well known
in r»uckley and throughout this iX)rtion of the
state. His natal day is .\pril 2. 1830, and the
|)laco of his birth Chester county. Pennsylvania.
His father. Richard Temple, was also a native
of that county and a son of Thomas Temple, who
was likewise born in that locality and who served
as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The Tem-
ple family is of Ivnglish lineage and was founded
in America during the earliest epoch in the colo-
nization of the new world. William Temple, the
first of the name in this country, braved the dan-
gers incident to an ocean voyage at that period
and became a resident of Massachusetts. Later
members of the family were pioneer nsidcnls of
Pennsylvania.

Richard Temi)le. father of our subject, was
reared in the Keystone state and was married
there to Miss Mary Hart, who was Ix)rn in Bucks
county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of
Barney Hart. He, too, was one of the heroes of
the war for independence and two of his sons
likewise served as members of the .\merican army
ill the Revolution. Richard Temple was a farm-
er by occupation and followed that pursuit in his

I04

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

native county until 1844. when, at the age of thir-
t}'-six years, his life's labors were ended. His
wife survived him for about half a century and
reared their family. Three sons yet survive :
John, who resides in Chester county. Pennsyl-
vania; Thomas, of this review : and Richard, who
is also living in Chester county.

Thomas Temple was reared in the place of his
nativity. He is practically a self-educated as
well as self-made man, for in his youth he had
few advantages, owing to his father's early death
and the limited financial circumstances in which
the family were left. When nineteen years of
age he began learning the trade of a carpenter
and joiner, serving a four years' apprenticeship.
He then followed the trade in the city of Phila-
delphia for sixteen years and throughout his en-
tire business life he carried on building operations.
Undoubtedly one of the strong elements in his
success is the persistency of purpose which he
displayed in following that pursuit in which he
embarked as a young tradesman. He thereby
gained a mastery and efficiency in business that
secured him a liberal patronage.

While still living in Philadelphia Air. Temple
was married on the 2d of July, 1856, to Miss
Anna Elizabeth West, who was born and reared
in that city and was a daughter of Richard West,
a native of England. In 1867 Mr. Temple re-
moved with his family from Philadelphia to Iro-
quois county, Illinois, settling at Buckley, where
he purchased ten acres of land. He built a house
there, where he now resides, upon what was
then the open prairie. The town contained but
two .small stores and a few residences. Mr. Tem-
ple began his building operations here and as a
contractor did an extensive business in Trcxinois
and Ford counties for thirty years. In many
localities are seen evidences of his skill and handi-
work and he gained an excellent reputation in
building circles by reason of his fidelity to the
terms of a contract and the excellent work that
was done under his direction. At length he de-
termined to retire to private life, and all ac-
knowledge that his rest has been well won.

Mr. and Mrs. Temple were the ])arcnts of
seven children, of wliom three sons arc living:
Edwin F., who is married and lives on a farm at
Longview, Texas; Frank, a carpenter, who is
married and resides in P.ucklev. where he is now-

engaged in the 'conduct of a lumber business ;.
and Rev. X. M. Temple, a minister of the IMeth-
odist Episcopal church, now acting as pastor at
South Bend, Pacific county, Washington. They
also lost four children, of whom Thomas died in
Philadelphia in infancy. Professor Richard Tem-
ple was a graduate of the Xorthwestern Uni-
versitv at Evanston, Illinois, and became a teach-
er in ancient languages, holding that chair in
Fayette, Iowa, and later at Grand Junction, Colo-
rado, where he died in 1886, at the age of twenty-
nine years, ^^'illiam was a lawyer by profession-
and engaged in practice at San Antonio, Texas.
Anna died at the age of twenty years.

Politically Mr, Temple is a republican with
strong prohibition principles, giving earnest sup-
port to the cause of temperance, although he does
not believe its adoption can be secured through
political measures. He and his wife are devoted
members of the Methodist church, with which
they have both been identified for more than a
half century. Mr. Temple is a ^Master Mason,
having become one of the charter members of
Buckley lodge, X^o. 634. He and his wife cele-
brated their golden wedding July 2, 1906. when
most of their children and grandchildren gath-
ered at their home, together with numerous
friends. Many substantial and beautiful tokens
of esteem were given and congratulations and
good wishes were extended to them by many
friends who could not be present on that occasion
but who sent the message in writing. For nearly
fortv vears this worthy couple have been resi-
dents of Iroquois county and they are most wide-
ly and favorably known. His life has been one
of great activity and usefulness and through his
diligence and labor he has done much to develop
and inijirove the county. His life has been exem-
plary in many resjoects, being guided by high
])rincii)Ies and exevniilifying honorable purposes.

AUGUST ^kfUEHLEXPFORDT, M. D.

Dr. August Muehlenpfordt. engaged in the
])ractice of medicine and surgery and in the con-
duct of a drug business at .Xshkum, has been
activeh' connected with the citv in these lines of
business for a longer period than any other busi-

IR(')OUOIS COUXTV. ILLINOIS.

'05

ness man of the vil!at;c. He was burn at Kairde,
(icrnianv. Soptcntbtr i<>. iSv), a son of Auiiusl
and Minnie .\L Muehlcnptordt. LilK-ral oliica-
tional privilt'Kfs were afforded him, for after ac-
qiiirinj,' his early eihicalion in the common schools
he attendeil Georjjia Augerstine University at
Hanover, of which he is a graduate. He came
to the I'nited States in i8<>7 when about twenty-
eijiht vears of ape, and located at reolone, Illi-
nois, where he entered upon the practice of med-
icine. The followini; year he removed to .\sh-
kum and established a dru},' store, which he has
since conducted in connection with the practice
of medicine and surij;ery. He is the oldest busi-
ness man in years of consecutive connection in
Ashkum and from the beginning of his residence
here has occupied a foremost position in profes-
sional and commercial circles. He has a well ap-
pointed store, carries a carefully selected stock
and in his professional life he has kept abreast
with progressive thought and invention whereby
the efficiency of the medical fraternity has been
so greatly increa.sed in the ])asl third of a century.
Dr. Muehlenpfordt was married in Monee,
Illinois, in 1868, to Miss Henrietta Kruse, a na-
tive of Oldenburg, Germany, and their family
numbered six children: .\ugust H.. who is pro-
prietor of a furniture and undertaking estab-
lishment in .\shkum : Emma, the wife of Henry
Morrell. of the firm of Morrell & Company, gen-
eral merchants of .\shkum and of Clifton. Illi-
nois; Adele, who is a graduate of Grand Prairie
Seminary at Onarga and is now a music teacher
living at home ; I'rieda. the wife of I'raiik .Meents.
cashier in the bank of M. R. Meents & Sons at
Clifton; Johanna, deceased: anil Carl, who oc-
cupies a clerical position in a bank which has a
capital of three million dollars, at Mitchell, South
Dakota.

Since becoming a naturalized .\merican citizen
Dr. Muehlen|)fordt has given unfaltering al-
legiance to the democracy, believing that its plat-
form contains the best elements of good govern-
ment. He served as postmaster of .Vsiikum
under President Cleveland's second administra-
tion but on account of the stress of business and
professional duties he turned the management of
the postoffice over to his daughters, who ])roved
to be very efficient assistants, discharging the
<luties of the office in such a painstaking way as

to give perfect satisfaction to the public. 1 >r.
.Miielilenpfordt has also served as sciiool director
and township trustee at various times and has
i)een a member of the board of health for the
past ten years. He regards it as the duty as well
as the ]>rivilcge of every true American citizen
to iiromote the interests of his community to the
extent of his ability and he has therefore been
a co-t)perant factor in many ])lans and measures
for the general good. He is a member of the
(lerman Lutheran church of .\shkum and has
reared his family in that faith. The years have
brought him a gtKxily measure of prosperity and
in addition to his professional interests and com-
mercial business in .\skum he is also the owner
of a quarter of a section of land on sections 15.
and i(>. .\shkum township.

L. T. HL'TCHI.VS.

The record of L. T. Hutchins is that of a man
who has by his own unaided efforts worked his
way upward to a position of atYiuence and is to-
day a prominent representative of the grain tra<le
in Iro<|uois county. His life has been one of
industry and perseverance and the systematic and
honorable business methods which he has fol-
lowed have won him the sup|)ort and confidence
of many. Without the aid of influence or wealth
he has risen to a position among the i)roniinent
men of the county and his native genius and ac-
f|uire(l ability are stepping-stones on which he
mounted.

Mr. Hutchins was born March 2, 1851, in
Richmond, Indiana, a son of Thomas and Letitia
Hutchins, who were also natives of that state,
the former of English descent and the latter of
German lineage. The father was a farmer by oc-
cupation and thus provided for his family. In
his youth L. T. Hutchins of this review attcndeil
the common schools and worked on his father's
farm. It lias always been the greatest regret of
his life that he was unable to secure a college
education and yet it is a well known fact that it
is under the pressure of adversity and the stimu-
lus of opposition that the best and strongest in
men are brought out and developed and tints ii
has been in the case of Mr. Hutcliins. %\hen

io6

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

.only seventeen years of age he began teaching in
the country schools, following that profession in
the winter seasons, while in the summer months
he was employed at farm labor, ^^'hen eighteen
years of age he came to Iroquois county and se-
cured a school, devoting his attention to teaching
for three winter seasons, while in the summer
montlis ho labored in the fields. When twenty-
one years of age he took up the study of teleg-
raphy, was employed at Middletown, Indiana,
rand afterward became night operator at Watseka
on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad.
He was thus engaged for almost a year, after
which he worked for R. G. Risser for eight years,
buying grain at Donovan. In 1885 he came to
Sheldon, where he was also in the employ of ?ilr.
Risser until he formed his present partnership
with O. G. Smith in the grain trade. This is
now one of the strong firms of the county, oper-
ating four elevators — two at ^Milford, one at Don-
ovan and one at Iroquois. The business is car-
ried on under the firm style of L. T. Hutchins
& Company and the trade has constantly in-
creased until it has now reached an extensive vol-
ume.

On the 26th of Xovember, 1879, at Donovan,
Mr. Hutchins was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Jones, a daughter of Anson Jones, one of
the early settlers of Kankakee county, Illinois.
Their children are Myrtle, Laura and Verne.
The daughters are graduates of the Woman's

■College at Baltimore, Maryland, for Mr. Hutch-
ins, realizing the need of education in his own
life has provided them with excellent school ])riv-
ileges.

His political allegiance is given to the repub-
lican party and for eight years he served as post-
master at Donovan, filling the office from 1875
until 1883. He has Ijeen president of the vil-
lage board of Sheldon for three years and trus-

•tee for eight years. He was also president of the
board of education for four years and its secre-
tary for eleven consecutive years. He is like-
wise a trustee of the Grand Prairie Seminary at
Onarga, in which capacity he has served for six
years. Thus has he been called to various official
positions of honor and trust, slmwing that he
occupies a high position in public regard and
enjoys in large measure the confidence of his fel-
lowmen. His career has ever been such as also

to warrant the trust of the business world, for
he has ever conducted all transactions on the
strictest principles of honor and integrity. His
devotion to the public good is unquestioned and
arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of
his fellowmen. Sheldon has benefited by his
efforts in her behalf and he is, without invidious
distinction, classed with her foremost representa-
tives.

JOSEPH WARREX COXARD.

Joseph \\'arren Conard, a prosperous citizen
who has retired from active farm life, now lives in
Buckley but is yet the owner of three hundred
and sixty acres of valuable farm land in Artesia
township. Upon this there are two sets of good
buildings and he also owns a pleasant home in
Buckley, where he has resided for four years.
His real estate is the visible evidence of a life
of close application, energy and discriminating
management. Coming to Illinois in 1847, he
located in La Salle county. He is a representa-
tive of one of the old families of Virginia, where
resided his grandfather, David Conard. His fa-
ther, Anthony Conard, was born near Richmond,
\'irginia. October 16, 1799, and was reared in
that state. While still within its borders he
wedded Xancy Gregg, who was likewise born
and reared there and was a daughter of George
and Elizabeth Gregg. Soon after their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Conard removed to Licking
county. Ohio, casting in their lot with its early
settlers. There Mr. Conard cleared a tract of
land and opened up a farm, upon which he made
his home until 1847, when he brought his family
to Illinois and settled on a farm which he se-
cured near Ottawa in Rutland township. La Salle
county. He spent his remaining da\s there and
passed away in 185 1. when his son Joseph W.
was a lad of ten years. His wife died in La Salle
county in 1847. They were the parents of four-
teen children, eight sons and six daughters, and
with tlie exception of one of the sons all reached
adult age. After the death of the parents the
younger children went to live among strangers
and four sons and one daughter of the familv
vet survive.

OF THE
UNIVERSITY o^ ILLINOIS

'S.

o
o

LIBRARY
OF THE.

uNivFRsiry OF Illinois

IROQUOIS COUNTY. II.I.INOIS.

1 1 1

Josepli Warren Conard was born in l.ickinj,'
•connty, Ohio, March 17, 1842, hut was rearcil
on a farm in La Salic connty. He was al)lc U>
attend school only abonl lour weeks during the
year from the age of eight to sixteen years, but
he improved his o])portunitics, so that after
reaching early manhood he was well i|ualiticd
for teaching, and followed that profession in Ui
Salle county lH)th ])rior to and after the Civil
war. He had no other thought during the strug-
gle, however, than to aid his country, for his
spirit of patriotism was aroused, and on the I4tli
of August. 1802. he offered his services to the
government, as did his brother, William H. Con-
ard. .Another brother. Ceorge Conard, served in
the Mexican war and also entered the Civil war
from California. The subject of this review be-
came a member of Company K, One Hundred
and Fourth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, the regi-
ment being raised in La Salle county. He went
south to Kentucky, arriving at Louisville, and
thence proceeded on the raid after John Mor-
gan. The entire regiment, however, was caji-
tured at Hartsville by the Confederates under
General Morgan and |)rior to that time had lost
one hundred and .sevent\-five of its men. .\fter
being held for about a week the Union troops
were jiaroled and were thus out of active service
fi>r about three months, .\fter returning to duty
Mr. Conard was wounded at C'hickamauga on
the 20th of September. i8f>.V :i"<l after being in
the hospital for a time was sent home on a fur-
lough, being away from his regiment for aliout
nine months. When able to rejoin his commanti
he took part in the battles of Kenesaw Mounl;iin
and Peach Tree Creek, also the Atlanta com-
paign. and assisteil in the ca])ture of Jonesboro
anil .\tlanta. He went with .Sherman on the
march to the sea and on the campaign througii
the Carolinas and on to Richmond, while subse-
quently he ])roceeiled northward to Washington
and there participated in the grand review at
the close of the war. being honorably disch:irged
in the capital city. June 5. 18^)5. after which he
returned to Oiicago, where he was mustered out.
He carries a scar, the result of a gimshi.t wouinl.
in his left shoulder, and he was aUo hit with a
sjtent ball in the forehea<l. although this rlid not
prove a serious wound. The long marches, h.ird
campaigns, the privations <if army lif- 'H 1"-

came familiar t>i bim iliirinir bi-. :ictivc service
at the front.

Mr. Conard returned to La .^alle county and
subsequently |)urchased a farm there in .Mien
township comprising eighty acres, which he cul-
tiv.-ited an«l improved until 1874. He then sold
that propert\ \.u his brother and removed to Ar-
tesia township, Irrxpiois ccninty, where he pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land,
lie then l>roke this and opened u() the farm.
Later he erected go<.>d buildings and tiled and
fenced his land. He also extended the bound-
aries of his |)roperty by additional purchase from
time to time until he was the owner of six hun-
dred and forty acres, all of which was cultivated
and im])roved un<ler his ininiediate su])crvision.
The years passed and success came to him, owing
to his careful management of his farming in-
terests and the excellent crops which he raised
owing to the care anil labor which he Ixjstowed
upon the fields. He has since disposed of some
of his land and now owns a farm of three hun-
dred and sixty acres, which is a well improved
propertv. there being two sets of good farming
buildings upon it. He continued actively in
f.inn work until about i«p2. when he put aside
the more arduous cares of business life and is
now living retired in Buckley.

Mr. Conard was married < )ctol)er i>. iS<)7. to
Miss Ada T. Tucker, a native of I-'reedom town-
ship. La Salle connty, where she was reared and
educated, .^he was a teacher prior to her mar-
riage. I ler father, Levi Tucker, was a native of
New Ham|ishire and an early settler of La Salic
counlv. where he weilded Mary lieem. an ( )hio
lad\. Unto .\Ir. and .Mrs. Conard have been
born seven children, of whom five are living, h'l-
len. who became the wife of John .'^troup. of Iro-
quois county, died in igo.V leaving a daughter,
Cdadvs. and since that time Mr. Strouj) has mar-
ried again. \'ina became the wife of (Jcorge
Moore and is also deceaseil. The living meml>ers
of the family are: Mary N., the wife of Wal-
lace Moore, of Columbus, Ohio; Ceorge .\.. a
farmer, who is married and resides at Lennox,
Iowa: Rosa, the wife of George Hull, a farmer
living near I'nckley : Charles W.. who owns and
operates a farm in Artesia : and Josephine, the
wife of Charles M. Crane, who operates the Con-
ard f.irm.

112

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

Mr. Conard is a member of the Methodist
church and is serving on the board of trustees.
He also belongs to the Grand Army post. His
political allegiance is given to the democracy
where national issues are involved but at local
elections he regards only the capability of the
candidate for the discharge of the duties of the
olifice. He has served as township school trustee
and highway commissioner and has been a school
director for many years. He has a wide ac-
quaintance in Buckley, Watseka and Iroquois
county and has manifested in his life many
traits of character which have commended him
to the friendship and regard of those with whom
he has come in contact. Almost his entire life
has been passed in Illinois and he is known as a
valued and representative citizen. It is usually
found that a veteran is ever loyal and progres-
sive, for the sacrifice which he made in days of
war for his country brought to him a realiza-
tion of the value of patriotism and a love of coun-
try and he ever continues true to the old flag.

ALBERT ECKER.

Albert Ecker, a prosperous merchant of Wood-
worth, carrying a complete line of hardware,
buggies, wagons and all kinds of farm imple-
ments and undertakers' supplies, is a native of
Germany, his birth having there occurred April
8, 1870, a son of August Ecker, likewise a na-
tive of the fatherland. He followed farming in
that country and was there married to Miss Au-
gusta Wagner, and in the spring of 1871 the
family emigrated to the new world, hoping to en-
joy better business advantages in this country.
They made their way direct to Iroquois county,
where the father purchased one hundred and
five acres of land in Loda township, and he there
engaged in agricultural pursuits, thus providing
a good living for himself and family. He added
many valuable improvements to his land and
thereon built a good house and reared a family
of six children, of whom our suljject is the
eldest. Both the parents are still living and now
make their home in the village of Buckley.

.Albert Ecker was less than a vear old when
brought by his parents to this country. He was

reared to the occupation of farming, assisting his
father in the work of the fields during his boy-
hood and vouth, and when not busy in the fields,
he pursued his studies during the winter months
in the district schools near his father's home, and
later attended the schools of Watseka for two
terms, thus acquiring a liberal education which
fitted him for carrying on business when he la-
ter started out in business on his own account.
During the period that he was pursuing his stud-
ies in \\'atseka. he was employed outside of
school hours as a clerk in a store ?.r that place.
He then returned home and secured employment,
as a clerk in the store of Fred Meyer, at Wood-
worth, with whom he remained during the suc-
ceeding four years. In. 1887 he and Henry Mun-
stermann purchased the stock of goods belonging
to Mr. Mever, the relationship being continued
for two years, when Mr. Ecker purchased his
jiartner's interest, and has conducted the business
alone since that time. He carried a complete line
of hardware, buggies, wagons and farm imple-
ments, and in addition to this has a stock of fur-
niture, and is also engaged in the undertaking
business, having a full line of caskets, and he-
owns one of the finest funeral cars in Iroquois
countv. He employs four men in his establish-
ment the year round, and has built up a large-
and increasing patronage in his mercantile enter-
prise, for he is ever found honorable and straight-
forward in all his business dealings. His serv-
ices are also in great demand all over the county
in connection with burial services, for he is well
fitted for conducting a business of this char-
acter.

Mr. Ecker has been twice married, his first
union being with Miss Mary Weber, their wed-
ding being celebrated June 6, 1897. She was.
born in Artesia township, Iroquois county, a
daughter of Fred Weber, a native of Germany,,
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
Mrs. Ecker died in 1898, and on the 6th of Octo-
ber, iQoi, ]\Ir. Ecker was again married, his
second union being with Miss Clara Hartman,
a native of this county and a daughter of John
Hartman, a native of Will county, this state,
and a prosperous farmer of Ash Grove town-
ship, Tro(|uois county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ecker
have been born an interesting little son and
dausrhter, Leonard and Elma.

AIJ'.KRT ECKER.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQL'dlS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

I i:

In his political views .\lr. I-'ckcr is a stalwart
re|iiiblican but lias never been active in local po-
litical atTairs. preferrinj; to >jive bis niidivideil
attention to bis business interests, in wbicti be
bas met witb tiratifvinjj success. Tbe only pub-
lic office be bas ever belt! was tbat of notary jnil)-
lic. servinjj in tbat capacity for six years, llotb
be and bis wife are value<l members of the < icr-
man Lutberan cburcb of W'oodwortb.

KnterinLj Inisiness life in tbe bunilile capacity
of a clerk. .Mr. Rcker bas worketl bis way stead-
ilv upward to tbe topniost round of tbe ladiler
and is now conductinj^ a good payinsj business
in tbe village of W'oodwortb. where be is a.'-
counted one oi tbe leading citizens in mercantile
life. lie possesses those <|ualities .if industry
and worth of character which are ever to be
found in the (ierman race ami both be and his
wife arc highly esteemed in the community
where thev make their home.

geok(;e m. sa.m.moxs.

The ])rogress and prosperity of a town or city
depend u]>on its commercial and industrial activity
and the real promoters and ui)buil(kTs of a com-
munity therefore are they who are actively con-
cerned in its business life, in which connection
Mr. Sammons is well known in .Milford. having
for ten years figured prominently in mercantile
circles. He is one of the worthy citizens tbat tbe
neighboring state of Indian^ has furnished to
IrrK|uois county. Me was born in .Newton
county. .Vugust 2-t. 1864. and con:cs of Canadian
ancestry, for his jiarents. .Nicholas D. and Mar-
garet ( Woolnnugb ) Sammins. were both natives
of Canada. The father was reared and td'.icated
in that country, after which he came to lllir.ois.
spen<ling about a year in Kar.kakec coi;r.ty. He
then removed to Newton countx. Indiana, where
he followed farming and engaged in otlur lin.
of business for several years. .\l;iuit 1SS5 be n
turned to Illinois and jiurcbased a restaurant in
which business he co;Uinued for tb.ree or four
years in the village of Milford. and then engaged
in the hotel business, being an active representa
tive of business life in the town for some years.
Thus bis death was tlu occa.'si^in of deep a;ul

widis])read regret when in .\pril. m;<j«i. bis labors
were ended ami he was calleil from this life.
His wi<!ow survives him and vet resides in .Mil-
ford. and of their family of four cl'.ildren, three
sons and a daughter, all arc yet livinfj with tbe
exception of one soil. II. I,. Sammons. the young-
est of the family, is a resident of Kentland, Inili-
ana. while tbe sister, Mrs. !")arnjcb, is also living
there.

( ieorge .M. .*>annnons spent tbe first seventeen
years of his life in the county of his nativity and
during tbat i)iriod devoieil nuicb of bis time to
the master\ of the studies taught in the |)ublic
schools. In 1S84 he came to .Milford witb bis
jiarents and worked on a farm until 18S8, when
Ik went to Chicago, being in tbe employ of Wil-
liam IXering & Company until itp». He then
returned to .Milford, where be clerked for .Mar-
-Inll iS: Mogg for about four years. .\t the end
of tbat time be cmljarkcd in business for himself,
establishing a dry-goods and grocery store, in
which he placed a new stock, valued at alK>iit two
tbofsand tlollars. This was tbe beginning of bis
prestnt large and profitable mercantile enterprise.
.\.s his trade has increased he bas added to his
stock from year to year until it is now valued
at ten or twelve thousand ilollars. The store is
commodious, is neatly and tastefully arranged,
and he well merits the liberal ])atronage which
is accorded bim because he puts forth cirnest
efforts to please bis patrons, is reasonable in bis
prices and honoral)le in his dealing. .Mert and
enterprising, be is watchful of every indication
])ointing to success and his efforts are discern-
ingly directed along well defiiH'd lints of labiT.

.\ ]ile;i f life for Mr. Sammons began

in Iro;|i-iis I. .miiy on tbe tjtb of .May. i8</),
when was celebrated his marriage to Miss Helen
Pruitt, a daughter of |ose|)h Pruitt. Sr., who is
mentioned elsewhere in this volume. She was
born near W'ellirgton. Irocp-ois county, ami is a
lady of culture and refinement, who in her girl-
1 days w:ls afforde<l liberal educational privi-
.■^he presides with gracious and cordial
hospitality over their pleasant home and in sv
ciri! circle> botb. .Mr. and Mrs, Sammons occupy
;n er\"':iMc i>!ace.

1 1 lb tbe democracy ami, as every true

.\m> ' ''! <lo, keeps well informed

on :1 n of the cotmtr\. \et bas

ii6

I'AST AXU PRESEXT nP

no aspiration for office. However, he is now serv-
ing on the town board as one of the trustees.
He has attained the degree of a Master Mason
in Milford lodge and is an exemplary representa-
tive of the craft, being in hearty sympathy with
its teachings and its principles. He is adaptable,
accords to all the courtesy of an interview, and
while leading a busy life yet finds time to devote
to the public welfare, so that in his business and
social relations he has maintained a character and
standing that has impressed all with his sincere
and manly purpose to do by others as he would
have others do l)v him.

CAPTAIX GEORGE WEST.

When growth and development have been car-
ried forward to a condition which is worthy of
note it is always of interest to look back and
learn something of the begining of things — the
establishment of those plans and movements
which have resulted in the progress and develop-
ments bringing about existing conditions. The
pioneer history of a community is always one
which awakens attention, standing as it does in
marked contrast to the elements of life as found
at the present time. It was during the pioneer
epoch in the history of Iroquois county that
Captain George West became identified with
this section of the state, settling here about 1848.
He was closely associated with early industrial
and agricultural life here as a millwright and
farmer and when the great struggle for the su-
])remacy of the L'nion involved the couutrv in a
mighty war he demonstrated his loyalt\- by ])Ut-
ting aside all business and ])ersonal considerations
and serving as a captain in defense of the stars
and stripes.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Champaign
county, May 2y, iSuj. his ])arents being John and
.\zuga (Wilson) West. 'i"he father, a native of
Georgia, became a resident of Champaign coun-
ty, Ohio, when it was a frontier district and there
engaged in farming until 1S33, when be removed
to Warren county, Indiana, where he carried
on general agricultural pursuits until his death.
His wife also ])assed away in th;U luealily.

Captain West of this review began his educa-
tion in the common schools of his native county
and continued his studies in Warren county,
where he acquired a good education. Putting
aside his te.xt-books, he began preparation for
a business life by learning the millwright's trade,
it being arranged that he should work only on
the wheel parts. He entered the employ of a
Mr. Dunlap at Rainsville, Indiana, and subse-
quently was with Eli HavVkins, with whom he
began building mills throughout that part of In-
diana. He assisted in the construction of the
old and well known Parker water wheel and was
employed at his trade at various places until his
removal to Iroquois county about 1848. This
was largely an undeveloped section of the coun-
try, with only here and there a pioneer cabin
or a little group of houses to show that the work
of progress and improvement had been begun.
Captain West took up his abode in the village
of Texas, in .Middleport township, where he
entered into partnership with Joseph Thomas.
He purchased the old Courtright gristmill and
began its operation. As the county became more
thickly settled their business developed and in
1855 and 1856 they built two sawmills, which
they conducted in addition to the gristmill. Dur-
ing this period Captain W>st also engaged in
building mills throughout this part of the coun-
try, his handiwork Iseing seen in sixteen differ-
ent structures of that character.

It was while he was engaged in the milling
business that the Civil war was inaugurated and
his spirit of patriotism prompted his enlistment
as a member of Company I, One Hundred and
Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. He was first cap-
tain of a ccimpan\- with Colonel Hoag, of Kanka-
kee. Illinois, in command of the regiment. Not
long after his enlistment Captain West became
ill and was therefore assigned to guard duty.
I le suffered a severe attack of typhoid pneu-
monia, which necessitated his resignation in May,
i8f)_^. after which he returned to Iroquois county,
lie never again enjoyed the robust health which
had been his prior to his military service, .\gain
locating in Texas, he continued in the milling
business, operating both the grist and saw mills
until 18^)6. when he sold out and ])urchased
a tarni in Middleiinrt township about four and
a half miles northeast of Watseka. There he

7 f c ' '/ ( /y^c

LiL

Of int
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IRugLtjLs HJUMV. ILLINOIS.

ii<>

carried on general agriciiltiiral pursuits for more
than twenty years, brinj^ini; his land under a
high state of cultivation and also successfully
conducting stock-raising interests, liis manage-
ment of his farm showed keen discernment and
marked business enterprise and the work of till-
ing tile soil and raising stock claimed his undi-
vided attention until April 19. 18S7. when on
account of ill health he retired from hii-iiuss lifi-
and took up his abode in Watscka.

Captain West was married twice. In Ja.ipcr
county, Indiana, he wedded Miss Rachel J. Marl.
a native of Wayne county, Indiana, born August
30, 1830, a daughter of Phillip and Mary
(Hawkins) Earl, the former a native of Xew
Jersey and the latter of Ohio. At an early
period in the settlement of Indiana Phillip liarl
became a resident of Jasper county, where he en-
gaged in farming for several years. He after-
ward removed to Wayne county, that state, where
he also carried on general agricultural pursuits.
His wife died there in i<%() and he afterward
wedded Mrs. Lydia Hawkins, who is also de-
ceased. Mr. Earl continued to make his home
upon a farm in Xewton county and during his
old age, while on a visit at the home of Captain
West in Watseka. he passed away at the vener-
able age of eighty-eight years. In 1849 Cai)tain
West was called upon to mourn the loss of his
first wife, who died in Middleport township on
the 4th day of November of that year. There
had been but one child of that marriage, Henry,
who died at the age of eighteen months. On the
-8th of June, 185 1, Captain West married Miss
Phebe Ann Earl, a sister of his first wife and a
native of Wayne county, Indiana, born June 6,
1832. There was one child of this marriage,
Thomas W., who was born March 2-j, 1852, and
married Ruth A. Moore. They resided on a
farm in Middleport township until his death
May 30, 1888, when he was thirty-seven years
of age. They had one child. Ray. who was
accidentally killed in the grain elevator in Wat-
scka. The widow of Thomas West afterward
became the wife of John Zuwalt, a retired farmer
now living in Watseka.

The death of Captain West occurred Novem-
ber 25, 1890, and he was laid to rest with military
honors in Oak Hill cemetery, the interment Ixring
in charge of the Grand .\rmy post of Watseka.

He had served for one term as township su|)er-
visor of Middleport township, was road Cllmnli^-
sioncr for two and a half years and had helil
other township offices, rendering active and ca-
])able service. He took much interest in ]>oliiical
ipiestions anil was well informed on those issues
which divided the two great parlies. His study
of the i>olitical situation of the country led him
to give an earnest sui)iK)rt to the republican
party. In addition to his meml)ershi|) in tiie
(irand .\rmy post he was identified with the < ><ld
I-'ellows lodge- at Watseka. anil both he and his
wife were devoted members of the Christian
church, taking an active and helpful part in its
work.

His long residence in the county made him
widely known and no man was more closely as-
sociated with the industrial development in early
days than he. He also figured prominently for
many years as an agriculturist but shortly before
his death .sold his farm. His business interests
had been carried on in accordance with progres-
sive ideas and his success was the legitimate out-
come of his perseverance, close application and
capable management. In all life's relations he
manifested those sterling traits of character which
in every land and clime awaken confidence and
resjiect and his life was of such signal service
to his fellownien in many directions that his
death came as a personal bereavement to many.
Mrs. West still resides in Watseka. owning and
occupying a nice home at the corner of Fifth
and Oak streets.

THEOPHILE GERBER.

The spirit of diligence ;md perseverance which
dominates Theophile Gerber has made him one
of the prosperous agriculturists of .Ash Grove
township, where he owns a fann of about two
hundred and fifty acres, his home Ix-ing situated
on section 24. He is one of the more recent
arrivals in Iroquois county but had been here
ff>r only a brief peril k1 when he demonstrated his
right to be classed with the i)rogressive agricul-
turists of the community. .\ native of i'rance,
he was born near Paris, February 17, i8r'>3. He

I20

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

reached adult age in that country and was
afforded good school advantages in both the
French and (ierman languages. He emigrated
to the new wnrld in 1883, when a young man of
twenty years, and came at once to Illinois, set-
tling in I^eoria county. His capital was very
limited and as it was necessary to obtain imme-
diate employment he began making fence rails,
thus following the illustrious example of our
Lincoln. Subsequently he engaged in ditching
in the summer months and in the fall he w^orked
in a Peoria distillery, continuing there for three
winters. Saving his earnings, he resolved to en-
gage in farming on his own account by renting
land in Woodford county, where he tilled the
soil for three years.

^Ir. Gerber was married in Peoria in 1889
to ]\Iiss Julia Bach, also a native of France, and
for four years thereafter he continued to follow
farming in Woodford county. In 1894 he came
to Iroquois county and has since been identified
with agricultural pursuits in Ash Grove town-
ship. For the first five years he was upon a
rented farm in that township and subsequently
cultivated rented land in Artesia township for
five years, but during that time he carefully hus-
banded his resources antl in 1902 he made pur-
chase of two hundred and fifty acres of land on
section 24. .\.sh (Jrove township. Locating there-
on at a later date, he at once began to further
develop and improve the property and has r.>-
cently erected a pleasant home. There is also
a good barn which he built and he has tiled and
fenced the land and put up a granary and coi-u
crib. I'ruit has lieen set nut b\' him and the wnrk
of the farm is carried forward along pr<igressivc,
modern lines, so that he is deriving therefrom an
excellent income and has worked his way up-
w^ird until he is accorded recognition as one of
the substantial and leading farmers of Iroquois
county. His present financial position is in
marked contrast to his condition wlun lie came
to the new world. 1 lis onlv capil il tlun w;is a
strong bean and willing hands, and he tmik up
any work tliat would yield him an honest living.
.\s the years have gone b\ he has prospered
and may wi'll be ])roud of what he has acCDUi-
])lished. In addition tn his home projx'rty he
also owns one humlred and sixty acres of lanrl in
Kansas.

L'nto .Mr. and .Mrs. Gerber have been born
nine children: Emily. Oscar, Minnie, Louis,
Emil, Nettie. Ernest, Ethel and Theophile. Po-
litically Mr. Gerber is a stanch republican. He
was elected and served as a member of the school
board and also as highway commissioner, and
in the discharge of his pul)lic duties has mani-
fested his loyalty and progressive spirit.

HENRY L. MEYER.

Henrv L. Meyer, one of the prominent Ger-
man fanuers of Middleport township, is a native
of Cook county, Illinois. His parents, Louis and
.\llwina Meyer, were German emigrants and
were among the pioneers of Cook county. There
were only a few houses in Chicago when they
arrived and the city gave little evidence of fu-
ture greatness. Although natives of Germany
thev were married in Cook county, in 1862, and
the subject of this review, who was their first
child, was born there, .\pril 2^. 1864. Later
other children were added to the family, namely:
Louis, Emma, Fred, ^^'illianl, Alma and .\nna.
The mother, now a widow, still occupies the old
family homestead.

.Mr. Mever was married February 9, 1890, to
Miss Meta Degner, a daughter of Charles and
Marv Degner, both of German descent, while
the later was a native of the fatherland. Their
marriage was celebrated on the anniversary of
the bride"s birth, which occurred February 9,
18O7, and before the end of the month in which
thev were married in 1890 they removed to the
site of their present home in Iroquois county.
While Mr. Meyer did not h;ive money enough
to pay for the land, both he and his wife were
strong and energetic and resolutely set about
making a home. Today they have a fine farm
of two hundred and thirty-six acres of well ini-
l)roved land, all under si)lendid cultivation. .Mr.
Mever also does all of his own mason and car-
penter work and every year does a great deal
of ditching. He has lived a life of unremitting-
toil and diligence but in the end success has
crowned his labors. While he was keei)ing up
the interest and making ]ra\nients on his land
he found it necessary to practice rigid economy

IRuyLUlb COLMA. ILLINOIS.

121

but alter lie had cleared tlie first tract ol indebted-
ness he purcliased other land and now has a
beautiful country lionie. He realized tlie truth
of the old adage that a penny saved is a penny
earned and his dilij,'eiice was therefore su]>ple-
niented by frujjality. He i)ractices croj) rota-
tion in the cultivation of his fields and tlnis en-
hances tiicir productiveness. He raises stock
each year and also sells grain in the market, as
do most of the Iroquois county farmers. I-'cono-
niy and tlirift Iiave been characteristics of the
home life and Mr. .Meyer's ability in mechanical
lines as well as in the <lepartment of agriculture
has been an element in his success. His wife
too. has been a most able helpmate to him. Ix-ing
particularly skilled with the medle as well as in
the management of the household affairs. They
keep a herd of dairy cattle and ship crean\ to
Chicago, finding it more jirofilable than manu-
facturing butter and selling it in the local market.
The children in the Meyer family are: .\11-
wina. born November 7. i8<p: Louis, born June
7. 1892: Lydia, who was born December 7. 1898.
and died (October 23. i8i>j: Lina. who was born
December 31. njoi : and Lillian. Ixirn .\ugust 25,
1906. The elder children all com])leted the dis-
trict-schtKjl work and they have attendctl a Cier-
man school in Cook county. The ])arents ex-
pect to give all of their children the same educa-
tional advantages. Mr. Meyer votes with the
republican jiarty and he and his family are mem-
bers of the (jcrman Lutheran church at .\sh
Grove. He deserves much credit for what he
has accomplished in a business way. owing his
success entirely to his own labors and well di-
rected etTorts supplemented by the able assist-
ance of his wife.

H. S. rJOSS.XRT. -M. 1).

Dr. H. .S. liossart. one of the active and pro-
gressive jihysicians of Iroquois county, who for
the past si.vteeii years has ])racticed in l'.nckle>.
was born in Voungstown, Pennsylvania. January
29. iSCit, and is a representative of one of the old
families of the Keystone state. His iiaternal
grandfather. Henry ISos.sart, wl;o was born in
Penn.sylvania, drove a stage coach from Malti-

more to Pittsburg l)eff)re the era of railroad build-
ing and travel. He served as a soldier in the
war of 1S12 and was a noted figure in the early
history of the locality in which he lived and
labore<l. His death occurred when he had
reached the venerable age of ninety-four years.
The I'.ossarts came of (jerman ancestry but the
family has Ix-en represente<l in Pennsylvania
through many generations.

Paul Bossart, the father of our subject, was
also a native of Peimsylvania, where the
days of his Ixnhood and youth were passed.
He was there married in 1854 to .Miss Mary
Kuhns, of (jerman ancestry, who was Ixjrn in
the Keystone state and was a daughter of I'hilip
Kuhns. Mr. IJossart was a farmer by occupation
and has s|Knt almost his entire life in I'nity
townshi]). Westmoreland county. He has re-
sided uiion one farm since his marriage an<l in
1904 he and his wife celebrated their golden
wedding. He served as a musician in the war
of the Rebellion and he is now about eighty
years of age. His family numlx-red ten children,
five sons and five daughters.

Dr. I'ossart was reared in Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, and received liberal e<luca-
tional advantages in the common and higher
schools at that locality. He entered upon his
]jrofessional i)rcparation in the Pliiladel))hia
.School of Pharmacy, where he took his first
course of lectures in 18K3, but determining to en-
gage in the practice of medicine rather than
pharmacy he matriculated in JefTerson Metlical
College at Philadelphia and was graduated with
the class of iSSTi. He is also registere<l pharma-
cist, having been licen.sed by both the Pennsyl-
vania and the Illinois boards, .\fter com|)Ieling
his course in the me<lical college he did hospital
wurk in Philadelphia for two years, putting his
iheorttical knowledge to the practical tcNt and
greatly promoting his efficiency through the
broad and varieil experience that comes in hos-
pital work. He ]>racticed medicine in Philadel-
phia for five years and on the expiration of that
|ieri'irl came to P.nckley. making a permanent
iMcatimt here in |8</J. He is now the oldest prac-
titioner of the town and the most succcssfid,
although he has had eight Competitors. He pur-
sued a post-graduate course at Phihulelphia and
he is a member of the Sricictv of Kailwav Sur-

122

PAST AND PRESEXT OF

geons. He keeps thoroughly abreast with the
profession in the progress that has characterized
the medical fraternity, especially during the last
quarter of a century, and his practice covers a
wide territory in Iroquois and l-'ord counties.
He owns an automobile, which he uses in making
his professional visits through the country and
thus he greatly economizes time.

Dr. Bossart was married in Indiana county.
Pennsylvania, on the 7th of May, 1887, to Miss
Ida M. Alter, a native of that state and a daugh-
ter of James .\. Alter, who belonged to one of
the old families there. Four children have been
■burn unto Dr. and Mrs. Bossart : La Rue R., a
machinist at Greenville, Pennsylvania ; Emil S.,
who for three years has been a student in the
Paxton high school ; and Raymond and Leola,
both at home.

Dr. Bossart has been a lifelong republican
■and he and his wife are members of the English
Lutheran church, of which he was one of the
promoters and founders. Fraternally he is con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen camp and is
examining surgeon. He is also examiner for
some of the old-line insurance companies and is
one of the physicians for the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company, having acted in this capacity
for ten or twelve years. He has built up a large
and increasing practice and is a well known and
successful physician. Great have been the
changes which have occurred with the passing of
time and nothing more plainly illustrates this
than the fact that his grandfather drove a stage
coach between I'.altimore and Pittsburg before
the advent of railmads, while the Doctor now
travels over the country in his i)rivate motor car,
covering a distance which would have seemed
miraculous two generations a,go. He is a man
■of good business ability as well as a learned and
alile physician and thus is meeting with success.

R( )I1KRT CALDWELL.

Robert Caldwell, one of Sheldon's most high-
ly respected citizens, is deserving of mention in
the history of Iroquois county, where for forty-
five years he has been in public service as jus-
tice of the peace. In public office and in busi-

ness life he has made a reputation alike unas-
sailable, for he has been true to every principle
that workeil lor honorable, upright and strong
manhood.

Born near Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio,
on the 22d of February, 183 1. he is descended
from Irish ancestry though of a somewhat re-
mote i)erio(l. The Sheldon Journal in a recent
article concerning Mr. Caldwell said : "The
name Caldwell comes down throu,gh traditional
history as eminating from an officer among the
Huguenots in France during the early crusade
for the Protestant religion. This officer used
neither trunipet nor horn in directing the maneuv-
ers of his army, relying on nothing more than
his own natural Inud, high-keyed, powerful voice.
The)^ said of hini : 'He called well.' The two
words were subsequently combined and this offi-
cer was known as 'Caldwell,' the legendary his-
torv fixing him as the remotest antecedent of
the now numerous Caldwell family. There were
certain characteristics in this ancestor that corre-
spond with those existing in the Caldwells of
the present day. The term 'Huguenot' was ap-
plied in derision by the Roman Catholics of
France and elsewhere to those who espoused the
cause of the Protestant religion, particularly to
those who followed the teachings of Galvanism.
The Caldwells were of the European class known
as 'landed nobility,' were in good circumstances
and had a coat of arms as a mark of distinction
for financial responsibility and honor. Mr.
Caldwell's .great-grandfather, Joseph Caldwell,
and his brother, Jonathan, were captains in
Colonel Patterson's re.giment in the Colonial
.\rmy, and were members of the "Flying Canip,'
an organization of soldiers similar to that of the
'Rough Riders' in the Spanish-American war.
In passing through Kent county, Delaware, they
appropriated a coop of chickens, consisting of
an old blue hen and a large brood of blue chicks.
These they carried along on the march for the
amusement they aoti'rded when in camp. In
time Captain Caldwell's company came to be
known as the 'lUue Hen's Chickens.' No doubt
exists as to the origin of the nickname given to
the state of Delaware."

John e'aldwell, the father of Robert Caldwell,
was born in Huntingdon county, Pe!insylvania,
Februarv 5, 1800, and when only eight vears of

IS.

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UBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY 0( !! I INOIS

iixi )()!■( u^ CiM'xry HI iv.li>.

3^1' accnmpanifd his parents on tlicir rviiioval
to Ohio, where land was entered from the ^ov-
emmcnt and the farm whicli was there devel-
0|>ed remained the liume n| the }jran<lparents of
our snhject tlirmif^hout tlieir suhseijuent vears.
After attaining his majority Jolm Caldwell was
married in i82'>, to Miss IClizalKth Moimett, wln'
was horn in ( )hio. of iVench parentage. Her
father was one of the jjioneers of the Uncke\e
state and served as a captain in the war of iSu.
Mr. and .Mrs. Caldwell became the parents of
six children: Elizaheth jane, the wife of
Dwight Lalhoun. now of Minneapolis, Minne-
sota; Isaac .M., who died at .Memphis. Teimesscc.
in i8<)3. while serving in the Civil war; William
I... who died on the old homestead farm in ( thin,
July 8, iS/f); .\mos. who resides at X'ermilion.
Illinois: John W.. of Chicago: and Robert, of
this review. The mother departed this life June
22. iS^S. and the following year John Caldwell
was married to Rebecca McClellai.d. a native of
Pennsylvania, by whom he had one daughter.
Anna .Maria, now the wife of \V. If. rrankum.
of .Marysville. .Missouri. The father died in
August. 1884. He was a valued member and
active worker in the Methodist I'piscopal church
and was a very highly resi)ccted citi/en. Trinr
to the war he was a stanch abolitionist and was
among the first to become interested in the un-
dergromul railroad.

Robert Caldwell enjoyed the ailvantages of a
ciimmon-school education. ;ind at the age of sev-
enteen years starterl out in life on his own ac-
count by selling mercbaiulise. Me has since de-
pended entirely upon his own resources, and the
success which he has achieved is the merited re-
ward of his laljor, diligence and capable manage-
ment. He may justly be pmud of what he has
accom])lishe<l. for he lias worked bis way steadily
upward from a humble tinancial {position to one
of affluence, and thmughout all the years has
maintained an imassailable reputation for busi-
ness integrity, enjoying the confidence and ad-
miration of his contemporaries. He cau'e to
Iroijuois county in 1852 in com])any with his
brother Isaac, and for one \car was a resident
of the village of "nunkuin." now IpX|uois. He
then ma<le his way to .'^heldon and took up his
alx)clc on the farm now owned by the Har«lesty
I'.rothers, southwest of the town. .\s a farmer

lie was very successful, and for twenty-two yearn
he has resi<lcd on what became known as tlie .>ld
homestead pro|)crty. his attention U-ing devnted
to the tilling of the soil and to the raising of
crops. Those who are familiar with his enter-
prising spirit will readily understand without Ih.--
ing told that through those years he brought his
farm un<ler a high state of cultivation and
eipiippetl it with all modern accessories and con-
veniences. .\t length, retiring from the active
work of the fields, he t(Kik up his abode in Shel-
don in the fall of 1878. an<I began dealing in
grain. Twenty years were devoteil to that busi-
ness and he met with an equal measure of suc-
cess as he had in his farming operations. He
then retired from commercial pursuits and has
since given his attention to office work, In-ing a
notary [>ublic. conveyancer, dealer in real estate
and collection agent.

-Mr. Caldwell regards as pcrhajjs the most mi-
ixirtant event in his life that which iKXurred <in
the 12th of .\ugust. iS>Sf>. when Miss Cynthia
.\. I'imu'o became his wife. She was Ixirn in
SjiringfieM. Clark county. Ohio, February 4,
1837, a daughter of Getirge and Katie ( liarnett)
I'inneo. who were natives of N'ermont, and in
1S55 remove<l from Ohio to Ir(K|Uois county,
Illinois, settling on a farm three miles northwest
of Sheldon, which property is known as the .\s-
bury (."lark farm. .\lr. and .Mrs. Caldwell Ik;-
c.ime the parents of four children. Orlando itcn-
ton is now in Colorado, where he owns a ranch
and is there also engagerl in dealing in horses in
comiection with Dr. Hartman, of Columbus,
( )liio. His f.imily, however, are residing in Chi-
cago. John I-eroy is engaged in the grain busi-
ness in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the Cleveland
Cirain ("ompany. F.Imer (i. die<l in infancy.
( )live C. is the wife of Or. V. t'. W'arne. now of
Giicago.

Mr. C.nldwell .-innbutes iiuich of his success
to the assistance and encouragenient which be
rcceiveil from his estimable wife. Ff>r a half
century they have travelecl life's journey happily
together, sharing with each other its joys an<l
sorrows, its a<lvcrsity an<l its success. < )n the
nth of .\ugiist, ii^/i. they celelirate<I their gold-
en wedcliiig. which was ;i memorable event in
their history an<l in Sheklon as well. As the an-
niversarv fell on Stnidav thev chose to celebrate

126

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

it on Saturday. It was first planned to send out
personal invitations but when it was considered
that every person in this vicinity was a wann
friend of this worthy couple, the attair was made
public and young and old, rich and poor to the
number of five hundred gathered to take their
part in the festivities and to wish for ^Ir. and
]Mrs. Caldwell many happy returns of the day
with all the blessings and jileasures that life can
bring. The event was also notable in the fact
that it was the tenth wedding anniversary of Mr.
and JMrs. J. L. Caldwell, their son, of Galesburg,
Illinois, who were present, and that on this date
at the home of his grandparents was celebrated
the marriage of Frank Eugene Caldwell, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Caldwell, of Denver, Colo-
rado, and Miss Edith Foster, of Chicago, the
ceremony being performed by his grandfather,
Robert Caldwell. The home was most beauti-
fully decorated in gold and white, with many
wedding bells. The reception was held in the
afternoon and again in the evening hours, when
the lawn was decorated with Chinese lanterns.
The occasion was one never to be forgotten by
those who participated therein. ]\Iany reminis-
cences of the olden times were called up and
music was a delightful feature of the occasion,
both through the afternoon and evening hours.
Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have so endeared them-
selves to all who know them that most sincere
were the wishes for their continued life and
happiness. Many congratulatory letters were re-
ceived from those who could not be present, in-
cluding one from Hon. Joseph G. CanudU.
speaker of house of congress.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Caldwell is con-
nected with the Patriotic Order of the .Sons of
America, ^\'hcn age conferred ujion him the
right of franchise he cast his first ])residential
vote for General \\'inficld .S. Scott, the old whig
candidate, and at the organization of the repub-
lican party he supported John C. I<"rcniont, and
has voted for each republican ncimince at the
head of that ticket since that time. He is recog-
nized as one of the prominent party leaders in
Iroquois county and had the honor of entertain-
ing at his home Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, who ad-
dressed a great political meeting in Sheldon.
September 21, 1906. Mr. Caldwell has never
been a politici.'ni in the commonlv acce])ted sense

of the term and yet he has frequently responded
to the desire of his fellow citizens that he should
hold office. He is undoubtedly one of the oldest
justices in Illinois in years of continuous service,
for he has acted in that capacity for forty-five
years. Xo word of eulogy could more strongly
indicate his capability in office and the fairness
and impartiality of his decisions than the fact
that by popular suffrage he has been called again
and again to this ofiice. He has also served as
school director for man\- years and the cause of
education has greatly benefited by his co-opera-
tion in its behalf. He has ever been a liberal
contributor to the churches, aiding every church
in Iroquois county. His membership is with the
]\Iethodist church, to which his wife also be-
longs, and they have put forth every effort in
their power to promote the growth of the church
and extend its influence. Their home is a beau-
tiful brick residence in Sheldon, in addition to
which Mr. Caldwell owns some good farming
propertv in this coimty. He is a man of fine
personal appearance, a gentleman of the old
school, courteous, genial and considerate, and is
a most entertaining companion. He talks flu-
ently and most interestingly of the olden times
as well as of modern events, and he keeps in
touch with the trend of modern thought. Hon-
ored and respected by all, in the comnnmity
where he lives he has that warm personal re-
gard which one may term friendship or love, and
which is expressed whenever an individual
speaks of Robert Caldwell. One who has known
him long and intimately wrote "Tod nuicli gdiul
cannot be said of him." and what higher praise-
can man desire than to be so regarded by the
people among win mi his years of active lifi. have
been |iassed.

JOHN W. MEIER.

All well merited and honorable prosperity
conies as the direct result of individual effort.
The ijathway that John ^^^ Meier has trod has
not been strewn with the wrecks of other men's
fortunes, for in all his business affairs he has
liecn straightforward and reliable, griining suc-
cess bv honorable methods, through close appli-
cation and unremitting diligence, and it is there-

^ H^bi^Jiyi

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVn<SIT> OF ILLINOIS

IRDOl'olS COrXTY. 11.1. 1N( lis.

tj>)

fore a iiiattiT oi iinij^ratiilaiion that lie is IimI.in
the owner of three humlred and twenty acres ol
Ko<m1 farming land on section 3, Ash (jrovc
township. His birth occurred in Will county,
Illinois, June 22, 1849.

Mis father, John O. Meier, was a native of
Germany and was there reared, comin}.; to this
country when a young man of twenty years. He
made his way at once to Chicago, when thai
city was a small village, aiul subsctjuently he
took up his abode in Will county, where ho
bought wild land and developed a farm. He
was one of the first to buy and settle upon the
prairie and he began with eighty acres of land,
to which he added from time to time until his
holdings embraced three hundred and fifty acres,
constituting a well improved farm, owing to the
modem resources and equipments which he
placed upon it. He was married in Chicago to
Miss Anna Rinnc, a native of Germany, and
both parents died in Will county. Their family
numbered five sons and eight daughters, and
five of the number are yet living: William and
Henry, who remain upon the old home place ;
Sophia, the wife of Henry Wasman, of W'ill
county; and Mary, the wife of William I'eipen-
bring, of Will county.

The other member of the family is John W.,
of this review, who was reared in the county of
his nativity and is indebted to the public anfl
jjarochial schools for the educational privileges
that he enjoyed. He worked in the fields from
the time of early planting until crops were har-
vested in the late autumn and continued to as-
sist his father in carrying on the home farm
until twenty-five years of age. .Xbout that time
he was married and started out in life on his
own account. On the 9th of July, 1874, in Will
county, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Sophia
Sheiwe, with whom he traveled life's journey
happily until her death in 1888.

They removed to Iroquois county in 1874. lo-
cating on land which his father had previously
purchased. He commenced with three hundre<l
and twenty acres of raw prairie, not a furrow
having been turned nor an improvement made
upon the place. The breaking plow was soon
at work and the seed was sown, which in due
course of time brought forth rich harvests. Year
after vear the labor has 1>ecn continued unremit-

iingl\ ami the work has been carried lorward
that makes a valuable farm with modern equip-
ments. Much of the land licing low and wet,
he has tiled it and has also fcnce<l it. Cpon the
farm he erected a go<.Hl two-story residence and
afterward built a large barn and granary. He
has set out an orchard and nearly the entire
jdace is fence<l with a neat and well trimmed
hedge of his own planting. In 1905 he invested
nearly fourteen hundred dollars in tile and he
now has one of the Ik-si improveil .uid inosi ara-
ble farms in the township.

Mr. .Meier had eight children In his lirst mar-
riage: John, who is a business man living in
Minneapolis. Minnesota; William, a fanner of
that state; Herman, who is assix'iated with his
brother William and is the owner of four hun-
dred and eighty acres of land in Minnesota;
.Martin, Henry and Otto, who assist in the oper-
ation of the home farm; Lena, the wife of J. 1).
Meyer, a farmer of Ash Grove township; and
limma. at home. .Mr. Meier was again married
in Will County on the 9th of July, 1890, his sec-
ond union being with Freda Daus. a native of
Gcnnany. who was brought to this country by
her parents when two years of age, the family
locating in Indiana. Five children have been
born of this marriage. Louisa H., Fdward (.'.,
Walter T., .\ll>ert .A. and .Mice Ruth.

When age conferred upon Mr. Meier the right
of franchise he allied his interests with the re-
publican party and has supported each of its
presidential nominees since casting his first bal-
lot for General Grant in 1872. In local jxilitics
he has lieen particularly interested and has l>een
recognized as a leader in the ranks of his party.
He has been elected and re-elected supervisor of
his township until his service has covered eight
consecutive years. He serve<i on the finance
committee, equalization committee, printing and
other committees. He has l)ecn and is now the
township school trustee and at a former day he
was for two years .assessor. He has likewise
l)een justice of the peace for six years and his
decisions were fair and impartial, being baseil
upon the law and the equity in the case. He and
his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and
arc now members of the Woodworth Lutheran
church. Mr. Meier has long l>een regarded as
one of the popular men of .'\sh Grove township.

13°

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

his services having been of the utmost vakie in
the promotion of community interests. He has
made a faithful and efficient officer and has the
confidence and esteem of the community. His
business affairs have been carefully conducted
and at all times he has shown himself worthy of
the trust which is unifornilv accorded him.

PETER DTSRIEX.

Peter O'Brien is one of the venerable citizens
of Iroquois county, who for many years followed
general agricultural pursuits but since 1900 has
lived retired in the enjoyment of a rest which
he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was
born in Kings count}'. Ireland, in 1830. His fa-
ther. Darby O'Brien, was a native of Ireland
and a farmer by occupation. Thinking to enjoy
better business opportunities in the new world
he started for America but died while on the
voyage. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Bridget White, was also born on the Emerald
Isle, and they became the parents of seven chil-
dren, all of whom came together to the United
States but only one is now living.

To this family belonged Peter O'Brien, who
has been a resident of the new world since 1849.
He went first to Chicago and afterward to \M11
count\ . Illinois, where for thirteen years he
rented land from the John Davison estate. In
I 1872 he removed to Sheldon township, Iroquois
county, and purchased two hundred and forty
acres of land on section ^S- of which one hun-
dred and twentv acres had been imjiroved. He
put all the buildings upon the place, however,
including a comfortable dwelling, good barns and
corn cribs. He has likewise laid many rods of
tile and has divided his place into fields of con-
venient size by well kept fences. Thus he carried
on the work of improving the farm but he has
never made his home on that place. In 1874 he
])nrchased the farm upon which he now resides,
securing eighty acres from David Caldwell on
section 3, Sheldon township. This had been im-
])rove(l to some extent but the buildings now seen
upon it are monuments to the thrift and labor
of the present owner. He also has forty-two
acres on section 2 in his daughter's name but

rents that land. He continued actively in farm-
ing until 1901, since which time he has lived
retired, for he is now well advanced in years.
In connection with the work of tilling the soil
he has raised cattle, sheep and hogs. He like-
wise has forty acres of land in Concord town-
ship on sections 20 and 21 and his diflferent
holdings indicate his life of thrift and industn.-,
for he started out on his own account empty-
handed, so that whatever success he has achieved
and enjoyed is the merited reward of his own
labor. His political views are in accord with
the principles of demoracy, but he has never
sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate
his energies upon his business affairs.

Mr. O'Brien was married in Jasper county,
Indiana, in 1876, to Miss Pauline Spitznagel, a
native of Germany. They have two children,
Lula and Edward, at home.

ORMAX M. MILLER.

Ornian M. Miller, one of the few surviving
veterans of the Civil war and a jirosperous farm-
er, owning and operating a tract of one hundred
and sixty acres, situated on section 13, Prairie
Green township, dates his residence in Illinois
from 185'), and in Iroquois county since 1877.
He is a native of Ohio, born in Hamilton county,
near Cincinnati, May 24, 1841. His paternal
grandfather was Stanfield ^liller, who was bom
in (iermany and was one of the first settlers of
Hamilton county, locating there when Cincinnati
was only a crossroads village. He was a soldier
in the war of the Revolution. His son, George
Miller, was born in North Carolina but was
reared in Hamilton county and was there mar-
ried to Miss Hannah \'an Blangan. imd they be-
came the parents of Orman 'SI. Miller of this
review. The father always followed farming in
order to provide for himself and faniilv. and his
death occurred in Hamilton county, after which
his widow removed with her family near Toulon,
in Stark county. Illinois, where she bought a
farm, which she ojierated by the assistance of her
sons. O. M. and George. Her death there oc-
curred in lanuarv. 1861.

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

'31

Ornian M. Miller was reared in the Buckeye
•state to the aj;c of fifteen years and then accom-
panied his mollier t)n the removal to this state,
and he assisted her in the nianaKement of her
farm until her demise. On the 12th of .\u>;ust.
1862, his patriotic spirit l)einj^ aroused hy the
continued attempt of the south to overthrow the
L'nion. he enlisted as a niemher of the t )ne Hun-
dred and Twelfth Illinois N'oluntcer Infantry, un-
der Colonel J. Henderson. The regiment Ix'inp
sent to the south, lie participated in the hattle at
Knoxvillc. Tennessee, and was captured at Cleve-
land and held as a prisoner of war for six months
at Richmond and Belle Isle, after which he was
exchanged. He rejoined his regiment and took
part in the fight at Kenesaw Mountain, was ir.
the Atlanta campaign, the hattles of Nashville,
Franklin. Goldsboro. and Greensboro, and was
later mustered out at the latter place, and was
honorably discharged at Chicago, in July, 1865.
He then returned to his hcjme in Stark county
and again resumed farming, but later went to
McLean county, where he purchased a farm,
whereon he made his home for a decade, when he
sold that projK'rty and in 1877 removed to Iro-
quois county and purchased the farm on which
he has made his home to the present time. He
has here one hundred and sixty acres of land, and
all of the improvements which are here seen have
been made by the present owner. He built fences,
tiled his land and soon placed the fields under a
high state of cultivation, each year harvesting
good crops in return for the care and labor he
had lx;stowed u()on the soil. He has a good sub-
stantial house, bam. cribs and other outbuildings
necessary for the shelter of grain and stock, and
ever\-thing about his place is kept in gnod rei)air
and the place in its neat and attractive appearance
indicates the careful management and goo<l busi-
ness judgment of Mr. .Miller. In addition to his
agricultural interests he also raises gocKl grades
of stock and finds this to be a profitable source
of revenue.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Mi.<;s Km-
ily Long, their wcd<ling being celebrated in Giari-
ton, Iowa, March 9, iSTx). She was Iiorn in Ni>
ble county, Indiana, but wtjs reared in Stark
county, this state, from the age of seven or eight
years. I'nto our subject and his wife have l)een
born seven chihiren : Ernest Rov, who is mar-

ried and follows fanning at Crab Apple Grove,
Illinois ; .\ll)ert Lloyd, wl» is also married ana
is a resident farmer of I^i Grange county, Indi-
ana; I'rank and .\rthur, who assist their father
in carrying on the work of the home fanii ; Lillie,
the wife of Charles Thompson, a resident farmer
of BeiUoii county, Indiana: Myrtle, now the wife
of l-ifayettc Jelt, a fanner of Prairie Green
township ; and Nora, the wife of Trank Wilkin-
son, who resides at Wellington, Illinois.

.Mr. .Miller formerly adhered to the principles
of democracy but is now a prohibitionist, thus
indicating his views on the temperance (picstion.
He is a lx*licver in gixxl schools and comjKrtcnt
teachers and has lieen a memlx-r of the school
Iward for twelve years and president of the dis-
trict for several years. Both lie and his wife
hold memlx-rship in the Christian church, in
which he has served as elder for the past twelve
or fourteen \ears. He maintains pleasant rela-
tions with his old army comrades by his mcmber-
shij) in the Grand .Army |K)st at Hooj)eston. He
has spent the greater part of his life in IrcKjuois
county, and has been a valuable assistant in much
of the ])rogress and deveIo[)meiit that has here
been made in the line of agricultural pursuits.
He is a progressive and well known farmer and
a veteran of the Civil war. and is honored and
respected wherever known.

IloKACK GIBSON, .M. D.

Dr. Horace Gibson has gained in his profession
a i)osition of prominence among the representa-
tives of the calling in Inxpiois county and, more-
over, he is concerned in practical politics, his
worth and ability leading to his selection for
various |n)Iilical honors. M this writing he is
serving as mayor of Sheldon and as supervisor
of Sheldon township, and his official service has
ever Ixen of a character that is proof of his pub-
lic spirit and his sense of conscientious obli-
gation in the performance of all the duties that
thus devolve upon him.

Dr. Gibson was l)om in F^ockport. New York.
I'ebruar>- 5. 1858, and is a son of Thomas Gib-
son, who came to this coimty in 18^15, settling
in Sheldon. He was a fanner by occupation

132

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

and followed that pursuit throughout the period
of his active business career. For thirty-eight
years he continued a resident of Sheldon, where
his death occurred in 1903, when he had reached
the venerable age of eighty-two years. He was
of English descent and became a resident of
Xew York in 1850. In early manhood he wedded
Jane Pope and unto them were born seven chil-
dren, but Dr. Gibson is the only one now living.

In the common schools the Doctor acquired
his early education and worked upon the home
farm until nineteen years of age. He after-
ward spent three years as a student at Onarga,
Illinois, and subsequently attended Wabash Col-
lege in huliana for one year. He then engaged
in teaching at Wabasha, Minnesota, for three
years and during that period spent the summer
seasons in Alinneapolis. Desirous for further
educational advancement, he matriculated in the
University of Wisconsin, where he won the mas-
ter degree, after which he taught for three years
at Alayville, that state. He regarded teaching,
however, as an initial step to other professional
labor and at length found opportunity to gratify
his ambition, he becoming a medical student. He
entered the Chicago Medical College, from which
he was graduated in the class of 1892 and was
further equipped for the duties of the profession
by hospital work. Dr. Gibson made his own
way through college, having previously earned
the money necessary for his tuition and the ex-
penses of a college course. Following his grad-
uation he went to Colorado, where he engaged
in practice for three and a half years and on re-
turning to Illinois he located at Sheldon, where
he has since resided. While in college he
made a specialty of the diseases of children and
has been very successful in his practice along that
line. He also does gynecological work and has
an extensive general practice indicative of the
trust and confidence reposed in him. He has
constanti}' broadened his knowledge and pro-
moted his efficiency by reading and in\-estigatiiin
and is a physician and surgeon of wide erudi-
tion and practical skill.

Dr. Gibson has been married twice. He first
wedded Cora Merrill, of Minnesota, who died in
1894, and subsequently he married Clara Bush,
of Sheldon, who departed this life in Xovcmber,
1905, leaving one daughter, Genevra. now five

years of age. The family home is a beautiful
residence and its hospitality is one of its attract-
ive features.

Dr. iiibson belongs to Sheldon lodge, Xo. 609,
A. ]•". & A. M., and is a man of influence in
local political circles. He votes with the democ-
racy where state and national questions are in-
volved but casts an independent local ballot and
holds the opinion that municipal and county busi-
ness would be better performed if politics was
not allowed to enter into the selection of men
for office. That his fellow citizens recognize
his fitness for leadership and appreciate his fidel-
ity in positions of public trust is indicated by the
fact that he has been elected and re-elected to
the office of mayor, in whicli he has served since
1903. He has also been supervisor of Sheldon
township since that time. ( )f limited financial
resources in youth, he has throughout his life
eagerly availed himself of the opportunities which
have presented and thus has advanced steadily
in those walks of life demanding keen intellectual-
ity, a clear vision and steadfast purpose. Both
in his professional and political life his efforts
have been of great benefit to his fellownien and
Sheldon has profited by his progressive citizen-
ship and his skill in the practice of medicine and'

T- D. RIGGS.

J. D. Riggs is one of the substantial business
men of Iroquois county and his eflforts are of
material benefit to the city of Buckley, in which
he makes his home. He has been a resident of
the county for a half centur\, ha\ing located
here in 1856 when a youth of about twelve vears.
He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
-August 15, 1844, a son of W. G. Riggs, whose
birth occurred in the same locality and who was
a son of William Ri,g.gs. The father of our sub-
ject was reared to manhdod in I'emisylvania and
there wedded Miss Mary Davis, also a native
of that state. He was a carpenter and joiner
1)\ trade and cnnducted otlicr business interests
as well. In 1856 he brought his family to Illi-
nois, locating first on a farm in Iroquois county,
where he engagccl in the tilling of the soil for
a few \ears. He erected the first business house-

I. D. KICCS.

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«35

in lUicklev in 1859, put in a stivk of jjchmIs anil
iKX-anic the first merchant of the town. Tin-
present fine two-story hrick business lilock of |.
D. Kiujjs occupies the site u\Hm which the father
built the first store. The latter continued in ac-
tive business for twenty years and prospered in
his undertakinps. becoming; one of the well
known and leadinjj merchants of the county. He
continued to reside in lUickley until calle<l to his
final rest in .April. i8<j7, his wife survivinp him
for aliout two years and passin^j away in Jan-
uary, 1899.

J. D. kigps s|}cnt the first twelve years of his
life in the place of his nativity and then came
with his parents to Illin«)is, continnintj his edu-
cation in the common schools of Irotpiois comity
and in ( Jnargn Seminary. In March. 18/^14. when
not yet twenty years of ape. he offered his serv-
ices of the government, joining Company E of
the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois \'oI-
imteer Infantry, lie was then sent south to Ken-
tucky and was kept on puard duty. Uecominp
ill he was granted permission to return home on
a furlough and because of his physical disability
was honorably dischargctl in the fall of i8^>4.

After sufficiently recuperating Mr. Riggs
joined his father in business and assisted him in
the conduct of the store, receiving practical busi-
ness training during that ]ieriod. He was thus
engaged for several years, after which lie became
cashier of the Muckley I'.ank. serving for aliout
twenty years. I'rcvious to this time, however,
he had acted as <ieputy in the office of the cir-
cuit clerk for al>out one year. He t<x)k an in-
terest in his father's business and after his long
Ijanking experience he returned to the store and
is now senior partner of the fimi of Riggs & Mc-
Clave. They carry a large stock of general mer-
chandise, including hardware an<l implements.
an<l have built uj) an extensive and constantly
increasing trade, lieing known as substantial
business men of IrcKjuois county.

In i8'')7, in .Xrtcsia township, was celebrated
the marriage of Mr. Riggs and Miss Mary F.
McClave. who was born in Ohio and in i8<i4 Ik-
camc a resident of this county. They now have
two living children: Lee ).. a well educatol
young man who is connected with the railroad
serv'ice of the Illinois Central; an«l William T..
who is with his father in the store. The\ also

lost one son, Joe! P.. who reached adult ,nge jmd
died in July, i8<;)3. at the age of twenty-three
\ears.

.Mr. Riggs votes with tlie republican party, of
which he has Iwen an indexible adv<H:ate since
casting his first proidential vote for (ieneral
(irant in iW»8. He h.ns never missed a presi-
dential election and at each has given his alle-
giance to the nominees at the head of the ticket.
Without aspiration for office, he has nevertheless
been called to jMisitions of public trust by his
fellow townsmen, acting as town clerk and
trustee, as schtM)! treasurer, as township clerk
and in other local offices. He has likewise l>een
a delegate to numerous county conventions. He
and his family are meml)ers of the .Methoilist
l-'piscopal church of Ituckley, in which Mr. Riggs
is now serving as trustee and steward. an<l in the
work of church and Sunday-school takes a most
active and helpful interest. He affiliates with
the .Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Knlge
at I'.nckley, to the chapter and commandery at
I'axton. while his wife is a member and one of
the officers in the Mastern Star Imlge. The busi-
ness record of .Mr. Riggs has Ixrcn characterized
by consecutive |irogre-.s and by a spirit of en-
ergv and perseverance that lias enabled him to
work his way upward until he is now one of the
prosperous nwrchants, not only <if lluckley but
f>f this rlistrict. His record is <Mie which any
man might be proud to possess, for he has never
made engagements that he has not met nor in-
curred obligations that he has not discharge<l.
Integrity is .snionymous with his name in trade
circles in this l<K-ality and he enjoys the respect
and admiration of his contem|K)raries and the
good will of the majority of those who know him.

TKt.t.K IlKorilhKS.

The history of the Tegge family is clo.sely
identified with the busini-ss and social interests
of i'apinerm. Its representatives have been in
Irtxpiois county for almost a half century and the
name has figurerl c(Mitinnously in connection with
the business life of the town. Tegge I'irothers,
now engaged in general merchandising and in
the grain trade in Papineau. are well known in

136

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

commercial circles. The members of the firm
are William F. and Edward J. Tegge, who for
ten years have been buying and shipping grain
and live stock and have prospered all of the time.
They are sons of Fred Tegge. who was born in
Germany and came to America with his jmrents
in the sjjring of 1859. settling on wild land in
Martinton township. Irociuois county, llinois,
where lie continued to live until the fall of 1875.
lie then went into business with his brother, Wil-
liam Tegge. a ])artnership which was continued
until the fall of 18S7. when William Tegge re-
tired from the firm and the business was con-
tinued by F. Tegge until the time of his death,
which occurred January 25, 1895. For five
\cars afterward it was conducted as his estate
and then the present firm of Tegge Brothers
came into existence.

Fred Tegge was born in Germany, February
27, 1847, ^"fl '" i'*^5<^ crossed the Atlantic to
America. It was in Martinton township, on the
2d of July, 1870, that he married Miss ^largaret
Friendt, who was also born in Germany, De-
cember 21, 1848, and who crossed the Atlantic
about 1868. Thev began housekeeping in Mar-
tinton and five years later removed to Papineau,
where Airs. Tegge still resides in a comfortable
home amid pleasant surroundings. The children
born of this marriage are as follows: Emma,
wh<5 was born .\pril 13, 187 1, and whose death
occurred .\pril 30, 1902: William V.. who was
born February 17, 1876; Edward J., born .\o-
vember 26, 1878; and Hattie, July 26, 1889. ( )f
this family W. !•". Tegge was married October
1, 1902, to Miss Bertha Voss, who was born
.\pril (S, 1878. Thcv had two children: Leona,
Ixjrn Xoveiubcr 17, 1903 ; and Lawrence, who
was born June 13, 1905, and who died on the
7th of December of that year. E. J. Tegge was
married .Se])tember 24, 1901, to Miss Emma
llahnke. who was born in November. 1878. and
they have a daughter, Mildred, born Julv 14,
i()03: and a son, Freddie, born December 23,
1904, the father frequenth- commenting on the
fact that he was a most acceptable Christmas
gift.

Reared in Iro(|uois county, the Tegge brothers
have made a creditable record in the business
circles of their home locality and ])rosperity has
followed tluir efforts. Tlie\' are conducting an

excellent store, well equipped with a large and
carefully selected line of goods, and their posi-
tion in commercial circles is a prominent one.
They enjoy the entire confidence of the trading
community and the house sustains an unassail-
able reputation for business integrity and fair-
ness. The labors of the one ably suijplement
and round out the labors of the other and in ad-
dition to general merchandising they carry on a
good trade as shippers of grain antl live stock,
in which connection their business has assumed
large proportions and brings them a gratifying
profit. They also deal in coal, lumber and farm
implements at Papineau and carry on a grain,
coal and implement business at .St. .\nne, Illinois.

WILLIAM LLOYD FASTBURX.

\\'illiam Lloyd Eastburn has the distinction
of being the first white child born in Irofjuois
county and that he has found this section of the
state an attractive place of residence, affording
good opportunities to the settlers is indicated by
the fact that he has always made his home within
the borders of the county. His birth occurred
in Concord township. February 22. 1836. His
paternal grandfather. Jesse Eastburn, came to
Sheldon in 1832, and there made his home. That
was the year in which the Black Hawk war oc-
curred, which practically ended the Indian do-
main in Illinois.

Joseph Barton Eastburn, father of our subject,
was born in Ohio, and came to Concord town-
shi]) by wagon in 1830. He entered land in
Concord and .Sheldon townships, broke the virgin
soil and carried on the work of ini])rovement
until he had brought the fields under a high state
of cultivation. L'pon his farm lie built a cabin
of round logs, the little pioneer home being only
eighteen by twent\- feet, and across one end of
the room was ,'i tlreidace. In that primitive
dwelling the family li\-ed for a number of \ears.
In those early days oiled ])aper was used instead
of window glass in log houses and all the fur-
nishings were very meager and ])riniitive. while
the farm iiii|)lenunls were extremely crude as
comp;ired to the improved niachiner\- used at the

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])rcsciU lime. Cluirch was held in the (lillerciit
houses wlieii an itinerant minister would visit the
ncii^hborlux-xl, and scIickiI was conductid on the
subscription plan. Une winter a loy chicken-
house, fourteen by sixteen feet, which Mr. Kast-
burn had built, was used for school ]»ur|H>ses as
no other buildin^j could be secured, in those
early days crops had to Ik hauled to Chica;;o and
other distant markets. .\s the years passed,
however, Joseph U. Eastburn prospered in his
undcrtakiiifjs and. investing; in land from time to
time as his fuiancial resources increased, he ulti-
mately became the owner of about five hundred
acres, which he had in his possession at the time
of his death in lS<io. His wife, who in her maid-
enhiMxl was .*>arali Truitt. was a native of ( )hio,
and they were the |)arents of six children but only
three are now livin;^: William Lloyd, of this
review: .Mien Miner, a retired farmer livinj^ in
Sheldon: and Parker 'P.. who has also retired
but still lives on his farm near l-'aslburn station.
Those deceased arc Jesse, the oldest of the fam-
ily, who died when about nineteen years of a^e ;
David, the younj^est, who died at his home in
Kansas in nj02; and one dauj;hter who died in
infancy.

William IJoyd ICastburn assisted his father in
the work of the home fami until he was twenty
years (.)f age. when he Ix-fjim business life on his
own accoimt, operatinjj some of his fatiier's land.
Later he boupht a quarter section in Sheldon
township and has added to this ])lace until he now
owns tive hundred acres there. He has also

' fann land in Concord, Middleix^rt. IJelmont and
Sheldon townships, and his landed possessions

; apgrcjjate seven hundred and forty acres. He
has built three sets of buildings on his land, has
tiled the entire farm and has added many other
substamial and modern imi>rovements Through-
out his entire life he has carried on famiinp and
stock-raisinp, and has alsii boujjfht and ship|)ed
cattle and hops. In 1870 the town of Eastburn
was establishal and nametl in honor of the fam-
ily, as was the I-'astburn I'nited Mrethren church.
Ten years ago W. L. Eastburn retired from ac-
tive farm work and has since rented his land to
his sons. Five years apo he lK)npht the home of
Ci. W. Rrown and four acres in Watseka and
has resided here continuously since, enjoyiiiR a
well carncfl rest.

Mr. Eastburn wa.s married in Concord town-
ship. May 12, 1856, to Miss Massi Ho.ipland,
who was Ixim in Coshocton county, t >hio, .March
15. 1838, a daughter of Charlc& Huagland, who
was born in ( )hio, and came l»y wapon with a
party to Concord township in 184^1. Her lather
enteretl s<.>nie land and Ixutpht more, having in
all eipht hundred acres. His wife, who Uire
the maiilen name of Susan Clark, was Imrn in
(Jliio and died in 1848. .Mr. Hoapland died in
iifx). at the very venerable ;ipe of ninety->evcn
\ears. I>eiiip the oldest resident of the county at
that time. He had lived lure from jiioneiT <lays
anil had a very wide acipiaitttance and the favor-
able regard of all with whom he came in contact.
Mr. and Mrs. h^istburn celebrated their golden
we<ldiiig on the iJth of .May, I<KJ5. Cnto them
have been l>orn eight children, Charles, Joseph,
James. .Mrs. Ella Mackkimpson, (ic<irg«, Mrs.
-Maggie I'leming. Mrs. Cynthia Kelley, and
I'ark W.. who resides on the home fann.

Mr. Eastburn has served as road commissioner,
as school ilirector and treasurer and has always
been interested in matters pertaining to general
jirogress antl improvemeiTt, giving his support to
many movements for the general go<xl. He be-
longs to the Cnited I'.rethren church and his life
has been ever honorable and upright. As the
oldest native son of the county he has most inti-
mate knowledge of its history and its develop-
ment. \'ery few evidences of civilization could
here Ik.- found at the time of his birth. There
were still many traces of Indian rule here and
only at w ide intervals was to be found a home of
the white settler to show that the seetls of civ-
ilization had Ix-en |>lanted. Much of the land
was wild and swampy and the prairies were un-
cullivatetl. Deer, prairie chickens and other
wiM game were j)Ientiful and many wolves were
also .seen. Many hardships and privations were
to be endured in the early days Ix-cause of their
remoteness fn»m towns of any size, where they
could obtain needed sup|)lics. The only way they
couM get shiH's in the i-arly days was to have
a shoemaker come to the house, when he would
take measurements and make shoes for all the
family. The O'»oking was done over a fireplace
and the bread was \>akct\ in pans which were
covered by hot coals. In sulxlning the wilder-
ness an<l exten<ling the frontier Mr. Eastburn

I40

PAST AND PRESENT OF

bore his part and as the years advanced he kept
in touch with the steady progress made along
agricukural Hnes. He is now one of the pros-
perous residents of the county with large landed
holdings and his property interests return him a
very gratifying annual income.

ABRAHAr^r R. LA BOUNTY.

Abraham R. La Bounty is the owner of a fruit
farm near Crescent City and a life of industry
and thrift has brought him the measure of suc-
cess which he has enjoyed. His life record be-
gan in Clinton county. New York, February 24,
1850. His father, Abraham La Bounty, was a
native of that county, while the grandfather, Jo-
seph La Bounty, was born in New York and was
of French lineage. In the place of his nativity
Abraliam La Bounty was reared and having ar-
rived at years of maturity he wedded Sarah Ray-
mond, also a native of New York. They began
their domestic life uf)on a farm and for several
years the father carried on general agricultural
pursuits in the Empire state, but thinking to enjoy
better business opportunities in the new and grow-
ing middle west, he came with his family to Iro-
quois county, Illinois, settling in Douglas town-
ship. There he carried on the work of the farm
until he met his death by accidental drowning
in Sugar creek in May, 1869. His wife still sur-
vives him and is now residing in Nebraska.

Abraham R. La Bounty was but a young lad
when brought by his parents to Illinois and has
since remained a resident of Iroquois county. He
attended the public schools to some extent and
through experience, observation and reading in
later years has added largely to his knowledge.
His training at farm work was not meager, for
from an early age he assisted in the work of the
fields from the time of early spring planting un-
til crops were harvested in the late autunui. His
entire life has been devoted to agricultural and
horticultural pursuits and he remained with his
mother until her second marriage and carried on
the home farm. For a number of \cars he con-
tinued to operate the old home property and sub-
sequently he conducted the Lyman farm until
February. i8</i, when he purchasoil his ])nseni

home in Douglas township. Here he is engagecf.
in general horticultural pursuits and annually
gathers good crops of fruit.

On the 29th of August. 1888, Mr. La Bounty
was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Lyman,.
a daughter of Jacob Lyman, who died Septem-
ber 28, 1890. He was for many years a repre-
sentative farmer of Martinton township and was-
a native of Stark county, Ohio, born January 24,.
1832. He was a representative of an old Penn-
sylvania family of Dutch descent and his great-
grandfather was a native of Holland, whence he-
crossed the Atlantic, becoming one of the first
residents of the Keystone state. John Lyman,
the grandfather of Jacob Lyman, was born in
Pennsylvania and Samuel Lyman, the father, was.
born in Buffalo \'alley. Union county, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1810. In 1819 he accompanied his par-
ents on their removal to Ohio and was married-
in that state to Mary Schneider, a native of Ger-
many, who had come to the United States when-
sixteen years of age. After living for some years
in Stark county, Ohio, Samuel Lyman removed'
with his family to Iroquois county, Illinois, in
1837 and there broke the prairie and developed a.
farm. In 1850 he removed to Martinton town-
ship and developed an excellent farm whereon he-
made his home until his death in October, 1877,.
while his wife died in February, 1868.

Jacob Lyman, the elder of their two sons and
the father of Mrs. La Bounty, was only five-
years old when in 1837 he accompanied his par-
ents to Iroquois county. Almost his entire boy-
hood and youth were spent on the home fan-n.
For four months he worked elsewhere in the-
neighborhood but returned home and in connec-
tion with his brother took charge of the father's
farn-i and cared for his parents until their death.
He and his lirother succeeded to the ownership
of the farn-i, but Jacob afterward purchased his-
brother's interest and resided thereon almost con-
tinuously from 1850 until his death almost a
half century later. In 1867 he married Cather-
ine A. Ciibson, a native of Indiana and a daugli-
ter of John Gibson, a pioneer resident of Iroc|uois
cninitN. Mr. -md Mrs. Lyman had four children,
of whom Mrs. La liounty is the eldest. The-
others are Martha May. Rachel and Jessie Pielle
Blanche. They also lost a daughter, Emma Ber-
tha .'-!ni>w, who died in infancv. Mr. Lvman was-

IROQLui.^ LOUNTV. ILl.iMjl.^.

14c

a stalwart democrat and he and his wife were
members of the Christian church and were most
hiphly respected jK'ople.

Tlic home of Mr. and Mrs. I-a Bounty has
been blessed with four children: Lyman J.. lK)rn
Septeniljer 10. 1889; P.ertie May Itelle. Iiorn No-
vember 17. 1893: and Oscar Charles, November
II, 1895. They also lost one child. Hertha Ra-
chel, wlio was Iwrn November 8, i8<ji, and died
September 5, 1893.

Mr. La Bounty jjives his |)oIilicaI allegiance to
the democracy and has served as school director
for the past four years, but has never sought the
honors nor emoluments of public office, content
to do his duty as a private citizen. He has lived
a life of activity and enterprise and both he anrl
his wife are representatives of prominent pio-
neer families, wiiile in the community where they
live their sterling personal traits of character
have pained for them warm esteem and
friendship.

