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 Iroquois County, Illinois, 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 Biographical Sketches cf Prominent and Representative Citizens, 
 
 Together with Biographies of all the 
 
 Sovcrnors of the itatG, and of i^e IresidGnts 
 
 OF THE UNITED STMTES. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 LAKE CITY PUBLISHING CO. 
 
 1893. 
 
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 5 1 IK greatest of English liistorians, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of 
 the present ceutiay, has said: "The histor}' of a country is best told in a record of the 
 lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Poktkait and Bioi;uapiii(ai. 
 Record ^f ti^jy county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
 taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, our 
 corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 
 enterprise and industry, brought the county to rank second to none among those 
 comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
 struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
 gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many wliose lives are worth3' the 
 imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
 industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
 advantages f(n' securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
 influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
 v^k^ have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
 ,JaV^ become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
 ^ records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of man}-, ver^y 
 
 many, who, nf)t seeking the applause of the world, have pursued '"the even tenor of their wa^-," content 
 to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
 they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
 anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
 call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
 once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
 be lost upon those who follow after. 
 
 Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
 that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
 inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
 given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers (latter them- 
 selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograpb 
 ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 
 
 Tlie faces of some, and biogra|)hical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this tlie 
 |uil)lishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
 information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
 the family would oppose the enteri)rise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
 one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
 at their residence or place of business. 
 
 .iaiuiarv, \K>ii. Lakk City Piui.isiiinc Co. 
 


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 Governors of Illinois, 
 
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FIRST PRESIDENT. 
 
 .'.■-■' ^/.•■■..••i' v:g;»^>^'^t^t a;j'^-. 
 
 GE0M6E WASHIIXGTOI^, 
 
 'i •. \ : 'i ■■ '.y I ■■ '■ -. ■■ ■■ '■ •■ '(:s'&;.-k s^i^0c^ 
 
 HE Father of our Country was 
 &l_lx)rn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
 Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
 were Augustine and Mary 
 (Ball) Washington. The family 
 to which he belonged has not 
 been satisfactorily traced in 
 England. His great-grand- 
 father, John Washington, em- 
 igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
 and became a prosperous 
 planter. He had two sons, 
 Lawrence and John. The 
 former married Mildred Warner 
 and had three children, John, 
 Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
 tine, the father of George, first 
 married Jane Butler, who bore 
 him four children, two of whom, 
 Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
 maturity. Of six children by his 
 second marriage, George was the 
 eldest, the others being Betty, 
 Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
 and Mildred. 
 Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
 in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
 eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
 tiie Fatomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
 and to George he left the [jarental residence. George 
 received only such education as the neighborhood 
 sciiools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
 school, when he received private instruction in 
 inathemat'cs. His spelling was rather defectjv*. 
 
 Remarkable stories are told of his great physica: 
 strength and development at an early age. He was 
 an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
 was early noted for that nobleness of chara,cter, fair- 
 ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 
 
 When George was 1 4 years old hehad a desire to go to 
 sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
 but through the opjx)sition of his mother the idea was 
 abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
 surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. 1 n 
 this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
 life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
 essential to him. In 175 r, though only 19 years of 
 age, he was apiX)inted adjutant with the rank of 
 major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
 active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
 after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
 Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
 soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
 died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
 who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
 estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 
 
 Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieutcn- 
 ant-(kivernor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
 reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
 tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
 Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
 a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
 cepted, which others had refused. This was lo pro- 
 ceed to the French jwst near Lake Erie in North- 
 western Pennsylvania. Tiie distance to be traversed 
 was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
 and the journey was to be made without military 
 escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. Th« 
 
GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 irip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
 losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
 a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
 of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
 mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
 commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
 then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
 Washington took a most important part. In the 
 memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
 dock's defeat, Washihgton was almost the only officer 
 of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
 day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
 were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
 alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
 to his brother he says: "I had four bullet.? through 
 my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
 unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
 on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
 not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
 direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
 him. 
 
 After having been five years in the military service, 
 and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
 look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
 expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
 CO resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
 Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
 active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
 married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
 widow of John Parke Custis. 
 
 When the British Parliament had closed the port 
 if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
 that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
 It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
 gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
 del|)hia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
 peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
 ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
 Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
 England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
 cord and Lexington had been fouglit. Among the 
 first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
 mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
 responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
 who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
 ii on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
 receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
 of expenses and expect Congress 10 pay them and 
 nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
 trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
 fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
 were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
 him under every possible disadvantage, and while his 
 forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
 obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
 and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
 nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
 a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 
 
 commission as commander-in-chief of the army \.j 
 to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. IL 
 retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumeO 
 his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
 conneciion with public life. 
 
 In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously 
 elected President. In his presidential career he was 
 subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
 government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
 of other governments; trials from want of harmony 
 between the diflerent sections of our own country; 
 trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
 owing to the war and waht of credit; trials from the 
 beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
 clear judg.iient could discern the golden mean; and 
 while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
 sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
 attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
 very annoying. 
 
 At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
 mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
 were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
 refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
 1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
 dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
 his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of 
 public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
 seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France- 
 At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
 take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
 ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
 ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
 home. In accepting the command he made the 
 reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
 it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
 his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took 
 a seveie cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
 in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
 fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
 teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
 final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
 speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
 miration. The more we see of the operations of 
 our government, .nnd the more deeply we feel the 
 difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
 the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
 ent and character, which havebe'^n able to challenge 
 the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
 tions, and to win a fame as extended as the Hmiis 
 of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
 be as lasting as the existence of man. 
 
 The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
 and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
 great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
 He commanded respect without any appearance o* 
 haughtiness, and ever serious without l^<?ir>e dull. 
 
SECOND PRESIDENT. 
 
 =^i44abi^S-. 
 
 ^om» ^WMM ADAMS, ^l- • '• S 
 
 ^p'*irf»"" 
 
 OHX ADAMS, the second 
 J President and the first Vice- 
 t'y" President of the United States, 
 /J was born in Braintree ( now 
 Quincy),Mass., and about ten 
 ''^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
 Adams, emigrated from England 
 about 1640, with a family of eight 
 M sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
 parents of John were John and 
 Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
 father was a farmer of. limited 
 means, to which he added the bus- 
 iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
 eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
 tion at Harvard College. John 
 graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
 school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
 'sci.ool of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
 gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
 study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
 under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
 had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
 but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
 termed " tlje frightfid engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
 jils, of diabolical malice, andCalvanistic good nature,'" 
 of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
 his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
 profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
 ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
 tive ixjwers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
 1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
 and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
 marriage, (i7'''5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
 tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
 steps toward holdinj^ :x town meeting, and the resolu- 
 
 tions he offered on the subject became very populai 
 throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
 word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos 
 ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
 and prominent advocates of the popular cause, and 
 was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
 lislature) in 1770. 
 
 Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
 from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
 which rr.ct in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt 
 by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
 vocated the movement for independence against th° 
 majority of the members. In May, 1776, he mcved 
 and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
 should assume the duties of self-government. Hei 
 was a prominent member of the committee of jve, 
 appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
 pendence. This article was drawn by Jefl"erson, but 
 orh Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
 Congress in a three days debate. 
 
 On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
 was passed, while his soul was yet warm with thj 
 glow of e.xcited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
 which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
 by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
 greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
 in .America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
 be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
 without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
 States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
 pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
 July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
 of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
 by succeeding generations, as the great anniversaryi 
 festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day ofl 
 deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
 Cod, It ought to be solemnized with jwnip, shows- 
 
24 
 
 JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
 from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
 time forward for ever. You will think me transported 
 with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
 the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
 maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
 these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
 rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
 worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
 will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
 hope we shall not." 
 
 In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
 deilegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
 Franiclin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
 the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
 from tiie French Government. This was a severe trial 
 to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
 compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
 posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
 ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
 1779. In September of the same year he was again 
 chosen to go to Paris, and tiiere hold himself in readi- 
 ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
 with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
 might be found willing to listen to such pioposels. He 
 sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
 Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
 formed important commeicial treaties. 
 
 Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
 Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
 toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
 threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
 tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
 was advised to go to England to drink the waters of 
 Bath. While in England, still drooping anddesixjnd- 
 ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
 urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
 negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
 delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
 storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip. 
 
 February 24, 1785; Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
 envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
 to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
 garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
 condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
 States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
 plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
 nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 
 
 When Washington was first chosen President, John 
 Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
 home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
 at the second election of Washington as President, 
 Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
 ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
 elected President, though not without much opposition. 
 Serving in this office four vears,he was succeeded by 
 .Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 
 
 ^Vhile Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 
 
 French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
 and it was ujxjn this jwint which he was at issue wiih 
 the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
 Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
 in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
 power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
 classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
 On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
 enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
 iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
 men, and two jxswerful parties were thus soon organ- 
 ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
 were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
 sympathy with France. 
 
 The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
 moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
 old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
 had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
 appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
 after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
 form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
 and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
 of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
 emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
 good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
 institution which he had been so active in creating and 
 supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
 to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
 station in the gift of the people. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
 century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
 signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
 earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
 well known, on that day two of these finished their 
 earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
 to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
 Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
 of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
 his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
 customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
 dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
 in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
 he was asked by one of his ;:ttendants if he knew 
 what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
 ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
 In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
 glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
 "Jefferson survives." But he had, at ore o'clock, re- 
 signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 
 
 The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
 Adams were not particularly prepossessinr. His face, 
 as his portrait manifests.was intellectual ard expres 
 sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and h'S 
 manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
 He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
 the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
 the manners and address of Jefferson. 
 
-A 
 
 //■r7^d^y. 
 
 '^ 
 
THIRD PRESIDENT. 
 
 »y 
 
 I TO DMAS JElSis'D'lY7""'f 
 
 HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
 liorn April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
 ipwell, Albermarle county, Va. 
 His parents were Peter and 
 Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
 the former a native of Wales, 
 and the latter born in Lon- 
 don. To them were born six 
 daughters and two sons, of 
 whom Thomas was the elder. 
 When 14 years of age his 
 father died. He received a 
 most liberal education, hav- 
 ing been kept diligently at school 
 from the time he was five years of 
 age. In 1760 he entered William 
 tnd Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
 of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
 a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
 years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
 horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
 was earnestly devoted lo his studies, and irreproacha- 
 able in liis morals. It is strange, however, under 
 such innuences,that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
 ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
 explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
 society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
 previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
 iiours a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex- 
 ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
 of tlie city and back again. He thus attained very 
 high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
 phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
 Greek autliors he read with facility. A more finished 
 scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 
 
 -r 
 
 there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
 more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 
 
 Immediately uixsn leaving college he began the 
 study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
 practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
 guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
 lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
 The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
 resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
 views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
 him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
 a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses In 
 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very oeauti- 
 ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow 
 
 Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, thire 
 was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
 commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
 beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected (or his new 
 home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet 
 elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon 
 became the most distinguished resort in our land. 
 
 In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
 where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
 writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
 was placed Ujxsn a number of important committees, 
 and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
 ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
 mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
 Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
 Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apiwinted 
 to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
 a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
 gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
 in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
 4, 1776, What must have been the feelings of that 
 
28 
 
 THOMAS JEFFERSON. 
 
 man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
 who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
 laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
 America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
 Boverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
 markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
 of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
 sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 
 
 In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
 Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
 the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
 Monucello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
 minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
 ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
 sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
 very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
 in the summer of 1782 she died. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
 Two yeirs later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
 tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
 in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
 in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
 Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
 dent, and four years later was elected President over 
 Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
 1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
 and George Clinton, Vice President. 
 
 The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
 tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
 tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
 spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
 to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
 ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
 military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
 ■iouthwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
 a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
 was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
 generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
 doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
 character. 
 
 In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
 which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
 to retire from political life. For a (leriod of nearly 
 forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
 lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
 the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
 voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
 country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
 declining years required, and upon the organization of 
 the new administration, in March, i8og, he bid fare- 
 well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
 families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
 fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
 nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
 Life at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a 
 fashionable watering-place. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 
 
 sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
 great preparations were made in every part of tht 
 Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
 the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
 of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
 and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
 tion, to participate in their festivities. , But an ill- 
 ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
 had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
 decline the invitation. 
 
 On the second of July, the disease under wliic'i 
 he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
 state that his medical attendants, entertained nc 
 hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
 sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
 day, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
 him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
 the third of Joily, he expressed the earnest wish tha: 
 he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftietli 
 anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
 dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
 burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
 ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
 life ! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
 the day which his own name and his own act had 
 rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
 festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
 as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
 was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 
 
 Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
 dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
 him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
 Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
 freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
 ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
 animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
 century they had labored together for the good of 
 the country; and row hand in hand they depart. 
 In their lives they had been united in the same great 
 cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
 divided. 
 
 In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
 above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
 were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
 white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
 head broad, and his whole cour^enance intelligent and 
 thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
 well as personal courage; and ;.:s command of tem- 
 per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
 never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
 His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
 affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
 all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
 sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
 his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
 was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
 discernable the care with which he formed his style 
 upon the best models of antiquity. 
 
/ (ZyL^ ■- t . .^^^ 
 
 ^i_t^Ot^J C'i-K 
 
FOURTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 WWS> n]jiDisoi].< 
 
 ,7 AMES MADISON, "Father 
 '■}• of the Constitution," and fourth 
 !^' President of the United States, 
 'i was born March i6, 1757, and 
 •: died at his home in Virginia, 
 ^-^ June 28, 1836. The name of 
 James Madison is inseparably con- 
 nected with most of the important 
 events in that heroic period of our 
 4iJkU&f'^' country dunng which the founda- 
 tions of this great republic were 
 laid. He was the last of the founders 
 of the Constitution of the United 
 States to be called to his eternal 
 reward. 
 
 The Madison family were among 
 the early emigrants to the New World, 
 landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
 irj i)eake but 15 years after the settle- 
 ment of Jamestown. The father of 
 fJVL James Madison was an opulent 
 JtL planter, residing uixin a very fine es- 
 tate called " Montpelier," Orange Co., 
 Va. The mansion was situated in 
 the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
 j esque and romantic, on the west side 
 of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
 Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
 Jefferson at Monticello. The closest |)ersonal and 
 [Xjlitical attachment existed between these illustrious 
 men, from their early youth until death. 
 
 The early education of Mr. Madison was conducteti 
 mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
 18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
 Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 
 
 prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
 hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
 seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
 of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
 body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
 mind liighly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
 which embellished and gave proficiency to hissubsf 
 quent career. 
 
 Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
 law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
 This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
 which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
 ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
 love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ol 
 a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
 mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
 his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
 tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
 singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
 almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
 all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
 until his faith became so established as never to 
 be shaken. 
 
 In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
 was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
 frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
 (1777), he was a candidate for the General .Assembly. 
 He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
 consequendy lost his election ; but those who had 
 witnessed the talent, energy and public si)irit of the 
 modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
 and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 
 
 Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
 Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
 member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 
 
32 
 
 JAMES MADISON. 
 
 mtellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
 a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
 1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
 Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
 our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
 ihe most conspicuous positions among them. 
 
 For three years iMr. Madison continued in Con- 
 gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
 In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
 elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 
 
 No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
 utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
 tional government, with no jwwer to form treaties 
 which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
 was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
 the declaration, that an efficient national government 
 must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
 carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
 Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
 sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
 this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
 convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
 by Mr. Madison, urging all the States, to send their 
 delegates to Philadelpliia, in May, 1787, to draft 
 a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
 of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
 the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
 ivas represented, (ieorge Washington was chosen 
 president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
 tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
 There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
 tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
 and the pen of James Madison. 
 
 The Constitution, adopted by a vote 8r to 79, vvas 
 to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
 But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
 we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
 States, witii but little power at home and little lespect 
 abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
 tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
 States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
 and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
 to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
 went into effect in 1789. 
 
 Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
 sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
 avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
 Npw York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
 young widow of remarkable jxiwer of fascination, 
 whom he married. She was in person and character 
 queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
 so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
 which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
 Midison. 
 
 Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
 Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
 was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
 ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 
 
 British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
 our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
 was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
 in his disiwsition, war had no charms for him. But the 
 meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
 boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
 to, ui)on the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
 A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
 crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
 ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
 designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
 ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
 deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
 battles of England. This right of search and im- 
 pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
 the British cabinet to relinquish. 
 
 On the 1 8th of June, 181 2, President Madison gave 
 his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
 against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
 hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
 in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
 of March, 1 8 13) was re-elected by a large majority, 
 and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
 not tiie place to describe the various adventures of 
 this war on the land and on the water. Our infan'- 
 navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
 pling with the most fornridable power which ever 
 swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
 by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
 1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
 coast of the United States under blockade. 
 
 The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
 ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
 ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
 of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into- Chesa- 
 peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
 burg, upon Washington. 
 
 The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
 into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
 at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
 metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
 The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the \Vhite 
 House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to 
 await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
 in a council of war He met our troops utterly routed, 
 and he could not go back without danger of l^ing 
 captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
 Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
 Washington were in flames. 
 
 The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
 Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 18 17, his second term of 
 office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
 to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
 tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
 mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
 age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
 son died July 12, 1849. 
 
y^ci^T^-^^t^ 7 f^'i^^ f^ ^ c-^ 
 
fi'fYU'presTd^T^t. 
 
 35 
 
 pir^ES ll]01]ItOE. 
 
 "^F"' 
 
 AMES MONROE, the fifth 
 rtal'residentof The United States, 
 1"^ was born in Westmoreland Co., 
 fi Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
 life was passed at the place of 
 nativity. His ancestors had for 
 many years resided in the .prov- 
 ince in which he was born. When, 
 at 17 years of age, in the process 
 IjL % of completing his education at 
 William and Mary College, the Co- 
 lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
 delphia to deliberate ujxjn the un- 
 just and manifold oppressions of 
 Great Britian, declared the separa- 
 tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
 gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
 dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
 probable that he would have been one of the signers 
 of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
 school and enlisted among the patriots. 
 
 He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
 less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
 from day to day. The invading armies came [wuring 
 in; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
 mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
 who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
 i .-nding with an enemy whom they had been taught 
 t:i deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
 Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
 cliTiciilty and danger, the United States owe their 
 IKjliiical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
 ranks, and es|)oused the cause of his injured country, 
 with a firm determination to live o. iie with her strife 
 
 for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
 ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
 Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
 before its foes Ihrougli New Jersey. In four monthr 
 after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
 liad been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
 Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the actof charg- 
 ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
 shoulder. 
 
 As a reward for liis bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
 moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
 from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
 receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
 officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
 paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
 wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
 aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
 position in the anny, he exerted himself to collect a 
 regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
 owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Ui)on 
 this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
 that period Governor, and pursued, with consideraliie 
 ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
 entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
 but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a voUin 
 teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 
 
 In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
 a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
 body he was elevated to a seat in the E.\ecutivc 
 Council. He was thus honored with the confider.cc 
 of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
 at this early period displayed some of that ability 
 and aptitude' for legislation, which were afterwards 
 employed with unremitting energv- for the public good, 
 
36 
 
 JAMES MONROE. 
 
 he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
 the Congress of the United States. 
 Deeplyas Mr. Monroefelt the imperfections of the old 
 'Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
 ihiiiking, with many others of the Republican party, 
 shat it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
 and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
 tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
 supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
 secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
 of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
 four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
 tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
 the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
 distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
 arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
 sympatliy with France, and also in favor of sucli a 
 strict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the 
 Central Government as little power, and the State 
 Governments as much |X)wer, as the Constitution would 
 warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
 and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
 stitution, which would give as much power to the 
 Central Government as that document could possibly 
 authorize. 
 
 The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
 alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
 good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
 pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
 .James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
 puilding up this majestic nation, which is destined 
 to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
 Ijination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
 light e(iuilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
 nounced as almost a demon. 
 
 Washington was then President. England had es- 
 poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
 |)les of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
 into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
 Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
 tween these contending powers. France had helped 
 us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
 of Europe were now combined to prevent the Frencli 
 from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
 than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
 magnanimous tharf prudent, was anxious that, at 
 whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
 their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
 and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
 ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
 magnanimity. 
 
 Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
 developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
 by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
 nouncing the policy ofthe Government, as the minister 
 of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
 Monroe was v.'elcomed by the National Convention 
 in France witn the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 
 
 Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Mon- 
 roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
 office for three yeais. He was again sent to Prance tu 
 co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
 the vast territory then known as the Province of 
 Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
 tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were suc- 
 cessful. For the comparatively siuall sum of fifteen 
 millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
 district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
 This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
 which was ever made in all the history of the world. 
 
 From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
 tain from that country some recognition of oui 
 rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
 odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- 
 land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
 land on tlie same mission, but could receive no 
 redress. He returned to his home and was again 
 chosen Governor of Virginia. This lie soon resigned 
 to accept the position of Secretary of State imde- 
 Madison. While in this office war with England was 
 declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
 these trying times, the duties of the War Departmeu: 
 were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
 bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
 business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
 peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
 tinned in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
 piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
 tion held the previous autumn Mr, Monroe himself had 
 been chosen President with but little o|.)position, and 
 upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
 later he was elected for a second term. 
 
 Among the important measures of his Presidency 
 were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
 Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine,' 
 
 This famous doctrine, since known as the "Monroe 
 doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. .At that 
 time the LTnited States had recognized the indeper.d- 
 ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
 to have European powers longer attempting to suIj 
 due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
 is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
 on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
 tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
 to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
 view any interposition for the inirpose of oppressing 
 or controlling American governnients or provinces in 
 any other light than as a manifestation by Europear. 
 powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
 States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
 of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
 sentiment of the United States. 
 
 At the end of his fecond term Mr Monroe retired 
 to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830. 
 when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
 law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831, 
 
J. 5, At 
 
 'ViTvJ 
 
SIXTH PRESIDRNT. 
 
 39 
 
 <*^is<»s:3*^:S*5i;-fHH;is«i>i;::j~e' ij'^i:::: »•;: 
 
 
 
 JOI}I] QUI1I6Y '^^^{lTlZ. 
 
 s;s^i^:s-<i^s*5;:c<<pi:;;r- 
 
 ^i|^A\y/^^ 
 
 I OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
 .^■^ixtli President of tlie United 
 ^Slates, was tx)rn in the rural 
 home of his honored father, 
 John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
 oil the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
 mother, a woman of exalted 
 worth, watched overliis childhood 
 during tiie almost constant ab- 
 sence of his father. When but 
 eight years of age, he stood with 
 ' iiis mollier on an eminence, listen- 
 ing to tile booming of the great bat- 
 tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
 uixjn the smoke and flames billow- 
 ing up from the conflagration of 
 Charlestown. 
 
 When but eleven years old he 
 took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
 to sail with his father for Eurojie, 
 through a fleet ol liosiile British cruisers. The bright, 
 animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
 his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
 minister pleni])otentiary. His intelligence attracted 
 the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
 from them flattering marks of attention. 
 
 Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
 couj'.tr)', in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
 fof.A Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
 applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
 to -.Uidy; then accompained his fatlier to Holland, 
 v;here he entered, first a school in .Amsterdam, then 
 the University at I.eyden. About a year from this 
 time, in 178 1, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
 yea's of age, he was selected l>y Mr. Dana, our min- 
 ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 
 
 Tn this school of incessant lalx)r and of enol>ling 
 . riilture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
 to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
 Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
 winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
 nis studies, under a pri"ate tutor, at Hague. Thence, 
 
 in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father t; 
 Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
 with the most distinguished men on the ("ontinent 
 examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings 
 and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
 became associated with the most illustrious men of 
 all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
 themes which can engross the human mind. Aftj- 
 a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
 consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
 when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
 man of eighteen, v. ho had seen much of tlie world, 
 and who was familiar with the etiipiette of courts, a 
 residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
 cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
 but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
 ferred to return to America to complete his education 
 in an .American college. He wished then to study 
 law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
 able to obtain an independent support. 
 
 Uixjn leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty 
 he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
 ing then l)ut twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
 pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
 Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
 London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
 ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney. 
 assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
 Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight i. 
 London, he proceeded to the Hague. 
 
 In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
 minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
 upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
 directing him to the court of Berlin, but rcipieslinp 
 him to remain in London until he should receive his 
 instructions. \\hile waiting he was married to ar 
 American lady to whom he had been jireviously en- 
 gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughte' 
 of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in london 
 a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
 plishment which eniinenily fitted her to move in tWt 
 elevated sphere for which she w»s ^«*>-ined. 
 
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 
 
 He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
 where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
 filled all the pur^xises of his mission, he solicited his 
 recall. 
 
 Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
 Ihe Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
 was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
 from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
 aljility and his experience, placed him immediately 
 among the most prominent and influential members 
 of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
 ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
 ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
 sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
 familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
 these points, and no one more resolved to present 
 a firm resistance. 
 
 In i8og, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
 idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
 Qnincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
 ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
 at Boston, in August, 1809. 
 
 While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
 dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
 history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
 European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
 the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
 Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
 Latin classics. la all the universities of Europe, a 
 more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
 All through life the Bible constituted an importai t 
 jpart of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
 Ichapters every day. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
 Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
 Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
 erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
 sailed in June, 1819, forthe United States. On the 
 1 8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
 home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
 roe's administration, Mr, Adams continued Secretary 
 of State. 
 
 Some time Ijefore Lhe close of Mr. Monroe's second 
 term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
 for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
 forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
 Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
 sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
 ceived ninety nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
 William H. Crawford, forty -one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
 seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
 question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
 Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
 he was elected. 
 
 The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
 ;ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
 Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
 *-be pa-st history of our country than the abuse which 
 
 was poured in o.ie uninterrupted stream, upon this 
 high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
 an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
 scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
 try, than tiiat of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
 haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
 lously and outrageously assailed. 
 
 Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
 stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
 early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in 
 Quincy, he lias been known to walk, before breakfast, 
 seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
 that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
 own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
 often long before dawn. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
 from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew- 
 Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
 dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
 lX)rtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
 Quincy and to his studies, which he jjursued with un- 
 abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
 main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
 elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
 years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
 sentative, towering aliove all his peers, ever :eady to 
 do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
 " the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
 the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
 self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
 member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
 the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
 leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
 be brouglu forward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he 
 battle wliich Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
 the proslavery party in the Government, Was sublime 
 in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
 presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
 was threatened with indictment by the grand jury 
 with expulsion from the House, with assassination 
 but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
 triumph was complete. 
 
 It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
 body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
 fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
 child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
 he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in 
 his infant years. 
 
 On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
 of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
 speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken l)y paraly- 
 sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
 For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
 the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
 ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
 said " T/iis is ihe end of earth /"then after a moment's 
 |)ause he added, " J am content" Tliese were the 
 last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 
 
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 '-^^ 
 
SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 
 ^j;£££/53v|g^S~<W^« ' 
 
 
 WW 
 
 NDREW JACKSON, the 
 vcnth President of the 
 p*-' I l7*^^»\( iT'L-'nited States, was born in 
 ''^IJ'M ^ VSa '( Waxhaw settlement, N. C, 
 March 15, 1767, a few days 
 after his father's death. His 
 parents were jxxjr emigrants 
 from Ireland, and took up 
 their abode in Waxhaw set- 
 tlement, where they lived in 
 deepest jxaverty. 
 Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
 universally called, grew up a very 
 rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
 features were coarse, his form un- 
 gainly; and there was but very 
 little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
 tractive. 
 
 When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
 teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
 1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
 imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
 ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
 a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
 the dauntless boy. 
 
 The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
 Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
 Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
 ful gashes, — one on tlie hand and the other upon the 
 head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
 with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
 ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
 disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
 his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
 were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
 mother was successfu^l i.t\ obtaining their exchanjje, 
 
 and took her sick boys home. After a long iilri s^ 
 Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
 left him entirely friendless. 
 
 Andrew supported himself in various ways, s r.'.it as 
 working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
 clerking in a general store, until r784, when he 
 entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
 gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
 times than to his studies. In 1788, he was ai)ix)inted 
 solicitcr for the western district of North Carolina, of 
 which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
 many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
 every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
 and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmisb', 
 witn the Sharp Knife. 
 
 In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
 supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
 Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
 to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
 definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
 ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur-, 
 rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
 Jackson into disfavor. 
 
 During these years he worked hard at his profes 
 sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
 one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
 ially disgraceful. 
 
 In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
 containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
 people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
 stitution. Five were sent frorn each of the eleva , 
 counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates.' 
 The new State was entitled to but one nieml,-er in 
 the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jncl;- 
 son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
 rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 
 
ANDREW JACKSON. 
 
 sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 
 
 Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
 cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
 Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
 Jackson look his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
 second term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
 iast si)eech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
 complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
 did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
 twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
 say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
 " wise, firm and patriotic." 
 
 Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
 Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
 Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Gjurt 
 of his State, which position he held for six years. 
 
 When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
 menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
 Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
 an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
 would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
 ferred uixjn him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
 offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
 volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
 were assembled at Nashville. 
 
 As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
 tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
 in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
 with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
 expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- 
 eral weeks there, without accomplishing, anything, 
 the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
 energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
 devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
 golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
 man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
 toughness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickory." 
 
 Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
 Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
 made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
 which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
 he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
 lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the 
 Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
 Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
 tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
 cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
 his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
 a sling, and unable to mount his horse wit'nout assis- 
 tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
 army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 
 
 The Creek Indians had established a strong forf on 
 one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
 ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
 With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jackson 
 traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
 days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
 Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend 
 
 of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
 tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
 neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
 work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
 with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 
 
 The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
 l)erate. Not an Indian would acce[)t of quarter. When 
 bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
 deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
 ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
 awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
 river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
 they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
 rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
 the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
 power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold ' 
 plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
 so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
 of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 
 
 This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
 centrate all our militia u[X)n the British, who were the 
 allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
 than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
 campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
 was api»inted major-general. 
 
 Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand 
 men, on a rushing march. Gen. Jackson came to 
 Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
 a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
 and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
 assault The liattle was long and doubtful. At length 
 one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 
 
 Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
 army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
 And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
 was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
 for Gen. Jackson an im|3erishable name. Here his 
 troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
 won a signal victory over the British army of about 
 nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
 loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 
 
 The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
 tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
 he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
 successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
 for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
 assumed the reins of the government, he metwith 
 the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
 his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
 perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
 her death he never recovered. 
 
 His administration was one of the most I'-icmorable 
 in the annals of our country; applauded oyone party, 
 condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
 enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
 two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
 he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
 son's life were that of a devoted Cliristian man. 
 
' ^ ^^i^a 
 
 fj ^1L.^^, 
 
EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 
 '^m 
 
 ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
 ci;;hth President of the 
 Llnited States, was born at 
 Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
 i7<S2. He died at the same 
 place, July 24, 1862. His 
 body rests in the cemetery 
 at Kinderhook. Above it is 
 a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
 high, bearing a simple inscription 
 about halt way up on one face. 
 The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
 or unbounded by shrub or flower. 
 
 There '"• uut iktle in the life of Martin Van Buren 
 of ronian' o interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
 iu no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
 ixjlitical and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
 signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
 incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
 cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
 and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
 to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
 residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
 also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
 ligence and e.vemplary piety. 
 
 .■fe was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
 usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
 age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
 \\\ his native village, and commenced the study of 
 iaw. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
 years of study in a law-office were required of him 
 before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
 d. lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
 sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
 spending six yenrs in an office in bis native village, 
 
 he went to the city of Xew York, and prosecuted hi^ 
 studies for the seventh year. 
 
 In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years ot 
 age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
 lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
 Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
 Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
 perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
 many discussions which had been carried on in his 
 father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
 Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused I lie 
 cause of -State Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
 eral party held the supremacy both in his town, 
 and State. 
 
 His success and increasing ruputation led him 
 after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th<^ 
 county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, 
 constantly gaining strength by contending in tht, 
 courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
 the bar of his State. 
 
 Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
 Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
 beauty and accom[)lishments. After twelve short 
 years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
 tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei 
 her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren wa;: 
 an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
 of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
 In 181 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
 the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
 Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
 lX)inted Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
 to Albany, the capital of the State. 
 
 'iVhile he was ackno\Vledged as one of the most 
 p.ominent leaders of the Deniocraric party, he had 
 
48 
 
 MARTIN VAN BUREN. 
 
 the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
 not require thnt " universal suffrage" which admits 
 the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
 governing the State. In true consistency with his 
 democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
 path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
 to every man without distinction, no one should be 
 invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
 in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
 and some property interests in the welfare of the 
 State. 
 
 In 182 1 he was elected :. member of the United 
 States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
 in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
 native State. His course in this convention secured 
 the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
 doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
 interests of all classes in the community. In the 
 Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
 -.onspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 
 
 In 1827, John Quincy Adams beirg then in the 
 Vresidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
 .he Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
 •ermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
 ■'State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
 deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 
 
 Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
 the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
 Heat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
 States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
 \dams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
 Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
 entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
 garded throughout the United States as one of the 
 most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
 It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how 
 to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
 the wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to 
 organize a political army which would, secreily and 
 ste.^Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
 these powers it is said that he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
 Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
 few thought then could be accomplished. 
 
 When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
 apiiointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
 position lie resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
 appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
 same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
 refused to ratify the nominationj and he returned 
 
 home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice 
 President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
 of President Jai,kson; and with smiles for all and 
 fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of thai 
 Senate which hjd refused to confirm his nomii-.ation 
 as ambassador. 
 
 His rejection by the Senate roused al! the zeal of 
 President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
 ite; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
 secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief E::ecu 
 tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
 ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
 Jackson as President of the United States He was 
 elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
 retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
 canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
 Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
 Jackson as though the Constitution had -jonferred 
 tipon him the power to appoint a successor." 
 
 His administration was filled with exciting events. 
 The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
 volve this country in war witli England, tlie agitation 
 of the slavery question, and finally tlie great commer- 
 cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
 trials to his wisdom. The financial distress uas at- 
 tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
 and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
 failed of re election. 
 
 With the e.xception of being nominated for the 
 Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
 Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
 his death. 
 
 He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
 and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
 competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
 character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
 patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
 had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
 cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
 the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
 4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
 the presidency. From his fine estate at Linden waW. 
 he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
 of the country. From this time until his death, on 
 the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
 resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
 culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
 age, probably far more happiness than he h.id before 
 experienced amid the stormy scenes of hi? .ntive life- 
 
yUl //ry/e^2^. 
 
NfNTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 5f 
 
 ^3 • i^' 
 
 iS-. 
 
 ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
 SON, the ninth President of 
 the United States, was born 
 at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
 His father, Benjamin Harri- 
 son, was in comparatively op- 
 ulent circumstances, and was 
 one of the most distinguished 
 men of his day. He was an 
 intimate friend of George 
 Washington, w as early elected 
 a member of the Continental 
 Congress, and was conspicuous 
 among the patriots of Virginia in 
 resisting the encroachments of the 
 British crown. In the celebrated 
 Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
 rison and John Hancock were 
 both candidates for the office of 
 si)eaker. 
 
 Mr Harrison was subsequently 
 chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
 was twice re-elected. His son, 
 i William Henry, of course enjoyed 
 
 in cliildhood all the advantages which wealth and 
 intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
 ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
 entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
 with honor soon ifter the death of his father. He 
 then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
 the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
 Jobert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
 signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 JlX)n the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
 withstanding the "-emonsttances of his friends, he 
 abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
 slaving obtai"'"^ a commission of Ensign from Presi- 
 
 dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old 
 From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
 until lie became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
 death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
 pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
 Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
 Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
 position. 
 
 In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
 was divided by Congress into two jxjrtions. The 
 eastern ixjrtion, comprising the region now embraced 
 in the State of Ohio, was called '' The Territory 
 north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
 included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
 Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." VVil.. 
 liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap 
 pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
 Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
 Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
 extensive a realm as any sovereign ujxjn the globe. He 
 was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
 vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
 rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
 fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
 duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
 times appointed to this oiifice — first by John Adams, 
 twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
 dent Madison. 
 
 When he began his adminstration there were but 
 three white settlementsin that almost boundless region, 
 now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
 tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneoftiiese settlements 
 was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Ix)uisville; one at 
 Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the thiid a French 
 settlement. 
 
 The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisou 
 reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Abon< 
 
52 
 
 WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 
 
 tlie year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
 of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
 these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
 I'.miher;" the otlier, Olliwacheca, or "The Propiiet." 
 Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
 of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
 able perseverance in any enterprise m which he might 
 engage. He was ins[)ired with the highest enthusiasm, 
 and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
 the encroachment of the whiles upon the hunting- 
 grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
 anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
 Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
 they dwelt. 
 
 Hut the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
 in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
 with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
 magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
 the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
 from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
 by the Great Spirit. 
 
 Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
 the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
 canoe the Indians were routed witli great slaughter. 
 October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
 near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
 their appearance and in(iuired why Gov. Harri=on was 
 api)roaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
 short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
 ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 
 
 But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
 the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
 tations Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
 campment, he took every precaution against surprise 
 His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
 upon their arms. 
 
 The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
 rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
 loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
 wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
 the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
 tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
 was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
 t!ie darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
 ble, and j>:st then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
 tlie desperation which superstition and passion most 
 highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
 little army. The savages had been amply provided 
 with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
 war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 
 
 The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
 light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
 tus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
 speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
 troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
 until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
 charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
 fore them, and completely routing thf' foe. 
 
 Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
 to the utmost. The British desceiiding troni theCan- 
 adas, were ot themselves a very formidable force ; but 
 with tneir savage allies, rushiiig like wolves from the 
 forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
 ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
 was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
 the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
 The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
 forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
 tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
 the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
 Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
 was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
 chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
 Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 
 
 It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
 demanding more energy, sagacity and covirage; but 
 (jeneral Harrison was found equal to the position, 
 and nul)ly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
 sponsibilities. 
 
 He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
 with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
 pursumg the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
 valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
 lashed over his saddle Thirty-five British officers, 
 his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
 The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
 before the fire, without bread or salt. 
 
 In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a n.eniber of 
 the National House of Representatives, to represent 
 the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
 active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
 force of reason and power of eloquence, wliich arrested 
 the attention of all the members. 
 
 In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate o( 
 Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the [iresidential electors 
 of tliat State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
 same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 
 
 In 1836, tlie friends of Gen. Harrison lirought him 
 forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
 Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
 Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nomirated by his 
 party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimou-sly nominated 
 by the Whigs, with John Tyler forthe Vice Presidency. 
 The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
 all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
 his trium|5h was signal. 
 
 The cabinet which be formed, with Daniel Webster 
 at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
 brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
 surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
 istration more flattering, or the ho[)es of tlie country 
 more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
 joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
 pleurisv-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
 ness, died on the 4th of ."^pril ; just one month after 
 his inauguration as President of the UiMted States. 
 
xj'crinyn Ml/ my 
 
TENTH PRT.SIDEI^t. 
 
 S5 
 
 OHN TYLER, the tenth 
 I'lesideiitof the United States. 
 He was born in Charles-city 
 Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
 was the favored child of af- 
 fluence and high social po- 
 sition. At the early age of 
 twelve, John entered William 
 and Mary College and grad- 
 uated with much honor when 
 but seventeen years old. After 
 graduating, he devoted him- 
 self with great assiduity to the 
 study of law, partly with his 
 father and partly with Edmund 
 Randolph, one of the most distin- 
 guished lawyers of Virginia. 
 
 At nineteen years of age, ne 
 commenced the practice of law. 
 His success was rapid and aston- 
 ishing. It is said that three 
 months had not elapsed ere there 
 was scarcely a case on the dock- 
 I et of the court in which he was 
 
 lOt retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
 iras almost unanimously e'ected to a seat in the State 
 legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
 ratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
 'efferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
 iras elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
 inanimous vote or his county. 
 
 When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
 I member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
 tbly wi'ih the Democratic party, opposing a national 
 >ank, inter"-'' improvements by the General *^vsrn- 
 
 ment, a protective tariff, and advocatmg a strict con- 
 struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
 vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
 were so arduous that before the close of his second 
 term he found it necessary lo resign and retire to his 
 estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
 however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
 State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
 in promoting jHiblic works of great utility. With a 
 reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
 by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his 
 native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
 cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 
 
 John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
 man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
 United States. A jx)rtion of the Democratic party 
 was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
 and brought forward John Tyler as his op[X)nent, 
 considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
 popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
 Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 
 
 In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
 seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
 tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
 voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
 uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
 ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
 eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
 Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
 Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
 abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
 Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
 in perfect accordance with the principles which be 
 had always avowed. 
 
 Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
 his profession. Ther? was a rplit in the Democriiiic 
 
JOHN TYLER. 
 
 .-"arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
 fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
 ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
 forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
 sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
 vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
 not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
 of Liw, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
 tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
 for the better education of his children ; and he again 
 look his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 
 
 By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
 convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
 7839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
 rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
 tiie South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
 ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
 convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
 ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
 thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
 President lias but very little power in the Govern- 
 ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
 side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
 pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
 Democratic Vice President were chosen. 
 
 In 1 84 1, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
 dent of the United S'.ates. In one short month from 
 that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
 thus .;und himself, to his own surprise and that of 
 the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
 chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
 institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
 country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
 was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
 unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
 son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
 .^.:-ril -.vas inaugurated to the high and responsible 
 office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
 delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
 opposed tc the main principles of the party which had 
 brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
 sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
 Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
 he retain them, and thus suiround himself with coun- 
 sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own.? or, 
 on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
 which had elected him and select a"cabinet in har- 
 mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
 views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
 lic welfare.' This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
 vited the cabinet which President Harjnson had 
 selected to retain their seats. He reccomm Mided a 
 day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
 bless us. 
 
 The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
 incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
 The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
 his veto. H*- suggested, however, that he .vould 
 
 approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
 proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
 privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
 It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
 with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
 It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
 ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
 Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
 touched the pride of the President. 
 
 The op[)osition now exultingly received the Presi- 
 dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
 denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
 cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
 of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
 meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
 United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
 between, the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
 an end. 
 
 Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
 appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
 Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
 men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
 forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
 the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
 tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
 land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
 and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
 however, he brought himself into svmpathy with his 
 old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term, 
 he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
 Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1845, lie retired from the 
 harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherjiarty, and 
 probably to his own unspeakable lelief His first wife, 
 MissLetitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
 and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married! 
 at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
 many personal and intellectual accomplishments.' 
 _ The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
 in retirement at his beautiful home,— Sheruood For- 
 est, Charles city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
 his manners, richly furnished with information from 
 books and experience in the world, and possessing 
 brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
 the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
 means for the exercise of a generous hos])itality, he 
 might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
 friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
 storms of civil war which his own principles and 
 policy had helped to introduce. 
 _ When the great Rebellion rose, which the State, 
 rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. CaU 
 houn had inaugurated, President Tvler renounced his 
 allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
 erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress,- 
 and while engaged in active measures lo desiroy, hv 
 force of arms, fhe Government over wliich he had 
 once presided, he was taken sick and soon died 
 
•ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 59 
 
 't~ ' JAMES 3io PDIK, 
 
 -^f 
 
 r^4 \MES K.POLK, the eleventh 
 
 1 'it' 
 
 ^President of the United States, 
 
 ^. was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
 /3 V. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
 /^; '^"'^ "'^"^^ Samuel and Jane 
 }/ (Knox) Polk, the former a son 
 of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
 Tt the above place, as one of the 
 first pioneers, in 1735. 
 
 In the year i3o6, with his wife 
 and children, and soon after fol- 
 lowed by most of the members of 
 the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi- 
 grated some two or three himdred 
 miles farther west, to the rich valley 
 oftheDiuk River. Here in the 
 midst of the wilderness, in a region 
 which was subsequently called Mau- 
 ry Co., they reared their log huls, 
 and established their homes. In the 
 hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
 derness, James K. Polk spent the 
 early years of his childhood and 
 youth. His father, adding the pur- 
 suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
 ' gradually increased in wealth until 
 he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
 mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
 sense and earnest piety. 
 
 Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
 reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
 a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
 him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
 uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
 principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
 £ather, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 
 
 sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
 counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 
 
 This was to James a bitter disappointment. H« 
 had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
 were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
 uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
 earnest solicitation his father removed hiai, and made 
 arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
 after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
 ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
 forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half, 
 years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore/ 
 class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
 Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
 scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
 himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
 service. 
 
 He graduated in 18 18, with the highest honors, be» 
 ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
 mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
 three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
 time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
 had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
 relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
 office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
 renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
 resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
 miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
 slightly acquainted before. 
 
 Mr. Polk's father was a JefTersonian Republican, 
 and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
 cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
 constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
 party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
 he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
 He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 
 
6o 
 
 JAMES K. POLK. 
 
 courterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
 nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave 
 him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
 to the Legislature of 'J'ennessee. Here he gave his 
 strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
 Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 
 
 In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
 Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
 altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
 ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
 member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
 to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
 for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
 tinuec* in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
 only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
 of Tv-nnessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
 member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
 always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever 
 he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
 ambitious rhetorical display. 
 
 During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
 Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
 and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
 formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
 tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
 passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
 March, 1839. 
 
 In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
 candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
 elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
 ber, 1839, look the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
 his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
 didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
 ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
 the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
 its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
 administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
 nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
 3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
 the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
 as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
 Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
 left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
 to be an act hostile to Mexico. 
 
 In his first message. President Polk urged that 
 Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
 ceived into tiie Union on the same Tooting with the 
 Other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 
 
 with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
 sent first to Nueces, whichthe Mexicans said was the 
 western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent riearly 
 two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
 where he erected batteries which commanded the 
 Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
 the western banks. 
 
 The anticipated collision soon took place, and wai 
 was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
 war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
 with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
 called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
 then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
 feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
 and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
 alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
 It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
 that the war was brought on. 
 
 ' To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
 prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
 We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
 Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
 all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
 ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
 Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
 was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
 size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
 majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
 some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
 others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
 of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
 more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
 money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 
 
 On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
 office, having served one term. The next day was 
 Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
 as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
 same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
 ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
 Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
 He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
 and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
 a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
 of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
 of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
 cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
 the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
 and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifiv-fourth 
 year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 
 
'7ci^^<-'7^p ^^^^, 
 
TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 63 
 
 
 ACHARY TAYLOR, iwdftli 
 i>) President of the United States, 
 sT^was born on the 24th of Nov., 
 ''•\ 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
 father, Colonel Taylor, was 
 a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
 tinguished patriot and soldier of 
 the Revolution. When Zachary 
 was an infant, his father with his 
 wife and two children, emigrated 
 to Kentucky, where he settled in 
 the pathless wilderness, a few 
 miles from Louisville. In this front- 
 ier home, away from civilization and 
 all its refinements, yjung Zachary 
 could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
 tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
 school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
 ••ather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
 acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
 manifested a strong desire to enter tlie army to fight 
 the Lidians wlio were ravaging the frontiers. There 
 is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
 childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
 In 1S08, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
 the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
 army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
 at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
 this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
 from one of the first families of Maryland. 
 
 Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
 land, in 18 1 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
 promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
 Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifly miles above 
 Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
 ness by Gen. Harrison.on Iiis march to Tippecanoe. 
 It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
 led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 
 
 company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
 whom were sick. 
 
 Early in the autumn of i8r2, the Indians, stealthily, 
 and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
 api)roach was first indicated by the murder of two 
 soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
 made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
 pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
 forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
 waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
 in the morning their chief would come to liave a talk 
 with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
 to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
 Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
 them at a distance. 
 
 The sun went down; the savages disajipeared. the 
 garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
 midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
 in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
 musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
 and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
 defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
 ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
 ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
 conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
 ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
 Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
 continued. The savages then, baffled at every jxiint, 
 and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
 Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
 rank of major by brevet. 
 
 Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
 in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
 service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
 wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
 empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
 to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
 best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 
 
64 
 
 ZACHARY TAYLOR 
 
 tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
 years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
 colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
 the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
 took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 
 
 For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
 .the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
 ^m|iloyments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
 'beyond the limits of liis own immediate acquaintance. 
 In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
 the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
 tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
 liac'' promised they should do. The services rendered 
 (le.e secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
 ihe Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
 !c he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
 after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
 nand of the United States troops in Florida. 
 
 After two years of sucn wearisome employment 
 jimidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
 obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
 .ind was stationed over the Department of the South- 
 'Acst. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
 lUabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
 Ml Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
 to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
 Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
 fiom the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
 \iii\posed upon him. 
 
 In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
 be'.ween the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
 (being the boundary of Texas, which was then'claimed 
 by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
 W£„3 brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
 Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
 ^[l;.xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
 was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
 was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
 the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
 Euena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
 fcjrces much larger than he commanded. 
 
 His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
 simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
 \\r sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 
 
 The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
 •j'read the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
 n. line of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
 H hig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
 fu/ popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
 
 •■ "red, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
 I'lesidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
 ncuncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
 cl.iring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
 c>ft:ce. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
 fo( forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
 wiihout chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
 vflio had been long years in the public service found 
 fi.;;ir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 
 
 had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
 Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
 Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
 marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 
 
 Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
 writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
 pared such few communications as it was needful 
 should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
 the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
 umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
 Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
 Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
 old man found himself in a very uncongenial iX)sition, 
 and was, at times, sorely perijlexed and harassed. 
 His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
 tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
 was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- 
 tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
 pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
 stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
 the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
 trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
 Indians 
 
 In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
 after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
 over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
 but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
 His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
 ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
 universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
 pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
 affections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly la- 
 mented his death. 
 
 Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
 Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
 description of his character: — " With a good store of 
 common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
 larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
 with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
 quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
 been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
 rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
 plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
 dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
 tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
 chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
 a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
 a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
 side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
 offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
 whom he would not, to use his oft repeated plirase, 
 'touch with a pair of tongs.' 
 
 "Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
 worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
 sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
 unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In shor^ 
 few men have ever had a more comfortable, 1.?\vit. 
 saving contempt for learning of every kind." 
 
'C^i-i^i/, J (-C.-^C-P'i^xrl/J 
 
THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 (>■! 
 
 ^ I ^'MILLflHn FILLMnHE.^^ | 
 
 I ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
 '-'V toeiith President of the United 
 States, was born at Summer 
 f Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
 ':, the 7th of January, 1800. His 
 ~^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
 ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
 cumstances. Of his mother, the 
 daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
 U of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
 said that she jxissessed an intellect 
 of very high order, united with much 
 I)ersonal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
 position, graceful manners and ex- 
 quisite sensibilities. She died in 
 1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
 young man of distinguished prom- 
 ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
 dignity which he finally attained. 
 
 In conse(juence of the secluded home and limited 
 ineans of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
 vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
 mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
 very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
 and expensive. Tiiere was nothing then in his char- 
 acter to indicate the brilliant career \.\\-)0\\ which he 
 was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
 intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
 influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
 and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
 When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
 some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
 Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
 Neav the mill there was a small villiage, wherp some 
 
 enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
 village librar)'. This proved an inestimable blessing 
 to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
 ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
 books. His thirst fur knowledge became insatiate 
 and the selections which he made were continually 
 more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
 biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
 kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
 than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
 coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informedj 
 educated man. 
 
 The young clothier had now attained the age o( 
 nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
 and cf gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened thaf 
 there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
 pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Waltei 
 Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ai)- 
 pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
 ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
 attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
 trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
 young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
 r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
 tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
 so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
 take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
 money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
 offer was accepted. 
 
 There is in many minds a strange delusion aboutf 
 a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
 be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
 lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal' ■ 
 ind then enters a law office, who is by no means as 
 
oi 
 
 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
 Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
 mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
 which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
 tense mental culture. 
 
 In 1S23, when twenty-three years of age, he v;as 
 admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
 went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
 practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
 his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
 opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
 Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
 moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
 she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 
 
 His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
 his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
 gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
 enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
 circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
 Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
 he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
 State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
 County. Though he had never taken a very active 
 part in politics, his vote aiid his sympathies were with 
 the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
 and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
 Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
 that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
 unusual degree the respect of his associates. 
 
 In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
 the United States Congress. He entered that troubled 
 irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
 national history. The great conflict respecting the 
 national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
 then raging. 
 
 His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
 his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
 utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
 he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
 elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
 rience as a representative gave hmi stiength and 
 confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
 any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
 He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
 gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
 measure received his impress. 
 
 Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
 his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
 he was elected Comptroller of the State. 
 
 -"»,.« A- 
 
 Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
 years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
 Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
 siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
 find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
 dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
 waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
 soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
 with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
 proclaimed in trumpet-tones all over the land. But 
 it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
 ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 
 
 Under the influence of these considerations, tlie 
 namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
 the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
 President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
 signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
 Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
 Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 
 
 On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
 about one year and four months after his inaugura 
 tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
 stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
 dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
 the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 
 
 Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend 
 with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
 Houses. He did everything in his power to cone iliate 
 tlie South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
 the inadequacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. 
 The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
 creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
 evitable that the power of the Government should 
 soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
 famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
 Fillmore's adminstration, and the Japan Expeditioti 
 was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr Fill- 
 more, having served one term, retired. 
 
 In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
 idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
 by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
 retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
 he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that- 
 his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
 deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
 Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
 cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
 He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
 old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 
 
/- 1 
 
 ■c^ .>^^ 
 
FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 ^M 
 
 
 
 ^ ^l^- ^FHflNKLIN PIERCE. '^ 
 
 ^y^. I 1/^^ RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
 
 ^^OT-i C(&)1h^§i lourteenth President of the 
 ■ United States, was born in 
 Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
 23, 1804. His father was a 
 Revolutionary soldier, who, 
 with his own strong arm, 
 hewed out a home in the 
 wilderness. He was a man 
 of inflexible integrity; of 
 strong, though uncultivated 
 mind, and an uncompromis- 
 ing Democrat. The mother of 
 Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
 could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
 dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
 an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 
 
 Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
 erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
 love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
 loved him. His teachers loved iiim. The neighbors 
 looked ujwn him with pride and affection. He was 
 by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
 doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
 which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
 veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
 devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
 in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 
 
 When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
 entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
 one of the most popular young men in the college. 
 The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
 courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 
 
 genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
 There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
 address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
 gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his 
 own magnanimous and loving nature. 
 
 Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
 commenced the study of law in the office Of Judge 
 Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
 the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
 eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
 father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
 political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
 tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
 nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
 the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
 Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
 practice of law in Hiilsiiorough, and was soon elected 
 to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
 he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
 chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 
 
 In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
 a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
 part in debates, he was faithful and laljorious in duty 
 and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
 he was associatad. 
 
 In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
 he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
 taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
 his administration. He was the youngest member in 
 the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
 Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
 plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn even,' 
 station with wliich her husband was honoied, Of tlie 
 
72 
 
 FRANKLIN FIERCE. 
 
 three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
 their parents in the grave. 
 
 In tlie year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
 and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
 residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
 President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
 Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
 the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
 professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
 state of Mrs. Pierce's health. Pie also, about the 
 same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
 Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
 Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
 brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
 troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
 He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
 •self a brave and true soldier. 
 
 When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
 State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
 cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
 nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
 very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
 tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
 wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
 measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
 strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
 mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
 sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
 guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
 The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
 quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
 safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 
 
 On the i2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
 tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
 Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
 and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
 two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
 for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
 brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
 more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
 gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
 received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
 other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
 the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
 great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
 sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
 electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
 was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
 States en the 4th of March, 1853. 
 
 His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
 country had ever experienced. The controversy be 
 tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
 culminating point. It became evident that there was 
 an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
 this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
 free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
 ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
 the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
 year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
 of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
 ern breeze. 
 
 Such was the condition of affairs when President 
 Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
 of office. The North had become thoroughl) ;ilien- 
 ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
 by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
 the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
 Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
 ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
 unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
 cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
 proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he hud 
 rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
 able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
 him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
 tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
 had died, and his only surviving child hnd been 
 killed before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
 wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
 ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
 hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
 alone in the world, without wife or child. 
 
 When tire terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
 vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
 Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
 had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
 that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
 allied. He declined to do anything, either by voiie 
 or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
 ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
 the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
 1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
 men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
 Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen 
 erous to a fault, he contiibuted liberally for the al- 
 leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
 people were often gladened by his material bounty. 
 
^^^7?^ J a cTur /^/y/^ e^n 
 
I'lf^TEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 W 
 
 : » » 
 
 
 
 AMES BUCHANAN, tlie fif- 
 1?jjtccnth President of the United 
 , E>j States, was born in a small 
 ■Jh irontier town, at the foot of the 
 eastern ridj^e of the Allegha- 
 nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 
 the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
 where the humble cabin of his 
 father sti od was called Stony 
 Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
 mantic s[)ot in a gorge of the moun- 
 tains, with towering summits rising 
 grandly all around. His father 
 was a r^ative of the north of Ireland ; 
 a poor man, who had emigrated in 
 1783, with little pro[>erty save his 
 own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
 Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable fanner, 
 and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
 ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
 clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
 form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
 cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
 for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
 advantagi s. Wiien James was eight yeatsof age, his 
 father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
 his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
 course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
 progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
 entered Dickinson College, al Carlisle. Here he de- 
 veloped remarkable taient, and took his stand among 
 the first scholars in the institution. His application 
 to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 
 
 •ibled him to master the most abstruse subjects wi '- 
 facility. 
 
 In the year 1S09, he graduated witii ilic highest 
 honors of his clast. He was then eighteen years of 
 age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
 athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
 an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He imiiiediately 
 commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
 and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
 but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
 in his [jrofession, and at once took undisputed stand 
 with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
 twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
 cessfully defended before the State Senate ore of the 
 judges of the State, who was tried upon articles 01 
 impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
 admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
 there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
 crative practice. 
 
 In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
 candidate for Congress. He was elected, and foi 
 ten years he remained a member of the Lower House 
 During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
 tried some imixirtant case. In 1831, he retired 
 altogether from the toils of his iirofession, having ac- 
 (juired an ample fortune. 
 
 Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
 appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
 duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
 gave satisfaction to all parties. Uix)n his return, iti 
 1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
 Senate. He there met, as his associates, VVeLsier, 
 Clay, AV right and Calhoun. He advocated tl'.e meas- 
 ures prof-osed by President Jackson, of '.v..iking repri- 
 
^6 
 
 JAMES BUCHANAN. 
 
 sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
 claims against that country; and defended the course 
 of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
 removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
 porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
 was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
 He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
 from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
 against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
 Earnestly lie opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
 District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
 circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
 States mails. 
 
 As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
 cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
 that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
 no power to legislate upon tlie subject. " Congress," 
 said he, "might as well undertake to interfere with 
 slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
 States where it now exists." 
 
 Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
 Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
 took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
 the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
 the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
 territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
 the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
 of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
 account of the course our Government pursued in that 
 movement. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
 the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
 of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
 to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
 cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1350, 
 which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
 upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
 Buchanan with the mission to England. 
 
 In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
 tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
 political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
 our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
 slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
 striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
 mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
 reived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
 174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
 1,340,618, for Fremont, r, 224, 750 for Buchanan. On 
 March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
 vears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
 teii. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
 allied in political prijiciples and action for years, were 
 seeking the destruction of the Government, that they 
 might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
 nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
 In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
 wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 
 
 ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
 their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
 bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
 he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
 unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
 lic. He therefore did nothing. 
 
 The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
 nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
 in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
 party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
 trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
 hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
 with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
 Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
 the United States. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
 party was such, that he had been willing to offerthem 
 far more than- they had ventured to claim. All the 
 South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
 intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
 chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
 operation of the Government to defend and extend 
 the institution. 
 
 As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
 claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
 ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
 the most pitiable exiiiljitions of governmental im- 
 becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
 declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
 laws in any -State which had withdrawn, or which 
 was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
 was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
 his hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaiined. "The 
 Union must and shall be preserved!" 
 
 South Carolina seceded in December, 1860; nearly 
 three months before the inauguration of President 
 Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
 The rebel flag was raised in Charleston ; Fort Sumpter 
 was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
 were seized ; our depots of military stores were plun- 
 dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
 appropriated by the rebels. 
 
 The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
 Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
 on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
 and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
 ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
 ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
 scepter. 
 
 The administration of President Buchanan was 
 certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
 perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
 pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
 that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
 of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
 from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
 banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion 
 He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 
 
'i. 
 
 <^< C^LJ—ir 
 
 <2^^^^'-''=<. 
 
 T$T^ 
 
SIXTEENTH PRES/DEIVT. 
 
 
 3 
 
 P.R \HAM LINCOLN, the 
 ^J) sixteeiuli President of the 
 ^'^Uniied States, was born in 
 Hxrdin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
 1 8og. About the year 1 7 80, a 
 man by the name of Abraliam 
 ''^ Lincobi left Virginia with iiis 
 fiinil\ md moved into the tlien 
 wildsof Kentucky. Only two years 
 after this emigration, still a young 
 man, while working one day in a 
 field, was stealthily appro;:ched by 
 an Indi in and shot dead. His widow 
 was left in extreme ix>verty with five 
 little children, three boys and two 
 girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
 boys, was four years of age at his 
 father's death. This Thomas was 
 the father of .Abraham Lincoln, the 
 President of the United States 
 whose name must henceforth fo-^ever be enrolled 
 with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
 Of course no record has been kept of the life 
 of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
 die [xjorest of the iX)or. His home was a wretched 
 log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
 Education he had none; he could never either read 
 or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
 himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
 starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
 less, wandering boy, seeking work. • He hired him- 
 self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
 7iborer in the fields of others. 
 
 When twenty-eight years of age he buili a log- 
 labin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
 daughter of another family of i)Oor Kentucky emi- 
 grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
 second child was .Xbraham TJncoln, the subject of 
 this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
 woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
 a palace, doomed 10 toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
 '".All 'hat I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
 ful son '■ I owe to my angel-mother. 
 
 When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 
 
 cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiar.a Wher- 
 two years later his mother died. 
 
 Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
 community around him. He could not have had j 
 better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
 into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
 books he could obtain were few ; but these he cad 
 and re-read until they were almost committe I ic 
 memory. 
 
 As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly faii.ily 
 was the usual lot of humanity. Thiue were joys ard 
 griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sistt ' 
 Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mai 
 ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
 soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr 
 Thomas Lincoln sold out his scjuatter's claim in 1830 
 and emigrated to Macon Co., III. 
 
 Ai)raliam Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
 With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
 another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
 until he saw the family comfortably settled, and theii 
 small lot of enclosed prairie [)lanted with corn, when 
 he announced to his father his intention to leave 
 home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
 tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
 liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value ol 
 education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
 mind to the utmost of his power He saw the ruin 
 which ardent spirits were causing, and 1 ei ame 
 strictly tem|)erate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
 cating licpior to pass his lips. And he had read in 
 God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of iha 
 Lord thy God in •' .1,.;" and a profane expression he 
 was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. Hisi 
 morals were pure, and he was uncontaminaled by a 
 single vice. 
 
 Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired labore 
 among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield 
 where he was employed in building a large flat-boat 
 In this he took a herd of swine, floated them dowi 
 the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mia 
 sissippi to New Orleans. Whati.'ver Abraham Lin 
 coin undertook, he performed so faithfully as to givv 
 great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven 
 
8o 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
 his return tney placed a store and mill under liis care. 
 
 In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
 enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
 returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
 yeais of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
 was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
 Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
 His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
 received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
 he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
 made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
 candidate for the Legislature, and was elected. Mr. 
 Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
 walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
 Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
 began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
 sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
 one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
 1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
 was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
 moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
 His success with the jury was so great tliat he was 
 soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 
 
 In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
 Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
 In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
 in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
 one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
 speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
 test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
 notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
 slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
 .he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
 created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
 test, but won a far higher prize. 
 
 The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
 on the r6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
 strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
 five thousand. An immense building called "The 
 Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
 tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
 were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
 as a statesman had long filled the land, was tlie most 
 prominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
 the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
 the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
 dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
 bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
 and aslittledid he dream that he was to render services 
 to his country, which would fi.x upon him the eyes of 
 the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
 a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
 cnly, if second, to that of Washington. 
 
 Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
 electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
 constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
 The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 
 
 and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
 greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
 high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
 for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
 way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
 with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
 already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
 were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
 more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," 
 and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
 revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
 the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
 take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an 
 unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
 half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
 cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Coii- 
 federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train haa 
 started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
 reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
 although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 
 
 In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
 to Mr, Seward the Department of State, and to other 
 prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
 important positions. 
 
 During no other administration have the duties 
 devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
 the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
 the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
 feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
 his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
 learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
 determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
 trials, bd'h personal and national. Contrary to his 
 own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
 most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
 rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
 with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
 had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
 made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
 to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
 was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
 was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
 Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
 ing, with his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
 it would l.)e a disappointment if he should fail them, 
 very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
 the play an actor by the name of John ^Vilkes Booth 
 entered tlie box where the President and family were 
 seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
 next morning at seven o'clock. 
 
 Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
 plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
 Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
 anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
 in tears. His was a life which will filly become a 
 model. His name as the savior of his country will 
 live with that of Washington's, its father; hisco-:ntry- 
 mer. being unable to decide wbic h >s tl-e sreatet. 
 
"z-^^. 
 
 :^^^-^^o^^)^ 
 
SEVENTEENTH FRESIDEAT. 
 
 83 
 
 NDRRVV JOHNSON, seven- 
 ^ teenth President of the United 
 States. The early life of 
 Andrew Johnson contains but 
 the record of poverty, destitu- 
 tion and friendlessness. He 
 ■VIS horn" December 29, 180S, 
 111 Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
 belonging to the class of the 
 "lx)or whites ".of the South, »'ere 
 in such circumstances, that they 
 cou'd not cinfrr _ .•ei\ the slight- 
 est advantages of education ujxjn 
 their child. When Andrew was five 
 years of age, his father accidentally 
 lost iiis life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
 friend from drowning, ''nal teri years of age, Andrew 
 was a ragged boy a'uour the streets, supported by the 
 labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
 her own hands. 
 
 He then, having never attended a school one day, 
 and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
 prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
 was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
 ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
 read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
 men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
 than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
 in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
 was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 
 
 He accordingly applied himself to tlie alphabet, and 
 with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
 iearned his letters. He then called uixjn the gentle- 
 man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 
 
 pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the booK. 
 but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
 into words. Under such difficulties he pressed di. 
 ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
 at work in the sho]), and then robbing himself of rest 
 and recreatio;" to devote such time as he could to 
 reading. 
 
 He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
 Greenville, where he married a young lady who p^js 
 sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
 learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
 in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
 the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
 ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
 alderman, and in 1830' elected him mayor, which 
 position he held three years. 
 
 He now began to take a lively interest in political 
 affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
 to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
 member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
 see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
 He became a very active member of the legislature 
 gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
 1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin ''"an 
 Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opjx>sition tothos^ 
 of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
 readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
 his reputation. 
 
 In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
 was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
 elections, held that imjxyrtant {X)st for ten years. In 
 1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
 was re-elected in 1855. In all these resiKjnsible jxisi 
 tions, he discharged hisduties with distinguished abi. 
 
84 
 
 ANDREW JOHNSON. 
 
 ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
 ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
 United States Senator. 
 
 Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocated 
 the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
 reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
 ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
 sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
 lind become merged in a population congenial to 
 themselves." In 1850, he also supfwrted the com- 
 promise measures, the two essential features of which 
 were, that the white people of the Territories should 
 be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
 would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
 the *"ree States of the North should return to the 
 South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 
 
 Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
 on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
 he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
 said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
 that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
 was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
 ior was the son of a carpenter." 
 
 In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of iSuo, ne 
 ffa.% the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
 ."{'residency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
 irn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
 stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
 must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
 cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
 imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
 Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
 Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
 pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
 established the most stringent military rule. His 
 numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 
 
 1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
 States, and ujxjn the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 
 
 1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
 he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
 fhey do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
 must be c-.nished ; that the Government will not 
 always beai with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
 only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
 must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
 crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
 administration, the history of which is so well known, 
 was in utter iiKonsistency with, and the most violent 
 
 opposition to, the principles laid down in tnat speech. 
 
 In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
 amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
 acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and Jawlessly 
 defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
 the beginnirig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
 and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
 removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
 ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
 ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 
 
 It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
 months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
 length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
 certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
 would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
 the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
 sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
 quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
 him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
 side would have sustained the impeachment. 
 
 The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
 but little regarded. He continued, though impotent!;-, 
 his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
 think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
 dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
 alleled since the day s of Washington, around the name 
 of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
 The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
 President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
 there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
 mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
 nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
 in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
 politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
 struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
 nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
 gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
 session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
 March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
 made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
 Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
 apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
 ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
 stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
 He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
 2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
 eral was attended at Geenvilie, on the 3d of August, 
 with every demonstration of respect. 
 
V- of 
 
 ^t- 
 
EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 ^^ LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
 '^ eighteenth President of the 
 •United States, was born on 
 >/ the 29th of April, 1822, of 
 Christian parents, in a humble 
 home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
 banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
 his father moved to George- 
 town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
 mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
 received a common-school edu- 
 cation. At the age of seven- 
 teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
 the Military Academy at West 
 I'oint. Here he was regarded as a 
 solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
 sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
 as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
 middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
 fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
 souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
 solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
 Indians. 
 
 The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
 sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
 battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
 for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
 Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
 of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
 ■le performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
 horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
 munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
 a route ex[X)sed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
 Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
 grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging u]X)n one 
 side of the aninvil, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 
 
 From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
 ro aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
 preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
 was appointed quarterniaster of his regiment. At the 
 battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
 first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
 pultepec. 
 
 At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
 turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
 sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
 discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
 tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
 Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
 Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
 migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
 Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
 States; and having married, entered ujx)n the cultiva- 
 tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
 little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
 munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
 the leather business, with a younger brother, at (la- 
 lena. 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
 of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
 of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
 "Uncle Sam has educated me for the army: though 
 I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
 I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
 my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my tword 
 and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 
 
 He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
 unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
 the capital of the State, where their services were 
 offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
 the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
 Grant, gave him a desk in his oftice, to assist in the 
 volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
 State in behalf of the Government. On the i?*'' o( 
 
S8 
 
 'UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 
 
 June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
 Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
 unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
 had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
 that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
 General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
 rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
 of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
 peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
 rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
 stripes were unfurled in its stead. 
 
 He entered the service with great determination 
 and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
 ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
 he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
 effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
 prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
 won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
 at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
 victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
 immediately made a M.njor-General, and the military 
 district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 
 
 Like all great captairs. Gen. Grant knew well how 
 to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
 pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
 terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
 siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
 unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
 thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
 non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
 severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
 and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 
 
 Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
 Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
 ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
 his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
 was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
 of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
 by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
 ures put tlie Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
 followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
 Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
 were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
 bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
 ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
 general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
 He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
 find enter upon lbf» duties of his new office 
 
 Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
 the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
 troops for an attack uix)r\ Richmond, the nominal 
 capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
 stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
 sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
 continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
 majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
 Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
 were burdened -with closely packed thousands. His 
 plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
 campaigns, which were e.xecuted with remarkable en- 
 ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
 render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 
 
 The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
 almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
 Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
 vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
 the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
 Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 
 
 At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
 May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
 Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
 majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
 electoral votes. 
 
 The National Convention of the Republican party 
 which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
 placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
 by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
 cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
 electoral votes being cast for him. 
 
 Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
 started upon his famous trip' around the world. He 
 visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
 and was everywhere received with such ovations 
 and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
 as well as public and official, as were never before 
 bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 
 
 He was the most prominent candidate before the 
 Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
 nomination for President. He went to New York and 
 embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
 nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
 wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny \fas sent to 
 the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
 cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
 manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
 General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
 cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
 1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
 ' the illustrious General. 
 
6: - 
 
 ^ 
 
 -v4_v O 
 
 V 
 
 u 
 
NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 9« 
 
 ■■^^I^^^^^^f/ "'''^}^ 'V^- V~>x^ ^ ^^ .. 
 
 VJiai't^i"£'i'^.'i:.'i";^»-;.v.'.-:ji'V.'i •.•.■•. 
 
 ' ; ■•; ■■..-i^^^^^t.^^'.i 
 
 RIJTKE^BFORD Be HmTES. 
 
 ' ;")''.")'igi'^iif..")'.;")'.;)'^Vi'.:i'.;i' .•■i'.; 1' ; i' .••)■.■ •..'■■; 
 
 UTHRRFORD B. HAYES, 
 {^ the ninetcentli President of 
 So" I he United States, was born in 
 '5 Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
 most three months after the 
 /"^ death of his father, Rutherford 
 Hayes. His ancestry on both 
 the paternal and maternal sides, 
 was of the most honorable char- 
 acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
 as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
 Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
 tains, fighting side by side with 
 Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
 Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
 nobility, owned extensive estates, 
 and had a large following. Misfor- 
 .ane cvvi making the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
 .and in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
 George wai born in Windsor, and remained there 
 during his liJe. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
 ried Sarah L;e, and lived from the time of his mar- 
 riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
 son of Daniel, was born in 1724. and was a manufac- 
 turer of scythcLi at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
 son of Ezekiel ai id grandfather of President Hayes, was 
 born in New Haven, in .August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
 blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
 Vermont at an utiknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
 where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
 erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 
 
 born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
 Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., yvhose ancestors emi- 
 grated thither from Connecticut, tiiey having been 
 among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
 Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
 1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
 of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
 in the Revolutionary War. 
 
 The father of President Hayes was an industrious 
 frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
 chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
 ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
 undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
 in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
 ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
 the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
 to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 
 
 The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
 when there were no canals, steamers, not railways, 
 was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
 first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
 mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
 in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
 fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
 son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
 reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
 her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
 household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
 mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
 some time before as an act of charity. 
 
 Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 
 
fi 
 
 RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 
 
 subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he 
 was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
 most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
 weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
 quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
 last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
 fimiliar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
 •boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
 hiui, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
 him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
 wonder if he would really come to something yet." 
 
 " You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
 'ivait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
 President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
 in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
 death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
 drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to liis 
 mother. 
 
 The boy was seven years old before he w<;nt to 
 school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
 He probably learned as much from his mother and 
 sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
 were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
 his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
 tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
 sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
 of others, which are marked traits of his character. 
 
 His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
 ,in his education; and as the boy's health had im- 
 Woved, and he was making good progress in his 
 'studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
 paration commenced with a tutor at home; bit he 
 was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
 Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
 tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
 and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 
 
 Innnediately after his graduation he began the 
 study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
 in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
 Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
 the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
 mained two years. 
 
 In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
 admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
 afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
 with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
 mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
 and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
 fession. 
 
 \n 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
 tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
 ever, liis progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
 this period, had a powerful influence u[)on his subse- 
 quent '/.fe. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
 Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
 Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
 cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
 members such men as '^hief Justice Salmon P^Chasej 
 
 Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
 others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
 marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
 everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
 Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
 and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
 more than she to reflect honor upon American woman 
 hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
 constant association with young men of high char- 
 acter and noble aims, and lured him to display t'.ie 
 qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne^s and 
 modesty. 
 
 In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judg2 of 
 the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac. 
 cept the nomination. Two years later, the office o( 
 city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Co'jnci'i 
 elected him for the unexpired term. 
 
 In 1 861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
 the zenith of his professional lii.. His rank at the 
 bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
 attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take -m 
 arms for the defense of his countrj-. 
 
 His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
 October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
 in August, 1 86 2, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
 regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
 and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
 was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
 of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
 faint and bleeding displayed courage end fortitude 
 that won admiration from all. 
 
 Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
 his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
 in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
 and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
 of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
 promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
 Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished services 
 during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
 the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
 shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 
 
 In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
 the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
 ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
 and after his election was importuned to resign his 
 commission in the army ; but he finally declared, "I 
 shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
 the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866, 
 
 \'c. 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of OJiio, 
 over Hon. Allen G. Thunnan, a popular Democrat. 
 In 1869 was re-eiected over George H. Pendleton. 
 He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 
 
 }n 1S76 he was the standard l:ea:er of the Repub- 
 lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
 hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
 augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
 full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party, 
 but his administration was an average orsa 
 
TiVENTIETH PTiESIDENT. 
 
 9J 
 
 A^^rm\^:^^. 
 
 ^*-' ■•*^;;;Hi'^:::j«*^:;r*;;;sHK;;;34^;;;r«^;::j^ 
 
 I JiAMi^S A, (iAKFIELD. i 
 
 AMES A. C.ARFIELD, twen- 
 tieth President of the United 
 Stales, was born Nov. 19, 
 ^\ '■ y^^i- /J 1831,1" the woods of Orange, 
 Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
 ents were Abram and Eliza 
 (Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
 England ancestry and from fami- 
 lies well known in the early his- 
 n^\ lory of that section of our coun- 
 try, but had moved to the Western 
 Reserve, in Ohio, eariy in its settle- 
 ment. 
 
 The house in which James A. was 
 born was not unlike the houses of 
 poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
 ..icabout 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
 .w2en the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
 lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
 .leared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
 The household comprised the father and mother and 
 heir four children— Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
 'ames. In May, i<S23> the father, from a cold con- 
 ./acted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
 (his time James was about eighteen months old, and 
 riiomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
 (ell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
 toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
 ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
 much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
 itrs live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 
 
 The early educational advantages young Garfield 
 enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
 them. He laljored at farm work for others, did car- 
 penter work, choi)pcd wood, or did anything that 
 would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
 mother in he' -^tr-iggles to keep the little ^njly to- 
 
 gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
 origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
 gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
 ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
 the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
 greeted as ever. Tlie poorest laborer was sureof the 
 sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
 of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
 sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
 modest gentleman. 
 
 The highest ambition of young Garfield until hi 
 was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
 a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
 a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
 finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
 understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
 some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
 way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
 After making many applications for work, and trying 
 to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
 success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
 Letcher, on the Ohio cV Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
 mained at this work but a short time when he wen*, 
 home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
 about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
 Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
 the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
 was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
 which church he was then a member. He became 
 janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way 
 He then became both teacher and ])upil. He soon 
 "exhausted Hiram" and needed more; hence, in the 
 fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
 he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest h*,- 
 ors of his class. He afterwards returned lo Hiram 
 College as its President. As above stated, he early 
 united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
 Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
 ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
 he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
 Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion ; 
 
9« 
 
 JAMES A. GARFIELD. 
 
 " President Garfield was more than a man of 
 strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
 history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
 man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
 faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
 of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
 my JLidgmeiu there ii no more interesting feature of 
 fiis character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
 Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
 sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
 communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
 and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
 the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
 in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
 that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
 nificance they step upward from one degree to 
 another in some of the many types of fashionable 
 Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
 church of his mother, the church in which he was 
 trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
 evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
 tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 
 
 Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
 Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ir, 1858, who proved herself 
 worthyas the wifeof one whom all tiie world loved and 
 mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
 whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 
 
 Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in r856, 
 in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
 years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
 ings, and became tiie favorite speaker wherever he 
 was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
 Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
 and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
 Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
 and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
 talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
 ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
 second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
 14,1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
 vice, and before lie had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
 was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
 and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
 work of driving out of his native State the officer 
 '.Humphrey M-irshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
 those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
 to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
 ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
 ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
 Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
 been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
 before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
 arniy." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloli, 
 in its operations around Corinth and its march tlirougli 
 Alabama. He was then detailed as a memberof the 
 General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
 Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
 crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staflf." 
 The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 
 
 his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
 the stars of the Major-General. 
 
 Witliout an efibrt on his part Ges Garfield was 
 elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
 Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
 had been represented in Congiess for si.\ty year* 
 mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshui, 
 R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
 resigned his place in tlie army. At the time he en- 
 tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
 body. Ther«: he remained by successive re- 
 elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
 Of liis labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
 the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whici> 
 has been debated in Congress, or discussed before t 
 tribunel of the American people, in regard to whicl 
 you will not find, if you wish nistruction, the argu- 
 ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
 better thaii by anybody else, in some speech made in 
 the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
 Mr. Garfield." 
 
 Uixin Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
 the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
 same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
 party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
 He was elected in the following November, and on 
 March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Proliably no ad- 
 ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
 auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
 day it grew in favo." with the people, and by the first 
 of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
 liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
 ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
 College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
 pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
 him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
 The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
 assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
 left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.'^icting nofarthei 
 injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
 '' the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
 liefore in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
 curred which so nearly froze tlie blood of the peop"° 
 for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
 ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
 was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
 days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
 he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
 master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
 bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
 noblest of human lessons— how to live grandly in the 
 very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
 ingly great in death. He passed serenely awavSept. 
 19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the 
 ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
 world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
 death of any other man who had ever lived u|)on it. 
 The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
 cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 
 
Z^L. 
 
 V 
 
 .C'' 
 
TWENTY. FIRST PRESIDENT. 
 
 •'.^l HESTER A. ARTHUR, 
 
 f- [^ t=i~-/ f ,)\*' twenty-first Presi''..m of the 
 ,';. |i-%YA V ■;'.:-:;?"* United States, was born in 
 Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 
 ' thefifthofOc'obcr, 1830, andis 
 -he oldest of a family of two 
 sons and five daughters. His 
 father was the Rev. Dr. William 
 Arthur, a Baptist d-rgyman, who 
 emigrated to tb.s country from 
 \|^ the county Ant.im, Ireland, in 
 his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 
 Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 
 long and successful ministry. 
 
 Young Arthur was educated at 
 Union College, S< henectady, where 
 he e.\celled in all his studies. Af- 
 ter his graduation he taught school 
 f] in Vermont for two years, and at 
 «'',-'. '^ the expiration cf that time came to 
 
 fNew York, with S500 in his jwcket, 
 and eiitered the oflfice of ex-Judge 
 E. D. Culver as student. After 
 I being admitted to the bar he formed 
 a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
 Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
 in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
 in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
 but in the end returned to New York, where they 
 hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success^ 
 ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
 soon afterward rnaxr<'d the daughter of Lieutenant 
 
 Hemdon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
 sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
 recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
 sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
 nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
 children. 
 
 (icn. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
 in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
 brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
 been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
 Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
 athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
 his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
 they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
 that they could not be held by the owner under the 
 Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
 the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
 Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
 Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
 to represent the People, and they won their case, 
 which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
 States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
 of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
 Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
 the emancipation of the black race. 
 
 Another great service was rendered by General 
 Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
 a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
 Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
 General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
 verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
 ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
 on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 
 
 I tfC 
 
CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 
 
 followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
 nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
 sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 
 
 General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
 at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
 Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
 Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
 ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
 in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
 tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
 ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
 great service to the Government during the war. At 
 the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
 practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
 Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
 of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
 tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
 tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
 lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
 not indeed one of national extent. 
 
 He always took a leading part in State and city 
 politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
 New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
 ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
 20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 
 
 Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
 ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
 National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
 June, 1 880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
 convention that ever assembled on thecontinent. It 
 was composed of the )3ading politicians of the Re- 
 publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
 fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
 respective candidates that were before the conven- 
 tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
 ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
 for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
 was one of the most animated known in the history of 
 our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
 the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
 party made a valiant fight for his election. 
 
 Finally the election came and the country's choice 
 .vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
 iVlarch 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
 A. few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
 President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
 came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
 anxious suspense, wbep the hearts of all civilized na- 
 
 tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re 
 covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
 able patience that he manifested during those hours 
 and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
 fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
 seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
 like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr, 
 Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to hi? 
 credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
 desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
 serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
 ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
 in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
 honored position in the world ivas at any moment 
 likely to fall to him. 
 
 At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
 field from further suffering, and the world, as nevei 
 before in its history over the death of any othei 
 man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty o> 
 the Vice President to assume the responsibilities ol 
 the high office, and he took the oath in New York. 
 Sept. 20, i88r. The position was an embarr.issing 
 one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
 eyes were, on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
 what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
 lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
 greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
 and many important measures were to be immediately 
 decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
 did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
 became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
 this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
 Arthur took tlie reins of the Government in his owi, 
 hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
 affair? he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
 wisely hat but few criticisea Viis administration. 
 He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
 close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
 a popular candidate before his party for a second 
 term. His name was ably presented before the con 
 vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
 favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
 of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
 been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
 for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
 rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
 ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
 to them and with credit to himself. 
 
Ya-(:rt£y'/' C/'C^ut>cCi^^y^Ai 
 
TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 
 
 ■03 
 
 
 ^^^^'^x^x'x*i^y^'x.9X'^^x'l^'^'y^*v^^^'^^lX'i^x.^^^ 
 
 '^^#^:i^*s*^:;:T%^:::^«ie::;^»^^;;:TH(^;k^»8»-^:::6H^:^ 
 
 
 rEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
 LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
 ident of the United States, was 
 lOrn in 1837, in tlie obscure 
 town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
 X. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
 half-story white house which is still 
 standing, characteristically to mark 
 the humble birth-place of one of 
 America's great men in striking con- 
 trast with the Old World, where all 
 men high in office must be high in 
 origin and born in the cradle of 
 wealth. When the subject of this 
 sketch was three years of age, his 
 father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
 ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
 by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
 Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
 larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
 straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
 Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 
 
 At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
 menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
 way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
 manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
 ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
 all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
 arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
 capacity of the village school and expressed a most 
 
 emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
 his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
 days cost money, besides, his father wanted hini to 
 become self-supjx)rting by the quickest possible 
 means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
 to be a position in a country store, where his father 
 and the large family on his hands had considerable 
 influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
 the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
 receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
 menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
 had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
 that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
 definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
 hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
 eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
 But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
 ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
 Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
 high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
 studies until the family removed with him to a point 
 on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
 village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
 N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
 but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
 and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
 small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
 asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
 years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
 this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 
 
S. GROVE R CLEVhLAND. 
 
 calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
 he left the city tc ?epk his fcrtun?. •n-'^-r' / -r:.-- 
 to a city. He litsc mougat ot Cleveland, Ufiio, ui 
 thfire was some charm in that name for him ; but 
 before proceeding to that place he went to Buff.do to 
 isk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
 stockbreeder of that place. The latter did not 
 speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
 my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
 law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
 th« old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
 that into your head? How much money have you 
 got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
 any." 
 
 After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
 place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
 year, while he could " look around." One day soon 
 afterward he boldly walked into the office of Roger-;, 
 Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Iheni what he 
 wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
 gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
 he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
 liave the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
 of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
 his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
 uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
 the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
 shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he h.id 
 none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
 On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
 ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
 with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "Thai's 
 where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
 circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
 was enough to scare young Grover out of his pLins ; 
 Dut in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
 Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
 exhibited a talent for executiveuess rather than for 
 chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
 possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
 it," was practically his motto. 
 
 The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
 eiected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
 which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
 to his duty to inflict capita! pp'.ishment upon two 
 cjiminals. I.i 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
 City of BufTdlo. ow the Democratic ticket, with es- 
 pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 
 
 in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
 -,-,., T^ .k:^ ^ff^(-^ ^e ,„„i| ^3 ^j^.^j pf gijeriff, his 
 
 periormaiice 01 uuty iias generally been considered 
 fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
 reted out and magnified during tlie last Presidential 
 campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
 a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniaui 
 tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time fo\ 
 plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
 be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
 a mos bare-fac5d, impudent and shameless scheme 
 to betray the interests of the people and to worsj 
 than squander the people's money." The New York 
 Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
 land's adininistration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
 upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
 State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
 and his administration c.*" the affairs of St ue was 
 generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
 any, were made very public throughout the nation 
 after he was nominated for President of the Uaiti-d 
 States. For this high offif-e he was nominated July 
 ir, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention o.'. 
 Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F 
 Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
 Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc : and lie 
 was elected by the people, by a majority of al,-out a 
 thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
 lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
 land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
 January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
 the Chief Executive of the United States, in whii h 
 ca[)acity his term commenced at noon on the 4ih ol 
 March, 18S5. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
 the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
 Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
 Treasury, D.uiiel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
 of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachuse'ti ; 
 Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
 York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, ff 
 Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
 of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
 .•\rkansas. 
 
 The silver question precipitated a controver'^y be- 
 tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
 silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
 Clevela:;d answering for the latter, even before his 
 inauguration. 
 
^^oof 
 
TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 
 
 :o7 
 
 ..o♦o.■.§^>v1e>.o♦c.. 
 
 ;ENJAMIN HARRISON, the 
 
 twenty-third President, is 
 the descendant of one of the 
 historical families of this 
 country. The head of tlie 
 family was a Major General 
 Harrison, one of Oliver 
 Cromwell's trusted follow- 
 ers and fighters. In the zenit.h of Crom- 
 well's power it became the duty of this 
 Harrison to participate ni the trial of 
 Charles I, and afterward tc sign tiie 
 death warrant of the king. He subse- 
 quently paid for this with his life, being 
 hung Oct. 13, 16G0. His descendants 
 came to America, and the next of the 
 family that appears in history is Benja- 
 min 'larrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
 father of the subject of this sketch, and 
 after wboni he was nr»med. Benjamin Harrison 
 v&s a member of the Continental Congress during 
 the years 1 774-5-6, and was one of the original 
 signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
 wa three tunes elected Governor of Virginia 
 Gen William Hcnty Harrison, the son of the 
 
 distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suo 
 cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
 and with a clean record as Governor of the North- 
 western Territory, was elected President of the 
 United States in 1840. His saroer was cut short 
 by death within one month after ais inruguration. 
 President Harrison war bcrn of Nor'h B-^nd. 
 Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. TO, 18s3 His life up to 
 tlie time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
 at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
 try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
 able to give him a good education, and nothing 
 more. He became engaged while at college to th-i 
 daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo 
 at Oxford. After gr.aduating he determined to en. 
 ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
 cinnati and then read law for two years. At tht 
 exi)iration of that time young Harrison leceiv. J tt . 
 only inheritance of his life; his ai'.nt dying left ilia 
 a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as s 
 fortune, and decided to get married at once, talo 
 tliis money and go to some Eastern town an ', oe- 
 gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and ^rith 
 the money in his pocket, he started out witu his 
 young Wife to fight for a place in tht' world. lie 
 
108 
 
 BENJAMIN HARRISONl 
 
 decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at 
 tliat time a town of promise. He met with slig'at 
 encouragement at first, making scarcely aiiytliing 
 tlie first year. He worked diligently, applj"ing him- 
 self closely to his calling, built up ah extensive 
 practice and took a leading rank in the legal pi'o- 
 i"ession. He is the father of two children. 
 
 la 186G Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
 position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
 gan his experience as a stump speakei He can- 
 vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
 handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th 
 Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
 regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
 out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
 mastering military tactics and dpilling his men, 
 when he therefore came to move toward the East 
 with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
 'Jrilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
 especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
 at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brig.adier Gen- 
 eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
 iiOmplimentary terms. 
 
 During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
 he Supreme Court declared the office of the Su- 
 preme Court Rejiorter vacant, and another person 
 was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
 ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall oi 1864 
 be had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
 nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
 thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
 made a brilliant canvass ot the State, and was elected 
 for another term. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
 ffian, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
 jever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
 to the front in time to participate in the closing 
 incidents of the war. 
 
 In 18G8 Gen. Harrison declined n re-election as 
 reporter, and resumed the practice of law,. In 1876 
 he was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
 feated, the brilliant campaign he iriade won lOr him 
 3 National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
 peciaLy in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
 ds usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
 and was elected to the United States Senate. Here 
 lie se»-ved six years, and ^as known as one of the 
 »blest men, best lawyer*: »nd strongest debaters in | 
 
 that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial 
 term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
 becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
 the State. 
 
 The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
 most memorable in the history of our country. The 
 convention which assembled in Chicago in June and 
 named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
 of the Republican party, was great in every partic- 
 ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
 sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
 among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
 in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
 after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
 Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
 ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
 country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
 thither to paj'^their respects to the distinguished 
 statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
 increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
 made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
 the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
 tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
 Jiis speeches that they at once placed him in the 
 foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 
 
 On account of his eloquence as a speaker and hi; 
 power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- 
 commonly early age to take part in the discussion 
 of the great questions that then began t o agitate 
 the country. He was an uncompromising ant: 
 slavery man, and was matched against some of t'_e 
 most eminent Democratic speakers of his Staiv. 
 No man who felt the touch of his blade de: 'red tu 
 be pitted with him again. With all his e!oq-'ence 
 .as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, 
 but his words always went like bullets to the mark 
 He is purely American in his ideas and is a splen 
 did type of the American statesman. Gifted witu 
 quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
 he is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
 speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches 
 sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
 arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
 statements have alreadj- become aphorisms. Origl- 
 nal in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement, 
 yet withal faultless in elociuence, he is recognized as 
 the sound statesman and brilUan orator c toc day 
 
Il®c^ 
 
 \7RT?T 
 
 
 
o 
 
 -ac^^^-coo^ ^^^^'d'l-^^- 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILUJSIOIS. 
 
 HADRACH BOND, the first 
 Governor of Illinois after its 
 organization us a State, serving 
 from 1818 to 1822, was born in 
 , Frederick County, Maryland, 
 in the year 1773, and was 
 raised a farmer on his father's 
 plantation, receiving only a plain 
 English education. He emigrated 
 to this State in 1794, when it was a 
 part of the "Northwest Territory," 
 continuing in the vocation in which 
 he had been brought up in his native 
 State, in the " New Design," near 
 Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe 
 County. He served several terms as 
 a member of the General Assembly 
 of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such, 
 and in 1812-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelfth 
 and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3, 
 1812, and serving until Oct. 3, 1814. These were 
 the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov- 
 ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain. 
 The year 1812 is also noted in the history of this 
 State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature 
 was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and 
 adjourned Dec. 26, following. 
 
 Wliile serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bond 
 was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp- 
 tion on the public domain. On the expiration of his 
 term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of 
 Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of the 
 Territory. In company with John G. Comyges, 
 
 Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones, 
 Warren Brown. Edward Humphries and Charles W 
 Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the 
 inirial city of Cairo, which they hoped, from its favor- 
 able location at the junction of the two greai 
 rivers near the center of the Great West, would 
 rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid tlie enter- 
 prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis- 
 lature, incorporaring both the City and the Bank of 
 Cairo. 
 
 In i8t8 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor 
 of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6 
 that year, which was several weeks before Illinois 
 was actually admitted. The facts are these: In 
 January, 1818, the Territorial Legislature sent a peti- 
 tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a 
 State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The 
 petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the 
 State on the latitude of the southern extremity of 
 Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend- 
 ed as to extend this line to its present latitude. In 
 July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a 
 constitution, which, however, was not submitted to 
 the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros 
 ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record- 
 ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed 
 by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This 
 constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At 
 that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties, 
 namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson, 
 Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Wasliington 
 and Franklin, the nortliern portion of the State be- 
 ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears 
 that Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of a 
 
SHADRACH BOND. 
 
 county before he was elected Governor. The present 
 county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80 
 miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor 
 the people chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and 
 worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State 
 is named. In this election there were no opposition 
 candidates, as the popularity of these men had made 
 their promotion to the chief offices of the State, even 
 before the constitution was drafted, a foregone con- 
 tlusion. 
 
 The principal points that excited the people in 
 reference to political issues at this period were local 
 or "internal improvements," as they were called. 
 State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the 
 personal characteristics of the proposed candidates. 
 Mr. Bond represented the "Convention party," for 
 introducing slavery into the State, supported by Elias 
 Ke It Kane, his Secretary of State, and John Mc- 
 Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led 
 the anti-slavery element. The paople, however, did 
 not become very much excited over this issue until 
 1820, when the fuujus Miisouri Compromise was 
 • adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south 
 of the parallel of 36° 30' except in Missouri. While 
 this measure settled the great slavery controversy, 
 so far as the average public sentiment was tempor- 
 arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed 
 under the le idershi,) of Stephen A. Douglas, the issue 
 as considered locally in this State was not decid^-d 
 until 1824, after a most furious campaign. (See 
 sketch of Gov. Coles.) The ticket of 1818 was a 
 compromise one, Bond representing (moderately) the 
 pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery. 
 
 An awkward element in the State government 
 under Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfec- 
 tion of the State constitution. The Convention 
 wished to have Elijah C. Berry for the fist Auditor 
 of Public Accounts, but, as it was believed that the 
 new Governor would not appoint him to the office, 
 the Convention declared in a schedule that " an 
 auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and 
 such other officers of the State as may be necessary, 
 may be appointed by the General Assembly." The 
 Constitution, as it stood, vested a very large appoint- 
 ing power in the Governor; but for the purpose of 
 getting one man into office, a total change was made, 
 and the power vested in the Legislature. Of this 
 provision the Legislature took advantage, and de- 
 
 clared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners, 
 bank directors, etc., were all '' officers of the State' 
 and must therefore be appointed by itself independ- 
 ently of the Governor. 
 
 During Gov. Bond's administration a general law 
 was passed for the incorporation of academies and 
 towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of 
 1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis- 
 sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners 
 appointed by the State of Indiana, to report on the 
 practicability and expediency of improving the navi- 
 gation of the Wabash River; also inland navigation 
 generally. Many improvements were recommended, 
 some of which have been feebly worked at even till 
 the present day, those along the Wabash being of no 
 value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the 
 capital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia to 
 Vandalia. In 1820 a law was passed by Congress 
 authorizing this State to open a canal through the 
 public lands. The State appointed commissioners 
 fo explore the route and prepare the necessary sur- 
 veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution ; 
 but, being unable out of its own resources to defray 
 the expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned 
 until some time after Congress made the grant of 
 land for the purpose of its construction. 
 
 On the whole. Gov. Bond's administration was 
 fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from 
 any party. In 1824, two years after the expiration 
 of his term of office, he was brought out as a candi- 
 date for Congress against the formidable Joiiii P. 
 Cook, but received only 4,374 votes to 7,460 for the 
 latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had made 
 many fast friends by a judicious t-ict-jwment of his 
 gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously 
 for him in the campaign. 
 
 In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg- 
 islalure, with Wm. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom 
 Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a peni- 
 tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton. 
 
 Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis- 
 position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap- 
 preciation of events. His person was erect, stand- 
 ing six feet in height, and after middle life became 
 portly, weighing 200 pounds. His features were 
 strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and 
 eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died 
 April 1 1, 1830, in peace and contentment 
 
Idn^^uX^ CcrCid' 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 '»5 
 
 }£b\var& Coles. ii 
 
 oj- -^^ 
 
 nWARD COLES, second 
 Governor of Illinois, 1823- 
 6, was born Dec. 15, 1786, 
 in Albemarle Co., Va., on 
 the old family estate called 
 " Enniscorthy," on the 
 (ireen Mountain. His fath- 
 er, John Coles, was a Colonel in the 
 Revolutionary War. Having been fit- 
 il for college by private tutors, he 
 was sent to Hampden Sidney, where 
 he remained until the autumn of 1805, 
 when he was removed to William and 
 Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va. 
 This college he left in the summer of 
 1807, a short time before the final and graduating 
 examination. Among his classmates were Lieut. 
 Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wm. S. Archer, 
 United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice 
 Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The 
 President of the latter college. Bishop Madison, was 
 a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir- 
 cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming 
 personally acquainted with the President and re- 
 ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15. 
 The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir- 
 ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old- 
 fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by 
 such notables as Patrick licnry, Jefferson, Madison, 
 Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the 
 age of 23, youno Coles founa himself heir to a plant- 
 ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever 
 since his earlier college djys his attention had been 
 drawn to the questio 1 of slavery. He read every- 
 
 thing on the subject that came in his way, and 
 listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more 
 he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible 
 was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration 
 "that all men are born free and equal" with the 
 practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to 
 free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove 
 his residence to a free State. One reason which de- 
 termined him to accept the appointment as private 
 secretary to Mr. Midison was because he believed 
 that through the acquaintances he could make at 
 Washington he could better determine in what part 
 of the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he woulc 
 prefer to settle. 
 
 The relations between Mr. Coles and President 
 Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished 
 men, were of a very friendly character, arising from 
 the similarity of their views on the question of slavery 
 and their sympathy for each other in holding doc- 
 trines so much at variance with the prevailing. senti- 
 ment in their own State. 
 
 In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a 
 portion of the following autumn in exploring the 
 Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo- 
 cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his 
 negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with 
 an extra man and horse for emergencies, through 
 many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, 
 determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time, 
 however, a misunderstanding arose between our 
 Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected 
 to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bear- 
 ing important papers concerning the matter at issue 
 The result was a conviction of the Emper'jr (Alex- 
 
EDWARD COLES. 
 
 ander) of the error committed by his minister at 
 W.ishington, and the consequent withdrawal of the 
 the latter from the i)Ost. On his return, Mr. Coles 
 visited other i)arts of Europe, especially Paris, where 
 he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette. 
 
 In the spring of 1819, he removed with all his 
 negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111., with the 
 inteiuion of giving them their liberty. He did not 
 inake known to them his intention until one beautiful 
 morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio 
 River. He lashed all the boats together and called 
 all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad- 
 dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him- 
 self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in 
 the shortest and fullest manner that they were no 
 longer slaves, but free as he was and were at libsrty 
 to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas- 
 ure. A descrij;tion of the effect upon the negroes is 
 best described in his own language : 
 
 "The effect upon them was electrical. They stared 
 at n-.e and then at each other, as if doubting the ac- 
 curacy or realiiy of what they heard. In breathless 
 silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word, 
 but with countenances beaming with expression which 
 no words could convey, and which no language 
 can describe. As they began to see the truth of 
 what they had heard, and realize their situation, there 
 came on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. After 
 a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed 
 in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to 
 their gratitude and implored the blessing of God 
 on me." 
 
 Before landmg he gave them a general certificate 
 of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu- 
 larly with tiie law of this State requiring that each 
 individual should have a certificate. This act of 
 Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering 
 the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding 
 him, has challenged the admiration of every philan- 
 thropist of modern times. 
 
 March 5, 1819, President Monroe appointed Mr. 
 Coles Registrar of the Land Office at EdwardsviUe, 
 at that time one of the principal land offices in the 
 State. While acting in this capacity and gaining 
 many friends by his politeness and general intelli- 
 gence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in 
 Illinois on the slavery quesion culminated in the 
 furious contest characterizing the campaigns and 
 elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a 
 new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr. 
 Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions, 
 ])uiting forward for the executive office Joseph 
 Phillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C. 
 Browne and Gen. Jiimes B. Moore, of the State Mil- 
 itia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr. 
 Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns, 
 succeeded in electing liim as Governor. His plural- 
 ity over Judge PhilliiJS was only 59 in a total vote of 
 
 over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected 
 by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech 
 was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a 
 wise expression of appropriate suggestions as to 
 elicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. But 
 he compromised not with evil. In his message to 
 tlie Legislature, tlie seat of Government being then 
 at Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the 
 modified form of slavery whi':h then existed in this 
 State, contrary to the Ordi.iance of 1787. His posi- 
 tion on this subject seems the more remarkable, when 
 it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the 
 population of Illinois being at that time almost ex- 
 clusively from slave-holding States and by a large 
 majority in favor of the perpetuation of that old relic 
 of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course, 
 a reflex of the popular sentmient, and a majority of 
 them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of 
 the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and 
 deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the 
 public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of 
 mob, or " shiveree " party, who visited the residence 
 of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled 
 and groaned and spat fire. 
 
 The Constitution, not establishing or permitting 
 slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be 
 defective by the slavery politicians, and they desired 
 a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub- 
 mit a new Constitution; and the dominant politics 
 of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven- 
 tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people. 
 Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address 
 published by the latter party. This address revealed 
 the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly iinan- 
 ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti- 
 mate the critical and extremely delicate situation in 
 which the Governor was placed at that time. 
 
 Our hero maintained himself honorably and with 
 supreme dignity throughout his administration, and 
 in his honor a county in this State is named. He 
 was truly a great man, and those who lived in 
 this State during his sojourn here, like those who 
 live at the base of the mountain, were too near to see 
 and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them. 
 
 Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop 
 De Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter 
 of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestry, 
 who canii to this country with Wm. Penn in 1682. 
 
 After the expiration of his term of service, Gov. 
 Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup- 
 erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond 
 of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agri- 
 cultural society in the State. On account of ill 
 health, however, and having no family to tie him 
 down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities. 
 About 1832 he changed his residence to Philadel- 
 phia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at 
 Woodland, near that city. 
 
^y/&^i^>^c^,^£c^^^.,y,,.^J?. 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILL f NO IS. 
 
 119 
 
 ^^i Ilia 11 Edwards 
 
 ■.ip 
 
 -«^^^^»-- 
 
 —^7^:^ 
 
 INIAX EDWARDS, Governor 
 ^ from 1827 to 1830, was a son 
 f~ of Benjamin Edwards, and 
 ' was born in Montgomery 
 County, Maryland, in March, 
 1775. His domestic train- 
 ' *■• ing was well fitted to give 
 ins mind strength, firmness and 
 ho orable principles, and a good 
 foundation was laid for the elevated 
 character to which he afterwards 
 attained. His parents were Bap- 
 tists, and very strict in their moral 
 piinciples. His education in early 
 youth was in company with and 
 partly under the tuition of Hon. U'm. 
 Wirt, whom his f.ither patronized 
 and who was more than two years 
 older. An intimacy was thus 
 formjd between them which was lasting for life. He 
 was further educated at Dickinson College, at Car- 
 lisle, Pa. He next commenced the study of law, but 
 before completing his course he moved to Nelson 
 County, Ky., to open a farm for his father and to 
 purchase homes and locate lands for his brothers and 
 sisters. Here he fell in the company of dissolute 
 companions, and for several years ltd the life of a 
 S[)endtl)rift. He was, however, elected to the Legis- 
 lature of Kentucky as the Representative of Nelson 
 &unty before he was 2 i years of age, and was re- 
 jected by an almost unanimous vote. 
 
 In 1798 he was licensed to practice law, and the 
 following year was admitted to the Courts of Tennes- 
 see. About this time he left Nelson County for 
 Russellville, in Login County, broke away from his 
 dissolute companions, commenced a reformation and 
 devoted himself to severe and laborious study. He 
 then began to rise rapidly in his profession, and soon 
 became an eminent lawyer, and inside of four years 
 he filled in succession the offices of Presiding Judge 
 of the General Court, Circuit Judge, fourth J idge of 
 the Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the State, 
 — ^all before he was 32 years of age ! In addition, in 
 1802, he received a commission as M.ijorof a battal- 
 ion of Kentucky militia, and in 1804 was chosen a 
 Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Cli)iton 
 ticket. In 1806 he was a candidate .'or Congress, 
 but withdrew on being promoted to the Court of 
 Apjjeuls. 
 
 Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in 
 the spring of 1809, when Mr. Edwards, then Chief 
 Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, received 
 from President Madison the appointment as Gover- 
 nor of the new Territory, his commission bearing date 
 April 24, 1809. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia in 
 June, and on the i ith of that month took the oath of 
 office. At the same time he was appointed Superin- 
 tendent of the United States Saline, this Government 
 interest then developing into considerable proportions 
 in Southern Illinois. Although during the first three 
 years of his administration he had the power to make 
 new counties and appoint all the officers, yet he always 
 allowed the people of each county, by an informal 
 
NINIAN EDWARDS. 
 
 vote, to select their own officers, both civil and mili- 
 tary. The noted John J. Crittenden, afterward 
 United States Senator from Kentucky, was appointed 
 by Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of 
 the Territory, which office was accepted for a short 
 time only. 
 
 The Indians in 1810 committing sitndry depreda- 
 tions in the Territory, crossing the Mississippi from 
 the Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence fol- 
 lowed between the respective Governors concerning 
 the remedies, which ended in a council with the sav- 
 ages at Peoria in 181 2, and a fresh interpretation of 
 the treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these de- 
 predations, and was not re-settled for many j'ears 
 afterward. 
 
 As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in 
 1812, he was re-appointed for another term of three 
 years, and again in i8r5 for a third term, serving 
 until the organization of the State in the fall of 1818 
 and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this time 
 ex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United States 
 Senate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. As 
 Senator, Mr. Edward; took a conspicuous part, and 
 acquitted himself honorably in all the measures that 
 came up in that body, being well posted, an able de- 
 bater and a conscientious statesman. He thought 
 seriously of resigning this situation in i82r, but was 
 persuaded by his old friend, Wni. Wirt, and others to 
 continue in office, which he did to the end of the 
 term. 
 
 He was then appointed Minister to Mexico by 
 President Monroe. About this time, it appears that 
 Mr. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of 
 Wm. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United States 
 Treasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presi- 
 dency, and being implicated by the latter in some of 
 his statements, he resigned his Mexican mission in 
 order fully to investigate the charges. The result 
 was the exculpation of Mr. Edwards. 
 
 Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws," 
 disgraced the statute books of both the Territory and 
 '.he State of Illinois during the whole of his career in 
 Ais commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main- 
 tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important 
 actor in the great struggle which ended in a victory 
 for his party in 1824. 
 
 In 1826 7 the Winnebago and other Indians com- 
 mitted son-e depredations in the northern part of the 
 
 State, and the white settlers, who desired the lands 
 and wished to exasperate the savages into an evacu- 
 ation of the country, magnified the misdemeanors of 
 the aborigines and thereby produced a hostility be- 
 tween the races so great as to precipitate a little war, 
 known in history as the " Winnebago War." A few 
 chases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinson 
 succeeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief, 
 and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, at 
 least until the troubles commenced which ended in 
 the "Black Hawk War" of 1832. In the interpre- 
 tation of treaties and execution of their provisions 
 Gov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. The 
 Indians kept themselves generally within the juris- 
 diction of Michigan Territory, and its Governor, 
 Lewis Cass, was at a point so remote that ready cor- 
 respondence with him was difficult or impossible. 
 Gov. Edwards' administration, however, in regard to 
 the protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to have 
 been very efficient and satisfactory. 
 
 For a considerable portion of his time after his re- 
 moval to Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon his 
 farm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked with 
 horses, cattle and sheep from Kentucky, also with 
 fruit-trees, grape-vines and shrubbery. He estab- 
 lished saw and grist-mills, and engaged extensively 
 in mercantile business, having no less than eight or ten 
 stores in this State and Missouri. Notwithstanding 
 the arduous duties of his office, he nearly always pur- 
 chased the goods himself with which to supply the 
 stores. Although not a regular practitioner of medi- 
 cine, he studied the healing art to a considerable ex- 
 tent, and took great pleasure in prescribing for, and 
 taking care of, the sick, generally without charge. 
 He was also liberal to the poor, several widows and 
 ministers of the gospel becoming indebted to him 
 even for their homes. 
 
 He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in 
 1803, and they became the affectionate parents of 
 several children, one of whom, especially, is well 
 known to the people of the " Prairie State," namely, 
 Ninian Wirt Edwards, once the Superintendent c< 
 Public Instruction and still a resident of Springfield 
 Gov. Edwards resided at and in the vicinity of Kas- 
 kaskia from 1809 to 1818; in Edvvardsville (named 
 after him) from that time to 1824; and from the lat- 
 ter date at Belleville, St. Clair County, until his 
 death, July 20, 1833, of Asiatic cholera. Edwards 
 County is also named in his honor. 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 \iy 
 
 <k> 
 
 
 
 
 )HN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831- 
 ■»» 4> ^v-'s I'Of'' "^ Montgomery Coun- 
 ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788. 
 His father, Robert Reynolds and 
 -: liii mother, «f(? Margaret Moore, 
 were botli natives of Ireland, from 
 wliicli country they emigrated to 
 the United States in 1785, land- 
 ing at Philadelphia. The senior 
 Reynolds entertained an undying 
 hostility to the British Govern- 
 ment. When the subject of this 
 sketch was about six months old, 
 his parents emigrated with him to 
 Tennessee, where many of their 
 relatives had already located, at the base of the 
 Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of 
 the present city of Knoxville. There they were ex- 
 posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest- 
 ed by them. Iii 1794 they moved into the interior 
 of the State. They were poor, and brought up their 
 children to habits of manual industry. 
 
 In 1800 the family removed to Kaskaskia, 111., with 
 eight horses and two wagons, encountering many 
 Hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed 
 the most of his childhood, while his character began 
 to develop, the most prominent traits of which were 
 ambition and energy. He also adopted the principle 
 and practice of total abstinence from intoxicating 
 liquors. In 1807 the family made another removal. 
 
 this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot of 
 the Mississi[>pi bluffs three or four miles southwest 
 of Edwardsville. 
 
 On arriving at his 20th year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing 
 that he must look about for his own livelihood and 
 not yet having determined what calling to pursue, 
 concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly 
 went to such an institution of learning, near Knox- 
 ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his 
 diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of 
 his life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered 
 wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a 
 shingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himself 
 into the society of the wealthy in the vicinity of 
 Knoxville! He attended college nearly two years, 
 going through the principal Latin authors; but it 
 seems that he, like the rest of the world in modem 
 times, had but very little use for his Latin in after 
 life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good 
 degree of literary discipline. He commenced the 
 study of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary trouble 
 came on and compelled him to change his mode 
 of life. Accordingly he returned home and re- 
 cuperated, and in 1812 resumed his college and 
 law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 181 2 he was 
 admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time 
 he also learned the French language, which he 
 practi.:ed with pleasure in conversation with his 
 family for many years. He regarded this language 
 as being superior to all others for social intercourse. 
 
124 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 From his services in the West, in the war of i8i 2, 
 he ol)tained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He 
 was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate. 
 
 Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the 
 winter and spring of 1814, in the French village of 
 Cahokia, tlien the capital of St. Clair County. 
 
 In the fall of 1818 he was elected an Associate 
 Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General 
 Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than 
 ever into the practice of law, and the very next year 
 was elected a member of the Legislature, where he 
 acted independently of all cliques and private inter- 
 ests. In 182S the Whigs and Democrats were for 
 the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi- 
 nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and 
 raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a 
 iudicial calmness and moderation. The real animus 
 of the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson," 
 •^he former party carrying the State. 
 
 In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov- 
 ernor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he 
 did all within his power to advance the cause of edu- 
 cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich- 
 igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun- 
 try, etc.; also recf mmended the winding up of the 
 State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously 
 complicated. In his national politics, he. was a 
 moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the 
 most celebrated event of his gubernatorial admin- 
 istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred 
 in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted 
 the contest with commendable diligence, appearing 
 in person on the battle-grounds during the most 
 critical periods. He was recognized by the President 
 as Major-General, and authorized by him to make 
 treaties with tlie Indians. By the assistance of the 
 general Government the war was terminated without 
 much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This 
 war, as well as everything else, was materially re- 
 tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the 
 West. This was its first appearance here, and was 
 the next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds' 
 term. 
 
 South Carolina nullification coming up at this time, 
 t was heartily condemned by both President Jackson 
 and Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same 
 grounds as the Unionists in the last war. 
 
 On the termination of his gubernatorial term in 
 ^834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con- 
 gress, still considering himself a backwoodsman, as 
 ^e had scarcely been outside of the State since he 
 became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful 
 days in the wildest region of the frontier. His first 
 niove in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in 
 all elections made by the House for officers the votes 
 should be given viva voce, each member in his ])lace 
 naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This 
 created considerable heated discussion, but was es- 
 
 sentially adopted, and remained the controlling prin- 
 ciple for many years. The ex Governor was scarcely 
 absent from his seat a single day, during eight ses- 
 sions of Congress, covering a period of seven years, 
 and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed 
 to get the Democratic party to foster his " National 
 Road" scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a 
 large autobiography he published), that it was only 
 by rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while in 
 VVashington. Daring his sojourn in that city he was 
 married, to a lidy of the place. 
 
 In 1S37, while out of Congress, and in company 
 with a few others, he built the first railroad in the 
 Mississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long, 
 leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff to 
 the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Having not 
 the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it 
 by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com- 
 pany sold out, at great sacrifice. 
 
 In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of the 
 Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow 
 money to prosecute the enterprise. Accord'ugly, he 
 repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining 
 a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth 
 of what was wanted. The same year he and his 
 wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr. 
 Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility 
 of introducing to President Van Buren the noted 
 Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day 
 Saint!" 
 
 In 1846 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of 
 the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu 
 larly for the purpose of obtaining a feasible charter 
 for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis, 
 a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately 
 built, and was the first rond of the kind in the State. 
 He was again elected to the Legislature in 1852, when 
 he was chosen Speaker of the House. In i860, aged 
 and infirm, he attended the National Democratic 
 Convention at Charleston, S. C , as an anti-Douglas 
 Delegate, where he received more attention from the 
 Southern Delegates than any other member. He 
 supported Breckenridge for the Presidency. After 
 the October elections foreshadowed the success of 
 Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo- 
 crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi- 
 ately preceding and during the late war, his corre- 
 spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern 
 secession, and about the first of March, i86r, he 
 urged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of the 
 treasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenal 
 at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkative 
 man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch- 
 words that ever gained currency, besides many cun- 
 ning and odd ones of his own manufacture. 
 
 He was married twice, but had no children. He 
 died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close 
 of the war. 
 
^^^'^^g^^^^ ^^-^^^ 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 "7 
 
 4^ 
 
 ILLIAM LEE 1). EWING, 
 (-'" Governor of Illinois Nov. 3 
 ?;.j to 17, 1834, was a native 
 of Kentucky, and probably 
 of Scotch ancestry. He had 
 a fine education, was a gentle- 
 man of polished manners and 
 lefined sentiment. In 1830 John Rey- 
 lioldswas elected Governor of the State, 
 and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor, 
 and for the jjrincipal events that followed, 
 and the characteristics of the times, see 
 sketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we 
 ■ . ■ . see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in- 
 -A" forms us that he was a Receiver of Public 
 Mor eys at Vandalia soon after the organization of 
 Uii.-^ State, and that the public moneys in his liands 
 vtre deposited in various banks, as they are usually 
 '■' thi jTesent day. In 1823 the State Bank was 
 ubbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand- 
 dollar deposit. 
 
 Vhe subject of this sketcli had a commission as 
 Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies 
 ne acted also as Major. In the summer of 1832, 
 ■"hen ■."'as rumored among the whites that Black 
 Hawk ai.d 'lis men had encamped somewhere on 
 Rock River, Gen. Henry was sent on a tour of 
 reconnoisance, and witii orders to drive tlie Indians 
 from the State. After some opposition from his 
 ubordinaie officers, Henry resolved to proceed up 
 Rock River in search of the enemy. On the 19th of 
 uly, early in the morning, five baggage wagons. 
 
 camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti 
 cles were piled up and left, so that the army might 
 make speedy and forced marches. For some miles 
 the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps 
 and the worst thickets; but the large, fresh trail 
 gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen. 
 Dodge and Col. Ewing were both actmg as Majors, 
 and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the 
 army. It is supix)sed the army marched nearly 50 
 miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed 
 became fresher, and was strewed with much property 
 and trinkets of the red-skin-, that they had lost or 
 thrown away to hasten their march. During the 
 following night there was a terrific thunder-storm, and 
 the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor- 
 oughly drenched. 
 
 On approaching nearer the Indians the next day. 
 Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a 
 battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the 
 buttle, but the savages were not overtaken this day 
 Forced marches were continued until they reached. 
 Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued, 
 resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's 
 men. The next day they continued the chase, and 
 as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians 
 leading toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed 
 his battalion in order of battle and awaited the order 
 of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the 
 ground and ordered a charge, wiiich directly resulted 
 in chasing the red warriors across the great river. 
 Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly 
 efficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actors 
 in driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes, in- 
 
128 
 
 WILLIAM L. D. EWING. 
 
 eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi, 
 while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the ex- 
 pedition, with a body of the army, was hunting for 
 them in another direction. 
 
 In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to 
 as a " General," which title he had derived from his 
 connection with the militia. 
 
 It was in the latter part of the same year (1832) 
 that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con- 
 gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to the 
 Senate, was chosen to preside over that body. At 
 the August election of 1834, Gov. Reynolds was also 
 elected to CoHgress, more than a year ahead of the 
 time at which he could actually take his seat, as was 
 then the law. His predecessor, Chailes Slade, had 
 just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec- 
 tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his 
 unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash- 
 ington in November of that year to take his seat in 
 Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office as 
 President of the Senate, became Governor of the 
 State of Illinois, his term covering only a period of 
 15 dai's namely, from the 3d to the 17th days, in- 
 clusive, of November. On the 17th the Legislature 
 met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his 
 message, giving a statement of the condition of the 
 affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin- 
 uance of the policy adopted by his predecessor ; and 
 on the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncan 
 was sworn into offiv:e, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from 
 
 the responsible situation. This is the only time that 
 such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi- 
 nois. 
 
 On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was 
 elected a United States Senator to serve out the 
 unexpired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The 
 latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the 
 early politics of Illinoif , and a county in this State is 
 named in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing to 
 the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi- 
 tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several 
 important offices in this State, and Richard M 
 Young, afterward a United States Senator and a 
 Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On 
 the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes, Young 19 
 and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was 
 dropped ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ; but on 
 the 1 2th Evving received 40, to Semple 37, and wa 
 accordingly declared elected. In 1837 Mr. Ewin 
 received some votes for a continuance of his term i 
 Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, w;i^ 
 elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State 
 Audit-i-r on the ticket with Gov. Ford. 
 
 Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer 
 by profession, and was much in public life. In person 
 he was above medium height and of heavy build, 
 with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and 
 short face. He was genial, social, friendly and 
 affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree : 
 originality. He died March 25, 1846. 
 
 
^/cJ^^^n^ ^ 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 »3' 
 
 
 i@^^^a^^ 
 
 
 
 U 
 
 I OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor 
 \, 1834-8, was born at Paris, 
 X Ky., Feb. 23, 1794. At the 
 \ tender age of 19 years he en- 
 — _^ listed in the war against Great 
 ■> i « V- J^ Britain, and as a soldier he 
 - ,^^^"3 i(-(iuitted himself with credit. He 
 was an Ensign under the daunt- 
 less Croglian at Lower Sandusky, 
 . . or Fort Steplienson. In Illinois 
 ,X ' e fiist 'appeared in a public capa- 
 Liiy as Major- General of the Militia, 
 :i position which his military fame 
 had procured him. Subsecjuently 
 he became a Slate Senator from 
 Jackson County, and is honorably 
 mentioned for introducing tlie first bill providing for 
 a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt- 
 able John P. Cook, who had previously beaten such 
 men as John McLean, Elias Kent Kane and ex- 
 Gov. Bond, came up for the fourth time forCongress, 
 Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his 
 friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians. 
 As yet he was but little known in the State. He was 
 an original Jackson man at that time, being attached 
 to his political fortune in admiraiion of the glory of 
 his milita:y achievements. His chances of success 
 against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless, 
 but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His 
 speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were 
 full of good Sense. He made a diligent canvass of 
 the Stale, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of 
 his health. The most that was expected of Mr. 
 Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would 
 
 obtain a respectable vote, but without defeating Mr 
 Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a 
 source of surprise and amazement to both friends 
 and foes, as Mr. Duncan came out 64 r votes ahead! 
 He received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un- 
 til this den out: me lit, the violence of party feeling 
 smoldering in the breasts of the people on accoujit 
 of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated. 
 Aside from the great convention struggle of 1824, no 
 other than mere local and pergonal considerations 
 had ever before controlled an election in Illinois. 
 
 From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his 
 seat in Co igress until his election as Governor in 
 August, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the 
 Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey- 
 nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the 
 \olunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock 
 Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash- 
 ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did 
 not personally participate in it, but addressed circu- 
 lais to his constituents. His election was, indeed, 
 attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be- 
 cause his estrangement from Jackson, formerly his 
 political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely 
 in ascendency in the State, was complete; but while 
 his defection was well known to his Whig friends, 
 and even to the leading Jackson men of this State, 
 the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact 
 to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at 
 that day were far inferior to those of the present 
 time. Of course the Governor was much abused 
 afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re- 
 garded party ties and affiliations as above all 
 other issues that could arise; but he was doubtless 
 
132 
 
 JOSEPH DUNCAN. 
 
 sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latter 
 ,;ad vetoed several important western measures 
 which were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural 
 message he threw off the mask and took a bold stand 
 ngainst the course of the President. The measures 
 '.e recommended in his message, however, were so 
 desirable that the Legislature, although by a large 
 majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain 
 from endorsing them. These measures related 
 mainly to barks and internal improvements. 
 
 It was while Mr. Duncan was Governor that the 
 people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in- 
 ternal improvement schemes that well nigh bank- 
 nipted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on, 
 and the disasters that attended the inauguration of 
 .hese plans and the operation of the banks were mu- 
 tually charged upon the two political parties. Had 
 any or.e man autocratic power to introduce and 
 carry on any one of these measures, he would proba- 
 bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public ; 
 but as many jealous men had hold of the same plow 
 handle, no success followed and each blamed the other 
 for the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan 
 was carried along, suffering the like derogation of 
 character with his fellow citizens. 
 
 At the height of the excitement the Legislature 
 " provided for " railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton 
 to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the 
 eastern boundary of the State in the direction of 
 Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the Wabasli, 
 Bloomington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, — in all 
 about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the 
 improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia, 
 Illinois, Great and Little Wabash and Rock Rivers ; 
 also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis- 
 .ributed to the various counties wherein no improve- 
 ments were ordered to be made as above. The 
 estimate for the expenses for all these projects was 
 jlaced at a little over $10,000,000, which was not 
 more i.ian half enough ! That would now be equal to 
 saddling upon the State a debt of $225,000,000 ! It 
 was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times 
 over, even counting all the possible benefits. 
 
 One of the most exciting events that ever occurred 
 in this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love- 
 ioy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's 
 term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist," 
 editing the Observer at that place, and the pro- 
 slavery slunns there formed themselves into a mob, 
 
 and after destroying successively three presses be- 
 longing to Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehouse 
 where the fourth press was stored away, endeavoring 
 to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends 
 were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the 
 brave reformer! 
 
 About this time, also, the question of removing ths 
 State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for 
 its existence at Vandalia was drawing to a close. 
 There was, of course, considerable excitement over 
 the matter, the two main points competing for it be- 
 ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat- 
 ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully 
 allayed. 
 
 Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842 
 he was again proposed as a candidate for the Execu- 
 tive chair, this time by the Whig party, against Adam 
 W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the 
 Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi 
 date for the saine position. Mr. Snyder, however, d'ed 
 before the campaign had advanced very far, and his 
 jiarty substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected 
 receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and 
 909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic success 
 at this time is mainly at,>ributed to the temporary 
 support of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and tne 
 want o.' any knowledge, on the part of the masses, 
 that Mr. Ford was opposed to any given polic\ en 
 tertained in the respective localities. 
 
 Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited edu( a 
 tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited 
 greatly by his various public services, and gathered 
 a store of knowledge regarding public affairs winch 
 served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear 
 judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral 
 courage to carry out Iiis convictions of right. In his 
 deportment he was well adapted to gain the adniira 
 tion of the people. His intercourse with them was 
 botli affable and dignified. His portrait at tlie Gov 
 ernor's mansion, from which the accompanying wa^ 
 made, represents him as having a swarthy complex- 
 ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black 
 eyes and straight black hair. 
 
 He was a liberal patron of the Illinois ('oUege at 
 Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and 
 died, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted 
 member of the Presbyterian Church, leaving a wife 
 but no children. Two children, born to them, had 
 died in infancy. 
 
:^-r/£Z4=i^£^-^ 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 '35 
 
 wmsmm m^yj^^^^^Yw^^^r. 
 
 I "pj" f ' '*J*y T ' '« v-f M^r-si v*> / 
 
 ^rlgfi 
 
 
 >^!S- 
 
 ,arlin, 
 
 I, 
 
 
 
 >HOMAS CARLIN, the sixth 
 Governor of the State of 
 lUinois, serving from 1838 
 to 1842, was also a Ken- 
 tuckian, being born near 
 Frankfort, that State, July 
 18, 1789, of Irish paternity. 
 The opportunities for an education 
 being very meager in his native 
 place, he, on approaching years of 
 jiid 'ment and maturity, applied 
 himself to those branches of learn- 
 oJI^^V %0 '"8 ^^^ seemed most important, 
 and thus became a self-made man ; 
 and his taste for reading and 
 study remained with him through 
 life. In 1803 his father removed 
 10 Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he 
 died in 1810. 
 
 In 181 2 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici- 
 pated in all the "ranging" service incident to the 
 war of that period, proving himself a soldier of un- 
 daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rebecca 
 Huiit, and lived for four years on the bank of the 
 Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis- 
 so.:ri, where he followed farming, and then removed 
 to Greene County. He located the town site of Car- 
 rt. 'ton, in that county, and in 1825 made a liberal 
 donation of land for county building purposes. He 
 was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate 
 organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a 
 Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the 
 Black Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a 
 post of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap- 
 pointed by President Jackson to the position of 
 Receiver of Pul>lic Moneys, and to fulfill the office 
 
 more conveniently he removed to the city of Qaincy. 
 
 While, in 1838, the unwieldy internal im[)rovemeiit 
 system of the State was in full operation, with all its 
 expensive machinery, amidst bank suspensions 
 throughout the United States, a great stringency in 
 the money market everywhere, and Illinois bonds 
 forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest 
 times" existing that the people of the Prairie State 
 ever saw, the general election of State officers was 
 approaching. Discreet men who hadcherished the 
 hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua- 
 tion, met with disappointment. .A. Governor and 
 Legislature were to be elected, and these were now 
 looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous Stale 
 policy. But the grand schema? had not yet lost its 
 dazzling influence upon the minds of the people. 
 Time and c.x[)erience had not yet fully demonstrated 
 its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting 
 its career of profligate expenditures did not become 
 a leading one with the dominant party during the 
 campiign, and most of the old members of the Leg 
 islature were returned at this election. 
 
 Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State 
 Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the 
 office of Governor, and S. H. .A.nderson for Lieuten- 
 ant Governor, wliile the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed- 
 wards, brotherof Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor, 
 and W. H. Davidson. Edivards came out strongly 
 for a continuance of the State policy, while Carlir 
 remained non-committal. This was the first time 
 that the two main political parties in this State were 
 unenibar-assed by any third party in the field. The 
 result of the election was: Carlin, 35,573 ; Ander- 
 son, 30,335 ; Edwards, 29,629 ; and Davidson, 28,- 
 
 UiK)n the meeting of the sulisequent Legislatvire 
 (1839), the retiring Governor CDuncan) in his nics- 
 
136 
 
 THOMAS CARLIN. 
 
 sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of the 
 internal improvement system, presaging the evils 
 threatened, and uiged that body to do their utmost 
 to correct the great error ; yet, on the contrary, the 
 Legislature not only decided to continue the policy 
 but also added to its burden by voting more appro- 
 priations and ordering more improvements. Although 
 the money market was still stringent, a further loan 
 of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich- 
 igan Canal alone. Cn'cago at that time began to 
 loom up and promise to be an important city, even 
 the great emporium of the West, as it has since in- 
 deed came to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe- 
 tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan, 
 and accordhigly hastened to the East on this respons- 
 ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera- 
 ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment 
 to Carlin's administration, the Legislature also de- 
 clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary 
 of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a 
 Whig, who had already held the post by apjwintment 
 Jirough three administrations, was determined to 
 keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car- 
 lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in 
 this regard, however, was finally sustained by the 
 Supreme Court, in a quo warranto case brought up 
 before it by John A. McClernand, whom the Gov- 
 ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that 
 dignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!" 
 endeavoring to establish the principle of life-tenure 
 of office. 
 
 A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judici- 
 ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges 
 were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas 
 Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B. 
 Scates, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — 
 all Democrats. 
 
 It was during Cov. Carlin's administration that the 
 noisy campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " oc- 
 curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however, 
 did net affect Illinois politics very seriously. 
 
 Another prominent event in the West during Gov. 
 Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by 
 the Mormons and their removal from Independence, 
 Mo., to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same time 
 they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On 
 account of their believing — as they thought, accord- 
 ing to the New Testament — that they should have 
 
 "all things common," and that consequently "all 
 the earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's " 
 and therefore the property of his " saints," they 
 were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing 
 many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that 
 were so rife throughout this country in those days. 
 Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the 
 Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of 
 Missouri the Mormons always supported the Dem- 
 ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic 
 government, when they turned their support to the 
 Whigs. They were becoming numerous, and in the 
 Legislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matter 
 of great interest with both parties to conciliate these 
 people. . Through the agency of one John C. Ben- 
 nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushing 
 through the Legislature (both parties not daring to 
 oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir- 
 tually erected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the Fed- 
 eral Government itself. In the fall of 1841 the 
 Governor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov. 
 Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader, 
 as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued the 
 writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved. 
 It was again issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested, 
 but was either rescued by his followers or discharged 
 by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus. 
 
 In December, 1841, the Democratic Convention 
 nominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Gov- 
 ernor. As he had been, as a member of the Legisla- 
 ture, rather friendly to the Mormons, the latter 
 naturally turned their support to the Democratic 
 party. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex- 
 Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime 
 the Mormons began to grow more odious to the 
 masses of the people, and the comparative prospects 
 of the respective parties for success became very 
 problematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, and 
 Thonias Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted as 
 a candidate, and was elected. 
 
 At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin 
 removed back to his old home at Carrollton, where 
 he spent the remainder of his life, as before his ele- 
 vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In iS/jg 
 he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the 
 Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4, 
 1852, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife 
 and seven children. 
 
Oi 
 
 '{^^^-t-I'V^A^ 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 '39 
 
 s fe^yn>_h^ . — »j=:^ 
 
 
 ~-^-^_^^,^m&3£&m%:. 
 
 
 
 =£>- 
 
 -^^^*^vlIOMAS FORD, Governor 
 frum 1842 to 1846, and au- 
 thor of a very interesting 
 history of Illinois, was born 
 at Uniontown, Pa., in the 
 year 1 800. His raocher, after 
 the death of her first hus- 
 band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob- 
 ert Ford, who was killed in 1802, 
 by the Indians in the mountains 
 of Pennsylvania. She was conse- 
 quently left in indigent circum- 
 stances, with a large family, mostly 
 girls. With a view to better her 
 condition, she, in 1804, removed to 
 Missouri, where it had been cus- 
 tomary by the Spanish Govern- 
 ment to yive land to actual settlers; but upon her 
 arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to 
 the United States, and the liberal [)olicy toward set- 
 tlers changed by the new ownership. After some 
 sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to 
 Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water- 
 loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis- 
 jippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his first i 
 
 schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey, 
 for which he had to walk three miles. His mother, 
 tliougii lacking a thorough education, was a woman 
 of superior mjntal endowments, joined to energy 
 and determination of character. She inculcated in 
 her children those high-toned principles wliich dis- 
 tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a 
 rigid economy to provide her children an education ; 
 but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older 
 than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit 
 school to aid by his labor in the support of the family. 
 He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois 
 affairs, and but for his early death would probably 
 have been elected to the United States Senate. 
 
 Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities, 
 received a better education, though limited to the 
 curriculum of the common school of those pioneer 
 times. His mind gave early promise of superior en- 
 dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His 
 proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P. 
 Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend. 
 The latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois states- 
 man who, as a Member of Congress, ODtained agranl 
 of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the 
 Illinois & Michigan Canal, and after whom the 
 cuunty of Cook was named. Through the advice of 
 
140 
 
 THOMAS FORD. 
 
 this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the 
 study of law; but Forquer, then merchandising, re- 
 garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl- 
 vania University, where, however, he remained but 
 one term, oiviiig to Forquer's failure in business. On 
 his return he alternated his law reading with teach- 
 ir.g school for support. 
 
 In 1829 Gov. Edwards appointed him Prosecuting 
 Attorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov. 
 Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected a 
 Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a 
 Circuit Judge, Oiice a Judge of Chicago, and as As- 
 sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1841, 
 the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition 
 of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to 
 the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity 
 .he was holding Court in Ogle County he received a 
 notice of his nomination by the Democratic Conven- 
 tion for the office of Governor. He immediately re- 
 signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In 
 August, 1842, he was elected, and on the 8th of De- 
 cember following he was inaugurated. 
 
 All the offices which he had held were unsolicited 
 by him. He received them upon the true Jeff'erson- 
 ian principle, — Never to ar^k .rnd never to refuse 
 office. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood 
 deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him 
 rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo- 
 cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void 
 of the moving uower of eloquence, so necessary to 
 success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were 
 <?ound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In 
 practice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in- 
 sinuating address of the politician, but he saw through 
 :he arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was 
 plain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that at 
 one time after the expiration of his term of office, 
 during a session of the Legislature, he was taken by 
 a stranger to be a seeker for the position of door- 
 keeper, and was waited upon at his hotel near mid- 
 night by a knot of small office-seekers with the view 
 of effecting a " combination ! " 
 
 Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinary 
 politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a 
 political leader. He cared little for money, and 
 hardly enough for a decent support. In person he 
 was of small stature, slender, of dark complexion, 
 with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a 
 pointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one 
 side, and a small mouth. 
 
 The three most important events in Gov. Ford's 
 adn-.inistration were the establishment of the high 
 financial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and 
 .he Mexican War. 
 
 In the first of these the Governor proved himself 
 t» be en;inently wise. On coming into office he found 
 the State badly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of 
 the r.otocious " internal improvement " schemes of 
 
 the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to 
 show by way of "improvement." The enterprise 
 that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the 
 rest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As this 
 promised to be the most important thoroughfare, 
 feasible to the people, it was well under headway in 
 its construction. Therefore the State policy was 
 almost concentrated upon it, in order to rush it on tc 
 completion. The bonded indebtedness of the State 
 was growing so large as to frighten the people, and 
 they were about ready to entertain a pro])osition for 
 repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to 
 recommend such measures as would maintain the 
 public credit, for which every citizen to-day feels 
 thankful. 
 
 But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for 
 his connection with the Mormon troubles than for 
 anything else; for it was during his term of office 
 that the " Latter-Day Saints " becama so strong at 
 Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num- 
 bers throughout thecount-y, committed misdemean- 
 ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suff"ered the loss of 
 their leader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven 
 out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a 
 Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of 
 course was no i-committal concerning Mormon aff'airs, 
 and was therefore claimed by both parties and also 
 accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the 
 other side. Mormonism claiming to be a system of 
 religion, the Governor no doubt was "between two 
 fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather 
 " gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when 
 that pestileiUial people left the State. Such compli- 
 cated inatters, especially when religion is mixed up 
 with them, expose every person participating in 
 them to criticism from all parties. 
 
 The Mexican War was begun in the spring of 
 1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial term 
 of Mr. Ford's suxessor. The Governor's connection 
 with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it 
 was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc. 
 
 Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and 
 entertaining work, of 450 small octavo pages, and is 
 destined to increase in value with the lapse of time. 
 It exhibits a natural flow of compact and forcible 
 thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In 
 tracing with his trenchant pen the devious operations 
 of the professional politician, in which he is inimit- 
 able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection 
 that all his contemporaries are treated as mere place- 
 seekers, while many of them have since been judged 
 by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings 
 seem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibit 
 a little splenetic partiality against those of his con- 
 temporaries who were prominent during his term of 
 office as Governor. 
 
 The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111., 
 Nov. 2, 1850. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 143 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ^.^//^\\K;^b. 
 
 
 AtigustvLS Cc French 
 
 
 
 ;s-«!^;g-*i;i&«i:::5«iH;;:$^ 
 
 ^:^;<\x//V:^ 
 
 ;^ Augustus c. French, 
 
 Governor of Illinois from 
 1846 to 1852, was born in 
 the town of Hill, in the 
 State of New Hampshire, 
 Aug. 2, 1808. He was a 
 descendant in the fourth 
 generation of Nathaniel 
 !• rench, who emigrated from England 
 in 1687 and settled in Saybury, Mass. 
 In early life young French lost his 
 ' ither, but continued to receive in- 
 struction from an exemplary and 
 Christian mother until he was 1 9 years 
 old, when she also died, confiding to 
 his care and trust four younger broth- 
 ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with 
 parental devotion. His education in early life was 
 Euch mainly as a common school afforded. For a 
 Drief period he attended Dartmouth College, but 
 from pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers 
 and sister, he did not graduate. He subsequently 
 read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1831, and 
 shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at 
 .Vlbion, Edwards County, where he established him- 
 self in the practice of law. The following year he 
 removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attained 
 eminence in his profession, and entered public life 
 by representing that county in the Legislature. A 
 strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste- 
 l)hen A. Douglas. 
 
 In 1839, Mr. French was appointed Receiver of 
 the United States I^and Office at Palestine, Craw- 
 ford County, at which place he was a resident when 
 
 elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was 
 a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for 
 James K. Polk. 
 
 The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet- 
 ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French 
 for Governor. Other Democratic candidates were 
 Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of 
 Lecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scates, 
 Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly, — an array of 
 very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per- 
 haps defeated in the Convention by the rumor that 
 he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
 as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant 
 Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi- 
 dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurtry, Newton 
 Cloud, J. B. Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. The 
 resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita- 
 tion of the old State Banks. 
 
 The Whigs, wlio were in a hopeless minority, held 
 their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected 
 Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor, 
 and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for 
 Lieutenant Governor. 
 
 In the campaign the latter exposed Mr. French's 
 record and connection with the passage of the in- 
 ternal improvement system, urging it against his 
 election ; but in the me-'ntime the war with Mexico 
 broke out, regarding which the Whig record was un- 
 popular in this State. The war was the absorbing 
 and dominating question of the period, sweeping 
 every other political issue in its course. The elec- 
 tion in August gave Mr. French 58,700 votes, and 
 Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionist 
 candidate for the same office, received 5,152 vots>s 
 
144 
 
 AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH. 
 
 By the new Constitution of 1848, a new election for 
 State officers was ordered in November of that year, 
 before Gov. French's term was half out, and he was 
 re-elected for the term of four years. He was there- 
 fore the incumbent for six consecutive years, the 
 only Governor of this State who has ever served in 
 that capacity so long at one time. As there was no 
 organized opposition to his election, he received 67,- 
 453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre Menard (son of the 
 first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V. 
 Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and 1,361 for 
 James L. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, of 
 Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in 
 pHce of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected 
 and did not run again. 
 
 Governor French was inaugurated into office dur- 
 ing the progress of the Mexican War, which closed 
 during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of 
 Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2, 
 1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was com- 
 mitted to that war, but in connection with that affair 
 he was, of course, only an administrative officer. 
 During his term of office, Feb 19, 1847, the Legisla- 
 ture, by special perinissiou of Congress, declared that 
 all Government lands sold to settlers should be im- 
 mediate.y subject to State taxation; before this they 
 were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar- 
 rangement the revenue was materially increased. 
 .\bout the same time, the distribution of Government 
 .and warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty 
 threw upon the market a great quantity of good 
 lands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State. 
 The same Legislature authorized, with the recom- 
 mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern 
 Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, the 
 first in the State and now a section of the Wabash, 
 St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $100,000 in bonds, 
 although it had cost the State not less than a million. 
 The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve 
 in Gallatin County, granted by the general Govern- 
 ment to the State, were also authorized by the 
 Governor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. \\\ 
 1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing State 
 revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was 
 sufficient to meet the current demands upon the 
 treasury. The aggregate taxable property of the 
 State at this time was over $100,000,000, and the 
 [xipulation 851,470. 
 
 In 1849 the Legisiature adopted the township or- 
 ganization law, which, however, proved defective, 
 and was properly amended in 1851. At its session 
 in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed 
 a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions 
 This beneficent measure had been repeatedly utgecj 
 upon that body by Gov. French. 
 
 In 1850 some business men in St. Louis com- 
 menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of 
 their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi 
 in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking 
 away from them as it sometimes threatened to do. 
 This they undertook without permission from the 
 Legislature or Executive authority of tliis State ; and 
 as many of the inhabitants thera complained that 
 the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable 
 land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re- 
 sulting in favor of the St. Louis project; and since 
 then a good site has existed there for a city (East St. 
 Louis), and now a score of railroads center there. 
 
 It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted 
 to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of 
 the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
 which constituted the most important epoch in the 
 railroad — we might say internal improvement — his- 
 tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com- 
 pletion, which accelerated the settlement of the in- 
 terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi- 
 zens, and by the charter a good income to the State 
 Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road. 
 
 In 185 I the Legislature passed a law authorizing 
 free stock banks, which was the source of much leg- 
 islative discussion for a number of years. 
 
 But we have not space further to particularize 
 concerning legislation. Gov. French's administra- 
 tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised, 
 while the country was settling up as never before. 
 
 In stature. Gov. French was of medium height, 
 squarely built, light coraplexioned, with ruddy face 
 and pleasant countenance. In manners he was 
 plain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhat 
 diffident, Init he was often very outspoken in his con- 
 victions of duty. In public speech he was not an 
 orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In 
 business he was accurate and methodical, and in his 
 administration he kept up the credit of the State. 
 
 He died in 1S65, at his home in Lebanon, St 
 Clair Co., Ill, 
 
C^i^<--^(lX..'<L^-<.'~7--l^ 
 
GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 ^^'SSv. 
 
 %M^ 
 
 .j^ 
 
 ^v. 
 
 Jloel ^. 3^I:aites0 
 
 
 OKL A. MATTESON, Governor 
 ^j '- lfe»« 1853-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808, 
 •' • in Jefferson County, New York, 
 to which place his father had re- 
 moved from Vermont three years 
 before. His father was a farmer 
 in fair circumstances, but a com- 
 mon English education was all 
 that his only son received. Young 
 Joel first tempted fortune as a 
 small tradesman in Prescott, 
 Canada, before he was of age. 
 He returned from that place to 
 his home, entered an academy, 
 taught school, visited the prin- 
 cipal Eastern cities, improved a farm his father had 
 given him, made a tour in the South, worked there 
 in building railroads, experienced a storm on the 
 Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northern 
 Georgia, and returned via Nashville to St. Louis and 
 through Illinois to his father's home, when he mar- 
 ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed, 
 iviih his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered 
 a claim on Government land near the head of Au 
 Salile River, in what is now Kendall County. At 
 that time there were not more than two neighbors 
 within a range of ten miles of his place, and only 
 'hree or four houses between him and Chicago. He 
 opened a large farm. His faiuily was boarded 1 2 
 
 miles away while he erected a house on his claim, 
 sleeping, daring this time, under a rude pole shed. 
 Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by 
 a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed. 
 
 In 1835 he bought largely at the Government land 
 sales. During the speculative real-estate mania which 
 broke out in Chicago in 1836 and spread over the State, 
 he sold his lands under the inflation of that period 
 and removed to Joliet. In 1838 he became a heavy 
 contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Upon 
 the completion of his job in 1841, when hard times 
 prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State 
 scrip; when all the public works except the canal 
 were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons 
 of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat- 
 teson at a bargain. Tliis he accepted, shipped and 
 sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit, 
 enough to pay off all his canal debts and leave him a 
 surplus of several thousand dollars. His enterprise 
 next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet, 
 in which he prospered, and which, after successive 
 enlargements, became an enormous establishment. 
 
 In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but, 
 by a bungling apportionment, j'oiSn Pearson, a Senator 
 holding over, was found to be in the same distric:, 
 and decided to be entitled to represent it. Mat- 
 teson's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however 
 with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of 
 
148 
 
 JOEL A. MATTESON. 
 
 greed for office, unwilling to represent his district 
 under the circumstances, immediately resigned his 
 unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a 
 few hours orderiug a new election, and in ten days' 
 time Mr. Matteson was returned re-elected and took 
 his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity 
 as a business man, he was made Chairman of the 
 Committee on Fin;, "ce, a position he held during 
 this half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms, 
 discharging its iiniwrtant duties vvith ability and faith- 
 fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest, 
 when work was resumed on the canal under the new 
 loan of $r, 600,000 he again became a heavy con- 
 tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in 
 building railroads. Thus he showed himself a most 
 energetic and thorough business man. 
 
 He was nominated for Governor by the Demo- 
 cratic State Convention which met at Springfield 
 April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con- 
 vention were D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of 
 Cook ; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of 
 Menard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton; and D. P. Bush, 
 of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom- 
 inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices 
 the Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and Dexter A. 
 Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at 
 the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mat- 
 teson's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul- 
 tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being 
 all things to all men. His intellectual qualities took 
 rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His 
 turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage- 
 ment of party, or the powerful advocacy of great gov- 
 ernmental principles, as in those more solid and 
 enduring operations which cause the physical devel- 
 opment and advancement of a State, — of commerce 
 and business enterprise, into which he labored with 
 success to lead the people. As a politician he was 
 just and liberal in his views, and both in official and 
 private life he then stood untainted and free from 
 blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, social 
 rirtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor or 
 citizen, he had few superiors. His messages present 
 a perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of the 
 State, and are often couched in forcible and elegant 
 diction. 
 
 The greatest excitement during his term of office 
 was the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, by Con- 
 
 gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in 
 1854, when the bill was passed organizing the Terri- 
 tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion of 
 the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op- 
 position to the Democratic parly, naturally drifted 
 into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what 
 was temporarily called the "Anti-Nebraska" party, 
 while the followers of Douglas were knovvn as " Ne- 
 braska or Douglas Democrats." It was during this 
 embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham 
 Lincoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska" 
 candidate for the United States Senatorship, while 
 Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-nom- 
 inated by the Democrats. But after a few ballotings 
 in the Legislature (1855), these men were dropped, 
 and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
 was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson, 
 then Governor, by the latter. On the nth ballot 
 Mr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was ac- 
 cordingly declared elected. Before Gov. Matteson's 
 term expired, the Republicans were fully organized 
 as a national party, and in 1856 put into the field a 
 full national and State ticket, carrying the State, but 
 not the nation. 
 
 The Legislature of 1855 passed two very import- 
 ant measures, — the present free-school system and a 
 submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the 
 people. The latter was defeated by a small majority 
 of the popular vote. 
 
 During the four years of Gov. Matteson's admin- 
 istration the taxable wealth of the State was about 
 trebled, from $137,818,079 to $349,951,272; the pub- 
 lic debt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $12,843,- 
 144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the 
 State resumed paying interest on its debt in New 
 York as fast as it fell due; railroads were increased 
 in their mileage from something les,s than 400 to 
 about 3.000 ; and the population of Chicago was 
 nearly doubled, and its commerce more than quad- 
 rupled. 
 
 Before closing this account, we regret that we have 
 to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects an 
 upright man and a good Governor, was implicated 
 in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrip, amount- 
 ing to $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir- 
 cuit Court the State recovered the ijrincipal and all 
 the interest excepting $27,500. 
 
 He died in the winter of 1872--3, at Chicago. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 '51 
 
 Vi'i ^^(•"i'l'Si'i'S-' 
 
 'f illkii^ %. Bissau. 
 
 ' j;»t^'^'^'^tgj)'g'-. 
 
 .'I ■ 'l;i.'l .■'(-^>'> 
 
 
 ►i— =5 — o<^$.^j^ji 
 
 -rx 
 
 ILLIAM H. BISSELL, Gov- 
 ernor 1857-60, was born 
 3 April 25, 181 1, in the 
 Mji State of New York, near 
 Painted Post, Yates County. 
 His parents were obscure, 
 honest, God-fearing people, 
 »iio reared their children under the daily 
 example of industry and frugality, accord- 
 ing to the custom of that class of Eastern 
 society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta- 
 ble but not thorough academical education. 
 By assiduous application he acquired a 
 knowledge of medicine, and in his early 
 manhood came West and located in Mon- 
 roe County, this State, where he engaged in the 
 practice of that profession. But he was not enam- 
 ored of his calling; he was swayed by a bro.ider 
 ambition, to such an extent that the mysteries of the 
 healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him 
 further any charms. In a few years he discovered 
 his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when 
 he approached the age of 30 he sought to begin 
 anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him- 
 self, discovered a singular facility and charm of 
 speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a 
 ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under- 
 
 stood that he desired to abandon his profession and 
 take up that of the law. During terms of Court he 
 would spend his time at the county seat among the 
 members of the Bar, who extended to him a ready 
 welcome. 
 
 It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift 
 into public life. In 1840 he was elected as a Dem- 
 ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and 
 was an efficient member of that body. On his re- 
 turn home he qualified himself for admission to the 
 Bar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo- 
 cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a 
 pure dii:tion, charming and inimitable gestures, 
 clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly 
 humor, his efforts before a jury told with irresistible 
 effect. He was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut- 
 ing Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and 
 in that position he fully discharged his duty to the 
 State, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom 
 failed to convict the offender of the law. 
 
 In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and 
 with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis- 
 tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark, 
 his head well poised, though not large, his address 
 pleasant and manner winning. He was exemplary 
 in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent. 
 \\ii was twice married, the first time to Miss James, 
 
fS2 
 
 WILLIAM H. BIS SELL. 
 
 of Monroe County, by whom he had two children, 
 both daughters. She died soon after the year 1840, 
 and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daughter 
 of Elias K. Kane, previously a United States Senator 
 from this State. She survived him but a short time, 
 and died without issue. 
 
 When the war with Me.xico was declared in 1846, 
 Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his 
 regiment, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almost 
 unanimous vote, — 807 to 6. Considering the limited 
 opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of 
 military talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vista 
 he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished 
 ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second 
 Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver- 
 ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely 
 contested battle. 
 
 After his return home, at the close of the war, he 
 was elected to Congress, his opponents being the 
 Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served 
 two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician. 
 During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favor 
 of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposed 
 the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and 
 therefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and 
 thus became identified with the nascent Republican 
 party. 
 
 During his first Congressional term, while the 
 Southern members were following their old practice 
 of intimidating the North by bullying language, 
 and claiming most of the credit for victories in the 
 Mexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for the 
 Mississippi troops all the credit for success at Buena 
 Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northern 
 troops ; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel, 
 which was accepted. This matter was brought up 
 against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor 
 and during his term of office, as the Constitution of 
 this State forbade any duelist from holding a State 
 office. 
 
 In 1856, when the Republican party first put forth 
 a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the 
 United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell 
 for Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy, 
 for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi- 
 nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County, 
 for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook 
 County, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of the 
 
 election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard- 
 son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a 
 ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal- 
 anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor. 
 His message to the Legislature was short and rather 
 ordinary, and was criticised for expressing the sup- 
 posed obligations of the people to the incorporators 
 of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re- 
 opening the slavery question by allusions to the 
 Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion- 
 ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was 
 passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor 
 at first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furious 
 debate followed, and the question whether the Gov- 
 ernor had the authority to recall a signature was 
 referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in 
 favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another 
 outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment 
 and to gerrymander the State, but the Legislature 
 failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor. 
 
 It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that 
 the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light 
 implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent 
 State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat- 
 ing $255,500, was all recovered by the State except- 
 ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.) 
 
 In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraud'-i- 
 lently refund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds and 
 thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of a 
 million dollars. The State Government was impli- 
 cated in this affair, and to this day remains unex- 
 plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other 
 matters previously mentioned. Gov. Bissell has been 
 severely criticised, and he has also been most shame- 
 fully libelled and slandered. 
 
 On account of e.xposure in the army, the remote 
 cause of a nervous form of disease gained entrance 
 into his system and eventually developed paraplegia, 
 affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left 
 his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco- 
 motion except by the aid of crutches. While he was 
 generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste- 
 rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its 
 stealthy hold, to the close of his life, March 18, 
 i860, over nine months before the expiration of his 
 gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He 
 died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, ol 
 which he harV been a member since 1854. 
 
Go VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 •5S 
 
 %^r/r ;:;< 'UN WOOD, Governo.' i86o-i,and 
 .■^/fj!i\f^** the first settler of Quincy, 111., 
 was born in the town of Sempro- 
 nuis (now Moravia), Cayuga Co., 
 N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He was 
 the second child and only son of 
 Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother, 
 tiee Catherine Crause, was of 
 German parentage, and died 
 while he was an infant. Dr. 
 Wood was a learned and skillful 
 physician, of classical attain- 
 ments and proficient in several 
 modern lai giiages, who, after 
 serving throughout the Revolu- 
 tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on the land granted 
 him by the Government, and resided there a re- 
 spected and leading influence in his section until his 
 death, at the ripe age of 92 years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit 
 of Western adventure then pervading everywhere, 
 left his home, Nov. 2, r8i8, and passed the succeed- 
 ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum- 
 mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown. 
 and spent the fall and following winter in Calhoun 
 County. In 1820, in company with WillardKeyes, 
 he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast 
 of Quincy, where for the next two years he pursued 
 farming. In 1821 he visited "theBlufTs" (as the 
 present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited) 
 and, pleased with its prospects, soon after purchased 
 a quarter-section of land near by, and in the follow- 
 ing fall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin. 
 
 18 X 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of whifh 
 he then became the first and for some months the 
 only occupant. 
 
 About this time he visited his old friends in Pike 
 County, chief of whom was William Ross, the lead- 
 ing man in building up the village of Atlas, of that 
 county, which was thought then to be the [xjssible 
 commencement of a city. One day they and others 
 were traveling together over the country between the 
 two points named, making observations on the com- 
 parative merits of the respective localities. On ap- 
 proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place, 
 the latter told his companions to follow him and he 
 would show them where he was going to build a city. 
 They went about a mile oflfthe main trail, to a high 
 point, from which the view in every direction was 
 most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet 
 untouched by the hand of man. Before them swept 
 by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by 
 navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at 
 length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross 
 replied, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to 
 anything!" 
 
 Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is » 
 city of over 30,000 jxjpulation. 
 
 In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice, 
 as the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply 
 to the General Assembly for the formation of a new 
 county. This was done the following winter, result- 
 ing in the establishment of the present Adanjs 
 Cour.ty. During the next siimmer Quincy was se- 
 lected as the county seat, it and the vicinity then 
 containing but four adult male residents and half 
 
J50 
 
 JOHN WOOD. 
 
 that number of females. Siiioe that period Mr. 
 Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un- 
 til his death, and far more than any other man was 
 he identified with every measure of its progress and 
 history, and almost continuously kept in public posi- 
 tions. 
 
 He was one of the early town Trustees, and after 
 the place became a city he was often a member of 
 the City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the 
 face of a constant large opposition political majority. 
 In 1850 he was elected to the Stale Senate. In 1856, 
 on the organization of the Republican party, he was 
 chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the 
 ticket with Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the 
 death of the latter, March 18, i860, he succeeded to 
 the Chief Executive chair, which he occupied until 
 Gov. Yates was inaugurated nearly ten months after- 
 ward. 
 
 Nothing very marked characterized the adminis- 
 tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery cam- 
 paign of i860, resulting in the election of the honest 
 Illinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the 
 United States, occurred during the short period 
 while Mr. Wood was Governor, and the excitement 
 and issues of that struggle dominated over every 
 other consideration, — indeed, supplanted them in a 
 great measure. The people of Illinois, during all 
 that time, were passing the comparatively petty strifes 
 under Bissell's administration to the overwhelming 
 issue of preserving the whole nation from destruction. 
 
 In 1861 ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele- 
 gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at 
 Washington, and in April of the same year, on the 
 breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed 
 
 Quartermaster-General of the State, which position 
 he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com- 
 mand as Colonel of the 137th 111. Vol. Inf, with 
 whom he served until the period of enlistment ex- 
 pired. 
 
 Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi- 
 fied with the Whig and Republican parties. Few 
 men have in personal experience comprehended so 
 many surprising and advancing local changes as 
 vested in the more than half century recollections of 
 Gov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settler 
 on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor 
 within a score of miles, the world of civilization away 
 behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his 
 only visitant, he lived to see growing around him, 
 and under his auspices and aid, overspreading the 
 wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second 
 only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in 
 beauty, prosperity and promise ; whose people recog- 
 nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and 
 liberality that attach to the name and lengthened 
 life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor." 
 
 Gov. Wood was twice married, — first in January, 
 1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter, 
 formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had 
 eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in 
 June, 1865, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow 
 of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4, 
 1 880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eight 
 children are now living, namely: Ann E., wife of 
 Gen. John Tillson; Daniel C, who married Mary J. 
 Abernethy; John, Jr., who married Josephine Skinner, 
 and Joshua S., who married Annie Bradley. The 
 last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and 
 all the rest are still at Quincy. 
 

 ICHARD YATES, the "War 
 Clovernor," 1861-4, was born 
 Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of 
 tlie Ohio River, at V'arsaw, 
 ("lallatin Co., Ky. His lather 
 moved in 1831 to Illinois, and 
 afier stopping for a time in 
 Springfield, settled at Island 
 < irove, Sangamon County. Here, 
 after attending school, Richard joined 
 tlie family. Subsequently he entered 
 Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
 where, in 1S37, he graduated with 
 fiist honors. He chose for his pro- 
 fession the law, the Hon. J. J. Har- 
 din being his instructor. After ad- 
 mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an 
 advocate. 
 
 Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soon 
 appeared in the political hustings, and, being a 
 passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the 
 West. Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to 
 ■:he party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great 
 s.rdor in the exciting "hard cider" campaign for 
 ciarrison. Two years later he was elected to the 
 Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic 
 stronghold. He served three or four terms in the 
 Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora- 
 tory that by 1850 his large Congressional District, 
 extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties 
 north to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him 
 tnc Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic 
 opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a Very ix)p- 
 I'Aar man who had won distinction at the battle of 
 Cerro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had 
 oeaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position, 
 
 two years before, by a large majority. Yates wa? 
 elected. Two years later he was rc-clccted, over 
 John Calhoun. 
 
 It was during Yates second term in Congress that 
 the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Com- 
 promise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re- 
 opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took 
 strong grounds against the repeal, and thus becanie 
 identified with the rising Repulilican party. Conse- 
 quently he fell into the minority in his district, which 
 was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he 
 fell behind Major Harris only 200 votes, after the 
 district had two years before given Pierce 2,000 
 majority for President. 
 
 The Republican State Convention of 1S60 met at 
 Decatur May 9, and nominated for the offic of Gov- 
 ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B. 
 Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Blooming- 
 ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were 
 also candidates before the Convention. Francis A. 
 Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated foi 
 Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr. 
 Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re- 
 membered a* characterized by the great whirlpool 
 which precipitated the bloody Wu of tlie Rebellion. 
 The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen of 
 Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ross, 
 of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. The 
 Breckenridge Democrats and the Bell- Everett party 
 had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear- 
 ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr. 
 Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr Allen 159,253. Mr. 
 Yates received over a thousand more votes than did 
 Mr. Lincoln himself. 
 
 Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during the 
 
i6o 
 
 RICHARD YATES. 
 
 most critical period of our country's history. In the 
 fate of the nation was involved that of each State. 
 The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance 
 from the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates 
 seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself 
 both loyal and wise in upholding the Government. 
 He had a deep hold u[)on the affections of the 
 people, won by his moving eloquence and genial 
 manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of pre- 
 possessing appearance, with a winning address and a 
 magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele- 
 ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and 
 captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they 
 were transported. He was social and convivial. In 
 the latter respect he was ultimately carried too far. 
 
 The very creditable military efforts of this State 
 during the War of the Rebellion, in putting into the 
 field the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers, 
 were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excel- 
 lency ; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of 
 "the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battleof 
 Shiloh he repaired 'o the field of carnage to look 
 after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were 
 promptly responded to by tlie people. His procla- 
 mations calling for volunteers were impassionate 
 appeals, urging upon the people the duties and re- 
 quirements of patriotism; and his special message 
 in i86_^ to the Democratic Legislature of this State 
 pleading for material aid for the sick and wounded 
 soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor 
 of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in 
 beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes- 
 sages on political and civil affairs were able and com- 
 prehensive. During his administration, however, 
 there were no civil events of an engrossing character, 
 although two years of his time were replete wiili 
 partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar- 
 rests. Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton 
 County, attempted suppression of the Chicago Times 
 and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of 
 1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting 
 during the Governor's term. This Convention assem- 
 bled Jan. 7, and at once took the high position that 
 he law calling it was no longer binding, and that it 
 ,ad supreme power; that it represented a virtual 
 assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was 
 sovereign in the exercise of all power necessary to 
 effect a. peaceable revolution of the State Government 
 
 and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness, 
 prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only 
 by the Federal Constitution. Notwithstanding the 
 law calling the Convention required its members to 
 take an oath to support the Constitution of the State 
 as well as that of the general Government, they 
 utterly refused to take such oath. They also as- 
 sumed legislative powers and passed several import- 
 ant "laws!" Interfering with the (then) present 
 executive duties, Gov. Yates was provoked to tell 
 them plainly that " he did not acknowledge the right 
 of the Convention to instruct him in the performance 
 of his duty." 
 
 In 1863 the Governor astonished tlie Democrats 
 by " proroguing " their Legislature. This body, after 
 a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to 
 waste time upon various partisan resolutions; and 
 while the two houses were disagreeing upon the 
 question of adjourning wzif die, the Governor, having 
 the authority in such cases, surprised them all b\ 
 adjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding th-; 
 first Monday in January, 1865 ! " This led to greai 
 excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the 
 Governor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided ii: 
 his favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive 
 abuse for weeks and months afterward. 
 
 During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was de- 
 tected at Chicago which had for its object the liber- 
 ation of the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, the 
 burning of the city and the inauguration of rebellio.i 
 in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of the 
 camp at the time, first had his suspicions of danger 
 aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters 
 which passed through the Camp postoffice. A de 
 tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen. 
 Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumed 
 name, and he, with other rebel officers — ^Grenfell, 
 Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and Charles 
 Walsh — was arrested, most of whom were convicted 
 by a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to 
 imprisonment, — Grenfell to be hung. The sentence 
 of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison- 
 ment for life, and all the others, after nine months' 
 imprisonment, were pardoned. 
 
 In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov 
 ernment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in 
 whicli office he continued until his decease, at St. 
 Louis, Mo., on the 27th of November following. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 163 
 
 RiehardJ. Oqlesby. ^ 
 
 KHARD J. OGLESBY, Gov- 
 ernor 1865-8, and re-elected 
 ill 1872 and 1884, was born 
 July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co., 
 Ky., — the State which might 
 \:^^ be considered the " mother of 
 Illinois Governors." Bereft of 
 his parents at the tender age 
 of eight years, his early education 
 was neglected. When 12 years of 
 age, and after he had worked a year 
 and a half at the carpenter's trade, 
 he removed with an uncle, Willis 
 Oglesby, into whose care he had 
 been committed, to Decatur, this 
 State, where he continued his ap- 
 prenticeship as a mechanic, working six montiis for 
 Hon. E. O. Smith. 
 
 In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring- 
 field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with him 
 one year. He was admitted to the Bar in 1845, and 
 commenced the practice of his chosen profession at 
 Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County. 
 
 The next year the war with Mexico was com- 
 menced, and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered, 
 was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth Illinois 
 Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in the bat- 
 tles of Vera Cruz, and Cerro Gordo. 
 
 On his return he sought to perfect his law studies 
 by attending a coarse of lectures at Louisville, but 
 on the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in 
 1849, he crossed the plains and mountains to the 
 new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com- 
 
 pany of eight men, Henry Prather being the leader. 
 In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and 
 was placed that year by the Wliig party on the ticket 
 of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe, 
 Asia and Africa, being al)sent 20 months. On his 
 return home he resu ned the practice oflaw, asa 
 member of the fir.n of (Jallagher, Wait & Oglesby. 
 In 1858 he was the Republican no ninee for the 
 Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the 
 Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In i860 he 
 was elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on the 
 evening the returns of this election were coming in, 
 Mr. Oglesby had a fisticufif encounter with "Cerro 
 Gordo Williamj," in which he came out victorious, 
 and which was regarded as " the first fight of the 
 Rebellion." The following spring, when the war 
 had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature 
 quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and 
 he enlisted. The extra session of the Legislature 
 elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry, 
 the second one in the State raised to suppress the 
 great Rebellion. 
 
 He WIS shortly entrusted with important com- 
 mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point 
 and Cairo; in April he ivas promoted Brigadier Gen- 
 eral; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van, 
 being stationed on the right of General Grant's army 
 and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500 
 men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these 
 men were from Macon County. He was engaged in 
 the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at this 
 place, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball, 
 and was carried from the field in expectation of im- 
 
i64 
 
 RICHARD J. OGLESBY. 
 
 mediate death. That rebel ball he carries to this 
 day. On his partial recovery he was promoted as 
 Major General, for gdlantry, his commission to rank 
 from November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he 
 was assigned to the command of the i6ih Army 
 Corps, but, owing to inability froii the effects of his 
 wound, he relinquished this command in July, that 
 year. Gen. (irant, however, refused to accept his 
 resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow- 
 ing, to coart-inarlial and try the Surgeon General of 
 tlie Army at Washington, where he remamed until 
 May, 1864, when he returned home. 
 
 The Republican, or U lion, State Convention of 
 
 1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr. 
 Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor, 
 while other candidates before the Convention were 
 Allen C. Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sanga- 
 mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. VVm. 
 Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant 
 Governor. On the Deinocr.itic State ticket were 
 James C. Robinson, of ('lark, for Governor, and S. 
 Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor. 
 The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majority 
 of about 31,000 votes. The Republicans had also a 
 majority in b.jth thi Legislature and in the repre- 
 sentation in Congress. 
 
 Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865. 
 The day before the first time set for his installation 
 death visited his hj ne at Decatar, and ^o^k from it 
 his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of si.t 
 years, a great fivorite of the bereaved parents. This 
 caused the inauguration to be postponed a week. 
 
 The political events of the Legislative session of 
 
 1865 were the election of ex-Gov. Yates to the 
 United States Senate, and the ratification of the 13th 
 amend nent to the Constitutioa of the United States, 
 abolishing slavery. This session also signalized 
 itself l)y re[)ealing the notorious " black lavvs," part 
 of which, although a dead letter, had held their place 
 upon the statute books since 1819. Also, la.vs re- 
 quiring tlie registration of voters, and establishing a 
 State Board of Equalization, were passed by this Leg- 
 islature. But the same body evinced that it was cor- 
 ruptly influenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted 
 some bad legislation, over tlie Governor's veto, nota- 
 bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse 
 railway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and now 
 sought to be extended 99 years. As this measure 
 was promptly passed ov.t his veto by both branches 
 of the Legislature, he deemed it useless further to 
 attempt to check their headlong career. At this 
 session no law of a general useful character or public 
 interest was perfected, unless we count such the 
 turning over of the canal to C'hicago to be deepened. 
 The session of 1867 was still more productive of 
 private and special acts. Many omnibus bills were 
 proposed, and some passed. The contests over the 
 iOcation of the Industrial College, the Capital, the 
 
 Soutliern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargement 
 and Illinois River improvement, dominated every 
 thing else. 
 
 During the year r87 2, it became evident that i( 
 the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the 
 office of Governor, 1 hey could also elect him to the 
 United States Senate, which they desired to do. 
 Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Execu- 
 tive chair, and ]jlaced upon the ticket with him for 
 Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook 
 County. On the other side the Democrats put into 
 the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John 
 C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election 
 gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from 
 35,334 to 56,r74, — the Democratic defection being 
 caused mainly by their having an old-time Whig and 
 Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticket 
 for President. According to the general understand- 
 ing had beforehand, as soon as the Legislature met 
 it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate, 
 whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena- 
 tor Oglesby 's term expired March 4, 1S79, having 
 served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of 
 statesmanship beyond criticism. 
 
 During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was 
 nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the 
 State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor 
 of Chicago, nomiTiated by the Democrats. Both 
 gentlemen "stumped " the State, and while the peo- 
 ple elected a Legislature which was a tie on a j jin; 
 ballot, as between the two parties, they gave the 
 jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov- 
 ernor, and lie was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. The 
 Legislature did not fully o.rganize until this date, on 
 account of its equal division between the two main 
 parties and the consequent desiderate tactics of each 
 party to checkmate the latter in the organization of 
 the House. 
 
 Gov. Oglesliy is a fine-appearing, affable man, wi.i 
 regular, well defined features and rotund face. In 
 stature he is a little above medium height, of a large 
 frame and samewhat fleshy. His physical appear- 
 ance is strikir.g and prepossessing, while his strai_,ht- 
 out, not to say bluff, manner and siieech are wel 
 calculated favorably to impress the average masses. 
 Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol- 
 icies of his party, he intensifies Republicanism 
 among Re[)ublicans, while at the same time hisjovia. 
 and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite 
 party from hating him. 
 
 He 's quite an effective stump orator. With vehe- 
 ment, passionate and scornfid tone and gestures, 
 tremendous physical power, which in speaking he 
 exercises to the utmost; with frequent descents to 
 the grotesque; and with abundant homely compari- 
 sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadest 
 vernacular and enforced with stentorian emphasis, 
 he delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure, 
 
GL-^^'^^Cl^ 
 
GO VER IVORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 167 
 
 ?Ji?S'>tS'iSJr'. '■ •. 
 
 i' .•'i'^'aji«^«^'i: :?i'S5i 
 
 John M. Fa l mem kh 
 
 "1' •^'^«^'^';.^ 
 
 •. 'i'V-'t^'(^<^t^<^tg;' 
 
 -''>c<r4^<; 
 
 J^K 
 
 4 
 
 —•>?—*— <>«=(?^S>5! 
 
 OHN Mc AULEY PALMER, Gov- 
 ernor 1869—72, was bom on 
 Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Ky , 
 Sept. 13, 1817. During his in- 
 fancy, his father, who had been 
 a soldier in the war of 181 2, re- 
 moved to Christian Co., Ky., 
 where lands were cheap. Here 
 the future Governor of the great 
 Prairie State spent his childhood 
 and received such meager school- 
 / ing as the new and sparsely set- 
 
 — tied country afforded. To this 
 
 he added materially by diligent 
 '.^j reading, for which he evinced an 
 
 early aptitude. His father, an ardent Jackson man, 
 was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, which 
 he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831 
 he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County. 
 Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for 
 about two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's 
 mother broke up the family. About this time Alton 
 College was opened, on the "manual labor " system, 
 and in the spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his 
 elder brother, Elihu, entered this school and remained 
 18 months. Next, for over three years, he tried 
 variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching. 
 
 During the summer of 1838 he formed the ac- 
 quaintance of Stephen A. Douglas, then making his 
 
 first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in 
 political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi- 
 dence, fired his ambition and fixed his purpose. The 
 following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be- 
 gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading 
 of la.v, and in the spring entered a law office at Car- 
 linvlUe, making his home with his elder brother, 
 Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergyman, of con- 
 siderable orginalily of thought and doctrine.) On 
 the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his examiners. 
 He was not immediately successful in his profession, 
 and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville 
 had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty 
 was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes 
 the success of his life. 
 
 From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued his 
 profession, he participated more or less in local 
 ix)litics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. Ir 
 1847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con 
 vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 hi 
 was elected to the State Senate, and at the special 
 session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slaverj 
 sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in 0[i 
 position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise 
 and when the Nebraska question became a parti 
 issue he refused to receive a re-nominaUon for thi 
 Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuinj 
 a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward. 
 
1 68 
 
 JOHN MC AULEY PALMER. 
 
 'lowever, hesitating to break with his party, he par- 
 ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nomi- 
 T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which 
 unqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas- 
 Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made 
 the plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska 
 Democrat, and was elected. The following winter 
 ne put in nomination for the _United States Senate 
 Mr. Trumbull, and was one of the five steadfast men 
 who voted for him until all the Whigs came to their 
 support and elected their man. 
 
 In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican State 
 Convention at Bloomingtoii. He ran for Congress in 
 1859, but was defeated. In i860 he was Republican 
 Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861 
 Jje was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re- 
 publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace <;ongress at 
 Washington. 
 
 When the civil conflict broke out, he offered his 
 services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the 
 :4th 111. Vol. Inf, and participated in the engagements 
 at Island No. 10; at Fanr.ington, where he skillfully 
 extricated his command from a dangerous position ; 
 at Stone River, where his division for several hours, 
 Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a 
 rock, and for his gallantry there he was made Major 
 General; at Chickaniauga, where his and Van Cleve's 
 divisions for two hours maintained their position 
 when they were cut off by overpowering numbers. 
 Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the 14th 
 Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign. 
 At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert 
 disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as- 
 signed to the military administration of Kentucky, 
 which was a delicate post. That State was about 
 half rebel and half Union, and those of the latter 
 element were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves. 
 He, who had been bred to the rules of common law, 
 trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary 
 power over the persons and property of his fellow 
 men, with which he was vested in his capacity as 
 military Governor ; and he exhibited great caution in 
 the execution of the duties of his post. 
 
 Gen. Palmer was nominated for Governor of Illi- 
 nois by the Republican State Convention which met 
 at Peoria May 6, 1868, and his nomination would 
 probably have been made by acclamation had he not 
 persistently declared that ue could not accept a can- 
 
 didature for the office. The result of the ensuing 
 election gave Mr. Palmer a majority of 44,707 over 
 John R. Eden, the Democratic nominee. 
 
 On the meeting of the Legislature in January, 
 1869, the first thing to arrest public attention was 
 that portion of the Governor's message which took 
 broad Slate's rights ground. This and some minor 
 points, which were more in keeping with the Demo- 
 cratic sentiment, constituted the e.itering wedge fjr 
 the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received 
 from the Republican party, and ultimately resulted 
 in his entire aleniation from the latter element. The 
 Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro- 
 duction of numerous bills in the interest of private 
 parties, which were embarrassing to the Governor. 
 Among the public acts passed was that which limited 
 railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum 
 of three cents per mile ; and it was passed over the 
 Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto, 
 the "tax-grabbing law" to pay railroad subscriptions, 
 the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The new State 
 Constitution of 1870, far superior to the old, was a 
 peaceful " revolution" which took place during Gov. 
 Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by the 
 great Chicago Fire of October, 187 i, was greatly 
 alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency. 
 
 Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's term, he has 
 been somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, and 
 has been talked of by many, especially in the Dem- 
 ocratic party, as the best man in tlie State for a 
 United States Senator. His business during life has 
 been that of the law. Few excel him in an accurate 
 appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles- 
 The great number of his able veto messages abun- 
 dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to 
 point them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner 
 and an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker, 
 though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his 
 dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with 
 appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot 
 and a statesman of very high order. Physically he is 
 above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy 
 complexion and sanguine-nervous temperament. He 
 has a large cranial development, is vivacious, social 
 in disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in his 
 habits of life, democratic in his habits and manners 
 and is a true American in his fundamental principle? 
 of statesmanship. 
 
i,y^- 
 
 C^^r/i^Lyi^ c>L^^ /y A-£^-e^-i-<A^.f 
 
GV VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 171 
 
 ,Sit^«^<^'j;i"<;j.; 
 
 
 •gj'^'^'^'gsi';^^';; I'sJL'i'.; ■t.»^'<;j)',; 1' ; v.-^Xi '..■■..' 
 
 1^ 'in.'i'..'>ta.'iai^t%i'rgS'(as't 
 
 ;;i(;^ OHN LOWRiE BEVER- 
 1^, % IDGE, (jovernor 1 87 3-6, was 
 Vi H* born iii ihe town of Green- 
 if wich, Washington Co., N. Y., 
 > July 6, 1824. His parents 
 were George and Ann Bever- 
 idge. His father's parents, An- 
 drew and Isabel Beveridge, be- 
 fore their marriage emigrated 
 from Scotland just before the 
 Revolutionary War, settling in 
 Washington County. His father 
 was the eldest of eight brothers, the 
 youngest of whom was 60 years of 
 age when the first one of the num- 
 ber died. His mother's parents, 
 James and Agnes Hoy, emigrated 
 from Scotland at the close of the 
 Revolutionary War, settling also in 
 [ll'J Washington Co., N. Y., with their 
 fiisl-born, whose " native land "was 
 the wild ocean. His parents and 
 gr.ind parents livid beyond the time 
 allotted to man, their average age 
 jeing over 8o years. They belonged to the " Asso- 
 :iate Church," a seceding Presbyterian body of 
 
 America from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid 
 was the training of young Beveridge that he never 
 heard a ssrmon from any otlier minister except that 
 of his ovwi denomination until he was in his iQtli 
 year. Later in life he became a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still 
 holds. 
 
 Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed- 
 ucation, but his parents, who could obtain a livelihood 
 only by rigid economy and industry, could not send 
 him away to college. He was raised uix»n a farm, 
 and was in his i8th year when the family removed 
 to De Kalb County, this State, when that section was 
 very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000 
 inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a 
 farm laborer, teaching school during the winter 
 months to supply the means of an education. In the 
 fall of 1842 he attended one term at the academy at 
 Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently sever.il 
 terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, 
 Ogle Co., III., completing the academic course. At 
 this time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brothers 
 were anxious to have him go to college, even thougli 
 he had not money sufficient; but, n A willing to bur- 
 den tlie family, he packed his trunk and with only 
 $40 ii^ money started South to seek his fortune 
 
172 
 
 JOHN L. BE VERTDGE. 
 
 Poor, alone, without friends and influence, he thus 
 entered upon the battle of life. 
 
 First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and 
 Jackson Cos., Tenn., in whicli experience he under- 
 went considerable mental drill, both in book studies 
 and in the ways of the world. He read law and was 
 admitted to tlie Bar, in the South, but did not learn 
 to love the institution of slavery, although he ad- 
 mired many features of Southern character. In De- 
 cember, 1847, -he returned North, and Jan. 20, 1S48, 
 he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Clark- 
 Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that 
 time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring 
 of 1848 he returned with his wife to Tennessee, 
 where his two children, Alia May and Philo Judson, 
 were born. 
 
 In the fall of 1849, through the mismanagement 
 of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu- 
 lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to 
 earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb 
 Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
 fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival 
 from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in 
 money, and scanty clothing and bedding for himself 
 and family. He borrowed a little money, practiced 
 ^aw, worked in public offices, kept books for some of 
 the business men of the town, and some railroad en- 
 gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed 
 to Evanston, 12 miles north of Chicago, a jjlace then 
 but recently laid out, under the supervision of the 
 Northwestern University, a Methodist institution. 
 Of the l.itter his father-in-law was then financial 
 agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge 
 prospered, and the next year (1S55) opened a law 
 office in Chicago, where he found the battle some- 
 what hard; but he persevered with encouragement 
 and increasing success. 
 
 Aug. 12, 1861, his law partner. Gen. John F. 
 Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of 
 cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a 
 company for it. He succeeded in a few days in rais- 
 ing the company, of course enlisting himself along 
 with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles, 
 111., was mustered in Sept. 18, and on its organiza- 
 tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at- 
 tached, Oct. II, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the 
 Army of the Potomac, He served with the regiment 
 until November, 1863, participating in some 40 bat- 
 
 tles and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days' 
 fight around Riclimond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
 ville and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment 
 the greater part of the summer of 1 863, and it was while 
 lying in camp this year that he originated the policy 
 of encouraging recruits as well as the fighting capac- 
 ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system. 
 It worked so well that many other officers adopted 
 it. In the fall of this year he recruited anothercom- 
 pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was 
 commissioned Colonel of the 17th 111. Cav., and 
 skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the 
 reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's 
 army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various 
 sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered 
 out Feb. 6, 1866, safe from the casualties of war and 
 a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men 
 idolized him. 
 
 He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with 
 no library and no clientage, and no political experi- 
 ence except to help others into office. In the fall of 
 1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving 
 one term; next, until November, 1870, he practiced 
 law and closed up the unfinished business of his 
 office. He was then elected State Senator; in No- 
 vember, 187 1, he was elected Congressman at large; 
 in November, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov- 
 ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby ; the latter be- 
 ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became 
 Governor, Jan. 21, 1873. Thus, inside of a few 
 weeks, he was Congressman at large. Lieutenant 
 Governor and Governor. The principal events oc- 
 curring during Gov. Beveridge's administration were: 
 The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun 
 in 1869; the partial success of the "farmers' move- 
 ment;" " Haines' Legislature " and Illinois' exhibit at 
 the Centennial. 
 
 Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov. 
 Beveridge has been a meinber of the firm of Bever- 
 idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial 
 paper at 7 1 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block), 
 Chicago, and since November, 1 881, he has also been 
 Assistant United States Treasurer- office in the 
 Government Building. His residence is still at Ev- 
 anston. 
 
 He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in 
 De Kalb County — James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet 
 Henry and Mrs. Isabel French. 
 
\ 
 
 \ 
 
 
GO VERXORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 '75 
 
 Shelby M. Cullom. 
 
 ' •'■^-'Y-'TitaMiaaciaMir--^^-'^-''-^ Vi 
 
 "•^ii." 
 
 v-'^x 
 
 FTELBY M. CULLOM, Gover- 
 ; or 1S77-83, is tlie sixth child 
 of the late Richard N. Cullom, 
 Liid was born Nov. 22, 1829,111 
 Wayne Co., Ky., wliere his fa- 
 ther then resided, and whence 
 both the Illinois and Tennessee 
 branches of the family originated. In 
 
 tt^^i.» the following year the family emi- 
 ^>-.u>V grated to the vicinity of Washington, 
 Tazewell Co., 111., when that section 
 was very sparsely settled. They lo- 
 cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at 
 the time occupied by a party of In- 
 dians, attracted there by the superior 
 hunting and fishing afforded in that 
 vicinity. The following winter was 
 known as the " hard winter," the snow being very 
 deep and Listing and the weather severely cold; and 
 the family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn or 
 hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In 
 the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prom- 
 inent citizen and was several times elected to the 
 Legislature, both before and after the removal of the 
 caiiital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about 
 '873- 
 
 Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew up 
 
 to agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had 
 
 'ipportunity during the winter. Within this time, 
 
 ov/ever, he spent several months teachin" «chool. 
 
 and in the followng summer he "broke prairie "with 
 an o.v te.im for tlie neighbors. With the money ob- 
 tained by these various ventures, he undertook a 
 course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a 
 Methodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County: 
 but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu- 
 dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken 
 home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While 
 at Mt. Morris he heard Hon. E. B. Wnshburne make 
 his first speech. 
 
 On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded to 
 study law, under the instruction of .\braham Lincoln, 
 at Springfield, who had by this time attained some 
 notoriety as an able lawyer; but the latter, being ab- 
 sent from his office most of the time, advised Mr. 
 Cullom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
 After about a year of study there, however, his health 
 failed again, and he was obliged to return once more 
 to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs for 
 packing, for A. G. Tyng, in Peoria, and while lie re- 
 gained his health he gained in purse, netting S400 in 
 a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he 
 went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City 
 .\ttorney, on the Anti-Nebr.iska ticket. 
 
 In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a Presi- 
 dential Elector, and, although failing to be elected as 
 such, he was at the same time elected a Representa- 
 tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by a 
 local coalition of the .American and Republican par- 
 ties. On the organization of the Houise, he received 
 the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicirj 
 
176 
 
 SHE LB Y M. CULLOM. 
 
 law until i860, he was again elected to the Legisla- 
 ture, as a Republican, while the county went Demo- 
 cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow- 
 ing he was elected Speaker, probably the youngest 
 man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis- 
 lature. After the session of 186 1, he was a candidate 
 for the State Constitutional Convention called for 
 that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the 
 disgrace of being connected with that abortive party 
 scheme to revolutionize the State Government. In 
 1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but 
 was defeated. The same year, however, he was ap- 
 pointed by President Lincoln on a Government 
 Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of 
 Massachusetts and Cnarles A. Dana, since of the 
 New York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the 
 Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at 
 Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty. 
 
 In 1864 he enteied upon a larger political field, 
 being nominated as the Republican candidate for 
 Congress from the Eighth (Springfield) District, in 
 opposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who had 
 been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over 
 Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago. 
 The result was the election of Mr. Cullom in Novem- 
 ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he 
 was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by 
 the magnificent majority of 4 103! In 1868 he was 
 again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards, 
 another of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes. 
 
 During his first term in Congress he served on the 
 Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures in 
 the Treasury Department; in his second term, on 
 the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Territories ; 
 and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of 
 Oiiio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro- 
 duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of 
 law in Utah, which caused more consternation among 
 the Mormons than any measure had previously, but 
 whicii, though it passed the House, failed to pass the 
 Senate. 
 
 The Republican Convention which met May 25, 
 1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while the 
 other contestant was Gov. Beveridge. For Lieuten- 
 ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor 
 of the Chicago Journal. For the same offices the 
 Democrat?, combining with the Anti-Monopolists, 
 Dlaced in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthy 
 
 farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The 
 result of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullom 
 obtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inaugurated 
 Jan. 8, 1877. 
 
 Great depression prevailed in financial circles at 
 this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of 
 1873 and afterward, the effect of which had seemed 
 to gather force from that time to the end of Gov. 
 Cullom's first administration. This unspeculative 
 period was not calculated to call forth any new 
 issues, but the Governor s energies were at one time 
 put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination that 
 had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring 
 classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East 
 St. Louis, and Braidwood, at which places laboring 
 men for a short time refused to work or allow others 
 to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and 
 the wheels of industry again set in motion. 
 
 In May, i88o, Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by 
 the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by the 
 Democrats; and although the former party was some- 
 what handicapped in the campaign by a zealous 
 faction opposed to Grant for President and to Grant 
 men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected 
 by about 314,565, to 277,532 for the Democratic State 
 ticket. The Greenback vote at the same tune was 
 about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again 
 became Republican, and no representative of the' 
 Greenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov. 
 Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, iS8r. In his mes- 
 sage he announced that the last dollar of the State 
 debt had been provided for. 
 
 March 4, 1883, the term of David Davis as United 
 States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul- 
 lo 11 was chosen to succeed him. This promoted 
 Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov- 
 ernorship. Senator Cullom's term in the United 
 St;ites Senate will expire March 4, 1889. 
 
 As a practitioner oflaw Mr. C. has been a member 
 o f the firm of Cullom, Scholes & Mather, at Spring- 
 field ; and he has also been President of the State 
 National Bank. 
 
 He has been married twice, — the first time Dec. 
 II!, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had 
 t\<o daughters; and the second time May 5, 1863, 
 to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is a member of the Method- 
 is! Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mr. 
 C. is also in sympathy. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 '79 
 
 
 JJ.- 
 I 
 
 ^m%^ lp[. ^ae^illei^. 
 
 
 
 OHN MARSHALL HAMIL- 
 TON, Governor 1883-5, ™^s 
 born May 28, 1847, in a log 
 house uixjn a farm about two 
 miles from Richwood, Union 
 County, Ohio. His father was 
 ^ imuel Hamilton, the eldest son 
 ol Rev. Wm. Hamilton, who, to- 
 gether with his brother, the Rev. 
 Samuel Hamilton, was among the 
 early pioneer Methodist preachers in 
 Ohio. The mother of the subject of 
 this sketch was, before her marriage, 
 Mrs. Nancy McMorris, who was 
 born and raised in Fauquier or Lou- 
 doun County, Va., and related to the 
 two large families of Youngs and Marshalls, well 
 knovvrL ill that commonwealth; and from the latter 
 family name was derived the middle name of Gov. 
 Hamilton. 
 
 \w March, 1854, Mr. Hamilton's father sold out 
 his little pioneer forest home in Union County, O., 
 and, loading his few household effects and family 
 (of six children) into two emigrant covered wagons, 
 moved to*Roberts Township, Marshall Co., 111., being 
 21 days on the route. Swamps, unbridged streams 
 and innumerable hardships and privations met them 
 on their way. Their new home had been previously 
 ■^elected by the father. Here, after many long years 
 of toil, they succeeded in paying for the land and 
 wiaking a coinfor'^'''''" home. John was, of course, 
 
 brought up to hard manual labor, with no schooling 
 except three or four months in the year at a common 
 country school. However, he evinced a capacity 
 and taste for a high order of self-education, by 
 studying or reading what books he could borrow, as 
 the family had but very few in the house. Much of 
 his study he prosecuted by the light of a log fire in 
 the old-fashioned chimney place. The financial 
 panic of 1857 caused the family to come near losing 
 their home, to pay debts; but the father and two 
 sons, William and John, " buckled to '' and perse- 
 vered in hard labor and economy until they redeemed 
 their place from the mortgage. 
 
 When the tremendous excitement of the ipolitical 
 campaign of i860 reached the neighborhood of Rob- 
 erts Township, young Hamilton, who had been 
 brought up in the doctrine of anti-slavery, took a zeal- 
 ous part in favor of Lincoln's election. Making special 
 efforts to procure a little money to buy a uniform, he 
 joined a company of Lincoln Wide- Awakes at Mag- 
 nolia, a village not far away. Directly after the 
 ensuing election it became evident that trouble 
 would ensue with the South, and this Wide-Awake 
 comjiany, like many others throughout the country, 
 kept up its organization and transformed itself into a 
 military company. During the ensuing summer they 
 met often for drill and became proficient ; but when 
 they offered themselves for the war, young Hamilton 
 was rejected on account of his youth, he being then 
 but 14 years of age. During the winter of 1 863-4 he 
 attended an academy at Henry, Marshall County, 
 
JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON. 
 
 and in the following May he again enlisted, for the 
 fourth time, when he was placed in the 141st III. 
 Vol Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111., 
 for the 100-day service. He took with him 13 other 
 lads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in the 
 service. This regiment operated in Southwestern 
 Kentucky, for about five months, under Gen. Paine. 
 
 The following winter, 1864-5, ^f- Hamilton taught 
 school, and during the two college years 1865-7, he 
 went through three years of tiie curriculum of the 
 Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. The 
 third year he graduated, the fourth in a class of 46, 
 in the classical department. In due time he received 
 the degree of M. A. For a few months he was the 
 Principal of Marshall " College " at Henry, an acad- 
 emy under the auspices of the M. E. Church. By 
 this lime he had commenced the study of law, and 
 after earning some money as a temporary Professor 
 of Latin at the Illinois Wesleyan University at 
 Bloomington, he entered the law office of Weldon, 
 Tipton & Benjamin, of that city. Each member of 
 this firm has since been distinguished as a Judge. 
 .\dmitted to the Bar in May, 1870, Mr. Hamilton 
 was given an interest in the same firm, Tipton hav- 
 ing been elected Judge. Li October following he 
 formed a partnership with J. H. Rowell, at that time 
 Prosecuting Attorney. Their business was then 
 small, but they increased it to very large proportions, 
 practicing in all grades of courts, including even the 
 U. S. Supreme Court, and this partnership continued 
 unbroken until Feb. 6, 1883, when Mr. Hamilton 
 was sworn in as E.xecutive of Illinois. On the 4th 
 of March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con- 
 gress. 
 
 In July, 187 I, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen 
 M. Williams, the daughter of Prof. Wm. G, Williams, 
 Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wesleyan University. 
 Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son. 
 
 In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re- 
 publicans for the State Senate, over other and older 
 competitors. He took an active part " on the stumj) " 
 in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was 
 elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic- 
 Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on 
 the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti- 
 tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel- 
 lany ; and during the contest for the election of a 
 U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re- 
 
 elect John A. Logan, he voted for the war chief on 
 every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi- 
 cans had gone over To the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and 
 the Democrats and Independents elected Judg? 
 David Davis. .At this session, also, was passed the 
 first Board of Health and Medical Practice act, of 
 which Mr. Hamilton was a champion, again::: :3 
 much opposition that the bill was several times 
 " laid on the table." Also, this session authorized 
 the location and establishment of a southern peni- 
 tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the session 
 of 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected President /re? /f»?. 
 of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John 
 A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who was this time 
 elected without any trouble. 
 
 In May, i88o, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on 
 the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his 
 principal competitors before the Convention being 
 Hon. Wm. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House of 
 Representatives, Judge Robert Bell, of 'i'^abash 
 County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and 
 Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged 
 actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected 
 by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor, 
 he presided almost continuously over the Senate in 
 the 32d General Assembly and during the early days 
 of the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship. 
 When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Cullom 
 to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton 
 succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the 
 oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the 
 annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon 
 taking up another's administration. The principal 
 events with which Gov, Hamilton was connected as 
 the Chief Executive of the State were, the mine dis- 
 aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and Madison 
 Counties in May,„ 1883, the appropriations for the 
 State militia, the adoption of the Harper high-license 
 liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc. 
 
 The Governor was a Delegate at large to the 
 National Republican Convention at Chicago in June, 
 
 1884, where his first choice for President was John 
 A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but 
 he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr. 
 Blaine, true to his party. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Jan. 30, 
 
 1885, when the great favorite "Dick" Oglesby was 
 inaugurated. 
 
■<^^^ 
 
 b?-«^ 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 183 
 
 nSKI'lI WILSO^' FIFKU. This 
 distinguished gentleman was 
 f^^-j elected Governor of Illinois 
 November 6, 1888. lie was 
 popularly known during the 
 campaign as "Private Joe." He 
 had served with great devotion 
 to his country during tlie Re- 
 bellion, in the Thirty-third 
 Illinois Iiifantr}\ A native of 
 Virginia, he was born in 1840. 
 Ills parents, John and Mary 
 (Daniels) Fifer, were American 
 born, though of German de- 
 scent. His father was a- brick 
 and stone mason, and an old 
 I in politics. John and Mary 
 Fifer had nine children, ot' whom Joseph was the 
 sixtii, and naturally, with so large a family, it was 
 all the father could do to keep the wolf from the 
 door, to say nothing of giving his children any- 
 thing like good educational advantages. 
 
 Josepii attended school for a while in Virgina, 
 but it was not a good school, and wlien his father 
 leniovod to the West, in 18,57, Joseph had not ad- 
 v.mced much further than the "Fii-st Reader." 
 Our subject was sixteen thi^n and suffered a great 
 misfor'une in the loss of his mother. After the 
 
 Henry Clav Whi 
 
 death of Mrs. Fifer, which occurred in Missouri, 
 the family returned to Virgina, but remained only 
 a short time, as during the same ^ear Mr. F'ifer 
 came to Illinois. He settled in McLean County 
 and started a brickyard. Here Joscpli and his 
 brothers were put to work. The elder Mr. Fifer soon 
 bought a farm near Hloomington and began life 
 as an agriculturist. Here Joe worked and attended 
 the neighboring school. Ilealternated farm-work, 
 and brick-laying, going to the district school for 
 the succeeding few years. It was all work and no 
 play for Joe, yet it by no means made a dull boy 
 of him. All the time he was thinking of the great 
 world outside, of whicli he had caught a glimpse 
 when coming from Virginia, yet he did not know 
 just how he was going to get out into it. He 
 could not feel that the woods around the new farm 
 and the log cabin, in whicli the family lived, were 
 to hold him. 
 
 The opportunit3' to get out into the world was 
 soon offered to young Joe. He traveled a dozen 
 miles barefi^ot, in company with his lirother George, 
 and enlisted in Company C, Thirty-third Illinois 
 Infantry, he being then twenty years old. In a 
 few days, the regiment was sent to Camp Dutler, 
 and then over into Missouri, and saw some vigor- 
 ous service there. After a second time helping to 
 chase Price out of Missouri, the Thirty-third Regi- 
 
184 
 
 JOSEPH W. FIFER. 
 
 ment went down to Milliken'sBeiid,andforseveral 
 weeks "Private Joe" worked on Grant's famous 
 ditch. The regiment then joined the forces oper- 
 ating against Port Gibson and Vic-ksburg. Joe 
 was on guard duty in the front ditches when the 
 flag of surrender was run up on the 4th of Jul}', 
 and stuck tlie bayonet of his gun into the embank- 
 ment and went into the city with the vanguard of 
 Union soldiers. 
 
 The next day, July ."), tlie Thirty-third joined 
 the force after Jolinston, wlio had been threatening 
 Grant's rear; and finally an assault was made on him 
 at Jackson, Miss. In this charge "Private Joe" fell, 
 terribly wounded. He was loading his gun, when 
 a minie-ball struck him and passed entirely 
 througli his body. He was regarded as mortally 
 wounded. His brother, George, who had been 
 made a Lieutenant, proved to be the means of sav- 
 ing his life. Tiie Surgeon told him that unless he 
 had ice his brother could not live. It was fifty miles 
 to the nearest point where ice could be obtained, 
 and the roads were rough. A comrade, a McLean 
 County man, who had been wounded, offered to 
 make tlie trip. An ambulance was secured and 
 the brother soldier started on the journey. He re- 
 turned with the ice, but tlie trip, owing to the 
 roughness of the road, was very hard on him. Af- 
 tera few months' careful nursing, Mr. Fifer was able 
 to come home. The Thirty- third came home on a 
 furlough, and when the boys were ready to return 
 to the tented field, young Fifer was ready to go 
 with them, for he was determined to finish his 
 term of three years. He was mustered out in Oct- 
 ober, 1864, having been in the service three years 
 and two months. 
 
 "Private Joe" came out of the army a tall, tan- 
 ned, and awkward young man of twenty-four. 
 About all he possessed was ambition to be some- 
 body — and jiluck. Though at an age when most 
 men have finisiied their college course, the young 
 soldier saw that if he was to be anybody he must 
 have an education. Yet he had no means to ena- 
 ble him to enter school as most young men do. 
 He was determined to have an education, however, 
 and that to him meant success. For the following 
 four vears he struggled with his books. He en- 
 
 tered Wesleyan University January 1, 1865. He 
 was not a brilliant student, being neither at the 
 head nor at the foot of his class. He was in great 
 earnest, however, studied hard and came forth with 
 a well-stored and disciplined mind. 
 
 Immediately after being graduated, he entered 
 an ofllce at Bloomington as a law student. He 
 had previously read law a little, and as he continued 
 to work hard, with the spur of poverty and prompt- 
 ings of ambition ever with him, he was ready to 
 hang out his professional shingle in 1869. Being 
 trustworthy, he soon gathered about him some in- 
 fluential friends. In 1871 he waselected Corpora- 
 tion Counsel of Bloomington. In 1872 he was 
 elected State's Attornej- of McLean County. This 
 office he held eight years, when he took his seat in 
 the State Senate. He served for four years. His 
 ability to perforin abundance of hard work made 
 him a most valued member of the Legislature. 
 
 Mr. Fifer was married in 1870 to Gertie, daugh- 
 ter of AVilliam J. Lewis, of Bloomington. Mr. Fifer 
 is six feet in height and is spare, weighing only one 
 hundred and fifty pounds. He has a swarthy com- 
 plexion, keen black eyes, quick movement, and pos- 
 sesses a frank and sympathetic nature, and natur- 
 lly makes friends wherever he goes. During the 
 Lite gubernatorial campaign his visits throughout 
 the State proved a great [)ower in his behalf. His 
 faculty of winning the confidence and good wishes 
 of tliose with whom he comes in personal contact 
 is a source of great popularity, especially during a 
 political battle. As a speaker he is fluent, his lan- 
 guage is good, voice clear and agreeable, and man- 
 ner forcible. His manifest earnestness in what he 
 says, as well as his tact as a public speaker, and his 
 eloquent and forceful language, make him a most 
 valuable campaign orator and a powerful pleader 
 at the bar. At the Republican State Convention, 
 held in May, 1888, Mr. Fifer was chosen as its 
 candidate for Governor. He proved a popular 
 nominee, and the name of "Private Joe" became 
 familiar to eveiyone throughout the State. He 
 waged a vigorous campaign, was elected b}' a good 
 majority, and in due time assumed the duties of 
 the Chief Executive of Illinois. 
 
^. 
 
GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 
 
 187 
 
 X 
 
 @>;;^ 
 
 Jel^il E lltield. 
 
 -=^r^^- 
 
 fefP 
 
 •^v 
 
 -'^^ 
 
 OlIN 1'. ALTGELD, the i)i('sent 
 '; Governor of Illinois, is a native 
 ;fe*ii of Prussia, born in 1848. Shortly 
 ;: after his birth his parents emi- 
 V. jjrated to America, locating on 
 ;^ .■: a farm near Mansfield, Ohio. 
 When but a mere lad, young 
 ' Altgeld had to walk from the 
 , farm to Mansfield with butter, 
 eggs and garden produce, which 
 he peddled from house to house. 
 About 1856, his parents moved 
 to the city of Mansfield, and for 
 ■^^^S^ a time our subject was engaged 
 morning and evening in driv- 
 ing cattle to and from the pas- 
 ture, a <listance of eight miles. When fourteen 
 years of age he hired out as a farm hand, and con- 
 tinued in that avocation the greater part of his 
 lime until he was sixteen years of age, when he 
 enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty- 
 fourth Ohio Infantry, and .served until the close of 
 the war. On being mustered in, the regiment was 
 sent to Washington and was actively engaged in 
 the various campaigns in and around that city 
 until the surrender of Lee. In the fall of 1864, 
 young Altgeld was taken sick, while with his regi- 
 ment in the front, and the surgeon desired to send 
 him to a hospital in Washington; but he asked to 
 
 be allowed to remain with the regiment, and soon 
 recovering from his sickness was actively engaged 
 until the close of the war. He was mustered out 
 at Columbus, Ohio, in the spring of 1865. The 
 succeeding summer he worked with his father on 
 a farm, during which time he became connected 
 with the Sunday-school and was given charge of 
 the Bible class. Before entering the army he had 
 but verj^ limited educational advantages, having 
 attended school but a part of two summers and 
 one winter. He had at home, however, studied 
 the German language and had become familiar 
 with some Crerman authors. Determining to fit 
 himself for a useful life, he resolved to attend a 
 select school at Lexington, Ohio, and in a little 
 eight-by-ten room, meagrely furnished, he kept 
 "bachelor's hall," and in time was so far advanced 
 that he secured a certificate as teacher, and for 
 two 3'ears was engaged in that profession. At the 
 end of that time he left home and traveled cxten- 
 siveh' over the countr}', working at odd jobs, un- 
 til he finally reached Savannah, Mo., where he en- 
 tered a law olTice, and in 1870 was admitted to the 
 Bar. In the fall of 1872, he ran as Prosecuting 
 Attorney for Andrews County, Mo., and w.as de- 
 feated by four votes. He ran again in 1874 and 
 was elected. But life in the small town of Savan- 
 nah was a little too monotonous for him, and he 
 determined to locate in Chicago. In October, 
 
n 
 
 JOUX r. ALTGELD. 
 
 1875, lie resigned the office uf riosecuting Attor- 
 ney, moved to Chicago, and at once commenced 
 the practice of law. For some years after he had 
 hut little to do with politics, confining himself to 
 his piaclice and dealing in real estate. One year 
 after liis arrival in Chicago he found himself with- 
 out a dollar, and in debt some iji-lOO. By a streak of 
 good luck, as it might be termed, he won a case in 
 court, from which he received a fee of $900, and 
 after paying his debt he had $500 left, which he 
 invested in real estate. This venture proved a 
 successful one, and from that time on the profits 
 of one transaction were invested in others, and 
 to-day he is numbered among the millionaire rchi- . 
 dents of the great metropolis of the West. 
 
 In 1884, Mr. Altgeld was nominated for Con- 
 gress, but was defeated by three thousand votes. 
 In 1886, he was nominated and elected Judge of 
 the Superior Court of Cook Count3'. His services 
 as Judge were such as to commend him to the peo- 
 ple. Early in the year 1892, by the solicitation of 
 
 many friends, he announced himself as a candi- 
 date for Governor. At the convention held 
 April 27, he received the nomination and at once 
 entered upon an active canvass. Alone, he traveled 
 all over the entire State, and visited and consulted 
 with the leading politicians of every section. He 
 made few public speeches, however, until near the 
 close of the campaign, but it was very evident that 
 he was master of the situation at all times. When 
 tlie votes were counted at the close of election 
 day, it was found that be had a majority of the 
 votes, and so became the first Democratic Governor 
 of Illinois since 1856. 
 
 Born in poverty', alone, single-handed and un- 
 aided, he faced the world, and with a determina- 
 tion to succeed, he pressed forward, until to-day he 
 has a National reputation, and is the envied of 
 many. The lesson of his life is worthy of careful 
 study by the young, and shows what can be done 
 by one who has the desire in his heart to attain a 
 front rank among the noted men of the country. 
 
'~m^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 IROQUOIS COUXTY. 
 
 ILLIXOiS. 
 
 ^-^.^^-^^O) 
 
.*. 
 
 <^-^- 
 
 ■Hr^ 
 
 •4^1 INXRODUQT^ORY. 
 
 time has arrived when it 
 iicconics the duty of the 
 people of this county to per- 
 petuate the names of their 
 pioneers, lo furnish a record 
 of their early settlement, 
 and relate the story of their 
 l^rugress. The civilization of our 
 day, the enlightenment of the age 
 and the duty that men of ihe pres- 
 ent lime owe to their ancestors, to 
 themselves and to their posterity, 
 demand that a record of their lives 
 and deeds should be made. In bio- 
 graphical history is found a power 
 to instruct man by precedent, to 
 enliven the mental faculties, and 
 to waft down the river of time a 
 safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
 people who contributed to raise this country from its 
 primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rai)idly 
 the great and aged men, who in their prime entered 
 the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
 heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
 maining wiio can relate the incidents of the first days 
 of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
 actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
 vation of events without delay, before all the early 
 settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 
 
 To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
 from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
 in spite of their best works and the most e.irnest 
 efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
 their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
 and to perpetuate their memory has been in pro|X)r- 
 tion -to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
 Th-; pyramids of Fgypt were built to perpetuate the 
 names and deeds of their great rulers./* Tiie exhu- 
 mations m.ide by the archeologists of Egy()t from 
 V)uried Men; phis indicate a desire of those people 
 
 to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. 
 The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
 purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
 Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
 ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
 great acliievements and carry them down the ages. 
 It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in i)iling 
 up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
 to leave something to show tliat they had lived. All 
 these works, though many of them costly in the e.x- 
 treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
 ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
 perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
 the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
 some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
 the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
 bling into dust. 
 
 It was left to modern ages to establish an inteUi- 
 gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
 a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
 limited in extent and perpetual in its action ; and 
 this is through the art of printing. 
 
 To the present generation, however, we are in- 
 debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
 of local biography. By this system every man, thougl 
 he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
 has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
 through the coming ages. 
 
 The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
 physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
 dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
 tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
 life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
 which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
 by a reord of this kind. 
 
 To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
 engrave their [xjrtraits, for the same reason we col- 
 lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
 thir.k it necessary, ai we speak only truth of them, to 
 wait until they are dead, or until liiose who know 
 them are gone: -to do this we are ashamed only to 
 publish to the world the history of those whose live^ 
 are unwc""thy of public record. 
 

^i/jtriyy t/^l.,^<y*^-'€^ ^^y^c^y'i^^ 
 

 \I[_^ ox. MATTIIKW IIP:NKY PETEHS. It has 
 III D' '^'''^" *''*''' ^^^^^ ^ liistory of a country' is 
 Ik^ best told in the lives of its people. Espe- 
 (^) cially is this true of a new country pos- 
 sessed of superior advantages for comfortable and 
 happy homes and the rapid development of a per- 
 manent civilization of a high order. There the man 
 (if abilit}', energy and character finds scope for his 
 individuality and encouragement for the exercise 
 of those qualities that influence and direct and 
 leave a distinctive impress upon society. In such 
 a field the subject of this sketch, possessing the 
 (pialificatioiis alluded .to above, has labored as a 
 journalist, merchant and legislator, and a leader 
 in military and civic societies, with a zeal, energy 
 and ability that have characterized his whole life 
 whether as soldier or civilian. 
 
 Maj. Peters was born in Rhenish Bavaria, Ger- 
 many, June fi, 1843, and is a son of (Icorge and 
 Mar}- (Moock) Peters, who were also natives of 
 that country. In the year of his birth, he was 
 brought to America by his parents, who landed in 
 New Orleans. The climate of that Southern city 
 proved unhealthful, and witliin a year or two the 
 mother and two sisters of our subject died, leav- 
 ing the father with two small boys, a stranger in a 
 strange land, unable to si>cak the language of the 
 people among whom his lot had fallen. The ex- 
 pense of sickness and death soon exhausted the 
 father's limited resources, and when in a brief time 
 he fell a victim to that dread disease, yellow fever, 
 the little or[)hans were left without means or 
 
 friends to fight the battles of life as best thev 
 might. Samuel, the younger brother, was cared 
 for in an orphan asylum. 
 
 Matthew, then but ten years of age, was taken 
 by an acqaintance to bring up. Instead of (Inding 
 the comforts of a good home and the tender care 
 of a humane and worthy guardian, the little 
 orphan fell a victim to the grasping cupidity of 
 a cruel and heartless monster. He was poorly 
 clad, nearly starved, beaten, and instructed in 
 criminal processes that would have done credit to 
 the .lew Fagan, made famous by the pen of Dick- 
 ens as the tutor of little Oliver Twist. This man 
 kept a small tailoring shop, 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 his entire rations, 
 so that he never knew while there what it was 
 not to be hungry. liecoming desperate, he re- 
 solved to make his escape, feeling that any change 
 must be an improvement; so early one morning 
 in the winter of 18.5;;-ofi he, without the tradi- 
 tional bundle that the small apprentice is sup- 
 posed to carry when he runs away, made a start 
 for liberty and fortune. The rags on. his back and 
 the welts and bruises under them were all he had 
 to take except a half-dollar that had been en- 
 trusted to his care overnight for market purposes. 
 Feeling that he could justly appropriate that 
 amountof capital in consideration of his unrequited 
 service and privation, he made the most of it by 
 soon getting something subsl.-mlial with which to 
 
192 
 
 PORTRAll AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 satisf.y a much-abused stomach. With fear and 
 trembling, he souglit safety in a distant part of 
 tiie city. His nights were spent sleeping among 
 the cotton bales and sacks of coffee, or in otlier 
 places where rest could be secured. In the day- 
 time, he ran the streets, making a meal from any- 
 thing he could find that was edible, the waste 
 from i)artially decayed fruit and the refuse from 
 hotel tables being his principal fare. 
 
 In the succeeding March, by good fortune, the 
 little lad secured employment 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 his fortune, for shortly 
 afterward a traveling gentleman, Henry S. Roberts, 
 attracted b3' the intelligent face of the boy and 
 learning his sad story, took a fancy to him and 
 offered him a home. This kind offer was gladl}- 
 accepted, and in comi)any with his new-found 
 friend, Matthew went to Ohio. For a time 
 everything went well; lie made himself useful to 
 his benefactor and was given school advantages; 
 but misfortune again befell him with the death of 
 Mr. Roberts, which happened only a few weeks 
 after young Peters had found a home with him. 
 He left the boj- with liis widowed mother, whose 
 kindness and motherly love have found a full 
 recomjiense in a life-long devotion and care on the 
 part of the befriended boy. Since he has grown 
 to manhood, Maj. Peters has given her a home in 
 his family, where she is loved and revered as 
 though indeed his real mother. Mrs. Roberts has 
 now attained the remarkable age of one hundred 
 and one years, and while she lives no change will 
 be made in the Major's household that will cause 
 her any discomfort. 
 
 Foi' five or six years after going to Ohio, young 
 Peters was employed in farm work and brick- 
 making. With the limited advantage he had had 
 in the way of schooling, he knew little of books, 
 but he possessed a desire for education and the 
 knowledge to be obtained by reading. He applied 
 himself earncstl}' to study in his spare hours and 
 often at night l)y the uncertain light from the 
 burning kiln that he w.as watcliing. By persistent 
 effort, having cjualilied liimself for the position, he 
 engaged in te.aching sciiool, in which vocation he 
 
 was eminently successful, and at the same time 
 l)nrsued liis individual studies. He began teaching 
 in 1860 and would no doubt have continued in 
 that line of work several years had not the Civil 
 War broken out the following spring. Patriotism 
 prompted him to abandon his chosen occupation 
 and to enter the military service of the Govern- 
 ment in defense of the Union. 
 
 On the 2:3d of April, 1861, Mr. Peters enlisted 
 as a private in the .Jefferson Guards of Springfield, 
 Company E, Sixteenth Ohio Infantiy, for three 
 months' service in response to the first call for 
 troops. His command was assigned to dut}' in 
 Virginia, and he participated in the battles of 
 Philippi, Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford, at which 
 ))lace Hie first Confederate general, Garnett, was 
 killed. Having served out the term of his enlist- 
 ment, our subject re-eulisted in December of the 
 same year at Xenia, Ohio, as a private of Company 
 F, Seventy-fourth Regiment, under Col. Granville 
 Moody, the fighting parson ; Walter Crook, brother 
 of Gen. George Crook, of Indian notoriety, being 
 his Captain. At this time, Mr. Peters was made 
 Sergeant, soon afterward was chosen Lieutenant 
 by the company and was commissioned by Gov. 
 Todd of Ohio on the 7th of January, 1862. Dur- 
 ing that year, he was in active service and parti- 
 cipated in all the battles and engagements in which 
 his regiment took part. 
 
 At the battle of Stone River, Tenn., December 
 31, 1862, our subject was severely w-ounded and 
 was thought to have been killed; indeed, was so re- 
 ported, his comrades being obliged todesert him 
 on the field. However, he received attention in 
 time and was eventually able to resume his post of 
 dut}\ He participated in Sherman's march to the 
 sea, including the successive battles of a hundred 
 days' duration before Atlanta. On the 9th of 
 May, 1864, Lieut. Peters, who had been made Ad- 
 jutant of Hie Seventy-fourth by his Colonel on the 
 reorganization of the regiment as veterans, was 
 again wounded, while charging a rebel battery on 
 Buzzard 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 Col- 
 onel, he was commissioned Captain for "gallant 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 193 
 
 and meritorious services." During the greater part 
 of that summer, he was eontined to his liospital cot 
 \>y the serious nature of iiis wound, but as soon as 
 convalescent he rejoined his regiment in Savannah, 
 Oa., though very feeble. During the remainder of 
 tlie campaign, he was on active duty and partici- 
 pated in the closing battles of the war in the Car- 
 olinas under Sherman. lie took part in the battles 
 of Bentonville, Averysboro and Greenville, N. C, 
 and the surrender of Gen. .Joseph E. Johnston, April 
 26, 18G.'). The proudest day of his military career 
 was enjoyed at the Grand Review of the armies 
 at Wiishington, May "21 and 25, ISGo, wlien he was 
 detailed by Gen. George P. Buell. commanding tlie 
 l)rigade on his staff , as Assistant Inspector-tieneral. 
 Capt. Peters was retained on Gen. Buell's staff 
 until notified that liis regiment w:is about to be 
 mustered out, when he asked to be relieved, re- 
 joined his comrades in their march homeward, and 
 was mustered out .luly 12, 1865. But just prior 
 to that happy event he was complimented by being 
 ctimmissioned Major of his regiment, the regiment 
 in which he had enlisted as a private in the first 
 year of the war. The compliment 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. 
 
 In April, 1866, Maj. Peters came to Wat^eka 
 and engaged in tlie hardware trade in company 
 with Alexander Archibald, but not finding the 
 business congenial to his taste he sold out to his 
 l>artner in the course of the year. In the s[:ring 
 of 1867, he opened the first book and stationeiy 
 store in Watseka, which business he carried on with 
 marked success until November, 1879, when he 
 sold out to his wortliy clerk, Ilcnrj- II. Alter, who 
 had served liim faithfully for more than ten years. 
 While engaged in the book and stationery busi- 
 ness, the Major, in December, 1872, a.ssumed con- 
 trol of the Iroquois Times, which for eighteen 
 months he conducted with ability and success, 
 making it a very desirable propert3'. He then sold 
 the pa|)er but repurchased it in .June, 1878, and 
 continued its editor and proprietor until January 
 1, 1891, when he sold out to its present proprietors. 
 For fifteen j-ears he published that paper and made 
 its influence felt in Iroi|iK)is and adjoining coun- 
 
 ties as an enterprising and public-spirited journal, 
 that was always to be relied on to fearlessly up- 
 hold and advocate what its editor felt to be the 
 right, regardless of fear or favor. 
 
 The early political sentiments of Maj. Peters 
 were formed during the trying scenes of the Civil 
 War, when allegiance to the administration in 
 power seemed the only logical idea for a patriotic 
 soldier, and he became an earnest Republican. On 
 his return from llie war he worked in harmony 
 with that party until the liberal movement of 1872 
 enlisted his sympathies and he followed the lead 
 of Horace Greeley and other eminent Republicans 
 in o|)position to the leaders of the old party. In 
 that year, he was nominated for Clerk of the Cir- 
 cuit Court of Iroquois County and received the 
 indorsement of the Democrats, but was defeated, al- 
 though by a largely reduced Republican majority. 
 In 1875, he was elected Mayor of Watseka, serving 
 two years very acceptably to its citizens, who again 
 elected him to that oHice in October, 1877, to fill 
 the unexpired term of the Hon. Franklin Blades, 
 who had resigned to accept the Circuit .ludgeship. 
 
 In August, 1878, Maj. Peters received the nom- 
 ination for Representative to the Illinois Legisla- 
 ture at the hands of the Nationals, and in the fol- 
 lowing November was elected by a very flattering 
 majoritj-. His course as a Legislator of the session 
 of the Thirty-first General Assembly was distin- 
 guished by an able and conscientious discharge of 
 duty, whereby he won the respect and esteem of 
 his fellow-members and the approbation of his 
 constituents. In 1884, he was the Democratic 
 candidate for State .Senator, and in 1876 that 
 party's candidate for Congress. The opposition's 
 majority' was too great to be overcome, although 
 he received a complimentary- vote. 
 
 Militarj- matters always possessed .i cliarm for 
 the Major, and his interest in that direction led to 
 his taking a foremost part in the organization of 
 the first militia company of Iroquois County, in 
 May, 1871. He was elected Captain. When under 
 the military law of the State the various compan- 
 ies were organized into regiments and battalions, 
 the Watseka Rifles were designated as Company A, 
 Ninth Battalion, Illinois National Guards, and Capt. 
 Peters wsis elected to command the battalion by 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 
 
 the line offleei-s who met at Champaign October 10, 
 1877, for that jnirpose, hence the later title of 
 Colonel. 
 
 On the 19th of June, 1867, Col. Peters was 
 united in marriage at Sycamore, 111., by the Rev. 
 J. T. Cook, of the Congregational Church, to Miss 
 Clara M. Lyon, a most estimable and accomplished 
 young lady. She was born in Ontario Count3', 
 N. Y., and is a daughter of Oliver and Matilda 
 (Hills) Lyon. The Colonel fortunately drew a 
 prize in the so-called lottery of marriage, Mrs. 
 Peters being a lady possessed of many excellencies 
 of character, refined, cultured and of an amiable 
 disposition; generous and public-spirited, active 
 and energetic, slie exercises a strong influence for 
 good in the community that is so fortunate as to 
 enjoy her fellowship. They have one son, Arthur 
 Van Lisle, who was born May 10, 1886. Being an 
 only child the family naturally dote upon him as 
 their future hope and support, their solace and 
 comfort in declining years. 
 
 Col. Peters is an active and honored member of 
 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding 
 membership with Iroquois Lodge No. 74, and Iro- 
 quois Encampment No. 81, of that order. He has 
 filled the chairs in each and has served as Repre- 
 sentative to the grand bodies of the fraternity-. 
 He is also a prominent member of Watseka Lodge 
 No. 1086, K. of H., of which he is Past Dictator, 
 and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge 
 of the State, and in 1880 represented Illinois in the 
 Supreme Lodge of the United States. He is the 
 present Commander of Williams Post No. 25, G. A. 
 R., with which he has been connected since August 
 28, 1868, having served as its Commander many- 
 terms and was its first Adjutant. The order of 
 the Knights of Pythias recognizes him as a Past 
 Chancellor Commander of Mon Ami Lodge No. 
 231. He is a member of the Illinois Commandery 
 of the militaiy order of Loj'al Legion, a select and 
 exclusive order of which to be a member is esteemed 
 a great honor. Col. Peters has been a member of the 
 society of the Army of the Cumberland since its 
 organization. He also belongs to Watseka Lodge 
 No. 446, A. F. <fe A. M.; and Watseka Chapter No. 
 114,R.A.M. In addition to the above-named socie- 
 ties, he is a member of the Illinois Press Associa- 
 
 tion, with which he has been connected since 1874. 
 During the exciting, and to his party successful. 
 Presidential campaign of 1884, which resulted in 
 the election of Cleveland and Hendricks, Col. 
 Peters was Chairman of the Iroquois Democratic 
 Central Committee and did good work for the 
 party. In 1884, he erected the Times building in 
 Watseka, one of the most imposing structures in 
 that city. It is now occupied by the postofRce 
 Times office and law offices. The building is very 
 centrally located and is one of the substantial im- 
 provements of Watseka. 
 
 This sketch will serve to perpetuate the memory 
 of a worthy, public-spirited citizen, who has won 
 his way from the condition of a waif by his own 
 unaided efforts and natural ability, through hard- 
 ships and privation to positions of honor and 
 trust, and to the assured respect and esteem of all 
 who arc familiar with his history. 
 
 AVID ALVIN OREBAUGII, a practic- 
 ing attorney of the Iroquois County Bar 
 and an enterprising young citizen of 
 Watseka, claims Ohio as the State of his 
 nativity. He was born in Hamilton County, on 
 the 8th of August, 1866, and is a son of Eli Ore- 
 baugh, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
 work. He attended the common schools of his 
 native State and afterwards pursued a course of 
 study in the National Normal University, located 
 in Lebanon, Ohio. In 1883, he came to Iroquois 
 County, 111., with his parents and was engaged in 
 farming ^nd teaching for several years. Determin- 
 ing to engage in the practice of law, he pursued a 
 course of law study in the Illinois Wesleyan Uni- 
 versity at Bloomington, 111., and was graduated 
 from that institution in the spring of 1890, and ad- 
 mitted to the Bar in February, 1891. Until June of 
 the same year he was emplo^'ed in the Sheriff's office, 
 since which time he has been in the practice of his 
 profession at Watseka, being a law partner of C. 
 H. Pa\'Son, of that place. 
 
 On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Orebaugh was 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 195 
 
 inariifd in Hlooiniiigton, 111., to Miss Lillian E. 
 Wiley, a dniighler of Jolin S. Wiley, Esq., formerly 
 of that place, now deceased, and a native of Mc- 
 Lean County, III. Our subject is a promising 
 young lawyer, of good ability and studious habits, 
 and is sure in the near future to win an lionorable 
 place in his chosen profession. 
 
 y ALTER BKINCKERHOFF, wlur is now 
 living a retired life in Onarga, was born 
 in Dutchess County, N. Y., on the •23d of 
 May, 182(). The family is of Dutch origin, and 
 was founded in America in early Colonial days by 
 ,loris Brinckerhoff, who came from Holland to this 
 country in 1638, and, history says, collected money 
 to build the first church in Brooklyn, N. Y. The 
 parents of our subject, Isaac and Jemima (Crom- 
 well) Brinckerhoff, were both natives of the Em- 
 pire State and are now deceased. They had a 
 family of five children, four of whom are living 
 at this writing, in the autumn of 1892, two sons 
 .iiid two daughters: Catherine E., IMary, Theodore 
 and Walter. 
 
 In tiie county of his nativity, Mr. Brinckerhoff 
 whose name heads this sketch was reared to man- 
 liood. One of the most important events in his 
 life occurred on the 20th of February, 1847, when 
 he le<l to the marriage altar Miss Adeline Wash- 
 iMuii, daughter of John and Sarah (Bogardus) 
 Washburn, who were natives of Dutchess County, 
 N. Y. Two children were born to the subject of 
 this sketch and his wife, but the daughter died in 
 infancy. The son, Leslie Brinckerhoff, is now con- 
 nected with the wholesale drug house of Morrison, 
 IMummcr & Co., of Chicago. 
 
 The year 1851 witnessed the emigration of Mr. 
 Brinckerhoff to the AVest. Disposing of his busi- 
 ness interests in the Empire State, he came to Illi- 
 nois, accompanied by his family, and located on a 
 farm near ^'ewark, III., where he engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits for four years. On the expira- 
 tion of that period he went to Galesburg and be- 
 came one of its leading and influential citizens. 
 While there residing he^ represented his ward in 
 
 the Citj' Council for a number of years. He after- 
 ward removed to Chicago and did business on the 
 corner of Randolph and State Streets, where the 
 Masonic Temple now stands. He ran the first 
 steam sausage machine ever run in that city. In 
 1865, he received an appointment to take charge 
 of Government transports on the Ohio and Mis- 
 sissippi Rivers and held that position until after 
 the close of the war. He then returned to Chi- 
 cago and took charge of the Northwestern Glass 
 Works, being connected with that manufactory 
 until it closed. 
 
 It was in 1869 that Mr. Brinckerhoff came to 
 Onarga, and since that time he has been one of its 
 progressive and prominent citizens. He purchased 
 four hundred acres of land seven miles southeast 
 of Onarga, which he owned until 1891, when he 
 disposed of a part of it. For more than seven 
 years he has held the ollice of Village Trustee and 
 is the present incumbent. His faithful and effi- 
 cient service has led to his re-election and reten- 
 tion in office, and won him the high commenda- 
 tion of all concerned. ]\Ir. Brinckerhoff is widely 
 and favorably known throughout the community, 
 and his sterling worth and many excellencies of 
 character have won him an enviable position in 
 the esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 
 
 JOHN M. Di; PUY, one of the prominent citi- 
 zens of Cissiia Park, was born in Vermillion 
 County, Ind.,May 16, 1851, and is a worthy 
 ,^_^ representative of one of the early families of 
 this county. His father, John De Puy, was born 
 in New Jersey, August 11, 1804, and is of French 
 descent. The great-grandfather of our subject 
 was a native of France, and the grandfatlier was a 
 hero of the Revolution. 
 
 John De Puy, Sr., when eight years old removed 
 with his parents from New Jersey to Ohio, and 
 three years later went to Vermillion County, Ind., 
 becoming one of its first settlers. That wintei- was 
 spent in old Ft. Harrison. In that locality he re- 
 sided for fifty years, or until 1869. Throughout 
 the greater part of his life he has followed farming 
 
Utfi 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and stock-raising. He drove cattle to Cliicago in an 
 early day, and improved a number of farms. In 
 18(j!i, he l)rouglit his family to Iroquois County, 
 wliere he I'.as since lived. .Soon after he sold his farm 
 of two hundred and forty acres, and later bought a 
 tract of three hundred and twenty acres of prairie 
 land in Ash Grove Townsliip al$3.2r) per acre and 
 resided tlicreon until 1 891, since which time he has 
 lived at Cissna Park. He added to his lauds until he 
 owned eleven hundred and fifty acres, but has re- 
 cently sold. His life has been a bus3- and useful 
 one. He has acquired a handsome property and 
 to each of liis sons he has given good farms. He 
 was married in Vermillion C'ount\-, Ind., to Miss 
 .Scott, and unto them were born three children, 
 one of whom died in infancy. Abraham is now a 
 resident physician of Chicago, and Albert is a far- 
 mer of Vermillion County, Ind. For his second wife, 
 Mr. Dc Puy cliose .Miss .Jane McKee, who was born 
 Kentucky in 1817, but came to Edgar County. III., 
 about 1831. She is still living. Two children 
 were born of this marriage. John M., and Oliver 
 M., who resides with his father and mother. 
 
 Mr. l)e Puy h.'us taken a very active part in 
 church work. He united with the Baptist Church 
 in \'erniillion County, and aided in the organiza- 
 tion of the Bloomfield Baptist Association. He 
 built a church at Cissna Park, which formerly stood 
 on his farm, and later donated it to the people of 
 Cissna Park as a union church. He has often paid 
 the ministers from his own pocket and has ever 
 been liberal to missionaiy work. In manner, he is 
 plain and unassuming and cares nothing for dress. 
 It is said that on one occasion he went to Paxton 
 in a homespun suit to the dedication of a church, 
 but when pledges were called for the plainlv 
 dressed farmer gave %.i()0. In 1840, he voted for 
 ■\Villiam Henry Harrison and supported the AVhig 
 party until the organization of the Republican 
 party, with which he has since affiliated. He took 
 great pride in having a fine farm and fine stock 
 and is numbered among the highly respected and 
 valued citizens of the community. 
 
 .lohn M. De Puy, whose name heads this record, 
 had very meagre educational advantages, as in 
 earl3- life his health was poor and he could not 
 stand the confinement of a school room. At the 
 
 age of fifteen he came with his parents to Illi- 
 nois and had to begin buying stock and taking 
 charge of this part of the work. He used to herd 
 cattle at an early age and was almost raised in the 
 saddle. He afterward attended school for a 3'ear 
 j in Onarga. Throughout his entire life he has en- 
 I gaged almost exclusively in farming and stock- 
 raising and has met with excellent success in his 
 business dealings. 
 i April 30, 1881, at the age of twentj-seven years, 
 I Mr. De Puy was united in marriage with Miss 
 j Jennie Fleming, and unto them have been born two 
 children, Carl and Maud, aged ten and eight j'ears 
 respectivelj". The parents of Mrs. DePuy reside 
 with them, Her father, William Fleming, was born 
 in the Korth of Ireland, October 29, 1816, and in 
 I 1832 began teaching school, having acquired a 
 j good education previous to that time. His father 
 I died, and as he was the eldest child, he aided in the 
 I support of a large family. In 1841, he crossed the 
 Atlantic to Pittsburgh. Pa., and became Assistant 
 Cashier in a bank. He was there married in 1844, 
 to Jane Cullen, also a native of the Emerald Isle, 
 and the following year they emigrated to La Salle 
 Count}', III., where Mr. Fleming entered a claim 
 and developed a good farm. He was a civil engi- 
 neer by jirofession and was County Surveyor of La 
 Salle County much of the time. In 1870, he re- 
 moved to Wheaton in order that his children 
 might attend college, and in the fall of 1873 came 
 to Iroquois Count}-, locating on a farm in Pigeon 
 Grove. He there resided until 1889, since which 
 time he and his estimable wife have resided with 
 their daughter, Mrs. De Puy. He has held a num- 
 ber of local offices and for sixteen years served as 
 Supervisor in La .Salle Count}- and seven years in 
 this county. To some extent, he still engages in 
 surveying. He has been a great reader all his life 
 and keeps well informed on all questions of inter- 
 est. His business career has been one of success. 
 In politics, he was an Abolitionist and afterward 
 a Republican. 
 
 The Fleming family numbered eight children, 
 but one died in infancy. The others are: Alice, wife 
 of J. L. Westgate, of Cissna Park. James H., who 
 was educated in Wheaton College and is now a 
 lawyer of Hastings, Neb. He served as County 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 I'.i" 
 
 .liuijix- lor six j-cars and is now serving as County 
 Treasurer. Dora is the wife of Dr. Van Doren, of 
 Saybrook, III. Albert is the next younger. Jennie 
 is the wife of John M. De Puy. Jessie resides in 
 Hastings, Neb.; and Will is employed in the Electric 
 Hailroad Coinjiany, in the .St;ite of Washing- 
 ton. 
 
 Mrs. De Puy was educated in Wheaton College 
 and is a lady of culture and refinement. In 1891, 
 our subject and his wife left the farm and removed 
 to Cissna Park, where they now have a comfortable 
 home, which is the abode of hospitality. In social 
 circles, they rank high, and their friends through- 
 out the community are manv. Jlr. De Puy engages 
 to some extent in loaning on mortgages, but is 
 practically living a retired life. In politics, he is 
 a stalwart Republican and is a well-informed man, 
 lioth politically and otherwise. He is a member 
 of the Baptist Church and his wife of the United 
 Brethren. He well deserves representation in this 
 volume and it is with pleasure that we present to 
 our readers this record of bis life. 
 
 ^fOSEPH YANDERPOORTEX, Treasurer of 
 Iroquois County, and one of the earliest 
 settlers of Chebanse Township, was born in 
 Dendermonde, in the province of Flanders, 
 Belgium, on the 16th of February, 1828, and is a 
 son of John and Philippine (Heyvacrt) Vander- 
 poorten, both of whom came of old Flemish fam 
 ilies. Joseph was reared on a farm and was edu- 
 cated partially in select schools and at the college 
 of the Hol^' Virgin in Dendermonde. His mother 
 died in November, 1853, and in 1855 he emigrated 
 from Flanders to America, making his first home 
 in this country in Lewis Count\', N. Y., where he 
 purchased a farm of eighty acres. Finding the 
 land there too hilly and rough to suit him, he sold 
 out and came to Iroquois Count}-, 111., the follow- 
 ing year. He arrived in April, 1856, and settled 
 in the town of Chebanse, where he bought an 
 eighty-acre tract of land. By subsequent purchase 
 he has increased his acreasje until he now has a 
 
 fine farm of two hundred ami i(ui\ :n•n•^s ui valu- 
 able land, well improved, on which he erected in 
 1877 a commodious and comfortable residence. 
 His farm is situated about eighteen miles north- 
 west of Watseka, and four miles east of Clifton, 
 his nearest trading place. 
 
 On the 15th of January, 1861. .Mr. Vandcrpoor- 
 ten was married in L'Erable to .Miss Amelia 
 Bunker. The lady was born in the town of 
 Cliambly, on the Sorel River in the Province of 
 (Quebec, Canada, April 12, 1840, and is a daugh- 
 ter of Moses and Martine (Blaine) Bunker. Her 
 father was born in the United Slates and her 
 mother was a French-Canadian. She came with her 
 l)arents to the United States in 1856, and located 
 near Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, and in Iro(iuois 
 County in Septeml>er, 1859. Nine children have 
 been born unto Mr. and Mi's. A'anderpoorten. five 
 of whom are yet living: Emily, the eldest, wife 
 of Ferdinand Rivard, died July 15. 1891; Dclphine 
 is the wife of Joseph Dutour, and resides on the old 
 home farm in Chebanse Township; Eugene C. 
 married Jennie Franklin, of Chebanse, and resides 
 in "Watseka, holding the position of Deputy 
 County Treasurer; AValter O. resides on the home 
 farm with his sister; Norbert J. and Stephen I. are 
 students in the Watseka schools. Edwin, Emma 
 and Addie, all died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Vanderpoorten and his family are members 
 of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics, he is a 
 Democrat and has held various olliees of honor 
 and trust. He served as Commissioner of High- 
 ways in his township and was School Director for 
 twenty-four years successively. In the fall of 
 1890, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to 
 the position he now holds, that of County Treas- 
 urer, and entered upon the duties of the office on 
 the 1st of December following. Mr. Vanderpoor- 
 ten makes an excellent officer, is prompt, correct 
 and courteous, and is abl^- assisted by his son in 
 the duties of the office. He came to this country 
 in ver\- moderate circumstances, but by industry, 
 integrity and frugality has acquired a valuable 
 l)roperty and, what is still more to be prized, a 
 good name among his neighbors and fellow-citi- 
 zens vvho have known him so many years. His 
 father came to America the year following his 
 
198 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 son's arrival here and brought with him his 
 dauglitcr Rosalia. They made tlieir home in 
 Chehanse Township, where the father died in the 
 latter part of August, 1859. Tlie sister became the 
 wife of Francis Cnudde, who died a few years 
 later. In due time slie married again, her second 
 husband being Anton Clements, and her death oc- 
 curred in September, 1890. 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 'OTIX I). ROTIIC.EB. one of the leading 
 general raercliants of Wellington and a 
 ^^,, prominent citizen, is a native of Page 
 (j^^ County. Va. lie wa.s born August 29, 
 1848, and is the fifth in a family of six children 
 whose parents were Isaac and Barbara (Kaufman n) 
 Rothgeb. The family is of French origin, having 
 been driven from that country along with the other 
 French Huguenots during the supremac3' of Riche- 
 lieu. They settled in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany. 
 The progenitor of the branch of the family to 
 which our subject belongs emigrated to America 
 about 1730, locating in Virginia. On the same 
 vessel came his betrothed, and for seven years they 
 worked to pay theii' passage to this country. Hav- 
 ing entered land he made a farm from the woods, 
 which was his home as long as he lived. Our sub- 
 ject's father was born in Mrginia, about 1810, was 
 reared to agricultural pursuits, and acquired his 
 education in the common schools. He came to 
 Illinois in 1832, and entered land in Iroquois 
 County, after which he returned to his native 
 .State, where he spent his last days. In politics, he 
 was a Democrat, but voted against secession at the 
 time when Virginia withdrew from the Union. 
 AVith the Baptist Church he held membership, and 
 his death occurred in 1862. His widow is still 
 living.- She was born in Virginia in 1811, and 
 though now eighty-one years old, her age rests 
 lightly upon her. She makes her home with her 
 children in Illinois and Viiginia. Both the par- 
 ents of our subject were well known for their gen- 
 erous character and had the respect of all with 
 whom they came in contact. Of their four sons 
 and two daughters, five are yet living: Alexander 
 
 is married and follows farming in Page County, 
 Va.; Ambrose, a farmer, is married and resides in 
 Frederick County, Va.; Anna is the wife of Joseph 
 Brumback, an agriculturist of this county; Henry 
 died at the age of sixteen years; John is the next 
 younger; and Mary F>. is the wife of William Rick- 
 ard, a farmer residing in the Shenandoah A'alley 
 in Virginia. 
 
 The boyhood daj^s of our subject were spent in 
 the Old Dominion, and he attended the subscrip- 
 tion schools, but has been largely self-educated. 
 Throughout the entire late war, he lived in the 
 famous Shenandoah Valle}', where occurred some 
 of the most memorable scenes of that protracted 
 struggle. He has seen that beautiful valley re- 
 peatedly devastated by both armies, and the events 
 of those stirring times are indelibly stamped upon 
 his memory. On the death of his father, the care 
 and responsibility of the family fell upon his 
 young shoulders. He was then but fourteen years 
 of age. He was reared in the usual manner of 
 farmer lads, but after attaining his majority en- 
 gaged ill teaching for a number of years and also 
 worked at the carpenter's trade. He took a full 
 commercial course of study in the Keokuk Com- 
 mercial College, graduating from that institution 
 in 1876, after which he located in Wellington, 
 where he has since made his home. In August, 
 1887, he embarked in general merchandising and 
 has since carried on business in that line. 
 
 Mr. Rothgeb was married on the 4th of JMay, 
 1879, to Miss Annie Austin, daughter of Potter 
 and Rachel (Rothgeb) Austin, the former a native 
 of New York and the latter of the Buckeye State. 
 Her parents are still residents of this county, 
 where Mrs. Rothgeb was born. Her education 
 was acquired in the common schools and in Onarga 
 Seminaiy. Unto our subject and his wife have 
 been born three children: Wade H., who is now 
 attending school; Austin R., who died in inf.ancy; 
 and Jessie B., the baby of the household. 
 
 Mr. Rothgeb is a stalwart Democrat and an 
 ardent admirer of the true Jeffersonian principles. 
 His first Presidential vote was cast for Hon. S. J. 
 Tilden, of New York. He has frequently served 
 as a delegate to the conventions of his party, but 
 has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 199 
 
 his time and attention to his business. However, 
 he takes a commendable interest in all that per- 
 tains to the welfare of the community, and is one 
 of the building committee which erected the beau- 
 tiful school building of Wellington. As a mer- 
 chant, he carries a full and complete stock of goods 
 in his line, and by his upright dealings and genial 
 manner has secured a liberal patronage and 
 gained the confidence and good-will of his many 
 patrons. In 1882, he also began dealing in grain 
 and has worked up an excellent business in that 
 line. When he started out in life he had no capital 
 but a pair of industrious hands and a determina- 
 tion to succeed, and liis success is the result of his 
 own well-directed efforts. Himself and wife are 
 classed among the most })rominent citizens of 
 Wellington and are held in high esteem for their 
 many excellencies of character. 
 
 II^N- 
 
 Vj'OIIN ('. KOEIIN. a well-known and prom- 
 inent business man of lUickle}', who carries 
 on general merch.indising as a member of 
 the firm of Koehn <fe Bowe, was born in 
 Buetzow, .Schwerin, Germany, on the 29th of July, 
 1863. His parents were Joachin and .Sophia 
 (Knoop) Koehn, both of whom were natives of 
 Germany. Unto them were born three children, 
 but our subject is the only one now living, his two 
 older brothers, Frederick and Henry, being de- 
 ceased. 
 
 The subject of this sketch remained in the land 
 of his birth until he had attained his majoritj', 
 when he emigrated to this countr\' and became a 
 resident of Peotone, 111. He there eng.aged in 
 clerking in a general store for six years, after 
 wliich he came to Buckley and, forming a partner- 
 ship with Philip .S. Bowe, has since engaged in 
 merchandising on his own account. They opened 
 a general store, which they are now conducting. 
 Mr. Koehn was educated in Buetzow College, of 
 German^-, from which lie was graduated in the 
 Class of '78. Thus he was well fitted for a com- 
 mercial career, and his enterpri.se and industry 
 have won him success, 
 
 On the 2.3d of October, 1891, Mr. Koehn was 
 married to ^liss Rachel Minier, daughter of Hiram 
 Minier, of Sheldon, 111. Their home lias l)cen 
 brightened by the birth of a daughter, Ida W., 
 who was born August 30, 1892. The young 
 couple arc highly rtsiiected people of this commu- 
 nity, who are well and favorably known in social 
 circles. Mr. Koehn is a member of Buckley Lodge 
 No. 634, A. V. it A. JI., and in politics is a sup- 
 porter of Democratic principles. At this writing, 
 in the fall of 1892, he is one of the Trustees of the 
 village of Buckley, and was Clerk of the Village 
 Board of Peotone before coming to this place. He 
 takes an active interest in all that pertains to the 
 upbuilding and welfare of the conimiinit}- and is 
 a public-spirited and progressive citizen. 
 
 In connection with their store, the firm of 
 Koehn Si Bowe are also owners and operators 
 of a creamery in Buckley, called tiic Artesia 
 Creamery, being named for the township. Tiiey 
 manufacture from two hundred and seventy-five 
 to four hundred pounds of butter [ler day, and as 
 the product of their creamer}- is of the very best 
 quality, it finds a ready sale in the New Orleans 
 market. Mr. Koehn, during his residence in this 
 community-, has won a high rank in business circles. 
 He is a young man, who is wide-awake, and is ra|)- 
 idly winning his way upward to prosperity. 
 
 ^^ OSES H. EUANS, County .ludge of Iro- 
 quois Count}' and a well-known resident 
 of Watseka, was born on the 11th of July, 
 1848, in West Middleburg, Logan County, 
 Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Aclisah (Sharp) 
 Euans. With their family, the parents removed 
 from Ohio to Watseka, 111., in 1867. The mother 
 was called to her final rest in 1888, but the father 
 is still living. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
 common schools and in the Ohio Wesleyan I'ni- 
 versity, of Delaware, from which institution he 
 was graduated in the Class of '67. On looking 
 over the field in choice of some vf)catioii, he de- 
 cided to enter the legal profession, and to that 
 
200 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 end began sludj'ing law witli the firm of Blades & 
 Kay. He was admitted to the Bar in 1874, after 
 which he formed a partnersiiip with his old pre- 
 ceptors, under tlie firm name of Blades, Kay & 
 Euans. Jlr. Blades withdrew in 1877, and the 
 business was continued by Kay ife Euans up to 
 January 1, 1890, when the firm of Kay, Euans & 
 K.\v was formed. Tiiis co-partnership lasted until 
 December 1, 1890, at which time he entered upon 
 the duties of his present oflicial position. 
 
 On the Sth of Miiy, 1880, .Judge Euans was 
 married to Miss Eva Sherman, a native of Iroquois 
 County and a daughter of Charles .Sherman, whose 
 .sketch is given on another page of this work. Of 
 this union have been born two children: Nellie B. 
 and Joseph S. The family is well known through- 
 out this community, and Jiave many friends and 
 acquaintances in Iro(iuois County. 
 
 In politics, Mr. P^uans is a Democrat, and as the 
 regular nominee of his party, was elected Judge of 
 Irotpiois County in 1890, entering upon the duties 
 of that otiice in December of tiie same \eav. 
 
 f^ ORACE RF.SSELL, Casliier of the Donovan 
 & Vennum Bank, of Milford, Iroquois 
 County, 111., has held his present position 
 since the establishment of this bank in 
 May, 187C. He was born in the town of Pendle- 
 ton, Madison County, Ind., August 8, 1848, and 
 is a son of Maj. Lanson K. and Caroline (Patrick) 
 Russell. His father was born in Rochester, N. Y., 
 January 3, 1817, and his mother in Portsmouth, 
 Va., .Tanuary 6, 182;}. The death of the father oc- 
 curred at Anderson, Ind., December 10, 1889. The 
 Major served in the late war in Company A, Nine- 
 tieth Indiana Infantry, of which he was commis- 
 sioned Second Lieutenant, and was afterward pro- 
 moted to be Brigade Commissary, with the rank of 
 Major. His service lasted three years. The mother 
 survives and resides in Anderson. Maj. Russell 
 and his family once lived in Watseka, but re- 
 turned to Anderson, Ind. 
 
 Horace Russell was reared in his native town, 
 
 where he attended the public schools, and subse- 
 quently took a two years' course at Asbury (now 
 DePauw) University, of Greencastle, Ind. In 1865, 
 he engaged with the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
 pany as brakeman, and later served as Itaggage- 
 man. For a year and a-half, he was Station Agent 
 at AValton, Ind. He went to Watseka in 1868, 
 where he sold goods for John L. Donovan until the 
 spring of 1870, and from that time until October, 
 1871 was clerking for Daniel Prey, merchant. In 
 t)ctol)er of the latter year, he was appointed as 
 clerk in the railway mail service, running at first 
 between Chicago and Centralia on the Illinois 
 Central Railroad. Afterwards, he was on the 
 steamer plying between Cairo, 111., and Columbus, 
 Ky. He began on the last-named run in 1873, 
 and continued there until May 15, 1876. During 
 this time, yellow fever and cholera prevailed in 
 that region with great virulence. On quitting the 
 mail service, he accepted the position which he 
 now holds, that of Cashier of the Donovan i^- \'en- 
 num Bank. In 1882, he was appointed Postmaster 
 at Milford, which position he filled for four years, 
 at the same time iierforming his duties at the 
 bank. 
 
 Mr. Russell was married to Miss Frances Brooks 
 in North Adams, Mich., on the 15th of May, 1879. 
 The lady was born in Watseka, 111., and is a 
 daughter of William and M. A. Brooks, who are 
 living and now residents of St. Ignace, Mich. 
 Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Russell: AVilliani C. and Anna C, both born 
 in Milford. Mrs. Russell is a member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Russell is a Republican 
 and has held various local official positions. He 
 has been more or less active in local politics, and 
 for several j'ears has served as a member of the 
 Iroquois County Central Republican Committee. 
 He was the first President of the Milford Town 
 Board and the first President of the Milford 
 School Board, which last-named position he still 
 holds. Mr. Russell is a member of Milford Lodge 
 No. 168, A. Y. & A. M.; Watseka Chapter No. 114, 
 R. A. ^L; and of Athelstan Commanderj' No. 45, 
 K. '1'., of Danville. He also belongs to Milford 
 Lodge No. 258, I. 0. O. F., and to Iroquois P^n- 
 campment No. 81, of Watseka, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 201 
 
 Mr. Russell has a fine, well-improved farm of 
 one hundred and sixt}- acres of land, situated in 
 Stockland Township, which he leases. The var- 
 ious positions of honor and trust, both public and 
 jirivate, held b^v Mr. Russell, and his long retention 
 in the responsible position he holds in the Dono- 
 van & Vennum Bank, speak in no uncertain terms 
 as to his high standing and the estimate placed 
 upon his character by those best calculated to 
 know his true worth. 
 
 JiILLIAM SMITH, one of the early settlers 
 of the county and a well-to-do farmer re- 
 siding on section 3.5, Ash Grove Town- 
 ship, has here made his home since 18.')3, or for a 
 period of thirty-nine consecutive years. His life 
 record is as follows: He was horn in Bellefontaine, 
 Logan County, Oliio, September 7, 1834, and is a 
 son of Joel R. Smith. The father was born in the 
 Empire State and became one of the pioneers and 
 the first Sheriff of Wabash County, Ind. In 1853, 
 he came to Illinois and cast in his lot with theearlj' 
 settlers of Iroquois County, locating on section 3.5, 
 Ash (irove Township. This was then a wild and 
 almost unimproved region, the land was in its prim- 
 itive condition, and the prairies were covered with 
 thick grass as high as a man. Mr. Smith purchased 
 oue hundred and sixtj- acres of land at $2.50 per 
 acre and began the development of a farm. In 
 1863, he removed to Ikickley and afterward went 
 to Olney, 111., where he died in 1885, at the age of 
 eighty-four years. He was married in Ohio to 
 Eliza Bunker, who died in Buckley, and after her 
 death he wedded Mrs. Kimball. He served as 
 .Tustice of the Peace and Police Justice for many 
 years and was a prominent and influential citizen. 
 He held mcmbershii) wilii the Methodist Church, 
 and was long connected with the Masonic frater- 
 nity. In politics, he was a Whig and afterward a 
 Republican. 
 
 In the Smith family were the following children: 
 Mrs. Mary Collins, who now resides in Chicago; 
 William, whose name heads this sketch; Joel R., a 
 lesidcnl of Kansas; Aimer A., who makes his home 
 
 in Watseka; Eliza, wife of Dr. Horner, of Buckley; 
 and Daniel, the youngest child, who is living in 
 Decatur. 
 
 Our subject was only two years old wlien with 
 his parent-s he removed to Indiana. He acijuircd 
 a good education in the public schools and is a 
 well-informed man. At the age of nineteen he 
 came with his parents to Iroquois County and 
 aided in the development of a new farm until 
 1859, when he built a log cabin upon a tract of 
 land, moved into it and began life for himself. 
 His labors were interrupted, however, when, in 
 August, 1862, he donned the blue and became a 
 member of Company E, Seventj-sixth Illinois In- 
 fantry, under Capt. Irwin and Col. A. W. Mack. 
 The regiment assembled at Kankakee and was then 
 sent South. The troops participated in the engage- 
 ment at Columbus. Ky., and in the siege of 
 Vicksburg until its surrender on the 4th of July, 
 1863. They then participated in the battles of 
 Jackson and Selma, Ala. Our subject was on de- 
 tached duty at Cairo, 111., with Gen. Sherman, 
 and went with him to Atlanta and on to the sea. 
 Later, he accompanied him into the Carolinas. He 
 rejoined his regiment at Mobile, participated in 
 the capture of Ft. Blakely,and then went to Gal- 
 veston, Tex. The regiment lost many men in 
 traveling over the hot sands of the Lone Star 
 State. Mr. Smith received his discharge in Chi- 
 cago exactly three years after his enlistment, and 
 on the mil of August, 18()5, returned to his 
 home. 
 
 January 3, 1859, Mr. Smith was united in mar- 
 ri.age with Jliss Caran II. Iliggenson, a native of 
 Owen County, Ind., born February 26, 1833. Unto 
 them have been born the following children: Free- 
 man L., who was educated in the i)ublic schoc)ls and 
 took a commercial course, teaching peninanship to 
 paj- his tuition. He married Maria Butcher, of 
 Paxton, and unto them were born two children. 
 Having studied law he became an excellent and 
 successful practitioner. His death occurred A[)ril 
 19, 1891, in his thirty-first year. William G. died 
 at the age of twenty-three; Francis S. is at home; 
 Joel R. married Dollie Leach, and is living on the 
 old homestead; Clara died at the age of eleven 
 months; Clarence died in his second year; Etta 
 
202 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGR.\PinCAL RECORD. 
 
 and Albert B. are still under the parental roof. 
 Mrs. Smith was horn in Owen Coimt3-, Ind., and 
 at tlie age of ten years removed to Vigo County. 
 Her father, Samuel Iliggenson, was reared in the 
 Empire State and in Ohio married Edith Chestnut. 
 They came to Iroquois County in the spring of 
 18fi5, locating in Ash Grove Township. The Ilig- 
 genson family is of English origin on the maternal 
 side and of German descent on the paternal side. 
 The grandfather served in the Revolutionary War. 
 Socially, Mv. Smith is a member of Williams 
 Post No. 2.T, (i. A. H., of Watseka, and of the 
 Knights of Pythias Lodge of Cissna Park. He 
 cast his first Presidential ballot for Fremont, also 
 supported President Lincoln, and has since been a 
 stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republi- 
 can partj'. He has frequently served as a delegate 
 to its conventions and is an influential man in its 
 councils. For twelve years he served as Constable 
 and is now Notary Public. Since his return from 
 the war, Mr. Smith has devoted his entire energies 
 to agricultural pursuits. His pleasant residence, 
 neatl^y and tastefully furnished and supplemented 
 by other good improvements, stands in the midst 
 of a highlj' cultivated farm of two hundred and 
 seventy-five acres of land, whose rich and fertile 
 fields yield to him a golden tribute. He is also 
 engaged in buying and selling cattle, and has 
 been quite successful along that line. He is Sec- 
 retar}' of the Good wine Grain Company, which 
 owns an elevator in Goodwine. Mr. Smith has a 
 wide acquaintance throughout the community and 
 is one of the valued and highly respected citizens 
 of the township. He was also a brave soldier dur- 
 ing the late war and is an honored pioneer of 
 Iroquois County. 
 
 AMUEL JIALO, a wagon-maker and black- 
 smith residing in Milford, claims Moscow, 
 Canada, as the place of his nativitj'. The 
 date of liis birth is May 1, 1843, and he is 
 a son of Samuel and Mary (Fercia) Malo. In the 
 family were five children, four sons and a daugh- 
 ter. Matilda, the eldest, and the only daughter, 
 
 died on the 21st of June, 1880. Samuel of this 
 sketch is the next younger. Huzeb was married 
 in 1871 to Mary A. Br.ady, of Chicago, and unto 
 them have been born three children, Elizabeth, 
 Huzeb and Lillie. Ferdinand was joined in wed- 
 lock with Miss Mary McKnight, daughter of 
 Thomas McKnight, of Milford, and they have a 
 family of seven living children: Huzeb, Samuel, 
 Ferdinand, .John, Frank, Alfred and Libbie. One 
 daughter, Mary, is now deceased. James, the 
 youngest of the Malo family, wedded Miss Maggie 
 McKnight, and their union has been blessed with 
 five children, but the eldest, James, died in infancy. 
 Those living are Noia, Tommy, "Willie and Lydia. 
 
 On leaving the land of his birth, Samuel Malo 
 of this sketch came to Illinois and made a loca- 
 tion in Malta, De Kalb County. When a young 
 man he learned the trade of wagon-making and 
 blacksmithiug and followed the dual occupation in 
 Malta until 1868, when he removed to Iroquois 
 County, locating in Milford. Since that time he 
 has operated a wagon-making and blacksmith shop, 
 with the exception of four years, during which 
 period he was engaged in the restaurant business. 
 He then returned to the business in which he is 
 now engaged. He is an expert workman, is in- 
 dustrious and fair and honest in all his dealings, 
 and has acquired a liberal patronage. On the 15th 
 of August, 1862, Mr. Malo- enlisted in Company 
 C, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, 
 and served till honoiably discharged June 7, 
 1865. He was a faithful soldier, ever found at the 
 post of dutj'. He is a member of A'ennum Post 
 No. 471, G. A. R,, of Milford. 
 
 July 28, 1869, Mr. Malo was united in marriage 
 with Miss Lizzie Bunker, a native of Canada East, 
 and a daughter of Moses and Mattie (Blaine) 
 Bunker, the father a native of New Hampshire and 
 the motlier of Canada. Four children have been 
 born unto our subject and his worthy wife, three 
 sons and a daughter, namely: Samuel Edward, 
 born June 21, 1870; Lizzie Matilda, October 17, 
 1873: Stephen C, February 9, 1880; and Ray B., 
 on the 12th of September, 1886. 
 
 In his social relations, Mr. Malo is a Mason, 
 holding membership with Milford Lodge No. 168, 
 A. F. & A. M, He exercises his right of franchise 
 

 %!.,- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 205 
 
 ill support of the Republican paity, and, as cveiy 
 true American citizen sliould do, feels an interest 
 in political affairs. lie has served three terms in 
 the ottice of Village Trustee and proved himself a 
 capable and faithful oflicial. He is regarded as an 
 upriglit, honorable business man, and in the years 
 of his residence here has won the confidence and 
 high regard of all with whom he has been brought 
 in contact. 
 
 il ^OX. .lOIlX 11. .lOXES, one of the prom- 
 Ifj; inent and influential citizens of Iroquois 
 /^^ County, is one of its honored pioneers 
 (^^ and one of its most extensive land-owners. 
 He has long been identified with its history, 
 it* upbuilding and development, and this work 
 would be incomplete without the record of his 
 life. He was born in Brown Count3', near George- 
 town, Ohio, October 30, 1823. His parents, John 
 and Mary (Pitzer) .Tones, were both natives of 
 Kentucky. In the fall of 1829, when our subject 
 was six years of age, they left the Buckeye State 
 and removed to Warren County, Ind., where they 
 spent the remainder of their lives. The deatli of 
 the mother occurred in 1851, and the father, who 
 survived her about twenty- years, departed this 
 life in 1871. 
 
 Mr. .lones' famil}- numbered ten children, eight 
 of whom grew to mature years, while two died in 
 early childhood. Those who attained their ma- 
 joritj' are as follows: Ellen became the wife of 
 Jesse Garland and both are now deceased; Louisa 
 married George .Statzell, and her death occurred 
 many years ago, but the husband is living near 
 Pine Village, Ind.; Xancy Ann is the widow of 
 John B. Herriman, who died about three 3'ears 
 ago, and she resides on a farm six miles from 
 Milford; John H. is the next younger; Sarah, who 
 died in 1890, was the wife of John Garland, a res- 
 ident of Chariton, Iowa; Lewis married Mist; 
 Margaret Brown, b}- wliom he has two children. 
 Her death occurred about 18(50, and he afterward 
 married Mrs. Rebecca Dunshey, [>v whom he had 
 
 six children, five of whom are living; the family 
 reside in Benton County, In<l. Mary became the 
 wife of Hugh McDade, and lioth died in Missouri; 
 and Tarpley married Mary Harper, and with their 
 three children thev make theii- home in Califor- 
 nia. 
 
 I"he siiliject of tliis sketch w.as reared to man- 
 hood in Indiana, and received a common-school 
 education. After attaining to mature years he 
 married Miss Xancj-, daughter of William and 
 Rebecca Hooker, of Warren County, Ind. After 
 a short married life of two j-ears she was called to 
 her final rest. In November, 1845, Mr. .loues was 
 again married, his second union being with Jlrs. 
 Hannah Mercer, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Pugh, 
 of Warren County, Ind. By her first marri.ige 
 she liad one child, William Mercer. By the sec- 
 ond union have been born nine children, and with 
 one exception all are living: Stephen, born Au- 
 gust 26, 1846, married Martha Gray, daughter of 
 John and Keliecca Gray, and by their union four 
 sons have been born, three of whom are yet living: 
 John, Edgar and Guy. Russell is now deceased 
 They reside about four and one-half miles from 
 Milford. Charles ()., who was born April 9, 1848, 
 married Miss Katie Holmes, and with their four 
 children. Ruby, Homer, Earl and Charles Watson, 
 they reside in Springfield, 111.; John Milton, born 
 May 25, 1850, died in February, 1860; Sarah M., 
 born July 26, 1852, is the wife of O. P. Harnian, 
 of Milford, by whom she has one son, Leroy; 
 Lewis, who was born May 5, 1854, and resides on 
 the old homestead, married Miss Susan Wise, and 
 their family numbers two children, Nellie and 
 Ra3 ; Alba ;M. and Edgar A., twins, were born 
 May 23, 1856. The former was joined in wed- 
 lock with Miss Fannie Monetle, daughter of John 
 Monette, of Milford. The latter, who is a resi- 
 dent of Milford, married Mi.<s Maggie Collins, of 
 Shelby- County, 111., and one son, Harry, graces 
 this union; Priscilla was born April 3, 1859; and 
 Luther, who w.as born October 27, 1861, married 
 Miss Jessie, daughter of .\arou Dazey, of Milford, 
 and owns and operates a farm four miles east of 
 that place. By his marriage he has two children, 
 Gracie and Leroy. 
 
 Mr. Jones dates his residence in Irotjuois Count \- 
 
206 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 from 1851. Removing from Indiana he located 
 on :i farm five miles east of Milford, in Stockland 
 Township. He there owned and operated four 
 hundred acres of land, and upon that farm, where 
 he resided fur twenty-nine >ears, he reared his 
 family. He then traded two hundred and fort\' 
 acres of that land to his son Lewis, and bought 
 for himself a tract of fifteen hundred acres one 
 mile nearer the village. Here he has resided for 
 twelve years. He devotes his attention princi- 
 |)ally to stock-raising. He keeps on hand an ex- 
 cellent grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and has 
 been very successful in his operations. By his 
 own efforts he has worked his way steadily u|)- 
 ward, and by bis enterprise and good management 
 has each year added to his ciipital until he is now 
 one of the wealthy citizens of the county. 
 
 In politics, ISIr. .Tones is a stalwart supporter of 
 Hepublican principles. For the long period of 
 twenty years he has served as School Treasurer, 
 for thirteen years h.as held the office of Supervisor, 
 and in 188.3 he was a member of the House of 
 Representatives during the Thirty-third General 
 Assembh'. His long-continued service is a high 
 testimonial of his ability as an ofticer and the 
 faithfulness with which he discharged his duties. 
 He is alike true to every public and private tiust, 
 and l)y his u])right life he has won universal con- 
 fidence. He is classed among the representative 
 and leading citizens of Iroquois County, where he 
 has made his home for fortv-one years, and it is 
 with pleasure that we present to our readers the 
 life record of this honored pioneer. 
 
 Ir^pBKRT An-:LL, Notary Public and insur- 
 ibs^ anee agent, is one of the loading and rep- 
 ills * re.sentative citizens of Cissna Park. He 
 ^ claims Kentucky as the State of his nativ- 
 ity. I')«rii in Campbell County on the 17th of 
 .March, 1852, he is a son of Juhii and Catherine 
 (W\coff) Moll. His father was a native of Penn- 
 sylvania and was of (German descent. He re- 
 moved to Ohio and afterward to Kentucky, and 
 ill 1871 came to Irotjuois Countv, 111,, locating on 
 
 a farm in Ash Grove Township. Throughout his 
 entire life he followed agricultural pursuits. His 
 death occurred in Pigeon Grove Township about 
 1886. In politics, he was a supporter of Demo- 
 cratic principles. His wife makes her home 
 with her son in Missouri. Of the family, William 
 is now deceased; Mrs. Louisa Parker and Mrs. 
 Alice Nelson both reside in Kentucky; Garrett 
 served in a Kentucky regiment during the war; 
 Rhoda died in childhood; John is living in Coles 
 County, 111.; Mrs. Margaret Spalding makes her 
 home in Kentucky; Mrs. Mary Jane Higgius is 
 living in Missouri; Robert is the next younger; 
 .loscph is living in Union, Brown County, Minn.; 
 Mrs. Sidney Newlin resides in Cissna Park; Thomas 
 make^ his home near Cissna Park; and La Fayette 
 is living in Missouri. All but the eldest were 
 liorii .and reared in Kentucky. 
 
 Mr. Mell, whose name heads this record, spent 
 the d.ays of his boj-hood and youth upon his fa- 
 ther's farm and was early inured to hard labor. 
 When a young man, he made a trip to Ohio, and 
 was there married on the 18th of September, 
 1871, to Miss Martha E. Anderson, who was born 
 and reared in the same locality as her husband. 
 She died in Iroquois County, September 18, 1877, 
 on the sixth anniversaiy of her wedding da}-, 
 leaving two children, Jessie B. and Lucy Hester. 
 On the 6th of February,- 1879, Mr. Mell was again 
 married, his second union being with Miss Katie 
 Schultz, a lady of German descent, wlic)se parents 
 now reside in Minnesota. Unto them have been 
 born five children: Georgia (deceased), Anna Belle, 
 Elsie, INIyrtle (deceased), and Robert. 
 
 On his removal to this county, Mr. ]\Iell em- 
 barked in farming in Ash Grove Township, and 
 later carried on farming in Pigeon Grove Town- 
 ship. To that business he devoted his energies 
 until December, 1891, when he left the farm and 
 came to Cissna Park, where he purchased a lot 
 and h.as erected a comfortable residence. He has 
 since been engaged in business as an insurance 
 and collection agent and as Notary Public. He 
 has also read law for the past two years and has 
 practiced to some extent. He does a good busi- 
 ness and is a well-to-do citizen. 
 
 Mr. Mell takes an active interest in political af- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 207 
 
 fairs and is a stanch Democrat. His first Presi- 
 dential vote was cast for Gen. Hancock. He has 
 served .is Assessor for one term. Socially, he is a 
 member of the Knights of Pythias. He takes 
 an active interest in all that pertains to the wel- 
 fare of the community and is ever found in the 
 front ranks in support of all enterprises calculated 
 to prove of public bfuefit. 
 
 T^ ARTMAN SCHWARTZ, one of the early 
 |if)ji settlers of this community, is numbered 
 ''£^^ among the prominent and re|)resentative 
 (^) farmers of Prairie Green Township. He 
 resides on section 24, where he owns and operates 
 one hundred and sixty acres of valu.ible land. 
 Tills is one of the best-improved farms in the 
 township. In all its appointments it seems com- 
 plete, and its neat appearance indicates the enter- 
 prise and indusUy of the owner, which qualities 
 are known to be among his chief characteristics. 
 His home is a beautiful country residence, supple- 
 mented by good outbuildings, and these in turn 
 are surrounded by waving fields of grain. 
 
 The owner of this desirable farm is of German 
 birtli. His parents were Thomas and Selma 
 Schwartz, and the}' also were natives of Germany; 
 a sketch of them is found witii that- of Philip 
 .Schwartz. Their famih- numbered five children, 
 of whom our subject was the fourth in order of 
 birth. He was born on the 30th of October, 183.5, 
 in Baden, and the days of his boyhood and youth 
 were spent in his native land, where he acquired a 
 good education in the common schools. It was at 
 the age of twenty-three years that he bade adieu 
 to home and friends, and in 1857 crossed the 
 broad .\tlantic to .\nierica. The vessel in which 
 he .sailed dropped anchor in the harbor of New 
 York, and he landed in that city with onlv ^1 
 in his pocket, among a people whose language 
 was strange to him. He remained in New York 
 City for about a month, after which he came to 
 Illinois, where he w.os first employed .is a farm 
 hand and served in that capacity for twelve years. 
 He tlien came to Prairie Green Township, and with 
 
 the money he had acquired through his own hard 
 labors, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
 partially improved land, the same upon which he 
 has since made his home. 
 
 August 22, 1861, Mr. Schwartz was married, tlie 
 lad}' of his choice being Miss Mary M. Cook, of 
 McLean County, 111. Their union has been blessed 
 with the following children, the eldest of whom, 
 John T.,was born June 1.5, 186.'3; Charles S., born 
 September 15, ISOfJ; AVilliam A. died in infancy; 
 Edwin L.. born February 21, 1870; I'luebe L., 
 born November 11, 1873; one died unnamed and 
 Hulda A., who also died in infancy; Benjamin F., 
 born January 13, 1878. The surviving children are 
 still under the parental roof. Their parents have 
 provided them with good educational advantages, 
 thus fitting them for tlie practical .and responsible 
 duties of life. 
 
 In politics, Ml'. Schwartz is a st.ilwart supporter 
 of Democratic principles, liaving been identified 
 with that party since he became .an American citi- 
 zen. Himself and family, save one child, are all 
 membei-s of the Christian Church, and they are 
 people of sterling wc>rtli, who are widely and fav- 
 orabl}' known throughout the community, and are 
 held in high esteem l\y a large circle of friends 
 and acquaintances. 
 
 % OHN \V. MEIER, one of the efficient County 
 Supervisors and well-to-do farmers of Ash 
 Grove Township, residing on section 3, was 
 Jl) born in Will County, 111., June 22, 1849. 
 His father, J. O. Meier, was born in Hesse, Ger- 
 many. In the usual manner of farmer lads he was 
 reared to manhood, and in his youth also learned 
 the trade of a weaver. In 1844, he crossed the 
 Atlantic to America, locating in Chicago. Four 
 years later he went to Will County, III., and 
 bought forty acres of land. Subsequently he made 
 additional purchases until he became the owner of 
 a large and valuable farm, but is now living re- 
 tired in Crete. He h.as held a number of local 
 ollices. including Supervisor for some twenty years. 
 
208 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Road Commissioner for about twelve years, and 
 Tax Collector, and is a prominent and honored 
 citizen of the coninuinity where he makes liisliome. 
 In [)olitics, lie is a Kcpublictin. lie received a 
 good education in his native land and was a well- 
 informed man. Mr. Meier married So|)liia Rine, 
 and unto them were born eleven children, five of 
 whom are yet livmg. namely: John; So()hia, who 
 resides in Crete; William, who is living on the old 
 homestead; Mary, a resident of Will County; 
 and Louise, who resides with her father. The 
 mother of this family died in 1869, and Mr. Meier 
 afterward married Engel Scheiwe. Her death oc- 
 curred two yeais ago. T5y that union were born 
 two children, one of wiiom is yet living, Henry, 
 who is now employed in the County Clerk's office 
 in .Joliet. 
 
 Tlie subject of this sketch was liorn and reared 
 on his father's farm and ac(|uiii'd a good education 
 in both the (^lerman and English language. He 
 remained at home until twenty-live years of age, 
 and then started out in life for himself. His 
 father had purchased three hundred and twenty 
 acres of raw prairie land in Irocpiois County, to 
 which ,lohn W. removed in 1874 and began its 
 development. He now has one of the finest farms 
 of the county. Its many improvements and well- 
 tilled fields attest his thrift and enterprise. and the 
 neat apiiearance of the place indicates the super- 
 vision of a careful manager. 
 
 In 1871, Mr. Meier was married to Miss Sophia 
 Scheiwe, of Will County, and by that union were 
 liorii ten children, eight of whom are yet living, 
 namely: .John, William, Cardline, Herman, Mar- 
 tin, Henry, Kmma and Otto. The two eldest chil- 
 dren died in infancy. The mother was called to 
 her final rest in 1888. and Mr. Meier was again 
 married in 18S)0, his second union being with Miss 
 Frieda Daus, a native of (Germany, who, when 
 three years of .age, was brought by her parents to 
 .Vmerica, the family locating in Wliiting, near 
 Cliicago. 
 
 Since casting his first Presidential \ot.e f(n- (len. 
 (Iraiit Jlr. Meier has been a stalwart supporter of 
 the Republican party and a warm advocate of its 
 principles. He is now serving his seventh year in 
 succession as a member of the Count\' Hoard. The 
 
 prompt and faithful manner in which he has dis- 
 charged his duties has led to his frequent re-elec- 
 tion and has won for him the high commendation 
 of all. Himself and wife are members of the 
 l^utheian Church. Mr. Sleier luas a wide acquaint- 
 ance throughout the county and is held in the 
 highest regard Iw his large circle of friends and 
 acquaintances. His life has been well and worth- 
 ily S|)ent, and by his good management, persever- 
 ance and business ability, he has won a handsome 
 property, .and now owns one of the finest farms in 
 the township. 
 
 AMf:S WARUEN GREGORY, County Clerk 
 of Iroquois County and a leading resident 
 of Watseka, is a native of Indiana. He 
 l(^y w.as liorn in Warren County, October 5, 
 1 804, and is a son of Alford and Lucy (Temple- 
 ton) Gregory. The parents were also natives of 
 Indiana. A sketch of their lives is given on 
 another page of this work. 
 
 In 1861, .lames W. Gregory accompanied his 
 [)arents to Illinois, the family settling in Middle- 
 port Township, near Watseka. On coming to Iro- 
 quois County, Mr. Gregory was a lad of only 
 seven years. He w.as reared to manhood on the 
 farm and ^ittended the country schools, complet- 
 ing his education in the city schools of Watseka. 
 His occupation has been that of a farmer and 
 stock-raiser from early manhood, .and for several 
 years he was also engaged in buying and selling 
 live-stock. He has bred and dealt principally in 
 Short-horn cattle and Norman horses, and is still 
 interested in that line with his brother, George F. 
 Together they own a well-improved farm of five 
 hundred and twenty acres, situated in Middleport 
 Township, in which our subject has a controlling 
 interest. 
 
 In politics. Mr. firegor^y is a Republican. He 
 has served six years .as Road Commissioner in Mid- 
 dleport Township, and in the autumn of 1890 was 
 elected County Clerk of Iroquois County, enter- 
 ing upon the duties of the oflice on the 1st of De- 
 cember following. He has proved a very capable 
 
^ 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ? 
 
 \ 
 
 X 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 211 
 
 :iii(I poiiular county officer, discharging his duties 
 with a pioiiiptness and fidelity- that liave won liim 
 the commendation of all concerned. He has for 
 his Deputy the old and experienced cx-County 
 Clerk, II. A. Butzow. 
 
 Mr. Gregor}" was reared under llic auspices of 
 the Jlethodist Episcopal Church, of which his mo- 
 ther and himself are both members. He is a 
 member of the order of Modern Woodmen of 
 Anicricn, belonging to Watseka Camp No. 339. 
 He has long made his home in this country, in 
 fact, almost his entire life has here been passed, and 
 he has a wide acquaintance throughout its Iwrders. 
 
 Onr.RT FIXCII. Si:., resides on section -it!, 
 I'rau'ie (Jreen Township. Almost lialf a 
 century has passed away since this sterling 
 \^old pioneer first came to Iroquois County. 
 He has a wide acquaintance and his sketch will 
 prove of interest to many of our readers wlio es- 
 teem him as a progressive and representative citi- 
 zen. A native of Dearborn County, Ind., he was 
 born .September 25, 1819. Uis parents, .lubal and 
 riiilena (Earl) Finch, were parents of buttvvochil- 
 dii-n, and Edwin, the eldest son, is now deceased. 
 The father, a native of the Empire State, and a 
 successful physician and surgeon, died during tlie 
 infancy of our subject. The mother was also born 
 in New York State, and died at the age of forty-five. 
 The boyhood days of Robert Finch were spent in 
 Indiana. He remained in his native county until 
 twelve years of age and then removed to Foun- 
 tain County. After attending the common schools 
 he entered the Baptist JNIanual Labor Training 
 School, where he pursued his studies for nine 
 months. During that time he was classmate of 
 Congressman Iloluian, "the watch-dog of the 
 Treasury." This school was located in Franklin, 
 Ind. He afterward entered the coll»ge in Craw- 
 fordsville, Ind., and subsequently' cng.aged in teach- 
 ing, which profession he followed successfully for 
 nine years through the fall and winter seasons, 
 while in the summer months he engaged in farm- 
 ing. He stirted out in life with no capital but a 
 
 young man's bright hope ..: .(.. . ..v>..( .md a de- 
 termination to succeed, and he has won success. 
 
 On the 3d of December, 1817, Mr. Finch mar- 
 ried Miss Sarah Ann Crawford, daughter of .lohn 
 and Elizabeth (C'line) Crawford. Her father was 
 a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College, and 
 was a physician and surgeon of prominence. He 
 was a native of Ohio, but made his home near At- 
 tica, Ind., where he enjoyed an extensive practice. 
 His wife was also born in the Buckeye State. In 
 their family were two sons and four daughters, all 
 yet living, namelj-: Mrs. Finch, Ruth, .losephine, 
 Thomas, Jolm and Elizabeth. The wife of our 
 subject was educated in the common schools and 
 is a kind and genial lady, who h.as proved a valu- 
 able helpmate to her husband. Eleven children 
 have been born unto them, eight sons and three 
 daughters, and the family circle yet remains un- 
 broken: Edwin, the eldest, married Miss Sarah 
 JIcDrew; John wedded Miss Delora Poiner; Cyrus 
 married Miss Josephine Astor; Robert is engaged 
 in farming; Theodore married MissLoretta Handy; 
 Fremont and Frederick are still at home; Leon 
 married Miss Ida Wall; Genevra is the wife of 
 Crumb McDonald; Elizabeth is the wife of John 
 Lyons; Leonora is the wife of John Handy. There 
 are also thirty-three grandchildren. The sons arc 
 all farmers and the daughters have married agri- 
 culturists, and both sons and sons-in-law are sup- 
 porters of the Republican party. Edwin cast his 
 first vote for Gen. Grant; John, for R. B. Il.ayes; 
 Fremont, for Garfield; and Frederick, for Har- 
 rison. 
 
 Mr. Finch, our subject, w.is, in early life, a su|)- 
 porter of the Whig party and took an active part 
 in the campaign of " Tijjpecanoe and Tyler, too," 
 his first vote being cast for William Ilenr^' Harri- 
 son. F'or fort}' ^ears he has been a reader of the 
 New York Tribune, which was formerly published 
 by Horace Greeley, and is a well-informed man, 
 who keeps posted oil all the issues and current 
 events of the daj-. He has been honored with a 
 number of offices of trust, iiaving served as Hoad 
 Commissioner some fifteen years, Collector about 
 ten years. Assessor two terms and School Treasurer 
 ten years. The cause of education finds in him a 
 warm friend, and he has done effective service for 
 
212 
 
 PORTRAIT AKU BIOCUAPIIICAL RECORD. 
 
 the schools, while serving as Director for many 
 years. 
 
 In 1853, Mr. Finch came with his family to this 
 county and purchased nine hundred and sixty acres 
 in a body of Government land at 8 1.25 per acre. He 
 afterward became owner of thirteen hundred acres 
 and still retains possession of eight hundred and 
 sixty acres of valuable land. When he first came 
 to the county, deer, wolves and all kinds of wild 
 game were to be seen, and the work of civilization 
 and progress seemed scarcelj- begun. His first 
 home was a small cabin, 12x16 feet, with a floor so 
 insecurely laid that the rattlesnakes could crawl 
 through its cracks and crevices. He broke prairie 
 with live yoke of oxen, so tough -was the sod. 
 There were no near markets or milling places. On 
 one occasion he met a stranger near Lebanon, Ind., 
 who asked him how far he lived from Watseka. 
 " Twenty-five miles," was the answer. "How far 
 from Loda .'" " Twenty-five miles." " From At- 
 tica.'" '-Twenty-five miles." The stranger, think- 
 ing this too much, said: ■' My friend, don't you 
 live about twenty-five miles from any place.'" "I 
 guess so," was the reply. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Finch experienced all the hardships 
 and privations of pioneer life, but a handsome 
 property has rewarded their industrious and per- 
 severing efforts, and in their declining years they 
 are now surrounded with all the comforts that 
 money can procure. Mr. Flinch is a man of ster- 
 ling worth and integrity, whose word is as readily 
 accepted as his bond. Both he and his wife re- 
 ceive the high regard of all, and well deserve men- 
 tion among the honored pioneers and valued citi- 
 zens of the county. 
 
 ILLIAM II. WF:AVEIi, the pioneer pho- 
 tographer of Iroquois County, who erected 
 '^^ the first building for a photograph gallery 
 in the county and occupied it as such in April, 
 1863, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born 
 in New Berlin, Union Country, on Christmas Day 
 of 1834. His parents, M. II. and Phcebe (Town- 
 send) Weaver, were both natives of the Keystone 
 
 y 
 
 State. His father was a prominent lawyer of New 
 Berlin, the countj' seat of Union County, and was 
 also editor of the Union Star, a leading journal of 
 that county'. He was a prominent politician, and 
 for several years held the olHces of Clerk of the 
 Circuit Court and Surveyor of that county. The 
 parents are now deceased. 
 
 Our subject was educated in the public schools 
 of his native town and when large enough to be 
 of use helped his father in survej'ing various parts 
 of Union County. Later, he served an apprentice- 
 ship to the blacksmith's trade in LTnion County, 
 Pa. In 1856, he came to La FXyette, Ind., and f(n- 
 a time was in charge of the machine shops of the 
 Wabash .Valley Railroad near that city. In the 
 spring of 1858, he came to Illinois and began 
 learning portrait work at Prospect City (now Pax- 
 ton), the process then in use being principally am- 
 brotyping on glass. After spending a few months 
 in that place he returned to Indiana in the fall 
 and was employed in the same line of work until. 
 1861. He then returned to Illinois and settled in 
 Milford, Iroquois County. (Opening a gallei'y, he 
 conducted it until April, 1863, when he removed 
 to Watseka and opened the first gallery in this 
 place, erecting a building for the purpose. Since 
 that time he has been in active business here. 
 
 In the fall of 1858, near La Fayette, Ind., Mr. 
 Weaver was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary 
 Ker;-, daughter of John Kerr, of Shawnee Prairie, 
 Ind., where the lady was born. They have had 
 three children, two of whom are yet living: Clara 
 A., the eldest child, was the wife of Ross F. Bell, 
 and died at the age of twenty-seven years, leav- 
 ing one child, Roy W., now seven years old. Will- 
 iam Grant, who married Dina Tibbins, by whom 
 he has one child, Harry Don, a little lad of three 
 years, is Superintendent of a railroad in Silverton, 
 Colo. Adeline, the youngest, is at home. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Weaver is a Republican, and 
 while in Indiana was elected Justice of the I'eace, 
 when twenty-three years of age. On coming to 
 Watseka, he was a candidate for Police Magistrate 
 at the first election held in that village, but was 
 on the weaker side and was not elected. In 1879, 
 he was elected Justice of the Peace in Watseka, 
 was re-elected in 1889, and is now serving in that 
 
PORTRAIT A-Sn BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 
 
 •21: 
 
 dllice. He lias been City Treasurer two terms and 
 is the present City Clerk. He cast his first Re- 
 publican vote in 1856 for Fremont -and Dayton 
 and walked several miles to the pollinu' precinct. 
 Himself and family are nil members of the Meth- 
 odist Church, in which he has been an ollicer since 
 1867. For several years he served as Class-leader, 
 was active in Suday-school work, and for some 
 time held the position of Superintendent. For 
 seventeen years he has been Treasurer of the 
 County Hible Society. He helped to organize the 
 Watseka Camp Meeting Association, of which 
 he has been Secretary from the beginning, some 
 eleven years since. The association's beautiful 
 grounds comprise sixteen acres and lie adjacent to 
 Watseka. 
 
 Mr. Weaver helped to organize the Watseka 
 Building and Loan Association, of which he has 
 been a Director continuously since, while for sev- 
 eral years he served as A'ice-president. He is well 
 up with the times in his art and does the finest 
 of work in all branches of his business. Some years 
 ago, in order to improve his skill, he spent some 
 time in Chicago, taking lessons under the most 
 eminent artist of the counlr\-, I'rof. Hes.sler. 
 
 During his whole life, Mr. Weaver has been an 
 active, bu.sy and temperate man and is well pre- 
 served mentally and i)hysically. Mr. Weaver 
 makes an eflicient City Clerk and is very popu- 
 lar in every public position he holds, for the rea- 
 son that he discharges every dutj^ devolving upon 
 him with ability, promptness and fidelity. 
 
 '• ■ ^- 
 
 I^ON. THOMAS VKNXUM, a banker of the 
 \l)i firm of Donovan A- Vennum of Milford, is 
 iiV^ a pioneer of Iroquois County of 183.5, now 
 'nSI' residing in Watseka but doing business in 
 Milford. Mr. X'ennum is a native of Pennsylvania. 
 He was born in Washington County on Christmas 
 Day of 18:5."i, and is a son of Christopher C. and 
 Rosanna (Paul) Vennum, whose sketch api)ears on 
 another page of this work. In the s|)ringof 18.35, 
 he came to Illinois with his parents, traveling by 
 boat down the Ohio and up the Wal)ash Rivers. 
 
 His father entered Ciovernniunt Itind on >«lii>n I 
 of what is now Milford Townshi|i, Iroipiois County, 
 to which he added by subsecjuent purchase at pri- 
 vate sale, and had at his death some seven hundred 
 acres. 
 
 Our subject was a mere child when he came to 
 Milford and has no recollection of his home in 
 Penn.sylvania or the journey' to Illinois. .\s he 
 became old enough, he was employed on his father's 
 farm In the summer and attended school in the 
 winter lime. When seventeen years of age, he re- 
 turned to Pennsylvania and for one year was a 
 student at Washington College in his native 
 county, after which he attended Asbury I'uiver- 
 sity, now De Pauw University, of (ireencastle, Ind. 
 Returning to Hlinois, he resumed work on his fa- 
 ther's farm until 1856, when, at the age of twenty- 
 three, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and 
 e.x-oflicio Recorder of Iroquois County. He re- 
 moved to Middleport, then the county .scat, and 
 entered upon the discharge of his duties. By his 
 fidelity and promptness, he made many friends and 
 was re-elected in 1860 and 1861, serving 111 all 
 twelve 3'ears in that otlicc. When the county .^eat 
 was changed in 1865 to Watseka, he changed his 
 place of residence to that city, which has since been 
 his home. 
 
 In 1868, on the completion of his third term as 
 Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder, Mr. ^'en- 
 num joined Messrs. John L. Donovan and George 
 A. Woodford in establishing the first bank in 
 Watseka, under the linn name of Donovan, Wood- 
 ford it Co. That connection continued until Oc- 
 tober, 1874, when Mr. Vennum went to Tennessee 
 and for sixteen months was engaged in managing 
 the mining and shipping of coal at Tracy City, on 
 contract with the Tennessee Coal and Railway 
 Company. This business was rather experimental. 
 Not i)roving profitable, the contract was abandoned 
 and he returned to Watseka. In 1 876, in company 
 with John L. Donovan, his former partner, he re- 
 sumed the banking business, opening the first bank 
 in Milford, where they have continued in busi- 
 ness to the present time with marked success. Both 
 have still maintained their i-esidences in Watseka. 
 
 While a resident of Middlei)ort, Mr. \'ennuni 
 was a member of the firm of 11. .\. Tillin<,diast A 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Co., druggists. The business was subsequently 
 transferred to Watseka, and on Dr. Secrest becom- 
 ing a partner the firm name was changed to Se- 
 crest, Tillinghast A Co. Our subject continued tlie 
 silent partner for a number of years, when lie with- 
 drew. 
 
 On the 8th of April. 18C-2, Mr. Vennum w;is 
 married in Detroit. Midi., to Miss Lucia A. TuUar, 
 who was born in Brownsville, Lenawee County, 
 Mich. They have four children living, three sons 
 and a daugiiter: Ella Janet is now the wife of Otis 
 W. Johnson, son of Otis R. Joiinson, the well- 
 known millionaire lumberman of Racine, Wis., and 
 is the business manager of the Fish Bros. & Co. 
 Wagon Works, of which he and his father are the 
 principal stockholders; Irving T. is employed with 
 his father in the Ijank at Milford; Fred D. is a 
 clerk in the First National Bank of Chicago; and 
 Thomas G.,the j'oungest, is now taking a prepara- 
 tory course in Racine College with the view of 
 entering Yale; Mabel, who was the eldest of the 
 family, died in infancy. 
 
 During his term of office as Clerk of the Circuit 
 Court, Mr. Vennum studied law and in 1868 was 
 admitted to the Bar, but, becoming interested in 
 banking and other business, never actually engaged 
 in practice as a profession. On coming of age, he 
 joined the Republican party, of which he has since 
 been a consistent member. lu the fall of 1870, he 
 was elected by that party a Representative to the 
 Illinois Legislature and served as a member of the 
 Twenty-seventh General Assembly in the sessions 
 of 1871-72. He was appointed on the Committees 
 on Finance, Congressional Appointment and Con- 
 tingent Expenses, and proved an efficient and 
 useful member. He was chosen Mayor of Wat- 
 seka, a position he filled to the satisfaction of his 
 fellow-citizens. Socially, he is a member of Iro- 
 quois Lodge No. 74, 1. O. O. F., and his wife is a 
 member of the Presbj-terian Church and the daugh- 
 ter of the Christian Church. 
 
 For fifty-seven years, almost his entire lifetime, 
 Mr. Vennum has been a resident of Iroquois 
 County. His father and grandfather before him 
 were worth}' pioneers of the same couut\-, and 
 their remains lie interred near the site of their 
 cabin home, which was erected when this region 
 
 was a wilderness. Mr. Vennum has lived to par- 
 ticipate in the upbuilding and improvement of 
 the county and to see it a well-settled, highly-im- 
 proved and prosperous section of the State. His 
 business and social relations with his fellow-citi- 
 zens have been extended and intimate; and as 
 county official. Legislator, merchant and banker 
 have ever been such as to command the highest 
 respect and confidence of all with whom he has 
 come in contact. Pos.sessing superior business 
 ability, unquestioned integrity, temperate and in- 
 dustrious habits, he has been eminently successful 
 in his business career. Broad in his views and 
 possessing a generous fund of general information 
 acquired, by study and well-directed observation, 
 united with urbanity of manner and evident can- 
 dor, he is an agreeable and entertaining companion 
 and a true and trustv friend. 
 
 C^^^HOMAS S. HARRY, an early settler of Illi- 
 (rY^S "ois, who- makes his home in Watseka, 
 ^\^^' claims Kentucky as the State of his na- 
 tivity. He was born in Christian County, on the 
 31st of August, 1823, and is a son of Samuel 
 Harry. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, no 
 event of special importance occurring during his 
 childhood. After he had attained to mature jears, 
 he was married on the 2d of October, 1844, in 
 the county of his nativity, to Miss Iiena J., daugh- 
 ter of Ralph Compton, and a native of Chris- 
 tian County, who was born December 11, 1823. 
 
 In 1847, they came to Illinois and settled in Mc- 
 Lean County, where Mr. Harrj' was engaged in 
 farming for a time. He afterward removed to 
 Woodford County, and in the spring of 1865 be- 
 came a resident of Livingston County, locating on 
 a farm near Chatsworlh. By his union with Miss 
 Compton eight children were born, six of whom 
 are yet living at this writing: Eliza A. became 
 the wife of JI. B. Lewis and died in 1872; jMary 
 R. is the wife of W. H. Vreeland and resides in 
 Morris, Iowa; Jesse T. wedded Miss jNIinnie Miller, 
 and makes his home in Montana, near White .Sul- 
 phur Springs; Thomas Milton married Miss Flora 
 

PORTRAIT A>'D BIOORAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 Wriglit, and is living on a farm at I'alisndc, Hilcli- 
 eock County, Neb.; Sanmcl R. wedded Miss 
 Laura T. Vail, of Cliatsworlh, and is engaged in 
 tlio law and abstract business in Watjieka. with his 
 brother, William II., who wedded Miss Marj- A. 
 \'ail, and is the senior member of the firm of 
 Harry Hrothers; Jasper C. married Miss Lillie 
 ISailey, of Kairbury, Livingston County, and re- 
 sides in Lexington, McLean County, III.; Irene, the 
 youngest, died at the age of two years. 
 
 Mr. Marr\- continued to carry on his farm, 
 which is a valuable one of one hundred and sixty 
 acres situated near Chatswortli, until the spring of 
 188.3, when he leased it and removed to Watseka, 
 which h.as since been the home of himself and 
 wife. This worthy couple have been consistent 
 members of the Christian Churcli for many years 
 and are highly- respected by all who know them. 
 Mr. Harrj' was a very enthusiastic Republican in 
 early life, and gave a patriotic support to the 
 war for the Union. He was also a great admirer 
 of Horace Greeley, and in 1872 joined the Greele\- 
 movement and has since voted with the Demo- 
 cratic party. His life has been an active and use- 
 ful one and has been characterized by integrity 
 and those (lualities that command respect and es- 
 teem from the most worthy people of the com- 
 munity where he has resided. 
 
 T~\ LIFORD T. SCOTT, who for many years 
 L>^ followed farming, but is now living retired 
 /J^ I in IMilford, was born in Lawrence County, 
 ^— ^ Ohio, on the 7th of March, 18.30. His par- 
 ents, .lehu and Martha (Templeton) Scott, were 
 both natives of N'irginia, and were reared to man- 
 hood and womanhood in the Old Dominion. By 
 their marriage were born ten children, seven sons 
 and three daughters, and of the family seven are 
 yet living: Perry, the eldest, married Rachel Ann 
 Morcy, a daughter of Carpenter Morey, and resides 
 in Boone County, Iowa. The3- have a family of 
 ileven children. Elizabeth became the wife of 
 • lohn Kcena, of Lawrence County, Ohio, and died 
 in 1888, leaving three children. .Margaret became 
 
 the wife of Cornelius Westfull Sights, a resident of 
 Lawrence County. Ohio, and her death occurred in 
 that count\-. Thomas married Miss Susan Ander- 
 son, and with their six childien they m:ike their 
 home in Davenport, Iowa. M.-itilda is the widow 
 of Andrew ,1. Endsley, who was a prominent citi- 
 zen of Milford, where he died aliout seven years 
 ago, leaving three children. William T. was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss .Martha Hothgib, 
 daughter of George Hothgib, a native of German^-. 
 They reside on n farm five miles south of .Milford 
 with their four children, two sons and two daugh- 
 ters. Rluford T. is the next younger. David 
 married Miss Hanks, and both ai'e now decea.sed. 
 Walter C. married Miss Frances Bumgardner, by 
 whom he has six eliildren, and resides near .Smith- 
 land, in Shelby County, Ind. Theodore, the young- 
 est of the family, married .Jennie Hefner, by whom 
 he has two children, a son and daughter. Thev 
 are now living near Rossville, Vermilion County, 
 III. 
 
 The subject of this sketch spent his early life in 
 the State of his nativity, and after attaining to 
 mature j'ears was married, in December, 18.')4, the 
 lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Bartlett. One 
 child, a son, was born unto them, but died in in- 
 fancy. The mother was called to her final home in 
 .Ian nary, 185(!. Mr. Scott was .again married, on 
 the 2d of July, 18C4, his second union being with 
 Miss Elizabeth Cosb}', a daughter of (ieorge and 
 Mary E. (Stiles) Cosbj-. Four children were borh 
 of this union, of whom three are yet living: Row- 
 ena, born January 17, 18(55; Florence, born in 
 September, 18()7; and Robert, born August 9, 
 1870. Otis, the third child, was born in October, 
 1868, and died on the 7lh of March, 1882. 
 
 The j'ear 18(51 witnessed the arrival of Mr. .Scott 
 in Iroquois County. It w.as in the month of -luly, 
 that he and Daniel C. Anderson purch.ased a farm of 
 two hundred acres in Milford Township, but our 
 suljject soon sold, and in 1869 bought one hundred 
 and twent}- acres in Lovejoy Township, on which he 
 lived fifteen years. There his wife died July 10, 
 1880. On the expiration of that period he sold out 
 and purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy' 
 acres two miles west, and one-half mile south, of 
 Milford. This was in 1881, and for seven years he 
 
218 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOnRAl'lllCAL RECORD. 
 
 made his home thereon, successfullv following agii- 
 cultural pursuits. In December, 1891, he look up 
 his residence in the village of Milford, where he is 
 now living a retired life, enjo.ying a well-earned 
 rest and the fruits of his former labor. When a 
 young man, he worked long and earnestly, and 
 thereby acquired a comfortable competence, which 
 now supplies him with all the necessaries and many 
 of the luxuries of life. Socially, Mr. Scott is a 
 member of Jlilford l>odge No. 2.53. I. (). O. F.. 
 and politically, is a Democrat, lie is highly re- 
 spected by all who know him, for during the thirty 
 years of his residence in Iroquois County his life 
 has ever been such as to win him universal confi- 
 dence. 
 