ARR.\IL\M RUNDI^E.

Abraham Rundle has reached the Psalmist's
allotted span of three score years and ten and is
now enabled to live a retired life, owing to his
well directed and unremitting business activity
in former years, for during three decades he was
classed with the active and prosperous farmers of
Pigeon Grove township. For a long period he
has been a witness of the changes that have oc-
curred in northern Illinois. He saw Chicago in
the days of its early development, having taken
up his abode there in 1843. and his memory com-
passes the perio<l when much of this portion of
the state was an undevelope<l wilderness or un-
improved tract of wild prairie.

Horn near Cornwall, England, .\ugust 15.
1835, he was brought to the L'nited States when
a lad of eight years by his parents. Mr. and Mrs.
John Rundle. There were thirteen in the family.
and continuing their journey across the country
after reaching the eastern coast of America they
became residents of Chicago in 1843. the father
spending his remaining days there, his death oc-
curring about 1845. His wife survived him un-
til 1872.

Nine of their children reached afhilt age but
Abraham Rundle and his brother Thomas are
now tlie only survivors of the family. The latter
ser>'ed for four years as a soldier in the Civil
war an<l sustained two severe injuries. He is
now at the Soldier's Home at Danville. Illinois,
but for twenty-five years was a farmer of Iro
quois county.

.Abraham Rundle was reared in Oiicago and
was married there in 1856 to Miss Caroline
Townsend. a (laughter of Ricljard Townsend. one
of the first settlers of the metroj)olis, having a
homestead at Chicago in an early day. Follow-
ing his marriage Mr. Rundle engagc<l in farm-
ing in C(M>k county for a numlxrr of years and in
1865 came to Irorjuois county, purcliasing land
ill what is now Pigeon Grove township. He
commenced with eighty acres and began to farm
and further improve this property, afterward
adding to it a tract of eighty acres adjoining.
The farm Ix-came the scene of much activity.
GcKxl buildings were erected thereon, ditches
were dug in which many rods of tile were laid
and fences were built to apportion the farm into-
fields that could be more easily worked. An or-
chard was also set out and the farm work was
energetically carried on by .Mr. Rundle until 1890^
when he rentetl his place and removed to Loda,
pitrcliasing a residence projierty there.

While living on the farm. -Mr. Rundle lost his
first wife, who died February 28, 1869. and was
laid to rest in Loda cemetery. There were four
children by that marriage: Jane, who died af
the age of fourteen years; Carrie Laura, the wife
of Louis Randolph, of Beatrice, Nebraska; .Nel-
lie, the wife of Perry Divlebliss. of Zion City,
Illinois ; and Frank C, a farmer of .Aurora, Ne-
braska. < )n the I9lh of January. 1870 in Pigeon
(irove township. Mr. Rundle wedded Mary Wil-
son, a native of New York, who was reared in
Chicago, a daughter of John Wilson, who re-
moved from the metropolis of tlie east to iK'come
one of the first settlers of the metropolis of the
west. He and his wife were of F.nglish birth
an<l lineage. Into the second marriage of Mr.
Rundle were bom four children, three of whoni
survive: Mary, the wife of Ora C. Mitchell, of
Irysial I^ike, Iowa: Delia, the wife of Frank
Hogg, a farmer of near .\urora, Nebraska ; and
.\. G.. who is a notetl base Iwll player and is al.so

142

PAST AXD PRESEXT OI-

with the American Radiator Company, in Chi-
cajjo. They lost one dau^-hter. AHce. who died
at the age of fourteen years.

Politically Mr. Rundle is a republican and his
first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in i860.
He and his brother Thomas were republicans,
while the others of the family were supporters
of the democracy. While on the farm Mr. Run-
dle served on the school board for six years. He
and his wife have been members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church for about a third of a cen-
tury and for nearly thirty years he has been on
the official board. It is within his memory when
Chicago was a small village and he has been
much interested in its growth and development.
He lias also witnessed the wonderful transforma-
tion in the country and has borne his part in the
work of public progress, especially along agri-
cultural lines. His work has been a resultant
factor in the acquirement of a desirable success
and now he is enabled to enjoy a well earned rest,
his competence gained in former years of toil be-
ing sufficient to supply him with the comforts
and some of the luxuries of life.

WILLIA^I AHLLER.

Through the improvement of his opjJDrtunities
for advancement along agricultural lines William
Miller has won for himself a ])lace among the
leading and prosperous farmers of (3narga town-
ship. His home is on section i . not far from Del-
rey, and he has an excellent tract of land of one
hundred and forty-eight acres, which has been
brought under a high state of cultivation. No
history of this part of the state would be complete
without mention of him, for he is one of its oldest
settlers, having made his home within the borders
of Iroquois county since May, 1834. Great have
been the changes which have occurred in the
meantime, for pioneer conditions have been re-
placed by those of modern civilization and the
old log cabin has long since given way before
the comfortable and commodious farm residence,
the crude farm machinery has been rejilaced by
modern agricultural implements and in all de-
partments of industrial and commercial life simi-
lar ])rogress has been instituted and carried for-

ward. .Mr. -Miller has at all times borne his full
share in the work of upbuilding and is therefore
an honored and valued pioneer resident.

Born in Covington. Indiana. May 3, 1833. he
is a son of John Miller, a native of Augusta
county, \'irginia, born in 1801. The paternal
grandfather of our subject was born in Germany.
John .Miller was reared in the CMd Dominion
and was married there to Margaret .Stewart, also
a native of X'irginia. Removing westward in
tlie fall of 1829, he spent the winter at Mad River
and in the spring of 1830 became a resident of
Fountain county. Indiana, where he lived for
about four years. Two children had lieen born
unto him and his wife in \irginia and two were
born in Indiana. In 1834 they came with their
family to Illinois and were the second familv to
locate in (.)narga township. Iroquois county.
The father entered two hundred and forty acres
of land from the government, whereon his son
William now resides, securing a part of this for
a dollar and a quarter per acre and the remainder
for two dollars and a half per acre. He broke
the raw prairie and opened up the farm. Later
the Illinois Railroad divided the farm into almost
equal parts. Before the building of the road Mr.
Aliller hauled his produce to Chicago and did
his marketing there, making the trips to and
from the city with o.x teams. He would take a
load of oats or com, selling the latter for four-
teen cents per bushel. Hardships and ]irivations
innumerable were to be endured because of the
frontier conditions which existed, but the family
resolutely continued the work of developing the
farm property and the father spent his entire life
thereon. His political su]3port was given to the
democracy from the time when he cast his first
presidential liallot for .Andrew Jackson. He was
a wagonmaker by trade and after coming to Illi-
nois he opened up a blacksmith and wagonmak-
ing shop and followed his trade to a large extent,
while his sons carried on the work of the farm.
Thus all were busy and the life which they led
was a most useful one, results being soon seen
in the well developed farm and in the prosperity
which attended their labors. Mr. Miller passed
away May 12. 1882, at the advanced age of
eighty-one years and three months. His first
wife died in 1840 and in 1853 he married Mrs.
Liggett, r.v his first marriage there were seven

WILLIAM .\iILLHk AMJ lAMII.V.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

cliildri-ti. tlircc sons and fuur clauKlitcrs. win
rcachi'il adult ajjc. and oi this nun)l)cr \\ illian;
Miller and three of his sisters are yet living. The
oldest, .\ndrew. married and died in tiiis county
in 1859. while Robert passetl away in early nian-
liood in 1 85 J. I'he sisters are Mrs. Jane Reed,
who is a widow and is now livinj; in I'ord comi-
ty. Illinois, at the ajje of eifjlity years; Matilda,
the wife of William Swiber. of I'neblo, Colo-
ratio: and Mrs. Catherine (Juirk. a widow who is
livint; at (irand Crossinjj. a suburb of Chicago.

William Miller spent the days of his boyhood
and youth n])on the home farm and worked with
his father as his years and strenjjth increa.sed
and as the father pave more and more attention
to industrial pursuits William .Miller and his
brother carried on the farm work. In early days
they hunted deer all over this jiart of the statj
and saw them in fjreat numbers, brinj^infj back
many a dish of venison for the family board.
He still has in his possession his old rifle, which
is over fifty years old and was made in Middle-
port by Mr. Tarry, who was one of the best
ginismiths in whole country. He killed deer,
wild peese. cranes and prairie chickens and thus
game was furnished for many a meal. Mr. Mil-
ler bought out the interest of one of the si.sters
in the home farm and subse(|uently purchascti
forty acres adjoining. He built thereon a resi-
dence and made the improvements where he re-
sides and the farm, owing to his careful su|)er-
vision and practical management, became a valu-
able i)roperty.

In May. i8<io. in Delrey. .Mr. .Miller was mar-
ried to Miss Margaret Lefrance. who was of
French ancestry and was burn in Canada. Slu-
died July 23. 1870. leaving four children. The
eldest, Jane, is now the wife of Thomas Raines,
of Crawford county. Kansas. Marill is the wife
of James WtMMlard. of ( )narga : Winfield .'^. is
married and is engaged in clerking in Delrey:
and Mrs. Matilda Kniver. a widow, is now a
traine(l nurse in Chicago. There were also two
children by the first marriage, now decea.sed.

On the i8th of March. 1875. Mr. Miller was
again marrie<l, his second union In-ing with ICliza-
beth Woodard. who was harw in Indiana but
was reared largely in McLean county. Illinois.
Of this marriage there are five living children:
Ries, the wife of John Toin. an Englishman by

birth, now living in Indiana : Kva, who <locs
dressmaking and millinery and resides at home ;
Illlen. the wife of Howard .\ustin, a farmer of
I'ord county : John S.. also at home ; and .Malx-I.
the wife of l-'iidey I'oul.-on, a farmer of Iro-
quois count). There were two children of that
uiarriage who have also ])assed away.

.*^ince age conferred upon him the right of
franchise Mr. Miller has never faltered in his
support of the democratic party, casting his first
presidential ballot for James ISnchanan in i85r».
He has never sought or desired office for himself,
but has always manifested those traits which
characterize the public-spirite<l citizen. ( )ne of
the earliest residents of the county, he has for
.seventy-two years resided upon the same farm
and has seen this part of the state changed from
a wilderness an«l swamp into one of the most
highly develojx'd and richest agricultural dis-
tricts of the I'nion. He has helj)ed to improve
and make the county what it is tinlay. When
a lad of ten years he herded cattle over the broio
prairies, there Ix-ing no fences to prevent this be-
ing used as an open range. He has .seen the
railroad built through and towns spring up ani|
develop and has been thoroughly in sym|)athv
with the growth and j)rogrcss. doing all in h'.f
])ower to promote the advancement of this sec-
tion of the state, .\lthongh he had comparative-
ly little opfK)rtunity for the acquirement of an
etlncation. attending private and subscription
schools, he has throughout his entire life studied
and read broadly and is a well posted man. H?
is also active and well ])reserved. His life has
been ever honorable and upright and wherever
kni>wn he ctunmands the res|K'Ct and confidence
of those with whom he comes in contact. From
early days when he helped to subdut; the wilder-
ness he has continuously lieen a resident of the
count V atid his record is most creditable.

I.F.MUFI. D.WFORTH SNOW.

Lenniel Danforth Snow, cashier and the pres-
ent manager of the I tank of Sheldon, was liom
in Washington, Illinois. .April 20. 1873. aixl is
a son of the Hon. Herman Walter .^now. who is
mentioned on another i>age of this volume. In

146

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

1875 his parents removed to Sheldon. Illinois.
The strong traits of his character arc largely in-
herited from his maternal grandfather and he is
known as a cool, cautious, deliberate and far-
sightetl man. He accjuircd a common and high
school education, and in 1S90 he removed to
Washington, D. C. where he acted as ])rivatc
secretary to his father, who was then a member
of congress. In 1894 he returned to Illinois and.
the family home being established in Kankakee,
he there opened au insurance and real-estate of-
fice, continuing in that business until after his
appointiTient in September, 1895. by Governor
Altgeld to the office of state grain inspector. He
acted in that capacity until 1897. when he re-
signed and entered the Bank of Sheldon, owned
by his father and established by him in 1875.
This bank has now had a continuous existence of
thirty-two years and has made consecutive and
substantial progress, being regarded as one of
the safest and most conservative moneyed insti-
tutions of Iroquois county and this part of the
state. In 1899 the firm name of the bank was
changed to H. W. Snow & Son by the admission
of L. D. Snow as a partner, and the Bank of
Sheldon is now undei^ his management, while his
official capacity is that of cashier.

In 1898 occurred the marriage of Mr. Snow
and Aliss \^irgil M. Bishopp. the dau.ghter of
liarton Bishopp. of Sheldon. The young couple
are prominent socially and have many friaids in
Sheldon, while Mr. Snow's position in business
circles is among the foremost.

CHARLES X. WAITV.

Charles X. Waity is one of the most prominent
and enterprising farmers of Sheldon township,
lie owns a very tine farm in the midst of which
stands a large and attractive residence, being
e(|ualled by few country homes in the entire
countw He was born in Sheldon townsliij). ( )c-
tober 3, 1875, and was reared to agricultural pur-
suits but is now le;iving tlie active work of the
farm to others, wliile he is assisting in the furni-
ture .store of P. \V. Miner, in .Sheldon.

Mr. Waity is a son of Nelson II. Waity, who
was born in .X'cirwav, and canu' to the I'nited

States in 1837. His people were among the tirst
settlers of Sheldon township. Xelson H. Waity
was a farmer by occupation and after coming to
the United States spent his subsequent years in
this county. He worked persistently and ener-
getically to obtain a start and to promote his
business interests and successes, and as the years
passed by he accumulated an estate of four hun-
dred and ten acres. He t(X)k raw land which
he converted into rich and productive fields and
as the \ears passed by his work was crowned
with a measure of success most gratifying. He
died upon the old homestead farm April 16,
1897. when seventy-one years of age. His wife.
who in her maidenhood was Rosanna Coughe-
nour. was born in Pennsylvania, and died on the
3d of September, 1880. In the family of this
worthy couple were six children, of whom three
are now living, namely : Mrs. Frank Zumwalt,
of • Sheldon ; Charles N., of this review ; and
Frank, who is engaged in general farming in
Sheldon township.

In taking up the personal history of Charles
X. Waity we present to our readers the life
record of one wdio is widely and favorably known
in this part of Iroquois county. He was edu-
cated in the Sheldon school and his time w^as di-
vided between the duties of the schoolroom, the
pleasures of the playground and the work of the
fields upon the farm. After putting aside his
text-books he remained upon the farm until
1902. when he went west to Colorado for one
year. He also spent a year in St. Louis. Mis-
souri, and since that time has been in Sheldon.
He secured one hundred acres from his father
and has purchased one hundred and nineteen
acres adjoining. He likewise has good build-
ings upon the farm and his home is a most com-
modious and beautiful residence, containing four-
teen rooms. He has recently erected a large
barn and everything about his place ])resents a
well kept appearance and indicates his careful su-
])ervis(iii. In additinn to his nther business
allairs he has mining interests in Colorado.

Mr. Waity exercises his right of franchise in
sup]iiirt iii the men and measures of the repub-
lican party. In Masonry he has attained the
thirt\-second degree of the Scottish rite and he
is also a member of the Mystic Shrine of Chi-
cago. He affiliates with the Knights of Pvthias.

i£2^^1S£. r-'^^^,-' :-

IRogLOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

•49

at Slicldon and the Klks at Kniik;iki-c. ami is
lH)i)iilar with his brcthnii i>f these tlilTcrcnt far-
temitics, for he is a young man of enterprising,
progressive spirit, genial in disposition, kindly
in manner, winning friends wherever he goes.

Mr. Waity gives his |jolitical supjujrt to the
repiililican party. In his fraternal relntii^ms he is
identified with the Knights of I'ythias and tlie
Mfxlem Woodmen of America, and in Uitii tiiesc
organizations is p<^pular with the brethren of the
craft.

FRANK WAITY.

FKKD W. RANZ.

Frank Waity, an enterprising young fanner,
owning and o|)crating one hundred and twenty
acres of land on section 3. Sheldon township, was
born on the farm which is now his home, July
12, 1878. The family was founded in America
by Holson Waity, who emigrated from Norway
to this country in 1837, and located in Heaver
township. Inxjuois county, lie lived but two
years after coming to the new world. His son.
Nelson Waity, the father of our subject, located
tlie tract of land which has since been the fam-
ily homestead, and he made all of the improve-
ments which are here seen. The first home was
a log house, which was later replaced by a more
modern and substantial frame residence, and he
also erected many outbuildings for the .shelter
of grain and stock, and placed his land under a
high state of cultivation. He was married to
Miss Rosanna Coughenour, a native of Ohio, and
the father followed farming until 1897. when he
gave the property to his son Frank, who has con-
tinued the work of improvement and cultivation
which was begun by his father, up to the present
time, and today it constitutes one of the valua-
ble tracts of Sheldon township.

Frank \\'aity acquired his early education in
the district schools near his fathers home and
later completed the high-school course at Shel-
don. He was early trained to the duties of the
farm and gave his father the benefit of his ser-
vices until he had reached the age of nineteen
years, when, as stated, he inherited the home
place and is now engaged in its ojMiration on his
own account. He is very successful in all that
he undertakes and follows only the most modern
and practical methods in carrying on his lalwrs
and is today accounted one of the leading and
progressive young fanners of this part of Iro-
quois county.
8

Fred W. Ranz, who for seven years has been
engaged in the grain trade in Claylonville, own-
ing and oiK-rating the elevator, also deals in coal,
and the extent of his operations in both lines
have won him a place among the representative
young business men of this part of the county.
He was born in Muscatine, Iowa, Novanber 24,
1866, a son of Joseph I^nz, who with his family
came to Ir<x|uois county in 1868 and settled u|x>n
a farm in Ash Grove township, where he yet
resides.

Upon the old homestead fami Fred W. Ranz
spint the days of his youth and in the district
schools acquired his preliminary education, which
was sup])lcmented by study in Grand Prairie
Seminary in Onarga. Thinking to find conuner-
cial ijursuits more congenial than agricultural,
Mr. Ranz engaged in clerking in Crescent City,
where he remained for a few years and then
went to Goodwinc, where he took charge of the
Farmers Elevator, continuing there for four
years. On the expiration of that period he
purchased an interest in the elevator at Claylon-
ville and in May, 1899, took charge of the grain
and elevator business at this point. He also
handles coal and in both lines has built up a
good trade. This being one of the rich agri-
cultural districts of the state, there is excellent
opportunity offered the grain merchant, and in
the conduct of the business Mr. Ranz annually
handles thousands of bushels of grain, thus fur-
nishing a market to producers and also con-
ducting a profitable business for himself.

On the 1st of March, i8»;3, at Crescent City,
Mr. Ranz was united in marriage to Miss Ida
May Kern, who was born and reared in that
place. They now have five daughters: Hazel.
I'reda, Beatrice, Ruth and Beulah. The parents
arc well known sociallv in Clavtonville and other

ISO

PAST AND PRESENT OF

parts of the county and have a large circle of
warm friends. Politically Mr. Ranz has fol-
lowed in his father's footsteps and is a
stanch republican, but has always been without
aspiration for office, preferring to concentrate his
energies upon his business interests and in con-
nection with the grain and coal trade he is also
interested in the breeding of Arabian horses,
while formerly he was engaged in the breeding
of heavy draft horses. He is a great lover of
fine horsts and is well known as a breeder and
dealer. He is connected with the Knights of
Pythias lodge, the ^Modern Woodmen camp and
the Fraterna.1 Insurance Association, and his
wife is a member of the Christian church. He
belongs to that class who are the real upbuilders
and promoters of a community by reason of the
business activity upon which the growth of every
town and city depends and Claxtonville therefore
finds in him a leading citizen.

HON. THOMAS \'EXXU.M.

No adequate memorial of the Hon. Thomas
\'ennum can be written until many of the use-
ful enterprises with which In- was connected have
coiiipleted their full measure of good in the world
and until his personal influence and example
shall have ceased their fruitage in the lives of
those who were about him when he was yet an
actor in the busy j^laces of the world : yet there
is much concerning him that can with pnifit he
set down as an illustration of what can be done
if a man with a clear brain and willing hands but
sets himself seriously to the real labors and re-
sponsibilities of life. He was known for many
years as a successful banker but it was not alone
through his business interests that he contril)-
nted to the progress and prosperity of the coun-
ty, for in man\- ])rivate ways and through a co-
operation with measures instituted for the public
good he advocated those plans and purposes
which work for civic virtue and civic jjride. He
came to the county in ])ioneer times and frnm its
earliest days until his demise was an active factor
in its growth and development. ^>'''^'

His birth occurred December 25, 1833. in Wash-
ingtiin county, i'ennsylvania, and his ])arents

were Christopher C. and Rosanna (Paul) \'en-
num. The spring of 1835 witnessed the arrival
of the family in Illinois, the journey being made
down the Ohio and up the Wabash rivers. The
father entered land from the government on sec-
tion 4 in what is n.ow Milford township, Iroquois
county, and later by additional purchase in-
creased his acreage until he was one of the ex-
tensive landowners of the county.

As he advanced in years and strength Thomas
X'ennum aided more and more largely in the work
of the home farm through the suminer month.s,
while in the winter seasons he attended the jjublic
schools and thus qualified for the performance of
life's daily duties. Furthermore he spent one
year as a student in \\'ashington College in Penn-
sylvania and also attended Asbury University,
now De Panw- University, at Greencastle, In-
diana. Farm work continued to occupy his time
and attention when not busied with the work of
the schoolroom until 1856, at which time he be-
came a more active factor in public interests of
the county as clerk of the circuit court and ex-
officio recorder. He was at that time a young
man of twenty-three years, who brought to his
new duties a spirit of resolution, enterjirise and
political integrity that made him a most capable
oiTicial. He was re-elected in i860 and again in
1864, so that his incumbency covered twelve
years, and at the time of the removal of the
county seat to ^\'atseka in 18(13 l^^ changed his
place of residence and remained there until his
demise.

Three years after takin.g u]5 his abode in Wat-
seka Mr. \'ennum retired from office as he had
entered it — with the confidence and good will of
all concerned, lie then became a factor in finan-
cial circles in Iroquois count v by entering into
])artnership with John L. Donovan and (George
A. Woodford in establishing the first liank of
Watseka under the firm style of Donovan. Wood-
ford &■ Coni])any. That connecti(ni was con-
tinued until ( kiober, 1874, when Mr. \'ennuni
went to Tennessee and for si.xteen months was
engagcfl in mining and shippin,g coal at Tracy
City, iiu ciiiUract with the Tennessee Coal & Rail-
way Ct>mpany. This did nut prove very profit-
able, however, and he returned to Watseka.
where in 1876 he again formed a partnership with
J<ihn F. Odndvan in the banking business, open-

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

'51

inj; ihi- first bank in Milfonl. IJoth nlaincil
their rcsidi-nccs in Wats«ka but niann^al tl)c hank
at Milford. wliicli l>ccainc one i>f the strong ami
substantial financial institutions of the county. A
safe conservative policy was inau^iratcd that has
always Ik-cu maintained and the institiuion has
been one of the iitniosl value to the community as
well as a source of pratifyinp profit to the stcKk-
holders. .\ man of resourceful ability and marked
enteri)rise, Mr. \'cinium did not confine his atten-
tion entirely to one line but c.\tend«l his efforts
into other fieUls of activity with the result that they
profited by his wise couu.sel and co-operation.
While a resident of Middleport he was a mem-
ber of the firm of H. .V. Tillinjjhast & Com|)any.
druRKists. The business was subsequently trans-
ferred to Watseka and on Ur. Secrcst becoming a
partner the firm name was chanjjji-d to Secrest,
Tillinghasl & Company. Mr. \ ennum remaining
as the silent partner for a number of years, after
which he withdrew. Durinj; his incumbency in
the office of circuit court clerk he ttwk up the
study of law and was admitted to the bar, but
never actually enpagcd in the ])ractice of the
profession because of the fact that he became
interestetl in banking and other business enter-
prises.

On the 8th «)f .\|iril. iHttj. was celebrated the
marriage of Thomas N'ennum and Miss Lucia
.\. Tullar. who was Inirn in l>ri>wnsville. Le-
nawee county. Michigan. The wedding was
<elebratcd in Detroit, Michigan, and the marriage
was bles.sed with five children : Ella Jeanette,
now the wife of Otis W. Johnson, a son of < )tis
R. Johnson, the well known millionaire lumber-
man of Racine, Wisconsin; Irving T., who is
-connected with the linking business at Milford:
Fred D.. president of the First National Hank
at .Milford; and Thomas ("i.. who is an attorney
of V\'atseka. One (laughter. .\lal>cl. who was the
eldest of the family, died in infancy.

Mr. V'ennum attaincrl his majority alxnit the
time the republican ])arty s|)rang into existence
and he became one of the stalwart supporters of
the new organization. In the fall of 1870 he
was elected to represent his district in the state
legislature and became a memln-r of the twenty-
seventh general assembly, where he was apjx'int-
ed on the committees of finance, congressional
a[>pointment and contingent ex|)enses. He tlici

active and important work in the committee-
rooms an<l was connected with consiilerablo
constructive legislation. ilis official scrvici^
also covered an incumlK-ncs in the ofhc<
of mayor of Watseka and linth as legislator and
mayor he renderecl signal service to his fellow
townsmen and his constituents. He held meni-
IxTship in lr(ic|Uois hnlgc. No. 74, I. O. O. F,.
and in the Presbyterian church, of which his wife
is also a member, and his ci>-o|H.-ration was always
a factor in the intellectual and moral progress of
his conununity as well as in its business life and
political circles.

The death of Thomas X'ennum occurred
|8<>8. The conununity regarded him as a citizen
whom it could ill afford to lose, so important had
Ikcu his public service, and so many were his
good traits that he had endeared himself in large
measure to the majtirity <jf its citizens and his
death was therefore regardetl as a personal be-
reavement. He represented one of the oldest
pioneer families of the county. His grandfather
and his father were both closely associate<l with
the early development of this part of the state
and as he a<lvanccd from l>oyhootl to manhood
he too became actively and helpfully interested
in all those movements and measures which work
out in the progress. advanceiiK-nt and prosperity
of the county. His memory comjiassed the |)e-
rio<l of piomvr life here when the homes were
largely log cabins and when much of the land
was still uncultivated. He lived to see this be-
come one of the n»ost flourishing districts of the
great conunonwealth, situated as it is in the
midst of the richest agriculltiral Ix-lt of the entire
coimtry. His Id-nevolence was unostentatious
and genuine and there is nothing in the story of
his life to show that he ever for a moment sought
to com|>ass a given end for the pur|>ose of ex-
alting himself. He champione<l measures and
aidetl men and accepted as his rewani that thrill
of delight which always accompanies victories
achieveil. Lndowetl by nature with a sound
judgment and an accurate, discriminating mind,
he feared not that laborious attention to the de-
tails of business so necessary- to achieve success
and this es.seutial quality was ever guided by a
sense of nv>ral right which would tolerate the
employment oidy of those nvans that would
In-ar the most rigid examination by a fairness

i=;2

PAST AXD PKESEXT OF

of intcntiiin tliat neitlier sought nor require<l dis-
guise. It is but just and merited praise to sa\'
of ]\lr. \'cnnum tliat as a business man he ranked
with the ablest ; as a citizen he was honorable,
prompt and true to every engagement ; as a man
he held honor and esteem of all classes of people,
of all creeds and political proclivities ; as a hus-
band and father he was a model worthy of all
imitation ; unassuming in his manner, sincere in
his friendships, steadfast and unswerving in his
loyalty to the right. His memory is a sacred
inheritance to his children ; it will long be cher-
ished by a multitude of friends.

PETER AIcDERMOTT.

Peter McDermott is engaged in buying and
shipping grain at Crescent City and also deals in
coal and farming implements. He has been as-
sociated with the grain trade here since 1894
and, moreover, figures prominently in financial
circles as president of the First National Bank.
Keejaing in touch with the trend of modern
thought and progress as manifest in the business
world, he is recognized as one of the valued
factors in commercial life in his community and
belongs to that class of representative American
men who while promoting individual success also
contribute to general prosperity.

A native of Will county, Illinois, Mr. McDer-
mott was born March 8, 1866, and is a son of
John McDermott. Following the removal of the
family he was reared and educated in Ford
county, early becoming familiar with all the du-
ties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul-
turist. At the age of seventeen years he began
teaching school, which profession he followed
for several years during the winter months, while
through the summer he worked on the farm. He
followed farming on his own account for some
time and then turned his attention to the grain
business, being thus engaged at Piper City, Illi-
nois, from 1891 until 1894. In the latter year
he purchased an elevator at Crescent City, where
he has since carried on the grain trade, and also
owns a half interest in an elevator at Black, Illi-
nois, his brother M. J. being his partner in this
enterprise. He now handles about four hundred

thousand bushels of grain at Crescent City an-
nuallx-. This rich agricultural district furnishes
excellent opportunity to the producer and to the
grain merchant and Mr. McDermott's business
has constantly grown in volume and importance.
He likewise deals in coal and agricultural imple-
ments, finding a ready sale in those lines, and
he became one of the organizers of the First Na-
tional Bank of Crescent City, of which he has
continuously served as president, making this a
safe, strong and valuable financial institution.

Mr. IMcDermott wedded Miss Mary E. O'Neill,
of Iroquois county, a daughter of Edmund
O'Neill, now residing in Crescent City and one
of the old settlers of this part of the state. They
have three children : John E. and Mary E.,
twins, nine years of age ; and Francis O., five
years of age.

Politicallv Mr. McDermott is a democrat and
for some time was president of the village board,
while at the present writing he is acting as presi-
dent of the school board of Crescent City. His
interest in community affairs is deep and sincere
and is manifest in his unselfish devotion to the
general welfare. Any movement for the good
of his town receives his hearty endorsement and
his active co-operation. He and his wife are
memljers of the Catholic church. The circle of
their friends is extensive and Mr. McDermott is
well known throughout the county as a business
man of ability and prominence, well meriting the
success that he has achieved.

WILLIAM T. IRELAN.

There is no better criterion of the spirit which'
dominates a community than its newspaper and'
it is a widely acknowledged fact that the Oilman
Signal, of which William T. Irelan is editor and'
proprietor, has been one of the potent influences
in the progress and upbuilding of the city, for
this paper has ever been the champion of those
interests which are a matter of civic virtue and
civic pride, and its editorials have done much tO'
mold public thought and opinion.

.\ native of Mercer county, Ohio, Mr. Irelan
was born September 29. 1868, and comes of Puri-
tan and Revolutionary ancestry. Representatives

*f^

MR. AM) MKS. 1'I-".TI:R M. DI-.KMnTT.

LIBRARY

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UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

IROQI- ' '!> HH.\1\. ILLi.MUS.

«55

of the name soltlol at W'iiulliain. (.'cninrctictit.
early in the scvcntecntli century ami in later grn-
trrations the family furnished to the wars ni the
country various brave and loyal s«ildiers. some of
whon) were officers that foujjht for the libertv
and ri(;hls of the nation, while some f;ave their
lives in defense of the interests of the republic.

Silas Dowler Irelan. father of our sub-
ject, was a native of (Ihio and having arrived
at year* of maturity was married there to Miss
Mary itidlack. who wa^ also born in that state.
He was a farmer by occupati<in. clevoiinp the
jfreater part of his life to peneral auricultural
pursuits, and he died in l8<n. at the a^e of sixty-
eight years, while his wife survived him for a
decade arnl passed away in mk)4. at the ape of
seventy -one years.

Reared un<ler the parental HHif. William T.
Irelan acquired a ])ublic-school e<ludBtion and
early ln'came familiar with newspaper work in
its various phases. In early manhood he taupht
sch(X)l to some extent but the greater part of his
life has hcvu spent in the field of jounialism.

Mr. Irelan dates his residence in ( iilman from
l8g6. He had met with financial reverses in
the newspaiK'r field in < )hio and K'vinpr up all
that he possessed, he came to Illinois with only
a knowledpe of his trade to serve as the capital
with which to hepin life in a new community.
Here he became e<litor of the lro<|uois County
Siptial and his advaiKement has been both rapid
and consecutive. The pajHT had iK-en trviiij.^ for
a year to fill the trailitional 'lonj,' felt want" but
without success, and was at that time entirely
without influence, .\lmost immediaely after .Mr.
Irelan assumed control a decided change was
manifest. He began a series of weekly letters in
rural dialect, which he had learned as a Ixiy on
the farm, and in these letters he satirized the
hide-boiind element that op|x>se<l public im|)rovc-
ments. This was an innovation in joiirnalisni
in Iro(|uois county and while the progressive ele-
ment rallied to the s«pj)ort of the new editor
tlvise who received his unwelcome attentions were
surprised and sluKketl ami naturallv Ix-came an-
tagonistic. Mr. Irelan. however, continued writ-
ing humorous farnuT talk for his i)a|>er. using
the nom-dc-guerre of Reuben Hardscrabble. and
in a year his victory was complete. The circula-
tion of the pa|)er constantly increased and the

Signal also became an excellent adveriiiing mc-
<li«nn. The influence which he ban exerted m>
|H)litical circles lias also been wnlelv fell.

Mr. Irelan has ever Ixa-n a stalwart ailvocate
of rr|inlilican principles and he presenteil his
cause throuj;h the columns of the pa|>er in a clear,
concise, logical and convincing manner. The in-
rtiieiK-e f>f his writings is immeasurable but all
acknr)w ledge that il lias been a potent element
in re]iul>lican successes in Iroquois county and
the party, acknowledging his worth and ability,
have called him to ptiblic office. I'reviirtis tolitical circles as a can-
didate for office, but in that year he was elected
by his fellow townsmen to the (nisition of jxilice
magistrate. Previous to that time lawlessness
was practically imcheckeil owing to niysteriou-*
and subtle influences, but it was now fbtmd that
"influence" no longer meant imnuinity an<l of-
fenders .Tgainst the ordinances made ami pnv
videil. but seldom enforced, foimd themselves
lalMiring under penalties of unheard-of severity.
.\gain Mr. Irelan was called to public office. Ix-
ing appointed to an important clerkship in the
forty-second general assembly of Illinois. an<l
in I")ecemlK'r. i<^i. he receive<l ap|)oinlment
through the influence of Congressman Joseph (i.
Cannon as assistant enrolling clerk in the house
of representatives at VN'ashington.

On the i6th of July, i<X)2. .Mr. Irelan was
married to Miss Helen .Vhxire. of Mercer coun-
ty. Ohio, a daughter of l-'nincis M. and .^arah
(Toner) .Moore. Her father, who devoted his
life to ap;rictdtnral i)ursuits. tlie<l in i8f)3. but her
mother is still living in * thio. Mrs. Irelan ac-
(juired her education in the public schools and in
Coldwater ( ( )hio ) .Academy and for f<Hir years
engaged in leaching. She has become the mother
of two I'liililnii /cll.i Mih.n- :oii! l).il!:is

liidlack.

Mr. Irelan is a member of the .s,ins ol the
.Xmerican Revolution and the Modern Wixnlmen
of .America, while his religiou.s faith is indicated
bv his connection with the Methodist churcli. He
is a man of most geni:d nature and while he Ins
taken an aggressive |Ni$ition on matters of pub-
lic moment he is at the same time never abusive
(tf adversaries. His own [M^silion is never an
i-ipiivocal one and the conunnnity acknowledges
its imiebtedness to him for his cliantpionship of

156

PAST AND PRESENT OF

many plans and movements which have been of
direct benefit to Gilman. He is a man of Hterary
tastes, who finds dehghtful companionship among
the master minds of present and former ages,
and this gives him rest and recreation from the
demands made upon his time and energies by
his journalistic interests and his political work.

SAMUEL BUCKLEY.

Samuel Buckley, a retired farmer and con-
tractor making his home in Sheldon, was born
in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, April 4, 1849,
his parents being Stephen and Eliza Jane (Har-
per) Buckley. The paternal grandparents were
James and Sarah (Lincoln) Buckley, the former
a native of North Carolina and the latter of
Ohio. Mrs. Sarah Buckley died in Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, in 1844 '^"'1 James Buckley
afterward wedded ]\Irs. Jacobs. In 1854 he came
to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he lived for
about eighteen months and then removed to
Carroll county, Indiana, where he spent his
remaining days. His son. Stephen Buckley, was
born in Preble county. Ohio, January 2, 1823,
and was two years of age when his parents re-
moved to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he
lived until 1856. He was married on the 3d of
June, 1848, to Miss Eliza Jane Harper, a
native of Montgomery county, Indiana. On leav-
ing the Hoosier state they came to Iroquois
county, Illinois, and settled on land which Mr.
Buckley had purchased from the government in
1854. Here he was very successful in his busi-
ness life, adding to his original holdings until
he owned at one time fourteen hundred and sixty
acres of land in this county. He always followed
farming and through the careful husbanding of
his own resources and his wise investment he
won the splendid success which crowned his
labor. He died in June, 1904, at the advanced
age of eighty-one years and five months, while
his wife passed away at the a.ge of sixty-nine
years. They were continuous residents of Iro-
quois county from 1856 until called to their final
rest and were most worthy and esteemed pioneer
people. They became the patents of six chiidrcn,
five nf whom arc now living: Samuel, of this

review ; Mrs. Delilah Amos, who resides in Shel-
don ; Mrs. Sarah A. Boatman, a widow, living
in Chicago: Alonzo, of Sheldon, and Mrs, Maria
Elizabeth Roberts, a resident of California.

Samuel Buckley spent the first seven years of
his life in the state of his nativity and then ac-
companied his parents on their removal to Iro-
quois county in 1856. He was educated in the
\\'illow Grove school near his father's home and
was early trained to habits of industry, economv
and perseverance upon the farm, working dili-
gently and persistently and thus becoming well
qualified to take up farm work on his own ac-
count when he attained his majority. He was
continuously engaged in general agricultural
pursuits until 1884, when his wife died and he
removed to Sheldon. Here he took up carpen-
tering and contracting and was thus busy until
he retired from active life. He is now one of
the wealthy residents of Sheldon and owns a
beautiful two-stor\- residence two blocks from
Main street. He has here three good lots with
cement sidewalks, and the home stands in the
midst of a well kept lawn. His farming inter-
ests comprise two hundred and sixty acres of
good land in Sheldon township and upon this
also stands a good two-story dwelling. His
farm returns to him a gratifying annual income
and provides him with the comforts and some
of the luxuries of life.

Mr. Buckley was married to Edna E. Cana-
day, a native of Mrginia, and they became the
parents of one daughter, Nellie, who is now the
wife of Ora Smalley, of Sheldon, by whom she
has three children, Harold, and Blendine and
Geraldine, twins. Tlie wife and mother passed
away in February, 1884, and Mr. Buckley was
again married, Au,gust, 1904, to Agnes A. Cole-
man, a native of Indiana.

His political support is given the republican
party, of which he is a stalwart advocate. He
served as city marshal of Sheldon for four years,
was school director while on the farm and is
now filling the position of constable. Almost his
entire life has been passed in this county and
while carefully directing his business interests
so as to win success he has also l)een an inter-
ested witness of the changes which have occurred
here and the progress that has been wrought,
and as a good citizen be has ahva\s endeavored

LIBRARY

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UNIVBISII^ OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

'59

to uphold the poHtical ami legal status and to
advance the material, intellectual and inciral
interests of the countv.

ALONZO I. HALL.

.Monzo J. Hall, who has won lor himself a
creditable place as a citizen and as an agricul-
turist in Iroquois county and who for some years
was a factor in the business life of Milford,
where he owned and o|)erated a grain ele\-ator.
is now living retired. His birth occurred in Coles
county. Illinois, .\ugust 24. 1852. his parents
being David A. and Mary M. (Lemmoii) Hall,
natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. With
his |)arents the father removed to Vermilion
county. Indiana, in his childhood days, the family
home being established there about 1848. and
when he had reached manhood he was married
there to Miss Mary M. Lemmon. In 1862 he be-
came a resident of Chicago, where he engaged
in the live-stock and commission business, spend-
ing his last days in that city. His death oc-
curred in 1884 and liis wife passed away in 1876.

Consequent upon the removal of the family
from Cities county to Chicago .\lonzo J. Hall was
reared in the western metropolis and is indebted
to its public-school system for the educational
privileges he enjoyed. .Arriving at years of ina-
turity, he worked at the stockyards with his fa-
ther from 1869 until 1874, or for a period of five
years, but thinking to find agricultural life more
congenial and profitable he came to Iroquois
•county and Ixiught land in I-ovejoy township.
After his father's death he succeeded to a part
■of the estate and eventually added to his property
through judicious investments and as the result
of careful business manageinent until he now
-owns si.x hundred acres of land in two famis in
Milford and Lovejoy townships. Both places are
improved with good buildings and are well fenced
and altogether constitute fine farming property.
He tilled the soil for many years according to
modern ideas of agricultural development and
raised good crops. He also raised and fed stock
and that branch of his business proved profitable.
In 1888 he removed to Milford. where he erected
an attractive modern residence, but lie did not

cease to carry on the farm work until several
years tiiereafler, when he rented his land. In
.Milford he engaged in the grain business, owning
and conducting an elevator fur three years, when
he .sold out. His time is now given only to the
su])ervisi(>n of his invested interests and his rest
from further active labor is well merited.

( >n the 22d of January. 1876. occurred the mar-
riage of Mr. Hal! and Miss .Sarah .\. Wilson, a
native daughter of Irof|uois covinty. her father,
John Pi. Wilson, having come from Indiana to
cast in his lot with the early settlers here. There
arc two children by this marriage: Quincy A..
who is a student in the state university, pursuing
the mechanical engineering course ; and .Mice W..
at home. .\ lifelong republican in politics, Mr.
Hall has done effective service for the party as
a champion of its principles and for twelve con-
secutive years he was elected and capidily ser\'ed
as road commissioner and was al.so township col-
lector for one term. He has frequently been a
delegate to the conventions of his party and takes
a deep interest in politics as every true American
citizen should do. His wife is a member of the
Methodist church and he affiliates with Milford
lodge. A. F. & A. M.. and with Watseka com-
mandcry. K. T. His residence in Iroquois coun-
ty covers more than a third of a century, where
he has become well known because of the extent
and importance of his business dealings and by
reason of the fact tliat he has been called to nu-
merous offices of honor and trust, in which he
has been recognized as a man of tried integrity
and worth, meriting and receiving the confidence
and esteem of the community. While he inherit-
ed some property much of his success is attribut-
able entirely to his own labors and the capable
management of his business affairs.

JACOB J. WIENRANK.

Belmont township has its full proportion of
energetic, wide-awake and alert farmers, which
numlx-r includes Jacob J. Wienrank, who is liv-
ing on section 27, where a valuable tract of land
of two hundred and forty acres pays annual
tribute to his care and labor in rich crops. A
native of Illinois, he was born near Benson,

i6o

PAST AND PRESENT OF

W^oodford county. Xovember 8, 1870, and in
1876 was broiig-ht to Iroquois county by his par-
ents. John and Antje (Duitsmann) Wienrank,
both of whom were natives of Germany. The
father's birth occurred in Hanover and he came
to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ja-
cob Wienrank, when a youth of twelve years.
The family home was established near Peoria
in Tazewell county, where John Wienrank was
reared upon a farm. He was married in ^^''ood-
ford county to Miss Duitsmann and afterward
engaged in the cultivation of rented land for five
years. He then came to Iroquois countv and in-
vested the capital which he had saved from his
earnings in o!ie hundred and sixty acres of land.
He then began farming in Ash Grove township
and converted his property into rich and pro-
ductive fields.

Jacob J. Wienrank, the eldest of his father's
family of six children, was reared upon the old
homestead farm in Ash Grove township and ac-
quired a good common-school education, his time
being divided between the work of the school-
room, the pleasures of the playground and the
tasks incident to the development of the farm.
He remained at home with his father until he
had attained his majority and then started out
in life on his own account by renting land. After
nine years thus passed he purchased one hundred
and sixty acres where he now resides on section
27. Belmont township. In 1905 he erected a large
barn, fifty-eight by fifty-eight feet. His place is
well tiled and well fenced, he having laid three
thousand rods of tile on the farm. He has since
purchased eighty acres adjoining his original
tract and now has two hundred and fortv acres
of valuable and well improved land, constituting
one of the excellent farms of the countv. He is
a breeder of good graded stock and makes a spe-
cialty of draft horses. Duroc Jersey hogs and
polled Angus cattle.

On the i8th of .April, 1901. Mr. Wienrank was
united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Shivclv.
a native of Ohio, born March 6, 1873, and a
daughter of Daniel Shively, who was also born
in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Wienrank are the
parents of two cbiMren. Leah Madeline, Inirn
June 15, 1902; and Gladys .-\nna, born Otober 7.
1904. He votes with the democracy but does
not consider himst-lf bnund by party tics at local

elections, nor has he ever desired office as a re-
ward for party fealty. Uoth he and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church of
Woodland and are vyorthy people whose lives are
actuated by high and honorable principles and
who by their earnest endeavor to follow the
teachings of their denomination have awakened
the respect and good will of all witli whom they
have been associated.

ELLIS T. LINDSEY.

Ellis J. Lindsey. who is successfully conduct-
ing farming interests on section 25, Onarga
township, owns an excellent tract of land of
two hundred acres adjacent to the city limits of
Onarga. He is, moreover, one of the native sons
of the county and one whose life record well en-
titles him to representation among its leading'
agriculturists. He was born in Onarga. August
8. 1874, and is a son of B. F. Lindsey and a
brother of Ira M. Lindsey, mentioned on another
page of this work.

Ellis J. Lindsey was reared to manhood on the-
old home farm and his educational privileges
were afforded by the Onarga schools. He has-
been an active man on the farm and since the
age of fifteen years has carried on farm work
on his own account. In the fall of 1897 he
located where he now resides and his energies
and attention have since been given to the con-
trol of the place. In this farm he has two hun-
dred acres and also owns another tract of seventy
acres. He has been watchful of opportunities
for development and has so conducted the work
of the fields that his labors have brought forth
rich crops and success has attended him. The
residence, a large, neat, two-story dwelling, was
erected by him and is thoroughly modern in its
ai^pointments, being heated by furnace and sup-
plied with every accessory which adds to the com-
fort and conveniences of a model home. For
three years Mr. Lindsey has rented the land but
gives supervision to his farm and his other busi-
ness interests, and from these he derives a good
i!icome.

Mr. Lindsey was married in Danforth. Illi-
nois, December J<i, T8t)7, to Miss Olive Kindig,

IRUQLOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

i6t

who was born in W'oodwortli, Illinois, but was
reared and cdnraicd in Ir(H|ui>is county, sjn-nd-
in>j her school days in t )narj;a. Tliree cinldriii
grace this marriaKc: Virginia. Lloyd I*", and
Lester J.

Politically Mr. Lindsey is a democrat where
national isstics are involved but at local elections
casts an indei^endt-nt ballot. He has never as-
pired to office, preferring to give undivide<l at-
tention to his business affairs, in which he has
met with signal success. His wife is a member
of the Christian church of Onarga and he be-
longs to Onarga lodge, K. F*., in which he is
serving as an officxT. He is a man of g<¥Kl busi-
ness ability, who (|uickly recognizes and utilizes
his opportunity and his integrity has l>ecn one
of the salient features in his business life. He
has always resided in the vicinity of ( )narga an<l
is well known in the city and throujjhonl the
surrfumding district, being jH)|)ular with his fel-
lowmen by reason of his genial nature and affa-
bility, combined with his close adherence to a
high standard of conduct.

J.\.MES PORCH.

James Porch is a self-made man who without
special family or pecuniary advantages at the
outset of his career lias worked his way steadily
upward from a humble financial position to one
of afHuence. and his business reconi is one that
any man might be j)rou<l to possess, for he has
ever been faithful in meeting his obligations and
commands the admiration ami respect of his con-
temporaries. .\ native of Rngland. he came to
Iro<{uois county in \^)~. His educational priv-
ileges were limited and his means were small.
He was haiulica|>i)ed in manv ways, yet he has
achieved greater success socially and financially
than the |,'reat majt)rity of residents of this sec-
tion of the county. (Jn taking up his abode
within its borders he engaged in the hardware
and tinware business and from the Ix'KinninK
met with prosperity, his sales annually increas-
ing until his business had assumed large pro-
portions. In 1875 he turned his attention from
trade to finance and purchased the private Iwnk

of Robert Nation, of Chclianse. which had been
established in 187.?. He als«^» h.xs a half interest
in bank and elevator of Porch & .\dams at
L'aliery. Illinois. .Moreover, he has made judi-
cious investments in property and is now the
owner of four hundred and titty acres of land
in Kankakee county. Illinois, eighty acres in
.Milks (irove township. Iroquois county; two
hundred acres in Wright coimty. Iowa; six hun-
dred and forty acres in Itutler county. Kansas;
and one hundred ami sixty acres in Iron county.
Wisconsin. From his fanning properly he tie-
rives a good income.

In itV>7. at Wilmington. Illinois. Limes Porch
was married to Mi.ss Lffie Tracy, a resi<lcnt of
that place. They are now tin: parents of three
children : Carl, Kitty and Nellie. The son was.
born I-'ebruary 25, iS/jH. at Chcbaiise, ac<juired
a common-school education in his native towa
and has since been connected with his father irr
business. He now owns a half interest in the
general store of Porch & WulfTe at Lliebanse.
although his attention is more largely given to
the conduct of the harware store of Porch &
Porch, in which he also holds a half interest. He
makes his home in Otto township. Kankakee
county. Illinois, where he has a new residence '\n
course of construction. He is a wide-awake and'
enterprising young business inan. who ckKi'ly ap-
plies himself to the duties in hand so that the best
results follow. Fraternally he is connected with
the .Masonic lodge of Chelwnse. in which he lias
held meml)ership for ten yi-ars. ami he is also
connected with the Modern Woodmen at Chc-
banse. The elder daughter. Kitty, is the wife of
F. W. Elliott, a farmer of Otto township. Kanka-
kee county. Nellie is the wife of Henry WultTe..
of the firm of Porch & Wulffe. of Chelianse.

.\t the time of the Civil war James Porclr
manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by
service in the Fifth cavalry of United ."states \'oI-
unteers. enlisting at .\ndover, Ohio. He went to
the front and did active service in support of the
stars and stripes ami the cause they represented
and after the war he came to Iroquois county.
In politics he has always been a stanch repub-
lican and was once a candidate for state repre-
sentative but was defeate<l by a small majority,
altli'iujjh the deiiMKratic strength in this locality
is verv marked.

1 62

PAST AND PRESENT OF

A little thoughtful consideration of the career
of James Porch brings one to the conclusion that
in all of his business undertakings he has been
impelled by an indomitable spirit of progress and
enterprise. His life has been one of continuous
activity, in which has been accorded due recog-
nition of labor and today he is numbered among
the substantial citizens of the county. His in-
terests are thoroughly identified with those of
northern Illinois and at all times he is ready to
lend his aid and co-operation to any movement
calculated to benefit this section of the country
or advance its development. In private life he
has gained that warm personal regard which
arises from true nobility of character, deference
for the opinions of others, kindliness and
geniality.

MILTON ANDERSON.

Milton Anderson, whose life has been marked
■by steady progress, by recognition and utiliza-
tion of opportunity and by fidelity to every duty,
figures prominently in the business life of Shel-
don, as president of the Citizens Bank. He was
born in Jefferson county, Indiana, March 23,
1838, and is a representative of one of the old
families of the east. His grandfather, W. G.
Anderson, was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
in June, 1788, and married Anna Whitaker. who
was born at Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburg.
Pennsylvania, January 7, 1787. Their son,
Elijah W. Anderson, was a native of Shelby
county, Kentucky, born in 1812, but owing to
the removal of the family from the Blue Grass
state, was largely reared in Indiana, and his
•education was acquired in the common schools.
He married Lucinda Lott. .\lthough a miller
by trade, he followed farming throughout the
greater part of his life and thus provided for
his family. In politics he was an old-line whig
and the organization of the republican party
elicited his attention and co-operation and he
became an active worker in its ranks. He was
a devout member of the Christian church, while
his wife held membership in the Baptist churcii.
"She was a native of Kentucky and died when
her son Milton was onlv three years of asic.

He is now the only survivor of the family of
three sons and a daughter.

In his early youth ^lilton Anderson attended
the comiuon schools but is largely a self-
educated man, having learned valuable lessons
in the school of experience and through reading
and observation. He remained in his native
state until fourteen years of age. when he came
' alone to Illinois, settling at Bloomington in 1850.
Since that time he has been dependent upon his
own resources, and the prosperity that he has
achieved and enjoyed has come as the direct
reward of his own labors. In early youth he
accepted any emplo\ment that would yield him
an honest living. For a time he worked as
grade teamster for the Chicago & Alton and
the Illinois Central Railroads, and he continued
a resident of Bloomington until the outbreak
of the Civil war. He had watched with con-
siderable interest the progress of events that
denoted its approach, and in 1861 he enlisted
in the Union Army in the company commanded
by Captain McNulta but as the quota of his
county was full his company was rejected.

Not being able to go to the front Mr. An-
derson went to Indianapolis and entered the
employ of the Bee Line Railroad Company as
a conductor and was thus employed for eight
years, his run being between Indianapolis and
Crestline. Ohio. After eight years devoted to
that service he entered the employ of the Pan-
handle Railroad Company, with which he con-
tinued for the long period of sixteen years, being
one of its most faithful and trusted employes.

On the 1st of May, 1872, occurred the mar-
riage of ]VIr. Anderson and Miss Arminda
J. Fleager, who was born in Carlisle, Pennsyl-
vania, September 28, 1851, and is a daughter
of Charles and Mary (W'etzell) Fleager. The
father, who was born in Pennsylvania, Augfust
9. 1800, died March 5, 1875, and the mother,
whose birth occurred in the Keystone state, No-
vember II, 1807, passed away March 15, 1866.
Both were faithful and consistent members of
the Lutheran church, and Mr. Fleager was one
of its officers and devoted adherents for twenty-
eight years. Unto this worthy couple were
born thirteen children but only two arc now
living, the brother being ^^'illiam B. Fleager,
of Sheldon. Mr. and ]\lrs. Anderson have be-

.\in/n >.\ .\M)i:us(j\.

OF THE
UNIVERSITY Of ILUNOIS

1R()QL(^1S CUL'NTY. ILLINOIS.

i^'5

Clime the |K»rcnts of fmir cliiltlrcn : Marx L.,
who is a praihiatc of the Nonhwcstcrn I'nivcr-
sitv at l*"vaiistiiii. Ilhnois: llcli-ii. a i^railuati- uf
the Shililiiii hin^h school: Harry, a j;ra<luatc of
tile Stale Iniversity : and ISertha. a f;radiiate of
the Northwestern L'niversity.

A stalwart republican in his |)olitical allegi-
ance. Mr. .Vndcrson has been identitied with
the party since his first presidential ballot was
cast for .\brahani Lincoln. Me Ir-Iouks to David
Crockett camp. No. 502. M. W. .\., and to the
Patriotic ( )rder of the Sons of .\mcrica in Shel-»
<lon. He was instrumental in successfully estab-
lishing in 1888 the I'"armers Co-Opi-rative lirain
.\ssociation of Sheldon, which built an elevator
that has been one of the successful business
undertakings of the town, lie is a large land-
owner, having one hundred and si.\ty-six acres
near Colfa.x. Illinois, three hundred and sixty
acres near Kentland. Indiana, and three hun-
dred and forty-seven acres in }Iumboldt county.
Iowa, in addition to his beautiful residence in
Sheldon. He is. moreover, president of the
Citizens Hank of Sheldon, and is one of the
most successful men in this part of the county.
His labors have been so discerningly directed
along well defined lines of labor and enterprise
that he seems to have realized at any one point
of progress the ])ossibility for successful ac-
<omplishment at that point. He has been a man
of action rather than of theory, has laid his
])lans carefully and has jtrosecuted them with
diligence and. moreover, he has had strict re-
gard for the rights of others in all business
transactions and thus has maintained an unassail-
able reputation. His life record, therefore, soulfl
I)rove a source of inspiration to others, showing
that success is ambition's answer.

JOHN WEST.

John West, who is now living retired in l.oda.
was ixirn in Lincolnshire. I'-ngland. June 21.
iR.^f'i. His father. Thomas West, was likewise a
native of that country and wa.>. reared in Lincoln-
shire, where he wedded Mary Fauthorp. likewise-
a native of England. Thomas West reared his
family and spent lii> intiri' lifr in that countrv

His .son, John West, when a \oulh of sixteen
years, emigrate*! to the new world in the fall
of 1852, crossing the .\tlantic on a sailing vessel
which reached .New \ork on tile 28th of ( )clo-
Ikt. He went to l'p|KT Canada ami for alxmt
two \i-jirs was eni|»lo\e<l in comjection with the
construction of the Welland canal. .\lM)ut 1854
he went to Chicago ami in the vicinity of that
city was employed at farm laUir. He spent a
summer near Naperville and for iliree winters
he attended school in Chicago. Securing a i)0-
sition as maltman with a brewery, he was thus
employed until i8/'>2. wiien he came to l.oda and
occiiiiied a sinnlar position with a large distil-
lery here. He was thus employed for twelve
years, or until 1877. when he located ujion a farm
in l-ake county. Illinois, carrying on agricultural
pursuits there for eight years. In 1885 he re-
turned to Loda and bought a fann here, his time
and energies lieing given to its further improve-
ment and development until i8<<i. He owned a
comfortable home and good tract of land of one
hundred anfl sixty acres but at length he re-
tired from active farm life and bought a resi-
dence in I^ida. where for five years he has made
his home. He has since sold his farm but has
purchased land in Calhoun county. Iowa, neat
Daisy, where he has one hundred an<l sixty
acres of well improved an<l valuable land.

< >ii the 5th of November. 1862. in Chicago,
.Mr. West was married to .Miss Retsy Kemp, a
native of Lincolnshire. England, who came to
the new world on the .same vessel on which hei
husband crossed the .\tlantic. They have become
the ])arents of four sons and two daughters :
John T. and William James, who are mentione*!
elsewhere in this work : fieorge Edward, who
operates the elevator at Thaw villc and is a ]>art-
ner with his elder brothers in the grain business;
I'rancis Henry, who is living in (iranrl Rapids.
Michigan. Ix-ing secretary of the Young Men's
Christian .\ssociation there; Mary H.. at home,
who is an assistant in the postoffice at Loda: and
Maud Isal)ella. a teacher.

Politically Mr. West and his sons are rejiub-
licans and his first jiresidential vote was cast for
Abraham Lincoln in l8rio, since whicli time he
has supported every nominee at the head of the
ticket. He has never sought or desired office,
although at one tinie he served as a member of

i66

PAST AND PRESENT OF

the town board. He and his wife are members
of the jMethodist Episcopal church of Loda, in
which he is serving as one of the trustees, and
his wife is connected with the Foreign ^lission-
ary Society and the Ladies Aid Society. During
his residence in this part of the county Air. West
has supported all the various measures which
contribute to general progress and improvement
and is known as a public-spirited man. His life
has been characterized by unfaltering diligence,
by faithfulness in the performance of duty and
by recognition of his obligations to his fellow-
men and to his country.

JOHX A. AIcCURTAIN.

John A. McCurtain. now deceased, was for
many years a prosperous farmer of Iroquois
county, and the success which gained him place
among the substantial residents of the commu-
nity was attributable entirely to his own diligence
and perseverance. Moreover, he was strictly re-
liable in all his business transactions and thus
he left an honorable name as well as a comfort-
able competence to his family.

Mr. McCurtain was born in Champaign coun-
ty, Ohio, September 6, 1831. He was reared
to farm life and lived at home until twenty-one
years of age but worked out by the month for
some time before he attained his majority. He
saved his earnings and at length bought twelve
calves. These he fed for some time and when he
sold them the proceeds helped him to make a
payment on eighty acres of new land, which he
bought at the usual purchase price of a dollar
and a quarter per acre. This land was just
across the Illinois border in Indiana, and the
year following his marriage he began breaking
and cultivating it. Two years later he built a
log cabin and took up his abode upon the farm.
During the winter months he made rails, which
was the only way of making ready money at that
time. He received a dollar per hundred for
splitting rails and this supplied him with funds
sufficient to meet the demands of daily existence,
while at the same time he carried on farm work
and in the course of years his harvests became
large and ])rofitalile.

In 1855 he sold that place and bought one hun-
dred and sixty acres in Iroquois township, which
was entered from the government by Airs. AIc-
Curtain's brother, Benjamin Aloore. This, too,
was a tract of wild prairie land, raw and unculti-
vated. He erected thereon a hewed log house
of one room and lived there for many year^^^
in the meantime making fine improvements which
converted the farm into a valuable place. He
brought the fields under a high state of culti-
vation, erected commodious and substantial
modern buildings and secured the latest improved
farm machinery to facilitate his labors. He lived
upon the farm until 1893, when he removed ""O
Watseka and bought eleven acres in the city
limits, on which he erected a fine residence and
lived retired from business. His widow still
owns two hundred acres of the old homestead,
together with two hundred and forty acres in
Beaver township.

In September, 1852, Air. AlcCurtain was-
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Moore, who
was born in Shelby county, Ohio, January 17,
1834, and is a daughter of William and Eliza-
beth (Lewis) Moore, the former a native of
Kentucky, and the later of Ohio. They removed
to Jasper county, Indiana, in 1841, making the
journey with three horses and a wagon. They
also brought with them two saddles, four cows^
and two calves, and thus traveling westward in
true pioneer style they became identified with
the development of Indiana during the period
when it was a frontier district.

There were four children born imto Air. and
Airs. McCurtain : Emma, wlio became the wife
of Joseph Young and is now deceased ; Addison,
who lives in Salt Lake City, where he is en-
gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery :
Irene, the wife of L. D. Brown, of Guthrie.
Oklahoma ; and Celnira, the wife of Herbert
Potter, of South Dakota.

After removing to Watseka. Air. and Airs. Mc-
Curtain spent considerable time in traveling, vis-
iting California, Alcxico and various points in
the west, and thus enjoying the fruits of their
fiirmer toil. The death of Air. AlcCurtain oc-
curred on the 25th of June, 1902. He had lived
a life of industry, perseverance and honor, and
his own labors and the assistance of his estimable
wife [jroved the basis of his success. At the-

LIBRAKY

OF THt

UNIVERSITY Uh ILLirJUlS

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROOL'UIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

I7»

lime of the Civil war he enlisted in Company I'.
C)ne Iluiulred and I''itty-tiltli Illinois X'olunteer
Infantry in i8<35 and served until the dose, l)einR
on fO'S""'! <l"ty most of the time. In jwlitics he
was a republican but never soufjht or desired
])ublic office, jjreferrinp to concentrate his ener-
pies nixin his business interests. He and his
wife were members of the Christian church for
over forty years and were most earnest i)eople.
faithful to their professions and maintaining; a
hi.ijh standard not only of belief but ni conduct.
Mrs. McCurtain still lives in Watseka and her
life is enriched by many memories of her hus-
band's kindliness and his numerous jjood
■*lualitios.

r.ENLX.MIX CHILD.

I'etijamiu Giild. who departed this life May
20. 1896, was a resident of Dan forth township
from ifV)^ and was widely and favorably known
in that locality. He was born in liristol, Rhode
Island, ( )ctober i<). i<^^.^. his parents beinsj I'.en-
jamin and Phoebe .\. (Chami)lin) Giilil. The
father tlied when his son lienjamin was a little
lad, and the mother passed away about twenty-
five years af,'o in Rhode Island. Tlicy were both
representatives of old New Enjjland families and
ihe men were generally seafaring people. Hen-
jamin Child was one of/ two sons, his brother be-
ing James, who spent his life in Rhode Islanil,
•and they had tw-o sisters, Mrs. Maria M. Hoar
and Phoebe .\. C'hild. but all are now deceased.

In the stale of his nativity Iknjamin Giikl was
reared and educated. He removed with his par-
ents from Piristol to Warren, Rhode Island, when
aNiut two years of age and his father died sixjn
■afterward. In his youth the son learned the
C(V)per's trade and as a young man he went to
California by way of the isthmus route about
1840. attracted by the discovery of gold on the
Pacific slope. He spent five years in the mines
and was (|uite successful in his search for the
precious metal, so that he returned home with
a very desirable competence. ( )n again locating
in Rhode Island he followed coof)cring for some
time and alxiut 1853 he came westward to Illi-
nois, malting a location in Peoria county, where

he purchased and began the improvement of a
small farm.

Mr. Child was married there SeptemlKr 25.
1856, to Miss Mary C, Johnston, who was born
in Peoria county, January 22. i8,Va and is a
daughter of Samuel and Maria (Tantlinger)
Johnston. Ijoth of whom died there fifty years
agn. They ha<l come to this state from Johnston,
Cambria county. Pennsylvania, about 1835. and
secured a farm in Peoria county but subsequently
removed to P.rimfield. Illinois, where their sub-
se(|uent years were passed. In their family were
six children ami the four sisters are vet living
but the brothers, Thomas and William Theodore,
have both passed away. The sisters of .Mrs.
Child are: Klvira N.. who married Cyrus Mar-
shall, and is living in I'utler county. Kansas;
Harriet C. who is the widow of William Cur-
ren, now of Pirimfield. Illinois: and Maria Jane,
the wife of Joseph Ingall. who resides at .\sh-
kum. Iroquois county.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Child
removed to Iro(|uois comity, taking up their
aUide here in 1868. Here Mr. Child first pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in
Danforth township ami it is now a jiart of the
]iresent fine farm which comprises three hundred
and twenty acres of rich lan<l. He nia<le excel-
lent improvements thereon and continuously fol-
lowed general farming until his death, covering
a period of twenty-eight years. He possessed
cinsi<kTal)le skill and iiigemiity along mechani-
cal lines and was thus enabled to keep everything
about his place in excellent condition. In dis-
jjosition he was rather fpiiet and retiring. Fond
of reading his leisure hours were largely devoted
to the perusal of books and papers and he became
a well informed man, keeping in touch with the
trend of modern thought.

.\ stanch republican in his political views Mr.
Child sui)|)orled the party from its organization.
At the time of the Civil war he espoused his
country's cause, enlisting in Peoria county in
iSTq. He served for thirteen months, or until
after the war was over as a member of Company
D. Figlith Illinois Infantry, and his arduous mili-
tar\ exjHTience partially undermined his health
although he was not seriously disabled. While
at the front he was alt.ichcd to the western army.
He was reared in the faith of the F.piscopal

175

PAST AND PRESENT OF

church but did not bccouie a member of any de-
nomination. Mrs. Child, however, is a membei
of the Methodist church. In all life's relations
Mr. Child was straightforward and honorable, be-
ing thoroughly trustworthy as well as active and
enterprising in his business life, so that through-
out the community where he was known he en-
joyed the confidence and good will and the warm
friendship of many with whom he came in con-
tact.

Unto :\Ir- and Mrs. Child were born four chil-
dren : Mary Alma and Maria Amalia, twins, now
at home; James Walter, who died April 21. 1887,
when a young man of twenty-seven years ; and
Emma E., who is the widow of William A. Kidd,
and resides at Oilman. Mrs. Child and her
daughters are yet upon the home farm in Dan-
forth township, which is a valuable property of
three hundred and twenty acres, improved with
all modern equipments and under a high state of
cultivation.

FREDERICK D. \'ENNUM.

Frederick D. \'ennum. president of the First
National Bank of Milford, is in business circles
in Iroquois county ranked with the ablest and
has displayed in the management of financial in-
terests a keen discernment and broad outlook that
argue well for greater usefulness and success
in the future.

Born in Watseka, July 10, 1868, he is a son of
Thomas Vennum. who is mentioned elsewhere in
this work. Passing through successive grades
in the public schools he was graduated from
the high school of Watseka with the class of
1886, after which he attended the University of
Illinois until he had completed the work of the
sophomore year. Putting aside his text-books to
become an active factor in business life, he then
went to Chicago, where he accepted a position
in the First National Bank, remaining there for
five years and gaining an intimate knowledge of
banking as conducted in that foremost financial
institution of the state. On leaving the metropo-
lis he went to Milford. where his father was en-
gaged in the banking business under the firm
name of Donovan & Vennum. On the death of
the father in 1898 the bank was re-organized and

became the I'irst National Bank of Milford, \\h\t
Frederick 1). X'ennum as vice president. Mr.
Donovan retired in 1900. at which time Mr. \'en-
num became president and such has been hii
connection therewith continuously since. The
safe, conservative policy established by his father
has been maintained by him and the volume of
business annually transacted over the counters,
of the institution is constantly increasing.

On the 28th of February. 1900, Mr. Vennum
was married to Miss Maud M. Coney, a daugh-
ter of William M. Coney, of Watseka. They
have three children : Ella Jeannette. who was
born October 22. 1902 ; Frederick C, December
12. 1903: and ^lary Elizabeth, December 11,
1905.

The political principles as embodied in the re-
publican platform receive the endorsement of Mr.
\'ennum, who, how-ever, has never sought or de-
sired office. He is a gentleman of broad mind
and popular in the city of his nativity, where al-
most his entire life has been passed. He is a
loyal friend of Watseka, who has done much for
her welfare, but his influence in this regard has
never been inspired by a sense of personal im-
provement. He stands as a typical representative
of the business life of the times, alert and enter-
prising, watchful of opportunities and recog-
nizing and improving advantages as they come.

CHARLES W. ANDERSON.

The commercial interests of Donovan find a
worthy and active representative in Charles W.
-Anderson, who is engaged in dealing in hard-
ware and farm implements there and who in his
business life manifests a spirit of determinatiort
and progress such as never fails to overcome dif-
ficulties and obstacles and make substantial ad-
vancement.

He was born on a farm in Beaver township.
Iroquois county, September 24, 1857. and was
educated in the common schools. He lived at
home until twenty-two years of age and during
that period assisted in the labors of the farm,
early becoming familiar with the duties that de-
volve upon the agriculturist. On leaving home
he went to Minnesota, where he spent one year.

IROQUOIS CorN-TV. II I.I\(»IS.

'73

after which he returned to Inxjiiois county ami
accepted a clerkship in tlie hardware store of
Scari^ht & Santlell. with whom he remained for
alxuit two years. Later lie spent fourteen years
in tlie Kankakee insane asylum, first as attendant
for two years and afterward as suiK'rvisor, and
alwiut seven years ajjo, in coiuu'ction with Mr.
Swan.son, he purchased a general hardware and
implement Inisiness at Donovan. He has since
continued in this line of trade and in addition to
the goods carried in those lines the firin also han-
dles wagons, buggies, paints and oils. The build-
ings which they occupy are owned by Mr. Swan-
son. They liavc two buildings one hundred by
fifty feet and a warehouse. The firm is enjoying
an excellent trade, their patronage increasing
year by year, and they belong to that class of men
who promote the material development of the
community througn their well directed and en-
terprising eflforts.

Mr. .\nderson was married in ( )iiarga in the
year i8</). to Miss Minnie B. Crider, a native of
that place, and they have two children, W. Cri-
der and I'.rainard I"., aged respectively four and
one and one-half years. In community affairs
Mr. .\nderson has been actively and helpfully
interested. He has served three years as asses-
sor of his township but has preferred to do his
public service as a ])rivatc citizen an<l in many
ways has co-operated in the general development
and upbuilding of this locality. He votes with
the republican party atid holds membership with
the Masonic loflge at Kankaki-e and with the
Methodist church associations which indicate
much of the character of the man. showing his
strong i)ur[)ose and the honorable motives which
•characterize him in all life's relations.

when he secured a position as attendant in the
hospital for the insane at Kankakee. There he
remained for nine months, after which he re-
moved to Donovan for three years engaged in
clerking for the firm of Johnson & I'rainard. He
ne.xt bought grain for Kisser & liutchins for
five years and on the ex])iration of that i)eriod
bougiit out .Mr. lirainard's general mercantile
business, which he has since conducted. He car-
ries a carefully selected line of goods and his
enterprise and close apjilication constitute the
strong elements in the success which is now at-
tending him. He also has charge of the under-
taking business for Mr. Miner, of .Sheldon.

.Mr. .\nderson was married in \S*)~. at Wal-
nut Lodge, Indiana, toMiss .\nna L. Howe, who
was born in Tippecanoe county, that state, and
is a daughter of [ames L. and Mary C. (Repose)
Howe, of Xew York, who in an early day re-
moved to the Hoosier state. Mr. and Mrs. .\n-
dcrson have become the parents of one child,
Raymond, now four years of age. They are
])rominent socially in the village where they re-
side and Mr. .Anderson has, moreover, taken an
active and helpful part in community affairs,
.serving as collector of the township and as town
clerk for two years. He was also a member of
the village board for two terms and his political
allegiance is given to the republican party, which
finds in him a stalwart advocate. The public
duties that have devolved ii]K)n him have been
discharged with promptness and fidelity and with
a conscientiousness of nbligatioii.

CH.ARLES F. O.XTHOUT.

FRAXK W. .WDKk.So.V.

Frank W. .\nderson. who is engaged in gen-
eral merchandising in Donovan, was born May
30, i}V)4, upon a farm in I leaver township, and
his early youth was passed in the usual manner
of farmer lads of the period. He mastered the
branches of Fnglish learning as a student in the
district schools and assisted in the operation of
the home farm until twenty-six years of age.

Charles F. ( lathnut, living on section 20,
Pigeon Grove township, not far from the village
of Cissna Fark, owns a farm of eighty acres and
in addition cultivates another tract of similar di-
mensions owned by liis father. From an early
epoch in the history of Irofjuois county he has
resided within its iKirders. having Ix'en but five
years of ape, when, in 1858, the family home was
cstablislu'fl in Illinois. He was born in Albany
county. Xew York, .\ugust 16. 1853. His father,
Isaac Oathout. was also a native of that county
and. having reached adult age, was married there

174

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

to Charity Weaver, who was born in Wayne
county, Xew York. Removing westward about
1858. he developed a new farm in Pi'peon Grove
township and thereon reared his family, sharing
in the hardships and privations incident to the
establishment of a home upon the frontier and
performing all of the arduous labor necessary to
the cultivation and improvement of wild land.
He now lives with his son Charles and has
reached the venerable age of eighty years. The
only daughter of the family is Etta L, the wife
of Joel Augsperger. of Cissna Park.

Amid the environments of pioneer life Charles
F. Oathout spent the days of his boyhood and
youth. He attended the district schools in the
winter months and in the summer seasons aided
in the work of the farm, remaining with his
father and assisting him to carry on the home
place, which they brought under a high state
of cultivation. Here he wedded Miss Ellen J.
\\'illis, on the ist of August. 1874. She was a
daughter of Thomas Willis, of Loda, who is men-
tioned on another page of this volume. The
young couple began their domestic life upon the
farm where they now reside, on section 20,
Pigeon Grove township. The first work which
Mr. Oathout did was to build a dwelling and
staljlc and as time passed by he set out fruit and
helped to break up the virgin soil. There is now
a good corn crib and elevator upon his place
and all modern equipments, including the latest
improved machinery. The farm in all of its ap-
pointments is modern and productive and its ex-
cellent appearance is an indication of the life
of thrift and industry which the owner has led.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oathout have been born
six children : Professor Charles Hubert Oat-
hout, who is married and resides in Urbana. Il-
linois ; Edna Mabel, who is a graduate of the
state normal school at Normal, Illinois, and is
now a teacher at McNabb, Putnam oiunty; Em-
ily Ada, wife of Carl Smith, of Loda : Lulu Ellen.
who is a graduate of the state normal school and
is teaching at Aledo, Mercer county; and llcrtba,
Leo and Claude Leslie, at home.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Oathout is con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen, liis member-
ship being with Loda camp. He votes with the
republican party but has never desired office. lie
has, however, rendered signal service to the cause

of education by effective work as a member af
the school board. From his childhood days down
to the present he has lived continuou.sly in Iro-
quois county, and great have been the changes
that have occurred during this period. The
splendidly cultivated farms with their fine homes
and good buildings and the enterprising towns
and cities present a picture that bears little re-
semblance to the county into which he came in
his boyhood days, for at that time comparatively
few roads had been laid out and much of the
land was an undrained swamp. The Oathout
family at once became active factors in bringing
about the changes which have been wrought and
Charles F. Oathout of this review has borne his
full share in the work of general improvement.

H. C. HENDERSON. M. D.

The medical fraternity has a worthy and ca-
pable representative in Milford in Dr. H. C-
Henderson, who through comprehensive study
and investigation has become well (|ualified for
the onerous duties of the profession. He was
born in Dorchester, Nebraska. Julv 30. 1874,
and when a small lad accompanietl his parents
on their removel to Illinois, the family home be-
ing established in Macoupin county, where he
acquired his preliminary education in the com-
mon schools. He afterward had the benefit of
several years' study in college and subsequently
took up the study of medicine, being graduated
at Rush Medical College, with the class of 1896.
Thus well equipped for the work which he had
chosen he located for practice in Milford, where
he has since remained, covering a period of ten
\ears. His practice has constantly increased in
viiliune and importance and he has kept in touch
with the best thinking men of the age connected'
with the medical fralcrnit\-. His business comes-
not only ivinn .Milford Inn from the adjacent
countryside as will, and his professional labors-
have been attendwl with a measure of success
that shows him well fitted to solve the intricate-
and cumi)lex ]:roblems. which continuall\- con-
front the physician.

Dr. llenders(5n was married in Iroquois coun-
ts', in iSi)f). to .Miss Minnie l.imli'ren, who was.

D«. II. ( . iii:\ni;Rss()\.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IRoOrOIS COUXTV. ILLINOIS.

born and reared in this connty. Tlicy now liavc
three children. Louise. Dun'tliy and liarlin.
Their home is justly celehrateil for its jjracious
and warm-hearted hospitality and both Ur. and
Mrs. Henderson are eajjerly welcomed into
those circles where true worth and intellifience
are received as passports itUo ji»xid society.
Genial and courteous in manner Dr. Henderson
is personally (xipular. while in his |)rofession he
has pai'ift' 'I'c respect of his brethren of the fra-
ternity by his close OHilormity of ])rofessional
ethics and the consensus of |)ublic opinion is
alto}jcther favorable. He is a member of the
Inxpiois. I-'ord and Illinois ."^tate Medical
Societies.

Ill \KLI-S M \l.l.( >RV. Ii;.

Charles Mallory. Jr., one of the earl\ settlers
of Iroipiois county, owninj; and operatin<j a well
improved and valuable farm of one hundred and
tweiUy acres, situated on sections lo and ii. Prai-
rie Green township, is a native of Connecticut,
his birth having occurred in Litchfield county,
March 15. 1848. His father. Charles .Mallory.
Sr.. was l)orn in .Massachusetts, where he was
reared, and when he reached man's estate he was
there married to Miss Caroline Lock wood, a na-
tive of Connecticut, in which state the father fol-
lowed farming for a number of years and in 1834
removed with his family to the west, establishini;
his home in I-a Salle connty. Illinois, locating on
a farm in Deer Park township, Ix-ing numbered
among the first settlers there. He there reared
his family and s|)ent liis remaining days, his
death occurring in i8</>. while his wife ha<l pre-
ceded him to the home beyond many years be-
fore, her death occurring in i860.

Charles Mallory, Jr., was reared and educate<l
in I^ Salic county, sharing with the family in
all the hardships and trials of life on the fron-
tier. He remained with his father until he at-
tained his majority, and then starting out in life
on his own account, he came to Irofjuois county
in iSfx). an<l rented a farm, which he operated
for three years. subse(|uent to which time, hav-
ing accumidated a nice com])etence. he pur-
chased a tract of forty acres, which was all wild
and uncultivated. He broke the land, and di-

vitlcd it into fields of convenient size and Itcrc
opened up a gooil farm, on which he has made
many substantial improvements. He built a gooil
residence, liarns and cribs, tiled his land, .set out
many fruit and sha<Ie trees, an<l he has since
added a tract of eighty acres to his original pur-
chase, so tliat he now owns a tract of one hun-
dred and twenty acres. In addition to carrying
(jn general agricultural pursuits he als<j raises
good grades of stock, and he is quite successful in
his business affairs.

.Mr. .Mallory was united in marriage, Deceni-
l)er 21, 1871, to Miss Kate Hobble, who was Ixirn
in ( )hio :md was reared there and in Indiana. .She
is a il:uighter of George Hobble, wlu) died in the
latter slate during her early childhood. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. .Mallory has In-en
blessed with three sons, two of whom survive:
Roy C. who is married and resides on a farm in
Jasper county, Illinois; Ira L., who is a young
man at hf)nie : and Fred, who died January 30,
1895, when a young man of twenty-one years.
They have also reared two adopted daughters:
Sadie Mallory, who became a member of their
household at the age of thirteen years, and who
has been reared and educated by them ami is
now a student at the Fisk Missionary Training
School in Kansas City, where .she will complete
the course with the class of up-; and Faith Mal-
lory, whom they are .ilso re.iring ami educ:iting
as an own child.

Ill his political views .Mr. .Mallory is independ-
ent, supporting the men whom he regards as best
fitted for office, regardless of party affiliation.
He has served as road commissioner for three
vears and is a believer in good schcmls and com-
_ petcnt teachers. His wife and children are mem-
bers of the Methodist Fpiscopal church.

Mr. Mallory has lived in Illinois for more than
a half century and has been actively interested
in nnich of the progress and development that
has here been made. When he first took up his
alxMle in Inxjuois county the nearest market was
Sheldon, to which place the products of the farm
had to be hauled, and tiiere were many incon-
veniences to be met at that early i)eriod. Mrs.
Mallorv is a well educated and accomplished
ladv and has acted as a corres|>oudent for the
Watseka Republican for many years and for-
merlv was correspondent of the Danville Daily

1-8

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

Democrat. This \vorth\ couple have made their
home in Prairie Green township for more than
a third of a century and are therefore well known
and his;lilv esteemed bv their many friends.

1. S. BETZER.

More than a century a,s:o (ieorge \\'ashington
voiced the sentiment that "farming is the most
useful as well as the most honorable occupation
of man." Moreover history shows us that it is
the source of all business prosperity. It has been
the agricultural countries that are the prosperous
countries and Illinois therefore is particularly for-
tunate in that her lands are rich and productive,
responding readil\- to the care that is bestowed
upon field and meadow. In this line of life I. .'^.
Betzer won the measure of success that now en-
ables him to live retired. For many years he
followed farming in Onarga township, where he
still owns a well improved tract of land oi one
hundred and sixty acres. He left his farm, how-
ever, in September, 1902, and has since resided in
the city of Onarga.

His life record began in Ross county, Ohio,
May 10, 1838. His parents were Anthony G. and
Nancy (Smith) Betzer. The father was born in
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1808
and was a son of Conrad Betzer, a native of Ger-
many, who became one of the early settlers of
the Keystone state, whence he removed with his
family to Ross county, Ohio, casting in his lot
with the early residents of that locality. There
he secured a tract of timber land from w-hich he
hewed out a farm, and it was upon the old home- _
stead property there that Anthony G. Betzer was
reared. Having arrived at years of maturity he
wedded Xancy Smith, a native of Maryland, and
in order to ])rovide for his family he at different
times engaged in farming, merchandising and
hotel keeping. Almost his entire life was spent
in Ross county, where he died in 1883, at the age
of seventy-seven years, while his wife passed
away in 1844. He later married again and con-
timied his residence in Ohio until his life's la-
bors were ended in (U'atli. \'i\ his lirst marriage
he had five sons and two daughters, of whom I. S.
Betzer is the only one now living. One brother,

C. S. Betzer. was a soldier of the Civil war and
laid down his life on the altar of his country, be-
ing shot at the battle of Gettysburg. The eldest
son, Conrad Betztr. was reared and married in
Ohio. He lived for some time in Pickawav
county, that state, and subsequently took up his
abode in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he followed
merchandising initil his death. William Betzer,
another son of the family, grew to manhood in
( )hi() and was a farmer and blacksmith of Ross
county, where his last days were passed. Win-
field Betzer became an agriculturist of X'ermilion
county, Indiana, where his death occurred : and
Aaron Betzer, who was fond of travel, went from
the old home and nothing is known now concern-
ing his whereabouts. The two sisters of the fam-
ily were Rebecca, who became the wife of Ste-
]5hen W^ebster, a farmer of \'ermilion county, In-
diana, where she died: and Mrs. Mary Phillips,
who has also passed away.

The old homestead farm in Ross county. Ohio,
was the playground of I. S. Betzer in his boy-
hood days and it was also his training school
for active, earnest labor, for there he was taught
to grub out the stumps, make rails and perform
other arduous toil incident to the improvement
and settlement of a new farm. He also engaged
in general agricultural pursuits on his own ac-
count in Pickaway county for nine years. He
was married January 26, i860, to Miss Isabella
•Miller, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and
a daughter of Jesse Miller, who was one of the
first settlers of that county, to which he removed
from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Betzer con-
tinued to reside in the Buckeye state imtil 1868,
when they came to Iroquois county. Illinois, pur-
chasing land in Onarga township. Xo improve-
ments had been made on the property but he
broke the prairie, tiled the fields and jilaced his
land luider a high state of cultivation. He also
erected a good residence and substantial barns
and iiutbuildings, planted an orchard and adde 1
the modern accessories and im]jrovements of a
model farm to his ])roperty, whereon he continued
to engage in general agricuhural pursuits mitil
ig02. He then rented the farm and ]n\rchased
two residence properties in Onarga, where he has
since made his home. In connection with his
two sons he also owns a farm of two hundred
and forty acres in Barton county, Missouri. At

iR< »f)r( )is corxTV. Illinois.