 1^^ ANFORD K. iMARSTON, who is now living 
 
 ^i^ a retired life, has long been a leading and 
 
 mJ__S) intluential citizen of Onarga. He was born 
 
 the 24tli of February, 1831, in Augusta, 
 
 Me. His grandfather, John Marston, was born in 
 
 Portland, JNIe., December 28, 1773. and married 
 
 Peace Fry, of Cumliei land,Me. Ebenezer Marston, 
 
 father of our subject, vvas also born in the Pine 
 
 Tree State, and wedded Sarah Sanborn Rideout, also 
 
 a native of that State. The}' became the parents of 
 
 four sons: Chester Wood, P)rackett Nelson, Sanford 
 
 K. and FLphraim. The death of the father occurred 
 
 in 1862. His widow long survived him and was 
 
 called to her final rest November 18, 1885. 
 
 Under the parental roof, our subject spent the 
 days of his boyhood. A short time previous to his 
 twenty-first birthday, he married !Miss Sarah Field, 
 a daughter of Benjamin and Harriet (Rideout) 
 Field, their union being celebrated on the 11th of 
 January, 1852. Four years later, in 1856, they 
 emigrated Westward to Illinois, Mr. Marston hop- 
 ing to benefit his financial condition thereby. The 
 following spring, his father came West and to- 
 gether they settled on a farm in what is now Ford 
 County, about six miles west of Onarga. They 
 owned and 0[)eratcd about a half-section of land for 
 seven years. S.inford also purchased forty acres of 
 land on which Onarga is now situated, and of this 
 
 he still owns one-half. He continued to engage in 
 agricultural pursuits until 1863, when he removed 
 to the village of Onarga and for a time engaged 
 in real-estate dealing. He then established a brick 
 yard and built a numbei' of brick business houses 
 in this place. Later he sold out and began dealing 
 in lumber and agricultural implements as a partner 
 of William P. Pierson. After three years he bought 
 out Mr. Pierson's interest and added a new depart- J 
 ment, that of handling grain. He was thus em- 
 ployed until 1884, when he sold out, selling the 
 south elevator to Benjamin H.Durham. He is now 
 living retired, enjoj'ing a well-earned rest. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marston have been born 
 three children: Benjamin, born Angust 21, 1854, 
 died at the age of tvvent3'-one months; Mar}' Au- 
 gusta, born July 8, 1855, is the wife of Robert F. 
 Cummings, of Clifton, and they became the parents 
 of six children, five living: Lenore; Marion Mars- 
 ton; Austin Benjamin, who died at the age of two 
 years; Florence, Irene and Maiston. Harriet Field, 
 born April 16. 1858, is the wife of Milton Doolittle. 
 They reside in Atkinson, Neb., with their three 
 children: Mary Triphenia, Marston and Helen Au- 
 gusta. 
 
 When Mr. Marston located in Ford County he 
 was the prime mover in effecting the organization 
 of the township for school purposes, and his wife 
 taught the first school in Lyman Township in her 
 own house. Mr. Marston informed himself con- 
 cerning the school law, and his services proved of 
 much benefit to the community. After the town- 
 ship w.'is organized he was elected its first Treas- 
 urer and was also its first Supervisor. After re- 
 moving to Onarga, he was elected a member of the 
 first Board of Trustees of Grand Prairie Seminary, 
 .<ind is the only one of the original eighteen who is 
 now holding the office. 
 
 Mr. Marston is now Secretary of the Illinois 
 Grain Merchants' Association, intended for the 
 protection of grain merchants against railroad and 
 other large corporations, unjust legislation, etc. 
 He was a member of the Good Templars' lodge 
 for a |)eriod of six years, and largely through his 
 instrumentality the saloons were driven from this 
 place. The initiatory step was taken by a number 
 of the most prominent ladies of Onarga, who pro- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 -M9 
 
 ceedod witli halcliets and otlier small instruments 
 of warfare in a raid upon the saloons. That was 
 thirty years ago, and since then no saloons have 
 tUiurished in Onarga. IJoth ilr. and Mrs. Marston 
 arc faitliful and consistent members of the Methodist 
 Kjiiscopal Church, in which he holds the otKce of 
 Trustee. He was one of the original members of 
 ■ the Republican party, but is now independent in 
 politics, placing America and her institutions be- 
 fore any party. He votes for the man whom he 
 thinks best qualified to fill the oftlce. He is a public- 
 spirited and progressive citizen who takes a com- 
 mendable interest in everything pertaining to the 
 welfare of the community, and no man h.is done 
 more for Onarga and its upbuilding than Mr. 
 Marstou. His life has been well and worthily spent 
 and his example is worthy of emulation in many 
 lespeets. 
 
 s^ EELY HETFIELD, a prominent farmer 
 and stock-raiser of AV^at«eka, was born in 
 Lyi Crawford County, 111., October 28, 1821, 
 being the son of Adam S. and Harriet 
 (Miller) Hetfield, both of whom were natives of 
 the Empire State. The father of our subject was 
 a soldier in the AVar of 1812, and took part ui the 
 battle of Lundy's Lane. He took a most active 
 part in all the campaigns of that war, being in 
 Ripley's command. After his discharge, in com- 
 pany with John Bartlett, a comrade in the service, 
 he made a trip down the Monongahela and Ohio 
 Rivers to Evansville, Ind., whence they went 
 to Ft. Harrison on the Wabash River, and from 
 tliere to Ft. Wayne, returning home from that 
 place. Pleased with what he had seen of the 
 West, he and his brother Aaron concluded to re- 
 move there and at first settled in Crawford County, 
 111. The countiy was then ver}' new and unoccu- 
 pied, there being about as many Indians as white 
 men in those parts. 'I'hey made frequent trips 
 during the next few years to Xew Orleans, where 
 their market was. Adam Hetfield lived in Craw- 
 ford County for nine years, enduring all the hard- 
 ships and privations of pioneer life. He next re- 
 
 moved to I'ouutain County, Ind., and resided llicre 
 during the remainder of his life, his death occur- 
 ring in 1839. 
 
 Our subject was the seomd child in a family of 
 live cliildren, and received such educational ad- 
 vantages as vrnvc afforded by the common schools 
 of Fountain County. At tliat time, schools were far 
 apart and there was only a three-month term during 
 the year. He had to go a distance of from two to 
 four miles, riding when he went the latter dis- 
 tance back and forth e.ich day during the time of his 
 school attendance. At the time of his father's 
 death, he was but seventeen jears of age and he 
 succeeded to the management of the farm, taking 
 entire charge of the same until his mother's death, 
 in 1848. Two years later, he came to Iroquois 
 Countv, and in 18r)l purchased a farm. Since 
 that time, his home has been in this county. 
 
 The same year, on the 11th of August, Mr. 
 Hetfield was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca 
 White, whose father, Amos White, was a native of 
 New .Tersev and an earl^' settler of this county. 
 To i\Ir. and Mrs. Hetfield have been born four chil- 
 dren; the eldest, Carrie, now Mrs. B. E. Euans, 
 resides at Colorado Springs, Colo., at which ])lace 
 her husband is physician in chief at the branch 
 Keeley Institute. The other I'liildren are Ada, 
 Ilattie and Delia. 
 
 In his early manhood, Mr. Hetfield w-as politi- 
 cally a Whig, his first Presidential vote being cast 
 for Henry Clay. He continued in that party 
 until Douglas was nominated for President, and 
 since that time has been a supporter of the Demo- 
 cratic party. He is a public-spirited man, who 
 endeavors to promote, with all his power, the best 
 interests of the communitj- in which he resides, 
 and is a zealous worker in all directions pertain- 
 ing to the advancement of its w'elfare. Recog- 
 nizing this, his fellow-townsmen elected him 
 Ma^'or of Wat-seka, which position he occupied for 
 two terms, discharging the duties of that ollice 
 most acceptabl3". He h.as been ver}' successful in 
 business and now owns over five hundred acres of 
 j the finest farming lands in the county, besides 
 I various other business interests. His residence is 
 I one of the most comfortable and pleasant homes 
 in the town of Watseka, and its hos[)itality is ex- 
 
2-20 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tended to a wide circle of friends. Mr. lletfield 
 
 has followed the occupation of farming and stock- 
 raising nearly all his life, and for years carried on 
 an extensive Imsiness in shipping cattle from 
 Texas to the northern markets. 
 
 OSEPII M. KEATll, wlio is engaged in gen- 
 eral farming on section 5, Milford Town- 
 ship, was born on the 1 1th of Hay, 1858, in 
 Boone County, Ind., and is a son of Ih-iali 
 Y. and Nancy (Carrington) Kcath. His father 
 was a native of Kentucky, and in an early day 
 emigrated to Indiana, where he met and married 
 Miss Carrington, a native of that State. In I860, 
 when our suliject was only two years of age, they 
 came to Illinois and settled on a farm in Ash 
 Grove Township, Iroquois County, comprising 
 eighty acres, to the cultivation and improvement 
 of which Mr. Keath devoted his energies foi- a 
 period of fifteen years. He then removed to Bel- 
 mont Township, where he and his wife now reside. 
 He is a leading agriculturist of the community, 
 and both himself and wife arc highly respected 
 people. 
 
 Our subject is one of nine children, but of the 
 family Addison, Matilda, William and Nannie are 
 deceased. Those living are Joseph, Edward, 
 Aaron, Cornelius and Mary. Edward married 
 Virginia Bode_v, daughter of Frank Bodey, of Bel- 
 mont Township; they have two little children, a 
 son and a daughter. The other children are still 
 at home. 
 
 The subject of this sketch has spent almost his 
 entire life in Iroquois County. Uiion his father's 
 farm he was reared to manhood, and as soon as old 
 enough to handle the plow, he began to aid in its 
 cultivation. During the winter months, when the 
 work upon the farm was over, he attended tlie 
 public schools, where he acquired a good English 
 education. Mr. Kcath is a well-informed man, 
 having become conversant with all topics of gen- 
 eral interest by reading and observation. 
 
 A marriage ceremony performed on the 7th of 
 October, 1880, united the destinies of Joseph M. 
 
 Keath and Miss Jennie Smith. Their union has 
 been blessed with a family of five children, four of 
 whom are yet living, namely: Mearle, born July 
 10, 1881; Ethel, December 4, 1883; Homer, June 
 4, 1886; and Clarence, March 13, 1890. Earl, 
 boi-n on the 15th of September, 1888, died in 
 infancy. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Keath began their domestic life 
 upon a rented farm in Milford Township, where 
 they resided for nine years, and then removed to 
 their present place of residence. Both are members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a thrifty 
 and successful agriculturist, and his industry per- 
 severance and good management have secured him 
 a good ill-come. lie is a Republican, but has 
 never taken a very prominent part in public affairs, 
 having lived a quiet, unassuming and honorable 
 life, which has won him universal regard. Those 
 who have known him from boyhood are among his 
 stanchest friends, a fact which indicates an honor- 
 able career. 
 
 Sy^^REDERICK W. MEYER is one of the prom- 
 jlW^ inent and enterprising business men of 
 jL\ Wood worth. He lias for man}^ years served 
 
 as its efficient and popular Postmaster, and is also 
 engaged in general merchandising. He established 
 business in this line about 1875. As his capital 
 consisted of only aliout S425, he started with a 
 small stock, but as his trade has increa.sed he has 
 constantly enlarged his stock to meet the growing 
 demand, and now occupies a store 24x73 feet. It 
 is well supplied with everything in the line of 
 general merchandise and he is doing a good busi- 
 ness, having by his courteous treatment and fair 
 dealing built up an excellent trade. His annual 
 sales now amount to about § 18,000. 
 
 Mr. Meyer was born in Rii)ley County, Ind., 
 April 25, 1853, and is a son of John D. and Eliza- 
 beth (Huffmeyer) Meyer. His father was born 
 near Osnabruck, Germany, September 29, 1829, 
 and ills mother was born in JMinden, Germany. 
 At the age of nineteen, John Meyer emigrated to 
 America, locating first in Cincinnati, where he 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 221 
 
 li'arnod the trade of a mason, following that occu- 
 pation two years. lie then removed to Jit. Ple.is- 
 ant, Ohio, and subseciiiently to Batesville, Ind., 
 where he engaged in farming. In 1857, he came 
 to Will County-, 111., where from the wild prairie 
 lie developed a farm, on which he still makes his 
 home. The mother of our subject died when he 
 was fifteen years of age, leaving eight children, 
 live of whom are now living: .John V.. a resident 
 (.f Will County, 111.; Frederick of this sketch; 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Wagner, who is living in Engle- 
 wood. 111.; August V., a farmer of Ash Grove 
 Township; and Anna, wife of W. II. Seheiwe, of 
 Will County. After the death of his first wife, 
 Mr. Meyer married Anna Salmon, and unto them 
 were born nine children. He and his family are 
 members of the Lutheran Church. He formerly 
 supported the He[)ublican party, but is now a 
 Democrat. His father resides with him and is 
 now ninety-two years of age, but his mental fac- 
 ulties are still unimpaired. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 .subject, who was reared in Will Countv amid the 
 wild scenes of frontier life. At the age of thir- 
 teen, he left home to attend school in Ft. Wayne, 
 Ind., and for five years was a student in Concordia 
 College, but was forced to abandon his studies on 
 account of typhoid fever, which affected his eye- 
 sight. Reading in subsequent years, combined 
 with his school privileges, has made him a well- 
 informed man, and he always keeps posted on the 
 current topics of the day. 
 
 On the liUh of December, 187.5, Mr. Meyer was 
 married to .Aliss JIary Lucke, daughter of August 
 Lucke, one of the earl^- settlers of this county. 
 Eight children have been born unto them, as fol- 
 lows: Mary, born April 11. 1877; Fred, December 
 17, 1878; .\una, November 17, 1880; William, 
 .January 1.3, 1883; Freda, May 12, 1885; Clara, 
 November 21, 1887; Helena, April 14, 1890; and 
 the baby, October 1, 1892. The children were 
 born in their present home and are being educated 
 in the public and (Tcrman parochial schools. 
 
 Mr. Meyer entered upon his business career at 
 the age of twenty, being employed as clerk in a 
 store in Crete. He afterward served in the same 
 rapacity in Chicago, and at the age of twenty-two 
 
 began business for himself in Woudworth. He i.s 
 a man of good business ability, enterprising and 
 progressive, and his career has been a successful 
 one. Himself and family are members of the 
 Lutheran Church, and he is Secretary of the con- 
 gregation. He took a prominent part in the build- 
 ing of the house of worship, of which he h.as ever 
 been a liberal supporter. He cast his first Presi- 
 dential vote for Samuel .1. Tilden, but has since 
 been identified with the Republican party. He 
 held the office of Township Clerk for two years, 
 and since 1876 has been the efficient Postmaster 
 oC Woodwoith. IMr. Meyer well deserves the high 
 regard in which he is held, for he is a man of 
 sterling worth and integritv. 
 
 !-=*=-^ / 
 
 g^TL^^ENRY W. NORTON. Among the wide- 
 J, awake and enterprising business men of 
 Wellington should be mentioned the gen- 
 V^j tleraan whose name heads this sketch, who 
 for man 3' j'ears has been connected with the lead- 
 ing interests of this place. He is the junior member 
 of the well-known firm of Pate i^' Norton, grain 
 dealers. 
 
 Mr. Norton was born on the 1st of March, 1852, 
 in this State, and is a son of Charles and Ursula 
 (Smith) Norton. On the maternal side he traces 
 his ancestrj' b.ack to Rev. Henry Dunster, who was 
 the first President of Harvard College. From a 
 memoir of that gentleman the following is quoted: 
 "The name Dunster signifies a dweller upon a dun 
 or down, and is of Saxon origin. There is a mar- 
 ket town in .Somersetshire, England, and a castle 
 there by tliat name, hence the origin of the family 
 crest: 'Dunster, out of the top of a tower, ar, an 
 arm emboss, vested gri, cuffed of the first, holding 
 a tilting spear, sa.' Rev. Henry Dunster was born 
 about KilO, and arrived in Hoston toward the lat- 
 ter part of the summer of 1610. For a time he 
 resided on his own estate, at what is now the north- 
 east corner of Court and Washington Streets. 
 His reputation as an eminent scholar had evidently- 
 preceded him, foi- immediately upon his arrival he 
 
222 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 was waited on by the Governor, Magistrates, Eld- 
 ers and ministers and was asked to remove to Cam- 
 bridge and assume the presidency of the college, a 
 position which lie filled through much of his life, 
 lie was a finished scholar in the Hebrew, Greek 
 and Latin languages. Thus fitted by education 
 and by several years' experience as a teacher, he 
 entered upon the work of organizing and conduct- 
 ing the college affairs. Harvar<l had been estab- 
 lished several years before hut was little else than 
 an advanced school. Quincy, Pierce and Elliott, 
 the modern historians of Harvard College, have 
 recoided their testimonials as to the purity and 
 nobility of his character and his great success in 
 both the executive and the teacjhing departments 
 of the college. Rev. Shepherd, the pastor at Cam- 
 bridge, calls him, 'a man, pious, faithful and fit to 
 teach and very fit to lay the foundations of the 
 domestical affairs of the college.' " 
 
 The grandmother of our subject, Eliza ISemis, 
 was of the sixth generation in direct descent from 
 Rev. Henry Dunster. She was born August 3, 
 1804, and on the 19th of December, 1822, became 
 the wife of Lorin Smith, of Monkton, Yt. They 
 removed to Illinois in 1848. They had six chil- 
 dren, two sons and four daughters. Both sons 
 died when young. Of the daughters, Ursula, the 
 mother of our subject, was the third in order of 
 birth. She married Charles Norton, a ^'ermont 
 farmer. He was a native of the Green Mountain 
 State and followed agricultural pursuits for some 
 years, but has for many years been engaged in the 
 grain business in Wataga.Knox Count}", 111. Both 
 parents are still living. They had three children, 
 the eldest of whom is our subject. .Jennie is now 
 the wife of H. S. Magraw,a book-keeper of Helena, 
 Mont. Ilerrick is a telegraph operator on the 
 Santa Fe Railroad at Galesburg, 111. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of II. W. 
 Norton, whose boyhood days were si)ent in Knox 
 Countv, 111., he there residing until nineteen \cars 
 of age. His educational advantages were those 
 afforded by the common schools, and by subsequent 
 reading, observation and experience he has become 
 a well-informed man, and keeps posted on all the 
 current events of the d.ay. Aft^r starting out in 
 life for himself, he worked for the Chicago, Bur- 
 
 lington (fe Quinc3' Railroad for about two years. 
 In 1871, he left Knox County and removed to 
 Stark County, where he was again in the employ 
 of the Chicago, Burlington it Quincy Railroad, re- 
 maining with that company for a period of six 
 vears. His long continuance with that corpora- 
 tion shows that he was faithful to the duties re- 
 [losed in him, and had the full confidence of his 
 emploj'ers. It was the autumn of 1878 that wit- 
 nessed Mr. Norton's arrival in Wellington. Here 
 he entered into partnership with S. C. Jack & Co., 
 in the grain business, remaining a member of that 
 firm until he formed the present partnership with 
 Alexander Pate, their association covering a period 
 of ten consecutive years. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Norton is a Demo- 
 crat, and his first Presidential vote was cast for 
 Gen. W. S. Hancock. During President Cleve- 
 land's administration he served as Postmaster of 
 Wellington. Socially, he is a member of the Ma- 
 sonic fraternity, belonging to Star Lodge No. 709 
 A. F. ct A. M.; Chapter No. 139, R. A. M.; and 
 Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T.,of Paxton. 
 During his long residence in Wellington he has 
 become widely and favorably known, and his many 
 excellencies of character have won for him the 
 warm regard of a large circle of friends and ac- 
 quaintances. By strict business principles and fair 
 dealing he has gained the confidence and good- 
 will of his many patrons, and has achieved a well- 
 merited success. He is numbered among the sub- 
 stantial citizens of the coramunitv. 
 
 ENRY KOKITZ, one of the self-made men 
 |i of Iroquois County, is a well-known farmer 
 and stock-raiser of Ridgeland Township. 
 He claims German 3' as the land of his birth, 
 having been born near Hesse-Cassel June 16, 1838, 
 and is a son of Christopher and Mary Koritz. 
 Tlie family- of this worthy couple numbered live 
 children, as follows: Conrad, who died in 18.50; 
 Christopher, who is still living in Germany; 
 Catherine, the wife of Christopher Pinkenburg, 
 also a resident of the Fatherland; Sophia, who 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 •223 
 
 liecame the wife of Ilenrv Pinkcnburg, anrl died in 
 1882; and our subject. 
 
 The sul)ject of this slietcli is tlio youngest in tiie 
 family. lie was reared to inanliood in liis native 
 land and his education was acquired in the public 
 schools, which he attended until fourteen years of 
 age. At the age of sixteen, he began earning his 
 own livelihood. He learned the weaver's trade, 
 which he followed for a number of 3'ears, or until 
 his emigration to America, in 1858. Wishing to 
 try his fortune in the New World, of whose ad- 
 vantages he had heard so much, he crossed the 
 Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of 
 five weeks landed in New York City on the 4th of 
 .Tul}-, 1858. He did not remain long in the eastern 
 metropolis, but at once journeyed Westward to 
 Chicago, and thence went to Crete, Will County, 
 111. He had borrowed money to bring him to 
 America and liad again to borrow in Chicago 
 to bring hira to Crete. He began work on a farm 
 at $8 per month, and was thus emplo^-ed for a 
 period of five 3ears, after wliich he rented land 
 for two jears and engaged in farming on his own 
 .account. 
 
 In the meantime, Mr. Koritz was married, .June 
 18, 1862, to Miss Anna tirod, daughter of John 
 Henry and Elizabeth (irod. I5y their union has 
 been born eight children, as follows: Ilenr}-, who 
 is now engaged in Ridgeland Township; Klizabeth, 
 wife of Russell Chaffey, a resident farmer of Ford 
 County; John and Otto, both at home; Mary, 
 wife of James Zee; Carl, Alfred and Anios, who 
 loniplete the family. 
 
 It w.as in 18G5 that Sir. Koritz remuved to this 
 county. He located in Ridgeland Township, and 
 purchased eighty .acres of railroad land at ^12 per 
 acre. There were no improvements whatever 
 upon the place, not a field having been planted or 
 even a furrow turned. He at once began the de- 
 velopment of this land, which he continued to 
 operate until 1880, when he removed to the beau- 
 tiful farm on which he now resides. Mr. Koritz is 
 one of the extensive land-owners of the commu- 
 nity, and in addition to the five hundred and 
 sixty acres of land on which he makes his home, 
 all situated in Ridgeland Township, he owns one 
 liundred and sixty acres in Fo|-d County, A 
 
 glance at his farm indicaio inc iiirin ;in(i enter- 
 prise of the owner. His fields arc well tilled, and 
 yield to him abundant harvests; there are good 
 buildings and the place seems comi)lete in all its 
 appointments. In connection with the cultivation 
 of his land, Mr. Korilz carries on stock-raising, 
 making a specialty of the breeding of Poih'<l- 
 Angus cattle. 
 
 Mr. Koritz and his family arc ail members of 
 the German Lutheran Church, and they are well- 
 known people of this community, who rank high 
 in social circles. In his political alllliations, our 
 subject is a Democrat, but has never been an otlice- 
 seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention 
 to his business interests, in wliicli he has met with 
 excellent success, owing to his perseverance and 
 well-directed energies, lie is one of the leading 
 and substantial farmers of the community, and 
 well deserves representation in the history of his 
 adopted county. 
 
 IIJJA.M ^llSt 11, who is engaged in gen- 
 ^yjii eral merchandising in Milford and is a 
 yW prominent business man of that place, 
 was born in Russo, (iermany, Sei)tember 20, 1852. 
 His grandfather. Christian Misch, was ninety 
 years of age at the time of his death. The parents 
 of our subject, August and Fredericka (Schultz) 
 Misch, were iioth natives of (Germany. Emigrat- 
 ing to America, they became residents of Iroquois 
 County, where the father died in February, 1886. 
 The mother is still living, and makes her home in 
 Jlilford. Their family numbered seven children, 
 as follows: August, born in (iermany, in October, 
 18511, married Mrs. Aldret Gray, daughter of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Northrop, and lost his life while miniifg 
 in Rico, Colo., May 21, 1892. William, of this 
 sketch, is the next younger. Minnie, born in 
 1854, is the wife of Isaac N. .Strickler, a lesident 
 of Anselmo, near Broken I>ow, Custer County, 
 Neb. They have five children: Cora, Willie, Min- 
 nie, Henry and a baby. Rachael, who w.as born in 
 1856, is the wife of Joseph A'essels, also a. resident 
 of Anselmo, Neb. l'"our children have been born 
 
22.1 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of their union. Augusta, bora in 1858, is tiie 
 wife of .Jolin C. Miller, by whom she lias a daugli- 
 ter. Eva. Louis, wlio was horn in 18G3, niairicd 
 Disa McINIiilan, a sister of iiis brotlier VVilliam's 
 wife, and they iiave a little son about eiirhleen 
 months old. Dora, the youngest child, resides in 
 Milford with her mother. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who with his motlu^r, brothers and sisters 
 came to America in childhood. The father had 
 previously crossed the Atlantic, in 1859, and after 
 a short residence ui the Empire State, removed to 
 Illinois in 18(;2, making a permanent settlement 
 in Iroquois County. Here the children were all 
 reared to years of maturity. William acquired his 
 education in the common schools, and received 
 his business training in the store of Joseph Flech- 
 man, where he was engaged in clerking for four 
 years. He was afterward employed as a salesman 
 in the store of Daniel Fay, of AVatseka, for a 
 period of six years. On the expiration of that 
 time he returned to Milford and purchased the 
 grocery store owned by John A. Holmes. With 
 the assistance of his brother Louis, he carried on 
 that store for a year, and then admitted to ])art- 
 nership F. W. Diuyee, and put in a stock of 
 general merchandise. After a j'ear he bouglit out 
 his partner's interest, and since that time lias con- 
 ducted the business alone. 
 
 An important event in the life of Mr. Misch 
 occurred on the 28th of December, 1881, when he 
 led to the marriage altar Miss Ruby McMillin, 
 daughter of Reason II. and Martha McMillin, resi- 
 dents of Danville, 111. One child graces their 
 union, a daughter, Maud McMillin, who was born 
 March 1, 1880. 
 
 Mr. Misch is numbered among the prominent 
 and influential citizens of this community, as well 
 as one of its leading business men. He was 
 honored with the office of Alderman for two 
 terms, was also Treasurer of Milford, and in 1891) 
 was President of the School Board. The cause of 
 education has ever found in him a warm friend, 
 and during his connection with the School Board 
 he did much for its advancement. Himself and 
 wife are members of the Christian Church, in 
 which he fills the uBice of Deacon and Trustee, 
 
 They both take an active interest in church work, 
 and are earnest laborers in the Master's vineyard. 
 In his social relations, Mr. Misch is an Odd Fel- 
 low, holding menihershi|) with Farmers' Lodge No. 
 2.53, I. O. O. F. 
 
 Our subject is an enterprising and sagacious 
 man, and his business lias grown from a small be- 
 ginning until he now has one of the largest stores 
 in the county. He carries a full and complete 
 stock, and by his industrious efforts, courteous 
 treatment of his customers, and fair and honest 
 dealing, he has secured a good trade. His mercan- 
 tile career he has conducted upon honest business 
 principles, depending on his own energies, judg- 
 ment and straightforward dealing for success, and 
 the liberal patronage which he now receives is cer- 
 tainly well deserved. 
 
 RANK L. HOOPER, the junior member of 
 the well-known law firm of Morris ct 
 Hooper, of Watseka, and a rising young 
 lawyer of that city, is a native of Iroquois County. 
 He was born in Belmont Township on the 21st of 
 April, 1864. His parents, John B. and Sarah M. 
 (Ilarter) Hooper, were early settlers of Iroquois 
 County, and a sketch of their lives is given else- 
 where in this work. 
 
 In 1871, Frank L. removed with his parents 
 to Danville, III., where he attended the Dan- 
 ville High School, and later read law with Trac}' 
 B. Harris, of Watseka. He subsequently took a 
 full l;iw course in the University of Michigan, at 
 Ann Arbor, from which ho was graduated. He 
 w.as admitted to the Bar when twenty-one years of 
 age, and in that same year he formed a law part- 
 nersliip with T. B. Harris, and entered upon the 
 jiractice of his profession at Watseka. That con- 
 nection continued until broken by the death of 
 Mr. Harris. In January, 1891, our subject formed 
 the existing law partnership with the Hon. FVee P. 
 Morris, under the firm name of Morris k Hooper. 
 
 On the 29tli of September, 1891, Mr. Hooper 
 was united in marriage iu Watspka vvith Miss 
 
'^ . J. ^^^^^--- 
 
■^ 
 
 j:<^ 
 
rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 
 
 220 
 
 (irace WillouglibN-. Tlie lady was lioin in Wat- 
 seka,aiid is a daujijlitcr of Aaron and Nancy Wil- 
 lon<jlibv, wlio were anionii' the early settlers of 
 this place. 
 
 In politics, .Mr. Hooper is a Democrat. He has 
 never held a i)oIitical office. For four years he 
 was attorney' for the city of AVatseka. but accepted 
 the position only for the reason that it was in the 
 line of his chosen jn-ofession. He was a candidate 
 for State's Attorney in 1888, and, al.tliough de- 
 fe:itcd, ran about four hundred votes ahead of his 
 ticket. Tlie linn of Morris it Hooper are proprie- 
 tors of the Watseka Electric Light plant, and are 
 interested in farm lands situated in Iro<iuois 
 County. Mr. Hooper is a Master Mason, holding 
 membership with Watscka Lodge No. 446, A. F. 
 iV A. M. He has made his home in AVatseka since 
 lf<Hl,and has been in theactiveand successful prac- 
 tice of his profession for the past seven years. He 
 is a thorough student, jmssesses superior natural 
 legal talent, and is rapidl3' gaining prominence as 
 a successful lawyer. The firm of which he is a 
 member has an extensive practice and is classed 
 among the more important law firms of Eastern 
 Illinois. 
 
 :REDKHICK .^. FHAZEE. 
 
 a rcpresenta- 
 
 j-Htey^ five farmer of Ridgeland Township, resid- 
 /l|j ing on section 1.5, where he has made his 
 
 Injnic for the long period of twent3' consecutive 
 years. He there owns and operates two hundred 
 and forty acres of aiable land, which is under a 
 high state of cultivation and wcll-inii)roved. He 
 carries on general farming and stock-raising and 
 is recognized as a successful business man. He is 
 methodical and systematic, practical and progress- 
 ive and success has attended his well-directed 
 efforts. 
 
 The life record of our subject is .as follows: A 
 native of New Jersey, he was born in Newark on 
 the 4th of February-, 18.30. His parents were 
 Turner and ^L-xrtlia (Meeker) Frazee. His father 
 was also a native of New .Jersey, and was of French 
 descent, l.y trade he was a shoemaker. In 18.38, 
 
 K.I 
 
 he removed to Wjnren County, Ohio, where here- 
 sided for nineteen years, when, in 18a7, he came to 
 Illinois. He took up his residence in Rfdgeland 
 Township, lioquois County, uiion a forty-acre 
 tr.act of land on section 7, which he purchased 
 from his son William, who pre-empted it from the 
 Government. To the occupation of fai-iiiing he 
 devoted his energies throughout the remainder of 
 his life. His death occurred in 1881, and his wife 
 passed away the year previous. Both were mem- 
 bers of the r.aptist Church. The family of this 
 worthy couple numbered ten children, .is follows: 
 Mary, who died in 183(;; ' William, a valiant sol- 
 dier of Company D, One Hunclred and Thirteenth 
 Illinois Lifantry, died in 181)1 at Cam]) Uutier, 
 Springfield, from disease contracted in the Y'azoo 
 Bottoms near A'icksburg, Miss., having served over 
 two years; Aaron, a farmer and blacksmith resid- 
 ing near Franklin, Warren County. Ohio; Fred- 
 erick, who was a twin brother of Aaron and died 
 in infancy; .lames, who enlisted for the late war in 
 August, 18G2, .served over a year :is a private of 
 Comi)any D. One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois 
 Infantr}', and is now engaged in farming in Mich- 
 igan; Sarah E., who died in 18,50; .Julia, wife of 
 .John McMillan, a farmer residing near Chats- 
 worth, Livingston County, 111.; Lewis I)., who is 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ridgeland 
 Township; and .lohn T.. also a farmer residing in 
 Ridgeland Towushii). 
 
 Our subject spent the first eight jears of his life 
 in the city of Newark, N. .L, and in Essex County, 
 and then accomiianied the family on their removal 
 to Ohio, after which he was reared to manhood 
 upon a farm. The common schools afforded him 
 his educational privileges and he remained at home 
 with his parents until he had attained his m.ajor- 
 ity, when he started out to earn his own liveli- 
 hood. This he did b^' workinj; for a year as a 
 farm hand at $(> per month. He then operated a 
 farm on shares until 18.5r), when he left the 
 Buckevc State and came to Iroquois County, III. 
 Here he purch.ased eighty acres of railroad land on 
 section 18, Ridgeland Township, making his home 
 thereon, until 1872, when he leased one hundred 
 and sixty acres of land on section 1.5, for eleven 
 y(>ars. ( In llie cxpiratiun of the lease he purchased 
 
230 
 
 JfOETRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the same, and since that time lie has extended the 
 boundaries of his farm until now two hundred and 
 forty acres of rich land yield to him a golden 
 tribute in return for his care and cultivation. 
 
 On tiie 19th of November, 1868, Mr. Frazee mar- 
 ried Miss Ellen, daughter of John and Mary 
 (Bowron) Furby. Mrs. Frazee was born July 15, 
 1843, in Darlington. County of Durham, England. 
 Iler father was born at Reading, Berkshire, Eng- 
 land, and her mother in Durham. In 1857, they 
 sailed with their family of children to America. 
 The first ten years were spent in Raysville, Henry 
 County, Ind. In 1867, they came to Ridgeland 
 Township, where the wife died in February, 1870, 
 being fifty-seven years old. Since 1880, her lius- 
 band has made his home in Atlanta, Ga. Should 
 he live till February .'5, 1893, he will be eighty years 
 old. All his children, six girls and two bo3's, are 
 living. In England Mr. Furby was a merchant, 
 in Indiana he followed the nurserj- business, and 
 after coming to Illinois he farmed. By this union 
 have been born six children, three sons and three 
 daughters: Arthur, Louise, Edith, Clara, John and 
 Frederick. Edith is now engaged in teaching 
 school. The family is well known in this com- 
 munity, and its members rank high in the social 
 circles in which they move. 
 
 Mr. Frazee manifested his loyalty to the (iov- 
 ernment during the late war by responding to the 
 call for troops. He enlisted on the Cth of August, 
 1862, as a private of Compan3- D, One Hundred 
 and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and was mus- 
 tered into service at Chicago. He went from there 
 to Cairo and thence down the Mississippi River to 
 Memphis, Tenn., and on to Mcksburg, where he 
 served as guard on a Government boat. He after- 
 ward was engaged in guarding prisoners which 
 were sent to Springlield, 111., and was camp guard 
 in that city until 1864, when he went South to 
 Memphis, Tenn., with the troops. He participated 
 in the battle of Guntown, Miss., on the 10th of 
 June, 1864, and was shot in the lower jaw on the 
 right side by a minie-ball, which carried away two 
 inches of the bone, then passed through his neck. 
 He was taken to Overton Hospital, where he re- 
 mained until 1865. Ere his discharge he was pro- 
 niiilcil to tlic r;iiik of f 'nrpnrnl. When the war 
 
 was over and the country no longer needed his 
 services, he was mustered out as one of the valiant 
 soldiers who had faithfully defended the Union in 
 its hour of peril. He is now a member of W. A. 
 Babcock Post No. 416, G. A. R., of Onarga, and 
 in politics is a stanch Republican, warmly advo- 
 cating the principles of that part}-. He has held 
 the oHices of Road Commissioner and School 
 Trustee. In religious belief he, his wife and three 
 oldest children are Baptists, holding membership 
 with the church in Gilman. He is alike true to 
 every public and private trust and the county 
 numbers him among its valued citizens. 
 
 l>^^-<^ 
 
 &0N. F'REE P. MORRIS, senior member of 
 , the firm of Morris & Hooper, of Watseka,a 
 leading law firm of Iroquois Count}', was 
 ^ born in the town of Bloom, Cook County, 
 III., on the 19th of March, 1854, and is a son of 
 Charles and Sarah (Thomas) Morris. His father 
 was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1820. In his 
 native State he married Miss Sarah Thomas, who 
 was born in Wilkes Barre, Pa. lie engaged in the 
 coal business in the East, and in 1849 came with 
 his family to Illinois, locating on a farm in Cook 
 County. His death occurred in 1882. Mrs. Morris 
 survives her husband, and is now residing in Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Free P. Morris attended school in Blue Island, 
 and afterward was a student in the Chicago High 
 School. Following this he entered the Union 
 Law School of the Northwestern University, of 
 Evanston, and was graduated in the Class of '71. 
 He subsequentljr read law under the preceptorship 
 of T. S. McClelland, a distinguished lawyer of Chi- 
 cago, and in 1874 was admitted to the Bar before 
 the Supreme Court of Illinois at Ottawa. He at 
 once established himself in practice at Watseka, 
 soon becoming a prominent member of the 
 Iroquois County Bar. Not long afterward he 
 formed a law partnership with Robert Doyle, of 
 that place, which connection continued until 1888, 
 when Mr. Doyle retired from practice. 
 
 On the 13th of June, 1881, Mr. Morris was mar- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 231 
 
 ried in Saguaclie, Colo., to Miss Minnie Lott, who 
 was horn in Ottawa, III., and is a daughter of 
 Andrew 1'. and Maria A. Lott. They liave one 
 child, a son, Eugene, wlio was born in Wat^eka in 
 July, 1887. 
 
 In politics, Mr. INIorris is a Democrat, and is 
 prominent in the councils of his party, having 
 served at various times .is a delegate to State and 
 congressional conventions. He has been a mem- 
 ber of tlie Watseka Board of Education a number 
 of years. In 1884 he w.as elected to the Jllin<jis 
 Legislature as a member of the Tliirty-fourth Gen- 
 eral Assembly, and served on the Committees on 
 Judiciarj-, Education and Railroads, and was Chair- 
 man of the Committee on Federal Relations. In 
 1888, he was elected to the Thirt3--sixtli General 
 Assemblj-, and wjis appointed on the committee on 
 Judiciary, Public Charities, Railroads, Education, 
 Military Affairs and License, and was also a mem- 
 lier of the Conference Committee of that session, 
 and did good service on all. In 1891 lie declined 
 accepting the nomination of his party for Judge 
 of the Circuit Court. In 1892 he was a prominent 
 candidate before the Democratic State Convention 
 for Attorney-General, and lost the nomination 
 tlirougli a question of expediency, it being thought 
 desirable to give the place on the ticket to a 
 representative of a certain nationality. This con- 
 dition, ^Ir. Morris, by an unfortunate circum- 
 stance of birth, was unal)le to fulfill, although it is 
 said of him that on a certain memorable occasion 
 in Judge Blade's court, he exhibited in his lan- 
 guage such a marked accent of the required nation- 
 ality, that he was reproved b^' the court, and barelj' 
 escaped a fine for contempt of court. Had our sub- 
 ject addressed tlie late State convention in as 
 broad an accent as he displayed on the occasion al- 
 luded to, no doubt he would have been nominated 
 by acclamation. Mr. Morris was nominated tiy 
 the Senatorial Convention of the Sixteenth Dis- 
 trict, in June, 1892, for Member of the Thirty- 
 eighth General Assembly. The nomination was 
 made without his knowledge, he not having been 
 a candidate. 
 
 For eighteen years Mr. Morris has been in active 
 l>r.ictice in the local and State courts of Illinois, 
 has met with marked success, and hiis built up ••in 
 
 extensive and lucrative business. He is attorney 
 for two important railway corporations, that of 
 the Chicago it Eastern Illinois and the -'Big Four." 
 The existing partnership with Mr. Hooper was 
 formed in 1890. Mr. Morris is a member of Wat- 
 seka Lodge No. 4-16, A. F. .V A. M., and Walseka 
 Chapter No. 114, R. A. M. He is also a member 
 of Watseka Lodge, K. of P., of which he is the 
 District Deputy-. He is interested in farming 
 lands, owning two farms in Iroquois County. Mr. 
 Morris has succeeded in building up an extensive 
 practice, and the firm of which he is a member 
 stands in tlie foremost r.anks of the profession in 
 Eastern Illinois, and gets a large share of legal 
 business in the local courts, together with an im- 
 portant p.art of that before the Supreme Court of 
 the State and that in the United States Courts. 
 As a trial Iaw3-er and an advocate, Mr. Morris is 
 the peer of any of the Bar of Eastern Illinois. He 
 is popular and is much esteemed by iiis fellow-cit- 
 izens for his ability, iudustr}- and integrity. 
 
 ?>] DWIN L. WHEELER, of Onarga, was num- 
 bered among the pioneer settlers of Eastern 
 Illinois, having for many years been con- 
 nected with the history of Livingston County, 
 especially during its early d,ays. He was born in 
 Columbia County, N. Y., in the town of Hillsdale, 
 on the 8th of September, 1815, and was a son of 
 Lewis and Susan (Flint) Wheeler. Tliej' had but 
 two children, Oscar and Edwin L. The father 
 died in the Empire State when our subject was but 
 four years old. The family afterward removed 
 to Massaeliusetts. and for some time made their 
 home in Barringlf)ii. On the 28tli of April, 1838, 
 Edwin Wheeler and his mother started for the 
 West, traveling by way of the Erie Canal to Buf- 
 falo, thence by steamer to Cleveland and on by 
 the Ohio Canal to Licking County, Ohio, where 
 the3' spent the summer. In October following Mr. 
 Wheeler purchased an ox-team, and with his fam- 
 ily resumed the journtw, their destination being 
 |i)\v:i. Init on reaching Fountain County, lud.. 
 
232 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArfflCAL RECORD. 
 
 they were obliged to remain lliere on account of 
 the severe winter weather. Securing a winter 
 sihool, ;\Ir. AVheelcr engaged in teaching until the 
 following Jfarch, and in IMaj- he again started 
 westward, expecting to locate at Rock River, in 
 Illinois. However, circumstances changed his de- 
 termination. On account of liigh water, he could 
 get no further than Long Point in Livingston 
 Countx-, ill., and he there spent thirty years of 
 Ins life. 
 
 On reaching that place, Mr. Wheeler had only 
 enough money to enter eighty acres of \iniui- 
 proved (Government land, lie did all his milling 
 and marketing with an ox-team, driving to Ot- 
 tawa, a distance of thirty miles. He marketed his 
 stock in Chicago, and then could get only ^2 per 
 liundred pounds, until the Chicago & Illinois 
 Ciuial was finished, which gave then a nearer 
 maiket. Mr. Wheeler experienced all the haid- 
 ships and trials of frontier life, he and his 
 brother being among the earliest settlers of Living- 
 ston County. 
 
 In .January, 1845, Mr. Wheeler was united in 
 marriage with Miss Martha, daughter of Rice and 
 Nancy (Taylor) Donolio, and of the children l)orn 
 to them six are now living. Amelia, born Febru- 
 ary 2'.l, 1848, became the wife of John R. Dimmitt, 
 who died March 30. 1.S77. They had two chil- 
 dren, one of whom is now living, Eva L. She 
 and her mother now reside in Oiiarga. Sarah, 
 born February 26, IS.'iS, is the wife of Harvey J. 
 Ludwicli, a resident of McCook, Is'eb., by whom 
 she h.as four children: Earl, Vergie, Harvey and 
 Lewis. Martha, born March 2, 18-59, is the wife 
 of Charles A.Clark, of Salem, Ore., and their three 
 children arc Erma, Leon and IJeulah. Edwin L., 
 born April 26, 1860, married Miss Lora Morris, 
 daughter of J. Ross Morris, of Chicago Heights, 
 and they have two children: R. Morris and L. 
 Loui.se. He now resides on the home farm, which 
 he manages. Matilda, born November 27, 1864, is 
 the wife of Isaac J. Owen, a resident of Onarga, 
 and unto them was born a son, Ellsworth, who 
 died -September 10, 1892. Ilattie, born October 
 27, 1870, is the wife of Henry Pratt, and they re- 
 side in Cropsey, III. On the 26th of September, 
 1872, IMr. Wlieeler was again niarried, his second 
 
 union being with Rbuie Jane Mclntyre, daughter 
 of Duncan Mclntyre. Her death occurred March 
 30, 1884. 
 
 Since 1869, Mr. Wheeler had been a resident of 
 Iroquois County. He first located on a farm of 
 one hundred and tweutj^ acres one mile north of 
 Onarga, where he resided for twelve years, and it 
 is j-et the home of his son, Edwin L. He after- 
 ward bought a farm south of town and made it 
 his home for two years, but retained ownership of 
 the same until July, 1890, when he sold that tract 
 of one liundred and sixty acres and i)urchased a 
 half-section of land in Polk County, Ore., near tlie 
 State capital. In 1883, he removed to (Jnarga, 
 where he had a comfortable home, and enjoyed a 
 well-earned rest during his declining years. Suc- 
 cess crowned his Inisiness efforts, and by his perse- 
 verance and enterprise he acquired a handsome 
 competence, which enabled him to live retired. 
 
 Mr. Wheeler was honored with some local offices, 
 but was never an'activc politician, in the sense of 
 office-seeking. He served as Justice of the Peace 
 of Long Point for five j^ears, and has filled the 
 oflnce of Postmaster for a period of seven years, 
 discharging his duties with ci-edit to himself and 
 to the satisfaction of his constituents. In his po- 
 litical affiliations, he was a Republican. He be- 
 longed to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 was a highl.v respected citizen, whose many excel- 
 lencies of character won for him the high regard 
 of all with whom business or pleasure brought him 
 in contact. While on a visit in Salem, Ore., he 
 died, October 9, 1892, at the home of his daughter, 
 Mrs. Martha A. Clark. His remains were brought 
 back and interred in Onarga ccmeterv. 
 
 Tp^ANSOM B. PANGUOHN. of Onarga, has 
 \h^' prominently figured in the history of Iro- 
 •^^ quois County for fifty-five years, and witli 
 its upbuilding and development has been 
 identified. He w.as born October 16, 1812, in Es- 
 sex County, N. Y., and when only four years of 
 age removed with his parents to Ohio, where his 
 boyhood and youth were qu[etl\- passed. When a 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 233 
 
 youn^ man he determined to seek bis home on tlie 
 praiiies of Illinois with the hope of bettering his 
 linancial condition, and in 1837, at the age of 
 twenty-live years, he came to Iro(i«ois County in 
 conii>any with his brother. Judge Pangborn, and his 
 family. Securing one hundred and sixty acresof 
 law land, three miles southeast of the present site 
 of Onarga, he began the development of a farm. 
 
 The following year, on June 21, 1838, Mr. 
 Pangborn married !Miss Margaret K. Harper, 
 daughter of Samuel II. Harper, an honored pioneer 
 of this county. The}- became the parents of a fam- 
 ily of seven children: Lorenzo, born December 9, 
 1839, was killed by lightning when only four 
 years of age; Olive w.as born August 14, 1842; 
 Lorenzo. March o. 1844; Mary Jane, September 
 7, 1848; Maria Amanda and Margaret Louisa, 
 twins, October 27, 1851; and Charles Albert, 
 July 31, 18.57. JIary Jane is now the wife 
 of Henry J. Swim, who resides in the extreme 
 northeastern part of the .State of Washington. 
 They have two children, a son and daughter, Ar- 
 thur P. and Margaret Louise. The latter is now 
 the wife of Matthew Paul Watson, and her daugh- 
 ter, Cecil Watson, is the great-granddaughter of 
 our subject. Charles Albert, the youngest child 
 of the Pangborn family, was married to Miss Lucy 
 Haven, daughter of Henry Haven, and they have 
 three children: Margaret, Harry R. and Olive. 
 The mother of this family died about 1871, and 
 her remains were interred in the Onarga cemeteij'. 
 On September 24, 1874, Mr. Pangborn was a sec- 
 ond time married, being united with Mrs. Cornelia 
 E. Lash, daughter of Nicholas and Maria (Burst) 
 Burnside, of Otsego, N. Y. 
 
 Mrs. Pangborn was the widow of David L.ish, 
 by whom she had four children, two yet living: 
 Anna M. is the wife of Edwin J. Yeomans. a resi- 
 dent of Lamar, Mo., by whom she has three chil- 
 dren, Bertha Louise, Grace and Jessie; Enos L. is 
 married and resides in Ritzville, near Spokane 
 Ealls, Wash. They have a son and daughter, 
 Freddie and Clara Bell. 
 
 Mr. Ransom eng.aged in the operation of his 
 first farm from 1837 to 18G8, when ht{ removed to 
 (Jnarga, but he still owns one hundred and thirty- 
 seven and one-half .acres of land, which is now 
 
 rented. He has always l)een a promincnl ciiar- 
 •icter in the development and upbuilding of the 
 village, and has been a friend to all educational, 
 social and moral interests, lie is a pul)lic-s|)ir- 
 itcd and progressive man, and has given his sup- 
 port to all enterprises calculated to promote the 
 general welfare. In politics, he is a stalwart Pi-o- 
 hibitionist, and himself and wife are faithful mem- 
 bers of the IMethodist E|)iscopal Chuicli. They 
 took a prominent part in wiping out the saloons 
 in Onarga. In the coinnuinily they are highly re- 
 spected, and their circle of friends is extensive, 
 for 'their many excellencies have won them the 
 warm regard of all. 
 
 ILL! AM SCOTT, who is eng.igod in agri- 
 cultural pursuits on section 3, Lovejoy 
 W^ Townshi]), has resided upon his present 
 farm for the long [leriod of thirty-eight con.sccutive 
 years. He was born in Lawrence Count}', Ohio, 
 November 22, 1827. He was one of ten children 
 whose parents, Jehu and Martha (Templeton) 
 Scott, were natives of Virginia. Further mention 
 is made of the family in the sketch of Bluford T. 
 Scott, on another page of this work. 
 
 When our subject was quite young his parents 
 removed to Shelbj' County, Ind., and located on a 
 farm near Shelbyville. where he w.is reared to 
 manhood. His education was acquired in the dis- 
 trict schools of the neighborhood. Ills training at 
 farm labor, however, was not vcr}- limited, but 
 during those early days he develojjed a self-reli- 
 ance and enterprising spirit which have proved of 
 incalculable lienefit to him in his business career 
 in later years. In January, 1853, he left Indiana 
 and came to Iroquois County, where, with his 
 brother-in-law, A. J. Endsley, he purchased four 
 hundred acres of land, located four miles south of 
 the present village of Milford. This f:uin was 
 known to the early settlers as Red Pump Farm. 
 These gentlemen conducted it together for some 
 time and then Mr. .Scott purchased Mr. Endsley's 
 interest. It h.as been his home since 1854, and 
 from a wild and uncultivated tract it has been 
 
234 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 transformed into one of tlie most desirable places 
 of the count}-. Man_y excellent improvements 
 have been placed upon it, and the land is under a 
 iiigli state of cultivation, tiic licli and fertile fields 
 yielding a golden tribute to the care and cultiva- 
 tion of the owner. 
 
 On September 21, I80G, Mr. Scott was united in 
 marriage with Miss Martha Kothgeb, daughter of 
 George and Anna Rothgeb, who came to this 
 county in 1837, and were among its earliest set- 
 tlers. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
 Scott, as follows: Carlisle, who was born June 
 14, 1858, married Miss Anna Larned Jul}' 10, 
 1881. Thej' now make their home in Colfax, 
 McLean Count\', 111., and their union has been 
 blessed with one child, Shirley Cameron. Olive 
 was born June 27, 1861;Winfield was born Feb- 
 ruary 29, 1868; and Anna, who was born Septem- 
 ber 18, 1871, was married to Dr. J. S. Adsit, of 
 Hoopeston, 111., October 21, 1891. 
 
 Mr. Scott holds membership with ^lilford Lodge 
 No. 253, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the 
 Milford Rangers, a horse protective association. 
 He is classed among the practical and progressive 
 farmers of the community, and is recognized as 
 a prominent and influential citizen of Lovejoy 
 Township. He has never taken a very prominent 
 part in public affairs, but by his quiet, unas- 
 suming and honorable life has won the respect and 
 esteem of all with whom business or social relations 
 have brought him in contact. 
 
 ^TRt) F:NJAMIN F. SHANKLAND, editor of 
 IL;^ the Watseka Bcpiihlican and President of 
 (^?M) I that publishing company, was born in War- 
 -^^' ren Count}', Ind., on the- banks of the 
 Wabash, Februar}' 20, 1849, and is a son of Kendal 
 and Amanda (Harris) Shankland. He was a lad 
 of only five summers when he came with his par- 
 ents to Illinois. He was reared on his father's 
 farm, which was situated in Prairie Green Town- 
 ship, Iroquois Count}', near the Illinois and Indiana 
 State line. His primary education was acquired 
 in the country schools, after which he attended 
 
 the Danville High School and Grand Prairie Semi- 
 nary, thus acquiring a good education. For four 
 years in succession, he taught liis home school in 
 Prairie Green, and in 1872 entered the State Uni- 
 versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he took 
 a two-year law course and was graduated in the 
 Class of '74. 
 
 The following year, Mr. Shankland located in 
 Watseka and obtained the position of Deputy 
 County Clerk of Iroquois County, under Henry A. 
 Bulzow, a Democrat. It speaks well for both the 
 Clerk and his Deputy that the former, while a sup- 
 porter of the Democracy, had the independence to 
 appoint and retain as his assistant a pronounced 
 Republican, and that the Deputy made his services 
 so valuable that he was retained seven years in 
 spite of the partisan influence brought to bear to 
 accomplish his removal. After leaving the County 
 Clerk's office, Mr. Shankland practiced law in 
 Watseka. Not finding the legal profession to his 
 taste, lie, in 1884, bought the Watseka Republican 
 and h.as been connected with it ever since as editor 
 and publisher, except one year — the latter part of 
 1887 and the early part of 1888, when he was in 
 California, connected with the San Diego Union. 
 On his return to Watseka in 1888, he repurchased 
 the Repiibliean and has since been its editor. In 
 the spring of 1892, the present Watseka Republican 
 Company was incorporated and Mr. Siiankland 
 was chosen its President. A sketch of the paper 
 is given elsewhere in this work. 
 
 On the 26th of December, 1877, our subject was 
 united in marriage in Lovejoy Township, Iroquois 
 County, with Miss Nancy R. Miskimen, who was 
 born in Bridgeville, Ohio, September 17, 1855, and 
 is a daughter of William and Emma Miskimen. 
 They have one child. Ken M., who was born in 
 Watseka, 111., March 7, 1879. The parents and 
 son are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
 and Mrs Shankland conjointly have four hundred 
 and sixty-five acres of fine farming land situated 
 partly in each of the townships of Prairie (ireen 
 and Lovejoy. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Shankland is a Republican and 
 is influential in the councils of the local party 
 managers, doing good work in the interest of his 
 party, not only as a journalist but in general 
 
PORTRAIT AND HIOGHAPIIICAL RECORD. 
 
 23J 
 
 ranipaign work. He is a member of Watseka Lodg;e 
 No. 446, A. F. lir A. M. lie lias made a success of 
 his venture in journalism and has raised the jRe- 
 /K/ft/imH to a high standard of excellence. While 
 the paijer is thoroughly partisan, it is fair and 
 courteous and is newsy and popular as a family 
 paper. As a gentleman, Mr. Shankland has won a 
 strong hold upon the regard of the best of his fel- 
 low-citizens through his straightforward, business- 
 like methods and manly advocacy of what he feels 
 is best and right for the public welfare. 
 
 ifU'DGE TllOiMAS M. PAXCJliOKX.an hon- 
 ored citizen of Onarga, was nuinbeied 
 among the early settlers of the county, 
 where he came with the family in 1837, 
 more than half a century ago. A native of the 
 Empire State, he was born in Essex County, June 
 1, 1806, and is a son of John and Miranda (Miller) 
 I'angborn, the former a native of Connecticut 
 and the latter of New York. In 1836, the}' re- 
 moved from the Empire State to Ohio, where they 
 lived for some years. The family numbered live 
 children, of whom the Judge is the eldest. The 
 other are I'riphena, Ransom B., Mai'ia A. and 
 (■\rus S. The two sons are still living. 
 
 .ludge Pangborn was reared to manhood in New 
 York and Ohio, and on the ir)th of March, 1832, 
 was united in marriage with Miss .Jane Harper, 
 daughter of Samuel II. and Mary (McCoy) Har- 
 per, of Pennsylvania. In the autumn of 1837, he 
 emigrated with his family to Illinois, accompanied 
 by his brother Ransom, and in 184.5 the father, 
 John Pangborn, and the other members of the 
 family also emigrated Westward, locating near the 
 brothers. Thomas Pangborn settled on a farm of 
 two hundred and forty acres about a mile from 
 the village of Onarga, where he made his home 
 for almost a (juarter of a century. He afterward 
 removed to a forty-acre tract of land, which he 
 puichased in addition to his first farm, and there 
 made his home for nearl}' thirty years. He was 
 a successful agriculturist, practical and progress- 
 
 ive, and won b}^ his perseverance and well-directed 
 efforts a handsome competency, whicli eiialiled him 
 to live a retired life. 
 
 Unto Judge and .Mrs. Pangliorn were born six 
 children: John, born December 2'J. 1832, died in 
 early childhood. Triphena, born November 1, 
 1831, became the wife of Capt. Elkanah Doolitlle, 
 of Onarga, one of the civil engineers in the con- 
 struction of the Illinois Central Railroad. They 
 had four children, two of whom are yet living. 
 Milton and Thomas E. Mrs. Doolittle died on the 
 22d of Julv, 1868. Johnson T., born November 
 28, 1836, died in childhood. ICniily, born Decem- 
 ber 21, 1838, is the wife of Henry Haven, a native 
 of Portsmouth, N. II., now residing in Oakland, 
 Cal. Unto them were born five children, three of 
 whom are yet living: Henry W., Uucy J. and 
 Mary M. Mary Ann, born April 19, 184 1, is the 
 wife of Charles Haven, a native of Portsmouth, 
 N. II., also a resideut of Oakland, Cal., and they 
 bad seven children, four of whom yet suivive: 
 Charles E., Clarence, Mabel and Helen. Miranda, 
 born November 19, 1813, is the wife of Capt. 
 Elkanah Doolittle, and they make their home in 
 Onarga. 
 
 On the 1st of I'ebriiary, 1892, Judge Pangborn 
 left his farm and came to Onarga, where, in his 
 comfortable home, he resided with his faithful 
 wife, with whom he had traveled life's journey for 
 more than sixty years. The Judge was in his 
 eighty -seventh 3'ear, and his wife is eight}' years 
 of age, and on the loth of March, 1892, they cele- 
 brated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Foi- 
 almost half a century they have held membership 
 with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for 
 more than forty years Mr. Pangborn was Class- 
 leader, occupying the position until recently, when 
 his advanced age forced him to abandon that 
 work. The cause of temperance found in him a 
 warm friend, and he was a stanch Prohibitionist. 
 
 For many years Judge Pangborn held the oflice 
 of Associate Judge of the count}' previous to the 
 township organization, and was also Overseer of 
 the Poor. He held the oflice uf School Director 
 for many years, and was prominently identified 
 with public and benevolent work. He did much for 
 the upbuilding of the county, aided greativ in its 
 
2;i(; 
 
 PORTRAIT A^■D BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 flevolopnientand progress, and witnessed its entire 
 growth from :in almost unbroken wilderness until 
 now it stands in the front rank among the lead- 
 ing counties of the State. Judge Pangboin was a 
 t\ pical pioneer; large-hearted and hospitable to 
 strangers as well. as friends, his home became a gen- 
 eral stopping-place. His first liouse was the pio- 
 neer log cabin, and it is said of him that he paid 
 his first taxes witli 'coon skins. However that may 
 be, one thing is certain — in those early days, 'coon 
 skins were more pUntiful tiian mone}'. His life 
 was well and worthily spent, and in looking back 
 over the past no regret need \h' felt for lost op- 
 portunities or duties unperformed. He was truly 
 one of Nature's noblemen, and the respect and 
 confidenc-e of the entire community were his. On 
 the 23d of October, 1892, Judge Pangborn was 
 called to his final rest, and his remains were in- 
 terred in the Onarya cemetery. 
 
 1 
 
 "jll A5IES HAZLET, a retired farmer residing 
 in Milford, was born in Harrison, Hamil- 
 ton Count\', Ohio, September 7, 1824, and 
 is a son of James and Amy (Caldwell) 
 Hazlet, Ijoth of whom were natives of Pennsylva- 
 nia. Their family numbered seven children, three 
 sons and four daughters. Our subject, the young- 
 est of the family, resided for a period of thirty 
 j'ears, from 1821 until 18y4, upon a farm within 
 five miles of his birthplace. In the usual manner 
 of farmer lads his boyhood days were p.assed, no 
 event of special importance occurring to vary the 
 mt)notonj. 
 
 At the age of twenty-three years, March 29, 
 1848, Mr. Ilazlet was united in marriage with Miss 
 Caroline McClure, daughter of James -W. McClure. 
 The lady was born in Dearborn County, Ind., and 
 there spent her girlhood days. It was in 1854 
 that our subject came with his family to Iroquois 
 County, 111., locating on a farm six miles from 
 Milford. The home was blessed by the presence 
 of two children, Hugh D. and Amy Jane, but the 
 latter died in infancy. The sou was born in 
 Dearborn County, Fnd., May 20, 1851. After at- 
 
 tending the common schools he comi)leted his ed- 
 ucation in Battle (ground Institute. Returning 
 home he carried on farming until 1885, when he 
 removed to Milford. In 1888 he engaged in fire 
 insurance, which line of business he has carried on 
 since, representing such well-known companies as 
 the Forest Cit^-, of Rockford, 111.; Manchester, of 
 England; Orient, of Hartford, Conn., and Queen 
 of America. Since 1889 he has also represented 
 the ^Etna Life, of Hartford, Conn. He has worked 
 up the business of the 't Forest City" so thor- 
 oughly in this county that the company consider 
 it the best of any of their territory, and have 
 practically given Mr. Hazlet exclusive control of 
 the county. So efficient and satisfactory have 
 been his servic2S, that he has received tempting 
 offers to go on the road, but delicate health has 
 caused him to decline. In both fire and life in- 
 surance he does an extensive business, and is 
 recognized as a competent man. 
 
 March 10, 1875. Mr. II. D. Hazlet married Miss 
 Rachel O., daughter of Ciiristopher and Permelia 
 Slusher. The parents of Mr. Slnsher emigrated 
 from Virginia to Pennsylvania in 1785. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Slusher were born in the latter State, where 
 he spent his last days. Hut she subsequently mar- 
 ried again, and came to Iroquois County about 
 1870. Mrs. Ilazlet was born and reared in Wash- 
 ington County, Pa. In 1874 she came with her 
 sister to Iroquois County, where she has since 
 made her home. Mr. and Mrs. Hazlet are active 
 members of the Christian Church, ami socially, he 
 belongs to Milford Lodge No. 211, K. P. I n pol- 
 itics he is a Democrat, being now Central Commit- 
 teeman of Iroquois (bounty. He and his wife have 
 but two children, viz: James II., who is being ed- 
 ucated in the Butler University, of Indianapolis, 
 Ind., preparatoiy to entering the legal profession; 
 and Ruby A'. Two children died when (piite 
 young. 
 
 During the greater part of his life Mr. Ilazlet, 
 Sr., has followed farming. However, during the 
 late war he engaged in keeping hotel at Lawrence- 
 burg, Ind., for three years, and at one time he was 
 engaged in merchandising at Battle Ground, Ind., 
 but with these exceptions he has always followed 
 .agricultural pursuits. He was recognized as one 
 
/^ 
 
 \ .^f^ 
 
 ' yr ^- 
 
 /f^c^-y^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 230 
 
 iif llie leadiuo; farmers of this community, aud his 
 well-tiled and hitrhly improved farm indicates the 
 thrift and enterprise of the owner. The place, 
 consisting of one hundred and si.xty acres, lies six 
 miles southeast of ^lilford. As the result of his 
 good management and perseverance he acquired a 
 comfortaltle competence, which now enables him 
 to live retired in the enjoyment of a well-earned 
 rest and the fruits of his former toil. 
 
 Mr. Hazlet has held a number of otticial posi- 
 tions, but never sought the honors or emoluments 
 of pulilic oHice, preferring to live the quiet life of a 
 farmer and to attend !^trietly to the business con- 
 nected with farm work. He exercises bis right of 
 franchise in support of the Democratic party, with 
 which he has alliliated since attaining his majorit}-. 
 He belongs to Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. A: A. 
 M., aud also the Eastern Star Lodge, and is a mem- 
 ber of the Christian Church, as was also his wife, 
 who died September 7, 1886. His life has been an 
 honorable and upright one, consistent with his 
 profession, and he has thereby secured the confi- 
 dence and good-will of all with whom he has been 
 brought in contact. To know ^Ir. Ilazlet is to re- 
 spect him. 
 
 =^ 
 
 \1 /AMES W. DIXON, who owns and operates 
 two hundred and eighty acres of excellent 
 land, and resides on section 6, Prairie Green 
 Township, li.is here made his home for 
 seventeen years. He is one of the early settlers of 
 the county who have watched its growth and de- 
 velopment from an early day, and aided in its up- 
 building and progress. He has the honor of being 
 a native of this State, his birth having occurred 
 on the 3d of .lune, 1838, in La Salle County, 111. 
 I lis father, Tiiomas Dixcm, was a native of Ohio, 
 l>orn in 1809. He married Mary Northup, also a 
 native of the Buckeye State, born in 1808, and in 
 183.5 they emigrated to Illinois, locating in La 
 Salle County. Mr. Dixon entered land from tiie 
 Government and began the development of a 
 farm, upon which he made his home until his 
 death. He was one of the honored pioneers of 
 
 La Salle County, and was prominently identified 
 with its history from an early day. He and his 
 wife both died at Oskaloosa, Iowa, while on a 
 visiting tour, on the 8th of .March, 1880. Mr. 
 Dixon had reached the allotted age of three-score 
 years and ten. and his wife was a year older. 
 Their family numbered seven children, five sons 
 and two daughters. 
 
 Our subject, who was the third in order of 
 birth, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in 
 his parents' home, aiding in the labors of the 
 farm during the summer mouths and attending 
 the common district schools through the winter 
 seas(m. On attaining his majority, like many other 
 young men, he started out to seek his fortune, and 
 began bj- following the occupation to which he 
 was reared. Indeed, it has been his life work, and 
 he has carried it on successfull}-. He has found 
 an able assistant in ]Miss Anna Mary Iluber, whom 
 he made his wife on the 8th of 3Iarch, 1805. The 
 lady is a native of the Keystone State, but at the 
 age of seven years she came with her parents to 
 Illinois, the family locating in Putnam County, 
 where she was living at the time of her marriage. 
 Her educational privileges were such as the com- 
 mon schools afforded. Her father, John Iluhcr, 
 died at the age of sixty-three years in Putnam 
 County, but her mother is still living at the age of 
 seventy-one, and now makes her home with her 
 daughter, Mrs. Dixon. 
 
 Unto ]Mr. and Mrs. Dixon has been born a fam- 
 ily of nine children, of whom two are now de- 
 ceased: Luella, the second child, died at the age 
 of seventeen years; and Charlotta died at the age 
 of seven. Those still living are Thomas H., an 
 enterprising and successful young business man, 
 who is now manager of the Farmers' Elevator and 
 President of the State Bank of Ambia, Ind.; ,I(jhn 
 C. aids his father in the cultivation of the home 
 farm; Willie also works upon the home farm; and 
 the younger children are as follows: Frank, aged 
 fourteen; Gu}-, twelve years of .age; Ralph, a lad 
 of eight summers; and Ira, the baby of two years. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Dixon is a supporter of the Re- 
 publican party, and has been honored with a num- 
 ber of offices of public trust. For five years he has 
 served as County Supervisor, has held the town- 
 
2-10 
 
 PORTRAll AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ship offices of Road Coramissioiier and Collector, 
 and for tlic long period of seventeen consecutive 
 years has been School Director in his district. His 
 public duties are ever discharged with promptness 
 and fidelity and have won Inni the commendation 
 of all concerned. He is alike tine to every pri- 
 vate trust, and is recognized as an honorable, up- 
 right citizen. Since the organization of the 
 Farmers' Co-operative Grain Association of Ambia, 
 he has been President. Himself and family are all 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On 
 coming to Prairie Green Township seventeen 
 years ago, Mr. Dixon purchased eighty acres of 
 land, to which he has since added until within the 
 boundaries of his farm arc now comprised two 
 hundred and eighty acres of aral)le land under a 
 high state of cultivation and well improved. His 
 business career has l)een a successful one, and his 
 prosperity is certainly well deserved. 
 
 IIKlSTOl'llER COLUMBUS VENNUM. 
 Among the earliest of the worthy pioneers 
 of Iroquois County was the gentleman whose 
 name heads this sketch. He w.as born in Wash- 
 ington County, Pa., on the 5th of January, 1805, 
 and was a sou of Col. Thomas and Elizabeth 
 (Kirkpatrick) \^ennum. His father was a Colonel 
 in the volunteer service of tlie United States in 
 the War of 1812, and resided in Pennsylvania 
 until the fall of 1834, when, with a part of his 
 family, he emigrated to Illinois. After spending 
 three years on Sugar Creek, in Iroquois County, 
 Col. Vennum entered a large tract of prairie land 
 in Miat subsequently became the town of Milford. 
 He established his home on what was known as 
 the "Mound," being lot 8 in the northwest quar- 
 ter of section 2, where Hiram Vennum, his son, 
 now resides. With the Colonel came his wife and 
 three of his sons, George, Urias and Hiram. The 
 two first-named .sons had their wives and children, 
 while, the last-named was single. With the Veu- 
 Hums were several of the neighboring families from 
 Pennsylvania, making a party numbering thirtj'- 
 
 two persons. They emigrated with teams, driving 
 some fine Durham cattle with them. C. C. Vennum, 
 another son and the subject of this sketch, emigrated 
 with his family the next spring, coming by boat 
 down the Ohio and up the Wabash River to Eugene, 
 Ind., where they disembarked, continuing their 
 journey by team to what is now Milford. The 
 ^'ennums were people of means and bought land 
 on sections 1, 2 and 3 of that townshii), a portion 
 of the original purchase being still in the posses- 
 sion of the family. The little colony suffered se- 
 verely for a few yeai's after coming to Illinois 
 from malarial and bilious fevers and fever and ague, 
 an experience common to all new-comers in the 
 level sections of the State. Much discomfort was 
 endured, owing to the difficulties in getting the 
 necessaries of life, but by patient industry all were 
 eventual!}' made comfortable. Col. Vennum is 
 said to have put in the first glass window seen in 
 what is now Milford Township. The more com- 
 mon way of getting light and air was by cutting 
 a section of a log out of the side of the house. 
 Mrs. Vennum lived to an advanced age, being 
 ninety-three years old at her death. She and her 
 husband and other members of the family are 
 buried in what is known as the Vennum Burying: 
 ground in Milford, on lot No. 8 of the north- 
 west quarter of section 2 of that township. 
 
 Christopher Columbus ^'ennum was educated in 
 the common schools of his native State, and on 
 reaching manhood was there married to Jliss 
 Rosanna Paul. The lady was born in Washington 
 County, Pa., and was a daughter of AVilliam and 
 Hannah Paul. In the spring of 1835, Mr. 'S'eu- 
 num joined his father and relatives in Iro(iuois 
 County, as before stated, where he engaged in 
 farming. He took up some Government land and 
 subsequently increased his acreage by purchasing 
 from other settlers until at his death he left an es- 
 tate of over one thousand acres. 
 
 Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ven- 
 num: William, tiie eldest, married Mrs. Caroline 
 Arhart, and after her decease was again married, 
 and he is now residing in Grayson County, Tex.; 
 Sarah is now Mrs. Lacock, a widow residing in 
 Wjoming; Thomas, a banker of Milford, is repre- 
 sented elsewhere in this work; Hiram was a soldier 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 241 
 
 of the late war. lie was a member of the Second 
 Ma.s.sacliusetts Cavalry- and died in Belie Isle Prison 
 at Ricliinond, Va., on the 25th of Deceinber, 1863. 
 Philo P. was also a soldier of the late war, and 
 was killed on the 6th of April, 1862, at the battle 
 of Sliiloh. Columbus, Jr., died in infancy. On 
 the 22d of March, 1846. Mrs. Veiinum, while in 
 tlu' [irime of life, was called to iier final rest at llie 
 age of thirty-six years. 
 
 In the course of time Mr. Vennum married 
 asrain. His second wife was a widow, Mrs. Ma- 
 hala Slusher, by whom he had four children: .John 
 v.. who married Sarah Garner, and is a resident of 
 Jamestown, X. Dak.; George W. wedded Lucy 
 Durham and is living in .St. Paul, Minn.; Frank 
 B. is married and resides in Fisher, Champaign 
 C'ount3'; and Mary, the youngest, is the wife of 
 William .1. Lateer, of Iloopeston, \'ermili(m County, 
 111. 
 
 Mr. Vennum died in Onarga in .September, 1868. 
 His wife survived him several years and passed 
 away in 1890. In early life he was a Whig in 
 politics, and became a Republican on the organi- 
 zation of that part}-. He wa.s not a politician in 
 the sense of otlice-seeking but was earnest in his 
 convictions. His life was a useful one and his 
 record as a man and citizen above reproach. 
 
 \[l OEL W. BELT, who is engaged in the liveiy 
 business in Cissna Park, is a native of the 
 Buckeye State. He was born in Licking 
 County. Ohio, September 6, 18.35. and is a 
 son of George W. and Margaret (Allen) Belt. His 
 mother was a native of Virginia. His father, a 
 shoemaker bj' trade, turned his attention to farm- 
 ing and made a good home in Ohio. In June, 
 1844, he emigrated to Illinois b}' team, their cara- 
 van consisting of three horses, two wagons, four- 
 teen sheep, a dog and the family. They had in- 
 tended going on to the Illinois River, but one of 
 the children being ill, they stopped at the home of 
 old Mr. Brock and the father purchased eight}' 
 acres of land in Ash Grove Township. A log 
 cabin had been built upon the tract but it was 
 
 otherwise unimproved. Mr. Belt began farming 
 and also worked at his trade to some extent. In 
 early life he was a member of the Baptist Church, 
 but on coming to this county he jtjined the Meth- 
 odist Episco|)al Church. In j)olilics he was a 
 Whig. He died at the age of fifty-two years and 
 his remains were interred in Ash Grove Cemetery. 
 In the family were eight children: James, now a 
 farmer in Elk County, Kan.; Lydia became the 
 wife of Hamilton Spain and died in this county; 
 Joel is the next 3ounger; Edward died in Kansas; 
 Lucinda is also deceased; Will H. H. has passed 
 away; Mrs. Ann Eliza Davis lives in Johnston 
 County, III.; and George D. died at the age of 
 nine years. All but the youngest child were na- 
 tives of Ohio. After the death of her husband, 
 Mrs. Belt kei)t the family together and labored 
 earnestly for their support. She was a faithful 
 and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. Her death occurred at the home of her 
 son Edward in Cherokee Count}', Kan., in 1866. 
 
 Our subject was a lad of only nine years when 
 he came to Illinois. He is familiar with all the ex- 
 periences and hardships of frontier life. He aided 
 in the development of the wild land, and in the 
 arduous labor of improving a new farm, and his 
 early educational advantages were those afforded 
 by the primitive subscription schools. He ac- 
 quired the greater part of his education after he 
 had attained his majority, and by subsecjuent read- 
 ing and observation he has made himself a well- 
 informed man. At the age of thirteen he began 
 working as a farm hand at 87 per month and was 
 thus employed until his father's death, when he 
 returned home and gave his mother the benefit of 
 his labors. 
 
 In August, 1862, he responded to the call for 
 troops and enlisted at Ash Grove, in Company E, 
 Seventy-sixtli Illinois Infantry. The regiment 
 was organized at Kankakee and sent to Cairo and 
 afterward by boat to Columbus, K}'., where the 
 troops did guard duty. They were afterward 
 ordered to Jackson, later to Bolivar, Tenn., and 
 subsequently to Moll}' Springs, Miss. While there 
 their supplies were destroyed and the boys were 
 obliged to Jive on corn meal and what they 
 could get by foraging. Returning to Moscow, 
 
242 
 
 PORTRAIT a>;d biograpiucal record. 
 
 Tenn., they afterward went to Memphis, wliere 
 his eonipanv was detailed to guard the Paymaster 
 at Young's Point. Subseriuontly tliey entered 
 tlie Vicksbui-g campaign under (ien. Grant. 
 ]>ater they wont up the Yazoo River, and while 
 Siicrman made iiis attack marclicd back to Vicks- 
 burg and took their place on tiie extreme left. 
 The first night the lebels took the Forty-sixth 
 Regiment prisoners. The comi)any to which our 
 subject belonged stood guard and worked in 
 ditches. Their line advanced, the rebels falling 
 back before them, andthe^- continued in the siege 
 until aftej- the surrender of the city, on the Ith of 
 July, IHi;;^. Subsequently they went to Natchez 
 and afteiward to Memphis, where they embarked 
 on a boat, proceeding up the White River to 
 Duvall's HlutT, where in two weeks they made 
 fift^- iiouses for winter quarters. They after- 
 ward went to New Orleans, on to Pensacola and 
 later ciiarged Ft. Blakely in the rear of the works, 
 rapturing the place. The Seventy-sixth Illinois 
 there took five hundred prisoners, more than any 
 other regiment. This work being accomplished, 
 the troops went to Mobile and to Selnia and later 
 to Galveston, Tex., where they were mustered out 
 on the 22d of July, 186,'). They then went to 
 New Orleans, by boat to Cairo and by rail to Chi- 
 cago, where they were discharged. 
 
 Mr. Belt reached his home on theStli of August, 
 tired and completely exhausted. Throwing him- 
 self upon his bed he slept continuously for two 
 nights and two days. lie had experienced all the 
 dangers of battle, shipwreck and privation, yet 
 through all he had ever been found al his post, 
 faithful to his duty. He was never absent from 
 his regiment except in 1863, when he was ill in 
 the hospital. During that lime the troops en- 
 gaged in the Meridian raid. He was wounded in 
 the neck at Jackson, Miss., where the compan3- lost 
 seventeen out of about twenty-five. Of his army 
 record he may well be proud, for he was a valiant 
 defender of the Union in its hour of peril and 
 when the Stars and Stripes again waved over a 
 united nation he returned to his liome with no 
 stain upon his career. 
 
 When the war was over, Mr. Bell purchased 
 forty acres of land and creeled a dwelling and 
 
 began farming. He further completed his arrange- 
 ments for a home by his marriage with Miss Sa- 
 mantlia Ladd, of Oxford, Ind., their union being 
 celebrated on the 18th of March, 1866. His farm 
 was increased to one hundred and fort^- acres and 
 he continued to engage in its development and 
 cultivation until 1888, when he sold out and re- 
 moved to Cissna Park. Here he has since engaged 
 in the lively business and for two years carried 
 on a lumber yard. He has a well-equijjped livery 
 stable and is a popular and leading business man 
 of this community. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Belt were born four chil- 
 dren: Samuel B., Delia, Maud and J. W. The 
 children were all born in this count}- and are still 
 under the parental roof. Mr. Belt has served as 
 Justice of the Peace and in politics is a stanch 
 Republican, having been an ardent supporter of 
 that party since he cast his first Presidential vote 
 for Abraham Lincoln. Socially he is a Knight 
 of Pythias and is Adjutant of G. H. Neeld Post 
 No. 570, G. A. R., of (.'issna Park. For forty- 
 eight years be has resided in this county and is 
 one of its honored pioneers as well as representa- 
 tive citizens. 
 
 ^>-^^<m 
 
 ILL! AM A. BOSWELL is now living a 
 ,,/Osi// retired life in Onarga, enjoying a well- 
 W^ earned rest after manj' years of faithful 
 toil and labor. He is a man of sterling character 
 and is numbered among the best citizens of this 
 community, so that he well deserves representation 
 in the history of his adopted county. 
 
 Mr. Hoswell was born in Mason County, Va., on 
 the 29th of July. 1830, and is one of seven chil- 
 dren whose i^arents were Creed and Irene (Fargo) 
 l)Oswell, the former a native of Virginia and the 
 latter of the Empire State. About 1838, they left 
 the Old Dominion and emigrated to Indiana, 
 locating in Vermillion County, where they made 
 their home until 1850, when they removed to Tip- 
 pecanoe County. Six years later they came to 
 Illinois, settling in Iroquois Count}', about eight 
 miles west of the present site of Onarga, where 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 213 
 
 Mr. Boswell purchased a half-sectiun of land. 
 Subse<"iueiitly, be lenioved to Old Middleport, and 
 in 1868 the deatli of his wife there occurred. Mr. 
 Bosweli survived iier about eight years and was 
 called to his final rest in August, 1876. They 
 were highly respected people. Four sons and 
 three daughters were born unto them, as follows: 
 William A., Villetta, (ieorge, Charles and Marion, 
 yet living; and Luna and Harriet, deceased. 
 
 The subject of this sketch si)ent the first eight 
 years of his life in the State of his nativity, and 
 then accompanied his parents on their removal to 
 Indiana, where the days of bis boyhood and youth 
 were, passed amid the wild scenes of frontier life. 
 There weie many hardships and privations to be 
 borne. In 1841, he drove two hundred head of 
 cattle to Chicago, and then to Racine, Wis., but 
 could not make a sale, so had to butcher them and 
 sell by distribution. A great change b.is since 
 been wrought, for it is now liardly possible to 
 supply the Chicago market. Mr. Boswell aided 
 his father in the cultivation of the farm until he 
 had attained to years of maturity. 
 
 An important event in the life of our subject 
 occurred in 18.52, when he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Klizabcth P. Mick, daughter of ilcKen- 
 dree and Maria (Boswell) Mick, of Tippecanoe 
 County, Ind. Their union was blessed with seven 
 children, but onl^- three are now living: Eva, 
 born September 15, 1853; W'illie, March 14, 1856; 
 and George F., April 28, 1866. Charles P., born 
 March 12, 1858, died in infancy; Perry, born April 
 7, 185;», died at the age of four years; Annie Pencie, 
 born September 22, 1862, died in 1872, at the age of 
 ten yeai-s; and Toiina, born Xovember 26, 1861, 
 died the same year. 
 
 Mr. Boswell has been a resident of Iroquois 
 County since 1867. In that year he came to Illi- 
 nois and located on a farm of three hundred and 
 twenty-five acres, about three and a-half miles 
 south of Onarga. He afterward made addition.al 
 purchases, until bis farm comprised four hundred 
 and sevcnty-flve acres of arable land, which he 
 placed under a high state of cultivation, making 
 many improvements upon it, all of which stand as 
 monuments to his thrift and enterprise. lie was a 
 gucccssf\il farmer, and tluoiiirb his business abilitv 
 
 and well-directed efforts he lias wnu a iiandsome 
 competence. 
 
 I'pon his farm, Mr. Boswell made his home until 
 1889, when he removed with his family to Onarga. 
 He has since sold one hundred and forty-five acres 
 of his land. The home of .Air. and Mrs. Boswell is 
 a comfortable residence near Grand Prairie Semi- 
 nary, and there their many friends delight to 
 gather, for hospitality reigns supreme in that 
 household. Both are faithful and consistent mcm- 
 beis of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which 
 he is now serving as Steward. In politics, he is a 
 supporter of Democratic principles, but has never 
 sought or desired otlicial preferment; however, 
 he served as Road Commissioner for three years. 
 He has been President of the County Fair Asso- 
 ciation, and ever takes an active interest in all 
 that pertains to the welfare of the community and 
 its advancement. He is a valued citizen and is 
 held in high esteem throughout the communitv. 
 
 \f|OHN 1'.. IIOOI'KU. an early settler of Bel- 
 mont Township, Iroipiois County, who, 
 -^1 since his return from Danville, III., in 
 ^^f' 1881, h.as resided in Watstka, was born in 
 Seneca County. N. Y., in 182.). He is a son of 
 Pontius and Lydia (Clark) Ilooiier, both natives 
 of Saratoga County, N. Y. When a lad of seven 
 summers our svibject i-enioved with his parents to 
 Clinton, Lenawee County. Mich., where he received 
 a common-school education and was reared to 
 mercantile pursuits. In 1840, be removed to West 
 Point, Ind., and after six years spent in that place 
 went to Ohio, in 1846. He was there engaged 
 in merchandising until 184!), when he removed 
 to Dayton, Ohio, and a year later returned to 
 Indiana, where he remained until 1801. In that 
 year he came to Illinois, locating in Iroquois 
 County. He was engaged in the cattle business 
 in AVatseka until 1871, when he removed to Dan- 
 ville, III., where he spent the succeeding ten years. 
 In IH.si. he returned to Watseka, where he has 
 since made his Inwne, and during the succeeding 
 
244 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 period he has been agent for some parties in the 
 land business. 
 
 On the 21st of April', 1852, Mr. Hooper was 
 united in marriage in Tippecanoe County, Ind., to 
 .Sarah "M. Harter, who was born in Fayette, Ind. 
 Unto them have been born four children, who are 
 yet living: Alice L. is the widow of Joseph Campbell 
 and resides with her parents; Venning H. is em- 
 ployed by the AVatseka Electric Light Company; 
 Frank L., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
 work, married Miss Grace Willoughbv, and is a 
 member of the law firm of Morris ife Hooper; Sal- 
 lie died at the age of four years; and Jose[)li, the 
 3'ouugest of the family, is at home. 
 
 Li his political affiliations, Mr. Hooper is a Dem- 
 ocrat, and socially, is a Royal Arch Mason, be- 
 longing to Watseka Lodge No. 446, A.F. & A.M., 
 and Watseka Chapter No. 1 14, R. A. M. 
 
 ETH ELLISON, the popular and efficient 
 station agent of Onarga, has occupied his 
 present position with the Illinois Central 
 Railroad Company since 1882, and for ten 
 years has been one of its trusted and faithful em- 
 ployes. He is of English birth, but the commu- 
 nity find in him one of its best citizens, and it was 
 a fortunate day for him when he determined to 
 seek a home in the New World. 
 
 Mr. Ellison was born in Larnsley, Yorkshire, 
 England, December 11, 1845, and is the third in 
 order of birth in a familj' of five children born to 
 Thomas and Mary (Speight) Ellison, who were 
 also natives of England. The mother died in 
 1849. The father, who survived her for many 3-ears, 
 de|)arted this life in 1878. Of their famih' of three 
 sous and two daughters, Frederick, Alice, Soth,John 
 and Mary Jane, all are yet living. Frederick Elli- 
 son, the eldest, was the first to cross the broad 
 Atlantic to America, making a location in Chi- 
 cago, where he secured a position as clerk in a dr^- 
 goods store. A few 3'ears later he was employed 
 as Paymaster on the Indianapolis li: St. Louis 
 Railroad. He and Seth are the only ones of the 
 family who have come to this counlrv. 
 
 The subject of this sketch spent bis boyhood 
 and youth in the land of his nativity, and was 
 educated in its public schools. At length lie de- 
 termined to emigrate to America, and in 1879, 
 bidding good-bye to his old home and friends, he 
 crossed the brin}' deep. Going lo Chicago he 
 secured a position as bill and entiy clerk in a dry- 
 goods store. He served in that capacit3' for a 
 short time and then entered the emplo3' of the 
 railroad company, being appointed station agent 
 at Ullin, 111., near Cairo. As before stated, in 
 1883 "he came to Onarga, where he has since made 
 his home. 
 
 Ere leaving the land of his Iiirth, Mr. Ellison 
 was married, in 1877, the lady of his choice being 
 Miss Alice Wheeu, a daughter of John Wheen, of 
 Mexboro, England. Four children were born of 
 their union, Florence Edith, Alice Maud, William, 
 and an infant. The mother and the children are 
 now all deceased. April 25, 1883, Mr. E^llison was 
 again married, his second union being with Miss 
 Anna Eliza Hawk, daughter of James and Caro- 
 line (Newell) Ha,wk. Her father was for a num- 
 ber of years a grocer of Onarga, carr^'ing 
 on business in partnership with J. C. Culver. 
 Two children have been born unto j\Ir. and Mrs. 
 Ellison: James, born in 1884; and Onarga, born 
 in 1880. 
 
 Mrs. Ellison is managing and carrying on the 
 Hotel Roney, of Onarga, which has both a fine 
 transient and home trade. The hotel is well lo- 
 cated, being close to the depot and also to the 
 business part of the town. Her guests are made 
 to feel at home, and she is enjo3-ing a liberal pat- 
 ronage which is well deserved. 
 
 "^OHN B. CODY was one of the worthy citi- 
 zens of Iroquois County, whose loss through- 
 out the community' in which be lived was 
 deepl}' mourned. His life record is as 
 follows: He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., 
 on the 19th of August, 1822, and was a son of 
 Rhodolphus and Ann (Barber) Cody. His father 
 was a native of Connecticut, but his mother was 
 
PORTRAIT AND BICKER APHlCilL RFXORD. 
 
 215 
 
 horn in llie Emerald Isle, nnd in an early day em- 
 igrated from Ireland to tiiis country. The family 
 of this worthy couple numbered seven children, live 
 sons and two daughters, of whom our sulijcct was 
 the second in order of hirth. He remained with 
 his parents in New York until twentv years of 
 age, and in the district schools of his neighbor- 
 hood acHpiired his education. In 181.5, the family, 
 including our subject, emigrated to Illinois, loca- 
 ting in Kendall County. 
 
 Four years later, or May 25, 1M1<». ;Mr. Cody of 
 this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Jane 
 Knox, of Kendall County, and a daughter of 
 Charles and Olive Knox, the former a native of 
 New .Ierse_v, and the latter of the Empire .State. 
 In the Knox family' wei'C eight children, five sons 
 and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Cody is the 
 fourth in order of birth. By her marriage she be- 
 came the mother of live children, but two of them 
 died in infancy. Those still living at this writing, 
 in the winter of 18!)2, are Einor\- J., who is one 
 of the leading farmers of Prairie Orecn Township; 
 George II., also a prosperous farmer of the same 
 township; and Olive .\., wife of Cicorge A. St..Iuhn, 
 a farmer of Prairie Oreen Township. 
 
 I'pon his marriage Mr. Cody took up his residence 
 and made Kendall Count3' his home till he came 
 with his family to Iroquois County, and located in 
 Prairie Green Township. This wa,s in 1876. lie 
 purchased one hundred and si.xty acres of land, and 
 by his care and cultivation, his enterprise and en- 
 ergy, transformed it into one of the finest farms of 
 the community. The home thereon is a beautiful 
 residence. In the rear of which stand good barns 
 and other necessary outbuildings, which in turn 
 are surrounded by waving fields of grain. The 
 place seems complete in all its appointments and 
 it.s nian^- improvements are as a monument to the 
 thrift and enterprise of Mr. Cody, who made his 
 home thereon until his death. 
 
 In earh' life our subject was a su|)porter of the 
 Whig party and cast his first Presidential vote for 
 the hero of Tippecanoe, Gen. William Henry Har- 
 rison. On the organization of the Re|)iiblican 
 party he joined its ranks and was ever afterward 
 an enthusiastic supporter of its principles. In re- 
 ligious lirlief he was a Methoclist and was a liberal 
 
 supporter of the church. He was recognized 
 throughout the community us a pifuninenl and in- 
 fluential citizen and his loss was decpl\- regretted. 
 After only one day's illness he died of heart 
 trouble on the 6th of August, iss.',. Thus an 
 honorable, upright life was ended, but his inlliiciice 
 still lives on. Mrs. Cody is still living at the age 
 of sixty-eight years. She is also a memlier of 
 the Methodist Episco|)al Church and is a lady pos- 
 sessed of many excellencies of character. With 
 her children she yet occupies the beautiful home 
 left her by her husband. 
 
 
 ^^^EORGE W. SH.VNKLANI), a prominent 
 'II (=^ farmer and early settler of Prairie Green 
 ^^ Township, who resides on section 27, well 
 deserves representation in this volume, and with 
 pleasure we present to our readers this record of 
 his life. A native of Indiana, he was born near 
 Marshficld, on the SOtli of May, 1^53, and is the 
 second in a family of five children, numbering 
 three sons and two daughters. His parents were 
 Kendal and Amaiid.'i (Harris) Shankland. His 
 father was born in Kentucky in lH2r), and in 18.') 1 
 they came to this county and located in Prairie 
 Green Township, where he spent the remainder of 
 his life. He died on the old homestead at the age 
 of fifty-seven years. His widow still survives him 
 and is yet living in Indiana. 
 
 (ieorge W. Shankland, whose iiaiiic heads this 
 sketch, spent the days of hi-, boyhood and youth 
 ujxrn his father's farm, his time being quietly 
 passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. When 
 a young man. he left htimc and emigrated to Holt 
 County, Neb., where he took up a tree claim, also 
 a homestead and pre-einptitm claim. The county 
 was then in its i)rimitive condition, being very 
 sparsely settled. There were only three houses 
 between his claim and .Xtkinsoiua distance of twenty 
 miles, and these were made of sod. Mr. Shank- 
 land continued to engage in the operation of his 
 claims in Nebraska until after iiis father's death. 
 
246 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 when he sold out his interest in the West and re- 
 tunied to Iroquois County to talve charge of the 
 old homestead, which was left to him as his share 
 of his father's estate. Since that time, lie has car- 
 ried on general farming and stock-raising in this 
 conimunit\', and has an excellent farm, under a 
 high state of cultivation and well imiiroved with 
 all modern accessories. Its neat appearance indi- 
 cates his careful management. It comprises one 
 hundred and eighty-five acies of arable land and is 
 considered one of the hesl-improved farms in 'the 
 townshii). 
 
 October 15, 1877, .Mr. Shankland was united in 
 marriage with Miss Susan R. Segear. who was then 
 a resident of Vermilion Couiit^', 111. Her par- 
 ents are both living and now reside in Omaha, 
 Neb. Unto our subject and his wife have been 
 lK)rn two children, but the younger died in in- 
 fancy. Clark G., the elder, is still under the par- 
 ental roof and is now a lad of fourteen years. The 
 parents and their son are members of the Christian 
 Church and they take an active interest in church 
 work. They are also prominent people in the com- 
 munity, being widely and favorabl}' known. In 
 his political views, IMr. Shankland is a Republican, 
 having long supijorted the principles of that party. 
 He has never been a iiolitician in the sense of of- 
 fice-seeking. He is numbered among the valued 
 citizens of Prairie Green Township, who manifests 
 a commendable interest in everything pertaining 
 to the welfare of the community in which he has 
 so loii" made his home. 
 
 /5^\ HARLKS O. CL1':A\'P:R, a highly respected 
 |( , citizen of Milford, is a native of Indiana, 
 ^^' his birth having occurred in La Fayette, 
 Tippecanoe County, October 10, 1835. His grand- 
 parents, Josejih and Ann Cleaver, were natives of 
 l'enn.sylvania, and were members of the Society of 
 Friends. His parents, Charles and Ann (M.'iddcn) 
 Cleaver, were from Baltimore, ISId. 
 
 No event of special importance occurred during 
 the boyhood and youth of our subject. When 
 four years of age he lost his mother, and he was 
 reared by a bachelor uncle, Mahlon Cleaver, and 
 educated in the public schools. In April, 1857, 
 he came to Milford, Iroquois County, and fui Oc- 
 tober 17, 1858, was united in marriage with Miss 
 Charlotte Davis, daughter of Jonathan and Eliza- 
 beth (Britton) Davis. In the spring of 1800, Mi: 
 Cleaver and his wife removed to Indiana, and on 
 November 7, 1861, he bade her good-bye and 
 started for the war, enlisting as a member of the 
 Tenth Battery, Indiana Light Artillery, under 
 Capt. J. B. Cox. He served until January 10, 
 1865, vvhen, his term having expired, he was hon- 
 orably discharged in Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 Rejoining his family at La Fayette, Ind., in the 
 following Februar}', Mr. Cleaver and his wife re- 
 turned to Milford, III., and were residents of this 
 lilace until 1868, when they returned to La Fay- 
 ette, Ind. He was there engaged in farming for 
 many years, making it his home until October 17, 
 1880. Once more he came to Milford, and is at 
 present serving as Police Magistrate of the city. 
 He has also filled the otllces of Town Clerk, Con- 
 stable, was Justice of the Peace two terms, and 
 was Township Trustee in Washington Township, 
 Tippecanoe County, Ind., for two terms. He lias 
 also filled the position of Postmaster three times, 
 twice in Blilford and once in Colburn, Ind. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cleaver have been born eight 
 children, five of whom are yet living, four sons and 
 a daughter, as follows: Charles Ernest, the eldest, 
 married Miss Annie Royer, of Baltimore, Md., and 
 unto them have been born three children, a son 
 and two daughters, Nina Opal, Ruby and Oscar; 
 AVinnifred is the wife of Alexander Galey, of Battle 
 Ground, Ind.; Archibald D., Henry Ward Beecher, 
 and Barton R. The parents are both members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially, Mr. 
 (Ueaver is a member of Vennum Post No. 171, (i. 
 A. R., and of Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. & A. 
 M. He has always aftiliated with the Democratic 
 jiarly and is a stniich advocate of its principles, 
 yet has many warm friends in the ranks of the Re- 
 publican [laily. He is a public-spirited and pro- 
 gressive man, and has always iaken an fictive 
 
c- c 
 
 
 
 <S.^J(^yL-tytAyi^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIITCAL RFX'ORD. 
 
 interest in the welfare of the comniunity in wiiicli 
 lie resides. His sterling worth has won him high 
 regard, and we take pleasure in presenting this 
 record of liis life to our readers. 
 
 ^^^^=^1 
 
 a;s:B 
 
 11^^ 
 
 jS^RANK M. WILLIAMSON, who is engaged 
 Ur^" in farming on section "23, Prairie Oreen 
 /li, ^ Township, is one of the honored pioneers 
 of this count}'. Few men have longer been resi- 
 dents of tliis part of Illinois than our subject, who 
 has watched the growth and upbuilding of the 
 comniunity, has seen its progress and advancement 
 and aided in its development. Certainly he de- 
 serves representation in this volume. 
 
 Mr. M'illiamson was born Septenilier 6, 1843. in 
 Stocklaud Township, Iroquois County, and is a son 
 of 15. P. and Margaret (Williams) Williamson. 
 The grandfather of our subject was a native of 
 ^'irginla, and was of German descent, while his 
 wife was born in Ireland. In 1832, the}' emigrated 
 to Iroquois County, and here spent tlie rest of 
 iheir lives. Their son B. P. was born in Ohio, 
 April 7, 1816, and was therefore but sixteen years 
 of age when he acconijjanied his parents to this 
 county. On reaching man's estate, lie crossed the 
 line into Indiana, and married .lune 12, 1838, 
 Miss Williams, who was born in that State Decem- 
 ber 20, 1820. The young couple began tlieir mar- 
 ried life in Iroquois County. Mr. AVilliamson en- 
 tered land from the Governinent, situated at 
 Crab Apple Grove in Stockhind Townshii), on which 
 he made iiis home until 18.50, when he located 
 near ISIilford, where he died February 3, 1890. 
 Tlius another of the pioneers passed away. He was 
 a highly respected man, and a valued citizen. His 
 wife had preceded him to the spirit world, dying 
 at the age of thirty-two. 
 
 Our subject was the third in order of birth in 
 their family of four sons and a daughter. He re- 
 mained with his parents until nineteen years of 
 age, and his boyhood days were spent in work 
 upon the home farm or in attendance at the com- 
 mon district schools of the neighborhood. After 
 the breaking out of the late war. he laid aside all 
 
 other considerations, and responded 1o the call of 
 duty, and on the Otli of August. 1802, he offered 
 his services to the (ioveriirneiil. He was assigned 
 to Company' E, Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry, 
 with which he did service for three years, or until 
 his discharge on the 7th of August, 18(1;'), after the 
 close of the war. He was engaged in all of the 
 battles from Columbus, Ky., through to Texas, 
 the principal of which were the battles around 
 A'icksburg, the siege of that city, and the battle 
 near Jackson, Miss., where the Seventy-sixth lost 
 about one-third of its men in killed and wounded. 
 At Ft. HIakely the regiment lost heavily, thirty 
 being killed. In May, 1892, the survivors of the 
 regiment erected a fine monument to mark the 
 resting-place and to perpetuate the memory of 
 their comrades who fell in that l)loody charge 
 there. Before the close of the war he was made 
 Sergeant. He was a faithful soldier, always found 
 at his post, and of his army record he may well be 
 proud. 
 
 In 18(i.'), Mr. Williamson returned from the war, 
 and engaged in farming in this county. On the 
 21st of March, 1869, he was united in marriage to 
 Miss Dina Slaughter, of this county. Her parents, 
 William L. and Isabel (McClain) Slaughter, na- 
 tives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, 
 emigrated to Illinois in 1864. Four sons and two 
 daughters have graced the marriage of our subject 
 and his wife, but two are now deceased: Glennie 
 E., the eldest, is a young man of twenty-two j'ears, 
 now attending the Vali)araiso Normal College, of 
 Indiana; William B. is also a student in the same 
 college; Leni L. died February 2. 1892, at the age of 
 seventeen years, two months and four days; Har- 
 lan is at home; and Margaret Isabella. There was 
 also another child, born Septemlier 12, 1872, which 
 died on the 16th of October of the same year. 
 
 In 1870, Mr. Williamson purchased eighty acres 
 of partially improved land in Prairie (ireen Town- 
 ship, on which he has made his home continuously 
 since. He now owns a very (ine farm of one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres, under a high state of culti- 
 vation, and well improved with all the accessories 
 of a model farm. In connection with his agricul- 
 tural (tursuits he is also a stockholder and Director 
 in the Stale Bank of Ambia. Iiid. Hi' is a man of 
 
 II 
 
250 
 
 PORTRAIT AND B10(JHAPIilCAL RECORD, 
 
 excellent business ability and by his perseverance, 
 enterprise and well-directed efforts lias aeliieved 
 a success which has placed him among the sub- 
 stantial citizens of the coninuiiiit\-, and of wliich 
 he is well deservini;. 
 
 In his political afliliations, Mr. Williamson is a 
 Republican, liaving been a warm supporter of that 
 part}' since he cast his first Presidential vote for 
 r. S. Grant. ' lie has held a number of olticial po- 
 sitions, was Supervisor for eight years, and has 
 been School Director of his district for the long 
 period of eighteen 3'ears, Collector two years, and 
 Census Enumerator of his township for 1880. 
 The prompt and al)le manner in which he ever 
 discharges his public duties has won him high 
 commendation, and led to liis frequent re-election. 
 Socially, he is a member of the Wellington Lodge 
 No. 785, T. O. O. F., and he and wife and sou are 
 members of the Christian Ciiurch. Mr. William- 
 son is not only recognized as an honored pioneer, 
 but is also one of the valued and highly respected 
 citizens of the community, whose worth and abil- 
 ity have won him the highest regard. 
 
 — f^^-r 
 
 m 
 
 «^ 
 
 AMES BELL, a member of the firm of Bell 
 & Duckworth, and an enterprising business 
 man of Watseka, located liere in 1888, at 
 which time, in company with H. C. Browne, 
 he went into the plauiug-mill business, the firm be- 
 ing known as 11. C. Browne & Co. Li 1890, Mr. 
 Browne sold out his interest, and the following 
 year Mr. Bell a.ssociated witii him Mr. Duckwortii, 
 founding the present firm. 
 
 The subject of this memoir is a native of Ohio, 
 his birth having occui-red in Noble County, Sej)- 
 tember 29,' 184(5. He is descended from .Scotch- 
 Irish ancestors on both sides. His paternal grand- 
 l)arents, AVilliam and Jane (Nugent) Bell, emi- 
 grated from Beloody Mills, County Down, Ireland, 
 to Philadelphia, Pa., in 1790. AVhile Ohio was 
 yet a part of the Northwest Territory they moved 
 tliillier and located in tlie Red Stone Settlement, 
 which was afterward included in Belmont County. 
 Jn the }-car 180(5, they removed to Noble County, 
 
 where the grandmother died in the year 1846 
 and the grandfather in 1857. The latter became a 
 wealthy farmer. The maternal grandparents of 
 Mr. Bell were natives of the same section in Ire- 
 land, but came to America in 1788. They, too, 
 bore thesame family name, being James and Jennie 
 (Stewart) Bell. L^pon arriving in. this country-, 
 they crossed the mountains to what is now Ohio 
 County, W. \'a. There the}' (lassed the remaining 
 years of their life, he dying in I84'2, and she in 
 1865, at the age of ninct3'-three. 
 
 Mr. Bell's ancestors on both sides were Presliv- 
 terians, as loyal to the "kirk" as they were to the 
 Government of their adopted country. The father 
 of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
 was born in Noble Count}', Ohio, July 29, 1819. 
 Before coming West, he married Miss Jane Bell, 
 who was born in Ohio County, W, Va., January 
 14,1818. In 1872, they moved to Iroquois Count}', 
 III., and three years later located in Sheldon. He 
 died August 12, 1878, and she November 9, 1891. 
 They were highly respected and honored through- 
 out the community where they lived. They had 
 two sons. Joe Bell, who is a veteran of the late 
 war and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, resides at Pontiac, 111. 
 
 Mr. James Bell received his education in liis na- 
 tive county, and at the age of twenty-one lie 
 started in business for himself by engaging in 
 farming in Ford County, 111., and continued in 
 that occupation until the year 1880. For the suc- 
 ceeding eight years he bought and sold horses, 
 doing very well financially. As before stated, he 
 came to Watseka in 1888, where he engaged in the 
 planing-mill business, in which he has been blessed 
 with success. In connection with their mill, the 
 firm furnishes the power to the electric light plant, 
 which supplies four hundred and eighty incan- 
 descent lamps to the city, and h.as the power of 
 su[)plying eight hundred lights. 
 
 In 1867, our subject married Miss JNIary Win- 
 stanley, a daughter of Thomas Winstauley, who was 
 a native of Somersetshire, England. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. Bell was born a family of five children, three 
 of whom are now living: Harry, Homer and Jessie. 
 The mother of these children died in 1880. Mr. 
 Bell was again married, in 1885, this time to Miss 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RFX'ORD. 
 
 .'.".I 
 
 Ida ^'('nllUln. whose father is Andrew Venmim, a 
 lesideiit of this county. Their union lias been 
 bles.'^ed with two children: Eva and Florence. 
 
 Mr. Bell and wife are nicinbers of the Methodist 
 Kpiscopal Church and lake an active part in its 
 work, to which they lend their liberal support. 
 He is known throughout tlie county as a man of 
 sterling worth, upright and honorable in all his 
 dealings. His courteous treatment and efforts to 
 please his customers have secured for him a liberal 
 pMtronage, and the establishment of which he is 
 the head ranks among the leading l)usiness inter- 
 ests of the community. He has won his [jrcsent 
 measure of success through his own industrious 
 efforts, and well merits the con)fortal)lc competency 
 which he has acquired. 
 
 « ftlLLIAM F. PIP:RS0N, a prominent lawyer, 
 \/\J// ^'"^ '* successfully engaged in practice in 
 ^//^ Onarga, where he located in 1890, was 
 born on the 3rd of February, 18;').?, in Marion 
 County, Ohio, and is one of live children who were 
 born unto Thomas and Margaret (Fickle) I'ierson, 
 the former a native of Maryland and the latter of 
 Ohio. Their family' numbered the following sc)ns 
 and daughters: John T., William F., Homer, Mag- 
 gie and Eva. In 1868, the father emigrated with 
 his family fiom Ohio to Illinois, and look up his 
 residence at Hucklev, this county, where he en- 
 gaged in farming and stock-raising. He owned 
 and operated two hundred and forty acres of land 
 on section .36, Arlesia Township, and there made 
 his home until 1874, when he was elected Sheriff 
 on the (irecnback ticket. He faithfully discharged 
 the duties of this oHice, and when his term had ex- 
 pired removed to Chicago, where he spent his re- 
 maining days, his death occurring February Kith, 
 
 !-<'.• I. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a lad of liftcen 
 ,.;u's when with his parents became to Illinois. 
 His early education, acquired in thecornmon schools 
 was supplemented by a course in fJrand I'rairie 
 ^iininarv, and he also attended the Commercial 
 
 College of Onarga. When his literary education 
 w.as completed, he madi' choice of the legal profes- 
 sion as a life woik.and after studying law for some 
 time in Walseka, was admiHeii to the liar in lM8:i. 
 On the .31bt of the .•^anie month, lie led to the mar- 
 riage altar Miss Ella IJrelsford, daughter of Dr. .1. 
 Hrelsford. Their union has been lilessed with one 
 child, a son, .lose|)h, born on the .^tli of .lanuary. 
 
 1 sx:>. 
 
 After being aduiitled to the r):ir, Mr. I'ierson re- 
 moved to Chicago and entered upon the practice 
 of his chosen profession, but close confinement to 
 his work impaired his health, and, hoping to be 
 bcnelited thereby, he went to the South, He made 
 a location in Eastland, Eastland County. Tex., 
 where he remained for a time, when, feeling much 
 restored in health, he returned to the North, and 
 this time took up his residence i n Iro(|uois County. 
 In December, 1890, ho opened a law oflice in Onarga, 
 and is already enjoying a lucrative [jractice, hav- 
 ing the advantage of a twenty-five years" ac(piaiiit- 
 ance in the county. 
 
 In the fall of 1878, John T. Pierson, a brother 
 of our subject, was elected Sheriff of the county on 
 the Democratic ticket, and the latter became Dep- 
 uty, serving for the term of two years. Mr. Pier- 
 son of this sketch has spent much of his life in 
 Irocpiois County, and has gained many friends 
 among its best citizens. He is a public-spirited and 
 l)rogressive man. who takes a commendable inter- 
 est in all that |)ertains to the welfare of the com- 
 munity and its upbuilding. He is well versed in 
 law, is a close student of his profession, and has 
 already won a place in the front rank of the Bar 
 of Ir(p(|Uois Couiit\-. 
 
 
 sJ^ TEl'HEN AD.SIT, the ellicient Postmaster 
 >^ of Wellington, is one of the honored early 
 settlers of the county, where he has resided 
 for more than thirty-five years. He has 
 watched its growth and upbuilding, has aided in 
 its development and advancement, has ever borne 
 his part in the enterprises calculated to |)rove of 
 
?52 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 public benefit, and lias faitlifully discliarged lii? 
 duties of citizensliip. His life record is as follows: 
 
 Mr. Adsit is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, 
 boin on the 28th of June, 1821), and is a son of 
 Samuel and Sarah A. (Stowe) Adsit. Mis grand- 
 parents were of (ierman and English extraction. 
 ITis father was a native of New York, acquired his 
 education in the old-time schools, and in his youth 
 learned the trade of carpentering. He served as a 
 siildiiM- in the War of 1812. In politics, he was an 
 old-line Whig and took an active part in the 
 campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler, too." ^Vith 
 the Christian Cliurch he held membership, and liis 
 death occurred in Illinois, at the age of sixty-five 
 years. His wife was born in the Green Mountain 
 State and lived to the advanced age of eighty- 
 seven years. Tlie remains of both were interred 
 in Sugar Creek Chapel Cemetery in Stockton 
 Township, where a beautiful monument has been 
 erected to their memory. 
 
 Unto this worthy couple was bcn'ii a faniil}- of 
 nine children, five sons and four daughters, of 
 whom six are yet living and all make their home 
 in Iroquois County. .U)hn P. and Silas are mar- 
 ried and carry on farming; Stephen of tliis sketch 
 is the next younger; DeWittC. is married and fol- 
 lows farming in Lovejoy Township; Pho-be is the 
 wife of Simpson Gallimore, a resident of Milford 
 Township; and Mary is the wife of Stephen Fer- 
 rand, who cari'ics on agricultural pursuits in Love- 
 joy Township. 
 
 Vie now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who spent the lirst twelve years of his life 
 in his native State and then removed to Indiana, 
 locating in Adams County, where he remained un- 
 til twenty-five years of age. He was educated in 
 Wilmington, but, not content with his privileges, 
 after attaining liis majority he entered the schools 
 in Rluffton, Ind. When he started out in life foi' 
 himself his possessions comprised only one hundred 
 and twenty acres of land, and this was a raw- and 
 undeveloped tract, upon which not a furrow had 
 been turned or an improvement made. It was in 
 18.53 that he came to Illinois and cast in his hit 
 with the early settlers of Iroquois County, where he 
 has since made his home. He secured employment, 
 breaking prairie for sod corn, Puring those first 
 
 years, he experienced many of the hardships and 
 trials of pioneer life. The country was almost en- 
 tirely unimproved, the prairies were covered with 
 wild grass, and the few settlements were widely 
 scattered. There were no railroads in the vicinity 
 and the trading-post w.as far distant. 
 
 During the winter of 1856, Mr. Adsit took charge 
 of the first school of Lovejoy Township. His 
 salar3' was $40 per month and he boarded 'round. 
 Those were the days when they followed the old 
 inle, "Spare the rod and spoil the child," and close 
 l)y the master was always a light twig which kept 
 the unruly pupils in order. Mr. Adsit was the 
 first schoolmaster in Prairie Green Township, and 
 Mr. Shankland, editor of the Iroquois County' i?e- 
 pubUcan. was one of his pupils. Our subject w.as a 
 teacher of pronounced ability. He taught alto- 
 gether for tvventy terms, and many of his old 
 ))upils are now filling important positions of trust 
 and honor, being ministers, |nililic otlicers, mer- 
 chants, etc. 
 
 On the 27th of December, 1863, Mr. Adsit mar- 
 ried Mrs. Racliel M. Prillaman, daughter of .lohn 
 and Melinda (Wilson) Markle.y. Unto them has 
 been born a son, Bei't W., who is now attending 
 school and is his father's deputy in the i)ostoltice. 
 The parents are both members of the Cliristian 
 Church and are among its prominent workers, Mr. 
 .\dsit serving .as Elder. He helped erect what is 
 known as the Antioch Church, one of the first 
 clinrches in tlie county, and has been connected 
 with the same for thirty-five years. lie has fre- 
 tjuently served as Superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school, and his addresses in Sunday-school conven- 
 tions are said to be among the best. 
 
 Mr. Adsit cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. 
 Winfleld Scott, and on the organization of the Re- 
 pul)Iican part}' espoused its cause and has since 
 been one of its warm advocates. He has frequently 
 served as a delegate to its conventions, where his 
 opinions are always received with deference. Ik- 
 was elected Su|)ervisor of Lovejoy Township for 
 two terms, during which time he advocated a re- 
 solution which vvas for paj'ing specified salaries to 
 the county officers, including clerk hire, which was 
 adopted. In public and private life, Mr. Adsit is 
 alike true to every trust reposed in him. He has 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 considerable talent as an orator, and his cam])ai,ijn 
 speeches, both fluent and brilliant, have done 
 much to benefit his party. He has served as School 
 Director of his district and was a member of the 
 first Board of Commissioners of Lovejoy Town- 
 ship, which laid out many of the principal roads 
 and highways of the community. He is now serv- 
 ing as Postmaster of Wellington, to which position 
 he was appointed lij' President Harrison, through 
 the .agency of Hon. L. E. Payson. He owns two 
 hundred and fifty acres of fertile and valuable 
 land in Lovejo}' and Prairie Green Townships. A 
 man of sterling worth and strict integrity, IMr. 
 Ailsit is widely and favorably known, and as a 
 valued citizen and an honored pioneer deserves 
 representation in the histor^y of his adopted 
 count v. 
 
 i>^^<i 
 
 (AMES A. PRUITT, a retired farmer now re- 
 siding in Goodwinc, well deserves repre- 
 sentation in this volume, for he is numbered 
 ^i^f,' among its early pioneers, almost forty years 
 having passed since he located in the county. lie 
 has experienced the hardships and privations of 
 [lioneer life, and h.as watched the growth of the 
 county from the da3'S of its early infancy almost, 
 has seen its wild land transformed into beautiful 
 homes and farms, while towns and villages have 
 sprung up, indicating rapid progress and advance- 
 ment. 
 
 Mr. Pruitt was born near J>a Fayette, in Tippe- 
 canoe Count)', Ind., August 21, 1832. His father, 
 .lolin R. Pruitt, was a native of Virginia, and dur- 
 ing childhood went to Kentucky, where he w.is 
 reared to manhood. He learned the trade of a 
 shoe-maker with his father, and in 1820 emigrated 
 to Washington County, Ind.. where he was mar- 
 ried five years later to !Miss Barbara Bceker. Her 
 grandfather w.as a native of Germany. In an early 
 day he emigrated to America, locating in North 
 Carolina, and served in the Revolutionary War, 
 under Gen. Washington. In 1820, he emigrated 
 to Washington County. Ind., and seven years later 
 went to Tippecanoe County, where his death oc- 
 
 curred. Mrs. Pruitt is still living with o\ir sub- 
 ject at the age of oighty-lhrec \C!ii-s. In 1827. the 
 parents of .lames emigrated U> Tipi.ecanne County, 
 and located among the Inilians. He there followed 
 his trade and took up (iovernincnt land, on which 
 he developed a farm. The cil\ of l.a Fayette wrus 
 not yet ft)unded. 
 
 In 185G,,lohn I'riiitl came with his family to 
 Iroquois County, and carried on merchandising in 
 Milford until his death on the 1st of May, 18ri8. 
 He took quite a prominent i)art in public alTaiis, 
 and was honored with a number of local ollices. 
 With the Christian Church he held memlieiship, 
 and his wife w.as a member of the INIethodisl Epis- 
 copal Church. In politics, he was a Whig. Their 
 children were .as follows: Lucretia Ijecame the wife 
 of Elias Laird, and died in this county; Simeon 
 died in Indiana in 18,')0; James A. is the next 
 younger; Daniel was in the Forty-second Illinois 
 Infantr}- for three years, and is now a minister of 
 the Methodist E[)iscopal Church, located in Ottawa, 
 Iowa: William Henry Harrison, who served in the 
 Twentieth Indiana Infantry for nearl}' four years, 
 is now a farmer in Nebraska; .John B., who wore the 
 blue .as a member of the Forty-second Illinois In- 
 fantry for three years, is now living in Watseka; 
 .loseph, who was also in the war, owns a line farm 
 near Wellington; Randolph is a silversmith in 
 Kans.as; Jlrs. Elizabeth Brownlee is living in Ells- 
 worth, Wis.; .Mrs. .lennie Crawford makes her home 
 in Kansas; and .Mrs. Margaret Davis completes the 
 family. 
 
 Mr. Pruitt's earliest recollections are of a pio- 
 neer home upcm a new farm, the Indians being 
 numbered among their neighbors. His education 
 was .acquired in a school conducted on the sub- 
 scription plan, which he attended for three months 
 in the winter season, walking three miles to and 
 from the place. When a lad of nine years, he 
 went to live with his grandfather, and at that 
 early age began work in the fields, following the 
 plow. With him he remained until fourteen years 
 of age, when he went to an uncle, for whom he 
 worked for twenty-live cents per day. Through- 
 out his entire life he has been connected with agri- 
 culture. In 18i):5. he left his uncle, and for ayear 
 w.as emi)loyed in a mill. In 1H.')4, he came by 
 
256 
 
 PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 wagon to Illinois, and rented a farm until the fall 
 of 18r)9, wlien he purchased a tract of eighty acres 
 of land on section 3, Fountain Creek Township. 
 In 1862, he removed to section 31, IMilford Town- 
 ship, secured one hundred and tive acres, and de- 
 veloped and improved afine farm, which he made 
 his home until quite recently. There was much 
 hard work connected with this, however, but he la- 
 bored on unceasingly, and success crowned his per- 
 severance and well-directed efforts. He was not 
 worth $100 when he came to this county, but he 
 now owns eight hundred acres of valuable land, 
 besides other property'. In connection with general 
 farming he engaged in shipping cattle and hogs 
 quite extensively'. 
 
 On the 17th of March, 1857, in Carroll County, 
 Ind., Mr. Pruitt married Miss Barbara, daughter of 
 Henry and Magdalena Ileiny. Her parents were 
 from Pennsylvania, and were of German descent. 
 Mrs. Pruitt was a native of Wayne County, Ind., 
 born July 13, 1836. Four children were born of 
 their union: Mary Magdalene, who isnow the wife 
 of Peter J. Hickman, of Nebraska; f^lias, who owns 
 a fine farm in Ash Grove Township; Annice, wife 
 of J. M. Gillett, of Kankakee; and James II. in 
 a railroad office of Kankakee. All of tlie children 
 were born and reared in this county. They all at- 
 tended the public scliools, and the last-named was 
 educated in Watseka, lloopeston and Valparaiso, 
 while the others attended Green Hill Seminary of 
 Indiana. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt iiave been connected with 
 the Christian Church since young, and are num- 
 bered among its faithful members and active work- 
 ers. Sociall}', he is a member of the Masonic 
 Lodge jS'o. 168, of Milford. He cast his first Presi- 
 dential vote for AVinfield .Scott, supporting the 
 Whig paity until 1856, when he voted for Fre- 
 mont. Since that time he has affiliated with the 
 Republican party. During the late war he was a 
 strong friend of the Union, and aided his country 
 and Its soldiers in various ways. In 1886, he left 
 the farm, and after spending four years in Wat- 
 seka, came to Good wine, where he now owns a 
 handsome and commodious residence and ten acres 
 of ground. Mr. Pruitt is familiar with pioneer 
 life in this region, and as an earl}' settler and a 
 
 valued and representative citizen, well deserves 
 representation in this volume. The history of his 
 life is one of success, and his career is worthy of 
 emulation, for it has been characterized by up- 
 rightness in all things. 
 
 Tf^^ LIAS PRITITT, a well known young farmer 
 Us) of Ash Grove Township, residing on sec- 
 /jL^' turn 28, is a representative of one of the 
 pioneer families of this county. He was born in 
 Fountain Creek Township on the 12tli of Feb- 
 ruary, 1860, and is one of four children whose 
 parents were James A. and Barbara (Heiny) 
 Pruitt. Their sketch is given on another page. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our sub- 
 ject, who, in the usual manner of farmer lads, was 
 reared to manhood. He began his education in 
 the district schools, later attended school in lloopes- 
 ton and Milford, and subsequently was a student 
 in Green Hill Seminary. At the age of twenty, 
 having completed his scholastic training, he started 
 out in life for himself, and has since been engaged 
 in agricultural pursuits. In December, 1883, he 
 purchased his present farm, comprising two hun- 
 dred and seventy-five acres of arable land under a 
 high state of cultivation, and well improved. 
 Man}- rods of tiling have been placed upon it, and 
 a comfortable residence and good barns and out- 
 buildings indicate the thrift and enterprise of the 
 owner. The farm is one of the valuable places of 
 the community, and our subject is one of the lead- 
 ing agriculturists. 
 
 In March, 1882, in Fountain Creek Township, 
 Mr. Pruitt was united in marriage with Miss Ara- 
 bella, daughter of Jacob J. Wise, one of the early 
 settlers of this county. She is a native of Foun- 
 tain Creek Township, and there spent the days of 
 her girlhood. By their union have been born five 
 children: Forest; Earl, who died at the age of six 
 weeks; Glenn, Flossie Maud and the baby. 
 
 In 1884, Mr. Pruitt proudly cast his first vote, 
 supporting James G. Blaine, and has since been a 
 warm advocate of Republican principles. His wife 
 
^iil^''' 
 
 -^ 
 
 V^-' 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRATMIICAL RECORD. 
 
 is a member of the Uiiiterl Brelhien Church, and 
 he contributes liberally to its support. His entire 
 life has lieen passed in this county, and that it 1ms 
 been an honorable, upright one, is attested by his 
 large circle of friends. lie has the respect of all 
 wiio know him, and is numbered among tiie pro- 
 -iffsive and substantial young farmers of the 
 ( ommunitx'. 
 
 L. liROllECK, M. D., is a prominent rep- 
 resentative of the medical profession in 
 Iroquois County. He makes liis home in 
 ^^ Wellington and is recognized as one of 
 
 ii- leading and influential citizens. Through busi- 
 ness and social relations he has become widely 
 known in this coniniunity and with pleasure we 
 present this record of his life to our readers, many 
 iif whom are numbered among his warm friends. 
 The Doctor was born in Washington County, 
 Teun., January 10, 1853, and is a son of D. K. and 
 Harriet T. (Miller) Brobeck. His father was born 
 in Tennessee, August 7, 1827, and is still living. 
 He is a blacksmith by trade and owns a farm, the 
 same upon which our subject was reared. In his 
 younger years he al.so engaged in teaching. 
 Throughout life he has met with excellent success 
 and is now in comfortable circumstances. In poli- 
 tics, he is a supporter of Republican principles. 
 His wife was born in Tennessee, August 20, 1820. 
 Roth parents are members of the Presbyterian 
 Church. Their family numbered twelve cliildren, 
 five of whom are yet living: Nannie is the wife of 
 A. a. .Stover, a farmer of Tennessee; the Doctor 
 comes next; .Fames is a carpenter and joiner, resid- 
 ing in Momence, III.; Addie resides with her fa- 
 ther, and .lohn, of Wellington, is studying den- 
 tistry. 
 
 Dr. l{rol)eck spent his bo\hood daj-s upon his 
 father's farm in the .State of his nativit}'. His 
 education was acquired in the [)ub]ic schools of 
 Brownsboro, after which he attended Laurel Hill 
 Academy, and subsequently became a student in 
 Washington College, one of the pioneer colleges 
 of the counlrv. It was founded in 1772, bv Rev. 
 
 Samuel Doak, D. D., of Princeton College. He came 
 to Tennessee, and preached his first sermon while 
 sitting on a horse. This was in the early days, when 
 the country wasstillan almost unbroken wilderness. 
 
 Our subject has in his pos.session a [wrtrait, which 
 was taken by the artist through the keyhole of 
 the door, as the old Doctor was very averse to 
 having his likeness taken. Dr. Brobeck remained 
 in Washington College for about three years as a 
 Latin student, and afterward studied in Greenville 
 and Tusculum Colleges. 
 
 The Doctor began reading medicine under the 
 eminent practitioner, Dr. Alex Brabson, of Lime- 
 stone, Tenn., who was an own cousin of his 
 mother, and began to practice while under the di- 
 rection of Dr. Brabson, continuing his connection 
 with the gentleman for a period of four years. In 
 the fall of 1883, Dr. Brobeck became a student in 
 the medical department of the University- of Louis- 
 ville, Ky., from which he was graduated in 188;"). 
 He stood among the foremost in his class, which 
 numbered .seventy-six. On leaving school, he re- 
 turned home and again took u|) practice, continu- 
 ing until 1885, when he came to Illinois. October 
 28, 188(i, the Doctor, married Miss D. A. Pruitt, 
 daughter of Joseph and Augusta (Hind) Pruitt. 
 Two children have been born of this union, both 
 daughters, Nellie E. and Hazel. 
 
 On coming to this State, Dr. Bi'obeck located at 
 Wellington, where he has since resided. His skill 
 and ability have won for him a high reputation 
 and secured him a liberal patronage, which he well 
 deserves. His neat and well-appointed ollice is 
 supplied with the finest instruments used in sur- 
 gery. He also has a compressed air apparatus used 
 in catarrhal and respiratory diseases, and an excel- 
 lent physician's micro.scope, manufactured in Lon- 
 don. He has one of the finest medical libraries to 
 l)e found in Central Illinois, and his table is al- 
 wa3'S supplied with the leading medical journals 
 and periodicals. He is a constant student of his 
 profession, a tireless worker, and his skill is duly 
 recognized by his professional brethren. The ob- 
 stacles and ditticulties in his path he has overcome 
 by indefatigable labor and perseverance. In man- 
 ner, the Doctor is a courteous and affable gentle- 
 man, wliu wins friends wherever he goes. In [Kili- 
 
258 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tics, he is a stalwart Republican, having supported 
 that party since he cast his first Presidential vote 
 for R. H. Hayes. AVhcn he came to Illinois he was 
 one of tiie Trustees of Washington College. Him- 
 self and wife are both members of the Presbyterian 
 Church, in which the Doctor serves as Elder. His 
 honorable, upright life has won him universal es- 
 teem and he is numbered among the county's best 
 citizens. 
 
 -^^+-^P-= 
 
 ^l^jENJAMIN F. THOMAS, a wealthy and in- 
 L^. lluential citizen of Milford and a worthy 
 /(?M) ll representative of one of the honored pio- 
 ^^^^ neer families of the county, was born near 
 LaFayette, Ind., May 20, 1830. In the sketch of 
 his brother, Clement Thomas, on another page of 
 this work, is given a record of the family and the 
 account of their settlement here iu an early daj'. 
 Our subject was only eight months old when 
 brought by his parents to Illinois. He remained 
 on his father's farm, a mile and a-half south of 
 Milford, until twenty-two years of age, and was 
 early inured to the hard labors of developing and 
 improving wild land. On leaving home, he began 
 farming on his own account, following it for a 
 number of years, but in the spring of 1853 he 
 abandoned that occupation and went to Milford, 
 where he engaged in general merchandizing as a 
 partner of B. F. Whetsel. This connection con- 
 tinued about three years, when Mr. Thomas sold 
 his interest to his partner, who failed shortly 
 afterward, owing principally to the failure of local 
 banks. On disposing of his own store, Mr. Thomas 
 entered the store of John R. Pruitt, general mer- 
 chant, in whose emploj' he remained as a salesman 
 until 1858. 
 
 In the spring of that year our subject was united 
 in marriage with Miss Amanda A., daughter of J. B. 
 Hoover. Her death occurred December 5, 1874. 
 Twelve children were born of their union, eight 
 of whom are living: Madora Ellen, born April 
 5, 1859, is the wife of James E. Dawson. Tliey 
 had six children, five of whom are living: 
 Arthur Ernest, Auda May, Asa Fred, Flossie Alice 
 
 and Thomas Clark. Mary Adeline, born May 29, 
 1860, is the wife of Henry Cla3' Frame, b_y whom 
 sliehas two living children: Thomas Ra^yand Por- 
 ter Samuel. Irvin Worth, born October 1, 1861, 
 married Miss Martha, daughter of Samuel Rush, 
 and the}' had five children, three yet living: Sam- 
 uel Franklin, Clarence Ray and John Asa. Eliza 
 Jane, born March 22, 1863, is the wife of Elijah 
 Odel, and they have six children: Benjamin 
 Franklin, Ernest Earl, Mae, Janet, Thomas Roe 
 and Edna Fa^^ Rhoda Etna, born November 23, 
 1864, married Stanford Beebe, and they have a 
 daughter. Alma. Jessie Lincoln, born January 1, 
 1866, is the wife of John Rush, and they also have 
 a little daughter, Alta. Viola, born June 29, 1867, 
 died November 13,1868. Asa Nelson, born March 
 27, 1869, married Dollie Hamer, and they have one 
 child, Louise. Maggie Annis, born November 11, 
 1870, is the wife of Milton Smiley, and they have 
 one son, Earl. Minnie and Mina, twins, were born 
 February 11, 1872. The former died on the 24th 
 of September, and the latter on the 19th of October 
 of that year. Christina, born September 16, 1873. 
 died May 12, 1875. 
 
 On his marriage, Mr. Thomas returned to the 
 farm, having puri'hased a tract of land a mile and 
 a half south of Milford. In the spring of 1863, he 
 traded this farm for a tract of eighty acres north- 
 west of Milford. Turning his attention to its de- 
 velopment and improvement, he made it one of 
 the best farms of the count3', and from time to 
 time extended its boundary lines, until it now 
 comprises five hundred and sixty-five acres of 
 valuable land, which yields to him a good income. 
 He there reared his family and made his home 
 until the spring of 1892, since which time he has 
 lived retired iu Milford. However, the greater 
 part of his land has been rented for the past five 
 years, and for the past decade he has bought and 
 shipped stock, making a specialty of importing 
 French horses. Politically, he has been a life-long 
 Republican. For a term he served as Assessor of 
 Milford Township. From a financial standpoint, 
 his life has been extremely successful. In the ear- 
 lier years, he w.as in ver}'^ limited circumstances. 
 He began farming without a dollar, and borrowed 
 a team of his brother Clement in order to plow 
 
^^^ 
 
 ,,«.// 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND ];l(H IIJAI'IIKAL RECORD. 
 
 201 
 
 his land. He was oftentimes almost ready to 
 give up, but, encouraged by his faithful wife to 
 persevere, lie labored on, and, by his industrious 
 and well-directed efforts, worked his way upward 
 to a position of wealth and affluence. Socially, he 
 is a member of Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. ct 
 A. JI. lie is an honored pioneer of the county, 
 and is recognized as one of its best and most 
 valued citizens. His example niaj' well serve to 
 encourage others who like himself have to begin 
 life empty-handed and depend upon their own 
 exertions for all they gain in life. The first school 
 he attended was in a round-log house, with a log 
 cut out on each side and greased papci pasted 
 over the openings to admit light. One end of the 
 house was devoted to the fire-place, and both seats 
 and floor were made of puncheons. Wooden pegs 
 were used instead of nails, the door, which was 
 made of clapboards, being on wooden hinges. 
 I-"r(im a piece of paper pasted on a shingle, on 
 wliich his father had made the alphabet, he learned 
 his letters. The blue-backed speller furnished him 
 with reading and spelling for several 3'ears. 
 
 AMUEL K. NOLIN, an extensive hiud- 
 ^ owner pf Iroquois Counts', is an honored 
 iii/\j, pioneer and one of the worthy citizens that 
 the Bueke3-e State has furnished this com- 
 munit3-. His home is now on section 10, Stock- 
 land Township, where he has resided for a period 
 of more than fort3--three years. None are more 
 worthy of representation in this volume than the 
 gentleman whose name heads this record. 
 
 The paternal grandfather of our subject, Richard 
 Nolin, was a resident of Virginia, and removed 
 from that .State to Kentucky, where he became ac- 
 quainted with the Kirkpatricks, the maternal an- 
 cestors of Samuel K. They resided in a wild 
 region, and together the families fled from the In- 
 dians, locating in Ross County, Ohio. At that 
 time there were no houses but log cabins, and these 
 settlements were widely scattered. Both the pa- 
 ternal and maternal grandparents died and were 
 buried in Ohio. Thomas Nolin, the father of our 
 
 subject, was born in the Buckeye State and i-eared 
 on the frontier. He married Jane Kirkpatrick, 
 also a native of Ohio, and unto them were born 
 eight children, six sons and two daughters: Ruth, 
 Samuel K., John, Minerva, Ccorge W., Richard T., 
 William J. and Austin W. In 1831, the parents 
 removed to Indiana, stopping in Fountain County, 
 and four 3'ears later locating in Benton County, 
 where the3' reared their f ami In'. The father bougiit 
 eight3' acres of land and entered a tract of one 
 hundred and twenty acres from the Government. 
 He carried on farming until his death, which oc- 
 curred in 1840. His wife survived him man V \'ears. 
 
 Samuel K. Nolin, of thissketch, was a lad of only 
 ten summers when with his parents he went to 
 Indiana. In Benton County he was reared to 
 manhood, being early inured to the arduous labor 
 of developing and improving wild land. In 1819, 
 he came to Illinois, hoping to better his financial 
 condition. Settling in Stockland Township, he 
 located four hundred acres of Government land, 
 and with characteristic energ3' began to cultivate 
 the same. Acre after acre was placed under the 
 plow, and in the course of time, where once w.as 
 wild prairie, waving fields of grain delighted the 
 C3'e, telling of bounteous harvests. Through his 
 industrious and persevering efforts, his financial 
 resources were increased and he was thus enabled 
 from time to time to extend the boundaries of his 
 farm by making additional purchases. His pos- 
 sessions- now aggregate eight hundred .and forty 
 acres in Stockland Township, three hundred and 
 sixt3' acres in Benton Count3', Ind., and one hun- 
 dred and sixty-six acres in I'rairie Green Town- 
 ship, Iroquois County, and he is extensively en- 
 gaged in grain and stock-raising. He keeps on 
 hand excellent grades of horses, cattle and hogs, 
 and this pursuit is an im|)ortant branch of his 
 busi ness. 
 
 We now turn frf)m the public to the private life 
 of Mr. Nolin. He has been twice married. His 
 first union, celebrated in 18r)3, was with Jliss Rachel 
 Dawson, daughter of Elisha and Polly Dawson, 
 but her death occurred in September, I80I. In 
 August, 1857, he was again married, Miss Clarissa 
 Coffelt becoming his wife. Four children were 
 born unto them, but the second died in in- 
 
262 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 fancy. Mjiiy is now the wife of George Voliva, 
 and the\' have llirce sons, Robert, Jesse and Lero}'. 
 The}' reside ui)on a farm in Benton County, Ind., 
 which belongs to lier father and was formerly 
 owned by her grandfather. William, a resident 
 farmer of Prairie Green Township, was married to 
 Miss Hulda Peterson, by wliom he h.as two 
 children: Clarissa and a babj'. Matilda is the 
 wife of William Niele, who is engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits in Stoekland Townsiiip. The 
 mother of this family departed this life in January, 
 181)0, and her death was mourned by many friends 
 as well as by her immediate family. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Nolin is a Democrat, and for 
 two terms has held theofiiceof Township Assessor. 
 His life has been remarkably successful and he may 
 truly be called a self-made man. Dependent upon 
 his own re-sources, he started out in life for him- 
 self, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in 
 his path b3' perseverance and enterprise. Steadily 
 he has worked his w.a^y upward, until now he oc- 
 cupies a position among the wealthy and influen- 
 tial citizens of his adopted county. 
 
 .p^YLVANUS CA.SS MUNHALL, Clerk of 
 ^^^ the Circuit Court and ex-officio Recorder 
 \([J_lh of Iroquois County, was born in Coshoc- 
 ton, Ohio, January 26, 1843, and is a son 
 of William and Dorothy F. (Jackson) Munhall. 
 His father was a native of Ilarrisburg, Pa., born 
 May 16, 1816. The mother was born in New- 
 castle-on-Tyne, England, in 1818, and came to 
 America in childhood. The family, including our 
 subject, removed from Coshocton, to Cambridge 
 Ohio, and in October, 1854, to Urbana, 111. 
 
 ISIr. Munhall of this sketch was then about 
 (ileven >ears of age. Before leaving Ohio he had 
 begun attending school, and enjoj'ed two years 
 study in the common schools after coming to Illi- 
 nois. In September, 1856, he hired out as an ap- 
 prentice to Zimmerman & Richards, printers and 
 publishers of Our Constitution, of Urbana. His 
 compensation was limited to 130 for the first year. 
 
 140 the second and 860 the third, but he served 
 with industry and fidelity and to the entire satis- 
 faction of his employers and acquired a good knowl- 
 edge of his trade. He was then employed as a 
 journeyman, working in Urbana, Champaign, and 
 finally on the Prairie Farmer &nA Journal, of Chi- 
 cago. In 1861, Mr. Munhall, Sr., who was a min- 
 ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, bought 
 an interest in the Champaign County Patiiot, to 
 which office our subject came to assist his father. 
 
 About this time, the war having broken out, Mr. 
 Munhall, actuated by purely patriotic impulses, 
 sought to enlist in the country's service but was 
 rejected, vevy much to his chagrin, on account of 
 not being up to the standard size. He made a 
 second and third effort with the same result ,as at 
 first, but by persevering he was accepted on a 
 fourth application, and on the 1st of August, 1862, 
 became a member of Company B, Seventy-sixth 
 Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Busey, afterward 
 Colonel. His service as private continued until Jan- 
 uary, 1864, when he was promoted to be Sergeant- 
 Major, which position he held and faithfully and ac- 
 ceptably filled until mustered out with his regiment 
 at Galveston, Tex., July 22, 1865, after the close 
 of the war. He served in Kentucky, Tennessee, 
 Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida 
 and Texas. The last engagement in which he par- 
 ticipated was the assault on F^t. Blakely, Ala., on the 
 evening of April 9, 1 865, being the last battle of the 
 war. The Seventy-sixth went into the charge with 
 two hundred and sixty-two men, and in ten minutes 
 lost one hundred and eighteen killed and wounded. 
 While in the service, under the nom de plume of 
 "Urchin," Mr. Munhall was war corres|)ondent for 
 the Chicago Tribune, Champaign Democrat, Cham- 
 paign Gazette and St. Louis Globe-Democrat, and his 
 letters were received with great favor. 
 
 On his return from the war, Mr. Munhall found 
 his mother a widow, his father having died in 
 Cleveland, Ohio, March 8, 1861. He was a man 
 of high rank in the ministry, was at one time 
 Treasurer of Champaign Count}-, and was much 
 esteemed in his part of the State. Our subject re- 
 sided with his mother in Urbana, serving as clerk 
 in a clothing house until January 10, 1866. He 
 then removed to Watseka, where he has since re- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 263 
 
 sifled. On coming to this city he at once engaged 
 as Deputy County Clerk under his former comrade, 
 ■lames W. Kay, and was retained in tiiat jiosition 
 until the expiration of the term of ollice of A. 
 Ihiucywell, in December, 1873. 
 
 Mr. Munhali w.as married in "Washington, Pa., 
 October 7, 18(;4, to IMiss Nanc}' Reese, who was 
 born in that county, and is a daughter of Thom.as 
 .1. and Adaline Reese. One child has been born of 
 this union, a son, Will, who was born in Watseka, 
 on the Hh of August, 186i). He is now employed 
 in the Circuit Clerk's office under his father. 
 
 In 18G9, Mr. Munhali was the candidate for 
 County Clerk, but being defeated in the conven- 
 tion withdrew from the contest. He was, however, 
 nominated in the Republican County Convention 
 in 1873, for that office, but was defeated at the 
 polls by Henry A. Hutzow, the Granger candidate, 
 who secured a small majority. On the 24th of 
 February, 1874, he was commissioned Postmaster 
 of Watseka and held that office until .January 1, 
 188(), when he resigned, proving a capable and 
 accommodating official. Mr. Munhali has always 
 been a Hepublican and on that ticket was elected 
 to his present position as Clerk of the Circuit 
 Court and Recorder of Iroquois County in 1888. 
 Socially, he is a member of AYatseka Camp No. 
 339, M. W. A.; Watseka Lodge No. 446, A. F. & 
 A. M., of which he was Secretary fourteen years; 
 Watseka Chapter No. 114, R. A. JI., in which he is 
 serving his nineteenth year as Secretary; and of 
 Kankakee Comniander3' No. 33, K. T. He is now 
 serving his seventh ^-ear as Secretary of the Iro- 
 quois County Fair Association. 
 
 Mr. ^Munhali has made his home in Watseka 
 since 1866, and is held in high esteem b}' his fel- 
 low-townsmen. His administration of the affairs 
 of his olHce has been marked by strict attention to 
 duty, kind and courteous treatment of the public 
 having business there, and an evident desire not 
 only to fultill every official obligation with 
 jiioniptness and lidelity, but to aid and assist all 
 wiio call upon him for information, whether con- 
 nected with olficial duty or not. He has had the 
 benefit of the services of Henry T. Skeels as Dep- 
 uty, who is oneof the oldest and most experienced 
 men associated with Iroquois County's public 
 
 business, and of Miss Lura C. Strean, who has been 
 in the recording department over ten years. Mr. 
 Munhali also has tiie aid of his son Will, a bright 
 and active clerk. During his residence of more 
 than a quarter of a century in Watseka and Iro- 
 quois County, he has made many warm friends 
 and stands deservedly high in the estimation of 
 his fellow-citizens. At the Hepulilic^an convention 
 in April, 1892, he was renominated to the same jjosi- 
 tion he has held for four years. 
 
 C^^UE WATSEKA RKPUBLICAN, an eight- 
 m(M^'> ^*^"'^" quarto, and the oldest paper in ex- 
 V^^ istence in Iroquois Count}-, was founded b}' 
 Hon. Thomas A'ennum in 1856, and its first num- 
 ber bears the date of M.ay 8, 1856. The paper w.as 
 then known as the Iroquois Jiepvblican, and was 
 printed in Middlei)ort, now a part of the city of 
 Watseka. J. A. Graham and D. T. Lindley were 
 the publishers, and the paper was edited by .lesse 
 Bennett and Franklin Blades, M. D. Various 
 changes in ownership and editorial management oc- 
 curred. In 1872, the name of the paper was changed 
 to its present title, while it was owned and con- 
 ducted by Alex L. Whitehall and Elmer Briml)all, 
 of Watseka, the office having been removed to tlic 
 new town in the spring of 1863. 
 
 In 1881, B. V. Sliankland purchased the paper 
 and conducted it until 1887, when he sold out and 
 went tQ California. On his return the following 
 year he repurchased it. The present stock com- 
 pany, known as the Watseka Republican Company. 
 was incorporated in the spring of 1892. B. F. 
 Shankland was chosen President, W. R. Higgins 
 Secretary and Superintendent of the mechanical de- 
 partment, and Di'. E. T. Brigham, Treasurer. 
 
 Mr. Shankland has been editor of the |)aper since 
 his connection with it, and has made it an interest- 
 ing and newsy sheet. The Republican is noted for 
 its fine appearance and readable contents. It is 
 recognized .as the leading Republican pai)er in the 
 county. It is always at the front in matters of 
 news, and enjoys a liberal patronage, both in the 
 subscription list and in advertising, and can boast a 
 
264 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 large circulation among the best people in Eastern 
 Illinois. The office is thoroughly equipped for 
 general job work, as well as for lirst-class news- 
 paper work. Mr. Iliggins. who has cliarge of the 
 mechanical department, is one of the best prac- 
 tical printers in tiie State, and has been identified 
 with the Eepublkxui for many years. 
 
 : c:- 
 
 !^, ETER EDWAKJ) LAHSON, resident part- 
 ner and business manager of the firm of 
 P. Larson & Co., merchant tailors and 
 dealers in ready-made clothing and gents' 
 furnishing goods, is one of the enterprising citi- 
 zens of AVatseka. The AVatseka House is one of 
 three large stores of the same kind owned and con- 
 ducted by this company. The present store, whicli 
 was founded in Paxton, Ford County, 111., iu 1864, 
 by Peter Larson, the father of our subject, is con- 
 ducted h\ the elder son, Charles Albert. The sec- 
 ond store of the same character, situated in Gibson, 
 Ford County, was established by our subject in 
 JMarch, 1887, and is conducted by the second son, 
 Theodore. The store in AVatseka was established 
 by Peter, Septemijer 1, 1891, and has since been 
 conducted under his management. All three are 
 united under the firm name of P. Larson tt Co. 
 The business has grown from a small beginning to 
 be one of the most important mercantile enter- 
 prises in Eastern Illinois, and their aggregate an- 
 nual business amounts to ^100,000 and uj)wards. 
 This house maintains a gilt-edged credit and is 
 noted for its good work, fair dealing and conserva- 
 tive business metliods. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born in Attica, 
 Ind., on the 25th of August, 1863, and is a son of 
 Peter and Louisa (Gustafson) Larson. He came 
 to Illinois with his parents in 1864, and the family 
 located iu Paxton, Ford County, where Peter Ed- 
 ward was reared to manhood. His education was 
 acquired in the Paxton schools and the Collegiate 
 Normal Institute of that place. As soon as he vvas 
 old enough to do business, he was emplo3'ed in 
 his father's store as salesman when out of school 
 and when his school-dajs were over. In March, 
 
 1887, he was made a partner in the business and 
 established as manager of the branch house in Gib- 
 .son, where he continued until the 1st of September, 
 1891. He then established the AVatseka brancli 
 house, of which he has since been manager and 
 resident partner. This store is the largest exclu- 
 sive clothing store in the county and is doing a 
 large and constantly increasing business. 
 
 Mr. Larson is a member of Drummer Camp No. 
 235, M. AA". A., of Gibson. In politics, he is a Re- 
 publican, but not an aggressive partisan. He is a 
 genial gentleman, a good business man and a fail' 
 representative of so important a mercantile house 
 as that of P. Larson & Co. 
 
 ELI OREBAUGH, Sherifif of Iroquois County, 
 is a native of Highland County, Ohio. He 
 was born on the 10th of June, 1834, and is 
 a son of David and Sarah (Caley) Orebaugh. His 
 father was born in Rockingham County, Va., in 
 1810, and died at the age of fifty years. His 
 mother, a native of Highland Count3', Ohio, still 
 survives her husband and is now a resident of 
 Clermont Count}', Ohio. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
 hood in his native State, and was educated in the 
 public schools near his home. On the 26tii of 
 November, 1857, he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Sarah, a daughter of John and Julia 
 Maxfleld, and a native of Hamilton Countj-, 
 Ohio. Thej- began their domestic life upon a 
 farm in the Buckeye State, where they resided 
 until October, 1883, when with his family he 
 settled in Fountain Tovvnship, where he was en- 
 gaged in farming until elected Sheriff, in the fall 
 of 1890. He then removed to AA\atseka, and on 
 the 1st of December of that year entered upon 
 the duties of the office and has since resided in 
 that city. 
 
 Nine ciiildren were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ore- 
 baugh, of whom four are living. David Alvin, 
 the eldest, is a practicing lawyer of AA'atseka. The 
 three daugliters, Alice K., Emma C, and Bertha 
 M., are still with their parents. 
 
PORTRAIT AM) I'.lOGRAl'lllCAL RECORD. 
 
 265 
 
 I )ur subject manifested his loyalty to the Gov- 
 eniinent during the late war by enlisting on the 
 2(1 of jNIay, 1861. as a niemlier of Coniiiany B, One 
 Ilundied and» Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, and 
 served the term of his enlistment. He is now a 
 member of O. 11. Neele Post No. 576, O. A. R., of 
 Cissna Park, Iroqu(jis County, of which he lias 
 been Chaplain. In his political alliliations he is a 
 Democrat. 
 
 In connection witii his other interests, Mr. Ore- 
 baugh is connected with the Styles Automatic 
 Hinge Company, which was recently organized in 
 AVatseka. He was one of those interested in the 
 establisliment of the enterprise and is one of its 
 stockholders. He is recognized as a leading 
 f:inner of the comnuinity and is a valued citizen. 
 Ik' has proved himself a most efficient and reliable 
 ollicer and enjfns the respect, and esteem of a wide 
 circle of friends and acquaintances. 
 
 
 WfcILLI.\M S. LARK IX, a retired farmer wlio 
 makes his home in Onarga, claims Rhode 
 Island as tlie Stale of his nativity. The 
 place of his birth is in South Kingston, AVashing- 
 ton County, and the date ^larch 5. 1826. He 
 comes of an old New England family. His grand- 
 parents, William and Basliba (Webster) I.arkin, 
 were both natives of Rhode Island, and the grand- 
 father was a direct descendant of Edward Larkin, 
 the friend and comjjanion of Roger Williams. The 
 parents of our subject, William and Lucy (Morey) 
 Larkin, were also born, reared and married in Rhode 
 Island. They liecanie the parents of a family of 
 nine children, but death has taken awa_v the eldest 
 daughter, Lucy A. The others are as follows: Will- 
 iam S., Alford A., Ephraim, Albert, Elsie, Bradford, 
 AVelcome H. and Eliza. The father died in June, 
 1882, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years and 
 four months, and the mother's death occurred in 
 March of that j-ear at the age of eight3'-tl)ree years 
 and eight months. 
 
 I'nder the parental roof, William Larkin was 
 reared to manhood and his education was acquired 
 in the public schools. As a companion and help- 
 
 mate on life's journey, he chose Miss Elizabeth 
 Cook, daughter of Alford and Anstress (Brehman) 
 Cook, of Rhode Island. Their union was celebrated 
 on the 16th of August, 1819, and unto them were 
 born four cluldren, one son and three daughters: 
 Lucy A., born January 23, 1851, is now the wife 
 of Edgar I. King, of Oibson, III., and they have 
 three children, Edgar I., Lucy Belle and Gilva. 
 Mary J., born August 30, 1852, is the wife of Irvin 
 Rutledge, a resident of Arlington, Reno County, 
 Kan., b^- whom she has four children, Roy, Loren, 
 Lila and Will. Olive I., born May 20, 1856, was 
 joined in wedlock with Walter Davis, who died in 
 May, 1891. Four children were born unto them: 
 Earl, Alice, Walter Mark, and one deceased. 
 George S., the only son of the family, was born 
 Sei)tember 13, 1859. He married Miss Donella 
 McKinzie.a Scotch lady, and they reside in Melvin, 
 111. 
 
 In 1857, Mr. Larkin disposed of his business in- 
 terests in Connecticut, where he had been living, 
 and emigrated Westward to Illinois, locating on a 
 farm of one iiundred and sixty acres in what is 
 now Lvman Township, Ford County, but at that 
 time was known as town 25, range 9 east in Ver- 
 milion County. He there made his home from 
 1857 until 1883. and his children were reared upon 
 that farm. He was a;; industrious and enterpris- 
 ing farmer and by his perseverance and good 
 management won a comfortable competence. At 
 length he determined to lay aside business cares 
 and live a retired life, and in 1883 he removed to 
 the village of Roberts, but after a few months went 
 to Melvin, wlicre he spent the succeeding live years 
 of his life. In 1889, he came to Onarga, where he 
 has since made his home, but he still retains posses- 
 sion of his farm of two hiindied acres, one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of it being the faini on which 
 he first settled. 
 
 While living in Ford County, Mr. Larkin held 
 the offices of School Director and School Trustee 
 and also served tor one term as Supervisor. The 
 cause of education finds in him a warm friend and 
 he gives his support to eveiy enterprise or interest 
 calculated to prove of public benefit. His success 
 in life has all been due to his own efforts and he is 
 now enjoying a well-earned rest. Himself and 
 
266 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 wife in early life were members of the Bajdist 
 Chiircli; after coming West tliey joined the C'on- 
 j^rcf^ational Church, but since 1H89 have held meni- 
 herslii]) with the Presbyterian Church. They have 
 lielped to build four churches. In jjolitics, our sub- 
 ject votes with the Prohibition i)arty, for it embod- 
 ies his ideas on the temperance question. 
 
 Ji^^ OMKR Tl'LLKR, a highly respected citizen 
 if J' ^^ Claytonville and an extensive dealer in 
 '^j^ stock, claims Ohio as the .Slate of his naliv- 
 1^); ity. Delaware County is the place of his 
 birth, and the date September 18, 1837. He i.s a 
 son of Koswell and Nancy (Thompson) Tuller. 
 The father was born in Ilartfoi'd, Conn., and when 
 a lad of twelve 3-cars emigrated with iiis parents 
 to Franklin County, Oliio. lie heli>ed to build 
 the first log cabin in Columbus. He was in the 
 War of 1812, and, like the remainder of his com- 
 rades, was forced to go barefooted all through one 
 winter. After the war he eniigi'ated to Delaware 
 County, Ohio, and built tiie second log cabin in 
 that county, while in the midst of the forest he 
 developed a farm. He died in February', 1866, at 
 the age of seventy-six years. His wife was a na- 
 tive of the Green Mountain Stale, and when a 
 young maiden of ten summers came to Ohio. Siie 
 died on the old homestead. Mr. Tuller was a 
 successful busine.ss man and a prominent and pro- 
 gressive farmer. With the Presbyterian Churcli 
 he and his wife held membei'sliip. In tlie family 
 were the following children: Alvin, now a resident 
 farmer of Franklin County, Ohio; Piiilander, who 
 died at the age of eighteen years; Cynthia, who 
 died in Ohio; Martini, deceased wife of John Stan- 
 dish; Mrs. L3'dia Freshwater, who died in Ohio; 
 Orrin, a bridge-builder who met his death by acci- 
 dent; Milo, who died at the age of nineteen years; 
 Homer of this sketcli; P^dgar, who served in an 
 Ohio regiment during the late war for one iiun- 
 dred days, now resides in I'aoli, Kan. All of the 
 children were Ixirn and reared on the old home- 
 stead in Ohio. 
 
 Our subject grew to nianliood upon his fatlier's 
 
 farm, no event of special importance occurring 
 during his childhood days. He attended school, 
 wiiicli was conducted on the subscri|)tion plan and 
 was held first in one house and then another. lie 
 was ten j'ears of age before he attended a regular 
 school. At the age of sixteen he began devoting 
 his entire attention to farm work, and experienced 
 all the |)rivations and hardships of pioneer life. 
 On attaining his majority he started out in life for 
 !iimself,and in the winter of 1857-58 we find him 
 m Union County, Iowa, wliere he made a claim of 
 Government land and began the development of a 
 farm. The Indians were then very numerous in 
 the settlement and the work of civilization and 
 progress seemed scarcely begun. There were only 
 three settlements, in the county. After a3'ear his 
 brother who was with him was taken ill and tiie 
 father came and induced his sons to return. Our 
 subject owned tiiree hundred and twenty acres of 
 land in which the count}' seat is now situated. After 
 he went back to Ohio, he engaged in operating 
 his father's farm for a time and then i)urchased 
 land of his own. 
 
 During the late war, Mr. Tuller tried to enlist 
 in both the Twentietli and Ninet3--sixth Ohio 
 Infantry, but his services were neither time ac- 
 cepted. He continued to engage in farming in 
 Ohio until 1867,wlien he came to Iroqnois Countj', 
 and .'settled on section .S, Fountain Creek Township. 
 The farm was then a tract of wild prairie, but acre 
 after acre was placed under tlie plow and trans- 
 formed into rich and fertile fields which yielded him 
 abundant harvests. In connection with the culti- 
 vation of his land he also engaged in shipping 
 slock and was ver^- successful in that part of his 
 undertakings. At length by his industry and en- 
 terprise he has accjuired a comfortable competence 
 and IS now devoting his time and attention to 
 l>u\iug and shipping slock, while his son operates 
 his farm. He still owns two hundred and Iwenly- 
 Iwo acres of valuable land. 
 
 On the 17th of December, 1858, Mr. Tuller 
 wedded Miss Louisa A. High, a native of Reading, 
 Pa., wiio emigrated to Ohio at the age of twelve 
 years. Unto them have been born four children. 
 William Roswell was educated in the public schools 
 of Walseka, married Emily Hammond, of Pennsyl- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAniKAL RECORD. 
 
 2e,; 
 
 \.iiiia, and resides on the old homestead; Charle 
 A. is now engaged in the restaurant and grocery 
 luisiness in Claytonville; Blanche is deceased; and 
 Nellie completes the family. 
 
 In 1860, Mr. TuUer cast his lirst Prc-idculial 
 vote, supporting Stephen A. Douglas, and lias 
 since been a supporter of the Democratic party, 
 lie often serves as a delegate to its conventions 
 and is one of its influential and prominent members 
 in this community. He does all in his power to 
 promote its growtii and insure its success, but has 
 never been an oflice-seeker. Mr. Tuller began life 
 empty-handed and has had many trials and diffi- 
 culties to meet, but has overcome these by enter- 
 [jrise and determination, and by the assistance of 
 his estimable wife, who h.as indeed proved a true 
 helpmate to him, he has steadily worked his way 
 upward to a i)Osilion among the substantial and 
 representative citizens of the county. His sterling 
 worth and integrity have won him high regard 
 and he has many warm friends throughout the 
 communitv. 
 
 '|ip7 RKDKRICK GRKKNIU'RG, one of the 
 t^j(g) leading and influential farmeis of I'rairie 
 l^i ^ Green Township, residing on section 24, is 
 numbered among the earliest settlers of this com- 
 munity, where for thirty-six years lie has made his 
 home. He has watched its growth and progress, 
 and has aided in its upbuilding and development, 
 ever faithfully performing his duties of citizenship, 
 an<i doing what he c<nild for the best interests of 
 all. 
 
 Mr. Greenburg claims (Jermany as the land of 
 his birth, which occurred in the kingdom of Prus- 
 sia, on the 2tth of Fcbruar}', 1833. His parents 
 were Frederick and Latta (Kruger) Greenburg. 
 Ills father was born in Prussia, Gerraan\% in 180(1, 
 and there remained until sixty-live veal's of age, 
 being employed as a shepherd throughout the years 
 of hisactive life in the Fatherland. The mother was 
 also a native of Prussia, and died in that country 
 at the age of sixty-four years. After her death, 
 
 Mr. Greenburg came to America to live with his 
 children, all of whom had previously emigrated to 
 this country. Here he spent the remainder of his 
 life, dying in Prairie Green Township in IH71, at 
 the age of seventy-four years. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our sub- 
 ject, who in his native laud acquired a good com- 
 mon-school education. He remained in Germany 
 until twenty-two years of age, when he determined 
 to seek his foi'tuiic in America, and crossed the 
 briny deep. When he landed in New York he did 
 not have a cent of money. In truth, he began life 
 in the New World penniless, hut he possessed en- 
 ergy, perseverance and a determination to succeed. 
 
 Coming to Milwaukee, Wis., he at once Ijegan a 
 seai'ch for work, and soon secured employment in 
 a brick 3'ard at ^l!') a month, where he remained for 
 about Ave months. The next five years he worked 
 on the farm and in a saw-mill. On the expiration 
 of that period he came to Prairie Green Township, 
 Iroquois County, and with the capital he had ac- 
 quired purchased eighty acres of raw jji-airie land. 
 At once he began its development and improve- 
 ment, and soon the wild prairie was transformed 
 into rich and fertile fields, which yielded to him 
 a golden tribute in return for his care and labor. 
 
 As a companion and helpmate on life's journey. 
 Mr. Greenburg chose Miss ISIargarel Smith, a na- 
 tive of Bavaria, Germany, born .lune 10, 1813. She 
 resided in the land of her birth until twenty years 
 of age, when she emigrated to .America. The mar- 
 riage of our subject and his wife was celebrated in 
 1869, and by their union have been born eight chil- 
 dren, as follows: .John F., Frederick W., Louis A., 
 Fannie C, William L., Florence N., .laines G. B. 
 and Lester Grant. The family circle still remains 
 unbroken, and the children are all under the pa- 
 rental roof. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. (Jreenbiirg is a Re- 
 publican, and is a stanch supporter of the princi- 
 ciples of that party. For a number of years he 
 served his fellow-townsmen as School Director, and 
 is still filling th.-it ollice. He is a member of the 
 CJerinan Lutheran Church, and his wife is a Cath- 
 olic. Their home is upon oiu; of the finest farms 
 of Prairie (iieene Township. To his original pur- 
 chase Mr, Greenburg has added from lime to time, 
 
268 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 as his financial resources were increased, until he 
 now owns five hundred and sixty acres of valuable 
 land. He ma^- be truly called a self-made man, for 
 his entire possessions have been acquired througli 
 his own industrious and well-directed efforts. It 
 was a fortunate day for him when he determined 
 to come to America, and also fortunate for the 
 county, which numbers him among its valued citi- 
 zens. 
 
 VI.. RANTON, editor and inoprietdr ot the 
 Cissna Park lievieic, is one of the wide- 
 awalve and enterprising young business 
 men of Cissna Park and is an honor to his adopted 
 county. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, April 
 20, 1869. His father, Edward Kan ton, was born 
 and reared in the sanje locality and is of vScotch- 
 Irish descent. He acquired an excellent education 
 and became familiar with the occupation of farm- 
 ing and all its details. After he liad attained to 
 mature years he married Miss Annie Lockliart, 
 whose parents were natives of Scotland, and after 
 his marriage he emliarked in agricultural pursuits 
 for himself. 
 
 It was in 1870 that Edward Ranton determined 
 to seek a home in the New World and crossed tlie 
 Atlantic to America. He made his first location 
 in Missouri, wliere he purchased a tract of wild 
 land and began tlie development of alarm. In 
 1876 lie removed to Western Illinois, and in 1880 
 came with his wife and childreu to Iroquois 
 County, locating in Pigeon Grove Township. 
 He now owns and operates one hundred and sixty 
 acres of good land adjoining the corporation limits 
 of Cissna Park, and his farm is considered one of 
 tlie desirable places of tliis locality. He has served 
 as Supervisor of his township and is a valued 
 citizen of the community. He holds membership 
 with the Methodist Episcopal Church and ajso l)e- 
 longs to the Masonic fraternity and the Knights 
 of Pythias. In politics lie has been a very strong 
 Republican since he became an American citizen. 
 He is a man of strong convictions and is ever true 
 to his ideas of right. 
 
 (,)ur subject is the eldest of four children, anil, 
 
 like himself, the others, Jennie, John and Edward 
 are all at home. W. L. was a babe of a year when 
 with his parents he crossed the briny deep, and 
 when a lad of seven he came to Illinois. At the 
 age of eleven he liegan farm work and followed it 
 for some time. His early education was acquired 
 in the common schools. He afterward entered 
 uiion his l)usiness career as an employe in the 
 bank of Cissna Park, and then went to Quincy, III., 
 where he pursued a commercial course of study in 
 the Gem City Business College. 
 
 It was Mr. Ranton 's intention on completing 
 his education to go to Arizona, but Banker Young 
 suggested that he purchase and publish the Cissna 
 Park Review, saying tliat he could well do so. 
 Our subject followed the banker's advice and in F'eb- 
 ruary, 1892, he left the farm and took cliarge of 
 the paper which he has since conducted successfully, 
 lie has also on account of his father's illness man- 
 aged the farm, but expects to devote much of his 
 time and attention hereafter to journalism. He is 
 a fluent writer and will no doubt win success in 
 his chosen vocation. IMr. Ranton is independent 
 and self-reliant and depends not upon luck but 
 upon his own exertions. He is a Director in the 
 Building and Loan Association and is a member 
 of tlie Masonic lodge and Knights of Pythias 
 fraternity. In the spring of 1892, he was made 
 Supervisor of his township, an honor of which he 
 may well be proud as he is the youngest Supervisor 
 in the county. He is a young man of sterling 
 worth, popular in both luisiness and social circles 
 
 l^-f^l 
 
 ^HE FIRST NATIONAL BANK of Watseka. 
 This bank was organized in 1870, itsorgan- 
 >g^' izers and active promoters being David Mc- 
 Gill and George C. Harrington. Its first President 
 was Samuel Williams, who took no part in the 
 bank mauiigement, the Vice-president, David Mc- 
 Gill, being the active officer. He is now President 
 of the institution, and George C. Harrington has 
 held the position of Cashier from its organization 
 until the present time. The bank, at its organiza- 
 tion, met with instant recognition from the pub- 
 
/% 
 
 i^^* 
 
 %^' 
 
 /^^Cky^ {^^^Z^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 271 
 
 lie, as its promoters and Directors were men who liad 
 long been citizens of tiie county, and were well 
 known for their conservatism and stahility. There 
 was an opening for an institution, of this charac- 
 ter, and it has been successful from the date of its 
 organization. Its capital was originally $50,000. 
 It has paid good dividends upon its stock, and 
 now has a surplus of $18,0()((. Its charter was re- 
 newed in 1890, and it carries the full amount of 
 circulation allowed, securing the same by four per 
 cent, bonds. The business of the bank is largely' with 
 the farmers of Iroquois County, its loans being 
 iliiefl}' made to them, the theory of the ofliccrs being 
 that it is better policy for a bank to distribute its 
 loans in small amounts to a large number of cus- 
 tomers, than in large amounts to a few. The bank 
 is now in its elegant new building, constructed in 
 18',)0, on the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets. 
 It has all the improvements in modern safe build- 
 ing, with large and roomy vaults and safe-deposit 
 boxes. The interior is of hard-wood finish, while 
 the light is excellent and the ventilation perfect. 
 
 /,.. LEXANDER PATE is engaged in general 
 W£^ merchandising in Wellington, and is one 
 of the most prominent business men in this 
 part of the county. More than a quarter 
 of a century has passed since he came to this 
 county and in the years that have come and gone 
 he has formed a wide acquaintance and won the 
 respect of all with whom he has been brought in 
 contact. He has the honor of being a native of 
 Illinois, and was born in Oalena, September 20, 
 1H44, being the fourth in order of birth in a 
 famil3- of six children, numbering three sons and 
 three daughters. The father, Thomas Pate, was 
 lidin in Linconsliire. England, in 1794. 
 
 The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
 of Temperance Davej'. Their union was cele- 
 brated July 23, 1837. Mr. Pate was reared as a 
 landscape gardener. He emigrated to America 
 about 1832, and about five years afterward returned 
 111 England, but in 1840 again came to this coun- 
 ii \. locating in Galena, 111, His death there oc- 
 
 12 
 
 curred, September 1, 1856. The mother of our 
 subject was born in Winkley, England, in 1804, 
 and is still living, her home being at Niagara Falls. 
 AVhilethe writer w;is in Wellington Mrs. Pate was 
 visiting her son Alexander. She is a well-i)reserved 
 old lady, her years resting lightly upon her. Three 
 children of the famil}' are yet living: Davey, a 
 lumber merchant, is married and resides in Chicago; 
 Alexander of this sketch; and Sarah, wife of G. D. 
 Belden, a real-estate dealer of Niagara Falls, 
 N. Y. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were spent in 
 his native city, and his education was acquired in 
 the common schools, being greatly supplemented by 
 self-culture. When he started out in life for himself 
 he had no capital except the talents with which na- 
 ture had endowed him, but he determined to win 
 success and has carried out his resolution. It was in 
 the following way that he came to locate iu this 
 county: He left Galena and made his way to On- 
 arga, hoping to secure employment with Uncle 
 Billy Pearson, but when he reached his destination 
 he found that Mr. Pearson was about to close his 
 business at that place on account of the blasting of 
 his crops by the early frosts, and seek a home else- 
 where. This was in 18(>3. Although disappointed 
 in this direction, Mr. Pate determined to make the 
 best of his situation and seek employment of some 
 kind. His knowledge of book-keeping was not 
 very advanced, but his brother, who had pursued 
 a course of study in Bryant cfe Stratton's Business 
 College, gave him a few instructions and he se- 
 cured the position of accountant with W. M. 
 Coney, of Watseka, with whom he remained from 
 1863 to 1871, a fact which indicates his faithfulness 
 to his employer. This was the beginning of what 
 has i)rovcd a successful business career. 
 
 During the summer of 1871, the Chicago d' 
 Eastern Illinois Railroad was under process of 
 construction and the contractors working in this 
 territory had been purchasing supplies of Mr. 
 Coney. On one occasion when Mr. Coney was in 
 Chicago, a contractor came in to the store and 
 said to our subject: "Pate, w'hy do you not estab- 
 lish a point of supplies south of Milford?" On 
 the return of Mr. Cone^', Mr. Pate suggested the 
 idea and they resolved to put it into execution. 
 
272 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BICX5RAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 They drove to .the present site of AVellington, 
 iil)on which at that time not a hal)itation of any 
 kind was to be seen. On Monday, the following 
 da^', Air. Pate was on the ground with a load of 
 lumber hauled from Watseka, and the next day 
 with a load of goods. A small frame shanty, 16x32 
 feet, was at once erected and the first night spent 
 there our subject slept in tiie unroofed building. 
 He had his gun, and his only companion was his 
 faithful dog. He was placed in charge of the new 
 .store as a partner of Mr. Coney and for about 
 twelve years, or until 1883, the business connection 
 was continued, when JMr. Pate purchased his part- 
 ner's interest and assumed entire control at "Wel- 
 lington. For twenty years these two gentlemen 
 had been connected in business and their relations 
 were alwa^'s the most pleasant. In the fall of 1871 
 they had erected a one-stor}' frame store building, 
 50x20 feet, oi>posite the present site, and iu the 
 following summer built a two-stor}' building, 
 100x25 feet. In February, 1888, they met with 
 a heavj' loss, their building being burned to ashes. 
 The Are, however, was hardly quenched when 
 plans were made for the erection of the Ijeautiful 
 brick store which Mr. Pate to-day occupies. This 
 building is 46x110 and is filled with a full and 
 complete line of both staple and fancy goods such 
 as are to be found in a general mercliandise store. 
 Tliis is one of tlie largest establishments in the 
 county. The volume of business done b}' Mr. 
 Pate in ISOl reached $40,000. He is also the 
 senior member of the firm of Pate & Norton, grain 
 dealers, w-ho, in 1891, handled two hundred and 
 fifty thousand bushels of grain. He is also inter- 
 ested in land in Dakota and in Crawford and 
 Irocpiois Counties, 111. 
 
 On the nth of May, 1875, Mr. P.ate wedded 
 Miss Mary E. Wilson, daugliter of J. U. and Eliza 
 (Hickman) Wilson. Unto them have been born 
 two daughters: Gertrude, wiio attended school in 
 Wellington, is pursuing a classical coui'se in Lake 
 Forest Seminary. .She possesses considerable mu- 
 sical talent. Lydia, the 3'ounger, is at liome. The 
 family' is one of prominence in this community 
 and its members rank high in social circles. 
 
 Mr. Pate cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. 
 U. S, Grant, whom he had many times met in Ga- 
 
 lena, and has since been a stalwart supporter of 
 Republican principles. For six years he was a 
 member of the Pioard of School Directors and at 
 tills writing is Clerk. He has been a liberal donor 
 to all benevolences and has contributed freely to- 
 wards the erection of all the church edifices in 
 Wellington. From no enterpri.se calculated to 
 l)rove of public benefit does he withold his aid, 
 but gives freely to all. His success in life has 
 been remarkable, yet it has been all won through 
 his business ability, sagacity and well-directed 
 efforts. His own labors have brought him the 
 handsome competence which is to-day his, and he 
 certainly deserves great credit for his prosperous 
 and upright career. 
 
 RWIN W. BAKER, one of the large land-own- 
 ers of the county, now resides on section 28, 
 /ll Ash Grove Township. As he is widely and 
 favorably known throughout the community, we 
 feel assured that tlie record of his life will prove 
 of interest to inan3- of our readers, and gladly 
 give it a place in this history. A native of the 
 Hoosier State, he was born In Parke County, Ind., 
 October 14, 1831. The family is of German de- 
 scent and was founded in America by the grand- 
 father of our subject. The father, David Baker, 
 was a life-long farmer. He married Nanc}' Le- 
 vlek. Her death occurred in 1846, and his death 
 occurred iu 1849, leaving our subject an orphan 
 when about eighteen years of age. David Baker 
 had served in the War of 1812 under Gen. Will- 
 iam Henry Harrison and was a stanch AVhIg in 
 political sentiment. The family numbered seven 
 cliildren, three of whom are yet living, but the 
 eldest, George, is now deceased; John Is a farmer 
 on Silver Island, Ind.; Irwin is the next younger; 
 David Is an agriculturist of Fountain County, 
 Ind.; Lewis, who served in the Thirty-first Indi- 
 ana Infantry, died in the array; and Jacob and 
 Margaret are now deceased. 
 
 Mr. Baker whose name heads this record w.as 
 reared to manhood upon tlie liome farm. At his 
 
POKTRAJT AND BIOGKAl'lllCAL RECORD. 
 
 273 
 
 father's death he was thrown upon his own re- 
 sources and started out in life for himself with 
 his share of the estate, §16. He began earning his 
 own livelihood by chopping wood and making 
 rails. All that he now possesses he has achieved 
 through his own efforts and he maj- be truly called 
 a self-made man. The autumn of 1862 witnessed 
 his arrival in Illinois and for some }'ears he 
 worked as a farm hand. Previous to this he mar- 
 ried Miss Elizabeth McC'onnell, born in Parke 
 County, Ind., August 4, 1836, their union being 
 rclcbrated in Indiana in 1858. 
 
 After coming to this county, Mr. Baker settled 
 on section 16, Ash Grove Township, where he 
 l)urchased eighty acres of prairie land and twenty 
 acres of timber. He has since here made his home, 
 but his landed possessions have not remained the 
 same. As the years passed his financial resources 
 were increased, as the result of his industry and 
 jicrseverance, and he made additional purchases 
 until he now owns three hundred and sixty-six 
 acres in one body and four hundred and eighty acres 
 elsewhere. For several years he has been engaged 
 in general farming and stock-raising, but recently 
 lie has purchased a good home in C'issna Park, and 
 will remove thither soon and retire from active 
 business life. He was instrumental in establishing 
 the Farmers' Elevator at Goodwine and is now 
 one of its Directors. This has proved of incal- 
 culable benefit to the farmers of the community. 
 
 The Haker family numbers the following chil- 
 dren: David, who is engaged in merchandising in 
 California; John who operates the old home farm 
 on section 23, Ash Grove Township, married Lou- 
 isa Wood; Wallace, who wedded IJUie Geddes, 
 resides near his brother; Nancy Jane is the wife 
 of James Morris, of 8t. Louis; AVilliam died at the 
 age of twenty-three; Isaac Clinton wedded MoUie 
 Stump and is a resident farmer of Ash Grove 
 Township; Fred and Clarence are still with their 
 parents; James died in his third year. 
 
 As before stated, Mr. Baker started out in life 
 for himself with a capital of only $16, but 
 good management and well-directed efforts have 
 brought him prosperity. Whatever he undertakes 
 he carries forward to comjjletion, and to that (pinl- 
 ity of his nature his success may be attributed in 
 
 no small measure. He is now numbered among 
 the wealthy citizens of this community. He cast 
 his first Presidential vote for Scott, then supported 
 Fremont and was a Republican until 1880, since 
 which time he has afliliated witli the Democratic 
 party. He takes considerable interest in political 
 affairs but has never been an otiice-seeker. The 
 county finds in him a public-spirited and |)rogress- 
 ivc citizen, and he has done much for its upbuild- 
 ing in the thirty years of his residence here. 
 
 \t]AMES M. STREAN, who is engaged in 
 farming on section 30, Milford Town- 
 ^,^1 , ship, has the honor of being a native of 
 ^^fJ this county, and his entire life has here 
 been passed. He was born on his father's farm, 
 about three miles north of Milford, on the 21st of 
 October, 1847. His parents, David and Elizabeth 
 V. (Axtell) Strean, were both natives of Pennsyl- 
 vania. In 1834, they bade good-b3"e to their old 
 home and started from the Keystone State to Illi- 
 nois, making the journey by wagon. At length 
 they reached this county and settled in Milford 
 Township. They were among the earliest pioneers, 
 having located here when almost all of the land 
 was still in its primitive condition and when the 
 settlements, which were few, were widely scat- 
 tered. 
 
 In the Strean famil\- were twelve children, as 
 follows: Thomas A'ennum, John Gilmore, Maiy 
 iNIai'garet, James M., Nancy Jane, Caroline, Kirk, 
 Enoch, Casper Campbell, Gilbert, Gr.ace, and one 
 who died in infancy. The two eldest sons were 
 soldiers of the late war. Thomas Vennuni served 
 for one year among the bovs in blue, and John 
 Gilmore enlisted at the first call for troops, serv- 
 ing three months. On the expiration of that 
 time he re-enlisted and was with his regiment at 
 the front for a year. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who has spent his entire life in this 
 county. He was reared tf) manhood under the 
 parental roof, the days of his boyhood and youth 
 being (juietly passed. He followed the plow and 
 
274 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAFHICAL RECORD. 
 
 liaiTOw thi'ough Ihe summer months and in the 
 winter season, when the farm work was over, he 
 attended the public .schools, acquiring a good 
 English education. 
 
 It was on tlie 4tii of .September, 1870. that Mr. 
 Strean' led to the marriage altar Miss Ruth A. 
 Mead, daughter of .Tames R, and Huldali A. (Cof- 
 fin) Mead. A family of si.K children has been 
 born of their union and four are yet living, 
 namely; Ilattie ,Jane, born .luly 14, 1><71, died in 
 her fourth year; George Washington, born Feb- 
 ru:uy 2, l.S7;>: Kva May, April 20, 1875; Myrtle 
 Ottalean, September 28, 1880; and Jessie, who 
 completes the family, born November 12, 1885. 
 The fifth child died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Strean is now engaged in general farming. 
 Since attaining his majority he has followed the 
 occupation to uliich he was reared and is a well- 
 known agriculturist of Milford Township. In 
 politics he is a supporter of Republican principles 
 and keeps well posted on the issues of the day, 
 both political and otherwise. Reading, experience 
 and observation have made him a well-informed 
 man. lie is a worthy repre,sentative of an h<m- 
 ored pioneer family and throughout the commun- 
 ity he is held in high regard. 
 
 =^aj ••• ^i^)^ ••• --^^ 
 
 >#^ 
 
 C^ 
 
 ^1 OUN K. JUDY, a member of the firm of Judy 
 & Ours, dealers in general merchandi.se of 
 Goodwine, has carried on operations in this 
 place about a year, but in that time has al- 
 ready built u]) an excellent trade, which is con- 
 stantly increasing. He occupies a store (iOxBO 
 feet, and the rooms are well stocked with every- 
 thing found in his line. He also keejjs lumber and 
 building material, and does a strictly cash business. 
 He has the confidence of all with whom he has 
 been brought in contact, and his com-teous treat- 
 ment and fair dealing have won him high regard. 
 Mr. Jud}' was born in what is now Grant County, 
 W. Va., November 22, 1850, and is a son of Ilenr^' 
 and Elizabeth (Kimball) Judy. Mrs. Judy's father 
 was killed by a rebel during the late war, although 
 only a private citizen. The father of our subject 
 
 died in 1852, after which his widow became the 
 wife of John Ours. Her death occurred in 1877. 
 Six children were born of the first marriage: Hi- 
 ram, who now resides in Virginia; Henson, who 
 served the Union cause in the army in West Vir- 
 ginia and is now a farmer of Iroquois County; 
 Noah, who served in the Home Guards during the 
 late war; John K., of this sketch; and Hannah and 
 Mary, both deceased. Three Children were born 
 of the second marriage: Wellington, who is now 
 in partnership with our subject; and Indiana and 
 Rebecca, both deceased. Their father w.as also a 
 member of the State Guards and was killed in a 
 fight about nine miles from his home. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared in the midst 
 of war scenes. His native county was crossed 
 again and again by lebels and it was almost im- 
 possible for the family to keep anything to eat m 
 the house. He could not attend school under these 
 circumstances and so gave his time to farm work. 
 In 1870, Mr. Judy came to Illinois and for some 
 time worked as a farm hand. ■ He then engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits for himself with good success 
 until about four years ago. He has twice visited 
 his old home in Virginia since coming to Illinois, 
 one of the trips being occasioned by the death of 
 his mother. On leaving the farm, Mr. Judy em- 
 barked in merchandising in Claytonville, and car- 
 ried on operations in that place for three j'ears, 
 after which he came to Goodwine, and has since 
 been one of its leading business men. 
 
 A marriage ceremony performed in 1872 united 
 the destinies of Mr. Judy and Miss Abigail Gil- 
 bert, who was born in Fountain County, Ind., and 
 is a daughter of Monroe Gilbert, one of the early 
 settlers. Unto them have been born five children, 
 three sons and two daughters: Hannah E., Eva, 
 Arthur, Franklin and Gertie. The eldest is a na- 
 tive of West Virginia, and the others were born 
 in this county. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Judy are members of the 
 United Brethren Church. They are people of 
 sterling worth, whose many excellencies of charac- 
 ter have won them the high respect of a large cir- 
 cle of friends and acquaintances. In politics, Mr. 
 Judy is a Republican, having been a stalwart 
 su[)porter of that party since lie cast his first Presi- 
 
\ 
 
 
 (X^XT^^i 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 277 
 
 deiitial vote for Gen. V. S. Grant. He has been a 
 delegate to tlie county and senatorial conventions, 
 and is now serving as Postmaster of Goodwins- 
 lie is a man of excellent business ability, pro- 
 gressive and enterprising, and is rapidl\- winning 
 his way upward. 
 
 OP. II.VIOIAN, a representative and inthi- 
 ential citizen of Milford, dates his residence 
 in Iroquois County from 1868. For more 
 than twent3' j'cars he engaged in farming, but is 
 now practically' living retired. His life record is 
 ■I- follows: lie was born near Moberly, Randolph 
 ( iiunty, Mo., on the 12th of June, 184'J, and is a 
 son of Anthony and Theodosia (Carver) Harraan, 
 the father born near Winchester, Va., and the 
 mother at Lexington, Ky. Having emigrated to 
 .Missouri in an early day, they resided in Kandoljih 
 County for many years. It was in 1865 that 
 they removed to Warren County, Ind., where Mr. 
 Ilarman purchased land, and engaged in farming 
 and stock-raising. He and his wife are still resi- 
 dents of that communit^y. 
 
 The first sixteen years of his life our subject 
 spent in the State of his nativity, and then accom- 
 ])anied his parents on their removal to Indiana. 
 Three years later, in 1868, he came to Illinois, lo- 
 cating on a farm in Stockland Township, Iroquois 
 County, belonging to his uncle, Jacob Harraan, who 
 died on the 17th of February, 1885, and loft to his 
 nephew five hundred and sixty acres of land. Upon 
 that farm our subject resided until 1890, and in 
 iMiinection with its cultivation and improvement 
 lie engaged in buying, selling and raising fine 
 grades of cattle. At length he left the farm and 
 went to Miford, where he now makes his home, 
 but he still supervises his landed interests. 
 
 On the 29th of October, 1872, Mr. Harman was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah M. Jones, daugh- 
 ter of John II. and Hannah Jones, prominent cit- 
 i/ins of Stockland Township. Unto them has been 
 liiirn one child, a son, Leroy, born on the 12th of 
 August, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Harman have a beau- 
 
 tiful home in 'Milford, which is supplied with all 
 the comforts of life, and is the aliode of hospital- 
 it3', its doors being ever thrown open for the recep- 
 tion of their many friends. 
 
 In his political affiliations our subject is a Re- 
 publican, having supported that party since he 
 attained his majority', and socially is a member of 
 ^Iilford Lodge No. 168, A. F. & A. M. He is a 
 public-spirited and progressive citizen, and takes 
 an active interest in all that pertains to the wel- 
 fare of the community, its upbuilding and its ad- 
 vancement. His aid is never sought in vain by 
 any worthy enterprise, and Milford finds in him a 
 valued resident. He is a popular gentleman, 
 widely and favorably known throughout thccom- 
 niunity. 
 
 \Tj OSEPII G. WALLACE, one of the prominent 
 citizens of the county, who is now living a 
 ^f^ I retired life in Buckley, was born on the 1st 
 ^^/' of June, 1841, in Downer's Grove, Du 
 Page County, 111., and is one of a family of ten 
 children, whose parents were John and Mehitable 
 (Harrington) Wallace. It was in 1837 that John 
 Wallace came to Illinois and purchased an eighty- 
 acre tract of wild land in Du Page County, where 
 he began the development of a farm. Having 
 thus prepared a home, he was joined by his faniil}^ 
 three years later, and there the children were reared 
 to manhood and womanhood. The parents are 
 still living on the old homestead where they first 
 located. They are highly respected people, whose 
 excellencies of character have won them many 
 friends. Of their family five are yet living, namely: 
 J. .\ustin. Joseph G.. James Richard, Kmma and 
 Alice. 
 
 Upon his father's farm the subject of this sketch 
 spent the days of his boyhood and youth. No 
 event of special importance occurred until .luly, 
 1862, when, having attained his majority, he re- 
 sponded to the country 'scall for ti'oops. Prompted 
 by patriotic impulses, he joined Company 1!. 
 One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, and 
 faithfuUv served as a valiant soldier for three 
 
■278 
 
 PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 years, receiving his diseliarge on the 12th of June, 
 1865. The first battle in which he took part was 
 Resaea, where the Brigade Commander, W. 'P. 
 AVard, was wounded, and Gen. Benjamin Harrison 
 toolc command of tlie same and continued on to 
 Atlanta and to the sea. Mr. Wallace participated 
 in all the battles of his regiment on the Atlanta 
 Campaign and on the famous march to the sea. 
 The march having been completed, he witnessed 
 the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. Though 
 in many engagements, he was never wounded or 
 taken prisoner. 
 
 In 1865, Mr. Wall.ace went to Dwight, 111., and 
 resided ilpon a farm in that locality until 1874. 
 Marcli 25, of that year, he married Miss Jennie 
 Potter, daughter of John jind Lucinda (Blanciiard) 
 Potter, of Dwiglit, 111. Their family numbered 
 seven children, six of whom are yet living. Oscar 
 died at the age of five years; Orson married Miss 
 Racliel Porter; Caroline L. is the wife of William 
 E. Fenn; Mary Louise is the wife of Frank Ben- 
 jamin; Cynthia Jane wedded Joseph G. Wallace; 
 Jerusha Violetta is the wife of Eugene Hagler; 
 and John B. married Miss Grace Cone. 
 
 After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace 
 spent a few montiis in Elliott, 111., and then removed 
 to a farm of two hundred acres, which he had 
 purchased a short time i)revious, about two miles 
 northwest of Buckley. During his residence thereon, 
 he purchased and sold other land, but he still owns 
 one hundred and sixty acres of his original farm 
 and it yields to him a good income. In addition 
 to the cultivation of his land, he paid considerable 
 attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of 
 the breeding of horses and hogs, but he never had 
 occasion to ship, as his stock was so well known 
 throughout this locality that when he was ready 
 to sell he found a market at home. His horses 
 were of the celebrated Norman breed and he raised 
 the Poland-China hogs. 
 
 In his political sentiments, Mr. Wallace is a 
 Republican. He keeps himself well informed on 
 the issues of the day and on all current events, but 
 has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote 
 his entire time and attention to his business inter- 
 ests, in which he has met with excellent suc- 
 cess. Mrs. Wallace is a member of the Methodist 
 
 Church. In May, 1891, our subject left the farm 
 and removed to liuekley, purchasing a flue resi- 
 dence, in which lie and his wife, a most estimable 
 lady, m.ake their home. They are enjoying a well- 
 earned rest amid friends who hold them in liigh 
 esteem for their sterling worth. Socially, he be- 
 longed to Will Carter Post, G. A. R,, of Buckley. 
 
 IjyfENDAL SHANKLAND, deceased, an hon- 
 'tT\ ored early settler of Iroquois County, was 
 
 /4\*^ a native of the Buckeye State. He was 
 ^ born in Eaton, Ohio, on the 1st of July, 
 1825, his parents being David and Sarah (Craw- 
 ford) Shankland. Both were natives of Kentucky, 
 and were of Virginian stock. In 1829, they settled 
 near what is now West Lebanon, Tnd. Their son 
 attended the public schools of those early days, 
 where educational advantages were very limited, 
 but by extensive reading and self-culture he be- 
 came well informed. He was reared to agricultural 
 pursuits. 
 
 On the 14th of February, 1848, Mr. Shankland 
 was married in Boone County, Ind., to Miss Am- 
 anda Harris, a native of Marion County, Ind., 
 liorn in 1827, and a daughter of Benjamin and 
 Mahala Harris. Mr. Shankland coiuinued to reside 
 in Warren County, Ind., until 1851, when he re- 
 moved to Illinois, and settled in what is now the 
 township of Prairie Green, Iroquois County. 
 There he invested his capital, amounting to $1000, 
 in land, and engaged in farming. In course of 
 time he added by purchase to the original tract, 
 until at his death he was the owner of one thou- 
 sand acres of valualile land, having become quite 
 wealthy. 
 
 Five children were born to Mr. and Jlrs. Shank- 
 land, as follows: Benjamin F., the eldest, wedded 
 Miss Nancy R. Miskimen, and is now the President 
 of the Watscka Republican Company, and the 
 editor of the paper; George W., the next younger, 
 married Miss Susan Seager, and is a farmer resid- 
 ing on the old homestead; Florence is the wife 
 of George L. Miller, and is engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits in McPherson County, Kan.; David wed- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 279 
 
 (led Miss Mary Cox, and is a farmer residing near 
 Fowler, I nd.; Laura is the wife of C. B. Smallej-, 
 of Benton County, Ind. 
 
 Early in life Mr. Sliankland was a Wliig, and 
 when the Republican party sprang into existence 
 lie was one of its organizers in his count}\ He 
 ever afterwards maintained his connection with it, 
 and was recognized as an influential member. He 
 helped to organize Iroquois Countj- into townships, 
 and for about twent}' years represented Prairie 
 (u'een Township on the Count3' Board, of which 
 he was several times Chairman, and one of its 
 most influential working members. His death 
 occurred at his home August 12, 1882. His wife 
 survives him, and has since married Mr. Gill. She 
 is a member of the Christian Church, and her 
 home is in Anderson. Inil. 
 
 flP^RED H. LT'ECKE is a wide-awake and en- 
 iknfe terprising young farmer of Ash Grove 
 /ii Township, residing on section 17. He 
 
 claims Will County, Ill.,'a.s the place of his biith, 
 which occurred on the lltli of November, 1861. 
 His father, Fred F. Luecke, was born in Germany, 
 November 19, 1842, and is the son of Frederick 
 Luecke, who was born and reared in Hesse and fol- 
 lowed the carpenter's trade. He married Henrietta 
 Afeyer, and in 1817 sailed from Bremen to New 
 Orleans, where he arrived after a voyage of eight 
 weeks and three days. He then proceeded up the 
 Mississippi River to Peru, TIL, where he hired 
 teams, by which he made his way to Chicago. 
 After two years spent in Wheeling, Cook County, 
 he removed to Crete, Will County, where he died 
 in 1851, at the age of fifty -one years. His widow 
 is still living and makes her home with her son 
 August, at the age of ninety-one. 
 
 Fred F. Luecke, the father of our subject, came 
 with his parents to America when about si.v years 
 of age, and in Washington, HI., he learned the 
 shoemaker's trade, which he followed for a number 
 of years in Will County. He was married in Will 
 ( iKintv to Mary Bahlman, who died in tliat county 
 
 in 1876, leaving six children, namcl\-: Fred, wiiose 
 name heads this record; Henry, who resides on 
 a farm in Will County; Frank, who died in 1889, 
 at the age" of twenty-two years; JIary. wife of 
 Charles Waterman, of AVill County; Sophia, wife 
 of John C. Wilkening, of Ash Grove Township; 
 and Louisa at home. Tiie children we're all born 
 and reared in Will County and acquired good ed- 
 ucations. After the death of his first wife Mr. 
 Luecke married Ellen Sclireeck,and unto them have 
 been born six children, of whom Emma, Mollie 
 and Lena are now living. Millie, William and 
 All)ert are all deceased. Mr. Luecke and his 
 family are all faithful members of the Liitheian 
 Church. He takes a prominent jiart in church 
 work, and is a charitable and benevolent man, who 
 gives freely of his means to all cnteiprises calcu- 
 lated to prove of public benefit. In early life he 
 was a Democi'at, but is now a Republican. When 
 he started out in life for himself he had only *l.")(l, 
 but by good business ability, perseverance and in- 
 dustry he has worked his way upward to a i)osition 
 among the substantial farmers of Will County, 
 and is a highly respected citizen. 
 
 Tnder the parental roof Fred Luecke, whose 
 name heads this record, spent his boyhood days 
 and was educated in both the English and German 
 languages. On leaving school he worked on the 
 home farm and in the employ of others until 1880, 
 when he came to Iroquois County, and for three 
 years was in the employ of F. Broymeyer. lie 
 then spent the three succeeding years of his life 
 on the old homestead, in Will County, and in 1887 
 located on his present farm, which has since been 
 his home. There were then no buildings upon it 
 except a shanty and a small stable, but it is now one 
 of the valuable farms of the community. He has 
 erected a substantial dwelling and good outbuild- 
 ings, which stand .as monuments to his thrift and 
 enterprise. In addition to the cultivation of his 
 land, he is also engaged in stock-raising, breeding 
 fine Jersey cattle for dairy, purposes. 
 
 On the 10th of February, 1887, in Will County, 
 Mr. Luecke was united in marri.age with Miss 
 Sophia Wilkening, a native of Washington Town- 
 ship, that county, and a daughter of Conrad and 
 Mary (Tegtmeyer) Wilkening. Two children 
 
280 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 have been born of their union: Artliur, born 
 March 20, 1888; and Walter, on the 19tli of 
 June, 1890. The parents are both members of St. 
 Paul's ]>utlieran Church, of Woodwortli, and take 
 an active part in its growth and upbuilding. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Luecke is a Republi- 
 can, and has frequently served his party as a del- 
 egate to its conventions. lie is now serving as 
 Assessor of Ash Orove Township and as School 
 Treasurer, and is a member of the Buckle^' Insur- 
 ance Compan}'. In ever_y enterprise calculated to 
 advance the best interests of the communitj', he is 
 found in the front rank, and his aid is never with- 
 held when solicited in behalf of any interest cal- 
 culated to promote the general welfare. During 
 Ills residence here he has won a large circle of 
 friends and acquaintances, and has secured the 
 high regard of all with whom business or pleasure 
 has brought him in contact. 
 
 ' LBERT P. HURD is one of the worthy cit- 
 izens that Michigan has furnished to 
 li Lovejoj' Township. He now owns and 
 operates a fine farm of four hundred and 
 thirty acres, his home being on section 3. He was 
 born near Adrian, Lenawee County, INIich., on the 
 29th of December, 1833. His parents, Allen D. 
 and Hannah (Hooper) Hurd, were both natives of 
 the Empire State, where they spent their child- 
 hood days. About 1830 they emigrated to Mich- 
 »igan, and in that State made their home for more 
 than twenty years, after which they came to Illi- 
 nois, locating in Iroquois County, on the 1st of 
 Ju\y, 1852. Tlie3' settled on a farm four miles 
 south of tlie village of Milford, in Lovejoy Town- 
 ship, Mr. Hurd having entered eighty acres of 
 land. He also bought a tract of seventy acres of 
 ricli prairie and thirty acres of timber, making in 
 all a farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres. 
 To its cultivation and improvement he devoted 
 his energies. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mis. Hurd was born a family of 
 six children: John Henry, the eldest, married Miss 
 Amy Johns, daughter of William .Johns, and they 
 
 reside in Crescent Township, near Woodland. 
 Thej' became the parents of six children, four of 
 whom are living. Albert P., of this sketch, is 
 the next younger. Lydia Augusta is the wife of 
 Joseph Pruitt, a resident farmer of Lovejoy 
 Township, by whom she has eight children, all 
 living. Sarah Olivia is the wife of Ezekiel Pro- 
 bus, a resident farmer of Mitchell County, Kan. 
 Eight children were born unto them, of whom 
 seven are surviving. Frances was the next 
 younger, but her death occurred in early child- 
 hood. Charles Leslie, the youngest, ni.Trried 
 Linda Armstrong, by whom he has five children, 
 four sons and a daughter. With his family he re- 
 sides in Cloud County, Kan. 
 
 In the State of his nativity, Albert lliird (juietly 
 passed his boyhood and youth m the usual man- 
 ner of farmer lads, and on his parents' removal to 
 Illinois he accompanied them. Since that time he 
 has made his home in Iroquois County. On the 
 2d of March, 1869, he led to the marriage altar 
 Miss Esther Jemima Heffner, who was born near 
 La Fayette, Ind., July 3, 1850, and is a daughter of 
 Joseph and Esther Heffner, the former a native of 
 Virginia, and the latter of the Keystone State. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hurd began their domestic life upon 
 the old homestead in Lovejoy Township where 
 they have since resided. Tiiey have a pleasant 
 home, are hospitable people, and their friends 
 throughout the community are many. In his 
 political affiliations, Mr. Hurd is a Republican, 
 and has long supported that [jartj-. The cause of 
 education finds in him a warm friend, and he has 
 frequently served in the office of School Trustee. 
 
 The beautiful and desirable farm which is the 
 property of our subject comprises four hundied 
 and thirty acres of arable land, which is under a 
 high state of cultivation, and is well improved 
 with good buildings. The rich and fertile fields 
 yield to him a golden tribute, and everything 
 about the place indicates the supervision of a care- 
 ful and thrifty manager. He has all the latest im- 
 proved machinery, the place is complete in all its 
 appointments, and the Hurd homestead is known 
 as a model farm throughout the county. Our 
 subject formerly gave considerable attention to 
 stock-raising, but now devotes his energies prin- 
 
I 
 
 ^^^^^■^ 
 
 91^ 
 
TOinUAIT AND l'.l<)(;HAI'inCAL HlAOUl). 
 
 283 
 
 ,ci|)ally t<> growing wlicnt anrl curu. He i.^ a man 
 of good business ability, and by his well-directed 
 efforts, perseverance and good management has 
 won a place among the substantial agriculturist* 
 of lro()uois ('ount\'. 
 
 'SpS OIJKU'I" NJLSON, deceased, wus one of the 
 'V0^ most honored pioneers of Jrofjuois County. 
 /Ai\V For forty-four years he was closely identi- 
 ■^^ tied witii the growth, development and bus- 
 iness interests of the county. IJorn in IJrown Coun- 
 ty, Ohio, .Septcml)er 20, 1HI7, taken to P'ountain 
 County, Ind., when ten years of age, .and brought 
 to Iroquois County at the age of seventeen, it will 
 be seen that all his earlier life was passed in a new 
 country-, where educational and sr>oial advantages 
 were very meagre. Being a man of superior mental 
 powi rs, reading and observation largely- compen- 
 sated for the lack of scholastic training. Our sub- 
 ject's father, John Nilson, served under Oen. Harri- 
 son in the War of 1812. Subsequently he married 
 and settled in IJrown County, Ohio. In 1827 he 
 moved to P'ountain County, Ind., and seven years 
 later came to Iroquois County', where he spent the 
 remainder of his life. March 12, 183'J, Robert Nil- 
 son was married in Milford Township to Miss Su- 
 san L. Wagner, who wa.s born .September 2.5, 181.5, 
 in Butler County, Ohio, and in 1837 became a 
 resident of Iroquois County. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Nilson began their domestic life 
 on a farm about four miles north of the village of 
 Milford, where Mrs. Nilson still makes her home. 
 The land was wild and destitute of improvementi, 
 but the j'oung pair worked hard and judiciously 
 invested their savings. Mr. Nilson became one of 
 the most prosperous farmers of his community, 
 owning at his death eleven hundred acres of val- 
 uable land. Aside frf>rn his own business interests 
 he transacted a good deal of business for others, be- 
 sides serving in public capacities for many years. 
 For sixteen years he held the office of County 
 Surveyor, and for four years that of County Treas- 
 urer, proving a capable and trust^' official. Polit- 
 ically, he was a life-long Democrat. Unto Mr. 
 
 and .Mrs. .N'ilsoti were bf)rn seven children, four 
 sons and three daughters, as follows: .Martha, Su- 
 san; F-mrna and .lacob, deceased; .John, Kusebius 
 and .Sidney, who are represented elsewhere in this 
 work. 
 
 After a well-spent life covering a period of six- 
 ty-three years, .Mr. Robert Nilson was called to his 
 final rest May 23, 1880. His death was deeply 
 mourned, for he was tenderly beloved by his fam- 
 ily, and held in the highest esteem by a large circle 
 of friends and acquaintances. Just and honorable 
 in his dealings, kind and charitable to the needy, 
 he might truly be called one of Nature's noble- 
 men. 
 
 .Mrs. Nilson, though seventy-seven years of age, 
 is quite active in body and mind. For over fifty 
 years she has been a consistent member of the 
 Methodist IOpisco[»al Church, and her influence for 
 good has Ijeen imiiressed ujion the community 
 where she has lived for so many years. 
 
 E^^- 
 
 /^ 
 
 f^'OIlN W. Ct'NNlNGIIAM, who is succe„-s- 
 fully engaged in farming in f)narga Town- 
 ship, owns an excellent farm, pleasantly 
 
 located about two miles from Onarga. He 
 
 is widely and favorably known in this community, 
 and with plea.sure we present to our readers this 
 record of his life. A native of Canada, he was 
 born in Montreal, May 10, 1810. His parents 
 were Patrick and Estlfer Cunningham, and their 
 familj- numbered six children, five of whom are 
 yet living, as follows: .lames, KUen, John W., 
 Mary and Flsther. The father died when our sub- 
 ject was only three 3-ears old. His mother after- 
 ward married again, becoming the wife of Will- 
 iam Hill, of fiuelph, Canada, who died during the 
 late war, having enlisted in the service as a mem- 
 ber of a New York regiment. Three, children 
 were born unto them, fieorge, F^lizabeth and Jane. 
 The mother died in Canada in June, 18'.)0. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is also an honored 
 veteran of the late war. On attaining his major- 
 ity he responded to the country's call for troops, 
 enlisting in April, at the first call for volunteers, 
 
284 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 at Columbus, Ohio. He became a memlior of Com- 
 pan\' C, Twelfth Ohio Regiment, in vvhi(;h he 
 served five months and six da^s. 
 
 After his return home Mr. Cunningham was unit- 
 ed in marriage February 11, 1864, with Miss Rachel 
 E. Shaw, daughter of Joseph S. and Eleanor G. 
 (Beaty) Shaw. Five children have been born of 
 the union of this worthy couple, three sons and 
 two daughters, the eldest of whom, James ()., was 
 born November 30, 1864; Emory L., born September 
 6, 1866, married Miss Sadie McGraff, and now re- 
 sides in Eureka, 111.; Eva Ma}-, born March 3, 
 1868, is the wife of Clarence IloUister, who is en- 
 gaged in agricultural pursuits in Onarga Town- 
 ship; Elma E., born May 8, 1870, is the wife of Sher- 
 man T. Wilcox, a resident' of Eureka, 111.; and 
 John, born November 6, 1873, is still under the 
 parental roof. 
 
 It was in 1868 that Mr. Cunningham made his 
 first iiurcLase of land in tliis count\'. He bought 
 an eightj'-acre tract on section 26, Onarga Town- 
 ship, and afterward purchased another eighty 
 ai'res on the same section. Subsequently he 
 bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on 
 section 27, and then selling his land on section 26 
 be bonght land on sections 1!), 20 and 29, amount- 
 ing to two hundred and sixt3--five acres. His 
 landed possessions now aggregate about four hun- 
 dred and twenty-five acres, the greater part of 
 which is under a high state of cultivation. His 
 well-tilled fields and the many improvements 
 upon the place indicate his thrift and enterprise. 
 His home is a beautiful and commodious residence, 
 tastefully furnished and supplied with all the 
 comforts of life. The farm is considered one of 
 the finest in this locality, and Mr. Cunningham is 
 regarded as one of the practical and progressive 
 agriculturists. 
 
 Our subject, his wife and four children are 
 members of the Christian Church, and in politics 
 he is a supporter of the Prohibition party. The 
 cause of temperance finds in him a stanch advocate 
 and he is a warm friend to every interest calcu- 
 lated to iipbuild and improve the community. 
 The townsliip finds in him a valued citizen. His 
 possessions have been acquired through his own 
 efforts, and by steadily working his way upward he 
 
 has attained a position of wealth and affluence. 
 In the community he has formed a wide acquaint- 
 ance, and is a highly respected citizen. 
 
 ^fflPgT j| 
 
 <| I^ILLIAM DIGGLE, a prominent citizen of 
 \/iJi Watseka, has the honor of being a native 
 W^ of Illinois, his birth occurring in Peoria 
 County, October 16, 1862. He is a son of James 
 and Sarah (Rigley) Higgle, both of whom were 
 born in England. The mother departed this life 
 in 1882. The father, who was born Juue 18, 1811, 
 still survives, and makes his home with our sub- 
 ject. He has been a resident of this State since 
 1847, first settling in Peoria. He lived in Wood- 
 ford Count}' about twenty-one 3'ears. 
 
 In the family of four children, our subject was 
 the third in order of birth. He received the ad- 
 vantages of the education afforded by the com- 
 mon schools, and passed his boyhood on the farm. 
 At the age of twenty-one, starting in life for him- 
 self, he engaged in farming, which occupation he 
 followed for a period of about eight years. He 
 then removed to Watseka, where he bought an in- 
 terest in the tile works in January, 1801. This 
 business had been established in 1887 by Martin 
 it Sweeney, the latter retiring when Mr. Higgle 
 entered the firm, it since being known as Martin 
 & Higgle. They do a large business and have a 
 sale for all the tile and brick they can manufac- 
 ture. Mr. Higgle is a man of fine business ability, 
 as is evinced by the success of the factorj^ since he 
 has engaged in that business. He is upright and 
 honorable in his commercial relations, and Ijy this 
 means has secured the respect and esteem of his 
 fellow-citizens. 
 
 Our subject was united in marriage to Miss Re- 
 becca Moore, a daughter of James Moore, who is 
 a native of England, but has resided in Illinois 
 since about 1845. Their marriage was celebiated 
 November 1, 1882. To this worthy couple have 
 been born tiiree children: Bei't, Flva and Will- 
 iam. 
 
 Mr. Higgle is a member of the Masonic order, 
 belonging to Watseka Lodge No. 446, A. F. it A. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 285 
 
 M.. nin1 also of llie Patriotic Soils of America. 
 l'oliticali3-, his vote is cast for tho Hepiiblican 
 nominees, and lie is a warm supporter of that 
 party. His religious principles and opinions ac- 
 cord with those of the Metiiodist Episcopal Church, 
 of which he is a member and to which he gives 
 his support. Though still a young man, Mr. Dig- 
 iile has acliieved a remarkable measure of success, 
 and by his upright business methods and genial 
 way has won for himself a liost of friends. His 
 pleasant home is the abode of hospitality, which is 
 extended to a wide circle of acquaintances. 
 
 I _^AKM FAHDINAXI), who is engaged in 
 jl[ j) general farming on section G, IMilford 
 /^^ Town.ship, is one of the worthy German 
 if^ citizens of Iroquois County. He was born 
 in Prussia March 19, 184.'), and is the only surviv- 
 ing member of a family of ten children, whose 
 parents, Christian and Tina (Loors) Fardinand, 
 were natives of the .same country as our subject. 
 With his wife and two children. Harm, and Katie, 
 now deceased, Christian Fardinand crossed the 
 brcjad Atlantic in 18.55, the voyage lasting thirteen 
 weeks and some daj-s, and located near Peoria, 
 111., where he resided for about ten years. He 
 engaged in farming near .Sccor and Rl Paso. Sub- 
 sequently he removed to a farm near Minonk. 
 
 Tlie subject of this sketch spent the d.a^-s of his 
 childhood under the parental roof, and was trained 
 ill all departments of farm labor. He was a lad 
 of ten years, wlien, with his parents, he crossed 
 the Atlantic. After attaining his majorit3- he was 
 united m niarri.agc, February 5, 1868, at Pontiac, 
 111., with Miss Johanna Leenerts, daughter of Hi 
 and Kmma Leenerts. The lady was born in the 
 same neighborhood as her husband, June 2, 1845, 
 and when ten years of age left the Fatherland 
 with her parents, who came to America, locating 
 in Adams County, 111. The faniily numbered 
 seven daughters, of whom two are now deceased, 
 Emma and Engel. Those still living are Johanna, 
 Tillic, Lcnu. Ileika and Susan. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Jlrs. Fardinand thirteen children 
 have been born, of whom ten aie yet living, viz: 
 Tina, born October 19, 1868; Emma, February 19, 
 1870; Katie, November 3. 1872; Engel, April .3, 
 1874; Johanna, April 21, 1876; Christian, Marcli 
 24, 1878; Hi, August 14, 1880; Harm, August 11, 
 1883; .Johann, February 28, 1885; and Peter, June 
 13, 1887, Katie, wlio was born October 1, 1871, 
 died on the 6tli of the same month; and Harm and 
 Johann, twins, born February 14, 1882, lived only 
 a few days. 
 
 In 1871 ."Mr. Fardinand removed with his family 
 to Livingston County, locating on a farm about 
 five miles east of Minonk, where he made his 
 home for ten years. He then returned to Wood- 
 ford County, where he spent the succeeding year 
 of Ills life, after which he came to Iroquois 
 County. Settling in Asli drove Town.ship he 
 there engaged in .agricultural pursuits for six 
 \ears, after which he moved across the boundary 
 line into ^lilford Township, and now operates 
 what is known as the Dankas Farm on section 6. 
 Ho is a pr.actical and progressive agriculturist, and 
 by his enterprise, perseverance and good manage- 
 ment, has secured a comfortable competence. In 
 connection witli general farming he raises consid- 
 erable stock, owning two hundred and sixty acres 
 of valuable land. For his success he deserves 
 great credit, as it is due entirely to his own efforts. 
 Himself and wife are both members of the Lutii- 
 eran Church, and in politics he is a supporter 
 of Democratic principles, but hits never sought 
 or desired the honors or emoluments of public 
 office, preferring to devote his entire attention to 
 his business interests. 
 
 r 
 
 IP^EV. GEORGE BLANKEN, p.astor of the 
 P^ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Buckle^', 
 '■S^\ was born in the kingdom of Hanover, 
 German3% December 7, 1850, and is a son 
 of Henry and Margaret (Holsten) Blanken, botii 
 of whom were also natives of Germany. The 
 mother died in that country in 1861, and twenty 
 
286 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 years afterward Ilenrj' Blanken, in 1881, crossed 
 the Atlantic to America, reaching Chicago, 111., on 
 the evening of the day on which President Gar- 
 field died. In the Blanken family were seven 
 children, as follows: .John, Margaret, Rebecca, 
 George and Herman (twins), Henry and Anna. 
 Herman died when three years of age, and Rebecca 
 died in vSedalia, Mo.; but the others are all 3'et 
 living. The father of this family died in Morgan 
 County, ]\Io., in 188.0, when about sixty-two years 
 of age. 
 
 We now take up the i)eisonal history of our 
 subject, who is one of the prominent citizens of 
 this community. His education was acquired in 
 the common schools of Germany, which he at- 
 tended for seven and one-half years. Wishing to 
 try his fortune in the United States, he bade good- 
 bye to the Fatherland in 1867 and sailed for 
 America. He made his first location in Missouri, 
 and worked as a farm hand in Morgan and La 
 P^ajfette Counties. He also engaged in teaching 
 school until the fall of 1872, when he began study- 
 ing for the ministry, entering Concordia Semi- 
 nary, an Evangelical Lutheran School in St. Louis, 
 where he studied for two and one-half years. He 
 then went to Springfield, 111., and entered Concor- 
 dia Seminary of that place, where he also studied 
 about two and one-half years, graduating from 
 that institution March 22, 1877. On the 2d of 
 April following, he was ordained, Rev. G. A. 
 Mueller, of Kankakee, officiating, assisted by Rev. 
 F. Lindemann, of Camjiaign. He immediatel\- 
 accepted a charge in Buckley, 111., and has since 
 been the honored and efficient pastor at that 
 place. 
 
 (Jn February 27, 1878, Kev. Mr. Blanken was 
 united in marriage with Miss Ljdia Rabe, daugh- 
 ter of John F. and Dora (Getting) Rabe. There 
 were seven children born unto them, three sons 
 and four daughters, si.x of whom are living, as fol- 
 lows: William, Matilda, Theodore, Clara, Wal- 
 ther and Lydia. Theodora, the fourth in orderof 
 birth, died February 28, 1887, at the age of one 
 3'ear, nine months and twenty-five days. 
 
 After coming to Buckley Mr. Blanken engaged 
 in teaching in a private German school for seven 
 years in connection with his preaching, bvit now 
 
 devotes his entire time to the work of the minis- 
 try. He began with a congregation of sixteen 
 members, but now has a membership of seventy- 
 five, and a large attendance of strangers each Sun- 
 day. He is an able minister, and that he is es- 
 teemed and lespected by his congregation is 
 shown liy his long-continued service in their 
 midst. He is also held in high regard bj' the peo- 
 ple of other denominations, and is one of the val- 
 ued citizens of Bucklej'. In iiolitics, he is inde- 
 pendent. 
 
 =^^+^1 
 
 APT. AVILLIAM Y. DOAN is one of the 
 honored founders, of Wellington, a man* 
 prominent in its history and in its upbuild- 
 ing. He is now engaged in the hardware business 
 as a member of the firm of Doan & Galloway. His 
 life record, which we feel assured will prove of in- 
 terest to many of our readers, is as follows: He 
 was born in Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, on 
 the nth of Maieh, 1838, and is the third in order 
 of birth in a family of eight children whose parents 
 were Elisha and Mar}' Ann (AVard) Doan. The 
 father was a native of the Buckeye State, born Au- 
 gust 19, 1806. His death occurred November 27, 
 1882, and his remains were interred in Sugar Creek 
 Chapel Cemetery. His wife was born in Virginia, 
 March 2,5, 18 14,. and died September 11, 1892. Of the 
 five sons and three daughters born unto this worthy 
 couple, six are yet living, the eldest of whom is 
 William; Absalom W. is married and is a farmer of 
 Black Hills, S. Dak.; Rebecca is the wife of 
 .Joseph Galloway, a merchant of Wellington, who 
 is also engaged in farming; Lydia J. is the wife of 
 J. W. Babb, an agriculturist residing in Cissna 
 Park; Isaac H. is married and makes his home in 
 Wa\seka; Jesse E., who completes the family, is a 
 telegraph operator residing in New Mexico. 
 
 Capt. Doan, whose name heads this record, spent 
 his boyhood days in the State of his nativity, upon 
 the banks of a little stream known as L3'tle's Creek. 
 In the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared 
 to manhood. His education was acquired in the 
 common schools, and he afterward learned the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 287 
 
 trade of a carpenter and joiner. On .attaining iiis 
 majority l>e started out in life for himself witli no 
 capital save a pair of willing hands and an indus- 
 trious disposition, but these essential qualities of 
 success have brought him a well-deserved prosper- 
 ity. As a companion and helpmate on life's journe}- 
 he chose Miss JIary K. Ka^'burn, daughter of Samuel 
 P. and Susanna (Stratton) Rayburn, their union 
 being celebrated on the 20th of September, 186(). 
 Her father, who was born March 2, 1814, in Mur- 
 freesboro, Tenu., is ^-et living. When a lad of 
 fourteen years he came with his widowed mother 
 to Ohio, locating in Greene County. The lady 
 whom he married is a native of Clinton Count}', 
 Ohio, and was born on the oth of March, 1822. 
 I'lcith Mr. and Mrs. R.ayburn are adherents of. the 
 faith of the Society of Friends. Their family num- 
 bered four children, a son and three daughters, all 
 of whom are j'et living: Ann Eliza is the wife of 
 W. Osborn, a resident of Columbus, Ohio; Laura 
 11. is the wife of Peter A. Young, a mechanic of 
 Wellington; and .James AV. resides in Columbus, 
 Oiiio. He was reared as a farmer but is a natural 
 artist. The parent.s of this family came to Illinois 
 in 1882 and are prominent and highly respected 
 citizens of Wellington. 
 
 Mrs. Doan, who was the eldest child in the Ray- 
 bum family, was born in Greene County, Ohio, Au- 
 gust 6, 1813. Iler childhood days were spent 
 in Xenia, Ohio, until twelve years of age when she 
 reinoved to Clinton Count}-. For two years prior 
 to her marriage she successfully engaged in teach- 
 ing. She is a lady of culture and refinement, who 
 l)resides with gr.ace over her pleasant home. 
 
 .Mr. Doan was one of the boys in blue during 
 the late war and faithfully served his country for 
 three years and seven months. He enlisted at 
 Wilmington, Ohio, August 8, 1862, as a memberof 
 Company C, .Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, under 
 Capt. I. H. Allen and Col. Kennett. A. W. Doan was 
 Lieutenant-Colonel and afterward became com- 
 manding odicer of the regiment, which was organ- 
 ized at Camp Dennison,near Cincinnati, and from 
 there sent to Covington, Ky., where the troops 
 were concentrated to meet the rebels, who were ex- 
 |)octed to attack that city. At this point, Mr. Doan 
 was aJHicted with fever aud forced to return home, 
 
 but as soon as he was convalescent he rejoined his 
 regiment at Bowling Green, Ky. The troops went 
 to Nashville, Tenn., to act on guard duty and Mr. 
 Doan was there appointed First Lieutenant of Com- 
 pany A, Fifteenth United States Colored Infantry, 
 by order of the AVar Department at Washington, 
 D. C. On the 7tii of March, 186;j, he was promoted 
 to the Captaincy. Two companies were organized 
 at Columbia, Tenn., and Cai)t. Doan"s command 
 was there armed. He was ordered with his troops 
 to Shelby ville to (inish recruiting the regiment and 
 soon afterward was sent b.ack to Nashville to finish 
 recruiting service there. The regiment did guard 
 duty in Nashville and vicinity for a long time and 
 while there Capt. Doan received a twenty-day 
 furlougli and returned to his home. l)n again join- 
 ing his company he reported to the (Juarter mas- 
 ter-General, and received orders to go uj) the Cum- 
 berland River one hundred miles to guard Govern- 
 ment employes who were engaged in lumbeiing. 
 He remained about two months and while there the 
 sad intelligence that President Lincoln was assas- 
 sinated reached him. He was ordered back to Nash- 
 ville, where he remained, doing guard duty until 
 after the close of the war. He bore many of the 
 hardships and trials of a soldier's life and has in 
 after years suffered from the effects of his service, 
 but he was ever found at his post of duty, faith- 
 fully performing any t.ask allotted to him. He was 
 honorably discharged in Nashville, Tenn., April 7, 
 186() with the following testimonial from Col. Will- 
 iam Illness, of the Fifteenth United States Colored 
 Infantry: "Capt W. V. Doan is an oflicer of great 
 abilities and unexceptional character." 
 
 The Captain returned to his home, but after a 
 short time went to Kansas, where he |)urchased one 
 hundred and sixty acres of raw land. He then 
 returned to Ohio, and in the winter of 1866 acted 
 as United Slates Claim Agent. In the spring of 
 1867, after his marriage, he came to Illinois and 
 located near Danville, and in the succeeding autumn 
 came to Iroquois County. He erected the first 
 dwelling in Wellington. The now nourishing 
 towns in the southern [)artof Iroquois County had 
 not then sprung into existence. Jlr. Doan here 
 located on the 1 llh of January. 1871, and began 
 work at the carpenter's trade which he followed 
 
288 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 until August, 1872. He then entered the employ 
 of Alexander Pate as salesman and book-keeper 
 and remained with him for eighteen jears, a fact 
 whicli indicates his fidelity to the interests of his 
 employer and also the confidence which Mr. I'ate 
 had in him. During nine years of that time he 
 owned an interest in the hardware store conducted 
 under the firm name of Doan & Young. Recently 
 a change has occurred in the firm, which is now 
 Doau ife Galloway. 
 
 As before stated, Capt. Doan is one of the founders 
 of AVelliugtou and has aided in all of the enter- 
 prise.s which are calculated to ui)build the town 
 and advance its best interests. He is recognized 
 as one of its leading and valued citizens. His first 
 Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln; 
 he has since been a stalwart Republican and takes 
 quite an active interest in political affairs, having 
 frequently served as a delegate to the county con- 
 ventions. He is a Mason in good standing and is 
 a member of Harmon Post No. 11;'), G. A. K., of 
 Iloopeston. His wile holds membershi|) with the 
 Women's Relief Corps of Hoopeston and belongs to 
 the First Presbyterian Church of Wellington and 
 to the Woman's Christian Temperance I'nion. 
 They have contributed liberally to all worthy be- 
 nevolences, their aid is never withheld from any 
 enterprise calculated for the public good and among 
 Wellington's best and most highly respected citi- 
 zens thev are numbered. 
 
 jiJHLIP SCHWARTZ, one of the extensive 
 land-owners, and a prominent and repre- 
 sentative citizen of this county, residing 
 on section 24, Prairie (ireen Township, 
 claims Germany as his native land. He was born 
 in Baden on the 2d of May, 1824, and was the 
 second in order of birth in a family of five chil- 
 dren, whose parents were Thomas and Selma 
 (Cox) Schwartz. The father was also born in Ba- 
 den, and was reared in the usual manner of farmer 
 lads. Himself and wife never left their native 
 land. Of their two sons and three daughters, only 
 three are now living: Anna, wife of Bal Berkley, 
 
 who is living retired in Hoopeston; Philip, of this 
 sketch; and Hartman, a resident farmer of Prairie 
 (Treen Township. 
 
 Our subject spent the days of his boyhood in 
 the Fatherland, and was educated in the public 
 schools. At tlie age of twenty-seven he deter- 
 mined to leave Germany and seek a home on the 
 other side of the Atlantic. So he bade adieu to ' 
 friends and native land, and took passage on a 
 sailing-vessel, which weighed anchor at ILivre, 
 France. After a pleasant voyage of thirty days, 
 he landed at New York City with but two French 
 dollars in his pocket, and these he had earned on 
 board the vessel by cooking for some parties. He 
 thus found himself in a strange land among a 
 strange people, whose tongue he did not know, 
 and almost penniless, but he determined to make 
 the best of his situation. He went to Williams- 
 burg, N. Y'., and from there into the country, 
 hunting for work. He failed at the first place he 
 tried, but at the next he secured work as a farm 
 hand at #6 per month. He worked in the fields 
 for three months, and his wages were raised to §7. 
 Every cent of this he saved, for he had learned 
 the value of hard-earned money. He then started 
 for the West, going from Philadelphia to Chicago, 
 where he arrived in the spring of 18.55. He then 
 went to Freeport, 111., and afterward worked for a 
 carpenter and a mason in Wisconsin, carr3ang 
 stones and mortar for $1.25 per day. He after- 
 ward went to Freeport, where he engaged in farm 
 labor for a time. Subsequently he went to Iowa, 
 afterward returned to Chicago, from there to In- 
 diana, and later to liloomington. III. At that 
 time the Chicago & Alton Railroad was just being 
 built through the place. The now flourishing city 
 was a mere hamlet. Mr. Schwartz there remained 
 for eleven years, and worked as a brick-carrier. 
 Subsequently he was empk\ved upon a farm be. 
 longiiig to Mr. Ruggs. 
 
 It was in 18()7 that our subject came to Iroquois 
 County'. Soon after his arrival he purchased one 
 hundred and sixty acres of partially improved 
 land, upon which was a small cabin about 14x20 
 feet. It had a common fence-board floor. There 
 was also upon tlie pl.ace an old slal)-roof stable. 
 Tlic ])ruirie fur miles around was in its primitive 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 289 
 
 condition, not a furrow having been turned or an 
 improvement made thereon. The nearest markets 
 were Sheldon and Watseka, for the tloiirishing 
 villages to which lie now lakes his products were 
 nut yet in existence. Wild g.ime of all kinds was 
 plentiful, including geese, cranes, hrant, ducks, 
 and also deer. The Lake Erie & AVestern and the 
 Chicago it Eastern Illinois Railroads were not yet 
 Imilt. Prairie fires were often a source of terror 
 to the settlers, and on several different occasions 
 Mr. Schwartz has gone forth to aid his neighbors 
 in protecting themselves and their premises from 
 this deadly enemy. 
 
 Mr. Schwartz was united in marriage with Miss 
 Mary Hertzog, a native of Baden, Germany, born 
 December 11, 18.'}2, and by their union have been 
 hoin six children, five sons and a daughter. The 
 family circle yet remains unbroken b}' the hand of 
 Death, though some have left the parental roof. 
 Charles, the eldest, is married and resides on his 
 line farm in Prairie Green Township; George is 
 married and is a prosperous farmer of Iroquois 
 County; Frank is also married, and is a well-to-do 
 farmer of Iroquois County; Lena is the wife of 
 .lohii Metzinger, who is engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits in Prairie (ircen Township; Albert at- 
 tended the High School of Springfield, 111., and St. 
 Louis, and is a highly educated young man; Will- 
 iam, who is still under the parental roof, com- 
 pletes the family. The grandfather of Mrs. 
 Schwartz was a Frenchman, who, to keep from 
 arm}' service, emigrated to Haden, Germany, where 
 he married a tierman lady. The father of Mrs. 
 Schwartz, .Sci prion Hertzog, was born in Baden. 
 -Vfter reaching mature years he served ten years 
 in the army, taking part in the war ag.ainst Napo- 
 leon. In the service at Slrasburg tlie^' were so 
 long in the weather without shelter that their 
 clothes and shoes rotted off. After the war he 
 married Mai y Ann Kolble, and followed the trade 
 of a wood turner. He lived to be eighty-four and 
 she eight\--fivc years of age. For thirty-four years 
 he was Town Crier. Both died in the Old Country. 
 Of their eight children four came to the United 
 .States, Mrs. Schwartz and three brothers, one of 
 nliom died and two live in lUiffalo, N. V. 
 
 Mr. Schwartz now owns six hundred and eighty 
 
 acres of valuable land, supplied with all modern 
 improvements, and constituting one of the best 
 farms in this localit}'. During his early residence 
 in this county, he was on one occasion returning 
 home from Sheldon, when he got lost upon the 
 open prairie. Becoming bewildered, he had to re- 
 main all night where he was, waiting for the 
 morning light to guide him. After this he had 
 liis wife hang a lighted lantern on the end of 
 their cabin, and as he came past the crab-apple 
 grove by Sugar Creek, he would see this light, 
 shining as a guiding star. In politics, Mr. 
 Schwartz has long been a supporter of the Demo- 
 cratic party, and his sons arc of the same jiolitical 
 views. Himself, wife and children are all faithful 
 members of the llolj^ Trinity Catholic Church, of 
 Dunnington, Ind., of which Father Lambert is 
 pastor. Mr. Schwartz is a member of the building 
 committee, under whose direction is now being 
 erected a magnificent house of worship at a cost 
 of iJ.'iOjOOO. It is to be completed by the 1st of 
 January, ISO.*?. 
 
 During his long residence in this commuiiity, 
 Mr. Schwartz has lived an upright, honorable life, 
 which has gained for him tjie confidence and good- 
 will of all with whom he has been brought in con- 
 tact. He came to this country empty-handed, but 
 he possessed energy and a strong determination 
 to succeed, so that he li.as steadily worked his way 
 upward to a position of wealth and affluence. He 
 has also gained the resjject of a large circle of 
 friends and acquaintances. 
 
 ^T! OSIIUA AV. GALLOW.W, deceased, was one 
 of the prominent and highly respected citi- 
 zens of this county for many years. A na- 
 ' five of I'nion County, Ohio, he was born 
 on the 16th of Jul^-, 1819, and died at hishomeon 
 section 25, Lovejoy Township, October 23, 1883. 
 He acquired his education in the common schools 
 of his native .State, but his advantages were meagre. 
 From an early age he was deiiendent upon his own 
 resources. When a lad of thirteen he began learn- 
 
290 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ing tlie tanner's trade and afterward learned the 
 blacksmith's trade. He was always a hard-working 
 man, industry and enterprise being nuniliered 
 among his chief characteristics. He was reared in 
 Shakertown, Montgomery County, Ohio. 
 
 After attaining his niajorit}', Mr. (ialloway led 
 to the marriage altar Miss Sarah ,1. Martin, daughter 
 of Joseph and Barbara (Ilughey) Martin. Their 
 union was celebrated on the otli of August, IS.")!), 
 and unto them were born two sons and two daugh- 
 ters, all of whom are ^-et living: Mary A. is now 
 the widow of Josiah Moore and resides in Hoopes- 
 ton. 111.; Joshua J. Haines is living on the old 
 homestead. He was born January 26, IHSO, at- 
 tended the common schools, and on the '28th of 
 October, 1891, married Miss Anna A. JIcGill, 
 daughter of George .and Hanna (Smith) McOill. 
 They have a little daughter, Sarah Jane. In poli- 
 tics, Joshua is a Republican. He is one of the wide- 
 awake and enterprising j'oung farmers of the com- 
 munity, and that his life is a busy and useful one 
 is indicated by the neat appearance of his land. 
 Hannibal Xenophen, the third child of the family, 
 married Miss Eva Holmes and is engaged in farm- 
 ing in Nebraska. Lorinda A. is the wife of George 
 Dann, proprietor of a hotel in Jackson, Minn. The 
 children were all provided with good educational 
 advantages and thus well fitted for the practical 
 and responsible duties of life. 
 
 In early life, Mr. Gallowaj' was a supporter of 
 the Whig party, and on the organization of the 
 Republican party joined its ranks, being a warm 
 advocate of its principles. He was freijuently called 
 upon to fill public positions of honor and trust, and 
 ever discharged ins duties with promptness and 
 fidelity, which won him the commendation of all 
 concerned. He was Highway Commissioner in 
 Prairie Green Township for many years and laid 
 out manj' of its roads; he was Supervisor of Love- 
 joy Township several terms, was School Trustee 
 for several years, also Collector, and was Justice of 
 the Peace for nine years. He was a progressive and 
 public-spirited citizen who gave his support to every 
 enterprise calculated to benefit tiie community or 
 advance its best interests. He aided in the erection 
 of churches and a needy person was never turned 
 from liis door enii>t} -handed. From a tinancial 
 
 standpoint also his life was certainly a success, for 
 through his own efforts he won a well-deserved 
 competence. He was a kind and loving husband 
 and father, a faithful friend, and the respect and 
 confidence of the entire community were his. He 
 passed away on the 23d of October, 1883, his death 
 being deepl3' regretted b}^ all who kiiew him, and 
 his remains were interred iu Floral Hill Cemetery 
 in Hoopeston, where a beautiful monument has been 
 erected to his memory. 
 
 Mrs. Galloway, who traveled life's journey by 
 liis side for thirty-three 3'ears and shared witii liiin 
 in its jo^-s and sorrows, and proved herself a faith- 
 ful helpmate, still survives her husband and is j'et 
 living on the old hmnestead, which is now man.aged 
 by her son Joshua. 
 
 f-@*- 
 
 — f^^-r 
 
 =^^ 
 
 W EWIS I']. JONES, an enterprising agricul- 
 I /^ turist, has the honor of lieing a native of 
 jjj — ^^s this country, having been born on the otli 
 of JNLay, 18.54, on .section 21, Stockland Township, 
 where he now resides. He is a son of Hon. John 
 H. and Hannah (Pugh) Jones, both natives of 
 Ohio. A sketch of his father is given elsewhere 
 in this work. The early life of our subject was 
 quietly passed in the usual manner of farmer lads 
 n\Km the old homestead. His education was ac- 
 quired iu the district schools of the neighborhood, 
 where he conned his lessons through the winter 
 months, while in the summer season he worked at 
 farm labor. 
 
 An iiniHirtant event in the life of Mr. Jones oc- 
 curred on the 27th of April, 1879, when was cele- 
 brated his marriage with Miss ]VIai\y S. Wise, 
 daugiiter of Jacob and Elizabeth (JMoore) Wise, 
 residents of Fountain Creek Township. Two 
 children have been born of their union, a son and 
 daughter, who brighten the home with their pres- 
 ence. Nellie H., the eldest, was born September 
 27, 1883; and Ray J. was born on the 7th of June, 
 188.5. Mr. Jones and his estimable wife arc num- 
 bered among the leading citizens of this com- 
 munity. They rank high in social circles and 
 liold an enviable position in Ihc high regard of 
 
y 
 
 T „ 
 
 <l 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 293 
 
 their many friends and acquaiiitanees. Mrs. Jones 
 is a member of tiie United Brethren C'iiurcli. 
 
 Our subject now operates two hundred and 
 thirty-two acres of arable hind on sections 21 and 
 22, Slockland Township. He feeds nearly all of 
 the grain which he raises to his stock. lie engages 
 quite extensively in stock dealing, and is ver^' 
 successful in his undertakings. lie has one of the 
 model farms of the county, its fertile land being 
 highly cultivated, while its many improvements 
 are well kept up. Theneat and thrifty appearance 
 of the place attests the supervision of a careful 
 manager. In politics, .Mr. .Tones is a supporter of 
 the Republican |)arty, with which he has atUliated 
 since attaining his majority. 
 
 8^^M0MAS I.ONKLESS, an early settler and a 
 ( (!§\\ pronimcnt, self-made man of this county, 
 v^^' who is now a resident of Milford, was born 
 in Ross County, Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1839. His 
 father, William Loveless, was a native of Tennes- 
 see, and was born April 15, ISl."}, of English and 
 German descent, .\fter attaining to mature years 
 he married Margaret Kerney, who was born in 
 Kings County, Ireland, Jul}- 12, 1816, and at the 
 age of fourteen years, bidding good-bye to the 
 Emerald Isle, emigrated to America. After a resi- 
 dence of some time in Ohio, they removed to Indi- 
 ana, in 1840, settling on a farm near Prairieville, 
 Ti|)pecanoe County, where their children v/ere 
 reared. The mother died on the old homestead in 
 the Iloosier State at the age of tifty-six years. Mr. 
 Loveless survived his wife for about ten years, and 
 died in the town of Clark's Hill, at the age of 
 about sixly-six years. Of their family of eight 
 children, seven are yet living, five sons and two 
 daughters, as follows: Frances, Thomas, John E., 
 William W., Edwin A'., I'^ai-ah and Moses- 'All re- 
 side in the neighborhood of Clark's Hill, Ind., 
 with the exception of our subject. 
 
 Thomas Loveless was reared to manhood in the 
 usual manner of farmer lads, and ere leaving In- 
 diana Was married, on the 22d of July, IH08, to 
 Miss Harriet Funk, daughter of Jacob and Eliza 
 
 13 
 
 Funk. Her parents are both now deceased, having 
 departed this life when about seventy years of age. 
 The year following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Loveless came to this county in the month of 
 .September, and took up their residence on the 
 farm two miles southwest of Milford. He pur- 
 chased fifty-one acres of land but afterward ex- 
 tended the boundaries of that farm until it now 
 comprises one hundred and seventy, acres on sec- 
 tion 21, Jlilford Township. He also owns two 
 hundred and thirty-seven acres of valuable land 
 on sections 26 and 27, two miles south of the vil- 
 lage, besides two hundred and ninety-two .acres in 
 Indiana. For a number of years he carried on 
 general farming extensively and yet follows that 
 pursuit in a more limited degree. However, he 
 raises considerable stock, cattle, horses and hogs, 
 to which he feeds nearly all his grain. From 
 twentj' to twenty-five years he has bought and 
 shipped cattle and hogs quite extensively. 
 
 I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Loveless were born nine 
 children, six of whom are now living: Elizabeth, 
 who was born November 12, 18.59, died August 
 30, 1860; Margaret, who was born November 24, 
 1860, died on the 29th of the same month; George 
 R. B., who was born October 6, 1862. is a farmer 
 near Clark's Hill, Ind.. and was married May 4, 
 188.5, to Miss Letitia Bryan, by whom he has had 
 three children, Pearl, Claude and Hannah H.; 
 William, who was born October 19, 1864, is a 
 farmer of Alliance, Neb.; Lydia, born February 6, 
 1866, became the wife of Andrew Dallstream, Oc- 
 tober 27, 1887, and with their one child they re- 
 side in Hoopeston. 111.; M. Oly. born February 29, 
 1868, became the wife of Wilber T. Caldwell, 
 whose home is in Alliance, Ne'o., April 9, 1890; 
 Oly M., born Novemljer 4, 1869, w.as married 
 August 12, 1891, to Charles .McMillen, a resident 
 of Milford; J.icob, born June 29, 1872, died .Au- 
 gust 26, 187.5; and Thomas T.; born August 22, 
 1876, completes the family. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Loveless is a warm advocate of 
 Republican principfes. About 1870, he was elected 
 Township A.ssessor, and for eleven years he served 
 as .School Trustee. Socially, he is a member of 
 Milford Lodge No. 2.53. I. 0..0. F.. with which he 
 has been identified since 1868, and is now serving 
 
294 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 as Deputy. Mrs. Loveless is a member of the 
 Methodist P^])iscopal Chiucli. 
 
 In 1880, our subject left his farm and removed 
 to Milford, where he has a comfortable home and 
 other property. He now rents most of his farm; 
 to the remainder he gives his personal supervision. 
 He has never Iiad a mortgage upon a piece of land 
 except on the first he purchased, and this was re- 
 leased when it became due. Every acre of this 
 land is_^to-day free from debt, and his farm now 
 yields him a good income. His property has. been 
 accumulated through his own energy and industry' 
 and he may well be termed a self-made man, as he 
 started out in life for himself dependent entirely 
 upon his own resources. He has met with some 
 difficulties, but these seemed only to give him a 
 new impetus and have been used as stepping- 
 stones to something higher. Steadily he has 
 worked his way upward until he is now numbered 
 among the wealth}' citizens of Milford, and his 
 fair and honest dealings in all the relations of life 
 have won him universal confidence. 
 
 ILLIAM S. BROWNE, M. I)., a widely- 
 known and prominent i)h\'sician of Wat- 
 '^^ seka, claims Indiana as his native State. 
 His birth occurred March 2, 1844, in Madison 
 County. He is a son of Lorenzo and Nancy (Ilar- 
 land) Browne. His father was born March 3, 1822, 
 in West Virginia, and at the age of six years went 
 to Indiana, which was the native State of his wife. 
 Throughout the greater part of liis life, he followed 
 farming, but in his last 3'ears lived retired. He re- 
 moved to Illinois March 3, 1865, and spent his 
 remaining days "n this State, his death occurring 
 on the 4tli of March, 1888. The Doctor has in his 
 possession a dictionary owned by his great-grand- 
 father, to whom it was given by his great-great- 
 grandfather. The family is of English descent 
 and comes of a sturdy race of people, noted for 
 longevity. The maternal grandfather of our sub- 
 ject was one of the first settlers near Connersville, 
 Lid. In 1802, a re-union of the Harland family 
 
 occurred at the home of Stephen Harland, having 
 been called by AVilliam Sparks. Twenty-six fam- 
 ilies were represented. There were thirteen of the 
 children of William Sparks, seventj'-six grandchil- 
 dren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren and nine 
 great-great-grandchildren. Several members of the 
 famil}' attained to very advanced ages. The great- 
 grandmother of our subject was fatall\- injured by 
 a cow which she was milking, and soon after died 
 at the age of one hundred and two years, and sev- 
 eral others reached the century milepost. 
 
 The Doctor is the eldest of eleven children, and 
 with the exception of two deceased, all are living 
 in Iroquois County. In tiie common schools, he 
 acquired his primary education, and, with his par- 
 ents, came to Illinois when twenty-one years of 
 age. He afterward attended the State Normal 
 School and later went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where 
 he pursued a medical course of study. In 1868, 
 lie went to Cincinnati, where he attended a course 
 of lectures in the Eclectic College, and in 1878 he 
 was graduated from the Bennett Medical College. 
 Subsequently, he took a course of study for the 
 treatment of diseases of the eye and ear in the 
 Chicago Medical College. During this time, he 
 made his home in Madison County, Ind., with his 
 uncle, who was engaged in the drug business. He 
 began practice in Woodland in 1875 and has pros- 
 ecuted his profession continuously since. On the 
 28th of March, 1892, he removed to Watseka, 
 where he now resides. 
 
 November 1, 1870, Dr. Browne was united in 
 marriage with Miss Kiziali E., daughter of A. I). 
 France, a native of South Carolina. She was born in 
 Mercer County, 111., where her father engaged in 
 merchandising. Five children have been born 
 unto the Doctor and his wife, all of whom are j'et 
 living: Leonora, the wife of John A. Wilson, a 
 resident of Watseka, bj' whom she has one daugh- 
 ter, Vera; Frankie N., Anson L., Homer Marvin 
 and William A. L. 
 
 Socially, the Doctor is a Uoyal Arch Mason. 
 He also belongs to the subordinate lodge and en- 
 campment of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
 lovvs, and holds membership with the Modern 
 Woodmen of America. He and wife and daugh- 
 ter are members of the Ciiristian Church of Wood- 
 
y~^ — i 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 295 
 
 lan'i, in which he serves as Trustee. In [(olitics. 
 he is a supporter of Republican principles and has 
 filled the office of Clerk and .Justice of the Peace, 
 succeeding his father in the latter position. lie is 
 also a member of the county and State medical 
 societies. 
 
 In 1886, the Doctor suflPered considerable loss b^- 
 fire, which destroyed all his office furniture, his 
 books, instruments and many valuable specimens. 
 He also lost his diplomas and many otiier tilings of 
 value, his loss amounting altogether to 8-3,000. In 
 connection with his profession, he is interested in 
 farming, owning two farms in the county. The 
 Doctor is a skillful physician and surgeon who 
 reads extensively in the line of his profession and 
 keeps well informed concerning everything per- 
 taining to the medical science. He has an excel- 
 lent patronage in Woodland, and although his 
 residence in Watseka covers a very short period, 
 be has secured a good patronage. Those who know 
 him esteem him highly and he is popular as a citi- 
 zen and friend, as well as a physician and surgeon. 
 
 
 \1U-^ ON. GEORGE B. WINTER, one of the 
 jr)! prominent and inlluential citizens of Iro- 
 ^f^ quois County residing in Onarga, where lie 
 '\§^j has made his home for more than a quar- 
 ter of a century, claims Massachusetts as the State 
 of his nativity. He was born May 26, 1828, in 
 Belchertowu, Hampshire Count}', and is one of 
 eighteen children who were born unto Alpheus 
 and Prudence (Ken field) Winter, the father a na- 
 tivf of Connecticut and the mother of the Bay 
 ~ ' . Of their nine sons and nine daughters, 
 : ■ rons and three daughter are yet living. Mr. 
 Winter departed this life in Massachusetts in 1848, 
 and his wife, who survived him almost thirty 
 years, died in her native Stat* in 1877. 
 
 No event of special importance occurred during 
 the boyhood days of our subject, which were 
 quietly passed under the ijarental roof. Afterat- 
 taining to years of maturity, he wa* joined in 
 wcdliK-k with Miss Kate M. llawkes. daughter of 
 li li:il>od and Caroline (Porter) IIawkes,«both of 
 
 whom were natives of Massachusetts. Their union 
 was celebrated on the 10th of August, 1852, and 
 unto them were bom two children, a son and 
 daughter: George B., born M.ay 29, 18.54; and 
 .Julia P.. born on the .3d of Eebruarv. 18.56. 
 
 At length Mr. Winter determined to tr}- his for- 
 tune in the West, believing that better opportuni- 
 ties were furnished in the young and rapidly 
 growing States than in the old and more thickly- 
 settled States of the East. In consequence, in 
 1854, accompanied by his wife and son, he started 
 for Illinois, and m.ade his first location in Prince- 
 ton. After a year they removed to Maiden, six 
 miles east of Princeton, where they spent two 
 yea re, and then went to Brenton Township, Ford 
 County, III. For eight yeare ^Ir. Winter was there 
 engaged in farming and stock-raising with good 
 success, but at length he determined to turn his at- 
 tention to other pui-suits, and the spring of 
 1866 witnessed his arrival in Onarga, where he 
 has since resided. On coming to this place, he 
 opened a general merchandise store, and continued 
 operations in that line for twenty-five years. He 
 is a man of good business ability-, sagacious and 
 far-sighted, enterprising and progressive. He built 
 up an excellent trade, and by his well-directed ef- 
 forts secured a comfortable competency. In 1891, he 
 sold out, and has since lived a retired life. 
 
 His fellow-townsmen, appreciating his worth 
 and ability, have frequently called upon Mr. Win- 
 ter to serve in public positions of honor and 
 trust. He has served as Village Trustee for sev- 
 eral terms, w.ns Trustee of Grand Prairie Seminary, 
 and has been Chairman of the Executive Board of 
 that institution for a number.of years. In 1880, 
 he w!is nominated and elected Representative from 
 the Sixteenth Senatorial District, com|.>rised of 
 Iroquois and Kankakee Counties, to the Illinois 
 General .\ssembly. While a member of the House, 
 he lalxjred earnestly and untiringly in the behalf 
 of temperance, but his active interest along that 
 line proved unpopular, and he was afterward left 
 to remain at home, as were all the members who 
 worked for temperance in the Assembly of 1881. 
 He is to-day a stanch Prohibitionist. While in 
 Ford County, he also served as .Supervisor sev- 
 eral tel-ms. being a member of the tii-st board after 
 
296 
 
 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 township organization. Mr. Winter is a puhlio- 
 spirited citizen, and Iras ever borne bis part in liie 
 ii|)lmilding and advancement of the eoninuinity's 
 he.si interests, l-'or a ipiaiter of a century, lie was 
 one of its leading business men, and formed a 
 wide acquaintance. He is held in the highest re- 
 gard by all with whom bii.siness or pleasure has 
 liroiiiiiit him in contact, and his friends are manv. 
 
 (fl AC'OD LYMAN, a representative farmer of 
 Martinton Township, residing on section 
 •25, was born on the 24th of January, 1832, 
 [K^' in Stark County, Ohio. lie comes of an 
 old renusylvania faniil\- of Dutch descent. The 
 great-grandfather was a native of Holland, and in 
 an early day, braving the dangers of an ocean 
 voyage, became one of the first settlers of the Key- 
 stone State. The grandfather, .John LjMnan, was 
 a native of Pennsylvania, and the father of onr 
 subject, .Samuel Lyman, was born in P)Uffalo \'al- 
 ley. Union County, Pa., in 1810. In ISl'.l he 
 removed to Ohio with his parents, a lad of nine 
 summers, and is numbered among the early settlers 
 of that communitj'. He grew to manhood in the 
 Buckeye State, and there wedded Maiy Schneider, 
 a native of Germany, who came to America when 
 a young lady of sixteen years. They began their 
 domestic life upon a farm in Stark County, where 
 they remained for some time. 
 
 In 18.37, Samuel Lyman came with his family 
 to Illinois, and was one of the tirst settlers of Iro- 
 (juois County. Locating in what is now Iroquois 
 Townsliip, he entered and broke land, from which 
 he developed a good farm. In 1850 he removed 
 to ^lartinton Townsliip, and entered a tract of one 
 hundred and twenty acres of land, where the sub- 
 ject of our sketch now resides. He made an excel- 
 lent farm, there reared his family, and at length 
 departed this life on the old homestead, his death 
 occurring in October, 1877. His wife died in Feb- 
 ruary, 18()8. Their family minibered only two 
 sons, of whom Jacob is the elder. -lonathan, his 
 brother, is now a farmer of Indiana. 
 
 The subject of this sketch came with his parents 
 
 to Illinois in 18.S7. He was then a lad of five 
 years. Amid the wild scenes of frontier life he 
 was reared to manhond, and with the family he 
 bore many of the liardsiiips and privations of 
 pioneer life during the lirst few years of their re- 
 sidence liere. They had to go long distances to 
 market, and had to travel to Danville or La Fay- 
 ette. Ind., to get their milling done. Their trip 
 usually consumed about four days, and they 
 camped out both going and coming. The educa- 
 tional advantages of our subject were veiT limited, 
 for the schools in the new country are not gener- 
 ally noted for their excellence. Almost his entire 
 boyhood and j'outh were spent on the farm. For 
 four months he worked elsewhere in the neighbor- 
 hood, but returned, and in connection with his 
 l)rother took charge of the home farm. He cared 
 f(ir his |)areuts until their death. Himself and 
 brother succeeded to the estate, but Jacob bought 
 out his brother's interest, and still resides upon 
 the farm, which has been his home almost continu- 
 ously since 1850. 
 
 In 1867, Mr. Lyman wedded Miss Catherine A. 
 Gibson, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of 
 .lolin Gibson, who on coming to this country 
 many years ago located in Crescent Township, but 
 is now living in Douglas Township. Unto Mr. 
 and Mrs. Lyman have been born four children: 
 Mary K., the eldest, is' the wife of Abraham 
 Labount}-, who aids in operating the home farm; 
 Martha May, Rachel and Jessie Belle Blanche 
 complete the family. They lost one daughter, 
 Emma Bertha Snow, who died in infancy. 
 
 .Since casting his first Presidential vote for 
 .lames Buch.anan, Mr. Lyman has been identified 
 with the Democratic party, and has supported all 
 its Presidential candidates. Himself and wife are 
 both members of the Christian Church, and are 
 highly respected people. For tifty-five 3-ears he 
 has been a resident of the county, and has wit- 
 nessed almost its entire growth frt)m the days of 
 its early infancy. He has seen its wild lands 
 transformed into beautiful homes and farms, 
 towns and villages have sprung into exi.stence, 
 churches and schools have been built, railroads 
 have been introduced, and the work of active civ- 
 ili^alion. and progress has been carried forward so 
 
ir-^.-<yi^*ty 
 
 "U-^C^ 
 
 r 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAnilCAL RECORD. 
 
 ?9n 
 
 rapidly that baldly a landmark of pioneer days 
 yet remains, and the county has taken the front 
 rank amid the sisler-counties of t,lii;s great eom- 
 inonwealtii. Mr. Lyman lia.s ever l)orne his part 
 in lliis work of transformation, and well may be 
 numbered among the honored pioneers. 
 
 
 ?+-J"5^=" 
 
 ^j^AVID WAKRKN MILLER, a prominent 
 physician and surgeon of (iilman, was 
 born on a farm six miles west of Spring- 
 field, Oiiio. lie is a son of Harrison and 
 .Sarah (Wise) Miller, and was born on the 1st 
 of September, 1854. On the paternal side our 
 subject is of Scotch ancestry. At an earl}' day 
 the family emigrated from Virginia and settled 
 near Springfield. His fallier was born on the same 
 farm as our subject. The Wise family came from 
 Holland, and later emigrated from Pennsylvania 
 to Ohio, when Mrs. Miller was a small girl. The 
 parents of our subject removed to Tazewell 
 County, 111., at the close of the war, the father 
 there carrying on agricultural pui-suits. About 
 seven years ago they removed to Stanford. McLean 
 County, where they are still living. While in 
 Ohio, Mr. Miller entered the United .States service 
 during the Civil War, and acted in guarding rail- 
 roads for some four months. He has been a life-long 
 Republican, and both he and his wife are members 
 of the Presbyterian Church. In their family were 
 four sons and two daugliters, five of whom are 
 still living. 
 
 David Warren ^liller is the second in order of 
 birth of this family, and was reared on liis father's 
 farm, receiving such a limited education as could 
 be gleaned at the common schools. When twenty 
 3'ears of age he secured a certificate, and for two 
 years taught school. With the money which he 
 had carefully saved, he went to the Wesleyan 
 University, at Bloomington. where he attended 
 seven terms. Desiring to engage in the practice 
 of medicine .ts his life work, he then commenced 
 study with Dr. Little, of Bloomington. In the 
 summer of 1878, he entered .Jefferson Medical Col- 
 lege, of Philadelphia, and was graduated there- 
 
 from in the spring of 1880. He then 
 Oilman, and has practiced here since iii:u uiiif. 
 He is a member of the Central Illinois Medical So- 
 ciety, the Illinois State Medical Society and the 
 National Association of Railroad Surgeons. He is 
 surgeon for the Illinois Central and for the Toledo, 
 Peoria A- Warsaw Railroad at (oilman. 
 
 A marriage ceremony performed on the 1.5th of 
 May, 1884, united the destinies of Dr. .Miller and 
 Miss Clara Raney. The lady is a native of Peoria 
 County. III., born October .'), 186 Land is a daugh- 
 ter of Dr. II. A. Raney, formerly of Oilman. Her 
 father, a native of New York, was born in 1828, 
 and is yet living, his home being in Danville, III. 
 He was educated for the medical i>iofcssion, and 
 after pui-suing a coui-se of study was graduated 
 from Rush Jlcdical College. He then engaged in 
 practice in Eord and Peoria Counties for a num- 
 ber of years. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name 
 of Susan Hunt, was born in North Carolina, in 
 1830, and is also living. The Doctor and Mrs. 
 Ranej- became the parents of four children, a son 
 and three daughters, all of whom are living. 
 The eldest, Mary, is now the wife of Charles H. 
 Youmans, a leading attorney of Paxton, III.; Nel- 
 lie is the wife of George T. Caldwell, a resident of 
 (iirard, Kan., who is engaged in the manufacture 
 of brick; Ben H. is a druggist of Danville, 111.: and 
 Mrs. ^liller completes the family. The latter was 
 educated in the graded schools of Gibson City, and 
 pui-sued a course of study in music and elocution 
 in Evanslon, 111., and was afterward for some 
 years a successful teacher of those arts in Ford 
 and Iroquois Counties. Two children, .Mabel and 
 Jessie Fay, have gladdened the home of the Doctor 
 and his wife. The elder was born June 22, 1886. 
 and the younger on the 16th of November, 1890. 
 The parents are both members of the Presbyterian 
 Church. 
 
 In politics. Dr. Miller adiliates with the Republi- 
 can party. He is one of the stanchest supporters 
 of all educational interests and is now serving his 
 third year as a member of the School Board. He 
 is also a member of the Masonic fniternitv, and 
 socially, holds a high position in the town, his 
 home being noted for its hospitality and good 
 cheer. Almost his entire time and attention are 
 
300 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 rle voted to his profession, in which his standing 
 is high. As is every first-class member of his pro- 
 fession, he is still a student and keeps well in- 
 formed concerning the medical discoveries. He 
 is a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises, 
 aiding in the support of any interest calculated to 
 advance the general welfare. He has won for 
 himself many friends in this communily, who es- 
 teem him highly for his strict integrity and genial 
 kindness of heart. 
 
 ES^^=*_^/ 
 
 "jfi ACOB E. DEEGANS, an honored i)ionccr 
 of Iroquois County and a veteran of the late 
 ^^ I war, now engaged in farming on section 
 ^^J .34, Ash Grove Township, is a native of tlie 
 Buckeye State. He was born in Ross County, 
 October 18,^ 1837. His father, William Deegans, 
 was a native of the Emerald Isle, and during his 
 boyhood emigrated to America, locating in Oliio. 
 He there married Susan Peppers, a native of that 
 State, and in 1838 they emigrated to Warren 
 County, Ind., where Mr. Deegans cleared and de- 
 veloped a good farm. Ten years afterward, in 
 1848, he came by team to Illinois and settled in 
 Milford Township, Jroqnciis County, a mile from 
 the village of Milford. Later, he sold that farm 
 and removed to section 25, Ash Grove Township, 
 where he placed under a high state of cultivation 
 a farm of one liundred and thirteen acres. His 
 death there occurred in 1858, at the age of fifty- 
 two years. His wife is still living at the age of 
 seventy-four and makes her home with her chil- 
 dren. 
 
 In the Deegans family were eleven children, 
 eiglit of whom are yet living: Jacob E. is the eld- 
 est; Mrs. Sarah Davis resides near Milford; Jolm, 
 who served during the late war, makes his home in 
 Kansas; Louisa and Debbie reside in Nebraska; 
 Diana is living in Wellington, Iroquois County; 
 ]\Iartha makes her home in Kansas; and Catherine 
 is living near AVellington. 
 
 Our subject was only a year old when his par- 
 ents removed to Warren County, Ind., and at the 
 
 age of eleven years he came to Illinois. He at- 
 tended the subscription schools and afterward the 
 district schools, but his educational privileges were 
 limited. However, by subsequent reading and ob- 
 servation, he has become a well-informed man. At 
 the age of eleven years, he started out in life for 
 himself, woi'king as a farm hand until he enlisted 
 for the war. 
 
 Prompted by patriotic impulses, Mr. Deegans 
 then responded to the call for troops, and, donning 
 the blue August 6, 18G2, became a member of 
 Company K, Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry, at Mil- 
 ford. The regiment assembled at Kankakee, was 
 then sent to Columbus, Ky., and later to La Grange) 
 Tenn. The first battle in which they participated 
 was at Jackson, Miss., and the regiment lost heavily. 
 Our subject was struck by a siient ball but was not 
 seriously injured. Nine men of his company were 
 killed. He afterward participated in the siege of 
 Vicksburgand the Meridian raid, during which the 
 troops were engaged in tearing up the Mobile & 
 Ohio Railroad. They then went back to Vicks- 
 burg and to the mouth of the Ohio Kivcr, and 
 subsequentl3' were sent to New Orleans. They 
 participated in the siege and capture of Mobile and 
 the battle of Ft. Blakeh-. In a hand-to-hand 
 charge at that place, Mr. Deegans was wounded 
 and for thirty-day was in the hospital. He then 
 received a sixty-days furlough, after which he re- 
 joined his regiment in Chicago, where he was hon- 
 orably discharged after a service of three years. 
 
 When the war was over, our subject returned to 
 his home in Ash (irove Township, where he has 
 since engaged in farming. He was married, Dec- 
 ember 29, 18C9, to Miss Elizabeth Cariington, who 
 was born in Indiana and is a daughter of Milton 
 .■md Elizabeth (Johnson) Cari'ington. Both are 
 deceased. Two children have been born to our 
 subject and his estimable wife: Susie B., who was 
 educated in the public schools and in Onarga 
 Seminary; and Nannie E., who is at home. The 
 Deegans household is the abode of hospitality. 
 Mrs. Deegans and her daughters .are pleasant, en- 
 tertaining ladies, and their m.-uiy friends always 
 delight to visit there as they are always sure of a 
 warm welcome. 
 
 Mr. Deegans is a member of Cissna Park Post 
 
PORTRAIT AND IJIOr; RAI'IITCAL RECORD. 
 
 301 
 
 No. 575, G. A. R., and his wife is a member of the 
 Metliodist Episcopal Cluirch. He is a highly-re- 
 spected citizen, Ills sterling worth and honorable 
 upright life iiaving won him the conlidence and 
 good-will of all with whom lie has come in contact. 
 He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant 
 but has since supported the Democratic party, llis 
 residence in the country covers a period of forty- 
 four years and lie well deserves a place among its 
 pioneer settlers. 
 
 <« MUAAM U. IIARRY,of tiu'lirm of Harry 
 %/\i// l^'"'**'' lawyers and abstracters of title of 
 \^^ Watseka, was born near Eureka, Wood- 
 ford County, 111., on the 28th of November, 1853, 
 and is a son of Tliomas S. and Ircna J. (Compton) 
 Harry. He removed with his parents to Livingston 
 County in 1865, and was there reared on a farm 
 and attended the district schools. On attaining 
 manhood, he engaged in teaching .school and at 
 the san\e time entered upon the study of law dur- 
 ing his leisure intervals, under the preceptorsliii) of 
 tlie Hon. fSamuel T. Fosdick, a piominent lawyer 
 of Cliatsworth. 
 
 At the June term of the Illinois .Supreme Court 
 at Mount Vernon, in 1876, Mr. Harry, at the age of 
 twenty-two vears, was admitted to the Har. He then 
 entered ujion the practice of his eho.sen profession 
 in Sheldon, this .State, where he continued business 
 until the 2d of October, 188(». He then came to 
 Watseka and embarked in practice in this place. 
 His energies were devoted to his profession until 
 the 3d of February, 1886, when he was appointed b_v 
 President Cleveland to the position of Postmaster 
 of this city, entering upon the duties of the office 
 (111 the 13th of that rnontii. He proved an efficient 
 and capable officer and served in that capacity un- 
 til superseded by the present incumbent on the 1st 
 of May, 1889. Mr. Harry is a Democrat, as will be 
 inferred from the foregoing. In the spring of 
 1885, he was appointed City Attorney of Watseka 
 and tilled that position until appointed Postmaster, 
 when he resigned to enter upon his other duties. 
 
 Prior to leaving the postofflce, our subject had 
 
 arranged with his brother, J. C, to enter tlie abstract 
 business, and had worked to that end, so that on 
 the 1st of June, 188;), they opened an abstract and 
 law office in Watseka. In November following 
 they sold a one third-interest in the business to 
 their brother. Samuel R., and the business was con- 
 ducted by the three until January 1, 1892, when 
 J. C. sold out to his brother, W. II. Harry, and re- 
 tired. Since that time the business has been con- 
 ducted by our subject and Samuel R.. under the 
 original lirm name of Harry IJros. 
 
 On the 4th of April, 1877, in Cliatsworth, III., 
 Mr. Harry of this sketch wedded Miss Mary A. 
 Vail, a daughter of j\l. H. and Mary E. \'ail, and a 
 native of Henry, Marshall Coiiiity, III. Three chil- 
 dren, sons, have been born unto tliein: Ivlward S., 
 who was born in Sheldon, April 22, 1878; William 
 II., who was born in Sheldon, August 10, 1880; and 
 Ben S., born in Watseka, December 3, 1882. 
 
 Mr. Harry and his wife are members of the Chris- 
 tian Church, with which they have been identilied 
 several years. He is also a member of the Modern 
 Woodmen of America, belonging to Watseka Camp, 
 No. 339. The Harry Hros. make abstracting 
 their principal business, and by industry and close 
 attention to the wants of their customers have 
 built up a very satisfactory business. Their books 
 are kept up to date and all work intrusted to their 
 hands receives prompt and capable attention. 
 
 ^RIEDHICH BREYMEVER.whois eng.aged 
 in general farming on .section 6, Ash Grove 
 Township, claims (Jermany as the land of 
 his birth. He was born May 18, 1817 in I.ipiie- 
 Chaumburg. His father, (Jottlieb IJreymcyer, was 
 bo|-n and reared on the same farm which was the 
 birthplace of our subject, and became an agricul- 
 turist and also owned an oil mill. He wedded 
 Mary Schoenbeck and with his family' came to 
 America in 1862, sailing from Bremen to New 
 York City, whence he made his way to Crete, 
 Will County, III. I'urchasing a farm, he there re- 
 sided until 1871, and now resides about thirty-five 
 miles west of Topeka, Kan. In politics he is a 
 
302 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Republican. In religious belief he is a Lutheran. 
 In the Breymej'er family were the following chil- 
 dren: Friedrioh of this sketch; Henry, a resident 
 of Kansas; Gottlieb; Ernest, who died in Kansas; 
 AVilliam; Caroline, wife of William Seggebruch, of 
 Ash Grove; Engel in Kansas; and Sophia who died 
 in that State. 
 
 Our subject spent the lirst fifteen years of his 
 life in his native land and was educated in its pub- 
 lic schools. He then crossed the broad Atlantic 
 with his parents and under the parental roof he 
 remained until 1871. The following year he came 
 to Iroquois County and purchased one hundred 
 and eleven acres of land, his present farm. It was 
 then all raw prairie, not a furrow liaving been 
 turned or an improvement made. He has since 
 extended its boundaries until it now comprise two 
 hundred and sixt^'-two acresand the entire amount 
 is under a iiigh state of cultivation, yielding a 
 golden tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon 
 it. The farm is one of the model homes of the 
 community. Many improvements have been made 
 thereon. In addition to the comfortable residence 
 there are good barns and outbuildings, the latest 
 irai)roved machinery and fine grades of stock. 
 
 On the 9th of February, 1873, in Asii Grove 
 Township, Mr. Breymeyer wedded Miss Sophia 
 Lucke, who was born near Crete, Will County, and 
 is a daughter of August Lucke. Four children 
 grace tlieir union and they also lost one child, 
 Fred, who died at the age of two years. Sophia, 
 August, Johnnie and William are still under the 
 parental roof. Mr. Breymeyer and his family- are 
 all members of the Lutheran Church. He is one 
 of its active workers and served as a member of the 
 building committee during the erection of the 
 present house of worship. He has served as High- 
 way Commissioner, Township Assessor, Census 
 Enumerator in 1890, and for sixteen years has been 
 School Director. He Is one of the prominent and 
 influential members of the Republican party in this 
 community. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
 (ireeley, but has since been a Rei)ublicau. He has 
 frequently been a delegate to the count}' and State 
 conventions and is now the Central Committee- 
 man of Ash Grove Township. Empty-handed, Mr. 
 Breymeyer started out in life for himself with no 
 
 capital or influential friends to aid him. but by in- 
 dustry and tlie exercise of correct business princi- 
 ples he has steadily worked his wa}' upward and 
 may truly be called a self-made man, deserving all 
 the praise that term implies. 
 
 LFRED (tREGORY, an early settler and 
 highly respected citizen of Iroquois 
 i ij County, now deceased, was born in Law- 
 ^fl rence Count}-, Ind.,on the 14th of Febru- 
 ary, 1818, and was a son of James Gregory. He 
 was reared to agricultural pursuits, and was edu- 
 cated in the common scliools. On the 24th of Oc- 
 tober, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Lucy Terapleton, a daughter of James Templeton, 
 and a native of Indiana, born in Shelby County 
 on the 22d of February, 1827. 
 
 The following children were born of the union 
 of this worthy couple, three sons and five daughters: 
 Rachel A , the eldest, now the wife of Amos Mel- 
 linger, a resident of Butler County, Kan.; Frances 
 L, who died at> the age of four 3ears; George F., 
 a farmer of Middleport Township, who is serving 
 as Deputy County Clerk under his brother J. W.; 
 James Warren, who is the jiresent Clerk of Iro- 
 quois County, and is represented elsewhere in this 
 work; Hannah M., who resides with her mother 
 and family in Watseka; Oliver Cromwell, who 
 died at the age of one and a-half years; and Lucy, 
 the youngest, now the wife of Owen L. Gray, a 
 resident fanner of Chebanse Township. 
 
 Mr. Gregory removed with his family from In- 
 diana to Iroquois County, III., in 1861, and settled 
 in Middleport Township, where he engaged in 
 farming and stock-raising. He there spent the 
 remainder of his life, his death occurring on the 
 31st of August, 1873. His good wife survives her 
 husband, and with three of her children resides in 
 Watseka. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Gregory was a Republican, and 
 held the otiice of School Director for a great 
 many years. He was a member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and his wife and children are 
 
PORTRAIT ANT) IJIOGRAPIPCAL RECORD. 
 
 no.' 
 
 identified witii the same society. He was an up- 
 right and lionorable man, whose course in life al- 
 ways coniman(k>d respect and conHdence wliere he 
 was best Icnown. 
 
 z^EORGE R. PALJIER, now editor of the 
 III ^ — . Leader and lievieiv, publislied at Ouarga, 
 ^^1 was born in Huukingliam Count3% Va., 
 October 4, 18.35, and is a sou of James (J. and 
 Mary A. (Riitledge) Palmer, both natives of Vir- 
 ginia. His mother was a descendant of Edward 
 Rutledge, who signed tiie Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, his fatiier a descendant of the English 
 poet (^uarles. His grandfather Palmer had charge 
 of the boats Gen. Washington used in crossing the 
 Delaware in tlie attack on Trenton. In 1810, James 
 Q. Pdmer came to Illinois locating on a farm in Ful- 
 ton County. He afterward engaged in the mer- 
 cantile business, and was a resident of Fulton 
 County for about twenty-two yeai-s. lie then 
 went to Jacksonville, 1 11.. where he engaged in the 
 stock business until 1873. The following ^^earhis 
 death occurred. 
 
 The subject of this sketch w.as brought by his 
 parents to Illinois when quite a young lad. After 
 attending the public schools, he entei'ed the Wes- 
 lejan University, of lUoomingtou, pursuing a 
 cLissical course, and was a classmate of Adlai E. 
 Stevenson, Vice-president of the United States. 
 Wisliing to enter the ministry, he subsequently 
 took a theological course in the Garrett Biblical 
 Institute of Evanston. A number of years later, 
 lie received the degree of A. M. from the North- 
 western University', and the degree of D. D. was 
 conferred upon him by the Illinois Wesleyan Uni- 
 versity', of Bloomington. In 1857, lie entered the 
 ministry and continued his pastoral labors for a 
 number of years. 
 
 On the •2d of August, 1861, Rev. Mr. Palmer en- 
 tered the army and shortly afterward was ap- 
 pointed Chaplain of the Tenth Missouri lufantrj', 
 in which he served for nearly three years. Pre- 
 vious to this time', he was married, on the 4th of 
 September, 1860, to Miss Adeline Ilaney, daughter 
 
 of Rev. Richard Ilaney. of the Methodist Cliurch, 
 who has been connected with the Methodist minis- 
 try for about sixty years. Unto tiiem were born 
 seven children, five of whom are yet living: 
 Edmund II., Carrie A., Mary A., Louise and 
 George R. Spencer and Stacy are l)oth deceased. 
 
 On his return from the war, Mr. Palmer resumed 
 his ministerial work, which he continued until 
 1 «;)(). He w.os first stationed after the war in 
 Lewistown, Fulton County, from where lie came 
 to Onarga in 1868. For three years he was pastor 
 of the church in Onarga, and was then appointed 
 Presiding Elder of the district, serving for four 
 years. Subsequently he went to Normal, and after 
 two years' service as p.istor w.as ajipointed Presid- 
 ing Elder of that district. Receiving a call from 
 the church in Rock Island, he was for three years 
 its pastor, and for tliree years he served as Finan- 
 cial Secretary of the Illinois Wesleyan University. 
 He was then jiastor in Abingdon, Jlonmouth and 
 elsewhere^ after which he came to Onarga, and in 
 1890 became editor of the Leader and Review. 
 
 During his ministry. Rev. Mr. Palmer was greatly' 
 honored by the church, having twice been elected 
 as a delegate to the General Confcreneo, which is 
 the law-making body of the church. He was 
 elected at the Baltimore (icneral Conference as a 
 member of the General Missionaiy Committee, 
 having charge of all the missionary appropriations 
 and all the legislation for the several missions in 
 all parts of the world. He has been a close stu- 
 dent of the social |)roblems of the times and the 
 legislation of his State and country. For a month 
 each year, during four successive years, he studied 
 Tammany in its home in New York, and for some 
 years he has been present during a part of nearly 
 every session of the Legislature in this State. 
 Upon entering the ministr\', he studied law for a 
 year, and for a year w.is a student of medicine, thus 
 obtaining a general knowledge of the two great pro- 
 fessions with which he would come in contact 
 during his work. He has very frequently been 
 called to deliver public addresses on various sub- 
 jects — Eulogies on Grant, Logan, Garfield, Sher- 
 man, Colfax, Sheridan and many other public 
 men. He h.is delivered many orations on Decora- 
 tion Dav, and Fourth of July, and addresses before 
 
306 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 colleges and literary societies. Rev. Mr. Palmer is a 
 man of more than ordinary- ability, is a logical 
 thinker, a clear reasoner and was ver}' successful 
 in his ministerial work. He won many friends 
 wherever he went, and is held in the highest re- 
 gard in the community with which he is now 
 identified. 
 
 bHP: BAKK of DONOVAN & VENNUM, of 
 Milford, Til., was established May 18, 1876, 
 V\g^' b}' John L. Donovan and Thomas Vennum 
 with a capital of $40,000. This is a private bank- 
 ing house and does a general banking business, 
 loans money on long or short time, buys and sells 
 exchange, and makes collections. Its responsibility 
 is based on the large landed and personal property 
 ownership of its proprietors and their good repu- 
 tation throughout the financial circles of the State 
 as safe and conservative bankers. The bank has 
 prospered froin the start; its deposits have grown 
 from a nominal sum at the beginning to from 
 $125,000 to $150,000 at the present time. This 
 bank is trhe only one in Milford, which is a thrifty 
 and growing town of a thousand inhabitants, situ- 
 ated in a rich agricultural region, and on the line 
 of the Chicago it Eastern Illinois .Railroad, some 
 eleven miles south of the count}- seat of Irocpiois 
 County. 
 
 ON. GEORGE C. HARRINGTON resides 
 in Watseka. In preserving a record of the 
 lives and deeds of representative people of 
 •^ Iroquois County, which will include many 
 of its well-known early settlers and active and in- 
 fluential citizens, a double purpose will be served. 
 In the first place, posterity will have something- 
 more compreliensive and enduring to remind it of 
 an illustrious ancestry than tradition; and in tiie 
 second place will be taught a practical and useful 
 lesson of life and the value and permanency of 
 
 good character, the result of integrity, morality 
 and usefulness^encouraging the struggling youth 
 of coming generations to hope for ultimate suc- 
 cess, notwithstanding a humble origin and the dif- 
 ficulty in overcoming almost seemingly insur- 
 mountable obstacles. Among the many wortliy 
 people whose sketches appear in this work, the one 
 of whom we write takes rank among the foremost.' 
 
 On the 30th of June, 1834, in St. Lawrence 
 County, N. Y., was born to Benjamin O. and Har- 
 riet E. (Langdon) Harrington, a son, who in due 
 course of time was christened George C. This 
 child is now well known to the citizens of Iroquois 
 County as the popular and reliable Cashier of the 
 First National Bank of Watseka. His parents 
 were natives of Vermont, and were descended 
 from old New England families. In 1837, our 
 subject accompanied his parents to Illinois, being 
 then but three ye^irs of age. The family settled 
 in Joliet, and in due course of time George C. be- 
 gan his education in the public schools of that 
 city. At the age of thirteen he left school and 
 entered ujion an apprenticeship to the printer's 
 trade in tlie office of the True Democrat (now the 
 ^oViei liejmblican) to learn "the art preservative 
 of all arts." There by close application and ear- 
 nest endeavor he became a full-fledged typo. Hav- 
 ing arisen to the dignity of a journeyman printer, 
 he decided to secure an education, and with lliat 
 end in view went to Skowhegan Falls, Me., where 
 he fitted himself for college, after which he en- 
 tered Union College, of Schenectady, N. Y., of 
 which the distinguished Dr. Eliphalet Nott was 
 President. So well and industriously did he apply 
 himself to his studies that he stood at the head of 
 his class in the classics, and in point of literary 
 ability took foremost rank among many al)le and 
 talented classmates. 
 
 On leaving college he again sought the West 
 and established himself in business at Daveni)ort, 
 Iowa, in connecti(m with Franc B. Wilke (Poliuto), 
 later of the Chicago Times, in the publication of the 
 Davenport Daily News, which soon achieved promi- 
 nence as one of the leading Democratic journals of 
 Iowa. His connection with the Daily News con- 
 tinued until 1859. Mr. Harrington then came to 
 Iroquois Count}', 111., and became associated with 
 
PORTRAIT AXD 15I0(JRAPIIJCAL RECORD. 
 
 307 
 
 the Iroquois Press, a Democratic newspaper of 
 Middleport. Tiie following year lie received the 
 IJemofnitic nomination for Clerk of the Circuit 
 Court, :ind although defeated at the ensuing elec- 
 tion, he ran far ahead of his ticket. He still con- 
 tinued his connection with the Press, which lie 
 conducted with ability- and success until 1862. 
 The second year of the War for the Union was in 
 progress, and reverses to tiie Union forces had 
 raised excitement in the public mind to a fever 
 heat. Patriotism and a desire to aid in the great 
 struggle induced Mr. Harrington to abandon the 
 peaceful scenes of journalism for service on the 
 tented field. Consequently he began recruiting 
 for the army, and after taking the first company 
 into Kankakee for the .Seven tv-sixth Illinois Regi- 
 ment, lie assisted in filling up two other companies 
 for the One Hundred and 'riiirtconlli Illinois In- 
 fantry. 
 
 !Mr. Harrington enlisted as a private soldier, but 
 his superior ability being apparent, he was chosen 
 by the members of his company to be their Captain. 
 Ill .Ian nary, 1863, he was promoted to be Major, 
 but the following summer, being incapacitated for 
 active service by disease contracted in the field, he 
 was forced to resign, which he did while on duty 
 near Vicksburg, Miss., on the surrender of that 
 Confederate stronghold, July 4, 1863. On his re- 
 turn from the army lie engaged in the hardware 
 business at Wat.seka in the firm of Woodford 
 & Co. 
 
 Soon afterward, Maj. Harrington w.as a[)poinled 
 Collector of Internal Revenue for Ford, Iroquois 
 and Champaign Counties, and discharged the duties 
 devolving upon him with ability and fidelity. In 
 1850, he was elected Mayor of Watseka, was re- 
 elected the following j'ear, elected again in 1885, 
 and at the close of the third term, although ur- 
 gently requested to serve again, refused a fourth 
 term. In the year 1870, in connection with sev- 
 eral otiier enterprising citizens, the M.ajor organ- 
 ized the First National Hank of Watseka, of which 
 he was chosen the first Cashier. This is one of the 
 leading financial institutions of "Eastern Illinois, 
 and its success, which has been marked, reflects 
 credit upon its wortln- Cashier, who has held that 
 position continuously since its organization. 
 
 On the 25th of Slay, 1864, Maj. Harrington was 
 united in marriage in Crawfordsville, Ind., with 
 Miss Mary L. Hutchinson. .She was born in Ham- 
 ilton County, Ohio, and is a daughterof .lonatlian 
 Hutchinson. They have two children who are yet 
 living, namely': Howard W. Harrington and Jerome 
 B. Harrington. The Majf>r is very domestic in his 
 habits and his home is a model of comfort and 
 good taste. 
 
 Maj. Harrington has always taken considerable 
 interest in politics, and although not an active 
 politician in the common acceptation of the term, 
 he is recognized throughout the .State as a promi- 
 nent Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for 
 the honors or emoluments of public ollice. In 
 1876, without his consent, his name was mentioned 
 by several papers and prominently spoken of by 
 eminent Democrats as the candidate for the office 
 of Secretary of State, but he induced his friends to 
 withdraw his name from the State Convention. 
 He has served as a member of the Democratic State 
 Central Committee and presided over the Demo- 
 cratic Congressional Convention, held in Fairbury 
 in 1878, and on the invitation of that body ad- 
 dressed them, making a m.asterly speech, which was 
 published and scattered broadcast as a campaign 
 document. The same convention would have 
 nominated, him for Congress but he emphatically 
 declined the proffered honor. Later on his name 
 was conspicuous in several Democratic journals as 
 an available candidate for Lieutenant-Governor 
 of Illinois. In June, 1880, he was a delegate from 
 Illinois to the National Democratic Convention, 
 and was a Presidential Elector in the campaign of 
 1884, when Cleveland and Hendricks were elected, 
 that being the only occasion on which his party 
 has been successful in electing a President since 
 1856. 
 
 Maj. Harrington is an active member of llie In- 
 dependent Order of Odd Fellows and is much es- 
 teemed by his brethren of the fraternity. In the 
 ])reparation of this sketch the writer acknowledges 
 his indebtedness to a previously published work 
 for the main facts set fortli, and perhaps can do 
 no better than to complete his labors b}- quoting 
 the closing paragraph of the same. 
 
 " Hon. George C. Harrington is a. self-made iiiiin, 
 
308 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 having risen by his own unaided efforts to liis 
 present enviable position in life. Ills parents 
 were poor, but b}' his indefatigable energy he ac- 
 quired an education in spite of all obstacles that 
 darkened the path of his early years. A gentle- 
 man of culture, a fine scholar and still a student 
 from iiabit; a man towering high among his fel- 
 lows, all recognizing his superior ability and worth 
 of character and ever read}- to pay deference to 
 his excellent qualities, he is yet as modest and re- 
 tiring as a child. A'anity is not one of his char- 
 acteristics. A Democrat in principle and |)rac- 
 tice, he believes with the faith born of conviction 
 in the equality and brotherhood of man. He is 
 public-spirited, liberal and charitable, ever ready 
 to assist with his 'purse or [K'n in any cause that 
 promises good to his fellow-men or the public. A 
 man of broad and comprehensive views, he looks 
 upon the world as he finds it, and is therefore con- 
 servative rather than radical. The people of Wat- 
 seka look upon him as an exem[)lary man and are 
 proud to call him their own." 
 
 i>^^<P 
 
 MITH HICKMAN carries on farming on 
 section 17, Martin ton Township. He was 
 born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., near 
 LaPXvette, on the 10th of May, 1854. He 
 is a son of Michael Hickman, a native of Penn- 
 sylvania, and of German parentage. The father 
 grew to mature years near his birthplace and tliere 
 married Mary Long, also a native of the Keystone 
 State. Mr. Hickman was a farmer, settling in 
 Indiana in the early days of Tippecanoe County, 
 then a wilderness. He cleared and made a farm 
 and there resided until his death, which occurred 
 about 1860. His wife survived him but a few 
 months and both lie l)uriod in the same ceme- 
 lery. 
 
 Our subject was left an orphan when a child of 
 six years. For a year or two after his parents' 
 death he found a home with kindly relatives, and. 
 then he went away among strangers, as soon as 
 large enough going to work for himself. He 
 found a friend in Kev. Kbenezer Storm, and for 
 
 him he worked for upwards of eight years. Dur- 
 ing this time he had no school advantages and is 
 almost entirely a self-educated man. He owes to 
 his habit of observation and experience in life 
 the fact of being a well-informed man on all sub- 
 jects of the day and on general topics. He came to 
 Hlinois in 1881 and located in Iroquois County. 
 He first worked for .John Storm, one of the pio- 
 neers of the county who has since passed awa}', and 
 with him he continued about a year and a-lialf. 
 
 Mr. Hickman was united in wedlock, October, 
 1883, with Mary Minerva Stone, who was also 
 born in Indiana, in Jasper County. She came to 
 tbis State with her father, Thomas Stone, when a 
 child of ten years. Her father settled near Wood- 
 land, Belmont Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Hitk- 
 man were born two children: George W. and Os- 
 car. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Hickman rented a farm 
 of Mr. Storm and followed farming for three 
 years. He then rented another place, which he 
 farmed for two years. He next purchased a farm 
 of one hundred and twenty acres in Iroquois 
 Townshi]; and there followed the occupation of 
 farming for a period of about two years, at the 
 expiration of which time he sold it and purchased 
 the place where he now resides. He has here a 
 farm of eighty acres of valuable and well-cultiva- 
 ted land very near the village of Martinton. 
 This place is finely tilled and has a large and sub- 
 stantial residence, good barns, cribs and other 
 farm buildings upon it, and well betokens the 
 thrift and enterprise of its present owner. Mr. 
 Hickman started in life a poor orphan boy and 
 had to make his own way from the first, and thus 
 his present prosperity and success are the reward 
 of his own industry and business enterprise. 
 Throughout this section he is held to be one of 
 the most progressive farmers of Martinton Town- 
 ship. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Hickman is allied 
 with the Republican party, his first vote having 
 been cast for Rutherford B. Hayes. He has al- 
 ways lent his influence to the support of the best 
 interests of his county and State, and though never 
 having asked for or accepted official positions, al- 
 ways performs with interest the duties of citizen- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 
 
 309 
 
 ship. He is a friend to educalion, believing in 
 good schools and teachers, and has served .as a 
 member of the School Hoard for three terms. So- 
 cially, Mr. Hickman is a member of the Modern 
 Woodmen. He has been a resident of this county 
 for eleven j-ears and is well and favorabl3' known 
 ill Watscka and adjoining townships. 
 
 i^^S. Ql'IKK II. I.AlUD.a proiniueiit and valued 
 citizen of Milford Township, who carries 
 on general farming on sections 29 and 30, 
 was born near Hattle (iround, Ind., on the 
 l.')tii of February. 1854. His parents were .John 
 and Pliivbe (Biirgett) Laird, the former a native of 
 Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. The^' had a family 
 of four children, but our subject is the only one 
 now living. The parents came to Illinois in 1858, 
 when Squire w.as a lad of only four summers, and 
 settled in Iroquois County. Mr. Laird secured a 
 farm in Milford Township, about four and a-half 
 miles southwest of the village of Jlilford. To its 
 cultivation and improvement, with characteristic 
 energy, he devoted his time and attention until 
 his death, which occurred in 1873. He was a 
 highly respected citizen and took an active interest 
 in all public affairs, giving his support to every 
 enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. His 
 wife still survives htm, and for about sixteen years 
 continued to reside on the old homestead. In 
 1889, however, she removed to Milford. where she 
 is now living. 
 
 Squire L.aird, whose name heads this record, is 
 still living on the home farm, having known no 
 other home since he w.as four 3'ears old. During 
 his boyhood he aided his father in the cultivation 
 of the land in the summer months, and in the win- 
 ter season attended the common schools, where he 
 acquired his education. As a companion and help- 
 mate on life's journey he chose Aliss Mary .Jane 
 Purget. daughter of Henry and Lj'dia (.Mustard) 
 Purget, of tills county. Their union w.as celebrated 
 November 2, 1876, and was blessed with a family 
 of five children, but only three lu-e now living. 
 John Heniy, the eldest, born December 5, 1877, 
 
 died on the 25th of August, 1889; Arthur Ernest, 
 born December 21, 1879, died on the 30th of Oc- 
 tober, 1889; Aurora Floyd, born October 26, 1883; 
 Vernal May, Jilay 19, 1887; and Emma O., 
 August 7, 1891, are still with their parents. 
 
 In his political adUiations, Mr. Laird is aRe|)ub- 
 lican, but he has never been an oflice-seeker. 
 However he, has held the office of School Director 
 for the long period of eighteen years, doing elHcient 
 service for the cause of education, which finds in 
 him a warm friend. He ever takes an active in- 
 terest in all that pertains to the welfare of the 
 community, and is found in the front rank in 
 support of its worthj^ enterprises. He is pulilic- 
 spirited and progressive, and is an honorable, up- 
 right man, who has the confidence and good-will 
 of all with whom he has come in contact. 
 Those who have known him from boyhood are 
 numbered among his stanchest friends, which 
 fact indicates the honorable, upright life he has 
 lived. Himself and wife hold an enviable position 
 in social circles, and are well worthy of represen- 
 tation in this volume. 
 
 i-I-i-^-!' gl?.'^ ♦♦♦•i' l 
 
 \IiU- IRAM II. llOlALINt; owns and operates a 
 r jl farm on section 24, Danforth Township. 
 i4^^ He is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., 
 •i^J where his birth occurred near -Syr.aciise, 
 September 22, 1850. He is a son of Garrett II. 
 Ilotaling, who was born in the same State and 
 countj'. The grandfather, Conr.ad O. Hotaling, 
 w.as also a native of the Empire State, where the 
 family were among the first .settlers and had come 
 from Holland. The father grew to manhood and 
 married Harriet Adell Wallace, a daughter of 
 Benjamin F. Wallace, who was of Scotch pai-entage 
 and was born in New York State. Mr. Hotaling 
 was a miller by tr.ade and followed that occupa- 
 tion at Baldwinsville, N. Y., where he engaged in 
 the manufacture of ttour. He has now retired 
 from .active life, while his son carried on the busi- 
 ness. He was three times married, his first wife 
 having died when our subject was a lad of eleven 
 >ears. 
 
310 
 
 POIITRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Hiram II. passed his early days on his father's 
 farm, receiving good school advantages in the 
 common schools and further continuing his edu- 
 cation in the Syracuse High School and Baldwins- 
 ville Academy. Wiien a young man of twenty he 
 came West to Illinois, arriving in Chicago in 
 1876. There he spent about six months and then, 
 on account of continued poor health,went to Den- 
 ver, where he spent some time in the mountains. 
 He returned to Illinois in 1872, going to Chicago, 
 where he became .icquainted with ]Mr. Chapman, 
 to wliom he hired, and was sent liy liini to Iroipiois 
 County, where he went to work on a farm for the 
 above-named gentleman. He continued working 
 for him by the month for about a j'ear and a-half. 
 At the end of that time he i)urchased a team and 
 rented a farm in Danforth Township for about 
 two years. His father then purchased eighty acres 
 in Douglas Township, upon which our subject 
 located and farmed the two years succeeding. He 
 next traded that farm for the one where lie now 
 resides, locating on this place in the spring of 
 1883. He is now the possessor of three hundred 
 and fifty-five acres of well-cultivated land, about 
 two hundred and twenty-five acres of which are 
 most fertile and well developed. The remainder 
 is timber or pasture land. Mr. Ilotaling lias 
 greatly improved his place, has built fences and 
 farm buildings and has done considerable tiling, 
 making of it a most valuable and desirable jirop- 
 crty. 
 
 In this county on the 28111 of February, 1879, 
 Mr. Ilotaling was united in marriage with Frances 
 Emma llallam, who was born and reared to wo- 
 manhood in Marshall County, 111. She is a daugh- 
 ter of Salathiel Hallam, whose family came from 
 AVashington County, I'a., of which county they 
 were among the most honored pioneers. To them 
 have been born six children: Florence Harriet, 
 Cornelia Grace, Garrett Hallam, George Edwin, 
 Robert Homer and "Warren Albert. 
 
 Mr. Ilotaling is identified with the Republican 
 party, having cast his first ballot for Hon. James 
 A. Garfield. He has held several local positions 
 to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a firm 
 believer in the efficacy of good public education 
 and has always done all in his power to sujiport 
 
 the best educational measures. Socially, he is a 
 member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
 lows and is Past Grand Master of his lodge. He 
 is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. Dur- 
 ing his long residence in this county he has made 
 many friends, who honor him as a man of sterling 
 character, strict integrity and merit. 
 
 ILLIAM j\l. WEST owns and operates an 
 excellent farm of one hundred and fifty-six 
 acres on section 24, Middleport Township, 
 where he carries on general farming and stock-rais- 
 ing, and his highly cultivated land and the many 
 improvements found thereon indicate his thrift 
 and enterprise and attest his careful supervision and 
 management. 
 
 Mr. West was born in Warren Count3', Ind., on 
 the 14tli of July, 184(1, and is ason of John A. and 
 Azubali (Wilson) West, the former a native of 
 Ohio and the latter of the Keystone State. Their 
 family of ten children included the following: 
 George, who died in 1890; Samuel, a resident farmer 
 of Middleport Township, whose sketch appears else- 
 where in this work; Elizabeth, now deceased; Char- 
 lotte; Moses, who is engaged in farming in this 
 county; Martha, Sylvia. AVilliam M. and one who 
 died in infancy. 
 
 In the usual manner of farmer lads, the subject 
 of this sketch spent the days of his bo3iiood and 
 youth and in the common schools he acquired his 
 education, attending through the winter months, 
 while in the summer he worked at home upon the 
 farm. Fie remained under the parental roof until 
 he had attained his majoritj'. The j'ear 1869 wit- 
 nessed his emigration to Illinois and saw him loca- 
 ted in Iroquois Count}', where he began working 
 on a farm by the month in Belmont Township. 
 For about seven j'ears he was thus emplo.yed, after 
 which he began tanning for hift;iself, renting land 
 for three years. He then purchased the farm on 
 which he now resides, and although it was then 
 poorly improved he has made it one of the desir- 
 able places of the community. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 :l 1 1 
 
 On tlie lOth of January, 1877, Mr. West led to 
 t lie marriage altar JMi.ss Emma Moore, daughter of 
 Foreman and Meli.^a (Fleming) Moore, both of 
 whom were natives of Oliio, and were of Irish de- 
 scent. Unto our subject and ins wife have been 
 born two children: Clvde and Porter. 
 
 In his political alliliations, Jlr. West is a Repub- 
 lican, but his wife advocates the principles of the 
 Prohibition party. Por twelve successive years he 
 has served his township as School Director, doing 
 much for the advancement of the cause of educa- 
 tion and the improvement of the schools in this 
 eommunit}'. Sociallj-, he is a member of Lodge 
 Xo. 74, I. O. O. P., of Watseka. He is a valued 
 citizen, public-spirited and progressive, and is al- 
 ways ready to aid in public enterprises calculated 
 to [n'omote the general welfare. His possessions 
 rci)resent his own hard labor and by his well-di- 
 rected efforts he has risen to a position among the 
 substantial farmers of the community. Widely 
 and favorably is he known, and himself and wife 
 rank high in social circles. 
 
 il|_^ ON. .lOUN A. KOPLIN, the founder and 
 Ifjlr father of the village of Puckley) and one 
 ^,/y of the leading and representative citizens 
 (0/ of the count.y, has been identified vvitii the 
 histor}' of this community for many 3-ears, and the 
 growth and upbuilding of the communitj- in which 
 lie now makes his home are due in a large measure 
 to his untiring efforts in its behalf and his enter- 
 prising and progressive spirit. 
 
 Mr. Koplin w.<is born in Chester County. Pa., 
 November 7. 1825, and is a son of Isaac and Ann 
 (Amole) Koplin, both of whom were natives of 
 the Keystone .State. They had but two children, 
 and the sister. Mar}-, is now deeea.sed. The father 
 died in Pennsylvania wiien our subject was only 
 eight years of age, and the mother spent her last 
 days near the old homestead in the Keystone .State, 
 being called to her final rest in 188'), at the very 
 advanced age of eiglitv-six years. 
 
 Our subject spent the days of his childhood un- 
 der the parental roof and acipiired his education 
 
 in the common schools, but he has improved his 
 time and talents, and through observation and 
 business experience lias become a well-informed 
 man, for he possesses an observing eye and reten- 
 tive memory. When about twenty-five years of 
 age he went to the city of Philadelpliia, where he 
 sjient ten years, and thence came to Illinois in 
 1861, locating first on a farm upon which the vil- 
 lage of Hiickley now stands. He here purchased 
 two hundred acres of land. He had previously 
 bought a half-section of land two miles north 
 from Buckley, and from time to time, .as his finan- 
 cial resources were increased, he made judicious in- 
 vestments and added to his purchases until his 
 possessions aggregated over four thousand acres. 
 Where Buckley now stands there was only a sec- 
 tion house belonging to the Illinois Central Pail- 
 road Company, and three other houses, when Mr. 
 Koplin platted and laid out the town. The same 
 year he opened a general merchandise store in 
 connection with William G. Riggs, and carried on 
 business in that line for two j'ears. He also dealt 
 in lumber and grain for about seven years and oc- 
 cupied the position of Station Agent. About 1868, 
 he opened a bank and also dealt in real-estate for 
 some time. He continued the banking business 
 with good success until .lanuary 1, 1892, when he 
 sold out to William L. R. .lohnson, the present 
 banker. 
 
 November I.t, 1871, Mr. Koplin was united 
 in marriage with Miss I'annie Riggs, daughter of 
 William (\. and Mai\v (Davis) Riggs, natives of 
 Chester County, Pa., who came in 1856 to Buck- 
 ley, which is their present home. Two children 
 have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Koplin, both sons: 
 Mark R., born .lune 7, 187li; and ^'ernon, born on 
 the 15th of July, 1881. 
 
 Mr. Koi)lin is not now connected with any busi- 
 ness in Buckley, but is still interested in Chicago 
 real estate and the Lyford Coal Mines, owned b}' 
 the Wal)asli Valley Coal Company. He also has 
 large landed interests, and, as he expresses it, "man- 
 ages to have just enough to do to kee|i him out 
 of mischief." The truth of the matter, however, 
 is, that indolence and idleness are utterly foreign 
 to his nature, and he will always be busy with 
 something. This untiring industry has Ijcen one 
 
312 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of the important elements in his prosperous career. 
 He owns a farm of six hundred and fort}' acres in 
 one body four miles west of Buckley, wliich is 
 iiiglily improved and yields to liim a good income. 
 His ovvn beautiful and commodious iiomo is situ- 
 ated on the southern edge of Buckley and his 
 grounds comprise twenty acres. 
 
 ISIrs. Koplin, who is a most estimable lady, holds 
 membership with the Methodist Church, and ]\Ir. 
 Koi)lin, although not a member of the church, has 
 taken a very active interest in the Sunday-school 
 work for forty-five years and is at present one of 
 its teachers. He has been a Trustee of Grand 
 Prairie Seminary, of Onarga, for many years, and 
 the cause of education ever finds in him a warm 
 friend, he doing everytliing in his power for the ad- 
 vancement of the schools. In politics, he is a 
 stalwart Republican, never swerving from thesup- 
 l)ort which he gives its principles. He held the 
 office of Supervisor for seven consecutive years 
 and was Representative to the Thirty-first General 
 Assembly of Illinois, discharging Iiis duties with 
 credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his con- 
 stituents. 
 
 Mr. Koplin has led an honorable and upright 
 life as well as a busy one, and the confidence and 
 regard of the community' are his in a high degree. 
 Where he is known he has made friends, for his 
 rnany excellencies of cliar.actcr and liis sterling 
 worth merit the esteem of .'ill, yet he has never 
 sought notoriety. 
 
 (It_^ ON. ALBA M. -lONKS, a representative of 
 Ijljii one of the oldest and most highly respected 
 'J^^' families of Iroquois County, was born in 
 ((^ the township of Stockton, this county. 
 May 23, 1856, and is a son of John H. and Hannah 
 (Pugh) Jones. His father is one of the oldest and 
 most prominent citizens of this county, and a 
 sketch of his life is given elsewhere in this work. 
 Alba M. was reared on a farm, attending the 
 public schools, and in IHTO entered the North In- 
 diana Normal School at X'alparaiso, one of the 
 most successful edu(jational institutions of the 
 
 country, where he took a three-year scientific 
 course. On his return from the Normal, he en- 
 tered into partnership with his twin brother, 
 Edgar S., in the hardware business at Milford, un- 
 der the firm name of Jones Bros. Their first location 
 was in the building now known as the Van Tryun 
 House, where tliey carried on business until 1883, 
 when they erected the fine brick block on the 
 northeast corner of Jones Street and Railroad 
 Avenue, at which place they have since done busi- 
 ness. This building is twenty-four feet front by 
 sixty -six feet deep and two stories high; an L, 24 x 
 100, extends to the westward, opening into the 
 main store, and is used as a carriage repository 
 and storeroom. Tins firm has the largest and best 
 appointed store in tlie hardware line iu the county, 
 and carries the largest stock of goods. Their 
 stock comprises a full line of shelf and heavy 
 hardware, farm implements, stoves and tinware. 
 They aVe also extensive dealers in lumber, coal, 
 carriages and wagons. The Jones Bros, have suc- 
 ceeded in building up a large and prosperous busi- 
 ness, and are widely and favorably known through- 
 out this and adjoining counties. 
 
 Mr. Jones, of this sketch, wedded Miss Fannie 
 Monnett in Milford, December 13, 1881. Mrs. 
 Jones is a daughter of John and IMary E. Monnett, 
 and was born in Bucyrus, Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Jones is a standi Republican, and has held 
 various pulilic ottices of honor and trust. For 
 seven years he has been a member of the County 
 Board from Milford Township, serving two years 
 as Chairman of that body. In addition to this, 
 for five years he has acted as a member of the 
 Milford School Board. On the 1st of May, 1892, 
 he received the Republican nomination for Rep- 
 resentative to the Illinois Legislature, and was 
 elected by a safe majority at tlie ensuing election. 
 He is the first native of Iroqiiois Ct/unt}' ever thus 
 honored, lie is a Knight Templar Mason, a mem- 
 ber of Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. & A. M.; of 
 Watseka Chapter No. 114, R. A. M.; and of Mt. 
 Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T., of Paxton. He 
 is also an Odd Feilow, lielonging to the Farmers' 
 Lodge No. 253, I. O. O. F., of iMilford. 
 
 Mr. .loiics is a good reiircscntativeof the young, 
 successful and ambitious Western business man. 
 

 ^ J 
 
 s,-#!.*-ai '^v^ 
 
 -^^^>^Z)^ ^^oCyt^.yhA>-^i^^yx^ 
 

 r^yu\^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 317 
 
 Possessed of good natural ability, enterprise and 
 energy, he has prospered in business and has shown 
 an aptitude for public affairs and evidence of ex- 
 ecutive abilil3' which promise success in that direc- 
 tion. As a business man and citizen, his standing 
 ranks high, his integrity* being above question, 
 while from childhood up his life has I)een an open 
 book to his fellow-townsmen. 
 
 <J»ps!RASMrS 1). HARTSn()KN,onc of the ex- 
 II3 tensive land-owners of Iroipiois County, 
 /*' — ^ who is now living a retired life in Buckley, 
 where for many years he was a prominent mer- 
 chant, was born in Lebanon Townsiii]), JIadison 
 Count}', N. Y., on the 4th of .June, 1821. IIis 
 fatMer, Ira Hartshorn, was born m Connecticut, 
 .Tune 13, 1793, and in 1818 married Joanna Hurn- 
 liam, who was born in the Nutmeg State on the 
 3d of June, 17!l(). Soon afterward they removed 
 to New York, and unto them were born nine chil- 
 dren, namely: Joshua P.. Erasmus D.-, Alford 1., 
 Pliny, Calvert, .Mary, Lucy, Lydia and Charles 15. 
 The last-named was born in June, 1838. lie en- 
 listed in the Fourth Illinois Cavalry during the 
 late war, and died from sickness at Pittsburg 
 Landing while in the service. The other children 
 are all yet living and are heads of families. The 
 faniil}- emigrated from the Empire State to Illi- 
 nois in 1837, locating in La Salle County, where 
 they resided untd 1868. The father died in 1858, 
 and the mother, who survived him a number of 
 years, passed away in 1875. 
 
 'Sir. Hartshorn, whose name heads this record, 
 spent tlie first sixteen years of his life in the Em- 
 pire State, and then came with the family to the 
 West. He was reared to manhood amid the wild 
 scenes of the frontier, and was early inured to 
 bard labor on the farm. The common schools 
 afforded him his educational privileges. Having 
 attained to man's estate, he was married on the 
 31st of March, 1852, the Iad>- of his choice being 
 Miss Marictte Meserve, daughter of .foscph and 
 Abiali (Whichcr) Meserve, Mrs. Hartshorn was 
 
 It 
 
 born in Gorham, N. II., October 5, 1835. Her 
 parents were reared in Maine. \Vhen she was 
 about a year and a-half old, her motlicr died. Her 
 father principally merchandised in the East, and 
 after coming to La Salle County, 111., in 1850, 
 farmed. He was a man of great ingenuity, and 
 the finishings on his old home still stand as a monu- 
 ment to his skill and workmansliii). Notwith- 
 standing his busv life, he found lime to keej) him- 
 self posted on current events, and was especially 
 well versed in the Scripture. He lived to be about 
 seventy years of age. Five children graced their 
 union: William Henry, born February 12, 1853, 
 married Jliss Cora I^ouise Luther, daughter of Eli- 
 sha Luther, and tiiey reside in Kearney, Neb., with 
 their two children, Kenneth and Earic; Mary, born 
 September 16, 1855, is the wife of Dr. S. C. Halch, 
 of Washington, D. C, who holds a position in the 
 Pensicm Ottice. They had one daughter, Blanche 
 JIariette, who died in iSIay, 1890, in her sixteenth 
 year. Horace II., born Jlay 21, 1858, wedded 
 Jliss Jennie Morris, and their home is at Chicago 
 Heights. Charles I)., born April 19, 1860, married 
 Miss Ella Wallace, daughter of John Wallace, of 
 Forest, III., and they reside in Escondido, Cal., 
 with their three children: Harold, Winfred and 
 Edna Lillian. Alice Bertha, born July 25, 1870, 
 is still under the parental roof and comjiletes tlie 
 family. 
 
 In the fall of 1868. :\Ir. Hartshorn, of this 
 sketch, removed from La Salle County, where he 
 had followed fanning for many years, to Buckley, 
 and engaged in the hardware and implement busi- 
 ness for about sixteen years, when he sold out to 
 J. G. Wallace. From 1870 until 1878 he had a 
 partner, W. II. Meserve. The business prospered, 
 and he enjoyed an excellent trade. He is indus- 
 trious and energetic, and by his well-directed 
 efforts he won a handsome competence, which is 
 the just reward of his labors. 
 
 In his i)olitical alliliations, Mr. Hartshorn is a 
 Republican. At one time lie was a member of the 
 Masonic Lodge of La Salle, but after his removal 
 to this county he became a charter member of 
 Buckley Lodge No. 634, A. F. Si A. M„ and is 
 also a member of the Chapter of Fticn, His son 
 Charles is connected with the Masonic fraternity, 
 
318 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 AVilliam Henry is a Kniglit Templar, and bis son- 
 ni-l:i\v i,s also a prominent Mason, liaving taken 
 the highest degree. Mr. Hartsliorn and liis wife 
 are both faithful and consistent members of the 
 Presbyterian Church, witli which they have been 
 connected since its organization, and during its 
 existence he has held the office of Elder, covering 
 a period of twenty-one years. They are eliaritable 
 and benevolent people, and their many excellen- 
 cies of character have won them warm regard. 
 Mr. Hartsliorn has retiied from active business 
 life, lie owns about eight hundred and fifty 
 acres of land near Buckley, all in Artesia Town- 
 ship, a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty 
 acres in South Dakota, and considerable town 
 properly, including a beautiful home, which is tlie 
 abode of hospitality. Tlie members of the family 
 rank high in social circles, wliere intelligence and 
 true worth are received as the passiiort into 
 good society. 
 
 ■^^•?— 
 
 ^^ 
 
 /^^ IIARLES LAYER, a leading merchant of 
 (l( ^.^ (oilman, is a native of Germany, his birth 
 ^^a' having occurred in Strimpfelbacli, Wur- 
 temberg, January 28, 183(5. He is a son of .Facob 
 and BLary (Wolf) Layer, both natives of tlie same 
 province. His father was (piite an extensive 
 farmer, and lioth he and his wife died in the 
 Old Country. In their family of six children, 
 consisting of live sons and one daughter, two de- 
 cided to come to America; our subject came 
 first; and David, who lives in Onarga, 111., crossed 
 the Atlantic some three years later. 
 
 Our subject is the fourth child of his father's 
 family, and passed his early years on his father's 
 farm, receiving his education in tlie common 
 schools. When fourteen years of age, lie was ap- 
 prenticed two years at the baker's trade, receiving 
 his board, but having to jiay ^75 to learn the busi- 
 ness. After completing his trade, he worked 
 at it for two years in Germany, and in 18o() he 
 came over on a steamer, taking eighteen d.ays to go 
 from London to New York City. The cargo w.as 
 for <Jnebec, and as that was the first -trip lh(^ cap- 
 
 tain had made to that port, be ran into the wrong 
 channel, and, as a consequence, the boat stuck on 
 a sand bank. After some time, the passengers 
 were taken to an island, and all the cargo, valued 
 at $80,000, was thrown overboard. After two 
 days and three nights, the vessel was cleared 
 and went on her way to New York Cit^'. Having 
 woiked at his trade in that city for two years, 
 he came to Illinois, locating in Peoria, where 
 he worked for the following eight years. Going 
 to Washington, Tazewell Count}', he in the 
 year 1859 opened a bakery, where be carried 
 on business until 1864. At that time he came to 
 Oilman and purchased a storehouse of D. L. Par- 
 ker, but, as be could not at once get possession of 
 the building, be bought a small restaurant, and 
 ran it through the winter. In the spring of 186.1, 
 a company of men on their way to enlist in the 
 one hundred days' service came to (Oilman, en- 
 tered Mr. Layer's restaurant, and bought what th5y 
 wanted for a time; but, as they bad been drinking, 
 they increased in their boldness, .and began to help 
 themselves. One man carried out three boxes of 
 cigars, giving them to the others outside. He 
 then came back for the fourth box, but Mr. Layer 
 struck him with a sling-shot, knocking him flat. 
 A general fight ensued. Our subject bad but few 
 friends present, but they. defended themselves as 
 best they could. Missiles of all kinds were hurled, 
 and many were cut and bruised. Finally, our" 
 subject and bis friends got away, and, repairing to 
 the hay-press of S. E. Sears, where eighteen men 
 were employed, he related bis trouble, and all, 
 armed with clubs cut from the hickory poles used 
 in baling, marched to the scene of the late en- 
 counter. The would-be soldiers retreated to the 
 freight depot, followed by Mr. Layer and his 
 friends. At this juncture, some of tlie leading 
 citizens of Oilman counseled peace, and promised 
 the injured man that he should be paid for the 
 loss sustained, but they failed to make good the 
 promise, and, as the men were not yet sworn into 
 service, the Government could not be held respon- 
 sible. When the men returned from the war, 
 Mr. Layer employed lawyers to bring suit against 
 them for damages, but, as the attorneys were paid 
 more liberally by the otlifr side, they allowed the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 319 
 
 case to become outlawed, and no prosecution fol- 
 lowed. As soon as he could get possession of the 
 storehouse lie bought of Mr. Parker, he opened a 
 store, his being about the only one in town at the 
 time. He started a general merchandise establish- 
 ment, and some five years later added a bakery. 
 Afterward, he sold the dry-goods department, 
 retaining the grocery and bakery. In 1883, the 
 entire block containing his store was consumed by 
 fire. Soon after he opened a general stock of 
 groceries, wlierc he now carries on business. 
 
 In W.ashington, Tazewell County, he married 
 Kate Ringeisen, a native of Bavaria, Germany. 
 By lliis marriage they have four children: AVill- 
 iam V. and Charles are engaged in the news busi- 
 ness in Mexico; Katie, who is the wife of Lewis 
 Schwer, of this county; and Frank, tlie youngest. 
 
 In religious faith, botli Mr. and Mrs. Layer are 
 members of the German Lutheran Church. Polili- 
 callv, he is a Democrat, and has been a member of 
 the Town Board for several years. He belonged 
 to the Society of Druids, which is a benevolent 
 organization. In 1872, he returned to his native 
 land to visit his aged mother, brothers and sisters 
 and the scenes of his childhood. He also ex- 
 tended his tour to Switzerland and Prussia. As 
 the reward of j-ears of industry and frugality, Jlr. 
 Layer has accunuilated considerable wealth, and 
 is widely known as one of the leading (Jermansof 
 the county. 
 
 PEXCER S. CONK, a prominent attorney 
 and for twenty-three years a resident of 
 I// Jjl Gilman, was born in Farmington, Fulton 
 County, 111., on the 2.ith of June, 1843. 
 \lv is a son of Si)eucer and Julia (Sloan) Cone. 
 The Cone family is of English descent. The 
 father of our subject wa.s born in Connecticut and 
 his mother is a native of the Empire State. About 
 1833, Mr. Cone moved to Farmington, where he 
 was joined in wedlock with Miss Sloan. He studied 
 iaw and was admitted to the Bar. Soon afterward, 
 however, he took up the occupation of farming, at 
 which lie has continued since. He is now livingat 
 
 Farmington and has reached the age of seventy- 
 eight. His wife passed the age of eighty-four in 
 1891. They have both been life long members and 
 supporters of the Congregational Church. Mr. Cone 
 was formerly a Whig and has since been a Repul)- 
 lican. He and his estimable wife liad a family of 
 three sons and one daughter. 
 
 Spencer S. Cone, whose name heads this sketch, 
 is the onl}- professional man of this family. He 
 was reared under the moral and healthful inlluence 
 of farm life and received his primary education in 
 the common schools, which he supplemented by a 
 3-ear's course at the State Normal School and three 
 years of study at Knox College. Like his father 
 before him, his tastes were in the direction of the 
 legal profession, and therefore he entered the Al- 
 bany Law School in New York, from which he was 
 graduated in 1868. He next read law for about a 
 j'car with Judge .S. P. Siiope, now of the Supreme 
 Bench. In 18fi9, he came to Gilman, where after 
 practicing a short time he turned his attention to 
 the real-estate business. In this line he continued 
 for some nine years and was quite successful. He 
 has since engaged in the practice of law almost ex- 
 clusively. 
 
 In February, 1873, Jlr. Cone was joined in wed- 
 lock at (iilman with Miss Araminta Bombaugh. 
 This union has been blessed with two sons: William 
 H. and Hoy S. Mr. and Mrs. Cone are both mem- 
 bers of the Presbyterian Church, of Gilman, of 
 which he is a Trustee. 
 
 In all educational affairs, Mr. Cone lakes an ac- 
 tive interest and for some seven years he has been 
 a member of the School Board. Politically, he is 
 affiliated with the Republican party, and is much 
 interested in political me.a.sures and conventions. 
 He was the regular nominee of his party for County 
 Judge in 1890, but the whole ticket was defeated 
 on account of the McKinley Bill and school ques- 
 tion. He has served as City Attorne}' for eight 
 years and has been a member of the County Board 
 for a period of two years, acceptably dischaiging 
 the duties of those offices. He is a man well in- 
 formed on all questions of general interest,wliether 
 political or otherwise, and is accounted one of the 
 worthy and valued citizens of the community 
 wlier" he makes his home. lie is extensively in- 
 
320 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 
 
 terested in farming and has been quite successful 
 in tliat direction. In his manner Mr. Cone is 
 reserved and unassuming, liis duties of citizensliip 
 being performed quietly and faitlifull3'. B3' his 
 upriglit life and honorable course he has won the 
 respect of all with whom he has come in contact. 
 
 //T^^KORGE W. SONGER is an honored veteran 
 of the late war and one of the prominent 
 citizens of Cissna Park, where he is engaged 
 in the manufacture of tile :ind brick. This is one 
 (if the leading indu,'>tries of Ihe [ilaee, and he is 
 one of the progressive and enterprising business 
 men. The great-grandfathers of our subject, on 
 both tlie paternal and maternal side, were natives 
 of Germany, and in the same vessel emigrated to 
 America in Colonial days, locating in Virginia. 
 Peter Songer, the grandfather, became a pioneer 
 of Ohio seventy-five years ago, and died upon the 
 farm which he there developed. The father, Lewis 
 Songer, was born in Virginia, October 19, 1812, 
 and at the age of tliree years was taken by his 
 parents to Ohio, where he^ remained until seven- 
 teen years of age. At that time lie canu' witli an 
 older brother and his mother to Illinois, locating 
 near Danville, then a small Indian trading-post. 
 Indians were still numerous in tiie neighborhood, 
 nearly all the land belonging to the Government, 
 and few, indeed, were the imiH'Ovements made. 
 Mr. Songer secured a (■hum on the Vermilion 
 Hiver, built a log cabin, and began the develop- 
 ment of a farm. J 11 those early da3-s he expe- 
 rienced many hardships and privations such as are 
 incident to pioneer life. On one occasion he ran 
 a flat-boat down to New Orleans, and while stop- 
 ping in a hotel at Natchez, a cyclone demolished 
 the building, and he was one of only two who 
 escajied alive. 
 
 Lewis Songer married Catherine Daniel, of Wai- 
 ueu Country, lud., and through her influence they 
 returned to the Iloosier State, where tlie^'made 
 their home for eightoeii ye.'^.rs, lie then went 
 back to N'ermilion County, His wife died in 1855, 
 
 after which he married Matilda Houston, who is 
 still living in Vermilion County, 111., where the 
 death of Mr. Songer occurred February 16, 1877. 
 In connection with farming, he worked at his trade 
 as a millwright throughout much of his life. He 
 had educated himself b\' the fireplace, and by liis 
 own efforts became a well-informed man. He pos- 
 sessed excellent business ability, and was very suc- 
 cessful in his undertakings. 
 
 Ten children were born of the first marriage: 
 Periy died in 1863; Julian died ,lanuaiT2, 1870; 
 Juliet, twin sister of Julian, is the wife of Wil- 
 kison Cane, of Fountain County, III.; Mrs. Martha 
 iSIawhor died in Kansas; Mnvy became the wife of 
 J.T. lirad}', and died in Vermilion County; George 
 W. is the next younger; Hhoda Ann died at the 
 age of three years; A. M. is a merchant of Ver- 
 milion Count}'; Lewis Jefferson resides in Kansas; 
 and Catherine died in La Salle County in 1887. 
 The children l)orn of the second marriage were Wal- 
 ter Scott, who makes his home in Albion, 111.; and 
 Ilarley, who died in infancy. The father of this 
 family was a member of the Christian Church, and 
 took a zealous interest in its work. In politics, he 
 was a Democrat in early life, but voted for Abra- 
 ham Lincoln, and from that time on altiliattd with 
 the Republican party. 
 
 We now take up the personal histor\- of (Tcorge 
 W. Songer, who was born in Warren County, Ind., 
 Ma}- 12, 1846. His father was crippled when our 
 subject was only ten years of age, and the burden 
 of the farm work fell upon the sons. George en- 
 gaged in farmina; from ten until seventeen years 
 of age, and then, running away from home, en- 
 listed on the 18th of October, 1863, in La Fayette, 
 Ind., as a member of C-oinpany G, Fifty-first In- 
 diana Infantry. He joined the regiment at Chat- 
 tanooga, Tenn., and soon after participated in the 
 battle of Missionary Ridge. The next spring he 
 l)articipated in the battle of Catersville, and from 
 that time on was in active service. In May, 1864, he 
 started on the Atlanta campaign, and was in the 
 battles of Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Slountain 
 and Atlanta. He then returned to Nashville and 
 Decatur, Ala., and then under Gen. Thomas met 
 Hood's army. His regiment lost heavily in a 
 haud-to-hand conflict at Franklin, and participated 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in the siege of Naslivillc; it later followed Hood 
 to Athens, Ala., and afterward went into winter 
 quartei-s at Iliintsvllle. At Nashville, Mr. Songer 
 was taken with typiioid fever, and never rejoined 
 the regiment, which went to Texas. He received 
 lii>: discharge in Indiana|)olis in Septeinher, 1865. 
 lie was tiien only nineteen years of age. He was 
 wounded in the arm by a rebel bullet at Nashville, 
 and several holes were shot through his clothes, 
 but uj) to the time of his illness he was always 
 ready to stack arms with his company. On enter- 
 ing the battle of Franklin, his compan3' numbered 
 sixty-three men, but after the fight at N<ashville, 
 fifteen days later, only thirty-two answered the 
 roll-call, the rest having been killed, wounded or 
 taken sick. 
 
 When the war was over, Mr. Songer returned to 
 Warren County, Ind., and soon afterward went 
 to Vermilion County, 111., where he engaged in 
 farming until 187,5. He also took a contract with 
 the railroad for supplying timber for bridges from 
 Watseka to Danville in 1871 and 1872. In Feb- 
 ruary, 1882, he began the manufacture of tile in 
 Danville. In iNIa^- of the following year, he came 
 to Iroquois Countj^ and located at Cissna Park. 
 Where now stiinds his present factory was then a 
 frog pond. His factory is the finest and most thor- 
 oughly eciuipped in this part of the county, and is 
 supplied witii the latest improved machinery. The 
 tile manufactured is of a superior quality, and 
 during 1891 over one million one hundred thou- 
 sand were manufactured. The business is con- 
 stantly increasing, and has become one of the im- 
 portant concerns of this community, furnishing 
 eniplo\'ment to some twenty-eight men. 
 
 In March, 1868, in Warren County, Ind., .Mr. 
 Songer wedded .Samantlia Murphy, and unto them 
 have been born seven children: Frank C, who was 
 born in Vermilion County, is now in business 
 with his father; Ora P., Isaac Russell, .Jesse E., Le- 
 roy, Maiy N. and George L. are still under the 
 parental roof. The children have received good 
 educational advantages, and the family is an in- 
 telligent and interesting one, of which the parents 
 m.iy well be proud. 
 
 Sociall}', Mr. Songer is a member of G. H. Neeld 
 Post No. 576, G. A. K., of Cissna Park, and has 
 
 been honored with all of its ollices. His wife 
 liolds membership with the lMethodi?t[Kpiscopal 
 Church, and he contributes liberally to its sup- 
 port. Politically, he Is a Democrat. He is the 
 President of the Village Hoard, is President of the 
 Building and Loan Association, and is a member 
 of the School IJoard. He is also connected with 
 the Masonic fraleriiity and the Knights of Pythi.as. 
 Mr. Songer is well known throughout this county, 
 and is held in the highest esteem by all who know 
 hinl. His success has been achieved through his 
 own efforts, and stands as a monument to his thrift 
 and enterprise. For about a month each year Mr. 
 Songer travels, and has visited almost all the 
 places of interest in this country. He has visited 
 the old battle-fields of the war, and has brought 
 home many interesting relics, having a [)iece of 
 shot fired by the British at Gcn..l.ickson, and pieces 
 of shot, shell and bullets from fields where he 
 fought. He is a (ileasant. genial gentleman, and 
 his travels and the interesting manner in which he 
 recounts his reminiscences make liini an entertain- 
 ing and agreeable companion. 
 
 — }- 
 
 =m>^^<m 
 
 ARRISOX MILLKK, a prominent and well- 
 known farmer and stock-raiser who resides 
 on section 22, Ridgeland Township, claims 
 Ohio as the State of his nativity. lie 
 was born in Warren County, on the Ith of 
 August, 1822, and is a son of Samuel and Pha>be 
 (Lincoln) Miller. The mother of our subject, who 
 was an own cousin to Piesident Lincoln, was 
 called to her final rest in 1845. The father long 
 survived her, passing away in 1880. Both were 
 members of the Methodist Church, and were peo- 
 ple of many excellencies of character which won 
 them the love and confidence of all. The family 
 of this worthy couple numbered five children, the 
 eldest of whom is our subject; Emily is now tlie 
 wife of John Monfort, a carpenter residing in 
 Lebanon, Oliio; Eiisebia is the widow of William 
 Frazee and makes her home in Californiji: and 
 two sous died in infancy. 
 
 Harrison .Miller, whose name heads this record. 
 
322 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 was reared to manhood in the usual manner of 
 farmer lads, aiding his father in the labors of tlie 
 fields during the summer months, while in the 
 winter season he attentled the district schools of 
 tlie neighborhood until nearly twenty years of 
 age. On attaining his majority he started out in 
 life for himself and has since been dependent 
 u|i()n his own resources. He first learned the 
 trade of a cooper, which he followed in Ohio until 
 1850. In that year lie went to Peru, Ind., where 
 he remained until 1857, when he left there 
 and came to Illinois, locating in Ridgeland Town- 
 ship, Iroquois County. He purchased eighty 
 acres of land from the Government, and upon the 
 farm which he there developed and improved 
 made his home for seven years. On the expira- 
 tion of that period he purchased one hundred and 
 twenty acres of land on section 22 of the same 
 township, constituting the farm on which he now 
 resides and which has since been his home. In 
 addition to general farming he raises stock, mak- 
 ing a specialty of breeding fine Jersey cattle. 
 
 It was on the 10th of Februar}', 1847, that Mr. 
 Miller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, 
 daughter of James and Sarah (Pliaras) Kirby. 
 Eight children were born of this union, but their 
 first child died in infancy. James P., who follows 
 farming, is a resident of Ridgeland Township; 
 Frank M. is engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
 Allen County, Kan.; Laura is the wife of Harve}' 
 Richard, who is engaged in farming in Ridgeland 
 Township; Samuel C. follows the same vocation 
 in Onarga Township; Charles L. is a baggageman 
 on the Illinois Central Railroad and makes his 
 home in Chicago; William W. died in infancy; and 
 Louis E. is at home. 
 
 Mr. Miller exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Republican party, and, as every 
 true American citizen should do, manifests a com- 
 mendable interest in political affairs, although he 
 has never been an office-seeker. However, he has 
 filled the position of Pathmaster and Road Com- 
 missioner, discharging his duties with promptness 
 and fidelity. Himself and wife are members of 
 the Presbyterian Church. Industry and enter- 
 prise have been numbered among the chief char- 
 acteristics of Mr. Miller and have brouoht him a 
 
 well-deserved success. His possessions have all 
 been gained through his own labors and are as a 
 monument to his thrift and energy. 
 
 1^,()BEUT JACKSON GEDDES, one of the 
 
 Kii\( self-made men and practical and progress- 
 lf\V 
 
 <4\ \V ive farmers of Ash (irove Township, resid- 
 ing on section 36, claims Ohio as the State 
 of his nativity. He was born in Troy Township, 
 Tuscarawas County, on the 14th of March, 1841, 
 and is of Scotch descent. His boyhood days were 
 passed in the usual manner of farmer lads and he 
 was early inured to the hard labors of the farm, but 
 thereby develojjed a self-reliance and force of 
 character which have proved of incalculable bene- 
 fit to him in later years. He attended school only 
 during the winter season, when the work upon tlie 
 farm was over. Under the parental roof, he re- 
 mained until he had attained his majority, when 
 he started out in life for himself, working by the 
 month for % 12. This was in DeKalh County, Ind., 
 whither his parents had removed when he was 
 fourteen years of age. 
 
 After working for one man three years. Mi-. 
 Geddes came to Iroquois County, 111., in July 
 1863, and four years later purchased land on sec- 
 tion 35, Ash Grove Township, a tract of forty 
 acres of wild prairie. With characteristic energy, 
 he began its development, and in course of time the 
 unimproved tract was transformed into rich and 
 fertile fields. The boundaries of his farm liave 
 since been greatly extended, until now three hun- 
 dred and twent}^ acres of rich land pay tribute to 
 his care and cultivation and he follows general 
 farming and stock-raising with good success. 
 
 Returning to DeKalb County, Ind., Mr. Geddes 
 was married, on the 18th of November, 1865, to 
 Miss Han let Robinett, a native of Holmes County, 
 Ohio, who with her parents removed to DeKalb 
 County, where the days of her maidenhood were 
 passed. Ten children graced their union, of whom 
 nine are now living: Elva L., wife of AValter 
 Baker, a farmer of Ash Grove Township; Letta D., 
 wife of John Hawthorne, an agriculturist of the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 323 
 
 same township; John Curtis and Arthur Wilson, at 
 home; Mary K., wife of Sam iMayliew, of Fountain 
 Creeii; Hattie. who is keeping liouse forlier fatlier; 
 Nancy Jane, Robert Nye and Annis. One child 
 died in infancy-. The motlier of this family was 
 called to her final rest on the 20lh of November, 
 1882, and was interred in Amity Churcli Cemetery. 
 She was a faithful member of the Tnited Brethren 
 Church, and her loss was mourned by many friends 
 as well as by her immediate family. 
 
 In 18()8, Mr. (ieddes cast his first Presidential 
 vote for (Ten. (irant and has since been a stalwart 
 supporter of the Republican party. Me often at- 
 tends its conventions and in an early day he heard 
 an address of Stephen A. Douglas. His residence 
 in the county covers a ])oriod of twenty-nine years, 
 during which time he has by good management, 
 enteri)rise and well-directed efforts achieved suc- 
 ess and won a comfortable competence. He gives 
 liberall}- to church and charitable work and well 
 merits the high esteem in which he is held as a 
 citizen and neighbor. 
 
 
 ^l — ^ ENRY J. CALKINS, a prominent business 
 Ir jjl man, now resides on section 12, Prairie 
 ^y>y Green Townshij), where lie owns and 
 iS)j operates four hundred and forty acres of 
 valuable land. This is under a liigh stale of culti- 
 vation -and yields to him a golden tribute in 
 return for his care and labor. The many improve- 
 ments upon the place indicate his thrift and enter- 
 prise, and its neat appearance denotes tlie supervi- 
 sion of a careful manager. His home is a beautiful 
 country residence. 
 
 Mr. Calkins is a native of Litclilield County, 
 Conn. He was born on the 6th of November, 
 1839, and is a son of Jeremiah and Judith (Max- 
 field) Calkin.s. His father was born in the Nutmeg 
 State, January 15, 1807, and died November 3, 
 1850, at the age of forty-three years. He was 
 reared to the occupation. of farming, and was edu- 
 cated in a log selioolliouse of primitive construc- 
 tion. The seats were made of slabs, supported on 
 wooden pins, and a long writing-desk in the back 
 
 of the room served for the large scholais. In 
 1845, when our subject was a lad of seven years, 
 Jeremiah Calkins removed with his family to 
 Ulster County, N. Y., and changed his avocation 
 to that of an extensive collier. There through 
 the intrigue and chicanery of a man in whom he 
 reposed the utmost conlidence, he lost his entii-e 
 fortune and had to begin life anew. lie w.as a 
 man of indomitable will, of sterling integrity, and 
 lii!5 word was as good as his bond. Of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church he was a faithful member, and 
 in order to be present at Divine worship, he would 
 often walk for six miles to the place of meeting. 
 He was beloved by all who knew him, and his 
 death was deeply mourned. His wife, a native of 
 Connecticut, was born .March 12, 1818, and died 
 Deceml)er 12, 183SI, during the infancy of our 
 subject. The family numbered four children, two 
 sons and two dauglitei's. The brother is now de- 
 ceased. Caroline is the wife of Hiram St. John 
 who is now living retired in AVatseka; and Luc- 
 inda JI. is the widow of Nathan Chaffee. She 
 now resides in Prairie Green Township. The 
 Calkins family was founded in America by three 
 brothers of English birth, who in Colonial days 
 emigrated to this country. One of them was the 
 grandfatjier of our subject. 
 
 Henry J. Calkins spent the first seven ycais of 
 his life in the county of his nativity, and then re- 
 sided ill I'lster County, N. Y., until eighteen years 
 of age. At that time he determined to try his 
 fortune in the \Vest, and in August, 18ofi, liavino- 
 bade good-bye to his old home and friends, started 
 for Illinois. He made his first location in La Salle 
 County, where he worked for a time at the black- 
 smith's trade, which he- had learned in the lOast. 
 On landing in Illinois he had only fifteen cents in 
 his jiocket, but he ])ossessed energy and enterprise, 
 and determined to win success. Like so many 
 others, he went to Kansas about l«5il, thinkin"- it 
 an Eldorado, but after two. years was satislied to 
 return to tliis State, where he has since made his 
 home. Once more he located in La Salle Counl\-, 
 where he continued to reside until 18f>l), when he 
 came to Iroquois County and purchased one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of land, of which about fift\- 
 acres had been l>i<ikon. The <inl\ Im ildjnir midn 
 
324 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the place was a little board cabin,' 12x20 feet. 
 Tiie surrouiuling land was all in its primitive con- 
 dition, for tlu'i-e were few settlements in this local- 
 ity. The iKiw Ihiurisliing villages which afford 
 accessible marlvets were then unknown. 
 
 On the 1st of .January, 1863, Mr. Call-ins was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Mary .1. Loekwood, a 
 native of Connecticut, March 27, 18i2, who came 
 to this State at tiie age of seven years, in 1849. 
 with her parents, Alanson and Mary Loekwood. 
 Nine children graced their union, six sons and 
 three daugliters, but only five are yet living: 
 Julia, now the wife of Oliver Hamer, a farmer re- 
 siding in Prairie Green; Nellie, wife of Miles But- 
 tcvworth,who makes his home in Iloopeston; Stan- 
 ley, Frank and Arthur at home; Lennie, AVilliam 
 H., Wilbur, and an infant are deceased. Mr. Cal- 
 kins has endeavored to give his children good edu- 
 cational advantages, and his daughters were edu- 
 cated in the Grand Prairie Seminary. 
 
 On attaining his majoritj', Mr. Calkins became 
 identified with the Republican party, which he 
 supported until 1884, when he espoused the cause 
 of tiie Prohibition party. He is now one of its 
 warm advocates, and does all in his power to aid 
 in the temperance cause. No enterprise calculated 
 to prove of public benefit seeks his aid in vain. 
 With the interests of this community he has l)een 
 prominently identified. For six years lie served 
 as Justice of the Peace, and has filled the office of 
 School Director for the long term of fifteen ^-ears. 
 Mr. Calkins was one of the organizers, and himself 
 and wife are faithful and devoted members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church of Pleasant Hill. 
 They have also been interested in Sunday-school 
 ■work, and have attended its institutes. He is a 
 man of generous, noble impulses, charitable and 
 benevolent, and the poor and needy find in him a 
 warm friend. 
 
 In addition to his excellent farm, ]\Ir. Calkins 
 owns a good store in Anibia, Ind., only six and a- 
 half miles from his home, and also the building in 
 which it is located. It is a brick and stone struc- 
 ture, 44x100 feet, and two stories in height, the 
 upper story being a well-arranged opera-hall. 
 Tliis was erected in 1891. It is furnished with a 
 full and completf stock of general merchandise. 
 
 including Avy goods, groceries, hats and caps, 
 boots and shoes, queensware, and every commod- 
 ity which goes to make up a first-class establish- 
 ment of this kind. Mr. Calkins is also Secretary 
 of the Farmers' Co-operative Grain Association, 
 which has a large grain elevator in Ambia, erected 
 at a cost of §13,000. The volume of business 
 done in 1891 amounted to over $250,000. Mr. 
 Calkins is a man of excellent business ability, 
 sagaci(nis and enterprising, and he has Ihe con- 
 fidence and high regard of all witli whom he has 
 been brought in contact. 
 
 died 
 
 NTONI ANi> GERIIAHI) OLTMANN.S, 
 importers and breeders of German coach 
 horses of Watseka, are natives of Germanj', 
 and the sons (jf John W. Oltmanns, who 
 n his native country, Cermany, in 1878. 
 The famil}- numbered eight children, five of whom 
 are yet living: Oilman V.,who is a partner in the 
 business, was born Februar.y 18, I8.0I; Ottoline, 
 December 28, 18.54; Johanu .\., November 2, 
 18.'')7; Antoni, August 8,1861; and (iebhard, De- 
 cember 3, 1864. The three eldest children reside 
 in or near Leer, German}', having never crossed 
 the Atlantic to America, and with the exception 
 of Gebhard all of the children are married. 
 
 Both of the gentlemen whose names head this 
 sketch were reared in the land of their birth. It 
 was in 1882 that Antoni Oltmanns, then twenty- 
 one years of age, bade good-bye to the Father- 
 land, and crossed the briny deep to the New 
 World. He came at once to Iroquois County, and 
 in 188;') embarked in the importation and breed- 
 ing of (ierman coach horses and Holstein cattle. 
 Two years later he was joined by his brother Geb- 
 hard, and a partnership was formed between them. 
 They soon found that the cattle business was un- 
 profitable and abandoned it, since which time they 
 have given their entire attention to importing and 
 breeding horses. They now conduct the business 
 on a large scale, and keep on hand the finest 
 horses to be had. Their barns are located on the 
 

PORTRAIT AND BLDGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 .3-.>7 
 
 west side of the city of Wiitsek-a,;iiid the Oltmanns 
 Bros, are known far and near among the liorsc 
 dealers of tliis country. Their business has con- 
 stantly increased, and in 18SI1 tliey imported one 
 hundred head of horses. Tliey cross the ocean 
 (ince or twice each year, Ijotli having made the 
 voyage across the briny deep eleven different 
 times. 
 
 These gentlemen are wide-awake and enterpris- 
 ing young business men who do not expect to win 
 wealth easily, but hope to acquire In money a 
 ready return for their industry and good manage- 
 ment. They possess keen business sagacity, are 
 methodical and systematic, and it i.s a pleasure to 
 note their progress and success, for it is well de- 
 served. They are self-made men. and have alreadj' 
 gained for themselves a place among the substan- 
 tial citizens of Watseka. 
 
 ^f/UDGK SAMUEL WILLl.\iAIS, who resides 
 on section 30, Belmont Township, has for 
 half a century made liis home in this county 
 ^ and is one of the prominent and influential 
 citizens. IIis name is inseparably connected with 
 its history, as he has witnessed almost its entire 
 growth and has aided largely in its upbuilding and 
 development. To the honored pioneers who came 
 here in an earl\- d.ay the count\- owes a debt of 
 gratitude which can never be repaid. Among 
 these is numbered the gentleman whose name heads 
 tins record; and this work would be incomplete 
 without his sketch. 
 
 The .Judge was born in Adams County, Ohio. 
 July 1 1. 1820, and conies of an old family of Mary- 
 land, llis grandfathei', Capt. John Williams, re- 
 moved from that .State to Adams Count}', Ohio, 
 being acconipanied by his son Thomas, the father of 
 our subject, who was then a lad of four years. The 
 family' numbered four sons and two daughters. 
 Thomas, the eldest, was born in Maryland in 1797, 
 and was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes 
 of frontier life in Ohio. Adams County w.is then 
 an almost unimproved wilderness, lliseducatifinal 
 advantages were very meagre, but by study m his 
 
 leisure hours he acipured an excellent education 
 .and for twenty years engaged in teaching. While 
 assisting in a house-raising he met with an acci- 
 dent which ciippled him. and after thus losing the 
 use of his limbs he took up the teacher's profession, 
 in order to support himself and his family. Before 
 he was thus disabled he was married in .\dams 
 County, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabelh 
 Swim. She was a native of Kentucky, born Jan- 
 uary 2, 1800. Her grandfather was a Revolutionarv 
 hero who valiantly aided the colonies in their 
 struggle for independence. He. went to Kentucky 
 with Daniel Boone, the noted hunter and explorer. 
 When a young girl of about six years, Mrs. 
 Williams went to Champaign County, Ohio, and 
 afterward accompanied her parents to .Vdams 
 County. During her girlhood she met with finite 
 an experience, hei'self and a younger brother and 
 sister being carried off during a sudden freshet 
 caused bj- a water-spout. The three children, seeing 
 that the water was rising rapidly, lied for safety and 
 took refuge upon the roof of a sheep stable. The 
 water rose, and the building to which they were 
 clinging was swept along by the current for a dis- 
 tance of eighty rods, when it struck a large syca- 
 more tree and fell to pieces and the children came 
 down in the debris. This occurred about sunset, and 
 the two sisters and brother, together with their 
 shepherd dog, had to remain upon the ruins of the 
 old shed, there kept prisoners by the Hood. During 
 the night the water ■ somewhat subsided and the 
 next morning about daybreak they were rescued 
 b}' the father. The mother of the Judge was the 
 eldest of the children, and thus ui)on her devolved 
 the task of caring for and comforting the younger 
 ones. 
 
 It was in hS.'Jfi that the parents of our subject 
 emigrated with their family to Illinois. They made 
 the journey by ox-team and settled near Rockford, 
 when that city contained but one cabin on either 
 side of the river. Six years later they came to 
 Iroquois Count}-, locating east of Watseka on what 
 is now the County Poor Farm. There were a few 
 log cabins, but the county was sparsely settled and 
 the Williams family are numbered among the [lio- 
 neers. Mr. Williams entered land from thefiov- 
 erninent and himself and wife resided upon the 
 
328 
 
 PORTRAIT AND EIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 farm for some _years. In Ohio he had served as 
 Justice of the Peace for years and for three terms 
 was County Assessor and on coming to Iroquois 
 County served as County Superintendent. In poli- 
 tics he was a Jaclvson-Demociat. In early life he 
 became identified with the Metliodist Episcopal 
 Church and was (!ver afterward one of its consistent 
 members. His lionie was often a i)lace of meeting in 
 tliose earljr days and he labored long and earnestly 
 in tlie Master's vineyard. He was one of Nature's 
 noblemen and the high regard of all was his. Dur- 
 ing tlie last ten years of his life he was quite feel:)le 
 and made his home with our subject. He passed 
 away August 18, 1857, and his remains were laid 
 to rest in Belmont Cemetery. Ills wife departed 
 this life in 1880. Slie was a most estimable lady, a 
 worthy helpmate of her husband, and her many ex- 
 cellencies of character won her the love of all. 
 
 The Williams family numbered the following 
 children: Samuel of this sketch; John, who died in 
 Iowa; William, a resident of Watscka; Josiah, who 
 makes his home in Watseka; Thomas, a farmer of 
 Belmont Townsliip; Harvey F., a ranchman of 
 Wyoming; Melissa, who died in 1840, at the age of 
 eighteen years; Susanna, wife of Simeon Downing 
 of Butler County, Iowa; Mary, who died in 1835, 
 at the age of nineteen years; and Elizabeth Ann, 
 wife of Justus Smith, of Milford. 
 
 Judge Williams spent the first fifteen years of 
 his life in his native State and tiien came with his 
 parents to Illinois. From that time all of the 
 family care and responsibility rested upon his 
 shoulders. However, he was greatly assisted by 
 his mother, a thoughtful woman of much ability 
 and force of character, but he had entire charge of 
 the outdoor work. He made a claim and developed 
 a farm in Winnebago County before the land came 
 into market. He acquired his education in the 
 public schools and under his father's direction. At 
 the age of twenty-five years, he desired to follow 
 some other pursuit than ttiat of agriculture, and 
 learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 
 for a sliort time. In 1844 he purchased his present 
 homestead, then comprising one hundred and 
 twenty acres of wild and unimproved land. His 
 first home was a frame building, 14x22 feet. Tliis 
 is still standing and 3'et forms a part of his resi- 
 
 dence. As soon as possible however, he made sub- 
 stantial improvements upon the farm, wliich has 
 now been Ids liome for almost half a century. With 
 characteristic energy' he began tlie development 
 of his land and where once was wild prairie, fertile 
 fields soon yielded to him abundant harvests. He 
 prospered in his undertakings and as his financial re- 
 sources were increased he added to his land from 
 time to time until he is now the owner of one 
 thousand acres. He started out in life for himself 
 with only $62.50 and with that as a nucleus he has 
 gathered together his present large fortune, which 
 is a well-deserved reward of his industrious and 
 persevering efforts. 
 
 On the 25th of March, 184G, near Woodland, 
 Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss 
 Catherine, daughter of Isaac Body, who removed 
 from Mittiin County, Pa., to Indiana in 1830, liv- 
 ing in Covington. About ten years later became 
 with his family to Iroquois Count}'. His daughter 
 was Ijorn in Pennsylvania, and was about four 
 years old when they left the Ke3'stone State. Four 
 sons have been born unto Judge and Mrs. Williams, 
 all born and reared on the home farm. Josiali G. is 
 now Casliier of the Citizens' Bank of Watscka; 
 George M., a resident of AVoodland, manages the 
 home farm; John S. resides in Belmont Township, 
 but is now in California for his health; Frank L. is 
 living near the old homestead. Tlie children were 
 all provided with good educational advantages, at- 
 tending the Onarga Seminary after completing the 
 course in the common schools. 
 
 In connection with his farming operations, Mr. 
 Williams has been connected with several other 
 business interests. He aided in the organization 
 of the First National Bank in Watseka, and was 
 made its first President. He is now a stockholder 
 and Vice-president of the Citizens' Bank. He owns 
 a store in Woodland, which is operated under tlie 
 firm name of Williams & Goodyear. He also 
 owns an elevator and creamery at that place, both 
 of which receive a liberal patronage and are doing 
 a good business. In 1876 he laid off the village of 
 Woodland on a part of his farm, and at the same 
 time built the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the 
 support of which he has contributed liberally, him- 
 self and wife loeina: amonsj its active members. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 329 
 
 In tlie early daj's of tlie county, I\Ir. AVillianis 
 hold a niinibei- of oflices. He was elected Justice 
 of the Peace about 1850, and held the position for 
 about twelve years. He was also a member of the 
 Board of Supervisors for ten years and in 1860 was 
 elected .Judge of the County Court, which position 
 he held four years. Since than he has never held 
 oHice, preferriug to devote his time to other inter- 
 ests. He cast his first vote for James K. Polk, in 
 support of the Democratic party, until the time of 
 the slavery troubles in Nebraska. He was a mem- 
 ber of the first committee that organized the Re- 
 publican party in Iroquois County. He voted for 
 Fremont, its first Presidential candidate, in 18.56, 
 and was one of its active workers for many years, 
 but, on account of his temperance principles, now 
 affiliates with the Prohibition party. The Judge is 
 now practically living a retired life, having laid 
 aside all business cares except that he supervises 
 his interests. In a comfortable home on his farm, 
 where he has lived for fifty years, he expects to 
 spend his remaining days. No citizen of Iroquois 
 Count3' is more widely or favorably known than 
 he. His upright, honorable life, the prominent part 
 he has taken in public works, the aid he has given to 
 enterprises calculated to jiromote the general wel- 
 fare, have all won for him the high regard and 
 confidence of his fellow-townsmen, and the respect 
 and esteem he receives are justly his. 
 
 it/,-^ ENRY I'PSALL, the pioneer jeweler, has 
 rjj engaged longer in his line of business in 
 i^^^ Watseka than any other of its residents. 
 (^J) He is regarded as one of the enterprising 
 and progressive citizens of the community, and a 
 leading business man. As such, we are pleased to 
 present this record of his life to our readers. He 
 was born in the town of Bennington, near Boston, 
 Lincolnshire, England, on the 25tli of December, 
 1830, and is a son of Henry and Maria (Wallhead) 
 Upsall. His parents were born, reared and died 
 in I^incolnshire. Their famih' numbered eight 
 children, as follows: Richard, the eldest, married 
 Betsj' Barton, and still resides in Lincolnshire; 
 
 Henry is the ne.xt younger; John, who came to 
 America in IS.'ie, was a soldier of the late war, 
 serving as a member of the Twelfth Indiana In- 
 fantry for ninety d.\vs; he afterward enlisted as 
 a substitute and died in Cairo, 111., from disease 
 contracted in the service; William went to Aus- 
 tralia, where he was married, and still resides; Mary 
 Ann died in England; Betsy resides in Australia; 
 Susan died in England, in the spring of 18',)2; 
 and Eliza, the youngest, also died in P^ngl.nnd 
 when about eighteen years of .age. 
 
 Ilenr}- Upsall learned the triide of a jeweler and 
 watch-maker in his native country, and emigrated 
 to America in 18.56. On coming to the United 
 States, he fii'st worked in Ft. Wayne, Ind., with 
 Messrs. Meyer it Graff. After the breaking out of 
 the late war, he enlisted on the 24th of October, 
 1862, as a member of the Twenty-third Indiana 
 Battery, but was discharged on the 23d of April, 
 1862, on account of physical disabilit}' caused bv 
 a fall from a caisson, while on duty. Returning 
 to Indiana, he again woiked at his trade in War- 
 saw of that State, being in the em|)loy of .lohii 
 Lane for four ^-ears. He then bought some land, 
 and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
 1866, when, having satisfied himself that he was 
 not cut out for a granger, he sold his farm, and 
 resumed work with Mr. Lane. 
 
 On the 23d of February, 18,58, Mr. Ipsall was 
 united in marriage in Swan Township, Noble 
 County, Ind., with Miss Margaret Fulk, who was 
 born in that township, and is a daughter of Solo- 
 mon Fulk. She died in May, 1869, leaving three 
 children, while Solomon, another child, had died 
 in infancy. Eliza Jane became the wife of John 
 Pittson, and is a resident of Iroquois. Joanna 
 is the wife of Lewis Ballon, who resides in Chicago, 
 and is employed as conductor on the Chicago A: 
 Eastern Illinois Railroad. John W. is employed 
 in his father's store in Watseka. On the 1st of 
 May, 1870, Mr. Up.sall was again married, in Bour- 
 bon, Ind. His present wife was Mrs. Mary Jane 
 McCarron, and a daughter of Henry H. Baxter, of 
 Bourbon. She was born in Greenfield, Ohio, and 
 is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Soon after his second marriage, in 1870, Mr, 
 Upsall removed to Watseka, 111., and in July of 
 
330 
 
 i'ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 that year established business in that city in a 
 small way. Hy industry and integrity, he gradu- 
 ally increased his business and acquired propert}', 
 until at this writing he is one of the substantial 
 business men of Watseka, and has protiably the 
 largest and best svock of goods in his line to be 
 found in the county. He owns his business house 
 and residence, and a second business building situ- 
 ated just east of tiie First National Bank. He also 
 has forty acres of land in Lincoln Township, New- 
 ton Count}', Ind. 
 
 In 1874, Mr. I'psall made a visit to his parents 
 at the old home in England, which was an event 
 in his life and theirs. They were verj' much ad- 
 vanced in years and were made happy over the 
 return of one son, while they mourned the loss of 
 the other son who had accompanied his brother to 
 America so many 3'ears before. Since then, botli 
 parents have passed away. The father died in 
 1883, at the advanced age of eightj'-nine years, and 
 the mother was called to her final rest in 1887, at 
 the age of eighty-five j'ears. 
 
 FREDERICK SCIHJOEDER. We wisii to 
 add to the old settlers' recoi'd and the his- 
 torj' of the prominent citizens of Iroquois 
 County the name of one of the enterprising and 
 well-to-do farmers of Martinton Township, Mr. 
 Schroeder, who resides on section 1. He is a 
 native of Prussia, CJerman}-, having been born May 
 8, 1842. His father, Joseph iSchroeder, was a farmer 
 of Prussia, and there spent his entire life, his 
 death occurring in 18o5. The familv numbered 
 ten children, four sons and six daughters. Tlie 
 brothers all came to this country, but two are now 
 deceased. Josepii (S., the eldest, is now a promi- 
 nent farmer of this county; John became a farmer 
 of Michigan and died in that State; Christian, who 
 was a shoemaker by trade, died in Chicago. 
 
 Frederick Schroeder, the j'oungest son, spent 
 the first fifteen years of his life in his native land. 
 He attended the public schools and acquired a 
 good education. In 1857 he bade good-bye to his 
 
 old home and sailed for America, taking yjassage 
 on a vessel wiiich left Hamburg and after about 
 thirty days dropped anchor in the liarbor of New 
 York. Tliis was about the 1st of IMay. Mr. 
 Seiiroeder at once made his wa}' to Chicago and 
 joined iiis brother Joseph, who several years pre- 
 vious had located in Cook County. He then be- 
 gan working on a farm by the month, being thus em- 
 ployed during the summer season, while in the win- 
 ter he attended the English schools. Thespringof 
 18(;2 witnessed his arrival in Iroquois County, 
 vvlicn lie joined his brother Joseph, who had here 
 purciiased a farm, working foi' him eight years. 
 In 1866 lie bought a tract of land of forty acres 
 adjoining that of his brother, and about two years 
 later bought an additional eighty acres, all being 
 wild prairie land. In 1870 he located thereon 
 and began the development and improvement of a 
 farm. 
 
 On April 16. 1870, at the home of his brother 
 Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage with Miss 
 Catherine Landsman, a native of German}', who, 
 came to this county with her parents when 
 quite young. The young couple begaTi their do- 
 mestic life upon the farm which Mr. Schroeder 
 had previously purchased. As the years passed 
 he placed it under a high state of cultivation, and 
 also e.x^tended its boundaries, until it now com- 
 prises two hundred and forty acres of richly im- 
 proved land which yields to him a golden tribute 
 m return for the care and cultivation he bestows 
 upon it. His home is a substantial and commo- 
 ious residence recentlj' erected, and his large barn, 
 granarj' and other outbuildings are models of con- 
 venience, and indicate the thrift and enterprise of 
 tlie owner. His is one of the best-improved 
 farms in this township. The success of Mr 
 Schroeder is all due entirely to his own efforts, for 
 he started out in life for himself a poor lioy, his 
 only capital being enterprise and industry, hut by 
 his labors he has accumulated a lai-ge and valua- 
 ble property. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Jlrs. Schroeder liave been liorn 
 six children, four sons and two daugliters: Jolm 
 W., the eldest, now assists his father in tlie 
 cultivation of the home farm; Louisa is a resident 
 of Chicago; Frank, Emma, William and Benjamin. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 331 
 
 They also lost one ebiki, Hulda, wiio dierl at the 
 age of six years. 
 
 Mr. Schroeder is identified with the Demo- 
 cratic party, He cast his (ii-st Presidential vote 
 for Aliraham Lincoln, and supported the Repulili- 
 can parly until 1884, when he joined the Democ- 
 racy. He takes quite an active part in local poli- 
 tics, has served as Road Commissioner, IXainage 
 Commissioner, and in other ofHcial positions of 
 honor and trust. He h.as been a member of the 
 School Board, and is a warm friend to the public- 
 school system. Himself and wife were both 
 reared in the I>utheiaii Church, but of later years 
 they have adhered to the faith of the Spiritual- 
 ist#. Mr. Sdiroeder lias long been a resident of 
 this county, and is widely and favorably known. 
 His duties of citizenship are always faithfully per- 
 fiiiined, and he is a man of sterliuff character. 
 
 mJ' 
 
 ' I. US C. ROSE was born in Oswego County, 
 N. Y., May 14, 1828, and was a son of Syl- 
 vester M. Rose, a native of Massachusetts, 
 _ born in 1794. When a young man of 
 twenty-one, his father removed to New York, and 
 there engaged in farming and school teaching 
 until thirty-two years of age. He was a great 
 reader, a life-long student, and after he had 
 reached the age of three-score years and ten he 
 made a stud^' of chemistry. He w.a.s married in 
 New Y('rk to Mary Earle. a native of the Empire 
 State, and they made their home in Oswego 
 County. His wife died at the age of fort3-oue 
 yeai-s. Eive sons were born of that union who 
 grew to mature years, but all are now deceased. 
 Carolan and Carlton both died in early manhood; 
 Courtland died in Michigan; .Julius died in this 
 county; and Lyman yi. spent his last days in Illi- 
 nois. The father outlive<l all his family and died 
 in Iroquois County in 1881, at the age of eighty- 
 seven years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
 public schools. At the age of si.xteen, he broke 
 his leg. and as this prevented his working on the 
 farm, he began teaching at the age of seveuteeu, 
 
 and continued that occupation at intervals until 
 twenty-five years of age. On attaining his ma- 
 jority, he went to Lyons, N. Y., and with a part- 
 ner ran a book-store for some two years. When 
 about twenty-four years of age, he came to Indi- 
 ana, locating in La Fayette, Tippecanoe County, 
 in 18.52. He there engaged in teaching school for 
 two terms, and among his students was Miss 
 Rlioda K. .Justice, born February ii. IX'Mi, in Cliilli- 
 cothe, Ohio, whom he made his wife .(uly 3, IHiyS. 
 She had emigrated to Indiana when five years of 
 age with her parents, who settled near La Fayette. 
 They resided in La Fayette until March, 1860, 
 when they started with teams to Iroquois Countj-. 
 During this journey the wagon stuck fast in a 
 slough between this place and Loda. and had to 
 be pulled out by ox-teams. l-"or three years be 
 rented land and then purchased a farm near 
 Cissna Park, where he resided for two years. He 
 then purchased the old farm on wiiicli his family 
 yet resides, buying thirteen hundred acres of 
 land, the greater part of which was still in its 
 primitive condition. Only sixty acres had been 
 placed under the jilow and a log cabin constituted 
 almost the entire improvements. ^The county was 
 full of wild deer, ducks and geese. He gave his 
 entile attention to farming and stock-raising, and 
 did an extensive business in shipping stock. 
 
 Mr. Rose held a number of public offices and 
 was Township Treasurer at the time of his death. 
 He took a great interest in educational matters 
 and the schools found in him a great friend. He 
 was a man of excellent business ability, and by 
 his fair dealing and well-directed efforts acquired 
 a handsome property, leaving to his family a good 
 home. He was a faithful member of the Chris- 
 tian Church, and his wife holds menibeiship with 
 the Jlethodist ICpiscopal Church. His death oc- 
 curred February 23, 1877, when the community 
 mourned the loss of one of its best citizens. 
 
 Mrs. Rose still resides on the home farm, and 
 in her management of affairs displays excellent 
 business and e.xeculive ability. In the family 
 were the following children: Sarah, who was 
 born in Indiana and died in that Slate in infancy; 
 Sylvester, a iiroiniiicnt resident of Cissna Park, 
 whose sketch is given below; Mary, who died in 
 
332 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 her third year; Martlia J., who was educated at 
 Lebanon, Ohio, and in Onarga Seminary, and suc- 
 cessfully engaged in teaching; Elizabeth, wlio was 
 educated at Greer College, of Hoopeston, and has 
 followed teaching for two years, is in the South- 
 ern Normal College at Bloom field, Iowa; Bertha, 
 who died at the age of four years; William, at 
 home; J.uella, who has engaged in teaching for 
 four years; and Arthur, who is still with his 
 mt>lhoi. 
 
 
 mA\ ILTON M. MEACIIAM, dealer in drugs, 
 medicines, paints, oils, etc, of Buckley, has 
 carried on business in this line for twenty 
 years. He was born in Franklin County, 
 Ohio, on the 11th of February, 1827, and is the 
 third in order of birth in a family of four children 
 whose parents were Riley and Hannah (Baldwin) 
 Meaeham. The father was a native of Massachu- 
 setts and the mother of New York. Li an early 
 day they emigrated Westward, locating in the 
 midst of the wilderness of Ohio, and amidst tiie 
 wild scenes of frontier life their children were 
 reared. The two eldest, Aurelia A. and Lawrence 
 L., are luith now deceased, but our subject has one 
 sister yet living, Roxanna R. The parents have 
 both been deceased for man>- years. 
 
 Upon his father's farm in the Buckeye Slate, 
 the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood. 
 His education was acquired in the public schools, 
 which he attended through the winter season, 
 while in the summer months he worked in tiie 
 fields. On the 6th of September, 18.53, lie led to 
 the marriage altar Miss Emma A. Benton, daughter 
 of Eliacum and Betsy (Meaeham) Benton. Four 
 children were born to their union, as follows: 
 Frank B., born .luly 11, I8."i4, was married to 
 Miss Lenora White, and with iiis family resides in 
 Sioux Falls, ,S. Dak. They have three children: 
 Charles M., Lulu and Grigsby. Riley, born Decem- 
 ber 8, 1856, died at the age of eight months. An- 
 geline A., born Augu.st 30, 1858, is the wife of W. 
 A. Haney, a resident of Buckley. P>dwin M., born 
 March 26, 1866, completes the family. 
 
 It was in April, 1864, that Mr. Meaeham left 
 Ohio, and came with his family to Illinois. He 
 made his first location in Ash Grove Township, 
 h'oquois Countj% where he resided for about two 
 .years. He then came to Buckley and was engaged 
 in carpentering for two years, but afterward fol- 
 lowed farming for a time. In 1872, he opened a 
 drug store, and has continued in this line of busi- 
 ness since. His stock consists of drugs, medicines, 
 paints, oils, books, stationery and druggist's sund- 
 ries. He has enjoyed a good trade from the be- 
 ginning, and has a liberal patronage, wliich yields 
 him a good income. 
 
 Mr. Meaeham has fre(juently lieeu called upon 
 to serve in public positions of honor and trust. 
 He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for - 
 eight years, was also Town Clerk, and for four 
 years served as Supervisor. At this writing, in the 
 fall of 1892, he is President of the Village Board 
 of Trustees. The prompt and faithful manner in 
 which he has ever discharged his official duties has 
 led to his frequent re-election, and has won him 
 the high commendatinn of all, whether opposed 
 to him politically or not. Mr. .Meaeham exei-eises 
 his right of franchise in support of the Democratic 
 party. He is a man of sterling worth, a straight- 
 forward business man, and during the twenty- 
 eight years of his residence in the count^^ he has 
 formed a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 
 
 ARM SCHAUMBURG is the owner of an 
 excellent farm of one hundred and sixty 
 acres, pleasantly located in Milford Town- 
 ship, about four miles from the village of 
 Milford, on section 6. There he carries on general 
 farming and stock-raising. He grows the cereals 
 best adapted to this climate, and devotes much 
 attention to the breeding of horses. He is a lover 
 of the noble steed, and an excellent judge of stock. 
 The greater part of his land is under a high state 
 of cultivation, and many good Improvements have 
 been made thereon, so that the place is novv one of 
 the model farms of the community, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 X\i>, 
 
 Mr. Sehaumtjuro; is a native of Prussia, Germany, 
 born on tlie 19tli of February, 1816. His parents, 
 Wiliielm and Kngel (Lencrts) Seliaumburg, had a 
 family of seven cliildren, but two died in infancy. 
 Of the remaining five, Leonard and Ludwig spent 
 tlieir entire lives in Germany, and are now de- 
 ceased. The mother and the three remaining sons, 
 Frantz, Harm and .John, came to America about 
 the year 1858. Crossing the Atlantic, they be- 
 came residents of Peoria, 111., and the brothers 
 worked on a farm in that vicinity for a few years. 
 Harm afterwards removed to Adams County, 111., 
 and a few months later, in 18(>4, enlisted in the 
 service of his adopted country as a member of the 
 One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry. 
 He was assigned to Company B, and was with his 
 commander for about four months, when he was 
 mustered out. Frantz was also in the war. lie 
 became a member of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, 
 and served for more than three years. After being 
 discharged, he returned to his home near Peoria, 
 and married Miss Rosene, daughter of Ralph Damm. 
 They have a family of six living cliildren. John 
 was married in Minonk, and has a family of five 
 children. 
 
 After his return from the war, Mr. Schaumburg 
 continued to engage in farm labor for some time. 
 On the 27th of January, 1871, he was joined in 
 wedlock with Miss Anna Lueht, daughter of Frank 
 and Peterke (.Myer) Lucht. Her father is an old 
 sea-captain. Her mother, a native of Germany, is 
 now deceased. By the union of our subject and 
 his wife have been born twelve children, eight 
 sons and four daughters, and with one exception 
 all are yet living. William, born April 12, 1871; 
 Pelerkc Emma, July 12, 1872: Engel, January 
 30, 1871; Frederick, October 17, 1875; Wirtje, 
 December 31. 1876; Harm, March 26, 1878; Jonas, 
 l)eceml)cr 'J. 1880; Frantz, June 26, 1882; Anna, 
 August 17, 1881; Almrtli Johanna, December 12. 
 1886, died on the 30th of April, 1888; Ludwig, 
 born .September 29, 1888; and Johannus Gerhard, 
 November 2!), 1891. 
 
 In the .spring of 1874, Mr. Schaumburg came to 
 Iroquois County from Livingston County, 111., 
 and settled on an eighty-acre farm in Milford 
 Township, about five and a-half miles west of the 
 
 village. He there resided for nine years, on the 
 expiration of which period he sold that tract, and 
 bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty 
 acres on section 6, Milford Townshii), about a mile 
 and a-half south of the old home. It has since 
 been their place of residence. Our subject and 
 his wife are both members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and are peo()le of sterling worth, known and 
 honored throughout the community. In his social 
 relations, he is a member of A'ennum Post No. 
 471, G. A. \l., and in \n> political alliliations he is 
 a Democrat. 
 
 -m>^<B 
 
 *^ YLVESTER M. ROSE, the eldest son of 
 ^^^ Julius Rose, was born on his father's 
 Itl^^ farm near La Fayette, Ind., February 15, 
 ^ — 1856, but at an early age came to this 
 county with the family. He acquired a good edu- 
 cation and is a well-informed man. He experi- 
 enced all the l)ardshii)s and trials of pioneer life, 
 and was early inured to the hard labor of develop- 
 ing a new farm. At the age of twenty-six he 
 left home. When eighteen years of age, his fa- 
 ther had given him his time, but he continued to 
 work on the old homestead. In 1881, he came to 
 Cissna Park, and in February of that year began 
 dealing in hardware and lumber as one of the 
 Ijioueer merchants of this (jlace. In 1885, he sold 
 out his hardware and began dealing in grain and 
 coal. Two years later he sold his lumber yard, 
 but repurchased it in 1889, and now carries on 
 business as a lumber, grain and coal dealer. He 
 built the Rose elevator, one of the largest in the 
 county, which has a capacity of one hundred 
 thousand bushels, and does an extensive business, 
 amounting in 1891 to $100,000. He spends part 
 of his time in Chicago and is connected with Will- 
 iam H. Cowles, a commission merchant on the 
 Board of Trade. He started in business with 
 $2,000. and has made the greater part of his posses- 
 sions through his own efforts. 
 
 On the 13th of February, 1889, Mr. Rose was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Mary, daughter of 
 E. G. Hickman, and a native of Fountain Creek 
 
334 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Township, this county. They have a pleasant 
 home in Cissna Park and are numbered among its 
 best citizens. Mr. Rose is a stalwart advocate of 
 Republican principles and has served as a mem- 
 ber of tiie Council since the organization of the 
 town. In business circles he ranks high, and by 
 his own industry and perseverance he has worked 
 his way ujjward to a position of wealth. His life 
 has been one of signal success, and he is now en- 
 joying a well-deserved ])rosperity. 
 
 1 
 
 ]||OHN FERNALD, oneof the prominent man- 
 ufacturers of Lovejo}' Township, is the pro- 
 prietor of a large tile factory, and a leading 
 business man, who has a wide acquaintance 
 throughout Iroquois County. His life record is 
 as follows: He was born in Carlisle, Cumberland 
 County, Pa., .January 18, 1837, and is descended 
 from good old Revolutionary stock on the ma- 
 ternal side. His parents were Benjamin and Sarah 
 B. (Wright) Fernald. His father, a native of 
 Cape Cod, Mass., boi-n May 28, 1792, was a boot 
 and shoemaker by trade, and followed that busi- 
 ness for sixty years. He was a soldier in the War 
 of 1812, and aided in the defense of Baltimore 
 when the British undertook to burn that city. 
 He died January 1. 1884. His wife, who was 
 born in Pennsylvania, October 28, 1799, was the 
 daughter of a Revolutionaiy soldier. Her father, 
 Robert Wright, lived to the advanced age of 
 eighty-nine years and six months, and died in 
 Indiana. Mrs. Fernald died in Indiana, April 4, 
 1869. Tiie parents of our subject were both mem- 
 bers of the Presbyteiian Ciiureh. Their family 
 numbered ten children, seven sons and three 
 daughters, of whom three are yet living. 
 
 John Fernald, whose name heads this record, 
 spent the first nine j'cars of his life in Carlisle, 
 Pa., and then, in 1846, accompanied bis parents to 
 Clinton County, Ind., when, at the age of seven- 
 teen, he started out in life for himself, following 
 agricultural pursuits. In 1870, he began the man- 
 ufacture of tile in Indiana, continuing in that line 
 of business for eleven years. In the meantime, lie 
 
 had erected a factory in Hoopeston, investing a 
 capital of 16,000, .and there remained for three 
 years, doing a successful business. On the expira- 
 tion of that time, he disposed of his factory and, 
 in company with his brother-in-law, Frank Jenkins, 
 built a factory in Templeton, Benton County, Ind. 
 While there the brother-in-law died. Mr. Fernald 
 w.as appointed administrator of his estate, and sold 
 out the business. He then located his present large 
 factory in Wellington, with a capital of $8,000. The 
 factory is supplied with the most modern im- 
 provements, and he does an excellent business. 
 Lately, he has given over the general manage- 
 ment of the large interest to his son, George 
 Cliester, a practical and enterprising business man, 
 and Mr. Fernald devotes his entire attention to 
 a new invention, the Columbia Tile and Brick 
 M.achino, which is now in the hands of the proper 
 officers, and in a short time he expects to have a 
 patent thereon. For twenty-two years, Mr, Fer- 
 nald has studied along this line, and his thought 
 and hibor have at length resulted in this invention 
 which will no doubt prove of the utmost impor- 
 tance and benefit to those engaged in the manu- 
 facture of tile. His large factory at AVellington 
 has a capacity of five hundred thousand tile an- 
 nually, and he has a large and constantly-increas- 
 ing trade. 
 
 On the 9th of April, 1863, Mr, Fernald mar- 
 ried Miss Martha Jenkins, daughter of William 
 and Eliza (Lock) Je.nkins. The lad}' is a native 
 of Clinton County, Ind., born December 5, 1843. 
 Her father was a farmer, but followed steamboat- 
 ing on the Ohio River. He died at about the 
 age of seventy-four years. Her mother, who was 
 born and reared in the Buckeye State, was called 
 to her final rest at the early age of twenty -six 
 years. Both were members of the Presbyterian 
 Church. Unto Mr, and Mrs. Fernald have been 
 born seven children, and the family circle yet re- 
 mains unbroken by the hand of Death. In order 
 of birth tliey are as follows: William .J., who was 
 graduated from the Rush Medical College, of Chi- 
 cago, in 1890, in a class of ninety, is now a prac- 
 ticing physician and surgeon of Rantoul, 111.; 
 .\llen B., who w.as graduated from tiio Chicago 
 College of Dental Surgery, is eugiiged in the pruc- 
 

 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tice of dentistry at Galesburg, 111.; George Chester 
 is manager of the Wellington Tile Factorj'; Hari3' 
 AV. IS attending a dental scliool in Chicago; Asa 
 C. Mary B. and Mattie F. are all at home. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Fernald was a 
 stanch Republican from the time when he cast his 
 first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln until 
 1888, when he joined the ranks of the Prohibi- 
 tion party. Me has long been a warm advocate 
 of temperance principles, and, believing prohibi- 
 tion to be the most important issue now before 
 tiie people, he joined the party whicii embodies 
 his principles. He is a member of the CJood Tem- 
 ])hus' Society, and tiie cause of education finds in 
 him a warm friend. Himself, wife and children 
 are all members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
 ■Wellington, and take an active interest in all 
 church and Sundav -school work. Tiie family are 
 classed among the best citizens of Irofjuois County 
 and in social circles rank high. 
 
 Mr. Fernald is a man of excellent business abil- 
 ity, sagacious and far-sighted, and his inventive 
 genius is of a high order. Hand and brain have 
 brought him the success which has crowned his 
 effort* and made him one of tlic sulistantial citizens 
 of the communitv. 
 
 JASPER PHUTSMAN, who is engaged in 
 the manufacture of brick and tile, is one of 
 the successful and progressive business men 
 of ^lilford, and the business to which he 
 devotes liis attention is one of its leading indus- 
 tries. 
 
 As Mr. Prutsinan is well and favorably known 
 throughout Iroquois County, we feel assured that 
 this record of his life will prove of interest to 
 many of our readers. He was born near Attica, in 
 Fountain County, Ind., on the 12th of February, 
 1836, and is one of twelve children. The parents 
 were David and Maxey M. (McMuUin) Prutsman, 
 the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter 
 of Kentucky. Only two of the children are now 
 living. The members of the family were Daniel, 
 .lohti. F.lizalicth, KUeii, pavid, Mary, .la-sper, Car- 
 lo 
 
 oline and four who died in infancy. The father 
 of tliis family died in Indiana in 1837, when our 
 subject was little more than a year old. His mo- 
 ther continued to reside in that State until 1852, 
 and there reared her family. She then came to 
 Illinois and made her home with her son .lasper. 
 
 Our subject had no siieeial advantages in his 
 youth, in fact, from an early age he was dependent 
 upon his own resources. Whatever success he has 
 achieved in life is due to his own efforts and 
 stands as a monument to his entoriirise. On com- 
 ing to Illinois, he entered eighty acres of land in 
 Prairie Green Township and began the develop- 
 ment of a farm, transforming the wild tract into 
 rich and fertile fields. After nine years, he re- 
 moved to Milford Township and engaged in 
 furnishing timber for corporations and firms, who 
 used great quantities of it. It was in 1872 that 
 he embarked in his present line of business. He es- 
 tablished a brick and tile factory, and is yet carry- 
 ing on operations in that line. From the begin- 
 ning success has attended his efforts and his trade 
 li.is constantly increased. He furnished nearly all 
 of the Ijriek used in building in IMilford and h.as 
 had large sales el.sewhere. 
 
 In 18.56, Mr. Prutsman was united in marriage 
 with Miss Lucinda Crow, daughter of David and 
 Mary Crow. The>' had a family of eight children, 
 six of whom are yet living: Alfred, born Februai-y 
 12,1858; Mary M., April 2!), 1860; Smilinda K., 
 February 9, 1862; Orea, ^March 8, 1861; Martha E., 
 April 26, 1865; Frank, July 6, 1867; Aiata, April 11. 
 1870, and one who died in infancy. On the loth 
 of March, 1881, Mar}' became the wife of (George 
 Gibbs, whose death occurred about 1888, leaving 
 three children, Walter G., (ieorge and Leila. By 
 a second mairiage she has one daughter, Angie. 
 
 Socially, Mr. Prutsman is a member of Milford 
 Lodge No. 168, A. F. .t A.M., and both he and his 
 wife are members of the Jlclhodist Episcopal 
 Church. Politically, he is a Republican, having 
 cast his first vote for President Lincoln. In con- 
 nection with his other property, he owns a desirable 
 farm of one hundred and twelve acres, a half-mile 
 west of Milford, on which he makes his home. His 
 business has grown from a small beginning to one 
 of excellent proportions, in fact, iijs tile and brick 
 
338 
 
 PORTRAIT A'ST) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 j'ard is the largest in the county. The material 
 which be uses is of a superior quality and no better 
 tile is manufactured in this part of the country. 
 Mr. Prutsman has now an excellent trade, which is 
 well deserved. lie is a self-made man who started 
 out in life empty-handed, but by industry and en- 
 terprise overcame the obstacles in his path and 
 worked his way upward to success. He has ever 
 taken an active interest in the welfare of the com- 
 munity and is classed among its best citizens. Dur- 
 ing the late war, when many husbands and fathers 
 were at the front, he aided in looking after their 
 families and often gave then substantial assistance. 
 
 ♦==» ss» y 
 
 (t]. ^^KRMAN SALMON, an enterprising farmer 
 
 llTjlj and valued citizen of Ash Grove Town- 
 !^^ ship, residing on section 9, claims Germany' 
 (^) as the land of his birth. He was born in 
 Westphalia, near the town of Enger, on the 4th of 
 August, 1860. His father emigrated with his fam- 
 ilj' to America and removed from Will County, 
 111., to this county in 1875. Within a year he was 
 called to his final rest, and his remains were inter- 
 red in St. Paul's Churchyard, in Wood worth. 
 
 Mr. Salmon, whose name heads this sketch, was 
 brought to America when six years of age. His 
 education was acquired in the public and parochial 
 schools, he studying both in German and Englisli. 
 With tlie family he came to Iroquois County in 
 187.5, and after his father's death operated the 
 home farm for a number of years, except for about 
 one year, when, at the age of sixteen, he was em- 
 ployed as salesman in the store of Fred W. Meyer. 
 About 1880. he purchased his present farm of 
 eighty acres and in connection with it continued 
 to oi)erate the home farm until about six 3'ears 
 ago. 
 
 The lady who is now Mrs. Salmon w.as in her 
 maidenhood Miss Lizzie Munsterinann, a daugh- 
 ter of Henry Munstermann, who came to this 
 county about nineteen years ago. She was boin 
 in Hanover, Germany, on tbo 24th of April, I86O1 
 iTud in the year 1873 c.anje tq A'^si'i'^^i sfiiling 
 
 from Hamburg to New York. On the 4 th of 
 March, 1886, she gave her hand in marriage to our 
 subject. By their union have been born three chil- 
 dren: Herman H., born July 7, 1887; Delia, March 
 11, 1889; and Lydia, December 2, 1890. All were 
 born on the home farm. 
 
 Mr. Salmon now owns eighty acres of land and 
 operates fort}' acres in addition. His home, newly 
 built, is a comfortable residence, surrounded with 
 good improvements, including good barns and out- 
 buildings, and these in turn are situated in the 
 midst of waving fields of grain, whose rich fertility 
 tells of abundant harvests. Mr. Salmon is engaged 
 in general farming and success has attended his 
 efforts. He is a sagacious and far-sighted business 
 man, enterprising and progressive, and his labors 
 have received their reward in a well-deserved pros- 
 perity. Religiously, he is a member of the Luth- 
 eran Cliurch and has been President of the con- 
 gregation for three years. He served as School 
 Director for six years and has been Collector of 
 the township. By his first Presidential vote, he 
 supported .James G. Blaine in 1884, and has since 
 attiliated with the Republican party. 
 
 J <^. 1 .^ EL-,_> . S 
 
 AMES E. DOANE, who carries on general 
 farming on section 26, Ridgcl.and Township, 
 has the honor of being a native of this 
 State, his birth having occurred near Earl- 
 villc. La Salle County, on the 12th of .January, 
 1845. His father, Corren Doane, was a native of 
 Cape Cod, Mass., and the family is of Scotch de- 
 scent. He was twice married, and by his first 
 union had one child. He afterward married Han- 
 nah Stilson, the mother of our subject, and they 
 became the parents of seven children: Samuel, who 
 died in 1867; Robert, a retired farmer, residing in 
 Plainfield, 111.; Harriet, who is living in Plainfleld, 
 is the wife of William Austin; Carrie, wife of B. 
 H. Dougherty, who is engaged in .agricultural pur- 
 suits in Onarga Township; Mary, wife of Charles 
 Austin, who is living in Piper City, Ford County, 
 111,; Bernice, wife of P. H, Hogue, who is living 
 J!) plainfield; and .James li, of this sketch. The 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 339 
 
 fatlier died in 1875, and the mollier, who survived 
 liiin fifteen years, passed away in 1890. 
 
 Our subject spent the days of his lioyhood and 
 youth upon his fatlier's farm, and acquired a 
 good common school education, attending school 
 Ihrougli the winter months until sixteen years of 
 age, wliile in the summer season he worked in the 
 tields. " lie remained at home until twenty years 
 of age, when,)!! .^larcli, 1865. he responded to the 
 call for troops, and enlisted as a private of Com- 
 pany I, One Hundred and Kifty sixtii Illinois In- 
 fantry. He was mustered into service at Joliet, 
 and thence was sent to Nashville, and on to Chat- 
 tanooga and Jlemphis, remaining in the latter 
 city on guard duty until September, 18(!o, when 
 he was honorabl3' discharged. 
 
 When thecountrj- no longer need (jd his service, 
 Mr. Doane returned to his home, and worked for 
 his father until he had attained his majorit3', and 
 for a year afterward, being emjjloyed by the 
 mouth. He then rented his father's farm, which 
 he operated for a j'ear, when he removed to Iro- 
 quois County. This was in 1867. He purchased 
 eighty acres of land on section 20, Ridgeland 
 Township, began its develoinnont, and has since 
 made his home thereon. 
 
 In .lanuar}' of the same year in which he came 
 1o this county, "Mr. Doane was united in marriage 
 with Miss Susan Hogue, daughter of Jonathan and 
 Lydia Hogue. By their union was born a daugh- 
 ter, Florence O., who w.as educated in the Onarga 
 schools, and resides in Crete, Neb. The mother, 
 after several years' illness, died of consumption on 
 the 26th of March, 1890, and her remains were 
 interred in Onarga cemetery. She was a lad}' of 
 man}' excellencies of character and her loss was 
 deeply lamented. 
 
 With characteristic energy, Mr. Doane began the 
 cultivation of his land, and the well-tilled fields 
 and the neat appearance of the place indicate the 
 thrift and enterprise of the owner. He carries on 
 general farming and stock-raising, and has met 
 with excellent success in his undertakings. The 
 boundaries of his farm he has extended by addi- 
 tional purchase, until now one hundred and sixt}- 
 acres of arablp land pay tribute to his care and 
 cultiyatiop, fljs life lijvs been a busy one, but 
 
 aside from his farm duties he has found time to 
 devote to his duties of citizenship. He exercises 
 his right of franchise in support of the Republican 
 party, but has never been an otlice-seeker. He 
 holds membership with the Methodist Church, and 
 his upright and liunorable career has won him hiirh 
 regard. 
 
 ![, ALE BROS, is a well-known inercanlile 
 
 If )j^ firm of Buckley, composed of Samuel T. 
 iilt^' and George B. Hale. The former was born 
 ((g^ in Pulaski, N. Y., on the ")th of .Fuly, 1815, 
 and the latter was born in Oshkosh, Wis., on the 
 1st of June, 1818. Their father, Samuel Hale, 
 Sr., was born March 26, 1804, in Ilollis. N. II., 
 and was one of five sons. The grandfather used 
 to talk about his thirty feet of sons, they being 
 on an average six feet tall. 
 
 In the East Samuel Hale, Sr., was united in 
 marriage, November 3, 18-12, with Miss Louisa 
 Brown, who was born in Oswego County, N. Y., 
 July 10, 1820. In 1813, he emigrated Westward 
 with his family, locating in Wisconsin. He en- 
 tered a tract of land near Oshkosh, and afterward 
 ke))t an hotel in thatcit}- and in Fond du Lac. In 
 1853, he came with liis family to Illinois, settling 
 in Decatur, wliere he wa-s engaged in the lumber 
 business. He established the first planing-mill at 
 that place and was engaged in the grain busi- 
 ness there. In the winter of 1861, he removed to 
 Loda, III., and in 1867 went to a farm of two 
 hundred and eight}- acres in Iro(iuois County, 
 about five and a-half miles northeast of Buckley. 
 There he resided with his family for about twenty 
 years. In 1877, he sold the farm to his sons, Sam- 
 uel and George, and ten years later removed to 
 Buckley. The following year he lost his eye- 
 sight, and on the 6th of April, 1890, died from 
 la grippe. 
 
 The mother of this family is still living at 
 Buckley with hor children at the age of seventy- 
 two years. In the family were six children, four 
 sons and two daughters, as follows; Flora, Sani- 
 ue) T,. George B.; Frankie. who diec| when thir- 
 
340 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 teen months old; Louise and William. They have 
 a beautiful and comfortable home in Buckley, 
 and all of the living children are still with their 
 mother exce|)t William, wlio married Miss Flora 
 Mell, daughter of William Mell. However, he i-e- 
 sides in Buckley. 
 
 Tlie two gentlemen comprising the firm of Ilale 
 Bros, both received good educational advantages 
 in the public schools of Decatur, 111. About 1877 
 they bought their father's farm, which remained 
 ill their possession until 1 SIM, when they sold it 
 to 'Sly. Saore. Forming a [lartnership, they em- 
 barked in the stock l)usiness, shipping horses, cat- 
 tle and hogs, and to this enterprise still devote 
 considerable attention. In November, 1890, they 
 opened a. general merchandise store in Buckley, 
 and are carrying on business under the firm 
 name of Hale Bros. In addition to their town 
 property', thej- are quite extensively interested in 
 farm lands. Tliey are men of good business abil- 
 ity, .sagacious and far-sighted, and by their well- 
 directed efforts have achieved success. TLiey are 
 enjoying an excellent trade, which they well de- 
 serve. Throughout the community they are 
 widely and favorably known, and have tlie con- 
 fidence and good-will of all with whom they have 
 been brought in contact. The raembeis of the 
 Hale family are all supporters of Republican prin- 
 ciples. 
 
 — r^^-r — 
 
 ^^ 
 
 PR. RICHARD TALIAFERRO, an honored 
 ) pioneer of Iroquois Count3', was born in 
 Virginia on the llth of August, 1818, and 
 was the eldest in a family of twelve children. The 
 father, .Jones Taliaferro, w.as also a native of the 
 Old Dominion. When a mere lad, Richard left 
 the State of his nativity .and went to Ohio. He 
 secured a good education while yet a young man, 
 and, having determined to make the practice of 
 medicine his life work, he studied that science for 
 some time, after whicli he w.as graduated from the 
 Medical School of Cincinnati, Ohio. He entered 
 upon the iirosecution of his chosen profession in 
 the Slate of Indiana, but subsequently removed 
 to Illinois. 
 
 It was in the year 1848 that Dr. Taliaferro lo- 
 cated in old Middleport, where he opened an of- 
 fice and began practice. After residing there for 
 about two years, he w.as married on the 22d of 
 June, 1850, the lady of his choice being Miss Jen- 
 nie Stanley, daughter of Micajah Stanley, well 
 known .as one of the first settlers and honored pio- 
 neers of Watseka. He was, no doubt, the most 
 prominent of her citizens in securing the estab- 
 lishment of the town on the present site, and 
 aidi^d materially in the development which has 
 since been made. A sketch of his life apiiears on 
 another page of this work. 
 
 Unto Dr. and Mrs. Taliaferro were born five 
 children, three sons and two daughters: Rebecca, 
 born July 16, 1851, died on the 20th of Octo- 
 ber, 1876. Jones, born November 7, 1854, married 
 Klla Thompson November 15. 1884, in White 
 Oaks, N. M., where he now resides. They have 
 two sons. James, born October 15, 1856, died on 
 the 1st of December, IJSCiO. M. Stanley w.as born 
 September 15, I860, and in Watseka, on the 7th 
 of February, 1884, married Emma Louise Riggle. 
 They have one daughter and have lost a son. 
 Lida, born January 12, 1864, became the wife of 
 Charles Buford, of Covington, Ky. They were 
 married January 15, 1884, in White Oaks, N. M., 
 where they resided until the death of Mr. Buford 
 in 1889. On the 15th of May, 1890, Mrs. Bu- 
 ford returned to Watseka and is now living with 
 her luollier. She has two children: Kittie, who 
 was born December Id, 1884; and Stanley, Au- 
 gust 21, 1889. 
 
 In October, 1850, Dr. Taliaferro and his wife 
 left Iroquois County and removed to Clay County, 
 111., where he resided for several years, engaged in 
 general merchandising. In 1861, he was elected 
 Circuit Clerk of that county on the Democratic 
 ticket. He also held the ofhce of Justice of the 
 Peace and other oflici.al positions. Of the prin- 
 ciples of Demociiicy he was a stanch advocate 
 and ever took an active part in promoting the 
 interests of his party. Socially, he was a member 
 of the Masonic fraternity. Wherever he lived 
 he was an honored citizen, for his upright life 
 andstraightforwiird course won him the confidence 
 and high esteem of all with whom he was lirought 
 

 »:•/ 
 w - ^''i*' 
 
 ""^^^s-.vj 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 1 
 
 %>\ . 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 MS 
 
 in contact. Ile^dicd in October, 1872, of typhoid 
 fever, and many warm friends mourned liis loss. 
 Mrs. Taliaferro, a most estimable lady, makes iier 
 home in Watseka, and will probablj' spend tlie re- 
 mainder of her da3-s in Iroquois County, wliere 
 much of her life has been passed. 
 
 Y^^-DDV IIAKPKK has spent his entire life in 
 lU) Onarga Township, and is a wortliy reprc- 
 ■ i^ — --^ seulative of one of the honored pioneer fam- 
 ilies of the county. His parentis were Samuel H. 
 and ^lary (Lehigh) Harper, the father a native of 
 Cumberland County', Pa., born March 20, 1814, 
 and tlie mother of Mason County, Va., born May 
 22, 1820. In 183;) Samuel Harper came to this 
 State from Ohio, and his wife removed from Ind- 
 iana to Illinois. Their marriage was celebrated 
 April 16, 1839, in Onarga Township, after which 
 Mr. Haiper entered one hundred and sixl^- acres 
 of land from the Government, and from the tract 
 of raw prairie began the development of a farm. 
 Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement 
 made, but he converted it into rich and fertile 
 fields. He afterward made additional purchases 
 until he obtained three hundred and sixty-six 
 acres of land in Onarga Township, about two miles 
 from the village of Onarga. He was an industrious 
 and enterprising farmer, who engaged in agricul- 
 tural pursuits throughout his entire life. His 
 pioneer round-log cal)in gave way to a hewn-log 
 house, which, in turn, was replaced by a substantial 
 frame house, the present home of his family. 
 Himself and wife have been pre eminently useful 
 iiu'inbers of society and of the church. In 1840, 
 they united with the Methodist Kpiscopal Church, 
 ill which he took a leading part, serving as Steward 
 and Trustee. He was also a member of the first 
 Board of Trustees of (irand Prairie Seminary of 
 Onarga, holding the position until a few j-ears 
 prior to his death. To this institution, as well as 
 to the Church, he was a liberal contributor. 
 
 Mr. Harper was a man well informed, consider- 
 ing his advantages. \Vlieii three jears of age, he 
 
 accompanied his parents, Samuel and Mary (Mc- 
 Coy) Hari)er, from Penns^-Jvania to Ohio. His 
 early life was therefore spent on the frontier, 
 where educational and social advantages were 
 meagre. Whether linancially or otherwise consid- 
 ered, he was a self-made man. Politically, he was 
 a Republican until the rise of the Prohibition partyi 
 when he became identified with it. His death oc- 
 curred on the 21st of April, 1889. Thus anollier 
 old pioneer passed away and his loss was felt 
 throughout the communii}-. The mother of our 
 subject is still living and is one of the earliest set- 
 tlers in the townshij). She has watched the entire 
 growth and development of this county, has seen 
 its progress and upbuilding and well deserves men- 
 tion in its history. She is a most estimable lady 
 and her many excellencies of character have won for 
 her the high regard of all with whom she has 
 been brought in contact. 
 
 The Harper famih' numbered the following 
 children: Alexander, who married Miss Ma^- .Miles, 
 by whom he has throe daughters, enlisted in 1861, 
 as a member of Company C, One Iluudrod and 
 Thirteenth Illinois Infantrj', and served through- 
 out the war as a faithful and valiant soldier. He 
 now resides in the State of Washington. Harriet 
 E. is the wifeof Orin Hull, and resides in .St. Louis, 
 Mo.; Alvina is the wifeof Charles David and to them 
 have been born three sons and a daughter. Ella 
 E. married William S. Harnes and they have two 
 children, both daughters. John enlisted as one of 
 the Boys in Blue of the same company to which his 
 brother belonged and served for about four years. 
 All traces of him were then lost and as he has not 
 since been heard from it is supposed he was killed. 
 The other members of the famil\- were Cieorge W., 
 and JLargaret >1.; Eddy and las twin sister, Eva, are 
 still home. All except two of the children were 
 educated in (hand Prairie Seminary. 
 
 Eddy Harper was born on his father's farm in 
 Onarga Township on the 2.')th of .March," 1857, 
 and in the usual manner of farmer lads the day-s 
 of his boyhood and youth were [jassed. His pri- 
 mary education was ac(iuired in the common 
 schools and supplemented by a course in Grand 
 Prairie .Seminary of Onarga. He still resides on 
 the home farm and is managing the homestead for 
 
344 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his mother. In politics he is a supporter of Repub- 
 lican principles. He belongs to the Methodist 
 Episcopal Clmrch of Onarga and is now serving 
 as Trustee. His honor.able, upright life has won 
 him the high regard, the confidence and good-will 
 of all with wiiom he has been brought in contact 
 and he has many friends throughout the county, 
 where liis entire life has been passed. 
 
 ig^I-l^li; 
 
 ^'!^aTC:^..C'K> 
 
 eHARLES MEYER, dealer in furniture and 
 an undertaker, is a leading German of Gil- 
 man. His birth occurred in Colberg, Prus- 
 sia, Germany, on the 1st of November, 1839. He 
 is a son of Carl and Willhemina (Ebert) Meyer, 
 both natives of the same countr}-. When sixteen 
 years of age his father entered the Prussian army 
 and served there a period of some six years. 
 Afterward he became Assistant Warden of the 
 penitentiary at Naugard. He continued in otlice 
 until the labor became too arduous for his advanc- 
 ing years, and was then retired (m a pension, 
 which he drew as long as he lived. The mother 
 is still living. In their famil}' were nine children, 
 of whom live sons and three daughters yet sur- 
 vive. All of the boys came to the United States. 
 Otto resides in Oilman, while William, Paul and 
 Ernest make their homes at Peoria. 
 
 Onr subject is the third child of his father's 
 family, and received such education as was af- 
 forded by the common schools of his native land. 
 When about fourteen years of age he went into a 
 store and clerked for four years for merely nom- 
 inal wages, and the following two years at a very- 
 small salary. Being of age to go into the army at 
 that time, he was once mustered into service, but 
 being put off a ye.ar, he obtained a visitor's pass 
 and came to America. In 1859 he sailed for 
 Quebec from Hamburg, taking one hundred and 
 fourteen days to reach liis destination. While 
 p.assing through the Irish Channel, a violent wind- 
 storm stripped the rigging from the vessel, and 
 tliey were obliged to run into port for repairs. 
 They were further delayed for six days on Gross 
 Island, on account of the presence of varioloid on 
 
 board. Landing in America in August, he first 
 visited Quebec and Toronto, and then came on as 
 fur as Milwaukee. As he has never concluded his 
 visit to the United States, doubtless his pass is still 
 good. He next went to Manistee, Mich., and soon 
 afterward started for Galveston, Tex., but only 
 proceeded as far as Memphis, on account of the 
 breaking out of the war. He then turned back to 
 St. Louis, and finally came to Iroqnois Count}', 
 working on a farm near Loda. 
 
 That it was owing to no lack of bravery that 
 our subject evaded the law of his Fatherland, 
 subjecting all young men to military service and 
 discipline, is shown by the fact that after coming 
 to the United States he turned no deaf ear to tiie 
 call of his adopted countrj' for defcndei-s of tiie 
 Union, but donned the blue and started fearlessly 
 to the rescue of the Flag. August 13, 1862, he en- 
 listed in Company E, Illinois Infantry, but as 
 that company's ranks were already full, was 
 placed in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty- 
 ninth Illinois Infantry, which joined the Cumber- 
 land Army. For some time he was placed on 
 guard duty, and the first battle in which he parti- 
 cipated was Resaca. Afterward he took part in 
 the battles of Dallas, Lost Mountain and Kenesaw 
 Mountain. Wliile carrying a log off a hill at Dal- 
 las, he received severe internal injuries, and after 
 the battle of Kenesaw Mountain was sent to the 
 rear. For some eight months he was in tlie hos- 
 pital at Nashville, and when he was able he re- 
 joined his command in Virginia, remaining in the 
 service until discharged in Chicago, in .June, 
 186.'}. Mr. Meyer made a good soldier, and has 
 an army record of which no one need be ashamed. 
 He was ever at his post of duty, and sliowed great 
 courage on all occasions. 
 
 In February, 1866, Mr. Meyer came to Oilman, 
 and embarked in the meat-market business. Sub- 
 sequently he was in the grocery trade, and for tiie 
 last seventeen years has been a dealer in furniture, 
 and also carries on the undertaking business. 
 
 Mr. Meyer was married in September, 1870, at 
 Watseka, to Miss Kate Gross, a native of Bavaria, 
 German}', who came in her ciiiidhood to the 
 United States with her parents. To our worth}' 
 subject and his wife were born five children: Ed- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ward; Lama, who died wlien about nine years old; 
 Lizzie, Ailluir and Carl. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Meyer arc both supporters of tlie 
 Lutheran Church. Politically, our subject was a 
 Republican until 1872, and since that time has 
 l)een a stanch advocate of the Democracy. He is 
 an intlHcnlial man in political circles, and takes 
 an active part in political meetings and conven- 
 tions. The fellow-citizens of Mr. Meyer, appre- 
 ciating his worth and ability, have frequently 
 called upon him to serve in public positions. He 
 is still a member of the Board of Aldermen of (iil- 
 man. and has served as such for a number of 
 years. He is Town Clerk, and has served for 
 some five years as Collector, and for sixteen years 
 has been Justice of the Peace. The duties of these 
 otlices he has ever discharged in a prompt and 
 faithful manner, thus winning the respect of even 
 his political enemies. Socially, he is a M.ason, 
 Odd Fellow and Commander of Oilman Post No. 
 186, G. A. R. Mr. Meyer is in good circum- 
 stances, and has prosi)ered in his busines.s. During 
 his long residence of over a quarter of a century 
 in tliis locality lie has made many friends by his 
 upright and straightforward life. 
 
 E WITT CLINTON ADSIT, who carries 
 ^'' on general farming on section 12, Love- 
 joy Township, and is numbered among its 
 early settlers, claims Ohio as the .State of 
 his nativity. He was born in Clinton County, on 
 the 2d of October, 1831, and in a family of ten 
 children, numbering five sons and five daughters, 
 he is the fifth in order of birth. His parents, 
 Samuel and Sarah Elizabeth (Stowe) Arts it, are 
 mentioned in the sketch of Stephen Adsit, of Well- 
 ington, on another page of this work. 
 
 The subject of this record spent his boyhood 
 days in Ohio until nine years of age, and then ac- 
 companied his parents on their removal to Adams 
 County, Ind., where he remained until he had at- 
 tained his majority. The family were among the 
 early settlers of that locality and he aided his 
 
 father in the .arduous task of dealing the land 
 ready for the plow. His early education was 
 quite primitive, but by his own exertions he has 
 acquired an excellent fund of knowledge and is a 
 well-informed man. When he wont to Indiana, 
 all kinds of wild game were plentiful and the In- 
 dians had not yet left for their Western reserva- 
 tions lieyond the Mississippi. The family removed 
 to the Hoosier State in a covered wagon, about 
 eight days being consumed in making the journey 
 of one hundred miles. They lived in trvie pioneer 
 style and endured all the hardships of frontier 
 life. The father entered three hundred and twenty 
 acres of land and this was covered with timber. 
 Their first habitation was a little shanty with a 
 bark roof. They had no bedsteads, so they made 
 their beds on the dirt floor; their cooking was all 
 done out of doors, the large kettle being hung 
 upon two crossed sticks over the fire. When it 
 rained they had to abandon cooking until the 
 shower was over. Church services were held in 
 the homes of the neighborhood, and school con- 
 vened in a log cabin with its ijuncheon fioor ami 
 slab seats. The teacher was lured by subscription 
 and boarded around among his pupils. 
 
 In 1854, Mr. Adsit came with his parents to Iro- 
 quois County, and his father entered over a section 
 of raw land. His home was one of the first built 
 in the township, and one could ride for thirty 
 miles over the prairies without coming lo any set- 
 tlement to impede his progress. There were no 
 railroads, and it seemed that the work of devek>p- 
 ment and civilization was scarcely begun. Onarga 
 was the market at that time. Mr. Adsit was one 
 of the organizers of the first school in Lovejoy 
 Township; his wife was the first teacher, and school 
 convened in the home where they yet reside. He 
 also aided in the erection of the churches of the 
 community, and has been identified with the liest 
 interests of the county since a very early day. He 
 hunted deer and earned much of his money by 
 selling the skins. At that day, wild-cat currency 
 was in circulation, and on retiring at night one 
 could not tell whether his money would be of any 
 value in the morning, or simply worthless pa))er. 
 On the I'Jth of March, 1862, Mr. Adsit w.as 
 married to .Miss Laura S. (ialb.way, daughter of 
 
346 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Samuel and Prudence (Manning) Gallowa3-, who 
 are mentioned in the sketch of Joseph Gallowa}- 
 on another page of this work. Mrs. Adsit was 
 born in Warren County, Oiiio, July 5, 1838, and 
 was only four years old when her parents removed 
 to Fountain County, Ind. When a maiden of nine 
 summers the family went to Warren County, where 
 she remained until twentj'^-three years of age. Af- 
 ter attending the common schools, she completed 
 her education in the graded schools of .State Line 
 City. As before stated, she taught the first school 
 in Lovejoy Township, and wasone of the successful 
 teachers of the county for a number of years. She 
 too has shared in the experiences of frontier life, 
 and with others of the prominent ladies of the 
 county she would ride to church in a big lumber 
 wagon, a sun-bonnet adorning her head. Mrs. 
 Adsit and the children are members of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, of Wellington. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adsit have been born five 
 children, two sons and three daughters, of whom 
 three are now living: Matilda R., who was edu- 
 cated in the common schools and at Weslej'an 
 University, and for several j^ears was a teacher of 
 recognized abilitj' in this count.y, is now the wife 
 of Thomas Parish, a farmer of Lovejoy Township. 
 They have a little son, Perry. She possesses con- 
 siderable talent, both in music and painting. Sher- 
 man, who married Miss Anna Scott, daughter of 
 William Scott, of Lovejoy Township, is a success- 
 ful physician and surgeon of Hoopeston, 111., vi'ho 
 graduated from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical 
 College in a class of seventy-nine students. Perry, 
 who was educated in the Business College of 
 Blooraington, is engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 and controls his father's farm. 
 
 Mr. Adsit owns two hundred and fort}' acres of 
 arable land, improved with a beautiful residence 
 and other accessories, and to his children has 
 given three hundred and twenty acres of land. 
 He has followed agricultural pursuits throughout 
 the greater part of his life, and by close attention 
 to business and good management, has acquired a 
 handsome competence. In politics, he is a Repub- 
 lican, having supported that party since he cast 
 his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. 
 He has served as Commissioner of Highways and 
 
 School Diiector. He takes an active interest in 
 all that pertains to the welfare of the community, 
 and his worth and abilit}' make him one of the 
 leading citizens of the township. 
 
 PTON SCHAUB, manager of the AVatseka 
 Clothing Store, which does merchant tail- 
 
 ^i^^\ oring and deals in ready-made clothing 
 and gents' furnishing goods, of Watseka, estab- 
 lished business in that city in the fall of 1883, and 
 has carried on operations in that line continuously 
 since. Mr. Schaub was born in Franklin County, 
 Pa., January 30, 1850, and is a son of David and 
 Mary (McClelland) .Schaub. The parents were 
 both natives of the Keystone State. The father 
 was of Swiss descent, and the mother was of 
 Scotch-Irish lineage and a relative of Gen. George 
 B. McClelland, who commanded the Union arinj' 
 in its first advance on Richmond, Va., in the late 
 Civil War. She died in April, 18.52. The father 
 died in A])ril, 1867. 
 
 When the subject of this sketch was seven years 
 of age he removed with his father to Henry 
 County, Ind., (his mother having died when he 
 was two years old), and about two years later 
 went to Newton County in the same State in 1861. 
 He acquired his education in the common schools, 
 and when seventeen years of age secured a posi- 
 tion as clerk in a grocery store in Morosco, Ind. 
 In 1875, he became associated with a Mr. Kennedy 
 in general merchandising in the same town, and 
 carried on business successfully until 1881. In 
 that year he sold out, and two years later came to 
 Watseka, where he embarked in his present busi- 
 ness in a small way, but his trade has since in- 
 creased until his annual sales amount to from 
 ?i25,000 to $30,000, they having a large country 
 custom. 
 
 On the 10th of October, 1876, Mr. Schaub was 
 united in marriage in Chicago with Miss Mary 
 E. Dashiell, daughter of John Dashiell, formerly 
 of Chebanse Township, Iroquois County. Mr. 
 Schaub and his wife are active members of the 
 Methodist Einscopal Church of Watseka, in which 
 
70/2 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ;M9 
 
 lie holds the ollices of Stewairl and Trustee, and is 
 an active workei- in the Sunday-school. In poli- 
 tics he is independent. In his social relations he 
 is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, holding member- 
 ship with Watseka Lodge No. 446, A. F. & A. 
 M.; and Iroquois Lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F. He is 
 an enterprising and public-spirited citizen of the 
 community' and one having a wide acquaintance. 
 
 Mr. Schaub is a jiopular merchant and has an 
 elegant and well-assorted stock of goods in his 
 store. He is an expert cutter and a skilled work- 
 man. His store front was designed by himself 
 and is a gem of beauty. Nothing so line as his 
 window display is to be found in the county. 
 
 LLEN -AIINER EASTHURN, propiietor of 
 a grain elevator in Eastl)urn, in Sheldon 
 
 //J !*■ Township, is also the owner of a valuable 
 farm of three hundred acres of land. He 
 well deserves representation in this volume, for he 
 is one of the representative citizens of the com- 
 munity and is also an honored veteran of the late 
 war, who for four years faithfully served his coun- 
 try in her hour of peril. He has the honor of be- 
 ing a native of Iroquois Count)'. He was born 
 August 29, 1842, and is a son of Josepii B. and 
 Sarah (Truitt) Eastburn. He received the com- 
 mon-school advantages and wa.s early trained to 
 farm labors. At the age of eighteen he com- 
 menced life for himself, working as a farm hand. 
 
 After the late war broke out, however, Mr. East- 
 burn laid aside all business cares, and at the age of 
 eighteen years, responding to the country's call for 
 troops, enlisted in Company C, Fiftj-'first Illinois 
 Infantr)-. After remaining in Camp Butler of 
 Springfield for about si.v months, the troops were 
 sent South to Cairo, 111. The first duty in which Mr. 
 Eastburn engaged was in the guarding of provis- 
 ions at the battle of Ft. Donelson. He participated 
 in the engagement at Island No. 10, and aided in 
 cutting the canal through for transports. Subse- 
 quently- the troops returned to New Madrid and 
 afterward went to Ft. Pillow. From there they 
 went to Pittsburg Landing, participating in the 
 
 battle at that place, where they went into camp. 
 However, they also engaged in the battle of Cor- 
 inth and there Mr. Eastburn. was taken sick. Re- 
 ceiving a thirty-da^- furlough he returned home. 
 On the expiration of the montli he rejoined his 
 regiment, but was soon ordered to the hospital in 
 St. Louis. He afterward met his command in 
 Nashville and then went to Stone River, partici- 
 pating in tiie three days' fight at that place. He 
 engaged in the battle of Chickamauga, and during 
 the second day of the engagement, on the 23d of 
 September, 1863, was wounded in the right 
 shoulder. He was then sent to the hospital in 
 Nashville and his wound was not dressed until he 
 arrived in that city two days later. Ilis Injuries 
 proved of a serious nature, and he was confined in 
 the hospital until the middle of February, 1864, 
 when he rejoined his regiment in Chattanooga, 
 Tenn. At this place he then re-enlisted as a vet- 
 eran and received a thirty-day furlough. After 
 a visit to his home he went back to Chattanooga, 
 Tenn., and in April. 1864, started on the Atlanta 
 campaign. He participated in the battles of 
 Resaca and Buzzard's Roost and in all the engage- 
 ments until the fall of Atlanta. Subsequently he 
 was under fire at the battle of Jonesboro, in 
 August, 1864, and from there returned to Nash- 
 ville under Gen. Thomas, opposing Hood all of the 
 way back. They followed the rebel leader across 
 the Tennessee River and then went into camp. At 
 this time Mr. Eastburn was granted a furlough in 
 order to return home and vote, which he did, cast- 
 ing his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lin- 
 coln. Subsequently he rejoined the troops, which 
 were sent to New Orleans and from there to 
 Tex.as. Our subject received his discharge at 
 Camp Irwing, Tex., in 186.5, after four years of 
 faithful service. 
 
 When the country no longer needed his aid, 
 Mr. Eastburn returned home and Ijegan fai-ming 
 on a one hinidred acre tract of land which he 
 operated for two years. He now owns three hun- 
 dred acres of rich farming land which yields to 
 him a good income. He has also engaged exten- 
 sively in raising stock, and in 1891 he built an 
 elevator, since which time he has done a good 
 business as a-grain dealer. He is a [)ractical and 
 
350 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 progressive farmer, aud by his industry, persever- 
 ance and good management of his business inter- 
 ests has acquired a handsome competence. 
 
 On the 5th of April, 1868, Mr. Eastburn was 
 united in marriage with Miss Sarah Penieo, daugh- 
 ter of George aud Mary (Kennedy) Penieo, both 
 of whom were natives of Ohio. Nine children 
 have been born of their union, but four are now 
 deceased: Ida .7., Gracie, May, and one who died 
 in infancy. Those still living are: Nellie, Allen 
 P., Dora, Harry R. and Fred L. They are still 
 under the parental roof. 
 
 Mr. Eastburn has just established a town to be 
 known as Eastburn, 111. It is located four miles 
 west of Sheldon and live miles east of Toledo, on 
 the Toledo, Peoria <fe Warsaw Railroad, and is in 
 the midst of one of the finest agricultural regions 
 of Eastern Illinois. It will be one of the best 
 points for shipping grain in the southeastern part 
 of the county and will no doubt become a thriving 
 village. Since casting his first vote, Mr. E.astburn 
 has been a stanch supporter of Republican prin- 
 eiiiles and has served as Commissioner of High- 
 ways and School Director for about nine years. 
 Socially, he is a member of the Patriotic Order of 
 Sons of America and is a friend to all social, edu- 
 cational and moral interests. He gives his sup- 
 port to every worthy enterprise calculated to 
 prove of public benefit, and is as true to every 
 duty of citizenship as when he wore the blue and 
 fought in defense of the Old Flag which now so 
 proudly floats over the united nation. 
 
 i^^HOJIAS Y. YATES, a prominent and weli- 
 //^V\ known farmer of Iroquois Township, resid- 
 VV^^' ing on section 10, has for more than half a 
 century made his home in this county, and in pre- 
 senting to our readers the history of his life we 
 record the history of an honored pioneer, a self- 
 made man and valued citizen. He was born in 
 Clermont County, Ohio, February 14, 1818, and is 
 of French descent. His great-grandfather Y'ates 
 and four of his sons were killed by the Indians in 
 the Wyoming Massacre during tlie Revolutionary 
 
 War, after which the two remaining sons joined 
 the Colonial arm^- aud fought in the War for In- 
 dependence. 
 
 The father of our subject, Artus Yates, was a 
 native of New Jersey, and when a lad of sixteen 
 years removed to Ohio with his father, Thomas 
 Yates, one of the early settlers of Clermont 
 County. He there married L3'dia St\imp, a native 
 of Kentucky, who, when a maiden of seven sum- 
 mers, went to the Buckeye State. Her father, 
 William Stump, was a German by birth and was 
 an early settler both of Kentucky and Ohio. After 
 his marriage, Mr. Y'ates engaged in farming in 
 Ohio until the autumn of 1837, when he came to 
 Illinois and cast in his lot among the early settlers 
 of Iroquois Count}'. Here he made his home until 
 his death, which occurred in 1848. His wife died 
 about a week previous and they were buried side 
 by side in the Spencer Ccmeter\', where a monu- 
 ment has been erected to their memory. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our sub- 
 ject,wlio spent the days of his boyhood and youth in 
 Clermont County, Ohio. He is self-educated as well 
 as self-made finaneiall}' and tlirough his own efforts 
 has become a well-informed man. He came to 
 this county with his father when nineteen years of 
 age. At that time there was not a bridge between 
 the Wabash River and Chicago, not a stream in 
 Iroquois County was bridged and the place was 
 almost an unbi'oken wilderness. He experienced 
 all the hardships and privations incident to fron- 
 tier life and has been prominentlj- identified with 
 the upbuilding and development of the county. 
 To the early pioneers is due a debt of gratitude 
 which can never be repaid for what they have 
 done in behalf of the county, placing it in the 
 front rank in this great commonwealth. Mr. 
 Y^ates aided his father in developing and improv- 
 ing land until he had attained his' majority. 
 
 On the 2nd of February, 1843, the marriage of 
 our subject and Miss Isabella H. Wilson was cele- 
 brated. The lady was born in Baltimore, Md., 
 and acquired her education in that city. The 
 young couple began their domestic life near 
 L'Erable and afterwards removed to Martinton 
 Township, where Mr. Y'ates cleared and improved 
 land and engaged in agricultural pursuits and in 
 
PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 stock-raising for about a quarter of a century, 
 lie iiad a Large stock farm and eng.aged in raising 
 cattle extensively, shipping to C'liicago. His 
 landed possessions at one time aggregated more 
 than fifteen hundred acres. He afterwards sold 
 out and removed to Iroquois Township, locating 
 on the Iroquois River. He h.is now opened up 
 four farms in this county and his present liome 
 on section 10, Iroquois Township, comprises three 
 hundred and forty acres of valuable land, wliich is 
 under a high state of cultivation and improved 
 with good buildings and all the acf'essories of a 
 model farm. 
 
 In 1!S!K), Mr. Yates was called upon to mourn 
 the loss of his life partner, who passed away on 
 the 17tli of May. She had been a true and faith- 
 ful heli)mate to iiim for forty-one long years, and 
 was a faitliful Christian and a consistent member 
 of the Presl)}'terian Ciiurch. Her remains were 
 interred in Lima Cemetery, where a monument 
 marks her last resting-place. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
 Yates were boru four cliildien: Mary Jane, wife of 
 I.eander Cadore, who resides in Iroquois County, 
 and by him has six children; AVilliam, who is 
 married and resides with his family in Iroquois 
 Township; Scott, who is merchandising in Pitt- 
 wood: and Plorenee, wife of Henry .McKee, a 
 farmer of Iroquois Township. 
 
 Of late years, Jlr Yates lias been identified with 
 the Democratic party. In early life he was an old- 
 line Whig and cast his first Presidential ballot for 
 Henry Clay. He has never been an aspirant for 
 public office but has given his time and attention 
 exclusively to his business; in which he has met 
 with excellent success. For more than half a 
 century he has been a resident of Iroquois County, 
 having witnessed almost its entire growth and up- 
 building. AVhen he came here he liad ample op- 
 portunity to indulge a taste for hunting and he 
 has killed many deer, foxes and wolves. In the 
 work of transforming its wild land into beautiful 
 homes and farms he has borne an important part. 
 He has seen its hamlets grow into thriving towns, 
 while man}' of its leading villages had not yet 
 sprung into existence on his .arrival. Chicago it- 
 self consisted of only a few cabins. Mr. Yates has 
 seen the introduction of the railroads, the tele- 
 
 graph and telephone, and of all those industries 
 wliich mark the progress of civilization. He is a 
 man of unblemished character and sterling worth 
 and h.-»s the confidence and esteem of all with 
 whom he has been hrouijht in contact. 
 
 OX. WILLIAM LLROY .lOll.NSON, a 
 prominent grain dealer of lUicklcy and 
 President of the Buckley Bank, is a na- 
 
 •jj live of the old Granite State. He was 
 born in Coos County, N. IL, on the 7tli of I'"eb- 
 ruaiy, 1.S4I. His father, David B. .Johnson, was 
 also a nativ(> of New Hampshire. After attain- 
 ing to years of maturity, he married Miss Sallie 
 D. Lane, a native of Maine. His death occurred in 
 1841, when he left three sons: .lames S., Hdward 
 II., and AVilliam Lcroy, then an infant. All three 
 were soldiers in the late Civil War. James, who 
 became a member of Company C, Seventh Illi- 
 nois Cavalry, was taken prisoner at (iermantown, 
 Tenn., in October, 1863, and confined in Belle 
 Isle and afterward in Anderson ville Prison, where 
 in the spring of 1864 he died. The mother of this 
 family after the death of Mr. .Johnson was mar- 
 ried, in 184.5, to John II. Meserve, of Whitefield, 
 X. H. They had one son, John B., who enlisted 
 in Company C, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, during 
 the late war and served until its close. Mr. Me- 
 serve died in 1858, and his wife, who survived 
 him about thirty years, was called to her final 
 rest in 1887. 
 
 The subject of this sketch spent the first nine 
 years of his life in his native State, and in 1850 
 came with his mother and step-father to Illinois, 
 the family locating in La Salle County, whore he 
 was reared to manhood. His primary education 
 was received in the district schools of the neigh- 
 borhood and completed by two terms' attendance 
 at Jennings' Seminary in Aurora. He, too, was 
 one of the boys in blue during the late war, en- 
 listing as a member of the same company to which 
 his brother James belonged, on the 12th of Au- 
 gust, 1862. For three years he was a faithful 
 and valiant soldier, ever found at his post. He 
 
352 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 saw much liard service and participated in the 
 battles of Cold water. Water Valley and Coffey- 
 ville. Falling back to La Grange, Tenn., they 
 spent the winter guarding railroads. The follow- 
 ing spring he was in the battles of Germantown 
 and CoUiersville, where his company lost heavily. 
 He also took part in the battle of Plaine's Store, 
 that being one of the actions in the investment 
 of Port Hudson. There his regiment, with parts 
 of two others, did the foraging for the entire 
 army. After the fall of Port Hudson his com- 
 mand returned to ^lemiihis, Tenn., and was soon 
 sent on the Sturges Raid, which proved disastrous. 
 Though in many engagements more or less se- 
 vere, Mr. .Tohnson was never wounded nor taken 
 prisoner. At length, when the war was over and 
 the country no longer needed his services, he was 
 mustered out, just three years after his enlistment, 
 on the 12th of July, 1865. 
 
 After the war, Mr. .lolinson went to the Sand- 
 wich Islands and spent five years as assistant on a 
 large sugar plantation. In 1870, he returned to 
 this State and has since made his home in Buck- 
 ley, having now been numbered among its lead- 
 ing residents for twenty-two years. On the 6th 
 of September, 1871, he was united in marriage 
 ■with Miss Tamson E. Butters, daughter of John 
 and Sallie (Meserve) Butters. Mrs. Johnson is a 
 native of Lovell, Me. Two children were born 
 of their union, both sons, but only one is now liv- 
 ing. Ernest W., born August 9, 1875, died in Sep- 
 tember, 1876; Julian C, born November 26, 1880, 
 is at home with his parents. 
 
 In his social relations, ]\Ir. .lolinson is a Knight 
 Templar Mason, belonging to Buckley Lodge No. 
 634, A. F. & A. M.; Cement Chapter, of Utica, 
 111.; and Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T., of 
 Paxton. He also held membership with Will Car- 
 ter Post No. 653, G. A. R., of Buckley, and in 
 politics IS a stanch sup|)()rter of the Republican 
 partly. He has been honored with a number of 
 public oHiccs, having served as Town Clerk and 
 Supervisor, and as a member of the Village Beard 
 of Trustees for many years; he was elected and 
 served as Representative from Iroquois County to 
 the Thirt>'-sixth General Assembl}' of Illinois. 
 
 On locating in Buckley in 1870, Mr. Johnson 
 
 embarked in business as a grain dealer, and has 
 since carried on operations in this line with good 
 success. He also owns the Buckley Bank, formerly 
 the property of John A. Koplin, which he pur- 
 chased on the 1st of January, 1892, and does a 
 general banking business. He is a man of excel- 
 lent business ability, methodical and systematic, 
 and by his fair and upright dealing h.as gained the 
 confidence and good-will of all with whom he has 
 been brought in contact. He is alike true to eveiy 
 public and ]jrivate trust, and the fidelit3' and 
 promptness with which he discharged his duties 
 as Representative characterizes his work in the 
 smallest detail. He owns a quarter-section of land 
 three and a-half miles east of Buckley, besides his 
 residence property in Buckley, his home being one 
 of the finest in the township. His success has been 
 well merited. 
 
 Mr. Johnson is widely and favorabl}' known not 
 only in Iroquois but in adjoining counties. He. 
 has traveled considerably over this country and 
 his experiences in this direction, together with his 
 five years of life on the Sandwich Islands, have 
 made him a pleasant and entertaining conversa- 
 tionalist. He is a prominent business man, an 
 honored veteran and a valued citizen, and with 
 ])leasure we present to our readers this record of 
 his life. 
 
 I OP.EK T CALDWELL, one of Sheldon's most 
 highl3' respected citizens and a prominent 
 grain dealer who has been in business in 
 )this place since 1878, was born near Circle- 
 ville, Pickawaj' County, Ohio, February 22, 1831. 
 His father, John Caldwell, was born in the Key- 
 stone State, February 5, 1800, and when eight years 
 of age removed with his parents to Ohio, where 
 they entered land from the Government and there 
 resided the remainder of their lives. After attain- 
 ing mature years, he was united in marriage in 
 1826 with Miss Elizabeth Monette, who was born 
 in Ohio, of French parentage. Her father, Isaac 
 Monette, was one of the pioneers of the Buckeye 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 353 
 
 state, and served as Captain in tbe ^\'■a^ of 1812. 
 Mrs. C.ildwell died June 22. 18:38, and in 18.39 Mr. 
 Caldwell wa.s again married, liis second union 
 uniting him witii Rebecca JlcClelland, a native of 
 Pennsylvania. By the first union were born the 
 following children : Elizabeth Jane, who is now the 
 wife of Dwight Calhoun, a resident of Kenton, 
 Ohio; Isaac M., who gave his life in defense of his 
 country, dying in the service at Memphis in 1863; 
 William, who died on the old homestead; Amos 
 I!., who is a resident of Pomona, Cal.; and John 
 W., who was graduated from the Wesleyan I'ni- 
 versitj- of Ohio, and is now residing in Hunting- 
 ton, Ind. Of the second marriage w-as Ixu-n a 
 (laughter, Annie Maria, who is now living with 
 her mother on the old homestead. Mr. Caldwell, 
 the father of this family, died in August, 1884. 
 lie was a very prominent member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and was a highly respected citi- 
 zen. Prior to the war, he was a stanch Abolition- 
 ist, and was among the first to become interested 
 in the Underground Railroad. 
 
 Robert Caldwell, the subject of this sketch, was 
 educated in the common schools, and at the age of 
 seventeen commenced life for himself by selling 
 merchandise. .Since that time he has been depend- 
 ent upon his own resources, and his success is due 
 entirely- to his own efforts. When twenty-one years 
 of age he came to Iroquois County, and in 1852 
 engaged in farming with his brother, whose land 
 he soon afterward purchased. As an agriculturist, 
 he was very successful, and after retiring from that 
 business came to Sheldon in the fall of 1878 and 
 began dealing in grain. To this venture lie has 
 since devoted his time and attention, with excel- 
 lent success, and now has a fine trade. In connec- 
 tion with this, he owns an interest in three hundred 
 and thirty-tive acres in the old homestead, together 
 with considerable real-estate in Kansas. 
 
 On the 12th of August, 18.5(;, Mr. Caldwell was 
 united in marriage with Miss Cynthia A., daugh- 
 ter of George and Katy (Barnette) Pinneo. both 
 of whom were natives of Vernumt. Four children 
 were born to the union of our subject and his wife: 
 Orlando Benton, who is now located in Chicago; 
 John Lcr03', who is engaged in the grain business 
 in Crescent Citv, III.; Eimcr A., deceased; and 
 
 Olive, now the wife of Dr. C. AVarren, of Sheldon. 
 The Caldwell home is a model one, and our sub- 
 ject attributes much of his success in life to the as- 
 sistance and encouragement given him by his 
 estimable wife. 
 
 In his social relations, Mr. Caldwell is a member 
 of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and is a 
 member of the Methodist Episcojial Church, to 
 which his famil3' also belong. His fellow-towns- 
 men have given evidence of their appreciation of 
 his worth and ability l)y repeatedly electing him 
 to the ollice of Justice of the Pe.ace, which he filled 
 from 18()0 to 1876. lie h.as also been School Di- 
 rector for twenty-three .years, and the cause of 
 education finds in him a warm friend. Mr Cald- 
 well cast his first Presidential vote for (len. AVin- 
 field S. Scott, tiie old Whig candidate, and at the 
 birth of the Republican party cast his vote for fien. 
 John C. Fremont, and has voted for every Repub- 
 lican candidate since, strenuously upholding the 
 banner of Republicanism at all times: but while 
 greatly interested in i)olitical affairs, has never 
 been an aspirant for the honors or emoluments of 
 public office, lie is an honored [lioneer of the 
 county, where for forty years he has made his 
 home, and has witnessed almost its entire growth 
 and upbuilding, and is numliered among its repre- 
 sentative and leading citizens, and it is with pleas- 
 ure that we present to ouy readers this record of 
 his life. 
 
 \fl ^ ENRY Pl'RGET owns and operates a fine 
 
 r jl( farm of two hundred and forty-eight .acres 
 ~}l^ of arable land on section 11, Belmont 
 (^) Township, where he has resided for more 
 than a quarter of a century. His life has been 
 well and worthily sjjcnt and its record deserves a 
 pl.ace in this volume. A native of Ohio, he was 
 born in Twin Tow'nship, Ross County, March 17, 
 1X17. His grandfather was Henr}' Purget and his 
 father was Frederick Purget. The latter W!i;s born 
 and reared in Ilainpsliire County, Va. He served 
 in the War of 1812, and in his native Stjite mar- 
 ried Mollio Shni'maker. Throughout his entire 
 
354 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 life he followed farming. Emigrating to Ohio, he 
 hewed out a farm in the midst of the forest and 
 there spent the remainder of his life. His death 
 occurred during the time of the late war. In pol- 
 ities he was a Wiiig and afterward a Rei)ublican, 
 and in religious Itelief, himself and wife were botli 
 Presbyterians. 
 
 Henr.v Purget is one of a family of ten children 
 and the onl\- survivor. He was reared amid the 
 liills cif Ills native county, where he had limited 
 educational privileges, but his training at farm 
 labor was not meagre. At an early day he learned 
 to swing the ax and scythe, and to his father he 
 gave the benefit of his labors until he had attained 
 his majority. He then began farming for himself 
 in Ross C'ouuty, Ohio. He married Margaret 
 . Stipp, who died a year later, leaving one child, 
 who is now Mrs. Margaret Schultz, of this county. 
 
 In 1840, ]\Ir. Purget removed to Madison County, 
 Ind., and there married Lydia Mustard, a native 
 of Pilic County, Ohio. Securing a tract of land 
 which was covered with beech trees, he cleared it 
 of the timber, and there made his liome until Feb- 
 ruary, 186.5, when he came to Iroquois County, 
 and bought two hundred and seventy acres of 
 land — his present farm. He now owns two hundred 
 and forty acres, all in one body, and an eighty- 
 acre tract near by. I'he home farm is under a 
 high state of cultivation and supplied with good 
 buildings and all necessary improvements. He 
 has been ver>' successful and now owns valuable 
 property. ( )n one occasion his stable was de- 
 stroyed by tire and two horses were burned to 
 death, but with characteristic energy he made 
 good his loss. 
 
 The death of Mrs. Purget occurred November 
 28, 1891, and her remains were interred in Bel- 
 mont Cemeteiy. At her death she left the follow- 
 ing children: Frederick, who was born in Indiana, 
 and now resides in Oklahoma, served throughout 
 the war in the Eighth Indiana Infantry and was 
 twice wounded; William is a farmer of Belmont 
 Township; Henry Stipp is engaged in farming 
 near Woodland; .Jasper aids in the operation of 
 the home farm; Newton, who with his brother 
 carries on the old homestead, married Alice Will- 
 iams, daughtpf of William Williams; Almira is the 
 
 wife of Charles Montgomery, a resident of Iowa; 
 Orpha is the wife of Charles Crank, who is living 
 in Chicago; Amanda is the wife of George Alhands, 
 of Belmont Township; .Tane is the wife of Scjuire 
 Laird, who resides near Milford and is represented 
 elsewhere in this volume; and Philip is married 
 and resides on a part of his father's farm. 
 
 Mr. I'urget is an adherent of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church and gives liberally of his means to 
 aid in its support. He cast his first Presidential 
 vote for William Henry Harrison and his last bal- 
 lot for the grandson of the Tippecanoe hero, Hon. 
 Benjamin Harrison. He first supported the Whig 
 party and since the organization of the Republican 
 party has been a stalwart advocate of its principles 
 but has never been an office-seeker. He has led a 
 busy and useful life. By his economy, industry 
 and well-directed efforts he has acquired a hand- 
 some propert}', and by his integrity and fair deal- 
 ing has won universal confidence. 
 
 R. LA BOUNTY, an enterprising and well- 
 known farmer who operates the Lyman 
 j lii homestead on section 25, Marti nton Town- 
 ship, is a native of the Empire State, his 
 birth having occurred in Clayton County, on the 
 24th of February, 1850. His father, Abraham 
 La Bounty, was born in the same county, and the 
 grandfather, .Joseph La Bounty, was also a native 
 of New York and of French descent. The father 
 of our subject grew to manhood in the county of 
 his nativity, and there married Sar.ah I^aymond, 
 also a native of New York. He followed farming 
 for a number of years after his marriage and then 
 came to the West with his faniilj^ locating in Iro- 
 quois County, 111., where he developed a farm and 
 reared his family. He met his death by accident, 
 being drowned in Sugar Creek in May, 1871. His 
 wife still survives him and resides with her son in 
 Nuckolls County, Neb. 
 
 The subject of this sketch came to Illinois with 
 his father and grew to manhood in this county. 
 His educational advantages in early life were 
 quite limited, but he attended school some after 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 
 
 ^-,5 
 
 attainin2; liis majority and has a good business 
 cducatidn. He remained witli his mother until 
 lier second marriage andearried on the home farm, 
 and also aided in rearing and educating the 
 younger children. 
 
 August 29, 1888, Mr. I.a Bounty led to the mar- 
 riage altar Miss MaryE., daughter of Jacob Lyman, 
 whose sketch appears elsewhere in this w^ork. Their 
 union has been blessed with two children, a son and 
 a daughter: L3-man J. Calvin and Bertha Rachel 
 Blanche. They reside witli the lynian 's, and since 
 his marriage Mr. La Bouut^v has operated and man- 
 aged the home farm for his father-in-law. He is a 
 man of sterling character and worth and is one of the 
 enterprising and representative agriculturists of 
 Martintou Township. In politics, he is a Demo- 
 crat but has never been an oflieer-seeker. Himself 
 and wife and all of the members of the household 
 rank high in social circles and their home is the 
 abode of hospitality. 
 
 ^^1 Ql'lLLA C. CAST is now living a retired 
 WilUl' life in Crescent Cit}-. From the history 
 of the pioneer settlers and the prominent 
 citizens of Iroquois County, the name of 
 our subject should not be omitted. He claims 
 Ohio as the State of his nativitj', having been 
 born in Clinton County on the 13lh of March, 
 1837. His grandfather, A. C. Cast, was of Scotch 
 descent, and his familv were among the pioneers 
 of Kentucky, where he was born. Ilii'am V. Cast, 
 the father of our subject, was born in Clinton 
 County, Ohio, in 1818, and was there reared to 
 manhood. He was married to Ruth Smith, a na- 
 tive of the Buckeye State, and they began their 
 dimiestic life upon a farm in the county of his 
 nativity, where they resided until 1840. In that 
 year they removed to ^'ermiIion Count\-, 111., 
 locating land near Danville, where Mr. Cast dc- 
 veloijed and improved a farm, on which he made 
 his home until his death in 1844. He w.as a 
 l^roniinent and intlnential citizen, and took quite 
 an active part in local politics, He served as 
 County Sheriff, and was one of the honored 
 
 pioneers of Vermilion County. His wife sur- 
 vived him about nineteen years and was a second 
 time married, becoming the wife of Henry Alex- 
 ander, an early settler of this county. Her death 
 occurred in 1862. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the eldest and 
 only surviving member of a family of three sons. 
 His educational advantages were (juite limited, 
 but, since arriving at years of maturity he has by 
 self-culture become well informed. When a voung 
 man he came to Iroquois County in 18.01, and at 
 the age of seventeen years rented land and be- 
 gan farming for himself. His ((reparations for a 
 home were completed by his marriage with Miss 
 Isabella Jane Robinson, their union being cele- 
 brated on the 1st of January, 18.57. The lady 
 was born near Crawfordsville, Ind., in 183(), and 
 when a child of two years was brought to this 
 county, her father, William D. Robinson, being 
 one of its honored pioneers, .\fler his marriage, 
 Mr. Cast purchased a forty-acre tract of land, 
 which he broke and fenced, and made many good 
 improvements upon it. A part of this laud had 
 been entered by a soldier, Henry Alexander, liis 
 step-father, and he engaged in its cultivation and 
 improvement for some time. 
 
 It was in 18(52 that Mr. Cast iiurchased forty 
 acres of land adjoining his liist farm. Since that 
 time he has bought and sold a number of tracts of 
 land, and now owns one hundred and sixty acres 
 in the old home farm. This is a well-improved 
 and well-tilled place, ii|ion which good buildings 
 have been erected and many excellent improve- 
 ments made. lie engaged in the operation of his 
 farm until 1882, when, in order to afford his chil- 
 dren better educational advantages, he removed to 
 Crescent City. He was a practical and progressive 
 farmer, and the neat and thrifty ajjpearance of the 
 [jlace was an index of his character. .Vbout 1874, 
 he built a substantial residence in Crescent City 
 where he now resides. 
 
 Unto Mr. .and Mrs. Cast were born eight chil- 
 dren, three of whom are deceased: Nettie is now 
 the wife of Theodore Gilcrist, a resident of Cres- 
 cent Township; .\lma (Ir.-ice is the wife of Isaac 
 Budd, a resident of Pemberton, >'. J,; Carrie is a 
 well-educated young l:idv and a successful teacher; 
 
356 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Elmer E., who is married and resides in Milford, 
 is also engaged in teaching; and Alta E.. who 
 completes the family, also follows the same pro- 
 fession. 
 
 Ill his political views, Mr. Cast is a Democrat, 
 having sui)poried that party since he attained 
 his majorit}'. He has seived as Assessor and in 
 other local offices, and his public duties were 
 ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. Mrs. 
 Cast and all the children are members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Cinirch. Mr. Cast holds 
 membership with the Independent Order of Odd 
 Fellows and has lilled all of its chairs. Almost 
 his entire life has been passed in this county, 
 and he is well known throughout its borders. 
 His sterling worth and strict integrity- have won 
 him the confidence and good-will of all, and him- 
 self and wife are held in the highest regai d through- 
 out the community. He is now resting in the 
 enjoyment of a well-earned rest, having by years 
 of industry-, euteri)rise and perseverance won a 
 handsome competence. For the past four years 
 he has spent considerable time in travel, visiting 
 many points of interest in this country, especially 
 in tlie South, and during the coming year con- 
 templates a trip to California. 
 
 GOULD, a prosperous farmer who 
 home on section 19, Ridgeland 
 is a native of the Empire State, 
 his birth having occurred on the 17th of July, 
 1830, in Rensselaer County. He is a son of New- 
 ton and Elmira Oould. In their family were 
 eight children, of whom our subject was the eldest. 
 The others are as follows: William, Charlotte, 
 Luther, Waiter, James, Fannie, and one who died 
 in infancy. The father of this family do- 
 parted this life in 1886, and the mother passed 
 away in 1891. Both were natives of New York 
 State, where they spent their entire lives, he reach- 
 ing eighty-four and she eight\'-Hve years. 
 
 Our subject was born and reared upon a farm, 
 and his early days were passed in the usual occu- 
 
 pations of farmer boys. He attended the district 
 schools and acquired his primary education there, 
 which he supplemented by further study, and then 
 received a good business education. When about 
 nineteen years of age he began teaching in the 
 district schools during the winter season, and dur- 
 ing the summer months worked upon the home 
 farm, lie continued teaching for a period of 
 about five 3'ears and then decided to devote his 
 attention exclusively to agricultural pui suits. He 
 therefore rented land and farmed until 1855, at 
 which time he came Westward and settled in Iro- 
 (juois County, 111., where he entered one hundred 
 and sixty acres of liiid in Ridgeland Township. 
 This property was the one on which he still resides, 
 and here he now carries on a general farming and 
 stock-raising business. 
 
 January 1, 1853, Mr. Gould led to the marriage 
 altar Miss Adeline, daughter of George W. and 
 Eunice (Jones) Glass. By this union two children 
 have been born: Carlton, who carries on agricul- 
 tural pursuits in Ridgeland Township, and is a 
 successful fanner; and Bertha, who is still under 
 the parental roof. These children have both re- 
 ceived the advantages of a good education and 
 have always been very ])opuIar in the neighbor- 
 hood. 
 
 yiv. (iould exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Democratic party and is an ardent 
 supporter of its principles. He takes an active 
 and interested part in both politics and education, 
 and is a public-spirited man, doing everything in 
 his power to advance the community's welfare. 
 Sir. and Mrs. Gould are consistent members of the 
 Presbyterian Church, where ihey are zealous 
 workers. For nearly forty years he has been a 
 resident of this township and county and in that 
 time he has witnessed much of its development 
 and progress. At the time of his first location 
 here much of the country was under water, but 
 this difliculty has since been obviated almost en- 
 tirely by the thorough system of tile drainage, 
 now so extensively practiced. Mr. Gould was 
 appointed by the County Court as one of the 
 Commissioners of Union Drainage District No. 1, 
 of Onarga and Ridgeland Townships. It is not too 
 much to sav that the work done liv that board has 
 
^^ifi^ 
 
 ^ • .^€u^t^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 369 
 
 done more to enhance the value of the laud than 
 anything else. On his arrival here the counti'y 
 was sparsely settled, but since lliis time thriving 
 villages, pleasant liomes and well-cultivated fields 
 have sprung up in ever^' direction. During his 
 long residence here he has made many friends, who 
 esteem him highly for his qualities of integrity, 
 reliability and honor. 
 
 l^H-H^i 
 
 \f OSKPH W. MILLER, .Superintendent of the 
 I I County Poor Farm and one of the in- 
 
 dj tluential and enterprising citizens of Iro- 
 I ' quois County, was born on the 7th of Janu- 
 ary, 1847, in ]Madison County, Ind. His grand- 
 father, Joseph Miller, was born in .South Carolina, 
 and became one of the pioneer .settlers of Madison 
 County, when there were onl^' three families living 
 on Pipe Creek for a distance of ten miles. He en- 
 gaged in farming and blacksmitliing and there 
 spent the remainder of his life. He was a leading 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
 served as Class-leader. In politics, he was a Demo- 
 crat. 
 
 John C. Miller, the father of our subject, was 
 born near Raleigh, N. C, and during his boyhood 
 went to Indiana. He was reared amid the wild 
 scenes of frontier life and was educated under the 
 instruction of a teacher, who was hired by three 
 families and would board one week at each place 
 and hold school there. On atUiining his majority, 
 he began life for himself and married Belinda 
 Channiess, who came with Mr. Miller's father to 
 Indiana in her girlhood. Their union was cele- 
 brated in 181.5, and on the 10th of April, 1860, 
 tliey emigrated to Iroquois County, 111., locating 
 in Crescent Township, where he bought eighty 
 acres of land. He subsequently- increased it to one 
 hundred and sixty acres, and later removed to 
 Watseka, where he engaged in grain dealing. His 
 death there occurred January 24, 1881, and his 
 wife died on the farm in 1865. Mr. Jliller was a 
 member of the Odd Fellows' society and was a 
 Democrat and Greenbacker in politics. He held 
 several local offices. 
 
 16 
 
 In the Miller family were ten children, the eldest 
 of whom is our subject; Asa is the proprietor of 
 an hotel at Crescen t City ; .Sarah became the wife of 
 Landus Romine and died in Kansas; .lohii Frank- 
 lin is engaged in carpentering in Kansas; Caroline, 
 widow of Samuel West, resides in Missouri; ^Martha, 
 widow of Oscar .Short, is living in Crescent Cit^-; 
 Thomas makes his home in Colorado; Mrs. Nettie 
 Fast resides in Alissouri; Miner and tlie tenth child 
 died in infancy. 
 
 Our subject was a lad of fourteen years when 
 with his parents he came to Iroquois County. He 
 remained under the parental roof until twenty 
 j-ears of age and then went to Nebraska, where he 
 engaged in wood-choi)ping on the Platte River, 
 making ties for tiic I'nion Pacific Railroad. He 
 si)ent nearly two years in the West and during the 
 l.ist season carried on a blacksmith shoi). ^^n '''* 
 return to Illinois, he again resumed farming, and 
 secured as a helpmate and companion on life's 
 journey Miss Rebecca J. Fiddler. Her parents, 
 George and Harriet Fiddler, are numbered among 
 the pioneer settlers of this county and resided in 
 Plato when it contained but three dwellings. Mrs. 
 Aliller was born in Indiana, in November, 1850. 
 P)y the union of our subject and his wife four chil- 
 dren have been born: Emma "Si., born August 18, 
 1870; John Franklin, April 16, 1875; George 
 Curtis, September 16. 1881; and Ruth Anna, Octo- 
 ber 6, 1883. 
 
 On his marriage, Mr. Miller purchased a small 
 farm, to which he has since added until he now 
 owns one hundred and forty acres. He has spent 
 one year in .Southwest Missouri, and on the 24th of 
 March, 1891, was appointed Superintendent of the 
 County Poor Farm. On the expiration of that 
 term, so acceptably had he filled the office, he was 
 re-appointed at an increased salary. He now has 
 charge of three hundred and ninety acres of land, 
 which is operated under the direction of a good 
 foreman. The farm has an average of forty-four 
 inmates. No better person could have been chosen 
 for the position than Mr. Miller, whose able ad- 
 ministration of affairs has won him high com- 
 mendation. Socially, he is a member of the Odd 
 Fellows' society and the Modern Woodmen. His 
 wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
360 
 
 PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 lu politics, he is a Democrat and supported Presi- 
 dent Cleveland. He east his first vote for Horace 
 Greeley. He supports the man whom he thinks 
 best qualified to fill the office. Mr. Miller is a man 
 of sterling worth and integrity and has the confi- 
 dence and good-will of all with whom he has been 
 brought in contact. 
 
 "'OIIN P. PETERSON, who is engaged in 
 farming and stock-raising on section 3(1, 
 
 JPiairie (ireen Township, is numbered 
 '' among the early settlers of the county, 
 dating his residence from 185.5. He is of Swedish 
 birth, having been jjorn in Gottenburg, on the 12th 
 of .Tanuary. 1831, and is the second in order of 
 birth in a family- of eight children, numbering 
 three sons and five daughters, of whom only three 
 are now living. The parents were Jonas and 
 Christina (Chrisander) Peterson. His father was 
 also a native of Sweden. In the usual manner of 
 farmer lads he was reared to manhood, but he 
 learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 
 184'.> he emigrated to America, crossing the Atlan- 
 tic in a sailing-vessel, which dropped anchor in 
 the harbor of New York. He continued his jour- 
 ney Westward overland until he reached Indiana, 
 where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at 
 the age of fifty years. He was a Democrat in pol- 
 itics, and in religious belief was a Lutheran. His 
 wife is a member of the same church. She is still 
 living at the advanced age of eighty-six iiears, 
 and makes her home with her son John, where 
 she is surrounded by every loving care and atten- 
 tion. The three children of the family yet living 
 are Mr. Peterson, of this sketch; Ann Eliza, wife 
 of L. B. Hastings, a journalist of Hamilton County, 
 Neb., who is now editor and proprietor of tiic 
 Aurora Jiepuhlican; and Odell, who is married, and 
 follows farming in Nebraska. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were spent in 
 his parents' home in the land of his nativity. His 
 education was acquired at his mother's knee and 
 liy his own exertions, until he is now a well-in- 
 fornu^d man. Wishing to trv liis fortune in 
 
 America, he bade good-bye to Sweden in 1848,when 
 a young man of eiglitecn years, and sailed for the 
 New World. He landed in New York, was there 
 taken sick, and for four weeks lay in a hospital. 
 On his recovery he shipped as a sailor on the 
 high seas. The merchantman on which he sailed 
 made trips to Spain and Erance, and. he remained 
 as one of its crew for twenty-three months, during 
 which time they encountered many severe storms, 
 in whicii lie thought he would never again see 
 land. When the time of his contract had expired, 
 he returned to this country and went to the 
 pineries of New York, where he hired out by the 
 nK)nth at §4. He was thus emploj'ed for four 
 months, after which he filled a situation for eight 
 months at Ifi per month. He had come to this 
 country empty-handed, but scorned no labor 
 whereby he could earn an honest dollar, and thus 
 provide for his own support. 
 
 It was in 1855 that Mr. Peterson came to Iro- 
 ([uois County, where he has since made his home. 
 The same year he was married, the lady of his 
 choice being Miss Mary Day, a native of West 
 Virginia, born on the 26th of April, 1836. She is 
 a daughter of Ambrose and live (D0II3') Day. 
 I Icr father was born in West ^'irginia, in 1806, was 
 reared as a farmer, followed that occupation 
 throughout his entire life, and died in 1878. His 
 wife was born in West Virginia in 1807, and died 
 in 1891, at the advanced age of eightj'-four years. 
 They had a family of eight children, two sons and 
 six daughters, of whom Mrs. Peterson was the 
 third in order of birth. She was educated in the 
 common schools, which were then very primitive. 
 The building was constructed of logs and heated 
 by an immense fire-place, the seats were made of 
 slabs, and the writing-desk along (me side of the 
 room was a board laid upon two pegs inserted be- 
 tween tlie logs. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Peterson was celebrated August 31, 1855, and 
 seven children graced the union, five sons and two 
 daughters, luit only two are now living. Alpheus 
 is a successful farmer of Benton County, Ind., and 
 in politics is a Democrat. He married Miss Jennie 
 McPherson, by whom he has four children. Gus- 
 tus is an enterprising farmer residing in Warren 
 County, Ind. He raised twelve thousand bushels 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 :i61 
 
 of corn in 1891. His wife bore the maiden name 
 of Lena Glaze, and their union has been blessed 
 witli a little son. 
 
 Mr. Peterson and his wife located upon their 
 present farm on the olh of March, 1877. He pur- 
 chased one hundred and sixt3' acres of partially 
 improved land, upon which there was a little 
 slianty but no other improvements. With char- 
 acteristic ener<;y he bej^an the development of his 
 land, and now has one of the desirable farms of 
 this vicinity. His home is a neat and comfortable 
 residence, situated in the midst of well-tilled 
 liclds, and the thrifty appearance of the place in- 
 dicates the supervision and careful management 
 of the owner. He has in his possession an old 
 deed of his land signed by President Pierce. In 
 politics, Mr. Peterson has been a supporter of the 
 ])emoerac\' since he cast his first Presidential vote 
 for Franklin Pierce. He is truly a self-made man, 
 and his success in life is due entirely' to his own 
 efforts. Steadily has he worked his way upward, 
 until he is now numbered among the wealthy and 
 prominent citizens of the community. 
 
 DDISON WHITESH)]-:, a well-known and 
 t@/yj, prominent farmer of Kidgeland Township, 
 A makes his home on section 20, where he 
 vjj owns a tr.ict of three hundred and twenty- 
 acres of valuable land. His birth occurred in the 
 city of Cincinnati on the 10th of September, 1816. 
 He is a son of Samuel H. and Anna (Stewart) 
 Whiteside. The father was Ijorn in Rockbridge 
 County, Va., January 16, 1780, and was of Knglish 
 extraction, while his mother was born December 
 22, 1793, in Pennsylvania and was of Scotch de- 
 scent. They were the parents of six children, of 
 whom our subject is now the only living child. 
 Milton S. was called to the home beyond in 1876; 
 our subject is next in order of birth; Amanda JL 
 died in the year 1835 and was the wife of John 
 Silsby; Washington died in 1814; and two chil- 
 dren died in infancy. The father was a jeweler 
 by trade and his death occurred Octot)er 20, 1861. 
 
 His wife passed away January 1, I860. .She was a 
 devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
 both were much loved and esteemed Iiy their many 
 friends and neighbors. 
 
 Mr. Whiteside, whose name heads this sketch, 
 lived until eight years ot age in the city of his 
 birth, and at that time his father settled on a farm. 
 The education of our subject was received in a log 
 schoolhouse, where he attended until about seven- 
 teen years of age. When not in school his time 
 was em|)loyed in the duties and labors of farm life, 
 in which he assisted his father as much as possible. 
 In 1833, he returned to Cincinnati and began 
 working at the carpenter's trade, at which lal)or he 
 continued until 1837, doing (|uile well financially'. 
 Li the summer of 1837, he went south to Vicks- 
 burg, ;\Iiss., where he remained for some months, 
 and then went to New Orleans for the winter. The 
 following year, he went to St. Louis, where he re 
 mained for a year. He next went to Springfield, 
 III., where he helped in the building of the old 
 State Capitol. While engaged in its construction, 
 he met with a serious accident, as he fell from the 
 dome of the building to the basement, a distance 
 of some thirty-six feet. Ilis shoulder was dislocated 
 and two ribs were broken, and his escape from 
 death was considered quite marvellous. He con- 
 tinued in Springfield during the winter, attend- 
 ing the session of the Legislature in which 
 Lincoln figured, and then returned to Cincin- 
 nati, where he lived until 1861. In that year he 
 came to Illinois and located on the farm which he 
 still makes his home. His property is known b^- 
 the name of Long View Stock Farm, on account of 
 the beautiful view which can be had for miles in 
 all directions from his residence. 
 
 In 184.'), Mr. Whiteside married Miss Mary, 
 daughter of Hailow C. and Caroline (Hunt) Hula- 
 bird, both natives of Litchfield County, Conn. Mr. 
 Ilolabird was born September 24, 1798. His wife 
 was born March 18, 1801. Having lived in Litch- 
 field County, Conn., which had been the home of 
 the family for generations, they removed to Cin- 
 cinnati. Ohio, in 1833. Mr. Ilolabird died December 
 11, 1859, and his wife, who was a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, died July 1,1849. Mrs.White- 
 side is one of five tiiildren. two sons and three 
 
362 
 
 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 daughters, of whom two are living: Mrs. Caroline 
 Dale, of Chicago; and Mrs. Whiteside. By the \ 
 union of Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside four children | 
 have been born: Milton S. and his second younger 
 brother, Samuel, now have charge of the home 
 farm; Edward E. was murdered by cow boys in 
 1882, while working as night operator in Thorn- 
 dale, Tex., on the International & Great Northern 
 Railroad; and the youngest, Harlow H., is Super- 
 intendent of the Zinc Works at Rich Hill, Mo. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Whiteside casts his ballot in 
 favor of the Democratic party, having voted for 
 fifteen Democratic Presidential candidates. Ho 
 has been an active member of the Independent 
 Order of Odd Fellows for the long period of fifty- 
 four years, having been connected with that order 
 longer than any man in the State save one. He has 
 always assisted in public enterprises and has done 
 much for the growth and development of this 
 count}^ He has many friends in this section who 
 esteem him as a man of high character, integrity 
 and genuine worth. Mrs. Whiteside has been con- 
 nected with the Presbyterian Church some fiftj'- 
 five j-ears. 
 
 -^ '=^^>^^<^^-''- 
 
 ,,UAAAM CARY DUNN, who is engaged in 
 the hotel business in Sheldon as proprie- 
 tor of the Dunn Hotel, has the honor of 
 being a native of Illinois. He was born in Elgin, 
 Kane County, October 29, 1842, and is a son of 
 (ieorge and Sarah (Welsh) Dunn, both of whom 
 were natives of the Empire State. The paternal 
 grandfather, Cary Dunn, was of Scotch descent, and 
 his wife came of one of tlie Dutch families residing 
 in the Mohawk Valley. The maternal grandfather, 
 Willi.am Welsh, was a native of Ireland and when 
 a young man emigrated to America. He became 
 one of the pioneers of Ohio and was one of tiie 
 first settlers of Kane County, 111. His son Albert 
 was the first white child born in that county. 
 
 The father of our subject was born in 1813 and 
 was a carpenter by occupation. He also followed 
 farming. In 1838, he emigrated to Elgin, 111., 
 when the population of that place numbered only 
 
 four families. He afterward removed to McHeniy 
 County and is now living in Algonquin, that 
 county. His wife departed this life in 1881. In 
 the family were eleven children, ten of whom are 
 yet living: William is the eldest; Mary Ann is the 
 wife of Henry Tubbs, a resident of Fowler, Ind.; 
 Lydia is the wife of Ed Dyke, who resides in Cary 
 Station, 111.; Melissa is the wife of Fred Hubbard, 
 who is living in Richland, Kan.; Olive is the wife 
 of Fred Baldwin, of Cary Station; Emma is the 
 wife of Kirk Pherson, of St. Charles, 111.; James T. 
 is located in Denver. Colo.; George E. resides in 
 Siieldon and is city drayman; David D. is living 
 in Cherry County, Neb.; and Benjamin A. resides 
 in Terre Haute, Ind. 
 
 In 1867, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage with 
 Miss Agnes Moreland. a native of Glasgow, Scot- 
 land, and unto them have been born four children, 
 three of whom are now living: Ada, wife of A. .1. 
 Klute; Ida and Leon C. The family is one of 
 prominence in this community, and its members 
 rank high in social circles. 
 
 Mr. Dunn whose name heads this record was 
 educated in the public schools of McHenry County, 
 111., and at the age of seventeen years left home to 
 cam his own livelihood. He began working on a 
 farm and was thus employed until 1860, when he 
 went to Iowa, where he remained until he entered 
 the service during the late war. On the 13th of 
 August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company 
 G, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, under Col. Merrill. 
 Tlie regiment rendezvoused at Dubuque, Iowa, 
 and thence was sent to Raleigh, Mo. Mr. Dunn re- 
 mained in the service until tlie close of the war, 
 •and participated in the battles of Champion Hills, 
 Port Gibson, Raymond, Black River, Vicksburg, 
 .lackson, Spanish Fort and Mobile, after which he 
 returned to New Orleans and went up the Red 
 River. He also participated in the siege of Vicks- 
 burg and the battles of .Jackson and Memphis, and 
 when the war was over he received his discharge 
 in Clinton, Iowa, .Inly 26, 1865. He served as 
 Orderly to Col. Merrill and with him returned 
 home on a thirty-day furlough. He did some 
 arduous service and experienced many of the 
 hardships and privations of army life, but was ever 
 found at his post of duty, faithful to his country. 
 
/■^m 
 
 l>ix ,. 
 
 v^ 
 
 ■/Xru^ ^^y ltcyi/i/)^{^U^^,y 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 365 
 
 When the war was over, Mr. Dunn returned to his 
 home in Illinois, but the following sprlnsr again 
 went to Iowa with Yankee Robinson's Show and 
 traveled one season; he then commenced staging 
 from Ft. Des Moines to Council I51uffs, Iowa. In 
 1871, he came to Iroquois County and engaged in 
 farming, and in 1873 engaged in the hotel business. 
 The following year he engaged in the liverj- busi- 
 ness, which he has carrried on continuously since, 
 with the exception of three j'cars. In 1889, he 
 became proprietor of the Smith House, of which he 
 had charge a year, and in 1890 built the Dunn 
 Hotel. 
 
 In his social relations, Mr. Dunn is a Knight of 
 Pythias, belonging to Damon Lodge No. 72, of 
 Kcntland, Ind., and a charter member of L. B. 
 Hrown Post, G. A. R., of Sheldon, 111. In polities, 
 lie is a Democrat. As a proprietor of the Dunn 
 Hotel, he is enjoying a good trade. As he ear- 
 nestly desires to please his customers, and as the 
 place and all its appointments are complete, the 
 hotel has found favor with the traveling public. 
 Our subject is a pleasant and popular man, who 
 wins friends wherever he goes, and in this com- 
 nuinitv is regarded as a valued citizen. 
 
 |K'HARI) AMERMAN, one of the promi- 
 i#^ nent citizens of the county, who is now liv- 
 
 ing a retired life In Iloopeston, was born in 
 ^J'^Davis County, Ind., December 28, 1825, 
 and is a son of Peter Amerman, a native of the 
 Empire State. The paternal grandfather of our 
 subject was a German by birth and in the Old 
 Country was a sailor. Coming to America, he 
 spent the remainder of his days in New York, and 
 was captain of a boat on the Hudson River. The 
 father of our subject, who was an invalid and 
 cripple, came to the West for his health. He had 
 acquired a good education in the State of his na- 
 tivity, and taught school in Indiana for some 
 years. 
 
 At the age of thirty-eight. Peter Amerman 
 married Margaret McKnight, a native of Ken- 
 tuckv, and unto them w.as born a familv of thir- 
 
 teen children. The father taught school in the 
 winter montiis and in the summer engaged in 
 farming. He died at his home in Vermillion 
 County, Ind. Both he and his wife were members 
 of the Presbyterian Church and were prominent 
 and active workers. In his business dealing, he won 
 success and acquired a handsome competence. In 
 politics, he was a AVhig. He was a great reader 
 and had a large library of religious and other 
 works. His death occurred at the advanced age 
 of eighty-seven years. 
 
 Of the children in the Amerman family, Mrs. 
 Mary Jane Mast resides in the town of Dana, 
 Vermillion County, Ind.; Richard is the next 
 younger; Mrs. Eliza Itjilston makes her home 
 in Dana, Vermillion County; Sarah is deceased; 
 James is living near the old homestead; John died 
 in infancy; John, the second of the name, is living 
 a retired life in Clinton, Ind.; William, who was 
 a soldier during the late war, is living retired in 
 Iloopeston; Theopolis, who was also one of the 
 boys in blue, is located in Dana, Ind.; Henry went 
 to the war and was never again heard from; and 
 Peter, who was also one of the defenders of the 
 Old Flag, owns and operates the homestead farm. 
 
 The subject of this sketch remained at home un- 
 til nineteen years of age, and then began to learn 
 the wagon-maker's trade, but on account of ill 
 health he was forced to abandon that occupation. 
 As he was the eldest son, much of the care of his 
 father's farm devolved upon him. On attaining 
 his majority, he went South to oversee slaves in a 
 woodyard at Booey's Landing, Tenn., on the ]\Iis- 
 sissippi River. He was a Democrat when he went 
 to that place, but on his return was a stanch Re- 
 publican. He saw the slaves of \yhich he had had 
 charge all sold from the block and the families 
 broken up. Their owner had intended to free his 
 negroes, but his death suddenly occurred and the 
 slaves were disposed of in the manner indicated. 
 After a j-ear our subject returned to the North 
 and began working with his brother-in-law. He 
 afterward went to Clinton, Ind., and was foreman 
 of a pork-packing establishment and a grist and 
 sawmill for several 3'ears. 
 
 It was while in Clinton that Mr. Amerman was 
 married, October 22, 1848, to Miss Hannah Watson. 
 
366 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 who was born in Ohio and reared in Vermillion 
 County, Ind., and wlien six years old was taken 
 by her parents to that county. In 1855, our sub- 
 ject sold out and came by team to Illinois. He 
 purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land 
 near Ash Grove, and until he could build a better 
 home lived in a little shanty, 12x13 feet, not 
 lathed or plastered. The snow gifted in through 
 the cracks and covered the beds, and the cabin 
 proved a poor protection from the elements. Hav- 
 ing established himself in a home and having been 
 blessed with a family of five children, he deter- 
 mined to secure a better education. Accordingly, 
 with his three eldest children, he attended school 
 a term, tanght by George Binford. Mr. Amerman 
 has been an active worker in the interests of pub- 
 lic education. He has the distinction of haring 
 organized the first free school in Lis community, 
 district No. 1, Ash Grove. Some years after quit- 
 ting school he took up the study of law under Judge 
 Woods and A. S. Palmer, of Onarga. After the 
 necessary preparation he was examined bj' a com- 
 mittee appointed by .Judge Woods, and was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar. Having practiced successfully 
 for five years, he saw his educational attainments 
 were so meagre that he could not hope to reach 
 the top round in his profession, and, not willing to 
 be a mediocre, he turned his attention to dealing 
 in stock, a business for which he was especially 
 adapted. The success with which he has met has 
 proved his good judgment in selecting this occupa- 
 tion. In connection with dealing in stock he has 
 been an extensive breeder of fine horses, cattle 
 and hogs. 
 
 For thirty-four years Mr. Amerman made his 
 home upon that farm, transforming it into one of 
 the valuable places of the county, but at length he 
 purchased sixteen acres of land in Cissna Park, 
 built a beautiful residence and made his home in 
 that place until 1892, when he purchased a better 
 residence in Hoopeston, wiiere he can have better 
 educational privileges for his daughter. He still 
 owns three hundred and sixty acres of fine land in 
 Ash Grove Township. He has platted his land in 
 Cissna Park and has made two additions to the 
 town. Since the incorporation of Cissna Park, he 
 has been its Police Magistrate. 
 
 In 1882, Mr. Amerman was called upon to 
 mourn the loss of his wife, who died of heart dis- 
 ease on the 7th of August. She was a lady who 
 had the love and esteem of all, and her death 
 proved a sorrow to the entire community, as well 
 as to her immediate family. Mr. and Mrs. Amer- 
 man had a family of thirteen children: Sarah, who 
 is now Mrs. Cheek, resides in Hoopeston. Isaac, who 
 was born in Indiana but was reared in this county, 
 attended the [jublic schools and was graduated 
 from Onarga Seminary. He then studied medicine 
 in Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati, and for two 
 years has been professor in a medical institute 
 of St. Louis. He carries on a large intirmar3' in 
 Nevada, Mo., and now has an extensive practice, 
 and is a phj'siciau of prominence and a man of more 
 than ordinar\' ability. .Joseph, who is a barber 
 by trade, on account of ill health is at home. 
 Robert, who acquired his education in Onarga, 
 married Miss Alice Lank, was engaged in general 
 merchandising at Hooiiestown, but is interested in 
 the Bi-Chloride of Gold Institute of that place. 
 Alonzo operates the old homestead farm; Charles, 
 who was graduated from the Keokuk Medical 
 College and attended one term in Louisville, is 
 now enjoying a good practice in Harrisonville, Mo. 
 Richard, .Tr., graduated from the business course 
 in Onarga Seminar^', was formerly engaged in 
 merchandising in Hoopeston, and is now interested 
 in the Bi-Chloride of Gold Institute with his brother. 
 George W. graduated from the Dental College of 
 Ivansas City, and is now engaged in practice in 
 Harrisonville, Mo. Annie .Jane is at home. Four 
 children are deceased, William, Peter, .James E. 
 and Nathaniel. 
 
 Mrs. Amerman was a member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. He is one of the prominent 
 workers in the United Brethren Church, and has 
 given liberally to its support. He cast his first 
 Presidential vote for Henry Claj-. We have before 
 spoken of the influence slavery had upon him, and 
 at the organization of the Republican party, to 
 prevent the further extension of that institution, he 
 joined its ranks and has since been one of its zeal- 
 ous advocates. He is one of the prominent and 
 influential members of the party in this commun- 
 ity, and is a witty and entertaining speaker. Dur- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 307 
 
 hl; the late war he was a stanch friend of the 
 I nion and did all in his power to raise troops and 
 aid the soldiers, lie was a member of the Home 
 Guards and also of the I'nion League. 
 
 Mr. Amerman started out in life for himself at 
 the age of nineteen, lie first worked out a store 
 bill of as for his father, who then gave him his 
 time. He has led a busy and useful life and by 
 his well-directed efforts, industry and perseverance 
 he has acquired a handsome property-. He posses- 
 ses good judgment and excellent executive ability, 
 and in this way has won a well-deserved prosper- 
 ity. He is a man of upright character, held in 
 the highest esteem by all who know him, and it is 
 with pleasure that we present to our readers this 
 record of his life. 
 
 LEMENT V. FLEMING is numbered among 
 the pioneer settlers of Iro<iuois County-, 
 and now resides on section 14, Belmont 
 Township, where he owns and operates two hun- 
 dred and five acres of land, a highlj' improved 
 and well-cultivated farm, which yields to him a 
 golden tribute for the care and cultivation he be- 
 stows upon it. His life record is as follows: lie 
 was born near West Lebanon, Warren County, 
 Ind., December 3, 1831. His paternal grandfather, 
 Peter Fleming, served both in the Revolutionary 
 War and in the War of 1812. He was born and 
 reared in Kentucky, but afterwards emigrated to 
 Preble County, Ohio, crossing the Wabash River in 
 an Indian canoe. His death occurred in Warren 
 County, Ind. 
 
 The father of our subject, Andrew Fleming, was 
 born in Preble County, Ohio, and was reared to 
 manhood amid the wild scenes of frontier life. 
 He emigrated to Warren County, Ind., in 1822, 
 when there were only two other families in the 
 entire county. He entered a tract of land and 
 made a farm in the wilderness. For twenty years 
 before his death he was the oldest settler in the 
 county. He married Ann Mitchell, a native of 
 New Jersey'. Her father w.as murdered on the 
 
 Delaware River in his boat and his body was found 
 floating down the stream. .\ part of his family 
 then emigrated to Ohio, where .\ndre\v and Ann 
 Fleming were married. Immediately thereafter 
 iUey went to Indiana, where they spent the remain- 
 der of their days. The mother died in 1883, and 
 the father died .Inly ;i, 1«!I0, at the age of eighty- 
 six years. He was a Whig in polities and a Uni- 
 versalist in religious belief. In his younger years 
 he was a teacher and fine writer. By his own 
 efforts he acquired his education, and became a 
 well-informed man. He also posses.sed good busi- 
 ness ability, and was quite successful in his under- 
 takings. The family numbered eight children: 
 William, of Hutchinson, Reno County, Kan.; .luliet 
 and .Julian, twins, the former a resident of Kan- 
 sas and the latter a resident of Williamsport; 
 C. F. of this sketch; Christina who died in Warren 
 County, Ind.; James A., who died at tiie age of 
 twenty-three in Warren County, Ind.; Minerva, 
 who is living in Williamsport, Ind.; and .lolin .1., 
 a soldier of the late war, who is now living retired 
 in Watseka. 
 
 Mr. Fleming whose name heads this record spent 
 his boyhood days in attendance at the common 
 schools during the winter season and in the sum- 
 mer months worked on the farm. He remained at 
 home until tlie fall of 1852, when he entered two 
 hundred acres of land in Iroquois County. About 
 18.53, with his fatiier and brothers, he entered 
 twelve hundred .acres of land in Stockland 
 Township. It was all a wild, open prairie, infested 
 by wolves. At the age of twent\'-three, .Mr. Flem- 
 ing took up his residence upon his land, and began 
 breaking prairie with four yoke of o.ven. The first 
 summer he broke one hundred and forty acres of 
 land, and in course of time he [ilaeed the entire a- 
 mount under cultivation. Since then he has bought 
 and sold a number of farms, but for twenty-six years 
 has been a resident of Belmont Township. He 
 now owns his home farm of two hundred and lire 
 acres, bought of his wife's father, together with an- 
 other farm of forty acres, and three hiindie^l and 
 twenty acres in the Platte Valley, in D.-iwsun 
 County, Neb., which is operated by his sou. 
 
 Mr. Fleming was married on the farm which is 
 now his home, October 4, 18C0, to Miss Sarah A. 
 
368 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 McConnell, a native of Benton County, Ind., and 
 a daughter of Jolin and Almira (Sargent) McCon- 
 nell, pioneer settlers of this countj', who now re- 
 side in Bates County, Mo. Seven children have 
 been born unto our subject and his wife: Ida, the 
 eldest, is now the wife of Andrew J. (lillflUan, a 
 farmer of Belmont Township; John A. and Arthur 
 C4rant are engaged in the operation of their father's 
 laud in Nebraska, and John A. is married; Hattie 
 is the wife of Dorn Harden, a printer of Ottawa, 
 111.; Frank L., Philo Alvin, and Homer I), are 
 still under the parental roof. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are members of the Chris- 
 tian Church and are charitable and benevolent 
 people, who are highly respected in this com- 
 munity. Our subject cast his first vote for Fre- 
 mont, and has since been a stalwart supporter of 
 Republican principles. He is numbered among 
 the earliest settlers of this county. Wh(ni a boy 
 of nine years, with his father and brother William, 
 they drove three teams of oxen to Chicago, where 
 they sold three wagon-loads of oats on what is 
 now South AVater Street; returning, they brought 
 with them salt and bacon, for which they received 
 a good price. Forty years passed before Mr. Flem- 
 ing again saw Chicago and the change that had 
 been made then seemed almost incredible. He 
 has watched the entire growth and upbuilding of 
 this county, and he is one of its self-made men who 
 has worked his way upward to coraiietency and 
 ease. 
 
 ^ OHN 1. EA'ANS, who is engaged in general 
 farming on section 29, Iroquois Township, 
 where for twenty years he has made his 
 ^^j/' home, was born on the 8th of March, 1848, 
 in St. Joseph County, Ind. His father, Jacob 
 Evans, was a native of Ohio, and about 1827, when 
 a lad of eight years, removed with his mother, 
 a widow, to Indiana, locating in Bartholomew 
 County, then an almost unbroken wilderness. 
 Amid the wild scenes of pioneer life he grew to 
 manhood, and was joined in wedlock with Miss 
 Mary Ann Richardson, who was born near Cincin- 
 nati, Ohio. About two years after his marriage 
 he removed to St. Joseph County, Ind., locating 
 
 upon a farm. His death occurred about six years 
 later, in 1854. His wife survived him for a num- 
 ber of years and was a. second time married. She 
 also spent the remainder of her life in St. Joseph 
 County. 
 
 Mr. Evans, of whom we write, went to Southern 
 Indiana after his father's death and lived with his 
 grandparents until sixteen j'ears of age. He at- 
 tended the public schools and acquired a good 
 English education. When a lad of sixteen he en- 
 tered the service of his countiy, enlisting as a 
 member of the Eleventh United States Infantry, on 
 the 15th of April, 1864, for three years' service. 
 With his regiment he participated in the battles in 
 front of Petersburg and soon afterward was taken 
 prisoner at Weldon Railroad. About twenty days 
 later he was paroled, and remained at Annapolis, 
 Md., until exchanged, when he rejoined his regi- 
 ment and continued with that command until 
 honorably discharged on the 13tli of January, 
 1865. 
 
 Mr. Evans returned to the county of his nativ- 
 ity, where he remained one year. The spring of 
 1866 witnessed his arrival in Iroquois Country, 
 and he began work upon a farm by the month. In 
 the spring of 1867, however, he returned to Indi- 
 ana, but after a year again came to this county 
 and engaged in farming ' with an uncle. John 
 Evans, who was one of the early settlers of Iioquois 
 Township, remaining with him for a period of four 
 years. It was in 1872 that he purchased his present 
 farm, a tract of raw prairie, and located thereon in 
 1873, and has since made it his home. He now 
 owns eighty acres of highly improved and valua- 
 ble land, pleasantl}' situated about six and a-half 
 miles from Watseka, and one and a-half miles 
 from Crescent City. The well-tilled fields and 
 good improvements upon the place attest his 
 thrift and enterprise. 
 
 (Jn the 26th of February, 1880, in Champaign 
 County, 111., Mr. Evans was united in marriage 
 with Miss Addie Munhall, a native of that county, 
 and a daughterof Jamesand Nancy (Webber) Mun- 
 hall, who were pioneer settlers of Champaign 
 County. Two children have been born unto our 
 subject and his wife, a daughter and son, Edith 
 and James M. 
 
d-T...<.\X? 
 
 c/.yf'ifu^^s^ 
 
^cuioiA^ ^Ud. 
 
 '^<n<^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlO<4RAPHICAL RIX'ORD. 
 
 371 
 
 Tlie parents are both members of the Congrega- 
 tional Churcli of Crescent City, in which Jlr. 
 Evans fills tlie office of Trustee. He is a member 
 of Standard Lodge No. 607, I. O. . O. F., of Cres- 
 cent City, lias filled all of its offices and is now 
 Past Orand. He also holds membership with the 
 Grand Army Post. The cause of education finds 
 in him a warm friend and he has done effective 
 service in the interest of the schools. He believes 
 that good schools make good citizens and that 
 ca|)able teachers should be employed. Mr. Evans 
 is a wide-awake and enterprising citizen who has 
 the best inlei'ests of the community at Iieart, and 
 he and his wife well deserve representation in this 
 volume. 
 
 I SAAC W. WILSON, one of the self-made men 
 of the count}', who started out in life empty- 
 /ii handed but now has a comfortable compe- 
 tence, is engaged in farming on section 22, Ridge- 
 land Township. He was born in Warren County, 
 N. .1., on the 23rd of April, 1825, and is one of a 
 family of nine children born of the union of Will- 
 iam and Mary (Probasco) Wilson. His parents 
 were both natives of New .Ierse\- and were of 
 Irish and English extraction, respectively-. The 
 father wiis a carpenter and joiner by trade and 
 followed that occupation throughout his business 
 career. He died at an early age in 1825, when 
 Isaac was only eight months old. The mother of 
 our subject long survived him and was called to 
 her final rest in 1878. Of the family nearly all 
 are now decea.sed. John died in 1832; Elizabeth 
 died in 1884: William died in 1872; Sarah died 
 ill 1885; Catherine is still living; Thompson died 
 ill 1841; George W. is engaged in farming in 
 New Jersey; Isaac W. is the next >ounger; and 
 one other child died in mfancy. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born and reared 
 upon a farm. As his father died during his in- 
 fanc3' he received very limited educational privi- 
 leges, for at an early age he had to begin to earn 
 his own livelihood. He was a lad of only thir- 
 teen summers when his mother liired him out to t 
 
 work on a farm, he receiving the munificent sum 
 of 84.50 |3er month for his services. He would 
 attend school during the winter months and work 
 upon the farm in the summer season. His time 
 was thus passed until he was twenty years of age, 
 when he apprenticed himself to learn the molder's 
 trade at Auburn, N. Y., where he remained for a 
 year. .\t the exjiiration of that period he spent a 
 year and a-half in (ieneva and Syracuse, N. Y., 
 and then went to Seneca Falls, where he remained 
 working at his trade until 1856. 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Wilson was married. On 
 December 1, 1847, he was joined in svedlock with 
 Miss Sarah Gaylord, who died on the 22d of 
 May, 1883, the union lieing celebrated in New 
 Hartford, Oneida County, N. Y. She was a 
 daughter of Henajah and Polly (Friend) Gaylord, 
 both natives of Connecticut. Her remains were 
 interred in Onarga Cemetery. In December, 1884, 
 Mr. Wilson was again married, his second union 
 being with Mrs. Julia A. Munson, widow of Ran- 
 som Slunson, of Watseka, 111. She is a native of 
 Delaware County, N. \'., and in 1855 came to this 
 State. Of her mairiage to Mr. Munson two chil- 
 dren are living, John F. and Mar3% 
 
 In 1853, attracted by the discovery of gold in 
 California, Mv. Wilson left home and journeyed 
 to the Pacific Slope, making the trip by water. 
 At length he landed in San Francisco. For eight 
 months he remained in the West, working at his 
 trade, prospecting and mining. He then returned 
 to .Seneca Falls, N. Y., where he resided until 
 1856. That year witnessed his arrival in Iroquois 
 Count}', 111. Casting his lot among the earlv set- 
 tlers, he purchased eight}' acres of land on section 
 22, Ridgeland Townsliij), and began the develop- 
 ment of a farm, upon which he has since resided. 
 He now owns two hundred and forty acres of ar- 
 able land, which is under a high state of cultiva- 
 tion and finely improved with all modern conven- 
 iences and the .accessories of a model farm. 
 
 Mr. Wilson is a supporter of the Democracy 
 and takes quite an active part in local politics, 
 doing all in his power for the growtii and up- 
 building of ills party. He has served his town- 
 ship as Supervisor for two terms and at present is 
 Commissioner of Highways. 
 
372 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 In 1889 he was appointed one of the Commis- 
 sioners of Union Drainage District No. 1, of 
 Ouarga and Ridgeland Township, and for two 
 years succeeding he served as Secretary-. They 
 dredged with steam dredge four and twenty nine- 
 hundredtlis miles. Besides they laid thirteen and 
 forty-five-lmndredth miles of tile, ranging from 
 nine to eigliteen inches, at a total cost of $21,000. 
 Altliough greatly opjjosed, tlie work was pushed 
 forward and as Mr. Wilson took an active part 
 lie received his full share of the epithets and 
 opprobrium. But now tlie citizens of the district 
 universally grant it to be the best investment of 
 their lives and hold tliat it has done more to en- 
 hance the value of the land than anything else. 
 
 Socially, he is a member of tlie Masonic order 
 and was connected with tlie old County Agricul- 
 tural Societ}' when the fairs were held at Onarga, 
 in which he was honored with the office of Presi- 
 dent for four years. His property represents liis 
 own hard labor, for he began life empty-handed, 
 working his way upward by industry and enter- 
 prise to a i)Osition among the enterprising citizens 
 of the county. lie is numljered among the early 
 settlers of the community, having for thirty-six 
 years here made his home. He has witnessed 
 much of the growth and upbuilding of the county, 
 has aided in its progress and development, and 
 well deserves representation in its history. 
 
 'SAAC AMERMAN, .Justice of the Peace of 
 Onarga, was born in New York City, on the 
 /r 23d day of February, 1822, and is a son of 
 Peter and Charlotte P. (Knapp) Amerman, the 
 former a native of New York and the latter of Con- 
 necticut. The father was married previous to his 
 union to the mother of our subject, and had nine 
 children by the first marriage. Two sons and 
 two daughters were born to Peter and Charlotte 
 Amerman: Helen, now the widow of Alexander 
 F. Dodge; Frances A., widow of Samuel S. 
 Doughty; Richard and Isaac. 
 
 When seven years old our subject went to live 
 with his eldest brother in Johnstown, N. Y., making 
 
 tlie trip by steamlioat and canal. He received his 
 education in the academy of that place. In 1836, be 
 returned to his home in New York City, where he 
 remained till his removal Westward. After attain- 
 ing to man's estate he married Miss Margaret B. 
 Conklin, daughter of William and Susan (Far- 
 rington) Conklin, of Nevv York -C^ity. In June, 
 1855, he emigrated with his family to the West, 
 locating in St. Joseph, Mich., where he lived for 
 three jears. In Jul}', 1858, he came to Illinois, 
 locating in Onarga Township, Iroquois County, 
 where he has since made his home. He has been 
 prominentlv identified with its history and is 
 widely and favorably known throughout the 
 county. 
 
 Unto j\Ir. and i\Irs. Amerman were born eleven 
 children: William C, born January 1, 1844, en- 
 listed for the late war in August, 1862, as a mem- 
 ber of Company D, One Hundred and Thirteenth 
 Illinois Infantry, and remained in the service un- 
 til the cessation of hostilities. He was wounded 
 in the head at the battle of Arkansas Post. On 
 the 7th of October, 1866, in Lake Mills, Wis., he 
 married Miss Harriet E. Kilbourn, and their home 
 is now in Howell County, Mo. They have four 
 sons: Theodore, Isaac, Arba and Frank. Emeline 
 S. was born September 22, 1845. Margaret A., 
 born December 4, 1847, became the wife of Yin- 
 cent Farrington, of Bloomington, Monroe County, 
 Ind., December 25, 1866. They now reside in Ou- 
 arga and have three children: Samuel M., Albert 
 and Paul. Peter, born June 26, 1850, wedded 
 Miss Maria J. Davies, daughter of Thomas Davies, 
 of Onarga, October 21, 1878, and their home in 
 Beatrice, Neb., is brightened by the presence of one 
 son, Carl. Albert M., born February 19, 1852, 
 wedded JMiss Mary Alice Lowe, of Onarga, and one 
 child, Charles L., graces their union, which was cel- 
 ebrated June 14, 1888. Richard M., born March 
 11, 1854, died January 10, 1867. Charlotte M. was 
 born December 23, 1856, in Berrien County, Mich. 
 Helen D. was born September 29, 1859. Frances 
 G., born May 26, 1862, is the wife of John W. 
 Millar, a Presbyterian minister. They were mar- 
 ried May 12, 1891, and reside in Deer Lodge City, 
 Mont. Philip M. was born March 1, 1866. Charles 
 II., born March 15, 1867, died on the 23d of Au- 
 
PORTRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 373 
 
 gust following. The fli-st six children of llie fam- 
 ily were born in Xcw York City and the four 
 youngest in this county. 
 
 In January, 18fi6, Mr. Aniermaii whose name 
 lieads this record was elected to the ollice of Jus- 
 tice of the Peace to fill a vacancy and has since 
 held tliat position with the exception of one term, 
 when he was absent from the .State. His long-con- 
 tinued service attests the prompt and faithful man- 
 ner in wliicli he discharges his duties and ins per- 
 sonal popularity. In politics he is a warm advo- 
 cate of Republican principles and has held various 
 otlices of trust and responsibility for a long period 
 of years. He and his entire family are members 
 of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as 
 Elder for a number of years, when he resigned. 
 Socially, he is a member of Onarga Lodge No. 305, 
 A. F. <t A. M., and for several years was honored 
 with the otlice of AVorshipful Master. He has 
 been identified with the best interests of Onarga 
 for manj- years and is numbered among its val- 
 ued and leading citizens wlio well deserve repre- 
 sentation in this volume. 
 
 eAPT. COLUMBUS CROSS, who for four 
 }-ears gallantly defended the Bag of our 
 country during the late war, is a dealer in 
 marble and monuments at Oilman. He was born 
 in Utica, K. Y., May 17, 1825, and is a son of 
 Krastus and Ann (Evans) Cross. His father was 
 born in Great Barrington, Mass., though his ances- 
 tors came from England prior to the Revolu- 
 tionary War. His grandfather Cross and his 
 brotiier served in that war, while his father and 
 several of his brothers served in the AVar of 1812. 
 His mother was born at Great Barrington also, and 
 licr people were of Welsh descent. In 1792, the 
 parents of our subject emigrated to Utica, where 
 his fatlier engaged in the monument and marble 
 i)usiness as long as he lived. He had an extensive 
 trade, and was widely and favorably known, botli 
 as a skillful workman and as a man of honor and 
 integritv. Much of his work still remains. Pol- 
 
 itically, he was a Democrat, and both he and his 
 worthy wife were members of the Melhodist 
 Church. In 1848 they were both called to the 
 better land. They had a family of eight children, 
 four sons and four daughters, none of wliora sur- 
 vive save our subject and one brother, i-j-astus, of 
 Oakley Station, III., wlio started the first marble 
 works at La Fayette, Ind. Subsequently acquir- 
 ing a section of land at Oakley, he has since made 
 that place his home. 
 
 Mr. Cross received sui-li an education as the 
 common schools of tliat early time afforded. He 
 spent much of his time when young in his father's 
 marble shop, and by the time he was ten years 
 old had acquired a liking for the business, so that 
 at his request his father put him to work at 
 smoothing up letters on tombstones, at which he 
 soon became very expert. When only about 
 eighteen, he was employed to carry on the marble 
 business at Erie, Pa., by a firm that owned a 
 quarry in Vermont. Two years later they sent 
 him with a boat-load of marble to Zanesville, 
 Ohio, where for some time he carried on the same 
 line of trade for them. In company with A. C. 
 Smith, lie then established business at Cincinnati, 
 under the firm name of the Great Western Marble 
 Works. They continued a very extensive and 
 successful trade until the cholera broke out in 
 1849, when lie sold out and went down the river, 
 opening a fine quarry of white stone at New- 
 market, Ind., After five years he discovered that 
 the stone would not stand the action of the 
 weather. He therefore sold his interest and went 
 on to St. Louis, where he continued at his trade 
 until 1857, when he removed to Jacksonville, em- 
 barking in the same business. 
 
 On the breaking out of the war, Mr. Cross 
 raised a coni])any, of wliich he was elected Cap- 
 tain. They remained in camp near .Springfield 
 until November, 1861, when they were mustered 
 into service as Company E, Tenth Illinois Cav- 
 alry. His company w.is called to IMissouri and 
 Arkansas, where after eighteen months' service he 
 resigned, went to New York and raised Company 
 E, Second New York Cavalry, which was assigned to 
 Custer's Division. In the Slicnandoah \'alley he saw 
 much hard service, and participated in the battles 
 
374 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORB. 
 
 of Cedar Creek anrl Winchester, where Sheridan 
 made his famous ride. From that time until tlie 
 close of the war he was in engagements almost 
 daily. Near Newmarket, Va., he was kicked by a 
 horse on the right knee, which disabled him for 
 several months. He was mustered out at Ft. 
 Niagara, on the 16th of August, 1865. 
 
 Soon afterward, Mr. Cross went to Onarga, 
 wliere he established himself in liis former occupa- 
 tion of tombstone and monument work. In 1869 
 he removed to (iilman, where he has had an exten- 
 sive trade since. Among the best work he has done 
 are the three O'llarre monuments at Ambo3', 111.; 
 one for Goldsboro, Ore., which went on the first 
 through freight train on tlie Northern Pacific; the 
 Soldiers' Monument at INIobile, Ala., for the Sev- 
 enty-sixth Illinois Infantry; and Van Kirk's 
 monument at Momence, 111. Tlie Matzenbaugh 
 vault in Oak Hill Cemetery, at Watseka, and the 
 Danforth vault in the Danforth Cemetery are also 
 fine examples of his skill and art. His long expe- 
 rience in this line has taught him that Italian 
 marble, owing to extremes in heat and cold in 
 this climate, is not as durable as the American 
 marbles. 
 
 At Rensselaer, Ind., he led to the marriage altar 
 Miss Mattie P,abb, on the 20th of May, 1866. She 
 passed away March 9, 1886, leaving a wide circle 
 of friends to mourn her loss. She was an earnest 
 and consistent member of the Presbj-terian 
 Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cross were born four 
 children : Minnie, Lucy, Ella and .Julia. The 
 three first-named are graduates of the Oilman 
 High School, Ella having had the honor of being 
 the valedictorian of her class. The sisters are all 
 members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cross, 
 though not a church member, contributes liberally 
 to church work. 
 
 In jiolitics his sympathies are with tiie Repub- 
 lican partj-. He was formerly a Whig, his first 
 vote being cast for Taylor. In 1859, as is shown 
 in the reports of the State Fair held at Jackson- 
 ville, he took the first premium for fine work in 
 sculpture. He is a man widely known on account 
 of his workmanship and his long residence in this 
 section. He is a member of the Grand Army 
 Post of Oilman. In the time of our country's 
 
 .need he was among the first to come to her assist- 
 ance, and bravel}' did he defend her rights. In a 
 like manner he has always responded to the call 
 of duty wherever it led him, and thus deserves the 
 commendation of all true patriots and friends of 
 the riffht. 
 
 =^^+-^1 
 
 llj', , IRAjM a. perry, who carries on general 
 
 K )i* farming and stock-raisng on section 8, 
 /4W^ Milford Township, has been a resident of 
 (l^ Iroquois county for about thirty 3'ears. A 
 native of Indi.ana, he was born in Switzerland 
 County, that State, on the 1st of December, 1853, 
 and is one of a family of nine children, whose 
 parents, Hiram and Elizabeth (Dalton) Periy,were 
 both natives of New York. Of their family, Eu- 
 gene P. married Elizabeth Hammond, and unto 
 them were born four children, two of whom and 
 their father are deceased. Albert AVellington, who 
 manied Loretta Dalton, by whom he has five chil- 
 dren, is a resident of Momence, 111. Mertia Helen 
 became the wife of Eber J. (Gilbert; thej' and two of 
 their four children are now deceased. Daniel Giilbert 
 was joined in wedlock with Lucinda J. Penny, and, 
 with their five children, they live in Sheldon Town- 
 ship, Iroquois County. Lewis McMillan married 
 Miss Mary Enipy. William Wallace married Kittie 
 McCormick, who died in May, 1891, leaving three 
 children. Emma Rebecca is the wife of Addison 
 Morgan, and, with their family of two children, 
 they reside in Onarga, 111. Lucy Ann is the wife of 
 Frank Morgan, and with their two children they 
 also make their home in Onarga. 
 
 Our subject spent the first ten years of his life 
 in the State of his nativity, and in February, 1863, 
 came with his parents to Illinois, the family locat- 
 ing in Del Rev, where the children grew to man- 
 hood and womanhood. Hiram w.as educated in 
 the public schools and remained under the paren- 
 tal roof until he had attained his majority. He 
 is now engaged in farming and stock-raising, oper- 
 ating a good farm on section 8, Milford Township. 
 He is an enterprising agriculturist, practical and 
 progressive, and is meeting with good success in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 375 
 
 his undertakings. Politically, lie is :i staiioli Dem- 
 ocrat. 
 
 On C'iu-istmas Day of 1877, Mr. II. A. Perry was 
 united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Kiser, 
 daughter of John C. and .Sarah J. (Hutchinson) 
 Kiser, of Watseka. They began their domestic 
 life upon the farm and now have a pleasant home 
 in Milford Township. They have a wide circle of 
 friends and acquaintimces throughout the com- 
 munity and are numbered among the highlj- re- 
 spected citizens. 
 
 c 
 
 -=:=^^^|-^H^||^^i^^ 
 
 IIARLKS LINCOLN DAZKY is one of the 
 wide-awake and enterprising young business 
 JfJ men of Milford, who is engaged as a grain 
 dealer, a member of the firm of Wilcox k, Dazey. 
 His life record is as follows: He was born in 
 Fountain County, Ind., December 22, 1861, and is 
 a son of Aaron and Dorcas Ann (.Smith) Daze}', 
 both of whom were born and reared in Fountain 
 County. By occupation his father was a farmer 
 and followed that business througliout tiie greater 
 part of his life. In 1869 he left the State of his 
 nativity and emigrated witli liis family to Illinois, 
 locating in Iroquois County, a mile and a-half 
 southeast of Milford, where he still resides. The 
 mother departed this life Jul}' 12, 1888. In the 
 family were six children, five of whom are yet 
 living: Charles L. of this sketch is the eldest. 
 Jessie, born February 28, 1863, is tlie wife of 
 Lucas Jones. They reside upon a farm about five 
 miles east of Milford, and have two children. Alia, 
 born .May .5, 186;'), is the wife of .Samuel Sloane, 
 who is engaged in farming about six miles south- 
 east of Milford, where the}- are living witli their 
 two sons. Clinton Francis, born February 18, 1867, 
 married Ida Curtis, by whom he lias a little daugh- 
 ter, and he too is an agriculturist, residing five 
 miles northeast of Milford. Cora, born April 21, 
 1870, is living with her father. Oka, born in Sep-, 
 tember, 1872, died in infancy. 
 
 Our subject was a lad of about eight summers, 
 when with his parents he came to Iroquois County, 
 111. L'lider the parental roof he was reared to 
 
 manhood and the educational privileges of the 
 common schools were his. On the 18lh of July, 
 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie 
 Fitzgibbon, daughter of Patrick II. and Mary 
 (Murray) Fitzgibbon. Her parents arc natives of 
 the Kmerald Isle, but now reside in Ueloit, Wis. 
 
 For some time after his marriage, Mr. Dazey en- 
 gaged in farming, but for the past seven years he 
 has been a resident of Milford, and is one of its 
 leading and successful business men. He deals 
 extensively in stock, which he buys, sells and 
 raises. He is also interested in the elevator and 
 grain business in Milford, which is carried on un- 
 der the firm name of Wilcox k. Dazey. This is 
 one of the leading industries of the place and 
 they do a large business each year. Mr. Dazey is 
 a member of the ^lodern Woodmen of America. 
 He owns considerable property in Milford besides 
 his beautiful residence. This home is the abode 
 of hospitality and our subject and his estimable 
 wife rank high in social circles. He is regarded 
 as one of the active and enterprising business 
 men of Milford, who by his own efforts has ac- 
 quired a handsome property. His sterling worth 
 and strict integrity class him among the best citi- 
 zens of the community, and it is with pleasure 
 that we present this record of his life to our 
 readers. 
 
 srr^^ AMFKL R. IIAKKY 
 
 O fir 
 
 a member of the 
 ^' firm of Harry Bros., who have an alistract 
 office in Watseka and also engage in the 
 '^^" practice of law. He was born on the 18lh 
 of March, 1852, in Woodford C^ounty, 111., and is 
 a son of Thomas S. and Irena (Compton) Harry, a 
 sketch of whom appears on another p.age of this 
 work. In the usual manner of farmer lads, he was 
 reared to manhood and attended the public schools. 
 Later he entered Bethany College of West Virginia, 
 where after a two-year course he was graduated 
 in civil engineering. 
 
 On his return from college, Mr. Harry engaged 
 in farming, and afterward studied law m Chat«- 
 
376 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 worth under the preceptorship of the Hon. Sam- 
 uel T. Fosdick, a leading lawyer of that place. He 
 was admitted to the Bar in 1879, and the same 
 year located in Milford, Iroquois County, where 
 he embarked in the practice of his profession. He 
 there continued to engage in business until the 
 spring of 1884, when he removed to the farm in 
 Livingston County, and from tliere came to Wat- 
 seka in November, 1889, and engaged in the pres- 
 ent business. 
 
 On the 16th of December, 1879, Mr. Harry led 
 to the marriage altar, in Chatsworth, Miss Laura 
 T. Vail, who was born in Hour}-, Marshall County, 
 III., and is a daugliter of Benjamin M. and Mary 
 E. Vail. Two children have been born of their 
 union: Lando C, who was born in VVatseka, Janu- 
 ar}' 22, 18813; and Walter S., who was born near 
 Chatsworth, Livingston County, on the 22d of 
 April, 1886. The parents are both members of the 
 Christian Churcii and are leading .young people of 
 this community wlio rank higii in social circles. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Harry is a Prohibitionist and 
 advocates free-trade principles. The firm of which 
 he is a member is doing a prosperous business and 
 is rapidly winning a foremost place in their line. 
 They are higiily regarded by the public. 
 
 i>-^<i 
 
 S|t_^ EXRY W. WHITP:, one of the honored 
 Ir )|' pioneers of tlie county, who is now living 
 /^^ retired in Cissna Park, was born in Mor- 
 l^j gan County, Ind., November 13, 1829. 
 His f.^ther, Benjamin White, was a son of James 
 While, a Scotcliman, who earl>' in the eighteenth 
 century crossed the Atlantic and located in the 
 southern part of North Carolina. At his death he left 
 a wife and three children, two sons and a daugliter, 
 who were reared by a bachelor nncle. 
 
 Benjamin White witii the others was reared in 
 Guilford County, N. C. An old familj' Bible re- 
 cords that he was born in .Scotland, August 8, 1790, 
 and when a young child came with his parents to 
 America. He was married September 6, 1812. in 
 Guilford Co\uity, to Miss Mary Coffin, daughter 
 
 of Levi and Prudence Coffin, who was born 
 March lit, 1791. The ancestry of her family can 
 be traced back over eight hundred years. Her 
 brother, Levi Coffin, was president of the Under- 
 ground Railroad, prior to the late war. He lived 
 at Cincinnati and was a prominent leader in the 
 Abolition movement. All of the family were con- 
 nected with the Friends' Society. 
 
 In an early day Benjamin White emigrated with 
 his family' to Indiana and spent three 3'ears in Rich- 
 mond, after which he entered land in Morgan 
 County. While journeying to that place he had 
 to cut his way through the timber for his covered 
 wagon. He tlien lived in the wagon until poles 
 could be cut for a slianty,and then made his home 
 in the slianty until a log cabin could be erected. 
 He would often take a sack of corn and follow an 
 Indian trail to mill. He made a good farm in the 
 midst of the forest and spent the remainder of his 
 life in Morgan County, dying on the 21st of Feb- 
 ruary, 1863. He hafl many friends but no enemies. 
 His educational advantages were very nieagre but 
 he became a fair scholar and business man by his 
 own efforts. His wife died at the advanced age of 
 ninety-six jears on the old home farm. Both were 
 faithful members of the Friends' Society. The 
 family consisted of the following children: Eliza- 
 beth, who became the wife of Joseph Morris and 
 died in Hendricks County; Ind.; Milton, who died 
 in Iowa: Jolni, who died in Indiana in childhood; 
 Jesse and Mrs. Anna Anderson, who reside in 
 Plainfleld, Ind.; Rebecca Iladley, who resides in 
 Westfleld, Ind.; Elihu C., who died on the old home- 
 stead in 18.55.; Henry W. of this sketch, and El- 
 wood, who resides on the old home farm. 
 
 The earliest recollections of Heniy White are of 
 the timbered f.arm in Morgan County, hid., where 
 his boyhood days were [lassed. His early educa- 
 tion w.as acquired in the subscription schools, and 
 in 1852 he went to Earlham College, of Richmond, 
 Ind., where he pursued his studies for a year. He 
 then engaged in teaching for two terms near his 
 old home, after which he removed to Amo, Hen- 
 dricks County, Ind., with his brother Jesse. On 
 the 19th of July, 1854, in that county, he married 
 Lucinda Bales, who vvas born in Hendricks County, 
 April 8, 1830. In 1856 he returned with his 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 377 
 
 Noung wife to the old farm, of which he had charge 
 for two years, and in 1858 he bought land near 
 Helleville, Ind. He sold that farm in I860 and 
 came to Iroquois Count}- and settled in Ash Grove 
 Township, where some sixty families of Friends 
 from different sections located the same year or 
 the year previous. Purchasing one hundred and 
 sixty acres of land, his famil}- began life in a log 
 cabin in true pioneer style. The prairie was wild 
 and uncultivated and all kind of wilds game were 
 plentiful. ^Ir. White developed a rich and fertile 
 farm, u[)iin uliicli he made his home until his re- 
 moval to t'issna I'ark in 1888, since which time 
 he h.as lived retired. 
 
 .lune 28, 1892, Mr. White was called upon to 
 mourn the loss of his wife. She was a most estima- 
 ble lady, an earnest Christian and faithful mem- 
 ber of the Friends' Churcli. She died in Chicago 
 at the home of her nephew, C. C. Wilson, and her 
 remains were interred in the Friends' Graveyard, 
 three miles North of CissnaPark. Her loss was felt 
 throughout the community and w.as a heavy blow 
 to her family and friends. Four children were 
 born to Mr. and INIrs. AVhite: Cory F., a na- 
 tive of Indiana, married .Jennie Howard and re- 
 sides in Cissna Park. He h.as been engaged in mer- 
 chandising for several years. Edgar T. is a member 
 of the mercantile firm of White & Lindsey; 
 Susan Alice died in 1865, at the age of five years; 
 and Mary Ann is the wife of Dr. .1. A. Bundy, of 
 Iroipiois, this count}-. The children were educa- 
 ted in the common schools and Onarga Seminary, 
 and have all engaged in teaching. 
 
 Mr. White is a member of tlie Friends" Ciiurch 
 and has lived an upright, consistent Christian life 
 which has won him the confidence and good-will 
 (jf ail with whom he has been brought in contact. 
 He keeps well informed on all political affairs and 
 h.is been a stanch Hcpublican since the oi'ganiza- 
 tion of the i)arty. lie cast his first Presidential 
 vole in 18.')2 for the Whig candidate. He is a per- 
 sonal friend of Benjamin Harrison and his warm 
 admirer. Tiie cause of temperance has ever 
 found in him a very warm adherent, and what- 
 ever is calculated to benefit or improve the com- 
 111 unity has always received his earnest support. 
 For twenty-seven years he has resided in this 
 
 county and is one of its highly respected citizens. 
 His life has been a prosperous one and he is now 
 resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his for- 
 mer labor. 
 
 r3.5.4.4..}..^^r^4.^.^.c 
 
 if,' KRKMLMl R. IIAH.MAN, one of the exten- 
 tensive land-owners of Iroquois County, 
 and a representative citizen of Milford, 
 claims Missouri as the State of his nativity. 
 The place of his l)irth is in Randoli)h County, near 
 Moberly, and tiie date was April 13, 1851. He is a 
 son of -Vnthony and Theodosia (Carver) Ilarinan, 
 who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in con- 
 nection with the sketch of .Jacob Ilarman. In March, 
 1865, they removed with their family to Warren 
 County, Ind., and located upon the farm where they 
 still make their home. 
 
 Our subject was a lad of fourteen years when he 
 went willi his parents to the Iloosier State. He 
 began his educatitm in ^Missouri and completed it 
 in the public schools of Indiana. Ilis residence in 
 the latter State covered a period of nine years, at 
 the expiration of which time he came to I llinois. 
 This was in 1874. Locating in Stockland Town- 
 ship, Iroquois County, he settled on a farm of 
 about eight hundred acres of land on sections 7, 
 18 and lit, where he carried on general farming 
 and stock-raising 011 an extensive scale. He is an 
 enterprising man, whose life has been characterized 
 by thrift and industry, and these elements of char- 
 .'icter have been plainly manifest in his business 
 career. His land has been placed under a high 
 state of cultivation and the well-tilled fields yield 
 to him a golden tiibute. The improvements ni)on 
 the place arc such as are found on a model farm, 
 and in every appointment the place seems com- 
 plete. 
 
 On the .3d of February, 1876, Mr. Ilarman led 
 to the marriage altar Miss Laura R., daughter of 
 James and Susan Schoonover, who reside near 
 Williamsport, Warren County, Ind., where the 
 marriage of the young couple was celebrated. 
 They have one son, an only child, William S., born 
 October 24, 1878, JVhs. Ilarman is the owner of a 
 
378 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 part of her father's homestead in Indiana, lier 
 portion comprising two hundred acres of well-im 
 proved land. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Ilarnmn is a stalwart 
 advocate of Republican principles and has held a 
 number of local official positions. The cause of 
 education finds in him a warm friend, and while 
 serving for ten years as Director he did much for 
 tlie improvement of the schools of Stockland 
 Township. He and wife and son are all members 
 of the Christian Church, to the support of which 
 he contributes liberally. In the fall of 1887, he 
 removed to JVIilford, where he owns a beautiful 
 and commodious residence, tastefully furnished 
 with all the comforts and manj' of tiie luxuries of 
 life. Mr. and Mrs. Harnian hold an enviable po- 
 sition in social circles and their friends and ac- 
 quaintances throughout the community are many, 
 while by all who know them they are warmly es- 
 teemed. Mr. Ilarraan is a man of excellent busi- 
 ness ability, s.agacious and far-sighted, and fair 
 and honest in all his dealings. His word is as 
 good as his bond, and he is classed among the best 
 citizens of his adopted county. 
 
 ellARLES E. WILCOX, a member of the 
 firm of Wilcox & Dazey, grain dealers of 
 Milford, was horn in Lowell, Mass., on the 
 6tli of September, 1851, and is a son of Edwinand 
 ISIaria A. (Tuthill) Wilcox. The father was born 
 in New Hampshire, and the mother in Westmin- 
 ster, Vt. They had but two children, tiie other 
 being Delyra, born March 17, 1840. In 1836, the 
 parents emigrated Westward, locating in Adrian, 
 Mich., but after two years returned to the Bay 
 State on account of the mother's health. In 1851, 
 the.y removed to New York, settling at Nunda. 
 At the breaking out of the late war, the father 
 entered the ranks and served for three years as 
 Hospital Steward of the One Hundred and Fourth 
 New York Infantry. 
 
 The subject of this sketch acquired his primary 
 education in the district schools, and in 1870 en- 
 
 tered the Nunda Academy at Nunda, N. Y., from 
 which he was graduated in June, 1871, having 
 passed the State regent examination. He is the 
 second one and the only student of that school 
 who received a diploma on the first examination. 
 
 When his school life was ended, he entered a 
 grocery and queensware store in Nunda, and for 
 five years was employed as salesman. He then de- 
 termined to try his fortune in the West, and in 
 1870 came to Chicago. He entered the emplo}' of 
 Charles L. Arnold & Co., wholesale provision mer- 
 chants, and remained with that firm most of the 
 time until his removal to Milford in 1884. On 
 his arrival here he bought out John Fairman, a 
 grain dealer, who had built an elevator east of the 
 depot, and as a member of the firm of Wilcox & 
 Wescott our subject embarked in business. He 
 has continued in the grain business ever since that 
 lime, but a number of changes have occurred in 
 the firm name. In July, 1891, he sold a half in- 
 terest to C. M. and C. L. Dazey, and operations are 
 now carried on under the title of Wilcox & Dazey. 
 
 A marriage, performed in Nunda, N. Y., in 1878, 
 united the destinies of Mr. Wilson and Miss Carrie 
 S. Hunt, daughter of Thomas C. and Fannie Hunt, 
 who were natives of England and direct descen- 
 dants of Earl Talbott. They have an only child, a 
 daughter, Frances Delyra, born January 9, 1890. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have a large circle of friends 
 and acq'uaintances throughout this community and 
 then social standing is high. Our subject is a 
 member of Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. ct A. 
 M.; Watseka Chapter No. 114, R. A. M.; and Mt. 
 Olivet Commander}' No. 38, K. T., of Paxton. 
 Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and both 
 he and his wife are of the Baptist faith. He is also 
 a member of Camp No. 296, S. of V.,and on the 3d 
 of June, 1892, was appointed Mustering Otticer for 
 Iroquois County. He is now serving his second 
 term as a member of the Village Board, and the 
 promptand etflcicnt manner in which he discharges 
 his duty wins him the commendation of all con- 
 cerned. While living in Chicago he served as 
 Deputy Lniled States Marshal, and Deputy As- 
 sessor iinder William B. H. Gray. He was also 
 an active member of the National Union League 
 of Illinois. He is a public-spirited and progress- 
 
^/\ 
 
 / 
 
 x^ 
 
 ^1^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 .■-;.si 
 
 ive citizen who lias the best interests of the eom- 
 niiinitv at heart and is ever ready to lend a help- 
 insr hand for tlie advancement of those enterprises 
 lending to promote the general welfare. 
 
 To no other biisiness as to that of grain dealing 
 does a town such as Milford owe its success. The 
 facilities of Wilcox & Dazey are unexcelled. The 
 elevator bears evidence of careful planning, and 
 no expense has been spared to i-ender the service 
 tirst-class in every respect. All machinerj' is run 
 by power and their shipping and loading facilities 
 are faultless. The capacity of the elevator is sixty 
 thousand bushels. The firm enjoys an excellent 
 re()utation, their name being synonymous with 
 capital, business abilit}' and integrity. To them 
 belongs the credit of making this a leading center 
 and shipping point, they having the best facilities 
 and most convenient arraiigenicnts on this line of 
 the road. 
 
 Mr. Wilcox is a self-made man, whatever success 
 he has achieved being due to his own efforts. 
 
 (F ^^ENHV K. STA.M, who owns and operates 
 
 r)!, two hundred and eighty acres of land on 
 J^)^ section 4, Concord Township, and is also 
 (^) engaged in stock-raising, was born in Cen- 
 tre County, Pa., on the 22d of August, 183.'), and 
 is a son of William and Lydia (Gentz^l) Stam. 
 His father died in 1814, leaving a family of six 
 children, of whom our subject was the eldest, and 
 he was then but nine years of age. Henry E. 
 never attended school after thirteen years of age, 
 for he had to aid in the support of the family. 
 After his father's death he went from home for 
 about two and a-half j'ears, when, becoming large 
 enough to aid his mother, he returned and gave her 
 the benefit of his services until he had arrived at 
 3'ears of maturity. 
 
 At the age of twenty, Jlr. Stam began learning 
 the trade of wagon-making, serving a two-year 
 apprenticeship, during which time he received his 
 board and *.50. lie followed that trade until 1867, 
 becoming an ex|)ert workman. As a companion 
 nnd helpmate (ui life's joui'ney he chose Miss .lu- 
 
 17 
 
 lia Harter, whom he married when twenty-one 
 years of age, their union being celebrated in 18.56. 
 The lad\' was born in Center County, Pa., on the 
 .')th of August, 18.3.5, and is a daughter of Andrew 
 and Catharine (Moyer) Ilarter, both of whom are 
 natives of Pennsylvania. Seven children have 
 been born of their union who are yet living, and 
 three died in infancy. John, the eldest, is married 
 and resides in Elsie, Neb., where he has a farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres; AVilliani, a resident 
 farmer of Beaver Townslii|), is married and li.as two 
 children; Leah, of Chicago; Tir/.ah is the wife of 
 Arthur Hamlin, who lives in Ciiicago, and they 
 have one child; Henry II. is carrying on a restaur- 
 ant in the same city; Alpiieiis anil Minnie are Ijotli 
 at home. 
 
 Ill 1862, Jlr. Stam bade good-bye to the State of 
 his nativity and with his family removed West- 
 ward, locating in (Jreenc County, Ind., where he 
 worked at his trade until 18()7. He then came to 
 Illinois, locating in Will County, and began farm- 
 ing on rented land. At length he purchased 
 eight3' acres at 820 per .acre, and in the fall of 
 1874 sold that farm for 840 per acre The follow- 
 ing spring he came to this county anil purchased 
 his present home at $26 per acre. All the im|)rove- 
 ments upon tiie place stand as monuments to his 
 thrift and enterprise, and the well-tilled fields yield 
 to him a golden tribute in return for his care and 
 cultivation. In connection with general fanning 
 he carries on stock-raising and his efforts have 
 been successful. He is a man of good business 
 ability, and by his industry and perseverance has 
 acquired a handsome property which numbers him 
 among the substantial farmers of the cominunity. 
 
 Mr. Stam resolved that his own children should 
 have lietter educational advantages than he re- 
 ceived, and all have attended the home schools, 
 while the two youngest have been students in 
 Donovan. In politics he has neen a supporter of 
 the Democratic party on questions of National im- 
 portance since he cast his first Presidential vote 
 for James Huchanan in 18.56. In local elections 
 he votes for the man whom he thinks is best qual- 
 ified for the ijosition, regardless of party affiliations. 
 He has frefiiiently served as a delegate to the 
 county conventions. While in Will County he 
 
382 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 served as Road Commissioner. For many years he 
 was School Director, and is now School Trustee. 
 I'ulilio-spirited and progressive, he is a valued 
 citizen of the comniunity, and well deserves rep- 
 lesentation in the history of his adopted county. 
 
 =^% 
 
 OIIN F. (iKDDKS, who is engaged in gen- 
 eral farming and stock-raising on section 
 25, Ash Grove Township, owns and operates 
 four hundred and fifteen acres of valuable 
 land. Upon his farm he has made his home since 
 18ti8, and in the years which have since come and 
 o-one he has transformed what was once a wild 
 prairie into rich and fertile fields. His Land is now 
 under a high state of cultivation, and upon the 
 farm are excellent improvements, including a sub- 
 stantial residence and good barns and outbuildings. 
 It is complete in all its appointments, and the neat 
 and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the 
 enterprise and progressive spirit of the owner. 
 
 Ur. Gcddes was born in Virginia, June 27, 1835, 
 aud during his childhood emigrated with his par- 
 ents to Ohio. His grandfather, John Gcddes, was 
 a native of Scotland, and, emigrating to Amer- 
 ica, he settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, where 
 lie spent the remainder of his life. He was a farmer 
 and weaver, and also operated a sawmill. His son 
 .loseph, the father of our subject, went to Tusca- 
 rawas County, Ohio, where he cleared a small farm, 
 and in 1815 removed to De Kalb County, Ind., 
 there making his home until his death in 1866. 
 He was a true pioneer farmer, and a highly re- 
 spected citizen. He supported the Democratic party, 
 and lived a quiet, unassuming life. In the Buckeye 
 State he married Catherine ]\Ioore, who died in 
 I)e Kalb County. Twelve children were born unto 
 them, seven sons and five daughters. William, a 
 farmer of Ash Grove Township; Elizabeth, who 
 died at the age of eleven years; J. F., of this sketch; 
 James 1\I., who resides in Rossville, 111.; Mrs. Mary 
 Itobinelt, of De Kalb County; J. Robert, a farmer 
 of Ash (hove Township, whose sketch appears 
 elsewhere in this work; Mrs, Nancy Jane Clark, who 
 is living in DeKalb County; Richard D.. of Kan- 
 
 sas; David W., deceased, who made his home in La 
 Grange County, Ind.; Mrs. Lucinda Rosenbury, of 
 Ash Grove Township; Joseph, a wealthy citizen of 
 Baker City, Ore.; and Mrs. Minerva Huss, of La 
 Grange County, Ind. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of .1. F. 
 Geddes, who is well and favorably known in this 
 community. His early boyhood days were spent 
 on a new farm in Ohio, and he early learned to 
 follow the plow and harrow. His educational ad- 
 vantages were very meagre. He first attended the 
 subscription schools, and for a short time went to 
 the district school. At the age of fifteen he left 
 home and worked by the month. On attaining his 
 majority, he began working for himself and did 
 various kinds of labor until twenty-five years of 
 •age, when he embarked in farming. In the 
 year 1><58 he went to Momence, III., where he 
 engaged in farming with his brother James for a 
 year. In the year 1861 he started for Iroquois 
 County, where he intended renting a farm. He 
 had a team and $UiO in money, but paid *22 of this 
 for wagon and harness. During his journey the 
 loads were covered with water, and his team ran 
 off the grade. After three da3's he arrived at his 
 destination, and for five years operated a rented 
 farm, during which time he cleared about ^1,200. 
 By raising cattle on shares for Mr. "Sumby" Ven- 
 num, he got a start. In May, 1866, he went to 
 Kan.sas and took a claim, but as his family were all 
 ill he returned to Clay County, Mo., and then went 
 to Livingston County, Mo., where he raised a crop. 
 t)n selling in the fall, he returned to Illinois and 
 pnrch.ased eighty acres of prairie land and ten acres 
 of timber for 11,000. Since 1868 he has made his 
 homenpon his present farm. 
 
 On the 14th of March, 1861, in Clay County, HI., 
 Mr. Geddes was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary 
 Adkison, and unto them have been born five chil- 
 ren: George W., a teacher of Iroquois County, is 
 at home; Ervin, a farmer, who married Kiiinia 
 Breeding, of Milford; AUie, at home; John, who 
 is engaged in teaching school; and J. Alvin com- 
 pletes the family. The children have been provided 
 with good educational advantages, having attended 
 the public schools, Onarga Semlimry and A'alparaiso 
 Normal College. Mrs, Geddes was born in John^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 383 
 
 -oil County-, lud., March 14, 1847, and when about 
 .-even years old came with her parents to Illinois. 
 Mr. Oeddes was formerly a member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, but is now a member of 
 the United Bretiiren Church, in which he serves as 
 Class-leader; his wife is also a member. He takes a 
 prominent part in church work, and does all he 
 can for its advancement. He cast his (ii'st Presiden- 
 tial vote for Buclianan, then voted for Abraham 
 Lincoln, and since that time has generally sup- 
 l)orted tiie Republican part^-. Air. (Jeddes has 
 passed through all the ex|)eriences and hardships of 
 jiioneer life, such as going long distances to mar- 
 ket and mill. On one occasion, after hauling his 
 grain to the Centr.al Railroad across the prairie, he 
 received only »3 per load. He has witnessed almost 
 the entire growtii and development of the county, 
 and has ever borne his part in its advancement and 
 pi'ogress. 
 
 ELI llUA(iLAND is a practical and progress- 
 ive farmer of Concord Township, Iroquois 
 County, who owns and operates a good 
 farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres on 
 section 33. He has his land under a high state of 
 cultivation, and the well-tilled fields yield him a 
 golden tribute in return for the care and labor 
 he I)estows upon them. His home is a pleasant 
 and commodious residence, his barns and out- 
 buildings are models of convenience, the pl.ace is 
 well tilled, and the improvements upon it stand as 
 monuments to his enterprise. In connection with 
 general farming, he carries on stock-raising, and 
 makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs. 
 
 The owner of this fine farm is a native of Cosh- 
 octon County, Ohio. He was born November 8, 
 1837, and is the eldest of a familj' of ten chil- 
 dren. His parents, James and Hannah (Fox) 
 Iloagland, are represented elsewhere in this work. 
 Eli was a lad of seven summers when, with his 
 parents, he came to Iroquois County in 18-15. 
 His boyhood days were spent upon u farm in 
 Concord Township, and he was educated in the 
 commcM schools of the oeighborhcod. lie made 
 
 his home with his father until his marriage, which 
 was celebrated on the 16tli of January, 18G2, 
 Miss Adela Mantor, of Concoi-d Township, be- 
 coming his wife. She was a native of Hamilton 
 County, Ohio, and survived her marriage but 
 little more than a year. She died on the I'Jtli 
 of May, 1863, and her remains were interred in 
 the cemetery of Sheldon. 
 
 In the meantime, the Civil Wai was in progress, 
 and on the 11th of August, I«fi2, .Air. Iloagland 
 entered the service, bidding good-bye to his youn,<>- 
 bride. He enlisted in Com[)anv K, Seventy-sixth 
 Illinois Infantry, under Col. A. W. Alack, and 
 saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missis- 
 sippi under (ien. Ilurlburt, but was in no bat- 
 tles, as their duty was in holding posts. On one 
 occasion they started for Vicksburg, but their sup- 
 plies were cut off and they had to return. Air. 
 Iloagland was taken sick on the 16th of October 
 with the measles, and afterward had the jaundice 
 and rheumatism. He was confined in the hospi- 
 tal at AIemphis,Tenn., until honorably discharged, 
 on the 2.5th of Alarch, 1863, on account of phvs- 
 ical disability. 
 
 For a year after his return luime, Air. Iloagland 
 w.as unable to do any work, but as soon as his 
 health was sufficiently recovered he turned his 
 attention to farming, renting land of his father 
 for about four years. During this time he was 
 again married, his second union being with Aliss 
 Helen AI. Barnes, of Concord Township, the mar- 
 riage ceremony being performed on the 8th of 
 November, 1866. The lady was born in Roches- 
 ter, Fulton County, Ind., November 24, 1849, and 
 is a daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Burnett) 
 Barnes. Her parents died during her girlhood 
 and Airs. Iloagland came to this county with an 
 uncle. She has three brothers yet living: Joel 
 M., who is married .and resides in .Salt Lake City, 
 rtah, where he is engaged in business as a car- 
 penter and joiner; Willard F., a farmer, who is 
 married and resides in Sheldon Townshijj, this 
 county; and AVilliam Foster, who is also married, 
 and is now engaged in agrioiltural pursuifji in 
 Indian Territory. 
 
 Airs. Iloaglnnd's early girlhood days were spent 
 in the State of her nativity' until sixteen years of 
 
384 
 
 POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORDc 
 
 age, aud lier education was acquired in the com- 
 mon schools of Indiana and Illinois. By the 
 union of our subject and iiis wife have been 
 boi-n seven children, all sons, the four eldest of 
 whom were born in Bates County, Mo.: Ira, born 
 July 26, 1868; Edgar, September 1, 1870; Charles, 
 March 12, 1872; James Oscar, February 23, 1874; 
 Silas, born in Concord Township, November 30, 
 1876; Ernest and Earl, twins, born on the home 
 farm. April 10, 1883. 
 
 About a year after his second marriage, jMr. 
 Iloagland went tn Kales County, Mo., where he 
 purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
 making it his home for eight years. During that 
 time he transformed it into a good farm. It was 
 in 187.T that he traded his Missouri farm for one 
 hundred and fifty-four acres of his present home, 
 and since that time he has been a prominent 
 farmer of Cimcord Townshij). His first vote was 
 cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and since that 
 time he has been a warm advocate of Republican 
 principles, although he has never been a politician 
 in the sense of office-seeking. Himself and wife 
 are faithful members of the United Brethren 
 Church, and he is a teacher in the Sunda}-- 
 school. T\Ir. Iloagland started out in life for him- 
 self witii no capital, but he is an industrious and 
 enterprising man, who has steadily worked his way 
 upward and is now ranked among the prosperous 
 agriculturists of the community. He is a promi- 
 nent citizen of the county where ahrost his en- 
 tire life has been passed, and is a worthy' repre- 
 sentative <(f one of its honored pioneer families. 
 
 \Yr^\OBKRT W. DANNER is a leading and pro- 
 iy*r' gressive farmer residing on section 12, Bel- 
 •J^'\. numt Township, Iroquois County. As he 
 has a wide acquaintance throughout the 
 community and is held in high regard, we feel as- 
 sured that this record of his life will i)rove of in- 
 terest to many of our readers. He was born in 
 Clay County, Iiid., August 3, 1837, and is of Ger- 
 man descent. His paternal grandfatlier was a na- 
 
 tiye of German\', but was reared as a farmer lad 
 near Dayton, Ohio. 
 
 The father of our subject, Tobias Danner, was 
 born in the Buckeye State and, emigrating to 
 Clay County, Ind.. was there married. The j-ear 
 1851 witnessed his arrival in Illinois, whither he 
 journeyed by team. In Belmont Township he 
 purchased forty acres of laud, and afterward 
 bought an additional forty-acre tract. The mo- 
 ther of our subject died in this county twentj-- 
 three years ago. In 1869, the father removed to 
 Crescent, where he is now living with his third 
 wife. In politics, he was first a Democrat, after- 
 ward became a Republican, and is now a I'rolribi- 
 tionist. Religiously, he is a member of the Jleth- 
 odist Church. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest of a family of six chil- 
 dren, numbering three sous and three daughters. 
 John, the second son, is living in Iowa; Catherine 
 is now deceased; Samuel is a resident of Iroquois 
 County; Ella is the wife of Lewis Harwood, of 
 Crescent; and one child died in infanc.y. 
 
 Robert Danner, whose name heads this record, 
 spent the first fourteen years of his life in his na- 
 tive State, and then came with his parents to Illi- 
 nois. As soon as old enough to follow the plow, 
 he began work on the home farm, and in the win- 
 ter season lie attended the common schools, where 
 he acquired his education. At the age of twenty- 
 two, he left the parental roof and started out iu 
 life for himself and rented a farm, which he oper- 
 ated for six j'ears. He then bought land in Shel- 
 don Township, and for sixteen years he has re- 
 sided upon his present farm on section 12,BelnKint 
 Township. He here owns eighty acres of rich 
 laud, and the well-tilled fields indicate his thrift 
 and enterprise. He makes them yield as much as 
 most men would gain from twice that amount. 
 He has erected many good buildings upon the 
 place, including a neat residence, aud the farm 
 seems complete in all its appointments. 
 
 In 1862, Mr. Danner led to the marriage altar 
 Miss Sarah A. Bailey, daughter of John L. Baile3', 
 whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. 
 They have no children of their own. John Ax- 
 tell has been an inmate of their home since four 
 years of age and is an intelligent young man, who 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 .•585 
 
 was educated in Oiiarga. They also liave with 
 tliem Lulu B. Zumwalt, a daughter of Jlrs. l)an- 
 uer's youngest sister, who has been with them 
 since her tliird year. These children could have 
 found no better homes for true parental care and 
 attention thau has been bestowed upon them. 
 
 .Mr. and Mrs. Danner are both members of the 
 .Methodist Episcopal Church and are among its 
 lea(Ung workers. He has served as Steward for 
 some 3-ears and as Superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school. They are charitable and benevolent, and 
 their lives'are filled with good deeds. Mr. Danner 
 cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln in 18G0, 
 and has since been a stanch Republican. He has 
 held the office of Township Commissioner for six 
 years and has proved himself a capable official, as 
 his long service plainly indicates. His residence 
 in the country covers a period of forty-one years, 
 and he is one of its highly respected citizens. The 
 work of his hands has f)rouglit him a comfortable 
 competence, and he is now well-to-do. 
 
 -=l-$+^-P= 
 
 DAM W.V.MBA is one of the prominent 
 i^J] and representative farmers of Martin ton 
 111 Township. He resides on section 16, and 
 his farm adjoins the village of Martinton. 
 There he has made his home since JLareh, 1871. 
 He now owns and operates three hundred acre* of 
 valuable land, all under a high state of cultivation 
 and well improved. His home is a substantial and 
 pleasant residence, and good barns, a granary and 
 other outbuildings are numbered among the im- 
 ])rovement6, also an orchard. The place seems com- 
 plete in all its appointments, and it-^apijcarance in- 
 dicates the thrift and enterprise of tlie owner. 
 
 The life record of JL. Wamba is as follows: He 
 was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, (xermany, on the 
 3()th of September, 1828, and is a son of Philip 
 Wamba, also a native of Oermany. The father 
 wedded iLiry Sefert and they resided upon a farm 
 ill the Fatherland for some years. Our subject 
 was reared to manhood under the parental roof, 
 and on attaining his'majority he entered the Ger- 
 man army, in 1849, serving for four years,and par- 
 
 ticipating in several important battles during the 
 German War in Baden. After receiving his dis- 
 charge he determined to emigrate to America, and 
 in 1803 took passage on a vessel at Havre which 
 sailed for New ^'ork. During the voyage, which 
 lasted seven da^s, they experienced some severe 
 weather, but at length safely arrived at their des- 
 tination on the 8th of February, 185.'!. Mr. Wamba 
 earned his first money in this country by working 
 as a farm hand by the month for Joshua Beaty, 
 near Allentown, N. J., with whom he remained for 
 a year. In the meantime, he took lessons in Eng- 
 lish, learning both to read and write the language. 
 He then worked for a time in the city of Trenton, 
 after which he came West, reaching Chicago, III., 
 in June, 18.J4. He then went to the Northern 
 Peninsula of Michigan, engaging in lumbering in 
 Sturgeon River County- for four years. 
 
 Mr. Wamba w.as married in Chicago, 111 the fall 
 of 1854, to Mary Colem, a native of Canada and 
 of French descent. Her father was Benjamin 
 Colem. Jlr. Wamba took his bride to the lumber 
 regions of Northern Michigan, where he remained 
 until 1858, when he returned to Illinois and 
 bought a tr.ict of land in Chebanse Townshii), 
 Iroquois County. The forty .acres of raw prairie 
 were entirely unimi)ioved, l)ufcihe broke and fenced 
 it and engaged in its cultivation for several years. 
 He then sold and inirchased the farm on which he 
 now resides in March, 1871, first buying one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of land. This he improved 
 and cultivated, and in course of time he was the 
 owner of a fine farm, which is to-day his. 
 
 A family of ten children has been born unto 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wamba, the eldest of whom, Adam 
 G., is now married and follows farming in Martin- 
 ton Township; Philip is also a- fanner: Peter is 
 married and is on the police force of Chicago; 
 Frank is engaged in agricultural pursuits; Libbie 
 is the wife of Adolpli Alexander, who is a sales- 
 man in Oneitja, Kan.; Mary is the wife of A. 
 White, a farmer of Martinton Township; .loe and 
 Philipene are at home; one daughter died in in- 
 fancy; and Henry was killed on the railroad near 
 Martinton at the age of fifteen years. 
 
 Mr. Wamba has resided in this county for thirty- 
 four years and has helped to make it what it is to- 
 
386 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 day, one of the leading counties of the State. He 
 is tnilj- a self-made man, who came to this country 
 in limited circumstances, and, although empty- 
 handed, began life with the determination to win 
 success. This he has done, and to-day he is recog- 
 nized as a man of sterling worth and integrity 
 and one of the leading farmers of the community. 
 Himself and wife hold membership with the Cath- 
 olic Church. 
 
 &^S^Xi/C2<> 
 
 AMES HOAGLAND, who resides on section 
 23, Concord Township, has long been a 
 resident of this county. To the pioneers 
 who came liere in an early day and laid the 
 foundation for the future advancement, progress 
 and prosperity of the county, a debt of gratitude 
 is due which can never be repaid. Among these is 
 numbered the gentleman whose name heads this 
 sketch. For almost half u century he has made his 
 home within the borders of Iroquois County, and 
 has ever borne his part in its upbuilding and de- 
 velopment. Truly he is one of its honored pio- 
 neers, and this record of his life will undoubtedly 
 be of interest to manj' of our readers. 
 
 Mr. Hoagland was born in Clarke Township, 
 Coshocton County, Ohio, March 31,1818, and is 
 the son of Isaac and Polly (Carpenter) Hoagland, 
 both of whom were natives of Virginia. The ma- 
 ternal grandfather, John Carpenter, was one of 
 the first settlers on the north side of the Ohio 
 River in the Buckeye State. He was probably a 
 .soldier of the Revolutionary War, and one of his 
 sons was for seven years connected with the Colo- 
 nial army, doing valued service as a spy. 
 Thomas Carpenter, son of John, is said to have 
 been the first white child born in Ohio. The 
 grandfather of our subject was at one time taken 
 prisoner by the Indians and held for eighteen 
 months before he was able to make his escape. In 
 the meantime his people, supposing him dead, had 
 returned to Virginia. When he managed to es- 
 cape, he took a horse, which had been captured 
 with him, and, swimming the Ohio River, made 
 his way to his parents' home. While held a pris- 
 
 oner, the Indians were encamped between Owl 
 Creek and Mahickcn River at their junction, and 
 Mr. Carpenter was so pleased with that country 
 that after his marriage he came with his wife and 
 children, locating in that vicinity. A number ot 
 families, in order to protect themselves from the 
 Indians, lived in a fort. One day while Mr. Car- 
 penter and his wife were outside hoeing in the 
 garden, a savage shot him in the body, and he 
 fell. The red men then thought to capture Mrs. 
 Carpenter, but she ran screaming for the fort and 
 thus escaped. Mr. Carpenter recovered and lived 
 for many years afterward. 
 
 When a young man, Isaac Hoagland removed 
 to Ohio, and at a place across the river from 
 Wheeling, W. Va., he married Miss Carpenter. 
 They resided upon a farm and experienced all the 
 hardships and privations of frontier life. He 
 served as a soldier in the Warof 1812, and after his 
 death, which occurred in the autumn of 1848, at 
 the age of seventy-three years, his widow obtained 
 a land warrant, which she sent to our subject, who 
 was then living in this county-; but as it was not 
 properly signed he sent it back and never again 
 heard of it. Mrs. Hoagland died in Coshocton 
 Countj', Ohio, in 1853, in the seventy-fourth 3ear 
 of her age. 
 
 Unto this worthy cou)>le were born ten children, 
 of whom our subject was the seventh in order of 
 birth. He was reared upon his father's farm, and 
 had a great deal to do in the way of clearing and 
 developing land. Schools in that community were 
 veiy poor, and his educational privileges were 
 limited. Ere he was yet eighteen years of age, he 
 was married in Clarke Township,Coshocton County, 
 on Christinas Daj' of 1836, to Miss Hannah Fox, 
 who was reared in the same locality as our subject. 
 He had little means with which to begin life, but 
 engaged in the cultivation of rented land until 
 1845, when he left Ohio and came to Illinois. 
 With his wife and four children and a few house- 
 hold goods loaded into a wagon, he drove a team 
 to Iroquois County, where he arrived on the 28th 
 of September, with a cash capital of only $20. 
 The first three years were passed on the Court- 
 wright farm, about a mile west of where Mr. Hoag- 
 land now lives. He then entered forty acres of land 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ;(«: 
 
 fioin the t;overiimenl, and tliis tract, which was 
 his first landed property, is still a part of his home 
 farm. His life has been a busy one, and by his 
 industry and perseverance he has prospered. He 
 now owns eleven hundred and ninety-one acres of 
 valuable land, all in Concord Townsliip, and owes 
 no man a dollar. He has a beautiful home, and now 
 in his declining j'ears is surrounded with all the 
 comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 
 
 In 1892, Mr. Hoagland was called upon to 
 mcHirn the loss of his wife, who died on the 9th of 
 February', at the age of seventy-two years, her 
 birth having occurred October 4, 1819. She was 
 a faithful nieml)er of the United Brethren Church, 
 and for fifty-five years she had been a loving wife 
 and true helpmate to her husband. Through that 
 long period they had traveled life's journey to- 
 gether, and on Christmas Da}' of 188G had cele- 
 brated their golden wedding. Their union was 
 blessed with ten children: Eli, who was born in 
 Coshocton County, Ohio, Jsovember 8, 1837, and 
 now follows farming in Concord Township, is 
 married and has seven children. Mar^', born in 
 Coshocton County, May 31, 1839, became the wife 
 of Lyman Mather, and died on the 2d of June, 
 1871, leaving four children. Isaac, born in Co- 
 shocton County, October 14, 1842, was asoldier of 
 the late war from 1861 until 1862, serving under 
 Fremont. He took sick on the forced inarch after 
 Frice, and died near Otterville, Mo., January 3, 
 1862. His remains were brought back by his 
 father and interred in Sheldon cemetery. Lavina, 
 born in Coshocton County, Ma}- 10, 1844, is the 
 wife of James Asbur}' Clark, of Concord Township, 
 and they have five children. Sarah, born in Con- 
 cord Township, June 18, 1846, is the wife of Oscar 
 Applegate, by whom she has four children. Ira, 
 born November lo, 1848, resides in Concord 
 Township with his wife and five children. James, 
 who was horn April 6, 1850. is married and has 
 one child, and resides in Concord Township. Han- 
 nah, born August 20, 1 853, died October 6, 1855. 
 Nancy, born December 3, 1855, became the wife of 
 George Shrimplin, and died April 25, 1889, leav- 
 ing three children. Charles, born July 9, 1858, is 
 married and has one child. He resides on the old 
 homestead with our subject. 
 
 Mr. Hoagland did not follow in the political 
 footsteps of his father, who was a Democrat, but 
 became a Whig, and cast his (irsl Presidenlial lial- 
 lol for Gen. "William Henry Harrison. In 1856, 
 he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, 
 and has since been one of its warm supporters. 
 His life has been well and worthily spent. Devf)t- 
 ing his time and attention to his business, his deal- 
 ings have ever been characterized by uprightness, 
 and he has not only won wealth, but has gained 
 the respect and confidence of ail with whom he 
 has been brought in contact, and is held in the 
 highest regard throughout this community. I'rac- 
 tically, he is now living a retired life, while his son 
 operates the farm, and of late years has spent 
 considerable time in traveling. During the late 
 war, he made several visits to the army, for two of 
 his sons were among the boys in blue. He also 
 attended the f^xijosition in New Orleans. 
 
 \f|OHN WEBSTER is one of the representative 
 I I and successful farmers and stock-raisers of 
 this community. He owns and operates three 
 hundred and seventy-two acres of farming 
 land on section 33, Concord Township. He claims 
 England as the land of his nativity, having been 
 born in Yorkshire November 11, 1827, and is 
 a son of William and Anna (Smith) Webster. 
 His mother died when he was a lad of twelve years, 
 and his father when he was fourteen years of age. 
 They left seven sons, of whom our subject is the 
 fifth in (nder of birth. One brother, William, 
 next older than John, died in England at the age 
 of fifteen years. Andrew, the eldest, is now living 
 near the city of York, England, where he follows 
 farming. He is married and has a large family. 
 Edward died in Boston, England, and left one son. 
 Robert crossed the Atlantic to this country and 
 spent his last days in Iroquois County, leaving at 
 his death a daughter, who has since died. Thomas 
 located in York, England, wiiere he died, leaving 
 a family. Francis, the ytmngest, owns a farm near 
 Sheldon. 
 
:i»S 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 John Webster was reared to manhood in his 
 native coiintr3',but, when about twenty-three years 
 of age, lie determined to seek his fortune in the 
 New AVorld. lie bade good-bye to his old home 
 in 1850, and in compan\' with his brother crossed 
 the briny deep. Tliey located in Clarke County, 
 Ohio, where both secured work as farm hands. 
 After three and a-half years. Mi'. Webster returned 
 to England, where he remained until 1856, when 
 lie again came to tliis country. In the spring of 
 that year himself and his brother Robert located 
 in this county, and, in connection with another 
 jiarty, purchased aliout five hundred acres of land. 
 Our subject took one hundred and thirty-four acres 
 of this as his share and began the development of 
 a farm. It was a wild tract, upon which not a 
 furrow liad been turned or an improvement made, 
 but with characteristic energy he began its devel- 
 opment, and in 1857 built a little log cabin, wliich 
 is still standing, one of the few landmarks of 
 pioneer days that yet remain. 
 
 In the spring of 1858, Mr. Webster completed 
 his preparations for a home by his marriage with 
 Miss Jane A. Hill, of Clarke County, Ohio. Unto 
 thein were born three children, of whom two sons 
 are living. Both are married and now reside in 
 Concord Township. The mother died in the fall 
 of 18G5, and in 1867 Mr. Webster was again mar- 
 ried, his second union being with Miss Emily-Mur- 
 ray, who was born in Concord Township, Septem- 
 ber 3(1, 1840, and is a daughter of Samuel and 
 Elizabeth (Whiteman) Murray. Twelve children 
 graced this union, of whom eight are now living: 
 Anna E. died in infancy; Sarah J. died at the age 
 of fourteen years and eight months; Minnie E. 
 and Clara M. are at home; Ora E. died in infanc}'; 
 John S. died at the age of four years and two 
 months; Edward E.; Mary ^I.; Ida P.; Margaret 
 (i.; Emma II. and Letta E. complete the famil}-. 
 
 Mr. AVebster has been prospered in life and now 
 owns a valuable farm, whose three hundred and 
 seventy-two acres are under a high state of culti- 
 vation. The place is improved with substantial 
 l)uildings and good fences, and he has laid consid- 
 erable tile. Its neat and thrifty appearance indi- 
 cates his careful supervision, and gives evidence of 
 his industry and good management, which are 
 
 numbered among his chief characteristics. His 
 first Presidential vote was cast for John C. Ere- 
 mont, in 1856, and for a number of years he sup- 
 ])orted the Republican part}', but has twice voted 
 for Cleveland. He lias never been a politician in 
 the sense of office-seeking, but has served as School 
 Director for many 3-ears, at one time filling the 
 position for twelve consecutive years, and again 
 for six years. He is a strong advocate of the 
 public-school system, and is ever found in the 
 front rank in support of any enterprises calculated 
 to prove of public benefit. As a boy he received 
 a good common-school education, has throughout 
 life been an extensive reader, and is now a well- 
 informed man. Himself and wife hold member- 
 ship with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Shel- 
 don, and are numbered among the best citizens of 
 Concord Township. Mr. Webster has won success 
 through his own efforts, and is now a well-to-do 
 agriculturist. 
 
 AMUEL WEST, one of the prominent and 
 highly respected citizens of Iroquois 
 County, residing on section 25, Middle- 
 port Township, well deserves representa- 
 tion in this volume, for he is one of the honored 
 pioneers of this community. A native of the 
 Buckeye State, he was born in Champaign County, 
 on the 6th of January, 1821, and is a son of John 
 West, who was born in Ohio, in 1792. His father 
 was one of the early settlers of that State and 
 served in the AVar of 1812. In Ohio he married 
 Miss Azubali AVilson, a native of Pennsylvania 
 and a daughter of George Wilson, one of the 
 prominent pioneers of Ohio, in which State the 
 daughter was reared to womanhood. John West 
 was a millwright by trade and followed that occu- 
 pation during his jounger life. He afterward set- 
 tled upon a farm, which he cleared and improved, 
 in Champaign County, there making his home for 
 a number of years. Subsequently he went to Ind- 
 iana and upon a farm in that State spent the re- 
 mainder of his life, being called to his final rest in 
 1855. He wasa successful businessman, and by his 
 
K' 
 
 
 i 
 
 MicAjAH Stanley. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 :ii)l 
 
 well-directed eflforLs won a handsome ooinpctcnce. 
 His wife survived him for a few years. 
 
 Unto this worthy couple were horn ten children, 
 of wliom George, the eldest, died in 1890; Samuel 
 is second in order of hirtli; Klizabetli is now de- 
 ceased; Charlotte is the next younger; Moses is a 
 resident farmer of Iroquois County; he was fol- 
 lowed by Martha, Selina, William M.. and one who 
 (lied in infancy. 
 
 The grandfather. P.azil West, was a hero for seven 
 years in the Revolutionary War and w.n* an eye- 
 witness of Hunker IIiU and many other battles 
 of historic fame. The first man he saw killed 
 was William Pollard, whose death was caused by 
 a cannon ball taking his head off. Grandfather 
 West was an eye-witness to the throwing of the 
 tea overboard and he made a vow that he would 
 never drink any tea again, and this vow he kept. 
 
 The subject of this sketch received only such 
 educational advantages as the common schools af- 
 forded, but by self-culture he has made himself a 
 well-informed man. lie remained at home until 
 after he had attained his majority, when, in 1843, 
 he determined to seek his fortune in Illinois, and 
 coming to this State joined his elder brother in 
 .Joliet, where he remained several years. The}' 
 engaged in building sawmills. A few years later 
 Mr. West came to Iroquois Count}' and built a 
 sawmill on Sugar Creek, and subsequent!}' he 
 erected a sawmill and gristmill on the Iroquois 
 River, which he operated successfully for some 
 time. 
 
 On the 20th of November, 184.5, Mr. West mar- 
 ried Miss Susie Rush, who is among the oldest res- 
 idents of this county. By their union w.as born a 
 family of four children, namely: Charlotte Ann, 
 who is now the wife of Samuel Foust, a farmer re- 
 siding in Indian Territory; Thomas, who died 
 about I8()0; Harvey, who is engaged in agriculture 
 in this county and married; and Emma, the wife 
 of Allison Moore, a resident of Brook, Ind. 
 
 Mr. West continued in the milling business until 
 18i')2, when, attracted by the discovery of gold on 
 the Pacific Slope, he crossed the plains to Califor- 
 nia, making the journey with ox-teams. He arrived 
 at his destination after about six months of travel 
 and spent tliree years in the West, engaged in 
 
 prospecting and mining, hut his trip was not a very 
 successful one. Speaking of the high prices which 
 then prevailed, he told how he had given as much 
 as ^1 for a pie and a similar amount for the priv- 
 ilege of .sleeping in a house overnight on his own 
 blanket. He returned from San Francisco to New 
 York by water and then, passing through Buffalo, 
 Detroit and Chicago, reached his home in Iro<iuois 
 County, 111., in the winter of 1854. 
 
 After his return, Mr. AVest built a large tlouring 
 mill on the Iroquois River, where he carried on a 
 successful business for a number of years, securing 
 a liberal patronage from all the country round 
 about. He now devotes his time and attention to 
 agricultural pursuits and is engaged in fanning 
 two hundred acres of valuable land, wliich was 
 cleared and broken by himself and placed under a 
 high state of cultivation. Evey improvement u|)on 
 the farm stands as a monument to his thrift and 
 enterprise. He is an energetic and industrious 
 man, and by his perseverance and good business 
 ability he has prospered and won a comfortable 
 competence which is the just reward of his labors. 
 
 (^s^ON. MICA.IAIl STANLEY was one of the 
 iffji' very earliest pioneers of what is now 
 '■^^^ Iroquois County, and the original proprie- 
 (^ tor of the site of the city of Watseka. Ho 
 w;vs born in Highland County, Ohio, Februai}- 2, 
 1810, and was a son of Anthony and Hannah 
 (Ilohbs) Stanley. His father was a native of 
 North Carolina, and removed to Highland County, 
 about 180;"). About 1813, the family removed 
 from Highland to Clinton County, of the same 
 State, and in 1830, our subject, in company witli 
 his parents and other members of the family, ti-av- 
 eling with teams, removed from the Buckeye Slate 
 to Illinois. They reached the Walwsh River in 
 Indiana, and spent three weeks on the Wea Prairie. 
 The country was almost uninhabited except by 
 Indians. Perhaps the white families in that region 
 did not exceed a half-dozen. From that place 
 they proceeded to what is now Iroquois, but was 
 then Vermillion County, and settled near the pres- 
 
392 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 oiil town of Milford. The Stanley party consis- 
 ted of Anthony Stanley and his wife; Micajah 
 Stanley; his oldest brother, William, and his wife 
 Juditli; his second l>rotlier, John, and his wife 
 Agnes; his yonngest brothei', Isaac, and bis sisters, 
 Rebecca and Elizabeth. With them fi-om Wea also 
 came William Pickerel, an old Quaker, who became 
 the founder of i\Iilford. He was a reniarkable 
 man, a blacksmith, a miller and farmer, a jack of 
 all trades, especially adapted to pioneer life, and 
 as honest as usefid. lie built a mill at their point 
 of settlement, from which iMilford derives its 
 name. • 
 
 The following extract, i)iiri)orting to be Mr. Stan- 
 ley's story, is quoted from the -'Iroquois County 
 History:" That winter we witnessed the hardest 
 I ever experienced in my life. We were destitute 
 of almost everything. We came here with eight 
 head of horses, fifteen head of cattle and a flock 
 of sheep, expecting to get hay from the people 
 here, but the fire had destroyed it all. We bad to 
 haul our corn from the Wabash, and secured what 
 we expected would do us. In tlie early part of 
 the winter a snow fell ten inches deep, which in- 
 creased through the season until it became eigh- 
 teen inches deep on the level. Then there came 
 a rain and formed a crust on that. The snow 
 was drifted in places until it was six or seven feet 
 deep. Tliat fall we had plenty of wild turkeys, 
 but in the winter they all froze; we had plenty 
 of deer, but tlie dogs and wolves killed a good 
 many of them and we could find plenty of deer 
 carcasses afterwards. The deer were not all killed 
 and we soon had plenty of them again, but we had 
 no more wild turkeys after that. In 1831, we had 
 a pretty hard time raising a crop. With the rains 
 we had, our streams were filled up very high, I 
 may say tremendously high. In the fall of 1830, 
 Mr. Hubbard was living at Bunkum, and had his 
 trading-post where Benjamin Fry lived. lie moved 
 that year to Danville and opened a store there. 
 He employed me and some otiier men to go to 
 Chicago for goods. He engaged four teams. I 
 took four yoke of oxen. At that time there was 
 notliing between here and Chicago in the shape of 
 a white family. We staid all night at his trading- 
 house, and the next morning started for Chicago. 
 
 This was in the spring of 1831. We went up and 
 crossed the Kankakee River, where Robert Hill 
 formerly kept hotel, above Momence. When we 
 got there the river was very higii. We had to 
 ride on the middle cattle, and drive the head ones, 
 and the water ran into our wagon boxes. When 
 we got to Chicago we found no goods there, and 
 had to wait three weeks until the schooner got in. 
 Inside of old Ft. Dearborn there were two or 
 tliree persons doing business. Mr. Dole was there 
 and another gentleman was keeping a boarding 
 house there. Mark Beaubien was up the river in a 
 little one-story house. We left Chicago and in three 
 days got to the Calumet River. Sometimes we had 
 to hitch ten yoke of cattle to one wagon to haul 
 it through the quicksand. We were between 
 three and four weeks getting home. We ran out 
 of provisions on the way back, and Henry Hub- 
 bard met us at Beaver Creek with a basket of food. 
 When we got home we rested about three weeks, 
 and then took the goods on to Danville. This is 
 my experience on that trip." 
 
 On the 1st of -lanuary, 1833, Mr. Stanley was 
 united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Moore, who 
 was born in Adams County, Ohio, near theSciota 
 line, .lanuary 19, 1814. She is a daughter of .John 
 S. and Nanc}' Moore, and with her parents came t(; 
 what is now Iroquois County in 1832. They were 
 the first settlers in Belmont Township, and her 
 marriage with Mr. Stanley was the first marriage of 
 wliite people to be celebrated in that township. 
 Eight children, five daughters and three sons, were 
 born to this union; Louisa, the eldest, died at the 
 age of twenty-two years; Jennie is tlie widow of 
 Dr. Richard Taliaferro, of Watseka; Minerva was 
 the wife of N. B. White and died in the spring of 
 1864; Josepli married Miss Levantia Mc Wayne, 
 and resides in St. Louis; Dicie is the w^ife of G. E. 
 Warren, of Middleport Township; Mark A. married 
 Miss Jennie Edinger, and resides in Watseka, iiis 
 sketch being given elsewhere in this work; Lydia 
 was the wife of A. L. Willoughby, and died in the 
 spring of 1874; and JohnE., the youngest, wedded 
 Miss Mary McKimpson, and lives on the old Stan- 
 ley homestead. 
 
 In March, 1835, Mr. Stanley built a log house 
 on the present site of Watseka, his nearest neighbor 
 
PC)RTRArr AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 31)3 
 
 being three miles distant. He improved iiis farm, 
 and in 1846 built the then finest barn in the 
 county. In the fall of 18(50, he built an hotel, 44 x 
 72 feet, three stories in lieight with a one-story 
 kilclieii. The building was erected on the north- 
 west corner of block No. 26, now the site of the 
 Williams House. There was a hall in the second 
 story, 30 x ;')() feet, and the building was well fin- 
 ished, and furnished in lirst-class order. The hotel 
 was called the Stanley House, and was run by Mr. 
 .Stanley for about live years, including the period 
 of the war. The landlord was noted for his liber- 
 ality and kind disposition toward all, especially 
 toward the soldiers. On the IGth of February, 
 1866, the house was destro}'ed by lire, which broke 
 out about three o clock in the morning and many 
 narrowly escaped from the burning building. Mr. 
 .Stanley did not rebuild the house but sold the lot, 
 alid the present Williams House was Iniilt by James 
 Mc Curdy in 1869, and on the 28tli of March, 1877, 
 became the property of William Williams, its pres- 
 ent proprietor. 
 
 Within the corporate limits of Watseka have 
 been sunk between one hundred and fifty and one 
 hundred and seventy-five artesian wells, of which 
 a large per cent, are (lowing. The first well of this 
 character was sunk by Mr. Stanley near his resi- 
 dence on elevated ground in 1857, but this well 
 did not flow. He sank another on lower ground 
 at liis hotel in 1860, which also failed to flow. 
 Several other attempts were unsuccessfully made 
 before the City Council in 1860 secured a flowing 
 well, since which time many others have been • 
 sunk, but to Mr. .Stanley belongs the credit of ini- 
 tiating the movement. The first Masonic lodge 
 in Iroquois Countj' was instituted at old Middle- 
 port in 1850, and Mr. Stanley's name appears .as 
 one of its early members. 
 
 In course of time Mr. Stanley built a commod- 
 ious and tasty brick residence on the site of his 
 old log house (which had been supplanted by a 
 large frame house that burned) where he made his 
 home until his death, which occurred April 18, 
 1888. His widow and son .John still occupy the 
 old homestead. 
 
 Mr. Stanley was a Democrat in politics, and took 
 an active part in public affairs as the county settled 
 
 up. He was elected Coroner at the first county el- 
 ection and served for two J'ears, was constable 
 two years, in 1836 and 1837, .Justice of the I'eace 
 two years. Sheriff of the county for two years and 
 afterwards again held that office, serving six years 
 in all. In 1841 he was agent for the county in the 
 construction of the first Court House on the public 
 square in Middleport. In 1846, Mr. Stanley was 
 elected to the Legislature from Irocjuois County. 
 The navigation of the Kankakee and Iroquois Riv- 
 ers had excited much interest, and had been warmly 
 discussed and advocated since any considerable 
 .settlement had been made in the couiitv. The 
 feel ing had become so earnest that this question 
 was the staple of thought and conversation, the 
 single idea of the public mind. Mr. Stanley 
 brought forward a bill chartering the Kankakee 
 and Iroquois Xavigaliou and Manufacturing Coin- 
 panj', which was passed and approved Kebruary 
 15, 1847, granting this corporation full control 
 of the impovement of the two rivers for naviga- 
 tion, and also of all the use of the water power there- 
 on for the term of fifty years. The company was 
 organized, and the Kankakee was made navigable 
 to Wilmington, connecting that city with the Illi- 
 nois and Michigan Canal; but it is not the design 
 of this sketch to go into general history. 
 
 Watseka was first known as .South Middleport, 
 Hon. Micajah Stanley proprietor. The plat cover- 
 ed the west one hundred and twenty-thiee acres 
 of the southeast quarter of section 32, township 
 24 north, range 12 west, which tract had been en- 
 tered fjy Mr. Stanley April 28, 1835, and in 1836 
 in separate parts, and the |)lat was made in 1859. 
 On the suggestion of Mr. Stanley, the County 
 Board changed the name of South Middleport to 
 Watseka. in honor of the Indian girl, wife of Cur- 
 don Iluiibard. The town of Watseka was incor- 
 porated in February, 1867. Charles Sherman was 
 the first jMayor, and Mr. .Stanley was chosen for 
 the second in March, 1868, and was again elected 
 to that office Ai)ril 15, 1879. When the Peoria and 
 Oquawka Railroad, now the Toledo, Peoria ct War- 
 saw, was built through Iroquois County, Mr. .Stan- 
 ley was active and influential in securing bonds to 
 aid in its construction. He gave the right of way 
 through four miles of farm land and donated ten 
 
394 
 
 PORTIJAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 acres for depot purposes to the company to secure 
 the depot at Watseka. During the session of the 
 Legislature in the winter of 1862-C3, Mr. Stanlc3', 
 with others, attended in the interest of Watseka 
 to secure a transfer of tlie county seat from old 
 i\Iiddleport to Watseka, and was influential in ac- 
 complishing that result. He also donated eight 
 lots to the county, as a permanent public square 
 on which to erect a Court House. He was also 
 one of the accepted bondsmen for Contractor Man- 
 tor on the construction of tiie new Court House In 
 November, 185(), Mr. Stanley was again the nomi- 
 nee of his party as a member of the Legislature, 
 but was defeated by Judge Blades, the Republican 
 candidate, bj' a small majority. This was about 
 the time of the great political sensational era of 
 Kansas and Nebraska fame, when Democracy was 
 on tlie wane. 
 
 Micajah Stanley was the historic character of 
 early dajs in Soutli Middlcport, now Watseka. 
 His energy and liberality gave impetus to the 
 growth of the town and county, and his influence 
 had never been equalled in that direction by any 
 of his fellow-citizens. He was a man of broad 
 views, sagacious and possessed of wonderful en- 
 ergy and endurance, and he accumulated a large 
 and valuable property. His liberality and gener- 
 osity were large and alwa}'s in advance of even 
 his extensive resources. In fact, had he been of 
 the selfish and grasping sort, while public and pri- 
 vate entei'prises might have languished for want 
 of aid, he would no doubt have left a much more 
 valuable estate for his family. While his virtues 
 were many, his faults weie such as benefited others 
 to his own detriment. His memory deserves to be 
 kept fresh in the minds and hearts of the people 
 of Watseka and Iroquois County. 
 
 ^/ AMES H. BURK, an honored veteran of the 
 late war and a leading citizen of Sheldon, 
 claims Indiana as the State of his nativity. 
 He was born in Dearborn County, on Christ- 
 mas Da\- of 1852, and is a son of .Tames and Nancy 
 
 (Grubbs) Burk, both of whom were also natives of 
 the Hoosier State. There they spent their entire 
 lives. Tlie father died wlien our subject was only 
 about a year old, and the death of the mother oc- 
 curred twenty years later. In the familv were six 
 children, but only two are now living. AVilliam, 
 the brotlier of our subject, makes his home in 
 Indiana. 
 
 .lames 11. Burk is the youngest of tlie family. 
 His early boyhood days were spent with his motiier, 
 and at the age of sixteen he commenced life for him- 
 self liy working on tlie home farm, where he re- 
 mained until after the breaking out of the late war. 
 Prompted by patriotic impulses, he responded to 
 the call for troops on the 6th of August, 1861, en- 
 listing .as a member of Company K, Twenty-sixtli 
 Indiana Infantry-, under the command of Col. 
 Wheetley. He participated in the battles of Lex- 
 ington and Springfield, Mo., and Prairie Grove, 
 Ark., and for about two years his army service 
 was in Missouri. He took part in the siege of 
 Vicksburg in 1863, and participated in the battle 
 and capture of Mobile. On the expiration of his 
 three-year terra of service, he re-enlisted and re- 
 mained in the army until after the close of the war. 
 At the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., December 7, 
 1862, he was wounded in the shoulder by a gun- 
 shot. He was a valiant soldier, ever found at his 
 post of duty, and when the country no longer 
 needed his services was honorabU' discharged and 
 mustered out at Vicksburg, June 15, 1866. 
 
 After receiving his discharge, Mr. Burk returned 
 to his home and again engaged in farming, which 
 pursuit he has followed during the greater part of 
 his life, and has achieved success in his undertak- 
 ings, his industrious and well-directed efforts gain- 
 ing him a comfortable competence. As a com- 
 panion and helpmate on life's journey he chose 
 Miss Jane II. Conner, a native of Indiana and a 
 daughter of Cornelius Conner. Their union was 
 celebrated in 1867, and this worthy couple are 
 highly respected citizens, who hold an enviable 
 position in social circles. 
 
 In his political affiliations, JNIr. Burk is a Hepiib- 
 lican and a warm advocate of the principles of the 
 party, which he has supported since attaining his 
 majoi'ity. He h.as been called upon to serve in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 .10.5 
 
 public positions, and for twelve years li.as held the 
 office of .Justice of the Peace, while for two years 
 he has served as Cit^' Alderman. The proniptand 
 faithful manner in which he discharges his duties 
 has led to his re-election and won him the com- 
 mendation of all concerned. He is a public-spir- 
 ited and progressive citizen, who takes an active 
 interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the 
 community. A whole-souled, genial gentleman, 
 he has won |)opularit3- and enjoys the respect of 
 all who know him. 
 
 OBERTZK.MPEL, a hardware merchant of 
 Woodland and one of the prominent busi- 
 ness men of that place, claims Germany as 
 ; the land of his nativity. He was born in 
 Prussia, on the .5th of May, 1855, and is a son of 
 Frederick and Augustina (Timm) Zempcl, both of 
 wliom were born and reared in Prussia. The 
 father was a farmer by occujjation and served in 
 the AVar of 1818 against the Revolutionists. In 
 1866 some members of the family came to Amer- 
 ica. The mother died in Germany, and in 1867 
 the father and our subject crossed the Atlantic. 
 The sailing-vessel on which thev took passage 
 weighed anchor at Hamburg and after a voyage 
 of six weeks reached the harbor of New York. 
 Frederick Zempel spent part of the succeeding 
 winter in Berlin, Wis., and then went to Kanka- 
 kee County, 111., but afterward returned to the 
 Badger State. Subsequently he was a resident of 
 Chicago. 
 
 AVhile his fatlier was in Wisconsin, Robert Zem- 
 |)el, whose name heads this sketch, worked on a 
 farm near Martinton. After his removal to Chi- 
 cago he engaged in clerking in that city and at 
 the same time attended an evening school. He 
 was engaged as salesman until he had ac((uired b}' 
 liis industry, persever-ance and economy enough 
 capital with which to stirt in business. Going to 
 Woodland in 1876, he embarked in the hardware 
 and grain busincs.s as a partner of Mr. Rosen berger, 
 under the firm name of Rosenberger & Zeni])el. 
 This connection continued for four years, when 
 
 Mr. Zempel bought out his partner's interest in 
 the hardware business and has since carried on 
 business alone. He began in a small way. but his 
 trade has constantly increased and he now does 
 an annual business of u|)wards of $18,00f). 
 
 November 1, 1877, in Woodland. Mr. Zempel 
 led to the marriage altar Miss Sophia Schwer, a 
 native of Will County, 111., and a daughter of 
 William and Ellen Schwer, who with their family 
 came to this county in 187.3. By their union 
 have been born five children, .as follows: Edward, 
 Robert, Clara, Lawrence and Olga. The family is 
 well and favorably known in this community, its 
 members ranking high in social circles. 
 
 Socially, Mr. Zempel is a member of the Odd 
 Fellows' lodge of Woodland, No. 64it, and has 
 been honored with the oHice of Treasurer for the 
 past seven years. He cast his first Presidential 
 vote for Samuel J. Tilden, has since been a sup- 
 porter of Democratic |)rinciples, is an infiuential 
 man in the party, and has often served as a dele- 
 gate to its conventions. Mr. Zempel now has a 
 large, neat store, well lighted and stocked with 
 everything found in a first-class hardware estab- 
 lishment. He is a cool, clear-headed business man, 
 sagacious and far-sighted, enterprising and i)ro- 
 gressive, and the success which has crowned his 
 efforts and the prosperity wliicli has rewarded his 
 labors are well deserved. 
 
 ♦ I a^-' '^^ ••• ^) ! (£^) « :§ ••■ • »• ' •t<D I ' 
 
 LOYl) F^ASTBCR.N* ha* longer been a resi- 
 dent of Iroquois County than any other of 
 its native citizens, for he w.asthe first white 
 child born within its borders. He was born on the 
 22d of February, 1836, in what is now Concord 
 Township, and his present place of residence is on 
 section 31, Sheldon Township. He isnot onl}- one 
 of the pioneers of the county, but is one of its ex- 
 tensive land-owners and progressive farmers, and 
 with pleasure we present this record of his life to 
 our readers, many of whom are numbered among 
 his strong friends. 
 
 Mr. Eastburn's parents, .loseph B. and Sarah 
 (Truitt) KastlMirn, were both natives of the Buck- 
 
396 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 e3'e State. They had the following children: 
 .Jesse died about 1834; Lloj'd is the next younger; 
 Parker is engaged in farming in Sheldon Town- 
 ship; Allen Miner, a fanner residing in Slieldon 
 Township; and a child who died in infancy. 
 The father of this family followed farming through- 
 out his entire life. In 1834, he came to Illinois, 
 locating in Iroquois County, where he purchased 
 one liundred and sixty acres of Government land 
 in what is now Concord Township, for $1.2.") per 
 aero. The trip Westward was made by team. He 
 found the county an almost unbroken wilderness, 
 where the Indians were far more numerous than 
 the white settlers. The work of civilization and 
 progress seemed scarcely begun. Mr. Easlburn 
 erected a small log cabin upon his first claim and 
 there resided for about three years, when he re- 
 moved to Sheldon Township and purchased three 
 hundred and twenty acres of Government land, 
 making his home upon that farm until his death. 
 He was prominently identified with the early his- 
 tory of the county, and in many wa^-s his name is 
 inseparably connected with its development. He 
 aided in laying out the roads and organizing the 
 townships and schools. He was Road Sui)ervisor 
 in an early day, also .Justice of the Peace, and was 
 a very prominent citizen. In i)olitics, he was a 
 supporter of the Democratic party, and himself 
 and wife were both members of the United Brethren 
 Church. His death occurred many years ago, and 
 his wife passed awa}- August 8, 1871. 
 
 The early recollections of our subject take him 
 back to the pioneer days of his native county, 
 when theIrO(piois Indians were still in the neigh- 
 borhood, when the greater part of the land was 
 still wild and unimjjroved, and when the county 
 gave little evidence of the progress which would 
 place it in the rank which it to-day occupies 
 among the leading counties of this great com- 
 monwealth. His education was mostly acquired 
 in a log schoolliouse, and he attended school one 
 term in wliat was once a hen-house. He was early 
 inured to the hard labors of the farm, and on at- 
 taining his majority he started out in life for 
 himself, renting a part of the old homestead of 
 his mother for about nine years. 
 
 lu i856,Mr, Kastburji was married to Miss Mattie 
 
 Hougland, a daughter of Charles and Susie Houg- 
 land. Her father, a native of the Buckej'e State, 
 was born on the 8th of April, 1806. His educa- 
 tional privileges were very limited and he was 
 mostly educated b^' his own exertions. He was 
 reared to manhood in the State of his nativity in 
 the usual manner of farmer lads, and after attain- 
 ing to mature years was united in marriage with 
 Jliss Susan Clark, a native of Coshocton County, 
 Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel and Rachel Clark. 
 Eight children were boin of their union, five sons 
 and three daughters, of whom four are yet living at 
 this writing, in the winter of 1892: Samuel, the 
 eldest, is a stock dealer and resides in Iroquois 
 County; Isaac is married and resides in Leadviile, 
 Colo.; Mrs. Eastburn is the next younger; and 
 Cynthia is the wife of Absahnn Warrick, of Shel- 
 don, 111., and is, engaged in the grain business. 
 Jlr. Hougland, the father of this family, is still 
 living at the very advanced age of eighty -six years 
 and makes his home in Concord Township. 
 Through his business industry and well-directed 
 efforts, he has become a wealthy man and is one of 
 tiie honored citizens of the county. Mrs. Houg- 
 land died when her daughter Mattie was a nuiiden 
 of about eight years of age. 
 
 Mrs. Eastburn was educated in the common 
 schools. She has proved a valuable helpmate to 
 her husband, and is a kind and loving wife and 
 mother, and is an agreeable hostess, her household 
 being the abode of hospitality. By the union of 
 our subject and his wife have been born ten chil- 
 dren, as follows: Charles, Joseph, James, Minnie, 
 Ella, Maggie, George, Cynthia. Parker, and Susie, 
 who died at the age of six montlis. The East- 
 burn family is widely and favorably known in 
 this community and its members hold an enviable 
 position in social circles. 
 
 Mv. Eastburn exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Democratic part}' and cast his first 
 Presidential vote for .James Buchan:ui. He has 
 ably served as School Director for a immber of 
 j'ears, but has never been an ofHce-seeker, prefer- 
 ring to devote his entire time and attention to his 
 business interests. With the United Brethren 
 Cliurch lie holds membership. Aiiout 186fi, here- 
 moved to his jjresent farm, purchasing one bun- 
 
POKTKAIT AND llIOORArillCAL RECORD. 
 
 397 
 
 dred and sixty acres of land, which has been trans- 
 formed by cultivation and improvement into one 
 of the most desirable farms in the county. His 
 landed possessions have also been increased until 
 now he owns live iiundrcd and twenty acu-es, and 
 therefrom reaps a good income. Mr. Eastl)urn has 
 had to malie his own way in the world, but he has 
 overcome the obstacles and ditliculties in his path, 
 and with determination and enler|)rise lias steadily 
 worked his way upward, accumulating a handsome 
 competence. Mis duties of citizenship are faithfully 
 l)crformed, and he has ever borne his part in the 
 work of progress and advancement. Those who 
 have known him from boyhood are numbered 
 among his stanchest friends, a fact which indicates 
 the honorable and upright life which he h:is led. 
 
 *^^^[ 
 
 !fe 
 
 \Ti()lIX n. KAUR. an extensive farmer and 
 stock-raiser, resides on section 4, Concord 
 Township, and has the honor of being a 
 *}^I^ native of Iroquois County, lie was horn 
 in the township which i;. still his home, on the "jth 
 of April, 18t:?, and is one of a family of four 
 children born unto Robert and Caroline (Strick- 
 ler) Karr. The Karrs are of Scotch-Irish descent. 
 'I'he grandfather of our subject, Adam Carr, 
 crossed the broad Atlantic and located in P^rie, 
 Pa., where he was made Justice of the Peace. The 
 Governor, in |)reparing his commission, spelled 
 his name with a K instead of a C, and the mis- 
 take has 7iever yet been corrected. In later ^-ears, 
 Adam Karr emigrated to Brown County, Ohio, 
 where he carried on a distiller\\ There Robert 
 Karr, father of our subject, was born. 
 
 In 18.'33, the grandfather of our subject came 
 with Ills family to Illinois, locating near Dan- 
 ville, A'ermilion Count\', where he obtained land 
 and engagaged in agricultural pursuits for about 
 three years. He then sold out and came to ("un- 
 cord Township, Iroquois County, purchasing a 
 very large tract of land, .so that he was able to 
 give oneh of his seven children a farm, and the 
 Karr neighborhood was known far and wide. 
 Kobejt Karr was married w this county to Miss 
 
 Strickler, who was born in Page Countj^ Va., and 
 came to Illinois with her parents when about six- 
 teen years of age. They began their domestic 
 life upon a farm, and he successfully followed 
 agriculture for many years. He was a prominent 
 citizen in the comnninity and held a number of 
 local odices. In politics, he was a supporter of 
 Republican principles. All of his children are 
 yet residents of Concord Township. Two of his 
 sons served in the army, our subject and AIarii)n. 
 
 John II. Karr. whose name heads this record, 
 was reared amid the wild .scenes of frontier life 
 upon his father's farm, and was earh" inured to 
 hard labor. He acquired a good common-school 
 education, and it was his intention to attend col- 
 lege in (ireencaslle, Ind. At the age of eighteen, 
 he started for that place, but on reaching Sheldon 
 his patriotism asserted itself, and he enlisted in 
 Company A, Seventy-sixth Illinois Regiment, 
 which was assigned to the Department of the Mis- 
 sissippi and the Gulf. He saw service in eight 
 Southern States and was in many battles, includ- 
 ing Ilatchie River, Jackson Cross Roads, the siege 
 of Vicksburg, Champion Hill (where he received a 
 slight llesh wound), and Ft. Rlakely (Ala.). Dur- 
 ing the last jear he served .as Dispatch Orderly 
 for Gen. Steele. At J.ackson Roads his hor.se was 
 shot and fell upon him, and ag.ain at Champion 
 Hill, where he was severel}' injured. After more 
 than three years of faithful service, he was mus- 
 tered out in Galveston, Tex., August 22, 1865, 
 and received his discharge in C'hic.ago. 
 
 Mr. Karl's army life jjiit an end to his school- 
 days, and soon after he returned from the war he 
 began farming on his own account. In 1866, he 
 married Miss Jemini.a TJritton, of Rensselaer, Ind., 
 and unto them were born four children, but the 
 two daughters are now deceased. The sons, Charles 
 and Fred, still reside with their father. His wife 
 died .in June, 1878, and on the 17tli of April, 
 187'.), Mr. Karr w.as joined in wedlock with Jliss 
 Ellen Dygert, daughter of Henry and Laura 
 (Peck) Dygerl, who formerly resided in this 
 county, but are now residents of Kane County, 
 III, Four children grace this union: Earl, Mark, 
 KIttie and Grace. 
 
 After his lirst marriage, Mr, Karr worked by 
 
398 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the month for a year, and then, purchasing a 
 team, engaged in the operation of a rented farm 
 until he had accumulated some capital, wh( n he 
 made his first purchase of land. This was in 1875, 
 and he became the owner of one hundi'ed and 
 twenty acres, constituting a part of his home farm. 
 He has since bought other land and, in connec- 
 tion with Mark Ayres. of Chicago, now owns 
 seven hundred acres. He is extensively en- 
 gaged in farming and stock-raising, and in his 
 business dealings has met with excellent suc- 
 cess, working his w.'iy upward from a humble 
 position to one of wealth and affluence. His i)ros- 
 perity is well deserved. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Karr is a stalwart 
 Republican, and is now serving his eighth term as 
 Supervisor of his township. For eight years he 
 served as School Trustee, for a number of years 
 has been School Director, and has done effective 
 service in the interest of education. Socially, he 
 is a Mason, having been connected with that fra- 
 ternity since 1868, and has filled all the chairs ex- 
 cept that of M.aster. lie has also been a repre- 
 sentative to the Grand Lodge several times, and 
 is also a member of the Grand Array of the Repub- 
 lic. His residence in this county covers almost half 
 a century, and he has therefore witnessed the 
 oreater part of its growth and upbuilding, and 
 has aided in its development and advancement, 
 ever faithfully performing his duties of citizen- 
 ship. In reviewing the life of Mr. Karr, we see 
 that it has been well spent, and in presenting this 
 sketch to our readers we record the life work of 
 a valued citizen, a prosperous farmer and an hon- 
 ored pioneer. 
 
 ^j^x^AUL HENRY WOLGAST, of the firm of 
 ])] Wolgast & Wolgast, is a merchant of Dan- 
 f^ forth. 111. He is a native of Germany, and 
 I \ was born in Holstein, July 31, 1849. He is 
 a son of Jochan 11. Wolgast, a native of the same 
 place. The father there was reared, and married 
 JNIargaret Wilkin. Since arriving at mature years 
 
 he has engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ger- 
 many, where he still resides. Our subject is the 
 eldest of a family consisting of two sons and four 
 daughters. 
 
 Mr. Wolgast, of this sketch, received good school 
 advantages in the German language, and since 
 coming to this country has acquired a knowledge 
 of English through his reading and observation. 
 Determining to seek his fortune in the New World, 
 he bade adieu to his friends and relatives and in 
 1871 started from Hamburg and crossed the At- 
 lantic in thirteen days. He landed in New York 
 on the 2d of September, 1871, and came immedi- 
 ately West to Chicago. For about two years he 
 engaged in gardening near that city, and at the 
 end of that time removed to Ashkuin, where he 
 engaged in business, remaining there for about two 
 3'ears. After he had been in the latter place about 
 one j'ear, he carried on farming for the same 
 length of time. In 1875, he came to Danforth and 
 engaged in merchandising. In addition to this 
 business he has carried on a farm for about twelve 
 years. He now has a good stock of general mer- 
 chandise and drugs, and has built up an extensive 
 trade. The firm well merits the large patronage 
 they enjoy, as they kee[) the best goods and have 
 a large selection of the same at moderate prices. 
 
 Mr. Wolgast was united in marriage at Ashkiim, 
 in April, 1875, with Miss Louisa Kryder, who was 
 born in Illinois, the place of her birth being Naper- 
 ville, Cook County, where she was reared and edu- 
 cated. She is a daughter of Charles Kryder, of 
 that place. To our subject and his wife have been 
 born eight children, of whom four sons and two 
 daughters are now living: .John, Frank, William, 
 Mabel, Carrie and Orval. Amy, a child uf four 
 years, and an infant daughter, (iussie, arc now 
 deceased. 
 
 Since he has been a voter, Mr. Wolgast has been 
 identified with the Democratic party, and his 
 friends and acquaintances have many times called 
 upon him to serve in official positions requiring 
 such fidelity and ability as are among his chief 
 characteristics. He is now one of the Danforth 
 Trustees, and in that position has served to the 
 satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. He is a member 
 of the German Lutheran Church, in which lie is 
 
</ 6^ G^-c^' 
 
 /ij^ /fccyi^c^^^ C?. ^Acy€^-f-^- 
 
5- <• 
 
 ^^^-^^^^^A^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGPAnilCAL RKCORU. 
 
 403 
 
 ;iii active worker. He is a member of the Druids' 
 lodge of Oilman. For about eighteen 3'ears, Mr. 
 Wolgast lias been a resident of Danforth, and is 
 well known in Oilman and throughout the country 
 as a man who well deserves tlie respect and esteem 
 which his fellow-citizens and friends have for him. 
 He has ever been active in all measures pertaining 
 to the good and welfare of this communit}- and 
 State, and for his worth and noble character well 
 deserves to be remembered in this brief sketch. 
 
 S^OSTER M. ClIAl'MAX, a prominent and 
 iFJ® l)rosperous farmer, and a resident of Oil- 
 /IJj man, was born in Old Sod us, Wajne County, 
 X. Y., September 19, 1819. He is a son of Henry 
 1). and Maria (Arms) Chapman. His father was 
 born in New Lebanon, N. Y., and his mother in 
 Conway, Mass. His great- grandfathei- Chapman 
 emigrated from Ireland, and the Arms family- were 
 earl}^ emigrants frrmi England. Both the paternal 
 and maternal grandfathers were natives of New 
 England and followed farming. Our subject's 
 fatlier was a contractor and builder in the line of 
 carpentery, and was a Wiiig in politics. In 1836, 
 the mother with her four sons started with an ox- 
 team, drivingthrough Canada, and landed in AVash- 
 tenaw County, Jlich., in the dead of winter. Such 
 a journey, with its accompanying privations and 
 discomforts, can hardly be imagined in these daj's 
 of steam and electricity, that provide means of 
 rapid transit which would have been considered 
 incredible in those early days. They opened up 
 two farms in Michigan, and there they lived for 
 several years, the mother spending her last days 
 there. She was a consistent member of the Pres- 
 byterian Church, and her death was widely 
 regretted. 
 
 Our subject is the second in a family of five 
 children, consisting of four sons and one daughter. 
 He received his education in the old-time school, 
 which furnished such limited advantages. His 
 first money was earned by digging potatoes for a 
 neighbor, and that was credited to his father. In 
 the winter of 1839, be taught school across the 
 
 18 
 
 line in Livingston County, 111., where the refrac- 
 tory pupils had the previous session of school 
 driven the teacher away: but he was not so easily 
 discouraged and overcome, and he promptly 
 brought to terms the chief mischief-makers, and 
 thereby won the confidence and obedience of all- 
 in Washtenaw County, Mich., on the 20th of 
 INIarch, 1845, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage 
 with Charlotte E. Spafard, who is the daughter of 
 Thomas L. Spafard. Her father is an old resident 
 of Michigan, as he emigrated there in 1838. Jlrs. 
 Chapman was born in New Y'ork Slate, and, when 
 sixteen j-ears of age, came with her parents to 
 Michigan. Our subject followed the occupation 
 of agriculture for several years, and in 1851 began 
 selling small farm implements, his headijuarters 
 being at Chicago. He handled the first John H. 
 Manney reapers which were brought to that city. 
 For a time he also ran a branch house at Detroit, 
 and had quite an extensive trade in farm imple- 
 ments in the States of Michigan, Illinois and Wis- 
 consin. He continued in that business until 18fi6, 
 when he took the agency for the Manney leaper 
 for the territory of Southern Indiana, Kentucky 
 and Tennessee. In 18G7, lie turned his attention 
 to the real-estate business in Chicago, which he 
 carried on (luite extensively until 1875. Tiie fol- 
 lowing year, he came to Iroquois County and 
 purchased six huii(ired and twenty acres in Dan- 
 forth Townsiii|). The farm was in an unimproved 
 condition, but by judicious tiling and ditching 
 and the erection of good buildings, he has brought 
 it to its present condition of lieing one of the best- 
 ke()t and most fertile farms in the county. In 
 1878, our subject, in company with W. C. rind C. 
 O. McDougall and Oeorge W. Decker and others, 
 started the enterprise of cutting a ditch from 
 Prairie to Spring Creek, thus giving a short out- 
 let for this entire tlat countiT. That was the first 
 extensive effort to furnish a system of drainage, 
 and to this work Mr. Chapman gave time, effort 
 and money. Contracts were let for ditches aver- 
 aging 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 arnu 
 
404 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 pits. Daj' after daj', he worked in that soaked 
 condition until tlie complelion of the ditcii. 
 Notliiiig has done more to add to the A'alue of 
 land in tiiis section, and the men who with such 
 perseverance pushed the enterprise deserve much 
 credit. 
 
 Politicall}-, Mr. Chapman was a AVhig in former 
 times, later an Abolitionist, and since the war a 
 Republican. Mis first vote was cast for William 
 Henry Harrison of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" 
 fame. He has never sought oflice, but lias 
 evinced ample ability to fill any local office, could 
 lie lie induced to accept it. He is always in the 
 front ranks concerning any question for the wel- 
 fare of the community, and takes an active inter- 
 est in political measures. He is a Unitarian in 
 faith, while his wife is a memlier of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 Our worthy subject and his wife have one son, 
 Arms S., who is a reporter on the Graphic, of Chi- 
 cago. Mr. Chaimian removed from his farm to 
 the town of (lilman in 1890, where he has a com- 
 fortable and pleasant home. He is a constant 
 reader of the best literature, and is a man excep- 
 tionally well informed on all the leading questions 
 of the day and able to expres.s his ideas in a for- 
 cible and interesting manner. He believes a wife's 
 property should remain in her own right and title, 
 and that statutes should be made to protect the 
 sam(\ During his many years' residence in this 
 count3% he has made a wide circle of friends, who 
 esteem him for his strict integrity and honorable 
 career. 
 
 ARTIN BURNHAM, one of the enterpris- 
 ing farmers of Martinton Township, now 
 makes his home on section 12, where he 
 J has carried on agricultural pursuits for 
 
 several years. He is one of the early settlers of 
 this township, and is one of the substantial and 
 representative citizens of Iroquois County. 
 
 Mr. Burnham is a native of Vermont, having 
 l).'en l)orn in (Jrange Count3', that State, on the 
 ^IM of Februaiy, J828, sHti is » son of David 
 
 Burnham, who was also born in the same county, 
 in 1802. The father was a son of Hon. Enoch 
 lUirnliam, a native of Connecticut, born on the 
 17th of June, 1776. The Burnham family came 
 to this country in an early day, settling in New 
 England. There were three brothers who crossed 
 the Atlantic in 16.35, one locating in Massachu- 
 setts, and the others in New Hampshire and Con- 
 necticut. Their descendants became prominent cit- 
 izens of the communities in which they resided, 
 and several members served in the Revolutionary 
 War. David Burnham was reared to manhood in 
 the Green Mountain State, and there married 
 Miss Betsy Olds, who w.as also born in \'crmont. 
 He remained on the old homestead where his 
 father had settled when a boy of eleven years. 
 He took quite an active part in local politics, and 
 held several official positions of honor and trust. 
 In June, 1875, he was called to his final rest, 
 dying at the age of seventy-three. His wife de- 
 parted this life in 1862, when fifty-nine years of 
 age. 
 
 Our subject is the third in order of birth in a 
 family of nine children, four sons and three 
 daughters, who grew to mature years. They are 
 as follows: Elisha K., a resident farmer of Ver- 
 mont; Lora, wife of Dennison Kinsman, of Iowa; 
 Martin; Marcus makes his home in Waupaca, Wis.; 
 Emma resides in Vermont; Lutheia is the wife of 
 Henry B. Howard, of the same State; Rosetta, wife 
 of Caleb P. Waldo, of Vermont; Martha E., de- 
 ceased, was the wife of Wiuslow Avery, of Ply- 
 mouth, Mass., and Heniy P., the youngest, was a 
 soldier in the late war, and was killed at the battle 
 of Cedar Creek, in 1864. 
 
 Martin Burnham passed his boyhood days on 
 the home farm, and in his native State received a 
 good common-school education, which was supple- 
 mented by a course in the Thetford Academy. He 
 afterward engaged in teaching for two winters, 
 but in 1849 went to Wisconsin. In Chicago he 
 engaged in carpentering for a few months, al- 
 though he had never learned that trade, but was 
 always very handy with tools. After six months, 
 in 1850, he started for California, in companj' with 
 Capt, M. Findley. an old associate of John V,. 
 Premont. On his wa^- to the Pacific Slope, he 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 405 
 
 I went to Independence, Mo., where he purchased a 
 lot of oxen, mules .ind horses. Tlie trip across the 
 plains consumed three and :i-half months, they ar- 
 
 I rivintj at their destination on the 20th of Ausjust, 
 1850. ]^Ir. Burnham engaujed in mining for about 
 
 I two j'ears, and was reasonably successful. While 
 
 I there he rode a mule to Portland, Ore., where he 
 purchased a herd of cows, which l)e drove back to 
 California, lie returned home by way of the Jsic- 
 aragua route and New York. 
 
 On the 2d of November, 18.')3, Mr. Burnham 
 was united in marriage witli Miss IMartha Martin, 
 a native of Orange County, Vt., and a daughter 
 of Porter Martin, one of the pioneers of that 
 State, who was from Connecticut. Our subject 
 purchased tiie farm of his father-in-law, and there 
 engaged in farming and dairying for ten years. He 
 tlien sold his farm in 1864 and came to Illinois, 
 settling in Iroquois County. Here he bought two 
 hundred and twenty acres of slightly improved 
 land, which he has placed under a high state of 
 cultivation. He has added to his original farm, 
 and now has three hundred and twenty acres of 
 tine land. On the home place are two good resi- 
 dences, barns, and oilier ontb\iildings. 
 
 With the Republican party Mr. Burnham has 
 been identified many j-ears, having cast his first 
 vote for John C. Fremont, and is a stanch sup- 
 porter of its principles. He has held a number of 
 public offices, and takes a prominent part in pol- 
 itics. He has served as Supervisor, Road Commis- 
 sioner, and as a member of the School Board. He 
 is greath' interested in the common schools, and 
 does all in his power to secure good teachers and 
 promote educational interests. 
 
 I'nto our subject and his estimable wife have 
 been born two sons. Frank II. received a good 
 education, and on attaining his raajorit}' was 
 united in marriage with Miss Sylvia Wilson, a 
 daughter of Alexander Wilson, one of the honored 
 pioneers of Watseka. She was born in this county, 
 and received her education in the schools of Wat- 
 seka. She afterward taught school. They have 
 become the parents of three children: Clarence M., 
 Henry C. and Grace. The father of these children 
 Still resides in Iroquois County, and is carrying 
 pn the liofpe farm. The other sop, J^yter M., is 
 
 now deceased, having died on the 19th of March, 
 1888, and lies buried in Martin Cemetery, where a 
 monument marks his last resting-place. He was 
 married to a sister of his brotlier's wife, and unto 
 tiiem was born a daughter. Bertha A. 
 
 Mr. Burnham and his wife removed to Watseka 
 in December, 1879, leaving their sons to carry on 
 the home farm, but after two years they came 
 back to the old homestead, which has since been 
 their home. They have now lived in this commun- 
 ity for twent3--eight years, and have taken a 
 prominent part in its growth and upbuilding. 
 Mr. Burnham is a man of sterling worth and u|)- 
 right character, and has the esteem of the entire 
 communit3', and well deserves representation in 
 his adoi)ted county. 
 
 farmer and stock-raiser of Martinton To wn- 
 
 /// * ship, residing on section 24, is one of the 
 early settlers of the county and well de- 
 serves representation in its history among its 
 prominent citizens. His life record is as follows: 
 He was born in Vienna, Canada, November 25, 
 1830, and is a son of David Edison, who was born 
 in Nova Scotia in 1798, on the peninsula near 
 St. Johns. When a child the latter went with his 
 father, Samuel Edison, to Ontario, and became one 
 of the early settlers of the locality in which he 
 made his home. Samuel Edison was an officer in 
 the British army and received a grant of land 
 from the Government, which he located in Canada 
 amidst a vast wilderness. He there opened up a 
 farm and reared his family. 
 
 David Edison, the father of our subject, was 
 there reared and married, the lady of his choice 
 being Miss Fannie White, who was born in Lock- 
 port, N. Y., in 1801, and was a daughter of Henry 
 White, who afterward removed to Canada. After 
 his marriage, David Edison located on a farm in 
 his native country, but in 1839 came to the I'nited 
 Slates, locating in Chicago when it was a mere 
 hftrviiet. After fV )W lio reraovec] to jMcIIeniy 
 
406 
 
 yOETEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL BECOED. 
 
 County, 111., becominfjone of the old and honored 
 pioneers of Umt county. He there entered land 
 fioni the Government and opened up a farm, upon 
 \vhicli he made his home until 18G2. In that year 
 he sold his farm and removed to Kankakee, where 
 he ayain bought land, making his home there for 
 a few years, when lie came to Iroquois County 
 and was a resident of Martinton Township until 
 his death, vvhieli occurred in 1886. His remains 
 were interred in Martinton Cemetery, where a beau- 
 tiful monument marks his last resting-place. His 
 wife died two years later and was laid by the side 
 of her husband. For many years Mr. Edison was 
 a prominent member and exhorter in the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church and was a man of many ex- 
 cellencies of character. 
 
 A. O. Edison, whose name heads this record, came 
 to Illinois with his father when a lad of nine years 
 and was reared to manhood in this State. When 
 only fifteen years of age he began to earn Ins own 
 livelihood, being employed in a flouring mill in 
 McHenry County, where he remained for some 
 time. He learned the business very thoroughly 
 and afterward he entered the machine shops, where 
 he spent three years, becoming an expert machin- 
 ist. He afterward went to Wisconsin and later 
 South to Mississippi, locating in Natchez, where 
 he remained from l^ecember, 1852, until the fol- 
 lowing June, when he returned North to Illinois. 
 He then secured work with the Illinois Central 
 Railroad Company as a bridge-builder, and to that 
 work devoted his time and attention for several 
 months. It vvas in 1857 that he came to this 
 county and embarked in carpentering. He fol- 
 lowed contracting and bnilding for several years, 
 and a number of houses now stand as monuments 
 to his skill and handiwork. After following that 
 occupation for about ten _years, he removed to his 
 present location and for a time carried on carpen- 
 ■ tcring in connection with farming. 
 
 On the 9th of November, 1862, Mr. Edison was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Emily Jane Holmes, 
 a native of Westford, Otsego County, N. Y., and 
 a daughter of Calvin Holmes, who died in the 
 Empire State. She is highly educated, a lady of 
 culture and refinement, and previous to her mar- 
 ri.-i'i;;" engaged in teaching l)otli in New York and 
 
 Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Edison have been 
 born two children: Cyrus Holmes, who is now- 
 married and engages in the operation of the home 
 farm; and Libbie, a teacher of recognized ability 
 in this county. They also lost one child who died 
 ill infancy. 
 
 INIr. Edis'on cast his first Presidential vote for 
 John C. Fremont. He then afli Hated with the 
 Democratic party for a number of 3'ears, after 
 which he withdrew his allegiance from political 
 organizations and is now independent, voting for 
 the man whom he thinks will best fill the ottice, 
 regardless of party affiliations. His fellow-towns- 
 men, appreciating his worth and ability, have called 
 upon him to serve in various official positions.' He 
 was Commissioner of Highways, has served as 
 Constable, was Justice of the Peace three terms, and 
 for fifteen years has been As.sessor, serving as such 
 for twelve consecutive years. For about twenty 
 years he has been a member of the School Board, 
 and the cause of education finds in him a warm 
 fiiend. He does all in his power for its advance- 
 ment and has done much for the excellence of the 
 schools in this communit}'. His wife is a member 
 of the Baptist Church and is a most estimable lady. 
 Mr. Edison holds membership with the Masonic 
 fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chap- 
 ter. He is a valued citizen, public-spirited and 
 progressive, and a man of sterling worth and in- 
 tegrit3', and is an own consiii to the great inventor. 
 Prof. Thomas A. Edison, who has a world-wide 
 reputation. For thirtj'-six years he has made his 
 home in the county and well deserves honorable 
 mention in its historv. 
 
 — >}- 
 
 =^->^^<i 
 
 J. A AS KREMER, a farmer of Dan forth 
 Township, was one of the first settlers of 
 liV^ the township. He is a native of Holland, 
 where his birth occurred January 11, 1831. 
 He is a son of Garned and Ontkje (Rasmus) 
 Kremer, lioth of Dutch birth. The father was a 
 farmer by occupation, and reared his family and 
 sijent his life in his native land. 
 
 Our subject grew to manhood in Holland anr] 
 
rORTRAIT AND BK^GRAPHIC'AL RECORD. 
 
 407 
 
 lived a good common-fchool education in liis 
 iKitive tonsjfue. In English he has been almost 
 «lioll\' self-educated since airiving in this eountiy. 
 In 1862, Mr. Kremer was united in marriage with 
 Fannie Poter, also a Hollander by birth. Eor sev- 
 eral years subsequent to his marriage he followed 
 agricultural pursuits for a livelihood. In 1867, he 
 emigrated to the New AVorld, taking passage in a 
 steam vessel at London which was bound for New 
 York. He was about twenty-two da\'s crossing 
 the broad Atlantic and had a pleasant voyage, 
 lie arrived in New York May 3, and immediately 
 went West to Chicago. From there he came to 
 (iilman, and remained in the town for about two 
 weeks, lie then located at Danforth, then a vil- 
 lage which contained but one store. For about 
 two years he worked b^^ the month, and with his 
 carefully hoarded earnings bought a team and 
 rented land, where he farmed for himself. For a 
 number of 3'ears he rented a farm and was quite 
 successful. He then purchased land near Oilman, 
 located on that place and engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits for several years. At the expiration of 
 that period he sold his property and purchased 
 the farm where he now resides. He now has 
 about sixty-five acres which are situated in the cor- 
 poration limits of Danforth. He has well im- 
 I)roved his place and built a goo<l residence, barns 
 and other farm buildings. He also has a wind- 
 pump and other modern farm machinery. He has 
 a good orchard of select fruit and in every respect 
 his is a well-ordered and well-conducted farm. 
 
 To our worthy subject and his wife four chil- 
 dren have been born: Ilattie is the wife of Her- 
 man Benzema, of Danforth; John is married and 
 also resides here; Isaac is a young man still under 
 the parental roof, as is the youngest, George. 
 These children have all received the advantages of 
 a good education and were thus fitted to partici- 
 pate in the active duties of life. Mr and Jlrs. 
 Kremer are members of the Dutch Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 For twenty-five years, Mr. Kremer has lived in 
 Iroquois County and is well known throughout 
 this section as a man of honor and reliability. Hy 
 his upright course and the fidelity with which he 
 discharges his duties of citizenship he has won the 
 
 esteem and Ingh regard of all with whom In hi- 
 come in contact. In his political sentiments lie is 
 a supporter of the Republican party and cast his 
 first ballot for President for tien. U. S. Grant. Ik- 
 has never sought or held official positions but has 
 given his entire time, energy and attention to 
 business interests. He has ever been a hearty 
 supporter of educational measures and is an advo- 
 cate of good (Hiblic schools. He served lor six 
 years as a memlier of the School Board in Oilman. 
 He is liberal in support of those enterjMiscs which 
 tend to advance the best interests of the commun- 
 ity and is ever ready to aid in the promotion of 
 any undertaking which tends to elevate man- 
 kind. 
 
 
 6 
 
 ?)Et)H(;E C. S.MlTll, who is extensively en- 
 gaged in f.'U'ming and stock-raising in 
 :^ Stockland Township, is the owner of a 
 good farm of one hundred and twenty acres on 
 sections .30 and 32. He was born in Washington 
 County, Md., July 18, 1846, and on the paternal 
 side is of German descent. His father, (George 
 Smith, was a native of (ierniany. In early life, he 
 crossed the briny deep, and, locating in Maryland, 
 there became acquainted with and married Miss 
 .\raminta iMgenbrode, a native of that State. 
 Five children were born unto them but three are 
 now deceased, Mary, Martin and Aaron. The 
 two now living are our subject and his sister 
 Sarah. The family having removed to Indiana, 
 the mother died near Pleasant Hill, Montgomery 
 County, that State, in 18.53. The following year, 
 George Smith, Sr., was again married, the lady of 
 his choice being Julia Ann Moore, of Moulgouiery 
 County. Of the five children born of that mar- 
 riage, four are yet living: Philip, Lcander, Ara- 
 minta and Joel. .Amanda, the tiiird in order of 
 birth, died in 1890, in Oklahoma. Mrs. .Julia .\nn 
 Smith was called to her final lot in Sullivan 
 County, Mo., in 1867. Mr. Smith afterward re- 
 turned to Illinois with his family, and in 1868 
 married .Mrs. South, of Ash (Jrove Township, Iro- 
 quois County. 'VUay then removed to Missouri, 
 
408 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 where the father of our subject died in 1881. His 
 widow is now a resident of the State of Washing- 
 ton. 
 
 fxeorge C. Sniitii, wliose name lieads tliis record, 
 accompanied his parents on their removal to Indi- 
 ana, when quite a j'oung lad. Me also went with 
 the family to Missouri, and returned with them to 
 this couDtj^, where he has since re.sided. 
 
 On the 26th of March, 1872, he married Miss 
 Henrietta Crane, daughter of David li. and Cath- 
 erine (Stewart) Crane, of Stockland Township. 
 Ten children liave been born of their union, 
 namely: George D., born February 8, 1873; Cora 
 E., June 18, 1874; Arthur E., August 27, 1875; 
 Charles W., November 24, 1876; Carrie A., Jnne 
 13, 1880; Mary G., April 30, 1881; Oscar W., 
 December 10, 1882; Roy A., April 18, 1885; Nellie 
 M., June 22, 1887; and Lester, November 1, 1891. 
 Though the family is large, but one death has 
 entered the home circle. On June 29, 1892, while 
 going with a cultivator to tlie field, Arthur E. met 
 with a fatal accident. By some means he was 
 thrown from the plow, his head going between the 
 fenders and his body falling across the left beam, 
 breaking his neck and causing instant death. 
 