17^

the time nf ihcir inarria>;o Mr. ami Mrs. Mi'l7cr
wiTc in !iiiii(i-il tinaiicial circmustanccs but
throiijjh tluir uiiiti-il itTnrls tluv have scoiiiiui-
latod \-ahial)l(.' real estate aiitl are nciw comfort-
al)l\ situated in an attractive Imire in ( Inarjira.
their tinancial resources heiu^ sufficient t<i supply
them with all of the necessities anil many of the
luxuries of life.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Itetzer are
the followinp children: Mary, at home; Wil-
liam, of ( )nar)ia : Jesse Sherman. \vhi> is livinj;
near Jo|)lin. .Missouri; Harvey. \vh.> is carrying
on farming in I'arton county : and lames, who is
married ami resides in Onar^ja. The (lareiiis at-
tend the I'resbyterian church and in his political
views Mr. Hetzer is a stalwart re])ul)!ican. While
on the fanu he served as school trustee and hijjh-
way commissioner and was also member of the
schtx)! hoard. For thirty-eight years he and his
wife have continued to reside in this county and
have witncsse<l its transformation from a wilder-
ness and swamp into one of the rich and fertile
districts of this jjri-at state with splendid agri-
cultural possibilities, in the midst of which arc
thriving towns and cities. .\t all times Mr. Het-
zer lias co-operated to the extent f>f his means
and ability in measures and movements for the
general good and is classed with the representa-
tive and valued residents of Irocpiois county.
Moreover his business career has been character-
ized by the possession of those sterling traits
which awaken confidence and command admira-
tion. He has always been prom|)t in meeting
financial obligations and in keeping engagements
and has thus made a business record that any
man might be proud to possess.

CH.\RJ.ES CHRLSTLW niRTZ.

Charles Cliristian Dietz is a retired farmer who
since 1893 has resi<led at (iilman, although he
still owns his farm on the southwest ijuarter of
section 31. Crescent township. He likewise has
twenty acres of land within the corporation lim-
its of Ciilman, of which he carries on gardening
and fruit-raising and in this connection he is con-
ducting a goKl business. ( )ne of the oldest resi-
<lcnts of Iro<iuois county, he came to the middle

west in i85(>. making his way to Iowa City, Iowa,
then the lermiinis of the railroad. It was his
intention to go to I )regon but owing to Indian
troubles in Nebraska he returned to Matlison
coimty, lndiat\i. where he lived for nine years.

Mr. Dietz is a native of Philadelphia. I'ennsyl-
vania. lx)rn September 21. 183.1. and wiien he was
but six years old his parents removed with their
family to the Pennsylvania Dutch setlUineiu in
Lebanon county north of l^ncaster City, Penn-
sylvania. He is a son of John (i<ittlieb and Chris-
tine Caroline (Krantzi Dietz. who were natives
of Wurtemberg, (iermany, and came to .\merica
in I S3 1. The lather was a laljorer in Pennsyl-
vania, and in 18(14 '1*^ ma<le his way westward to
I^igansjxirt, Indiana, where he purclwsed three
hundred and twenty acres of fann lau'i. ujMin
which he resided until his death a <|u:irter of a
century later. He was born September 17. 1806.
and died in |88<). while his wife passed away irr
Pennsylvania ami was buried I'ebruary 22. 184J.
In tluir family were four sons and a daughter,
all of whom are yet living. Charles C.. of this
review, iK-ing the eldest. The others are Theo-
dore, John. Christine and Henry. After losing
his first wife the father marrieil again in Peim-
sylvania liefore the vnMiir i.t tliis rixiiw ••.mu-
to the west.

Charles Giristian Dietz had very little opi>or-
tunity to ac(|uire an education but has react
broadly, thinks deeply and is a self-educated man
who has ac(|uired practical knowledge and is now
well informed. He wtjs a young man of alwut
twenty-four years when he came to the middle
west and as stated, he located in .Madison county,
Indiana, where he remained for nine years. In
1865 he came to this county and for more than
four decades has Ik-cu closely associated with
events which have left their impress u|Kin the
history of this ]>art of the state. He was one
of the first jurors of the first term of court held
in the <ild courthouse after its erections and he
did much to shape the public |>olicy and mold
public opinion at an early day. For two years
he resided on the Joe James farm, which is now
tlie county farm, and he then purchased from
David Mctiill one hundred and twenty acres of
land in CVescent township, for which he paid
eight dollars [H-r acre. .\s time passetl and his
financial resources increased owing to his in-

i8o

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

diistry and economy he added to his property
until now he owns two hiuidred acres of excellent
farm land in Crescent township beside the twenty-
acre tract in Oilman, upon which he resides and
ten acres of timber.

Air. Dietz was married in Indiana in 1857 to
Miss Eliza Cannany. who died in Crescent town-
ship about 1870. Their children were as fol-
lows : Melissa Jane, who married John Burk-
halter and died aliout five years ago. leaving- one
daughter, Rosa, who is grown and is now keep-
ing house for her father in Crescent township :
Charles, a graduate of Grand Prairie Seminary,
who after studying physiology at Kankakee ])re-
pared for the practice of medicine, wliich he now
follows at Carson. Iowa : John, who is married
and follows agricultural pursuits upon his fa-
ther's farm in Crescent township; [Milton, who
Tias a half section of land in South Dakota : Ella,
the wife of William Holz, living near Delrey, Illi-
nois : and Annie, the wife of Henry Forbes, a
farmer of Pottawattamie county. Iowa.

For his second wife Mr. Dietz chose Mrs.
Emma E. (Orth) Thompson, who was born in
Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, a representative
•of a prominent old family there. Her great-
grandfather, Balsor Orth. was born in Austria.
May 5, 1702, and died October 20, 1788. He
•came to America prior to the Revolutionary war
■and aided the colonies in achieving their inde-
pendence, Orth Fort being upon his place in Leb-
anon county, Pennsylvania. On the maternal side
Mrs. Dietz's great-grandparents were both killed
and scalped by the Indians. In early womanhood
she removed with her father to Keithsburg, Mer-
cer county, Illinois, and was first married to Wil-
liam Thompson, who died while in the army in
1864. To them was born a daughter. Fannie,
now the wife of Frank Bedford, chief engineer
on railroad transfer on the Mississippi at Vicks-
burg. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz have two sons: (iott-
lieb Orth. an attorney of Chicago, who was gradu-
ated from the (jrand Prairie Seminary at Onarga
and from the Xorthwestern L'niversity at Evans-
ton. Illinois ; and Cyrus Edgar, who is married
and practices law in Aloline. Illinois, being an
:ablc member of the liar there. He. too. is a gradu-
ate of the Grand Prairie Seminary and of tlie
Northwestern University, and botli brothers were
:noted footl)all players in college, tlie younger act-

ing much of the time as coach for various teams
in this and other states. }ilr. and Mrs. Dietz also
have an adopted daughter, Maude.

Politically Mr. Dietz has given his support
to a greater or less extent to the democratic
])arty, although he is somewhat independent. He
has refr.sed nomination for office, preferring to
concentrate his energies upon his business affairs
and he has been capable and progressive in all
that he has done. He was the first man to de-
horn cattle in this section of the county and in
all of his business life he has manifested a spirit
of leadership that made him a prosperous and
successful agriculturist. He was reared in the
Lutheran church but he and his wife both favor
the Presbyterian cluirch and to a large extent
attend its services in Gilman. From an early age
he has been dependent upon his resources and
with a realization that merit is the basis of all
genuine and desirable success he has put forth
his efforts along lines of intense and well directed
activity and through former toil has gained a
competence sufficient to enable him now to live
retired.

ALONZO BUCKLEY.

Alonzo Buckley, who in former years was ac-
tively connected with agricultural interests in
Iroquois countv but is now living retired in Shel-
don, is a native son of Sheldon township, born
on the 8th of February, 1859. His parents were
Stephen and Eliza Jane (Harper) Buckley. The
father was born in Preble county, Ohio, January
2, 1823, and was but two years of age when his
]iarents removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana,
being among its earliest settlers. He there re-
sided until 1856, when he came to Iroquois
county. Illinois, and settled on land which he had
taken up from the government two years before.
He became one of the most extensive landown-
ers and prosperous farmers of the comity, in-
creasing his holdings from time to time until he
was the owner of fourteen hundred and sixty
acres in this county. His own labor was tlie basis
of his success and added to his diligence was a
sound judgment seldom at error in any business
transaction.

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UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IKOOLOIS COUNTY. lUJNOIS.

»85

On the 3d of June, 1848, Stephen I'.ucklev
wedded Miss liliza Jane Mar]>er. who was Ixirn
in Montgomery county. Indiana. They came tn
Ir<K|nois County among its early residents
an<l sliare<l in the liardships ot the pio-
neer life in the early days but later were
enabled to enjoy all <jf the annforts and
many of the luxuries which jjo to make life worth
livinjj. Mrs. I'.uckley pas.-^ed away at the age of
sixty-nine \ears. while Mr. iiuckle\ died in Shel-
don in June, 1<;04. in the eiKhty-secon<l year of
his age. ( )f their family of six chiUlren five still
survive: Samuel, of Sheldon; Mrs. IX'lilah .\nios.
who resides in Sheldon: Mrs. Sarah .A. Hoatman.
a widow, livinp in Chicago: .\lonzo. of this re-
view ; and .Mrs. Maria ElizalK'th Roberts, a resi-
dent of California.

The ancestry of the family can be traced
back to a still more remote period, as rej)rcsenta-
tives of the name were residents of North Caro-
lina in an early day. James I'.uckley. the grand-
father, was born in that state and married Sarah
Lincoln, a native of Ohio, who died in Tippeca-
noe county. Indiana, in 1&44. He afterward wed-
de<l a Mrs. Jacobs and in 1854 came to Iroquois
county, but remained here for only einhteen
months, when he tix)k u|i his abode in Carroll
county. Indiana. His last days, however, were
passed in Teimessee.

.After accpiiring a common-school education
.Monzo lUickley started out in life for himself at
the age of twenty-one years. He worked for his
father for wages for some time and in 1882
l)ought one hundred and sixty acres of land in
Sheldon township, which he still owns. I^ter he
increased his holdings until he now has two hun-
dre<I and thirty-seven acres of good land in Shel-
don and Concord townships, which he has im-
proved and ni.ide into gorid farms. He also owns
three hunrlred and twenty acres in Jasper county.
Indiana. In connection with the tilling of the
soil he also engaged in the raising of cattle, hogs
and horses, and both branches of his business
proved remunerative. He continued in the active
management of the farm until 1900, when he re-
moved to Sheldon, where he owns a commodious
and attractive twtvstory residence built in mod-
ern style of architecture.

The lady who presides over his home was in
her maidenhood Miss Calista M. Hickman, of
10

Concor<l township, a daughter of K. Hickman,
who lived in this county for some years, lioth
he and his wife are now dece.xsed. I'nto .Mr. and
Mrs. Mucklex have l>cen iKjrn three children:
.Nina 15.. who is attending the (ient Cit> lUisiness
College in (Juincy, Illinois; Free M., and lidgar
.\llen. lM)th at home. Mrs. Hiickley is a devoted
memlK;r of the Methodist Kpiscojial church and
for two years has been worths matron of Shel-
don chapter. No. 483. ( ). K. S.. which she joine<l
in i<n)2. and which her daughter joined in !<><)<).
.Mr. Muckley is a democrat in jmlitics and has
serveil for seven years as scluxtl director, while
fraternally he is connected with Sheldon lodge.
-No. (icxj. A. !•". & .A. M. He has now pnictically
retired from business life, but is one of the stock-
holders in the I-"armers ^levator at Sheldon. In
his business aflTairs he has been very successful
and is now a prosperous resident of the county,
having accumulated the competence which en-
ables him to live retired in tile enjoyment of the
comforts of life. He is a native .son of the county
and a representative of one of its pioneer fami-
lies. His interest in jtublic affairs is deep and
sincere and is manifest in substantial co-opera-
tion which he has given to plans and measures
for the public good.

JOSEPH II. I'i:ltikk.

Joseph H. Peltier, merchant and postmaster of
.Martinton. was Iwrn in this town. December 31,
1874. He is a son of \'ictor Peltier, a native of
t'ana<la. who came to this county in the year
i860 and for many years followerl general ag-
ricultural (lursuits as a life wr>rk. He afterwarri
took up his at>ode in the town and filled the piv
sition of postmaster and was also justice of the
peace. He married Miss Florence Faucher. of
Canada, who still survives him. his death hav-
ing occurred in May. 1895. His political allegi-
ance was given to the republican partv an<l he
was an exemplary memlH-r of the IiuU-|)endent
Orrler of Odd Fellows.

Joseph H. Peltier was educated in the .Martin-
ton schools and afterward engaged in teaching
school for two years. Subsc(|uently he was em-
ployed as a clerk in a store in Momence and on

1 86

PAST AND PRESENT OF

returning to Martinton he embarked in business
on his own account after clerking for six years.
In i8q7, however, lie was api)ointed postmaster
I)y William McKinlev — a position which his
father had previously held. This is a fourth-
class office and he handles three mails a day and
there are two rural routes. In connection with
managing the office Mr. Peltier is also engaged in
merchandising, having in 1898 bought out the
store of J. L. Ducharme, dealer in drugs, paints,
oils, wall paper and stationery. He has a well
equipped store and carries a good stock. The
building which he occupies is twenty-five by
ninety feet, two stories in height with basement.
He also owns the opera house in the town, which
was originall\- built by his father but was de-
stroyed by fire and rebuilt by .Mr. Peltier. In
communitv interests he has been quite active and
influential and for one term has served as village
clerk.

Air. Peltier was married in Martinton in iijoo
to Miss Allic Money, who was born in Middle-
port townshi]i, Iroquois county, in 1880. They
are well known young people of Martinton and
this section of the county and the hospitality of
the best homes is freelv accorded them.

HERM.\N \\'.\LTER SNOW.

Although no longer a resident of Iroquois
county, for at the present time he is living re-
tired in Kankakee, Herman Walter Snow de-
serves honorable mention in this volume. No
citizen of Sheldon or of Iroquois county com-
mands more genuine respect and his life record
is a splendid example of what may be accom-
plished through the force of character, through
laudable aml)ition, strong determination and hon-
est purpose. Starting in life without any of the
advantages of the schools or of fortunate envi-
ronment which are so often considered necessary
to success, he has arisen from a humble and even
obscure position to one of affluence and promi-
nence — winning success in the business world
and gaining political honors, not through the
methods of many modern politicians but in recog-
nition of his sterling personal worth and public
spirit.

His life record began in northern Indiana,
July 3. 1836. and during his infancy he was
taken by his parents to Kentucky, where he re-
mained for thirteen years, spending a part of that
time upon a farm. The family then removed to
Illinois, locating on a farm near Peoria, where
for four years Mr. Snow did a man's work, rais-
ing and harvesting crops, opening a coal mine,
using the pick and shovel, digging and hauling
coal. ( )wing to the death of his father he was
left without educational privileges and when six-
teen years of age was unable to read a letter
which he received from his elder brother, but he
hunted up an old speller with the script alpha-
bet, deciphered the letter in a week and in a few
weeks was able to answer it. This effort
awakened in him a desire to know more and he
studied from that time on, working by day and
poring over his books by the blaze of the coal
which his hands had dug. He was already a
fair reader, could write some and was making
fair progress in grammar and arithmetic while
still working in the coal mines.

While on the farm with his mother and sisters
their house was destroyed by fire and the already
harvested crops were consumed. The death of
the best horse and the sweeping away of nearly
all the fences by a torrent of water completed
his misfortune, so that with his mother and
sisters he removed to Peoria, where he secured
a position as janitor of a school building. All
his leisure time at night was devoted to study
until he qualified himself for the position of a
countn' school teacher and. entering upon that
work, he "boarded 'round" as was then the cus-
tom. He continued teaching for three years,
during which period he embraced every opportu-
nity for the study of algebra, geometry and sur-
veying. .\ kind friend then offered him a posi-
tion in the circuit clerk's office, where he recorded
deeds and did other clerical work and later he
was given a position in the office of the county
clerk, extending taxes and doing other such
duties. One day Hon. Judge (laic, of Peoria,
accidentally caught him reading Ca;sar in Latin,
talked with him and finally ottered him a small
school in the city — the judge being at tliat time
city superintendent. He remained at the school
for only (inc term, for lie gave such satisfaction
that he was then placed at the bead of the old

IRuyLUli, Le)L'XTV, II.I.IXDIS.

187

second ward schtHjl witli two Iniiuircd pupils
aiui tliri'c assistants. lie remained there seven
years and reached the liit;lu-st sal:ir\ jiaid for
principals.

.\l\vays a student from llie time when lie t<Mik
up the speller in order to read his hrotlier's letter,
he had while enuaj^ed in educational work in
I'eoria prosecuted his studies in prei)aratiiin for
the lejjid jirofession and on beinj; admitted to
the bar resigned his school and opened a law
office in Peoria. There he was wailed on by
a dozen or more of his former pupils, who said
that they would enlist for service in the Civil
war if he would do so. He |)rumptly threw
down his law books and all marched to the re-
cruiting office and enlisted. Mr. Snow was sent
out for further recruiting service, helped tn fill
up the company, which he drilled, having him-
self privately drilled, and, wholly unexpected to
himself, was elected captain, though carrying a
musket as a private only the day before, .\fter
this term of service was over he again raised a
Company, was again elected captain and subse-
quently was promoted lieutenant colonel of his
regiment. It was to this regiment and the im-
nifdiate su|>ervision of Major (ieneral Stead-
man that Brigadier General Wofford, with ten
thousand four hundred Confederates, surrendered
at Kingston, Lleorgia. CJeneral Steadman was
so pleased with the excellent condition of his
regiment, at that time untler charge of Colonel
Snow, after a most exhaustive march of over
thirty miles on a hot day to ri'ach Kingston in
time, that the Colonel was sent for and men anti
officers complimented.

Some months later Colonel .Snow was detailed
on the staff of Major-( ieneral Steadman and
made provost marshal general of the state of
Georgia, relieving Brigadier General ( irosvenor.
of flhio, who was ordered home with his regi-
ment to be mustered out. Colonel Snow filled
the offices with credit and satisfaction until it was
alKilislu-d by order of the war dei)artment. when
he returned to his regiment at Columbus, Georgia.
The regiment saw but little fighting, being on
detached service most of the time, but was a
part of the First Brigade of the .Second sepa-
rate Division of the .\rmy of the Cmnberland.
Colonel .Snow has twt) honorable discharges for
his two terms of service, though short oni-s. and

has two commissions as captain and one as lieu-
tenant Colonel. He also has a certificate signed
by .\bndiam Lincoln, thanking him for special
-ervices after his term of enlistment had expire<l,
and a ])rivate letter from the secretary of the
treasury thanking him for saving a large sum of
money for the L'nited States by his vigilance.

On his return home Colonel Snow, owing to
sickness and death in his mother's family, whom
he ha<l mainly supiKirted while in the army, was
compelled to resume teaching and for several
years thereafter was thus connected with the
Chicago high school, having been one of four
that passed the examination out of seventy-five
applicants for the situation. At length he re-
signed and removed to Washington, Illinois.
While in th.it city he became the junior partner
of the banking house of Danforth, Snow &
Company and acted as bookkee|)er for four years.
Desirous of going into business for himself, he
removed to .Sheldon, where land was cheap and
the country new and wholly undrained. Here
in the mi<lst of what seemed in some ways un-
promising conditions he established the Bank of
.Sheldon on the 2fith day of January. 1875, be-
giiuiing business in a little frame buililing one
story in height and fourteen by twenty-six feet.
His capital had been saved from his laliors in
other fields of activity. The first depositor was Dr.
I.. B. Brown, who made a deposit of five hundred
dollars. He was (piickly followed by Dr. Barrv'
and one by one others came in and opened ac-
counts. It ref|uired ()erseverance and determi-
nation to establish the bank u])on a paying basis,
owning to the fact that many of the early set-
tlers were \hxk and needed to tmrrmv money
rather than to de|x>sit it. but the Bank of Shel-
don prosi)ered. It was careful, economical and
conservative. It weathered the financial stonns
that followed the L"ivil war and in the course of
years found it advisable to seek more commo-
dious and better quarters, removing in the '80s
to the center of the brick block on the west side
of l-'ourth street. During this time Mr. Snow,
finding the business increasing rapidly, admitted
I. I--. Crandall to a partnership under the firm
style of .Snow & Crandall and under this n.ime
the bank was conducted vmtil 1885. when Mr.
■(.'randall removwl to the .south. He was s<K-)n
afterward succeeded bv ID. W'atkins under the

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

firm name of Snow & Watkins. which relation
was maintained until 1899, when ^Ir. Watkins
withdrew and the firm became H. W. Snow &
Son, the junior partner being; L. D. Snow, who
is the present cashier and manager of the bank.
In 1900 the present fine fire proof brick building
was erected and equipped with the most modern
accessories for the conduct of a safe banking
business. The firm also has an insurance de-
partment, makes loans and does other business
of a similar character.

Mr. Snow was married while living in Wash-
ington, Illinois, to Miss Hattie C. Danforth, a
daughter of an old settler and well known citizen,
Asa H. Danforth. Deprived of practically all
school advantages in his youth Mr. Snow, how-
ever, is now a man of extensive education, well
versed in English literature, well read in law
and a fair classical scholar in Latin, (ireek and
French. He has traveled extensively in this
country, there being but few states or territories
that he has not visited, and he has been a close
observer of our institutions and a broad reader of
our literature. The great political problems
which eflfect the country in its various relations
have also claimed his time and consideration and
his ability for leadership has led to his selection
to several positions of prominence. While in
Washington he was elected to represent his dis-
trict in the state legislature and in the fall of
1890 was elected to congress from the ninth
Illinois district, going in on the "tidal wave" by
about one thousand majority in a district that
was hopelessly regarded as republican. After
taking his seat in congress he proved himself
an earnest, hard working member, scrupulously
honest and careful in all his official acts. In
1892 he was again a candidate for congress but
was defeated by Hon. IT. K. Wheeler. In Au-
gust, 1893, at the beginning of the special ses-
sion, he was elected sergeant-at-arms of the house
of representatives, which office he filled with
credit until the close of the fifty-third congress.

In 1894 Mr. Snow removed with liis family
from his old home in Sheldon to Kankakee, Illi-
nois, where he now resides. He is retired from
active business but is still part owner in the Hank
of Sheldon, which is conducted by his son under
the firm name of li. W. Snow & Son. Mr.
Snow is about five feet eight inches in height.

of rather light complexion, blue eyes" and brown:
hair. His temperament is sanguine and nervous
He is a man of good character, strictly honest,
somewhat reserved and distant but very social
with those who are intimately acquainted with
him. He is quick tempered but very just, never
judging any one harshly without hearing both,
sides and always ready to make amends whea
convinced that he has been wrong. His habits-
are in a marked degree domestic and he loves
the home circle. While religiously inclined and
broad in his views, he has but little regard for
the mere forms of worship and judges men by
their actions rather than by their words. Creed
is little to him — life much. He is fond of good
literature, especially poetry, and takes the keenest
delight in fine scenery, in forest and mountain
rambles and in traveling. The unbroken tran-
quility of his domestic life and his fondness for
wife and children are more to him than the dig-
nities and honors of political or public service.

WILLIAM B. FLEAGER.

William 1!. Fleager, whose life is a living illus-
tration of what ability, energy and force of char-
acter can accomplish, is numbered among the
leading men of Sheldon, and the city and state
have been enriched by his example. It is to such
men that the west owes its prosperity, its rapid
progress and its advancement. At fotirteen years
of age he started out in life on his own account
as a clerk in a mercantile estblishment and from
that humble position he has worked his way
steadily upward until, in the control of large
and important commercial and industrial inter-
ests, he has gained a place among the prosperous
residents of Sheldon and at the same time has
contributed thereby to general advancement and
prosperity.

Mr. Fleager was horn in Carlisle, Pennsylva-
nia, Se])teniher 20, 1830, and is a son of Charles
and Mary Ann (Wetzel) Fleager, lioth of whonr
were natives of Pennsylvania and spent their
entire lives there. The father was born .\ugust
<;, iSoo. and died Alarch 5, 1875. while the
mother's birth occurred November 11, 1807, and'
her death occurred on the I sth of March, 1866..

w. i;. iLi:.\t.i:K.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNWERSIHf OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COl'NTY. ILLINOIS.

Ujl

IJiitli were faitlil'ul and consistent nicnil)t.i> i>i
tlic LullK-raii church and Mr. l-"lcaf;cr was one
of its officers for the lonjj period of twenty-eiglit
years. William 1!. I"kaj;er was tlie eldest in
their family of thirteen children, and with the
exception of the youngest is the only one now-
living, his sister being .\rminda J. .Anderson.
She was Ixirn in C arlisle. I'ennsylvania, Septem-
ber 2i<. 1831, anil is the wife of Milton .Andersfjn.
of Sheldon.

.\t the usual age William 1'.. 1-leager began
his education in tlie public .schools, pursuing his
studies until he reacbeil the age of fourteen,
when be began i)riividing for his own su|)i)ort
as a clerk in a general mercantile store, where
he remained until twenty ye;irs of age. He then
entered the establishment of his lather, who w;is
a wagonmaker, and under whose direction the
son soon became familiar with the use of tools.
In 1851 he removed to I'eoria, Illinois, and be-
came clerk for John II. b'loyd, at first receiving
only eight dollars ])er month for his services.
but his em])loyer soon recognized his value and
his wages were gradually increased to forty dol-
lars |ier month. He remained with Mr. Floyd
for four years and then returned to his father's
home with four hundred dollars in gold, which
he had saved from his earnings while iii the
west, .\fter a two weeks' visit in I'ennsylvania
he returned to Peoria and established a confec-
tionery store, but this did not prove a ])rotit;ible
investment and he Itist all his capital. He then
removed to Cruger. Illinois. an<l in the interest
of others he carried on the store and also con-
ducted a grain business, besides serving as the
first postmaster of the place. He was likewise
made agent for the Toledo. IVori:i & Warsaw
Kailroa<l. and in 1857, at the recpiest of that road.
he accepted the position of agent at ( iilma'i. be-
ing the first representative of the cor])oratinn in
both Cruger and (iilman. In the latter pl.ice he
was also the first agent for the Illinois Central
Railroad Company.

While living in Ciilman. .Mr. I-"leager was mar-
ried in December. 1858. to Miss Maria I'.rubaker.
a daughter of Henr\- I'.rubaker. of Lancaster.
Pennsylvania, and unto them were born four
children, two of whom are now living. George,
who is employed in the First National Hank in
Cliicago; and .\rthur P... who was gradu.iled

from the .Xorthwesteru University, at Fvan.ston.
Illinois. June i(>. ii<t.)i, and is now in Chicago.
In 1875 Mr. IMeager was called to mourn the
loss of his first wife, who died on the 15th of
.May of th.it year. On the 1st of March, 1877.
he married Frances .M. Millimau, a native of
.\ew York, and they are the ])arents of four
children. Clarence l\.. Harry. Lva and Sam.

In March, i8f)0. Mr. Fleager removed to Shel-
don, casting in his lot with the early settlers.
>ince which time he has been promiueiuly iden-
tified with the history and upbuilding of the
town. ( ioing to Chicago he purchasetl one him-
dred thousand feel of lumber and established a
lumberyard. He erected the first building in the
town, and opened a grocery store in which be
Continued for some time. He also engaged in
general merchaujlising and became a dealer in
coal and grain. Thus bis activities have extend-
eil to various fields of labor, whereby the com-
munity has profited, anil at the same time his in-
dividual success has been ])romoteil. In 1873
he sold his general mercantile establishment and
engaged in the bankmg business as proprietor of
the Sheldon I'.ank. with which he was connected
until .M;iy 10. 1891. when be siild out ;m<l the
institution has since been known as the Citizens
Piank. He was likewise instrumental in estab-
lishing the Perfection I'.ag Holder Com]);uiy in
i8<^i. which was organized as a stock company
with Mr. Fleager as ])re'iident ; Mr. Wilkinson as
treasurer; and .Mr. Whitson as secretary. Mr.
Fleager is also operating quite extensively in real
estate. He is a man of resourceful business abil-
ity and is a self-made man in the fullest sense of
that oft misused term, his prosperity in life being
due to his industry and integrity.

Mr. Meager was the first postmaster of .Shel-
don, and the third, and in everything pertaining
to the upbuilding of the town he has taken an
active part and is a liberal contributor to the en-
terprises which insure its progress. He owns
several large business l)locks in the town besides
his beautiful residence, which he and bis family
occupv. .\ consistent member of the Methodist
church, he contributes generously to its supi)ort
and does all in bis power to promote its advance-
ment. I le has been the architect of his own for-
tune and has builded wisely and well. Starting
out at an earlv age. he has met competition, ba-;

192

PAST AND PRESENT OF

overcome difficuUies and obstacles and has
achieved a gratifying measure of success as the
reward of earnest labor, at the same time en-
joying the confidence and esteem of all who know
liim by reason of the straightforward methods
he has followed. He is a worthy example for
young men to pattern after, as showing what in-
telligence and probity may accomplish in the way
of success in life.

THOMAS McSORLEY.

Thomas McSorley, who has been engaged suc-
cessfully for a number of years in buying and
handling grain, coal and seeds at Martinton and
who is widely recognized as one of the foremost
busine^ men of the town, was born in Beaver-
ville, September 17, 1854, his parents being
James and Fannie (Woods) McSorley. the for-
mer a native of Scotland and the latter of Texas.
James McSorley came to America in early life
and located in Beaver township, Iroquois county,
Illinois, where he purchased two hundred and
forty acres of land, which he improved and
brought under a high state of cultivation, trans-
forming it into a fine farm, whereon he made
his home until his death. Of his children, five
in number, three are still living.

Thomas AlcSorley is indebted to the district
schools for the educational privileges which he
enjoyed. In his yorth he lived at home, assist-
ii:g his parents in various departments of farm
labor. He aided in the task of plowing, plant-
ing and harvesting as the years went by and con-
tinued under the jjarental roof unti' twenty-five
\ears of age, when he started out upon an in-
dependent business career. He began dealing
in hav and grain in Alarlintnn in connection with
P. S. Dewitt, with whom he was associatetl for a
short time, after which he liought out Mr. De-
witt's interest and conducted the business alone
for two years. He was afterward in jiartnershiii
with Mr. .Swindeman and in i8(j5 he built an
elevaliir with a capacity of thirty-nve thousand
bushels. In 1899 he Ijought out his partner's
interest and was again alone for two years, when
he sold out to R. !•". Cummings, who enlarged
the elevator to a capacity of one hundred thou-

sand bushels. Mr. McSorley has since been man-
ager and is thus engaged in buying and handling
grain, coal and seeds. In 1902 he inirchased a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Min-
nesota. He has long figured prominently in busi-
ness interests of Martinton and his efforts have
been of material benefit to the town as well as
a source of individual profit.

In 1879 ;\Ir. McSorley was married in Kanka-
kee, to ]\Iiss Alma Brown, who was born in Iro-
quois county in 1856. They became the parents
of seven children, 01 whom three are still liv-
ing, Nellie, Blanche and Ruth.

In his political views Mr. AlcSorley is a stal-
wart democrat and has served as president of
the town board, in which capacity he has ren-
dered signal aid in advancing the general wel-
fare. He belongs to the Alasonic lodge, to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the
^Modern Woodmen camp, and during the long
years of his residence in Martinton and Iroquois
county his many good traits of character have
become familiar to his fellow townsmen and have
won him friendly consideration and warm
regard.

A. P. SINGLETON.

A. P. Singleton, who for four years has en-
gaged in the manufacture of brick and tile at
Buckley, is controlling a profitable business and
his energy and perseverance constitute the strong
elements in his success. He is one of the old-
time residents of this part of the state, having for
fifty-six years made his home in lUiniMS. He
was but six years old when brought to the state,
and as he has advanced in years and strength
he has also extended the scope of his activity,
thus becoming a valued and rejiresentative citi-
zen. He was born in Hocking count)-. Ohio,
March <), 1844, a son of Jaures Singleton, who
was likewise a native of Ohio, where he was
reared and married, the lady of his choice being
Hannah Arnold, a native of Oonuecticut. He
was a meciianic and stone-cutter by trade and
also devoted some time to agricultural pursuits.
In 1830 he removed westward to h'ulton county.
Illinois, where he worked at liis trade for a con-

Ikonl . .K <'>U\TV. ILI.Iv, ,iv

«93

sidtTaWe perifxl. hut his last years wi-rc s|)ciu
■on the farm. He died alxiiu iWrf). while his wife
siirviwd until iSi/>. t )f their family of six sons
and three daii>;luers. five stuis and two daugh-
ters reached mature years, while A. !'. Sinpleton
and one sister arc the only survivors.

Hroujjht to Illinois in 1850, .\. 1'. Sinjrlelon
was reared in I-'ulton county ti]x»n the home farm
and remained with his father until he attained
his majj>rity. He then enlisted, in the s|)rinj; oi
i8<)5. at the last call that was made for troops
iK'Cominjj a memher of Company H. I'-ijjhty-thirci
Illinois \'oIuntcer Infantry, and siil)se(|uentlv
was transferred to Comjiany F. Sixty-fifth \icn'\-
ment. He was sent south, where he enj.;a),'e<l in
j^uard duty and in Inmtinfj Riierillas in Kentucky
and Tennessee until the close of the war, Ix-inji
honorably discharjfed in SeptemlH.»r. iS^'i.s.

Mr. Singleton at once returned ti> I-"ulton
county and was marriecl there, Decemher J5.
iJVxj, to Miss Celinda .Mclntyre. a native of Il-
linois, liorn and reared in l*"uIton county. The
following spring they removed to Irot|unis
county, locating on a farm east of F-oda. which
Mr. Singleton o[H"rated for several years. Suh-
se(|nently he took up his abode on a farm in
.■\rtcsia township, near I'.uckley. where he car-
ried on general agricultural pursuits for seven-
teen years. He had, in the meantime, purchased
twenty-five acres adji>ining I'lUckley, together
with other property, and in I<j02 he purchased
the brick and tile business, a OHiipkte mami fac-
tory, supplied with nifxlern machinery. He now
makes and burns about thirty-two kilns per year,
and the tile nianufacture<l is from three and a
half to fifteen inches in diameti-r. The local
trade takes the entire output of the factory.

.As the years have gone by seven chililren have
come to the Singleton household, five yms and
two daughters: F-'rank S., who married Clain
Patcrson, of F-ostant. F-a Salle comity, a sister of
Mrs. F. E. ^Fe^ritt. and is cashier of the F^anforth
I'lank ; J. A., who is his father's partner in the man-
ufacture of brick and tile an»l who married Cora
Hull, a daughter of Filwin FInll. a ()rominent
farmer of .Artcsia township; L. \V„ who was for-
merly cashier of the Ruckley FJank and is now en-
gaged in the grain tr;ide; llerl)ert, a student in
the theological department of the Xorthwestern
Universitv. at Evanston. Illinois: William, at

home; Jennie, the wife of <'ieorge IJothwell, a
fanner of .\rtesia township; and .Maliel, at home.
F'olitieally .Mr. Singleton is indeiKrndent and
sup|>orts canditlates regardless of party affiliation.
F^e is a prohibitionist in principle. Fie and his
family are all memlxTs of the .MetlnMlist Kpis-
copjil church, in which he is serving as trustee
and steward, and is als<i a worker and teacher in
the .Sunilay-schiNil. He takes a mo.st helpful
part in the interests of the church ami his life
has been characterized by fidelity to its teachings
in his business and social relations. Tlius he
c<immands uniform confidence and gcMxF will an<1
his life embc«liis the elements of the worthy aiul
representative citizen.

nWll) I)KA\".

David iJean. a resident of ( )narga, is one of
the prosperous farmers and business men of the
city. He owns a well improved and valuable
tract of land in ( )narga township and which
in its successful control <lemonstrates his exec-
utive ability and keen discrimination. FFe dates
his residence in IrrKpiois county from iWiQ and
is a native of .*^ullivan county. New York, where
his birth occurred June 11. iX2<». IFis father.
Ueul)en Dean, was Ixirn in ( )range county. New
York, and lost his father when a small Fioy. FFe
was reared in the place of his nativity and after-
ward weiu to Sullivan county. .Vew York, where
he married ElizalK-th Devine. who was Ixirn in
the F.mpire state. .Mr. Dean was a farmer by
occupation and reared his family of fourteen chil-
dren upon the home farm in Sullivan county.
The family numbered six sons and eight daugh-
ters, all of whom reached mature years and
were married. David. J<ihnson an<l ficorge
Dean are now the surviving memF>ers of this
large family.

Cpon the old homestead proj>erty David Dean
was reared and in his youth he attendi-d the com-
mon schools of the neighlxirliiKxl but he is large-
ly a sclf-e<lucate<I as well as self-maile man, F^e
was married in .Sullivan county, \ew York, on
the joth of .\pril, 1831, to Miss Hann.di Davis,
who was Fvirn an<l rearetl in that county, a daugh-
ter of Flenrv V\'. Davis, .\fter his marriage he

194

PAST AND PRESENT OF

owned and operated a farm there for some years
and he had three children born there. In 1869
he removed westward to Iroquois county, Illi-
nois, purchasing land in Onarga township, where
he also began farming. He at -first had but
eighty acres, to which he afterward added until
he owned two hundred acres in that farm. There
he carried on general agricultural pursuits for
twenty-seven years and he placed many substan-
tial buildings there and conducted his work along
lines of modern progress. At length he sold that
property and took up his abode in Onarga, where
he purchased seven acres of land, erecting there-
on a comfortable and attractive residence and
good barn. His attention is now given to the
management and further improvement of this
propertv and he keeps some stock for his own
use. He purchased another farm in Onarga
township of one hundred and twenty-four acres
about two miles from Leonard, and he now rents
that place. Although he started out in life a
poor man he has steadily climbed the ladder of
success and is now in afiluent circumstances. He
has been a hard worker, industrious and ener-
getic and careful in his management.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean are the parents of three
children. Charles A., who reached mature years
and married, became a business man of Syca-
more, De Kalk county. Illinois. He was a travel-
ing salesman and died in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
He had one daughter. Aha. Irving ^I. is mar-
ried and is engaged in business in Indianapolis,
Indiana. He has two children, Bessie A. and
Vera. Cora May is the wife of F. W. Seyforth.
of Chicago, where he occupies a business posi-
tion, and they have four children : Dorothy, Isa-
belle Louise, Eleanor and Robert Seyforth.

Mr. Dean votes with the prohibition party,
of which he has been a stanch advocate for thirty
years, while throughout his entire life he has been
an earnest temperance man, never using intoxi-
cants nor tobacco. He has been without aspira-
tion for office for himself but he desires the best
interests of the county, state and nation and is
always rejoiced to sec good men put in office.
He and his wife are members of the ( )narga
Presbyterian church and the\- are highly esteemed
in the city and throughout the county, where fur
many years they have made their home. The\-
have both displayed traits of character, of heart

and mind which have endeared them to all with
whom they have been associated and which have
gained for them the confidence and good will
of the entire community.

JAMES W. KAY.

James W. Kay. one of the well known busi-
ness men of Iroquois count)- has for thirt}--five
years been engaged in the real-estate business,
controlling a business which at times has been
quite extensive. Moreover he has figured prom-
inently in public life, holding various offices to
which he has been called by the vote of his fel-
low townsmen and in which he has given proof
of his public spirit and devotion to the general
good. One of the native sons of the county,
he was born February 26. 1838. His father,
^^'illiam D. Kay, was born and reared in Ohio
and in 1826 married Ruth Wright. Subsequent-
ly he removed from Cincinnati. Ohio, to Indi-
ana, and was engaged in the manufacture of
lumber at Perrysville until his death in 1837. .
His widow, seven years after his demise, married
the Hon. Isaac Courtright, both of whom died
in Iroquois county of cholera in 1854.

James W. Kay was reared in Iroquois county
and began his education in the common schools,
while later he attended the old Middleport high
school. He engaged in teaching in 1S58 and
taught three years. On the 22d of July, 1862,
while writing in the recorder's office at Middle-
port, he put aside all business and personal con-
siderations, prompted by a spirit of patriotisnt
which caused him to enlist in the defense of his
countrv is a member of Company A, Seventy-
sixth Illinois Infantry, under command of ]\Iajor
Harrington. He went south, serving three
years, during which time he ]jartici])ated in the
siege and capture of X'icksburg and also of Mo-
liile, Alabama. He was on detached dnl\- a parr
of the time and served as sales clerk in the post
commissary department in \"icksburg after the
surrender of the city, nearly sixty thousand dol-
lars passing through his hands as a private sol-
dier. Later he became a clerk in the quarter-
master's department. In the last campaign, re-
sulting in the capture of Mobile. Alabama, he

MR. AND MRS. TAMRS W. KAV.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

"'T

was brigade forape master. He lost iid time
on accnunt of illness or other causes, serviiij;
until tlie close of the war. heinj,' mustered out
July 22. 1865. ami h<nioral)ly discharged at < lal-
veston. Texas, lie was war correspondent for
The * )ld Iroquois County Rei)ublican.

Returninn; to his home Mr. Kay was elected
in the fall of the same year to the office of county
clerk, receiving fifteen hundred votes out of the
two thousand cast, and after serving one term,
he served two years as deiuity county treasurer.
On his retirement from that office he was chosen
public administrator, his incumbency continuing
for eight years. He was for eleven years sch(M>l
treasurer at Watseka and he made the second
Set (»f abstract IxKiks of Ir<H|uois county, which
he later sold. His public service has been of the
utmost benefit to the county, being always char-
acterized by unfaltering devotion to the general
good and by faithfidness and ability in the dis-
charge of the specific duties of the office.

Mr. Kav has also been engaged in the real-
estate business for years, i-'or twelve years he
conducted land excursions to Texas, where he
made many large sales of land, lie has con-
tinued his real-estate operations and has de-
veloped a g(X)d business since his removal to
Onarga. January 6. n/X). handling much val-
uable property and negotiating many important
real-estate deals. During this period he has also
served as notary public for eight years and pen-
sion attorney. He has been identified with the
prohibition party since 1880. previous to which
time he acted with the republican party, and it
was as the candidate of the latter that he was
elected to the offices he has filled, although many
supporters of other parties have given him their
votes because of their l)clief in his political
integrity and cajjability.

Mr. Kay has been married three times. He
first wedded Mrs. Kmma C. Connell, of .Attica,
Indiana. < )ctober 16, i86r>, and on the 7th of
August, l8r>8. her death occurretl. < )n the nth
of May. i86c>. Mr. Kay was married in Kanka-
kee. Illinois, to Miss Xdaline I-lllingwtMid. who
died February 18. |88<>. leaving four children:
Wendel P.. an attorney of Watseka. Illinois;
Howard L.. who is engaged in the real-estate
business in Spcnccville. ( )hio : \\'illK-r Jones, who
is a teacher of oratory in Washington and JetTer-

soii College, at Washington, IVnnsylvania ; :ind
Miriam Ruth, the wife of Ralph 1-. I'aine. of
Saginaw. .Michigan. ( »n the 6th t>f January,
HK>o. -Mr. Kay was married in ( >narga to Mrs.
LlizalKth 11. Lindsey. the widow of Thomas
Lindsey, who was a prominent farmer of this
county. Mr. and Mrs. Kay are meml)ers of the
MetlwHlist Episcopal church, with which he has
been identified for forty years, and he also be-
longs to the Cirand .\rmy of the Republic. ( )ne
of the few surviving veterans of the Civil war,
he has also helped to make history in Iroquois
couiUy, leaving the impress of his individuality
for g(>)d upon its official life and business inter-
ests, while his influence has even been exerted in
behalf of truth, justice and right.

STF.PHFV CISSV A.

In a history of pioneer tiniis in Irotiuois
county mention should Ik- made of Stei>hen
Cissna, who came to this part of the state when
it was emerging from primitive frontier condi-
tions and taking on the advantages and improve-
ments of civilization. He l)ore an active part in-
the developiuent of the county, especially along
agricultural lines, and for many years was one
of its most extensive and prosperous farmers and
stock-raisers. Arriving in the county in 1856,
he took up his aliode in Pigeon Cirove township,
where he purchased six hundred and eighty
acres of land. He was a native of Cliillicothe,
Ohio, lK>rn I'ebruary 9, 181 5. His jKirents were
Stephen and Sarah (King) Cissna. who were
likewise natives of the I'.uckeye state. The father
served as a s«>ldier in the war of 181 J an<I
throughout his entire business life engaged in
fanning, making his home near Chillicothe, where
he died during the early youth of his son and
namesake.

Stephen Cissna of this review had only the
e<lucational a<lvantages afTorded by the connnon
schools of his native county and when still but
a boy he began learning the tanner's tmde, w Inch
he followed for a few years, in 1837 he re-
moved to Lafayette, Indiana, and was connected
with mercaiuile interests there for several years,
after which he took up his alvide in Williams-

198

PAST AND PRESENT OF

port, Warren county, Indiana, continuing' in the
same line of business.

It was while residing; in \\'illianis]jort that Mr.
Cissna was first married, on the 13th of April,
1848, to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a native of that
place. She died in Pigeon Grove township, Iro-
quois county, on the 2d of August, 1858. There
were three children of that union : Sarah Fran-
ces, who always resided with her parents and now
makes her home with her stepmother in W'at-
seka ; George C, deceased; and Charles, who
died in infancy. \\'hile residing upon his farm
in Pigeon Grove township, this county. Mr.
Cissna was again married, his second union be-
ing with Miss Clara Hawk, whom he wedded
November 6, 1864. She is a native of Erie. Penn-
sylvania, and a daughter of Erastus Hawk, who
always resided in Erie, where his wife likewise
passed away.

After his first marriage Mr. Cissna continued
to engage in general merchandising in Williams-
port. Indiana, until 1856. when with his family
and his brother \\'illiam he came to Iroquois
county. He was the founder and promoter of
the town of Cissna Park, which he named and
which is now a prosperous village in Pigeon
Grove township. ]\Ir. Cissna and his brother
purchased over a section of land, or six hundred
and eighty acres in Pigeon Grove township and he
concentrated his energies upon the work of gen-
eral farming' and stock-raising. The latter wa>
his principal business but he engaged in both
lines upon his original farni until 1867. when
he exchanged that property with his brother Wil-
liam for four hundred and seventy-one acres of
land in Middleport township, two and a half
miles east of Watseka. There he carried on .gen-
eral farming and stock-raising until 1877. when
he took up his abode in the town, although he
still retained the ownership of the farm. This
property is now owned by Mrs. Cissna and her
daughter. In Watseka he gave his attention to
no business interests save the supervision of his
"investments but enjoyed throughout his remain-
ing days a rest which he had truly earned and
richly merited. For niany years he was one of
the prominent stock-dealers of the county, car-
rying on his business on an extensive scale that
made it a gratif)ing source of revenue. As the
years j)assed his labors added to his financial w-

sources until he became a wealthy nian and no
word was ever uttered against his honor or his
good name, for in all of his business dealings
he was strictly reliable and his commercial in-
tegrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his life
record.

In politics Mr. Cissna was a very stanch re-
publican and kept well informed on the questions
and issues of the day. \Miile residing in Mid-
dleport townshi]) he served as supervisor for one
term and he held other local offices, acting as
road commissioner, while during the greater
period of his residence on the farm he was a
school director. He was interested in community
affairs and was always willing to aid in ]Dro-
gressive ]Miblic measures. He attended and con-
tributed to the support of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, of which his wife is a member and
he was one who in his life upheld the legal and
political stability of the county and endorsed its
intellectual and moral developnient. He died
April 26, 1900, at the veneralile age of eighty-
five vears, leaving a life record which in its sa-
lient characteristics was well worthy of emulation.
;\Irs. Cissna and daughter own a ])alatial resi-
dence on Hickory street near Third street, which
was erected by Mr. Cissna upon their removal to
the town. She and her daughter usually spend
the winter months in the south, generally at Day-
tona, Florida, and have traveled extensively.
Thev are prominent in social circles here and
with excellent resources at hand are able to dis-
pense a hospitality which is most liberal and
gracious.

ALFORD PRUTSMAN.

Alford Prutsman, controlling one of the im-
portant industrial enterprises of Milford, being
engaged in the manufacture of brick, is a busi-
ness nian of marked enterprise and determina-
tion, who keeps in touch with the trend of mod-
ern progress and develoiiment. A native son of
the countv he was born in Prairie Green town-
shi]!, February 12, 1S38, and is a son of Jasper
Prutsman, who was born near .Xttica, in Foun-
tain comity, Indiana, Fel)ruary 12, 1836. He was
one of the twelve children of David and Maxey
M. I McMillan) I'rntsman. natives of Peinisvl-

IRliQUM.S rni-\'TV. Ill IVoI'

•w

vaiiia and Kentucky respectively. The urantl-
tather ol our subject died in Indiana in 1837.
and his widow continued to reside in that state
until 185^, when she came ti) Illinois and made
her home with her son Jasper, who in that year
entered eighty acres of land from the govern-
ment in Inxpiois county. He had no s|K-ciaI
advantages at the outset of his career but lie
jjosscssed a strong character and resolute will
and as the years passed achieved a pooilly meas-
ure of success. On ccnjing to this county lie
at once taik up the task of transforming his
wild land in Prairie (ireen township into a pro-
ductive farm, and after nine years he removed to
Milford township, where he engaged in furnish-
ing timlKT in large (|uantities to different cor-
porations and firms. In 187.2 he turned his at-
tention to the establishment and conduct of a
brick and tile factory in Milford, operating it suc-
cessfully until i8<>4. In 185C he married Lu-
cinda Crow, a native of Kentucky and a daugh-
ter of David and Mary Crow, who became early
settlers of this county in 1850. Mr. Prutsman
died .\pril 7. 1906, but Mrs. Prutsman still sur-
vives her husband and is living on the old liome
place in Milford township. lie was a member
of .Milford lodge. No. 168, .\. P. & .\. .M.. and
held membership in the Methodist Episco|)a!
church, to which his wife yet belongs. His po-
litical allegiaiKe was given to the republican
party. He was truly a self-ma<le man and de-
served all the praise which that term implied.
In addition to his manufacturing interests he
owned an excellent fann of one hundred ami
twelve acres a half mile west of Milford and
there he made his home.

.Mford Prutsman of this review is the eldest
of a family of seven children, five of whom are
yet living, while two liave passed away. .Mary
M., lK)rn .\pril 2t). iSfo. JR'came the wife oi
George Gibbs. who died al)out 1888, leaving three
children. Walter C. George and Leila, and by
a second marriage she has two daughters, .\ngie
and Nellie. The other members of the IVutsman
household arc Malinda E., born February <>.
1862: Ora. March 8. 18^4; Walter K., .\prii jf,.
i8r>5; Frank. July f>. 18^(7; and .\rata, .\pril 11.
1870.

The educational privileges which .Mford
Prutsman enjoyed were those afforilcd by the

public »cli(i>i». riic tlays of his boyhood anci
youth were |jas.sed under the parental riM^f, while
at an early age he was associated with his fatlicr
in business, first in fann work and afterward in
the conduct of the brick and tile factory. Since
1894 he lias been proprietor of the business ami
afterward for three years was ass«xiated in the
conduct of the enteq)ri.se with his brother but
is now sole proprietor. He has twenty-two acres
ujKjn which has lK*en built a plant having a ca-
pacity of twenty thousand brick «laily and from
four to eight thousand tile. The factory is now
equipped with the latest improved machinery for
carrying on this work and the buildings are well
tracked. Nine men are employed during the busy
season and the output finds a ready sale. Ixring
largely u.seil by the local trade. Tiiis factory
has furnished tJie brick used in the construction
of the great majority of the buildings in .Milford
and the surrounding district an<l the product of
the tile works is found on many farms, the fer-
tility of which has been greatly augmented
through this method of drainage.

On the loth of May. 1893, .Mr. Prutsman was
married to Miss Ida Carr, a native of this county
and a daughter of .Mexander and .\manda J.
C^rr. who were born in X'irginia but Ixcame
early settlers of Irf>f|uois county, ^[r. and Mrs.
Prutsman are the parents of one daughter, Hat-
tie, born July 7, i8<>+. who is attending school in
-Milfonl. '

Politically .Mr. Prutsman is a republican, and
brtad reading and investigation have kept him
in touch with the im|x>rt:uit issues which have
direct l)earing upon the welfare of the country
yet he is without political aspiration. He be-
longs to the Odd I'ellows Unlge at Milford, in
which he has passed all of the chairs, and he is
likewise connected with the encampment, which
was organize<l in i<a/>. while l)oth be and his
wife are coimecteil with the Order of Kelnrkahs,
in which he lias served in various offices. They
are much esteemed people with a large circle of
warm friends who hold them in high regar<l and
extend to them conlial hospitality. Mr. Pruts-
man is classed with the prominent anil enter-
prising business men of Milford and Irtx|uoi.s
county an<l is honored and respected by all not
onlv liecausc of the success he lias achieved but
also by rea.son "•' ''" ^'rn'-In forward, honorable

U200

PAST AND PRESENT OF

methods he has ever followed. It is true that
he entered upon a business already established
but in early manhood he set to work to thoroughly
master the business in principle and detail, and
as the years have gone by has been an active
factor in enlarging its scope. He has given to
the public a good product with reasonable prices
and has thus secured a liberal patronage and,
moreover, while winning a creditable measure of
success he has sustained an unassailable reputa-
tion in business circles.

GEORGE M. WILLIAMS.

A man of considerable natural ability, George
11. Williams has been uniformly successful in
Ijusiness from the beginning of his active con-
nection with agricultural, commercial and finan-
cial interests in this county, and the methods
which he has followed make his history one of
interest to the busines world. He has persevered
in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained
a most satisfactory reward. He is energetic,
prompt and notably reliable, and a genius for
devising and executing the right thing at the
right time, joined to everyday common sense,
are his chief characteristics.

He is a son of Judge Samuel and Catherine
(Bodv) Williams. The father's birth occurred
in Adams county. ( )hi(i, July n. 1X20. lie was
a son of Thomas Williams, who was born in
Maryland, in 1707. and the latter was a son of
Captain John Williams, a native of Maryland,
who in 1 80 1 removed to Adams county, Ohio,
remaining there until 1836, when he came to
Illinois, niaking the journev with ox teams, for
it was Ijefore the era of railroad travel and only
comparatively few pioneers had penetrated into
this region. Captain Williams timk up his abndc
at Rockford, which was then a hamlet contain-
ing but two cabins, one on each side of the river.
He remained tlu're for six years and in iSjj
came to Iroc)U()is county, locating in what is now
Belmont township, then a sparsely settled district.
The Williams family were true pioneers of the
county and bore an active and helpful ]iarl in
the work of development and progress as the
county emerged from frontier conditions and

took on all of the evidences of an improved and
modern civilization. Thomas Williams entered
land from the government and took up the task
of developing the farm, which up to that time
was entirely destitute of improvements, the land
being wild and uncultivated. In politics he was
a prominent democrat and did much toward
shaping the early political history of this section
of the state. He was also an influential worker
in the Methodist Episcopal church and thus con-
tributed to the moral development of the commu-
nity. He continued to make his home in Iro-
quois county until his death, which occurred Au-
gust 18. 1857. while his wife survived him and
passed away in 1880. She bore the maiden name
of Elizabeth Swim and was a native of Ken-
tucky, born January 2, 1800, so that at her death
she was eighty years of age.

Samuel Williams was the eldest in a family of
ten children, all of whom were reared to adult
age u]Kjn the old homestead farm in Iroquois
county. He spent fifteen years of his life in the
state of his nativitv and then came with his
parents to IlHnois. He worked in the fields and
upon the home farm until twenty-four years
of age. when he learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed for two years. In 1844 he
purchased a homestead of one hundred and
twenty acres of raw, wild land upon which the
town of Woodland now stands. There he
built a house and began the task of farming
the projierty, making his home there for more
than a half century. He bought additional land
from time to time as his financial resources per-
mitted luitil at his death he was the owner of
over one thousand acres. He was a verv suc-
cessful man, of sound judgment and fertility of
resource, and whatever he undertunk lie carried
f(irw;ird tu successful completion.

In early manhood Samuel ^^'illiams wediled
Miss Catherine Rody, the marriage being cele-
brated March 20, 1846. She was a daughter
of Isaac llody, who went fnim Mifflin county,
1 '(.■nnsylvania. tn Indiana in 1830, and ten vears
later, ill 1S40, removed to Iroquois county. Illi-
nois. .Mrs. Williams was born in Pennsylvania
and was a little maiden of four summers when
with her parents she left her native state. Fol-
lowing his marriage Sanniel Williams carefully
conducted his business interests with the added

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIvrfvsiiy OF ILLINOIS

SAMUEL WILLIAMS.

(.Ki )K<;i-: M. W ll.l.l AMS.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IRf>Or<)IS tV^rVTY. !I.!.I\<>IS

•W5

stinuilu> "1 h.iMii;; a family i'it uiiniii t" jir^'Mm.
He became one nl tlie iirjpinizers i*l' ll>e I*"irst
National I'lank at \\ alselci aiul was cho!>en its
first president, with lieor^e C liarrintjton as
its cashier. He was also one tif the organizers
of the Citizens Stale IJank of Watseka and
served as its vice ; ' r In iS7<» he laid

olT the village oi \\ . njHm his fann and

conducted the first store there for st)ine years
in jtartnership with Mr. (iiMHiyear. Me also
Iniilt and endowed the first church in W'lKidland
-a Methiwlist Episcopal cluirch. Readily did
he reco)^iize the nee«ls and <>pi>ortnnitii-s of the
town and county and liis elTorts were of the
utmost value in pr«>motin^ n)aterial. intellectual
and moral progress, l-'ew «>f the pioneers t<Kik
so helpful or active a part in the wurk of jjeneral
improvement and his name is honored by all who
knew him. lie was for ten years sui)ervisor of
Itelmont township and for twelve years justice
of the pi-acc. rendering decisions which were
strictly fair and impartial. In 18^0 he was
elected judge of tin- county court and filled that
position for four years. Ihe family uumliered
four children and all were reared upon the home
farm and were educated in ( inarga ."Seminary.
These are: Josiah Ci.. who is mentioned on
another jiage of this work: (ieorge M.. of this
review ; John S.. of ( )narj;a ; and l-'rank I... who
is living in Guthrie. ( 'klahoma.

(ieorgc M. Williams, whose nanu- introduces
this rex-iew. was lx)rn .May 7. 1H5!, on the old
family homestead in Melmont township, where
he has resi<le<l continuously since, lie mastered
the elementary branches of |-".nglish learninj; in
the public schools an<l subsetpiently matriculated
in ' >narga Seminary, from which he was grad-
uated. .\fter putting aside his te.xt-bcKiks he
Ijegan buying and shipping live stock, which
business he follow (.' -fnly for some \ears.

The father built a c .md Ji>hn S.. tieorge

M. and Frank I., engaged in the mantifacturc
of butter ;r ■ ■ for a mimlKT of yiiirs. but

owing !■• • n they sold out and resuine<l

fanniii ;,'e M. Williams first Imught two

hun<lre.'. aero of hnd : the villa-^'e of

WiMKlJand and this he . cultivate and

improve, transfoniiing it into fields which arc
prcxiuctive and bring forth g<Mvl animal har-
vest*, lie has alsi) made a s|K-cialt\ of fruit-

r.iisiii;^ .iMU lias imi sinu .h i i s planted to

IK-ache.N. |>ears, plums and apples, liis is the
oldest and most extensive frtiit farm in Iroquois
count} and his ■ ' ' !y received as

authoritx ujiou <.rs. while his

fruit-raising interests are to hint a gratifying
.source of inojiue. He has from time to time
bought more land and he now owns and operates
over si.x hundred acres of very valuable and well
improveil farm projKrty in this county. I le is
al.so his father's successor as vice president of
the Citizens State I tank at Watseka, which office
he has held since iS<;5. and he is likewise one of
the l)oard of directors.

In I'ebruary, 1SS3, was celebrated the marriage
of (ii-orge .M. Williams and Miss IJnnu Mc-
(iavick, a native of ( )hio and a daughter of
Henry Mciiavick, who was also Ixjrn in that
state an<l who in iSfo became a resident of .Mc-
Lean County, Illinois. .Mr. and .Mrs. Williauis
are now the parents of nine chiMren but they
lost two in infancy. Those who still survive are:
Cornelia, who was a student in the We.sleyan
Seminary at IlltMiutington, Illinois, and is now
a school teacher, living at home; Jessie, a young
lady at home; llenjamin. who is a student in
( )narga Seminary; Josiah. Mary. 1 )ra .\nna an<l
Donald, all at home.

When age conferred upon .Mr. Williams the
right of franchise he supiMirted Horace (ireeley
for the presidency but since that time has ;i'
voted with the republican party and is .■
wart champion of its interests. He .served his
township as su|K-rvisor for four years and has
been sch««>l director for a quarter of a century.
He is also president <>f the village Imard, having
belli office for two years, and WiHwIland has
profited by his lalmrs in its liehalf, for in tin-
office of chief executive of the village li
lalwired for 1 nil substantial ini|'

He holds nil ' willi the bine lo<i

sons at Watseka and liis wife is connected with
the ■ ' He is also a memlu-r

of ti lainp, the Royal Neigh-

Ix^rs and the I^yal .\mericans, ami his wife
hoi'" ' '1' in the Christi.-m church, while

his ill is indicated by his meinU-r-

ship in the .MetluHlist MpiscofMl church, of which
he -lee. .Mr. Williams is a 1 ■ '

reji' .1- of an honored pionn

PAST AND PRESEXT OF

Decades ago when this district was a wild region
of swampy land, unclaimed and uncvdtivated, his
grandfather came to this section of the state
and from that time to the present the name of
Williams has been closely and honorably as-
sociated with the work of progress and improve-
ment here. The career of George M. Williams
has reflected credit and honor upon the un-
tarnished family name, for in all life's relations
he has shown himself a manly man, actuated
by high principles in all of his business and so-
cial relations.

WILLL\M GOOSEY.

William Goosey is the owner of eighty acres
of good farming land, situated on section 6, Shel-
don township, and in addition to this property he
likewise owns forty acres on section 36, Concord
township. He was born in Cambridgeshire,
England, in 1850, a son of Leavett Goosey, who
was likewise a native of that country, and on
his emigration with his family to the new world
established his home in Concord township, oper-
ating rented land, for six years. Prospering in
his business affairs, he at length accumulated a
sum sufficient to enable him to invest in eighty
acres of land on section 36, Concord township.
Of this tract only ten acres had been cleared and
there was not an improvement upon the place but
the father aiWvated the land and in due time
gathered good crops as a reward for the care and
labor he has bestowed upoij the soil. He is now
deceased, his death having occurred in Concord
township, August 21, 1881.

William Goosey was a lad of ten years when
he accompanied the family on their emigration
from England to the United States. He was
educated in the schools near his father's home
and aided in the work of developing and improv-
ing new land, giving his father the benefit of his
services until he had attained liis majority, when
he began business on his own account, engaging
in the occupation to which he had been reared.
As he prospered in his labors, he was in due time
enabled to purchase land, in 1875 becoming own-
er of a tract of eighty acres, which was owned
bv Joiner nnil Vennum. This land was iniini-

proved but Mr. Goosey was not unfamiliar with
the arduous labor required in the development of
a farm, and thus with energy and perseverance
he set to work to make a valuable property. He
first tiled the land, built fences, and in due course
of time brought the fields under a good state
of cultivation. He likewise erected a good resi-
dence, containing seven rooms, built a barn thirty
bv thirty-si.x feet, corn cribs and other outbuild-
ings necessary for the care of grain and stock.
He has here engaged in farming to the present
time, in addition to which he raises good grades
of cattle as well as Poland China hogs, and in
both branches of his business he is meeting with
gratifying results.

Mr. Goosey has been twice married, his first
union being with ?\Iiss Lillian Clayton, who was
a native of England, but their marriage was
celebrated in Michigan. She became the mother
of one son, Charles, who is now a resident of
Chicago. For his second wife J\Ir. Goosey chose
Jane Davis, whom he wedded in Concord town-
ship. She was born in Dearborn county. Indi-
ana, and by her marriage she became the mother
of two sons, George and Frank.

Since coming as a lad to the United States,
INlr. Goosey has resided in Iroquois county, cov-
ering a period of almost a half century^ so that he
is familiar with the events which have shaped
the history of this section of the state, and he
has given valuable aid in the development of its
agricultural interests. He is a democrat in his
political faith, and his wife holds membership in
the Presbvterian church.

BENJAMIN P. COWAN.

Benjamin P. Cowan, one of the active and
prosperous farmers of Prairie Green townshiji.
also having farming interests in South Dakota,
is numbered among the pioneer sgttlers of Illi-
nois, for he took up his abode within the borders
of the state in 1855, at which time he established
his home in Grundy county. A native of Eng-
land, he was born in Lancashire, on the 12th of
January, 1837, and there remained tmtil he at-
tained the age of eighteen years, in the meantime
acquiring a fair education in the public schools.

IR<^QlOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

207

In 1855 he emigrated to the new world and made
his way at once to Illinois, settlintj in Grundy
coimty. He had previously learned the carpen-
ter's trade and in this state he was identitkd with
builtling operations for a numl>er of years.

.\lr. Cowan was married in Morris, (irundy
county. Illinois, in .Xu^ust. iS<n. to Mary .\.
I'ride and unto them were born two sons, W. 11.
and i5cn 1'. Mrs. Cowan was a native of Scot-
land, where she was reared to the age of twelve
years, after which she was brought to the I'nited
States. I'ollowing the death of his first wife
Mr. Cowan was married alK>ut twenty-.seven years
ago in Prairie lireen township, this county, to
Martha J. (aiest. a native of Indiana, and by
this union there are four suns and one daughter.

Following his first marriage Mr. Cowan rented
land in Gnmdy county and in connection with
his farming ])ursuits also carried on carpentering.
He came to Iroc|uois county in 1870 and pur-
chased one hundred and twenty acres of raw
land. u|)on which he erected good buildings, while
he fenced the place and transformed the land
into priKluctive fields, lie also set t)Ut a grove
of mai>le trees and planted much fruit. lie like-
wise tiled the land and added much to its value
through systematic drainage. There is now no
waste land on the place. He also put n() a g(jiid
windmill and pump and carefully su])erintended
his farming ojKTations in this county until 1882.
when he left the farm and with his wife and sons
went to South Dakota, where he established a
tree claim. He also bought land there for him-
self and for his sons. He put gof>d buildings
upon the farms and has artesian wells, from
which he has an unfailing source of (lowing
water. The water is i)i]ied to the houses
and barns an<l is thus very convenient for
the uses of the stock as well as for do-
mestic pnrjKises. His principal crop is wheat
and he and iiis sons farni alK)Ht seven hundred
acres of land devoted to the cultivation of wheat.
fla.\ and barley. In the year 190^1 he had one
hundred and ten acres in fla.x and secured there-
from a g(M3d yield. He lives upon a place of two
hundred and seventy acres in Day county. South
Dakota, which he homesteaded and improved,
and he also owns the old home projierty of one
hundred and twenty acres in I'rairie < ireen town-
ship, carrying on his farming operations with the

assistance of his sons. The two sons of his first
marriage are l>oth married and live in Sot. ii Da-
kota. The children of the second marriage are
John, who is a druggist at (irafton, .North Da-
kota ; James, also living in South Dakota ; .\rchic,
a student in < )narga Seminary ; Joe, a \ximg man
at home; and Mary, who is now attending col-
lege at Fargo. North Dakota.

In former years Mr. Cowan gave stalwart sup-
port to the democracy but is now e(|ually earnest
in his a<lvt)cacy of rei>ublican principles. He has
ser\-ed as highway commissioner for three years
and has been a memlnrr of the sch«H)l lioard.
Community interests always receive his endorse-
ment and supiiort and his labors have been of
marked benefit to the locality in which he has
lived. He liclongs to the Maptist church, while
his wife holds membership in the (."hristian
church, anil both are highly esleemecl in Iro«|uois
county, where they have many friends, and also
in .South Dakota.

THO.\l.\S LEGCOTT

.•\ valuable farming property of two lumdred
anil forty acres on section 30. t'hebanse township,
yields yearly tribute to Mr. Leggott. who for a
long [H-riod was engaged in general agricultural
l)ursuits uiHin that farm but is nmv living in
Clift<»n. where he also owns five acres of land.
in the midst of which stands his comfortable
residence. A son of John and I'llizabcth (Skclls)
Leggott. he was born in Luddington. Lincoln-
shire. Fngland. December 7. 1826. and was the
fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children,
namely : J(jse|)h. William. Ino. Henjamin. Thom-
as. George. Mary. Sarah, Susan ancl Maria.

Mr. Leggott spent the first twenty-seven years
of his life in the land of his birth and is indebted
to its public-school system for the educational
privileges he enjoyed. Investigation into busi-
ness conditions in .\inerica led him to .seek a
home in the new world anI on the I4tli of .\pril. 1833. landing at New
^'ork on the 29th of May following. He was
employed at difTerent ])laces in the cast for a
few vears and finally made his way westward to
Illinois, eventually kx-ating in Clifton on March

208

PAST AND PRESENT OF

I, 1861. Securing land in Chebanse township,
he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits,
in which he was very successful, as his present
accumulation of property indicates. He worked
diligently in the cultivation and development of
his land, brought his fields under a high state
of improvement and therefore annually harvested
large crops, the sales of which added materially
to his income and in the course of years made it
possible for him to put aside all active business
cares and enjoy life in comfort and ease.

In 1858 Mr. Liggott was married to Miss Anna
Orton. and unto this union three children have
been born, but Lizzie died in infancy and Henry
has also passed away. The surviving son. Oliver,
is a resident of Clifton. The wife and mother
died in 1891 and Mr. Leggott now makes his
home in Clifton with his brother Benjamin. In
politics he is an independent republican — that is,
he endorses the principles of the republican party,
but at local elections does not consider himself
bound by party ties and casts an independent
ballot. He contributes to the support of churches
and to all worthy movements which have for their
object the welfare and upbuilding of the com-
munity, and his life may well serve as a source
of Inspiration and encouragement to others who
have regard for the true value of character and
who desire to win honorable success.

CLASS ANDERSON.

Class .\nderson is the owner of a line farm of
one hundred and twenty acres, situated on sec-
tions II and 12, Beaver township, where he is
engaged in farming and stock-raising, being
numbered among the practical and ])rogressive
citizens of this part of the stale. As the name
indicates, he is of .Swedish birth, his natal day
being December i. 1832. His parents, John and
Rreta (Lawson) Anderson, were likewise natives
of Sweden, and on emigrating to the new world
the family made their way to Yorktown. Indiana,
where they remained for one year, when they
removed to Iroquois county, where the father
entered one hundred and twenty acres of Liml.
on sections 11 and 12, Beaver townsliiji, the year
of their arrival being 1853. This land was all

wild and unimproved but the father at once de-
veloped and cultivated the land and he built a
double rail pen. which furnished shelter for him-
self and family during the first winter, and
which was subsequently replaced by a more sub-
stantial frame dwelling. In the family of this
worthy couple were four sons and one daughter
but the only surviving member is Class, whose
name introduces this record. The father passed
awav in this county in 1864.

.Mr. Anderson was reared and educated in the
land of his birth, and in 1852, when a young
man of twenty years, accompanied his parents
on their emigration to the new world. When
he arrived in this country he had but fifteen cents
in his pocket, but he was an ambitious young
man, determined in his purpose, and through
hard work and close application worked his way
upward until he was enabled to engage in busi-
ness on his own account. On arriving in the
United States he made his home in Lafayette,
Indiana, where he worked on the construction
of the railroad which was being built between
Lafavette and Indianapolis. He was then en-
gaged in farming in Warren county, Indiana,
for three years, operating rented land. He then
came to Iroquois county in 1836 and rented his
present home farm, comprising one hundred and
twentv acres. He afterward bought the interests
of the other heirs in his father's home farm. He
has made all of the improvements which are here
found, has laid four hundred rods of tiling and
added nianv accessories necessary to farm prop-
ert\-. In 1884 he erected a good barn, while
in 1898 he built a modern country residence, con-
taining eight rooms and supplied with all con-
veniences and comforts, this being one of the
nice homes of the locality.

On the 23d of October, 1856, in Warren
county, Indiana, Mr. .\nderson was united in
marriage to ^liss Kngahurg Nelson, who was
likewise liorn in Sweden, and on the 23d of Oc-
tober, KjOf'), they celebrated their golden wed-
ding, at which time all of their children and
grandchildren were jirescnt, together with about
one hundred neighbors and friends. Of the eight
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson three
■ire now deceased, namely: Augusta A., Cora
M. and John G. Those still living are : Charles;
I'rank ; Emma \'., who resides in Clricago; Jo--

MK. AM) MRS. n.ASS ANDKKSoN.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IRoOUOIS COUNTY. ii.i.i.\mi>

.M t

scphinc, at home: aiul Krnot, wlm is attending
collcfje at I-'vanston, Illinois.

Mr. .Xiulcrson jj'^t^* I''* ix'litical si)|)|Mirt to
the republican |i.irty and has scrvc<l as school
director, In-inp deeply interested in the cause of
education and providiii).; his children with )^immI
ailvantages in that tlirection. lie and his family
all hold ineinlK-rship in the Methi«li>t K|)iscoi>al
church, in the work of which he takes an active
and helpful part. He has now made his home
in Iro(|uois county for more than four decades
and is therefore widely and favorahlv known as
one of the substantial and leadinj; citizens of
this section of the state.

\VILLI.\M T. NOLl.V.

\\ liliam 1". Xolin, a native son of InKpiois
county and one of its extensive landowners, his
real-estate possessions aRgrepatinp fen hundred
and sixteen acres, of which two hundred and
eighty acres are in \'an I'.uren county, Iowa, re-
sides on section to, Stockland towiishii). ami il
was upon this place that he was Ixirn June 17.
i8fi6. His father, i^amuel K. Xolin. was a na-
tive of Ross county, Ohio, and a son of Thomas
N'olin, who was Inrn in the I'uckcye state. The
great-^nind father of our subject was Richard
Nolin. a native of NMrginia. who removed from
the Old Dominion to Kentucky and t1eil from the
Indians to Ross county, < )hio. In 1831 his son.
ThoiTtas Xolin. removed from Ohio to Fountain
county. Indiana, and four years later became a
resident of Uenton county, Indiana where his
children were reared. He died in 1840.

Samuel K. Xolin was one of eijiht children and
the year 1849 witnessed his arrival in Illinois.
He .settled in Stockland township, where Ik- lo-
cated four hmidred acres of governmeni land.
Not a furrow had lieen turned or an imj)rovement
made u|x)n the place and thus the arduous task of
developing new land devolved upon him. .\s the
years passed he prospered in his undertakings
and added to his property from time to time
until he Ijccame the Viwner of fotirteen hun»lred
acres, of which three Inindretl and sixty lay in
Rcnton ctHinty. Indiana, and the remainder in
Illinois. .Samuel Xolan thus in his life demon-

strated his exrelleni business ca|>acity antl marked
energ\. He won his success b\ careful iiu -■
ment and by untiring efTort, his pathway i ■ \ t
l>eing strewn with the wrecks of other men's
fortunes. He was twice married, having in 185,^
wedded Miss Rachel I")aw,son, a <hiighter of
Elisha and FV>Ily Dawson. Her death occurred
in 1854 and in .\ugust, 1857, Mr .Xolin was
unitctl in marriage to Miss Clarissa Cf>lTelt. They
became the parents of four children but the sec-
r>nd died in inf.'iucy. Those still living are : Mrs.
Mary X'oliva ; William, of this review; and .Mrs.
Matilda J. Xickel. The wife and mother dieil
in January. 1800. at the age of sixty-three years,
and .Mr. Xolin, long surviving her, passe<l away
in 1902. at the venerable age of eighty-one years.

William T. Xolin was reare<l upon his father's
fann and his educational advant;iges were those
afrnrde<l by the district schools. When not busy
with his text-l)ooks he worked in the tiel<ls and
when a young man of twenty years he began
working by the month as a farm hand. He was
thus employed for three years, after which he
rentid land and engaged in fanning on his own
p.ccornt near Moopeston for four years. On the
expiration of that perio<I he entered into partner-
ship with his father and the relation was con-
tinued for nine years. Inheriting the old home-
stead of three hundred and thirty-six acres, and
purchasing four hundred acres in Milford town-
ship, he now owns seven hun<Ired and thirty-six
acres of valuable land in Inx^uois county. With
his farming he raises goo<l stixk of all kin<ls.
having thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs, Per-
cheron and Shire horses and registered Hereford
cattle. He also breeds, raises and deals in regis-
tcreil .^Shropshire sheep, and at the present writ-
ing has sixty-five head of registered Hereford
cattle in his herd. He has large and substantial
buildings ujion his place, including two good
barns on the home farm and goml buildings an'l
tenant houses on his other farms. He has marie
steady and consecutive progress in his business
life, working persistently al<ing lines of labor that
always accomplish desired results.

In January, i88g, Mr. Xolin was married to
Miss HuliLi v.. Peters«>n, a native of Sweden, who
was an orphan and had made her Ivime with Jessv
Sumner for ten years, Mr. and Mrs, Xolin are
now the parents of seven children : Garissa, w ho

212

PAST AND PRESENT (3E

is attending- school in Hoopcston : Grace AL, Rul)y
E.. Samuel K.. John M.. Lester W. and Ruth
Edith, all attending school with the exception of
Ruth Edith.

Mr. and Airs, \olin hold nienibershi]) in the
Alethodist Episcopal church at Stockland. in
which Air. Xolin is a trustee, and fraternally he
is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Alil-
ford. His political allegiance is given to the
democracy and he keeps well informed on the
questions and issues of the day as every true
American citizen should do. He was elected and
served as supervisor for one term. At local elec-
tions he casts an independent ballot and he
stands for reform, progress and improvement in
citizenship as well as in other relations of life.
In his farm work he has made steady advance-
ment, and he heartily believes in raising high
grade stock and in utilizing the improved methods
of farming, realizing that the best results are
thereby obtained. He has a reputation for busi-
ness integrity and activity that is most commend-
able and therein lies the secret of his success.

JOHN PAUL I'ALLISSARD.

John Paul Pallissard, state's attorney of Iro-
quois county and a resident of Watseka, was born
in the town of Aroma, Kankakee county, Illinois,
January 3, 1871. He is a son of Jean Cecile
Edward Pallissard, a native of France, who,
when a young man, emigrated to Illinois in the
early '50s with his father. Paulin Xarcisse Pal-
lissard. who became one of the early settlers of
that town. The grandfather had selected land
in central Illinois, upon which he settled and
which is still in possession of the familv. The
mother of our subject, Herminie ( Lemoine )
Pallissard. is a native of Canada and a daughter
of John l'>. r_. Lemoine, a man well known
among the early settlers from Canada.

John Paul Pallissard of this review was reared
ujjon his father's farm and continued to follow
the vocation of farming with intermissions until
he reached the age of twenty-five. His early
education was received in the district school on
his father's farm, and he afterward attended the
]nil)lic schools at Kankakee, St. \"iateurs College,

and the Xorthern Indiana Normal School at
X'alparaiso. He pursued his studies in those
different institutions in the winter months and
in the summer seasons his time and energies
were de\oted to the work of the fields. Aluch
of his education, however, was obtained by study
while he was following the plow. In 1891 he
was .granted a license to teach school, and fol-
lowed that profession for some time, at finst de-
voting only the winter months to it, while after-
ward he .gave his entire time to educational ser-
vice for five years. During the latter part of the
time he took up the study of law under the di-
rection of W. G. Brooks, at St. Anne, and subse-
quently matriculated in the Bloomington Law
School, from which he won the degree of L. L.
B. in June, 1898. He then entered the law office
of I^aniel H. Paddock and Bert L. Cooper, at
Kankakee, remaining with them for some time.

Air. Pallissard was instrumental in establish-
ing the First National Bank at St. Anne, and
became its first cashier, remaining with that in-
stitution for two years but in 1900 he was ad-
mitted to the bar, and preferring the practice of
law as a life work, he removed to Watseka in
1901 and has since prosecuted his profession here.
In the fall of 1904 he was elected state's attorney
by the people of Iroquois county and has since
occupied that position. He has much natural
ability but withal is a hard student and is never
contented until he has mastered every detail of
his cases. He believes in the maxim "there is no
excellence without lalior" and follows it closely.
He is seldom surprised at an unexpected dis-
covery by an opposing law'yer for in his mind he
wei,ghs every point and fortifies himself as well
for defense as for attack. He convinces by his
concise statement of law and facts rather than
I)y word-painting and the profession as well as
the ])ublic acknowledge his ability.

Mr. Pallissard was united in marriage, in 1897,
to .Miss 1 .ida 1 )tn-and, of St. Anne. Illinois, and
unto them have been born two daughters: .An-
nette, who was born February 5, 1900; and
Rosclla, Ixirn September 30, 1902. Mr. Pal-
lissard has taken considerable interest in social
matters, being a member of several fraternal or-
ganizations and of the Iroquois Club as well. In
])olitics he is a re])ublican, having been more or
less active in political circles since attaining his

IRUQUUIS COUNTY. II.MV. .i>

213

majority. He is a great iKlicvcr in oinmoii
[x?o|)lc with whose cause he has been assitciatc<l
all his life and is known as a sturdy opixtnent of
monopoly and of misrule in municipal affairs.

U". R. K» »1;1".K1S, .\1. 1).

Dr. \V. R. RolK-rts. engagetl in the practice of
medicine and surgery at (."issna I 'ark. is one of
the i)romii)ent representatives f)f the meilical fra-
ternity in this iKirt of IrcKpiois county, where
he has practiced continuously for about ten years.
.\ native of Illinois, he was born in .McLean
county, January 3. 1873. His father. Dr. Wil-
liam Roljcrts. was one of the pioneer physicians
of that county but for some yc-ars has lived re-
tired at Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dr. Roberts of this review was reared to man-
hood in the state of his nativity and at the usual
age began his education, passing through suc-
cessive grades until he had completed a high-
school course. He then took u|) the study of
medicine and pursued his first course of lectures
in the Kentucky Schrx)l of Medicine at Louis-
ville, from which he was graduated in the class of
1894. He then located for practice in Got)dland,
Indiana, where he remained for two years, and
in !><</) came to Iroquois comity, settling at
Woodworth. where he resumed practice and so
continued for four years. In n^oo he took up
his ai)ode at Cissna Park, becoming the successor
of Dr. McCIintock, and during the intervening
years he has made steady and gratifying prog-
ress in his professional career. He has now an
extensive patronage and is regarded as one of the
most skilled and capable members of the medical
profession in this county, fur his ability has been
demonstrated in the excellent results that have
followed his professional service.

Dr. Roberts was married in Woodwfirth, on
the 28th of February. 1897. to Miss Jennie Leath-
eniian. a daughter of Joseph Leathcrman. of
Irfx|uois county, and their home is now blessed
with the presence of four children, Paul. I'arl.
Joseph aufi Rhoda.

In public life and local political circles the
Doctor has exerted a wide-felt influence. He is
a demrKrat. yet without aspiration for office.

As a publie-spiriiid citizen, however, he has re-
s|Hinded to the call of his fellow townsmen who
have Sought his services in public life and he is
now acting on the village board, lie and other
members of the Ixord are working harmoniously
and effi-ctively for the iK'tlermenl of llie town.
In 1906 they made arrangements to entertain
the old Settlers at Cissna Park and made prepa-
rations to care n<it only for the old settlers but
for all who visited here on that occasion. Dr.
Roberts was one of the most active in the work
of making this meeting a success and all pro-
claimed it to be the most enjoyable ever held in
the county. The Doctor is also interested in the
cause of education, serving now as a memlK-r of
the .school Ixjard an«l doing everything in his
power to ]>rom(rte the interests of public in-
struction and to arlvance the standard of the
schools. He has filletl all of the offices in the
Knights of Pythias lodge to which he belongs
and is a past chancellor. He is also connected
with the Modern Woodmen of .\merica and is
cam]) physician. Thus in community interests
he takes an active and heljiful jtart. He is, more-
over, well known to the me<lical profession in
Ford, \'eniiilion and Inxiuois counties and is
accfirdcd a place of prfuninence in its ranks by
rea,son of his knowledge and his conscientious
discharge of the duties that devolve u])on him in
the practice of his profession.

FRF.EM.W P. MORRI.^.

I>eeman P. .Morris, lawyer and law-maker,
whose connection with the legal profession has
won him distinction, while his services in the
state legislature have reflected honor upon the
community that has honoreii him. is leading a
life of signal activity and usefulness. He wa-
born in (.ook county, Illinois, March if). 1854.
His father. Charles Morris, was a native of Penn-
sylvania. an<l. reuMiving westward. located on a
farm in Cook county, Illinois, at an early perifKl
in the development of that portimi of the state.
There he ma<le his home until his death. His
wife, who lK>re the maiden name of Sarah Thom-
as, was also born in Pennsylvania, and was a'
(laughter of I'reeman Thomas, who discovered

214

PAST AND PRESENT OF

the value of anthracite coal and operated the first
coal mine. He left the Avondale and Grand Tun-
nel inines to his children and their descendants.
The family of Charles ^Morris numhered five
children, all of whom are living.

Mr. Morris of this review was reared and edu-
cated in Cook county, and his preliminary educa-
tion was supplemented by study in Cook Counts-
Normal, the old Chicago University and the Chi-
cago Northwestern Law School. Thus having
prepared for the bar, he was admitted to prac-
tice in 1874 and came to Watseka, where he
opened a law office, practicing alone for a time.
He then formed a partnership witli Robert Do\ie,
which connection continued for about ten vears.
and for the past fifteen years he has been a part-
ner of Judge Hooper, practicing law in Iroquois
county and elsewhere and being connected with
nearly all of the noted cases of this section of the
state. For many years he has been attorney for va-
rious important business interests and counsel for
the various railroads of the county. His knowl-
edge of the principles of jurisprudence are broad,
comprehensive and accurate, and as advocate and
counselor he has won distinction, the utmost con-
fidence being placed in his legal abi!it\- — a confi-
dence of which he has shown himself worthy in
the successful conduct of the litigated interests
entrusted to his care.