 In December, 1873, Mr. Smith removed to the 
 farm owned by his father-in-law, seven miles 
 southeast of Milford, and after operating it for 
 three years purchased eighty acres of land of Mr. 
 Crane, his present home, which is lo<;ated on sec- 
 tion 32, Stockland Township. Since then, he has 
 purchased forty acres more on section 30. In addi- 
 tion to the cultivation of his own land, he has 
 leased and operates one hundred and eighty acres 
 in Stockland Township, and one hundred and flfty- 
 five acres in Prairie Green Township. He is a 
 practical and progressive farmer, and the large 
 business which he carries on yields to him an ex- 
 cellent income. In addition to general farming, 
 he engages quite extensively in stock-raising, 
 making a specialty of the breeding of fine horses 
 and hogs. He possesses good business ability, 
 which, combined with well-directed efforts and 
 perseverance, has won him a well-deserved success. 
 He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the 
 Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. 
 
 The cause of temperance finds in Mr. Smith a 
 
 warm friend, and he votes with the Prohibition 
 party, which embodies his views on that question. 
 Himself, wife and three children are members of 
 the Christian Church. He does all in his power 
 for the advancement of educational and moral 
 interests, and is found in the front rank of every 
 worth}' enterpri.se. He is not only classed among 
 the substantial farmers of the community', but is 
 recognized as one of the valued citizens of Stock- 
 land Townslfn). April 24, 1864, he enlisted in 
 Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth 
 Illinois Infantry, and served five months and ten 
 da3'S, when he was honorably' diseliarged. He is a 
 member of Vennum Post No. 471, G. A. R.,of Mil- 
 ford. 
 
 ^OHN LEMON BAILEY, who resides on sec- 
 tion 12, Belmont Township, is one of the 
 prominent early settlers of the county. He 
 '^f/ has here made his home for thirty-seven 
 years, his residence dating from 1855. He was 
 born in Scott County, Ky., February 14, 1819, 
 and is of English descent. His grandfather was a 
 native of England, but emigrated to America 
 in the Colonial days, and aided the Colonies in 
 their struggle for independence. Crossing the 
 mountains with pack animals from Virginia, he 
 settled in Kentucky. and there sjient the remainder 
 of his life. 
 
 George William Bailey, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in Virginia, and when a young man 
 went with his parents to Kentucky. He served in 
 the War of 1812, fought in the battle of Ft. Meigs, 
 and participated in the battle of Tippecanoe under 
 Gen. William Henry Harrison. He removed to 
 Rush County, Ind., and afterward located near 
 Anderson, Madison County, where his deatli oc- 
 curred at the age of seventy-eight j'ears. He was 
 married in Kentucky to Sarah Lemon, a native of 
 Pennsylvania, whose parents were born in Scot- 
 land. She departed this life prior to the death 
 of her husband. By their union, two sons and 
 seven daughters were born, but our subject is the 
 
PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 409 
 
 only one now living. Tlie father was a second 
 time married, and two daughters were born. In 
 his later years George W. Bailey engaged in 
 preacliing. lie was a i)roniinent member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and was zealous in 
 Sunday-school and temperance work. His influ- 
 ence was ever e.xerted in behalf of the right, and 
 the world is better for his having lived. In poli- 
 tics, lie was a Whig. 
 
 John L. IJaile^-, whose name iicads this rcc()rd, 
 spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native 
 State, and then accompanied liis parents to In- 
 diana. His education was acquired in the sub- 
 sci-iption and public schools. He was early inured 
 to hard labor, and iielped to clear a timbered farm 
 in Indiana and make rails. Under the parental 
 roof he remained until twenty-two years of age,^ 
 when, in Madison County, Ind., he was united in 
 marriage with Rebecca Kelley, who was born in 
 Virginia. With their six children they came to 
 Illinois in 18.55, and Mr. Bailey purchased eighty 
 acres of land, a part of his presei\t farm. Their 
 home was a log cabin, l-lxUi feet, and for twelve 
 miles east there was no settlement. All kinds of 
 wild game were plentiful, and wolves made the 
 night hideous with their howling. In connection 
 with general farming, our subject engaged in rais- 
 ing sheep and horses, and won for himself a com- 
 fortable competence. 
 
 In 186!), Mr. llailey was called upon to iiiouni 
 the loss of his wife, who died on the 3d of De- 
 cember, at the age of forty-eight, and was buried 
 in Belmont cemetery. In her fifteenth year she 
 united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 was a faithful and devoted member. The children 
 of the family are as follows: Ivan L., born in In- 
 diana, is now a sewing-machine agent of Watseka. 
 He is a prominent citizen, and twice served a> 
 Treasurer of the county. During the late war, lie 
 enlisted as a inemlier of the Fifty-first Illinois In- 
 fantry, and was made Eirst Lieutenant. At the 
 battle of Franklin, the third in which he engaged, 
 he was wounded, and as a result is a cripple for 
 life. George W.,,wlio w.as also made a cripple 
 during his service for the Union, is now engaged 
 in carpentering in Missouri. Sarah is the wife of 
 Rpbert Danncr, who resides near the old home- 
 
 stead. John L., who married Maggie Womine, 
 was formerly a farmer, but is now a real-estate 
 dealer in (ireenfield. Ind. Jennie is the wife of 
 Henry S. Purgit, a resident farmer in Belmont 
 Township. Mary Ellen, who was a member of the 
 IMethodist Episcojial Church, died December 12, 
 1877, at the age of twent^'-threc years. William is 
 a carpenter of Kankakee. Mahlon .1. is famous for 
 his skill as a wrestler, and is now in tlie West. 
 Minnie, born July 27, 1801, became the wife of 
 Charles Zumwall, and died May 30, 1891. After 
 the death of his first wife, Mr. Baile}' married Han- 
 nah Lyman, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, 
 September 2, 1831, and at the age of five years 
 came to Illinois with her parents, who were pio- 
 neer settlers of this county. She was a devoted 
 member of the Jlethodist Episcopal Church, and 
 was called to her reward September 23, 18!)1. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Bailey was first a Whig and 
 afterward a Republican. He cast his first vote for 
 William Henry Harrison, and by his last ballot 
 supported Hon. Benjamin Harrison. With the club 
 of veterans who voted for the grandfather, he went 
 to visit our present Chief Executive at his home in 
 Indianapolis in 1888. He has served as School Di- 
 rector and Road Commissioner, but has never been 
 an office-seeker. At the age of twenty-seven, he 
 united with the Methodist Church, and has served 
 as its Class-leader; he gives liberally to its support, 
 and ever takes an active part in Sunday-school and 
 church work. The poor and needy find in him a 
 friend, and he is ever ready to extend a helping 
 hand. He is charitable and benevolent, and is one 
 of Nature's noblemen. 
 
 'In^ P. JOHNSON, M. IX, a successful physi- 
 lUWg' cian and surgeon of Iroquois and one of 
 (Ij, its prominent citizens, was born in .Alazoii, 
 
 Grundy County, III., March -1, 185(), and is the 
 fifth in ( rder of birth in a family of nine children. 
 His father, M. Johnson, is a native of Uniontown, 
 Pa. He wedded Miss Mar3' Preston, who w.is born 
 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and on the lltth of 
 April, 18',>2, they celebrated their golden wedding. 
 
•no 
 
 RIRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Iiiiving traveled life's jiiuriic\ luudlii'i- as man and 
 wife for a lialf-century. They are now residents 
 of Mazoii and are highly respected people. Mr. 
 Johnson is a self-made man, wlio by his own well- 
 directed efforts has aecuiniilated considerable prop- 
 erty. In politics, he is a stanch Republican and 
 takes (luite an active interest in political and piilt- 
 lic affairs, supporting all enterprises calculated to 
 promote the general welfare. 
 
 The Doctor spent the days of his boyhood and 
 youth u]xm his father's farm and in tlie common 
 schools acquired a good linglisli education, which 
 was supplemented by study in the Rock River 
 Seminary and the public schools, and Normal and 
 Scientific School, of Morris, 111. At the age of 
 nineteen years, he embarked in the profession of 
 teaching, which he followed for about four years 
 during the winter season. He was first employed 
 in the country schools, but afterward secured a 
 position in the villages. At the age of twenty- 
 four years, he began reading medicine and studied 
 at home until he was well versed in materia medica. 
 He then entered the Chicago Medical College, and 
 was graduated from Rush Medical College in Chi- 
 cago in Februar_y, 1885, after which he located in 
 Iroquois, but as there were already two physicians 
 in this place he concluded to try some other local- 
 ity. For three years he was located in Mazou, 
 and in Benton County, Ind. On the expiration 
 of that time, he returned to Iroquois and again 
 opened an otlice, and lias since enjoyed a large and 
 lucrative practice. While in Mazon, he served as 
 local physician for t!ie Atchison & Sante Fe Rail- 
 road. 
 
 On the ()lh of September, 188.5, Dr. Johnson led 
 to the marriage altar Miss Minnie, daughter of Dr. 
 A. T. and Elizabeth (Wright) Crozier. By their 
 union have been born two children, a sou and a 
 daughter: Maurice, born in Earl Park, Ind., Dec- 
 ember 15, 188G; and Nellie M., born in Iroquois, 
 November 20, 18'Jl. The Doctor and his wife 
 rank high in social circles and througliout the com- 
 munit}' have many warm friends and acquaintances 
 who hold them in high regard. 
 
 In his social relations. Dr. Johnson is a Mason 
 and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen. He 
 was reared as a Republican in politics but is now 
 
 identified with the Prohibition party. While in 
 Benton County, Ind., he was elected Coroner on 
 the Republican ticket but resigned his position on 
 account of his removal from that place. He has 
 served as Chairman of the Congressional Com- 
 mittee of the Prohibition party, is now a member 
 of the County Central Committee, has frequently 
 served as a delegate to the county and district 
 conventions and was once a delegate to the State 
 convention. The Doctor is a member of the 
 Christian Church and is recognized as one of Iro- 
 quois' bestcitizens, taking an active and commend- 
 able interest in all that pertains to the welfare of 
 the community and its upbuilding. He is re- 
 cognized as a skillful pliysician and a liberal pat- 
 ronao-e is his. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ^' OIIN C. GILES, a leading farmer of section 
 2, Douglas Township, Iroquois County, was 
 born in North Peoria, 111., December 29, 
 ^ 1844. He is a son of William and Louisa 
 Anna Giles. His grandfather, Thomas Giles, was 
 an English soldier and was one of the Britisli 
 guards during the trip of the banished Napo- 
 leon to the island of St. Helena. His wife, Ann 
 (xiles, was also of English birtii. On leaving the 
 English service, he left his native land and sailed 
 for America in 1827. After spending four years 
 in Utica, N. Y., he removed to Ridiland, Oswego 
 County, of tlie same State. In 18.36, he with liis 
 family went to Peoria, where he purchased eighty 
 acres now included in North Peoria. In order to 
 fence his land, he placed a straw band on his pony's 
 b.ack, on wliich he balanced rails, thus transporting 
 Ihem to the desired place. With a mattock he dug 
 up three acres for his first crop. Both he and his 
 wife spent their last days on the farm which they 
 had purchased many years before. 
 
 The father of our subject accompanied his par- 
 ents to Peoria in 1836, and there he married his 
 wife,who bore the name of Kaiser before marriage. 
 She was a native of Louisiana and of German de- 
 scent. Her parents died when she was quite young 
 and with friends she came to Peoria. Our subject's 
 
V t 
 
 M^._^i^ 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 113 
 
 father was a farmer and brick manufacturer. lie 
 li.is the distinction of making the first brick wliieb 
 was made in Peoria. Many of tliat city's best 
 liuddings were built of the brick of his manufac- 
 ture, lie has witnessed its growth from a few 
 houses to its present thrifty dimensions. Politi- 
 cally, he is a Kei)ublican, and has held the otiiee of 
 Collector of Peoria and has also served as School 
 Trustee. His wife's death occurred at the age of 
 tliirty-tliree years, leaving four sons and two 
 daugiiters, of whom three are now living, as fol- 
 lows: our subject; Thomas, a merchant of Jsorth 
 I'eoria; and Nathan, a farmer of C'ham|)aign. In 
 later life, the father married Ann Uphoff, a native 
 of Germany, unto whom were born eight children, 
 live sons and three daughters. In 1849, he went 
 by ox-team to Lawson's Kauche, C'al., taking six 
 months for the journey. He was gone for some 
 two years and mined successfully. He crossed the 
 Mississippi River on the ice. He is still living, at 
 the age of seventy-four years, in North Peoria. 
 
 Mr. Giles, the suljject of this sketch, spent his 
 boyhood days on a farm and in his father's briek- 
 j'ard, receiving such education as was afforded by 
 the common schools. When twenty-one years of 
 age, he started in life for himself on a farm which 
 he had rented. This he did for a time and then 
 farmed for his father for a pei'iod of three years, 
 lie purchased eighty acres of farming land in 
 Princevllle Township, Peoria County, where he 
 farmed until 1887, and then purchased and re- 
 moved to his present farm of two iiundred acres. 
 There was not a tile on the place when he bought 
 It and he now lias the reputation of having one of 
 tiie best-drained farms in Douglas Township, for 
 lie has placed in his land about forty-five thou- 
 sand tiles, thus va.stly improving and increasing 
 its value. 
 
 .Mr. (iiles was united in wedlock with Miss Al- 
 niyra Russell, a native of Peoria County, December 
 17, 1868. Her parents emigrated from Pennsyl- 
 vania to that county in 1840. Her father, Eben- 
 ezer Russell, was born in Lawrence County, Pa., 
 November 1.5, 1811. When eighteen j-ears of age, 
 he left the parental roof and wejt to Freder- 
 icksburg, Ohio. lie was married in the year 
 1834, to Edith Eraer^-, also a native of the Kej'- 
 
 stone State, and followed agricultural pursuits in 
 Ohio until his removal to Illinois. He and his 
 estimable wife are still living in Peoria County. 
 Mrs. Giles is one of thirteen childi-en, of whom 
 three sons and four daughters are \-et living. 
 Unto our worthy subject and his wife have been 
 born four children: Emery W., Ilattie May, Ar- 
 thur Ebenezer and .lohn Ernest. Mrs. Giles is a 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of La 
 Hogue. Mr.Giles isa supporter of the Republican 
 party and has never been an oHice-seeker, preferring 
 to devote his time and energj' to matters of busi- 
 ness. Socially, he belongs to the Modern Wood- 
 men of America. He is a successful farmer and 
 has won for himself a fair measure of success and 
 prosperity' by his own well-directed efforts. 
 
 i^^^m 
 
 1^^ .\MrEL II.^ZP^L, a retired farmer now re- 
 ^^i4 siding on .section 32, Prairie Green Town. 
 \M'JjI ship, is a native of the Puckeye State. He 
 was born near Fredericksburg, Wayne 
 County, Ohio, on the 5th of July, 182."). His 
 father, Hugh Hazel, was a native of Delaware and 
 was of Irish extraction. On attaining to years of 
 maturity he wedded Miss Ruth Kerns, and unto 
 them were born twelve children, as follows: .lames, 
 Samuel, Sarah, George W., Is;\ac G., Hugh, William, 
 John, Abram, Eli, Charles and Elizabeth. The fa- 
 ther was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, 
 following these two pursuits through much of his 
 business career. He is still living in Medina 
 County. Ohio, at the ver3' advanced .age of ninety- 
 nine years. His wife was called to her final rest 
 on the 30th of August, 1849. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood 
 upon his father's farm. His school privileges 
 were ver^' limited, in fact he is self-educated. 
 When he was a had of thirteen .yeai-s, he accompa- 
 nied his parents on their removal to Ashland. Ash- 
 land County, Ohio, where he remained for about 
 ten years. He left the parental roof at the age of 
 twenty-two and started out in life to earn his own 
 livelihood. He first hired out to work as a farm 
 hand and was thus employed for a year, his wages 
 
414 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 being onl3' $7 per montli. lie then made a pur- 
 chase of flftj' acres of hmd in Asliland Count}', 
 Ohio, at -17 per acre and began llie development of 
 a farm. This tract wascovei'ed with heavy timber 
 and it was no easy task to clear and improve it. 
 A year hiterhe moved to Mercer County, where he 
 lived a j-ear. Until 1866 he farmed in Van AVer t 
 County, wlien he went to Nortli Amherst, Lorain 
 County, Ohio, and pvirchased a combined steam 
 grist and saw mill. He there remained two years, 
 carrying on business in that line, after which he 
 left the State of his nativity and came to Illinois, 
 in 1868. 
 
 Long previous to this, l\Ir. Hazel was married. 
 On the 9th of November, 1847, lie was joined in 
 wedlock to Miss P^lizabcth, daughter of John and 
 Catlierine HeifTner. The lady was born February 
 10, 1825, in Asiiland, Oliio. By their union were 
 born the following children: John B., now a prac- 
 ticing physician of Claypool, Ind.; Samuel E., 
 who is engaged in farming in Lawrence County, 
 111.; Tabitha C, wife of Henry Seamen, a farmer 
 residing in Prairie Green Townshi|); Edward, wiio 
 died in infancy; Cornelius, who died in 1875, and 
 Chailes E., wlio completes tlie family. He resides 
 at home and operates the farm for his father. 
 
 On coming to this State, Mr. Hazel located in 
 Prairie Green Township, Iroquois County, where 
 he pureliased two hundred acres of unimproved 
 land, on sections 27 and 34. With cliaraeteristic 
 energy he began its development, transforming it 
 into rich and fertile fields, and adding one bundled 
 and sixty more to it, and there he made his home 
 until 188.3. In that year he pureliased one hun- 
 dred and twenty-five acres of land, his present home 
 making an aggregate of four hundred and eighty- 
 live acres. It is all under a high state of cultivation 
 and well supplied with all the improvements and 
 accessories of a model farm. Of late years he has 
 lived retired, while his son manages the business. 
 His life has been a busy and useful one, and by 
 his enterprise, good management and industry he 
 has risen to a position of wealth and aflluence 
 and is now enjoying a well-earned rest. In pol- 
 itics he is a supporter of Democratic principles, 
 having affiliated with that party since casting 
 his first Presidential vote for Polk. For a time 
 
 lie was the only Democrat in his township, so far as 
 known. He has held the office of School Director 
 in his district for fifteen years, was Road Com- 
 missioner one year and Justice of the Peace six 
 years. His public duties are ever discharged with 
 promptness and fidelity and he is one of the val- 
 ued citizens of the community. Mrs. Hazel has 
 been a member of the L'nited Brethren Church 
 from childhood. 
 
 C^ 
 
 ,,J: NDREW JACKSON 
 ( @//j| | known and leading 
 
 LYMAN, a well- 
 farmer of Martinton 
 (ii Township, residing on section 35, claims 
 Stark County, Ohio, as the place of his 
 birth, which occurred on the 7th of July, 1837. 
 The paternal grandfather, John Lyman, was a na- 
 tive of Germany, and when a young man emigrated 
 to America. He served as a soldier in the War of 
 1812. He was married and for some years resided 
 in Pennsylvania, after which he emigrated to Ohio, 
 locating in Stark County, where he reared his fam- 
 ily. The father of our subject, John Lyman, Jr., 
 was a native of the Keystone State and in Ohio 
 grew to manhood. He married Sarah Bauin, who 
 was born in Penns3'lvania, of German parentage, 
 and in 1840 he emigrated with his family to Illi- 
 nois, locating in old Middleport, being among its 
 earliest settlers. The next year his death occurred. 
 His wife afterward married Jonathan Lyman, a 
 brother of her first husband, and her death occur- 
 red when our subject was a lad of thirteen years. 
 
 When the Lj'inan family came to this county- 
 Indians were still very numerous in the settle- 
 ment, and all the hardships and privations of pio- 
 neer life were to be borne. There were few white 
 people and these were widely scattered. Wheat 
 and corn were ground in a coffee-mill, for Chicago 
 was the nearest market and the farm products were 
 drawn to that place with ox-teams, the journey 
 consuming about a week's time. In the usual 
 mannfer of farmer lads our subject passed his boy- 
 hood and youth. After his mother's death he re- 
 mained with his stepfather until sixteen j'ears of 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 415 
 
 age. Previous to this time he liad had no educa- 
 tional privileges, but he now attended school 
 througii two winter terms. He also learned the 
 carpenter's trade, which he followed for a few years, 
 and afterward worked by the month as a farm 
 liand for Thomas Y. Yates. He then purchased a 
 lialf-inleresl in a breaking team and engaged in 
 breaking prairie and threshing until, having ac- 
 cumulated some capital by his industry and econ- 
 om3', he purchased a forty-acre tr.act of land. This 
 was in 1852. He at once broke and improved the 
 land, the same upon which the village of Pitt- 
 wood is now located, and engaged in fanning until 
 after the breaking out of the late war. 
 
 A marriage ceremony performed on the 21st of 
 December, 18G0, united the destinies of Jlr. Lyman 
 and Miss Elmira, daughter of .Joel IJrandenburg. 
 In August, 18G2, ^Ir. Lyman bade good-bye to iiis 
 young wife and entered the service of his country 
 as a member of the One Ilundied and Thirteenth 
 Illinois Infantry. He served mostly on detached 
 dut3', and at length was discharged, in 1863, on ac- 
 count of physical disability. After receiving his 
 discharge, he returned home and the following 
 year resumed farming, but was soon afflicted b}- 
 partial l)lindness, from which he suffered for twelve 
 years. In the meantime, howevei', liis farm was 
 operated by others. At length, he sold that place 
 and purchased the one on which he now resides in 
 1875. It then comprised one hundred and twent\- 
 acres of raw prairie, but it now comprises one hun- 
 dred and twenty acres of well-tilled land, highly 
 cultivated and improved with a good residence, 
 barns and other accessories of a model farm. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lyman have been born seven 
 children, but they lost their eldest, Frank, who 
 died on the 22d of March, 1885; Cora is the wife 
 of S. P. Shaw, of Colorado: Alta, JLnry C, Kittle and 
 Ida P. are at home; .John T., :i lad of ten years, 
 completes the familj-. 
 
 Mr. Lyman cast his first Presidential vote for 
 Stephen A. Douglas, and has since supported every 
 Presidential nominee of the Democratic party since 
 that time. He has held a number of local offices 
 and been honored with several positions of public 
 trust. He is now serving as Road Commissioner, 
 which position he has filled for sixteen consecu- 
 
 tive years to the credit of himself and the satisfac- 
 tion of his constituents. He has been a member 
 of the School Hoard for a <|uarter of a century 
 and has done effective service for the advancement 
 of the schools and their upbuilding and improve- 
 ment. He is a jiublic-spirited and progressive cit- 
 izen, who manifests an active interest in all that 
 ))ertains to the welfare of the community. Almost 
 his entire life has here been passed and his friends 
 throughout the countv are many. 
 
 I? YMAN A. BENJAMIN, a substantial farmer 
 || (®i ow^ning farms on sections 1-1 and 23, in 
 j— ^v , Townshi]) 27, West Danforth Township, 
 has been foi- twenty-eight years a resident of Iro- 
 quois County. ;ind is well known throughout this 
 section. He is a native of New York, his birth 
 having occurred in Jefferson County. July 18, 
 1829. He is a son of William Uenjamin, who was 
 born July 8, 1800, in the .same State and county-. 
 The grandfather of our subject, Jonas Benjamin, 
 was born in Woodstock, Vt., and was a drummer 
 boy and soldier in the War of the Revolution. 
 This family was among the early settlers of New- 
 England. Jonas Benjamin removed from \'er- 
 mont to New York and settled in Jefferson County, 
 tiien a wilderness. There his son grew to man- 
 hood and married Charlotte Welsh, a native of 
 Jefferson County. She was a daughter of Charles 
 W\'lsh, one of the pioneers of that county. Her 
 brother, Charles Welsh, Jr., was the first white 
 child born in Jefferson County. After his m.'ir- 
 riage, Mr. Benjamin cleared and made a farm in 
 New York, and there reared his family and spent 
 the remainder of his life. He died at the age of 
 sixty-seven years, in February, 1867. His wife 
 survived him several years and died about the 
 year 1877. They both found a last resting-place 
 in the same cemetery, where beautiful monuments 
 have been erected to their memor\-. 
 
 Of their family of four sons and two daughters 
 who grew to matuie years, Lyman A. is the eldest; 
 Charles is a farmer and contractor of Cook County, 
 III.; Anson is a farmer of Smith County, Kan.; 
 
416 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIHCAL RECORD. 
 
 John served for three .years in the late war and 
 has since died from exposure and disease eon- 
 tracted in the army; Addie, now deceased, was the 
 wife of Mr. Hart, of Chicago; and Libbie is the 
 widow of Byron G. Penny, of Adams, Jefferson 
 County, N. Y. 
 
 Lyman A. Benjamin passed his earlj' years on 
 his father's farm, receiving a good common-school 
 education, supplemented by several terms in the 
 Jefferson County Institute. After completing his 
 studies, he engaged in teaching during the winter 
 terms, and in the summer worked on a farm. In 
 the fall of 1855, he came West, locating first in 
 Du Page County, 111., wliere he purchased a farm, 
 which he operated until November, 1864, atwhich 
 time he sold it and removed to Iroquois County. 
 In Danforth Townshi[), he bought a forty-acre 
 tract of raw t)rairie land, which he improved and 
 built thereon necessary farm buildings. To this 
 he added an adjoining forl^' acres in the course of 
 time, and afterward added another forty acres, 
 making one hundred and twenty acres of valuable 
 and well-improved farming land. He has a good, 
 substantial residence, good barns and other out- 
 buildings. On every hand are seen the evidences 
 of thrift and neatness, and he is accounted one of 
 the enterprising and progressive farmers of this 
 section. 
 
 In Jefferson County, N. Y., on the 28th of Jan- 
 uar3% 1854, Mr. Benjamin was united in marriage 
 with Miss Phcebe A. Webl), a native of Washing- 
 ton Count}', N. Y., though reared and educated in 
 the county where slie was afterward married. She 
 is a daughter of Darius Webb, a prominent man 
 and a millwright by occupation, wlio is now liv- 
 ing in Oswego County, N. Y., at the advanced age 
 of eighty-six years. Our subject and liis wife 
 have reared to mature j'cars a family of live chil- 
 dren: the eldest, Fred, is married and operates a 
 farm in this county; Rev. William D. is a minister 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kempton, 
 Ford County; Edwin N. is a farmer residing in 
 Red Willow County, Neb.; Ida is a successful 
 teacher of this county, and has for six years been 
 a teacher of her liouie district; and Charles W. 
 assists in carrying on the home farm. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin is identified with the Hei)ublicaii 
 
 party, whicli he has always supported since its or- 
 ganization. Previous to that, he was an old-line 
 Wliig. He takes quite an active yjart in local poli- 
 tics, and has held quite a number of official posi- 
 tions of honor and trust. He is now serving as 
 Assessor, to which position he was first elected in 
 1878, and this he has held almost continuously 
 since that time. When occupying these offices, 
 he has always discharged the duties incident to 
 them with fidelit}- and satisfaction to his fellow- 
 citizens. To the cause of education he has always 
 given his hearty support, believing that good 
 ])ublic schools and instruction are of inestimable 
 benefit to the country. For a number of years, he 
 has served as a member of the School Board, and 
 has also taught several terms since locating in this 
 county. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin are worthy 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
 which he is Steward. Long residence in this sec- 
 tion has made Mr. Benjamin widely known, and 
 his strict integrity of character has won for him 
 the confidence and esteem of all with whom he lias 
 come in contact. 
 
 ■^IYP^ ZE BOOI, who owns a farm on section 17 
 fe] Danforth Township, is a native of Holland, 
 I j' — -'-' / where his birth occurred December 8, 18.39. 
 He is a son of Charles and Ellen (Driefspraw) 
 Booi, both of whom were natives of the same 
 country. The parents emigrated to the New 
 World in 1847, sailing from Rotterdam on the 
 12th of May, and after a long voyage of about 
 tliree months arrived in the United States. Tliey 
 went direct to Chicago by way of tiie Erie Canal 
 to Buffalo, and from there by way of the Lakes. 
 Mr. Booi located in Cook County, twent}' miles 
 south of the then village of Chicago and near the 
 present site of the town of Pullman. There he 
 opened up a farm and endured many privations 
 and hardships. In 1852, his wife met her death 
 by drowning in the Calumet River, when endeavor- 
 ing to cross it upon the ice. He continued to re- 
 side on his farm at that place until his death in 
 1856. They had a familj' of four children: Zacke, 
 
PORTRAIT AND nioGRAPIIICAL RI-X'ORD. 
 
 417 
 
 who now resides in Kaliiraazoo, Mich.; Agnes, now 
 deceasedr Eze, of this sketcli; and Sophia, who is 
 married and has a famih". 
 
 Tiie early days of our snbject were passed on 
 his father's farm in Cook County. After tlie 
 death of his father, lie was thrown on his own re- 
 souices and worked by the month for neighboring 
 farmers during the succeeding three j-ears. He 
 then rented a farm for a 3"ear, and next bought out 
 the heirs of the old homestead and operated a 
 portion of it for a number of yeai's. This he sold 
 in 1872 and three years later removed to Iroquois 
 County, purchasing a faim in Danforth Township, 
 where he now resides. He first bought one hun- 
 dred and thirty-five acres and has since sold a 
 number of lots from it, no« having one hundred 
 and fourteen acres, all of which are within the cor- 
 [loration limits of Danforth. lie has improved and 
 cultivated this pro|)crty until it is one of the most 
 valuable and desirable farms in this part of the 
 State. lie started in business for himself with 
 nothing but a good constitution and ready hands, 
 and by long years of industry and enterprise has 
 achieved his present success, being accounted one 
 of the most progressive and thrifty farmers of the 
 township. 
 
 In 18.50, Mr. liooi was united in mairiage with 
 Kdith Margaret Coiper, who like him was born in 
 Holland and reared there until the age of fifteen 
 years, when she emigrated to Illinois. Mr. and 
 Mr.s. Booi are the parents of seven children: 
 Charles E., who is married and has five children, is 
 a farmer of this township; Slinnie is the wife of 
 Henry Burnett, a carpenter of Danforth; Ellen is 
 the wife of Ilenrj* Zeedik, a farmer; Edith, who is 
 the wife of John Kramer, a clerk of this village; 
 Daniel, a young man still under the parental roof; 
 X'olliert, also at home; and Ezie. who married in 
 this county, March 14, 1883, Trintya Wagnum, a 
 widow, who was born in Holland. To them have 
 lieen born three children: .John, Cornelius and 
 (iertie. 
 
 Mr. P.ooi cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln 
 and has supported every nominee of the Republi- 
 can party for President since. In local poli- 
 tics, he is independent, voting for the man whom 
 lie considers bestcjualified for the position. Almost 
 
 his whole life has been spent in Illinois, and for 
 seventeen long years he has been a resident of 
 Danforth Township. He is a most honorable man 
 and has the respect and friendship of all who know 
 him. 
 
 \fl IIDOYICO LAMOREAUX, dealer in grain. 
 I @ '"^''''' '^"'^ farming implements, is a respected 
 J ^^V citizen of Oilman, :ind was born in the 
 Empire State, his birth having occurred in AVester- 
 loo Township, Albany Countj-, July 11, 1842. He 
 is a son of Peter and Emeline (Ferrington) Lam- 
 oreaux, who were also natives of New York State, 
 where they were reared and married. The father 
 died in the prime of manhood, at about thirty- 
 three years of age, leaving his widow with three 
 little children, the eldest of whom was on!}- seven 
 years of age. Heroically she struggled to keep 
 her children together and carry on the work of 
 the farm. .She is still living in New York, at the 
 advanced age of seventy-five years, and has been 
 a woman of unusual ability-, winning the love and 
 respect of all who knew her. As soon as our sub- 
 ject w.as large enough to assist his mother, he lent 
 a willing hand and soon became her main depend- 
 ence. The cares of life fell heavily upon the 
 shoulders of one so young, but the united efforts 
 of mother and son provided for the necessities of 
 the family and educated the younger members. 
 Thus nobh' did he i)erform the duties devolving 
 >ipon him, and the same faithfulness and loyalty 
 to right and duty have characterized his subse- 
 quent career. His brother Adelbert is employed 
 in the Pullman Car Works, and his sister, Mrs. 
 Mary Snyder, lives in Albany County, X. Y. 
 
 As may be inferred, our subject had very lim- 
 ited educational ad vantages, as the work and re- 
 sponsibility of the farm necessarily permitted of 
 little time to be spent in school. He was early in- 
 ured to hard work, and the habit has never yet 
 left him. His education has mainly been acquired 
 by reading, ajid tluough ouservatiou and exper* 
 
418 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ience he has gained a practical knowledge which 
 could have been gained in no other waj'. 
 
 Mr. Lamoreaux was united in marriage Novem- 
 ber 12, 1862, with Miss Mariette Bell, a native of 
 Westerloo, Albany' County, N. Y., where llieir 
 marriage was celebrated. The year 1868 witnessed 
 tlie removal of our subject to Iroquois County, 
 and after spending some time in the lumber busi- 
 ness in Oilman, he removed to a farm, but soon 
 returned and has since made Oilman his home. 
 He was employed in the grain office of D. 15. Cook, 
 of Bushnell & Co., for about one year, and in that 
 of F. W. Hatch for the same period of time, hi 
 1875 he became manager of the business in whicli 
 he is now engaged. With the exception of about 
 two j'ears he has lield the position continuously 
 since. 
 
 Mr. Lamoreaux, his wife and only child, (Ger- 
 trude, are active members in the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, of which he is both Steward and 
 Trustee. Politically, he was a Democrat from 
 1864 to 1884, casting his first vote for McClellan. 
 Since the latter date he has been an uncompro- 
 mising Prohibitionist. Socially, he is a member 
 of White Holly Camp No. 524, M. W. A. Mr. 
 Lamoreaux applies himself closely to business 
 affairs, but amid the multiplicity of his duties 
 finds ample time for church, Sundaj'-school and 
 charitable work, to all of which he gives his hearty 
 support. He is widelj- and favorably known, and 
 this esteem is well deserved, for he has lived an 
 uprigiit, worth}' life, and is a trusted friend, in 
 whom one can place ira|ilicit confidence. 
 
 ^Ir^^OBERT WILKINSON, who has been proin- 
 [tsif iuently identified with the business inter- 
 i4i * ests of Sheldon, and is one of its leading 
 and influential citizens, was born in Sturgis, 
 Micli., March 14, 1851. and is a son of John and 
 Mary Wilkinson, both of whom were natives of 
 I^ngland. They crossed the Atlantic to America 
 in tiie summer of 1850, and located in Michigan, 
 whence thoy removed to Kendall County, 111., 
 itt tlae summer of 1804. Mr. WillviwsoB gft. 
 
 gaged in farming, and was a very successful busi- 
 ness man. At the time of his death he owned 
 about six hundred acres of land. He died in Lis- 
 bon, 111., in .luly, 1872, at the age of fifty-five 
 years, and his wife died in December, 1882, at the 
 age of sixty-seven years. Our subject was the 
 sixth in order of birth in their family of eight 
 children, five of whom are yet living. One son, 
 George, died in 1864 of spotted fever. 
 
 Our subject was reared to manhood in Kendall 
 County, III., and after acquiring his education iu 
 the piililic schools engaged in teaching for a time. 
 On attaining his majority he commenced farming 
 in Kendall County. He was married March 1, 
 1877, to Miss Emma, daughter of Isaac H. and 
 Susannah (Fry) Eastburn, of Sheldon, III., and 
 two years later he sold his farm, removing in the 
 spring of 1879 to Iroquois County. Here he pur- 
 chased land two miles north of Sheldon, hut came 
 to the village in September of 1881. By the un- 
 ion of our subject and his wife were born six chil- 
 dren, l)ut the four eldest died in childhood. 
 Stanley E. and Mary Lois are still with their par- 
 ents- 
 Mr. Wilkinson spent the winter of 1880-81 in 
 Colorado on account of ill health, and returned 
 somewhat improved to Sheldon in the following 
 spring. In November, 1885, he embarked in bus- 
 iness as a dealer in coal and agricultural imple- 
 ments. In the year 1887 he sustained a severe 
 loss by fire, his entire stock of agricultural imple- 
 ments being burned, but his business tact had se- 
 cured him Iiy proper insurance, so. Phoenix-like, a 
 new building was erected on the old site, which 
 he had purchased, and he continued in business 
 until 1890. 
 
 In May, 1891, Mr. Wilkinson embarked in the 
 banking business, in company with his brother- 
 in-law, George W. Eastburn, and as proprietors of 
 the Citizens' Bank, which was opened on the 14th 
 of May, they have since been doing a good busi- 
 ness, which has far exceeded all their best expec- 
 tations. Mr. Wilkinson is also a stockholder 
 in and President of the Perfection Paper Bag- 
 holder Company, and aided in the organization of 
 the tile works, but has since sold Ids Interest in 
 the organization, lie is Treasurer Pf tl»e Uuilding 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RliCORD 
 
 419 
 
 and Loan Association, of Sheldon, III. He also 
 owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming 
 land within two miles of Sheldon. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Wilivinson was lirst a Rcpuhli- 
 can, hut recently' he joined the Prohibition party 
 and has been one of its supporters. At the age of 
 fifteen yeal-s he united with the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and since that time has been one of 
 its faithful workers. He holds membership with 
 the (iood Templars' society, and the cause of tem- 
 •perancc finds in him a stanch advocate. His life 
 lias been an honorable and ui)right one, well 
 worthy of emulation. He is a man of excellent 
 business ability, is progressive, possesses good 
 judgment, and has steadily worked his way up- 
 ward to a position of wealtii and affluence. 
 
 \|:OIIX C. COjS'IsER, a successful and well- 
 known physician and surgeon of Crescent 
 City, was born near Richmond, Wayne 
 County, Ind., November 6. 1844, and is a 
 son of Lewis and Mary (.lennings) Conner. His 
 father was born and reared in North Carolina, and 
 when a young man emigrated to Indiana, where 
 he met and married Miss .lennings. who, however, 
 was also a native of North Carolina. Mr. Conner 
 engaged in farming in Wayne County, Ind.. and 
 there reared his family. He resided for a few 
 years in Grant County, but returned to Wayne 
 County, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
 He w.as a verj' prominent member of the United 
 Brethren Church, and took quite an active part in 
 cjiurch work, earnestly laboring in tlie blaster's 
 \ ineyard. He was called upon to fill a number of 
 local offices, and was a highly respected citizen. 
 The Doctor was reared to manhood in the State 
 (if his nativity, .and .acciuired his literary education 
 in the public schools. When onl^' seventeen yeais 
 of age he entered the service of his country, and 
 on August 11, 1862, donned the blue as a member 
 of Company I, One Hundred and First Indiana 
 Infantry. He was mustered in as a private for 
 three years' service, and acted as a drummer for 
 n time, lie was promoted to the vduk of Corporal 
 
 at the battle of Perryville, Ky., the first engage- 
 ment in which he participated. He also met the 
 enemy in battle at Chickama\iga, Mission Ridge, 
 Lookout Mountain, Resaca, ICenesaw Mountain, 
 Atlanta, and went with Sherman on his memor- 
 able march to the sea. He marched to North Car- 
 olina with the troops that captured .lohnson at 
 Raleigh, and then went on to the Capitol City, 
 where he y)arti( ipated in the Grand Review. He 
 was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., .lune 24, 
 186.5, after almost tliree years of service. Al- 
 though a mere lad when he entered the army, he 
 proved a faithful soldier, ever found at his post of 
 duty. When the war was over the Doctor returned 
 to his home in Indiana, and attended Jonesboro 
 College for two years. He also engaged in teach- 
 ing. 
 
 Wishing to engage in the practice of medicine. 
 Dr. Conner began studying in Jalapa, Ind., in 
 1869, and took his first course of lectures in Cin- 
 cinnati, in 1876. The following year he returned 
 to that school and was graduated in the Class of 
 '77. He then entered upon practice in .Jalapa, 
 where he engaged in the prosecution of his pro- 
 fession for nine years. He then changed his place 
 of residence, removing to Stark County, Ind., in 
 1882. He afterward pr.acticed for two years in 
 Stark County, and subsequently opened an office 
 in Clifton, 111., where he remained for four years. 
 He then located in Crescent City, and during the 
 five years of his residence here he has built up a 
 large and constantly increasing business. 
 
 Dr. Conner h:is twice been married. In .lalapa, 
 Ind., February 28, 1872, he married Miss Alma 
 .Jackson, who died in Knox County, in 1880. In 
 1884 he was again united in marriage, this time with 
 Mrs. Ella (McAllister) Malancy,a native of Indiana. 
 By her former marriage Mrs. Conner had two 
 sons, but one met death by accident, Cecil, who 
 died at the .age of ten years. The other son, AVal- 
 ter, is still with the Doctor. 
 
 Since attaining his majority, Dr. Conner has 
 been identified with the Democratic party, having 
 been one of its supporters since he cast his first 
 Presidential vote for Gen. Hancock, He has been 
 honored with several local otlices, and is now tho 
 Supcfvisov of Cvesceat Township, Socially' Ue is a 
 
420 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 member of the Masonic order belonging to Lodge 
 No. 688, Clifton, A. F. & A. M.; of Post No. 717, 
 G. A. R., and of Camp No. 1425, M. W. A. 
 Among his professional brethren he ranks high. 
 He keeps abreast with his profession bv the study 
 of medical journals, and his excellent skill and 
 abilit}' are acknowledged by the liberal patronage 
 he receives. lie is considered a successful physi- 
 cian and is also popular as a citizen. 
 
 ^^pLONZO r. GOODYEAR, a member of the 
 i^lij. I firm of AVilliams & (4oodyear, general 
 14 merchants of Woodland, was born near 
 Bennington Center, Wyoming County, N. 
 y., twenty-two miles from Buffalo. The family 
 traces its line of ancestry back to England. The 
 founders of the family in America were banished 
 from the Motlier Country on accountof their love 
 of lil)erty, and crossing the broad Atlantic settled 
 in Ilamden, Conn. At one time they owned 
 three townships in New Haven, and the farm 
 deeded them by King George was in possession of 
 the family until about three years ago. The grand- 
 father of our subject was a Captain in the State 
 militia, and was ordered to New Orleans under 
 Gen. Jackson during the War of 1812, but was 
 crippled and could not go. 
 
 The father of our subject, Marks Goodyear, was 
 born in Ilamden, Conn., June 30, 1809, was 
 there reared and educated, and for three years was 
 a student in Yale College. He was married in the 
 Nutmeg State to Eliza Hodges, a native of Lon- 
 donderry, Somersetsliire, England, who emigrated 
 to America when about five years of age. In 
 1834 Mr. Goodyear removed with his family to 
 the Empire State, where he developed a new 
 farm. In 1837 he came with a team and sleigh to 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, a distance of three hundred and 
 fifty miles, and then shipped his goods to Pekin, 
 111., while he continued on with his teams across 
 the countr_y, reaching his destination on the 8th 
 of March. In the spring of 1841 he commenced 
 transforming a tmct of wild prairie land into a 
 
 fine farm, upon which he made his home for half 
 a century. His death occurred March 15, 1891. 
 His widow still svu-vives him and is yet living on 
 the old homestead. Mr. Good3'ear was a man of 
 sterling worth. Honorable and upright in all liis 
 dealings, his word was as good as his bond. In 
 politics, he was a Democrat, and all of his sons are 
 supporters of the same party. At his death he 
 left a good property. 
 
 The members of the family were Alonzo P., 
 wliose name heads this sketch; Mrs. Mary Hay- 
 ward, who is living in Chicago; Dudley M., a resi- 
 dent of Washington, Tazewell Count}-; James S., 
 a resident farmer of Tazewell County; Mrs. Har- 
 riet E. Eaton, who is living in tlie same county; 
 Alfred W., who resides near tlie old homestead; 
 and Robert H., who is engaged in farming in Mc- 
 Lean County. 
 
 A. P. Goodyear was born October 23, 1836, and 
 has spent almost his entire life in this State. He 
 was reared on a farm in Tazewell County, and 
 during his youth he worked for iiis board while 
 attending school. At the age of twent>'-tiu'ee he 
 began earning his own livelihood b}' working as a 
 farm hand, and was employed in the vicinity of 
 his childhood home until 1868, when he removed 
 to Washington. He there embarked in the gro- 
 cery business, which he followed until 1871, when 
 he again resumed farming. In 1874 he came to 
 Iroquois County, and purchasing land near Wood- 
 land carried on agricultural pursuits until 1892, 
 since which time he has been engaged in business 
 in Woodland, as a partner of Judge Williams. 
 The}- have a general merchandise establishment, 
 and are now enjoying an excellent trade, their 
 liberal patronage being secured by their courteous 
 treatment and fair dealing. 
 
 On December 22, 1859, in Tazewell Count}-, Mr. 
 Goodyear married Miss Mary Humphrey, a native 
 of Tompkins County, N. Y^. Her father was born 
 in Hartford, Conn., and her mother was a native 
 of Pennsylvania; they came to Illinois in 1834. 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goodyear have been born four 
 children : Alonzo F., who was born in Tazewell 
 County, acquired his primary education in the 
 common schools, and afterward was a student in 
 the Normal College of A'alparajso, Iijd, He then. 
 
/0C^dZ^^^^ J€cK/^A^-e^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 123 
 
 became a, successful teacher, and was Assistant 
 Scliool Superintendent under K. .1. Wake. Wish- 
 in'; to enter the legal profession, lie became a stu- 
 dent in the Union Law School, of Chicago. He is 
 now engaged in practice in Watseka, and is serv- 
 ing as State's Attorney. Mary E. is the wife of 
 .Ii>lin Webster, Of Milford Township; Olive E. is at 
 home; and Charles S., a wide-awake and enter- 
 jirising young business man, assists his father in 
 the store. The children have all been provided 
 with excellent educational advantages, and all 
 have eng.iged in teaching school. 
 
 Mr. Goodyear cast his first Presidential vote in 
 1860, for Stephen A. Douglas, and has since been 
 a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He 
 is a good business man, highly respected through- 
 out the communit}-, and the success that he has 
 achieved in life is due to his own efforts. The 
 firm of Williams & Goodyear have one of the 
 leading mercantile establishments in Woodland. 
 
 ESLF^Y' 1IAH^'EY, who is now living a rc- 
 ''I tired life in Cissna Park, certainly deserves 
 
 ''"^1/ representation in this volume, for no other 
 resident has so long made his home in this com- 
 munity. He has been an eye-witness of its growth 
 for more than half a century, and his name is in- 
 separably connected with its history. He was born 
 on New Year's D.ay of 1821, in a log cabin in 
 Washington County, Ind., his parents being Robert 
 II. and Sarali (Richards) Harvey. His father was 
 born in North Carolina, but in an early day re- 
 moved to Tennessee, where their n)arriage occurred. 
 About 1810, they emigrated to Indiana, where he 
 cleared and developed a farm. The mother died 
 leaving four children: Elizabeth became the wife 
 of (ieorge A. Hrock and died at the home of her 
 son in .lacksonville; G. R. is a resident of \\n- 
 cennes, Ind., where he follows merchandising; Wes- 
 ley is the third in f>rdcr of birth; and Mr.s. Sarah 
 Strain resides in Milford. After the death of his 
 first wife Robert Harve}' was again married. His 
 death recurred in the Hoosier State. 
 
 The subject of tliis sketch had very meagre edu- 
 
 19 
 
 cational privileges. He conned his lessons in a 
 subscription school held in a log cabin furnished 
 with slab seats and supplied with greased-paper 
 windows. Upon his father's second marriage Wes- 
 ley came to Illinois, at the age of sixtee:) years. 
 The journey was made with an ox-team and he 
 landed in .Vsh Grove Townshi)). At that time 
 there were only five families in the tenitory in- 
 cluded in Ash Grove, Lovejoy, Pigeon Grove, 
 Artesia and Loda Townships. He made his home 
 with George A. and Lewis Brock until twenty years 
 of age, and was then joined in wedlock with Mary 
 Henry, a native of Indiana and a daughter of .lohn 
 Henry, one of the settlers who came to this county 
 in 18.3G. 
 
 Entering a claim, Mr. Harvey began farming, 
 purchasing his land of the Government at a land 
 otlice in Danville. Three years later he sold that 
 claim and bought a farm of Lewis Brock at the 
 head of the Grove. After operating it for five 
 years he then sold to Mr. Devore and made a farm 
 on section 24, Ash Grove Township. When he 
 disposed of that land he removed to the village 
 of Ash Grove and embarked in mercantile pursuits, 
 engaging in business as a dealer in dry goods and 
 groceries for twenty-two years. He also carried on 
 farming at the same time, but in 1890 he sold his 
 farm and, having disposed of his store, removed 
 to Cissna Park, where he is now enjoying a well- 
 earned rest. 
 
 August 27, 1859, Mr. Harvey lost iiis first wife. 
 They had but one child, which died at the age of 
 two years. He married February 10, 18G(), Mrs. 
 Brock, widow of Lewis R. Brock, and unto them 
 were born two children: George William, who died 
 at the age of three years; and Henry Bishop, who 
 was born March 21, 18(>.5. The latter is now his 
 father's partner in merchandising in Cissna Park 
 and iias the control of tiie business. He acquired a 
 good literary education in the public schools and 
 afterward pursued a course in the Chicago Com- 
 mercial College. For two _vears he has carried on 
 operations in his present line and is one of the 
 wide-awake, enterprising and successful young 
 business men of the community. 
 
 Of the (iriginal sixteen voters who in 1810 cast 
 votes in Ash Grove Township Mr. Harvey is the 
 
424 
 
 PORTRAIT AND EJOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 onlj- one yet living. In that year, although not 
 yet of age, he supported William Henry Harrison, 
 and was a AVhig until the organization of the Re- 
 pul)lic'an party, when he cast his ballot for John C. 
 Fremont and has since been one of its stanch sup- 
 porters. He has held a number of offices, was the 
 second Supervisor of the township, and has served 
 as Assessor for four terms. 
 
 Mr. Harvey is truly a self-made man. At an 
 early age he began life for himself and worked in 
 Indiana as a farm hand for $3.;)0 per month. He 
 had no capital when he came to this county, but in 
 truly pioneer style he began life here and has 
 steadily worked his way upward. He formerly 
 went to La Fayette, Ind., and to Chicago to mar- 
 ket. A trip made with ox-teams to the latter 
 place consumed ten days and he would sell his 
 wheat for $9 per load. He took liis grain to mill 
 at Wilmington near Joliet. His farming was done 
 with primitive machiner}' and he passed through 
 aii the privations and hardships of pioneer life, but 
 his industry and perseverance at length overcame 
 all obstacles and he made of his life a success, ac- 
 quiring a handsome competence 1)\" his diligence, 
 energy and good management. He is truly an 
 honored pioneer and throughout the community 
 he is held in the highest regard l)y many warm 
 friends. 
 
 )f|OSEPH W. ROBINSON, Sheldon's old- 
 est practicing physician, and one of promi- 
 nence in the community, is a native of the 
 Empire State. He was born in Saratoga, 
 N. Y., November 3, 1836, and is the third in 
 order of birth in a famil}' of four children. The 
 parents were William and Maria (Wright) Robin- 
 son, lioth of whom were natives of New York, and 
 came of hardy, long-lived ancestry. His father 
 was the first proprietor of the Empire Springs, of 
 New York, and for a numlier of years conducted 
 business along that line. In 1851 he removed 
 with his family to Bloomington, 111., and soon 
 afterward went to Washington, this State, where 
 lie continued to reside until iiis death, in .laniiary, 
 
 i^tu;. 
 
 Of the Robinson family, James H., the eldest, is 
 now a resident of Saratoga Springs, N. Y.; Will- 
 iam H. is living in Yates City, 111.; Joseph W. is 
 tiie next younger; and ISenjamin S. makes his 
 home in Saratoga. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
 public schools of Saratoga, N. Y., and Washington, 
 111. As he looked about him in choice of some 
 profession which lie wished to follow through life, 
 lie determined to become a physician, and in 
 1858-59 entered the St. Louis Medical College. In 
 1862, following the completion of his studies, he 
 responded to the country's call for troops, enlist- 
 ing in Company G, I-Cight3'-sixtli Illinois Infantry, 
 and served until the close of the war. Tlie regi- 
 ment was always at the front and did much ardu- 
 ous service for the Union. The first active engage- 
 ment in which the Eighty-sixth regiment took 
 part was at Perryville, when Bragg was threat- 
 ening an attack on Louisville. The Doctor par- 
 ticipated in Sherman's memorable march to the 
 sea, and all of the battles of the Atlanta campaign, 
 and arrived at the National Capital May 18, 1865. 
 Soon after his enlistment lie was appointed Hos- 
 pital Surgeon, and near the close of the war was 
 promoted to Assistant Surgeon. He received his 
 discharge and was mustered out Ma3' 18, 1865. 
 
 When the country no longer needed his ser- 
 vices Dr. Robinson returned to his home in Wash- 
 ington, 111., and establislied a drug store, which 
 he carried on in connection with the practice of 
 medicine. He was married October 16, 1866, in 
 that place, to Miss Maggie Hughes, daughter of 
 George Hughes, a native of England. By their 
 union has been born a daughter, Effle, now the 
 wife of C. W. Richards, who is railway agent at 
 Graneros, Colo. 
 
 The year 1873 witnessed the arrival of Dr. 
 Robinson in Sheldon, and he has here since made 
 his home. He has been President of the Town 
 Board, and is a member of the Board of Pension 
 F^xaminers. Socially, he is a member of the L. B. 
 Brown Post No. 151, G. A. R., of Sheldon, and 
 -for the first five years of its existence was its hon- 
 ored Commander. He cast his first Presidential 
 vote for Lincoln, and supported the Republican 
 party until 1872, since which time he has been a 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 425 
 
 standi advocjite of tlie Democracy. He is one of 
 the leading and intluential citizens of Sheldon, 
 and, as before stated, is its oldest practitioner. In 
 regard to his profession the Doctor is well read, 
 and his skill and ability have won him a liberal 
 patronage. From the beginning his practice has con- 
 stantly increased, and he is now doing a fine bus- 
 iness. Throughout the community he has a wide 
 acquaintance, and is held in the highest regard b3' 
 all with whom he has been brought in contact 
 either in professional or social life. 
 
 gEDBgg jeiBBB iZzrr ■ 
 
 G~;EOUGE Bri\(;KH, who owns and operates 
 -, a farm located on section ;'), in Douglas 
 __ J Township, is a native of Haden, Germany, 
 his birth having occurred at Lausheim, on the '23d 
 of April, 1831. He is a son of Anton and Mar^v 
 A. (Kech) Burger, both natives of the same coun- 
 try. The father was there engage<l in agricultural 
 pursuits, and when the Revolution of 1848 broke 
 out his sympathies were with the Revolutionary 
 partj'. This made it best for him to leave Ger- 
 many, and in 1849 he crossed the ocean, landing in 
 America and locating in New ]>ondon County, 
 Conn. Two j'cars later his family joined him at 
 that place. Both he and his wife spent the re- 
 mainder of their lives in Connecticut. His death 
 occurred at the .age of sixty-seven, and Mrs. 15ur- 
 ger attained the age of sixty-two. Tiieir family 
 Cf)nsisted of seven children, four sons and three 
 daughtei-s, five of whom now survive. George; 
 .losepli, a prominent farmer of Ford County, III.; 
 Klizabeth, wife of .John Phillips.of the same county; 
 .Mary A., wife of August Ilaubach, a farmer of 
 l)ougla,s Township; and .Johanna, wife of Robert 
 Messinger, who resides in Connecticut. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the third child of 
 their family. He was reared to farm life and re- 
 ceived a common-school education in Ins native 
 land. After coming to this country he was not 
 permitted to go to school, but by reading and con- 
 tact with English-speaking people he has become 
 a good scholar, well informed on all the leading 
 questions of the day. It was in 18o0 that he de- 
 
 cided to come to the United States, but as he was 
 then about military age he knew there was no 
 chance of getting a iiassport; he therefore managed 
 to provide himself with a bogus pass and, making 
 his way to Havre, France, he boarded a sailing- 
 vessel, which made the trip to New York in thirty- 
 one days. For some nine years he worked as a 
 farm hand in Connecticut. .Since that time he has 
 carried on farming on his own .account. 
 
 At Norwich, Conn., Mr. Burger was united in 
 marriage, .lanuary 9, 18.53, with Catherine Miller, 
 who w.is born in Dunningen, Wurtemberg, Ger- 
 many, November 25, 1835. She is the daughter 
 of Mathias and Elizabeth (Baumanii) Miller, both 
 natives of the same place. Their lives were spent 
 on a farm in Wurtemberg. Of their family- six 
 children lived to maturity and three of them emi- 
 grated to the United States: Isador crossed the 
 ocean the same time as Mrs. Burger, and died in 
 Fulton County, 111.; .lolin came to the I'nited 
 States about the year 1854, and died at the home 
 of our subject. ^Irs. Burger received her educa- 
 tion in fiermany, and came to the United States 
 in 1851. Unto our subject and his wife have been 
 born two children, one of whom died in infancy, 
 and Eliza .1. died when six years and three months 
 old. 
 
 Having followed agricultural pursuits in the 
 East until 181)5, Mr. Burger removed to Fulton 
 County, 111., w^here he o|)erated a rented farm 
 until 1869. In that year he came to the farm 
 where he still resides, having purchased it the year 
 |)revious. In company with August Ilauback, he 
 bought a quarter-section, which two \ears later 
 they divided. That was a very wet year and as 
 at that time there had been no ditching or drain- 
 age done in the locality, about nine-tenths of the 
 land lay under water. By industry and hard la- 
 bor he improved his pro|)erty and now owns a fine 
 farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is con- 
 sidered one of the best tracts in Douglas Town- 
 shi]). 
 
 For some twelve years Mr. Burger has served as 
 Road Commissioner and has always been a strong 
 advocate of systematic drainage. While he was 
 Commissioner he did all in his power to forward 
 that enterprise, and was one of the prominent men 
 
426 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in organizing the La Hogue Drainage District- 
 lie lias been a member of tlie Board of Trustees 
 since tiie organization of tiie district, and is a 
 public-spirited man, being always active in for- 
 warding all measures for tlie advancement of the 
 local and general interests of the communit_y. In 
 financial matters hts has been quite successful, the 
 perseverance and energy with which he has con- 
 ducted his affairs being crowned with success. At 
 the time of liis marriage he had but $50 and his 
 wife 820. By their combined efforts they have a 
 comfortable home and income. He is well and 
 favorably known throughout this section as a 
 man of honor and correct business principles. Po- 
 litically he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic 
 party. 
 
 "ifJOIlN WILLIAM ZEA, dealer in grain, hay 
 and coal at La Hogue, is a native of the 
 Empire State, his birth having occurred in 
 Cazenovia, Madison County, October 18, 
 183,5. He IS a son of William and Laura (Black- 
 man) Zea. Three brothers by the name of Zea 
 went to Manhattan Island from Germany prior to 
 the Revolutionary War. Two of them returned 
 to the Fatherland, but one, the great-grandfather 
 of our subject, remained in Manhattan Island. The 
 father was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., but 
 removed to Madison County, where he married 
 Miss Blackman,a native of Connecticut and of 
 Puritan stock. He was a farmer, as were his ances- 
 tors. In 1846, he emigrated to La Salle County, 
 111 , coming Ij3' water as far as Chicago and mak- 
 ing the remainder of the journey by wagon. He 
 was a Whig and later a Republican in politics. His 
 death occurred some ten years ago, he having 
 reached the allotted three-score and ten years. Both 
 he and his wife were members of the Methodist 
 Church. She is now living at the advanced age 
 of eighty years and is passing her declining days 
 with her son at Remington, Ind. 
 
 Our subject is the second child in order of birth 
 ill his father's family, in which there were six sons 
 mil three daughters. He was reared to fai'in life, 
 
 and after ten years of age was never able to 
 attend school more than three months. Since he 
 was eleven years old he has made his own way in 
 the world. He commenced working on a farm at 
 ^b per month, where he staid until nineteen years 
 of age. 
 
 On the 17th of March, 1855, Mr. Zea wedded 
 Jlary E. Arris, at Ottawa, La Salle County. She is 
 a native of Maine and a daughter of James and 
 Hannah Arris, who emigrated to Illinois in 1850. 
 Mrs. Zea has one brother and a sister. Mr. and 
 Jlrs. Zea are the parents of nine children: John C. 
 is a merchant at Mancliester, Kan.; Clara E. is the 
 wife of Adam Laul), of La Hogue; Charles E. is a 
 farmer of Ford County; Mary Alice is the wife of 
 George Hill, of La Hogue; Frank E. and Harry E. 
 reside at home; James A. is a farmer of Ridgeland 
 Township, this county; Sherman L., a graduate of 
 the Onarga Commercial College, is a grain clerk 
 for his father; and the youngest, Lester M., is at 
 home. 
 
 The first land ever owned by Mr. Zea was twenty 
 acres in La Salle County, which he sold, and in 
 1808 went to Piper City, Ford County, where he 
 purchased eighty acres, which he improved and 
 made his home until 1872. lie then came to what 
 is now La Hogue, which at that time was only a rail- 
 road switch. He had the honor of building the 
 first dwelling at that point, which has since been 
 remodeled and converted into a store. In the fall 
 of the same year, he began in the grain and hay 
 business and hascontinued in that line since. For 
 the first five years, he was in partnership with 
 James O. Barnard, and for the last fifteen years has 
 been connected with the firm of P. B. & C. C. 
 Miles, of Peoria. He handles from two hundred 
 thousand to three hundred thousand bushels of 
 grain and aliout one thousand tons of hay per an- 
 num, lie has been station agent at La Hogue for 
 twenty years, being with one exception the agent 
 longest in the service of the Toledo, Peoria & War- 
 saw Railroad. He also carries on a farm of five hun- 
 dred and twenty acres. In 1886, he built a good 
 elevator at La Hogue, having a capacity of eigh- 
 teen thousand bushels of grain. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Zea is a Repub- 
 can, his first Presidential vote having been cast for 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 429 
 
 J. C. Fremont. He has always taken an active 
 part in politics and conventions, hut has never in 
 any sense of the term been an aspirant for ollice. 
 In his social relations, he is an Odd Fellow and is 
 a Royal Arch Mason. Both he and his estimable 
 wife are members of the Methodist Church, of 
 wliich he has been .Steward and Trustee for the past 
 five years. For twenty- jcars, Mr. Zea has been in 
 business at La Ilogue, and is a man well known 
 lliroughout the county for his fair dealing and 
 business enterprise. lie has achieved success through 
 his own elTorts and industr3'. 
 
 =^>~*<1 
 
 SAMIEL WASIIBUKNK ranks among the 
 prominent and highly respected citizens of 
 Ash Grove Township. He follows farming 
 on section 14. The Washburne family is 
 of Fnglisli origin. The great-grandfather of our 
 subject, with two brothers, left his native land and, 
 braving the dangers of an ocean voyage in those 
 early days, came to the American Colonies. He 
 settled in New York, and when the Revolutionary 
 War broke out aided in the struggle for indepen- 
 dence. The grandfather of our subject, Samuel 
 Washburne, was born and leaied in Westchester 
 Count^', N. Y., and there followed farming 
 throughout his entire life. 
 
 The father of our subject, Willett Washburne, 
 was born in the same county about 17!I8. He be- 
 came a farmer, lumberman and contractor. He 
 removed to Oswego Countj', traveling through 
 the wilderness with ox-teams, and there spent the 
 remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1887. 
 He married Sarah Bashford,a native of Westchester 
 Countj', N. Y., who died in Oswego Count}'. He | 
 took a very active part in |)olitical affairs and was [ 
 a strong supporter of the Whig part}-. The Wash- 
 burne family numl^ered seven sons and live daugh- 
 ters, of whom three sons and three daughters 
 are yet living. One brotlier, .1. M., is now a farmer 
 of Whiteside County, 111. The youngest brother, 
 W. L., was the originator of the emblematic sign 
 business. At the lime President Lincoln was mur- 
 dered, he was making clocks as signs for jewelers 
 
 in New York City and placed the hands of these 
 to mark the hour of Lincoln's .assassination. All 
 such signs have since been made the same. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born August iK 
 18:58, on a farm in Oswego County, N. V., and 
 when old enough commenced lumbering. He re- 
 mained at home until twenty-one years of age and 
 then started out in life for himself. The year 
 1864 witnessed his emigration to Kendall County, 
 III., where he rented land for four years. In 1868 
 he came to Iroquois County and purchased a farm 
 on section 14, Ash Grove Township. This was 
 then in its primitive condition, being entirely des- 
 titute of improvements. He turned the fir?t fur- 
 row and placed the entire amount under a high 
 state of cultivation. His landed possessions now 
 aggregate three hundred and tweiit}- acres and he 
 operates an additional quarter-section. In con- 
 nection with the cultivation of his land, he is also 
 engaged in stock-raising, having for the p.ast fifteen 
 years made a specially of breeding Clydesdale 
 horses. 
 
 Ere leaving the Empire Slate, Mr. Washburne 
 married Miss .lane A. Lee, who was born December 
 5, 1839. Their union was celebrated in Oswego 
 Count}', December 30, 1860. Unto them were born 
 the following children: Flora, who is now the 
 wife of Frank Flutro, of Milford, w.as born in New 
 York; J. Lee, born in Kendall County, is on 
 the home farm; May is the wife of T. X. Sin- 
 dcrson, and they reside with her father; Charlotte 
 E. is the wife of T. X. Willoughby, a resident of 
 Ash Grove; Eddie is still under the parental roof, 
 and three children are now deceased. 
 
 Mr. AVashburne is a leading and lionQrcd mem- 
 ber of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. 
 In 1860, he proudly cast his first vole for Abraham 
 Lincoln and has since supported the Republican 
 party, which he does from a matter of principle. 
 He is not bound by party ties and sHiould he deem 
 it best to vote otherwise would not hesitate to do 
 .so. He h.as often attended the conventions of his 
 party and is inlluential in its ct)uncils. He has 
 held a number of local oflices and his duties were 
 ever promptly and faithfully discharged. He has 
 witnessed much of the development of the county 
 and has done much for its upbuilding and advance- 
 
430 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ment. He made the first road with !i road grader 
 and introduced the use of that niaeliine into his 
 townsliip. He also started the tile system for 
 draining the sides of liie road, and lias ever man- 
 ifested a commendable interest in public improve- 
 ments and all that tends to promote the general 
 welfare. Mr. Washburne may truly be called a self- 
 made man, for he started out in life empty-handed. 
 The obstacles and difficulties in his path he over- 
 came by determination and perseverance, and by 
 industry, enterprise and good business ability he 
 has acquired a comfortable competence and is 
 ranked among the well-to-do farmers of Ash 
 Grove Township. 
 
 =E^E=.^ / 
 
 , ILL! AM r,. FLEAGER, President of the 
 \j Perfection Hag Holder Company, one of 
 the leading industries of Sheldon, was 
 born in Carlisle, Pa., September 20, 1830, and is 
 a son of Charles and Mary Ann (Wetzel) Fleager, 
 both of whom were natives of the Kej'Stone State, 
 and there spent their entire lives, dying at the age 
 of seventy-five years. The grandparents were also 
 born in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Our subject was the eldest of a family of thir- 
 teen children, and only himself and the youngest 
 child, Mrs. Anderson, are now living. He entered 
 upon his business career at the .age of fourteen 
 years as a clerk in a general merchandise store, 
 where he remained until twenty years of age. He 
 then entered the shop of his father, who was a 
 wagon-maker, and became familiar with the use of 
 tools. In 1851, he went to Peoria, 111., and be- 
 came clerk for .Tohn H. Flo3'd. lie at first re- 
 ceived only 88 per month, but his employer soon 
 found that his services were valuable and his wages 
 were gradually increased to -140. With that em- 
 ployer he remained for four years and then re- 
 turned to his father's home with $400 in gold, 
 which he had saved from his earnings while in the 
 West. After a visit of two weeks in Pennsylvania, 
 he returned to Peoria and embarked in the confec- 
 tionery business, but it did not prove to be a prof- 
 
 itable investment and he lost all of his capital and 
 moved to Cruger, 111. In the interests of others 
 he carried on a store and the grain business, and 
 was made railroad agent for the Toledo Peoria k 
 Wabash Railroad, and moved to Gilman at the re- 
 quest of that road in the year 1857, being the 
 pioneer of both places. At Gilman he was the 
 first railroad agent for the Illinois Central Rail- 
 road and the Toledo, Peoria k Wabash Railroad. 
 
 In December, 1858, Mr. Fleager was united in 
 marriage with Miss Maria Brubaker, daughter of 
 Henry Brubaker, of Lancaster, Pa. Unto them 
 were born four children, two of whom are living: 
 George, twenty-live years of age, is now employed 
 in the First National Bank of Chicago; Arthur B. 
 graduated from the Northwestern University June 
 16, 1892. Mr. Fleager lost his wife in 1875, 
 and in 1877 he married Frances M. Milliman, and 
 unto them were born four children: Clarence E., 
 thirteen years of age; I bury, ten years; Eva, five 
 years; and Sam, two years. 
 
 In March, 1860, Mr. Fleager came to Slieldon, 
 being the first one to come, and cast his lot 
 among the earliest settlers; since that time he has 
 been very prominently identified with its his- 
 tory and its upbuilding. Going to Chicago, he 
 purchased one hundred thousand feet of lumber 
 and established a lumber yard. He erected the 
 first building in the town and engaged in the gro- 
 cei-y business, which he continued for some time. 
 He also carried on general merchandising and be- 
 came a dealer in coal and grain. In 1873, he sold 
 his general merchandise establishment and em- 
 barked in the banking business as proprietor of 
 the Sheldon Bank, with which he was connected 
 until the 10th of May, 1891, when he sold out and 
 the bank has since been known as the Citizens' 
 Bank. He was instrumental in establishing the 
 Perfection Bag Holder Company in 1891, which 
 was organized as a stock company with Mr. Fleager 
 as I'rcsident, Mr. AVilkinson as Treasurer, and Mr. 
 Whitson as Secretaiy. They occupy a building 
 30x80 feet, and from the beginning their trade has 
 constantly increased until they are now doing an 
 excellent business. The industiy is one of the 
 leading enteri)rises of the city. Mr. Fleager is an 
 industrious and persevering man who possesses 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 431 
 
 good business ability, and success lias crowned his 
 well-directed efforts. From an early age he has 
 made his own wa\' in the world and has achieved 
 success as the reward of earnest labor. 
 
 
 Wl AMK.S A. CLARKE, a well-known farmer 
 I and stock-raiser now residing on section 8, 
 ^^ I Concord Township, was born in Cosliocton 
 l^^ County, Ohio, November 26, 1812, and is a 
 son of John and Elizabeth N. (Skillman) Clarke. 
 The family is of Irisii origin, and was founded in 
 .Vmerica by the giandfalher of our subject, Samuel 
 Clarke, a native of the Emerald Isle, who crossed 
 tlie Atlantic when eighteen years of age, locating 
 in Cosliocton Country. lie was there married to a 
 ladj' whose people came from New .Icrsey, being 
 of English ancestry, and were among the pioneers 
 of Coshocton County. Mr. Clarke was a success- 
 ful business man, and became a well-to-do farmer 
 of that county. 
 
 The father of uiir subject, John Clarke, was 
 born in Coshocton County, and inherited about 
 one hundred and twenty acres of the old home- 
 stead, which still belongs to the heirs. Upon 
 that farm our subject was born and reared. He 
 received liis education in the common schools, and 
 remained under the [)arcntal roof until lie had at- 
 tained his majority, when he started out in life 
 for himself. He worked for one summer as a 
 farm-hand, and then began farming for himself, 
 but made his home with his parents until about 
 thirty years of age, when he concluded to come 
 West. Having disposed of his posses,sions in 
 Ohio, in February, 1872, lie came to Iro(iuois 
 County with a capital of %600, and located in 
 Concord Township. After a short residence here 
 he married Miss Lavina Hoagland, daughter of 
 James and Hannah (Fox) Hoagland, whose sketch 
 ai)pears elsewliere in this work. Mr. Clarke had 
 met his wife while on a visit to Illinois, and her 
 people and his liad been neighl)ors in the Buckeye 
 State. The lady was born May 10, 1844, in 
 Coshocton Count}', Ohio, and their union was 
 celebrated February 15,1872. 
 
 Immediately after his marriage Mr. Clarke be- 
 gan farming on land belonging to his father-in- 
 law, and in 1878 purchased a tract of sixty acres, 
 which he afterward sold. At length he bought 
 seventy acres on section 28, Concord Township, 
 .and now resides on section 29, on land belonging 
 to Mr. Hoagland. He is an enterprising and ])ro- 
 gressive farmer, and the neat appearance of the 
 place indicates his thrift. 
 
 The Clarke home has been blessed l>y the pres- 
 ence of five children, and the family circle yet 
 remains unbroken. Bertha, born in Concord 
 Township, December 15, 1872; John, Octolier 25, 
 1874; Bernard, April 19, 1876; Hannah E., Febru- 
 ary 16, 1878; .and James W., July i:3, 1880, con- 
 stitute the familj'. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Clarke is a Dem- 
 ocrat, having supported that party since he cast 
 his first Presidential ballot for Gen. George B. Mc- 
 Clellan. He has never been an office-seeker, but 
 has served as School Director and as Clerk for fif- 
 teen years. The cau.se of education finds in him a 
 warm friend, and he has done effective service for 
 the upbuilding and advancement of the schools. 
 Mr. Clarke and his wife both hold membership 
 with the United Brethren Church, and are highly 
 respected people, whose many excellencies of char- 
 acter have won them a large circle of friends. 
 They are numbered among the best citizens of the 
 community, and with pleasure we present to our 
 readers this brief history of their lives. 
 
 't^ DWAKl) GAGNON, a prosperous farmer 
 l^ residing on section 10, Martinton Tt)wn- 
 J^^i ship, Iroquois County, is a native of Can- 
 ada, his birth having occurred in Montreal Novem- 
 ber 1, 1840. He is a son of Charles Gagiion, of 
 the same countiy, and is of French parentage. The 
 early days of the father were passed in his native 
 land, where he was married to Cecil Bargg<ni. In 
 Canada he was occupied in farming during his 
 life, .and his death occurred about the year 1847. 
 he being then in the prime of life. Mrs. Gagiion was 
 again married, this time to .Simon Frigon, who re- 
 
432 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 nioverl to the United States in 1856, settling in 
 Iroquois County, III., tlie following year. He 
 piuch.'ised a Carm in Beaver Township, engaging 
 in farming, and there reared his family. He is 
 now retired and is enjoying a well-earned rest 
 in the town of St. Mary's. 
 
 Edward (Jaguon came with his parents to this 
 county in 1856, being then a 30uth of sixteen. 
 He had but limited school advantages in his na- 
 tive land, and until about seventeen his life was 
 most!)' spent on a farm, where he was occupied in 
 the usual manner of farmer boys. He then started 
 for himself, working by tlie month for several 
 3'ears for neighboring farmers. In this county, 
 in November, 1861, lie led to the marriage altar 
 Monique Cote, who came to tlie United States 
 from Canada when a child of ten years, and was 
 reared to womanhood in Illinois. She is one of 
 a famil}' consisting of three sons and nine daugli- 
 ters, all of whom survive, seven being residents of 
 Iroquois County. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Gagnon have been born the fol- 
 lowing children: .Tames, the eldest, who was a 
 young man of good education and was a teacher in 
 this county, and died September 30, 1892. lie had 
 lately entered the Rush Medical College in Clii- 
 cago, and expected to make the medical profes- 
 sion his business in life. Florent, who occupies a 
 responsible position in Chicago. Prim, now learn- 
 ing the blacksmitli's trade in St. Mary's. Eddie and 
 Ezra, who reside at home. Zea Mary and Vitaline 
 are also under the parental roof. A daughter, Emma, 
 died in November, 1880, in her fifteenth year, and 
 three otliers died in infancy. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Gagnon removed to 
 Indiana, locating on a farm which he rented in 
 Tippecanoe County, near La Fayette. In the fall 
 of 1865, he returned to Illinois and purchased a 
 farm of forty acres in Beaver Township. This 
 he cultivated for seven jears, then, selling his 
 liroperty, he purchased eighty acres where he now 
 resides. At the time of his purchase this w.as a 
 piece of wild prairie land, which he has broken 
 and fenced and brought under a higli state of cul- 
 tivation. To his original purchase he has from 
 time to time made additions until he is now the 
 owner of two hundred and twenty acres of valu- 
 
 able land. He has also erected a good house and 
 other farm buildings. Commencing in life empty- 
 handed, he has acliieved success, and prosperity 
 has crowned liis years of labor and industry. 
 
 Mr. Gagnon is identified with the Democratic 
 party and, with the exception of voting for Abra- 
 liam Lincoln in 1864, lie has always supported 
 the Democratic nominees and principles. Though 
 never an aspirant for office, he has held several 
 local positions of trust and honor to the satisfac- 
 tion of his friends and neighbors. He is a friend 
 to all measures foi- tlie public good and education, 
 and has served for several years as a member of 
 the School Board. Mr. Gagnon and his family 
 are members of tlie Catholic Church. For thirty- 
 six years he has been identititid with the interests 
 of this eountj', which he has done all in his power 
 to advance. He is recognized as one of the best 
 farmers of the county and. with liis estimable 
 wife, is much esteemed and honored throughout 
 tliis section. 
 
 UKE M. GERDES, who has for a quarter of 
 a century made his home in Illinois, and 
 l^^ has for the past twenty-two years been a 
 resident of Iroquois County, is a prosperous farmer 
 living on section 14, Danforth Township. He was 
 liorn in Hanover, Germany, on the 26th of .Sep- 
 tember, 1844, and is a son of George Gerdes, of 
 Hanover, who grew to manhood, married, reared 
 his family, and spent his whole life there. Our 
 subject is the youngest of three sons, of whom the 
 eldest is Arend, who was a farmer and resided un- 
 til his death in German}'. The other brother, Alt, 
 emigrated to this country and is now acoinmission 
 merchant of Peoria. 
 
 The youthful days of Luke (ierdes were spent 
 in his native land, where he received fair school 
 advantages in the German language. Since com- 
 ing to America he has become proficient in Eng- 
 lish, mainly through his study and observation. 
 He enlisted in the German army in 1866, and 
 served in the German Civil War. He participated 
 
W'^^ J. 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 135 
 
 ill tlie battle of LaiiirPiisalza, wliieli look place on 
 the 27tli of June, 1866. After a service of aliout 
 a year and a-lialf he received his discliars;e. As 
 soon as he was released from military service, he 
 determined to seek a home in tlie Western Hemis- 
 l>here. Accordingly, in 1868, he sailed from Bre- 
 men in ,1 steam-vessel. The vo^-age across the 
 broad Atlantic was made in fourteen days, and he 
 arrived at New York in April of 1868. He imme- 
 diately turned his face Westward, and went first to 
 Chicago and from there to Peoria, where he lo- 
 cated for a time. He afterward went to Washing- 
 ton, where he engaged in farm labor for a year. 
 In 1870, he removed to Danforth Township and 
 engiigi'd in farming on rented land for about five 
 years. At the end of that time he purchased a 
 tract of eighty acres of unimproved and unbroken 
 prairie land, near the farm where he now resides. 
 Here he made his home for nine years, and was 
 ver^- successful in his efforts to improve and de- 
 velop the property, and at the same time made a 
 very comfortable income. In his present farm of 
 one hundred and sixty .acres he has a very valua- 
 ble and desirable piece of property. He has a 
 good and substantial two-story residence, barns 
 and other outbuildings. His home is located about 
 three and a-half miles west of Danforth, and Mr. 
 (ierdes has well tiled and in many other ways 
 added to its value since his purchase. He is con- 
 sidered one of the well-to-do and enterprising 
 farmers of the township, and has accumulated a 
 great estate through years of industry and labor. 
 He is pre-eminently a self-made man, as he com- 
 menced his business life without capital. 
 
 At Peoria, in 1869, Mr. Gcrdes was married to 
 Susanna Crutzenberg, who was also born in the 
 Fatherland, and came to the I'nited .States in Sep- 
 tember, 1868. I5y this union seven children have 
 been born : George, Herman , Frederick. Theodore, 
 Alwina, Henry and Louisa. The parents of these 
 children are members of the German Lutheran 
 Church, in which they are mucli esteemed for their 
 zeal and activity. During his long residence in this 
 locality, Mr. Gerdcs has been a witness of much of ] 
 the growth and development of tiie county, in 
 whose advancement he has materially aided. He [ 
 has seen it change from a country of swamps to | 
 
 one of the best and most fertile farming districts 
 of the .State. He is considered one of the repre- 
 sentative citizens, and is one of the most lion(jred 
 farmers of Irotpiois County. Enterprise, industry 
 and perseverance are among his chief characteris- 
 tics, and his business ability and wise investments 
 have brought to him a good competence. 
 
 VT, OHN K. l.i:.\'niKR.MAX,an honored veter- 
 an of the late war, now residing at Watseka, 
 was born at (ireencastle, Ind., .January 7, 
 1833, and is descended from good old Hev- 
 olutionaiw stock, his paternal grandfather having 
 been one of the heroes in the Wav of Indepen- 
 dence. The father of our subject, Abram Leatiier- 
 nian, w.as born in Pennsylvania in 1801, and, after 
 attaining to mature 3'ears, wedded Mary Duwese, 
 daughter of Thomas Uuvvese. Unto them were 
 born nine children, six sons and three daughters. 
 Four served in the war. William, the eldest, died 
 in the army after about a year's service; Evan I). 
 served a short time toward the close of the war; 
 Abram served three years in the same company 
 and regiment as our subject. The parents of the 
 above family were quiet, unassuming farmers, and 
 consistent members of the Baptist Church. ,\s 
 early as 183;'), they settled near Elgin, 111., and 
 spent their last days in that city, he dying at the age 
 of eighty-six, and she at eighty-five. Politically, 
 he was a stanch Democrat, but only one of his 
 sons has followed his example. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, .John E. Leatherman, 
 was reared on his father's farm near Elgin, when a 
 young man came to Illinois, and in Elgin was 
 married .luly 3, 1856, to Miss Lucy Rogers Hatch, 
 daughter of Elijah and Pluelie Hatch, the former 
 a native of Broome County, X. V.. and the latter 
 of Connecticut. Both the paternal and maternal 
 grandfather of .Mrs. Leatherman were Hevolution- 
 ary soldiers. The one on the mother's side at- 
 tained the advanced age of ninety-si.v years, but 
 during the war in which he served as Captain came 
 very near losing his life. I'pon one of the battle- 
 fields of that struggle, the Americans were de- 
 
436 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 feated with heavy loss and utteil_y muted. The 
 few that escaped with their lives became scattered, 
 and many of the soldiers wandered about in the 
 woods and starved to death. Mr. Hatch wandered 
 through the heavy timber fur many days, subsist- 
 ing on the roots of trees, etc. When almost 
 .starved lie happened to find a cow witli a bell tied 
 to her neck. This he took off and, milking the cow, 
 drank from the bell the beverage which saved his 
 life. Tliis bell is now in possession of one of the 
 children, and is highly jjrized as a memento of the 
 Revolutionary War and the grandfather's service 
 therein. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Leatherman had one child, a 
 daughter, Katie Estella, who was born April 10, 
 1858, but she died on the 24th of April, 1863, at 
 the age of five j^ears and fourteen days. They 
 have given a home to three children, namely: 
 Lois Stroud, who is now married and lives in Okla- 
 homa; Morton Wolleu, and Jessie Estella, who is 
 now twelve years of age. 
 
 In politics, our subject is a supporter of Repub- 
 lican principles. He maintains an active and com- 
 mendable interest in all that pertains to the well- 
 fare of the community and the promotion of its 
 best interests. Himself and wife are members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Leather- 
 man cast her first vote in tiie spring of 1892, sup- 
 porting Miss Lawrence and Mrs. Tucker for School 
 Directors, and these ladies won the election over 
 two opi)Osing gentlemen. During the late war 
 Mr. Leatherman manifested liis loyalty to the Gov- 
 ernment by marching to the front. He joined, 
 August 1, 18(!2, Company F, One Hundred and 
 Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and served for three 
 years. For nine months during his service he was 
 held as a i^risoner, being incarcerated at Anderson- 
 ville about eight months of that time. When he 
 went to that infamous pen he was a strong, hearty 
 man, but when he came out he was almost dead 
 from starvation and exposure. 
 
 BIr. Leatherman participated in three severe en- 
 gagements, besides numerous skirmishes: siege of 
 Vicksburg, Arkansas Post and the battle of Gun- 
 town, or, as Mr. Leatherman calls it, " Sturges sell 
 out." It was at the last-named battle that our 
 subject was taken prisoner. 
 
 Meritorious conduct won Mr. Leatherman pro- 
 motion and he was mustered out Second Lieuten- 
 ant. Returning home he engaged in farming in 
 Iroquois County, where lie liad located in 1856. 
 Having farmed until 1882 he removed to Wat- 
 seka. He owns eighty acres of valuable land ad- 
 joining the city on the north, besides one hundred 
 and twenty acres a short distance from town, all 
 of which has been made by the combined efforts of 
 himself and wife. To all the duties of a citizen 
 he is now as faithful as when he wore the blue. 
 
 ^#>= 
 
 =«S J» 
 
 SAAC M. SPROITLE, tlie agent for the Toledo, 
 Peoria & Warsaw and the Illinois Central Rail- 
 road Companies at Oilman, was born in Mon- 
 tour County, Pa. His birth occurred on the lOtli 
 of February, 1834, and he is a son of James C. 
 Sproule, who was a native of Ireland, being of 
 Scotch ancestry. In the Old Country his father 
 learned the trade of harness-making. About 1812, 
 he came to the United States and settled in Balti- 
 more, Md. He afterward became a prominent pol- 
 itician, and for many 3'ears was United States 
 Marshal for the Western District of Pennsylvania. 
 There he married Euphemia Marshall, a native of 
 the Keystone State. Her parents came from Scot- 
 land, and her father served in the AVar of 1812. 
 The father and mother of our subject died in Penn- 
 sylvania. Mr. Sproule was a member of the Meth- 
 odist Church, while his wife held membership with 
 the Presbyterian Church. He was a Jackson-Dem- 
 ocrat, and lived to be sixty-eight years of age; 
 his wife passed away at the age of fifty-four. In 
 their family of seven sons and six daughters, seven 
 are living, the youngest of whom is fifty-six years 
 of age. 
 
 Our subject is the seventh son and twelfth chilil 
 in his father's family. He received his education 
 in the common schools, supplemented by a course 
 in Dickinson Seminary. As he was the seventh 
 son, his father desired him to study medicine, but 
 after a month or two spent in that direction, he 
 went into the store of the Montaur Iron Works at 
 Danville, and was there for about two years. He 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 437 
 
 then spent a j-ear in the store at Union Furnace, 
 Lewisburg, Pa. He afterward returned to the Mon- 
 taur Iron Works, and there remained until Mareli, 
 18,57, wiien he went to Mendota. III., for (Listings. 
 Adams it Co., grain dealers. 
 
 In September of that year, Mr. Sproule returned 
 to Pennsylvania, and on the 21st of September was 
 united in matrimony with Sophia A., daughter of 
 Col. Samuel A. IJrady, who was of Scotch descent. 
 Mrs. Sproule's mother, who before her marriage 
 bore the name of Jane Ilartman, is of German de- 
 scent, and is now living witli her daughter at the 
 age of seventy-eight. Col. Brady died August 30, 
 1873. !Mrs. Sproule was born in Lycoming, Pa., 
 •July 16, 1836, and is one of four children, two 
 sons and two daughters. Three children have come 
 to the home of our worthy subject and his wife. 
 Charles M. died when ten years of age; Carrie is 
 the wife of George W. Miller, an attorney of Chi- 
 cago; and Willie L. died in his fifteenth year. 
 
 After his marriage Mr.Sproule returned to Men- 
 dota, and in 18.58 engaged in the hotel business 
 with his father-in-law, at Ft. Wayne, Ind. The 
 ft>llowing year he went to Mendota, and was train- 
 master and cashier for the Chicago, Burlington it 
 • ^uincy Railroad. Returning to Ft. Wayne, Ind., 
 he ran freight and p.assenger trains until 1864, and 
 was then appointed train-master by the Pittsburg, 
 Ft. W.iyne & Chicago Railroad lie occupied that 
 l)osition until the spring of 1867, and for the fol- 
 lowing three years ran a train on the Illinois Cen- 
 tral. In 1870, he was appointed agent at Monee, 
 Will County, III., where he staid for seven and a- 
 lialf years, and was then transferred to ElKngliam. 
 In March, 1881, he was again transferred, this time 
 locating in Gilman, where he remained for a num- 
 ber of years. On the 16th of January, 1888, he 
 went to California as agent for the California Cen- 
 tral and California Southern at San Bernardino. 
 Returning to Gilman in February, 1889, he had 
 charge of the station until 1891,wlien hespenttwo 
 months in Florida. He then took charge of the 
 station at Burnside's Crossing for the Illinois Cen- 
 tral and Chicago it Western Indiana Belt Railroad. 
 On the 11th of January, 1892, he retunied to Gil- 
 man, and has been station agent since. 
 
 The family of Mr. Sproule resides at Dauphin 
 
 Park, Chicago, where he has a pleasant and com- 
 modious home. Mr. S])roule has been a lifelong 
 Democrat, and socially belongs to the Knights of 
 Honor and is one of the original members of the 
 Railway Conductors' Insurance Association. He 
 has also been a Mason for thirty-seven years. 
 He is largelv interested in Chicago property, and 
 deals extensively in real estate. Assisted by his 
 estimable wife, he has made a competence and is 
 very well oflf. He and his family are members fif 
 the Presbyterian Church, to which they give their 
 interest and support. 
 
 ILLl.VM J. ALLllANDS, who is widely 
 ,nj// and favorably known throughout this 
 ^Nj' county, is now successfully engaged in 
 farming on section 12, Belmont Township. A na- 
 tive of the Bucke^^e State, he was born in Butler 
 County, December 22, 1821. His father, Daniel 
 AUhands, was a native of Virginia, Emigrating 
 to Kentucky, he there married Patience Sadler, a 
 native of that .State. In an early day they removed 
 to Ohio, and in 1833 went to Indiana. Mr. All- 
 hands hewed out a farm in the midst of the forest, 
 and there made his home until his death in 1848. 
 His wife died at the home of her .son in Cham- 
 paign Count}-, 111. He had served as Justice of 
 the Peace and as constable, and in politics was a 
 Jackson-Democrat. During the War of 1812, he 
 aided in the service under Gen. H.-irrison. 
 Throughout his entire life he was a member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 The AUhands family numbered eleven children, 
 and, with the exception of one, all grew to mature 
 years. John is now living in Ohio; Nancy, An- 
 drew, Betsy and Thomas are all deceased: Katie 
 resides in Marion County, Iowa; Patsy and Daniel 
 are also deceased; George enlisted in an Indiana 
 regiment and died in the service; and William 
 completes the family. 
 
 The subject of this .sketch left Ohio at the age 
 of eleven years, and w.as reared amid pioneer 
 scenes in Indi.ana. His education was acquired in 
 
438 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tlic common schools, which he attended in the win- 
 ter season, for in the summer months his labors 
 were needed at home upon the farm, where he 
 early learned to swing tlie ax and scytlie. At the 
 age of eighteen he began working as a farm hand 
 l)y the month, and the foHowiug year commenced 
 farming for himself in Montgomery County. In 
 1852 he came to Illinois on a prospecting tour, 
 and in the autumn of 1854 made a permanent lo- 
 cation. At tiiat time there were scarcely any 
 settlements in the neighboriiood, and tlie land was 
 all wild and unimproved. 
 
 Mr. Allhands was married in Indiana, in 1842. 
 to Miss Catherine llixson, a native of Butler 
 County, Ohio. She died in 1848. Four children 
 were born of that union. Erastus .7., who was a 
 member of Company A, Seventy-sixth Illinois In- 
 fantry, is now deceased; Seth is a traveling sales- 
 man; Catherine is the wife of Isaac Peddycoart, of 
 Iroquois County; and one child died in infancy. 
 l\Ir. AlUiands was again married, in 1849, in In- 
 diana, liis second union being with Miss Martha A. 
 Moore, a native of Adams Count)', Ohio, and a 
 daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Van Pelt) Moore. 
 Her father was born in the Buckeye State and died 
 in Indiana. Her mother was a native of Ten- 
 nessee, and died in Montgomery County, Ind. 
 
 By this second marriage liave. been born eleven 
 children, namely: Horace Quinn, who died in 
 cliildhood; Daniel, a resident farmer of Belmont 
 Township; Jacob, of this county; Sarah, now de- 
 ceased; Esther Ann, wife of George Bradrick, of 
 this county; George, an agriculturist of Belmont 
 Township; John, of Sheldon Township; Nancy and- 
 Ida May, now deceased; Blanciie, at home; and 
 Minerva, wife of Lincoln Sayler, of Belmont 
 Township. The children were educated in the 
 public schools, and some of the famil>' have suc- 
 cessfully engaged in teaching. 
 
 Mr. Allhands cast his first vote for .lames K. 
 Polk, and has since been a supporter of the Demo- 
 cratic party. Himself and wife are members of 
 the United Brethren Church, and are numbered 
 among its active workers. His business career has 
 been a successful one. He started out in life with 
 no capital save a young man's bright hope of the 
 future and a determination to succeed, but has 
 
 steadily worked his way upward to a position of 
 affluence, and is now the owner of a valuable 
 farm of two hundred and eighty acres. He has 
 made his home in the county for thirty-eight 
 years, and has ever borne his part in its develop- 
 ment. In its upbuilding lie has aided, and is 
 numbered among its prominent and iiiHuential 
 citizens. 
 
 L^^?^IIOMAS SHRIMPLIN, who is engaged in 
 farming and stock-raising on section 33, 
 
 W Concord Township, where he owns and op- 
 erates one hundred and sixty acres of arable land, 
 is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born in 
 Knox County on the 18th of October, 1842, and is 
 a son of Abraham and Susanna (Carpenter) Shrimp- 
 lin, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The pa- 
 ternal grandfather, Abraham Shrimplin, was born 
 in New Jersey and was cue of the early settlers of 
 Knox County, having built the first gristmill 
 within its borders. At the time of his arrival there 
 the Indians had not yet left for their Western 
 reservation. He experienced all the hardships and 
 privations of frontier life and engaged both in 
 farming and milling. His death occurred in Knox 
 County. 
 
 The father of our subject, who was boj'n and 
 reared in Knox County, was also a farmer b)' oc- 
 cupation and followed that business throughout 
 his entire life. When Thomas was a 3'oung lad, he 
 removed with his family to Defiance County, Ohio, 
 and purchased land, about six miles north of Ft. 
 Defiance, wheie he spent the remainder of his life, 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born in 
 1818 and died on the 20th of January, 1891, at 
 the age of seventy-three. 
 
 Thomas Shrimplin was the second in order of 
 birth in a family of ten children who grew to ma- 
 ture 3'ears. He remained on the home farm and 
 gave his father the benefit of his services until 
 about twenty-eight years of age, when, in 1870, he 
 came to Iroquois County and began farming. Ere 
 leaving the State of his nativity, he was united in 
 marriage, December 12, 1867, with Miss Anna 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 439 
 
 Eastbiirn, daughter of Jesse R. and Tabitha (Crituli- 
 tield) Eastburn. The lady was born in Concord 
 Townsliip. this county, Ueceniber 20, 1850, and 
 three children gr.'\ce their union: Abrani J., born 
 in AVillianis Connt3-, Ohio, September 29. 1868, 
 is a member of Paragon I/odge, K. of P., of Sheldon, 
 111. George W. was born in Defiance County, Sep- 
 tember 30, 1870, and is a niemlier of the same 
 order. Ellen was born on the homo farm in this 
 county September 6, 1876. 
 
 In his political atlilintions, Mr. Shrimplin is a 
 Democrat, having been identified with that party 
 since he cast his first vote for George B. McClellan. 
 He has resided upon iiis present farm since 1873, 
 when lie purchased eighty acres of land, to which 
 he has since added an additional tract of eiglity 
 acres. 11 is farm is now under a iiigh state of cul- 
 tivation and well improved. He has laid many 
 rods of tiling upon it; well-kept fences separate it 
 into fields of convenient size, and good buildings 
 are numbered among its substantial improvement*;. 
 yir. Shrimplin is an enterprising and progressive 
 farmer and now ranks among the well-to-do citi- 
 zens of the community. He islield in high regard 
 by all who know him, and during his twenty years' 
 residence in the county he has formed a wide cir- 
 cle of friends and acquaintances. 
 
 ARRISON 1!R( )WN. M. D., who is engaged 
 , in the practice of medicine and surgery at 
 <^{ Crescent City, and is also proprietor of a 
 drug store at that place, was born in W.iyne 
 County. N. Y., on the 5th of January, 1847. The 
 family is of English descent and is among the old- 
 est families of New Jersey. The grandfather of 
 our subject, Samuel Brown, was a native of tliat 
 State, and Elislia Brown, the father of the Doctor, 
 was there born on the 8th of October, 1807. He 
 grew to manhood in the .State of his nativity and 
 emigrated to AYayne County, N. V., with his fa- 
 ther, locating in the town of Williamson. He was 
 twice married, his second wife being the mother 
 of our subject. Siie l)ore tlip maiden name of 
 .Mary Durfee and was the daughter of .Stepheii 
 
 Durfee, one of the early settlers of Wa>-ne County, 
 who came from Rhode Island and located near 
 Palmyra. Elisha Brown still resides in the Em- 
 pire State and lias reached the advanced age of 
 eighty-live years. 
 
 The Doctor is the eldest in a family of two sfms 
 and two daughters; he has a half-brother and 
 sister, children of his father's first marriage. He 
 grew to manhood in Ralmyra and acquired a good 
 education in the public schools and academv. He 
 afterw.'\rd engaged in teaching .school for one term, 
 and when a young man emigrated Westward, lo- 
 cating in Tama County, Iowa, in 1868. He there 
 purchased raw land and began the development of 
 a farm, which he operated for two years. On the 
 expiration of that period, he purchased a drug and 
 grocery store in Waltham, and also took up the 
 study of medicine. He attended his first course 
 of lectures in 1877, in Keokuk, Iowa, and was 
 graduated in the Class of '78 with the degree of 
 !M. D. He then returned to Waltham, where he 
 engaged in practice until the following spring, 
 when he sold out and came to Irotpiois County. 
 Since that time he has been a resident of Crescent 
 City, and to medical practice li.as devoted his time 
 and attention with excellent success. In the fall 
 of 1891, he al.so established a drug store, which 
 he carries on in connection with his son Fay. 
 
 Ere leaving Waltham, Dr. Brown was married, 
 on the 22d of December, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth 
 A. Ilagerman, a native of Leeds County, Ontario, 
 Canada, and a daughter of Richard Ilagerman. 
 Eight children have been born of their union, the 
 eldest of whom is I'XVi ^ well-educated young man 
 possessed of good business ability, who is now in 
 business with his father; Mary and De Witt G. are 
 at home; II. T. Cleaver died in October, 1881, at 
 the age of four \ears. The younger members of 
 the family are B. F., Eva T., Ida E. and Harold T. 
 
 The Doctor is a stalwart Repulilican in politics, 
 having supported that party since he cast his first 
 ballot for Gen. U. S. Grant, but he has never 
 been an aspirant for othce. In lli^ ?ocial relations, 
 he is an Odd Fellow and has filled all the chairs of 
 the h)cal lodge, now serving as Past Grand. His 
 wife is a nieinlicr of the Methodist Ejiiscopal 
 Church. In business and social circles Dr. Browii 
 
440 
 
 POKTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORR 
 
 ranks high. Thorough preparation fitted him for 
 his profession, and the experience he has gained by 
 practice, combined with his skill and natu al aliil- 
 ity, has made him one of the successful [)ra(:tition- 
 ers of this county. During his thirteen years' resi- 
 dence in Crescent City, he has gained a liheral pat- 
 ronage, which he well deserves. 
 
 =m>^<m^ 
 
 j^^ AMUEL W. MONTGOMERY, one of the 
 ^^^ early settlers of the county, follows farming 
 !l/jj) on section 27, Belmont Township, where he 
 has made his home for a third of a century. 
 A native of Russell County, Va., he was born Ap- 
 ril 30, 1816. Mis grandfather, .lohn Montgomery, 
 aided the Colonies in their struggle for indepen- 
 dence, serving as a scout against the Indians. He 
 was also Sheriff of his county. 
 
 Alex Montgomery, father of our subject, was 
 born and reared in the Old Dominion, and through- 
 out his life followed the occupation of farming. 
 He married Barbara Harris, and in 1817 they re- 
 moved to Kentucky, settling on the Licking River, 
 among the mountains. In 1822, they became resi- 
 dents of Franklin Count3^ Ind., and in that fall 
 the father died. Tiie mother reared her family, 
 keeping them all together. At length she came to 
 Illinois and during her last days found a pleasant 
 home with our subject. Her death occurred about 
 1861. Mr. Montgomery was a prominent member 
 of the Methodist Church and was always well 
 informed in regard to church news, reading exten- 
 sively the publications of his denomination. In 
 politics he was a Democrat. In the family of this 
 worthy couple were the following children: Susan, 
 now deceased; Lincoln, who resides in Alabama; 
 John, who died in Illinois; Samuel, of this sketch; 
 William, who was killed by falling from a tree 
 when a lad; Jane, now deceased; and Margaret, 
 who resides in Coles County, 111. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our sub- 
 ject, who is one of the county's leading citizens. 
 He was a lad of only six years when with his par- 
 ents he moved to Indiana, where he was reared to 
 manhood upon a farm. He aided in clearing land 
 
 and performed the arduous task of developing 
 a new farm, while for recreation he engaged in 
 hunting deer and other wild game, which were 
 l)lentiful and which furnished many a meal to the 
 family. He remained at home until his marriage, 
 wiiicii was celebrated in Fountain Count}', Ind., in 
 1836, the lady of his choice being Miss Charity' 
 Devore, who was born in Kentucky-, but was reared 
 in Monroe County, Ind. For ten years Mr. Mont- 
 gomery resided on the border line of (hant 
 Prairie, in Warren County, Ind., and in 1849 he 
 came to Iroquois County, III. Purchasing a farm 
 of ninety acres in Concord Township, near Bunk- 
 um, he there made his home until 1860, when he 
 removed to his present place of residence. The 
 year previous he had purchased two hundred and 
 forty acres of land, and afterward extended the 
 boundaries of his farm until it comprised four 
 iiundred acres, but has since disposed of an eighty- 
 acre tract. He has been a successful agriculturist, 
 has placed his laud under a high state of cultiva- 
 tion, and as the result of his industry and good 
 management he has acquired a handsome property. 
 The many improvements, both useful and orna- 
 mental, which he has jilaeed upon his land have 
 made it one of the valuable and desirable farms of 
 the township. 
 
 The death of Mrs. Montgomery occurred in 
 August, 1840.Twochildren were born of that union. 
 Susan died in childhood; Elizabeth died after her 
 marriage. Mr. Montgomery was again mariied, in 
 Warren County, Ind., January 13, 1842, his second 
 union being with Sarah Heriinnan, who w.as born in 
 Clarke County, Ohio, and who when a young lady 
 went to Warren County, Ind. Her parents were 
 Stephen and Abigail (Buckland) Herriman, both 
 natives of Vermont. The mother died in Ohio, 
 when Mrs. Montgomer}' was a small child. Of the 
 second marriage have been born the following 
 children: Charity L., a native of Warren County, 
 Ind., is now the wife of John Oattield, who resides 
 near Sheldon, 111.; Mary, born in Warren County, 
 is the w^ife of J. M. Barnes, of Hoopeston ; Henry 
 Clay, who was born in Warren County, enlisted in 
 the Seventy-sixth Illinois Regiment, was wounded 
 in a charge at Ft. Chadburn, Ala., and died Nov- 
 ember 8, 1877, in Missouri; William was born in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 441 
 
 Iroquois Coiiiit.v,aiul is a farmer of Belmont Town- 
 ship; John D. died at the age of two years; Stephen 
 11. (lied ;U the age of seventeen; Margaret is the 
 wife (if .Idhn Fanning, of Woodland; Ah)nzo D. is 
 a farmer of Helrnont Townsiiip; Olive is now de- 
 ceased; and Cliarlie operates a farm near the old 
 homestead. 
 
 Mr. lMontgf)mery is truly a self-made man. He 
 had not even good educational advantages to aid 
 liim. lie has had both to educate himself and to 
 make his own way in the world linancially. With 
 a young man's bright hope of the future and a 
 strong determination to succeed, he started out in 
 life, and ha.s worked his way steadily upward, 
 overcoming the obstacles in his path by his 
 perseverance and enterprise. lie now has a com- 
 fortable competence. Ilis farm and pleasant resi- 
 dence are valuable property. He was the first of 
 the family to vote the Whig ticket, supporting 
 William Henr3^ Harrison in 1840. He voted for 
 Fremont in 1856, and has since been a stalwart 
 Republican. He served as .Justice of the Peace 
 for about ten years and for one term as Supervisor. 
 His wife belongs to the United l}retliren Church, 
 and Afr. Montgomery is a faithful member of the 
 Christian Church of Woodland. His life has been 
 well and worthily spent, and his upright career 
 has won him universal confidence. For fort^'-three 
 years he has made his home in Iroquois Count}', and 
 has ever bonie his part in its upbuilding and de- 
 velopment. Such is the record of a valued citizen, 
 the honored pioneer and self-made man, Samuel 
 W. Montijonierv. 
 
 r 
 
 lI'OXATHAX WRIGHT, one of the oldest 
 settlers of Iroquois County, was born at 
 Terre Haute, hid., December 27. 1831. He 
 is a son of David C. and Edc (McKown) 
 Wright. His grandfather Wright came from Fug- 
 land, and served in the War of the Revolution. 
 He was an Elder in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, and was much lionoied in the Colonies. 
 Ilis grandfather McKown emigrated from Ireland to 
 
 the United States, served in the same war, and w.as 
 wounded in the thigh, for which he received a 
 pension. The grandmothers of our subject were 
 -sisters, bearing the name of Kcrl, and were of 
 Swedish ancestry. The father of our subject was 
 born in .Jackson County, Va., and his mother in 
 Pennsylvania, but when a girl she removed to Jack- 
 son County with her parents. His father served 
 in the War of 1812, and after his death his widow 
 received a pension. About the year 1828 they 
 came by flat-boat down the Ohio Kiver, aiid by 
 steamboat they were pulled up the Wabash River 
 as far as Terre Haute. Mr Wright was a miller 
 and millwright by trade, following that for a tune 
 in Virginia, although farming was his chief occu- 
 pation, and this he followed at Terre Haute. In 
 18.'55 he came to the eastern part of what is now 
 Douglas Townslii]). There were but few settlers 
 and they were scattered along Spring Creek. He 
 entered one hundred and twenty acres of land, on 
 which he spent the rest of his life, dying in his 
 sixty-third jear. He was a life-long Democrat 
 and of his eight sons all save one were of the 
 same political faith. The mother spent her last 
 days with our subject and passed away at the age 
 of eight3-four years. In their family were ten 
 children, eight sons and two daughters, of whom 
 seven survive. 
 
 Jlr. Wright, of this sketch, is the seventh child 
 in his father's famil}-, and was reared on the farm, 
 having verj' poor advantage* in the way of an 
 education, there being no schools in the comniu- 
 nity at that early day. His father, who was a 
 smart man and well educated, taught one of the 
 first district schools in this jxirt of the county. 
 Our subject worked at a hotel in Middleport for 
 his board, and went to school one winter. An- 
 other winter he did likewise, and that comprised 
 all the schooling he had until after he was grown, 
 but throughout life he has been a student and 
 close observer, and has acquired a valuable fund 
 of knowledge which many who have superior 
 educational advantages might well envy. .\t 
 nineteen years of age he lost his father, and thus 
 the care of his mother and the younger memlters 
 of the family fell upon his yoiitlifiil shoulders. 
 From boyhood he had worked at carpentering, 
 
442 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 but on coming to Gilraan he engaged in tlie butch- 
 ering business for a time and then he with his 
 brotlier took a contract to build tlie bridges from 
 Gilmau to the State line. As the county was in- 
 solvent, he lost about -^liOOO in tiiis enterprise. 
 He has the distinction of having built the first 
 residence in Gilman, the liouse which V. Cross 
 now lives in. Prior to that there had lieen but a 
 few huts and shanties erected. 
 
 In May, 1870, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
 AViight to Maria Place, a native of the Emi)ire 
 State, who came to Grundy County, 111., with her 
 I)arents when young. Mr. and Mrs. Wi'ight have 
 two children: Camilla, who is a graduate of the 
 Gilman High School; and Eilmo, who, like his fa- 
 ther, is a carpenter, and is his father's assistsint. The 
 wife and daughter are members of tlie Methodist 
 Church. 
 
 In August, 18G2, Mr. Wright enlisted in Com- 
 pany A, Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry, and was 
 mustered into service at Kankakee. His company 
 was called to the Mississippi River and Gulf De- 
 partment. The first engagement of importance in 
 which they took part was the siege of Vicksburg; 
 then followed the second battle of Jackson, Miss., 
 Saliine Cross Roads, and the capture of Ft. 
 Blakely. At the last-named battle the Seventy- 
 sixth Regiment numbered less than three hundred, 
 but in twenty minutes ninety-eight of tiiat num- 
 ber were eitiier killed or wounded. Their regi- 
 mental flag w.as tiie first to be hoisted over the 
 fort'. Our subject w.as never wounded or taken 
 prisoner, but at Blakely, while pursuing a rebel, 
 he ran clear into the rebel lines and at that time 
 and several others had very narrow escapes. He 
 was mustered out at Galveston, Tex., and received 
 his discharge at Chicago in 18(5.5, having served 
 three years and three montlis as a faithful sup- 
 porter of the Union. 
 
 Returning to Gilman he worked at carpentering, 
 also following that occuiiation at Watseka, Chi- 
 cago and Chatsworth. Shortly after the close of 
 the war he purchased a farm in Dougl.as Town- 
 ship, which he ran for about a year and then sold 
 it. He has since made his home in Gilman. He 
 is a Democrat in his political opinions, but has 
 not been an office-seeker. He has served as con- 
 
 stable, however, most acceptably for a period of 
 ten years. He is a member of the Gilman Post 
 No. 186, G. A. R. Mr. Wright owns considerable 
 town ]n'Opert}' as the reward <if his industry and 
 frugality. He may truly be called a self-made 
 man, for it is entirely owing to his own efforts 
 that he has acquired the property which ranks him 
 among the substantial citizens and successful busi- 
 ness men of the countv. 
 
 -,5.,{.,5..{.i^^^,j..5„j.f: 
 
 <^ IVILLIAM Y. CLARK, proprietor of the 
 \rJ// planing mill of Sheldon, was born in Eng- 
 ^^ land, April 10, 1852. He is the eldest of 
 a family of five children who were born unto 
 AVilliani and Ann (Yardy) Clark, also natives of 
 England. When our subject was an infant his par- 
 ents bade good-bye to their old home and crossed 
 the broad Atlantic to America, settling first near 
 Lockport, N. Y., where they resided for five years. 
 On the expiration of that period, they removed to 
 Benton County, Ind., where the mother's death 
 occurred in 18')!>. The father was afterward again 
 married and by that union had seven children. 
 He resided in Benton County for about thirty 
 ye^rs, and in 1890 came to Sheldon, where he has 
 since resided. He is now a hale and hearty man 
 of sixty-four years and is a valued citizen of the 
 community. 
 
 The subject of this sketch s|jcnt his bo_yhood 
 days upon his father's farm and in the winter sea- 
 son attended the common school, while in the 
 summer months he worked in the fields. He gave 
 his father the lieiielit of his services until he had 
 attained his majority, when he started out to earn 
 his own livelihood. Ere leaving home, he had 
 learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1873 he came 
 to .Sheldon, where he followed that occupation 
 successfully for a number of years. He was an 
 expert workman and always enjoyed a good trade, 
 his services being much in demand. In 1881, he 
 embarked in his [u'esent business, purchasing the 
 planing mill of C. Corletfe. The mill, however, 
 had for some time been operated by the Light 
 Bros. 
 
'^^ 
 
 
 r 
 

 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 147 
 
 ^ In January, 1876, Mr. Clark was united in mar- 
 
 riage with Jliss Carrie Applegate, of Indiana. The 
 family circle now numbers four children, two sons 
 and two daughters: Delbert, Cliarlie, Grace and 
 Anna, and liie circle has never lieen broken by the 
 hand of Death. 
 
 Success has attended the industrious and perse- 
 vering efforts of our subject, who is a man of good 
 business ability, enterprising and progressive, liy 
 his fair and honest dealing and excellent work he 
 has secured a liberal patronage and is now doing a 
 prosperous business, which is but the just reward 
 of his labors. Socially, Mr. Clark is a member of 
 the Modern Woodmen of America, and he exer- 
 cises his right of franchise in support of the Re- 
 publican party. He is a well-known business man 
 of the comnuinitv and is a prominent citizen. 
 During the twenty years of his residence here, he 
 has made man}- friends and won the high regard 
 of all b}^ his sterling worth. 
 
 I ^ ^^ ^ ^ 
 
 ^ ,' AMEST. WATKIXS, a representative farmer 
 ' residing on section '26, Middleport Town- 
 ship, where he owns three hundred and 
 sixty acres of valuable land, was born near 
 Winchester, Va., on the 14th of November, 183fi, 
 and is a son of Henry and Ann (Pt)welson) Wat- 
 kins. His parents were both natives of the Old 
 Dominion, and unto them were bi>rn six children, 
 the eldest of whom, John W., now resides witli 
 our subject. Francis is a farmer living in Kansas; 
 Elizabeth is now a resident of Viiginia; Henry M. 
 died in 1863; and Benjamin M. is engaged in agri- 
 cultural ])ursuits in Bates County, JIo. The father 
 of this family met his death by drowning, while 
 crossing the Potomac Kivcr, on the 2d of Feb- 
 ruary', 18.50. His wife died the following year. 
 The}' were both members of the Baptist Church 
 and were people of sterling worth, who.se upright 
 lives won for them many friends. 
 
 Mr. Watkins, our subject, was born and reared 
 upon his father's farm and acquired a good Eng- 
 lish education, attending school during the winter 
 season through the greater part of his bo^'bood 
 
 20 
 
 and youth. He began to earn his own livelihood 
 when twenty-one years of age, and whatever he 
 now possesses has been acquired through his own 
 efforts. When a young man, accom|)anied bj' a 
 friend, he made a trip over the mountains on 
 horseback to Licking County, Ohio. That winter 
 he attended school, and the following spring he 
 hired out to a farmer for two seasons. He then 
 rented land and engaged in farming for himself 
 for (Mie summer. The succeeding autumn he re- 
 turned to Virginia alone on horseback, and when 
 he again came to Ohio brought a drove of horses 
 with him. This business of bringing horses over 
 the mountains to the Western States he followed 
 until 1862. 
 
 In that j-ear, he responded to the country's call 
 for troops. Joining the boys in blue of Company 
 A, Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, lie went to the 
 front and participated in the battles of A'icksbuig 
 and Arkansas Post. In the latter Mr. Watkins 
 was wounded in the left leg by a shell, and was 
 then taken to Memphis, Tenn., where he was soon 
 afterward discharged on account of disability. 
 When mustered out he returned at once to Ohio, 
 and afterward purchased a herd of young cattle, 
 which he drove through to Iro(piois County, 111., 
 l)asturing them upon the prairies of Sheldon Town- 
 ship. In 1865, he purchased eighty acres of land 
 in Sheldon Township, upon which he made his 
 home for a jear. He then bought another eighty- 
 acre tract of land on section 26, Jliddleport Town- 
 ship, the nucleus of his present line farm, to which 
 he has added from time to time until now three 
 hundred and sixt}' acres of aralile land pa\' a 
 golden tribute to the care and cultivation he be- 
 stows upon it. He cleared and improved the place 
 himself and his farm is as a monument to his thrift 
 and enterprise. He now carries on general farm- 
 ing and stock-raising and is regarded as one of 
 the prosperous citizens of the community. 
 
 On the VM\\ of September, 1864, Mr. Watkins 
 was married to Miss Martha, daughter of Putnam 
 and Luey (Ilerriinan) Oallield. Her father is a 
 native of A'ermont, born .May 25, 1811, but at an 
 early day he left the Oreen Mountain State and 
 went to Ohio, where he was reared to manhood in 
 tlie usual manner of farmer lads, He is a man of 
 
448 
 
 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 much natural ability', and in the common schools 
 he acquired a good English education. He now 
 resides in Concord Township, Iroquois County. 
 He came to Illinois in 1855, and has since been an 
 lionored citizen of this comnnmity. He married 
 Miss Lucy Herriman, a native of Ohio, and tlieir 
 union, whicli was celebrated in 1832, was blessed 
 with a famil}' of nine children, two sons and seven 
 daughters, of whom five are yet living. Mary, 
 tlio eldest, is tlie wife of R. P. Case, who resides in 
 Iroquois village; Elmira is the wife of George R. 
 Dunning, a resident of Englewood, 111., who is em- 
 ploved as watcliraan on the crossing of the Ciiicago 
 & Eastern Illinois Railroad; Nanej' was joined in 
 wedloclv with Isaac C. Denney, a successful and en- 
 terprising farmer residing in Indiana; Mrs. Watkins 
 is tlie next younger; and William completes the 
 family. He married Miss Lizzie Flerh, and makes 
 his home in Englewood, being employed as a sales- 
 man in the stock yards at Chicago. The mother 
 of tills family was called to her final rest in 1887. 
 
 Mrs. Watkins is a native of the Buckeye State. 
 She was born on tiie 9th of October, 1847, and re- 
 sided in Ohio until eight years of age, when she 
 came with her parents to Illinois. She is a lady 
 of many pleasant and excellent qualities, held in 
 high esteem by her large circle of friends, and to 
 her husband she has proved a valuable lielpmate. 
 B}' the union of our subject and his wife have 
 been born six children, as follows: Dicie A., who 
 died in 18()9; Bertlia M., wife of Nelson Fanyo, a 
 farmer residing in Middleport Township; Henry 
 M., Zodock P., James T. and Hattie V., who are 
 still under tlie iiarental roof. Tlie family lias long 
 been connected with this community and its inter- 
 ests, and in social circles its members rank high. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Watkins is a supporter of Dem- 
 ocratic principles and has held the office of Road 
 Commissioner and School Director, discharging 
 the duties with credit to himself and to the satis- 
 faction of his constituents. Socially, he is a mem- 
 ber of the Odd Fellows' society and he also belongs 
 to the Baptist Church. Himself and wife are re- 
 specters of everything tending to the moral im- 
 provement of the community, and their lives have 
 lieen to their children an example worthy of emula- 
 lion. We see in Mr, Watkins a self-made man. 
 
 whose excellent success is due entirely to his own 
 well-directed and untiring efforts. Prosperity 
 has not come to him unsought, for he has labored 
 long and earnestly, and liis perseverance, enterprise 
 and good management have won for liini the 
 comfortable competence which is to-day his. 
 
 ||/_^ UGH A. McGAUGHY, a leading farmer and 
 rTji influential citizen of Douglas Township, 
 /li^^ was born in Licking County, Ohio, Septem- 
 (^) ber 4, 18.35. His great-grandfather was a 
 Scotch emigrant who came to America and served 
 in tlie War of the Revolution. His grandfather, a 
 blaeksniith by trade, served in the War of 1812, 
 and was one of the citizens who went to Baltimore 
 to prevent the British troops from landing there. 
 His father was born in (lettysburg. Pa., in 1807, 
 and there he married Lucinda White, wiro was also 
 born in the same localit}-, in 1814. Soon after 
 tiieir marriage they emigrated to Lima, Ohio, where 
 lie secured one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
 now in tlie productive oil regions. After living 
 there seven years and having cleared forty acres 
 of land, he sold the same for less than he originally 
 gave on account of sickness. Going to Licking 
 County, he made that his home until 185.3, when 
 he removed to Illinois, he and part of the family 
 coming by rail and the rest by wagon. They first 
 located at Ottawa, La Salle County. The country- 
 was then decidedly new and wild, lie improved 
 a farm there, where he lived many years. Late in 
 his life he moved to Washington Count}', Iowa, 
 where he died in 1890, his wife having died in 
 1873. They were both earnest members of the 
 Presbyterian Church. Politically, be was a Whig 
 and later a Republican. In their family were eight 
 children, of whom one son and four daughters are 
 yet living. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared to farm 
 life and received such an education as the com- 
 mon schools of that early day afforded. He at- 
 tended a log schoolhouse in Ohio, and as thecoun- 
 tiy was heavily timbered his father blazed trees in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'IlICAL RECORD. 
 
 449 
 
 order that be could find the way to and from 
 school. When the family removed to Illinois it 
 fell to his lot to drive the wagon; when some dis- 
 tance out from CrawfordsviUe, Ind., their wagon 
 was mired and they were obliged to return and 
 lake a different road. They tlien came on to Iro- 
 quois County, making their w.ay to the Elk Horn 
 House, but getting lo<l they camped out in the 
 neighborhood of Bunkum. Duck, geese and prai- 
 rie chickens were ver}- plentiful at that time. 
 
 In La Salle County, on the 26th of Februarj', 
 18();5, Jlr. McGaugiiy led to the marriage altar Miss 
 Jennelle G. Howard, daugliter of Clark and Serepta 
 (Haskin) Howard. Jlrs. JIcGaugh^- was born in 
 Knox County, 111., October 17, 1841. Her grand- 
 father Howard was of English descent. He married 
 Mary Hriggs. and late in life they came to Illinois, 
 spending their remaining 3-ears in Gilman. Her 
 father was a native of the Empire State, Dutchess 
 County being the place of his birth, and there he 
 grew to maturity. Her mother was born in Jef- 
 ferson County, N.. Y., and on her mother's side 
 was of German descent. They were married in 
 Ferrysburg, Ohio, in 18.34. Mrs. McGaughy's 
 p.arents emigrated to Ohio and lived near I'errys- 
 burg, where her father followed his occupation of 
 carpentering. Her mother was a member of tlie 
 Methodist Church, and her father was a Whig and 
 later a Republican. In 183(;, they came to Illi- 
 nois in wagons, coming by way of Chicago. At that 
 early day the country was wild and Indians and 
 game were plentiful. They first settled in Knox 
 County, where Mr. Howard followed the occupa- 
 tions of farming and carpentering. In 1868, they 
 removed to Iroquois County, where they lived 
 until the death of Mrs. Howard in 188!), at the 
 .ige of seventy-seven ^-cars. Mr. Howard still sur- 
 vives and lives in Onarga, at the age of eighty- 
 one years. Of their famil3- of six children four 
 are stillliving, one son and three daughters. 
 
 Mr. McCiaugh^', having improved eighty .acres 
 of land in La Salle County, where he first located 
 on coming to Illinois, sold his possessions and 
 came to Iroquois County in March, 1869. He pur- 
 chased two hundred acres one and a-half miles 
 soiithea-st of Gilman, which he has finely improved 
 and tiled. For over twenty years he made bis 
 
 home on bis farm, and in 1891 moved to Gilman. 
 Politically, his symiiathies are with the Repuljli- 
 can party. Mrs. .McGaughy is a member of the 
 Methodist Church, of which she is one of its ear- 
 nest workers. To them were born tiiree children: 
 Patella, who died in 1871, at tlie age of seven 
 years; Grace E., who resides at tiie home of lier 
 parents; and one little one who died in infancy. 
 ^Ir. Mc(Taughy has been a successful business man 
 and IS favorably known and much respected 
 throughout this section. 
 
 ||[OHN FISCHKR, wlio is engaged in general 
 merchandising in Loda, was born in Olter- 
 shcim, Bavaria, Germany, on tlie 28tli of 
 April, 1835. His father, Mathias Fischer, 
 was also a native of Bavaria. After attaining to 
 mature years, he was united In marriage with Miss 
 Margaret Reno, who was born in the same localitv as 
 her husband, and lliey became tlie parents of a fam- 
 ily of six children, three sons and three daughters, 
 as follows: .John, Madeline, Frank, Frances, JIary 
 and Mallii.'is. In 1847 the father of this family 
 bade good-bye to home and friends, and with his 
 wife and two oldest children sailed from the 
 Fatherland to America. Landing in New York, 
 he there made his home for about fifteen months, 
 after which he removed to Ulster County, N. Y., 
 locating in the village of Rosendale, where he 
 spent three years. He then went to Wellsville, 
 Allegany County, where he remained until he left 
 the Empire State to emigrate to Springfield, (Jliio. 
 The mother of our subject died in that city in 
 186.'). The father survived her ten 3ears, passing 
 awa^' in 1875. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, as above stated, 
 accompanied his parents to the United States. At 
 St. Mary's, Elk County, Pa., he was united in 
 marriage on the 10th of Sei)tember, 1860, the lady 
 of his choice being Miss Mary A. Jleyer, daughter 
 of Joseph and Mary (Biehl) Meyer. Six children 
 have been born unto them, and the family circle 
 is still unbroken by the hand of Death. Josejjb 
 Matthew, the eldest, was born November 15, 1861; 
 
450 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Frances, October 20, 1863; Mary Anna, April 22, 
 1865; Louisa, September 8, 1866; Elizabeth, No- 
 vemlicr 8, 1868; and Katrina, September 17, 1870. 
 In 1861 Mr. Fischer removed with his family to 
 tliis State, locating in Kankakee, but after a short 
 residence there he came to Loda, on the 28tli of 
 July, 1865, and has made his home continuously 
 >-ince in this place. For the past thirteen yea'rs he 
 lias engaged in general merchandising, lie carries 
 a full and complete stock of goods, and l)_y his en- 
 terprise and industry, his courteous treatment and 
 fair dealing, has worked up an excellent trade, and 
 is now enj03'ing a liberal patronage. As a citizen, 
 he is public-spirited and progressive, and manifests 
 a commendable interest in all that pertains to the 
 welfare of the community and its upbuilding. In 
 politics he supports the Democratic party by his 
 ballot, but has never been an office-seeker. Him- 
 self and family are members of the Catholic 
 Church. Those who know Mr. Fischer have for 
 him a high regard, which ho merits by the upright 
 life he has lived. 
 
 ■^■^^•r 
 
 -^ 
 
 -iTnyjENTON BISIIOPP, a well-known and lead- 
 
 L->^, ing business man in Sheldon, who is coii- 
 
 't^)/) '^^'^ted with the Bishopp Hominy Company, 
 
 ^>i=^' deserves representation in this volume, for 
 he has long been identified with the histor}' of the 
 county, being numbered among its honored pio- 
 neers. He was born in Kent County, Pingland, 
 November 28, 1838, and is a son of Edward B. and 
 Matilda Elizabeth Bishopp. His father was born 
 in 1811 and in 1853 emigrated with his family to 
 America. The year after his arrival in this coun- 
 try, he settled in Iroquois County, where he spent 
 the remainder of his life. His death occurred in 
 February, 1883, and the community thereby lost 
 one of its best citizens. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest of a family of nine 
 children. The first fifteen years of his life were 
 spent in the land of his birth, and he then crossed 
 the briny deep with his parents. Since a lad of 
 ^ixteell he has resided in this community and has 
 ivitncssed almost flie ewtil'e growth and develop- 
 
 ment of the county. He has aided in the progress 
 and advancement of the county's best interests. 
 On the 4th of September, 1867, he led to the mar- 
 riage altar Miss Martha A. Moore, daughter of 
 Joim B. Moore, a native of Ohio. Unto them have 
 lieen born eight children, and the fainilj' circle _yet 
 remains unbroken. All are still under the paren- 
 tal roof, namely: Edward Burton, Frank, Virginia 
 Minerva, IleniT B., John D., Arthur A., M.artha 
 and Benjamin. The eldest son is now one of the 
 firm of tiie Bishopp Hominy Company. 
 
 For a number of years, Mr. Bishopp was engaged 
 in the lumber business in Sheldon, but at length 
 sold out and embarked in the grain trade, which lie 
 has since conducted. In 1891, he organized the 
 Bishopp Hominy Company of Sheldon, which was 
 established, and he is now manager. The company 
 is doing a large business and enjoys an excellent 
 trade. 
 
 The life of Jlr. Bisliopi) has been a busy one, 
 yet he has found time to devote to public interests. 
 In 1878, he was elected Supervisor of Sheldon 
 Township and held the office until 1886. He has 
 been a member of the Town Council for a number 
 of years and was a member of the Board of Educa- 
 tion from 1882 until 1890, doing effective service 
 in the interests of the schools. In the year 1888, 
 he was made President of the Building and Loan 
 Association of Sheldon. In politics, he is thor- 
 oughly Republican and manifests considerable 
 interest in political affairs. Mr. Bishopp has been 
 actively and successfully engaged in business since 
 attaining to man's estate, and now, surrounded b>- 
 a very pleasant and interesting family in a com- 
 fortable home, he lives in the full enjoyment of 
 the reward of liis life labors. 
 
 ATTHEW IIOLZ, one of the extensive 
 land-owners of the county, who now re- 
 sides on section 12, Artesia Townsliij). isa 
 ^' native of Germany. He was born in 
 
 Steiniheim on the 11th of June, 1828, and is a son 
 of George and Blary IIolz. There were four chil- 
 drei) )ii tliis family, of wjjom \\i^ eldest, George, 
 
rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 151 
 
 ilic'd in ISS'J. MallUew is tlie second in order of 
 liirtii. Kiizabeth is the wife of .Tolin Kelly and 
 still resides in Ciermany. John is oiigayed in farm- 
 ing in Warren County, Ind. 
 
 Mr. IIolz whose name heads this record was edu- 
 cated in the schools of iiis native land, which he 
 attendcrl until fourteen years of age. His father 
 died when JIatlhcw was a lad of eight summers. 
 lie learned the weaver's trade, and when about 
 fifteen years of age left home to earn his own live- 
 llliood. He began work in a dye factory, where 
 he was employed until he came to America in 
 1».54. Having heard much of the advantages and 
 privileges afforded young men in the New World, 
 he decided to try liis fortune in this country, and, 
 bidding good-bye to the Fatherland, crossed the 
 Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, which after a stormy 
 passage of sixl\--four days dropped anchor in the 
 harbor of New York. Landing in that city, Mr. 
 Holz at once went to Berks County, Pa., where he 
 began work by the day, following any occupation 
 whereby he might earn an honest dollar and thus 
 provide for his own maintenance, for he was almost 
 penniless when he reached America. He contin- 
 ued to reside in the Keystone State until 1856, 
 when he emigrated Westward, locating in Warren 
 County, Ind. He first worked by the month for a 
 short time, but afterward rented land, upon which 
 lie resided until the spring of 18(!1. when he came 
 to niinois. 
 
 In the meantime, Mr. Holz was married. In 
 185y, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Caroline 
 Knuar, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germanj-, 
 in February, 1830. Six children have been born of 
 this union, five sons and a daughter, as follows: 
 .John, Lewis, .lackson, William, Charlie and Fnima. 
 The daughter is the wife of Robert McClavc. 
 
 On coining to Illinois, Mr. Holz located in Iro- 
 quois County, renting a farm in Artcsia Town- 
 ship. He rented one farm for eleven years and 
 then purchased the same, having acquired the capi- 
 tal through his own indusliy, enterprise and per- 
 severance. This tract consisted of one hundred 
 and twenl3--f our acres on section 12, Artesia Town- 
 ship, and it has since been his home. He now car- 
 ries on general farming and stock-raising and is 
 numbered among the leadiutr agriculturists of the 
 
 county. As his financial resources have increased 
 he has made additional purchases, until his landed 
 possessions now aggregate between eight and nine 
 hundred acres. 
 
 In his political alliliations, Mr. Holz is a Demo- 
 crat, who warmly advocates the principles of his 
 ])arty. For nine years he has served as School 
 Director and for the same period filled the office 
 of School Trustee. In religious belief he is a 
 Lutheran. We see in Mr. IIolz a self-made man, 
 and one who deserves great credit for his success 
 in life. Starting out empty-handed, he has over- 
 come the difficulties and obstacles in his path by 
 an indomitable will and eneryy, and has steadily 
 worked his way ujjward to a position of wealth 
 and affluence. 
 
 AKK A. STANLKV was buvu on the site 
 , of the present city of AV'atseka, on the 
 23d of November, 18-18, and is a son of 
 Micajah Stanley-, deceased, an honored 
 pioneer of Iioquois County, and the founder of 
 Watscka. A sketch of this worthy gentleman is 
 given on another page of this volume. Our sub- 
 ject was reared and educated in his native town, 
 and aided his father in the manjigement of the 
 Stanley House. It was the first hotel of Walseka, 
 and stood on the site of the present Williams 
 House. 
 
 On the 25th of .(anuary, 1X71, Mr. Stanley was 
 united in marriage with Miss Jennie Fdinger. 
 The lad3' is a native of the Em|)ire Slate, and is a 
 daughter of (!ideon and Lena Edinger. Their 
 union was blessed w^ith two children, a son and 
 daughter, but Roy died at the age of nine 
 months. Kittle is still with lier parents. 
 
 For three years succeeding his marriage, .Mr. 
 Stanley' was engaged in farming. He then aban- 
 doned that occupation and turned his attention to 
 other pursuits. Embarking in tlie livery business, 
 he has carried it on continuously since, and has 
 been engaged in this line longer than any other 
 livery man of Watseka. In politics. Mr. Stanley 
 
452 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 is a Democrat, but lias never sought or desired 
 public office. He is a member of Watseka Lodge 
 No. 1086, K. of H., and his wife holds membership 
 with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has 
 witnessed the entire growth of Watseka, and the 
 greater part of the upbuilding of the county', and 
 has ever borne his share in its development. 
 
 NDREW TASCIIER, who makes his home 
 on a farm situated on section 2, Danforth 
 (4) Township, was born in Germany, in the 
 Province of Baden, February 27, 1834. 
 He is a son of Andrew and Kate (Ganshert) 
 Taschcr, both of whom were born in the same 
 country. The father followed the occupation of 
 farming, reared his family and spent his entire 
 life in the Fatherland. Andrew Tascher, Jr., is 
 the second in order of birth of a family of seven 
 children, four sons and three daughters. The 
 father was twice married and by his first wife had 
 a family of five children. 
 
 Our subject grew to manhood and received 
 good common-school advantages in Baden. He 
 has almost entirely educated himself in English 
 since coming to the Ifnited States. In 1852, he 
 took passage in a sailing-vessel at Havre de Grace, 
 France, and was forty days on the brinj- deep. 
 He landed in New York on the 29th of August, 
 
 1852, and immediat(!ly started for the West, first 
 locating in Missouri, about eighty miles south of 
 St. Louis. There he remained until the spring of 
 
 1853, when he came to Peoria, 111., and worked 
 for a few months in the county. 
 
 In 1861, responsive to the call of his adopted 
 country for volunteers, Mr. Tascher enlisted on 
 the 6th of November, in Company F, Eleventh 
 Illinois Cavalry. He entered the service for a 
 terra of three 3-ears, and received his di.scharge 
 December 24, 1864, at Memphis, Tenn. He par- 
 ticipated in the battles of Shiloh and Pittsburg 
 Landing, and also in many engagements in which 
 his regiment took part, including that of Lexing- 
 ton, Tenn., and a number of skirmishes. During 
 the last year of his service he suffered much from 
 
 disability and was obliged to be in the hospital for 
 some time. After leaving the service he returned 
 to Peoria, purchased a team, and engaged in team- 
 ing in that city until 1866. 
 
 In the spring of 1867, Mr. Tascher removed to 
 Iroquois County and settled at Danforth, where he 
 rented land and engaged in farming. At the end 
 of a year he broke prairie land for the same 
 length of time, after which he again rented land, 
 which he operated for several years. In 1873 he 
 bought eighty acres of but partially improved 
 property, where he still resides. This by long- 
 years of patient labor he has developed into a 
 valuable and desirable farm, on which he has 
 erected a substantial house, barns and other out- 
 buildings. 
 
 In Iroquois County, in July, 1873, Mr. Tascher 
 led to the marriage allar Eliza Morti, who was 
 born in Switzerland. She departed this life m 
 January, 1875, anil in December of that year he 
 married Miss Isabella F. Sims, a native of Virginia. 
 She was born and reared to womanhood in Au- 
 gusta County, and is a daughter of Miles and 
 Martha (Blair) Sims. Her father was likewise 
 born in the Old Dominion and is of French pa- 
 rentage, while his wife is of Scotch descent. Mrs. 
 Tascher came with her mother to Iroquois County 
 in 1868. Her mother died in Oilman, September 
 23, 1872, and her remains are interred in the Gil- 
 man Cemetery, where a stone marks her last rest- 
 ing-place. Mr. and Mrs. Tascher have no children 
 of their own but have an adopted daughter. May 
 B. Nichols Tascher, who was a daughter of Will- 
 iam and Sarah Nichols, and granddaughter of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Norville, old pioneers of Oilman, 111., 
 both of English descent, and natives of Northern 
 Virginia. In 1884, Mr. Tascher made a trip to 
 Elurope and visited the scenes and friends of his 
 youth. He spent about two months in Baden and 
 had a very enjoyable visit. The voyage on the 
 Atlantic, in contrast to the forty days which it re- 
 quired when he first made the trip, took him less 
 than ten days. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Tascher is a Re- 
 publican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lin- 
 coln in 1860. Though much interested in polit- 
 ical affairs and conventions, he has never asked for 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 153 
 
 or accepted any ofticial jiosition. lie has ever 
 given his earnest support to the cause of educa- 
 tion and public schools and has been a member of 
 the School Board for years. He is a consistent 
 member of the Evangelical Church. For over a 
 ((uarter of a century he has been a resident of Iro- 
 quois County and has aided very materially in its 
 advancement and welfare. He commenced life in 
 this State a poor man and by his own labor and 
 lierseverance and the assistance of his wife has ac- 
 cumulated a valuable farm and now ranks as one 
 of the thrifty and well-to-do farmers of this town- 
 ship. B\' his honorable course in life and his up- 
 right character he has won the high regard of his 
 friends and neighbors. 
 
 ^>^^<m 
 
 j^^ HKISIIAA MKKKl.K, 
 l( _ resident of this count 
 "^^^J sides ou section 3, Dai 
 
 IIKISTIAX MERKLE, a putneer farmer and 
 it3' for thirty years, re- 
 Danforth Township. He 
 is a native of Germany, wliere his birth occurred 
 the •21st of December, 1826. He is one of a fam- 
 ily of five sons and three daughters, who grew to 
 mature years. The eldest, Frank, still lives in 
 Germany, and resides on the old homestead; 
 George has also remained in his native land, as 
 has the next younger brother, .loseph; Christian, 
 our subject; John, who emigrated to the United 
 States, and settled in Peoria, where he died in 1888; 
 Barbara; Philana; Catherina and Mary, who died 
 when quite young. 
 
 Christian passed his boyhood davs on a farm, 
 engaged in the usual pursuits of farmer lads, and 
 received a good education in the German lan- 
 guage. He has been almost wholly self-educated in 
 the English tongue since coming to this country. 
 In compliance with the laws of (Germany, he entered 
 the army at the age of twenty-one, and there 
 served for a period of three years. He partici- 
 pated in several small engagements of the rebel- 
 lion of 1848, and distinguished himself by his 
 bravery and fidelitv. In 1851, he took i)assage in 
 a steam-vessel at Liverpool, which was bound for 
 America. He arrived in Philadcljihia in Ma\' of 
 that vear. and at once went West, where for four 
 
 months he lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then 
 went to Wabash, lnd.,and worked on the railroad 
 for about one month, after which he removed to 
 St. Louis. From there he pioceeded to Peoria, 
 where he was employed in a brewery for three 
 years, a part of which time was spent in learning 
 the business. He next decided to turn his atten- 
 tion to farming, and accordingly engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits for about one year. 
 
 In June, 1859, Mr. Merkle led to the marriage 
 altar Helena Tascher, a native of Baden. (Jermany, 
 who there spent her early years. She emigrated 
 to the I'nited States when about sixteen years of 
 age, and lived with her brothers up to the time of 
 her marriage. To our subject and his wife nine 
 children have been born, eight of whom are still 
 liviuij;: .lolin makes his home in Kansas, where 
 he lias a line farm; Louisa is the wife of Henry 
 .Stevens; Andrew resides at home; George, who 
 received a good education, is a teacher in this 
 country; Charles, who assists on the home farm; 
 Christian, Emma Helena and Carrie are still at 
 home. 
 
 After his marriage, IMr. Jlerkle took the con- 
 tract for carrying the mail from Morton to Ha- 
 vana. He was awarded a five-year contract, and 
 placed a stage-driver on the line, which w.as to be 
 daily traversed for the allotted period of time. 
 At the end of four years, the railroad bcingcom- 
 l)leted to Havana, he was obliged to give up the 
 contract, and received for the unexpired time but 
 one month's pay. In 1862, our subject removed 
 to Iroquois County, and settled in Danforth 
 Township, where the village is now^ located. The 
 following year he purchased a tract of eighty acres, 
 where he now makes his home. This was unbroken 
 paririe land, and of it he has made a valuable and 
 well-improved property, which yields to him a 
 golden tribute for his care and cultivation. He 
 afterward purchased an adjoining farm of forty 
 acres, thus making in all one hundred and twenty 
 acres of i)roperty, which is considered among the 
 best land in the county. On this he has built a 
 substantial and pleasant residence, good barns and 
 otiier farm buildings. Ileeommciiced hislnisiness 
 career as a poor man, empty-handed, and has. by 
 his own labor, enterprise and industry and by the 
 
454 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 assistance of his estimable wife, accumulated a fine 
 estate and a good competence. In addition to his 
 farm in this township, lie also possesses one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of well-impro\ed land in 
 Aslikuni Townsliip. 
 
 In his political sentiments, Mr. Merkle is an ad- 
 vocate of the Democrac.y, liis first vote having 
 been cast for Steplien A. Douglas. He has ever 
 given heartjr support and earnest co-operation to 
 all local and educational measures, and has served 
 for some time as a School Director. For thirty 
 j'ears Mr. Merkle has been a resident of Iroquois 
 Count}', and is well and favorably known through- 
 out this scetidii as a man in whom one can rely 
 and i)lace the fullest confidence. Among his 
 chief characteristics are industry, enterprise and 
 perseverance, which qualities have Tbrought him 
 success and prominence. 
 
 ■^ AMES A. LAIRD, a retired farmer residing 
 in Milford, is a native of Ohio. He was 
 born on the 30th of May, 1830, in Guernse}' 
 County, and is one of a family of nine chil- 
 dren, whose parents were Samuel and Delilah (Al- 
 bin) Laird, the former a native of Pennsylvania, 
 and the latter of the Buckeye State. When a 
 child, James removed with his father's family from 
 Findlay, Ohio, to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where they re- 
 sided for a few months, and then removed to a 
 farm near La Fayette, and the old Tippecanoe bat- 
 tle-ground. The father afterward traded for a 
 large tract of land in Milford Township, Iroquois 
 County, 111., and removed hitlier in 1855. Divid- 
 ing tliis land with his children, he gave to each 
 one hundred and sixty acres. lie was a prominent 
 and influential citizen of this community, and his 
 death occurred in 1871, at tlie age of sixty-six 
 years. His wife survived him a few years and 
 passed away on the '25th of January, 1877, at the 
 age of seventy-two years. Of their six sons and 
 three daughters only two are now living: James, 
 of this sketch, who was the third son; and Mary 
 Jane, who was married in the autumn of 1855 to 
 
 Louis Burgett, a farmer who resides about four 
 miles southwest of Milford, and is represented 
 elsewhere in this work. 
 
 When a lad of ten years, our subject removed to 
 a farm, and in the usual manner of farmer lads, he 
 was there reared to manhood. His education was 
 acquired in the common schools. After attaining 
 to years of maturity, he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Permelia Long, daughter of William and 
 Pluube Long, of Ohio. B}^ their union, which was 
 celebrated March 4, 1852, ten children were born, 
 of whom five are yet living; Marion W., born De- 
 cember 26, 1852, married Matilda Coats, on the 8tli 
 of March, 1873; Albert K., born February 7. 18G0, 
 wedded Tena Hoskins; Clara, boi'n January 1, 
 1854, became the wife of James C. Harrison Feb- 
 ruary 24, 1876, and they now reside in Kansas; 
 Phoebe was born August 20, 1858; Nora, born 
 Fei)ruary 5, 1866, is the wife of William Smith, 
 a resident of Peoria, 111. 
 
 About three years after his marriage, Mr. Laird 
 removed with his familj' to this county, where he 
 has now made his home for thirty-seven years. Lo- 
 cating on the farm which his father gave him, he 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits until October, 
 1878, when he came to Blilford, where he has since 
 lived a retired life although he has filled some 
 public offices. During the first four years of his 
 residence here he served as Deputy Postmaster. He 
 was also Police Magistrate for eight years, and 
 served as Coroner for four years. He discharged 
 the duties of his position with promptness and 
 fidelity, which fact insured his long-continued ser- 
 vice, and won iiiin the commendation of all con- 
 cerned. 
 
 Mr. Laird, his wife and daughter Phd'be, are 
 members of the Methodist Church, and he is active 
 in several civic societies. He belongs to Milford 
 Lodge No. 168, A. F. & A. M.; Watseka Chapter No. 
 114, K. A. M.; and Atlielstan Commandery No. 45, 
 K. T., of Danville. He also belongs to the Good 
 Templars and the Royal Templars, both being or- 
 ganizations for the promotion of temperance prin- 
 ciples. Mr. Laird is a friend to all social, educa- 
 tional and moral interests, and does all in his 
 power to aid in the promotion of those enterprises 
 calculated to prove of public benefit. He is a pub- 
 
"^ 
 
 1 
 
 «N 
 
PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 la 
 
 lic-spinted and progressive man, and is recognized 
 as one of the valued citizens of the community. 
 He is now serving as .Justice of tlie I'cace and No- 
 tary Puhlic, and is also doing business as a real- 
 estate, insurance and culloction agent. 
 
 IIARLKS HICKMAN is one of the county's 
 prominent citizens and leading agricultur- 
 ' ists. He resides on section 38, Ash Grove 
 Township, where he owns a line and valuable farm 
 of three hundred and sixty acres. He was born 
 near Danville, III., but across the line in Indiana, 
 May 20, 1845, when his parents were removing 
 (turn Missouri to Indiana. His grandfather, John 
 Hickman, spent his entire life in Maryland, where 
 he followed the occupation of farming. He was 
 also a soldier in the War of 1812. 
 
 Peter J. Hickman, the father of our subject, was 
 born in .Sussex, Del., March I-i, 1808, and when 
 fourteen years of age was left an orphan. His 
 father died some years before the mother, and he 
 began working as a farm hand for $.5 per month, 
 giving the money for the support of his mother 
 and the other children. His educational priv- 
 ileges were very meagre, but l)y experience and 
 observation he became well informed. He was 
 married in Delaware, .Januarv 13, 1831, to Mary 
 (Uillett, a native of Kent County, Del., born Feb- 
 ruary 8, 1814. In 1832 they emigrated Westward, 
 landing in Fountain County, Ind., on the Cth of 
 November. Jlr. Hickman cleared a timbered farm 
 in \\';urcn County, and there resided until 1838. 
 On his arrival he had only ^12.5, and with this 
 piirch.ased eighty acres of land from the Govern- 
 ment. In those early days he bore all the experi- 
 ences and hardships of pioneer life. The river 
 overdowed his farm, and he waded through the 
 water to turn its course. His home was a log 
 cabin, and for some time it had onl}' a dirt lloor, 
 but he afterwards put in a slab floor. At length 
 he sold his farm for 81,000, and in 1838 went to 
 Missouri, locating near Springfield. He there be- 
 came well acquainted with the relatives of the 
 notorious James bo3"s, sitting several times on the 
 
 jury with their uncle, who afterward becauie Asso- 
 ciate Judge. Entering two hundred and eighty 
 acres of land near Marshlieid, lie made his lionic 
 upon that farm for about seven years. 
 
 Selling his claim, Mr. Hickman started for In- 
 diana in 184.5, and in the Hoosier State he spent 
 his remaining days, his death occurring November 
 12, 1891. His business career was a successful 
 one, and he left to his children an estate of 880,- 
 000. His widow is still living in her seventy- 
 ninth year, and makes her home with her chil- 
 dren. In politics, Mr. Hickman was a life-long 
 Democrat. At the age of fourteen he united with 
 the Methodist Episcoi)al Church, and was ever 
 afterwards one of its faithful and consistent mem- 
 bers. Honored and respected by all, h<' was one 
 of Nature's noblemen, and left the world better 
 for his having lived in it. 
 
 In the Hickman family were eleven children, 
 and all grew to mature years. J. S. is now resid- 
 ing in Lovejoy Township; E. G. is one of the 
 pioneer settlers of Ash Grove Township; Ann E. 
 is the wife of L. B. Russell, of Ash Grove Town- 
 ship; Mrs. Eliza Wilson died in this county in. Sep- 
 tember, 1874; J. W. died in Warren County, Ind., 
 January 17, 1875; Mrs. Martha Sinalley resides in 
 Sheldon; Charles is the next ^'ounger; Peter J. is 
 located in Red Willow County, Neb.; Mrs. Sarah 
 Smalley makes her home in Iloopeston, Vermilion 
 County; William R. resides on the old homestead 
 in Indiana; and Mary C. is the wife of Newton 
 Little, cashier of the bank in Attica, Ind. 
 
 Charles Hickman, whose name heads this record, 
 remained on his father's farm until soventeen 
 years of age. when he came to Iroquois County, 
 and for two years was engaged in herding cattle. 
 His father owned a large tract of land in this 
 county. During the late war he enlisted in the 
 Home Guards, and in 1867 entered the army, 
 serving for three years and fourteen days in tiie 
 Twenty-Second United States Infantry. For three 
 months he w.as a scout on the Western frontier 
 among the Blackfeet and Sioux Indians, and par- 
 ticipated in some sharp engagements with the red 
 men. 
 
 In 1870, Mr. Hickman returned to Indiana, and 
 on the 6th of September of that year, in Warieu 
 
458 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 County, was united in marriage with Miss Ann E. 
 ,Smalle_v, a native of that county, born August 29, 
 1850, and a daugliter of William and Sarah (Sar- 
 jent) Snialley. She was left an orphan at the age 
 of seven months. In February, 1871, tliev came 
 to Iroquois County, locating upon their present 
 farm, which Mr. llickman liad purchased the pre- 
 ceding January of Robert Chess, one of the early 
 pioneers. He bought three hundred and twenty 
 acres, and has one of the finest farms in this part 
 of the State. His home is an elegant and com- 
 modious residence, the barns and outbuildings are 
 models of convenience, and there are many other 
 excellent improvements, both useful and orna- 
 mental, which stand as monuments to the thrift 
 and enterprise of the owner. The farm now com- 
 prises three hundred and sixty acres, and in addi- 
 tion to this Mr. Hickman operates another tract 
 of two hundred and twenty acres. He carries on 
 general farming and stock-raising, and has met 
 with excellent success in his undertakings. Since 
 1871, he has resided upon this farm, with the ex- 
 ceiition of the year 1888, when he returned to In- 
 diana to care for his father and mother. 
 
 Unto our subject and his estimable wife were 
 born seven children: Peter William died at the 
 age of one year; Anna M. is the wife of S. A. 
 Wise, of Ash Grove Township; Eliza J. is at 
 home; James Elbert died at the age of eight 
 months; Ella P. is the next younger; Charles N. 
 died at the age of two years; and Opal, two years 
 old, is the pet of the household. 
 
 Mr. Hickman is a progressive and public-spir- 
 ited citizen, who manifests a commendable interest 
 in all that pertains to the welfare of the commun- 
 ity. While serving as Commissioner of Highways 
 he helped to introduce the tiling and grading of 
 roads by machines, which met with great opposi- 
 tion at the time, but has since grown into univer- 
 sal favor. A few enterprising men at their own 
 expense had the work done, thus giving practical 
 evidence of the benefit to be derived therefrom. 
 Socially, he is a member of the Grand Armj^ post 
 of Cissna Park, and of a Masonic lodge in Warren 
 County, Ind. He has frequently served as a dele- 
 gate to the Grand Army encampments. His wife 
 is a member of the Christian Church of Attica, 
 
 Ind. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
 Seymour, and has since been a supporter of the 
 Democracy, but has never been a politician in the 
 sense of office-seeking. Industry and enterprise 
 are numbered among Mr. Hickman's chief charac- 
 teristics, and through good management and good 
 business abilit}' he has steadily worked bis way- 
 upward to a position of wealth and affluence. He 
 has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in 
 this county, and none are held in higher regard. 
 
 fe ' ■'—^}<L^l^^ ® 
 
 EDWIN BEARD, editor and general manager 
 of the Iroquois County Times, was born in 
 Winnesheik County, Iowa, on the 22d of 
 February, 1861. His parents were David and Cyn- 
 thia A. (Davis) Beard, the former a native of 
 Washington County, Va., and the latter of White 
 County, Ind. The father died November 29, 1875, 
 but the mother is still living and makes her home 
 near La Fayette, Ind. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, when a child, re- 
 moved from Iowa to White County, Ind., where 
 he began his education in the public schools, and 
 later became a student in Perdue University. In 
 1878, he went to Kansas, where he spent a few 
 years, and on his return was employed on the staff 
 of the La Fayette /ifome JbMr««i, and later was with 
 the La Fayette Daily Journal for a period of three 
 years. 
 
 In November, 1889, Mr. Beard came to Iroquois 
 Count}' with very limited capital and founded the 
 Milford Independent. By energy and good busi- 
 ness tact, he placed the paper on a good business 
 footing,and on the Istof January, 1891, organized 
 the Times Printing and Publishing Company, a 
 stock company, which has a capital stock of -^^6,500 
 and owns both the Iroquois County Times and the 
 Milford Independent, Mr. Beard being editor and 
 general manager of both papers. He took quite 
 an active part in the campaign of 1890. His es- 
 tablishment of the Milford Independent was the 
 stepping-stone to his control of the Times and 
 subsequent success, which has been almost phenom- 
 enal. The Iroquois County Times, which was al- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 ways a jiopular and strong paper in the county 
 under Maj. Peters' management, at once, after tlie 
 organization of its present company, tooii rapid 
 strides in its business career. The circulation, 
 wiiicli at the time of purchase by the present com- 
 pany was of fair pro|)ortions, lias since been nearly 
 quadrupled in the short space of less than two 
 years, and its patronage in other departments has 
 increased greatly. 
 
 On the 27th of December, 1887, Mr. Heard was 
 united in marriage with Miss Ada Barnhousc, 
 their union being celebraled in Irontoii, JIo. She 
 is the daughter of Henry Harnhouse and a native 
 of Paxton.lll. With the Methodist Church she 
 liolds membership. One child, a daughter, Jessie, 
 has been born of their union. 
 
 Socially-, Mr. Beard is a member of the Watscka 
 Camp Xo. 33!(, M. W. A. He has been connected 
 ■with newspaper work continually since 1885, and 
 is well up in the business as his success in his pres- 
 ent venture attests. Enterprise and push charac- 
 terize his efforts and he has demonstrated his abil- 
 ity to carry through liis undertakings and give 
 his patrons all he promises them. A sketch of the 
 Times is given elsewhere in this volume. 
 
 ^^JHE IROf^roiS COINTY TIMES w.as start- 
 /i^N ed in ( )narga by Louis M. Babcock .and J.aeob 
 ^\^^' Keiser, the first issue bearing the date De- 
 cember 1, 1870, and it w.is then called the Onanja 
 Times. Not long afterwards Mr. Keiser witlidrew 
 from the firm and Charles Drunun i)urcliased an 
 interest in the paper, Mr. Babcock being editor and 
 .Mr. Drumm foreman. On March HJ, 1871, the paper 
 was enlarged to an eight-column folio, and in May 
 of the same year it was removed to Watseka. The 
 name of the paper was then changed to the Iroquois 
 Times, and the first issue was dated May 27, 1871- 
 In December, 1872, Maj. M. H.Peters purchased 
 the cilice and conducted the paper until June 5, 
 1874, when he sold out to Otto H. Wangelin, of 
 Belleville, III., wMio on the 26th of February in- 
 cre.ised it to a seven-column quarto, and in August, 
 
 1875, sold it to August Langellier. After a year 
 its proprietor reduced it to a six-column paper. 
 During his administration the old Washington 
 press, formerly in use, was superseded by an Acme 
 Power i)ress, the largest countr}^ size, and at the 
 same time the name was changed to the Iro/juois 
 County Timea. 
 
 On the 1st of July. 1M78. Maj. Peters again 
 purchased the otiice, enlarging the paper to a seven- 
 column quarto, it being the largest-sized country 
 paper in the State. Under the able management 
 of JIaj. Peters, the paper grew in popularity with 
 the best people of the county. In his efforts to 
 furnish a live, readable and reliable paper, the Ma- 
 jor was materially aided by bright and interesting 
 articles from the jien of his talented wife. Among 
 her most valuable and spicy contributions were her 
 reports of editorial excursions. The general tone 
 of the paper vv.as always calculated to elevate and 
 improve the minds of its readers, making it a pop- 
 ular home journal. On the 1st of January, 1891, 
 Maj. Peters sold the office to the Times Printing 
 and Publishing Company, a stock comp.any em- 
 bracing the Times and Iroquois Independent of Mil- 
 ford, with a capital stock of ¥6,500. AV. W. Gil- 
 bert, of Danforth, is President; II. A. Butzow, 
 Secretary; and Edwin Beard, editor .and gen- 
 eral manager and the largest stockholder in the 
 company. 
 
 On assuming control, Mr. Beai<l reduced tlie sub- 
 scription price of the paper from %2 to «1.50 for 
 advance payment, changed its publication day 
 from Saturday to Friday, and gave the business an 
 impetus that has placed the Times away in the front 
 rank of country papers. On the 3d of July, 1891, 
 the form was changed from a seven-column quarto 
 to a twelve-page six-column paper, eight pages of 
 which are home print. On July 1, 1892, ready 
 prints were abolished and the entire twelve pages 
 are now printed at home. On October 1, 1892, a fine 
 folding machine was added to the equipment of 
 the Times. It now appears in magazine form, cut, 
 pasted and folded by rapid machinery. This is 
 the most important improvement made in the of- 
 fice since the introduction of power presses. It is 
 the first plant in this section of Illinois to intro- 
 duce machinery for folding. Its circulation has 
 
460 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'HICAL RECORD. 
 
 been iucreased since Mr. Beard assumed control to 
 nearl}' qiiadiuple its original size when he took it. 
 The ollicc is equipped in the best possilile manner 
 for all kinds of job and newspaper Work, and the 
 jiropertv has increased largely in value. In poli- 
 tics, the Times was originally independent Repub- 
 lican, supporting Greele}' for Piesident in 1872, 
 It is now distinctly Democratic and Is doing excel- 
 lent service for the party in every campaign. 
 
 '^i^^ELS PETERSON, an enterprising iiusiness 
 I jj man of Loda, is a dealer in hardware, fur- 
 /l|sf^, niture and harness, and also does undertak- 
 ing. He is of Swedish birth, born on the 19th of 
 November, 1858. His parents, Peter and Carrie 
 (Thompson) Peterson, were also natives of Swe- 
 den, and in that country there were born unto 
 them five children: Peter, John, Bertie, Nels and 
 Anna, In 1879, Peter Anderson came with his 
 family to America, and, on locating in tins country, 
 at once made his way to Illinois, settled in Paxton, 
 Ford Count}', where he resided for about two years, 
 and then removed to a farm in the same county. 
 He carried on agricultural pursuits successfully in 
 tiiat count}' until 1888, when became to this coun- 
 ty, and located on a farm near Loda, where he and 
 his wife still make their home. 
 
 Under the parental roof the subject of this 
 sketch was reared to manhood. He came to Amer- 
 ica with his parents during the year in which lie 
 attained his majority. He remained at home un- 
 til 1882, when, on the 28th of December, he was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Betsy Peterson, 
 daughter of I'eler and Elsie (Rasmus) Peterson. 
 Three children were born unto them, but two died 
 in infancy. The only one now living is Marna 
 Elizabeth. Mrs. Peleison was born in Monmouth, 
 111., in 1861. Her parents came to America in 
 18r)3, locating near Monmouth, where they resided 
 for about ten years. They then removed to Ford 
 County, settling on a farm near Henderson Sta- 
 tion, where the succeeding twenty-two years of 
 their lives were passed. On the expiration of that 
 period, the}' removed to Chicago, where the father 
 
 died in 1885. The mother still makes her home 
 in that cit\\ 
 
 When Mr. Peterson of this sketch started out in 
 life for himself, he followed the occupation to 
 which he was reared, that of farming, and contin- 
 ued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1891, 
 when be came to the village of Loda and opened 
 a hardware, furniture and harness store. He car- 
 ries all kinds of heavy and shelf hardware, tin- 
 ware, agricultural imi)lements and machineiy. He 
 has also a full and complete stock of furniture and 
 harness, and also does business as an undertaker. 
 He is enterprising, and by good management and 
 well-directed efforts has won prosperity. Those 
 who know him esteem him highly for his sterling 
 wortli and the many excellencies of character 
 which arc always sure to win warm regard. Him- 
 self and wife are members of the Swedish Luth- 
 eran Church, and he holds membership with the 
 Modern Woodmen of America. In political sen- 
 timent, Mr. Peterson is a Reitublican, but has 
 never been a politician in the sense of office-seek- 
 ing, preferring to devote his entire time and at- 
 tention to his business interests. 
 
 ■^T^ MANUEL EVERSOLE has followed farm- 
 l^ ing throughout his entire life, and is now 
 /Ik^^ engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 
 35, Ridgeland Township, where lie owns and 
 operates eighty-one acres of laud. A native of the 
 Buckeye State, he was born in Fairfield County, 
 near Lancaster, on the 28th of December, 1842, 
 and is a son of David Eversole. His father was a 
 native of Virginia and was of German descent. 
 He also was a farmer b}' occupation and followed 
 that business throughout his entire life. He mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Miller, and unto them was born a 
 family of ten children, as follows: Maria, Henry, 
 Jacob; Elizabeth, who died in 1856; David, Lydia, 
 Emanuel, John, Nancy and Martha. Botli died in 
 F'airfield County; having reached the age of about 
 seventy -six years. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of Emanuel 
 Eversole. who in the usual manner of farmer lads 
 
PORTRAIT AND RIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 
 
 ■101 
 
 passed the dajs of his boyhood and youth upon 
 liii- father's farm. He attended sciiool at intervals 
 until twenty-four years of age and tiuis acquired 
 his education. Until after the breaking out of the 
 late war, he remained at home witli his i)arents, 
 hut in January, 1861, donned the blue, beeoming 
 a private of C'omiiany B, .Seventeenth Ohio Infan- 
 try, lie was mustered into service at Chillicothe, 
 Ohio, and the lirst engagement in which he partici- 
 pated was at Re.<aca, Oa. He took part in many 
 of the important battles of the war, being under 
 lire in the engagements at Resaca, Atlanta, Jones- 
 boro, Wa^'nesboro and lUack River. He also took 
 part in the battles of Savannah, Fayetteville, Ben- 
 tonville, Ooldsboro and Smithfield, and his last 
 engagement was at Raleigh. He was very fortun- 
 ate, in that he escaped all injury, nor was he ever 
 captured. He was ever found at his post of duty 
 and proved himself a h)yal and valiant soldier. 
 
 When the war was over Mr. Eveisole received 
 his discharge and returned to his home in Ohio, 
 where he remained with his parents for about six 
 years. He then rented land and engaged in farm- 
 ing for himself in the Slate of his nativity for two 
 years, when he came to Illinois, locating in Ridge- 
 land Township. In the same year, 1876, he made 
 a purchase of forty acres of land on section 35, 
 Ridgeland Township, and this farm has since been 
 his home, although it now comprises eighty-one 
 acres of valuable land, under a high state of cul- 
 tivation and well injproved. In connection with 
 general farming, he' also carries on stock-raising, 
 and as he possesses good businesss ability and en- 
 terprise he has won success. 
 
 An important event in the life of Mr. Eversole 
 occurred on the 16th of .September, 1869, when 
 was celebrated his marriage with ^liss .Sarah Eliza- 
 beth Artz, daughter of -lohn and Elizabeth Artz, 
 who still live in Fairfield County, Ohio, the birth- 
 place of Mrs. Eversole. Six children grace this 
 union and the famil}' circle yet remains unbroken. 
 In order of birth they are as follows: Hardy A., 
 George A., Mary G., Clara E., Hazel A. and .lohn 
 \. Logan. 
 
 .Socially, Mr. Eversole is a member of Babcock 
 I'ost No. 116, (i. A. R., of Onarga.nnd holds mem- 
 bership with llje Methodist Church, as does also 
 
 his wife. He has always given his support to those 
 enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit 
 and has ever borne his part in the upluiilding and 
 development of the cf)unty. The community re- 
 cognizes in him a valued citizen and a self-made 
 man, for whatever success Mr. Eversole has 
 achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. 
 He started out empty-handed, but by industry and 
 l)erseveranee has steadily worked his way upward, 
 and his efforts have been crowned with a prosperity 
 which is certainly well deserved. 
 
 ''IIOHN W. BROOKE, who carried on farming 
 on .section 4, Douglas Township, has lieen 
 .-^ , for twenty-nine years a resident of this 
 ^^^jf-' county and has helped to develop it from a 
 system of ponds to fine agricultuial land. He is 
 a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (AVickizer) 
 Brooke, and his birth occurred in Fairfield County', 
 Ohio, on the 24th of January, 1848. The founder 
 of the Brooke family in the United States came 
 from England with Payne's Fleet and settled in 
 Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject, 
 James Brooke, emigrated to Fairfield County, 
 where his son Benjamin was born December 12, 
 1812. James Brooke served in the War of 1812. 
 The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylva- 
 nia and was of German extraction. In early life 
 she went to Fairfield County, Ohio, where she 
 married IMr. Brooke. In 1852, they removed to 
 Marshall County, Ind., and opened several farms 
 in the forest. In September, 186.'}, they came to 
 Iroquois County and located two miles west of the 
 village of Iroquois, then commonly called Bunk- 
 um. In the following spring Mr. Brooke i)ui- 
 chased land three miles east of Oilman. His death 
 occurred in that place on the 3(1 of September, 
 1885. His wife survives him and makes her home 
 in Oilman, having reached the age of sevent^-- 
 seven years. Both were active members of the 
 Jlethodist Ei)iscopal Church. 
 
 John Brooke is the seventh child of his father's 
 family, which consisted of eight sons and three 
 
462 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 daughters, seven of whom are now living. When 
 his parents removed to this county lie was a lad of 
 fifteen years. The country during the wet season 
 would lie almost wholly flooded, so that one eould 
 go for miles in a boat. He has fished where now 
 lie the best farms. Ilis boyhood days were spent 
 on tlie home farm and in the common schools. 
 I'util thirty-two years of age he remained under 
 the parental roof, doing business with his father. 
 In 1879, he bougiit eighty acres in Douglas Town- 
 ship, but, selling it in 188.5, he purchased eiglity 
 acres where he now lives. He is now tiling it 
 thoroughly. A portion of his farm was formerly 
 a swamp, but by his tiling he has made it the best 
 land on his farm. 
 
 Mr. Brooke was \inited in matrimony February 
 18, 1880, with Harriet A. Buff, a native of Indi- 
 ana, who only survived her marriage some eight 
 montli.s. Mr. Brooke was again married, March 8, 
 188.5, at Gilman, to Miss Laura A. Loehrkc, who 
 was born near Berlin, German 3^, on the 4th of .Tuly, 
 1864, and when three years old emigrated to the 
 United States with her parents, Frederick and 
 Amelia (Ileise) Loehrke, who settled at Winamac, 
 ■where they still live. Mrs. Brooke is one of ten 
 children, three- sons and seven daughters. Unto 
 our subject and his estimable wife have been born 
 two children, Frank L. and Edward. 
 
 Mr. Brooke is of the Methodist faith and his 
 wife belongs to the Baptist Church. In his politi- 
 cal sentiment, he is an advocate of the Democratic 
 party. For years he has been connected with 
 school work, having served as Director for a long 
 time. By hard work and good management he 
 has accumulated a competency, and is well known 
 and much respected tiiroughout this section. 
 
 ^ 1 r I f ,j .,^ 
 
 'iT^, AVID AV. KNOWLTON is a leading far- 
 mer residing on section 4, Douglas Town- 
 ship. He was born in the county of 
 Leeds, near the city of Newboro, on the 
 1st of May, 1849, and is a son of Samuel Knowl- 
 ton, who was born in Canada. The grandfather 
 of our subject came from Georgia and was de- 
 
 scended from one of the earliest families of that 
 State. The father grew to manhood upon a farm 
 and received a common-school education. He 
 married Miss Grace Warren, also a native of 
 Canada. In 1873, he emigrated to Illinois, where 
 he settled on the |)lace where our subject now lives. 
 It was new prairie land, with little improvement 
 upon it. In 1884, he went to .Toliet, wiiere lie has 
 since lived a retired life. He and his wife are ac- 
 tive workers in the Methodist Episcoiial Church. 
 He has held membership with that church since a 
 young m.an and has been a Class-leader and 
 Trustee. As a l)usiness man he has been quite suc- 
 ce.ssful and has stood high in the estimation of all. 
 He has been a Republican for many years, and has 
 now reached the age of seventy years. In his fam- 
 ily were seven children: Henry now makes his 
 home in Joliet, where he is living a retired life; 
 our subject is second in order of birth; Stephen is 
 an invalid at home; Mary is t^e wife of Richard 
 Moore, of Chicago; Ezra died at the age of twenty- 
 eight years; Sarali, Mrs. .*^herwood, makes her home 
 in Kansas; and Ada is the wife of Mr. Hamer, of 
 Onarga. These children were all born in Canada, 
 and received good educations. 
 
 David W. Knowlton passed his early life upon 
 his father's farm and was inured to the labors per- 
 taining to its development. He learned to swing 
 the scythe and sow and cradle by hand. For this 
 was before the time of the introduction of labor- 
 saving farm machinery. He received his educa- 
 tion in the public schools, which he left when about 
 si.Kteen 3'ears of age. In 1869, he came to Illinois 
 with his eldest brother, and for fourteen years 
 worked at ids trade of carriage-making, at which 
 he had previously served an apprenticeship of 
 three years. Eight years ago, he came to Iroquois 
 County and took charge of his father's farm and 
 home. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1873, Mr. Knowlton 
 wedded Miss Rena Powers in Joliet. Mrs. Knowl- 
 ton was born in Michigan, and is a daughter of 
 Gerald Powers, who is still living. Her mother 
 died when she was a child. She was educated in 
 the public scliools and afterward attended Hillsdale 
 College. To Mr. and iMrs. Knowlton eigiit chil- 
 dren have been born: Arthur Dwight was born in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 463 
 
 Joliet and is now liis father's assistant; Kittie, 
 Wellington, Benjamin K., Leonard Daniel, Charles 
 Henry, Nettie I. and (lertie are all receiving good 
 (■(iiications and are slill under the parental roof. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs Knowlton iiold Inembership in the 
 .Mi'tliodist E|)isc0|)al Church of La Ilogue, of which 
 lie is a Trustee. He gives liberally of his means 
 to church and benevolent purposes and all worthy 
 objects receive his support. He is Chairman of tiie 
 Board of Drainage Commissioners and has been a 
 school officer in the La Hogue District No. 1 from 
 the time of its organization. He has done much 
 to improve the county and is a highly-esteemed 
 and respected citizen. Politically-, he is a llepui)li- 
 can and cast his first Ijallot in the Presidential 
 election of 1876 for Rutherford B. Hayes. He has 
 been successful as an agriculturist and is a man of 
 good business ability. He has made many friends 
 in this section by his integrity, honor and other 
 t;ood qualities. 
 
 vtpSNOCH H. LONG, .Sr., was one of the hon- 
 IW] ored pioneers and most prominent citizens 
 /*■- -^ j of the county. He died on the 29th of July, 
 1 892. and no death has been more sincerely mourned 
 tiian his, as he was held iu the iiighest respect by 
 all who knew him. He was one of the substantial 
 farmers of Iroquois Township, and for many years 
 here made his home. This work would be incom- 
 plete without this sketcli, which well deserves a 
 prominent place in this volume. 
 
 Mr. Long was born in Long's Bend, Hawkins 
 County, Tenn., April 16, 1826. His paternal great- 
 grandfather was a native of Scotland, and, cross- 
 ing the Atlantic Ocean to America, settled, in a 
 very early day, in E.ast Tennessee, in wliat is now 
 Hawkins County. He aided the Colonists in their 
 struggle for independence, and his wound-scarred 
 body attestcid his valiant and faithful service. He 
 reared a family of six children, John Long, the 
 grandfather of our subject, being the third in 
 order of birth. He was a farmer by occupation, 
 and with his family resided in Hawkins County, 
 Teuu, 
 
 William Long, the father of Enoch Long, was born 
 and reared in that county and thei-e wedded Mary 
 Barnett, also a native of Hawkins County, and a 
 daughter of William I5arnett, who was born in 
 Germany, and who was one of the pioneer settlers 
 of Eastern Tennessee. He died when Mrs. I^ong 
 was an infant, and she w.'is reared and educated by 
 her maternal grandfather, .^L•. Ball. William Long 
 engaged in farming for many years in the county 
 of his nativity, and then, accompanied by his fam- 
 il3' and a nunil)er of friends, he removed to Indi- 
 ana in 1842, locating in Daviess County-, near 
 Washington, where he resided until his death, 
 which occurred in November, 1857. His wife de- 
 parted this life in about 1854, and both lie buried 
 in Washington Cemetery, where a marble slab 
 marks their last resting-place. They were both 
 active members of the Washington Presbyterian 
 Church, of which Mr. Long was an Elder for many 
 years. Their family numbered four sons and two 
 daughters, who grew to mature years: Sarah, the 
 eldest, was the wife of Samuel Koons, who resides 
 near Rossville, Vermilion County; Enoch II. is 
 the next j'ounger; Andrew is now decea.sed; 
 Thomas was educated at Hanover College, Ind., 
 and is a local preacher of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and is now residing on a farm in 
 Daviess County, Ind.; George met death l)y the 
 accidental discharge of a gun at the age of sixteen 
 j'cars, and is buried in Ash (7 rove Cemetery; and 
 Mary jMatilda is the wife of W. Harvey Donaldson, 
 and resides in Daviess County, Jnd. 
 
 Enoch H. Long spent the first sixteen years of 
 his life in Hawkins County, Tenn., and then re- 
 moved with his parents to Indiana, where he was 
 reared to manhood. His school privileges in early 
 life were limited, but b}- self-culture he obtained a 
 fair business education after arriving at mature 
 years. When a young man he came witli his father 
 to Illinois in 1853, and purchased a tract of two 
 hundred and forty acres of land in Ash Grove 
 Township, Iroquois County. Locating thereon, 
 he cleared and developed a farm, which he made 
 his home for a number of years. As a companion 
 and helpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss Al- 
 niira .Sturdevant, their marriage occurring in Iro- 
 quois County, ou the 1st of July, 1855. She was 
 
464 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 horn near Salem, Clark C'()iinl3-, Ind., where her 
 fulher, J. Clark Stiirderant, was a pioneer settler. 
 He also became one of the early settlers of this 
 community, locating at StUrdevant's Bend, oi) the 
 Iroquois River. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Long returned to 
 Daviess County, Ind., where lie spent the summer, 
 and in Janu,ary, 1856, he again located on his farm 
 in Ash Grove Township, where he resided until 
 1860, when he removed to the farm on section 23, 
 Iroquois Township, where his family are yet liv- 
 ing. He there cleared a farm and took an active 
 part in the development and upbuilding of the 
 community, and in placing Iroquois County in the 
 front rank among its sister counties of the State. 
 His business efforts were successful, his industry 
 and enterprise winning him a comfortable compe- 
 tence, and the old home farm which he leaves to 
 his fainiljr comprises four hundred and sixty acres 
 of valuable and highly improved land. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long were born the follow- 
 ing children: Sarah Lucina, widow of Edward 
 Bennings, who with her daughter, Nellie, the only 
 grandchild, resides in Rawlins County, Kan.; Will- 
 iam Clark, a resident farmer of this county, mar- 
 ried IMiss Ida Young, of Watseka, daugliter of 
 Riffley and Margaret Young, and a highl}^ educated 
 lad}', who, previous to her marriage, was engaged 
 in teaching; James Andrew is a substantial agri- 
 culturist of this communitj'; Thomas Lincoln re- 
 sides with his sister in Rawlins County, Kan.; 
 George Fletcher operates the home farm; Laura 
 .Jane and Lucy May are with their mother; and 
 Mary E. died in infancy. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Long was originally a Jackson- 
 Democrat, but voted for Abraham I^incoln and 
 for eacb Presidential nominee of the Republican 
 party up to the time of his death. He was a faith- 
 ful and consistent member of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, and served as Steward and Class- 
 leader for a number of years. His wife and all 
 of his children except Clark are also members of 
 the same church. For thirty-six years he was a 
 resident of Iroquois County, and was widely and 
 favorably known in this anrt adjoining counties. 
 His strict integrity and sterling worth won him 
 the highest regarc} of all, and liis honorable, up. 
 
 right life is well worthy of emulation. On Tues- 
 day afternoon of July 27, 1892, Mr. Long, who 
 had been to Watseka, started for home, but liis 
 horses became frightened at an engine which was 
 standing on the track a little nortli of the street, 
 became unmanageable and, after running a short 
 distance, the tongue coming down, Mr. Long was 
 thro^^'n to the ground. For a time he was wholly 
 unconscious, but finally revived, his injuries, how- 
 ever proving fatal, and he passed away at four 
 o'clock on Thursday morning, lamented by all 
 who knew him. In his death the community lost 
 one of its best citizens and the county an honored 
 pioneei'. Mrs. Long, a most estimable lady, resides 
 on the home farm with her children. 
 
 m 
 
 /^ ♦^♦^* 
 
 AMD MoFADDEN, a farmer and auction- 
 ) eer residing in Stockland Township, is a 
 popular and well-known citizen of this 
 community, and we take pleasure in pre- 
 senting to our readers tliis record of his life, know- 
 ing that it will ju'ove of interest to many. Mr. 
 McFadden was born in Shelb}- Count}', 111., on his 
 father's farm, about eight miles west of Shelb^yville, 
 P'ebruary 2, 1842. His parents, John and Sarah 
 (Ruley) McFadden, were both natives of the 
 Buckeye State. On leaving Ohio, they emigrated 
 to Shelby County, 1 11., where they made their home 
 for a few years, when, in 1846, they went to Peoria 
 County, locating upon a farm two and one-half 
 miles west of the city of Peoria. The fallier there 
 engaged in farming and coal-mining and the fam- 
 ily were reared in that locality. In 1862, he re- 
 moved to Monroe Count}', Iowa, where he devoted 
 his time and attention to agricultural pursuits 
 until his death, which occurred in 1873. Mr. Mc- 
 Fadden was three times married. His first wife 
 died in Peoria County in 18,')1. Eight children 
 were born to that union, of whom five are yet liv- 
 ing, as follows: Joseph, John G., Bryce, Amanda 
 and David. Those deceased are Janjes, I-loyd and 
 Mary Jane, After the death of )iis fifst wife, 3Ir, 
 


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 
 
 4fi9 
 
 Mc Far) den married Mrs. Annie Greening, and in 
 1.HG2 lie was called upon to mourn iier loss. She 
 left two ciiildren, Ruth and Charles. His third 
 wife, [irior to her second marriage, was Mrs. .lane 
 .^loore. and she became Mrs ^McKadden in 1861. 
 
 The suliject of this sketch was only four years of 
 age wiieii his parents removed to I'eoria C<junty, 
 111., and was but a lad of nine summers when he lost 
 his mother. lie remained with his father until he 
 had attained to mature years. On the otli of Jan- 
 uary. 1865, he was united in marriage with Jliss 
 Mary E., daughter of William and Celia (Hickctts) 
 Holmes. Five children graced this union, as fol- 
 lows: Walter, who was born Februar\^ 7, 1866; 
 Stanley, October 6, 1867; David Raymond, No- 
 vember 24, 1873; Carless .Sherl, November 2!t, 
 1880; and one who died in infancy. 
 
 .Mr. McFadden resides upon the farm of .lohn 
 Girard, known as the John Nolin Farm, where he 
 operates two hundred acres of land. He owns an 
 eighty acre tract on section 7, Scotland Township, 
 and this he has under a high state of cultivation. 
 He carries on general farming and stock-raising, 
 and by his industrious and well-directed efforts 
 secures a good income. As stated in the begin- 
 ning of this sketch, he is also an auctioneer, 
 prominent and popular, being called all over this 
 and adjoining counties. He seems well fitted for 
 that business and his services are much in demand. 
 He cries most of the sales for the farmers in his 
 neighborhood. His pleasant, genial manner has 
 won him friends throughout the community and 
 gained him the high regard of many. 
 
 Mr. McFadden holds membership with the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a 
 supporter of the principles of the Democratic 
 party. He takes considerable interest in civic so- 
 cieties and is an honored member of the Jlilford 
 Lodge No. 168, A. F". A A.M.; Milford Lodge, 
 L O. O. F.; the Knights of Pythi.as .Society of Mil- 
 ford; and the Farmers' Lodge of Modern Wood- 
 men. Whatever siicces.s Jlr. McFadden has achieved 
 ill life is due entirel}' to his enterprise and perse- 
 verance, for when he began to earn his own liveli- 
 hood he had no capital. He may trulj- he called 
 a self-made man and he deserves all the praise 
 that term conveys, 
 
 21 
 
 S:SA.\C H. EASTIU'RN is one of the honored 
 I pioneers of Jrocpiois County. No other citi- 
 'i zen of Concord Township has so long been 
 numbered among its residents ,is our subject, who 
 is now living on section .31. For fifty-seven years 
 he has watched the growth and upbuilding of the 
 county, has been identified with ils progress, and 
 has aided in its advancement and development. 
 I'ew men are more widcl}' and none more favor- 
 ably known in the community than our subject. 
 
 5Ir. Eastburii well deserves representation in 
 this volume, and it is with pleasure that we pre- 
 sent to our readers this record of his life. He was 
 born in Lawrence County, Ohio, December 5, 183:5, 
 .ind is a son of Jesse and Jane (Smedley) East- 
 Ijurn. His grandfather, Jesse Eastburn. was a native 
 of Maryland, and his father emigrated to this 
 country from England. The grandfather was a 
 soldier in the War of 1812, and on that account 
 his descendants were given a land warrant. The 
 father of our subject, .lesse liastburn, Jr., was born 
 in Adams County, Ohio, in 1809, and in 1835 emi- 
 grated Westward to Illinois, locating in Concord 
 Township, Iroquois County, on the 25th of March. 
 He was among the first settlers in the township, 
 though others came the same year. He was l)oth a 
 mechanic and farmer, and in connection with the 
 cultivation of his land carried on a wagon shop in 
 the early days of the settlement. He was reared 
 as a Democrat and cast his first Presidential vote 
 for Andrew Jackson. He became a stanch Alioli- 
 tionist and in 1856 voted for John C. F'remont, 
 supporting his party from that time until his 
 death. lie was the first Supervisor of Concord 
 Townshi|) and served for a niinibor of terms. A 
 leading and intlueiitial citizen, he was quite prom- 
 inent in public affairs. In 1810, he united with 
 the Jlethodist F^piscopal Church and served in all 
 its offices. His house was the recognized home of 
 the circuit-rider, and he was never so happy as 
 when entertiiining a half-dozen ministers. IJefore 
 his death, he removed to .Sheldon and aided in 
 building the Methodist Church in that place. His 
 educational advantages were limited, but by ex- 
 tensive reading ho made himself a well-informed 
 man, and while serving as School Director for a 
 number of years he did eflfeclive service tor the 
 
470 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 cause of education in this communit^y. He did 
 iniuh to aid in the growth of the county and lived 
 to see It take a front rank among the counties of 
 the State. His death occurred September 13, 1873. 
 One of Nature's noblemen, his loss was deeply 
 mourned by many friends. 
 
 Isaac Eastburn was onh' seventeen months old 
 when his parents came to Illinois, and amid the 
 wild scenes of frontier life he was reared to man- 
 hood. His boyhood days were spent in his father's 
 shop and at work in the liclds. His early school 
 privileges were meagre, but at the age of twenty 
 years he entered Asbury University, where he pur- 
 sued a three-year scientific course. He then en- 
 gaged in teaching in country schools for three 
 years, mostly in Concord and Martinton Town- 
 ships. During this time, he was united in marriage 
 with ]\Iiss Susanna Fry, of Concord Township, the 
 marriage ceremony being performed at the home 
 of the bride on the 1st of February, 18o7, by the 
 Rev. William Stubbles. The ladv was born in 
 Coshocton C'ounty, Ohio, May 6, 1838, and is a 
 daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Deamude) 
 Fry. Her mother died when Mrs. Eastburn was 
 only three years old and when a little girl of five 
 she came to this county with lier father and soon 
 acted as housekeeper for him, as he did not again 
 marry. Mr. Fry was married previous to his union 
 with Miss Deamude and had eight children by each 
 marriage. With one exception, Mrs. Eastburn is 
 the youngest. Fourteen of the children grew to 
 mature years and ten are yet living. 
 
 After the marriage of our subject his father 
 gave him one hundred and sixty acres of land and 
 he concluded to turn his attention to farming. 
 In 1859, he removed to the farm which has since 
 been his home, and in that year built the house 
 which is 3'et his residence. It was a wild and un- 
 improved tract, but he at once began its develop- 
 ment and continued its cultivation until, feeling 
 his duty called him to the front, he enlisted on the 
 Htii of August, 1802, for the late war as a member 
 of Company E, Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry, 
 being appointed Corporal. The troops went into 
 camp at Kankakee and after two weeks went to 
 (Miiimbus, Ky. I.,ater, they were sent to Bolivar, 
 'I'ciiu., thence to La Orange and on to Coffeeville, 
 
 Holly Springs, Moscow, La Fayette and Vicksburg. 
 He was first undei- fire at the siege of Vicksburg 
 and there remained until after the surrender of 
 the city, when he took part in the siege of Jack- 
 son. He was made Sergeant immediately after 
 the siege of Vicksburg. Having returned to that 
 place, he was then sent to Natchez and went on an 
 expedition to Western Louisiana. He afterward 
 participated in the Jleridian campaign under 
 Sherman and later, receiving a thirty-days fur- 
 lough, returned home on a visit. On the 1st of 
 Jul^', 1864, he again reached Vicksburg and parti- 
 cipated in the expedition to Jackson, Miss. The 
 troops had a severe battle at Jackson Cross Roads, 
 where Mr. Eastburn was twice slightly wounded, 
 once in the rigiit arm and once in the right hand. 
 A bullet shot through his hat cut out some of his 
 hair, and another pierced his blouse. The com- 
 mand was afterward sent to Morganza Bend and 
 participated in the battles at Washington, La., 
 White River, Duvall's Bluff, and then went to 
 Memphis, Tenn. Subsequently they went to New 
 Orleans and thence started bj' boat to Pensacola, 
 Fin. A storm arising, the vessel was shipwrecked 
 and they had to throw overboard two hundred 
 and twenty-five head of horses and mules in order 
 to save themselves. They besieged and captured 
 Ft. Blakely, and the Seventy-sixth Illinois lost 
 over one hundred men in the assault. They then 
 went to Selma, Ala., took part in the battle of Mo- 
 bile and tiience went to Galveston, Tex., in 1865. 
 From that place, Mr. Eastburn wrote home that he 
 expected to be sent to Mexico, but instead was 
 mustered out and went to Cliicago, wiiere he re- 
 ceived his discharge. 
 
 Mr. Eastburn reached home on the 8th of Au- 
 gust, 1865, just three years after his departure. 
 He spent only two weeks in a regiment hospital, 
 being always found at his post of duty as a faith- 
 ful defender of the Union. During his absence. 
 Mrs. Eastburn had been living on the home farm 
 with her three children, and he again began farm 
 work. At the death of his father, he received 
 eight}- acres additional from the estate and after- 
 ward purchased a one hundred and twenty acre 
 tract. Since that time, he has sold some and given 
 to each of his children eighty acres. George W., 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 •171 
 
 the eldest, was born in Concord Townsliij) on the 
 20tii of March, 1858, was graduated from the 
 public sciiools of Slieldon, and is an extensive 
 reader. He is now engaged in banking in Slieldon. 
 lie was niariied November 1, 1883, to Miss Dora 
 Mctiill, of Watseka, and they have four children. 
 Kmnia Florence, bom in Concord Township, Octo- 
 ber 14, 1859, was married on the 1st of March, 
 1878, to Robert Wilkinson, of Sheldon, by whom 
 she has two children. Frank P., born on the home 
 farm, October 12, 18C1, was married in California, 
 January 2, 1886, to jNIiss Lillie Arbuckle, but now 
 makes his home in Washington; he is an artist and 
 travels. Jesse L., the youngest, born on the old 
 homestead, September 10, 1867, was graduated 
 from the Sheldon schools, after which he engaged 
 in teaching for two years. His health failing, lit; 
 went to California with his mother in 1889, and 
 while there met and married Miss May K. Taylor, 
 the union being celebrated September 18, 1890. 
 He is a close student and is especially fond of the 
 study of geology, having a tine collection of geo- 
 logical and other specimens correctly classified. He 
 makes his home in Yreka, Cal. 
 
 From the time lie began to be interested in poli- 
 tics, Isa.ic Eastburn was an Abolitionist, and when 
 the Hepublican party was formed to prevent the 
 further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks 
 and has since fought under its banner. He cast 
 his fii-st Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, 
 lie and his wife have long been members of the 
 .Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has filled all 
 of its offices. ]5oth are active workers in the .Sun- 
 d.ay-school and he has been Superintendent for 
 many years. Charitable and benevolent people, 
 the poor and needy find in them a friend and 
 those in distress never seek their aid in vain. Their 
 lives are filled with good deeds, and their many 
 excellencies of character have won them the high 
 regard of all. Socially, Jlr. E.asthurn is a member 
 of the Odd Fellows' society and has occupied all its 
 offices. In 1883, he made a trip to California, in- 
 tending to locate on the Pacific Slope, and during 
 that trip he visited Oregon, Washington, and trav- 
 eled all through Nev.ada. He went to the West 
 by the Southern Pacific and returned Ijy way of 
 the Hio tiiaiide Railroad. After ei<;Lt months 
 
 spent beyond the Rockies, he concluded to return 
 to Illinois and is yet one of the valued and hon- 
 ored citizens of Concord Township, where he has 
 so long resided. 
 
 --^^>^^<i 
 
 ONATHAN HANFOKD is engaged in gen- 
 eral farming on section 31, Ridgeland 
 ^,^1 Township, where he has made his home for 
 '}^/' almost a quarter of a centuiy. His life 
 record is as follows: He is a native of >sew Jersey, 
 his birth having occurred in Newark, on the 8tli 
 of June, 1821. The Ilanford family is of French 
 descent. The father of our subject, Simeon Han- 
 ford, was a native of Connecticut, and after attain- 
 ing to years of maturity he married Miss Rachel 
 Simpson. By their union were born three chil- 
 dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eld- 
 est. His two sisters were Mehitable, now the wife 
 of Samuel Uadgley, a resident of New Jersey; and 
 Henrietta, who died in 1888. 
 
 Jonathan Ilanford grew to manhood in the 
 State of his nativity. His educational advantages 
 were very limited, but experience and observation 
 have made him a well-informed man. His father 
 died when he w.as only nine years of age, and his 
 mother was left in very limited circumstances. 
 Soon after his father's death, he began working on 
 a farm at eighteen cents per day, and during hay- 
 ing season he received twenty-five cents per day. 
 Up to the time when he was fifteen years of age, 
 his wages were never higher than $6 per month. 
 Mr. Ilanford remained in the vicinity of Newark 
 until 1838, when, at the age of seventeen years, he 
 left the State of h is nati vitj', and went to New York 
 City, where he learned the ship-builder's trade, at 
 which he was there employed for many years. He 
 continued to make his home in New York until 
 1867, when, having determined to seek a home in 
 the West, he came to Illinois and took uii his resi- 
 dence in Iroquois County. 
 
 Mr. Ilanford has been twice married. In the 
 year 1843, he was joined in wedlock with Aliss 
 Catherine Criflin, daughter of William and Eliza- 
 beth (iritiin. Hv their union were born live clul- 
 
472 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 flrcn. of wliom the eldest, Wesley, died in 1844; 
 Sherinan died in inf.inc}'; William, the only one 
 liviiiii', is a grain dealer, residing in Tazewell 
 Coiiiity, TIL, in Green Valley; p]inina died at the 
 ■.\gi' of two years; and the fifth child died. in in- 
 fancy. Tlie mother of tiiis family was called to 
 her final rest in 1856, d^'ing in New York. Mr. 
 Ilaiifiird was again married, in 1863, his second 
 union lieing with Eleanor Drower, by whom he 
 had two children, but Garrett died in 1868. 
 Harry, the younger, is living in Savanna, 111. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Manford is a supporter of the 
 Greenback party, but has never been an ofHce- 
 seeker. The winter after coming to this county, 
 he resided in Loda, and the follf)wing spring re- 
 moved to Ridgeland Township, purchasing eighty 
 acres of land upon section 31. It was entirely des- 
 titute (if improvement, but in the years which 
 have since passed a great transformation has been 
 wi ought in the appearance of the place, which is 
 now considered one of the best farms in this lo- 
 cality, while the owner is recognized as a promi- 
 nent agriculturist. He carries on both general 
 farming and stock-raising, and that he has won 
 success is due entirely to his well-directed efflorts. 
 He is a man of sterling worth, and his excellencies 
 of character have gained him the high regard of 
 all with whom business or social relations iiave 
 brouoht him in contact. 
 
 MOS M. PECK is engaged in the grocery 
 business in Onarga. For twenty years, he 
 4 has been connected with the store of whicli 
 ^^ he is now proprietor, having first been an 
 
 employe and afterward becoming owner. He is 
 now one of the leading merchants of the place and 
 a man of good business ability, who by his well- 
 directed efforts is winning success. 
 
 Mr. Peck is a native of Connecticut, his birth 
 having occurred on the 23d of September, 1843. 
 His parents, Lyman and Lucretia (Mallory) Peck, 
 were also natives of the Nutmeg State, and their 
 family numbered seven children, three of whom 
 iwv \et living, Amos, Charles and Abbie, Lucictia, 
 
 Lyman, Flora and Ella are deceased. It was in 1858 
 that Lyman Peck, Sr., bade good-bye to his home 
 in the East and, accompanied by his family, came 
 to Illinois, locating in Ford County on a farm of 
 eighty acres near what is now the village of Thaw- 
 ville. He there made his home for eight years, 
 when, in 1866, he sold that farm and purchased an- 
 other about a mile distant, containing one hundred 
 and forty acres of good land. 
 
 Under the parental roof, our subject spent his 
 boj'hood days, and on attaining his majority in 
 1864 he left Ford Count3' to complete his educa- 
 tion as a student in (irand Prairie Seminary. How- 
 ever, he soon laid aside text-books and entered 
 the service of his country, becoming a member of 
 Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illi- 
 nois Infantry, in which he served for a little more 
 than six months, when he was mustered out. He 
 then returned home and again entered Grand 
 Prairie Seminary, from which institution he was 
 graduated, after completing the regular course of 
 study, in the summer of 1868. 
 
 On the 21st of Ai)ril, 1870, Mr. Peck was united 
 in marriage with Miss Kate E. Devor, daughter of 
 Arthur and Susanna Devor, residents of Onarga. 
 Their union has been blessed with two children, a 
 daughter and son: Lucretia, born July 6, 1872, is 
 now the wife of John L. Tyler, of Chebanse, and 
 they have a little daughter, Inez Irene; A. Earl, 
 the son, was born July 24, 1881, and is still with 
 his parents. 
 
 In the spring of 1871, Mr. Peck secured a posi- 
 tion as salesman with C. H. Brfggs, of Onarga, re- 
 maining in his employ until 1873, when he entered 
 the employ of Knight & Culver, proprietors of a 
 grocery store in this place — the same which is now 
 the property of our subject. He served in the po- 
 sition of Clerk until 1882, when he bought out]Mr. 
 Culver and has continued the business ever since. 
 He has been connected with the grocery trade 
 in this store building for a period of twent}- years. 
 He is enterprising, possesses good judgment, and 
 by his fair dealing and courteous treatment has 
 secured a liberal patronage. He is recognized as 
 one of Onarga 's leading citizens, and socially is a 
 member of Onarga Lodge No, 208, I. O. O. F., 
 with which he has been goDJjeeted since 18(39. He 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 4 73 
 
 also belongs to W. A. Babeock Post No. 416, G. 
 A. R., of Oiiarga. In politics, lie is a supporter of 
 Republican principles, bas beld the office of Town 
 Clerk for live years, is at present a member of the 
 Hoarrl of Trustees of the village, and is also a 
 member of the Executive Board of Grand Prairie 
 Seminary. During his residence in this eonununity, 
 .Mr. Peck has formed a wide accjuaintance and is 
 held in high esteem by all with whom business or 
 social relations have brought him in cdntact. 
 
 I— -§^-^&- I 
 
 il/l^-^^ENRY C. MOSIIER, a prominent business 
 f J man of Gilman, is a native of Illinois, his 
 J^^ birth having occurred in La Salle County, 
 v^i on the l.')th of February, IH36. Me is a son 
 of Ira and Louisa (Pease) Mosher. His father's 
 family is of English, and his mother's of German, 
 descent. Family tradition says that two brothers 
 came to America from England some time previous 
 to the Revolutionary War, and established a fac- 
 tory in this countrj', where they remained some 
 years. One of the brothers then returned to Eng- 
 land, locating a factory on the River Thames. He 
 had but one son, who died, leaving no children. 
 This has furnished the foundation facts for 
 his relatives, who have expended a great deal of 
 money in endeavoring to hunt up the estate. The 
 other brother remained in America, but was so un- 
 fortunate as to lose all of his property during the 
 Revolutionary War. Ira Mosher was one of eight 
 brothers, and when but eight years old he lost his 
 father, and had thus earl^- to make his own way in 
 the world. He was a native of Saratoga County, N. 
 Y., and his wife of Monroe County, the same State, 
 where they were married about 1832. After their 
 marriage they started by wagon for Illinois, where, 
 when they reached a point about four miles south 
 of La Salle, they decided to locate. Having taken 
 up Government land and partially developed it, he 
 spent sometime as a traveling Methodist preacher. 
 Returning to the farm, he followed agricultural 
 pursuits for some years. In the meantime he stud- 
 ied law, and was admitted to the Bar during the 
 war, practicing that profession until his death. He 
 
 left the church because it was ino-siavcry at that 
 time, and became a pronounced Liberal. Politically 
 he was a Whig, then a strong Abolitionist, and 
 later a Republican, always taking great interest in 
 political afTairs. When admitted to the Lar he re- 
 moved to Tonica, and there lived until his death, 
 on the Isi of March, 1871. aged sixty-live. He 
 was widely and favorably known, and wa> among 
 the lirst pioneers in this county. The mother died 
 at the home of our subject in 1881, at the age of 
 seven tv-one years. Their family consisted of twel ve 
 children, eleven of whom, live sons and six daugh- 
 ters, lived to adult age. Only seven are now liv- 
 ing. Four of the boys served the Union cause 
 during the late war. E. W. was about four years 
 in the service, enlisting in 1862 in the One Hun- 
 dredth and Fourth Illinois Infantry. He was cap- 
 tured by John ^Morgan, but was soon afterward 
 paroled and took part in Sherman's march to the 
 sea, and on to Washington. George I. enlisted in 
 the Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, and was in the 
 service four years. He is now a practicing lawyer 
 of Oskaloosa, Kan. Charles enlisted in 1861, in 
 Comjjan}- A, Eighth Illinois Infantiy, in which 
 he served over five years, and is now engaged in 
 the mercantile business at .Salina, Kan. Sheridan 
 L. is a farmer near Pinckncyville, 111.; Mrs. M. C. 
 Miller resides in Nickerson, Kan.; Mrs. Harass re- 
 sides in Tonica, 111.; Martha died during the war, 
 and Maiy died soon afterward, leaving two chil- 
 dren; Mrs. M. Foster died in Tonica, 111., leaving 
 one daughter; and Jlrs. Clara .1. (; ray died in Em- 
 poria, Kan. 
 
 Our subject was reared on a farm and attended 
 the district schools in his earlier days. cc>mpleting 
 his education in an academy, which he attended 
 for several winters. In 18r)6, he went to Kansas 
 to give his help toward making it a free State. He 
 located at ^'alley Falls, made claims, sold them, 
 and when the Delaware Indians sold their lands he 
 purchased extensively. Returning the following 
 year to La Salle County. 111., he bought land of the 
 Illinois Central Railroad Company, and iminoved 
 it. 
 
 On the l.'.th of Augui-t, 1862. .Mr. Muslier en- 
 listed ill Company K, One Hundred and Seventh 
 Illinois Infant!'}'. First going to Kentucky, from 
 
474 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORB. 
 
 there they were ordered to Tennessee, where he 
 took part in the engagement at Salina, liis com- 
 pany being detailed to destroy a rebel supply de- 
 pot at that place. After serving a year witli the 
 One Hundred and Seventh, he was transferred to 
 Battery K, First Illinois Light Artillery. Crossing 
 the mountains, his service was in East Tennessee, 
 and helped to fortify Kuoxville. He was on the 
 Stoneman raid into Virginia and North Carolina, 
 the chief business of bis command being to raid 
 and destro.y supplies. He was never wounded or 
 taken prisoner. Having served faithfully until 
 June, 1865, he was honorably discharged at .Spring- 
 field, 111. From the effects of his artillery service 
 he has lost the hearing of liis rigiit ear, and par- 
 tially that of the left. 
 
 After leaving the army, Mr. Mosher engaged in 
 merchandising at Wenoua, 111., and in the fall of 
 1866 came to Oilman, where he engaged in the 
 lumber business with Hiram Baker for about two 
 years. In the meantime he started in the real- 
 estate line, helping to lay out the Dent & Mo- 
 sher Addition to Oilman. At that time all south 
 of the railroad was prairie land, but now it has 
 been transformed until it is the most beautiful 
 part of the city, adorned with shade trees and 
 supplied with the best of flowing water. He has 
 since followed the real-estate business, in connec- 
 tion with other enterprises. In 1874, in company 
 with A. Powell, he embarked in general mer- 
 chandising, and it is safe to say they carry the larg- 
 est stock in the county. In addition to his city 
 propert^^, our subject owns about one thousand 
 acres of farm land. 
 
 In La Salle County, the destiny of Mr. Mosher 
 was united with that of ISIiss Elizabeth S. Baker, 
 their marriage being celebrated December 20, 1860. 
 She was the daughter of Hiram and Angeline 
 (Shoudler) Baker, both natives of Washington 
 County, N. Y. In 1854, Mr. Baker emigrated to 
 IIcrmaBn, Mo., where he had a contract to grade a 
 part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Two 3'ears 
 later he removed to La Salle County, where he en- 
 gaged in farming. He came to Oilman in August, 
 1866, and here he died in 1871, at the age of fifty 
 nine years. His widow makes her home with Mrs. 
 Mosher, and has attained the age of .eighty years. 
 
 Mrs. Mosher is one of four children, having two 
 brothers and one sister: Kenneth, the eldest; Mrs. 
 Florence James, of Onekama, Mich.; and George, 
 who is station agent at La Harpe, 111. The latter 
 served over three years in the Thirty-seventh Illi- 
 nois Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher have a fam- 
 ily of four ciiildren: Frank and Ouy are partners 
 in their father's store; Charles W., who also assists 
 in the business; and Angle L. All of thecliiUlren 
 have received good educational advantages. 
 
 Mr. Mosher is recognized as one of the leading 
 business men of the county. In manner he is de- 
 cidedly outspoken, and all of his affairs are eon- 
 ducted strictly on business principles. As a man 
 of honor and integrity he is highly esteemed. 
 
 LMET POWELL, of the firm of A. Powell 
 & Co., leading merchants of Oilman, was 
 born in the town of New Baltimore, Al- 
 p' bany County, N. Y., March 20, 1846, and 
 
 is a son of Leander and Esther C. (Smith) Powell. 
 The Powell family springs from Welsh ancestors 
 who settled in New York. The family has mainly 
 followed agricultural pursuits. Both his father 
 and mother were natives of Albany County. In 
 1855, they came to Illinois and settled in Peoria 
 County, where the father followed farming until 
 the breaking out of the war, when he moved across 
 the line into Lawn Ridge, Marshall County, where 
 he engaged in merchandising, and there spent his 
 last years. Politically he was first a Whig, then 
 a Kepnblican until Oreelcy's race for the Presi- 
 denc3', and afterwards a Democrat. He was reared 
 as a member of the Society of Friends, but at the 
 time of his death was a member of the Congrega- 
 tional Church, as is his wife. He passed away Jan- 
 uary 3, 1892, at the age of seventy-one years and 
 five months, and ids wife still surviveshim, living 
 in Peoria, and having attained the age of sixty- 
 nine years. L^nto them were born five children, 
 the eldest being our subject; Marsden, who is en- 
 gaged in the milling business at Montgomeiy, 
 Minn.; Miss Anna A., a well-known teacher of elo- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 475 
 
 cution in the Chautauqua Circles; Mina, wife of 
 O. C. Slaine, a liardware merchant of Peoria; and 
 Cassius N., who resides on the old homestead in 
 Marshall County. 
 
 Mr. Powell, whose name heads this sketch, lived 
 on his father's farm until fifteen years of age, 
 following- tlie usual pursuits of farmer lads, and 
 receiving a district-school education. Having mer- 
 chandised with his father in Marshall County 
 for a time. the_v then established a store in Oilman, 
 March 20, 1871, carrying a general line of mer- 
 chandise. Soon after Mr. H. C. Jloshcr and Jolin O. 
 Dent purchased his father's interest, and later Mr. 
 Dent purchased Mr. Mosher's interest, and thus 
 the iiusiness was continued until 1874, at which 
 time Mr. 'Mosher purchased 51r. Dent's interest. 
 The business was first carried on under the title 
 of H. C. Mosher it Co., then Dent & Powell, and 
 since 1880 has been done under the firm name of 
 A. Powell it Company, the firm consisting of A 
 Powell, H. C. Frank and Guy Mosher. They 
 carry tlie largest stock in. the county. In 188.'$ 
 they built their fine brick store, which is a model 
 of convenience and a credit to Oilman. Mr. 
 Powell owns three hundred and twenty acres of 
 improved land in Nobles County, Minn., beside a 
 half-interest in four hundred and eighty acres in 
 Iroquois County. 
 
 In Kewanee, III., he wa? united in marriage 
 with Jennie E. Smith, who lived about nine years 
 after their marriage. To them was born one 
 daughter, Estella, who died when about two years 
 old. In Oilman, he was married to Mrs. Cordelia 
 E. Teale, nee Horthwick, on the 18tli of October, 
 1881. She was born in the Empire State, in Albany 
 County, and is a ladj- of Scotch descent. She has 
 a son by her former marriage, who now bears the 
 name of Bruce B. Powell, and is at present a stu- 
 dent of the Northwestern University, at Evanston, 
 111. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Powell is a Republican, though 
 not an otlice-seeker, preferring to devote his entire 
 attention to his business interests, though careful 
 to never neglect the duties of citizenship. He has 
 been a member of the Masonic order since Iwent^-- 
 one years of age. He is a successful business man, 
 well and favorably known throughout the com- 
 
 munity. He started in life a poor boy, but by in- 
 dustrj' and good business methods has become 
 financially one of the substantial citizens of (Til- 
 man. From tiie lowest round of the ladder of life, 
 he has mounted step by step until he has reached 
 his present position of afHuence and succe^^s. 
 
 NTHONV MILLER, a hardware merclianl 
 of Loda, claims Germany as the land of 
 li his birth, which occurred in the king- 
 ly' dom of Bavaria in the month of March, 
 1840. He is a son of Dominick and Elizabeth 
 (Wolf) Miller, both of whom were also natives of 
 Germany. .Seven children were born unto them, 
 six sons and one daughter, as follows: .John, 
 George, .Joseph, Michael, Anthony, Kate, and a 
 son who died in infancy. The jiarents spent their 
 entire lives in the Fatherland, and both died about 
 the year 1860. 
 
 Our subject was the fifth in order of birth in the 
 Miller family. The days of his boyhood were 
 spent in the land of his nativity, and his educa- 
 tion was acquired in the public schools. About 
 1856, when a youth of sixteen j'ears, he crossed 
 the broad Atlantic to America and made his first 
 location in Pennsylvania, working as a farm hand 
 by the month in the Keystone State for about five 
 3'ears. On the expiration of that period, be 
 started Westward, and in 1-863 came to Illinois, 
 locating in Iroquois County. He purchased a 
 farm of eighty acres in Loda Township, about 
 three miles from the village of Loda, and for 
 some time successfully engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits, but at length abandoned that occupation 
 in order to turn his attention to mercantile in- 
 terests. 
 
 It was ni 1868 that Mr. Miller was united in 
 marriage with Miss Margaret Ilelmuth. IJy their 
 union have been born five children, four sons 
 and a daughter, all of whom save one are still 
 under the parental roof. TIr\v are: George S., a 
 practicing physician of Cissna Park, III.; Charles 
 A., Anthony. .Tohn A. and Elizabeth, who com- 
 plete the family. The parents are both members 
 
47fi 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of the Calliolic Cliurcli and are well-known citi- 
 zeiisi of this cominiuiity, who liave gained a wide 
 circle of friends and acquaintances. 
 
 It was in 1880 that Mr. Miller left his farm and 
 removed to the village of Loda and purchased the 
 hardware stock of Charles Ilarwood. Since that 
 time he has been engaged in his );resent line of 
 business continuall3-. He carries a full and com- 
 plete stock, consisting of hardware, stoves, tin- 
 ware, etc. In connection with this, he also owns 
 a lumber yard. By liis fair and honest dealing 
 and courteous treatment he has secured a liberal 
 patronage, which lie well deserves, and is now 
 reaping a good income therefrom. He possesses 
 good business ability, is systematic and method- 
 ical, and has won prosperity through his own well- 
 directed efforts. JMr. Miller may truly be called a 
 self-made man, for he came to tiiis country 
 emjjty-handed and has steadil_v worked his way 
 upward, overcoming the obstacles and difliculties 
 in his path, until we now find him one of Loda's 
 well-to-do citizens. 
 
 (^p^HOMAS 11. GRAY, for twenty-three 3 ears 
 (jff(^^ a farmer of Iroquois Country, was born in 
 ^^y^' Ashland Comity, Ohio, his birth occurring 
 February 8, 1832. He is a son of Henry and 
 Margaretta (Brown) Gray. The father was born 
 in the northern part of Ireland, and was one of 
 five children, four sons and one daughter, of whom 
 three came to America. William located in Canada; 
 Hugh came to tlie United States in the interest of 
 a large estate left for the family in the Old Country, 
 and which is due the descendants. Their grand- 
 father Gray went from Scotland to Ireland, and 
 there acquired the right to a large tract of land 
 for a long term of years, which on his death should 
 have fiiUen to his children. When sixteen 3'ears of 
 age, the father of our subject came to the United 
 States, and located at Lyonstown, N. Y. He was 
 a farmer and speculator. He there married Miss 
 Brown, a native of the Empire State, and of Irish 
 descent. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Gray re- 
 moved to Pennsylvania, and later to Ashland 
 
 County, Ohio. In 183G, he went by ox-teani to 
 Peoria County, 111., where he was among the first 
 pioneers. He broke much of the prairie, usingnine 
 yoke of oxen, receiving $9 per acre for his services. 
 At that time the idea prevailed that the raw prairie 
 land must be plowed very deep. He was quite an 
 extensive farmer in that county. Politically he 
 was a Democrat. His death occurred from the ef- 
 fects of a fall from a horse, when he was but forty- 
 six years of age. His wife still survives him, and 
 lives in California, at the ripe old age of ninety- 
 two. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 Our subject is the seventh child of his father's fam- 
 ily, which consisted of eight sons and one daugh- 
 ter, six of whom survive. He received his education 
 in the pioneer schools and suffered the T)rivations 
 incident to the opening up of a new country. 
 Since sixteen years of .age he lias made his own 
 way in the world. At that time he commenced 
 learning the miller's trade, two years later going 
 to St. Louis, where he completed his apprenticeship. 
 F<ir twenty-one years he followed tiiat occupation 
 in St. Louis and in Peoria. He was a first-class 
 miller, and though getting $1,800 per year and his 
 house, failing health caused him to leave the busi- 
 ness. In 1869 he came to Iro(iuois County, where 
 he had purchased one hundred and six acres of 
 land near Ashkum. There he farmed for several 
 years, and then returned for two years to the mill- 
 ing trade. In 1880, he came to his present farm 
 of one hundred and sixty acres. The land was 
 nearly all under water at the time of his purchase. 
 He is a firm believer in the efficacy of tiling, and 
 has placed about twenty-eigiit thousand tiles upon 
 his farm, and has also added many other improve- 
 ments. 
 
 Mr. Graj' was united in marriage at Pekin, 111., 
 with Miss Sarah J. AVilliams, a native of Ohio. The 
 ceremony was performed September 23, 1863. Mrs. 
 Gray came with her parents to Tazewell County, 
 111., when j'oung. The union of our subject was 
 blessed with four children, Clara, Mary, Nina and 
 Ollie. Mrs. Gray passed to the home bej'ond No- 
 vember 23, 1889, her death being much regretted 
 by all who knew her. 
 
 Mr. Gray has never been an otlice-seeker, though 
 he has ample ability to fill any local position. He 
 
km 
 
 .^ 
 
 iH^v,. 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAFHICAL RECORD. 
 
 170 
 
 lias served as Iliglnvay Commissioner. Politically 
 lie lias afliliated with the Democratic party. He is 
 a Tliirty-lirst Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite. As 
 a farmer, he is practical, enterprising nnd progress- 
 ive, and by his upright dealings with his fellow- 
 citizens he has commanded the respect and esteem 
 of all who know him. 
 
 fjOIIN W. HUTCHISON, who for ten years 
 has been connected with the business inter- 
 ^^^, , ests of Donovan as one of its leading mcr- 
 >^^' irhant^, and a well-known citizen of the 
 county, was born in Switzerland Count}', lud., 
 October 7, 1841, and is a son of R. D. and Eliza- 
 beth (Mountz) Hutchison, the former a native of 
 Virginia, and the latter of Indiana. The Hutchi- 
 son famih' is of English descent. The father of 
 our subject was only three years of age when with 
 his parents he went to Indiana. He grew to man- 
 hood upon a farm in that State, and after his mai'- 
 riage disposed of his property and removed with 
 his family to Adair County, Mo., in 1865. He 
 there purchased land, and upon that farm made his 
 home until his death, which occurred in 1889, at the 
 age of eighty-seven years. He started in life in 
 limited circumstances, but b}- perseverance and 
 industry became well-to-do, and at his death his 
 possessions were valued at *30,000. In politics 
 he was originally a Whig, and east his first vote for 
 .lohn (^uincy Adams. He became a strong Aboli- 
 tionist, and on the organization of the Republican 
 |)artj-, formed to prevent the further extension 
 of slavery, he joined its ranks, and from 18.5G un- 
 til his death supported that party. lie was a 
 prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, in which he served as Class-leader, and 
 his home was alwa^'s open for the reception of the 
 pioneer preacher. 
 
 In early life Mr. Hutchison manifested a love 
 for study, displaj'ing special aptitude in school, 
 and at the age of sixteen he began teaching in 
 the public schools of Switzerland County, Ind. He 
 afterward attended school in Battle Ground, Ind., 
 
 for a few months; then began teaching in Howard 
 Count}', and for nearly two \ears afterward was a 
 student in Kokonio (Ind.) Normal School. While 
 teaching in Noithcrn Indiana, he organized the 
 first Union League in Clinton County, procuring a 
 charter from Oliver P. Morton, with whom he was 
 personally acquainted. In 18G4 he enlisted in 
 Company F, Fift\'-(irst Indiana Infantry, and 
 served for thirteen months during the late war. 
 He participated in the battles of Franklin and 
 N.ashville, Tenn., and at the battle of Nashville 
 was taken sick, being confined in the hosi)ilal for 
 about five weeks. With the exce|)tion of that 
 time, he was always ready for duty, and jjrovcd a 
 faithful soldier. On the lltliof ,luly, 18(;r), he 
 was honorably discharged. 
 
 After the close of the war, Mr. Hutchison le- 
 moved with his father's family to Missouri, where 
 he spent a short time in 1862. During that 
 trip he had purchased two hundred acres of land, 
 which he still owns. In connection with Prof. 
 Baldwin, he organized the Normal School in 
 Kirksville, Mo., in 1866, and for eleven weeks 
 school convened in the Christian Church, until 
 suitable quarters could be obtained. ^Ir. Hutchi- 
 son was connected with the school as teacher for 
 nearly two years. He then turned his attention to 
 farming and shipping stock in the summer season, 
 while he taught somewhat longer in the winter 
 months. He followed that i)rofession altogether 
 for sixteen years. 
 
 While living in Missouri, Mr. Hutchison re- 
 turned to Clinton County, Ind., and the object of 
 his journey was seen when he brought back with 
 him a bride. On the 16th of September, 18G6, he 
 wedded Miss Hannah Campbell, who was born in 
 Clinton County, December 18, 1816. Unto them 
 have been born two children: Florence, born in 
 Adair County, Mo., January 1, 1874, became the 
 wife of William Wallace on the 17th of August, 
 181)2: Myrtle was born in Adair County, October 
 8, 187'J. 
 
 Mr. Hutchison continued to make his home in 
 Missouri until 1883. He made additional pur- 
 chases of land while there, so that he now owns 
 four hundred and thirt}' acres, all under a high 
 state of cultivation. To agricultural pursuits he 
 
480 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 devoted his energies until failing Lealth caused 
 him to seek a change of location and work, and in 
 1883 he removed his family to Donovan, where 
 he opened up a general merchandise store. He 
 carries a full and complete stock, and from the be- 
 ginning liis trade has constantly increased, until 
 he now enjoys a liberal patronage and is doing a 
 thriving business. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison are 
 members of the Preslnterian Church, and their 
 daughter Florence belongs to the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church. He cast his first Presidential vote 
 for Gen. U. S. Grant, in 18G8, and has since been 
 a stalwart Republican. For three years he has 
 served as Supervisor. He ranks high in business 
 circles, and has the confidence of all with whom 
 he has come in .contact. The Hutchison f.amily 
 is one of prominence in this community, their 
 home is the abode of hospitality, and their friends 
 are many. 
 
 IKORGE MARTIN is numbered among the 
 
 ,., , , leadina: farmers of Belmont Township. He 
 
 III ^/ " ' 
 
 \\s^l resides on section 10, where he has made 
 
 his home since 1888. He was born in Washington 
 County, Pa., July 22, 1833, and is a son of Flphraim 
 and Catharine (Featherling) Martin. His father, 
 a native of Virginia, was there reared to manhood 
 and when a young man he removed to Washing- 
 ton County, Pa., where he met and married Miss 
 Featherling, a native of that State. In 1840, they 
 left the East and in an old-fashioned wagon drawn 
 by four horses started for Iroquois County, 111. 
 On reaching their destination, Mr. Martin settled 
 in Belmont Township, where he purchased one 
 hundred and sixt^' acres of land, and increasing 
 the farm to two hundred and forty acres, there 
 made his home until his death, which occurred in 
 1852, at the age of fifty years. His wife passed 
 away the year previous, and both were buried in 
 Vennum Cemetery. In politics he was a Demo- 
 crat. 
 
 The Martin family numbered six children, who 
 came with the parents to this county; Anna, 
 the widow of Ferman Moore, resides with her 
 
 brother .John, in Belmont Township; Xancy, widow 
 of Samuel Rush, is living in Milford; George is 
 the next younger; Eliza is now deceased; John 
 owns and operates the old homestead; and An- 
 drew .J., who completes the family, died in child- 
 hood. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was only seven years 
 of age when he came with his parents to Illinois. 
 This county was then an almost unimproved 
 wilderness. The prairies were covered with rosin 
 weeds, which grew to the height of several feet 
 There were few cleared spaces, and the county 
 gave little promise of the progress which was so 
 soon to transform it from a wild, undeveloped 
 region to a tract of rich fertility. Mr. Martin 
 during the summer months aided in breaking the 
 wild land and developing a farm, and in the win- 
 ter season he attended school, which met in an 
 old log building, the floor and ceiling of which were 
 made of puncheon. The seats were of slabs set 
 up on plus, and to furnish light a log had been 
 taken out and a long row of glass put in. The 
 desks were ranged around the wall on pins inserted 
 between the logs. The smoke from the huge fire 
 place made its way upward through a mud and 
 stick chimney. 
 
 At the age of twenty, on his father's death, Mr. 
 Martin left school, for the management of the farm 
 fell upon him. His mother was also deceased, but 
 for some time afterward the family' remained to- 
 gether. In 1884, our subject was married and 
 left the home farm.^ On the 1st of May, in Bel- 
 mont Township, he wedded Adelia Zumwalt, who 
 was born in Tazewell County, and is a daughter 
 of Christian and Selinda (Oder) Zumwalt; the 
 latter came to this State in 1835, and are residents 
 of Sheldon Township. By their union have been 
 born three children: Ernest, who died in infancy; 
 Virgie M., born June 23, 1887; and Nellie, born 
 April 18, 1889. 
 
 Mr. Martin has affiliated with the Republican 
 party since attaining his majority. He cast his 
 first Presidential vote in 1856 for Gen. John C. 
 Fremont. In local elections, however, he su[;ports 
 the man whom he thinks best qualified for the 
 office, regardless of party affiliations. He has 
 often attended the conventions of his party, and 
 
K>RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 481 
 
 lias fllled a number of minor ofliccs, hut has never 
 heen a politician in the sense of cttice-secking. 
 
 Mr. Martin'.* first purchase of land consisted of 
 <iiie iuindred and twenty acres in Belmont Town- 
 ship, wiiich he l)Ouslit previous to his marriage. 
 Himself and wife there began their domestic life, 
 making it their home for four years, when he sold 
 and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Cres- 
 cent Townshii), which he afterward sold, and 
 bought two liundred acres on sections 10 and 11, 
 where he resided four years. He now owns Ins 
 home farm of two hundred acres, two hundred 
 and ten acres of tiie old Martin homestead on sec- 
 tion Sli, and one hundred and twenty acres on sec- 
 tion 35, also ten acres on section 21, making in ail 
 five hundred and forty acres in Belmont Town- 
 sliip. He has recentl}' purchased fort3' acres in 
 Middleport Township, giving him a grand total 
 of five hundred and eighty acres. Tliroughout his 
 entire life he has followed farming, and has met with 
 excellent success in his undertakings. During the 
 tiiirty-two years of his residence here he lias wit- 
 nessed almost the entire growth and development 
 of the county, has seen the introduction of the 
 railroads, and has seen its wild prairie transformed 
 into beautiful homes and farms, while towns and 
 villages, have sprung up. He has ever borne 
 his part iu the work of advancement, and it is with 
 ]ilcasure that we present to our readers the sketch 
 of this honored pioneer, George Martin. 
 
 ylLLIAM L. KINSMAN, who is engaged in 
 general merchandising in Loda, and also 
 ., ^ deals in grain and coal, has been con- 
 uected with the mercantile interests of this place 
 for many years, and for the past ten years has car- 
 ried on business in his present line. A native of 
 Canada, he was born on the 18th of November, 
 18o7, and is of English descent. His father, 
 Thomas Kinsman, was born in England, and after 
 attaining to mature 3'ears was united in marriage 
 with Miss Harriet Cotton, also a native of that 
 country, and a daughter of John Cotton, who emi- 
 grated to Canada in 1840, and there died at the 
 
 ripe old age of eighty-three years. In 1868, 
 Thomas Kinsman emigrated with his family to the 
 United States, locating in Loda, where he has since 
 made his home. He is a blacksmith by trade, and 
 during much of his life followed that occupation, 
 but for the past four years he has been engaged in 
 buying and shipping hay. In the Kinsman family 
 were eleven children, eight of whom are now liv- 
 ing, namely: Sarah. Thomas .]., AVilliam L., George 
 W., Silas Henry, Charles C, (iertrude F., and Min- 
 nie. Louisa, the eldest; Frankie. and Frederick, 
 the youngest, are now deceased. 
 
 William Kinsman, whose name heads this record, 
 spent the first ten j'ears of his life in Canada, and 
 then came with his parents to Illinois. He ac- 
 quired a good English education in the public 
 schools, and entered upon his business career as 
 clerk for John Weinandt, a general merchant of 
 Loda, in whose employ he remained for about four 
 j'ears. Having by his industry and perseverance 
 acquired some capital in that time, he then pur- 
 chased the grocer}- stock of C. Livingston, but two 
 years later sold out his store to J. A. Hill, and pur- 
 chased the general store of his old employer. John 
 Weinandt, in 1882. He has since carried on busi- 
 ness in the line of general merchandising, and is 
 now enjoying a liberal patronage. 
 
 A marriage ceremony performed on the 24th of 
 Ajjril, 1879, united the destinies of Mr. William 
 Kinsman and Miss Laura J. Stroup, daughter of 
 Emanuel and iMarv Ann (Olil) Stroup, of Loda, 
 111. Two children grace their union: Lfniisa M., 
 ■who was born September II, 188;?; and Nora L., 
 who was born September 24, 1892. The par- 
 ents are both members of the Congregational 
 Church. They are prominent and highly lesiiccted 
 people throughout the community, who hold an 
 enviable position in social circles, while their own 
 home is the abode of hospitality. 
 
 ^Ir. William Kinsman exercises his right of fran- 
 chise in sui)port of the Republican partv, and is a 
 warm advocate of its principles. He is at present 
 Village Magistrate, which office he has held for the 
 long period of twelve years, and for eight years he 
 I has served as Town Clerk, discharging his duties 
 with promptness and fidelity, which has led to his 
 frequent re-election, and won him the commenda- 
 
482 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tion of all concerned. Sociallj', he is a member of 
 Abraham Jonas Lodge No. 316, A. F. & A.M. lie 
 started out in life empt3--handed, but has steadily 
 worked his way upward to a position among the 
 substantial citizens of the community, and in ad- 
 dition to his business as a general merchant, he 
 does a good business as a dealer in coal and grain. 
 
 ICIIAEL DRINAN, one of the e.irliest set- 
 tlers of Douglas Township, owns a farm 
 on section 28. He was born in the parish 
 of Glenville, County Cork, Ireland, liis 
 liirth having occurred on the 29th of September, 
 1820. He is a son of pAigene and Catherine (Hag- 
 erty) Drinan, and is the youngest in his father's 
 family which numbered eleven children. He passed 
 his early years in a manner usual to farmer lads — 
 work, recreation and education eacli receiving a 
 portion of his time and attention. He was the 
 only member of the household who, leaving the 
 parental roof, said good-bye to the friends and 
 scenes of his youth. Turning his face Westward, 
 he set sail upon the broad Atlantic for America, 
 starting from (Jueenstown on the 8th of April, 
 1853. On account of adverse winds, the voyage 
 was not completed until the I'Jth of May, at which 
 time he finally arrived in New York. 
 
 On the 16th of September, 1855, he took for his 
 helpmate in life Miss Catherine Donahue, a native 
 of the parish of Water Grass Hill, County Cork, 
 Ireland. She was born in December, 1832, and is a 
 daughter of Patrick and Catherine(Berry)Donahue, 
 both of wiiom spent their lives in Ireland. Mrs. 
 Drinan is the ninth child in order of birth of a 
 family of eleven children. She crossed the ocean 
 on the same vessel as did her future husband. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Drinan have ten children: Thomas, at 
 home; Katie, the wife of Thomas Greely, a farmer 
 of Douglas Township; Patrick, a farmer; Mary, at 
 home; Eugene, a farmer; Nellie, also at home; 
 Michael W., a harness-maker of Danforth; Timothy 
 J., John and Cornelius. 
 
 In 1867, Mr. Drinan purchased one hundred 
 and twenty acres of land, on wliich he removed his 
 
 family the following year. After his arrival in 
 this countrj', he found that he was in the posses- 
 sion of but verj' little money. For ten years he 
 worked at whatever promised him an honest dol- 
 lar. A few months of that time he worked on the 
 railroad, and in 1865 commenced farming on forty 
 acres of rented land in La Salle County, whicli he 
 continued at for three years. In 1867, Mr. Drinan, 
 as before stated, bought his farm of one hundred 
 and twenty acres in this county, and came here in 
 March, 1868. At that time no improvements had 
 been made upon the land, but he has since erected 
 good buildings, and has his farm under a high 
 state of cultivation. Aided by his family, he has 
 made what he has to-day — a fine property of three 
 hundred and twenty acres, all of wliicii is under 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Drinan and his family are all Catholics. He 
 is a Democrat, in political sentizuent, but has never 
 souglit office. He is one of the numerous examples 
 which America aftords of self-made men, who, 
 starting in life among strangers, and almost with- 
 out a dollar, have steadily pressed onward, never 
 daunted by discouragement or failure, until success 
 has crowned their effort. He has reared his family 
 comfortably and well, and given them good edu- 
 cational advantages, with which they are prepared 
 to meet life's battles. His wife and family have 
 all put a shoulder to the wheel, and have done all 
 that read3' hands and willing hearts could do to 
 assist them, and, as the result of their united efforts, 
 prosperity has blessed them. For twenty-four 
 years Mr. Drinan has been a resident of this county, 
 and has witnessed much of the growth and devel- 
 opment thereof. 
 
 ■HOMAS GATES MORRIS, the leading mer- 
 chant of LaHogue, was born in Bloom 
 Township, Cook County, 111., October 28, 
 1850. His parents, Charles and Saraii (Thomas) 
 Morris, are represented in the sketch of Free P. 
 Morris on another page of this work. Our sub- 
 ject spent the daj's of his boj'hood on a farm and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 483 
 
 ill the district schools. Subsequently, he was grad- 
 uated from the Chicago High School. He also 
 spent a year there as a teacher. Having become 
 n stcckholder in the Danville (HI.) "Wrouglit Iron 
 Works, lie was chosen a member of the Hoard of 
 Directors and also elected Cashier, in wliicli ca- 
 pacity he served for some two years, 'i'hc fullow- 
 iiig year he spent traveling in the West. 
 
 Returning to Danville, our subject led to tlie 
 marriage altar JUss Emma, daugliter of Judge E. 
 S. Terr3% who at the time of his death was legal 
 adviser to the Adjutant-(ieneral at Washington, 
 I). C. This was during Garfield's administration. 
 The wedding ceremony was performed on the 23d 
 of October, 1878. Three children have blessed 
 this union: Bernice, Koss Terry and Elizabeth 
 Cora. 
 
 The year succeeding his marriage, Mr. Morris 
 came to La Hogue, where he li.as since engaged in 
 general merchandising. He built the first store in 
 town, and since coming to this place has carried 
 on business with marked success and enterprise, 
 and now has the best store in the town. In addi- 
 tion to his merchandising interests, he owns the 
 lumber business and carries on farming, having a 
 fertile and well-improved farm one-fourth of a 
 mile west of La Hogue, on which ho makes his 
 home. 
 
 Politically, our subject is a Republican, having 
 cast his first Presidential vote for Rutherford 15. 
 Hayes. Sociallj', he is a Mason, belonging to Piper 
 City Lodge No. 608, A. F. & A. M.; Eaiibury 
 Chapter No. 99, R. A. M.; and Mt. Olivet Com- 
 mandery No. 38, K. T. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morris 
 take an active part in the work of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church of La Hogue, of which he is 
 Steward and Trustee. For five years he has also 
 been Superintendent of the Sundaj'-school. He 
 has served his fellow-citizens as Postmaster to 
 their satisfaction. Through the efforts of Mr. 
 .Morris and others the La Hogue Drainage 
 District was organized- in May, 1891, and he 
 was chosen a member of the Board of Com- 
 missioners. The ditch is seven and one-half 
 miles long and gives ample draining to twelve 
 thousand .acres of as fine land as the State af- 
 fords, An estimate of the value of this ditch to 
 
 the district can scarcely be made. Mr. Morris has 
 proved himself a competent business man of enter- 
 prise and integrity. When he commenced in busi- 
 ness in La Hogue he had but $275 capital, and by 
 close attention to his interests and by the exer- 
 cise of good judgment has acquired a hand- 
 some property. He is a public-s|)irited man, 
 always ready to take an active part in whatever 
 tends to the advancement of the people's best in- 
 terests. 
 
 y 
 
 ILLIAM T. HOOVER, for thirty years a 
 resident of this county and one of its first 
 W^'' pioneers, owns a farm on section 24, 
 Danforth Township. His birth occurred on the 
 3d of March, 1830, in Muskingum County, Ohio. 
 He is the son of Cornelius A. Hoover, a native of 
 Allegany County, Md., who grew to maturity, and 
 there manned Rebecca Thomas, who was Ijorn in 
 the same State. The grandfather of our subject 
 was born in Germany and was one of the pioneer 
 settlers of the State of Maryland. Cornelius 
 Hoover was drafted into the service of the War of 
 1812, but peace was declared before his services 
 were demanded. Mr. Hoover removed to Ohio at 
 an early day and settled m the wilderness, where 
 he opened up a farm and there resided for several 
 years. In 1840 he removed to Indiana and lo- 
 cated in the wilderness of Tippecanoe County. 
 He also cleared and developed a farm there. After 
 rearing his familv to mature 3-ears he went to 
 W'hite County, Ind. Near the close of his life he 
 lost his eye-sight, and spent about two years with 
 his son, the subject of this sketch, in his Illinois 
 home. Later, he went to Missouri and located 
 a farm near Pleasant Hill, Cass Count\-, where he 
 lived until his death, which occurred in 1872. 
 His wife died about two years later. 
 
 William T. Hoover grew to manhood in Indiana, 
 and received such a limited education as could be 
 obtained in the district schools of that earl^' 
 d.ay. He is the eldest son and the fourth in 
 order of birth in his parents' family The eldest, 
 Catherine, grew to mature years and died in 
 
484 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Missouri, as did her sister Elizabeth, who was 
 the wife of James McKinney; Martha, now de- 
 ceased; Wilmina is the wife of William Foster, of 
 Pleasant Hill, Mo.; Sevillia is the wife of Joseph 
 Denton, of the above-named place; William T., 
 our subject; Andrew J. is a native of Bates 
 County-, Mo.; and Calvin S., also a farmer in 
 Western Missouri. The brother? were in the 
 army and served through the war. 
 
 Our subject remained with his father on the 
 farm until he had reached his majority and tiien 
 farmed for himself. For some time he carried on 
 a farm in Benton County, Ind., and then sold his 
 property there and removed to Illinois. He pur- 
 chased a farm without improvements in Douglas 
 Township, Iroquois County, in 18(>2. He first 
 bought one hundred and three acres, on which he 
 built fences and farm buildings and in many other 
 ways improved, lie now has one hundred and 
 eighty-one acres of arable and well-developed land, 
 on which he has a fine large residence. The place 
 is well tiled and is considered a most desirable 
 and valuable piece of property. 
 
 In P>enton County, Ind., on March 22, iJ-lfiO, Mr 
 Hoover led to the marriage altar Aliuira Hunt, 
 who was born in Iiuiiana, in Randolph County. 
 She is a daughter of Lewis Hunt, one of the hon- 
 ored pioneers of that county, to which place he 
 came from Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoover 
 were born three children : Lewis, who is married 
 and carries on the home farm. He has three chil- 
 dren: May, Elmira and William. Lydia Jane is 
 the wife of John Cox, a farmer of this county. 
 In their family' are two children, Elmira and Nora. 
 Andrew Jackson died at the age of three years 
 and ten months. 
 
 Mr. Hoover is in sympathy with the Republican 
 party and has always cast his ballot for the nomi- 
 nees of that party. He has never asked for or ac- 
 cepted official positions, preferring to give his time 
 and attention to his farm and business interests; 
 nevertheless, he is a man who faithfuU}' discharges 
 the duties of citizenship and ever does all in his 
 power to uphold right measures and to advance 
 the welfare of the community. He and his 
 worthy wife are ever ready to lend a helping 
 hand to the needy and have reared and educated 
 
 a number of orphan children. At present they 
 have with them two orphans: William Anderson, 
 who w.as born in New York; and Mamie Parks, 
 whose parents are likewise deceased and who 
 is a native of this county. Mrs. Hoover is a 
 member of the United Brethren Church and is 
 accounted one of its most beloved and respected 
 members. 
 
 e^+^i 
 
 GEORGE W. LANKY, one of the earliest set- 
 tlers of Iroijuois County, is a native of 
 Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred on 
 the 10th of December, 1830, in Greene County. 
 He is a son of John and Margaret (Huffman) 
 Laney. His father was of Irish descent, and his 
 grandfather came to America direct from Ireland. 
 On the maternal side the famih- is of German ex- 
 traction, but the mother's birth occurred in Penn- 
 sylvania. About the year 1837, the parents of our 
 subject removed to Clarke County, Ohio, and pur- 
 chased a farm near Springfield. In 1852, they 
 went to Ogle County, 111., where, after residing 
 some three j'ears, they removed to McLean County. 
 In Ohio, Mr. Laney had carried on farming, and 
 in addition to that kept a grocery, but after 
 coming to ]\IcLean County he followed agricul- 
 tural pursuits until the village of Towanda was 
 started, when he again embarked in the grocery 
 trade. Both he and his wife lived at that place 
 until their deaths. He died when he had reached 
 the age of sixty-two years. In politics, ke was a 
 Democrat, and his wife was a member of the Bap- 
 tist Church. The family consisted of five sons 
 and one daughter. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the second child 
 of his father's family, and his early days were 
 spent upon the farm. He had very poor chances 
 of obtaining an education, as his father was a 
 poor man, not able to pay for his schooling. 
 However, as soon as he was old enough to run er- 
 rands, he was hired out, receiving for his service 
 $1 per month. Until twenty-one years of age, he 
 faithfull)' turned over to his father his small earn- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 |h5 
 
 ings. After coming to Ogle County-, he, in com- 
 pany with liis fatiier and brotliers, purchased a 
 piece of land, wiiich lie tilled for three years. 
 
 On the .itii of April, 18o(). 'Sir. Laney was mar- 
 ried to Mrs. Alvina .\lford,a daughter of John and 
 Klizaheth (Hunt) Ferrel. Mr. Ferrel was a native 
 of Kentucky and of Irish extraction. His wife 
 was born near Jamestown, Va.. and, when eight 
 years of age, accompanied her parents to Ken- 
 tucky, where she was afterward married. She was 
 of Welsh descent. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrel were 
 among the pioneers of Lawrence County, Ky.,and 
 about 1830 they removed to Green County, and 
 opened up a farm in the woods. In 184,5, they 
 emigrated to t)gle County, 111., where their remain- 
 ing days were spent. Mr. Ferrel followed farming 
 fur a livelihood, and w.as a stiong supporter of 
 the Democr.icy. AVhile living in Lawrence County, 
 lud., he served as Sheriff, and also held a number 
 of minor oflices, such as Magistrate and Constable. 
 Both lie and his wife were members of the Epis- 
 copal Church. He lived to be fifty-five and she 
 sixty -eight years of age, and at their deaths they 
 left a wide circle of friends and relatives to mourn 
 their loss. Of their family of eleven children but 
 four are now living: ^Irs. Laney, the wife of our 
 subject; Mrs. Martha Gilbert, of Oregon, 111.; Mrs. 
 Sarah Jenkins, residing near Masonville, Iowa; 
 and Daniel, who gallantly served in the Union 
 cause during the late war, and now lives at Oregon, 
 111. 
 
 The birth of Mrs. Laney occurred in Lawrence 
 County, Ind., on the 1st of September, 1820. Be- 
 fore leaving Indiana, she w.as married, on the 10th 
 of Sei)tember, 1840, to Thomas Alford, a native 
 of Tennessee. In 1842, Mr. Alford moved to Ogle 
 County, where he eng.aged in farming. Subse- 
 quently, he removed to Galena, where he died of 
 the cholera during the prevalence of that scourge. 
 Of this marriage were born six children, of whom 
 two, Krva,wife of Harrison Nichols, of Nebraska; 
 and Harriet, wife of Benjamin F. Heller, living 
 near Bloomingtoii, III., now survive. I'nto Mr. 
 Lane_v and his wife were born two children: John, 
 who died when two years old; and (Teorge D., a tal- 
 ented young man, possessed of wonderful me- 
 chanical genius, married Nettie A'orys, who died, 
 
 leaving four children. He died November l.'L 
 1892, and is buried in the Oilman cemetery. 
 
 In 18;')7, our subject moved to McLean County, 
 where he farmed until ISOH. That year witnessed 
 his arrival in Iroquois County, where he had piir- 
 ch.ased eighty acres in what is now Danforth 
 Township, and on which he proceeded to make 
 some improvements. Two years later, he pur- 
 chased eighty acres of his present farm, and has 
 since added to this original tract, until he now 
 owns two hundred and one and a-lialf acres, on 
 which he has erected lirst-class buildings. He has 
 brought his property under a high state of culti- 
 vation, and is numbered among the thrifty and 
 prosperous farmers of Douglas Township. Mr. 
 Laney helped to make the switch at La Ilogue. 
 The land on which the village was stiirted be- 
 longed to T. J. Laney, a lirother, and a Mr. Hogue. 
 The name of tlie village w.as formed by adding 
 one syllable of iMr. Laney 's name to that of .Mr. 
 Hogue. Mr. Laney started in life as a hired farm 
 hand, and by good business investment and care- 
 ful industry is now one of the most successful and 
 well-to-do farmers of his township. He is one of 
 the earliest settlers of this region, and has seen the 
 deer and wolves in all parts of this now fertile 
 farming section. At that time it was almost 
 wholly covered with water. In politics, Mr. Laney 
 is a supporter of the Democratic party and prin- 
 ciples, and has held man}- minor offices, such as 
 School Director and I'athmaster. Mrs. Laney is a 
 member of the Methodist E[)iscopal Church. 
 
 \Tj=^ LWIN lU'LL, who is extensively engaged 
 fel ^n farming and stock-iaising in Artesia 
 \L^' Township, is numbered among the early 
 settlers of the county, dating his residence from 
 18.53. He has lived in this township longer than 
 any other now residing in it. He was born in 
 Delaware County, Ohio, on the 27th of March, 
 1843. His father. Japheth Hull, w.as a native of 
 Crawford County, Ohio, born jMarcli 3, 1821, and 
 after attaining to mature years married, .March 3, 
 1842, Bets}- Lusk, a native of Genesee County, of 
 
486 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 N. Y., born November 1, 1822. In 1853, they 
 emigrated to Iroquois County, 111., locating in 
 what is now Onarga Townsliip, although the town- 
 ship was not then organized. A year later they 
 removed to what is now Artesia Township, set- 
 tling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres 
 near Buckley, wiiere they resided for twenty-one 
 years, and where the children grew to manhood and 
 womanhood. .Tapheth Hull engaged in farming, 
 and.lty his industry and enterprise won success. 
 At the time of his deatli be owned six hundred 
 and thirteen acres of well-improved land. He 
 died on the 25th of October, 187G, at the age of 
 fifty-five years. Japheth Hull was a i)rominent 
 man in political affairs. In an early day he was a 
 strong Abolitionist, being a conductor on the Un- 
 derground Railroad. On the rise of the Free Soil 
 party, be joined its ranks, and then the Republican 
 party, continuing in the last as long as he lived. 
 He had held a number of official positions; for 
 several terms he was a member of the Board of 
 Supervisors, and for sixteen years was Justice of 
 the Peace, besides holding minor offices. Socially 
 he was a Master Mason. In 1850, he went over- 
 land to California, whore he worked bp the 
 month and mined; he met with good success, 
 but lost -tSjOOO by loaning it to a man in 
 whom he had such confidence that he took his in- 
 dividual note. In 1853, he returned by Cape 
 Horn and New York City. The same year he 
 came on horseback to Iroquois County, and lo- 
 cated the farm he owned at the time of his death. 
 Returning to Ohio, he moved his family out by 
 teams. When he located here his nearest neighbor 
 on the north was four miles away; on the east 
 five miles; west, eighteen; and on the south thirt^^- 
 five miles. Their post-office was old Middleport, 
 at a distance of twenty-five miles. His widow is 
 still living, and although seventy years of age 
 is hale and hearty, and superintends the man- 
 agement of her farm. Unto this worthy couple 
 were born five children, two sous and three daugh- 
 ters, of whom four are yet living.' Elwin, Elmer, 
 Alice and Alwilda. Alma, the third in order of 
 birth, died March 3, 1872. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a lad of ten years 
 when with his parents he came to Iroquois County 
 
 where he has since made his home. He has wit- 
 nessed much of the growth and upbuilding of the 
 county, has aided in its development, and has 
 ever borne his part in its onward progress. He 
 was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, 
 and his educational advantages were those afforded 
 by the old-time subscription and labor district 
 schools of the neighborhood. On the 12th of 
 November, 1873, he was united in mairiage with 
 Sadie R. Kerns, daughter of Jacob and Hannah 
 (F]ntiekin) Kerns. ]Mrs. Hull was born in Chester 
 ("ounty. Pa., September 7, 1852, and is one of 
 eight children, of whom seven are still living. 
 Her father was born in the same county, February 
 12, 1815, being of German parentage. Her mother 
 was also born there Januar}' 7, 1819. In an 
 early day they moved to La Salle County, 111., and 
 in 1868 moved to Iroquois County, where she died 
 December 21, 1889, and he December 1, 1892. 
 He became (|uite an extensive farmer. Both he 
 and his wife were active workers in the Methodist 
 Church. Seven children graced the union of our 
 subject and his wife, of whom five are yet living, 
 namely: (xeorge J. born September 24, 1876; 
 Frank E., September 20, 1878; Cora Belle, Novem- 
 ber 4, 1880; Leo R., March 19, 1885; and Jay L, 
 August 23, 1889. Two died in infancy. 
 
 For a number of years after his marriage, Mr. 
 Hull resided on a part of the old home farm. On 
 the death of his father he received his share of the 
 estate. He continued to reside on the old home- 
 stead until the spring of 1888, when with his fam- 
 ily he removed to the farm on which he now re- 
 sides, on section 13, Artesia Township. He owns 
 three hundred and twenty acres of land, but also 
 operates seven hundred and thirty-nine acres ad- 
 ditional, belonging to the estate of E. R. Searles. 
 He engages principally in stock-raising, breed- 
 ing horses, cat tie and hogs, but makes a specialty 
 of thorough-bred cattle. He is one of the largest 
 stock farmers in this section, and in his business 
 he is meeting with excellent success, being now 
 numbered among Artesia Township's substantial 
 residents. 
 
 In his social relations, Mr. Hull is a member of 
 Buckley Lodge No. G34, A. F. A A. M.; and of 
 Mt. Olivet Coiumaudery No. 38, K. T,, of Paxtou, 
 
4^ 
 
 
 ^ 
 S 
 
 ^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 489 
 
 In politics he is a Republican, and a stalwart ad- 
 vocate of t'le principles of thai party. He has 
 held the oHice of School Director and School Trea- 
 surer for many years, and does all in his power 
 for tlie advancement of the cause of education, 
 lie is now serving his thirteenth year as Highway 
 Cumniissioner, and has been Treasurer of the Board 
 of Commissioners for twelve yeais, the prompt 
 and faithful manner in which he performs his 
 duties having led to his frequent re-election. He 
 is a man of sterling worth, a valued citizen of the 
 community, and well deserves representation in 
 the history of his adopted county. Mrs. Hull is a 
 member of the Methodist Church, and a most es- 
 timable ladv. 
 
 'Tp\OBERT WOODAUD FOSTER, a prominent 
 Lss^ merchant of Sheldon, who for eleven years 
 A % lias engaged in the furniture business in 
 that place, claims North Carolina as tiie 
 State of his nativity. His birth occurred in North- 
 ampton County on the 3d of April, 1821), and he 
 is one of a family of ten children. The parents, 
 .lames and Sarah (Hicks) Foster, were natives of 
 North Carolina. The ancestors of our subject 
 were a long-lived people, and his paternal grand- 
 father reached the very advanced age of <me hun- 
 dred and eight years. James Foster was a farmer by 
 occupation, and in 1830 removed with his family 
 to Ohio, settling in Logan County, near Zanes- 
 field, where he spent the greater part of his life. 
 Of the family only four children are yet living. 
 The elder brother resides in Battle Creek, Mich., 
 and the two sisters are living in Middleburgh, Ohio. 
 At tlie .age of sixteen years, the subject of this 
 sketch started out in life for himself and earned 
 his livelihood by working .as a farm hand. In 
 1856, he came to Iroquois County, but ere his re- 
 removal West he was married in Ohio to Miss 
 Hulda In^kcep, daughter of Job and Sarah Inskecp. 
 Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
 were among the early pioneers of (Jhio. Her fa- 
 ther was born in Virginia, and iu the usual man- 
 
 22 
 
 ner of farmer lads was reared to manhood. The 
 common" schools afforded him his educational 
 privileges. After arriving at man'.s estate, he led 
 to the marriage altar Miss Sarah Sharp, a native of 
 Ohio, and by their union they became the parents 
 of nine children. Of this family six are yet liv- 
 ing, namely: Levi, who is now living a retired 
 life in the Buckeye State; John and Isaac, who 
 also make their homes in Ohio; Amos, who re- 
 sides in Iroquois County, 111.; Eliza, now the widow 
 of Mr. Slakes, and also a resident of Iroquois 
 County; Hulda, wife of our subject; and Sarah 
 Ann, wife of Ah Morton, a resident of Ohio. 
 
 Mrs. Foster was also born in the Buckeye State, 
 and in the days of her maidenhood attended its 
 public schools. The marriage of our subject and 
 his wife was celebrated on the 20th of ]March, 
 1851, and unto them were born three children, 
 but only one is now living, Annetta, wife of Mah- 
 lon Inskeep, a resident of Iroquois County. For 
 forty-one years Mr. and Mrs. Foster have trav- 
 eled life's journey together, sharing its adversity 
 and prosperity, its sorrows and joys. 
 
 On his removal to this county, Mr. Foster era- 
 barked in farming, which he followed success- 
 fully until 1862. The Civil War was then in 
 progress and, feeling that the country needed his 
 services, he responded to the call for troops on the 
 7th of August, joining the boys in blue of Com- 
 pany E, Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry. lie was 
 with Grant on his m.arch to Mcksbui'g, and was at 
 Holly Springs at the time of Van Dorn's raid 
 upon that place. From there he went to Mem- 
 phis, where he remained until the siege of Vicks- 
 burg. In August, 1863, he returned home on a 
 fui lough. His leave of absence was granted him 
 on account of illness, which developed into a se- 
 vere attack of typhoid fever. After remaining at 
 home for about six months, he rejoined his regi- 
 ment at Bl.ack River Bridge, east of Vicksburg, 
 where he remained during the siege, after which 
 he was sent to Mound City Hospital, in the fall of 
 1864. Three weeks later he was sent home on 
 account of disability. He received his discharge 
 and was mustered out of service in Galveston on 
 the 2d of August, 1865. and was paid off in Chicago 
 on the 25th of the same month. He still feels the 
 
490 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 effects of his arnij' service and lias never been 
 quite llie man ])liysically that lie was before he 
 experienced the pri vatioiis and exposures of army 
 life. 
 
 When the war was over, Mv. Foster returned 
 home and resumed farming, but in 187;') aban- 
 doned that pursuit and removed to .Sheldon, 
 where he was employed by W. Sherman in the 
 lumber business for a short time. Soon afterward 
 he formed a partnership with Richard Carroll 
 and bought out his employer, remaining in the 
 business for about a year, when ho sold out and 
 engaged in the flour and feed business. He after- 
 wards added a stock of groceries and carried on 
 operations in that line until lcS81, when he sold 
 out and opened a fuinituie store. He carries a 
 full and complete stock of goods in this line and 
 has built up an e.xcellent trade, which has con- 
 stantly increased from the beginning. His liberal 
 patronage is well deserved, and his success is but 
 the just reward of liis efforts. 
 
 Mr. Foster is a member of the Masonic frater- 
 nity, belonging to Sheldon J^odge No. 609, A. F. 
 & A. M. He also holds membershi|) with A. li. 
 Brown Post No. 151, G. A. R., and the Patriotic 
 Order of Sons of America. In religions belief, he 
 is a Methodist, and he votes the Republican 
 ticket. He has long supported the men and meas- 
 ures of the Republican party and takes quite an 
 interest in political affairs. His first Presidential 
 vote was cast for (ien. Winfield Scott. He has 
 been honored with a number of public offices, 
 having served as .liistice of the Peace in Stock- 
 land Townslii|) and as Commissioner of Highways. 
 He was also Siqiervisor for a number of years. 
 
 Mr. Foster's career has be(ai a prosperous one, 
 owing to his well-directed efforts, his industry and 
 enterprise. He also attributes much of his success 
 to the aid of his faithful wife, whose counsel and 
 advice have been of much benefit to him. She 
 has ever been ready to do liei- part, and has worked 
 nobly and faithfully by his side. Mr. Foster is 
 a man of great generosity and benevolence, and 
 the poor and needy are never turned from his 
 door emiity-handed. They have found in him a 
 friend, and many |)oor widows and little children 
 have reason to remember him with gratitude for 
 
 home. 
 
 his kindly assistance. Instead of hoarding up his 
 )30Ssessions, he has considered them a trust placed 
 in his care and lias given liberally of his means 
 to aid others. The public duties of Mr. Foster 
 were ever proini)tly and faithfully performed, 
 and he is one of Sheldon's most iiighly respected 
 citizens. His pleasant, genial disposition endears 
 him to all who know him, and he has won many 
 friends. 
 
 ROF. .JOHN RILEY FREEBERN, Princi- 
 i jial of the Onarga public schools, and one 
 of the promin'ent and influential citizens, 
 is a native of the State which is yet his 
 He was born in Granville, III., on the 17th 
 of October, 1858, and is of Scotch and Irish de- 
 scent. His father, Archibald P^reebern, was a na- 
 tive of Scotland, and his mother, who bore the 
 maiden name of IMaiT Riley, was born on the Em- 
 erald Isle. When quite young, the}' were brougiit 
 by their respective families to this country, and 
 were reared to manhood and womanhood in the 
 State of Nevy- York, where their marriage was cele- 
 brated. At length they determined to try their 
 fortune in the West, and in 1854 emigrated to 
 Illinois, locating upon a farm near Granville, 
 where they resided for about twelve years, and 
 then removed to the village. The mother died on 
 the 17th of J u!}', 187S), and the father November 
 19, 1892. Their family numbered eight children, 
 six sons and two daughters: George J., John Riley, 
 William T., Elmer E.. Annie E., Jeannie, Archie W., 
 and Roscoe H. The children are all living except 
 Jeannie, who died in infancy. 
 
 Our subject has spent his entire life in this State, 
 and was reared to manhood under the parental 
 roof. After attending the common schools, he en- 
 tered the Granville High School, from which he 
 was graduated. In early life he displayed special 
 aptitude in his studies, and, not content with the 
 educational advantages he had already received, 
 after completing the course in Granville, he at- 
 tended Wheaton College, and subsequently was a 
 student in the Normal University, of Normal, 111. 
 
rORTHAlT AXI) BIOGUAI'HICAL IJECOKD. 
 
 lit I 
 
 On leaving school, he embarked in the profession 
 of teaching, which he has since followed. For ten 
 years he was employed as a teacher in Putnam 
 County, being for the last two years of that time 
 Principal of the schools in Hennepin. lie then 
 came to Iroquois County, and was Principal 
 of- the Ashkum schools for about a year. He 
 then received an appointment as Principal of the 
 Onarga public schools, and in September, 1890, 
 entered upon the duties of tliat position, which he 
 has since filled. He is now serving Ills third year, 
 and gives excellent satisfaction. 
 
 On the 7th of .luly, 1888, Prof. Freebern was 
 joined in wedlock witli Miss Lola A. Ilolsburg, 
 daughter of Dr. D. 15. and Rebecca (Adams) Hols- 
 burg, of (Traaville. One child lias I)een born of 
 their union, a son, Walter II., born September 18, 
 1881. The Professor and his wife are leading citi- 
 zens of this community, widely and favorably 
 known, and in social circles where true worth is 
 received as the passport into good society, they 
 rank high. Mr. Freebern iiolds membership with 
 Onarga Lodge Xc>. 208, I. O. O. F., and in politics, 
 is a supporter of Hcpublican principles. Highly 
 educated iiimself, he h.as the al)ility to impart 
 knowledge to others, and is an able instructor. He 
 has won the commendation of the community- in 
 which lie is now employed, and the schools of On- 
 arga are in a prosperous and thriving condition 
 under his leadership. 
 
 EVI O. LOCKWOOD, a physician of La 
 (?S, Ilogue, was born at Denmark, Lee County, 
 _^;^ Iowa, Ma\' 7, 1849. He is a son of Hiram 
 1,. and Hannah (Smitii) Lockwood. The progeni- 
 tors of the Lock wood family came from .Scotland 
 and settled in Massachusetts. The grandfather, 
 Timothy Lockwood, was a Vermont farmer, and 
 in that State the father w.as born. When a joung 
 man he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he mar- 
 ried Miss Smith, who was born in Clermont 
 County. Ohio. He was a builder by trade and 
 also a millwriglit, wliich occupations he followed 
 
 for manj' 3'ears. In 18-17 thcj- came by way of 
 the rivers to Ft. Madison, Iowa, locating in Lee 
 County, where Mr. Lockwood built nulls and car- 
 ried on farming. In 1877 the family removed to 
 Hollyrood, Ellsworth County, Kan., wliere the 
 parents still live. The father lias now reached the 
 age of seventy-nine years and the mother seventy- 
 eight. Politically, the father w.is an .Abolitionist, 
 and later a Republican. Roth lie and ids wife are 
 consistent members of the Congrogaticjnal Church. 
 They had a family- of six children, of whom two 
 sons and two daughters are now living. 
 
 Our subject is the fiftli child in his father's fam- 
 ily, and w.as reared on a farm. Since fifteen years 
 of age he has lieen working for himself. Having 
 attended the district schools of his native county 
 until thirteen years of age, he entered Denmark 
 Academy, working his wa^- to pay his tuition. 
 When about si.Kteen lie began teaching school, at 
 which he engaged for some eight years, using the 
 means thus ac<iuired to obtain a higher education. 
 After graduating from the acadeni}' he spent a 
 year at Ikdoil College, at Beloit, Wis., and a year 
 at Hillsdale, ]Mich., having read medicine with 
 Prof. .1. M. Angear, the professor of the Keokuk 
 zMedical College, now practicing in Chicago. He 
 also studied with Dr. R. W. Barr, of Ferris, 111. 
 He entered the Keokuk Medical College in 1874, 
 taking two courses of lectures, and in 187.") began 
 practicing with Dr. Barr, at Ferris. In 1876 he 
 removed to lloUj'rood, Kan., and four years later 
 was graduated from the Keokuk Medical College, 
 but continued to practice in Kansas until 1882. 
 The following Februaiy he located at La Ilogue, 
 where he has an extensive practice and is ac- 
 counted a physician of good ability and exper- 
 ience. 
 
 In Burlington, Iowa. Dr. Lockwood led to the 
 marriage altar Mrs. Susan JIaynard, the ceremony 
 being |)erformed .Vugust 17, 1880. She i.s a d:iiigh- 
 ter of Daniel and Eliza . I. (Logan) Edmonds, na- 
 tives of New York and Indiana res|iectively. In 
 early life they emigrated to Henderson County, 
 III., where they became acquainted. Mr. Edmonds 
 in former days used to go to Wisconsin, get out 
 lumber and shingles, raft tiiem down the river, 
 and sell them at the river towns, lie furnished 
 
492 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 much of the lumber used in building the Mormon 
 Temple at Nauvoo, 111. His accumulations he in- 
 vested in land and became an extensive land- 
 owner. He was a Republican in polities, and for 
 a term hehl the olticc of County Judge. About 
 1858 his wife died, and subsequently he married 
 again. P>y his first wife he had three sons and a 
 daughter, and by his second marriage a daughter. 
 i\Irs. Lockwood is a native of Henderson County, 
 111. Of her first marriage she had two children. 
 Lucy and Hattie. Unto Dr. Lockwood and his 
 wife have been born three children: Ella M., Ed- 
 mond and Winnefred. 
 
 Politically, tiie Doctor affiliates with the l{cpub- 
 lican party. For tliree years he held the position 
 of Postmaster at Holly rood, Kan. While there he 
 belonged to the Central Kansas Medical Associa- 
 tion. He has extensive landed interests, with his 
 wife owning five hundred and thirteen acres in 
 Iroquois County, and three hundred and twent}^ 
 acres in Kansas. They are both active members 
 of the Methodist Ejiiscopal Church, of which he is 
 both Steward and Trustee. Dr. Lockwood is a 
 successful physician and an enterprising citizen, 
 and is very extensively known and much respected 
 throughout the county. 
 
 ■^OHN HALL BISHOP, undertaker and 
 dealer in furniture, is the pioneer repre- 
 sentative in his line of business in the county. 
 ^^ He established business in Watseka in 1862. 
 His life record is as follows: He was born in West- 
 minster, Windham County, Vt., March 5, 1818, 
 and is a son of Timothy and Ruth (Hall) Bishoi). 
 His father was a soldier of the War of 1812, and 
 was descended from an old New England family 
 of English origin. His death occurred in Rock- 
 ingham, Windham County, Vt., in 1840. The mo- 
 ther of our subject was born in Walpole, N. H., 
 and died in Saxon River, A'^t. 
 
 John H. Bishop was reared at that place and 
 was' educated in its public schools. After attain- 
 ing to mature years, he was married, (on the I4th 
 of l''cliruar\', 1842, in Grafton, Vt., to Miss Eliza- 
 
 beth M. Colby) who was born in that place and 
 was a daughter of James Colby. (Mr. and Mrs. 
 Bishop have one son, Frank, and an adopted daugh- 
 ter, Gertie M., now the wife of Charles Edinger, 
 of Watseka. Frank married MissTude Reese, and 
 is connected with the Chicago stock yards. 
 
 In 1843, Mr. Bishop removed with his family to 
 Worcester, Mass., where he was employed in agri- 
 cultural shops, having prcvif)usly served a regular 
 apprenticeship in Rockingham, Vt., to the cabinet- 
 maker's trade. In September, 1856, he removed 
 from Worcester to Middleport, Iroquois County-, 
 111., where he worked at the trade of carpentering 
 and house-building until 1862, when he bought 
 out Mr. S. M. Hogle, who had started in the furni- 
 ture business there in 1854. Mr. Bishop carried 
 on business in Middleport until 1864, when he re- 
 moved to Watseka, where he li.as carried on busi- 
 ness continuously since. In Middleport, he was 
 associated with H. P. Laroclie and the partnership 
 was continued after the removal to Watseka and up 
 to the time of Mr. Laroche's going to -California. 
 Recently, Mr. Laroche has rejoined his old partner 
 and is manager and foreman of the shops. In 
 1889, Air. Bishop was burned out and suffered 
 much loss, but resumed business at once, and since 
 the completion of the Herschler Block has occupied 
 one of the stores on the ground floor for a sales- 
 room and has built up a good trade. 
 
 On the 14th of February, 1882, Mrs. Bishop was 
 called to her final rest. She was a member of the 
 Baptist Church, was a consistent Christian and an 
 exemplary wife and mother. On Thanksgiving- 
 Day of 1884, Mr. Bishop was again married, his 
 second union being with Mrs. Marian M. Blue, 
 widow of .John Blue, and a daughter of Benjamin 
 Hill. Slie is a native of Lockport, N. Y. She be- 
 longs to the Methodist Church and is a highly es- 
 teemed member of the society. 
 
 Mr. Bishop is also a member of tlie Methodist 
 Church. Sociall}', he belongs to Iroquois Lodge 
 No. 74, I. O. O. F., of which he has been Treasurer 
 for twenty-six years; and to Iroquois Encampment 
 No. 81. He is also a member of Watseka Lodge 
 No. 446, A. F. & A.M., of which he has been Tyler 
 for twenty-four years, and is a member of Watseka 
 Chapter No. 114, R. A. M., and Kankakee Com- 
 
' ^> "" 
 
 >^^ ^..^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL Rl-XORD. 
 
 495 
 
 mandery No. 33, K. T. In politics, lie is a stanch 
 Republieau and lias been an Alderman of the Wat- 
 seka Common Council for twelve years and City 
 Treasurer for two years. 
 
 Mr. liishop has now been a resident of Watseka 
 and Jliddleport for thirty years and is esteemed 
 by its citizens .as an upriglit and lionorablc man. 
 Modestand un.assuming in manner, hut always reli- 
 able, he h.as never sought distinction, but his 
 brethren of tiic three links and those of the square 
 ftnd comfmss have shown their regard for iiim by 
 keeping him continuously in office for iii)wards of 
 a quarter of a century. 
 
 
 \T SAAC WIIITTED, a self-made man and well-to- 
 ll do farmer residing on section 26, Artesia 
 i! Township, claims North Carolina as the .State 
 of his nativity. lie was born in Chatham County' 
 on the 24tii of August, 1822, and is a son of .Jona- 
 than and Nanc3' (Clark) Whitted, both of whom 
 were natives of North Carolina. Their family 
 numbered thirteen children, including Isa.ac. El- 
 bridge, Mary Ann, Kncch, .Sarali Jane, Andrew 
 .lackson, William, Caroline, Rosella; Ilezckiali, 
 who died when about seven years of age; Jolin 
 Tliomas, who died in the prime of life; and two 
 who died in infancy. Seven of the family are yet 
 living. It was in 1834 that Jonathan Whitted re- 
 moved with his family to Indiana, and took up 
 eighty acres of Government land. He soon after- 
 ward went to Annapolis, Ind.,aiid in Parke County 
 followed his trade of coopering, which he had 
 learned in early life. He there resided for m.tny 
 years, but died in A'ermillion County, Ind., in 
 18C7. His wife p.assed away ten vears previous, 
 her death occurring in Iowa. 
 
 In the State of his nativity, Isaac Whitted spent 
 the first twelve yeai-s of his life, and then accom- 
 panied his parents on their removal to Indiana, 
 where he was reared to manhood. Farming h.ns 
 ever been his principal occupation. On the 16th 
 of January, 1845, he was first married, the Lady of 
 his choice being Miss Mary Pierson, daughter of 
 William and Mary (Anderson) Pierson, of In- 
 
 diana. Five children was born of this union: 
 Andrew J., born October 25. 1845; Rebecca Ann., 
 August M, 1849; Lydia Ellen, December 24, 1852; 
 Charles Sumner, February 11, 1857; and William 
 Allen, June 26, 1860. These are all now deceased. 
 Rebecca Ann grew to womanhood, and became the 
 wife of Allen Nulin, of .\rtcsia Townshi|), bj' 
 whom she had two children. Andrew M. and Clara 
 A., who are still living. Our siiliject's first wife 
 died on the 2:5d of May, 1X62. and Is.nac 
 Whitted was again married, on tiie 21sl of May, 
 1863, his second union being with Miss Emily 
 Stafford, daughter of Thomas and Edith Stafford, 
 who were then residents of Indiana, but came 
 originally from North Carolina. 
 
 Unto our subject and his second wife were born 
 seven children: Nancy Estella, born June 3, 1864, 
 is the wife of WilHam Hakcr, a resident of lUick- 
 ley, by whom she has two children. Aria and 
 George; Edith Adella, born l^eptember 12, 1866; 
 Mary EHie, March 22, 1868; Perly ( 1., November 18, 
 186<»; Fred Elbridge, August 21. 1871; Cora Avis, 
 .\pril 13, 1873; and Birdie L., April 20. 1875. 
 Perly died in infancj', and Edith .A. died March 
 31. 1889. She was the wife of Joseph Stevens, 
 and at her death left a son, Isaac Lero3'. The other 
 five children are all yet living, but the mother of 
 this family was called to her final rest on the 4th 
 of August, 1875. 
 
 Mr. Whitted left Indiana in 18(>5 and came to 
 Illinois, purchasing a farm of two hundred .acres of 
 land on section 15, Artesia Townsliip, where he 
 made his home for seventeen 3-ears. He was in- 
 dustrious and enterprising, and as the time p.assed 
 and his financial resources were increased, he 
 added to his jjossessions until he owned five hun- 
 dred and twent^v acres of well-improved land, 
 which yielded to him a golden tribute in return 
 for his care and cultivation. In I8H2,hc removed 
 to his farm on section 26, where he purchiised one 
 hundred and twenty-seven .acres of land adjoining 
 the corporation limits of Buckley on the east, an<I 
 he iiere now makes his home. In politics, he is a 
 supporter of Republican principles, his first Presi- 
 dential vote being cast for Henry Cl.ay. Mr. 
 Whitted started out in life empty-handed, with 
 nothing but a young man's briglit ho|)e of the 
 
496 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 future and a determination to succeed, but relying 
 upon his own energies, he has worked his way up- 
 ward li\- his ability and good management, and 
 has now a comfortable competence as the reward 
 of his own labors. His example is worth^^of emu- 
 lation, and may well serve to encourage others 
 who, like himself, have to depend merely upon 
 their own resources. 
 
 YPOLITI P. I.AROCHE, one of the early 
 settlers of Middleport and Walseka, who 
 has been prominently identified with the 
 undertaking and furniture business of tliose 
 places for manj^ 3ears, is now associated with J. II. 
 Bishop in that line of trade in Watseka. Mr. La- 
 roche was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 12th 
 of December, 1837, and is a son of Hypoliti and 
 Sophia (Favralu) J^aroclie, both of whom were na- 
 tives of Montreal. 
 
 In 1855, our subject came to Illinois with his 
 parents and the famil3' settled in Kankakee, whore 
 tiie3' spent a year. The}' then removed to Middle- 
 port, Iroquois County, but three years later, in 186!), 
 the parents returned to Kankakee. The motlier 
 died in 1879, and the father, who survived her, 
 passed away in Watseka in 1882. From the time 
 when he came with his parents our subject has been 
 a resident of this county. On locating in Middle- 
 port, he worked with IIenr_y Hogle, a wagon- 
 maker, until the death of his employer in 1858, 
 after which he engaged with Mr. Barnham, a cabi- 
 net-maker, under Leander Hogle as foreman. In 
 1860, he bought out his employer and conducted 
 the business until 1861, when he sold out and 
 formed a partnership with Mr. Hogle in the same 
 line of trade. In 1864, .John H. Bishop bought 
 out the interest of Leander Hogle and the busi- 
 ness was continued by the lirm of Bishop it La- 
 roche until 1868, when our subject sold out and 
 went to California. He spent two years on the 
 Pacific Coast in California and Oregon and then 
 returned to Watseka. His next venture was to 
 buy an interest in the furniture store of his former 
 
 partner, Mr. Bishop, with whom he was associated 
 until 1880, when he again sold out and went to 
 Colorado. He then spent two j-ears in mining 
 speculation in that State, returning to Watseka in 
 1882. Once more he engaged in business, and 
 through giving too much credit lost heavil}' and 
 closed out. Afterward he once more formed a 
 connection with J. H. Bishop in the old line, that 
 of furniture and undertaking, acting .as foreman, 
 which connection has continued until the present 
 time. Their relations have alwa_ys been of the 
 pleasantest kind and are characterized by mutual 
 confidence. 
 
 On the 1st of .Tanuary, 1861, in Middleport, Mr. 
 Larociie was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
 mon}' with Miss Celanier La Bonty, who died on 
 the 6th of March, 1868. In his social relations, he 
 is a member of Watseka Lodge No. 446, A. F. ct A- 
 M.; Watseka Chapter No. 114, R. A. M., Iroquois 
 Lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F.; and Iroquois Encamp- 
 ment No. 81, of the same order, all of Watseka. 
 In politics, Mr. Laroche is a Republican and has 
 served two years as Alderman in the City Council. 
 It is no flattery to say of him that he enjoys the 
 confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens in a 
 marked degree, for they esteem him- highly as an 
 upright and honorable man. 
 
 
 ^.^.^..j.^.^ 
 
 ILLIAMS. B.\R\F:s, junior member of the 
 , r^iii firm of Doolittle Ar Barnes, who operates a 
 'w^j large creamery and is a successful busines* 
 man of Onarga Township, has the honor of Ijcing 
 a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in 
 Du Page County on the 20th of August, 1849. 
 His parents, Horace and Louisa (Seeley) Barnes, 
 were both natives of the Green Mountain State, 
 and a sketch of their lives appears elsewhere in 
 this work. They were numbered among the early 
 settlers of Du Page County, and our subject spent 
 the greater part of his boyhood and youth upon 
 his father's farm in that locality. During the 
 winter months he attended the public schools and 
 in the summer season worked in the fields. With 
 the family he came to Iroquois County in 1867, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 I'.t; 
 
 and lias liere since made liis home. Thoiigli not 
 sixteen years of age, lie enlisted in April, 1865, in 
 Company H, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois 
 Infantry, and served about six months. 
 
 Mr. 15arncs was united in marriage December 16, 
 1871, with Miss Ella Harper, daughter of Samuel 
 H. and Mary (Lehigh) Harper, of this county. 
 Their union has been blessed with two children, 
 both daughters, Louisa .1. and Florence. 
 
 In 1884, Mr. Harnes formed a partnership with 
 Klkanah Doolittle, who is a resident of Onarga. 
 Our subject manages the business and is the resi- 
 dent partner. They own a large creamerj' witli 
 a capacity of one thousand pounds of butter per 
 day. This is located on the farm of Mr. Doolittle, 
 which comprises three hundred acres of land in 
 Onarga Township. The farm, however, is con- 
 trolled by Mr. Harnes, who has had charge of it for 
 fifteen years. The firm owns about fifty head of 
 milch cows, and an excellent quality of butter is 
 manufactured, the product of their creamery being 
 shipped to the New Orleans market, where it finds 
 a ready sale. Socially, he is a member of W. A. 
 Babcock Post No. 416, G. A. R., of Onarga. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Barnes is a sup- 
 porter of Republican principles, .and in religious 
 belief he is a I'resbyterian, holding membership 
 with the church in Onarga. He possesses good 
 business ability, is enterprising and industrious, 
 and as the result of his well-directed efforts has 
 met success in his undertakings. 
 
 ~'OIlN .^I.CAFFERTV, who owns and oper- 
 ates three hundred and twenty-five acres of 
 valuable land in Artesia Township, pleas- 
 .intly situated about a mile from Buckley, 
 was born near Crawfordsville, in Jlontgomery 
 Count}-, Ind., May 16, 1843, and is one of seven 
 children, whose parents were David and Martha 
 (Canine) McCafferty, the former a native of Ohio 
 and the latter of Kentucky. Grandfather McCaf- 
 ferty emigrated from the Highlands of Scotland. 
 In 185.">, David McCafferty removed with his fam- 
 ily to this Sliile, locating in Gridley Township, 
 
 McLean County, near the [jresent site of Gridley. 
 The farm which he |)urchased contained two hun- 
 dred and fifty-live acres of land, and to its cultiva- 
 tion and improvement he devoted his energies un- 
 til his death, which occurred in 1871. His wife 
 had died previously. The children f)f their family 
 wei'c Richard, Sarah JCllen. .lohn. Mary Melissa, 
 Anna, James K. and William S. 
 
 Mr. McCafferty, whose name heads this record, 
 spent the first twelve years of his life in his native 
 State, and then came with his parents to Illinois, 
 where he was reared to manhood in tlie usual 
 manner of farmer lads. He was well trained in 
 the labors of the field, and his educational pi'ivi- 
 leges were those which the common schools af- 
 forded. After attaining his majority he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Margaret Snyder, 
 daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Schultz) Sny- 
 der, their union being celebrated on Christmas 
 Eve of 1868. ^Irs. JlcCafferty was born in Brown 
 County, Ohio, on the 1st of August. 184.T. Her 
 parents had two children who were born in 
 Germany. Coming to America, they spent most 
 of their lives in Ohio, where her father carried on 
 fanning and dairying. Both died in Ohio. Mr». 
 ^McCafferty is one of a family of nine children, of 
 whom eight are still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
 McCafferty have been born four children, three 
 daughters and a son. as follows: Carrie Ann is 
 now the wife of Weslc}- Lock, a farmer residing 
 about two miles from Gridley, III.; Mary Jose- 
 phine, a graduate of the State Normal School, of 
 Normal, 111., is a teacher by profession; Florence E. 
 and John Albert are still at home. 
 
 It was about the year 1865 that iMr. .McCaf- 
 ferty began farming for himself on an eighth- 
 acre tract of land in McLean County, where he 
 resided from that time until the spring of 1H<)2. 
 He then came to Iroquois County, III. In the 
 meantime he had added to his original farm and 
 extended its boundaries by additional purchase 
 until he owned two hundred acres of valuable 
 land, which he sold (m coming to this county. 
 For several years he engaged extensively in the 
 breeding of hogs, but now devotes his time and 
 attention principally to farming. In the winter 
 of 1891-92, lie |)urcli.nsed his present farm, to 
 
498 
 
 PORTHATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 which he removed in^tlie sprint;. U i.s a well- 
 iin|)roved pl.aee and already shows the impress 
 of the ownei's industry and enterprise, which 
 arc numbered among his cliief characteristics. 
 Viewed from a linancial standpoint, Mr. IMcCaf- 
 ferty's life has been a successful one. He is a man 
 of good business ability, and by well-directed ef- 
 forts he has acquired a handsonie competence, 
 which classes him among the successful farmers of 
 the community. His life has been well and worthily 
 spent, and his upright character has won him high 
 regard. All the family are members of the Chris- 
 tian Church, and are numbered among the best 
 citizens of the communit}'. In politics, he is a 
 supporter of Democratic principles. Socially, lie 
 is a Mason. 
 
 fiHOMAS JOHN has the honor of being a 
 native of Iroquois County and is a repre- 
 sentative of one of the early families. His 
 father, Lemuel John, was born in Adams County, 
 Ohio, May 8, 1807, and was a son of Thomas and 
 Nancy John. He grew to manhood upon a farm 
 and acquired his education in the common schools, 
 hut his advantages were limited. When a young 
 man of twenty-four years he emigrated to Illinois, 
 in 1831, and cast in his lot with the early settlers of 
 Milford Township, Iroquois Countj-, where he en- 
 tered land from the (Tovcrnment. Subsequentlj-, 
 he sold that claim to Mr. Yennum and removed 
 to Belmont Townshii). He was married in that 
 township about 1836 to Miss Catherine William- 
 son, a native of Adams County, Oliio, and unto 
 them wei-e born the following children: William, 
 who died in childhood; Sarah, wife of George 
 Wilson, of Nebraska; Nancy, wife of Robert Clif- 
 ton, a resident farmer of Ash Grove Township; 
 Thomas, of this sketch; and Samuel, who is living 
 retired in Woodland. When Lemuel John came to 
 this county he was in limited circumstances, but 
 by industry and enterprise he worked his way up- 
 ward and gained a comfortable home. His death 
 occurred in Belmont Township, November 30, 
 
 1847, at the age of forty-one years. His wife sur- 
 vived him twenty years, passing away on the 10th 
 of May, 1867. They had experienced all the pri- 
 vations and hardships of pioneer life, and at the 
 time of the Black Hawk War were forced to leave 
 their home and Hee to tiic fdit In Danville for 
 protection. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born on the old 
 homestead in Belmont Township, October 29, 1841, 
 and was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier 
 life. As soon as old enough to handle the plow, 
 he began farming, and at a very earl^' age the 
 management of the homestead fell upon his young 
 shoulders. With the assistance of his mother, he 
 carried on the home farm and attended to all of 
 the business interests. Throughout his entire life, 
 he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock- 
 raising. The old homestead is now in his possession 
 and he owns four hundred and fift3'-five acres of 
 arable laud. His home is a hand.some and com- 
 modious residence which is supplemented by good 
 barns and all other necessary outbuildings, and 
 these are surrounded by waving fields of grain 
 which yield abundant harvests as the reward for 
 the care and cultivation bestowed upon them. 
 The farm is one of the desirable places in Belmont 
 Township. 
 
 On the 23d of October, 1867, INlr. .lohn was mar- 
 ried in Milford Township Ui Elizabeth V. Webster, 
 a native of Ohio and a daughter of Robert and 
 Mary J. Webster, with whom she came to Illinois 
 from Indiana. Her parents are now residents of 
 Milford. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John have been born 
 the following children: Catherine Edith, wife of 
 Isaac W. Kirby, a farmer of Belmont Township; 
 Lillian and Elizabeth V.,both of whom are engaged 
 in teaching school; Eloise, who was educated in 
 Hoopeston and is now keeping house for her father; 
 Sarah M. and Lemuel, at home. The children were 
 all born and reared on the home fa;rm. The mother 
 of this family died March 30, 1891, and lier loss 
 was mourned by man^' friends as well as her im- 
 mediate family, for she was a lady of many excel- 
 lencies of character and won the love of all who 
 knew her. She died in the faith of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, her membership being in Wood- 
 land. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOCHAl'IMCAL RECORD. 
 
 1(11 
 
 Although not a niembei- of the i'h\nTh,Mr. .loliii 
 has contiibuterl liberally to its support; neitliei- is 
 his aid withheld from any enterprise calculated to 
 prove of public good. He is a nienihei- of the Ma- 
 sonic fiateniily and of the Odd Fellows' society. 
 In 18(;0, he ca.st his first Presidential vote for 
 Slephen A. Douglas and has since been a supporter 
 of the Democratic party on questions of State and 
 National importance, but at local elections he sup- 
 ports the man whom he thinks best qualified for 
 the office, regardless of party atliliations. Mr. John 
 has had to make his own way in the world, but by 
 his i)erseverance, enterprise and good business 
 ability he has secured a handsome competence and 
 become a successful and leading farmer of the 
 community, lie is numbered among the leading 
 and influential citizens of Belmont Township, 
 where he has made his home for the long period of 
 lifty-one years and is held in universal respect. 
 
 ll^-^ AMPTON S. UIXOX, a representative citi- 
 i|ji zen and leading farmer of Douglas Town- 
 ^V^ ship, carries on a farm on section (j. His 
 ^§) birth occurred in Ohester Township, Meigs 
 County, Ohio, January 23, 1831. He is a son of 
 Thomas and Mary (Xoithrup) Dixon. His pater- 
 nal grandfather emigrated from Virginia to Meigs 
 County, Ohio, where the father was born and 
 reared. The mother's father, when thirteen years 
 old, while pl.aying at Point Pleasant, on the Ohio 
 River, was captured by the Indians, who still fre- 
 q\iented that part of the country, and was held 
 captive by them for eight j-ears. He learned their 
 language and habits during that time, and it was 
 with ditJieulty that lie w.as induced to leave them. 
 The mother of our sul)ject was born in (iallia 
 County, Ohio. 
 
 After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, the^' 
 lived for some five years in Meigs County, but 
 in 183;j emigrated by waj' of the Ohio, Mississippi 
 and Illinois Rivers to La Salle County, 111. Hy 
 trade Mr. Dixon was a boat-builder until coming 
 to Illinois, after which he carried on farming. 
 Politically, he was a Whig and later a Republican. 
 
 Both he and his wife are members of the Jleth- 
 odist Episcopal Church. Their deaths occurred 
 within twenty-four hours of each other in Oska- 
 loosa, Iowa, in March, 1H8U, and they were buried 
 in the same grave in I.a Salle County, 111. They 
 were much respeli'ted and esteemed throughout 
 the .section in w^hich they dwelt. Of their fam- 
 ily of five sons and three daughters, only three 
 are now living: Francis Marion, a member of 
 Company II, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, was 
 killed ill the battle of Shiloh. Charles II., who 
 was in the same company and regiment, served 
 thirty-eight months and then re-enlisted in Han- 
 cock's ^■eteran Corps. He died of smallpox at 
 Washington, I). C. The living members of the 
 family are Hampton S.; James W., a farmer of 
 Iroquois County; and (ieorge AV.. a farmer of 
 North Dakota. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest of the family. He was 
 only four years of age when with his jiarents 
 he came to I-a Salle County. He was reared 
 on his father's farm and received a very lim- 
 ited education in the old-time schools. When 
 twenty years of age, he taught for one term, 
 boarding around, as was the custom in those days. 
 
 Mr. Dixon remained at home until ids marriage, 
 on the .5th of November. 18.5'2, his bride being 
 Nancy .1. TuUis, a native of Ohio, who emigrated 
 with her jjarents to La Salle County in 183o. Of 
 their union, seven children were born: Hannah 
 died when seventeen years of age; Mary died 
 at the age of eighteen; Essie, wife of A. S. 
 Sherwood, Jr., resides at Fillcy, Neb.; Alice, wife 
 of J. C. Howe, Jr., resides in Denver, Colo. Charles 
 H., basso singer in the l)u Pauw (Quartet, he entered 
 the University of Chicago at its grand opening 
 October 1, 18!)"2, to remain until his graduation in 
 the classical course. He expects to take up the pro- 
 fession of a minister. He led to the marriage 
 altar, July 2(5, 1892, Miss Mary David, daughter 
 of the Rev. Charles David, of Onarga, 111., and 
 they reside in Chicago. George, a farmer of Bea- 
 trice, Neb.; and Jennie, a teacher of Filley, Neb. 
 All of the children, with the exception of George 
 and Mary, have been teachers, and nearly all of 
 them attended the Onarga .Seminary. 
 
 On the 2Gth of Julv. 1881, Mr. Dixon was again 
 
502 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOaRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 married, the lady of his clioice being Mrs. Carrie 
 V. Jayne, nee Wright, who was born near La 
 Porte, lud., December 21, 1841. Slie is a daugh- 
 ter of Joseph Y. and Tabitha (Evans) Wrigiit. 
 Her paternal grandfatlier, Benjamin Wright, came 
 from P^ngland to Pennsylvania, where he mar- 
 ried a German l:id>', and later emigrated to Meigs 
 County, Ohio. Tiiere Mrs. Dixon's father was 
 V)orn. Her mother was born across the line in 
 West Virginia, though of Welsh extraction, her 
 father being a native of AVale*. At an early day 
 Mrs. Dixon's parents removed to Indiana, living 
 for a time at Terre Haute, then in Porter County, 
 and later in La Porte County, wiiere the father 
 died at the age of sixty. The mother lived to be 
 ninety-one years old. They were both members of 
 the Methodist Church until after the father's 
 death, when the mother joined the Christian 
 Church. Mr. Wright was a well-to-do farmer, and 
 was politically a Whig. 
 
 Mrs. ]~)ixon is the youngest of twelve chil- 
 (h'en, of whom nine are still living. She was 
 reared on a farm and her early education was 
 such as the district afforded. She received in- 
 structions from C. 1'. Snow, brother of Col. Snow, 
 at present Congressman. She supplemented her 
 education by a course of fifteen months' schooling 
 at the Valparaiso Normal School, then under the 
 auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 When sixteen years of age, she taught her first 
 school. In 1861, she came to Livingston County, 
 111., and began her successful career as a teacher. 
 In 1865, she entered Eureka College, from which 
 she was graduated the following year. For some 
 twenty-ftvc years she followed teaching in Liv- 
 ingston County. A year of that time she taught 
 in Major College, at Bloomington, also a year in 
 the Giboon schools and a j'ear in Gilman. She 
 was first married in Livingston County, Decem- 
 ber 25, 1868, to Milton O. Jayne, of Ohio, and a 
 teacher by profession. That calling he followed 
 for a number of years, and died July 18, 1876, in 
 Ford Count}-. Mrs. Dixon still owns a farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres in that county. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Dixon have one child, Carrie Maud. 
 
 Until thirty-eight years of age, our subject fol- 
 lowed farming as an occupation, and at that time 
 
 again turned his attention to teaching. He began 
 his school without a certificate, with the under- 
 standing that he would teach without remunera- 
 tion if he was not able to get the same. It is 
 needless to say that he did not teach for 
 nothing, for after the first term he received a 
 first-grade certificate and continued to hold one as 
 long as he taught. In March, 1875, he came to his 
 present home. The place was unimproved, only 
 fourteen acres of it having been broken. He now 
 owns one hundred and sixty acres, which are thor- 
 oughly tiled. For several years he has assisted J. W. 
 Zea in his grain office. He has been doing a real- 
 estate business, renting and looking after farms 
 for their owners. Mr. Dixon was a teacher for 
 over twenty years in La Salle, Ford and Iroquois 
 Counties. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Dixon is a Republican, his first 
 Presidential vote having been cast for Gen. Scott, 
 and his succeeding ballots have been given in sup- 
 port of the Republican nominees. He is a member of 
 the Central Committee from his district. In La 
 Salle County he was Deputy Sheriff for four years, 
 Constable sixteen years, and Township Clerk for 
 a year. He is now a member of the Hoard of 
 Commissioners for La Hogue Drainage District. 
 Both he and his wife are members of the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church of La Hogue, he having been 
 a Steward and Trustee since the organization of 
 the church. He has also been the Sunday-school 
 Superintendent for many years. Socially, he is a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity. Since coming 
 to this county, Mr. Dixon has written consider- 
 able for the local papers of the county. 
 
 On the anniversary of the eleventh wedding 
 day of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, their friends gave 
 them a pleasant surprise. Coming en masse, they 
 si)ent the da}' and remembered them with a fine 
 dinner set. Messrs. TuUis and Mace presented 
 them with silver knives and forks, and his chil- 
 dren gave to Mr. Dixon a gold-headed cane. He 
 has seen all the phases of jjioneer life. When his 
 father brought his family to La Salle County, 
 there were nine in the family to care for. and on 
 his arrival there he had butt's in money. Until a 
 log house could be erected, they were obliged to 
 live in a tent. In those d.ays shoes and clothing 
 
PORTRAIT AND BICKJRAPIIICAL RECORD. 
 
 503 
 
 were made at home. The father would often work 
 a whole da\- for a bushel of com, afterward car- 
 ryinfj it a. distance of three miles on his back 
 to the mill in order to have it ground. He 
 owned no team at first, but later had an ox- 
 team. At one time for nearly four months the 
 family had to live on pork and homin}' as they 
 were not able to get any corn ground. Mr. Dixon 
 has been Vice President and Superintendejit of 
 the agricultural department of the Ford County 
 Agricultural Association since its organization. 
 
 t^^ 
 
 ■^> 
 
 /A.|i C. .lOIINSOX, a prominent citizen and 
 @iU\\ honored pioneer of Iroijuois County, who 
 is now living retired in Woodland, well 
 deserves representation in this volume, 
 for during almost half a ccntur}' he has been con- 
 nected with the historj' of this community. A 
 native of Ohio, he was born in Columbus, .January 
 12, 1822. His father, Isaac .lohnson, was a native 
 of Virginia, but during his boyhood emigrated 
 with his parents to the Buckeye State. His father 
 was a Revolutionary hero, and died in Ohio. 
 Isaac served in the AVar of 1812 under Gen. Will- 
 iam Henry Harrison, and participated in the 
 battles of Ft. Meigs and Themes. In C'ohimbus 
 ho married Nancy Tucker, a native of Virginia, 
 llcr father, a native of Delaware, also wore the blue 
 and buff, and served throughout the War for In- 
 dependence. The family also had its representa- 
 tives in the Mexican War. .lames and Edward, 
 lirothers of our subject, enlisted in the Fourth 
 Ohio Regiment under Col. Bruff; the former died 
 in \"era Cruz, but Edward served throughout the 
 entire struggle. 
 
 We now take up the personal liistoi-y of A. C. 
 .lohnson, who is the only surviving member of 
 tiie family of seven children. He w.is reared in 
 an old log cabin, and was educated by the light of 
 the fire-place in the subscription school. His ad- 
 vantages were very limited, and, ,is he was the 
 eldest son in the family, at the age of twelve years 
 he took charge of the home farm, which he oper- 
 ated until the death of his mother, which occurred 
 
 on the 1st of March, 184G. In 184.3 Mr. Johnson 
 made a trip to Illinois, where he spent the winter 
 and located land, but did not make a permanent 
 settlement until 1847. He secured forty acres of 
 unimproved land from the Government on section 
 19, Belmont Township, and upon the farm which 
 he there developed made his home until Novem- 
 ber, 181)1. In connection with general fanning, 
 he also engaged in teaching school for some years 
 in this county, and followed the carpenter's trade 
 for some time. 
 
 On the 14th of September, 184!l, Mr. Johnson 
 was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary M. Body, a 
 native of Fountain County, Ind., who at the age 
 of ten years came to thiscouutv with her parents. 
 Her father and mother were both natives of Penn- 
 sylvania, and were of German descent. Ten chil- 
 dren were born unto our subject and his wife: 
 Eaura, now the wife of Joseph Stevens, a farmer 
 of Kans.as; Susan, wife of Frank llillis, of Ash 
 Grove; Emory, who is engaged in farming in Kan- 
 sas; Serelda, wife of E. S. .Sperry, of Vermilion 
 Count^'; Josie, deceased, wife of Jonas M. Rush; 
 Chase A., an attorney at law, of Albuquerque, N. 
 M.; Mahlon, a real-estate dealer of Winfield, Kan.; 
 Serena, now Mrs. Fairchild,of Danville, Vermilion 
 Country; Frank, who graduated from the State 
 University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor; and Rosa, 
 at home. The children were aJl provided with 
 good educational advantages, attending the pub- 
 lic schools and the Normal College of A'alparaiso, 
 Ind. 
 
 Mr. .loliiisoii niid his wife are members of the 
 United Brethren Church. He has evei- taken quite 
 a prominent part in public affairs. He cast his 
 first Presidential vote for J. P. Hale, and was one 
 of the original Abolitionists. He was a warm 
 friend of Eovejoy, and his home was a station on 
 the famous Underground Railroad. When the 
 Republican party was formed to prevent the 
 further extension of slavery, he at once esiioused 
 the cause and aided in its organization in this 
 county. He has often served as delegate to its 
 conventions, and has ever been a prominent 
 worker in its interests. He held a number of 
 oflices of honor and trust. For sixteen years he 
 served as Justice of the Peace, was also Assessor 
 
504 
 
 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and Township Clerk, rliselifirging his duties with 
 promptness and liilelity which won liiin tlie com- 
 mendation of all. 
 
 In his business career Mr. .lohnson won success, 
 and he has now a handsome property as the result 
 of his own well-directed efforts. He owns three 
 hundred and twenty acres of land, which was 
 transformed from a tract of wild prairie into a 
 valuable and fertile farm by his own industry. In 
 the early pioneer days he raised all his grain by 
 hand and harvested with a sickle. He is familiar 
 with the pioneer history of this county, having 
 located here before the inti'oduction of the rail- 
 road, and when many of the now flourishing 
 towns and villages had not sprung into existence. 
 His market in those days was Chicago. He aided 
 in the organization of the township, and no man 
 has done more for its upbudding than our subject. 
 He is now living retired in the enjojnnent of a 
 well-earned rest, and in his declining years is sur- 
 rounded by many warm friends who hold him in 
 the hiehest esteem. 
 
 ^'OSEPII GALLOWAY is a member of the 
 hardware lirm of Galloway & Doan, of Well- 
 ington, and is one of the leading farmers of 
 the township, his residence being on section 
 1, Lovejoy Township. He is also an honored vet- 
 eran of the late war. More than a quarter of a 
 century has elapsed since he came to Iroquois 
 Count3', and as a pioneer and valued citizeii he 
 has become so widely known, that he needs no 
 special introduction to our readers. 
 
 Our subject was born in Fountain County, Ind., 
 October 19, 1810, and is the third in a family which 
 numb(!red three sons and five daughters. The par- 
 ents were Samuel and Prudence (Manning) Gallo- 
 way. The father was born in the Empire State, 
 about 1813. and died in 1883. He was reared 
 amid the Shakers of Oliio, and was an agricultur- 
 ist. He was also a mechanic and cabinet-maker. 
 In early life he exercised his right of franchise in 
 support of the Whig party, and took an active 
 
 part in the campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, 
 too." At the organization of the Republican 
 party he joined its ranks. His wife was born in 
 Pennsylvania in 1817, and is still living on the 
 old homestead in AVarren Count}-, Ind. Of their 
 children seven are yet living: Lorinda, wife of 1). 
 W. C. Adsit, a farmer of Lovejoy Township; Jo- 
 seph of this sketch; Matilda, the wife of Charles 
 Jinks^ farmer of Lovejoy; Martha, wife of Will- 
 iam McCoy, an agriculturist of Canada I^ast; Sam- 
 uel, who is married and follows farming in Ver- 
 milion County; David E. J., who is married and 
 resides on the old homestead in Indiana; and 
 Frances, who is the wife of Fremont Messmore, of 
 Vermilion County. 
 
 Our subject spent the greater part of his boj'- 
 hood da3-s upon his father's farm in Warren 
 County, Ind., and was educated in the common 
 schools, by private instruction, and by self-culture. 
 Fa-b attaining his majority, he offered his services 
 to the Government, enlisting as a member of Com- 
 pany K, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, under Capt. 
 Nicjdeiauer and C'ol. Coburu, of Indianapolis. He 
 was musteied in September 12, 1861, responding 
 to the first call for three hundred thousand volun- 
 teers. The company joined the regiment at Camp 
 Dick Robinson, Ky., and orders soon afterward 
 came to proceed to the battle of Wild Cat, Ky- 
 Tins was the first engagement fought in Kentucky. 
 Subsequently the Thirty-third Indiana went to 
 London, Ky., in pursuit of the rebels, and there 
 was stationed for a time, the troops all being ill 
 with the measles. They then retreated to Crab 
 Orchard Hospital, and thence went to Lexington. 
 Mr. Galloway was taken sick with typhoid fever, 
 resulting from cold con traded when he had the 
 measles, and was confined in the hospital for six 
 long months. He there endured the hardships of 
 illness away from home, but through the kindness 
 of the Ladies' Aid Society, he received competent 
 medical aid, and at length recovered. He owes 
 his life to those "Angels of Mercy." Afterward 
 the regiment went to Cumberland Ford, Ky. In 
 April, 1H62, it was ordered to take Cumberland 
 Gap. About the 20th of May they removed across 
 the Cumberland Mountains to Rogers Gap, and, 
 finding the rebels had evacuated, took possession. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 505 
 
 Tlie eneiny then came up in the rear, suiTOunded 
 our troops, and after about two months they were 
 forced by a failure of supplies to cut their way 
 out, which took seventeen days. 
 
 In Kebruary, 18C3, the command to wliich Mr. 
 (ialloway belonged was ordered to I>ouisville, and 
 embarked on a transport bound for Ft. Donelson, 
 on the Cumberland River. They participated in 
 the second battle at that place, and from there 
 went to Xashville, Tenn., and later to Franklin, 
 where the brigade was sentout on a reconnoilering 
 tour against Gen. A'an Dorn. They met the enemy 
 in battle on the Ith of March, and the following 
 day moved on to Thompson's Station, where tlie 
 liattle was fought. The Union army was led into 
 ambush, and, valiantly ligliting for six hours, were 
 finally captured, for their ammunition gave out, 
 and they were onl\- eleven hundred against eigh- 
 teen thousand. They were sent to Libby Prison at 
 Kichmond, where Mr. (iailoway remained for about 
 a month, when he was paroled. He then went to 
 City Point, and afterward to Fortress Monroe on a 
 llag-of-truce boat, and later to Annapolis, Balti- 
 more, Columbus (Ohio), and on home, where he re- 
 mained until he was exchanged on the 1st of July, 
 18(>;5. He rejoined the forces at Xashville, and 
 did guard duty from Chattanooga to Christiana, 
 where he remained until January 26, 1861, when 
 he veteranized and returned home on a thirty- 
 day furlough. On the expiration of that period 
 he rejoined his regiment at Chattanooga, Tcnn., 
 and entered upon the famous Atlanta campaign. 
 His regiment was a part of the Third Division, Sec- 
 ond Brigade, Twentieth Army Corps, commanded 
 by Gen. Joe Hooker, and tlie second engagement 
 was at Resaca, Ga. They were under almost con- 
 stant fire for one hundred and four days, partici- 
 pating in the battles of Dallas W'ood, Kenesaw 
 .Mountain. Marietta, and in all the engagements in 
 that campaign. He w.is actively engaged in llie 
 l>atlie of Peach Tree Creek, where for two hours 
 they met the enemy in a hand-to-hand conflict, 
 many of the boys on both sides lighting for the 
 last time. On this occasion Samuel Williams, a 
 comrade of our subject, and an honorable, brave 
 ~<ildier was killed. The mess had just made their 
 ' offee and passed in their canteens, and as the com- 
 
 pany' was entering the battle, Williams remarked 
 to his cousin that he was going to be killed or 
 badly wounded, and gave him his poekel-book and 
 day-hook. His comrades asked him to keep back, 
 but he bravely rejjiied that he might as well go as 
 any, and marched on. In a half-hour his bodj- 
 was found, pierced through both shoulders, and 
 through the head from the front. Mr. Galloway 
 was by his side when the poor fellow was killed. 
 
 On the 22d and 28th of July occurred two hard 
 battles at Atlanta, and tlie Thirty-third Indiana 
 Regiment carried the first flag into the cit\' after 
 its surrender. A month later they started on the 
 celebrated march to the sea, and Mr. ( iailoway was 
 always with liis command. At Savannah a slight 
 skirmish occurred, and for two weeks the troops 
 lived upon rice from the shock. After remaining 
 there for about a month, the regiment reached 
 Columbia, S. {'., on the ITlli of February. 1865. 
 The town was burr.ed by the rebels. History con- 
 tradicts this, but the facts are fully substantiated 
 by the soldiers who were present. From that i)lace 
 the troops made their way tlirough North Carolina 
 to Averysboro, where a battle was fought, iNIarch 
 16, 1865, and the Thirty-third lost heavilj". 
 They then went to Bentonville, N. C, where an- 
 other battle occurred on the 19th of March, the 
 rebels trying to cut off the troops who were acting 
 as guards to the wagon trains, but tliej' failed. 
 They then went to (ioldsboro, and afterward to 
 Raleigh, where (!en. Joseph E. Johnston surren- 
 dered his forces, April 17, 1865. Later they 
 marched to Riciimond, and on to Washington, I). 
 C, where the Thirty-third Indiana participated in 
 the (ii-and Review, the most brilliant military pa- 
 geant ever belield in America. After about a 
 month, Mr. Galloway w'ent to Louisville, Ky., by 
 way of Harper's Ferry, and on the 21st of July, 
 1865, was mustered out in Indianapolis, after al- 
 most four years of service. He was always found 
 at his post of duty, vali.-intly defending the Old 
 Flag, and of his army record he may well be proud. 
 All honor is due to the noble men who wore the 
 blue and saved their country from destruction. 
 Our subject was promoted to the rank of Corporal 
 and afterward made Sergeant. 
 
 Mr. Galloway returned home in poor health. He 
 
506 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 began herding cattle in Lovejoy Township, and 
 after two years purchased his farm of one hundred 
 and sixty acres, upon which he has since resided. 
 Tiie same year he married Miss Louisa Haines, 
 daugiiter of Harvey Haines. Their union was 
 celebrated April 28, 1867, and unto them have 
 been born two sons and three daughters, all yet 
 living: Ella, wife of Frank Johnson, a salesman in 
 Pate's store, of Wellington; Wilbur U., who was 
 graduated from the Commercial College of Terre 
 Haute, Ind., is in the hardware business in Welling- 
 ton; Ilettie L., wife of William Lockliart, who re- 
 sides in Prairie Green Township; Maggie E., wife 
 of Henry Evans, of Lovejoy Township; and David 
 A., at home. The mother of this family was called 
 to her filial rest, January 16, 1875, and on the 28th 
 of March, 1877, Mr. Galloway married Miss Re- 
 becca Doan, sister of Cai)t. W. V. Doan, of Wel- 
 lington, and a daughter of Elisha and Mar3' Ann 
 (Ward) Doan. They have two children, a son and 
 daughter, John D. and Fannie. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Galloway is a stanch l\e|iub- 
 lican, having supported that party since he cast 
 his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant. He has 
 frequently' been a delegate to the county conven- 
 tions, and has held various public ottices. He 
 helped organize his township, and has been in 
 some official position since. For ten years he has 
 been the efficient Supervisor of Lovejoy Township, 
 and is now Chairman of the Board. For eight 
 years he was Town Clerk, for three years was As- 
 sessor, was Collector for one year, Highwa_y Com- 
 missioner for twelve j'ears. School Trustee for five 
 years, and School Director for two terras. The 
 promptness and fidelity with which he has dis- 
 charged his duties have led to his frequent re-elec- 
 tions. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows' 
 society, of Wellington. He belongs to Harmon 
 Post No. 1 15, G. A. II., of Iloopeston, and is Senior 
 Grand Commander of the Eastern Illinois Depart- 
 ment. His wife is a member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and he has given liberall}' to its 
 support, and to all enterprises calculated to prove 
 of public benefit. 
 
 The farm of Mr. Galloway comprises two 
 hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. It is 
 supplied with all modern improvements, and a 
 
 beautiful countrj' residence, which is the abode of 
 hospitalit}', Mr. and Mrs. Galloway are promi- 
 nent citizens of his community, and in social cir- 
 cles rank high. In summing up the life of our 
 subject, we see that he was a valiant soldier, and 
 an honored early settler, that he is a valued citi- 
 zen, and that his excellencies of character and his 
 stei ling worth have brought him the confidence 
 and high regard of all- with whom he has come in 
 contact. 
 
 \I7 EMUEL B. RUSSELL, one of the well-to-do 
 I ((?)', citizens of Ash Grove Township, who is 
 /J^^ now living retired at his pleasant residence 
 on section 35, was born in Warren County, Ind., 
 November 30, 1829, and is a son of AVilliam Rus- 
 sell. His father was a native of "N^irginia. In 
 Ohio, he married Miss Fannie Hall, a native of the 
 Buckeye State, and in 1828 they removed to War- 
 ren County, Ind., where, in the midst of the forest, 
 he hewed out a farm. The mother died in AVar- 
 ren County, Ind., and the father also sjient his last 
 days there. Their family numbered eleven chil- 
 dren, four of whom are yet living: Lawrence, a 
 resident farmer of Wessington Springs, S. Dak.; 
 Mrs. Nancy Jones, who is living in Attica, Ind.; 
 Lemuel, whose name heads this sketch; and Mrs. 
 Jane Rhodes, who resides in Warren County, near 
 the old Iiomestead. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared in the 
 county of his nativity. His mother died when he 
 was a lad of ten summers. His i)rivileges, educa- 
 tional and otherwise,werc very limited. He conned 
 his lessons in a log schoolhouse witii slab seats and 
 a huge fireplace, and windows onl3' on one side, 
 but his training in farm work was not meagre. As 
 soon as he was old enough to handle the plow, he 
 began work in the fields, and at the age of sixteen 
 he started out to earn his own livelihood, since 
 which time he has been dependent upon his own 
 resources, lie worked as a farm hand at $12 per 
 month, and when by his industry and perseverance 
 he had acquired some capital, he purchased one 
 hundred and sixty acres of land and made his 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 507 
 
 home u[)on tliat farm for three years. In 18(>2, he 
 came to Iroquois County and in Fountain Creek 
 Townsliip purchased two hundred acres of Umd, 
 making iiis lioine upon tliat farm for twenty years. 
 Durinu: the present decade, lie lias resided ui)on 
 his |)resent farm, and to general farming and stock- 
 raising has devoted his time and attention until 
 quite recently. 
 
 On the 2i)tli of December, 1859, in Warren 
 County, Ind.. Mr. Russell wedded Miss Ann E. 
 Hickman, who was born and reared in that county 
 and Is a daughter of Peter ,1. and JIary ((iullett) 
 Hickman. Her parents were married over sixty 
 years ago, and for forty years they resided upon 
 one farm. In their family there was never a death 
 until the father was called to his final rest. Unto 
 Mr. and Mrs. Russell have been born four children, 
 Imt Peter W., who was born in Indiana, died at 
 the age of six jears, and Lawrence died in infancy. 
 The living arc Charles E., whom we will mention 
 later on; and Lemuel B.,who is nowattending Hush 
 Medical College, of Chicago. The mother of this 
 family is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church in Goodvvine. Mr. Hussell is liberal in his 
 religious views, but his life has been one of honor 
 and upright dealing in all business relations and 
 lias won him confidence and high regard. He cast 
 his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 
 1852, and has since been a stalwart supporter 
 of the Democratic party. lie takes great interest 
 in political affairs and has often been a delegate 
 to his party's conventions. He is now living a 
 retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest and the 
 fruits of his former labor. Ilis business career has 
 been a remarkably successful one and b^- his well- 
 directed efforts he has arisen to a position of 
 wealth. 
 
 Charles Elbert Hussell, who now operates the 
 old home farm, was born on the homestead on sec- 
 tion .31), Ash Grove Township, April 1, 18()5, in a 
 log cabin which still stands, one of the few land- 
 marks of pioneer days that yet rtmaiii. His boy- 
 hood days were spent under the parental roof, and 
 his early education, acquired in the public schools, 
 was sup])lemented by study in the Wesleyan LTni- 
 vcrsity, of ISIoomington, and a course in the Onarga 
 Seminary, lie left school at the age of twenty-one 
 
 and engaged in teaching for about five years dur- 
 ing the winter season, while in the summer months 
 he worked u|)on the farm. He was a successful 
 instructor. (»n tiie 5tli of .\pril, 1887, near Pine 
 X'illage, Ind., he led to the marriage altar Miss 
 Anna M. 15lind, who was born and reared in War- 
 ren County. Their union has been blessed with 
 one son, Kaxley B., born on the 28th of June, 
 189K 
 
 For the past five years, Mr. Hussell has been op- 
 erating the old homestead. It comprises two hun- 
 dred and sixty-five acres of valuable land, under a 
 high state of cultivalicm and well improved. Tiie 
 place is complete in all its ajipointments and is 
 considered one of the model farms in the commun- 
 ity. ]Mr. Hussell is a Democrat in iJolilics and has 
 served as a delegate to the countv and congres- 
 sional conventions. Ilis wife is a member of the 
 Methodist Ei)iscopal Church, of Coodwine. They 
 are numbered among the leading 3'oung people of 
 the community and rank high in social circles. 
 Their home is a hospitable one. Mr. Hussell Is a 
 worthy representative of a pioneer family and is a 
 wide-awake and enterin-isiiig buiinessvUian, who has 
 proved himself a valued citizen of the community. 
 
 /^j LEJIENT THOMAS is a representative of 
 il[ . one of the first families to locate in I ro- 
 
 >i^ quois County', and for sixt3--one years he 
 has here resided. He was born in Adams Countj-, 
 Ohio, .June 22, 1820, and is a son of Asa and 
 Eleanor (Freeman) Thomas, both of whom were 
 natives of Maryland. When quite a young boy, 
 Asa Thomas lost his father, and a few years after- 
 ward removed with his mother to the Buckeye 
 State. At the age of twentj'-six he married Miss 
 Freeman, and shortly afterward left home to enter 
 the service of his country in the War of 1812. 
 While in the war their eldest son, William, was 
 born. After his return home, Mr. Thomas con- 
 tinued to reside in Ohio until 1829, when he 
 moved to Tippecanoe County. Ind. In 3Iarcli, 18,'5 1 , 
 he emigrated to Illinois and pre-empted a tract of 
 land three-quarters of a mile northeast of -Milford. 
 
508 
 
 PORTEAIT AND BIOGEAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 About three j-ears later he sold this and purchased 
 a farm of one hundred and sixty acres a mile 
 south of ISIilford. There lie leared his large fam- 
 ily. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born twelve 
 children, six sons and six daughters, of whom the 
 sons and one daughter are yet living: William 
 married Mary J. Harness, and had eigiit children: 
 America, Asa, George, Van Kansselaer, John, Se- 
 dessa, Madama and Frank. Allie is the wife of 
 Elijah Sapp, of Iroquois County, and unto them 
 were born nine children: William, Nellie, Ben- 
 jamin, jMary, Sallie, Allie, Elijah, Joseph and 
 Samuel. Nancy married Foster Moore, and tliey 
 had seven children: Lucinda, George, John Asa, 
 William Aaron, Sarali, Nancj' and Jackson. Sarah, 
 the fourth child in the father's family, became the 
 wife of Michael Harness, by whom she had seven 
 children: Sophiia, Katie, Asa John, Phoebe, Ben- 
 jamin, Ella and Nancy. Clement of this sketch is the 
 next 3'ounger. Aaron married Barbara Jane Pan- 
 cake, but has no living children. Asa wedded Jane 
 Bragg, and unto them were born eleven children, 
 eight of whom are yet living: Rue, Carrie, Ben- 
 jamin, Rosie, Leroy, Lavina, Pearl and Ollie. 
 Samuel, the next younger of the Thomas family, 
 married Catherine Pancake, by whom he had two 
 children: AVillard and Elmore. The mother 
 died and he then wedded Mrs Maria Wilson, 
 and unto them liave been born the following 
 children, vviio are yet living: Ella, Flora, Belle, 
 Leota, Eliza, Emanuel, Eddie and George. Ben- 
 jamin F. married ^Fiss i\manda A. Hoover, and is 
 represented on another page of this work. Mary 
 Jane, the tentii child, died when about twelve 
 years old. Alonzo, the youngest of the Thomas 
 family, died when a small boy; and one died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 The mother of this family died in 1835, and 
 Asa Thomas was again married, his second union 
 being with Mrs. Margaret (Robinson) Johnson. 
 They had two children: Leroy and Delilah. His 
 third wife was Mrs. (Tatman) Wilson, and unto 
 them was born three children, but Josephine is the 
 only one that reached maturity. 
 
 AVe now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, Clement Thomas, who is widely known 
 
 tiiroughout Iroquois County. Upon his father's 
 farm he was reared to manhood, experiencing 
 many of the hardships and trials of pioneer life. 
 Ill the winter of 1837-38, the most terrible winter 
 known to the inhabitants of this State, two gentle- 
 men l)y the names of Frame and Hildrcth tried to 
 cross a fork of Fountain Creek, but finding the 
 stream so greatly swollen they concluded to re- 
 turn to Bicknel's Point. Night, however, overtook 
 tliem. and as it was impossible to find tlieir way 
 they made such preparations as they could to 
 spend the night in the snow. Fearing that they 
 would freeze to death liefore morning, they de- 
 termined to kill a horse belonging to Mr. Frame 
 and warm their hands and feet in the blood, and 
 when that should become cold they would take 
 the life of the other horse. Thev killed the first 
 but not the second. Mr. Frame froze to death 
 witli his hands and feet in tlie blood of the 
 animal. Mr. Hildreth, however, was only liadly 
 frozen, and in tlie morning he mounted the re- 
 maining lioi>e and forcing him across two danger- 
 ous ice gorges reached the house of Benjamin Bur- 
 son. He received kind care and attention from Mr. 
 Burson, and our subject and these gentlemen also 
 helped to recover the frozen bod}- of Mr. Frame. 
 Mr. Hildreth at length recovered, but suffered the 
 loss of his toes and fingers. Many other reminis- 
 cences of pioneer days can Mr. Thomas relate. He- 
 has been an eye-witness of the entire growth and 
 development of the county, and its history is fa- 
 miliar to him from the days of its early infancy. 
 
 Ajji'll 22, 1842, Mr. Thomas was first married, 
 his union being with Mary Lewis, daughter of 
 Benjamin and Mary Lewis. Unto them were born 
 three children: Samuel, Lavina and Mar^-, but the 
 last-named is now deceased. The mother died in 
 1848, and the following year Mr. Thomas married 
 Martha Lewis, a sister of his first wife, by whom 
 he had seven children, but Nancy, Sarah, Martha, 
 Alice and Jesse are now deceased. Marcus and 
 Emma yet survive. Mrs. Thomas was called to 
 her final rest in 1870. For his third wife Mr. 
 Thomas chose Mrs. Rosella Berket, daughter of 
 Benjainin Raymond. They had two children but 
 both are now deceased and the mother died in 
 1873. The ladv who now bears the name of Mrs. 
 
'5.4^/** 
 
 ^v '>**>^~1 
 
 \ 
 
 x^-^. 
 
 #^ 
 
 «^i>'^' r C 
 
 A 
 
GM^nyu^uZ, "^^y^AAA^a^ 
 
Portrait and biograi'iik ai. kixohd. 
 
 r.is 
 
 Thomas was formerly Mrs. Nancy Peyton. Their 
 weddinf^ was celebrated in .Tune, 1875. 
 
 Our subject has s|)ent tiie greater part v( his 
 life in fanning, l)Ut from 1.Ho2 until isr).s he en- 
 gaged in the milling business in Milford. lie then 
 returned to the old homestead and engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits for some time longer, liut is 
 now (juietl^- living a retired life in Milford, rest- 
 ing in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former 
 toil. In politics, he is a sui)|(orter of Republican 
 principles, and has held several public ollices, the 
 (Inlics of which he discharged with promptness 
 and fidelity. .Socially, he is a member of Milford 
 Lodge No. li')8, A. F. ct A. M. As before stated, 
 few have longer lieen residents of Iroquois County 
 than Mr. Thomas. He is alike lield in higii regard 
 by young and old, rich and poor, and we take 
 pleasure in presenting to our readers llie life 
 record of this honored pioneer. 
 
 -^€#i#^ll-^"i^|i 
 
 «^AMri:L WAHRK K, Si;., one of the most 
 ^^^ extensive land-owners of this county and 
 'ij/ni a prominent and representative citizen, 
 is now engaged in farming on section 17, 
 Concord Township. He is also one of tlie earliest 
 settlers of this community and for many years has 
 been prominentl}' identified with its history and 
 upbuilding. Ashe is widely and favoral)ly known, 
 his sketch will prove of interest to many of our 
 readers. 
 
 .Mr. Warrick was born in Warren County, Oliio, 
 on tlie 17th of June, 1811. His father, Samuel 
 Warrick, was a native of New .lersey and was (jf 
 English descent. His mother was born in the Key- 
 stone .State and came of an oM Pennsylvania- 
 Dutch family. Samuel was reared to manhood 
 upon his father's farm and was early inured to 
 labor in the field. ■ His educational advantages 
 were very meagre, for the schools near his home 
 were very primitive. On attaining his majority, 
 he began leaining the carpenter's trade, and after 
 serving an apprenticeship of a year and a-lialf be- 
 gan to'take contracts. For twenty years he fol- 
 
 23 
 
 lowed that- trade in Ohio and after coming to 
 Illinois. 
 
 At the age of twenty-six. .Mr. Wiinick married 
 Miss Delilah .lonkins. and tmto them were born 
 live children, but only one is now living, Abifalom, 
 who was born in 18^o and resides in Sheldon. 
 The mother of this family died in 1816. In 18.39. 
 Mr. Warrick removed tt) Indiana and settled near 
 Covington, where he purchased one hundred and 
 sixty acres of land. There, in connection with 
 work at his trade, he carried on farming for a 
 ))eriod of seven years, or until 1816. That year 
 witnessed his removal to .\ttica, Ind. While there 
 he took stock in a railroad and bv so doing lost 
 about ^1,000. which at that time was a great draw- 
 back to hiin. During his residence in Attica he 
 was again married, his second union being with 
 Miss Eleanor Clauson. The\- were married in 1848 
 and unto them were born ten children, the follow- 
 ing of whom are living: .lohn is now a resident of 
 Center City, Neb., where he carries on farming; 
 Mrs. Alice Fairman resides near La Fayette, Ind.; 
 Daniel is a farmer of Concord Township; George 
 is also an agriculturist of the same township; .Sam- 
 uel follows fanning in Concord Township; and 
 Mrs. Ella Cobb makes her home in St. .lolins, Kan. 
 
 The year 1X;",,> witnessed the arrival of our sub- 
 ject and his family in Iroquois County. He pur- 
 chased two hundred and twenty acres of land and 
 afterward entered some from the Government. 
 With characteristic energ_y he began the develop- 
 ment of a farm, and. as his linancial resources have 
 increased, h.is extended its boundaries until it now 
 comprises eight hundred and forty acres in a 
 liody. He also own-^ an additional tract of one 
 hundred and -■•ixty acres. His first home was rc- 
 plai'cd in If^f!!' by his palatial residence of to-day. 
 Alany other exeellent improvements have been 
 made, and tlie pl.ace seems complete in all its a|)- 
 pointments, being one of the model farms of the 
 community. 
 
 Ill 186;i,Mr. Warrick was called upon to mourn 
 the loss of his second wife, and on the 18tli of 
 March, 187.3, he married Mrs. Lizzie Short, of La 
 Fayette, Ind. She w.as born in New York City, 
 March 27. I8.52. Her father was ,ludgo William 
 Jeiiner, of Paterson, N. J., and her grandfather, 
 
514 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 AVilliam Jertner, was also a professional man. He 
 was a son of Dr. Edward Jenner, who discovered 
 the process of vaccination. He was lx)rn in 
 Hcrkelcy, Gloucestershire, England, in 17 lit, and 
 died in 1823. On the erection of his statue in 
 England, all his descendants had half-fare tickets 
 to attend, but Mrs. Warrick did not go. Her 
 mother, who bore the maiden name of Soiihia 
 Deamies, was born in New York City, of Pennsyi- 
 vania-Dutcli ancestry. She came of a famous fam- 
 ily of the Baptist (,'liurch. Her death occurred 
 in De Soto, Wis., in 1880. Mrs. Wari'ick was first 
 married to John Short, in La Fayette, Lid., whither 
 she had removed at the age of seventeen years. 
 The death of her husband occurred in 18G1. She 
 continued to reside in La Fayette until her mar- 
 riage to ]\L'. Warrick in 1873, and since that time 
 they have resided in Concord Township. Unto 
 them have been born three children: Pearl, born 
 in this township, June 25, 1874, has attended St. 
 Jo Seminary, at Kankakee, for five years, giving 
 special attention to the study of music; Nita Lee, 
 born March 13, 1876, also possesses considerable 
 musical talent and for live years has been a student 
 in St. Jo Seminary, from which she expects to gi ad- 
 uate; James Jenner, the only son, was born Octo- 
 ber 23, 1879, and displays special aptitude in liis 
 studies, especially in mathematics. 
 
 Mr. Warrick lias had eighteen children, ten of 
 whom are yet living; thirty-one graiidcliildren, 
 twenty-four yet living; and five great-grand- 
 children. The family is one of prominence in this 
 community, and the Warrick household is the 
 abode of hospitality. Its members rank high in 
 .social circles and their friends are many. 
 
 Mr. Warrick is a valued citizen of this com- 
 munity and has ever labored for the best interests 
 of the town and county in which he resides. One 
 act which he performed is especially worthy of 
 mention. It was in 1872 that tLe township of 
 Concord issued §25,000 worth of bonds, ])ayable 
 in ten years, at ten per cent, interest. Our sulijcct 
 claimed the issue of those bonds to be unconstitu- 
 tional, and as the result of his action in the matter 
 there arose a strong ca.se of litigation, which was 
 cirried through the county courts and then into 
 the Tnited Slates, Circuit and the Supreme Courts. 
 
 The case was at last decided as Mr. Warrick had de- 
 clared. The attorneys of the county seat ( Watseka) 
 informed Mr. Warrick that he was wrong in his 
 decision, but, being thoroughly c(mviuced that he 
 was not, he pushed the matter to the end and tlie 
 decision was given whicli saved the township a 
 total of -t )0,000. The men who defended the case 
 in favor of the township were Samuel Warrick, 
 John B. Hill and George Wright, and they cer- 
 tainly deserve great credit for their labors along 
 this line. 
 
 Mr. Wairick is a well-informed man, having ac- 
 quired an excellent knowledge through extensive 
 reading and observation. He cast his first "vote 
 in 1832 for the Whig candidate and in 1856 he 
 voted for .lohn C. Fremont, the first candidate of 
 the Republican party. Four years later, he sup- 
 ported Abraham Lincoln and since that time he 
 has affiliated with the Democracy. He has long 
 been a faithful member of the Christian Church, 
 to which his wife and two j'oungest daughters also 
 belong. We see in Mr. Warrick a self-made man. 
 He has met with some obstacles and difticulties but 
 lias overcome tliese liy industry, perseverance and 
 a strong determination to succeed, and has steadily 
 worked his way upward to a position of wealth 
 and affluence. Fair and honorable in all his deal- 
 ings, he has won the confidence of those with 
 whom he has been brought in contact, and his life 
 is well worthy of emulation. 
 
 ■VT^DWIN D. McNEAL, a wealthy farmer who 
 l^ makes his home on section 21, is one of the 
 /I' — ■^ ' early settlers of Danforth Township. At 
 the time of his locating here, this portion of the 
 county was almost a wilderness; but little of it was 
 improved, and only a few families lived in this 
 community. He is a native of the Green Mountain 
 State, his birth having occurred October 21, 1813, 
 in Caledonia County. He is a sou of Daniel Mc 
 Neal of the same county, as was also his grand- 
 father, John McNeal. The family is of Scotch de- 
 scent and came with a colony who were amt>ng tho 
 
PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAl'IIICAL RECORD. 
 
 515 
 
 first settlers in that portion of the State. The county 
 was called by them Caledonia, after the name wliioh 
 is ftiven to tiieir native country. 
 
 The srreat-grandfutlier of our subjoet served in 
 iho War of tlie Revolution, and his grandfather 
 liartieipated in (he War of 1812. The father of 
 <iur subject grew to man's estate in Vermont, and 
 then married Lydia .1. Smith, of English descent, 
 and who was also born in the same State. Mr. Mc 
 Neal was a mechanic and after his marriage worked 
 at his trade. In 1855, he moved to Illinois, locat- 
 ing in La Salle County, at Ottawa. There he 
 worked as a wheelwright and also as a wagon and 
 carriage maker and did business in that place for a 
 number of years. In 1862, he went to Seneca, 
 where he also followed his occupation for several 
 successive years. At the present time, he has re- 
 tired from active life and in Seneca is enjoying a 
 well-earned rest after his years (>( toil. 
 
 Our subject is tlie second in order of birth in a 
 family of four sons, who came to Illinois with 
 their parents in 1851. The eldest, Charles AV., 
 resides in California. lie was a soldier in the late 
 war and enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth 
 Illinois Infantry. While in the army he lost his 
 health, and was disciiarged on account of disability. 
 William W. is a merchant in Seneca, III., and was 
 also a soldier of the late war, belonging to the .Sixty- 
 third Infantry. The youngest of the family, Milo 
 P., is a painter l)v trade and makes lys home in 
 Florida. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were passed in 
 Ottawa, La Salle County, where he received good 
 common and High School privileges. In 18G1, 
 responding to the call of his country for assistance, 
 he enlisted in the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry 
 and became a member of Company 15. He entered 
 the service for three years and served until his 
 discharge at the close of the war. Starting as a 
 private, he was promoted to the rank of First 
 Lieutenant, but was not mustered in as such, but 
 served sis Orderly Sergeant. He jjarticipated in 
 numerous battles, engagements and skirmishes, and 
 never received serious injur\'. Among the battles 
 in which he look part were those of Champion Mill. 
 Uig Black Hivcr, and the assault on Mcksbiirg, 
 Jilay 19 niul 22, ;b63, and the taking of tbat city 
 
 on the 4th of July of that year. He was also in the 
 Ijattles of Spring Hill (Tenn.), Columbia, Frank- 
 lin, Nashville, siege of Mobile and Spanish Fort. 
 During one of the engagements Mr. MeNeal lost 
 the hearing of oiu' ear by the discharge of a cannon 
 within about six feet f>f where he was standing. 
 He was knocked over by the shock au<l was uncon- 
 scious for about three hours. He was honorably 
 discharged at A'icksburg, August 14, 1)SG5, and re- 
 turned at once to his home in La Salle County. 
 
 In his earlier life, Mr. JIcNeal had learned the 
 wagon-maker's trade, and in this business he en- 
 gaged for six years in Seneca, and also farmed for 
 two years near that village. He came to Iroquois 
 County in 1872 and purchased property, which he 
 partly improved. Here he lived for about two 
 years and brought his farm under a fair state of 
 cultivation, but in 1874 again returned to Seneca, 
 where he engaged in the wagon manufactory for a 
 period of four years. In the spring of 1877, he 
 came back to the farm and built on it a large and 
 substantial residence, good barns and other build- 
 ings, and has so improved and developed his prop- 
 erty that he now has a valuable and desirable farm. 
 At the time of his first settlement here the country 
 was very wild and but little improved. He first 
 purchased a tract of eighty acres, to which he has 
 since added an adjoining forty acres. His farm is 
 situated six miles west of Oilman. 
 
 In Seneca, on the 2d of June, 1867, occurred 
 the marri.age of Jlr. IVIcNeal and Miss Marger3- E. 
 Rodgers, who was born in Cass County, Mich. She 
 is a daughter of Samuel Rodgers, of Scotch descent 
 and a native of Virginia. Mrs. McNeal came to 
 Illinois when a child of twelve years .and was 
 reared and educated in La Salle County, where she 
 was afterward a successful teacher. The union of 
 our subject and his wife has been blessed with five 
 children: Fra)ik, Mildred, Estella and Jessie are 
 now living, while one child died at the age of two 
 months. The family attends the I^Iethodist Epis- 
 copal Church at La Ilogue, and witii it Mr. and 
 Mrs. McNeal hold membership. 
 
 Our subject has been a supporter of the Kepub- 
 lican party sinco he attained his majority, His 
 first ballot was onsi for Gen, 1'. S. Grant in 1868, 
 and lie lias voted for everj- noinine? of the parly 
 
516 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 since that time. Mr. McNeal has never aspired to 
 l)(>iitical or ottiuial positions, but has ever discharged 
 his duties of citizenshij) in a faitliful manner. Up 
 is a friend to education and a hearty supporter of 
 the public-school system. He has served for sev- 
 eral \ears as a member of the .School Board, in f.act, 
 since the organization of his school district. 
 Nearly his whole life has been spent in Illinois 
 and over twenty years of this time in Iroquois 
 County, lie has won the esteem and confidence 
 of all with whom he has come in contact, for his 
 course has always been marked with honor to him- 
 self and credit to liis friends. 
 
 j.j..5.4..i.^,^^.5..5..>4.g 
 
 ^.ll'AMKS II. ALLEN, of the lirjn of Parker 
 it Allen, bankers, of Oilman, is one of the 
 earl}' pioneers of Iroquois County, and is 
 ^f) well known to most of its citizens. He was 
 born in Preble County, Ohio, on the 24th of Jan- 
 uary, 1832. His grandfather, James Allen, when 
 about twelve years of age emigrated from Ireland 
 to America with his parents, who settled in Soutli 
 Carolina. After his marriage, he removed to Ohio, 
 among the early pioneer settlers. In that State, 
 Andrew Allen, the father of our subject, was born 
 February 9, 1808. On reaching maturity, he mar- 
 ried Miss Sophia Bennett, who was a native of 
 Pennsylvania. She died when our subject was a 
 lad of about eight years old, leaving three chil- 
 dren, only twi> of whom are now living: James 
 II., and S. S., who is a tnercliant of Frankfort, Ind. 
 After the death of his first wife, the father mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Morton, who had three daughters. 
 In 1841, Mr. Allen emigrated to Clinton County, 
 Ind., where he devoted himself to clearing and 
 developing a farm. He died in 1855, witii ty- 
 phoid fever. In politics, he was a Whig. In 
 earlier life, he belonged to the Associate Reformed 
 Church, but later became identified with the Meth- 
 odist Church. 
 
 James II. .VUen, like most of the boys who 
 giew up in the State of Indiana at an early 
 dav, enjoyed such limited educational advan- 
 tages as were afforded bv the old-time schools. 
 
 Being the eldest child, he was early inured to 
 hard labor. Until his father's death, in 1855, he 
 remained on the farm. At that time, leaving the 
 old home, he and his brother engaged in the dry- 
 goods l)usiness at Williamsport, Ind. There, on 
 the 12th of April, 185!), Mr. Allen was juined in 
 the bonds of matrimony with Laura C, daughter 
 of Robert Chandler, who emigrated from New 
 Jersey to Williamsport in the early history of that 
 locality and became a prominent Iaw3er at that 
 place. Mrs. Allen was born in Williamsport, April 
 5, 1840. Unto our subject and his wife have been 
 born four children, of whom two are living: 
 Robert C, editor and proprietor of the Oilman 
 Stm\ mentioned elsewhere in this beautiful vol- 
 ume; and Elsie. 
 
 In 1801, Mr. Allen and his brother disposed of 
 their interest in the store in Indiana and came to 
 Middleport, Iroquois Count}'. Here they entered 
 into partnership with George B. Joiner and car- 
 ried on business a short time. Then our subject, 
 with Mr. Joiner, purchased the brother's interest, 
 he locating in Terre Haute, Ind. Aliout si.x 
 years later, they moved their store up the rail- 
 road, where the young town (.)f Watseka was 
 starting, though it had not yet assumed that 
 name. Having purchased his partner's interest, 
 Mr. Allen continued merchandising in Watseka 
 until 1868, when he started in the dry-goods 
 business in Climax. In this line he continued suc- 
 cessfully for five years. In Jul}', 1873, he joined 
 D. L. Parker in the banking business, they buying 
 out the interest of Wilson & Son, who had been 
 running a bank there for some time. The title of 
 the new firm was Parker k Allen, which firm 
 name has never been changed. 
 
 Until 1884, Mr. Allen was a stanch Republican, 
 having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. 
 Since the date named he has affiliated with the 
 Prohibition party. He and his worthy wife are 
 active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 where he holds the offices of Steward and Trustee. 
 In addition to his banking business; Mr. Allen is 
 interested In farming land and town property. 
 He began life near the bottom round of the lad- 
 der, financially c<msldered, and his accumulations 
 have been the result of close application to busi- 
 
PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPH'CAL RECORD. 
 
 ness and jiidicious investments. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Allen r.ink high in tlie regard of the people of 
 this county, and llieir pleasant iionie is the abode 
 of hospitality and liap|)iness. lie bears the repu- 
 tation of being a man of strict integrity, wiiose 
 word is as good as his bond. 
 
 ^ , OVVARD LYON, one of tiie representative 
 
 irji) and progressive farmers of Onarga Town- 
 'M^^ ship, wlio owns and operates four hundred 
 i^)) and ten acres of land, i« one of the early 
 settlers of the county. lie was born in Stock- 
 bridge, Windsor County, Vt.. on the 1st of March, 
 1831, and is a son of Amasa and Policy (Barnes) 
 Lyon, both of whom were natives of the (ireen 
 Mountain State. Four children were born unto 
 them, three of whom areyet living. 
 
 In the State of Ins nativitj', our subject sjjcnt 
 the days of his boyhood and youth, and after at- 
 taining to niature years he was married on the 
 22d of April, 1856, to Miss Betsy Brown, daugh- 
 tei' of Robert Brown. In the fall of the same year, 
 tiiey removed to Illinois, settling in Iroquois 
 Count}-, west of Onarga. In December, 18.57, 
 while returning on a visit to her old home, ]Mrs. 
 L\ on was drowned while crossing the river at De- 
 troit, Mich. After the death of his wife, Mr. Lyon 
 remained for eighteen months in A'ermont, and 
 then returned to this State, in the spring of 1859, 
 locating on a farm four miles south of Onarga, 
 where he has since resided. lie had at first rented 
 a farm in connection with his brother. 
 
 On the 14th of February, 1861, 31r. Lyon was 
 again married, his second union being with Mrs. 
 Caroline Sanders, widow of Richard Sanders. 
 Tliere were five children born of that union, all 
 sons: James, born March 29, 1865; Edward, Octo- 
 ber 17, 1867; William, November 22, 1868; Perry, 
 December 15, 1869, !.nd Robert, July 17, 1871. 
 One is married, Edward, who wedded Miss Sadie 
 Hiller, daughter of Oeorge and ilary lliiler, and 
 they have a little child, Howard. The mother of this 
 family was called to her tinal rest on tlie 12th of 
 ^lay, 1879. Mr. Lyon was again married, March 
 
 3, 1880, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Eveline 
 Libhart, widow of P. T. B. Libhait. The lady was 
 born in Bainbridgc, Chenango County, N. V., De- 
 cember 22, 1833. Her parents, Isaac and Eliza 
 (Miller) Dalton, were both natives of Pennsyl- 
 vania. In childhood, they emigrated to New- 
 York. In 1845. they moved to Wisconsin and a few 
 years later returned to New York. In 1861, they 
 moved to Iroquois County, and there the father 
 spent his last days, drying in 1877, aged about sixty- 
 three years. His widow lives near Ciilman, aged sev- 
 enty-eight years. After thirteen years of age, Mrs 
 Lyon lived with her relatives in Michigan, where" 
 she married October 23, 1853, Mr. Libhart. In the 
 fall of the same 3-ear, ^Ir. Libliai t moved to Del 
 Rev, where he ran a sawmill. He died in Buckley 
 in 1873. By her former marriage .Mrs. Lyon had 
 five children, as follows: Hubert C. born Septem- 
 ber 18, 1854, married Miss Dora Hay hurst, and re- 
 sides in Momenee, III., with his wife and daughter 
 Leo. Julietta, born .\ugust 6. 1856, is tlie wife of 
 Andrew Camp, a resident of Monona County, 
 Iowa, and they have six children, namely: Helen 
 T)., Hosea, Fred, Annie, Agnes and Josie. .^lary 
 Alice, born .Vpril 20, 1858, is the wife of Alfred 
 Vanords'trand, by whom she has three children: 
 ]SIabel K., Hubert R. and Mildred, and tiiey reside 
 near Momenee, III. William R., born Ajjril 8, 
 1859, wedded Miss Maiy Beatie, daughter of 
 Abraham and Elizabeth Beatie, and resides in 
 .Sycamore, III., with their four cliildren: Coila, 
 Frank, Myrtle and Marx. Estella B., born .lanu- 
 arj- 3, 1861, is tiie wife of James Nichols and tiieir 
 home is near Lake Village, Ind. Tliey hare four 
 children-; Floyd, Fay, Beulah and Eunice. 
 
 As before stated, Mr. Lyon has resided upon his 
 present farm since 1859. and now owns and 
 operates four hundred and ten acres of land, wliich 
 is under a high state of cultivation and well im- 
 proved. In connection with general farming, he 
 has also paid considerable attention tostock-iaismg. 
 and by his industry, perseverance and good man- 
 agement has .icquired a handsome competence. 
 Mr. Lyon is a member of the .Methodist Episcopal 
 Church and his wife holds membership with the 
 Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a sup- 
 porter of Republican principles and is a valued 
 
518 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 citizen of tiie community. For more than a third 
 of a century, lie lias here made his home, has 
 watched the growth and development of the 
 county, has aided in its upbuilding, and well de- 
 serves mention among its pioneers. 
 
 ♦^H^^^v J 
 
 ^ MLLIAAI McCLAVE, a successful and en- 
 \f\m tPi'P''''''"" farmer of Artesia Township, 
 V^ was born on the 24th of .July, 1834, in 
 Clermont County, Ohio, near Cincinnati, and is de- 
 scended from an old New England family. His 
 father, Stevenson McClave, was born in the town 
 of Lyme, N. H., and after arriving at years of 
 maturity he married Miss Sarah Banghart, a native 
 of New .Jersey. The}' became the parents of eight 
 children: John, William, Susan, Sarah, Michael 
 and Robert are yet living, and Martha and 
 David are deceased. The father of this fam- 
 ily died on the 4tli of November, 1888, at the ripe 
 old age of eighty-two years. His wife was called 
 to her final rest in March, 1878, more than ten 
 years previous to the death of her husband. 
 
 No event of special importance occurred during 
 the boyhood of our subject, vvhich was quietly 
 passed in the State of his nativity. On the 6th of 
 October, 1866, he was married to Miss Sarah E. 
 Muchmore, daughter of Garrett and Elizabeth 
 (Hicksou) Muchmore, of Hamilton Count}', Ohio, 
 where Mrs. McClave was born October 6, 1838. 
 Seven children were born unto them, as follows: 
 Lee, who was born August H), 1857; May, horn 
 May 1, 185it, is now the wife of Jesse T. McClave, 
 a farmer residing about three miles northwest of 
 Buckley; Amer T., born April 8, 1861; Mattie, 
 born December 22, 1863, became the wife of George 
 Baker, who was killed by lightning April 26, 1888, 
 in Minnesota, leaving two children: Lela and 
 William, who reside with their mother, in Onarga, 
 111.; Robert, born January 29, 1866, married Miss 
 Emma Holz, daughter of Matthew Holz, and unto 
 them has been born a son, Stanley Lee; Sybil, 
 born October 14, 1868, is at home; and Zee, born 
 February 2. 1871, is the wife of Walter Birch- 
 
 enough. The first child died when about a year 
 old, but the others are all yet living. 
 
 About two years after his marriage, Mr. McClave 
 came to Illinois, in 1858, emigrating from Ohio. 
 He settled on a farm in Iroquois County, about a 
 mile and a-half northwest of the present site of 
 Buckley, and has since there made his home, de- 
 voting his time and attention to agricultural pur- 
 suits. His home farm comprises one hundred and 
 sixty acres of land under a high state of cultiva- 
 tion and well improved, and he also owns another 
 farm of one hundred and sixty acres three miles 
 east of Buckley. He has given considerable at- 
 tention to stock-raising, but now devotes the 
 greater part of his time to the improvement of his 
 land. He is recognized as a practical and pro- 
 gressive farmer, and the neat appearance of his 
 place indicates his thrift and enterprise. 
 
 Mr. McClave has been called upon to serve in 
 several official positions of honor and trust in the 
 township, having for five years held the office of 
 Su|)ervisor of Artesia Township. Socially, he is a 
 member of Buckley Lodge No. 634, A. F. & A. M., 
 and in politics is a supporter of Republican prin- 
 cii)les. His duties of citizenship are ever faith- 
 fully performed, and he takes a commendable in- 
 terest in all that pertains to the welfare of the 
 community and its upbuilding. Mrs. jNIcClave is 
 a member of the Methodist Church. 
 
 llAULES M. COMSTOCK, one of the enter- 
 sing and substantial business men and 
 ' inlluential citizens of Aslikum, is a dealer 
 in grain, lumber, live stock and farm implements 
 at that place. He is a native of Massachusetts, 
 and was born in Berkshire County, his birth oc- 
 curring in the town of Adams, on the 22d of April, 
 1839, in the same house in which his mother was 
 born. He is a son of Amos Comstock, a native of 
 the Empire State, and who grew to maturity there. 
 The grandfather of our subject was born in New 
 England. Charles H. Comstock is of the seventh 
 generation of the Comstock family who have lived 
 in the United States. Two brothers of that name 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 r, 1 !) 
 
 settled in New England in the early days of Rhode 
 Island. They were of English descent, and our 
 subject's grandmother and his relatives belonged 
 to the Society of Friends, and originally settled in 
 Hhode Island. 
 
 Araos Conislock. after reaching man's estate, 
 married in the town of Adams, Herkshire Connty, 
 Hannah I'pton, daughter of Isaac l'i)ton, who was 
 also a member of the Society of Friends. After 
 his marriage he located in Eastern New York, where 
 he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a number 
 of years. Later, he returned to Jlassacliusetts, set- 
 tling near Adams, where he engaged in farmingand 
 stock-raising. He carried on business for a number 
 of years successfully, but later met with reverses 
 and then went to Michigan, where he located in 
 J-apeer County. Thi.s was about the year 1850, 
 and in what was almost a wilderness he opened up 
 a farm, on which he lived until death claimed him 
 in 1855. His wife survived him for several years, 
 and after her husband's death she returned to the 
 East, where she resided for a few years, and then 
 made her home with a son at Grand Rapids, 
 Alich. She departed this life in 18(55, leaving 
 manj' to inourn her loss. She was an active mem- 
 ber of the Societ^^ of Friends. 
 
 Of a family of nine children, eight of whom 
 grew to mature years, Upton, who died at the age 
 of lifteen years, was the eldest; Aniiadied in 1841; 
 .Iiilietta died in 1889, at the age of seventy years; 
 Rev. William resides at Allendale, Mich., and is a 
 minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church; Da- 
 vid B. was a prominent merchant of Grand Rapids, 
 Mich., for a number of years, and died there 
 in 1874; Pha'be .lane and Hannah Maria, twins, the 
 former of whom died in infancy, and tlie latter of 
 whom is married and makes her home in Adams 
 Township, Berksiiire County, Mass.; Isaac U. lives 
 in Michigan and is a natural mechanic and jeweler 
 by trade; and our subject is the youngest of the 
 family. 
 
 .Mr. Comstock whose name heads this record re- 
 moved to Michigan with bis parents when a lad 
 of fourteen. He received good common-school 
 advantages and worked on a farm during the sum- 
 mer season. Since arriving at man's estate he has 
 received a good business education and is well-read 
 
 and informed 'and keeps'posted in general litera- 
 ture, science, and the affairs of the (Joveriiment. 
 After his father's death he removed to \erniont 
 and assisted his brollier-iii-law, who was a mill- 
 wright and carpenter. In Massachusetts, he learned 
 the carriage-maker's trade, and in November, 1851), 
 came to Illinois. He located at Manteno and 
 started a carriage manufactory, in which business 
 he was quite successful. He next engaged as man- 
 ager of a grain elevator and took charge of that 
 business for a cousin, G. 1'. Comstock. In the 
 spring of 18G5, our subject went to Peotone and 
 there engaged for himself in the grain business for 
 a period of about three years; he later removed to 
 Chebanse, where he built the first elevator in that 
 town. After two years of business in that place, 
 he sold out to F. J. Taylor, after which he con- 
 tinued in business for about one year. During 
 ■that time he introduced a patent end gate of his 
 own invention. In 1871, Mr. Comstock located 
 in Ashkuni and there built an elevator and exten- 
 sively engaged in the grain business in partnership 
 with his cousin, G. P. Comstock, of Chicago, who 
 remained a member of the firm for several years, 
 but has since died. Our subject for twcnfy-one 
 years has been actively engaged in the grain busi- 
 ness in this village and has had several other lines 
 of business in addition to this. Since 1872, he has 
 handled wagons and farm implements. Mr. Com- 
 stock 's patent has been a source of great revenue 
 to him, and from it for many years he has received 
 about ^1,000 per annum, and all of the wagons 
 which he handles he has received in partial pay- 
 ment for the use of his patent gate. 
 
 In I'eotone, 111., Mr. Comstock was united in 
 marriage with Adelia Kellogg. November f.'S, 18()6. 
 The lady was born at Lyons, 111., and is a daugh- 
 ter of Solomon Kellogg. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock 
 are the parents of seven children: Louise A., Alice 
 S., Carrie A., Mae R., Clinton ('.. William IL, 
 and George K. They also had two daughters 
 who died in infancy. 
 
 During his life, Mr. Comstock has met with a 
 number of narrow escapes from death. Three 
 times falling timbers fairly grazed his head in their 
 descent. Politically, he is identified with the Re- 
 publican party. lie has never aspired to oflicial 
 
520 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 positions but has given his attention to liis exten- 
 sive business interests. Hesliips from four to five 
 hundrerl ears of gi-.ain i)er 3'ear and also lias an ex- 
 tensive lumber trade. During his long residence 
 in this and adjoining counties, Mr. Comstock has 
 made many friends both in a business and in a so- 
 cial way. lie is a man of superior inventive talent 
 and lias shown enterprise and industry excelled 
 by few. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 Jl^pRANK M. CRANGLE, County Supcrin- 
 Irr:^] tendeut of Schools for Iroquois County, 
 /1|, has held the position since December 1, 
 
 1891. He is a native of Illinois, his birth having 
 occurred in Grundy County, .January .3, ISGl. 
 His father, James Craiigle, was born in County 
 Down, Ireland, March 17, 1837, and with his par- 
 ents emigrated to America when nine years of age, 
 the family setthng near Morris, Grundy County, 
 111., where he engaged in farming. 
 
 Mr. Crangle, Sr., was married in Brookfield, La 
 Salle Counts-, 111., November 29, 1855, to Miss 
 liridget Farrel, who was born in Ottawa, 111., of 
 Irish parentage. Unto them were born six sons 
 and seven daughters, ten of whom are yet living: 
 Peter W., a farmer at home; John, also at home; 
 Frank M., of this sketch; James, who died in in- 
 fancy in Rock Island; Mary A., who is teaching 
 school in Buckley; Ellen, who died September 17, 
 1889; Sarah; Alice Car}-, who is teaching at 
 Dan forth. 111.; Jessie, at home; Lucy, who is at- 
 tending school in Crescent City; Charles, who 
 died November 24, 1889; .lames P. and Edna, who 
 complete the family. 
 
 Mr. Crangle, Sr., enlisted for the late war on the 
 10th of August, 1862, as a member of the Seventy- 
 second Illinois Infantr}', under Col. Fred Staring, 
 that being the first regiment fitted out by the 
 Board of Trade in Chicago. He participated in 
 the battle of Champion Hill and in the charges 
 on Vicksburg, Maj' 19 and 22. He also engaged 
 in the battle of Franklin and in several skirmishes, 
 making a good record as a brave and gallant sol- 
 dier. He is a Democrat and has been chosen to 
 
 various public positions of honor and trust. He 
 was first elected Justice of the Peace in Grundy 
 County and held the office for eight years. On 
 the 4th of March, 18C9, he removed from Grundy 
 to Iroquois County, and settled in Ash Grove 
 Township, where he has since resided. He 
 purchased a fine quarter-section of land, which he 
 now has under a high state of cultivation. In 
 the spring of 1878, he was elected Supervisor for 
 Ash Grove Township, and has been re-elected to 
 the same office several times since. His first major- 
 ity was one hundred and two, the largest ever 
 cast in his town ; the issue being the enjoining of the 
 l)ayment of the railroad bonds and to him is due the 
 honor of settling the railroad bonds so satisfactor- 
 ilj' to a majority of the citizens of his town. The 
 parents of Mr. Crangle lioth returned to Ireland to 
 spend their remaining days, where the father died 
 in 1850, and the mothei- in 1856. 
 
 Frank M. Crangle was reared on his father's 
 farm. During the summers of 1874-75 he was his 
 father's cow-bo,y, herding cattle on the prairies. 
 His horse and book were his sole companions, and 
 while the cattle grazed quietly he was storing his 
 mind with useful knowledge. He attended the 
 district schools and subsequent!}- took a course of 
 study at Grand Prairie Seminar}'. In the spring 
 of 1876, having passed a satisfactory examination, 
 he was awarded a teacher's certificate and taught 
 his first schooLthe following autumn in the Search 
 Underwood District, although not then seventeen 
 years of age. During the succeeding six years he 
 attended the Grand Prairie Seminary and taught 
 in his home and adjoining schools: Pleasant Hill, 
 Fairview and Schwer. A notable thing is thai he 
 taught for eight years in the four districts in the 
 vicinity of his home, which attests his popularity 
 and success as a teacher where he was best known. 
 In 1886, he was employed by the School Board of 
 Crescent City, and successfully taught its graded 
 school for four years. He then engaged as teacher 
 of the Buckley school, but resigned that position 
 after three months to accept the office of County 
 Superintendent of Schools, to which he was elected 
 in the fall of 1891. While the usual Republican 
 majority in this county had previously been seven 
 hundred and fifty-eight, he, as a Democrat, re- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAIMIK AL RIXORI). 
 
 523 
 
 ccived five hundred and ninety-one majority., 
 making a eliange of thirteen hundred and forty- 
 iiiiie votes. 
 
 Soeiallv, Mr. C'rangle is a nieml)er of Standard 
 Lodge No. 607, I. O. O. F., of Crescent City; Cres- 
 cent Camp, M. W. A.; ^lon Ami Lodge, K. P.; and 
 Watseka Camp, .Sons of A'cterans. Since hi.s elec- 
 tion to the ollice of County Snperin ten (lent of 
 Sclioob, ]Mr. Crangle has made his home in Wat- 
 seka. He has an inteiest in a farm in Hayes 
 County, Neb., but does not anticipate a removal 
 from Iroquois County, which has so long been his 
 home. An experienced and practical teaciier him- 
 self. I^Ir. Crangle po.ssesses a thorough education In 
 all branches taught in the j)ublic schools, and h.as 
 proven a most successful officer, having performed 
 the arduous duties of his position with ability and 
 fldelit\-. .Some idea of the responsibility attached 
 to the oHice of Superintendent of Schools in Iro- 
 quois County may be formed when it is known 
 that the county maintains two hundred and thirty- 
 four schools, employs three hundred and six 
 teachers, and the school records show an enroll- 
 ment of sixteen thousand seven hundred and 
 eighty scholars. Mr. Crangle is a young man 
 l)ossessed of superior ability, unquestioned integ- 
 rity, and is blessed with a genial, cordial manner 
 and whole-souled good-fellowship that have won 
 him hosts of friends. 
 
 ^^ TKPHEN EYRICII, who is the owner of 
 ^^^ a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres 
 VV^3^ on section 39, Beaver Township, Iroquois 
 County, is a native of Germany. He was 
 born in Saxe-Coburg, in the town of White Hansen, 
 February 14, 1841, and is a son of .loseph and 
 Marguerite (Geuther) E^'rich. The first sixteen 
 years of his life were spent in his native land, 
 and he then determined to make his home in 
 America. Crossing the broad Atlantic, he came 
 at once to Will County, 111., where his elder 
 brother, Nicholas Eyrich, was then living. He 
 
 there began to work by the month, and was thus 
 employed until his marriage. 
 
 On the 1st of November, l«fi(!. .Mr. Eyiich was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Emily Deininger, of 
 Will County, who was born in Wurtemberg, in 
 the town of Saxon Hausen, (Germany, on the 10th 
 of March, 1849. When four years of age, she was 
 brought by her patents to this country, and her 
 education was acquired in the public schools. Pre- 
 vious to his marriage, Mr. Eyrich purchased fort}' 
 acres of land, and the young couple began their 
 domestic life upon that farm. At length, he sold 
 out in Will County and came to Iroquois County, 
 where he purchased one hundred and sixt}^ acres 
 of land at ^12. .00 per acre. This was a raw tract, 
 but he at once began placing it under the plow and 
 st)on abundant harvests rewarded his labors. He 
 has since purch.ased an additional eighth-acre tract 
 and now has a fine farm. In fact, it is considered 
 one of the model farms of the county, l)eing com- 
 plete in all its appointments. His home, a pleas- 
 ant, commodious residence, is supi)lied with water 
 furnished by a force pump and windmill. His well 
 is one hundred and seventy-nine feet deep and 
 furnishes a never-failing supply of pure water. His 
 large barn, with a basement, is built in modern 
 style, and his outbuildings arc all models of con- 
 venience. 
 
 The Eyrich family numbers six children, and 
 they lost three who died in infancy. In order of 
 birth they are as follows: Nicholas, l)orn August 
 20, 1867; .loiin, .Inly 18, 1869; Minnie, .lune 23, 
 1871; Philip, September 30, 1873; .Joseph, August 
 30, 187.5; and Maggie, June 28, 1879. The chil- 
 dren iiave all received good educational advan- 
 tages, and Miss Minnie has successfully engaged in 
 teaching for aliout two years, beginning at the 
 age of seventeen. 
 
 Mr. Eyrich exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Democratic party, and his first 
 vote w.is cast for Horace tireeley in 1872. Him- 
 self and wife were reared in the faith of the Luth- 
 eran Church, but are now members of the Chris- 
 tian Church, to which their children also belong. 
 They arc highly resi^ected people, and the Eyrich 
 household is the abode of hospitality and the mem- 
 bers of the family rank high in social circles. Mr. 
 
524 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Kyrich has erected a beautiful two-stor.y residence 
 on his eiglilj' acres on section 31, which is a model 
 residence. On the premises is a superb well, cue 
 hundred and forty-two feet deep, which has a 
 never-failing supply of water. Our subject is a 
 worthy and valued citizen, and his success in life 
 is due to his own efforts. We take pleasure in 
 presenting to our readers this record of his life 
 work. 
 
 =. — =3<^T^^s ® 
 
 ' ( OHN NELSON, the efficient Postmaster of 
 Donovan, is of Swedish birth, born in the 
 southern part of Sweden, on the 5th of 
 August, 1844. llis parents were Swan and 
 Christina (.Johnson) Nelson. His father was a 
 farmer, and in the usu.al manner of farmer lads the 
 d.iys of his boyhood and youth were passed. His 
 education was acquired in the public schools, and 
 at the age of seventeen he left the fields to accept 
 a position as clerk in a mercantile estaljlishment. 
 
 When a young man of nineteen years, Mr. Nel- 
 son determined to seek a home in the New World, 
 of whose advantages and privileges he had heard 
 so much. On crossing the Atlantic he at once 
 went to Chicago and from there took a trip to 
 the South, but eventually returned to Illinois and 
 made a location in Beaver Township, Iroquois 
 County, where lie began to work as a farm hand. 
 He worked by the month and for himself until 
 1872, when he again began clerking, this time be- 
 ing employed in Iroquois. He afterward .secured 
 a position as salesman in Sheldon. Later, he re- 
 moved to Donovan, where he embarked in busi- 
 ness. He has since been closely connected with 
 the welfare of the place and is recognized as one of 
 its prominent and influential citizens. 
 
 On the lOth of August, 1874, Mr. Nelson led to 
 the marriage altar Miss Anna Sophia Jansen, of 
 Watseka. The lady was born in Central Sweden 
 and came to America with her grandfather, who 
 died in Buffalo, N. Y. Her father is still living in 
 the land of his nativity. Unto our subject and his 
 wife have been born four children: Charles August 
 Ernest, .John Walter, Oscar Lyle and Neva .Josie. 
 On becoming an American citizen. Mr. Nelson 
 
 joined the ranks of the Republican party, and 
 has since been one of its stalwart supporters and a 
 warm advocate of its principles. His fellow-citi- 
 zens, appreciating his wortli and ability, have 
 called upon him to serve in various positions of 
 honor and trust. lie has filled the ottice of 
 Township Clerk and Collector, was Assessor for 
 eight terms and Supervisor for two terms, dis- 
 charging his duties with promptness and fidel- 
 ity, showing that the confidence reposed In hira 
 was not by any means misplaced. He was ap- 
 pointed Postmiister of Donovan by President Ar- 
 thur, and during President Harrison's administra- 
 tion he W!is re-appointed. He is a popular officer 
 who fills the position with credit to himself and to 
 the satisfaction of his constituents. He has served 
 his party as a delegate to the count}' and State 
 conventions. Mr. Nelson is an active member of 
 and faithful worker in the Swedish Methodist 
 ]<;piscopal Church of Beaver Township, and be- 
 longs to the Jlasonic lodge of Donovan, in which 
 he has held the position of Secretary. He has a 
 wide acquaintance throughout the community and 
 is held in the highest regard by all who know him 
 for his sterling worth and straightforward busi- 
 ness dealino's. 
 
 f^^_^ UGO ROUGK is proprietor of a machine 
 Yl shop in Sheldon and deals in all kinds of 
 machinery. He is doing an excellent bus- 
 iness at this place, where he has carried on 
 operations for about three years. His life record is 
 as follows: He was born in Saxonj', Germany, 
 December 17, 1856, and with one exception is the 
 youngest in a family of four children. His parents. 
 William and Wilhelmina (Froman) Rougk.are also 
 natives of Germany. His father has been an en- 
 gine-builder iind a large manufacturer, and by 
 good business ability, industry and perseverance, 
 has accumulated a large property. He is now a 
 well-preserved old gentleman of seventy. For 
 the p.ast fifteen years he has lived retired, and is 
 now resting in the enjoyment of a good fortune 
 acquired through his own efforts. 
 
PORTiJAiT AM) r.ionnAririCAL record. 
 
 ',2', 
 
 When a lad of eleven years, our subject left 
 lnnne and sailed for America, locatinor in Hartford, 
 Conn., where he served an apprenticeship to tlie 
 trade of a machinist in tlie Woodruff & Beech 
 Iron Works. On the expiration of liis four years' 
 term of service, lie was employed as oiler and wa- 
 ter-tender on an ocean steamer and to tliat work 
 devoted his energies for the succeeding three years. 
 After leaving the ocean steamer, he entered Brat's 
 Institute, of Brooklyn, N. Y.. a school of mechanics, 
 from which he was graduated. Subseiiueut to this 
 lie served for a period in the United States Navy. 
 Later he passed an examination given by tlie 
 United States Inspector of Steamboats and re- 
 ceived a license from the Government to run tug 
 boats on the river at New York City. Subsequently 
 we find him in Oalveston, Tex.,and in other points 
 ill the South. .In 1879, Jlr. Rougk went to South 
 America, and there remained for nine months, be- 
 ing located in Rio Janeiro, Brazil, after which he 
 returned to Hartford, Conn. He worked in the 
 machine shops in that city for a time, and then going 
 to Aspin wall, Panama, he there held the position of 
 master mechanic for a few months, after which he 
 went to the Cape of Good Hope on what proved 
 a fruitless attempt to secure a fortune in liie dia- 
 mond fields of Africa. 
 
 Mr. Rougk reiiirned by a Goodrich steamer, and 
 after a short time spent at home started on a trip 
 to the Friendly Islands, where he spent five 
 montiis. He next went to San Francisco, Cal., 
 and was there engaged as engineer on some of 
 the largest boats that put into that port. On 
 tlie "City of Sidney" he sailed from the Golden 
 Gate to Sidney and Melbourne, Australia, a dis- 
 tance of seven thousand miles. He made this trip 
 fourteen times, serving as second engineer. After- 
 ward, he sailed to Yokohama, Japan, where he was 
 employed for nine months under the Japanese Gov- 
 ernment. Wiiile at that place, he became tlior- 
 oughly conversant with the Chinese language. 
 Fre his return to San Francisco, Mr. Rougk went 
 to San Jose and entered the employ of Joseph Fr- 
 night <k Son, as a builder of engines. Ten months 
 later, we find him in Los Angeles, where he wjis 
 sent to put in the electric-light plant. Afterward 
 he returned to San Francisco and entered the 
 
 steamboat business, but this venture did not prove 
 a success by reason of strong competition, and Mr. 
 Rougk lost several thousand dollars. In company 
 with his brother, he next went to Mexico, riding 
 mules to that place, and thence to Ft. Worth, Tex., 
 where he and his brother separated and Hugo 
 made his way to (ialveston, the same State. Afew 
 months afterward, he arranged to meet his brother 
 in Chicago, where he expected to find employment. 
 On reaching that cit}^ he had only twenty-five 
 cents. His brother secured a position at once, but 
 it was three months before our subject was as for- 
 tunate. He then obtained work, with the Knick- 
 erbocker Ice Company in setting up engines. 
 
 It was in 1887 that Mr. Rougk left Chicago 
 and came to Iro(iuois County, locating in Watseka, 
 where he went into the machine business. He 
 afterward sold out and engaged in the work of re- 
 pairing engines, etc., which he followed for a 
 few months, when he entered the employ of A. B. 
 Roub iV.' Co., with whom he remained five years. 
 He then embarked in business for himself. His 
 capital was small and he had but few tools but his 
 business rapidly increased and in order to meet the 
 growing demand he constantly enlarged his facili- 
 ties and built a new shop. In 1891, he removed 
 his business to Sheldon, wjiere he built a large 
 factory and filled it with the best machinery and 
 every facility for attending to the extensive trade 
 which is his. 
 
 In 1890, Mr. Rougk was joined in wedlock with 
 Miss Maggie Milhouser, and unto them has been 
 born a son, Charlie. Although they have been 
 residents of this community but a short time, they 
 are widely and favorablj- known and are held in 
 high regard by their many friends. Few if any 
 residents of Iroquois County have traveled more 
 extensively than our subject, who has been from 
 the Orient to the Occident and has visited many 
 points of note and interest. In his travels, he has 
 learned many tongues and can tluentiv speak the 
 German, English, Spanish and Chinese languages. 
 
 Mr. Rougk votes the Democratic ticket but 
 takes no active part in political affairs, preferring 
 to devote his entire time and attention to his busi- 
 ness interests. He is recognized as one of the bus- 
 iest men of the county. We have seen that in his 
 
526 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 life he lias met with some reverses and obstacles, 
 but has overcome these by perseverance and indus- 
 try', and since eleven _years of age has made his 
 own way in tiie world. Working his way steadily 
 upward, he has secured an excellent business and 
 his labors have brought to him a comfortable com- 
 petence, lie is truly a self-made man and liis ex- 
 ample in many respects is well worthy of emula- 
 tion. 
 
 II. CIIAl'MAN, who resides on section 
 j); ;i:5, Lovejoy Township, has for almost a 
 (piarter of a century made his home in 
 this county, and is recognized as a citi- 
 zen of sterling worth and strict integrity and one 
 of the leading agriculturists of the community. As 
 he is widely and favorably known, we feel assured 
 that this record of his life will prove of interest 
 to many of oui' renders. A native of Connecti- 
 cut, he was boin in New Haven County, March 
 25, 1836, and w:is the eighth in order of birth in a 
 family of fourteen children, numbering five sons 
 and nine daughters. The parents were Peter and 
 Eliza (Harding) Chapman. His father was also a 
 native of the Nutmeg State, born in New London 
 County, December 31, 1803. His education was 
 ac<iuired in the common schools, and throughout 
 the greater part of his life he followed agricul- 
 tural pursuits. l'\)r m:in.\' years he supported the 
 Democratic party, but his last ballot was cast for 
 Gen. U. S. Grant. With the IJaptist Church he 
 held membership. His death occurred in Iroquois 
 June 7, 1880, at the age of seventy-seven years. 
 The mother of our subject was born in Linn, 
 Conn., October 4, 1805, and was called to her final 
 rest August 20, 1871). 
 
 D. H. Chapman, the suliject of this sketch, re- 
 mained in Connecticut until seventeen years of 
 age, and for a time earned his own livelihood by 
 working in a lock factoiy. He started out in life 
 empty-handed, with no capital save a pair of will- 
 ing hands and a determination to win success. He 
 is truly a self-made man, both financiall}^ and 
 from an educational point of view. Perseverance 
 
 and enterprise buoyed him up when discourage- 
 ment or difHculties threatened to engulf him. He 
 now occupies an enviable position among the sub- 
 stantial citizens of the community. Hoping to 
 be benefited by a removal to the West, he bade 
 good-bye to his old home in 1855 and emigrated 
 to Winnebago Count}', 111. Here he began work 
 as a farm hand at $15 per month. Although his 
 wages were then low he kejit steadily at his woik, 
 was faithful to his duty, and I'oiluiie at length 
 crowned his efforts. 
 
 Mr. Chapman has been twice married. On De- 
 cember 4, 1863, he was joined in wedlock with 
 Miss Lucy S. White, and by their union were born 
 three children, two sons and a daughter: Frank 
 L., who was educated in the Paxton Collegiate 
 Institute and Greer College, of Hoopeston, is one 
 of the leading young men of the community; 
 Howard R., who still makes his home under the 
 parental roof, is now a student in .Shurtleff Col- 
 lege, where he h.as pursued his studies for four 
 years. He is taking a classical course, preparatory 
 to entering the work of the ministry. He expects 
 also to take a two-year theological course. He is an 
 intelligent .young man, well fitted for the calling 
 he has chosen. Lena E., who h.as succe.ssfully en- 
 gaged in teaching in Iroquois and Vermilion 
 Counties, and was a student in the Paxton Col- 
 legiate Institute, is now the' wife of K. S. Wake- 
 land, a resident farmer of Bolivai', Polk County, 
 Mo. In 1871, Mr. Chapman was called upon to 
 mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 7th of 
 January, and was laid to rest in the Hoopeston 
 cemetery. She was a member of tlie Baptist 
 Church, and an estimable lad.y who had many 
 warm friends throughout the comnninil-y. On 
 May 5, 1875, Mr. Cha[>man was again married, 
 his second union being with Miss Jennie M. Pat- 
 terson, a native of Rockford, 111., born March 22, 
 1840, and a daughter of Alex and Helen (Gordon) 
 Patterson. Three children, two sons and a daugh- 
 ter, have been born unto them, but all are now 
 deceased. Mrs. Chapman spent her girlhood days 
 in Kockford, was educated in the common schools, 
 and became a teacher of recognized ability in 
 Winnebago County. 
 
 In 1870, Mr. Chapman came to lro(juois County, 
 
PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 527 
 
 purcliasing one hundred and sixty acres of raw 
 land on section 33, Lovejoy Township, and began 
 the development of a farm. Tlie county tlien was 
 not far advanced in the way of progress, and he pur- 
 chased all of Ills supplies in \Va(scka. His first 
 home was a Iwardcd-np shanty, which still stands 
 upon his farm, although it has long since given 
 way to the present residence. Mr. Chapman 
 can remember the days when wild game was plen- 
 tiful in this county. He can also remember the 
 prairie fires, which caused much loss and were a 
 source of terror to the settlers. At the time he 
 located here, Iloopeston, Wellington and Cissna 
 Park liad not yet sprung into existence. In the 
 work of upl)uilding and progress in tlie country he 
 has ever borne his part, faitlifully performing his 
 duties of citizenship. He now owns one of the 
 line farms of the community, well improved and 
 under a high slate of cultivation. His land w.as 
 purclmsed at §9 per acie, but is now worth many 
 limes that amount. Over four miles of tiling 
 have been laid upon it, and other improvements 
 liave been made until il is now ;i xaiuabic and de- 
 sirable place. 
 
 Mr. Chapman cast his first Presidential vote for 
 the honored and lamented Lincoln, of whom he 
 was an ardent admirer. He continued to support 
 llie Republican Jiarty for a number of years, but 
 now exercises his right of franchise in support of 
 tiie Prohibition party. The cause of temperance 
 linds in him a warm friend, and he does all in his 
 power to promote its growth. No man in this 
 community lias done more for the education.al in- 
 terests than our subject, who for a long period 
 has been olllcially connected with the schools, 
 having served as Director for twenty-one years. 
 He believes that good schools make good citizens, 
 and that to secure the former competent teachers 
 should be hired. He has in his pos.se.ssion the rec- 
 ord of the first .school meeting held in his district. 
 This convened at his own residence, Jnne 5, 1871, 
 and seven legal voters were present. The follow- 
 ing Board of Directors were duly elected: I). H. 
 Chapman, Clerk; Cyrus Sellers, Sr., and Cyrus 
 Sellers, .Ir. The schoolhouse was located on the 
 southwest corner of section 28, but afterward 
 changed to the northwest corner of section 33 on 
 
 Mr. Chapman's land, where il now stands. The 
 .school was opened September 1, 1873, with an en- 
 rollment of six pupils, and Jliss MoUio .Skidmore 
 was engaged as teacher at a salary of $25 per 
 month. There are now two schoolhouses in the 
 district, the government, however, being under 
 one Board of Directors. The second was built 
 during tiie summer of 1877, and James Stei>hen- 
 son was employed as the first te.acher, at a salary 
 of iJoO per month. Certainly the comnnuiity 
 owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. ChapuKui fur his 
 untiring labors in behalf of education. 
 
 Our subject is also an ardent member of the 
 Baptist Ciiurch of Iloopeston, and has served as 
 one of it.« ollicers since its organization. His wife 
 is a member of the Presbyterian Church. From 
 the beginning he has filled the position of Cliurcli 
 Clerk, and h.as also been Trustee and Deacon. In 
 the work of the Sunday-school he takes a very act- 
 ive part, was its first Superintendent, in 1879, 
 and has served in that ca[>acit\' t'oi' a number of 
 years. The school enrolls one Inindred pupils, 
 and has an average attendance of between seventy- 
 five and eighty. Mr. Chapman has lived an up- 
 right, honorable life well worthy of emulation, is 
 held in the highest confidence by all who know 
 iiim, and well deserves representation in tiiis vol- 
 ume. 
 
 ' EORGK M. BIRKLI NK. one of the early set- 
 tlers of Iroquois County, who now carries on 
 general farming and stock-raising on sec- 
 tion 17, Artesia Township, w.as born in Wnrtemberg, 
 Germany, on the 11th of November, 1832, and is 
 one of a familj' of eight children, whose parents 
 were Thomas and Catherine Bireline. Three of the 
 children are still living, as follows; Louis, George 
 M. and Regina. 
 
 The subject of this sketch ac(|uircd a good com- 
 mon education in his native land, where, in accord- 
 ance with the laws of the country, he attended 
 school until fourteen years of age. He then 
 learned the weaver's trade, which he followed con- 
 
528 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tinuonsly until his emigration to America. It was 
 in 1851, when a young man of nineteen \ear.s, 
 that Mr. Eireline bade adieu *o the scenes of his 
 boyhood and took passage for America in a sailing- 
 vessel which, after a voyage of forty-nine days, 
 reached the harbor of New York. Our subject did 
 not tarry long in the Eastern metropolis, but went 
 at once to Ohio, locating in Circleville. He se- 
 cured employment in a woolen factory, and there 
 remained for about nine months, after whicli he 
 l)egau working on a farm by the mouth. He was 
 thus employed in the Buckeye State for six months, 
 when he left Oliio and removed to Warren County, 
 Ind.. where two succeeding 3'ears of his life were 
 passed, lie there engaged in farming and in car- 
 rying on a butcher's shop. 
 
 The year 1856 witnessed the arrival of Mr. 
 Bireline in Illinois. He pre-empted one hundred 
 and sixty acres of land on section 17, Artesia 
 Township, Iroquois County, and upon this farm 
 lias since made his home, with the exception of 
 three years spent at West Lebanon, Ind. He broke 
 prairie during the summer and worked out b}' the 
 month during the winter se.ason. His own land 
 he placed under a high state of cultivation, and 
 the once unbroken prairie soon yielded to him a 
 golden tribute in return for tlic care and cultiva- 
 tion he bestowed upon it. In 1872, Mr. liire- 
 line removed to West Lebanon, Ind., where he 
 spent three j'ears, being engaged in business as a 
 partner in a flouring-mill for about ten months, 
 when the mill burned down. He then returned to 
 his farm, where he has since continued to re- 
 side. He now owns three hundred and twenty- 
 three acres of good land, which represents his own 
 hard labor. 'His fields are now well tilled, and he 
 raises a good grade of stock. The many improve- 
 ments upon the place and its neat appearance all 
 indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner. 
 
 April 27, 1863, Mr. Bireline was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Louise Ilarnock. She was born in 
 Prussia, Germany, May 15, 1815, and, when twelve 
 years old, came to this country with her parents, J. 
 and Dorothy (Dryei) Harnock. Her father still lives 
 near Loda, but her mother died years ago. By the 
 union of our subject and wife have born eight 
 gUUdi-ea, three sows and five daughters, uamely: 
 
 George P., Emma L., Carrie S., Ella D., Lula E., 
 Frank L., Loretta J. and Adolph P. The family 
 is widely and favorably known in this community, 
 and its members rank high in tiie social circles in 
 wliich they move. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Bireline is a supporter of Re- 
 publican principles. For the long period of thir- 
 teen years he has held the office of School Director 
 and is the present incumbent. With the Method- 
 ist Church all the family hold membership. 
 Pul)lic-si)irited and progressive, he takes an active 
 interest in all that pertains to tlie welfare of the 
 comnninity, and does all in his power for the up- 
 building of those enterprises calculated to prove 
 of pulilic benefit. 
 
 /^N LAKEXCE II. DAWSON, a prominent mer- 
 (1! _ chant of Mil ford, dealing in drugs, medi- 
 ^^^ cines, books, stationery, wall paper, paints, 
 oils, etc., was born in Warren County, Ind , on the 
 8th of .Tune, 1861. and is the eldest of a family of 
 five children. The parents, James E. and Mary J. 
 (Borders) Dawson, were both natives of Ohio. 
 They removed to Indiana, and after some years' 
 residence in Warren County, came to Iroquois 
 County, III. Then- two sons and three daughters 
 are Clarence 11., Alva M., Nora B.. Florence M. and 
 Cora E. 
 
 The subject of this sketch w;i,s a lad of nine 
 summers when his parents came to this State, and 
 since that time he has been a resident of Iroquois 
 County. His education was acquired in tlie public 
 schools. After attaining to years of maturity, he 
 was united in marriage vi^ith Miss Frances Wilson, 
 daughter of John B. and Eliza (Hickman) Wilson, 
 wlu>se sketch is given on another page. Their 
 union was celebrated on the 14th of February, 
 1883. In his political affiliations, Mr. Dawson is 
 a Republican, but has never been an office-seeker, 
 preferring to devote his time and attention to his 
 business and other interests, rather than to enter 
 the political arena. He holds mornbevship with 
 Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. .t A, M.; Watseka 
 Chapter No, 1 U, R. A. M.; and Mt. Olivet Comman. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOftRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 529 
 
 (lery No. 38, K. T., of P.ixton. lie is Secretary of 
 the Milford Agricultural Society. 
 
 After a residence of some five years in Welling- 
 ton, 111., Mr. Dawson came to Milford, and m 
 March. 11S81, embarked in his pifsent line of busi- 
 ness, lie carries a full stock of goods, and his 
 patronage has constantly increased. Those who 
 have known Mr. Dawson from boyhood, and have 
 witnessed the honorable upright life which he has 
 always led, hold liin) in high regard, and are num- 
 bered among his stanehest friends. He also ranks 
 high in business circles, and is classed among the 
 prominent and progressive citizens of the commu- 
 nity. He is public-spirited and takes an active in- 
 terest in all that jiertaius to the welfare of the 
 town and county, and is ever ready to aid in the 
 |)romotion of those enterprises calculated tii prove 
 of public benefit. 
 
 \ln^ EMMER EDEN, who owns and operates a 
 IWr farm on section 9, Danforth Township, 
 ifc fli was born in Hanover, Germanj-, Septem- 
 ber 26, 1826. His parents were both 
 natives of the .same country and bore the names of 
 .John and Emraa (Andrews) Eden. The father 
 emigrated to the United .States in 1876. and located 
 in Iro(iuois County, where he lived until his death 
 m 188:5. 
 
 Remmer Eden passed his early days in the Eatlier- 
 iand and received good school advantages. He 
 came to the New World in 1852, w'hen a young 
 man, sailing from Bremen and arriving in New 
 Orleans after a long and tedious voyage. He ar- 
 rived at his destination M.ay 22, 18.52, and went 
 by wa}' of the ]Mississi|)pi River, first to .St. Louis 
 then to Peru, Dixon and Freeport, 111. Tazewell 
 County \xas at that time almost a wilderness and 
 there he located and spent two and a-half years 
 working by the month on a farm. He afterward 
 rented a farm which he tilled for many ^ears, suf- | 
 fering the hardships and privations of pioneer life, 
 and ill addition to these had niucli sickne.ss in his i 
 family, ' 
 
 111 Tazewell Couuty, 31r, Eden was joiued in j 
 
 wedlock on March 1, 1856, with CJeske Klatten- 
 burg, who was born in Hanover November .0, 18.'51, 
 and is a daughter of John Klaltenburg. To this 
 worthy cou[)le have been born ten children, seven 
 of whom are still living: John, a merchant in Dan- 
 forth; Emma, the wife of Herman Simons, a black- 
 smith of Danforth; Reiner, a clerk for his brother 
 John; Lena, wife of Herman Claymon, of Nebraska; 
 Oliver, a farmer of the .*ame State; Herman, who 
 is at home, and Sena. They lost three chil- 
 dren: (rcorgc, who died at the .age of nineteen 
 years; Henry, who died when about eleven years 
 of age, and one child who died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Eden commenced life in Illinois a poor man, 
 and by careful industry, enterprise and good busi- 
 ness ability h.as achieved a competence. He owns 
 some of the finest farming land in the county and 
 in addition to his property here, owns a farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres in Platte County, Neb. 
 He is also the owner of a vacant lot in the town of 
 Danforth. He is a supporter of the Democratic 
 party and principles. Mr. and Jlrs. Eden are mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church and are much re- 
 spected and esteemed throughout this section. 
 For nearly a quarter of a century our subject h.as 
 resided in this county, and by his manly and hon- 
 orable course in life has won the confidence and 
 friendship of his neighbors and acquaintances. 
 
 ^ •^^•J•^•^ 
 
 I^EHDIN.WD SCHMH), who carries on gen- 
 Irr^^ eral farming on section 2, Douglas Town- 
 ill) ship, is one of the worthy citizens Germany 
 has given Iroquois County, and we take |>leasure 
 in presenting to our readers this record of his life. 
 He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 29tli of 
 November, 1850. and is one of three children whose 
 parents were Carl and Caroline (Rahn) .Schmid. 
 His father was born in the same locality as our 
 subject, and there owned and opeiated a farm, be. 
 ing in comfortalile circumstances. He was a well- 
 educalod man and a prominent citizen, For 
 twenty yeara ho was honored with the oHlce of 
 Town Mayor and was an liider in the Lutlaeran 
 
530 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD: 
 
 Chuicli. He died in 1881, at t.lie age of fifty-eight 
 years. His wife was born in Rossbacli, and ber 
 fatlier was a minister of the Lutheran Church. 
 Slic died just four weeks after tlie death of her 
 iius))and. Mina, their eldest daughter, is living 
 in (4erinany; Bertha, twin sister of our subject, is 
 the wife of Henricl) Zimmer. 
 
 Our subject spent the first ten years of his life 
 in his native town and then went to Wiessen, 
 where he entered the High School. He graduated 
 just at the beginning of the Franco-Prussian Wai', 
 and immediately afterward enlisted as a private, 
 but meritorious conduct won him promotion to the 
 rank of Lieutenant. The first battle in which he par- 
 ticipated was at Metz, on the 16th. 17th and 18th 
 of August, 1870. On the first of January, 1871, 
 he participated in the capture of Orleans, and 
 on the 11th of March took part in the battle 
 of Tours. Three months later he received iiis dis- 
 charge. 
 
 In 1871, Mr. Sehmid i;eturned to his home and 
 the same year emigrated to America. He crossed 
 the brinj- deep from Hamburg to New York, and 
 went to live with a cousin, Dr. Weber, of New 
 York City. Later, he went t(j Michigan and for 
 three months engaged in clerking in Roger City, 
 after which wefindliim iiiCiiicago. Suliseijuently 
 he removed to Oilman, and since that time has 
 been a resident of Iroquois County. For two 
 j-ears lie worked for David Risser as a farm hand. 
 He was afterward in the employ of Addison Harper 
 for two years, and later spent one year with John 
 C. Holtzauer. He then returned to the employ of 
 Mr. Harper, and on the 23d of February, 1879, wed- 
 ded his youngest daughter, Miss Mar}' C. Harper, 
 a native of this county. Her father died about 
 four years ago, but her mother is still living and 
 is one of the oldest settlers of the county. ITnto 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sehmid have been born two chil- 
 dren: Emory, born March 21, 1881; and Almet 
 Lee, wiio w.as born June 26, 189(1. 
 
 Mr. Sehmid has resided upon his present farm 
 since 1882. He owns one hundred acres of well- 
 tilled land and his farm is improved with good 
 buildings and all modern accessories. He cast his 
 first Presidential vote for Hayes and Wheeler, but 
 has since affiliated with the Democracy. In relig- 
 
 ous belief he isa Lutheran. He takes an active inter- 
 est in all that pertains to the welfare of the com- 
 munity and the cause of education finds in him a 
 stalwart friend. He is himself a highly educated 
 man. He is not only familiar with liis native 
 tongue, but is a French, Latin and Greek scholar, 
 and since coming to this country has educated him- 
 self in the English language. He is a popular cit- 
 izen, and is held in iiigli regard bj' all with whom lie 
 has come in contact, whether in business or social 
 circles. 
 
 ■^liOSEPH NELSON MrNEIL.a self-made man, 
 I who is now living a retired life in Thaw- 
 j,.^, ■ ville, has led a life well worthy' of emula- 
 i^// tion, and his example may serve to encour- 
 age others who, like himself, have to depend only 
 on their own resources from early manhood. Mr. 
 McNeil was born in Highland County, Ohio, on 
 the 21st of April, 1830, and his parents, Joseph 
 and Susan (Morrow) McNeil, were also natives of 
 the Buckeye State. The parents are both now de- 
 ceased. The father was called to his final rest in 
 1880, and the mother, who survived him about six 
 ,years, departed this life in 1886. Unto this worthy 
 couple were born eight children, of whom five are 
 yet living: Sarah, William, Joseph N., Mary and 
 Amanda. Nancy, Susan and Martha are deceased. 
 
 No event of special importance occurred during 
 the boyhood days of our subject, which were 
 quietly passed under the parental roof. He was 
 reared to the occupation of farming, which he has 
 followed through his entire business life. May 29, 
 1851, he was married. Miss Lemira Rogers becom- 
 ing his wife. Her parents were William and Han- 
 nah Rogers, and she was a native of llie Buckeye 
 State. Eleven children have been born unto Mr. 
 and Mrs. McNeil, as follows: Susan M., the eldest, 
 is the wife of Albert Montague, a furniture dealer 
 of Kankakee, by whom she has four children liv- 
 ing, two sons and two daughters. William C. mar- 
 ried Miss Mabel Carter, by whom he has two chil- 
 dren, Allie and Ruth. He is a Methodist minister, 
 and is now in charge of a church in Peoria. Joseph, 
 who married Hattie Couuiff, by whom lie has one 
 
•^-^^ 
 
 f^^ 
 
 \«. ■' 
 
 John Shrum . 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 533 
 
 son, I^kiyd Cliapin, is a horse-dealer of Roberts, 
 111.; John E. is tlie next younger; Sarah is the 
 wife of George Reynolds, a fanner residing near 
 Knoxville, Knox County, 111., and they have three 
 children: Clarence, Alice and Fay; Mary T. is 
 tlu- wife of Sheridan ])evore,a resident of Onarga. 
 I'",nima mnrried James Walker, who is running a 
 hatcher's shop and confectionery store in Thaw- 
 ville. They have four daughters: Leniira, Una, 
 Cleo and Mabel. Una Editli died in October, 1885; 
 Lee A. is married and is engaged in the grocer}' 
 business in ^'ancouver, Wash.; Charlie died when 
 about eighteen montlis old; and Birch completes 
 the family. 
 
 In 18GG, Mr. JIcNeil came to this State and 
 made a location in JlcUean County, upon a farm 
 of one hundred acres near IJloomington. The suc- 
 ceeding live years of his life were there passed, af- 
 ter which he sold that farm and removed to Ford 
 County, buving one hundred and sixty acres of 
 l;ind in I>3man Township, upon which he made his 
 home for seventeen years, from 1872 until 1889, 
 when he retired from farm life, rented his land 
 and removed to ThawviUe, where he now makes 
 his home. lie has since purchased another farm, 
 adjoining the town of Thawvilleon the east. This 
 he laid out in town lots and has alreadj' sold 
 about half of the amount. He also owns a farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres in Brown County, Xeb. 
 Mr. McNeil and his wife are members of the 
 United Presb^'terian Church and all the children 
 hold membership with the Methodist Church. In 
 politics, he is a Democrat, and while residing in 
 Ford County held various public offices of honor 
 and trust, the duties of which were ever discharged 
 with promptness and fidelity. Mr. McNeil started 
 out in life for himself empty-handed, with only 
 a young man's bright hope of the future and 
 a determination to succeed, but by his industry and 
 good management, his business abilit}' and pei'se- 
 verance, he has steadily worked his way upward, 
 and the assistance of his wife has been no unim- 
 portant factor in his success. They have worked 
 together and their labors have at length been 
 crowned with n just reward, until now they are 
 numbered among tlie well-tOrdo citizpns of the 
 community Ip which they make their honie. 
 
 84 
 
 ^fJOIIN SIIKUM, a prominent citizen of Jro- 
 I (piois, and one of the pioneer settlers of 
 ,p^ I the county, claims New .lersey as the State 
 \'^^' of his nativity. He was liorn in I'aterson, 
 on Christmas D.'iy of 1828, and is a son of William 
 and Susan (Morehouse) Shrum. Both parents were 
 born in this country, but were of (U'rman lineage. 
 About 18.'!1, they removed with their family to 
 Muskingum County, Ohio. The father died in Co- 
 shocton County, Ohio, and the mother spent her 
 last days in Marion County, Iowa. 
 
 The first recollections of our subject are of life 
 in the Buckeye State. He resided in the little 
 town of Mt. Sterling, near Zanesville, and afterward 
 removed to the latter place. Subsequently the 
 family went to Coshocton County. John acquired 
 a good education in the common .schools, and in 
 1849, when about twenty-one years of age, he came 
 to Iroquois County. III., with his brother-in-law, 
 and worked by the month until his marriage. Jn 
 Septeml)er, 1851, he formed a matrimonial alliance 
 with Jliss Ruth Lambert, who was born in Brown 
 County, Ohio, on the 25th of March, 1825, and 
 was then a resident of Iroquois. Five children 
 graced this marriage, but two died in infancy. The 
 eldest now living is William, whose sketch appears 
 elsewhere in this work; Eli.as, a resident farmer of 
 Concord Township; and Sarah, who makes her 
 home with her parents. 
 
 After his marriage, ^Ir. Shrum purchased forty 
 acres of land in Concord Township, and broke 
 jirairie with an ox-team to pay for it. It was a 
 wild tract, but with characteristic energy he began 
 its develo])ment, and soon transformed it into rich 
 and fertile lields. He devoted his energies to farm- 
 ing until after the breaking out of the late war, 
 when, in 18()2, he responded to the call for troops, 
 enlisting as a member of Company I, One Hundred 
 and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, as a teamster. He 
 served three years in that capacity, and as a guard 
 for [uisoners. During his service his hearing w.is 
 impaired, and he now receives a pension of 4^22 per 
 month. He was a faithful soldier, and when the 
 war was over was honorably dischargeil. 
 
 Being opi)osed to slavery, on the organization 
 of the He|)id)lic(m party, which was fo|ined to [ue, 
 vont Mio fuiUier extension of slavery, Mr. Sliruii) 
 
534 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 joined its ranks, voting for John C. Fremont in 
 1851). He has .served as Constable a few years, but 
 resigned his i)osition,.as his entire lime was needed 
 in the sawmill, lie now owns one linndred and 
 forty-two acres of rich land near Iroquois, wliieh 
 yields to him a good income. By his perseverance, 
 industry, enterprise and good management, Mr. 
 Shrum lias acquired a good propert3', and is now 
 living retired, enjoying a well-earned rest. The 
 family is one of prominence in the community-, and 
 well deserves representation in this volume. 
 
 ILLIAM SHKUM, who is engaged in gen- 
 eral merchandising in Iroquois, has spent 
 
 V^'^ his entire life in tliis county. He was born 
 in Concord Township, on tlie 20th of October, 1 854, 
 and is a son of .Tohn and Ruth (Lambert) Slirum, 
 who are residents of Iroquois, and are represented 
 in this work. William is the eldest in a family of 
 five children, three of whom are still living. In 
 the usual manner of farmer lads the days of his 
 bo3hoodand youtli were passed, and in the district 
 schools of the neighborhood he acquired a practi- 
 cal English education, supplemented bj' a business 
 knowledge acquired by study and attention to the 
 details of his business. AVhen about twenty j'ears 
 of age he engaged in the sawmill business, and was 
 thus employed for about six j'ears, when lie sold 
 out and opened up a general merchandise store, 
 having had to take bis stock of goods in payment 
 of a security debt. 
 
 On the 25th of September, 1879, Mr. Shrum w.as 
 united in marriage with Miss Bell Barr, of Iroquois, 
 and unto them were born two children, but botli 
 died ill infancy. The lady is a native of Adams 
 County, Ohio. She was born September 22, 1857, 
 and is a daughter of John and Martha (Walter) 
 Barr. Her parents were both natives of the Key- 
 stone State, and were of German origin. Her father 
 was a farmer by occu))ation, and followed that pur- 
 suit in Livingston County, 111., until his deatli, 
 which occurred about twenty years ago. His widow 
 stin survives him, and is now living in Iroquois. 
 
 Fur about a year it was all that Mr. Shrum could 
 
 do to meet expenses in the mercantile trade, and he 
 once sold out, but after a few months he bought 
 the building in which he is now located, and put 
 in another stock of goods. Since that time he has 
 enjoyed an excellent trade, and by fair and honest 
 dealing has won the confidence of his patrons. His 
 courteous treatment has secured to him a liberal 
 patronage, and he has now a well-stocked store and 
 is doing an excellent business. He is a member of 
 the IMasouic fraternity, has filled its various offices, 
 and is now serving his second term as Master. He 
 is the only Mason in Eastern Illinois who can re- 
 peat the burial ceremony from memory. In politics, 
 Mr. Shrum has been a Republican since he cast his 
 first Presidential vote for R.B. Hayes in 1876. For 
 two years he has served as Trustee of the village and 
 is no w serving his second term as Treasurer. Piom pt 
 and faithful in the discharge of his duties, he has 
 proved a capable and efficient officer, winning the 
 commendation of all concerned. He is a valued 
 citizen and leading business man of Iroquois, who 
 ranks high both in business and social circles. 
 
 .;ILSON S. KAY is the oldest member of 
 i\A/// ^'^^ Iro(juois County Bar in years of prac- 
 '\^ tice nt>w in business in the county, as 
 well as one of llie foremost in ability. Mr. Kay 
 was born near Greenc.istle, Putnam County. Ind., 
 on the 31st of October, 1831, and is a son of 
 William and Ruth (Wright) Kay. His father was 
 born in Maryland and his mother near what is 
 now known as Little's Mills, W. ^'a. Having 
 lived alternately in West Virginia and Ohio, they 
 removed to Terre Haute, Ind., and on to Green- 
 castle. Remaining there but a few months, they 
 returned to Virginia and soon afterward went to 
 Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently we find them on 
 a farm in Clermont County, in the same State. 
 
 In 1837, Mr. Kay sold out, ancl at the solici- 
 tation of a friend invested his money in a steam- 
 mill outfit and came to Iroquois County, III. Not 
 finding the outlook very iiromising, there being 
 scarcely any white people in the county, and the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 j35 
 
 Indians having no particular nse for a mill, he 
 started East again with his milling outfit. Stopping 
 at Perrysville, Ind., he erected a .sawmill in com- 
 pany with another pei-son, but died from milk- 
 sickness about the lime tlie mill was ready to 
 begin operations. The closing up of the estate was 
 so badly or dishonestly managed that his widow 
 and children had little or nothing left. Soon 
 after her husband's death, Mrs. Ka_v went with her 
 children to live with her fatlier, Jonathan Wright, 
 on Spring Creek, Iroquois County. About 181."), 
 she married again, her second husband being Isaac 
 Courtright, a prominent pioneer settler of this 
 county. Her death occurred at Texas, a small 
 town in Middleport Township, of this county, in 
 July, 18.54. She died of cholera during the scourge 
 of that year, and her husband died of the same 
 disease the day following. 
 
 Wilson S. Kay returned to Iroquois County in 
 the summer of 1838, when seven years old, with 
 his mother and her five fatherless children. The 
 two older ones, a sister and our subject, found 
 homes with strangers. Wilson S. staid with Samuel 
 Harper, near Onarga, for a few months, after which 
 lie spent four years with Thomas Vennum, .Sr..near 
 !Milford-on-the-Mound, so called. He attended 
 the country school a while and had one \'ear's 
 training in the Milford school. AVhen fourteen 
 years old, he went to his sister near Milford, and 
 worked for his board and schooling 
 
 Having acquired sulltcient learning to qualify 
 hiirt for teaching, he engaged to teach the school 
 at Hunkum, and taught there one 3'ear, and with 
 his savings paid his tuition and expenses for 
 fourteen months at Mt. Morris Seminary, Ogle 
 County, III. He then taught school for a few 
 years, which enabled him to pursue one term of 
 study in the Asbury (now I)e Pauw) I'luversity, 
 of Greencastlc, Ind. 
 
 On the 18tli of July, 1852, Mr. Kay was married 
 in Iroquois County to Miss Susannah Critchfield, 
 who died in September, 1855. One son was born 
 of this union, William, who died in infancy. Mr. 
 Kay wiLS married again, March fi, 1858, this 
 time to Miss Livonia M. Hurlingame, of Onarga, 
 a daughter of Abner and Livonia (Turner) Hur 
 lingame. She was born in Chautauqua County 
 
 N. Y., and came to this countj' with her widowed 
 mother in 1855. Five children were born of the 
 second marriage: William, the eldest, died at the 
 age of eighteen months; .McClellan, an attorney, 
 now his father's partner, married l';ilen Martin, of 
 Watseka. He was educated in Onarga High School, 
 Onarga Seminary, Michigan .State I'niversity, and 
 at the Xortliwestern rniversity, of Kvanston,and 
 was admitted to the Bar in 1881, entering into part- 
 nership with his fatlier and Judge Eunans. The 
 firm is now known as Kay it Kay. The third son, 
 Wilson, died at the age of seven years; Livonia 
 Ruth was graduated from the Northwestern Uni- 
 versity, of Evanston, in June, 18;»l,aftera five 
 year-course; Donald, the youngest, died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 When fii-st married, Mr. Kay lived in a cabin near 
 Bunkum and taught school in that village. Later, 
 he moved to Middleport, then the county seat, and 
 in 1872 made his home about midway between 
 the old and new town, now Wat-seka. He studied 
 law in Middleport with James Fletcher .and was 
 admitted to the liar in 1857, having been in ac- 
 tive practice at the Iroquois county .seat since, 
 being now the oldest representative of the Iro- 
 quois County Bar in .ictive practice. In respect 
 to politics, Mr. Kay is a Democrat, and has served 
 .as Deputy Sheriff and City Attorney of WaUseka- 
 He is now a member of the Committee of the 
 Court of Claims, a State olllcer for the adjustment 
 of claims against the .State. The committee is 
 composed of three members, and Jlr. Kay is now 
 serving his fourth year as one of them. 
 
 Our subject is a Knight Templar Mason, a mem- 
 ber of Watseka Lodge No. 14G, A. F. iV A. M.; 
 Watseka Chapter No. 1 14, R. A. M.; and of Ivanhoe 
 Commandcry, K. T., of Kankakee; and he is also 
 an Odd Fellow. Mr. Kay is one of the oldest 
 Masons in tlie county. He is the owner of five 
 hundred acres of farming land, three hundred of 
 which lie adjacent to Watseka on the southwest, 
 thirty acres are inside the corporation limits 
 and one hundred and seventy .acres are in other 
 tracts. 
 
 It is now tiiiity-fivp years since .Mr. Kay be- 
 gan the practice of law in Iroquois County. Sev- 
 eral active members of the Bar have been born 
 
536 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 siiicn then, and many memorable changes of jiirlgc- 
 sliip have octuned, and many a prominent law- 
 yer aguinst" whom he has been pitted in cases has 
 long since taken his own to a higher court. Mr. 
 Ka3- has always been an industrious, hard-working 
 and successful lawyer, lie possesses certain ele- 
 ments of disposition without which success in the 
 legal i)rofession is hardly attainable — industry, 
 energy, ability, tact, and last, but not least, com- 
 bativeness and true courage. He trusts nothing 
 to chance that his sagacity deems necessary to his 
 case wiien care and work will insure success; con- 
 sequently, he has won the reputation of being a 
 conservative and safe man to entrust with impor- 
 tant eases, and his success in court fully justifies 
 the general poi>ulur opinion of him. 
 
 "^l AMES H. CARPENTER, a successful farmer 
 of Douglas Township, was born in .Sussex 
 County, N. J., on the 28th of .September! 
 ^^ 183.5. lie is a son of James T. and Elea- 
 nor (Denn) Carpenter, both natives of New 
 P^nglaiid. When our subject was a meie child, 
 his parents i-emoved across the line to Orange 
 County, N. Y., but a few 3'ears later they returned 
 to Sussex County. The father followed his trade 
 of mason during his life time. He was born 
 .Tanuar\' 29, 17lV2, and died in 1845. His wife, who 
 was born on the 22d of March, 1793, died on the 
 Kith of December, 1851. Politically, he was a 
 member of the Democratic part\', and his wife was 
 a member of the Baptist Church. Tliey had a fam- 
 il\' of nine children, five of whom were sons and 
 four daughters, and of these our subject is the 
 only survivor. 
 
 Mr. Carpenter of this sketch, as soon as he was 
 old enough to earn his own living, began work- 
 ing on a farm at small wages. .Since fourteen 
 \ears of age, he has had Ui make liis own way in 
 the woi-ld. He went Id Wyoming County, Pa., 
 where h(> worked for a number of years. In 1862, 
 he removed to Uock ('ounty. Wis., two years later 
 g'ling to Lee County, 111, |n 1865, he went to La 
 ^mIIc County, mid Ihi'oe )'9?,T^ I'ltoi' removccl to 
 
 Livingston County, where be purchased forty acres 
 of land three miles from Chatsworth, that being 
 the first real estate he had ever owned. Having 
 farmed in Livingston County until 1876, he came 
 to Irofiuois County and lived in Ashkum Town- 
 ship, superintending the large estate of R. B. M. 
 Wilson, in which position he remained for twelve 
 years. In 1877, he had purchased one hundred 
 and sixty acres, where he removed in 1878. He 
 has erected good buildings and a comfortable resi- 
 dence, and has otherwise improved his property, 
 which includes considerable tiling. 
 
 On the 17th of September, 1878, Mr. Carpenter 
 and Maria E. Williams were joined in wedlock at 
 Watseka. Mrs. Carpenter is a daughter of Leonard 
 and ]\Iargaretta Williams. Our wortli}' subject 
 and his wife have two children, Harr3' C. and 
 Grace A. Mr. Carpenter has never been an ottice- 
 seeker, though he has always endeavored to dis- 
 charge the duties of citizenship to the best of his 
 ability. Politicall}% his sympathies are with the 
 Democratic party. He is socially a member of 
 the Odd Fellows' fraternity. He has been a suc- 
 cessful farmer, having reached his present measure 
 of success entirel}' through his own efforts and 
 good business management. For sixteen years he 
 has lived in Douglas and Askhum Townships, and 
 in that time has seen the county advance from a 
 swami^y, unproductive section, to one of the finest 
 farming districts of the State. His property bears 
 evidence of the careful thriftiness and industry of 
 its owner, and is one of the most productive in 
 this section. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are well and 
 favorably known, and have a wide circle of friends 
 and acquaintances who esteem them highly for 
 their sterling worth and hospitality. 
 
 Ip^OBERT EZRA GREENLEES,who carries on 
 li>ii' general merchandising; in ThawviUe, is a 
 '■s\ \v native of the Empire State. He was born 
 in Champaign County, near Plattsburg, N. 
 Y., on the 23d of December, 1844, On the pater- 
 nal sido he is of Scotch dpscent, His father, An- 
 dre^V Qi'penlcos, was a natlye of Scotland, was born 
 
rORTRAJT AND BKKiRAPHlCAL RECORD. 
 
 537 
 
 October 13, 1799, and crossed the briii}- deep to 
 tliis country about 1832. He was married, May 
 23, 1833, to Jliss Rebecca Di)wning, wliose ances- 
 try dates back to tlie settlement of Long Island. 
 She was born May 16, 1809. In the family of this 
 worthy couple were eight children, namely: Helen 
 Klioda, Amy Isabel, Sarah Helinda, Margaret Eliza- 
 lieth, Phiebe Rebecca. Mary .lane, Robert Ezra and 
 William Andrew. It was in the spring of 1848, 
 that Andrew Greenlees, accompanied by his family, 
 l)ade good-bye to his home in New York and came 
 to Illinois. He located in La Salle County, upon 
 a farm near the village of Da3-ton, and the chil- 
 dren, who were all born in the Empire Slate, were 
 reared to manhood and womanhood upon that 
 farm. The father w-as not long permitted to en- 
 joy his new home, his death occurring May 2, 
 1838. Jlrs. Greenlees still survives her husband, 
 and is yet living on the old homestead in La Salle 
 County. 
 
 We now take up the personal iiistoiy of our sub- 
 ject, who was a lad of only four years when he 
 came with his parents to Illinois. In the usual 
 manner of farmer lads, the days of his boyhood 
 and youth were passed, and the common schools 
 afforded him his educational privileges. After at- 
 taining his majority, he was married on the 12tli 
 of August, 1869, the lady of his choice l)cing Miss 
 Sarah M. Lawrence, daughter of Daniel and Lii- 
 cinda Lawrence, of Pennsylvania. Four cliildren 
 have been born to tlieni: William Ezra, born Sep- 
 tember 9, 1870; AValter Andrew, born M.ay 1, 1874, 
 (lied October 23, 1878; AVallace Robert, born Aug- 
 ust 13, 1878; and JIurba Jlay, on the 29th of Oc- 
 tober, 1880, The living children are all under the 
 jiarental roof. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. (Ireenlees began their domestic 
 life upon a farm in La Salle County, where they 
 continued to reside until 187.5. That jear wit- 
 nessed their removal to Iroquois County, and saw 
 them located upon a farm of eighty acres in Arte- 
 sia Township. Our subject was a successful agri- 
 culturist, and the a|)pearance of his farm ever in- 
 dicated his thrift and enterprise. His industrious 
 labors at length won him a handsome competence, 
 and he is now numbered among the well-to-do 
 citizens of the comnuinitv. On the 20th of Jan- 
 
 uary, 1892, be came to Thawville, having sold his 
 farm and purchased the general merchandise estab- 
 lishment of Ortman Hiotlieis. He has bi-eii in 
 business in this line but a short time, but he has a 
 bright outlook, and the future will no doubt l)ring 
 him the prosperity which has crowned his efforts 
 in former years. In politics, he is a Republican. 
 He has the confidence and good-will of all with 
 whom business or pleasure has brought him in 
 contact, and among the leading and inllueiitial 
 citizens of this locality is nunibered Robert Ezra 
 (ireenlees. 
 
 (i^^SsHOMAS WARD, who is engaged in the oc- 
 irw^' cupation of farming on section 30, Douglas 
 Vgi^y Township, was born in Devonshire, Eng- 
 land, on the 2.ith of Fel)riiarv, 1832. He is a son 
 of William and Ann (Iloarden) Ward, both na- 
 tives of that shire. His father was a blacksmith by 
 trade. In 18.")5, with their three children, one 
 having preceded them, they crossed the Atlantic 
 and located in Stafford, (ienesee County, N. Y. 
 There tlie father and mother spent their last days, 
 each attaining seventy-five years. In their family 
 were eleven children, of whom si.K emigrated to 
 the I'nited States and but three of whom are now 
 living. 
 
 Our subject is the youngest of his father's fam- 
 ily. After he had reached thirteen years of age, 
 he never received any educational advantages, but 
 has supplemented his earl3- schooling by habits of 
 observation and research, which have made him a 
 well-informed man. .Since fifteen years of age, he 
 h.as made his own way in the world, and at that 
 age was apprenticed to the wagon-maker's trade 
 for seven years. However, at the end of four 
 years, his em[)loyer not treating him fairly, making 
 him work very hard and keeping him on short ra- 
 tions, he left him and worked for nearly three years 
 for another man. During that seven years of ap- 
 prenticeship, he leceived nothing save his board, 
 which was oftentimes very scanty. In Withe- 
 ridge, R;ngland, he earned his first money at his 
 trade, getting *25 and his board 'for a whole year's 
 
538 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 work. Tiie second j^ear he received $40 in addi- 
 tion to his living, and out of that small sum. he 
 saved enough to bring him to tlie United States. 
 Accordingly, in April, 1853, he set sail for America, 
 landing in Quebec. The voyage took a little over 
 nine weeks. He first located at Stafford, N. Y., 
 where he worked for about fourteen years at his 
 trade. 
 
 In Leroy, Genesee County', Mr. Ward wedded 
 Miss Eliza, daughter of James and Ann (Nott) Ed- 
 worthy, both natives of Devonshire, England, 
 where the fatlier died at the age of fifty-five ^-ears. 
 The marriage of iMr. and Mrs. Ward was celebrated 
 October 14, 1854. Tlie lady was born in Devon- 
 .shire, September IG, 18;')5, and when nineteen 
 years of age slie left iier liome, mother and friends 
 and came to the United States to marry Mr. Ward, 
 as she had promised to do before he left his native 
 land. Ten years later, her mother joined her at 
 Stafford, where she died two years afterward. Mrs. 
 Ward is one of five children, but she is the only 
 one that has crossed the ocean. 
 
 In 1866, the subject of this sketch removed to 
 Ottawa, 111., where he worked at his trade for a 
 couple of years, when he came to Iroquois County 
 in the spring of 1869. He first purchased eighty 
 acres of land in Danforth Township, which he de- 
 veloped and improved and then sold. He next 
 bought eighty acres in Douglas Township. This 
 he kept until 1876, when he disposed of it and 
 bought the farm wliere he now lives. This is a 
 property of about one hundred acres and has the 
 reputation of being tlie most neatly kept place in 
 the township. The lawn about the house is nicely 
 trimmed, and fiowers and shrubbery are seen on 
 every hand. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ward have been blessed with a 
 family of eight children: Ellen, the eldest, is the 
 wife of William Green, a farmer of Douglas Town- 
 ship; Sarah died in infancy; Erancis is a butcher 
 of Oilman; WiUiertT. follows agricultural pursuits 
 in Douglas Township; Bessie R. died in 1890, at 
 the age of twenty-seven years; Charles H. is a 
 partner of iiis brotlier Francis; Pklgar E. also car- 
 ries on farming in Douglas Township; and Winfield 
 S. is still vinder the parental roof. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ward are both members of the 
 
 Presbyterian Church, of which he is a Trustee. 
 Politically, he is a Democrat, having cast his first 
 vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He is a public-spir- 
 ited man, always doing all in his power to advance 
 the best interests of his community. He is now 
 serving his eighth year as Commissioner of High- 
 ways. When Mr. Ward came to the United States, 
 he had but ^2, but by industry and hard work has 
 made a competence. In .June, 1863, he was 
 drafted, went to the rendezvous at Lockport, N. Y., 
 and after staying five days obtained a furlough in 
 order to attend a law suit, remaining sixteen days. 
 He then paid $300 exemption fees and was thereby 
 released from further service. In addition to 
 rearing their own family, our subject and his es- 
 timable wife have brought up an or[)han, Albert 
 Hulick, whom they took when he was a lad of 
 twelve j^ears. Now he is a young man of twenty. 
 They have ever been charitable and kind to the 
 homeless and friendless and have won for them- 
 selves the high regard of all who know them. 
 
 OSES BOUDKEAU, senior partner of the 
 firm of Boudreau & Son, general mer- 
 chants of Beaverville, 111., was born in 
 Montreal, Canada, on the 1st of Septem- 
 ber, 1839, and is the son of Nelson and Rose 
 (Colewalt) Boudreau, both of whom were natives 
 of Canada and of French descent, fhe father was 
 a farmer and owned land in Canada. AVhen our 
 subject was a lad of nine 3-ears, he removed with 
 his family to Aurora, where he spent two years 
 upon a rented farm, and then went to Kankakee 
 County, where he rented land for a 3'ear. On the 
 expiration of that period he took up his residence 
 in Papineau Township, this county, where he pur- 
 chased eighty acres of land, but was badly lieaten 
 out of half that amount. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
 French schools of Canada, but after coming to this 
 State attended the English schools. He was the 
 eldest in a familj' of eight children. His father 
 died when he was only fifteen years of age, and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 .-.39 
 
 he liad to aid in the support of the f.imily, which 
 w.is left in limited circumstances. He worked 
 upon their own farm, and al.so in tlie employ of 
 others whenever he could spare the time from his 
 home duties. He was married August 5, 18.09, at 
 the age of nineteen years, to Jliss Marie Cote, of 
 Papincau Township, who was born in (^uehec, 
 Canada, March IG, 1839. and came with her par- 
 ents, Benny and Tiet (JIartin) Cote, to this State 
 when about ihirteen years of age. For two years 
 after their marriage the^' resided with Mr. Bou- 
 dreau's mother, he operating the home farm. He 
 also improved and cultivated forty acres of land, 
 which he had previously purchased in P)eaver 
 Township. This was his lirst purchase, and it is 
 still in his possession. He has met with success in 
 his business career and, as his financial resources 
 have increased, has added to his possessions until 
 he now owns four hundred acres of valuable land, 
 all in Beaver Township. 
 
 Mr. Boudreau has his farm under a high state of 
 cultivation, and it yields to him a good income. 
 In connection with general farming, he also en- 
 gages in stock-raising, handling about one hun- 
 dred head of cattle annually. In 1882, he estab- 
 lished the store and placed his son in charge. Two 
 years later he left the farm and removed to Beaver- 
 ville, since which lime he has given his personal 
 attention to mercantile pursuits. The firm of 
 Boudreau it Son has a well-stocked store and is 
 enjoving an excellent trade, which has been se- 
 cured by fair and honest dealing and courteous 
 treatment of their patrons. They also deal in 
 agricultural implements. 
 
 L'nto Jlr. and Mrs. Boudreau were born thir- 
 teen children, three of wliom died in infancy, but 
 ten are yet living. Cleophas, the eldest, was 
 born June 1, 1860. He attended St. Viateur's Col- 
 lege in Kankakee County for about three years, 
 becoming a student at the age of fifteen. When 
 his education was completed, he entered upon his 
 business career as a clerk in a mercantile estab- 
 lishment at Kankakee, where he remained for two 
 years. He was then emplo3-ed in a similar capac- 
 ity in this place for two years, after which he 
 took charge of the store as junior partner of the 
 linn. He is a wide-awake and enterprising busi- 
 
 ness man and possesses e.^cellent ability. On at- 
 taining his majorit}', he w'as married Octolter 18. 
 1881, to Miss Mary Ellen Theresa Oernon, who 
 was born in Canada in I8C.-), and is of Irish and 
 Fiench descent. Unto thorn have been born live 
 children yet living: Ilayda, Oernoii, Theresa, Eve- 
 line and Amanda. Mr. Boudreau, .Ir., ir* now 
 Postmaster of the Beaverville I'ostollice. In poli- 
 itics, he is a Republican and cast his first Presi- 
 dential vote for James G. Blaine. He has served 
 as Township Treasurer for about eight years, was 
 Township Clerk in 1889, A.ssessor in 1890, and 
 again in 1892. 
 
 Clarence, the second son of the Boudreau fam- 
 ily, is now deceased. Sylvan us, born May 1, 
 1806, became a student in Viateur's College at the 
 age of sixteen years, and there studied for a yeai-. 
 When a young man of twenty-five, he was mar- 
 ried December 29, 1891, to Miss Nelda Xauric, 
 who was born in Beaver Township, in December, 
 1869. They have one child, Rosella. Sylvanus 
 is now in partnership with his father. In politics, 
 he is a Democrat, and his first vote was cast for 
 Cleveland in 1888. Salina, the next younger of 
 the family', is the wife of William Barron, a farmer 
 of .Martinton Township, by whom she has one 
 child. Bclzemer is the wife of Joseph Fortin, of 
 Beaver Township, and they have two children. 
 Amanda married Levi Franoveur, of Chicago, and 
 unto them has been born one child. Henry is 
 married and resides in Beaver Township. Den- 
 nis and Nelda are at home. Camcille and Eniile, 
 twins, born November 11, 1889, complete the 
 fanrly. 
 
 Mr. Boudreau, our subject, is a stalwai t ad vo- 
 cate of the Democracy, and cast his lirst Presi- 
 dential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He was con- 
 firmed when only nine year? of age and has since 
 been a member of the Catholic Church, to the 
 support of which he contriliutes lilieially. He has 
 paid over $r)00 for the Iniilding of the church and 
 parsonage in tliis pl.ace, and has given susbtantial 
 aid for the building of the new cunvcnt which is 
 now being erected. lie served .as Highway Com- 
 missioner for three years, was .School Trustee for 
 many years, and School Director for several years. 
 He is a prominent and infiuential citizen, a lead- 
 
540 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 iug business man and has a wide acquaintance 
 tlironghout tliis iHniiiiuiiiity. He started out in 
 life a mere boy with no capital, but overcoming 
 tiie obstacles and difficulties in his path, he has 
 steadily worked his way upward to a position of 
 wealth and affluence. 
 
 
 ij^^^^^ 
 
 ■t^ DWARD AV. BJSIIOP is the proprietor of 
 |IU] the Watseka Roller Mills, the only tlour- 
 /J^^i ing mills in that city, and has been en- 
 gaged in milling in Iroquois Countj' since 1868. 
 Mr. Bishop was born in the town of Lenham, 
 Kent County, England, on tJie 13th of April, 1841, 
 and is a son of Edward B. and Elizabeth W. 
 (David) Bishop, Iwlli of English birth. In 1853, 
 our subject with his parents emigrated from Eng- 
 land to America, and settled in the town of South 
 Greece, on the Erie Canal, some eight miles west 
 of Rochester, N. Y. Tiie3- came to Iroquois 
 County, 111., in 1854, and located in that part of 
 the township of Concord which is now Sheldon. 
 His father was engaged in farming in Concord 
 iiiitil within a few years of his death, which oc- 
 curred in the town of Papineau, Iroquois County, 
 in 1884, he then being seventy-two years of age. 
 The mother is still living, and resides near Kent- 
 land, Ind. In the family were six sons and two 
 daughters, all of whom are living except one 
 daughter. 
 
 Edward W. was reared on his father's farm, and 
 received a common-school education. At the age 
 of nineteen, he began to learn the carpenter's 
 trade, in which he was interrupted by the break- 
 ing out of the late war and his enlistment on the 
 first call by President Lincoln for troops. He 
 was enrolled in April under the three months' 
 call, but was not mustered in until August 4, 1861. 
 For three years he served as a member of Com- 
 pany F, Twenty-fifth Illinois Regiment, and 
 was mustered out in September, 1864. On the 23d 
 of September, 1861, his regiment went to Jefferson 
 City, Mo., by way of the Pacific Railroad. It went 
 into camp at Rolla, Mo., where it remained until 
 February, 1862, when it started for Springfield, 
 
 that State, arriving there February 13. The fol- 
 lowing day the troops left tliat })lace and pro- 
 ceeded to Arkansas, where they participated in 
 the battle of Pea Ridge, March 6, 7 and 8. March- 
 ing to Cape Girardeau, they went down the river 
 to re-enforce the army at Shiloii, but arriving after 
 the battle the}' went on to Corinth, Miss., and 
 took part in the siege, forcing the rebel evacua- 
 tion of that place. His regiment took part in the 
 liattle of Stone River, or Murfreesboro, Teun., De- 
 cember 81, 1862, where Mr. Bishop received a gun- 
 shot wound through the right leg, which unfitted 
 him for active duty until the following Novem- 
 ber, when he joined his regiment soon after the 
 battle of Mission Ridge, which was fought on the 
 23d, 24tli and 25th of that month. On the 28th 
 of November, 1863, he joined the regiment on its 
 way to Knoxville, Tenn., where it arrived about 
 the 3d of December. The command was engaged 
 in skirmishing and foraging all of this time, and 
 finally returned to Cleveland, Tenn., where it re- 
 mained from April 16th to the 31st of May, 1864. 
 At this time it was ordered to join the army under 
 Gen. Sherman en route for Atlanta, Ga. The regi- 
 ment joined the brigade .Tune 7. 1864, and re- 
 mained with the army on its way to Allania, being 
 under fire nearly every day until the 1st of the 
 following August. Then the order came for the 
 troops to start for Springfield, 111., to be mustered 
 out. They accordinglj' were mustered out Sep- 
 temlier 5, 1864, having served three years and one 
 month in the army, having marched on foot 
 tl)irt3-three hundred and fiftj'-two miles, and 
 traveled by rail and boat seventeen hundred and 
 ten miles, the total number of miles traveled 
 being forty-nine hundred and sixty-two. It par- 
 ticipated in the following-named battles and heavy 
 skirmishes: Pea Ridge, Ark.; Siege of Corinth; 
 Stone River; Mission Ridge; Chickamauga; Kene- 
 saw Mountain, Ga.; Peach Tree Creek; and At- 
 lanta. The regiment made an honorable record 
 throughout its term of service, and especially dis- 
 tinguished itself at the battle of Stone River, 
 where it lost heavily in killed and wounded. In 
 the Atlanta campaign, the Twenty-fifth reached 
 within twelve miles of Atlanta, when it was or- 
 dered to Springfield. 
 
■*..;> 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 i|:i 
 
 Soon after being mustered out, in September, 
 18G4, Mr. Bishop returned to the front, and was 
 assigned a position in the (.Quartermaster's Depart- 
 ni(!nt at Chattanooga, and was so einploN-ed for 
 more tiian a year, or until after the close of tlie 
 war. 
 
 Tlie following winl«r, 1865, Mr. Bishop was 
 married to Miss Caroline K. Groff, who died some 
 twelve >-ears later. For two years after the war 
 our subject worked at his trade as carpenter, and 
 then built a (louring-mill at a place called Texas, 
 in Middleport Townshi)), about five miles east of 
 AVatseka. He continued milling theic until 1882, 
 when he moved the mill to a point on the Cliicago 
 li- Eastern Illinois Railroad, where he operated it 
 until it was destroyed by an incendiary fire in No- 
 vember, 1885. The following year he built his 
 present mill at Watseka, which he has carried on 
 successfully since. This millis fitted up for roller- 
 process work, and is equipped witli the best mod- 
 ern machinery for all sorts of work in its line, and 
 is doing ago d business. 
 
 On the 10th of February, 1881, Mr. Bishop was 
 united in marriage with Miss Ida M. Steely', a 
 •laughter of Mr. L. Steely. Mrs. Bishop was born 
 in Iroquois County, where her familj^ were among 
 the early settlers. Her father is still living, and 
 makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Bishop. 
 Our subject and his wife have two children: 
 .Vrthur S., who was born in August, 188.3; and 
 Sidney E., who was born in September, 1885. 
 Mrs. Bishop is a member of the Societ3' of P'riends. 
 Mr. Bishop is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of 
 WaUseka Lodge No. 446, A. F. & A. M.; and of 
 Watseka Chapter No. 114, R. A. IM. He also be- 
 longs to the Mon Ami Lodge No. 2.11, K. V.; and 
 to William Post No. 25, G. A.K. 
 
 In addition to his milling interest*, Mr. Bishop 
 is a part owner in the Bishopp Hominy Company, 
 of Sheldon, and has an improved farm of one hun- 
 dred and thirteen acres, situated on section 36, 
 .Middleport Township. On the question of poli- 
 tics, he is a Republican, and has held various pub- 
 lic oflices. He is at this writing one of the Road 
 Ccfmmissioners of Middleport Township, and has 
 served in that capacity for eleven years. He has 
 also acted as Alderman in the Common Council of 
 
 AVatseka for six years, and has held various minor 
 oflices. Mr. Bishop has now been a resident of 
 Iroquois County for thirty-eight years, and for 
 twenty-nine years has been identified with its 
 manufacturing and business interests. During all 
 this period his intercourse with his fellow-citizens 
 has been distinguished by strict integrity and an 
 upright and straightforward manner, which has 
 won for him the esteem and res()ect of all. 
 
 ^j^^ .VMIKL .\I. .MA.lOR. an honored veteran 
 ^^^^^ of the late war, and formerly a leading 
 ]ft/\jfi farmer of Artcsia Township, but now a resi- 
 dent of (Jnarga, is a worthy representative 
 of one of the honored pioneer families of the 
 county. He was born near I^a Fayette, in Tippe- 
 canoe County, Ind., April 24, 1830, and is a son 
 of .1. H. and Mary (Hard pence) Major, natives 
 of the Hoosier State. The M.ajor family is of 
 Welsh origin. The father of our subject located 
 in Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1829, and from 
 the Government entered a tract of heavily tim- 
 bered land, from which he cleared and developed 
 a farm, making his home thereon until 1853, when 
 he sold out and with lirs family came to Illinois. 
 The trip Westward was made by team. .Mr. Majfjr 
 first located in Artesia Township, Iroquois Counts", 
 purch.asing one hundred and nine acres of land, 
 constituting a part of the farm which our subject 
 now owns. He also entered one hundred and 
 sixty acres from the Government and bought an 
 additional tract of eighty acres, on which he re- 
 sided until his death. Throughout his business 
 career he followed farming and met with good 
 success in his undertakings. He was a prominent 
 citizen of this community and took a leading part 
 in the upbuilding and development of the county. 
 He aided in the organization of the townshij), 
 helped to Lay out the roads, and wsus the eHicicnt 
 Road Supervisor of Artesia Tovvnship for a num- 
 ber of years from an early day. He died on the 
 12th of .January, 1882, and his remains were in- 
 terred in the Del Rey Cemetery. He was a Re- 
 publican and in his religious belief was a Bajjlisl. 
 
544 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 His wife |i.is>(il nuay several years previous to the 
 death of lier liusband, being called to her final rest 
 in 1874. .She, too, was liuried in the same ceme- 
 tery and was a member of the same ehiirch as Mr. 
 Major. 
 
 Unto this worthy couple were born a family of 
 children, as follows: Robert D., who is now a 
 retired farmer of Springfield, Mo.; Catherine, de- 
 ceased; Katurah, who died in 1854; Samuel of this 
 sketch; Mary, wife of J. F. Felker, a resident of 
 Chicago; Syren, who died in 1850; Martha, who 
 died in 1852; Olive, wife of B. F. Price, ex-County 
 Treasurer and a resident of Watseka; and Ann, 
 who died in 1851. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who was born and reared upon his father's 
 farm, spending his boyhood days in the usual 
 manner of farmer lads. His education was mostly 
 acquired in the subscription school, which he at- 
 tended at intervals until nineteen years of age. 
 The schoolhouse was built of logs and furnished 
 with slab seats and other primitive furniture. He 
 started out in life for himself when twenty-two 
 years of age, or on his arrival in Illinois. This 
 was in 185.'5. His father gave him eighty acres of 
 partially improved land, which he still owns, and 
 there he began tiie development of a farm. 
 
 In April of the same year, Mr. Major was united 
 in marriage with Miss Amy F. Lee, daughter of 
 Nathan and Jerusha Lee. Unto them was born a 
 daughter, Flora A., who is now the wife of George 
 P. Stephens, a farmer. The mother died in 1856, 
 and her remains were interred in Del Rey Ceme- 
 tery. Mr. Major was again married, October 14, 
 1875, his second union being with Miss Kate, a na- 
 tive of Coshocton County, Ohio, daughter of .John 
 and Susan (McMurphy) Stevens. Mr. Stevens 
 was born in England, and when nineteen years old 
 came to the United States. In Coshocton County, 
 Ohio, he married Miss McMurphy, a native of Del- 
 aware, and of Scotch-Irish descent. During the 
 late war he served about a year in Company H, 
 Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, when he was dis- 
 charged on account of ill liealth. Both he and his 
 wife live in Buckley, 111. 
 
 Mr. Major resided upon his first farm for two 
 years and then returned to the old home, taking 
 
 charge of the farm and business, which he has since 
 successfully managed. He still owns the old home- 
 stead, which came into the possession of his father 
 almost forty years ago. He now owns one hun- 
 dred and seventy-two acres of arable land on sec- 
 tion 6, Artesia Township, where he carries on general 
 farming and stock-raising. His land is under a 
 high state of cultivation, and the good buildings 
 and other excellent improvements make this one 
 of the finest farms in the community. 
 
 When the late war was in progress, i\Ir. Major 
 abandoned his business, for he felt that his duty 
 called him to the front. He enlisted in the ser- 
 vice of his country as a private of Company M, 
 Ninth Illinois Cavalry. He was mustered in at 
 Chicago, and the first active engagement in which 
 he participated was at Crockum Cross Roads, Ark. 
 They went from St. Louis over the Iron Mountains 
 on horseback to Jacksonport, from there to Hel- 
 ena, and afterward up the Mississippi River by 
 boat to Memphis, Tenn. For a time Mr. Major 
 was stationed at (Jorinth, where he did duty as a 
 scout. He afterward participated m the battles of 
 Tupelo, Salem, Hurricane Creek, Fr.inklin, Nash- 
 ville, and many other engagements of lesser im- 
 portance. He had enlisted for three years' service, 
 and in the spring of 1864 he was granted a thirty- 
 day furlough. He then re-enlisted as a veteran 
 and served until the close of the war. He was 
 promoted to be Sergeant at Chicago, where he first 
 entered the camp, and when mustered out held the 
 rank of Second Lieutenant. He was very fortu- 
 nate, in that he was neither wounded nor taken 
 prisoner. On the contrary, he was ever found at 
 his post of duty, proving himself a valiant soldier 
 and a loyal defender of the Old Fl.ag. 
 
 After receiving his discharge, Mr. Major re- 
 turned to his home and resumed the occupation of 
 farming, which he has followed continuously since 
 with good success, and has thereby acquired a 
 competence which numbers him among the sub- 
 stantial citizens of the community. In political 
 sentiment, Mr. Major is a stalwart Republican. 
 I'he cause of education has found in him a warm 
 friend and he has done efficient service in its. in- 
 terest, while serving as School Director for a num- 
 ber of years and as School Trustee for six \'ears. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 545 
 
 In his social relations lie i-s an Odd Fellow, and is 
 a member of the Daptist Church. Mrs. Major is a 
 member of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church. His 
 life has been an upviglit and honorable one, and 
 during the long years of his residence in Iroquois 
 County, he has won a large circle of friends and 
 ac(iuaintances who hold liini in high esteem. 
 
 ^=?^^,ARKKTT 15. IJROAVNK, who is engaged in 
 jlj (— , the jewelry business in Milford, claims 
 ^^Sj Indiana as the State of his nativity. He 
 was born on the 7th of March, IKfil, in Madison 
 County and is one of a family of eleven children, 
 who with two exceptions all are yet living. The 
 l)arcnts, Lorenzo I), and Nancy (Ilarlin) Browne, 
 were both natives of Virginia, but for nianj' years 
 were residents of Indiana. (Jf their family, Will- 
 iam S. married Kizzie Frame, daughter of Abner 
 Frame, by whom he has five children, and engages 
 in the |)ractice of medicine in Walseka; Sarah J., 
 wife of Iven Bailey, of Watseka, died in 1872; 
 .loini L. died in infancy; George N. married Linda 
 I'ord and now makes his home in Watseka; Robert 
 W., who is engaged in farming near Watseka. was 
 joined in wedlock with Jennie GillfiUan, daughter 
 of Alexander GilKillan, and they have four chil- 
 dren; Lorenzo D., who wedded Irene G. McCurtain, 
 by whom he has two children, resides in Watseka, 
 where he is engaged in the practice of veterinary- 
 surgery; Susan A. is the next younger; Mary N. is 
 llie wife of Frank L. Williams, a resident of Wood- 
 land, and they have one child; Garrett of this 
 sketch is the next younger; Owen E. wedded Miss 
 Lizzie Bernard, who resided near Mitchell, S. Dak., 
 and their home is now in Sheldon, 111.; and Delia 
 II. completes the family. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who spent the first five years of his life in 
 the State of his nativity and was then brought by 
 his parents to Watseka, where he was reared to 
 manhood. Having worked in the jewelry business 
 for ten years, he entered the Chicago Horological 
 Institute and six month.s later the Chicago Watch- 
 
 makers' Institute, from which he graduated in 
 (Jctober, 1891. In the meantime he took up optical 
 work, and graduated at the same time from Dr. 
 Fowler's Optical Institute. September ."$, 1891, he 
 graduated from the West Ophthalmic College of 
 Chicago. Ill February, 18911, he came to Milford 
 and the following year engaged in the jewelry 
 business, which he ^-et carries on. 
 
 On the lOth of March, 1887, Mr. Browne was 
 united in marriage with Miss Minnie M. Gerard, a 
 daughter of John and Emeline (Moorey) Gerard, 
 of Milford. Two children grace the union of the 
 young couple, both daughters: OlgaG., born April 
 2, 1888, and Eva J., born March 29, 1890. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Browne are n umbered among the leading 
 3-oung people of Milford. They are held in high 
 regard throughout the community, and in social 
 circles hold an enviable place. 
 
 In religious belief, Mr. Browne is a member of 
 the Christian Church. He takes considerable in- 
 terests in civic societies and is a member of the 
 Odd Fellows' lodge of Iloopeston, and Milford 
 Camp No. 91, M. W. A. He is also a Hoyal Arch 
 Mason, holding membership with the Blue Lodge 
 and Chapter of Iloopeston. He has a good jewelry 
 store in Milford and although he has not yet been 
 engaged in business for two years lie has already 
 won an excellent patronage and his trade is con- 
 stantly increasing. He is a young and energetic 
 business man destined to have a successful career. 
 
 ^l ^^ ENRY TROUP, an honored and inlluenlial 
 
 Ij )l pioneer of Jliddleport, Iroquois County, 
 i^W^ 111., was born in Baltimore, Md., April 25, 
 d^; 1800. In early life he removed with his 
 parents to Canton, Stark County, Ohio, and after- 
 ward to Manchester, of the same couiit\-. After 
 attaining to mature years, he was there united in 
 marriage, in 1834, with Miss Mary Ann Little, who 
 was born iir Columbus County, Ohio, on the 11th 
 of October, 1814,and is a daughter of John Little. 
 Jlr. Troup engaged in merchandising in Man- 
 chester, which he continued until his removal to 
 Illinois in August, 1838. He had come to this 
 
546 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL liECORD. 
 
 State in 1837, and selected a site for a home and 
 business at wliat lias since been known as Middle- 
 port, also liiicd a man to build a house for him. 
 To his new home he brought the familj' tiie follow* 
 ing August, accompanied by his father-in-law, 
 John Little. When they arrived, the house for 
 which he had contracted was not completed, and 
 the whole party had to camp under a large tree on 
 the bank of the river for about six weeks. The 
 Troup dwelling was a two-story frame, the first 
 building erected in the place. It was built on lot 
 7, block 4, and his store, wiiich was subsequently 
 completed just across the street from the dwelling, 
 was 16x24 feet. The first building was used by him 
 for a hotel for about two years, after which he 
 erected another dwelling close to his store and 
 removed to it. He was a man of means, posses- 
 sed of great energy and good business abilitj', and 
 soon became the leading spirit of the place. He 
 prospered in business and accumulated a large 
 property. At one time he owned sixteen farms 
 and between twelve hundred and fifteen hundred 
 acres of timber-land besides. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Troup were blessed with a large 
 family numbering seven sons and three daugh- 
 ters, of whom three sons and two daughters are 
 now living. Henry, the eldest, died in infancy; 
 Theodore married Anna Mason, of Wisconsin, and 
 resides in Deuel County, 8. Dak.; Louis married 
 Sabra V. Thomas, and died January 12, 1863; 
 David married Harriet Hawn, of Ohio, and died 
 November 16, 1862; Melvina died at the age of 
 eleven years; Edward was a soldier of the late 
 war, a member of Company A, Seven tj'-sixth Illi- 
 nois Infantry, and died July 11, 1863, from dis- 
 ease contracted in the trenches in the siege of 
 Vicksburg; Elenora is the widow of Joseph Ilor- 
 ton, of Middleport, Iroquois County; Caroline 
 married Capt. Abraham Andrew, Postmaster of 
 Watseka, wlio is represented on another page; 
 Alfred married Isabel Lindsey, and resides in 
 Dover Centre, Minn.; Charles wedded Eva Vivian, 
 and resides at the old home in Middleport. 
 
 On the 29th of December, 1869, Troup's Addi- 
 tion to Watseka was recorded. The plat, covering 
 a large portion of the southwest quarter of the 
 northwest quarter of section 32, Middleport Town- 
 
 ship, was laid off by Theodore and Anna F. 
 Troup. In politics, Mr. Troup was a Democrat, 
 and for several years was Postmaster of Middle- 
 port, and held various local offices. His death oc- 
 curred April 8, 18,59. He was a man of unusual 
 size, being six feet two inches in height, and 
 weighing three hundred and fort}' pounds. Both 
 he and his worthy wife were noted for their inde- 
 fatigable energy and industry, upright and hon- 
 orable lives and broad-handed benevolence. In 
 addition to their arduous duty of rearing and pro- 
 viding for a family of ten children of their own, 
 the}' brought up, clothed and educated five others 
 who had been left at a tender age to make their 
 own way in the world. In addition to this they 
 cared at times for other children who were in 
 want. Mr. Troup, his wife and family were Pres- 
 byterians, and the first religious services held in 
 Middleport were held in their house. The}' were 
 active in effecting the organization and in the sup- 
 port of the Presbyterian Church of Middleport. In 
 his intercourse with the world, Mr. Troup was affa- 
 ble and courteous, and his integrity was above 
 question. Domestic by habit, he was attached to 
 his family, and enjoyed the high esteem and re- 
 spect of all who knew him. 
 
 \ Tp-^i, -'RANK E. MEENT8, a well-known faimer 
 N^fe of Ashkum Township, makes his liorae on 
 jt^ section 27. He was born in Hanover, Ger- 
 many, on the 19th of May, 1857, and is a son of 
 Remmer H. and Maria (Ulfers) Meents, both of 
 whom were also born in Hanover. The father was 
 a farmer in his native land, and theie reared his 
 family and spent his entire life. 
 
 Tiie boyhood days of our subject were passed in 
 the usual manner of farmer lads, and he received 
 a good' education in his native language. After 
 coming to this country he attended school for two 
 winters, until he had learned to speak fairly well 
 the Jlngiish tongue. He emigrated to the New 
 World in 1872, taking passage in a ship which 
 sailed from Bremen, and made the voyage in about 
 twelve days. Arriving in New York in March, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 547 
 
 our subject at once went to Cliicago, and from 
 there to Aslikum, where lie joined his brother, JI. 
 R. Meents. He worked on a farm during the sum- 
 mer, attending school during llie winter months. 
 He was also employed some of the time b3- Jlr. 
 Comstoek in his grain elevator, lie was after- 
 ward in the employ of that gentleman for four 
 j-ears, both in his warehouse and grain oflice. At 
 the expiration of that time, Mr. Meents rented a 
 farm, bought a team, and engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits for several years. By good management 
 and carefully-kept earnings, be was enabled to 
 purchase a farm of one hundred and twentj' 
 acres in 1883, and here he still resides. Since he 
 has come into tbe possession of this propert}-, he 
 has greatly improved the place. He has a good 
 and substantial residence, commodious barns and 
 other buildings. This farm is located one and 
 a-fourtb miles from Ashkura, and is a most valu- 
 able and well-cultivated place. Our subject pur- 
 chased an additional eighty acres adjoining his 
 home and situated on the opposite side of the road, 
 thus making two hundred acres in his home farm. 
 Though comparatively a young man, Mr. Meents 
 has achieved a fair measure of success and pros- 
 perity, which he has deserved by his industry, la- 
 bor and perseverance. On every hand his farm 
 bears the evidence of the thrift and enterprise of 
 the owner, and is one of the best pieces of prop- 
 erty in the township. 
 
 On the 11th of April, 1880, was celebrated the 
 marriage of Mr. Meents and Jliss Cevia Rieken, 
 who was born, reared and educalcd in Livingston 
 County, HI., and is a daughter of George A. Rie- 
 ken, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- 
 ume. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Meents was 
 celebrated in Danforth, and unto them seven chil- 
 dren have been l)orn: Reromer E., George A., 
 Maria, Cassie Margaret and Tressic (twins), Cevia 
 and Carl F. 
 
 Mr. Meents and bis wife were reared in the 
 Lutheran faith, but are not members of any church 
 organization. In 1882, he returned on a visit to 
 the land of his birth, and spent about two months 
 at his old home and amid the scenes of his youth. 
 He had a most enjoyable trip, mid has brought 
 back \m\ny plensant rooolleelloiis of the Fntlior. 
 
 land. Since casting his first ballot for James G. 
 Blaine, Mr. Meents has been identified with the 
 Republican party. He has never sought for ofli- 
 cial positions, though he undoubtedly has the 
 abilitv to perform the duties incident to them, 
 could he be induced to accept the same. He is an 
 honored and respected citizen of this community, 
 where he has lived for nearlj' nineteen years, and 
 is a man of integrity and uprightness. 
 
 \T' .SAAC VAN DORM, who for thirty-four years 
 I has made his home in this county and is widel^- 
 ,1: and favorably known throughout its borders, 
 resides on section lo. Fountain Creek Township, 
 where he is engaged in general farming. TheA'an 
 Dorn family w.as founded in America by four 
 brothers, who left their native land, Holland, came 
 to America in Colonial days and settled in Penn- 
 sylvania. All four served in the Revolutionary 
 War. Isaac Van Dorn lived for some time in the 
 Keystone State and then emigrated to Ohio, when 
 its Indian settlers far outnumbered the white 
 population. 
 
 His son, Ilezekiah Xun Dorn, the father of our 
 subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and was only 
 four years of age when 'his parents emigrated 
 Westward. He enlisted in the War of 1812, serv- 
 ing as a scout, and was present at H(,)we's surrender. 
 He had learned the trade of cai'pentering and cab- 
 inet-making, and returned to his native State in 
 order to engage in that line of business. While 
 there he married Hester Irvin, and resided in 
 Washington County until 1834, when he built a 
 boat and floated down the Ohio River to Erans- 
 ville, Ind., from where he made his wa\' with ox- 
 teams to Fountain County. In that then wild and 
 unimproved region he puich:t-;ed eighty acres of 
 land and began the development of a farm, upon 
 which he made his home until his death, about 
 1882, at the age of ninety .^four years. Ho was a 
 member of the Methodist Church, and in politics, 
 was a euppoi'ter of Domocrfttic principlos, His 
 wlfo also died on the old homo funn, Uuto tlieii) 
 
548 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 was born a family of thirteen children, of whom 
 the following are yet livinsj: Mrs. Lydia Hunt, 
 of Indiana; Mrs. Hester Shaft, of Missouri; Isaac, 
 of this sketch; Jonatlian, wlio resides on the old 
 homestead in Indiana; and Hczekiah, who resides 
 in Montana. 
 
 We now take up tlie [lersonal history of our 
 subject, who was born in AVashington County, Pa., 
 March 5, 1819. His educational privileges were 
 very meagre. AVlien he did attend school, wiiich 
 was held in a log cabin, he had to walk three miles 
 to and from the i>lace. He has always been a hard- 
 working man, and in liis lioyhood he used to work 
 for $2.50 and $3 per month. He remained at home 
 until twenty-flve years of age and then began 
 working as a farm liand for #!) per month. Wlien 
 a young man, he and his father hauled twelve 
 barrels of flour by ox-ieam to Chicago, taking 
 nineteen days to mnke the round trip. On the 
 way one of the oxen took sick. FromHirani Ven- 
 num they borrowed a single harness, and, making a 
 single yoke, hitched in the mate of the sick ox 
 aliead of the other team, and proceeded on their 
 journey. At length he determined to try his for- 
 tune in the West, believing that better opportuni- 
 ties were afforded in the new and less thickly-set- 
 tled .States. In 1868, be located in this county, 
 and witli the capital that he had acquired by his 
 economy, perseverance and industry he purchased 
 one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, 
 Fountain Creek Township. Not a house was then 
 in sight and all was wild and unimproved, but 
 with characteristic energy he began the develop- 
 ment of a farm, and every improvement upon tlie 
 place stands as a monument to his thrift and en- 
 terprise. 
 
 In May, 1862, Mr. Van Dorn was married to Miss 
 Mary Ann Francis, a native of Ohio, and unto 
 them have been born seven children, namely: 
 Mrs. Ida Miller, who resides in Missouri; Heze- 
 kiah, at home; Hester, his twin sister, who is the 
 wife of Ed Crimmott, of Iowa; Dora and Isaac, at 
 home; Charles, who married Miss Elizabeth Col- 
 lins and resides in Hoopeston; and William, who 
 completes tlie family. 
 
 Mr. Van Dorn exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Democratic party, with which he 
 
 has affiliated since casting his first Presidential 
 vote for James K. Polk. Like every true Ameri- 
 can citizen should do, he feels an interest in politi- 
 cal affairs, yet has never been an office-seeker. He 
 started out in life with no special advantages to 
 aid him. His education was acquired largely 
 tlirough his own efforts, but by reading, experience 
 and observation he has become a well-informed 
 man. vSuccess has crowned his business dealings, 
 and a well-earned competence is now his. Mr. 
 Van Dorn has a wide acquaintance throughout 
 this community, and the honorable, upright life 
 which he has lived has won for him the confidence 
 and good- will of all with whom business or social 
 relations have brouglit him in contact. 
 
 D-^-i^P^* ■ 1 
 
 ^' OIIN H. DIRK.S is a prominent farmer who 
 owns a farm on section 32, Douglas Town- 
 ship. He was born in Hanover, Germany, 
 '^!/^ on the 30th of January, 1847, and is a son 
 of Lewis and Annie (Miller) Dirks, who were na- 
 tives of tiie same province. The father was a 
 farmer by occupation and died in 1854. In their 
 family were four sons and two daughters: Matilda 
 is the wife of Mr. Behrends, of Kansas; Edo resides 
 at Fairbury, Livingston County; George came to 
 the United States but afterward returned to Ger- 
 many, where he now makes his home; John H. is 
 next in order of birth; Mary is the wife of Morgan 
 Fieldt and lives in Kansas; and Antony is a resi- 
 dent of McLean County, 111. After the death of 
 lier first husband, Mrs. Dirks became the wife of 
 Henry Hanken. The family emigrated to America 
 in 1873,with the exception of Edo, who had crossed 
 the Atlantic three years before. They settled in 
 Kansas and there occurred the deatli of the mother 
 and Mr. Ilanken. 
 
 The earl}' years of our subject were passed upon 
 a farm and in tlie district schools. He received 
 but limited educational advantages, and when 
 al)out fourteen years of age he was obliged to hire 
 out l)y the month to farmers. At the age of 
 twenty he entered the army, joining the Thirteenth 
 Hanover Cavalry Regiment as a private soldier. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 549 
 
 lie was in the service for four years and was always 
 found at liis post of duty. He was stationed at 
 Hurgdorf durinj; the first year, the second year in 
 Hanover, and in .June, 1870, was first engaged in 
 llie war with Fraifce at the battle of Swabrueken. 
 Altogether, he was in thirty-two battles and skir- 
 mishes. He particiiiated in the battle of Grave- 
 lotle, which raged for three days. During that 
 time, he suffered many hardships and for three 
 days and two nights was without food. During 
 thill war, at one time he did not take off his clothes 
 iir boots or enter shelter for -leven weeks. He was 
 in the service for four years and was discharged as 
 a non-commissioned oMicer. During the last year, 
 lie was stationed in the cilj' of Hanover. He 
 spent one winter at home after leaving the army, 
 and in 187."! sailed from Hamburg to New York. 
 From there he came to Illinois and went to work 
 upon a farm near Washington, where he continued 
 for about nine months. December "27, 1873, Mr. 
 Dirks was united in wedlock with i\Iiss IMargaret 
 Wilts, who was born May 17, 1849, in the same 
 part of (Jermany as her husband and crossed the 
 ocean in company with our subject's brother, 
 three j-ears previous to his arrival in the T'nited 
 States. Her parents died in the Katherland. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Dirks became the parents of the follow- 
 ing children, Annie, who li.as received an excel- 
 lent education in tlie public schools; Maggie, 
 ],illie and Katie, all of whom were born in Taze- 
 well County. One child died in infancy. After 
 the marriage of our subject, he rented land in 
 Tazewell County until 1889, where he followed 
 agricultural pursuits, and then removed to Living- 
 ston Count\', near Chatsworth, where he purchased 
 a farm of two hundred and forty acres. In the 
 spring of 1892, he sold his property and came to 
 Iroquois County, where he bought a fine farm, well 
 tiled and otherwise improved. This farm contains 
 one hundred and sixty acres and has upon it a 
 good house, barns and other buildings. 
 
 Mr. Dirks started in life a poor bov and lias se- 
 cured a competence by his energy and well-directed 
 efforts. He has educated himself in English since 
 coming to this country and is a man of intelli- 
 gence. He and his family hold membership with 
 the Lutheran Chui'ch of Gilmau, of which he is a 
 
 Trustee and liberal supporter. His sympathies are 
 given to the Hepubliean parly and his first vote 
 was cast for the Hon. .lames A. Garfield. He is a 
 leading German citizen and has won the respect 
 and regard of all with whom he lijis come in con- 
 tact. 
 
 J' JOHN KKKDKH was born in Cambridge>hire, 
 England, May 27, 1819, and w.as a son of 
 I Samuel Heeder, a brickmason and con- 
 .^^^ tr.ictor. At the age of fifteen years, our 
 subject emigrated to America, locating in Roch- 
 ester, N. Y., where he learned the trade of shoe- 
 maker. In 1814, he went to Chicago, 111., and six 
 months afterward came to ]\Iilford, Iroquois 
 Count}^, where for a time he worked at his trade. 
 However, he soon began dealing in live stock and, 
 removing to Watseka, engaged in the stock busi- 
 ness exclusively. In 18.57, he went to Texas, 
 where he resided for three 3-ears, or until 1860, 
 when he removed to the North, driving a herd of 
 cattle. He made his home near Watseka and en- 
 gaged in stock dealing until 1871, when he con- 
 fined himself to local trade in the line of his 
 chosen occupation. 
 
 Mr. Reeder was married in Rochester, N. Y., to 
 Miss Ann La Veil, a native of the Emerald Isle, 
 who came to America in childhood. Unto them 
 were born seven children, three sons and four 
 daughters: Robert H., .lames William and 3Iar- 
 garet died in childhood; Mary became the wife 
 of .lames Fleming and after his death wedded 
 William Coward, with whom she resides on the 
 old homestead; Rosella is the wife of Harvey West, 
 a resident of Martinton Township; Lavina is the 
 wife of .John Coward, who makes his home in 
 Middleport Township: .John O. was married March 
 24, 1880, to Belle Hazlett and makes his home in 
 Watseka, where for two 3'ears he has served as 
 Deputy County Clerk. 
 
 The father of this family continued to reside in 
 Iroquois County until his death, which occurred in 
 October, 188.5. He was killed by being thrown 
 from a bridge, lie was quite a prominent and in- 
 Uueutiai citizen of the community and did much 
 
550 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 for its upbuilding nnd the promotion of its best 
 interests. He built many buildings in Watseka, 
 including the opera house. AVhen he came to 
 tills county, he had only about 15 in nioney. but 
 possessed a deteniiinatiou to succeed, luid was 
 energetic and enterprising and as the result of his 
 industrious efforts met with excellent success. He 
 prospered and at the time of his death owned 
 about eight hundred acres of land. 
 
 John 0. Reeder was born in Collin County, 
 Tex., December 22, 1858, and was brought by his 
 parents to Iroquois County when about a year and 
 a-lialf old. After he had attained to mature years, 
 he went South, spending throe and a-half yeans in 
 Texas and Missouri engaged in sheep-raising. Af- 
 ter his father's death, he bought the old home- 
 stead of two hundred acres which he still owns. 
 He engaged in agricultural pursuits until securing 
 his present official position, since which time he 
 has rented his farm. In politics, he is a Democrat 
 and while in Mitchell County. Tex., served as 
 County Commissioner. Unto Mr. and Mrs. J. O. 
 Reeder have been born three children: Wortii L., 
 Delia M. and Claude H. The eldest and youngest 
 were born in Iroquois County, and Delia M. is a 
 nativ'e of Texas. 
 
 'jllSAIAH BROOKE, who owns and operates a 
 il farm on section 34, Douglas Township, was 
 (l\ born near Plymouth, Ind., on the 26th of Sep- 
 tember, 1858. He is a son of Benjamin Brooke, 
 who was born in Ohio, December 12, 1812. He 
 was a farmer and bridge-builder by occu[)ation 
 and was married in Fairfield County, Ohio, to 
 Elizabeth Wickizer, who was born in Fairfield 
 County, Ohio, and was of German descent. In 
 1863, thej" emigrated to Marshall County, Ind., 
 where they remained for about twelve years, in 
 which time Mr. Brooke was emplo3'ed at his 
 regular business, that of contracting for building 
 bridges and other carpenter work. They thou re- 
 moved to !v farm in Iroquois County', near Gjlman, 
 whoi'O he turned liia nttentiou entirely to ngriunl- 
 |\;rg tmcl stoo|?'<'^|,8lug. Olcl age eorainjUf on, ho j'Ss 
 
 moved to Oilman, retiring from the active cares 
 of farm life, and there his death occurred on the 
 3d of September, 1885. His wife is still living 
 and has reached the ripe old age of seventy-seven 
 years. When Mr. Brooke came to Illinois, he was 
 possessed of but little means and was also in poor 
 health; nevertheless, by good management and in- 
 dustry he secured a good home and acquired con- 
 siderable property. He also assisted his sons in 
 acquiring a start in business life and was a much 
 honored citizen and early settler in this commun- 
 ity. He was well educated and posted on all of 
 the leading topics of the day. He was for manj- 
 years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 but in later life withdrew from that denomination 
 and preferred to take the Bible and Christ as his sole 
 creed. He gave liberally to churches and benevol- 
 ent societies and was strongl}- opposed to secret 
 societies. Politically, he was always a supporter of 
 tiie Democracy and was zealous in its interests. 
 
 Tiie subject of this sketch was the youngest 
 child in a family of eleven, and came with his par- 
 ents to Illinois when but five years of age. His 
 school advantages were but limited, the nearest 
 schoolhouse being two miles away from his home. 
 He .assisted his father in his farm duties and cares 
 until 1882, when he purchased one-half of the old 
 homestead. Five jears later, he bought the re- 
 mainder of S. W. Brooke, administrator of his fa- 
 ther's estate. The farm comprises one hundred 
 and sixty acres of well-tiled and improved land. 
 The pleasant home, neat buildings and carefully 
 kept farm bespeak the thrifty and enterprising 
 owner. 
 
 In March, 1887, Mr. Brooke married Miss Matilda 
 Ileise, the ceremony being performed in Douglas 
 Township. The lady is a native of Indiana, and 
 grew to womanhood in this county. One child 
 graces the union: Lindsey, who is now two years 
 old. 
 
 rolilically, Mr. Brooke uses his right of fran- 
 chise in favor of the Democratic party and cast his 
 first Presidential vote for Hancock. He is strong 
 and self-reliant and discharges his duties of citi- 
 zenshij) as a man who holds the welfare of the 
 comnuuiity paramount to all ptirspjijxj interests, 
 llo sivGS ills undividetl attention to liis aarlcul' 
 
'S*^if^ '^^SiC' 
 
 (^2 
 
 -^^^ 
 
 ax^. 
 
 7^ 
 

 ■(^r^/z^ Ir^f^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 i55 
 
 tiiral pursuits and business affairs and is in no 
 sense of tiic term a seeker for official positions. 
 For nearly lliirty years he has been a resident of 
 this county and has helped largely in the success 
 and development of the township in which he 
 makes his home. Like his father, he is not a be- 
 liever in secret societies, preferring to stand alone 
 and unassisted bv any such organization. 
 
 UGUSTUS ,1. DK LONG, a real-estate and 
 loan agent of Gilman, was born in New 
 Lexington, Perry County, Ohio, February 
 ((2^ 18, 184;'). He is a son of Edward and 
 
 Ruth (Lackey) DeLong. The De Long family is 
 of French ancestry, while on the maternal side 
 tlie ancestors were of German origin. The father 
 of our subject, who was also born in Ohio, was a 
 cousin of the great arctic explorer, De Long, 
 lie married in Perry County Miss Lackey, who 
 was a native of the Keystone Stale. He was 
 a tanner and saddler by trade, but after spend- 
 ing several years in that line he purchased 
 a tract of timber-land and developed a farm 
 within eight miles of where Gen. Sheridan's fa- 
 ther lived. Mrs. De Long died on the old home- 
 stead at about sixty-nine j-ears of age. 
 
 After Ihe death of his wife, Mr. De Long canie 
 West and lived until his death at the home of his 
 daughter in Chatsworlh. In religious faith, he 
 was a Catholic, and his wife a member of the 
 Methodist Church. In politics, he was a strong 
 Whig, and later a Republican. Of their family, 
 two sons and three daughters survive. 
 
 In the order of birth, the subject of this sketch 
 is the fourtli child of the family. He received 
 his education in the common schools of the county 
 and at New Lexington. He began clerking at 
 Zanesville, Ohio, when about fifteen years of age, 
 and there he remained a year. After the war, with 
 his brother .Joseph, he started in the mercantile 
 business at Lancaster, Ohio, where they carried on 
 business for some two years under the title of De 
 Long Bros. Having sold out, our subject went 
 
 25 
 
 to Peoria and several other towns to obtain a 
 clerkship. Iking unsuccessful in this attempt, he 
 hired out as a harvest hand, liut soon found he 
 could not succeed in the rather ditlicnlt operation 
 of binding sheaves. While he and his employer were 
 talking about the matter, a School Director rode 
 l)y and stopped to say that their teacher was sick. 
 The farmer ?aid: "Here is a man that cannot work, 
 maybe he can teach school." Mr. De Long at that 
 time knew as little about teaching as harvesting, 
 but, undaunted, he took the position and made a 
 grand success. For seven 3oars following, lie 
 taught ill the schools of Marshall County. In 
 18()lt, he came to Gilman, purchased some lots, 
 and then returned to finish his school. 
 
 On the 2()th of Seiitcmber, 1871, Mr. De Long 
 was united in niai'riage with Isaljel Pool, a native 
 of Putnam County, 111., the marriage ceremony 
 l)eing celebrated at the old homestead near Henry, 
 JLarshall County. The lad\' is a daughter of 
 Guy W. Pool, a native of Ohio. He was born in 
 1800, was reared to agricultural pursuits. and spent 
 his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer 
 lads. His educational ])rivileges were limited. He 
 proved a valiant soldier in the Black Hawk War 
 in I8.'?2. His wife bore the maiden name of .So- 
 phronia Bascoin and was u native of the iMnpire 
 State. In the Pool family were ten children, 
 seven sons and tliree daughters. Jlrs. De Long 
 was born in Putnam County, 111., September 30, 
 1845, and her primary education, acquired in the 
 common schools, w.as sup|)Iemenled b}- study in the 
 Model Department of the Normal I'liiversity. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. De Long are members of the ^Melh- 
 odist Episcopal Church of Gilman, and Mrs. 
 De Long belongs to the Ladies' Foreign Mission- 
 ary Society. Our subject socially- is connected 
 witii White Holly Camp, M. W. of A. After their 
 marriage, Mr. De Long took his bride to Gilman, 
 where they have since resided. Six children have 
 blessed their union, but two, Jessie May and Guy 
 Pool, are deceased. Minnie, Frank, Charles and 
 Augustus are at home. The De Long household 
 is the abode of hospitality, its doors ever being 
 open for the reception of the many friends of the 
 family. 
 
 Mr. De Long's first work in (iilraan was in the 
 
556 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 position of book-keeper in tlie employ of Capt. 
 \V. II. Mann, who then carried on an extensive 
 niivserv hiisiiicss. After a time, lie purchased an 
 interest with him, and remained in that business 
 for five years. Succeeding tliat, for a year he en- 
 gaged in the real-estate business with Edward 
 Rumley. At tlie expiration of that time, tlie firm 
 dissolved partnership, Mr. De Long since conduct- 
 ing tlie business alone. He has perhaps handled 
 more land than any other man in this part of the 
 county, and has settled many large estates. Be- 
 sides having an office in Gilman, he lias one at 
 Danforth. He is the possessor of some fine farm 
 property, one hundred and fifty-five acres adjoin- 
 ing the city limits of Gilman on the south, and 
 one hundred and twenty acres adjoining on the 
 north. All he now possesses he has made b\' his 
 own industry and good busine.ss ability. 
 
 As is every good citizen, Mr. De Long is much 
 interested in the advancement of educational in- 
 terests, and is now President of the School Board. 
 For many vears he has been a member of the City 
 Council. He is President of the Gilman Building 
 and Loan Association. He takes a great interest in 
 conventions and in political questions, and is an 
 active member of the Republican party. He is 
 one of tlic prominent and successful citizens of 
 (Tilman, and is held in high regard by a large 
 circle of friends and ac([uaintances. He is a man 
 of great generosity and benevolence, and always 
 lias a good word and helping hand for evei^body. 
 
 
 
 ENJAMIN BURT, who is now living re- 
 tired in Milford, is numbered among the 
 honored pioneers of this county, having 
 been identified with its history for the long 
 period of forty-two years. His life record is as 
 follows: He was born in Sciota C^onnty, Ohio, 
 about seven miles from Portsmouth, October. '51, 
 1811. His father, .Joseph Burt, was born Decem- 
 ber 3, 1787, ill Pennsylvania, and married 'Slnv- 
 H'.'u-et .Miinn, also a native of the Keystone Stale, 
 who was horn in 1786. About 182;* they re- 
 moved from Oiiio to Indiana, and in 1837 came 
 
 to Iroquois County, locating in Milford, where 
 Mr. Burt followed the blacksmith's trade for about 
 three years. He was then taken ill with lung 
 fever and died December 13, 1838. After the 
 father's death Mrs. Burt made her home with her 
 .son Solomon, who lived on a farm about three 
 miles southeast of Milford. She was.called to her 
 final home April 27, 1847. Unto this wortli}^ 
 couple were born six children, .as follows: .lames 
 M., born on Christmas Day of 1812; Benjamin, of 
 this sketch; Solomon, born February 23, 181fi; 
 Eleanor, February 11, 1821; Huhania, August 16, 
 1824; .ind Joseph, May 10, 1827. Of the family, 
 James and Solomon are now deceased. 
 
 The subject of this sketch spent the first fifteen 
 years of his life in the State of his nativity, and 
 then accompanied his parents on their removal to 
 Indiana, the family locating in Tippecanoe 
 ■County, ;ibout five miles from La Fayette. In 
 1837 his parents eanic to Milford, but Benjamin 
 remained in the Hoosier State until the autumn of 
 1848, when he also came to Milford to make him 
 a home. He first purchased foity acres of land, 
 and a year later Ijought fort}' acres of timber- 
 land. A short time afterward he bouglit one 
 hundred and sixty acres on a United States land 
 warrant, and then sold to his brother Solomon 
 eighty acres, retaining possession of a hundred 
 and sixty acre tract, a square quarter-section. 
 
 On July 27, 1851, Mr. Burt was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Annie Jane Hoskins, daughter of 
 Joseph Hoskins, a farmer residing near Milford. 
 Two children were born unto them, one of whom 
 is yet living, Eliza Margaret, born Se[)teniber 18, 
 1852. She became the wife of Daniel P. (!ood 
 November 30, 1873, with whom Mr. ISiirt now 
 makes his home. They had two children: A'ara 
 Mae; and Pearl Bernice, who died August 10, 
 18!)1, in her sixth year. 
 
 After he had engaged in fanning for some years 
 Mr. Burt turned his attention to commercial pur- 
 suits and for a time engaged in general merchan- 
 dising, but afterward returned to liis farm. A 
 few years .ago, however, he removed to Milford, 
 where he has since lived retired. In connection 
 with his land he also owned the propeity where 
 he yet lives until quite recently, when he deeded 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAFHICAL RECORD. 
 
 it to his daii<ii:titer. Mrs. Oooit, together with forty 
 acres of tiinlier-lanci. He met witli success in his 
 business career and accuniulatod a comfortable 
 competence. 
 
 Mr. Hurt is a member of tlie Ciiristian Church, 
 and, in politics, was a Whig until .Stephen A. Doug- 
 las ran for the Presidency, when he voted for him. 
 .Since that time he has supported the Democratic 
 party. For two terms he held the ollice of Assessor 
 in Milford Township, and twice in .Stockland 
 Townsliip, being also Collector one term in the 
 latter. The eausc of education has ever found in 
 him a warm friend, and he served as School Trus- 
 tee for many years. Progressive and public-spir- 
 ited, he ever manifests a commendable interest 
 in all that pertains to the welfare of the commu- 
 nity and its upbuilding. lie is numbered among 
 the earl}' settlers of the county, and has witnessed 
 almost its entire growth and development. 
 
 m>^^<m 
 
 f _ KXUV CASSirs l.OVKTT. the proprietor 
 J J of a livery, feed and sale stable of Wat- 
 ^y^ seka. III., was born in Providence, R. I., on 
 (?), tlie 19th of .June, 1845, being a son of 
 (it'orge AV. and .Vbbie (Reynolds) Lovett. His 
 father was born in Cumberland, Mass., on the 29th 
 of December, 1819, and his mother in \'ermont; 
 the}- are now both deceased. He died January 19, 
 1881, and his wife January 20, 1877, aged sixty- 
 three. Both were members of the Baptist Church. 
 Our subject accompanied his parents to Boston, 
 Mass., in early childhood, where tiiey resided un- 
 til 18.")2, when they removed to a farm in .Suffolk 
 County, N. Y. From there, in 18(>0, they came to 
 Iroquois County, 111., settling in Crescent Town- 
 shii) about live miles west of Walseka. on a farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres which his father had 
 purchased, (ieorge W. Lovett continued his resi- 
 dence there until 1879, when he removed to Wat- 
 scka, where his death occurred in 1881. I n the fam- 
 ily were four chil<lren, two sons and two daughters, 
 of whom all are now living with the exception of 
 one daughter, -Mary, the eldest, who w.i» the wife 
 of Kzra A. ]'i>ck and died August 7, 1865, aged 
 
 ; twenty-nine years. Harriet Frances, the second 
 child, became the wife of Fnoch Wilson and after 
 his death married John IJulson; she now resides in 
 San Francisco. Cal. (ieorge Otis, the next younger, 
 was a soldier four years in the late war, a member 
 of Company A, Seventy-sixth Illinois Regiment. 
 ( He has been twice married, his first wife being 
 I Amanda Fidler, and his present wife was Abbie 
 Kelley. He lives in Eureka, Kan., where he is now 
 serving his second term as Circuit Clerk of Green- 
 wood County. 
 
 Henry C, the subject of this sketch, is the 
 youngest of the family. He was reared on the 
 homefaiin and was educated in the district schools. 
 On the 20tii of January, 18711, he was married in 
 Chillicothe, Ohio, to IMiss Mary M. Kelso. Mrs. 
 Lovett was born in Burlington, W. \'a., and is a 
 daughter of John and Susannah Kelso. !Mr. and 
 Mrs. LoYCtt have no children of their own, but 
 have raised from early childhood a nephew of his, 
 J. C. Lovett, and a niece of hers, Harriet Beard. 
 The best of educational advantages have been 
 given them, and Miss Harriet, who gi'aduated from 
 the AVatseka High School, is a teacher by profession. 
 Mr. Lovett was engaged in farming in Crescent 
 Township until the spring of 1879, when he canit? 
 to Watseka and embarked in the livei-y business 
 in company with (.ieorge AV. James. This ixirtner- 
 sliip was continued about a year, when Mr. James 
 sold his interest to Robert Hayes. Six nnrnths 
 later Jlr. Lovett bought his partner's interest and 
 has since continued the business alone. His main 
 building was the old schoolliouse and church uf 
 Middleport, which w.as moved to Watseka. His 
 stables are situated a little castcif theCouit llou.^c 
 and two blocks south of Main .Street, at the corner 
 of Fourth and Locust. They are commodious and 
 well-furnished stables. Mr. Lovett has prol)ably 
 the linest set of carriages of various styles and as 
 fine horses as can be found in any livery in the 
 county. In addition to his livery business, he is 
 engaged in buying and shipping horses, in which 
 he does an extensive Itusiness. 
 
 Mr. Lovett is a Republican in politics, and while 
 a resident of Crescent Township served as Town- 
 ship Collector and .School Trustee for a number 
 of years. He was also elected Road Commissioner 
 
558 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 for Belmont Tovvnsliip in the spring of 1892. He 
 is ;i iiu'ihIht of Iro(|iu)is Lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F.; 
 and of I ro(iu(iis KiK;'ami)ment No. 81, of that order 
 ill Watscflca. Mr. Lovett also belongs to the Pa- 
 triotic Order of Sons of America and is one of the 
 State oflicers. lie is a practical business man, 
 whose integrity, couiteous manner and correct 
 liusiness methods command the respect and confi- 
 dence of his fellow-townsmen and acquaintances. 
 
 WlOIIN N. HOFFMAN is one of the exten- 
 sive land-owners of the county', and was 
 fornierly a prominent merchant and busi- 
 ness man of (4oodwine. His life record is 
 as follows: He was born in Bavaria, (iermany, 
 on the River Rhine, October 3, 1832, and is a son 
 of John iM. and Catherine (Doll) Hoffman, who 
 spent their entire lives in Germany. The father 
 followed farming for a livelihood. He served 
 under Napoleon in the war with Russia when only 
 nineteen years of age, and was in man3' battles 
 with the great commander. He died at the age 
 of fifty-six. He was a member of the Catholic 
 Church, and liis wife held membership in the Luth- 
 eran Church. They had four children who grew 
 to mature years, as follows: Catherina, Margaret, 
 Philip .1. and .lohn X. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, in accordance with 
 the custom of his native land, attended the puii- 
 lic schools until fourteen years of age, and dur- 
 ing the next seven years of his life served an 
 a|)prenticeship to a roperaaker. He was then called 
 upon to serve in the (German army, but not wish- 
 ing to do so, he ran aw.ay from home, and, board- 
 ing a vessel from Havre, sailed for New York. 
 Going to Brooklyn, he worked at his trade for a 
 few months and then removed to Danville, Pa., 
 wliert^ he secured emplo3'ment in a rolling-mill and 
 learned the puddling trade! After six months, he 
 liegau work on a railroad. At length, he deter- 
 iiiiiicd to try his fortune in the West, and on the 
 l<Uii of August, 1854, landed in Chicago with 
 (Mily ^10 in gold in his pocket. The succeed- 
 
 ing winter he worked on the Hlinois Central 
 Railroad, and in 1855 hired to a farmer in 
 La Salle County being thus employed until 1858, 
 when he went South to St. Louis. As he could 
 find nothing to do in that city, he went on a steam- 
 boat which ran between New Orleans and St. Paul, 
 and thus his time was passed until 1860. On the 
 lireaking out of the late war, he went to Ottawa, 
 111., and enlisted at the call for sevent3'-five thou- 
 sand troops, but his services were not accepted. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman was married in 1861 to Otilda 
 Gleim, who was born in La Salle County, of Ger- 
 man parentage. He then rented a farm, which he 
 operated until 1868, when he purchased three hun- 
 dred and twenty acres of railroad land on section 
 8, Fountain C'reek Township, Iroquois County. 
 The following year he located thereon. His wife 
 was not long permitted to enjoj' her new home, 
 her death occurring in 1870, leaving five chil- 
 dren; George died at fourteen years of age; and 
 Frederick, at the age of eleven. Those still living 
 are: Anna, who makes her home in Nebraska; Katie, 
 wife of (icorge Christ, who resides on her father's 
 farm; and .lacoh, who is living on the old home- 
 stead with his father. In 1872, Mr. Hoffman 
 wedded Anna (ileim, who bore the same name as. 
 his first wife but w.as not a relative, liy this 
 marriage were born five children: Lizzie; Louisa, 
 deceased; Mary; William; and John, deceased. 
 
 When Mr. Hoffman came to this county, his 
 land was all wild and unimproved, liut acre 
 after acre was placed under the plow, and soon 
 rich and fertile fields were yielding to him abun- 
 dant harvests. He made his home upon his first 
 farm until 1882, when he removed to Ash Grove 
 Township, purchased a farm, and entered into 
 partnership with Sylvester Rose in the lumber and 
 hardware business in Cissna Park. After a year 
 he went to Claytonville, erected a building, and 
 established business as a dealer in lumber, hard- 
 ware and agricultural implements; but after three 
 years he traded for property in Goodwine, where 
 he still resides. He built a neat and substantial 
 residence, and his finely- improved place is sup- 
 plied with various kinds of small fruits and grapes. 
 He now owns five hundred and forty acres of 
 valuable land in one body', and has a good store 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 55;» 
 
 liuilding and other iinproveiiienls in (^oudwine. 
 He also owns real estate in Chicago and in other 
 parts of Illinois, and wiis inslriuiiental in estab- 
 lishing the Farmers' Elevator in Goodwine. He 
 is a man of excellent business ability, sagacious 
 and far-sighted, methodical and sytematic, and 
 has .acquired a valuable property through his own 
 industry and economy. 
 
 In the early days before the war, Mr. Hoffman 
 heard a debate between Lincoln and Douglas at 
 Ottawa, and at the succeeding election voted for 
 Douglas. He has since been a stalwart Democrat 
 and li.as held several road and school otiices, also 
 served as .lustice of the Peace. His public duties 
 were ever discharged with promptness and fidel- 
 ity, winning him the commendation of all con- 
 ' cerned. Mr. Hoffman experienced all tiie hard- 
 ships and i)rivations of pioneer life, and in the 
 early years of his residence in this county had 
 many obstacles and ditliculties to overcome, but 
 he steadily worked his way upward. Jso better 
 American citizen can be found. He loves this 
 country and its institutions, and is true to every 
 duty of citizenship. It was a fortunate day for 
 him when he determined to come to the I'nited 
 Stales, for here he has found a pleasant home, 
 many friends and prosperity. 
 
 iL .M.VIvSll.VLL is engaged in genera] 
 farming on section 0, Pigeon Grove Town- 
 ship. He is one of the widel^'-known agri- 
 '{^f' culturists of the community, and is an hon- 
 ored veteran of_the late war. A native of the Em- 
 pire .State, he was born in Greene County, on the 
 Hudson River, November 6, 1816, and is descended 
 from one of the heroes of the Revolution. His 
 grandfather served in the War for Independence, 
 in the navy, and, being taken prisoner, was placed 
 in an old hulk in New York Harbor, hut made his 
 escape by swimming three miles to the shore. He 
 became one of the pioneer settlers of Vermont, and 
 in that State Marvin .Marshall, the father of our 
 subject, was born and reared. He afterward en- 
 gaged in makin": brick in New York and at length 
 
 emigrated to the \Vcst. The year 18;>o witnessed 
 his arrival in Peoria, III., and in that locality he 
 engaged in farming until his death, which occurred 
 in Hrimlicld, in .lune, 1883, at the age of seventy- 
 two years. He was married in the (ireen ^lountain 
 State to Lolis Bruce, who died in 188;'), near Peoria. 
 In iiohtics, Mr. Marshall was a ^Vhig and after- 
 ward a Republican. In iiis st)cial relati()ns he 
 was an Odd Fellow, and in religious belief a r>ap- 
 tisl. In the family were ten children, six of whom 
 grew to mature years, namely: .Vlbert, who now 
 resides in Krimlield, I'coria County; Reuben, who 
 enlisted for the late war as a memlierof the Eighty- 
 sixth Illinois Infantry, and was killed at the battle 
 of Kencsaw Mountain; Mrs. Helen Hottenbery, who 
 resides in Nebraska; .1. M. of this notice; Charles, 
 who is living in Nebraska; and Cassi us, who makes 
 his home in Lincoln, that State. 
 
 Our subject was only four years old wiien with 
 his parents he came to Illinois. He w.as reared 
 ujjon the home farm near I'eoria and acciuired his 
 education in the district schools of Hrimfield 
 Township. No event of special importance oc- 
 curred during his boyhood and youth until the 1st 
 of February, 1804, when, at the age of seventeen 
 years, he enlisted in the Eleven 111 Illinois Cavalry, 
 under Col. Robert Ingersoll. He joined the regi- 
 ment at A'icksburg and S|)ent his time in Jlissis- 
 sippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee, scouting 
 and on ])icket duty. He participated in the battle 
 of J.ackson, on the 7th of .July, IHCM, and took 
 part in many skirmishes. After the war was 
 over he received his discharge, September 30, 
 1865, in Springfield, after which he returned home. 
 
 Mr. Marshall then resumed farming, which he 
 has since f(jllowed. .lanuary 2, 1873, in AVoodford 
 County, 111., lie married JNIiss IClizabcth De Mott, 
 who was born in that county and is of French de- 
 scent. Four children grace their union: Clarence 
 D., Winnefred M., Bertha E. and Ray l':imer. Tiie 
 two elder were born in I'eoria County, the younger 
 ill this county. Clarence com]jleted iiis education 
 in Onarga Seminary. 
 
 In the spring of 187.5, Mr. Marshall came to this 
 county and purchased one iiiindred and sixty 
 acres of prairie land, which had been ploughed 
 but not an improvement made. With the e.xccp- 
 
5G0 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tion of six ycava' time, it iias feince been his home 
 and is one of the most desirable farms of the com- 
 munity, being under a iiigh state of cultivation 
 and well improved. Although he started in life 
 empty-handed, Mr. Marshall has met with success 
 in his undertakings and lias acquired a comfortable 
 competence. The Republican party has no stancher 
 advocate than our subject, who cast his first Presi- 
 dential vote for Gen. Grant. He has never sought 
 for political preferment, but has hold some school 
 offices and the cause of education finds in him a 
 friend. Since the organization of the Grand Army 
 he has been a member and is now serving as Quar- 
 termaster of G. II. Neeld Post No. 576, of Cissna 
 Park. He is a public-spirited and progressive cit- 
 izen of the community and is held in high regard 
 for his sterling worth and integrity. 
 
 \(l ^ GRACE BARNES, who is prominent in 
 
 jfjil business circles in Onarga, has since 1882 
 /^^^ been connected with the tile manufactory 
 V^) of this place. In that year, in connection 
 with J. E. Owen and John W. Cunningham, he es- 
 tablished a factory and began the manufacture of 
 tile, carrying on business in pai'tnership for three 
 years. New machinery was purchased, facilities 
 enlarged and a good trade built up. After three 
 years, Mr. Owen bought out his partners and con- 
 tinued alone in business for a year. In October, 
 1891, Mr. Barnes bought the interest of Mr. Owen 
 and is now sole proprietor. He has both a blue 
 and a yellow clay, and with the improved machin- 
 ery manufactures a superior article of tile. He also 
 makes an excellent (lualily of brick and is doing a 
 thriving business. 
 
 Mr. Barnes is a native of the Green Mountain 
 State. He was born in Rutland, Rutland County, 
 January 14, 1822, and is one of three sons, whose 
 parents were William and Sarah (Buck) Barnes. 
 The father was a native of Rutland County, V^t., 
 and the mother of Berkshire County, Mass. The 
 children are all yet living, Charles E. and Lorin 
 both being older than our subject. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our sub- 
 
 ject, who is widely and favorably known through- 
 out this community. In the spring of 1846, when 
 a young man of twenty-four j^ears, he came to 
 Illinois to try his fortune on its broad prairies, and 
 purchased two hundred acres of Government land 
 in Du Page County. He also there engaged in 
 teaching school for a number of years and was 
 elected Superintendent of the schools of the count}-, 
 and also served as Supervisor of the townshij), 
 while living in Du Page County. 
 
 On the same year of his emigration Westward, 
 Mr. Barnes was married, on the 1st of .hily, to Miss 
 Louisa Seeley, of Middlebur}', \t., a daughter of 
 Jonathan and Rhoi'a (Kelley) Seeley. Her death 
 occurred on the 8th of March, IS.'il , she leaving one 
 son, William S., who was boi'n August 20, 1848. 
 He married Miss Ella Harper, daughter of Samuel 
 H. Harper, of Onarga, and they have two daugh- 
 ters. Lulu and Florence. He now owns and 
 operates a large creamery on a farm about two 
 miles southeast of Onarga. Mr. Barnes was again 
 married, on the 22d of January, 18.52, his second 
 union being with Miss T. Lorette Taylor, daughter 
 of Rev. P. Taylor, of Bloomingdale, III. Two 
 children graced this union: Linnie L., born Au- 
 gust 8, 1854, is now the wife of E. H. Wood, of 
 Omaha, Neb., who is First Assistant General Freight 
 Agent of the Union Pacific Railroad. They have 
 one child, a son, James Ralph. Frank H., born 
 September 17, 1855, is clerk in the general ticket- 
 office of the Rock Island Railroad at Chicago, 
 which position he has held for a number of years. 
 He married Louisa Newell and they have two chil- 
 dren, a son and daughter: Newell II. and Edith. 
 
 Mr. Barnes continued to reside in Du Page 
 County until 1867, when he sold his farm and le- 
 moved to Onarga Township, Iroquois Count}', 
 where he purchased two hundred acres of land, 
 and for a number of years successfull}' engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits. In 1882, he determined to 
 tile his farm, and this suggested the idea which led 
 to his present business — that of manufacturing tile. 
 Since coming to Onarga, he has also taught in the 
 schools, being Principal for two yeai'S of the Onarga 
 public schools. He is a man of excellent education, 
 who keeps himself well informed on all current 
 events of the day. 
 
PORTRAIT AND TJIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 561 
 
 In politics, Jlr. Barnes is a Republican, having 
 supported that party since he voted for Abraham 
 Lincoln. He has held a number of public offices, 
 and in connection with those which he filled in 
 ])\i Page County, he has served two terms as 
 Supervisor since coming to Ouarga, was Road 
 Commissioner for a number of years, has been a 
 member of the Board of Trustees of Grand Prairie 
 Seminary for over twenty years and is still con- 
 nected with the board. He is true to every public 
 and prirate trust and his honorable, upright life is 
 well worthy of emulation. He is a consistent 
 member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he 
 has served as Elder for a number of vears. Mrs. 
 Barnes is of the ItaiHist faith. 
 
 j^REDERlCK H. AYRES, a practical and 
 Ir^to progressive farmer, residing on section 20, 
 li Prairie Green Township, has the honor of 
 
 l)eing a native of Illinois. He was born in Mor- 
 ris, Grundy County, July 25, 1 8511. His father, 
 W. II. Ayres, was born in Connecticut, June 17, 
 1811. In his youth he learned the trade of tanner 
 and ciu'rier. At length he determined to try his 
 fortune in Illinois, and in 1846 he went to Chi- 
 cago, from which place he made his way to Grundy 
 County, locating on a farm. From the Govern- 
 ment he secured land, which he improved and de- 
 veloped, and thereon made his home for thirty- 
 seven 5'ears. In the State of his nativity he mar- 
 ried Miss Eliza J. Benedict, a native of New 
 Canaan, Fairfield County. Conn., born October 12, 
 1813. Their union was celebrated Januarj- 7, 
 1834. Thev resided in Grundy- County for many 
 years, but are now living with the subject of this 
 sketch. Mr. Ayres cast his first Presidential vote 
 for William Henry Harrison. For more tlian sixty 
 years he has been a member of the Congregational 
 Church. Since the organization of the Republican 
 party he has been one of its stanch supporters, and 
 has held a number of ollices of honor and trust. 
 In the family were six children, but only two are 
 livini,'^. llenrv (i. and .lames S. both died in 
 
 childhood; 'William II. died in Illinois, at the age 
 of seven; Rebecca Ann became the wife of C. C. 
 Vreeland, and died in Kendall County, 111., leav- 
 ing a family; Lovicea, a native of Connecticut, is 
 the wife of Rev. Dana Sherrill, a Congregational 
 minister, who resides in Marshall, Clark County. 
 111. 
 
 The Ayres family is uf English origin, and was 
 founded in America by three brothers, who emi- 
 grated to this country in tlic Colonial days. One 
 of these, the great-grandfather of our subject, was 
 in the Home Guards during the Revolution. The 
 grandfather of our subject, Frederick Ayres, was 
 born in Connecticut and there spent his entire 
 life. By trade he was a currier and shoemaker. 
 
 Frederick II. Ayres, whose name heads this rec- 
 ord, spent his boyhood days upon his father's 
 farm in Grund}- County, no event of special im- 
 portance occurring to vary the routine of farm 
 life. His early education was acquired in the dis- 
 trict schools of the neighborhood, and at the age 
 of eighteen years he went to Bryant and Stratton's 
 Business College in Morris, III., conducted by Will- 
 iam A. Drew, where he pursued a commercial 
 course of study. At the age of twenty he re- 
 turned home, and for some time operated and 
 managed the home farm of one hundred and sixty 
 .acres. In 1883 he came to Iroquois Count^y and 
 purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in 
 Prairie Green Township. He is a competent 
 farmer who thoroughly understands his business, 
 and the well-tilled fields and the many improve- 
 ments upon his place indicate his thrift and enter- 
 prise. In connection with the cultivation of his 
 land, he also engages in stock-raising, making a 
 specialty of fine cattle and hogs. He raises Po- 
 land-China hogs, and introduced into this count\- 
 the PoUed-Angus cattle, of which he has a herd tif 
 forty head. 
 
 On the 15lh of .lanuary. 187.'!. Mi-. A\rcs was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Mary E. Leach, their 
 uiiiou being celebrated in Grundy County. The 
 lady was liorn near Wheeling. AV. \'n.. and is a 
 daughter of Mfn-gan Leach, one of the early 
 settlers of (irundy County. Mr. and Mrs. Ayres 
 attended the same school as children, and she 
 afterward engaged in teaching successfully fur 
 
5()2 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 some years. Unto them have been born three chil- 
 dren, but only one is now living, Mary Lovicea, 
 who was born in Ornnrly County, in 1878. 
 
 Mr. Ayrcs is .a member of Iloopeston Lodge >;o. 
 195, K. V. In Ills political affiliations he h.is ))een 
 a Republican since he cast his first Presidential 
 vote for Gen. Grant in 1872, and is an influential 
 member of the party. He has served as a delegate 
 to its conventions, but has never been an office- 
 seeker. However, he has served as Township Sup- 
 ervisor in Grundy County for two terms. Mr. 
 Ayres reads much and is an intelligent farmer, 
 who keeps well informed on all questions of the 
 day. He is also a self-made man, for his success is 
 due entirely to his own efforts, and he is a solid 
 and substantial citizen of the county, respected by 
 all. 
 
 s ' '^'^^<^r^[^-" ■ e) 
 
 Vt^^RANCIS CASSIDY, who makes his home 
 |-Wgj> on his farm situated on section 21, is a 
 lis prominent and representative farmer of 
 Danforth Township. He was born in Ireland, in 
 March, 1839, in County Roscommon, and is a son 
 of Frank and Bridget (Flannagin) Cassidy, both 
 of whom spent their entire lives on the Emerald 
 Isle. 
 
 The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood 
 days under the parental roof and received but 
 limited school advantages. He is almost wholly 
 self-educated, but through reading and his wide 
 experience has become a well-informed man, who 
 is conversant with the leading scientific and na- 
 tion.al questions and other subjects of importance 
 and interest. In July, 1862, he went to Liverpool 
 and started in a sailing-vessel for America. They 
 were on the Atlantic for seven weeks and a-halt 
 and encounteied no storms during the voyage. He 
 arrived in New York in the fall of that year, and 
 immediately went to Providence, R. L, where he 
 remained for about one month. He then started 
 Westward and located first in La Salle Count3', 111. 
 For three years he hired out as a farm-hand and 
 then with his earnings, which lie had carefully' 
 saved, he purchased a team and engaged in farm- 
 ing on rented land for a year. He then went to 
 
 Livingston County, where he also farmed for about 
 one year, wlien he returned to La Salle County 
 and rented land for the same length of time. At 
 the end of that time, he purchased a place in that 
 county on which he made several payments, but, 
 being unable to make the fourth payment, he was 
 so unfortunate as to lose the property. In March, 
 1870, Mr. Cassidy came to Iroquois County, rent- 
 ing a farm in Douglas Townsiiip for a year, after 
 which he located in Artesia Township, where he 
 rented farm land and engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits for the five years succeeding. Returning, our 
 subject purchased a tract of one hundred and 
 sixty acres of unimproved prairie, where he located 
 and still resides. This farm he cleared, tiled and 
 improved and has now under a high state of cul- 
 tivation. As his financial resources were increased, 
 he constantly added improvements and the latest 
 modern machiner}' to carry on the work of the 
 farm, and has since added another tract of eighty 
 acres to his original purchase. He owns besides 
 eight}' acres which are situated two miles from his 
 other property. Tliis is all cultivated and valu- 
 able land. He has a comfortable and substantial 
 home and good farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Cassidy was united in marriage in the city 
 of Toledo, Ohio, to Miss Marj' Fallon, who is also 
 a native of County Roscommon, Ireland. The 
 wedding ceremony was jierformed on Christmas 
 Day of 1805. Mrs. Cassidy is a daughter of John 
 Fallon, who grew to maturity on the Emerald Isle. 
 By the marriage of our subject and his wife four- 
 teen children have been born, as follows: Anna, a 
 young l-ady, who received a good education and is 
 a successful teacher of this count}'; Catherine, who 
 is at home; John, who assists in the care of the 
 farm ; Frank, who also assists in the care of the home 
 farm; Mary; Eliza, also a teacher of this county; 
 Clara; Tersa and Thomas, twins; Timothy, Alice, 
 Sylvester, Gertrude and Agnes. The parents and 
 children are alike members of the Roman Catholic 
 Church. 
 
 In his political sentiments. Mr. Cassidy gives his 
 hearty support to the Democratic party, and his 
 first Presidential vote was cast for Grover Cleve- 
 land. He has never been an aspirant for public 
 or official positions and has ever devoted his entire 
 
'^: 
 
 r 
 
 #*5* 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 565 
 
 energies and attention to liis home and farm 
 duties. Me is a hearty supporter of public scliools 
 and an advocate of good teaclicrs and educational 
 measures. For six yeai-s he has served as a mem- 
 liur of the School Board. He has lived in Illinois 
 for twenty-eight years and lias made his home in 
 Iroquois County for twenty-two years of tliat time. 
 Ho has helped to make this county what it is to- 
 (l.ny, one of the best in the State. He landed in 
 liie New World without friends or other capi- 
 tal than a good constitution, and has won a fair 
 measure of success through his own unassisted ef- 
 forts. He is considered one of the thrifty, in- 
 lluential and well-to-dt) farmers of the township, 
 and has won many friends since coming to this 
 communit)'. 
 
 ?ILIJAM KNIBLOE, an early settler of 
 * Douglas Township, was born in Sharon 
 ^ 'I'ownship, Litchfield County, Conn., his 
 birth having occurred February 17, 1820. He is 
 :i son of Thompson and Keziah (Wing) Knibloe. 
 His great-grandfather Knibloe was a Scotch-l'res- 
 byterian minister, who emigrated from Edinburg 
 prior to the Revolutionary "War. He followed his 
 profession in this country during his entire life. 
 The grandfather of our subject followed agricul- 
 tural pursuits chiefly. His father w.as born in 
 Litchfield County, Conn., while his mother was 
 born on Cape Cod and with her parents emigrated 
 to Litchfield County-, where she married Thompson 
 Knibloe, a farmer. His death occurred when our 
 j-ubject was a lad of about twelve years. His 
 mother afterward married Benjamin Myers, and 
 moved to Allegany County, N. Y., where she spent 
 her last days. By her first marriage she had four 
 childen, of whom William is the onl^' one living. 
 
 Our subject is the oldest of the family. Hav- 
 ing remained oh the farm until sixteen years of 
 age, he was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's 
 trade, serving five years, working in the summer 
 from sunrise to sunset, and from September until 
 Alarcli working until nine o'clock at night. On the 
 7th of April, 1842, he married Mary A. Dakin, 
 
 whc> was born December 22, 1M21, in Dutchess 
 County, N. V., and is a daughter of Talmai and 
 Clarissa (Yerrington) Dakin, lioth of whom were 
 natives of the Km|)ire State. Her grandfather 
 Dakin w.as a Baptist minister of English descent. 
 Mrs. Knibloe "s parents spent their entire lives in 
 the State of their nativity. She is the second in a 
 family of seven children, and she and a sister, Mrs. 
 Lucy Vanness, who lives in Lamont, Cook County, 
 III., are the only ones who survive. 
 
 'I'o Mr. and JNIrs. Knibloe has been born a fam- 
 ily of three children: .\nna, who died in the 
 prime of womanhood; Harriet, who is the wife of 
 N. J. Henry and resides in Chicago; and the young- 
 est, Walter, who married Addie Clark, is a graduate 
 of the State I'niversity at Champaign and has been 
 for six years Princii)al of the schools of St. August- 
 ine, Fla. 
 
 In 1843, the subject of this sketch started for 
 the ^^'est, going first to Chicago. He remained 
 there for a year and then sent for his wife. At 
 that time Chicago contained about seven thousand 
 inhabitants and was a veritable swamp. F"or seven 
 years, he worked in a shop, of which he was fore- 
 man part of the time. He then started in business 
 for himself and, with a partner, carried on a shop 
 in that cit}\ In 1858, he came to L'oquois County 
 and, ill company w'ith Edward Silver, purchased a 
 half-section of land in Douglas Township. This 
 he improved and in time made of it a good farm. 
 Having soid his property, he ran the Stiirgis Farm 
 for twenty-five or twenty -six years. He is the owner 
 of one hundred and seventy-two acres of good land, 
 and his present prosperity is the result of the 
 united efforts of himself and wife. In 1891, with 
 his family he removed to (Oilman, where he has a 
 pleasant and hospitable home. 
 
 hi his political sympathies, Mr. Knibloe was for- 
 merly an advocate of the Democracy, but since the 
 rise of the Republican party he has been identified 
 with it* interests. He has served as Highway and 
 Ditch Commissioner, helping to cut many of the 
 ditches that have so much improved this county. 
 He was a member of the first Odd Fellows' society 
 of Chicago, called the Union Lodge, and Mrs. 
 Knibloe helped to make the first carpet that cov- 
 ered that lodge room. No jteople in the county are 
 
56(5 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 held in liigliei- regai-f] than Mr. Knibloe and his 
 estimable wife. He has made farming his chief 
 life occupation and has devoted himself to that 
 pursuit in a quiet, unassuming manner, at the same 
 time faithfully discharging his duties of citizen- 
 ship. 
 
 '\fj OHN RUCKUIGEIj is a prominent merchant 
 I and well-known citizen of Ashkum. He is 
 j^ I a native of Germany, his birth occurring in 
 v»^^ Bavaria, on the 25th of July, 1836. He is 
 a son of John and Margaret (Nitzle) Ruckrigel, 
 both of Bavaria, wliere the father died. John 
 Ruckrigel, Jr., grew to the age of sixteen years in 
 tiie Fatherland, and then determined to seek his 
 fortune in the New World. Accordingly, in 1852, 
 he took passage on a sailing-vessel at Bremen, and 
 was forty-two da\'S on the bosom of the Atlantic. 
 He arrived at New Orleans in November of that 
 year, and embarked in a Mississippi steamer run- 
 ning to Louisville, Ky. He joined an uncle who 
 was a dairyman, living about six miles from Louis- 
 ville, and with him he remained for about eight 
 years, and until he had passed his m.<ijorit3'. In 
 his native land, Mr. Ruckrigel had received a 
 good German education, and after coming to 
 America educated himself in English by reading 
 and intercourse with the people. After leaving 
 his uncle, lie rented land and engaged in farming 
 for himself, his farm being situated near Louisville, 
 and there he remained for about ten j'ears. 
 
 In the fall of 1870, our subject removed to Illi- 
 nois, settling first at (iilman, Iroquois County, 
 where he eng.aged in the mercantile business with 
 Joseph Reidiiaar. He continued in that occupa- 
 tion for about two years, and then sold his inter- 
 est. On account of much sickness in his family, 
 he returned to Kentucky, and engaged in agricul- 
 tural pursuits in the .same neighborhood as he had 
 previously made his home. In 1874, he returned 
 to Illinois, and located on a farm in Danforth 
 Township, where he lived until 1888, farming very 
 successfull3-. He then sold his farm propertj- and 
 engao;ed in merchandising at Ashkum, and here he 
 
 has since remained. He carries an extensive stock 
 of general merchandise, and has a well-established 
 trade. 
 
 On tlie I'itli of Februar\-, 1863, Mr. Ruckrigel 
 w.as joined in marriage to Mary E. Reidhaar, a na- 
 tive of Switzerland, horn October 28, 1840, who 
 came to the United States with her father, Joseph 
 Reidhaar, when she was a child. Mr. Reidhaar set- 
 tled in Mercer County, Ohio, where he made his 
 home until his death. Our subject and his wife 
 are the parents of five children: Henry is a part- 
 ner in his father's store, and for many years has held 
 responsible business positions in Ashkum; Emma 
 is the wife of Morell Fowler, and vvas the former 
 Postmistress of Danforth, Mr. Fowler being now 
 the station agent at Kappa, 111.; Mary is the present 
 Postmistress of Danforth; John, who is a clerk in 
 his father's store, and a graduate of the Grand 
 Prairie Seminaiy; and Lizzie, who resides at home. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ruckrigel were reared in the 
 Catholic faith, in which they still believe, though 
 the}' are not identified with any church organiza- 
 tion. He was formerly an advocate of the Democ- 
 racy, his first vote having been cast for James 
 Buchanan, but for a number of years he has been 
 identified with the Republican party. He has been 
 elected to fill several otflcial local positions, the 
 duties of which he has discharged witli promptness 
 and fidelit}'. Educational measures find in him a 
 hearty supporter, and he has served I)Oth on the 
 School and Town Boards. As a citizen, he is 
 highly esteemed as a public-spirited and progress- 
 ive man, who has been liberal in his support of 
 those enterprises tending to the advancement and 
 upbuilding of the town and county. 
 
 ^^TiUGUST HAUBACH is numbered among 
 iLll l the early settlers of Douglas Township, 
 residing on section 5. He was born fifty- 
 nine years ago in Giessen, Hessen, (Ger- 
 many, his birth having occurred August 3, 1833. 
 He was the youngest of the family of six children, 
 whose jiarents were George and Margaret (Kempf) 
 Ilaubach, both of whom spent their entire lives in 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the Fatherland. Tlie father was a carpenter by 
 trade. Our subject is tlie youngest in his father's 
 family of six children, five sons and one daughter, 
 of wliom only two crossed the Atlantic. Charles 
 V. came to the United States in 1850, and died in 
 Quincy, 111., on the 7tli of March, 1885, leaving a 
 wife, one son and two daughters to mourn his 
 loss. 
 
 Our subject until fourteen years of age attended 
 the schools of his native land and then served for 
 three years as an apprentice at the painter's trade. 
 He worked faithfully at his chosen occupation, 
 commencing at the small salary of ^2.40 per week. 
 In 1853, determining to secure his fortune in the 
 New World, he went to Liverpool and there took 
 passage for New York. This trip In the slow sail- 
 ing-vessel of those daj's took five weeks. Upon 
 lauding in New York, he found that his financial 
 resources amounted to but $5. He decided to go 
 to Norwich, Conn., and when he reached that 
 point he had but ^.'5.40. In the latter place, he 
 worked at his trade for twelve ^-ears and by perse- 
 verance and industry' was soon on the road to for- 
 tune. In Norwich, he met the lady who after- 
 ward became his wife. 
 
 The wedding ceremony was performed on the 
 3d of November, 1858, and thereby Miss Mary A. 
 Burger became the wife of our subject. She is the 
 daughter of Anton and Mary A. (Kech) Burger, 
 and is a native of Germany, where she \vas born on 
 the 26th of November, 1838, in Lausheim, Baden. 
 She came with her family to Connecticut in 185L 
 To Mr. Ilaubach and his wife have been born five 
 children: George C, A. Frederick, .John B., Eliza 
 .1. and William A. 
 
 In the year 18G5, Mr. Ilaubach went to New 
 Albanj-. Ind., where he ran a grocery for about one 
 year. He then sold out, moved to Fulton County, 
 111., and followed the occupation of a farmer. 
 Thougli he had not been brought up to farm life, 
 he soon learned and became a practical farmer. 
 He worked a rented farm until 1869, when he 
 moved his family to the farm where he now lives. 
 The previous j'ear, in company with George Burger, 
 he had purchased one hundred and sixt}' acres. 
 This they improved and cultivated and divided in 
 1871. Mr. Haubach has added to his eightj' acres 
 
 until he now has a fine farm of four hundred and 
 eighty acres of well-improved and drained land. 
 By years of industry and toil, supplemented bj' 
 good business ability and fair dealing, he has ac- 
 quired a snug little fortune. Starting as he did in 
 early life with nothing but willing hands, his suc- 
 cess h.as been truly wonderful and well deserved. 
 In his political alliliations, he is a supporter of the 
 Democratic party. The cause of education finds 
 in him a warm friend and he has done effective 
 service for her interests. For eighteen years he 
 has been School Director and has discharged the 
 duties of that oHice with faithfulness and zeal. For 
 nearly a quarter of a century- he has been a resi- 
 dent of this townshi]) and both he and his wife are 
 much respected and well esteemed. He is a wide- 
 awake business man, and his dealings with his fel- 
 low-citizens have ever been characterized by a 
 spirit of justice and honor. 
 
 W. ACOB C. SHEAR, an honored veteran of the 
 ' late war, who for many years has resided 
 upon his farm on section 5, Ridgeland 
 Township,was born in Alban3' County, N .Y., 
 near Coeymans, November 19, 1827, and is a son of 
 Stephen Shear, who was a native of the Empn-e State 
 and was of (lerman descent. His mother bore the 
 maiden name of Gertrude Teneyck, and she too 
 was of German lineage. During the boyhood of 
 our subject, his parents removed to .Junius, Seneca 
 County, N. Y. The death of the father occurred 
 in November, 1884. The mother had passed away 
 Some years previous, being called to her final rest 
 in 1878. The family numbered seven children, 
 namel}': Peter, who was a stock buyer and farmer 
 and died in 1890; (iarritia, wife of Anson Lisk, 
 who is living in California; Conrad, who is en- 
 gaged in farming in Fairfax County, Va.; Mary, 
 who became the wife of Levi Lisk and died in 
 1887; John, who departed this life in 1881; .Jacob, 
 whose name heads this sketch; and Catherine, who 
 married Ralph Hanson and died in 1892. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who is a prominent and influential citizen 
 
568 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of Iroquois County. He was reared to manhood 
 under the parental roof, no event of special im- 
 portance occurring during his boyhood da}'s, 
 which were quietly jjassed upon his father's farm. 
 His education was such as the common schools 
 afforded, he attending school at intervals until 
 about nineteen years of age. He then remained 
 at home until he had attained his majority, when 
 he started out in life for himself, and whatever 
 success he has since achieved is due entirely to 
 his own efforts. As he had no capital, he began 
 by renting ground. He continued his agricultural 
 pursuits in the Empire State until the autumn of 
 1858, when lie emigrated Westward, locating in 
 Elkhart, Ind., where he spent the succeeding winter. 
 
 Previous to this time Mr. Shear was married, 
 his first union being celebrated in 1849, Miss Har- 
 riet Stewart becoming his wife. One child was 
 born of this union, Frances, who died in 1890- 
 The mother died in 1863. Mr. Shear was again 
 married, in 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss 
 Sarah Brown. Three children grace this marriage, 
 as follows: Thomas, Gertrude and Tene3ck. 
 
 After one winter spent in the Hoosier State, Mr. 
 Shear came with his family to Iroquois County, 
 111., settling in Ridgeland Township, where he pur- 
 chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on 
 section ;j. The jjlace was entirely destitute of im- 
 provement, but with characteristic energy he began 
 its development and has carried forward the work 
 of cultivation until now one of the best farms in 
 the community yields to him a good income in re- 
 turn for tlie care and labor he bestows upon it. Its 
 boundaries he also extended as his financial re- 
 sources increased and he now has three hundred 
 and twenty acres of rich, fertile land. In addition 
 to general farming, he carries on stock-raising, and 
 his good business ability, combined with enterprise 
 and perseverance, have brought him a well-deserved 
 prosperity. 
 
 During the late war, Mr. Shear gave evidence of 
 his loyalty to the Government b}' responding to 
 the call for troops in the fall of 1861, and enlist- 
 ing as a private of Company M, Ninth Illinois 
 Cavalry. He was mustered into service at Chicago 
 and the first important engagement in which he 
 participated was at Jackson port. He then took part 
 
 in several lesser engagements, and in March, 1863, 
 went to Memphis and did duty as a scout through 
 the surrounding country. He participated in many 
 minor engagements and also met the enemy in the 
 battles of AVest Point, Aberdeen and Okaliama. 
 He had enlisted for three years' service and filled 
 out the entire time. In the winter of 1861-62, ho 
 had been promoted to be First Lieutenant, and in 
 that capacity served until the expiration of his 
 term, when he was honorably discharged. He was 
 never wounded or taken prisoner, but was ever 
 found at his post, faithfully' performing every 
 duty, and he may well be proud of the fact that 
 he was one of the honored boys in blue that saved 
 their countrj- when destruction threatened it. He 
 is now a member of W. A. Babcock Post No. 416, 
 G. A. R., also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
 and is a supporter of the Republican part}', whose 
 principles he warmly advocates. In 1876, he was 
 elected Sheriff of the county, serving a term of two 
 years. Mr. Shear has a wide acquaintance through- 
 out the community and is held in high esteem by 
 many friends and acquaintances. As an honored 
 veteran, an earl}' settler and a leading citizen, he 
 well deserves representation in this volume. 
 
 \T|OIlN HEANEY is one of the leading busi- 
 ness men of Buckley, where he owns and 
 operates a mill for the manufacture of hemp 
 fiber. Ashe is widely and favorably known 
 throughout the county, we feel assured that this 
 record of his life will prove of interest to many of 
 our readers, and we gladly insert his sketch in the 
 record of the county. 
 
 Mr. Heaney is a native of the Emerald Isle. He 
 was born in County Antrim, December 5, 1848, 
 and is one of ten children whose parents were 
 James and Nancy (Huey) Heaney, also natives of 
 Ireland. Six of their children are yet living, 
 namely: William, Hugh, Sallie, Robert, Elizabeth 
 and John. Those deceased are Jane, Ann Jane, 
 Nancy and Thomas. 
 
 The father of our suliject died when John was 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPIl'CAL RECORD. 
 
 r,r,<) 
 
 only about a year old, and at the age of nine lie 
 was left an orphan by the death of his mother. 
 His education was acquired in the land of his birth 
 in an academy'. When a youth of sixteen suni- 
 mei-s, he bade good-bye to home and friends and 
 sailed for America, locating in Madrid, N. Y., 
 wliere he operated a tlax-mill on his own account 
 until 1870, when he came to Loda, 111. Having 
 been so long employed in tiiat work, he was well 
 fitted for the business which he took up on com- 
 ing West. In Loda he superintended a tow-mill, 
 manuf.icturing flax-bagging until 1876, when lie 
 came to I5uckle\- and took charge of the mill at 
 this place. After being Superintendent for ten 
 years, in tiie fall of 1886 he purchased the mill, 
 which he h.is operated in his own interests con- 
 tinuously since. He is engaged in raising hemp 
 on live hundred acres of land, and manufactures 
 fiber from which binding twine is made. Besides, 
 he farms about one hundred and sixty acres. This 
 business is one of the leading industries of Buck- 
 ley, and the proprietor is one of its most promi- 
 nent business men. 
 
 On the !»th of May, 1872, Mr. Ileaney was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Louise Kippen- 
 berg, daugiiter of Richard V. and Amanda (Ilern- 
 don) Kippenberg, of Beardstown, 111. A daughter 
 graces their union, Maliel. They have a comforts 
 able and pleasant iionie in Buckley, which is the 
 abode of hospitality, and in social circles they rank 
 high. Mrs. Ileaney was born in Beardstown, 111., 
 .lanuary 5, 1850. Her father was born in Charles- 
 ton, S. C, December 13, 1821, and his father came 
 from German}', while his mother, who was of Span- 
 ish descent, was born in St. Augustine, Fla. Mrs. 
 Ileaney 's mother was born in Russell ville,Ky., .lan- 
 uar}- 8, 1830. Both parents were pioneers of 
 Beardstown, where they were married. Her father 
 died j-cars ago, and her mother makes her home 
 with Mrs. Ileaney, who is one of two children. 
 Her brother William is a railroad conductor. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Ileaney is a supporter 
 of Hepublican principles. For about ten years he 
 has filled the office of School Director, and the 
 cause of education finds in him a warm friend, 
 who does much for its upbuilding. He was also a 
 member of the Village Board of Trustees for ten 
 
 years, and during eight years of that time was its 
 President, discharging his duties with prom|)tness 
 and fidelity which led to his frequent re-election 
 and won him the commendation of all concerned. 
 In his social relations, he is a Mason, belonging to 
 Buckley Lodge No. 63 1, A. V. <k A. M. He is a 
 successful business man, whose well-directed efforts, 
 thrift and enterprise have won him a comfortable 
 competence and a well-deserved prosperity. Al- 
 though quite young when he determined to come 
 to America, subsequent years have shown the wis- 
 dom of liis resolve, and lie has here found a pleas- 
 ant home, happiness and success. 
 
 ^^ LIVER AISTIN DKHH0L'<;H, who is en- 
 11 )l S^'Sd '•' t''C manufacture of tile in Buckley, 
 ^^ is the junior member of the firm of Der- 
 rough <t Co., which established business in this 
 l)lace in the early part of 1891. Theirs is one of 
 the leading industries of the community, and they 
 are now doing an excellent business, which is con- 
 stantly increasing until their capacity is almost 
 too small to supply the demand. They manufac- 
 ture a superior article, and turn out about ten 
 thousand four-inch tile per d.iy. The partners of 
 this firm are numl)ered among the leading business 
 men of Buckley, and we gladly make mention of 
 them in this volume. 
 
 Oliver A. Derrough was born in Danville, 111., 
 on the 27th of August, 18.59. His parents, Asher 
 D. and Saloma .1. (Hoover) Derrough, were both 
 natives of Ohio. In 1868. having resided in Ohio 
 during the period of the late war, they returned to 
 Illinois, where they have since resided. They lo- 
 cated in Champaign County, and are now resi- 
 dents -of Urbana. In their family were six chil- 
 dren: Oliver A., .Anna, Cordelia E.. Edward E., 
 .lessic Maud and Ora, all of whom are yet living. 
 
 When .an infant, .Mr. Derrough, whose name 
 he.ads this sketcli, was taken by his parents to 
 Ohio, where about nine years of his life were 
 passed, and in 1868 he went with them to Cham- 
 paign County, 111. At Philo, about ten miles from 
 Champaign, he was reared to manhood, and ac- 
 
570 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIoaRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 quired a good education in the common schools. 
 In 1885, in connection with liis father, be em- 
 barked in the manufacture of tile in Pliilo, follow- 
 ing that business until the winter of 1890-91, 
 when they sold their first factory. They then es- 
 tablished a new factory in Buckley, 111., under the 
 firm name of Derrough & Co., and the success that 
 has already come to them is certainly very en- 
 couraging. 
 
 An important event in the life of Mr. Derrough 
 occurred on the 30th of May, 1883, when he led 
 to the marr.age altar Miss Rosa M. Challacombe, 
 daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Fletcher) Challa- 
 combe, residents of Alton, 111. Four children have 
 been born unto them, three sons and a daughter, 
 and the family circle, which yet remains unbroken, 
 is composed of Harry 0., born March 19, 1884; 
 Nicholas Asher, born October 4, 1885; Blanche, 
 born September 27, 1887; and Joseph Fifer, born 
 December 13, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Derrough are 
 highly respected people of liuckley, who hold an 
 enviable position in social circles, and are widely 
 and favorably known for their many excellencies 
 of character. Mr. Derrough is a wide-awake and 
 enterprising man, public-spirited and progressive, 
 and manifests a commendable interest in alt that 
 pertains to the welfare of the community. 
 
 m>-^^<B 
 
 (f p^ 
 
 ^— 
 
 '^ OIIN (lOETZ, a retired farmer, was born in 
 Baden, Germany, November 1, 1820. He 
 is a son of Jacob and Bridget (Irion) Goetz. 
 J Ills father owned a small farm which he 
 tilled for a livelihood. For nearly eight years he 
 served in Napoleon's army. Me accompanied 
 that conqueror to Moscow, and from cold, hun- 
 ger and privation his health was so inii)aired 
 that he never fully recovered, though he lived to 
 be over eighty years of age. The mother also 
 lived to about four-score years. In their family 
 of five children three were sons and two daugh- 
 ters, but two of whom came to America. Conrad 
 crossed the ocean in 1845, and is a farmei' in Can- 
 ada. 
 
 Our subject is the third child of the family and 
 
 \\:is reared on a farm, receiving but limited edu- 
 cational advantages. When about eighteen years 
 old, he commenced working in a foundry, at 
 which he continued for some four years, giving 
 all his earnings to his father. In 1842, he sailed 
 from Havre de Grace to New York City, being 
 thirty-six days on the voyage. Going to Canada, 
 lie worked three years on a farm and in a saw 
 mill. In 1845, he returned to his parents, friends 
 and native land, making them a visit of six weeks. 
 On his return to Canada, his brother accompanied 
 him. In 1848, he went to Marshall County, 111. 
 Having worked by the month for a time, he pur- 
 chased forty acres of (Government land, which he 
 soon afterward sold and farmed rented land. In 
 1857 he bought one hundred and twenty acies, 
 which he improved, and afterward added thereto 
 sixty acres. 
 
 On his first voyage to America Mr. Goetz formed 
 the acquaintance of Miss Agatha Fries, a native of 
 Bavaria, Germany. On her arrival in the United 
 States, Miss Fries went to Buffalo, N. Y. In 1846 
 our subject went to that city, and on the 5th of 
 February was united in wedlock with Miss Fries. 
 By this union were born eight children, three of 
 whom died in childhood, and Mary, who became 
 the wife of Mathias Baumann, died May 6, 1890. 
 The living children are Caroline, widow of Nich- 
 olas Shawback. who resides in La Salle County; 
 Jacol) married Amanda Fisher and is a substantial 
 farmer of Artcsia Township, Iroquois County; 
 Elizabeth F., who has had charge of the household 
 affairs for nearly twenty years, is still with her 
 fatiier; and Julni, who married Lillian Moore, pur- 
 chased the old lidnio farm, which he carries on 
 successfully. 
 
 Having carried on farming in Marshall Count3' 
 until 1878, Mr. Goetz came to Iroquois County 
 and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Doug- 
 las Township, which he improved by tiling and 
 ditching. His farm is now a very valuable and 
 well-cultivated piece of pro[)crty and is a model 
 of thrift and neatness. 
 
 In Marshall County occurred the death of Mrs. 
 Goetz, who passed away on the 6th of December, 
 1875. She was an estimable lady and a consistent 
 member of the Evangelical Association, of which 
 
POinU.MT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ■)71 
 
 Mr. <iool/ anil four of Win children arc likewise 
 iiH'inliers. In [)olitit's he is a. Republican, though 
 lie votes for the man rather than the party. When 
 he came to Illinois his worldly possessions, outside 
 of his family, were limited, but by hard work and 
 industry he has climbed steailily upward until he 
 now has a comfortable income. In 1892, lie sold 
 the farm to his son .John and removed to Gilman, 
 where he is enjoying a well-earned rest after so 
 many years of struggle and toil. 
 
 ^ lldLLlAM K. \K.\TC'I1 li.as engaged in buy- 
 \/\j// '"" ^^^^ shipping stock in Thawville since 
 
 ^^^ 1890, and prior to that time was connec- 
 ted with the agricultural interests of the county 
 for about twenty-one years. During his long res- 
 idence in the community he has formed a wide 
 acquaintance, and is recognized as a highly re- 
 spected citizen. The Buckeye .State gave him to 
 Iroquois Count}-. He was born in Ross County-, 
 Ohio, Xovember (!, 183(1, and is one of eleven chil- 
 dren, whose parents were Thomas .Land Catherine 
 (.Tohnson) Voatch. The father and mother were 
 both natives of Hardy County, AV'. Xa.., but in an 
 early day removed to Ohio, where the death of the 
 former occurred October (i, 1 849. Mrs. Veatch after- 
 ward came to Illinois, and with her children re- 
 sided upon a farm in Livingston County until 
 called to her final rest, November 2."}, 18r)8. Of their 
 eleven children only four are now living, namely: 
 Wdliain H.,.1ohn, Henry and Harrison. Those de- 
 ceased are .Tohnson, Elizabeth, Thomas, Catherine, 
 liufus, Tra and Sarah. 
 
 In the State of his nativil\, Mr. \oatch. our 
 subject, was reared to manhood, and when a young 
 man of twenty-five years came Westward to Illi- 
 nois, with the hope of bettering his financial con- 
 dition thereby. He first settled upon a farm of 
 eighty acres in Livingston County, near Wing,and 
 about four nnles north of Forest. He improved 
 and developed that farm, making it his home from 
 
 1S57 until 1869. In the latter year he removed to 
 a farm of two hundred acres of land near Thaw- 
 
 ville, in Iroquois County. As his financial resources 
 increased, he added to his landed possessions, and 
 in connectit>n with his home faiin he now owns 
 four eighty-acre farms, two in Ford County and 
 two in Iroquois County. He was a practical and 
 progre-ssive agriculturist, never behind the times 
 in anything pertaining to his chosen occupa- 
 tion, and by his well-directed efforts he acquired 
 a handsome property. On the 2:5d of Sejjteniber, 
 18.55, Mr. Veatch was united in the holy bonds of 
 matrimony with Miss Margaret, a daughter of 
 Selby and ^lary (.Samuels) Fearl,who resided near 
 Circleville, in Pickaway County, Ohio. .Mr. Fearl 
 was born in Maryland, and his wife in Delaware, 
 where they were married. In ISJOthey moved to 
 Ohio, where the wife died in I84(). He came to 
 Piatt Count}-, 111., in 18o7, where he died in 1888. 
 Mrs. Veatch was born in Delaware, .luly .5, 183.5, 
 and came with her father to Ohio. Mr. Veatch at 
 once brought his bride to Illinois, where they have 
 since resided. Five children have been born of 
 their union, the eldest of whom is Henry F. He 
 married JNIiss Alice Walker, daughter of Samuel 
 Walker, .in d they became the parents of two children 
 Charles E. and Roy. His wife having died, he was 
 again married, his second union being with Miss 
 Kate Davis, of Indiana. They have a daughter, 
 Edna, and their home is aliout throe niiles.south of 
 Thawville. George II. married Miss Ella Comm, and 
 resides on a farm in Ford County, near Thawville. 
 Delia is the wife of Judson Shear, who is living on 
 a farm just west of Thawville. Cnto them were 
 born six children, but two died in infancy. Those 
 yet living are Maufi, Edwin, Fraiikie and Irwin. 
 Uretta M. is the wife of Siegel Hutledge, who is 
 engaged in agricultural pursuit,-; in Artesia Town- 
 ship, upon a farm two and a-half miles sfuitheast 
 of Thawville. Their eldest child died in infancy, 
 but the two younger ones, Pearl and Pansy, arc 
 yet living. Thomas S. married Miss Minnie Peed, 
 daughter of AV'illiam Reed, of Livingston County, 
 and resides on the home farm, two miles east of 
 Thawville. They have two children, Nellie and 
 William Albert. 
 
 Mr. Veatch has made his home continuously in 
 this county since 18(19. He carried on agricultural 
 pursuits until 189(1, when he retired from fanning 
 
572 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and removed to Thawville, where he is now en- 
 gaged in buying and sliipping stock. In politics 
 he is a supporter of Republican principles. While 
 residing in Livingston County, he was .Justice of the 
 Peace for eight years, also Town Clerk and High- 
 way Commissioner, and in this county he has sei'ved 
 as Assessor one term and Commissioner of High- 
 ways for three years. At the present time he is 
 Treasurer and one of the Directors of the Farmers' 
 Mutual Insurance Company, of Iroquois County, 
 di.scharging the duties of both positions for the 
 past sixteen years. In all this time there has only 
 been one .isse.ssraent made by the company. The 
 regular two-mill annual assessment has proved 
 suHieient to pay all foi-mer losses. The success of 
 this company is due in no little degree to the well- 
 directed efforts of Mr. Veatch. Himself, wife and 
 three children are members of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, in which he has served as Trustee 
 and Steward. His life has been an hon()rable and 
 upright one, well and worthily spent, and he is 
 held in the highest esteem throughout the com- 
 munity, where his sterling worth is widely known. 
 
 
 ^^Wlj MO.S BISHOP, one of the early settlers of 
 i^j^ll Ash Grove Townsiiip, now residing on 
 section 19, is a native of Ohio, his birth 
 having occurred in Ross County on the 
 2Gth of October, 1826. His father, John Bishop; 
 was a native of the Keystone State, and in an early 
 day removed to Ohio, where his father improved 
 a new farm. He afterward removed with the fam- 
 ilj' to Fountain County, Ind., where the grand- 
 father of our subject purchased a mill. The man- 
 agement of this business was given over to John 
 Bishop, who, liowever, was a hatter by trade. His 
 death occurred shortly afterward in Indiana. He 
 had served in the AVar of 1812. In Oliio, he mar- 
 ried Hannah Myracle, who died in La Fayette, 
 Ind. After her death he wedded Susan Dunbar. 
 He was one of the pioneer settlers of Fountain 
 County, Ind., and held a number of local offices, 
 serving as Justice of the Peace in La Fayette. In 
 politics, he was a Democrat. By his first marriage 
 
 were born the following children: Henry, who 
 makes his home with Amos, having been a resi- 
 dent of Iroquois County for forty years; Silas, 
 who has resided in this community since 1872; 
 Mary Ann, wife of Wesley' Harvey, of Cissna Park; 
 George, who served in the Mexican AVar and in 
 the Rebellion, was a member of the One Hundred 
 and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and now resides 
 in Custer County, Neb.; Amos of tliis sketch; and 
 two children who died in infancy. By the second 
 marriage were" born a son and daughter, Elizabeth 
 and John, who reside in Iowa. Their mother 
 makes her home with them. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was about two years 
 of age when the family removed to the Hoosier 
 State, and was a lad of only seven when his mother 
 died. He then went to live with his uncle, John 
 Nebeker, in Fountain County, with whom he re- 
 mained until twenty-one years of age. His edu- 
 cational privileges were very meagre. He could 
 attend school only two montiis in the 3'ear, and 
 during that time half of each day was taken up 
 with feeding cattle. His training at farm labor 
 was not so meagre. He was early inured to hard 
 labor, and after he had attained to man's estate he 
 worked at fifty cents per day. 
 
 In September, 1848, Mr. Bishop was united in 
 marriage with Miss Jane Stidham, a native of Mary- 
 land, and in the following spring they came to 
 Illinois by team, locating near Ash Grove. Mr. 
 Bishop engaged in farming for Mr. Willoughby 
 for a year and then purchased eighty acres of land 
 from the Government. It was all wild prairie, 
 ii|)on which not a furrow had been turned or an 
 improvement m.ade. AVolves were still numerous 
 in the neighborhood and wild deer supplied tiie 
 table with meat, while lesser game was very plenti- 
 ful. After operating his first farm for some time, 
 Mr. Bishop sold and purchased elsewhere. Since 
 1862 he has resided upon his present farm of 
 eighty-three acres and for some years engaged ex- 
 clusively in its cultivation; however, he now gives 
 much of his attention to boring artesian wells. 
 He is a man of good business ability, enterprising 
 and progressive, and has secured a comfortable 
 competence. 
 
 By his first marriage Mr. Bishop had three chil- 
 
-^^--^-^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 575 
 
 dren: Mrs. Hannah Hauck, who is now a widow 
 and resides in Onarga Township; .lolin S., who 
 married Carrie Necld, and is a carpenter of Cissna 
 Park; and Ida. who died in infancy. Hy his second 
 marriage, wilh Ph<ehe Aye, he has one child, Mrs. 
 .Iiilia NeeUi, wlio also resides in Cissna Park. I5y 
 his marriage to Emily Hussey, he had two children: 
 llcnrv, who married Rose Brock and is a farmer of 
 Ash (irove Township; and Mrs. Alice Carter, who 
 resides on the old homestead. The lady who now 
 bears the name of Mrs. Bishop was in hor maiden- 
 hood Mary Lamar. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Bishop hold membership with 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Ash Grove, 
 and are numbered among its active and faithful 
 workers, doing all in their power for its upbuild- 
 ing and advancement. He has served as Steward 
 and Trustee. His first vote was cast for .James K. 
 Polk, and he has since supported the Democracy, 
 except when Lincoln was the Presidential candi- 
 date. In minor elections, he YOtes for the man 
 whom he thinks best qualified to fill the office, re- 
 gardless of party atfiliations. Socially, he is a 
 member of the Knights of Pythias, of Cissna Park. 
 His residence in this county covers a period of 
 forty-three years, and he is not only numbered 
 among its honored pioneers but is cl.assed among 
 its best citizens. 
 
 ■^ R. T. NEWTON BOUE, wiio h.as been en- 
 jjj &''§*^'^ 'f the practice of medicine in Loda 
 since 1864, is a prominent medical |)racti- 
 tioner of the county, and during the long 
 years of his residence here has formed a wide ac- 
 quaintance and gained an extensive practice. He 
 is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in 
 Fountain County, on the 18tli of Jlay, 1837. His 
 father, Lorenzo Dowe Boue, was born in Nortli 
 Carolina and was of French descent. His motlier, 
 who bore the maiden name of Eleanor Moffett, 
 was born in Indiana and is of Scotch lineage. By 
 their union this worthy couple became the parents 
 of seven children, and, witii the exception of one 
 who died in infancy, all are yet living at this 
 
 26 
 
 writing, in the autumn of 1892, as follows: Jo.se- 
 phine, .lames M., T. Newton, -lohn Austin, Simpson 
 M. and Eluis .Scott. The mother of this family 
 is still living on the old homestead in Fountain 
 Countv, Ind., six miles south of Vecdersburg, with 
 her youngest son. Mr. Boue died in M.ay, 1880. 
 
 Under the pai-ental roof the Doctor was reared 
 to manhood. He attended the public schools in liis 
 youth and his literary education was completed in 
 an academy in Ladoga, Ind. In looking about 
 him in choice of some profession or occupation 
 which he wished to make his life work, he chose 
 the practice of medicine, and for three years read 
 medicine, after which he attended lectures at Rush 
 Medical College of Chicago, from which he was 
 graduated in 18CG. In April, 1861, he located 
 in Rantoul, 111., where he spent about three 
 months, and in July he came to Loda, opened an 
 office and has since engaged in the pr.actice of his 
 chosen profession in this place. His skill and abil- 
 it3' have won him a liberal patronage and a recog- 
 nized position in the ranks of his professional 
 brethren. 
 
 On the .3d of June, 1867, Dr. Boue married Miss 
 Etfie L. Burnette, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. ,S. 
 Buruette, of (Jalva, III. Her death occurred on 
 the 23d of October, 1875, and a number of j-ears 
 later, on the 13th of November, 1879, he w.as 
 again married, his second union being with Miss 
 Emma Kelsey, a daughter of Barnabus and Susan 
 Kelsey, of Byron, III. There were two children 
 born unto them, daughters, June and Ma3'. The 
 death of Mrs. Boue occurred on the 23d of 
 December, 1887, and on the Gth of March, 1889, 
 the Doctor married Miss .Minnie Carringlon, daugh- 
 ter of Milton and Nancy (Sears) Carringtcm, of 
 Loda, 111. 
 
 In his political alfillations. Dr. Boue is a Dem- 
 ocrat, and socially is a member of the Jlasonlc 
 fraternity, belonging to Abraham Jonas Lodge 
 No. 316, A. F. * A. M., of Loda, and has been its 
 Worth}' Master for twenty j-cars; Ford Chapter 
 No. 138, R. A. M.; and Ml. Olivet Commandery 
 No. 38, K. T., of Paxton. He h.-is held various 
 offices of honor and trust. He Is a member of the 
 Christian Church and his wife holds membeishl|) 
 with the Congregational Church. Both are highly 
 
576 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 respected people wliose friends and acquaintances 
 tiirougliout llic community are nian\'. In the 
 loui^ y(';us of Ills residence here the Doctor lias 
 gained a liigli re|)utation as a practitioner and liis 
 Hiieral patronage is well deserved. 
 
 ^/ OKKXZO L. MARSH, one of the early set- 
 11 (j^) tiers of tills county, who is now engaged in 
 j j LAN^^ plastering and brick-laying in Buckley, 
 was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 11th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1827. His parents, Isaac an-d Mary (Flow- 
 ers) Marsh, wfi-e natives of New Jersey and New 
 York rcs[)cctively. Their family numbered thir- 
 teen children, hut only two are now living, .John 
 F. and Lorenzo L. The parents removed to Cin- 
 cinnati at an early day, and the father there fol- 
 lowed his trade of plastering and brick-laying 
 until sixty-nine years of age, when he retired from 
 business. lie reached the ver3' advanced age of 
 ninety years and his wife died at the age of seven- 
 ty-eight years. Their son Isaac lived to be about 
 eighty-three years of age and had accumulated 
 about *G0,000 worth of property. 
 
 In the city of his birth Lorenzo Marsh spent his 
 early life and with his brother Isaac learned the 
 trade which he to-day follows. After attaining to 
 years of maturity he was married on the 9th of 
 August, 18.58, to Miss Mary Shoemaker, daughter 
 of Levi and Katie (Rine) Shoemaker, the former 
 a native of the Buckeye State and the latter of 
 Maryland. Five children were born of their 
 union: Mary Louisa, who became the wife of 
 William Kerns and resides in Buckley, 111.; Mar- 
 garet, wife of James Melvin Carter, a resident of 
 Forest, Livingston County, 111.; William Scott, who 
 married Miss Clara Belle Ireland, daughter of 
 Thomas Ireland, of Buckley, who resides two miles 
 north of the village with his wife and three chil- 
 dren, Vernon, Jessie and Lawrence; Francis Leroy 
 died on the 2d of October, 1888; and Ernest Josse 
 completes the family, 
 
 In 1865, Mr. Marsh rowoyod with his family 
 ipJU! Warren County, Ohio, to Iroquois County, 
 
 111., and settled on a farm two miles north of 
 Buckley, where he resided for about six years. 
 This farm contains about one hundred acres of 
 land and is still in his possession. He carried on 
 agricultural pursuits until 1871, when he left the 
 farm and came to Buckley, where he has since fol- 
 lowed his trade of plastering and brick-laying. He 
 owns a comfortable home and has acquired a good 
 competence. Although sixty-live years of age he 
 is well preserved. 
 
 Mr. Marsh is a valued and prominent citizen of 
 this community, who.takes an active interest in all 
 that pertains to the upbuilding of town and 
 county. He is at present serving as a member of 
 the Village Board of Trustees. He has also served 
 as Marshal and Constable, which Last office he 
 filled for five years with credit to himself and sat- 
 isfaction t/) his constituents. He is all' e true to 
 every public and private trust, and whether in dis- 
 charging some official duty or in carrying out a 
 private promise, his honorable, upright spirit is 
 ever recognized. He was one of the first members 
 of the Odd Fellows' lodge of Buckley, and in i)al- 
 itics is a Republican, warmly advocating the prin- 
 ciples of that party. Mrs. Marsh and her two 
 daughters are active workers in the jMetliodist 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 ATRK"K REYNOLDS, one of the pioneer 
 
 I) farmers of Ashkum Township, makes his 
 
 home on section 19. His birth occurred on 
 
 i\ the 15th of November, 1832, in County 
 Meatli, Ireland. He is a son of Lawrence and 
 Catherine (Cunningham) Reynolds, both natives 
 of the same country. The father was a farmer, 
 and reared his family and spent his entire life in 
 his native land, liotli parents died in that coun- 
 try. 
 
 The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
 his native land, no event of importance occurring 
 during his boyhood. He had but limited school 
 advantages, but he has largely siupplemented his 
 early training by well-directed study and exten- 
 sive reading. In 1852, bidrUng adieu Xo tlie scenes 
 

o^^^^-.^-^^^ ^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and friends of his youth, he went to Liverpool, 
 where he took passage in a sailing-vessel, the 
 '•Southampton," of the Black Star Company, with 
 ('apt. Snow, whicli was bound for New York Cit}\ 
 During llic voyage, which occupied six weeks, niucli 
 severe weallier was experienced. One night some 
 of the masts were broken and the sails torn to 
 pieces and carried away by llie storm. Tliey an- 
 chored in New York Harbor on tlie 27th of 
 August, 1852, and from there Mr. Reynolds went 
 to New Jersey, where he secured employment on 
 a farm, and remained at farm labor for about 
 two years and a half. In 18')"), believing that the 
 West afforded better opportunities, lie emigrated 
 to Chicago, and after staying there a short time, 
 went to Iroquois County-, For the succeeding 
 nine years, he was employed by ditTerent farmers. 
 In the meantime, and soon after locating in this 
 county, Mr. Reynolds pre-empted one hundred 
 and sixty acres of land, and on this located in 
 1858. His property he improved, cultivated and 
 fenced until he had a valuable tract. He has since 
 sold a part of iiis original farm, but has purchased 
 other land m its place. He now owns four hun- 
 dred and thirty acres in one l)ody,of good and de- 
 sirable land. He has a comfortable residence, 
 barns and outbuildings, a thrifty orchard and 
 other accessories of a model farm, jMr. Reynolds 
 is pre-eminently a self-made man, having started 
 in the Is'ew World without a dollar, and has by 
 his well-directed enterprise, industrj- and persever- 
 ance succeeded beyond his anticipations, but has 
 truly merited his prosperity. 
 
 On Christmas Day of 1858, Mr. Reynolds was 
 united in wedlock in this township, to Miss Jo- 
 hanna O'Neill, who w.as born in County Limerick, 
 Ireland, and is a daughter of Lawrence O'Neill. 
 When a child of twelve years, she came to the 
 Tnited States, and was reared to womanhood in 
 Iroquois Count3', There are six living children b}' 
 this union, five sons and one daughtei': Thomas is 
 married and makes his home in Ciiicago, but will 
 return to Irotpiois County for his future home; 
 Lawrence assists his father in the work of the 
 home farm; Henry, Katie, Edward and Peter are 
 at homo, Four children died in e.-vrly (childhood 
 und two in infancy, 
 
 Since casting his fir&t ballot for James Buchanan, 
 Mr. Reynolds has been a supporter of the Demo- 
 cratic party, and has voted for every nominee for 
 President. He has never asked for or acce])ted 
 ottlcial positions, but has devoted his time and at- 
 tention exclusively to his large business interests. 
 He is known throughout this region as one of the 
 honored and respected pioneers, and his many 
 friends will be pleased to read. this brief sketch of 
 his life. 
 
 i~; RA E. PALMER, a prominent practitioner of 
 Onarga, whose wide acquaintance and sterling 
 __ worth have made him a valued citizen, well 
 deserves to be represented in this work. He was 
 born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., May 23, 1845. 
 His paternal grandfather, Moses Palmer, was a 
 native of Connecticut, but his parents, Gordon and 
 Betsey (Kel ley) Palmer, were both born in the Em- 
 pire Slate. 
 
 The Doctor is the eldest of eight children, two 
 brothers and five sisters. The father of this family 
 came to Illinois in 1852, locating first in Newark, 
 Kendall County, but afterward removed to Ilollen- 
 backs Grove, where he purchased a farm of two 
 hundred acres, which he continued to improve for 
 thirteen years. He afterward moved to the town of 
 Bristol, Kendall County, where the family now re- 
 side. Dr. Palmer's early education, acquired in the 
 common schools, was supplemented by a cour.se in 
 Eowler Institute, of Newark, Kendall County. In 
 .lanuary, 1864, he enlisted, and was transferred 
 soon after to the medical service of the I'nited 
 States army, which he served during the cam- 
 paign of that year, after which he was a inemijer 
 of Company C, One Hundred and Eorty-sevcnth 
 Illii:ois Infantry, and at the dose of the war was 
 in the I'nited States mail service with head(piarters 
 at Macon. Ga. He was mustered out of service in 
 February, 186('), and soon after became a student 
 of the Chicago I'niversity. Subsequently he took a 
 course in Bennett >Iedical College, and afterward 
 went to CinciniifttI, where he attended the Eclectic 
 Medical College, from which he was graduated \]] 
 
578 
 
 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the spring of 1872. He first located in Mihvaulvce, 
 but ill August following came to Onavga. 
 
 On the I7th of November, 1872, Dr. Palmer was 
 united in marriage with Miss Emma A. Wood, 
 daughter of Charles R. and Mary A. (Gilbert) 
 Wood. They have two children, Paul .1., born 
 December 27, 1871, and Clifford Gordon, born 
 March 7, 1880. The Doctor and his wife are 
 highly esteemed citizens of the community. Mrs. 
 Palmer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church and an active worker in the Sunday-school. 
 She is interested in temperance and literary work, 
 being a graduate of the Class of '88, C. L. S. C., 
 having received her diploma at Cliaulaucpia from 
 the hands of Dr. Vincent. She is also a charter 
 member and President of the Woman's Relief 
 Corps. Their home has alw.ays been the abode of 
 hospitalitv, rich and poor alike receiving a hearty 
 welcome. They have just completed a beautiful 
 and commodious residence, which abounds in all 
 the modei'n conveniences. Dr. Palmer is a stanch 
 Republican, casting his first vote for President for 
 Gen. Grant in 1868. He was elected to the office 
 of Supervisor in 1877, and continued to hold that 
 office for five 3'ears. He was Cliairman of the 
 Board in 1879, was re-elected in 1888, and still 
 continues in office. He is a charter member of 
 Post 416, and ever since has held the office of 
 Surgeon. He owns several tine farms and also 
 raises and sells considerable stock. 
 
 Dr. Palmer is one of the Palmer Familj- Reunion 
 at Stonington, Conn., of which there are over five 
 thousand members. 
 
 •^^•t— 
 
 ■^^ 
 
 m. 
 
 ' OHN H. BRAYTON, a retired farmer resid- 
 ing in Watseka, is one of the honored old 
 settlers of the county, who well deserves 
 representation in this history for the promi- 
 nent part he has taken in the development and up- 
 building of the cominunitj' in which he resides. 
 He is a native of the Green Mountain State, born 
 February 17, 1831. His father, Joseph Braytoii, 
 was born and reared in Quebec, Canada, and, after 
 ;itt:\ining to years of niatuiity, married Clarissa 
 
 Hubbard, a native of the same country. They re- 
 moved to Vermont, but afterward returned to 
 Canada. Mr. Brayton was a wheelwright and car- 
 penter by trade, and followed the dual occupation 
 for some years. In about 1843, he removed with 
 his family to New York, locating in Franklin 
 County, where he built a sawmill and engaged in 
 the manufacture of lumber. He also carried on a 
 gristmill, and there resided until called to his final 
 rest. He died in 1854, when in the prime of life. 
 His wife survived him for about twenty years, and 
 came to Illinois, whence she afterward went to 
 Iowa, spending her last days in Waterloo, that 
 State. 
 
 The Br.ayton family numbered beside our subject 
 the following children : Liicy was married and reared 
 a family, and died at the age of sixty years; Ilcniy, 
 a mechanic, made his home in Pennsylvania; Rev. 
 William, a minister of the Second Adventist 
 Chuicli. resided in Illinois for a numl)er of years, 
 and now makes iiis home in Floyd County, Iowa; 
 Comfort is married and resides with his family in 
 Ashkum, where he follows the trade of a carpen- 
 ter; Khoda is the wife of Stephen Washburn, a 
 resident of the Empire State; Joseph laid down his 
 life on the altar of his country, while serving in 
 the late war; Ezekiel is a carpenter by trade, but 
 is now engaged in business as a barber of Ashkum; 
 Mrs. IMaria Royce is living in California; Amos, a 
 painter by trade, makes his home in Asiikum; Mary 
 died in Waterloo, Iowa; Peggy is living in Pierre, 
 S. Dak.; Alonzo, who was married, reared a family 
 and resided in Iowa, was killed by lightning in 
 1891. 
 
 Tlie subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
 hood in Franklin County, N. Y., and acquired his 
 education in the common schools. When a young 
 man, he came to the West with the hope of better- 
 ing his financial condition, and located in La Salle 
 County, 111., where he remained one year. In 1856, 
 he came to Iroquois County, purchasing land in 
 Ashkum Township in the autumn of that year. It 
 was a wild, unimproved tract, which he bought of 
 the Illinois Central Railroad Company, but he lo- 
 cated thereon and made that his home until his re- 
 moval to Watseka. Industry and enterprise are 
 numbeied among his chief cliarateristics, so that 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his land was soon broken and fenced, and tlie raw 
 prairie was transformed int<i rich and fertile fields. 
 He had purchased the one hundred and sixty 
 acres in connection witii iiis hrother, but after a 
 few j-ears he bought the other's interest, and has 
 since again extended the boundaries of liis farm 
 by the purcliase of an additional tnict of one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres adjoining. lie now owns a 
 half-section of valuable and iiighly improved land 
 which yields to him a golden tribute. 
 
 On the 2d of December, 1860, in thus county, 
 Mr. Brayton wedded Miss Mary Waters, a native 
 of England, wlio spent the first sixteen years of 
 her life in Liverpool, and then came to this coun- 
 try with her father, John Waters, who located in 
 Ashkum Township. Nine children liave been 
 born to Mr. and Mrs. Brayton, and the two oldest 
 sons, Joseph and Daniel, now operate the home 
 farm for their father; William is married and is 
 engaged in farming; Clarissa is the wife of Will- 
 iam Wilson, an agriculturist of this county; Mag- 
 gie, Hubbard, Harvey, Alice and Ezekiel are still 
 at home. Mr. Brayton purchased a residence prop- 
 erty in Watseka, and with his wife and five chil- 
 dren removed to the city in February, 1891. The 
 following year he was called upon to mourn the 
 loss of his wife, who died on the 28th of August, 
 and was buried in Fletcher Cemetery, in Iroquois 
 County. .She was a member of the Adventist 
 Church, and a true Christian woman, whose lov- 
 able character won her the high regard of all. Her 
 death was deeply mourned throughout the com- 
 munity, her loss being regretted b\' many friends 
 as well as by her immediate family. 
 
 Mr. Brayton has led a busy and useful life. He 
 began earning his own livelihood when a young 
 man, and has since been dependent upon his own 
 resources. Whatever success he has achieved is 
 due to his own efforts. By his enterprise, business 
 ability and good management, and the helpful as- 
 sistance of his wife, he has acquired a handsome 
 property, and his straightforward dealings have 
 secured him the confidence of all. In politics, he 
 was a Republican for a number of years, but is 
 now identified with the Democratic party. Tire 
 cause of education has ever found in him a warm 
 friend, and while serving as a member of the 
 
 School Board for twenty years, he has done 
 effective service in its interests by securing 
 competent teachers, and thereby insuring good 
 schools. Mr. Brayton has been a resident of this 
 county for thirty-six long years, and is known 
 throughout its borders. He has witnessed much 
 of its growth, and aided in its upbuilding. He is 
 a man of unblemished character and sterling 
 wortii, who well merits the high respect in wliicii 
 he is held. For about two years lie has now re- 
 sided in Watseka, living a retired life in the en- 
 joyment of that rest which he has so well earned 
 and richly deserves. In December, 18!>1, he received 
 a paralytic stroke, almost disabling his left side. 
 
 ■t_^ A.MILTON A. DKAN, who for almost a 
 rjji quarter of a century has resided in this 
 '^j^ county, now makes his home on section 11, 
 v^l' Prairie (ireen Township. He is a native 
 of Franklin County, A't., born August 19, 1822, 
 and is the youngest in a family of four children, 
 three sons and a daughter. He has only one 
 brother now living, Joseph I)., a stone and brick 
 mason, who resides in Muscatine, Iowa. The |)ar- 
 ents were Asa and Marie (Hazelton) Dean. The 
 father was born in the (ireen Mountain State in 
 1794, and for some time engaged in harness-mak- 
 ing in Burlingtcni, \\,. He possessed special apti- 
 tude for matiiematics and was known far and wide 
 for his proficiency in that science. For many 
 years he was a faithful member of the Congrega- 
 tional Church. His wife, who was also a native of 
 ^'ermont and a member of the Congregational 
 Church, died when our subject was six years of 
 age. After the death of his first wife he married 
 JIary Shattuck, by whom he had five children, two 
 sons and three daughters. He died at the ripe old 
 age of ninety-one. 
 
 Hamilton Dean spent his boyhood days in the 
 State of his nativity, where he was reared as a 
 farmer lad. His early education, accjuired in the 
 common schools, w.as supplemented by a course in 
 the academy of Bakersfield, Vt. For a time lie 
 
580 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 engaged in teacliiug, and after his emigration to 
 Illinois was thus employed in Spring Creek, his 
 salary being §18 per month. He was a successful 
 instructor, becoming a teacher of recognized abil- 
 ity'. After attaining his majority he worked for 
 his father for one year, receiving $100 in compen- 
 sation for his services. About 1845, he came to 
 Illinois to visit his brother and sister in Spring 
 Creek, and while here aided in the erection of the 
 old Court House, which was burned down. He 
 also purchased forty acres of raw prairie land at 
 $1.25 per acre, and ten acres of timber-land for 
 $10 per acre. This was located in Crete, Will 
 County. He afterward sold that farm and at 
 length purchased four hundred and forty acres of 
 unimproved land in Iroquois County. There was 
 no house upon it and not an acre had been placed 
 under the plow. He transformed the barren 
 prairie into rich and fertile fields which yielded to 
 him abundant harvests. He bore all the experi- 
 ences and hardships of pioneer life, and has wit- 
 nessed the entire development of the county. At 
 the time of his arrival here, Hoopeston, Wellington 
 and Cissna Park were not yet established, and Mil- 
 ford and Watseka were the trading-posts. 
 
 Mr. Dean has been twice married. Miss Harriet 
 Strong, a native of Vermont, became his wife Oc- 
 tober 12, 1849, and unto them were born twochil- 
 dren: Ellen, wife of Herman Adams, a farmer 
 and fruit-grower, of Traverse Citj', Mich.; and 
 Mary, who is employed as a teacher in the city 
 schools of Cliicago. The mother of this family 
 died March 12, 1854, and Mr. Dean was again 
 married, on the 5th of December of that .year, his 
 second union being with Mrs. Mary Jane (Brown) 
 vScofield. On the 10th of May, 1842, she had be- 
 come the wife of Williston Scofield, a native of 
 the Empire State, and unto them were born two 
 sons, but both are now deceased. Mr. Scofield was 
 called to his final rest February 10, 1853. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Dean have one daughter, Jennie, who 
 was educated in Hoopeston and is now the wife of 
 James M. Homan, a resident farmer of Prairie 
 Green Township. 
 
 Mrs. Dean was born in Chenango County, N. Y., 
 and her girlhood days were spent in Tompkins 
 County, that State. Iler father was a native of 
 
 Rhode Island and died at the age of seventj'-eight 
 j'ears. Her mother was born in New York and 
 died at the age of seventj'-seven. Both parents 
 were strict adherents of the Congregational Church, 
 in which her father served as Deacon for many 
 3'eais. In the family were six children, two sons 
 and four daughters, of whom three are now living: 
 Mrs. Dean is the eldest; Richard is a wealthy re- 
 tired farmer, residing in Aurora, 111.; Adeline E. 
 is the widow of William Hughes. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Dean was an old-line Whig 
 and cast his first vote for"Rough and Readj'" (Jen. 
 Taylor. On the organization of the Republican 
 party he espoused its principles, and hassincebeen 
 one of its warm advocates. He has held the oflfice 
 of Road Commissioner, Supervisor, School Direc- 
 tor, and has proved himself a useful and valued 
 citizen. Himself and wife are faithful and con- 
 sistent members of the Presbyterian Church of 
 Wellington, and aided in the erection of the house 
 of worship in Crete. They give liberally to char- 
 itable and benevolent interests, and their lives are 
 well worthy of emulation. Mr. Dean now owns 
 two hundred .and eighty acres of fine land in 
 Prairie Green Township, besides property in 
 Hoopeston. He well deserves representation in 
 this volume, and it is with pleasure that we present 
 to our readers this record of his life. 
 
 /^, HRISTJAN TASCHER, a well-known agri- 
 (l( ^ culturist who owns and operates a farm on 
 ^^^' sectitm 3, Danforth Township, is one of the 
 many good citizens whom Germany has furnished 
 to America. He was born in Baden on the 19th 
 of November, 1835, and is the son of Andrew and 
 Catherina (Ganchet) Tascher. Both parents were 
 natives of Baden, where they spent their entire 
 lives. 
 
 The subject of this sketch grew to the age of 
 seventeen in his native land, attending the public 
 schools up to the age of fourteen years. He then 
 began learning the blacksmith's trade and worked 
 at that while in Germany. In 1854, he emigrated 
 to the United States, taking passage in a sailing- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 ')81 
 
 vessel called the •' Isabella,"' which left Havre. 
 They were (iftj'- four days in makiiii;; the voyage,and 
 arrived in New Orleans in April. P'rom there he 
 prtweeded up the Mississipi)i . to St. Louis, and 
 from there went to Peoria, where he joined an 
 older brother. lie tii-st obtained work in a brew- 
 ery, but soon resumed his trade of blacksniithing, 
 at which he worked for over a vear. lie decided 
 to follow agricultural pursuits, and at tiiat time 
 hired out as a farm laborer for about two years. 
 In 1802, he came to Iroquois County, in company 
 with a Mr. Merkle, and rented land, which he 
 farmed for a year. He had purchased a team in 
 Peoria, and to that eit^- he returned, where he 
 carried on teaming for the next two years. He 
 again came to InKpiois County and bought forty 
 acres of land on section 3, where he now resides. 
 This he has much improved and has erected a sub- 
 stantial residence, good barns and other buildings 
 upon it. To his original purchase, which was 
 made about the year 18G8, he has added an adjoin- 
 ing fort3- acres, making eighty acres in one body. 
 As his resources increased, he again purchased 
 more real estate, bujMng an eighty-acre tract on 
 section .34, Ashkum Township, one and a-half miles 
 from his home farm. This is also fertile and well- 
 improved land and has upon it good and substan- 
 tial buildings. Commencing in the New World 
 without any means, Mr. Tascher has by his own 
 labor, enterprise and industry accumulated a val- 
 uable properly and is to-day one of the most 
 thrifty and prosperous farmers of this township. 
 He has seen this county developed from a wilder- 
 ness and a sw^amp to its present high state of cul- 
 tivation and prosperity. 
 
 An important event in the life of Mr. Tascher 
 occurred in Peoria, when his destiny was united 
 with that of Miss Mary Ilammerly, on the 18th of 
 February, 1867. Mrs. Tascher was born in Wur- 
 temberg, Germany, and was a daughter of Mat- 
 thew Ilammerly, who died in the Fatherland. She 
 came to the United States with her mother when 
 she W.1S a child of eleven years, in company with 
 her eight brothers and sisters. Hy the marriage of 
 our subject and his wife eleven children have 
 been born: Mary is the wife of Charles Bolz, of 
 Chicago; Fred is a farmer residing near iiome; 
 
 Louisa is the wife of .lacoh (Jasser and lives in 
 Chicago; George, Lena, .\nna. Grace, Matilda, 
 Caroline, Carl and Frances. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Tascher alliliates with the Dem- 
 ocratic party. He is a friend to the cause of edu- 
 cation and has served as a member of the School 
 Hoard for three years. He is widely and favora- 
 bly known for his many qualities of worth, and 
 during his long residence in this county has won 
 the respect of all with whom he has come in con- 
 tact. 
 
 
 '>^^r<m 
 
 ^i r(;rsT MrElILENPFORDT,a prominent 
 '^/ I P''y**ic'ian, surgeon and druggist of Ash- 
 /// li kum, has been for nearly a quarter of a 
 ^ century a resident of this village. He 
 
 was born in Brunswick, Germany, on the IGthof 
 September, 183!l. He received a thorough literarv 
 education in Greek, Hebrew, French, German and 
 English. After completing his literary and seien- 
 tilic course, he decided to pursue the profession of 
 medicine, and accordingly studied for that profes- 
 sion. For seven vears he devoted himself to ob- 
 taining a thorough knowledge of the healing art, 
 and took in addition a numl)er of courses of sup- 
 plementary lectures. Completing his most thor- 
 ough course of study, he received his diploma 
 in I8()5. For about one year he engaged in pr.nc- 
 tice in his native land, and at the expiration of 
 that time decided that the New World afforded 
 better opportunities to one of his profession, and 
 therefore he emigrated to New York, and from 
 there came to Illinois. As he had some friends 
 and acquaintances in Peotone, he joined them, 
 and there started in practice. In 18()8, Dr. Miieh- 
 lenpfordt came to Aslikum, where he was the (ii-st 
 doctor of the place. He soon built up an exten- 
 sive practice, and as he was the only physician in 
 this section he was often oldiged to drive manv 
 miles to his patients. He has often driven 
 seventy-live miles in one day. His patients were 
 scattered far and wide for miles in different direc- 
 tions. Soon after locating in Ashkuin, our subject 
 engaged in the drug business, and both this and 
 his practice has been most successful. He was one 
 
582 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of the most popular and most widelj' -known doc- 
 tors in the county. Having commenced .it the bot- 
 tom round of the ladder, both finiincially and pro- 
 fessionally, he li.is now attained both fame and for- 
 tune. He has accumulated a nice property, a fine 
 business and a good home. 
 
 On the ISth of November, 1808, Dr. Muehlenp- 
 fordt was married to Miss Henrietta Kruse, wlio 
 was born in Germany, and came to this country 
 when a child of eleven years. Her father died in 
 the Fatherland when she was but four j'ears of age, 
 and she emigrated to the United States with her 
 mother and stepfather. To the Doctor and his 
 wife five children have been born: August, who is 
 a clerk in Ashkum; Emma, Adele, Frieda, and 
 Carl, who are still at home. 
 
 The Doctor and Mrs. Muehlenpfordt are consist- 
 ent members of the Congregational Church, of 
 Ashkum. He is a stanch supporter of the Democ- 
 racy, and casts his ballot in favor of the nominees 
 of that party. He has held several local official 
 positions of trust and honor, discharging the 
 duties of the offices to the satisfaction of his con- 
 stituents. He is a very intelligent and well-read 
 man, and in addition to his extensive knowledge 
 of the languages he keeps well posted on all the 
 scientific, political and moral subjects before the 
 people. He has a wide circle of friends and ac- 
 quaintances whom he delights to entertain in his 
 pleasant and hospitable home. 
 
 W, ^ ENRY HERR, a representative farmer of 
 
 i/jV Danforth Township, lives on section 13. 
 /4W^' His birth occurred on the 27th of January, 
 (^ 1853, in Woodford County, 111. Tiie 
 father, John Herr, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
 where he grew to manhood and married Mar}' 
 Kindig, also of Pennsylvanian birth. After bis 
 marriage he removed West to Illinois, and settled 
 in Woodford County when it was a wilderness. 
 There he cleared a farm and reared his family. He 
 afterward removed to Iroquois County, residing 
 with some of his children during the latter years 
 
 of his life. He passed away at the residence of his 
 two sons, who were in partnership, in February, 
 1891, at tlie age of sixty-eight years. He was 
 twice married, his first wife having died while he 
 was in tlie army, and when our subject was a lad 
 of nine years. He was a pati-iot and soldier, and 
 served four 3fears for the Union cause. Henry 
 Herr is the fourth in order of birth in a family of 
 five sons and three daughters, all living but one 
 daughter, who died in August, 1892, and who was 
 an invalid foi- fifteen years. He has two brotiiers 
 who are farmers of Danforth Township, Joseph 
 and Christian. 
 
 The subject of tliis sketch grew to manhood on 
 his father's farm, and in early life had limited 
 school advantages, but after arriving at mature 
 3-ears, he received a good business education. He 
 early started to make his own way in the world, 
 and, when a lad of fifteen, came to Iroquois 
 Countj^and worked at farm labor for a number of 
 years. In 1880 he bought a farm of eighty acres, 
 which was but slightly improved. On this he has 
 built fences, and has thoronglily tiled and well 
 cultivated the property. He is now completing a 
 good and substantial residence, and has good 
 barns and farm buildings. On his place ma\' be 
 found the latest improved machinery, a windmill, 
 and all appliances for carrying on a model farm 
 and dairy. His property is located about three 
 miles from Danforth and four miles from Oilman, 
 and is considered a valuable and desirable farm. 
 On every hand are seen the care and cultivation 
 of the owner, ornamental trees and shrubs lending 
 their beauty to the scene. He has a large orchard, 
 which produces a variety of fruit. 
 
 On the 25th of January, 1882, Mr. Herr led to 
 the marriage altar Miss Emma Oster, a native of 
 Tazewell County, this State. AVhen a child of 
 eight years she came with lier parents to Iroquois 
 County, and was here reared to womanhood. Her 
 father, Louis Oster, is one of the substantial 
 farmers of tills county; he is of French descent, 
 and one of the oldest settlers of Danforth Town- 
 ship. 
 
 For nearly a quarter of a centur}^ Mr. Herr has 
 been identified with the interests of this section, 
 and has always been considered a man of integritj* 
 
/ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 r>8r, 
 
 well-deserviiig of confidence. He is a self-made 
 man, having commenced life without a dollar, and 
 lias accumulated a large and valuable property by 
 his own labor and well-directed effort-s. and by the 
 help and energy of his wife. His pleasant home is 
 the abode of hospitality, and the many friends he 
 has made during his long residence in the county 
 delight to congregate there. His estimable wife 
 makes a charming hostess, and, like her liusband, 
 has a large circle of friends and acquaintance.*. 
 .Mr. Herr is a man of wide reading and informa- 
 tion, and is posted on all the leading questions of 
 the day. He has shown him.self a man of marked 
 business enterprise and ability, and his wise invest- 
 ments have been rewarded with success. No 
 worthy person was ever turned from his door who 
 asked for a nit;lit's lodtjinjj. 
 
 
 ATTIHAS FREY was one of the many 
 Y good citizens whom Germany has fur- 
 !!i nished Iroquois Count}'. He was born in 
 Meszkirch, Raden, on the 29tii of October, 
 1842. He grew up as a farmer boy, and received 
 his education in his native land. In 186G, he came 
 with his parents to the United States and located 
 at Lacon, Marshall County, 111. He was the sec- 
 ond of thiiteen children, and as he was the eldest 
 son it fell to his lot to work hard from childhood. 
 His father was a poor man when he came to this 
 country, but, with the help of his son, acquired 
 considerable land. Among the tracts he owned 
 was an eighty-acre piece of property near fiilman. 
 To this his son Matthias came in 1871 for the pur- 
 pose of improving it and converting it into a 
 farm. Having purchased his father's interest in 
 the land, he put it under a good state of cultiva- 
 tion, erected comfortable buildings, and in course 
 of time added to it one hundred and sixty acres. 
 He was a strong advocate of tiling, and had 
 w(jrked very hard to get his farm thoroughlv 
 drained. It seemed that he was just prepared to 
 enjoy the fruits of his many years of toil when he 
 was called to his final rest. 
 
 In (iilinan Mr. Frcv ha<l married on the 7th of 
 
 October, 1871, Caroline, daughter of David and 
 Christina (Relgerl) Melis. Mr. Melis emigrated 
 with his family from Germany about the year 
 18;(5,and died in New York .soon after his arrival. 
 His widow married John Ossman, and subsequently 
 removed to I^Iarshall County, 111., but in 1871 
 came to Iroquois County. Mr. and Mrs. Ossman 
 now live in Onargn. Mrs. Frcy was born in Prus- 
 sia, (Germany, and is one of two children. Her 
 brother, Oscar, is a farmer of Onarga Township. 
 I'nto ^Ir. and Mrs. Frey were born seven children: 
 Lottie R., Ilattic M., Mary A., William H., Oscar 
 M., Henry .1. and Carl F. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Frey was a member of the Demo- 
 cratic party, and in religious faith was a Catholic. 
 He died A|)ril ."», 189(1, a man well respected in this 
 community. At the death of her husband, Mrs. 
 Frey was left with her large family and with 
 $5,000 of indebtedness on the farm, for, as before 
 stated, Mr. Frey put everything he could make 
 into tiling the land. With rare business ability 
 and the faithful assistance of her children, she is 
 meeting every obligation. She is a member of 
 the Evangelical Church, and is a lady who richly 
 merits the esteem in which she is held. 
 
 ^f^OHN (JRAY was numbered among the hon- 
 ored pioneers of Iroquois County, and with 
 the history of this comraunitj- he was prom- 
 
 inently identified in an early day. His life 
 
 record is as follows: He was born in Warren 
 County. Ohio, near Waynesville, October 10, 18H;. 
 His father, William Gray, was a native of Mrginia. 
 His mother, who bore the maiden name of Marv 
 Cleaver, was born in Penn.sylvania. Their mar- 
 riage was celebrated in Ohio and they became the 
 parents of a large family of children. In 1835, 
 they emigrated to Iroquois County, III., locating 
 in Milford Township, in the northern ])art of the 
 present site of Milford village. 
 
 Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and 
 youth under the parental roof and at the age 
 of twenty years came with his parents to this 
 county. He resided with them upon llie home 
 
586 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 farm and aided his fattier in its cultivation until 
 183.S, when he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Rebecca Stanley, wlio was born November 11, 
 1817, and is a daughter of Anthony and Hannah 
 Stanley, who came to this county in 1830 and are 
 numbered among its earliest settlers. Her father 
 was born in Nortli Carolina and her mother was a 
 native of the Keystone State. He entered a tract 
 of one hundred and sixty acres of land from the 
 (4oyernraent, on which tiie present town of Milford 
 stands. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gray was born a family of 
 thirteen children, five of whom are yet living: 
 Ann, born April 11,1839; Louisa, Novembers, 
 1840; Mary H., December 30, 1841; Elizabeth and 
 Sarah (twins), October 10, 1843; Martha G., Oc- 
 tober 14, 1845; Rebecca Jane, April 16, 1847; 
 Florence, April 30, 1849; William, September 12, 
 1851; .Tohn Chalmer, September 19, 1855; Walter 
 M., February 14, 185G; Alice, July 20, 1861; and 
 Olive April 3, 1865. Mary became the wife of 
 George Roberts on the 30th of March, 1868. They 
 had four children, two of whom are now living, 
 and her death occurred August 26, 1891. Eliza- 
 beth was married, March 3, 1865, to .James R. Cald- 
 well. Unto thein were born five children, three 
 of whom are yet living, and their home is now in 
 Hoopeston. Martha D. became the wife of Stephen 
 Jones, September 16, 1872, and by their union 
 have been born four sons, thi'ee yet living. The}' 
 reside on a farm four miles east of Milford. Will- 
 iam A. was married, January 14, 1873, to Clara, 
 Jolly, by whom he has had four children, two yet 
 living. Their home is in Los Angeles, Cal. Walter 
 H. was married, October 18, 1882, to Aldorct North- 
 rup, and died September 5, 1885. Alice became 
 the wife of Willard Axtell, April 14, 1885, and 
 with their two cliildren, a son and daughter, they 
 reside in Lincoln, Neb. 
 
 As before stated, Mr. and Mrs. Gray were num- 
 bered among the earliest settlers of Iroquois 
 County. When they located here the Indians 
 were far more numerovis than the white settlers, 
 the country' was almostan undeveloped wilderness 
 and the work of progress and civilization seemed 
 scarcely begun. Mr. Gray aided largely in the 
 upbuilding and advancement of the community 
 
 and was ever one of its honored and prominent 
 pioneers. In politics, lie was a supporter of Re- 
 publican principles. He passed away in 1876 
 and the entire community mourned the loss of 
 this valued citizen. His wife is now the oldest 
 settler in the township. She is a most estimable 
 lady and by lier excellencies of character has won 
 man}' friends. 
 
 ^^LBERT W. NEWLIN, the popular pro- 
 
 '^/Li ^ prietor of the Park House, of CissnaPark, 
 ll 11 and one of the representative citizens of 
 ((^ that place, comes of a family of Irish ori- 
 
 gin, but for eight generations his ancestors have 
 resided in this country. It was in 1682 that they 
 braved the dangers of an ocean voyage and set- 
 tled near Philadelphia, not far from where AVilliam 
 Penn had located. 
 
 The grandfather of our subject, Joshua Newlin, 
 removed from North C'arolina to Indiana in 1(S28, 
 locating in Park Count}', whicli was then a wild 
 and almost unsettled region. He built a rude 
 shanty underneath a tree and made it his lK)me 
 until he could erect a log cabin. He there cleared 
 the land of timber and developed a farm, upon 
 which he and his wife spent their remaining days. 
 The family were adherents of the faith of the So- 
 ciety of Friends. The father of our subject, Cal- 
 vin Newlin, was born in North Carolina, and was 
 about twelve years of age when his parents re- 
 moved to Indiana. He there engaged in farming 
 and also learned the trade of a tanner, at which he 
 worked for some years. In 1864, he came to Iro- 
 quois County, locating in Artesia Township, where 
 he secured a tract of raw prairie land, comprising 
 one hundred and sixty acres. I'pon it was a little 
 home and a rude shed for the stock. He there 
 improved a good farm, upon which he resided for 
 some time, but before his death he sold and re- 
 moved to Oilman, and later lived on a farm in Ash 
 Grove Township. Subsequently he purchased a 
 part of the old homestead, where himself and wife 
 spent tlieir last days. His death occurred at the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Xewlin, who bore 
 the maiden uaine of Rebecca Iladley, was a native 
 of North Carolina, but her people were i)ioneer 
 settlers of Indiana and her marriage was celebrated 
 in Parke Connty. 
 
 I'nto Jlr. and Mrs. Newlin were born the fol- 
 lowing children: Emily, wife of Levi Carter, of 
 Howard County, Ind.; Samuel II., who during the 
 late war was a member of the Twcnt\'-first Indiana 
 Regiment, died in this county; Mrs. ^■irena Rog- 
 ers resides in Kansas; Achsah, widow of .1. T. 
 Whitled, resides in Oilman; Allen is a resident 
 farmer of Artesia Township; Alfred, twin brother 
 of our subject, resides in Howard County, Ind.; 
 Kli is living in Cissna Park; Phoebe is the wife of 
 .1. W. Michaels, of Crawford County', Kan.; Ira is 
 deceased; and Orlando is living in Kokonio, Ind.. 
 employed in a plate-glass factory. The father of 
 this family was a stanch Republican in politics and 
 was strongly opposed to the institution of slavery. 
 Himself and wife were both prominent members 
 of the Friends' Church and were highly respected 
 people. 
 
 Albert W. Newlin, our subject, was born in Park 
 County, Ind., May 27, 1849, and w.as a lad of four- 
 teen years when his parents came to this county. 
 He was early inured to the hard labors of the farm, 
 for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he 
 began work in the fields. Under the parental roof 
 he remained until twent3'-two years of age, when 
 his marriage with Miss Mary Neeld was celebrated. 
 The lady was a daughter of G. II. Neeld, for whom 
 the Grand Army- Post of Cissna Park was named. 
 Their union was celebrated April 6, 1871. The 
 wife died of consumption March 19, 1876, leaving 
 one son, Ilarley, an intelligent and well-educated 
 young man, who was born September 1, 1873, and 
 resides with our subject. On the 9tli of March. 
 1882, Mr. Newlin was again married, IMiss Klla 
 Belts, of Shelby County, III., becoming his wife. 
 They have one daughter. Myrtle Edna, lioin De- 
 cember 18, 1883. 
 
 Mr. Newlin is a member of the Knights of 
 Pythias Lodge, and in his political afliliations has 
 been a stalwart Republican, having cast his first 
 Presidential vote for Gen. Grant. He successfully 
 carried on farming for a number of 3'ears after 
 
 coming to this county, but in 1888 abandoned the 
 occupation to which ho was reared and removed to 
 Cissna Park. For two years he engaged in boring 
 wells, and since 1890 has been the owner and pro- 
 prietor of the Park House. It is a good hotel, well 
 fitted up and tastefully furnished, and the land- 
 lord is a genial, pleasant man who makes friends 
 of all his guests. The liotel is supplied with all 
 modern conveniences, and the courteous treat- 
 ment of Mr. Newlin to his patrons has won him 
 favor with the traveling pulilic and secured him 
 an excellent patronage. He also owns and runs 
 the Central Livery Barn. He is regarded as one 
 of the leading citizens of this community. 
 
 \ff AMES 1:. GREEN, a retired farmer residing 
 in Ashkum, dates his residence in this 
 county from 18GC. He was born in Ox- 
 fordshire, England, on tlie 21st of Decem- 
 ber, 183.5, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Elk- 
 ington) Green, who were both born in the same 
 shire. The father spent his entire life in England, 
 and died there in 1869. His wife is still living,at 
 the advanced age of eighty-two years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the only son of their 
 family of four children who grew to mature years. 
 His boyhood days were passed ujjon a farm, and 
 he received school advantages only until ten years 
 of age. His education has been almost wholly 
 achieved since he arrived at man's estate. He left 
 his home at the age of seventeen and went to the 
 large manufacturing city of Hirmingham, where 
 he continued to live for about three and a-half 
 years. Up to the time when he left the parental 
 roof he had contributed of his earnings to the sup- 
 port of his father's family. Believing that the 
 AVestcrn world .afforded greater advantages for 
 the advancement of a young man of enterprise, he 
 accordingly, in the spring of 1856, bade adieu to 
 his native country and took passage at Liverpool 
 in an American vessel, the "William Tapscott." 
 The voyage was of six weeks and three days' dura- 
 tion, the ship coming to anchor in New York Hay 
 .Tune 20th o{ that year. Onr subject still con- 
 
588 
 
 rORTR..UT A^'D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 liiuicd Westward, going up the Hudson River to 
 Albany, and tluMU'O by railroad and boat to Toledo. 
 From there he went to Chieago and thento Wood- 
 fc>rd County, 111., where he joined a brother-in-law. 
 For the first season he worked at day labor on a 
 farm, and continued in that way for several years. 
 In 18()3, he liought a team and rented land near 
 Panola, Woodford County, wiiicli he farmed for 
 two years. After that he purchased a small farm, 
 which he carried on for about four years, when he 
 sold out and removed to Iroquois County, pur- 
 chasing land in Ashkum Township. This tract 
 originally consisted of eighty acres of entirely 
 niicultivHted prairie land, and on this he settled 
 and proceeded to develop his farm. At the end 
 of tn-elve years he purchased a piece of land adjoin- 
 ing it, which consisted of forty acres, thus making 
 in all a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, 
 ■which is now well improved and yields abundant 
 harvests. On this he erected good buildings and 
 continued to live until the spring of 181)1, when 
 he rented the farm and removed to the vill.age of 
 Ashkum. In that place he purchased residence 
 property and has now retired from the .ictive la- 
 bors of farm life, enjoying the rest he has earned 
 by his years of toil. 
 
 In AVarwickshire, England, Mv. (ireen was 
 united in marriage to Miss Ann Maria Craves, a 
 daughter of Samuel Graves. The wedding cere- 
 mony was performed in April, 185C. 15oth Mrs. 
 (ireen and her father were natives of lingland. 
 By her marri.age, Mrs. Green became the mother 
 of eight children: Loretta K. is the wife of L. II. 
 Hull, of this county; AVilliam E. is a f.irmer of 
 Iroquois County; Albert Henry is a resident of 
 Ashkum; Thomas E. is a farmer of Holt Countv, 
 IMc; Walter W. is still at home; Arthur E. carries 
 on farming; Lucy Viola and Charles Alvin are 
 still at home. ^Irs. (Tieen was called home in 
 ,lune, 1881. 
 
 In 1886, Mr. (ireen returned to England and 
 visited the scenes of his youth, spending about 
 three months with his friends and relatives. He 
 had a most enjoyable trip and a pleasant voyage 
 both going and coming. He commenced life in 
 this State with no capital, but on the contrarj' 
 was about ^3o in debt, lie has, through his 
 
 m 
 
 i\ 
 
 own well-directed efforts and business ability, be- 
 come one of the intluential, prominent and |)ros- 
 pertius farmers of tins region, and has accumulated 
 a valuable property and a good competence. 
 Since he has become a voter, Mr. Green has been a 
 supporter of the Republican party, his first ballot 
 having been cast for Hon. .lames A. Garfield, lie 
 has never asked for or accepted ollicial position, 
 but has attended strictly to his business alTairs. 
 He is known far and wide as a man of upright 
 character and sterling worth, and It is a i)le!isure 
 to add this brief sketch of an li(nu)red citizen and 
 early settler to this volume. 
 
 (Tl'TER AUSTIN, a well-known agricultur- 
 ist residing on section 2, Lovejoy Town- 
 ship, has for about half a century made 
 his home in Iroquois County. He is num- 
 bered among its honored pioneers and valued citi- 
 zens, for be has been prominently identified with 
 its u[)building and advancement. A native of 
 Seneca County, N. Y., he was born on the 22d of 
 November, 1829. His father, Silas Austin, was born 
 in the Empire State, followed farming, and died 
 many years ago. His wife, who bore the maiden 
 name of Deborah Lewis, died when Potter was a 
 mere child. Their family numbered three children, 
 but the two daughters are now deceased. 
 
 The subject of this sketch when only six yeais 
 of age was taken to Michigan by Sidney Reynolds, 
 with whom he made his home until the age of 
 twenty-one years. He was educated in the com- 
 mon schools, but the course w.as very limited and 
 after attaining his majority he attended school for 
 three months. He commenced at the bottom 
 round of the ladder of life and worked his way 
 upward, and by honest toil and determined ctTort 
 be has achieved success. In early life, he was em- 
 ployed as a farm hand at $12 per month. In the 
 fall of 1849, he went to the lead mines of AViscou- 
 sin, where he sought and obtained employment, 
 there remaining until the autumn of 1850, when 
 he went to the pineries in the northwestern part of 
 the State. In that locality, he spent the winter of 
 
PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 IbJil.afttr whicli lie returnerl to Michigan «nrt 
 then went to New Vork to visit his friendn, re- 
 mining away foi eiglite-en monllis. It was in March, 
 18.03, tliat Mr. Au.stin came to Illinois and east his 
 lot with the early sellleis of Iro'|Uois County. 
 lie purchased a small and unhroken tract of one 
 hundred and sixt^- acres at id.'ii) per acre, and a 
 small house thereon constituted the only improve- 
 ment. He then turned his attention to agricul- 
 tural pursuits, which he has since followed. 
 
 .Mr. Austin wedded Miss Riichel Rothgeb, daugh- 
 ter of (Jeorge and Anna (Ilizen) Rothgeb. Their 
 union wa.s celebrated March \H, IH.0.0, and unU.» 
 them lias been born a family of six children, three 
 sons and three daughters, of whom three are yet 
 living: fieorge is connected with the gas and 
 electric supply house at No. 'i2 .Market -Street, 
 Chicago; Annie i.s the wife of .J. I). Rothgeb, a 
 general merchant of Wellington, and Lloyd is yet 
 at home. Those decea.sed are: Frank, who died at 
 the age of twenty-two 3'ears; he was a young man 
 of great business enterprise and ability, and at the 
 time of his death was one of the leading farmers 
 and stock buj-ers of the county. An honor to his 
 parents, he is sadly missed in the family circle, and 
 man^' friends als<j mourn his death. Mary died at 
 the age of six summers, and .Maitha Lee died at 
 the age of one year and eight months. The mother 
 of this family was born in Columbiana County, 
 Ohio, December 28, 18.33, and was only five 3'ears 
 old when she became a resident of Illinois. Her 
 parents had emigrated from Virginia to Ohio, but 
 returned to the former State before cjming to Illi- 
 nois. Her education was acquired in the common 
 schools. She is a kind and genial lady, who is 
 ever ready to extend a warm welcome to her many 
 friend.-, and her home is the abode of hospitality. 
 She holds membership with the Woman's Chris- 
 tian Temperance L'nion. 
 
 The home of Mr. and Mrs. Austin is a Ifcauli- 
 ful country residence situated in the midst of a 
 fine farm of three hundred acres of valuable land. 
 Mr. Austin is recognized as one of the leading and 
 representative farmers of the community. His 
 first Presidential vote was cast for William Henry 
 Harrison, but he is now a stanch supporter of the 
 Democracy. lie hai held the ollice of bupervisor 
 
 for throe terms, was Ahsess'^^r for six years and 
 Clerk and Treasurer of the Htiard of Highway 
 Commissioners for about the same perio<l. He has 
 been S<,'Ii<kjI Trust«e. is now ScIkxjI Treasurer of 
 Ix>vejoy Township, and has hehl this otiice for the 
 long period of thirty-one consecutive years, from 
 18fil until 18'J2. He may well I* proud of this 
 record, for it is doubtful if any in the State have 
 so long served as School Treasurer. He is alike 
 time to ever_v public and private trust and has the 
 entire confidence of Ins friends and those with 
 whom he has been brought in contact. He is a 
 self-made man and his pr<jsperity Ls the well-de- 
 served rewarfl of his own labors. 
 
 'Y: — \ CSKIilL'S NILSON, who is engaged in gen- 
 iLs; eial farming on section -3, is one of the 
 J' — 4 leading citizens of Milford Township, be- 
 ing prominently connected with several lines of 
 business. He was born on the 10th of Augiust, 
 IHiiO, on his father's farm in this township and is 
 a representative of one of the earl^' families. His 
 parents, Robert and Su.san L. (Wagner) Nilsoii, 
 are represented in the sketch of .Sidney NiLson. 
 
 A glance backward at the boyhood of Eusebius 
 shows him a farmer lad working in the fields dur- 
 ing the summer months, while in the winter .sea- 
 .sons he conned his lessons in the district schools of 
 the neighborhood. AVhen he had attained to ma- 
 ture 3'ears he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Catherine 15. Monnett, daughter of .John and Mary 
 (Saylor) .Monnett. both of whom were natives of 
 Ohio. The union of the young couple was cele- 
 brated on the 4th of Ma^', 18H7. and two children 
 have come to brighten their home. Ixith boys: 
 Frederick William, the elder, wan bom Fcbriiarj' 
 2, 1889; and Dean .Sidney opened his eyes Uj the 
 light of day August 'J. 1801. Mrs. Nilson is a 
 member of the Methfwlist Episcopal Church of 
 Milford. 
 
 -Mr. Nil.son is the owner of a fine farm eompris- 
 ing two hundred and thirty acres of arable land 
 which he hait placed under a high ;tate of cultiva- 
 tion. It ia ako improved with good buildings; 
 
590 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the land is divided into fields of convenient size 
 by well-kept fences and all modern appointments 
 go to make this one of the model farms of Jlil- 
 ford Township. The highly cultivated land yields 
 to him a golden tribute in return for his care and 
 labor. In connection with farming, Mr. Nilson 
 owns and operates a sawmill and a tile factory. 
 His factory is located about two and a-half miles 
 north of Milford, on the Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
 nois Railroad. Tiie finest quality of clay is used 
 and a smooth tile is manufactured. Frcjm the be- 
 ginning his sales have constantly increased and lie 
 is now doing a good business, the excellent qual- 
 ity of the tile securing him a liberal patronage. 
 This is a leading industry of the township. 
 
 Mr. Nilson exercises liis right of franchise in 
 su]>port of Democratic principles, but he has never 
 been a politician in the sense of office-seeking, 
 preferring to devote his entire time to his busi- 
 ness interests, which are proving to him a profita- 
 ble investment. He is a man of good business 
 ability, sagacious and far-sighted, and by his sys- 
 tematic and methodical habits and fair and honest 
 dealing he has acquired a competence which classes 
 him among Milford Township's substantial citi- 
 zens, lie is recognized as a man of sterling wortii, 
 and during iiis long residence in the community 
 his fellow-townsmen have had ample (irouf of his 
 straightforwardness in all things. 
 
 'il'OIlN Mr(;iLYRAV, a retired farmer now 
 residing in Ashkum, is a native of Canada. 
 His birth occurred on the 28th of April, 
 _ 18:57, in Vaughn, Yoik County. He is a 
 son of Joiin and Catherine (McNevin) McGilvray. 
 Both parents are natives of .Scotland. The father 
 emigrated to the New World about the year 1830 
 and settled in Canada, then a vast wilderness, full 
 of Indians and wild animals. He settled in the 
 village of Richmond Hill, and engaged at his 
 trade of sho^making. He afterward moved to a 
 farm in King Township, but still kept up liis 
 U's^e, He vearecl Uk hunly aiul spent his Ufa 
 
 there, dying when quite a young man in 1841. 
 The mother survived her husband about twenty- 
 tiiree years. 
 
 John McCiilvray is the second of a family of 
 four children, three of whom grew to mature years: 
 Isabella is the wife of Rev. Josiah Brown, a minis- 
 ter of the Baptist Church, now located at Chenoa, 
 111.; and Alexander, who has lived in California 
 foi' twenty years is an extensive contractor and 
 builder. 
 
 Our subject grew to manhood in Canada, re- 
 ceiving ordinary school privileges. He has largely- 
 educated himself and is a man of wide reading and 
 information. His early life was passed on a farm, 
 where he engaged in the usual pursuits of farmer 
 boys. Mr. McGilvray led to the marriage altar 
 Miss Margaret McGilvray, on the 23d of .Septem- 
 ber, 1863. She is a daughter of Laughlin McGil- 
 vray, of Vaughn Township, York County, Canada, 
 who was a native of .Scotland. .Six children have 
 been born to our subject and his wife: John A. 
 is engaged in the hardware business at Ash- 
 kum; Daniel H., a graduate of the Valparaiso Nor- 
 mal School of Indiana, is a prosperous business 
 man at Harvey, 111.; Sarah, a successful teacher in 
 literature and music, lives at home; Archie is 
 now taking a course at tiie Valparaiso Normal 
 School; Josiah Benjamin is at home; and Mag- 
 gie May is also under the parental roof. The 
 children have all received the best educational 
 advantages and the two j-ounger are now attend- 
 ing the Ashkum schools. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. McGilvray removed to 
 Michigan and located at Marquette, on Lake .Su- 
 perior. He was engaged in contract work at that 
 point for about one year. In 1864, coming to 
 Illinois he settled on a farm in La Salle County, 
 which he rented for about three years. He came 
 to Iroquois County, where he purchased a tract of 
 eighty acres of wild prairie land. On this he lo- 
 cated and opened up a farm. From time to time 
 he added adjoining land to his original purchase 
 until he was in the possession of over five hun- 
 dred acres of well-cultivated and valuable land. 
 He has a good residence, barns atic^ outbuildings, 
 a wlnd^pump and the latest inipyovfd machinery 
 for cari-ying on tUe work of |}i§ fftVRi. Mr. Ma» 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 591 
 
 (iilvraj' commenced life in Illinois a poor man, 
 and lins b^- his own labor and Industry aceunui- 
 lated a fortune. He has a valuable farm and a 
 iiood home and is to-day one of the enterprising, 
 tlirifty and progressive farmers. In 1888, he re- 
 moved to the village of Ashkiim, wliere he now 
 resides, and where lie is now ereutinga tine large 
 residence. 
 
 Our subject is in sympathy with the Democratic 
 party and cast his first ballot at a Presidential 
 election for Hon. Samuel .1. Tilden. Mr. McGil- 
 vray has never aspired to oflicial positions, but has 
 chosen to devote his time and energy to his busi- 
 ness. In all educational and local affairs he takes 
 an active part, and is ever a supporter of measures 
 tending to advance the interests of the community 
 in which he dwells. Mrs. McGilvray, one son and 
 a daughter are consistent members of the Baptist 
 Church. Our subject has done much in the up- 
 l>uilding and development of the county and has 
 won the esteem and confidence of all his fellow- 
 citizens by his life of integrity and honor. He is 
 numbered among the leading and influential citi- 
 zens and his family is one of prominence and is 
 well received in social circles. 
 
 eHAULES C. DO.NXKLLY, a leading farmer 
 of Ashkum Township, makes liis home on 
 section 15. He is a native of the Empire 
 State, his birth having occurred in Ontario 
 Count}-, on the 27tli of June, 1850. He is a son 
 of Robert and Sarah (Clark) Donnelly, both na- 
 tives of the Emerald I^le and who resided there 
 until their marriage. In 18 18. the father decided 
 to make his home in the New World and accord- 
 ingly emigrateVl in that year, settling in Ontario 
 County, iS. Y., where he resided for a number of 
 years. In 1867, he removed Westward to Illinois 
 and settled on land where his son now resides, sit- 
 uated in Iroquois County. Mr. Df)nnelly was one 
 of the first to locate on this broad prairie, where 
 he purchased otie hundred and sevent3'-.four acres 
 of good arable land, which was entirely unlm. 
 ^i'oved. At tit'bt h« buUt a tituftU Itouac foe his 
 
 family and started to work in earnest to open up 
 his farm. liy years of industry and perseverance 
 he succeeded in his endeavor and made of his pro- 
 perty one of the finest of the county. He w.as one 
 of the honored pioneers of this section, and his 
 death occurred October '.), 18!)2. His remains were 
 interred in the .\shkuiii cemetery. His wife de- 
 parted this life in May, 1880, and her loss was 
 deeph" felt by her many friends. She w.as a faith- 
 ful wife and mother, and by her loval)le and 
 pleasant ways made many friends. Mr. Donnelly 
 is a man of upright character and integrity and is 
 held in the highest esteem by all who have had 
 the good fortune to come in contact with him 
 either in a social or business way. 
 
 Charles Donnelly is the elder of two brothers. 
 Frank is married and lives in Chicago, where he is 
 a contractor and builder. Our subject passed his 
 boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads 
 and had good school advantages, supplementing 
 his course in the district schools by several terms' 
 attendance at the Chicago High School. After 
 completing his studies be learned the carpenter's 
 trade in that city, and soon after went into the 
 service of the Chicago Fire Department. He re- 
 mained with the fire company for about twelve 
 years, trying heroically, as did all in the service, to 
 extinguish flames and save property in the great 
 fire of 1871 and also in that of 1874. 
 
 On the 24th of December, 187.3, Mr. Donnelly 
 was united in marriage in Chicago to Miss .lennie 
 Simpson, who was born in Canada and was reared 
 and educated in Chicago. Her father, .lames Simp- 
 son, was a native of England. By her marriage, 
 Mrs. Donnelly has become the mother of six chil- 
 dren, three sons and three daughters: Robert, 
 Charles, Frank, .\gnes, Elizabeth and Sarah. These 
 children are all receiving good educational ad- 
 vantages. 
 
 In 188:^. Mr. Donnelly returned to this county 
 and took charge of the farm and liusiiies.s, buying 
 out his brother's interest in the homestead. He 
 h.as greatly Improved the property, built a coin, 
 modious barn and has done considerable tiling, 
 This is (.lonsidpicd to bq h most valuable piece of 
 farm land, and is situated about half way between 
 CUftbu and A^Ukuw. biuce beeomiug a yutor, 
 
592 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Mr. Donnelly has given his support to the Repub- 
 lican party, liis first ballot being cast for Gen. U. 
 N. (irant. H(^ has never been an offlce-.'^eeker in 
 any sense of (he term, but has always given his 
 entire attention to his business affairs. rul)lie 
 schools and other institutions of learning, as well 
 as all measures for the advancement of the people 
 lioth intellectually, socially and morally, find in 
 liim a stanch friend and supporter. Mrs. Don- 
 nellv is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church of Clifton. Socially, he holds membership 
 with the Masonic fraternitj', belonging to the 
 Knight Templar Order. He is a member of Hes- 
 peria Lodge No. 411, and Chicago Commandery 
 No. 19, K. T., of Chicago. He is widely and fav- 
 orably known throughout this section, and is held 
 in high regard for his many qualities of worth, 
 lie is a man of varied reading and extensive in- 
 formation, and keeps well posted on all subjects of 
 national and general importance. 
 
 ^■>^: 
 
 DOLPHUS ,7. CARTER, a prominent farmer 
 (G^/LjI] uf Ashkum Township, resides on section 
 li 22. He was born in St. Lawrence County, 
 N. Y., in the town of Champion, (ui the 
 9tli of August, 1833. He is a son of Samuel (). 
 and Lorana (Thornton) Carter. The father was a 
 native of one of the New England States, and his 
 father, Joel Carter, was a native of Connecticut. 
 Three brothers of the Carter family came from 
 England in the '•Mayflower'" in 1620. The father of 
 our subject was reared and educated in the Em- 
 pire State and was there married. His wife was a 
 native of V^ermont and a daughter of John Thorn- 
 ton, who was boi'n in Rhode Island and was a sol- 
 dier in the AVar of IS 12. After his marriage, Mr. 
 Carter engaged in agricultural pursuits in iSt. Law- 
 rence County for a number of years. He removed 
 to Illinois in 183(), at which time the whole 
 State was a wilderness and had few inhabitants. 
 He made a settlement in La Salle County, where he 
 pre-empted land and opened up a farm. He after- 
 ward added to his original tract by i)urchase. In 
 1849, Mr. Carter went overland to California and 
 
 spent about nine years on the Pacifie Slope, en- 
 gaged in mining, in which he was quite successful. 
 In Eebru.-iry, 1858, he returned to Illinois and 
 again resumed agricultural pursuits. The remain- 
 ing years of his life were spent at that homestead, 
 and there he was called to his final rest about the 
 21st of November, 1887. His estimable wife did 
 not long survive him and died ten weeks later. 
 There Ls still in the possession of the family a 
 Ijible, which was brought over in the "Mayflower." 
 
 Adolplius Carter is the eldest of four brothers 
 wild grew to mature years; the next younger, 
 Herman, is a farmer of La Salle County; Joel re- 
 sides on the old homestead; and the youngest, 
 John, was a soldier of the late war, and died of 
 typhoid fever at Corinth, when in the service of 
 ills country. His death occurred in May, 1862, 
 when he was in his twenty-second year. Our sub- 
 ject brought his remains home for interment. 
 
 The earl3' 3'ears of Adolplius were spent in the 
 usual farm routine — work, play and school alternat- 
 ing. He received such educational advantages as 
 the schools of that early day afforded, and he con- 
 tinued working for his father until his majority. 
 He then started out for himself, rented a farm, and 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits for several years. 
 After his father had retired from active life, he 
 and a brother rented the old homestead and ran it 
 for seven years. In 1868, Mr. Carter came to Iro- 
 quois Count3^ and in April of that year purchased a 
 tr.aet of one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved 
 prairie land from the Illinois Central Railroad 
 Company. On this property he located and cleared 
 .and opened up a farm. His place is well cultivated 
 and developed, and on it he has erected a substan- 
 tial and pleasant residence, good stables and other 
 farm buildings. It is located only a mile and a 
 half from Ashkum and is a valuable piece of prop- 
 erty. 
 
 In La Salle County, on the 17th of December, 
 1867, were united the destinies of Mr. Carter and 
 Mrs. Mary Ann Doan, a widow, and a daughter of 
 Highland Jacobs, who died when Mrs. Carter was 
 an infant. Her mother survives, at the advanced 
 age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Carter 
 had two children: Arthur Wells, who was called 
 to the better world at the age of nineteen years, 
 
C^^yy^-^l^ 
 

 '<^J^. d^3.cje<yun^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPFUCAL RECORD. 
 
 on the 8th of July, 1889; and Jennie Belle, who is 
 taking a literary course of stud\' at the Cirand 
 Prairie Seminary at Onarga. She was a teacher 
 for four terms, and has always lieen a very close 
 student. Slie received a free tuition for the year 
 on account of superior scholarsliii>, and is a young 
 lady of superior attainments and ability. 
 
 Mr. Carter uses his right of franchise in support 
 of the Republican party, but for many years was 
 an advocate of the Democracy, his first ballot hav- 
 ing been cast for James IJuclianan. Mr. Carter 
 unquestion.ibly possesses the ability to (ill local 
 olfiuial positions, but has ever declined to serve in 
 such, as he wished to give his whole and exclusive 
 attention to his business affairs. He is widely and 
 favorably known as a man possessing the best of 
 qualities, and during his long residence in this 
 State and county has made a host of friends. 
 
 <jr^«iDWIN 1). PKCIvKNS, conductor on the 
 1W| Springfield Division of the Illinois Central 
 /J'--^ Railroad, was l)orn in Is'aperville, 111., on 
 the 9th of August, 1853. He is a son of Samuel 
 X. and Sarah A. (Snyder) Peckens. On both sides 
 the family have lived in Pennsylvania for genera- 
 tions. In 1829, the father, desiring to try his for- 
 tune in the new West, started for Illinois, driving 
 an ox-teani. No adequate idea can be formed of 
 what such a journey meant in those early days, 
 long tefore the railroads, and even before the West- 
 ern wilderness had been opened up by roads. Only 
 from the accounts of a few survivors of that period 
 can we picture the hardships of cutting roads 
 through forests, fording rivers, crossing swamps. 
 Hud plowing through sand and mud, often to the 
 hub on the wheels; and when, after weeks and 
 sometimes months of traveling, their destination 
 was reached, a log cabin had to be erected, and the 
 land had to be cleared. Then commenced a series 
 of privations and hardships, of which the journey 
 thither had been but a prelude. Means of commu- 
 nication with the outside world were very inelli- 
 cient, and as traveling was so difficult, they were 
 
 27 
 
 thus forced to struggle along unaided, save by such 
 assistance as they could render one another. Af- 
 ter arriving in Illinois, Mr. I'eckens located in Du 
 Page County. For a time he followed the occupa- 
 tion of farming, and lalei' became a veterinary sur- 
 geon. It was in Will County that he met and 
 married Miss Snyder. In 18G7, he removed to 
 Gilman, but spent his last days in Springfield, 
 where he died at the age of seventy-three. His 
 wife IS still living at Springfield. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest of six children, of 
 whom five, two sons and three daughters, are still 
 living. Samuel Nelson, one of the sons, is a con- 
 ductor on the Illinois Central Railroad. Since 
 eleven j-ears of age, Mr. Peckens, the subject 
 of this sketch, has made his own way in the world. 
 For some four years he served in clerkships at Oil- 
 man. He had advanced rapidly while in school, 
 and after he commenced clerking acquired a good 
 business education. He then began cleaning en- 
 gines in the round house at Gilman, but after a 
 few weeks, took a |)Osition as fireman on the old 
 (lilman, Clinton & .Springfield Railroad. Continu- 
 ing a short time at that occupation, he was next era- 
 ployed at hostler work making up and putting away 
 trains, in which he was engaged for four years. 
 Subsequently he was similarly employed on the Chi- 
 cago, Paducah it Southwestern for eight months, 
 and tiien went as fireman on the Rock Island Rail- 
 road. Soon a strike came on among the firemen, 
 and, preferring not to take i)art in it, he left his 
 position and became book-keeper, city salesman 
 and traveling agent for L. E. Newman ife Co , com- 
 mission men of Chicago, in whose employ he re- 
 mained for two years. Again he returned to the 
 railroad, working for the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- 
 road, for the Iron Mountain, and the Chicago Di- 
 vision of the Illinois Central. June 29, 1879, he 
 came to the Springfield Division of the Illinois 
 Central as brakemaii, and on the 12th of Septem- 
 ber of that year took charge of a freight train, 
 which position he has since held. Altogether he 
 has been in the railroad service for a period of 
 about twenty years, and. like most railroad men, 
 he h.as accumulated considerable property. As 
 his long connection with one company would 
 indicate, he is thoroughly acquainted with his 
 
598 
 
 i'ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 business, and is reliable and prompt in the dis- 
 charge of duty. 
 
 On the 24th of November, 1880, occurred Mr. 
 Peckens' marriage with Miss A. S. Castles, a native 
 of La Salic County. The ceremony was performed at 
 Mendota, 111. They iiave had a family of three chil- 
 dren: .Tosie E., Sadie A. and Edwin D. Sadie, who 
 was born April 3, 1886, died November 11, 1892; 
 and Edwin, born on the 17th of February, 1890, 
 died on tlie 2d of December, 1892. But three 
 weeks elapsed between the deaths of these beauti- 
 ful little ones, and in their sad bereavement the 
 parents have the hearty synip;ithy of their many 
 friends and fellow-citizens. 
 