Mr. Morris has gained equal distinction in pub-
lic life, where he has figured prominently in con-
nection with democratic interests. He has repre-
sented his district in the state legislature six
times, his work there becoming a matter of his-
torical record. That he has embodied the views
of the county at large in his legislative work is
shown by the fact that he has so often been re-
elected, and as a member of the general assem-
bly he has commanded the respect and honor of
his political opponents by reason of his fidelity
to duty and the spirit of unselfish patriotism
which he has manifested. He has also been
mayor of Watseka and president of the library
for ten years. He is strongly opposed to misrule
in nnmicipal affairs and to the machine ])oIitics
which serves the purposes of the individual or
works to the detriment of the people at large.
On the contrary he is interested in all those plans
and purposes which are a matter of civic virtue
and of civic pride, and his labors have been di-

rectly beneficial to his city and county in many
ways.

Mr. Morris was married in Colorado, in 1882,
to Miss Minnie A. Lott, who was born in La
Salle county. Illinois, and they have one son,
Eugene, who is now a student in a law school in
Chicago. In addition to the home property Mr.
Morris owns farm lands in Iroquois county and
realty in Chicago. Fraternally he is connected
with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
Carlisle wrote that "history is the essence of in-
numerable biographies" and it is therefore fitting
that the sketches of the distinguished citizens of
the county should find a place in this volume,
in which connection Mr. Morris, by the consen-
sus of public opinion, is rated. He stands today
as a high type of our American manhood, who
has won success in a useful field of business and
gained the respect and honor of his fellowmen
by his public service and private life.

WILLIAM S. HTSLOP.

^^'illiam S. Hislop, a representative of the agri-
cultural interests of Ash Grove township, his
home being on section 10, where he owns and
cultivates a farm of two hundred and forty acres,
was born in Milford township, this county, Jan-
uary 30. 1865, His father, Ninian Hislop. was
a native of Scotland, having been born at Rox-
bury, on the boundary line between England and
Scotland. There he was reared, residing in
Great Britain imtil 1842, when he took passage
at Liverpool on a westward bound vessel which
sailed for Quebec. Landing there, he made his
way at once into the middle Mississippi valley
and settled in Milford township, Iroquois county,
Illinois, in 1859. Much of the land was at that
time still uncultivated and Mr. Hislop opened
up a new farm, which he operated for a number
of years, or until 1889. In 1878 he removed to
Ash Grove township and established his home on
the farm where his son William now resides.
There he tilled the soil and produced his crops
for a number of years, when he retired from
active business life and is now making his home
with a son in Milford township, enjoying in well
earned retirement the fruits of his former toil.

WILLIAM. S. HISLOr.

IROorolS COUNTY. M.F.IVols

William S. Hi'-li'i) lar^cl\ s\K-\n lii> >> '11111 upon
tlu- I'anu which is \ct liis ])laci- i>l ri->iili-iicc ami
in thf coinnuM) sch<K>ls of the nciKlil>orh(Mj<l he
mastcrcil the hraiichis of leamiiin. which arc
iisiiall\ tauj^ht in such institutions. He remained
with his father until he iiad reached his majority
and afterwanl workol for him as a farm hand
for al«>nt two veirs. t >n tiie expiration of that
l)eritKl he iKUijjht a half interest in one lumdre<l
and sixty acres nf laiul. making a payment there-
on <)f one hiuidred and tifty dollars, lie reso-
lutely set to work to remove all inilebti"<lness and
has since purchaseil eighty acres in another tract,
which he now rents, lie has heen a j;<kxI busi-
ness man. careful in his mana.t;enient. sagacious
in his investments, and contmllini.; his interests
witit an ability that has hrnufiht him }.jralifyinjj
prosperity. Purchasinp the interest of the other
lieirs in the old home jilace, he nnw has the en-
tire pro|KTty and has expended larj^e sums in
its im|)rovenient and development. He has put
in one thousand dollars worth of tile, has built
a jjihhI barn and cribs and has kept up the place
in accordance with ideas of miKlcrn pro^jrcss as
is indicated in its well ke|)l ajjpcarance and its
productive fields.

.Mr. Ilislop was married in .\sh (irove town-
shi]) iin the t>tli of December. |S<).V to Miss Dora
.\. Hickmun. a daui;;hter of [•.. (i. Hickman, one
of tl'.e extensive lan<lowners of .\sh < irove town-
.shi|). They now have four children. Jessie, Lil-
lia I)., Kdith and .\rthur W.

.Mr. Hilsop votes with the republican jiarty
and has <lone efTective an<l valuable service for
the County durinfj two terms in tl'.e "office of
drainage commissioner. He helped to put in
some of the big ditches (if the county, one being
tnade at a cost of ten thousand ilollars. He has
served on the school board and is a stalwart
champion of the cause of education. He liL-lieves
in the employment of gond teachers, rcilizing
that there is no prqjaration so valuable in the
prosecution of responsible duties as intellectual
training. In seeking for the causis which have
contributed to his success ard led to his present
prMUunence in the community we find that they
are not unusual and that they are such as an\
man might cultivate. He has displayed stalwart
principles and unremitting diligence, has been
watchfii' "'' •'" Sii.li.- It!. .11- |iointing '■■ -nti-.--

and iia» miii/tii iiis i'pp<'niini!:c-. t'> the In-st ad-
vantage. His life has been une\enlful as far as
startling incidents or adventure is concerned yet
it has beei\ il -iied l)y the most sultstantial

qualities >i| >

IIKNKV L. DIXKKK.

Henry C". Decker, uperating a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres, of which he is the
owner of eighty acres, which is the old Deiker
homestead, situati-d on section S, I'rairie tirnn
township, was l>orn in .Milford township, Iro-
<|iiois county, December 7, 1S5-. ;i sfm of Chris-
ley Decker, who was born in I'age county, \'ir-
ginia, in iSi_v He was there reared and mar-
ried to .Miss .Mary .\nn Ri>>enlKTger, who was
likewise a native nf the t Md Domininn. The fa-
ther removed with his family to Illinois about
184S, locating on a farm in Lovejoy township,
InKpiois County, where he spent one winter, after
which he removed to a farm in .Milford township,
where he purchased land, which he s<jld in
i8<>3, and |)urchased the farm in I'rairie (ireen
township, on which the son now makes his home.
His first purchase comprised a tract of eighty
acres, which he cultivated anil improved anil to
which he added an additional tract of forty acres,
thus making altogether a tract of one luwulred
and tweiny acres. He built a goinl residence,
a barn and other outbuildings for the shelter of
grain and slock, and here carried on general
agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining
days. His death here occurre<l in March. 1881.
while bis widow still survives and has now
reached the venerable age of eight) -nine >ears.
being one of the highly rcs|K'cted pioneer women
of lro(|uois County.

H. (.". IX'cker, the youngest in a family of ten
children of whom five are now living, was
brought to this farm by his ]>arents when a lad
of six years and was here riared and eilucated
in the district .schools near the home. He spent
bis bo\Ii 1 ami youth in nuich the usual m in-
ner of frirui lads. I)eing assigned to the various
tasks of the fields as his age and strength per-
mittnl. an<l he remained on the home farm innil

hi- 'jri'U til tii.'iiilii M mI, wllin lir siiiiiiil iiiin'.n-

2l8

PAST AND PRESENT OF

ment at farm labor for others, working in that
way for two years, subsequent to which time he
returned to the home farm and worked with his
father for one year, or until the latter's death,
when he purchased the interests of the other heirs
in the homestead property and succeeded to the
ownership, and here he has since continued to
make his home. Since taking possession of the
property he has tiled the land and further im-
proved the property, which is today a valuable
farm. He has also installed a stock scale and
built a feed mill, and in connection with his farm-
ing interests raises and feeds stock for the mar-
ket, including good grades of horses, cattle and
hogs. In 1904 Air. Decker purchased a thresh-
ing machine and a corn sheller and in connection
with his eldest son, Merle, he is carrying on op-
erations along this line, and they have a large
patronage not only in their immediate locality but
throughout a large portion of the county, and
during the threshing season are kept very busy.
They have already shelled about one hundred
thousand bushels of corn and are meeting with
gratifying success in this new venture.

Mr. Decker was married in Watseka. Illinois
June 23, 1881, to ]\Iiss Emma T. Fidler, who
was born in Indiana, but was reared and edu-
cated in Iroquois county, Illinois, a daughter of
Andrew Fidler. Unto our subject and his wife
have been born four children, of whom one is
deceased: Henry Guy, who died when in his
sixth year; Merle F., who is a young man at
home and assists his father in the operation of the
home farm and also in operating the thresher
and corn sheller ; ]\Iusette, who has been afforded
liberal educational advantages and was formerly
a teacher in the schools of Iroquois county but
is now a student in the Gem City Business Col-
lege, at Quincy, Illinois; and Ivan J., who is also
a student in that institution.

Politically Mr. Decker is a stalwart repub-
lican and has taken an active and helpful interest
in local affairs, having served as township school
trustee for two years, township clerk for two
years and for the same period was tax collector,
while for six years he has been clerk of the dis-
trict schools. He and his wife hold membership
in the Christian church in which Mr. Decker
is acting as a deacon, clerk and treasurer. Hav-
ing resided in Iroquois count\- throughout his

entire life, Mr. Decker is familiar with much of
the development and progress that have been
made in this section during the last half century,
and he has been an active factor in making the
countv what it is todav.

JEREMIAH DAWSOX.

Jeremiah Dawson, who for a long period was
prominently known in Iroquois county as an ag-
riculturist and breeder of Xorman Percheron
horses and shorthorn cattle, is now living re-
tired in Milford, where he has made his home
since 1900. His residence in Iroquois county,
however, covers a period of more than a half
century, for it was in ]\Iarch, 1851, that he took
up his abode within its borders. His memorv,
therefore, compasses the period of its earlv pio-
neer development, for at the time of his arrival
the work of improvement had been carried for-
ward to only a slight degree and much of the land
was still uncultivated, the swamps undrained and
the timber uncut. }ilr. Dawson aided in the task
of reclaiming the wild land for the uses of civili-
zation and deserves prominent mention among
the honored pioneers and successful agricultur-
ists and stock-raisers.

A native of ^^'arren county, Indiana, he was
born January 16. 1836. His father, Elisha Daw-
son, was likewise a native of that state, his birth
having occurred in Dearborn county, W'here he
spent a portion of his youth, while the remain-
der of his minority was passed in Warren coun-
ty, following the occupation of farming. He was
married in the latter county to Polly R. Davis,
a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and subse-
quently he carried on general agricultural pur-
suits in Warren county for a number of years,
or until his removal to Iroquois county with his
family in 1851. He died in this county at the
advanced age of eighty-one years, and his widow
is still living at the ripe old age of ninety-four
years, being the oldest lady in Iroquois county.

Jeremiah Dawson was one of a family of twelve
children and was reared under the parental roof,
largely acquiring liis education in the common
schools of Indiana, in which state he remained
until sixteen vears of age. when the familv came

IROQl-olS COUNTY. HI

Ml)

to IlliiH>is. Merc he assisted in the arduous task
of developing and improving new land.

( )n the 1st of Si-ptenilKT, lS5<^ occurred llie
niarriaj;c of Mr. Dawson ami Miss Mary M. Cof-
filt. also a native of Warren county, Indiana, and
a dau>;hter of .Michael Coffelt. who removed from
the Hoosier state to Kankakee county, Illinois,
l-'ullowiiifj his marriage .Mr. I>aw.son purchased
forty acres of land and later IxuiRhl forty acres
more which he be^jan to farm and improve. He
encted a j;oo<l two-stopi resilience and also vari-
ous o\itl)uilclin|.;s for the shelter of jjrain and
stock. He tiled and ditched his place and broupht
the entire farm under a goixl state of cultivation,
while eventually he extended its bttundaries by
the purchase of an adjoininj^ eighty acres until
he had one hundred and sixty acres in his home
farm anil three hundred and three acres in Con-
cord township, Iroquois county, holding that
property for some years. He later .sold that and
purchased six hundred and forty acres in Daviess
county, Missouri. He was a breeder of pure
blooded Norman horses for many years and also
full blotxled shorthorn cattle an<l his stock-rais-
ing interests constitute an important branch of
his business.

I'nto .Mr. and Mrs. Dawson were born five
children, but they lost their second born, Eva, at
the age of nineteen months. Edgar .\., the eldest.
a resident farmer of Daviess county. .Missouri,
married Savannah Jones, who died, leaving two
children. Homer LeKoy and Ciwyneth. The lat-
ter wediled .Mellie .\lexander. of Newton countv.
Indiana. Emma J., the eldest living ilaughter. i>
the wife of John English, and they have one
daughter. Loie Edith, who is with !hem at their
home in Daviess county. Missouri. Ira I)., a res-
ident farmer of Iro<|iiais county, marrii-d Mattie
Laird, and they have four children. C'lyde I'.,
Clarence, N'elta May and Ira Lee. and they also
lost their second child. Daisy .\. Ivan l-'ranklyn
Dawson, the youngest of the family, is al-o a
farmer of Iroquois county, who wedded Emma E.
Love, and they have one sim. Floyd \V.

On removing to .Milford in nx)0 Mr. Daw.son
purchased a good piece of ground, on which he
erected an attractive and comfortable residence.
where he antl his wife reside. He has always
given his political allegiance to the republican
party since he proudly cast his first vote for .\bra-

ham Lincoln and for four years, from 1861 until
l8t)5. he was constable. t)therwise be has nci-'rr
.sought nor desired office, yet the duties of cit..
ship are always faithfully perfornn-d by him and
he has co-operated in many movements which
have had direct Ix-aring u|)on the welfare and
substantial improvement of his community. His
memory goes back t'"> the ilax s when comparative-
ly few of the roads in the county had been laid
out. when nnly here and there was a dwelling to
indicate that the seeds of civilization had In-en
jilnnted in the district. .Many evidences of fron-
tier life were seen and on the farms the work was
done by very primitive nwchinery as conijared
with that in use at the present tiay. The stock,
too. bail not Ix'en graderl up to its present high
state of |x-rfection anil in every department of life
were seen indications which show a remoteness
from old and imp<irtnnt commercial centers. The
early products of the farm had to Ik- hauled long
distances to market but as the years passed and
settlement increased all this was changed and
Mr. Dawson was anK>ng those who were foremost
in bringing alniut development in agricultural
lines. His enterprise and well directed lalwrs
gained him a gratifying nu-asurc of success in
the conduct of his personal interests and he is
now classed with the substantial citizens wlK>se
possessions are sufficient to ])ennit them to live
retired without recourse to further active lal)or.

H. r. SYKES.

H. 1'. Sykes. a druggist and grocer of Che-
banse. was born I'ebruary 17. 1873. and is a
son of Oscar .'^. and Josephine (Keys) Sykes.
His preliminary educatinn was supplemented by
a course of .special study preparing him for a
chosen life work. He was graduateil from the
Northwestern I'niversily of Pharmacy at Chi-
cago with the degree of Ph. (i. on the 4th of
I\bruary. 1800. aiid after receiving practical
training as clerk in a drug store in Chebanse
he Iwiught out the establishment in which he was
ein|>l.iyed and is today the proprietor of the
iinl\ drug store in the village. He carries a
large and well selected stock and his store is
characterized l)v a neat and tasteful arrange-

220

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

ment. In 1904 he established a grocery store
and has been very successful in its conduct, re-
ceiving a liberal share of the trade of the town.
In connection with this he has a truck farm of
two and a half acres within the corporation lim-
its of Chebanse and his triple business interests
are successfully carrried on by himself and his
father, Oscar Sykes. The building in which the
store is conducted is owned by the latter.

On the 9th of June, 1897, in Chebanse. was
celebrated the marriage of H. P. Sykes and Aliss
Lena E. Wakeman, a daughter of B. J. Wake-
man, a prominent nurseryman of Chebanse town-
ship. They have two children : Donald, born
January 4, 1902; and Hazel, January 4, 1904.
The parents are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, are interested in its various ac-
tivities and contribute generously to its support.
Air. Sykes is serving as one of its trustees and
for eleven years he has been an exemplary mem-
ber of the Masonic lodge at Chebanse. His po-
litical allegiance has ever been given to the re-
publican party but he has never been an aspirant
for office. He has earned for himself an enviable
reputation as a careful man of business and in
his dealings is known for his prompt and honor-
able methods, which have won him the deserved
and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.

FREEDUS POE BEACH.

Freedus Poe Beach, connected with agricul-
tural and industrial interests in Iroquois county
for many years, is now living retired in Onarga.
The extent and importance of his operations at a
former date gave him a position of prominence
scarcely equaled by any in the county and he has
ever been a representative of that class of Ameri-
can citizens who while promoting individual in-
terests also contribute to the general welfare. He
dates his residence in the county from 1852 and is
therefore one of its oldest settlers.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Beach was born near
Columbus on the 15th of October, 1827. His
father, Samuel Beach, was a native of Connect-
icut, born in 1774, and was a son of Samuel
Beach, Sr., likewise born in the Charter Oak
state. The grandfather was a drum major in

the Revolutionary war and was a son of Samuel
Beach, who was the founder of the family in
America. Born in the little rock-ribbed country
of Wales, he came from the old world to New
England during the pioneer epoch in the history
of our country and established his home in Con-
necticut. Samuel Beach, the father of our sub-
ject, was reared in Connecticut and served as a
soldier in the war of 1812, also acting as a drum
major and carrxing a musket a part of the time.
Subsequently he removed to Ohio, where he was
married to Miss Violet Case, a native of Con-
necticut. He opened up a farm in Ohio and,
being a surveyor, he laid out the city of Co-
lumbus. He felled the first trees in what is now
the state house yard and was closely associated
with the work of establishing the capital city.
In Ohio he reared his family and spent the great-
er part of his life. The family numbered seven
children, six of whom reached years of maturity.

Freedus Poe Beach, the youngest of the family
and the only surviving member, was reared to
manhood upon a farm near Columbus, Ohio, and
his time was early occupied exclusively with the
work of the fields. He is almost wholly a self-
educated as well as a self-made man, but broad
reading, experience and observation have brought
him wide information, while untiring activity and
keen discrimination have gained him a gratifying
measure of prosperity in the business world. He
was married in his native state on the 27th of
March, 1849, to Miss Nancy Lewis, also a native
of Ohio, and one child was born to them ere their
removal to Illinois.

In 1852 they came to this state, settling first in
AIcLean county, Mr. Beach entering land from
the government in Yates township. This was
the first entrv of the township and he thereby
became owner of three hundred and twenty
acres. Immediately he took up the arduous task
of opening up a farm, breaking the prairie with
ox teams, and for several years he carried on
general agricultural pursuits there. He is a car-
penter and joiner by trade and he worked in that
line, building houses and barns for the first set-
tlers along the timber for about two years. He
then concentrated his energies upon his farming
operations. Well fitted by nature for leadership
in public affairs, he took an active and influential
part in framing the early history of the county

r-.

LIBRARY

OFTHt

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IRuyUOlS COLNTV. ILLINOIS.

-•-•3

anil ill ]iroinutiiij; its pioneer progress an<l ilcvcl-
opmi-nt. Kcalizinjj the value of education, he or-
)jaiiize<l the township into sclnxil districts in 185O
and luiih the first sc1hh)1 house of the townshii) in
1S57. In iit)S, he removed to ( Jnarpa, where he
established a l>rick and tile yard. He manufac-
tured over five thonsaml dollars' worth of tile
hefore sellinp one hundred dollars" worth, hut
when once he had made a sale the i|uality of his
prfKluct hrouRht him other patrons and his husi-
ness sixiii iK'came a very |>rofital)le enter|>r'se.
Later he huilt the first hrick husiness block in
Onarjia and two years later erectetl the first
hrick business bl<K-k in (lilman. both structures
lK.inn two stories in heijiht. He also built the
first hrick school house in ( )nar>;a and two of
the first hrick build inps in llucklcy and all of
these were constructed from brick of his own
manufacture. In this way he has contributed
in substantial measure to the material develoj)-
ment of the county and at the same lime his la-
bors have bnnif^ht him a fjratifyinp measure of
prosperity.

In iS^f) .Mr. I'icach removed to Delrey. where
he continued in the mamifacture of brick and
tile. He also built the first elevator there and
conducted a urain business and also a store for
nineteen years. lie was tiuis closely associated
with the business enteqjrise and activity whereon
the tifrowth and development of a city always de-
pend. In i8<)5 he returned to ( )nar!L;a and pur-
chased an ;ittractive residence here, in which
he has since lived retired. In 1S71 he built the
first brick residence in ( )narpa. it being the finest
home of the city. 1 le has been lartjely instrumenfd
in improving and makiujj; this part of the count \
what it is totlay and has led a life r)f great activity
and energy, resulting beneficially to the comnui-
uit\ as well as to himself.

In 1904 Mr. Meach was called to mourn the
loss of his wife, with whom he bad long trav-
eled life's journey hap|)il\, and who was laid to
rest in Onarga cemetery. Right children had
Ix-en Inirn imto them in this county, biit only fonr
of the number are now living. Martha, the eld-
est, is the wife of Dr. .\. I.. W'hitcomh and the\
have three children. Ivlwiu Ileach. Pwi^ht and
Lewis. The Whitcomb faniil\ reside in Rogers,
Arkansas. Libhie is the wife of Rev. H. D.
Brown, now pastor of the Methodist Episcopal

church at .Seattle, Washington. I^vann is the
wife of (^"harles Iverson. now of Los Angeles,
California, and they have one child, ("icrard.
Clifford I'larl. an attorney at law at I'axton, Illi-
nois, is married and has two children, .\ita and
Leola. .Mr. and .Mrs. Meach had two daughters
who reached mature years and were married.
Mary became the wife of L'alvin Clark and died
in .\rizona. leaving four children. Carrie l>ecame
the wife of a .Mr. W'hitam and i)assed away in
Nebrask-a. The other chihlren of the family dienarga in ii>04 to .Mrs. .Mary Hunt, a widow,
who died in May, i</y>, and on the 15th of .Au-
gust, ii//), he we<lde<l .Mrs. Lucina R. Haves,
of Scott, ( )hio. a daughter of Wesley J. -Mford.

Politically .Mr. Meach has In-en a republican
since the organization of the party and was a
delegate to the first rejHiblican state convention
of Illinois in iS5'>. He was the friend antl asso-
ciate of Lincoln, Lovcjoy, Yates and other men
who were |)rominent in molding the |«licy of the
]:irty and figured conspicuously in framing the
history of the nation during that period. He has
served as a delegate to numerous county, con-
gressional and state conventions and continued
his affiliation with the republican party luitil
1886, when believing that the cpiestion of tem-
perance was the dominant issue befire the peo-
ple he joined the ])rohibition party and calleil the
first prohibition convention held in Iroquois
comUy. He was the first delegate sent to the
|irohil>ition conventions from his county and is
still a chamj)ion of the orgrunzation which stands
for the sup|>ression of the liipior traffic. He has
never sought, nor would he hold <iffice. but has
given his time and energies to his business af-
fairs and to such public service as he could per-
form in a |)rivate ca|)acity.

l-'or sixty-one years he has been a member of
the Methodist F.piscopal church, which he joineil
in ( )hio, anil he has served as a delegate to the
three animal conferences. Taking a ii«)St active
l)art in church work, he has served for thirty
vears as •superintendent of the ."simday-school in
iMith McLean ami Ir<x]uois counties ami has put
forth untiring effort in In-half of the upbuilding
of the cause of Christianity. He was one of the
organizers and builders of the first Methodist
Rpi.scopal church at IX-lrey. built in i.**S2 For

224

PAST AXD I'RESEXT OF

fifty-four years he has been a resident of the
state and throughout the entire period has com-
manded the respect, confidence and friendship
of people not only of his own locahty but
throughout Illinois. He is a man of marked in-
dividuality and force of character and his fidel-
ity to principle has made him honored wherever
he is known. He deserves to be ranked with
those men who have distinguished themselves
by the possession of those qualities of character
which mainly contribute to the success of pri-
vate life and to the public staljility and who have
therefore enjoxed the esteem and confidence of
those around them. For a half century he has
participated in the business life of Iroquois
county and during all that time he has so
conducted the affairs entrusted to him as to merit
the full trust of the entire community and no
word of censure has ever been uttered against
his actions.

JOSEPH A. (iRAHAM.

The history of business development and prog-
ress ill \Vatseka would be incomplete without
mention of Joseph A. Graham, who was one of
the most active and influential residents of the
city and also one of the pioneers of Iroquois
county. He figured prominentli' in prunuil-
gating republican doctrines at a time when it
was unpopular to do so and yet he lived to see
the triumph of the princijiles fur which he stood.
He published the first republican newspaper in
Watseka and in fact brought forth the first
newspaper printed in Iroquois county. Joseph
A. Graham was born in Augusta county, \'ir-
ginia, Xovember 26. 1823, a son of James C.
and Isabella (Henderson) Graham, w lin were like-
wise natives of the Old Dominion, where the
father engaged in farming until 1833. He then
removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, where
he purchased land and engaged in general agri-
cultural pursuits until his death, while his wife
also passed away in the same locality.

Joseph A. Graham was a student in the com-
mon schools of his native county and afterward
of Montgomery county, Indiana, and his mental
discipline well qualified him for the res]ionsi-

bilities of an active business life. His school
days ended, he assisted his father on the home
farm for a few \ears, but thinking to find other
jiursuits more congenial, he entered a printing
office in Crawfordsville. Indiana, and learned the
trade. Subsequently he entered the field of
newspaper work on his own account. ( joing
to Danville, Indiana, he there engaged in the
publication of the Danville Weekly News in 1847
and 1848, after which he returned to Crawfords-
ville and established the Indiana Christian Her-
ald, which has since been merged into the Chris-
tian Herald, now published at Cincinnati, Ohio,
and one of the leading religious journals of the
country. After a short period spent as editor of
the above mentioned paper Mr. Graham went
to Danville, Illinois, where he became foreman
in a leading newspaper oflice, retaining the po-
sition there until January, 183 1, w^heii he came to
Iroquois county. Here he settled in ^liddleport,
now a part of the town of Watseka, and entered
upon the publication of the Iroquois County
Journal, the first newspaper published in this
county. It was devoted to the interests of the
whig party and started with a circulation of
about three hundred subscribers. For about
three \ears Mr. Graham was editor and publisher
of the Journal and then sold out to the firm of
Scott & Keady, who immediately made it a
democratic paper. At that time ^Ir. Graham re-
moved to Janesvillc, Wisconsin, where he was
connected with the Janesville Weekly Gazette and
at the same time he published the Wisconsin
Educational Journal, a leading monthlv paper
issued in Janesville. He was thus associated
with both enterprises until 1856, when he re-
turnetl to Watseka and began the publication of
the Iroquois County Republican, the first issue
of which was given out in Mav, 1856. The
])aper has since had a continuous existence and
is now one of the leading jjapers of the county.
Mr. (^.raliani was associaterl therewith until after
the Xcneniber election, when he sold out to Rob-
ertson & .Sheward. This ])aper wielded a wide
innuence in political circles and has ever been a
factor in the upbuilding and progress of the
county. During the time in which Mr. Graham
had editorial charge great and momentous ques-
tions were being discussed and Mr. Graham, not
only in his editorial cajiacity but also as a private

IROyUOlS O^l'N'TV. ILLINOIS.

225

citizen, slmnl fur those principles wliicii nuir
years later were to receive vindication in the
election of Ahraiiani Lincoln. 1 le was recognized
as a leader of the repnblican parly in this coun-
ty and in 1857 was placed on the republican
ticket for the office of county clerk, but the party
strength was then insufficient for the election of
any of its cantlidates and Mr. (irahani was de-
feated by Daniel Fry, although he received a vote
ill excess of the regidar party ticket. In 1858
and 1859 he served as deputy sheritT and con-
stable, and thus in active jwlitical and official
service time passed on until the era of the Civil
war was upon the country.

-Mr. tirahani had been a close and earnest stu-
dent of the signs of the times and of the <|ues-
tions which divided the country, lie stixxi as a
stalwart champion of the I'nion cause and in
i8<>i enlisted as a member of Company 1", Twen-
ty-tifth Regiment of Illinois \ olunteers, for three
years, but in January. 18^12. was discharged on
account of disability caused by typhoid fever.

Mr. (iraham had been married on the 24th
of January. 1848. to Miss Elizal)cth Wilbite. a
native of Crawfordsville. Indiana, while her ]iar-
cnts were of Hardin county. Kentucky. They
removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, at an
early day when Crawfordsville was a small ham-
let and .Mr. Wilhite luirchasel a farm in that
vicinity, there carrying on general agricultural
pursuits until his death. 1 lis wife likewise passed
away in that locality.

When discharged from the army Mr. (iraham
rejoined his family at W'atseka and continued to
make his home in "( )ld Town." There he en-
gaged in the real-estate and in legal business
throughout his remaining days and he owned
various pieces of ])roperty in W'atseka. his realty
hohlings being sufficient to supply him with a
g(xid income. He maintained his interest in ])ub-
lic affairs up to the last and was town assessor
here for many years. He was also notary public
and remained one of tlie most stalwart champions
of the republican party until his demise. When
he issued the first number of the Irotpiois Re-
publican in 1856 the county contained only five
or six thousand inhabitants and only about thir-
teen hundred votes were cast. The democratic
party then had almost unbroken record for su-
premacy in the county and state. It was an era of

political revolution. The old things were passing
away. New men were coming to the fnmt and
old political watchwords had lost their potency.
Immigration and the logic of events were work-
ing together to shatter oUl combinatiuiis and
break down old traditions. Mr. (iraham was a
part of this revolution, established the first re-
publican paper of the county and had the satis-
faction of seeing the efforts of himself and his
associates rewarded by the first republican vic-
torv. He was a man of many good impulses,
who held malice toward none. His instincts and
sympathies were all on the si«le of whatever was
good and jnire. His gcxvl traits of heart and
mind were many and the great majority of those
who knew him entertained for him genuine re-
gard and warm friemlship.

The death of Mr. (iraham occurred December
2. 1888. and the funeral services were held in
the ( )ld Town church, being conducted by the
Rev. L. I". Cullom under the aus])ices of the
(irand .\rmy of the Republic. His wife passed
away at the old home .\pril 13. K^ii. -Mr.
Graham had long been a devoted member of the
( Irand .\rmy post of W'atseka and in his earlier
years was identified with the IndeiJcndent ( )rder
of Odd Fellows. 15oth he and his wife were
memlx-rs of the Presbyterian church and they
stood for those inlhleiU' - ulii.b wi.rk- fi>r tin-
betterment of mankind

In his will Mr. Cirahaiii left all of lii» properly
to his wife's niece. Mrs. Loui.sa (tJaleyl Carroll,
for whom he always had the deepi-st affection.
She was birn in Crawfordsville. Indiana. Jtdy
12. 1844. a daughter of William W. and Lucy
(Wilbite) (ialey. both of whom were natives of
( >l<lham county. Kentucky, the former born .\n-
gust 31. 180.V and the latter December 18, 1809.
.'\t an early day they removed to Crawfordsville,
Indiana, and the father, who was a tailor by
trade, foIlowe<l that ])ursuit during the greater
]iart of his life but in the evening of his «lays
retired from active business cares. He died in
Crawfonlsville. May 27. 1871. while his wife
passed away there September i<j. 1853. Mrs.
Carroll is the mother of two children. Kath-
erine. the younger, is the widow of Dr. Farl
Maker and resides at Hickory. North Carolina.
She had three children, Richard Ik'vcrly, Charles
Carroll and Katherine Ileverlv. but all are <le-

226

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

ceased. Charles W. Carroll, born in 1867. died
August 14, 1874. Mrs. Carroll resides at the
old Graham home in Old Town, where she owns
many building lots. She always spends the
winters with her sister. Mrs. George D. Hurley,
in Crawfordsville. Indiana, but the summer
months are passed in W'atseka.

SAMUEL H. EDWARDS.

Samuel PI. Edwards, living on section 22, Cres-
cent township, is one of the pioneers of Iro-
quois county, having since April 9, 1856, made
his home within its borders. Thus for a half
century he has been a witness of the events which
constitute its history and have molded its policy.
He has seen highly cultivated farms take the
place of the swamps and the unbroken prairie
and has witnessed the building of the railroads
and the introduction of the telegraph and the
telephone, while the work of improvement has
been carried forward along all agricultural, in-
dustrial and commercial lines, bringing about
the present degree of prosperity which the coun-
ty now enjoys.

Mr. Edwards was born in Scioto county, Ohio,
January 14, 1836, and is a son of Jesse B. and
Mary (Brown) Edwards, who were likewise na-
tives of the Buckeye state, the former born in
Scioto county and the latter in Adams county.
Mrs. Edwards was the daughter of John Brown.
After the death of her parents she made her home
with Oliver Smith in her native county until her
marriage. The young couple began their domes-
tic life u|)on a farm which Mr. Edwards im-
proved and cultivated, bringing it under a high
state of development. Six children were born
unto them, Samuel H. being the eldest of the
sons. The wife and mother died when her son
Samuel was fourteen vears of age and Mr. Ed-
wards afterward married Mrs. Angelina Smith
Freeman, a widow. There were three children
bom of that miion. In April. 1856. the family
removed westward to Illinois and Mr. Edwards
purchased railroad land, investing in one hun-
dred and sixty acres. He lived upon that prop-
erty for several years or until iSC^y, when he

removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, where his
last days were passed.

Samuel H. Edwards is indebted to the public-
school system of Ohio for the educational privi-
leges he enjo\'ed. He was a young man of twenty
years at the time of the removal to Illinois and
he started out in life on his own account, work-
ing by the month as a farm hand for two seasons.

bn the 4th of February, 1858, Mr. Ed-
wards was married to Miss Elizabeth Oppy. a
native of Iroquois county and a daughter of
Jesse E. Oppy, one of the pioneer residents here.
Mr. Edwards rented land and engaged in its
cultivation for ten years. During that time, how-
ever, his business interests were interrupted by
his service as a soldier, for, aroused by a spirit
of patriotism, he offered his aid to the govern-
ment and on the 15th of August, 1862, was en-
rolled as a member of Company F, One Hundred
and Thirteenth Illinois \^olunteer Infantrv, at
old Middleport, now Watseka. He joined the
regular army at Alemphis, and at Holly Springs,
while on the sick list, was taken prisoner btit
was recaptured by the Union troops. For three
months he was in ill health, unable to take part
in active field service. In the meantime his regi-
ment went to Arkansas Post and later to Spring-
field, Illinois, doing guard duty at that point for
fourteen months. Mr. Edwards was on guard
and provost duty nearly the entire time of his
three years" service. He participated in the en-
gagement at Eastport, Tennessee, and at the
close of the war was mustered out at Memphis
and received his discharge at Chicago. The war
ended, he immediately rejoined his familv and for
three years thereafter continued to operate rent-
ed land.

Carefully saving his earnings during that pe-
riod, Mr. Edwards was at length enabled to pur-
chase forty acres of land where he now resides.
He has since built thereon a good home and
made a good farm. He has made a specialty of
raising high grade stock of all kinds and his
cattle, horses and hogs have proved to him a
profitable source of income, while at the same
time his fields have produced rich crops in re-
turn for the care and h\bnr he has bestowed upon
them.

Mr. Edwards was called u]ion to mourn the
loss of his first wife in Fcliruary, 1S74, and on

UBRARy

OF THE

mmSiVf Of lU.INO/<;

MR. AXD MRS. S. H. EDWARDS.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IKonLDlS COUNTY. U.l.l.NDLS.

■23'

the 14th day of Ma\. iSjd, lie was a^aiii mar-
ried, his scCKiid iiiiiiiii liein^j with .Mrs. Kchccca
Anil l-'leiiiiii);. His children were six in miin-
bcr hut four are ileccascd — Joel 11.. Nancy Jane,
David L. aiul one who tlied unnamed in infanc\.
The living are Mary J., the wife of II. H. Look,
of Iroquois township: and Iva I-"., the wife of
Harvey L. Roll, of I'lue l-'arth county, Minne-
sota.

Politically Mr. Kdwards is a stalwart repub-
lican, never niissin;,' a presi<lential election since
casting his first hallot for chief m;ij;istrate in
support of .\hraham Lincoln, lie has served
as hij;hwa\ comniissiniier for four years and has
been a nx-mlier of the school hoard for twenty
years. His religious faith is indicated by his
nieniliershi)) in the L'nited lircthrcn church and
he aftiliates with Williams post. .\o. 25, (\. A. R.,
of W'atscka. thus maintaininj^ pleasant relations
with his old anny comra<Ies. He is an industri-
ous man, whose success is attributable entirely
to his own efforts and is a typical pioneer set-
tler, whose memory embraces almost the entire
period of the county's development, for half a
century apo the county j^ave little evidence of
what it w.'is tn become in the next tiftv vears.

\ W IIOCI.R

The Hoj;le fainil\ wu.^ e.-»iablishe<l in Illinois
in 1837 by I-eonard Hojjle, who removed from
Ohio to Irn(|uois county, the journey being made
by wagon. He piirchisi'd two Iv.uidrifl acres of
land in Concord township, built a log cabin, and
there took up his abode, carrying on general
agricultural ])ursuits until his death. I le was a
very prominent and inlluential man in those early
days, aiding in the development and progress of
this portion of the state.

I lis son, William Hogle, was born in I'ushoc-
ton county. Ohio, in 183;, and accom|)anied the
family on the removal to this state. He re-
mained with his father throughout the |K-riod of
his boyhood and youth, and starting out ui«in an
indej)cndcnt business career, rented land in t'oii-
conl town.ship, and further made arrangements
for having a home of his own by his marriage
to Miss F.lizabeth Montgomery, who was liorn in

I'ountain county. Indiana, a daughter of Sam-
uel W. .Moiitgonier) , a native of \ irginia. He
lollowe<l farming in l!elmont lovMiship. this coun-
ty, where he servwl as justice of the jK'ace and
also as Mii»ervisor. William H "
endured all the |>rivations and i
to life on the frontier, and there nearest mar-
keting jioint was Chicago, to which city the ]>r< Ki-
nds of the farm had to be hauled by wagon
from 1844 to 1850. He followed farming
throughout a long period and then retired from
active business life, taking up his ab.xle in the
village of Sheldon, where his last days were
passed. He was a republican in his ])oliticaI
views and wa> a liiuhb ri-^picti-il ciii/i-n of Iro-
quois county.

A. W . llogle. the Son ol \\ liham and l.li/a-
bcth (.Montgomery) llogle, was reareil to farm
life and acquired his education in the district
schiKiIs near his father's home. I'pon starting
out in life on his own account, he was employed
by the month at farm labor, during which time
he carefullx saved his earnings so that at length
he was enabled to engage in farming for himself
by renting a tract of land. He worked diligently
in the accumulation of a competence, and alter
a few years was justified in the purchase of land,
l)ccoming owner of a tract of eighty acres, which
he secured from the Uarry estate. To this he
afterward added a tract of forty acres on sec-
tion 12. .Sheltlon townshij), which he purchased
from Miss Chaniberlin. He has made all of
the improvements u|xjn his j)r(jperty. having
erected here a mo<lern eight-room house, a goo<l
barn twenty-four by thirt\-two feet, as well as
other substantial outbuililings. He has also tile«l
and fenced the land and altogether has a good
farm jiroiierty. He is a business man of good
ability and sound judgment, ever watchful of
o])|H)rtuiiities leading to success, and in addition
to his agricultural interests he is also e!i:.;age<I in
raising stock to some extent, and in Ixith branches
of his business is meeting with desirable success.

( )n the 7tli of ( >ctober. i8<)i. occurreil the
marriage of .Mr. llogle and Miss llattie M.
(i(«)ding. who was bom in Middleport township.
Iroquois county, in 1871. Her father, .\very
<iiHHling. came to this county from Indiana, and
until more recent years was here engaged in
firming. The marriage of Mr. and .Mrs. llogle

232

PAST AND PRESENT OF

has been blessed with five children : Claud L.,
Lena ilay. William Carl. Edna and Sainuel.

Mr. Hogle follows in the political footsteps
of his father, thus giving his support to the re-
publican party, while fraternally he is identified
with the ^lodern Woodmen of America and in
his religious faith is connected with the United
Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Hogle are both
natives of Iroquois county and therefore have a
wide circle of friends, among whom they occupy
an enviable social position.

ROBERT H. DIAL.

Robert H. Dial is the owner of a valuable farm
property of two hundred and sixteen acres in
Douglas township and in addition to the devel-
opment of the fields he breeds and raises regis-
tered Percheron horses and W^elsh ponies. He
also gives some attention to hogs and cattle and
has become recognized as one of the leading-
stockmen of this part of Iroquois countv.

His parents were Elias and Ann Dial, who
came to Illinois from South Carolina about 1840
and settled in the vicinity of Aurora where the
father engaged in farming. On one occasion he
returned from Illinois to his old home in the
south, walking the entire distance, while his chil-
dren drove in a one-horse wagon. He then again
came to Illinois, covering the entire distance on
foot and, locating in Kendall county, he once
more took up general agricultural pursuits. In
i860 he removed to Iroquois county, settling on
Spring Creek in Douglas township, where he
purchased a small tract of land of forty acres.
In connection with its development and cultiva-
tion he also followed the carpenter's trade and
was thus identified with the industrial interests
of the community. He was twice married and
it was after losing his first wife that he made
the return trij) to South Carolina. He first wed-
ded Miss Eliza Dean and there were four chil-
dren by that union. In 1847 he was again mar-
ried, his second union being with .Ann Thomas,
a native of .Aberdeen. Scotland. They had four
sons and three daughters and there are now three
of the sons and two of the daughters vet livintr.

The father departed this life in 1876, while the
mother survived until 1S83.

The birth of Robert H. Dial occurred in Kane
county. Illinois, February 9, 1856. and he was
therefore a little lad of only four summers when
he came with his parents to Iroquois county in
i860. .At the usual age he became a pupil in the
country schools and thus acquired the education
that has fitted him for the duties of a practical
life. He was early trained to the work of the
farm and has never desired to change his occupa-
tion, continuously carrying on farming on his
own account since he attained his majority. He
now has two hundred and sixteen acres of land in
Douglas township and the soil is verj- rich and
productive, responding readily to the care and
labor that is bestowed upon it. In addition to till-
ing the soil he breeds registered Percheron horses
and Welsh ponies. All of his stock is registered
and for fifteen years he has follovi'ed this pursuit.
He also raises hogs of high grade and cattle that
are standardbred and has been very successful
as a stockman.

Mr. Dial was married on the 3d of April,
1884. to Aliss Florence Eva Hallam, of Doug-
las township, a daughter of Salathiel and Eva-
line (King) Hallam. The mother, who was a
native of Marshall county, Illinois, died in Penn-
sylvania, at the age of twenty-five years, when
Mrs. Dial was only about a year and a half old.
The father, who was a farmer by occupation,
came from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 1854 and
throughout his entire life engaged in general
farming and also devoted considerable time and
energy to the purchase and sale of horses, which
proved to him a profitable source of income. He
was for a half century a resident of Iroquois
county, passing away on the 27th of November,
1904. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Dial have been bom
six children but they have lost four. Those still
living are Hiram Earl, born August 31, 1891 ;
and Mildred Elizabeth., born January 7, 1902.

Mr. Dial is a member of the Modern Wood-
men can;p at Crescent City, and his ])oliticaI al-
legiance is given to the democracy. He has been
road commissioner for the past nine years and
also school director for the same time. No public
trust rejiosed in him has ever been l>etrayed in
the slightest degree and his official duties are
therefore performed with (promptness and fidel-
ity. His entire life has been passed in Illinois

IRo<_jL'ii> i_<'L.Mi. II.I.INi lis.

2ii

and during the greater part of tlie time lie has
lived in IriKiuois cuinity, where he is widely
known as a representative business man, wiiose
success is well merited owing to the business
principles he lias always employed and his activ-
ity and entcq>rise in carryini; forward iiis agricul-
tural interests.

W ll.Ll.V.M U. AK.ii 1 IXdAl.l-;.

William R. Xightingale, the pojiular and effi-
cient cashier of the i-irst National llaiik of Cres-
cent Citv. which |)osition lie lias occupie«l since
August IJ, njoji. was Ixjrn in Crescent town-
ship. December 25. 1H75. His father, John \V.
Xighting:de, was Ixjrn in Kngland, Seittember 3.
1850, and in 1859 left his native ctnmtry, accom-
panying his parents on their emigration to
America, the family home being established in
Dutchess county. New York, where they resided
for seven years. They then went to Kendall
county, Illinois, and during a ten years' resi-
dence in that part of the state John \V. Nightin-
gale was married to Miss .Mice ISaker on the
i8th of February, 1875. The following month
they came to Iroquois county and began their
domestic life up<in a farm here. Si.x children
were born unto them, of whom fi>ur are yet liv-
ing, namely: Frederick G.. Paul .\., Otto F.
and William R., of this review. The father
was a very successful man and broke the ground
and improved seven hundred and sixty acres
of land in Crescent townshij). I le erected sub-
stantial buildings and tiled and drained his place
until he had one of the best farms in the county.
He was a very prominent man and well known
and well liked by all. His business interests
were carefully conducted and his methods would
bear the most rigid examination and closest
.scrutiny. He continued to reside upon his farm
five miles south of Crescent City until called to
his final rest May Ji. !8<)8, when forty-eight years
of age. Mrs. Nightingale still survives Iut Inis-
band and is living in Crescent City.

In the common .schr»ols William R. Nightin-
gale pursued his elementary education and aittr-
ward attended Dixon College at Dixon, Illinois,
and a business college at Kankakee, this state,
from which lu- was graduated on tlii- JUt of

February, lyoi. Fntcring business life, he con-
ductwl a livery barn at Cri-scent City for three
years and since that time has been cashier of the
I'^irst National liank, entering u|)on the duties
of the office on the organization of the institu-
tion. Augu.st \2, 1903. The bank inaugurated a
safe conservative jwlicy that has won uniform
Confidence and the business has steadily increa.sed.
That it is a strong financial concern is indicated
b\ the statement which was issued September
4. i')<yj.

The officers are: I'eter McDermott, presi-
dent; Charles A. Calkin, vice president; J. B.
.Sayler. second vice president ; and W. R. Night-
ing;ilc-. cashiir. The bank is well housed in a
substantial little brick building, especially
e(|ui|)]K'd for the piirpuse used.

Mr. Nightingale was married to Miss Corinnc
Savoie, of Crescent City, a daughter of F'rank
.Savoic, who resides near Crescciu City. Two
cliililren have been Ixirn of this marriage: John,
Decemlx-r *>. i«j03 : and William, ( )ctober 19,

Mr. Nightingale exercises his right of fran-
chise in support of the men and measures of the
democracy and his fellow townsmen, recognizing
his worth and ability, have called him to several
local offices. He has served as justice of the
pe.icc. as village clerk and as collector and is
deeply interested in community affairs. He be-
longs to Standard lodge. No. 607, I. O. O. F.,
and to Crescent camp. No. 1429. M. W. A. He
is a liberal contributor to the churches and his
aid and co-operation are w ithheld from no meas-
ure or movement that he deems will prove of
general giX)d.

()IJ\RR ADSIT CLEMENTS.

A well improved farm of one himdred and
twenty acres situated on sections 7 and 8, in
Prairie dreen township, is the home of Oliver
.\dsit Clements, who is a native son of Illinois,
his birth having occurred on the old Gements
homestead fann in Lovejoy township. February
17. 1880. His father. J. N. Clements, was a na-
tive of Atliens county, Ohio, Iwrn in 1840. He
served for three years in the war of the Rclx"l-
lion, and following the rlosf of lii>stilitii< l.>iMtiiI

234

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

in Muncie, Indiana, where he remained for a
time but later made his way to Iroquois county,
where he was married to :\Irs. Julia Bradford,
nee Adsit, whose first husband enlisted for serv-
ice in the army and died during his service. Mrs.
Clements was born and reared in .Muncie, Indi-
ana, and her father removed from that place to
Iroquois countw where he became a very large
landowner, having some two thousand acres.
J. N. Clements in 1867 located on a farm belong-
ing to his father-in-law, and later made purchase
of three hundred and twenty acres, and was ac-
counted one of the prosperous and influential
men of this part of the state. He devoted his
active life to agricultural pursuits, and on retir-
ing from business interests removed to the vil-
lage of Wellington, where his wife died in De-
cember, 1897. He still survives and makes his
home in Hoopeston, with his son, Thomas Clem-
ents.

O. A. Clements was reared in much the usual
manner of farm lads, working in the fields during
the busy season, and when not thus engaged pur-
sued his studies in the schools of Wellington,
completing the high-school course there in 1896.
Subsequent to that period he remained on the
farm with his brother for one year, after which
he clerked in a store at Hoopeston. being thus
employed for one year, after which he again re-
sumed operations on the farm, and is now the
owner of one hundred and twenty acres situated
on sections 7 and 8. Prairie Green township. He
has tiled the land, erected good buildings and has
made it a valuable piece of property, for he fol-
lows the most modern and practical methods in
the prosecution of his farm work.

Establishing a home of his own. .Mr. Clements
was married November 27, 1902, in Wellington.
to Miss Edna i'.ower, who was born in the tiiwn-
ship in which slie still resides, and i)ursued her
studies in the schools at Wellington. Her father.
J. H. Bower, is now living retired in that village.
The marriage of Air. and Mrs. Clements has
been blessed with two interesting little sons and
a daughter. Wendall 11.. Edna E. and Jnhn Le-
Roy.

Mr. Clements has always given his jiolitical
allegiance to the republican ])arty. and both he
and his wife are members of the Methodist E]5is-
co]3al church at Wellington. Mr. Clements has

spent his entire life in Iroquois county, and there-
fore has a large acquaintance and both he and
his wife are highly esteemed and hospitable young
people.

PETER GARXER.

Peter Garner, who some years since left the
farm to enjoy the advantages of town life in a
quiet and honorable retirement from active la-
bor was, however, numbered among the leading
farmers, stock raisers and feeders of Iroquois
county for a long period, during which time he
resided upon a farm of three hundred and twenty
acres in Stockland township. His home is now
in Milford and he is highly esteemed in the
town and county.

Born in \\'arren county. Indiana, March I,
1848, he is a son of John Garner, a native of the
Hoosier state, where his youth was passed and
where his marriage to Miss Sarah Smiley, a
native of Ohio, was celebrated. In 1856 he
removed w^estward to Illinois and took up his
abode in Alilford township, Iroquois county,
where he made purchase of one hundred and
twenty acres of land at twelve dollars per acre.
Soon, bow-ever, he sold that and bought one hun-
dred and sixty acres in Stockland township, open-
ing up a new farm there. He afterward pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land
which he also improved, placing upon it good
buildings and modern improvements. He reared
his family there and carefully and energetically
prosecuted liis work. In his later years he re-
moved to Milford, purchased a residence and
made his home in the town until his death, which
occurred January 17, 1891. His wife is still
living at the old home there.

Peter (iarner was a farmer boy of Stockland
townshio and in retrospect one can see him as
a pupil in the country schools and later pursuing
his studies in Milford. In the jieriods of vaca-
tion he worked in the fields and thus earlv be-
came familiar with all tlie duties and labors that
fall to the lot of the agriculturist, remaining with
his father until twenty-six years of age. He was
then married in ]\lilford township. Jamiarv i.
1874. to Miss Sarah ]M. Dawson, a daughter of

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

^i7

Wall Daw sun, wlin was Ixirn in Ohio ami came
from Indiana to Illinois, lie was married in
the Mnckc\c stale, however, to .Mary Jane II
cr, a native of kos> county. ( )hio, and lie \«
one of the pioneer residents of Iroijuois county.
Mr. and Mrs. ("larner estalilislu-d tlu-ir home on
a fann in Milford lowii^hiii. which he rente<l
for two years, lie afterward ojierated a rented
farm in I'lelmont lownship for a ye;ir and also in
Sheldon to\\n>hip. and ahoni 1875 removed to
Stockland township, where he hej^an with one
hnndreil and sixty acres of land which uj) to
that time was larjjely undeveloped, but he im-
prove«l the farm. e<|uipped it with substantial
I)uildinj;s. set out a ^^rove and an orchard and
added to the fertility of the soil liy layini; many
rods of tilinp. He also fenced the fann and in
the same manner apportione<l it into fields. .\s
the years i>assed by and prosi)erity accrued he
bought one hundre«I and sixty acres more from
(k'orjje \eninnn and bejjan the further cultiva-
tion and development of that place. lie also
raisetl st<Kk. havinjj pood prades of horses, cat-
tle and hops upon his place. :md lie feliipi)inp two carli'.ids
of cattle and a carload of hops annuall\. I le
thus continued in business until iSi;5. when he
rented his farms and came to Milford. where for
eleven years he has made his home in the en-
jovment of a rest which he has irulv earned and
richly <le.serves.

Mr. and Mrs. Garner are the i)arents of four
children: lf>hn. who is married and is a travel-
inp salesman; Torter. who is married and fol-
lows farminp in Milford township: I'earl. the
wife of Rev. Roscoe W. Thome, a minister of
the r.;iptist church now located in Wolcoti, Indi-
ana ; and Nellie, who became the wife of John
Snider and die<l .\upust 7. iWV^i.

.Mr. and .Mrs. ( iarner are people of the hiphest
respectability, prcatly esteemed by all who know
them. Thev are devoteil members i>f the Mil-
ford Metb(Mlist Iqiiscopal church, in which .Mr.
Gamer is ser\inp as a trustee, and they are l>oth
affiliated with the I»yal .\mericans. a fraternal
insurance orpanization. His politictl views ac-
cord with the principles of democracy and f<ir
six vears he has rendered effective service as
hiphway commissioner and has l)een a memlKT
of the schfMil Ixiard for a n«ml>er of years \1

most his entire life has la-en passed in IrcM|tiois
county and he has a wide .'icipiaintance in Wat-
^eka, Milford an<l other section>. His name is
synonymous with activity and honesty in busi-
ness life, with fidelity in office and with propres-
siveness in all lh:it |>ertains to citizenship, ami
he is most loyal to the ties of the home :ind of
friendshij).

WILLI. \M J. MiDorti.M.L.

For nvire than a third of a century the name
of McDoupall has fipurcd conspicuously and
honorably in connection with the apriciiltnral <U-
velopnient and business interests of Inxpiois
county, and the fimi of McDoupall I'rothers is
a stronp business combination in Daiiforth and
this part of the st:ile. It is com|H)sed of William
J. and C. G. McDoupall. Ix>th enten>risinp men
of keen iliscemment. of nnllappinp industry and
perseverance, and of iiiicnu-ticuK'd luisiiic--- in-
tcprity.

W. J. .McDoupall came to tlii> ■ouiily wiili Ins
parents on the 1st of .\pril. |}V>8. iK-inp at tlut
time a younp man of eiphtcen years. He was
born in Jamestown, Kentnck\. January 1. 1850.
his parents iK-inp John and .Mary { l^jiperson)
McDoupall. who were married on the uth of
.\l)ril. i84(>. The father, a native of Fort Ed-
ward, New York, was l)orn < )clober 18. 181.V
and in the place of his nativity was reare<l, after
which he removed to Tennessee when .-dxiut twen-
ty-seven years of ape. He cnpapetl in te.nchinp
in the collcpc M LelniKMi. that state, of which
his brother. Professor William McDoupall. was
president, and for several years he devoted his
enerpies to educational work but later turned his
attention to nierchandisinp, which he followeil
near Jamestown, Kentuck). Sufferinp heavy
losses throuph a fire which destroyed his store,
he .-ifterward Imnphl a farm in Kentucky and
resided thiTeon until his removal to Illinois in
18^14, at which time he took up his alxMle near
Sandwich, in DeKalb county. There he resideil
until iS/18. when he broupht his familx to Dan-
forth townshij), Irrnpiois county, and made pur-
chase of a farm of eiphty acres on section 22.
whereon he resideil until his death, passinp away
■ >ii the ')th of June. rS"7. His wife, who was

238

PAST AND PRESENT OF

born near Columbia, Adair county, Kentucky,
March 12, 1820, was reared in that state, and is
still living, making her home with her sons, at
the age of eighty-seven years. In the family of
this worthy couple were five children, two sons
and three daughters, of whom William J. is the
eldest. Charles G., the second of the family, born
September 12, 1852, is a member of the firm of
McDougall Brothers. He was married June 6,

1893, at Ashkum, to Miss Mar>' Ruckrigel, of
that place. She was born November 20, 1868,
and died in Stuttgart, Arkansas, in 1902. Their
children are: Mabel I., who was born Jime 3,

1894, at Danforth, Illinois ; Charles, who was
bom in Danforth, June 28, 1895 ; and Gilbert,
bom September 26, 1898. Losing his first wife
Charles G. McDougall has wedded Miss Anna
Patten, of Edmunds, Oklahoma. Margaret Ann,
the third member of the family, born January 13,
1855, died January 30, 1882. Sarah Elizabeth,
bom January 11. 1858. was married at Kankakee,
Illinois, ]\Iarch 14, 1888, to Ernest Severy, an
attomey of Chicago, where they reside. Emma
J., born April 30, 1862, became the wife of Dr.
C. F. Smith, of Kankakee, Illinois, February 10,
1881, and they have one son, Charles K. Dr.
Smith is president of the board of education and
is one of the prominent physicians of the city in
which he lives.

William J. McDougall acquired a public-school
education and was fourteen years of age when he
came with his parents to Illinois. Four years la-
ter the family home was estaWished in Danforth
township and the sons aided the father in carry-
ing on the work of the farm and in extending its
acreage. There was some indebtedness upon the
place at the time of the father's death. The
sons took up the business of clearing all financial
obligations and have added largels- to their ]M-op-
crty holdings, having today four luuidred acres
in Iroquois county and eight hundred acres in
Arkansas. They were among the first to lay tile
in this section of the state and have put a large
amount of money in drainage. They find, how-
ever, that the capital is well invested in this way,
for the swamp land is reclaimed and made rich
and productive. As the years have passed they
have added Id their pro]-)erty until they n^w own
four hundred acres of very valuable land in Iro-
quois countv which yields to them large crops.

They are also interested in the elevator at Leon-
ard, known as the Farmers elevator, and this en-
terjjrise is largely due to the eftbrts of Charles G.
McDougall, who acted as its manager for seven
years. The brothers are men of excellent busi-
ness capacity and enterprise, manifesting both
business ability and fidelit}^, which command for
them the esteem and confidence of their commu-
nity and all who know them throughout the
.state. They now operate two hundred acres of
their land and lease the remaining two hundred
acres in Iroquois county.

The present home of William J. McDougall is
situated on section 23, Danforth township, where
he has lived since 1890. He has greatly improved
the farm, adding to it all modem equipments and
accessories, and none of the elements of a mode!
farm are today lacking. His political allegiance
is largely given to the prohibition party, although
he at times votes for the candidates on the other
tickets, and his first presidential ballot was cast
for Hayes. The family have usually been Pres-
byterians but William J. McDougall attends the
Evangelical church of Danforth because of its
proximity to his home and assisted in building
the house of worships and now contributes gener-
ously to the support of the church.

JOSEPH PRUITT, Jr.

Joseph Pruitt, Jr. is a prosperous and pro-
gressive young farmer, operating the old family
homestead, which comprises three hundred and
twenty acres of fine land, situated on sections 23
and 24, Lovejoy township, Iroquois county. He
was born on the farm which is still his home, his
natal day being February 13, 1880. His father,
Joseph Pruitt, Sr., is one of the early settlers
of Iroquois county, having been through a long
]ieriod connected with the agricultural develop-
ment of this section of the state, and more ex-
tended mention is made of him on another page
of this work,

Mr. Pruitt, whose name introduces this record,
was reared to the occupation of farming, and
his ])riinary education, begun in the district schools
near his father's home, was later supplemented by
a high-school course in Wellington and Hoope-

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

^39

ston. stibsc(|iicnt to which time he piirsuctl a
course of study in tirccr (."iillcRC aiul later in
Grand Prairie Seminary, .\fter completing his
studies he returneil to the home farm, l>ein(j for
six years connected with his father in the opera-
tion of the home place and for the past two years
the son has had entire charge of the ])roperty.
He follows the most practical and in<Klern
mcthtKis of carrying on his a>;ricultnral pursuits,
and each year gathers IxnnUeous harvests as a
result of the care and lalwr he licstows upon the
fields. In addition to his farm work he is also
enpaKcd in breediuK and raising pure blfxided
Poland thina hofjs and h<ni(1 prades of horses,
and this branch of liis business is j)r<>vin(j a
protitablc source of income to him.

Cli<x)sinp a companion and helpmate for life's
journey, Mr. Pruitt was happily married on the
1 2th of February. i«jo6. the lady of his choice
beinf; Miss Leona Eckman, an accomplislutl
younp lady, who is al.so a native of Inxjuois
county, where she was reared and educated and
has s|K-nt her entire life. She is a daughter of
John Kckman. a well known resident of this part
of the state. Mr. Pruitt holds membership re-
lations with the Presbyterian church at Weilinj;-
ton. Both he and his wife, havinp sjK-nt their
entire lives in this county, are well known and
highly esteemed younp [K'ople, and Mr. Pruitt
is also well known in N'ermilion county. They
have a host of warm friends and move in the
best circles of socictv.

.<i.\.ML:i:L J. SLo.XN.

Samuel J. Sloan, livinn on section 28. .Stock-
laiul tosynship. is one of the enterjirisinp agricul-
turists of his jiart of the county. He ojierates one
hun<lre(l and sixty acres of land and also engages
in bu>ing. feeding an<l shipping live st(Kk and
his diuil interests constitute an element in the
success which has made him one of the leading
farmers of the community. He has made his
home in Iroquois county since 1886 an<l is a na-
tive son of Illinois, his l)irth having occurred at
Chicago Heights in Cook county, .\pril j8. i8^>j.
His parents were William J. anrl Caroline (.Scott)
Sloan. The father, a native of Harrisburg.

Pennsylvania, went to Qticago when a young
man and was married there to .Miss Scott, a na-
tive of C<x)k county an<l a daughter of John Sc<»tt,
who was t)orn in Sotbiid and liecame a resident
of Ciiicago in 1850. Prior to her marriage Mrs.
Sloan engage<l in teaching for several w-ars.
Mr. SKian was well known as an extensive ilealer
in fine horsi-s, handling im|Hirted ilr.nft ami coach
horses for forty years, in which connection he
iKJcame widely known. I'nto him and his wife
were Ixirn seven chiMren, six of whom readied
adidt age. The father is now living at the age
of seventy-four years, while his wife died in
OctojK-r, 1906, at the age of seventy years.

Sanniel J. Sloan was reared in Chicago Heights
and enjoyed goinl educational privileges. .\t the
early age of sixteen years he began buying draft
horses for the market and in that capacity was in
the employ of one man for six years. Througout
his entire life he has l>een engaged in stock deal-
ing and for sixteen years he has operated the
I la/let farm of one lum<lred and sixty acri-s in
coimection with his stock buying. In iqc/t he
liought and shipj)ed to Kohn l'>n>thers, of .\'ew
York, eight draft horses averaging in weight
fourteen hundred anil fifty jMiunds and which
brought two thousand twenty-five dollars. Mr.
.'^loan is well known throughout the county for
his excellent judgment of good animals and as a
stock dealer has made money for him"''' c"!
others.

On the 27th of Xovemlnr, 188^1, occurred the
marriage of Samuel J. Sloan and Miss .Vila M.
Dazey, a native of IrtKpiois county ami a daugh-
ter of Aaron Dazey. who was lK)rn in I'ountain
county. Imliana, and came to Illinois with her
parents in i8r>«>. the family honte being estab-
lishc<l in Milford township. I'nto Mr. and Mrs.
.'^iiMn have Inrn Ixirn three children. Homer, Por-
ter and .Meta. all of whom are attentling school.

The parents and family attcml the services of
the .Metho<list l-'piscopal church at .'^tockland.
Mr. Sloan is a stalwart republican and has filled
the offices of school diri-ctor and tnistee for sev-
eral years, while at the jjresent writing he is ser\'-
ing as supervisor of Sttx'kland township. Fra-
ternally he is connected with the Foresters of Mil-
ford. The occupation to which he was reared
he has nvxilv his life work and his persistency in
following out one line of business is undoubtedly

240

PAST AND PRESENT OF

a strong element in his success. He early learned
to know the good points of horses and his judg-
ment is rarely, if ever, at fault in this particular,
so that in the purchase and sale of stock he has
conducted a good business.

WILSON S. KAY.

Wilson S. Kay. who for many years was one
of the distinguished and able lawyers of central
Illinois and at the time of his death was the
oldest member of the Iroquois county bar, pos-
sessed in large measure the qualities that com-
mand honor and respect and that win success.
In all of life's relations, whether as educator,
lawyer, political leader or friend, he displayed
sterling traits of character that supplemented
strong intellectual force and marked ability. He
was the associate and friend of many of the
distinguished sons of Illinois, who regarded him
in every way as a peer.

A native of Indiana, Wilson S. Kay was born
near Greencastle, in Putnam county, on the 31st
of October, 1831, and was a son of William D.
and Ruth ( ^^'right) Kay. the former a native of
]\Iar\land, while the latter was born near what
is now known as Little Mills, in West \'irginia.
The father removed with his parents from Mary-
land to Pittsburg. Penns_\'lvania, and. being left
an orphan when only si.x or seven years of age.
he was ajiprenticed to the glass-blower's trade,
which he followed for some time after complet-
ing his term of indenture. Subsequentlv he be-
came a resident of West Mrginia. in which
state he was married and later he lived at dif-
ferent times in West Virginia and ( )hiii, remov-
ing eventually to Terre Haute. Indiana, and
afterward to a farm near Greencastle, in I'ut-
nam county, that slate. When a few months had
pas.sed. however, he returned to \'irginia and
soon afterward went to Cincinnati. Ohio, where
he conducted business as a furrier. .\t a later
date the family took up their abode upon a farm
in Clermont county, Ohio, where thev lived
until 1837, when William I). Kay sold his prop-
erty and at the .solicitation of a friend invested
his money in a .steam-mill outfit, which he in-
tended to oix-rale in Illinois. L'])on his arrival

in this state, however, he found conditions so
entirelv different from what had been represented
that he took his engine no further than Perrys-
ville on the Wabash river, a place about four-
teen miles east of Danville. The following sea-
son he set about erecting a sawmill on the east
side of the Wabash and two and a half miles
below Perrysville. When he had nearly com-
pleted it he became ill with what was termed
milk sickness and passed away. His widow
with her children later removed to Iroquois coun-
tv. Illinois, where her father. Jonathan Wright.
lived. Xo portion of her husband's estate ever
reached the widow or any of the children. When
about seventeen years of age \\'ilson S. Kay
began an investigation concerning his father's
affairs by going to Covington, Indiana, where
the estate was settled and there he found that
the administrators had caused the whole of the
estate, eighty acres of excellent timber land with
plenty of coal on it together with the steam saw-
mill, to be sold. It was then bought in by the
administrators for the sum of eleven dollars.
About 1845 Mrs. Ka\' married again, becoming
the wife of Isaac Courtright. a prominent pio-
neer settler of Iroquois county. Her death oc-
curred in Texas, a small town in ]\IiddIeport
township, in July. 1854. She died of cholera
and her luisband died of the same disease the
following day.

Wilson S. Kay was a little lad of seven years
when with his widowed mother and his brothers
and sisters he returned to Iroquois county in the
summer of 1838. He and one of his sisters, who
were the two oldest members of the family, found
homes with strangers. Wilson S. Kay living with
.Samuel Harper near Onarga for a few months,
after which he spent four years with Thomas
\'ennum, Sr., near Milford-on-the-Mound. At
intervals as opportunity offered he attended the
district schools and later had the licnefit of a
year's instruction in the Milford school. He was
fourteen years of a.ge when he went to the home
of his sister near IMilford. there working for his
bo.ard and the opportunity of continuing his edu-
cation. He displayed special aptitude in his
studies and. using his advantages in the best pos-
sible way, thus became ec|uipi)ed for the profes-
sion of teaching, which he followed at r)unkum
for a vear. The mone\ thus earned enabled him

W II. SON" S. KAV.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

IR()QL\)IS " ' •' ^ ! V, ILLINOIS.

-'4.?

to {x-conic a student in Moinit Morris Seminary
in ( t^lc county. lIliihMs. and latter he a^ain en-
ffaned in teacliin^ for a few years, tliis heiiiK
folluwcd by a course- of study in Asbury ( now
De Pauw ) University, of (ireencastle, Indiana.
He was endowed by nature witli strong mentality
and he tlevelo|x-d iiis latent |)ower> tbrou);li close
application while in schtnil and by broad readini;
and investigation in his leisure hours.

On the i8th of July. 1832. .Mr. Kay was mar-
ried in lriM|uois county to Miss Susannah Lrilch-
field, who diid in .Si|»tember. 1855. and they be-
came the parents of a son. William, who died
in infancy. ( )n the 6th of March. i€S58. Mr. Kay
weilded .Miss Livonia M. I'.urlin^nnc. of ( »nar-
ga. Illinois, a daughter of .\bner and Livonia
(Turner) Hurlinjjame. She was lx>rn in New
Berlin, Chenango county. Xcw York, and in 1835
came with her widowed mother, two sisters and
a brother to Illinois. The second marriage wai;
blessed with five children. William .\l)ner. who
was l)orn .\pril 2. iWo. die<l at the age of eight-
een months. McClellan. who was born t )ctobcr
18. 1861. for many years jiracticed law with his
father. He was educated in the Watseka public
schixjl. the ( )narga Seminary. Michigan State
L'niversity and the .Vorthwestern University of
Evanston. Illinois, and was admitted to the bar
in 1884, when he entered into partnershi]> with
his father and Judge Ivvans. the firm later be-
coming Kay & Kay. He married Llla .Martin,
of Watseka. Wilson S.. born IXvember I'l,
i8(._^. diol .May 21. 1872. Livonia Ruth. Ixirn
October 2. iS^'i", was graduated from the N'orth-
western University at I'"vasiiin in i8<;i and now
ovMis and occupies the beautiful Kay homestead
on West Walnut streil in Watseka. Donaltl
Rurlingame. Ixirn June ij. 1874. died in Novem-
ber of the same year.

When first married .Mr. Kay lived in a cabin
near Itunktun and taught school in tliat village.
Subse<iuently he removed to Middle]>ort. then tlte
county seat, and in i8frfi he made his home alK>ut
midway l)etween the old and new town, now
Watseka. Ambitious to enter other professional
life, he t<Kik up the study of law in Middleport
under the flirectioii of James l-"letcher and in
1837 was admitted to the bar. after which he
entered upon active practice in Watseka. From
that time until his death he remained in active

practice and was accordetl a |)osition of promi-
nence seconci to no member of the Innjuois coun-
ty bar. In fact his thorough umlerstanding of
the principles of jurisprudence, his correct ap-
plication of his legal knowledge to the [Xiints at
issue, his strength in argument and his logical
deductions nude him the peer of many of the
ablest memlKTs of the |)rofession in Illinois. .\
coiUemporary biographer said of him: "He |>os-
.sessed certain eleiueius of dis|>osition without
which success in the legal profession is hardly
attainable — industry, energ> . ability, tact and
last, but not leiist. comb.itiveness and true cour-
age. He trusted nothing to chance that his sa-
gacity deemed necessary to his case when care
and work would insure success; consequently he
won the reputation of Ix-ing a conservative and
safe man to entrust with important cases and
his success in court fully justified the general
popular o|)inion of him."

Mr. Kay's prominence was not limited alone
to the profession in which he gained a ])osition
of marked distinction, for he became a recognized
leader in other walks of life. He was a member
of the state central c<»nunittee of the national
democratic party and supported Palmer and
r.uckner iluring the campaign of !8«/). He was
one of the three judges of the court of claims
apiwinted by Ciovernor Fifcr in 1880. He was
long recognized as one of the leading repri-senta-
tives of denuKracy in his portion of the state
and his o]iininns were frit|ueiuly decisive factors
in the councils of his |)arty. In .Masonry he
attained the Knight Templar degree. In-longing
to Watseka liMlge. No. 44<>. .\. F. & .\. M.;
Watseka clia|)ter. .\o. 114. R. .\. M: and Ivan-
hoe commandery. K. T.. of Kankakee, while
later his membership was transforme<l to Mary
coinmantlery of Watseka. He was also ctin-
necte<l with the t )rder of the Eastern Star and
with the Odd l-'ellows and at the time of his de-
mise was one of the oldest Masons of the county.
That he <lisj)layed business ability asiile from his
]»rofession is indicated by his jutlicious invest-
ment in pro|K-rty and he In-canK- the owner of
over five hundred acres of farming land, aliout
four hundred acres of which was adjacent to
Watseka on the southwest, while thirty acres lay
inside the corjxiration limits. Mr. Kay at all
times displayed sound judgment, whether in mat-

244

PAST AND PRESENT OF

ters relating to his profession or to public or
private interests. He stootl tor progressive and
public-spirited citizenship and was the opponent
of misrule in all niunici]3al or state affairs. He
had high ideals of right and wrong and his life
exemplified his principles. Moreover the strong
traits of his character were manifest in the way in
which he faced the hardships and privations of
his earlier \ears and molded opportimitv to his
own ends, gradually working his way upward
until he occupied a prominent position among
the sucessful residents of Iroquois county, com-
manding at the same time the respect and honor
of the people of intellectual force, who regarded
him as an equal, while from the great mass of
humanity he received the deference which is al-
wavs accorded true worth.

DAXIEL M. .MARQUIS.

Daniel 2vl. Marquis is one of the old-time resi-
dents of Iroquois county, and is successfully con-
ducting a brick and tile factory at Mil ford. He
also mantifactures cement blocks for building
purposes and there is large demand for these.
His energies are directed along well defined line?
of labor leading to success and the years have
brought him a gratifying measure of prosperitv.

Born in Logan county, Ohio, February 14.
1836, Mr. ]\Iarquis is a son of Samuel Marquis,
a native of \'irginia. The father accompanied his
parents on their removal to Knox count\-, ()hio.
where he followed farming, and in that county
he married Lucinda Axtel, a native of Washing-
ton county. Pennsylvania, .^ubseciuently he car-
ried on general agricultural pursuits in Knox
county for two years and then removed to Logan
county, where he spent his remaining days, pass-
ing away on the 12th of April, 1865. when fifty-
six years of age. His wife died in 1884, at the
age of eighty-two years.

Daniel ^M. Mar(|uis was one of a family of nine
children, eight of whom reached years of matu-
rity. He was reared upon the home farm, and
when a young man followed carpentering for ten
years. He was early trained to habits of indus-
try and economy and the lessons wliich he thus
learned in youth have been of much jiraclical

value to him in his business life. In 1858 he
made a trip westward to Omaha, Nebraska, trav-
eling part of the way by stage, and for three years
he followed carpentering there. Returning to
Ohio, he was married on the loth day of Septem-
ber. 1862, to Miss Sarah B. Downs, a native of
( )hio, and a daughter of Jesse Downs, who was
born in New Hampshire and became an early
resident of Logan county, Ohio. Soon after his
marriage Mr. Marquis removed westward to Illi-
nois and purchased si.xty acres of prairie land in
Iroquois county. He there built a house, which
he improved and he bought more land from time
to time until he had become the owner of two
hundred and five acres, constituting a valuable
property in Milford township, owing to the care
and labor which he had bestowed upon the fields
and which brought them under a high state of
cultivation.

Air. Marquis lost his first wife in 1881, and on
the loth of September, 1884, he was again mar-
ried, his second union being with Alary Louisa
Strain, a native of this county and a daughter of
David Strain, one of the old settlers of Iroquois
county. He was a native of Washington cotmty,
Pennsylvania, born in 1818, and there he grew to
manhood. In 1834 he came to Illinois and estab-
lished his home in Iroquois county, where he fol-
lowed the occupation of farming. In 1840 he
was married here to Aliss Sarah Haney, whose
birth occurred in Washington county, Indiana, in
1823. She is now in her eighty-fourth year and
makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. .Marcpiis.
Her husband died January 12. 1866. at the age
of fort)-seven years, after which she carefully
reared their family of eight children, all of whom
reached vears of maturity. Mrs. Marquis is the
eldest of this family of two sons and six daugh-
ters. She has one sister in this county — Mrs.
I'rank Fndsley, of Milford.

Mr. Man|uis continued to engage actively in
farming until 1884. when he sold his land and
turned his attention to industrial pursuits, ])ur-
chasing a brick plant, which in ]Ht)j hv removed
to its present location in .Milford. lie has in-
stalled new and iniprnved machinery and is ])re-
pared to make eighteen-inch tile. \\'hen running
to the full capacity the output is fifteen thousand
brick per day, and from two to four thousand tile
dailw while employment is furnished to from

IRugUOlS COUNTY. II.I.INc »1S.

245

eipht to ton men in tlie busy soason. Mr. Mar-
quis is thi>roiijjhly conversant with the Ix'si nictli-
otis of pnnhiciiiR these proilucts. keeping in touch
with tile iniproveinents that liave In-en made
thnuifih invention and experiineiu and he fintis
an excellent sale for his output. He also manu-
factures cement lil<x-ks for building purposes and
this part of his business is jjrowinK ra|>idly.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Manpiis is a .Ma-
son. belt>npinjj to the lodjje at .Mil ford, and his
wife is connected with the l-'asteni Star. .She is
also a memlK'r of the .Metho<list Episcopal church
and is a lady of many pood (|ualities. .Mr. Mar-
quis votes with the ilemocracy on national ques-
tions. He has never .sought or cared for public
office, serA'inp at i>ne time as road commissioner
for two terms but otherwise holding no ])ositions
of |)olitical preferment. I le belongs, however, to
that class of representative .\merican citiy.ens
who, while advancing individual interests con-
tribute also to the public welfare. He has now
reached the Psalmist's allotted span of three
score years and ten and his has lx?en an active
life characterized by stalwart pur|K)se, by fidelity
to principle and by honor in all his relations with
his fellowmcn. He is a genial and c<iurteous gen-
tleman and his position in i)ublic regard is one of
prominence.

HIR.\M H. HOTALl.\(l

Hiram H. Hotaling is a retired farmer residing
in Crescent City and his intense and well directed
activity in former years onstituted the basis of
a success that now enables him to live comfort-
ably without recourse to further lalxir. .\ na-
tive of N'ew York, he was born in ( )nondaga
county, Septenil)er 22, 185^). and is a son of (iar-
rett H. and Harriet (Wallace) Hotaling. The
father was a miller in Haldwinsville, New York,
but both he and his wife are now deceased, the
latter having dei«rted this life when their son
Hiram was only eleven years of age. The father
long survived and passed away in January, 1905.
Hiram H. Hotaling was educatcfl in the common
schools of Xew York, in the high schiM)l of Syra-
cuse and in Haldwinsville .Academy, and thus was
well equipped by liberal intellectual training and

culture for the responsible and practical duties of
life. in 1870, wlien twenty years of age, he
came to the west, living in Chicago for one wm-
ter, after which, in the spring of 1877. he went to
Colorado. .\ few months later, however, he re-
turned to Chicago and in July, 1877, came to
lro<|uois county, establishing his home u]M)n a
farm in Danforth township near <iilman. His
first purchase of land in this county comprised
seventy-six acres and came into his jMissession
in 1881. .\t a later date he sold that and iKiught
three hundred and eight) acres, also in Ifcmfnrth
lownshi]). which he still owns. He im|»roveil all
of his land, tiled it and converted it into rich and
]>roduclive fields, raising the cereals Ix-st adapted
to soil and climate. He also raised, Ijought, fed
and shipped sttx'k. In fact, his farm is largely
devoted to live-st<x"k interests and he Ix-came well
known in the county as a leading stockman.

.Mr. Hotaling was married in i8S<j to .Miss
Frances K. Ilallam. a daughter of Doc S. Hal-
lam, a pioneer settler of Irocpiois county and a
well known character in an early day. He came
to Illinois from \\'ashingti)n. Pennsylvania, and
in the Keystone state was a chum to Major Har-
rington, of Watseka. He was a great lover of
dogs and horses an<l was a typical pioneer set-
tler, widely known in the county and having the
warm friendship of many with whom he came in
contact. I'nto Mr. and .Mrs. Hotaling have been
born ten children : Harriet, the wife of Charles
A. Lee, of Danforth township: Crace and Garrett
H., who are living at home: (ieorge E., who is
in the livery business at Crescent City : Homer,
-Mbcrt, Jeanette. Edith and Mal)el, all of whom
are still under the parental rtHif: and one child,
who died unname<l in infancy.

Mr. Hotaling gives his political allegiance to
the rejniblican party and is prominent in its lo-
cal ranks, while his opinions have fre<piently been
decisive factors in its councils. He has served
as assessor and supervisor of I")anforth and was
the only republican supervi.sor Danforth township
has ever had. the fact of his election indicating his
))ersonal popularity and the confidence ami trust
re|M»sed in him by his fellow townsmen. .Socially
he is comiecte<l with Crescent Citv lotlge. N'o.
('>oj. I. ( ). ( ). F., also with the Inxpiois encamp-
ment at Watseka. He is likewise a memln-r of the
Mo«lern WiwKlmen camp at Crescent City and

246

PAST AND PRESENT OF

he and his wife are connected widi the Royal
Neighbors there. He has filled all of the chairs
in the Odd Fellows lodge and has been president
of the Iroquois County Agricultural Society for
ten years without drawing any salary for his
services. He has discharged the duties of the
position with marked capability because of his
deep interest in agricultural progress and be has
helped to make the fair held by the society one
of the best in the state. For twenty years he act-
ed as superintendent of the horse department and
has done much to stimulate an interest in high
grade stock and thus promote the value of live-
stock interests in the county. 'Mr. Hotaling has
justly earned the proud American title of a self-
made man, as with limited capital he came to the
west, dependent practically upon his own re-
sources for all that he has achieved and enjoved in
life. His close application to his business, his
unremitting diligence and his ability in control-
ling agricultural interests have been an ele-
ment in a success which is as honorable as it is
gratifying-.

JAMES F. HARWOOD.

Among the lo_\-al soldiers of the Union that
Iroquois county furnished to the government
during the darkest hour of the historv of the
country, James F. Harwood is numbered, and
for three years he served as a valiant defender
of the stars and stripes, participating in many
of the important Iwttlcs in which that emblem of
the Union cause led the troops forward to vic-
tory. He is now successfully farming in Iro-
quois township. He is a western man by birth,
training and perseverance, and the spirit of en-
terprise and progress which has been dominant
in the upbuilding of this section of the country
is manifest in him.

He was born near Cincinnati, Dearborn
county, Indiana, March 21. 1834, and was a lad
of eight years when he came to Iroquois county,
Illinois, in company with his parents. His fa-
ther, Frederick Harwood, drove across the coun-
try with horses and carriage, arriving in the
month of April, 1842. He established his home
near Crescent City, trading his horses and the
carriage for a farm. He also entered govern-

ment land adjoining the tract which he pur-
chased and with characteristic energy he began
to clear and cultivate the land, transforming the
wild prairie in course of time into rich and pro-
ductive fields. When he arrived here there were
only three cabins within miles of his place. It
seemed that the work of development and civil-
ization had scarcely been begun in this part of
the state, for much of the land was still un-
claimed and was raw or a swamp. He had a
farm where the town of Crescent City now
stands and died upon that place when sixty-six
\ears of age. Local advancement and national
progress were always causes dear to his heart.
His wife long survived him and died at the age
of seventy-eight vcars.

James F. Harwood was largely reared amid pi-
oneer scenes and environments in Iroquois coun-
ty, and his memory bears vi\-i(ll\- the imj^ress of
many of the early historic annals of this part
of the state. He was a student in the common
schools and in the summer seasons worked in the
fields, thus gaining practical knowledge of the
best methods of carrying on the farm. He has
always devoted his time and energies to gen-
eral agricultural pursuits and in early life
worked out as a farm hand for ten dollars per
month. Saving his earnings, he at length ac-
cumulated capital sufficient to enable him to pur-
chase forty acres of land at two dollars and a
half per acre. He made this purchase in 1856
and subsequently he bought the farm whereon
he now lives at four dollars per acre. All of the
buildings upon it have been erected by him and
the work of improvement has been carried for-
ward until he now has a fine farm property
of one hundred and twenty acres. He has sold
his other farms and still deals in real estate,
adding materially to his income in this way. He
is a good business man, sagacious and far-sighted,
and through the careful direction of his efforts
has met with gratifying success.

In 1862 Mr. Harwood enlisted in the army
as a member of Company A, Seventy-sixth
Regiment of Illinois Volunteers under Captain
Harrington. He served for three years with
that command and the nature of his service is in-
dicated by the fact that he was a participant in
the sanguinary battles of \'icksburg and Jackson,
Mississippi, Rlakelx'. Alabama, and man\' others.

MR, WD MRS. JAMES F. HARWOOU.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

-249

Alth<>uj;li lu" was iK'vcr wmiiidcil he framciitly
was in tlic thickcsl of the f^hl aiul at one time
was in the rejjiment hospital witli measles. He
reci'iveil an houoralile disch.ir^e at (iaiveston.
Texas, in iS<i5, ami \wi»g sent tlience to Chica^jo.
was imistiTed out and |>aid otT in tliat city, after
which he returned home. In iiis citizenship he
has since manifested the same loyalty which he
(lisplaved when upon southern hattle-fields he
followed the starrv hanner of the nation.

Mr. Harw<x>d was marrietl to Miss I'aimie
Kerh\. of Iro<|Uois coimty. and they have three
children: James, who we<lded (iertrude Lamp-
Ik'II and lives near his father: Peter and Helen.
Ixith at home. Politically .Mr. Ilarwood is ;i
democrat hut not an active politici:in. lie he-
lonjjs to the tirand .\rmy of the Rcpnhlic hut
his time and ener^es have larijely throutrhout
his life lieen centered upon his farmin^j inter-
ests, and his close application and unfallerin).;
cncrjjy have made him a successful man.