 Mr. Peckens belongs to the Order of Railway 
 Conductors, and takes great interest in civic socie- 
 ties. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to 
 Oilman Lodge No. 591, A. F. & A. M.; Watscka 
 Chapter No. 114, K. A. M.; Gibson Council No. 
 72; Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T., of 
 Paxton. He also belongs to the Modern Wood- 
 men and to the Knights of the Maccabees. ^Ir. 
 Peckens is a Democrat, but not an ottice-seeker. 
 
 <|7 OUIS C. MISCH is nua-bered among the 
 J (j^ wide-awake and enterprising young busi- 
 /JL^N ness men of Milford, where he is engaged 
 in general merchandising. He began opeiations 
 in October, 1887, forming a partnership with John 
 C. Miller. This connection was continued for 
 three years, or until 1890, when Mr. Misch bought 
 out his partner's interest, and has since been alone. 
 He began business with a small stock, which he 
 has steadily increased to meet the growing de- 
 mands of his trade. He has now a well-eijuipped 
 store, and is enjoying a liberal patronage, being 
 regarded as one of the most successful merchants 
 of Milford. 
 
 As our subject is widely and favoralily known 
 in this community, we feel assured that a record 
 of his life will prove of interest to many of our 
 readers. He was born in Milford. 111., on tiie 17th 
 of March. 1863, and is a son of August and Fred- 
 erifka (Schultz) Misch, both of whom were na- 
 
 tives of Germany. Having emigrated to this 
 country, they located in Iroquois County, and the 
 mother still makes her home in Milford. The 
 father was called to his final rest in February, 
 1886. Unto that worthy couple were born seven 
 children, of whom furtlier mention is made in the 
 sketch of William Mi^ch, on another page of this 
 work. 
 
 He of whom we write has spent almost his en- 
 tire life in Iroquois County. The days of his boj'- 
 hood and youth were here passed, and the public 
 schools afforded him iiis educational advantages. 
 He entered upon his business career, and received 
 his business training, in the store of his brother 
 William, there occupying a position as salesman 
 for several years. During this time he became 
 familiar with business customs and with the wants 
 and wishes of the people, so that when lie em- 
 barked in merchandising for himself he had a good 
 fund of experience to aid him in his operations. 
 He is now meeting with excellent success, and is 
 enjoying a well-deserved prosperity. He possesses 
 energy and perseverance, and, by the exercise of 
 correct business principles, has already gained a 
 comfortable competence. 
 
 It was in 1889 that Mr. Misch led to the marriage 
 altar Miss Disa McMillin, a sister of his brother 
 William's wife. They have a little son about 
 eighteen months old named Fred. In his political 
 affiliations, Mr. IMisch is a Republican, and socially 
 is a member of Farmers' Lodge No. 253, I.O. O. F. 
 
 AMUEL SHANNON, who isa representative 
 fanner of Milford Township, was born in 
 Ross County, Ohio, on the 12th of Juncr 
 1818, and is one of thirteen children. His 
 parents, Thomas and Catherine (Witter) Shannon, 
 were both natives of Pennsylvania, and in the 
 Keystone State were reared and married. Shortly 
 after their marriage, they left the East and emi- 
 grated to Ohio, where Mr. Shannon embarked in 
 agricultural pursuits. Their children were all born 
 in the Buckeye State, and in order of birth were 
 as follows: John Joseph, Catherine, Sarah, Susan, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 599 
 
 Mary, Hester Ann, Sophira, Elizabeth, Nancy, Reu- 
 ben, Wesley and Samuel. On the 4tli of Novem- 
 ber, 1841, the parent.* removed to Indiana, where 
 they resided for a number of years. Tlie father 
 wa."* a soldier in the War of 1812. Both died in 
 .May. 1848. 
 
 We now take up tlie personal history of our 
 subject, who was reared in the State of Ins nativ- 
 ity, and on the 16th of November. 1837. in Ohio, 
 was married to Miss Mar}- N. (iallop, of Clermont 
 County. After a short wedded life of a year, the 
 lady was called to her final home on the 20th of 
 November, 18.38, at the age of twenty years, six 
 months and twenty d.ays. On the 4th of Novem- 
 ber, 1841, Mr. Shannon was joined in wedlock 
 with Miss .Sarah Ann NVashburn. daughter of Cor- 
 nelius and Elizabeth (Martin) AVashburn, the 
 former a native of IVnnsylvania.and the latter of 
 Kentucky. 
 
 Unto our subject and his wife have been born 
 thirteen children, ten of wliom are yet living: Reu- 
 ben V. was born August 22, 1842. Mary Ann, born 
 March 20, 1844, became the wife of Absolem Scott, 
 July 28, 18(>5, and unto them were born two chil- 
 dren, William and Samuel, but the latter died 
 when about two years of age; Sir. Scott died in 
 1886, and his widow is now the wife of Elder L. 
 M. Shinkle, a Christian pre.icher. William J., born 
 March 19, 1846, enlisted in Company G. Eorty- 
 eighth Ohio Infantry, during tlie late war, and 
 served for four years and nine months. He par- 
 ticipated in the battles of Shiloh, Pittsburg Land- 
 ing, the Red River expedition, .and many other en- 
 gagements, but escaped without a wound. He was 
 married February 12,1873, to Ruth .loseph, by whom 
 lie has the following children, all living: Sarah, 
 .Mary, Inez, Winfield Scott, Edward, .Samuel Bruff 
 and Benjamin. Margaret E., born August 4. 1849, 
 became the wife of .loseph Phillips, February 22, 
 1870, and they have two children, Hattie and 
 George. Nancy .1., born .lanuary 9. lfSo2. is the 
 wife of Abraliam L. Crampton. and by their union, 
 >vhich was celebrated .January 11,1871, they have 
 four children: Nettie. Charles, Anna and Frank. 
 Silas P. was born November 29, 18.54; Thomas S- 
 January 7, 18.'i7;.Iohn W., January 1.5. 18,59; Abra- 
 liam LIdcoIu, July ii, 1861; Lcai' L, who wa^ born 
 
 December 16, 1863, is the wife of Elmer E, Shaw, 
 and by their marriage, which occurred Septemlier 1, 
 1883, they have one daughter. Bertha; Benjamin 
 F. was born September 8, 18(;fi; Lydia C July 18, 
 1871; and Edward W.ai.liburn December 9, 1873. 
 In May, 1887, Mr. Shannon, whose name heads 
 this sketch, left his native .State for the first time 
 for a change of residence, and came to Iroquois 
 County, 111. He located on a farm in Stockland 
 Township, but soon afterward removed to Prairie 
 Green To%vnsliip. He is now a resident of Milford 
 Township, living on what is known as the C. C. 
 \'ennum Farm, pleasantly located about two and 
 one-half miles north of Milford. He and his wife 
 are both members of the Christian Church, and in 
 politics, he is a Republican. 
 
 OBERT WEST carries on farming on sec- 
 tion 30, Douglas Township. He was born 
 
 \V in Lincolnshire, England, on the lltli of 
 ^'^ December, 1832, and is a son of Robert 
 and Ann West, both of whom died in England. 
 The father was a farmer by occupation and lived 
 to the age of fifty-three. His wife died at the age 
 of eighty. In their family were nine children, of 
 ^vhorn but two are now living, our subject and a 
 sister who resides in Yorkshire, England. George 
 W. came to the United States in 18r>2, lived in La 
 Salle and Iroquois Counties, and in 1883 wont to 
 Nebraska, where he died some four years later. 
 
 Mr. West of this sketch is the seventh child in 
 order of birth. He was reared on a farm and ed- 
 ucated in the common schools until about lifteen 
 years of age, when he began working. In 18.56, 
 he came to the United .States, taking thirty-five 
 days to make the yoy.ige from LiverjKiol to Ne>v 
 York. He went from there to Lowell, La Salle 
 CViunty, III. He, with his brother, purchased some 
 coal land and for seven winters engaged In mining 
 coal, and in the summer carried on fanning. 
 
 In La Salle County, February 17. 1869, Mr. West 
 married Miss Eninia Cami)bell, who was born in 
 Chester County, Pa., June B, 1844. She is the 
 
600 
 
 POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Wilson) 
 Campbell. Her father was born in Delaware, and 
 her grandfather Campbell, though of Scotch de- 
 scent, was born in the North of Ireland. He with 
 his young wife came to the United States, settling 
 in Delaware. Mrs. West's mother was born in the 
 Keystone State, at Philadelphia. In 1855, Ben- 
 jamin Campbell came West and settled near Ot- 
 tawa, La Salle County, where he and his wife 
 spent their remaining days. He lived to be eightj'- 
 two years of age, while she. reached her seventy- 
 ninth year. Both were members of the Methodist 
 Church. They had a family of eleven children, 
 one dying in infancy and one when twenty years 
 of age. Mrs. West is the fifth in order of birth of 
 this famil}'. Unto our subject and his wife were 
 born three children: Carlie T. and Hoy, who are at 
 home, and one who died in childhood. 
 
 In 1867, Mr. West came to Iroquois County and 
 purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. 
 It had then no improvements worth mentioning. 
 and he has laid some ten thousand tile and also 
 erected good buildings and otherwise improved 
 the property. In 1882, he moved to Foster County, 
 N. Dak., and took up a homestead, on which he 
 lived for four years and then returned to ins pres- 
 ent home. 
 
 Responding to his patriotic impulses, our sub- 
 ject enlisted in August, 1862, in the army, and be- 
 came a member of Company B, One Hundred and 
 Fourth Illinois Infantry. The first engagement in 
 which he took part was at Ilartsville, Tenn., where 
 he was taken prisoner but afterward paroled. He 
 also participated in the battles of Chickamauga, 
 Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach 
 Tree Creek and the siege and capture of Atlanta. 
 He was a guard at Lookout Mountain and took 
 part in the battles of Chattanooga and jNIission 
 Ridge. While his regiment was supporting ften. 
 Hooker at Peach Tree Creek, the soldiers had 
 erected a barricade for protection. They received 
 orders to cease building further defenses and the 
 retreat was sounded. Mr. West started around 
 the corner of the embankment and ran directly 
 into the rebel ranks. He was called upon to sur- 
 render at once, but did not stop to comply with 
 their demamls. t'onlinuiiig at a rapid pace, he 
 
 soon reached his companions, escaping the shower 
 of bullets which were sent after him. Daring this 
 encounter his bunk companion was taken prisoner 
 and a young lieutenant was instantly killed. 
 
 On the 7th of August, 1864, while at the right 
 of Atlanta, he was wounded m the right hip, the 
 bullet cutting a deep groove. As it ^yas summer, 
 gangrene set in and for six months he was confined 
 to his bed in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn. Four 
 times he came near bleeding to death. His record 
 as a soldier is one of which he may well be proud, 
 for he was always found at his post of duty and 
 his service was distinguished by marked braver}' 
 and fidelity. Altogether he took part in twenty 
 battles. He was dischai'ged at Benton Barracks, St. 
 Loiiis, in February, 1865. 
 
 Mr. AVest returned to this county, but for two 
 years was unable to engage in active work on ac- 
 count of disability. In politics, he is a Republican 
 and is much interested in all local affairs. He is a 
 friend to the be.st educational measures, which he 
 does all in his power to further. He is Chaplain 
 of (Tilman Post No. 186, G. A. R. Both Mr. and 
 Mrs. West are members of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, of winch he is l)()th Steward and Trus- 
 tee. 
 
 "jfl OIIN CONVEY, now retired from active 
 business, was one of the pioneers and 
 first settlers of Ashkum Township and now 
 makes his home in the village of Ashkum, 
 where he is numbered among its most respected 
 and honored citizens. He is a native of Ireland, 
 and was born in County Mayo, in August, 1821). 
 He is a son of Patrick and Sibbie (Filben) Convey, 
 both of whom were also natives of the Emerald 
 Isle. Our subject is the eldest of a family con- 
 sisting of seven sons and one daughter. He re- 
 ceived very limited school advantages and decided 
 to emigrate to the New World when about sixteen 
 years of age. 
 
 In 1846, witli his father, brothers and sisters, 
 Mr. Convey accordingly set sail for America. The 
 ship carried five hundred passengers and soon 
 aftei- leaving port the dread di.-;easc, typhoid fever, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 601 
 
 \va> ilir-LoM'ii'd on board. Tlie fever raged to such 
 !in extent that out of the five hundred passengers 
 only fifty survived when tliey arrived at their 
 destination, which was Montreal, Canada. Among 
 the stricken ones were the family of Patrick Con- 
 vey. Four sons only lived until they reached 
 quarantine and then two more passed away. Our 
 subject and one brother were the only survivors. 
 The brother afterward went to Boston, since whicli 
 time our subject has received no tidings of him. 
 
 .John Convej' resided in Canada for eight years 
 and attended St.Teresa Academy at Kortli Montreal 
 for three years. While there, he studied Latin 
 and the English and French languages. After 
 completing his studies, he learned the carpenter's 
 trade and tlien emigrated to Chicago, where he 
 engaged in carpenter work for five years. For a 
 portion of that time, he was a contractor and 
 builder and was quite successful. lie received a 
 contract from the Illinois Central Railroad to build 
 tanks and freight liouses along that line, and for 
 them he worked for two jears. Me then went to 
 New Orleans and worked for six months at his 
 trade, after which he obtained a contract from the 
 Mobile & Ohio Railroad to build cars. Soon after 
 the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, he returned 
 to the North, settling on a farm in As'.ikum, Iro- 
 quois County. This was a piece of raw prairie land, 
 and of this tract, which contained eighty acres, he 
 made a valuable piece of property, lie carried on 
 agricultural pursuits upon that farm for about 
 seven vears, andas his financial resources increased 
 added to his original tract from lime to time until 
 he was the owner of a whole section. In addition 
 to this, he afterward purchased some land near the 
 village which be held for a few years and then ex- 
 changed for Chicago improved real estate, lie also 
 traded for land in Kansas. Concluding that Chi- 
 cago real estate was rapidly rising in the market, 
 he sold his section of land and invested the pro- 
 ceeds in that city. He owns considerable property 
 on Madison Street, and most of the land which he 
 now po.ssesses is situated in the Garden City. 
 
 October 8, 1861, Mr. Convey was united in 
 marriage with Miss Tlellie Bossctt, a native of 
 Canada and a daughter of Benjamin Bossett, also 
 of lliat country and of French parentage. Mr. 
 
 Bossett had a brother. Judge Bossett, who was a 
 very learned and prominent man and a celebrated 
 judge of Canada. Mrs. Convey's father married 
 Margaret La Belle, a French lady of Canada. A 
 brotlier of ;Mrs. Bossett, Father La Belle, was the 
 parish priest at Kalamazoo, Mich., where his death 
 occurred. The wife of our subject has two nephews 
 who are priests, one of whom. Father Bergeron, is 
 the priest of Notre Dame Catholic Church of Chi- 
 cago. Mrs. Convey received her education in a 
 convent at South Bend, Ind. 
 
 By the union of our subject and wife twelve 
 children have been born, nine of whom are liv- 
 ing: Mary is in a religious order in Chicago 
 and is one of the Sisters of Mcrcj-; Sibbie re- 
 ceived a good education and was graduated at 
 the Chicago Academy of Sisters of Mercy and 
 is now the wife of Frank Makeel, of Chicago; 
 William, after attending college six years at St. 
 Viateur's College, of Bourbonnais Grove, is now in 
 the (Government employ in Chicago; Caroline is 
 also a Sister of Mercy in a Chicago convent; .John 
 and David, the next younger, are under the pa- 
 rental roof and students of St. Viateur's College; 
 Eugenia attends the High School in Chicago; Lo- 
 retta and Tliomas arc tlie remaining members of 
 the family. Two children died in infancy, and a 
 daughter, Melinda, died in 1890, aged seventeen 
 years. The parents of these children are members 
 of the Catholic Church. 
 
 Commencing in the New World a poor man, 
 Mr. Convey has b}' his own labor, industry and 
 enterprise and the help of his estimable wife, ac- 
 cumulated a large estate and is to-day recognized 
 as one of the substantial men of this county, where 
 for a third of a century he has been a resident. 
 He has helped in the development and progress of 
 this county, wiiich now stands to-day among the 
 foremost in the State. He has given his active 
 support and assistance to all public movements 
 tending to advance the best interest^of this section, 
 and has aided liliorally in the building of churches, 
 schoolhouses, the town hall and other institutions 
 for the benefit of his felkiw-citizens. He has ever 
 been a friend to education and our grand free 
 public-school system. Politically, Mr. Convey is 
 identified with the Democratic parly, casting his 
 
602 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 
 
 first vote for Gen. George B. McClellan. He takes 
 quite an active part in local politics and has been 
 a Commissioner for six years and Supervisor for 
 eight years. He is well known throughout the 
 community as a man of wortli, and he well de- 
 serves a place among the sketches of the pioneers 
 of this county. 
 
 ^1^ DWARD K. BEEBE, one of the extensive 
 fe) land-owners of Iroquois County and a 
 Ij^^ leading stock-raiser, resides on section 10, 
 Fountain Creek Township. lie has also been con- 
 nected with the mercantile interests of Clayton- 
 ville, and his business and social relations have 
 made him widely and favorably known. His life 
 record is as follows: 
 
 A native of the Nutmeg State, Mr. Beebe was 
 born in Litchfield County, May 21, 1860, and is 
 one of five children who were born of the union 
 of Charles and Almira (Lockwood) Beebe. His 
 father was a native of the same locality as our 
 subject, and his death occurred when Edward was 
 only two years old. The children were Charles, 
 who is now a farmer of Prairie Grove Township; 
 J]dward R., whose name heads this record; and 
 Stanley, who is engaged in merchandising in 
 Claytonville. 
 
 Since ten years of age Edward Beebe has resided 
 upon a farm. The family emigrated to Ottawa, 
 La Salle County, 111., in 1862, and, locating on his 
 grandfather's farm, he there woi-ked in the fields 
 for some time. In 1875, at the age of sixteen, he 
 came to Iroquois County, and has since made this 
 his home. He at first rented land, but by his in- 
 dustry and interprise, he added to his possessions, 
 and from time to time made additional purchases, 
 until he now owns seven hundred acres of valua- 
 ble land. He is also engaged in handling stock, 
 of which he is an excellent judge, and has made a 
 specialty of breeding Norman horses. He is a 
 lover of the noble steed, and has owned some 
 fine animals. In connection with his brother 
 Stanley, he is also engaged in general merchandis- 
 ing in Claytonville, and by fair dealing and cour- 
 
 teous treatment, they have secured a liberal pat- 
 ronage, which they well deserve, and their stock 
 has been proportionately enlarged to meet the 
 growing demand. Our subject also bought grain 
 for one year in Claytonville. 
 
 In his social relations, Mr. Beebe is a Mason, 
 holding membership with the lodge in Rankin. 
 He exercises his right of franchise in support of 
 the Republican party, and is a warm advocate of 
 its principles. He has often served as a delegate 
 to its conventions, but has never been a politician 
 in the sense of office-seeking. 
 
 AVe see in Mi-. Beebe a self-made man. At a 
 very early age he was thrown upon his own re- 
 sources, and has since made his way in the world 
 unaided. He has met with adversity and with 
 many hardships, but b}' well-directed efforts and 
 perseverance, he has steadily worked his way up- 
 ward. The difficulties and obstacles in his path 
 he overcame by industry, and his life has been -one 
 of signal success. He is now numbered among the 
 wealthy citizens of the county, and his career, 
 characterized by honesty and fair dealing, has won 
 for him the high regard and confidence of all. 
 With his mother he now resides on the homestead 
 farm. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 =^ 
 
 DOLPH MEINHARI) is a well-known cit- 
 izen and farmer of Douglas Township, re- 
 (// 14* siding in a comfortable home on section 
 33. township 27, range 14. He was born 
 in Siegen, Westphalia, Germany, on the 10th of 
 December, 1847. From records in the possession 
 of the familj' we learn that the great-grandfather of 
 our subject was Simon Meinhard. His youngest 
 sou, Jacob, was born in Siegen, Westphalia, in 
 April, 1780, and died at Troy Grove, 111., in Au- 
 gust, 1854. He was a baker bj' trade, and married 
 Agnes Graef in 1806. Her death occurred in the 
 Fatherland. Adam Graef, her father, was Imrn in 
 Eisen, near Siegen, and married there a Miss 
 Luetz. The son of .lacob and Agnes Meinhard 
 was born December 15th, 1808, and was named 
 Jlichael. The latter on arriving at mature years 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGKAPIHCAL RECORD. 
 
 603 
 
 married Maria Margaret Tliielman, the marriage 
 ceremony being perfurini-d August 12, 18:il. Her 
 birth occurred in Izenl'cld. in 1800, and »he de- 
 parted this life on the 20th of Fcljruary, 1872, at 
 'I'roy Grove, 111. Her father, Jacolj Thiehnan, of 
 Zyyeufeld, married Maria M. Ginslierg, of Strut- 
 liuette. She was a dauglitcr of .lohann .lacob 
 (iinsberg, of the same place, who w.as a brotiier of 
 Admiral Ginsberg, or Kinsberger, who was in the 
 service of Holland. To Michael and Maria Mcin- 
 hard were born the following children: Henry, born 
 on the 1.5th of December, 1833, is a resident of 
 I'eoria, III. Frederick, born Angust 26, 1811, is 
 manager of tiie Troy Grove Water Mills, of Trov 
 (irove, 111. Ho was a soldier, being a member of 
 the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and w.as in the 
 service for three years. Anna Catherina died at 
 Gilman, III. She was a twin sister of Wilhelmiua. 
 the date of their births being September 3, 1843. 
 The latter resides in ^lendota. III. Charles, born 
 May 9, 181;'), died in Philadelphia, on the 12th of 
 .hine, 1863, as the result of wounds received in 
 the charge at the battle of Ft. JIcAllister. He 
 accompanied Sherman on his march lo the sea and 
 was a member of the Sixt\-lifth Illinois Ueginient, 
 being a member of Cushman's Brigade from Ot- 
 tawa. He was buried in the National Cemetery at 
 Philadelphia with thousands of our Nation's brave 
 defenders. Eberhart, born October 3, 1850, lives 
 near Gilman. Jacob, who was born on the lltli 
 of August, 1852, died at Ottawa, III., in 1861. 
 These children were all born in .siegen, West- 
 phalia, and came with their parents to America in 
 the fall of 18.-)3. 
 
 Michael Meinhard was a baker 113' trade, and re- 
 ceived a good education in the common and High 
 Schools of his native land. He was much interested 
 in studying American history, and because of his 
 love for the liberties of the United States, lie 
 learned the Knglisli language and determined to 
 make his home in the New World. He remained 
 in his native land, however, until his sons were to 
 be drafted into the army, at which time he carried 
 the resolution of his early days into effect. The 
 famil3- accordingly went to Rotterdam, where they 
 took passage in a sailing-vessel bound for New 
 York. Tiu-\ had a stormy voyage, were wrecked, 
 
 and were obliged to return to Belfast, Ireland, for 
 repairs upon the vessel. Afteralong and tiresc>ine 
 voyage of nine weeks they arrived in New York 
 HarlKir. They spent one winter in Wheeling. W. 
 ^■a., and in the spring of 1851 came to Illinois, 
 settling in Troy Grove, La .Salle County. There 
 the father purchased land at ^10 an acre. The 
 country w.as new and unimproved and the family 
 endured many hardships incident to pioneei life. 
 Upon his farm he erected a mill, which w.as known 
 •as the Troy (irove Water .Mills, to which far- 
 mers came from all portions of that and adjoining 
 counties. This mill is now operated by a son. 
 The father is living a retired life, at the age of 
 eighty-four years. He frecjuently writes for pajrc-s 
 on Free Thought, having been a Free-thin Ker and 
 strong Democrat all his life. He has never ac- 
 cepted office in this country, though he w.as an Al- 
 derman in his native tosvn and a man of conse- 
 quence. He served three years in the Prussian 
 War. 
 
 Adolpli Meinhard, the subject of this sketch, was 
 six years old when he came with his parents to 
 America. He was educated in the public schools 
 of Troy (^rove and w.as early inured to farm work. 
 His l>rotliers were in the army, and much of the 
 labors of the farm fell upon his shoulders. He has 
 largely educated himself since arriving at manhood 
 and inherits his father's talents. He is a good de- 
 bater and an intelligent and well-informed man. 
 He h.is followed agricultural pursuits since his boy- 
 hood and has been quite successful in that line of 
 business. He remained with his father until about 
 twenty years of age and then came to Iroquois 
 County, where with a brother he purcli,a,><ed half a 
 section of unimproved land, located on section 2. 
 The succeeding five years he spent in improving 
 and developing his jjioperty, and then puichased 
 eighty acres where he now n.akes his home. This 
 he has brought under a high stale of cultivation, 
 and has tiled and erected good buildings upon it. 
 He is a successful farmer and a man of good bus- 
 iness ability. 
 
 In Gilman, on the 21<lh of November, 18611, Mr. 
 Meinhard led to the marri.ige altar Miss .\niia 
 Brooke. Her father, Henjamin Brooke, emigrated 
 in 1H61 to this c<iuntv from Marshall County, 
 
604 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Ind. Her mother, who was in her maidenhood 
 Elizabeth Wickheizer, is still living. Mrs. Mein- 
 hard was born at Lancaster, Ohio. To our subject 
 and his wife tiiree children have been born: Ralph 
 was born Januai-j 14, 1880, in La Salle County; 
 Charles and Arnold both died when about two years 
 of age. 
 
 Our subject is a Free-thinker like his fatiier and 
 is independent of any society. He has been Road 
 Commissioner and has also served as a Commis- 
 sioner of Drainage District No. 1 for about 
 three years. He takes an active part in measures 
 tending to the welfare and development of this 
 county, and was influential in getting the ditch put 
 through this section. He has often been a repre- 
 sentative to conventions and is influential in sena- 
 torial and county assemblies. His first ballot was 
 cast for Horace flreeley and he has ever since 
 been a supporter of Democracy. He is a man of 
 wide reading and information, and keeps well 
 posted on all the important questions of the day. 
 He has proved a good citizen and a man of pro- 
 gressive ideas and has done his share in tiie devel- 
 opment of this county. 
 
 <pLBERT a. HICKMAN, who is numbered 
 l|U] among the early settlers of the county, now 
 /t^^ follows farming on section 30, Ash Grove 
 Township. A native of Warren County, Ind., he was 
 born January 21, l»U. His fatiier, Peter J. Hick- 
 m.an, emigrated from Delaware in an early day 
 and cast in his lot with the early settlers of Warren 
 County. His home was a log cabin. When our 
 subject was four years of age he removed with the 
 family to Missouri, where they improved a new farm 
 near Springfield. In 1842, the family returned to 
 Indiana and located within two miles of their 
 former home, where Peter Hickman engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits and in operating a mill. 
 
 From his twelfth year our subject was there 
 reared to manhood. His education was acquired 
 in a log schoolhouse, with its slab se.ats, desks of 
 split puncheon, huge fireplace and mud and stick 
 
 chimney. Under the parental roof he remained 
 until twenty-four years of age, when he started 
 out in life for himself. He was married, Novem- 
 ber 29, 1857, in the county of his nativity to Miss 
 Charlotte Blind, who was born in Oliio, October 
 29, 1832, and came with her parents to Indiana 
 during girlhood. The wedding journey of the 
 young couple consisted of a trip to Iroquois 
 County. They traveled by team and settled in 
 Fountain Creek Townshii), where Mr. Hickman 
 purchased one hundred and si.xty acres of par- 
 tially improved land. Much of the prairie was 
 still in its primitive condition and the few settle- 
 ments were widely scattered. In 1878, Mrs. Hick- 
 man departed this life and her remains were in- 
 terred in the Friends' Cemetery, of Ash Grove 
 Townshi]). 
 
 Seven children were born of this union: Mary, 
 who was born December 2, 1858, in Iroquois 
 County, is the wife of S. M. Rose, a grain dealer 
 of Cissna Park; Arcelia Ann, born February 11, 
 1861, died at the age of seven 3'ears; Elizabeth 
 Jane, born July 29, 1863, is deceased; Flora Belle, 
 whose birth occurred November 5, 1865, is the wife 
 of Cal Saylor, and they reside on the home farm; 
 Frank, born April 26, 1868, is at home; Dora Alice, 
 born March 4, 1871, keeps house for her father; 
 and Charles E., born July 25, 1874, completes the' 
 family. The children were all educated in the 
 public schools. 
 
 Upon his first farm in this county, j\Ir. Hickman 
 made his home for six years and then removed to 
 his present farm. For a time he lived in a loo- 
 cabin, but it has long since been replaced bv his 
 Iiresent comfortable and commodious residence. 
 Good barns and outbuildings have also been 
 erected and stand in the midst of waving fields of 
 grain. The farm comprises nine hundred acres of 
 valuable land. In connection with its cultiva- 
 tion, Mr. Hickman also engages in stock-raisin o- 
 and is engaged quite extensively in shipping cat- 
 tle and hogs to Chicago. He received some aid 
 when he started out in life, but by his own indus- 
 try, perseverance and good management most of 
 his large property has been acquired. He is now 
 one of the most extensive land-owners of the com- 
 munity. His success is well deserved, for it is the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 CfiT 
 
 just reward of his own labors. ^Ir. Hickman is a 
 standi advocate of tiie Democracy and lias sup- 
 |ir)rtcd that party since lie east his first Presiden- 
 tial vote for .lames Kiichanan. Those who know 
 him esteem him highly for his sterling worth and 
 integrity and he has a large circle of friends and 
 acriUHintances in this comniiiiiitv. 
 
 <r4\ IfclLI.IA.M W. ('OI'.FRX. a leading fanner 
 \/\j// of Douglas 'I'ownship, who operates a 
 \jy^ farm on section 7, was born in Prince- 
 ville, Peoria County, 111., November 4, 18t3. He 
 is a son of William and Hacliel (Ellzroth) Coburn. 
 Ills father was born in Ohio and with his parents 
 early removed to Indiana. His wife, though a 
 native of Ohio, is of German descent. The par- 
 ents of our subject came to Peoria County among 
 the early settlers. The father kept a tavern in the 
 pioneer days and also carried on a store for a 
 time. Later he removed to a farm and followed 
 agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a 
 stanch AVliig and afterward a Republican. In 
 1863, feeling that the countr}' needed the services 
 of all lo^-al citizens, he enlisted in the Second Illi- 
 nois Rattery, though over the prescribed .age, and 
 after serving for about a year died of sraall-pox at 
 ■ New Orleans, aged fifty-two 3'ears. His widow, 
 now in her seventy-eighth year, still lives at Prince- 
 ville, 111. Roth were honored members of the 
 Christian Church. Ry their marriage were born 
 twelve children, five of whom were sons, and three 
 of whom served in the late war. Elijah served in the 
 Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry for three years, and 
 .Samuel served over four years in the Second Illi- 
 nois Rattery. 
 
 Our subject is the sixth child in order of birth 
 and was reared on his father's farm, being edu- 
 cated in the district schools. In .September, 1861, 
 though not quite eighteen j-ears of age, he enlisted 
 in Company 1), Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and after 
 being in the .State service three months the young 
 patriot was mustered into the United States service 
 December 20, 1861. His command was called to 
 participate in the battle of Sliiloh, that being their 
 
 first engagement. He was also in the second 
 battle of Corinth and luka. Reing in the cavalry 
 service he took part in scores of skirmishes. On 
 the 20tli of December, 1861, he received an hon- 
 orable discharge and returned home. However, he 
 again enlisted, on the ITitli of March, 186.5, for one 
 3'ear's service in Comi)any G, Fourth I'liited 
 .States \'olunteer Cori)s, which was known .as Han- 
 cock's Corps. One year later, in 1866, he re- 
 ceived his final discharge from the army, having 
 served four years, three months and twenty-one 
 days. During that time he was never wounded or 
 taken prisoner. His war record was one of marked 
 bravery and fidelity, remarkable in one of his 
 youthful age. 
 
 When his country no longer stood in need of 
 his services, he returned to Peoria County. After 
 a time he went to Hickory County, Mo., where he 
 farmed for three years. I n the meantime he re- 
 turned to Illinois, and at LaFayctte, Stark County, 
 he was united in wedlock August 2."), 1867, to 
 Irene Ridgway, who was born at Danville, Pa., 
 November 20, 1816. She is a daughter of Thomas 
 and Maria (Ream) Ridgway, natives of New York 
 and New ,7ersey respectively. The father was 
 born in 1809, and was a carpenter and joiner by 
 trade. He was a member of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church and was much beloved and re- 
 spected by all. Soon after his marriage he re- 
 moved to Pennsylvania, and in 184!) went to 
 Stark County, 111., where his death ocxurred in the 
 following year, he being at that time forty-four 
 j-ears of age. His wife, who long survived him, 
 afterward married Jon.as Eltzroth, a native of 
 Ohio. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
 departed this life iu 1866, at LaFayette. Ind. Mrs. 
 Eltzroth died at the home of our subject .lanuar}- 
 20, 1892, having nearly- reached her eight3--first 
 birthday. Mrs. Coburn is one of seven children, 
 four sons and three daughters, of whom one, Lewis 
 R., served for soirc three years during the late 
 war. She was educated in the common schools 
 and h.as been a valuable helpmate to her husband 
 in the journey of life. She is of a kindly and 
 sociable disposition and is much loved by all. 
 
 After his marriage, our subject took his young 
 wife in a wagon to their Missouri home, an uniis- 
 
608 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ual and delightful wedding touv. Their union 
 has been blessed with three children: Wilbur W.; 
 Guy R., a carpenter of Henry County; and (irace 
 I. In 1869, Mr. Coburn went to Ford County, 
 11!., and two years later removed to his present 
 farm in Irocpiois County. He now owns a val- 
 uable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well 
 tiled and improved with good buildings, though 
 at tlie time of his purchase there was nothing on 
 it but water. He has laid upwards of twenty 
 tliousand tiles upon his farm and It is therefore 
 one of the most arable and well-drained farms of 
 the township. 
 
 Mr. Coburn is a Republican in politics, his first 
 Presidential vote being cast for Grant when he 
 ran for his second term. Socially, he is a Mason 
 and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic 
 of Piper City. He is a practical and progressive 
 farmer, read}' to accept any of the best methods of 
 improvement, and about his home is found all the 
 accessories necessary to a model farm of this period. 
 He is a valued citizen of ^his county and well 
 merits a representation in this volume. 
 
 lOBERT DOYLE. The Bar of Eastern Illi- 
 nois can boast among its members many bril- 
 liant and able men — men whose successes 
 are matters of record in the judicial history 
 of the State, and whose professional contests, al- 
 though extending over many terms of court and a 
 wide area of territorj', are still fresh in the minds 
 of tlie people. Conspicuous among this class stands 
 the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. In 
 1863, he became identified with the Iroquois 
 County Bar, having formed a law partnership with 
 Asa B. Rolf, under the firm name of Roff & Doyle, 
 whicii connection existed for nine years and re- 
 sulted in an extensive and successful practice. 
 .Soon after the dissolution of their partnership, Mr. 
 Doyle was joined by James McCuUougli, with 
 whom he was associated for two years, when Mr. 
 McCullough retired, and for a year or two our 
 subject was alone in his practice. He next 
 formed a law partnership with Edward King, which 
 
 lasted for a period of three years. About 1874, 
 Mr. Doyle became associated in practice with his 
 wife's brotiier, the Hon. Free P. Morris. This 
 partnership lasted until 1889, wlien our subject, on 
 account of failing health, went South for a year or 
 two, where he engaged in the practice of his pro- 
 fession in Chattanooga, Tenn., and also in special 
 business in Charleston, S. C. Since his return to 
 AVatseka, he has devoted his attention to farming 
 and stock-raising, accepting only the nioic import- 
 ant cases offered him. 
 
 Mr. Doj'le was born in Albany, N. Y., on the 
 24th of April, 1837, and is a son of Barnard and 
 Isabella ((xrey) Doyle. His parents were born in 
 the North of Ireland and emigrated to America in 
 childhood. His father, who was a brilliant scholar, 
 died in New York in 1846, aged forty-six years, 
 and the mother in Chicago in May, 1891, at the 
 age of eighty years. 
 
 In 1847, the subject of this sketch came to Illi- 
 nois with bis mother, and their home was first made 
 in the town of Thornton, Cook County. Robert 
 attended the public schools, and after due prepara- 
 tion entered the Chicago University, where after a 
 regular course of study he graduated from the law 
 department in the Class of June, 1863. In August 
 of that j'ear, he came to Watseka and established 
 practice in company with A. B. Roff, as previously 
 stated. 
 
 On the 19th of April, 1859, Mr. Doyle was 
 united in '.narriage with Miss Francis J. Morris, in 
 Cook County. The lady was born in Plymouth, 
 Luzerne County, Pa., and educated at Wyoming 
 Seminary. She is the daughter of Charles and Sarah 
 Morris, Hon. Free P. Morris, of Watseka, being her 
 youngest brotlier. Three children were born to Mr. 
 and Mrs. Doyle: Minerva, now the wife of Samuel E. 
 Vermilyea, a rising lawyer, resides in Chicago. 
 The second daughter, Grace, is still under the par- 
 ental roof; while the only son, Guy, is at present 
 studying medicine in the State University of Mich- 
 igan at Ann Arbor. 
 
 Mr. Doyle is retiring in disposition; he has been 
 many times approached for Circuit Judge but lias 
 no ambition in that direction, preferring the Bar to 
 the Bench. He has always been a loj'al and con- 
 sistent supporter of the Republican party. He is 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 fi09 
 
 a member of Watseka Lodge No. 41(), A. F. & A. 
 M., and is a charter member of Watseka Chapter 
 No. 114, R. A. M. Mr. Doyle resides in a tasty 
 brick residence, situated just beyond tlie north 
 limits of Watseka, on his fine farm of eight hun- 
 dred and eighty acres, which is located in the 
 township of Middleport, adjacent to the city on the 
 north. As a lawyer, Mv. Doyle is conspicuous for 
 liis well-grounded knowledge of his profession, 
 his reniarkal)ly good memory and ability to cite 
 authorities correctly and to conduct to a success- 
 ful issue important and complicated suits. 
 
 ORTLMER D. AVILRER, who is engaged in 
 the drug business in Milford, is a native 
 of the State which is still his home. He 
 was born in Pccalonica, Winnebago 
 County, on the 22d of April, 1858, and is one of 
 nine children whose parents were Mortimer D. and 
 Mary Jane (Swcezey) Wilber, both natives of 
 New York. Of their family seven are yd living: 
 Mary Jane became the wife of Austin James, of 
 Maries Couuty, Mo. The\' reside near Vichy 
 .Springs with their family of five children. Ida 
 Miranda is the wife of John II. Griggs, a merchant 
 of Potomac, Vermilion County, 111.; Emma Ger- 
 trude is the wife of John McMillan, a fruit-grower 
 of Eddytown, N. Y.; Charles Gilbert, an agricul- 
 turist of Vermilion County, 111., wedded Ma}- 
 (ireen, daughter of Clark Green, of Hossville, 111., 
 and the}' have four children; Lewis W. married 
 ^liss Eflie Courtney, daughter of J. B. Courtney, 
 of Potomac, III.; Alice is the wife of Alonzo 
 llenr}', a farmer residing near Potomac, and their 
 family numbers two children. 
 
 Mr. Wilber whose name heads this record ac- 
 quired an English education in the public schools 
 f>f Rossville, 111., from which place he removed 
 to Iroquois Count}' in 1879. Locating in Milford 
 he was employed as salesman for three years with 
 Dr. L. P. Woodwortli, physician and druggist. 
 On the expiration of that period he purchased the 
 store of his employer and is still carrying on busi- 
 
 ness in that line. lie (li'al> in (liiiys. luiMlicines, 
 paints, oils, wall paper, books, stationery, etc.. and 
 has built uj) an excellent trade. He started with 
 little capital, depending not upon good luck for 
 success, but relying solely upon energy, enteri)rise 
 and good management, thus winning a prosperity 
 which is certainly well deserved. His store is well 
 stocked and would be a credit to a much larger 
 place than .Milford. His fair and honest dealing 
 and courteous treatment of his patrons have won 
 him the confidence and good-will of all. 
 
 On the aist of December, 1881, Mr. Wilber was 
 united in marriage with Miss JIaggie Gruber, 
 daughter of Rev. S. S. (iruber, a Melliodist minis- 
 ter. They are well-known and prominent people 
 iji tiie best circles of society in Milford. Our sub- 
 ject is a member of Milford Lodge No. 168, A. V. 
 & A. M.; Watseka Chapter No. 114, R. A. .M., and 
 Mt. Olivet Commandery No. .38, K. T., of Paxton. 
 He has occupied the chair of Worshipful Master in 
 the Masonic Lodge. He has also been Treasurer 
 of the Milford Agricilltiiral Society and is a mem- 
 ber of itj< Hoard of Directors. Of the Milford 
 Building and Loan Association he is a Director 
 and he has held the otiice of A'illage Treasurer. 
 He is true to every public and private duty, and 
 the confidence reposed in him by his fellow- 
 townsmen h.'is never been misplaced. Mr. Wilber 
 is a man of good business ability, sagacious and 
 far-sighted and is now numbered among the sub- 
 stantial citizens of the comniunitv. 
 
 
 ^EORGE SINDERSON, a retired farmer and 
 a prominent citizen of Onarga, is of Eng- 
 lish birth, and one of a family of seven 
 children born unto Charles and Louisa (Ivnapp) 
 Sinderson. In 18.')3, they emigrated to America, 
 accompanied by all of their children with the ex- 
 ception of William and George. A location was 
 made in Atlanta, Logan County, III., and after- 
 ward they removed onto a farm, where Chailcs 
 Sinderson made his home until his death, which 
 occurred on the 13th of September, 187G, at the 
 age of seventy -two years. His wife died November 
 
610 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 2, 1873, aged seventy years and six montlis. Of 
 their four sons and tliree dangliters, all are yet 
 living. 
 
 The suljject of this sketch was born in Alkbor- 
 ough, Lincolnshire, England, January 12, 1830, 
 and was reared to manhood in the land of liis 
 nativity. After attaining to mature j'ears, he was 
 married on the 18th of May, 1853, the lady of his 
 choice being Miss Ann Wright, daughter of Will- 
 iam and Mary (Moffett) Wright. Mrs. Sinderson is a 
 native of the same shire born October 6, 1827. One 
 son was born unto them in England, and in 1856, 
 with their little child, they came to America. Bid- 
 ding good-bye to their old home, they crossed the 
 broad Atlantic and made their way to Illinois. The 
 family circle has since been increased by the birth 
 of seven children. There were four sons and four 
 daughters, but one died in infancy: Charles Ed- 
 ward, who was born in England October 15, 1855, 
 married Sarah Ann Hare, daughter of John Hare, 
 of Iroqnois County, and unto them have been born 
 four children, three of whom are yet living, 
 namel}': Anna, Ceoige and the baby. William 
 IL, born April 21, 1858, was united in marriage 
 with Miss Sarah Swank, of Milford,and a daugliter 
 graces their union, P>lizabeth. Jane E., born March 
 9, 1861, became the wife of William Amerman,of 
 Ash Grove, who died in August, 1882, leaving one 
 child, Minnie Belle, and after his death she be- 
 came the wife of James West, who resides near 
 Decatur, Brown County, Ohio, and they had the 
 following children: Edgar and Harlan. George 
 W., born January 29, 1863, wedded Anna Perkins, 
 and with their two sons they reside in Sherman 
 County, Neb.; Thomas N., born February 27, 
 1865, married Miss M.ay AVashburn, daughter of 
 Samuel and Ann Washburn. Mollie A., born Sep- 
 tember 17, 1868, is the wife of John Martin, of 
 Iroquois County, and unto them has been born a 
 daughter. Pearl. Kate, born Julj- 3, 1871, mar- 
 ried Samuel Harper, of Onarga. 
 
 In 1870, Mr. Sinderson of this sketch removed 
 from Atlanta to Onarga, 111., locating on a farm 
 ten miles southeast of the village, where be reared 
 his family and carried on agricultural pursuits. 
 In 1888, he sold that farm and came to Onarga, 
 where he and his wife have a comfortable home, 
 
 his family having all married and made homes for 
 themselves. While in the country, he held the 
 offices of School Director and Road Commissioner 
 for a number of years. In politics, he is a Repub- 
 lican, and is a valued citizen of the community 
 wliere he makes his home. Prosperity' has attended 
 his efforts since he came to America and it was a 
 fortunate day for him when he determined to leave 
 his native land, for here he has met with success, and 
 has made a comfortable home and many friends. 
 
 ^^ APT. ABRAHAM ANDREW, a veteran of 
 the late war, has held the office of Post- 
 master of Watseka since May, 1889. He 
 was born in Jacksonborough, Butler Count\% Ohio, 
 December 20, 1835, and is a son of Jacob and 
 Mary (Neihart) Andrew. His father was a na- 
 tive of Rockingham County, Va., and his mother 
 of Lehigh County, Pa. Both are now deceased. 
 
 The subject of this sketch S]ient the days of his 
 bo3'hood and youth in his native State and at- 
 tended the public scliools until he was fifteen 
 years old, when he removed to Indianapolis, and 
 later to Dayton, Ind. There he learned the har- 
 ness-maker's trade, at which lie was working in 
 Williamsport when the late war broke out. 
 When the President made his call for three 
 months' vohmleers, young Andrew was the sec- 
 ond man to enlist in defense of the Union 
 from Warren County, tliat State. He entered 
 the service in 1861, having been mustered in as a 
 member of Company B, Tenth Indiana Infantry. 
 Having served the term of his enlistment, he 
 came to Middleport, Iroquois Count}-, III., in 
 the fall of 1861. Later, he joined Maj. George C. 
 Harrington in rftising a company, which was mus- 
 tered in as Company A, of the Seventy -sixth 
 Illinois Infantry. Mr. Andrew was commissioned 
 First Lieutenant August 24, 1862, and was pro- 
 moted to be Captain on the 4th of January follow- 
 ing. He participated in the battle of Rich Moun- 
 tain, Va., while a member of the Tenth Indiana, 
 and while in the Seventy-sixth Illinois Regiment 
 he took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and was 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 r.ii 
 
 on duty willi his company- there when the Con- 
 federates surrendered .Inly i, 1863. 
 
 Innnedi:itely after the capture of Vicksburg, ' 
 our subject was sent with his regiment in i)ur- 
 suit of .Joe .Johnston through Mississippi. lie p.ar- 
 ticipaled in the battle of Jackson, Miss., after 
 which lie was sent to Natchez, and thence into 
 Louisiana, where they had a hard battle on Trin- 
 ity River. Then they returned to Natchez and 
 went to Morganza I?end and to Port Hudson and 
 IJerton, Miss., having iiad a lively skirmish at 
 that place. From Hertoii they returned to Mor- 
 g.anza Bend, where orders were received to pro- 
 ceed to the mouth of the White River, where they 
 went into camp and outfitted for an expedition 
 to Duval! 's Blutf, where C'apt. Andrew was as- 
 signed to the charge of a camp for winter quar- 
 ters. .Just as that task was completed and the 
 Captain had taken posses.sion of a comfortable 
 cabin that his men had prepared for him with 
 special pains, he was detailed to go to New Or- 
 leans, and from tliere to Kennerville, La., just 
 above the city, and went into camp below the sur- 
 face of the river level. Later, he was detailed to 
 load the right wing of his regiment to sail for 
 Ft. Morgan, Ala. He embarked the troops in 
 very good shape, but instead of sailing to Ft. 
 Morgan, went to Pensacola Bay and Ft. Barancus. 
 Before reaching their destination, they were 
 caught in a severe storm eleven miles off the coast 
 and were forced to ride out the storm at anchor. 
 They were knocked about there all night and did not 
 make port until 3 o'clock i-. Ji. the next day. 
 After spending six weeks in camp at Ft. Barancus, 
 they went to Pens.icola and joined the expedition 
 to Ft. Blakcly. Subsctiuently, they went to Gal- 
 veston, Tex., where they were mustered out in 
 .July, I860. 
 
 On his return from the war, ('apt. Andrew en- 
 gaged in the grocery business at Watseka, and 
 continued in that line about four years, when he 
 sold out and embarked in the harness business. 
 After three years spent in that line, he was em- 
 ployed as merchant's clerk by Daniel Frey for 
 a while, and subsequently bought into the livery 
 business, and was thus engaged for five year*. On 
 selling out, he again lesuined clerking. He was 
 
 afterward employed by Mr. March in the agricul- 
 tural im])lement trade, and continued that con- 
 nection until appointed I'oslniaster at Watseka In 
 May, 188!». This position he still holds, and has 
 proved a popular olliccr. 
 
 On the 2-1 th of .lanuary, 1867, Cajit. .\ndrew 
 was married, in Middleport,to Miss Caroline Troup, 
 a native of that place, and a daughter of Henry 
 and Mary A. Troup. Her parents are pioneers of 
 Middleport, and are represented elsewhere in this 
 work. Two children were born unto Mr. and 
 Mrs. jVndrew: Marjetta, who died at the age of 
 three years; and Fred, who was born April 30, 
 1873, is Assistant Postmaster of Watseka. 
 
 In politics, Mr. .Andrew is a Republican and has 
 efiiciently served four terms as Alderman and two 
 3'ears as Mayor of Watseka. He is a member of 
 Iroquois Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F.; Watseka Lodge 
 No. 146, A. F. A- \. M.; and also Williams Post 
 No. 2.5, G. A. R., of Watseka. His wife isa mem- 
 ber of the Presbyterian Church. The Captain has 
 made a faithful and capable Government olHcer, 
 and has discharged with ability and fidelity all 
 public duties devolving upon him. He is recog- 
 nized as a most worthy citizen, whose patriotic 
 record during the late war and his private and 
 ollicial life are deserving of high repute. 
 
 / 4^=^^=* 
 
 WiOIIN WESLEY HICKMAN, a rising young 
 farmer, widely and favorably known in Ash 
 Grove Township, resides on section 29. He 
 was born in Lovejoy Township, this county, 
 October 2, 1861, and isa son of .lames and Cornelia 
 (Meharry) Hickman. His father w.as a native of 
 Delaware, and when a young man emigrated U> 
 Indiana, his marriage taking place in Warren 
 County. His wife w.as born and reared near Attica, 
 Tippecanoe County. .Just after their marriage, 
 the^- emigrated to Illinois and settled on what is 
 now the old Hickman homestea<l, in Lovejoy 
 Township. The settlements in this community 
 were then widely scatt-ered and it was an uniin- 
 pioved frontier region. .Mr. Hickman secured one 
 
612 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 hundred and sixty acres of land from liis father, 
 purcliasingit at the usual price, and has since there 
 made his home, devoting his time and attention 
 to agricultural pursuits. He now owns one thou- 
 sand acres of good land and is numbeied among 
 the wealthy citizens of the comniunity. His life 
 has been a success, and by his enterprising and 
 well-directed efforts lie has secured a handsome 
 property. Himself and wife are active members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which 
 they have been connected for years. He takes a 
 very active ]>art in church and Sunday-school 
 work and has served as Superintendent of the 
 Sunday-school. In the Master's vineyard he is an 
 earnest laborer and is one of Nature's noblemen. 
 In politics, he was formerly a Republican and is 
 now a stalwart Prohibitionist. 
 
 In the Hickman family are seven children yet 
 living, and two now deceased. Mrs. Margaret 
 Mitchell resides near Boswell, Ind.; John W. is 
 the next younger; Lillie is the wife of 'N'olentine 
 Randolph, of this county; Eva, Lucy, Wilbcr and 
 T>uman are all at home. 
 
 .Tolm AVesley Hickman, whose name heads this 
 record, spent his boyhood days on the old home- 
 stead. His early education, Jicqaired in the com- 
 mon .schools, was supplemented by study in Onarga 
 Seminary, where he pursued a business course. 
 On attaining his majority, he bade good-bye to 
 home and started out for himself to earn his own 
 livelihood. Going to Champaign County, he there 
 engaged in farming on land given him b}' his fa- 
 ther, and after three years he removed to his pres- 
 ent farm, which has been his home continuously 
 since 188(). It comprises two hundred and forty- 
 acres of aralile land, and tiie entire amount is 
 under a high state of cultivation and well im- 
 proved. He also owns eighty acres in Champaign 
 County. 
 
 In 1885, in Warren County. Ind., Mr. Iliekinan 
 married Miss Hope Burr, a native of that county . 
 She comes from the same family to which Aaron 
 Burr belonged. Unto them have lieen born thiee 
 children: Pearl, Shirley and an infant, wiio are the 
 light of their parents' home. 
 
 In his political afliliations, Mr. Hickman is a 
 Republioau and his first Presidential vote was cast 
 
 in 1884 for James G. Blaine. Almost his entire 
 life has been passed in the county of his nativity, 
 and his stanchest friends are among those who 
 have known him from bo3'hood. He is held in 
 the highest respect and this esteem is well merited 
 by his many excellencies of character. 
 
 rSTIX F. PIERCE, a jeweler of Milford, 
 has the honor of being a native of Illinois. 
 The place of his birth was Ford County, 
 ^ and the date March 31, 1863. His father, 
 
 Charles Sanford Pierce, was born in Relioboth, 
 Mass., September 14, 1827, and after attaining to 
 mature years wedded Mary Lucinda Fowler, whose 
 birth occurred March 16, 1825, in New York City. 
 Mr. Pierce is now engaged in farming near Mil- 
 ford and is one of the highly respected citizens 
 of tile community. Of the Pierce family of seven 
 children, ]\Iary, the eldest, was born January 1, 
 1849, in Pawtucket,R. I.; Marian W.,born October 
 16, 1851, in Marshall County, 111., is the wife of W. 
 W. Dale, a jeweler of Terre Haute, Ind, and they 
 have eight sons, all living; Emma died in childhood ; 
 William F., born February .7, 1854, in Marshall 
 County, 111., died at the age of seven years; George 
 H., born December 12, 1856, in Livingston County-, 
 111., married Miss Laura Mahoney, daughter of 
 John Mahone^', of KirksStation, 111., and they reside 
 on a farm near Milford and have a family of seven 
 children, three sons and four daughters; Austin of 
 this sketch is the next -younger, and Charles H., 
 wiio was born December 1. 1868, in Ford County, 
 conipk'tes tlie family. He married Anna I'>o\(l. of 
 Terre Haute, Ind. 
 
 Austin Pierce, whose name heads this record, re- 
 mained on the home farm until about fifteen years 
 of age. At the age of eighteen he began serving 
 an apprenticeship to the jeweler's trade, working 
 with his brother-in-law, AV. W. Dale, then of Mil- 
 ford. After serving an apprenticeship of about 
 four years, Mr. Dale removed to Terre Haute, Ind., 
 Mr, Pierce succeeding him in business. Since 
 that time, or for a period of seven years, he has 
 been engaged in business for himself in this place. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAJL RECORD. 
 
 613 
 
 He began with a small .stock, but as his finaneial 
 resouifi's increased and his trade demanded it. he 
 cnlaro^ed his facilities and now has a well-appointed 
 store and is doing a good business. 
 
 On tiic 13th of April, 1885, Mr. I'lerce married 
 Miss Mary Brock, of Ash Grove, 111., where their 
 union was celebrated. The lady is a daughter of 
 Silas and Maria (Avers) IJrock, residents of Ash 
 Grove. Two children grace the union of our sub- 
 ject and his wife: Homer F. and .Silas E. The par- 
 ents are both members of the Christian Church, in 
 which thej- take quite an active interest. He is 
 also connected with some civic societies, holding 
 membership with Milford Lodge No. 211, K. P., 
 and with the jModern Woodmen of America. In 
 politics he votes with the Republican party but has 
 never been an otlice-seeker, preferring to devote his 
 time and attention exclusively to his business, in 
 which he is meeting with good success. Mr. Pierce 
 is a joung man, wide-awake and enterprising, and 
 his career will no doubt be a prosperous one. 
 
 J^l ACOB DIETER is a prominent farmer of 
 .\shkum Townshii), and has made his home 
 for twenty-two years on section 13. lie 
 was born on the IGth of .lanuary, 1841, in 
 Kleinhauser, Ilesse-Damstadt, Cierraany. He is a 
 son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Ilebener) Dieter. 
 The former was a farmer by occupation, and in 
 1816, taking passage at Havre, they made the voy- 
 age to America. They were forty-five days upon 
 Ihe broad Atlantic and cast anchor in New York 
 Harbor. From there they came Westward, lirsl to 
 Chicago, and from there they went to Dii Page 
 Count\-, III., where thej' settled on a farm. Their 
 (original purchase consisted of one hundred and 
 sixty .acres, which tract was slightly improved, and 
 had upon it a log cabin. Later the father purcli.ised 
 seventy acres additional, and spent the rest of his 
 life upon his pKace, engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits. His death occurred in 18(!8, at the age of 
 lifty.tive, but his wife is still living, residing upon 
 the old lif)mestead. He was a meinl)(>r of the Cath- 
 olic Church, as have beeu all Lis family. Politically 
 
 he atliliated with the Democratic jjarty. In their 
 family were seven sons, two of whom are now 
 deceased. Philip is in Chicago; >Iichael and Adam 
 are carrying on the home farm; A'alenline is the 
 Mayor of Naperville. 'i'he three youngest of the 
 family were born in .\mcrica. 
 
 .I.acob Dieter is the fourth in order of birth of 
 his father's family, and came with him to America 
 when he w.as a child of five years. He received 
 his education in both the English and German 
 schools of Du P.age County. His primary training 
 was acquired in one of the first schoolhouses er- 
 ected in the neighborhood where he lived. When 
 about sixteen years of age he left school, and re- 
 mained on the home farm until about thirty j-ears 
 of age. engage<l in helping his father in the duties 
 of the farm. 
 
 In Irocpiois County, on the 21)111 of September, 
 1871, Mr. Dieter wiis united in marriage with Eliz- 
 abeth Spitz. She was the daughter of Martin and 
 Elizabeth Spitz, and was born, reared and educated 
 in Du Page County, where her father is living at 
 eighty-three years of age. 'Mv. and .Mrs. Dieter were 
 in Chicago upon their wedding trip at the time 
 of the great fire. To them these children have 
 been born: Emma, who is at home, and was educated 
 in St. Peter's School of Chicago; .Matilda, who is 
 also at home, and is being educated at Kankakee; 
 .lacob, William, Elizabeth and Rose. The children 
 were all born upon the farm where they now re- 
 side, and were educated in the common schools. 
 The family are members of the Catholic Church of 
 Ashkuni, and are liberal in its support. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Dieter settled upon his 
 farm, which he had purclia.«cd four years previous. 
 At that time there were but few settlers, and the 
 prairie was wild and little improved. He com- 
 menced farming for himself on a tract of one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres, and has since increased it to 
 two hundred and fifty acres in a body, which is 
 well tiled and improved. He has upon it a good 
 home and other farm buildings, and has reached 
 independence and prosperity through his own 
 efforts and industry. He is a good agriculturist, 
 and u.ses enterprising and modern ideas in carry- 
 ing on Ills farm wfu'k. 
 
 Our subject's first Presidental ballot was cast for 
 
614 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 McClcllan in 186-1, and ever since that time he has 
 been a stanch supporter of tlie Democratic party. 
 He has never sought or accepted official positions. 
 For ten years he has been identified with the 
 schools of the township as a Director, and takes a 
 prominent part in educational wuri?. He has seen 
 and assisted in the development of this county, 
 and this brief sketch will be read by liundreds of 
 his fellow-citizens, who are all interested in his 
 success. 
 
 ,^^AMUEh F. EVERETT, who resides on 
 ^^^ section 22, Ridgeland Township, owns and 
 '■' operates a beautiful farm of one hundred 
 and thirt3' acres, which yields to him a 
 good income in return for the care and labor he 
 bestows u[)on it. lie has many excellent improve- 
 ments upon the place, such as .are found on a 
 model farm and which in connection with the 
 well-tilled fields attest the progressive spirit and 
 the enterprise of the owner, who is recognized as 
 one of the leading agriculturists of the commu- 
 nity, lie also engages in importing and breeding 
 horses. 
 
 The life record of Mr. Everett is as follows: He 
 was born in Windham County, Vt., on the 18th of 
 December, 1822, and is a son of Jacob and IMary 
 (Fish) Everett, whose family numbered ten chil- 
 dren: The eldest died in infancy; Warren died 
 in 18,52; Mary A. became the wife of Jesse Brown, 
 and died in 1851; Jeremiah departed this life in 
 1S9!; .loel S., who was a Congregational minister, 
 engaged in missionary work in foreign fields, and 
 died in 1860 at Constantinople; Eunice M., wife of 
 Dexter Marsh, a geologist, is living in Greenfield, 
 Mass.; Elizabeth is the wife of Simeon Blodgett, a 
 resident farmer of Deerfleld, Mass.; Susan is the 
 wife of Obid Ilall, a farmer living in the Green 
 Mountain State; Samuel F. is the next in order of 
 birth; and John D. is engaged in farming near 
 Deerfield. The mother of this family died in 
 
 1832, and the death of the father occurred in 
 1850, having survived his wife about eighteen 
 years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch received a coniinon- 
 school education, and by reading and obseivation 
 has become a well-informed man. He remained 
 under the i)ar3ntal roof until twenty j^ears of age, 
 when he left home and hired out to work on a 
 farm at $10 per month. He was thus employed 
 for three j^ears, after which he went to Worcester, 
 Mass., where he learned the trade of machinist and 
 spent the succeeding three years of his life. We 
 next find him a resident of Lawrence, Mass., where 
 he remained some seven years. In 1854, he moved 
 to Rochester, N. Y., and there worked at his trade 
 till he came to Illinois. Emigrating Westward in 
 1856, he stopped in Elgin, 111., where he worked at 
 his trade for a year. Upi.m coining to this State, 
 he purchased eighty acres of land, his present 
 home, to which he moved March 4, 1857. Since 
 that time, or for over a third of a century, he has 
 resided upon that farm. He first purchased eighty 
 acres of railroad land on section 22, Ridgeland 
 Township, but extended the boundaries of his 
 farm, as his financial resources were increased, by 
 the additional purchase of fifty acres. 
 
 On the 1st of December, 1850, ftlr. Everett w.as 
 married to Miss Harriet C. Sweet, daughter of Ed- 
 ward and S3'lvia (Crane) Sweet. Mrs, Everett was 
 l)orn in Bristol, Vt., March 27, 1825. Her father 
 was born in Pownel, and her mother in Bethel, Vt., 
 in which State both spent their lives. Of their 
 twelve children, only four live: Mrs Everett, 
 Mrs, Jane S, Sutliff, of Lawrence, Kan,; Mrs, Adel- 
 iza M, Brooks, of Denver, CU)lo.; and John C, a 
 farmer of Arlington, Ore. Five children have 
 been born of this union: Jennie, who died in 
 1857; Carrie P., wife of John Hobbis, a farmei' re- 
 siding in North Dakota; Edward S., who graduated 
 from the commercial and scientific departments of 
 the Grand Prairie Seminary, is living at home; 
 Charles W., who takes a prominent i)ait in the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church work, graduated from 
 Onarga Seminary, also Del'auw University, of 
 Greencastle, Ind. After finishing his education 
 he was Principal of the public schools of Onarga 
 for two years, and then went to Denver, Colo,, 
 

 ^^^^-^^-6.^^ 
 
 "^' 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 617 
 
 nnd after studying law in the office of Patter- 
 son & Kdsall, was admitted into the firm as 
 a [lartner. llattic C, wiio is an active woriier in 
 the I'reslivterian Church, is at liome. 
 
 Mr. a.iu\ Jlrs. Everett attend the Metiiodist 
 Church, and in political sentiments, he isaRepubli- 
 can. A j)ublic-spiriled and progressive citizen, he 
 takes an active interest in all that pertains to the 
 welfare of the community, where for thirty-five 
 j-ears he has made his home and is held in high 
 regard. 
 
 \fl ^ ENRY Bl'SlI, who is engaged in agricul- 
 
 lljji tural pursuits on his farm, which is located 
 i£)^' on section 29, Douglas Township, is a na- 
 (^)) tive of the Buckeye State, his birth having 
 occurred in Muskingum County, on the 25th day 
 of February, 183,5. He is a son of William and 
 Sarah Bush. The latter in her maidenhood bore 
 the name of McC'larey. The father was born in 
 Harrison County, Oliio, while tlie mother was a 
 native of Maryland. The former followed the oc- 
 cupation of farming. In 1860, he moved by 
 teams to Hlinois and located in Putnam, where he 
 became well-to-do. He was a Democrat in politics, 
 and his wife was a member of the Methodist 
 Church. Mr. Bush sprang from Quakerstock. He 
 died when he had attained his seventy-.seventh 
 year, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty- 
 five. They had a family of eight children. Deb- 
 orah married William P. Spencer, who was born 
 in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 8, 1832, and in 
 1866 came to La Salle County, where he followed 
 farming for a livelihood. He was a Republican in 
 politics and was an honored member of the Ma- 
 sonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities. On the 24th 
 of March, 1869, he was called to his final rest, leav- 
 ing two children, Mary L. and William I. Mrs. 
 Spencer now makes her home with our subject, and 
 is therefore identified with the interests and his- 
 tory of Iroquois Count}-. 
 
 In order of birth Henry Bush is the second ciiild 
 in his father's family. A sister, Sarah A., who is 
 tiio wife f)f .Joseph Bush, also lives in Douglas 
 
 28 
 
 Township. John is a farmer of Putnam County, 
 111., and Lizzie makes her home in the same county. 
 Catherine married Mark Purviance and died in 
 Iowa. Mary died when a young lady, and .lane 
 lives in Pu'nam County. 
 
 Our subject was reared to the usual hard labor 
 of farm life, leceiving such education as could be 
 obtained in the district schools of that period. 
 When twenty-two years of age, starting in the ac- 
 tive business of life for himself, be began farming 
 on a rented place. The first land he owned was a 
 tract of eighty acres of wild land, which he broke 
 and improved and then sold. Having purchased 
 his i)resenl farm in company with his brother 
 John, he located on it in 1880. He has erected 
 many outbuildings and has otherwise improved 
 the place. He is tiling it throughout in a .system- 
 atic manner and has made of his farm one of the 
 best in the township. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Bush's sympathies are with the 
 Democratic party, but he h.as never been a man to 
 push himself forward for oflicial recognition. He 
 is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church of La Hogue, being a Trustee of the same. 
 By his business dealings with his fellow-citizens 
 he has won the reputation of being a man of strict 
 integritj' and honor and is well and favorably 
 known throughout this section. 
 
 -^ -=^^^>- ^<-^^-!- 
 
 ILLI.VM LONG, an enterprising .and highly 
 respected farmer, who resides on section 
 ^^(' 27,Lovejoy Township, is of English birth. 
 He was born on the 27th of October, 1827, in Dev- 
 onshire, En-rland, and is a son of AV'^illiam and 
 Jane (Lockyer) Long. His father was also born 
 in the same locality as our subject, and through- 
 out his entire life followed agricultural pursuits. 
 On crossing the .Vtlantic he first located in Can- 
 ada, where he remained from 1832 until 18-1.5, 
 when he took up his residence in Kendall County, 
 111. He died at the .age of si.\ty-nino years. His 
 wife was also born in Devonshire, and w.as called 
 to her final rest at the age of sixty-three years. 
 He was a incniber of the Latter Dav Saints, and 
 
618 
 
 PORTRAl'I AND BI0C4RAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 she held membership with the Methodist Church. 
 Unto them were liorn six children, four sons and 
 two daughters, but all are now deceased with the 
 exception of our subject and his sister Ann, wife 
 of .lolin Godwin, a resident farmer of La Salle 
 County, 111. 
 
 We now take up the personal histor_y of our 
 subject, who was only four years of age when his 
 parents left their Tiative land and emigrated to 
 Canada, where his boyhood days were passed and 
 his education was acquired. Me was a young man 
 of seventeen years wiieu he became a resident of 
 Kendall County, 111. Subsequently he removed to 
 La Salle County, where he engaged in farming for 
 eighteen years. He commenced life with a capital 
 of only #200, but b}' his industry, enterprise and 
 good management and the assistance of his esti- 
 mable wife he has worked Ills way upward to a 
 position of affluence. 
 
 Mr. Long was married on the 27th of Septem- 
 ber, 1849, to Miss jMargaret Stewart, a native of 
 Canada, who resided in that country until seven- 
 teen years of age. Her father, Charles Stewart, is 
 a native of Pennsylvania, and farming has been 
 his ciiief occupation through life. He is now liv- 
 ing, at the advanced age of ninelj' years. His 
 wife, who was born in Canada, is now deceased. 
 There were thirteen children in their family, three 
 sons and ten daughters, of whom seven are yet liv- 
 ing. IMrs. Long is the eldest; Clarissa is the wife 
 of Wells Morey, a farmer of Indiana; Charles re- 
 sides in Canada; Melinda is the wife of George 
 .Jeffery, of Canada; Eliza Ann is the wife of John 
 Thompson, who is living in Canada; Thomas re- 
 sides in the same country; and Nellie is the wife 
 of John Bruner, of Canada. Seven children 
 graced the union of our subject and his wife, four 
 sons and three daughters, of whom five are living: 
 Mary Jane is the wife of Aaron B. Fry, a fajiner 
 of La Salle County; Hariiet is the wife of William 
 Linfoot, a farmer of Prairie (iieen Township; 
 Newton is married and follows farming in Love- 
 joy Township; Harry is married and oi)erates tlie 
 home farm; and Maggie is still un<lcr the parental 
 roof. 
 
 Mr. iiOng has always been a stanch suppcu'ter of 
 the Hepublican party. He Inis .served as School 
 
 Director, but has never been a politician in the 
 sense of office-seeking. Himself and wife are mem- 
 bers of the Church of L.atter Day Saints in La Salle 
 County. Tlicii farm comprises three hundred and 
 twent}' acres of rich land under a high state of 
 cultivation and well improved, and its neat aj)- 
 pearance indicates his thrift and ehterpri.se. He 
 is a man of strict integrity; his word is as good as 
 his bond, and his friends are many. 
 
 
 
 J^! NDKEW L. CARTER, wlio is now living 
 WlUli in Cissna Park, was born in Guernsey 
 County, Ohio, July 2.5, 1835. His father, 
 James Carter, was also a native of the 
 Buckeye State and was reared upon a farm; he also 
 learned the blacksmith 's trade in his youth. He mar- 
 ried Miss Nancy Ilaskett, a native of Alexandria, 
 Va.,who when a child went with her parents to Ohio. 
 Her father served in the War of 1812 and her 
 grandfather served in the Revolution under (Jen. 
 Putnam. In 1853, the parents of our subject re- 
 moved to Benton County, Ind., and in February, 
 1856, came to Iroquois County by team. The 
 members of the family settled on different farms 
 in Artesia and Pigeon Grove Townships. The 
 county was wild and unimproved, the settlements 
 were few, and one could ride for miles over the 
 prairies without fences or buildings to impede 
 progress. Mr. Carter improved several farms in this 
 locality and also engaged in blacksmithing. His 
 death occurred at Forest, Livingston County, and 
 Ills wife died at the home of her son. In politics, 
 he was a Whig and afterward a Republican, and 
 he and his wife were both active members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 In the Carter family were three sons and a 
 daughter, of whom our subject is the eldest. Will- 
 iam S., who was born in Ohio and for three years 
 during the late war served in the Twenty-sixth 
 Indiana Infantry, w.as wounded in the ankle at 
 Vicksburg and died as the result of his injuries 
 in Buckley, TIL; Elizabeth died in Ross County, 
 Ohio, at the age of fifteen years; James M. is en- 
 gaged in merchandising in Forest, 111. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 (;i9 
 
 Andrew Carter spent his earl\- boyhood days in 
 Ohio. His advantages were indeed meagre; he 
 probably never attended scliool more than seven- 
 teen days in his life, but educated himself through 
 his own efforts and also taught his father t() read. 
 In 185:5 he went to Indiana, driving a herd of cat- 
 tle to Benton County-. He had previousl3- been 
 there and had earned his first money by splitting 
 rails at thirty-seven and one-half cents per hun- 
 dred. In the spring of 1854, he returned to Ohio 
 and brought his parents to the Hoosier State, and 
 two years later the}- all came together to Irofiuois 
 County. Mr. Carter was married in Benton Countj^ 
 September 20, 1855, to Lucinda Ladd. who was 
 born September 1.3, 1835, and reared in Pike 
 County, Ohio, 
 
 On the 22d of July, 1862, Mr. Carter enlisted at 
 Ash Grove, in Company K, Seventy-sixth Illinois 
 Infantry, under Capt. Joseph Davis and Col. A. W. 
 Mack, of Kankakee. He bade good-bye to his fam- 
 ily, and at Kankakee joined the regiment, which 
 was the first in the field after the call for troops in 
 18C2. They went to Columbus, Ky., thence to 
 Bolivar and afterward to La Grange, Tenn, .Sub- 
 sequently, they went to Yicksburg, Miss., and for 
 forty days and nights our subject participated in 
 tbe siege of that city, being present at its surren- 
 der on the 4tli of July, He now has in his posses- 
 sion a piece of the tree under which tlie surrender 
 took place. The Seventy-sixth Regiment next 
 participated in the battle of Jackson under Gen. 
 Sherman, then made a forced march back to Yicks- 
 burg, and thence went to ><atchez. With Sherman 
 the}- participated in the Meridian campaign from 
 the 3d of February until the 4th of March, and 
 Mr. Carter was made First .Sergeant of the com- 
 pany. The regiment was afterward transferred 
 from Sherman's army to (Jen. .Smith's command to 
 aid in the Red River Expedition. Subsequently, 
 lliey went up the Yazoo River and participated in 
 the battles of Burton, Danville and Yazoo Cit}'. 
 On the 1st of July, 1864, they started for Jackson- 
 ville under Gen. Slocum. A sharp fight occurred 
 on the 7th iind the regiment was cut off from the 
 command, but it cut its way through the rebel 
 lines again, losing, however, one hundred and one 
 men. Tiny went up the Mississippi to the moulli 
 
 of the White Hiver and then to Jlemphis to drive 
 off Forrest. On the 31st of December, 1864, the 
 troO|)S boarded a steamer for New Orleans and 
 from there went to Mobile Bay and Pensaeola, 
 They participated in the capture of Ft. Blakely, 
 having marched through the swamps and endured 
 many hardships. The Seventy -sixth Keginient 
 charged the works, ca|)tured the garrison and 
 planted the first flag, but the company to which 
 Mr. Carter belonged lost one-half of its number. 
 He had his clothes pierced four times, thus nar- 
 rowly escaping. This wa.s the last important bat- 
 tle in which he participated. He was a valiant 
 and faithful soldier, ever found at his post of 
 duty, and for meritorious conduct was commis- 
 sioned Second Lieutenant. 
 
 .Since the war, Mr. Carter h.as made his home con- 
 tinuouslv in this community, with the exception of 
 four years spent in the West, from 1880 until 1884. 
 lie has traveled extensively in the West and for 
 two years engaged in mining in Colorado, he and 
 three others going into the Grand River country 
 in the midst of the Indians. Of late years, he has 
 resided in Cissna Park, where he has a comfortable 
 home. 
 
 Unto Mr. .-md Mrs. Carti'r have been born seven 
 children: Arthur E., a railroad engineer residing in 
 St. Louis; Margaret J., deceased, wife of Thom.as 
 Mell; Andrew M., a photographer of Cissna Park; 
 JVIary E., wife of Andrew I'oleson, a farmer of 
 Hastings, Neb.; AYadsworth, who is living in Ar- 
 gentine, Ark.; Edward, who lives in Il.astings; and 
 Lero}- at home. 
 
 Mr.Carter is P.ast Post Commander of (i. H. Neeld 
 Post No. 576, G. A.K.,and has filled all the offices 
 in the Knights of P^'thias Lodge to which he be- 
 longs. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
 Abraham Lincoln, whom he saw in La Fayette, 
 Ind.,and has since been a stalwart Hepublican. He 
 was a great admirer of John A. Logan, whom lie 
 thinks w.as the most brilliant military character of 
 the late war. For a time, he was under his com- 
 mand, knew the General persoDally, and warned 
 him .ibout crossing a hill at Yicksburg. For thirty- 
 six years. Mr. Carter has resided in this county 
 and is numbered among its honored |)ioneers. He 
 has experienced all the hardships ami trials of 
 
620 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 frontier life, Iims ever borne his part in the up- 
 l)nihiiiig and development of the county, and is a 
 leading citizen of the community, highly respected 
 foi' his stcrliue wortli. 
 
 ' SA BERRY ROFF, an honored pioneer of 
 1 roqiiois County, now Police Magistrate 
 and ex-ofticio .lustice of the Peace of Wat- 
 "^J seka, was horn in Morris County, N. J., 
 
 September 13, 1818, and is a son of Joseph and 
 Mary (Conger) Roff. When our subject was but 
 a child of three years, he accompanied his parents 
 to Newark, N. Y., where his father died three 
 years later, leaving his widow and children in de- 
 pendent circumstances. After the father's death, 
 the mother returned with her family to New .Jersey, 
 where Asa was taken by an uncle to be reared. 
 
 When he was thirteen j-ears of age, our subject 
 was apprenticed by an uncle to a shoemaker and 
 learned that trade, his term of service expiring at 
 the age of nineteen years. He started out for 
 himself with a cash capital of $2. 25. His first 
 stopping place was Albany, N. Y\, where he worked 
 for a time, and then started to Michigan, locating 
 in Washtenaw County, that- Slate. On the 2d of 
 March, 1839, he set out for Indiana, traveling on 
 foot to Ft. Wayne. Not finding emplo.yment 
 there, he went to Logansport of the same State, 
 where he worked that summer. In August, with 
 his brother, he went down the river in canoes 
 which they had themselves manufactured, to In- 
 dependence, where he made a settlement. He was 
 there married, January 3, 1841, to Miss Ann Fen- 
 ton, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Eleaser 
 Fenton. 
 
 Mr. Roff continued to reside in Warren C^ounty, 
 Ind., where he was engaged in the boot and shoe 
 business until the fall of 1817. He then came to 
 Iroquois County, 111., arriving in Middle|)ort, then 
 the county seat, on the 3d of September. Ho 
 opened a shoe-shop in that place and continued 
 business there until 18,i2, when he bought an in- 
 terest in a sawmill, in what is now Watseka, and 
 was engaged iij the mjvuiifa(;tui'f' (>f luniber for 
 
 eighteen months. In early life, lie was a Whig in 
 politics, and was appointed Postmaster of Middle- 
 port in 1849, serving in that capacity four years. 
 In 1854, he was elected Sheriff and was ex-ofiicio 
 Collector for Iroquois County for two j-ears. The 
 county was not then under township oiganization. 
 He read law and was admitted to the Bar in the 
 spring of 1857, entering upon the practice of liis 
 profession as a partner of Robert Doyle, with 
 whom he was connected for several years. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Roff were blessed with a family- of 
 ten children, but only four are now living: Will- 
 iam A., the eldest, died at the age of two years; 
 George W. died in infancy; Minerva R. became 
 the wife of Dr. H. H. Alter, who is Assistant Cashiei- 
 of the First National Bank of Watseka, and the lady 
 herself is proprietor of a well-stocked book and 
 stationery store, which she conducts in a success- 
 ful and business like manner; Mary E. died at the 
 .age of nineteen years. A remarkable cure of an al- 
 leged insane girl of Watseka is credited to the lat- 
 ter 's spiritual influence some twelve years after her 
 death, a full account of which is published in 
 l)amplilet form, under the title of "The Watseka 
 Wonder." Frances L. died in infancy. Joseph A. 
 married Ella Eddinger and is the present General 
 Freight Agent at Council Bluffs, Iowa, for the Chi- 
 cago & Rock Island Railroad. Fenton E. is book- 
 keeper in the Citizens' State Bank of Council 
 Bluffs, Iowa. Gajiord A. died at the age of one 
 and a-half years. Frank J. resides in Kans.as Cit\'. 
 Charles C. died May 29, 1885, when nearly tweiitv- 
 four years of age. 
 
 In the spring of 1857, Mr. Roff', on .account of 
 the ill health of his son Joseph, took his family to 
 Texas, hoping for benefit for the Invalid from a 
 change of climate, and was gone about a year. On 
 his return to Middleport, he engaged 'in the prac- 
 tice of law. When the South Middleport, or Wat- 
 seka, postolllce was established in 1863, he was ap- 
 pointed its first Postmaster and served until 1866. 
 He was elected Justice of the Peace, but resigned 
 the office in June, 1879, removing to Garden City, 
 Kan., near where his sons had made claims and in- 
 vested considerable money. He was disappointed, 
 however, in finding the climate too dry for profit- 
 ably farming, and reniovef] to Emporia of the same 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 r,2i 
 
 .state, where he spent a year. He next went to 
 Council Hluff:*, Iowa, where lie re.sided two yeaiTS. 
 and subsequently located in Kansas City, where he 
 made his home until 18«5. lie then returned to 
 Watseka, where he has since resided. 
 
 In the spring of 1889, Mr. Koff was elected 
 Police Magistrate for a term of four years, and is 
 ex-oflicio Justice of the Peace. A year or two be- 
 fore the death of the late Hon. Micajah Stanley, 
 Mr. Roff was, at that gentleman's request, ap|)ointed 
 conservator of his estate. The duties of the posi- 
 tion were intricate and delicate, owing to the ex- 
 tent and variet}' of property interests involved 
 and the complicated condition of Mr. Stanley's 
 business affairs. Mr. Hoff proved equal to the re- 
 sponsible duties of the position and si'ttled up the 
 business justly and fairly, and greatly to the ad- 
 vantage of the estate. 
 
 In politics, our subject was a Republican until 
 1872, since which time he has voted independently, 
 but generally supports the Democratic candidates. 
 He was the first Odd P'ellow to settle in Iroquois 
 County, and was a charter member of Iroquois 
 Lodge No. 74, of which he was the first Xoble 
 Orand. He joined the Masonic order in Onarga 
 in 1858, and is now a member of Watseka Lodge 
 No. f IG. A. V. i: A. M., and Watseka Chapter No. 
 m. R. A. .M. 
 
 Jlr. Roff erected the first frame house on the site 
 of Watseka, built the first fine brick residence in 
 the town, and was at one time a large property 
 owner. In an early da}-, believing that farming 
 lands in Eastern Illinois were bound to advance 
 raitidly in value, he invested extensively in raw 
 land, on which he paid only ])art down. Much of 
 this land he .sold at a good advance to actual set- 
 tlors, but on small payments down and subject, of 
 course, to the first mortgage, securing himself by a 
 second. Ordinarily, this arrangement would be 
 perfectly safe, but a succession of wet seasons 
 prevented the settlers from securing crops and 
 consequently from paying their interest. In the 
 meantime, in order to protect himself, Mr. Roff, 
 while receiving uo interest, was obliged to pay in- 
 terest on the first mortgage. This condition of 
 things continued four yeai-s. About this time, the 
 .financial troubles of 187:$, 187-1 and 1875 came on, 
 
 depreciating values and making sales of realty 
 difficult. I'nder the circumstances, Mr. Roff iiad 
 to submit to foreclosure and loss of the property, 
 while holding some *2(i,0i)0 worth of paper against 
 the property which was made worthless. In this 
 manner he has sustained the loss of a large and 
 valuable property which caused his financial ruin, 
 from which he has never recovered. In spite of 
 his business misfortunes, Mr. Roff has maintained 
 his usual cheerfulness, and has made the best of 
 life, as has liis worthy wife, never allowing their 
 troubles to sour them or to change their liappy 
 family relations or friendships. Probably no n'an 
 to-d.ay is more highly esteemed in the community 
 or enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow- 
 citizens in a fuller degree than the subject of this 
 sketch. He is generous to a fault, just, considerate 
 and independent. He practices what he teaches, as 
 bis neighbors know, and lets the broad mantle of 
 charity cover a multitude of faults, rather than 
 condemn too severelv the erring. 
 
 i' , (^11 N C. FOWLER is a prominent contrac- 
 tor and builder, and also occupies the posi- 
 tion of Police Magistrate, and is the i)resent 
 'f^df'' Postmaster of Ashkuni. His birth occurred 
 in Monongalia County, W. \'a., on the 6th of 
 October, 18.38. He is a .son of John and .Sarah 15. 
 (Costello) Fowler, both natives of A'irginia. The 
 grandfather of our subject, Nehemiali Fowler, w.as 
 born in the United States, but was of Enalish de- 
 scent. A family of this name settled in N'irginia 
 at an early day. 
 
 John Fowler, .Sr.. was a wagoii-inaker by trade, 
 and was also a carpenter. He removed to Jack- 
 son County, Ohio, about 1850, where he was one 
 of the pioneers, and where his brother iiad set- 
 tled some yeai-s previous. He followed his trade 
 there for over twenty ^ears, and was highly h<jn- 
 ored and beloved in that section of the country. 
 He departed this life in 1872. His wife, who was 
 of Irish parentage, died several years before his 
 removal to Ohio. 
 
622 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 Our subject is the ouly son of a family of six 
 cbiidrcn, who grew to mature years and are still 
 living, lie reached man's estate in Jaclison County 
 and had the advantage of a good common-school 
 and higher education at the Ohio University at 
 Athens. After completing his studies, he engaged 
 in teaching in the Ohio scliools for about a year, 
 and then turned his attention to carpentering, 
 whicli trade he had learned 'with his fatlier in 
 early life. At that occupation he continued until 
 the breaking out of tlie Civil War. , 
 
 In Februar,y, 1863, Mr. Fowler enlisted in the 
 One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Infantry, lie- 
 coming a member of Company B. He was with 
 his regiment in the Shenandoah Valley and par- 
 ticipated in several skirmishes, but was in no reg- 
 ular battle. He served until the close of the war, 
 receiving his discharge in December, 1865, at 
 Columbus, Ohio, after which he returned home and 
 joined his family in Gallia Count}'. 
 
 On the 25th of August, 1859, Mr. Fowler had 
 married Miss Amanda R. Badgeley, who was 
 born and grew to womanhood in Gallia County, 
 Ohio. She was a daughter of George Badgeley, an 
 esteemed resident of that section. Unto Mr. and 
 Mrs. Fowler five children have been born: George 
 N. is married and resides in Kappa, 111., wheie 
 he is a railroad agent. He is a young man of 
 good education and business ability. Lillie E. is 
 a successful teacher; Sarah is the efficient Deputy 
 Postmistress of Aslikura; Ella, who resides at home, 
 is an artist and does both fine needle-work and 
 painting; Willie is still under the parental roof. 
 
 Until 1868, Mr. Fowler engaged in contracting 
 and building in Ohio, but in the spring of that 
 year emigrated to Illinois, arriving in Iroquois 
 County in March. He located first on a farm one 
 mile west of Ashkuni, where he built a residence 
 and oi)ened up and improved his land, still con- 
 tinuing his business of contracting and building. 
 About th'' year 1873, he removed to tiie village 
 of Ashkum and built a residence here. He has 
 been a contractor and builder in this county for 
 many years, and many residences, business houses 
 and other structures in this locality show his 
 architectural skill and handiwork. 
 
 Mr. Fowler, though formerly a Democrat, is 
 
 now a supporter of the Republican party. He 
 has held a number of official positions of trust 
 and honor, and has proved himself admirably 
 qualified to discharge the duties of such. He was 
 first elected to serve as Collector, and was then 
 made Assessor. He has served as Police Magis- 
 trate for sixteen consecutive years with fidelity 
 and zeal. He was also appointed Census Enumer- 
 ator in both 1880 and 1890. He was appointed 
 Postmaster of Ashkum in February, 1891, and still 
 occupies that position. He takes an active inter- 
 est in political and local affairs, and has served 
 as a delegate to numerous county conventions. 
 Mrs. Fowler and her daughters are members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among 
 its best workers. Mr. Fowler is a member of the 
 Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ashkum, 
 of which he is Past Grand. He is now serving 
 as the Secretary of the lodge. He is a represent- 
 ative citizen of the communit\', and has won the 
 confidence and respect of all with whom he has 
 come in contact by his u|)right and sterling quali- 
 ties. 
 
 m 
 
 ■^^ AVID BIcGILL, President of the First 
 ) National Bank of Watseka, and an hon- 
 ored pioneer of Iroquois County, was 
 born in the city of Newport, R. I.. March 
 2, 1831, and with his parents emigrated to Illinois 
 in 1838. After a short time spent in Chicago they 
 settled on Government land in what was then 
 known as Hawkins' Settlement, near Bourbonnais 
 Grove, at that time a part of Iroquois County. The 
 father of our subject had bought a claim, the land 
 not then being in the market, and began to improve 
 it. The summer of 1839 proved to be very hot 
 and dry and the most unhealthy season ever known 
 in the Kankakee Valle3',almostentire families being 
 carried off by bilious or miasmatic fevers. The 
 father, mother and one brother of our subject died 
 within a short time, leaving four small children, 
 too young to care for themselves, to be cast upon 
 the charity of a stricken and demoralized com- 
 munity. David and his sister were cared for b}' 
 Squire Hill, who kept a tavern up the river near 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 f:23 
 
 tlie old Hubbard trail leading from Chicago to 
 Danville and on the site of the present city of 
 .Alomence. Over this trail all the produce of tlie 
 country was liauled by wagon to Chicago. It so 
 happened that John Strean, a pioneer of Belmont 
 Township, Iroipiois County, was returning from 
 market and stopped with Mr. Hill. Learning the 
 story of David's misfortune, and liking his appear- 
 ance, he asked the boy to go home with him to live, 
 arrangements to that effect being made. 
 
 Our subject continued to live with his benefac- 
 tor until twenty-one years of age and b\' his fidel- 
 ity and industry fully juslilied llie good impres- 
 sion Mr. Strean had formed of him. His intelli- 
 gence, honesty of purpose and prudent care for 
 the interests of his kind patron, entirely won the 
 confidence of Mr. Strean, who made David the 
 manager of his large farm and all the stock it con- 
 tained. Mrs. Strean, or "Aunt .lane" as she w.-is 
 familiarly called, doted on the boy, for he was not 
 onh' industrious, but was kind and considerate to 
 the members of the family. In his early years, 
 owing to the spai-sely settled condition of the 
 county and i)overty of the new settlers, David 
 found little advantage of education, but when of 
 age, with his limited savings he determined to do 
 what he could to remedy the loss which he had 
 sustained. He became a student of Asbury, now 
 De Pauw, I'niversity, of Orcencastle, Jnd. He 
 studied hard and made the best use of his time, 
 and when forced to discontinue his studies for the 
 want of means to complete the course, he engaged 
 actively in farming in Helmont Township and 
 soon accumulated sullicient means to make tlie 
 first p.ayment on a farm of his own. He pushed 
 his farm work with energy, raised stock and 
 cleared himself of debt. 
 
 On the irjth of November, 18.5o, .Mr. McGill 
 was married in Belmont To« nship to Miss Jane 
 Wagner. She was born in that township and is a 
 daughter of Jacob and Charlotte Wagnei-, bolh 
 now deceased. Having established a reputation 
 for industry and integrity, Mr. .McClill was offered 
 tlie use of capital to invest as he saw fit. He ac- 
 cepted the offer and purcliased land, then selling 
 at a low figure. As he could dispose of his prop- 
 erty to advantage and good [trofit, he did so and 
 
 paid off his obligations or bought more land until 
 he owned in his own right a large niiinher of 
 acres. His possessions now aggregate eleven hun- 
 dred and sixty acres, all in Iro(|Uois County. In 
 1H70, he removed to Watseka and became asst)- 
 ciated with Maj. fJeorge C. Harrington in the es- 
 tablishment of the First National Hank of that 
 place, of which he was chosen Vice-president, and 
 since IHltO he has been its President. A history 
 of the bank Is given clseivhere in this work. 
 
 Mr. McCill and his wife have been blessed with 
 a family of eight children, three sons and five 
 daughters, of whom all are living except one son. 
 Clara, the eldest, is the wife of R. W. Hilsclier, a 
 prominent lawyer of AVatseka, and lately .State's 
 Attorney for Irociuf>is County; Thurston married 
 Miss llettie Martin and is a grain and coal mer- 
 chant of Watseka; Dora is the wife of George W. 
 Kaslburn, a banker of Sheldon, III.; Lida married 
 Porter Martin, a merchant of Watseka; Minnie is 
 a student in DePauw rniversity; Fred is employed 
 in the bank with his father; Bertie, twin brother 
 of Fred, died when eight months old; and As- 
 enatli, the youngest, is attending the Wal.seka High 
 School, 
 
 Mr, McCill was chosen Assessor at the first elec- 
 tion under township organization. He repre- 
 .sented Belmont Township for two years in the 
 County Hoard and was a recognized leader in that 
 body. For four years he held the ofhce of Assist- 
 ant United Slates .Vssessor for his district under 
 President Lincoln, but was removed under John- 
 son's administration, he being a Kepulilican up to 
 the time of the Independent movement in 1872, 
 and was reappointed under (Grant's first administra- 
 tion. Mr. Mcfiill is a member of Watseka Lodge No. 
 446, .'V. F. A A. M. His family are members of 
 the Methodist Church, to which he has contributed 
 very liberally. 
 
 The history of the life of this worthy man 
 teaches a moral and should serve to encourage the 
 young who are left in want of friends and fortune. 
 In the tender years of childhood he was left to 
 fight the battle of life as best he couhl, friendless 
 and penniless. To be sure he was fortunate in 
 falling into good hands, but had he not possessed 
 the elements of character that won tlie confidence 
 
(J -2 4 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and trust of those worthy friends, it would have 
 served him but little. His success in life was won 
 by the sterling qualities of integrity, industry and 
 a conscientious regard for the faithful discharge 
 of all trusts reposed in him and for the duty of 
 the hour, however distasteful or arduous it may 
 have been. He possesses great energy and earnest- 
 ness of purpose, sagacious and reliable judgment, 
 combined with forethought. With such elements 
 of character, backed by strict integrity and love of 
 justice, he could not fail of success. 
 
 /^^ HARLES F. RAPP, a well-known and promi- 
 (l(^L nent farmer residing on section 1, Ash 
 ^^^ Grove Township, claims Missouri as the 
 State of his nativitj'. He was born near St. Louis 
 on the 1 lib of .Septembei-, 184C. His father was 
 born in (Germany in 1819, and in his youth learned 
 the mason's trade. In 1841, he crossed the Atlan- 
 tic to New Orleans, made his way up the Missis- 
 sippi and located in St. Louis, where he was mar- 
 ried, in 1845, to Caroline Schwartz, who came to 
 America during her girlhood. Jacob Rapp worked 
 at the mason's trade until 1848, and in 1850 lie 
 embarked in farming in Marshall County. He 
 was afterward a resident of Bureau County, 111., 
 for eleven years, and then purchased a farm in 
 Woodford County. He is now living retired in 
 Minonk, 111. He has been an industrious and 
 hard-working man, but his enterprising efforts 
 have been at length successful. In religious be- 
 lief, he is a Lutheran, and in his political affilia- 
 tions he is a Democrat. His wife died .Tuly 7, 
 1872, at the age of forty-eight years. 
 
 In the Rapp family were four sons and three 
 daughters, of whom Charles F. is the eldest; Mary 
 is a resident of this State; John is a farmer of Liv- 
 ingston County; Sophia is the wife of Peter Wal- 
 ter, of Nebraska; Edward is a farmer of Living- 
 ston County; Emma is the wife of Philip Walter, 
 of Nebraska; and (ieorge resides on the old home- 
 stead in Wtiodford County. 
 
 Mr. Rapp, whose name heads this record, spent 
 his boyhoo'd days iu his native State and acquired 
 
 his education in its public schools. He was early 
 inured to hard labor. He remained at home until 
 twenty-three years of age, and then began farming 
 for himself, purchasing forty acres of land from his 
 father. He afterward bought another forty-acre 
 tract, and operated his farm in Livingston County 
 until 1882, when he sold out and came to Iroquois 
 County. He here purehased one hundred and 
 seventy-five acres of good land, and now has one 
 of the desirable farms of the community. His 
 home is a pleasant residence; his barns and out- 
 buildings are models of convenience; he has the 
 latest improved machinery'; many rods of tiling 
 have been laid, and the well-tilled fields yield to 
 him a golden tribute. In connection with the cul- 
 tivation of his land, he is also engaged in stock- 
 raising. 
 
 On the 15th of July, 18C9, Mr. Rapp was united 
 in marriage, in Woodford County, with Miss Lena 
 Miller, a native of Hanover, Germany, born No- 
 vember 6, 1848. She is a daughter of Simon 
 Miller, who was born in Hanover in 1819. He 
 married Gertrude Oslenburg, and emigrated to 
 America in 1874. He first located in Livingston 
 County, III., but is now residing in Champaign 
 County. The family numbered the following 
 children: Folke, who now resides in Germany; 
 Gertie, wife of Gerhardt Lennes, of Milford Town- 
 ship; Frank, of Champaign County; Barbara, who 
 is living in Nebraska; Mrs. Rapp; Grace, who re- 
 sides in Champaign County; and Gete, who lives 
 with her parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rapp have 
 been born twelve children: Jacob, born June 11, 
 1870, died in January, 1888, aged eighteen years; 
 Lizzie, born October 19, 1871, is the wife of Will- 
 iam Schaumburg,of Milford Township; Mina, born 
 January 11, 1873, is the wife of A. Smith, a farmer 
 of Crescent Township; Henry, born April 1,1874, 
 died in infancy; Mary, born July 24, 1876; Annie, 
 October 24, 1879; Gertrude, August 24, 1880; 
 Henry, February 7, 1882; Frank, October 20, 1884; 
 Sophia, May 18, 1886; Lena, March 5, 1888; 
 and Emma, February 15,1890. 
 
 During the late war Mr. Rapp wished to enter 
 the service, but as he was not of age his father 
 prevented him. He cast his first vote for Sey- 
 mour, and has since been a supporter of the Demo- 
 

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 cratic party, but lias never been an oHice-seeker. 
 He lias lived the quiet, unassuming life of a 
 fanner, and li_v his sterling worth has won the high 
 regard of all with whom he has been brought in 
 contact. His success in life is the reward of his 
 own efforts. lie started out to earn his own live- 
 lihood with no capital, but by perseverance, energy 
 and well-directed efforts he has achieved a com- 
 fortable competence, wliicli numbers him among 
 the substantial citizens of the communitv. 
 
 f <^=*^s« 
 
 ^s^EORGE I 
 f|| I—- and buil( 
 ""^[l Keystone 
 
 lEORGE McCANX, a well-known contractor 
 lilder of Gilman, is a native of the 
 le State, his birth having occurred 
 July 15, 184(5, in Dauphin County. He is a son of 
 John and Rachel (Martin) McCniin. His father 
 was born in Dauphin County and was of Scotch 
 descent, while his mother was a native of Lan- 
 caster County. Their marriage w:is celebrated at 
 Elizabethlown, Pa. For a livelihood, the father 
 followed the milling business, and died when about 
 thirty-six yeai-s of age, leaving one son, our sub- 
 ject. Mrs. McCann afterward married a Mr. 
 Sweigert and had one daughter. After liis death, 
 she was joined in wedlock with Daniel .Sanders, by 
 whom she had six children, two sons and four 
 daughters. .She is still living at JIarysville, Pa. 
 
 Our subject was reared on a farm and received 
 very limited educational advantages in his earl^' 
 life, attending school but a few weeks each year. 
 Until about fifteen jears old, he lived with his 
 grandfather Martin. At that time, he worked for 
 wages on a farm. When seventeen years of age, 
 lie a|)preiiticed himself to learn the carpenter's and 
 joiner's trade, serving three years. Prom the first 
 he received ?1 per day, and during harvest time 
 had four weeks to work for himself. Having com- 
 pleted his apprenticeshij), he still worked a year 
 and a-half under instruction. In 1871, he came 
 to Illinois, and in June of that year arrived in Gil- 
 man, where for over twenty years he has made his 
 home. 
 
 On the 28th of .September, 1871, he married .Miss 
 
 Elizabeth I'ricli, a daughter of Saiimel and Sarah 
 (Scheier) Trich, both of whom are natives of 
 Pennsylvania and of (Jerman descent. Mrs. Mc- 
 Cann is one of eleven children. of whom four were 
 sons and seven daughters. She was born in 
 Dauphin County, Pa., November 28, 1849, and 
 came to Gilman in 1871. To them have been born 
 four children: .lohn assists his father; George A. 
 is learning the carpenter's trade; Prank and Paii- 
 nie A. 
 
 Both Mr. McCann and his wife are members 
 of the Presbyterian Church, where the\- are ear- 
 nest workers and of which he is an Elder. Politic- 
 j all}', he was a Republican until 1886, since which 
 I time he has been a Prohibitionist. .Socially, he is 
 a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. For 
 twent\--nine years, he has worked at his trade and 
 is accounted a skillful mechanic and a reliable 
 ! contractor. Among the best buildings he has 
 I erected are those belonging to Iloleh. West, Kni- 
 bloc and Ashman, residents of (iilman, besides 
 some of the best residences in the county. He has 
 I erected the Lutheran, Baptist and Presbyterian 
 Churches, and completed the Methodist Church. 
 I He is recognized as the leading contractor of Gil- 
 man, and Ins business abilities are such as have 
 won him success and have made him one of the 
 honored and substantial citizens of this commun- 
 ity. 
 
 •^1 
 
 M' 
 
 ^fjOIlN' B. M'lLSOX, who resides on section 7, 
 Lovejoy Township, has long been one of 
 th5 prominent and inlluential citizens of 
 ^^MfJ Iroquois County, and is widely known 
 throughout the State as well. He needs no special 
 introduction to the people of this locality, for he 
 has been so prominent in public affairs and has aided 
 so materi.all}' in the upbuilding and development 
 of the county and the promotion of its best inter- 
 ests, that he is known personally or by reputation 
 to all. 
 
 Mr. Wilson wa.-. born in Warren County, Ind., 
 April 7, 1836. His father, Lewis AVilson, a native 
 of Cabell County, W. Va., was born in 181 1. He 
 was reared near Bismarck, 111.. and w.is educated in 
 
628 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the primitive scliools of the frontier. In June, 
 1836, lie went to tlie lead mines near Galena, 111., 
 and Dodgeville, Wis. In 1838, he removed with 
 his family to Lee County, in the Territoi'y of Iowa, 
 becoming one of its pioneers. The red men were 
 still numerous in that locality and the work of 
 civilization and progress seemed scarcely' begun. 
 The father died in 1844, at the early age of thirty- 
 three years, when our subject was a lad of seven 
 summers. John still has in his possession a copy- 
 book which was used by his father iu school in 
 January, 1833, and it is a much-prized relic. Mr. 
 Wilson was a generous and benevolent man, of 
 noble Christian character, highly respected by all 
 who knew him. In politics he was a Democrat, 
 being a native of the locality where lived " the 
 sage of Montieello," who was the founder of old- 
 time Democracy. 
 
 The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden 
 name of .Sarah McConnell, was born in the Buck- 
 eye State, December 15, 1814, and is yet living at 
 the advanced age of seventy-eight years, her 
 iiome being in Harper County, Kan. She acquired 
 her education in the common schools and is yet a 
 great reader, delighting in good books. She also 
 keeps herself well informed on the current events 
 of the day, i)Ossessing a remarkable memory for 
 one of her years. When her husband died, with 
 her family of four children she removed to Ma- 
 haska County, Iowa, in Julj', 1844, and built one 
 of the first pioneer homes in Oskaloosa. Prior to 
 this she can well remember when the Winnebago 
 Indians of Wisconsin used to go past her home on 
 their way to Prairie du Chien to receive their pay 
 from the Government and tlien back to their wig- 
 wams. When residing in Lee County, Iowa, the 
 Indians would often come to her home and ask 
 her to cook their food. Mr. Wilson, our subject, 
 tells how on one occasion two big Indians came to 
 his mother and asked her to let them cook a 
 turkey. She acquiesced, and after preparing it 
 they ate the whole fowl. In the Wilson family 
 were four children, two sons and two daughters, 
 of whom our subject is tiie eldest. He has one 
 sister living, Mary E., the wife of William Stroup, 
 a resident farmer of Harper County, Kan. The 
 two other children are deceased. 
 
 The family from which Mr. Wilson is descended 
 on his mother's side, the McConnells, was founded 
 iu America during early Colonial days and is noted 
 for longevit}'. The maternal grandmother of our 
 subject reached the advanced age of eight3'-seven 
 years. Her cousins, a famil}' by the name of 
 Jolly, resided near Chillicothe, Ohio, during the 
 War of 1812, and all were murdered b3' the Indians, 
 except one child, William Jolly, whom the sav- 
 ages held in captivity for several years. He was 
 afterwards liberated, and our subject well remem- 
 bers the stories told by " Uncle " William Jolly 
 about his life with the Indians. Another cousin 
 of Mr. Wilson's mother was Judge Cradlebaugh, 
 who was prominent in the history of Utah as an 
 opponent of polygamy. 
 
 We now take up the personal historj' of the 
 gentleman whcjse name heads this record. The 
 first two years of his life were spent in Wisconsin, 
 after which he was taken to the Territory of Iowa, 
 where he remained for seven years, and from that 
 time was a resident of Indiana until eighteen 
 years of age. His school privileges were very 
 meagre. He could attend only in the winter sea- 
 son, but by self-culture, study, observati<m and 
 experience, in later years he has made himself not 
 only a well-informed but a highly educated man. 
 He attended the first school ever held in Mahaska 
 County, Iowa. Until eighteen j'ears of age his 
 life was spent upon a farm. He then left home, 
 on the 21st of Februarjs 1854, journej-ed West- 
 ward, and on the 4th of March sailed from New 
 York for California, as a jjassengeron the "North- 
 ern Light" of the Nicaragua Line. He stopped 
 for a time on the Island of Jamaica, and from 
 there went to the San Juan River, where he 
 changed steamers. At the Rapids they struck 
 Lake Nicaragua, which it took twelve hours to 
 cross. Crossing Central America to the Pacific 
 Ocean, he sailed on the "Sierra Nevada" for San 
 Francisco, whei-e he landed April 2, 1854. After 
 spending the night there, he started for Sacramento, 
 and from there went to the Placer Diggings, where 
 gold was first discovered. He reached his desti- 
 nation with only $3 in his pocket, but after a 
 year's mining started for home with ^2,000 in 
 gold dust. He sailed from San Francisco, January 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 16. 1855, on the stenmer-Sonora," hound for Piin- 
 ama, cro-ssed the Istlinuis on tlie first tlirough 
 train whielt ever made the trip, and sailed at {)nce 
 from Aspinwallon the "Star of the West" for New 
 York, wliere he arrived on tiie 8th of Fehrnary. 
 In company with liit^ comrade, Thomas Howard, 
 for whom he liad formed a deep attachment, he 
 made his way to Philadelphia, where he had his 
 gold dust coined. 
 
 On the Ifith of February, 1855, Mr. Wilson was 
 again in Warren County, but immediately after- 
 wards came to Iroquois County and purchased 
 two hundred acres of raw prairie land, upon which 
 not a furrow had been turned or an improvement 
 made. No settlements were near liim, and in 
 Lovejoy Township there were few inhabitants. 
 John Crawford resided upon what is now the 
 farm of Charles Dawson. On the "Red Pump 
 Farm " were Andrew Endsley and William Scott. 
 John Finney made his home on the farm now 
 owned by J. L. Hamilton, and Joiiii Rol)inson and 
 Charles Hildreth also lived in the neighborhood. 
 Mr. Wilson gave ^1,000 for his land. During the 
 summer of 1855, he broke prairie with oxen and 
 kept "bachelor's hall." He shared in all the experi- 
 ences and hardships of pioneer life and has wit- 
 nessed almost the entire growth of the county. 
 When coming across the country he saw, about 
 three miles from where William Scott now resides, 
 a herd of over eighty deer. There were also many 
 wolves and much wild game, and as Mr. Wilson 
 was very fond of luinting he always kept his table 
 supplied with meat. The first building which he 
 erected was 16x26 feet and contained only two 
 rooms. It is still standing in a fair state of pres- 
 ervation, one of the few landmarks of pioneer days 
 tliat yet remain. 
 
 On the 28th of February, 1856, Mr. Wilson 
 married Miss Etiza Jane Hickman, a native of Mis- 
 souri, and unto them were born three sons and 
 four daughters, of whom six are yet living. Mary 
 E. is the wife of A. Pate, whose sketch is given 
 elsewhere in this work; William Clayton is now 
 deceased; Sadie A. is the wife of Alonzo Hall, a 
 farmer of Milford. Thomas Newton, who i.s married 
 and resides in Bern, Ark., possesses consideraljle 
 inventive genius and has invented an auger which 
 
 bores a square hole; Martlia F. is the wife of C. A. 
 Dawson, a druggist of Milford, who is represented 
 elsewhere in this work; Eliza Jane is the wife of 
 Walter Hraddon, a merchant of Watseka; Lewis 
 resides with his father and is his partner in the 
 grain business in Hickman, III. Thechildren were 
 all provided with good educational advantages, 
 which fitted them for the practii'al duties of life, 
 and have become useful and resiiected members of 
 society. The mother of this family died .Septem- 
 ber 12, 1874, and was interred in .Vmity Cemetery, 
 which was laid out in 1859, by Mr. Wilson, and 
 Richard and Levin II. Hickman. A beautiful and 
 costly mon'ument has been erected to her memory. 
 She was a faithful hcl]>meet to her husband, a 
 loving mother, and a devoted member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wilson was again 
 married, June 1, 1876, his second union being with 
 Mrs. K.achel (Haird) Jliils, a native of Indiana. 
 Unto them has been liorn a daugiiter, Hattie, who 
 is the light of her parents' home. She possesses 
 considerable musical talent. Hy her former mar- 
 riage Mrs. Wilson had two children: Lora, who is 
 now in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and William, who 
 resides in Muscatine, Iowa. The children vere 
 both well educated and the daughter attended 
 school in Terre Haute, Ind. 
 
 Mr. Wilson organized the first school district in 
 this community in 1859, and through his efforts 
 the lirst schoolhouse was built. The cause of ed- 
 ucation has ever found in him a warm friend, and 
 he has filled the office of School Director for tlie 
 long period of twenty -one years, of which fact be 
 may well feel proud. He cast his first Presidential 
 vote for Stephen A. Dougl.as, then supported 
 Abraham Lincoln, and has since been identified 
 with the Republican party as one of its stalwart 
 advocates. He lias filled the offices of Justice of 
 the Peace and Supervisor, also Assessor of what 
 was then Milford Township. He did much to- 
 wards securing the Chicago iV E.astern Illinois 
 Railroad througii the county. He h.is frequently 
 been a delegate to the conventions of his party, 
 h.as been a member of the Republican County Cen- 
 tral Committee for many years and is now a mem- 
 Ijer of tlie Ninth District State Central Committee 
 of Illinois. He was chosen one of the delegates to 
 
(;:u) 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the National Republican Convention at Chicago in 
 1880, and supported Gen. U. S. Grant for the Pres- 
 idenc3'. lie lias a bronze medal in his possession 
 which was given to him on that occasion as one of 
 the famous "Old Guard" who cast their ballot 
 thirty-six times for (Jraiit. Tire medal is three 
 inches in diameter. On one side in has relief is 
 the proHle of Gen. Grant, and on the otlier is the 
 proper inscription of the balloting. In 1892, Mr. 
 Wilson was one of the State Central Committee 
 who had the honor of receiving at Springfield, 111., 
 Whitelaw Reid, candidate for Vice-president. 
 
 Mr. Wilson was chosen by the State Live Stock 
 Commission of Illinois as one of the three to ap- 
 praise the pleuro-pneumonia cattle in 1887. So- 
 cially he is a Mason, belonging to Milford Lodge 
 No. 168, A. F. & A. M.; Watseka Chapter No. 114, 
 R. A. M.; and Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. 
 T., of Paxton. In 1868, with two others, he gave 
 $750 for the erection of the Amity Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. He is a liberal supporter of all 
 worthy enterprises calculated to upbuild and ben- 
 efit the community and is one of the valued as 
 well as honored citizens of his adopted county. 
 He now resides upon his home farm, comprising 
 two hundred acres of valuable land, under a high 
 state of cultivation. His residence is built in the 
 most approved style of modern architecture and is 
 one of the most beautiful and pleasant homes of 
 the locality. 
 
 /^ HARLES W. DAWSON, one of the exten- 
 (l( ^, sive land-owners and a prominent stock 
 ^^/'' dealer of Iroquois County, resides in Well- 
 ington, and is well deserving of representation in 
 the history of his adopted county. He is a native 
 of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Warren 
 County, on the 14th of December, 1839. In a 
 family of eleven children, he was the fourth in or- 
 der of birth. The parents were C. W. and Mary 
 .1. (Hooker) Dawson. Tiiey now reside in Mil- 
 ford. The father was born in Ross County, Ohio, 
 May 15, 1814, and comes from an old family of 
 
 Virginia. His boyhood days were spent in the 
 Buckeye State and his education was acquired in 
 the common schools. In politics, he was formerly 
 an old-line Whig, and is now an ardent admirer 
 and stanch supporter of tiie principles of the Re- 
 publican part3^ Mrs. Dawson was also born in 
 Ross County, January 30, 1813, and she is a faith- 
 ful member of the United Brethren Ciiurch. They 
 emigrated to Iroquois County in 1854, and Mr. 
 Dawson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
 partially improved land, from which he developed 
 a fine farm. He has witnessed much of the growth 
 and progress of the county and lias done all in his 
 power to aid in its upbuilding. 
 
 Of the Dawson famil}' the following are still 
 living: S.ilas, a farmer, who is married and resides 
 in this county; John, who is married and engaged 
 in the livery business in Indiana; Charles W., of 
 this sketch; Lewis, who is married and follows 
 agricultural pursuits in Iroquois County; George, 
 who is married and is a farmer of Iroquois County; 
 and Sarah, wife of Peter Garner, a farmer of this 
 county. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who is widely and favorably known in 
 this community. He spent the days of his boyhood 
 and youth until the age of sixteen years in War- 
 ren County, Ind., and attended its common schools, 
 acquiring a good knowledge of the common Eng- 
 lish branches. The cause of education has ever 
 found in him a warm friend, and he does all in his 
 power for its advancement and to support any 
 measure calculated for its upbuilding. He entered 
 upon his business career at the age of twenty-one 
 as a farmer and stock-buyer, and to this line of 
 work has since devoted h is energies. He has been an 
 indefatigable worker, and as his financial resources 
 were increased he added to his landed possessions 
 until he now owns six hundred acres of valuable 
 land under a high state of cultivation. It is well 
 tiled, has good hedge fences and all the improre- 
 ments of a model farm. He still carries on stock- 
 raising and shipping, and is an excellent judge of 
 all kinds of stock. This branch of his business has 
 in a large measure brought him his success. 
 
 November 21, 1861, Mr. Dawson married Miss 
 Julia Cadore, daughter of Joseph and Mary Arde- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 on I 
 
 lia (Wliilc) Cadore. She is a native of Canada, 
 and is of Frcncli descent. Two ciiildren grace 
 tlieir union: Mary A., now tlie wife of A. .1. Hume, 
 of f'hicagf), an employe on tlie Waljaiili Railroad, 
 and I'riscilla, wife of A. M. Dawson, who is en- 
 gaged in the boot and shoe business in Chicago. 
 
 Mr. Dawson cast his first Presidential vote for 
 Abraham Lincoln and has since supported every 
 candidate of the Republican party. H« lia.^ held 
 the oflice of School Director for sixteen consecu- 
 tive years, a fact which indicates his personal 
 popularity and the confidence and trust reposed 
 in him. Knterprise and energy liave been num- 
 Ijered among his chief characteristics through- 
 out life and have won for him wealth and afflu- 
 ence. Hy his earnest efforts and perseverance, he 
 has acquired a fortune of which he may be justly 
 proud, and his example is well worthy of emula- 
 tion. His home i.? a beautiful and commodious 
 brick residence, situated in the eastern part of 
 Wellington and built in the most aiijiroved style 
 of modern architecture. 
 
 ' OHN C. RAMSEY, one of the well-known 
 farmers and stock-dealei's of Onarga Town- 
 ship, is numbered among the earl}' .settlers 
 of the county, his residence here covering 
 a period of almost forty years, dating from 18.5.3. 
 In the days which have since come and gone he 
 has watched the progress and development of the 
 county, has seen its wild lands transformed into 
 beautiful homes and farms, its hamlets grow int<^> 
 thriving towns, schoolhouses and churches built, 
 and the work of civilization and progress rapidly 
 carried forward. He too h.is always borne his 
 part in this improvement and well deserves repre- 
 .sentation in the history of the county. 
 
 Mr. Ramsey was born in Preble County, ()hio, 
 at Moming Sun, September 23, 1824, and is one of 
 five children whose parents were George and Nancy 
 (Shephard) Ramsey. The father wa.* a native of 
 the Huckeye .State, but the mother was bftrn in 
 Ireland, and when iifU-e.n years old accompanied 
 her mother to America, her father having been 
 
 killed by the CatlKdies in the war between them 
 and the Protestant". The children were Eliza 
 .lane, .lohn C, Margaret, .Mary Ann and Hannah. 
 The mother came to Amerir-a when about fifteen 
 years of age, and in 182'.) the family n-moved 
 from Ohio to Indiana, locating in Clinton County, 
 where Mr. Ramsey died when our subject was a 
 lad of seven years. The mother died ab<7Ut four 
 j-ears later. 
 
 .John Itarnsey, whose name heads this record, wa.s 
 thus left an orphan at the age of eleven. He re- 
 mained on the farm until fifteen years of age, 
 when he began learning the blacksmith's trade, 
 which he followed until tiie spring of 18.J.3. That 
 year witnessed his arrival in Illinois and he lo- 
 cated on a farm on section 1.5, in what is now 
 Onarga Township, about four and a-half miles 
 cast of the present site of the vill.agi! of Onarga, 
 where he has made his home continuously since, 
 with the exception of about three years when he 
 was in the army. The tract of raw land which he 
 purcha-sed was entirely destitute of improvements, 
 but it was soon placed under the plow, and in 
 course of time the well-tilled fields were yielding 
 to him a golden harvest. The country w.tjs almost 
 an unbroken wilderness anri the few settlements 
 were widely scattered. Many hardships and pri- 
 vations were to be borne, such as are incident to 
 life on the frontier. 
 
 On the !)th of iJecember, 1847, Mr. Ramsey wan 
 united in marriage with Miss Catiirah Major, 
 daughter of James II. and .Mary (Hardpenee) 
 Major. Three children were born of their union: 
 Barbara Ann, born February 8, 184!»; William 
 Major, born April 11, 18.52; and Martha, born De- 
 cember 21, 18.54. None of the children are now 
 living, and the mother died August .5, 18.5.5. (Jn 
 the l.'ith of August, I85C, Mr. Ramsey was again 
 married, his ."lecond union being with Miss Eliza 
 A., daughter of George and Martha .M. (Itamsey) 
 Iiams<!y. of Preble County, Ohio, the former a na- 
 tive of Rockbridge County. Va., and the latter of 
 Hamilton County. Ohio. They became the j»arent>! 
 of three children: George, who wa.s lK»m November 
 16, 18.50, died on the 14th of Decemtier, 1875; 
 Lucy A., Vx^irn .January 21, 1802, is the wife of 
 Henry Knoche, of Kidgeville, and they have twy 
 
(>32 
 
 rOKTKAlT A>;D BIOGKAFIIICAL KECOllD. 
 
 children, a son and daughter: Percy R- and Grace 
 
 A.; (;r;uv M.. horn Mnivh 7> 1S(UI, is the wife of 
 K. W. lliuper, :i sjrain nierohant of Oes Moine.s, 
 Iowa, and unto tlioni iiave lioon boin t wocliildien, 
 son;;: ,K>lin T. and Uobort K. 
 
 During tiio late war, Mr, IJanisey, proniptvd liv 
 jiatriotic impulses, rosponded to the call for troops, 
 and in August. 1SG2, heoame one of the boys in 
 blue of t'onipauy 1), One Hundred and Thirteenth 
 Illinois Infantry, in which he served for almost 
 three years. Kor ten months he was held a ])ris- 
 oner and was eonlined iu Andersonville and other 
 loathsome Southern prisons, being captured the 
 day following the battle of Guntown. There 
 were thirteen of his company sent to Anderson- 
 ville, but only seven lived to get out. After three 
 months an exchange had been arranged, unknown 
 to the prisoners. They were called out at night 
 by name. As they feared it was for retaliatory 
 purposes, many did not respond. Becoming con- 
 vinced that it was all right. Air. Ramsey responded 
 to another's name. When they reached the place 
 of exchange, so weak and emaciated were the men 
 that Sherman refused to make the exchange, so the 
 men were ordered to be remanded to prison at Sal- 
 isbury. S. (". While waiting on the side track at 
 MiUedgeville. he and two companionscut a hole in 
 the bottom of thecar, and just, as the engine backed 
 up to pull them away, they dropped out and 
 scrambled from under the car. It being dark, they 
 easily made their escape and started for thernion 
 lines at .Vtlanta. Almost too weak to walk, they 
 proceeded fov nine days, living on stock peas, cane, 
 and whatever faitliful negroes brought them. Ke- 
 captnred, they were kept in jail at Augusta for 
 eighteen days and in I.awton prison three months. 
 To keep them from falling into Sherman's hands, 
 they were sent by rail to Thomasvilleaud marched 
 across the country to Albany, whence most of the 
 men were returned to .Vndersonville. Mr. Hamsev 
 was not sent back. The rebels had stock to butcher 
 at Albany but had no knives for that purpose, and 
 ,as Mr. Ramsey w.^s a good blacksmith he was se- 
 lected to make them knives. Through the intUi- 
 ence of Capt. Blackshear, Capt. Salter and t'ol. 
 Jones, he was permitted to remain at Albany till 
 paroled. He was a faithful soldier, ever found at 
 
 his post, and continued in the service until after 
 the close of the war, when, the country no longer 
 needing his aid, he was honorably discharged and 
 returned home. 
 
 In 18l)8, in connection with farming. Mr. Wam- 
 sey began raising and feeding stock. He paid con- 
 siderable attention to the breeding of Short-horn 
 cattle and Perchcron horses, and also raised a large 
 number of lu>gs. He did an extensive business in 
 this line, feeding all the grain that he raised to his 
 stock. He was thus engaged until 1881, when he 
 discontinued breeding, but he still buys, feeds and 
 sells cattle. His land is under a high state of cul- 
 tivation and he is a prosperous and progressive 
 farmer, and success has attended his well-directed 
 efforts. Hoth Mr, and Mrs. Kamsey are members 
 of the Congregational Church, in which he has 
 held the ollice of Deason for many 3'ears, and 
 takes quite a prominent part in its work, being 
 earnest laborers in the M.aster's vineyard. In pol- 
 itics, he is a supporter of Republican principles. 
 Thus we have recorded the life sketch of one of 
 the county's valued citizens, a leading farmer, a 
 veteran of the late war, .Mud an honored pioneer. 
 
 ifi AMES CLOKK, an agent for the McCormick 
 Machine Company at Ashkum, is one of 
 the most honored pioneers of the county, 
 and is numbered among the respected and 
 influential citizens of Ashkum, He is of English 
 birth and was born in Kent, on the 22d of Septem- 
 ber, 1824. His father, William Cloke, w.as a 
 native of England, and after arriving at manhood 
 married Philadelphia Snelling. Their lives were 
 spent in the land of their birth, and there they 
 were called to their final rest. 
 
 Our subject is the eighth in order of birth in a 
 family consisting of six sons and six daughters, all 
 of whom grew to mature years, married and had 
 families. They are as follows: John, AVilliam, 
 Eleanor, Anna, Thomas, Joseph, Richard, James, 
 Mary Jane. .Sarah E., Philadelphia and Harriet. 
 
 Air. Cloke, wlu>je name heads this sketch, passed 
 his vouth on the farm, and received a:ood com- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 mon-scliofil a'l vantage-. He was first rnarriefl in 
 Kent, on tiie 1st of January, 1843, when lie wai 
 but uiffhteen 3'ears of age, liis brifle lK;ing Mi.-ss 
 Sarah Smith, wiio wa.s Ix^rn in India, au'l wo."* a 
 daughter of Capt. Tiioma.T Franci.'- Suiith. who fol- 
 lowed the high seas, aiifl \ra.H tlie captain of a 
 ves.«el. He was of Engii.sh biith, and in England 
 Hr*. C'loke was reared and educated. After hi.s 
 marriage our .subject engaged in the baker'^i and 
 confectioner's business in Kent for .some three 
 years. 
 
 About the year 18IC. Mr. ( loke sailed from 
 Lonilon in a sailing-ves,sel, called the •• New fxjn- 
 don." which was bound for the United States. 
 For about two months they were to.s.«ed about on 
 the Atlantic, meeting with .several severe storms on 
 the voyage. Some of the masts were broken and 
 the sails carried away. On board the ship there were 
 about twelve hundred passengei-s, a numl>er of 
 whom .«ickened and died on the trip. They ar- 
 rived in the harbor of New York, where they cast 
 anchor in the fall of that year. Mr. Cloke .s^>on 
 after his arrival started in the baker's and confec- 
 tioner's business in New York City, and there con- 
 tinued to live for about three years. He removed 
 to Monmouth County. N. J., where he engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits for about four years. He 
 next started Westward, and located in Iro^juoi.s 
 County, 111., where he wa.s one of the fii-*t settlers. 
 At that time the county was a va-st wilderness and 
 a swamp. The traveler could cross the prairie in 
 an^- direction without coming to a fence or build- 
 ing of any description. Deer and other wild game 
 were in great abundance, and the settlements were 
 almost wholly in the timber near the .'trearas. 
 Mr. Cloke was one of the first to locate on the 
 broad prairie, and made his first settlement two 
 miles from the present town of Ashkum. ThLs 
 was before Clinton, Ashkum, or I>anforth had lK*n 
 founded, and the Illinois Central Railroad wa.- 
 just completed through here. Mr. Cloke first pur- 
 cha.*td three hundred and twenty acres of the Illi- 
 nois Central Railroad Company, and opened up a 
 farm, which yielded a bountiful har\-e,<-t the first 
 year. This place he operated for a num^)e^ of 
 years, or until 186.0. when he sold bis proiK;rty and 
 removed to Virginia, and settled in Ale.\andria, 
 
 where he wss in the Oovtrnrnent employ foraljout 
 two 3'ear9. He returned to Illinois in I8fi8, and 
 engaged in stfx.-k-raising for a ficriod of two 
 years in Ford ( ounty. In 1870 he again <«ine to 
 Iro<iuois County, purcha'^ing a farm of five hun- 
 dred acres in Danforth Township. He ha.s Ijeen 
 rnost succes-sfiil a.s an agriculturist and a stock- 
 raiser for a number of years. He l>ought a 
 tract of fifty acres adjoining the village of Ash- 
 kum. and Ifjcated his family there, where they still 
 make their home. While living on hi.s farm. Mr. 
 Cloke wa.s appointed an agent for the .McCormIck 
 Machine Company, and has been one of their 
 most succes,-ful and trusted employes for years. 
 He established headquarters in Ashkum in 1884, 
 and has built u|) a large trade here and in the sur- 
 rounding country. He has tieeii rnfist successful 
 both as a .salesman and collecting agent. 
 
 The first wife of our subject died in the E.i.st, 
 and, after coming to Illinois, he was united in mar- 
 riage to Miss .Jane U>ya.]\, who de|)arled this life 
 in 186.5. He w.is again married, in 1870. this 
 union being with Maria Annetta Ayers, a widow, 
 who died in 1888. One ^tm of the first marriage, 
 Talbert, is a farmer, who makes his home at 
 Monee, Will County, 111. His brother and sister 
 grew to maturity, but have pa.s.sed away. The 
 brother, .James, was a conductor on the railroad 
 for a few years and died in Chicago; and the 
 sister, Fllizalieth, died in New .Jersey. By the sec- 
 ond marriage there were al.so three children: .Jen- 
 nie is the wife of .Joseph Addison, a farmer of 
 Iroquois County; one child died at the age of 
 twelve years; and the other, who was run over by 
 the cars in Monmouth County, N. J., died at the 
 age of nine. There are five living children by 
 the last marriage: Philadelphia received an educa- 
 tion in music, and has )>een an efficient teacher of 
 instrument.ll music for three years; Grace M. is 
 the wife of E. Harding, a real-estate dealer of Chi- 
 cago; May, William and .]■-' •••ndmgthe 
 home schooLs at present. 
 
 In his political .•♦yrniiathie*. Mr. < ;<.ke is a sujk 
 porter of the IX'mo<,Tatic party. He has never 
 been an aspirant for fillicial pfjsitions. fuit has 
 held several local ones of trust and honor. To 
 whaK-ver jxwition he has Ijt-en elected, he haa 
 
634 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL liECORD. 
 
 made a faithful and efficient officer. He has 
 assisted very materially' in the development and 
 advancement of this portion of the State, and has 
 witnessed its change from a swamp and wilderness 
 to its present condition of fine farms and thriving 
 villages. He is well known far and wide as a man 
 of honorable character and upright life, and dur- 
 ing the long years of his residence in this 
 community he has made a large circle of friends, 
 by whom he is held in the highest regard. 
 
 ^ SAAC MARLOW, who carries on general farm- 
 ing on sections 27 and 34, Stockland Town- 
 ship, is a native of Indiana, his birth having 
 occurred in Warren County, on the l.Slh of Feb- 
 ruary, 1850. He comes of a long-lived family-. 
 His grandfather, George Marlow, attained the re- 
 markable age of one hundred and four years. He 
 was a native of Virginia, and died in Warien 
 Count}', Ind. The parents of our subject were 
 Isaac and Isabel (Smiley) Marlow. They had 
 only two children: Isaac of this sketch, and Pamice, 
 who was born Septemlier 17, 1848. The father 
 died March 6, 1850, and the mother survived him 
 only about a year, being called to her final rest 
 .Tuly 7, 1851, in her twentieth year. 
 
 As our subject was left an orphan at an early 
 age, he was reared by his maternal grandparents, 
 James and Lovica Smiley, with whom he made 
 his home until he had attained to mature years. 
 They came to Illinois in March, 1853, and located 
 a farm in Stockland Township, this county, about 
 seven and a-half miles southeast of Milford. Isaac 
 aided in the cultivation of the land and the de- 
 velopment of the farm. 
 
 It was on the 25th of January, 1872, that Mr. 
 Marlow led to the marriage altar Miss Mary E. 
 Decker, daughter of Ciu-isley and Mary A. (Rosen- 
 berger) Decker, both of whom were natives of 
 Virginia. They had located in this county about 
 1849. Two children grace the union of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Marlow, namely: Musette, who was born 
 April 23, 1876; and Lessic Zazel, Ijorn <>n the 8th 
 of June, 1888. 
 
 The farm which Mr. Marlow now owns and oper- 
 ates is an arable tract of land of one hundred 
 and twenty acres, situated on sections 27 and 34, 
 Stockland Township. The well-tilled fields are 
 now highl}' cultivated and abundant harvests re- 
 ward his efforts. There are many useful improve- 
 ments upon the place, and the whole in its neat 
 appearance indicates the careful management and 
 thorough supervision of the owner. 
 
 In political sentiments, Mr. Marlow is independ- 
 ent. He holds himself free to support whoever he 
 pleases, regardless of party tics, and always votes 
 for the man whom he thinks best qualified to fill 
 the position. He has never been an office-seeker, 
 preferring to devote his attention exclusively to 
 his business interests. The cause of education 
 finds in him a warm friend, and while serving as 
 School Director for six years he did effective ser- 
 vice in its interests. Hiniself and wife are faithful 
 members of the Christian Church, and throughout 
 the community they have a wide circle of warm 
 friends. Mr. Marlow has led an honorable, up- 
 right life, in harmony with his professions, and is 
 classed among the leading agriculturists of Stock- 
 land Township. 
 
 IDNJ'^Y NILSON, an enter[)rising j'oung 
 farmer of this county who resides on sec- 
 tion 3, Milford Township, was born on the 
 farm which is still his home, on the 6th of 
 August, 1858. He is a son of Robert and Susan 
 L. (Wagner) Nilson, both of whom were natives 
 of Ohio, and are represented on another page of 
 this book. 
 
 Sidney Nilson, the subject of this sketch, was 
 the fifth child in order of birth. His boyhood 
 days were passed quietly under the parental roof. 
 The early life of almost any farmer lad would 
 show us a fac-simile of his boyhood. The common 
 schools of the neighborhood afforded him his edu- 
 cational ])rivileges and since leaving the school 
 room he has added not a little to his fund of 
 knowledge, for ho possesses a retentive memoiy 
 and an observing eye. Since Ills father's death 
 


 ■ '9i 
 
 /%l£^yyif 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 639 
 
 Ik- has had charge of the home farm, and a glance 
 al the place indicates the supervision of a careful 
 manager. The land is under a high state of culti- 
 vation, ^lany improvements have been made and 
 the place seems complete in ail its appointments. 
 Well may Mr. Nilson be ranked among the practi- 
 cal and progressive farmers of the township. In 
 politics he is a supporter of the Democracy. 
 
 ^- R. MIOKNTS is a prominent merchant and 
 dealer in grain, coal, lumber, farm imple- 
 ments and live stock at Asiikum, Irociuois 
 County. lie does an extensive business, 
 and is considered one of the enterprising and en- 
 ergetic business men of this locality. His birth oc- 
 curred in Hanover, Germany, on the li')th of June, 
 18.51. He is a son of K. II. and Maria (Ulfers) 
 Meents, both of whom were also natives of Han- 
 over. Our subject grew to the age of seventeen in 
 his native land, and received good school privileges. 
 In 1860, Mr. IMeents determined to seek fame 
 and fortune in the New World, and starting from 
 Bremen in a steamer, he crossed the Atlantic in 
 twelve days. On the voyage, several days of se- 
 vere weather were experienced. Arriving in New 
 York Cit3' in May of that year, he immediately 
 started Westward, going first to Chicago, and thence 
 to Danforth, where he had several actjuaintanees. 
 For three summers he worked on a farm, and at- 
 tended school in the winter months, in order to be- 
 '■ome proficient in the English language. In the 
 summer of 1873, he purchased a team and rented a 
 farm, which he carried on with good success for 
 about a }-ear. He then engaged with C. H. Corn- 
 stock to work in his elevator at Ashkum, and in 
 his service he remained for thirteen years, proving 
 a most valuable and faithful assistant. During his 
 long term in that business he learned much of the 
 trade and w.as griHlually advanced, and during the 
 last years was book-keeper, giving his attention ex- 
 clusively to that portion of the business. He was 
 afterward taken into partnershi|i, but in October, 
 ixs.'). withdrew from the firm and engaged in bus- 
 
 29 
 
 incss for himself. He bought two elevators, the 
 first one being ])urcliased in 1882. These lie moved 
 near to each other, and rebuilt them, and largely 
 increased his trade. He purchased the established 
 business of .lames Ca])in A' Co., and in 1)S'.)1 bought 
 the lumber trade of John McCurdy. The first year 
 he dealt solely in grain, but h.as since added sev- 
 eral other lines of business. Among these, he has 
 a large trade in coal and farm implements. He has 
 also shipped stock quite extensively. 
 
 At the Williams House in Wat^-^eka, Mr. Meents 
 led to the marriage altar Miss Phidelpliia Cloke, of 
 Danforth Township, and a native of New Jei-se\-. 
 The wedding was celebrated November 11, 1874. 
 Mrs. Meents' father, Richard Cloke, was one of the 
 honored pioneers of this county, and here his daugh- 
 ter was educated and grew to womanhood. To our 
 subject and his wife nine children have been born: 
 Richard, who is a young man of good business edu- 
 cation, and a graduate of the Onarga Commercial 
 Seminary, is now book-keeper for his father; Fiank, 
 Anna, Grace. AValter and Arthur are all attending 
 school near home; while the younger members of 
 the family are Delphia, Mildred and Lester. 
 
 Mr. Meents has been a supporter of tlie Rpjiubli- 
 can party, casting his first ballot for Rutherford B. 
 Hayes, and has since voted for eyer3' Presidential 
 nominee of that party. Recognizing his worth and 
 ability, the fellow-citizens of our subject have sev- 
 eral times elected him to positions refjuiringability 
 and fidelity. He was elected Township Trustee 
 and Clerk, and has also served as Treasurer of tlie 
 schools. He has ever given his hearty support to 
 the cause of public-school education, and served 
 for years as a member of the School B(jard. He 
 was recently appointe<l Treasurer of the drainage 
 district of Ashkum and Danforth Townships, a 
 responsible position. His family are members of 
 the Ashkum .Methodist Episcopal Church, which 
 numbers them among its most esteemed supporters. 
 .Mr. Meents is one of the Church Trustees. He 
 commenced his business career in the New World 
 with little means, and has by his own industry and 
 wise business investment accumulated a ffirtiine 
 and has an extensive biisine.ss. He owns an elegant 
 home, and tr)-day is recognized as one of tlie most 
 sulistanti.'il and progressive busine.-s men of this 
 
640 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 county. lie is widely and favorably known, and 
 has won the friend.-ihip and respect of all, both in 
 his business and social relations. 
 
 l^+^§ 
 
 ^^ IIAKI.KS ;M. DAZKY is numbered anionic 
 (l( _ (lie prominent businessmen of jMilford,and 
 ^^; ti) his enterprising and progressive spirit 
 this [ilace owes not ■! little of its growth and pros- 
 perity. He was born in Stocklaud Townshij), Iro- 
 quois County, on the 1.5th of December, 1859, and 
 is a son of Jacob and Larinda (Wilkinson) Dazey, 
 both of whom were natives of Indiana. His father 
 was twice married, his first wife being Miss Whit- 
 lash. By this union was born a daughter, Eliza- 
 beth, who died at the age of twenty-seven. The 
 mother was called to her final rest about 18.">2. 
 Mr. Dazcy was again married, in 1854. his second 
 union being with Miss Larinda, daughter of Abra- 
 ham and Hariiet A\ ilkinson. Ten children were 
 born of the second union, seven of whom are yet 
 living: James Henry, who married Emma Ricliards, 
 of Kankakee, by whom he has three children, 
 and is now a resident of Stockland Township; 
 Charles M., whose name heads this sketch; John 
 W., who wedded Maggie Williamson, daughter of 
 Joseph Williamson, of Stockland Township. They 
 have four children. Joseph William married Ella 
 Smith, of Indiana, who died in December, 1891. 
 leaving three children. Frank L. was joined in 
 wedlock with Miss Eva Dove, daughter of G. W. 
 Dove, of Hoopeston, where they reside. They had 
 two daughters, but one died in infancy. ^larv M. 
 and George complete the family. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
 hood upon his father's farm. As soon as old 
 enough to handle the plow, he began aiding in the 
 labors of the farm, and to that work devoted his 
 energies during the .summer months, while in the 
 winter season he conned his lessons in the public 
 schools. When twenty years of age, he left home 
 and started out in life for himself, since which 
 time he has been deiiendent upon his own le- 
 sources. Industry and enterprise have e\ er been 
 .numbered among iiis chjef rjiaracteristics, and a 
 
 well-deserved success is his. In addition to gen- 
 eral farming, he has carried on stock-dealing on 
 an extensive scale, buying, selling and shipping, 
 lie is now associated with his cousin diaries L. 
 Dazey in farming, stock-dealing and the grain 
 business, this connection having been continued 
 uninterruptedly for about seven years. He owns 
 a \aluable tract of eighty acres of land about three 
 and a-half miles south of Milford and six miles 
 east in Prairie Green Township. He also owns 
 some excellent town property, including his mag- 
 nificent home. 
 
 On the 5th of October, 1882, Mr. Dazey was 
 married to Miss Mary E. Fitzgibbon, daughter of 
 Patrick and Mary Fitzgibbon, who are natives of 
 the Green Isle of Elrin, but now make their home 
 in Ueloit, Wis. Three children grace the union of 
 our subject and his worthy wife, all sons: Edward 
 M., born on the 5th of August, 1886; Alba Will- 
 iam, .lanuary 11, 1890; and Charles, who was born 
 November 7. 1891, died on the 11th of the same 
 month. The elegant home of the Dazey family is 
 the abode of hospitality, and Mr. and Mrs. Dazey 
 rank high in social circles. He is a member of the 
 Modern Woodmen of America. 
 
 As before .stated, Milford liiuls in our subject 
 one of its best citizens. He is now etllciently serv- 
 ing as Mayor, and his administration of aftairs 
 has won high commendation. He is a thrifty and 
 successful business man, and his prosperity is all 
 the reward of his own efforts. Success conies to 
 those wlio labor for it, and the well-directed efforts, 
 good management and business ability of our sub- 
 ject have won him prosperity. 
 
 (®)i 
 
 ^|| OIIN SBIETHURST, a well-known farmer of 
 Ash Grove Township, residing on section 2, 
 is of English birth. lie was born in Lan- 
 cashire, December 1, 1824, and is a son of 
 Ellis Sinethurst. His father was born in the West 
 Riding of Yorkshire. He was a mason by trade, hut 
 through much of his life followed the occupation 
 of farming. He married Nannie Peel, who comes 
 vf the same family as Sir K'obfj't Peel, the great 
 
rORTUAlT AXI) lilOCRAl'lI'CAL KKCOHD. 
 
 G41 
 
 111,'lish statesman. Mr. Sraethnrst was a man of 
 liiu'-iiliysique. He was six feet two inches tall,anrl 
 ill his native hind was solicited to enter tlie Life 
 (iiiaids, but refused. In 184:!, lie emigrated with 
 his faiiiil}' to America, locating in Lisbon, Kendall 
 County. 111. He died at the home of our subject, 
 ill February, 18(u), at the age of eighty-four years, 
 and was laid to rest in Oiiarga Cemeterj'. His 
 wife died in Chicago. The\- had but two chil- 
 dren, our subject and Mrs. Ellen Shaw, a widow, 
 residing in Kendall County, 111. 
 
 .\t the age of fifteen, John .Smethurst w.as ap- 
 prenticed to a shoe-maker, but after serving some 
 time he ran away, and in 1844 sailed for New 
 York. He has crossed the ocean three times, and 
 has never slept in a house in this country except 
 in Illinois. He first located in Chicago, where he 
 worked at his tr.ade for some time, and while there 
 took two premiums, in 1846 and 1847, on cork 
 boots. 
 
 On the 6th of November of the latter year, he 
 returned to England, there residing until 1851. 
 During that time he was married. May 14, 1848, to 
 Elizabeth Smethurst, a distant relative. Their 
 marriage was celebrated in Disbren, in the same 
 church where his parents were married. Unto our 
 subject and his wife have been born the following 
 children: Ellis, who married Hattie Davis, and is 
 engaged in farming in Onarga Township on his 
 father's land; Ann Harriet, wife of Oliver Shep- 
 herd, of Gilman; Elizabeth Jane, John Peel and 
 Emeline. who were all born, and still reside, on the 
 (lid homestead. 
 
 On his return to America, !\rr. Smethurst en- 
 gaged in farming in Kendall County until 18,58, 
 when he came to Iroquois County, purchasing one 
 hundred and six acres of wild prairie land. With 
 characteristic energy he began its development, 
 and the once wild tract has now been transformed 
 into rich and fertile fields, which yield to him a 
 golden tribute. The boundaries of his farm have 
 also been extended until it now comprises throe 
 hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. 
 
 Mr. Smethurst is Vice-president of the Farmers' 
 Mutual Renefit Association, and a warm advocate 
 of the principles of that organization. He cast his 
 first vote ii) 1848 for (.'ass, and has since supported 
 
 the Democratic party except in 1860 and 1864, 
 when he voted for Lincoln, but he does not con- 
 sider himself bound by any party ties. Mr. Sme- 
 thurst intends to exhibit some of his work in the 
 line of his trade at the World's Fair at Chicago in 
 189:?. His wife has takeu many premiums on her 
 knitting work at fairs all over the countrj', and 
 carried off a premium at the New Orleans Exposi- 
 tion on a knitted quilt. She makes much beauti- 
 ful fancy work, which adorns her home. The 
 Smethurst household is the aliode of hospitality, 
 and its members rank high in social circles. Our 
 subject nood never regret his emigration to Amer- 
 ica, for although he began life empt^'-handed in 
 this country, he has here met with success, aciiuir- 
 ing a handsome property", and has also found a 
 pleasant home and made many friends. 
 
 SIL.\S HKOCK, who resides on section 19, 
 has longer been a resident of Ash Grove 
 ) Township than any other of its citizens, 
 and this work would be incomplete if his 
 life record were omitted. He has watched the growth 
 of the county from the days of its earliest infancy-, 
 has seen its progress and advancement, and has 
 aided in it.s upbuilding and development. He was 
 born Decemlier 12, 1841, on the old homestead of 
 the Brock family. 
 
 Lewis Brock, the grandfather of our subject, was 
 a native of Knox County, Teiin.,and there wedded 
 Mary Richards. In 1810, he emigrated to Wash- 
 ington County, Ind., becoming one of its pioneer 
 settlers, and in the midst of a forest he hewed out 
 a farm. In 1837, he came with his family to 
 Illinois, and c.a.st in his lot with the earliest settlers 
 of Ash Grove Township. His home wasa log cabin, 
 and he there spent the remainder of his days, his 
 death occurring in 1817. His wife survived him 
 aliout si-x years. Both were members of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, and are numbered among 
 the pioneers of the county. Xt the time of their 
 arrival here, deer, wolves and wild hogs roamed at 
 will, and the prairies were covered with high grass. 
 
04-2 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Few were the settlements, and there were man3' 
 privations and iiardships to be endured. The fam- 
 ily of Lewis and Mar}' Brock numbered nine chil- 
 dren: (ieorge A. came to Illinois, married Elizabeth 
 Harvey, and died in this county; Gabriel also 
 came to this State, but spent his last days in Indi- 
 ana; Nancy died in this county; Polly, deceased, 
 was the wife of John Willoughby; Rachel died in 
 Indiana; and Minerva became tlic wife of Aaron 
 Moore, but is now deceased. The other children 
 never came to Illinois. 
 
 r>ewis H. Brock, father of Silas, was born in 
 Iniliana, in 1823, and when a lad of thirteen years 
 came with his parents to this county. Amid the 
 wild scenes of frontier life he was reared to nian- 
 liood. In IS 10 he wedded Mary Ann Bishop, a 
 native of Ohio, and then improved a farm on sec- 
 tion 23, Ash Grove Township. At length he sold, 
 and developed land on section 25, there making his 
 home until his death, which occurred on the 8th 
 of Novembei, 18.5.'), at the age of thirty-two years. 
 His remains were interred in Ash Grove Cemetery. 
 His privileges in youth were very limited, but he 
 made the most of his opportunities, and became a 
 substantial and highly respected citizen of this 
 community. He was a member of the Metiiodist 
 Ciiurch, and in politics was a Whig. After his 
 death Mrs. Brock became the wife of Wesley Har- 
 vey, and they now reside in Cissna Park. The 
 Bro('k family numbered four children: Silas, of this 
 sketch; Charles, who resides in Chicago; Hannalr" 
 Mary, wife of John S. Gilbert, of Onarga; and Mrs. 
 Saraii A. Rutley, of Cissna Park. 
 
 The liistnry of the early life of our subject is 
 tliat of pioneer days in this county. The townslii[) 
 was but sparsely settled, and wild game vvas plen- 
 tiful. The nearest markets were Middleport and 
 Milford, and all grain was hauled to Chicago or La 
 K.ayette. Oxen were used in farming and in mar- 
 keting, and the farm implements were very crude. 
 The schools which our subject attended were con- 
 ducted on the subscription plan. At the age of 
 sixteen, however, he went to (jreencastle, Ind., 
 and for eigliteen months vvas a student in Asbury 
 (nowI)ePauw) University. The first year after 
 his father's death he operated the home farm, but 
 as his health was not good, he again returned to 
 
 school in Indiana, his mother removing to Green- 
 castle. Later he returned to the farm, and August 
 7tii, 1860, he married Maria L. Aye, a native of 
 ^'ermilion Count}', Ind., who came here to teach 
 school. She was one of the first public school 
 teachers in this community, and for three months' 
 service received only 5*50. 
 
 On the 8th of August, 1862, Mr. Brock enhsted 
 for the late war as a member of Company E, Seven- 
 ty-sixth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Irvin. The 
 troops were then sent to Cairo and Columbus, and 
 afterward were attached to Grant's army, partici- 
 pating in the siege of Vicksburg. They then 
 marched into Mississip[)i, below the Tallahatchie, 
 River. Their supplies were cut off at II0II3' Springs, 
 and they had to retreat, during which time they 
 lived for twenty days on cornmeal without salt. 
 Subsequently they returned to Memphis and went 
 down tlic river. Later, they went to Jackson, Miss., 
 after Johnston, and after the battle returned to 
 Vicksburg. In February they went with Sherman 
 to Meridian, and after that raid were again in Jack- 
 son , where a severe fight occurred, the Seventy-sixth 
 Illinois losing heavily. Mr. Brock was grazed by 
 a bullet, but the injuiy was slight. He did duty 
 in Mississippi for some time longer, and in Febru- 
 ary, 1865, went to New Orleans, from where the 
 troops went to Florida and engaged in the siege 
 and capture of Ft. Blakely. They then went to 
 Mobile and on to Galveston, Tex., where the}' were 
 mustered out July 22, 1865. The regiment was 
 disbanded at Chicago on the 1st of August, and 
 after three years' service, Mr. Brock returned home. 
 With his regiment he marched twelve hundred 
 miles. He was always found at his post of duty, 
 and proved himself a valiant soldier. 
 
 On his return from the war, Mr. Bi-ock engaged 
 in farming for about twelve years, and in 1877 re- 
 moved to Ash Grove. Five years ago he estab- 
 lished a drug store, which he has since operated. He 
 is a registered pharmacist, and has a well-kept store. 
 Two 3'cars ago he opened a general merchandise 
 e-itablishment, and is now carrying on a succe.ssful 
 business in that line. He is a man of excellent 
 business ability, sagacious and far-sighted, and by 
 perseverance and good management he has won 
 jji'osperity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brock were born 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 (ii;; 
 
 four cliilrlien: ^lary L., wife of Austin I'ierce, of 
 Milford; Bertlia A., who assists her father in the 
 store; Hose E., wife of Henry Bishop, a farmer of 
 Ash Grove Township; and Mareiis A., at home. 
 The children were all educated in the public schools 
 and in Onarga Seminary. 
 
 For twelve years, Mr. Brock acceiJtably filled the 
 otiice of Justice of the Peace, for four ^ears was 
 Township Collector and for four years was Assessor; 
 he has held some school ofHces,and for five ^earshas 
 been the efficient Postmaster of Ash Grove. So- 
 fially, he is a member of G. H. Nceld Post No. o7G, 
 ' i. A. R.. at Cissna Park, and in religious belief he 
 i- a Methodist. The church finds in him a faithful 
 member, and he does all in his power to advance 
 any worthy enterprise and to promote those in- 
 terests calculated to prove of public benefit. His 
 residence in the county covers a period of liftv-one 
 years. He has been a valued citizen, a leading and 
 enterprising business m.an, a faithful soldier and 
 an honored pioneer. 
 
 G.EORGE \V. ROBERTS, who owns and oper- 
 -, ates two hundred and ninet^'-fivc acres of 
 I valuable land, resides on section 35, Mil- 
 ford Township. He was born on the 26th of March, 
 18.31, in Fountain County, Ind., and is descended 
 from good old Revolutionary stock. His paternal 
 grandfather served in the War for Independence, 
 and liis Grandfather Taylor was in the War of 
 1812. Ilis Grandmother Roberts reached the ad- 
 vanced age of ninety-seven years. The parents of 
 our subject, Archibald and Anna (Taylor) Roberts, 
 were both natives of Virginia, and in 1829 the}- 
 emigrated to Fountain County, Ind., where Mr. 
 Roberts entered land and Itegan the development 
 of a farm. The mother died in 1839. OursuI)jcct 
 was her only child. In 18-10, Archibald Roberts 
 was again married, his second union being wilh. 
 Plnebe Allenduff, a native of Ohio. They became 
 the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter, 
 the eldest of whom, William, a resident of Foun- 
 tain County, Ind., married Lizzie Cantield, by 
 whom he has three children. Frederick was twice 
 
 married. He wedded Miss .Margaretta Duncan, 
 who died a year later. His second wife, who is also 
 deceased, was in her maidenhood Miss Josie Stan- 
 ley, and unto them were born a son and daughter. 
 Mary died in the fall of 18()-1. .Joseph H. married 
 Mi.ss Mary Driscoll, liy whom he had two daugh- 
 ters, but one died when only a year old. .lasper 
 .1. married Miss Mattie Pearson, and their family 
 numbers a son and daughter. Charles A., the 
 youngest of the family, resides on the old home- 
 steail in Indiana, where his father first located. 
 
 (ieorge W. Roberts, of this sketeli, was reared to 
 manhood amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and 
 was early inured to the hard labors of improi'ing 
 and developing a farm on the frontier; here 
 he developed habits of self-reliance and indus- 
 try which have proven of incalculable benefit to 
 him in later years. He continued to make his 
 home in the .State of his nativity until twenty-four 
 j'ears of age, when, in 1855, he came to Illniois, 
 settling in Iroquois County, about three and a-half 
 miles south of Milford. He purchased a farm of 
 one hundred and seventy-five acres and h.<is since 
 made it his home, devoting his attention exclu- 
 sively to agricultural pursuits, with the exception 
 of a period which he spent in the army. August 
 9, 1862, he lespouded to the country's call, enlist- 
 ing in Compiiny 12, .Seventy -sixth Illinois Infantry, 
 and for three years was one of its faithful de- 
 fenders. When his term of service had expired 
 and the war was over, he was honorably discharged, 
 anfl leached home August 7, 1865. He partici- 
 pated in the siege of Vicksbnrg, the battles of 
 Jackson, of Jackson Cross Roads, and of Ft. 
 Blakelv. They traveled over twelve thousand 
 miles and did dnt3- in eight of the Confederate 
 States. Our subject was in every engagement of 
 his regiment. 
 
 On the 30tli of March, 1868, Mr. Roberts and 
 Miss Mary II. Gray were united in marriage. 
 Their family nuniliered six childien, but their lirst- 
 boin died in inf.ancy: Floi'ence, Archibald. Re- 
 becca, Nellie and Kiltie were the other members of 
 tiie family, but Florence and Nellie are the only 
 ones yet living. The family have a pleasant home 
 upon one of the fine farms of the county. Mr. 
 Roberts has added to his first purchase and now 
 
644 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 
 
 owns a valuable tract of two hundreri and ninety- 
 fiv e acres,all under a high state of cultivation 
 and well improved. For many years lie has en- 
 gaged in stock-raising on an extensive scale. 
 
 Mr. Roberts cast his first Presidential vote for 
 John C. Fremont in ISTiG, and has since continued 
 to support the Republican party, of whose princi- 
 ples he is a warm advocate. He has never been 
 an offlcer-seeker, yet was elected and twice served 
 as Assessor of his township. Socially, he is a mem- 
 ber of Venn urn Post No. 471, G. A. R.,of Milford. 
 Mr. Roberts is numbered among the early settlers 
 of the county, and during his long residence his 
 upriglit life, straightforward business dealings and 
 sterling worth have won for him many friends. 
 To every duty of citizenship he is as faitliful as 
 when he wore the"blue." On the 26th of August, 
 1891, his wife was called to lier final rest. She was 
 a meml^er of the Universalist Church. 
 
 \j! OSEPH PHUITT has for thirty-seven years 
 been an honored and respected citizen of 
 Iroquois County. He now resides on sec- 
 ^ tion 23, Lovejoy Township, and is recog- 
 nized as one of the progressive and public-spirited 
 citizens of the community. He was born in Tip- 
 pecanoe County, hid., on tlie 16th of March, 1843, 
 and is the eighth in order of birth in a family of 
 eleven children, born of tlie union of Jolin R. and 
 Barbara (Baker) Pruitt. His i)arents are men- 
 tioned more fully in tlie sketch of J. A. Pruitt, of 
 Ash Grove Township, on another page of this 
 work. Of their seven sons and four daughters, 
 nine are j'et living. 
 
 Our subject was a lad of twelve summers when 
 he came to Iroquois County. He is largely a self- 
 educated and self-made man. His advantages in 
 youth were limited, except in the line of farm 
 labor. His fatlier purchased four hundred and 
 eighty acres of raw land, and Joseph aided in its 
 development and cultivation, transforming the 
 tract into rich and fertile fields. His parents af- 
 terward met with reverses, and when he started 
 
 out in life for himself he had no capital save a 
 pair of willing hands and a strong determination 
 to succeed. As a companion and helpmate on 
 life's journev he chose ISIiss Augusta Hnrd, their 
 union being celebrated on the 25th of January, 
 1865. Mrs. Pruitt claims Michigan as the State of 
 her nativit}-. She was born January 26, 1843, 
 and when ten years of age came to Illinois. She 
 has three brothers and a sister yet living, wlio are 
 mentioned in the sketch of A. P. lIuid,on another 
 page of this woik. 
 
 During the late war, Mr. Pruitt responded to 
 the countr3''s call for troops and joined tlie boys 
 in blue of Comiiany F. One Hundred and Thirty- 
 fifth Indiana Infantry, under Capt. W. D. Lee and 
 Col. Billy Wilson. He enlisted in May, 1864, and 
 was mustered into the United States service at 
 Indianapolis, whence he was sent to Nashville, 
 Tenn., and on to Bridgeport, Ala., to re-enforce 
 the troops at that place. He was mostly on guard 
 and detail duty. Subsequently, the command was 
 sent back to Nashville, Tenn., to intercept Gen. 
 Forrest, and in that city remained until after the 
 close of the war. 
 
 Mr. Pruitt was mustered out Octolicr K!, 1865. 
 He was never in guard-house or hospital, and was 
 never taken prisoner, but was always found at his 
 post, faithfully discharging his duties. All honor 
 is due to the boys in blue, who preserved the 
 Union, and valiantly defended the Old Flag, 
 which now floats so proudl}- over the Ignited Na- 
 tion. 
 
 Wlieii tlie war was over, Jlr. Pruitt returned to 
 his home, and resumed his farming o|)erations, 
 which lie has since followed. His landed posses- 
 sions, comprising five hundred and sixty acres, 
 pay to him a golden tribute in return for his care 
 and lalior. All the improvements of a model farm 
 are there found, and their comfortable and com- 
 modious residence is pleasantly andconveniently 
 situated about a mile and a-quarter from Welling- 
 ton. Tlie home lias been Ijlessed by the presence 
 of five sons and tliree daughters: Charles L., who 
 was educated in AVellington, Milford and in tlie 
 Onarga Business College, from which he gradu- 
 ated, now resides in Lovejoy Township; Doll>' is 
 the wife of Dr. A. L. Brobeck, a rising young pli}'- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 645 
 
 .-ioian and surgeon, whose sketch appears else- 
 where in this work; Ilirani Dodge, Frank, Kittle, 
 Nellie. . Iodic and Allie are still under the parental 
 roof. 
 
 Probably no man in llie eoininunily has done 
 more for the public schools than Mr. I'ruitL. Tiie 
 .-ichools indeed find in him a warm friend, and for 
 thirteen years Jie has been connected with the 
 Board of Education of Wellington. He believes 
 in securing good schools by hiring competent 
 teachers. For a number of 3ears he served .as 
 President of the Board, and the ollicers at this 
 writing are: W. M. Prillaman, President; Alex 
 Pate, Clerk; and .Joseph Pruitt, Director. There are 
 three departments in the school under E. .1. Blake, 
 Principal; Miss Maude Tonilinson. who has charge 
 of the intermediate department, and Miss Mollie 
 E. Shean, who is in charge of the primary. Mr. 
 Pruitt also gives his support to every enterprise 
 calculated to prove of public benefit, or advance 
 tiie interests of the communit}-, and is regarded as 
 one of the valued and representative citizens of 
 l.nvejoy Township. 
 
 ^fOIIN C. BUrNKH. a well-known breeder 
 of I'ercheron horses residing in P)Ucklev, 
 was born in Licking Country, Ohio, on the 
 5th of September, 1841. His father, Frank- 
 lin G. Bruner, was a native of \'irginia and in an 
 early day removed to the Buckeye State, where he 
 met and married Miss Ellen Conard, who was born 
 in Licking County, Ohio. They became the par- 
 ents of two children, who are yet living, namely: 
 .John C. and Nelson .J. They have also lost two 
 children: George \\'., the second in order of birth, 
 was killed by a falling tree, on the 25th of .Jan- 
 uary, 1867; and Emma l>ouisa, the next younger, 
 died about 1868. 
 
 In the autumn of 1842, Franklin (J. Bruner re- 
 moved with his family from Ohio to Illinois, locat- 
 ing on a rented farm in La Salle County near (Jt- 
 tawa. He afterward purch.ised an eighty -acre tract 
 of land from the Government, to which he added 
 by additional jiurchase until at the time of his 
 
 death, in 1871, he had abiuit ?l\ liundred acres of 
 valuable land. His children were reared in La 
 Salle County. In connection with farming, he 
 gave considerable attention to stock-raising, deal- 
 ing in horses, cattle and hogs, and was a successful 
 agriculturist. In f.nct, he w.as a self-made man. 
 who bj" his own efforts worked his way upward 
 from a humble position to one of affluence. His first 
 wife died in 1852, and he afterward married I'^liz- 
 abetli Brumback, who was the first white child born 
 in Kutland Township, La Salle County, and a 
 daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Pitzer) Brum- 
 back. There was one child born unto Mr. and 
 Mrs. Bruner, a daughter, Ida ALay, who is now the 
 wife of .John Thompson, by whom she has two 
 children. They now reside on the second farm 
 owned by her father in La .Salle County. • Our 
 subject was only alxuit a year old wlien brought by 
 his parents to this State, and amid the wild scenes 
 of frontier life he was reared to manhood, his ed- 
 ucation being acquired in the common schools of 
 the neighborhood. At length he attained to ma- 
 ture years, and on the 8tli of February. 1866, mar- 
 ried Miss Louisa .T. Deenis, daughter of David G. 
 and Lvdia (I"'unk) Deenis. Two children were 
 born of their union, Lydia E. and Cora May. The 
 elder daughter married .1. K. Love, a native of 
 Ireland, and they reside in Peotone; Coirf May is 
 the wife of B. N. Sloan, a native of New Vork,and 
 they reside in Chatsworth, where Mr. Sloan runs a 
 hardware store. They have one child, a daughter, 
 Mabel Bruner. Mrs. Bruner died on the 2d of 
 .lunc. 1872. 
 
 On his father's death, .John C. Ihuncr of this 
 sketch came into possession of a farm m La Salle 
 County and, in connection with the cultivation 
 and development of his land, he engaged in breed- 
 ing horses. While there he owned some celebrated 
 horses, including "Baffle," a thoroughbred running 
 horse who was never beaten on the race track but 
 once, although dis|)layed at a number of State 
 fairs. He also owned "Cruiskeen," also a thorough- 
 bred Kentucky running horse, a very speedy ani- 
 mal, whose reputation is well known in I^a.S.'ille 
 County. In 1878, he sold his >tock farm in La 
 Salle County and removed to Buckley, where he 
 has since continuouslv made his home. He is now 
 
646 
 
 i'ORTEAlT AND BlOGRArillCAL RECORD. 
 
 engaged in the breeding of Percherou draft and 
 trotting horses. lie is an excellent judge of horses 
 and is an ardent lover of the noble steed. 
 
 Ill 1881, Mr. Bruner sold his La Salle County 
 farm and bought one hundred and sixty acres of 
 land four miles east of Buckle}', which he disposed 
 of in 1891. In polities, he is a Democrat and served 
 as Assessor of Artesia Township in 1880 and again 
 in 1.881. He is Director of the Iroquois County 
 Agricultural Society and is a member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Ciiiirch. Mr. Bruner has a wide 
 acquaintance throughout this community, is recog- 
 nized as a straightforward business man and is a 
 highly respected citizen. Socially, he is a member 
 of the Masonic fraternity and of the Modern 
 Woodmen. 
 
 ^^^<l^ 
 
 'DAM JACOB, an honored veteran of the 
 late war and a merchant tailor of Watseka, 
 4 is a native of Germany, and was born 
 1^ Sci)tember 14, 1828. His father, George 
 
 .Jacob, was a farmer by occupation, living near 
 Baden.. Adam was the youngest of five children 
 and is the only one now living. When about 
 twent}' years of age, on the 29th of April, 1849, 
 he set sail for America. He had received a 
 good common-school education and served an ap- 
 prenticeship at the tailor's trade in his native 
 country. The thorough knowledge of tailoring he 
 had gained enabled him to secure employment 
 immediately upon liis arrival in New York City, 
 where he remained for about two j'ears. At the 
 end of that time, he was employed in Newark, 
 N. .T., where he continued for four years. Bj' his 
 industry and steady habits, he had succeeded dur- 
 ing this time in getting quite a start in life, and, 
 having a desii-e to see moi'e of this country, he set 
 his face Westward. He went as far as Peoria, 111., 
 arriving theie May 24, 1865. Here he remained, 
 engaged at his trade, until thespringof 1861, when 
 he removed to New Middleport, now Watseka. 
 With the exception of his service in the army, he 
 has resided liere up to the jn-esent date. 
 
 Responding to the call of Jiis adopted country 
 for volunteers, he enlisted at Watseka on the 14th 
 of August, 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and 
 Thirteentii Illinois Infantry. On the Tallahatchie 
 march, he was taken sick and was sent to the 
 hospital at Holly Springs, Miss., where he arrived 
 December 1, 1862. He remained there until Xan 
 Dorn's raid upon that place, when he was cap- 
 tured, but was immediately paroled. About a 
 week later, he was sent to Memphis and on to St, 
 Louis, where he was exchanged as a prisoner of war 
 at Benton Barracks, remaining there until June 
 16, 1863, at which time he went to Camp Butler 
 and was on guard duty until the 4th of March, 
 1864, when he again joined his regiment at Mem- 
 phis, Tenn. On tiie 10th and 1 1th of June, he took 
 part in the engagement at Guntown. From there 
 he was sent to Memphis, and was stationed on 
 picket duty until late in the fall, when he was sent 
 on the raid to Eastport, Miss. After some unim- 
 portant services, the regiment returned to Mem- 
 phis, where he was discharged June 19, 1865, and 
 was paid in Chicago. As a soldier he was prompt 
 and faithful in the discharge of his duties and 
 with true courage earnestly defended the Flag of 
 his adopted country. 
 
 Mr. Jacob returned home after his discharge from 
 the service and engaged in. his former occupation. 
 He has been fairly successful in all fiis business 
 undertakings, and such a measure of success has re- 
 warded his perseverance and industry that for the 
 past few years he has been able to live a retired 
 life, doing but little at his trade, 
 
 Mr, Jacob was united in marri.age with Miss 
 Yohannah Mastik at Peoria, 111,, on the 1 6th of 
 June, 1857. The lady passed away on the 3d of 
 March, 1873. He was again married, Januarj' 13, 
 1874, at La Fayette, Ind., to Christina Wurster. 
 Two children have blessed tiiis union: Emma 1). 
 and Mina, both of whom are still living under the 
 parental roof. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Jacob alliliates with 
 the Republican party, having cast his ballot for 
 its support since coming to this Cduntry, He was 
 elected Alderman of this cit}-, which p(jsition he 
 filled ver}^ acceptably for two years. He is a 
 member of Iroquois Lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F. In 
 
tMyt^-it^-yi^^^y/C^)^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 64 !l 
 
 the disflwri^e of his tin ties, the peifoiniancc of his 
 labors, and in all his intercourse with his fellow- 
 nien liis life has ever been such that the people 
 have accorded him their regard and friendship. 
 
 — ^^-S-**! 
 
 •i-5-^-*- 
 
 ' KKFKHSON SIIUMAN NKAK,M. 1)., Mayor 
 of Watseka. has been a resident of Illinois 
 since 1865. He was born in Chambersburg, 
 Pa., on the 16th of March, 1848, and is a 
 son of Robert E. and Sarah (Shuman) Near. His 
 parents were born and reared in the Keystone State. 
 The mother died when our subject was but three 
 vears of age, and the father subsequently came to 
 Illinois and is now a resident of Paw Paw. At 
 the time of his mother's death the son was taken 
 to Akron, Ohio, by her people, by whom he wa.s 
 reared and educated. The greater part of his school 
 davs were spent in Akron Seminary. In the fall 
 of 1865, Dr. Near came to Illinois and located in 
 .loliet, where he engaged in teaching country 
 schools. He began the study of medicine under a 
 preceptor. Dr. C. W. NVilliams, a leading physician 
 of Jolict, and in the fall of 1874 became a student 
 in Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, the 
 leading homeopathic medical school of the West, 
 from which he was gra<luated in the Class of '76. 
 He at once established practice in Frankfort Station, 
 111., where he remained until the 1st of August, 
 1878, when he removed to AVatseka, and has since 
 been engaged in constant and successful practice 
 in this city. His odice, which is situated over the 
 Citizens' Hank, is the finest doctor's oflice in the 
 county. It is well furnished and supplied with a 
 fine library and fitted out in a superior manner 
 with surgical instruments and appliances. 
 
 In May. 1882, Dr. Near was united in marriage 
 111 Chicago with Mi.ss Minnie Dewey, wlio was born 
 ill Western Illinois, and is a danghter of John 
 Dewey and a member of tlie Presbyterian Church. 
 In politics, the Doctor is a Democrat. In May, 
 1S87, he was elected Mayor of Watseka and filled 
 that office for two years. In the spring of 18y2, 
 he was again elected to that oflice and is the present 
 incumbent. For four years he represented the 
 
 town of Middleport as Supervisor on the County 
 Board, serving from 188:5 until 1887. inclusive. He 
 is the present Chairman of the I ro<|uois Democratic 
 Central Committee and has held that position for 
 four years. Under President Cleveland's adminis- 
 tration he served as a member of tlie local board of 
 United States Pension Commissioners at Watseka. 
 For five years he has served as local suigeon for 
 the Toledo. I'eoriact Warsaw Railroad Company. 
 In his social relations he is an active member of 
 Mon Ami Lodge No. 23 1 . K. of P. He is also a mem- 
 ber of the Iroquois Medical Association and is the 
 only physician of his school of practice residing in 
 the county. 
 
 Since sixteen years of age. Dr. Near has made 
 his own way in the world, acquiring his education 
 largely through his own unaided efforts, as he did 
 his medical education. By persevering industry, 
 intcirrity and good habits, he won the respect and 
 esteem of all with whom he had to do, while as a 
 physician, his ability and uniform success in prac- 
 tice have secured for him an extensive and lucrative 
 business and placed him in the foremost rank of 
 the profession in his county. As a public oHicei, 
 his career has been distinguished by prompt and 
 capable discharge of duty and con.*cicntious regard 
 for the best interests of the community, denial, 
 affable and courteous to all, Dr. Near has made 
 liosts of friends among his associates wherever he 
 has resided. 
 
 ^pv) ARL DRUMM is the mechanical superin- 
 ((( _ tendent of the Iroquois County JVmes. The 
 \^'' following is quoted from tiie Times pub- 
 lished on .lanuary 1, 1892: "To-day begins the 
 twenty-second year of the Times' history. That 
 same period numbers the days and years that have 
 rolled by since Carl Drumm, its present foreman, 
 became connected with the pa|)er. He was with it 
 when it w.as born and has stood by it through 
 storm and struggle. He laid its first font of type, 
 set its first line, put its first issue together, and 
 without intermission or holiday, has kept pace 
 with its career. No one is more gratified tlian he 
 
650 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 because of its great strides during the year past, 
 tlirough wliidi it approached its majority." 
 
 Carl Drurnui was Ijorn in Rhenisii Bavaria, near 
 tlie river Kiiine, in tlie year 1848. His parents 
 were Micliael and Catherine (Simon) Drumm. Our 
 subject came to America wiien a small child with 
 his fatlier and mother, who settled in New York 
 City, from whidi place they removed to Ontario, 
 Canada, whore they still reside. In the year 
 1863, Carl l)ecame an apprentice on the Berlin 
 Journal^ and there remained until November, 1867. 
 Having mastered the trade of type-setting, he 
 went to Cleveland, Oiiio, where he worlvcd on 
 cases several years in tlie ofHcc of a religious news- 
 paper. 
 
 Desiring to gain a thorough knowledge of job 
 printing, Mr. Drumm journeyed to Chicago, in 
 1870, and was employed in job offices of that city. 
 While there a telegram was received from Onarga, 
 111., making inquiries for a printer. In response 
 to this, he left the great city and cast his lot with 
 the Times, then being founded. In a sliort time, 
 lie pui'chased an interest in the paper, which was 
 enlarged in March, 1871, and moved to Watseka 
 in May of the same year. 
 
 - Soon after its removal to this city, Mr. Drumm 
 was wedded to Miss Louise Hett, of Berlin, Can- 
 ada, a lady he had learned to love while sei'ving 
 his apprenticeship at the printer's trade. They 
 were married October 2, 1873, and the union has 
 proved a hajipy one, and prosperity has attended 
 them. Three sons were born, the eldest of whom, 
 John Launcelot, was born March 5, 1875. He is 
 doing excellent work and earning a good salary .as 
 an employe of the Times. Henry Clair was born 
 November 28, 1876; and Harold Alter. May 9, 
 1881. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Drumm are members of the Ger- 
 man Lutheran Church. In polities, Mr. Drumm is 
 a Democrat. He belongs to the AVatseka Lodge 
 No. 1086, K. II., and Camp No. 339, M. W. A. By 
 strict application to business and good manage- 
 ment, the subject of our sketch paid for a neat 
 cottage on Oak Street, owns considerable stock in 
 the Iroquois Building and Loan Association and is 
 second largest share-holder in tlie Times Coin])any. 
 
 Tlirougli all the changes iti the ownership of the 
 
 Times, Mr. Drumm has been a safe barometer for 
 its guidance and always directed the departments 
 under his charge with unvarying success. Many 
 an anxious observer in j'ears past has approached 
 him, regarding him as a faithful sentinel at the out- 
 post to answer the lines of the poet — 
 
 " Watchman, tell us of the night — 
 Wliat its signs of promise are?'' 
 
 His long and fjiithful career is worthy of the 
 best commendation. 
 
 <^LBEN L. BROUGHER is the owner of a 
 W^lu [ model farm located on section 21, Prairie 
 
 /// (4 Green Township. He tliere owns and 
 ^^ operates three hundred and twenty acres 
 
 of land, which >ields to liim a golden tribute in 
 return for his care and cultivation, and Mrs. 
 Brougher owns one hundred and sixty acres. Not 
 a furrow had been turned or an improvement made 
 when he became owner of this tract, but it is now 
 transformed into rich and fertile fields, and good 
 buildings stand as monuments to his thrift and 
 enterprise. 
 
 Mr. Brougher is a native of the Ke3'stone State. 
 He was born in Cumberland County, near Ilarris. 
 burg, August 6, 1846, and is a son of John and 
 Eleanor Ann (Gregory) Brougher. The family is 
 of Irish descent, having been founded in America 
 by the great-grandfather of our subject. He 
 crossed the Atlantic from Ireland to tliis country 
 in Colonial days. John Brougher was born in 
 Cumberland County, Pa., and learned the black- 
 smith's trade, which he followed in connection 
 with farming. He died in his native State in 
 1876, at the age of sixt3'-four years. His wife 
 died at the age of sixty-five, on a farm which had 
 been in the family for one hundred and forty-one- 
 years, on which slie and all her children were born. 
 Mr. Brougher had served as County Commissioner 
 and was a prominent and influential citizen. So- 
 cially, he was connected with the Odd Eellows' soci- 
 ety, and in politics he was a Democrat. His business 
 life was one of success and he became well-to-do. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Himself and wife were meml)er.s of the I'rcsbvte- 
 rian Cliiirch and were zealous workere. She had 
 been twice married before and iiad two cliildren 
 by each marriage. In their family were eight chil- 
 dren: Oliver, who serve<l as Sergeant in a Penn- 
 sylvania regiment in the late war, now resides in 
 Des Moines, Iowa; Jane is living in Michigan; 
 Elizabeth resides near the old homestead in Penn- 
 sylvania; Miles, who was in the employ of the 
 Government during the late war, is a farmer of 
 the Keystone State; Emeline is living near the 
 old homestead; A. L. is the next younger; Klias, 
 who was one of the boys in blue during the late 
 war, is now an agriculturist of .Stockland Town- 
 ship; and Delilah is living in Pennsylvania. .VII 
 of the children were born and reared in the Key- 
 stone State and are j'et living. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subjf^ct were quietly 
 pa-ssed in Pennsylvania. Ilis education, acquired 
 in tlie common schools, was completed at the age 
 of seventeen, after which he gave his entire time 
 and attention to farm work, with which he has 
 been familiar since he was ten veal's of age. At 
 the age of eighteen he began to earn his own live- 
 lihood, and for nine months drove a team for the 
 Government during the late war. He was then 
 employed in a (louring-mill. While in Pennsyl- 
 vania ho wedded Maiy !Mes.senger, but she died 
 three years later, leaving one son. Miles, who is 
 living with his grandmother in Pennsylvania, at 
 the age of twenty-three ^-ears. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. IJrougher engaged in 
 farming for five yeai-s in Pennsylvania, and in tiie 
 spring of 1872 he removed to Iroquois County 
 and located upon the farm which has since been 
 his home. He ma}- well be called a self-made man, 
 for he started out in life empty-handed and b^- his 
 perseverance, industry' and good management has 
 acquired a handsome property and .aciiieved suc- 
 cess. When he came here he could see nothing 
 but wild prairie in any direction. 
 
 -Mr. Hrougher was the second time married on 
 the 2'Jth of .lanuiiry, 1872, in Henton County, 
 Ind., tiie lad;- of his choice being Jliss Nancy E. 
 Brown, who was born in Tippecanoe County. Ind., 
 a daughter of John and Catherine (Mater) Brown, 
 both natives of Penn.sylvania and pioneers of Tip- 
 
 pecanoe County, Ind.. wlieio llu- father farmed 
 most of his life. The mother passed away in Indi- 
 ana at the age of sixty-two years. The father 
 died in Hoopeston, III., aged eighty-live years. 
 Cnto our subject have been l)orn six children: 
 Velena Ann, \'elona Leah, John Koy an<l Mervin 
 Hay (twins) Mary Auice and Alben J. Mrs. 
 Broughcr is one of twelve children, o{ whom seven 
 live. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. ISronghcr are memlters of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church of Wellington, to the 
 support of which they contriltute lil)erally and are 
 among its active workers. He ca.st his lirst Presi- 
 dential vote for Seymour in 1868, and has since 
 been a supporter of the Democr.acy. He takes an 
 active interest in political affairs, but the honors or 
 emoluments of public otlice have never illiired 
 him. In his social relations, he is an Odd Eellow 
 and a -Mason, belonging to Star Lodge No. 70i), A. 
 F. it A. M.; the Chapter of Hoopeston; and Mt. 
 Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T., of Faxton. Mr. 
 Brougher is recognized .as a leading citizen of the 
 community. Public-spirited and progressive, he 
 takes an active interest in all that pei tains to its 
 welfare, its promotion and advancement. 
 
 6 ^'-^y<7^fM^ 3 
 
 m 
 
 [OHN WHITE, a successful and pidsperoiis 
 farmer, resides just on the outskirts of Mil- 
 ford, where for many years he has carried 
 on agricultural pursuits. He now owns and 
 operates four hundred acres of valuable land 
 which is under a high state of cultivation and well 
 improved. He follows general fai ming. and the 
 well-tilled lields and neat appearance of the place 
 indicate the supervision of a thrifty and careful 
 manager. 
 
 Mr. White well deserves representation in liic 
 history of his adopted county, and with pleasure 
 we record his sketch. He was born near (Jxford, 
 Butler County, Ohio, .lune 1, 183C, and is a son of 
 Amos and Rebecca (Kennedy) White, who were 
 also natives of the Buckeye State. Their family 
 numbered seven children, but two died in infancy. 
 Those who iz'rew to manhood and wnmaiihood are 
 
652 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 as follows: Susan, who became the wife of Charles 
 Axtell, died in June, 1864, leaving a daughter, 
 Eva, who is now tlie wife of Julius Wheeler; John 
 of thissketcli; Priscilla, wife of Daniel Fry, by 
 whom slie has three childi'en, one son and two 
 daughters; Sarah, who resides with her mother in 
 Watseka; and Harriet, vvife of William James, a 
 resident of Frankfort, Ind. In 1849, the parents 
 emigrated with their family from Ohio to Iro- 
 quois County, 111., and entered land in what is 
 now Milford Township. The father died in 1862, 
 hut the mother is now a resident of Watseka. 
 
 Mr. White, whose name heads this sketch, made 
 ills home in the Buckeye State until lie came 
 with the family to this county. Since 1849 he has 
 been a resident of Milford Townshi]*, and during 
 the forty-three years which have since passed has 
 resided only upon his present farm, which was 
 entered from tiie Government by his father and 
 adjoins the corporation limits of Milford on tlie 
 east. 
 
 Mr. AVliite has led -i busy and useful life, and li.as 
 devoted the greater part of his attention to .agri- 
 cultural pursuits, yet has found time to serve his 
 fellow-townsmen in several official positions, and 
 his duties were ever faithfully performed. He is 
 alike true to every public and private trust, and 
 the confidence reposed in him is never misplaced. 
 He takes considerable interest in the M.asonic 
 order, iiolding membership with Milford Lodge 
 No. 168, A. F. & A. M.; Watseka Chapter No. 114, 
 R. A. M.; and Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, 
 K. T., of Paxton. 
 
 On the 15th of September, 1863, Mr. While led 
 to the marriage altar Miss Hannah Brown, daugh- 
 ter of Barnabas and Martha (Wiley) Brown, of 
 Ontario, Canada. One child has been born of this 
 union, a son, Amos, on the 29th of Februar}', 1868. 
 He married Miss Louise Belle Berry, daughter of 
 Oliver and Melinda (Hold) Berry. They have a 
 little daughter, Harriet Rebecca, born on the 24th 
 of November, 1891. Mr. White and his wife are 
 well and favorably known throughout this com- 
 munity where tliey have so long made their home, 
 and their friends are many. He has witnessed 
 much of the growth and development of the 
 county, iiaviiig seen it when the greater part of 
 
 the land was still in its primitive condition, when 
 the settlements were widely scattered, and when 
 many of the now flourisliing towns were not in 
 existence. The rapid changes lie has seen, and in 
 the work of development and progress he has ever 
 borne his part. 
 
 ^I^LDON T. BRIGHAM, dental surgeon, .and 
 lU] tlie oldest established dentist of Watseka 
 /f'"^ in years of practice, opened his office in 
 this city in January, 1885. The Doctor was born 
 in Chautauqua County, N. Y., on the 6th of No- 
 vember, 1853, and is a sou of Nelson and Char- 
 lotte (Stoddard) Brigham. His parents were born 
 in the same count^^ as their son. They emigrated 
 to niinois in 1857, and settled in Fairbury, Liv- 
 ingston County, where the father engaged in 
 agricultural pursuits until the year 1887, when 
 they moved to Chicago. They are still residing 
 in that city. 
 
 Eldon T. came to this Slate with his parents, was 
 reared on his father's farm, and received a com- 
 mon-school education. In 1878, he began the 
 study of dentistry in Sheldon, Iroquois County, 
 111., and opened an office in that place tlie same 
 year. After practicing there until January 1, 
 1885, he removed to Watseka, where he opened an 
 office, and has since done a successful and increas- 
 ing business. In order to better perfect himself 
 in his profession, he took a course of study at the 
 Northwestern College of Dental Surgery of Chi- 
 cago, from which he graduated in the Class of '88. 
 
 In May, 1889, Dr. Brigham admitted Dr. George 
 R. Lee to partnership with him, under the firm 
 name of Brigham & Lee. These gentlemen are 
 fully abreast of the times in all new discoveries 
 and inventions pertaining to their business, and 
 have tlie most complete facilities for doing all 
 kinds of work in their line, including the most iii- 
 tricale jobs of crowning and bridge-work, and are 
 recognized as the leading dentists of the county. 
 Dr. Brigham is a member of the Illinois Slate Den- 
 tal Society'. 
 
 The Doctor was married al Savbrook, 1 11., De- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 fir)3 
 
 eeniher 27. 187(), to Miss Maggie E. Ravborn. She 
 was born in ^IcLi-an Count)', III., and is a daugiiter 
 of Ilenry R. Rayborn, Ksq. Two children were 
 born to Dr. and Mrs. IJrigiiani, Kdith E. and Roj-E. 
 The little son died at the age of three years. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Brigham is a Republican. So- 
 cially, he is a member of AVat^eka Lodge No. 4-46, 
 A. F".ct -V. M.: and of Watscka Chapter No. 114, 
 R. A. M.; also of Mon Ami Lodge No. 2.31. K. of 
 V. Dr. Brigham is a nieraber of the Watseka Re- 
 publican Publishing Company, of which he is 
 treasurer. He and his partner have the finest suite 
 of dental rooms in Iroquois County, which are lo- 
 cated over the Citizens' Bank in the new lirick 
 building, and are well lighted and elegantly fur- 
 nished and complete in all their appointments. 
 Dr. and Mrs. Brigham are members of the iMcthod- 
 ist E|)iscopal Church. 
 
 ^p^AHRETT CA.SPERS. one of the leading 
 'tl ^-- (icrman farmers of Iroquois Count)', m.akes 
 ^^4 liis home on section 11, Ash Grove Town- 
 ship, lie was born in Hanover, Kriesland, Ger- 
 many, on the 27th of .September, 1821, and is a 
 son of .l.acob 1 1, and .\ntze (Garretts) Caspers, 
 both natives of that country. The father was 
 born .January ."?. 1777, and spent his entiie life in 
 the Fatherland, where he was engaged .is a car- 
 penter and bricklayer. In 1818, he was united in 
 marriage with Miss Garretts, who was born on the 
 20th of April, 1797, and unto them were born 
 three children, of whom our subject is the only 
 one now living. John and Annie died after com- 
 ing to the United .States. The mother .accompan- 
 ied Garrett to this country, the father having 
 died when our subject was but sixteen years of 
 age, and with him remained until her death, which 
 <x;curred in Woodford County, 111. The family 
 left Bremen in 1854, and after a nine-week voy- 
 age landed at New Orleans. They then pioceeded 
 up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Peoria, 
 where the other two children died. 
 
 The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
 
 his native land, and there learned the carpenter's 
 trade, which he carried on for many years. In 
 Peoria he worked at his trade for four years, when, 
 in 1858, he went to Woodford County, where he 
 purch.ased a farm of eighty .acres. This he im- 
 proved and cultivated until his removal t<^) 'Iro- 
 quois County in 1877. Here he became the owner 
 of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 
 11, Ash Grove Township, which he still makes his 
 home. He is one of the prosperous and well-to-do 
 farmers of this comnuinity, having been very suc- 
 cessful in his business affairs. 
 
 In W'oodford County, Mr. Caspers mariied Tada 
 Conrad, a native of Germany, the wedding cere- 
 mony being performed on the 22d of October, 
 18.")i). The lady came with her parents to this 
 country when about four yeai's of age and made 
 her home in this State. L^nto Mr. and Mrs. Cas- 
 pars was born a family of ten children, two 
 of whom are now deceased: ,Iacob H., born .lan- 
 uar)' 6, IStil, is now a farmer of Nebraska; Emma, 
 the wife of Fritz Trapp, of Nebraska, was born on 
 the 23d of February, 1862; Annie, born January 
 28, 1864, is the wife of Jon.is List, a farmer of Mil- 
 ford Townshi|); Richard, deceased, was born Decem- 
 ber 17, 1865; Richard, (2d) born June 25, 1867. 
 is a farmer of Nebr.iska; Katie, deceased, was born 
 on the 12Lh of M.ay. 1869; Herman, born July 18, 
 1871, aids his father in the operation of the home 
 farm; Frederick, born October 29, 1873, resides in 
 Dakota; Gracie, born December 8, 1875, and John, 
 born February 25, 1878, are still under the pa- 
 rental roof. The children all had good educa- 
 tional privileges, studying both the German and 
 English languages. 
 
 Religiously, Mr. Caspers and family are mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church, of which he h.as been 
 Secretary. He is a liberal supporter of the church 
 and helped to build the present house of worship. 
 He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, whom 
 he had the pleasure of seeing. He now exercises 
 his right of franclii.se in support of the Demcx-ratic 
 party iis a general rule, but is not strictly pjirlisan, 
 preferring to vote for the man whom he thinks will 
 best fill the ollice. Mr. Ca.spers is one of the self- 
 made men of the county, having started out in life 
 with only ¥20, but has worked his way upward to 
 
654 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 success and has now a comfortable competency. 
 He is highly respected throughout the community, 
 and Germany lias furnished no better citizen to 
 Illinois. Me has gained all lie now possesses bj' 
 his own industry and enterinise. 
 
 '• f o^ I 
 
 ■^'AMES F. HEREFORD, a prominent drug- 
 gist of Watseka, was born in Clark County 
 111., on the 21st of January, 1845. He is a 
 son of L. P. and Louisa (Powell) Hereford, 
 both natives of \'irginia. They went to Peoria, 
 111., in 1833, but soon afterward removed to Clark 
 County, where they remained until 1845. The\' 
 then went to Tazewell County, where they lived 
 until 1853, at which time they settled in Wood- 
 ford County, 111. Here the father of our subject 
 entered and improved eighty acres of land, on 
 which he erected a fine home, where he resided 
 during the remainder of a life of usefulness and 
 industry. In connection with farming lie did quite 
 an extensive business in stock-raising, and in addi- 
 tion to tiiese employments, carried on a real- 
 estate business and was engaged in other occupa- 
 tions. 
 
 Of a family of eight children, our subject was 
 the fourth in order of birth, and seven still sur- 
 vive. Mrs. Hereford's ancestors were a long-lived 
 race of people, being strong and healthy until 
 tiiey had attained a good old age. His maternal 
 grandmother, Mrs. Louisa Powell, lived to the ripe 
 old age of ninet3'-six. 
 
 Mr. James V. Hereford received the advantages 
 of a common-school education, which was supple- 
 mented by a course of study at Eureka College. 
 At the age of twent3'-six he commenced farming, 
 which pursuit lie followed for about six 3'ears with 
 good success. He then entered the drug business, 
 locating in Seeor, 111. In 1887, he removed to 
 Watseka, and has c(mtiiuicd in the drug trade 
 since that time. From the time when he estab- 
 lished business here, he has been recognized as one 
 of the leading druggists of the town, and b}' the 
 liberal patromigo whieli he receives, it is evident 
 that lie has won the couthlence and respect of his 
 
 customers as the I'esult of his courteous treatment, 
 fair dealing and prompt attention to their wants. 
 On the 10th of June, 1805, Mr. Hereford was 
 united in wedlock with Miss F^lizabeth Dickinson, a 
 daughter of John R. Dickinson, a resident of this 
 county. Our subject is a member of the Watseka 
 Lodge No. 446, A. F. & A. M. He served his fel- 
 low-citizens during three years as County Super- 
 visor. He is a very public-spirited, enterprising 
 man and is highly respected throughout this com- 
 munity. He is well informed on all subjects of 
 general interest and able to express kis ideas faith- 
 full.y and well. By strict attention to business he 
 has built up a good trade and enjoys the esteem of 
 all the citizens of this town. 
 
 /^I<:ORGE HOWARD PIERCE, who is en- 
 (11 (_ — gaged in general farming and stock-raising 
 
 %^Jfi on section 17, Milford Township, has the 
 honor of being a native of this State. The j)lace 
 of his birth is Belle Flower Township, Marshall 
 County, and the date December 12, 1856. He is a 
 son of Charles S. and Mary Luciuda (F^owler) 
 Pierce, natives of Massachusetts. On leaving the 
 F^ast, his parents emigrated to Illinois, settling on 
 a farm in Marshall County about 1850. There 
 they resided for many years, after which they went 
 to F\ird County, III. In that county tlie^' made 
 their home until 1877, when they went to Iowa, 
 but the following year they returned to Illinois, 
 and have since been residents of Iroquois County. 
 A fuller account of the family is given in the ac- 
 count of A. V. Pierce. 
 
 Mr. Pierce of this sketch spent the days of his 
 boyhood and youth nnder the parental roof in the 
 usual manner of farmer Lads, working in the fields 
 during the summer months, while in the winter 
 season he attended the common schools, where he 
 aciiiiired his education. After attaining to years 
 of maturity he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Lauretta Jane Mahoney, daughter of John Ma- 
 honey. Their wedding was celebrated in Ford 
 Countv, on the 25th of October, 1875, and upon i\ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 055 
 
 farm in that county tbey began tlieir domestic life, 
 making it llieir home until 1886. In that year 
 llicy came to Iroquois County, and located on a 
 farm in Milford Townslii]), two nitles west of tlie 
 village of Milford, where they have since resided. 
 Throughout his entire life ^Ir. Pierce has engaged 
 ill farming and stock-raising, and now operates 
 tluce hundred and ten acres of land. His fields 
 arc well tilled, and the neat appearance of the 
 place indicates his thrift and enterprise. 
 
 I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have been born a 
 family of seven children, three sons and four 
 daughters, as follows: William Howard, born May 
 1, 1880; Thomas Henry, July 27, 1881; Mary, De- 
 cember 21, 1882; Alice and Charlie, twins, born 
 May 31, 1885; ^Martha Arwinnie, February 20, 
 1887; and Lillie, April 2, 1890. 
 
 Mr. Pierce holds membership with the Milford 
 Lodge of Modern Woodmen, and is also a member 
 of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. Po- 
 litically, he is a Republican. He and his wife are 
 highly respected people, who have a large circle of 
 friends and acquaintances throughout the comnni- 
 11 it V. 
 
 ' OHN KIiY is a representative agriculturist 
 of this county and the owner of a yaluable 
 farm on the Iroquois River, consisting of 
 two hundred and thirty acres on section 23, 
 Iroquois Township. He is practical and [irogress- 
 ive, and by his own industrious efforts has won a 
 position among the substantial citizens of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Mr. Eby is a native of Indiana. He was born in 
 Wabash County, September 3,1848. His father, 
 Michael Eby, died when our subject was a lad of 
 three years. His mother in after years married 
 again, and .lohn spent his early youth with a guar- 
 dian. His educational ])rivilcges were limited, he 
 being permitted to attend the public schools onl\' 
 for a few months each year, but he was early 
 trained to farm labor. About 1860, he .accom- 
 panied his mother and stepfather to IlllnfMS, the 
 family niaking a location in t)iis county. ( »ur 
 
 subject worked on a farm by the month for several 
 years, being thus employed until his marriage. In 
 March, 1873, he was joined in wedlock with Jliss 
 Sarah Sturdevant, a native of this county. Her 
 father, Jonathan Clark Sturdevant, is one of the 
 honored pioneers of this locality. He located on 
 the Iroquois Hiver at the place known as Sturde- 
 vant's Bend, where he opened up a farm and 
 reared his family. 
 
 After his marriage. Mr. Kby located on a small 
 farm on the south side of Iroquois River and en- 
 gaged in its operation for several jears. Dtiring 
 tills time, he purchased a small piece of timber- 
 land on the north side of the river, but as his finan- 
 cial resources were increased, the boundaries of his 
 farm were enlarged, until he is now the owner of 
 two hundred and thirty acres of rich and valuable 
 land. He now has in his home farm <me hundred 
 and fifty acres,which are under a high state of culti- 
 vation. The place is well improved with a neat 
 and substantial residence, a large barn, and all the 
 other accessories of a model farm. Mr. Eby com- 
 menced life a poor boy, saving to make his own 
 way in the world from an early age. On attaining 
 his majority, he came into possession of ¥500 
 from his father's estate, and with this exception 
 his entire possessions have been acquired by his 
 own enterprise and industry. He has tlius .accu- 
 mulated a large and valuable property and is con- 
 sidered one of the thrifty and well-to-do farmers 
 of Iroquois Township. 
 
 Si.K children grace the union of oin- subject and 
 his wife, two sons and three daughters. Charles, 
 the eldest, now aids his father in the operation of 
 the home farm; Eva,(ieorgc, Lucinda and Ida are 
 still under the parental roof The^- lost one child, 
 Frances, who died at the .age of two years. 
 
 Mr. Eby has been identified with the Repub- 
 lican |)arty since he became a voter. The cause of 
 education finds in him a friend, and he is a firm 
 believer in the |)ublic-school system. He and his 
 wife are members of the Methodist Chinch and 
 give liberally- to church, charitable and benevolent 
 purposes. Their home is the abode of lK)spitalily 
 and in social circles they rank high, Tlicn' friends 
 thrf)ughout the conimunity mo ninny and llicy 
 arc held in warm esteem by all who kiinw tlicin, 
 
656 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Tliirtj--two years have passed since Mr. Eb3' came 
 to the county, and witli its upbuilding and devel- 
 opment during this period he has been promi- 
 nentl}' identified. Asa valued and representative 
 citizen of the community, he certainly deserves 
 representation in this volume. 
 
 \ti I-:A>;DER M. HOGI.E, who resides in Wat- 
 I ((^ seka, is one of the honored pioneer settlers 
 ' l^v-, of Iroquois County. He was born in the 
 Province of (Quebec, Canada, on the 9th of August, 
 1836, and is a son of Henry W. and Charlotta 
 (Wells) Hogle. His father was a native of Iloosic, 
 N. Y., and was of German descent. In Keeue, N. 
 H., he married Miss Wells, who was a native of 
 that place. They removed to Canada, where the 
 father died in 1818, at the ago of fifty years. The 
 mother died in Watseka, in 1874. 
 
 The subject of this sketch came with his mother 
 to Illinois on the 1 1th of August, 1849, and settled 
 in JMiddlei)ort, where his boyhood days were 
 passed. His education was acquired in tiie com- 
 mon schools, and he learned the harness-maker's 
 trade in Middleport, but followed it only a short 
 time. He afterward engaged in wagon-making 
 and ran a shop in JNIilford for three years. He 
 also carried on harness-making and also engaged 
 in cabinet-making for a time, but at length sold 
 out to Mr. Bishop. His next venture was as the 
 proprietor of a meat market, which he carried on 
 for two years. Since that time he has been en- 
 gaged in the insurance business. 
 
 In 1857, in Miiford, Mr. Hogle w.as united in 
 marriage vTith Miss Caroline M. Davis, daughter 
 of Jonathan Davis, and a native of Ohio. Five 
 children have been born of their union: II. Clar- 
 ence, who married Miss Emma Beckett, and is liv- 
 ing in Peoria; Walter H., wiio married Miss Nellie 
 Hutchinson, and makes his home in Miiford; Ina, 
 wife of A. W. Lewis, of Plattsniouth. Neb.; Wilda, 
 wife of lehabod White, a resident of Oinaiia, Neb.; 
 and Maud. 
 
 Mr. Hogle has taken <piite a promineni part in 
 ])ublic affairs. He sei'ved as Assessor for six ternls 
 
 in Middleport Township; filled the otiice of Con- 
 stable for about thirteen years, and was Deputy 
 Sheriff for eight jears. In political sentiment, he 
 is a stanch Democrat. The educational interests 
 of tiie community have ever found in him a friend 
 and he has served as a member of the School 
 Board, as School Trustee and as Director. His wife 
 is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hogle 
 has a wide acquaintance throughout this commun- 
 ity and is held in high esteem b}' many friends. 
 He has made his home in the count}' since 1849, 
 and has been prominently identified with its up- 
 building and advancement. He well deserves rep- 
 resentation in this volume and with pleasure we 
 present this record of his life to our readers. 
 
 ■■X\ ji^lLLlAM A. B. TATE, the popular and 
 \/\Ill efficient Postmaster of Buckley, who is 
 ^/%' also serving as Justice of Ihe Peace, ranks 
 among the most prominent citizens of this town. 
 He was born in Harrison County, Ind., on the 18th 
 of January, 1839, and is one of a family of eight 
 children. His parents were Zachariah W. and Jane 
 Kamey (Gillispie) Tate, the former a native of 
 Indiana and the latter of the Keystone State. Of 
 their four sons and four daughters, four are yet 
 living, namely: Mrs. Louisa CarolineGay ; W. .V. B. 
 of this sketch; Mrs. Elizabeth J. Billings and E. W. 
 With the exception of our subject all are residents 
 of Kansas. The mother died in Indiana in 1862, 
 and in 1864 the father removed to Illinois, where 
 he made his home for nine years. In 1873, he re- 
 moved to (ireenleaf, Washington County, Kan., 
 where he made his home until 1882, when he was 
 called to the home beyond. 
 
 In the common schools of his native State the 
 subject of this record acquired his education. He 
 afterward learned the mason's trade, and it was his 
 intention to pursue a collegiate course of study, 
 but after the breaking out of the late war he 
 abandoned that idea, and on the 9th of July, 1861, 
 faithful to his duty and true to his patriotic im- 
 jtulses, he entered the service as a member of Com- 
 pany B, Twenly-fuui ih Indiana Infantry, (iov. A. 
 
i'^-t^t'-^l^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ~^ 
 

 vn. i» i 
 
 f9 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 r.t;i 
 
 I'. Ilovey's regiment. He valiantly served for 
 four years and five months, participating in many 
 important engagements and en<luring much ardu- 
 ous service. At Mobile, Ahi., he \vas wounded in 
 the head by a piece of shell, and from the effect of 
 this wound he still suffers with tlie headache. 
 When hostilities had ceased and the Union had 
 been preserved through the effoits of such men as 
 our subject, he was mustered out, December 6, 
 18G5. 
 
 After the war. Mr. Tate returned to French Lick 
 Splines, Ind.. where he followed the mason's trade 
 until l«t)8. In the meantime, he formed a matri- 
 monial alliance with Miss Salina E. Plummer, a 
 daughter of George and Klvira (Bratton) Plum- 
 mer. of French Lick Springs, Ind. Their union 
 was celebrated on the 8th of September, 1867. 
 The following year the\' removed to La Salle 
 County, III., where Mr. Tate engaged in farming 
 for a lime. In Marcli, 1870, he came to Buckley 
 and for a number of years was engaged in business 
 as a brick and stone mason and a plasterer. He 
 then engaged in clerking in the general store of 
 C. Quesse for two 3-cars. On the 23d of April, 
 1889, he wa.^* appointed by President Harrison as 
 Postmaster of Buckley, which odice he still holds. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tate were born two chil- 
 dren, but they lost their son, William (i., wlio 
 was born on the 8th of August, 1868, and died on 
 the 8tli of October, 1888, at the .age of twenty 
 yeare. Lillie E., born January 15, 1870, is now 
 the wife of Rev. A. A. Waters, formerly of Buck- 
 ley. He is now teaching in Ilcdding College, in 
 Abingdon, 111., occupying the chair of science. 
 They have three children, a son and two daugh- 
 ters: Ciilberl, Inez and Maliel. 
 
 Mr. Tate is a stalwart Republican, who warmly 
 advocates the principles of the parly with which 
 he h.is been connecteil since attaining his majority, 
 lie has been honored with several local olllces, the 
 duties of which he ever discharges witli prompt- 
 ne.ss and fidelity. He was at one time President 
 of the Village Board and for many years served a.s 
 a member of the X'illage Council. Himself and 
 "wife are both members of the Methoilist Episcopal 
 Church and are highly respected people, whose 
 friends thrqughout the community are many. 
 
 30 
 
 /p^EORGE R. ASHMAN. May.-i of (iilmaii, 
 ml ^- and dealer in grain, coal and agricultural 
 
 ^^^j implements, was horn near Buffalo, Erie 
 County, N. V., on the :ki of August, 1841t. He is 
 a son of John H.and Sallie (Turner) Ashman. The 
 Turner family is of German descent, as is also the 
 Ashman family. The paternal great-grandfather 
 of our subject was a soldier of the Revolu- 
 tionary War. and his gr;indfallier was a Captain 
 under Gen. Scott at the battle of Lundy's Lane, in 
 the War of 1812. His father was born near Buf- 
 falo and his nujther was also a native of Erie 
 County and there their marriage was celebrated. 1 n 
 1854, they came to McIIcnry County, 111., where 
 Mr. .\shinau followed his trade of building. He 
 was quite an extensive contractor and architect and 
 a man who was thoroughly ac<iuainted with his line 
 of trade. He took an active interest in the Repub- 
 lican party and in all local affairs. His death oc- 
 curred in 1878, and that of the wife in 1892. Both 
 were of the Universalist faith. Six of the children 
 of their familj' of eight are now living. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the fifth in order of 
 birth. He was reared to manhood in McIIenry 
 County and received his education in the common 
 schools, sup))leraented by a course in Marengo Col- 
 lege. He learned the carpenter's trade with his 
 father and became a first-class workman. In 1870 
 he went to Ford County, where he spent two years 
 on a farm. He then went to Roberts and clerked 
 until 1878 for William Flora. After that he went 
 on the road as traveling salesman and collector for 
 the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, at 
 which he continued until 1885. He next began 
 buying grain and liandling farm implements on his 
 own account, in which business he li.as succeeded 
 beyond his expectations, at |)re.sent doing a busi- 
 ness of about * 100,000 per year. 
 
 Near Rf)herts, Mr. Ashman was joined in wed- 
 lock, February 29, 1880. with Ida S., daughter of 
 .S. C. Burt, one of the pioneers of Ford County. 
 The father was born in tlie old Bay State, February 
 10, 1820, and died on the 27th of July, 1887. In 
 Massachusetts, during his younger years, he learned 
 the trade <>( a carpenter and jciincr. His primary 
 education, ac(|uired in the cipnuiiun schools, was 
 supiilemeiited by one year's study of higher 
 
fiC2 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAFHICAL RECORD. 
 
 hranches. At the age of seventeen he left his old 
 honiean(),staiting' Westward, traveled five hundred 
 miles on foot into the wilds of New York, lie lie- 
 came one of the early settlers of Cattaraugus 
 County and there built a pioneer cabin and cleared 
 a farm, making a home in the -'land of tiie five 
 great waters." During the infancy of Mrs. Ash- 
 man he removed with his family to Illinois, locat- 
 ing in Iroquois County. He was also one of the 
 pioneers of this locality and was a prominent and 
 leading citizen during its early days. Mr. Burt 
 and his wife were charter membei's of the first Con- 
 gregational Church which was organized in Ford 
 County, it being located in Lyman Township, and 
 they took a prominent part in all that would ad- 
 vance the best interests of the community. Mr. 
 Burt passed away at the age of sixty-seven years, 
 but his wife is still living and enjoys good health 
 for one of her years. She was born in Massachu- 
 setts, September 8, 1811, and makes her home in 
 Oilman. She is a member of the Presbyterian 
 Church of that place and is a life member of the 
 Bible Society. In politics, Mr. Burt was an old- 
 line Whig until the dissolution of that |)artv, and 
 at the organization of the new Republican party 
 he joined its ranks and continued one of its stanch 
 supporters until his death. 
 
 Mrs. Ashman, wife of our subject, was born 
 February 29, 18.56. She was educated in the com- 
 mon schools of her adopted county and in Grand 
 Prairie Seminar}' of Onarga. She also took a full 
 course of musical instruction in the Conservatory 
 of Music in the same place and became a teacher 
 of recognized ability in Ford and Iroquois Coun- 
 ties, following that profession for a period of five 
 years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ashman have been born 
 five children; .Jessie L., Elma O., Ogilbie B., Luella 
 (deceased), and Merrill, who was accidentalU 
 drowned in a well when twenty-two months of age. 
 
 Mrs. Ashman is a member of the Presbyterian 
 Church, to which her husband gives his support. 
 She also holds membership with the Ladies' Foreign 
 and Home Missionary Societies and with the 
 Woman's Christian Temperance rnion of Gilinan, 
 of which she is ('orres|>onding Secretary. Mr. Ash- 
 man is greatly interested in civic societies and is a 
 Ivnight Templar Mason, lie belongs to Gilman. 
 
 Lodge No. 591, A. F. <fe A. M.; Watseka Chapter No. 
 114, K. A. M.; andMt. Olivet Commandery No. .38, 
 K. T., of Paxton. Politically, he exercises his right 
 of franchise by casting his ballot for the nominees 
 of the Republican party. Recognizing his inciit 
 and believing in his ability, his fellow-townsmen 
 have frequently called upon him to fill position- of 
 trust and honor. While in Ford County he acted 
 as Deputy Sheriff. lie has been Alderman of the 
 Second Ward of Gilman for one term, and in the 
 spring of 1891 was chosen Mayor on theAnti-license 
 ticket and still occupies that office. He is a ^ery 
 popular Mayor and tiie city has materially im [iro ved 
 financially and otherwise since his administration. 
 In regard to matters of education he is always very 
 active and is now serving his third year as a mem- 
 ber of the School Board. He has been Secretar}- of 
 the (iilman Building and Loan Association since 
 its organ izaiion. He is also President of the Oil- 
 man Hall Association. Whatever success he has 
 met with in life is due to his own efforts, industry, 
 good management and exercise of correct business 
 principles. His pleasant home is the abode of hos- 
 pitality and comfort and with his estimable wife 
 he entertains a large circle of friends who esteem 
 them most highly for their sterling worth and 
 many good qualities. 
 
 \f|AMES CRANGLE, who is engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits, on section 6, Ash Grove 
 Township was born in County Down, Ire- 
 _ land, March 17, 1832, on the farm where 
 his father, James Crangle, was born and reared. 
 His mother bore the maiden name of Mary Brennau. 
 In 1840, the family sailed for America. The vessel 
 in whii-h they took passage weighed anchor at 
 Warren Point on the 2;3d of April, and on the 28th 
 of ilaj' reached the harbor of New York. The fa- 
 ther of our subject then came on with his wife and 
 children to Grundy County, 111., and worked on 
 the canal. His death occurred about 1843, after 
 which his widow returned to the Emerald Isle. 
 Both were members of the Catholic Church. Their 
 family nuuibered four children: Sarah, who is now 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 663 
 
 niJirried and resides in Ireland; Patrick, in Chero- 
 kee County, Iowa; James, of this sketch; and Peter, 
 now deceased. 
 
 Our subject was a lad of onl\' eij^ht summers 
 when he crossed the briny decii. At the age of 
 ten lie began working on a farm and was in the 
 employ of one man seven years. During that 
 period, by perseverance and economy he acquired 
 a small capital and purchased eighty acres of land 
 ill (irundv County, where he engaged in farming 
 until 1869, except that his duties were interrupted 
 by liis service in the late war. He enlij-ted on the 
 lOth of August, 1862, as a member of Company 
 I), Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, which w.as 
 assembled at Chicago, Col. Fred Starring in com- 
 mand. Thence the troops were sent to Cairo, 
 later to Columbus, K\'., then to Oxford, Miss., and 
 afterward to Memphis, where tho}' spent the win- 
 ter. In the spring the}- started from Milliken's 
 Bend for Vicksburg, by way of (irand Gulf, par- 
 ticipating in the battle of Champion Hill under 
 Gen. Grant. They then made a charge on Vicks- 
 burg, in which Company I) lost half its number, 
 and participated in the siege until the surrender of 
 the city on the 1th of .July. With his regiment, 
 Mr. Crangle went to Natchez, then spent the fol- 
 lowing winter in \'icksburg, on jjrovost duty. His 
 health suffered much and he was transferred to the 
 Veteran Reserve Corps. He spent two or three 
 months at Ft. Lincoln in W.ishington and the re- 
 mainder of his service was in guarding prisoners 
 at Uoek Island, where he was honorably discharged 
 July 17, 1865. 
 
 Mr. Crangle then returned to his farm, and in 
 1869 came to Iroquois County, purchasing his 
 present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
 whereon he has since made his home. He was 
 married, November 29. 185.'>, in Brookfield, La 
 Salle County, to Miss Bridget O'Farrell. a native 
 of Ottawa and a daughter of Frank and Mary 
 (Carey) O'Farrell. Unto them have been born 
 the following children: Peter, who went to Ne- 
 br.iska in 1886. but returned after six years and is 
 now on the home farm; John, who aids his father 
 in farming; Frank, County .Superintendent of 
 Schools, whose sketch appears elsewhere; James, 
 who died in infanc\'; .Anna, who was educated at 
 
 Onarga and is now a teacher of recognized ability. 
 Ella, who died August 17, 1888, at the age of 
 twenty years; Sadie, at home; .\lice. who was edu- 
 cated at Onarga and is now engaged in teaching; 
 Jesse; Lucy; Charles, who died in 1888, at the age 
 of nine years; James and Edna. The seven young- 
 est children are natives of this county and the 
 others were born in (irundy County. 
 
 Jlr. Crangle and his family are all members of 
 the Catholic Church and he is the President of the 
 Farmers' Mutual Bcnetit Association. Socially, he 
 is a member of Crescent Post No. 717, G. A. R., 
 being Senior ^'ice•commander, having been trans- 
 ferred from Williams Post No. 2.5, of Watseka. 
 He cast his first vote for James Buchanan and 
 has since supported the Democratic party, except 
 in 186L when he voted for Lincoln. In the ex- 
 citing times prior to the war, he heard a debate 
 between Lincoln and Douglas in Ottawa. He is 
 usually found in the conventions of his party and 
 has held some local otlices, having served as Super- 
 visor for five years. In Grundy County, he served 
 ten years as Justice of the Peace. His residence 
 I in the county covers a period of almost a quarter 
 of a century, and during these years he has estab- 
 lished a reputation as a good citizen, an honorable 
 business man and a progressive farmer. He has 
 made his own way in life and his success has been 
 achieved throutrh his own efforts. 
 
 ^V_^ 11. HOLLENHACK is one of the early 
 Wjjji settlers and honored citizens of this county, 
 s)^' now residing in Cissna Park. He was born 
 V^^ in CableCounty,W.Va., December 19, 181.3, 
 on the banks of the Ohio River. His grandf.-ither, 
 Martin Ilolienback, was a native of Germany, who 
 came to this country in Colonial days, located in 
 Virginia, and afterwards removed to South Caro- 
 lina. He served in the Revolutionary War under 
 Gen. Washington. By trade he was a cooper. 
 His death occurred in Virginia. The father of our 
 subject, Martin Ilolienback. Jr., was l)orn in South 
 Carolina, and spent hi? last days in Wetl \'iiginia. 
 
664 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Throughout his life he followed the occupation of 
 furming-. Jlis wife, wlio bore the maiden name of 
 Ellen Hampton, was a daughter of Dr. Hampton, 
 a native of England and a prominent physician. 
 She was born in North Carolina and was reared in 
 West ^'irginia. Both Mr. and Mrs. llolleuback 
 were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 and in politics lie was a Whig. Their family num- 
 bered nine children: William, now deceased, was 
 employed on a steamboat on the Ohio River; H. H. 
 is the next younger; Daniel, who served in a Penn- 
 sylvania regiment during the late war, died in 
 Anderson ville prison; Mathias died at the age of 
 nineteen; John was also employed on the river; 
 iSarah, Mary, Catherine and Elizn were the daugh- 
 ters of the family. 
 
 Our subject was reared on the banks of tiie 
 Ohio, and as soon as old enougli to handle the 
 j)low, he began work in the fields and was inured 
 to farm labor. His education was quite limited. 
 He went to school three months during the winter 
 season, and his books consisted of a speller and 
 Te.stament, in which he learned to read. The 
 school was conducted on the subscription plan. 
 Mr. HoUenback remained at home until 18fi,o, and 
 was in the midst of the war difliculties, the country 
 around his home being traversed by both armies. 
 On the 9th of March, 1865, he came to Illinois, 
 locating at Loda, where he rented a farm. He af- 
 terward operated another rented farm for three 
 years, and then bought an eighty-acre tract of 
 wild prairie land in Pigeon Cirove Township, 
 which he transformed into rich and fertile fields. 
 In 1884, he sold his farm and removed to Cissna 
 Park, where he has since lived retired. He here 
 built four residences, three of wliicli lie yet owns. 
 
 On the 3d of May, 1832, Mr. HoUenback niar- 
 rii'd Mi.ss Margaret Ann Ricketts, who came of an 
 old family of Eastern Virginia, of English descent. 
 Unto them have been born eleven children, live of 
 whom are still living: Leonidas, who served in 
 the First Virginia Cavalry for three 3ears and 
 four mouths, is now engaged in tlie dairy liiisiness 
 near Kansas City, Mo.; John, who served in the 
 Fifth Virginia Infantry, alsf) resides near Leonidas. 
 but since the war has been in poor health; Will- 
 iam, who was in the First Virginia Cavalry, was 
 
 taken prisoner, sent to Belle Isle and afterward to 
 Anderson ville, where he died; Oliver is living in 
 North Nebraska; James is the next 3'ounger; Airs. 
 Fannie Weddington died in Texas in 1892; .ind- 
 Mrs. Nannie Thoi'nton resides at home. AVith the 
 exception of the youngest, all were born in West 
 Virginia. 
 
 Mr. HoUenback cast his first Presidential vote 
 for AVilliam Heniy Harrison in 1836, and sup- 
 ported the Whig party until the rise of the Re- 
 publican party. He voted for Lincoln. Since 
 thai time he has been a Republican, and he advo- 
 cated that party in its early days, when it required 
 courage to support those principles, for men were 
 shot down for advocating such opinions. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. HoUenback have traveled life's 
 journey together for sixty years as man and wife, 
 and the years have but served to strengthen their 
 mutual love and confidence. Their lives have 
 been checkered with sorrow and pain, but the hus- 
 band has upheld and supported the wife and she 
 has sustained and encouraged him. Together they 
 liass down the hill, but their last years are made 
 pleasant by many friends who join with their chil- 
 dren in showing them love, attention and respect. 
 
 _^] 
 
 ^^^[ 
 
 /^\ HARLES 11. PAYSON, attorney-at-law, sen- 
 (l( „ ior partner of the law firm of Payson <k 
 ^^ Orebaugh, of Watseka, is a native of Illi- 
 nois and was born in Bureau County, November 
 27, 1855. He is a son of H. L. and Maria E. 
 (Briggs) Payson, and came to Iroquois County in 
 1867. His education was obtained in the public 
 school and also at Lombard University, of Gales- 
 burg, 111. He studied law in Pontiac, in the office 
 of his brother, the Hon. L. E. Pu^'son, late Mem- 
 ber of Congress from that district. He was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar in 1876, and subsequently to all 
 the Federal Courts, with the exception of the .Su- 
 preme Court of the United States. 
 
 Mr. Piiyson began practice in Pontiac and con- 
 tinued there until 1878, when he went to Southern 
 Kansas. Later, he spent three years in the silvei 
 mines of Colorado, and in 1884 located in Wat- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 665 
 
 seka, where he resumed the practice of his profes- 
 sion. For a year aud a-iialf he was in partnership 
 with C. W. Raj'Miond. The e.xisting partncrsiiip 
 with D. A. Orehaui^li was ft)rnied in .September, 
 1891. 
 
 On the .'Jd of Januar}-, 1881, Mr. Fayson was 
 married in Ft. Collins, Colo., to Miss Clara Mar- 
 tin, a daughter of Moses M. Martin. Mrs. I'ayson 
 was born in Burlington, Iowa. She is a member 
 of the Episcopal Church. One cliild, a son, was 
 born to our subject and his wife, October 3, 1881, 
 to which the\- g;ave the name of Charles Victor. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a Republican in 
 polities and has served as Alderman from the Sec- 
 ond Ward of Watseka. lie is a member of the fol- 
 lowing named societies: the Knight.* of Pythias, Pat- 
 riotic Order of Sons of America and Modern AVood- 
 men of America. He is a stockholder in the Stiles 
 Automatic Hinge Company. Mr. Payson is a man 
 of superior ability and is well grounded in the law. 
 He has built up a good practice and is esteemed an 
 able and successful lawyer. He is a genial, whole- 
 souled man, who makes friends readily, and has an 
 extended acquaintance throughout the State among 
 his brethren of the legal profession and leading 
 business men. 
 
 ^^NDREW .1. DECKER, one of the honored 
 / l l veterans of the late war and a pioneer 
 /// Isi settler of this county, who for almost 
 ^fl half a century has made his home in this 
 
 community, was born on the 1st of November, 
 1813, in Page County, \'a. His parents were Chris- 
 ley and Mary Decker. His father was also born 
 in the Old Dominion and was reared to the occu- 
 pation of farming. In 1847, he emigrated West- 
 ward and located in Iroquois County, III. The 
 settlements in this locality were then widely scat- 
 tered and the work of progress and civilization 
 was scarcely begun. Iloopeston, Cissna Park and 
 Wellington had not yet sjirung into existence. 
 There were few roads, and the land was almost un- 
 broken prairie. Mr. Decker continued to follow 
 farming throughout his entire life. In poliiic>. 
 
 he was 'a Republican. His death occurred in 188(1. 
 Mrs. Decker, a native of A'irginia. i^ still living, 
 and her seventy-two years rest lightly upon her. 
 The family of this worlliy couple numbered nine 
 children, of whom six are yet living. 
 
 Our subject, who is third in order of birth, was 
 brought to this State when only about four years 
 of age. and was reared upon his father's farm, amid 
 the wild scenes of frontier life. His educational 
 advantages were limited, but by his own exertions, 
 experience and observation he h.a-s become well in- 
 formed. His training in farm labor was not so 
 meagre. He ai<k'd his father until after he liad 
 attained his majority and then started out in life 
 for himself. 
 
 On the 18th of August. 1862, Mr. Decker, al- 
 though then not twenty years of age, resi)onded 
 to his country's call for troops, and joined the 
 boys in blue of Company I, One Hundred and 
 Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. West, 
 who was afterward succeeded by Capt. Aaron 
 Kane. The regiment convened at Camp Dougks, 
 and w.-is commanded by Col. George D. Hogue. 
 Going to Memphis, Tenn., they participated in the 
 battle of IJolivar, where the One Hundred and 
 Thirteenth Illinois suffered greatly. They also 
 participated in the battle at La Fayette, Tenn., 
 where the regiment lost three hundred men. Mr. 
 Decker was in the thickest of the fight. He lx)re 
 all the hardships and privations of armj- life, being 
 often forced to go without food. At the battle of 
 Holly Springs, Miss., he met the enemy, and after- 
 ward on an expedition down the Yazoo River, and 
 again at \'icksburg. At Walnut Hill they met the 
 eiiemj- in a hard battle, in which they were de- 
 feated and ordered to the transjjorts. Mr. Decker 
 participated in the tiiree-day engagement at .\rkan- 
 sas Post, in February, IH63, and here the Union 
 troops were successful. Five com{)anies, including 
 that to which our suliject belonged, wcie then de- 
 tailed to guard the fifteen thousand prisoners who 
 were t(j betaken to Springfield. III. He was ill 
 during that time, but he woukl not allow himself 
 to give up until he had reached his destination, 
 where he was discharged for disability. 
 
 After partially recoveiing. .Mr. Decker re-enlisted 
 in October. 1863. for the remainder of the war. 
 
666 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 joining his company at Springfield, and from 
 tliere proceeded to Memphis, Tenn., wliere they 
 started after the rebel General, Forrest, whom they 
 defeated in battle. On the 10th of June occurred 
 anothei- engagement with Gen. Forrest, in which 
 the Union troops were defeated and Mr. Decken 
 who was captured, was taken to Andersonville 
 prison, where he underwent all the tortures and 
 hardships of that foul den for ten months. Dur- 
 ing the entire time thej' were never given any 
 meat, and each soldier was allowed only a half- 
 pint of corn-meal, corn and cob both being ground 
 up, from which the}' made mush. If any of the 
 soldiers tried to escape, the scanty rations were 
 shut off from the rest, and three or four days would 
 elapse before they were again given food. Mr. 
 Decker kept as far as possible from the "dead line" 
 but he saw many a poor fellow shot down like a 
 dog when he ventured too near that line, and has 
 seen others cut tiieir own throats to end their 
 miseries. During the winter of 1864-65 he was 
 almost naked, having only a ragged shirt and pair 
 of drawers, for his other clothes had been stolen 
 by the rebels. His release came on the 18th of 
 March, 1865, and found him almost a skeleton. 
 It seemed almost impossible for him to reach home. 
 With many others he went in cattle cars to Jack- 
 son, Miss., where the ambulance train was to meet 
 them, but it failed. Those who could walk did so, 
 and the others crawled. Mr. Decker was twelve 
 days going twelve miles to Black River. With his 
 comrades he then went to Vicksburg, on to Mem- 
 phis and to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where he re- 
 mained three weeks, when an order eame to send 
 every soldier to his own State, and he was sent to 
 Ciuincy, 111. He could not walk any from the time 
 he left Andersonville until he reached Qnincy on 
 the 16th of May. He was honorably discharged 
 on the 2d of July, 1865, and returned to his 
 home, broken down in health but with the record 
 of a brave and honorable soldier. 
 
 September 6, 1868, Mr. Decker vv.as united in 
 marriage with Miss Adeline Stanton, and unto 
 them have been born a son and two daughters: 
 Eva, wife of Lee Kothgeb, who is emplo3'ed in a 
 wholesale establishnient in Chicago; and Alice 
 and William at home. The family resides in aneat 
 
 and comfortable home, pleasantly situated upon a 
 good farm of one hundred and twentj' acres of 
 valuable land, under a high state of cultivation 
 and well improved. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Decker has been a stanch Re- 
 publican since he cast his first Presidential vote 
 for Gen. U. S.Grant. For six years he has filled 
 the office of School Director. Socially, he is a 
 member of the Grand Army Post of Milford, and 
 himself and wife hold membership in the Presby- 
 terian Church of Wellington. Mr. Decker is true 
 to every public and private trust, displa3'ing the 
 same loj-alty that he manifested in his country's 
 hour of peril. He knows what war means, for he 
 has suffered all its hardships. He was ever found 
 at his post of duty, a faitiiful soldier, valiantly 
 defending the Old Flag which now floats over the 
 united Nation. 
 
 ^I'OIIN WESLEY (iRUBHS, one of the hon- 
 I ored pioneers of the county, who is now 
 ^^ I living a retired life in Onarga, claims Ohio 
 ^^^) as the State of his birth, which occurred in 
 Montgomerj' County on the 18th of October, 1827. 
 He is the sixth in order of birth in a family of 
 twelve children whose ])arents were John and 
 Margaret (Riner) Grubbs, both natives of Berkeley 
 Count}', Va. The father died in 1850, but the 
 mother long survived him and passed away in 
 1881. Of their children only six arc now living, 
 namely: Peter, Thomas, Mary, Martha, Eliza 
 and John W. Samuel, George, Catherine, Jacob 
 and Sarah are now deceased. 
 
 We now take u]) the personal history of our 
 subject, who is very widely and favorably known 
 throughout the community and well deserves rep- 
 resentation in the history of his adopted county. 
 His boyhood days were spent in the Buckeye State 
 and his educational advantages were those which 
 the common schools afforded. After attaining his 
 majority he was joined in wedlock on the 15th of 
 August, 1850, with Miss Lorinda Allen, daughter 
 of Phineas and Keziah (Kelley) Allen. Five chil- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 dreii were born unto lliem, three sons and two 
 daiigbters: Keziah ,K. born May 10, IHol.is the 
 wife of George S. Ramsey, a resident of Onarga 
 Townsliip.and two eliildren were born unto them, 
 one of whom is living, Martha Lorinda. Phin- 
 eas W., l«)rn iNIarc-li 7, 1853, wedded Mifs Anna, 
 daughter of William Kinnison, and they became 
 the parents of two eliildren. Lora Leotaand Lizzie. 
 I.eroy, born .luly 24, IHTiG, married Sarah Elgin, of 
 Kansas, and they reside in Onarga Township. 
 Tnto them were born four children, three of whom 
 are yet living: Charles, Frank and l'>ertha. Har- 
 vey .1., liorn March 3, ISIJI, wedded Miss Maiv, 
 daugiiter of Koliert .Skeels, and is a resident of 
 .lewell County, Kan. I'nto them were born tiirec 
 eliildren, but Hurley is the only one living, Eva 
 Melissa and Harry having died in early childhood. 
 Melissa .1., born March .5, 186."). died in her nine- 
 teenth year. 
 
 In 18.')7, Mr (irubbs, father of tiiis family, emi- 
 grated from Ohio to Illinois, locating first in Peo- 
 ria County, where he remained for about a year, 
 lie then came to Iroquois County and settled c.n a 
 farm of two hundred acres, four miles east of 
 Onarga, where he spent the succeeding thirteen 
 years. He then removed to the village in order 
 to better educate his children, but after about two 
 years purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
 land two and one-half miles east of Onarga. Re- 
 moving to that farm in 1870, he made it his home 
 for fifteen j'ears, and in the meantime extended its 
 boundaries by the purcliase of an additional sev- 
 enty-four acres, making a farm of two hundred 
 and thirty-four .icres. The two farms, comprising 
 four hundred and thirty-four acres, are still owned 
 by our subject and his sons. In 188.5, Mr. Grubbs 
 abandoned agricultural pursuits and again went to 
 Onarga, where, with his wife, he still resides in a 
 comfortable home ntar Grand Prairie Seminary. 
 He li.is led a busy and useful life, and by his per- 
 severance and energy has a((|iiiied a coiMfortalile 
 competence. 
 
 Mr. Grubbs has held the office of Road Commis- 
 sioner for several years, and was also School Di- 
 rector for several terms, lie is true to every |nib- 
 lic and private trust, and his duties of citizenship 
 are ever faithfully performed. Those v,hi> know 
 
 him, and his circle of acquaintances is extensive, 
 hold him in the highest esteem for his sterling 
 worth and many excellencies of character. In pol- 
 itics, he is a supporter of the Democracy. For 
 thirty-two years he has lieen a member of the .Ma- 
 sonic order. 
 
 •^T^ IIGMAS HAMEH. who ownsand operates an 
 r (^ excellent farm of oiic hundred and sixty acres 
 V^ on section 16, Ridgelaiid Township, is one of 
 the worthy citizens that England has furnished 
 Iro(|Uois Coiiiit\. He was born near .Manchester, 
 on the 27th of .lanuarv, 183 1, and is a son of .lames 
 and Jlary (Collings) llanier. His father was a 
 s|)iuiier by trade and worked in a cotton factory. 
 He met his death by accident in 18;)3, being killed 
 by the machinery of the mills. His wife survived 
 him alioiit two years, passing away in 1855. Their 
 family mimbered nine children, of whom our sub- 
 ject is the second in order of birth; John and 
 .lames are both now deceased: Elizabetli is mar- 
 ried and resides in England; Hannah and lietty 
 have both departed this life; William and Samuel 
 died when about sixteen years old; and one child 
 died in infancy-. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were spent in 
 his native town Ileywood, near Manchester, Eng- 
 land. His education was acquired by attendance 
 at night schools and largely by self-culture, for his 
 privileges were quite limited, as he commenced 
 work in the mills when only ten years of age. He 
 learned the spinner's trade, and to that employ- 
 ment devoted his energies for some time. I'lider 
 the parental roof he remained until twenty-lhree 
 years of age, when, on the 11th of .Iul\-, 1853, he 
 was married in the Episcopal Church of Hiiry. the 
 lady of his choice being Miss .Mice .Vshton. daugh- 
 ter of David and .-Vlice (Wild) Ashlnii. They be- 
 gan their domestic life in their native land and 
 tliere resided until 1857. Mrs. I lamer was born 
 near Hury, Lancashire. England, .Vpril Id, 1835. 
 Her pareiiLs were natives of the same shire, where 
 they spent the rest of their lives. The father 
 wurkcd in m p:iper mill. Muth dieil aged sixty-six 
 
668 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 years. Of their eleven cliildren, five sons and six 
 daughters, five are now living. Mrs. Hanier is the 
 only one of the family that crossed the ocean. 
 
 The year 1857 witnessed the emigration of our 
 subject and his wife to America. Bidding good-bye 
 to their old home they took passage on a sailing- 
 vessel, which weighed anchor at Liverpool and 
 after seven weeks and three days reached the har- 
 bor of New York. During the voyage they en- 
 countered a storm which lasted twelve days and 
 twelve nights. The passage was terribly rough, 
 and it was with great relief tiiat the3f reached their 
 destination. Mr. Ilamer made his first location in 
 White Rock, R. I., but after a few weeks went to 
 Willimantic, Conn., where he again remained but a 
 few weeks. He then made his way to New York 
 City, with the expectation of returning to England, 
 but changed his mind, and in the winter of 18.57 
 came to the West, locating in BIcLean County, 111. 
 There he secured work as a farm hand by the 
 month and was thus employed for a 3'car, after 
 which he operated land on shares for a year. He 
 next secured a position with the Chicago A Alton 
 Railroad Company and was in its employ for about 
 nine months, when, having accumulated through 
 his industry and economy a small capital, he pur- 
 chased forty acres of land near Normal, 111., where 
 he spent two years. On the expiration of tliat 
 period he sold his farm and came to Iroquois 
 County, locating in Dougl.as Township, where he 
 purchased eighty acres of land at -$8 per acre. 
 Later, he again sold, and bought eighty acres on 
 section 16. his present farm. 
 
 Eight children have been born of the union of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ilamer, but one died in infancy. 
 Those living are: David Tiiomas, who married Ada 
 Knowlton and resides in Onarga; William H., who 
 married Roena .Spellinan and resides in Chicago; 
 Mary, who is the wife of Ralph iSpellnian,a teacher 
 in Greer College, of Hoopeston; Frederick A., who 
 married Clara A. Layer, and lives in Ridgeland 
 Township; Emma L., at home; Elizabeth L., a 
 teacher of their county; and Nellie B., at home. 
 The family has a pleasant home on the farm in 
 Ridgeland Township. Mr. Ilamer owns one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of arable land, which he has 
 placed under a higli state of cultivation and im- 
 
 proved with all the accessories of a model farm. 
 In addition to the cultivation of his fields, whose 
 neat appearance indicates his thrift and enterprise, 
 he engages in stock-raising. 
 
 In political sentiments, Mr. Ilamer is a Demo- 
 crat, and at the ballot supports the principles 
 which he warmly advocates. He has held the 
 office of School Director and is a friend to the 
 cause of education. Socially, he is a member of 
 the Odd Fellows' societ}'. Mrs. Ilamer and all the 
 children except one are Presbyterians, holding 
 membership with the church in Onarga. Public- 
 spirited and progressive, he manifests a commend- 
 able interest in all that pertains to the welfare of 
 the community and ever bears his part in its up- 
 building. It was a fortunate day for him when 
 he determined not to return to his native land but 
 to still continue his residence in this countrj', for 
 here he has gained a comfortable competence, 
 found a pleasant home and won many warm 
 friends, 
 
 lE^^i 
 
 '\TlOIIN WIENRANK, one of the prominent 
 and representative farmers of Ash Grove 
 Township, now makes his home on section 
 ^Ji^/' 1, where he owns a fine farm. He is a na- 
 tive of Germany, born in Hanover, on the 1st of 
 December, 1840, and is a son of .lacob Wienrank, 
 who was born and reared in the same place. The 
 father was a leading farmer of his native land, and 
 there was united in marriage with Miss Luke John- 
 son, who was also born in the same neighborhood as 
 her husband. In 1852 he started for America, ac- 
 companied by his wife and four cliildren. They 
 sailed from Bremen, and after a voyage of thirteen 
 weeks landed in New Orleans. Th(\y then pro- 
 ceeded up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to 
 Peoria, and settled on a farm near that place. The 
 fatlier there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
 1874, when he was called to his final rest, at the age 
 of flfty-six. His wife is still living, and makes 
 her home with her children, being now an inmate 
 of the home of our subject. In religious belief, 
 Mr. Wienrank was a IjUtheran, and politically. 
 
\^ 
 
 ^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 fiTl 
 
 gave his support to tlie Democratic parly. In the 
 family were four cliildreii, of whom our subject is 
 the eldest; Mrs. Oretje Van Hoveln now resides 
 on a farm adjoining her brother's; Tina is tlie wife 
 of Joiin Stover, wlio malces iiis iiomc in Kansas; 
 and Christof is a resident of Tazewell County, III. 
 
 Mr. Wienrank, of this sketch, began his literary 
 education in (iermany, but it was completed in 
 this country. He attended the English .schools of 
 Peoria, and there pursued his studies until the age 
 of seventeen 3"ears. He remained at home, aiding 
 in the labors of the farm, until he had attained his 
 majority, when he started out in life for himself. 
 For several years he made his home in Woodford 
 County, engaging in agricultural pursuits, and in 
 1876 removed to Iroquois County, where he pur- 
 chased his present farm of one hundred and (i fly- 
 two acres; but he now owns one hundred and sixty 
 acres additional. He is one of the enterprising 
 farmers of Ash Grove Township, and in his busi- 
 ness relations has been very successful; his farm is 
 one of the best in the community, and on it he 
 has placed many good improvements. 
 
 On the 17lh of February, 1870, Mr. Wienrank 
 was married, in Woodford Count}', to Jliss Antge 
 Duitsmann, a native of (iermanv. The lady was 
 born in Hanover, and came to this country in 1868. 
 By her marriage she has become the mother of six 
 children: Jacob J., born November 8, 1870, in 
 Woodford County; Folkc B., born in the same 
 county, January 19, 1872, is now the wife of Jacob 
 ^'an Hoveln, a farmer of Ash Grove Township; 
 Kao J., born Februar}^ 6, 1873, in the same county, 
 is still under the parental roof; John B., born in 
 Woodford County, February 3, 1876; Christof J., 
 born February 21, 1879; and Albert, born May 6, 
 1881, are still at home. The children have re- 
 ceived good educational advanUiges, attending 
 both the Kiiglish and German schools. 
 
 Mr. Wienrank is one of the po[)ular men of ihis 
 community, and has served his township one term 
 as Collector, and is now holding the office of Jus- 
 tice of the Peace. He and his family hold mem- 
 bership with the Lutheran Church of the neigh- 
 borhood and t(> it he gives his liberal support and 
 aid. Politically, he alliliates with the Democratic 
 party, and is an earnest advocate of its principles. 
 
 He cast his fii-st vote for Gen. (jeorge B. McClel- 
 lan in 1864. To the conventions of his party he 
 has often served as delegate, and takes an active 
 interest in political affairs. 
 
 SAAC J. GARDNER, for thirty-five years a 
 resident of this county, is engaged in agricul- 
 tural pursuits on his farm in Douglas Town- 
 ship. He was born in the Keystone State, his 
 birth having occured in .Susquehanna Ct)unty. on 
 the rith of May, 1837. He is a son of William P. 
 and .Sarah (.lames) Gardner. 'J'he first of the 
 (iardner family of whom we have any record was 
 Stephen Gardner, a resident of Connecticut, The 
 first white child born in Connecticut in 1636 was 
 a Gardner. The family is said to have come to 
 America in lhe"May(lower." .Stephen Gardner had 
 a family of twelve children, of whom the eleventh, 
 David, became the father of five children, the 
 youngest of whom, Isaac Gardner, was born in Con- 
 necticut, November 30, 1761. He was a soldier 
 in the War of the Hevolution, and his second 
 wife drew a pension on account of his .services in 
 that war. His first wife was Martha Rogers, b}' 
 whom he had five children. After her death he 
 married Esther Palmer, and unto them were born 
 nine children. The father of our subject was the 
 seventh child of the second marriage, his birth 
 having occurred December 27, 1812, in New Lon- 
 don County, Conn. He was wedded July 5, 183.'), 
 to Miss Sarah F. James, who was born in Con- 
 necticut, .September 30, 1815. After their mar- 
 riage he moved to Gibson Township, .Susque- 
 hanna County. Pa., where he followed the occu- 
 pation of farming. In 1857, the father, with his 
 son, the subject of this sketch, came to Illinois, and 
 thinking a good town would spring up where 
 Gilman is now located, they erected a house, the 
 lumber of which was the first car-load of lumber 
 unloaded at (Jilman. This w.as in August, 1857. 
 In F^ebruary following, he returned, and brought 
 his family to their new home in the West. 
 The country was wild and much of it under water. 
 At the close of the war. the father moved to a 
 
672 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 fai'in near Chebanse, but five years later he returned 
 to Gilman, which he lias since made his home. 
 Politically, be was formerly a Whig, and has 
 since been a Republican. The death of his wife 
 occurred in September, 1873. In their family 
 were five cliildren, of whom three are still living. 
 Isaac J., of this sketch. E. B.,a resident of Nuckolls 
 County, Neb., is an agriculturist. He married 
 Miss Maggie Francis, and they have two children, 
 a son and daughter. William D. is a resident of 
 Seattle, W.ash. lie married Miss Fannie Gilpin, of 
 (Jilman, 111., who died, leaving one child, a 
 son. He graduated from the University of Chica- 
 go, and followed the profession of a teacher for 
 many 3'ears very successfully and is now engaged 
 in the real-estate business. Afterwards the father 
 married Mrs. Lydia Hunt. He, as were both of his 
 wives, was a member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 Mr. Gardner, whose name heads this sketch, 
 was reared in a timbered and stony country, and 
 amid the hardships incident to that kind of farm 
 land he earl}' learned habits of industry and econ- 
 om}-. His chances for an education were confined to 
 the district schools, which at that early day afforded 
 the moans of education. December 21, 1862, he 
 led to tlie marriage altar Inverno, daughter of 
 Lewis J. and Hannah (Green) Bennett, a sketch 
 of whom is given in connection with that of Mrs. 
 Belva Lockwood on another page of this work. 
 Soon after his marriage our subject removed to 
 his present home. He purchased eighty acres of 
 land at $12 per acre, and five years later bought 
 forty acres more at the same price. When he pur- 
 chased, much of the land was underwater. Now he 
 has about eleven hundred rods of tile on his farm, 
 which he has otherwise improved and cultivated. 
 Besides farming, he ran a threshing and corn 
 shelling machine for many years, and therefore 
 got widely acquainted throughout the county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been blessed with a 
 family of four children: Frank I)., a graduate of 
 the State University of the Class of '91, is assis- 
 tant professor of agriculture in his Alma Mater, 
 and also assistant agriculturist at the E,xperiinent 
 Station at Champaign; William L. graduated from 
 the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago, 
 and is a hook-keeper in a wholesale rubber house 
 
 of that city; Mary E. is a graduate of the Gilman 
 High School, and a stenographer, and has a posi- 
 tion as pension clerk in Washington, D. C; and 
 Carrie E. resides at home. 
 
 Mr. Gardner is in sympathy witii the principles 
 of the Uepublican party, and has always voted for 
 its candidates, casting his first ballot for Lincoln. 
 For the last five years he has been engaged in the 
 dairy business, in which he has been quite success- 
 ful. During a long residence here he has made 
 many friends by his strict integrity and straight- 
 forward business dealings. 
 
 RS. BELVA A. LOCKWOOD. Washington, 
 D. C. As a distinguished daughter of one 
 of the pioneer settlers of Iroquois County^ 
 it is fitting that more than a passing men- 
 tion be made of Mrs. Lockwood, who bore the 
 maiden name of Bennett. Her grandfather, Ezek- 
 iel Bennett, emigrated from Vermont to New York 
 State at an early day. He married Marj' High, 
 and of this union was born Lewis J. Bennett, the 
 father of Mrs. Lockwood. On arriving at years of 
 maturity, Lewis Bennett wedded Miss Hannah 
 Green, who was also a native of the Empire State. 
 In 1856, JMr. Bennett came to Iroquois Count}', 
 locating near Onarga, where he spent the remainder 
 of his days in agricultural pursuits. He died on 
 the 26th of June, 1877, at the advanced age of 
 seventy years. His widow now lives in Onarga, 
 and has attained the age of seventy years. To 
 the above worthy couple was born a family of 
 fivechildren,of whom four are still living: Rachel, 
 who is the wife of James Robinson, of Onarga; Mrs. 
 Belva Lockwood; Warren G., a resident of Ridge- 
 ville, this county; and Inverno, who is the wife of 
 Isaac J. Gardner, represented elsewhere in this 
 work. 
 
 We now take up the personal record of Mrs. 
 Lockwood, which, if we mistake not, has few par- 
 allels in history. She was born on the 30th of 
 October, 1830, at Royalton, Niagara County, N. Y. 
 Her early education was acquired in the district 
 schools of her native county. Naturally possessed 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 c:;^ 
 
 of good mental powers nnd with :i strong bent for 
 thoiiglit and study, she always stood at the head 
 of her class and was a recognized leader. At 
 twelve years of age, in addition to the common 
 brandies. she studied algebra, physiology and phil- 
 osophy. A close observer, her thoughts and con- 
 clusions were often recorded in a notebook. Such 
 were her accomplishments that before she was tif- 
 teen years of age she was .^elected to teach school 
 in her home district, conducting the same school 
 four successive terms. During the first term, she 
 received the munificent salarv of $.5 per montii. 
 At the ago of eighteen, she married Uriah II.McXall, 
 a thrifty young farmer in the neigliborhood, who 
 was accidentally hurt while operating a sawmill, 
 and after a lingering illness of two years died, 
 leaving a daughter to the care of his wife, who was 
 not yet twenty-two years old. Trials oftentime 
 bring out the sterling trails of character, and so it 
 was with Mrs. McNall; every detail indoors and 
 out was looked after by her — she buying and selling 
 stock, measuring lumber, weigliing grain, writing 
 orders and receipts, making and mending. After 
 conducting the business a year, she decided to sell 
 out and complete her education. Entering an 
 academy, she not only carried on the prescribed 
 studies but kept her own house and at the same 
 time boarded five other students. 
 
 Having completed the academic course, she re- 
 ceived a pressing invitation to teach in her old 
 neighborhood at a salary' of 812 per month, with 
 board for herself and little girl. After teaching, 
 two years, she entered Genesee College, at Lima, 
 N. Y., the second college to admit ladies on equal 
 terms with men. She had early shown an aptitude 
 for writing, both in prose and poetry. During her 
 first years of teaching she had written for the 
 "Wesleyan Literary Messenger," Boston Olioe 
 Branch, "Ladies' Reposilorv," and others, and 
 while ill college w.is a contributor to Moore's Rural 
 New Yorker. By professors and students she was 
 recognized as a young woman of remarkable abil- 
 ity, and on the 27th of June, 1857, she was gradu- 
 ated with honor from Genesee College. 
 
 Without her knowledge, our subject was elected 
 Preceptress of Lockport Union School, which posi- 
 tion she filled four years, educating her sister and 
 
 daughter at the same lime. Mrs. McNall was also 
 active in mission and Suiid.ay-sehool work, keeping 
 up a Bible class, an infant chuss and a "ragged 
 school." Until 1HG8, she was engaged chiefly in 
 educational work, cither conducting a school of 
 her own or leaching in some institution. During 
 the "Kansas troiililes" she w.as president of a relief 
 society, spending much time and mone^' in the 
 cause. During the war, she was president of the 
 aid society' that e(iuipped the Eighth Regiment, 
 New York Volunteers, and throughout the entire 
 struggle her aid and sympathy were extended to 
 the boys in blue. 
 
 On the 11th of March. 1868, Mrs. :\IcNall mar- 
 ried the Rev. Ezekiel Lockwood, who has since 
 departed this life. A daughter born of this mar- 
 riage lived until two years old. The University 
 of .Syracuse. N. Y., witli which Genesee College 
 was afterward combined, conferred u|)on her the 
 degree of A. ^[. In 1870, she began the study of 
 law. Being refused admission to the Law .School 
 of Columbian College, Mrs. Lockwood with four- 
 teen other ladies entered the National University 
 Law School, at Washington, D. C, but only two 
 comitleted the course. In the last quarter the fac- 
 ulty of that university denied the ladies the privi- 
 lege of attending lectures and finally refused to 
 grant diplomas, an injustice born of prejudice. 
 Indignant at such treatment, Mrs. Lockwood ad- 
 dressed a brief but pointed letter to I'rosideiil 
 Grant, who was then an ex-oflicio President of the 
 National University Law .School, as follows: 
 
 Wasiiin(;ton, D. C., Septcmlier '?,. 187,'). 
 To the Pkksidknt, 
 
 Dk.vkSik: — You areostensibl\- President of the 
 National University Law .School of this district. 
 If you are il-s President, I desire to say that I have 
 passed through the curriculum of study of this 
 school and am entitled to and demand my diploma. 
 If you arc not the President, then I demand that 
 you take your name from its papers and cease to 
 be what you are not. 
 
 Very resijcctfully, 
 
 BkI.VA a. L<>< KWOOI). 
 
 Within three weeks, she received her diploma 
 and on motion of W. I). Wedgewood was admitted 
 to practice in the District Court. In 1878. she was 
 called upon If) defend a client before the Circuit 
 
674 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Covirt in Prince George County, Md. Judge Mc- 
 Gruder refused to let lier practice in his court. 
 The opinion on wliich the Judge based his rejec- 
 tion of her is a marvel of profound nonsense. The 
 people of that district saw it in that light, and he 
 was relegated to private life, and Mrs. Lockwood 
 became a recognized practitioner in that court. 
 
 Denied recognition at the Bar of the Supreme 
 Court, Mrs. Lockwood determined to rend the veil 
 from top to bottoin that shut out women from the 
 iiighest possibilities in the legal profession. A bill 
 prepared bj- her for the admission of women to 
 practice before that court was presented to the 
 House by-the Hon. J. M. Glover, of Missouri. The 
 bill was finally passed February' 15, 1879, by a 
 majority of twenty-one votes. March 3, 1879, 
 the Hon. A. G. Riddle made a motion before the 
 Supreme Court for Mrs. Lockwood 's admission to 
 practice in that court and it was granted. Three 
 days later, bj' a motion of the Hon. Thomas J. 
 Durant, she was admitted to the Bar of the United 
 States Court of Claims. Thus by persistent effort 
 and rare courage, she achieved one of the greatest 
 triumphs of the age. In 1868, Mrs. Lockwood 
 became interested iu the "woman's rights" move- 
 ment, and since that has done all in her power to 
 broaden the sphere of woman. In nearlj' all the 
 great cities of the United States she has spoken 
 on "Woman's right to the ballot." The enfran- 
 chisement of woman and the temperance cause 
 find in her a powerful advocate, and it is devoutly 
 to be wished that she may live to see those two 
 great causes triumph. Mrs. Lockwood has enjoyed 
 extensive practice both in civil and criminal 
 courts and has been a practitioner for eighteen 
 years. She has also an extensive practice before 
 the departments of the Government, the Court of 
 Claims and the Supreme Court of the United 
 States. 
 
 Mrs, Lockwood was nominated for the Presi- 
 dency of the United States by the Equal Rights 
 party at San Francisco, Cal., in August, 1884, and 
 again by the same party in Des Moines, Iowa, in 
 1888, making in both cases a very creditable cam- 
 paign. She is a prominent member and General 
 Secretary of the Universal Peace Union, and has 
 three times represented that association as its dele- 
 
 gate on the continent of Europe, attending the 
 International Peace Congress at its session in Paris 
 in 1889, where she was one of the Committee of 
 Honor, and where the American delegates received 
 the gold medal; and the second time in London in 
 1890, where she found time later to take a Uui- 
 rersity Extension Course at that oldest of fjnglish 
 Universities, Oxford; in 1892 she attended the 
 Congress at Berne, Switzerland, at which time siie 
 induced the International Congress to meet in 
 Chicago in 1893. She is asssociate editor of the 
 Peacemaker, and one of the most popular speakers 
 on the lecture platform. 
 
 <|i .BARREN G. BENNETT, formerly engaged 
 \i-Jll in general farming and stock-raising on 
 W^ section 16, Ridgeland Township, but now 
 a resident of Kankakee, is a native of the Empire 
 State, his birth having occurred near Lockport, on 
 the 6th of October, 1832. His parents, Lewis J. 
 and Hannah (Green) Bennett, are represented in 
 the sketch of Mrs. Belva Lockwood. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of Mr. 
 Bennett, who is widely and favorably known in 
 this community as one of the prominent citizens 
 of Iroquois County. Upon his father's farm he 
 was reared to manhood, and iu his early youth he 
 attended the district schools of tiie neighborhood. 
 His primary education was supplemented bj- a 
 course in Gasport Academy, which he entered at 
 the age of sixteen years. After graduating from 
 that institution, he soon obtained a good position 
 as civil engineer, being employed to enlarge the 
 Erie Canal between Rochester and Lockport, N. Y. 
 Thus he was employed for two years. It was in 
 the autumn of 1854 that he first came to Illinois, 
 making a location first in Onarga, where he re- 
 mained till the following spring, when he returned 
 to the Empire State and worked on the canal 
 through the succeeding summer and winter. In 
 1855, we again find him in this county, where he 
 purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land 
 from the Government in Douglas Township, at 
 $2.50 per acre. Upon this farm he resided until 
 186(1, placing it under a high state of cultivation. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 C75 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Bennett was married. In 
 August, 18.59, he led to tiie marriage altar Miss 
 Sarah IIil)l)nrd, and by their union were - born two 
 children, both daughters: Clara, widow of AVilliam 
 II. Harrison, and a resident of Washington, 1). C; 
 and Helen, who is living with her father. The 
 mother was called to Iier final rest on the 2d of 
 .June, 1877, and her remains were interred in On- 
 arga Cemetery. In December, 187',), Mr. Bennett 
 was again married, his second union being with 
 Miss Finette Beman. One child graces this union, 
 Lewis .lames. 
 
 In 1860, Mr. Bennett returned to Oswego, N. Y., 
 where he remained for two years in the emplo\' of 
 the York & Erie Railroad Company as ticket 
 and transfer agent. The succeeding year of iiis 
 life was spent in traveling in Ohio, after which 
 he .again came to Iroquois County and purchased 
 one hundred and sixty .acres of land on section 11, 
 Onarga Township, where he made his home until 
 1868. He then purchased the farm on which he 
 now resides, comprising eighty .acres on section 16, 
 Ridgeland Township. In connection with general 
 farming he carries on stock-raising, and that he 
 does his business thoroughly is indicated by the 
 neat appearance of his pl.ace and all pertaining to 
 his farm. In his political affiliations he is a stal- 
 wart Democrat — an inHexibic adherent of the prin- 
 ciples of his partj-. He has held the oflice of As- 
 sessor two terms and for eleven 3'cars dis- 
 cliarged the duties of School Director with credit 
 to liimseif and to the satisfaction of his constitu- 
 ents. He is a man of sterling worth and many 
 excellencies of character, and the success of hislife 
 is well deserved. 
 
 'jlL^AHBKKT DIIS. a well-known and repre- 
 IjjjJ sentative farmer residing on section 2, Ash 
 iiW^ Grove Township, was born October 20, 
 (^1 1847, in Friesland. (Jermany, upon his fa- 
 ther's farm. He is a son of .lohn H. Duis, who 
 was born and reared in the same locality, and fol- 
 lowed agricultural pursuits. About 1830, he mar- 
 
 ried Catherine Kaiser, and in 18.')l, with his wife 
 and six children, started for America, crossing the 
 Atlantic from Bremen to New Orleans in a sail- 
 ing-vessel, which, after a voyage of nine weeks, 
 dropped anchor in the harbor of the Crescent Citj-. 
 He then went up the river to (^uincy, 111., and in 
 .'Vdams County purchased forty acres of land, upon 
 which he made his home for fourteen years. The 
 succeeding five years of his life were spent in Liv- 
 ingston County, after which he came to Iroquois 
 County. His death occurred a year later at his 
 home in Ash flrove Township, and his was the first 
 burial in the cemetery at Schwer. He was a sup- 
 porter of the Republican party, and was a member 
 of the Lutheran Church. His wife is still living, 
 and makes her home with our subject. 
 
 The children of the Duis family are Jeska, wlio 
 resides in Livingston County; Webki and Christina, 
 who died in Adams Count3'; Harbert, of this sketch; 
 Carson, who is living in Nebraska; Johanna, who 
 makes her home in Ash Grove Township; .lurden, 
 a resident of Tyler County, Neb.; and Frank, who 
 completes the family. 
 
 The subject of this sketeh was a lad of only 
 seven summers, when with his parents he came to 
 America. He was educated in the public schools 
 of Adams County, which he attended only through 
 the winter season, for in the summer months he w.as 
 forced to aid his father in the development of the 
 new farm. At the age of sixteen, he began to 
 earn his own livelihood, and has since been de- 
 pendent upon his own resources. At the age of 
 eighteen he was married. Miss Elska.Ierreals becom- 
 ing his wife. Their union was celebrated .lanuary 
 10, 1865. The lady was born in Friesland, and, 
 when a maiden of twelve yeai-s, came to America. 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Duis have been born nine chil- 
 dren: .Johanna, born in Adams County, III., is now 
 the wife of Henry .Siems, of Ash Grove Township; 
 Fredka is the wife of Elbert Weichman; Catherine, 
 born in Livingston County, is the wife of August 
 Longled; .John and Gretja are also natives of Liv- 
 ingston County; and Carson, Carl, .hirdcn and 
 Christina, who were all born in Iroquois County. 
 
 Mr. Duis' first purchase of land consisted of an 
 eighty-acre tract in Nebraska Township, Livingston 
 County, where he made his honie until 187;'). He 
 
676 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tlien came to Iroquois County, and purchased two 
 hundred and forty acres of land, an unimproved 
 tract of wild prairie, but liis care and labor have 
 transformed it into one of the finest faiins of the 
 community. In connection with its cultivation, 
 he also engages in stock-raising. His home is n, 
 fine new residence, and is the abode of hospitality. 
 The many improvements upon the place stand as 
 monuments to liis thrift and enterprise, and the 
 neat appearance indicates the supervision of a 
 careful manager. Mr. Duis and his family are all 
 members of the Lutheran Church, and contribute 
 liberally' to its support. His first Presidential vote 
 was cast for Gen. Grant in 1868, and he has since 
 been a stalwart Republican. He is often found in 
 the conventions of his party, and his opinions are 
 received with respect. He is held in high regard 
 throughout the community, and his worth and 
 ability entitle him to the warm esteem of his many 
 friends. 
 
 
 '^^^HINEAS W. (iRUBBS owns and operates 
 
 )] two hundred and twenty-four acres of land 
 
 in Onarga Township, within a mile of the 
 
 farm on which he was reared. His home is 
 
 pleasantly situated about two and one-half miles 
 from Onarga, and thus all the advantages of the 
 village are easily attainable. He has for many 
 j-ears, in connection with general farming, exten- 
 sively' carried on stock-raising. He feeds all of his 
 grain to his stock, and for some time he has raised, 
 bought and sold horses and cattle on an extensive 
 scale. This year he is handling horses and sheep. 
 He is a prominent business man, well known 
 throughout the county, and is an excellent judge 
 of stock of all kinds. 
 
 The life record of Mr. (irubbs is as follows: He 
 was born in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, March 7, 
 1853, and is a son of .John and Lorinda (irubbs, 
 both of whom are natives of the Empire State. 
 Their family numbered five children: Keziali J., 
 Phineas W., Leroy, Harvey and Melissa. 
 
 Our subject was only about four yeais old when 
 with his parents lie vama to this county, and upon 
 
 his father's farm near his present home he was 
 reared to manhood. He began his education in 
 the district schools of the community, and after- 
 ward attended Grand Prairie Seminary. He con- 
 tinued to engage in farming with his father un- 
 til the 30th of September, 1875, when he was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Anna Kinnison, 
 daughter of William and Elizabeth (Riner) Kinni- 
 son. Two daughters were born of their union, but 
 both are now deceased: Lora L., born July 10, 
 1876, died April 5, 1888; and Lizzie L., born on 
 the 1st of September, 1885, died March 11. 1888. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs began their domestic life upon 
 a farm, and he carried on agricultural pursuits in 
 this county until 1881, when he removed to Kan- 
 sas and spent eight years in Burr Oak, Jewell 
 County, returning to this county in 1889. He has 
 witnessed much of the growth and development of 
 Iioquois County, for he is numbered among its 
 early settlers, more than a third of a century hav- 
 ing passed since he located here. His duties of 
 citizenship have ever been faithfully performed, 
 and he is a leading and influential farmer of the 
 community. 
 
 Socially, Mr. Grubbs is connected with the Ma- 
 sonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias society, and 
 the Modern Woodmen of America. He exercises his 
 right of franchise in support of the Republi(\an 
 party, and has held the office of Road Commis- 
 sioner, but has never sought or desired the honors 
 or emoluments of public office, preferring to de- 
 vote his entire time and attention to his business 
 interests, in which he h.as met with signal success. 
 
 ^>-^<m- 
 
 ^OHN SJIITII, one of the extensive land- 
 owners of the county, who now resides in 
 Onarga Township, where he owns a beauti- 
 ' ful home adjoining the coi'poration limits 
 of the village, may truly be called a self-made man, 
 and his example in many respects is well worthy 
 of emulation. His life record is as follows: A na- 
 tive of Indiana, he was born in Hendricks County, 
 on the 2fith of December, 1830, and is a son of 
 Abel and Sarah (Bales) Smith, the father a native 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 ^77 
 
 of South Carolina, and the mother of Kentucky. 
 In an early day Abel Smitli einigrnted to Kentucky 
 and thence to Indiana, wlierc he married Miss 
 15ales. He settled in Hendricks County, where he 
 engaged in farming until 11S19, wlien he removed 
 to Warren County, Iowa, hecoming one of its earh" 
 settlers. He tliere devoted his time and attention 
 to agricultural pursuits for many years, and made 
 his home upon the farm until 1891, when he died 
 al the ripe age of eight\--live. His wife had passed 
 away about twenty years previous. Of their nine 
 children, three sons and six daughters, eight are 
 still living: John, James M., Elizabeth, Mary, 
 Susan, Louisa Jane, Emeline and Amanda. 
 
 The boyhood days of John Smith were spent 
 in the State of his nativity, where, on the 18tli of 
 November, 1853, he chose as a companion and 
 helpmate on life's journey Miss Hannah Starr}-, 
 daughter of Nicholas and JIargaret (Cashman) 
 Starry, of Warren County, Ind. In the fall of 
 18r)C, they left the Hoosier State and removed to 
 Hamilton County, Iowa, where Mr. Smith pur- 
 chased four hundred acres ot land and carried on 
 farming and stock-raising until 186,5. That year 
 witnessed his arrival in Iroquois County. Accom- 
 panied h}' his family, he returned to this State and 
 located on a farm of one hundred and eighty-three 
 acres in Artesia Township. Subsequently, he pur- 
 chased two hundred and forty acres on section 
 26, Onarga Township, which he still owns. Hcalso 
 owns a farm of seven hundred acres on sections .31 
 and 32 of the same township, and a beautiful home 
 on section 19, adjacent to the village of Onarga. 
 In connection with farming, Mr. .Smith lias carried 
 on stock-raising quite extensively, making a spe- 
 cialty of the breeding of horses and cattle, and at 
 the present time he owns about seventy head of 
 horses, ))rincipallj' Percherons. 
 
 Unto Mr. and ^Irs. Smith was born a family of 
 five children: Sarah Elizabeth, the eldest, became 
 the wife of .Samuel A. Cannadj' and died April l.'i, 
 1877, leaving a daughter, .Sadie, who is now living 
 with her grandparents. James married Jennie Tay- 
 lor, who is now deceased; he lives in Warren 
 County, lad. Oscar married Miss Belle Pitcher 
 and resides in Clay County, Iowa, with his three 
 chidren, Pearl, Ralph .■mil .Mildred. Maigaiel is the 
 
 wife of John Nichols and unto them has been born 
 a son, William. Finlev is still at home. The Smith 
 family is one of prominence in the coniiiiiinily and 
 its memlicrs rank liigh in social circles. 
 
 Mr. Smith is a man of excellent business ability, 
 and his straightforward, upright dealings have 
 won him the confidence of all, while by persever- 
 ance, industiT and good management he has se- 
 cured a handsome competency, working his waj- 
 upward to a position of wealth and afHuence. In 
 politics, he is a sui>i)orter of the Democracy. 
 
 OlIN T. ERAZEE, who carries on general 
 farming on section 18, Ridgeland Town- 
 ship, is a worthy representative of one of 
 tlie early families of the county, having for 
 more than a third of a century made his home 
 within its borders. He is a native of the Buckeye 
 State. AVarren County was the place of his birth, 
 which occurred Eeljruary 22, 1848. He is a son of 
 Turner and Martha (Meeker) Frazee, and is one of 
 a family oi ten children, who are mentioned in the 
 sketch of Ercdeiick .S. Erazee. on another page of 
 this work. 
 
 Jn the usual manner of farmer lads, our subject 
 w.is reared to manhood, no event of special im- 
 portance occurring to vary the routine of farm life. 
 I'ntil fourteen years of age, he attended the com- 
 mon schools, and acquired a good knowledge of 
 the rudimentary branches. lie then started out in 
 life for himself to earn his own livelihood, work- 
 ing by the month as a farm hand. He received 
 the munificent sum of *lli per month in comiiens.i- 
 tion for his services. With the family he came to 
 Illinois in 18.')7, and continued to work at farm 
 labor until after the breaking out of the late war, 
 when, in September, 1861, he went to the frtmt to 
 aid his country in her efforts to preserve the Union. 
 He enlisted for three years, joining Company C, 
 EiflV-serenth Illinois Regiment, and was mustered 
 into service at Chicago, The first liattle of note 
 in which he participated was al Et. Donelson. He 
 also took part in the kittle of .slijloli, which 
 
678 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 proved his last, for he was there taken sick and 
 sent to the field hospital, where he remained for 
 about three months, ill with typhoid fever. Hav- 
 ing partially recovered, he was honorably dis- 
 charged July 26, 1862, on account of [iliysical dis- 
 ability, and returned to his home. 
 
 In 1870, Mr. Frazee was united in marriage with 
 Miss Mary Nickerson, daughter of Oliver and 
 Eliza Ann Nickerson. Five children graced their 
 union, of whom four are yet living, as follows: 
 Jessie, Russell, and Edilh and Etfie, twins. Lewis, 
 the third in order of birth, died in infancy. 
 
 For a year after his return from the war, Mr. 
 Frazee was unable to perform any labor. He then 
 worked a portion of the time until 1868, wlien he 
 secured employment as a farm hand, and worked 
 by the month in that capacity for two 3'ears. Li 
 1870, he purchased forty acres of land on section 
 18, Ridgeland Township, where he has since re- 
 sided. The boundaries of his farm however have 
 since been extended, and he now owns seventy 
 acres of well-improved land, the rich and fertile 
 fields yielding him a good return for his care and 
 cultivation. He is recognized as one of the suli- 
 stantial farmers and stock-raisers of the commu- 
 nity, and the reputation is well deserved, for he is 
 industrious and energetic. In his political affilia- 
 tions, Mr. Frazee is a Republican, and socially is 
 connected with ^V. A. Babcock Post No. 416, G. 
 A. R., of Onarga. He gives his support to all 
 worthy enterprises calculated to prove of public 
 benefit or promote the general welfare, and is held 
 in high esteem throughout the community where 
 he has so long made his home. 
 
 y;;n.LIAM P. (tJLBKRT, junior partner of 
 the firm of Palmer & Gilbert, publishers of 
 the Leader and Review of Onarga, is a wide- 
 awake and enterprising young man whom the 
 county may well be proud to number among its 
 native citizens. He was liorn in Ash Grove Town- 
 ship, on the 21st of Novcmlier, 18611, and is the 
 only child of .lohn S. and Hannah M. ( Brock) 
 Gilbert. His father was a native of Indiana, but 
 
 his mother was born in Ash Grove Township, this 
 county. 
 
 The subject of this sketch acquired his education 
 in the common schools of Onarga and on the 11th 
 of August, 1885, he began learning the printer's 
 trade, working at the business in the imde/- office, 
 where he rose from the position of apprentice to 
 foreman. The present partnership was formed in 
 February, 1892, Mr. Palmer having formerly been a 
 prominent Methodist minister. Together they 
 bought the Onarga Leader and the Central Illi- 
 nois Reoiew, both published in Onarga, and con- 
 solidated the two papers under the name of the 
 Leader and Revieic, which they at once enlarged 
 from an eight-column folio to a seven-column 
 quarto. It is a neat, nevvs3- and influential paper 
 and is well supported by the people of Onarga and 
 vicinity. It deserves a liberal patronage, for 
 it supports all that tends to improve and upbuild 
 the community and advance its best interests. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert is a young man of good business 
 ability. His entire life has been passed in this 
 county, and his stealing worth has won for him 
 many friends. 
 
 UME L. .SAMMOXS, the managing editor 
 |, of the Milford Independent, and one of the 
 leading young business men of the county, 
 |) claims Indiana as the State of his nativity, 
 his birth having occurred in Morocco on the 2d of 
 April, 1871. His parents, Nicholas D. and Mar- 
 garet M. (Woolnough) Sammons, were both na- 
 tives of Ontario, Canada. About 1860, they came 
 to the United States and located on a farm in New- 
 ton County, Ind., where they resided for about 
 fifteen years, <jr until 1875, when they became resi- 
 dents of Donovan, III. Mr. Sammons there en- 
 gaged in general merchandising and in the drug 
 business until 1884. That year witnessed his ar- 
 rival in Milford, where he has since made his home. 
 Here he opened a restaurant, and at this writing, 
 in 1892, he is engaged in the hotel business. He 
 is a genial and pleasant gentleman, very popular, 
 and is favorably known throughout the commu- 
 nity. 
 
Ci 
 
 i^-^. 
 
 ^ Z^;^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 681 
 
 Unto !Mr. and Mr;-. Siuiunons were born four 
 diildren. The eldest, James B., belonged to the 
 regular arnij-, and was drowned in Paget Sound 
 in 1880, his canoe being capsized during a storm; 
 Emma V. is now the wife of William Darroch, an 
 attorney-at-hiw of Kentland. Ind.; George M. is 
 the next younger; and Hume L. completes the 
 family. 
 
 Tlie subject of this sketch aciiuired a good Eng- 
 lish education in the publio sdiools of Milford, 
 and is a well-informed young man. who reads ex- 
 tensively, and is conversant with all tiie questions 
 and issues of the day. He learned the printer's 
 trade in the office of the Jlilford Herald, serving a 
 regular apprenticeship, and. in 18',I0 he accepted 
 the position of foreman of the iMilford Indepen- 
 dent, of which he is now managing editor. This 
 paper is an independent Democratic journal, not 
 being governed by any rings or cli<iues. Its edi- 
 tor is a live, wide-awake young man, and be has 
 made the Independent a prosperous pajjer. Its sub- 
 scription list has been greall.v increased, which 
 fact testifies to its high standard. It is owned by 
 the Times Printing and Publishing Company, of 
 Watscka, 111. 
 
 Jlr. Sammons is a member of the Modern Wood- 
 men of America. A young man just starting out 
 in life, he has already given evidence of many 
 promising traits of character, being entei prising, 
 public-spirited and progressiTC. He will no doubt 
 win prosperity, for he possesses good business abil- 
 itv. He is a popular young man, and in social 
 circles ranks liigh. 
 
 ^T OSEl'lI T. EHECIIKITK, a merchant of 
 11 Martinton, was born in Canada, near St. 
 ^_^|' .Johns, December 10, 1H4G. His father, 
 1^;^ Alexis Erechetle, was also a native of that 
 country. Tiie Erechette family are of Eroicii de- 
 scent and were among the early pioneers of Canada. 
 The father grew to ni.inhood at his birthiiiace, 
 and resided a numlier of years later in Troy and 
 Albanv, N. Y. He returned to Canada,and there 
 married Dnezime Ma?se. of Erench parentage, but 
 
 31 
 
 a native of Canada. Afit-r m;nii:ii;,-. .Mr. Ere- 
 chette settled on a farm in that country, and en- 
 gaged in agricultural pursuits for alwul ten years. 
 At tlie expiration of that time, he removed to Illi- 
 nois, settling in Kankakee County. He there pur- 
 chased a farm, and engaged in cultivating it for a 
 numlier of years, or until the time of his death, which 
 occurred July .'i, 188G. He was a man of good 
 business capacity, and at the time of his death had 
 a good farm and home, which still belong to 
 the heirs. He and his family were members of 
 the Catholic Church. Mrs. Erechette survives her 
 husband, and resides with her daughter in Kanka- 
 kee. 
 
 Joseph T. Erechette is the eldest son and second 
 in order of birth of a family of eleven children, ten 
 of whom are now living. The eldest is Josephine, 
 wife of II. Lambert, of St. Mary"s; our subject; 
 Damas A., who resides on and operates the home 
 farm; Ozilda, wife of .Samuel Pilotte, a mechanic 
 of St. Mary's; Rosalie, who married E. Leriger, 
 who carries on the occupations of a farmer in 
 Manteno, Kankakee County; Matilda, wife of 
 Isaac Senesack, a farmer of Kankakee County; 
 Dosite E..a merchant of Momence; Ephraim D., a 
 business man of Kankakee; Allnna, residing with 
 her mother in Kankakee; and Charles H., who 
 holds a responsible position in Chicago. 
 
 The subject of this sketch came with his father 
 to Illinois in 1864. His early d.ays were spent in 
 Canada, where he had good school advantages. 
 Until eighteen years of age much of his time was 
 passed upon a farm, and he was thus early inured 
 to the duties and labors of farm life. He resided 
 with his parents iintil his marriage in Kankakee 
 with Miss Zcnaide Alexander, the ceremony being 
 performed Eebruary 8, 1869. Eor aljout two years 
 he w.as occupied in a ))laning-mill, and then, go- 
 ing to Papineau. he worked for some time for his 
 uncle in a lumber yard. He next went to St. Mary's, 
 where he started a lumber yard, and there he con- 
 tinued for two years. He then came to Martinton, 
 engaging in Ihc^ame business. This he carried on 
 for about four years, and in 1877 left his business 
 funneclions here, and. purchasing a lot, built a 
 business house in partnership with his father, and 
 has carried on the bu>iness until the present day 
 
682 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Mr. Frechette has added to his building and also 
 to his stock, and has built up a large trade and a 
 fine business in general merchandise. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Frechette have ten childicn; the 
 eldest, Leontine, resides at home; Philip assists his 
 father in the business; Hilaire, Rosanna, Matilda, 
 Florence, Arthur, Josephine, Angelina and F.mnia. 
 Four died in infanc.y. 
 
 Mr. Frechette is interested in politics, being in- 
 dependent, casting his ballot for the man whom 
 he considers best fitted to fill the position. He 
 has held several local posts of trust and honor. 
 He is a member of the Order of Foresters, Kankakee 
 Lodge No. 56. Mr. Frechette and his family are 
 identified with the Catholic Church. For twenty- 
 eight years he has been a resident of Iroquois 
 Countjr, and has done much for its upbuilding 
 and prosperity. He is widel}- known and much 
 respected as an honest and industrious citizen. 
 
 Mr. Frechette was chosen as executor of his 
 father's estate in the settling up of the entire 
 interests. This was faithfully performed without 
 the aid of an attorney, which speaks highly for the 
 executive ability of Mr. Frechette. 
 
 ^OIIN C. CULVER is one of the prominent 
 merchants of Onarga. For many years he 
 has dealt in groceries and is now engaged 
 ^^ in business in that line on the corner of 
 First South and Chestnut Streets. A liberal pat- 
 ronage is his, he having built up an excellent 
 trade as the res\dt of his fair dealing and courte- 
 ous treatment. 
 
 Mr. Culver is a native of the Euipu'c State. He 
 was born in Cayuga County, December 10, 1819, 
 and is a son of Asa and Lydia (Conger) Culver, 
 both of whom were natives of New York. Their 
 family numbered four children: Andrew Jackson, 
 William Henry, John C. and one who died when 
 abo\it three years old. AVhen only foiu' years old, 
 John Culver was taken to the home of relatives 
 and when six years old his mother died. At the 
 age of twelve he left the State of New York with 
 
 Silas C'onger and settled in Ohio, ten miles south 
 of Sandusky City, on a farm in what was then 
 known as Huron County but is now a pai'tof Erie 
 County. He there grew to manhood and after- 
 wards removed to Richland County, where he re- 
 mained until twenty-seven years of age. 
 
 On Christmas Daj' of 1849, Mr. Culver was 
 united in marriage with Miss Clarissa Shafer, 
 daughter of Charles Shafer, of Plymouth, Ohio. 
 Her death occurred in Onarga, 111., in 1860, and 
 on the 1st of January, 1861, Mr. Culver was 
 again married, his second union being "with Miss 
 Harriet M. Messer, daughter of Matthew and Rutli 
 Messer. Four children graced this union, two 
 sons and two daughters, of whom three are yet 
 living: Clara Gertrude, born October 17, 1862; 
 Nettie, who was born July 18, 1864, died on the 
 12th of February, 1881, when about fifteen j^ears 
 of age; Warren M.,born September 26, 1866; and 
 Bertram W., born January 10, 1869. 
 
 In 1846, Mr. Culver removed to Michigan, where 
 he resided for a few years. He then became a res- 
 ident of Porter County, Ind., where the two suc- 
 ceeding years of his life were passed. The year 
 1851 witnessed his arrival in Iroquois Countj-. He 
 located on Spring Creek, in Onarga Township, and 
 aided in the construction of the Illinois Central 
 Railroad, and since that time his home has been in 
 the same township. In 1854 he removed to the 
 village of Onarga, and in partnership with Dr. 
 Boyd engaged in the lumber business, which lie 
 followed for a few years. He tiien embarked in 
 the flour and feed business, after which he turned 
 his attention to the grocery business and has since 
 followed that line of trade. He carries a full and 
 complete stock of goods and from the beginning 
 success has attended his efforts in this direction. 
 He also carries on an undertaking establishment 
 and does embalming. 
 
 Socially, Mr. Culver is connected with the Ma- 
 sonic fraternit}', belonging to Onarga Lodge No. 
 305, A. F. & A. M.; Kankakee Chapter No. 78, R. 
 A. M.; Ford Council No. 41, and Ivanhoe Com- 
 mandery No. 3.3, K. T., of Kankakee. He is Past 
 jNIaster of Onarga Lodge. In politics he is a Demo- 
 crat, but has never been an active politician in the 
 sense of oflice-soeking. He is a man of good busi- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 (583 
 
 ness ability, sagacious and far-sighted and has won 
 prosperity by his well-directed efforts. Tiie county 
 numbers him among its e.irly seltlei'S and he lias 
 been especially prominent in the upbuilding and 
 development of Onarga, aiding in all interests 
 calculated to prove of public benefit. 5Irs. Culver 
 is a Baptist in religious faitii, but as there is no 
 diurch in Onarga of that sect slie lias united with 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 ^^^-=— f^^-t— -=-^ 
 
 IIKXKV II. ALTER, Assistant Cashier 
 of the First National liank of AVatseka, 
 was born in Beaver County, Pa., Decem- 
 ber 20, 1840, and is a son of Henry and 
 Elizabeth (Weirich) Alter." His father was born in 
 Lebanon County, Pa., and the mother in Wash- 
 ington County, that State. She died when our 
 subject was an infant, and his father was killed bj' 
 a fall from a horse in 1887. 
 
 The Doctor was educated in Washington Col- 
 lege, but left that institution before completing 
 the prescribed course of study to enlist for the 
 late war. He enlisted on the 19tli of April, 
 1861, on President Lincoln's first call for troops. 
 He was mustered in as a private of Company 
 E, Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry, for three 
 months. He served the term of his enlistment 
 and was mustered out while on the sick list. 
 On recovering his health he became a student in 
 the University of Pennsylvania, where he took a 
 medical course. In the spring of 1864 he again 
 entered the army, but that time as Assistant Sur- 
 geon of the Fifty -second Kentucky Infantry, and 
 served until February, 186."). 
 
 In tlic fall of that^'ear. Dr. Alter came West and 
 in February, 1866, settled in Watseka, where he 
 practiced his profession for two years. He then 
 engaged with JIaj. M. H. Peters as clerk in his 
 book and stationery store, and .several years later 
 succeeded to the business, which he conducted 
 successfully until 1889, wlien he accepted the po- 
 sition he now holds, that of .\ssistant Cashier of 
 the First National Bank of Watseka. 
 
 On the Htli of NoveniOer, 1H66, our subjcet 
 
 was married in Watseka, to Miss Minerva Roff, a 
 native of Warren County, Ind., and a daughter of 
 Asa B. and Ann (Fenton) KofT, whose sketcli ap- 
 pears ehewhere in this work. She came to Iro- 
 (juois County with her parents in the autumn of 
 1847. Unto Dr. and Mrs. .Alter has been born 
 one child, a daughter, Alice Margaret, who was 
 born in Watseka, is a graduate of the High .School 
 of that place and is now a student in Bryant & 
 Stratton's Business College, of Chicago. Mrs. Alter 
 succeeded to her husband's book and stationery 
 business in 1889, since which lime she has con- 
 ducted the business witli marked success, display- 
 ing excellent ability in this line. 
 
 In his political adiliations the Doctor is a Dem- 
 ocrat, and h.as served as City Clerk of Watseka for 
 some twelve or fourteen years, and as School 
 Treasurer nearly' the same period. He has proved 
 a faitliful and competent ollicer and is popular in 
 his present position in the bank, enjoying the ut- 
 most confidence of it.s management and the good- 
 will of its patrons. 
 
 ylLLIAM WILLIAMS, proprietor of the 
 Williams House of Watseka, is an honored 
 ,, „ pioneer of Iroquois County, having settled 
 here in the fall of 1842. He was born in Adams 
 County, Ohio, November 23, 182.0, and is a son of 
 Thomas and Elizabeth (Swim) Williams. His 
 father was born in Maryland, on the IStii of .lan- 
 uary, 1797, and when four years of age removed 
 with his parents to Ohio, the family settling in 
 Adams County, where the son w.as reared to agri- 
 cultural pursuits. He was married in Ihatcounty, 
 when a young man, to Miss Elizabeth .Swim, and 
 there engaged in farming. In 1828, he met willi a 
 l)ad accident, being crushed by a falling timber at 
 a barn-raising in which he was participating. This 
 injury made him a cripple for life and inifitted 
 him for physical labor. In 1836, he removed with 
 his young family to Winnebago County, III., and 
 entered Covernment land. At that time, wlial is 
 now the flourishing city of Rockford contained 
 lint l«"i houses. He rem.nincd in Winnebago 
 
684 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 County until the fall of 1842, when he removed 
 with his family to Iroquois County, and settled in 
 the township of Belmont, where he spent the re- 
 mainder of his days. Ilis death occurred August 
 7, 1857. His estimable wife, who was born in 
 Ohio, January 2, 1800, survived her husband and 
 died in AVatseka in 1880. Ten children were born 
 to Mr. and Mrs. Williams: Samuel, known as 
 Judge Williams, of Woodland, is the eldest, and is 
 represented elsewhere in this work; John died in 
 Iowa; William is the next younger; Melissa died 
 in 1846, at the age of eighteen years; Josiah, who 
 resides in Watseka, married Elizabeth Egbert, and 
 for his second wife wedded Mrs. Martha Hall; 
 Susanna is the wife of Simeon Downing, of Butler 
 County, Iowa; Thomas married Charlotte Hocl, 
 and is a farmer of Belmont Township; Mary died 
 about 1855, at the age of nineteen; Elizabeth A. 
 is the wife of Chester Smith, of Milton; Harvey is 
 single and is ranching in AVyoming. 
 
 William Williams came to Illinois with his par- 
 ents in the fall of 1836, and spent six years with 
 them in Winnebago Count}', after which he came 
 to Iroquois Count}', in the fall of 1842, and settled 
 in Belmont Township. He was reared on a farm 
 and received the limited educational advantages 
 of the public schools in the frontier region. On 
 reaching man's estate, he engaged in farming in 
 Belmont Township, and was married there to Miss 
 Elizabeth Fry, who was born in Coshocton County, 
 Ohio, April 7, 1830, and is a daughter of John 
 and Sarah (Doran) Fry. Her people were among 
 the early pioneer settlers of Iroquois County. 
 They were natives of A'^irginia, and came to Illi- 
 nois in 1837, from Ohio. Both are now deceased. 
 
 Three children were born unto Mr. and ]\Irs. 
 AVilliams, of whom two are now living, a son and 
 daughter, one having died in infancy, Alice M., 
 the elder; George O., the only son, who is now 
 twenty-three years of age, is a graduate of the 
 Class of '92, Michigan State University, of Ann 
 Arbor, lie is studying with the view of entering 
 the legal profession. 
 
 Mr. AVilliams was engaged iii farming in Bel- 
 mont 'I'ownsliip until 1857, when h6 sold out and 
 leniovcd to Moniteau County, j\Io., where lie was 
 eiigiaed in tlie nu'rcaiitile business until the break- 
 
 ing out of the late war, when the unsettled condi- 
 tion of affairs on the Southern border made a res- 
 idence there very undesirable, and he returned to 
 Illinois, but had to greatly sacrifice his property. 
 He then located in AVatseka, where he was en- 
 gaged in teaming and in the transfer business un- 
 til March 28, 1877. He then purchased the AVill- 
 iams House, which he has since conducted and 
 which has always been the leading hotel in the city. 
 Mr. AA'illiams is a member of the Masonic and 
 Odd Fellows' societies. He was made an Odd 
 Fellow in Missouri, in 1858, and is now a member 
 of Iroquois Lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F., of Watseka. 
 He is a Royal Arch Mason, holding membership 
 with AVatseka Lodge No. 446, A. F. & A. M., and 
 AVatseka Chapter No. 1 14, R. A. M. In politics, 
 he has always been a consistent Democrat and an 
 earnest and enthusiastic supporter of the party, 
 but he could never be induced to accept public 
 office. Once he was elected Justice of the Peace 
 but refused to qualify. Pie is a man of broad 
 and liberal views on the subject of religion, and 
 relies more on good principles and on honest and 
 upright life than on creeds or dogmas. Nearly 
 a-lialf century of his life has been passed among 
 his fellow-citizens of Iroquois County, and in such 
 a manner as to command the esteem and respect of 
 the best people, and all are assured of his strict in- 
 tegrity, whole-heartediiess and manly independ- 
 ence. His good wife has been to him a helpmate 
 in reality, and has devoted her best energies for 
 the welfare of her husband and children with such 
 an earnest fidelity that she has won and enjoys 
 not only the devotion of her family, but the es- 
 teem of a wide circle of friends. 
 
 f'^ARON C. BADGLEY, a retired physician, 
 t -Q/ul l makes his home in Aslikum. He is a na- 
 il Iii five of the Empire State and his birth 
 ^^ occurred on the 18th of April, 1815, in 
 
 Ontario County. He is a son of Aaron and .)<>- 
 lianna (Hedges) Badgley. both of whom were 
 natives of New Jersey. The grandfather of our 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 G85 
 
 subject, Geoigf Hadglcy, was horn in Kngland 
 and emigrated to the New World witli a eousin, 
 Anthony Badglev, wlio settled in the Soulli. 
 while the former located in New Jersey and there 
 reared his family of five sons. Three of tliis n>im- 
 her were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The 
 father afterward removed to Ontario County, 
 where for a number of years he engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits, lie then removed to Ohio and 
 settled in Gallia County in 1817, wliich was then 
 a wilderness. At that time the Indians had w. t 
 left for their Western reservation, and many wild 
 animals still roamed through the forests. There 
 he cleared and opened up a farm and spent a 
 number of }'ears at the hard labor of pioneer life. 
 Fiom Gallia County, Jlr. IJadgle^' went to Mercer 
 County, Ohio, where he remained for a time, after 
 which he removed to Illinois. He settled in La 
 Salle County in 1850, where he lived a retired 
 life during his remaining years. The death of his 
 wife occurred in 18ol. Though Mr. Hadgley was 
 never called upon for much military duty, he en- 
 listed in the AVar of 1812, in whicli service he was 
 called out but once. 
 
 Aaron C. Badgley, Jr., is the youngest of a fam- 
 ily of three sons and four daughters w^ho grew to 
 mature years. The eldest, Hulli, married and 
 reared a family; ]\Iarv is now deceased; George 
 was a farmer in Ohio and there departed this life; 
 Sallie was married but is now deceased; Anthony 
 settled in Kendall County-, 111., in IH.OU, where 
 he died; Lucinda died soon after her marriage; 
 and our subject, who is the only .survivor of the 
 family. 
 
 The earl}' years of the Doctor were passed in 
 the State of Ohio, his time being spent in the 
 cares and duties pertaining to farm life and in 
 obtaining an education in the district schools. He 
 has been largely self-educated since arriving at 
 man's estate, for tlie ungraded district schools of 
 that early day offered but limited educational 
 privileges. When a young man, he took up the 
 study of medicine under Drs. Houston A- Stewart, 
 of Miami County, Ohio. He afterward engaged 
 in practice near his preceptors for a short time, 
 and then located in St. Clary's, Mercer County, now 
 called Auglaize, and there continued in his profes- 
 
 sion until 18.j<i. He was one <if the pioneer phy- 
 sicians of the county, and soon after locating there 
 the Doctor took a contract on the Cincinnati X' 
 Toledo Canal for the building of the locks. He 
 employed a good man}' men and teams and gave 
 much of his time to the supervision of the work, 
 while he also continued in his profession. .\i that 
 time he removed to Illinois and settled in l,a Salle 
 County, where for about eighteen years he con- 
 tinued building up an e.vtcnsive practice. In 18()8, 
 he sold out in La Salle and came to Iroquois 
 County, where he purchased a tract of land, com- 
 prising three hundred and twenty acres in Ashkiim 
 Township. He had intended to give up the prac- 
 tice of medicine and dev(jte himself exclusively to 
 farming interests, but as there were so few physi- 
 cians in this section he was obliged to resume it. 
 and has continued more or less since that time in 
 practice. In 1875, Dr Hadgley removed to the 
 vill.age of Ashkum and has bought a good resi- 
 dence property. He has never established an office 
 here, intending to live a retired life, but he still 
 professionally attends a few of his former patients 
 and friends. For several years, he has been in 
 poor health and is enjoying the rest which his 
 many years of active work have made necessary 
 and desirable. 
 
 In Auglaize County, Ohio, Dr. Hadgley was 
 united in marriage with Margaiet Ilancy, who was 
 born in Ohio, July 24, 1820, and there grew to 
 womanhood. On the 4th of November, 1838. the 
 wedding ceremony was performed. Mrs. Hadgley 
 is a daughter of Jonasand .Sarah (Vail) IIaney,who 
 were numbered among the honored pioneers of 
 Miami County. The Doctor and his wife have no 
 children but have taken several orphans to rear and 
 educate, who are now among the honored members 
 of society and look upon Dr. and .Mrs. Hadgley as 
 a beloved father and mother. 
 
 For many years. Dr. Hadgley was ideiililied with 
 the l{ei)ublican parly, and previous to its firgani- 
 zation was an old-line Whig and .\bolitionist. Of 
 late years, he h.as advocated the cause of Prohi- 
 bition and is now a supporter of that party. The 
 Doctor and his wife held membership with the 
 Hapti.>t Cliureh at Karlville, La Salle County, and 
 wlien tliov rciniived to Ashkum brouirhl their lettei-s 
 
686 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 with them, but as there was no Baptist Church 
 located here they have not united with any church 
 organization, but still hold to the Baptist faith. 
 Socially, he is an Odd Fellow, which order he 
 joined before coming Lo this county. He has held 
 many local positions, the duties of which he has 
 discharged in a very able and trustworthy man- 
 ner. During his long residence of forty-two 
 years in this State, and nearl}' a quarter of a cen- 
 tury in Iroquois County, he has made a host of 
 friends who esteem him most highly for his quali- 
 ties of manliness, honor and nobility of character, 
 and he well deserves to be remembered as one of 
 the pioneers of the county. 
 
 j,ILLIAM LYMAN, one of the early settlers 
 of Iroquois County, who now resides on 
 section 6, Middleport Township, is a na- 
 tive of the Keystone State. He was bom on the 
 27th of July, 1812, and is one of a family of four 
 children whose parents were John and Hannah 
 (Nutt) Lyman. The father was a blacksmith by 
 trade. When Our subject was a young lad he re- 
 moved with his family to the Buckeye State, where 
 he purchased a large tract of Government land in 
 the midst of the forest, and hewed out a farm. The 
 journej' Westward was made liy team. He re- 
 mained in Ohio until 1834, when he came to Iro- 
 quois Count}', III., and there made his home until 
 his death, which occurred in 1840. In politics, he 
 was a Democrat, and while in Ohio served as 
 County Judge for a number of years. He held 
 membership with the German Lutheran Church 
 and was a highly respected citizen. His wife sur- 
 vived him about ten j-ears, passing away in 1850. 
 Their family numbered the following children: 
 George, Hannah, Peggy, Jacob, Samuel, Cath- 
 erine, Poll}', Daniel, Annie, John, Sallie, William, 
 Jonathan and Susan. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of William 
 Lyman, one of the county's honored pioneers. He 
 was a lad of six summers at the time of the re- 
 moval of the family from Pennsylvania to Ohio. 
 His education was acquired in a log schoolhouse. 
 
 and school was conducted on the subscription 
 plan. He is familiar with frontier life, having ex- 
 perienced the hardships and trials of the pioneer 
 both in Ohio and Illinois. In 1834, six families 
 came by team to Iroquois County. Mr. Lyman, 
 who formed one of the part}', purchased eighty 
 acres of Government land on section 13, Middle- 
 port Township, at 11.25 per acre. This vvas all 
 covered with timber, but he at once began its im- 
 provement, clearing acre after acre during six 
 years, when he left his first claim and removed to 
 the farm on section 6, Middleport Township, which 
 has since been his home. He owns eighty-eight 
 acres of valuable land. His landed possessions in 
 Iroquois County coniprise two hundred and ten 
 acres, the fruits of his own labor. 
 
 Mr. Lyman was married in 1832, the lady of his 
 choice being Miss Elizabeth Shipman, daughter of 
 Macon and Catherine Shipman. By their union 
 were born four children, a daughter and three 
 sons: Hannah, who became the wife of John L. 
 Bailey, died in 1891 ; John died in 1865; Jonathan 
 died during the war; and Andrew is engaged in 
 farming in Kansas. Tlie mother of this family 
 was called to her final rest in 1882. Together Mr. 
 and Mrs. Lyman traveled life's journey as man 
 and wife for half a century, and she had been 
 his faithful companion and helpmate through all 
 the long years. Her death was deeply regretted 
 throughout the community, for she had many 
 friends. 
 
 In politics, Mv. Lyman is a Republican, liaving 
 long supported that party. His first Presidential 
 vote was cast for Andrew Jackson. He has held 
 the office of Commissioner of Highways, Path 
 Master, School Director and Overseer of the Poor, 
 and his public duties were ever discharged with a 
 promptness and fidelity which won him the com- 
 mendation of even his political enemies. He holds 
 membership with the United Brethren Church. 
 Few have as long been residents of Iroquois 
 County as Mr. Lyman, who for nearly sixty years 
 has made his home in Middleport Township. He 
 has watched the growth and progress of the 
 county, has seen its wild land transformed into 
 beautiful homes and farms, its villages grow into 
 thriving towns and the work of development and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RFXORD. 
 
 (i87 
 
 u|)hiiilding carried forward to such an extent llial 
 oue could hardly recognize the county of to-day 
 as the one of even a third of a century ago. Mr. 
 Lyman has ever borne his part , in the work of 
 progress. He is an honored pioneer, a |)rosperous 
 fanner aTid a valued citizen. 
 
 JJOliX NILSOX, who owns and operates an 
 e.\cellent farm of four liundred and five 
 I acres in Milford Townsliip, was born Febru- 
 ' ary 20, 1840, on the farm wliich is still his 
 
 lu)nie. lie was one of tlie se,vcn children of Robert 
 and Susan L. (Wagner) Nilson, wiiose sketch is 
 given in connection with that of Sidney Nilson. 
 
 Mr. Nilson of tliis sketch is living on the farm 
 which was his birthplace and was the home of both 
 his father and grandfather, the latter having pur- 
 chased it of Hill at a very early day. In the com- 
 mon schools of the neighborhood, he acquired his 
 education. No event of special importance oc- 
 curred during his youth. He was early inured to 
 the labors of the farm, for as soon as old enough 
 to handle the plow he began working in the fields. 
 When twenty-five years of age, he started out in 
 life for himself and embarked in farming and 
 stock-raising, which pursuits he followed quite 
 extensivelj' for a number of years. Of late years, 
 however, he has given but little attention to the 
 raising of stock, devoting his entire energies to the 
 growing of such cereals as arc adapted to this 
 climate. .Standing before his home, the eye can 
 glance around over broad fields of waving grain 
 which tell of golden harvests. The highly culti- 
 vated land indicates the tlirift and enterprise of 
 the owner, and many of the improvements upon 
 the place stand as monuments to his jirogressive 
 spirit. 
 
 On the r2th of February, 18b3, Mr. Nilson was 
 united in marriage with Miss Emeline Snyder, 
 daughter of Nelson and MaiT Jane (Oberl) Sny- 
 der, natives of Tompkins County, N. Y.,as is Mrs. 
 Nilson. The young couple began their domestic life 
 upon the farm which is yet their home. The Nilson 
 household is the abode of hospitality, and oursul)- 
 
 jectand his estimable wife i auk i]ii;ii m mmuiI circles. 
 In his iKilitical alliliations, he is a Democrat, but 
 has never sought or desired the honors or emolu- 
 ments of public otlice, preferring to devote his en- 
 tire time and attention to his business interest*:, in 
 which he has met with signal success. His pros- 
 perity is due entirely to his own industry and per- 
 severance, whereby he has overcome the obstacles 
 in his path and worked his way steadily upward. 
 He is a worthy representative of an honored pio- 
 neer family, and, like his ancestors, manifests a 
 commendable interest in all that pertains to the 
 welfare of the community and its upliuilding. 
 
 % nil, IP S. HOWE, the junior partner of the 
 
 y firm of Koehn & Howe, general merchants 
 
 of Buckley, has the honor of being a na- 
 
 _^ tive of this State. He was horn on the 
 26tli of December, 1866, in Monee, Will County, 
 and is of Irish descent. His parents, Mo.sesand llo- 
 nora (Hurley) Bowe, were both natives of the Em- 
 erald Isle and came to this country in early life. 
 The father crossed the Atlantic when a youth' of 
 fourteen years, and the mother came to America 
 when a young lady of twenty summers. Their 
 marriage was celebrated in Chicago, where they 
 long made their home. Mr. Bowe was in the 
 employ of the Illinois Central Railroad for thirty- 
 five years, but at this writing, in the fall of 
 1892, is engaged in fanning near Peotone, 111. He 
 is the present Supervisor of Will Township, where 
 he resides. In the Bowe family were eight chil- 
 dren, four sons and four daughters, but only four 
 are now living, as follows: .lohn. Philip .S., Michael 
 and Agnes. The daughters, except Agnes, are de- 
 ceased, including Mary, Katie and .lulin; and Will- 
 iam, the youngest son, also h.as passed away. 
 
 Philip .S. Bowe, whose name hea<ls this record, 
 spent the days of his boyhood .•iiid youth in his 
 uarents' home. His education w.is ac(|uired in the 
 public schools of Monee and in tlie State Normal 
 .School, of Normal, 111., where his school life was 
 ended. In 1X90, became to Buckley, where he has 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 since made his home and formed a partnership 
 with John C. Koehu. They opened a general mer- 
 chandise store and now carry a full and complete 
 stock of goods, consisting of dry-goods, clothing, 
 hats, caps, boots, slioes, groceries, notions, etc. 
 They are doing a flourishing business and their 
 trade, which has constantly increased from the be- 
 ginning, has now assumed excellent proportions. 
 Mr. Bowe is a prominent young business man of 
 Buckley, progressive and enterprising, and has the 
 esteem of all with whom business or social rela- 
 tions liave brought him in contact. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Catholic Church, and is a supporter of 
 Democratic principles. In 1 891, he filled tiie office 
 of Village Treasurer. 
 
 In September, 1892, Mr. Bowe led to the mar- 
 riage altar Miss Lucy, daughter of John Fisher, of 
 Loda, 111. The young couple as they start out on 
 life's journey together have the high regard .and 
 best wishes of a larsje circle of friends. 
 
 UH. BUSS, a leading farmer residing on sec- 
 tion 12, Ash Grove Townsiiip, is one 
 "^/"'^ of the enterprising citizens of Iroquois 
 Count}'. A native of Germany, he was born on the 
 8th of January, 1835, in Hanover, and is a son of 
 IIenr_y Buss, who was born and reared in the same 
 place. His father was the owner of a ship, to 
 which he gave most of his attention, but also 
 carried on farming to some extent. He served in 
 the German army for five years. His wife 
 was in her maidenhood Miss Gretja Teolon, and 
 accompanied by her and their six children became 
 to America in 18.50. They boarded a vessel at 
 Bremen, and after a successful v03'age landed at 
 New Orleans, being seven weeks and three days 
 on the journey. They were afterwards on a 
 Mississippi steamer for nine days, when they ar- 
 rived at Quincy, and settled on a farm thirty-one 
 miles northeast of that place, in Adams County. 
 The farm was still in its primitive state, the land 
 being wild prairie, and deer and other wild game 
 were quite plentiful. He rented land for a while, 
 but afterwards purchased a small farm which he 
 
 carried on until his death in September, 1862, at 
 the age of fifty-six years. His wife had been 
 called to her final home five years previous, dying 
 at the age of fifty-three years. He came to the 
 United States a poor man, but by his industry and 
 untiring energy he became well-to-do. In politi- 
 cal sentiment he attiliated with the Democratic 
 party, and in religious faith he and his family- 
 were Lutlierans. The children are as follows: 
 Catherine is the wife of John Jopman, of Nebraska; 
 George H. is a wealthy farmer of Adams County, 
 111.; W. H. is next in order of birth; Mahelle, 
 widow of Henry Flesner, of Adams County, and 
 Treuka, wife of Nelson Pile, make their home in 
 C.'ilifornia; and Henry is a farmer of Kansas. 
 
 Our subject w.as fifteen years of age when he 
 crossed the water to tliis country. His education 
 had been acquired in Germany, but he soon 
 learned tlie English language on liis arrival here, 
 although unable to attend school. Remaining under 
 the parental roof, he aided in the management of 
 the home farm until his marriage on the IStli of 
 March, 1857, in Clayton Township, Adams County, 
 when Miss Margaret Schmidt became his wife. 
 Mrs. Buss is a daughter of Ahrend and Lena 
 Schmidt, both of whom were natives of Friesland, 
 Germany. Her father departed this life when she 
 was but eight years old, but Mrs. Schmidt sur- 
 vived until February 26, 1869, dying in Living- 
 ston County, 111. Mrs. Buss was born June 25, 
 1836, in Germany, and came to this country when 
 twentj' years of age. She landed at New Orleans, 
 but settled in Adams County, this State, 
 
 Of the family of our subject and his estimable 
 wife, the first five children were born in Adams 
 County, the younger in Iroquois County, and the 
 remainder in Livingston County, 111. Henry, born 
 November 21, 1857, was married, but has now 
 separated from his wife, and is a farmer of this 
 count}'; Ahrend, who is a farmer residing on the 
 same section as his father, was born on the 20th 
 of November, 1858; Catherine, born Marcii 23,1859, 
 is the wife of Dick Duisof Nebraska; Oltman, born 
 December 17, 1861, is a farmer of section 11, Ash 
 Grove Township; .John, born August 29, 1863, 
 died in Nebraska ou the 25th of September, 1891, 
 leaving a wife; Talka, wife of Jordan Rosendall, 
 
,■^1^ f%S^ 
 
 ***i>.« 
 
 :m 
 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 (V.I 1 
 
 of Nebraska, was bom July 24, 1865; Aiigelinc. 
 born April 29, 1867, is the wife of Ben Johnson, 
 of Milford Township; William W., born April 23, 
 186i(, is a farmer; Harmon, born March 17, 1871, 
 aids in the work of the farm; (leorge, horn on 
 February 11, 1873, and Margaret, November 24, 
 1874, are at home. The children have all received 
 good educations, and with their parents are all 
 members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 Mr. Buss is one of the popular men of Ash 
 Grove Township, and has lield the office of Uoad 
 Supervisor. He is now the owner of a fine farm of 
 two hundred and ten acres, which at the time of 
 his removal here was wild and uncultivated, but 
 be has now placed it under a high state of culti- 
 vation. On coming to Iroquois County, Mr. Buss 
 began the improvement of his land, and is now 
 one of the well-to-do agriculturists of the locality. 
 He has made bis home here since 1877. Our sub- 
 ject cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham 
 Lincoln, and the man of whom he rented his farm 
 at the time hearing this made him leave. He has 
 ever since been a stalwart advocate of the Repub- 
 lican party, and to it gives his earnest support. 
 He often attends the conventions of his party, 
 and takes a deep interest in its welfare. 
 
 (^^HOMAS A. IRELAND, one of the promi- 
 /rf^^i Dent and influential farmers and stock- 
 \&f' raisers of Artesia Township, residing on 
 section 27, where he owns and operates three hun- 
 dred and twenty acres of land, is a native of "West 
 Virginia. He was born in Harrison County, on the 
 23d of Ma}-, 1824, and is a son of Jonathan and 
 ¥X\7.a. (Boring) Ireland, both of whom were natives 
 of Maryland. Of their family of five sons and 
 SIX daughters, six are yet living, as follows: Sarah, 
 Thomas A., William W., Elizal)etli R., Juliet and 
 Theodore V. Those now decea.sed are Theo|)hilus, 
 Selina, Mary A., Jonathan G. and Eliza Jane. 
 
 The parents of this family, emigrating West- 
 ward, took up their residence in Ohio about 1828, 
 locating in Clinton County, near Wilmington, 
 where the}' resided for about six years. In 1834 
 
 the\- came to Illinois, settling, in what is now 
 Bureau County, but was then a part of Putnam 
 County. Their farm of three hundred .acres was 
 located near Princeton, and continued to be the 
 home of Mr. Ireland until 1871,wilii the excep- 
 tion of three years, from 1841 until 1844, which 
 he passed in Putnam County. In 1861 he was 
 called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and ten 
 years later he went to I)e Kalb County to live 
 with his youngest son, Theodore F., wlicre he died 
 on the 20th of December, 1872, at an advanced 
 .age. 
 
 Thomas A. Ireland, whose name heads this rec- 
 ord, spent the first thirteen years of his life in 
 West Virginia and Ohio, and then came with his 
 parents to Illinois. Amid the wild scenes of 
 pioneer life he was reared to manhood. In 1850 
 he removed to Lee County, where he resided for 
 seventeen years. In the meantime he was mar- 
 ried, the lady of his choice being Miss Amelia 
 Lyons, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth 
 (Darnes) ' Lyons, of Lamoille, 111. Their union 
 was celebrated on the 6th of March, 18C2, and 
 unto them were born a family of ten children: 
 Claribel, born June 30, 1864, is the wife of W. S. 
 Marsh, a farmer of Artesia Township; Frances 
 Elizabeth, horn September 19, 1866, is the wife of 
 F. P. Temple, a carpenter of Buckley; George W., 
 who was born October 18, 1867, died January 
 12, 1869; Theodore Leslie, born April 18, 1870; 
 William Bruce, born on the 6th of May, 1872; 
 Remembrance Franklin, born July 15, 1874; 
 Byron T., born March 10, 1878; Leonidas J., born 
 February 15, 1881; Karl Walden, born August 8, 
 1884; and Amelia L., born on the 9tli of March, 
 1890. Seven of the children arc at home. 
 
 In the spring of 1867 Mr. Ireland removed to 
 Ford County, locating on a farm in Lyman Town- 
 ship, about ten miles from Paxton, the county 
 seat, where with- his family he resided until the 
 spring of 1876. That year witnessed his arrival in 
 Iroquois County, and he located on a half-.«ection 
 of land in Artesia Township, adjoining the corpor- 
 ation limits of Buckley on the west. Here he 
 still makes his home, and in cf)nnection with the 
 development of his land, which is now under a 
 high state of cultivation, he engages cpiite exten- 
 
692 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 sivel_y in stoclc-raising, breeding horses, cattle and 
 hogs, to wiiich ho feeds tlie greater part of his 
 grain. Ik; is a man of good business ability, and 
 an industrious and thrifty farmer. He has a beau- 
 tiful home, and his large barn, 60x70 feet, which 
 he has recently erected, is one of the best in the 
 county. In Ford County Mr. Ireland held vari- 
 ous offices of trust, and was Justice of the Peace 
 for four years. In politics he is a supporter of 
 the Republican i)rinciples, but is not a politician 
 in the sense of office-seeking, preferring to devote 
 his entire time and attention to his business inter- 
 ests, in whicii he has met with excellent success. 
 
 ' SAAC L. BODY, who resides on section 25, 
 Crescent Township, is a worth}^ representative 
 of one of the honored pioneer families of the 
 county, his father, John Body, whose sketch ap- 
 pears elsewhere in this volume, being one of the 
 earl3' settlers of the community. He was born on 
 the 19th of January, 1852, on the old iiomestcad 
 in Belmont Township, and his boyhood days 
 were quietly passed upon his father's farm in the 
 usual manner of pioneer lads. He acquired his 
 education in the common schools, which he at- 
 tended through the winter season, while in the 
 summer months he aided in the labors of the 
 fields. 
 
 After attaining his majority, Mr. Body chose as 
 a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss 
 Sarah .I.John, a daughter of William and Margaret 
 (Cobbler) John. She was one of fourteen children, 
 nine of whom are yet living, three sons and tiiree 
 dauglilers, viz.: David; Mary Ann, wife of Patrick 
 Sullivan; Elizabeth, wife of John Martin; Amy, 
 wife of John Hurd; Nancy Ann, wife of George 
 Featherling; William; Francis Marion; Sarah J., 
 wife of our subject; and Isabel, wife of William 
 McElhany. Tlie father of this family is a native 
 of Oiiio. He was boin in 1806, and is still living 
 at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Farming 
 has been Ins principal occupation through life. He 
 came to Iroquois County when there were only 
 
 twelve white families on Sugar Creek, but the In- 
 dians were far more numerous. Mrs. John was 
 also born in the Buckej-e State, the date of her 
 birth being 1812. She died in 1890, at the age of 
 seventy-eight years. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. and Mis. Body, which was 
 celebrated on the 8th of December, 1874, has been 
 blessed with a family of four children, all daugh- 
 ters, as follows: Clara Belle, Minnie May, Neva 
 Frances and Bertha L. J. The family circle 3'et 
 remains unbroken. 
 
 Mr. Body is one of the enterprising ^oung far- 
 mers of this community. He owns one hundred 
 and eighty acres of arable land and eighty acres of 
 timber. The former is under a high state of cul- 
 tivation and yields a golden harvest in return for 
 the care and labor bestowed upon it. The neat 
 appearance of the place indicates the thrift and 
 enterprise of the owner, who is recognized as one 
 of the representative agriculturists of the coni- 
 munit}'. In politics, he is a supporter of Demo- 
 cratic principles, having affiliated with that party 
 since he cast his first Presidential vote for Hon. 
 S. J. Tilden. For six years he has abl^' served as 
 School Director. Public-spirited and progressive, 
 he takes an active interest in all that pertains to 
 the welfare of the community and does all in 
 his power for its upbuilding. 
 
 ^^ HRIST MUNSTERMANN, who owns and 
 (l\ n ops''''it'es a valuable farm of two hundred 
 ^^f and forty acres on section 3, Ash Grove 
 Township, is one of the worthy citizens that Ger- 
 many has furnished to Iroquois County. He was 
 born in Hanover, on the 5th of August, 1838, and 
 is a son of Peter Munstermann, a farmer, who died 
 when our subject was two and a-half years old. 
 The mother bore the maiden name of Dorothy 
 Blome. On the death of Mr. Munstermann she 
 became the wife of Christ Schulenburg, who was 
 also an agriculturist, and spent her entire life in 
 Germany. The members of the family were Henr^-, a 
 farmer of Ash Grove Township; .John, who died in 
 Cook County; Mary, who is yet living in Germany; 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 (i;i;> 
 
 Dorolliy, wlio is a resident of Cooii t'oiinty; anil 
 Christ of tiiis slcetcli. There was also a daughter 
 born of the second marriaire, S(i|)hia, wlio still 
 lives in her native land. 
 
 Mr. Munstermann whose name heads this record 
 ftcciiiired his education in the public schools, wiiich 
 he attended between the ages of seven and lifleen 
 yeai-s. lie was reared in the usual manner of 
 farmer lads, and after attaining his majority was 
 united in marriage with Miss ]Mina Haben, who 
 was born in the same locality' as her husbaiul. 
 Wishing to try his fortune in the New World, in 
 1869 he bade good-bye to the Fatherland and 
 with his family crossed the briny deep from Ham- 
 burg to New York. He was eleven days on the 
 water. On reaching this country he went to Chi- 
 cago and made a location in llomewood, Cook 
 County, where he and his wife both worked on a 
 farm, lie witnessed tiie famous Chicago (ire in 
 1871. 
 
 In 1873, Mr. ^lunstermann came to Iroquois 
 County, and with the capital he liad acijuired 
 through his industry and perseverance he pur- 
 chased forty acres of land in Crescent Township. 
 Subsequently he sold that farm, and on section 3, 
 Ash fJrove Township, bought eiglit}- acres of wild 
 prairie, upon whicii not a furrow had been turned 
 or an improvement made. His industrious cfTorts 
 and ills well-directed laliors have transformed it 
 into one of the finest farms of tlie community. 
 He has paid out ¥1,500 for draining and has made 
 many other excellent improvements, both useful 
 and ornamental. Since liis first purchase he has 
 extended the boundaries of his farm until lie now 
 has two hundred and forty acre-;. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. JIunstermann have been 
 born two ciiildren: Matilda, wiio was born in Cook 
 County, .laniiary 28, 1872. is now the wife of 
 Henry Salmon, of Ash Grove Townsiiip. The 
 younger child, Henry, born November I. 1877, 
 still aids his father in the operation of the home 
 farm. The parents are both members of the Luth- 
 eran Church and Mr. Munstermann has contributed 
 liberally to its support and aided largely in its up- 
 building. He is now Treasurer of the Church of 
 St. Paul. The Republican party finrls in him a 
 stalwart supporter, he having been identilied with 
 
 that body since he cast his first Presidential vote 
 for K. IJ. Hayes. His success in life is all due to 
 his own effort*, and he may well serve toencourage 
 others who like himself have to begin life at the 
 bottom of the ladder and work their way upward. 
 He now has a comfortable competence and is 
 ranked among the highly respected and sulistantial 
 citizens of the community. 
 
 RVILl.K K. DIX, a well-to-do farmer and 
 stock-raiser, who resides on section 32, Iro- 
 quois Township, owns and operates a farm 
 of one hundred and sixty acres, pleasantly situated 
 about a half-mile from Crescent Cit^'. Upon the 
 place are good Improvements. There are man^' 
 rods of tiling, and the well-drained fields have 
 been placed under a high state of cultivation and 
 yield a golden tribute to the care and labor be- 
 stowed vipon them. The home is a ple.isant resi- 
 dence, and altogether the farm is one of the valu- 
 able and desirable pieces of propcrtj- in this lo- 
 cality. 
 
 .Mr. I)ix, who has a wide ac(|uaintance through- 
 out this community and ranks as an enterprising 
 fanner, certainly deserves representation in the 
 history of his adopted country. He has the honor 
 of being a native of Illinois. He was born in 
 Grundy County, December 27, 18o2, and is a son 
 of Oliver Dix, who was born in Oneida County, 
 N. Y., on the 5th of January, 1821. The grand- 
 father of our subject, Richard Dix, was also born 
 in the Empire State and the family are among the 
 pioneers of New York. The grandfather died 
 when Oliver was a small boy. after which his 
 mother was again married and removed with her 
 family to Illinois about 1833, making the journey 
 from New York with teams and wagons. At that 
 time there was not even a trading-post at Chicago. 
 They made a settlement in Kendall County, and 
 upon that pioneer farm Oliver Dix grew to man- 
 hood. He was twice married. In Kendall County, 
 he wedded Lydia Wing, an aunt of .ludge Wing, 
 the prominent attorney of Chicago. She was a 
 native of Chautauqua County. N. Y.. and her 
 
694 
 
 i'ORTRAlT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 death occurred when our subject was only four 
 }"eai-s old. In an early day. Mr. Dix removed to 
 Grundy County, becoming oneoT its early settlers. 
 He located on wild land, and from the raw prairie 
 developed a good farm, which he j-et makes his 
 home. He is now seventy-one years of age. For 
 many years he has been identified with the Repub- 
 lican party, has taken quite an active part in po- 
 litical affairs and has held a nurabei of public posi- 
 tions of honor and trust. He is one of the founders 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church near his home 
 and has ever been one of its active and faithful 
 members. The honorable, upright life which he 
 has lived lias won him manj- friends, and he lias 
 the confidence and esteem of all. 
 
 Orville Dix, wliose name heads this record, is the 
 j-ounger of two sons. His brother, Asa W., isan en- 
 terprising and progressive farmer of Grundy 
 County, residing in Nettle Township, and takes 
 quite an active part in local politics. Our subject 
 was reared to m.inhood upon the old homestead 
 and remained with his father until after he had 
 attained liis majority. He acquired a good educa- 
 tion in the |)ublic schools, the academy, and in the 
 Newark High School. After completing his studies 
 he engaged in teaching for a time, and later rented 
 a farm, which he operated until 1882. That jear 
 witnessed his arrival in Iroquois Count\", when he 
 purchased the farm upon which he now i-esides in 
 Iroquois County. 
 
 Ere leaving the count}' of his nativity, Mr. Dix 
 was united in marriage in October, 1874, with 
 Miss Elizabeth Riggs, a native of West Virginia, 
 who when a child came to Illinois with her father 
 and was reared and educated in Grund}' County. 
 Three children have been bom of their union, 
 Lettie, Ida and Eugene, all of whom are living 
 with their father. The mother of this family was 
 called to her final rest in 1884, and in October, 
 1887, Mr. Dix was joined in wedlock with Mrs. 
 Matilda (Anderson) Harvey, a widow, who is a 
 native of Sweden, but was reared and educated 
 in this country. A son and daughter grace this 
 union, Oliver and Mildred Pearl. 
 
 Mr. Dix has been identified with the Republican 
 party since he became a voter and is a stanch ad- 
 vocate of its principles. He takes quite an active 
 
 part in local politics, and, as every true American 
 citizen should do, feels an interest in the success 
 of his party. The cause of education finds in him 
 a warm friend. lie believes in good schools and 
 competent teachers, and while serving for six years 
 as a member of the School Board in this commun- 
 ity he did effective service for its schools. Him- 
 self and wife are consistent members of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, give liberalh' to its sup- 
 port and are earnest laborers in the Master's vine- 
 j-ard. Socially, he is a member of the Modern 
 Woodmen. We see in him a self-made man, whose 
 possessions have all been acquired through his own 
 efforts. B}' his industry, enterprise and persever- 
 ance he has steadily worked his waj- upward until 
 he now ranks among the countj-'s substantial ag- 
 riculturists. 
 
 "jlf OHN B. TAYLOR, a worthy and respected 
 citizen of Gilman, now living a retired 
 life, was born near Macclesfield, England, 
 (i^^' on the 27th of February, 1826. He is a son 
 of Robert and Frances (Bewlex) Taylor, both of 
 whom were natives of the same country. His 
 father was a carpenter and joiner by occupation, 
 and came to the United States at about the year 
 1826. The following year his wife, our subject 
 and his twin sister, joined the father in the New 
 AVorld. They first settled in ilars County, N. J., 
 and both parents there died, the -father's death 
 occurring in the prime of his m.inhood, about the 
 year 1838, while his wife survived him nearly a 
 quarter of a century, her death occurring in 1862, 
 at the age of sixt3--six years. She was a inember 
 of the Presbyterian Church. In their family were 
 four children, of whom the eldest are our subject 
 and his twin sister- Mary, who is the wife of Ro- 
 bert Beaty, and resides in New Jersey. The third 
 child, Sarah, married AV'illiam Beat\', and died 
 leaving a family of eight children to mourn her 
 loss. The youngest of the family, Andrew, still 
 resides in New Jersej-. 
 
 In early life our subject began to work on a 
 farm, which he continued until of age. His edu- 
 
PORTRAIT ASD BIOTIRAPHJCAL RECORD. 
 
 cational ailvantages were very meagre. When 
 twenty-one years old lie started to learn the car- 
 penter's a^d joiner's trade, and the first year 
 worked for ^6 per month. On the 7th of August, 
 1847. though getting but *6 per mcmth. he mar- 
 ried Miss Sarah A., daughter of Rotert and .Sarah 
 (Gardner) Blaekwell, who were married in New 
 Jersey, and later moved to Newport, Pa., where 
 they spent their last days. Her father was a 
 cooper by trade, but for many years followed the 
 occupation of farming. The motiier was a Presby- 
 terian in faith, .and died when Mrs. Taylor was 
 only five yuai-s old. Her father, who w.is born the 
 17th of August, 1789, died on the 18th of May. 1867. 
 Mi-s. Taylor is one of two living children, several 
 brothers and sistei-s having died in their earlv 
 ye.irs. Her brother. Lewis, resides at Hazelton, 
 Pa. Mrs. Taylor was born in Newport. Pa.. August 
 16. 1828. When our subject and his wife married 
 she had a few dollars, which she had earned by 
 working for a neighbor, and he borrowed ?25 
 from a friend. 
 
 Unto this worthy couple have been born five 
 children: Alinenah V.. who is at home; Alvin G. 
 is foreman of the passenger yard of the Chicago i- 
 Alton Railroad at Bloomingtou. he having gone 
 on the road as brakeman sixteen years ago, and h.as 
 worked his way up to his present pc>sition. never 
 having tieen laid ofif by the company: George E. is 
 a fruit-grower at South Pasadena. Cal.; Robert 
 W. resides at Ashkum: and Emma A. is the wife 
 of George F. Benedict, and resides in ("liicago. 
 
 Having lived in New .Tei-sey until 1856. Mr. 
 Taylor came to Illinois and located at Princeton. 
 Bureau County, and soon afterward removed to 
 Dover, in the same countv. On the 12lh of 
 August. 1862, he enlisted in Comp.any B. Ninety- 
 third Illinois Infantry. The regiment was first 
 to Memphis. Tenn.. .and the fii-st real duty 
 in expedition into Mississippi. He was en- 
 1 with his company in the Kittle at .T:icks<in. 
 Other important engagements in which he 
 liart were Champion Hill, the siege of \'icks- 
 _. Mission Uidge. Dalton. Altoona Pass. Savan- 
 nah. Columbia. Bentonville (the last battle of the 
 wall, and he also went with Shenuau on his march 
 II' sea. Near Dalton. (ia.. .Uine 28, 1864, he 
 
 with others was riding on top of a freight car. 
 which was loaded with shot and sliell. Seeing that 
 the train on which they were riding w<.>uld shortlv 
 collide with another, he juni|(fd from the car. and 
 in so doing fractured his ankle and also injured 
 his back; nevertheless, he hobbled along with his 
 regiment, never spending a day in the hi>pital. 
 His career as a soldier was marked by commend- 
 able bravery and fortitude, and he was always 
 found where the battle w.as hottest. 
 
 Returning home from the war. he worked at his 
 trade in Dover until 1870, when he removed to a 
 farm in Danforth Township. Though he lived on 
 the farm, he still spent most of his time at his 
 trade. For some three months he worked on the 
 Redtield House, also on the residence of D. L. 
 Barter and othei-s. In 1878 he removed to Gil- 
 man, and since then he has done considerable at 
 his trade, especially in Danforth, where he worked 
 on the fine elevator at that place, and the resi- 
 dences of W. W. Gilbert. Dr. .Smith, R. O. Penne- 
 will, and others. He is now practically retired 
 from business, having a comfortable comi^etency. 
 which he has earned by yeai-s of industry and fru- 
 gality. He still owns his farm of eighty .acres in 
 Danforth Township, and four dwellings in Gil- 
 man. 
 
 4 Vn.LIAM HOLLINGSWORTH. who c-ar- 
 \ - / ries on general farming in Onarga Town- 
 » Y ship, is one of the extensive land-owners 
 of this community and also one of the early set- 
 tlers of the county, who for twenty-eight vears 
 has resided in this community. As he is widely 
 and favorably known, we feel assured that the 
 record of his life will prove of interest to many 
 of our readei-s. He claims Ohio as the .state of his 
 nativity, his birth occurring near Hamilton. But- 
 ler County, on the 2'.'th of April. 1817. Little is 
 known concerning the early history of the family. 
 His father. .Joseph Hollingsw<.«rtli. w.as a native of 
 St>uth Carolina and married Hannah Hawkins. In 
 1810, when our subject was aboiit nine yeai-s of 
 age, the parents removed with their family to Ind- 
 
696 
 
 POETRATT AND BIOGEArmCAL RECORD. 
 
 iana, locating in Tippecanoe County, where the 
 father purchased lanrl of the Government, paying 
 $100 for eighty acres. This he at once be^an to 
 develop and improve, making his home thereon 
 until his death, which occurred in 1852. Hi- wife 
 survived liim for about fourteen years and came 
 to Illinois, where her death occurred in 186(). The 
 family of this worthy couple numbered seven 
 children, as follows: Amos, wlio died in 1.S72; 
 Martha, who departed this life in 1892; William, 
 whose name heads this record; Benjamin, a resi- 
 dent of California; Joseph, who is now engaged in 
 farming near "Witchita, Kan.; Seth, a resident 
 farmer of Arkansas; and James, a retiied farmer 
 who now makes his home in Kansas Cit}'. 
 
 The subject of this sketch spent the first nine 
 years of his life in the State of his nativit3' and 
 then accompanied his parents on their removal to 
 Indiana, where he was reared to manhood. The 
 days of his bo3'hood and 3-outli were quietly passed 
 upon his father's farm. lie worked in the fields 
 during tlie summer months and became inured to 
 the hard labor of developing new land. In the 
 winter, or for about three months each \ear, lie 
 would attend the common district schools of the 
 neighborhood, and thus acquired agood education. 
 He gave his father the benefit of his labors and 
 remained upon the home farm until thirty' ^-ears 
 of age, when ho began farming for himself. He 
 continued to reside in Indiana until the spring of 
 1864, when he removed to Illinois, and since that 
 time has been a resident of Iroquois Country. 
 Soon after his arrival, he purchased four hundred 
 and twenty acres of land on section 1, Onarga 
 T(nvnshi|), and has since carried on general farm- 
 ing. His home is on one of the excellent farms of 
 the community, and tiie well-tilled fields and neat 
 appearance of the place indicate the supervision 
 of a careful manager. A marriage ceremony per- 
 formed on the 26tli of March, 1857, united the 
 destinies of Jlr. Hollingsworth and Miss Sarah 
 Meeks, a native of Chester County, Pa., and a 
 daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hill) Meeks. Four 
 children have been born of this union, two sons 
 and two daughters, of whom three are yet living, 
 as follows: Joseph, the eldest, makes his home in 
 Onarga; Alice is the wife of Dr. M. E. Moslier, a 
 
 practicing phj'sician now residing in Ilavanna, 
 Mason County, 111.; Harvey aids his father in the 
 cultivation of the home farm; and (irace died in 
 1876. 
 
 The parents arc both Friends in religious belief, 
 having been reared under the auspices of that so- 
 ciety. They are people of sterling worth, highly 
 respected throughout the community, and in social 
 circles they hold an enviable position. In his polit- 
 ical affiliations, Mr. Hollingsworth is a Republican, 
 a \\arm advocate of the principles of that party, 
 and for a number of j'ears he has held the office of 
 School Director. 
 
 
 iyU^ EKRY CLAY FRAME, who owns and 
 [[jy operates two hundred and eighteen acres 
 Ij^^' of land on sections 16 and 17, Milford 
 (^^ Township, was born in Warren Count3-, 
 Ind., Februaiy 23, 1846, and is one of a family of 
 nine children, whose parents were Samuel M. and 
 Vitriah (Ammerman) Frame. The father was a 
 native of Ohio, and the mother was born in Ken- 
 tucky. The members of their family were as fol- 
 lows: Eliza J., born June 16, 1840, is the wife 
 of Alexander Shaw, a resident of Huntington 
 County, Ind.; Celia, born November 25, 1841, is 
 the wife of James Curtis, by whom she has five 
 children, and their home is in Milford; Rachel 
 C, who was born October 23, 1843, and is .the 
 widow of Allen Simpson, resides in Warren 
 County, Ind.; Henry Cla3^ is next younger; Mary 
 M., born June 28, 1847, died in October, 1890; 
 Minerva A., born December 3, 1849, is the wife of 
 Dr. Columbus C. Cronkhite, a resident physician 
 of ]\Iarion, Ind., by whom she has six children, 
 four yet living; Joiin M., born June 21, 18.51, 
 died in infancy; Caroline, born February 17, 1854, 
 resides with her mother in Warren Count3', 
 Tnd. Samuel M., Jr., who was born February 23, 
 1856, and resides in West Lebanon, Ind., married 
 Miss Martha French, and unto them were born 
 four children, two of whom are yet living. Sam- 
 uel M. Frame, Sr., was called to his final rest Sep- 
 tember 17. 1892. 
 
PORTRAIT AND lUOORAlMIK AL i;i:( OKI). 
 
 The early life of our subject was quietlj- passed 
 in his native State, no event of special importance 
 occurring to vary the routine of farm life until 
 August, 1863, when, at the age of eighteen years, 
 he responded to the country's call for troops. 
 He enlisted among tlic boys in blue of Company 
 II, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, 
 and served for six months, being mustered out on 
 the 4th of March, 1864. He then returned to his 
 home, and for some time longer was a resident of 
 his native State. 
 
 Mr. Frame has been twice married. On the 
 20th of October, 1870, he wedded Miss Ellen J. 
 Siddens, daughter of William Siddens, of War- 
 ren County, Ind. I'nto them were born live chil- 
 dren: Frank L., born August 14, 1871; Kva V., 
 November 21, 1873; Edward M., May 11, 1876; 
 Lydia A., December 17, 1878; and Ada E., Feb- 
 ruary 12, 1883. The mother of this faniilj' was 
 called to her linal rest August 1, 1888. The lady 
 who now bears the name of Mrs. Frame was in 
 her maidenhood Miss Mar^- Thomas, daughter of 
 Benjamin F. and Amanda (Hoover) Thomas, of 
 Milford. Their wedding was celebrated on the 
 6th of March, 1889, and their union has been 
 blessed with two children: Thomas Ray, born June 
 7, 1890; and Samuel Porter, December 24, 1891. 
 
 In 1875, Mr. Frame severed all business con- 
 nections in AVarren Count}-, Ind.. and with his 
 family removed to this county. He embarked in 
 farming in Stockland Township, where he pur- 
 cha.sed an eiglitj^-acre tract of land, making it his 
 home for a period of eight years. He also carried 
 on stock-raising on an extensive scale. For about 
 ten years he has resided upon his present farm 
 in Milford Township, where two hundred and 
 eighteen acres of highly cultivated land yield to 
 him a golden tribute in return for the care and 
 cultivation he bestows upon them. 
 
 Mr. Frame exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Republican party, and for two 
 terms, 1885 and 1886, was the eflicient Supervisor 
 of his township. He takes a considerable interest 
 in civic societies and liohls membership with Mil- 
 ford Lodge No. 168, A. F. & A. M.; Farmers' 
 Lodge No. 152, I. ( ). O. F. ; and \'cnnum Post 
 No. 471. G. A. H. Mrs. I'raine is a member of the 
 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. Hm <;inie fidelity 
 and faithfulness which led liim to enter the ser- 
 vice of his country when a mere lad character- 
 ized his life, and is that which prompt* him now 
 to always be found in the front rank of any 
 worthy enterprise calculated to imiirovo and up- 
 build the community. 
 
 III!-.. ENRV C. WOi,*.A>l. ;. ni.-niM,i ul llio firm 
 r )i' <^'f W(^lg,ast A- Wolgast, dealei-s in general 
 i^^' merchandise, resides in Danforth. This 
 {^) firm has an extensive business and well- 
 established patronage and carries a fine stock of 
 goods. They have been located here for three 
 years and are considered one of the most reliable 
 and enterprising business firms in the town. (Jiir 
 subject was born in Ilolstein, Germany, December 
 31, 1861, and is the son of Christian Wolgast. 
 The father was also a native of Ilolstein and was 
 there reared to manhood. When he arrived at 
 man's estate he married Dora Wolgast, of the same 
 country. He was a tailor by trade and spent his 
 life engaged in that occupation. He reared his 
 family in Germany, and there the death of both 
 himself and wife occurred. 
 
 The early years of Henry C. Wolgast were (ta-ssed 
 in tlie laud of his birth and he was blessed with 
 good commf>n-school advantages. In 1881. start- 
 ing from Bremen, he took i)assage on a steamer 
 bound for New York City and on the 2d of .Tunc, 
 that year, first set foot upon the shores of America. 
 He went dirccll}' West and located in Danforth, 
 III. For the first year he engaged in farming, 
 which was his first experience in that line of busi- 
 ness. He had learned the carpenter's trade in the 
 Fatherland and had worked at it for five years 
 previous to coming to .America. He now engaged 
 for two years at his trade, and spent about six 
 months in Kankakee in the same business. Next 
 he went to Chicago, working at carpentering for 
 about a ye:ir and a-half and then returned to New 
 York City where he nuide his home for about five 
 months. 
 
 AVliile Mr. Wolgast was in New York, he mar- 
 
698 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArfflCAL RECORD. 
 
 ried Miss Pauline Reimer, tlie date of the ceremony 
 being August 29, 1886. Blrs. Wolg.ist is a daugh- 
 ter of Martin Keinier, a mechanic of New York, 
 and her birth occurred in Hamburg, Geimany, 
 where she grew to womanhood and received a 
 good education. Three children grace the union 
 of our worthy subject and his wife: Dora, Freddie 
 and Walter. 
 
 After his marriage, in 1886, Mr. Wolgast returned 
 to Danforth and engaged in the furniture business 
 for about two years, in which he was very success- 
 ful, lie then sold out and worked at his trade 
 (luring the following year. In May, 1889, the 
 present partnership of Wolgast & Wolgast was 
 formed, and in this undertaking he has been most 
 successful. By their fair dealing and progressive 
 spirit this firm have won well-deserved popularity 
 and they rank high among the business men of 
 Danforth. Mr. Wolgast has held several local 
 official positions and has been Village Treasurer for 
 the past three years. lie has alwa3'S given com- 
 plete satisfaction to his constituents and has ever 
 shown in his discharge of tlie duties incident to 
 such positions tliat he lias the welfare and interests 
 of tlie i)eople at heart. lie is a public-spirited man 
 and is ever in the front rank of those who en- 
 deavor to promote the welfare of city, county and 
 State. Mr. and Mrs. Wolgast are esteemeil mem- 
 bers of the German Lutheran Church of Danforth, 
 and are ever ready to lend a helping hand to the 
 poor and depressed. 
 
 GUIS D. FRAZKE, an honored veteran of 
 ^ the late war an.d one of the early set- 
 tlers of the county, who now follows farm- 
 ing on section 18, Kidgeland Township, was born 
 on tlie otii of March, 18;57, in Newark, N. .J., and 
 is one of ten children, whose |)arents were Turner 
 and Martha (Meeker) Frazee. Of the family a 
 more complete sketch is given in connection with 
 lliai. of Frederick S. Frazee. 
 
 'I'he suliject of tliis sketch was less than two 
 3'ears of age when his parents left New .Jersey and 
 
 removed to Ohio, where he was reared to man- 
 hood. He attended the common schools until 
 nearly eighteen years of age, receiving a good 
 business education, wliicii well fitted him for the 
 practical duties of life. In 1857 the family came 
 to Illinois, and since that time he has been a resi- 
 dent of Iroquois County. He worked for his 
 brother, Frederick S., for three j'ears and then pur- 
 chased an interest in the farm which he had been 
 cultivating. His present farm comprises one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres, and has been his home since 
 1880. 
 
 Mr. Frazee was one of the boys in blue of the 
 late war. Prompted by patriotic impulses, he re- 
 sponded to tlie call for troops September 24, 
 1861, and was assigned to Company C, Fifty- 
 seventh Illinois Infantry. The first important 
 battle in which lie participated was at Ft. Donel- 
 son. He was afterward engaged in the battle of 
 Shiloh, took part in the siege of Corinth, was 
 under fire at the battles of Town Creek, Resaea, 
 Kingston, Rome, Altoona Pass, Savannali, Colum- 
 bus and Benton ville, being in all in over thirty en- 
 gagements. He was also with Sherman's army on 
 its celebrated inarch to the sea. At the battle of 
 Shiloh he was wounded in the left arm at the 
 elbow by a minie-ball and was forced to remain 
 in the hospital from the 6th of April to the 28tli 
 of May. After the battle of Corinth, he was 
 promoted to be Corpor.al, and on the 1st of June, 
 1865, he was honorably discharged, having served 
 for three and a-half years. With the exception 
 of the time when he was confined by his wound, 
 he was always found at his post, faithfully dis- 
 charging the duties allotted to him. 
 
 An important event in the life of Mr. Frazee 
 occurred on the 2d of January, 1871, when was 
 celebrated his marriage with Miss Eliza Robin- 
 son, daughter of Thomas and Charlotte (McNeen) 
 Robinson. Mrs. Frazee is one of nine children. 
 .Tames, the eldest of the family, who was one of 
 the boys in blue of Company D, Eighty-eighth, 
 Illinois Infantry, died in 1862, giving his life in 
 defense of his country; Margaret died September 
 i), l.S7(t; Eliza is the next younger; Emma and 
 Cnih'ton are botli deceased; Harriet died in 1852; 
 Sarah went to Gregim; Thomas engaged in farm- 
 

 (^[^^^^-"^-^^--^ 
 
 l/ . C^ ^?^<£^:-^^2fe^ . 
 

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 
 
 03 
 
 ing in Nobles Count3-, Minn.; aiifl Mary is the 
 wife <if Elmer Koon, a resident farmer of tins 
 eonnty. The fatlier of this family died in isdl*, 
 but tiie mollier is still living. 
 
 Unto Mr. and JMis. Krazee have been born eight 
 children, but Floda, the third in order of birth, 
 died in infancy. Those still living are Herbert 
 I!., Irene E.; Mattie E., a student of Onarga Sem- 
 inary; Charles I)., Sadie L., Nellie C. and Louis 
 L. The famih' is widely and favorably known 
 in the community. The parents are both members 
 of the Baptist Church. In polities, Mr. Frazee 
 is a stanch Hepubliuan, and, socially, is a member 
 of W. A. Babcock Post No. 4 10, G. A. K., of 
 Onarga. The years of his manh(ujd have all been 
 passed in this locality, and that his life has been 
 an honorable, upright one is attested by the fact 
 that he has so many warm friends in this com- 
 munity. 
 
 DAKKEK T. EASrr.ruX, now residing in 
 ) Sheldon, has an honor which few of his 
 years can claim, that of being a native of 
 !i\ Iroquois County. He was born on the 
 old Eastburn homestead on the 20th of No- 
 vember, 1837, and is a representative of one of the 
 most prominent pioneer families of the county. 
 His parents, Joseph B. and Sarah (Truitt) Eastburn, 
 were both natives of Adams County, Ohio. The 
 father of our subject was a farmer by occupation 
 and followed that business through the greater 
 part of his life. The year 1831 witnessed his em- 
 igration to Iroquois County, which was then an al- 
 most unbroken wilderness, the improvements which 
 had been made being few indeed. Here he spent 
 the remainder of his life and bore the usual expe- 
 riences and haidships of the frontier, but he was a 
 man of excellent business abilities and a very suc- 
 cessful farmer, who at the time of his death was 
 the owner of over five hundred acres of farming 
 land in this county, besides other property inter- 
 ests. He passed away in 1819. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the third in order 
 of biith ill a familj' of nine children, four of whom 
 
 32 
 
 are now living. Two brothers, W. L. and .Mien 
 M., still reside in this county, and David C. is now 
 a resident of Nobles County, Minn. 
 
 Parker Eastburn has known no other home than 
 this comniunity. He was reared to manhood upon 
 his father's farm and with the family shared all 
 the trials of pioneer life. lie was early inured to 
 the arduous task of developing new land, and 
 when a young boy became familiar with farm 
 work in all it-s details. His early education, ac- 
 quired in the district schools of the neighborhood, 
 was supplemented by a college course, and he was 
 thus well fitted for the practical duties of life and 
 its responsibilities. At the age of twenty years 
 he commenced farming and stock-raising for him- 
 self, and to this labor devoted his energies suc- 
 cessfully for some years. He always kept his farm 
 under a high state of cultivation and the well- 
 tilled fields j'ielded to him a golden tribute in return 
 for the care and cultivation which he bestowed 
 upon them. 
 
 On the Olh of August. 1871, Mr. Easlburn was 
 united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Moore, 
 daughter of Philip and Margaret (Smith) Moore. 
 She was born July 2."), 1813, in .Scioto County, 
 Ohio. By their union has been born a family of 
 four children, three of whom are yet living, as fol- 
 lows: Luther F., Clara and James. The Eastburn 
 household is the abode of hospitality, and the 
 members of the family rank high in the social cir- 
 cles in which they move. 
 
 In his political attiliations, Mr. Eastburn is a Re- 
 publican, having supported that party since he at- 
 tained his majority. He has been honored with 
 several public olHces of trust, having served as As- 
 sessor for five years, .Supervisor for two terms, and 
 is now School Trustee of his township. He dis- 
 charges his duties in an able manner, with credit to 
 liimsclf and to the satisf.aclion of his const i(uent-s. 
 For a |)eriod of lifly-live years, Mr. Eastburn has 
 resided in this county and h.a.s witnessed almost its 
 entire growth and upbuilding. He has seen its 
 wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and 
 farms, its hamlets converted into thriving towns, 
 while churches and .schools have been built and the 
 work of ]irogre>s and <'ivilizalion has been carried 
 forward so rM|)iilly that scarcely a landmark of 
 
704 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 pioneer days j'et remains. He has ever borne his 
 part in the wori< of advancement, and has proved 
 n \'alued citizen, wlio has tlie liigli regard of all 
 wlio l<now him. 
 
 =l-^+^~[ 
 
 ELI AS JULIAN, one of the enterprising and 
 progressive farmers of Slieldon Townshi)), 
 'i residing on section 9, owns and operates 
 one hundred and forty acres of arable land, and 
 the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute 
 in return for his care and cultivation. A native 
 of the P)Uckeye State, he was born on the 27th of 
 February, 1846, and is the eldest child of Absalom 
 and Nancy (Flanagan) Julian. His father was a 
 native of Pennsylvania and at an earl}^ day emi- 
 grated Westward to Oliio, locating in Pickaway 
 County, where he long made his home. He was 
 twice married, the mother of our subject being his 
 second wife. Four children were born of the 
 first union, and Elias is the eldest of a family of 
 tliree. In 1875, the father left Ohio and came to 
 Iroquois County, 111., where he spent the remain- 
 der of his days, his death occurring December 23, 
 1880. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our 
 subject, who in his youth attended the district 
 schools in the neighborhood in which he resided 
 and concluded his literary education by several 
 terms' attendance in the graded schools of Tarlton, 
 Ohio. At the age of nineteen, he started out in 
 life for himself, and from 1865 until 1870 was en- 
 gaged in trading speculations in the State of Mis- 
 souri. On the expiration of that period he dis- 
 posed of his business interests in Missouri and 
 came to Iroquois Count}", 111., where he has since 
 resided. Flis energies he has devoted to farming 
 and stock-raising, and lie now owns one of the 
 valuable and desirable farms of this loealilj'. The 
 land IS under a high state of cultivation and he 
 has made many substantial improvements. The 
 .stock wliich he raises is of good grades and the 
 ))lace is complete in all its appointments. 
 
 On the 2o1h of January, 1872, Mr. Julian was 
 units'd ill marriage witli INIiss Mattie Dressback, 
 
 daughter of William Dressback, a native of Picka- 
 way County, Ohio, and their union has been 
 blessed with eight children, four sons and four 
 daughters, namel}': Milton, Milo, (tuj% Artluir L., 
 •Cynthia, Amanda, Nancy, and Ruth. The family 
 circle j'et remains unbroken and the children are 
 still under the parental roof. 
 
 Mr. Julian votes the Republican ticket and is a 
 member of tlie Patriotic Order of Sons of America. 
 He has never been an aspirant for office, but his 
 popularity in the county would secure him almost 
 any local position had he any desires in that di- 
 rection. The only public position that he has 
 filled iisthat of Road Commissioner, in which he has 
 served for many years. He is a man of positive 
 convictions and is always ready to encourage any 
 enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. 
 He holds an interest in the Farmers' Elevator at 
 Sheldon, which is doing a good business and has 
 proved of much benefit to the agriculturists of the 
 coinniunity. Mr. Julian is classed among the 
 prosperous farmers of the townsiiip and is num- 
 bered among its best citizens. 
 
 •S-^E*^* / 
 
 ^' ENRY AUGUSTUS BUTZOW, who is Dep- 
 uty County Clerk, and a leading citizen of 
 Watseka,was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 
 §; Germany, on the 9th of July, 1834. His par- 
 ents, Ludwig and Sophia(\Ville)Butzovv, were also 
 natives of that country, and there spent their entire 
 lives, his father being a teacher for forty-five years. 
 Our subject was burn and reared in a rural village, 
 and at an early age was trained in the labors con- 
 nected with the development of the land. His ed- 
 ucation was acquired in the common schools and 
 under the instruction of private tutors. When a 
 young man of twenty years, he determined to try 
 his fortune in America. Bidding good-bye to home 
 and friends, he crossed the broad Atlantic in a sail- 
 ing-vessel, which at length dropped anchor in 
 New York Harbor. Landing on tlie shores of the 
 New World, he went to Oneida County, N.Y., where 
 he worked by tlie month inr some time. He then 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGHAPIIK AL IJKCORI). 
 
 rn.-i 
 
 came to Illinois, and locating in Chebanse Town- 
 ship engaged in farming. His first purchase of land 
 consisted of a tract in the town of, Irofpiois, and in 
 1857 he bought a part of his present farm in the 
 same township, which he has increased to a tract 
 of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he now 
 makes his home 
 
 In 1860, however, Mr.Hutzow abandoned farming 
 and went to St. Louis Mo., where he learned the 
 carpenter's trade, which he followed in that city 
 and in .St. Clair County, 111., until his enlistment 
 for the late war. Donning the blue on the 2il of 
 March, l.S()2, he joined Company (i, Twenty-fifth 
 Illinois Infantry, and served for three years, being 
 mustered out on the 6th of March, 186;"). He was 
 wounded in the battle of I'cach Tree Creek before 
 Atlanta; while the Twenty-fifth was advancing as a 
 skirmish line on the rebel fortifications, a bullet 
 struck his watch and made a glancing shot, cutting 
 him quite badly. He also participated in the battle 
 of Perry ville. Ky.. and in numerous other engage- 
 ments in which his regiment was engaged, being al- 
 ways found at his post of duty, ready to defend the 
 Old Flag under which he enlisted. 
 
 In the fall of 186y, Mr. Uutzow returned to his 
 native land, and on the 24th of March, 1866, mar- 
 ried Miss Sophia Pfudcl,a native of Herlin, Prussia. 
 AVith his bride he immediately returned to 
 America, and their home has since been in Iroquois 
 County. Their union has been blessed with seven 
 children, and the famil}' circle yet remains un- 
 broken. Frank F., the eldest, married K:ity Kiio 
 and resides in Loda, Iroquois County, being em- 
 ployed in the hank; Martha .1. is engaged in 
 teaching in Watseka; Jlary L., Kmma S., Otto L., 
 Rudolph and P.ertha are still under the parental 
 roof. 
 
 Mr. Uutzow exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Democratic party, and has been 
 honored with a number of olliclal positions, the du- 
 ties of which he discharged with promptness and 
 fidelity, thus winning the commendation of all 
 concerned. For seven years he filled the otlice 
 of Township Clerk, for three years was Road 
 .Supervisor, and in 1873 w;is elected County Clei'k. 
 So well did he fill the office that he was re-elected 
 in 1877, and again in 1882, holding the positon 
 
 altogether for thirteen yeare, the loi ! 
 
 one man has ever held it. Socially, Mi. liiU/cw 
 is a member t>f the .Masonic fraternity, belonging 
 to the Lodge, Chapter of Watseka, and Commandery 
 of Kankakee. He also belongs to the Lodge and 
 Kncampment of the Independent Order of (Jdd 
 Fellows, and to Williams Post No. 2,5, ('•. A. R. He 
 aud his family are members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 Mr. Hutzow is a leading and infiueiiti.nl citizen 
 of Iroquois Counly, which fact is well indicated 
 by his long continued service in the olllce of 
 County Clerk, which also attests his personal 
 popularity. 
 
 'OIIN KDKN, a successful and well-known 
 merchant of Danforth, h.as the honor of 
 being a native of Illinois. He w:is born at 
 Pekin, Tazewell County, on the 8th of De- 
 cember, 1856. and is a son of Reminer Eden, whose 
 sketch appears elsewhere in this volnme. Our sub- 
 ject came with his parents to this county in 1868, 
 and grew to manhood here. He received the ad- 
 vantages of the common schools, l)ut is almost 
 self-educated. 15y his powers of observation and 
 by reading he has accumulated a valuable fund of 
 information, and is one of the most intelligent 
 men of the community. He remained on the 
 homo farm, engaged in a.«sisting his father in the 
 labors thereof, until he had reached his majoritv. 
 He then decided to devote his energies to another 
 line of business, and, coming to Danforth, engaged 
 in clerking for about two years, thoroughly learn- 
 ing the delailsof mercantile life. He then foiined 
 a pnrtnershii) with Fred Kohl, and together they 
 purchased the store where they had been empluveil 
 ! as clerks, and embarked in business for themselves. 
 They first started business on a limited scale, jut 
 they had but a small stock and capital, which was 
 mostly borrowed money. From year to 3ear the^' 
 added to their original stock. and have built up a 
 most extensive and lucr.-itive trade. In February, 
 J 1892, Mr. Kden purchased his partner's interest 
 1 and succeeded to the whole business. He has n 
 
706 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 large double store, and carries an extensive stock 
 of general nieicliandise, comprising the latest nov- 
 elties, which ai'o well selected. 
 
 In Danforth, IMr. Kden married Miss Elizabeth 
 .lolinson, who was l)i)rn in Fairbiiry, 111., and came 
 to this count3' with her father, .lohn (). .lolinson, 
 when a child of but two years of age. Her father 
 is now retired, and makes his home in Danforth. 
 The ceremony which united the destinies of Mr. 
 .and Mrs. Kden was performed on the 4th of May, 
 1884, and they have become the parents of two 
 daughters, Cassie Aline and Cecelia K. 
 
 Mr. Eden has never aspired to official positions, 
 but has been elected to several local positions by 
 his friends who well know his ability and fidelity, 
 lie is a member of the Township Hoard and also of 
 the School Board. His right of franchise is used 
 in favor of the Democratic part3', in whose success 
 he is much interested. B}- his business enterprise 
 and thrift he has accumulated a comfortable for- 
 tune, and owns a well-established business. His 
 elegant home is the abode of hospitality, and he 
 and his estimalile wife delight to entertain their 
 many friends. He is a man of superior busi- 
 ness capacitj, and is known far and wide through- 
 out this section of the State as a successful and 
 enterprising business man. 
 
 =!a^J ••• ^l j (^j) if£ ••• .-^wi= 
 
 5^^ 
 
 m> 
 
 ^/0H^' FACAN, of Watseka, the pioneer har- 
 ness-maker of Iroquois County, settled in 
 Middleport, in the spring of 1849, and re- 
 moved to South Middleport, now Watseka, 
 when the railroad was being built through this place. 
 He was the first of his trade in old Middleport, 
 and at Watseka, and has carried on business contin- 
 ii()usl\- since at the last-named point, which, in 
 fad. now includes the former town in its corpor- 
 ation limits. Mr. Fagan w.as born in Xenia, Ohio, 
 iSIarch 29, 1822. and is a .son of William and Eliza- 
 beth (Dowell) Fagan. His parents were born in 
 what is nf)w West Virginia, and removed at an 
 early day to Highland County, Ohio, and later to 
 (Iroene County, ni'ar Xenia, in the same State. 
 Thi'v subsequently came to C]iam))aign C<-)uiity. 111., 
 
 where they spent their last days. The mother died 
 in 1867, and the father the following year. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
 tive Stale, received a common-school education, 
 and learned his trade in his native town. He be- 
 gan his apprenticeship there and served six years, 
 after which he engaged in business for himself. 
 In 1847, he removed to La Fayette, Ind., where he 
 worked as a journeyman for a 3'ear, and in 1840 
 came to Illinois. He spent a year working at his 
 trade in Danville, and in the spring of 184 9 came 
 to Iroquois County, where he opened the first 
 harness shop in the county at Middleport, .as pre- 
 viously stated. 
 
 In the fall of 1852, Mr. Fagan was united in 
 marriage in Middleport with Miss Caroline Iloglc, 
 a daughter of Capt. Henry W. and Charlotte 
 (Wells) Ilogle. Mrs. Fagan was born in Henrys- 
 ville, Province of Quebec, Canada, and came to 
 Middleport, 111., with her mother, August 11, 1849. 
 She died in 1856, leaving two ciiildren: a son, 
 who died in childhood; and a daughter, Char- 
 lotte H., who is now the wife of Robert H.ayes, of 
 Lake View, Chicago. In the spring of 1859, Mr. 
 Fagan was again married, his second wife being Mrs. 
 .Tulia A. Fenton, whose maiden name was Craw- 
 ford. She has one child, Dora, by her former 
 marriage. Mrs. Fagan was born iu Coshocton 
 County, Ohio. Five children blessed their union, 
 but three are now deceased. Arthur died aged 
 twenty-three years; Wilda is the wife of .1. T. Ford, 
 of Drummond, Wis.; Albert died in childhood; 
 Asa 13. married and lives in Chicago; and one died 
 in infancy. 
 
 In his political affiliation, Mr. Fagan was a 
 Whig in early life, but on the dissolution of that 
 party, became a Democrat, He has never sought 
 or desired public office. Mrs. Fagan owns a well- 
 imijroved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, 
 situated in Belmont Township. Mr. Fagan is 
 an Odd Fellow and was a charter member of 
 the old lodge of Middleport; and was also the 
 second Odd Fellow in the place. He is a Royal 
 Arch Mason, a member of AVatseka Lodge No. 
 446, A. F. & A. ]\I., and of Watseka Chapter No. 
 114, R. A. M. 
 
 Mr. Fagan is one of the very few remaining 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 |iii)iieei-.s of the ileseiled village of IMidtlleporl, 
 ilie ancient capital of Iroquois County. Me has 
 witnessed the coniiug and going of many, and the 
 rise and fall of the fortunes of others. The coun- 
 try, which was little better than a wilderness when 
 he first saw it. is now well settled by a prosperous 
 ;iiid thrifty people. During all these years and 
 clianges he has maintained acquaintance and friend- 
 ship with many and enjoys, a,s he deserves, the 
 kindlv regard and esteem of his old neighbors and 
 friends, and also of the newer comers w1k> have 
 learned to know him. 
 
 *^^1 
 
 H<®S' 
 
 j^ \ ^ 
 
 I). NOHLE, ])iiotographic artist of Watseka, 
 in III "'** born in Kankakee, 111., September 21, 
 5^f ISoo, and is a son of Solomon and Susan 1). 
 (Williamson) Noble. His parents were natives of 
 Philadelphia, and came to Illinois in 1817. His 
 father died in June, 1882, and his mother is still 
 living, residing in Kankakee. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- 
 tive county, receiving his education in the com- 
 mon schools. In 1878, he began learning photog- 
 raphy in Kankakee, and the following year went 
 to Chicago, where he was employed in that line of 
 work at intervals for several years. In 1881, he 
 opened a gallery in Paxton, Ford County, where 
 he carried on Itusiness during the three years fol- 
 lowing. From there he went to Denver, Colo., and 
 was there employed in a largr g.'dlery for two 
 years. Then he returned East for a year and 
 afterward again went to Colorado. After si)end- 
 ing another year in the West, he returned to Illi- 
 nois and opened his present galleiy in Watseka, 
 June 20, 1891. 
 
 Mr. Noble w.is married in Pa.xton, III., February 
 19, 187.5, to .Aliss Theresa Palmer. The lady was 
 born on the banks of Lake Chaniplain in New York, 
 and is a daughter of Isaac H. I'almer, of Paxton. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Noble have one child, a son, Lesley 
 Denver, who was born in Denver. Colo., .\pril ;">, 
 1888. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Noble is a Democrat. Socially, 
 he is a member of Watseka Camp No. li'M). M. W. 
 
 A. On coming to Watseka, the siil)jecl of this 
 sketch determined to have the finest idiotographic 
 gallery in Eastern Illinois, and to that end erected 
 a one-story brick building, especially- adapted to 
 the business, the size being twenty-live feet front 
 by eighty deep. The operating room is twenty- 
 li-ve by thirty-live feet, while the facilities for 
 light are scientifically planned and complete in 
 ai-rangement. The front reception room is lighted 
 by large French plate-gl.-iss and is elegently fur- 
 nished and decorated. Taken .as a whole, the 
 Noble gallery is unsnrpa.s.sed in any city in the 
 Siatp, outside of Chicago, in its .•ii>pointments and 
 most approved facilities for artistic work. .Mr. 
 Noble does all kinds of work in his art in the most 
 modern style, including oil, pastel, crayon, and 
 work in water-colors, together with a new and 
 novel feature of iihotograpliy on silk and linen, 
 hatbands, etc., wherein the picture comes out 
 strong and sharp. He does line work in enlarging 
 from small and old pictures, and is lecognized as 
 an expert in his line. 
 
 ELSON C.\\'ITr is now engaged in general 
 farming and stock-raising on section II, 
 ii M, IJelmont Township. The history <if his life 
 is the record of a self-made man, who has been de- 
 pendent upon his own resources since he attained 
 his majority, and by his own labors has achieved 
 success and gathered together a comfortable compe- 
 tence. He was born in Pike County, Ohio, .Ian- 
 nary 19, 1819. His paternal grand|)arents were 
 both natives of Ireland, and during youth emi- 
 grated to this country. They became early set- 
 tlers of Ohio, and in the IJuckeye SUite Robert 
 Cavitt, father of our sultject, was born and reared. 
 -Vfter attaining to years of maturity he w.as joined 
 in wedlock with Miss Mary Daugherty, also a na- 
 tive of Ohio, and they spent their entire lives upon 
 the old homestead. With the Methodist Church 
 they held membership and were highly respected 
 citizens. In politics, Mr. Cjivilt was a supporter 
 of the Democratic party. 
 
708 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 During his bo3'liood Nelson Cavitt acquired his 
 education in a school "which was conducted on the 
 subscription plan and convened in a little log 
 cabin with gieased-paper windows, slab seals and 
 huge fireplace. He afterward attended a select 
 school for nine months, but tliougli his educa- 
 tional privileges were limited, he has become a 
 well-informed man through reading, experience 
 and observation. He earned his first money by 
 working as a farm hand at -$9 and 811 per month, 
 and even in ins younger years there was little tliat 
 he did not knovv about farm labor, for he early 
 began work in the fields. At the age of twenty- 
 two he removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., lo- 
 cating near La Fayette. Tliis was in the spring 
 of 1841. He began work as a farm hand, but af- 
 terward engaged in farming in Fountain County, 
 Ind., where he made his home until 1864. 
 
 In that county Mr. Cavitt was married to Miss 
 Hester A. Brown, their union being celebrated 
 March 16, 1849. Unto them have been born the 
 following children: Mary, at home; Anna, who 
 is living in Watseka; Henrietta, wife of D. L. 
 (ireenman, of Watseka; George, wlio is married 
 and follows farming near Watseka; John F., an 
 agriculturist of Lelmont Township; William T.,at 
 home; Ciiarles O., who has lately entered the Nor- 
 mal College at Valparaiso, Ind.; and Frank 0., 
 who completes the farail3', is also at the Valparaiso 
 Normal College. The children were all provided 
 with good educational advantages, such as would 
 fit them for the practical duties of life and its re- 
 sponsibilities. Frank, wlio expects to become a 
 physician, was formerly a student in Hoopeston. 
 
 Mr. Cavitt cast his first Presidential vote for 
 William Henry Harrison, and was a Whig until 
 the dissolution of that party, wlien he joined the 
 ranks of the new Republican party and has since 
 fought under its banner, supporting each Presi- 
 dential candidate since Fremont. His wife is a 
 member of the Methodist Fpiscopal Church, and to 
 cliurcii and charitable work he contributes liber- 
 ally. He takes an active interest in all that per- 
 tains to the welfare of the communitj' and is one 
 'of its representative and influential citizens. On 
 coining to this county in 1864, he purchased one 
 hundred and two acres of land and now owns a 
 
 fine farm of one iiundred and eighty acres, while, 
 in connection with his sons, he also operates three 
 hundred acres additional. The boys also run a 
 threshing-machine in season. Mr. Cavitt carries 
 on general farming and stock-raising, and pros- 
 perity has rewarded his industrious efforts. He is 
 now one of the substantial citizens of the com- 
 munity, having a fine farm. Upon it is a good 
 house and large and well-built barns and out- 
 buildings, while its neat appearance indicates his 
 careful supervision. 
 
 |^..5..5..5..j.|= 
 
 ■vT^UCiENE P. L'lIOTE, editor and proprietor 
 l^ of the Milford Herald, was born in Mar- 
 ll~-J , shall. 111., on the 7th of May, 1862, and is 
 a son of Edward L'llote. His father was born on 
 the island of Guadelouije, in Point-a-Pitre, West 
 Indies, March 3, 1819, and his parents were Ed- 
 ward and Sophie (Maumay) L'Hote, the former a 
 native of Paris, and the latter of Bourdeaux, 
 France. Their family numbered three sons: Ed- 
 ward, Eugene and Archille. In 1826, Edward 
 L'Hote, Sr., emigrated to America, locating in 
 New Orleans. He died at Mobile, Ala., in 183.'). 
 His wife departed this life in the Crescent Citv, 
 in 1837. 
 
 The year after his mother's death, Edward 
 L'Hote, Jr., began to learn the printer's trade, 
 which he followed for fifty-one years, or until his 
 retirement from business in 1889. He began work 
 in the office of the Chronicle, which was published 
 in what is now known as the Fourth District of 
 New Orleans. He was living in that city at the 
 time of the first issue of the Picayune, which was 
 established in 183.5. He worked on that paper 
 when tallow candles were used for lighting the 
 office, and dry-goods boxes were used for news 
 stands, and when the proprietors cooked their 
 own meals. The Picayune was published as a 
 dail}', and the forms were inked with rubber balls, 
 which were dexterously distributed by bumping 
 them together and causing them to turn in every 
 direction until the ink was over eveiy part. 
 
 Our subject was a veteran of the Mexican War. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 my 
 
 During that struggle he enlisted as n. member of 
 the Second Louisiana Regiment, and served for 
 six months. After his return he came to Mar- 
 siiall, 111., ill 1849, and was married on the 29th of 
 November to Miss Charlotte Wlialey, daughter of 
 William and Charlotte Whaley. There he worked 
 at his trade for some time in the employ of 
 others, lie afterward published a paper ciilled the 
 Hornet, one of the first journals in the country to 
 advocate Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency. 
 After residing in Clark County for nearly thirty 
 real's, Mr. L'llote removed to Milford, and pur- 
 chased the Milford Herald, \.\\en published by ,1. K. 
 Fox. He continued its editor and iiroprielor from 
 1878 until 1889, putting it on a good paying 
 basis. He then sold out to his son, Eugene P. 
 
 Edward L'llote is a member of .Marshall Lodge 
 No. 133, A. F. & A. M., and of Chapter No. 70, K. 
 A. M., of INLirshall. In politics he is a supporter 
 of the Republican principles, and his paper was 
 ever edited in the interests of that party. Since 
 selling his paper in 1889, he ha.* lived a retired 
 life, enjo3-ing a well-earned rest. Mr. L'llote is 
 an intelligent and well-informed man, and is held 
 in the highest esteem by all wlio know liini for his 
 sterling worth and integrity. 
 
 Eugene P. L'Hote, whose name heads this rec- 
 ord, came with his parents to Iroquois County, 
 and has since been a resident of Milford. From 
 boyhood he has been connected with the printing 
 business, which he learned in his father's oHice. 
 In 1886 he leased the Milford Herald, and after 
 publishing it for two years purchased it of his 
 father, and has since conducted it alone. The 
 Herald is a bright, newsy sheet, published in the 
 interest of the Republican party. Our subject is a 
 ready and tluent writer, and keeps his paper up to 
 the high standard to which his father brought it. 
 The Herald is now well patronized, has a large 
 subscription list, and he is doing a profitable 
 business. 
 
 On the 21th of September, 18Hr), Mr. L'llote 
 wedded Miss Elda Fairman, daugiiler of John F. 
 and Mary E. (Park) Fairman, of Milford. Three 
 children grace their union: Lulu, born in April, 
 1880; Hay, born in December, 1887; and Elda, 
 born in September, 1889. Our subject holds 
 
 membership with the Odd Fellows' lodge and the 
 Knights of Pythias S.iciety, both of Milford. He 
 is a public-spirited and progres-^^ive citizen, who 
 does much for the advancement and upbuilding 
 of the town and county, and by his fellow-tciwus- 
 men he is regarded jis a man of sterling worth. 
 lie is quite popular, lia.s a wide aci|uaintance. and 
 his friends are many. 
 
 URAM COl(.ilEN(JLR, a retired farmer 
 residing on section 27, Concord Town- 
 A ship, is a well-known citizen of this com- 
 munity, and certainly deserves representa- 
 tion in the history of his adopted county, for he 
 is numbered among its earliest settlers, having for 
 more than half a century been connected with its 
 history-. A native of Gallia County, Ohio, he was 
 born September 1.0, 181(1, and is a son of John and 
 Susan (Darst) Couglienour, the former a native of 
 Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. Wiien 
 John Coughenour was quite small his parents re- 
 moved to the Old Dominion. The paternal grand- 
 father of our subject was of German descent, and 
 died in Augusta County, Va. On attaining to 
 mature j-ears his children all left that State. The 
 family numbered five sons and a daughter. Some 
 of them returned to Penns^ivania, and Christian 
 and John removed to Ohio. The sister started on 
 horseback from Virginia to the Huckeye State and 
 was never heard from again. 
 
 John Coughenour was twenty-one years of age 
 when he went to Gallia County-, Ohio. He was 
 then in limited circumsUinces, but became a well- 
 to-do farmer. His wife died when our subject was 
 about ten years of age. Abram is the eldest of a 
 family of three sons and three daughters, but is 
 now the only surviving member. The father was 
 afterward again married and had .•-overal children 
 bv the second union. 
 
 Abram Coughenour remained under the par- 
 ental roof until he obtained his majority, and ac- 
 quired his educatifm in the subscription schools. 
 On leaving home he went to La Fayette, Ind., and 
 from there tn lluntinslon, wiiere he worked on 
 
710 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the Wabash it Erie Canal, helping to build the 
 second lock. In September, 18.'51, he went to Chi- 
 cago, where he worked on the piers at the moutli 
 of the liver until the follovving December. lie 
 saw tlie first house burn at that place and helped 
 to put out the fire. Subsequently he returned to 
 La Fayette, Ind., where he began learning the car- 
 penter's trade, receiving a journeyman's wages 
 from the beginning, as lie was always handy with 
 tools. Having made a short visit to his old home, 
 he came to Iroquois County, 111., in 1836, and for 
 several years afterward followed carpentering. 
 
 On May 31, 1837, Mr. Coughenour married !Miss 
 Elizabeth Ann Williams, of Milford Township, 
 who was born in Ohio, March 1, 1821, and came 
 to this count}' with her parents during childliood. 
 Her father, Robert L. Williams, was a large land- 
 owner in Milford Township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
 Coughenour were born thirteen children, eleven 
 of whom grew to mature years; nine were married 
 and seven are yet living. Marion, the eldest, died 
 ill infancy; Celina J. is the wife of George W. 
 Enslin, of Sheldon; Franklin is represented else- 
 where in this work; Rosanna is the wife of Nelson 
 Waity, of Sheldon Township: Anna is the wife of 
 Jefferson Crozier, a resident of Sheldon, and unto 
 tiiem have been born three children, two living 
 and one deceased; Nancy became tlie wife of 
 Irvin E. Crozier, and died in Claj- County, Iowa, 
 leaving one child; Celestine is the wife of Luman 
 Sherman; Allen, who is married and lives with our 
 suliject, has one child; Aurelius is living in Clay 
 County, Iowa; and Joseph R. completes the fain- 
 
 il.v- 
 
 The farm on which Mr. Coughenour resides was 
 a claim which he jiurchased from his brotiier, who 
 had entered the land from the (iovernnient. He 
 built his residence and barn with his own hands, 
 and has here made his home since 1844. Every 
 im))rovement upon the place stands as a monu- 
 ment to his thrift and enteriirise. His possessions 
 have all been acquired through his own efforts, 
 and he may trul}' be called a self-made man. He 
 followed in the political footsteps of his father, 
 and in 1832 cast his first Presidential vote for 
 Gen. Jackson. Since that time he has been a 
 warm advocate of the Democracv, and his sons 
 
 support the same party. He has filled the office 
 of Justice of the Peace, was School Director for 
 about twenty years, and School Trustee for nine 
 3'ears. The cause of education has ever found in 
 him a warm friend, and he has done much for the 
 advancement of the schools in this community. 
 Mr. Coughenour has been a great reader through- 
 out life, and has thus become well informed. 
 
 Mrs. Coughenour was called to her final rest June 
 19, 1890, and iier remains were interred in the 
 Garfield Cemetei-}'. Mr. Cougiienour is now eighty- 
 two years old, and is an active old gentleman, 
 physically and mentally. Throughout tlie county 
 he has a wide acquaintance, and an honored, up- 
 right life has won him tlie confidence and esteem 
 of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 
 His name is inseparably connected with thehistorj' 
 of the county, where for fifty-six years he has 
 found a home. He has aided in its development, 
 borne his part in its upbuilding, and ever faith- 
 fully performed his duties of citizenship. 
 
 \|L^ ON. CONRAD SECREST, M.D.,of AVatseka, 
 JTji* the present Slate Senator from Iroquois 
 i^\^ Count}', was born near Lexington, in 
 (^ Davidson County, N. C, May 3, 1829. 
 His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Foutz) Secrest, 
 were also natives of that State. The father's fam- 
 ily were from Pennsylvania, and were of German 
 origin. Their settlement in the old Ke3'stone 
 State antedates the War of the Revolution, and 
 members of the famil}' were participants in that 
 memorable struggle under CJen. Green. Daniel 
 Secrest removed with his family to Morgan County, 
 Ind., in 1832, and there engaged in farming. His 
 death occurred in 1841, when Conrad was but 
 twelve years old. The mother died two years 
 later. 
 
 Left an orphan at fourteen, our subject received 
 his primary education in a frontier log school- 
 house, with its traditional punclieon floor, and slab 
 .seats and desks, and where, instead of glass, oiled 
 paper was used to admit tlie light through an open- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Ml 
 
 ing wheie a section of logs had been roniovcd. He 
 was reared on a farm, and subseriuentl}-, liaving 
 the advantage of better scliools, fitted liimself for 
 the position of teaelier. In March, 1852, he came 
 to Iroquois County, 111., and began the study of 
 medicine under the direction of Drs. Fowler <S; 
 Blades, of Iroquois, soon afterward accompanying 
 those gentlemen to Middleport. There he engaged 
 as a clerk in a store, and pursued his studies at 
 night. In the fall of 185.3, he entered Rush Medi- 
 cal College, of Chicago, where he took a course of 
 lectures the following winter. In the summer of 
 1854, he began practice in Jlilford, and pursued 
 his profession at that place until the fall of 1858, 
 when he returned to Rush Medical College, and 
 nearly completed another course of lectures when 
 sickness called him home. Subsequently he re- 
 turned, and received his degree of M. D. from the 
 same institution. 
 
 Dr. Secrest then returned to Milford, and was 
 engaged in practice and in the drug business 
 in that place until the fall of 185'J, when he re- 
 moved to .South ]\Iiddleport, now Walseka, and 
 erected the first business house in that place, al- 
 though it was not the first finished and occupied. 
 In 18G0, the Doctor became regularly established 
 ill the drug business at South Middleport, and also 
 pursued the pr.actice of his profession. About 
 1H75, he purchased a tr.act of land near Walseka, 
 to which he has added b3^ subsequent purchases 
 until he now has a well-im|)roved farm of four 
 hundred and fifty acres, hing adjacent to the 
 city on the southeast. Of this, one hundred and 
 sixtj- acres are situated in the township of Middle- 
 port and the remainder in Belmont Township. 
 The Doctor's residence is on the street that forms 
 the dividing line between the farm and the city. 
 
 On the 20th of May, 1855, Dr. Secrest w.as 
 united in marriage in .Milford, 111., with Miss 
 ^Martha A. Cleaver. The lady was born in this 
 county in 1837, and is a daughter of David and 
 Louisa Cleaver. Her parents were Quakers, and 
 were natives of Pennsylvania. They emigrated 
 first to Warren County, Ohio, and came to Iro- 
 quois County in 1833, settling near what is now 
 Milford. In the family were two sons and two 
 daui;liters. Mrs. Secrest and her sister Marv, now 
 
 the wife of S. B. Hamilton, of Monroe County, 
 Wis., are the only ones living. .Joseph W., the 
 eldest son, died in the army. The mother of this 
 family died in November, 1854, and the father in 
 January, 1856. The Doctor and his wife have 
 one child living, a son, Daniel C, who was born 
 June 10. 1H(;0. and is now engaged in the I'liited 
 States Revenue Service; he resides in I'ekiu. III. 
 A daughter, Louisa, died in infancy. 
 
 In politics, Dr. .Secrest is a Hepublican. At 
 various times he has filled local offices, and in 1876 
 was elected Representative to the Sixteenth (Gener- 
 al As.scmbly from Iroquois and Kankakee Counties, 
 and was re-elected in 1878. In 18><0, he was elected 
 to the Illinois Senate from the same district. In 
 1884, he was succeeded by H. K. Wheeler, of Kanka- 
 kee, by a Uicitly understood rule in the party that 
 the office of State .Senator should alternate between 
 the two counties composing the district. In 1888, 
 Dr. Secrest was again elected to the Senate, and is 
 the present member. He has served four years as 
 Representative, and at the close of the jiresent 
 term will have been eight _vears in the Senate. He 
 has been a faithful and useful member in each of 
 those bodies and has served in several important 
 committees. In the four regular sessions of the 
 Senate, he h.as been Chairman of the Committee on 
 Appropriations, which has the consideration and 
 recommendation of appropriation-^ aggregating be- 
 tween seven and a-half and eight and a-lialf mill- 
 ions of dollars annually. The position to which 
 he was appointed was one of great responsibility 
 and importiiiice, and his faithful and able discharge 
 of the duties devolving upon him justified the 
 compliment paid him in the selection. 
 
 Dr. Secrest is a member of Iroquois Lodge No. 
 74, I.O. O. v., and of Iroquois Encampment No. 
 81. The family attend the MethodistChurch. For 
 fort}- years, the Doctor has been a resident of Iro- 
 quois County. He has taken a more or less ])romi- 
 nent part in its business !ind political history, aid- 
 ing materially in its growth and developnient. 
 By his upright and honorable cour.se in all the re- 
 lations of life, he has won a strong hold upon the 
 respect, good-will and confidence of his fellow- 
 citizens. He is a i)lain, unassuming man, entirely 
 devoid of ostentation, but possessed of an earnest, 
 
712 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 rugged strengtli of character and honesty of pur- 
 pose tliat liave led to a permanent popularity 
 among the solid, candid men of his district, regard- 
 less of political preferences. 
 
 ^Jl AMES PHILLIPS, who owns and operates 
 a faini on section 17, Crescent Township, 
 is a native of Ireland, his birth having oc- 
 curred in Count}' Kildare, April 13, 1834. 
 He is a son of George and Martha (Charless) Phil- 
 lips, both natives of Ireland. The father was a 
 farmer and spent his entire life in his native coun- 
 tr3'. James is the youngest of the family, which 
 consisted of three sons and four daughters, all of 
 whom grew to mature years, and witli the excep- 
 tion of one son, are all still living. One sister is a 
 resident of La Salle County, 111. 
 
 Our subject grew to manhood, receiving good 
 school advantages, on the Emerald Isle. Deciding 
 to seek his fortune in the New World, in 1853 lie 
 took passage at Liverpool in a sailing-vessel, and 
 for five weeks was on the bosom of the Atlantic 
 Ocean, during that time experiencing some very 
 severe weather. He arrived in the United States 
 in Ma}' and went direct to Illinois, joining his 
 brother-in-law, James Hall, in La Salle County. 
 He worked for him and others during the succeed- 
 ing four years in that neighborhood. 
 
 At the breaking out of the late war, Mr. Phil- 
 lips entered the service of his adopted country, 
 joining Col. Morrell's regiment, which was drilled 
 at home, in 1861. He was soon, however, discharged 
 on account of disability. Ou account of hishealth, 
 he next decided to return for a visit to the land 
 of his birth and the scenes of his youth. He there 
 spent three years, and at the end of this time again 
 started from Liverpool, this time in a steam- ves- 
 sel, going to Portland, Me. He arrived in La 
 Salle County about the 1st of May, 1865, and dur- 
 ing the remainder of that year worked by the 
 month. 
 
 Mr. Phillips was united in marriage in that 
 county to Sarah Patterson, who, though of Scotcli 
 parentage, was like him born and reared in Ire- 
 
 land. Their marriage was celebrated November 
 6, 1865. To this worthy couple were born four 
 children: George A. Phillips, a farmer of Iroquois 
 County; two daughters, Lizzie and Evalen, who 
 both reside at home; and an infant deceased. 
 
 The year after his marriage Mr. Phillips rented 
 a farm in La Salle County for a term of six 3'ears. 
 This he ran until the spring of 1874, when, coming 
 to Iroquois County, he purchased a quarter-section 
 of raw prairie land. This he broke and fenced 
 and otherwise cultivated and improved. He now 
 has his ijlace well tiled and in every way it shows 
 the care and labor he has expended upon it. He 
 and his estimable lady have passed through the 
 hardships incident to the earl}' pioneers. The 
 latter has been an invalid much of the time. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Phillips was identified with the 
 Democratic party and cast his first vote for Ste- 
 phen A. Douglas. Later he afHliated with the 
 Prohibition party, supporting their nominees and 
 principles. He is a friend of education and is in 
 favor of good public schools. Anything which he 
 can do to forward the cause of education is done 
 by him, and for several years he has served as a 
 member of the School Board. He and his wife 
 and daughters are members of the Congregational 
 Church at Crescent City. Mr. Phillips has been a 
 resident of Illinois for about thirty-six years, eigii- 
 teen years of which time he has been a resident of 
 Iroquois County, and during that period he has 
 helped to make the county what it is to-day, one 
 of tiie best in the State. He is well and favorably 
 known throughout this section, and is a man of 
 honor, integrity and enterprise. 
 
 i^+^m^ 
 
 ¥ 
 
 1»)ILLIAM R. BURKITT, a dealer and ship- 
 ' per of hay and straw in Pittwood, also 
 -"^ one of tiie leading farmers of Martinton 
 Township, is a native of Virginia. He was born 
 in Washington County ou the 12th of March, 
 1845, and is a son of Simeon Burkitt. His father 
 was born and reared in North Carolina, and in the 
 State of his nativity married Axy Miller, also a 
 native of North Carolina. The father was a 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 7i;? 
 
 Iil.icksraith by trade and followed that occupation 
 for a number of years prior to his removal to Vir- 
 ginia. In 1846, when our subject was a babe of a 
 year, he removed with his family to Miami County, 
 Ohio, where he engaged in blacksmithiug until 
 1855. That 3car witnessed his emigration to Illi- 
 nois. Locating in Jliddleport, Iroquois County, 
 he established a smithy and carried on business in 
 the line of his chosen trade for a number of years, 
 lie is now living a retired life and makes his home 
 with his children in Watseka. His wife w.ns 
 called to her final rest in August, 1885. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the sixth in order 
 of birth in a family of eleven children, nine of 
 whom ;ue yet living: Esther, wife of Abraham 
 .Mann, a resident of Darke County, Ohio; W.Troy, 
 who enlisted in the late war as a member of the 
 Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, and died in the ser- 
 vice of his country; .James, a resident farmer of 
 Miami County, Ohio; America, wife of I. B. Dick- 
 erson, a resident of Pennsylvania; AV. R., whose 
 name heads this sketch; Andrew, who is living in 
 Iroquois County; John, who makes his home in 
 Watseka; Mary, wife of William Burdick; Loroma. 
 wife of Lott Mote; and .Jennie, wife of Dennis 
 Myers, of Kansas. 
 
 Mr. Burkitt, whose name heads this record, spent 
 about nine years of his boyhood in Ohio, and 
 when a lad of ten summers came with his parents 
 to this county, where he was reared to manhood. 
 His school privileges were quite limited and since 
 he has attained to yeai-s of maturity the greater 
 part of his education has been .acquired. In early 
 life he learned the bl.acksmith's trade in his 
 father's shop and after arriving at his majority he 
 followed farming and v,arious other employments. 
 In 1881, he located in Pittwood and established a 
 blacksmith shop, carrying on business in that line 
 for a period of five years. In the meantime he 
 traded his farm for a stock of goods and embarked 
 in merchandising, to which business he devoted 
 his energies for two j-ears, when he sold out. He 
 then purchased a hay-i)ress and since that time has 
 been eng.aged quite extensively in baling and 
 shipping ha3- and straw, shipping on an avei'age 
 about two hundred car-loads annually. During 
 the past three years he has also been engaged in 
 
 farming. He owns two hundred and forty acres 
 of land three miles west of Pittwood, a valualile 
 farm which yields to him a good income. 
 
 On the 2ytli of April, 1871, in Watseka. Mr. 
 Burkitt was united in marriage with Miss Mary .J. 
 Mclntyre. The lady is a native of Ohio, but was 
 reared and educated in Watseka. Prior to her 
 marriage she successfully engaged in teaching. 
 She is a daughter of Robert Mclntyre, who was 
 liorn in the Buckeye State on the 12th of .June, 
 182;i, and died November 24, 1873. He vv.-is lib- 
 erally educated and in early life took up the study 
 of law, becoming an eminent meml)er of and a 
 successful practitioner at the Iro'iuois County Bar. 
 A man of pronounced aliility and upright charac- 
 ter, his inlluence was felt far and wide. He was 
 charitable and benevolent almost to a fault, and 
 was universally esteemed, being truly called one 
 of Nature's noblemen. About 1859 he emigrated 
 to Illinois from Mt. \'ernon, Ohio, wheie he had 
 previously resided. This county w.as then just 
 being opened for settlement. 5Ir. Mclntyre lo- 
 cated in what was then known as Middleport, now 
 known as "Old Town," and .served as Postmaster 
 at that i)lace during Lincoln's administration. Mr. 
 Mclntyre wa.s a great admirer of Lincoln and was 
 a stanch advocate of Republican principles and 
 did all in his power for the promotion and success 
 of that parly. The mother of Mrs. Burkitt bore 
 the maiden name of Sarah .J. AVinterringer. .She 
 was a native of Knox County, Ohio, bovn .January 
 10, 18.30. Her death occurred Septemlter 2, 1872. 
 Of the Presbyterian Church she was a faithful 
 member. In the Mclntyre family were nine chil- 
 dren, five sons and four daughters, of whom five 
 arc living at this writing, in the winter of 18i)2-;i3, 
 namely': .lohn, a professor of music residing in 
 Kansas; Mary J., wife of our subject; Naiiie, wife 
 of Taylor Channel, who resides in this county; 
 (ieorge, who is living in Pittwood, III., and carries 
 on business in connection with Mr. Burkitt; and 
 Fannie, wife of C. Reynolds, a resident farmer of 
 Iroquois County. 
 
 Mrs. Burkitt's maidenhood days were spent in 
 Watseka. She acquired an excellent education in 
 the graded schools of "Old Town," and became 
 one of the county's brightest and most successful 
 
714 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 teachei's. She is a lady of pleasing addi-ess, pos- 
 sesses many excellencies of character, and to her 
 husband has i)roved a valuable helpmate. Her 
 home is the abode of hospitality. By the union 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Hurkitt have been born two chil- 
 dren. Winnefred and Lolo, but the latter died at 
 the age of two yeais and seven months. The 
 former is now a student in Hattle Creek College, 
 Battle Creek, Midi., vviiere she is pursuing a class- 
 ical course. She is an excellent musician, has 
 been educated both in vocal and instrumental 
 music, and is a young lady of pronounced literary 
 taste. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Burkitt are members of the 
 Seventh Day Adventist Church of Pittwood and 
 are highly respected citizens who hold an enviable 
 position in social circles. In politics, Mr. Burkitt 
 IS a Republican, but has never been an aspirant 
 for political preferment, desiring rather to devote 
 his entire time to his business interests, in which 
 he has met with excellent success. He commenced 
 life a poor man, empty-handed, but by his own 
 laboi', enter]irise and industry has accumulated a 
 valuable farm and good home. He is now recog- 
 nized as one of the substantial citizens of the 
 county. Almost his entire life has been passed in 
 tills locality, and his honorable, upright career has 
 won him the conlidence and esteem of all. 
 
 ILLTAB'I FLKSllKR, a representative 
 farmer residing on section 20, Iroquois 
 \5' ^ Township, is one of the honored pioneers 
 of the county, who for many years has witnessed 
 the growth and development of this part of the 
 State and aided in tiic upbuilding and progress of 
 the community in which he makes his home. A 
 native of Ohio, he was born in Meigs County, on 
 the Ohio River, .luly It, 1829. His father, a A'ir- 
 ginian by birth, was born in 1782, and his grand- 
 fatlier, Henry Flesher, was a native of Germany^ 
 Crossing the Atlantic, lie became one of the early 
 settlers of Virginia. The Indians were still num- 
 erous in the neighborhood <if his home, and on 
 
 one occasion he was shot by an Indian, liisarm be- 
 ing shattered in the attack. 
 
 .lohii Flesher, the father of our subject, was then 
 a lad of fourteen years. He grew to manhood in 
 the State of his nativity, and there married Sarah 
 Jackson, who was born in Virginia, but her father 
 was a native of New Jersey. After their marriage 
 the}' emigrated to the Buckeye State, settling in 
 Meigs Count}' then an almost unbroken wilder- 
 ness. They located at the mouth of Oldtown 
 Creek, about ten miles above Pomeroy, where Mr. 
 Flesher improved and developed a farm and reared 
 his family. He there made his home until 1835, 
 when he came to Illinois and took up his residence 
 on Spring Creek, Iroquois Township. He was one 
 of tlie first settlers of that locality, the date of his 
 arrival being November 3, 1835. The work of 
 civilization and progress seemed scarcely begun in 
 this community, the land was in its primitive con- 
 dition, and few improvements or settlements had 
 been made. The family suffered all the hardships 
 and privations of life on the frontier. They had 
 a long distance to go to market, and had to go 
 about fifty miles to mill. There were no roads 
 and they had to follow Indian trails, or trust to 
 their own memory to guide them on the return 
 journey. Mr. Flesher entered from the Govern- 
 ment alniut a-half section of land and opened up 
 a farm, upon which he made his home until his 
 death, which occurred in 186(5. His wife departed 
 this life in 1855, and both were buried in Flesher 
 Cemetery, where a marble monument marks their 
 last resting-place. He was an old Jackson-Demo- 
 crat in political sentiment, but was never an as- 
 pirant for ofHce. Mrs. Flesiier was a member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church and a consistent 
 Christian lady. 
 
 Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, 
 the ft)llowing of whom grew to maturity: Phosbe, 
 now deceased. Stephen was married and died in 
 this county. He was a blacksmith by trade and 
 one of the pioneer workmen in that line in tiiis 
 commu n ity. John , who was also married and reared 
 a family, is now deceased; Jacob has also passed 
 away; Jefferson resides in Wiitseka; Henry died 
 in .January, 1847, leaving a widow to mourn his 
 loss. The deceased meiiibers of the family are all 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 715 
 
 burled in Flesher Cemetery with the exception of 
 Henry, whose remains were interred about three 
 miles from this place. 
 
 William Flesher, whose name heads this record, 
 w.'is a lad of seven summers when he came with 
 his parents to this county, where he has since re- 
 sided. Amid the wild scenes of frontier life he 
 was reared to manhood, and he was early inured 
 to the hard labors of developing and improving a 
 new farm. He remained with his father until his 
 death, and then took charge of the old homestead, 
 a i)art of which became his through a deed given 
 him by his father in 1852. He has followed farm- 
 ing throughout his entire life, and has been very 
 succe.<sful. He owns two hundred and eighty- 
 seven acres of valuable land, under a high state of 
 cultivation and well improved, with a good resi- 
 dence and substantial outbuildings. He also owns 
 two line (lowing wells, both near his home. 
 
 On the 2fith of November, 1857, iMr. Flesher was 
 joined in wedlock with Mrs. .Susanna Kepner, a 
 native of Tippecanoe County, Ind., and a daugh- 
 ter of Benjamin Parker. .She was reared and first 
 married in Indiana. By her first marriage he had 
 one child, Alice, who is now the wife of George 
 Stup, of Iroquois County. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
 Flesher has been born a son, Allen, who married 
 Miss Sarah Curtis, and is now carrying on the 
 home farm. He and his wife have two children. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Flesher al.so lost three children: 
 Emma became the wife of J. C. Pickens and died 
 in 1890, leaving three cliildren, who areyetliving; 
 Maggie is also deceased ; and Bennie died at the 
 age of twenty j-ears. 
 
 Since becoming a voter, Mr. Flesher has been 
 identified with the Democratic party, and is a 
 stalwart advocate of its principles. He cast his 
 first Presidential vote for Lewis Ca.«s, and has al- 
 ways taken an interest in political aflfairs, but has 
 never been an aspirant for the lionors or emolu- 
 ments of public office. However, he filled the of- 
 fice of .lustice of the Peace for ten consecutive 
 years and then resigned. For the long period of 
 fifl}--five years he h.as known no other home than 
 Irofpiois County. As a public-spirited and pro- 
 gressive citizen he h.is ever borne his part in the 
 development of the county, and has seen the 
 
 transformation which the rapid strides of progress 
 have made, until few landmarks of |)ioneer days 
 yet remain. He is a man of unblemished charac- 
 ter, and his upright life has won him the confi- 
 dence and respect of all, in which his estimal)le 
 wife also shares. 
 
 HRISIMAN ZLMWALT. a self-made man 
 who is engaged in general farming on sec- 
 'J tion 21, Sheldon Township, was born on 
 the 8th of Septemlier, 1821, in Lexington Ky., and 
 is the ^youngest in a family of eight children 
 whose parents were Philip and Leah (Powell) Zmn- 
 walt, also natives of Kentucky. In 18;3.'L when 
 our subject was a lad of nine years, the father re- 
 moved with his family to Indiana, locating in 
 Fountain County, where he spent his last days, 
 but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, 
 his death occurring in 18:?7. 
 
 No event of special importance occurred during 
 the bo3'hood of our subject, which was (piietly 
 passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He 
 remained at home until twenty-one years of age 
 and then started out in life for himself, following 
 the occupation to which he was reared. Securing 
 land in Vermillion County, Ind., he engaged in 
 its cultivation for ten years, after which he came 
 to Illinois, in 1855, and cast in his lot with the 
 early settlers of Iroquois County. For more than 
 a third of a century he has now made his home 
 in tills community. He began farming and pros- 
 perity has crowned his efforts until he is now the 
 owner of more than two hundred and forty acres 
 of finely improved farming land. All is under a 
 high state of cultivation and the im|)rovements 
 upon the pl.ace stand as nKuiuments to his thrift 
 and enterprise. 
 
 Turning from the business to the home life of 
 Mr. Zumwalt, we learn that he was married, on the 
 18th of February, 18l(;, to Miss SalindaOder, who 
 h.HS been his faithful companion and helpmate for 
 forty-six years. The lady is a native of Illinois 
 and a daughter of .Joseph (Jder. Eight children 
 grace this union, of whom seven are now living, 
 
716 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 naraelj^: Mary Jane, wife of J. R. Fox, a resident 
 of Chicago; Martha Elizabeth, wife of L. Mitchell, 
 a resident fanner of Stockland Township; Sarah 
 .lane, wife of Dan Meeker, who is living in Mc 
 Lean Connt^'; Adelia, who married George Mar- 
 tin, a resident of Belmont Township; Charles, who 
 is living in McLean County; George, a resident of 
 Sheldon; and Frank at home. ■ 
 
 Mr. Zumwalt is a supporter of the Republican 
 party but has never been an office-seeker. The 
 only official positions he has held are m connection 
 with the schools and roads. Himself and wife are 
 faithful members of the Christian Clinrch and 
 are highl}' respected citizens of the community, 
 who well deserve representation among the prom- 
 inent residents of Sheldon Township. 
 
 ■^fESSE R. E.\.STBUHX, one of the represen- 
 tative farmers and stock-raisers of the 
 county, now owns and operates two hundred 
 and seventy acres of land on section 31) 
 Concord Township. As he is widely and favorably 
 known throughout this community, we feel assured 
 that this record of his life will prove of interest to 
 many of our readers. He was born in Adams 
 County, Ohio, on the 4th of November, 1824, and 
 is a son of Ilezekiah and Ann (Black) Eastburn. 
 His grandfather, .Jesse Eastburn, removed with his 
 family from Maryland to Adams Count}-, Ohio, 
 when Ilezekiah w.as a mere lad, and became one of 
 itsi)ioneer settlers. He there entered land and 
 made his home among the Indians for a number of 
 years. He was born about 1770, and his death oc- 
 curred at the ripe old age of sevent>'-seven in this 
 county. He came to Illinois about 1836 and was 
 a pioneer of both Adams County, Ohio, and of 
 Iroquois County. 
 
 Hezekiah Eastburn was born in M.aryland in 
 1800, and died in 1832, at the early age of thirty- 
 two years, leaving five children, of whom our sub- 
 ject is second in order of Iiirth. On the deatli of 
 his father, Jesse went to live with an uncle near 
 La Fayette, Ind., and there resided from eight un- 
 til twent3'-one yean of age. The common schools 
 
 afforded him his educational privileges. On at- 
 taining his majority he received forty acres of land 
 from his father's estate, and in after 3'ears lie i)ur- 
 chased the interest of the other heirs in the iiome 
 farm, so that henowowus all of the land which his 
 father originally purchased. 
 
 About three years after taking possession of this 
 farm, Mr. Eastburn was married, on the 6th of Sep- 
 tember, 1846, to Miss Tabitha Critchlleld,of Con- 
 cord Township,who was born in Coshocton County, 
 Ohio. Two daughters graced the union; Anna, 
 now the wife of Thomas Shrimplin, a resident 
 farmer of Concord Township, whose sketch appears 
 elsewhere in this work, and Ellen, wife of Frank 
 Coughenour, of the same township. The mother of 
 this family died on the 9th of November, 1854, 
 and on the 1st of May, 18.56, Mr. Eastburn was 
 again married, his second union being with Miss 
 i\Iargaret Howr}'. The lady is a native of Indiana, 
 her birth having occurred near Rangeville. Her 
 father, Abraham Howry, was born in the year 1800. 
 By trade he was a tailor and followed that business 
 tor some time. When the discovery of gold oc- 
 curred in California, he determined to seek his for- 
 tune in that far Western country and made a trip 
 to the Pacific Slope. Soon after his return to his 
 home his death occurred.. In his political faith he 
 was a Democrat. The mother of Mrs. Eastburn 
 died when her daughter was quite a small child. 
 The Howry family numbered six children, butlNIrs. 
 Eastburn is the only one now living. She was 
 educated in the public schools, and the da3-s of 
 her maidenhood were spent in Illinois, where she 
 was married. She is a member of the United 
 Brethren Church, which is located near her home. 
 By the union of our subjectand his wife have been 
 born four children, but one is now deceased, Heze- 
 kiah, who died when a babe of a year; Sarah Jane, 
 the eldest living child, is now the wife nf .bilin 
 Johnson, a resident of Oklahoma, and they have a 
 family of two children; Mattie became the wife of 
 Albert Rosenberger and their union has also been 
 blessed with tvvo children; .Tessie R., the youngest 
 of the family, is still under the parental roof. 
 
 Mr. Eastbui-n votes the Democratic ticket. His 
 father and grandfather supported the same party 
 and his son is also an advocate of the Democracy, 
 
PORTKAir AND lUOC.KAl'lIICAL RECORD. 
 
 717 
 
 making four generations of Democrats. Our sub- 
 ject has never been an office-seeker, but by bis 
 friends was once compcileri to aecejjt the posilion 
 of Supervisor. For twcnt\-live years lie h.is boon 
 connected with the Masonic fraternity, liolding 
 membership with I^odge Xo. 506 in Irociuois. 
 Althougli he iniierited asmall farm from his fatlier, 
 he is virtually a self-made man; by his industry, 
 pei-severance and good nianagcnient.be has added 
 to his original farm and has become one of the 
 prosperous and substantial agriculturists of the 
 community. His farm is well tiled and fenced and 
 improved with good buildings and the neat appear- 
 ance of the place indicates his titrlft and attests the 
 supervision of a careful manager. Mr. Eastburn 
 is a worthy representative of one of the honored 
 pioneer families of the county, and he himself has 
 been prominently identified with the history of 
 this community for many years, doing all in his 
 power to aid in its upbuilding and to promote 
 those enterprises calculated to prove of public 
 benefit. 
 
 ^ACOB MADISON IIARMAN. a highly le- 
 I spected farmer of Stocklaiul Township, 
 ^^1 residing in Sheldon, was born in Randolph 
 v^^ County, Mo., on the 31st of Decemfjer, 
 1841. His parents, Anthony- and Sarah Ann (Tur- 
 ner) Harnian. were natives of Virginia and Ken- 
 tucky respectively. By their unit)n were born two 
 children, our subject and Benjamin T., who died 
 in childhood. The mother was called to her final 
 rest September 10, 1844, passing away at their 
 home in ^lissouri. After the death of his first 
 wife, Anthony Harman married !Mrs. Theodosia 
 Xewtoii, daughter oi .lames Carver, and unto 
 them were boi'n six children: Virginia E., who in 
 the fall of 1865 became the wife of Benjamin T. 
 Lee, a resident of Benton County, by whom .-he 
 h.as three children. Oscar V. married Lina .lones, 
 daughter of .John II. .Jones, of Irocjuois County, 
 and with their only child, Leroy, make their home 
 in Milford. .leremiah R. married Laura Sehoon- 
 
 ovcr,of Warren County, Ind., by whom he has one 
 son, William, and they reside in Milford, III. 
 Emma is the wife of .loliii Hamilton, a resident of 
 Attica, Ind., and unto them have been born two 
 children, a daughter and son, Bessie and Harman. 
 Waldo L. was joined in wedlock with Ellen, 
 daughter of Wilson Cogbill, and their home is now 
 in Warren County, Ind. .loliii .1. wedded Fran- 
 ces Wagner, daughter of Michael Wagner. They 
 too are residents of Warren County, Ind., and 
 their family numbers four children, one son and 
 three daughters. Pearl, Anna, Docia and Oscar P. 
 
 It was about 18.311 that Anthony Harman went 
 to Missouri to try his fortune. He resided in that 
 State for about a (piarter of a century, and on the 
 1st of March, 1865, removed to Warren County, 
 Ind., where he still makes his home, engaged in 
 farming and stock-raising. He has followed agricul- 
 tural pvirsuits throughout nearlj' his entire life, 
 and is a highly respected citizen of his adoiited 
 county. 
 
 Under the parental roof the subject of this 
 sketch was reared to manhood, but when a young 
 man he left home, and in .Tanuyr\', 1862, went to 
 Warren County, Ind., where he lived with his 
 uncle, Jacob Harman, until 1864. He then re- 
 turned to Randolph County, Mo., and was a resi- 
 dent of that locality until April, 1870, when he 
 removed to Iienton County, Ind. A year w.as 
 spent in that place, and in 1871 he came to Iro- 
 quois County, where he has since made his home. 
 He located upon the farm that has since been his 
 place of abode, and turning his attention to agri- 
 cultural pursuits, has since been numbered among 
 the representative and progressive farmers of the 
 community. Ills landed possessions .aggregate six 
 huiidretl and forty acres. He carries on general 
 farming, and engages quite extensively in stock- 
 dealing, making a specialty of the breeding of 
 Shorthorn cattle. He possesses excellent business 
 ability, and has won a well-deserved prosperity. 
 
 On the 27th of .\pril, 1865, Mr. Harman w.as 
 united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss 
 Emma Cox, daughter of .lacoli and Casandiia Cox, 
 of Paris, Monroe County, Mo. Four children 
 have been born of their union, and the family 
 circle vet remains unbroken. .lacob A., born 
 
718 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 March 7, 18G6, married Miss Emma Flagg, daugh- 
 ter of Riifus Flagg, of Milford, and they have a 
 little son, Ilariison. They arc now residents of 
 Peoria, 111., where Jacob is engaged in civil en- 
 gineering. Charles A., born July 30, I.STI, aids 
 his father in tiie cultivation of the home farm. 
 Ira ('., born on tlie 6th of August, 1879, and Joiin 
 J., born November 23, 1880, are attending school, 
 and are still under the parental roof. 
 
 Mr. Ilarman lias led a busy and useful life, yet 
 aside from the attention he has given his business, 
 he has found time to devote to public interests. 
 He Las held the ofiice of Commissioner of High- 
 ways in Stockland Township for the long period 
 of sixteen years, a fact which indicates his fidelity 
 to duty; and for one term served as Supervisor. 
 In politics he is a stalwart Republican, having 
 supported tiuit party since casting his first Presi- 
 dential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a strong 
 adherent of its principles, and takes an active in- 
 terest in its success. He is ever found in the 
 front of all public enterprises calculated to pro- 
 mote the general welfare and advance the best in- 
 terests of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Harman 
 and their children are all members of the Christian 
 Church of Milford, in which he has held the otlice 
 of Deacon for a number of j'ears. He is a promi- 
 nent and popular man, having many warm friends 
 throughout the community, who esteem him 
 highly for his sterling worth and strict integrity. 
 Socially, Mr. Harman is a member of Lodge Xo. 
 153,1. O. O. F., of Milford. 
 
 ^ IVILLIAM CROUCH, who is now living a re- 
 \/\/i/ t''"'^'^' ''^^ '" Iroquois, was born near Cadiz, 
 ^i/sfi the county seat of Harrison County, 
 Ohio, December 24, 1810, and is the fifth in order 
 of birth in a family of six children, and the onl3' 
 one yet living. 'I'he paternal grandfather of our 
 subject was a native of New Jersey. Ilis fatiier, 
 Koliert Crouch, w;is born in Washington County, 
 Pn., and, after attaining to mature years, was mar- 
 ried on tlie 10th of September, 1799, to IMissSaraii 
 JoLuson, also a native of tiie Ke3stone State. Her 
 
 death occurred in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1813, 
 and our suliject consequently remembers her but 
 slightly. Mv. Crouch was again married, and by 
 the second union had six children. He was a farm- 
 er by occupation. On selling his land in Harrison 
 County, he removed to Jefferson Count3', Ohio, 
 where he purchased a farm and made his home 
 for a number of years. In the fall of 1836, he re- 
 moved to Coshocton County, where his death oc- 
 curred ten 3-ears later, in 1846. 
 
 Our subject accompanied his father on bis re- 
 moval to Jefferson County, and with him went to 
 Coshocton County, where he became acquainted 
 with and married Miss Saraii Lyons, who was born 
 in Belmont County on the 8tli of May, 1819, 
 When only six years of age, she was taken to 
 Coshocton County by her parents, John and 
 Nancy (Tiggart) Lyons. Her father died in that 
 county July 12, 1853, and his wife passed away 
 on the 10th of July, 1851. Unto Mr. and Mrs, 
 Crouch were born ten children, six of whom are 
 yet living. The eldest, John, is represented else- 
 where in this work; Mrs. Jane Karr still resides in 
 Coshocton County; Robert is living in Sheldon, 
 111.; William L., who resides with his parents, is a 
 widower, and has one child; Mrs. Eveline Darling 
 makes her home in Concord Township; and Hugh 
 is also living in Concord Township. 
 
 After his inairiage Mr. Croucii purch.ased eighty 
 acres of land, but a few years later sold tiiat farm 
 and bought ninetj'-two acres in the same county, 
 which he owned upon his removal to Iroquois 
 County in 1878, where his children had all i)re- 
 viously settled except his eldest daughter. He 
 owns good residence property in the village and 
 also a farm of ninety-two acres under a high state 
 of cultivation and well improved with substantial 
 buildings, good orchard, etc. 
 
 Mr. Crouch cast his first Presidential vote for 
 the Whig candidate in 1832, and voted for Will-. 
 iam Henry Harrison in 1840. In 1856, he sup- 
 ])orted John C. Fremont, in 1860 cast his ballot 
 for Lincoln and in 1864 for George 15, McClel- 
 lan. Since that time he has been a Democrat. 
 In Ohio he served as Trustee of his township, but 
 has never been an office-seeker. For more than 
 I half a century himself and wife have been mem- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RF.COHD. 
 
 bers of the Presbyterian C'luirch, aiul for many 
 years he served as Kider in Ohio. Tiiey arc ben- 
 evolent people, whose lives haye been full of 
 good deeds, and tlieir many excellencies of char- 
 acter have won them the esteem and confidence of 
 ail. We feel assured that tlieir many friends will 
 receive this record of their lives witli inleiest. 
 
 ' ; OIIX S. .SIIKI.UON. who is engaged in the 
 b!inl<ing business in Loda, and is also a 
 dealer in real estate and farm loans, well 
 deserves representation in this volume, for 
 he is one of the lionored pioneers of the county. 
 The Sheldon famil}' located in liie county more 
 tiian a third of a century ago, and our subject lias 
 experienced many of the liardships and trials inci- 
 dent to life on the frontier. He was born in Ash- 
 tabula County, near Truml)uli, ()hio, September 
 15, 1848, and is a sou of .loiiu Austin and Esther M. 
 (Rogers) Sheldon. The [)arents were both natives 
 of New York, the father liorn near C'oopcrstown, 
 and the mother near Malone, in Franklin County. 
 They became the parents of a family of eight chil- 
 dren, as follows: d'eorge I-^lward, John S., Fidelia 
 K., Laura 11., Clara R., Ruth A., Fannie .\., and 
 .lames II. 
 
 In .January, 18.')M, .lohn Austin Sheldon, accom- 
 panied by his family, left Ohio and came to Illi- 
 nois, locating about seven miles west of Chebanse, 
 in Iroquois County, on a farm of four hundred 
 and eighty acres, wliere he resided for about four 
 years. He then removed to Clifton in 1862, and 
 purchased a farm, but sold it the same season. 
 The following year he i)urchased a tract of one 
 hundred and forty acres of land, a mile and a-half 
 \M -tof Plato, where he made his home until called 
 In his final rest 'on Thanksgiving Day of IKfitJ. 
 His death resulted from injuries sustained by fall- 
 ing from a scaffold. 5Irs. Sheldon is still living, 
 and makes her home among her children, spend- 
 ing a considerable portion of her time with her 
 son. John S., in Loda. 
 
 The subject of this sketch wa-s a lad of nine 
 years when he came with his parents to this 
 
 S3 
 
 county. The summer of 1K.')8 lie herded cattle on 
 the prairies west of Chebanse, near Jlilks Orove, 
 and for many years Cdullnued to be tlius em- 
 ployed. The family lived in true pioneer style. 
 Mr. Sheldon has seen his father shoot wolves from 
 his bed-room window. The early educational ad- 
 vantages of our subject weie very liniited. He 
 would study his lessons while lier<ling cattle, and 
 if he could drive the herd near onougli to the 
 schoolhouse, he would go in and recite. In this 
 way he became familiar with the common English 
 branches, hut by subsequent reading, observation 
 and l)usiness experience, lie has become a well-in- 
 formed man. In 1862, when his father removed 
 to Clifton, he took a herd of over three hundred 
 cattle, of which he iiad cliarge for five montlis. 
 The pen into which the cattle were yarded at 
 night was about a mile and a-half west of the de- 
 l)ot, and they were herded over a territory extend- 
 ing west seventeen miles, which was entirely des- 
 titute of improvement. We thus see that the 
 boyhood days of our subject were not devoted to 
 pla\-, but by his earl}" labors he developed a self- 
 reliance and force of character wliich have proved 
 of incalculalile benefit to him in later years. 
 
 On the loth of October. 188.5, Mr. Sheldon 
 wedded Miss Pliebe R. Hathaway, daugliter of 
 Paul S. and Mary (lienson) Hathaway, residents 
 of New Bedford, JIass. Three children grace 
 their union, two sons and a daughter: Phelie II., 
 John S., Jr.. and Paul .S. They have a pleasant 
 and cfimfortable home in Loda, which is thealiode 
 of hospitality. 
 
 On the 22d of August. 1H7H, Mr. Shekhm came 
 to Loda. The five preceding years had been 
 spent in Watseka, in the abstract olHce of C. F. 
 McNeill. When he came to Loda he entered the 
 employ of Hon. A. fioodell, who was engaged in 
 the banking, real-estate and loan business, and re- 
 mained in his emplfiy until the Isl of January, 
 lHt<7. when he established business for himself in 
 the same line. He lia.s been successful, and has 
 won a well-deserved competence. He owns some 
 good business blocks in Lf)da, in addition to the 
 building in which he is now doing business. He 
 built the first brick building in Loda, in company 
 with E- E. SloiMini, one of the old seltlcrs. It wa.s 
 
722 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 
 
 erected in 1887, and on the 28th of October, 1891, 
 w:us coiiii)letely destroyed by fire, except the walls 
 and vault, but this did not cause Jlr. Sheldon to 
 susjjend business operations, except for about two 
 hours, as he found his vault intact and his papers 
 and money in a good condition. He is a man of 
 indomitable will and perseverance, and whatever 
 he undertakes he carries forward to a successful 
 completion. In addition to his other property he 
 also owns a one hundred and sixty acre farm in 
 Indiana. 
 
 In p<ilitics, .Air. Sheldon is a Republican, an in- 
 rtexible adherent of the principles of that party. 
 He has served as Milage Trustee and in other 
 public ollices of trust, and is now Sciiool Treas- 
 urer. His i)ul)lic duties are ever discharged with 
 promptness and fidelity, and he is aliiie true to 
 every private trust. With the Congregational 
 Church he liolds membership. Socially, he belongs 
 to Onarga Lodge No. 208, I. O. O. F., having been 
 a member for twent^'-two \'ears. 
 
 LVAN L. PFiARCE, who owns one of the 
 model farms of Concord Township, situ- 
 ( II ated on section 6, is one of the worth}- 
 citizens that Indiana has furnished this 
 count}-. He w-as born in Warren County, on the 
 9th of Seiitember, 1835. His grandfather, Thomas 
 Fearce. was a native of Fleming County, Ky., and 
 was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War- 
 Andrew Fearce, the father of our subject, was a 
 native of Champaign County, Ohio, born in 1794. 
 He served in the War of 1812, and in recognition 
 of his services drew a pension and received a 
 land warrant, which he located in Prairie (4reen 
 Township, this county. He married Miss Melinda 
 Lewis, who was born and reared in the same local- 
 ity .as lier husband. Soon after their marriage 
 they removed lo Indiana, where Mr. Fearce en- 
 gaged in farming. His death occurred in AV'arrcn 
 Count}', at tlie rii)e old age of eighty-nine years. 
 Nine children were born of the first marriage, 
 seven of wliom are still livina:. After the mother's 
 
 death, Mr. Pearce was again married, and of the 
 second family there is one surviving child. 
 
 Our subject was the fifth in order of birth. He 
 was reared to manhood in the county of his nativ- 
 ity, and in the district schools of the neighbor- 
 hood was educated. His mother died when he was 
 a lad of twelve years. On attaining his majority, 
 he started out in life for himself, operating a rented 
 farm. He was married soon afterward near At- 
 tica, Ind., to Miss Esther Armstrong, who was 
 born in Arkansas, but when she was a year old, 
 her parents returned to Indiana, and she grew to 
 womanhood in Warren County, on a farm adjoin- 
 ing that on which Mr. Pearce spent his boyhood 
 and youth. Their wedding was celebrated on the 
 27th of August, 1857. 
 
 In 1859 Mr. Fearce emigrated with his family 
 to this county, renting la'nd near Milford, where 
 he resided until 1865, when he removed to his 
 present home, having piu'chased forty acres of 
 wild land at $15 per acre. Upon it was a small 
 cabin, but in 1872 it was replaced b}^ the present 
 substantial residence. His next purchase of land 
 was made in 1866, and consisted of forty acres at 
 $3.50 per acre. In 1869 he bought a similar tract 
 for -1700; in 1871 he purchased forty acres at ^20 
 per acre; in 1873 he bought sixty acres at $10; in 
 1875, sixty acres at $25 per acre; and in 1877 a 
 tract of eighty acres at $27. At his low estimate 
 his land is now worth $50 per acre, and his exten- 
 sive farm is one of the finest in the county. Upon 
 it are good fences, a fine bearing orchard, well- 
 trimmed hedges, a windmill, the latest improved 
 machinery, all necessary buildings and all modern 
 accessories. The place seems complete in all its 
 appointments, and the owner is regarded as one of 
 the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of 
 the conimunity. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have been born five 
 children, three of whom are now living. Fannie 
 died in this county at the age of fourteen, and 
 lies buried in Prairie Dell Cemetery; N. S., boin 
 in Milford Township, September 8, 1862, was mar- 
 ried in Kensington, 111., February 10, 1892, to 
 Miss Etta Barriball, and resides <m the home 
 farm; Rosalie, born in Milford Township, February 
 5, 1865, became the wife of Charles Shaw, a farmer 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 723 
 
 of Martinton Townsliip, December 17, 189(1; Dee 
 (lied March 3, 1892, at tlic age of twenty j-ears, 
 and Ler remains were interred in Prairie Dell 
 Cemetery; Artliur, born November 30, 1872, is yet 
 at home. Mr. Pearce has given his children good 
 educational advantages, thus fitting tiiem for the 
 practical and responsible duties of life. Two have 
 been students in the Normal College of Valpa- 
 raiso, Ind.; and Arthur, who was there graduated 
 in music, is now a teacher of that art. 
 
 Mr. Pearce attained his 7najority a few days be- 
 fore the Presidential election of 18.56, and cast his 
 fii-st vote for James Buchanan. He has since sup- 
 ported the Democratic part^-, except on one or 
 two occa.«ions when he voted the Prohibition 
 ticket. With the exception of three yeai-s, he has 
 been School Director since coming to this count3% 
 and was Supervisor for four terms. In 1888 he 
 was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who 
 died on the 15th of April, and was laid to rest in 
 Prairie Dell Cemetery. She was a consistent 
 member of the Christian Church, to which Mr. 
 Pearce and his children also belong. He has been 
 a member since 1872, is now serving as Elder, 
 and for three years has served as Superintendent 
 of the Sunda3'-school. He is a charitable and 
 benevolent man, and a friend to all educational, 
 social and moral interest*. The community finds 
 in him a valued citizen, public-spirited and pro- 
 gressive, and his sterling worth has won him a 
 large circle of friends. 
 
 /^ lIAliLES SIIEK.M.W, an honored pioneer 
 I "-^ of Iroquois County, now residing in Wat- 
 \^J seka, located in Bunkum on the 10th of 
 May, 1843, and has since made his home in this 
 locality. He has been prominently identified with 
 the early history of the county in many ways. He 
 was born in Weathcrsfield, Windsor County, N't., 
 February 24, 1816. and conies of an old New Eng- 
 land family. His paternal grandfather. Samuel 
 Sherman, was a native of Connecticut. His father, 
 Samuel Sherman, .Ir., was born in Windsor County, 
 and throuffhout the greater part of his life fol- 
 
 lowed the occupation of farming. He married 
 Altigail Squires, a native of the same county. Her 
 death occiirred in \'('rmonl in December, 1856. 
 Mr. .Sherman long survived his wife and died 
 while visiting in Wisconsin, at the age of seventy- 
 five years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch wa.s reared in the us- 
 ual manner of farmer lads, and the common schools 
 afforded him his educational privileges. When 
 twenty* years of .ige he bade good-bye to the 
 Green Mountain State and emigi'ated Westward, 
 locating in Milwaukee, Wis., on the 26th of Oc- 
 tober, 1836. After a year spent at that place he 
 removed to Chicago and was foreman on the 
 Canal for a year. He then engaged in the grocery 
 business at that place, and in 1839 he entered from 
 the Government half a .section of land, upon 
 which the city of Evanston is now built. On 
 leaving Chicago, he removed to Bunkum, and, as 
 before stated, arrived in that place on the 10th of 
 Ma\-, 1843. Opening a general store, he embarked 
 in merchandising, and to that business devoted his 
 energies for some time. 
 
 Mr. .Sherman wiis there married on the 7th of 
 December, 1844, to Jliss Nancy Hoyt. a native of 
 Butler County, Ohio, and a daughter of Amos 
 Hoyt. In 1837, she came to Iroquois County witli 
 her parents, who are numbered .among its earliest 
 settlei's. They located near Bunkum and kept the 
 fli-st hotel in that place. Unto Mr. and Mrs. .Sher- 
 man were born six children, three of whom are ^-et 
 living: Eva, wife of .Indge Moses Euans, of Wat- 
 seka; Charles, who married Miss Eva Blue, and re- 
 sides on his father's farm of foiu' hundred acres in 
 Belmont Township, this county; and Nellie, who 
 is at home. The otiier three died in childhood. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Sherman is identified with the 
 Democratic party. He continued to reside in 
 Bunkum imtil 1861, when he removed to Watscka 
 and became it« first Mayor. He has also held 
 other oflicial positions. He came to Iro(|uois 
 County a young man in very limited circum- 
 stances, but by good liusinciis ability, persever- 
 ance, enterprise and good management, he has ac- 
 quired a handsome competence, which now en- 
 ables liini to live a retired life and rest in the en- 
 jovment i)f the fruits of his former tnil. He owns 
 
724 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 considerable land, including four hundred acres in 
 Belmont To\vnsiii[) and a valuable tract of sixty- 
 (Ivo acres within the corporation limits of Wat- 
 seka. He is one of the honored pioneers of the 
 county, has witnessed its entire growth and has 
 aided in it^g development and upbuilding. His 
 friends throughout the community are many and 
 he is hold in the highest esteem bv all. 
 
 \ronN L. CAYENEY, who is now living a 
 retired life on section 30, Iroquois Town- 
 ^^ ship, is one of the extensive land-owners 
 (j^f of the county. It is with pleasure that we 
 present to our readers the life record of the gen- 
 tleman whose name heads this sketch. He is one 
 of the pioneers of Illinois, and for neaii}^ twenty 
 years has been one of the enterprising and sub- 
 stantial farmers of this communit\'. A native of 
 the Empire State, he w.as born in the city of Au- 
 burn November 24, 1820, and is the third in order 
 of birth in a family of three sons and t\vo daugh- 
 ters. His father, Lawrence Caveuey, was a na- 
 tive of Ireland, and when a 3'oung man emi- 
 grated to the New World. He married Ilopy 
 Treat, who was born in Connecticut and came of 
 one of the prominent early familes of that State. 
 
 After his marriage, Lawrence Caveney resided 
 four 3'ears in Auburn, and then removed to Mon- 
 roe County', N. Y., where he was engaged in farm- 
 ing. He there reared his family and spent the 
 remainder of his life. Both parents died in that 
 county. Of their children, Mar^' Ann grew to 
 mature years, but is now deceased; Charles T. died 
 in infanc.v; .John L. is the next younger; Charles 
 IS a resident farmer of Monroe County, N. Y.; and 
 Celia is the widow of Reuben Mather and resides 
 in Michigan. 
 
 The subject of this sketch grew to man's estate 
 in Monroe County, N. Y., s[)ending his youth 
 upon a farm, lie had the advantage of a very 
 good common-school education, supplemented by 
 about a year's study at the Brockport Institute. 
 He then learned the carpenter's trade, and for a 
 few years followed that occupation ni the East; 
 
 but believing the rapidly growing West furnished 
 better opportunities for young men, he emigrated 
 to Illinois in 1846, locating in Kendall County 
 where he engaged in carpenter work, which he 
 carried on for about twenty years. During this 
 time, however, he purchased a tract of raw laud 
 and opened up a farm, which he continued to 
 operate for some time. In 1858, he sold the farm, 
 and, removing to Iowa, purchased a tract of five 
 hundred acres of laud in Marshall County, where 
 he spent two years. He then returned to Kendall 
 County, bought back the old farm, and there car- 
 ried on agricultural pursuits until 1874. That 
 year witnessed his arrival in Iroquois C'ounty and 
 saw him located on his present farm, where he 
 now resides. This place he had purchased, how- 
 ever, in 1869. 
 
 In Kendall County, 111., in 18 19, Mr. Caveney 
 was united in marriage with Miss Esther C. Lin- 
 coln, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., who in 
 her girlhood came with her father, Jedediah Lin- 
 coln, one of the honored pioneers of Kendall 
 County. Four children were born of this union; 
 but the eldest, Charles A., died in his third .year; 
 Celia is the wife of Edward Haroun, who is en- 
 gaged in business in Watseka, and they have a 
 family of five children; Mary is the wife of Will- 
 iam Leonard, a resident of Washington; and Frank 
 is an enterprising farmer, who operates the old 
 homestead. He married Sophia Muller, of this 
 county. He is a man of good education and 
 business ability, and he and his estimable wife are 
 held in high esteem by their many friends through- 
 out the community. The mother of this family 
 was called to her final rest in 1885. For thirty- 
 six years she was a true and faithful wife and 
 helpmate to her husband. She possessed many 
 noble traits of character, and her death was deeply 
 regretted by all who knew her. 
 
 On coming to this county, Mr. Caveney, in 
 connection with the home farm, purchased a half- 
 section of land on section 10, Asii Grove Town- 
 ship. He has both farms well tiled and improved 
 and under a high state of cultivation. His pos- 
 sessions aggregate five hundred acres of valuable 
 land, which yields to him a golden tribute in re- 
 turn for his care and cultiyf\tion, Upon the home 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. rir, 
 
 farm is the lesidcucc, a pleasant and substantial teen yeais of age, he entered the I'liiled State* 
 dwelling; the hams and outbuildings are models Xavy, where he served three years, and then re- 
 of convenience, and he also has a good bearing turned home, completing his cduc:ition under 
 orchard. He commenced life for himself a poor private tutors, lie look up surveying, and fol- 
 man, but has by his own industry, en ter])rise and lowed it for several years. In 1837, lie went to 
 labor accumulated a large property, including two the then Tcri-itory of Jlichigan. and in Kalania- 
 valuable farms and a good home, and is now one zoo. on the l.'ith of April, IH.'iT, was united in 
 of the thrifty and substantial agriculturists of the marriage with JIiss Kvaline Fletcher, a daughter of 
 county. Henjamin Fletcher. The lady was born in Rom- 
 Mr. Caveney cast his lirst Presidential vote for ney. Hampshire County, \'a. Mr. Washington re- 
 James K. Polk, and in early life was a Jacksoiiian maiiicd in Michigan until 1«13, engaged in siii- 
 Democrat, but has long been connected with the veying and teaching school. He then removed 
 Republican party, with which he now alliliatcs. to Kankakee County, 111., to I!ouibonnais Orove, 
 He has never been an as])iranl for oflice. but has where he siiciit two years, and then came to Iro- 
 lield a number of ofHcial po.-5itions of honor and ([iiois County, settling at Middleport, then the 
 trust. He is a friend to education and a firm be- county seat. He had studied law while in Kan- 
 liever in the pubiic-.sehool system, and does all kakee County under .lames Fletcher, and was ad- 
 in his power for the advancement of schools ill the mittcd to the liar in 184^. .He at once entered 
 community. For almost half a centuiy he has iip<m the practice of this profession at Middle- 
 been a resident of Illinois, and is widely and fav- port, which he continued up to the time of the 
 orably known in this and adjoining counties. He ' breaking out of the late war. 
 
 has helped to make Iroquois Countv what it is True to the patriotic instincts of his fam- 
 
 to-day, and ever bears his part in all public works. ily, Mr. Washington enlisted in the AVar for 
 
 He is a man of upright character and sterling the Union. He is said to have been the first 
 
 worth, who hiis won the confidence and respect of enlisted soldier from Iroquois County. At that 
 
 all with whom he has been brought in contact. time, he was nearly fifty years of age, and liis 
 
 hair was already turning gray. In order to 
 avoid being rejected on account of age, he dyed 
 bis hair and whiskers black. He entered the vol- 
 unteer service of the United States as a private 
 of Company I. Twentieth Illinois Infantry, and 
 
 /^s^ POTSWOOD -VUCUSTIXK WASIIINO- after eighteen months of active service he w.as 
 
 S*^^ TON, a lineal descendant of the great discharged on account of physical disability. On 
 
 ijfj)) Washington family that gave to America his return from the war, ho went to ISaltimore. 
 
 the greatest historic character in its annals, where he recovered his health, and then went 
 
 was a pioneer lawyer of Iroquois County and a b.ack to Illiiioi.- and helped to recruit the One 
 
 • sident of Old Middleport in 184(), then the IIuiKlred and Thirteenlli Regiment, in which he 
 
 lunty seat. The subject of this .sketch was born enlisted as a private, but was assigned to duty as 
 
 in Jefferson County, A'a., on the 17tli of July. Company Clerk. At the expiration of tliir- 
 
 1811, and was a son of Bushrod, Jr.. and Henri- teen months, he received a final discharge on 
 
 etta (Spotswood) Washington, who were also account of ill-health. His death occurred .Vugusl 
 
 natives of the Old Dominion. He was a grand- 2(!, 18().">, resulting from the exposure and li:ird- 
 
 son of Col. Willi.am Augustine AVashington. The ships of arm\ life. 
 
 last-named was the son of Lawrence, a half- Mr. Washington was a Demncrat in politics, 
 
 brother of Gen. George Washington. and organized the Democratic party in lioqiinis 
 
 Our subject was reared in his native State and Count_\. In early life he was SuperiiitendenI of 
 
 received a thorough cLissical education. At thii- Schools. He was a member of the Fpis<.-opal 
 
726 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Church, the church to wliich his illustrious ances- 
 tors belonged in Colonial times. The private of- 
 ficial seal of (ien. George Washington, the one 
 that sealed the fate of Maj. Andre, was devised in 
 the will of Gen. Washington to the eldest male heir 
 bearing the family name. Jt accordingly became 
 the property of Lawrence, half-brother of the 
 General, and by direct line of inheritance fell to 
 Col. William A., then to Bush rod, Jr., later to 
 Spotswood A., and is now the property of Bush- 
 rod D., of Chicago. On the face is inscribed the 
 motto, "Exitus acta proba" (llie event justifies the 
 deed), encircled by a wreatli, also a dove resting 
 on a coronet cut in wiiite agate. During the 
 war Spotswood A. Washington, of this sketch, 
 made five thousand impressions of tlie seal in 
 wax, and presented them to the Ladies' Aid Societ}' 
 of Chicago, to be sold for the benefit of sick and 
 wounded soldiers in hospitals. 
 
 Six childien were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wa.sh- 
 ington. Two died at birth, and four lived to 
 mature years. Bushrod W.,.the eldest surviving 
 child, who wa.s born September 20, 1841, married 
 Miss ]\Iartha McRae, of Macon, Ga., and resides in 
 Chicago, where he is a painter and decorator; 
 James F., who was born in Will County, 111., July 
 4, 1846, married Miss Caroline McRae, daughter 
 of Daniel M. McRae. The lad}- was born in New- 
 ton County, Mo. They have one child, a daugh- 
 ter, Ellen. James is a member of the Masonic 
 fraternity. Knights of Pythias and Independent 
 Order of Odd Fellows, and is a painter by trade. 
 William, the youngest son, was born July 26, 
 1841), and married Louisa Hooker and they live in 
 Wat.seka. Estella, the j'oungest of the family, was 
 born September 27, 1852, became the wife of 
 Delbert Kice and died February 18, 181)2. The 
 two elder sons served in the war. Bushrod en- 
 listed in April, 1861, and served in the First Illi- 
 nois Light Artillery. He was in the service four 
 years and nineteen days, and was First Sergeant 
 when mustered out. James was a member of 
 Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ill- 
 inois Infantry. He enlisted in May, 1863, and 
 served one year. 
 
 Mis. Washington, who was a meml)er of the 
 Methodist Episcoinil Church, died December 28, 
 
 1877. Spotswood A. Washington was a Royal 
 Arch Mason, and joined that order in 1852. He 
 was a man of fine mental attainments, a great 
 linguist and a thorough scholar. 
 
 ^|AMES COLMAN, one of the highly re- 
 spected citizens of Ridgeland Township, 
 ^^^1 I residing on section 23, is a native of the 
 ^^fl Pine Tree State. He was born m York 
 County on the 26th of April, 1815, in the same 
 house where his mother and grandmother were 
 born. He is a son of Enoch and Susan (Patton) 
 Colman, whose family numbered the following 
 children: Sarah; Mary; Luc^^ twin sister of INIary, 
 now deceased; Anna, also deceased; James, whose 
 name heads this sketch; Susan, and Enoch, who is 
 living on the old homestead in Maine. The father 
 of this family was a carpenter by trade and fol- 
 lowed that occupaticm during the greater part of 
 his life. He died on the 12th of November, 1830. 
 His wife died in 1882, having reached the ad- 
 vanced age of eighty-six years. Both were mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Church and were highly 
 resi)ected citizens. 
 
 James Colman was reared to manhood on his 
 father's farm in the State of his nativity and was 
 early inured to hard labor, in the days when farm- 
 ing was mostly done with the hoe. His educational 
 privileges were quite limited, but by subsequent 
 reading, experience and observation, he has become 
 a well-informed man. His librarj' is an extensive 
 one, containing works on history and the leading 
 theological works of the Baptist, Presbyterian, 
 Congregational and Methodist Churches. After 
 his father's death, he took charge of the farm and 
 engaged in its operation until 1835, when he left 
 JMaine and went to Lowell, Mass. He there worked 
 at the carpenter's trade during his residence of 
 about ten montlis. He then returned home, 
 where he remained [ until the following spring, 
 when he went to Boston, Mass., where he was lo- 
 cated during the greater part of three years. 
 Again he worked at the carpenter's trade, and by 
 his industry, perseverance and economj- accnmu- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHJCAL RECORD. 
 
 7-2; 
 
 lated a small capital. Tlii.s was in 183St. Me then 
 det<?rinined to attend tbo Maine Wesleyan Semin- 
 ary, located at Kent's Hill, Me., the first institution 
 of learning of the Methodist Episcopal Clinrcli in 
 tiiat State. Jle there pursued his studies two 
 years, preparing himself for the ministry, after 
 which he became a local preacher. In 1H-Il,he 
 left the Pine Tree State and started Westward, 
 traveling until he arrived at (ireoncastle, Ind., 
 where he made a location. His worldly possessions 
 at that time consisted of ilC). lie there l)egan work- 
 ing at his trade of carpentering, which he followed 
 for a time, and afterward attended Asbury, now 
 Dc Pauw, University for two terms. He then 
 joined the Conference, traveling up and down the 
 Wabash River from Eugene to Clinton until 1847, 
 
 It was in that year that Mr. Colman came to 
 Illinois. He made his first location in (ieorge- 
 town, near Danville, where he remained for one 
 and one-half 3'ears, working at his trade and 
 preaching. In 185(1, he came to Iroquois County, 
 locating in Pigeon (irove Township, where he pur- 
 chased fort3' acres of land upon the present site of 
 Cissna Park. He also entered a tract of forty acres 
 from the Government. A short time afterward, 
 he bought two hundred acres of Government land 
 in Ash Grove Township and made his home thereon 
 until the 3'ear 1855, when he joined again the trav- 
 eling connection under John Flower^, continuing 
 with the same for .about six years. Having to 
 foreclose a mortgage on his farm in Ash (irove 
 Township, which he had sold on re-entering the 
 ministry, he returned to the farm and engaged in 
 its cultivation and development until 1872, when 
 he removed to Ridgeland Township, having pur- 
 chased one hundred and thirty acres of land on 
 section 23. Upon this farm he has since made his 
 home, and its neat appearance indicates his care- 
 ful supervision. 
 
 November 16. 1850, .Mr. Col man was married 
 to Miss Deborah Ann Keath, who was born in 
 Bourbon County, Ky., April 17, 182(i. She is a 
 daughter nf the Rev. .loseph Iveath, a native of 
 Kentucky. He married Delilah Case, of the same 
 State. In 1828, they emigrated to Indiana, where 
 his vvife died in early life. He spent his la-sl days 
 in lro(piois County, where he died in his eightictli 
 
 year. For more tlian fifty years he was a local min- 
 ister in the Mcthoilist Episcopal Church. The fol- 
 lowing children graced their union, but .losi^pli, 
 their first-born, died in infancy; Hannah E. and 
 Maiy L. are also deceased; Martiia A. is the wife 
 of T. E. Mdiueen; Sarah E. i> successfully engaged 
 in school leaching; Susan is the wife of William 
 Iladley; .lames E. and Emily .1. are both deceased. 
 In his political alliliations, Mr. Colman w.as a 
 Free-soiler and an ultr.a-.Vbolitioilist and is now a 
 Prohibitionist. He has bmg been an ardent advti- 
 cate of temperance principles and now sujiports 
 that party which embodies his views on the subject. 
 He w.as the organizer of the Methodist Episco|)al 
 Church of Del Rey, and h.as ever been prominent 
 in cliurch work, earnestl}' laboring in the Master's 
 vineyard for the upbuilding of His cause. His 
 honorable, upright life is well worthy of emulation 
 and has won him the confidence and the high es- 
 teem of many friends and aciiuaintaces throughout 
 the comniunitv. 
 
 Hm ri__^ -^rr- 
 
 allARLES SHER.AIAN, .Ii:.. a |)roniinent 
 , farmer of Belmont Township, residing on 
 ' section 25, has the himor of being a native of 
 this county. He w.is born in ISunkum on the 13th 
 of July, 1855, and is a .son of Charles and Nancy 
 (White) Sherman, whose sketch will be found on 
 another page. 
 
 Our subject spent the first si.\ years of his life 
 in Uunkiim. and then removed to Watseka with 
 his parents, where he w.is reared to manhood. His 
 education was acquired in the public schools and 
 in Woodstock County, Ontario, and he also took a 
 commercial course in Hamilton. His first bu>iness 
 venture was as a lumber dealer. He carried on 
 operations in that line in Sheldon for altout three 
 years, after which he went to Kansas, in 1878, pur- 
 chased three hundred and twenty acres of land and 
 began farming. The year 1880 witnessed his return 
 to Illinois, \vhen he settled upfin his present farm, 
 comprising four hundred acres of valuable land. 
 It has now been his home for twelve years, and in 
 this pi'iiod he has made it mic of the nioilel farms 
 
728 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of tlie communit\'. Tlic land is under a high state 
 of cultivation, and it is supplied with all neccssarj' 
 improvements. 
 
 Mr. Sherman was married in Kansas, in I.S79, to 
 Miss Eva Blue, a native of Iowa, and a daughter 
 of William and Clara Blue. Her father is now de- 
 ceased, but her mother yet resides in Kansas. One 
 child has been born to their union, Earl, born .July 
 11, 1884. Mr. and INIrs. Sherman are prominent 
 citizens of the community, and in social circles 
 they rank high. 
 
 Socially, our subject is a mcmlierof the Odd Fel- 
 lows' Society of Woodland, and lias lilled all of its 
 offices. He cast his first Presidential vote for Sam- 
 uel J. Tildeu, and has since been a stalwart su])- 
 porter of the principles of the Democratic party. 
 He takes an active part in all that tends to upbuild 
 Democracy and insure its success, and has many 
 times been a delegate to the county. Congressional 
 and State conventi(>ns. With the exception of the 
 two j'ears spent in Kansas, Mr. Sherman has known 
 no other home than Iroquois County. He is a worthy 
 representative of an honored pioneer famil}^ and 
 is himself numbered among the early settlers. 
 He is recognized as an intelligent, progressive and 
 enterprising young man, and with pleasure we pre- 
 sent to our readers his life record. 
 
 ILTON ANDERSON is a prominent and 
 influential citizen of Sheldon. A noted 
 historian has .said that the historj' of a 
 country is best told in the lives of its citi- 
 zens, and this is true, for they have been its builders. 
 Mr. Ander.son of this sketch was born in Jefferson 
 County, Ind., JMarch 23, 18.38. His grandfather, 
 William G. Anderson, was born near Carlisle, Pa., 
 in .June, 1788, and married Anna Whittaker, who 
 was born atFt. Du Quesne, now Pittsburg, .January 
 30, 1787. The jiarents of our subject were Elijah 
 W. and Ijucinda (Lott) Anderson. The father 
 was born in Shelby County', Ivy., in 1812, but was 
 mostly reared in Indiana and his education was ac- 
 (juired in the common schools. He is a miller by 
 trade but h.as followed farming throughout much 
 
 of his life. He now resides in Bloomington, 111. 
 In politics, he was an old-line Whig until the or- 
 ganization of the Republican party, when he 
 joined its ranks and has since upheld its banner. 
 AVilh the Chi'istian Chvu'ch he holds membership. 
 The mother of our subject was a native of Kentucky 
 and died when her son was onl}' throe years of 
 age. She was a member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 Alilton Anderson is the only survivor of a fam- 
 ily of four children, three sons and a daughter. In 
 his early .youth he attended the common schools 
 but is mostly self-educated. He remained in his 
 native State until fourteen ^earsof age, when alone 
 he came to Illinois, locating in Bloomington in 
 1850. Since that time he has been dependent 
 upon his own resources, and whatever success he 
 has achieved in life is due entirely to his own 
 efforts. For a time he worked on the grades for 
 the Chicago it Alton and Illinois Central Rail- 
 roads, and remained in Bloomington until after 
 the breaking out of the late war. Responding to 
 the call for troops, he enlisted iix 1861 in a corn- 
 pan}' under Capt. McNulta, but as the quota was 
 full his company was not accepted. 
 
 As he could not go to the front, Mr. Anderson 
 went to Indianapolis and entered the employ of the 
 Bee Line Railroad Company as conductor, being 
 thus employed for a period of eight years. His run 
 was between Indianapolis and Crestline. After 
 eight years' connection with that road, ho was 
 changed to the Pan Handle, with which he remained 
 for the long period of .sixteen years one of the 
 faithful and trusted employes of the road, as his 
 long-continued service plainly indicates. 
 
 On the 1st of May, 1872, Mr. Anderson was 
 married to Miss Arminda J. Fleager, daughter of 
 Charles and Mary (Wetzell) Fleager. Her father, 
 a native of I'enns^dvania, was l)orn August 9, 
 1800, and died March 5, 1875. The motiier was 
 born in the Keystone State, November 11, 1807, 
 and died March 15, 1866. Both were faithful 
 and consistent members of the Lutheran Church 
 and Mr. Fleager was one of its officers for the 
 long period of twenty-eight 3-ears. Unto this 
 worth}' couple were born thirteen children, but 
 only two are now living: W. B. Fleager, who is 
 represented elsewhere in this volume; and Mrs. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 Anderson, who was born in Carlisle, Pa., Septem- 
 Ijer 28, 1851. Unto oursubjei't nnd his wife have 
 been born four children: Mary L.,, who is now pur- 
 suing a classical course of study in the North- 
 western University of Evanston, 111., from which 
 she expects to graduate in the Class of '1)5. She 
 is also quite proficient in instrumental music and 
 possesses considerable artistic talent. Helen is a 
 graduate of the Sheldon High .School; Harry is a 
 member of the .Sophomore Class in Sheldon; and 
 licrtha completes the fannl^-. 
 
 In politics Mr. Anderson is a stalwart supporter 
 (if the Republican part}', with which he has been 
 identified since he cast his first Presidential vote 
 for Abraham Lincoln; however, he has never been 
 an office-seeker. Socially, he is a member of Davj- 
 Crocket Camp No. 502, M. W. A., and of the Pat- 
 riotic Order of Sons of America of .Siieldon. He 
 was instrumental in successfully establishing, in 
 1888, the Farmers' Co-operation (irain Association 
 of Sheldon. An elevator was built and prosperity 
 has since attended the enterprise. Mr. Anderson 
 is a large land-owner, his possessions aggregating 
 one hundred and sixty-six acresof good land near 
 Colfax, 111., five hundred and sixteen iicres near 
 Kentland, Ind., and two hundred and fortj'-seven 
 in Humboldt County, Iowa, besides his beautiful 
 residence in Sheldon. Himself and wife are cla.sscd 
 among the prominent citizens of this community 
 and in social circles they hold an enviable posi- 
 tion. He is a self-made man whose example is 
 well worth}- of emulation. 
 
 OBERT GOODFELLOW is engaged in farm- 
 ing on section 25, Papineau Township. 
 He is a native of Scotland, his birth hav- 
 '^^ ing occurred on the 8th of May, 1842, near 
 the city of Glasgow. He is a son of .lohn (Tood- 
 fellow, who grew up and married in Scotland 
 Mary Gilchrist, who was reared in that country, 
 though a native of Ireland. The father emigrated 
 to Canada in 184."} and settled in Ontario. He 
 was one of the pioneers of the section in which he 
 located and had to clear and improve a farm in 
 
 what was practically a wilderness. There he lived 
 and reared his family and made his home until 
 18(;8. His wid<.>w is still living, residing with a 
 daughter in Canada. 
 
 In their family were three sons and three daugh- 
 ters, all of whom lived to mature years. The eld- 
 est, David, is a prosperous farmer in Canada; Rob- 
 ert is next in order of birth; John also carries on 
 agricultural pursuits in Canada; Susanna is the 
 wife of Norman Curl, of Northern Michigan; Mary 
 is the wife of Andrew House, of Canada; and 
 Ellen Jane is the youngest of the family. 
 
 Robert (loodfellow passed his early yeais on his 
 father's farm in the usual manner of farmer boys. 
 He received limited school advantages and is 
 mostly self-educated since arriving at manhood. 
 He came to this county in 1860, arriving here in 
 March of that year. He first started to work on a 
 farm, being employed for several years by the 
 month. 
 
 In 1859, Mr. (ioodfellow was married in New- 
 York and came here with his j'oung wife in 1860. 
 Four children grace their union: Estella is the wife 
 of Mr. Addas, of Denver, Colo.; Clara is the wife 
 of Charles Pierce, of this county; William is mar- 
 ried and resides in Northern Michigan; and Lloyd 
 also lives in Michigan. The mother of these chil- 
 dren died in February, 1871. On the l.Uli of 
 November, 1871, he was united in marriage with 
 Jane II. Hertram, who was born and reared in 
 Canada, a daughter of William Rertrani. I'nto 
 Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow have been l(orn four 
 children: Ida Jane, the wife of A. Passoin, of Ne- 
 braska; Libbie E., who resides at home; (iracic, 
 who died at the age of four years; and one who died 
 in infancy. The father of Mrs. Goodfellow has 
 been for many years a prominent farmer in Canada. 
 He reared a family of eight children, as follows: 
 Wesley, of Ilarrowsmith, who conducts a carriage 
 manufactory in Ontario; CJeorgc Henry, who also 
 conducts a carriage manufactor\'; Jane II.; Emily, 
 wife of James Hrown, of Kealh, Ontario; Ada. wife 
 of Nelson Tatro, of Clifton. 111.; William D.,a car- 
 riage inanuf.acturer of Parham, Ontjirio; Elizabeth, 
 wife of Claton Wager, a Postmaster of Parham; 
 and Maggie, wife of Carson Barr, who also lives in 
 Parham. The mother fif the faniilv is deceased. 
 
?;jii 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 The .subject of this sketch after coming to this 
 county rented a farm, which he operated for a few 
 years, and in 1867 purchased the land where he 
 5}0w resides. This he has placed under a high state 
 of cultivation, and the marks of care and thrift are 
 evident on every hand. Mr. Goodfellow is iden- 
 tified with the Republican party, his first ballot 
 having been cast for Gen. Grant. He takes an 
 active part in all local affairs and has held a num- 
 ber of official positions to tiie satisfaction of all 
 concerned. He has served for twenty consecutive 
 years as Constable and proved most efficient and 
 trustworthy, as tlie fact of his being so often re- 
 elected to the position shows. He has also served 
 as a member of the County Board. Mr. Goodfel- 
 low has always given his hearty support to all 
 measures tending to the advancement of the best 
 interests of the public, and has alwaj's been a friend 
 to education. He has served as a member of the 
 School Board. He and his estimable wife are mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which 
 they give their interest and support. He is a 
 member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
 and is the Noble Grand of Papineau Lodge. He 
 is well known in tins community and is much re- 
 spected as a man of strict integrity and honor. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow are charitable and benev- 
 olent people and have opened their home to Owen 
 Stanley, a child of three and one-half years, whom 
 they adopted at the age of three months. 
 
 §HP;STER L. HART, proi)rietor of the Union 
 House, the leading hotel of Crescent City, 
 and one of the active and enterprising bus- 
 iness men of this place, is a native of Vermont. 
 He was born in the Green Mountain State on the 
 15th of November, 1838. His father was also a 
 native of Vermont and there grew to manhood 
 and married Margaret Spears, who was born in 
 Pennsylvania. In 1843, when our subject was a 
 lad of only five summers, John Hart removed with 
 his famil}' to Canada, settling near Belleville. He 
 was a shoe-maker by trade, but after locating in 
 
 Canada, he engaged in the mercantile business in 
 the Sixth Concession of Tyendinaga, where he 
 reared his family and spent the remainder of his 
 life. He passed away May 21, 1829, and his wife 
 had passed away ere her husband's death. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of the 
 gentleman whose name heads this record. The 
 days of his boyhood and youth were mostly passed 
 upon the farm, and in the common schools he ac- 
 quired his education. After attaining to years of 
 maturity, he married on the 29th of June, 1857, 
 the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Jane Rut- 
 tan, a native of Canada, and a daughter of George 
 H. Ruttan, a substantial farmer. By the union of 
 our subject and his wife have been born two chil- 
 dren, a son and daughter: Harvey W. is now sta- 
 tion agent and telegraph operator in Texas. The 
 daughter, Mrs. Allie Peters, resides at home. She 
 has one son, Charles D. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Hart engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits in Canada, being thus employed 
 until 1869, when he came to the United States, 
 locating in Kankakee, 111. He there engaged in 
 farming for about six years, after which he sold 
 his land and came to Iroquois County, making a 
 settlement in Iroquois Township. To the opera- 
 tion and development of his farm he successfully 
 devoted his energies until 1884, when he sold out 
 and purchased the hotel property in Crescent Cit^-. 
 Removing to this place, he has since been engaged 
 in the hotel business. He has greatly improved 
 his building, has erected an addition, and is pre- 
 pared to entertain the traveling public in first- 
 class style. The comfort of his gues-ts receives due 
 attention, and by the excellent manner in which he 
 treats his customers and the facilities and conven- 
 iences he affords, he has won a liberal patronage. 
 
 Politically^, Mr. Hart is identified with the Re- 
 publican party, with which he has voted since he 
 cast his first Presidential ballot for Gen. U. S. 
 Grant. He takes quite a prominent part in polit- 
 ical affairs, feels a warm interest in the success of 
 his party and in its growth, but has never been an 
 aspirant for office, preferring to devote his time ex- 
 clusively to his business interests. Himself and 
 wife are faithful members and prominent workers 
 in the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ;5i 
 
 has been connected since eighteen years of age. 
 lie is one of its Trustees and Stewards and is a 
 liberal contributer to its supijort. . Socially, lie is 
 connected with the Odd Fellows and is Past Grand 
 of Crescent City Lodge. Inline host of the I'nion 
 Ikfuse is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and since 
 their residence in Iroquois County, l)oth Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hart have made many warm friends by their 
 iiiaiiv sterliuir (jualitics. 
 
 AMKS M. CALKIN, a retired farmer, who 
 resides on section 20, Iroquois Township^ 
 .^.. is one of the honored pioneers and en- 
 \^^' terprising and substantial agriculturists of 
 the county, whose name we wish to add to the 
 list of leading citizens herein given. A native 
 of the Empire State, he was born in .Sidlivan 
 County, on the 18th of January, ISl."}. The 
 Calkin family is of Welsh descent, and its mem- 
 bers were among the early and prominent settlers 
 of New York. 
 
 The grandfather of our subject, who was a na- 
 tive of Orange County, N. Y., became a large 
 l;uid-owner and posses.sed several thousand acres, 
 lie met death by accident, being drowned when 
 his son Moses, the father of our subject, was about 
 two years of age. The latter was born in Sulli- 
 van County, N. Y., May 8, 1785. Oliver Calkin 
 was a soldier and served throughout the Revo- 
 lutionary War, participating in the battle of Lack- 
 awaxen, on the Delaware River, where two of his 
 brothers-in-law were killed. Moses Calkin served 
 his countrj- in the War of 1812. He was a man 
 of good education, and in his younger years fol- 
 lowed the profession of teaching. In the county 
 of his nativity he married Elizabeth Mitchell, who 
 was born and reared in Woodbury, Conn., and 
 was also a teacher in earl3' life. Mr. Calkin suc- 
 ceeded to the old family homestead, and there 
 reared his family and spent the remainder of his 
 days, his death occurring on the old farm Febru- 
 ary 12, I860. His wife passed away several years 
 previous, being called to her final rest April 20, 
 1846. Hotli parents were buried in the Presby- 
 
 terian Cemetery near the old home, where a iiiuii- 
 ument has been erected to their memory. They 
 were both active members of the Presbyterian 
 Church and were highly respected citizens. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the oldest of a 
 family of eight children, six of whom were teachers 
 in early life. The days of his boyhood and youth 
 were si)ent on his father's farm, where he re- 
 mained until after he had attained his majority. 
 The year 18;}6 witnessed his emigration to Illi- 
 nois. On the mil of June he arrived in Chicago, 
 which was then a mere hamlet, and soon after- 
 ward located in Will County, settling on raw land 
 in I)u Page Township, where he o|)ened up a 
 farm. There he engaged in agricultural i)iirsuits 
 for twenty-nine long years, with the exception of 
 a short time spent in the I'ur West. Attracted by 
 the discovery of gold in California, he went to 
 the Pacific Slope in the hope of making his for- 
 tune, lie left his wife and four children, includ- 
 ing Ruth, who was then a baby in the cradle, and 
 on the 20lh of March, 1850, started for the Eldo- 
 rado of the West, lie arrived in Ilangtown, a 
 mining place, on the 26tli of July following, after 
 a long, tedious and perilous journe}-, during which 
 starvation threatened. There was also much danger 
 of being .scalped by the Indians. Mr. Calkin walked 
 at least six hundred miles of the w.ay in order to 
 lighten the load, which his team often found dif- 
 ficult to haul. He engaged in mining for aliout 
 two years, and was fairl3- successful. 
 
 During the last year of his stay in California, 
 Mr. Calkin was President of a large mining com- 
 pany at Rosa's Bar, on the Yuba River, where 
 there were about two thousand miners em|)loyed. 
 During that year $3,000,000 of gold dust was 
 taken from the mines. Mr. Calkins left Rosa's 
 Rar on the 2(;th of July, 1852, and about three 
 weeks afterward the cholera broke out among the 
 miners at that place. Making his w.iy to San 
 Francisco, he there took a steamer to Panama, and 
 rode twenty miles .icross the Isthmus by rail, walk- 
 ing the remainder of the distance. At that time 
 fifty mules were used in carrying the gold dust of 
 the miners across the Isthmus, and lifty more to 
 carry the mail. At Aspinwall. Mr. Calkin lioarded 
 a steamer bound for New York. The ve^^el stopped 
 
732 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 at the island of Jamaica to take on coal and at 
 length dropped anchor in the harbor of New 
 York on the last day of August. Our subject ar- 
 rived home on the 27th of September, 1852, but 
 found that death had entered the household in his 
 absence and taken from it the fairest flower, his 
 daughter .lulia. 
 
 After his return, Mr. Calkin turned his atten- 
 tion to farming, which he carried on in Will 
 County for some years longer, but in 186.5 he came 
 to Iroquois County, purchasing the farm upon 
 which he has since resided. It is one of the oldest 
 farms of the county — a valuable and well-improved 
 tract of land of two hundred acres. Many rods 
 of tiling have been placed upon it. The home is 
 a substantial and commodious residence, good 
 barns and outbuildings have been erected, a fine 
 orchard is numbered among the other extensive 
 improvements, and everything about the [tlace 
 denotes thrift and piosperit}-. 
 
 On the 13th of May, 1838, in Cook County, 
 111., Mr. Calkin was joined in wedlock with Miss 
 Persis Fidelia Harris, a native of Massachusetts. 
 Her father, Shadrach Harris, was also a native of the 
 Bay State, and removed to Now York when the 
 daughter was a child of four years. Unto our 
 subject and his wife have been born six children: 
 Mary is the wife of Robert C. Jarvis, a resident of 
 Texas: 8. N., who for a number of years was a 
 prominent farmer of Iroquois County, is now 
 Superintendent of the Insane Asylum Farm and 
 resides in Kankakee; Ruth is the wife of Sanford 
 Oldham, who is living in Blaine County, Neb. 
 Charles A. was married in Crescent City March 
 12, 1883, to Miss .Jennie Stier, a native of Illinois. 
 Four children have been born unto them, a son 
 and three daughters. Charles A. has charge of 
 the home farm and the business connected with 
 it. He possesses excellent business ability, and the 
 neat appearance of the place indicates his careful 
 supervision. Mr. .larvis, the son-in-law, and S. 
 N. Calkin were both boys in blue during the late 
 war. The faindy numbers twenty grandchildren 
 and four great-grandchildren. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Calkin was for- 
 merly a .lackson-Democrat, and in 1860 he joined 
 the ranks of the Republican party, supporting- 
 
 Lincoln. He was then identifled with that party 
 for a number of years, but now affiliates with the 
 Prohibition party, being a warm advocate of the 
 cause of temperance and believing that that ques- 
 tion is of the most importance. His son, C. A., 
 also votes the Prohibition ticket. Mr. Calkin was 
 elected and served for five j'ears as Assessor of 
 his township, and also held other local offices. 
 Himself, wife and family are all active members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
 has held a number of offices, and in which his 
 younger son is now serving as an official. 
 
 Viewed from a financial standpoint, the life of 
 Mr. Calkin has been successful. Industry and 
 enterprise are numbered among his chief charac- 
 teristics, and, as they are necessary qualifications 
 to success, they have' brought him a well-deserved 
 prosperity. Upright and honorable in his deal- 
 ings, he has gained the confidence and good-will 
 of all with whom he has been brought in contact. 
 His life has indeed been well and worthily spent, 
 and after years of faithful service and labor he 
 IS now enjoying a well-earned rest. 
 
 TTO E.MIL R0SENBERC4ER, one of the 
 self-made men and enterprising citizens of 
 _ Iroquois County, is now doing business as 
 a grain and coal dealer in Woodland, and also 
 carries on farming. He was horn in Saxony, Ger- 
 many, on the 28th of November, 1840, and is a 
 son of Frederick and Dorothy (Seel) Rosenberger. 
 His father was born in the same locality as our 
 subject, and was a tile and brick maker. In 1864, 
 he came with his family to America and located in 
 Blue Island, Cook County, 111., whence he after- 
 ward came to Iroquois County. After residing 
 upon a farm for a time, he went to Old Middle- 
 port, where he built a brewery in 1866, operating 
 it for some time. With his wife, he afterward re- 
 turned to his native land, and his death occurred 
 in 1870. His wife, who was born in 1798, died 
 at the advanced age of eighty -nine 3'ears. Both 
 were members of the Lutheran Church. They had 
 a family of five children: William, who crossed 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 733 
 
 the Atlantic in 18.>1, ;ind now resides in this 
 county; August, who came to the United States 
 ill IH.'iG, and is now living retired in Papiueau; 
 Ouenther, wlio came to tiiis country in 1858, is a 
 farmer in Papineau; Mrs. Kinma 'rreischel,of Mar- 
 tinton, Iroquois County: and Otto Kmil, who com- 
 pletes the family. 
 
 In accordance with the laws <\{ his native land, 
 our subject attended school between the ages of 
 six and fourteen years, after which he learned the 
 butcher's trade, and at the age of twenty went 
 into the army as a member of the Eighth Infantry 
 Regiment, serving on garrison duty for two years 
 in the city of Weimar. He then embarked in 
 business for himself. In 1861, he bade good-bye 
 to home and friends and sailed for the New 
 World, and since that time has been identified 
 with the histor3' of this community. He spent 
 one year in the grain business in Papineau and 
 one upon a farm. In 1877, he came to Wood- 
 land, where he has since made his home, and for 
 about fifteen years has engaged in the grain and 
 coal business. He is now in partnership with 
 Judge Williams, and the firm is now enjoying a 
 large and constantly increasing patronage. In 
 connection with this business, our subject also 
 owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, wliich 
 yields to him a good income. 
 
 In Jul}', 1864, in Martinton Townshii), Mr. 
 Kosenberger married Miss Amanda Rotli, a native 
 of Germany. She came to this country in tlie 
 same vessel in which her husband sailed. I'nto 
 them liave been born six children, four sons and 
 two daughters, as follows: Agnes, now the wife 
 of Frank Wilson, of Woodland; Ilattie, George, 
 Otto, William and Emil.all of w^hom are still under 
 the parental roof. All were born and reared in 
 this county and have been educated in both Eng- 
 lish and German. 
 
 Uotli Jfr. and Mrs. Rosenberger are members of 
 the German Lutheran Church, and in his social re- 
 lations he is a member of the Modern Woodmen 
 and the Odd Fellows' society, in which he now 
 holds the ottice of Secret-ary. His first Presiden- 
 tial vote was cast for Horace Greeley, and since 
 that time he has supported the Democratic party. 
 I Ic has never sought office, but has served as School 
 
 Director and Collector. Mr. Uftsenbcigcr is a man 
 of good business ability, and by enterprise, energy 
 and good business management he has won suc- 
 cess and is numliercd among the substantial busi- 
 ness men of the community. lie is a public-spirited 
 and progressive citizen, and to him is due in a 
 large measure the election of the fine Town Hall 
 in Woodland. It was a fortunate day for him 
 when he deteiniined to seek a home in this coun- 
 try. He need never have occasion to regret car- 
 rying out that resolution, for he has here met 
 with prosperity and his efforts have been blessed. 
 
 ^.^TaROX CAKKISON. Among the leading 
 &U. and well-known farmers of Prairie (ireen 
 Township should be mentioned the gentle- 
 man whose name heads this record. He 
 now resides on section 10. A native of the Em- 
 pire State, he was born in Greene County, on the 
 13th of March, 1838, and is the fourth in order of 
 birth in a family of nine children, five sons and 
 four daughters, of whom eight are yet living. His 
 parents were George W. and Mary (Hallock) Gar- 
 rison. The father was born in New York, July 11, 
 1811, .and is still living in the State of his nativity, 
 at the advanced age of fouixscore and one years. 
 He is a farmer by occupation, and has followed 
 
 j that business throughout his entii'e life. In ])oliti- 
 cal sentiment he was formerly an old-line Whig, 
 and took an .active i)art in the campaign of ''Tip- 
 pecanoe and Tyler, too." On the organization of 
 the Republican party he joined its ranks, and has 
 since been a stalwart advocate of its principles. 
 
 ' He was a warm admirer of ^^braliam Lincoln. For 
 over a quarter of a century he li.as held the ollice 
 of Justice of the Peace, and has proved himself a 
 competent ollicial and a valued citizen. His wife 
 was a native of the Keystone State. She was born 
 in 1813, and died in October, 18.53. when oiirsuli- 
 ject was a lad of fifteen years. She w.is a devout 
 Christian, who had the love and respect of all who 
 knew her. 
 
 The members of the Garrison fainih art Caro- 
 
734 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 lina, wife of Demas Judd, a farmer residing in 
 Minnesota; James, a horticnilturist residing near 
 Red Lands, Cal.; Aaron of this sketch; Morgan, who 
 follows farming in New York; Monroe, who is now 
 living a retired life in Watseka; Julia, wife of 
 Solomon Brown, who is engaged in qurrrying 
 stone in New York; Henry, a successful physician 
 and surgeon resides in New York City; and Het- 
 tie, wife of Angelo Cole, who is engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits in New York. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of Mr. 
 (iarrison, whose boyiiood days were quietly passed 
 in tlie State of his nativity. His early education, 
 acquired in the common schools, was supplemented 
 by study in Roxbury Academy of Roxbury, N. Y., 
 where he prepared himself for teaching. He after- 
 ward followed that profession for five years in 
 his native State, throughout the winter season. 
 As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he 
 chose Miss Rosauna Kelly, daughter of Ezekiel C. 
 and Jane (Brown) Kell}'. Their union was cele- 
 brated on the 18th of October, 1862, and unto 
 them were born five children, four sons and a 
 daughter, of whom three are yet living. Herman, 
 the eldest, is a young man of superior ability. 
 He was a student in the Wesleyan University of 
 Bloomington, and after pursuing a classical course 
 in I)e Pauw I'niversity, of Greencastle, Ind., was 
 graduated from that institution in the Class of 
 '!t2. He has thus fitted himself for teaciiing, 
 which profession he has already followed success- 
 fully in this county: Elbert aids his father in the 
 labors of the farm; W. Lloyd is the youngest. The 
 two children now deceased are Bertha, who died 
 at tlie age of fourteen years; and Wilson, who 
 died at the age of six years. Mrs. Garrison's girl- 
 hood days were passed in New York, her native 
 State, where she was born March 4, 184.3. She 
 was the only child of her parents that grew to 
 mature years. Her education was acquired in the 
 jiublic schools, and she became a successful teacher. 
 
 Ill 1880, Mr. Garrison purchased eighty acres of 
 partially improved land, v,hu-h he now has under 
 a high state of cultivation. It is one of the best 
 developed farms in the community, and in all its 
 appointments seems complete. In 1892, Mr. Gar- 
 rison erected a large liarn, 28 x 38 feet, with an L, 
 
 24 X 26 feet. His present home also has been 
 erected since lie located on the farm. He is a care- 
 ful and methodical business man, whose enterprise 
 and industry have won for him a comfortable 
 competence. 
 
 In his political afliliations, INIr. Garrison was 
 formerly a Republican, but in 1884 he joined the 
 ranks of the Prohibition party, which he has since 
 supported. The cause of education finds in him a 
 warm friend, and for four years he has served as 
 School Treasuier, being the present incumbent. 
 He does all in his power for the upbuilding of 
 temperance principles, and his aid is never with- 
 held from any worthy enterprise calculated to 
 prove of public benefit. Himself and wife are 
 faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, and earnest workers in the Master's vine- 
 yard. He has served as Steward and Trustee of 
 his church, has been Superintendent of the Sunday 
 school for four years, and while in New York 
 served in the same capacity for about six succes- 
 sive years. His life has been a bus3- and useful one, 
 and he is recognized as a valued citizen of the 
 community, having the high respect of all with 
 whom business or social relations have brought 
 him in contact. 
 
 \ I OHN BODY, a prominent farmer residing 
 on section 19, Belmont Township, is one of 
 the extensive land-owners of the county. 
 He is also one of its representative citizens, 
 and is widely and favorably known throughout 
 its borders. His life record is as follows: He was 
 born March 11, 1826, in Fountain County, Ind., 
 and is a son of Isaac Body. His father was born 
 in Mifflin County', Pa., and was in the war roll for 
 the AVar of 1812. He wedded Miss Mary jNIeyers, 
 who was born in the same county, and their union 
 was there celebrated. About 1820 they emigrated 
 to Indiana, and in the midst of the forest IMr. 
 Body hewed out a farm near Covington. In 1836 
 he came to Illinois in wagons drawn by oxen, and 
 after renting land for a time, purchased a farm of 
 forty acres on section 19, Belmont Township. In- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 73r> 
 
 (Hans were still in the neighborhood, all kinds of 
 wild game was plentiful, the land was in a primi- 
 tive condition, and the work of civilization and 
 progress seemed scarcely begun. lie continued to 
 make his home in this county until his death, 
 which occurred in Milford Township at the ad- 
 vanced age of ninety-five years. Ilis wife passed 
 away previously-, and both were buried in Bod3' 
 Cemetery-. They were among the honored pio- 
 neers of the county, and were highly respected 
 citizens. 
 
 In the Body family were nine children: Eliza- 
 beth, now deceased; Mis. Susan Ross, who resides 
 in Milford; Catherine, wife of Judge S. Williams, 
 of Belmont; John, whose name heads this sketch; 
 George, who died in this county; Lsaac, a resident 
 of AVhiteside County, who was killed in the Chats- 
 worth wreck; Mary Ann, wife of A. C. Johnson, 
 of Woodland; Sarah, widow of Jediah Cobb, and 
 a resident of Belmont; and I^ouisa, wife of Isaac 
 Di.xon, of Nebraska. 
 
 Our subject was a lad of ten years when with 
 his parents he came to this county. His educa- 
 tional advantages were limited, for the schools in 
 a pioneer settlement are generally very prirnitive. 
 School was held in a log cabin with slab seats, and 
 was conducted on the subscription plan, while the 
 teacher boarded around. His training at farm 
 work, however, was not meagre, for he earl}' began 
 work in the fields, and was inured to the labors of 
 the farm. At the age of twenty-two, he began 
 life for himself by selling wheat at fifty cents per 
 bushel. He then entered forty acres of land at the 
 land oftice in Danville, for which he paid the Gov- 
 ernment price of 11.25 per acre, and ui)on that 
 farm he has since made his home, although its 
 boundaries have been greatly enlarged. He now 
 owns seven hundred and eighty acres of good land, 
 and the care and cultivation he bestows u|X)n it 
 }-ield him a ready return in bounteous harvest*. 
 
 Just before his removal to this farm, Mr. Body 
 was married, in September, 1818, in Old .Middle- 
 port to .Sarelda Phillips, a native of Ohio, who 
 with her parents came to Illinois. Unto them 
 have been born five children: Francis M., who 
 died at the age of twenty-three years; Isaac Leo- 
 nard and William 11.. liolh of wlumi are engaged 
 
 in farming in Crescent Township; Mary, deceased 
 wife of William I'tter; and John, also an agi-icul- 
 turist of Crescent Townshiii. All of the children 
 were born and reared on the homestead farm, and 
 were educated in the public schools. Frank also 
 attended school in Onarga and Ypsilanti and was 
 a successful teacher. 
 
 Mr. Body has been a su|)])orter of the Demo- 
 cratic party since he attained his majority. His 
 residence in this county covers a period of fift}-- 
 six consecutive years, and few indeed are they who 
 have so long resided within its borders. He has 
 witnessed it.s entire growth and devclo|)ment. has 
 seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful 
 homes and farms, while towns and villages have 
 sprung uj), and the work of progress has been car- 
 ried forward until hardly a landmark of pioneer 
 day? j-et remains. Mr. Body has ever borne his 
 part in the upbuilding of the countv,and hisname 
 is inseparably connected with its history. He is 
 one of its prominent citizens, and well deserves 
 the high regard in which he is held. 
 
 
 ^I'OIIN WILLIAM ANDERSON, who is in- 
 terested in the Woodland Tile AVorks, was 
 born on the !)tli of February, 1850, on a new 
 farm in A'ermilion County, and is descended 
 from a family which w.as founded in this country 
 at an early day. His grandfather, William Ander- 
 son, removed from the North of Maryland to Ken- 
 tucky. He was one of the heroes (if the Revolu- 
 tionary AVar. The father of our subject, J. C. 
 Anderson, was born in Kentucky in 181^, and at 
 the age of twelve years removed to Warren County. 
 Ind., where he was reared t* manhood amid the 
 wild scenes of frontier life. In Atlicn, that Slate, 
 he married Miss Charlotte Steele, a n:itiveof Ohio, 
 reared in Indiana. Mr. Anderson w.as a cabinet- 
 maker by trade, and follDwed that business in At- 
 tica. In 1854, he removed with his family to Nor- 
 folk, A'ermilion County, III., where he engaged in 
 farming for ten years, and in 186 t came to Iro- 
 quois County. He settled in Belmont Township, 
 and purchased a farm of tliri-e hundred an'l twenty 
 
736 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 acres, whieh he placed under a high state of cul- 
 tivation, malving it his home until 1874. The fol- 
 lowing year he came to Woodland. In company 
 with Judge S. AVilliams he laid out this village, 
 donating the land for tliat purpose, and secured a 
 side-track to the place. With its business indus- 
 tries he has since been prominently identified. In 
 1877, a saw and grist mill which he had liuilt was 
 burned, and later he established a tile factory. 
 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were liorn tlio fol- 
 lowing children: Milton S., born in Indiana in 
 1812, is a Methodist Episcopal minister wiio was 
 educated in Onarga, and is now Presiding Elder in 
 Spokane Falls, Wash.; Laura, who graduated from 
 Onarga Seminary and successfully engaged in teach- 
 ing in the public schools of AVatseka, died in 1873; 
 Albert R. and h'a B. both engaged in farming near 
 Spokane Falls, Wash.; Mary C. is the wife of Jacob 
 Cobb, a resident of Lorain, Ohio, employed on the 
 railroad; Arthur isat home; Orrin, bis twin brother, 
 was killed in 1874; John William, whose name 
 heads this record, completes the family. 
 
 Our subject was only about five j'ears old when 
 his parents came to this county. His early boyhood 
 days were spent upon the home farm, and at the 
 age of sixteen he came to Woodland. He first 
 worked in a saw and grist mill, and is now interested 
 in the tile factory which was established in 1882 by 
 himself and father. They began operations on a 
 small scale, but have increased their facilities to 
 meet the growing demand, and now have a large 
 factory, the capacit}- of whicli is about two mill- 
 ion bricks and eight hundred thousand tiles an- 
 nually. They have a large trade, and well deserve 
 their liberal patronage. Mr. Anderson also owns 
 and operatessix hundred acres of fine farming land 
 adjoining Woodland. 
 
 It was in 1883, in Woodland, tliat Mr. Ander- 
 son led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Belle War- 
 ren, a native of this county, and a daughter of 
 William Warren, one of the early settlers. Four 
 children grace tlieir union, three sons and a daugh- 
 ter: John W., Albert, Bessie and .lames. 
 
 Tlie father of our subject was in early life an 
 Abolitionist. He was for some years identified 
 with the AVhig party, and his first Presidential vote 
 was cast for William Henry Harrison. He is now !i 
 
 stalwart Republican, and in this respect J. W. An- 
 derson has followed in his footsteps. He has been 
 one of the prominent and influential workers of 
 the party, has served as delegate to the county 
 and senatorial conventions, and is a member of 
 the County Central Committee. He labors ear- 
 nestly to j)romote the growth and insure the success 
 of the party, but has never been an office-seeker. 
 Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fra- 
 ternity of Watseka. During his 3'outh he received 
 no special educational advantages, but be possesses 
 an observing eye and retentive memory, and has 
 made himself a well-informed man. Keen and in- 
 telligent, he is a great reader, and in addition to 
 the study of general liteiature has for the past 
 two \'ears been reading law and history. He is one 
 of the prominent citizens of the community, and 
 himself and father, who is now seventy-five years 
 of age, are classed among the leading and progress- 
 ive business men. 
 
 ♦=e»e;e= v y 
 
 '^ ? ACOB YEAGLEY, a prosperous farmer, who 
 resides on section 11, Concord Township, 
 ,—,, I '® * native of the Keystone State. He was 
 '^/' born on the 29th of October, 1827, in Leb- 
 anon County, Pa., and is a son of George and 
 Elizabeth (Shram) Yeagley. His parents were 
 both natives of Pennsylvania and were of Penn- 
 sylvania-Dutch ancestry, but the origin of the fam- 
 ily is lost. The father of our subject was a weaver 
 by trade and owned a small piece of land. He 
 never left tiie State of his nativity. His death oc- 
 curred in 1872. 
 
 Our subject acquired his education in the sub- 
 scription schools, but his advantages were very 
 limited. lie was the third in a family of seven 
 children and at an early age began to earn iiis 
 own livelihood. At the age of seventeen years, he 
 commenced to serve an apprenticeship to his uncle, 
 Adam Yeagley, serving for a term of two and a-half 
 years. The first year he received only his board, but 
 afterward got small wages. Hoping to better his 
 financial condition by a removal to the West, lie 
 
I 
 
 S?*4 
 
 .^'*' *%, 
 
 1 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ■:v.) 
 
 started for Ciawfoid County-, Ohio, in 1847. 
 traveling on foot and canal a distance of over five 
 hundred miles. On reaching his, destination, he 
 had only thirty cents in his pocket, and for a time 
 he lived on about ten cents per day. Securing a 
 [)Osition as a farm-hand, he worked for two months 
 for 122, and then rented a farm, which he operated 
 on shares for two years. .Vfterward he again 
 worked as a farm-hand for ^15 per month, and 
 subsequently rented one hundred and sixty acres 
 of land for ^100 per year. This he operated for 
 four years, but he lost about ?i|,6(K) through feed- 
 ing hogs, and thus had to keep on renting land for 
 about ten years longer. 
 
 Mr. Yeagley has been three times married. On 
 the 2d of November, 1854, he wedded Miss Cath- 
 erine Miller, of Whetstone Township, Crawford 
 County, Ohio. She died February 23, 18.09, leav- 
 ing two children who are yet liviog: La Fayette, a 
 farmer and school teacher, now of Crawford 
 County, Ohio, is married and has three daughters. 
 He is a finely educated man and has completed the 
 Chautauqua Literar}- and Scientific Course, receiv- 
 ing his diploma. Alfred C. is married and follows 
 farming in Benton County, Ind. After tlic death 
 of his first wife, Mr. Yeaglev was married in March, 
 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Starner, who died August 
 22, 1885. Unto tiieni was born one son, Edwin, 
 who is now a farmer. He married, but liis wife 
 died in 1888, leaving one child. The lady who 
 now bears the name of Mrs. Yeagley was formerly 
 Mrs. ;Mary (Strickler) Moore. .She was born in 
 Kingsport, Sullivan County, E. Tenn., and is a 
 daughter of .lacob and Sarah (Gott) Strickler. Her 
 father was a native of .Shenandoah County, A'a., 
 and her mother of Washington County, E. Tenn. 
 At the age of seventeen years, she came to I ro- 
 quois County. Having acquired a good education, 
 she began teaching at the age of twenty years and 
 followed that profession for some seven years. On 
 the 28th of October, [Him, she became the wife of 
 Thom.a-s Moore, who died in P'ebruary, 1877. Two 
 cliildren were born unto them butlioth died m in- 
 fancy. The marriage of our subject and his wife 
 w.is celebrated .lune 10, 188(1. 
 
 In 1881, Mr. Yeagley sold his (Jiiio farm of one 
 hundred and sixty acres at «72 per acre and 
 
 S4 
 
 bought his present farm of Iwo huntlred and slxly- 
 seven acres at ?35 per acre. It is ntiw wmth ?()."i 
 per acre. This sale and purchase proved a |)rofit- 
 able investment, for land in Ohio h.as since de- 
 creased in value, while in Illinois it has increased. 
 Thus Mr. Yc.'igicy has made several thousand 
 dollars. He now owns an excellent farm, upon 
 which are three residences, two barns, and other 
 neces.<ary outbuildings. The farm is well tiled and 
 its man\' improvements and it,s neat appearance 
 indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner 
 and his careful supervision. Although he started 
 out in life a poor boy, he has steadily worked his 
 way upward until he is now numbered among the 
 substantial agriculturists of the county. 
 
 Mrs. Ye.agley became a member of the .Metliodist 
 Episcopal Church at the earlv age of thirteen years 
 and has long been a faithful worker in .Sund.-iy- 
 school and church societies. Her kindly, benevol- 
 ent spirit has won her the love and esteem of all. 
 In early life, Mr. Yeagley was an old-line AVhig 
 and cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary 
 Taylor. He voted for (Jen. Eicmontin IH.'ili, and 
 has since been an inflexible adherent of the Re- 
 publican party and a warm advocate of it,« princi- 
 ples. 
 
 •5-=^=^>-*<i 
 
 EN.I.VMIN V. II.\KTMAN, one of the lead- 
 ing business men of Iroquois, embarked in 
 the manufacture of tile and brick in 18fis, 
 and has since carried on business in this 
 line. He lx>ught out an old factory, but soon re- 
 built and put in more extensive works, making 
 inifirovement.s to the value of *10,(MI(). The an- 
 nual production of the tile factory will amiuint to 
 four hundred thousand tile ranging from the four 
 to lifleen-ineh tile, lie finnishes employmoiil to 
 alMjut eighteen men and the product.'^ of hi* m;iu- 
 ufactory. being of the best quality, find a ready 
 sale in the market. He receives a liberal patron- 
 aire from the f.-irmers of the surrouniling commu- 
 nitv. who find this business of great convenience 
 to them. 
 
 Mr. Hartman is a gentleman who does much for 
 
740 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his employoN, mikI has their entire confidence and 
 respect. His life record is as follows: A native of 
 Indiana, he was born in .Tasper County- on the 
 12th of May, 1855, and is a sdii of Charles (J. 
 and Sarah E. (Haddox) Ilartman. The Hartman 
 family is of German origin and are a long-lived 
 l)e(jple. The paternal grandfather of our subject 
 reached the advanced age of ninety-nine years, 
 and died in Greene County, Ohio, where he en- 
 tered land in an early da}', being among its first 
 settlers. Charles Ilartman is a native of Harris- 
 liurg, Pa. He married Miss Haddox, who was 
 born in Greene County, Ohio, and comes of an 
 6ld Virginian family. For thirt3'-five years he 
 successfully engaged in the practice of medicine, 
 and now resides in Perkins C^ounty, Neb., where 
 he is extensively eng.aged in«ngricultural pursuits. 
 He is a well-educated man and speaks the (jerman 
 language. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared to man- 
 hood under the parental roof. Between the ages 
 of ten and seventeen years he resided upon a 
 farm, and then started out in life for himself, 
 working as a farm hand. He soon afterward be- 
 gan studying telegraphy in Francesville, Ind., and 
 at the age of nineteen came to Iroquois and took 
 charge of the railroad station at this place, filling 
 the position of agent and telegraph operator from 
 1874 until 1886. He then severed his connection 
 with the railroad company and began dealing in 
 agricultural implements, but after two years sold 
 out that business and began the manufacture of 
 ■ tile and brick. He is a man of good business 
 ability and by his own efforts has won a well-de- 
 served success, wliich has brought him a comfort- 
 able comijelence. 
 
 On the 7th of January, 1877, Mr. Ilartman 
 wedded Miss Emma B. Frownfelter, one of Iro- 
 quois' fair daughters. She was born November 
 13, 1856, and her parents were Peter \'. and 
 Mary E. (Peck) Frownfelter. Unto them have 
 been born live children, namely: Erma A'era, Cl\ de, 
 Vaughn C, Mearl E. and Mary Blanche. 
 
 Mr. Ilartman proudly cast his first Presidential 
 vote for R. B. Hayes in 1876, and has since been a 
 Republican. Although not an office-seeker, by the 
 solicitation of friends he has served as Alderman 
 
 and upon the School Board. He is a Knight 
 Templar Mason, a member of the Odd Fellows' 
 society and the Modern Woodmen, and has filled 
 various offices in those fraternities. Himself and 
 wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church and are numbered among Iroquois' best 
 citizens, being widely and favorabl.\- known 
 throughout the community. In connection with 
 his manufactory, Mr. Hartman owns and operates 
 a one hundre(i and twenty acre farm. 
 
 yp^EBBE II. EIMEX. one of the successful and 
 m^\\ I'lt'sperous business men of Danforth, was 
 V^x' born in Germany on the lOth of Marchi 
 1862. His father, Ilei Eimen, and his mother, 
 Luke Eimen, were also natives of Germany, and 
 died there when our subject was a child. Tebbe 
 emigrated to the New World with his paternal 
 grandparents when a child of but tiveyears. They 
 settled in Iroquois County, locating fii'st in Dan- 
 forth Township. After the death of his grand- 
 jiarents, our subject went to live with a neighbor, 
 George Klottenberg, and was reared to manhood 
 under his roof. He received fair school advan- 
 tages and spent the most of his time in farm work. 
 
 When he had arrived at mature years. Mi'. Eimen 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, and 
 was thus engaged for several years. In 1881, he 
 located in the village of Danforth, and there en- 
 gaged in the saloon business. He has been one of 
 the active business men of the village for the past 
 eleven 3'ears. Mr. Eimen also owns a valuable 
 and well-improved farm not far from Danforth. 
 
 Our subject was joined in wedlock in this town- 
 ship on the Dth of June, 1884, to Miss Minnie 
 Schroeder, a native of Germany, who came to the 
 United States when a child and was educated and 
 grew to womanhood in Ircquois County. She is 
 a daughter of Tobe Schroeder. By this marri.age 
 have been born four children: Ilei, Tobe, Luke 
 and Florence. These children are all receiving 
 the advantages of a good education, as their par- 
 ents are much interested in all educational mat- 
 ters. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 In his political afTilialions, Mr. Eimen is a sup- 
 portor of the Democratic party, but has never been 
 an aspirant foi' ollicial positions. He is well and 
 fa\i>ral>l\ known in tliis community and all speaic 
 of his many good (pialities and Ivind actions. His 
 many friends will be pleased to read this brief 
 sketch of his life. 
 
 1f?AMKS F. M.V(;(;s. the elHcient and popular 
 I Postmaster of Iroquois, was born in C'oslioc- 
 ,=^ I ton County, Ohio, on the 11th of March, 
 ^^^/ 1833, and i.s a son of Joseph and KUen 
 (Stewart) Maggs. The father was born in IJristol, 
 England, and with his parents crossed the broad 
 Atlantic to America when about eight years of age, 
 the family settling in Lycoming County, Pa. He 
 wa.s there reared to manhood and married Miss 
 Ellen Stewart, a native of that county. .Subse- 
 quently, they removed to Coshocton County, Ohio. 
 The father had learned the shoemaker's trade in 
 his youth but followed it ver^' little after his emi- 
 gration to the Buckeye .State. He there turned 
 his attention to fanning, buying militaiw land. He 
 went there in a very earl^' daj' and experienced all 
 the hardships and privations of frontier life. He 
 had to go thirty miles to market and to mill. Li 
 politics, he was an old-line Whig and was a strong 
 anti-slavery- man. He lived to vote with the Ke- 
 [iiiblican party and saw the beginning of the war 
 that was to wipe out slavery in this country. lie 
 served his township as Assessor for many years 
 and was a prominent and intluential citizen. He 
 was a zealous worker and Cla.^s-leader of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church for many years and 
 his life was nobly spent. His death occurred in 
 Coshocton County, in Eebruary, 1H62. 
 
 The suljjcct of this sketch is one of a faiiiil\- of 
 twelve children, cle\%n of whom grew to mature 
 years. The^- became widel3' scattered and lie has 
 losi all knowledge of some of them. Mr. JLaggs, 
 who was the seventh in order fif birth, acquired 
 but a limited education as his .services were needed 
 upon the farm. He worked in the field.> from an 
 enrlv aijc until seventeen, when he began to learn 
 
 the baker's trade in the town of Roscoe, Ohio, lie 
 served an apprenticeship of three yeai-s and was to 
 have his board, clothing and ^bO, but as his em- 
 ployer became bankrupt he never received the 
 money. Going to Colnmbus, Ohio, he there 
 worked .as a journeyman baker for some time, and 
 in 18r)8 he went to Union County, where he was 
 employed until 18()1. 
 
 On the fii-st call for seventy-live thousand troops 
 to aid in crushing out the relwllion, Mv. Maggs 
 offered his services to his country. He was mus- 
 tered in on the 20th of April, 18C1, as a member 
 of Company F, Thirteenth Ohi<j Infantry, and w^as 
 at Camp Dennison until his time had expired. He 
 then returned home and again enlisted February 
 1 1, 18()2, as one of the boys in blue in Company 
 F. Si.vty-sixth Ohio Infantry, in which he served 
 until the 22d of July, 18G.'j. The first battle in 
 which he particiiiatcd was at Ft. Repulilic June 0, 
 and he says it was the most severe in which he 
 took part, nineteen men of his company being 
 killed. He was wounded in the left hand at that 
 battle but was not di.<abled for service, lie parti- 
 cipated in the engagement at Cedar Mountain, 
 was in the second battle of Hull Run. .'iiid was in 
 the hospital at Ilarewood, Washington City, I). C., 
 when his regiment was fighting at Antielam. He 
 there remained from August until Deccmlier, 181)2, 
 when he rejc)ined his regiment at Harper's Ferry, 
 \'a., and participated in the battles of Chancellor.s- 
 ville and Gettysburg. He was then sent to Cliat- 
 Umooga under (ien. Hooker and took part in the 
 engagements at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, 
 and wa.s in every battle from that time until after 
 the fall of Atlanta. He was with (ien. Sherman 
 on the celclirated march to the sea and from there 
 went to Washington City, taking part in theiiinnd 
 Review at that place, after which he returned to 
 Louisville, Ivy., where he washonorably dix'liaiged 
 on the 22d of July, I8(il. 
 
 On the 18th of March, is.'f.'i, Mr. Maggs was 
 united in marriage with Miss Catherine Ntisker. a 
 native of Ohio, born .\i)ril I.S, 183.3. Fnto them 
 were born six children: John, born in Coshocton 
 County, Ohio; Ellen, born in Columbus, Ohio; Ida, 
 wife of William Lowe, of Kent. Ind.; Katie, wife 
 of E. G. Hanier. of Pullman, 111., who is a stationary 
 
742 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 engineer in the great Pullman works; Annie, wife 
 of Frank Darling, of Concord Township, who is an 
 agriculturist; and Lizzie, who died at about the 
 age of fifteen months. After his return from the 
 South, our subject began working as a journey- 
 man baker in Union County, Ohio, where he re- 
 mained until 1871. He then removed to Newton 
 County, Ind., where he resided until 1878, work- 
 ing at his trade. That year witnessed his arrival 
 in Irixjuois County and he located in Concord 
 Township, just south of Iroquois River and near 
 the village of Iroquois, where he has a nice little 
 farm of uljout eighteen acres. In August, 1890, 
 he was appointed Postmaster and is now faithfully 
 discharging the duties of the office. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Maggs is a zealous and stalwart 
 Republican. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
 John C. Fremont in 1856, and has since supi)orted 
 the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of 
 the Odd Fellows' society and of the Grand Armj- 
 of the Republic, and attended the National Re- 
 union in Columbus, Ohio. He now receives a 
 pension of $12 per month. He was a faithful and 
 valiant soldier during the late war, participated in 
 many of the most important engagements, and was 
 ever found at his post of duty, defending the Old 
 Flag which now so prouiUy floats over the united 
 Nation. 
 
 ^^^ HARLES CLASSEN, a [irominent merciuint 
 (l of Danforth, and one of the substantial 
 
 ^^^' citizens of the township, was born in Taze- 
 well County, 111. His birth occurred in the town 
 of Pekin, October 15, 1858. His father, Herman 
 Classen, is a native of Germany, and was born in 
 Hanover, about the year 1827. He grew to man- 
 hood there, and was married to Talka Smith, of 
 the same place. In 1852, with his family, he emi- 
 grated to the United States, and settled in Pekin, 
 111., where he engaged in teaming. After a time 
 he also carried on a farm near that cit3^ Later, 
 he embarked in the mercantile business, and in 
 1870 removed to Iroquois County. Here he pur- 
 clmsed a farm and devoted himself to agricultural 
 
 pursuits for many years. By his industry and 
 wise business investments, he .accumulated a large 
 and valuable property, and now that he has retiied 
 from active business, he has sufficient means to en- 
 able him to pass his remaining days surrounded by 
 the comforts of life. He possesses a number of 
 valuable farms, and has a good residence in Dan- 
 forth. For about ten or twelve years he has rested 
 from the arduous duties of life. 
 
 Charles Cl.a.ssen came with his parents to this 
 county in 1870. He received such an education 
 as could be obtained in the common schools, and 
 much of his youth was spent in his father's store 
 and on his farm, engaged in the usual pursuits, 
 toils and pleasures of farmer boys. Before reach- 
 ing mature years, he had acquired a good practical 
 knowledge of business, which has been of inesti- 
 mable value to him in later life. For several years 
 he occupied a clerkship in a store, where he 
 li'arncd the practical details of the business. He 
 first engaged in the mercantile line in Danforth. 
 This was in 1882, and he commenced business in a 
 limited way, as he had but small means and was 
 not able to purchase an extensive stock of goods. 
 He has built up a large trade, and has an estab- 
 lished business on a substantial basis. He carries 
 a large and well-selected assortment of general 
 merchfindise, and has built a large and commo- 
 dious storeroom. 
 
 Mr. Classen was united in marriage in October, 
 1884, with Miss Anna Lotmann, of Danforth. She 
 was born in Woodford County, 111., and received 
 her education in Iroquois County. She is a daugh- 
 ter of Henry Lotmann, who is deceased. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Classen are the parents of six children, four 
 sons and two daughters, .is follows: Herman, 
 Henry, Carl and Willi.am (twins), Annaaiid Tillie. 
 
 Since casting his first ballot, Mr. Classen has 
 been a supporter of the Democratic part}-. He has 
 never been an aspirant for office in any sense of the 
 term, and has ah\ays given his whole time, inter- 
 est .ind attention to his business affairs. Mr. Clas- 
 sen and his wife were reared in the belief of the 
 Lutheran Church, but are not members of any 
 church organization. He is considered one of the 
 leading and substantial citizens of Danforth, and 
 has ever shown his interest in the prosperity and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 743 
 
 development of the town and surrounding county. 
 His voice is ever to be heard on the side of law 
 ."ind order, and in whatever is calculated to pro- 
 mote the community's welfare he always takes a 
 prominent and leading part. By his straightfor- 
 ward and manly course in life he has won the re- 
 spect and friendship of all who know him, and is 
 considered to he a man in whom bis friends can 
 place the fullest confidence. 
 
 'if A.MES II. ALDRICH, who carries on gen- 
 eral farming and stock-raising on section 
 16, Middleport Township, claims New York 
 as the .State of his nativil3'. The place of 
 his birth is New Berlin, Chenango County, and 
 the date March 2, 1831. His father, Adonn Aid- 
 rich, was a native of Rhode Island. He was twice 
 married, his first union being with Miss Rebecca 
 Millard, who was born in New York. Thej' be- 
 came parents of two children, Alpheus and Re- 
 becca. The mother died, and later Mr. Aldrich 
 married Hannah Strickland, a native of Connecti- 
 cut. They became parents of five children: Sarah, 
 Mason, Almira, -lames II. and Mary, four of whom 
 are yet living. In an early day the family re- 
 moved to the Empire State. The father was a 
 Free-will Baptist minister, and was a highly- 
 respected citizen, whose many excellencies of char- 
 acter won for him warm regard. He was called to 
 the home beyond in I8.i3, and his wife, who sur- 
 vived him about twenty years, passed away in 
 1873. 
 
 Mr. Aldrich, whose name heads this record, was 
 reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and 
 ac(iuired a good English education in the district 
 schools of tlic neighborhood, which he attended 
 during the winter season until nineteen years of 
 age. The following vear he started out in life for 
 himself, eaming his own livelihood for two j'cars 
 by working as a farm hand }>y the month. On 
 the expiration of that period, having accumulated 
 a small capital by his industr3', perseverance and 
 economy, he began farming for himself, and some 
 years later he purchased a tr.act of land, upon 
 
 which he made his home until his emigration to 
 the West. 
 
 Ere leaving his native State, Mr. Aldrich was 
 united in marriage with Miss Clarissa J. Smith. The 
 lady is a daughter of Phineasand Sarah (Ilalstead) 
 Smith. Her father a native of \'ermont, was born 
 in 1804. To a limited extent, he attended the 
 primitive schools of the Green Mountain State, 
 but was mostlj- self-edncated. He was reared to 
 agricultural pursuits, and long followed the occu- 
 pation of farming. His death occurred in 1873. 
 His wife was a native of New York, born in On- 
 ondaga County on the 2d of October, 1810. Their 
 marriage w.as celebrated in 1829, and unto them 
 were born two children, a son and a daughter, but 
 Aurora B., the elder, died in infancy. Mrs. Smith 
 is still living, and is a well-preserved old lady, 
 whose eighty-two years rest lightly upon her. She 
 became a resident of Illinois in 18C6,and now 
 makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Aldrich. 
 She is a devout member of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, and w.as an earnest worker in tlie 
 Sunday-school until increasing years caused her 
 to abandon that field of labor. 
 
 Mrs. .\ldricli acquired her early education in 
 the common schools, find was afterward a student 
 in the .academy at Fayettesville, N. Y. .\mong 
 the pupils of that institution was President Cleve- 
 land. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich have now traveled 
 life's journey together for the long period of forty- 
 two years, and she has proved a faithful compan- 
 ion and helpmate to her husband. Slie is a mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Church, and the poor and 
 necd\- find in her a friend. Their home has ever 
 been the abode of hospitality-, and its doors are 
 ever open for the reception of their many friends, 
 who are there sure to receive a hearty welcome 
 and cordial greeting. Four children have been 
 born of the union of our subject and his wife, a 
 son and three daughters: Alice, who is now the 
 wife of fJeorge Kenned^-, a resident of Texas; 
 Maria, who was married to George Burgess, of 
 Kans.as; Pliineas. who was the only son. died in 
 1880; and Lillian is the wife of Frank Gates, a 
 farmer living in Middleport Township. 
 
 Mr. Aldrich continued to make his liome in New 
 York until the spring of 1866, when, having 
 
744 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 severed all business relations in the East, he came to 
 Iroquois County, 111., and purchased eighty 
 acres of improved land on section 16, Middle- 
 port Township, the farm upon which he now re- 
 sides. He there made his home until 1870, when 
 he rented his land, and removed to Benton County, 
 Iiid. lie was there engaged in the dairy business 
 for a period of three years, after which he returned 
 to Iroquois County in 1873, anil for almost twenty 
 consecutive jears he has made las home continu- 
 ously upon his present farm. He is recognized as 
 one of the leading agriculturists of the com- 
 munity, and the neat ajjpearance of iiis place is 
 the cause of this well-deserved reputation. 
 
 Mr. Aldrich proudly cast his first Presidential 
 vote in 185B, supporting Gen. John C. Fremont, 
 and .since that time has been a stalwart Republi- 
 can, but has never been a politician in the sense 
 of office-seeking, preferring to devote his entire 
 time and attention to his business interests. He 
 is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a 
 man of sterling worth who, by his honorable, up- 
 right life, has won tlie high regard of all with 
 whom he has been brought in contact. 
 
 <| IklLLIAM WALLACE GRAY is a success- 
 \/\Jl/ ful and enterprising farmer residing on 
 ^7\^ section 32, Chebanse Township. He was 
 born on the Isle of Wight on the 13th of Decem- 
 ber, 1824, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Haw- 
 kins) Gray, the former a native of the Isle of 
 Wight, and the latter of Portsmouth, England. 
 The father was a farmer by occupation, and with 
 his family- emigrated to the New World in 1828. 
 He settled first in New York City, where he re- 
 sided for about two years, and in 1830 went to 
 Ohio, joining a sister at Cadiz. In the spring of 
 1831 he went to Rush Count}', Ind., where he 
 leased a large farm and engaged in agricultural 
 piu'suits for some six years. He came to Illinois 
 in the fall of 1837 and settled in Adams County, 
 which was then a wilderness. He bought prop- 
 ert}' and imin'oved it and afterward added to his 
 original purchase until he had one hundred and 
 
 sixty acres. He made of the farm one of the most 
 fertile and improved in that section and there 
 reared his family. He is numbered among the 
 hardy and honored pioneers of Adams County, 
 where he continued to reside until his death, whicli 
 occurred in December, 18o5. His wife survived 
 him several years and passed away at the advanced 
 age of ninet3'-four years. Husband and wife are 
 buried side by side in Coatsburg Cemetery, where 
 a suitable monument marks their last resting-place. 
 Mrs. Gra}' was a member of the Presbyterian 
 Church, but after tlie death of her husband she 
 united with the Jlethodist Epi-scopal Churcli. 
 
 William Gray is the fourth in order of birth in 
 a family of four sons and three daughters, who 
 grew to mature years: Richard is a farmer of 
 Adams County, where he is highly esteemed as an 
 enterprising and substantial agriculturist; Lavinia, 
 wife of Stephen Bootii, a farmer of Adams County, 
 is now deceased; Caroline, widow of Bernard 
 Lynch, is a resident of Dubuque, Iowa; Maria 
 w.as married to Joseph J^lliott, and they are now 
 both deceased; Isaac N. is a resident of Oregon; 
 and George H., the youngest of tlic family, went 
 to California in 1849, in which State he has since 
 resided. He is now a farmer and stock-raiser in 
 Hydesville, Humboldt County. 
 
 The subject of this sketch came to Illinois when 
 a lad of thirteen years, and grew to manhood in 
 Adams County. He had but limited school ad- 
 vantages and is largeh' self-educated since arriv- 
 ing at mature years. He remained with ids father 
 until reacliing his majority, and in 1844 went to 
 Wisconsin, where he was engaged as the foreman 
 of a smelting works. He was occupied in mining 
 there for three years. 
 
 On October 24, 1847, Mr. Gray led to the mar- 
 riage altar Electa M. .Slaj'ton, a native of the Em- 
 pire State, who was born in Genesee Count}', near 
 Cuba, March 24, 1824, where she was reared and 
 educated. She also lived in Chicago, where she 
 completed her education. She is a daughter of 
 John L. Slayton, of Utica, N. Y. Their family 
 numbers eight children: Isaac N. is the eldest; 
 Sarah M. is the wife of P. S. De Witt, of Martin- 
 ton, 111.; George H.; Anna C. is the wife of Alonzo 
 Hammond, of Kempton, 111.; William; Owen L. is 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 745 
 
 married and resides on tlie homestead witli bis 
 fatlier; Alice C. is the wife of Charles Riley, a rail- 
 road agent at Decatur, Iowa; Ira L., who is engaged 
 in business in Kankakee, is the ^youngest. Three 
 of the sons arc married, have good residences and 
 live upon the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Gray and 
 also all of their sons are members of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church. IMr. Gray has been con- 
 nected with that organization since 1848, and has 
 alwa^'S given liberally of his means to the support 
 of churches and other charitable and benevolent 
 purposes. 
 
 After his marriage, our subject returned to Adams 
 County, III., where he engaged in farming for about 
 two years upon a rented place. He then i)ur- 
 chased a piece of wild prairie land, where he com- 
 menced to improve a farm. His first farm con- 
 sisted of an eiglity-acre tract, and as his financial 
 resources increased and success blessed his efforts, 
 he added to his original purchase an adjoining 
 eight\" acres and afterward forty acres more, mak- 
 ing in all two hundred acres, all good land, which 
 was located fourteen miles east of CJuincy. Mr. 
 Gray farmed upon tliat place for a number of 
 years, built good substantial buildings and greatly 
 improved his property. In 1870, he sold out and 
 removed to Iroquois County, buying land in Che- 
 banse Township. He purchased seven hundred 
 and tweulj' acres of improved and valuable land, 
 and has since ei'ected a good residence, barns and 
 other buildings. He has done considerable tiling 
 and ditching and has one of the best improved 
 farms in the county. 
 
 Since the organization of the Republican |iarl\-. 
 Mr. Gra3' has been a supporter of its principles 
 and nominees. He voted for John C. P'remont in 
 1856, and was formely an old-line Whig. He has 
 served in several otlicial positions to the credit of 
 himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. 
 He is a believer in and supporter of our present 
 system of education and pulilic schools, and for 
 fort}' years has been an elllcient and trusted mem- 
 ber of the School Board. Nearly his entire life 
 has been spent in this State and he has aided in 
 every way possible in the development and pro- 
 gress of this section. He is well known in this 
 county as one of the enterprising, thorough and 
 
 successful farmers of this county, and is a man of 
 unblemished record and upright character and 
 worth. He has been Steward and Class-leader in 
 the Methodist Kpiscopal Church forty-five years, 
 and has been a Delegate to the Annual Conference 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church several times. 
 His son Ira is married to Miss Estella Hosencrans, 
 of Kankakee; Isaac N. married Miss Ella Kinney; 
 (leorge II. married Miss Nellie Lamb; Willliam 
 married Miss Ada More; Owen L. married Miss 
 Lucy tiregorj'. 
 
 6' 
 
 ORNKI.irs WILMORE STICKNEY l>- ed- 
 tor and proprietor of the Sheldon Journal, 
 
 a weekl}' newspaper. Republican in politics, 
 and devoted to the interests of Sheldon and vicin- 
 ity. In size it is a seven-column quarto, and in 
 appearance it is typographically neat. Mr. Stick- 
 ney is a man of excellent newspai)er ability, and 
 practically experienced in the business. As a 
 writer he is eas^- and graceful, and in the expres- 
 sion of opinions is fair and impartial. He has 
 done much to popularize his paper with the people 
 of Iroquois County, especially in that part of the 
 county in which Sheldon is located. The Journal 
 has reached a large circulation and the families 
 into whose homes it goes number many hun- 
 dreds. Its growth has been phenomenal under 
 Mr. Stickncy's energetic management. It ha.s ob- 
 tained its position in the ncwspajier world b^- shut- 
 ting out all objectionable advertising, or reading 
 matter of a questionable character, by attention to 
 local matters, and by taking high moral grounds on 
 all public questions. While the Journal is Repub- 
 lican in politics, it treats all with fairness, and 
 thus holds the esteem and respect of all political 
 parties. Thus it is at all times fit to enter the 
 family, and its patrons have no fear of .anything 
 being admitted to its columns that cannot be read 
 aloud in the family circle. The Journal is doing 
 much to elevate the standard of country joiirnal- 
 ism, and will receive its reward by a liberal pat- 
 ronage of the intelligent people of Iroquois 
 County. 
 
746 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 f'oriieliiis W. Stickiiey was the first male child 
 born in tlie village of East Bradford, Mass., which 
 is now i<nown as Groveland. His birth occurred 
 on March 9, 18;J0. lie is a direct descendant of 
 Samuel Stiekney, who emigrated from England to 
 America in Colonial days and settled in Massachu- 
 setts. On the maternal side he also comes of an 
 old American famih'. 
 
 The father of our subject, Leonard W. Stiekney, 
 was born in the old Ba}' State in 1821. In early 
 manhood he was married to Miss Susan J. Strceter, 
 a native of Portland, Me. When their son Cor- 
 nelius was a lad of five summers they emigrated 
 to Illinois, locating in Freeport, where Mr. Stiek- 
 ney engaged in the shoe business, carrying on 
 both a wholesale and retail trade. In 1860 he 
 removed his stock to Denver, Colo., where he con- 
 tinued in the same business for about four years. 
 Then selling, he went to Virginia City, and after- 
 ward to Helena, Mcmt., where he purchased a stock 
 of books and stationery, carried on a very lucra- 
 tive trade, and accumulated a tine property. He 
 was quite prominent as a citizen, and was identi- 
 fied with many important enterprises of that 
 j'oung and rapidly growing metropolis. How- 
 ever, misfortune Anally overtook him, and one 
 night his store and its contents were totally de- 
 stroyed by fire. All the money which he could 
 gain was used to pay liis creditors, with whom he 
 settled satisfactorily, paying one hundred cents 
 on the dollar. This, however, left him nothing. 
 He had been carrying an insurance of 126,000, but 
 the great Chicago fire occurred eight days later, 
 and before he could prove his loss to the compan- 
 ies of that city in which he held policies, they 
 were broken up and he received only $1,600. When 
 his business was finally settled in Montana, Mr. 
 Stickne3' returned with his family to Illinois, lo- 
 cating near Normal. Soon afterward he was 
 stricken with paralysis, but this disabled him for 
 only a short time, and produced no effect upon 
 his bright and vigorous inind. He then engaged 
 in keeping hotel. His death occurred of apo- 
 plexy in Bloomington, December 1, 1874, at the 
 age of fift3-two 3'ears. Mr. Stiekney was a well- 
 educated and cultured man, and, possessing genial 
 qualities of heart and mind, drew around him a 
 
 large circle of friends, by whom he is held in 
 kindly remembrance. He was strictlj- honorable 
 and upright in all his dealings, and looked with 
 contempt upon a mean action. 
 
 Mrs. Stiekney is still living and makes her home 
 in Bloomington, 111. Her family numbered three 
 children, but Elias V. died in early manhood, 
 when twenty-one years of age; Susie C. now re- 
 sides with her mother. 
 
 The subject of this sketch accjuired a good edu- 
 cation in his youth, and at the age of sixteen 
 years went to Montana, where he joined his father, 
 assisting him in carrying on the business which he 
 followed in Helena. He has alwa^-s been fond of 
 books, has ever been an extensive reader, and in 
 early life gave evidence of literary ability. His 
 first newspaper work was on the Helena Daily 
 Herald. He here evinced his fitness for newspaper 
 work, acquitting himself creditably. In 1871, 
 after his father's failure, lie returned to Illinois 
 and engaged in various jiursuits to assist himself 
 and his family. 
 
 Mr. Stiekney was connected with the hotel 
 which his father had established in Bloomington, 
 and while there made the acquaintai.ee of Miss 
 Juliet Frances Winsoi', with whom he was united 
 in marriage October 28, 1875. The lady was born 
 near Atlanta, this State, June 9, 1853, and died at 
 Sheldon, this State, March 3, 1892. She was the 
 daughter of Daniel and Annie R. (Brown) Winsor, 
 both of whom were natives of Riiode Island. Her 
 love of the Word of God, and her exemplary 
 Christian life, gave witness to the grace of God 
 upon her heart. An active member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, the Woman's Foreign Mis- 
 sionary Society, and the AVoman's Christian Tem- 
 perance I'niou, she evidenced her undoubted 
 piety. She was truly a home-maker; there her 
 character shone with ever^' womanly cliarm and 
 virtue. She was also an excellent pianist and 
 fond of literature, and found much enjoyment in 
 her music and books. The funeral was held at 
 the Sheldon Methodist Episcopal Church March 5, 
 1892, after which the remains were conveyed to 
 the Sheldon cemetery and laid to rest until for 
 her the rosy dawn shall break over the tranquil 
 waves that caress the distant but beautiful shore. 
 
POR TRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 747 
 
 .Mr. iind .Mis. ('. \V. Stickney besr.an their do- 
 mestic life in Hloomingtou. wlicre tliey re- 
 mained for a year, and tiien removed to 
 Kiiiey, III. Mr. Stickney secured employment 
 on the Oinej" Dail;/ Ledger, but after a year re- 
 turned to Uloomington and accepted the manage- 
 ment of the St. Nicholas hotel. 
 
 It was Mr. Sticknej^'s desire, however, to return 
 to newspaper work, and in 1878 he purchased the 
 Chenoa (111.) Gazette, conducting its publication 
 until the fall of 1883. lie then removed to Liv- 
 ingston County and established the I'orrest liam- 
 bler, which speedilv became one of the leading He- 
 publican papers of that county. Since August 1, 
 1891, he has engaged in the publication of the 
 Sheldon Journal. He became identified with the 
 Masonic fraternity in 1H71, in whicli he has made 
 considerable advance, being in the Royal and Select 
 Master degree. He is an enthusiastic member of 
 the Republican party, to which he gives willing 
 and ready allegiance on all occasions, defending 
 its i)rinci[jles and voting for its nominees. He and 
 his familv are active members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, of which they are worthy com- 
 numicants. 
 
 Mr. Stickney's family now includes but two 
 da\ighlers: May Frances, born atOlney, 111., May 
 :51, 187(); and Lilian Estelle, born at Chenoa, 111., 
 .September 16, 1880. His only son. Merl. died at 
 the age of eleven months. 
 
 IVILLIAM H. CASSIDV, who carries on an 
 Ijl insurance business and also runs a livery 
 'W^l •" Cilnian, is a native of Ireland, where 
 he was born March 17, 1837, in County Donegal, 
 lie is a son of John and Jane (Chestnut) C.ossidy, 
 both of whom were natives of the same county. 
 They had a family of nine sons, of whom eight 
 lived to be grown, and all of whom came to the 
 I'nited States. The father followed the occupa- 
 tion of farming. Of the children, Samuel, a grad- 
 uate of Dublin College, was the first to leave his 
 home and cross the broad .Vtlantic. Ho came 
 
 about 1840, and is now engaged in merchandising 
 on vStalen Island. Some two years later his brother 
 John followed his example, coming to the United 
 States, and w.as yardmaster at Olney, 111., where 
 he was killed by the cars in the ^-ear 1859. 
 Richard and Thomas emigrated about 18.52, the 
 former residing at Crescent City, Irocpiois County, 
 while tlie latter was in the mercantile business with 
 his eldest brother and died in New York Cit}'. 
 Our subject next left his native land, and his 
 brother .Moses in 1862 did likewise, and is an 
 extensive farmer in Winnebago County, III. At 
 the close of the war, James and Henry, the re- 
 maining sons, came with their parents to the Xew 
 World. James eng.iged in the mercantile business 
 in New York until the time of his death, while 
 IIeni\v lived quite a number of years in Gilman. 
 following the insurance business, and has but lately 
 removed to Chicago. The parents later removed 
 to Winnebago Count}-, where they both died at 
 the age of eight3'-five. They were members of 
 the Episcopal Church and among the worthy citi- 
 zens that Ireland h.as furnished to America. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm 
 and his education was received in the common 
 schools of Ireland. He made the voyage across 
 the .\tlantic in 18,")6, and in pursuit of fortune he 
 first sold Irish linens and notions from house to 
 house for a j'ear. He then followed farming until 
 1860, when he entered his brother's store at De- 
 troit, Mich. 
 
 In the fall of the same year, when Mr. Cassidy 
 went to Belvidere, III., he there married Sarah M. 
 Dawson, their marriage being celebrated on the 
 1st of December, 1860. She was born in Summit 
 County, Ohio, and reared to womanhood in Illi- 
 nois. Her parents came from England. After 
 their marri.age, our subject and his wife settled in 
 Winnebago County, on a farm, where they lived 
 until 1866. at which time he liought one hundred 
 and sixty acres of land in what is now Danforth 
 Township. This lie greatly improved and drained. 
 In 187o he removed to Gilman and has .since been 
 in the insurance business. He purchased the liv- 
 ery barn, which he still runs, in 1887. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. Cassidy were born four children: Jennie T., 
 who carries on a stationerv and book store. Is the 
 
748 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Assistant Postmaster at Gilrnan; Elmer married 
 Rosa Keller, and is engaged in the livery business 
 witli his father; Alice C, a teacher of recognized 
 al)ility; and Minnie May, who died at the age of 
 six and a-lialf years. 
 
 PoliticaIl3', Mr. C'assidy was a nienibcr of the 
 Republican party until 1884, since which time he 
 has been a Prohibitionist. He and his wife arc 
 members of the Free-will Baptist Church, to which 
 they give their heart}' co-operation. Socially, he 
 is a Mason and Modern Woodman. By industry 
 and saving he has made a comfortable competence, 
 having commenced life without a dollar. During 
 his seventeen years of residence here he and his 
 estimable wife have made many friends and to 
 them their home is most hospitably open. It is 
 with pleasure that we present this brief sketch of 
 one of (Oilman's most worthy citizens, who though 
 a native of another land lias always been most 
 lo3'al to his adopted country. 
 
 
 _^ UGUST WOCKENER, who carries on gen- 
 eral farming and stock-raising on section 
 1 1, Middlcport Township, is one of the 
 worth}' citizens that Germany has fur- 
 nished to this county. He was born in the Father- 
 land in December, 1840, and is the eldest child of 
 August and Plondena Wockener. The death of 
 his mother occurred in 1868, but his father lived 
 to a ripe old age, passing away in 1886. Both 
 were members of the German Lutheran Church. 
 In their family our subject was followed by Carl, 
 who is still living in the Old Countrj'; Lena, wife 
 of August Kirkman, a resident of Germany; and 
 Frederick, who crossed the Atlantic to America 
 and now makes his home in this country. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were quietly 
 passed under the parental roof. In accordance 
 with the laws of his native land, he attended school 
 between the .ages of six and fourteen years, after 
 which he learned the wagonmakers' trade, follow- 
 ing that occupation until he came to America. 
 When a young man, he determined to seek a home 
 in the New World, hoping thereby to improve his 
 
 financial condition. In 1868, he crossed the briny 
 deep, and landing in this country made his wa}' to 
 De Kalb County, 111., where he first located. There 
 he rented land and engaged in farming for two 
 years, after which he came to Iroquois Count}', 
 and for four years operated a rented farm in Asli- 
 kum Township. On the expiration of that period, 
 he came to Middleport Township and purchased 
 eighty acres of partially improved land, on section 
 20, and to the further development and cultiva- 
 tion of that tract he devoted his energies until 
 1885, when he jjurchased his present farm of two 
 hundred acres on section 1. He now engages in 
 general farming and stock-raising and his business 
 efforts are crowned with success. 
 
 In 1885, Mr. Wockener was joined in wedlock 
 with Miss Minnie Willett, and unto them has been 
 born a family of eight children, four sons and 
 four daughters, as follows: Ernest, Minnie, Lena, 
 August, Robert, Anna, Hattie and Herman. The 
 family circle has never been broken by the hand of 
 Death. Ernest and Minnie are married, the latter 
 having become the wife of Erick Swartz. 
 
 Mr. Wockener is a member of the German Luth- 
 eran Church, and in political sentiment is a Dem- 
 ocrat, having supported that party since he became 
 an American citizen. It was a fortunate day for 
 our subject when he determined to seek a home in 
 the United States, for here he has not only gained 
 prosperity, but has made man}' warm friends, and 
 his life has been a pleasant, although busy one. 
 Industry and energy are numbered among his 
 chief characteristics, and as these are essential 
 qualities in success, he has acquired a comfortable 
 competence. 
 
 _y 
 
 ^p^ HRIST-OPHER S. GUTHRIE, a farmer re- 
 [|( „ siding on section 30, Papiweau Township, 
 ^^^' has for twenty-seven years resided in this 
 county. He was born in Ohio, December 22, 1838, 
 his birth having occurred at ]\It. Pleasant, Jeffer- 
 son County. He is a son of Capt. Henry P.Guth- 
 rie, a native of A'irginia, who was born in Kiug 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 (49 
 
 and i^ueen Coiiuly, February "^S, 1793. He mar- 
 ried in Kielmiond, Va., Catiierine Stcdmaii, who 
 was also born in tlie same State. Mr Guthrie was 
 a merciiant and manufacturer of carriages. About 
 the year 1828, leavina; Virginia, lie removed to 
 Ohio, settling in Jefferson County. There he en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of carriages at Mt. 
 Pleasant for a number of 3ears. He then removed 
 to Martin's Ferry, in Belmont County, and for some 
 yeai-s carried on his trade at that place. He was 
 a soldier in the War of 1812, and served through- 
 out the war, holding a Captain's commission. His 
 father, .lames Guthrie, was also a patriot and sol- 
 dier in the Revolutionary War, .a.s were two of his 
 brothers. The latter died during their service. 
 The Guthrie family are of Scotch decent, and 
 were among the first settlers of Yorktown, Va. 
 The great-grandfather of our subject was given a 
 grant of land in Virginia and settled there previ- 
 ous to the Revolutionary War. Capt. Henry P. 
 Guthrie held numerous positions of trust and 
 honor and was a i)romincnt man of that State. 
 
 Our subject is one of a family of eight children, 
 three sons and five daughters: Sarah Francis, 
 widow of Dr. Pratt, of Belmont County, Ohio; 
 Mary A. lives on the old homestead; Elizabeth, 
 wife of .John Robb, lives in Hancock County, W. 
 Va.; Catherine, whose death occurred in 1878; Is- 
 abella, wife of Marion Cullen, of Hancock County; 
 Ilenr}' P., of Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, 
 Ohio; Christopher S.; and Robert L., deceased. 
 
 Mr. Guthrie whose name heads this sketch grew 
 to manhood in Ohio, having such education as 
 was afforded by the public schools of the county 
 and a course of study at Wheeling, W. Va. In 
 1857, he came to Hlinois .and settled in Kankakee 
 Count3\ In company with another young man, 
 he operated a steam thresher and engaged in its 
 operation during the season. During the winter 
 he ran a stationary engine, and for such of his 
 lime as was unoccupied he worked on a farm. 
 
 Following the patriotic example of his ances- 
 tors, he responded to the call of his country', en- 
 listing in 1862 in the Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, 
 in .lanuary of that year. He became a member of 
 Company- E, of the regiment organized at Ottawa, 
 III., which had fur its Captain Charles INI. N'aughn. 
 
 He enlisted as a private but wa.s promoted to the 
 rank of Sergeant, and had charge of the companj- 
 a number of times during his service. lie partic- 
 ipated in the Itattles of Shiloh, Hatchie. the siege 
 and surrender of A'icksburg (which lasted forty- 
 two days), and was afterward taken prisoner at. lack- 
 son, Miss., in I.orman's charge of .Inly 12,1863. He 
 was held as a prisoner of war for about seventy- 
 two dajs, and he was a prisoner at all the princi- 
 pal cities of the .South, and finally rounded u|) at 
 Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. He w.as then p.a- 
 roled and rejoined his regiment, taking part in 
 the .Atlanta campaign, and later joined Sherman 
 in his march to the sea. He received an honorable 
 discharge at Goldsboro, X. C, March 26, 186.5. 
 He w.as a faithful soldier, ever present at his post 
 of duty. 
 
 Mr. CJuthne was united in mariiage in this 
 county on Christmas day, 186.0, his bride being 
 Mary J. Warden, who was born and reared in Put- 
 nam County, Ind. She is a daughter of .John War- 
 den, a native of Kentucky and one of tiie early 
 settlers of Putnam County. Mr. and Mrs. Guth- 
 rie are the parents of six children: Francis Isabel 
 is the wife of .John Garber, a mechanic in Denison, 
 Tex.; Henry W., a farmer of this county; .lames B., 
 who resides at home; (ieorge C, Catiierine. and 
 Laura, deceased. 
 
 On returning from the war, Mr. Guthrie went to 
 Ohio and the same year came to Illinois, settling 
 in this county. He engaged in farming and stock- 
 raising with good success. At the time of his pur- 
 chase, his farm was raw, unbroken prairie, and he 
 has since brought it under a fine state of cultiva- 
 tion, making of it one of the best farms in the 
 count3-. It is located three miles west of Papineau. 
 In 1876, he rented his farm and moved to Newton 
 Ct)unty, Ind.. where for two years he engaged in 
 stock-raising. In 1878, he returned to his home 
 and has resided here continuously since. 
 
 Mr. (iuthrie cast his first ballot for .Stephen ,\. 
 Douglas, but since that time has identified him- 
 self with the Republican part3-. He takes an ac- 
 tive interest in all local and educational af- 
 fairs, doing all in his power to further the interests 
 of each. He luas served as a member of the .School 
 Board for a number of years. For twenty-seven 
 
750 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 years he lias resided in this county and is known 
 to be a man of inte. rity, enterprise and public 
 spirit. 
 
 Mr. Guthrie had a severe stroke of i)aralysis in 
 1891, which was caused by his hardships and ex- 
 posure during his service as a soldier. He re- 
 ceives a small pension and he now has affidavits 
 from his familj' physicians as well as his comrades 
 corroborating the fact of his great disabilitj-, occa- 
 sioned bj' his hardships in defense of his country. 
 
 'S^DWARD W. GUILD, an enterprising and 
 |l-=S| prominent farmer who resides on section 
 /I' — ^ 22, Belmont Township, has one of the fine 
 farms of this community. He owns one hundred 
 and sixty acres of arable land, which has been di- 
 vided into fields of convenient size and placed 
 under a high state of cultivation, yielding to him 
 a golden tribute in return for liis care and labor. 
 He has a pleasant home, and his barns and out- 
 buildings are models of convenience. His farming 
 implements are of the latest improved kinds and 
 in all its appointments the place seems complete. 
 It may well be termed a model farm, and the 
 owner deserves to rank among the representative 
 farmers of the township. 
 
 Mr. Guild was born in Lowell, Mass., October 
 10, 1830. The family, of English origin, was 
 founded in America by the great-grandfather of 
 our subject, Moses Guild, who came to this coun- 
 try in Colonial days. Willard Guild, the father 
 of Edward, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1797, 
 and spent his boyhood days upon a farm. In his 
 youth, he learned the cabinet-maker's trade and 
 pattern-making. Ere leaving the Green Mountain 
 State, he married Abigail Wood, a native of Xer- 
 mont. Tliey removed to INIassachusetts, and when 
 our subject was onl}' six months old they emi- 
 grated to Michigan, locating in Romeo, Macomb 
 Countv, which was then an unimproved wilder- 
 ness, still inhabited by the Indians. Mr. Guild 
 engaged in farming for a year and then followed 
 his trade of cabinet-making until 1837, when he re- 
 moved to Pike County, 111., locating in Griggsville. 
 
 He there carried on cabinet-making until his death, 
 which occurred in February, 1865. His wife died 
 at the home of her son in Ironton, Mo. Mr. Guild 
 was a prominent and influential citizen in every 
 community where he resided. While in Massa- 
 chusetts, he sei-ved in the State Legislature. He 
 took a great interest in church and Sunda^'-school 
 work and for raan}^ 3'ears served as Deacon in the 
 Congregational Church. He would give his last 
 ceni to aid in the upbuilding of the church and 
 counted no sacrifice too great. He was a man of 
 much genius and invented several different ma- 
 chines. In politics, he was a Whig and afterward 
 an Abolitionist. 
 
 In the Guild family were five children, but 
 Willard and a sister died in childhood. Albert 
 B. served in the Home Guards during the late war 
 and was engaged in the fight at Pilot Knob. His 
 death occurred in Missouri about eight years ago. 
 Emily W. became the wife of .Judge Russell and 
 died about three years ago. 
 
 Our subject is now the only surviving member 
 of the family. He was a lad of seven summers 
 when with his parents he came to Illinois. His 
 education was acquired in the public schools of 
 Griggsville and in Arcadia College, of Missouri, 
 which he entered at the age of sixteen, pursuing 
 a three-year course. Previous to this time, when 
 a lad of twelve, he began clerking in a store and 
 was thus employed for three years. On leaving 
 school, he again began clerking, and was thus em- 
 ployed until twenty-two years of age, when he 
 went to Henry, Marshall County, 111. He there 
 secured a position with George W. Battles, acting 
 as salesman for two years, and for ten 3'ears carried 
 on a general merchandise establishment for him- 
 self. Later, he did business in Ox Bow, Putnam 
 County, III., for four years and then returned to 
 Henry County, where he remained until 1863, 
 when he came to Iroquois County. During the 
 twelve succeeding years of his life, he was con- 
 nected with the mercantile interests of Watseka, 
 and for two years in Henry County, 111., was en- 
 gaged in the forwarding and commission business. 
 In 1876, he bought his present farm, then a poorly 
 improved place. 
 
 On the 4th of May, 1853, in Henry, Marshall 
 
PORTRAIT AND IJIOGRAPIIICAL RKCORD. 
 
 751 
 
 county, Mr. Guild wns united in marriage with 
 Miss Amanda Foster, a native of Columhus, Ohio, 
 and a daughter of John and Ruth (Cone) Foster, 
 tlic former a native of Pennsylvania and tlie lat- 
 ter of Connecticut. Wiien tiieir daugliter w.is 
 only four years old, they came hy team to Illinois. 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guild have been born four chil- 
 dren. Flora, who was born in Marshall County, is 
 now at liome; William K., who was also born in that 
 county, has tauglitschool but is now engaged in car- 
 pentering in Watseka; Albert M., born in Watseka, 
 lives on the home farm; and Cliff was graduated in 
 the commercial course from the college in Ouarga 
 and w:is graduated from Hedding College, of Ab- 
 ingdon, III., in June, 1892, in a class of six in the 
 classical course. He is Secretary of the college, 
 and in connection with his work as a student, he is 
 engaged in teaching mathematics. All the children 
 possess musical ability. 
 
 Mr. and ill's. (Juild are both members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church of Watseka. For 
 forty years, he has been connected with the Odd 
 Fellows' society of that place and has held all of 
 its offices. He has been School Director for many 
 j'ears,and is now Secretary of the Iroquois County 
 Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. He cast his 
 first Presidential vote in 18.5G for I5ell and 
 Ererett and then voted for Stephen A. Douglas, 
 and has since been a stalwart Democrat. ' In the 
 exciting times before' the late war, he heard many 
 prominent speakers, including Owen Lovejoy and 
 Tom Corwin. He has been prominent in the con- 
 ventions of his party and is recognized as a repre- 
 sentative citizen of this community. The success 
 which attended his merchandising has also fol- 
 lowed his business career, and his well-directed 
 efforts have brought him a handsome eom])etence. 
 He has the confidence of all with whom he has 
 been brought in contact and is held in high esteem 
 liy a large circle of friends. 
 
 The following is an epitome oftheduild fam- 
 ily, covering a portion of the lineal ancestry of 
 E. W. Ciiild: John (Juild, supposed to have been 
 horn in Kngland about U! I fi, came to America in 
 the year 1(336, with his brother .Samuel and sister 
 .\nn. He was admitted to the church at Dedham, 
 Mass., July 17, 164(.i, and bought in that year 
 
 twelve acres of upland, on which he built a house, 
 which was occupied by himself and descendants 
 for more than two hundred years. He was made 
 u freeman M.ay 10, 1643. He was thoroughly 
 honest in all his dealings, industrious and frugal, 
 modest in his deportment and retiring in his hab- 
 its. He never lield an oflice, and tiie town records 
 show his attendance at town meetings but once in 
 several years, and then only on an occasion of 
 considerable excitement in relation to making 
 alterations and additions to the meeting house. 
 He married, June 24, 16J5, Elizabeth Crookc, of 
 Roxbury, who died August 31, 1669. He died 
 October 4, 1682, leaving seven children. John 
 died young; Samuel, John, Eliexur, Ebeiiezer, 
 Elizabeth and Uenjamin. 
 
 Samuel Guild, born in Dedham, Mass., Novem- 
 ber 7, 1647, married November 29, 1676, Marv 
 Woodcock. He was a member of Capt. Moseley's 
 Company in King Philip's War, in 1675, and was 
 made a freeman at .Salem, in May. 1678. In 1703, he 
 was one of acommitee to invest and manage school 
 funds; was a Selectman of Dedham from 1693 to 
 1713; and was a delegate to the General Court in 
 1719. He died in Dedham, on the 1st of January, 
 1730. His children were Samuel, Nathaniel, Marv, 
 John, Deborah, .lohn, Israel, Ebenezer, Joseph and 
 Eliz.abeth. 
 
 John Guild, l)orn at Dedham, M.i.^s., October 2, 
 1687, married Abigail Robinson, of Reliobotii, who 
 died January 31, 1793. He w.as a farmer of Wal- 
 pole, and died June 15, 1767. His children were 
 John, Abigail, Samuel and Jacob. 
 
 Samuel Guild was born at Dedham, Mass., and 
 was married October 23, 1764, to Mehitable Clapj). 
 They lived in Walpole and became the parent* of 
 five children: Mcribah, Samuel, Aaron, Moses and 
 Jacob. 
 
 Moses Guild was born in Walpole, .M.iss., .laiiuarv 
 6, 1772, was married first on the r.lth of March, 
 1795, to Philena Hairows, who died October 16, 
 180tl. He was afterward married, March 12, 1801, 
 to Sally Newton, who died February 29, 1840. He 
 removed to Marlborough, N. II., in 1797, and wjus 
 taxed at Roxbury, N. II., from 1815 to 1851. He 
 died September 6. 1854. Hy the first marriage 
 there were three children, William, Willard and 
 
752 
 
 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Tyla; and by the second union two children were 
 born, Betsy, and Ilanna, wiio was liorn ^larch 3, 
 1812, and on the 9th of September, 1841, mar- 
 ried James W. Bain, of Keene, who died Oetot)er 
 7, ISC'). 
 
 Willard Guild, l)orii at Marlborough, N. H., Feb- 
 I'uary 8, 1798, was married November 2, 1822, to 
 Abigail Wood, of Nelson, N. H. He was a cabinet- 
 maker at Roxbury, N. Y., removed to Michigan, 
 and thence to Griggsville, 111., where he died on 
 the 20th of Februarj', 1865. His children were all 
 born at Roxbury, N. H., witii the exception of the 
 youngest, our subject. They are as follows: Al- 
 bert Barrows; Almira, who died young; Emily 
 Wilder and Edward W. 
 
 ]-^+^§ 
 
 jj^pREDERICK KOIIL is a retired merchant. 
 il-^fo^ who makes his home in IJanforth, Iroquois 
 ll[ Countj'. He is one of Germany's most 
 
 worthy children, having been born in Ostfries- 
 land, November 29, 1854. His father, Frederick 
 Kohl, a native of the same country, grew to ma- 
 turity and there married Geske. Jacobs. The father 
 followed the occupation of tilling the soil in Ger- 
 many, where lie still resides. 
 
 Frederick Kohl passed his boyhood days in the 
 usual pursuits of farmer lads and received fair 
 scliool advantages in his native language. .Since 
 coming to Illinois he attended the schools for 
 about six months, in order to acquire the English 
 language, but has largely informed himself in that 
 respect through his reading and observation. 
 When about seventeen years of age, he determined 
 .to seek his fortune in the New World, and accord- 
 ingly said good-bye to the friends and scenes of 
 his youth. He sailed from Bremen, and after a 
 pleasant voyage of about fourteen days arrived in 
 New York City. He landed in the United States 
 in May, and came direct to Danfortli, where he 
 joined three older brothers who had previously 
 settled at this point. The first 3'ear he woiked on 
 the railroad, and the following year hired out as 
 a farm hand. He next obtained a clerkship in one 
 of the Danfortli stores, and there continued for a 
 
 period of a year and a-half. Subsequently he re- 
 turned to farm labor. In 1874, Mr. Kohl went to 
 Peoria, where he clerked for "bout six months, 
 when, on account of sickness, he was obliged to 
 discontinue his labors for a time. After his re- 
 covery he worked in a store at Danforth and con- 
 tinued in that position for five years. A partnership 
 was formed at that time between our subject and 
 John Eden, and together they bought out and es- 
 tablished business, the stock costing 13,500. The 
 firm then embarked in merchandising and in- 
 creased their business. The}- extensively increased 
 their trade and continued to add to their line of 
 goods. The partnership lasted for about ten and 
 a-half jears, and their efforts were blessed with 
 great success. In February, 1892, Mr. Kohl sold 
 his interest to Mr. Eden and retired from the busi- 
 ness. Mr. Eden has since invested in Nebraska 
 property, and during the summer just [lassed has 
 spent much of his time in Platte Count}', of that 
 State, where he purchased a farm and has valuable 
 investments. Mr. Kohl also invested his money 
 which he had withdrawn from the business in real 
 estate. He purchased property in Chicago, and 
 has already realized a good profit on his invest- 
 ments there. 
 
 Mr. Kohl was married to Miss Cevia, daughter 
 of J. O. Johnson, a retired merchant of Danforth. 
 Tiie wedding ceremony was performed February 
 14. 1878. Mrs. Kohl was born in Woodford 
 County, 111., and was educated and has lived the 
 most of her life in Iroquois County. 
 
 Mr. Kohl is identified with the Republican party, 
 which finds in him a stanch advocate. He voted 
 for Samuel J. Tilden, however, at the election in 
 1876, but with that exception has used his fi:iii- 
 chise in favor of the nominees of the Republican 
 partj-. Mr. Kohl is a public-spirited man, and has 
 always done all in his power to advance the best 
 interests of his township and the community. 
 Recognizing his worth and ability, his fellow-citi- 
 zens have often called upon him to fill public po- 
 sitions requiring the qualities which he possesses. 
 He was appointed Postmaster of Danforth, and 
 acted in that capacity most acceptably for over 
 ten years. He has always discharged the duties 
 of citizenship and of official i)Ositions witii fidel'ty 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 753 
 
 and zeal, and ha.s merited the high regard in whieii 
 he is lieid by his friends and neighbors. For 
 twenty-one years, Mr. Koiil h.as made his home in 
 tliis county and is a man of unl)Icmished cliaracter 
 and spotless record. Commencing in life asa poor 
 man, with no capital save a fair education and un- 
 daunted courage, lie has carved for himself a for- 
 tune and a place of honor in the estimation of 
 those who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Kohl are 
 honored members of the German Lutheran Church, 
 in whose work tiiey take an active part. 
 
 AEOHOK II. POTTKH, one of the pioneer 
 settlers of Iroquois County, was born in 
 *^^]|j Milton Center, Saratoga County, N. Y., 
 January 27. 1819. He is a son of Constant and 
 Sylinda (Hodge) Potter, natives respectively of 
 Connecticut and Massachusetts. In early life 
 they emigrated with their parents to New York, 
 wliere in later 3'ears they were married. The grand- 
 father Potter served in the Revolutionary AV'ar. 
 The father w.as a m.anufacturer of leather, and 
 lived to be seventy-eight years of age. His death 
 occurred at vSaratoga .Springs. During his life he 
 was a Jackson-Democrat, and both himself and 
 wife were members of the Methodist Church. She 
 lived to the age of eighty-eight years, her death 
 occurring in Saratoga County. To them were 
 born a family of twelve children, seven sons and 
 five daughters, of whom six sons and one daughter 
 are still living. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the eldest son 
 and tliird child in order of birth in his fathers' 
 family. He spent most of his early days on a 
 farm, engaged in the usual occupations of farmers' 
 sons, receiving his education in the common 
 schools of the neighborhood. Having remained 
 at home until about seventeen, he went to Orleans 
 Count}-, N. Y., where he clerked in a store several 
 years. 
 
 (Jn the 4th of July, 1818, Mr. Potter wedded 
 
 Miss Fannie K. Lyman, who was born December 
 
 28, 1825, in Byron, Genesee County, N. Y. She 
 
 I is the daughter of William and Lucia (Cleveland) 
 
 Lyman. Her mother's family is of the same origi- 
 nal stock ."IS that from which President Cleveland 
 is descended. Her father was born in Ludlow, Vt. 
 and her mother in Hanover, N. Y., liotli being of 
 English descent. The father died in (ienesee 
 County when Mrs. Potter was only three years 
 old, leaving three children, the eldest of whom 
 was in her seventh j-ear. Mrs. Lj^nian, after living 
 a widow for several years, married Warren Parker, 
 who went to Chicago about 18.51 and organized the 
 first omnibus line in that city, which was known as 
 Parker's Bus Line. Mr. Parker died three vcars later. 
 Of this marriage a son was born, Dwight L. Parker, 
 a banker of Gilraan. The year after her husband's 
 death, Mrs. Parker came to (rilman, remaining 
 here the remainder of her days. The host seven years 
 of her life were spent at the home of her daughter, 
 Mrs. Potter. She passed to the home beyond on 
 the 17th of April, 1888. Had she lived until the 
 following August she would have been ninet}' 
 years old. Since her eighteenth year she had been 
 identified with the Christian Church, and was a 
 noble, good woman and one much beloved. 
 
 After tlieir marrl.age, Mr. Potter and his voiing 
 wife came to Iroquois County, and located at Iro- 
 quois, then generally known as Bunkum. Mrs. 
 Potter saj'S that one way tlie_v had of telling Sun- 
 day in those d.ays wfis that shooting matches and 
 horse races marked the day. After merchandising 
 for a couple of years he sold out his business, de- 
 ciding to return to New York, never to come 
 back to this uncivilized West; but, leconsidering 
 his former decision in 18.5."?, he returned to this 
 county and purch.ased one hundred and sixty acres 
 of land in Onarga Townshlii of the Government at 
 ^2. .50 per acre. He first brought his wifeonly as far 
 .IS Chicago, but in 18,5.5 moved on his land, where 
 he had built a small frame house, and there they 
 lived in true pioneer style. He made of his farm 
 a good and well-cultivated piece of properly. In 
 1871, they came to Gilman, where they still live. 
 
 Both Mr. Potter and his wife arc members of 
 the Christian Church, to which they bMftnged in 
 New York. In his politics, he was a Democrat 
 until the rise of the Prohibition party, since which 
 time he has been identified with that party. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Potter are among tlie highly esteemed 
 
754 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 citizens of Oilman. As is the common lot of all, 
 they have met with disappointments, but these the}' 
 have ever met with courage and hopefulness, ever 
 pressing onward, believing that all was for their 
 best good and ultimate happiness and usefulness. 
 J^argel_y through the efforts and liberality of Mrs. 
 Potter can Oilman boast of a public library, of 
 which she has been librarian since it was estab- 
 lished. 
 
 iT^)DMUND SILL, tlie genial and well-known 
 station agent of the Illinois Central Rail- 
 id at Clifton, is a native of tlie Empire 
 State, his birth occurring in 1834 in Otsego 
 Count}'. He is a son of Henry and Abigail (Dim- 
 ock) Sill. The father was a native of Salem, Conn., 
 and the mother was of Spanish descent. The 
 grandfather of our suljject, Andrew Sill, was one 
 of the earliest settlers of Burlington Township, 
 Otsego County, N. Y., and was a farmer by occu- 
 pation. He was a prominent and influential man 
 and participated in the War of 1812. For many 
 3'ears he was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church. 
 His wife bore the maiden name of Helena Dorr, 
 and her famil}' were among the prominent pio- 
 neers of Connecticut and New York. The mater- 
 nal grandmother of our subject was before her 
 marriage Miss Barnum, a cousin of the showman. 
 
 Edmund Sill and his sister Eliza are the onlv 
 ones now living of a family which consisted of three 
 sons and two daughters. The others were Abigail, 
 Henry and Cook D. His parents are also deceased, 
 his father's death having occurred while on a visit 
 to his son in Clifton. 
 
 Our subject received a good education, and on 
 arriving at man's estate led to the marriage altar 
 Miss Helen M. Walworth, daughter of James C. 
 and Maria (Haines) Walworth, of Otsego County, 
 N. Y. The weilding ceremony was performed on 
 the ISth of October, 1859. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sill 
 three children were born, the eldest, a daughter, 
 died in infancy; James W. married Miss Mary E. 
 Reynolds, daughter of Hubert and Rose Reynolds, 
 
 of Clifton. His death occurred October 20, 1892. 
 A daughter, Helen Irene, is their only child. 
 Charles B. is the j'oungest of the famil}-. 
 
 Mr. Sill, for many years in the employ of the 
 Illinois Central Railroad Company asstation .agent, 
 in January, 1867, was transferred to Clifton, hold- 
 ing the same position here. His m.any years' serv- 
 ice in the employ of one railroad company is an 
 evidence of his fidelity to duty and the depend- 
 ence which they may safely place in him. He is 
 interested in educational affairs, having held the 
 ofHce of School Director, and has also been elected 
 to fill various other positions of trust and honor. 
 Socially, he is a member of Clifton Lodge No. 688, 
 A. F. & A. M. He is a- man of intelligence and 
 wide reading and always keeps well posted on 
 all the leading events of the day. He is very pop- 
 ular, and has a wide circle of friends and acquaint- 
 ances, whose esteem he has won during his long 
 years of residence in this vicinity. His home is 
 the abode of hospitality and good cheer, and his 
 friends delight to share them with him. 
 
 ■jl? ORENZO N. SMITH, of Watseka, w.as born 
 I (@) in Morristown, N. Y., on the 6th of August, 
 JL\\., ^ 1849. He is a son of Aaron and Caroline 
 (Kelly) Smith, both of whom were natives of New 
 Jersey. The father followed the occupation of black- 
 smitiiing in his early life, and later engaged in ag- 
 ricultural pursuits, He was born June 27, 1820. 
 Daniel .Smith, the grandfather of our subject, was 
 born M.ay 5, 1781, in Prussia, Germany, and emi- 
 grated to America at an early age. When crossing 
 the Atlantic he was shipwrecked, but was rescued 
 and brought to New York City. He there enlisted 
 under Capt. Decatur and served all through the 
 War of 1812, on the good old ship"Constitution." 
 His wife, Lydia Smith, was born in Pennsylvania, 
 and died at the age of thirty-five, leaving a fam- 
 ily of ten children, lie died at the age of sixty- 
 nine, his death occuriing in 1852. 
 
 Lorenzo Smith, the subject of this sketch, is the 
 fourth in a family of ten children, all living hut 
 one. He received his education iu the common 
 
'^^^ 
 
 7 /;z: y 
 
rOKTRAIT AND HltXiRAVIllCAL HIXORD. 
 
 schools of his native Slate, and there learned the 
 trade of blac-ksmith and -wagon-maker. At the age 
 of twenty-four he came to Watseka, believing that 
 in tiie West was a larger field of labor, with better 
 hopes of success to a young and enterprising man 
 than in the crowded Kast. With marked persever- 
 ance and fidelity to his chosen line of work, he has 
 always followed his trade, with the exception of 
 but one year, which lie spent at Indianopolis, Ind. 
 
 In 1876, Mr. Smith led to the marriage altar Miss 
 Marian Burlew, who was a native of Illinois, and 
 who died in 1880, leaving one child, Jesse M. He 
 was again united in marriage, this time to Ida L. 
 Marsh, in 1882. She is a daughter of Alinon C. 
 Marsh, of Batavia, X. Y. As the result of this 
 union have been born two children, Olive and 
 Mildred. 
 
 In his social relations, our subject is a member 
 of Iroquois Lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F. He is a rep- 
 resentative to the Grand Lodge of the Stale. He 
 has served as a member of IheCity Council, which 
 office he filled acceptably-. His sympathies are with 
 the Democratic party, to which he gives his interest 
 and support. During a long residence in this sec- 
 tion, he had won for himself a large circle of friends 
 by his integrity and uprightness. 
 
 ^,AV11) BRIM BACK, a well-to-do fanner 
 1 and stock-raiser, who owns a farm on sec- 
 ^^^ tion 20, of township 27, Dauforth Town- 
 ship, was born in Springfield, 111., on the 
 31st of August, 1832. He is a son of Henry Bruni- 
 back, a native of Virginia, who was born in 1801. 
 His father was a native of Germany, born in Hesse- 
 Darmstadt. He became one of the early settlers of 
 Shenandoah County, Va., and there reared his fam- 
 ily. Henry Hruraback spent the da^-s of his youth 
 in the Old Dominion, and, when a young man, 
 went to Ohio, locating in Licking County. There 
 he was married to Jliss Klizabelh I'itzcr. a native 
 of Ihe Buckeye State. Her father, Richard Pitzer, 
 was born in England, and was one of the early 
 settlers of Ohio. After his marriage, Mr. Brum- 
 back riigagcd in farming in Ohio for a few years, 
 
 and in 1829 removed to Illinois, passing through 
 Iroquois County when Guerdon S. Hubbard was 
 an Indian trader, stationed at the town of Iroquois. 
 He located on a farm near Ottawa, La Salle County, 
 and resided there during the Black Hawk War. In 
 the course of lime he developed a fine farm from 
 the raw prairie land, upon which he spent his re- 
 maining days, his death occurring in June, 1887, 
 when he was eighty-three years of age. He was 
 one of the honored pioneers of La Salle County. 
 His wife died al)Out the j'ear 1870. 
 
 David Brumback is the fifth in order of birth in 
 a family numbering five sons and four daughters, 
 six of whom grew to mature j'ears: Jacob, now de- 
 ceased, was a farmer of La Salle County, and died 
 in 1876; Elizabeth, who was the first white child 
 born in Rutland Township, La Salle County, is the 
 widow of Franklin Bruner; David, of this sketch, 
 is the next younger; Elton farms on a portion of 
 the old homestead; Elmira resides with her brother 
 Theodore, who also operates a part of the home 
 farm, and is the youngest of the family. 
 
 Our subject grew to manhood in La Salle County, 
 where he received the advantages of a district- 
 school education, supplemented by one 3'('ar's 
 course in the Jacksonville High School, then under 
 the supervision of II. W. Bateman, the ex-.Slate 
 Superintendent of .Schools of Illinois. After com- 
 pleting his school life, our subject engaged in 
 farming on a tract of land which he purchased in 
 La Salle County, and there made his home for a 
 number of years. In 1867, he sold this farm and 
 removed to Iroquois County, purchasing some un- 
 broken prairie land in Danforlh Township. He 
 was one of the first settlei'S to locate there. He 
 bought three hundred and twenty acres, the south 
 half of section 2t), and started to open up the land, 
 fencing it and luiilding a home and other farm 
 buildings. He has now one of the best farms in 
 the township, situated about half-way iielween Gil- 
 man and Danforth. Fpon it is a ple.isant, sub- 
 stantial residence, three good barns and other 
 buildings, and a fine young orchard. It is in every 
 respect a well-improved and valuable piece of 
 property. 
 
 On the 2(1 of March, 18.58, Mr. Brumback was 
 united in marriage with Miss Ellen G. Barnes, 
 
758 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 a native of the Empire State, who was reared and 
 educated in I'tiea. She was a teacher in La Salle 
 County previous to her marriage. Her parents were 
 Hyder Pitt and Lucia INI. ((ioodwin) Barnes, who 
 settled in La Salle County in Ibof!. To our subject 
 and his wife have been born three children. The eld- 
 est is Allen 1)., now a resident of IMontana, where he 
 is engaged in mining; Lucia Gae is the wifeof C. E. 
 Hogardus, of Seattle. AVasli. In the Illimi, of 
 INIarcli, 18S)2,tlie State University journal, appeared 
 tlie following account of the Puget So\ind Alumni 
 Association meeting, held in the ])arlors of the 
 Chamber of Commerce at Seattle, Wash. "In re- 
 sponse to the toast 'Our college bcaus,' Mrs. Lucia 
 I^rumback IJogardus entertained us in a most happy 
 manner. The lady was tiie youngest alumnus present, 
 but she treated the subject with a womanly grace 
 and richness of thought worthy of a much older 
 and more experienced person. Her remarks were 
 heaitily enjoyed." Mrs. Bogardus is a graduate 
 of the State University at Champaign in the Class 
 of '90. She completed the literary and scientific 
 course, and is also an accomplished musician. Al- 
 mon, the youngest member of the Brumback fam- 
 ily, helps to carry on the home farm, and is now a 
 student in Grand Prairie Seminary. 
 
 Mr. Brumback is identified with the Democratic 
 l)arty, to which he has always given his stanch 
 support. His first ballot was cast for Franklin 
 Pierce. In local politics he votes for the man 
 whom he considers best fitted for the p(Jsition. He 
 has held several local ollices of honor and trust in 
 the township, and since 1877 he served as Town- 
 ship Supervisor. He is now the efficient President 
 of the Iroquois County Agricultural Association, 
 which position he has filled for the past three years. 
 To the cause of education he has ever given his 
 warm and hearty support, and is a thorough be- 
 liever in good schools and teachers. For the |)ast 
 twenty-fonr years he has acted as a nienil)er of the 
 School Board, being ever zealous and faithfiLl to 
 the best interests of the coinmuiiit3'. Though not 
 members of any religious organization, Mr. and 
 I\Ls. Brumbai'k are in sympathy with and attend 
 llie (iilman Presl)yterian Church. During his 
 whole life our subject has lieeii a i-csidciit, of Illi- 
 nois, nn(l for nearly a iiuaitcr of a ceiUury has 
 
 lived in Iroquois County. He is widely and favor- 
 ably known in this and adjacent counties, in whose 
 development and progress he has very materiany 
 aided. He is a man of sterling character, and liy 
 his honoral)le and upright life has won the confi- 
 dence and esteem of all. 
 
 lIjU^^^ERRICK HOUGHTOK, a prominent busi- 
 lf)j ness man and respected citizen of Oilman. 
 ^)^ was born in Rutland County, Vt., on the 
 {^) 2d of January, 1845. He is a son of Capt. 
 Leland and Lovica C. (Ripley) Houghton. Two 
 brothers by the name of Houghton came from Eng- 
 land in the early days of our country's history, and 
 the one from whom our subject is descended settled 
 in Vermont. The Ripley family also came from 
 England. Both parents of our subject were born 
 in Rutland County, Vt. In the fall of 1815, the 
 father came by way of the Lakes to Chicago, but 
 as he did not wish to locate in what he called that 
 "mud-hole," he removed to a farm near Aurora, 
 where he reaiained about nine years. He and his 
 wife then removed to the Northwestern corner of 
 Kankakee County, where they lived until 1874. At 
 that time thej^ came to Oilman, where they spent 
 their remaining years. He lived to the age of 
 sixty-nine years and his wife was sixty-six 
 3^ears of age at the lime of her death. She 
 was a member of the ]\Iethodist Church and her 
 death was widely regretted. Mr. Houghton 
 was a Whig and later a Republican. In their fam- 
 ily were five children, of whom one died in in- 
 fancy; of those who survive, Franklin is a resident 
 of Gilman: OUie is the wife of James Gordan , of 
 Ashkum, this county; Ilerrick, our subject; and 
 Sidney, who is a mail carrier in Chicago. 
 
 Herrick Houghton was reared as a fanner lad 
 and was educated in the common schools. When 
 only sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company 
 A, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry. This was on the 
 16th of August, 1861. After spending two weeks 
 in Chicago and an equal length of time at St. Louis, 
 the company was sent to Maryland. The first light 
 
PORTRAIT A>r) l!l()(;KAriIICAL RTTORI). 
 
 ill whicL he was engaged was with Stonewall Jack- . 
 son at Alpine Station. He participated in the bat- 
 tles of Kei-nstown and RIack Water, also in the 
 siege uf Ft. Sumter. He then joined the army under 
 Butler and took jiart in the battles of Rethesda 
 Church, Drury's Hluff, Bermuda Hundred, Deep 
 Bottom, Pctersljurg. Ft. (iregg. Rice Station and 
 Appomattox. lie served as Corporal and Com- 
 missary-Sergeant. He was mustered out at Norfolk, 
 \a.., and received his discharge at Springfield, 111., 
 December 16, 186.J, after four years and four 
 months of hard service. He was a valiant soldier, 
 prompt in action and ever at his post of duty. 
 
 On his return home. Mr. Houghton turned his 
 attention to farming. In Ashkuni Township, March 
 3, 1868, he married Nancy K. Mellen, a daughter 
 of William M. and Elvira (Roister) Mellen, who 
 are natives of Vermont. Mrs. Houghton is the 
 second in a family of seven children, three sons 
 and four daughters; she was born in Bennington 
 County, \'t., and with her parents came to Illinois 
 in 1857. At that time Mr. Mellen located on a 
 farm near Joliet and followed agricultural pursuits 
 until the year 1866, which witnessed his re- 
 moval to Iroquois Countv. In 1887, he came 
 to Oilman, where he and his wife still live, aged 
 respectively seventy -seven and si.\tv-nine years. 
 They are consistent members of the ^lethodist 
 Episcopal Church and arc highly regarded for their 
 sterling worth. Mr. Mellen was an old-line Whig 
 until the rise of the Republican party, to the prin- 
 ciples of which he has since adhered. 
 
 Having farmed successfully in Kankakee County 
 until 1874, Mr. Houghton came to Oilman and 
 opened a fancy grocery and notion store, which he 
 continued for some three years. He then returned 
 to agricultural pursuits, which line he followed 
 until 1882. when he started a meat-market in (iil- 
 man, in which business he h.is since continued. 
 .\fter about a year he look as a partner his brother- 
 in-law, AVilliam S. Mellen. In 1886 they started a 
 branch market and in each do a thriving business. 
 Jn addition, Mr. Houghton is interested in a dredge 
 ditcher.- He is recognized as a successful business 
 man and is a leader in all that pertains to the best 
 interests of society. Politicaliy, he is a Republican 
 but has never been an oflk-e-seeker. He is now 
 
 serving his >■ ol Board and 
 
 has always bcLMi a slnnch lui'ijurlir of educational 
 measures. Socially, he belongs to Oilman Post 
 No. 186, O. A. R.. and to Camp No. .'J21, M. W. A. 
 Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, in all the work of wliicli they 
 are active workers and are highly valued. He is 
 a Trustee and Steward and is also the Sujierin- 
 lendent of the Sunday-school. They have but one 
 son, William L.. who assists his father in his busi- 
 ness most ably. 
 
 ^ IfelLLIA.M ^X. OILBERT, dealer in grain 
 \/iJ/l ^"'' lumber and a coal dealer of Danforth, 
 W'^ III., was born at Philadelphia, Pa., on the 
 29th of .lanuary, 1811. He is a .son of William 
 Oilbert, who was born in ^laiyland, and is of Eng- 
 lish descent. In Dover, Del., the father was mar- 
 ried to Susan Calley, who was born in Delaware, 
 though of Irish ancestry. He was a man of supe- 
 rior education, and was a teacher in the Philadel- 
 phia schools for many years, or until the time of 
 his death, which occurred in 1849. His wife died 
 when the subject of this sketch was an infant. 
 
 Wiliiam W. Oilbert spent his youth mainly in 
 Delaware, where he was reared by an aunt. He 
 attended the public .schools, but h.as been mostly 
 self-educated since arriving at mature years. At 
 the age of si.xteen he went aboard a shi|) as cabin 
 boy, and spent from six to seven years before the 
 mast. During the (irst part of his career on the 
 Atlantic, he shipped in a coasting-vessel which 
 sailed north in tlie summer months and south dur- 
 ing the winter. Later, he visited many of the ports 
 in the Old World, among them Liverpool, London, 
 Cardiff (Wales). Naples, Messina, Palermo, and 
 various other seaport towns. In the year 1K64. he 
 gave up the sea and came West to RufTalo. He 
 then made a few trips on the Lakes and went to 
 Chicago. Frfim there he went to Danforth, where 
 he arrived in .Inly, 1H(!L He there engaged in the 
 (iovernment employ, .■iiid in November of that 
 year went to Lilth- Rock', .\rk., reinaiiiinic in the 
 same eiii|iloy until June. 180.J. He returned to 
 
760 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 
 
 Danfortli, Iroquois County, and obtained employ- 
 ment with George W. Danfoith, who was largely 
 interested in real estate. After being with him 
 for about two years, he next entered the service 
 of Henry it Alman, who kept a general store at 
 Danfortli. He remained with them until 1871, 
 and then purchased a grain and lumber business, 
 in which he has been actively engaged since. At 
 the time of his purchase, the business was but a 
 small part of what it is to-day, only doing about 
 one-tenth the trade he now carries on. He has 
 built up an immense business through his enter- 
 prise and wise business investments. Mr. Gilbert 
 commenced life a poor man, empt^'-handed and 
 without a dollar, and has, by his own labor and 
 industry, accumulated a large estate and a line 
 business. He is now one of the substantial and 
 progressive citizens of this county. In addition 
 to his other interests, he owns a section of laud in 
 one body and a quarter-section in another farm, all 
 valuable and well-imj, roved property, and also 
 owns a fine residence propertj* in Danforth and 
 another in Kankakee. When Mr. Gilbert pur- 
 cliased the grain business in his town, there was a 
 small elevator; this he rebuilt and enlarged until 
 it has a capacity of fifty thousand bushels, and is 
 one of the best of its kind. He also has a large 
 warehouse and office in connection with his lum- 
 ber 3'ard. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert was married to Anna Foster on the 
 '2'2d of February, 1871. Mrs. Gilbert was born 
 and reared in Lewisberry, Pa., and is the daughter 
 of John Foster. To our worthy subject and his 
 wife have been born four children: Arthur II., who 
 assists his father in the business; Jessie, James 
 Russell and Lemuel, who still remain with their 
 parents. They also lost their eldest daughter, 
 Carrie, who died at the age of six, and one son, 
 Leslie, who died when two 3'ears of age. 
 
 The first Presidential ballot of our subject was 
 cast for (ien. (ieorge B. McClcllan, and every 
 nominee of the l^emocratic party for President 
 has received his support. In local politics, lie is 
 independent, casting his vote for the man whom 
 he considers best qualified for the position, regard- 
 less of polities. He h.as never aspired to official 
 positions, though he was oijcc induced to serve as 
 
 President of the Village Board, the duties of which 
 position he discharged acceptably, and is now 
 Mayor of Danforth. Mr. Gilbert is truly one of 
 America's self-made men, and has bravely and no- 
 bly met and conquered the disappointments and 
 discouragements of life, and well merits the suc- 
 cess he has achieved. 
 
 
 Ij/ P:NRY SALMON, one of tlieself-made men, 
 who is engaged in farming on section 9, 
 Ash Grove Township, was born in West- 
 phalia, Germany, August 4, 1860, and is one 
 of a large family of children, whose parents were- 
 Henry S. and Mary (Wilke) Salmon. His father 
 was a carpenter by trade. In the fall of 1866, he 
 bade good-bye to his old home, and with his fam- 
 ily sailed from Bremen to New Orleans, where they 
 arrived after a voyage of nearly thirteen weeks. 
 The family then went up the Mississipjii River to 
 Cairo, 111., and on to Monee and Lake County, Ind., 
 where for two years the father of our subject car- 
 ried on carpentering. He then went to Will County, 
 III., where he rented a farm. His death occurred 
 on the 22d of September, 1875. His widow is still 
 living, at the age of sixty-four years, and makes 
 her home with one of her grandchildren in Ash 
 Grove Township. In politics he was a Republican, 
 and in religious belief was a Lutheran. He proved 
 himself a valued citizen of the community, and 
 had the high regard of all. Although he came to 
 this country empty-handed, he was a man of energy 
 and perseverance, and won a comfortable compe- 
 tence. 
 
 The eight children in the Salmon family are as 
 follows: Annie, now the wife of D. Meyer, of Will 
 County, 111.; Johanna, wife of Fred Ilasselbing, a 
 resident of Jasper County, Ind.; Rieke, wife of 
 Nicholas Casel, of Chicago; Augusta, who became 
 the wife of Otto Hardekoiif, who died in 1886, in 
 Ash Grove Township, May 5, 1891; Lena, wife of 
 Nicholas Feiler, of Chicago; Herman and Henry, 
 twins; and Louisa, wife of Gus Brutlach, of Ash 
 Grove Townshiii. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a lad of si.x sum- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 761 
 
 mers, when, with liis parents, lie crossed the briny 
 deep. The days of his boyiiood and youth were 
 quietly passed in Will County, and his early edu- 
 cation, acquired in the district schools, was supple- 
 mented by a course in a private school. lie came 
 to Iroquois County at the age of fourteen and a- 
 half years with the family, and on his father's death 
 he began to earn his own livelihood, working as a 
 farm hand. He then operated eighty acres of land, 
 l)urcliased by his fatiier. He now owns an eigbtj'- 
 acre tract, and in addition operates forty acres of 
 land. 
 
 Mr. Salmon has led a busy and useful life, and 
 manifests a commendable interest in public affairs. 
 He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of 
 Woodworth, and in politics has been a stanch ad- 
 herent of Republican principles since he cast his 
 first Presidential vote for .Tames (i. Blaine in 188-1. 
 He has often been a delegate to the conventions of 
 his l)arty, and for three years served as School Di- 
 rector. 
 
 In April, 1889, in Ash (irove Township, Mr. Sal- 
 mon was united in marriage with Miss ^Matilda 
 Munstermann, daughter of Christ Muiisteriiiann, 
 whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Their 
 union has been blessed with two sons: Henry, born 
 April 1, 1890; and William II., born September 20, 
 1892. Mr. Salmon is a wide-awake and enterpris- 
 ing young business man. intelligent and well in- 
 formed, and his propertj' has been acquired by his 
 own honest industrv. 
 
 "ifOHN CROUCH, a well-to-do and highly re- 
 spected farmer and stock-raiser of Concord 
 Township, residing on section 8. is a native 
 ^ of the IJuckeye State. His birth occurred 
 in Coshocton Count}^ on the 22d of January, 
 1838, and he is a son of William and Sarah (Ly- 
 ons) Crouch. His parents were both natives of 
 OliiO; the father born in .lefferson County, and the 
 mother in Guernsey County. They are now resi- 
 dents of Iroquois. The paternal grandfather of 
 our subject. Kobert Crouch, died when .lolin was 
 
 quite small. 'William Crouch engaged in farming 
 in Coshocton County until 1880, when he came to 
 this county, locating in the village of Iroquois, 
 where he is now living retired. He owns consid- 
 erable land in Concord Township. 
 
 Mr. Couch, whose name heads this record, spent 
 his boyhood days quietly upon his father's farm. 
 Through the winter seasons he attended the com- 
 mon schools, where he acquired a good English ed- 
 ucation, and in the summer months he worked in 
 the fields as soon as he w.as old enough to handle 
 the plow. He remained under the parental roof 
 until his marriage, which occurred when he was 
 about twenty -eight years of age. t)n the 6tli of 
 November, 186G. he was joined in wedlock with 
 Miss N. K. Carroll, a native of Coshocton Count}', 
 Ohio, born October 20, 1843. Two children were 
 born to them but the}- both died in infancy. 
 
 At the time of his marriage, Mr. Crouch's pos- 
 sessions consisted of two horses, two cows, six 
 hogs, flftj' head of sheep and a few farming im- 
 plements. He engaged in the operation of rented 
 land in his native State until 1869, when he re- 
 moved to Piatt County, III. He there again rented 
 land, and engaged in farming until 1870, when he 
 came to Iroquois Count}'. During the first winter, 
 he lived in a log cabin. He then removed to a 
 farm near the village of Iroquois, where he made 
 his home for ten years. In 1874 he purchased his 
 present home, consisting of eighty acres of wild 
 prairie land and twenty acres of timber. He soon 
 began to cultivate and improve it, and the same 
 year erected a dwelling, to which he made exten- 
 sive additions in 1881, when he moved his family 
 to that place. He now owns a well-improved 
 farm. The land is under a high state of cultiva- 
 tion and is well tiled. There are substantial 
 buildings, such as are found on a model farm, and 
 a fine bearing orchard is numbered among the 
 other excellent improvements. In connection 
 with general fanning, Mr. Crouch is engaged in 
 stock-raising, making a specialty of the breeding 
 of Shropshire sheep. He has been very successful 
 in this work and has some fine sheep upon his 
 farm. 
 
 In his i)r)litical aHiliutioiis, Mr. Crouch has been 
 a supporter of the Democracy since he cast his first 
 
r62 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. 
 He served as School Dii-ector for two j'ears, but re- 
 signed before tlie expiration of his term of office. 
 He is now serving his tentii term as Trustee, and for 
 three years lie filled tiie position of Road Commis- 
 sioner with credit to himself and to the satisfac- 
 tion of his constituents. The prompt and able 
 manner in wliich he discharged his duties led to 
 his re-eleclion and won him high commendation. 
 Socially', he is a member of the Masonic fraternity', 
 having been connected witli the Blue Lodge of 
 L'oquois for twelve 3'ears. Himself and wife have 
 long been active workers in and faithful members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Churcii, in which he 
 serves as Trustee. His wife is a worker in the 
 Sunday-school. Their well-spent lives and their 
 many excellencies of character have won for 
 them high regard, and they arc numbered among 
 the county's best citizens. 
 
 m>--^i^<m^- 
 
 <jI^EV. HELLWIG STAEHLIIST; is an honored 
 IW|r minister of the Lutheran Church, and now 
 tli \\\ resides at Danforth, where he is pastor in 
 \^ the church of tiiat denomination. He is 
 a native of (Germany, and was born in Hessen on 
 the 24th of May, 1859. He is a son of Prof. 
 George Staehling, who was born in the same prov- 
 ince of the Fatherland. The father had the ad- 
 vantages of a superior education and was a teacher 
 for many years. He married in Germany Emelia 
 Clasing, who was boin in Hanover. Prof. Staeh- 
 ling taught in his native land for a number of 
 years, and in 1887 emigrated to the New World, 
 locating at Waverly, Iowa, where he is now a 
 teacher in German and music. To the Professor 
 and his wife were born five sons and four daugh- 
 ters. The eldest. Rev. Frederick Henry, is a min- 
 ister ill the Lutheran Church at Somonauk, De 
 Kalb County, 111.; Rev. Frederick AVilliam, a min- 
 ister of the same church, is now retired from active 
 pastoral duties on .account of poor health; Rev. 
 Johannes Otto is located at Manson, Iowa; Will- 
 iam is a theological student at Dubuque, Iowa; 
 and our subject. The daughters are Maria, who 
 
 is the wife of Prof. Otto Kraushaar, a teacher in 
 the college at Waverly, Iowa; Ida is the wife of 
 Prof. Johannes Fritsehel, also of the same college; 
 Elizabeth, wife of Prof. Herman Knhlmann, 
 teacher of tiie same school; and Dora, who is a 
 young lady still at home with her parents. 
 
 Rev. Hellwig vStaehling Spent his early years in 
 his native land and received a thorough education 
 in the scliools and a full literary course in a col- 
 lege, supplemented by about two years in a theo- 
 logical seminary. His theological course was com- 
 pleted at the Lutlieran .Seminary, at Mendota, La 
 Salle County. He was graduated from that institu- 
 tion in the Class of '75, and was ordained a minister 
 of the Lutheran Church. He first assisted the 
 minister at Gilman, but in 1876 received a call 
 from the Melvin Church, which he accepted, locat- 
 ing there in the spring of that year. He was the 
 able and devoted pastor of that church and people 
 for the succeeding ten years. At tiie time of his 
 call to Melvin, the church was very much run 
 down, and by his earnest efforts and zeal he built 
 up a large congregation and established the church 
 on a good foundation. He also established An- 
 chor, McLean County, whose numbers were greatly 
 increased during liis pastorate. During his minis- 
 try. Rev. Staehling lias iiad a number of churches 
 under his charge, among them Sible3', German- 
 town, Chatsworth and Roberts. At cacli of these 
 places he has built up large congregations and has 
 aided very materially in the growth 01 the work. 
 At one time he had six congregations under his 
 charge, for whom his labors were very earnest and 
 arduous. In 1886, Rev. Mi'. Staehling accepted a 
 call to the pastorate at Danforth. The church was 
 established and had a fair number of members. 
 Since coming here he has built a schoolhouse and 
 has otherwise strengthened the church. He has 
 also established a church at LaHogne, and now 
 supplies the two pulpits. Among his people he is 
 highly esteemed and greatly beloved, as lie well 
 deserves. He is a faithful pastor and a conscien- 
 tious advisor of his congregation. 
 
 At Melvin, on the 24th of August, 1876, Rev. 
 Mr. Staeiiling was united in holy wedlock with 
 Miss Augusta Gunther, who is a native of Illinois, 
 her birth having occurred at Chatsworth. There 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 res 
 
 she piissfd lier giillioud :iiitl was educated in both 
 the Knglish and (ierinan languages. She is a 
 daughter of Christian II. Ounther, who was hoin 
 in tiie Fatiierland, and is now retired from active 
 linsincss and makes liis home in Ciiicago. Rev. 
 .Mr. Staeiiling and his wife iiave a family of live 
 ihildren, as follows: Mari;t Emelia, Karl Christian, 
 Henry Ferdinand, Kdward Hellwig and Frederick 
 <ieorge. These ciiildren are all receiving the ad- 
 vantages of a first-class education and good re- 
 ligious training. 
 
 For seventeen years Rev. Jlr. Staehling has been 
 a faithful minister, and has conscientiously done 
 all in his power to uplift and better humanity. 
 He has won the love and respect of all with whom 
 he has come in contact and is one of the leading 
 and representative ministers of the denomination 
 to which he belongs. It is a fact well worth}- of 
 notice that his family is a most remarkable one, 
 for of five sons, four are now ministers of the gos- 
 pel, while the fifth one is also preparing himself 
 for the same position; and of his four sisters, the 
 three who are married are the wives of distin- 
 guished professors. 
 
 LKXANDKR KI.SKADDEN, a retired far- 
 mer of Gilinan, was born in Madison 
 County, Ohio, on the oth of March, 1822. 
 ^ He is a .son of James and Rebecca (Kwing) 
 
 Kiskadden. The father was born in Ireland in 
 17'JO. and when six years of age made the slow 
 sailing voN.age across the Atlantic to the United 
 States, where the}' settled in Pennsylvania. He 
 was reared to farm life and followed that calling 
 for a livelihood. In Pennsylvania, in the year 
 1811, lie married Mi.ss Kwing, who was bf)rn in 
 Peunsj'lvania in IT'.M, her parents also having 
 come to the I'nitod .Stales from Ireland. Her fa- 
 ther was of Irish and her mother of Scotch descent. 
 In 1814, the parents of our subject removed to 
 Ohio, locating in Rclss County, but some two or 
 three years later went to Madison County, which 
 was almost an unbroken forest at that time. Mr. 
 Kiskadden cleared and improved several farms and 
 
 endured many of the privaliins <if pioneer life. 
 Though he never sought oHice, he was always ac- 
 tively interested in politics and the advancement 
 of the best interests of the State. 15olh he and his 
 wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. His death occurred in 18.52 at his home 
 in Clarke County. Ohio, whither he had moved. 
 His wife survived him nearly thiit_\ years and 
 died at the home of our subject in Oilman. In 
 their family were ten children, four sons and six 
 daugliter.s. 
 
 The subject of this .sketch is the fifth child of 
 his father's family. He w.as reared on a heavily 
 tiniliered farm and was thus early inured to hard 
 work and hardships. When about twenty years 
 of .age he started out in life for himself. He w.as 
 wedded to Elizabeth Williams in Upper Sandusky, 
 on the 11th of August, 1811). She is a native of 
 Richland County, Ohio, where her birth occurred 
 August It, 182.i. She is the daughter of Amos 
 and Mary (Cannon) Williams. Mr. Williams was 
 born in Richland County, while his wife was a na- 
 tive of Maryland. The grandfather of Mrs. Kis- 
 kadden was born in Pennsylvania and was among 
 the early jjioneers of Ohio. Her grandfather Can- 
 non was a pioneer emigrant from Maryland to 
 Harrison County, Ohio, and the original Cannon 
 farm is still in the possession of his descendants. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Williams were married in Ohio and 
 spent their lives on a farm. Both were life-long 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her 
 father died aged thirty-two and her mother at the 
 age of forty-seven. lie was a farmer by occupa- 
 tion and also ran a mill. While engaged in work- 
 ing on the dam he got wet, which resulted in a 
 cold, and death followed. Mrs. Kiskadden is one of 
 four children, one son and three daughters, of 
 whom she and her sister. Mrs. Mary A. Harnnger, 
 are the only ones living. 
 
 The first business Mr. Kiskadden engaged in 
 was that of teaching school, which he did for some 
 eight years, commencing at the early age of seven- 
 teen. In 1848 he engaged with a partner in the 
 drug business in Upper Sandusky, continuing that 
 for several years, and then added dry goods and 
 groceries. He inerchandi.sed for some ten years 
 and in 1H6I came West and was salesman m Leaven- 
 
764 
 
 i-ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 worth, Denver, and Virginia City, Idaho. Return- 
 ing to Ohio in 1864, he dealt in sheep and wool for 
 about a year. He then removed to Lake County, 
 Ind., where he fanned until 1868, when heeanie to 
 Iroquois County, 111. The traveler of to-day can 
 hardly imagine the condition of the county at that 
 time. The work of improvement was scarcely be- 
 gun, most of the land was in its wild and primitive 
 state, much of it being an unbroken swamp. Since 
 that day all has changed. Waving fields of grain 
 now greet the eye in every direction, the land has 
 been wonderfully improved by judicious draining, 
 and the country is inhabited by a prosperous and ed- 
 ucated people, who are justly proud of the result of 
 their toil and enterprise. Mr. Kiskadden did much 
 for the good and advancement of the count}', and 
 though at first he purchased but forty acres of land, 
 he added to his possessions until he had a fine farm 
 of one hundred and sixty acres. This he improved 
 and tiled. The first tile that was ever laid in the 
 First Drainage District was laid on his farm. In 
 1887, lie removed to Oilman, where his home has 
 been since. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Kiskadden was a Whig before 
 the war, and has since been a Republican. Both 
 he and his wife are workers in the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, he being both Steward and Trustee 
 of Trinity Church of Oilman. Mr. and Mrs. Kis- 
 kadden had a family of three children: Cooper W. 
 died at tlie age of thirty-six unmarried. Mary 
 Ella is the wife of Milford H. Brinkerhoff, dealer 
 in musical instruments in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. 
 He is one of the prominent young business men of 
 that place and possesses excellent executive abiliiy. 
 He also deals in sewing-machines and employs 
 seven commercial travelers. He is a sliareholder 
 in the Ohio Thresher Works, a stockholder in the 
 First National Bank of Upper Sandusky, President 
 of the Electric Light C!ora|jany, and a stockholder 
 in the Oil and Gas Fuel Company of the same city. 
 It was Mr. Brinkerhoff who first suggested the idea 
 of sinking a well for gas in that loealit3\ As we 
 see, he is one of the leading citizens of Upper San- 
 dusky and is highly respected throughout that com- 
 munity. Dr. Harry S., the youngest child of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Kiskadden, a graduate of the College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, is one of the 
 
 leading surgeons of Detroit, Mich., and a specialist 
 in the treatment of rectal diseases. He married 
 Miss Sadie White and has two sons. 
 
 Mr. Kiskadden, whose name heads tliis record, 
 assisted by his worthy wife, has acquired all he 
 possesses by industry and good management. As 
 to all, reverses came to them, but our subject by his 
 determined will and strict attention to business, 
 combined with economy and perseverance, over- 
 came all obstacles, and lias steadily worked his way 
 upward, while through all his honor and integ- 
 rity have remained unsullied. As the natural re- 
 sult, no one in this community ranks higher than 
 he in the esteem of<ill. For twenty-four years Mr. 
 and Mrs. Kiskadden have resided in Iroquois 
 County, and by their consistent Christian lives 
 have won a large circle of friends. 
 
 \|/ OHN S. HARWOOD, who for sixteen years 
 has been prominently identified with the 
 business interests of Crescent City, claims 
 _ Indiana as the State of his nativity, his 
 birth having occurred in Wilmington, on the 21st 
 of January, 1842. .Jacob Harwood, his grandfa- 
 ther, W.1S one of the pioneers of that locality, and 
 there Frederick Harwood, the father of our subject, 
 was reared to manhood. He married Harriet Pow- 
 ell, a native of Indiana and a daughter of James 
 Powell, also an early settler of the Iloosier State. 
 After some years' residence in Indiana, Mr, Har- 
 wood came with his family to Illinois in 1843, lo- 
 cating in Spring Creek Township, Iroquois County, 
 where he entered land from the Government and 
 developed a farm. He experienced many hard- 
 ships and privations which are incident to frontier 
 life during the first few years of his residence here. 
 He was a prominent and infiuenttal citizen and 
 was widely and favorably known in the county. 
 His deatii occurred about 1878. His wife survived 
 him for some years, and died in Crescent City in 
 April, 1892, at the advanced age of eighty. 
 
 J. S. Harwood is the fourtli in order of birth in a 
 family of five sons and two daughters who grew to 
 maturity. Tiie eldest, James, is a resident farmer of 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 this county; A. .1. makes liis liorne in Crescent City; 
 Zurilda is the widow of Sidue}- Wilson, also a resi- 
 dent of Crescent City; John S. is the next younger; 
 Mrs. Mary Meyers and F.ewis C. also live in Cres- 
 cent City; K. M. makes his home in the same place, 
 and is an extensive poultry dealer of the county. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of the gen- 
 tleman whose name heads this record. He acquired 
 a good education, which 1ms been greatly supple- 
 mented by the knowledge gained through experi- 
 ence and observation after arriving at man's estate. 
 He began earning his livelihood as a farmer, and 
 carried on agricultural pursuits for about ten years, 
 when he came to Crescent City, where he has car- 
 ried on business almost continuously since. He is 
 now engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. 
 llarwood possesses good judgment, is sagacious 
 and far-seeing, and bv his well-directed efforts and 
 enterprise he has w^on success. 
 
 On the 8tli of January, 1872, in Hermitage, 
 Hickory County, Mo., Mr. Harwood was united in 
 marriage with Miss Anna Johnston. The lady is 
 a native of the Ke3-slone State but was reared in 
 Iowa and Missouri. Two children grace this 
 union: Ina M. aids her father in the store and 
 also in making out the Assessor's books; and Er- 
 nest is at home. They also lost two children in 
 early childhood: Harry, who died at the age of 
 four years; and Gertie, who died at the age of two. 
 
 Mr. Harwood exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Democratic party, with which he 
 has atliliated since he cast his first vote for George 
 H. McClellan. He takes quite an active part in 
 political affairs, and has been honored with a num- 
 ber of public offices of trust. He was elected 
 and served as Justice of the Peace for fourteen 
 consecutive years, and is at present holding that 
 otlice. For twelve years he filled the position of 
 Town Clerk. In 1864 he was ap|)0inted Postmas- 
 ter of Crescent City, and held the oflice three j-ears, 
 when he resigned. He was then appointed to that 
 position under President Cleveland, serving for 
 two and a-half years. In 1890 he was elected Cor- 
 oner and has received the nomination for a sec- 
 ond term. For four years he hiis served as Asses- 
 sor, and the prompt and able manner in which lie 
 ha.s discharged every public duty has won him high 
 
 commendation. He has never yet failed of elec- 
 tion when nominated for an office, a high proof of 
 his popularity and the appreciation which his fel- 
 low-townsmen have of his worth and ability. "Esq. 
 Harwood," as he is called, is a member of the Mod- 
 ern Woodmen, and is now Venerable Counsel of 
 the Lodge. His wife and daughter hold member- 
 ship with the Jlethodist ICpiscopal Church. Dur- 
 ing nearly his entire life, he has made his lioini! in 
 this county and is one of its honored and highly 
 respected citizens. His life has been well and 
 worthily passed and in many respects may serve 
 as an example to others. He lias steadily worked 
 his way upward and now holds an enviable posi- 
 tion in the esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 
 
 lOHEHT CHANDLER ALLEN, editor and 
 
 jl^rr publisher of the Gilman Star, is a native of 
 % ^^''lli'i™sp'^''t! Ind., where he was born on 
 the 17th of January, 1860. When but six 
 months old he was brought bj' his parents, James 
 H. and Laura C. Allen, to Iroquois County. He 
 became a resident of Oilman when about seven 
 years old, and this place has been his home almost 
 continuously since that time. After attending the 
 Oilman schools, Mr. Allen spent three years in the 
 State Ihiiversity at Champaign, and subsequently 
 entered the Union College of Law in Chicago, 
 from which he was graduated in 1882. Believing 
 the West offered better opportunities to young 
 men starting in life, he went to Huron, S. Dak., 
 where he spent a ^-ear and a-half in the real-estate 
 business. 
 
 Returning to Gilman, 5Ir. .\llen purchased, in 
 1884, the (iilman Star, which was established in 
 1868 by Ed Hiimley. Mr. Runilej- had been con- 
 ducting the Reciiic at Onarga, and the citizens of 
 (iilman offered him a bonus to come to Gilman and 
 start a paper, which he did, giving the new paper 
 the title of the Star. The Star lias never changed 
 its name or principles, it having been conducted 
 as an independent paper, devoted to the welfare 
 and best interests of this section. Havinirrun the 
 
766 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAFHICAL RECORD. 
 
 paper until 1880, Mr. Rumle_y solrl it to J. J. Coon, 
 who foiitinufifl its publication until 1884, since 
 wliic-li time Mr. Allen has been editor and pub- 
 lisher. The Star is a well-edited and interesting 
 paper, and takes rank among the leading newspa- 
 pers of the county. 
 
 Mr. Allen was united in marriage in (iilnian on 
 the 20th of September, 1886, with Miss Jennie, 
 daugliter of John and Kate Lash, of Onarga, of 
 which village Mrs. Allen is a native. The home 
 of our subject and his wife has been blessed with 
 one child, James L. Mr. Allen is a member of 
 the Masonic order, and iiis wife belongs to the 
 Methodist Episcopal Cliurch. They are estimable 
 people and move in the best society that Gilnian 
 affords. Their home is the abode of hospitality 
 and they number many friends in this vicinity. 
 
 ^OHN O'NEILL is a leading farmer of Che. 
 I I banse Township and owns -a farm on sec- 
 
 dl tion 11. lie is a native of the Emerald 
 _P Isle and was born in County Limerick 
 on the 24th of June, 183.5. He is a son of Law- 
 rence and Nancy (Halpin) O'Neill, both of whom 
 were also born in Ireland. The father with his 
 family emigrated to the United States in 1849, first 
 settling in the State of New York, in Orange 
 County, where they resided a few years. In 18.53, 
 they came Westward and spent a few months in 
 Milwaukee, and a couple of months in Chicago. 
 From there they went to Monee, 111., where they 
 lived for about a year, when, coming to this county, 
 they located in Chebanse Township. Mr. O'Neill 
 and his sons worked upon the Illinois Central 
 Railroad for two or three years. In 18.56, the 
 father pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of 
 land where his son now resides and settled upon 
 the place about two years later. This was entirely 
 uncultivated and he devoted himself to making a 
 good and fertile farm of the same. He resided 
 upon that property until his death, which occurred 
 March 1, 1876. Me was one of the honored 
 pioneers, was an enterprising man, and helped very 
 materially in the develoiiment of the county. Mis 
 
 wife passed away several j-ears previous to the 
 death of her husband. 
 
 John O'Neill is the only son of a family of four 
 children who grew to mature years. The eldest, 
 Mary, is the wife of John Ryan, of Chicago; Jo- 
 hanna is the wife of Pat Reynolds, "whose sketch 
 appears in this volume; and P>ridget is now de- 
 ceased. 
 
 Our subject came to this country with his par- 
 ents when a lad of fourteen 3'ears, grew to man- 
 hood in this count}', and remained with his father 
 until the latter's death. After arriving at mature 
 years he took charge of the farm and business and 
 relieved his father of the care and anxiety attend- 
 ing the supervision and cultivation of a large 
 farm. When younger he engaged in breaking- 
 prairie for the neighbors, and was quite active in 
 the early deyelopment and settlement of the 
 county. Me is one of the honored pioneers and 
 has seen the march of civilization and progress 
 going steadily forward in this section. From a 
 wilderness and almost limitless prairie, with 
 scarcely a building upon it as far as the eye could 
 reach in any direction, it has been transformed as 
 the years have passed by to its present condition 
 of cultivated land and comfortable farm houses, 
 thriving villages and network of railroads. 
 
 Feliruary 9, 1869, Mr. O'Neill was united in 
 the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Bridget 
 Fogerty, who was born in Ireland, April 15, 1847. 
 and came when a child of two years to this coun- 
 try with her father, Edward Fogerty. Me settled 
 first in Wisconsin and there Mrs. O'Neill passed 
 her girlhood days. By this union there are nine 
 children living: Edward received a good educa- 
 tion and is a successful teacher in this county. Me 
 has also taken a commercial course at the Bryant 
 & Stratton Commercial College, of Chicago, and 
 just previous to taking up that course held a 
 position in that city; Nellie is at home; Thomas 
 assists bis father upon the home farm; John P., 
 Willis M., Anna, David, Lucy and Mary Catherine 
 are still under the parental roof and are receiving 
 good educations. Four children died in early 
 childhood. 
 
 Since becoming a voter. Mr. O'Neill has alliliated 
 with the DemocTatic party. Me has never as|iired 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 lo (idiep lint li.'is "iveii hi;; time iind uttention to 
 Ills farm and husinoss interests. He is a friend to 
 education and |)ulilic schools. Mr. O'Neill and 
 bis family are members of the Clifton Catholic 
 Cluirch. 
 
 The farm of our subject, which consists of one 
 hundred and sixty acres, is located just outside 
 of the corporation limits of the town of Clifton 
 and is all well improved and valuable property. 
 He has erected upon it good buildings and a suli- 
 stantial residence, iind his fertile fields yield to him 
 a golden tribute for his years of care and cultiva- 
 tion. He has spent almost his entire life in this 
 county and is esteemed as a man of u[)riglit char- 
 acter. The many friends whom he has made dur- 
 ing his long residence in this portion of the 
 county will be i)leased to read this brief tribute to 
 so worthv a man as John O'Neill. 
 
 -^ 
 
 ' ACOl? H. HARK is a merchant and farmer of 
 Pittwood, JIartinlon Township, and is the 
 son of J. W. Hare, a native of the Keystone 
 State, who was born March 20, 1808. His 
 father, Witmer Hare, was born in Germany. The 
 father removed from Pennsylvania lo Ohio about 
 the year 1817, settling in Stark C'ount\-, then ii 
 wilderness. The grandfather was a mechanic and 
 worked at cabinet-making. .1. W. Hare grew to 
 manhood and married Lydia Hommoii, a resident 
 of Stark County, and a native of Penn.<ylvania. 
 After his marriage, he engaged in merchandising, 
 carrying on a country store for about five 3'ears. 
 He then located on a farm, and for a few years en- 
 gaged in agricultural pursuit*. In the fall of 1818, 
 he removed to Indiana, settling in Allen County, 
 where he opened up a farm in what w.is then a 
 wilderness. There he lived until 1885, when he 
 sold his propertj' and joined his son, our subject, 
 in Iroquois County, where he resided until called 
 away by death in November, 1889. During llie 
 last 3ears of his life he was blind. His wife still 
 survives him, a hale and hearty lady of eighty-one 
 years. She is now living with f)ur subject. 
 
 .luciili 11. Hare is the \oungest of two children. 
 
 His sister Barbara is the wife of (ieorge lliser, who 
 resides in .Mien County. Ind. He grew to man- 
 hood tin the farm, receiving good comlnon-school 
 advantages, and his education was completed at 
 the Ft. Wayne Seminary. After completing his 
 education he went on the road .as a traveling sales- 
 man. This he did for about five years, traveling 
 through Ohio. Indiana, Michigan and Iowa. 
 
 Mr. Hare was married at Lansing, Mich., on the 
 20th of February, 18(;2, to Miss Elizabeth C. 
 Keeler, who was born in Ohio, and grew to woman- 
 hood in Hancock County. She was a daughter of 
 Joseph Keeler. cif that State. Mrs. Hare departed 
 this life on the 12tli of July, 1882. Mr. Hare was 
 again married, in the fall of 188;5, this time to Miss 
 Lou Brandenburg, a native of this .State and county, 
 who was here reared and educated. She is a daugh- 
 ter of Knoch and Elizabeth Brandenburg. Their 
 home has licen blessed with two children. Floyd .1. 
 and Fay C. 
 
 In 186.3, Mr. Hare removed West to Illinois, and 
 settled in Ford County, near Cabery, purchasing a 
 piece of prairie land which he opened up, and on 
 which he made many improrements, including 
 buildings and fences. This land he farmed for 
 .several years, and then, having sold it, he removed 
 to Melvin, where he engaged in the drug and gro- 
 cery business for three \-ears. He then clerked for 
 some eight years for A. P. (iould. During his 
 residence at iNIelvin, he purchased a farm wiiich 
 was located in Middleport Township, in Iroquois 
 County. T'o this he removed in 1883, and has 
 since carried on farming here. He has a farm of 
 eighty-two acres of well-ciiltiTaled land, on .which 
 is a good residence, two good barns and two arte- 
 sian wells, which furnish abundance of water for 
 all purposes. On his farm is also a fine young 
 bearing orchard. In 1888, Mr. Hare bought out 
 and established business at Pittwood, and h.as en- 
 gaged in the mercantile line, carrying a fine stock 
 of groceries, clothing and notions. He has an ex- 
 tensive and well-established trade in tiiis locality. 
 In 1889, he removed to the village and now de- 
 votes his time to his business here and his farming 
 interest,". 
 
 Mr. Hare is a Ke[iulili(an. in iiolitics. tli<iiigh 
 casting his first ballot for Ste|ihen A. Douglas. He 
 
768 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 has since voted for llie nominees and principles of 
 tlie Republican party. Me has held a number of 
 local official positions of honor and trust, and has 
 fulfilled the duties of each with fidelity and credit. 
 For five consecutive years he served as Assessor of 
 Rogers Township, Ford Count}', and for four years 
 acted as Constable. He has always given his 
 hearty support to public schools and the interests 
 of general education, and has served as a member 
 of the School Board. For about thirty }-ears he 
 has been a resident of Illinois, and in both Ford 
 and Iroquois Counties is recognized as one of the 
 most enterprising and public-spirited of their citi- 
 zens. He is a man of sterling integritj-, and has 
 won for himself a wide circle of fi-iends. 
 
 )ENJA]MIN FRANKLIN WELCH, the \)op- 
 vv ular and widely-known host of the Welch 
 Hotel, who has carried on business in this 
 lino in Sheldon since 1889, is a native of 
 White County, Ind. He was born on the 13th of 
 October, 185G, and is a son of James and Priscilla 
 (Simons) Welch. His father was a farmer by oc- 
 cupation and foUovsed that business during the 
 greater part of iiis life. About 1840, he removed 
 to Indiana, and in the Hoosier State spent the re- 
 mainder of his days. He was twice married and 
 iiad a family of thirteen children, our subject be- 
 ing the youngest and the only child of the second 
 union. His parents are both now deceased. 
 
 Our subject spent the da.ys of his bo.yhood and 
 youth quietly in his parents' liome. lie received 
 his early education in the common schools and 
 afterward entered the Monticello College, from 
 wliicli he graduated. He has been a resident of 
 Sheldon since 1880, when, at the age of twent}^- 
 four years, he came to this place and embarked in 
 tlie restaurant business, which he followed success- 
 fully for about six j-ears, enjoying an excellent 
 patronage. He then determined to engage in 
 other pursuits, and, selling out, he opened the Welch 
 Hotel in 1889. He has since operated it and is do- 
 ing a prosperous business. The iiotel is very ad- 
 
 vantageousl}' situated near the intersection of the 
 Cincinnati, Chicago <fe St. Louis and the Toledo, 
 Peoria & Warsaw Railroads, and is kept open day 
 and night. It is a first-class hotel, complete in all 
 its appointments, and has found favor with the 
 traveling public. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Welch was celebrated 
 November 19, 1884, the lady of his choice being 
 Miss Nellie N. Luckey, daughter of John and Re- 
 becca Luckey, Iwth of whom were natives of Illi- 
 nois. By the union of the young eoiiple have 
 been born three children, two sous and a daughter, 
 as follows: Etta May, Charles Ray and Herchal 
 D., the babj' of the home. 
 
 In his social relations, Mr. AVelch is a member of 
 Paragon Lodge No. 339, K. P., and his polit- 
 ical sentiments accord with the principles of the 
 Democracy. He takes an active interest in public 
 affairs and is a progressive citizen who does all in 
 his power to aid in the upbuilding of the commun- 
 ity and the promotion of its worthy enterprises. 
 He has now made his home in Sheldon for twelve 
 years and is widelj^ and favorably known, and it is 
 with pleasure that we present to our readers this 
 record of his life, which has been well and worth- 
 ily s[)ent. 
 
 ) RADFORD J. WAKEMAN, proprietor of 
 v, the Rural Nursery of Chebanse, 111., has 
 spent his entire life in this State and is a 
 representative of one of its honored pioneer 
 families. He was born in Du Page County, on the 
 15th of January, 1840, and is the only child of 
 James C. and Mary P. (Kent) Wakeman, both of 
 whom were natives of the Empire State. When a 
 j'oung man, Mr. Wakeman came to the West and 
 enlisted in the Black Hawk War, as a member of 
 the Fifth New York Dragoons. In 1832, he went 
 to Chicago, when that large city contained only 
 three buildings. He was in the Government em- 
 ploy for three years and helped to make the survey 
 of Wisconsin up to Green Bay. Locating in Du 
 Page County, he took up Governmentland, and for 
 a terra taught the only school in Chicago and that 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1 1] 
 
 was kept in a log sehoolhouse. A year pievious to 
 this he was a sailor on the hakes. At length he 
 cultivated and improved his farm in l)u Page 
 County, and upon it reared his family and there 
 spent the remainder of his life. His death occurred 
 in 1875. Mr. Wakenian established a cemetery in 
 this county and purchased a tract of land in 1866. 
 His remains were interred in Evergreen Cemeter}'. 
 He was one of the lionored pioneers of lUinoisand 
 witnessed the growth of the State from a wilder- 
 nejiS to it.s position of prominence in the Union. lie 
 was married in l)u Page County to Miss Kent, 
 daughter of Trumbull Kent. Her death occurred 
 in 1843, after which Mr. AVakeman was a second 
 time married. 
 
 We now take up theper.sonal history of our sub- 
 ject, who was reared to manliood amid the wild 
 scenes of frontier life, spending the days of his 
 boyhood and youth upon his father's farm. He 
 remained at home until he had attained his m.ajority. 
 His education was acquired in the common .schools, 
 but his i)rivileges were quite limited. After the 
 breaking out of the late war, he responded to the 
 country's call for troops, enlisting in 1861 as a 
 member of Company B, Thirty-third Illinois In- 
 fantry. He served for a three-year term, and on 
 its expiration he enlisted as a veteran and con- 
 tinued as one of the defenders of the Old Flag 
 until after the clo.se of the war, when he was 
 honorably discharged in Springfield, November 
 15, 1865. He entered theservice as a private but 
 his bravery and meritorious conduct on the field of 
 battle won him promotion and he was mustered 
 out with the rank of JIajor. 
 
 Our subject participated in many important en- 
 gagements, including the battles of Frederickstown, 
 Pea Ridge, Little Rock, Cotton Plant. Ft. Esper- 
 anda, the Red River expedition, the battles of Ft. 
 Morgan, Spanish Fort, Ft. Blakely, Selma, Ala., anfl 
 the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson. He also met 
 the enemy in the engagements at Cham|)ion Hills, 
 Raymond, Port iJibson and Black River Bridge, 
 Miss. He received several Uesh wounds and car- 
 ries a number of honorable .scai-s. He was always 
 found at his post, faithful to his duty and to the 
 Stars and .Stripes. 
 
 U'lien the war was (jver, Mr. Wakcman returned 
 
 to his home in l)u Page County. Tlie following 
 year he came to Iroquois County and located in 
 Chebanse, where for aipiarter of a century he has 
 made his home. He is numl>ered amf>ng the early 
 settlers of this locality and has borne a prominent 
 part in its upbuilding and advancement. He 
 bought eighty- acres of raw prairie land adjoining 
 the corporation limits of this city, and thereon has 
 since made his home. With characteristic energy- 
 he began its development. He broke the land, 
 fenced it, erected good buildings and now has one 
 of the (inest improved places in this part of the 
 county. His home is a commodious and substan- 
 tial residence, there arc good barns and outbuild- 
 ings and the place presents a neat and attractive 
 appearance. Soon after locating here, Mr. Wake- 
 man set out nursery stock, and has since been ac- 
 tively engaged in operations in that line. The 
 entire place is now used as a nursery and he is now 
 doing an extensive and constantly increasing busi- 
 ness. He h.as several salesmen on the road taking 
 orders. 
 