CAPTAIN" KLK.WAII DOOLITTLE.

Captain Llkanah Doolittle. who ileparted this
life in ( )narjja, November n>. i!^;". won his title
hy valorous service in the Civil war and for many
years was counted with the re])resentative citi-
zens of Ir(X|iiois county. Me was horn July iCt.
iS2t). in New York city, whence his father re-
moveil to Oneida county. .\'iw York, and later
to Newark. New Jersey. Captain Dixilittle re-
ceived liberal educational advantages in the east-
ern metropolis and In-came a civil cnyini-er by
profession. I-'ollowing that ])i;rsuit. he was en-
gaged with railroad survey anil construction work
between Ojjdensburjj and Plattsburg. New York,
and in 1831 he came west to Illinois, making his
way to Chicago, where he soon entered into busi-
ness relations with the Illinois Central Railroad
Company as a civil engineer. Hstablishing his
home in Irocjuois coimty. he was elected to the
office of county surveyor, which ])osition he ac-
cei)tably filled until 1858. when he returned to
Connecticut, where his people were then living.
He remained in New England until after th. out
break of the Civil war.

When the call for triK>ps was made ami men
from all stations of life Hocke<l to the standard
of the nation, going from the workshop. .
room, the offices and the fields, he too j'
army, enlisting in 18(1.2 in the Twentieth Connec-
ticut N'olunteer Infantrv. in which he was com-
missioned first lieutenant, l-ater he was pro-
moted to the rank of captain and served for eight-
een months, when he resigne<l and returned
home. He was in a lunnlKT of iu)|iorlani engage-
ments but suffered a sunslnjkc on the fieUI of
<iettysburg and this incapacitated him for fur-
ther duty, so that he gave up his ]Kisition and re-
turned to the north. He tiKik part in a nmnlnT
of the hotly contestid engagements of the war,
incluiling the sangumary conflict at (iettysburg
where cliarge after charge was made by the
Union troo])s and repulsed until at last they were
able to hold their ground ami another 4th of July
prix-Iaimed a victory for the Union an<l the re-
|>ublic. the birth of which had been celebrated
eighty-seven years In-fore.

In i8<i«i Captain Doolittle again came to Illinois,
settling at < )n:irga. where he engaged in merchan-
ilising. Ill became one of the prosperous busi-
ness men of the county and was widely known in
conmiercial circles. He had been married dur-
ing his earlier residence in < )narga. Miss Try-
phenia Pangborn becoming his wife in 1832. She
was a native of ( )hio but was reared in IriHpiois
comity, her father. Thomas .\l. Pangborn. hav-
ing been one of the first settlers of the county, lo-
cating here in 1837. He entered land from the
government, broke the prairie and develo|H'd a
farm which is still in possession of the faniily.
It was after the return of Captain I")c)olittle to
< )narga that he lost his first wife, who passed
away in i8(')S. There were four chiMren by that
marriage, of whom two arc living: Milton, who
is married an<l resides in Nebraska; and Thonias
K., who is marrie<l and lives with his brother in
northern Nebraska. The ebler brother. Milion.
has two children, Charles .Marston and Helen .\.,
while Thomas K. Doolittle has six children: Mil-
ton F... Warren .\.. Thomas P.. .\daline .\., Em-
ily J. and I losmer. ( )n the 26th of .\ugust, i8<h;.
Captain Doolittle was again married, his second
union iK-ing with Miramla Panglxirn. who was
Uirn. reared and educated in lriH|iiois county. In
his [Kilitical views the Captain was a democrat

250

PAST AND PRESENT OF

where national issues were involved but at local
elections cast an independent ballot, supporting
the men whom he regarded as best qualified for
office. After his marriage he located on the old
home farm, where he resided for several years,
when his residence was destroyed by fire about
1884. He then took up his abode in Onarga,
where he purchased residence property that is
now occupied by his widow, it being her father's
old home. He was reared in the faith of the Epis-
copal church, while his wife was reared in the
Methodist church and is a member of the con-
gregation of that denomination at Onarga. Cap-
tain Doolittle belonged to the Masonic frater-
nity and held membership in the lodge, chapter
and commandery, becoming a Knight Templar at
New Haven, Connecticut. Both he and his wife
were members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
From the time of his return in 1866 Captain Doo-
little continuously made his home in Iroquois
county, either upon his farm or in the county seat.
He was well qualified for the profession of civil
engineering and he was equally able in his farm-
ing operations, w'hich were carefully managed
and brought to him a good financial return. In
citizenship he was ever loyal and progressive,
manifesting the same fidelity to the country that
he displaved when on southern battle-fields he
followed the stars and stripes. In every relation
of life he was honorable and reliable and his death
was therefore the occasion of widespread regret.
Mrs. Doolittle, since the Captain's demise, has
traveled to some extent in the west, visiting the
Pacific coast on two different occasions and also
Nebraska. At her husband's demise she took
charge of the farm and business. She now has
with her her husband's grandson, Milton E. Doo-
little, whom she is educating, he being now a stu-
dent in the Dakota \\'esleyan University, at
Mitchell, South Dakota.

W. O. CARRINGTON.

W. O. Carrington, a farmer of Loda town-
ship, living on section 22, his land adjoining the
village of Loda, has made his home in Iroquois
county since 1864. He is a native of the neigh-
boring state of Indiana, where his birth occurred

in Putnam county, on the 17th of March. 1847.
His father, ^lilton Carrington, was a native of
Kentucky and was there reared and married, set-
tling afterward in Indiana, where he lost his wife.
Subsequently he was married in Henry county,
Indiana, to Nancy Sears, a native of Kentucky,
and to provide for his family he followed agri-
cultural pursuits. In 1864 he came to Iroquois
county, settling in Ash Grove township, but he
was not long permitted to enjoy his new home,
for his death occurred the following year. His
wife long survived him and died in Loda in 1899.

\\ . O. Carrington was a young man of seven-
teen years at the time of the removal of the fam-
ily to this county. He had attended school to
some extent in Indiana but his educational priv-
ileges were somewhat limited and he is largely
indebted to the school of experience and reading
in leisure hours for the knowledge that he has
acquired and which makes him a well informed
man. Reared to the occupation of farming he
has made it his life work. For several years
he operated rented land, and he completed his
arrangements for having a home of his own by
his marriage, on the ist of April, 1871, in Loda
to Miss Havannah Willis, who was born in
Michigan but was reared in Iroquois county.
For three years thereafter Mr. Carrington was
employed by the year at farm labor, after which
he rented land and was engaged in farming on
his own account for a number of years. Care-
fully saving his earnings, in 1903 he purchased
a neat and well improved farm of forty acres
on section 22, Loda township. In the midst of
this stands a large residence and in the rear of
the dwelling there is a good barn and other build-
ings affording ample shelter to grain and stock.
The farm adjoins the corporation limits of Loda
and in its care he displays good management and
practical methods.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carrington have been born
four children : Charles M. ; Frances A., the wife
of C. L. Whittaker, of Buckley, by whom she has
four children ; Edward Otis, who is married and
is a telegraph operator and station agent at
Birkbeck, Illinois ; and John Wesley, at home.
Fraternally a Mason, his membership being with
the blue lodge at Loda, Mr. Carrington is also
connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur and the
Knights of Pvthias. In the last named he has

IROQUOIS COUNTY. Ikl.IXOIS.

25'

served through all of the chairs ami is a past
chancellor. His wife is a memher of the Chris-
tian church. He votes with thi- republican party
and although he is not a politician in the sense
of office seeking he has servetl as highway coni-
niissioner of I'igeon (irove tcnvnship and has
been on the school board for several vears.

nil ».\iA.s 1-. w ii..M)\.

Thomas V. Wilson, engaged in general fann-
ing and stock-raising on section ^^. Ashknni
township, has in addition to this proi>erty, one
hundred and sixty acres of land located along
the Ircxpiois river and a fine home and other
residence property in the village of Ashkum, all
of which indicates that he is one of the sub-
stantial residents of the county and his position
has been gained by close application, earnest
purpose and commendable business methods.

liorn in Danville, Illinois. June 5. 1850, he
was only two years of age when brought to Iro-
quois county by his parents. John and Amy (Car-
son) Wilson, who located in Iroquois township.
The father was born in Baltimore. Maryland, and
when a yoimg man came to Illinois, being mar-
ried in Danville, where he engaged in teaching
school. He was a surveyor by profession and
followed that pursuit throughout his entire life
although to some extent he also engaged in other
vocations, and in this capacity he became well
known throughout the state as well as locally.
He did survey work for the Illinois Central Rail-
road and also in the city of Chicago, and his
business contracts called him into various sections
of the country. He served for years as county
surveyor of Iroquois county, proved a most ca-
pable official as was indicated by his retention
in the position through a long period. He was
also postmaster at Plato, this county, for a great
many years but had to give up the office just
before his death, being at that time the oldest
postmaster in the state. He died fin his farm
on the Iroquois river. July l. iS*j\. at the age of
seventy-seven years and ten months, while his
wife survived him for but three months. She
was a representative of an fild Xew England
family. In the Wilson family were eight
14

children, five sons and three daughters: John
and .\lfrtd. who are living u|M)n the hume
farm; Uruce. who follows farming near Wat-
seka : Joseph, who is connected with the live-
stock business in Chicago at the Union Stuck
Yards; Mrs. i'auline Greenwoixl, a resident of
Washington; Isabella, the wife of William Dixon,
of this county; and a half-sister. Mrs. liliza
lieynolds. who is .1 vvid. lu-. now living in the state
of Washington.

Thomas F. Wilsuu was reared in Iro<iu<iis
county. Mis educational privileges were rather
limited but his training at farm labor was not
meager. He has followed farming during much
of his life and for the past thirty-eight years
has resided in Aslikum township, wlure he luiw
owns and controls good propirty on section ^i.
The soil is very rich and productive and brings
forth good crops in reward for the care and
labor which he bestows upon the fields.

Mr. Wilson has been twice married. He first
wedded Miss Melissa Fulford. l-'or his second
wife hechose Miss Ca/rie Hurley, of Chebanse,
Illinois, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1870,
but in her girlhood days came to this state with
wife he chose Miss Carrie Hurley, of Chebanse,
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have five children, all of
whom were born in .\shkum and all are at home,
namely : Agnes, Fremont, Richard. Helen and
( )rville.

In his political views Mr. Wilson is a democrat
but without aspiration for office. He belongs to
the Congregational church of Ashkum and his
interest centers in those lines of life and public
activity which have for their object the welfare
and substantial development of the community.

MILTON' H. COX.

Milton H. Cox. who has retired from agricul-
tural life and makes his home in the village of
Chebanse. was born in Marshall county, \'ir-
ginia, October 17, 1850, and is a son of Samuei
and Rho<la (Gray) Cox. wlio were natives of
that county and in 18^)5 became residents of Belle
Plain township, Marshall county. Illinois. The
father departed this life in 1880. since which time

252

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

the mother has Hvcd witli her son. .MiUon H.
Cox, and is now eighty-three years of age.

In the state of his nativity Mr. Co.x of this re-
view spent the lirst fifteen years of his life and
then accompanied his parents on their removal to
the middle west. He was afforded a common-
school education but he started out in life with
verv limited financial resources. He was reared
to the occupation of farming and resorted to that
department of activity as a means of livelihood,
continuing to engage in general farming pursuits
up to the time of his retirement from active life.
He worked persistently and energetically, plac-
ing his fields under a high state of cultivation
and adding many modern improvements to his
farm. As the years passed he harvested good
crops and thus added to his income from the
sales of both grain and stock. He is still the
owner of five hundred and seventy-five acres of
rich and productive land in Lincoln township,
Calhoun county, Iowa.

Mr. Cox was married on the loth of Novem-
ber, 1869, in lielle Plain township, Marshall
county, Illinois, to Miss Cynthia Perry, a resident
of that place, and they have become parents of
eight children : Franklin P., who is ojjerating
one of his father's farms in Calhoun county,
Iowa : T, \\'illard, who is farming in North Da-
kota ; Gertie P.., the wife of J. H. Nordhausen,
who is operating a part of her father's land in
Iowa ; Mary, who makes her home with her par-
ents ; Cora, the wife of George Blaney, a farmer
of Chebanse township: Lillian, the wife of
Harvey Allen, who is farming a part of her fa-
ther's land in Iowa; .\rthur M.. a printer of
Chebanse; and Oma, still at home.

Mr. Cox has always given his political sup-
]xjrt to the democracy but in more recent years
has had strong prohibition tendencies because of
his attitude on the temperance question. He was
police magistrate of Chebanse in 1903 and 1904
and served as school director for eight years.
In early life he held membership with the Chris-
tian church but, as there was no congregation
of that denomination in this part of the county,
after his removal to Illinois he placed his mem-
bership with the Congregational church, of which
he is now a trustee. He affiliated with the
Knights of Pythias lodge. No. 570, of Chebanse,
and passed through all of the chairs but the lodge

has since been disbanded. He belongs to Iro-
quois camp. No. 994, ^I. W. A., in which he has
also filled most of the offices. His life has been
characterized by the performance of each day's
duty as it has come to him and. brooking no
obstacle that honest effort can overcome, he has
steadily worked his way upward until, having
long since left the ranks of the many, he today
stands among the successful few.

W. T. WARD.

W. T. Ward, who for the past nine years has
lived retired in ( )narga. but for nearly forty
\ears was actively engaged in farming in Wood-
ford and Iroquois counties, Illinois, is a native
son of West Mrginia. His birth occurred in Mar-
shall county, November 15, 1839. His father,
John Ward, was born in the Old Dominion and
was a son of Joseph Ward, also a resident of
\'irginia. In the state of his nativity John Ward
was reared and after arriving at years of ma-
turitv he was married there to Harriet Wheeler,
a native of .Maryland. Mr. Ward followed the
occupation of farming in \"irginia, reared his
familv there and made the place his home until
about 1856. His wife survived him and came to
Illinois in 1860. settling in Woodford county. In
their famil\- were two sons and five daughters
who reached adult age : John S.. who is living
in Des Moines, Iowa : W. T., of this review :
Emma, the wife of Perry Beckelhymer, also of
Des Moines, Iowa; Henrietta, the wife of W. S.
Wayman; Mary A. and Ellen W., who died in
West Virginia; and Elizabeth, who died in
Woodford county, Illinois.

In his native state W. T. Ward spent the days
of his childhood and youth and when a young
man came to Illinois. 1 Te was married in Wood-
ford county, September 26, 1869, to Miss Mar-
tha Ellen Burnham, who was born and reared
in Tazewell county, this state. They began their
domestic life upon a farm in Woodford county,
where for many years he carried on general ag-
ricultural pursuits and also engaged in the rais-
ing and feeding of .stock. In 1882, however, he
sold his property there and in the spring of
1883 came to Iroquois county, purchasing an im-

UBRARy

W. T. WARD.

MRS. W. T. WARD.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

IR()QLX)IS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

■»57

proved farm of ihrcc Iniiulrcil ami twenty acres
in .\rtcsia township. Locating thereon he took
up tlK* task of furliier tlevclopinj,' anil iinprov-
ini; tlie property. He tiled and fenced the land,
brought his fields under a high state of cultiva-
tion and in coiniection with the raising of cereals
iK'st adapted to the soil and climatic conditions
he al.so engaged in niising high gr.tile horses and
cattle. He continued to live upon the farm until
i8</>. when he removed to ()narga, where he
purchase<l a residence that he has since occupie<I.
I'or the past ten years he has lived retired in
the enjoyuKnt of the fruits tif his former toil,
having actjnired a comiK'tency sufficient to sup-
ply him with all the comforts and many of the
ki.xuries of life.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward Ix-came the parents of five
children : Charles \\'.. who is now a teacher
of linglish ant! elocution at the Jacoh Tome In-
stitute at Fort Deposit. Maryland; Isaac H.. of
Onarga, who is niarried ;md h;is one child, .\lar-
jorie .Mice; Mary Lllen, the wife of C .M. Can-
non, a farmer of this county. l>y whom she has
five children. ( irace .\.. l'rl)an \\'.. Ward,
Charles R. and Wendell; W illelta. the wife of
Dr. J. C". De I'ries, of Thawvillc. by whom she
has one son. Walter; and Walter T. W;ird. who
was a student in the high scIiikiI and also in
the seminary at Onarga. completing Iwth courses
and now taking a ctmimcrcial course in the (iran<l
I'rairie Seminary.

The parents are consistent memlxrrs of the
Methodist Rpisco|)al church, in which .Mr. W'anl
is now serving on the ollicial Ixiard. and formerly
he was superintendent of the Sunday-schixjl
while on the farm. He has taken a most active
and helpful part in matters relating to the general
welfare as well as to the upbuilding of the
church and his intUience has been a imtent ele-
ment for public j)rogress. A life long republican
since casting his first presidential Iwllot for
.\braham Lincoln in |W<4. he has supported each
presidential nominee of the |)arty since that
time. He has never sought or desired office for
hinjself an<l while on the farm gave his undi-
vided attention to its development and manage-
ment. He is now serving, however, for the
fourth year as jus-tier of the ]>cace ami his de-
cisions are strictly fair and impartial. He ha<
liccn a delegate to coimty conventions and his in-

terest in (Kiliiical afTairs is that of a public-
spirited citizen. Mr. Ward has s|>cnt the greater
part of his life in this section of Illinois and for
ftnir decades was accounted one of the leading
representatives of agricultural interests. Invcs-
tig.ition into his business career show-
that are worthy of ailmiration and <
:md proves that success is not a nuitter of genius
but is the outcome of clear judgment. exiK-rience
and imiustrv.

l-R.WK D.\kLL\<..

I'rank Darling, a resident fanner of Concord
township, where he was lx»rn July 15. 1870. is
now meeting with a gratifying measure of success
in his chosen life work. He is a son of Lyman
Darling, who is mentioned on another pafjc of
this Work, and umler the |>arenta! r<.»ii he siK-iit
the days of his lioyhiHwl and youth, entering the
public schools at the usual age and therein ac-
•piiring a go<Kl Lnglish education. When not
busy with his text-l>ooks he worked for his fa-
ther ami riinained at home until i8<)2, when at
the age of twenty-two years he started out in life
on his own account. He first rented eighty acres
of land from bis father and cultivated it for one
year. I le afterward livwl on the TihUI farm
for five years and for one year on the farm
owned by Mrs. Fry. On the expiration of that
]teri<Kl he removed to his father's farm of one
lumdred and fifty-five acri-s in (."oncord town-
shi|), on which he has since resided, here carrying
on the work of tilling the soil an«l raising stock.
He is practical and >ystemalic in his metlnKls.
progressive in all that he undertakes and as the
result of his carefully directetl laUjr is meeting
with desirable success.

.Mr. Darling was marrie<l in Concord town-
ship, in i8i)i, to Miss .\nnie .Maggs, who was
Ixjrn in < )hio in iWh>. They have iK-conu- the
parents of six children: Wclthy. Herschel. Wil-
liam, N\ta. Maynar<l and Koyal. The p.irents
hold membership in the Fresbyterian clnircli ami
are people of genuine worth, enjoying in large
measure the friendship and regard of those with
whom the> have come in contact. .Mr. Darling
is a member of the MorlctTi Woodmen camp and

PAST AND PRESENT OF

his political support is given to the democracy.
For two years he served as tax collector but he
has never had ambition for office, preferring to
concentrate his energies upon his business aft'airs
and thus provide a comfortable living for his
familv.

L. T. STOUTEMYER.

L. T. Stouteniyer, well known throughout the
community as Deacon Stoutemyer, resides on sec-
tion 30, Onarga township, and his time and at-
tention are given to farm work, for he owns and
cultivates a tract of land of eighty acres within
a half mile of the city of Onarga. His residence
in Iroquois county covers a period of only seven-
teen years but he has lived in Illinois since 1865,
coming to this state when a young man in his
twenty-fourth year. He was born in Aliami
county, Ohio, near New Carlisle, December 8,
1841.

His father was W. B. Stoutemyer, whose birth
occurred in Page county, Virginia, in 181 5, and
the grandfather was Bernard Stoutemyer. a na-
tive of Germany and one of the early settlers of
the Old Dominion. In 1827 he removed to Ohio,
settling in Miami county, where in pioneer times
he opened up a farm and there W. B. Stoutemyer
was reared to manhood amid the environments
of frontier life. Having reached adult age he
wedded Nancy Ross, who was born in Pennsyl-
vania but was reared in the Buckeye state. To
provide for his family Mr. Stoutemyer followed
farming in Miami county for some years and in
that locality four children were born unto him
and his wife, three sons and one daughter, but
the latter died in infancy. In 1864 he came with
his family to Illinois, settling first in McLean
county upon a farm near Bloomington. He lost
his wife there in February, 1879, ''"fl 'i*-" 'ifter-
ward spent his last days with his sons at Chats-
worth, Illinois, passing away in April of the same
year. In the family were three sons who reached
years of maturity, the surviving members of the
family being L. T. and John B. Stoutemyer.
The latter, who" is a resident of Maminoth Spring,
Arkansas, married Virginia Craft, of Little
Rock, that state, and theyhave one' child, Glover.

Edwin Stoutem\er, the third son, who died at
Carson City, Nevada, in 1905, married Imogene
Brooks, of Chatsworth, Illinois, and they had five
children still living, while their eldest, a daughter,
is deceased.

L. T. Stoutemyer, whose name introduces this
record, was largely reared upon a farm in Logan
county, Ohio, and in July, 1862, his patriotic
spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south
to overthrow the Union, he joined Company E,
of the Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Going to the south, the regiment was attached to
the Twenty-third Army Corps under General
Schofield. It did duty as mounted infantry for
a vear and served in the raid after ^Morgan in
Indiana and Ohio. The troops then proceeded
to Knoxville, where they were hemmed in for
some time and in the engagement there ?klr.
Stoutemyer was wounded by a gun-shot wound
in the head, a glancing shot which cut his skin
and bruised the scalp. He participated in the
battles of Franklin and Nashville against Hood
and was with General Burnside through Ken-
tuckv and Tennessee, participating also in all of
the battles of the Atlanta campaign, including
the capture of the city. For some time he was
ill with fever in the hospital at Lexington, Ken-
tucky, but he remained with the army until the
close of the war, being mustered out at Nashville
and honorably discharged at Columbus. Ohio, on
the 1st of July, 1865. He then returned home,
joining his father's family at Bloomington. Illi-
nois, on the 2d of July. He spent the remainder
of the year under the parental roof and then went
to Chatsworth, Illinois, where his father had
purchased land. He began breaking the prairie
on that tract of one hundred and sixty acres and
opened up a farm there.

Mr. Stoutemyer was married first in Logan
county. Ohio, in February, 1868, to Miss Sarah
Kinnan, who was born and reared in that state
but her death occurred in 1869, the year fol-
lowing her marriage. Later Mr. Stoutemyer was
married at Towanda, Illinois, to Miss Mary
Esther Newman, by whom he had a daughter,
Emma, now the wife of F. L. Clark, of Memphis,
Tennessee. They have seven children : Earl,
Raymond, Helen, Esther, Carl, Emma and Jes-
sie. Following his second marriage Mr. Stoute- .
myer continued to engage in farming near Chats-

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

■^5')

worth until i8yo and it was tluTc that he lost
his second wife. ( Mi the I'rtli of February. 1S75,
at MliKMuinjjt"". Illinois, he wedded .\iuia J. l-it-
tlc. a native of Lonansjxirt, Indiana, where she
was reared and educated, .\fter the death of her
parents she joined an aunt in Itlooniinnton, Illi-
nois. I?y this marriage there are five children:
Mae. who is a pradiiae of the ( Jnarfja .Seminary
and has successfully en^ajjed in teachiiij; for
sonic years; Xanna E.. who is engajjed in tcach-
inj; music ; lulwin K.. who is operating the old
home farm at Chatsworth and is married to Nel-
lie Sterne, of Dwight, Illinois, by whom he has
one son. X'crnon : Rev. John Howard Stoute-
niyer. who is a minister of the l'ia])tist church and
a well educated man ; and Marjjaret L.. who was
jiratluated from tlic .Northwestern I'nivcrsity in
the class of n/y). .\11 the children were pro-
vide<I with excellent educational privileges and
are graduates of academies or colleges.

Mr. Stoutemyer continueti to reside upon his
farm near Chatsworth until i8«jo. when he re-
moved to his pres<.-nt ])lace of residence i;n sec-
tion 30. ( )narga township, lie has since added
to and improved the dwelling, has built a barn
and tiled and fenced the place, continuing in
the work of cultivation, improvement and devel-
opment until he now has a very valuable farm
property here.

Mr. .Stoutemyer has cast his ballot for every
presidential nominee of the rej)ublican party since
voting for the first time in ifV>4. when he sup-
fHjrted .\braham Lincoln. While at Chatsworth
he served as township trustee for nine years, was
also commissioner of highways for nine years
and did much to improve the roads in that ])art
of the state. lie likewise served on the school
board for twelve years and has been district clerk
and president of the Ixiard. The cause of educa-
tion has always fotmd in him a stalwart champion
and his efforts have l>een far-reaching and
effective in its iR-half. He has been a delegate
to various conventions of his party and is in-
tereste<l in its growth and success. He and his
wife and their family are members of the Ma])tist
church, in which he has served as deacon for a
number of years, while at Chatsworth he was su-
perintendent of the Sunday-school for a num-
ber of years. He Ixlongs to the Grand .\rniy
post at Onarga and thus maintains pleasant re-

lations with his old army comrades. His life
has been one of activity in businesss affairs, of
patriotism in citizenship and of progressiveness
in all other relations tending to jjromote the in-
tellectual and moral progress of the imlividual
and of the communitv.

JOHN MYRtXN .S.XYLER.

John IJyron Sayler is a stock buyer and ship-
per of Crescent City, conducting a successful and
growing business. His birth rKrcurred on the
25th of .\pril. i85(j, in Marion county. ( Jhio.
His father, Barnhart Sayler. came to Ir<H|iiois
county with his family in 1883 and settled south
of W'atseka on a farm of two hundred and thirty-
five acres, where he carried on general agricul-
tural pursuits and stock-raising. The land was
rich and fertile and therefore large crojjs were
gathered as a reward for the care and labor he
bestowed on the fields. He had twelve children
an<l also reared an adojjted child. Four of the
number are now living in the comity : John
r.yron. f)f this review; Mrs. Myrtle Greene, of
Woodland: Mrs. Ida M. Smead, of W'atseka;
and W. O., who is engaged in teaching school at
Thawville. One brother. .\. L. .Sayler. died at
W'atseka. leaving three chililren. Arab. Wallace
and \'ena.

.\t the usual ;ige Jolm I'.yron >a\ier began his
education in the common schools, and after mas-
tering the branches of learning therein taught
he profited by thrtr years' instruction in the
Northwestern I'nivcrsity of ( )hio. The occu])a-
tion to which be was reared claimed his attention
after he had com])leted his schod life and he fol-
lowed farming anti stock-raising in Irotpiois
county until i8<>4. when he resolved to turn his
attention to commercial interests and removed
to Crescent City, where he has since Ix'cn buying
and shipping live stock. The rich pasture lands
of Illinois offer ample opportunity to the stock-
raiser and Mr. Sayler is doing an excellent busi-
ness in the purchase and sale of stock, being the
only buyer at Crescent City. His business has
constantly gmwn and he now ships fifty car-
loads of stock per year. 1 le still owns and inter-
est in the old homestead in Belmont township.

26o

PAST AND PRESENT OF

A man of resourceful business ability, he has
extended his eflforts into other fields of activity
and is a director and the second vice president of
the First National Bank of Crescent City. The
years of his residence in the county and his close
connection with its business interests are suffi-
cient to have demonstrated to his fellow towns-
men the fact that he is a reliable and enterpris-
ing man and therefore a citizen of value to the
community because it is upon the industry and
progressive spirit of its residents that the pros-
perity and growth of every town or city depend.

Air. Savler married Miss Lucy Grunden, who
resided near Watseka and is a daughter of John
Grunden, one of the old settlers of Iroquois coun-
ty but now a resident of the Indian Territory.
Both Air. and Airs. Sayler are well known in this
locality and their hospitality is greatly enjoyed
by many friends. They have one child, Golda
Evangeline, born Alarch 6, 1892.

Mr. Sayler belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge.
No. 649, at Woodland, and is also a member of
Crescent camp. No. 1429, M. W. A., while both
he and his wife are connected with the Ro\-al
Neighbors. At the polls his political endorse-
ment is given to the republican party and he is
one of the prominent representatives in Iroquois
county and serving now on the central committee.
For six years he filled the office of mayor of
Crescent City and has also served as alderman
and village clerk. It was through his efl:'orts
that the city secured the water power which is
one of the best in the county. .As chief execu-
tive officer he gave a public-spirited and busi-
nesslike administration and has always been very
active in local affairs, his efforts being far-reach-
ing and beneficial. Pleasantly located in Cres-
cent City, he is a factor in business and public
life in the town and his opinions carry weight in
settling many questions of moment to Crescent
Citv.

ROBERT CLIFTON.

Robert Clifton, who carries on genera! agri-
cultural piu-siiits, making his home on section
I, Ash Grove township, was born in Warren
county, Indiana, February 26, 1838. His par-
ents were TIi()nias and .Sarah (Gullet) Clifton,

both natives of Delaware, from which state they
removed to Warren county, Indiana, in 1833, lo-
cating in the midst of the forest, where the fa-
ther hewed out a farm. He died there at the age
of eighty-two years, and his wife at the age of
seventy-nine. They were earnest and consistent
members of the Alethodist church.

In his youth Robert Clifton had but common-
school advantages and his most valuable lessons
have been learned in the school of experience,
where eventually every individual becomes a stu-
dent. Reading and observation have also broad-
ened his mind and he is now a man of practical
business education. He came to Illinois in 1865
and has since lived in Iroquois county, purchas-
ing land upon which he now makes his home.
He first bought one hundred acres of raw prai-
rie, on which no improvements had been made
nor a single furrow been turned, but he broke
the sod and developed the farm, bringing it un-
der a high state of cultivation. He later bought
eighty acres adjoining and afterward fifty acres
more and still later one hundred and sixty acres
more in Crescent township, which also adjoins
the former tracts. The home farm comprises one
hundred and ninety-three acres and his posses-
sions in Crescent township cover two hundred
and ten acres, so that he now has more than four
hundred acres. Some of this land was swampy
and all was wild and unimproved when it came
into his possession. The digging of ditches and
the placing of many rods of tiling have greatly
enhanced the fertility of his fields, while the ro-
tation of crops has made the soil very product-
ive. Mr. Clifton has put up good buildings and
the beautiful grove of shade trees which now
adorns the place was set out by him. Year after
year, from the time of early spring planting until
crops were harvested in the late autumn, he
worked diligently and persistently in the fields
and in connection with the cultivation of cereals
best adapted to soil and climate he has also
bought and fed stock, shipping annually a num-
ber of carloads of cattle and hogs. Thus his life
for a long period was a most bus\- and useful
one hut eventually he rented the farm and now
looks after and keeps up the place, but leaves the
active work of the fields to others.

j\lr. Clifton was married in Belmont township,
Iro(|Uois county, November 20. 1867, to Miss

MK. AM) MKS. R015ERT CLIFTOX.

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UNIVERSITY Of IIIINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. II.I.INOIS.

263

Nancy C. John, who was Imrn and roared in tl>is
county. Her lathi-r, Lcnuid John, came to Illi-
nois with an older !)rother alniut iS_^j. ln-in^ one
of the first settlers of Ir(K|uois county. The jour-
ney was niatle from Ohio, his native state, in
which he sihmU his youth. The year of his ar-
rival was the one in which the I'lack Hawk war
occurred and practically ended the rule of the
red race in this state, altliouj^h for s<nne years
thereafter Indians could still he seen in various
sections of Illinois. The forests were lujcut, the
rivers unhrid^ed and the land undainieil and
uncultivated and the settlers had to hear all the
hardships incident to pioneer life. Mr. John
was married here to Catherine Willianisoii, a
tiative of Indiana, wlm. however, spent her fjirl-
hood days in Illinois. Mr. John f<jllowed farm-
infX in I'.elniont township and dieil there while
in the prime of life. His widow survived him for
a inuiilier of years, carefully reared her family
and passed away in May. iS^^i". Mrs. Clifton
was one of four ciiildren who reached adult a^e.
while two are yet livinp. The elder dautjhter.
Sar:di J., married denrpe Wilson, removed west-
wartl to .Nebraska and afterward to Idaho and
died in the latter .stale in n^J5. .Mrs. Clifton is
the next of the family. Thcimas Jnhn is a fanner
of r.elinont township, owning; and operating the
old honw place. Samuel Ji>hn is a merchant at
WiMxlland.

Mr. and .Mrs. Clifton iiave two daiijjhters :
Mrs. l-'rances Hanunann. who is a widow and
resides with her parents; anil .Mary, the wife of
Frank I-'lemin;^. ;i farmer of C'rescent township.
The older daughter has two children. l3oris Ruth
and Cilad\s C. Hammami. and .Mrs. I'leminp has
two children. I.illis J. ami Morris C.

Mr. and .Mrs. Clifton are w<>rth\ Christian
people, holdinjj memhership in W'lHKllanil Meth-
o<list Kj)iscopal church, in the work of which
they are deeply interested. .Mr. C'lilton is serv-
ing as one of the trustees. He also l)eli>ngs t<>
the .Masonic l<i<lge at W'atseka and in jxilitics is
a democrat who cast his first vote for Stephen
A. Douglas, the little giant of Illinois, in i8/>o.
He has ln-en without aspiratinn for puhlic office,
although he servetl tor twelve years on the scho<»l
Imard and has Ik-cu <listrict clerk. The peril hI
of his residence in lriK|uois county covers nearly
fortv vcars, so that he is one of tlie few remain-

ing early settlers who have hroken the virgin soil
and made the ditches that drained the swamps
and sloughs. His efforts have In-en a factor in
developing and improving the county and mak-
ing it what it is tixlay and he well deservetl class-
ification with the valued, progressive and dili-
gent citizens. His life has In-en at all times an
honorable and useful one and he and his estima-
ble wife have the warm regard of niany friends.

HKNKV 1! II \K\ 1".Y

Henry I!. HarM_\ m.i> I'l ■•mi -in years filled
the office of |)o.stmaster at Ci.ssna Park and is one
of its representative men. .\ native son of Iro-
quois county, he was born in .\sh lirove town-
.ship. March J\. i8<>5. and at the u.sual age \k-
came a pupil in the puhlic schools. He after-
ward ]>rotited bv instruction in the I'ryant &
Stratton Kusine.ss College, in Chicago, and suh-
seipiently was engagetl in merchandising with
his father at .\sh (irove. where they continued
fi>r several years. In i8i;o they removed the
business to Cissna Park and continued the con-
duct of their store there.

Mr. Harvey was api>ointeil |)ostmaster in i<)OC>
and ri-a])|M?tnteil in 11JO4 and i<x>'^t, so that his ir.-
cuml)ency will continue for ten years. He has
serveil in other jKisitions of public honor and
trust, having la-en township asses.sor for three
vears in Ash Grove township, township collector
of Pigeon (irove township for two years an<l
village clerk for ten years. He is most active
and influential in local political circles and has
Inen a meniUr of the central conunittee in
Pigeon Grove township for four consecutive years
and had previously served in that capacity for
two years. He has Iikewi>e bivn a delegate to
numerous conventions of his party and docs all
in his ]»ower to promote its growth and insure
the adoption of its principles. He is one of the
active and puhlic-spiritwl citizens of Cissna
Park and a |)rominent man who uses his influ-
ence to improve and advance the interesis of the
conuiumity.

Mr. Harvey \\a> marrmi 111 v i-mim I'.nk.
Jime 10. |S<K>, to .Miss Minnie Densniore. a na-
tive of Illinois, who was bom and reareil at

264

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Hoopeston. Her fatlier, John Deiismore. was a
pioneer settler and business man of Cissna Park.
Mrs. Harvey is acting as assistant to her hus-
band in the postoffice and helps him conduct the
business there. He belonfjs to the Masonic
lodge at Rankin and is also identified with the
Knights of Pythias at Cissna Park, has served
in all of the chairs and is now past chancellor.
He is president of the Building and Loan As-
sociation here and has been a promoter of many
interests which have had direct bearing upon the
welfare and upbuilding of his locality. In all
life's relations, whether in public office, in busi-
ness or in social circles he has gained the good
will and regard of those with whom he has been
associated and his friends speak of him in terms
of high praise and kindly esteem.

GEORGE H. CLARK.

George H. Clark, a worthy representative of
the industrial interests of Crescent City, where he
is successfully conducting a blacksmith shop, was
bom in Iroquois county, July 8, i86r. His par-
ents were Henry and Martha ( Parcel ) Clark, the
former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter
of Ohio. In early life each removed to Indiana,
and subsequently they came to Iroquois count\',
where Henry Clark, who was an agriculturist,
owned and operated a fine farm in Ini(|uois town-
ship. He brought his land under a high state of
cultivation and manifested great thoroughness
and system in his work. He hewed trees for the
Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad at the time
it was building, hauling ties and rails used in its
construction, and in fact aided in buihUng the line
through Crescent City. Unto him and his wife
were born five children : George H. : Arthur, a
resident of Kansas ; John, of Oklahoma : Bertha,
of Kansas : and one who is deceased. The father
died in 1906 at the ripe old age of eighty years,
and the mother is still living in the Sunflower
state.

The public-school system of Iroquois countv
afiforded Mr. Clark his educational privileges.
He learned the black.smith's trade with Cal Burk-
halter. of Gilman, prior to which he engaged in
farming and threshing for ten \ears. U was

when twenty-eight years of age that he began
learning the blacksmith's trade, being employed in
(iilman until 1891. He then engaged in busi-
ness on his own account, and in August, 1893,
built a new shoji in Crescent City. He is one
of the best workmen in his line in this part of
the county and is now the oldest representative
of the business in the town in years of continu-
ous connection therewith save one. He does
general blacksmithing, carriage and rubber-tire
work, and being an expert in his line, receives a
liberal patronage.

In 1885 was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Clark and Miss Hattie F. Kern, of Iroquois
county, a daughter of Owen Kern, who was born
in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1834. and
went to Indiana in 1839 with his father, Henry
Kern, who resided in Tippecanoe county. They
removed to Iroquois county in 1855, and Owen
Kern Imilt a barn on a farm in Crescent township.
He then returned to Indiana, and in 1858 he re-
moved to Iroquois county with his wife, Mrs.
Catherine (Peters) Kern. He here followed car-
pentering until i860, when he turned his atten-
tion to farming, being associated with agricul-
tural interests in the countv umil 1900, when he
retired. He is still living upon the farm but
rents the land. He owns two hundred and forty
acres in Crescent township, upon which he has
made all improvements, transforming the tract
into a very valuable and productive farm. Mrs.
Kern is also living and is a devoted member of
the Congregational church. Mr. Kern gives his
political allegiance to the republican party and for
one year served as assessor, for eighteen years as
school director, for twelve years as road commis-
sioner and for six years as school trustee. He
is a man of genuine, personal worth, alert and
enterprising in business and public spirited in
citizenship, and thus in the conmiunity where he
resides has become highly esteemed.

Both ]\Ir. and Mrs. Clark are members of the
Congregational church and fraternally he is con-
nected v^'ith Crescent camp. No. 1425. M. W. .\..
and also with the Yeomen in Crescent City. His
political allegiance supports the men and meas-
ures of the republican partx' and for two years
he was city clerk of Crescent City. He owns a
nice two-story residence, which he occupies, be-
ing pleasantly located in life as the result of hi.<j

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

265

indiistn- ami diligence in fonner yi-ars. He has
always live<l in this cotnify, so that his acquaint-
ance is a wide one, ami that he is lu'^t liki-d whore
best known is an indication that his salient char-
acteristics are those which command respect and
good will.

KinVAKl) K. I'.KKI'.K.

Edward R. Beebe. who is successfully engaged
in general fanning and stock-raising in I'ountain
Creek township, his home In-ing on section 10.
was born May 21, i}<57. in Litchfield county.
Connecticut, an«l is a son of Charles and .\lniira
( Lockwoo<l ) IJeebe. Me was only two years old
when he lost his father, who was also a native
of Litchfield county. In the family were five
children and those still living are Charles, a farm-
er of Prairie (ireen townshij). IriKpiois county;
Edward K.. of this review ; and .Stanley, who is
conducting a store in Clayton ville. Illinois.

It was during the infancy of our subject that
the family came to Illinois in i8<ij and locatetl
in I^ Salle county, where he was reared upon
his grandfather's farm, early becoming familiar
with agricultural pursuits, lie came to Iro-
quois county in 1875 antl has since been identi-
fied with its farming interests. ( )n starting out
in life for himsi-lf he engagetl in the operation
of rental land and as time passed has prospered
in his undertakings, eventually boconu'ng the
owner of a valuable farm of i-ight hundred acres.
which he has placed under a high state of culti-
vation and improved with good and substantial
buiUIings. Throughdut his business career he has
given considerable attention to stock-raising,
making a specialty of Norman horses, lie has
not confined his attention, however, whollv to
agricultural pursuits, but In-came interested in
general merchandising at Gaytonville in part-
nershi|) with his brother .'^tanlex . and alxi buys
grain at that place, owning a third interest in an
elevator. He is a wide-awake, jirogressive busi-
ness man of known reliability and the success
that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his
own well directe<l efforts and gix^l management.

In i8<>3 .Mr. I!ee-lx' was uniteil in marriage
to Miss l^ura .Mav Smith, who was Ixirn in

Fountain Creek township and was a daughter
of .\aron W. .'^mith. one of the pioneers of the
townshi]). .*^he died in .May. iX«)3. and in De-
cember. tHtiX. .Mr. MeelK' was again married, his
second union In-ing with Miss Litmie May Wise,
a daughter of Jacob J. Wise, whose sketch ap-
jK-ars on another j>age of this volume. l-"our
children bless this union: Howard M.. l'"orrest
E.. Charles Jacob and an infant yet unnamed.

Mr. Meebc is a member of the MethcMlist
church, while his wife Ix-longs to the United
I'.relhren denomination. I'raternally he is con-
nix-ti-<l with the .Ma.sonic order, iK-longing to the
Unlge at Rankin, and politically he is identifie<l
with the republican party, taking an active an<l
commendable interest in public affairs. He has
been a delegate to the conventions of his party
and has bi-en honored with local office, serving
as |>ostmaster of Claytonville for about eight
years. He has also been roail commissioner fif-
teen years, is the present schrxil treasurer of his
ilistrict and has served on the Ixiard for several
vears.

EU(;ENE LIloTE.

Eugene L'Hote. editor aiul publisher of the
Herald at .Milford and postmaster of the tiiwn.
has Contributed in large and substantial measure
to the growth and develo]iment of the city, utiliz-
ing practical methods while working toward the
icieal and accomplishing results the value of
which is acknowledged by all. He was bom in
Marshall, Illinois. .May 7. iW>2. and was given
the name of luigene l'a\ne L'Hote but never uses
either the middle name or initial. His |)arents
were K<lward and Charlotte ( Whaley ) L'Hote.
The father wa> Imrn on the island of Guadalu|K'
in the West Indies and worked on the New
I )rleans I'icayime when it was printed on a hand
press an<l workeil by hand balls. Removing to
Illinois, he locate<l at .Marshall in an early day
anil was married while there. During the Lin-
coln campaign lie published a pa|>er callitl the
Hornet and was afterward posiuuister imder
President Lincoln, He came to Milford in 1S70
and purchased the Herald, which he coiitimu-<l
tmtil |W<8. when he was succeeded bv his son.

266

PAST A\D PRESENT OF

Eugene L'Hote, educated in the public schools,
entered his father's printing office at the age of
sixteen years and has since been identified with
journalism in Milford. For ten years he was
an employe in the office, mastering the business
in every department, and in iS88, bv purchase,
he became his father's successor and has since
published the Herald, which is one of the strong-
est country newspapers of eastern Illinois. The
office was destroyed by fire on the 25th of Janu-
ary, 1905, entailing a loss of five thousand dol-
lars less fifteen hundred dollars insurance. Noth-
ing was saved from the ruins but the spirit i>t
the proprietor was shown by the fact that while
the fire occurred on ^^'ednesday the paper was
issued on the following Friday. He has today
a new office and building and the best equipped
plant in the county. The postoffice is also in the
building and both the newspaper and the Iniildin^-
which it occupies would be a credit to a town of
five thousand population. Mr. L'Hote was ap-
pointed postmaster in 1900 and has held commis-
sions under President McKinley and Roosevelt,
filling the position at the present time and giving
a businesslike and systematic administration
highly satisfactory to the public.

In his political views Mr. L'Hote is a stalwart
republican and a warm champion of "L^ncle
Joe" Cannon. He publishes the paper in the
interests of the party and through its columns
champions many progressive public movements.
He was the originator and became secretary of
the Milford Improvement Association, whereby
the interests of the town have been greatly en-
hanced. He was the promoter in the movement
toward securing the rubber factory here, an im-
portant addition to the industrial interests of the
city, and it was he who secured a gift of seven
thousand dollars from Andrew Carnegie for a
library, keeping the movement secret until it was
successfully accomplished and the announcement
was made in the paper. He put in a public
drinking fountain and flowers in the public purk
were secured through entertainments given by
his eflforts. Mr. L'Hote has also been secretary
for years of the Great Afilford Horse Fair, one
of the big fall festivals of eask-ni Illinois.
While not a member of any religious organiza-
tion he contributes to the support of all churches
and has been verv generous in aid of the erection

of new buildings. His columns are open to all
churches and his belief is that of a broad humani-
tarianism that believes in week-day as well as
Sunday Christians and exemplifies the gospel of
helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He has been
an Odd Fellow since twenty-one years of age and
is also identified with the Modern \\'oodmen.

Mr. L'Hote was married in ^lilford, Septem-
ber 24, 1884, to IMiss Elda Fairman. Her fa-
ther built the first elevator in Milford and was
a leading grain merchant here for years. Their
children are Lulu E., Ray F. and Elda P. Mr.
L'Hote and his family are prominent socially.
While taking a very active and helpful interest
in public affairs, he has never sought to figure
prominently before the public in connection with
political office and the only position that he has
ever filled is that of postmaster, in which he is
now .serving. The spirit of public improvement,
however, actuates him in all his life and his
efforts have been directly beneficial, his worth as
a citizen placing him among the foremost repre-
sentatives of Milford.

THOMAS WAND.

In a history of the county embracing its pio-
neer epoch and devoted to those who in early
days became residents of this portion of the state
and aided in shaping its policy and molding its
destiny mention should be made of Thomas
\\'and, of Onarga, who, since the fall of 1856.
has been a resident of that city. In the years
which have since come and gone he has borne
his full share in the work of development and
upbuilding here and while neglectful of no duty
of citizenship he has at the same time carefully
directed his individual business interests along
well defined lines of labor until he is now one
of the prosperous residents of Onarga.

.V native of Scotland, his birth occurred in the
town of Dolar, on the 17th of May, 1832, and
in early life he learned the tailor's trade in that
land, after which he worked as a journeyman
in different towns. The favorable reports heard
concerning America and its opportunities awak-
ened his desire to become a resident of the new
world and when a young man he took passage

Ill* >.\I.\S W AND.

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OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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269

at Livcr|K«>l uiKMi a wt-stward ImiuiuI sailing vc!.-
si'l, wliicli was li>iir wri-ks in inakiii^ the vnvai;*.-
across tlu- Atlniuic. diirinf; wliicli timr a >iMrc
storii) was ciKouiiliTcd. I^iulinjj at New
t >rliaiis. Mr. W aiul tlicmv made liis \va\ up ilic
Mississippi river to St. L^mis ami afterward to
Chicagi>. where lie worked at liis trade for two
years.

lit the fall of i85(» he came to t »nar(,'a. where
he was employed at his trade for aliont a year,
on the e.\pirati">n of whicii periixl he estahlished
a merchaiit-t:iiiorinn Inisiiiess. wiiich he coii-
ilucied a nnmlK-r of years. He then extended
the scojK- of his eiiterpri>e liy aildin^ a stock
of jieneral merchandise, carrying on his store
with constantly incrcasinj; success until 18S8.
He thus fi^:ured prominently in commercial cir-
cles in the city for almost a third of a century
anti on selling out he {K'rmanently put aside busi-
ness cares an<l is now liviufC a retired life. He
has erectetl ei^jht fjoo<l residences and also owns
a farm alxiut three miles from Onarpa. His
property interests therefore are to him a sub-
stantial source of revenue and enable him to en-
joy many of the comforts and luxuries of life.

In i85«j Mr. Wand was united in marriajie to
Miss Mary l-"ickle. a native of Indiana, in which
state she was reared. They traveled life's jour-
ney tojjether for twenty-four years and were then
se|)arati-<l by the death of Mrs. Wand in 18S3.
They had become the ])arcuts of three children,
of whom the eldest, .\ndrew Wand, is a travel-
ing salesman residing in Sullivan. Illinois. He
is niarric*! and has two sons. William and I'red.
Thomas C. Wanrl. the second member of the
father's family, was married at .\ew I'hiladel-
phia, Illinois. December 30. i88/», to Miss l""lizti
Harris, who was l>)rn and reared in this state
and is a daughter of Michael Harris, also a na-
tive of Illinois. They have two sons. Walter
and Thomas H.. and the father. Thomas C.
Wand, is engaged in business as a traveling sales-
man. The only daughter of our subject reached
womanh(Kxl and passed away Decemlxr iS. iKS/i.

Mr. Waml is a re|>ul)lican in his political views.
but v\as formerly ideiuitied with tlic democracy,
and later with the prohibition party. The |K>si-
tion of the dcmi>cratic party upon the money
question led him to transfer his allegiance and
for some years he has now snpjxirted republican

principles. He was elected to the office of mayor
and served on the town bo:ird, but not <inl\ in
iitVice ha> he proven his public-spirited devi>tiiiii
to the general gixxl. In fact he has always
stoiMl for progress and improvement in town and
county and has Uen a liUral contributor to the
sup|K>rt of many plans and movements for the
iK-nefit of the couinuinitv. He was the prime
mover in incorporating the town of ( )narga au<l
s|)ent considerable time and money in accomplish-
ing it. of which fact he has ever reason to Ik-
proud. He has given freely for the building of
different churches ami has lent his aid and in-
rtuence to many measures that have had direct
Inaring u|>on the general welfare. His religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the .Meth-
odist ICpiscopal church of ( >narga and he is also
a valued representative of the < )dd I'ellows ,si>-
ciety. in which he has filled all of the chairs and
is a past grand. He has likewise Inen a repre-
sentative to the grand lo<lge «if the state and is
thonjughly in sympathy with the purposi-s an«l
l)rinciples of this organization. Living in Iro-
(|uois county lliroughout the pericHl of his man-
hcKHl. his life record is familiar to many of our
readers and the fact that he is be-st liked where
best known is an indication of an honorable, up-
right career. In this country, where lal)or is
king, he has Ix-eii a faithful follower of that
sovereign and it has been through his diligence
and |ierseverance that he has gained the cred-
itable jMisition which he now occupies as a man
of affluence.

I \Mi:s 1:1,1 •.

James i:iu is one of the public-spirited citizens
of Ir<K|uois county who was long associated with
agricultural interests to the Ijctternunt of farm
life in general. He is a typical representative of
the middle west, alert and enterprising with true
valuation of |>ossibilities and op|>ortunities and
of the love <if character as well. Horn in Menard
county. Illinois, on the 22d of May. 1852. he is
a son of Harrison and Margaret C (. Alexander )
lUu. The father, a native of Virginia, was
rearetl in tlie Old Dominion, and when a young
man came with his parents to Illinois. He w.is

270

PAST AND PRESENT OF

married in Menard county, to Miss Margaret C.
Alexander, who was born in Sangamon county,
this state, and was a daughter of John Alexan-
der, a native of North Carolina. To provide
for his family Harrison BIu followed agricutural
pursuits in ^lenard county, where he died in
April, 1855, at the age of twenty-eight years,
leaving three children to the care of his wife, who
conducted the farm alone for several years. She
then married again, becoming the wife of George
Martin, of ^lenard county, and there were three
children by that union. Her death occurred in
1887 upon the home farm near ^Nlilford, Mr.
Martin having removed to Iroquois county in
1870, at which time he purchased land.

James Bin, whose name introduces this record,
was reared upon the old home place. His edu-
cational privileges were somewhat meager but in
the school of experience where eventually all
become students he has learned many valuable
lessons. Ambitious to engage in farming on his
own account, when twenty-one years of age he
bought fifty acres of land in Milford township,
which he farmed for two years, when he sold
that property and purchased eighty acres on sec-
tion 5, ]\Iilford township. It was a tract of raw
land but he brought it under a high state of cul-
tivation, adding many modern equipments and
accessories. He further made arrangements for
having a home of his own by his marriage on
the 3d of November, 1878, to Miss Maggie Crink,
a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a
daughter of Patrick Crink, who was born in
Ireland and came to Illinois at an early epoch in
the development of this state. Mr. Bin owned
land in j\Iilford township, where he continued
to carry on general agricultuarl pursuits for
thirty-six years, and in 1890 he removed to JMil-
ford, from which place he has superintended his
farm, leaving the more active work of the fields,
however, to others. He made a creditable record
as an agriculturist and attained a measure of suc-
cess most gratifying, lie has recently purchased
three hundred and twenty acres of land in South
Dakota near Huron, which he intends to improve.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bin were born three chil-
dren, of whom one, James Walter, died in in-
fancy. The oldest living is John Harrison, of
Danville, who has followed the drug business for
a year. He was graduated in pharmacy at the

Northwestern University of Illinois, and he is
a Knight Templar Mason. Elmer F. is now a
senior in the law department of the Northwestern
University, at Evanston, and still makes his home
with his parents. Mr. Blue and his wife attend
the Christian church, of which he is a member
and he also fraternizes with the ^lodern Wood-
men of America. Since voting for U. S. Grant
at file first presidential election after he attained
his majority, he has since stanchly supported the
republican party. He served as assessor for two
terms and as tax collector for three terms and
the trust reposed in him as an official has been
well placed because he is ever tiiost loyal in pub-
lic service. A native son of Illinois, he is one
whose life record is as creditable to the state and
in the years of his residence in Iroquois county
he has won uniform confidence and regard be-
cause of his fidelity to a high standard 'of con-
duct, his loyalty in citizenship and his progress-
iveness and reliabilitv in his business life.

FRANKLIN CLARKE.

Franklin Clarke, after many years of active,
honorable and successful connection with agri-
cultural pursuits, is now living retired in Sheldon
in a beautiful home which he purchased here.
His life record began in Coshocton county, Ohio,
January i, i860, his parents being S. K. and
Mary (Darling) Clarke. The father was born
in Coshocton county, September 25, 1833, and
when six years of age was left an orphan. He
afterward lived with a relative for about nine
years and was employed at farm labor until he
reached the age of eighteen. He was married
October 13, 185 1, to Miss Susan Burrell, who
was also a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and
died in March, 1852, After his marriage ^Ir.
Clarke continuetl working by the month until
February I, 1856, when he was a second time
married. Afiss Mary Darling, also of Coshocton
county, becoming his wife. He then rented a
farm which he operated until 1867, when he re-
moved to Iroquois county, Illinois, and rented a
farm from Dr. Fowler in Concord township. He
lived thereon for three years and during that
period lost his wife on the 5tli of July, 1870.

IR(3QUOIS COUNTY. ILLIXOIS.

They had four children, of wliom two are now
living: Franklin; and Mrs. Isaac McCoy, of
Stockland township. On the 15th of October,
187J. S. K. Clarke was married to Miss laniisa
Baird. who was also bom in Coshocton county,
Ohio, and they became the jiarents of six chil-
dren. In the spring uf 1876 .Mr. Clarke pur-
chased a farm in Concord township and has add-
ed thereto until he now owns three hundred and
twenty acres of good land upon which he yet
makes his home. He has placed many modern
improvements upon it. inchnling goofl buildings
which stand as nnnunienls to his thrift, enter-
prise and lalwr.

Franklin Clarke was educated in the common
schools of Illinois, having l)cen brought to Iro-
quois county in his early boyhooil. He has since
live<l within its borders and he was reared to the
work of* the fann. early becoming familiar with
the duties and lalx)rs that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. .Xmbitious to engage in farming
on his own account and to own a grnid tract of
land, he carefully saved his earnings and made
his first purchase in 1893. Ix'coming owner of
two hundred and forty acres in .'^lieldon township
which is still in his possession. With character-
istic energy he lx;gan the further deveIo])mcnt
and improvement of that place and carried on
the work of the farm there until February, IQ03.
when he retired and removed to Sheldon, pur-
chasing a beautiful and attractive residence that
he has since occupied.

Mr. Clarke wedded Miss Orpha Fleming, a
daughter of John and Susan (Perkins) I'leming.
of whom further mention is made on another page
of this work. Her parents arc now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Garke have one daughter. Susie.
born February 22. 1892.

The political allegiance of Mr. Clarke has Ik-cu
given to the democracy since age conferred uiK)n
him the right of franchise. He served as town
clerk of .Sheldon township for two years, was roarl
comnnssioner for six years and while living in
the country served on the school Ixord. He has
also been administrator of a numl)er of large es-
tates and. having l)ccn chosen for this f)fhce. it is
indication of the confidence and tnist rqxiscd in
him by his fellow townsmen — a trust of which he
is well worthy. .Socmlly he is connected with
the Masons and with the Royal Arcanum, of
15

Sheldon, and he and his wife hold membership
in the Methodist Episcopal church. In all of his
business dealings he las displayed the strictest
integrity and honor and at all times he has stood
for advancement and improvement in those lines
of life leading to intellectual, politii-al, social ami
moral progress. He is a most worthy citizen
of the conununity in which he lives and in which
he is now enjoying life. He keeps two Iwrses
for driving purposes and is most comfortably sit-
uated in a pli-asant and commodious home tliat
is an indication of his business ability and his un-
faltering enterprise in foniKT vears.

Ik \\"K I iiM( )I'i-:r.

Frank L. I looper, of W .itseka, judge of the cir-
cuit court, is one whose successful career stands
in contradistinction to the old adage thai a
prophet is never without honor save in his own
c<juntry, for in the county of his birth he has won
prominence and honors in the profession which
stands as the conservator of human rights and
liberties. .\ native of Helmont townshi|), he was
born on the 2ist of .\pril. i8/>4. of the marriage
of John R. and .Sarah M. (Harter) Hoof>er,
who were pioneer residents of this county. The
father was Iwrn in .Seneca county. New York, in
1825, and when a lad of seven years accompanied
his parents, Pontius and Lydia (Clark) Hooper,
natives of Saratoga cmmty. New York, on their
renxjval to Clinton, Michigan, where he ac(juircd
a conniion-sch<iol education an<l was reared to
mercantile pur.suits. He resided at West Point,
Intliana, from 1840 until i84() an«l then went to
Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising until
1849. H"-' spent the last mentioned year in Day-
ton, Ohio, and was afterward a resident of In-
diana until 1861. when he came to InKjuois coun-
ty, Illinois. He then engaged in the cattle busi-
ness in Watseka until 1871 and spent the ten
succeeding yrars in Danville, returning in 1881
to Watseka. He was luarried .\pril 21, 1852.
in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, to Miss Sarah
-M. Harter, who was born in Lafayette, that state.
Mr. Hoo()cr voteil with the democracy and was
a Roval .\rch Mason.

2/2

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Frank L. Hooper, one of a family of four
children, accompanied his parents on their re-
moval to Danville, Illinois, in 1871, and after
spending some time as a student in the hi,2:h
school there took up the study of law in the
office and under the direction of Tracy B. Harris,
of Watseka. He afterward pursued a full law
course in the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor and subsequent to his graduation from
that institution was admitted to the Illinois bar
when twenty-one years of a.ge and entered into
partnership with T. B. Harris for the practice of
law in Watseka. That connection continued
until broken by the death of Air. Harris and in
January, 1891, Mr. Hooper entered into partner-
ship relations with Hon. Free P. Morris. He
has reached his majority in the length of his con-
nection with the Watseka bar and has long been
accorded a foremost place in the ranks of the
legal profession here, for in the trial of causes
he has displayed clear and cogent reasoning, a
thorough imderstanding of the law, a correct
knowledge of precedent and marked ability in the
application of legal principles to the points in
litigation. The ability which he has displayed
in practice led to his selection for judicial honors
and in 1905 he was elected judge of the circuit
court, following the death of Judge Hilscher,
and is now sitting upon the bench. His opin-
ions indicate a breadth of jiulicia! wisdom and a
freedom from personal bias that ranks him with
the able men who have sat upon the circuit bench
in eastern Illinois.

IMr. Hooper has not confined his attention en-
tirely to the practice of law and yet it has been
his main life work. The firm of Morris &
Hooper, however, became proprietors of the
\\'atseka electric light plant and are also inter-
ested in farm lands in Iroquois county. Mr.
Hoo]jer is a man of excellent business judgment
and keen sagacity as well as of broad judicial
knowledge. He is a democrat with little aspira-
tion for office, yet for two years filled the posi-
tion of city attorney of Watseka, the duties, how-
ever, being in the direct path of his chosen pro-
fession. Fraternally he is connected with Wat-
seka lodge. No. 446, A. F. & A. M.

Mr. Hooper was married September 2i), i8i;i.
in \N'atseka, to Miss Grace Willoughby, who was
born in this city and is a daughter of .Aaron and

Nancy \\'illoughby, early residents of this place.
In social circles Mr. and I\Irs. Hooper have long
occupied a position of prominence, being readily
accorded recognition wherever true worth and in-
telligence are received as the passports into good
society. Since coming to the bench he has won
the favorable criticism of the public and the pro-
fession in the conduct of the litigation of his
court and since entering upon the practice of law
his career has been marked by steady progress
indicative of devotion to the interests of his
clients, of close reasoning and of thorough un-
derstanding of the principles of the law.

PETER B. STRICKLER.

Peter B. Strickler, now one of the venerable
citizens and honored pioneer settlers of Concord
township, has had a varied and interesting ex-
]ierience which embraces a sojourn in California
during the days of early mining excitement
there as well as active participation in various
phases of life on the frontier in Illinois. Few
residents of the county have longer resided with-
in its borders, for it was in 1835 that he took
up his abode on section 12, Concord township.

Born in Virginia April 6, 1827, Peter B.
Strickler was a son of Henry D. Strickler, of the
Shenandoah valley of X'irginia. The father's
birth occurred in 1796 and on leaving the Old
Dominion he traveled in a northwesterly direc-
tion until he reached Iroquois county, Illinois,
bringing with him his family of nine cliildren.
The journey was made by wagon from the old
home in N'irginia. They proceeded by slow
stages, for the roads were very poor at that time,
and at night for si.\ weeks thev cam]:)e(l (Hit by
the wayside. At length reaching his destina-
tion, Flenry D. Strickler entered from the .gov-
ernment one hundred and sixty acres of land on
section 12, Concord township. The land office
was at that time located at Danville. Mr.
Strickler built a hewed log cabin and barn. The
linuse was twenty- four by thirty feet, was two
stories in height and had a split floor. It also
contained glass windows, although some of the
early dwellings had greased paper windows.
There Mr. Strickler made his home until his

ill

Ml.' \.\I) MRS. I'KTI-.k 1!. STUIeKl.KK.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSn> Of ILLINOIS

IRtJQLOlS COUNTY. UJ.INOIS.

275

<lcath, which L>ccurrc«l in the year 1883 after a
residence of almost a half century in the county.
He hail |)riis]>iTcner of the county
and ||j:ive his j>«>litical aliej,'-iaiice to the demi>c-
racy. His wife. Catherine liruhaker. was Inirn in
\'irpinia and liy her marriaj;e iH-canie the ninther
of tiiirteen ol)il<!ren. of wii«Mn f<>nr ;ire now
livinp.

I'eter K. ."^irukler was a \outh ol cij.;lil years
when he left the ( )ld IXmiinion and w ith his par-
ents made the lonp and tetlious journey across
the country to Illinois. Hi-- edncatii'iial privi-
leges were such as were alTorded in a log sciioul
house with grea.sed pajMjr windows and the
scluxil session covered only three nvrnth-i of the
year, for in those early days the services of the
sons anil (laughters were needctl ujjon the farm
throughout the remainder of the season. He as-
siste<l in the arduous task of developing new and
unhroken land and cultivating a farm which
hitherto had heen an unclaimed prairie tract. lie
lived at home until twenty -one years of age and
then learned the car|)enter's trade, which he fol-
lowed imtii twenty-nine years of age. being thus
closely identified with early building operations
in Irmpiois county. The discovery of gold in
California and the tales of the fortunes that were
made in that state lol him in 1852 to make his
way to the Pacific coast. He journeyed by way
of the water route and was absent for two years
in the < ioldcn state.

Mr. Stricklcr then returned to Illinois and
again tfM>k up caqK-nter work. .\s soon as possi-
ble, however, he made investment in property and
in 1857 located on his present farm on section i.
Concord township, purchasing eight) :icres of
lanti from Daniel Strickler. This was all raw
land, but he broke it and in course of time gath-
cre<l goo<l harvests. He aNo built a house and
other buildings and laid man\ pkIs of tile in
order to drain the land, thus reclaiming the
swampy portions until he had converted them
into rich fields. He likewise fenced the entire
fami himself and as the years passed by he care-
fully, energetically and successfully carried on
the work <>i general farming and also engage<l
in stock-raising, making a sjjccialty of hogs and

cattle. He likewise added to his holdings by the
])urchase of seventy- four acres of the old home-
stead on section u. C'oucord township, a part of
which is pasture land and a part of which he has
tiled au<l cidtivated. His father entered this land
from the government and it has never passed out
of the family.

.\lr. ."strickler was married in Rensselaer, In-
diana, in 185^1. to .Miss Mary .\nn Kline, a na-
tive of Virginia, and they have become the par-
ents of five chiWIrcn, of whom three are now liv-
ing: Lewis. .Mrs. I'lla Klanska and (irace. The
wife and mother die<l in 1870 anti in 1871 .Mr.
Strickler was marrie<l in Concord township to
Miss .Martha Thaqi. wlui was Inirn in Clinton
County. Indiana. They now have three children:
I'rank T. : .Mrs. .Mattic I'earce; and Edward, who
married .Miss Dnllie ."-^iiiith.

.Mr. Strickler has served as sch<«>l director for
twenty-six years and in this connection has done
elTective service in behalf of the cause of public
eilucation in his flisirict. His political allegiance
has long been given to the democracy, for he be-
lieves that the platform of that |»arty contains the
best elements of good govermr.eiU. His religious
faith is that of the Cnited lirethren church. In
I'ebruarv . 18/15. .Mr. Strickler enli->ted in C'oin-
pan\ I". ( »ne Hundred and I"ift\ -filth Illinois
X'olunteer Infantry, and after being nuislercd in
at ."Springfield went to Tullahonia. Tenne-see. un-
<ler ( leneral Thomas. He did guard dul. . giianl-
ing railroads, etc.. until mustere<l out of service
in September. i8<i5. He joined < ). H. .Miner
lodge. No. 5(y>. .\. I". & .\. .M.. of Ir<¥|uois. in
18^18. and has filled various offices in the same.

.\s one of the honored pioneer residents of the
Count V he deserves prominent mention in this
volume, for in the early days when few settlers
lived in this jiart of the state he broke the prairie
with wo<Mlen plows ami carried on the farm work
with primitive machinery. Tlierc was plenty of
wild game here, including deer, prairie chickens
and turkeys. In the cabin home was a fireplace,
over which himg the crane, while the brea<l was
baked in the a>hes. .\ comprehensive descrip-
tion of |iioneer life woid<l be to give in detail the
carlv exjieriences of Mr. Strickler in Inxiuois
county. He has witnessed almost the entire up-
building and development of this section of the
state and relates in interesting manner many

276

PAST AND PRESENT OF

incidents of the early days before the railroads
had brought the state into close communication
with the east. There were broad stretches of
unclaimed land, some of which was swampy.
while other was covered with the native prairie
grasses or the timber. The most far-sighted
could scarcely have dreamed of the changes
which were to occur with great rapidity and
transform this into a rich agricultural district
with flourishing towns and villages in its midst
and all of the evidences of an advanced civili-
zation in its churches, schools, libraries and busi-
ness interests.

SOLOMOX MYERS.

A good farm of three hundred and forty-eight
acres is the property of Solomon Alyers. It is
situated on section ly. Iroquois township, and
indicates in its splendid appearance his care and
supervision. 'Sir. ]Myers was born in Pickaway
county, Ohio, near Circleville, May 17, 1850. and
was brought to Illinois in his boyhood days. I le
is a son of Peter Myers, who in 1861 removed
with his family to this state, settling in McLean
county, where he followed farming for some
time. In 1866 he removed to Iroquois county,
where his remaining days were passed, and when
he was called to his linal rest the community
mourned the loss of an honored and re]3resentntive
citizen.

Solomon Myers acquired a commim-school
education, coming to Iroquois county with his
father in 1866, when a youth of sixteen years.
He earlv received practical training in the work
of the home farm, and lessons of industry- and
diligence were earl}- instilled into his mind and
have borne rich fruit in his later life. In i8<)4
he bought two htmdred and twenty-eight acres
of his present farm of three hundred and forty-
eight acres on sections 18 and ig, Iroquois town-
ship, the remaining one hundred and twenty
acres being purchased in 1901. In the nn'dsi of
the farm stands a fine, two-story residence. Iiuilt
in modern .style of architecture. It stands back
some distance from tlie road and has a wide
sjireading lawn in front. It is one of the attract-
ive features of the- landscape and the farm jire-

sents an excellent appearance in all departments,
the fields giving promise of rich harvests. He
has some fine Durham cattle ujjDn the place and
his stock-raising interests are an important ele-
ment in his success. In 1868 be took up the last
piece of railroad land in Onarga township, this
being a tract of forty acres for which he paid
nine dollars per acre.

Mr. Myers was married to ^liss Mary Web-
ster, who was born at Buckley, this county, and
unto them have been born three sons. Burt
married Stella Weagant. and they have one son,
Lloyd A. Edward C. is at home. Charley \\'.
is also under the parental roof. The mother of
these children died in December, 1889, and ^Ir.
Alj'ers afterward married Mrs. Hilterbrick, of
Onarga. widow of Samuel E. Hilterbrick and a
daughter of E. W. Swaft'ord. Slie had one
child by her first marriage, Gertrude Hilterbrick.

Noting with the republican party, Mr. ^Nlyers
thus expresses his views upon the questiotis and
issues of the dav which concern the general ]iub-
lic, and he is now serving for his fourth year
as road commissioner of Iroquois township. He
has been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge
at ( )narga since 1874. and also affiliates with
the Modern Woodmen of .America at Crescent
City. His religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the Congregational church. ]\Iat-
ters secular and religious that have for their
object the benefit of the eoninnmity receive his
endorsement and co-operation, and he is a man
who in his life has been actuated by high and
honorable principles, while in his business career
he has manifested a laudable ambition and un-
faltering energy that have gained him place with
tile men of affluence in the township.

GEORGE BURY.

( Icorge r.ury has during his re>idenci' in this
countr\- demonstrated the characteristics of the
Irish race — industry and ])erseverance, for
tlmugh starting out in life a poor boy without
capital or assistance frmn friends and with limited
educational advantages, he has worked his way
u])ward until he is today one of the largest land-
iiwners in Iroquois county, liaxing here a tract

iki K)r( »is corN'TV ii.i.ixi iis

ol five huiulrcd ;iiul >iM> aero, lucaUil mi m:c-
tinn 4. I'rairic (irci-n townsliip.

Mr. r.iiry was brouBlit to the L'liitcd Stali->
by his pan-iits when uiily two \cars of ai^e. the
family home iH-iiijj cstalihslicd in TipjacamK-
cuunty, Indiana, where lie was reared as a fann
la<l. Me ha<l hmiied educational ailvantaKe> in
his youtli biit tlirouj^li readin^; and observation
in later life has be-come a well informed man.
He came to Illinois in iW/) when a youn>j man
and secured employment at farm labor. iK-iiiK
thus ennajj^'d for two or three years, in Iroquois
county. He was married here in 1871 to Miss
Ellen .Merritt. who was born in .Madison coun-
ty. Indiana, a daujihter of John Merritt. who
became one of the early settlers of Iroquois
county, and tlm^ tlii- dauj;luer w;i> rran-il anil
educated here.

I'ollowinjj his inurriajie .Mr. \\m\ locaietl on
a rented farm, which he ojxrrated for several
years, and, prospering in his undertakings, he
was at lenjrth enahlol to purchase land, first be-
coming jHtssessed of a tract of eighty acres, which
was but partially improved and whereon had
been built a small house. Taking up his alxxle
thereon he further develope«l and improved the
property, placing his lan<l under a high state
of cultivation, and he also erected a gooti two-
story residence, substantial barn and other out-
buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He
tiled and fenced his land, set out a gonl orchard
and made it a valuable tract. .\s time jjassed
and he accunuilate<l a c^impetencc he added to his
pri>|K'rty from time to time until he is now the
owner of five hundred and si.xty acres, which
constitutes one of the valuable and well im|)roved
farms oi Irorpiois county. He has recently
erivted a new residence on his farm, whicji is
now iK-cupied by his son, and there are two go«nl
sets of buildings, such as are found ujioii a model
pro|)erty. In aildition to his agricultural interests
he is engaged <|uite extensively in raising stock,
and he also buys and ships cattle an<l hoj;s to
the city markets, having \>ccn thus engaged for
the past fourteen _vcars, and this has Ik-cu no un-
inqMirtant branch of his business.

L'nto our subject and his wife have been horn
five sons and one daughter, namely : (.harles,
wIk) resides on the home farm and is married ;
John, who is also married anil resides on the

liuiiie larui. and ;s uha servnig a* tax inlKitur ul
I'rairie tjrevn township; Mattie, the wile of John
Wall, who o|>erates a (lortion of her father's
farm: tieorj;e K.. Ilarr\ aiwl Clarence, all yet
under the parental tin if.

Mr. Bury has alwa>s l>ecn a stalwart advocate
of republican principles but has never Ikxu active
in local |)olitical atVairs for his extensive business
interests have claimiHl his full time and attention.
.Mrs. lUiry is a memlK-r of the (."hrisliau church.
Having lived in lr<K|Uois county through four
decadi-s, Mr. Mury is largely familiar with the
jirogress that has here iK-eti made in agricultural
life, and he has not only been an interested wit-
ness but an active ]>articipant in the county's
development, .\lthough starting out in business
life in the humble cajKicitv of a farm laborer,
having limited educational advantages 1h- lias
jiersevered in his work and by the assistance of
his estimable wife, he has accumulated the val-
uable projKTty which today is evidence of the
success that has rewarded his eflforts.

|( )ll\ III d \!l"<

John Holmes, a practical and progressive
farmer living on .section jti. I'rairie (jrtvn town-
ship, has three lumdre<l and twenty acres of rich
and productive land within five miles of Htxiix.'-
ston. He was born in Surrey, Kngland. June 8,
1852. and is a son of Henry Holmes, who was
likewise a native of that count), and he niar-
rietl there .Miss .\im Thompson, who was also
Ixjrn and rearetl in l-jigland. They came to
the new world in 1S7J and spent aliout a year in
New York city, after which they renioveil west-
ward to \ ermilion county. Illinois, establishing
their home at Kossville. where Mr. Holmes spent
the last years of his life, passing away in i8<^.
His wife had ilied some years previous.

John Holmes was rearetl to manhiHwl in the
lanil of his birth. s|)cnding his Ixiylu-KMl and
youth largely in I^ondon. In early life he worked
at teaming and expressing. l>ecoming one of the
most capable and trusted drivers for IHckford,
whi> comlucted one of the most extensive transfer
enterprises of the world. In 1873. when twenty-
one years of age. Mr H.-Imes accompani'-'l Ii'-«

278

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

parents on their emigration to the United States,
reaching New York harbor in Xoveiiiber of that
year. He remained in New York for eight
months and was a driver for the Adams Express
Company. In 1874 he came westward to IIH-
nois. making his home in Iroquois county, where
lived his brother, Tom Holmes. For three years
he was employed by the month at farm labor
and thus gained a start in the new world.

In 1886 Mr. Holmes was united in marriage
to Miss Julia E. Daugherty, a native of Orange
county, Indiana, where she was reared. The
young couple began their domestic life upon a
tract of rented land and thus !Mr. Holmes car-
ried on farming for several years, during which
time they carefully hoarded their earnings and
at length were enabled to purchase land in 1890,
becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres,
on which was an old house and bam. Air.
Holmes at once undertook the task of further
developing and improving this property and laid
many rods of tile, thus draining the place. He
also bought more land as opportunity offered and
is now the owner of three hundred and twenty
acres, constituting a rich and valuable property.
He also rents another eighty acres, so that he
is now cultivating four hundred acres of land.
He has erected a commodious two-story frame
residence, built in modern style of architecture,
and likewise has two big barns upon the place
and two sets of farm buildings. He has put
in stock scales and uses the latest improved ma-
chinery in carrying on the work of the fields.
He has also planted much fruit and altogether
has a model farm property, equipped with all the
accessories which indicate a spirit of enterprise
and activity in the individual. Air. Holmes
started out in life in the new world with a cash
capital of twenty-five cents. He has made his
own way in the world from his youth to the
present time and I>\- his thrift an<l enter])risc
has become the owner of a large and valuable
farm and good home.

Unto Air. and Airs. Holmes have been licirn
ten children, James A., Elma .\., Rosa. John,
Olive P>lanch, Daisy, Floyd and Xeliie, still under
the parental roof, and two died in infancy.

Politically Air. Holmes is a rciiublican but has
never been an aspirant for office. He belongs
to the < )dd I'l-llows lodge at Hoopeston and is in

hearty sympathy with its basic principles. He is
well known in Hoopeston and in Iroquois and
\"ermilion counties, and is one of the progressive
and enterprising sons of old England, who in
Iroquois county have made an independent
fortune and an honorable name. He may truly
be called a self-made man and his life record is
indicative of the opportunities that are here
aft'orded to ambitious voung men.

WILLIAAI L. RAXTON.

William L. Ranton, whose death was the oc-
casion of deep regret in Sheldon, where he was
serving as postmaster at the time of his demise
on the 4th of January, 1902. was born in Bel-
fast, Ireland, in 1869, and was brought to Amer-
ica by his father, who now lives in Hoopeston,
this state. He came to Iroquois county about
1870 and was educated in the common schools
and in Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illi-
nois, of which he was a graduate. Taking up
his abode in Sheldon, he edited and published the
Sheldon Journal from 1895 until 1899 and made
it a successful business enterprise as well as an
entertaining newspaper. He also did some bank
work and was well known in this part of the
county as a man worthy the esteem and trust
of all who knew him. In 1898 he was appointed
postmaster at Sheldon and in that office gave a
businesslike administration, capably and faith-
fully discharging his duties until he was called
to liis final rest. In politics he was alwa\-s a
stalwart republican and was prominent in the
local ranks of the party, serving as one of the
committeemen at the time of his death.

In 1895 ^Ir. Ranton was united in marriage
to Aliss Jessie Hockett, of Sheldon, Illinois.
They had one child, Bessie, who was born April
24, 1896. Airs. Ranton has lived in Sheldon
for twenty years. She is a graduate of the high
schnol and for some time engaged in teaching in
the city schools here. Immediatelv after her
husbands death she was appointed postmistress
of Sheldon and was rc-appointcd for a second
term in 1905. so that she is now filling the office,
in which she has one assistant. .She owns a nice
hoiiH- in Sheldon anrl she is one of the few ladv

W. I.. RA.\l«t.\ AND DAltiHTER.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNtVERSITV Of ILLINOIS

IRiJQLOlS COUNTY. IU.INdIS.

^8i

inciiibcrs of the National Association of Second
and Third Class I'ostmasttTs. Mr. Kantmi hchl
nH-ntlK-rslup in tlu- MaM>nic UkIhc and aU<> with
the Kninhis of I'ythias and was rcKardcd as an
exemplary n-jtrcscnialivt of iKith orL is.

bein^ trne to the teachinn> of the oiw, . ch

are l>asi-d u|H>n mutual lul|)fulness and brotherly
kindness. He was well liked wherever known
and he had a wide aojuaintance in Ir— !"'i-
Count V.

AUGUST LUHKSKN.

.\uj;u>t Luhrsen is a worthy and prosin-rous
re|)resentative of mercantile anil aj^ricnltnral
interests. For fifteen years he was identifie<l
with the commercial life of Muckley and for a
considerable jx'riinl has represented the farming
interests of Inxjuois county. It has always Ik-cu
found that the s*jns of the fatherland have con-
stituted an inijHirtant element in the civiliza-
tion of the world and in the various localities in
which they have live<l they have l)orne a help-
ful and Ix-neficial jKirt in advaiicinj; those inter-
ests which contribute to material intellectual, po-
litical and moral proRn-ss.

The life record of Mr. I.uhrsen is another
proof of this statement. He was Uirn in tier-
many. May i8. 1856. and is a son of l"re<lerick
Luhrsen. who in the fall of 1S5- enjijjrated with
his family to the Uniteil stales. He settled first
in Cook county, Illinois, where he resided until
1873 and then came to Iroi{uois county, juirchas-
ing one hundred and sixty acres of land in .\rtesia
township, which our subject now owns. He here
joineil his Son. |-"rederick Luhrsen. Jr.. who is
mentioned on another pa^e of this work, and the
father sjK-nt his last years in Hucklcy, where he
<lic<l < k'tolKT 1. K105. when ahnost ninety -five
years of ajje. His wife had passe<l away in 1877.

.\un\ist Luhrsen was reared in Cook county,
Illinois. an<l lar^elN ac(|uired his education in the
common scIkxiIs there, although his opjmrtunities
were somewhat meaner, and since reachini; man's
estate he has jjreatly liroa«lened his knowledge
throURh exix-rience. ol»servation and research.
He was married in .\rtesia township, Noveinl>cr
18. 1883. to Miss .Mwine X'olberdinn. a native

of Illinois, boni in Cook county and a dauKhtcr
of I.udwiK \ ollH-rdtnj;-

I'ollowinn his maria^e .\uj;nst Luhrsen op-
erated bis father's fann and also land which he
himself owned fi>r several \ears. He then riiited
the farm and Imiu^jIu an interest in a general
mercantile store, devoting ten years to the sale
of );o<.kIs. l)is|Misin^ of the >tore. he aflerwanl
conducteil the Inmlx-ryard at Ilnckley for several
years and for fifteen years he likewise gave his at-
tention to the .sn|x-rvision of his farir
ests. He has a jjoixl residence tin his •
built a substaiuial barn and has made many
moilerii improvements, converting the place into
one of the valuable properties of the district.

L'nto .Mr. and .Mrs. Luhrsen have been born
si.\ children: l.ydia. .Matilda, .\manda. Laura
and .\rnold. They alstt lost their first iK.rn.
.Mvin. who dial in his fifth year.

I'olitically Mr. Luhrsen has Ixen a stalwart
democrat, yet the honors and emoluments of
office have had no attraction for him. He and
his family holil memlx-rship in the Lutheran
church. He is widely recoj;niznl as a capable,
successful and reliable business man and farmer
and is well known throUKhoui lr>>«|Uois county.
His busines> inte^jrity is uni|Uesti<Mie<l and the
confidence and esteem of the connnunity are uni-
fornily accorded him. Wherever known he has
won friends and his life record demonstrates the
(Possibilities for successful accomplishment to
those who are denied many ad\antn(.;es in \".mh
and who have to start out for tlu-iusehes witlinut
financial assistance.

H)L Ls UL.N.si ).\.

.\ spirit of enterprise and progress character-
izes Ijiuis Itenson in his farmin).; o|xrations.
He lives on section iy. I'.elmont township, and
in his life has accomplished a measure of suc-
cess which is indicative of close application and
earnest pur|»<>se. He now owns two huiulred
and .sixty acres of valuable land, which has Itcen
secured since he came to the comity in 1885. He
was Ixirn in Sweden. Decemlx-r Uf. i8<i'>, and is
a son of B. P. Benson, who was a fanner of that
countrv and in his native land weilded Christina

282

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Pierson. They became the parents of six chil-
dren, inchiding Louis Benson of this review,
who was reared upon the home farm, no event
of special importance occurring to vary the
routine of such a life for him in his boyhood
days.

He heard favorable reports concerning Amer-
ica and its opportunities and this aroused in him
a desire to try his fortunes in the new world.
Accordingly he made his way to the United
States and located first in South Dakota but after
three months he removed to Iroquois county,
Illinois, where he began providing for his own
support by working in a creamer_v at Woodland.
A year was spent in that position, after which he
worked out by the month at Sheldon, being in
the employ of one man for five years. He was
in the employ of Thomas John for two years and
then began renting land, which was a forward
step in his business career, as his labors now
more directly benefited himself. In 1894 he
bought one hundred acres with capital that he
had acquired through his own labors. It was the
nucleus of his present fine farm and he has
greatly improved the property by erecting
thereon a two-story frame residence built in at-
tractive style of architecture. He has also built
a good barn and carried forward his agricultural
interests along most progressive lines. His
place is well improved, modern methods of drain-
ing have been employed to enhance the produc-
tiveness of the fields and the farm is surrounded
by well kept fences. He raises full blooded short-
horn cattle and is a breeder and dealer in Per-
cheron horses, keeping an imported stallion. He
also raises Poland Cliina hogs and his live-stock
interests are an im|>ortant branch of his business.

On the 4th of November, i8g6, Mr. Benson
was united in marriage to Miss M. Eloise John,
daughter of Thomas John and a native of Bel-
mont township. Further mention of her parents
is made on another page of this work. For a
year after their marriage Mr. Benson rented
part of the John farm and then took up his
abode at his present place of residence. Both he
and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal
church at Woodland.

Since becoming a naturalized American citizen
he has voted with the republican party at state
and national elections but casts an independent

local ballot nor has he ever been a politician in
the sense of office seeking. He certainly de-
serves much credit for what he has accomplished.
He came to the new world without capital save
for determination, strong purpose and unflag-
ging industry. He soon proved his willingness
to work, never found it difficult to obtain em-
ployment and by reason of his economy and in-
dustry at length secured the capital that enabled
him to purchase land and begin farming on his
own account. He has made steady progress, has
won a goodh" measure of prosperity, and his life
has at the same time been another exemplifica-
tion of the statement that "Sweden is the home
of the honest man."

lAAIES CRIXK.

James Crink. of ]\Iilford. needs no introduc-
tion to the readers of this volume, for he has
been a resident of the county for more than
four decades, being long classed with the pro-
gressive and representative farmers. He owns
a well improved tract of land of one hundred
and sixty acres pleasantly located within four
a half miles of the city of Milford. His birth
occurred in Tippecanoe county. Indiana. ^larch
22, 1855. His father. Patrick Crink, was a na-
tive of Ireland and spent his boyhofid days
there. Crosing the Atlantic to the new world,
he resided for some years in the state of New
York, during which time he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Chuite. He afterward removed with
his family to Indiana, settling in Tijipecanoe
count\ . where he carried on farming, and the
spring of 1864 witnessed his arrival in Iroquois
county, Illinois, at which time he took up his
abode in Ash ( irove townshi]). There he car-
ried on general agricultural pursuits for several
}ears and subsequently he settled in Milford
tdwnship. where he also farmed for a number of
\ears. His last days, however, were spent at
the home of his son, John Crink, and he departed
this life in 1894, haying for aljout two years
survived his wife, whu died in May, 1892.
Five of their children are yet living: Philip, a
resident farmer of Douglas county, Nebraska;

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

283

Mag^jie. llic wife of James Mln. wlio follows
farming in .Milforil township; James and John,
wlio are twins, the latter a farmer of Milfonl
township; and Mrs. .\nna Compton, a widow
residing in Nebraska.

\\ hen a youth of ten years James Crink be-
cante a resident of Iro»]iiois comity and he re-
mained in his father's home until he liad at-
tained his majority. .\t the usual age he entered
the common scIuxjIs and is indebted to the system
of public instruction for the eilucatiniial privi-
leges he enjoyed. When not busy with his texl-
IxKjks his time was largely occu]}ictl in the work
of i)lnwing. planting or harvesting according to
the season of the year. an<l thus he became
familiar with the practical work of the farm.

In .\sh (irove township, on the 24th of Decem-
ber. i8</), was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Crink and Miss Sallie Stimpson, and they located
on a farm, commencing with eighty acres of land,
in the midst of which Mr. Crink built a good
dwelling, barns, cribs and granary. He also
fencctl the ])lace and by tiling greatly enhance<l
the fertility of the soil. He led a most active
and strenuous life and his unremitting diligence
constituted the secret of a success which enabled
him in the course of years to purchase an addi-
tional tract of eighty acres, so that his farm
covered one hundred and sixty acres. There he
carried on general agricultural pursuits until
1904. when he rented his ])lace and i)urchased
the residence ])roperty in Milford which he now
occupies. Me has not retired altogether from
business life, however, for his time is given to
looking after and keeping up his farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Crink have two sons and a
daughter: Elmer S., Mary Klizal)eth and Wilbur
E. Mrs. Crink holils membership in the Meth-
odist Episcopal church at Milford and Mr.
Crink was reared in the Catholic faith. His po-
litical views harmonize with the principles of the
democratic party but he has never been an aspir-
ant for office. .-X Ixiy of ten when he came to
this county he has assisted in its material growth
and progress, aiding in the task of clearing and
cultivating new land and developing fertile fields.
He is known as a man of good busines capacity,
of ready recognition of opportunity, and in his
utilization of the chances which have conic to
him he has shown a ready adaptability and keen

foresight. He and his wife are greatly respected
in the community and are well known in .Mil-
ford. Watseka and throughout the county.

EDW.\RD G. ECH.Xkl).

Etlward (j. Echard. who is engaged in general
agricultural pursuits in I'rairic Green township,
having made his home in this countv since 1886,
was born in Rockingham c<innty, in the Shen-
andoah valley <jf X'irginia, .\|tril 5, 1852. He is
a son of I'rank I-'chard. also a native of
X'irginia. where he was reared and married,
the lady of his choice Ix-ing .Miss Eveline
R. HnfTman. who was also born in X'irginia. The
father followed farming in the Old Dominion,
devoting his life to that work until his labors
were ended in death in 18*^)2. His wife long sur-
vived him and passed away in 181/).

Edward G. Echard was largely reared in the
state of his nativity, remaining at home until
after he hail attained his majority. He learned
the trade of a caqx-nter and joiner and was iden-
tified with buililing operations in X'irginia and to
some extent in Illinois. He came to the middle
west in 1886. joining friends in Irotjuois county,
and for one year he workerl as a farm hand by
the month.

r.efore leaving his native state Mr. Echard
had been niarried in X'irginia on the 27th of
October. 1881. to Miss .Xnna Downey, a sister of
T. J. Downey, whose sketch appears else-
where in this volume. .Mr. Echaril then operated
a rented farm for several years, after which he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where
he now resides. Subsequently, however, he dis-
posed of forty acres of this. He was the first
to pay as high as .seventy-five dollars per acre
for land in this locality but to<lay the farm is
worth double that amount. He at once Ix^gan
to till the soil and further improve the place and
by tiling and fencing he has converted the farm
into rich and productive fields. In its midst
stands a neat residence ami he has a large vari-
ety of fruit u[)on his place. He has also built
cribs and sheds and the land is mostly enclose<l
with woven wire fence. He has also rented
other farm land and in addition to his home

284

PAST AND PRESENT OF

property of one hundred and twenty acres he is
now cuhivating the Greer College lands of three
hundred and twenty acres, having for ten years
been in charge of that property. He is an active
and diligent man who works while others talk
and who by his unremitting perseverance and
energ\- has advanced to a prominent position
among the prosperous agriculturists of Prairie
Green township. In addition to cultivating the
cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also
raises pure blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle and
has a fine registered male at the head of his
herd. He also raises good grades of hogs and
other stock and feeds a large lumiber of hogs
annually.

Unto i\lr. and Airs. Echard have been born
two children, Hubert \V. and Goldie M. 'Sir.
Echard formerly gave his political allegiance to
the democratic party but is now a strong ad\-o-
cate of prohibition principles. He has served as
a member of the school board, has been school
clerk for several years, and has likewise served
as justice of the peace of Prairie Green township.
He and his wife hold membership with the
Methodist Episcopal church at Wellington, in
which he is acting as steward and a trustee, and
both are active in the work of the Sunday-school,
and their .son Hubert is a teacher in that organ-
ization.

Mr. Echard is one of the progressive and pub-
lic-spirited men from the Old Dominion and is
today one of the honored and highly esteemed
agriculturists of Iroquois county, where he and
his family have a large circle of friends, and
their home is a very hospitable one.

ALSON V. BROCKWAY.

In the quota of citizens that agricultural life
has furnished to Sheldon Alson V. Brockway
is numbered, having in former years been identi-
fied with farming interests in Iro(|uois county.
He was born in Elk county, Pennsylvania, July
23, 1839, and is a son of Vine S. Brockway, who
was born in the state of New York, whence he
removed to Elk coimty, Pennsylvania, while sub-
sequently he took up his abode in Will county,
Illinois, where his death occurred. Pie was a

physician and a man of marked ability and local
prominence. He served as county judge in Elk
county, Pennsylvania, for nine years and was
a very prominent man there. His family num-
bered five children who reached adult age and
are still living, and Alson and his brother,
Alonzo Brockway, are now residents of Sheldon.

Alson \'. Brc)ckway is indebted to the public-
school s\-stem of his native state for the educa-
tion,-d jirivileges which he enjoyed. He worked
in the lumber woods in Pennsylvania until 1864,
when he went to Will county, Illinois, where he
purchased a farm, carrying on agricultural pur-
suits there until 1868. He then sold that prop-
erty, that year witnessing his arrival in Iroquois
county, where he purchased three hundred acres
of land in Sheldon township. Upon this farm
he resided until 1891, when he retired, removing
to Sheldon, where he has since resided. He also
owns eighty acres of land in Sheldon township.
While upon the farm he carried on the general
work of the fields and also engaged in stock-
raising. He added many modern improvements
and equipments to his place, erected two good
dwellings and two barns and in fact added all
of tlie necessary outbuildings for the shelter of
grain and stock. He brought his fields under
a high state of cultivation and thus as the years
passed his property became very valuable. \Mien
on the farm he bred the best stock he could find
and this branch of his business proved to him a
profitable source of income. On removing to
.Sheldon he erected a fine residence at a cost of
three thousand dollars.

Air. Brockway was married in 1864 to Jane
S. Bly, who was born in Tioga countv, Penn-
sylvania, and removed to Elk count)- with her
parents in her girlhood days. Two children
gracetl the union of our subject and his wife but
one died at the age of five years. The surviving
daughter. Flora, is the wife of Charles Bowen,
who lives upon a farm near her father's prop-
erty. They have three children : Huneta,
Dorathy : and Charles Alson, born Jamiar\- 12,
1907.

The parents are members of the Christian
church and are ]:)romincnt socially, having many
warm friends in Sheldon and in other parts of
the county. .Since age conferred upon him the
right of franchise and he proudly cast his first

A. V. i;k(kk\vay.

OF THE
UNlVERSnV Of ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

jS:

vote fi>r Ahraliam Lincoln. Mr. I'.ruckway ha>
iK'cn a stanch republican and for two viars he
served as suiK-rvisor. He has also filled the of-
fices of school trustee and schiMil ilirector and
has iK-en a nu-mher of the town board for thrie
terms. lie is a man of much influence in local
affairs and his suiiport is jjiven to all those meas-
ures which are of <Iirect K-nefit to the connnu-
nity. The stroui; traits of his character are such
as win for him uniform confidence anrj estirm
and whereviT known he is honored.

loILV 1-L1:.M1N(;.

John i'lenun^'. \\U<< lieii.irled this life .\u).;ust
22, li/Mt. s]R-nt his last years as a retired farmer
in Sheldon and was rcs])ected and honored by all
who knew him. He was born in County Tyrone.
Ireland. May 2t). iS,Vi. and was only three
years of ape when bron^ht to .\nierica by
his parents. John an<l Mary Fleminj;. who set-
tled in .^tanho|>e, N'ew Jersey, where they resided
for seven years. They then removc<l to the vi-
cinit\- of Lock])ort. New York, where they re-
mained until their son John had re.iched man-
hood. In 1 85'^! they aj;Tiin made their way west-
ward and on reachinj; Indiana settled not far
from the state line in I'.enton county. The sur-
viving members of their family are Thomas and
William. wIkj are residents of Raub. Illinois:
Robert, who is livinjj^ at I"reeland I'ark. this
state; Sampson, of tht same place; James, of
Crawfordsville. Indiana: and Mrs. Matkin. also
of Raub.

In that locality and in Shehlon John l*"lemin|i
of this review spent his remaining; days. .No
event of special imiM)rtance occurre<l to vary the
routine of fann life for him in his youth. On
the igth of November. |8<>3. he was married to
Miss Susan Perkins, of ( inencaslle. Indinna.
and their only child, a dau>;hter. < >rpha. is now
the wife of Franklin (larke. a pronnnent and
representative citizen of Sheldnn. The wife and
mother died July (*. 1871. an<l on the 22i\ of (Oc-
tober, 18" .V Mr. Fleming was apain marrie<l. his
second union lK'in{j with Julia ."^lavens. who waN
born in Greencastlc, Indiana. They l)ecaine the
16

parents of one son. Horace, who is now residing
<in the olil homestead fann southeast of Sheldon.
Throughout his business life .Mr. Fleming car-
ried on general agricultural pursuits, closelv ap-
plying himself to his work and manifesting un-
faltering i«.rseverance. diligence and capable
management. Thus as the years passed he atldcil
to his possessions until he ha<l accumulated a
competence sufficient to enable him to retire from
active life and yet enjoy the comfnrts and luxu-
ries which go to make life worth living. He then
built a beautiful home in Sheldon, in which to
spend his remaining days, erecting this in iHij2.
.Mr. l-'leming was a member of the Metho<list
church ;md also affiliated with the Masonic lodge
at Sheldon. His ])olitic.il allegiance was given
to the republican party and for thirteen years he
served as commissioner of public roads. He was
likewise a member of the sc1i<m)1 lioard for vears
and a member of the town board of Sheldon for
some time. He owned two hundred and twenty
acres of gcHxl land four miles from the city and
derived from the property a gratifying income.
Well liked by all. he possessed thi>se traits of
ch:iracter which everywhere command confi-
dence, esteem and friendship. .Among the con-
spicuous traits of his character were his truth-
fulness, hi-i tenderness and the simplicity of hii
life. He was a friend well worthy of the name.
He had a sincere ajjiireciation and respect for the
giMid in other men anil his regard could always
be won by genuine personal worth without tak-
ing into consideration the financial standing of
the intlividual. .Men and wnmen of wealth and
inlluence were proud to class him with their
friends. He jiossesscd a most cheerful, sunshiny
disposition, which carried him thrnugh not niily
the serene .-uid ha[)|)y da\s but also enabletl him
to meet courageously and smilingly the hard
places in life. He was active in those things
which tend toward the g<Mtd and the pros|>erity
of the cfimmimity and was unfaltering in his sup-
jiort of what he believed to In- right. In all of
his de.ilint;s he w.is upright and conscientious
and he lived a life of gemiine helpfulness. The
poor and needy not only found in him a friend
but wherever sickness and sorrow were known
he was rea<ly with a word of sympathy and en-
couragement or with more material aid if it w.is
needed. He contributed generously toward the

288

PAST AND PRESENT OF

support of the church and in all life's relations
whether in church, in business life, or in social
and home circles, he carried with him an atmos-
phere of joyousness thai was contagious. Surely
the world is better for his havinir lived.

.MARTI.X f. RUSH.

Years of continuous and well directed activ-
ity have resulted in placing Mr. Rush in a finan-
cial condition that enables him now tn live com-
fortable upon his farm, which is pleasantly and
conveniently situated about a quarter of a mile
west of Milford. The attractiveness of Irocjuois
county as a place of residence is indicated by
the fact that many of her native sons have re-
tained their residence within her borders, enjoy-
ing its opportunities and its advantages and find-
ing here full scope for business activity and win-
ning therein a gratifying degree of prosperity.
To this class belongs Martin J- Rush, whose birth
occurred in ?klilford township. January 6. 1861.

He is descended from one of the oldest fam-
ilies of Pennsylvania, his grandfather and his
father, both of whom bore the name of Samuel
Rush, having been natives of the Keystone state.
The latter came to Illinois when a young man and
followed farming in Iroquois county. Here he
wedded Miss Nancy Martin, a native of Iroquois
county. Having now a wife for wliom he must
provide. Mr. Rush thus had an added stimulus
for business activity and energv and he reso-
lutely took up farm work, wliich he dili^jently
followed and carefully managed until he becanu-
one of the most pros]:)erous and extensive land-
owners of this pari cif the state, his holdings
aggregating fourteen hundred acres. It was a
splendid success, for it was all acquired by the
time he reaclK-(l the prime of life and the methods
wh.ich he followed were most honorable and
straightforward. lie passed away in 1874, at
the age of fi fly-five years, being long survived
by his widow, who reared her family and man-
aged the property. She died in June. 1905, at
the age of sevenly-lwo \ears. and her death was
greatly regretted by many friends as well as
lier immediate family, for she had endeared
herself to man\- with whom she came in contact.

Martin J. Rush was one of eight children and
was reared to farm life, working in the fields
through the sunnuer months, while in the winter
seasons he pursued his education. ( )n attaining
his majority he was given his share of his
father's estate. com])rising one hundred acres of
land, ar.d thus he started out on his own account.
He built a good liouse and barn, together with
other outbuildings for the shelier of grain and
stock, and carried on farm work along progres-
sive lines. Realizing that the fertility of the soil
could be greatly increased by draining the land,
he laid manv rods of tiling and also made ditches
for the further purpose of carrying of¥ the ex-
cess water. He likewise built fences to mark
his boundaries and to apportion the fariu into
fields, and thus the work of farming was carried
on vear after year and more land was purchased
until his holdings now embrace three hundred
and ninety-seven acres, all in a high state of
cultivation. In 1903 he purchased thirty-seven
acres where he now resides within the city limits
of ]\niford. and built an attractive two-story
residence. It is largely a model home and Mr.
and Mrs. Rush are now occupying it for the jnir-
pose of educating their children in the city
schools.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs.
Rush was in her maidenhood Miss Minnie Mote,
a native of ^lontgomery county. Indiana, and a
daughter of James H. ^Mote. who came to Iro-
quois county in 1876. It was on the 24th day
of March. 1884, that his daughter Minnie gave
her hand in marriage to Mr. Hush, and their
home has since been blessed with four children:
llarry L., Charles M.. Laura -\. and Cieneva.
The parents attend the Methodist E])iscopal
church at .Milford and are freely accorded the
hos])itality of the ])est homes in the cil\- and
throughout the surrounding district.

Without as]iiration for office. .Mr. Rush is
ne\erlheless ardent in his republicanism, ior he
believes that the ])latform of the ])arty contains
the best elements of good govenimcnt. I'or
several years he has served on the school board
and the cause of public education has l)een ad-
vanced thr(.)ugh his efforts, lie has always lived
in lroc|uois county and has witnessed much of
its growth and develo]jment. for in the ])eriod
of his \oiUh there were still various evidences of

IRt)QU01S COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

289

frontier life lii-rc. Tlu- cliaii^jcs wliicli liavi- oc-
curred have iK'eii many and Mr. Rush has carried
forward tile work wliich was instituted l>y his
father in an a^jricuhural develoniuent that lias
resulted in making; this county a splendid farmini;
district, while the tillers of tile soil are ainon^ its
most suiistantial citizens. Duriti).; the lon^
I)eri<M| of his residence here .Mr. Kush lias l)c-
comc widely known and no hi^;hi-r testimonial
of his ]>er>onal worth and character could l)e
Hiven than tiie fact that many of his stancliest
friends are those with whom lie has been ac-
(|u:iinted from his Ik ly hood <la\s.

W. K. M 11.1. Ilk. I "

Dr. \\ . 1\. .Miller cnfjajjcd in tiie practice of
medicine and siir^rery at Crescent City, manifests
in iiis connection with various medical societies
liis desire for broader knowledjje and greater efti-
cicncy and has already demonstrated in his work
an ability to cope successfully with the complex
ijucstions which continually confront a j)liysician.
A native of ( )liio. lie was born in ii<Hi and when
only two weeks old was taken iiv his parents to
Pennsylvania. He is a son of Dr. S. (1. Miller,
an old practitioner of tiie Keystone state, who for
fifty vears has been an active representative of
the nie<Jical fraternity there and is still pnicticin-

Dr. W. R. .Miller pursued iiis stuflies in tile
public schiMils of Johnstown. IVnnsylvania. jiass-
injj tbroupii successive prades until lie com])Ieteil
file work of the hij^b school. He was afterwanl
graduated from tiie \\e>tern Cniversity at I'itts-
burp, Pennsylvania, and coni|>leted tiie course in
what was then known as tlie West IVnnsylvania
.Medical College but is now a part of the Western
University, of Pittsburfj. Pennsylvania, witii the
class of ifU)j. Followinj^ his j^'radnaticpii from
the iiiedicai collene lie located for practice in
liiairsvillc. reniainini; tlicre seven years, after
wliicb be moved to Danfortb. Illinois, where he
remained for three years. He then returned to
South .Sharon. Pennsylvania, where lie pr.icticed
for four years, init on account of illness he jjave
up his practice in Sharon and went to Hot
Sprinps. South Dakota. He then came apain to

Illinois, locating at Crescent City in November.
icxJj. and here he is practicing witli marked suc-
cess, bis !■ i<lily increasing, lie owns
one of til' liuildings in Crescent City,
constructed of cement iiiocks, and he lias every
ei|uipment and facility for the successful prose-
cution of his professional lalK)rs. His practice
lias iKfConie very extensive and of tiie jfrinciplcs
and science of medicine lie is a deep and dis-
criniiiialing student, being ipiick to adopt any
new metiiods wliich promise to prove of real
practical benefit in tile work of the medical fra-
ternity, yet be is slow to discard any of the old
and time-tried metlnHls. the value of which has
been proven, lie is a member of the Indiana
County .Medical Society of Pennsylvania, the
State .Medical Society of IVnnsylvania and the
.Mercer County Medical .Society of IVnnsylvania.
Dr. Miller was married to .Miss Cora L. Alter,
of I'.lairsville. Pennslyvania. ;md tiiey have one
ciiild. Krriiigton, nine years of age. Politically
the Doctor is a re])uiilican and fraternally is con-
nected with tile ( )(M l-'cllows in Pennsylvania
ami with tiie .Modern Woodmen camp at Cres-
cent City, lie also belongs to the Masonic liwlgc
at ( iihiian. Me is |K>pular Ijotii .socially and pro-
fessioiudly. for he is a gentleman of gi-nial man-
ner. Cordial disposition ami unfailing courtesy
and at the same time manifests a .skill in his
chosen calling that has gained for him wide

11 iTll'liliIlfi-.

(iKokCK I'lDLKK.

(ieorge l-"idler, who has departed this life, left
behind him an ex.inipie well worthy f>f emula-
tion, for he proved that success and an honored
name may Ik* won simultaneously. He was Ivjrn
in Ross county, Ohio, in 1821. and in 1825, wlien
only four years of age. accompanied bis parents
on their remov:d to Indiana, where the <iays of
his iMiyliwKl and youtli were passed and his edu-
cation was acquired. He was married in that
slate, and at an early period be came to this state,
settling in Irtxptois county. That pioneer condi-
tions existed here is indicated by the fact that
lie was enableil to enter a claim from the gov-
eninient. He thus i)egan the development of a

290

PAST AND PRESENT OF

farm, upon wliich he spent his subsequent years.
His first purchase of land made him owner of
two hundred acres, for which he paid cash, hav-
ing earned the money through the operation of
rented farms in Indiana. His widow still owns
the home place, which has never had a mort-
gage upon it. Mr. Fidler added to his property
from time to time as his financial resources in-
creased until he became the owner of three hun-
dred and twenty acres. He broke the sod, tilled
the fields and carried forward the work of im-
provement, making this farm very productive
and valuable. He also erected all of the build-
ings. He hauled the lumber for their first house
from thirty-five miles south of Lafayette, Indi-
ana, at which time there was no such a town as
Watseka known here. One had to go long dis-
tances to mill and to market. From earlv pio-
neer times until his death he followed general
farming and stock-raising and he always had
good grades of cattle, horses and hogs upon his
place. In all of his business dealings he was
strictly reliable and honorable, being never
known to take advantage of the necessities of
others in any business transaction.

In early manhood Mr. Fidler married Miss
Hattie Parker, of Indiana, and thev became the
parents of ten children, five of whom are now
living namely: D. A., a retired farmer of Wat-
seka, who has a family of four sons and four
daughters; Mrs. Joseph IMiller, who resides near
Watseka ; Mrs. David Miller, also of Watseka ;
William M.. a well-to-do fanner living near
IMartinton, who is married and has two children ;
and Owen, who wedded Caroline Ortman and
operates the home farm.

Mr. Fidler voted with the democracy and kept
well informed on the questions and issues of the
day. Both he and his wife attended the Chris-
tian church and they also contributed to the sup-
port of other denominations. Mr. Fidler was
ever interested in the development and progress
of this community and aided in laying the foun-
dation for the present prosperity and progress
of this part of the state. He lived to see many
changes here as the wild swamp land was re-
claimed for the uses of the white race and con-
verted into productive farms, while here and
there thriving towns were built, the railroad, the
telegraph and the telephone were introduced, and

thus Iroquois county was brought into close con-
nection with the older settled portions of the
country. In all of his business life ^Ir. Fidler
was honest and upright. He was considerate in
his opinions of others and kindly in manner, and
his good qualities won him many friends. He
died December 12, 1881, leaving behind him an
honorable name as well as a goodly heritage.
Mrs. Fidler now owns eighty acres of good land
which is operated by her son Owen, and her
home is on sections 4 and 5, Iroquois township.

AQUILLA C. CAST.

Aquilla C. Cast, who since 1886 has been liv-
ing retired, occupying one of the most beautiful
homes in the county at Crescent City, was born
in Clinton county, Ohio, March 13, 1837, and
is a son of Hiram V. Cast, of the Buckeye state,
who in 1840 became a resident of Danville, Illi-
nois, where he spent his subsequent years. He
devoted his time and energies to farming. Three
of his brothers are still living — William, who
resides at Danville and passed his eighty-fifth
milestone on life's journey in April. 1906; John
E.. eighty years of age, living in Clinton county,
Ohio ; and Jackson, seventy-eight years of age,
a resident of Blanchester, Ohio.

Aquilla C. Cast is the only survivor of his
father's family. The common schools of this
county aiTorded him his educational privileges.
He came to Iroquois county with his mother and
stepfather, Henry Alexander, who also went to
Crescent City, where he spent his remaining
(lays. Farm work and the duties of the school-
room divided the time and attention of Mr. Cast
in his boyhood and youth, and after his educa-
tion was completed he spent two years as a farm
hand. In 1858 he purchased forty acres of land
which he still owns but from time to time he has
added to his property until liis possessions now
aggregate three hundred and twenty acres of the
rich farming land of this section of the state.
( >f this a quarter section is situated a mile and a
half west of Crescent City in Trociuois township,
while one hundred and sixty acres is near Del-
rey, in Onarga township, which is his wife's
sliare of jicr father's estate, the land having been

UNIVEKLIIY ul- ILLINOIS

A. C. CAST.

MKS. A. r. CAST.

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINDIS.

2>)5

cntcrcij by Mr. Kubinsnii. .Mr. Cast broke iIk-
laiul, i)lacc(l it nii<kr tlio plow, CKiitinuctl ihc
work of cultivation throut^li manv years and now
has two jjood farms, lie successfully carried on
fanning and stock-raisinj;, niakin;^ a steady
progress, and in Ixjtli branches of his business
met with jj;ratifyinjj success. l"or twenty years
he has lived retired, havinji put aside the active
work of the farm in iStVi. in whicli >ear he re-
moved to Crescent City, where he lias since lived.
He there built a comniodious <lwellint^. sur-
rounded by broad ])(>rches and constitutinj; one
of the beautiful homes of Iroquois county, it
was erected in 11/35 and in its furnishings shows
rej^'ard to both taste and comfort.

.Mrs. Cast, who lias for many years traveled
life's journey by his si<le, was in her maiilenhcxxl
Miss Isabellc J. Robinson, a native of Indiana,
and a dauj^hter of William D. Robinson, who
came to this county at an early day. settling near
Delrey. Eight children have been bt>rn to this
union, of whom four have passed away, whil'.-
four are yet living. The family record is a>
follows: Xcttie is the wife of Theodore Gi'.-
christ. who resides near her father in Crescent
City, and who is sujiervisor of the Crescent towi,-
ship. They have three children. Carrie is the
wife of Charles C. rarkman. a resident of Wash-
ington and they have two sons, l-'lnier .\.. who
is a professor in a college in Spokane. Washing-
ton, married Xora Torbut. and they have six
children. Aha E. is resiiling at home and de-
votes her time to teaching and to music. .\lma
Grace became the wife of Isaac I Sudd and died
leaving a daughter, who is living with her fatlur
near lMiiladel])hia. I'ennsylvania. William died
at the age of nine years. aii<l two children die<l
in youth.

Mr. Cast votes an indeiiendent ticket and has
serve<l as collector, assessor and in other local
positions. He is a member of Standard lodge,
Xo. f)07, 1. O. (). F., at Crescent City, and his
wife belongs to the Methodist Ejiiscopal church,
to which he contributes generously. Investiga-
tion into his life iiistory — and it will bear the
closest scrutiny — shows that in his business he
has ever lx;en careful, sy.steniatic. energetic and
reliable. These are always essential qualities of
success and have brought him a measure of pros-
perity that classes him with the substantial resi-

dents of the county and enables him now to en-
joy many of the comforts and luxuries of life
in honorable retirement in a pleasant home in
Crescent Citv.

JolIX T. KIDD.

The Kidd family has been well known and
]>rominent in agricultural circles in InKpiois
County for many years and John T. Kidd is now
a well known and sucessful farmer and stock-
man of Danforth town.ship. He was l)orn in
Peoria county, Illinois, in i8r/>, a son of Richard
and Mary .\. (Twichell) Kidd. The father, who
died here in 1S73, was lK>rn in Winchester, West
N'irginia, in 1810. Having been reare<l in the
state of his nativity, he came to Illinois about
1833. when a young man of twentx-tliree years,
and located at Peoria. Subse<|uently he ])ur-
chased a farm which remained his home until
his removal to Irocptois county in 1874. He then
rented a farm in Danforth townsbiji, u])on which
he made his home until his death. In business
life he was active and energetic and in commu-
nity aflfairs was influential. He served for ten
vears as lownshii) treasurer and al.so acted as
school director in Peoria county. He als<i as-
sisted in dividing that county into townships
and his public life was of material benefit to the
community, as he stood for development an<I
progress along all lines. The township elections
were held at his home for some ten years before
a township hall was erected. That he was a man
in whom his fellow citizens reposed trust and
confidence is shown not only by the fact that he
was often called to public office but also by
reason of the fact that he was administrator in
in m;m\ estates. Xo trust reposed in him was
ever betrayed in the slightest degree and he was
fair and honorable in all relations.

Richard Kidd was marrieil to Miss Mary .\.
Twichell. who w;is born in < )swego county, Xew
York, in 1823. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Sawyer Twichell. Her father died in the Empire
state, but her mother passed away in Peoria
county. Illinois. Mrs. Kidd had four sisters
who came to this state: Hannah, the wife of
ludge W illiani H.ill. .1 vit\ pii ■iiilinnl .uicl i-.irh

296

PAST AND PRESENT OF

resident ol I'eoria: .Mrs. Rinh Eastoii. who re-
niovcd to Jowa and is now ileceased : Mrs. W.
Holmes. wli<> has passed away: and Ann, wlio
was the second wife of Mr. Mohnes and has
also departed this life.

Unto Richard and .Mary Kidd were born nine
cliildren. Hester is the wife of A. Harrison, liv-
inij in I'eoria county, Illinois. Mary H.. who is
at home, has lau.s,dil school for fortv years in
both Peoria and Jroquois counties, and also in
Ford and Stark counties. She is still in the pro-
fession though not teaching at the present time.
James R., living in Peoria county, is a blacksmith
by trade but is now retired from active business.
Amanda is the wife of George W. IMc.Millan,
who is residing in Richland totwnship. Iroquois
county. Haimah is the wife of C. \\ . Davis, of
Eldorado. Kansas. Emma is at home. W. A.,
who died at his home in Gilman in 1902. owned
a farm near ( )narga and at his death left a widow
who is residing in Gilman, Ida .A. is the wife
of \\\ J. Peters, of Calhoun county, Iowa.

The other member of the family is John T.
Kidd. whose name introduces this record. He is
the youngest of the family and is an enterpris-
ing and energetic farmer of Danforth township,
operating the old home place in addition to which
he owns eighty acres of land on section 3. Dan-
forth township, which he is cultivating. He is
l)ractical in all his methods of farm work and
carries on his tasks in the same energetic, deter-
mined manner, so that gratifying success is at-
tending his labors. Politically he and his brothers
are all republicans, stanch in support of the partv,
and he has served for two terms as school di-
rector. In religious I'aiih ])art of the familv are
connected with the .MethiMlisi Episcopal church
anrl others with the I'reslnlerian church.

ALO.XZO F. G()(^DVEAR.

.Among the strong and able members of the
Iroquois county bar at W'atseka who have won
public recognition as indicated bv a liiieral and
growing clientage, is inmibered .Monzo h'. tiood-
year. He was born .\ugtist 30. i86i, in Taze-
well counts, mini lis, and is a re])resentali\e nl
one of the old .\merican families, his ancestors

coming originally from Cumberland, England,
while for generations previous the family had
been residents of that country. The Goodyears
of .America are descended from a branch of the
family which had settled in Middlesex, England,
George Stephen Goodyear having been born in
Monken Hadley. that county. He was the first
of the family in the new world, having crossed
the .Atlantic to .-\merica in 1^38, and he served
as deputv governor of New Haven colony from
1643 until 1658. His son was Lieutenant John
G. Goodvear, and the line of descent is traced
down through Timothy, Seymour. Marks and
.\lonzo Pryor (ioodyear to our subject.

The father, .Monzo Pryor Goodyear, was born
in New York and wedded !\Iary Humphrey, of
an old family prominent in the history of the
Empire state in colonial times. In 1837 --^lonzo
P. Goodyear came to Illinois with his father.
Marks Goodyear, the familv settling at Tremont.
In 1874 he removed to Iroquois county, Illinois,
where he enga.ged in farming imtil 1901. He
then retired from active business life and now
resides at Woodland. He has for many years
been a highly respected resident of this part of
the state and while not an office seeker he has
been a man of considerable activity and influence
in public alifairs.

.\lonzo F. Goodyear was educated in the pub-
lic schools of Illinois and after thorough prelinii-
uarv training engaged in teaching, w-hich profes-
sion he followed in Iroquois county for several
vears, recognized as one of the able educators of
the locality. He also acted for two years as
assistant countv superintendent of schools and
while following the profession of teaching he
took up the study of law, while later he matric-
ulated in the Northwestern Law School at Chi-
cago. .\dmitted to the bar in 1886. he began
practice in connection with the late Judge Hil-
scher and has made steady ])rogress in a profes-
sion where advancement dei)ends entirely upon
indixiihial merit and ability. In 1888 lie was
elected to the office of state's attorney. His part-
nership with Judge Hilscher was continued until
ihe latter"s elevation to the bench, since which
lime Mr. (ioodyear has practiced alone. .\ large
;nid distinctively representative clientage has
been accorded liini. and in the trial of causes he
has been found strong and forcefid. ]iresenting

llliiiMttvnii

I .' I ^ I I 1 1 \ ,

uf I HE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

his case in clear niicl li>^ical iiiaiiiicr. so that lic
nevcr fails t«» impress o>urt or jury aiui schtuni
fails tu win the vcrilict ilosirol. Mo has licen
master in chancery, has served «>n llie ^chiHil
board and has acted as alderman of W'atseka.
in all i>i which [Misitiims he has rentlered signal
service to his fellow citizens. Me is hij^hly re-
spectetl as a man of loyalty of patriotism and
piihiic spirit ami is l>i»th jvopiilar and succi'ssfiil.
Mis |Militical alle^^iance is };iven to the repnhlican
party and as a champion of its principles he
has done effective service in its hehalf.

In January, iSXy. .\lr. (■io<H|year was niarrieil
to Miss .Stella .M. Myers, a daughter of M. D.
Myers, of lriK|uois count), and they have two
children: KolK-rt. who was Ixtrn .\u>just J<^.
1803; and I-awrcncc. Ivirn September 5. 1897.
The parents are members of the .Methodist
church and fraternally .\tr. (itMxIycar is con-
nected with the Masons and other societies. Me
has attained the Knijjht Temi)lar ilej^ree in the
craft and is one of the worthy representatives nf
that or{<^anization.

lOHN LFAIF..

The name of Levie has lon^j figured conspicu-
ously and honorably in comiection with the his-
tory of aj;ricultural development and progress in
Iro(|uois county. John I^cvie was Iwni in \'ir-
ginia, Augusa 19. iSjo. and came to Illinois
about 1840. This was the jjioneer epoch in the
history of the state and antedating the era of rail-
road construction. In early days he drove a stage
iK'twcen Chicago and Morris. Illinois, In-ing thus
engagitl until .nlK)ut iWio. when he came to Iro-
(|Uois county and invested his savings in forty
acres of land. Me has since lived in Douglas
township and has long ranked with the lea<ling
and representative agriculturists of the commu-
nity, known and honored for his sterling worth
and his fidelity to honorable principles.

< )n the 4th of < >ctolx'r. |H4<;. John Levie was
united in marriage to .Miss .Martha Dial, of
Kendall county. Illinois, a daughter of l-'lias and
KlizalK-th (Dean) Dial, who came to this state
alxuit 1S40 from .South Carolina. They at first
settled near .\urnra, where Mr. Dial eng.iged in

farming, .\fter losing liis wife he walke<l frouj
lUinois tu his old home in South Caroliiu and
the chiMren drove in a oiu-horse wagon. lie
also made the return trip on foot. In i860, he,
too. became a resident of Douglas township,
lriM|u.iis County, anci for a long |)erii«l was asso-

ciateil with the au'riiiillnr.il iiilirr>.iv nf tliis ii.irt

of the state.

Unto .Mr. anil .Mr.-.. J«>lni Levic were Uirn I'our
children who are yet living, and they also lust
one sun, Mlnier. who was Ixrn .\pril 8, 1868, and
de])arted this life .SeptemlK-r 5. l8<>4. The mem-
Ikts of the family still living are .ts follows:
Carrie, eldest, is the wife of l\dwar<l K. Dyer,
who is engaged in the insurance l)usiness in
Aurora, .\lvin follows farming in .Nebraska.
I'rank. Inirn DecemlnT i<;. i83<j. has devoted his
entire life to agricultural pursuits in Douglas
township, living u]>on the old home place. In
connection with his brother Charles he conducts
the farm of thrir hundntl and four acres of
rich and arable land. They are enterprising
.igriculturists and stock-raisers, having brought
their fields under a high state of cultivation, so
that rich crops arc annually produced. Their
stock-raising interests are also pri>ving a profit-
able source of income to tlu-m and. In-ing men of
marked business ability and enterprise, they have
also extended their effcjrts into other fields of ac-
tivity and are now conducting a sawmill and
buying considerable timber. bVank Levie has
filled the office of school director for the past
fifteen years and is a stalwart champion of the
cause of eilucation. Mis |>olitical alli-giance is
given to the republican part\ and in all matters
of citizenship he is progressive and public-
spirited.

Charles Levie, who is a partner of his brother
in various business ventures, was l»orn Septem-
lier 22, iHlil>, in Ir(N|uois comity. an<l was edu-
cated in the public schools. Me early receivcti
thorough training in the practical work of the
farm on the old homestead and. as stated, is in
partnership with his l)rother I'rank in the fann-
ing and stoik-raising interests and in the sawmill
business. Me married .May (>, i8<),i, .Miss .\daline
Kees. of MnKidland. Illinois, a daughter of Rob-
ert M. Rees, a farmer by occupation. .Mr. and
.Mrs. Charles I,evie now have three children:
Ivsther .\renea. Ixmi January 21, i8i>4; Henja-

300

PAST AND PRESENT OF

mill Curtis, September 5. 1895; and Charles
Franklin. July 21, 1897.

Like his brother, Charles Levie is a stalwart
republican and has served as school director for
six years. Both brothers are progressive business
men. diligent and industrious, and through the
utilization of the opportunities that have come to
them they have made steady progress in the
business world. In all trade transactions they
are found thoroughly reliable and trustworthy
and the name of Levie has been an honored and
respected one in agricultural circles since the
father, John Levie, established his home in Iro-
quois county forty-six years ago. He is now a
venerable man of eighty-six years, being one of
the oldest residents of his township.

JOHN MILTOX r.ALTIIlS.

The measure of success which John Alilton
Balthis has attained as the result of close appli-
cation and unfaltering diligence enables him now
to live retired and he leaves the active work of
the farm to others. He owns two hundred and
eightv acres on section 11, Chebanse township,
in the midst of which .stands a convenient and
comfortable residence with modern appoint-
ments. It is .surrounded by a magnificent grove
of trees, which were planted by Mr. ilalthis. the
grove containing three thousand maple, six hun-
dred apple and one hundred cherry trees. l;eside
manv other varieties in smaller (|uantities. He
has prohal)l\- ])lanted the largest collection of
trees of any man in the county. The home farm
is one of the attractive features of the landscajjc
and indicates in its excellent a])pearancc the care-
ful supervision of the owner.

Mr. ISalthis has now reached the veneral)le age
of almost eighty year>, his birth having occurred
in Zanesville. Ohio. ( )ctober 5. 1827. His par-
ents were Major John and Lenity (Morton) ilal-
this. early residents of the Buckeye state, ihe
father was born at Strasburg, Shenandoah
coiuity, \ irginia. in 1798 and died in Zanesville.
Ohio. August 17. 1872. His wife was born in
Eastport. Maine. July 4, 1794. and ])assed away
in Zanesville. Ohio. September 22. 1872. Colum-

bia Balthis, our subject's sister, born May 1,
1843, '^I'C'l September 14. 1858, when more than
fifteen vears of age and was buried in the beauti-
ful Woodlawn cemetery at Zanesville. A cousin
of Mr. Balthis, John W. Hardin, was born in
Zanesville and at the time of the Civil war be-
came a member of Company E, C)ne Hundred
and Ninetieth \'olunteer Infantry, under Captain
^lartin Bean and Colonel Samuel Beatty. The
regiment was assigned to the Fourth Army
Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. Young
Hardin was shot bv sharpshooters at Culps Farm
on Stone river Vvhen a mere boy seventeen years
of age, and a tablet inscribed with his name and
record has been set in Memorial Hall in Zanes-
ville. Ohio.

Reared in his native city, the subject of this
review was educated in the old Mclutyre Insti-
tute of Zanesville. and after his graduation from
that institution he developed into an amateur
woodcut engraver, showing such ability along
that line that he was advised to continue in that
work and did so by connecting himself with the
firm of Doolittle & ]\Iunson. banknote engravers
of Cincinnati. Ohio. After completing his ap-
prenticeship with that firm he engaged in engrav-
ing for several years but had to give it up on
account of failing eyesight. During that time,
however, he illustrated a Mexican historical pub-
lication called the Twelve Months \'olunteers,
also the Robinson series of school arithmetics.

While still living in Zanesville, Ohio, Mr. Bal-
this was married in that city, on the ist of May,
1849, to ^liss Susanna Olivia Hamilton, a daugh-
ter of the Rev. .'-^amuel Hamilton, a noted cler-
gyman of tliat place. Her mother was Mrs.
lulith (Harrison) Hamilton, of Harrisonburg.
\irginia. who was related to William Henry
Harrison, who in 1840 was elected president of
the L'nited States. Tier father received from the
i'.ritish government a large grant of land, on
wliich ll:irris(inhurg was laid out. It bordered
the James river and there he develoi)ed a good
plantation, and the old home stands there today
••IS n\ old. .M.nny interesting letters giving side-
lights u])on the lamilv history are still in posses-
sion of re])resentalives in the present generation.
I'ntd this marriage were born six childi,-en : Al-
tha \'. is the wife of Zack Smith, of Redlands,
California: .\lberta E. first married Louis W'al-

IRogiOlS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Jto«

ttiii. Ill I liitiiii. ami i> luiw llic wife of l5iTt Sin-n-
ccr, a miTchaiit ni k(.-niin|L;tnn, Indiana. I'anny
is till- wile of Rev. Tlioiuas Onavle. of St.
•Marx's. I )hio, now secretary of tlie l-aw ami
( >r<ler Leajjne of l,;»ke counl\. Illinois. Me re-
ceived a classical edncation. I»einj; a pnulnate of
Trinily Ct>ilene hul>lin, Ireland, and is descended
from one of the old families of the Isle of .Man.
.After attending; school in tlifton .Mrs. (Jnavle
tan^ht in the district schools of the townshi)). also
in the scIkmiIs of liinsdale, Illinois, and of Lirl-
in>n"'i. Kentncky. She was also a memlK-r of a
nuisical organixation. Jeiniy Lind is the wife of
(leor^e I l.ir^jreaves. traveling aj^cnt for the
hou.sc of .Mc.N'eil & lii).:Kins of C'hica^o. .\ft(.r
leavini^ sch<Mi| in (.'lifton she look a course in
\\ esleyan I'niversity at lilooininnlon an<l siih-
se<|uently tau).;ht in the hi^h scIvhi] at Hinsdale.
Dnpai^'e conntv. Illinois, .-md at Ivarlinijlon. Ken-
tucky. .*she likewise taught at W'atseka when the
.schools were under the sniK-rvision of Major
Harrinj.r'"". tl'«-" '••li' .Im'vTt' Hilscher and .\lexan-
der U hitehall. She was also a student at Dear-
Ixirii .Seminary in Chicago, whose thoronj;h .sys-
tem turned out some very accomplished women,
iucludiu^ .Mrs. I'olter Talmer. who was a stu-
dent there at the same time as Mrs. Hargreaves.
'I"he latter is an accomplished and cultured lad>.
who is fre<|uently .sent as a dele}.;ate to im)M)rtant
ii)eeti!i;;s an<l is often chosen to jjrcpare and read
I)apers on such occasions. Harry IL. who is a
^:raduate of the .\nnai«.lis Naval .\ca<lemy of
the class of |SX_<. is now paymaster in the I'uited
States naval station at the navy yanis at .\or-
folk, X'iryinia, and all thrnufjh the Japanese an<l
Russian war was paymaster on the famous hattle-
ship ( )re}ioii. 1-ldith ( >. is tin wife <if J. C". (ilea-
snn. of the liim of (ileason & .Morrell, of Clifton.
She tau^Iit in the annix of the Clifton puhlic
.schools and is <|nite accomplished in nv.i--' \i ■••■
ifii-il at the ajje of four years.

.Mr. I'lalthis continued his studies in < )hio until
the "'los. when he went to Iowa and purchasi-d a
tract of jjoveriunent land of fourteen hundred
acres. Melievin^ that that w;i> the l»est field for
his enter|>rise he settle«l on a Ix-autiful farm in
("opley township. Kuox county, where he was
residintj when the Civil War broke out. .\11 his
life he had iK-en a stanch whi^j and repuhlican.
The firinj; u|>on I'ort Sumter was the call for

every man to show his colors. Ileatol discus-
sions followeil lietween loyal men and so calleil
copperheads, and .Mr. Itallhis was found as an
earne-l cham]iiou of the I'nion cau.se. S<j pro-
nounced was he in his denunciations of the dis-
loxal •<entiments of those who op|Mised the war
that the republicans of his township unanimously
nominatetl him for the office of sujKTvisor. It
was at a time when supplies ha<l to Ik- voted for
the sup|>ort of the families of the brave soldiers
at the front. It was also the earnest task of tlie
supervisors to crush out disloyal utterances.
When the election w.is held and the votes were
counted it was foinid that .Mr. Ilalthis received
the su|)]Kirt of every loyal man of the township.
He t<M)k his seat on the Uiard and the minutes
show that not a vote of his Rave aid and com-
fort to the enemies of his country. To show the
estimation in which Mr. Ilalthis was held diirint:;
these tryinp times by the loyal people of Knox
county we insert here a connuent published in
the Knoxville (iazette. a leadinj; I'nion jinftr.
concerninir a convention held at the courtli'
at Knoxville in defense of the I'nion cause, of
which J. I). Hr»ward was made president and
John .M. ISalthis was chosen secretary. The |<a-
|K"r said. "The unconditional I'nion convention
which was held at the courthou.se last .'Saturday
to nominate candidates to Ik- sup|M>rted at the
.Vovember elections was comimsed of ninetv-
three delegates representing eighteen of the
twenty townshi])s of the county. The delegates
were men of intellijience, fully comprehendinj;
the situation of the county and firmly determined
to throw the whole inlhience of the county on the
side of the administration in their efforts to pre-
•serve its di^jnity and unity by viRoniusly prose-
cutiiiR the war for the suppression of the rebel-
lion. The convention was a L'nion convention in
name, spirit and fact : not a pro<luction like that
by which the attempt to entrap the jteople of the
county was made as it was a year ago, and the
people of the county may implicitly rely mi the
assurance that its nominees l»efore and after
election will not be foun<l weariup disloy:il
bad^iCN in the shaiK.- of copiK-rhead pins or takiny'
p:irt in traitorous assemblages and passing; in-
famous resolutions of resistance to the author-
ities in putting down the relH-llion. They are all
for the countrv all the time. The\ are I'nion in

302

PAST AND PRESENT OF

heart aiul in backbone and will default in no
demand made upon them for a pure patriotism."
Mr. Balthis repre.sented his township in the con-
vention and held the office of supervisor for a
number of years, after which he resigned and
removed to Chicago, where he engaged in the
wholesale iron business for several years. He
then came to Iroquois county in 1867, removing
to his ihree-hundred-and-twenty-acre farm of
wild land near Clifton, thus carrying out a long
cherished desire to realize the "deep pleasure of
a rural life." He identified himself with agri-
cultural interests, carrying on farm work for a
number of years but now living retired, leaving
the more active duties of the fields to others.
His farm is one of the valuable and best im-
proved properties of Chebanse township, embrac-
ing two hundred and eighty acres of very rich
and productive land on section 11, township 28,
range 14 west. The farm yields a good finan-
cial return for the care and labor that is be-
stowed upon the fields and everything about
the place presents a neat and thrifty appearance,
while the splendid grove makes this one of the
valuable farms of the county. He is a remark-
ably well preserved man, retaining the activity
usuallv fi)und in the prime of life to a remarkable
degree. He walks from his orchard farm to
Clifton, a distance of one and a quarter miles,
nearly every week-day, so th.it in ten years he
has thus covered a distance of fourteen thousand
four hundred miles. He attributes his strength
and vitalit\' largeh- to the fact that he has always
been abstemious, never using intoxicants, and he
asks the question. "Does it not ])ay?" Surely he •
is a splendid example of such a course of life.

In early life ]\Ir. Balthis was an old-line whig,
casting his first presidential vote for General
Zachary Taylor. He then continued t(.i support
the candidates of the whig [larty until its disso-
lution, when he joined the ranks of the republican
l)art\ ;ind he has voted for each of its presiden-
tial nominees down to the present time. For
seventy-nine years he has been a witness of the
growth and development of the country, living
through the period of many historic events. He
can remember a time when there were no rail-
roads through the middle west, travel being done
by stage or private conveyance, and when the
uncultivated condition of the prairies indicated

that few settlers had penetrated into this part of
the country. He has lived to witness many re-
markable changes in the great Mississippi valley
and he feels the just pride of an American in his
country and her accomplishments.

[AMES A. HALL.

The most envious can scarcely begrudge the
success of a man who has gained his prosperity
through years of close application and deter-
mined eflfort and who has throughout his busi-
ness career followed methods that neither seek
nor require disguise. Such has been the life rec-
ord of James A. Hall, who in former years was
identified with building operations and business
interests in Onarga and Iroquois cotmty and who
is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well
earned rest, ^iloreover he dates his residence
in the county from May, 1856. and is therefore
classed with the old settlers.

He was born in Xew London, Connecticut,
May II, 1828. His father, Henry Hall, was
born in Connecticut and w-as a representative of a
family of English and French ancestry. The
great-great-grandfather of our subject became a
resident of Connecticut, where he took up a sec-
tion of land, being one of the first settlers of that
locality. He married a lady of English ancestry
and they were founders of the family in the new
world. The faniih- lived for a long period in
Xew England and James A. Hall of this review
inherited land that had been in possession of the
faniih- for over two hundred years. His father
was a farmer and reared his family upon the old
homestead which was so long in possession of
his ancestors, spending his entire life upon that
place. He had four sons and three daughters,
all of whom reached adult age. Joshua Hall,
the eldest, is now living in Ionia, Michigan, at
the venerable age of ninety-one years. Henry,
the second son, died in California at the age of
eighty-four years. James A. is the third in or-
der of birth. Samuel died in Connecticut. Ruth
was married and at her death left two daughters,
one of whom is now living. Frances is the wife
of ]'"ranklin Randall, of Connecticut, and has two
children, who are married.

Mk. AND MRS. JAMES A. HAIX

UNIVERSITV OF ILLINOIS

IRiKjUOIS COUNTY. HJJVoh

305

J;iiiic> A. Hall was rcarcil in the place i>l' his
nalivily ami in \\i-> \utith learned tite car|K-ntcr's
tra<lc. As a c<>tn|ianion and helpmate for life's
JKuriicy he \\e<l(lecl Miss Mary A. Sherman, a na-
tive i>i 0>nnecticnt. In 185*1 they removed to the
west, coniin^; at once to ( Inar^a. Illinois, where
Mr. ilall Ikti^ui husiness as a contnictor and
builder. lie was conneetol with the erection of
some of the first residences here an<l continued iu
caqicnterinji for alxiut ten years, after which he
pnrchasetl eijjhty acres of laud situated alx'Ultwo
and a half miles west of ( )uarKa. Me then Ir--
^an to break the prairie and fence the land,
which he transformed into a jtrixluctive farm.
He als4i erected a house there and matle other
sultstantial iinproveuK-nts. Subse<|uently he sold
that pri>i)erty and bought eii^hty acres, of which
forty acres lie within the cor|Miration limits of
( hiarjja and the remaining forty .ncres adjoin the
town. Me then erecte«l a comfortable residence
thereon, made improvements there ami now has
a valuable place worth two hundred dollars |)er
acre. He has Ixiu^ht other land which he has
further improved and then sold and has loUfi
been recojjiiizeil as a successful farmer of the
county.

In 1871 .Mr. Hall was called u|M>n tth of
June of that year. There were three children
by that marriajre : (iertriule. the wife of .\lonzo
Lyons, a business man now residing in Danville:
Jennie, the widow of J;icob Hankey and a resi-
dent of .\rlin>;ton. New York; and .Mary, the
wife of John L. Hamilton, of H(Mi|ieston. On
the loth of .\pril. 1S7.V Mr "all was ajjain
married, his second union Ikmuj; with .Mary .\.
(l.<iudon) Ix-e. whom he wedded near ( >iiar(;a.
She was first marrieed at the a>^e of twenty years
to William I.ee on the .'7th of Jamiary. tH3«>.
.Mr. Iax was a farmer here and iKvame a s-il-
«licr of the Civil war. dyinn while in the arnr
near \icksburjr. There was one s<in of tb.i:
niarriat;e. William I-ee. who is now a business
man of .New York city. I'nto Mr. ami Mrs. Ilall
has lieen Ixirn one son. (ieorKe I... who is niarrieil
and resides u|xin a farm in lro(|Uois count>. own-
ing and <i|HTatin^ two hundrc<l acres of land.

James .\. Hall, whose name intrfxluces this
reconl. jpive his early |K>litical allegiance to the
whij; |>arty ami on its dissolution he voted for

John » 1 ivni- iii i.i 1856, aftrrwanl for .M'rn
ham Lincoln and fur each presidential noii :: < '
of the republican party since that time. He has
iK-en without political aspiration for himself but.
as every Inic .Anjerican citizen shoubl »lo, ha^*
kept woll informed on the (piestioiis and in-'I' >
of the day. He was reared in the Haptist i.tiiii
ami his wife in the Presbyterian church. l*or a
half century he has lived in the county and .Mrs.
Hall ha> U-en a resident here for a still lonjjer
|>erii><l. He has witnessed the iipbuildiii); of the
town and county ami is <ine of the few renuiin-
inj; old settlers who for a half century have l>eeu
identifie<l with public proj;ress here. Wherever
known he is esteemed and houoretl. for investi-
gation into his history brings to li(;ht many
strong characteristics that everywhere command
confiilence ami esteem. In his business career
what he has undertaken he has accomplished and
be therefore ttwlay is numlK-red amoiifj the men
of aftluence who owe their success to their own
labors.

II. .\\ \K|i \ Vi .V

lloward Lyon, living on m-cUoii i. < Miarjja
township, is one of the old settlers of the county,
havinj; lived within its l)t»r<lcrs since 1856, so
that the history of settlement, tjrowth and devel-
opment here is largely familiar to him. nor has
he failed to do his full share in promoting its
aj^ricultural ]>roj;ress. .X native of \"ennont. he
was Ixirn in the town of Slockrifljje. Wind.sor
county. March 1. 18,^1. ami his father, .\iuasa
Lyon, was also a native of that place. The Lyon
family is of Kn^lish ancestry, ami in colonial
days was established in Connecticut, whence later
representatives of the name remove«l to the
(ireen Mountain state. .Xma.sa Lyon was reared
in X'ermont. where he followe<l the occn|>ation
of farmiii);. and he was married there to Polly
I'.arnes. also a native of X'erinont. They s|H.'nt
their entire lives there, the father surviving his
wife for some years. Howard Lyon was rearerl
in his father's home and the public scIukiIn af-
forded him his e(luc:ilional ]irivile).:es. while u|xin
the home fanu be was taught lessons of industry,
economy, diligence and honesty. < )n the j.»d <■(
April. i8_Vi. he was married to Miss l',eise\

7,o6

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

Brown and the same year removed with liif
bride to lUinois. He secured land in Iroquois
county and began to farm and further improve
the place upon which he still resides. As time
has passed and his labors have brought him
prosperity, he has added to his holdings and now
ownis four good famis in Onarga townsliip.
AH of the land is arable and the care and labor
bestowed upon it has transformed it into rich
fields, making his business a paying one and
classing him with the prosperous farmers of the
township, his holdings comprising nearly six
hundred acres.

Mr. Lyon lost his first wife by accidental
drowning while they were crossing the Detroit
river, at Detroit. Michigan, while on tlieir way
back to \'ermont. ^Ir. Lyon remained in his
native state for a year and a half and then came
again to Illinois. He married his second wife
in St. Louis. She was Mrs. Caroline Sanders,
who was bom and reared in St. Louis, and was
the widwv of Richard Sanders. She died in
Onarga township. ^lay 12. 1879. Mr. Lyon has
five children : James, on the home fami : Ed-
ward, a farmer of Ridgeland township; \Mlliam
H.. of Artesia township ; Parry, a farmer of
Onarga township : and Robert, at home. On the
3d of March, 1880. ^Ir. Lyon married Mrs.
Eveline Libhart.

With the ^lethodist Episcopal church at Del-
rev Mr. Lyon holds membership, and while
not an office seeker he is an ardent republican,
giving unfaltering support to the party principles
since casting his first presidential ballot for
Abraham Lincoln in i860. A resident of the
county for half a century, he has seen the raw-
prairie converted into rich farms, in the midst
of which towns and cities have sprung up, bring-
ing industrial and commercial development. All
through the years he has been an exemplary
citizen and wherever known he is honored and
esteemed.

TAMES A. LYOX.

and the fields indicate his careful supervision and
unflagging industry. The house which is his
home was also his birthplace his natal day
being March 29, 1865. The life history of his
father. Howard Lyon, is given above. The son
was reared to farm labor, acquired a good Eng-
lish education in the common schools and
remained with his father until his mother's death,
when he started out upon an independent busi-
ness life. For two years he was in the street
car service in St. Louis and for about a year
worked in a tobacco factory in St. Louis. He
returned to the farm about 1895 and assuming
the management has since carried on the work
of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. It
is a well developed tract of land, the fields being
used advantageously for the production of large
crops and through modern methods he has in-
troduced the yield has been greatly increased.

James A. Lyon was married in Onarga. Ma\'
3. 1900. to Mrs. Mary Crowley, a widow, who
was born in Chicago and is of Italian parentage.
They now had one son, Charles Howard Lyon.
The mother died October 16, 1903.

;Mr. Lyon has always voted the democratic
ticket, casting his ballot for Grover A. Cleve-
land and his last for Judge Parker, but he has
never sought or desired office for himself.

He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at
Onarga. in which he has passed all of the chairs
and is a past grand. He is also a past chan-
cellor in the Knights of Pythias lodge and he
holds membership with the Fraternal Order of
Eagles. He is classed with the enterprising
voung farmers of the county. Both father and
son have long been valued residents of the com-
munity and as pioneer citizens are particularly
worthv of the mention in this volume.

James A. Lyon is operating the old family
homestead of the Lyon family on section i,
Onarga township, having in charge a well im-
proved and valuable farm of two hundred acres, ren of Edwin B. and Cherrie (Healey ) Morgan-

CHARLES SIDNEY MORGAN.

Charles Sidney Morgan, wide-awake, alert and
enterprising, is operating the old Morgan home-
stead farm of two hundred and forty acres on
section 22, Loda township. His birth occurred
upon this same section, his natal day being
October 24. 1879. He is one of the four child-

S'-

3o8

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

since 1850. Mr. ]Main drives from his home in
Sheldon ahnost every day to his farm, giving to
it personal supervision and carefully watching
the interests connected with its profitahle devel-
opment. General farm work is carried on and
he also raises some stock, including horses, cattle
and hogs. The greater part of his life, however,
is devoted to the raising of the grain and his
fields give promise of golden harvests. He like-
wise feeds stock for the market. In 1896 he left
the farm and took up his abode in Sheldon,
where he owns a beautiful residence.

Mr. Main was married Feliruary 16, 1879. to
Miss Helen King, a daughter of Orren King, of
Sheldon, who was a very prominent resident of
the town. They have no children of their own
but have reared an adopted son and daughter.
Ethel Main, who came to them at the age of two
and a half years, is now the wife of Edward
W'inslow. who resides near Donovan, Illinois,
and they have one child. Orlando Moon, who
became a member of the household when a lad
of nine years, is now with the Bell Telephone
Company, at Springfield, Illinois.

I\Ir. ;\Iain is an ardent republican, keeping well
informed on the questions and issues of the day,
yet never seeking office as a reward for party
fealty. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, Xo.
609. at Sheldon, and has filled all of the chairs
in the order, while in his life he manifests the
beneficent spirit of the craft. His wife is a
member of the Presbyterian church. Air. Main
has been a very successful man and c|uite promi-
nent. The mctliods he has followed in his busi-
ness career are such as will bear the closest
investigation and scrutinv and he is known
throughout the community as one whose salient
qualities render biiii ;i Naltied and respecteil cit-
izen.

ELIAS ii. S.MITII.

Elias I!. Smith, living on section 2-j . Loda
township, is a rejjresentative agriculturist and
stock-raiscT. who owns and conducts a farm of
two hundred and forty acres adjoining tlie cor-
poration limit- <.t' the village nf Loda. His litV
rec(3rd liegan in Wnudfiinl cnnnty, lllinnis, April

6, 1859, '^"'^ '^^ '* o"'^ °^ '^'^^ three living children
of George and Rachel (Richardson) Smith, the
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter
of \'irginia. The father was a farmer by occu-
])ation and at an early day came to Illinois, set-
tling in Woodford county near Metamora,
where he died in 1864, having survived his wife
for only a few months. The father was carried
oft" b\ an attack of smallpox and all of the chil-
dren were ill with the same disease. The sur-
A'iving members of the family are: William H.,
who is an active and prominent man. owning a
section of land in Woodford county ; and Caro-
line, the wife of Justin ^^'ilcox, formerly of Gil-
man, this county, but now living in AlcCook,
.Nebraska.

F.lias li. .Smith was reared in the usual man-
ner nf farm lads upon the homestead property
in Woodford county and mastered the branches
of learning taught in the coiumon schools. Hav-
ing reached years of maturity, he sought a com-
panion and helpmate for life's journey and was
married March 20, 1880. to ]\Iiss Belle Kice,
of Tazewell county, Illinois. Mr. Smith was at
that time the owner of a farm of eighty acres
which he tiled and improved. He established a
good home there and unto him and his wife were
born two sons, Carl H. and ( )rlo L.. who are
at home. Tiie wife and mother, however, passed
away in ( )ctober, 1884. and later Mr. Smith
was marrii'd in Woodford countv to Miss Dena
Camp, wiio was liorn and reared in Woodford
county.

I'^illowing their marriage .Mr. Smith engaged
in farming in that county until 1891. when he
sold tile pro])erty there and purchased the ])lace
wliicli he now owns. He has since resided there-
on, liaving two hundred and forty acres of rich
and ])roductive land. He has added many im-
])rovements to it and ilie tilling of the soil has
ni;uK' this ;i valuable farm. He has also built a
good barn, corn cribs and other buildings for
the slielter of grain and stock, has put in stock
scales, a feedmill and windpunqi and has laid
eighty-seven thousantl tile, so that the land is
well drained, and altogether the farm is one of
the best in tjie countx'. He uses the latest im-
proved machinery for tilling the soil and caring
for the crops and he also keeps good grades of
stock npi m his ]ilace.

'f.

•/.

OF THE
UNIVERSllY OF ILLINOIS

IR< )(~)riM^ (■( )fVTV TI T t\.

n I

Mr. Stimli lus. iwn clijUlrcn In lii> mc..iii;
marriage, Ki-m I,l<i\tl ami \ era Marie. Ilic |).ir-
cnts hold iiKMiilKT^Iiip in the MethiKhsi l-lpis-
ci>|>al (.•hnrcli. will) which thev have huih Ixvii
idiiititiol lor alKnit a <|nartcr 'if a ivimiry, ami
thtir childnii are also mcmlHT>. IK i-. sorvinjj
till liic Ihtard nt >ti-\\ar<ls and i> pr^•^i^U•^l <>f tlu-
Ulard ul trii>tci> and in the work of tlu- clnirch
the family arc actively and helpfully interested,
duinn all in their (mwer to promote it> growth
and e.xtend it> inlhience. Mr. Smith is also con-
nected with MiMlern W'oiHlmen and with the C<Nle
of lloiuir. He Votes with the democracy where
state and national issues are involved hut where
the only (|uestion is the cajiahiliiy of a candidate
for the efficient discharjje of local pid)lic iluties
he does not rcfiard party atVdiation. In WOoil-
fonl county he served as hij^hway connuissioncr
and was on the scIuhiI Imard for nine years. He
has also Ixen sch«nil director of Loda and j)resi-
dent of the l.uda school hoard, and he is a stal-
wart champion of the cause of education, the em-
ployment of pKid teachers and the utili/ation of
all means that will promote the schinil interests.

(iKOKtJK C. STKINKK.

(ieorge C Steiner. who heyan life in !riK|uois
county as a farm ham I in 1S84 and is now a lead-
in^j merchant of (.issna Park, having: for thirteen
years Ix-en identitied with mercantile interests
here, was Iwirn in Wurtemlterjj, (iermany. Au-
gust 4. iW)S. His father. (ici>rne .\l. Steiner.
likewise a native of (ieniiany. was rcarc<l to
manhiMxl in that country and in early life learned
the shoemaker's trade. His family mtmhered six
sons and six daughters, all of whom reached
adull ajje and are now residents f»f this country
namely : C"hris. whu is a husiness man at Cissna
I'ark : John, who is clerkinjj for his hrother
(ieorge: .\u^Mist. of I'hicavro: C"arl. who is a
caqx-nter at (.'issna Park : William K.. who is
clerkinjj for his hnther ("ieorge: Mrs. Mary
ilohnint;: Mrs. Tena l-'j:olf; Rosa, at home:
.Mrs. Patdine Hin»er and .Mrs. lunma Schcnk.
Imth residents of Peoria; and .\nna. alsarents with their chihiren. William,
.\nna and Kosa. cante to the new world in iS'.-

i Ik oilier iiieiiilicrs of the f.i- ^

crossed the .\tlantic and the ; d

their Itomc at Cissna Park, where the father
died Jaimary 15, Hio'i. The mother still sur-
vives and yet lives in Cissna Park.

(ieofjje C .Steiner was jjiven rikhI educational
privileges in his native countr\ hut h 1-

ed^e of Ilnnlish has all Ixxn acquired v
mn to the new world. It was in 1KS4, when a
\outh of sixteen year>, that he crosse«l the .\t-
lantic to .\nierica and made his way at once t'l
lro<|uois county. Here he In-j^an work on a
farm hy the month and was thus employed for
seven years. ( )n the expiration of that iK-ri<Kl
he s|KMU a year as a clerk in a store in Rankin
and then entere<l the employ of Simon (loldstine.
who was proprietor of a larjfe general mercan-
tile e.stahlishment at Cissna Park and for man\
years figured prominently in husiness circles
here. Mr. Steiner clerke<l for .Mr. tioldstine
until Hjpo. when he purchased the husiness of his
employer and has since continued to carry on the
store, heing recognized as one of the lea<ling
merchants •>( the town. He has a large huilding.
twenty-four hy one hundred and fifty feet, and
he carries an extensive .stock of general mer-
chandise. He has huilt up an excellent trade and
his patronage is steadily increasing, so that he
is now one of the prosperous merchants of the
place. He connnenced life in lrcM|uois county as
a yf)ung man withoiU a <|ollar and ami<l a |ie<iple
whose language an«l customs were totally \inf:i
miliar to him. hut hy earnest lalxtr ami
husiness ability he has stea<liK advanced. :u\ii-
nuilating a competence and iK-coming one of the
suhstantial and prosjicrous residents of Cissna
Park.

Mr. .Steiner was married in i8«)<t to Miss
Knuna F-. Harnu-ger. a native of this count),
where she was re.'iriil ami educated while pri-T
t«j her marriage she engage<l in te.iching. Into
.Mr. and Mrs. Steiner have Ix-en liorn three chil-
dren : I.oval. Malx-I ami (ieorge.

Since l>econung a naturalized .\nierican citi-
zen .Mr. .Steiner has given a stalwart support to
the repuhlican p;irt\. nor has he ever sought or
desired office. He is. however, a memln-r of the
town Uard. having l»een clecte<l in the spring
of ii|(i<i h\ his fellow townsmen, who • -I

Ills «..iili .iMiiil aliilitx ;oid desired hi^ m

312

PAST AND PRESENT OF

public office. Socially he is connected with the
Knight of Pythias lodge at Cissna Park and he
is also a member of the ^lodern \\'oodmen and
the Fraternal Insurance Society. His present
financial condition is in marked contrast to that
of twenty-two years ago, when he arrived in
this country without capital but possessed of
strong determination and energy. Willing hands
and a stout heart enabled him to meet conditions
and til shape them to his own ends and his life
record may well serve as a source of inspiration
and encouragement to others, showing what may
be accomplished when one has determination
and uses his opportunities to the best advantage.

REX". GEORGE liLAXKEX.

Rev. George Blanken, spoken of b\- his par-
ishioners and by manv others in his localit\- as
"one of the best loved citizens of Iroquois
county," is now pastor of the Evangelical Lu-
theran church of ISuckley. His life has been de-
voted to this holy calling and his influence has
been of no restricted order. On the contrarv it
has been a strong force in the lives of many wh(5
have come under his teaching and his work has
borne rich fruit in the moral develo|)ment of the
different communities in which he has labored.

Rev. Pilanken was born in the kingdom of
Hanover, ( lermany. December 7, 1850, and is a
son of Henry and Margaret (Holsten) Blanken,
both of whom were also natives of Germanv.
The mother died in that country in 1S61 and
twenty years afterward Henry lUanken crossed
the Atlantic to the new world, si^ending his last
days in Morgan county. ^lissouri, where he died
in 18S5, when about si.xty-lwo years of age.

The family numbered seven children, includ-
ing Rev. Cjeorge Blanken of this review, who for
seven and a half years was a student in the puli-
lic schools of his native country. He heard nian\
favorable reports concerning the new world and
its opportunities and, becoming attracted thereto,
he bade adieu to friends and native land in 1867
and crosscfl the lirinv deep. He lived for a time
in Missouri and was em])loyed at f;inii labor in
Morgan and Lafavette counties. He also de-

voted a part of his time to teaching school until
the fall of 1872, when, determining to devote his
life to the ministry, he began studying with that
end in view, entering Concordia Seminary, an
b'vangelical Lutheran school of St. Louis, where
be studied for two and a half years. On the ex-
piration of that period he went to Springfield,
Illinois, and became a student in Concordia Sem-
inary, of that place, in which he spent a similar
period, being graduated therefrom on the 22d of
March, 1877. On the 2d of April following he
was ordained to the ministry by Rev. G. A.
Mueller, of Kankakee, assisted by Rev. F. Lin-
demann, of Champaign. He has continuously
served as pastor of the church in Buckley, cov-
ering a period of thirtv \ears, and the strong and
sterling traits of his manhood, together with the
words of wisdom, of admonition, hope and en-
couragement that he has oiifered in his ministe-
rial capacity, have made him loved and honored
throughout the entire community.

Rev. Blanken was married on the 27th of
February, 1878, to Aliss Lydia Rabe, a daugh-
ter of John F. and Dora (Oetting) Rabe. They
now have eight living children : William, who is
a dealer in musical instruments, jiaints and wall-
paper at Buckley ; Rev. Theodore L. Blanken,
who is a minister of tlie Lutheran church, now
located at Galesboro, Indiana; Matilda, the wife
of Ernest .'schroeder, a farmer of Iroquois
C(nmty : Clara, who is a well educated young
lady, now engaged in teaching ; Walter, a young
man wlio is following the painter's trade : Eddie :
Dora: and Renata. They lost two children, The-
odora, when about two years of age. and Lydia
when about five years of age.

.\fter coming to Buckley Mr. iUanken en-
gaged in teaching in a private German school
and has been identified with educational work
throughout all these vears, now maintaining a
scho<]l with two teachers, louring the winter
months he li.is charge of the confirmation class.
He started here with a congregation of but si.K-
teen members and tliere is now a membershi]) of
ninety-seven voting members with one bmidred
and twenty families. lie lias conl'irnieil four
hundred and thirty-four in .-ill since taking
charge of the church. There are now on an
.'uerage of ;iboul one hundred and twenty stu-
dents in the >-ebooI ;ni(l a fine new scln^ol build-

IRoorc^IS COUNTY. ILI.IXolS.

313

iiifl is being erected, the corner-stone havinj;
Ipcim laid on the -J2d of July. x^joCf. for a brick
Innldinp two stories in heij^lit with hascnieiit.
There are to be two schoolrooms in the base-
ment and the entire buildinj:; is to be heated witli
furnace. The church is free fmm all indebtetl-
ness and in its various activities is doini; i^ood
work. Mr. Ulanken is an able minister, who is
continually studying and thus broadening his
knowledge upon theological (juestions and topics
of general interest which affect the welfare of
his fellowmen. He has worked most earnestly,
conscientiouslv and zealously and he has won the
dee]) and abiding love of his ])eo])le and the re-
spect of all denominations in r.nckIi-\ and wher-
ever he i known.

lolIX II

ki'.\.\i:K.

The home fann of John II. Urennir is located
on section 2<>. I'ountain Creek townslii]). and it is
a i)lace where the spirit of activity, enterjjrise an<l
diligence are rife. lie dates his residence in the
county from i8<j2. and has been a lifelong res-
ident of Illinois, his birth having occurred in
Tazewell county, June 11. iS(>2. His father.
John I'renner, Sr.. was born in (iermany and
when a voung man came to the new world, set-
tling in Tazewell ctnmty, where he subsetiuently
married Rachel Cieischwind, also born in Ger-
many. The father followed farming as a life
work and thus i)ruvide(l for the sui)]Jort of his
family, which numbered four children. He lost
his first wife when their son John was only four
years of age, and he afterward married I-"lizabeth
Steinberg, of Tazewell county, by wliom he had
ten children. In 1S85 he removed to X'ermilion
County. Illinois, and now resides u|)on a farm
near Rankin.

John H. I'renner of this review was reared
under the parental roof. His educational priv-
ileges were limited and were those afforded by
the clistrict schools. He received ani])le training
at farm labor and when twenty-four years of age
iK'gan farming on his own account, renting land
for this ])nr]M3se. Making the best use of his
opiK)rtunities and saving his earnings lie at
length purchased three hnndre<l and twenty acres

of land in Indiana, which he rents, while he
himself leases land in Inxiuois county, having
been on the Sheridan farm on section 2tj, Foun-
tain Creek township for fourteeen years. He
conducts this as though it was his own. The
place Comprises two hundred acres oi land and
he has been very successful in carrying on farm
work here.

( )u the 9th of .November, iXij2. .Mr. I'.renner
was married to Miss Lizzie France, a native of
l.a Salle countx ami a claughter of Henry I'rance.
They are the i)arents of two children. Ray and
b'loyd. In the connnunity where they reside
thev have won many frieiuls and the hospitality
of the best homes of the neighborhood is freely
and cordially extended them.

Mr. I'renner belongs to the l )ild hellows
lodge at Rankin and is likewise connected with
the Modern Woodmen camj) atid the Tribe of
l!en llur at Rankin. His wife is al.so identified
with the latter and is a member of the Presby-
terian church. His political support endorses
the i)rinciples of democracy but at local elections
where no issue is involved Mr. IJrenner voles
in(lei)endently. We would always have better
public service if such a course was followed.
The selection of candidates for local oftice should
depend entirely upon their merit and not upon
])olitical affiliation as they are chosen merely to
take charge of the business necessary for the
conduct of county and municipal affairs. In
Kjoo -Mr. I'.renner was elected assessor and has
served continuously in that office for six years,
while for two years he has been collector, and the
duties of the positions have been discharged with
a promptness and fidelity that makes him a pub-
lic-s])irited man.

\ICT()R C,EK.\RD.

There are in .\slikuiu manv representative and
valued citizens who in former years were pro-
moters of the agricultural develoimient of the
countv and to this class belongs X'ictor (Gerard,
a retired farmer who, thoui^h living in the vil-
lage of .\shkum, is still the owner of a good
tr.'ict of land of eighty-seven acres on section i''),
Ashkum township. He likewise has a block and

314

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

a half of real-estate in the village, in the midst
of which stands the comfortable and commodi-
ous home which he occupie>.

iMr. Gerard was born in Dianen Kapple.
France (now German}). October 19. 1840, and
was the fifth of the six children born unto Ste-
phen and Rosa Lee Gerard, wlio were farming
people of France, living thirty-six miles north-
west of Strasburg. The other members of the
family were Mina. Julian, Rosa Lee. ]\Iary and
Edward, but Mctor is the onlv one who ever
came to the L'nited States and he therefore
knows nothing of the whereabouts of the other
members of his father's household. August 15.
1863, witnessed his arrival in America. He was
at that time a young man of thirt\'-three vears
and the hope of profiting by the better business
opportunities of the new world led him to cross
the Atlantic. He made his way to Lacon, Illi-
nois, where he arrived with a cash cai)ital of
only fifty cents. From Lacon he went to ]\Ieta-
mora. Woodford countv. Illinois, where he re-
sided for four years. In 1869 he came to Iro-
quois county, where he has since resided and
through the greater part of the period has been
closely comiected with its agricultural interests.
In 1895. he rented his farm since which time
he has lived a retired life in Ashkum. His ear-
nest purpose and unfaltering diligence consti-
tuted his sole capital and upon these he has
builded the superstructure of his prosperitv.

Mr. Gerard was married to ]\Iiss Anna Hu-
guet. a daughter of Nicholas and Sophia Huguet.
of Washington. Illinois. With the passing of the
years nine children were added to the family :
Nicholas G.. now a farmer of Ashkum town-
ship, who married Lizzie Zimering. by wdiom he
lias four children. Anna. Tracy, John and Lil-
lian : Edward G.. a farmer of Ashkum township,
who wedded Lucy Gleason and has three chil-
dren, Florence, P.elle and Irene: Mary, the wife
of Henry Francis, a farmer residing in the vil-
lage of Ashkum, by whom she has one son,
Dewey: John G. and Joseph G., who follow
farming and are still at home; Frances, the wife
of Fred l);ividson. who operates her father's
farm in .\shkum township and liy whom she has
two children, .\ndrcw and Iva: Ida. the wife of
r.ert \'andervlict. who is clerking in Kankakee
and bv whom she has one daughter. I'earl: Tu-

lian. who is a bookkeeper in a commission house
in Kankakee : and Elizabeth, at home.

In his political affiliation \ictor Gerard has
continuously been a democrat since coming to
the United States and he and his family are
members of the Catholic church at Ashkum. The
hope that led him to seek a home in America has
been nK)re than realized, for as the years have
jjassed he has embraced the opportunities which
have been presented and has advanced from a
humble position until his competence is now suf-
ficient to enable him to rest from further labor.

L. C. .MARSH.

The real founders and promoters of a town
are not those who put in motion the wheels of
the city government but those who establish and
conduct business interests of extent and impor-
tance — for the commercial and industrial activity
and prosperity are the real foundation of a city's
growth and development. In this connection
therefore Mr. !Marsh is deserving of more
than passing mention for he figured for a num-
ber of years as one of the leading merchants of
Watseka. where he engaged in the hardware and
implement business. He was born in Xew Hart-
ford. Connecticut. June 17, 1828, a son of Mr.
and ]\Irs. Daniel Marsh, who were also natives
of the Charter Oak state, where the father fol-
lowed farming the greater part of his life. His
wife died in Rochester. Xew York, and he after-
ward came to the middle west with his son, L.
C. Marsh, at whose home in Wilmington, Illi-
Udis. he lived retired until called to his final rest.

At the usual age L. C. iMarsh began his educa-
tion as a common-school student in his native
county and later attended an institute in .\lfred,
.\cw York, so that liberal mental discipline well
(|ualified him to meet and solve the intricate prob-
lems of a business career. He started in life on
his own account as proprietor of a general store
in ( )ranK'l. Xew York, and while thus engaged
he came to tlie middle west to look over the
country. He finally jjurchased a farm near Wil-
mington. Illinois, and in course of time this
proved to be a very valuable tract of land, for it
was found that it was underlaid with rich coal

L. C. MARSH.

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

,V7

1k«1>. AitiT i>l:icin',' his iiivcslimnt. Mr. Marsh
ri-tiiriu-(l 111 ( •raiiR-1. N'l-w \'<>rk. whiri- hi- c;>ii-
liiiiii.-<l the ciintlnct of liis ^ciKTal slori.- fur a fuw
years, aiul then, ihspnsini.; of his husiness iiitir-
ists ill tlie east, he took up his abode in Wihnini;-
lon. where lie eiii,':i,irc<l in tlie dry-^oods l)nsine»
for two years. ( >n llie e.xpiration of that ptrind
he sold ont there and went to .Morris, Illinois,
where he a!.;aiii conducted a dry-},'oods store for
a short time. At a subsei|iient date he estab-
lished a jjrocery store in Carbondale. Illinois, car-
rvinfi on the business successfully for four years
or until 1S72. when Ik- -"Id ■■ui ;ind vcmovdl to
Watseka.

.Mr. .Marsh was married in Schenectady. .\ew
York, to Miss Larrie 1!. Meeker, a native of
New York, where her parents lived until tliev
were called to the home beyond. Three children
were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Marsh. Jennie
K.. the eldest, is the wife of Millard V. Dunlap.
a banker of Jacksonville. Illinois, lie is a ])er-
.sonal friend of William Jeiinin.ii.s ISryan. with
whom he has recently been on a tri]) abroad,
j'annie, the second daujihter. died in Carbondale.
Illinois, when Inil cipht months old. Lylta N.
is with her mother in Watseka.

( )n coniin<j to Watseka Mr. M.ush purchased
the Doyle hardware store on Main street and
there carried a line of •;eneral shelf and lieavx
hardware and farm implements, continuiii:^ in
the business for several years, but at lenijth on
account of his health lie dis])osed of his hard-
ware but continued to enjra^e in the sale of farm
implements until January. i8(;S. when he sohl
out and lived retired until his death, lie was
never a robust man and during fifteen years of his
life he spent the winters in the south. He jiassed
away ( )ctober 26. i8<jS. amid the deej) regret
of his many friends as well as his immediate
family.

He voted the re|)ub!ican ticket and always
kept well infornieil on the (piestions which divide
the tw<» great parties but was never an office
seeker. He was a |)rominent member of the .Ma-
sonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor, both
of Watseka. and he always attended the IVesby-
terian church, of which his wife is a member.
He possessed sujjcrior musical ability and was a
leader in the church choir in Watsek-i and also in
other tf>wns in which he resided, both in Illi-

nois and in the east, and his services were greatly
appreciated. In his business he displayeil an
aptitude for successful management and a spirit
of trustworthiness that won him success and
honor and causes his memory to be cherished
by all who knew him. .Mrs. Marsh owns a beau-
tiful home on l-"a>t Mulberry street, where she
and her daughter reside, but she spends the
winters in Louisiana or I-"lorida. leaving Watseka
in the latter piiri of November and returning in
the s])ring.

LVMLS W \SS( )N.

( 'ne of the most straightforward, energetic
and successful business men who ever lived in
Watseka was the late James Was.son. who en-
gaged in real-estate dealing and in the manufac-
ture of brick for many years. He came to Iro-
(|Uois county in 18^15. and first .settled in .\sli
(Irove township, where he purchasetl a farm. He
was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, Januarv iS.
iS_>7. His father, John W'asson. also a native t^f
( )hio. reside<l on a farm near Cincinnati for sev-
eral years, after which he removed to Delaware
county. Indiana, where he engaged in general
agricultural pursuits until his death.

In the public schools of Delaware countv.
Jan;es W'asson accpiircd his education. ;md when
a young man he began learning the brick-making
trade, thoroughly mastering the business, and
after a short time engaging in the same line on
his own account. He owned a brickvard ;it
.Muncie. Indiana, where he continued in the cou-
duct of the business for several years, and at the
same time c.irried on farming operations near
th.it place. He resided :it .Muncie until his re-
n;oval to Iro(|Uois county, at which time he |)ur-
chased a f;irm in .\sh (Irove township, where he
carried on general agricultural pursuits for si.\
months. Selling that pro|)erty. he removed to
W atsek;i. where his widow now resides in th;it
section 111 the city known ;is ( Mil Town. Here
he began investing in re.il esl.ite and at the same
timi; rdso established ;i brick manuf:ictorv. own-
ing one of the first brickyards at Watseka, in
the conduct of which enteri)rise he em|)lo\ed sev-
eral men. He maun fact lued the brick that was

3>«

PAST AND PRESENT OF

usetl ill the construction of the Iroquois county
courthouse and also tlie public schools of \\"at-
seka. anil different structures which add much
to the appearance of the city. He had purchased
four blocks in Old Town, and likewise made
other investments in property in W'atseka, en-
ijai^ing quite extensivelv in real-estate dealing;,
in which he continued in connection with his in-
dustrial interests up to the time of his death.

Mr. \\ asson was married three times. He first
wedded Miss Clarissa Taylor, who died a few
years later, leaving one daughter, now Mrs.
Flora James, a resident of Kansas. For his sec-
ond wife Mr. Wasson chose ^liss Susan Car-
michael, who died in Delaware county, Indiana.
There was also one child by that union, Pjenja-
min Franklin Wasson. who married Margaret
Zimmerman and now resides at Everett, Wash-
ington. The mother passed away a few years
after her marriage and for his third wife ^\r.
Wasson chose Mrs. .\rabella (Peterson) \'each,
whom he wedded in Henry county, Indiana.
Her father, Aaron Peterson, was a resident far-
mer of Henry county, where he spent his last
years. Two children have been born of this
marriage: Mark \\'.. who married Mamie Ly-
inan and is a farmer residing near Ocean
Springs, ^lississippi ; and Richard M.. who wed-
ded Naomi Erickson and is a railroad engineer
on the Frisco road residing at Forth Worth,
Texas. Mrs. Wasson w-as first married to Isaac
F. \^each, of West ^'i^ginia. who was a farmer
and also engaged in the lumlier business in
llenrv county, Indiana, where his death oc-
curred. There were three children l^orn to Mr.
and ]\Irs. \*each. Kate, the eldest, is the widow
of John S. Pumyea, of Fulton county, Illinois,
who died at his home in Guthrie, Oklahoma. His
widow now resides with her mother, Mrs. Was-
son, in W'atseka. Doak Veach married .\dda
Mead, and they reside in Marion, Illinois, where
he is engaged in business as a brick-mason. Ada
\'cach became the wife of Franlv Romine and
resides in Cham])aign, Illinois.

Mr. Wasson was a republican in his political
views and was thoroughly conversant with the
political situation of the cmnitrv, alth'niL;h he
never sought or desireil nffice. He served, how-
ever, in a few minor positions and was school
director for manv vears. Throughout the greater

]jart of his life he was identified with the Masonic
fraternitv and took a deep and active interest in
the craft. Pie was also one of the charter mem-
bers of the Christian church of Watseka, and his
widow holds membership in the Methodist Epis-
copal church. He was a very genial, jovial man
and was a most entertaining companion, so that
he was very pojnilar in social circles. He died
after a brief illness of only six days, on the 26th
of l-"ebruary, 1885, and his death was the occa-
sion of sincere and widespread regret. Cour-
teous, genial, well informed, alert and enterpris-
ing, he stood as one of the leading rejaresentative
men of his citv and county — a man who was a
power in his community. He had a remarkable
facultv for the conduct and dispatch of business,
and his interests were of such a nature as con-
tributed to general prosperity as well as to indi-
vidual success. He was pre-eminently a man of
action and did what others think about doing.
He was a man amon,g men and was recognized
as such by all who knew him. Mrs. Wasson still
owns the family residence at (^Id Town and the
four blocks which were left her by her husband
and there she and her daughter. Mrs. Pumyea,
now reside.

E. J. COBB.

E. J. Cobb, station a.gent for the Toledo, Pe-
oria & Warsaw Railroad Company at Crescent
City since November 6, 1889. is one of the trusted
officials of that road, as his long continuance in
its service indicates. He was born near Wood-
land in Iroquois county, Januarv iS. 1864. and
is a son of J. Cobb, who removed from Ohio in
1842 and settled on the prairie, where he engaged
in farming. He became the owner of a good
tract of land on section 27, Crescent township,
which he tilled and cultivated until he had made
it a very ])roductive tract. Both he and his wife
have now departed this life. Of their ten chil-
dren six are yet living, four daughters and two
^iins. but E. J. Cobb of this review is now tlie
only one in Iroquois county.

.\fter mastering the branches of a preliminary
education in the common schools E. J. Cobb
s|>cnt one year as a student in Onarga and also
attended a business college at Ann .Vrbor, Mich-

lKnnLT)IS COUNTY, ll.l.l \m|S.

.V')

ii;;in. Iruni whidi be \v;is iir;iiliiat(.il witli llu-
cl.nss of |J^3. Ill ii^5 1h" i-iUercd the employ of
the I'oleilo, IViiria iv: \\ arsaw Ivailmail Company
aii<l has since remained with lliat coqxiration as
one of its faithful and valued employes. He has
acted as station a^ent at Crescent City since
.Vovember <i. iSS<;. and is popular here because
of the imfailinji courtesy which he extends to the
patriMis of the road and his oblisjinj^ manner
Combined with his unremittinji can- <il the inter-
ests of the company.

.Mr. Cobb was married to C'or<lelia Kaler, of
lrcM|uois, who was born in \ irtjinia ami was
l)roiij.jht by her ])arents to lilinnis when onlv two
\ears old. .She is a daughter of S. Kalcr, who
in iS<>8 removed from the ( )ld Dominion to ihi.-
state and s])ent his remaining days here. I lis
widow still survives and is now livinij with .Mr.
and .Mrs. Cobb. The other members of the fam-
ily are their two children : (Gladys, twelve years
of a^je; and I'aul. a youth of cijjht years.

I*oliticall\ .Mr. C'obb affiliates with the repub-
lican ])arty and he is a member of .Standard
lodj^e. .\n. fKjj. 1. ( ). ( ). 1-'., and of the Crescent
camp, .Vo. 14J9. .M. W. .\. His wife holds
membership in the Methodist Kpiscojial church.
Their h<ime is a fine two-stor\ residence in Cres-
cent City which be erected, and the air of culture
and refinement which pervades the ])lace makes
it attractive to their manv friends, while its hos-
ltitalit\- is one of its pleasinj; features. Mr. Cobb
is rc^'arded as a cajiable telef^rapb oi)erator and
station agent and is well likeil in the community.

TIIORXTOX I. now \ FY.

Thornton J. Downey, operating a farm of
four hundred ;ind forty acres, one hundred and
sixty acres of which he owns, is a self-made man.
for, starting out in life ;i poDr man. he ba-
worked earnestly and persistentlv until today
bis well improved farm, which is situated on sec-
tion 25. Lovejoy township, is the visible evidence
f>f the success wliicb he has made in his labors.
He was born in Shenandoah conntw X'irginia,
CJctober 17, 1855, a son fif Rleazer Downey, also
a native of Shenandoah county, where he was
reared an<l mnrriid the I;idv of his clinii-i' lniiiL:
18

.Mis- L\dia llahn, also a native of that slate,
'i'he father followed farming throughout his en-
tire life, .and died in bis native state, in July.
iS<i.^ His wife survived for a long period, her
death occurring in July, lyc/), at the home of a
daughter in Rockingham county. \ irginia. They
were the parents of eight children, n.imely : Ja-
cob, a farmer of .Mount Jackson, \irgini:i; .Mrs.
.Martha .Strole, a widow, residing at I'.nvik, In-
diana: .Mary, the wife of H. Liskey, a resident
of Rockingham county, X'irginia: Thornton J.,
of this review; ICIi, also a resident of Rocking-
ham county: .\ima, the wife of E. ( i. i-lckard, of
Inxptois county, residing in I'rairie (jrcen town-
ship: Turner .\.. a resident farmer of I'rairie
< ireen township: ami I'amiie, who died in
infancy.

Thornton J. Downey, the eighth in order of
birth in his father's family, was reared to the
occupation of farming, assisting his father in
the work of the home place until he reached
man's estate. During the winter months when
n<it busy in the fields be pursued his studies in
the district schools, :ui<l thus actpiircd the edu-
cation which fitte<l him to later begin business
on his own account. He remained in his native
state until he reached the age of twenty years,
when, in 1875, he made his way to Illinois, com-
ing at once to Inxpiois county, where he worked
as a farm b.iml for eight months, subsequent to
which time he went to F'.rnok, Indiana, being cm-
ployed there at f;irm labor dtn-ing the succeeding
two vears. He tlun came again to Inxpiois
county, where he was emjiloyed in a similar man-
ner for five years, when, having saved from his
earnings a sum sufficient for the establishment
of a home of bis own, he was married, Decem-
ber 2,^ 1SS4, to .Miss I.illie M. I'.arritt. who was
bnni and reared in this county, a daughter of L.
I'.arritt.

I'cillowiug his marriage .Mr. Downey tof)k up
his alxxle on the Crawford farm, which he rented
for fourteen years. In the meantime, having
|)ros|)ered in his undertakings, he made purchase
of one hinidred and sixty acres, which he rented,
however, for two years. .Since that time he has
w I irked his land, and has since built a good barn
and has otherwise improved the place and ma<le
it ;i valu.'dile property. In addition to operating
his own l.inil. be .ilso rents .n frnet of two bim-

320

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

dred and cifjhtx' acres where lie resides, thus
farmiiiji' ahoijether four hundred and forty acres,
which he manages with the assistance of liired
help. He is also engaged quite extensively in
raising stock, having gcjod grades of cattle,
horses and hogs, feeding and shipping for the
market. He is practical and jjrogressixe in all
that he does and is accounted one of the leading
farmers and stock-raisers of Iroquois count\ .

Unto our subject and his wife have been born
eight living children. Harry. Edgar. I.illie. Mau-
rice, Irby. \"era. Anna and P>ernice. all of whom
are }et at home with their parents. They have
also lost one son. Hiram A., who died in infancy.
In his political allegiance Mr. Downey has been a
lifelong democrat but has never been active as
an office seeker, the only public office he has held
being that of school director.

Tile life of Mr. Downey shows what can be ac-
complished by energy, economy and determina-
tion, for he started out in life a poor boy. in the
humble capacity of a farm laborer, but through,
his close application and careful management of
his business affairs he has worked his way stead-
ily upward year by year, and through the assist-
ance of his estimable wife, who has indeed proved
to him a faithful companion and helpmate, he is
today in possession of a valuable pro])erty com-
prising one hundred and sixtv acres, which con-
stitutes one of the excellent farms of this sec-
tion of the state. He dates his residence in the
countv from 1875. and is therefore widely and
favorably known, for he has ever been honorable
and trustworthy in all his trade transactions anfl
has therefore won the confidence and high re-
yard of all with will nil he has been associated.

0\Vi;.\ KlvRX.

Owen Kern, living on section i<). Crescent
township, is numbered among the old settlers of
the county. .\ life of toil in the Illinois |jrairie
country, to wliich he came as a young man w hen
it was a frontier district, has made him one of
the substantial residents of the county, where
he is still actively engaged in a,gricultin-al pur-
suits, owning and operating two hundred and
fortv acres of well improveil land, lie has lived

in the count\ since 1855 and many events which
are matters of history to otliers are known to him
through personal ex])erience or as a witness.

Mr. Kern was born in Lehigh count). Penn-
sylvania. Xovember 5. 1834. His father, Henry
Kern, was also a native of that county, where he
followed the occupation of farming. He was
married there to Miss Elizabeth Weir, whose
birthplace was likewise in Lehigh county, and
in 1839 he removed westward to Indiana, set-
tling with his family in Tippecanoe county,
where he entered land from the government, de-
veloping a good farm there, lloth he and his
wife spent their subse(|iient years in that county
and upon the farm reared their family of eight
children.

Like the other sons of the houseliokl, Owen
Kern earlv became familiar with the duties and
labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist
and wdien seventeen years of age he took up car-
pentering, following the trade for four years.
He then came to Illinois and bought sixtx' acres
of land in Onarga township. Iroquois county,
thus wiselv investing his earnings in real estate.
He did not remove to Illinois, however, until
1858.

In the meantime, on the 28th of September,
1856, he had married ]\liss Catherine Peters, a
native of Tippecanoe county. Indiana, and a
tlau.ghter of Daniel Peters, who was born in
Pennsylvania. For two years after their mar-
riage the\^ remained in the Hoosier state and
then took up their abode permanently in Iro-
quois countv. For a year their home was a
t\pical log cabin on the frontier and ;it the end
of that time Mr. Kern built a good dwelling in
( )narga township and developed a |iro(luctive
farm, upon which he liveil for eight years. ( )n
selling that jH-operty he bought eighty acres
where he now resides, adjoining one hundred and
sixtv acres which he had purchased in 183(1 and
which has been the Kern homestead since i8')'i.
His is one of the best ini])roved farms in tlie
countv and forms a most attractive feature of
the landscape. His residence is a beautiful and
commodious dwelling. There are many other
buildings necessary for the shelter of grain, stock
and farm implements and he uses the latest im-
])roved machinery in carrying on the work of
the fields. The land is well tilled and he also

MR. AXI) .MRS. ()\\ i:.\ K1".R.\.

UNIVERSriY UF ILLINOIS

iRonrnis couxTv.

i.\i ii>.

323

raises j;<«icl jjradcd sttick. Ills lilc lia^ hccii hik-
111 iiidiistn characterized by ]>irscv<.rancc aiul
»ln>M;i purjmso. and in all tlial In- lias undertaken
he has shown an aptitude for successfid ntan-
aj;en;ent and a strict confurniitx to a liiyh staml-
ard <il liusiness ethics.

In iiy<H. Mr. and Mrs. Kern celetirateil tlieir
;ii)lden weildiniT. nn which nccasion many friends
and relatives feathered to ex|)ress ti> tlii> wurthy
an<l honored couple their conj^ratnlations and
yoixl wishes. .\s the years passed their home
was Itlessed with eleven children, nine of whom
are yet living. The t>l(lcst survivin^j nicniher
of the family is Mary IClizalieth. the wife of Les-
ter L. Stuhhs. a resident farmer of t'oldwater.
Kansas. Iiy whom she has one child, l-'lossie.
Leah .Malinda is the wife of 1). I'. I'.ircel. also
a farmer of L'oldwater. Kansas, and they have
tl'ree children. I'.essie lona. Meivin ( ). and Ray-
u'ond K. Maria Theresa, the third memher of
the family, is at home. Dora .\nn is the wife
of James R. I'.relsford. a farmer oi descent City,
and they have tliree children, l-llmer V... Jessie
.\. and (iertrude .M. Harriet !•". is the wife of
(ieortje 11. Clark, of Crescent City, who is men-
tionc<l elsewhere in this work; Melissa C. is the
wife of J. IVank Jelly, a carpenter of Crescent
City. Ida May is the wife of l-'red Ranz. of
Claytonville. also mentioned on another i)a.i;e
of this volume. Henry S. died when only tiiree
weeks old. Calvin luij^ene died at the ajjc of
twenty-one years. Effie l.eona is the wife of I'.
S. Humphreys, who assists Mr. Kern in the op-
eration of the farm, and they have one chil<l.
Hazel Irene. Mabel C. is the wife of IVancis
Hartman. of .Miann' county. Indirma.

.Mr. and .Mrs. Kern are nuw old-tiiiie residents
of the county and have witnessetl much of its
t;rowth ami develii|)n)ent. I-'or a half centur\
they have traveleil life's journe\ tojj^ether. shar-
iu},' with each other its jo\> and sorrows, il-^
adversity and its successes and miw they are en-
joying; the fruit of their former labors surround-
ed by lovinp children and !.;randchildren. Mr.
Kern has always stiHxl for pruj^ress and improve-
iieiit. He was amoni; the lirst to recoi^nize the
value of tilinj; the l.md and U> i>nt that course
in |)ractice. Politically he is an e.irnest republican
and he cast his first ]>resiilenti;d ballot for John C.
I"reirc>nt. since which time lu' has never faileil to

vote at a i)residential election. He has been
honored bv his fellow townsmen with various
local offices, servinj.; as school director for eight-
een \ears. as hijjluvay commissioner for eleven
years, as school trustee >ix years, assessor one
year and i)atlimaster for three years. He helped
to construct the Toledo. I'eoria & Warsaw Rail-
road acro.ss the county in i>^y) but. like the oth-
ers who as>isted in the work, received no com-
|)ensation for that service. He was also one of
the promoters ;uid orijanizers of the I'ir>t Na-
tional Uank at Crescent City antl was the first
man nominated for president, but refused to ac-
cei)t that office. He was then chosen its vice
jiresident. serving two years, at the end of which
time he sold his interest in the bank. He and
his family attend the Congrej^^Jitional church, fif
which .Mrs. Kern is a member, hew men are
more widely known in this jiart of the county
than ( )wen Kern and none are held in higher
esteem or more justly deserve mention in this
volun-.e anions'^ the re|)rcsentative citizens.

.M.ITloXSh: C.\kR( ).\.

.\lphonse Carroll, who in early life learned
the shoemaker's trade which he followed for a
long ])eriod but has 11 iw ])Ui aside business
cares to spenil the evening; of life in ease ami
comfort, makes his home in Clifton. He was
born in i)rovince of Onebec. Canad'i. on the 5th
of May. 1838, his father being Jo.-iejih T. Carron.
a farmer of that locality. In early life .\lphonse
learned the shoemaker's trade in his native
country and in 1S57 he cr(-)ssed the border into
the L'nited States, making his way southward
to Kankakee. Illinois.. He there worked at his
trade until 1<^«.V when he removed to Clifton,
where he has now made his home for more than
four decades. He establi.>ihed a shoe shoj) here
and continued to engage in making and repair-
ing shoes for many years, receiving a liberal
l)atronage that enable<l him as time passed by to
put aside annually a goodly sum from his earn-
ings until he is now in comfortable financial
circumstances. He made juilicious investment in
property, owning eighty acres of land in (.'he-

324

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

banse township, together w ith a huusc ami lui mi
Third avemie in Clifton, where he resides.

On the 28th of July. 1862. in Kankakee. Ilh-
nois. was celebrated the niarriaije of Mr. Carron
and Miss Philenienc Laroch, of that ]jlace. They
have two children: Xellie. now the wife of
Thomas Hobson of the firm of Hobson & Sutton,
grocers of Clifton; and .Anna, the wife of Fred
P)rock, a farmer oi Chebanse township.

Zealous and emphatic in his advocacy of re-
jmblican ])rinciples. ^Ir. Carron has continuously
supported the party since custing his first presi-
dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. and he
has never seen occasion to change his opinion
concerning the superiority of the party principles
as elements in good government. He was a
trustee of his village for three terms, discharging
his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction
to his constitutents. Both he and his wife are
communicants of the Catholic church, and in
Clifton, where they make their home, they have
manv friends.

JAMES O. WEST.

This is a utilitarian age and the successful man
is he who recognizes and sizes all of the ad-
vantages which surround him and who utilizes
every opportunity so as to accomplish maximum
results with mininnmi effort — that is without use-
less expenditure of time, energy or money.
James O. West is a typical representative of this
sjjirit as manifest in farming life and as the re-
sult of his own labors he now owns and operates
one hundred and ninety-five acres of valuable
land, one hundred and twentv acres of which is
in his home place on section 7. P.elmont town-
ship, lie was born in this township near Wood-
land on section 18, November 26, 1862. and is
a representative of one of the old families of the
east. His father. Thomas West, was a native
of Delaware and with his parents removed west-
ward to Indiana, whenci' tluy came to Illinois in
1840. Attracted by the discovery of gold in Cal-
ifornia. Thomas West made his way to the Pa-
cific coast in 1841). remaining there for three
\ears. during which time he worked to a consid-
eral)le extent in the mines. He then returned to
Illinois and in this state t'ollowcd farming, be-

ginning with one hundred and sixty acres of
land. His first wife died leaving no children and
he afterward wedded Mary Longshore, a native
of this state. I-'ollowing his marriage Mr. West
began developing and improving his farm, which
he placed under a high state of cultivation.
Adding to his property from time to time as his
financial resources increased, he became the
owner of four hundred and forty acres and there-
on resided throughout his remaining da\s. pass-
ing away in 1887. at the age of sixty-nine years.
His widow still survives and is now in her sev-
enty-second year.

This worthy couple were the parents of nine
children, five of whom reached years of maturity.
James ( ). West was reared to farm life, early
becoming familiar with the work of field and
meadow. He also had good common-school ad-
vantages and spent two terms as a student in
( )narga Seminary. After completing his educa-
tion he worked for his father until the latter's
death and then inherited his share of the home-
stead and purchased the share of one of his
brothers.

On the 5th of February. i888. Mr. West was
united in marriage to Miss Anna Warren, a na-
tive of Middleport township and a daughter of
Wesley Warren, who was born in Indiana but
Iiecame a jjioneer settler of Iroquois county.
After his marriage James West built a home on
section 7. P)elmont township. He also put up a
good barn, thirty-six by forty-eight feet, and
sheds and cribs have been built for the shelter of
stock and grain. He has also set out shade and
ornamental trees and has two good orchards con-
taining one acre of apples and peaches. There
are also plum and cherry trees on the place and
in season he gathers considerable fruit. The
farm is well tiled and fences divide it into fields
of convenient size. In i8g8 he bought sixty
acres adjoining the home place and he now has
a valuable and highly improved farm, owning
altogether one lumdred and ninety-five acres.
1 le raises good grades of stock, including Nor-
man Percheron horses.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. West has been
blessed with hvr children: Dwight. who assists
in the o|)eration of the farm; Mary, at school;
rjnnie. who is in Watscka at school ; Benjamin.
also in school; and Hernie. who com]iletes the

IRtHjLulS CuLMV. ll.l.INi tis.

3^5

familv. Tlic paroiits attiiul ilic Miilindist l{|)is-
ic'i»al dinrcli. of which Mrs. Wist is a nuiiibir.
Mr. West affiliati's with tlif .\Ii«Iirn Wo.xlmiii
cain]). No. 3ji)- 3' Walst-ka. ami in imliiics he
is a stalwart republican but at lucai elections votes
without reference to i)arty ties. He has been
tlitch commissioner for si.\ years and school di-
rector ft)r ten years and every |>ublic trust re-
poseil in him is faithfully met. in citizenshi]).
in public office, in home and social life, he is a
man worthy of the confidence anil j;ood will
which are uniformly tendered iiim.

I-RAXK I. Rll'l.l'.V.

The si)iril of proijress and enterprise is man-
ifestcil by IVank J. Kiple> in his farm work,
lie owns one hundred and sixty acres on section
JO. 1'rairie ( ireen township, and al.so u])erates
anniher tract of two hundred and forty acres
adjoininij. He is one of the more recent arrivals
in lriK|uois county, where he has lived since 1S93.
l)ut is a native son of illin<jis. his birth havin;,'-
occurretl in Kendall county. Seiitember 2. 1S63.
He Comes of Kn^lish ancestry, his ])arents. W'il-
liain and iUizal)eth (Stamper) Ripley, .havin.ij
been natives of i-"n.t,'Iand. where thev were rearetl.
I-'ollowintj their marriaj^e tliey crossed the Atlan-
tic to the L'nited States and made their way into
tile interior of the country, castinij their lot with
the early settlers of Kendall county, 'i'lure the
father purchased land and opened u|> a new
farm, performing all the arduous labor neces-
sary to the development of the fields antl the care
I'f tlic .stock. He became owner of two hundred
and eighty acres and upon that |)lace reared iiis
family an<l remaine<l until called to iiis final rest.
which was in 1S73. Iiis wife survived him for
aliout twenty years.

i-'rank J. Ripiey was a youth of only ten years
at the time of iiis father's deaili. i ie was reared
in Ken<lali county and at the usual ape entered
the public sciiools there. i,ater he spent two
winter seasons as a student in the .\urora Sem-
inary and when not in school he remaineil upon
the farm with his niotlier. assistiuj:; iter in the
development and improvement of the place until

liis marriage, while later he carried on the farm
for her.

.Mr. Ripley was married in Kendall county, in
1SS4. to Miss Jennie \ ri-elaurl. who.se birth
occurred in that county, where slie sjient lier
RirliiiKid days and ac(|uired her education.
After farminjT for a lime in Kendall county, and
for one year in ( irundy county. .Mr. i'iipley
removed to iroijuois county in iS'j^. and <lurinij
the succcedinjj year cultivated a tract of rented
land, in iS<)4 he located where he now resides
and has since workeil dilijiently in further ini-
proviuf^- and developing; the place, lie now has
one of tile neatest homes in the townsiiip. liavinj:^
remodeled and rebuilt the house, wliich stands in
the midst of a lar^e and well ke])t lawn, adorned
by a number of fine i)ine and cedar trees,
tof^ether with rtowerin^j and ornamental shrubs.
The .urass is well trimmed and the jilace is most
attractive in its apiiearancc. Xot far distant
from the house Mr. Ri])ley has built a lar^je corn
cri!) and lias other buildiniis for tiie shelter of
j^raiii and >tnik. lie has tileil and fenced the
l)lace and altogctlier has made a good farm,
whereon he raises the cereals best adapted to
the conditions of the soil and climate, also rais-
ing; horses, cattle and lio.ijs to some extent. His
attention. iKjwever. is princi|iall\- s^'iven to the
cultivation of fjrain.

L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Ri|ile\ have been born five
cliildren. (.'Iiarles. Illanche. Irviny;, i.yle and
Willie. Mr. liipley and his son Ciiarlcs affiliate
with the Modern Woodmen ami a fraternal in-
surance order. He votes with the republican
l)arty but has never bad time nor inclination
for ])ublic office. |)referrin}; to concentrate his
1 iiiri,'iis npnn liis business alt'.iirs.

W. A. Rt iS|:\-i;1-:R(1KR.

W. A. Roseni)erner. the senior nienilier of the
firm of I'iosenlierjjer & Miller, dealers in lumber,
buildinj; materials and farm iniptemeiits. was
born in Papineau township, Irotpiois county, Xo-
vemiier 2-i, i!^75. i Ie is a son of Kmil and
Amand l^oseniierger, who were natives of (ler-
nianv and on coniiu},' to America settled in I'api-

326

PAST AXD PRESEXT OF

neau township. Iroquois county, Illinois, in 1854.
Eiiiil Rosenbergor purchased a farm which he
continued to cultivate for some time. He after-
ward engaged in the hardware business with
Mr. Engleburt. uf Papineau. and later he sold
out and entered the firm of Rosenberger Broth-
ers, grain dealers of F'apineau. This relation
was maintained for a few years, when Emil
Rosenberger sold out to his brother August, and
removed tu Woodland, wliere he began dealing
in grain, lumber and coal in connection with
Robert Zemple. .Sub.'^equently thev dissolved
partnership but Mr. Rosenberger continued in
the coal and grain business and after a few years
formed a partnership with .Samuel Williams, of
Watseka. in the same line, this association being
maintained until his death in 1892. He thus
figured actively for many years in connection
with agricultural and conunercial interests in
Iroquois ct)unly. His political allegiance was
given to the democracy.

W . A. Rosenberger, who was one of a fam-
ily of ten children, was educated in the common
schools and in the Terre Haute Commercial Col-
lege at Terre Haute. Indiana, from which he was
graduated in 1894. He tlien occui)ied a positioii
as public accountant in Chicago for two vears.
after which he ^])ein ime year in California, on
the expiration of which ])eriotl he returned to
I'apineau. In the year 1899 he jjurchased the
grain and implement business n\ William Sievert.
and conducted the same for three and one-half
years, after which h.e sold out to the R. F. Cum-
mings ( irain Company, of Clifton. Illinois, but
held a position as buyer for a vear. After sever-
ing his connection with the firm he removed to
Martinton. Illinois, h^or two and a half vears
he has been connected with the lumber aiul coal
business which was established hv ](>\m Lee
Sage in .Martintmi ten years ago and which wa-
pnrcliasrd i)y .August Rosenberger & Com]i:uiv,
\\ . A. Rosenberger of this review being a mem-
ber of the firm. ( )n the 2'itli df August, U)o6,
the firm \\:is changed to Rosenberger & .Miller
and they cnnduct a general lumber business, also
<leal in brick, lime, cement, tile, wire fencing,
farm imi)lements and coal of all kinds. The\
occ'.i])y a large building sixty-two bv one lunidred
ar.d fifty feet, in which they store all their Iinuber.
The trade has cimsiantlv increased since .Mr,

Rosenberger became a member of the firm and
has long since reached profitable proportions.

On the 17th of December, 1899, occurred the
luarriage of Mr. Rosenberger and ]\Iiss Emma
Perrault. who was born in Papineau township
in 1880. Tiiey became the parents of three chil-
dren but only one daughter is now living —
Thelma Inez. Mr. Rosenberger is a stalwart
democrat, prominent in the local ranks of the
party, and is now a member of the county central
committee. In his fraternal relations he is con-
nected with il-,e -Masons, the Odd Fellows and
the Alndein Woodmen. He is ?.n enterprisnig
and up-to-date business man. energetic and ])ro-
gressive and carries forward to successful com-
pletion whatever he undertakes.

GEORGE P. STEPHEX.S.

.\rtesia township has its full share of enter-
prising agriculturists who have converted the
once wild |)rairie into rich and productive farms.
the yield of which is misur])assed in other sec-
tions of the state. ( )ne of the thriftv and en-
ergetic farmers of this townshi]) is George P.
Ste])heiis. who lives on section (\ and whu owns
one huiidred and forty-two acres of land, while
altogether he farius three hundred acres. More
than four decades have come and gone since he
arrived in this county in 1863. He was Imrn in
Tuscarawas countw ( )hio, .Se]itembcr 24, 1849,
and In a son of John ."-^teijhens. a native of Eng-
land, in which country he was reared. Com-
ing to the new world in 1842. he established his
home in Ohio and was married there to Miss
Susan Mc.Mur])hy. a native of Delaware. On
leaving Tuscarawas comity .Mr. ."-^teijliens took
H]) his alinik- in Licking cminty, ( )hio, in the
year 1853. He was a shoemaker by trade and
followed that pursuit in carl\- life but afterward
concentrated his energies upnn farm work. In
1865 he c:inu tn Iroquois coiTfrtv, Illinois, set-
tling upon a farm u])on which he spent his re-
maining days, iiassing away Ajjril id, i9or). He
had survived hi> wife for about two years, her
death having oecin-red .August 12. i<;o4.

(itorge 1'. Ste]ihens is one of a faiuilv of six
snns and a diughler and with the excejjtion of

(ii:( )K(ii". r. sTi-:i'iii:.\"s.

UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

IRUQL'OIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

.?-"^

one brotluT all arc ycl living, lie was a yiuith
ui fifteen vears when lie came to lr<K|iiois C'Hinty
and his minority was s]K-nl as that of most farm
lads. The public-school system atTorded him his
educational privilej^es and after altendini; the dis-
trict scluHils he became a student in lluckley hiy;li
school. After he put aside his text-books he
assisted his father in the work of the homestead
farm until he attained his majority, after which
he conducted a meat market in Buckley. Subsc-
ipiently he purchased a hardware and j^rocery
business in that town and carried on the enter-
prise for about four years. Throufjhout his life
he has manifested close application and keen
business discrimination — f|ualities which are al-
ways essential to success.

Mr. Ste])hens was married on the farm where
he resides N'ovember 13. 1879. the lady of his
choice lieinj.; Miss I'lora Majors, a dau.i;;hter of
S. M. Majors, who is represented elsewhere in
this work. In 1881 Mr. Stephens removed to
the farm and has since enj^ajjed in i;eneral asjri-
cultural pursuits. He located first on the Ma-
jors farm and afterward i)urchascd one hundred
and forty-two acres adjoinini;. lie now has a
UoikI and well im])roved ])roperty and in addition
to this he owns four hundred and eiijfhly acres
of land in Mercer county. North Dakota, which
his son Raym(5nd is now operatiuji;'. Mr. ."^te-
I)hens lost his first wife in i8<;5 and her reniains
were laid to rest in the lluckley cemetery.
There were five children: Raymond, mentioned
aliove; I'rank M.. of Chicago; John 1!. and
Harry, at home: and Hazel, who has resided
with her maternal ji;rand|)arcnts from the age of
three years. Mr. Stei)hens was ajjain married
December 20. 1<;(/). the la<ly of his choice liciuiT
Miss Laura M. Ilurllmtt. of Chicago, who was
reared in Inxpiois county.

Mr. Stephens exercises, his right of franchise
in support of the men and measures of the re-
jmblicin i)arty. which he has supported since at-
taining his majority. He has never sought nor
desired office and the only ])ublic jxisition that he
has ever filled has been that of a memlK-r and
|)resident of the school board. He holds mem-
bership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Del-
rey. in which he is serving as an officer, and he
is an earnest worker in the Sunday-sclK ol, in
which he is superintendent. He started out in

life a poor man at the bottom <>( tin ladder. Ik-
today owes no man a dollar ami is the possessor
of good farming property which is the visible
evidence of his life of thrift and energy. He
has lived in lrr«|uois county for more than forty
years and is respected and honore<l as an active
and industrious citizen, who while i)rom(iting
his individual interests has also helped to make
and imjirove the county. A man of exemplary
habits, of high principles and of upright conilucl,
wherever he is known he comniands the good
will and trust of those with whom he is
associatetl.

S. k. W Al.KI'.R. .\1. 1).

Dr. S. 1\. Walker, who is engaged in the prac-
tice of medicine and surgery along modern scien-
tific lines at Chebanse. was born August 30, 1863,.
in Kingston township, in the province of (^ntaria.
Canada, his ])arents being ( ieorge W. and ICliza
( Heaty ) Walker, who were farming people of
Canada and were of I'-nglish and derman ex-
traction. His father died in i<i03. while the
mother is now living at ( ilenvale, (Ontario.

Having mastered the elementary l)ranclus of
learning. Dr. Walker continued his studies in the
Syclenham high school at !\ingst<in. Canada,
and determining to make the practice of medicine
his life work he began ])re|jaration for that call-
ing by matriculation in (Juecns L'niversity at
Kingstiin. He there pursued the regular four
years' course and was graduated with the de-
grees of M. D. and (.'. .M. In i88<j he came to
Chebanse. where he has since engaged in active
])ractice with growing success, his ])rofessional
duties calling him into nian\ nf the leading homes
of the town and surrounding country. He has
been a close and discriminating student of the
science of medicine, keeping in touch witli the
trend of niodern thought and investigation, ana
he is identified with the l>i-County Medical So-
ciety, the .State Medical .Association and Amer-
ican Medical .\ssociation. He assisted in or-
ganizing the Kankakee Comity Medical Society
and was identified therewith until the I'.i-County
Medical Society was organized.

( )n the ijth of July, i8:;0. at Kankakee, Dr.
Walker was married to Miss Hertha W'ulfTe. of

33°

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

that place. He holds membership witli the Mctli-
odist Episcopal church of Chebanse. while his
wife is a member of the Lutheran church of
Kankakee. In politics he is a stanch republican
and about 1895 was chosen president of the vil-
lage board, serving for one term. He lielongs
to Chebanse Temple lodge. Xo. 429, .\. !•". & A.
M., in which he has filled all of the <iffices. and
likewise affiliates with the Knights of Pythias,
the Modern Woodmen of .\nierica. tlie Royal
-Krcanum and the Loyal Americans. To him
there has come tlie attainment of a distinguished
position in connection with the |)ractice of med-
icine and surger\- in Iroquois county, for he has
manifested an ability which shows comprehensive
understanding of the science of medicine and a
conscientious regard for the duties and obliga-
tions that devolve upon him in this connection.

THOMAS WILLIS.

The life record of Thomas Willis is an ex-
cellent iIlu>tration of the fact that in America
"labor is king" — that earnest purjiose and ])erse-
verance can conquer difficulties and obstacles and
secure a measure of success which places the in-
dividual ami.ing tlie men of affluence in his com-
munity. .Mr. Willis is one of the well known
residents of Loda. where for twenty years he has
made his home and is. moreover, classed with
the old settlers of the county. He dates his resi-
dence in the state from 1853 and thus his memory
compasses the period of pioneer development as
well as later progress in this portion of Illinois.
He was born in .^-Somersetshire. Englan<l. June to.
1829. His father, i'eter W'iih's, was also a native
of England, where he spent the jjericid of his
minority, lie was married there to Sarah
Cooms, also a native of that countrv, and the\
reared their family there. I'.otli the father and
mother have long since passed awaw

Thomas Willis was the youngest of their four
cliilrlren. the eldest being deorge Willis, \\ ho
sjiint his einire life in I'^ngland. while the second
son, Robert Willis, was the first of the family
to emigrate to the new world. He sjient a few
\ears in Xew ^'ork state and thence went tn
Wisconsin, locating ,at I'ond i\\\ l.ae, wliere his

last days were passed. The only daughter, P'liza-
l)eth Willis, became the wife of John Hopkins,
and crossing the .Atlantic to the I'nited State.-,
they settled in Illinois. A few years latter they
removed to Wisconsin, where Mr, Hopkins died.

Thomas Willis was reared to adult age in Eng-
land and was granted fair school privileges there,
lie is, however, a self-made man, owing his
prosperity entirely to his well directed efforts.
ISefore leaving his native countrx he was married
on the 26th of March, 1851, to Miss Ellen Sal-
vage, a native of England, and soon afterward
they took sliip at liristol, crossing the Atlantic
on a sailing vessel which eventually reached the
harbor of Xew York in safety, .After spending
about two \ears in that state they came to the
middle west in 1853, and, locating in Chicago,
Mr. Willis entered the employ of the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad, being engaged at track-la\ing an.d
in other work. He dug the foundation for the
depot at Chelianse, and later he was pronToted
to foreman and had charge of the men laxing the
track and building the road as far south as
Paxton. For ten years he was in the eiuplov of
the railroad coni]iany, and. saving his earnings,
he made his first purchase of land in 1863, be-
coming owner of eighty acres in Pigeon (irove
township. With characteristic energy he l^egan
its development, put u]) the necessary buildings
tilled the soil, and in the course of time bought
more lai;d until he Ix'came the owner of two
hundred acres, constituting a well improved and
valuable farm which is still in his possessi(_)n.
In his agricultural life lie displayed much capa-
bility in developing tlie fields, was .systematic and
energetic in his work and ke]it in touch with the
trend of miMkrn ])rogTess as manifest in farm life,
lie continued to operate his land until i8Sf).
when he rutted the farm, removed to Loda, and
])urehasi.d residence propertw He was after-
ward engaged in the agricultural imjilement bitsi-
ness here for a few years but has now lived
retired for some \ears in the enjovment ot a rest
which he has truly earned and richh' merits.

L'nto .Mr. and .\lr>. Willis ha\e been born
eight children: I''. I'., a resilient of Hammond,
Louisian;i ; .Mrs. I'hebe Webber, of .Montana:
b'lkii, the wife of CTarles ( )athoiit, a fanner of
I'igeon ( lro\-e townsliip ; Sarah, the wife of H,
Stro.in, who carries on agr;c'.ilt.ir,al pursuits i:i

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILI.IXoIS.

.Ui

Art'.'sia inwnsliiii : .\il:i I'., wlin is private sccrc-
tarv to t:U' president of the Detroit City ( ias Co:u-
pauv : Iteriiice, who is tlie wife of Ivii^ene Met-
ers, of Detroit, Michifjan: Thomas, who died
when a yoimji man of twenty years; I'anny.
who hicame the wife of W'ilHam I lockiidry. ancl
removed to N'eliraska, where she died in |S</).

Mr. and Mrs. Willis are memlnrs of the Chris-
tian chnrcli of I'a.xton. with which he lias lieeii
identit"ie<l for thirty-three years, lie iias lieen
without aspiration for jxihlic office. The cause
of e<lucation. however, tiiids in him a warm and
stalwart friend and he has <loiie effective service
in its behalf while actini; on the school hoartl
in his district when living; on tl'.e farm and also
on the Loda school hoard. A review of his life
shows tint he has advanced from a lumihle finan-
cial position to one of al'tluence, that his methods
have always heen honnrable. and that his success
has Come as the sure reward of earnest and un-
faltering labor. At the same time he is nt that
class of citizens who. while |)ronioiini,r in<lividMal
interests, yet find opportunity to aid in public
proj;ress. and during the tifly-three years of hi:
resilience in Illinois he has heen much interested
in the tjrowth and ini|)rovement (jf the county
ai!d to the extent of his ability has aided in its
substantial ileveloijuunt. Led to seek a home in
.\mer;ca by the ho])e of enjovinj; better opjior-
lunities than were afforfled Jiim in Jiis native
land, he was not disap])ointed in the conditions
which he foimd here, for he realize<l that ojjpor-
tnnity was open to the ambitions encrjj;etic man.
He has never feared that laborious attention to the
details (if business so necessary to success and in
former years lalxired persistently and nnremit-
tingly until his work |)lace(l him in comfortable
circumstances, beinjj now the owner of a jj^ood
home and valuable farm returninj^ him a jjrati-
fvinsr income.

CM AKLI-..-^ R. SllCHXi mi.

Charles K. Stichnoth. who is successfully car-
rying on general agricultural jnirsuits in Stock-
hm\ township, his farm being on section 34.
where he owns and cultivates one hundred and
sixty acres of arable land, is a native son of this
.- pi 111' for his birth occurred upon the farm

which is uiiw hi> home, his nafil <lay being Sep-
tember 7, \X(>-,. His father. ( ieorge Stichnoth.
was a native of Hanover, (iermany. and came to
America when eighteen years of age. He made
his way direct to Illinois, settling first in Danville,
where he worked out by the month for several
xears. He was married there to .Miss .Mary Jane
I'^ndsley. a native of X'ermiliou conntx. .\fter
his marriage he opcrateil rented land in .Milfonl
township for several years an<l his first i)ur-
chase made him owner of one lumdred and sixtv
acres in Stockland township, where he built a
house ami made a home. 1 ie imjiroved the i)lace.
devel(i))ing an excellent farm, the well tilleil fields
annually returning to him rich harvests. Later
he bought one hundred anil sixty acres adjoining
and resided thereon until iSi^j, when he removed
to Alabama. There he owned a i>each orchard
containing twelve hundred trees, and his atten-
tion was given to horticultural jjursuits uji to the
time of his death, wliich occurred in 11/33, when
he was seventy years of age. His wife died
in i8(>i. when fifty-six years of age.

Charles R. .siiilnuith is one uf seven children,
five of whom reached years of maturity. He was
reared u])on the home farm and the educational
jirivilcges which he enjoyed were those afforded
by the common schools. When twenty-eight
years of age he went to \ermilion county and
was there employeil for two years. In i.Si>4 he
returned to the homestead farm, purchased the
interest of the other heirs in the ])roperty and
now has one lumdred and sixty acres which is
rich and productive, re.s|)onding readily to the
care and labor he bestows u])on i?. In addition
to cultivating the fields he has heen a breeder
and dealer in shorthorn cattle.

( )n the 23d of September, iSi>(), Mr. .Stichnoth
was united in luarriage to Miss I'jiima lironsing,
a native of X'ermilion county and a daughter of
.\ugust lironsing. a native of (iermany. who came
to Illinois when a young man. .Mr. and Mrs.
Stichnoth have become the ])arents of three chil-
dren: .\ugust. luldie and Robert.

The family home is noted for its warm-
hearted and generous hospitality and both Mr.
and .Mrs. Stichnoth have a wide circle of friends,
politically he is a good democrat where the issues
that divide the two ]>arties are involved but at
local elections docs not consider parte lies. Ffe

332

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

has served as highway commissioner for three
years and for one year was assessor, filling out
an unexpired term. lie has been school
director and trustee fur ten years and
has fraternal relatiiin> with the Knights of
Pythias of Milford and the .Modern Woodmen
camp at Stockland. Having spent his entire life
in this ciiunty. he has a wide acquaintance here
and has been a most interested witness of its
growth and progress, manifesting a public-
sijirited devotion to the general welfare. That
many of his warmest friends are those who have
known him from his boyhootl days to the present
is an indication that his life has been hdnoraljle
and straight f( irward.

CHARLES A. CALKIX.

Charles A. Calkin, who carries on general
farming interests on section 20 and 29, Iro(|uois
township, traces his ancestry back to an early
Xew England family. He is a descendant of
Oliver Calkin, a son of Dr. John Calkin, who
was a physician of considerable skill and came
to this country from Wales in 1750, settling in
Salem. Xew York, and a descendant of Hugh
Calkin. Representatives of the family took an
active part in the Revolutionary war as advo-
cates of the cause of independence. James M.
Calkin, the father of our subject, is one of the
oldest settlers of Iroquois county. He is now
retired and lives upon the farm with his son
Charles two miles north of Crescent City, lie
was born January 18. 1813. in Sullivan count\ ,
Xew York, and is a son of Moses Calkin, who
was a native of the same locality. His grandfa-
ther built the first house in that settlement.
JVIoses (^alkin, the grandfather of our subject,
was a fanner by occu])ation and serveil in the
war of 1812.

James M. Calkin removed from the F.mpire
state to Will county. Illinois, in i8_^(), trawling
by canrd to Ihiffalo and thence to Chicago on a
boat which was named l);miel Webster. .\t that
time the metropolis of the west contained a iiopn-
lalion of oidy two hundred ami there were two
ta\-erns in the little village. It was all swamji
land at that time. .Mr. Calkin made lii> wa\ to

Will county and there resided until 1850, when
he went overland to California, leaving his fam-
ily in that county. He spent two and a half
years on the Pacific coast engaged in mining
most of the time and made some money while
there. He then returned to Will county, where
he carried on farming, owning a good tract of
land there. He had been engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits in that locality before he made his
westward trip and continued his residence in
Will county until 18O5, when he removed to Iro-
(juois county and purchased the farm upon which
he yet resides. He and his stin Charles own
three hundred and forty-seven acres of land on
sections 20 and 29. Irinjuois township. The fa-
ther improved the place, erected buildings, put
u]) a fine home and carried forward the work
of development and cultivation with gratifxing
success.-

( )n the i3tli of May, 1838. James M. Calkin
was united in marriage to ?kliss P. F. Harris and
they have now traveled life's journey together
for more than sixty-eight years. Thev are two
of the oldest settlers living in Iroquois county
today. ^Irs. Calkin was born December 4, 1820,
in Massachusetts, and is a daughter of Shadrach
I larris. who went from Massachusetts to \'er-
ninnt and thence to Erie county. Xew York.
He afterward came to Illinois with his familv.
settling in \\'ill county in 1834. \Miey they
arrived in Chicago it was nothing but swamps
and Mrs. Calkin walked through or waded the
swamps on the journey from Chicago to their
destination. The last two nights befoie they
arrived in Chicago from the east they slept on
the sand and after reaching the future western
metropolis, which then contained but small huts,
she had to slec]) on the hay. then called prairie
feathers. There were more Indians in Chicago
at that time than were white people and the red
men were likwise \ery numerous in Will county.
Her father continued to live in Will cinmtv until
iSf)4. when he removed to Irtjquois count\' and
bought tile farm upon which our subject now
resides. 'There he lived for two years, after
which he sold oiu and returned to Will county,
where he s|)ein his subsequent davs.

Cnto .Mr. and .Mrs. James M. C'alkin were
born six children, of whom two died in early
life. The others are: .Marv, the wife of Robert

OF THE
UNIVEKSnV Of ILLINOIS

MR. AXn MRS. I. M. CALKIX.

MR. WD MRS. C. A. CALKIN.

' I

u: ,rlE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUXTV. ILLINOIS.

ii7

jarvis. a risitlciit of Texas ; Xewill. an olil
soldier residing in MiifonI: Kiilli. \vli«> marrici!
Sanford Oldham and lives in I'.Iaine county. Xc-
braska ; and Charles A.

In his political views James M. Lalkin has
heen a rejuihlican since the orj^anization of the
party and has served as assessor of Iroquois
township for five years, lie has voted at every
presidential election from the time he cast his
first ballot for Martin \ an I'.nren to the present,
and he also voted for the first ;;overnor of Cali-
fornia. He and his wife are both faithfnl mem-
bers of the .Methodist I'!])isco])al church and were
amonjj the first representatives of that denomina-
tion in this county. .Mr. Calkin united with
the church at the age of twenty-five years and
his wife when a little maiden of ihiiteen years.
He has been steward and class-leader in the
church and has been one of the most prominent
and worthy members, contributin}^ ijenerously of
his means to its su]i])ort and doing all in his
power to advance its jjrowlh and extend its in-
Huence. He and his wife each have a .gold medal
awarded them at the ( Hd Settlers' Reunion. Mr.
Calkin has now |)assed the ninety-third milestone
on life's journey, while lii> wife is but little
yinuij;er. They are amonj; tiie most venerable
residents of the count\- and are most respected
])eople. They have intimate ])ersonal knowledy;e
of many of the events which have left their im-
press u|ion the state and wliich to other people
are merelv matters of history, (ireat have been
the changes that have la-en wrought since they
arrived in Illinois. The red race has long since
been supplanted by the white ))opulation and the
Indian wigwams have given way before the at-
tractive liomes that now ilot the county. Wild
land which was uncultivated or else was used
by the Indians for raising only a little patch of
Corn, has been converted into rich and pro<luctive
fields, and all this broad countryside is cultivated,
bringing forth rich cro|)s of cereals or fruit. The
Calkin family in the early days lived in true pio-
neer style and they aided in laying broad and
dee|) the foundation upon which the jjresent
growth and prosperity of the county rests.

Charles .\. Calkin was educati^l in the common
schools of IriHjuois county and also s|)ent one
year as a student at IlliMHuJngton, Illinois. He
lias alwavs lived at home and as his vcars and

strength have increased has aided more and more
largely in farm work, long since assiuning con-
trol of the farm. .\s slaletl. with his father he
owns a valuable tract of land of three hundred
an<l forty-seven acres on sections jo and 2t). Iro-
• piois township, and none of the accessories or
conveniences of a mo<lcl farm are lacking upon
this place.

-Mr. Calkin was married .March 12. 1S83. to
.Miss Jennie Stire, who lived in the vicinity of
Lacon, Illinois, and they have si.x children:
I'ersis. Morris S.. Ilulda \ .. Ruth .\.. .Mary
Melle and Xewell (i.. all at home. The children
have been educated in ( )narga and in LSushnell,
Illinois.

Charles .\. Calkin carries on general farming
and stock-raising, making a specialty of the rais-
ing of sheep, cattle and thoroughbred Jersey
hogs. He also figures in connection with finan-
cial circles, being vice president of the First Xa-
tional I lank of Crescent City. He is independent
in his political views, supjiorting men and meas-
ures rather than party, bor eighteen years he
served as clerk of the school boanl and he has
been township collector. He and his wife and
all of their family are memlK'rs of the Methodist
L])iscopaI church, the work of which has been
greatly promoted through their etTorls and co-
o|)eration. Mr. Calkin has served for twenty-
three years as superintendent of the Sunday-
school and has also been steward and trustee of
the church. He is a member of Standard lodge.
.\'o. Tk)/. I. ( t. ( >. I-"., and of Crescent cam]). Xo.
I42(). M. \\ . A. lie has met in his business life
with a measure of success that is indicative of his
ability and enter])rise. of his careful management
and keen discriminati(jn. and he is now classed
with the sub.stantial residents of Irocpiois county.

CLAl'nE X. SAUM.

In ])rofessional circles Claude X. Sauiu has
gained an enviable ])osition. being accounted one
of the able members of the bar in Iroquois coun-
ty. He resides in W'atseka and. is a member of
the law firm of Kay, Saum & Kay. .\ native
son of the county, his birth occurred March lO,
1875. His father. Cicorge W. Saum, was born

338

PAST AXD PRKSKXT OF

in De Kalb county, Illinois, and when twenty-one
years of age removed to Irofjuois county, where
he engaged in farming for many years, retiring
from active business life in 1892, since which
time he has resided in Oilman. In early man-
hood he wedded Maggie \. P.irchfield, a native
of Pennsylvania.

Claude X. Saum was educated in the country
schools of this county and in the Oilman high
school, from which he was graduated with the
class of 1893. Following the completion of his
literary education he worked upon the home farm
for two years, but thinking to find professional
life more congenial he took up the study of
law in Oilman in the office and under the direc-
tion of Spencer S. Cone. Subsequently he con-
tinued his studies in Dixon (Illinois) Law School
and was graduated in the class of 1897. The
same year he was admitted to the bar and com-
menced practice at Oilman, where he remained
until 1902, when he removed to Watseka and
formed a partnership with James H. Carey, the
firm of Carey & Saum having a continuous ex-
istence until September, 1905, when Mr. Saum
became a member of the present well known and
prominent law firm of Kay, Saum & Kay. Al-
though a young man his years seem no bar to
his progress and he is accounted an able member
of the Iroquois county bar, a position to wdiich
he has attained by reason of his wide and ac-
curate knowledge, his correct application of legal
principles and his devotion to the interests of his
clients.

Mr. Saum was married in 1901 to Miss Olive
Mather, a native of Jackson,- Mississippi, and
they are accorded a prominent position in the
social circles of the city in which they make
their home. Mr. Saum is identified with Oilman
lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is also a
popular and valued member of the Iroquois Club.

IRA H.\MILTON OILLUM, :\I. D.

Dr. Ira Hamilton Oillum, who died at his
home in Milford, March 6, 1906, was for years
one of the leading and well known physicians of
Iroquois county. He became a resident of Mil-
ford, August I, 1883, and the high character of

his professional service and of his individual
worth made him a man whom to know was to
esteem, and honor. Corn in Indiana on the 18th
of September, 1843, '^^ ^^'^'^ reared to manhood
in th;it state and acquired a liberal education
at P)loomdale. In the period of his later youth
and early manhood there was great discussion
of the slavery question and the right of govern-
mental interference. Party feeling ran very
high and old political organizations ceased to ex-
ist, while new ones took their place, their or-
ganization caused by the momentous questions
of the period. Dr. Oillum watched with interest
the progress of events in the south and in 1863,
when not yet twenty years of age, he offered his
services to the government, becoming a member
of Company H, Sixty-third Indiana \'olunteer
Infantry. Thoroughly patriotic in spirit and
faithful in his service, he continued at the front
throughout the remainder of the war and partici-
pated in a number of important engagements,
including the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. Be-
coming ver_\- ill with typhoid fever, he was in the
hospital for a considerable period, recovering his
health toward the close of the war. He was
honorably discharged at Indianapolis after the
cessation of hostilities in 1865 and returned home
with the boys in blue who had so faithfully de-
fended the old flag and the cause it represented.

When the country no longer needed his aid
Dr. Oillum returned home and resumed his
studies at lUoomdale, completing a course there.
Subsequently he engaged in teaching in Foun-
tain county, Indiana, and afterward at Newport,
that state, and thus he entered upon active busi-
ness life, atlhough in later years he transferred
his allegiance from the teacher's profession to
that of the physician's.

.\t Newport, Indiana, Dr. Oillum was married
on the 14th of August, 1867, to Miss Sarah
Richardson, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza-
lieth Richardson. Her father was one of the
pioneer residents of the Hoosier state, to which
he removed with his father, Joseph Richardson,
who entered land from the government and
cleared and developed a farm, upon which he
spent his remaining days. Following their mar-
riage Dr. and Mrs. Gillum resided near. New-
port and he took up the study of medicine there,
pursuing his first course of lectures in Rush

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

339

Medical College in Chicago in i8<.>S. lie located
at Ivesdale, Chainpaigii county, Illinois, wIkto
lie entered actively ii]x>n the ])ractice of niedicine
and surgery, .\inbitioiis to attain the greatest
jHrrfcction possible, in 1872, he again entered
Rush, where he coni])leted tlie regular course
and was graduated in the class of 1S73. He
then practiced in I'arke county, Indiana, opening
an office in Sylvania. where he continued in the
active and successful prosecution of his profes-
sion for ten years. Thinking to find a still more
favorable opening at Milford. Illinois, he re-
nittved to this city in 1883 and soon demon-
strated his ability to successfully cope with the
difficult problems which continually confront the
physician. Witiiin a short space of time he had
secured a liberal patronage and liis practice stead-
ily increased in extent and importance. He be-
canie the loved family physician in many a house-
hold and his skill and ability were demonstrated
on various ixrcasions. He held membershi]) in
a number of medical si>cieties and kejjt abreast
with his profession in the onward march of prog-
ress through the ])erusal of meilical and scientific
journals and other medical literature, l)eing a
great reader and student.

Dr. and Mrs. (lillum became the i)arents of
si.\ children, of whom four are yet living: Mrs.
Frank W'ideman. of Milford: Mrs. James .\Ilen,
who is living in Eureka, Illinois: Mrs. Fleet Gil-
luni Thompson, of Peoria ; and William Jcnner,
who is a professor of music, living in Sheldon,
Iowa. They also lost two children, one d_\ing
in infancy and the other in early childhood.

Politically the Doctor was identitied with the
rei)ublican party and after coming to Milford he
served on the national board of examiners for
twelve years. In Indiana he was recognized
as one of the standard bearers of his party and
was elected and servetl in the state legislature
as representative from Parke county. He always
stood for good government, placing the general
welfare before partisanshiji or self-aggrandize-
ment. He regarded it as the duty as well as
the privilege of every .\merican citizen to keep
well informed oi\ the issues of the day and ex-
press his preferences regarding political princi-
ples. His public life, professional and political,
was characterized at all times by a sense of con-
scientious obligation and a faithful performance

of duty. There was a considerateness and kind-
liness in his manner that won confidence and
made him a cheery presence in the sickr<x)m,
and when he was called from this life his death
came as a personal bereavement to many who
knew. res]K'Ctefl an<l honored him and wIkj were
bound to him in the strongest ties of friendship
as well as of professional service. The poor
and needy always found in him a friend and he
would as readily answer a call from those from
whom he could expect no remuneration as froin
his well-to-do patients. He tiM>k great interest
in schools and educational affairs and materially
assisted in establishing the library at Milford.
Being an active member of the Masonic frater-
nity and the Grand Army of the Republic, be
was laid to rest bv those orders.

LOUIS J. li:mfn.\ger.

Louis J. Lemenager, the present supervisor of
.\slikum township, now serving for the second
year, is engaged in farming and stock-raising,
making a specialty of the breeding of fine short-
horn cattle. His farm comprises two hundred
and forty acres of land and has been his place
of residence for the past nine years. He is one
of the native sons of Iro(|uois county, his birth
having occurred in .\shkum township, June 16.
181)7.

His parents were Eugene and .\ntoinette
( .\ucremaime) Lemenager. The mother, a na-
tive of llelgium, came to the L'nitcd States when
thirteen years of age. The father, who was also
born in P>elgium. died October 27, 1899, at the
age of sixty years and nineteen days. He was
born Octol)cr 8, 1839. and came to .\merica in
the s]iring of 1856, locating in .\sbkum town-
shi]), where he secured a farm, u])on which he
resided until his death. He owned at that time
four hun(lre<l and eighty acres of land all im-
proved. His life demonstrated what could be
accomplished by determined purpose and mi-
faltering energy. He was at one time supervisor
of his townshi]) and he was justly regarded as
a prominent farmer and highly respected citizen.
His wife, who was liorn October 31, 1842. came
with her ])arents to Invpiois cminU in iS!;;. the

340

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

family home being establislied in Ashkum town-
ship. She was a daughter of Joseph Ancre-
maune, who was a brick manufacturer and spent
about eight years in that line of Ijusiness in Chi-
cago, while subsequently he removed to a farm
near Green Day, Wisconsin, residing there until
his death, which occurred about 1890. It was
on the 23d of September. 1861, that his daughter
Antoinette gave her hand in marriage to Eugene
Lemenager. In the family w-ere six children :
Jules, a resident of Ashkum township : Arthur,
who is living in the same township near the
village of Ashkum : Mrs. Eugene Poskin, of Ash-
kum township: Louis J.; Hubert, of Ashkum
township; and ^Irs. Alexander Petit, of Dan-
forth township.

Louis J. Lemenager was reared upon the home
farm to the age of seventeen years and during
that period spent the w^inter months as a pupil
in the Plato school, this county. He afterward
spent one year at Grand Prairie Seminary, in
Onarga, and throughout much of his life he has
carried on general farming. He also devotes
considerable time to civil engineering and has as-
sisted in several important surveys for drainage
and other improvements in this section of the
county. During the past nine \ears he has re-
sided upon his present farm, owning a valuable
property of two hundred and forty acres in .\sh-
kum townshi]). which is well tilled and brings
forth abundant harvests. In all of his farm
work he is progressive as well as practical and
excellent results have therefore attended his
labors.

When twenty-two years of age Mr. Lem-
enager was married to .Miss .\ugusta Poskin, a
daughter of August Poskin, an early resident
of Iroquois county, now deceased. Four chil-
dren grace this miion, .\ugust, Albert, Stella and
William, aged respectively sixteen, thirteen, nine
and seven vears.

Mr. Lemenager exercises his right of franchise
in sujjport of the men and measures of the de-
mocracy and has served for five years as school
trustee in Iroquois townslii]i and has been school
director in .\shkum township nine \cars. So-
cially he is connected with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the family attend the Catho-
lic church. His entire life has been passed in
Iroquois county, where he has manifest the

strong and .sterling qualities that have gained
for him a place among the substantial citizens
and have also won for him the favorable regard
of his fellowmen.

GEORGE A. WEEKS.

It is seldom that death brings genuine sorrow
to so manv liearts as it did when George Au-
gustus Weeks was called from this life on the
24th of September. 1Q04. He had been reared
in Sheldon and from his boyhood days had dis-
])layed many sterling traits of character which
endeared him to those who knew him, and no
resident of the city was more widely known than
he. His birth occurred in ^ilonticello, Indiana,
on the ii)th of July, i86!j, and he was the second
son of William Augustus and Annie E. (Moore"!
\\'eeks. Mention is made of his parents on an-
other page of this work in connection with the
history of his brother. Paschal B. Weeks.

George .\. Weeks spent the first six vears of
his life in the place of his nativity and then ac-
companied his parents on their removal to Shel-
don, where he continued to reside U]) to the time
of his death. He was known here as boy and
luan, joyous and free-hearted in youth, and when
tlie age of discretion and responsibility came he
took up the duties of life bravely and manfully
becoming recognized as one of the leading repre-
sentatives cif business life in the town. His
father established a grocery and provision busi-
ness in .Sheldon and later began dealing in dry
goods and groceries. .After his death the busi-
ness was continued by ^Irs. Weeks and her two
sons. Paschal and (leorge. and for sixteen vears
tlu' latltr was prominently identified with com-
mercial interests in Sheldon, being recognized as
one of the most ])rogressive and energetic busi-
ness men of the town. After his father's death
he largely had the management of the store and
through his capability, keen foresight and in-
domitable pur])ose he increased the volume of
trade until the store became one of the largest in
this part nf the county. Xew lines were con-
linuall\- added and finally the business developed
into .-i department store. George .\. Weeks not
only worked for the upbuilding of the trade but

(•.EORr,!-: A. WKKKS.

OF THE
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

34J

extended his efforts into otlicr lines. I le invented
a lace curtain cxhibitur. for which there was
a wide sale, and siibse(|iieiitly he bejjaii the manu-
facture of couches, meeting with gratifying suc-
cess in that undertaking. Mis busy mind was
continually evolving new ideas and in all of his
work he wrought along modern lines, keei)ing
in touch witii advanced thouglu and methotis.

( )n the jSth of December. \i)i)2. .Mr. Weeks
was united in marriage at Little Rock. Arkansas,
with Miss Winifred Strickler. a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. I. X. Strickler. who were at that time
living in Hunter, .\rkansas. but had formerly
been residents of Sheldon. Mrs. Weeks' early
girlh(X(d days were here passed, so that she did
not come as a stranger to Sheldon when brought
to the city as a liride. The young couple at
once took pnjminent place in the social life of
the town and the hospitality of their own home
was greatly enjoyed by all wiio knew them, so
warm-hearted, generous and free was it.

.Mr. Weeks belonged to Davy Crockett camj).
No. 55J. .M. W. .\.. which he joined on its or-
ganization and served as its tirst escort, ami when
he was called to his final rest the interment was
conrlucted umler the aus])ices of that cam]).
Those who knew .Mr. Weeks recognized in him
strong and salient characteristics which were
worthy of emulation and of high commemlation.
He was devoted to the best interests of his city
and his aid and co-operation were always a factor
in promoting the plans and movements for the
general good. He held friendship inviolable,
recognized the jjcrsonal obligation in all of his
relations with his fcllowmen and in his home life
was known as a most devoted son. hu.-iband and
father. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weeks had been
born a little son, George .\. Since the death
of Mr. Weeks the mother and son have returned
to Hunter, .\rkansas. where her parents reside.

WILLIAM 1!.\R()X.

<')n a farm on section 7. Iroquois town.ship. re-
sides William Haron. jvhose capable management
in agricultural inter^ts is widely recognized.
He has. moreover, been a factor in financial cir-
cles since the organization of the I'irst National

Hank at Crescent City in i«>o3, when he became
one of its directors. .\ native son of the county,
his birth occurred in I'apineau township, on the
I2th of February, 1871, and he comes of French
ancestr>-. His father, Moses Baron, was born
in Canada and came to this country when a
boy of five years with liis mother. He was
reared in Papineau township, the district being
then a frontier settlement. He worked for
James Martin for eight years and later began
business on his own account. I'ros|)ering in his
undertakings, he made judicious investnients in
real estate, buying land from time to time until
he was one of the largest landowners of the
comity, his possessions aggregating sixteen hun-
dred acres. He has since disposed of a portion
of this but he now owns about one th<:)usand
acres and is living retired in St. .\nne. his ex-
tensive possessions returning him a very grati-
fying income that supplies him with all of the
Comforts and the luxuries of life that he may de-
sire. His wife has passed away. In their fam-
ily were thirteen children, and theirs is the re-
markable record that all are yet living.

William Raron was rearetl in I'apineau town-
ship, and no event of special imi)ortance oc-
curred to vary for him the routine of farm life.
He worked in the fields from the time of early
s])ring planting until crojjs were harvested in the
late autumn. In the winter months he attended
school and continued to assist his father until
twenty-five years of age. when he started out
u])on an independent business career. He con-
tinued actively in farm work until i<kx). when
he purcha.sed his present place of one hundred
and twenty acres on section 7. Irocjuois township.
He also owned an interest in one hun<lred and
seventy-six acres which he sold recently. He is
an enterprising farmer and carries on general
agricultural inirsuits and stock-raising, having
a fine herd of thoroughbred polled .\ngus cattle.
Me also raises gCMid grades of draft horses. The
farm is well equipped with substantial buildings
and the latest improved machinery, and in fact
none of the accessories of a model farm property
of the twentieth century are lacking.

Mr. r.aron was married to Miss .\nna Raboin,
a daughter of Joseph Raboin. one of the old
French settlers of .\shkum township. Mr. and
Mrs. Uaron have four children. Blanch. Milton,

344

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

Rernice and Luverne, all of whom are yet at
home. The parents are devoted and devout
communicants of the Catholic church at L"Erabk-.
His political views endorse republican principles
and his fraternal relations are with the Modern
Woodmen of America at Papineau. Without
havinjj assistance at the outset of his career Wil-
liam P.aron has labored enersjetically and per-
sistently, realizing: that in America "labor is king"
and it is the rule of this sovereign that gains the
tribute of success and pro.spcrity.

DA\TD BEESOX.

David Beeson, police justice of Pigeon (irove
township and a resident of Cissna Park, starteil
in life in this county as a renter and is now
living- retired from business cares, having through
years of former activity and toil won a com-
fortaljle com])etence. Pie came to the county in
1868 and has since resided within its borders.
His birthplace was Randolph county. Xorth
Carolina, and his natal dav December 27, 1840.
His father. Isaac Beeson, was likewise born in
the same county and was married there to Re-
becca Lamb, a native of Xorth Carolina. Mr.
Beeson was a blacksmith by trade and also a
miller and farmer. He possessed much natural
mechanical ability and ingenuity and was able to
turn his hand to almost any kind of mechanical
work. In 1845 'ic removed with his family to
Parke county, Indiana, where he engaged in the
conduct of a gri.stmill. spending his remaining
days in that locality. He was not long permitted
to enjoy his new home, however, for his death
occurred in 1846. His wife survived him for
a number of years and also died in Parke county.

David Beeson of this review was a lad of but
six years at the time of his father's death. He
was reared in Parke county, but as the family
were left in somewhat limited financial circum-
stances his educational privileges and other op-
Ijortunities were meager and it has been through
reading, e.xperience and observation that he has
broadened his knowledge and become a well in-
formed man.

The ])eriod that tested the loyalty and valor
of .\merican citizens found Mr. I'.eeson to be a

brave and stalwart champion of the Union cause.
On the 28th of July. 1862. he enlisted as a mem-
ber of Company A, Eighty-fifth Indiana \'olun-
teer Infantrx'. with which command he went to
the south, the regiment being attached to the
Army of the Cumberland. He participated in a
number of engagements, the most important be-
ing that of Franklin. Tennessee. He w^as fre-
quently on the skirmish line and in scouting ex-
peditions and for a time he was ill in the hospital
at Danville, Kentucky, with typhoid fever. Sub-
sequentlv he was transferred to the hospital at
Nashville, Tennessee, and afterward to the con-
valescent barracks in Louisville. Before his re-
covery he was sent to the Soldier's Home in
Indianapiilis but as soon as he had sufficiently
recuperated he rejoined his regiment and served
until the close of the war. being mustered out at
Nashville and honorably discharged at Indian-
apolis. Indiana. Jtily 5, 1865. He then returned
home and for two years thereafter was engaged
in farming.

Mr. Pieeson had been married on the 20th of
November 20. 1860. to Miss Nancy E. Morgan,
who was burn in Indiana, where her girlhood and
her school days were passed. She was a daugh-
ter of Wyatt Morgan, a native of North Caro-
lina and a pioneer settler of the Hoosier state.

For a few years after the war ended Mr. Bee-
son remained in Indiana and in 1868 came to Iro-
quois county, Illinois. The first year he rented
land and afterward bought in Artesia township
a place of forty acres, on which few improve-
ments had been made. He began the further de-
velopment and cultivation of the place and later
added twent}' acres adjoining the original tract.
He built there good farm buildings, secured
modern machinery to work the fields and c.ire
for the crops and continued in active farm work
until 1890. when he sold his ])lace and removed to
Cissna Park. 1 lere lu- purchased a residence
and two acres of land.

L'nlo Mr. and Mrs. iieeson have been burn
two sons, jdlni, wlm is married and lives at
Cissna Park, has a son, l'"loyd Beeson. Sylvester
is at home, and both he and his brother are em-
])loyed on the rural mail mute. The father has
been a life-long repulilican. casting his first vote
for .\braham Lincoln in 1864 while a member
lit the army. ICver\' four vears at the polls he

IRCjgLdlS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

345

has jjiven ciulorscmi-nt U< the staiulanl bearers
of the ]>any and lie al.so takes an active interest
in liMTal elections, never niissinjj but one. Since
coniinR to Cissna Park be was elected and served
on the town board and he is now servin}.; tor
two terms as police niajjistrate, ])rovin}j a caini-
ble officer, who in the discbarj^e of his duty is
swerved by neither fear nor favor, lie and his
wife are faithful members of the Methodist l{i)is-
copal church, in which be is scrvin!.j as trustee aTul
l)rcsident of the btard. while hi.s wife belongs to
the missionary society. I'raternally he is con-
nected with lluckley lod«je. \o. (>^4. A. I-'. & A,
M.. and he maintains i)leasant relations with his
old army comrades lhrou}j;h bis membersbii) in
the ( Irand Army ])ost at Cissna Park. Thirty-
eipht years have come and .y;one since he arrived
in this coiuUy. tindin}^ here much wet and swampy
land, the work of reclamation havinij scarcely
been betjun in some districts. lie has seen the
best farms made and towns built up and can re-
late many interesting incidents of earlier days
and of the changes that have occurred to bring
aboiu the present develo[)ment.

.\II-.L\ l.\ L. MILI.I.U.

Melvin L. .Miller is the junior member of the
tirm of Rcj.senberger & .Miller, dealers in lumber.
omI. building materials and farm machinery at
Martinton. The attractiveness of Iroquois comi-
ty as a place of residence is indicated In the lad
that many of her native sons have remained with-
in her borders, enjoying the advantages here
otTered and by improvement of the opportunities
which surround all. working their way upward
to success. To this class belongs .Mr. .Miller,
who was born .\pril H). 1870. in .\fartinton town-
ship, and is a son of .Mvin and .\ddie M. ( Pear-
son) Miller, .\lvin .Miler was born in I'ord
county. Illinois, bis father having come to this
state at an early day. Removing to .Martinton
townshi]). .Mr. .Miller purchased two hundred
acres of land which he broke and improved,
making his home there continuously until 188').
when he removed to Cbebanse. where he resided
for five years. On the expiration of that pe-

riod he went to Nebraska, where be has since
made his home.

.Melvin L. .Miller was educated in the country
schools and in Cbadron .\cademy. Through the
period of his boyhood and \outIi he live<l at home,
assisting his father on the farm until twenty-one
years of age, when be entered the railroad ser-
vice and for live years was thus engaged in the
west. In 181/) he took up bis abixle in Martin-
ton township, where for ten years he followed
farming, operating his fathers tract of three hun-
dred and twenty' acres, which he brought under
a high state of development, annually harvesting
rich crojis. In August. Kjof), however, he be-
came a factor in commercial life in Martinton by
forming a ])artnershi]) with William Rosenberger
as a dealer in lumber, coal. lime, cement, tile
and brick. The firm enjoys a good patronage
which is constantly increasing, and as the years
li.ive i)assed bv .Mr. Miller has in his business
life won a creditable measure of success. I'or
one year he traveled for the International Har-
vester Companv .

In his |)olitical views .\lr. .Miller i> a repnl)-
licaii and be affiliates with several fraternal or-
ganizations, including the Masons, the .Modern
Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. He was
married in llemingford, Nebraska, in i8(>i. to
.Miss (irace Schaffer, a native of Iowa, and they
became the jiarents of two children, Russell and
Irene. In Martinton they have gaiiie<l many
friends, who esteem them because of their gen-
uine ])ersonal worth and many good traits of
character, and Mr. .Miller is making for himself
an honorable jilacc in trade circles and winning
that measure of success which comes as the re-
ward of i-liise and pirsist'ent application.

ARTIICk NOCRIF.

.\rtluir Nciurie. carrying on general agricul-
tural pursuits in Concord t<nvnsliip. was born
in P.eaver township. Ir<X|uois county, in 1883.
His father, ( ielos Nourie, was a native of Canada
and was only si.x years of age when brought by
his parents to Illinois, the family home being
established in Reaver township, Inxiuois county,
in pioneer days. There be was reared to agri-

34*5

PAST AND PRESENT OF

cultural pursuits and as a life work followed
farming and stock-raising. His wife, who bore
the maiden name of .\melia Labric. was al.so a
native of Canada.

No event of special importance occurred to
vary the routine of farm life for Arthur Xourie
in the days of his boyhood and youth. At the
usual age he entered the public schools and there-
in mastered the common branches of English
learning. When not busy with his text-books he
assisted in the work of the home farm and early
gained practical experience in the best methods
of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He
came to his present place of residence in Con-
cord township in 1902. settling upon his father's
farm of two hundred and sixty-seven acres on
sections 3 and 4. He has since tiled twenty
acres of the land and has made other substan-
tial improvements and as the years pass by he
is carefully conducting his farming interests with
good success. He is a man of industry and de-
termination and is meeting with good success.

In 1902, in Beaverville. Illinois. Air. Xourie
was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Anna Lafond,
who was born in Beaver township, and they
have three children, .\nita, Clifford and Isabella.
]\Ir. Nourie was reared in the Catholic faith and
is a communicant of that church, while in his
political views and affiliation he is a republican
but has never been an aspirant for office, pre-
ferring to concentrate his time and energies upon
his business interests.

SAMUEL C. liL'R.M.sdX.

.\niong the prominent and well-to-do agricul-
turists of Iroquois county is numbered Samuel
C. Hurnison, who owns and ojierates an excel-
lent property comjjrising four hundred and fortv
acres, situated on section 29. Lovejoy township,
his postoffice being Plooiieston. The family was
founded in .\merica about 1831, at which time
the i)aternal grandfatlicr of our subject came from
England and settled in Pennsylvania. The fa-
ther. William I'.urnison, was born in the father-
land in 181 1 and when a young man of about
twenty years accompanied his ])arents on their
emigration to the new world. After residing in

the Keystone state for a number of years. \\'il-
liam Burnison. in 1853. brought his family to
the west, thereby hoping to enjoy better advan-
tages in this new and rapidly growing country.
They drove across the country with a four-horse
team and were four weeks upon the road, flak-
ing his way to Illinois, ^Ir. Burnison settled first
in Dcwitt county, near Clinton, where he made
his home until 187 1, when he removed to Iro-
quois county, owning and operating a farm here
throughout his remaining days but his death oc-
curred while he was on a business trip to .\1-
legheny City, Pennsylvania. His wife survived
for a number of years, when. she. too was called
to her final rest.

The son, Samuel C. Burnison. was born in
Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. November 15. 1840,
and was a youth of thirteen years when he ac-
companied his parents on their removal to this
state, the family home, as stated, being estab-
lished in Dewitt county. His education, begun
in the common schools in the east, was continued
in the district schools of Dewitt county, and
there he was reared to manhood, assisting his
father in his farm work until he was twenty-
four years of age, when he established a home of
his own by his marriage. C)ctober 15, 1865, to
IMiss Catherine Ann Acken, who was born in
Morris county. X'ew Jersey, a daughter of \\"\\-
liam Acken, one of the early settlers of Dewitt
county, this state. Later he removed to Iro-
(juois ciiunty. and thence to Lincoln. Xebraska,
where his death occurred in 1900. His widow,
however, still survives and makes her home with
her children, numbering three sons and four
daughters. The sons, Joseph H., \\'illiam
(George and John X'aughn, are all brick and stone
masons. 'i"he daughters are Mrs. Martha Large,
Mrs. Hattie League, Airs. Ella Ferguson and
Mrs. Burnison.

Following their marriage .Mr. and Mrs. P.urni-
son took up their abode on a farm in Logan coun-
ty, which he ojK'rated for eight years, subsequent
to whicli period he removed to Iroquois county,
where he purchased one hundred and sixtv acres
of land, which has continued to be his home to
the present time. For this tract he paid twenty-
two and a half dollars ])er acre. This was all
wild and unimproved when it came into his pos-
session, but with a determined spirit Mr. Burni-

MR. AM) MRS. S. C. BL'RXISOX.

OF THE

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

i4')

son iiiulcrtiK'k till' artluous task of Itrcakinj,' tin-
laiul. which Ik- divided into liclds .it onivciiiciit
size bv buiUhnjj siil)staiitial Icnccs. Ik- hkc-
wisc ort-cU'd a small house, in which the family
made their luHiie for many years, shariny in the
hardships and trials incident to eslal)li>hin.u a
home on the frontier, lie has at dilTereni tinie.-
added to his original purchase uniil hi> home
place now emliraces a fine tract of three hundred
and twenty acres, and in addition to this owns
another tract situated on section 30. lie luis re-
placed the little jnoneer home hy a fine ci>untry
resilience, in the rear of which .stands a good
liarn and other outhuildings for the shelter of
grain and stock. His home is surrounded by a
fine grove containmg one thousand catalpa trees,
and altogether his pro|)erty is one of the finest
in this section of the stale.

Mr. and Mrs. I'.urnison have eight living chil-
dren — four sons and four daughters: (ieorgc
L.. who is married and resides on a farm in
Lovejoy townshi]); Thomas A., who assists his
father in the operation of the home farm; Robert
L. and lienjamin II.. also under die parental
roof; Anna Jane, now the wife of (ieorge I lart-
man. a resident fanner of I'rairie (Ireen town-
ship; Xellie C. the wife of Cassius Hall, who re-
sides in Danville. Illinois; and Harriet l^liza-
beth and Myrtle I-'dith. both \oung ladies at
home. They have also lost three children;
Mary, who died at the age of thirteen years;
William .S.. when two \ears of age; and Matilda.
who died at the age of three years.

.Mr. I'.urnison gives his ])olitical support to
the republican party, casting his first presidential
ballot in i8<)4. in support of .\braham Lincoln,
and has never missed an election since that time,
always casting his ballot for the men and meas-
ures of the |)arty in which lie so firmly believes.
He is a believer in good schools, and has servetl
for fifteen years as a member of the school board.
but aside from this has never held other jiublic
office. I'.oih he and his wife ;ire devoted mem-
bers of the Methodist l^piscopal church.

Having lived in the county for more than .'i
half centnrx- Mr. I'.urnison is familiar with the
great changes which have here been wrought,
and he has been an active partici])ant in much of
the development and ]irogress that has here been
iindf ill .■ivriciilmv.il liiu'- lb- 1im< led ii \(r\

active and busy life and in addition to his farm-
ing interests, for many \ears owned and oji-
erated a threshing machine, and his eldest son
still carries on ojjerations along that line. He
h;is workiil diligenllv in the ac(|uiremenl of a
goiicl property and a coiiiiieteiice and today his
fine farm is evidence of his success, and in ad-
<lition to this pro])erty he also owns a section
of land in North Dakota, and he is today ac-
counitd one of the iirospenms and highly es-
teeiiud citizens of Iroi|nois comitx.

.\SIIKIM |( »rk.\Ai.

.\slikum is fortunate in being re])resented by
one of the best countrv weeklies in the state.
The firm who jnit out this thriving paper is com-
posed of Harry C (iili)in. editor and business
manager, and his sister, Mrs. Stella M. Little,
r.oth are ex]ierienced newspajier ])eo|)le, as is
evidenced liy the \im and energy they |)Ut into
every issue of their paper. That the peo])le of
the community appreciate their etTorts is jirovcn
by one of the largest and best paying lists of sub-
scribers and the best advertising and job patron-
age ever given a jiajicr in a town of like size.

jOHX A. MII.LKR.

John .\. Miller, who conducts a general store
in I'ittwood, is a son of Uriah and Uatherine
Miller, who were pioneer residents of Kankakee
county. John Miller — he objects to the title .Mr.
— was born near Momence. h'ebrnarv 1. iSod.
bill when he was only two years old his jiareiits
removed to Middleport township, Iro(|uois coun-
ty, where his father died in .Sejitember. 1S72.
leaving his mother with the responsibilitv of
rearing the family. He had one sister. Lida.
and two brothers. William anil Lharles. Wil-
liam (lied when twenty-one years of age. The
mother is now making her home in Watsek.i,
Illinois.

When J, A. .Miller was nine years of age he
began working for other peo])le and through his
own e\iTtion> he has .iiiiiilti'd a lucrative biisi-

350

PAST AND PRESENT OF

ness and accumulated considerable property,
owning his own business house, the residence
adjoining it and other property in the town.
He opened his store in the winter of 1893 and
has worked untiringly and continuously in build-
ing up the splendid trade which he now enjoys.
He has also been postmaster for several years,
managing the office in connection with his general
mercantile interests.

On the loth of September. 1890, was celebrated
the marriage of J. A. ]\liller and ^liss Maud
Dixon, who belongs to a pioneer family of
Plato, being a granddaughter of John Wilson,
one of the early surveyors of Iroquois county,
who settled on the Iroquois river while there
were many Indians in this part of the state.
!Many of his original field notes are still in ex-
istence and his labors were an element in the early
reclamation of the county. Four sons have been
born into the ^ililk-r household: Durward \\\,
June 22, 1891; William, August 29, 1894; (Or-
lando, February 22, 1897; and Uriah James, who
bears a family name and was born April 20, 1904.

John A. Miller votes the republican ticket and
is interested in the growth and success of the
party. He belongs to the Pittwood Christian
church, to the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fel-
lows lodge at Martinton and to the Modern
Woodmen camp at Pittwood, in wliich he has
been a constant worker and officeholder since
he united with the order. He is third vice presi-
dent of the Illinois State Detective Association
and is acquainted with all the social and political
movements of Iroquois county, while his co-op-
eration along various lines has been of decided
advantage to the county in its dcvelnjjmcnt and
progress.

WlLLl.VM HECKER, M. D.

William Hecker, a physician of Watseka, who
in his i)ractice is making a specialty of surgery, is
possessed of most accurate scientific knowledge
and in the practical work of the profession has
demonstrated his ability to accurately apply the
princi])les of the medical science to the needs of
his patients. By broad reading and discriminating
investigation he has kept fully abreast of the
progress of the times as manifest by the medical

fraternity and has a patronage which manv an
older physician might well envy.

Dr. Hecker was born in Cambria, Wisconsin,
^larch 17. 1873. His father. Christopher Heck-
er, a native of Germany, came to the United
States when a young man and settled in \\'is-
consin, where he followed farming until his re-
tirement from active business life a few years
ago. The mother, ilrs. Augusta (Krebs)
Hecker. was also a native of Germany and they
became prominent residents of the section of
^^'isconsin in which they established their home,
Mr. Hecker taking an active part in public affairs
as well as in agricultural life. The family num-
bered five children, two sons and three daughters.

Dr. Hecker, the oldest, began his education in
a countrv school and afterward attended Law-
rence L'niversity at Appleton, Wisconsin, from
which he was graduated with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts in 1898. Determining upon
the practice of medicine and surgery as a life
work, he began preparation for that calling and
won his degree at the time of his graduation
from the Northwestern ^Medical College in 1902.
He located for practice in Watseka in June of
that year and has remained here continuously
since, but in the meantime has pursued many
e.xtra courses of study in Chicago, making a
specialty of surgery. The periods of vacation
have largely been devoted to study and investi-
gation and to the acquirement of broad practical
e-xperience through hospital work. He has al-
ways been extremely proficient as a surgeon and
in his study and practice has kept fully abreast
with the times, being ambitious to advance in his
proficiency that his labors may be of still greater
benefit to mankind. Added to his laudable de-
sire for success and his love of scientific research
there is manifest in his work a humanitarian
spirit that is most commendable.

On the 5th of November, 1902, Dr. Hecker
was married to Miss Jessie E. Leatherman, a
daughter of John E. Leatherman, a prominent
resident of Watseka and a veteran of the Civil
war. Dr. Hecker is identified with the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Iro-
quois Club of Watseka. and also holds member-
sliip in the Methodist Episcopal church. His
interests are thus varied. He is not so abnor-
mally developed in any one direction as to be-

IROgLULS COUNTY. II. 1. 1 \( MS.

35 «

cnmc a K<-""'>'^ '^I'l '^^ ■' yii'iJ^ "i;i" >>f well
rc>nn<lf(l characti-r. j^iviiij.; due |)riimiiu'ncc to tlu-
various iiiti-rots cpi" life wliicli wnrk for j^jood
citizcnslii|) and for coiiiinendahlc social relations
as well as for business success and ])roniiiience.

THKuDokl-: 1-1.\( II

Theodore I'incli. living; on section jj^. I'rairic
Cireeii township, not far from Hoopesion. is a
pro)j;ressive and substantial farmer and four hun-
dred acres of land p.iys tribute to his care, labor
and careful manajjrement. lie has one hundred
and si.xty acres in his home place, constitiuiii).,' a
very attractive farm. He was born in this town-
.ship. March 14. 1S34, and is a son of Robert
Finch, a native of ( )hit>. in which state he was
reared. In l-'ountain county. Indiana, he married
Sarah .\. Crawford, who was born in ( )bio. and
in 1X52 .Mr. I'inch removed to Iro(|uois countv.
Illinois, purchasinfj land in Prairie (ircen town-
ship, upon which he located. He entered al-
together about seven hundred acres from the
government. It was raw and undeveloi)ed but
he opened up a new farm, erected substantial
buildings there and in course of years developed
an excellent pro])crty. which constantly increased
in value and productiveness. He resided con-
tinuously upon that farm until i8<)3. when he re-
moved to Colfax. Indiana, where he purchased
a tract of land upon which he \et makes his home.
being now a hale and hearty old man of eighty-
seven years. His wife is also living and they are
a most esteemed and worthy old couple. eTijoving
in large measure the friendship .ind kindly regard
of all with whom they have come in contact.

I heodore I-"inch was one of eight sons and
three ilaughters. all of wIkmu are yet living and
with the exception of one son all have reared
families of their own. Theodore was reared
U|)on the old home farm in I'rairie ( Irecn town-
ship, which he now owns. .Vo event of sjiecial
importance occurred to vary the routine of farm
life for him in his boyhood days, for in the sum-
mer months he worked in the fields and in the
winter seasons atteiuled schoil. He remained
with his father until he had attained his majority
20

and made preparation for having a home of his
own by his marriage.

It was in InKjuois counl_\. on the 51I1 of April,
1877. that TheiKlore 1-inch wedfled Miss Ijiretta
Handy, who was born in l-"ountain county. In-
diana, but was reared in lro<|uuis county, Illinois,
having been brought to this .state when a child
of four years, .\fter acquiring her ])reliminarv
education in the di.strict schools .she continued
her studies in lloope.ston and afterward success-
fullv engaged in teaching for live years |)rior to
her marriage. The \oung couple located upon a
farm on section 26. I'rairie ( Ireen township. —
a place of two hundred an<l fiftv-six acres. —
which Mr. I-'inch cultivated for a number of
years. He built a good barn and house there,
laiil many rods of tile aiul fenced the farm, also
planted fruit trees and in other ways im|)roved
the proi)ert\. In ii)02 he rented that and located
on his present farm on section 23, I'rairc (ireen
township. With farming he raises good stfick
and he also feeds and fattens a large mnnber of
hogs for the market annually. His lainled posses-
sions are now extensive and valuable and be
derives therefrom a financial return which as the
\ears have passed has made him the pos.sessor of
;i most comfortable com])etence.

I'nto .Mr. and Mrs. l-'inch have been born
nine children: Kohert W.. a farmer of I'rairie
(ireen township, who is married and has two
children. Ciordon and .\lmyra : (ioldie. the wife
of James I'ield. a resident farmer of the same
township: Mabel, the wife of Chester Field, who
follows farming in I'rairie (Ireen township: Ray-
mond J. and (^harles .\.. at home: Jamie an<l
Ruby K.. twins, but the former died at the age
of seven years: and .McKinley and Hobart. twins.
The p(5litical views of .Mr. l-'inch are in har-
mony with the |)rincii)les of the republican party.
He has served on the school board and as town-
shi]) school trustee, also as highway connnissioner
for three years, and is remiss in none of the
iluties of citizenshi]). His wife is a member of
the I'nited Brethren church and Ixith are w'orthy
pe<i))le of the community, with many friends who
esteem them highly. Mr. Finch has been a resi-
dent of Prairie drcen township throughout his
entire life. He broke the virgin sod. driving ox
teams to the breaking plow, and has herded
stock all over the prairies here. He has lived

PAST AND PRESENT OF

to see the advance of modern development and
improvement and rejoices in what has been ac-
complished, for although he lias many pleasant
memories of the "good old days" he yet knows
that substantial advancement has been made in
many ways and he has kept in touch with the
trend of modern improvement.

JOHN L. .AIULLER.

John h. }iluller has for seventeen years re-
sided on section 17, Iroquois township, where he
operates eighty acres of land. He has been a
director in the First National Bank of Crescent
City since 1904 and is thus closely associated
with the business life of this part of the county.
It was in this township that his birth occurred
on the 23d of December, 1858, his parents hav-
ing located here the previous year. The father,
John F. ^fuller, was born in Mechlenberg. (ier-
many, and in 1857 crossed the Atlantic to the
new world, locating the same year in Iroquois
county, where he has since made his home. He
was a farmer by occupation and became the
owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich
land, which he improved and brought under a
high state of cultivation. He also placed sub-
stantial buildings on the farm and diligently en-
gaged in tilling the soil and raising stock. Thus
he prospered year after year and in 1902 he re-
tired from active business life and removed to
Crescent City, where he is now living at the age
of seventy-six years, while his wife is sixty-nine
years of age. They became the parents of five
children, of whom two sons and two daughters
are yet living: John L. ; Lewis, who married
Erma Harris and lives in Iroquois townslii]^ ;
Carrie, the wife of August Ritter, living in Iowa :
and Sophia, the wife of Frank Caveney, a resi-
dent farmer of Iroquois township.

John L. Muller is indebted to the public-school
system of the county for the educational privi-
leges afforded him in youth and when not busy
with his text-books or the pleasures of the play-
ground his attention was largely devoted to the
work of the farm. He is now residing on his
father's farm on section 17, Iroquois township,
where he has lived for seventeen vears. He

carried on the work of raising the cereals best
adapted to the soil and climatic conditions and
he also raises stock. In this work he annually
adds to his income and is now a prosperous
farmer.

Mr. Muller was married in 1890, to Miss Reka
Kahlmetz, a native of Germany, and they have
five children : Lula, Charles, John, Eddie and
Harry, all yet under the parental roof. Mr. and
^Irs. Muller are worthy members of the Lutheran
church and are highly esteemed people. He
affiliates with the Modern Woodmen camp at
Crescent City, and his political views are in ac-
cord with the principles of democracy. He has
acted on the school board, but has never sought
or desired office as a reward for party fealty,
feeling that his time and attention are fully oc-
cupied w'ith his business interests. He has been
one of the directors of the First National Bank
of Crescent City since 1904. A man of good
business ability and much native force of charac-
ter, he is industrious and enterprising and has
achieved well merited success. He is also a high-
ly respected and valued citizen, and his aid is
never withheld from anv movement or measure
calculated to upbuild or benefit the community.

FRED A. CRANDALL.

The spirit of thrift and enterprise which domi-
nates Fred A. Crandall in his business life has
made him owner of an excellent farm of two
hundred acres on sections 21 and 22. Loda tow'u-
ship. It adjoins the cor])oration limits of the
village of Loda, so that the ])rivileges and ad-
vantages of town life as well as those of a rural
existence are easilv secured. The farm which
is his home was his birthplace and his natal day
was May 9, 1862.

His father, Erastus R. Crandall, was a native
of Lockport, New York, and a man of good edu-
cation. He came west to Illinois about 1854
with his father, David S. Crandall, who was
editor and publisher of the first daily newspaper
ever issued at Lockport, New York. Erastus R.
Crandall came w-est to enter the field of jour-
nalism here and published the Garden State, the
first jiaper at Loda. He and his brother after-

.MRS. I\ .\. CR.-\ND.\1.L.

^rRS. E. R. CR.-\\'D.ALT,.

H. R. IRA.XD.MJ,

F. .\. t K.W D.M.I..

UNIVERSiVt Uh ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

353

ward >tartiil a pajnr in I'rbana, llliiiois. wliicli
tlux |>ul>li>lutl for two years. Kcturiiin;j to
L«xla. tile falhtr <>f mir subject was here mar-
rieil t"> .Mary }. Smith, a native of New \\>Tk
city, who cante to Inx|iiois county with her
brother, .\ilaui .^niith, wlio was the owner of
the land u|Kin wlticli the town of I>i<la now
stands. l"or a time .Mr. Craudall en^afjed in the
real-estate business and later turned his atten-
tion to farniin};. lie broke the prairie and opened
U|> a new larni, bccomin^j eventually the owner
of live hundred acres, lie enclosed this with
a fence, added many modern impr(,)vements and
tnmsformed a wild tract of land into one of rich
fertility. I'.arns. sheds an<l a comfortable dwell-
iufj were erected by him and in iSf)^ he set out
the trees which now constitute a tine prove.
loiter he removed to southern (.'alifornia. goinij
to .San Diepo. where he resided for a number of
years and while on a visit at his home in Lo<la
he passed away in .'September. i<)03- He never
Sought nor would he hold public office, but was
well known as a most iniblic-s))irited man and
one whose devotion to the general jjood stood
as an nni|uestione<l fact in his life. His widow
survives him and still resi<les in California, and
their only daujj;hter. Ada. is tlie wife of Charles
M. I'ickard, a lawyer of Chicaj^o.

bred .\. Crandall. the only son. was reared
upon the old honie farm and was educated in
the LiKla schools and in Champaij^jn University.
Keturninj^ home, he tiKik charge of the farm for
his father, who was in poDr health, and later
succee<led to the ownersbi]i of this place. In the
meantime, however, he had gone to Iowa and
had purchased three hundred and twenty acres
of land in Ihiena \'ista county, where he opened
up and develojjed a gond farm.

.Mr. Crandall was married in that county, on
Christmas eve of l)<<^*<. to Miss Sarah !•". Clem-
ens, who was born, reared and educated in Iowa.
.Mr, (. randall farmed in Iowa for five years anil
then sold his property there, returning to Iro-
<|Uois county to take charge of the old home-
sti-ail and care for his father. He has kept
everything about his place in a good condition
of rc])air and imjjrovement and the farm in all
of its departntents indicates his careful super-
vision and ])rogressive methods. In addition
to this priipiTl\ bi- iiwn^ ;i Ii.ili" sciiiim nf land.

Constituting a well im|)roved farm, which he
Ixjugbt in I'aulding county, ( >hio. Me is a man
of good business ability, systematic in all that
he ilix'S, accurate in the management and con-
trol of his business atTairs and reliable in all
of his transactions.

L'nto .Mr. and .Mrs. Crandall have been born
three children. Steven .\., .Mice .M. and .\da L.
The ])arents hold memlK-rship in the I'.aptist
church, in which .Mr. Crandall is .serving on the
board of trustees and as church treasurer. He
is also connected with the W'ooilmen camj) at
Loda and in his |>olitical views is a stalwart
republican. The con.sensus of public opinion
regarding hint is favorable, for bis life has been
characterized by activity and reliability in busi-
ness, by loyalty in citizeusbi]) and by those traits
in S(xrial life which win warm friendships.

LV.MA.X A. l;l'..\JA.MI\.

Lyman .\. lienjamin. wh<i for almost a third
of a centiu\v was comiected with agricultural
interests in Iroipiois county, departed this life
August iJ. i8<;7, and in his death the conmiunity
lost a representative citizen and an active and
honorable business man. He was born in JetTer-
son county. .\ew York. jiiK iS. i82<). and was
descended from an old colonial family that was
established in .\ew I'"ngland at an early period
in the colonization of the new world. Jonas
lienjamin. the grandfather, was a native of
WoiMlstock. X'ermont. and served as a drummer
l)oy and scjldier in the war for independence.
.\fter the establishment of the re|)ublic he re-
moved from the (Ireen MountHin state ti) JetTer-
son county. New N'ork. settling in the midst of
what was then a wilderness, for that section of
the Country was a frontier <listrict, in which
the work of improvement ami ]>rogress had
scarcelv birn begini.

There in a pioneer home William lienjamin,
father of our subject, was born July 8, 1800. and
untler the parental roof the days of his child-
hood and youth were ])assed. Having attaiiutl
his majority, he wedded Charlotte Welch, a na-
tive of JetTerson county .'uid a daughter of John
Welch, oiii- iif till' piniiitr M-ltlii-. lit the cnntilv

356

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Her brother, Charles Welch, Jr., was the first
white child born in Jefferson county. The
young couple began their domestic life upon a
wild tract of land, which Air. Benjamin, how-
ever, cleared and broke, transforming it into a
good farm which continued his place of his
residence throughout his subsequent years. He
passed away in February, 1867, at the age of
sixty-seven years, and his wife departed this life
about ten years later. Their family numbered
four sons and two daughters, who reached adult
age: Lyman A.; Charles \\'.. a farmer and
contractor of Cook county, Illinois; Anson, who
is a farmer of Smith county, Kansas; John, who
served for three years in the Civil war and after-
ward died of disease contracted in the army;
Addie, the deceased wife of William Hart ; and
Libbie, who is the wife of Byron L. Penn\-, of
Adams, Jefferson county. New York.

There occurred no event of special importance
to vary the routine of farm life for Lyman A.
Benjamin in the days of his boyhood and youth,
save that he was enabled to supplement his com-
mon-school education by several terms' attend-
ance at Jefferson County Institute and thus ac-
quired a good education. Later he engaged in
teaching throughout the winter months and in
the summer seasons devoted his energies to farm
work. The possibilities for agricultural devel-
opment and progress in the middle west attracted
him and in the fall of 1855 he arrived in Illinois,
purchasing a farm in Dupage county, upon which
he took up his abode. He continued its improve-
ment and development until November, 1864,
at which time he sold the property and came to
Iroquois county. He then made investment in
forty acres of raw prairie land in Dan forth town-
ship and at once broke the fields, planted his seed
and in due course of time harvested good crops.
Necessary farm buildings were erected and as
financial resources increased he extended the
bnundaries of his property until his farm em-
braced one hundred and twenty acres of rich and
arable land, the fields he responding readilv in
golden harvests to the care and labor which he
bestowed upon them. The buildings which he
erected were commodious and substantial and he
carried on !iis farm work with um-emiiting dili-
gence and toil until his place Ijccame one of tlu-
valuable properties of Danforth township.

As a companion and helpmate for life's jour-
ney Mr. Benjamin chose Miss Phoebe Ann
Webb, to whom he was married in Jeft'erson
county. New York, January 24, 1854. She was
born in Washington county, that state, but was
reared and educated in Jefferson county. Her
father, Darius \\'ebb, was a prominent citizen of
his locality and for many years followed the
millwright's trade. He died in Oswego county,
New York, April 20, 1901, when almost ninet\--
six years of age. Air. and Airs. Lyman became
the parents of five children : Fred, who married
Aliss Alelissa J. Parker and resides in Watseka,
is now circuit clerk of Iroquois county. He has
three children: James, who is employed in a
store at Forrest, Illinois ; Fred P.. a student in
the State University ; and Madge, who is attend-
ing the university at Ada, Ohio. Rev. \\'illiam
D. Benjamin, the second of the family, is a minis-
ter of the Alethodist Episcopal church, now lo-
cated at Bushnell, Illinois. He wedded Rose
Clark, and they have two children : Ona, who
is attending Hedding College, at Abingdon, Illi-
nois : and Harry, at home. Edwin N., a farmer
of Sedgwick countv, Kansas, wedded Katie
Critser, and they have four children: Ilda. who
is engaged in teaching in Sedgwick county ;
Roy. Rebecca and \'era, all at home. Ida. who
spent eight years as a successful teacher of Iro-
quois county and two years as a teacher at Cissna
Park. Illinois, is now the wife of Henry J.
Landis. a resident farmer of this county, who for
eight years was engaged in the drug business at
Cissna Park. Charles W.. who completes the
family and is a farmer of Onarga township, mar-
ried Aliss Lydia Alitchell.

The parents were devoted members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, contributing" gener-
ously to its support and taking an active part in
its work. Air. Benjamin served as one of the
church stewards. When age confered upon him
the right of franchise he cast his ballot f<")r the
candidates of the whig party and later he joined
the ranks of the new republican party which he
continued to support until his demise. He
served as assessor for a number of years and in
other positions of honor and trust, in which he
was ever found as a faithful and capable official.
The cause of education received his earnest sup-
port and endorsement and his labors as a member

IROQUOIS COUXTV. ILLINOIS.

357

of the scliool board were cffcclivf and far-nacli-
iiig. He looked at lite from a broad standpoint,
recufjnizcd its possibilities and its ohlii^ations, im-
proving the former and conscientiously met the
latter. He continued to reside u])on his farm
until called to his final rest August 12. 181)7. '"
his family he was a devoted husband and father
and he left a record which is well worthy of em-
ulation. Mrs. Benjamin still survives her hus-
band and yet lives in Danforth townslii]).

FRIEDRICH BRKYMFAER.

Friedrich Breymeyer is accortlcd a position of
prominence in agricultural circles because of his
extensive farming and stock-raising interests.
He owns three well improved farms in Ash ( irove
township, and his success is the merited reward
of his capable management, diligence and pro-
gressive spirit. He came from Germany to try
his fortune in the new world and has never had
occasion to regret taking this step, for here he
found good opportunities, which, by the way,
arc aUvays open to ambitious young men, and
in this country where labor finds its just reward
he has advanced to a place among the foremost
representatives of agriculture in a district where
progressive farming meets with success.

Mr. Breymeyer was born in Schaumbcrg
Li|.'pe. (.jennany. May 18. 1847, his birthplace
being the little village of Meerbeck. opening his
eyes to the light of day in the same house where
his father, (iotlieb Breymeyer. was born. The
latter spent the days of his childhood and youth
there and in early manhiwd wedded Marie
Schoenbeck. who was likewise born in the vil-
lage of Meerbeck. The father was a farmer by
occupation and also engaged in the manufacture
of oil on a small scale with horse-])uwer, his
dual business providing him with funds neces-
sary for the sujiport of his family, which num-
bered five sons and three daughters. In i8^>2 he
made the voyage to the new world, coming direct
to Illinois. In Will county he joined a sister
and brother-in-law, who had previously located
there and Mr. Breymeyer took up his abode upon
a farm which remained his home until 1871.
when he reniovcd to Kansas, settling west of To-

peka. There he opened up a new farm, ui)on
which he spent his last days, his death occurring
there about i8<>7, when he was in his eighty-
third year. His wife passed aw.i\ in i8<):;. at
the age of seventy-eight years.

I-'rie<lrich Brexiueyer is the elijesl .surviving
member of the fanuly, the others being: Henry,
who is president of the Wamego State Bank and
owns nearly three thousand acres of land ; Caro-
line, the wife of William Seggebruch, of .\sh
Grove township; Gotlieb, who is a farmer and
also a stockholder and director in his brother's
bank in Kansas; Engel, the wife of Henry Saol-
ter. a farmer of Kan.sas ; and William, who car-
ries on agricultural ))ursuits in the same neigh-
borhood in the Sunflower state. Sophia died at
the age of seventeen years, and Ernest at the age
of fifteen years.

Friedrich Breymeyer was a youth of fifteen
when the family left the fatherland and became
residents of Will county, Illinois. He was liberal-
ly educated in select schools in Germany but only
attended a private evening school for one month
after coming to the L'nited States, but he soon
mastered the language and by reading and obser-
vation has become a well informed man. He
came to Iroquois county in 1872. when a young
man of tw'cnty-five years, having purchased land
here before his removal. He became owner of
one hundred and eleven acres which was raw and
uncultivated but he soon broke the prairie and
began farming.

I'.uilding a shanty on his place he kept bache-
lor's hall for a year, after which he luarried,
on the 9th of February, 187,^, Miss Sophie
Lucke, who was born in Will comity, Illinois,
anil was of (ierman parentage. They began
their domestic life in a ])rimitive home upon the
farm and thus lived until al>out 1883, when Mr.
Itreymeyer, having |)ros[iere<l in his undertak-
ings, erected a commodious and substantial two-
.story frame residence, making one of the at-
tractive homes of the county. He likewise
built a large barn and provided shelter for his
grain and stock. He was one of the first to tile
the land, early realizing the value of such a
niiive in draining the fields and thus |)romoting
their fertility, .\dding to his original holdings,
he became the owner of two hundred and sixtv-
tu.. :irr.v ,tt' !;ui(l ill (Hic farm and was cnntimi-

358

FAST AND PRESENT OF

ously and successfully engaged in its cultivation
until i8<j4. when he was elected count)- treas-
urer and removed to W'atseka in order to enter
upon the duties of the office. He filled the posi-
tion for four years, and during that period
bought another parm near his homestead prop-
erty, comprising one hundred and sixty acres,
which was already improved. In 1899 he re-
sumed agricultural pursuits on the old home-
stead. Realizing that there is no better invest-
ment than Illinois real estate. He has since
purchased another tract of land of one hundred
and forty-eight acres, also in Ash Grove town-
ship, so that he now owns altogether five hun-
1 dred and seventy acres of valuable farm land.
He likewise purchased six acres in W'oodworth,
in the midst of which stands a good residence,
and in the spring of 1906 he removed to the
village, where he now resides. His time is
devoted to the supervision of his farming in-
terests, which are valuable and return to him a
splendid income.

Unto Air. and Mrs. iJrcymever have been
born four children, who are yet living but they
lost their first born, Fred, at the age of three
years. Those who still sur live are : Sophie,
the wife of Adolph Munstermann, a farmer of
this county : August, who is married and lives
upon line of his father's farms: John, who is
married and is engaged in operating a portion
of the old homestead and also in breeding and
dealing in shorthorn cattle : and William, a
farmer at home. The sons have all been given
good educational privileges and ha\e been stu-
dents in Llie high school at Watscka.

In politics Mr. lireymeycr is a true blue re-
publican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the
l)arty. In 1906 he was a delegate to the congres-
sional convention to boom Joseph Cannon for the
presidency. He was elected and served on the
school board for eighteen years and for a long
period was its president, lie was likewise com-
missioner of highways two terms and assessor
for four terms, and was elected to fill out an
unexpired term as township treasurer, to wliicii
office he has been three times elected. He has
now filled that position for five years, ami i>\er
the record nf his official service tliere falls no
shadow of wrong nor sus])icion of evil, inv he
has been most loyal to the trust reposed in him.

1 1 e has frequently been a delegate to the county
conventions and -twice to the state conventions
and assisted in nominating Governor Deneen.
For a long period he has been regarded as a
leading citizen of Ash Grove township — a man
whose word is as good as his bond and whose
fidelity in all life's relations is above question.
The trust reposed in him is indicated by the fact
that he has been chosen to serve as guardian of
minors and as administrator of estates. He was
reared in the Lutheran faith and was one of the
promoters of the movement toward securing the
establishment of the present church at \\'ood-
worth. He served as trustee at the time of the
erection of the house of worship and has been a
most generous contributor to the support of the
churcli.

.Mr. r.reymeyer has traveled very extensivelv
north, south, east and west, and has thus gained
an intimate knowledge of his adopted land.
\ iewed in a personal light he is a strong man,
strong in his honor and his good name and in his
success, and in the principles wliich have guided
his actions. The nobility of his character is above
question and is conceded by all. I lis labors have
been of direct benefit to his comnumit\- in manv
ways and all acknowledge his personal worth.
Such is the record of a man who has worked his
wa\- upward from an obscure ]iosition to one
of eminence in the communitv where he has so
long resided.

TACOI! I. WISE.

Jacul) J. Wise is one of the e.xttnsive land-
owners and successful agriculturists of b'ountain
Creek township, his home being on section 1 1 ,
where he has three hundred and twenty acres,
lie is numbered among the early .settlers of the
county. f(ir he took up his abode within its bor-
ders in 1S55. The work of development and im-
prnvement had scarcely been begun then and
there were various evidences of the jjrimal con-
ditions of things. The land was wet and
s\vam])y, the native liirests were micnt, the
streams were unbridged and there were few
roads made. Here and there a hardy frontiers-
man with the hope of making for himself a good

I. WISE.

Or I HE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

.1^"

home in tlie west had established himself on a
farm and thus the foundation for the present
jjTowth and prosperity of the county was heinj;:
laid. Mr. Wise cast in his lot with the early
settlers and aided in the work of primitive devel-
opment and in the passinij years has ke])t in touch
with the trend of modern progress. He has now
readied the age of eighty years and is a vener-
able and respected citizen.

He was born September 15, iSj(». in what is
now (irant county. West \irginia. althought at
that time a i)art of the < )ld Dominion, 'lliere
he was reared upon a farm and in Randolph
county, that state, he was married June 19. 1H55.
the lady of his choice Ix-ing .Miss Elizabeth
Moore. The succeeding autumn he started with
his young bride for Illinois. He had first visited
the state in 1851. at which time he purchased
one hundred and si.xty acres of government land,
upon which he now resides. It was wet and
swampy but he believed that he recognized pos-
sibilities for development that would lead to suc-
cess and in the fall of 1835 'i*-' i^-'me to his western
possessions. Soon he broke some i>rairie and
put in a cro|). He built a little cabin and began
to farm and as the years jiassed a great change
was seen in the place. Some years later he
bought more land, but in the early days he and
his wife exiierienced great hardshijis and jiriva-
tions. Thev and their children were ill all one
summer an<l ihey lost one child, but they ])erse-
vered and Mr. Wise eventually placed his land
under the plow an<l converted it into jiroductive
fields. He also built another dwelling, together
with barns and sheds. He put out an orchard
and upon his farm he raised the timlx;r which
was used in building the bam. .\s his financial
resources increased he bought more land from
time to time, adding in forty-acre tracts until he
is now the owner of three hundred and twenty
acres in the homestead. He also has another
farm on section 15. Fountain Creek townshi]). of
one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres on sec-
tion 10, one hunilred and sixty acres on section
4. save that six acres has been taken off "for rail-
road purposes, and one hundred acres on section
12. I'ountain Creek township. He also Iwught
two hundred and forty acres in Stockland town-
ship. He owns altogether more than one thou-
s;uid ■Airn-i of vrilnable Illinois land, embraced

in i\w iuiproved farms. For about ten nionths
after his arrival here in 1851 he made rails at
fifty cents per hundred in order to get money to
buy his first land.

Mr. Wise was called upon to mourn the loss
of his wife in 1877. her death occurring on the
4th of December of that year. They were the
parents of eight children: .Mrs. Rebecca lllake.
who is living in Watseka : Susie, the wife of L.
E. Jones, of Stockland town.ship : Samuel .\.. a
resident farmer of Ash drove township: .\rabell,
the wife of Klias Fruitt, of Lrbana ; Amanda J.,
the wife of William ['. .McCray, a farmer of
Fountain Creek township: and Linnie .May, the
wife of Kdward Heebee, of Claytonville. Illinois.
They also lost two children : Fmma V... wiio
died when eight months old : and Amos, who
died when a young man of nineteen years. ( )n
the 131)1 of .\ugust. i8t)<), Mr. Wise was again
married, his second union being with Mrs. Mar\
M. Peddicord, the widow of T. J. I'eddicord.
who died in i8<>7. Mr. and Mrs. I'eddicord had
a son. William H.. who was drowned when nine-
teen years of age. Mrs. Wise was born and
reared in Kentucky and was married there, her
son being ten years of age when they removed
to Iro(|uois.

In his political views Mr. \\ ise has long been
an earnest republican, giving unfaltering support
to the ])any since he cast his first presidential
vote for .\braham Lincoln in 1864. He has never
desired nor filled i)ublic office, save that he was
highway commissioner for six years and school
trustee of his townshi]) for several years. He
and his wife hold niembershi]) in the I'nited
r.rethren cinircli of 1-ountain Creek, of which
they are charter members, and he has been a most
liberal contributor to the church and a public-
spirited citizen, whose efforts have been far-
reaching aiiil beneficial in behalf of general im-
provement and progress. He has seen the whole
county change from a wilderness and swamp and
has himself |>ut thousands of dollars into ditching
and tiling. He has seen the la-st farms made
from land which was once regarded as utterly
worthless and as the years have gone by all the
eviileiices of a modern and progressive civiliza-
tion have Ix'en introduced anil lro(|Uois county
is toda\' peopled with a ])ros|)erous and contented
l>opulation, who have made this one of the rich-

^f^2

PAST AND PRESENT OF

est fanning districts of Illinois. Mr. Wise lias
advanced in line with the trend of general prog-
ress and although in his early days here he siif-
ferred the hardshijjs and experienced the ])riva-
tions of pioneer life he is today one of the most
])rosperiius citizens and extensive landholders.
.\'or has his pathway heen strewn with the wreck
of other men's fortunes. (_)n the contrary he has
been honi)ral)le and straightforward in his busi-
ness dealings and his success is the legitimate
outcome of his labor and careful investment.

TOHX WIEXRA.XK.

John W'ienrank. whnse farming interests em-
brace an excellent tract of land of one hundred
and fifty acres on section i. Ash Grove town-
ship, is numbered among the ])ioneer residents
of this portion of the state, having taken up his
abode in Illinois in 1853. He was born in Han-
over, Germany. Deceniljer 2, 1840, and when a
lad of about thirteen years accompanied his ]iar-
ents on their removal from the fatherland to the
new world. The family home was established
in Peoria county and there he w-as reared, re-
ceiving instruction in both the German and Eng-
lish schools, while in farm work he was am]ily
trained under the direction of his father, with
whom he remained until he had reached man's
estate. He afterw'ard worked by the month for
several years as a farm hand and thus made his
start in life. His record therefore proves what
can be accomplished bv determined energv and
unfaltering purpose, for although a farm hand
at the outset of his career he is now the owner of
a valuable propertw

Mr. W'ienrank was married in \\ imdhird emm-
t\-, Illinois, in 1S71. to .Miss .\ntje Duitsman. a
native of (iermany. l-'ollowing their marriage
he carried un farming for several years in Wood-
ford county and in 1X77 came to Iroquois coun-
ty, where he purchased the farm u]ion which he
Udw- resides. He has since greatly impro\ed the
dwelling and everything about his place jiresents
a neat and well kept ap])earance. for the work of
re])air is being constantly carried furward .-ind
thus everything is kept in first cla.ss condition,
lie has ])lanted considerable fruit upon his jilace

and has employed the most mo<lern methods of
farming and tilling the fields, so that large crops
are annually harvested. He also owns an ad-
joining farm of one hundred and sixty acres
which is likewise well improved, and he has a
third farm in lielmont township, comprising a
quarter section.

In K-po -Mr. \\ ienrank was called u])on to
mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in
.March of that year and was laid to rest in the
Lutheran cemetery of W'oodworth. They were
the parents of six children : Jacob, a resident
farmer of lielmont township: John 1!.. who as-
sists his father in carrying on the home farm :
Christ, who is married and is a farmer of .Vsh
Grove townshi]i : Albert, who is associated with
his father and brother; I'ulke. the wife of Jacob
\'an Haven: and Hea. the wife of .'-^imon lUihr.
a resident farmer of Crescent township.

-Mr. ^\'ienrank and his family are members
of the Lutheran church of W'oodworth. In poli-
tics he is a democrat and has been elected and
served .as township collector and as justice of the
]:eace of Ash (jrove township. He has likewise
been a delegate to county conventions and is
much interested in the ])art_\' and its growth. He
has made a splendid record in business circles,
for although he started out emj)t\-handed he is
today the owner of three valuable farm projjcr-
ties, from which he derives an excellent income.
Investigation into his historv shows must hnii-
orable methods. He has been watchful of his
opportunities for judicious investment and
throughout his life has shown that close a])])lica-
tion without which success cannot be achieved.

1( )11\ I-.. W ILLS,

John L. Wills. sui)ei"inten(lent of the Iroquois
county farm, in which ca|)acity he has charge of
the operation of three hundred and ninety acres
of land. -is gi\-ing the utmost satisfaction in this
office. He so capably manages the business of
the institution that the farm is almost self-su])-
])orting and the lax for the maintenance of the
poor is lower in this county than in an\' county
in the state. In his childhood (la\s he came to

IROOIOIS eOrXTV. ILLINOIS.

3''3

Illinois with his parents am! has ci>miimal!v n--
siilctl in lr<K|u«)is cniinly since 1871.

He was hum l-"ohrnary 20. iS^i'i. in _|iiiniiiL;>
cutuiiy. Indiana, a son uf John and Amanda
( I'.wan I Wills, who were likcwisf natives of thai
state, the lornuT horn in Dearborn county and
the latter in jeiniinys county. John Wills. .*>^r..
was a c<H)]>er h\ traile. His wife was a daiii,'h-
ter of Iose|)li I'.wan. who came to lro(|ui>is conn-
tv in iS/o and was almost a centenarian at the
time t>f his death, lackinjj hut a lew months of
attainini; the one hundredth auniversar\ of his
hirth. Previous to his marriaj.je John Wills.
.*>r.. had removed to Jenninj;s count>. Imliana.
and later took up his almde in Xewton county,
that slate, where he remained for five years. He
then removed to Iro(|uoi.s county, settling in W ai-
seka in 1871. He conducted a car|)enter shop
and c«x)perage business for many years, beinj;
thus closely associated with the industrial life of
the town. He remained a resident of Watseka
initil called to his final rest in September. i<;02.
when seventy-six years of age. while his wife is
still living in her eighty-first year and makes her
home with her son John. Their family numbered
nine children, eight of whom reached years of
maturity.

John li. Wills was the youngest of tiie family
and was reared in Watseka. enjoying the ailvan-
tages offered by the city schools. When a young
man he began earning his own living by farm
work, being em])loyed by the month. He worked
on the county farm under Isaac W. Cast, who
conducted the farm for twelve years, and during
the last year of that time Mr. Wills was in his
.service. Mr. Cast then died but his widow re-
tained the superintendency of the farm and .Mr.
Wills remained her chief assistant for four years.

On the iQth of .Vjiril. i8<^i. was celebrated
the marriage of John L. Wills and Miss Ola
Cast, a daughter of Isaac W. Cast, who
was a native of ( )hio and in 1S50 be-
came a resident of N'ermiliun county, Illinois,
whence he removed to IriMpiois county in 1857.
I'ollowing his marriage Mr. Wills learned the
blacksmith's trade. siMin became the owner of a
shop and conducted business in that line for
fourteen \ears. In f.ict he still owns this shoj)
but his attention is now given to agricultural
interests. In .March, kki^. he was elected to the

superintendency of the cotmty farm, the work of
which he conducts in a most able manner. He
had Ik-ch j)ractically at its head for four years
inider .Mrs. Cast, who died in i<;00. at the age of
fifty-four years, lie thoroughly understands the
business necessary to its successful conduct, and
in addition to tilling the soil he raises fine stock,
keeping imported Scotch shorthorn cattle from
the \\ ithers herd.

I'nto .Mr. and .Mrs. Wills have been liorn six
children, of whom on« died in infancy, while
Clara passed away at the age of six years.
Mar\-. the eldest, is now a student in Watseka.
I'.ertha. Leslie and John are all under the parental
riHif. Mr. Wills Ijelongs to IriKpiois lodge. No.
74. I. o. ( ). [•'.. of Watseka. of which he is a
\ahie<I representative. He is a past gran<l (.)f
the order and has been a member of the grand
lodge, representing the local organization at
.Springfield in HXM- He is likewise a member of
Watseka camp of the Mo<lern Woodmen and
he and his wife attend the Christian church.
I'Vom his boyhood days he has resided contin-
uously in this county and the consensus of jiublic
opinion regarding hiiu is altogther favorable.

|( »IIN .MdNTVRI-:.

The gentleman whose name intnxluces this
review is one of the citizens of foreign birth
who has been a valuable factor in the development
and upbuilding of Iroquois county. He owns
and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres,
situated on section 3^1, Lovejoy townshi]). all of
which has been actpiired through his own well
directed labor and careful management. .\ na-
tive of the Emerald isle, he was l)orn in June.
1840. and was there reared and educated, the
common .scIkjoIs of that country afFonling him
the advantages which he enjoyed in his youth.
He remained in his native country until he had
reached the age of twenty-two years, when, hav-
ing heard favorable re|Kirts concerning the ad-
vantages to be enjoyed across the water, he ac-
cordingly sailed for the I'nitnl States in i8()8.
arriving in New York on the '>th of June of that
year. He secured emi>loyment at .Mbany, that
state, where he remained for about one vear.

364

PAST AND PRESENT OF

subsequent to which time he went to Canada,
where he spent a short time, after which he made
his way to Chicago, Illinois, where he was em-
ployed on the construction of a railroad for a time
and then secured employment on a farm near that
place, working for one man for more than five
years. Having carefully husbanded his re-
sources, so that he felt justified in engaging
in business on his own account, he made his
way to Iroquois county in 1875, and jjurchased a
farm of one hundred an^ sixty acres, situated in
Lovejoy township, and this has continued to be
his place of residence to the present time. ( )nly
a small clearing had been made when this prop-
erty came into his possession, but Mr. Mclntyre
at once look up the arduous task of clearing and
develo])ing his land and in due course of time the
fields brought forth rich harvests as a result of
the care and labor which he bestowed upon the
land. He further improved the place by the
erection of suitable buildings and a good home
and took up his abode thereon in 1876. He has
tiled his land, built good fences and altogether
has a well improved and valuable property. As
his financial resources increased he added an
additional tract of forty acres to his original pur-
chase and now has altogether a tract of two hun-
dred acres all in one body.

On the i8th of February, 1880, was celebrated
the marriage of Mr. Mclntyre and Miss Isabella
Davis, likewise a native of Ireland, where she
was reared to the age of seventeen years. They
have become the parents of three daughters, all
of whom have been liberally educated. Gertrude
is a teacher in Iroquois county. Margaret is
with her parents. Daisy, the youngest of the
famil}-, is now the wife of William Mclntyre, a
business man of Chicago.

Mr. Mclntyre is a true blue republican, and
cast his first presidential vote in 1872 in support
of General Grant, and has since that time sup-
ported the candidates of that party. He has
never sought or desired public office, preferring
to give his undivided time and attention to his
private business affairs, in which he has met with
very gratifying success. Although Mr. Mcln-
tyre was reared in the faith of the Episcopal
church, he now holds memliership with the Pres-
byterian denomination at Wellington, to which
his wife also belongs.

Mr. Mclntyre has been a resident of Iroquois
county for the past thirty years and during that
period has been active and helpful in the agri-
cultural development of this part of the state.

Taking up his abode in the new world when a
young man, he soon adapted himself to the
changed conditions of the new and rapidly de-
veloping country and by his energy and economy
has worked his way ujjward from a poor boy to
a citizen of worth and afifluence, who enjoys the
favorable regard of a large acquaintance, and
he and his familv have manv warm friends.

tho:mas lo\'eless.

Thomas Loveless, who is familiarly known as
Squire on the streets of }\IiIford. is one of the
popular men of the town and an old settler of the
state, whose life record has been creditable to the
commonwealth, for he has ever upheld the legal
and political status of his community and given
hearty co-operation and support to those meas-
ures which have direct bearing upon the welfare
and improvement of a commuiTity. He has lived
in Illinois since the 28th of September, 1858.

His birth had occurred nineteen years before
in Pickaway county, Ohio, his natal day having
been Alay 4, 1839. I'^ his youth he accompanied
his parents on their removal to Tippecanoe coun-
ty, Indiana, where he was reared and his educa-
tional privileges were those afforded by the com-
mon schools, but he manifested a special aptitude
in his studies and his reading in later years has
constantly broadened his knowledge, making him
a well informed man, so that in early manhood
he was well qualified for the profession of teach-
ing, which he followed first in Indiana and later
in Illinois.

Mr. Loveless was married in Tippecanoe
county. Indiana, in July, 1858, to Miss Harriet
Funk, a native of that state, where her girlhood
days were passed. In the fall of 1848 they
removed to Iroquois county, settling on a farm
near Milford. Mr. Loveless had visited the state
in 1854 when a youth of fourteen years. After
bringing his bride to the new home he engaged
in farming and in raising and feeding stock.
His first purchase of land made him owner of

MR. AND MkS. THOMAS LOVELESS.

Or SHE
UNIVERSir* Of ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. H.I.IXolS.

Zf>7

fiftv-one acres, wliicli he brouRht uiuler a hi^h
state (if cultivation, lie built a house there and
continued the active work of farniinjr until liis
lields had returned to him abundant harvesi>i.
He also eiifrajred in buyintj, feeding and shi]>])ini;
stock, carrvinj;^ on that business for thirty years.
lie was one of the well known dealers and ship-
pers of lriK|uois county, for his business steadily
increased in volume and importance. Ik-ini;- an
e.scellent jud^e of stock he was enabled to make
careful purchases and i)rotitable sales and he
eventually became one of the extensive shi])pcrs
of the county. .\s his financial resources per-
mitted he bought land from lime to time and he
now owns alxnit seven hundred acres in Iroquois
County, and also a farm of three hundred acres in
Tippecan<x* county. Indiana, and three hundred
and twenty acres in Arkansas. Mis farm was
for many years a scene of great business activity
but eventually he put aside agricultural interests.
and in 18S3 located in Milford. where he erected
a pleasant and attractive home. He is much
interested in the upbuilding and improvement of
the town, and his labors have had direct bearing
upon its growth and development, and in the
advancement of those interests which are a mat-
ter of civic virtue and of civic pride. In K/J5
Mr. Loveless was called upon to mourti the loss
of his wife, who in that year was laid to rest in
Maple ( irove cemeter\-. There are six living chil-
dren by this union : ( ieorge, who is married and
follows farming in Tijipecanoe county, Indiana :
Mrs. Lydia Dalstnnii, who is a widow and re-
sides in Ilooix'Ston : William \\ .. a resident farm-
er of this county; Emma, the wife of W. T.
Caldwell, a photographer of Milford : ( )llie. the
wife of Charles McMillen. of Tippecanoe coun-
ty. Indiana; and Thomas I!.. wIk) is ojjerating the
old homestead farm. They also lost two chil-
dren, Elizabeth and Jacob, who died in early
youth.

Mr. Ij)veless has the honor of belonging to
that great band of young men who in iSTio cast
their first vote and thereby supported Illinois'
greatest statesman, .\braham Lincoln, lie has
since voted for each nominee on the republican
ticket with one e.xception. When on the farm
he served as highway commissioner and also as
township schcH)l trustee and since removing to
Milford has Ix'cn elected and re-elected to the
21

niVice of justice of the peace, so that he is now
serving for the tenth consecutive year in that
jjosition. His decisions are strictly fair and im-
partial and no higher testimonial of capable ser-
vice could be given than the fact that he has
ag'ain and again been chosen by popular suffrage.
■ He has frequently been a delegate to county and
state conventions and at all times is a faithful
and efficient officer, richly meriting the trust re-
l)nsed in him. Strong and positive in his re|)ub-
licanism, his parly fealty is not grounded on
liartisan prejudice and he enjoys the respect an<l
confidence of all his associates irres])ective of
])arty. He is identified with that class in the
movement toward higher jjolitics which is com-
mon to both parties and which constitutes the
most hopeful ])olitical sign of the period.

He has been identified with the Masonic fra-
ternity since i8<i7 but is now a demilted Masun.
He also joined the Odd P'cllows lodge in 1867,
served through all the chairs and is a past grand
of Milford lodge, which he lias likewise repre-
sented in the grand lodge of the slate. He was
also identifie<I with the encampment and is a
grand past ])atriarch. I'or forty-eight years he
has live<l in Irotpiois comity and has seen much
of its growth and develojiment as the swamps
anil sloughs have been drained and the ])rairie
cleared and cultivated. There has been no
more gratifying nor substantial progress made
than in agricultural lines in this direction an<l
Mr. Loveless has borne his full share. He has
a wide ac(|uaintancc in W'atseka and throughout
the county where he is known as a man of in-
tegrity and worth, and the success which has
crowned his efl'orts has made him one of the sub-
stantial citizens (if tlif i-iimmunitv.

H.\R.M sen AlMl'.URG.

Harm Scliaumburg. now living in Milford, was
for years one of the active and jjrosperous farm-
ers of Milford township aiul one of the earlv
settlers of Illinois, where he has resided from
early l)oylio<id days. More than fifty-one years
have been added to the cycle of the centuries
since he took up his abode in this state and from
childhood to earlv manhood, from earl\- manhood

368

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

to the prime of life, lie has so hved as to ,i;aiii
the favorable regard of a lartje circle of friends
and acquaintances. A native of Germany, he
was born in Prussia. February 19. 1846. and
came to the new world with his mother and her
family when a lad of nine years. The family
home was established in Peoria county. Illinois,-
and subsequent removals took them to Tazewell.
Woodford and L!vin,s:ston counties.

Thus it was that the subject of this review
was reared to manhood in this state. His school
privileges were limited and his youth was large-
ly a periotl of earnest and unremitting toil. He
was but eighteen years of age when he responded
to the country's call for aid and in May. 1864, at
Quincy, Illinois, joined the boys in blue of Com-
pany B, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry. He was sent south
with his regiment to Memphis and served on
picket and guard duty. He participated in the
battle at Memjjhis. Tennessee, where two hun-
dred of his regiment were killed or taken prison-
ers. While at the front he became ill and was in
the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, for a short
time. He served until after the expiration of
his term of enlistment and was then sent home
and honorably discharged at Springfield. Illinois.
His brother, Franz, who was one of three sons
to come with the mother to the new world, was
a soldier of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry and
served throughout the war. He now resides at
Cruger, Illinois, while the younger brother. John.
makes his home in Nebraska.

From his youth Harm Schaumburg was de-
pendent upon liis own resources not only for a
living, but also had to assist his mother in sup-
port of the family. They had to endure many
hardships and privations in the early years of
their residence in the new world because of their
limited financial condition. When the war was
over Mr. Schainnburg i>f this review resumed
work as a farm hand by the month and was
thus employed for several years, after which
he was married and thus made arrangements for
having a home of his own. It was in Woodford
county, in 1871, that Miss Anna Lucht, a Ger-
man lady, became his wife. In 1874 he removed
with his little family to Milford township and
with the money he had saved from his earnings
purchased eighty acres of unimproved land which

Ik- broke and cultivated. He also placed the
necessary l)uildings upon his farm and there suc-
cessfuUv carried on general agricultural pursuits
for nine vears. after which he sold that jjrdjjerty
and bonglit a place of one hundred and si.xty
acres constituting a farm upon which are fair
improvements. He later bought one hundred
acres adjoining. He has led a life of industry
and activity and as the years have rolled around
he has acumulated a goodly measure of success.
.\11 of the buildings upon his place stand as mon-
uments to his thrift, labor and enterprise. He
has set out fruit and shade trees, which aild
much to ihc value and attractive appearance of
his farm, and in the fields he has annually raisetl
good cro])s. which have come to him as the re-
ward of the care and labor he has bestowed upon
the fields. He has also raised good stock, mak-
ing a specialty of horses and hogs. Thus his
life was passed in imremitting diligence and ac-
tivity until 1902, when he put aside the more ac-
tive duties of the farm and pinxhased a neat and
a substantial residence in ^Milford which he has
since occupied, enjoying there a well earned re-
tirement from further labor. He also purchased
nine acres of land in Milford, which he divided
into lots. This tract was called Schaumburg's
first addition to ^Milford. He has sold about one-
half nf these lots.

;\Ir. and Mrs. Schaumburg have a family of
six sons and three daughters, as follows : Wil-
liam, who is farming the old homestead : Wirtje.
who also carries on agricultural pursuits ; Jonas,
who follows farming on the old home place :
I'ranz and Louis, who give their attention to
general agricultural ]nn-suits : John, who is with
his ])arents in Alilford; Ann E., the wife of
Jose])h \"an H(i\-eln : Perteke. the wife of Dick
Casper ; and Anna, the wife of Sebo Frederick,
a resident farmer of Crescent township. Thev
also lost three children. Frank Mnd Harm meet-
ing death by accident, being instantly killed, and
Alma, who died in her second vear.

[n community afifairs Mr. .Schaumburg has
manifested a spirit of devotion to the general
welfare that is most commendable. He votes
an independent local ballot but supjjorts the re-
IMililican ])arty on state and national issues.
While on the farm he was elected and served
fnr fourteen consecutive vears as highwav com-

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

Z^*)

missiiincr and was lar).;il_v iiiMnimi'iUal in i-s-
tal>lishin^ jjimhI matls. IK' also si-rvi'd nn tlu-
m:1h">1 biiani ami thai lie has thi- (.ntirc (.niiti-
diiici- and trust ni" his fclltiwincn is indii'iitcd hv
the fact that he lias several times been chosen
as ailininistratiir tn settle estates. His life is in
haniiiHiy with his (.'hristian faith and i»n>fcssi<)ns.
Itotli he and his wife wen reared in the Lutheran
church and are imw CDniniunicants thereof. In
retrospect one can see Mr. Schaunihurfj a |)oor
Ixiy, dependent \\\nn\ his own resources for a
livinj.,'. He had to start out early to ti<,'ht the
battles of life but has come olT victor in the
strife. Today he is the owner of a valuable and
desirable farm property and a s.;ood home in
Milford and moreover he possesses an un-
tarnished name, for in all of his business dcaliiiiis
he has been slraiijbtforward and reliable. His
e.xample is indeed well worthy of emulation by all
who have true re.irard for character and who wish
to win prosperity throuiih straijihtforwanl
methods.

.VLIIKKT II. TAl.l'.l'.k'

.\lbert H. Talbert, who carries on gereral at;ri-
cultural pursuits on section 6. ( )nars:a townshi]).
is one of Iroquois county's native sons. In fact
the farm which is now his place pf residence was
his birthplace, his natal <lay beinij .\pril 23. 185S.
He is a son of (ieorj^e W. Talbert, who was born
in Indiana and was reared and married there,
the lady of his choice beinji Miss Catherine Deyo,
a native of that state. .Mr. Talbert was a farmer
of Indiana and on removing to Illinois became
one of the early residents of Iroipiois county.
Much of the land here was still in jiossessioii of
the government and he entered two hundred and
forty acres, which he broke and cultivateil. trans-
forminj,' the raw prairie into a richly improved
farm. His work in the fields was continuous
save for the period of his service in the Civil
war. His i)atriotic spirit beiiiK aroused by the
attempt i>f the south to overthrow the Union,
he joined the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, of which
he Ixcame sergeant, and wliile at the front he
became ill and died in the fiebl hospital in Mis-
souri in \^^2. He survived his wife for only a
brief period, her death having occurred in i8<')i.

In their family were three children who were
thus left orphans an<l were reared by friends.
< liie son, I'.dward I). Talbert, died at the a^je of
si.xteen years, while II. N. Talbert is now liviii);
retired in ( )iiarj,'a. He is married and has three
children and is mentioned on another \yA\n: of this
w I irk.

Albert II. I albert, whose name introduces this
review, spent the (ia\ s of his boyhood and youth
in this county and is indebted tit the common-
school system for the educational privilejjes
which he enjoyed ;md which fitted him for the
jtractical duties of life. Haviii;,'' arrived at years
of maturity, he chose a com])anion and help-
mate for life's journe\' ;ind was married in Kan-
kakee. Illinois, May i, 1SX4. to .Miss Laura Case,
who was Ijorn and reared in Kankakee county,
:i daughter of ( ). .N. Case of that county. I'ol-
lowiui^- their marriage they located on the old
homestead farm, which Mr. Talbert began to cul-
tivate and inii)rove. He erected a good residence
which was afterward destro\eil by fire, and sub-
.se(|uenl to that clisastcr he built a two-story
dwelling which he now occupies and which is one
of the substantial and comfortable homes of the
township. I le has also built a gowl barn and
cribs, has laid many rods of tiling and has divide<l
his place into fielils of convenient size by well
kept fences. He has altogether a neat and well
im])roved farm, on which stock-raising is a fea-
ture. He makes a specialty (jf hogs of the York-
shire breed and has also high grade cattle and
horses, Ix'ing recognized as a successful stock-
man and one who is seldoin, if ever, at error in
matters of judgment concerning the value of
stock. In addition to his home property he also
owns a residence in Onarga.

Mr. and Mrs. Talbert are the parents of sev-
en children : George D.. Lawrence O., Alva L..
Clyde A. aiul Harold, who are still living ami
they have lost two chiklren : Stella, who died
at the age of nine years ; and one son, Frank,
who died in infancy. The parents have a wide
and favorable acquaintance in Onarga township
and this part of the county. Mr. Talbert is a
member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Onarga and
he and his wife are connected with the Rcbekali
degree. He votes with the republican party,
having proudly cast his first presidential ballot
for lames A. (uirfield in 1880. while his last

3/0

PAST AND PRESENT OF

vote was given in snpport of Theodore Roose-
velt. A stanch friend of the cause of education,
he believes in good schools, has done effective
service along that line as a member of the school
board and is now acting as president of the
district board. Always a resident of Iroquois
county, he is classed with its industrious and
prosperous farmers and in the conduct of his
business affairs he has displayed a reliabilil_\- and
progressiveness that have gained him admiration
as well as success.

GEORGE ^\'. ALEXANDER.

George W. .Mexander, living on section 14,
Ash Gro\-c township, was born in Sangamon
county, Illinois, June 18, 1856. His father, Asa
Alexander, was also a native of that county,
which fact indicates that the family was estab-
lished in Illinois at an early day. There he was
reared and in early manhood he wedded Mary
Tabor, likewise a native of this state. For sev-
eral years thereafter he engaged in farming in
Sangamon count}- and in 1876 removed to Iro-
quois county, settling in Ash Grove township.
His last days were spent in Milford, where he
died in 1895, his wife passing away about a
year later in 1896. Their son, George W.. was
the eldest of their three sons and three daugh-
ters, all of whorn are yet living, the others be-
ing: ^Irs. Rose Seward, who resides in Indi-
ana; Mrs. Clara Dixon, of Sheldon, Illinois ; Mrs.
Julia Crink, of Milford township : Samuel Alex-
ander, a resident of Goodwine, Illinois; and Wil-
liam, who is living in Springfield, this state.

George W. Alexander was reared in Sangamon
and Ford counties. He had fair school advan-
tages and received practical training in farm
work. After reaching man's estate he rented
land and engaged in farming on his own account
for several years in .\sh Grove and Crescent
townships and also in Milford township.

On the loth of October, 1888. in Ash Grove
townshi]), was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Alexander and Miss .Vgnes Hislop, a daughter
of Ninian Hislop and a native of inxiuois
countv. where she was also reared and educated.
The home of Mr. an<l Mrs. .Alexander has been

blessed with foiu" children: Glenn. Mary, Ruby
and Katie.

Mr. Alexander's first purchase of land made
him owner of eighty acres in Milford township
and after his marriage he located thereon and
engaged in farming for four years. C)n the ex-
piration of that period he sold the property and
pui"chased where he now resides, becoming own-
er of one hundred and sixty acres on section 14,
.\sli Grove township. Taking up his abode
thereon in 1893. he at once began its further de-
velopment and has tiled the greater part of the
land. He broke some of the original sod and
now has a cultivable farm, the soil being very
productive. He has likewise planted fruit anjJ
in connection with the raising of cereals he also
raises good grades of stock, so that his busi-
ness is bringing him a good financial return.

Politically Mr. Alexander is a democrat. He
served on the school board for a number of years
and has always been a believer in good schools
and the employment of good teachers, so that
while on the school board he did effective serv-
ice in behalf of the cause of education. For six
vears he acted as drainage commissioner and was
instrumental in the establishment of some of
the big ditches of the county which have been
of so great benefit to the district, draining the
wet lands and reiidering hitherto low and
swampy tracts cultivable.

For thirty vears Mr. Alexander has resided
in this part of the state and has seen great
changes as the wild, wet land has been trans-
formed into fine farms equipped with all modern
conveniences, so that it is today one of the rich
agricultural districts of this great state.

SETH W. BOUGITTON.

Selh W. Houghton, regarded as one of the
leading business men of Crescent City, where he
is engaged in buying and dealing in grain, coal
and seeds, is a native of Iroquois county, his
liirlli having occurred in Iroquois township, three
miles north of Crescent City, on the 13th of-
June, 1870. Flis father. Orris Horatio Bough-
tun, came to Will county, Illinois, in 1842. from
tJK' state of New York, where his birth occurred

G. \v. ALi':.\.\.\iJi:k.

OF THE
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

373

I'cljniary <>. iSj;. lie rtsiilcil in Will cminty
until 1830. wlu'ii. with tliri-c brothers, he went ti>
California by way of the overland route, niakiuj;
tlie long journey across the hot plains, tiie sandy
stretches and throujjjj the mountain passes to ilu-
( iolden state. ( )ne of his brothers died in Iowa,
while on the trip. The other brothers and our
sul)ject's father reinainetl in California about a
year, and then returned to Will county, Illinois.

( >n the jd of July. 185,^. at LockiM)rt. Will
county. Orris II. Iloufjluon was united in mar-
riaj;c to Miss Caroline E. Passnier. who was
born at North .Scriba, < )swcjio county. New
York, January J3. 1S3O. and on the 2,vl "f Oc-
tober, i8<)4. they removed to Irocjuois county,
locatiufj in Iro<|uois township near the home of
James M. Calkin, one of the old settlers here.
Mr. IJoujjhton resolutely undert<M)k the task of
further developing and cultivating his farm,
which comprised one hundred and twentv acres
of good land that in course of time brought forth
rich and aliuudant harvests, owing to the care
aufl labor lie bestowed upon the fields. Tlnis he
l)rosperefI in his business and he was, moreover,
regarded as a go(Ml neighbor, well liked by all
who knew him. ( )n the 4th »>f March. 1SX4.
he removed to Marion cmmty, Illinois, and located
near Salem, where his wife died on the 28th of
the following .May. being laid to rest in Mast
Lawn cemetery. Salem. May 30. 18S4. She was
an earnest and consistent memlK-r of the Congre-
gational church at Crescent City. .Mr. Hough-
ton still makes his home in Salem, being now
eighty-one years of age. His family numbered
four children : Harry, who is engaged in car-
pentering in Salem: Juniata, the wife of ( i. W.
Leckrone. a resident of Salem: Warren, who is
engaged in the grain busine-s at I larri-^ville. Illi-
nois : and Seth W.

The commcpu schools atfonled Setli \\ . Hough-
ton the cflucational (irivileges which he enjoyed
and he began business life on his own account
when eighteen years of age. being emi)loyed at
farm labor until he attained his majority. He
afterward worked at the caqHMitcr's trade for a
year and then turned his attention to the grain
business in the employ of T. Mctiill, of Watseka.
with whom he remained for two years. He was
afterward in the em|)lo\ of Mr. Mc( iill in Mil-
ford for a \i-;ir and .1 li.ilf .mil •.iib-.i-nni nth >.|M'nt

si.\ and a half years in the .service of L. T. Hutch-
iiis, a grain dealer of .Milford. ( )n the expira-
tion of that ])eriiMl he came to Crescent City in
n;oi and entered into partnership with Harlan
Urothers and has since been engagetl in the grain
trade under the firm name of Harlan & Itough-
ton. They have an elevator with a ca|)acity of
fifty thou.saud bushels, and in connection with
grain they also handle seeds, coal and other com-
modities and have a finely e(|uipped office. Mr.
lioughton owns one of the finest residences in
Crescent City.

The lady who presides over tin> .iitraciivc
home was in her maidcnh<MKl Miss .Matie I*'.
Roberds, of Milford, to whom he was married
June iS. i8</). She is a daughter of Sanford
.\. Roberds. who became one of the pioneer resi-
dents of Iro(|uois county but is now living in
Colorado. I'oth Mr. and Mrs. Houghton hold
membership in the Metlnxlist Episcopal church
and in its work take an active and hel|)ful
interest.

Mr. Houghton belongs to the Masonic lodge.
No. U,H. .\. v. & A. .M.. at Milford: to Stamlard
IfKlge. .No. («7. I. (I. ( ). F., of Crescent City:
and to Crescent cam]), .No. 1425, .M. W. .\. He
is in symi)atliy with the distinguished elements
of these organizations, which recognize the
brotherhood of luankind and inculcate nuitual
helpfulness and kindliness among the members.
Mr. Houghton's interests e.xtend to those lines
of life which affect the welfare of the people at
large ami he gives hearty endorsement to all
movements which tend to advance the material,
intellectual and moral welfare of a citv.

W ll.l.l AM A. C.\U.\I AN.

W illiam A. Carman, a practical and progres-
sive agriculturist living on section 3. Fountain
Ireek township, his ])ossessions embracing two
hundred and thirty-three acres, is a native of
ln<liana. He was Ixtrn .\[)ril <>. 18/V), and the
following year was brought to Illinois bv his
father, .\lonzo Carman, who was likewise born
in the Hoosier state am! was there reared, lb-
was a farmer by occupation, anrl in Indiana
vMiMf.l MiT.v \ Lunger, who was likewise

374

PAST AXD PRESENT OF

born in that state. Soon afterward they came to
Illinois, settling in Iroquois comity, where Mr.
Carman purchased one hundred and sixty acres
of land. After living upon that property for a
few years he bought another farm a mile south
of Goodwine, comprising three hundred and
twenty acres. His time and energies were then
devoted to the development of the soil and the
improvement of the fields and he made there
a good farm. His family number three children.

William A. Carman, the eldest, was reared
under the parental roof and enjoyed good school
advantages. \\'hen he was twenty-one years of
age his father gave him one hundred and sixty
acres of land, which he has since cultivated, and
as the years have passed he has won a place
among the representative and successful agri-
culturists of his part of the county. He made
further preparations for having a home of his
own b\- his marriage, on the i8th of October,
1893, to ^liss Jennie Kesterson, who was born
in this county and is a daughter of William
Kesterson. who is now living in Ash Grove town-
ship. Mr. and .Mrs. Carman have become the
parents of three children, Mattie Florence, Rosa
.\delaide and Hearsel.

With the added stimulus of having a family
for whom to provide, William A. Carman reso-
lutely took up the work of the farm and has
carried it forward with unfaltering diligence and
perseverance. The buildings upon his place are
monuments to his enterprise and labor and in-
clude a two-story dwelling, two good barns, cribs
and other outbuildings. There are also three
flowing wells n])on the place and the fields have
been drained Ijy tlie judicious use of tile, while
fences have divided the farm into fields of con-
venient size. TTe has altogether one thousand
rods of tile on liis place. TJu- cereals planted
bring forth rich harvests because of the practical
progressive methods he follows in caring f(jr the
fields, and lie is also engaged in raising thomngh-
bred Xorman horses and is the owner of an im-
ported stallion for breeding purposes.

Mr. and Mrs. Carman attend the Methodist
Episcopal cJiurch at Goodwine. of which the lady
is a member, while he holds membership rela-
tions with the Modern Woodmen camp of Good-
wine. His political views accord with the ]irin-
ciples of the republican party and at local elections

he casts an independent ballot. With the assist-
ance received from his father, which enabled him
to gain a good start in life, he has made steady
advancement on the high road to prosperity and
is now one of the substantial citizens of the
communitv.

JESSE R. EASTBURX.

Jesse R. Eastburn is numbered among the
native sons of Concord township, having been
born on section 32 in 1870. His father. Jesse
R. Eastburn, Sr., was a riative of Adams county,
Ohio, bom in 1815, and by wagon he journeyed
across the conntrv from the Buckeye state to Illi-
nois in company with his father, Hezekiah East-
burn, This was about 1830. The grandfather
then entered one hundred and sixty acres of land
from the government, the tract being situated on
section t,2, Concord township. He built a log
cabin and there made his home, living in pioneer
style and aiding in laying strong and deep the
foundation tipon which has been builded the
[present prosperity and progress of the county.
He died a few years later, at which time his son.
Jesse R. Eastburn, .Sr., took the farm, which he
improved, building a house, barn and fences upon
it. He also did considerable tiling and thus
added much to the productiveness of the fields.
On the 1 6th of September, 1848, he married
Tobitha Crichfield. who died Xovember 9, 1854,
at the age of twenty-seven years. By that tmion
were born two children, Anne and Ellen. He
was married Mav i. 1856, to ^liss Margaret
Howry, of Indiana, and unto them were born
four children, of wlmni three are living: Jesse
R.. Laura J. and Mattie. The mother of these
cjiijilren was born Xovember 13, 1840. and died
Xovember 16, 1898.

The surviving son, Jesse R. Eastburn. lived
at home witji his jiarents during the period of his
l)oyhood and youth, and when twenty-four years
lit age started out in life on his own account,
farming nn sections 31 and ^2. The tract of land
eom])rises two hundred and seventy acres. Mr.
ICaslburn has purchased his sisters' interest in
the old homestead and has made some substan-
tial im])roveiuents thereon. He follows farming
and stiick-raising and everything about the place

IROQL-OIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

.?75

iiulii:at(.-> lii> careful siipcrvisioii aiul jiraciical
iiicthixls. Ml- lias carefully systfinatizal his
wiirk ami he is always interesteil in anything; that
tends to primiote the welfare of the ai;riculturisi
through the improvement of niachinery or the
acceptance of scientific knowleilj^c which has di-
rect bearinjj ujxjii the best methods of tillinij the
soil and pHniucinj^j jjood crops. In comiection
with jjcneral farmintj Mr. I-^astl)uni has also
enjiajjed in raisinj; stock and finds this a jirofit-
able source of income.

< )n the 13th of Seinemher. iStj^, occurred the
marriaj.;e of Jesse K. Lasiburn and Miss I'.ertha
Clark, who was born in Concord townsbi]) in
1S7J. They have become the parents of seven
children. Hazel L.. Marjjuerite E.. John L.. Jesse
V... Walter Clifford. I'reeman 1'. and I'.ernard
R. -Mr. Kastbnrn has served as school director
and he jrives his jiolitical sup])ort to the democ-
racy. Having always lived in Concord town-
ship, he has a wide acquaintance within its bor-
ders and his good qualities have won him f.Tvor-
able regard and warm frieiidshi])s.

CLARK

M \k l'l\.

Among the residents of I^)da now living re-
tired is numbered Clark H. .Martin, who in
former years was identified willi agricultural and
commercial interests bin who is now enjoying
rest from all labor, save the su])ervision of his
invested interests. He was born in ( )neida countv.
N'ew York. .May 17. iS^c;. and comes of Lnglish
ancestry, the family having Ixen founded in N'ew-
Kngland during the pioneer ei)ocIi in its history.
The grandfather. Lbenezer .Martin, was a native
of Connecticut and became one of the first set-
tlers of ( hieida County, N'ew York, where oc-
curred the birth of his son, .\lfred Martin, fa-
ther of our subject, in 1800. The latter was
reared in that county ami there married Rhfida
Dennison, a native of Xew York. To provide
for his family he followed agricultural pursuits
in Oneida county and spent his entire life there,
I)assing away in 1850. He was a soldier in the
war of 1S12. entering the army when a lad of
onI\ twelve >>r thirteen years, and his widow was

afterward pensioned by the government because
of that service. For years he filled the office
of justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly
fair and impartial and he was known throughout
the conununily as Stjuire Martin.

Cnlo him and his wife were born fourteen chil-
dren, thirteen of whom reached >ears of ma-
turity — five sons and eight daughters, but the only
surviving sons are Clark H., of this review, and
Lyman. There are four sisters living, three be-
ing residents of the state of N'ew York and one
of I-'Iorida. Two of the brothers enlisted for
service in the I'nion army during the war of the
Rebellion. Lyman joined the < )ne Hundred and
Seventeenth N'ew York X'olunteer Infantry and
served for three years. He was wounded and
still sulTers from the effect of that injury. His
home is in Rome, N'ew York, where he is en-
gaged in business as a contractor. Charles J.
.Martin, of the same family, enlisted when but a
lad of f(5urteen years, jfjining the army in the
fall of 1861 in an independent company. He
was ke])t at the head(|uarters of tieneral Mc-
L'lellan antl his successors for special (lut\' and
served until the close of the war, when lie ])artici-
])ate(l in the grand review at Washington, 1). C.
He beame a ])rominent and inllueiuial resident
of Siloam Spring. Arkansas, where he lived for
a nimiber of years, and was cashier of a bank
there at the time of his death in the spring of

Clark H. Martin s])ent the days of his boyhood
and youth in the countv i>f his nativity, was
reared to farm life and was educated in the
|)nblic schools. He. too. was a soldier of the
Civil war. enlisting on the 1st of .Ma\. 1861. in
response to the president's call for troojis. He
had watched with interest the trend of events
in the south and had resolved that if a blow was
struck to overthrow the I'nion he would stand
loyally in its defense, .\ccordingly he joined
Company C. of the Fourteenth N'ew York N'ol-
imteer Infantry, which was assigned to the .\rmy
of the Potomac under (ieneral (Jeorge B. Mc-
(.'lellan. He partici|)ated in the following battles:
r.idl Run. July 24. iWti : I'.ig Hetliel : Yorktown,
April 4, 18^12: Williamsburg. May 5; Hanover
Courthouse. May 27: .Mechanicsville. June 27;
Ciaines Mills. June 28: Fair ( )aks. June 30;
Malvern Hill. July 18-20: Bull Run, August 30:

3/-6

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Antietani, September 17 ; Shepherdstown. Sep-
tember 20 ; Fredericksburg, December 1 3 ; and
Chancellorsville, i\Iay 4. 1863. While at the last
named place his term of service ex|)ired and he
was mustered out and honorably discharged at
Utica. New York, ^lay 24, with the rank of cor-
poral. Although he was never wounded he was
ill with txphoid fever during the early part of
his service and saw much arduous military duty,
experiencing the usual hardships of the soldier
who engages in actual warfare.

After recuperating for a time Mr. }klartin
entered the railroad station at McConnellsville,
New York, where he remained for four years as
agent. About the time of the close of the war
he was married there, on the 9th of October.
18O4, to Aliss Harriet Hicks, a native of Xew
York state, who, for several years prior to her
marriage, had engaged in teaching. In 1867
they removed to Illinois, and Mr. .Martin pur-
chased land in what is now Pigeon tirove town-
ship, becoming owner of three hundred and twen-
ty acres of raw land, which he broke and fenced
developing a new farm. He also put up good
buildings, including a house, barn, cribs and
sheds, and he carried on the active work of the
farm until 1889, when he sold that property and
removed to Loda, where he erected a dwelling.
For three or four years he conducted a meat mar-
ket in the town and then sold out. since which
time he has lived retired. In the meantime, how-
ever, he purchased a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres of improved land in IJarton county,
Missouri, and from this he deri\es a gratifving
income.

Unto Mr. and .Mrs. Martin have been born
two children. ( iertrude. a music teacher : and \\'il-
liam C, a farmer. Ixith at home. Mr. Martin
exercises his right of franchise in sui)]iort of the
republican party, having been one of its stalwart
champions since casting his first presidential bal-
lot for .Vbraham Lincoln in i860. When living
on the farm he served as township treasurer for
fourteen years, being the first to be elected after
the organization of the townshi]), and continuing
in that office until he removed to Loda. He was
also township clerk for three terms. His wife
is a member of the fhrislian church and he 1k-
l(jngs to the (irand .Army jjosl at Loda. in which
he is a past commander. During the thirty-nine

years of his residence in Iroquois county he has
so lived as to win the esteem and friendship of
those with whom he has come in contact and he
deserves mention in this volume as a representa-
tive citizen and as a veteran of the Civil war.

A. T. CARTER.

A. J. Carter is a retired farmer living in
Ashkum. He still owns one hundred and sixty
acres of finelv improved land on section 22,
Ashkum township, together with a modern home
in the village where he resides. He represents
one of the old pioneer families of this part of the
state. His parents, S. O. and Lorena (Thorn-
ton ) Carter, removed to La Salle, Illinois,
from Alorristown, St. Lawrence county. Xew
York, in 183C). In 1849 S- ^'- Carter went
to California, attracted by the discovery of
gold on the Pacific slope, and turned the manage-
ment of the farm over to his son, A. J. Carter,
then a boy of fifteen years. He remained in the
far west until 1855, ■^^li^n 't? rejoined his family
in Illinois. There were three sons, of whom .A,
J. is the eldest. The others are H. H. Carter, a
retired farmer now living in Earlville, Illinois ;
and foel Carter, who has likewise retired from
the work of the farm and makes his home in
Earlville.

A. J. Carter was born in M<_>rristown. St.
Lawrence county. Xew A'ork, August 9, 1833,
and was therefore but three years old when
brought tbv his parents to this state. His early
education was somewhat neglected on account of
the ])oor school privileges in Illinois at that early
period. His training at farm labor, however,
was not meager, for he early began to assist
in the work of the fields, taking his place be-
hind the plow almost as soon as large enough to
reach the |iIo\\ liaiidles. L'or many ye.'irs there-
after he was closeh- associated with .igricidtiu'al
interests and, as stated, assmned the management
of the home farm when a xouth of fifteen years,
.\s time passed by he saved his earnings and at
lent;th purchased a farm of his own. Coming
to lro(|uois count\ in iSdS, he invested in one
hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22.
Ashkum townshii). This is now a splendidly

•y.

■/.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IROQUOIS COUXTY. ILLINOIS.

37"

improvi-il propcrt} fmin wliicli lie 'Icrivcs a guixl
income, ami lie continued to carr\ nij tlie work
of the farm until iS(i«). wlien lie took uj) liis
alxxic ill the village.

Mr. Carter was married in l-larlville Decem-
lier 17. iSd-. to Miss Mary .\nn Jactihs. of that
l>lace. Tliex hecanie parents of a son and dauf^h-
ler Itut the forn-.er, .\rtluir Wells, ilied at the
ape of nineteen years. The daughter, Jennie 11.,
after attemlinjj the public .schools of .\shkinii,
entered the Ciraiid I'rairie Seminary at <~)iiarKa,
from which she \< as jiraduateil. She has
taupht school in .\shkum townshiji f<ir the past
six vcars an<l in connection therewith slu' now
manages her father's home since the death of
the wife and mother, which occurred on the
_Vl of Xovemher, i()Oi.

.Mr. Carter has supported the <lemocrac\
throughout his life, although he has hecome
somewhat nKle])endeiit in jiolitics in later years.
He cpves to the support of local churches, al-
though he docs not hold memliership with .-my
denomination. His life has been honorable ami
uprisjht and the success which he enjoys ha-
come as the leiritimate result of earnest I.ilii>r
and close application.

THOMAS T. WESSELS.

Thomas T. Wessels, engaged in general farm-
ing and also operating a threshing machine and
corn sheller, resides on section 33, Iroquois town-
ship, where he has one of the finest and best
improved farms in the county. With unfalter-
ing determination and laudable ambition he has
worked with this end in view and his prominence
and pros|)erity as an agriculturist are well
merited.

Mr. Wessels was l)orn in the town of Middles,
in the county of .\uricli, Hanover, (jermany. in
i8'>4. a .son of l-Vederick Wessels, also a native
of that locality. The father, who was a me-
chanic, worked in a brickyard and also followed
farming. He married (lesche Reinholz. likewise
a native of Hanover, ar.d in iSfx) they came with
their family to .\nierica. making a location in
Washington. Tazewell county, Illinois, where
Mr. Wessels engaged in farming for a few years.

He then removed to this county, settling in .\sh-
kum townshi]!, where lie resided for two years
and then removed to Crescent township. His
last years were spent in Crescent Lity, where
he lived retired until I'.is death, which occurred
in H)oi. His wife has also passed away. The
tamily of this worthx couple numbered four
children, three of whom are \et living: Thomas
r. : (ierd. a successful farmer of Crescent town-
ship: and lieike, living in .\rkansas.

The father wisely decided to bring his family
to .\merica and thus Thomas T. Wessels has had
tlie bmader opportunities of the new world. Ik-
was only live years old at the time of the emigra-
tion and in the common schools of this state
he ac(|uired his education, assisting in the work
of the farm when not busy with his text-books.
He has always followed farming. Having been
ie:ired to that occupation he has never desired
to change and has found ample opportunitv in
this deiartnieiit of labor for the exercise of close
application, keen discernment and capable man-
agement. These (|ualities have shown forth in
the results that he has achieved. He first bought
one hundred and twenty acres in Crescent town-
ship, which he later .sold and bought three hun-
dred and thirteen acres of fine land on section 33.
Inxpiois township where he now resides. He
has one of the finest farms in the countv, in the
midst of which stands a large commodious resi-
dence, built in modern style of architecture. In
the rear of this is a large barn, which he has
recently built, and the fences and all of the build-
ings upon the jilace present a well kept appear-
ance. .Modern methods of farming are utilize<l
and he is sy.stematic in all that he docs. Drain-
age, rotation of cro|)s, the u.se of the latest ini-
I)roved machinery, all contribute to the success
of the business which he is making his life
work, and stock-raising is no unimportant branch
of his interests. In i8<;<; he began threshing
and corn shelling and he now owns two fine
threshing outfits and two corn shellers and does
nnich work with these, ojierating extensively in
the county.

.Mr. Wessels married Miss Jennie Renken, of
lro(|uois county, a daughter of Renke .\. Renken.
a very early .settler of the county who came from
Ciermany and died in M/yT,. VnXo .Mr. and Mrs.
Wessels have been born five children: Fred-

38o

PAST AM) rRKSRXT OF

erick, Herman. Leia. Waller and Kditli. all yet
at home, the family circle remaininj; unbroken
by the hand of death. The parents arc mem-
bers of the Lutheran church. Mr. We.ssels i.s
independent in political thought and action. He
has spent much of his life in this county, which
has been the scene of his business activity.
Early in life he became imbued with a strong de-
sire to attain affluence and acquire good farming
property and bent his energies toward securing
this result. He has made good use of his op-
portunities, turning every advantage to the best
accoiml, in accordance with honorable business
principles, and his life is an illustration of what
may be accomplished by persistent etTort and tin'
practical use of one"s native talents.

I r LI rs K1I".TZAL\XX.

Julius Kietziiianu. Hving on section 5, ( )narga
township, is one of the active and prosperous
farmers of Troc[uois county, his place embracing
two hundred acres of Illinois' rich soil. He has
been a resident of this state since 1866 and ot
the count)- since 1872. He was born in Prussia,
April 12, 1846, and was reared to manhood there
upon a farm. He had varied eonininn-schodl ad-
vantages in the (Jerman language but is self-edu-
cated in English, having mastered the latter
tongue since coming to the new wurld. The
year of his emigration was 1866, at whieli time
he took passage on a sailing vessel at 1 lamburg
which was eight weeks and three da\s on the
broad ,\tlantic ere the voyage was coni])leted by
drojjping anchor in Xew "N'ork harbor on the 1 ith
of June. .Mr. Kietzniaini wurked at Albany for
two months, earning seventeen dollars, after
which he made his way westward to Lhicago.
His cajjital at the time he arrived in .\ew Vnvk
was but twenty-five cents and he also had only
a quarter when he reached the western metro])o-
lis. Going to Will county, Fllinois, he there
worked for three years as a farm han<l in the
employ of one man antl thus made a start in busi-
ness life in this state.

Mr. Kietzmann was married in Will county.
October 9, 1870, to Miss .\mclia I-uckow, a na-
tive of Germanv. Tie then rented land in \\\\\

county, which he operated for two years, after
which he came to Iroquois county and again
carried on farming on rented land for two years.
With the capital he had managed to save from
his earnings he afterward purchased eighty acres
on which he took up his abode, there carrying
on general farming for six or seven years.
When he had disposed of that property he bought
another farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
which he cultivated for several years, and as his
financial resources permitted he added to his
holdings from time to time until he owned four'
hundred acres in that tract. There he carried
on farming until 1899, when he sold his property
there and bought two hundred acres where he
now resides on section 5, Onarga township.
This has since been his place of residence and
in the meantiine he has purchased another tract
of one hundred and sixty acres about two miles
to the east, so that he now owns altogether three
hundred and sixty acres. Here he has put up a
good residence and also substantial outbuildings
for the shelter of grain and stock. Though he
started out in life empty-handed he is now in very
comfortable financial circumstances and the se-
cret of his success is his good management, his
enterprise and his unfaltering perseverance.

Mr. Kietzmann lost his first wife about 1881.
There are four living children by that union:
( iotlieb, who is married and now owns and op-
erates a farm : Theodore, who is married and fol-
lows farming in this county: Ida. the wife of
Hcnrv l-'roehling, an agriculturist of Onarga
township : and I'jnil. who is likewise married and
engaged in farming in this county. Mr. Kietz-
mann was again married in February. 1883, in
Chicago, his second union being with .\nna
W'endtland. a native of Germany. They now
have seven children : Charles, .\ugust, Martha,
Henrv, Minnie, Rosa and Lillie.

I'lilitiealh' .Mr. Kietzmann is a true blue demo-
crat, having stanchly supported the party for a
number of years. He was reared in the Lutheran
faith anil his wife is a communicant of the
Catholic church. His residence in Illinois covers
a period of four decades, during which time he
has been a most industrious man. He worked
hard to gain a start and as the years have gone
by he has made judicious investment in property
luuil he now owns two well improved and valu-

IROQUOIS COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

.^«'

al>Ii' farms. His ri-innl is an Imiior to tin- laii<I
of his nativity ami tlic land of his aclo])lion and
proves what may 1k' acoomplishi-d in a conntrN
wluTt- ilTort is not hampirid hy cast or class.
hut where the road U) snccess is the hii^hway of
nsefulness and ijenernl activitv.

IK.WKI.IX

ZrMW Al.l

l-'ranklin i*. /.unuvalt. of Sheldon, is nnmhereil
among Irotjuois county's native sons and is a
representative of one of the old pioneer families
of tile state, while in 1S47 his lather hecanie a
resident of this county, casting in his lot with the
early >ettlers who were reclaiminj.; the wild land
and iniim))roved rtfjion for the purposes of civili-
zation. It was ui)on the old farm homestead in
Shrlilon township th:U .Mr. Zumwalt of this re-
view was horn, j-'ehruarv 3. i.S<iS. Mis ])arints
Wire Christian and .Salimla ( l )der ) /luuwah.
The father was horn in Lexint;ton. Harrison
County. Kentucky. .Sei)lenil)cr S. 1SJ4, and was
the younj,'csl in the family of cin'u children l):irn
nnto I'hili]) and Leah (I'owell) Zumwalt. who
wire likewise native of the iilue (irass state. In
183,^ when their son Christian was a lad of
nine ^ars they removed with their familx to
Indiana. seUlinti in l"ountain county, where I'liilij)
Zumwalt c nducted a grist and saw mill but he
was not long permitted to enjoy his new h<inie. his
death occurring in i^j^J.

Christian Zmnwalt jjursued his education i.i
the common schools and remained at hoiue until
he attained his majority. In 1842. with his
widowed mother, he removed to Illinois, settling
first in \'ermilion county, where he carried on
general farming. His mother died while on a
visit in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1840. In
the meantime, in 1847, Christian Zumwalt had
removed to Iro(|uois comity hut after his mothers
death returned to Vermilion ciHinty. Later he
took up his abode in Iowa and subscf|uently es-
tablished his home in Tazewell county. Illinois,
but lived at each (dace for only a brief iicrioil.
He came again to Iroquois county in 1855 and
l)igan farming here. Prosperity attended his well
directed elTorls and he made judicious invest-

ments in property until his farm land embraced
two hundred and forty acres. This he brought
under a high state of cultivation and improve-
ment and in the course of years the fields returned
him a gratifying income in bounteous harvests.
Mr. Zumwalt secured a jiortion of his land from
the government. Not a furrow had been turned
iior an improvement made u|)on that tract but
he resolutelv set to work to convert it into pro-
ductive fielils and bis labors in course of time
wrought the desired transformation. He also
erected goo<l buildings and added the various
e(|uipuients which are elements of a model farm.
Without desire for oftice Mr. Zumwalt gave a
st.alwart sii])])ort to the republican i)arty and its
principles. The only offices he would ever con-
sent to holil were in connection with the schools
ami the roads and he did this, realizing their
value as factors in the liest develo])ment of the
county. He and his wife were consistert mem-
bers and active workers in the C"liristian church
and were highly rispected in the communilv.

I )n the i8tli of I'ebruary. 184(1. Christian
Zumwalt was married to Miss .Salinda ( )dir. a
native of Illinois aiicl a daughter of Joseiib < )ili.r.
h'ight children blessed this union, .seven of wb.'m
are now living. The father died in W'atseka in
i8</i. at the age of seventy-one years, while his
wife survived until H)02 and passed away at the
age of seventy-four.

l-ranklin I'. Zumwalt at the usual age became
;i student in the district schools and mastered the
various branches of learning tlierein taught.
\\ hen not occupied with the duties of the scliool-
r: oni or t!ie pleasures of the ])layground his at-
tention was claimed by the farm work and thus
be became familiar with all of the tasks neces-
sary to the successful cultivation of the fields.
When twenty-one years of age lie started out in
life on his own account, and whatever success
he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors.
He has made farming his life work and is today
the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of
land in Shelilon township, whereon he raises both
grain and stock. I le has made a specialty of
I'ercheron horses and high grade cattle and hogs,
and he employs men to assist him in carrying on
the work of the farm. In KjOj he retired and re-
moved to .Sheldon, where he purchased a beauti-
ful residence that be now occupies. He has ten

382

PAST AND PRESEXT OF

lots in town and his home is one of the most at-
tractive residences in Sheldon.

Mr. Zumwalt was married in 1891 to Miss
Delia Waity, a daughter of Xelson II. \\'aii>.
who was one of the pioneer residents here but is
now deceased. He was born in Norway, in Au-
gust, 1824, and there spent the first twelve years
of his life, after which he accompanied his par-
ents on their emigration to the new world, the
family home being established at Beaver Creek.
Illinois, where his parents dietl. He li\ed there
but few months, when he went to Monticello,
Illinois, where he spent one year. He afterwartl
returned to Pieaver Creek and for six years was
employed by the month at farm labor. He then
engaged in f