 On tlie 2-lth of December, 1867, Mr. Wakcman 
 was united in marriage with Miss Ettie A. Root, a 
 native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and a daugli- 
 ter of Nathan Root, one of the early settlers of 
 this county. Five children have been born of 
 their union, the eldest of whom, Mary A., a young 
 lady, is successfully engaged in teaching, hav- 
 ing excellent ability in this direction; Lena E. is a 
 graduate from a .school of stenography and type- 
 writing; Grace M. is athome; George B.and Oliver 
 P. are still under the parental roof. The family 
 circle .yet remains unbroken and the children all 
 yet live at home. 
 
 Mr. Wakenian is identified willi the Ucpubliean 
 party, having been a stanch advocate of its prin- 
 ciples since he cast his first Presidential vote for 
 (ien. Grant. He has never been an a>piiant for the 
 honors or emoluments of public ollice, liut for two 
 years served as a member of the School Board and 
 the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. 
 He takes an active interest in everything pertain- 
 ing to the welfare of the community and does all 
 in his power for its upbuilding. Socially, he is a 
 member of Chebanse Post No. '2'Xi, (J. A. R., and 
 has been its Commander since it* organization. Mrs. 
 
770 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 
 
 Wakeman and four of the children hold member- 
 ship with tiie Metiiodist Episcopal Church of Che- 
 banse. This family is one of prominence in tlie 
 community and its members are widelj' and favor- 
 ably known. i\Ir. Wakeman is a man of ii[)riglit 
 cliaracter and sterling worth and has won universal 
 confidence and high esteem during his twenty-five 
 years' residence in tliis countv. 
 
 ]l IKAM W. LAWriEAU, a leading photogra- 
 
 ^ jiher of Onarga, who for twenty-six years 
 has successfully engaged in business in 
 this place, was born on the 4th of June, 
 1841, Holmes County', Ohio, being the place of his 
 birth. His parents, James and Jane (Boyd) I.aw- 
 liead, were also natives of the Buckeye State. 
 Their family numbered four children, three sons 
 and a daugiiter, namel_y: Amanda, Hiram W., Al- 
 ford and Robert. About 1844, James Lawhead 
 left Ohio, and, with his famil}', came to Iroquois 
 County, locating first in Middleport, where he 
 spent about a year. He then removed to the 
 country, settling near Plato, about eight miles 
 northwest of Watseka, and there engaged in the 
 practice of the medical profession, for he was a 
 physician a short time. His death occurred soon 
 afterward. A few 3'ears later, iiis widow became 
 the wife of Joseph Smith, a farmer residing near 
 AVatseka. After residing in that locality' for a few 
 years, tliey went to a farm near Sugar Island, 
 about eight miles south of Kankakee. B3' this 
 union was born one child, Samuel B. Smith. The 
 parents are both deceased. Mr. Smith depaited 
 this life in 1874, and Mrs. Smith was called to the 
 home beyond on the 4th of May, 187C. 
 
 Iliram W. Lawhead, whose name heads tliis rec- 
 ord, acquired his education in the common schools 
 of Illinois, for he was oidy about three years old 
 when his parents came to tliis State. When he 
 looked about him in elioice of a profession or oc- 
 cupation wliich lie wished to make his life work, 
 he determined to take up jihotography, and to fit 
 himself for the art he entereda gailery in Kanka- 
 kee. He sujjpleiueuted his study there by work iu 
 
 Chicago, after which he embarked in business for 
 himself. In 18(56, he came to Onarga, reaching 
 this place on the (Uli of June, and at once opened a 
 |)hotograph gallery. From the beginning, his tnide 
 has constantl3' increased until he now enjoysa lili- 
 eral patronage. 
 
 Mr. Lawhead is a member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and in his political atfiliations 
 is a Prohibitionist, The cause of temperance finds 
 in him a warm advocate and he votes with the 
 party which embodies his principles along that 
 line. He is a friend to all educational and moral 
 interests and is a valued citizen of the community, 
 giving his support to everything calculated to 
 prove of public benefit or promote the general 
 welfare. As an artist, he occupies a prominent 
 place. His work is all done in first-class style, and 
 by an earnest desire to please his customers, he has 
 built uj) an excellent business, which he well de- 
 serves. 
 
 r«l IMLLIE M. BOSWELL, a wide-awake and 
 \/\l/l enterprising young farmer of Onarga 
 ^^^ Township, has for many years been a resi- 
 dent of this county. He is a native of Indiana 
 his birth having occurred in Tippecanoe County, 
 on the 14th of March, 18.56. His parents areAVill- 
 iamA. and Elizabeth Boswell.and a sketch of their 
 lives is given elsewhere in this volume. He was 
 reared to manhood under the parental roof, liis 
 boyhood days being passed in his father's home. 
 He received good school privileges, being educated 
 in Grand Prairie Seminary of Onarga. 
 
 On the 25th of March, 1885, Mr. Boswell led 
 to the marriage altar Miss Fannie Mclntyro, of 
 this county, daughter of Leonard Mclntyre. 'I'hcir 
 union has been blessed with a family of two chil- 
 dren, a daughter and a son, namely': Pensce, born 
 September 28, 1886; and Clark on the 24th of 
 August, 1887. The Boswell household is a iios- 
 pitable one aud the |)arents being widely and 
 favorably known in tliis community rank high in 
 social circles. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 Mr. r.dswell now resides on a farm cnntaininjr 
 tliree hundred and twenty acres of land, and liis 
 liome is pleasantly situated about three and one- 
 li.ilf miles southwest of the villatre of Ouarga. lie 
 111 industrious and practical farmer and his place 
 iinder a high slate of cultivation, its wcll-lilled 
 lields and neat appearance in<licatin<r tlie supervi- 
 sion of a careful manager, such as AFr. Hoswell is 
 known to be. He is a public-sidriled and progres- 
 sive citizen, who manifests a commendable interest 
 in all that pertaius to the welfare of the community 
 and its upbuilding. 
 
 €>->;^<^ 
 
 'IL lUA.M VINTON CHOSSLAND, who is ex- 
 l| Jli tensively engaged in farming and stock- 
 /^^^ raising on section 28, Sheldon Township, 
 (^) is a native of this State, his birth having 
 occurred in !Marsiiall County, 111., on the 29th of 
 April, 1848. His parents, George and .lulia 
 (Feazel) Crossland, were both natives of Ohio. 
 About 18:58, they left their old home and emi- 
 grated Westwaid, locating in Marshall County. 
 On the discovery of gold in California, the fa- 
 ther, hoping to gain a fortune, went to the Pa 
 eifie Slope, but lost his life there about a year 
 later. In 1852, Mrs. Crossland was again married, 
 becoming the wife of Alfred Wright. She is still 
 a resident of Marshall County. By her first mar- 
 riage she had two children, but the elder is now 
 deceased. 
 
 The subject of this sketch w:ls reared to man- 
 hood in the count}- of his nativity. In its com- 
 mon schools he acquired his primary education, 
 which was supplemented by a collegiate course. 
 He has engaged in teaching for twenty-three 
 years during the winter season and is a capable 
 and successful instructor and highly educated 
 man, who keeps well informed on all the current 
 events of the day. In the. summer months he has 
 always followed farming, and was thus em|)loyed 
 in Marehall County for a number of yeai-s. 
 
 On the Ctli of April, 187(i, iMr. Crossland led to 
 the marriage altar .Mis.- Cynthia L. Broad<lus, a 
 native of Marshall Couiitv, aud a daughter of 
 
 Christo|)her and Minerva (Hail) Broaddus. Her 
 father was a native of Virginia. He was born in 
 the Old Dominion in 1819, and died in 1871. In 
 his youth, he .accpiired a liberal education and be- 
 came a surveyor by professif)n. He was a Demo- 
 crat, and was a man whom the people honored 
 and respected for his strict integrity and sterling 
 worth. He married Miss Hall, who was born in 
 the Buckeye State in the year 1828. She is yet 
 living at the age of sixlj'-four years, and now 
 makes her home in Champaign County, 111. I'nto 
 Mr. and Mrs. Broaddus was liorn a family of nine 
 children, two sons and seven daughters, of whom 
 six are yet living at this writing. Mrs. Cro.ssland, 
 of this sketch, is the eldest; and the other mem- 
 bers of the family are Helen, Jessica, Florence, 
 Marshall and Alice. Mi.s. Crossland was born in 
 Illinois, ]May 16, 1817, and spent her maiden days 
 under the parental roof in Marshall County, 
 acquiring a very good English education in the 
 ]>ublic schools. She has proved a valuable help- 
 mate to her husband, and is a lady of many excel- 
 lencies of character. By the union of our subject 
 and his wife have been born six children, but one 
 died in infancy. Two sons and three daughters 
 are yet living, namely: (ieorge Marshall, Cynthia 
 Vinton, Viola, Hiram Edward and .lulia Wright. 
 These are all yet under the parental roof. 
 
 In the winter of 1888, Mr. Crossland, accom- 
 panied b}- his family, left Marshall County and 
 came to Iroquois County, .settling in Sheldon 
 Township upon the farm which he has since made 
 his home. He there owns and 0|)erates two hun- 
 dred and forty acres of valuable land, and, in ad- 
 dition to this, owns three hundred and twenty 
 acres of farming land in Marshall County, which 
 is now. rented. His well-tilled lields yield a golden 
 tribute to his care and cultivation, and the neat 
 appearance of the |)lace indicates his thrift and 
 enterprise. .Mr. Ciossland has also engaged ex- 
 tensively in stock-raising and is numbered among 
 the prominent and progressive agriculturist-s of 
 the community. 
 
 Our subject and his wife are both members of 
 the Cniversalist Church, and Mrs. Cro.ssland is a 
 member of the Woman's Cliristiaii Temperance 
 Union in Sheldoji. Mr. Crossland is also a strong 
 
772 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 suppoi'ter of temperance principles and gives ex- 
 jiression to his views on tiiat subject IJ3' supporting 
 tlie rroliiliitiou party. lie lias held tlie ollice of 
 Road Commissioner for nine consecutive years, was 
 Collector one term and served as Assessor for one 
 term. He has ever discharged his public duties 
 with promptness and (idolity, proving an etiicient 
 ollicci'. He is a piiblicsspirited and progressive 
 citizen, who is ever found in the front ranks of 
 worthy enterprises calculated to promote the 
 general welfare, giving liberally of his time and 
 means to their support, lie has led an ii[)right, 
 honorable life and is highly esteemed throughout 
 the comraunit3'. 
 
 _^]_ 
 
 ^+^^- 
 
 ', ERD AVESSEL8, a representative farmer 
 II ^w) ^^ Crescent Township, residing on section 
 V^IJ 27, claims Germany as the land of his birth. 
 He was born in the county of Auricli, town of 
 Middels, Hanover, on the 18th of April, 1851, and 
 is a son of Frederick Wessels, who was also a na- 
 tive of the same locality. His father was a me- 
 chanic and worked in a brick yard, and also fol- 
 lowed fanning. The mother of our subject bore 
 the maiden name of Gesche Reinholz, and was 
 born in Iliinover. In 1869, Mr. Wessels emigrated 
 with his family to the New World and made his 
 lirst location in Washington, Tazewell County, 
 111., where he resided for a few years engaged in 
 fanning. He then came to Iroquois County, lo- 
 cating in Ashkiim Township, whore he spent two 
 jears. He is now living a retired life in Crescent 
 City. 
 
 Gerd Wessels, whose name heads this sketch, at- 
 tended the schools of his native land and for two 
 years was a student in an English school. He re- 
 mained at home until nineteen years of .age, when 
 with the family he emigrated to America. On the 
 2()tli of June, 1872, he was married to Miss Thede 
 Margaret Siebels, a native of Hanover, Germany, 
 and a daughter of David Siebels. When a maiden 
 of sixteen summers, she came to this country with 
 her father, who first located in Woodford County, 
 111, Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wessels has been born a 
 
 family of eight children, as follows: Sena, now 
 the wife of William Lubben; Anna, Minnie, Lena, 
 John, Frederick, William and Matilda. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Wessels rented land and 
 engaged in its operation for about nine years, when , 
 having accumulated some property, lie purchased 
 an eighty-acre farm, upon which he now resides. He 
 has built upon the place a substantial residence, 
 good barns and other necessary outbuildings, and 
 made many excellent improvements which stand 
 as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. He 
 has also purchased an additional tract of forty 
 acres, adjoining the first purchase, and the valu- 
 able farm of one hundred and twenty acres now 
 yields to him a golden tribute in return for the 
 care and cultivation he bestows upon the land. 
 
 For a quarter of a century. Mr. Wessels has been 
 a resident of this county and is now widely and 
 favorably known. In politics, he is a Democrat 
 on questions of State and National importance, but 
 at li)cal elections supports the man whom he 
 thinks best (pialified to lill the position, regardless 
 of party altiliations. Himself and wife are mem- 
 bers of the (lerman Lutheran Church of Schwer. 
 We see in Mr. We.ssels a self-made man, who started 
 out in life with no capital save a young man's 
 bright hope of the future and a determination to suc- 
 ceed. However, he has steadily worked his way 
 upward, and by his industry, jjer.severance and 
 good management has acquired a comfortable prop- 
 erty and is now numbered among the well-to-do 
 farmers of Crescent Township. 
 
 AZARU8 STEELY, one of the early settlers 
 of Iroquois County, was born near Chilli- 
 Jlii^ cothe, Ross County, Ohio, December 4, 
 1819, and is a son of David and Mary (Carothers) 
 Steely. At the age of twelve years, our subject 
 left his native State and went to Pickaway County, 
 Ohio, where he was reared on a farm (ind educated 
 in the common schools. In September of 1845, he 
 was married near La Fayette, Ind., to Miss Maria 
 Ermie. Mrs. Steely was born in Pennsylvania 
 and was a daughter of Christian Ermie. 
 

 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Mr. Steely engaged in farming in Inrlianfi until 
 tlie fall of 1853, when lie removed with his family 
 to Illinois, arriving in Middleport, Iroquois County, 
 on the 1st of September of that year. At that 
 place he located and engaged in the grocery busi- 
 ness and later in the manufacture of lumber. In 
 1888, Mr. Steely started in the grocery business at 
 Watseka. but was burned out in 18!t0, since which 
 time he has not been in .ictivc business. 
 
 Seven children were boru to Mr. and Mrs. Steel}-, 
 f)f whom four are living, three having passed away 
 in childhood. Those living are James A., who 
 married Louise Simms, and is nosv living in Ne- 
 braska; Hutli, now the wife of I ven Bailey, of 
 Watseka; Laura, who marrie<l Charles Fowler, of 
 Belmont Township, near Watseka; and Ida .M., the 
 wife of K. W. Bishop, a sketch of whom appeai-s 
 elsewhere in this work. 
 
 Jlrs. Steely departed this life on the *.>th of Sep- 
 tember, 1884. .She w.a.s a member of the Society 
 of Friends or of the Quaker Church, and was held 
 in high esteem. Her husband belonged to the same 
 denomination. Mr. Steely has been a Republican 
 the greater part of his life, but of late years has 
 identified himself with the Greenback party. He 
 still resides in Watseka, where he is much respected 
 by all who know him. 
 
 \]l^^ ON. ADDISON GOODELL, the senior mem- 
 
 d^^' vestment bankers of Loda, III., is one of 
 (^) the prominent citizens of this county. He 
 established business here in 185.5, and has since 
 been connected with the leading interests of this 
 community. As he is widely and favorably 
 known, we feel a.ssured that this record of his life 
 will be received with interest l)y many of our 
 readei-s. 
 
 ^Ir. Goodell w.as born near Mentor, Lake County, 
 Ohio, on the 16th of .Inly, 1822, and is the only 
 survivor of a family of three children, whose pa- 
 rents were Nathan I', and Hannah M. ((iriswold) 
 Goodell. The father and mother were liolh na- 
 
 tives of Windham County, Conn., whence they 
 removed to Ohio, where they were among the 
 first settlers in the Western Reserve, niiw included 
 in Lake County. Mr. Cioodell wtis a woolen manu- 
 facturer by trade, and jn connection with that 
 business he carried on farming and milling. Pub- 
 lic-spirited and energetic, he took a prominent 
 and active part in all that pert^iined to the welfare 
 of the community in which he made his home. 
 Politic.illy,he atliliated with the Whig, then with 
 the Free .Soil, and afterward with the Republican 
 party. Both he and his wife were members of the 
 Christian Church. Sidney Rigdon was p.astor of 
 the church to which they belonged, and when 
 Joseph Smith established the Mormon Church 
 there Rigdon succeeded in carrying all of his 
 church except Mr. and Mrs. Goodell over to the 
 Mormon Church. It was not uncommon for peo- 
 ple to receive written revelations from heaven in- 
 structing them what to do. One Orson Hyde re- 
 ceived such a communication, and in proof of the 
 fact exhibited it to ^Ir. Goodell, "ho in turn 
 showed him an exact copy of it. Seeing that :Mr. 
 Goodell was the author of the revelation, and 
 knowing where unto such would lead, Josei)h 
 Smith received a revelation that tlie earth would 
 drink Mr. Goodell 's blood within a year. As this 
 sounded rather ominous, the father of our subject 
 was glad to sell at a round price and move to 
 Painesville, Ohio, where he oper.ated the city flour- 
 ing mills until his death. He lived to the age of 
 seventy -six years, and his wife reached the age of 
 three-score years and ten. 
 
 Addison Goodell was reared upon his father's 
 farm in Nortliern Ohio, where, amidst the active 
 duties of farm life and in the district schools, he 
 laid the foundation of his future successful career. 
 .\fler leaving the common schools, he spent some 
 time in the Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary, 
 held in the old Mormon Temple at Kirkland.Ohio, 
 and conducted by the noted educator, Asa D. 
 Lord. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Goodell be- 
 gan teaching school, .\fter following this calling 
 f<u- four years in Ohio, he wiis attracted lo Loui.-*- 
 vWW, Ky., an<l in that city w.as employed for two 
 veai-s as a private instructor in the family of John 
 J. Crittenden. Returning to tlif Bucki'Vi- State, he 
 
 36 
 
776 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 then engaged extensively in the lumber trade, 
 making Painesville his headquarters. He owned 
 two vessels, one of which lie built, and which he 
 used ill carrying lumber from the ports of Michi- 
 gan, Ohio and Canada to markets in the East. 
 
 Disposing of his interest in the East, Mr. Goodell 
 came to Illinois in 1855, and in Jul3- of that j'car 
 located in Loda, where he again embarked in the 
 lumber trade. This business, however, was subse- 
 quently abandoned, as he became interested in the 
 real-estate business and in negotiating loans on 
 farm lands for Eastern capitalists. The following 
 j'ear he added the banking business. IMr. Goqdell 
 is a man widely acquainted throughout this State, 
 and wherever he is known his reputation for hon- 
 esty and fair dealing is above reproach. Capital- 
 ists having learned this, readily entrust their in- 
 terests with him, and ids business has grown until 
 now he handles more capital for other i)arties 
 than any other loan agency in Eastern Illinois. For 
 thiity-seven years Mr. Goodell has been a loan 
 and investment banker, and it is said of him by 
 one who lias been acquainted with his business 
 methods throughout these years, that during all 
 this time no investor lias lost a cent, nor has a single 
 borrower been oppressed, but on the contrary 
 many men in this region owe to his aid and en- 
 couragement the fact that to-day they own com- 
 fortable homes and are provided for life. But it 
 should not be thought that to financial interests 
 alone ]Mr. Goodell has given his time and atten- 
 tion. The interests of Loda, its churches, schools, 
 etc., have all received a share of his extended 
 liberality. 
 
 Before leaving Ohio, Mr. (ioodell was united in 
 marriage with IMiss Jane H., daughter of Sellick 
 and Mary \^. (Yates) Warren, their union lieing 
 celebrated May 21, 1850. The lad 3' was born in 
 Rensselaer County, N. Y., on the Kith of October, 
 1830, being one of a family of seven clii!dreii,of 
 whom four are still living. Her parents were 
 among the early settlers of Lake County, Ohio, 
 whither they removed in 1837, there spending the 
 remainder of their lives. LTnto Mr. and Mrs. 
 (ioodell were born seven children, three of whom 
 died in infancy. Those living are Frances M., 
 U';irien S,. Natlian P. and Bertha G. Frances is 
 
 the wife of W. J. Strong, an attorney-at-law of 
 Chicago. Warren is the junior member of the firm 
 of A. (Goodell & Son. Like his father, he is a man 
 of splendid business abilit}-, and for a number of 
 years has had the active charge of the business in- 
 terests of tiie firm, with wliicli he is conversant in 
 every detail. He prepared for college in the boys' 
 academy at Alban}-, N. Y'., but failing health caused 
 him to abandon the idea of taking a collegiate 
 course. To regain his strength and broaden his 
 mind by contact with other countries and people, 
 he spent a year traveling in Europe. Upon his 
 return, he pursued a course in a commercial col- 
 lege, and then became an assistant in his father's 
 office. In 1877, he was admitted to partnership, 
 the firm assuming the style above given. For a 
 wife he chose Miss Luc^' M. Wendland, of Helena, 
 Ark., and they have a pleasant home in Loda. 
 Nathan 1'., the younger son, fitted himself for col- 
 lege at Greylock Institute, Williamstown, Ma.ss., 
 and in 1888 graduated from the Illinois State 
 University at Champaign. Subsequenth', he read 
 law with Cratl3' Bros. & Ashcraft, of Chicago, and 
 with .]. H. Moft'ett, of Paxton, 111. Upon examina- 
 tion, he was admitted to the Bar in September, 
 1891, receiving one of the highest grades in the 
 class. He is now attoriie}' for the firm of A. 
 Goodell & Son, making a specialty of the examina- 
 tion of titles. 
 
 Mr. Goodell has witnessed and largely aided in 
 the development of this part of the State. When 
 he located at Loda, the surrounding country was a 
 vast prairie, upon which scarcely an improvement 
 had been made. There was a small settlement at 
 Loda, but every so-called house was filled to its 
 utmost capacity. Not able to get board in the 
 neighborhood, he was obliged to take his meals in 
 Chicago. Coining out in the morning with a 
 lunch in his pocket, he would work all da.y and re- 
 turn at night. But the country has develojied 
 rapidly, and it is not too much to say that Mr. 
 Goodell's growth, financiall}' and otherwise, has 
 been commensurate with that of the country. 
 Politically, he is a Republican. He received his 
 political education from such men as .losliua R. 
 Giddings, Ben Wade and Thomas Corwin. Im- 
 bued with their pf)litical ideas, when the Hepub- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 777 
 
 lican party was formed to prevent the further ex- 
 tension of slavery, he at once joined its ranks. 
 Prior to coming to Illinois, Mr. CoodcU had never 
 voted for any Congressman except Jlr. Giddings, 
 and hy his first Congressional vote after reacliing 
 this State he supported Owen Lovejoy, a more 
 radical Abolitionist. 
 
 Mr. Goodell lias never sought the honors or 
 eniolunu'nt.s of otlice, but his fellow-citizens, recog- 
 nizing his ability and trustworthiness, have called 
 upon him to fill important political positions. In 
 l.HGl, he W.1S elected to represent his county in 
 the State Legislature. That was one of the most 
 stormy as well as one of the most imporUmt gen- 
 eral assemblies ever convened in the State. In 
 1870, he was chosen by the voice of the ])eople as 
 a member of the Illinois Constitutional Conven- 
 tion, and how abl\- the men of that assemblage 
 performed their work is told by our present con- 
 stitution, .'^gain, in 1871 and 1872, he was called 
 upon to represent Iroquois County. Besides this, 
 he h.as filled a number of local otlices. In every 
 pulilic position, he h.is .served the people accept- 
 ably, and has ever received the highest encomiums 
 from his constituents. But it is in business affairs 
 that Mr. (Joodell is a Napoleon, as his remarkably 
 successful career well illustrates. His course has 
 ever been marked by honesty, not because honesty 
 is the best polic}', but because it is right. It would 
 be next to impossible to find another man in the 
 State who has done so extensive a loan busines-s as 
 Mr. Goodell, and who retains the universal good- 
 will of those with whom he has had business 
 transactions. 
 
 BSALOI^I .1. WAHHICK, a highly respected 
 citizen of Sheldon, who is now manager 
 of the Farmers' Elevator, was born on the 
 28th of November, 1810, in Fountain 
 County, I nd. He is a son of Samuel and Delia 
 (.lenkins) Warrick, both of whom were natives of 
 Oiiio. The father was bom .lune 17. 181 1, and 
 removed to Indiana in 1838. After fifteen years' 
 residence in the Hoosier .State, he came to Illinois 
 
 in 1853, and cast his lot amid the earl3' settlers of 
 Iroquois County. He is a carpenter by trade and 
 followed that occupation in pursuit of fortune un- 
 til coming to this county, since which time he has 
 been engaged in farming. Mr. Warrick has been 
 thrice married. Of the four children born of the 
 lirsl union, our subject is the third in order of 
 birth and the oidy one now living. Nine children 
 were born of the second marriage and a family of 
 three graced the third. The Warricks come of a 
 long-lived ancestry. Samuel Warrick, the grand- 
 father of our subject, was a native of New York, 
 and reached the ripe old age of eiglit3-five years. 
 
 In the usual manner of farmer lads the subject 
 of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood and 
 3'outli. He was only thirteen years of age when 
 he came to this county. His e<Uication was ac- 
 quired in the common schools, and he remained at 
 home until he had attained his majority, when he 
 started out in life for himself. lie embarked in 
 farming and followed that occupation continu- 
 ously until his removal to Sheldon. He was a 
 successful agriculturist and a man of good busi- 
 ness ability. 
 
 In January, 18<)2, Mr. Warrick married Miss 
 Cynthia Ik)agland, daughter of Charles Hoagland, 
 a native of Ohio. Unto them was born a family 
 of four children, as follows: .lohn A., the eldest, 
 is a resident of Warren County, III. He is a well- 
 educated gentleman who now follows the profes- 
 sion of teaching, being employed a.s Principal of 
 the Hosevillc schools. He was united in marriage 
 with Miss Charity Cobb, a native of Indiana, and 
 unto them have been born two children, both 
 daughters: IMadie and .Stella. Addie, the second 
 of the Warrick family, is the widow of John N. 
 Cobb, and resides in Middlcport Township, this 
 county. By her marriage she became the mother 
 iif three children: Pearl, Robert H. and Jessie. 
 Mattie is now deceased. Maggie, who completes 
 the faniil3', makes her home under the parental 
 roof. .She has been one of the successful teachers 
 of Iroquois County, but is now attending school, 
 being a student in \'alparaiso College. The famllj' 
 is one of prominence in the coinmunity, and its 
 memliers. who are widely and favorably known, 
 rank hi!.'h in Ihcsini.'d circles in wliich tliev move. 
 
778 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Since his removal to Sheldon in 1892, Mr. AVar- 
 rick has Iwen the erticient maiiagor of tlie Farmers' 
 Elevator, and has conducted the business to the 
 satisfaction of all concerned. In politics, he is a 
 supporter of Democratic principles, and socially, 
 lie is a nieraher of the Masonic fraternity and holds 
 the olHce of Secretary in the lodge to whicli he 
 belongs. He is an honored and respected citizen 
 of the community, ever found in tlie front rank 
 of any enterprise calculated to prove of public 
 benefit. His life has been well and worthily passed, 
 and his honorable career has won him the confi- 
 dence and good-will of all with whom he has been 
 brought in contact. 
 
 ERJMAN (,'LASSEN is a retired farmer and 
 well-known merchant of Dnnforth. He was 
 born in Hanover, German}', on the 4th of 
 January, 1827, and is a .son of Clnus F. 
 and Elbe (Herman) Classen, both likewise of Han- 
 over. The father was a farmer and spent his entire 
 life in the Fatherland. He died at the advanced 
 age of eighty-four years, and his wife departed tiiis 
 life when sixty-five years of age. 
 
 Our subject's early life was passed on the home 
 farm, engaged in assisting his father and in receiv- 
 ing such education as might be obtained in the 
 common scliools. Desiring to seek his livelihood 
 in the New AVorld, ho started from Bremen in 
 the 3-ear 1854, taking passage in a sailing-vessel, 
 which was bound for New Orleans. The voyage, 
 which was of ten weeks' duration, was not a very 
 pleasant one, as they experienced a great deal of 
 very severe weatiier and high seas, and in addition 
 to this there was much sickness on hoard the ship. 
 During the trip, thirty-one deaths occurred among 
 the passengers, but the siiip finally arrived safely at 
 its destination on the 4th of July, lis.")l. i\Ir. 
 Classen was one of quite a comi)any wIki came from 
 tlie same neighborhood in the Fatherland. There 
 wore about seventy-five persons, all friends and 
 neighbors, in the colony. From New Orleans, 
 thoy proceeded up the Mississippi first to St. Louis 
 and from there to Pekin, 111,, where they nearly 
 
 all located. Our subject went with the other 
 membeis of tlie company aii(l st:uti'd to work in 
 the city at daj' labor or any other honest means 
 of obtaining a livelihood which came to hand. At 
 the end of about two years, with his carefully 
 saved earnings he purchased several wagons and 
 horses and engaged in the freighting and teaming 
 business. He also rented some land and carried (ni 
 farming to some extent for nearly five years, year 
 by year increasing his property and farming on a 
 more extensive scale. In r8fiO,he went to Woo<l- 
 ford County, where he purch.ised a farm and ran 
 it for about throe years. He then traded that 
 property for a store building and an hotel in 
 Washington and removed to that place in the 
 spring of 1864, For the succeeding eight years, 
 he engaged in merclmndising and in the hotel busi- 
 ness, in both of which lines he w.as quite successful. 
 In the meantime, he had purchased land in Daii- 
 fortli Township and was the first of the German 
 settlers to own property here. His first purchase 
 consisted of a quarter-section. After he had dis- 
 posed of his Washington property, which was in 
 1871, he removed to Dan forth and located on a 
 farm near that of Remmer Eden, On this farm he 
 made his home for about three years and then 
 rented it and removed to t-lie village of Danforth. 
 He engaged in merchandising and was an active 
 business man for several years. He has also dealt 
 quite extensively in real estate and bought and 
 sold a large number of farms in Danforth and 
 Ashkum Townships, At the present time, he is the 
 owner of a number of farms, consisting of over one 
 thousand acres, all valuable and well-improved 
 tracts, 
 
 Mr, Classen married in Hanover Talka Smith, 
 who was a native of that city, Tlieir union was 
 celebrated in the year 18.52, and to them were born 
 two chihlren: Lena, now living in Kankakee, and 
 Ciiarles, a merch.int of D.anforth, whose sketch is 
 found on another page of this volume, Mrs. 
 Classen departed this life January 25, 1892, after 
 fort}' 3'ears of happy wedded life, and her death 
 was deeply mourned b\' many friends as well as 
 by her immediate family. 
 
 Mr. Classen has always taken an .active part in 
 politics and uses iiis right of franchise in favor of 
 
R)RTI{AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the Deinoc-ratie party in all natioii.-il issuer. His 
 first ballot was cast for Jami-s Huc-lianan, and he 
 has since been a supporter of every nominee of his 
 party. In local elections, he prefers to rleposit his 
 vote for the man best fitted to fill the i)0»ition, re- 
 gardless of i)arty ties. Mr. Classen has never 
 asked for or accepted oflice at the hands of liis 
 friends and neighbors, as he has preferred to turn 
 his whole attention to his business interests. He 
 has been a resident of Illinois for thirty-eight 
 years and has made his home in this county for the 
 past twenty-one years. During his long residence 
 in this section, he has won the confidence and es- 
 teem of all, which he has well deserved b\" his up- 
 right life and honorable career. He commenced 
 his life in the New World without ca|)itftl with the 
 exception of willing hands and natural business 
 ability and tliriftiness, and has through his well- 
 directed efforts, enterprise and perseverance accu- 
 mulated a fortune and is to-day one of the large 
 l.Tnd-holders of the counlv. 
 
 
 C. SIK)RTHIDf;K, Court Slenoijrapher of 
 '' the Thirteenth .ludicial Circuit of Illinois. 
 
 w 
 
 residing in Sheldon, 111., was born in Henry 
 Count^', Ind., March 18, 18.34. His parents were 
 Elisha and F^sther (Crumb) Shorlridge, the former a 
 native of Kentucky, and the latter of Pennsylvania. 
 On the paternal side the family is of Welsh descent. 
 The grandfather w.as a native of Wales, and in 
 Colonial days emigrated to America. He served in 
 the Revolutionary War, aiding the Colonies in their 
 struggle for independence. 
 
 Mr. Shortridge, wliose name heads this record, 
 is the j'oungest in a family of eleven children, 
 three of whom are now, with the mother, still liv- 
 ing. He attended the common schools during his 
 early youth, and completed his education in lieth- 
 an}' College, Va., at the age of twenty years. He 
 was now ready to enter upon his business career, 
 and in 18.56 he secured employment with the Amer- 
 ican Express Company, in the western division, 
 with headquarters at Chicago, which position he 
 
 held for four years. In 18C0 he was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Mollie Grim, daughter of .Jesse Grim, 
 a native of Pennsylvania. 
 
 The same year of his marriage .Mr. Shortridge 
 secured a position .is commercial repr>rter on the 
 Chicago TrihuM, and thus served until after the 
 breaking out of ttie late war. The blood of a Rev- 
 olutionary and 1812 soldier ran in his veins, and 
 prompted b3' patriotic impulses be responded to 
 the call for troops, enlisting as a member of Com- 
 pany I, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois In- 
 fantry (Third Board of Trade of Chicag<i), in w hich 
 he served until the close of the war. He partici- 
 pated in the battles along the Mississippi River, 
 until that great waterway was cleared of all ob- 
 structions, !»nd the interior of the States adjoining 
 it submitted Uj the law as declared by the Consti- 
 tution. He was in active service the greater part 
 of the term. He received his discharge on the ■20th 
 of June, 186.0. In the meantime he had been pro- 
 moted from a private to the rank of Second Lieu- 
 tenant, and served in that cap.acity duiing the last 
 fourteen months in which he was in the army. 
 
 After being discharged from the army Mr. Short- 
 ridge returned to his home and engaged in teach- 
 ing school a part of the time until 1868. During 
 that time he was a sufferer from hemorrhage of 
 the lungs, resulting from his armj- service. While 
 at the front he .acfiuired a knowledge of shorthand, 
 and in the autumn of 186H commenced an engage- 
 ment as a shorthand reporter. To this work he 
 has since devoted his time and attention, and is 
 now one of the official reporters of this district. 
 He has much natural ability in this direction, and 
 IS a very rapid and accurate writer. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Shortridge have f>een born 
 three children, a son and two daughters: Ida, now 
 the wife of .1. E. Crandall, who is President of the 
 First National Hank of .Johnson City. Tenn.; and 
 Nettie and Paul. The latter two children are 
 holding positions in the same bank in .lohiistjn 
 City, Tenn. Our subject and his wife arc highly 
 respected citizens of this community, their many 
 excellencies f)f character having won them a large 
 circle of friends and acquaintances. In his politi- 
 cal affiliations, .Mr. Shortridge is a Republican, hav- 
 ing voted with that party since he attained his 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 majority. Socially he is a member of the Masonic 
 fraternity, and also belongs to the Grand Army of 
 the Republic and Patriotic Order of Sons of Amer- 
 ica. He is a pul)lic-spirited and progressive citi- 
 zen, who takes an active interest in all that pertains 
 to the welfare of the community, and does all in 
 his power to aid in the promotion of tliose enter- 
 prises calculated to prove of public benefit. We 
 take pleasure in presenting to our readers tliis brief 
 history of his life. 
 
 ^Tp^\EV. JAMES PARKER FORSYTH, a min- 
 llWr^ ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
 '^\ now living a retired life in Sheldon, was born 
 \^ in Shippensburgh, Cumberland County, 
 Pa., March 12, 1830, and is the youngest of a fam- 
 ily of six children, four of whom are yet living. 
 The father, John Forsyth, was born near Abei'- 
 deen, Scotland, in 1797, and at the age of nine- 
 teen crossed the broad Atlantic to America, locat- 
 ing in Penns3'lvania, where lie spent the re- 
 mainder of his life. He was a contractor in min- 
 ing and railroading, and was a successful business 
 man. He married Ruth McKnight, a native of 
 Pennsylvania, whose death occurred in 1842. He 
 died on the old homestead, in the Keystone State, 
 in 1849. 
 
 At eighteen, Mr. Forsyth left home to make 
 his own way in the world. He went to tlie west- 
 ern part of Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, 
 where he received an academic education, and 
 on tue 6th of February, 1854, in that eountyt 
 was united in marriage with Miss Rosanna E., 
 daughter of Jacob and Mary Mechling. She is a 
 native of the Ke3stone State, as were her parents. 
 Two children were born of this union: Emma J., 
 now deceased; and Anna Dora, now the wife of 
 William L.McCloud, a resident of Sheldon. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Forsyth spent the first two years of liis 
 married life in Vinton County, Ohio. For a year 
 he engaged in the manufacture of charcoal, and 
 the second year was assistant manager of the iron 
 works owned by Stanley Bentley & Co. After 
 two years he emigrated to Illinois, locating in 
 
 Rock Island County in 1856. He there purchased 
 land and engaged in farming daring the summer 
 months, while during the winter seasons he taught 
 school until the fall of 1863. Mr. Forsyth had 
 united with the Methodist Episcopal Cluuch when 
 nineteen years of age in tlie cit3' of Cumberland, 
 Md., and was licensed to preach in 1858, when 
 twenty-eight years of age. In 1863, he joined the 
 Central Illinois Conference, and his first appoint- 
 ment was the Essex and Round Grove Circuit, of 
 which he had charge for two years. That em- 
 braced portions of the counties of Kankakee, Will 
 and Ford. He then had charge of the churches 
 in Chatsworth and Forest for two years, and, dur- 
 ing the latter year, succeeded in securing funds 
 for the erection of the present Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church in Forest. In 1866, special efforts 
 were made throughout the Metiiodist Church to 
 raise funds for educational purposes, for this was 
 the centennial year of American Methodism. Rev. 
 Mr. Forsyth was appointed as agent by the Board 
 of Trustees to secure money for Grand Prairie Semi- 
 nary, and a fund of $22,000 was obtained. He 
 not only secured the money, but also made many 
 friends for the institution which he represented. 
 In the fall of 1867, he removed to Watseka, and 
 was pastor of the church at that place for a year. 
 His services there were blessed in building up tlie 
 church and increasing its meinbersliip and also in 
 securing the friendshi[.' of man^' of its citizens. 
 His congregation requested him to continue longer 
 in Watseka, but he thought his work there was 
 done, and took charge of the churches in Loda 
 and Buciiley. He built a parsonage in Loda and 
 carried much of the lumber upon his back. In 
 1870, he returned to Watseka, where he remaineil 
 one year, and during that time was appointed 
 financial agent for the Grand Prairie Seminary of 
 Onarga. In 1880, he removed to Sheldon, but in 
 the autumn of 1881 was made presiding elder of 
 the Kewanee district. Failing health compelled 
 him at the end of two years to enter the superan- 
 nuated list, and in 1883 he returned to Sheldon, 
 where he has resided continuously^ since. 
 
 When Rev. Mr. Forsyth retired from work, a res- 
 olution was passed which stated that whatever the 
 church had asked him to do was done well. He 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 781 
 
 lias been actively engaged the greater part of his 
 life in ministerial work. His career has been a 
 busy and useful one, and both by example and 
 precept has he led inany to walk in the true way. 
 His life has been indeed well and worthily jiassed, 
 and wherever he has gone he has won many 
 friends who will ever hold him in kindly remem- 
 brance. He is one of Nature's nol)lemen. and it 
 is with i)leasure that we present to our readers 
 this record of his life. 
 
 
 ?♦**+= 
 
 ; DWARI) B. .lONKS is a hardware dealer of 
 Thawville and a prominent business man 
 of the place, who has been connected with 
 lis mercantile interests for a number of yeais. He 
 was born in New York City on the 2yth of 
 October, 1843. and is a son of William and Ann 
 Cecelia (Davis) .Tones. His parents were both na- 
 tives of Wales but in early childhood came to 
 America, crossing the Atlantic when about ten 
 vears of age. They were married in this country 
 and became parents of two children: Ann .Matilda 
 and Edward B. The father was lost at sea in 
 1847. and the mother, who long survived him, 
 died in 1876. The maternal grandparents of our 
 subject, who were also natives of Wales, came to 
 this country as early as 1833. and, locating in New 
 York City, the grandfather established a boot and 
 shoe store on the Bowery, where he continued busi- 
 ness for a number of years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch acquired liis education 
 in the schools of his native city and afterward 
 learned the hatter's trade, which he followed as a 
 means of livelihood until after the breaking out 
 of the late war, when, prompted by patriotic im- 
 pulses, he responded to the country's call for 
 troops in 1862. He was assigned to Company A, 
 Twentieth Connecticut Infantry, and faithfully 
 and valiantly served until the close of the war, 
 when, his services being no longer needed, he was 
 honorably discharged and returned to his home. 
 
 Mr. .lones then located in Jersey City, N. J., 
 and ran an express wagon from New York City to 
 Jersey City Heightii for aliout two years. He was 
 
 next employed in .SteveIl^' Battery Yard for 
 about two years or more. At length he determined 
 to come to the West and in 1871 made his way to 
 this State. For about three ye.ars he was employed 
 upon a farm near Onarga, 111. In the meantime 
 he was married. On the 2d of October, 1873. he 
 «as joined in wedlock with Miss Emma Hall, 
 daughter of Bishop and .Maria (Pangborn) Hall, of 
 Onarga Township. Their union has been blessed 
 with four children, two sons and two daughters: 
 William Hall, Lillian, Sarah and Edward B. 
 
 On leaving the farm. Mr. Jones removed to 
 Onarga and learned the tinner's trade. In 1882, 
 he removed to Del Key, where he established a 
 hardware and tin store, carrying on operations in 
 that line for a year, when he bought out a store in 
 Thawville and moved his Del Hey stock to this 
 place. Since that time he has resided continuously 
 in this place and carried on business as a hardware 
 merchant. He has a full and complete line of tin- 
 ware and heavy and shelf hardware, and is doing 
 a good business. 
 
 In his political atliliations, Mr. Jones is a Demo- 
 crat, but has never been an ollice-seeker; in fact, 
 has rather avoided oflice than sought it. However, 
 he served his fellow-townsmen for two years as 
 Town Clerk, and was also Postmaster of Thawville 
 for a term of two years. He is a man of good 
 business and executive ability, industrious and en- 
 terprising, and has achieved a well-merited success. 
 He is also a highly respected and valued citizen, 
 and his aid is never witheld from any interest cal- 
 culated to upbuild or benefit the community. 
 
 y-lLL A. CROOKS, formerly the genial ed- 
 itor and proprietor of the AVh- Era, of (iil- 
 man, needs no introduction to the people 
 of that vicinity, for he is a nativ* of Oilman, his 
 birth having occurred there on the. 30th of Jan- 
 uary, 1871. Though he h.a.s just reached hi> ma- 
 jority, his experience is much more extended than 
 is common to young men of his age. His educa- 
 tion was acquired in the (iilman schools, in which 
 
782 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he completed a course of study. Having spent 
 two terms in the pulilic schools of Iroquois County 
 as a teacher, he next turned his attention to other 
 pursuits. .loiunalisin had always had an especial 
 attraction for him, and while 3'et a school boy he 
 procured an amateur outfit and learned something 
 of the printing business. His first effort in the 
 direction of publication was the Agassiz Associa- 
 tion Bulletin, a paper devoted to scientific suljjects, 
 whose circulation he worked up to over four iiun- 
 dred. His next undertaking was the publication 
 of a directoiy giving the names and addresses of 
 ornithologists, zoologists and taxidermists of North 
 America, which reached its second edition. In 
 January, 18'J2, he established the Danforth Neivs, 
 and in .June following engaged in publishing the 
 Neil-' Era, at Gilinan, a bright, newsy, seven-column 
 folio, which ranked well in comparison with the 
 leading local papers of tiie State. As its .young 
 editor is a Republican in principles, the political 
 cast of the paper may be readily inferred. His 
 venture in Oilman having failed to be a financial 
 success, he moved his business to North Kankakee 
 about the 1st of December, 1892, where he hopes 
 to be able to meet with better success in money 
 matters. Mr. Crooks is a wide-awake, energetic 
 and intellectual young man, and with time and 
 experience it is safe to predict he will make his 
 mark in the line of his chosen calling. He is very 
 popular and has a wide circle of friends and ac- 
 quaintances. 
 
 I>'^^<^ 
 
 S,> HARLi:S BROAVN is a well-known farmer 
 residing on section 7, Chebanse Townsiiip. 
 He is a native of Canada and was born in 
 Dalhousie, Lanark County, on the 4th of August, 
 1852. He is a son of .John Brown, who was born 
 in Scotland in December, 1810, and emigrated to 
 Canada witii his 'father, Charles Brown, in 1820, 
 At that, time the countr}' was a vast wilderness, 
 and they and a few others made a settlement in 
 the forest fifteen miles from any habitation. There 
 the father grew to manhood and was early inured 
 to the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. 
 
 He there married Elizabeth Dobbie and engaged 
 in agricultural pursuits for a number of j'ears, but 
 as that county was not adapted to farming he 
 emigrated to Illinois in 1868 and settled in Iro- 
 quois County, on the farm where his son now re- 
 sides. He bought a tract of one iiundred and 
 sixty acres wiiieh was partially improved and had 
 upon it a small house. This farm he proceeded to 
 develop and was quite successful in his efforts. In 
 188.3, he removed to Herscher, 111., and resided 
 there for about three years. He is now retired 
 from the active duties of farm life and is passing 
 his remaining years in Chebanse. Mr. Brown has 
 been twice married, his first wife departing this 
 life on the 19th of December, 1884. 
 
 Charles Brown is one of a family of four sous 
 and four daughters, who grew to mature years and 
 are all now living. He came to this State and 
 county when a young man of seventeen. He had 
 received good educational advantages in Canada 
 and also attended school here during a few winter 
 terms. He remained with his father until he 
 reached his majority and then started in life for 
 himself. Purchasing a team, he then reuted land 
 here on which he raised two crops. He next went 
 to Kansas and bought land in Sedgwick County, 
 near Witchita. This tract was raw prairie land, 
 and this he held for about two years, after which 
 he sold at a fair price. He bought land near Shel- 
 don, 111., where he carried on agricultural pursuits 
 for some three years and then rented the old 
 homestead for some time, after which he sold 
 his property near Sheldon and purchased the 
 homestead in 1887. He has a valuable farm of 
 one hundred and sixty acres, all fertile and arable 
 land. It is located three miles from Clifton and 
 the same distance from Ashkum. It is a most de- 
 sirable piece of property and one of the best in the 
 county. He started to make his way in the world 
 without capital and has by his own labor and en- 
 terprise acquired a good property and home and a 
 comfortable competence. He is one of the thrifty 
 and well-to-do farmers of the county and has made 
 many friends during his long residence in tiiis 
 section. He is considered a man of integrity and 
 upright character and is widely aud favorably 
 known. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ■S3 
 
 On the 22d of Jnnuary, 1880, Mr. Brown was 
 united iu marriage with Miss Clarissa M. White, 
 tiie ceremony being performed in this county. 
 Mrs. Brown is a native of Enghind and grew to 
 womanhood and was educated in Illinois. .She is 
 a daughter of Thomas White, now deceased. Four 
 children of this worthy cou[)le are now living: 
 .lolin David, Clifford Thomas, Charles Le Roy and 
 Haymond. They also lost one daughter, Mary 
 Mahcl, wild died at the age of four years. 
 
 Mr. Brown was formerly identified with the Re- 
 publican party but of recent years has been an 
 advocate of the Democracy. He has never asked 
 for ollicial positions nor has he accepted the same, 
 preferring to give his sole attention to his business, 
 lie is an interested friend of education, and ever 
 does all in his power to advance the best interests 
 and insure the prosperity of the community in 
 which he dwells. His duties of citizenship are al- 
 w.ays faithfully discharged, and to every measure 
 calculated to benefit the people, either sociallj', 
 morally or politically, he lends his active support. 
 
 Xavia Coulomb, was a ship-builder by trade, and 
 was drowned in the St. Lawrence River, when the 
 father of our subject was a young child. After 
 the death of the grandfather, his widow and her 
 son removed to Kankakee, living in the vicinity 
 of L'P^rable until his mother's death. The father 
 of our subject, Frank Coulomb, was twice married. 
 Miss B.asse being his first wife, and unto them two 
 cliildren, Frank and Pomilia, were born. The 
 mother of these children died in the spring of 
 IH.j'J, and in 1861 Mr. Coulomb married Miss 
 Mary Duraiid, a native of St. John's, New Bruns- 
 wick. Two children graced this union, our sub- 
 ject and a daughter, Nellie II. The parents emi- 
 grated to the Lnited States about the year 1858, 
 locating in Kankakee, III., where they became ac- 
 quainted and were married. The father of the 
 
 lady, Peter Durand, was a thrifty farmer and 
 accumulated considerable property. His death oc- 
 curred in L'Fiable in tlie year 1888, he having 
 attained tlie three-score and ten years allotted to 
 man. His wife departed tliis life some ten years 
 previously. After a residence of about a year in 
 Kankakee, the father of our subject removed to 
 L'Erable, where he arrived in the spring of 1861. 
 Fpr about two years, lie carried on a blacksmith 
 shop, and in the fall of 1863 went to Danville, 
 where, on the 9th of August, 1861, he met his 
 death in a sfiwniill. After her husband's death, 
 Mrs. Coulomb returned to L'Krablc, where she 
 reared and educated her children. In 187((, she 
 was again married, becoming the wife of Isaac 
 .larvis. Two daughters, Georgia and Edwardina, 
 have been born of their union. Mrs. .Jarvis is still 
 living on a farm near L'Erablc. 
 
 Basil F. Coulomb, whose name heads this record, 
 received a good common-school education, but 
 was obliged to enter upon the serious duties of 
 life at .an early age. This prevented liim pursuing 
 a collegiate course. He learned the bl.acksmith 
 and wagon-maker's trade when a lad and carried 
 on the dual business at L'Erable for about three 
 years. On the expiration of this period, he sold 
 his shop and removed to Clifton, arriving here in 
 1886. He at once proceeded to establish a smithy 
 and wagon f.actory, and now has one of the best- 
 appointed shops to be found in any country town 
 in Illinois. His industry and frugalitv have been 
 rewarded with signal success, and he has built up 
 an excellent trade, is the possessor of a pleasant 
 home and five lots in Clifton. 
 
 On the 2d of February, 1884, Mr. Coulomb led 
 to the marriage altar Miss Mary D. Cailteux. 
 daughter of Francis and Mary (Eusctt) Cailteux. 
 I'nto this worthy couple has been born a family 
 of four children: Edna, Frank. William and Her- 
 man. 
 
 Mr. Coulomb is a prominent citizen of the com- 
 munity. He is now serving the second term as a 
 member of the \'illage Board of Trustees and has 
 given good satisfaction to all concerned in the 
 discharge of his oflicial duties. In politics, he is 
 not atliliatcd with any party, being independent, 
 as he prefers to cast his ballot for tlie one who in 
 
^84 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his estinintioii is best fitted for the position. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Coulomb .are members of the Catholic 
 Churcli, :in<l are much cstoiMiicd citizens of this 
 communitv. 
 
 RRAM llOCLK, one «( llic honored pio- 
 neoi'S of the county, :uh1 a prominent and 
 highly respected citizen, wlio is now liv- 
 (<^ ing a retired life on his farm on section 
 
 12, Concord Township, where ho owns one hun- 
 dred and fifty acres of land, is a native of Ohio, 
 lie was born in Coshocton County, June 4, 1831, 
 anil is a hoii of Michael and Rebecca (Noble) 
 llogU'. 1 1 is paternal L;i-Mnd|)arents were natives of 
 Holland, and crossed the broad Atlantic to Amer- 
 ica about 1780. The father of our subject was 
 born in A'irginia in 1781. lie was drafted for 
 the War of 1812, but the war was over before he 
 began service. He was twice married, the mother 
 of our subject being his second wife. After his 
 first union he emigrated to Ohio in 1820. There 
 was a large family of children by that marriage. 
 In 1825, he w.as joined in wedlock with Mrs. Re- 
 becca (Noble) Cresap. She was born in A^irginia, 
 in ITOt), and with her jiarents i-emoved to Coshoc- 
 ton County, Ohio, in childhood. l>y her first mar- 
 riage she had one child, wlu) long since died. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the third in order 
 of birth in a family of live children, but one died 
 in infanc}', and the sister, Luna, died at the age of 
 nineteen. The three sons grew to manhood and 
 were m.irried, but Thomas L. died in Arkansas, and 
 his family are all deceased. Henry is now en- 
 gaged in farming in Vermilion County, 111. 
 
 Abram Hogle was a lad of fifteen years, when 
 with his parents he came to this county, k)cating 
 on the farm which is now his home. 'I'liis was in 
 the spring of 1846. His father purchased four 
 hundred acres of land, upon which was a log cabin, 
 which still stands, one of the few landmarks of 
 pioneer days yet remaining. He at once began 
 making preparations to build a more comfortable 
 residence, but in .lune of the same year, he was 
 
 taken ill and died, leaving a widow and four chil- 
 dren. Abram immediately took charge of the 
 home farm, for his older brother began work else- 
 where, and in two years the latter had started 
 in life on his own account. It was the father's 
 intention to give his children good educational 
 advantages, but his death changed all his plans. 
 
 •Our subject made the most of the opportunities 
 furnished by the district schools, but his home du- 
 ties prevented him entering college; however, by 
 subsequent reading, study and observation, he has 
 made himself a well-informed man. He succeeded 
 in getting sufficient education to begin teaching 
 at the age of twenty-one, and wsis thus employed 
 in Indiana and Illinois. 
 
 On the 13th of May, 1854, Mr. Hogle wedded 
 Miss Mary Strickler, who was born in Page County, 
 Va., in the Shen,<jndoah Valley, May 19, 1832, and 
 is a daughter of Heniy D. and Catherine (Bru- 
 baker) Strickler. At the age of three years, she 
 w.as brought to this county by her parents, who 
 spent their remaining lives in Concord Township. 
 They lived together .as man and wife for nearly 
 sixty-three years, and were laid to vest side by side 
 in Liberty Cemetery. The parents of Mr. Hogle 
 were also there buried. His niother resided with 
 him until her death, which occurred April 23, 
 1881. Had she lived three d.ays longer, she would 
 have been eighty-five years of age. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hogle began their domestic life on 
 the farm where they now reside, and the home has 
 been blessed by a family of seven children: Henry 
 S., who was born August 29, 1855, is now married, 
 follows fanning in Concord Township, and has 
 also taught school .several terms; Herbert N., born 
 November 15, 1856, aids in the operation of the 
 home farm; Rebecca N., born Deoember 19, 1858, 
 died on the Ifith of August, 1860; Carrie, born 
 February 12, 1860, was the wife of Benjamin Win- 
 gard, a resident of Concord Township, and died 
 Sei)tember 23, 1892; Flora, born November 23, 
 1865, is the wife of Alfred Yeagley, a resident of 
 Fowler, Ind.; Nellie, born March 1, 1867, lived 
 onh' a few hours; and Mina .)., liorn December -I, 
 1868, died February 8, 1883. 
 
 In early life, Mr. Hogle was a Whig, and cast his 
 first Presidential vote for Winlield Scott in 1852, 
 
POHTRAIT AM) I'.lO'iKAI'IIICAL UKCORTi. 
 
 785 
 
 Iti l>*if)f), he supportcfl Fremont, aiul lia-i MJiK^e been 
 a stalwart Uepiiblicnn. His fellow-townsmen, ap- 
 preciatinff liis worth and ability, have frer|iiently 
 called upon him to servo in public positions of 
 lionor and trust. For twenty-eight conseeuti ve 
 3'ears be served as School Director, and then re- 
 fused to hold the office for the three succeeding 
 years, when his neighbors and friends so insisted 
 upon him taking the position again that he served 
 for another four years. For three years he was 
 .Fubtice of the Peace, and during that time theie 
 was only one appeal taken, and his decision was 
 Hustained in that instance. lie served contin- 
 uously as Commissioner for nine years, and has 
 held the office altogether for fifteen years. For 
 three yeai-s he wa.s Supervisor of Concord Town- 
 ship, although the township is Democratic. lie 
 was also elected Township Clerk, but would not 
 serve. Ilis personal [jopularity and the high re- 
 gard in which he is held are attested by his fre- 
 quent election to public ofllce. To those who know 
 him it is needless to say that his duties were ever 
 promptly and faithfully perffirined. 
 
 Mr. Hogle has been a great reader all his life, 
 and is especially well informed on the subject of 
 history. When thirty years of age he was united 
 with the Methodist F>piscopal Church, and in 
 younger years was a prominent worker in church 
 and Sund.iv-school. Mis life has been an honor- 
 able and upright one. True to every trust re|K>sed 
 in him, he has the confidence and good-will of all, 
 and no man in the community is held in higher 
 regard than the pioneer and valued citizen. Abrarn 
 Hogle. 
 
 1 — 7RANKLIN C(Jl OHKNOI'U, a representa- 
 \—\S\ tive farmer and stock-raiser, resides on 
 iVj, ~" section 27, Concord Townsliip. He owns 
 two farms of one hundred and twenty acres 
 each, and twenty-one acres of timter land, and his 
 p<jSse».<ions have l^een acquired throughout by his 
 own well-directed efiforts. His entire life has been 
 spent in thw county. He wa.s born on his father's 
 farm in Concord Township, near where he now 
 
 lives, December 21, 184*;, and is one of thirteen 
 children, eleven of whom grew to manhood and 
 woninnhiiod, while seven are still living, and, with 
 one exception, all are residents of this county. 
 The parents were Abrain and Kli/.abetli Ann (Will- 
 iams) Cougliciiour. a sketch of whom appears cIm-- 
 where in this work. His father is still living and 
 is one of the honored pioneers of this communit\'. 
 Franklin Coiiglujnoiir, wlirjse name heads this 
 record, was reared on a farm less than half a mile 
 from his present home. His education was ac- 
 quired in the district schools of the neighborhwjd. 
 which he attended through the winUr months, 
 while in the summer season he worked hard upon 
 the farm, liaving labored iu the fields since he was 
 old enough to handle the plow. He began to earn 
 his own livelihood on attaining his majority, and 
 ere his marriage had purcha-efl and made a small 
 |»ayinent u|>on one hun'Ircr] and twenty acres of 
 land, his present farm. 
 
 On the 28th of .March, I87;i, .Mr. Coughenoiir 
 was joined in wedlo<;k with .Miss Kllen Kastburn. 
 daughlerof Jesse K. and Tabitha (Critchfield) Kast- 
 burn, born September 20. 1 8.52, and who has spent 
 her entire life in Concord Township. 'J'hey liegan 
 their domestic life upon this farm in the little log 
 cabin, which is still sUinding. 'I'here they lived 
 for about nine years, when their home was re- 
 placed l»y a more commodious and modern resi- 
 dence. In 1887, a good barn was built, ruher im- 
 provements have been made, and the land is under 
 a high stale of cultivation. In 18!) I, a secon<l 
 purchase of <jne hundred and lw(fnty acres was 
 made, and now a giK»d farm of two hundred and 
 forty .'icres yieUls a golden tribute to the <»wiier. 
 The home has been blessed by the presence of 
 eight children, one of whom dieil in infancy. In 
 \ order ot birth they are as follfiws: l^na Ivtta, 
 
 bom on the 10th of .Fanuarv, 187.'5; Jess*- K., Ixirn 
 I 
 \ on the 3d of February. I87.'»: Franklin, Ixjrn April 
 
 I .0, 1877; Margaret, bom April 14, 187!»; TlK^mas 
 
 Abram, born December II, 1881; Roy, born .March 
 
 1;';, 188.0; and Delia May, bom August 2;», 1880. 
 
 Mr. Coughenour exercises liis right of franchise 
 
 in the support of the Democratic party, and his 
 
 I first vote was cast in 1872 for Horaoc Oreeley. He 
 
 1 has fllled the oltice of School Director for a num- 
 
786 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 ber of years and was also Trustee for a few years, 
 lie is a warm supporter of the public-school sys- 
 tem and ex|)ccts to furnish his children with good 
 educational advantages. For twenty-two years lie 
 has held membership with the Odd Fellows, be- 
 longing to River Lodge No. 586, I. 0. O. F., of 
 Iroquois. Mr. Coughenour is a representative of 
 an honored pioneer family of this county, butdiis 
 own sterling worth is what has won him the high 
 regard in which he is held. lie is a valued 
 citizen and an enterprising and progressive farmer, 
 and his well-spent life has secured to him the 
 esteem and confidence of all with whom business 
 or social relations have brought him in contact. 
 
 "ifi AMES HEPWORTH is a prominent farmer 
 residing on section 32, Chcbanse Township- 
 He was born in Lincolnshire, England, on 
 ' the 20th of April, 1825, and is a son of 
 Thomas and Maria (James) Hepworth, both natives 
 of the same shire. They reared their family and 
 spent their entire lives in England. James Hep- 
 worth is the elder of the two brothers. The 
 younger, John Hepworth, is a retired farmer of 
 Kane County, III. 
 
 Our subject grew to maturity in Lincolnshire 
 with limited school advantages, and is almost 
 wholly self-educated. When a young man he em- 
 igrated to the United States, taking passage in a 
 sailing-vessel, the "James AVright," at Liverpool. 
 For six weeks and three days he was upon the 
 broad Atlantic, and arrived in New York City in 
 August, 1850. From there he went to Utica, N. 
 Y., where he obtained work in a brick-yard and 
 there continued until the sjjringof 1853. He then 
 went AVest to Chicago, which was at that time a 
 small village and veritable mud hole. There he 
 remained for about four months, working for the 
 Northwestern Kail road, .and then, going to Geneva, 
 he engaged in teaming for the next thirteen years, 
 most of that time working for himself. He also 
 farmed a little near that place. In February, 1866, 
 he removed to Iroquois County and bought a tract 
 of raw prairie land, where he has since resided. 
 
 During the first j'ears he experienced many hard- 
 ships and privations, and in addition the weather 
 was very unfavorable and the crops very light. 
 However, undaunted by these misfortunes, he ever 
 pushed forward with hope and energy and well 
 merits the success which has crowned the efforts of 
 years. After the year 1869, his land yielded abund- 
 ant harvests in return for the care and cultivation 
 bestowed upon it, and Mr. Hepworth was soon on 
 the road to prosperity. He greatly improved his 
 place and built a large, substantial residence upon 
 it, and later added forty acres to iiis original farm, 
 now being the owner of one hundred and twenty 
 acres of fertile and valuable land. He commenced 
 life in America with no capital except a good con- 
 stitution, and has by his own labor, enterprise and 
 industry and the assistance of his estimable wife, 
 accumulated a good property and income. 
 
 In Utica, N. Y.,on the 29th of August, 1850, a 
 wedding ceremony united the destinies of James 
 Hepworth an<I Elizabeth Piatt. The lad}', like her 
 husDand, was born in Lincolnshire, England, and 
 is a daughter of Thomas Piatt, who was one of the 
 first settlers of Will County, 111. There are four 
 children by this union: George is married and is a 
 farmer in Chebanse Township: Sarah is the wife of 
 Burt Miller, who also carries on farming in the 
 same township; Mattie, now at home, is a young 
 lady of good education and has been a teacher in 
 this county; and Lizzie, who was for eight years a 
 teacher, is now the wife of Peter Nelson, an .agri- 
 culturist of Iroquois County. 
 
 Mr. Hepworth cast his first ballot, in the Presi 
 dential election of 1860, for Abraham Lincoln, and 
 since that time has ever been a warm supporter of 
 the principles and nominees of the Republican 
 party. He has never desired official positions but 
 has ever attended strictly to his business affairs. 
 For many years he has been a member of the 
 School Board, and h.as alw.iys taken an active part 
 in the advancement of educational interests. Our 
 subject and his wife are members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. For nearly two-score years, he 
 has been identified with the progress of this State 
 and county. Great credit is due him in company 
 with the other hardy pioneers who endured priva- 
 tions and hardships and established homes in the 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 787 
 
 wilderness. They were the forerunners of prosper- 
 ity, education .ind civilization, ;ind well deserve to 
 be chronicled .as such, that all may read of their 
 lives, which have done so much for the opening 
 and development of the country. 
 
 f ^-^^^^ 
 
 AMIKL BROCK, a leading and influential 
 resident of Clifton, owns and operates a 
 farm of two hundred acres, although he 
 makes his home in the village. He h.as 
 lived in this county for a period of twent>-two 
 years, and his residence in this .State dates from 
 1854. His life record is as follows. His birth oc- 
 curred on the 7lli of December, 1824, in Epworth, 
 Lincolnshire, England. He is the son of William 
 and Catherine (Standring) Brock. Their family 
 numbered seven children, three sons and four 
 daughters. Five of these aie now living, the two 
 eldest one.<of the family having died in England. 
 Tflose surviving are Judith, Ann, Samuel, Hannah 
 and .lohn T. Three of the children have located 
 in America. Ann crossed the Atlantic in 1852, 
 and two years later was followed by her brothers, 
 Samuel and John. They settled in Will County, 
 III., the brothers working on a farm near Plain- 
 field. 
 
 He whose name heads this sketch received a 
 good common-school education, and upon arriving 
 at man's estate was united in marriage with Jliss 
 Sar.ah Christina Brock, daughter of William and 
 Eli/.alieth (Maudson) Brock. The two families, 
 though tearing the same name, were not related. 
 .Mr. and Mrs. Brock became the [larent-s of seven chil- 
 dren, six of them being sons: William F. was boin 
 .lune 12, 18.')5, and nsarried ^li.ss .Sarali Simrel, of 
 Clifton, l)y whom ho has one child, Edgar. He is 
 a farmer by occupation, and operates a tract of 
 land three miles from Clifton. George M., who 
 w.as born April 22, 18.)7, married IMiss Harriet 
 Eeggott, who is the daughter of Edward and .\nn 
 (Piatt) Leggott. They are the parents of three 
 children, Arthur, (Trace and Carrie, and make 
 their home in Clifton. Charles C. was born on the 
 
 11th of November, 1859. Alfred I.., born April 
 10, 18G1, wedded Miss Anna Carron, and makes 
 his home in Clifton. The lady is the daughter of 
 Alfonso Carron. Richard H., born May 9, 1 8(;3, 
 married Miss Mary Eoui.se A'andervort, and the}' 
 too reside in Clifton. One child, Chauncey, graces 
 their union. Edith E., whose birth occurred on 
 the 17th of March, 1869, still resides under the 
 parental roof. Edgar T., born December II, IK70, 
 died on the 12th of .\pril, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Brock engaged in agricultural pursuits for a 
 period of about sixteen years in Will County, and 
 then changed his place of residence. It was in 
 1870 that he removed with his family to Iroquois 
 County. lie settled upon a farm comprising 
 eighty acres, which was situated three miles to the 
 northwest of Clifton, and thereon made his home 
 for eighteen years. In March, 1888, he came to 
 the village, but h.asnot abandoned his farming in- 
 terests, still oi)eratiiig his farm, which comprises 
 within its boundaries two hundred acres. He is a 
 good farmer, progressive and practical, and the 
 neat appearance of the pl.-xce indicates his indus- 
 trious nature. On every hand can be seen the evi- 
 dences of the enter|)iiso and supervision of the 
 owner, and his farm is a model one. He has over- 
 come all obstacles jilaced in his pathway in a man- 
 ner worthy of emulation, and well deserves the 
 success which he has achieved. Mr. Brock exer- 
 cises his right of franchise in favor of the Repub- 
 lican party, and is a loyal citizen of his adopted 
 countrv. 
 
 — f^#^'t- 
 
 ATRICK COLLINS is a iirominent farmer 
 of Milk's Grove Township, living on sec- 
 tion 27. His birth occurred in Dublin, 
 Ireland, in May, IH20. He was a son of 
 Thomas Collins, who was liorn and reared in the 
 same part of the Emerald Isle and followed the oc- 
 cupation of farming. He married .Mice Nugent 
 and they became the parents of live children, who 
 were born in that countrv. The father was a mem- 
 ber of the militia and lived to the age of seventy- 
 four in his native laud, his death occurring in 1852. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 Tliat j'ear the family emigrated to America and 
 went to Paris Hill, Oneida County, N. Y. The 
 mother died at the home of our subject in Iroquois 
 County, when over seventy years of age. Tiie fam- 
 ily is a long-lived race, her mother having reached 
 the advanced age of ninety years, at which time 
 she often walked two miles. The family have all 
 been faithful members of the Catholic Church. In 
 order of birth our subject is the eldest in his fa- 
 ther's family'. Andrew is a farmer of Milk's Grove 
 Township; Thomas is a hotel-keeper at Springfield, 
 111; Am^' and Alice are botii deceased. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were passed on 
 a farm in Ireland, and his educational privileges 
 were of a limited order. At the age of twelve, he 
 was obliged to commence work, and remained at 
 home until coming to America in 1850. He sailed 
 from Dublin to Liverpool and there took passage 
 in a vessel bound for New York City. The voy- 
 age was of two weeks' duration. lie went to I'aris 
 Hill, N. Y., where he worked for eight years upon 
 a farm in that neighborhood at $12 per month. 
 During the winter season he was engaged in 
 chopi)ing wood. In 1858, he came Westward to 
 Illinois and carried on farming in Wilmington, 
 Will County, for .some years. The year 1866 wit- 
 nessed his arrival in Iroquois County, at which 
 time he purchased forty acres of land on section 2. 
 The country was wild and but few houses were to 
 be seen on the broad prairie. His land was en- 
 tirely uncultivated and he turned the first sod 
 upon the place. He was industrious, enterprising 
 and frugal, overcoming the difficulties and priva- 
 tions of those early years with determination and 
 fortitude. His efforts were blessed with success, 
 and from time to time as his resources increased 
 he added to his original farm until he had two 
 hundi-ed and forty acres in all. In 1883. he sold 
 that property and jiurchased his present fine farm 
 of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable 
 and well-tilled land, which yields an abundant har- 
 vest for the care and cultivation bestowed upon it 
 by the owner. When Mr. Collins landed in Amer- 
 ica he had but ten shillings in English money, and 
 has worked honestly and faithfully to secure a 
 livelihood and competence. He is now well-to-do 
 and deserves the success which he has achieved. 
 
 In Oneida County, N. Y., in 1857, occurred the 
 marriage of Mr. Collins and Miss Mary Gagen, a 
 native of Dublin County, Ireland, who came with 
 her parents to America when twelve years old and 
 settled in Oneida County. Five sons, have blessed 
 the union of Mr. and Mrs. Collins: Thomas assists 
 his father in the work of the farm; James is mar- 
 ried and carries on farming in Chebanse I^ownship; 
 Joseph, Francis and Lawrence are still under the 
 parental roof. The three older children were born 
 near Wilmington, Will County, 111., while the two 
 youngest were born at Reed's Grove in the same 
 county. The children have all received the ad- 
 vantages of a good education and are good farmers 
 and citizens. 
 
 Our subject, his wife and family, are faithful 
 members of St. John 's Catholic Church in Milks 
 Grove. Mr. Collins is not an office-seeker in any 
 sense of the term, but is always faithful in dis- 
 charging his duties of citizenship. His first Presi- 
 dential vote was cast for J. C. Fremont, and in 
 1860 he voted for Douglas, and since that time 
 has been a stanch Democrat. He heard Lincoln 
 and Douglas in a debate, and has often served as a 
 delegate to the conventions of his party. For a 
 (juartcr of a century he has been a resident of this 
 community and the many friends he has made 
 since locating here will be pleased to read this brief 
 tribute to his worth. 
 
 i"5**5**5'*5'i 
 
 ^^.{..J;.^..}.^ 
 
 '•5..i"5"{->^(^'-5"5"i"5-F 
 
 ENKY JACOB SCIIRIEFKR, a leading 
 Yf ^r farmer of Douglas Township, residing on 
 section 28, claims Germany as the land of 
 K^j his birth. He was born in Ottendorf, Han- 
 over, September 18, 1841, and is a son of March 
 Henry .and Anna iM. (Voschers) Schriefer, both of 
 whom were natives of the same province and there 
 si)ent their entire lives. They had a family of four 
 children: Henry, who is engaged in farming in 
 Douglas Township; Herman C, a resident of Will- 
 iamsburg, X. Y.; Henry J. of this sketch; and Will- 
 iam, who is eng.aged in fanning in the land of his 
 birth. 
 
 We now take up the personal history of our sub- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPII'CAL RECORD. 
 
 789 
 
 jcct. who was reared on a farm in tlic Fatherland, 
 and educated in the German language. On attain- 
 iuii his majority he was called upon tuservein the 
 Hanoverian army and took part in the war between 
 Hanover and Prussia, participating in the hattle 
 of Laraensalza. After his return home, he de- 
 termined to seek his fortune in America. lie bade 
 good-bye to friend8 and native land, and on the 1 1th 
 of April, 18(i7, boarded a sailing-vessel at Bremen, 
 which after a voyage of forty-five days dropped 
 anchor in the harbor of New York. Mr. Schriefer 
 at once c^me to the West and made a location in 
 Marshall County, 111., where he worked for a time 
 as a farm hand and then engaged in agricultural 
 pursuit^ for himself. 
 
 Before leaving home, Mr. Schriefer was united 
 in marriage, on the 10th of March, 1867, with Miss 
 Anna K. liorchers, also a native of Ottendorf, and 
 with his young bride he .sailed for this country. 
 Seven children have been born of their union, as 
 follows: Samuel D., who died in his thirteenth 
 year; Emma, wife of Harm Ahrends, a resident 
 farmer of Douglas Township; Lizzie Mary died 
 December C, 1892; Herman H., Anna R., Mina and 
 Henry Jacob. 
 
 In 1871, .Mr. Schiiefer came to lroi|uois County 
 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of 
 wild prairie land, upon which not a furrow had 
 been turned. It was also entirely destitute of 
 improvements, and almost the entire locality wa.s 
 under water. He has tiled the land and it is now 
 a desirable and valuable tract. Its well-tilled 
 fields yield to him a golden tribute, and the good 
 buildings and many other improvements upon 
 the place attest the care and supervision of a 
 thrift^' and [)rogressive manager. As his financial 
 resources were increased, he extended the boundar- 
 ies of his farm, which now comprises two hundred 
 and forty acres. Since coming to this county he 
 has engaged In agricultural |)nrsuils and is now 
 recognized as one of the prominent and progress- 
 ive farmers of Douglas Townshij). 
 
 Both Ml-, and Mrs. Schriefer hold membershi|) 
 with the Lutheran Church of (;ilman, in which he 
 has .served as Trustee. In his political alliliations 
 he is a Demf)crat but has never been an office- 
 seeker. The cause of education finds in liim a 
 
 warm friend, and be has done effective service in 
 the interests of the schools while serving as Direc- 
 tor. Socially, he is a member of the Order of 
 Druids. His life has been one of signal success. 
 When he came to this county he was ^l^ in debt 
 and had a family depending upon him for support, 
 but by his industry and the assistance of his esti- 
 mable wife he has acquired a comffirtable compe- 
 tence and become one of the leading farmers of 
 the township. 
 
 f^.OBKKT I'OW'LKU CrM.MIN(;s, a promi- 
 iWr^ nent citizen of Clifton and dealer in grain 
 ii\\ and lumber, is a native of Mas.sachusetts, 
 his birth having occurred on the 17th of 
 June, 1848. He is a son of Abel B. and Emily 
 (Fowler) Cummings, both of whom were natives 
 of Massachusetts. In 18.03, they removed to Gran- 
 ville, Putnam County, 111., where they lived until 
 18;)6, at that time going to Winona, this State. 
 There they made their home until 1864, when they 
 came to Clifton and resided for many years. On 
 the Seth of March, 1H88, the mother was called 
 to the better land, she being then about sixty- 
 eight years of age. She was a devoted wife and 
 mother, and left many friends to mourn her loss. 
 The father is still living and makes his ln)me in 
 Marseilles, where he is engaged in the practice of 
 law. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummings three children 
 were born: Marion, Robert F. and Mnry S. Our 
 subject is the only one of the family now living. 
 Robert F. Cummings received a good educa- 
 tion in the eomnifm schools, and supplemented 
 his training by a collegiate education in Winona 
 Seminary and Lake Forest Academy, being grad- 
 uated from the latter in 1806. After finishing his 
 schooling, our subject came to Clifton and entered 
 the employment of Cummings iV I'arineter, dealers 
 in grain, lumber and general merchandise. .\t the 
 end of about a year, he went to Chicagt> and .se- 
 cured employment with the firm of B. Fowler ct 
 Co., grain commission merchant.s. and there con- 
 tinued for about the same lenglli of time. He 
 
790 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 next returned to Clifton and operated the grain 
 business of B. Fowler & Co. until llie year 1870 
 with good success, when he returned to Wcnona 
 and engaged in the drj'-goods business with K. 
 S. Fowler & Co., in which firm he was the junior 
 partner. For the succeeding seven years he made 
 his home in that place and assisted in building 
 up a large and flourishing business. AlDOut lifteen 
 years ago, he again came to Clifton and entered 
 the grain .and coal business, which he still follows. 
 He also operates the Wabash Elevator at Oilman, 
 and an elevator at Chebanse. He is a member of 
 the lirm of Cummings & Kent, lumber merchants 
 of Chebanse, and also of the firm of George R. 
 Ashman & Co., grain merchants of Oilman. For 
 a time he operated an elevator at Onarga, and 
 one at La Hogue, but has since sold out his busi- 
 ness in those places. He is also a large real-es- 
 tate owner, now being the possessor of thirteen 
 hundred acres of land in the neighboijood of 
 Clifton. In addition to all of his other lines of 
 business, he is interested in banking, and carries 
 on these various and diverse undertakings with 
 wise business sagacity and ability. He is enter- 
 prising and progressive in his methods, and pros- 
 perity has attended his efforts. 
 
 On the 6th of Jul}', 1874, Mr. Cummings was 
 united in marriage with Miss Minnie A. Marston, 
 daughter of Sauford K. and Sarah (Field) Mar- 
 ston, of Onarga, 111. To our subject and his. 
 estimable wife have been born six children, five 
 of whom are now living: Lenore, Marion, Flor- 
 ence, Irene and Marston. Mrs. Cummings is well 
 known in musical circles, is a member of the Lyric 
 Club, of Kankakee, and has appeared in numer- 
 ous concerts of a high order. In 1889, our sub- 
 ject and his wife spent a number of months in 
 Europe, and had an enjoy.able and profitable trip. 
 
 Socially, Mr. Cummings is a member of We- 
 nona Lodge No. 284, L O. O. F. He is a stanch 
 and loyal Republican, and a supporter of that 
 party and its principles. His fellow-citizens have 
 often called upon him to assume the duties of 
 responsible positions, he having been a mem- 
 ber of the Village Board of Trustees of Clif- 
 ton almost continuously since his residence 
 here, and was President of the Board for about 
 
 four years. He has always discharged the duties 
 devolving upon him, whether .as a private citizen 
 or an official, in a creditable and faithful manner. 
 Both he and his wife have a wide circle of friends, 
 who hold them in the highest regard. 
 
 i^f^l 
 
 GAMALIEL G. BAKKR, watchmaker and 
 jeweler, is an old resident of Chebanse, 
 having lived here for nearl\- a quarter of 
 a century. His birth occurred in the township of 
 AValtham, near Ottawa, in La Salle County, on the 
 1st of January, 1863. He is a son of John W. 
 and Catherine C. (Baker) Baker, who were both 
 natives of Washington County, N. Y. Their fam- 
 ily consisted of two sons and a daughter. Selby 
 S. married Miss Amanda Tallman, of Kankakee, 
 and to them have been born four children: Will- 
 iam S.; Imogene; Arthur, who died when two 
 years of age; and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Baker now 
 make their home in Brookdnle, near Chicago. The 
 second child, L. Anna, married Alvin P. Farley, a 
 jihotographer of Manteno; they now reside in 
 Kendallville, Ind. Our subject completes the fam- 
 
 il.V- 
 
 The father came to Illinois in 1858, settling in 
 Ottawa, where he followed the carpenter's trade for 
 a number of years. He then purchased a farm in 
 Waltham Township, about five or six miles from Ot- 
 tawa, where he carried on farming until the fall 
 of 1865. He then sold that farm and came to Iro- 
 quois County, purchasing two hundred and eighty 
 acres of land in Chebanse Township, about a mile 
 and a-half from the village. This property now be- 
 longs to Messrs. P. C. Burke and Leroy Payne, of 
 Chicago, and is now divided into two f.arms. Mr. 
 Baker lived upon his farm until the spring of 
 1869, when he removed with his family into the 
 village. After a residence hero of about two 
 years, he went to Iowa and now makes his home 
 in Grinnell. 
 
 The education of Gamaliel G. Baker was ob- 
 tained in the public schools of Chebanse. After 
 completing his studies, he served for five years 
 at the cabinet-maker's trade, and then for three 
 
^^ 
 
 \^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIM I KM. i;i.(()i;i). 
 
 '.t;{ 
 
 years followed the oecuimtion of a painlei. lie 
 next opened n grocery store, and carried on that 
 Imsiness for about two years, wlion he sold out to 
 ('. P. lleck. His attention was next turned to the 
 watcliniaking and jewelry business, and lie openeil 
 an eslablislunent in that line, which he is still car- 
 ryinii: on. From a small beginning he has built 
 ui) a good business, and enjoys the confidence 
 and friendship of his many actiuaintances. He is 
 industrious and careful in his purchases and in- 
 vestments, and has met with good success. 
 
 On the i:3tli of January, 18!t2, Mr. IJaker was 
 joined in matrimony with Aliss (irace I.,. ^lorri- 
 soii, daughter of James K. and Angeline C. (Aborn) 
 .Morrison, who are both natives of Connecticut, 
 and at the time of their daughte:-'s marriage lived 
 in Otto Township, Kankakee County, about three 
 miles from Chebansc. Since casting his first bal- 
 lot. Mr. Kaker has always voted the Republican 
 ticket. Although but a young man, he is quite 
 an old settler of Chebanse, and has a large ae- 
 (piaintance in this part of the county. I5y his 
 characteristics of (juiet perseverance and unosten- 
 tatious demeanor, he has won the respect and 
 friendship of all, and is a good citizen, devoted 
 to the best interests of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 l^_^OWARI) LYON, one of the representative 
 fjij and progressive farmers of Onarga Town- 
 Is)^ ship, who owns and operates four hundred 
 (^; and ten acres of land, is one of the eai-ly 
 settlers of the county. He was born in Stock- 
 bridge, Windsor County, \'t., on the 1st of March, 
 1831, and is the son of Ani.asa and Polly (Barnes) 
 Lyon, both f)f whom were 7iatives of the (Ircen 
 Mountain Slate. Four chiltlrcn wore born unto 
 them, three of whom are living. 
 
 In the State of his nativity, our subject spent 
 the days of his boyhood and youth, and after at- 
 taining to mature years he was married, on the 
 22d of .■\|)ril. IH.jC, to Miss Hetsy Brown, daugh- 
 ter of Robert Brown. In the fall of the same year, 
 they removed to Illinois, settling in Iroquois 
 County, west of Onarga. In December. 18.')7, 
 
 37 
 
 while returning on a visit to her (jld home, Mrs. 
 Lyon was drowned while crossing the river at De- 
 troit, Mich, .\fter the death of his wife, .Mr. Lyon 
 remained for eighteen months in \'ermont, and 
 then returned to this State, in the spring of l»/i!l, 
 locating (jn a farm four miles soutii of Onarga, 
 where he lias since resided. He had at (iisl rented 
 a farm in connection with his brother. 
 
 On the nth of February. 1K(1 4, Mr. Lyon w.as 
 again married, his second union being with Jlrs. 
 Caroline Sanders, widow of Richard .Sanders. 
 There were live children born of that union, all 
 sons: .lames, born March 2!t, 18(>'); Fdward, Octo- 
 ber 17, lH(i7: William. November 22, 1«GK; Perry. 
 December 1.5, IHC'J, and Robert, July 17, 1H71. 
 One is married, Edward, who wedded Miss Sadie 
 Ililler, daughter of (leorgc and Mary Hiller, and 
 they have a little child, Howard. The mother of 
 this family was called to her linal rest on the' 12th 
 of May, 1879. Mr. Lyon was again married, ;\Iarcli 
 3, 1880, the lady of his choice being -Mrs. Fveline 
 Libhart, widow of P. T. B. Libhart. The lady was 
 born in Baiiil)ridge, Chenango County, N. Y.. De- 
 cember 22. 1833. Her parent-s, I.saac and F^liza 
 (Miller) Daltoii, were both natives of Pennsyl- 
 vania. In childhood, they emigrated to New 
 York. In 18l,">, they moved to Wisconsin and a few 
 years later returned U> New York. In 1801, they 
 moved to Iroquois County, and there the father 
 spent his last days, dying in 1877, .aged aboutsixly- 
 lliree years. His widow lives near (iilman, aged sev- 
 enty-eight years. After thirteen years of age, Mrs. 
 Lyon lived with her relatives in Michigan, where 
 she married October 23. 18.-,3, Mr. Libhart. In the 
 fall of the same year, Mr. Libhart moved to Del 
 IJey. where he ran a .<awmill. lie died in Buckle\' 
 ill 1873. By her former marriage Mrs. Lyon had 
 live children, as follows: Iliiborl C., born Septem- 
 ber |H, IS.'il, iiiariied Miss Dora Ilayhurst. and re- 
 sides in Momencc. 111., with his wife and daughter 
 Leo. .lulietta. born August (i. I8.ji;, is the wife of 
 ,\iidrew Camp, a resident of Monona Co4iiily, 
 Iowa, and they have six children, namely: Helen 
 D., Ilosea, Fred, .Vmiie, .Vgiies .aiid .losie. .M:iiv 
 .Mice,'born April 20. 18.j8, is the wife of Alfred 
 Vanorilstrand, by whom she h.as three children: 
 Mabel I-;., Ilubcrl R. and Mildred, and thcv ics.de 
 
794 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 neat- Monieiice, 111. William R., born April 8, 
 1859, wedded Miss Mary Beatle, daughter of 
 Abraham and Elizabeth Beatle, and tbey reside in 
 Sycamore, 111., with their four children: Coila, 
 Frank, Myrtle and Mar.x. Estella B., born Janu- 
 ary 3, 1861, is the wife of James Nichols and their 
 home is near Lake Village, Ind. They have four 
 children: Floyd, Fay, Beulah and Eunice. 
 
 As before stated, Mr. Lyon has resided upon iiis 
 present farm since 1859, and now owns and oper- 
 ates four hundred and ten acres of land, which 
 is under a high state of cultivation and well im- 
 proved. In connection with general farming, he 
 has also paid considerable attention to stock-raising, 
 and by his industry, perseverance and good man- 
 agement has acquired a handsome competence. 
 Mr. Lyon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church and his wife holds membership witli the 
 Presbyterian Cliurch. In politics, he is a sup- 
 porter of Repul)lican principles and is a valued 
 citizen of the community. For more than a third 
 of a century, he has here made his home, has 
 watched the growth and development of the 
 county, has aided in its upbuilding, and well de- 
 serves mention among its pioneers. 
 
 (*^^HCniAH B. COMPTON, one of the promi- 
 nent and highly-respected citizens of Che- 
 banse Town.ship, who resides on a fine farm 
 on section 5, is of English birth. He was bjrn in 
 Leicestershire, England, November 16, 1841, and 
 is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Burberry) Corop- 
 ton, both of whom were natives of the same local- 
 ity. His father was a farmer by occupation and 
 was born and reared on the farm where the family 
 had lived for over three hundied years. Robert 
 was the first to leave the old home. Li April, 1859, 
 he bade good-bye to friends and native land, sailed 
 from Liverpool and at length landed in New Yoik 
 City. He settled in Oswego, Kendall County, III., 
 where for a time he i-ented land. He afterward 
 engaged in farming u|)on land of his own, having 
 |iiu(hased a tract of raw prairie, from which he 
 
 developed a good farm. He then sold out and is 
 still living, at the age of eighty-five years, with his 
 son. His wife died in England. She was a mem- 
 ber of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Compton served 
 as Tax Collector in England. He holds member- 
 ship with the Baptist Church and takes a very ac- 
 tive part in its work and upbuilding. In politics, 
 he was formerly a Republican but is now a sup- 
 porter of the Democratic party. In the Compton 
 family there were but two children. The sister of 
 our subject, Sarah Ann, became the wife of John 
 Gnttiths and died in Oswego, 111. 
 
 Thomas B. Compton. whose name heads this 
 record, resided upon his father's farm until 
 twenty-two years of age. His education was ac- 
 quired in the public schools of his native land. 
 His privileges in that direction, however, were 
 much more limited than his training at farm work. 
 He remained in Kendall County until 1867, when 
 he came to Iroquois County and purchased two 
 hundred and forty acres of raw prairie land, a 
 part of his present farm. Upon this was a shanty, 
 16x.32 feet. In one end he had his bed, in 
 the other a store, and in the center sheltered his 
 horses. This building still stands, being now used 
 as an outbuilding, while upon the place are all the 
 improvements and accessories of a model farm, 
 including a good residence, barns, the latest im- 
 proved machinery, etc. In connection with gen- 
 eral fanning, wliich Mr. Compton has carried on 
 successfully, he also engaged in the breeding and 
 driving of horses for some ^ears. He owns two 
 hundred and forty acres of rich land under a high 
 state of cultivation, but expects soon to rent this 
 and remove to one of the suburbs of Chicago. 
 
 Mr. Compton was married in Kendall County, 
 in 1863, to Miss Pollen Benson, daughter of Henry 
 and Anna (Heap) Benson, natives of Lancashire, 
 England, who came to America when Mrs. Comp- 
 ton was thirteen years of age. Her parents are 
 both deceased. The wife of our subject is two 
 months his junior. By their union have been born 
 the following children: George W., who w.as born 
 in Kendall County and was educated in Fair- 
 mont College of Cincinnati, has now for several 
 years resided in Colorado for his health and is 
 there practicing medicine. Emily A., the daughter 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL RF/'ORD. 
 
 795 
 
 • 'f ilie family, was born and reared in tliis county. 
 >lie acquired her oarl.\- edufaliou in the jtublic 
 scliools, was a student in Rclvidere Seminary in 
 New Jersey and afterward engaged in teaching 
 nuisie in that institution. .She is an accomplished 
 and charming young lady and is now studying 
 elocuti«jn in the Washington College of Elocution 
 in Washington, D. C, where she expects to pursue 
 a full course of study. 
 
 Mr. C'ompton and his wife have long lieen active 
 workers in tlie Congregational Chiu'cli. For a 
 quarter of a century they have been prominently 
 connected with the .Sunday-school work, their 
 children have been numbered among its teachers, 
 and Mr. C'ompton ha* been Superintendent of the 
 Sunday-school for a number of years. He takes 
 an interest in all that pertains to the welfare of 
 the community, especially those enterprises calcu- 
 lated to upbuild or benefit the moral or educational 
 interests. He is a member of the Farmers' Mutual 
 Benefit Association and was Master of the Orange 
 during its existence, lie cast his first Presidential 
 vote for Gen. U. S. Grant, but is independent in 
 politics, not willing to be bound by any party 
 ties. He is an intelligent, valued and highly-re- 
 spected citizen of the community and a self-made 
 man, who b^' his own efforts has steadily worked 
 his way ujiward. 
 
 —J- 
 
 m>^-<m=^ 
 
 |i^'LKMIN(; R. MOORK. .in altorney-al-law. 
 Unfe engaged in practice at Milford, was born 
 l^ in Iroquois County, on his father's farm, 
 which wa.s located nine miles from the city. His 
 parents, John R and Sarah M. (Fleming) Moore, 
 were both natives of Ohio, and in the spring of 
 IX'-M emigrated to Illinois, settling in what is now 
 known as Belmont Townsliii), Iroijuois County. 
 'I'iie father entered a quarter-section of land from 
 the Government, and by his industrious efforts 
 the wild tract of prairie land was converted into 
 rich and fertile fields. The Imundaries of his 
 farm lie extended as his financial resources were 
 increased until he owned four hundred acres. His 
 death occurred on the 20th of November. 1870. 
 
 Fight cliildii \li-. and Mrs. 
 
 Moore, six of "I .no yii living. Joseph B., 
 
 the eldest, married S.-irali I'ranie, and unto them 
 were burn six children. Micajah .S. enlisted for 
 the late war as a member of Company A, Seventy- 
 sixth Illinois Infantry. He served for a little 
 over two years, and was in a number of hard 
 battles, but was never wounded. However, in 
 Ma\-, 18(),'>, he was taken ill with cramp colic, and 
 died within twent3--four hours. Fleming is the 
 next younger. Martha A. is the wife of Barton 
 Bishoi), of Sheldon, 111., by whom she has seven 
 children. Wdliam F. married Lydia I'rame, 
 daughter of Abncr Frame, and they have a family 
 of three children. Nancy .1. died in infancy. Z. \'. 
 is the next younger. John A., who completes the 
 family, married Sarah Tracy, and with their two 
 children they reside in Sheldon, 111. 
 
 The subject of this sketch spent the days of his 
 boyhood and youth upon the faiin where he wa.s 
 born, and was early inured to agricultural pur- 
 suits. After ac(iuiring a common-school educa- 
 tion, he became a student of Weslfield College, of 
 Clark County, a school conducted under the aus- 
 l)ices of the United Brethren Church. After there 
 pursuing his studies for two years, he engaged in 
 teaching in the district where his own education 
 was commenced, and later he took up the study of 
 law. with the intention of making the legal prac- 
 tice his life work. This was in 187'J. The follow- 
 ing year he removed to AVoodland, where he con- 
 tinued his stuilies for a lime, and then began 
 practice. In 18h:5 he came to Milfor<l. and, open- 
 ing an otiice. has since prosecuted his profession 
 in this place. 
 
 During the late war. Mr. Moore manifested his 
 loyalty to the (iovernment by marching to the 
 front and aiding in the preservation of the I'nion. 
 He was only sc\eiiteen years of age, when, on the 
 l.'itli of May. l.sOl, he became a member of Com- 
 pany B. One Hundred and Thirty-fouith Illinois 
 Infantry. He was honorably discharged on the 
 25th of Octobei- of the same year. In politic* he 
 has been a >tal«'irt Republican since attaining his 
 majority, anil w;rm!y .•idvoi'ate.-- that party's prin- 
 , ciples. 
 
 Mr. Moore was married Uctobcr 23, 1872. to 
 
796 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Angeline Walters, daughter of Ephraim and Je- 
 mima (Good) Walters. Five children have been 
 born of their union: Lena L., boin December 13, 
 1874; Lola AVild, born Septembers, 1883; Free 
 Morris, born December 9, 1887; Morse Anderson 
 and Hazel, twins, born December 30, 189L The 
 latter died .Tanuary 27, 1892. and the former on 
 the 9th of March following. 
 
 Mr. Moore is a leading practitioner of Milford. 
 He has been a close student of his profession, and 
 is now well versed in the law. During the ten 
 years of his residence here his business has con- 
 stantly increased, and he is now enjoying a liberal 
 patronage. 
 
 *^^^1 
 
 mM.s: 
 
 Il«=^^ 
 
 I ASMUS JOHNSON, a prominent citizen of 
 Iroquois County, residing on section 22, 
 L\^\\ Milk's Grove Township, is a Dane by birth. 
 ^^@) He was born in Sunde, near Swendborg, 
 Denmark, on the 3d of May, 1839, and is a son of 
 Jens Hanson, who was born in 1801, and who 
 throughout his life engaged in farming in Denmark. 
 He was also a soldier and served in the Thirty Years 
 War. His death occurred on the home farm in his 
 native land in 1872. His wife, who bore the 
 maiden name of Blaria Luvegt, was born in the 
 same locality as her husband, November 6, 1811, 
 and died on the 1st of May, 1892, at the age of 
 eighty-one years. Both families were noted for 
 longevity. Tiie paternal grandfather of our sub- 
 ject reached the advanced age of ninety-eight 
 years, and the maternal grandmother lived to the 
 extreme old age of one hundred and three years. 
 Both parents were members of the Lutheran 
 Church. Their family numbered nine ciiildren, 
 seven sons and two daughters. 
 
 The early childhood days of our subject were 
 spent under the parental roof, and liis education 
 was accjuired in the |)ublic schools. He is truly a 
 self-made man, for he has been dependent upon 
 his own resources since he was fifteen years of 
 .nge. At that time he began work on a large 
 (■<t/ite, serving as gaidenrr for two years, nf- 
 tei- which he occupied the position of foreman 
 
 for four years. At the age of twenty-one he 
 entered the army, and served as a member of 
 the Dragoons for a term of six years, lie en- 
 tered the service as a non-commissioned olli- 
 cer, but for meritorious conduct was promoted 
 to higher rank. He served throughout the war 
 with Germany, and participated in more than 
 twenty battles. He received a sabre cut on the 
 hand, and one on the back, and was shot in the 
 arm. After the war he worked out for two years 
 as coachman for a wealthy gentleman, and was 
 then foreman for two years on a large estate. 
 
 Kre leaving his native land, Mr. Johnson was 
 married, at the age of tweiit3'-seveh years, to Miss 
 Mariane Christensen, who was born January 4, 
 1843, in Klostrap. Jylan, Denmark. The3' became 
 parents of twelve children, of whom two, AVilliam 
 and Henrj', died in childhood; the living are Eliza 
 M., born May o, 1867 the wife of Ole Mikkelsen; 
 William Frederick, born March 12, 1870; Frank 
 Emil, May 29, 1873; Latina, August 28, 187.5; 
 Waiter Lund, February 17, 1877; Albert B. B., 
 November 3, 1878; Mathilda H., April 13, 1881; 
 Emma Sophia. August 21, 1883; Christian J. G., 
 December 21, 188."); and Ida Caroline. Ajiril 29, 
 1887. 
 
 In 1866, Mr. Johnson, aecom))anied by his wife, 
 emigrated to America. He sailed from Jylan to 
 Hamburg, thence to Liverpool and on to Portland, 
 Me., whence he came at once to Illinois, locating 
 in Chebanse. He there spent the seven succeeding 
 years of his life, working on a hay press and on 
 the railroad. At length he disposed of his inter- 
 est and began farming on rented land in Chebanse 
 Township, where he remained for three years. He 
 then rented land of Lemuel Milk, and ojjerated 
 one farm for a period of seventeen years. He 
 now resides upon what is known as the Uell Farm, 
 where he operates three hundred and twenty-seven 
 acres, and in its management displays excellent 
 business ability. He is a careful farmer and suc- 
 cessful business man, and although he has been de- 
 pendent u[)on his own resources from a very early 
 age, he has won a comfortable competence. 
 
 In connection with his other interests, Mr. John- 
 son is land agent for the firm of Prince it Cook, 
 of Chicago, which position he has held for six 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 797 
 
 years, and has done much towards securing lionies 
 for his fellow-citizens in tliis localit\-. lie is also 
 agent for a steamship line. Mr. .Johnson cast liis 
 first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant in IHfiS, and 
 lias since been a supporter of Rcpuhlican principles, 
 lie has held the office of Constable of his township 
 for live years, and has also been Road Overseer. 
 He and his family are members of the Lutheran 
 t'hurch, and Mr. .lohnson is one of its Trustees, 
 lie is a well-known and highly respected man, and 
 a prominent citizen, who well deserves representa- 
 tion in this volume. 
 
 'lIl'OSEPII ODKRWALD, one of the prominent 
 and well-known citizens of Chebanse Town- 
 ^,^1 , ship, residing on section .'Jl, claims Prussia 
 y^^ as the land of his birth, lie was born in 
 Westphalia, on the 21st of November, 1826, and is 
 a son of Ludwig and Maria (Unke) Oderwald.both 
 of whom were natives of Prussia. The father was 
 born in the Province of Waldeck and w.as a laborer 
 on an estate. He spent his entire life in Germany, 
 dying at the age of (ifty-four years. His wife sur- 
 vived him some time, and also spent her last days 
 in their native land. Mr. Oderwald served in the 
 army in the war against Mapoleon in \x\.'t. He 
 was a member of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 The family numbered the following children, 
 .losephine, the eldest, died in New York Cit^'; 
 John is living a retired life in New York City; Jo- 
 seph is the next younger; Frederick is still living 
 in Germany; August makes his home in New York 
 City; Lena resides in Elizabeth, N. J.; Conrad is 
 living in New York; and Charles died in that 
 city. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were spent in 
 his native land, and his education was acquired in 
 the parochial schools, which he attended between 
 the ages of six and fourteen years. When a lad 
 of fifteen summers, he began earning his own live- 
 lihood. In 1848, he was called into the army and 
 served with the Eleventh Hussars, doing duty in 
 the city of Coin. He spent three yeai-s in the 
 army, and in 1H.51 was honorably discharged. He 
 
 tlien returned home, and again worked at farm 
 laboi-. I,aler he engaged in farming and teaming 
 along the river. In 1851, he went to London. 
 England, where he worked in a sugar refinery for 
 about a year, when, in 18,')"), lie.sailed for America. 
 Landing in New York, he was employed in that 
 city for a time and worked on a canal. The 3'ear 
 185!) witnessed his arrival in Hlinois. He located 
 in Morris, (irundy County, where he began faiin- 
 ing on rented land. 
 
 On the Ith of March, 18G2, Mr. Oderwald was 
 united in marriage with Miss liridget O'Conner. a 
 native of J>aneashire, England; her; parents, how- 
 ever, were natives of Ireland, but for many ^-ears 
 resided in Liverpool, England, whence the^- cjime 
 to America. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oderwald have 
 been born eight children: Mary A. became the wife 
 of Mike Dempsey, and died in Clifton, leaving 
 two sons, Charles and Ed, who reside with our 
 subject; Edward is a farmer and resides on a por- 
 tion of the homestead: Kate is the wife of IJen 
 Purcell, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
 this county: Sadie is the wife of John Hendren, a 
 farmer of this t<jwnshii); Joseph, Lizzie, Emma 
 and Theresa are all at home. The latter were born 
 in this county, and the four older children were 
 born in (Jrundy County. 
 
 Mr. Oderwald has been a nisideiit of Iri)(|uois 
 County since 1872. In that year he i)urchased the 
 farm upon which he now resides, buying one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres. Its boundaries, however, he 
 has since extended until it now comprises two 
 hundred and forty .acres of arable land. The farm 
 is well tiled, a good residence li.as been erected, 
 fruit and shade trtes have been pl.anted, and all 
 the improvements of a model farm have been 
 made. From a tender age our subject h.as made 
 his own w.ay in the world. With no caiiital lie 
 came to America, but he possessed energy, enter- 
 prise and a strong determination tosiu-ceed. Over- 
 coming the obstacles and dilficulties in his path, he 
 has steadily worked his way upward until he has 
 now gained a handsome competence, and is num- 
 bered among the substantial citizens of the coin- 
 nninity. He and his family are members of the 
 Catholic Church of Clifton, to the support of 
 which he contributes liberallv. He cast his first 
 
798 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has 
 since been a zealous Democrat, warmly advocating 
 the principles of that party. Through his own 
 efforts he learned to read and speak the English 
 language, and is now a well-informed man and an 
 intelligent and highly respected citizen, who has 
 ever borne his part in the development of his 
 adopted county. It was a fortunate day for him 
 when ho decided to come to America, for lie has 
 here met with prosjierity. 
 
 ISAAC VAN DITZOR is a leading citizen of 
 Clifton and one of the early and honored pio- 
 neer settlers of the county. His birth occurred 
 on the 4tli of January, 1815, in Orange County, 
 N. Y. The family originally came from Holland, 
 and Adolph, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
 soldier in the Revolutionary War. The father of 
 Isaac died in 1875 in New York, and the death of 
 his wife occurred a few years previous. Their 
 family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom, 
 four sons and six daughters, grew to mature years. 
 The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood 
 days quietly. He was married in .January, 1836, 
 to Miss Charlotte Kuykendall, daughter of Ja- 
 cob Kuykendall, a native of the Empire State. 
 Eight children, five sons and three daughters, 
 blessed the union of Isaac and Charlotte Van Du- 
 zor. The deceased are Milton, Anna, Lena and one 
 who died in infancy. Those living are Clay, who 
 married a Miss Eerris, whose parents lived in 
 Connecticut. They have two daughters. Harvey 
 is also married and resides in Chicago. Jacob 
 wedded Miss Van Doren, of Chicago, and now 
 lives in Omaha, Neb. One child graces their un- 
 ion, .lacob is a traveling man, having been in 
 the employ of a wholesale grocery house in Chi- 
 cago for a number of years. Willard married a 
 Kentucky lady in St. Louis and shortlj' after 
 their marriage they removed to Florida, where he 
 still lives. The lady came to Illinois to spend the 
 summer at the home of her husband's parents and 
 died here after a short illness. Willard some two 
 
 years later married a lady from New York State, 
 who had lived for some years in Florida. This 
 union has been blessed with two children. 
 
 Tliree sons of our subject were soldiers for the 
 defense of the Union during the late war. When 
 the first call for seventy-five thousand men was 
 made by President Lincoln, Clay Vrtn Duzor en- 
 listed in the Twenty-eighth New York Infantry 
 and after a service of two years was honorably 
 discharged with his company'. While they were 
 on their homeward way. Gen. Lee invaded Penn- 
 sylvania, and the New York soldiers returning 
 fought some of the hardest battles they had yet 
 liarticipated in, and finally succeeded in driving 
 Lee from the Keystone State. After this, the reg- 
 iment returned home and received their discharge. 
 Harvey belonged to a Chicago batteiy and was 
 one of the youngest soldiers in the service, being 
 less than fourteen 3'ears of age when he w.as .ac- 
 cepted. He served until the close of the war, be- 
 ing actively engaged during three j'ears. Jacob 
 was placed in the Commissary Department and 
 spent most of his time in New York, gathering 
 commissary supplies. 
 
 In 1851, Mr. Van Duzor was called upon to 
 mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the Em- 
 pire State. He was again married, his second un- 
 ion being with Miss Julia Millspaugh, daughter of 
 Lewis Millspaugh, who was born in Monticello, N. 
 Y. Mrs. Van Duzor's parents removed to the 
 West and both died in Illinois many years ago. 
 
 Mr. Van Duzor is one of the pioneer settlers of 
 Clifton, having located here in the month of Sep- 
 tember, 1855. At that time this town had not 
 been organized nor were there any other towns for 
 many miles. This whole region was one vast 
 prairie almost totally uninhabited. Ciame abounded 
 and herds of deer and wolves roamed the prairies. 
 As much of it was swamp land, there were many 
 varieties of water-fowl in this locality, wild geese 
 and long-necked cranes being especially plentiful. 
 Since settling here Mr. Van Duzor has not been 
 away from Clifton for more than three months. 
 The first year he engaged in farming, taking up a 
 claim of one hundred and sixty acres from the 
 Government, three miles west of Chebanse. He 
 curried on agricultural pursuits for about two 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 799 
 
 yeai-s and then came to the present site of Clifton, 
 where lie built a hotel. This business he followed 
 until the spring of 1872. at which time be sold bis 
 hotel interests and engaged in the agricultural im- 
 plement business, having opened a store in that 
 line several years before, and in this line of trade 
 he still continues. At one time he also owned a 
 grocery store in Clifton. Although he has met 
 with heavy reverses, he has been undaunted and 
 has accumulated considerable pro))erty and has a 
 llnurishing business, carrying a large stock of 
 i:u()ds. In the Chicago fire he sustained a severe 
 liiss, some *5.5,000 worth of his property' being 
 tonsunied in the Ihimes. However, he is now the 
 possessor of a ple.-isant home and forty acres of 
 land situated within the corporate limits of the 
 village of Clifton. Some ten years before locat- 
 ing here, 5Ir. Van Duzor was appointed agent for 
 thePhcenix Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, 
 Conn., having written applications for that com- 
 pany for fort\--seven years. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Van Duzor are prominent mem- 
 bers of the Congregational Churcli, but formerly 
 belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church. In the 
 earlier d.ays of our country's history, our subject 
 was a supporter of the Whig party and has been 
 an adherent of the Hepuiilican party and its prin- 
 ciples since its organization. He has never as- 
 pired to official positions of recognition and has 
 attended strictly to business affairs. He is re- 
 si^ected for his unostentatious and honorable life 
 and is widely known as a genial and kind-hearted 
 man. He has a host of friends in this vicinity in 
 his many patrons and other acipiaintances. In his 
 business dealings he always shows the strictest in- 
 tegrity and honor. 
 
 -#!► 
 
 '-' I'OHN HELLKR is a well-known farmer and 
 stock-raiser, who makes his home on sec- 
 tion !?;>, Chebanse Townslii[i. He was born 
 in Darmstadt, German^', on the Hth of Feb- 
 ruary, 1842. He is a son of Conrad and Al- 
 bona (Lucas) Heller, both likewise natives of the 
 Fatherland. The father was by occupation a 
 
 m 
 
 farmer, and in 1852, taking passage at Rotter- 
 dam on a sailing-vessel, he started to seek a home 
 in the New World. He arrived in New York 
 City in the fall of 18.02, having been fifty-two 
 d.ays in crossing the Atlantic. He went direellv 
 to Chicago and located near there, engaging in 
 gardening for the succeeding .seven yeais. In 
 185;», be removed to Irocjuois County and pur- 
 eha.sed a tract of unimproved prairie laiui in Che- 
 banse Township, which lie continued to farm until 
 his death, in 189U. His wife w.is called to the 
 better land in 1878. 
 
 Our subject and his brother .lacob accompanied 
 their parents to the United States, and lived upon 
 the homestead in Illinois, .a.ssisling their father in 
 the work of the farm. Their brother George enlisted, 
 in 1861, in the Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, 
 and was killed in the battle of Stone River, near 
 Murfreesboro. Tenn. 
 
 John Heller lived until about seventeen years 
 of age in Chicago and received good school ad- 
 vantages in that city. He then came to Iroquois 
 County, assisting his father in developing hi.s land 
 until after he had reached his majority. His fa- 
 ther then gave him an eighty-acre farm, and on 
 this our subject located in 1872. He fenced a 
 good deal of his land and proceeded to develop 
 and cultivate it to the best of his ability. His 
 place soon yielded him rich returns for bis labors, 
 and he was soon on the rojjd to prosperity. He 
 has since bought an adjoining eighty acres, 
 and twenty acres, also eight acres more, makin" 
 one hundred and eighty-eight acres in one body, 
 all well-improved and arable land. Mr. Heller 
 has done considerable tiling and has a pleasant 
 and substantial residence, good barns and other 
 outbuildings. He is one of the enterprising and 
 thrifty farmers of Chebanse Township, and on 
 every hand may be seen the careful ullentirm 
 and cultivation of the owner. 
 
 On the 2d of .January, 1872, Mr. llcller was 
 united in wedlock with Carrie Falter, who was 
 born in Ohio, October 20, 1».');5, an'l remained in 
 Columbus until a maiden of thirteen. Her fa- 
 ther, Louis Falter, w.as born in (Jerniany and re- 
 moved from Ohio to .loliet. III., thence to Fiird 
 County. and afterward located In Irinpioi-. Cnunty. 
 
800 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 He lived on a farm in this township for several 
 3'ears and then removed lo the village of Che- 
 banse, wiiere his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Heller liave live children: Minnie, Nettie, Jacob, 
 diaries and Alice, all of whom are still under the 
 parental roof and are receiving good educations. 
 Miss Minnie is a professional dressmaker and mil- 
 liner. 
 
 The Republican party has received the support 
 of Mr. Heller since he has been a voter. The 
 cause of education finds in him a stanch friend 
 and well-wisher. He has been a resident of this 
 county for thirty-three years, and has been a wit- 
 ness of the remarkable changes in the same. From 
 a wilderness of swampy prairie land has been 
 evolved the present county of prosperous farms 
 and thriving villages. He has made many friends 
 in this and adjoining counties, and has ever as- 
 sisted in the advancement of this section. He is 
 one of the honored and esteemed pioneers, and it 
 is with pleasure that we place his name and brief 
 history among those who have made of this 
 county one of the best in the State. 
 
 
 /j^^ H ARLES C. DIKTZ, who carries on tiie occu- 
 (i\ n P''i'''on of farming on section 31, Crescent 
 ^9^J() Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, and 
 was born in Philadelphia September 21, 1832. 
 He is a son of .lobn Gottlieb Dietz, a native of 
 Germany, his birth having occurred in Wurtem- 
 berg in 1806. The father passed his early days in 
 the Fatherland, and emigrated to America in 1830. 
 He located in Lebanon County, Pa., and there re- 
 sided until 1865, when he moved to Logansport, 
 Ind., where he purchased a farm near thatcit3', and 
 there resided until his death, in the spring of 1890. 
 He married in Philadelphia Christina Caroline 
 Krantz, who, like him, was a native of Germany. She 
 was reared and educated in that country, and came 
 alone to America. Her death occurred in 1842, 
 when our subject was a lad of twelve years. The 
 father afterward married again. Mr. Dietz started 
 in life a poor boy, and when he landed in the 
 United States was practically without means, but 
 
 as the result of industry he accumulated a large 
 estate, and at his death gave to each of his cliil- 
 dren forty acres of good land. He was an active 
 member of the German Lutheran Church, in which 
 he served as Elder for a number of years. From 
 a paper published at the time of his death, we 
 quote the following: "John Gottlieb Dietz died 
 at his residence in Cass County, Ind., on the 17th 
 of April, 1890, at the ripe old age of eighty-three 
 years. He was born September 17, 1806, in Bret z- 
 feld, Wurtemberg, Germany, and in 1821 sailed 
 for America, landing in Philadelphia, where he 
 resided for five years. He removed to Lebanon, 
 Pa., in 1836. There he united with Zion 's Lutheran 
 Church. Mr. Dietz was contirmed in the Lutheran 
 Church of Germau3' when fourteen years of age. 
 In 1864, he with his family, except one son, came 
 to Indiana, and has since lived in Cass County. 
 He was tiie father of seven children, four sons and 
 three daughters, all of whom were present at his 
 burial. He was a remarkable man, of robust con- 
 stitution and vigorous mind. He had studied the 
 Scriptures carefully and prayerful!}', so that his 
 familiarity with God's AVord was wonderful. He 
 was a grand Christian gentleman, and was mourned 
 by all. The funeral service was preached in the 
 Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church, in Rock Creek, by 
 Rev. J. L. Guard, who has been pastor for nearly 
 twenty years, from the text, 'But the jjath of the 
 just is as a shining liglit, which shinctii more and 
 more unto the perfect day." 
 
 Our subject, Charles C, is the ehlest of four sons, 
 and there was also one daugliter by his father's 
 first marriage. V>y the second union were born 
 two daughters. Theodore, the second child, is a 
 farmer residing near Logansport, Ind.; John 
 Gottlieb also carries on agricultural pnrsuits near 
 the same city; Henry Wilhelm is occupied in 
 farming near Lebanon, Pa.; Cliristina Caroline is 
 the wife of John Tripps,a farmer near Logansport; 
 Eliza is the wife of George Hummel, who carries 
 on the old homestead near Logansport; and Sarah, 
 wife of D.aniel Ray, who lives near the above 
 city. 
 
 Mr. Dietz of this sketch grew to manhood in 
 the Keystone State, and received his education in 
 the schools of his native countiy. His advantages 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 in tlial direction were very limited and he is 
 mostly self-educated; nevertheless, by close ob- 
 -eivation and well-selected reading, he has become 
 a well-informed man on all the leading questions 
 of the day and general topics. When a young 
 man he came West as far as Chicago, intending 
 to go to the far West, but then decided to go 
 only as far as Iowa City. After staying there a 
 short time he returned to Madison County, Ind., 
 and near Anderson was united in marriage, Feljru- 
 ary 22, 1857, his bride being Eliza Carinany, who 
 was born in Lebanon County, Pa., and wasachuigh- 
 ter of John Carmany, now deceased. 
 
 The first year after his marriage, Mr. Dietz 
 worked at manual labor, at fifty cents per d.ay. 
 lie then operated a farm belonging to a widow 
 for two years; she furnished teams and farming 
 implements, while he received three-fifths of the 
 crops. After accumulating a small capital he then 
 purchased one horse, and as occasion demanded 
 hired another, p.aying for it by his labor. His in- 
 dustrious (ierman spirit knew no such word as 
 fail. He experienced many of the hardships and 
 privations incident to the farming of new land. 
 He there remained for nine years, and in 1.865 
 moved to Illinois, settling in Iroquois County. 
 For two years he rented a farm near Watseka, and 
 then purch.ased one hundred and twenty acres of 
 raw land, where he has since resided. He met 
 with all the dilliculties of opening \qi the new 
 prairie land, and the first season after his purch.ase 
 being very wet, he was not enabled to harvest any 
 crops, and therefore for the first year or two the 
 family was subject to many hardships. To add to 
 his troubles, his faithful wife, after a short illness, 
 died in February, 1869, leaving him with seven 
 children, one of whom was an infant. 
 
 The following year, on the 27lh of March, .Mr. 
 Dietz was united in marriage with Mrs. Emma E. 
 Tiiompson, who was in her maidenhood .Miss t)rtli. 
 Her j)ai'ents were Adam (lodlove and Fannie 
 (Seaschrisl) Orth, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
 The father was born in Lebanon County, May 8, 
 1806, and died April 3, 1886, at the advanced age of 
 four-score years. Tlie mother was born -lanuary 2'i, 
 1811, and IS still living at the age of eighty-one. 
 Her great-grandparents were both killed by the 
 
 Indians. .\ brother of Mr. Orlli. liudhjve Sulner 
 Orth, was a man prominent in the history of this 
 country. He was ajipointed by President (!rant 
 as Minister t<j \'ienna, and afterward Iwcame can- 
 didate for the otilce of (lovernorof Indiana. Mrs. 
 Dietz has in her possession a beautiful volume 
 which contains the memorial address delivered in 
 Congress on the death of Codlove .S. Orth. The 
 New York Trihune in 1876 wrote of him as 
 follows: "Mr. Orth, the nominee of the Indiana 
 Republican party for Covernor, was born near Leb- 
 anon, I'a., .\pril 22, 1817. After receiving a good 
 education at Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, 
 he studied law, and w.as admitted to the Har in 
 1839. He wj\s elected to the State Senate of Indi- 
 ana, .served si.K years, and was President of that 
 body. In 1862, when a call was made for troops 
 to defend Indiana from threatened incursions, Mr. 
 Orth organized a companv in two hours. He was 
 elected Captain and placed in command of the 
 United States vessel, "Horner," wliich did duty on 
 the Ohio River." It is thus seen that Mr. Orth was 
 ver\' prominent both at home and abroad. 
 
 Mrs. Dietz w.as the sixth in order of birth in a 
 family of twelve children, of wiiom five sons and 
 three daughters are yet living. .She was born, 
 reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and wit- 
 ncs-sed the fan'ous battle of (Jettysburg. .She 
 became the wife of William Thompson, of .\ltoona, 
 Pa., and had one child by her first marriage. The 
 children born by the first union of Mr. Dietz are 
 as follows: Melissa J., wife of John IJurkholdcr; 
 Milton .\.; .\nna L., wife of Henry Forbes, of this 
 county; John Henry, who is married and' resides 
 on a farm in this county; Charles F., who occupies a 
 responsible position in Chicago; and Ella. Fan- 
 nie, wife of Frank Hedford, an engineer on a trans- 
 fer l)oal at Vicksburg, Mi.ss., is the daughter of 
 Mrs. Dietz by her former marriage. V>\ her union 
 with our subject have been born two children: 
 (lodlove Orth, who has taught successfully in this 
 community, i-^ a young man of sterling worth, and 
 is now a student in ( liiaiga .Seminary: and Cyrus 
 Edgar. 
 
 Mr. Dietz, after recovering from the first two 
 years of loss on his farm, begun tfi prosper, and 
 soon had his property in good shape. He has 
 
802 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 since bought eightj' acres of land adjoining, and 
 has two hundred acres of valuable and well-im- 
 proved land. He has erected a substantial and 
 comfortable house and has good barns and out- 
 buildings. Everything about his farm bears evi- 
 dence of the thrift and enterprise of the owner. 
 He is esteemed tliroughout this county as one of 
 the most substantial and well-to-do farmers of 
 this locality. 
 
 Mr. Dietz is identifie(l with the Democratic 
 part}', casting his first ballot for Stephen A. Doug- 
 las and voting for every nominee of that party in 
 Presidential elections since that time. In local 
 politics lie is independent, voting for the man best 
 fitted in liis estimation for the position in ques- 
 tion. Though much interested in politics and the 
 welfare of the State and community, he prefers to 
 give his attention to his farm and own business 
 affairs, never having asked for or accepted an 
 official position. Mrs. Dietz is a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, while her husband, though 
 not a member of the Lutheran Church, is inclined 
 to that belief, though he usually attends the church 
 with which his wife is identified. He contributes 
 liberally toward the suppoit of the church and its 
 enterprises. For twent3--seven years, Mr. Dietz 
 has been an honored and respected resident of 
 this State and county, and is held to be a man of 
 sterling character by all his numerous friends an'd 
 acquaintances. 
 
 <Sr^DWIN HOBSON, a prominent farmer of 
 Ir^ Chebanse Township, owns a good farm on 
 /^' — ■£■ section 8. He is a native of England, his 
 birth having occurred in Lincolnshire on the 1st 
 of Februar\', 1849. He is a son of William Hob- 
 son, a native of the same shire, who grew to 
 maturity theie and married Miss Mary Carleton. 
 The father was a farmer in England and also fol- 
 lowed that calling after coming to the United 
 States. Ho crossed the Atlantic in 1856 with his 
 family and settled near Joliet, 111;, where he rented 
 a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits for 
 
 about five years. He next removed to Kankakee 
 County, where for three years he rented and car- 
 ried on a farm. In 1864, he came to Iroquois 
 County and bought a farm of one iiundred and 
 sixty acres of raw jirairie land in Chebanse Town- 
 ship. This he developed and met with considera- 
 ble success as an agriculturist. He resided here 
 until his death, which occurred in March, 1887. 
 Mrs. Hobson had passed away several years previ- 
 ous. 
 
 I^dwin Hobson is the third in order of birth in 
 a family of nine children: The eldest, Ellizabeth, 
 was the wife of Robert Luttou and is now de- 
 ceased; Jane; Robert, a farmer on the old home- 
 stead; Thomas, who is a merchant of Clifton; 
 Agnes, wife of George Wilson, of Kankakee City; 
 Frank F., a farmer of this county; Louise, wife 
 of Louis Van Sant, of Clifton; and William, a 
 butcher of the same place. One brother was killed 
 by a threshing-machine at the age of about nine 
 3^ears. 
 
 The subject of this sketch came to Illinois with 
 his parents when a lad of seven years and grew to 
 manhood in this State. He had common-school 
 advantages and remained with his father assisting 
 in the care of his farm until he had attained his 
 majority. He then rented the farm where he now 
 resides for about five years, and in 1884 purchased 
 the place. He has a farm of one hundred and 
 sixty acres under a good state of cultivation, and 
 his well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute. 
 He has steadily carried forward the work of im- 
 provement and development, and his property is 
 considered to be a valuable and desirable tract. 
 It is located a mile and a-half from Clifton, and 
 on it can be found a pleasant and substantial resi- 
 dence, good barns and other farm buildings. He 
 is a self-made man, and has by his own labor, en- 
 terprise and industry achieved a success and pros- 
 perity which to-day crown his years of labor. 
 
 In Cassopolis, Cass County, Mich., Mr. Hobson 
 wedded Miss Jennie Davidson, a native of that 
 city, and there reared to womanhood. The wed- 
 ding ceremony occurred on the .31st of December, 
 1879. Mrs. Hobson is a daughter of Samuel Dav- 
 idson, a native of New Elngland. 
 
 Our subject has never wished for official posi- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORI). 
 
 803 
 
 tioiis :ui(i lias given liis whole time and attention 
 to his farming iinc' business interest*. Me makes a 
 specialty of the breeding of fine horses, and has in 
 his stables some thoroughbred English Shire stal- 
 lions. He has shown marked business ability, and 
 his wise investments and industry have brought to 
 him abundant returns. Politically, Mr. Ilobson 
 has been identified with tlie I\c|iublican |)arly 
 since becoming a voter. His first ballot for Presi- 
 dent was cast for Hon. Rutherford 1). Hayes, and 
 every Presidential nominee since has received his 
 support. For nearly his whole life-time he has 
 been a resident of this county and is well and 
 favorabl3' known in this community as a man of 
 honor, integrity' and worth. He has won the 
 friendship of all who know him and well deserves 
 to be remembered in this volume. 
 
 ""T^MOMAS SIT. MP. a leading and respected 
 //j~N farmer of Ashkura Township, owns and op- 
 V_y erates a farm on section 21. He was born 
 in Clermont County, Ohio, on the 27th of Decem- 
 ber, 1829. His father, Lewis Stump, was born in 
 the same county on the 1st of January, 1804, 
 while his grandfather. John Stump, was a native 
 of Winchester County, \'a., and was of (>erman 
 descent. The latter, in company with three broth- 
 ers, went west to Kentucky, and after stopping 
 there a short lime removed to Ohio, where they 
 settled. 
 
 Lewis Stump, the father of our subject, grew to 
 manhood in Clermont Count}' and received as 
 good an education as could be obtained in the 
 schools of that early period. He married Eliza- 
 beth Fitz water, a daughter of Thomas Fitzwater, 
 one of the early settlers of Clermont County, 
 who was of Scotch descent. Mr. Stump was a far- 
 mer and spent his entire life in Ohio, his death oc- 
 curring there about 188.5. His wife passed away 
 in 1836. Three sons were born of that union: 
 Thomas, who is the subject of this sketch; David 
 and John Stump. David grew to manhood and 
 resides on the old homestead in Oliio; and Jolin is 
 a farmer of Douglas County. Kan. He was a sol- 
 
 dier of the late war and was in the gunl)oal serv- 
 ice under ('apt. Perkins, .\fter the death of his 
 first wife, Mr. Stump was again married. 
 
 Our subject passed his boyhood days in the usual 
 rf>utine of farm life and received common-school 
 privileges. He remained with his parents until 
 about twenty-five years of age, assisting his father 
 in his agricultural pursuits. He also ran a Ihresli- 
 iiig-machinc during the fall season. In ISHiJ, Mr. 
 Slump came on a visit to relatives in Iroquois 
 County, 111., and decided to make his home here. 
 He accordingly rented land of Andrew W. Spence 
 and engaged in farming on the place where he has 
 since resided. .Vfter the death of that gentleman, 
 our subject entered into partnership with Jlrs. 
 Spence and took entire chaige of the farm and 
 business until her death, which occurred in 18G,j. 
 He then entered into an agreement with the 
 licirs of tlie property, William H. and .Margaret 
 J. Spence, to carry on the farm in partnership. 
 They have added to the original place until the 
 property now consists of seven hundred acres of 
 valuable and well-improved land. It is situated 
 on the Iroquois River, in Askum Township. When 
 Mr. Stump first came here the county was little 
 better than a wilderness and swamp. The villages 
 of Ashkum and Clifton were not then in existence, 
 and only a little l''rench settlement could be found 
 in this section. One could cross the prairie in 
 any direction for miles without coming to any 
 buildings, settlements or even fences. 
 
 Mr. Stump was formerly an old-line Whig and a 
 great admirer of Henry Clay. He has l)een iden- 
 tified with the Democratic party since James Ru- 
 chanaii ran for President, to whom he gave his 
 suppori. Relieving in his worth and ability, our 
 s.ibject has been many times elected b}' his fellow- 
 citizens to fill official positions. He has served as 
 Commissioner of Highways, has been Justice of the 
 Peace for some eight years, and also vras elected 
 in 1861 as Supervisor, which position he filled for 
 many years. To whatever ollice he has been elected 
 he has always discharged his duties with lidelit}' 
 and zeal and in a manner that has merited the ap- 
 proval of all. He has ever liecn a friend of the 
 cause of education, and is a firm believer in our 
 grand public-school system. He has served as a 
 
804 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 nie)nber of the School Board for about a quarter 
 of a century and is still one of the trusted and 
 efficient members. He has also been an Associate 
 Justice for a period of fovu' years. Though never 
 especially desiring office, he has acceded to the 
 wisiies of his fellow-citizens and performed his du- 
 ties most acceptably. He is a public-spirited man 
 and one who believes that personal and private 
 interests should be largely put aside when higher 
 duties to the city, county and State so demand. 
 For nearly two-score years, Mr. Stump has been a 
 resident of this State and county and has witnessed 
 great changes in tiiat time. He is one of the hon- 
 ored pioneers, and is an enterprising, well-to-do 
 farmer of this locality. 
 
 jh^\ ICHAEL HAUSZ, a prominent and success- 
 ful farmer of Prairie (ireen Township, re- 
 siding on section 9, claims Connecticut as 
 the State of his nativity. He was born in 
 Bridgeport on the 29th of November, 1839. His 
 father, Michael Hausz, was born in Baden, Ger- 
 many, May 6, 1809, and is still living at the ad- 
 vanced age of eightj'-three 3'ears; his wife is 
 seventy-six. He was reared to manhood upon a 
 farm, and when a .young man learned the trade of 
 cabinet-making, which he followed in the Old 
 Country. Hoping to benefit his financial condi- 
 tion by emigrating to America, he crossed the 
 broad Atlantic in early maniiood. Landing in 
 New York, he there worked for a time, after 
 which he went to Bridgeport, Conn., wliere he 
 married Miss Elizabeth Heinig. She was also a 
 native of German}*, and when a young lady of 
 eighteen years came to this countr}'. 
 
 Mr. Hausz continued to follow the cabinet-mak- 
 ing trade in Bridgeport until 1840, when they 
 moved to New York Cit}-, where they lived about 
 six years, when they started Westward. They 
 traveled by way of the Lakes, landing at Mil- 
 waukee, AVis. The father at, once went to Jef- 
 ferson County and secured a farm near Ft. At- 
 kinson, where he has since made his home, cover- 
 ing a period of forty-six consecutive years. His 
 
 life has been an industrious and enterprising one, 
 and by his own efforts he has acquired a compe- 
 tence, which enables him to live a retired life. In 
 politics, he is n supporter of the Democratic party, 
 and himself and family are members of the Luth- 
 eran Church. Of the children, Michael is the eld- 
 est; George J. resides on the old homestead; Mrs. 
 Louisa Widman is living in Jefferson County, 
 Wis.; and Mrs. Amelia Sherman makes her home 
 in Tacoma, Wash. All the living children, except 
 our subject, were born in Wisconsin. 
 
 Michael Hausz, whose name heads this record, 
 was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes of 
 frontier life in Wisconsin. Indians still lived in 
 the locality of his home, and all kinds of wild 
 game were plentiful. As the countrj' roundabout 
 was all heavily timbered, he early learned to 
 swing the axe, and became inured to the hard 
 labors of developing a farm in a new country. 
 His educational privileges were quite limited. He 
 attended a log schoolhouse, with its slab seats and 
 other primitive furniture, throughout tlie winter 
 season when there was not much work on the 
 farm. At the age of sixteen, he spent the winter 
 in the Higii School of Albion Center, and when 
 twenty-three he attended a half-term at Ft. At- 
 kinson, and then pursued a complete course of 
 study in Eastman's Business College of Poughkeep- 
 sie, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1863. 
 He then returned to Wisconsin and entered a store 
 as salesman. During the next eight years, he en- 
 gaged in clerking and in doing business for himself 
 as a merchant, but the close confinement impaired 
 his health. He consequently sold out, and in 
 1871 came to Iroquois County, 111. 
 
 October 2, 1867, in Jefferson County, Wis.. Mr 
 Hausz led to the marriage altar Miss Paulina C. 
 Giese, a native of Prussia, born September 2, 1846. 
 He had been previously married. Mrs. Hausz' 
 parents, John and Minnie Giese, were also born in 
 that land. Eight children graced their union, six 
 sons and two daughters: Frank G., born in Wis- 
 consin, married Frankie Dawson and resides in 
 Stockland Township; Edward M. died at the age 
 of nine years; Frederick W., born in this county, 
 aids his father in the operation of the home farm; 
 August C, Lavisa L., Dora, and Ora and Orrin 
 
POHTHAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 805 
 
 (twins) are still under the parental roof. The eliil- 
 dren received good educational advanlM<;es, titling 
 tht'm for the practical duties of life. 
 
 On coming U) this county, Mr. Ilausz pur- 
 chased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Ita 
 improvements were indeed limited. The house 
 was a mere shell, there were no barns or fences, and 
 the land was very wet. The nearest markets were 
 at Sheldon and Watseka. In the twenty-one years 
 tliat have since come and gone, a great transfor- 
 mation has been wrought. The land has been well 
 tiled and is under a high state of cultivation, 
 while well-kept fences divide it into lields of con- 
 venient size. There are good barns and other 
 outbuildings, a fine frame residence, and all the 
 .accessories of a model farm. The improvements 
 upon the pl.ace are monuments to the thrift and 
 enterprise of the owner, who is recognized as a 
 successful business man and farmer. 
 
 Both :Mr. and Mrs. Ilausz are members of the 
 Christian Church, with which they have been con- 
 nected for ten years. They take an active part in 
 its work and upbuilding, and cuntribute liberally 
 to its support. In his social relations, Mr. Ilausz 
 is an Odd Fellow, beUmging to Milford Lodge, 
 and is also connected with the Farmers' JIutual 
 Benefit Association. He cast his first Presidential 
 vote in 1860. supporting Stephen A. Douglas, but 
 in 1864 voted for Abr.ahani Lincoln, and has since 
 been a worker in the Republican party. He has 
 never sought office, but has given his time and at- 
 tention exclusively to his business interests, in 
 which he has met with signal success. The com- 
 petence which ha-s crowned bis efforts is well de- 
 served. 
 
 i 
 
 ILLIAM H. KFNT, of the firm of Cum- 
 mings S: Kent, lumber dealers, was born in 
 ^ Natchez, Miss., on the 2!)th of Octolwr, 
 18.5(1. His italernal grandfather was a soldier in 
 the Black Hawk War and was of English origin, 
 cnming frfim the county of Kent. Our subject is 
 the sou of Albert C. and Sarah J. (Damon; Kent, 
 
 the former a native of New llami)shire, and the 
 latter, who is of Welsh descent, a native of Maine. 
 To them four children were liorn: Margaret S. is 
 now deceased; All)ert C. is also dece.ved; Sarah .1. 
 became the wife of .lason L. Oaiey, a farmer near 
 Dover, Me., and they have one child. Frank K. 
 The youngest of the family is our subject. .la.son L. 
 (iarey was a soldier in the late war as was also the 
 father of our subject. They enlisted in IHGl at 
 the first call for troops, in Company 11. Twenty- 
 sixth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close 
 of the war. Mr. Kent was in thirty-two battles, 
 and although he had many hair-breadth escapes 
 was never wounded. At one time a lock of his 
 hair was shot away by a bullet; at another time Ins 
 hat was pierced by a ball; and still another instance 
 of his nearness to death is shown in the fad that 
 his clothing near his heart was traversed by a 
 bullet. He was in many of the fiercest and bloodi- 
 est battles of the war. He often served jus a scout 
 under Oen. Logan and never seemed to know fear 
 while in the army. Among the battles in which 
 he participated were Holly Springs, luka, Chat- 
 tanooga, Corinth. Atlanta, .and the siege of Vicks- 
 burg. He was also in the battles of .Mission Kidge 
 and Chickamauga and a nninljer of skirmishes in 
 the mountains. At Little Rock, he was pronioUnl 
 to a captaiucv. He was ever found at the post of 
 duty and was courageous and etlicient at all times. 
 In 1810, he removed from Boston, Mass.. to 
 Natchez, Miss., where he engaged in the luml)er 
 business for about nine years. Returning to I5()S- 
 lon, he remained there one year, and in 18i')(l came 
 to Illinois, locating at X.ashville. where he was 
 employed sus a paintei until the breaking out of 
 the war. His family during the time of his resi- 
 dence in Illinois remained in liosliui. In 18.")'.(, 
 the mother came with her children to Nasliville, 
 where they lived for about four years, then I.H-ated 
 in Richview. W.ashingtoii Connly. 
 
 AVilliam H. Kent received a good comnion-scliool 
 education at N.ashville. and afterward attended the 
 Hichview Seminary. In IH72, he learned teleg- 
 raphy and occupii'd posHioii> :us npcnitor on the 
 Iron Mountain A- Southern Kailroad in .Missouri 
 ! .ind with the Chicago \ .\lton Kallroad in Illinois 
 until IMTt;. He then entered the employ of the 
 
806 
 
 PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Illinois Central Railroad Com])any at Aslikum, 
 111., where he held the position of station agent 
 and telegraph operator for fourteen years, and was 
 esteemed by them as one of their most faithful and 
 trusty emi)loyes. Of his own accord he loft his 
 position at Ashkum and has engaged in the lum- 
 ber business at Chebanse, where he has been lo- 
 cated for about two years. 
 
 The 25111 of September, 1878, witnessed the 
 marriage of Mr. Kcjit and Miss Julia Tibbetts, and 
 one child, Charles, now five years old, graces their 
 union. Mrs. Kent is the daughter of the Rev. 
 James Tibbetts, of Waterville, Me. ller mother in 
 her maidenhood bore the name of Ruby Knight. 
 
 For sixteen years Mr. Kent has been a Mason, 
 fourteen years of this time holding membership 
 with Clifton Lodge No. 688, A. F. & A. M., luit is 
 now a member of Chebanse Lodge No. 429. He 
 is a loyal and representative citizen and has al- 
 ways been a man of enterprise and public spirit. 
 He is ever ready to do his share in the advance- 
 ment of his fellow-citizens and the community and 
 is highly resi)ected by all who know him. 
 
 ;RKI)EKICK SWIVAI. is a prominent and 
 respected farmer of Cliebanse Township, 
 and owns a valuable farm on section 6. 
 He is a native of Switzerland, where his birth oc- 
 curred on the 25tli of August, 1842. He is the 
 youngest of a family of six children. In 1855, he 
 emigrated to the United States, in company w-ith 
 his brothers. He first spent three years in Cleve- 
 land, Ohio, attending the schools of that city, and 
 then on account of his brother David's death in 
 Wisconsin, he went to that State, and there worked 
 two years, after which he came to Illinois to work 
 with his brother Henry in Will ('ounty. There 
 he grew to mature years, working on the farm 
 in the summer and attending the district schools 
 during the winter months. 
 
 Inspired by love for his adojited country, ilr. 
 Swival enlisted in her defense in July, 1862, at 
 Wilmington, 111., becoming a mehitier of Company 
 A, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry. He partici- 
 
 pated with his regiment in many engagements,— 
 was in the battles of Perry ville, Ky., Murfreesboro, 
 Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Res- 
 aca and New Hope Church. He was also in the 
 battle of Lost Mountain, and was there taken sick 
 and was in the hospital at Lookout Mountain for 
 some time. He joined his regiment again in Sep- 
 tember and was afterward in the battles of Frank- 
 lin and Nashville. He received a tlesh wound on 
 his left check, which has left a scar, a lasting 
 memento of his service and patriotism. He was 
 always found at his post of duty and was one of 
 the most reliable of soldiers, discharging his duties 
 with the utmost fidelity and bravery. He received 
 his discharge at the close of the war, in June, 1865, 
 and then returned to Will County. 
 
 For four years after his return home, Mr. Swival 
 engaged in herding cattle on the prairies of Iro- 
 quois and Ford Counties. He purchased land 
 where he now resides in 1866. This was a tract 
 of one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie, 
 and on this he located in 1870. He proceeded to 
 cultivate and develop the farm and has since 
 purchased eighty acres additional and now has a 
 farm of two hundred acres, all of which is good 
 arable land, and at the present time well improved 
 and yielding to its owner a comfortable competence. 
 Its well-tilled fields and neat farmyard sjjeak of a 
 thrifty and industrious owner, and all the modern 
 improvements to be there found indicate liim to be 
 a man of progressive ideas. He has built a good 
 residence and has commodious stables and other 
 farm buildings. Commencing his life in Illinois a 
 poor man, Mr. Swival has steadily pushed forward, 
 overcoming all obstacles, until success has crowned 
 his efforts and he is to-day accounted one of the 
 enterprising and well-to-do farmers of the town- 
 ship. 
 
 In Will County, on the 2i)th of Ai)ril, 1866, oc- 
 curred the marriage of Mr. Swival and Miss Per- 
 inelia Jones. The lady is a native of Illinois, and 
 grew to womanhood in Will County. She is a 
 daughter of Harrison Jones, who was born in Ken- 
 tucky. To our subject and bis wife have been 
 born nine children: Rachel is the wife of W. W. 
 ])e Hart, of Chicago; Emma is the wife of Henry 
 Perry, of the same city; Lizzie is at home; Fred is 
 
PORTRAIT AND B1(X4RAPH1CAL RECORD. 
 
 S(i7 
 
 eiij^aged in lielijing to carry on tlie work of llie 
 home farm; llcnrv, Olive P., Frank, Clarence and 
 I'ermelia are all at liome and atlendini; the schools 
 ipf the neighborhood. 
 
 Since becoming a voter. Mr. Swival has lieen a 
 Republican, his first billot for President being 
 cast in 18GH for (ien. V. S. (irant. Every Presi- 
 dential nominee of the party since that time has 
 received his support. He lias never sought or 
 accepted otticial positions, lint has ever discharged 
 his duties of citizenship in a f.iithful and unosten- 
 tatious manner. For years lie has served as a 
 member of the School Board and the cause of edu- 
 cation finds in liim a true friend. While not a 
 member of any churcli organization, he is a be- 
 liever in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, to which he gives liberally. as he also does 
 to the support of other churches. .Socially, he is x 
 member of the Grand Army Post of Chebanse. 
 For thirty-three years he has lived in Illinois and 
 for about a quarter of a century in this portion of 
 the State. He has been a witness of its develop- 
 ment and has assisted as far as he was able to ad- 
 vance its best interests. He is worthy to be placed 
 on record as one of the honored pioneers, and by 
 his upright life he has won many friends. 
 
 ^||().SEPII WADLEIGH, a prominent and in- 
 lluential farmer, who lives on his fine farm 
 situated on section 17, is the oldest resident 
 in Milk's Orove Township. His birth oc- 
 curred on the 2d of .lune. 1M17, on the Illack River, 
 Onondaga County, X. Y. He is a son of .John 
 Wadley. a native of Xew Hampshire. He was a 
 carpenter, and engaged in the manufacture of 
 trunks, and also served in the War of 1H12. In 
 New Ham|ishirc occurred his marriage witli Miss 
 Su.san Wadleigh, of that Slate. Our subject 
 adopted the spelling of his mother's name. The 
 father removed from New York Stale to Ohio 
 when .losepli was a ciiild, traveling in a wagon as 
 far as Pittsburgh, Pa. From there the family 
 tloated down the Ohio ]{iver nn a llatboat to Cin- 
 cinnati. Soon after locating there, the father 
 
 died, and .Mrs. Wadleigh removed to Oxford, 
 Ohio, with her family, where she lived until her 
 death. 
 
 'I'he family consisted of four sons and fuur 
 daughters, of whom .Joseph is the only one now 
 living, and is the youngest of the sons. .lelTeison 
 died in M.aysville, Ky. .John die<l in Oxford, 
 Ohio, and .lonathan in New Orleans, .\bigail de- 
 parted this life in Ohio. Polly died in Missouri. 
 Marietta died in Cincinnati: and .Jane in Franklin 
 County, Ind. 
 
 Our siil)icct grew lo manhood in Oxford. Ohio, 
 and received a common-school education. He is 
 continually adding to his store of knowledge Iiy 
 extensive reading and study. In M.aysvillc, Ky., 
 he learned the tinsmith's trade, but on account of 
 the cholera, which raged fiercely in that section, he 
 w.as obliged to return to Ohio. He started in the 
 active liusiness of life when about nineteen years 
 of age, and had a •'lippenny-bit" as his capit.al 
 stock. He worked at his trade in Oxford three 
 years, receiving as a weekly salary *.') per week. 
 From that small sum he saved nu)ncy. purchased 
 a lot and built a house, ultimately buying out his 
 eraiiloyer's business. His mother made her home 
 with him during her declining years, and he was 
 ever a loyal and dutiful son. 
 
 In 1817, he took the Western fever and started 
 from St. .Jo, Mo., in a wagon train of ox-teams 
 under the charge of Capt. Ilawes. They were 
 bound ff>r Oregon, and were five months on the 
 road. He discovered what he now knows wa.s 
 gold at the head of Sweet Water River, in the 
 Rocky Mountains, therefore he has the honor of l)e- 
 ing the first discfiverer of gold in the Rocky 
 Mountains, also antedating Sutler's discovery in 
 Califfirnia. He carried the first individual flag 
 across the inoiintnins, erecting it on the banks of 
 (ireen River on the Fourth af .liily. His ling was 
 also used during the Cu\use War mi (tregun. He 
 remained in that St«te for abfuit one .\ear, and 
 opened the first tinshop in the settlement. In 
 IMl.H, he went to California and commenced busi- 
 ness on .Sutter^ Fort. He was (piitc famili:tr with 
 Capt. Sutler, and made the surveycir's chain which 
 was used in laying out Sacramento ('it\-. and fur 
 which he was paid «3(HI. In It* U', Mr. Wadleigh 
 
808 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 sailerl down the Pacific to Panama, and returned 
 from tliere to Ohio. His object in going to the 
 West was his health, which was much improved by 
 tlie outdoor life and pure air of the mountains. 
 He came baclf with considerable money, and he 
 remembers his trip as one of the most [ileasant 
 events of his life. 
 
 He resided in Oxford for about ten years longer, 
 and in the fall of 1858 went to Kankakee, where 
 lie lived for about a year. In the spring of 1800, 
 he came to Iroquois County, and bought a tract of 
 sixteen hundred acres in Milk's Grove Township, 
 where he still makes his home. The prairie was 
 unbroken and uncultivated, and few neighbors 
 were in this community. He has given liberally 
 of his property to his sons, and has four hundi'ed 
 and forty acres left, whicli he rents. He has been 
 a very successful farmer, and has used the most 
 improved methods of machinery in his farm work. 
 He is a man of known inventive genius, liaving 
 in 1872 invented the dump used in elevators all 
 over the country for unloading wagons. How- 
 ever, this invention was stolen from him, and he 
 has never received any financial benefit from it. 
 He also is the inventor of a car coupling, which 
 couples automatically with both a hook and a link 
 coupling. In addition to these, he has invented 
 a ha^-baling machine and many other ingenious 
 and useful contrivances. 
 
 In Hamilton County, Ohio, on the 27th of .hily, 
 1851, Mr. Wadleigh was united in marriage witii 
 Miss M. J. Morey, who was born in Somerville, 
 Butler County, Ohio, on the 12th of December, 
 1829. She departed this life in 1885 in Chicago, 
 wliere she had been taken for medical aid. She 
 lies buried in Kldridgeville cemetery. She was a 
 devoted wife and mother, and her many friends 
 and relatives deeply mourn her loss. Her brother, 
 Leo l\Iorey, was for some _years a Congressman 
 from Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Wadleigh were born 
 the following children: Romeo F. was born in Ox- 
 ford, Ohio, is married, and has a family. He is a 
 prominent farmer of this township, and resides on 
 a portion of his father's estate. Theodore S. and 
 William M. each operate farms situated on section 
 18. Robert W. is engaged in farming near the 
 old home, as is also Henrj' L. Joseph Sheridan is 
 
 a respected farmer of Milk's Grove Township, 
 .losephine is tiie wife of Frank Porter, and resides 
 in Englew(jod, one of the suburbs of Chicago. The 
 foui' youngest children were born on the old home- 
 stead, and all have received the best of common- 
 school educations. 
 
 Mr. Wadleigh has always taken an active and 
 interested part in the cause of education. When 
 he returned from California, he found Miami 
 University in a state of bankruptcy. From him 
 the President and Trustees of the Universit}- 
 secured a loan of 15,000 for five j'ears at' eight 
 per cent., where.is he might have received ten per 
 cent, had he loaned it to other parties. This loan 
 enabled the school to continue and make itself im- 
 mortal by educating such men as I'.enjamin Har- 
 rison, Whitelaw Reid, Secretary Noble, David 
 Swing and others scarcely less noted, while the 
 part Mr. Wadleigh performed in sustaining the 
 school when its credit was good for nothing has 
 long since been forgotten, or at least has not re- 
 ceived the favorable notice it deserves. 
 
 When it was proposed to build a female academy 
 at Oxford, Mr. Wadleigh took stock in the enter- 
 prise, which has since developed into the Oxford 
 Female College, where Mrs. Benjamin Harrison 
 was educated. 
 
 He contributed liberally to the schoolhouse on 
 his home farm, which is the finest country school- 
 house in the county. Mr. Wadleigh is a Univers- 
 alist in belief, and with his wife was one of the 
 early members of the church in Oxford of that 
 denomination. His first vote was cast for Andrew 
 Jackson, and later he voted for Lincoln, and was a 
 stanch Republican until Grant ran the third time 
 for Piesidcnt. Since 1884, he has been a sup- 
 porter of the Prohibition party. He is a public- 
 spirited m.an, and has always taken an active and 
 zealous i)ait in all public measures tending to the 
 upbuilding and welfare of the community. In 
 18()C, he was elected Township Treasurer, and for 
 twenty-six years continuously has held that posi- 
 tion to the satisfaction of all. He has a pleasant 
 home, and on every hand may be seen evidences 
 of the thrift and inventive genius of the owner. 
 One of his buildings is particularly a model in this 
 line. Under one roof there is a mill, an elevator, 
 
(Lj^^n^-d--^^~^<_j 
 
c^''^l.s..^^S^-<_ /^^jji-.jz/^^^'^ /^:-C-^>/<^^K^_ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 
 
 il3 
 
 creamery, bcehouse and observatory. The latter 
 is situated in a sixty-foot tower, wiiich is sur- 
 mounted by a windmill. From' his observatory 
 can be seen a tine view of tlie surrounding country, 
 and with a telescope one can sec fifteen towns, 
 which are located in four counties. Personallv, 
 Mr. Wadleigh is a high type of the self-reliant, 
 energetic and intelligent American. Though he 
 has passed the allotted three-score and ten years, 
 he is in good health, and is an active man. lie 
 says that his health and strength arc due to the fact 
 that be has never used whiskey and tobacco, and 
 has led an active life. In con versation, he is in- 
 teresting, and is a man of varied information and 
 versatile talent. He is held in the highest regard 
 by his many friends and neighbors, who will be 
 plea.sed to read this life sketch of one who has 
 done so much for the good of this section. 
 
 VILLI AM PORTER PIKHSON, of Onarga, 
 is one of the county's most prominent and 
 iionored citizens, and this work would be 
 incomplete if the record of his life were omitted, 
 lie has done much for the town and county, yet 
 claiming no credit for it, and all who know him 
 speak of him in terms of highest lospect and 
 ])raise. 
 
 Mr. Pierson was born in LeRoy, (ienesee County, 
 N. Y., December 8, 1811, and is a son of Philoand 
 Lucretia (Buell) Pierson. His parents emigrated 
 from Connecticut, their native State, to the Em- 
 pire State about 1806. Tlieir family numbeicd 
 six children. Our subject is a direct descendant 
 of Rev. Abraham Pierson, who emigrated from 
 Yorkshire, England, to America in l(j3!>, and with 
 hi> church colony founded the city f)f Newark. N. 
 .1. The ancestry is traced down through Abraham 
 Pierson, Sr. ; Rev. Abraham Pierson, Jr., rector 
 and first President of Yale College; Abraham Pier- 
 son, Worshipful Colonial Magistrate of Connect- 
 icut; Samuel Pierson, Samuel Pierson, .Ir., and 
 Philo Pierson, the father of our subject, who died 
 when the son was a lad of nine ^ears. 
 
 At the age of fourteen, William Pierson assumed 
 
 88 
 
 the management of the home farm, and with his 
 oxen, Hiick and Bright, he plowed about one hun- 
 dred acres a year. He made many n( his farm 
 implements, and when he hal•ve^ted his cruijs, 
 hauled them to the distant markets. After work- 
 ing through the summer, he attended school in the 
 winter, but his ailvanlages were very limileil. 
 However, he made the most of his opportunities, 
 and stored up a useful fund of knowledge. Cir- 
 cumstances brought him in contact with the owner 
 of a sawmill, and, at the age of nineteen, he rented 
 and operated that inill, in which w.iy he made 
 some hundreds of dollars. The owner of the null 
 was a canal contractor. He cnlered a bid for 
 making a canal around one of the rapids of the St. 
 Lawrence River. On receiving word that his biil 
 had been accepted, he induced Mr. Pierson to go 
 with him to Canada, offering him a good position, 
 but, on arriving at their destination, they found 
 that after all the bid had not Ijeen taken. Mr. 
 Pierson was thus forced either to return home or 
 make his way for liimself. lie went to Montieal, 
 but was not pleased w^ith that city, with its light- 
 hearted, unstable Frenchmen and its red-coated 
 British soldiers, for the place was then under mil- 
 itary rule. He determined to leave the liiieen's 
 dominions and went to the north end of Lake 
 Champlain, about twenty miles distant, and by 
 a steamer made his way into the interior of \c\- 
 niont. There through the summer and fall he at- 
 tended school, becoming a sliident in the academy 
 of Ilinesburg. His fellow-student>s were ambitious 
 young men, many preparing for college, and Mr. 
 I'icrson determined to do the same. For a ^■ca^ 
 and a-half he engaged in teaching, and then after 
 six long years of hard labor completed his col- 
 legiate cour.se. Two years of that time he taught, 
 and four years pursued his studies, graduating in 
 the fall of 18:i:i. 
 
 The scene of action was now changeil for Mr. 
 Pierson. By a stage-coach he made his way to the 
 Ohio, then went down that river to the blue grass 
 region of Kentucky, where he engaged in teaching. 
 He spent his leisure time in reading law, not with 
 the intention of practicing, but more jis mind dis- 
 cipline, and to liecome familiar w itii coiiinion law. 
 Crittenden, Clay and Marshall were then the prom- 
 
814 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 inent Kentucky politicians. After a year Mr. 
 Pierson became a teacher in tlie family of a 
 lawyer, witli whom lie continued his legal studies*. 
 A year was thus passed. In the meantime Boj'le 
 County was organized, Danville becoming the 
 county seat. This seemed to open a w.ay to our 
 subject to practice law, which he commenced, and 
 the bankrupt law having just been passed lie 
 made a specialty of work along tliat line. Seven 
 pleasant j'ears were passed in Danville, during 
 which time he was a member of a debating social 
 club, composed of the faculty of the college there 
 located, the professional men, and other leading 
 citizens. They met monthly in their respective 
 homes, and after a feast was served, engaged in 
 debating interesting topics. The subject of slav- 
 ery was usually discussed once a year. Among 
 the members of the club were Southern gentlemen 
 who "believed that the negro was created to be a 
 slave to the white man." Tiiere were also several 
 Eastern gentlemen whose views were exactly 
 opposite, and the debate waxed high and warm. 
 Usually' the discussion was not completed at one 
 meeting, and was carried to the next. This society' 
 still exists, under the name of the Anaconda Club, 
 and Mr. Pierson was recently invited to join in 
 the celebration of their fiftieth anniversarj'. 
 
 Xot liking law practice, and also on account of 
 ill health, Mr. Pierson once more determined to 
 seek a home in the North and went to central 
 Iowa, where he purchased large tracts of Govern- 
 ment hand, at once commencing the improvement 
 of the same. He did not find this a paying invest- 
 ment, however, for prices were very low, 3'et he 
 regained his lost strength, and in that wise pros- 
 pered. 
 
 About this time word was received that a young 
 lady from an Eastern city was expected to come 
 and take charge of a young ladies' seminary in a 
 neighboring town. In ids boyhood j\[r. Pierson 
 liad heard much of her family, and he now deter- 
 mined that he would await her arrival, and, if 
 possible, win her for his wife. Soon the important 
 question was asked and answered favorably. Mr. 
 Pierson then decided to dispose of his property 
 and leave the State at an early day. The young 
 lady niso decided to resign her position and re- 
 
 turn to the East in a few months. In the spring 
 of 185.3 our subject went East, and there wedded 
 Miss Mary Tucker, daughter of Rev. R. W. Con- 
 dit. D. D., of Oswego, N. Y. With his bride he 
 immediately went to Chicago, where he intended 
 to enter into business, but after reaching that city 
 went to the forests of Michigan and spent a little 
 time at one of the mills there. 
 
 In the meantime the Illinois Central Railroad 
 was being constructed, and reached Spring Creek, 
 Iroquois County, in the fall of 1853. Our subject 
 determined to go into the lumber trade at Cham- 
 paign, 111., as soon .as the road should he built to 
 that place. Onarga then comprised only two or 
 three houses and a freight and passenger depot. A 
 few pioneers lived on the banks of Spiing Creek. 
 but there was not a house on the prairie west of 
 the station for twenty miles. In this little hamlet 
 Mr. Pierson located in the spring of 1854. He 
 brought with him four carloads of luml)er, and 
 made, as he supposed, a teniporai\y location, but in- 
 stead Onarga became his permanent home. He 
 and his wife went to the residence of Judge Pang- 
 born, by whom they were cordially welcomed. 
 Our subject then began business, using the freight- 
 house as an office, and with increasing emigration 
 his tr.ade constantly .advanced. He found, too, that 
 not only was lumber needed, but also all manner 
 of household articles, furniture, hardware and farm 
 implements. He added these to his stock, and 
 worked up an excellent business, almost more 
 than he could attend to. Then came the financial 
 crash of 1857, and it is said every merchant along 
 the Illinois Central Railroad engaged in the same 
 line of business as Mr. Pierson failed with the ex- 
 ception of himself, 3'et he was financially- em- 
 barr.assed to a considerable extent. He had just 
 purchased an immense stock, and for three years 
 he worked hard without making a cent, for his 
 goods constantly depreciated in value. Thus affairs 
 continued until just prior to the late wai-, when 
 prices rose. He planted branch houses in four 
 other towns, and was solicited to do so in other 
 places. His trade came from miles around and 
 grew constantly. AVhen Mr. Pierson came to the 
 county, there were probably not a-half dozen reap- 
 ers or mowers within its borders, and very few 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPtHCAL RECORD. 
 
 81'. 
 
 cast-stcel plows. In an early day he iiilroduced 
 tiie Manny reapers and mowers and tlie .John 
 Deere cast-steel plows. His luisiness along this 
 line became very large, and the immense (|uan- 
 lities of plows which he bnuigiil to Onarga were 
 the wonder of the entire community. He had to 
 advertise his business largely by handbills, and 
 on certain occasions he would take a stock of 
 goods to a place, where he would sell for one da}-, 
 generally disposing of the entire amount in that 
 time. On one occasion he sent out advertisements 
 asking all of the ladies to come to his ware-rooms 
 and try his rocking-chaiis. In many homes this 
 useful article had never been introduced, and 
 many men looked upon it ratlier contemptuously. 
 On the appointed day the ladies all came, and few 
 would go aw.ay without a chair. B.\' these and 
 other ingenious methods Jlr. Pierson greatlj' ex- 
 tended his business, and through ail he earnestly 
 desired to furnish his patrons with those articles 
 wliicii would be both useful and helpful to them. 
 His own experience as a farmer was a benefit to 
 him in this way. He could aid the Eastern man 
 with no experience by his advice and cautions, 
 and also by trusting him for the money to pay for 
 the goods which he must purchase. 
 
 For some time 'Mr. Pierson carried on l)usiness 
 in little shanties and wooden sheds, and owned 
 flliout one-third of the entire block on which tlie 
 principal business part of the town is now located. 
 This he improved by erecting the brick buildings 
 known as the Pierson Block, taking the precaution 
 to interest other parties with him in the enter- 
 prise and tiius make it the central l)usiness local- 
 ity of the town. About this time our suliject 
 found himself failing under the weight of his 
 heavy duties. He also felt that there are two pe- 
 riods in the lives of most men, when they are im- 
 bued with an almost irrepressible desire to see the 
 world, one in youth, and one after their business is 
 almost over. He had yielded to tlie first impulse 
 .nnd had never regretted it, and this led him t<> 
 give way to the second. In 1870 he left his affairs 
 in Onarga to the care of his wife, with the under- 
 standing that she would spenfl the winter with her 
 friends in Oswego, N. Y. He then went to New 
 Vnik C'it\. and sailed for Europe. Landing in 
 
 Liverpool, he there spent a few days, forming 
 some interesting acquaintances, and then sailed for 
 Naples. Italy, where he proposed to spend the 
 winter. The voyage was through the stormy Hay 
 of I{i>cay and the .Strait of Gil)ralt:ir. He coasted 
 along the northern shore, visited Genoa :ind other 
 points of interest, and finally reached Naples. 
 Herehefound much to interest him; lie visited the 
 museums abounding in ancient works of art. saw 
 Pompeii, which was then Ijeing exhumed, and 
 took a peep into Blount \'esuvius. After sever.-il 
 weeks he set sail for Scotland, passed between 
 .Scylla and Charybdis, along the southern coast of 
 Sicily, by Mount .Etna, stopped at Palermo, and 
 visited the catacombs. Returning to Gibraltar, he 
 saw the famous fortress, and after a few days 
 sailed for Glasgow, Scotland. He spent two weeks 
 in Edinburgh, visiting places of interest, after 
 which, the purposes of his trip abroad having now 
 been accomplished, he sailed for home, arriving in 
 Onarga early in the spring of 1871. 
 
 Soon after his return, Mr. Pierson retiriMl fjoni 
 business, and proceeded to build a home on ample 
 grounds away from the noise and dust of town, 
 and in the midst of a forest of many rare varieties 
 of choice trees, most of which were evergreens of 
 his own planting. This place he has appropriately 
 named Evergreen Home. He considers that all 
 business is in some degree an education. Though 
 his advantages were limited in early life, his 
 oppc>rtunilies in later years were a benefit to him 
 in many directions. He iias certainly been a ben- 
 efit to the community in many directions. He 
 came to Onarga at a time when the fiPiindation of 
 the future social, religious and |>(>luical institu- 
 tions were being laid, and he and his estimable 
 wife found much to do outside of the lines of 
 mere business activity. They soon interested 
 tliemselves in the work of orgiiiiizing the I'resliy- 
 teriaii Church, and with others erected a house of 
 woi-ship. There were fifteen charter meiiibcis. of 
 whom only two are now living. 'I'liey laid the 
 foundation of a church, which has become a suc- 
 cessful and pros|)erous organization. Politically. 
 Mr. Pierson was a Whig and a supporter of Henry 
 C'lav. He afterward became prominent in the or- 
 yanization of the IJepiiblii'.-in party in IrcKjiiois 
 
816 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 County, and was a member of the State Repub- 
 lican Convention wliicli met in Decatur and 
 nominated Abraliara Lincoln a candidate for tlie 
 Presidency. A few weeks later lie was made the 
 candidate at the National Convention in Chicago. 
 
 At an early day Mr. Pierson and his wife under- 
 tf)ok the work of founding an educational institu- 
 tion in this town, under the name of the Onarga 
 Institute, to be modeled after the New England 
 academies with which he became familiar in the 
 days of his youtli. It was quite successful for 
 several years and did a good work. He erected a 
 building and spent several thousand dollars in the 
 enterprise, but failing to receive the co-operation 
 from outside sources that was anticipated, the 
 load became too heavy for him to carry alone, and 
 the undertaking was reluctantly abandoned. 
 
 In 1865 Mr. Pierson secured and read with 
 great interest some .scientific works on tile drain- 
 ing, lie at once became a strong advocate of tile 
 drainage for the rich prairie lands of Illinois. He 
 prepared and delivered an address on the subject 
 before the State Horticultural .Society of Southern 
 Illinois. Joliet was tiien supposed to be the only 
 place in the State where clay suitable for making 
 tile could be found, and Mr. Pierson went there, 
 purchased a carload of tile and shipped to Onarga, 
 paying the Illinois Central Railroad 87.5 freight 
 for the same. Considerable amusement was occa- 
 sioned to the communitj' in consequence of his 
 digging so many holes in the ground, and he was 
 threatened with a law suit for digging at his own 
 exijense a ditch on the side of a low, wet and 
 muddy street as an outlet for his drain. Up to 
 that time at least one-fourth of the land in Iro- 
 quois County was practically swamp-land and 
 nearly worthless. This caused the inhabitants to 
 have fever and ague, and the cattle and horses 
 suffered from drinking tlie stagnant water in 
 sloughs and ponds. But tile draining was finally 
 accepted by the county, and this in connection 
 with the sinking of artesian wells has completely 
 revolutionized the county and made it one of the 
 best agricultural sections in the State. 
 
 In beuevolent, cliaritable or church work, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Pierson were also prominent. They had 
 no children of their own, but had given a homo to 
 
 many orphan children, whose lives bear the im- 
 press of the noble character of their foster parents. 
 Not less than twenty children were caied for by 
 Mrs. Pierson at a considerable outlay of time and 
 money, and many of them were reared and edu- 
 cated as if they had been her own. She was the 
 first Sunday-school teacher in Onarga, and for 
 many years the only one. This most estimalile 
 lady was called to the home prepared for the 
 righteous December 30, 1890. It is said that no 
 death in Onarga has ever been more greatly 
 mourned. Her sweet and gentle spirit had en- 
 deared her to all who knew her, and she was 
 known far and wide for her work of benevolence 
 and charity. As it was written of her, her death / 
 was " a sweetly, solemn transfer from one Ever- / 
 green Home to another." 
 
 From an extended notice publislied in the 
 Onarga Leader, we copy the following tribute to 
 her memory: " No death in the annals of Onarga 
 ever created more genuine regret and mournful 
 interest in the community than that of Mrs. JIary 
 T. Pierson. The universal respect, love and admi- 
 ration with which she was regarded in life were 
 displayed in general manifestations of sorrow at 
 her loss; people in all conditions of life seemed to 
 be personally bereaved by it, and the many ex- 
 pressions of mutual condolence and sj^mjiathy 
 formed a testimonial to her worth and character 
 at once touching and beautiful. Each individual 
 member of the community appeared anxious to 
 contribute some token of appreciation of the 
 lovely life and distinguished example of the sweet, 
 unpretentious woman, the influence of whose 
 achievements illumines every sacred precinct and is 
 hallowed in heart — an influence uucircurascribed 
 by wordly measurement, unlimited by human 
 vision, the ultimate results being fully recorded in 
 the Lamb's Book of Life. The grav-haired veter- 
 ans and old neighbors, whose early struggles in sur- 
 mounting the diflicultics and overcoming the pri- 
 vations incident to pioneer life were lessened by 
 her brave words of encouragement, or removed Iiy 
 her timely assistance; the middle-aged friends and 
 acquaintances who came later and were cordially 
 welcomed in her quiet, winning way, and made to 
 feel at home ninid new and strange surroundings, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 «i: 
 
 or grew to iiiaiiliooil aiul womanhood in tlie atmos- 
 phere of her beneticence; tlie little ones whose 
 lives were begun under conditions made possible 
 by her foresight and activity in church, school 
 and social enterprises; the rich, the poor and lowlv, 
 the strong and the weak, the white and the black. — 
 all could recall some circumstance, the renieni- 
 hrance of which made their hearts beat with lov- 
 ing emotion and created a desire to manifest their 
 appreciation of and respect for the sainted woman 
 now laid to rest." It is thus that friends re- 
 garded her, but it was in the home life that h«r 
 best qualities were known. .Surely the world is 
 better for her having lived, and the people " rise 
 up and call her blessed." 
 
 Mr. Pierson is not rich as tiie world estimates 
 wealtli, or did he ever aspire to be. He has 
 enough and is comfortable, and rejoices that he is 
 not a millionaire. lie s.ays that there are scores of 
 old farmers to whom he in the old times sold the 
 best tools the county afforded to cultivate their 
 farms, who charitably supposed that he was liviiig 
 at their expense, who are now worth many thous- 
 ands of dollars more than he is. Mr. Pierson is 
 now eighty-one years old and is in excellent 
 health. He is a good illustration of the tendency 
 of cleanliness and godliness to produce longevity. 
 
 rove Township, and has resided 
 for eighteen years upon his farm, situated 
 I on section 21. His liirth occurred in the 
 parish of Curry, twelve miles from Edinburgh, 
 Scotland, on the loth of March, 183G. He i.s a s<jn 
 of .lames ^lartin, whc> was born and reared in the 
 same place, and was a farmer by occupation. On 
 arriving at mature yeais he married Ann Hrown, 
 and in Scotland his children were all born. Mrs. 
 Martin departed this life in her n.itive country, 
 and the father and children emigrated to Canada 
 when our subject was a youth of fourteen yeai-s. 
 In 1850, they sailed from Greenwich, and were 
 upon the briny deep for fire weeks. After arriv- 
 
 ing at their destination. New York City, they 
 went to Canada, settling upim a farm near To- 
 ronto. Afterward the father returned to his native 
 land, where his death occurred about a quaiter of 
 a century ago. He w.«i.s a member of the Prcslty- 
 terian Church. 
 
 In the family of .lames Martin were six sons 
 and six daughters: William died in Canada; James 
 W.1S drowned in Scotland; Isabella also died in 
 that country, .lohn is a civil engineer in New- 
 foundland, having learned his trade in the Old 
 Country. He is a good marksman, and has a good 
 position in the Goverment employ, whore he re- 
 ceives an excellent salary. .lane was called to her 
 final rest in her native land; Andrew is a farmer 
 of I'pper Canada; Alexander died in Canada; 
 Agnes died in Scotland; Annie Lindle3- lives in 
 Toronto, Canada; Emily is now deceased; Janet 
 comi)letes the family. 
 
 Robert Martin passed his boyhood days upon 
 the farm, and received but limited education in 
 the i)ublic schools, as his home was three miles 
 from the nearest one; besides, his parents were 
 poor, and were obliged to pay for schooling. He 
 was next to the youngest in his father's large family, 
 and w.as early inured to hard work. When he 
 was fourteen years of age he came to America and 
 spent the succeeding fifteen years upon his brother's 
 farm in Canada. On the 12lh of April, I860, he 
 arrived in Iroquois County, where he entered the 
 emplo}' of Mr. Milk, herding and caring for cattle 
 for some years. He has often been lost upon the 
 broad prairies, far from any residence or settle- 
 ment. 
 
 On the 1st of December, 1870, Mr. .Martin was 
 married, in Canada, to Miss Catherine Young, who 
 was born December 30, 1810, in England and 
 when two years of age came with her parents, .lohn 
 and Mary .\. (Sainsbury) Young, to America, being 
 reared in Canada. Four children graced this 
 union: Robert J. was born and reared in Iroipiois 
 County, and received his education in tlu; public 
 schools here and at Onarga; Alice M. finished her 
 education in Grand Prairie Seminary, and is a suc- 
 cessful teacher; the younger ones. Frank W. and 
 Malcolm J., are still attending school. The family 
 circle remains unbroken bv death or marriage. 
 
818 
 
 PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Mr. M.irtin w.as in the employ of Mr. Milk until 
 1874. He then purchased one hundred and .sixty- 
 five and one-eightli acres of land where he now 
 makes liis home. He li.as made good improvements 
 upon his place, and is a successful farmer. He 
 has been quite extensively engaged in tlie raising 
 of draft horses. He started in life with $500 capital, 
 and has made liis own way in the world since that 
 time witliout any assistance. His first Presiden- 
 tial ballot was cast for Hon. James A. Garfield, and 
 since that time he has been a stanch Republican. 
 Tlie family are members of the Episcopal Cliurch, 
 to whicii he gives his support. He has been a Di- 
 rector of schools, and is a good and lo^'al citizen of 
 iiis adopted county. 
 
 =^l» 
 
 ii 
 
 ^f EREMIAH H. GOLDTRAP is a respected 
 farmer and pioneer of Cliebanse Townshi|), 
 and makes his home on section 36. He is a 
 native of Ohio, and was born in Hamilton 
 Count}-, December 16, 1841. He is a son of John 
 Goldtrap, who was born in the same State and 
 county, and there grew to manhood, and married 
 Christina Apgar, a native of New Jersey, and a 
 daughter of Adam Apgar, who was born in the 
 same State, and was one of the lionored pioneers 
 of Hamilton, Ohio. The family is of Orman 
 descent, and the grandfather of our subject was a 
 native of New England, and came to Ohio when 
 the whole country was a wilderness. Tiie father 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Buckeye 
 State after his marriage, and about 1851 came to 
 Illinois, settling in Iroquois County. He pur- 
 chased unbroken prairie land, .and was among the 
 first settlers of the county. Not a house was to be 
 seen in any direction upon the prairie, and the 
 wliole county was a wilderness and a swamp. Mr. 
 Goldtrap at once began the development of his 
 farm, and endured many privations and hardships 
 in tlifc first few years of his residence here. In 
 tliose early times, before the present system of til- 
 ing and drainage had been inaugurated, the few in- 
 habitants of that sparsely-settled region suffered 
 much from the prevailing sickness, fever and ague. 
 
 Mr. Goldtrap went to the timber, cut logs, and built 
 a log cabin, in which lie lived for a number of years. 
 He afterward sold that property and bought an 
 improved farm, on which he made his home until 
 his death, which occurred on the 17th of Decem- 
 ber, 1866. His death was much regretted bj' his 
 many friends, who esteemed him highly as one of 
 the honored pioneers. His wife is still living. 
 
 The subject of this sketch iB the eldest of a fam- 
 ily of five children. Anna is the wife of J. M. Mc- 
 ConnelljOf Minnesota; John died at the age of two 
 years; Eliza died in 1863, and David is a 
 prominent contractor and builder of Chicago. 
 
 The early days of Jeremiah (Goldtrap were un- 
 eventful, being p.assed upon his father's farm in 
 the usual occupation of farmer boys. He had but 
 limited school advantages at that earl}' daj', and 
 since arriving at maturity has become a man of 
 wide reading and information, and is intelligent 
 and well posted on all the leading National and 
 general questions of the d.ay. On the Hth of 
 August, 1862, responding to the call for volunteers 
 to defend the Flag, Mr. Goldtrap became a member 
 of Company H, One Hundred and Thirteenth 
 Illinois Infantry, and served until tlie close of the 
 war. He was discharged at Memphis and mustered 
 out of service in Chicago, in June, 1865. He partici- 
 pated in the engagement of his regiment and was 
 ill the siege and surrender of A'ieksburg, Eastport 
 and (iuntown, and also in a miiuber of skirmishes, 
 escaping without injury. After the war he re- 
 turned to his home, and engaged in farming for 
 his mother for a few years upon the old homestead. 
 He then purchased a portion of that farm, which 
 he much improved. He has a farm of eighty acres, 
 all of which is arable and improved land. He has 
 a good residence and barn, and his place shows the 
 care and cultivation bestowed upon it by the 
 owner. His farm is located about three miles from 
 Clifton, and has steadly increased in value year 
 after year. 
 
 November 18, 1871, Mr. (loldtiap was united 
 in marriage with Vannetta S. Rice, who was born 
 in Clinton, Mass., June 18, 1849, and came to Illi- 
 nois when a child of three years with lier father, 
 William Rice, who settled at Bloomington. Mrs. 
 Goldtrap was reared and educated in that city and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 MI 'J 
 
 Iroquois t ouiiI\ . Six children i^iace the union of 
 our subject and liis estimal)le wife: Susan, William, 
 Ada, John K. and Mabel, who ;ire all at home, and 
 are receiving the advantages of a good school 
 education. Maiv K. died at the age of seven 
 months. 
 
 Since becoming a voter, Mr. Goldtrap has been 
 :i supporter of the principles and nominees of the 
 Kopublicaii party, and cast his first ballot in the 
 Presidential election of 1864 for Aljraham Lin- 
 coln, lie has never been an ollice-seeker in any 
 sense of the word, but has always discharged his 
 duties of citizenship in a faithful and unassum- 
 ing manner. The cause of education and good 
 schools finds in him an active friend, .and he is one 
 of the present members of the .School Hoard. Mrs. 
 Ooldlrup is a member of the Congregational 
 Church. Almost the entire life of our subject has 
 been spent in this county, and by his sterling 
 qualities and honorable life he has merited the 
 high regard in which he is held liy all. 
 
 ^^•i"i"i"i-Wim •5-***' 
 
 '*^- K. NICIIOL.VS RIIXIKI.Y M.VKSII.VI.L, 
 a prominent physician and the present 
 
 Mayor of Clifton, was born in K.aston, 
 Md., on the 29th of February, 1844. lie 
 is a son of Perry and Mary Stanton (Rice) Mar- 
 shall, both natives of Easlon. Md. In their family 
 were eight children, but only two of them are now 
 living: our subject and his brother, John Redman, 
 who is the editor and publisher of the Kendall 
 County Record, a prominent politician of the Re- 
 publican partj-, and an ex-Senator. He married 
 Miss Augusta Emmons, and three children grace 
 their union: Mrs. Dr. R. A. JIcLellaiid, who resides 
 in Yorkville, the county seat of Kendall County: 
 and Frances Emmons and Hugh Rice, the younger 
 children. John Redman Jlarshall has the honor 
 of having introduced the Compulsory- Educa- 
 tion Law in the Illinois Legislature. He learned 
 the trade of printing in the ollice of the Chicago 
 Journal, where he was employed for four years. 
 He was afterward a compositor in the Tribune 
 oHicc, where he remained for a long time. In 1861, 
 
 he entered the army as a member of Sliirgis Rilles, 
 which WHS appointed I'.ody (!uard to Cen. George 
 B. McClellan. Mr. .1. R. Marshall was in the ser- 
 vice for about eighteen months, and wjis a valiant 
 and faithful soldier. After leaving the army, he 
 returned to Chicago and worked as foreman in the 
 job-printing rooms of .Sterling 1'. Rounrls, who is 
 well known to all the printers of the United States. 
 The father of our subject was of English origin, 
 and the mother of (Jerman and French descent. 
 She was a sister of ex-Mayor John Wake Rice, of 
 Chicago, who w!us also a member of Congre-ss. 
 
 In 1848, Perry Mai-shall removed to Illinois, lo- 
 cating in Chicago, where he made his home for 
 about ten years. He was a sailor, and w.is Captain 
 of a vessel running from Chicago to Milwaukee. 
 For eighteen years he owned and sailed a vessel 
 upon Chesapeake Ba}' with .lohn I'aea as jiurt- 
 ner in ownership. At the lime that Mr. Marshall 
 was on his wedding trip, the yes.sel was wrecked in 
 a storm and his partner, Capt. John Redman, his 
 brother-in-law, with all others on lif)ard were 
 drowned. Until he was fifty years of age he sailed 
 the Lakes, and at that time retired. He then re- 
 moved to Kendall County, where he bought a farm 
 consisting of one hundred and seventeen .leres, on 
 which he removed in 1857, and resided there for 
 ten years. In the spring of 1872, he sold this 
 property and came to Clifton, where he afl<>rward 
 made his home with his son, the subject of this 
 sketch. He died October 11, 1H92. in his eighty- 
 sixth year, and is buried with his wife in Elmwfxxl 
 Cemetery, North Yorkville. III., and was a much- 
 esteemed member of this community. On the 
 16th of .lunc, 1H7'.», Ins wife departed this life, be- 
 ing then sixty-three years of age. She was a mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many 
 vears, and was an exemplary Christian woman, 
 lieloved by all who knew her. .Mr. Marshall was 
 the son of a Methodist minister, luit though he is 
 not a member of the church, he has been a liberal 
 supporter of the same. 
 
 The subject of this sketch received a good com- 
 mon-school education, and also attended the 
 Garden City Institute of Chicago, at the time that 
 H. W. Snow was the Principal. The latter is a 
 brother of Col. Snow, present .Member of Congress 
 
820 
 
 PORTRMT A^T) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 from the Ninth Congressional District. After 
 completing his studies at the above-named institu- 
 tion, our subject attended Mt. Morris Seminary, 
 and from there went to Jennings Seminary at Au- 
 rora, from whicii lie was graduated in the summer 
 of 1861. He tiien returned to Chicago, and en- 
 tered the drug-store of A. B. Byran, and was en- 
 gaged in compounding prescriptions. At that 
 time he commenced the study of medicine and de- 
 termined to maive tliat liis chosen profession. 
 
 On the 12tli of August, 1862, Dr. Marshall en- 
 listed as a private in Company H, Eighty-ninth 
 Illinois lnfantr3', in the regiment called the Rail- 
 road Regiment, and was in the service for three 
 years. About six months after his enlistment 
 he was made Hospital Steward, but participated 
 witii his regiment in numerous battles. At At- 
 lanta he received a severe wound in the left arm, 
 but has never made application for a pension. He 
 was a valiant soldier, and his arm3- record is one 
 of which he may well be proud. He was ever 
 found at his post of duty, and was always reliable 
 and courageous. 
 
 After returning from the war, our subject en- 
 tered Rush Medical College, and was graduated 
 from that institution in 1867. His preceptor was 
 Dr. C. H. Duck, whose widow at present makes her 
 home with Dr. Marshall. She is a daughter of 
 Capt. Stevenson, of the Royal Nav3'. After com- 
 pleting his course in Chicago, Dr. Marshall opened 
 au oflice for the practice of medicine in Piano, 111., 
 and also conducted the columns of the Piano Mir- 
 ror. After a residence there of but eight months, 
 he came to Clifton and commenced practicing 
 medicine and surgery, and has here made his home 
 since that time. During his long residence here 
 of over twent\'-six 3-ears he has built up a large 
 and lucrative practice, and well deserves a liberal 
 share of the public patronage. He keeps up his 
 studies, and is well informed on all the latest dis- 
 coveries in the line of medicine and science. 
 
 On the 15th of September, 1881, Dr. Marshall 
 wedded Miss Julia Frances Sheldon, a daughter of 
 Henry H. and Martha A. (Morris) Sheldon, of Ox- 
 ford, Ohio. Mr. Sheldon was the first one to break 
 t!ie ground for the famous Oxford Female Semi- 
 nary. To the Doctor and his wife have been born 
 
 four children: John Rice, who died in infanc3-; 
 Mary Stevenson, Julia Siieldon, and John Ridgel3'. 
 Dr. Marshall is a {Prominent Republican, and 
 takes an active and interested part in the progress 
 of that party. He was a delegate to the State Re- 
 publican convention, and has held various local 
 positions. He has been Town Clerk and Postmas- 
 ter. He and his wife are members of the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church, of which the Doctor is one 
 of the Trustees. He has recentl3' purchased a resi- 
 dence in Evanston, 111., where he intends moving 
 for the purpose of educating his children. 
 
 \ p^\ ETER AVRKtHT, an lionored pioneer, owns 
 Jj] and operates his farm, which is situated on 
 
 f^ section 9, Chebanse Township. He was born 
 [\ in Lincolnshire, England, on the 18th of 
 January-, 1841, and is a son of John and .Jane 
 (Carleton) Wright. The father was a game-keeper 
 on a large estate in England. In 1856, he decided 
 to seek his fortune in the New World. He accord- 
 ingly crossed the Atlantic, and settling in Erie 
 Count3', N. Y., engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 there until his death. His first wife died in Eng- 
 land, and he was again married in that countrv. 
 His death occurred in 1890, and that of his second 
 wife within a month afterward. By tlie first mar- 
 riage eight children were l)orii, and four children 
 graced the latter union. 
 
 Our subject received good school advahtages, 
 both in England and after coming to this country. 
 He remained with his father until about seventeen 
 years of age, when he came to Illinois. This was 
 in 1857, and for about three years he was em- 
 pl03'ed on a farm with his uncle. In the spring of 
 1862, Mr. Wright enlisted in the first Board of 
 Trade Regiment, becoming a member of Company 
 Ct, Seventy-second Illinois Infantiy. Entering the 
 service as a private, he w.as afterward promoted to 
 the rank of Corporal and Sergeant. He partici- 
 pated in all tlie engagements in which his regiment 
 took part, among which were the battle of Cham- 
 pion Hill, Miss., and the siege and capture of 
 
K)RTRAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 821 
 
 Vicksburg. He was also in the battles of Big 
 Black, Columbia, Spring Hill and Franklin, Tenn., 
 also two days at Nashville, and he was present at 
 the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala., the last battle of 
 the war. He received some slight wounds but was 
 never absent from his post of duty for a dav. 
 serving until his discharge at the close of the war, 
 which wiis received at Chic.igo in .\ugust, 18G5. 
 
 On Christmas Day of that year, Mr. Wright was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss M. E. W. Sands, who 
 was born in the Empire Stale and is a daughter of 
 J. H. Sands, of C'hebanse, one of the honored pio- 
 neers of this county. Our subject and his wife 
 have become the parents of live children: Charles 
 T. is married and resides at Englewood, 111., where 
 he holds a responsible position with the City Rail- 
 road Company; Mamie L., Arthur Henry, Carleton 
 P. and Frank are still at home, the two younger 
 attending the Clifton schools. They have all re- 
 ceived a good education and are thus litted to en- 
 ter the active and social dnties of life. 
 
 After returning from the army, Mr. Wright 
 came to Iroquois County, where he rented land 
 for several years and devoted himself to agricul- 
 tural pursuits. He then purchased the propertj- 
 where he now resides. This place had but slight 
 improvements, but he has steadily developed and 
 improved his farm and has now a tract of one 
 hundred and sixty acres of well-tilled and fertile 
 land, situated one mile from Clifton. He is the 
 owner of a large residence, commodious barns 
 and other farm buildings, and the air of neatness 
 and thrift, together with the fields of golden grain, 
 shows the care and cultivation of the owner, lie 
 is one of the prosperous, enterprising and substan- 
 tial farmers of the county and has made a host of 
 friends during his long residence in this place. 
 
 Mr. Wright has been identified with the Repub- 
 lican party since casting his first ballot for Presi- 
 ident, at which time he supported Gen. U. S. 
 Grant. He has held several local ollices, to which 
 his fellow citizens, knowing his worth and ability, 
 have elected him. He has served as Road Crun- 
 missioner and is a member of the School Board of 
 Clifton. To whatever position his friends have 
 elected him, he has discharged the duties thereof in 
 a faithful and efficient manner. Socially., he is 
 
 much interested in civic societies and is a iiiembtr 
 of Clifton Lodge No. 68«, A. F. »t A. M. He 
 served for over thirteen consecutive years as Mas- 
 ter of his lodge, which he has represented each 
 year of that time in the (Irand Lodge. He is a 
 member of the Jaqueth Chebaiiso Post, (i. A. R., 
 and isalsoamcmlierof the Union Veteran Club, of 
 Cook County. Mr. and Jlrs. Wright belong lo the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church and take an active in- 
 terest in its work. He is progressive and (iractical 
 in his business affairs and is ever ready to do all in 
 his power to advance the best interests of the com- 
 munity in which he dwells. His many friends will 
 be ple.nsed to read this brief sketch of the life of so 
 worthy a man as Peter Wright. 
 
 ,^^^EORGE M. BROCK, a prominent citizen 
 |[ (=- •I'lfl business man of Clifton, w.as burn in 
 
 \^3( RIainfield. Will County, 111., on the •22d of 
 April, 18.07. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah 
 (Brock) Brock, both of whom claim England .is 
 the land of their nativity. They set sail for .Viner- 
 ica immediately after their marriage, at length 
 landing safely in this country. Though both bear- 
 ing the .same name, they were in no wise related. 
 The father of Mrs. Brock was a finely educated 
 man, and served as clerk to a celebrated lawyer in 
 England. He also contributed many articles to 
 the papers and leading periodicals of that coun- 
 try. 
 
 The subject of this sketch received the advan- 
 Uiges of a good common-school education, and was 
 reared to manhood upon his father's farm in the 
 usual manner of farmer lads. He embarked in 
 busines.s for liim.self at the age of twenty-four 
 years, following agricultural pursuits u|)on a farm 
 three miles northwest of Clifton. He remained 
 upon the farm until 188K, when he removed to 
 Clift<m, purchasing the livery barn and business of 
 his brother, Charles C. Brock, and entering into 
 partnership with his brother Alfred L. After do- 
 ing business together for a. period of about four 
 3'ears, he purch.ased his partner's interest, and is 
 now the sole proprietor. He has a large and lucra- 
 
822 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tive business, and has in all respects a well-ap- 
 pointed and equipped livery. 
 
 On the 31st of October, 1881, occurred the mar- 
 riage of Mr. Brock and Miss Harriet Leggott, who 
 is the daughter of Edward and Ann (Piatt) Leg- 
 gott, of Clifton. By the union of the young cou- 
 ple have been born three children: Arthur, Grace 
 and Carrie. At this writing, in the fall of 1892, 
 Mr. Brock is a member of the Village Board of 
 Trustees, and is always active in his efforts to pro- 
 mote the prosperity and welfare of the comniu- 
 nity. 
 
 \i p— ,f; RANCIS AV. HOWE, a retired farmer, makes 
 iL^^ his home on section 4, Chebanse Townshi|). 
 ^11) He is one of the lionored pioneers of this 
 
 township and of Iroquois Count}', where he has 
 lived for thirty-five years. When he first located 
 in this county it was a vast swamp and wilderness, 
 and from that he has witnessed its development 
 until it now stands among the best in the State. 
 Mr. Howe is a native of Massachusetts, his birth 
 having occurred in Brookfield, AVorcester County, 
 on the 18th of December, 1819. His father, Will- 
 iam Howe, was likewise a native of Massachusetts 
 and there was educated and grew to manhood. He 
 was a lawyer and professor and a man of intelli- 
 gence and worth. He married in Woodstock, 
 Conn., Miss Elraira Lyon, daughter of Capt. AVill- 
 iam Lyon, who served in the AVar of 1812. The 
 grandfather of our subject, Capt. William Howe, 
 was an old settler of Massachusetts, and was com- 
 missioned Captain in the same war, but was not 
 called into active service. The father of our sub- 
 ject after his marriage engaged in various business 
 occupations in Brookfield, Mass., giving most of 
 his attention, however, to his merchandising and 
 the real-estate business. For a time he served as 
 Justice of the Peace and was held in high esteem 
 by his fellow-citizens. He reared his family and 
 .■^pent his entire life in Massachusetts, and there his 
 death and that of his wife occurred. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were spent in 
 the town of his nali vitj', his education being partly 
 received in the public schools and completed in 
 
 the Monson Academj-. After finishing his studies 
 he went to New York City, where he engaged in 
 clerking for a number of years and received a 
 thorough, practical business training in the whole- 
 sale dr_y-goods establishment of Eno ife Phelps. He 
 then formed a partnership, under the firm name of 
 Taylor & Howe, and engaged for himself in the 
 wholesale dry-goods business, in which he continued 
 until 1849, when he sold his interest. He then 
 went to California with his brother, and locating in 
 San Francisco, carried on business for several years, 
 under the firm name of Howe, Hunter & Co. This 
 firm met with heavy losses by fire in 1852, and our 
 subject then returned to New York. Until 1857, 
 he was in no regular business, but coutinued to 
 make his home in New York City. Coming to 
 Illinois in the fall of 1857, he joined a brother who 
 was located in Iroquois County, where they had 
 purchased about five thousand acres. Clifton is 
 now located upon a portion of that tract. The 
 brothers lived liere and looked after their property 
 for a number of years. Our subject soon after 
 coming here located on the land where he now re- 
 sides and proceeded to develop and open up a 
 farm. At that time the prospects were rather dis"- 
 couragiug, as the land was wild prairie and much 
 of it a wilderness or swamp. Deer were very 
 plentiful and prairie wolves as well. The Illinois 
 Central Railroad had just been built through Che- 
 banse Township and the towns of Chebanse and 
 Ashkum were simply stations. Mr. Howe developed 
 a farm of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining 
 the village of Clifton,which is a valuable and most 
 desirable piece of property. On this he still makes 
 his home and has a comfortable and substantial 
 residence, commodious barns and outbuildings. 
 Everything about the farm denotes the thrift, care- 
 ful cultivation and enterprise of the owner, and it 
 is a model farm in every respect. 
 
 In 1845, Mr. Howe led to the marriage altar 
 Miss Sarah S. Cowdrey, a daughter of David H. 
 Cowdrey, a well-known lawyer of New York City. 
 The death of Mrs. Howe occurred in 18(56. She was 
 the mother of four children: Helena C. is the wife 
 of Edward S. Perry, of New Haven, Conn.; Walter 
 M. holds a responsible business position in Chicago; 
 William F. is Secretarj' of the Railroad Employes' 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 H23 
 
 fianking and Trust Conii)any in tlie same city; and 
 Isahella is tlie wife of Francis P. Murray, wlio lives 
 in Montana, where he has large raining interests. 
 .Mr. Howe was again married, this time in 1867, to 
 .Al)l)ie A. (Ilulchins) White, who w.astlie widow of 
 H. K. White, one of the first settlers of Clifton, 
 and a grain merchant by occninition. Mi-s. Howe 
 was born in IJoston, Mas.s., and was there educated. 
 In his i>olitical sentiment, Mr. Howe has ever 
 been a supporter of the Uepublican party since its 
 firganiz.ition. He was formerly a Whig and a great 
 admirer of Henry Clay. Though a public-spirited 
 man and much interested in the welfare and pro- 
 gress of his fellow-citizens, he lias never asked for 
 or accepted olficial positions. He has ever given 
 his hearty support to the i)uhlic schools and edu- 
 cational measures and has served for years as a 
 member of tlie .School Board. Our subject and his 
 wife are active members of the Congregational 
 Church of Clifton. By his many friends and ac- 
 quaintances he is highly esteemed as a man of up- 
 right charjicter and strict integrity. 
 
 ^(OHX 15. VAN WYCK h.-is been for many 
 I years a resident of Clifton and was born in 
 j^ I New Paltz, Ulster County, X. Y., on the 
 ^// -iSth of .lune, 1831. His paternal grand- 
 father bore the same name as our subject. He was 
 offered a commission as an oflicer in the Kevolu- 
 lionary War by Cen W.ishington. At that time, 
 Mr. A'an Wyck did not accejit the honor, but took 
 command of a home regiment. He was a promi- 
 nent and popular public man, possessing marked 
 business ability, thereby accumulating a large 
 property. His death occurred in 1841, and he left 
 a large estate to his heirs. The parents of oursult- 
 joct were Alfred and Charlotte (Viets) Van Wyck, 
 the former a native of New York, and the latter of 
 Massachusetts. Their family consisted of three 
 sons and three daughters, but only one is now liv- 
 ing, the subject of this sketch. From Fishkill, 
 N. Y'., where they had formerly made their home, 
 the parents came to Illinois in I8(;;5, locating in 
 
 Clifton, Iroquois County, where they spent the re- 
 mainder of their lives. The mother was called to 
 the home beyond on the 12th of September, 1880, at 
 theageof seventy years, and the father survived her 
 until January 13, 181(2, w!ien lie too (Missed away. 
 He had atUiined the age of ninety years and eight 
 months. His father was also long live<l, liaving 
 reached the age of four-score years at the lime of 
 his death. The father of .Mrs. Van Wyck lived to 
 the remarkable age of ninety-four year.s. Alfred 
 N'aii Wyck was a farmer by occupation and upon 
 his emigration to the West purchased a cpiarter- 
 section of land, which included about all of the 
 present site of Clifton east of the railroad. 
 
 The boyhood days of .lolin \'an Wyck were 
 spent upon his father's farm and his time was de- 
 voted to work in the fields. He received such ed- 
 ucational ()rivileges as the district schools afforded 
 and has since added to his store of knowledge by 
 reading and observation until he is now a well-in- 
 formed man. On the 10th of .Inly, 18(;7, was 
 celebiated the wedding of Mr. \'an Wyck and Miss 
 Mary C. (jorham. The lady is a daughter of 
 Walter H. and Laura (Hubbel) (iorham, Inith of 
 whom are natives of Newburgh, N. Y. Two chil- 
 dren have blessed the union of our subject anil his 
 estimable wife: Alfred, who was born in Washing- 
 ton, 1). C, died when six months old. Laura, the 
 daughter, was also born in that city. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. \'an Wyck came to Clifton on 
 their wedding tour and made their lujme here for 
 about four years. They then went to Washington, 
 where our subject secured a contract for building 
 sewers. Though they remained in the Capitol City 
 four years, they alw.ays regarded Clifton as their 
 home, and after finishing his contract they returned 
 to this place. In the winter of l878-7!t, .Mr. Van 
 Wyck went to Kno.xville, Tenn., where he took 
 the contract for (|uarrving the marble to bo used 
 in the construction of the custom house at .Mem- 
 phis. He remained there for about two yeai-s, 
 then returned to Clifton, where he hiis made his 
 home continuously since. He devotes some att<>n- 
 tion to agricultural pursuits. He h.x^ a lK>auti- 
 ful home in Clifton and his many friends delight 
 to share in the hospitality there abtiunding. 
 
 Mr. \'an Wyck h.is been a member of the Village 
 
824 
 
 PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Board of Trustees for many years and for one 
 year was its President, proving a competent otlicial. 
 He and his wife are members of the Congrega- 
 tional Cliurch,to which they belonged before com- 
 ing West. He is one of the Trustees and also 
 Clerk of the churcli. In politics, he is a stanch Re- 
 publican and has supported that party since its 
 organization. Previous to that time, he was a 
 Whig, as were also his father and grandfather. 
 He IS a representative and influential citizen and 
 takes a leading part in all measures tending to the 
 welfare and progress of the community. 
 
 i>-M-<m 
 
 S ASPER REUSE, an enterprising and thrifty 
 farmer of Cliebanse Township, owns a farm 
 on section 6. He was born in Switzerland, 
 on the 10th of October, 1836. He received good 
 common-school advantages in the French language, 
 and when nineteen years of age he determined to 
 seek his fortune in America. He went to Havre 
 and took passage in a sailing-vessel, which took 
 thirty-three days to make the voyage to New York. 
 He arrived in that city on the 10th of June, 1856, 
 and started immedialelj' for the West. He first 
 went to Ottawa, 111., near which city be went to 
 work on a farm and continued to live in La Salle 
 County for seven years. With his carefully hoarded 
 savings, he then purchased a tract of forty acres of 
 partially improved land in La Salle County, on 
 which he settled and engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits for about four years. In 1867, he sold that 
 property and removed to Iroquois County, buying 
 one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, where 
 he still resides. This place had forty acres of 
 ])artially improved land, and for buildings had 
 only an old cabin upon it, in which Mr. Reuse 
 lived for some five years. He opened up and cul- 
 tivated his entire propert}', and for the first few 
 years received but slight encouragement and lit- 
 tle reward for his labor. Undaunted, however, 
 he persevered and brought the property under 
 such good cultivation that it soon brought forth 
 abundant harvests. He has always been industri- 
 ous and saving and has from time to time, as his 
 
 financial resources increased, added to his original 
 farm until he now has four hundred acres, all in 
 one bodj' with tlie exception of eight}' acres, which 
 are situated one mile east of Clifton. He has erected 
 a good residence, barns and a granary. On his 
 I)lace is also a good orchard, and on every hand 
 can be seen the care and cultivation of the owner. 
 Mr. Reuse commenced his life in Illinois a poor 
 man and without any capital except a good con- 
 stitution, and has by his well-directed efforts and 
 enterprise accumulated a comfortable fortune and 
 a fair income. 
 
 In November, 1803, was celebrated the marriage 
 of our subject and Mary Ribordy, a native of the 
 same country as her husband. She was educated 
 and grew to maidenhood in Switzerland and came 
 to the United States with her father. Gasper Rib- 
 ordy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reuse seven children 
 have been born: Henry, at home; Josephine, a suc- 
 cessful teacher in Aurora Parochial School; Louis, 
 Julia, Anna, Clotilde and Emery. The family are 
 Catholics in religious faith and members of the 
 Clifton Churcii. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Reuse afflliates with the Uopub- 
 lican party and cast his first ballot for Hon. James 
 (!. IJlaine. He has never aspired to official posi- 
 tions, but has ever been a friend to all educational 
 and public measures tending to the good of the 
 community'. He has served for years on the 
 School Board and is a firm believer in good public 
 S(;hools. By his many qualities of worth and his 
 upright character, Mr. Reuse has won tlie esteem 
 and confidence of all. 
 
 ^l P. H. TRESCOTT, one of the pioneer set- 
 tlers of Chebanse Township, came with his 
 famil}' to Illinois in 1857, and settled upon 
 s,^^^ a farm about four miles to the southeast 
 of Cliebanse, where he lived for about one 3ear. 
 The two years succeeding, Mr. Trescott taught 
 school during the winter at Sugar Island, devot- 
 ing his attention to agricultural pursuits in the 
 summer time. On account of much sickness in 
 his family, he decided to remove from the farm to 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 
 
 825 
 
 the village of Cliebanse, and has made tUishis home 
 ever since. This was in 1860, and the whole re- 
 gion, like many others, was very depressed, money 
 having no regular purch.ising power; and !is most 
 of this section was an unimproved swamp and 
 wilderness, sickness was the rule. Farmers had 
 not the ad vant^iges of the labor-saving m;»chinory of 
 to-day, and corn was sown by hand and most of the 
 grain gathered with a cradle. There was not a 
 bush as large as a pipestem within two miles, and 
 a person could drive for forty miles without even 
 seeing a fence. At that time deer and game were 
 in abundance, and it was thought that there would 
 be ample grazing for stock for all time to come. 
 
 Our subject is a native of the Keystone State, 
 his birth having occurred ne.ar Ilarveyvillc, Hunt- 
 ington Township, Luzerne County, on the 30th 
 of Se|)tember, 1824. His paternal grandfather was 
 a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and es- 
 caped as by a miracle in the Wyoming massacre 
 on the 3d of .July, 1778. While creeping through 
 an oat field in the night, a number of Indians on 
 horseback jumped over him as he lay crouching 
 in a furrow. The Indians were scouring the coun- 
 try throughout Luzerne County for the scalps of 
 the unfortunate white settlers. Our subject's ma- 
 ternal grandfather w.is also a soldier in the Revo- 
 lutionary War. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Trescott, Luther and Elenor 
 (Parke) Trescott, were both descendants of Quaker 
 stock. The former w.as a native of Vermont, and 
 the latter of the province of New Brunswick. 
 They were the parents of four sous and four 
 daughters, five of whom still survive: Mrs. .Susan 
 Dodson. of Weatherly, Carbon County-, Pa.; Mrs. 
 M. L. T. llartman, of Shickshinny, Luzerne 
 County, Pa.; Mrs. M. A. Lemon, of Asbur}', Colum- 
 bia County, Pa.; our subject, and Jlrs. R. ,7. (). 
 Ueci-s, of Weatherly, Carbon County, Pa. Mr. and 
 .Mrs. Trescott spent their entire lives in Pennsyl- 
 vania and both departed their lives in the house 
 where our subject was born. The father's death 
 occurred in February, 1877, he being at that time in 
 liis ninelietli year. He fame of a remarkably long- 
 lived family and two of his brothers also attained 
 a very advanced age. One of them, Peter Sylves- 
 ter, died in 188i, at the age of ninety-three years, 
 
 and the other, Edward Lewis, reached the age of 
 ninety-six years and two months, his death occur- 
 ring in M.ay, 1890. 
 
 On the 22d of September, 18;j(i, Mr. Trescott, 
 whose name heads this sketch, was joined in wed- 
 lock with Miss Sallie Ann Dodson, daughter of 
 Stephen IJ. and Flavia (Tubbs) Dodson, of Penn- 
 sylvania. Her grandmotlier's name was FranUlm, 
 and the uncle of the latter, ('apt. .b>hn Franklin, 
 was an own cousin of Henjamin Franklin, the phil- 
 osopher, inventor and statesman. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. Trescott ten children have been born, as fol- 
 lows: Olin Rush, now dece.'ised; Ada C, also de- 
 ceased; Stephen O., who married Mi.ss Nellie Ruck, 
 of West Union, Iowa, and now makes his home at 
 Fremont, Colo., where he helped to organize* com- 
 pany that operates the gold mines at Cripple Creek; 
 Luther R.; Henry A., decea.sed; Charles Fremont, 
 also now deceased; Amy E. is the wife of De Witt 
 C. Merrill, a general merchant in Cabery, III., and 
 unto them have been born two children, Marguer- 
 ita Mabel and Wallace Trescott; William IL, Lloyd 
 F. and Edward L. are the youngest of the family. 
 
 For a number of years Mr. Trescott engaged in 
 the butcher's business in Cliebanse. and started the 
 first meat-market here. He afterward embarked 
 in the real-estate bu.siness, selling out his former 
 business in 1867. In addition to his real-estate 
 occupation he h.as for many years eng.aged more or 
 less in agricultural pursuits, although his residence 
 has been in Cliebanse since 1860. 
 
 In 1862, Mr. Trescott was elected .lustico of the 
 Pe.acc and for the long period of thirty ypai's has 
 continued to till that ollice. He h.osalso filled several 
 other official positions, and the same montli that 
 he w;is made .lustice of the Peace he was also elec- 
 ted School Trustee and has held that position since 
 then. In 186!l, he w.as made Supervisor and served 
 for one year. He w.ns also the .\ssessnr of Clie- 
 banse Township for the two years of 1865 and 
 1866. and at present is the President of the \'illage 
 Board of Trustees. He has been a member of the 
 same board during most of the time of his residence 
 here and htus been its President a number of terms. 
 In all of hisoflicial positions he has been prompt and 
 faithful in the discharge of the duties, which fact 
 is well evinced by the repealed calls lie lln^ had 
 
826 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 from his fellow-citizens to fill various positions of 
 trust. In political sentiments he is a stanch Re- 
 publican and has cast his ballot for every Repub- 
 lican Presidential candidate from Fremont to 
 Harrison. He made two visits to his old home, 
 friends and relatives, the first one beino; in 1864 
 and the next one in December, 1891. He has 
 been a Mason since 1867, holding membership with 
 Chebanse Lodge No. 429, A. F. & A. M., of which 
 he has ))een Secretary about half of the time since 
 joining- and still holds that office. He is a repre- 
 sentative citizen, and as one of the pioneer settlers 
 well deserves a place in this volume. 
 
 ELWIN L. WRIGHT, the efficient Postmaster 
 of Chebanso, is a native of the Empire State, 
 his birth having occurred in Jordan, Onon- 
 daga County on the 7th of January, 1830. His 
 maternal grandmother, Mrs. Mary (Hedding) Ball, 
 figured conspicuously in the Revolutionary War. 
 vShe was one among many women who took off 
 their stockings and petticoats to supply Washing- 
 ton's soldiers, wiio were suffering greatly for 
 shoes and clothing, and who could easily be 
 tracked by the blood on the snow and ice from 
 their naked feet. Her husband when seventeen 
 years of age was received into the army and 
 served throughout the Revolutionary War. A 
 brother of Mrs. Ball was taken prisoner by the 
 Tories, who without giving him time to dress car- 
 ried him from Newark, N. J., to New York over 
 the ice and snow. On tlie trip both of his feet 
 were frozen and he suffered so greatly from the 
 exposure that his death soon followed. He had 
 occasioned this cruel treatment by the Tories on 
 account of his befriending the American soldiers 
 as far as he was able, assisting to feed and clothe 
 them. He was a merchant of Newark, and his life 
 was one of the many sacrificed for the liberties of 
 our glorious country. 
 
 The parents of our subject were George and 
 Elizabeth (Ball) Wright, and to them seven chil- 
 dren were born, three daughters and four sons, 
 five of whom are still living: Mary, Antoinette, 
 
 Luc,y, Elwin and Gideon. The father in his youth 
 learned the trade of tool-making, which occupa- 
 tion he followed until improved machinery drove 
 him out of the business, at which time he turned 
 his attention to general blacksmithing. Mrs. Wright 
 did the carding, spinning and weaving for the 
 clothing of her family. Most of their lives were 
 spent upon a farm. The death of the father oc- 
 curred in New York in 1882, and for many years 
 previous to this he had been retired from business. 
 In the town of Jordan, Mrs. Wright dejiarted this 
 life in the following year. 
 
 The early education of our subject was largely 
 attained in the public schools of Jordan, after 
 which he entered the Jordan Academy, which he 
 attended during the winter season. In June, 1856, 
 he came to Illinois, taking a course in the Biyant 
 & Stratton Business College of Chicago. Thus well 
 equipped for the business of life, he commenced 
 buying poultry, game and like merchandise, 
 which he shipped to the New York markets. He 
 afterward bought hogs and cattle for the Chicago 
 market and was very successful in his business en- 
 terprises. At the (irst call for volunteers during 
 the late war, Mr. Wright enlisted for the ninety 
 days' service, but the quota from Illinois being 
 sufficient at that time he was not received into 
 active service. 
 
 In February, 1862, was celebrated the marriage 
 of Mr. Wright and Miss Olive Twombly, of Kan- 
 kakee, and to them have been born twelve chil- 
 dren, nine of whom are still living. The eldest, 
 Antoinette, is the wife of Almond Lowe, a farmer 
 living about half way between Aurora and St. Ann, 
 III; they have one child, Henry. liillie died when 
 about a year old. The younger are Jesse, Nellie, 
 Maggie, Helen, Alta, George, Lemuel and Sher- 
 wood (twins), and another pair of twins, who died 
 unnamed. 
 
 Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Wright 
 leased the Milk's (irove farm, consisting of about 
 seven hundred acres, which he carried on for about 
 two years. After that he removed to Cheb.anse, 
 purchased a hay press and has made this place his 
 home since that time. From 1865 until 1870, 
 he ran his hay press and for the following four- 
 teen years was book keeper for the fiiin of Cnpen 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 827 
 
 it Co., grain dealers and elpvator men. Durinif tlie 
 next five years lie w.rs engaged in hnying ftuek. 
 cattle and hogs, wliicli he sliipj)ed to Chicago. In 
 the month of April, 1889, Mr. Wright received 
 notice of his appointment by Postmaster-General 
 Wanamaker to the office of Postma.ster of Che- 
 l)anse and entered upon the discharge of his 
 duties on the 4th of May of that year. He has 
 shown good abilit\' and efficiency in tilling this 
 position and has given satisfaction to all. 
 
 Mr. Wright is a stanch Republican in politics 
 and assisted to build the Republican wigwam in 
 Chicago, where Abraham F-incoln was nominated 
 for the IVesidencj'. He is a public-spirited and 
 progressive man and is always in the front ranks 
 of those who advance the prosperity and best in- 
 terests of this community. In his business rela- 
 tions, lie is trustworthy and honorable, and his 
 manly coui-se in life has won for him the respect 
 of all. 
 
 '-^T-^IIKODORK l',Ai;C()X was born in Ohio, 
 jf'/^\ about fourteen miles from Cincinnati, in 
 V^^ Hamilton County, on the 12th of March, 
 1824. His birthplace is about three nnles from 
 that of Gen. Harrison. His maternal grandfather 
 was a soldier in the AVar of 1812, and was for 
 many years a resident of Montgomery County, 
 Ind., near Crawfordsville, emigrating there from 
 New York. He was of Irish descent, and at the 
 time of his death was about sixty-seven years of 
 age. On his father's side, our subject is of Eng- 
 lish origin. He is a son of John and Julia Ann 
 (Bryant) Babeox. The former was a native of 
 New Jersey, and the latter was born in (ienesee 
 County. N. Y. They were the parents of four 
 children: Klizalieth became the wife of (). G. Will- 
 hito, a tailor in Crawfordsville, Ind.. where she 
 died in 1868. They had four children: John, 
 Alice, Florence and Frank, all of whom are now 
 living. Theodore is next in order of birth; John, 
 Jr., died when a child of four years; Stephen is 
 the youngest of the family. 
 
 In 1818, Mr. and Mrs. Babeox removed from 
 New York to Ohio, settling upon a farm near Cin- 
 cinnati, where they resided for eighteen years. In 
 ]8.'$6, the father went to New Orleans, and there 
 contracted the dread dise.rse. yellow fever, which 
 caused his death. Soon afterward, the brother of 
 Mrs. Babco.x, Zephaniah Bryant, moved a family 
 from Ohio to a place within ten miles of Craw- 
 fordsville, Ind., and ouv subject chose to leave 
 home, going with his uncle upon the trip to live 
 with his grandfather, whose children had all grown 
 up and had left the old homestead to make homes 
 for themselves. After Mr. Babeox had resided 
 with his grandfather for about two years, his mo- 
 ther, with her other children, also removed to the 
 same neighborhood. She was again married, be- 
 coming the wife of Samuel Kirkpatrick, with 
 whom in 1841) she went to Joliet, 111. She de- 
 parted this life in February, 1848. 
 
 Theodore Babeox made his home with his grand- 
 father until nearly fifteen yeai-s of age, and then 
 started out to make his own living in the world. 
 In 1842, he went to.Foliet, near which city he ob- 
 tained employment on a farm. He was allowed 
 the privilege of reserving for himself a small tract 
 of land, on which he sowed wheat in order to ob- 
 tain money with which to secure a better education. 
 During the summer months he worked upon a 
 farm and attended school in the winter at Craw- 
 fordsville, going biick and forth as the seasons 
 rolled by. When he first removed tt) Joliet, the 
 town was very small and he killed a deer on the 
 present town site, which fact would indicate 
 somewhat the wildness of the ))lace at that time 
 In 18.'(0, with his brother Stephen, he went to 
 California, where they prospected for gold. In 
 October of the following year, he returned home, 
 but his brother preferred to remain in the West, 
 and a number of years afterward removed to 
 Washington Territory, where he lived for some 
 years. In 1877, his death occurred at Silver City, 
 Idaho. He w.as about four years younger than 
 our subject. 
 
 On the ixth of January, lH4Jt, ocnirrtd the 
 marri.age of Theodfire Balicox and Miss Nancy 
 Ann Cameron, daughter of Hugh and Sarah (Zum- 
 walt) Cameron. Four children have blessed theu' 
 
828 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 union: Florence became the wife of A. H. B. Ellis, 
 who was a soldier in the late war, and who now 
 draws a pension of $72 per month. Their home 
 is at Hastings, Mich., where he has held a number 
 of offices, among them those of Deputy Sheriff and 
 Constable. They have four children: Effie, Em- 
 met, Edith and Cecil. The second child of our 
 subject. .Tolin, resides in California. Alonzo lives 
 in Eads, Colo. He is engaged in farming, and is 
 Deputy Sheriff and Constable. He married Miss 
 Louise Vose and three children grace their union: 
 Marie, Robert and Theodore. The youngest of 
 the family, Nancy Ann, died on the 28tii of Octo- 
 Iter, 18G1. The wife of our subject held member- 
 ship with the Methodist P^piscopal Church and 
 died in that faith on the 27th of April, 1856. 
 
 Mr. Babcox was again married, on tlie 4th of 
 March, 1857, when Miss Mary Hunter, a native of 
 Kentucky, became his wife. Her parents died when 
 she was about seven years of age. By this union 
 have been born the following children: Reason G., 
 who was married in Peoria and now makes his 
 home in Wisconsin, where he is engaged in the 
 railroad business. He has one child. Maude, who 
 became the wife of Terry Steele, a stock buyer 
 and shipper of Chebanse. Fred died on the 12th 
 of November, 1863, while an infant. Emma Dora, 
 the youngest of the family, is still at home. The 
 motiier of these children departed this life on the 
 21st of March, 1882. She was a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and left 
 many friends to mourn her loss. 
 
 Upon returning from California, where he had 
 been quite successful, Mr. Babcox settled upon a 
 farm .il)out ten miles north of Cravvfordsville, 
 where he engaged in farming for about seven 
 years. He then purchased a piece of land of 
 eighty acres in Chebanse Township, and removed 
 there in 1858. F'or live years he was exclusively 
 engaged in cultivating and improving this farm, 
 which he sold in February, 1863, and came to the 
 village, which he has made his home since that 
 time. In 1863, lie entered into the hotel business, 
 but as it jvas during the depressing time of the 
 war, it was not much of a success. Accordingly, 
 in 1874, he decided to adopt another calling, and 
 Las followed the business of auctioneering, in 
 
 which he had some experience, after iiis return 
 from the West. He is a man of good business 
 ability and wide experience, and his dealings with 
 his fellow-men arc alwa3S marked by honesty and 
 trustworthiness. 
 
 Mr. B.abcox is a memlier of Chebanse Lodge No. 
 420, A. F. <fe A. M., which fraternity he joined in 
 1866. He has ever been a loyal Republican since 
 the formation of that party, and previous to that 
 was a stanch Whig. His life has been marked by 
 perseverance and industry, and the comfortable 
 competence which he has .achieved is well de- 
 served. 
 
 @=- 
 
 ^ IV: ILLIAM H. SELLERS, commerci.al traveler, 
 \/iJ// ™''*'^6* ^I'S home in Clifton. He was born 
 W^ in Chebanse Township, on the 26th of 
 April, 1857, and he therefore has the honor of be- 
 ing a native of the county. His father, Abraham 
 Sellers, was a native of P^ngland, Yorkshire being 
 the place of his birth, which occurred May 22, 
 18n. He served an apprenticeship of seven years 
 to the blacksmith's trade, and after his marriage 
 emigrated to America. Crossing the Atlantic, he 
 arrived in the United States in 1842, locating in 
 Bristol, Kendall County, 111., where he followed 
 his trade for several years. Opening a shop, he 
 did blacksmith and repair work and also engaged 
 in the manuf.acture of wagons. In .1856, he came 
 to Iroquois County and pre-empted land in Che- 
 banse Township, where he improved and developed 
 a farm, m.aking it his home for about two years. 
 At the same time he carried on the shop in Che- 
 banse. In 1858 he came to Clifton, and here em- 
 barked in blacksmithing, engaging in active busi- 
 ness until failing health forced him to retire from 
 active work. The ten years previous to his death 
 he iias.sed in retirement from labor, enjoying the 
 well-earned fruits of his former toil. 
 
 Mr. Sellers w.as twice married, his first wife hav- 
 ing died before he came to this county. At .Sand- 
 wich, De Kalb County, Mr. Sellers was united in 
 marriage with Miss Susan M. Kice, a native of the 
 Empire State. She was born, reared and educated 
 
*> ^ 
 
 #", 
 
 ■■:r- 
 
 
 
 /2/ryX- /Ice^riyinAM^-^^^^^ 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 831 
 
 in t'liciiiimg Count}-, N. Y. Tlie wedding cere- 
 mony WHS celebrated on the 26tli of July, ISiia. 
 William Kice, tlie father of Mrs. Sellers, died wlien 
 she was Init nine years of age. After the death of 
 her parents, she found friends among strangers 
 and came with them to Illinois in 18,5"2. Mr. .Sel- 
 lers was an active member of the Methodist Ejjis- 
 copal Church, and in |iolitics was identified with 
 the Republican party, strongly advocating its prin- 
 ciples, lie died on the 1 Uh of March, 1889. 
 
 William Sellers is a son of Abraham and Susan 
 Sellers. He received a good eomnion-.«chool edu- 
 cation, and in his early life learned the tinner's 
 trade. For about a year he was engaged in clerk- 
 ing in Kankakee, and then returned to his trade. 
 For several vears succeeding, he held a clerkship, 
 and in 188G became a commercial traveler. l^Ir. 
 Sellers is a natural salesman, and in this line has 
 been very successful. He was in the emplo^y of 
 one firm for about four years. Socially and in his 
 business relations, he wins raanj- friends, and much 
 of his success is due to his genial and courteous 
 demeanor. In September, 18ill, he embarked in 
 the hotel business in Clifton, and his wife and 
 mother now efliciently manage affairs in that line, 
 while he attends to his commercial interests. 
 However, he intends soon to abandon the hotel 
 and will occupy' his fine new residence which lias 
 just been completed. 
 
 January 5, 1888, witnessed the marriage of 
 Mr. Sellers and Miss Anna Taddikin. the cere- 
 mony taking place in Bureau County, 111. Tlie 
 lady was born in Germany, and came to the 
 United States when a child of four years. .She 
 grew to womanhood and received her education 
 in Aslikum. By the union of the young couple 
 has been born a daughter, Anna. She is the light 
 and joy of the i)arents' home, where she is known 
 by tlie pet name of "'Tootsie." 
 
 In politics, Mr. Sellers casts his ballot for tlio 
 nominees of the Republican party, but has never 
 sought official positions, preferring to devote his 
 time and attention to his business enterprises. 
 He was probably the first male child born in Clie- 
 banse Township, and his entire life has been spent 
 in the county of his nativity. He is well and 
 favorably known throughouttlie county and State, 
 
 8B 
 
 He is a man of marked business lalents, nnd by his 
 personal worth and nobility of character has won 
 the friendship and good wishes of .-ill with whom 
 he has been lirouKht in contact. 
 
 \t^^ IRAM N'KNNl'.M. or'Tncle Hiram," as he is 
 'Iji familiarly called, an honored pioneer of 
 .IW^'' Iroquois County, has made his home in 
 i^] Jlilford Township since 1831. He is now 
 living a retired life in the city of Milford. His 
 name is inseparably connected with the history of 
 this county, for lie has been an eye-witness of its 
 entire growth, has aided in its upbuilding, and lias 
 borne his part in its development. He certainly 
 deserves representation in this volume, and with 
 pleasure we give this record of his life. 
 
 Mr. Vennuni was born near Wa.shington, the 
 county seat of Washington County, Pa., and is a 
 .son of Thom.as and Elizalieth (Kirkpatrick) Vcn- 
 num. His father was also born near W.ashington, 
 and his mother was a native of 'New Jersey, where 
 she resided during the Revolutionary War. She 
 saw Gen. Washington while he was with his troo))s 
 in that State. In 1834, they emigrated with their 
 family to what was then the far West, taking u]) 
 their residence on Sugar Creek, in Milford Town- 
 ship, Iroquois County. The family numbered 
 eight children, five sons and tliree daughters. 
 Thomas K., while driving stock over the moun- 
 tains in Eastern Pennsylvania, was taken ill and 
 died at the age of twenty-two years. The other 
 children all came to Illinois. In order of birth 
 tliev were as follows: Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, 
 (ieorge, Tri.as, Christopher Columbus, (icfu-ge 
 Washington, Jane, Thomas Kirkpatrick, and Hi- 
 ram. 
 
 Our subject is the youngest uf the family. The 
 days of his boyhood and youth were spent in his 
 native State, and at the .-ige of twenty years he 
 came with his parents to froc|Uois County. He has 
 experienced all the liardships and privatiuiis of 
 |)ioneer life. His father built the first house 
 erected on tlio prairie. The winter of 1837-38 
 was one of tlie most severe ever known in this 
 
832 
 
 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 part of the country. Snow fell to a great depth 
 find then the weather turned intensely cold. It 
 was tliirty-five miles to the mill and a load of corn 
 or yard of calico could not be bought in this 
 neighborhood anj'where. 
 
 Mr. Vennum of this sketch also aided in the 
 arduous task of developing the wild prairie into 
 ricii and fertile fields. In 1836, he settled on a 
 farm on section 2, Milford Township, known as 
 the Jlound Farm. It is said to be the highest spot 
 of ground between Chicago and Cairo, and he 
 Iherc resided for lifty-flve j-ears engaged in agri- 
 culturnl pursuits. He led a bus3^ life and as the 
 result of his industry and perseverance acquired a 
 comfortable competence. He was married on the 
 22d of JIarcli, 1840, to Miss Nancy V. Wagner, 
 but after a sliort mariied life tlie lady was called 
 to iier final rest .June 1, 184 1. At her death she 
 left a (laughter, Nancy \., wiio is now the wife of 
 Wilder Slead, a resident of Council liluffs, Iowa. 
 Mr. Vennum was again married Marcli 24, 1846, 
 his second wife being Mrs. Submit Fry, a daughter 
 of SoloQion Gilbert. She was an estimable lady 
 and proved to him a faithful companion and help- 
 mate. Her death occurred October 28, 1876. They 
 had one son, (Gilbert, who was married April 26, 
 1871, to Martha Elizabeth Hartwell, daughter of 
 Albert and Rutli (Brown) Hartwell. He erected a 
 beautiful residence in JMilford and his father finds 
 a pleasant home with him. 
 
 After the death of his wife, Mr. ^'enlnlm sold a 
 portion of his farm and the remainder is now 
 rented. His son (lilbert now manages his busi- 
 ness affairs for him, thus relieving him of all care 
 and anxiety. He has held the office of Supervisor 
 for a number of terms and has been the adminis- 
 trator of a number of estates, which fact indicates 
 the confidence and trust reposed in liim, but he 
 has always preferred to live a quiet life. He is 
 familiar with the history of Iroquois County since 
 the lime when it was on the frontier, and can relate 
 ninny anecdotes and reminiscences of his pioneer 
 days. Almost sixty years have passed since he 
 located in Milford Township, and few indeed are 
 left who have so long resided here. With his 
 iiicnns, wliicli are abundant, he has always been 
 liliciMl. assisting those who needed help. The 
 
 laboring man has ever found in him a warm friend, 
 and many who .are now in comfortable circum- 
 stances remember with gratitude the pecuniary 
 aid received from this venerable gentleman. 
 
 )IIOMAS BURNS, one of the first settlers of 
 this county-, is a prominent farmer, who 
 makes iiis home on section 18, Aslikum 
 Township. At the time of his settlement here, there 
 were few inhabitants, but there was an abundance 
 of game. He often saw from twenty to twenty-five 
 deer in one herd, and also great numbers of wolves 
 and flocks of prairie chickens. Rattlesnakes were 
 also vei'}' numerous. Mr. Burns was quite a hunter 
 and killed many deer and great numbers of wolves. 
 He has witnessed great changes, and has helped 
 very largely in developing the county, which is 
 to-day considered one of the best in the State, while 
 it was formerly a swamp and wilderness. 
 
 Our subject is a native of Ireland and was born 
 in County Carlow, Province of Leinster, on the 4th 
 of December, 1826, and is a son of Charles and Jo- 
 hanna (Nolan) Burns. Both parents were also na- 
 tives of the Emerald Isle.andthere lived and died. 
 The father was twice married. His first wife, the 
 mother of our subject, died at the age of twenty- 
 four years, when Thomas was but a child. The 
 father was a farmer by occupation, and died in the 
 same neighborhood in which he was born, at the ad- 
 vanced age of one hundred and two years. 
 
 The early years of our subject were passed in the 
 usual pursuits of farm life, and his education was 
 that of the country schools. When he had reached 
 the age of twenty years, he determined to strike 
 out for himself, and believing that the New World 
 afforded better opportunities to a young man of 
 industry and perseverance, he accordingly went 
 to Dublin and took passage in a sailing-vessel, 
 called the "Infanta," which was bound for New 
 York. The captain and vessel were both from Wales. 
 They were six weeks and four days in crossing the 
 briny deep, and encountered a severe storm during 
 the voyage. They arrivec] jn Jv'ew York about 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 
 
 833 
 
 May 20, 1848, where he spent two days, and 
 tlicn went to Albany by way of the North River. 
 Thence he went by Canal to Buft'ah), wlicre he 
 spent about two weeks in a brick yard, after 
 whicii lie returned to New York. At tiiat lime 
 he W.1S very lioine-sick, as he was in a foreign 
 land among strangers, and he had about made 
 up his mind to return to tlio land of his birth, 
 when in New York City he met an old acquaintance, 
 and with him went to Orange County, near New- 
 burg. There he started to work on a farm, in the 
 hay field, at |!St per month, for Capt. Hiown, who 
 was also of Irish birth. After remaining on the 
 farm for si couple of months, he went to Boston, 
 ^Iass.,and hired out to a farmer near that place, re- 
 maining with him during the two years succeeding. 
 
 In 1851, coming West, our subject settled in 
 Wayne County, Mich., in Van Ruren Township, 
 not far from Detroit, where he purchased a farm of 
 eighty acres, twenty-five of which were cleared. 
 On the place was a log house and a good orchard. 
 He did not remain there long, however, but went to 
 Chicago and worked in a sawmill during the win- 
 ter and until the following JIay. The next few 
 months he remained in the employ of the same 
 man at dredging. This man, Alexander Roed, 
 was a Scotchman, and in his employ Mr. Burns 
 continued until 18.').'). when he bought a team and 
 engaged in teaming for several years in Chicago. 
 
 On the 23d of August, 18.')8, Mr. Burns was 
 married to Kliza G.allagher, who was born in Ire- 
 land and reared in the same neighborhood as our 
 subject. This union has been blessed with nine 
 children: Charles is a farmer of Ashkum Township; 
 .Tames is employed in the stock yards at Chicago; 
 Annie and Mary come next; Thomas holds a respon- 
 sible position in Chicago; Katie makes her home 
 in the same city: Walter, Terry and William are 
 still at home. Tlie mother, of these children was 
 called toiler final rest on the ITlhof September, 
 1884, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Burns continued to live 
 in Chicago for three years, and in .Tuly, 18(51. 
 came to Iroquois County for the firm of (iross 
 it Phillips and located land here for them. .Mr. 
 Burns staid in Ashkum for a time, until a house 
 could be erected on the farm, which was situated 
 
 two and a-half miles west of .\>likiiMi, on section 
 14. Here our subject opened up a farm and 
 thoroughly cultivated and improved it. He was 
 one of the first to locate in Ashkum Township. 
 He engaged quite extensively in stock-rais- 
 ing and remained upcm the farm for fourteen 
 years. Three years aft( r coming here he bought 
 land for himself on section 18, the one on which 
 he now resides. He first purch.ised forty acres, and 
 as his financial resources were increased, a<ided to 
 his original tract, first buying forty acres adjnining. 
 and then others, until he now owns two huiidred 
 acres in one piece, and all good, arable and well- 
 improved land. He removed to his farm in 
 187.5, and built a large and substantial residence, 
 barns, and other necessary farm buildings. In 
 1887, he met with a severe loss by fire, his house 
 and all its contents being completely destroyed. 
 
 The fire occurred in April of that year, and was a 
 severe loss to our subject, as at that time he carried 
 no insurance. On his land he has a good orchard 
 and a great variety of fruit. He is one of the en- 
 terprising, thrifty and prosperous farmers of this 
 county, and by these qualities well merits the 
 success he obtained. 
 
 Mr. Burns was formerly a supporter of the Repub- 
 lican party, but now identifies himself with the 
 Democracy'. He has been called upon to fill several 
 olficial positions, the duties of which he has dis- 
 charged with ability and promptness. He has ever 
 been a friend to education, and li.is served .is a 
 member of the School Boaid. He numlwrs a wide 
 circle of friends and acquaintances throughout 
 this township and county, who hold him in high 
 regard '•<! irii.iint of hi>; many noble qualities. 
 
 DWARI) Al.l.KN TOPLIFF is a well-to-do 
 
 farmer, owning and carrying on a farm on 
 
 ^' .section 30, Chebanse Tt)wnship. He was 
 
 burn ill Aldcn, Krie County. N. Y., fin the 2fith of 
 
 October, 183'.l. His father, Franklin Topliff, was 
 
 I a native of the same county and is numbered 
 
 I anidiig its pioneers. The family is of Scotch de- 
 
 I scent and at :iii ciih il:i\ I'liiiL'iatcd lo KricCountv. 
 
834 
 
 POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 The father of our subject, after arriving at man's 
 estate, inan-ied Sabra Mcintosh, also a native of 
 the Empire State. Her father was born in Massa- 
 chusetts. After his marriage, Mr. Topiiff engaged 
 for some time in agricultural pursuits in New 
 York, and in 1840 removed to Ohio, settling near 
 Columbus, where he located in the wilderness. The 
 portion of the State in which he made his home 
 was heavily timbered and a part of it he cleared 
 and there made a faira. He resided there until his 
 death, which occurred in 18r)0. His wife had 
 passed away some four years after their removal 
 to ihe Buckeye vState. After the death of their 
 parents, the children were obliged to go among 
 strangers. 
 
 Our subject in his early life found good friends, 
 who gave him the advantages of the public schools 
 during the winter terms, the remainder of the 
 year being spent in working upon a farm. Since 
 reaching maturity-, he has largely educated himself, 
 as the limited advantages afforded by the schools 
 at that early period but little fitted a man to meet 
 tlie requirements of active business and social life. 
 When about eighteen years of age, Mr. Tcipliff came 
 to Illinois and secured work in a broom factory at 
 Kankakee, 111., where he learned the trade and re- 
 mained for about three years. With the exception 
 of that time and that spent in the service of his 
 country, his entire life has been spent upon a farm. 
 After leaving the factory he worked upon the 
 farm of his uncle, S. H. IMcIntosh, until the break- 
 ing out of the late war. 
 
 On the 25th of August, 1862, Mr. Topiiff donned 
 the blue, becoming a member of Company F, 
 Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry. He enlisted as a 
 Corporal and took part in the battles of Tallahassee 
 Bottoms, Holly Springs (Miss.), Jackson Cross 
 Roads (Miss.), and was also in the siege and cap- 
 ture of Vicksbiirg and the fort at .lackson. Miss. 
 From there his regiment went to Now Orleans, 
 thence to Pensacola, Fla., and Bcrkely, and took | 
 p.'iit ill the cliarge on Ft. Mobile, Ala. On tlie ;»th 
 (■r April, in the last meutioned-encoiiiitcr, lie re- 
 ceived a severe wound, a minie-ball passing 
 through his left breast. He was also shot through 
 Ihi' left foreann. lie received his discharge at the [ 
 closr of the war, in August, 1805, at New Orleans, j 
 
 and returned to Kankakee, where he remained 
 about a year. 
 
 In 18fi7, Mr. Topiiff came to Iroquois Count}-, 
 and purchased a place, consisting of eighty acres 
 of unimproved prairie land in Chebanse Township. 
 Of this property he made a good and fertile farm 
 and resided there for several j'ears. He then sold 
 the same and came to the place where he now re- 
 sides in 1880. This property, which consisted of 
 one hundred and sixtj' acres, was also unimproved, 
 and this he opened up and developed to its pres- 
 ent high state of cultivation. He has built a com- 
 modious and substantial residence, good barns and 
 other buildings, and has done considerable tiling 
 on his farm. He also has three miles of fine hedge 
 and his farm is justly regarded as one of the best 
 in the township. He was early thrown upon the 
 world to shift for himself, and owes his present 
 prosperity to his industry, enterprise and persever- 
 ance. He is to-day one of the substantial and 
 well-to-do farmers of the county and has accumu- 
 lated a valuable estate and a good income. 
 
 In this county, on the 11th of November, 1867, 
 occurred the union of our subject and Miss Ella 
 Miner, who was born at Springfield, Mass., June 
 29, 1845. She received her education and grew 
 to womanhood in the city of Kankakee. By their 
 marriage have been born six children: Flora E. is 
 an accomplished young lady, who is a teacher of 
 vocal and instrumental music; Charles E. is en- 
 gaged in helping to carry on the work of the farm; 
 Lillie M. and Bert E. are also under the parental 
 roof and are receiving the advantages of good 
 educations; Lulu Belle died at the age of eleven, 
 and Harry at the age of six months. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Topiiff has been a member of 
 the Democratic party since becoming a voter, with 
 the exception of his first ballot, which was cast for 
 Gen. U. S. Grant in 1868. Appreciating his ability, 
 our subject has been elected to fill numerous offi- 
 cial positions and has ever discharged the duties 
 of the same most acceptably to his fellow-citizens. 
 Fjducation finds in liiiii a veiy active supporter 
 and friend, and for twelve years he has served 
 as one of the School Trustees. For the same 
 length of time he has been Road Commissioner, 
 being re-elected year after year to fill that position, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 
 
 «35 
 
 and was again re-elected in the spring of 1892 
 for another tiiree-year term. He has been a del- 
 egate to a number of county conventions and is 
 Committeeman of his township, lie has alw.iys 
 taken an .letiye part in all public affairs and lias 
 done much to advance the interests of the com- 
 munity in which he dwells. He is a member of 
 the Chebanse Grand Army Post and is also Pres- 
 ident of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit .Association. 
 .\s one of the earliest settlers and a man of upriglit 
 character and worth, he has won a wide circle of 
 friends who hold him in the hisrhest reijard. 
 
 J[l OHN SLATER is a prominent citizen and 
 11 farmer residing on section 29, ^lilk's Grove 
 II Township. His birth occurred on the 8th 
 '' of April, 18.32, near the village of Larwick, 
 in the Shetland Islands. His father, .lohn .Slater, 
 was born in 1801, on those islands, and was there 
 reared and spent his entire life as a fisherman, 
 lie married Ann Riddland. The father died in 
 his eiglity-fifth year, and the mother's death oc- 
 curred in 1888. They were both members of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and very strict in their ob- 
 servance of its ordinances. They would not even 
 cook upon Siind.ay, and were very honest and 
 conscientious in all their actions. The father made 
 a good living and gave his children fair educations. 
 His family consisted of the following sons and 
 (laughters: .lane, who is still living on the Shetland 
 Islands; Lawrence, who, while following his calling 
 as a fisherman, was cast away and never seen again ; 
 Thomas, a tailor in Edinburgh; .lohn, who is next 
 in order of birth; Peter, now deceased, a sailor; 
 Ann and Elspil, who still make their home in their 
 native country. 'J'he daughters have all lost their 
 husbands. .lames, the youngest son, is a fisherman 
 in his native land. 
 
 The boyhood days of our subject were siient upon 
 the islands where he was born, and he received a 
 good education in the public schools. During 
 the fishing season, he worked with his father at 
 that calling, and also learned the carpenter's and 
 joiner's trade. In 1857. determining to seek his 
 
 home and fortune in America, he bade adieu to 
 the friends and scenes of his youth and crossed 
 the .\tlantic in a steamship, which wiis bound for 
 Portland, .'Me. He went immediately to .Joliet, 
 III., by way of the Lakes, and arrived there on 
 the 2(Jlli of .Iiiiie, of tliat year. He followed his 
 trade of carpentering for about three years, and 
 then returned to Scotland on a visit. He was 
 married there on the 26th of December, 18.'»9, to 
 .Margaret Pottinger, of the same neighborhood in 
 which he was born. He remained with his bride 
 for a short time at his old home, and on the IGtIi 
 of .\pril of the following year, went to Liverpool, 
 where lliey took passage in a steamer of the Al- 
 len Steamship Line, en route for Montreal. They 
 were wrecked and cast on St. Paul Islands, in the 
 Gulf of St. Lawrence, and were there one week be- 
 fore they weie rescued, and continued their journey 
 by boat to Montreal. In due time, without fur- 
 ther accident, they arrived in .loliet, where Mr. 
 Slater again engaged in carpenter work. They re- 
 mained in that city for about five years, and in 
 18G2 removed to Chicago, where our subject 
 obtained employment in building Government 
 bridges until 1872. 
 
 At that time Mr. "Slater decided to buy a farm 
 and turn his attention to agricultiiral pursuits. 
 He therefore went to Kankakee County, where he 
 purchased eighty acres of wild Government land. 
 There he lived, engaged in imi)roving and devel- 
 oping the property, until 1881, when he came to 
 Iroquois County and purchased a tract of one 
 hundred and si.\ty .acres, where he now makes Ins 
 home. He erected a comfortable and pleasant 
 home and the farm is well ecjuijjped with good 
 buildings and improved machinery. In aildition 
 to his farming interests, he li.as also worked more 
 or less at his trade, and has been very successful 
 in his business affairs. For some years he has 
 made a s|iecialty of keeping thoroughbred Poland- 
 China hogs, which are the only registered ones of 
 the township. When he came to .\nierica he wa,s 
 ¥.j(i in debt, but b_v his own efforts and energy has 
 achieved the success which h.as crowned his years 
 of labor. He is an enterprising farmer and a man 
 of good business aliility. 
 
 .Mr. and .Mi-s. Slater arc the parents of seven 
 
836 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 children: John Charles was born in the Shetland 
 Islands on the 28th of January, 1861, and when 
 he grew to manhood married Ellen Avery, and 
 is a leading farmer of Milk's Grove Township; 
 James Alexander is a farmer of Washington; 
 William L. and George A. (twins) are farmers of 
 Milk's Grove Township; Margaret Ann is the wife 
 of Hollis Averv, of Kankakee County; Agnes C. 
 and Frank are at home. These children received 
 good public-school educations, and George at- 
 tended the seminary at Onarga, and they were thus 
 well fitted to meet the duties of life. 
 
 Our subject and his familj' attend the Presby- 
 terian Church. Mr. Slater has been a School Trus- 
 tee for about nine years, and is much interested 
 in educational matters. He is not an office-seeker, 
 preferring to devote his time to his home and farm 
 interests, but has been induced to accept several 
 positions of trust and honor, the duties of which 
 he has discharged in an able and efficient manner. 
 At present he is a Trustee and Road Commissioner, 
 and for five years has been Treasurer of the Board 
 of Commissioners. He heard political speeches by 
 Lincoln and Lovejoy, and was an Abolitionist 
 from the time of his first becoming a citizen of the 
 United States. Later, he has been a supporter of 
 the Republican party and its principles, and his 
 sons are also members of that party. His first 
 vote was cast for James A. Garfield. In local 
 elections he votes for the man whom he tiiinks 
 will best fill the position, regardless of party 
 politics. 
 
 % ANIEL MONROE is an old resident of 
 Milk's Grove Township and owns a farm 
 on section 1. His birth occurred on the 
 2r)th of June, 1837, in Glasgow, Scotland. 
 His father, Hugh Monroe, was of Highland birth, 
 and left his home when a boy, going to Glasgow, 
 Scotland. Upon his arrival in that city, he ap- 
 prenticed himself for seven years to the cabinet- 
 maker's trade. Through his own efforts and dil- 
 igent study he managed to acquire a good educa- 
 tion. In Glasgow he met and was married to Miss 
 
 Jean Campbell, who was a native of that city. 
 They removed to London, where he worked at his 
 trade for about fourteen years. In the spring of 
 1851, they took passage on a sailing-vessel, the 
 "Hendrick Hudson," which was bound for New 
 York Cit}'. They were seven weeks upon the At- 
 lantic, and upon their arrival in New York City 
 the}' started at once for the West. They settled 
 in Joliet, Will County, HI., where lie worked at 
 his trade. His death occurred in the year 1854, 
 and the mother died at Wilmington in 1855. They 
 were both consistent members of tiie Presbyterian 
 Church, and I\Ir. Monroe was a successful business 
 man. 
 
 Daniel Monroe lived in London from the time 
 he was a year old until his parents emigrated to 
 America, at wliieh time he was about fourteen 
 years of age. He received fair school advantages 
 in London and also attended the Will County 
 schools. Having to depend upon his own efforts 
 for a liveliliood, he was early inured to tlie hard- 
 ships of pioneer life. In 1868, he came to this 
 county and bought land where he now lives. His 
 purchase consisted of one hundred and sixtj- acres 
 of land which had upon it no improvements what- 
 ever. It was wild prairie and the grass upon it was 
 about four or five feet high.. The country was 
 largely under water and great flocks of geese and 
 ducks were abundant in this region. He now has 
 a nice farm and a well-improved one. Upon it are 
 a good house and other buildings, trees and hedges. 
 He is a successful, enterprising and progressive 
 farmer and has wonderfully deveU>ped his prop- 
 erty. 
 
 On the 20th of October, 1869, occurred the 
 marriage of Mr. Monroe and Miss Catherine M. 
 Compton. Her father, James Compton, now liv- 
 ing in Clifton, is an old settler .and highly re- 
 spected citizen of this county. Mrs. Monroe was 
 born near La Fayette, Ind., and came with lier par- 
 ents to this county in 1865. This union has been 
 blessed with four children, who were all born and 
 reared upon this farm: Amy E., now at home, re- 
 ceived her education in the county schools and at 
 New Carlisle, Lid.; Harvey J. assists liis father 
 upon the farm; Clarence H. and Eva A. are still un- 
 der the parental roof. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 m; 
 
 At the first call of his coiiiiliy for volunteers in 
 defense of llie I'nion, Jlr. Monroe enlisted in 
 Company F, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, under 
 Col. C. C. Marsh. He enlisted at .luliet, where the 
 company was organized on the 24th of April, 18()1. 
 They first went to Alton and from there to Cape 
 (iirardean. The first battle in which the regiment 
 took part was near l-'rederickstown, Mo. It was 
 followed by tlie engagements at I't. Henr^- and 
 Donelson. He was under Gen. McClernaud and 
 his regiment lost heavily in the engagement, forty 
 being killed and one hundred and twenty wounded. 
 On the Gth and 7th of April, 1862, the regiment 
 was stationed in the thickest of the battle of Shiloh, 
 where they had hard lighting for two days and 
 were driven back inch by incii. They also took 
 an active part in the siege of Corinth. He was in 
 the assault on Vicksburg under Gen. Logan, on 
 the 22d of May, 18G3, in which his regiment lost 
 heavily. He witnessed its surrender and marched 
 into the city on the 4th of July. The siege lasted 
 from the 19th of Mav until that date and his regi- 
 ment was most active during that time. He was 
 also in the Mtridiaii cainiiaign under Sherman 
 and particijiated in the battles of Baker's Creek 
 and Jackson. The time of his service having ex- 
 pired, he returned home for a visit and re-enlisted 
 at Joliet, in Company I), Sixth Regiment, Gen. 
 Hancock's Corps. They went to Washington, 
 from there ))roceeded to Ilarrisburg, thence to 
 Pittsburg, and back to Washington during the 
 winter of 1864-65. He w.as in that city at the 
 time of Lincoln's assassination. After a service 
 of four years and three inonlhs he received his 
 discharge on the 1st of April, 1865, at that time 
 being Kii-st .Sergeant. lie was ever found at his 
 post of duty and was a faithful and brave soldier. 
 With the exception of a short time after the siege 
 of A'icksburg, when he w.is obliged to return home 
 on a furlough on account of fever, he was on act- 
 ive dut}- during the whole time of his service. 
 
 After his return from tiie army, our subject 
 went to Atchison, Kan., and sUirted across the 
 plains by wagon, arriving in Salt Lake City in 
 the fall of 1868. He spent the winter there and 
 in the spring continued his journey to Salmon 
 River, Idaho, where he went into the mines. In 
 
 1867, he returned to this (•f)unty and has opcrnled 
 his present farm since thai time. Politically, .Mr. 
 Monroe is a stanch Republican and cast his first 
 vote in 18611 for Abraham Lincoln. He had the 
 pleasure of hearing Mr. Lincoln plead a case as a 
 lawyer before he was President. ( )ur subject has 
 been elected to fill .several local positions, though 
 he is not an office-seeker and prefers to devote 
 his time to his business interest?. He is one of 
 the best and most public-spirited of citizens and 
 is held in the highest esteem throughout this sec- 
 tion. He is a self-made man and started in life 
 without any means. He has ever shown an enter- 
 prising and progressive spirit and has achieved 
 great succes.s. lie is a friend to educational meas- 
 ures and has given his children a good education, 
 thus fitting them for the battles and duties of life. 
 
 =^>-^~<i 
 
 ILLIAM <;. SANDKRS. a well-known 
 /v/»; farmer of Aslikum Township, lives on 
 ^^ip^ section 16. He is a native of Engl.ind, 
 and was bom on the 24th of March, 1846, in 
 the city of Birmingham. Warwickshire, of which 
 place his parents, William and Mary Ann (Grav) 
 Sanders, were also natives. The father, with his 
 family, emigrated to the Cniled Slates about Sep- 
 tember, 1856, settling in Westchester Countv, 
 N. Y., where he resided for about a year and a- 
 half. He then removed to Kendall Countv. III., 
 where he located on a farm and engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits for aliout twenty years. Desir- 
 ing to retire from the arduous labors and duties 
 of the farm, he went to Bristol, III., where he 
 spent the last years of his life. He departed this 
 life April 6, 1884. His wife survives him and 
 makes her home in BriMol. 
 
 William G. Sanders came to the I'liiled .Stjiies 
 with his parents when a lad of ten years and grew 
 to man's estate in Kendall County, where his 
 youth was spent engaged in tlie usual duties of 
 farmer lads and in attending the common schools. 
 Later, he went to the Aurora CoinmerciHl College, 
 where he received a good business education, thus 
 filling him for the active business pursuits of lifi-. 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 He remained witli his fatlier until after reaching 
 his majority, assisting him in the care of his farm. 
 During this time, liowever, he worked some for 
 himself, and his first experience in farming for 
 himself was in Ogle County, where he was thus 
 occupied for about three 3'ears. In 1872, Mr. 
 Sanders oame to Iroquois County and bought a 
 tract of eighty acres in Ashkiim Township, on 
 which he still makes his home. Of this farm but 
 a few acres had been broken, and but slight im- 
 provements made. In the way of buildings there 
 was but a small shanty, in which he lived while he 
 made other improvements. Soon bountiful harvests 
 rewarded his care and cultivation, and now a 
 substantial home, good stables and other build- 
 ings show tlie owner to be a thrifty and prosper- 
 ous farmer. This farm is located tvro and a-quar- 
 ter miles from Clifton, and is considered a 
 valuable piece of land. 
 
 In Joliet, Will County, on the 2'.tth of Octolier, 
 1874, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sanders and 
 Miss Elizabeth B. Malcolm, a native of Illinois, 
 who was reared and educated in Joliet. Her fa- 
 ther, James Malcolm, wjis born in Scotland, and 
 grew to manhood and was married in Bristol, 
 Kendall County, to Miss Jessie Y. Bertram, No- 
 vember 4, 1845. He was one of the first settlers 
 and honored pioneers of Joliet, being one of the 
 first to locate in the city. He was a miller by trade 
 and a much-respected citizen. When crossing the 
 ocean to this countr3', he was shipwrecked, and, 
 with some others, climbed upon some floating ice 
 and was afterward rescued by a passing ship. 
 Many others of tiie crew and passengers who got 
 into the ship's small boats have never been heard 
 from, and are supposed to have found watery 
 graves. He departed this life January 31, 1885. 
 Mrs. Malcolm died July 16, 1889. 
 
 While not members of any church organization, 
 our subject and his estimable wife attend the 
 Clifton Methodist Episcopal Church, to which 
 they give their support, and are firm believers in 
 its doctrine. Socially, Mr. Sanders is a member of 
 Clifton Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Since casting his first 
 ballot for Gen. U. S. Grant in the Presidential 
 election in 1868, he has ever supported the prin- 
 ciples of the Republican paity. He has never 
 
 been an aspirant for official positions, but has 
 preferred to give his entire time and atten- 
 tion to his agricultural and business interests. 
 He is a representative citizen of this section, 
 and has won many friends by his integrity of 
 character and his manly course in life. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Sanders have two uiteresting children: Cora 
 and George, and two little girls, Edith and Eva, 
 died in earlj' childhood. 
 
 ■^if^BEN L. HILLS, Supervisor of Milk's Grove 
 l^ Township, resides on section 15. He was 
 [f' — --^ born in the town of Big Grove, Kendall 
 County, 111., on the 13tli of November, 1843. His 
 father. Eben M. Hills, was a native of Connecti- 
 cut, his birth occurring on the 8th of October, 
 1801, in Goshen, Litchfield County. His early 
 life was passed upon a farm, and when he arrived 
 at mature years he was married, in Burn ham Center, 
 Oneida County, N. Y., to Miss Stella Sears. The 
 wedding was celebrated on the 11th of June, 1828. 
 Mrs. Hills was a native of the Empire State, her 
 birth occurring in South East, Putnam County, 
 N. Y., on the 21st of August, 1806. After his mar- 
 riage, Mv. Hills removed to Illinois, coming by 
 way of the Lakes. His family and goods came by 
 team overland. He arrived in Kendall County 
 in 1833, when the country' was nothing but a wil- 
 derness. He proceeded to open up and develop 
 a farm and aftervvards became the owner of an- 
 other one. He was quite successful as a business 
 man and farmer, and was a strong anti-slavery 
 man, and politically a Whig. He was a firm be- 
 liever in the common schools, was a good citizen 
 and a kind neighbor. He and his wife were 
 highly esteemed members of the Congregational 
 Church of Lisbon, where for a long time he was a 
 Deacon. He was a man of wide reading and in- 
 telligence and was held in high regard by all. His 
 death occurred on the 17tii of Februarj', 1859, and 
 that of his wife on the 19tli of June, 1884. ^Irs. 
 Hills spent her last days with her children. 
 
 In their family were eight children: Mrs. Caro- 
 line Cass, a widow, resides in West Superior, 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RF.CORl). 
 
 HM\ 
 
 Wis.; Hubert died in Soiilli Dakota; Frederick B. 
 is .1 leading fanner of Kendall County; Melissa 
 Stone lives in Sandwich, De Kalli County; Mary 
 Ann died when a child; Ebeu L., our subject; 
 Sarah Lfiinira ami Luther IJ. make their home 
 in California. With the exception of the two eld- 
 est children, who were born in (Jueida County, 
 N. v., they were all born and reared in Lisbon, 111. 
 
 The early years of our subject were passed upon 
 his father's farm in Illinois in the usual jnirsuits 
 of fanner boys. For that early day he received 
 quite a fair common-school educatiftn, and at nine- 
 teen years of age he left his studies in order to 
 enter the army. He left Lisbon in company with 
 the regiment in which he had enlisted on the l^th 
 of August, 18()"2, as a member of Company E, 
 Ninety-first Illinois Infantry-, under Col. H. 'SI. 
 Day, and was mustered into service at Springfield. 
 The company was detailed to guard railroad 
 bridges in Kentucky. Gen. Morgan made them 
 prisoners, our subject being cajjtured on the 27th 
 of December, 1862. He was paroled and sent to 
 St. Louis, whei'e he was kept until July, 1863. 
 After being released, he proceeded to A'icksburg, 
 thence went to New Orleans and afterward to 
 Te.Kas. He then went to Mobile and assisted in 
 the capture of that city. He entered the service 
 as a private soldier and was an Orderly at head- 
 quarters. He was a faithful and eflficicnt soldier, 
 ever to be found at his post of duty and true to 
 the trust reposed in him. 
 
 Returning from the war, he went to Springfield 
 and arrived at his home on the 28th of .luly, 1863. 
 On the 2'.lth of November, 1866, Mr. Hills was 
 married to Miss Phila M. liushnell, a native of the 
 Empire State. Their marriage was celebrated in 
 the house where he was born at Lisbon, Kendall 
 County. Mrs. Hills is a daughter of Ricliard and 
 Adeline (McCuen) Hushnell, who came to Illinois 
 in 1848, when Mrs. Hills was but four years of 
 age. They first settled in McHenry County, then 
 at Dundee, Kane County, and finally removed 
 to Lisbon, when she was about eleven years of 
 age. Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell are now both de- 
 ceased. Three children grace the union of our 
 subject and his wife: Lillian M. is the wife of 
 Arthur Boswell, and lives in Nebraska. She was 
 
 born in the same hou>c where her father's liirth oc- 
 curred, and grew to womanhood in Kankakee 
 County. .Susan II. resides at home and was born 
 at Chebanse, Iroquois County. She acquired her 
 education in the ])ublic .schools of Onarga. Hubert 
 was born in Chel)anse and assists his father upon 
 the home farm. 
 
 In 187(1. Mr. Hills removed to Kankakee and en- 
 gaged in farming there until 1H85. Since that 
 time he has made his home in this township and 
 operates a farm of four hundred and eighty acres. 
 This is a well-improved piece of property, and as an 
 agriculturist he meets with success. For several 
 years he has engaged in breeding English Shire 
 horses and ha.s a number of full-blooded imported 
 and registered animals. He is the owner of some 
 very fine stock, and in all his business enterprises 
 he shows good judgment and sagacity. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hills are faithful members of the Congrega- 
 tional Church at Chebanse. .Socially, he is a mem- 
 ber of the (irand Army Post at Chebanse and be- 
 longs to the order of Modern Woodmen. He cast 
 his first vote for Gen. U. S. Grant and h.as been a 
 stanch Republican since the war. He has often at- 
 tended the conventions of his party, both county 
 and senatorial. At present he is Supervisor of the 
 township, and has .served as Townshi|) Clerk for 
 four years. He makes an able and ellicient odkcr 
 and discharges the duties of his position to the 
 satisfaction of all. Mr. Hills is pleasant and gonial 
 and his lK)spitable home is always open to hi> many 
 friends. 
 
 m 
 
 HARLES W. RAV.MONI). Every com- 
 i|i munity has a few men who stand pre-emi- 
 nent in the eyes of its citizens. This is be- 
 cause of their inherent public spirit, generous im- 
 pulses or superior abilit\'. Dili of the mitss which 
 constitutes the community these few men shed 
 their lustre abroad — their light shines not like a 
 lamp which rellects its rays simply upon the four 
 walls of a room, but like the sun. which shines 
 upon all; they stand nliove their fellows; their 
 
840 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 reputations extend beyond the narrow confines of 
 their homes; their influence reaches out beyond 
 the little community in which they liappen to re- 
 side, and their names become household words be- 
 cause of the pre-eminent position which they hold 
 in society. 
 
 Charles W. Raymond, tlie subject of this sketch, 
 is an apt illustration of this fact. Born in humble 
 circumstances, and battling with adversit3', he has 
 been constant in purpose, and has achieved a dis- 
 tinction in wliich he maj' well take pride, even as 
 the friends who have watched his jirogress and ad- 
 mired his career are [iroud of the position he has 
 attained among his fellowmen. 
 
 He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Ca[)t. 
 William M. Raymond and Mary E. (Meyers) Ray- 
 mond. Suon after his birth the family removed 
 to Nashville, Tcnn., where the father conducted a 
 prosperous business until the clouds of war began 
 to hang like a dark pall over the threatened na- 
 tion. Treason stalked willi arrogance through the 
 streets of the Rock City and vowed dire venge- 
 ance upon all who daied to assert their loyalty to 
 the Union. Capt. Raymond, In whose veins flowed 
 the blood of Revolutionary sires, was, however, not 
 to be intimidated; he denounced in vehement 
 terms the foll}^ and futility of secession, and so 
 outspoken and emphatic were his sentiments of 
 loyalty to the Old Flag that he became a marked 
 man and was obliged to flee for safety, his escape 
 from lynching being due to the warning of a 
 friend, a Southern sympathizer, whose friendship 
 was 3'et so strong and true that he secreted the 
 loyal but despised Yankee on his own premises 
 until he could find safe passage with his family to 
 the North. Capt. Raymond landed at Lawrence- 
 burg, Ind., where heat once joined the Fifty-second 
 Indiana Infantry, being elected First-Lieutenant 
 of Company D, of which he subsequently be- 
 came Captain. Tiie family went on to Indianap- 
 olis, where they remained during the war. Capt. 
 Raymond followed the fortunes of his regiment 
 through all its vicissitu<Ies; shared in its bivouacs, 
 its battles and its marches, until he finally arrived 
 with the army at Nashville, the old liome from 
 which he had been driven, and he here lost his life 
 in the memorable battle of December IC, 18G4. His 
 
 remains were brought to Cincinnati (his birth- 
 place), where they were tenderly laid to rest in the 
 Cuininingsville Cemetery in Januaiy, 1865. 
 
 Tiie widow, with three orphaned children, then 
 moved to Mt. Washington, Ohio, in order to be 
 near her relatives, with whom she afterward came to 
 Illinois, locating in Washington, Tazewell County. 
 Charles, then a youth, spent three years upon a farm 
 in Linn Township, Woodford County. Afterward 
 he joined his mother, who had moved to Onarga, 
 Iroquois County, where he entered Grand Prairie 
 Seminary. He applied himself zealouslj' to his 
 books, and completed his studies in Wabash Col- 
 lege, at Crawfordsville, Ind. For a time he worked 
 in the flax mill at Onarga as tow-boy, but in 1878 
 he came to Watseka, where he was given a clerk- 
 ship in the olHce of the County Clerk, being in 
 1882 installed as Deputj^ Countj' Clerk under 
 Heni-y A. Butzow. In the interim, he studied law 
 and was admitted to the Bar in 1886. To-day, 
 although still a young man, he stands in the front 
 of the legal lu'ofession in Iroquois County. As 
 an orator, he is the peer of any of his colleagues, 
 having (in his determination to succeed as a public 
 speaker) overcome obstacles which have discour- 
 aged many another even better equipped. To- 
 day he will stand before ids auditors and com- 
 mand their profoundest attention by the fascina- 
 tion of his speech, while manj^ people in Watseka 
 well remember his complete failure and mortifica- 
 tion in his first attempt to speak in public a few- 
 years ago. Words failed him, his tongue refused 
 utterance, his face flushed, his limbs trembled; he 
 stood there unable to utter a sentence, when, in 
 abject iium illation, he took his seat, but in his dis- 
 comfiture still resolved that he would j'et over- 
 come his timidity and some day prove to his 
 friends that perseverance and determination will 
 triumph in the end. This episode occurred in 
 1879 before a large audience (the writer of this 
 sketch being one of the number), where he had 
 been advertised to speak in the old Opera House 
 on Third Street. The editor of the Iroquois Times 
 in his report of the proceedings, August 23, 1879, 
 referred to the matter in these kindly words of 
 encouragement: " Don't be discouraged, Charley; 
 the greatest orators the world ever produced failed 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPUICAL RECORD. 
 
 ill their lirst efforts. We expect to hear from you 
 yet." And ■'Cli;wlcy" has verified the prophecy 
 of the .syiiipatliiziiio; editor. ■ 
 
 Being thoroughly conversant witii tiie affairs ol 
 the county, he was in 188G selected by the Board 
 of Supervisors to conduct the prosecution in the 
 celebrated case of the I'eople of the State of Illi- 
 nois for use of Iroquois County vs. .Tolin W. Riggs, 
 ex-Circuit Clerk, to recover certain trust funds 
 and fees withheld hy the defendant. In the pros- 
 ecution of this, one of his first cases and a most 
 important one, he exhibited such skill and de- 
 termination that he at once sprang into promi- 
 nence, and his reputation .as an able and fearless 
 attorney became established at the very threshold 
 of his practice. The successful prosecution of this 
 case did much to inaugiu-ate some wholesome re- 
 forms among tlie county ollicials. From that time 
 forth Mr. Raymond's career has been one of uni- 
 form success. He was employed by Hon. John L. 
 Hamilton in 1891 in the contest between this gen- 
 tleman and Henry A. lUitzow for the seat in the 
 Thirty-seventh General Assembly from tiie ISix- 
 teenth Senatorial District of Illinois, in which he 
 scored a complete victory for his client, who was 
 seated as a Republican, though the House in which 
 the contest took pl.ace was De'mocratic. This con- 
 test atttracted general interest throughout the 
 State, as the election of a I'nited States Senator 
 was involved and much depended upon the com- 
 plexion of the House, the parties being almost 
 e(iually divided, three Independents wielding the 
 balance of power. He was also engaged in the 
 Munhall-Mann contest, wherein the latter, having 
 been declared elected by the Board of County 
 Canvassei-s and installed as Circuit Clerk, his 
 rights were dis|)uted by the complainant, who al- 
 leged irregularities at the polls, which, if corrected, 
 would entitle him to the ollice. 
 
 Mr. Raymond has taken an active part in poli- 
 tics and is recognized as one of the leadeis of the 
 Republican party in Eastern Illinois, where he 
 wields a marked influence. He has attended vari- 
 ous conventions (county, congressional and dis- 
 trict) and in 1892 was a delegate to the Republican 
 'State Convention, where he was chosen as a Rep- 
 resenlativc-at-l.arire of that body to the National 
 
 Repuldican League, which met at Buffalo. N. Y., 
 in Se|)lcmber of that year. Here he became cim- 
 spicuous, being (ilaced upon several important 
 committees, and wa.s honored as Chairman of the 
 committee of three (Judge James H. Blauchard, 
 of New Ytirk, and Judge .John P. Seamans, of 
 California, being the otlier two members) to notify 
 (ien. J. S. Clarkson of his election as President of 
 the National League of Republican clubs. 
 
 He was appointed M.ister in Chancery for Iio- 
 (juois County by the Circuit .Fudges of this dis- 
 trict, his fitness for this responsible position being 
 generally conceded. He is also one of the \'ice- 
 pre-identaof the State Bar Association, of which 
 Hon. Lyman Trumbull is President. 
 
 Not alone in the practice of his profession and 
 in public affairs does Mr. Raymond find congenial 
 employment, but he devotes much of his time and 
 talent to the advancement of fraternal societies. 
 He is a leading Odd Fellow, having p.assed through 
 all the chairs in lodge and camp of the order, and 
 is representative from Iroiiuois Encampment No. 
 81, I. O. O. v., of Watseka, to the Orand Encamp- 
 ment of Illinois. His services are much sought 
 after by lodges as orator on anniversary and holi- 
 day occasions. He is also a member of Mil- 
 ford Lodge No. 211, K. P., and a Sir Knight 
 of the Uniformed Rank. He was instrumental 
 in the organization of the Sons of Veterans 
 in Iroquois County, and is held in high es- 
 teem by his comrades, who have frequently testi- 
 fied their appreciation of his services by honoring 
 him with the highest ollices in their gift. 
 
 No attorney in Iroquois County has more ele- 
 gant business apartments, his ollice occupying three 
 rooms over the Citizens' Bank. It is a model of 
 tidiness and good order, indicating to the caller 
 at first sight the character of the occupant, the im- 
 pression being that a man who keeps hisbooksaiid 
 papers in order knows where they are, and, know- 
 ing this, knows what they contain — in fact, knows 
 his business. His library is one of the most ex- 
 tensive and valuable in the county, his aim being 
 to keep p.ace with all that is new in the profession. 
 He is a man of fine presence, dignifie<l yet affable, 
 a true friend and a charit.able opponent, slow to 
 auirer yet quick to resent, iiiihl of s|>eecli yet he 
 
842 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 can deliver terrific blows when occasion requires. 
 He has risen by hisown unaided genius from an ob- 
 scure youlii, guiding the plow upon a farm or pitch- 
 ing fibre in a flax-mill, to be one of the best known 
 of the prominent citizens in Iroquois County; 
 he has built up a successful practice and achieved 
 an enviable reputation, the result of industr}' and 
 perseverance. His career is but another illustra- 
 tion of what a young man may accomplish by well- 
 directed effort and singleness of purpose — Per 
 aspera ad astra. In this land of opportunities 
 he wins who works. 
 
 JOHN F. SCHRADER, a well-known farmer 
 of Chebause Township, owns and carries on 
 a farm on section 13. He is a native of 
 , Germany, his birth having occurred on the 
 
 7tli of January, 1828, in Hanover. His early j'ears 
 were passed in an uneventful manner up to the age 
 of seventeen in agricultural pursuits and in the ac- 
 quisition of an education. In company with his 
 father, John H. Schrader, he determined to seek a 
 home and fortune in America. They accordingl}' 
 went to Bremen, taking passage in a sailing- 
 vessel, the "Anna" bound for Baltimore. After 
 a voyage of some five weeks upon the briny 
 deep they arrived at their destination in Sep- 
 tember, 1844. They proceeded to Indiana, set- 
 tling in Ripley County, where the father engaged 
 in farming until his death, which occurred in the 
 winter of 1855. 
 
 Our subject was engaged upon a farm b}' the 
 month in Indiana for nine years. He carefully saved 
 his earnings and invested in land in the Hoosier 
 State, which he afterward sold and with the proceeds 
 purchased land, the place where he now resides. He 
 luid traveled through a large portion of Indiana 
 and Illinois before deciding to purchase in this 
 county, which he did in June, 1854. He then went 
 to Kankakee, where he spent the winter of 1854-55 
 in school. He has largely educated himself since 
 arriving at mature years as his early education was 
 limited. He is now well informed on all leadins; 
 
 issues and affaiis of importance, both national and 
 otherwise. In the spring of 1856, he located upon 
 his land and began in earnest to improve his 
 property. The county at that time had but few 
 inhabitants and much of it was under water. There 
 were but two stores at Chebanse,and with the rail- 
 road depot they constituted the town. Mr. Schra- 
 der's first purchase was a tract of eighty acres. After 
 he had partially improved this he bought adjoining 
 land from time to time as his finances would permit 
 and now is the owner of over a section of good 
 arable and well-improved land. The farm on 
 which is his home adjoins the corporate limits of 
 Chebanse. Mr. Schrader is pre-eminently a self- 
 made man, having commenced his business career 
 absolutely without capital. His years of enterprise, 
 industry and effort have been crowned with a suc- 
 cess which he has well deserved, and he is to-day 
 one of the wealthy and influential farmers of the 
 county. 
 
 On the 26th of March, 1859, he was married to 
 Miss Jane Slinn, whose birthi)lace and childhood's 
 home was Stafford, England. At the age of twelve 
 years she with her parents removed to America, 
 settling in New York City. After two years Ihey 
 moved to Chicago, and four years later to Chebanse 
 where they permanently located. She was intelli- 
 gent, energetic, a devoted Christian, and as a wife 
 and mother faithful in the discharge of every duty- 
 After twenty-nine years of married life she was 
 called to her home above, her death occurring 
 August 12, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Schrader are the 
 parents of nine children, seven of whom are still 
 living: Clara is the wife of Orin B. Strecter, who is 
 engaged in a prosperous mercantile business in 
 Denver, Colo.; George W. assists his father with 
 the work upon the home farm; Emma, since the 
 death of the mother, remains at home; John H., 
 Charles, Joseph, Harriet and Flora are still under 
 the parental roof and are attending school. Fannie 
 J. lived to a beautiful young womanhood and died 
 August 17, 1888, five days after her mother passed 
 away. Freddie, the youngest son, died at the age 
 of two years and six months. 
 
 Mr. Schrader cast his first ballot for Abraham Lin- 
 coln in 1860, and has been an active Republican,vot- 
 ing for everv nominee since that time. Three of his 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 
 
 843 
 
 sons arc voters; twoof lliein like their father are Re- 
 publican, and the other is a supporter of the Pro- 
 hibition party. Though never an aspirant for of- 
 fice, our subject has been a number of times called 
 upon by his fellow-citizens to occupy positions of 
 trust and honor, and has discharged the duties per- 
 taining to them in an able manner and to the satis- 
 faction of all. Mr. Schrader and his family are 
 members of the First Congregational Church of 
 Chebanse. Every worthy enterprise finds in them 
 sujjport and encouragement and they have always 
 given liberally of their means to church and benev- 
 olent purposes. For nearly two-score years, Mr. 
 Schrader has been a citizen of this .State and is 
 numbered among the lionored pioneers of the 
 county. By his life of integrity he has won and 
 deserved the prai.'-e and commendation of all and 
 numbers host of friends in this county and those 
 adjoining. 
 
 ^[OIIX D. ASH, who owns and operates one 
 hundred and twenty acres of land on sec- 
 tions G and 7, Middleport Township, is an 
 honored veteian of the late war, and a pro- 
 gressive and substantial farmer of this community. 
 A native of Ohio, he was born in Clarke County, 
 near Springfield, on the 8th of June, 1833. His 
 jjarents, William and Elizabeth (Driskel) Ash, were 
 also natives of the lUickeye State, and were of Ger- 
 man and Irish descent resjiectively. Their family 
 numbered SIX children, three sons and three (laugh- 
 ters. .Mar}-, deceased wife of Henry Gaines; John D., 
 of this sketch; Katherine, wife of Dr. Ilarvej' Mitch- 
 ell, a practicing physician residing in Muncie, Ind.; 
 Harrison, a resident farmer of Marion County, Kan.; 
 Priscill.T, wife of Martin Halloway, who is engaged 
 in farming near Crawfordsville, Ind.; and F^lias. 
 who died in 18(;3. The molherof this family died 
 in 181.5, and Mr. Ash departed this life in lHr>2. 
 Both were members of the Methodist Church. 
 Mr. Ash, whose name heads this record, spent his 
 boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads. 
 In the summer months, he aided in the labors of 
 the farm, and wiien work in the fluids was over, he 
 
 attended the district schools of the neighborhood 
 through the winter season, until nineteen years of 
 age. Under the parental roof he remained until 
 his marriage, which was celebrated in 1M."»7. The 
 previous year he had come to Inxiuois Coun- 
 ty, and having formed the acquaintance of Miss 
 Sarah Buck, they were joined in wedhick. The 
 lady was a daughter of David and Calheriiie( Ly- 
 man) Buck, who were numbered among tiie early 
 settlers of Iroquois County. 
 
 After his marri.age, Mr. .\sh operated a rented 
 farm until 1862, when, lesponding to the call f)f 
 duty, and prompted by [latriotie impulses, he offered 
 his services to the Government, and liecame a mem- 
 ber of Company B, One Hundred and Thirteenth 
 Illinois Infantry. He was mustered into service in 
 Chicago, and the first battle in which he partici- 
 pated was at Arkansas Post. The same day, he was 
 taken sick, and the following day was sent to the 
 field hospiljU. Soon afterwards, he was sent to the 
 hospital in St. Louis, Mo., where he remained for 
 eleven months, ill with typhoid fever. November 
 14, 18C)4. he received an honorable discharge, and re- 
 turning to Illinoisagain resumed farming. Ilepur- 
 chased forty acres of land on section 1, Middleport 
 Township, whore he made his home for si.x years, 
 when, selling his first farm, he became owner of 
 one hundred and twenty acres on sections C, .•md 7 
 of the same township. 
 
 In 187G, Mr. Ash w.as called upon to nifiurn the 
 loss of his wife. Five children had been born of 
 that marriage, namely: Mary, wife of Charles .lewitt, 
 a resident of Pittwood, 111.; Df)retta, who died 
 September 7, 1878; Noah, a farmer residing in 
 • Middleport Township; John and William, both of 
 whom are at home, and assist their father in the 
 cultivation of the farm. In 1878, Mr. Ash w.as 
 again married, his second union being with Mrs. 
 Mary (Bower) Buck, widow of David Hiick. I''ive 
 children graced this marriage, but the three eldest, 
 Georgia, Charlie and Lena, are now deceased. Kva 
 and Ellie, twins, are at homo. 
 
 Mr. Ash is a supporter of Democratic princi- 
 ples. He has never been a politician in the sense of 
 ollice-seeking. but has faithfully served his fellow- 
 townsmen as School Director and Road Comniis- 
 sionor. His form is a well-improved pliice, And its 
 
844 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 neat appearance gives evidence of thrift and en- 
 terprise which are among the owner's chief 
 characteristics. He is a man of sterling worlli, lield 
 in high esteem throughout the community, and 
 lias pi'oved himself a valued citizen b}' his [lublic 
 spirit and the commendable interest that he man- 
 ifests in all pertaining to the welfare of the com- 
 nuinity. 
 
 ='4"5-**'^S 
 
 'jfJACOB HELLER, a well-known farmer of 
 I Cliebanse Township, makes his home on 
 ^::A j section 26. He has the honor of being a 
 ^5^/' native of Illinois, his birth occurring in Cook 
 County, on the 28th of January, 185(j. He is a 
 son of Conrad Heller, and a brother of .John Heller, 
 whose sketch appears on another page of this 
 volume. Our subject came to Iroquois County 
 with his i^arents when a child of but three ^ears, 
 and has here grown to manhood on the farm where 
 he still resides. His boyhood days were spent in 
 the usual manner and pursuits of farmer boys. 
 His education was acquired in the district schools 
 during the winter season, and these limited privi- 
 leges were supplemented by a course of study in 
 a German school at Kankakee. He remained with 
 his father upon the home farm until the latter 's 
 death, which occurred October 2, 1890. In 1870, 
 the father retired from tlie active cares and anx- 
 ieties of superintending a farm, and our subject 
 then took charge of the place and business. He 
 has since added a forty-acre tract, thus making 
 one hundred and forty acres in all. This is good 
 arable land, and under a fine state of cultivation. 
 Mr. Heller has just completed a good and substan- 
 tial residence and has commodious barns and out- 
 buildings. About his propert}' on every hand are 
 seen the thrift and enterprise of the owner. 
 
 On the IGth of April, 1879, Mr. Heller led to 
 the marriage altar Miss Mary Zopf, a native of 
 Kankakee, born April 24, 1855, and there reared 
 to womanhood. She is a daughter of Sebastian 
 Zopf, one of the first settlers of Kankakee, whose 
 birth occurred in Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Hel- 
 ler have been bocj) four children: William is now 
 
 attending school, and is bright in his studies, while 
 Mettle and Laura are still under school age. .Jessie, 
 twin to Laura, died at the age of four months. 
 
 Our subject uses his right of franchise in favor 
 of the Republican party, and is a believer in our 
 public-school system and a stanch friend of edu- 
 cation. He has served for several years as a member 
 of the School Board, and has alwa3's been active 
 and efficient in the work. Almost his entire life 
 has been spent in this County, where he is well 
 known and highly esteemed and respected as a man 
 of upright character and life. He has seen won- 
 derful changes in this county, as at the time of 
 his first arrival here it had few inhabitants, and was 
 but little developed. He has always taken an ac- 
 tive part in all measures tending to advance the 
 prosjterity and welfare of his fellow-citizens, and 
 well merits a representation in this volume of 
 the iiioneers and early settlers of this region. 
 
 ENRY R. FIELDS, a well-known citizen of 
 Sheldon, was born in Danville, Ky., June 
 10, 1837, and comes of an old family of 
 'jj that locality. His great-grandfather, Will- 
 iam Fields, was born in Ireland and came to Dan- 
 ville when the region round about was all wild and 
 unimproved. He entered from the Government 
 fourteen hundred acres of land, and the farm has 
 been in the possession of the family for over one 
 hundred years. The grandfather of our subject 
 bore the name of Henry F^ields, was a native of 
 Danville and one of the early settlers. He owned 
 six hundred and forty acres of land, the boundaries 
 of which had been marked by his father by blazing 
 trees with a hatchet. He was a large farmer and 
 slave-owner in that locality. 
 
 William M. Fields, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Danville in 1815, and spent his entire life 
 there. In 1832, he embarked in merchandising 
 and for near half a century was proprietor of one 
 of the leading dry-goods stores of that place and 
 a prominent and influential business man. He 
 married Miss Ann Thorn, who was born in York- 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 845 
 
 shire, England, in October. 1815, and when six 
 months old was brought by iier parents to America, 
 the family locating in Lexington, Ky., where her 
 father owned and operated a woolen mill until his 
 death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fields was born a 
 family of twelve children, eight of whom are now 
 living: Henry R. is the eldest; Elizabeth D. is now 
 the wife of Eloi Joff rion ; .Susan R. married the 
 lion. E. J. .loffrion; T. T. is living in Louisiana; 
 Miss Annie, L. B. and W. M. reside in Lexington, 
 Ky.; and Miss Carrie 15. still makes her home m 
 Danville. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was educated in his 
 native city, a college town, and the seat of the old 
 Center College which was founded sixty-nine years 
 ago and from which have graduated some of the 
 ablest men of the country, including Governors, 
 statesmen, ])rominent journalists. etc. On attaining 
 his majority, he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Mary E.,daughter of .John and Mary (iarrard. Their 
 union was celebrated in J>a Porte, Ind., December 
 22, 1858. Mr. Fields had received his business 
 training in his father's store, and after his marriage 
 embarked in merchandising in North Liberty, St. 
 .losepli County, Ind., where he carried on opera- 
 tions successfully until the fall of 18()3. 
 
 At that time, Mr. Fields abandoned business 
 pursuits and entered the service as a member of 
 Compan}' H, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, in which 
 he served until after the close of the war. lie, 
 with his command, was driven from Tullahoma to 
 Murphreesboi'O, Tenn., and was there surrounded 
 by Hood's forces for twenty-two days, lighting and 
 skirmishing each day, and after the liattle at 
 Niishville, in which Hood was defeated by Thomas, 
 he participated in the Mobile campaign. Lieut. 
 I'ields w.as ever found at his post of duty, faith- 
 lully defending the Old Fag which now waves 
 over a united nation. When the war was over, 
 he returned to his home and in 1872 came to this 
 county. 
 
 liy the union of Mr. ami Mrs. Fields have been 
 born six sons: William .M.. now a prominent and 
 entei-prising business man of Fowler. Ind.; .lolin 
 (i., who for ten years h.as been traveling over the 
 world; Henry H..a prosjjerous merchant of Fowler, 
 Jnd.; Bennett .1., Louis A. and Arthur Bruce, at 
 
 home. Mr. Fields is a well-known cili/.en of Shel- 
 don and tjikes an active interest in all that per- 
 tains to the welfare of the community an<l its up- 
 building. He has been fpiite i)romiiient in politi- 
 cal affaii-s and is an enthusiastic supi>orter of the 
 Republican parly. Those who know him esteem 
 him highly for his sterling worth, and his friends 
 and acquaintances throughout tlie community are 
 many. Mr. Fields is now engaged in publishing 
 the Sheldon Xfirs, one of the leading Republican 
 organs of the Ninth Congiessional District of Illi- 
 nois. 
 
 h^ 
 
 C=" 
 
 -S' 
 
 IJ. ^ ANS RAS.MU.SSEN, who tiwns and operates 
 
 \V)jij one hundred and sixty acres of good land 
 S^ on section 22. Milk's drove Township, is a 
 (^p native of Denmark. He was Iwrn in the 
 city of Volkenbach, on the 28th of .\pril, 184(), 
 and is a son of Rasmus Hanson. His father w.as born 
 and reared on the same farm .as our subject, and 
 there spent his entire life, engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits. He was a well-educated m.an, quiet and 
 unassuming in manner, and highly respected by 
 all knew him. He served in the War of 18'lfi. 
 He married Miss Melta Christina Hanson, who is 
 still living and makes her home with her children 
 in this counti\v. ^Ir. Hanson was a member of the 
 Lutlierau Chiirdi, to which his family all belong, 
 and died in that faith in liis native land, at the 
 age of sixty-six years. In the Rasmus.sen family 
 were four children, the eldest of whom is Hans; 
 F^rederick crossed the Atlantic in 1870. and is now 
 en^ged in farming at Fowler, Benton County, 
 Ind.; Maria Christina is married, and resides on a 
 farm in Cass County, N. Dak.; and Mrs. .Mary 
 Larssen is a resident of Chicago. 
 
 Our subject was only nine years of age at his 
 father's death. He then started out in life for 
 himself, and has since been dependent on his own 
 resources. His school privileges were very lim- 
 ited — in fact, he is self-educated, buliiy observation 
 and experience he has m.-ide himself a well-informed 
 man. He remained in his native land until he 
 had attained his majority, when he wa.s married, 
 Mav 10, ISOC). and emigrated to America. The 
 
846 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 lady of bis choice was Miss Mary Jensen, who was 
 born INIay 16, 1837, in the city of HolstGnburg. In 
 the si)ring of 1866, the young couple bade good- 
 bye to their old home, and sailed to Ilambuig, 
 Germany, thence to New York. On landing in 
 this country, they at once made their way West- 
 ward, locating in RoUa, Mo., but after a short stay 
 of a month in that place came to Illinois. Mr. 
 Rasinussen located in Chebanse, and for two years 
 worked on the railroad. On the expiration of 
 that period he began farming in his own interests, 
 renting forty acres of land, which he operated un- 
 til 1874. In that year he went to Newton County, 
 Ind., where he engaged in farming for some time, 
 wlien he removed to Fowler, Benton County. 
 The last nine years of his life have been spent 
 upon his present faim, which comprises one hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of arable land under a high 
 state of cultivation, well improved and well tiled. 
 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen have been born 
 three children, two sons and a daughter: James L., 
 who was born in tiiis county; Olle John, who died 
 when fourmoutbsof age; and LenaM.,born in New- 
 ton County, Ind. Both the living children were 
 educated in the public schools, and are yet at home. 
 Mr. Rasmussen and his family are all members of 
 the Lutheran Cluirch. He cast his first Presiden- 
 tial ballot for Gen. Grant in 1872, but since that 
 time he has been a supporter of the Deraocrac3'. 
 It was twenty-six years ago that he came to this 
 county. In the years of his residence here he has 
 proven himself a valued citizen, who takes an 
 active interest in all that pertains to the welfare 
 of the community. He is held in high regard 
 throughout the locality in which he has made liis 
 home, and his friends and acquaintances are many. 
 
 \Tp^RANKLIN J. HEN N ESS Y is a retired mer- 
 Ib^ chant and a native son of this county. He 
 /l^ has the honor of having been the first male 
 
 child born in Milk's Grove Township, his birth oc- 
 curring on the 21Mh of July, 1853. His father, 
 Humplirey Ilennessy, wa^ l>orn in County Cork, 
 Ireland, and followed the life of a farmer in the 
 Emerald Isle. In 1848, determining to seek his 
 
 fortune in the New World, he crossed the briny 
 deep and located in the neighborhood of Le R03', N. 
 Y., where he also followed agricultural pursuits. 
 The mother of our subject, who was before her 
 marriage Margaret Gleason, was also born in Ire- 
 land, the place of her birth being the Silvermines 
 in County Tipperaiy. In 1849 she came to 
 America and settled near Le Roy, where she became 
 acquainted with, and in 185"2 married, Mr. Hen- 
 nessy. Soon after their marriage they removed 
 to Illinois and worked upon a farm in Milk's Grove 
 Township, this county. For six months after their 
 arrival they never beheld the face of a woman, and 
 the howl of tlie prairie wolf and the morning call 
 of the prairie chicken were to be heard on every 
 hand. There was no house or settlement within 
 many iniles,with the exception of one log cabin in 
 Pilots Grove, one in Oliver's Grove and one at 
 Sammons Point, near the Iroquois River. Though 
 the trials and hardships of that early da}' were 
 enough to try the soul of any one however brave, 
 Mr. Ilennessy and his wife were made of that kind 
 of material which knows no such word as fail. In 
 their strong resolution to succeed they toiled on 
 with patience and waited for such developments 
 as time would surely bring. They lived to see 
 their labors rewarded and saw the desert blossom 
 as the rose and become one of the most fertile and 
 profitable portions of the State. In tlie spring of 
 1856 they removed to a farm near Sugar Island, 
 four and a-half miles east of the village of Che- 
 banse, which farm is still owned by the faniilj'. 
 The father's death occurred on the 23d of July, 
 1870, but the mother is still living and makes her 
 home with our subject in Chebanse. 
 
 Their family consisted of two sons, Franklin J. 
 and John. The latter lost his life in Chicago on 
 the morning of the 25th of March, 1892, by falling 
 from the third-story window of the New York 
 Hotel. His remains were brought to Chebanse, 
 where on the following Sunday he was laid to rest 
 in the Catholic Cemetery. His occupation was 
 that of farming and stock-raising, and for twenty- 
 two years he had managed the farm formerly owned 
 by his father. His mother lived with him and he 
 made a comfortable and pleasant home for her. 
 He was a young man of much promise, genial, af- 
 
PORTRAIT AND mOGRAPH'CAF. HKCOUD. 
 
 H\; 
 
 fable and happy and had a liost of friends. He 
 was in Cliicago witii stock, arriving the morning 
 of the 24lh of Marcli. 
 
 Our subject, Franklin Ilennessy, received hut a 
 limited education in the district schools of liis 
 ncighborliood, as at that early day they liad not 
 been brought to their present standard of excel- 
 lence. His first school teacher was (). S. Whitehead, 
 and among his other school teachers was .1. P. H. 
 Trescott, who is still a resident of Chel)anse, and one 
 to wiiom he will ever be grateful for his kindness. 
 Mr. Ilennessy also took a short course in the Holy 
 Kaniily's Catiiolic .School in Chicago. He always 
 had a natural talent for business, and on the 8th of 
 ■June, 1871, entered the employ of the celebrated 
 Lemuel Milk in his general store, which was known 
 as the Combination Store, and in his service re- 
 mained as clerk until the 1st of March, 1883, at 
 which time. Messrs. McKee and 15ard purchased 
 the stock of Mr. Jlilk. Our sul)ject then entered 
 their emijloy and was with them until .May 1, 1886. 
 On the 8th of that month, in company with his 
 formei- employer, Mr. Milk, he opened the store 
 wiili an entirely new stock of goods under the firm 
 name of Milk ct Ilennessy. Their predecessors, 
 McKce iV Bard, removed their stock to Iowa just 
 previous to this. The lirm of Milk iV Ilennessy 
 continued in business until the 9th of .luly, 1892, 
 when they closed out their stock to II. Y. Swan 
 and K. A. Hrown, of Waldron, Kankakee County, 
 to which place the latter removed their puicha.se. 
 Mr. Ilennessy always made a success of his business 
 and enjoyed a large patronage, Init tiring of the 
 mercantile life he determined to give his attention 
 to agricultural pursuits. He owns a farm compris- 
 ing about one hundred and eighty-live acres, which 
 he intends to improve and cultivate with the most 
 modern appliances. He contemplates placing upon 
 it about two thovisand five hundred rods of tile, and 
 will make of it a model farm of this decade. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was united in the holy 
 bonds of matrimony with Miss Kllen Linehan, the 
 ceremony being performed on the 23d of May, 
 1880. Her father, .John Lineiian.of Chebanse,was 
 a native of lrelan<l. and her mother, who wa.** before 
 her marriage Miss Harriet l)e Witt, was born in 
 .Sulliv.HU Countv, N. V. 
 
 The citizens of ChebaiiM- ii:i\ >■ « rMiiin.i i uf limes 
 called upon Mr. Ilennessy to till |)ositi<>ns of pub- 
 lic trust. He was elected to the olllceof Justice of 
 the Peace, and l)ecaine a member of the Village 
 Hoard of Trustees, which odice he held ft)r eight 
 \ears and was School Director for four years. Like 
 his father before him, he is a sujiporterof the Re- 
 publican party and cist his lirst balk)t for Presi- 
 dent Hayes. Socially, he is a memberof Chelianse 
 Council No. 1(179. H. A. He and his wife 
 are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Ilen- 
 nessy has always been identitied with all meas- 
 ures for the welfare of the community and is a 
 public-spirited and patriotic citizen. 
 
 V KNRY CLAY KLMTCI I. who is engaged 
 
 [ jj farming on section 21. I.ovejoy Township, 
 
 owns and operates one hundred and .>ixly 
 acres of arable land, compiising one of the . 
 best farms in lhi» locality. The fields are well 
 tilled, and the many improvement.^, which are such 
 as are found on a model farm, indicate his thrift 
 and enterprise. He ha- one of the best barns in 
 the township. 
 
 Mr. Fritch was born in Iterks County, Pa., on 
 the 9th of.lune, 1818. His parents, (ieorge and 
 Christina Fritch, are also natives of the Keystone 
 Suite. His father has followed the occu|)ation of 
 farming throughout his entire life and by his own 
 exertions ha.'< become well-to-do. Himself and 
 wife are members of the Hajitist Church. In their 
 family were twelve children, but only four are 
 now living, Ih-nry Clay being the eldest. Celia 
 is the wife of William Dungan, who is engaged in 
 agricultural pursuit--' in Mercer County. III.; Au>- 
 tin is married and follows farming in Kans.as; 
 Amanda is the wife of Fd Smallwood. a telegraph 
 operator of Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the third in cudcr 
 of birth in the family. The first seven peal's of 
 his life were spent in the .St.ite of his nativity, and 
 then with his parents he went to Williamsport. 
 Ind., where lie resided for about eight years, the 
 
 10 
 
848 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 daj's of his boyhood and youth being spent in the 
 nsual manner of farmer lads. On attaining his 
 majority lie started out in life for himself. His 
 capital was very limited, but he possessed industi-y 
 and a strong determination to succeed. 
 
 When the war broke out he tried to enlist in 
 his country's service, but being so young he was 
 brought home by his father, who, to satisfy his 
 military aspirations, permitted him to join the 
 Home (luards, with which he was connected for 
 some tiuee j'ears. The company numbered about 
 one hundred, being well equipped and thoroughly 
 drilled. Mr. Fritch was married August 10, 1870, 
 t(i Martlia, youngest daughter of .lohn and Rebecca 
 MulhoUand. The lady was born March 25, 1854, 
 and died March 18, 1872. One ciiild, Clara, born 
 of this union, died in infancy. Bereft of his com- 
 panion, Mr. Fritch made four trips West, visiting 
 several States, but Hnding no place he liked better 
 than Iroquois County he returned and has since 
 made it his home. 
 
 On tlie 28d of October, 187.3, Mr. Fritch was 
 united in marriage with Miss Ella McCluie, daugh- 
 ter of John and Sarah (Kirk) McClure. Their 
 union was celebrated in Milford, and li.as been 
 blessed with a family of seven children, five sons 
 and two daughters, but only four are now living: 
 George who was educated in the Wellington 
 schools and is a telegrapli operator by profession, 
 resides at liome with his parents; John died at the 
 age of two years; Edd aids his father in the farm 
 work; Eflie died at the age of two years and ten 
 months; James is at home; Henrj^ C. died at the 
 age of five years; and Ruth is the baby of the 
 household. The mother of this family is a native 
 of Indiana. She was born November 9, 1855, and 
 when a maiden of twelve summers became a resi- 
 dent of Illinois. In the McClure family were ten 
 children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom 
 eight are yet living. Mrs. Fritch is the eldest; 
 Minnie, is a resident of this State; Charlie is at 
 home; John is married and makes his home in this 
 county; Thomas resides in Iroquois County-; Hugh 
 is married and resides in this county; and Toliver 
 and Daniel also make their home in this county. 
 
 In his social relations Mr. Fritch is an Odd Fel- 
 I'lw, lielonging to Wellington JiOdge No. 785, 1. 
 
 0. O. F. His wife holds membership in the Daugh- 
 ters of Rebckah. In politics he is an ardent adher- 
 ant of the Republican principles, and his first vote 
 was cast for Gen. U. S. Grant. He has never been 
 an office-seeker, but has frequently been called 
 to fill public positions of honor and trust, yet has 
 never accepted. His fellow townsmen well recog- 
 nize his worth and ability and know him as an 
 honorable, upright man. 
 
 i>^^<P 
 
 m 
 
 R. JACOB M. MCRREY, who is eng.aged 
 in tiie practice of medicine in Sheldon, 
 was born on tlie 12th of November, 1814, 
 in Franklin Count3-, Ind.,and is of Scotch 
 descent. His fatlier, William Murrey, was a na- 
 tive of Scotland, and with his parents emigrated 
 to America in 1800, when about twenty years of 
 age. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and fol- 
 lowed that occupation throughout much of his life. 
 In the Buckeye State he met and married Miss 
 Hannah ^'ans3'eck, a native of Ohio, and in 1814 
 they removed to Franklin County, Ind., but after 
 a short time returned to Butler County, Ohio, and 
 subsequently removed to Louisville, Ky. It was 
 not long afterward that Mr. Murrey joined the 
 regular army, and this is the last knowledge 
 which our subject has of his father. Whether he 
 was killed or what became of him the faniilj- never 
 knew. In September, 1834, the mother came to 
 Iroquois County, 111., where she resided for forty- 
 one years, or until her death, which occurred at 
 the advanced age of eighty-eight. Jacob was the 
 third in order of birth in a family of five children 
 and is the only surviving member. 
 
 The common schools of the Buckeye State af- 
 forded tiie Doctor his educational privileges. At 
 the age of sixteen years he began earning his own 
 livelihood, and afterward followed farming for a 
 period of five years. As a companion and helpmate 
 on life's journey, he chose Miss Mary Wood, daugh- 
 ter of Jeremiah Wood, of Kentucky, their union be- 
 ing celebrated February 21, 1836. They lived to- 
 gether .as man and wife for fifty-five years, sharing 
 with each other the joys ancj sorrows, pain and 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 pleasure, advci>it_v uiul prosperity, wliidi checker 
 llie lives of nil. At leiiglli the faithful wife was 
 called to her final lest. passing away on the (Uh of 
 April, 1891. 
 
 By their union were born six children: .leremiah 
 15., the eldest; Jlargarot .1., now the wife of David 
 Stewart; Minerva .lane, who married .1. P. Sutton; 
 .losephine, wife of Francis W. Ilaymond; .loseph- 
 iis, twin brother of .losephine; and Albert P., who 
 completes the family. Not lonij ago the Doctor 
 made a visit to Kansas, and while there saw twelve 
 of his great-grand children. 
 
 It was about twenty years ago that Dr. .Murrey 
 began making a specialty of the treatment of can- 
 cers. He has made a life stud}' of this disease, 
 and thorough preparation and natural skill and 
 ability well fitted him for this line of practice, 
 lie has done an extended business over many 
 States and h.as performed some wonderful cures, 
 lie has a wide reputation and well deserves the 
 liberal patronage which he has received. In pol- 
 itics Dr. Murrey advocates the Democratic prin- 
 ciples and has always supported that party, except 
 in 1860 and again in 1861, when he voted for 
 Abraham Lincoln. His life has been a busy and 
 useful one, well and worthily spent, and he h.is a 
 wide circle of friends and acquaintances, being 
 held in the highest regard by all who knew him. 
 
 |OIIN PAYNE is a highly respected farmer 
 of Chebanse Township, residing on .section 
 11. Kor a quarter of a century he has 
 *Ji^/' made Ids home in this county. He w.is 
 born in Fayette County, Pa., in 182."»,and is a son 
 of Edward and Sarah (Anderson) Payne. IJis 
 parents were both slaves in an early day. His fa- 
 ther was liberated by the emancipation act of the 
 State at the age of twenty-three years. Like the 
 rest of the r.ace, he was not given any chance for 
 education. Hotli parents spent their entire lives 
 in F.ayetle County. Of their children, Edward 
 died in Pennsylvania in 18y0, less than a mile 
 from his birthplace; .lolin is the second in order of 
 birth: Barnes resides in St. Louis and is employed 
 
 on asteam-boaton the Mississippi Hiver; .losephine 
 is the wife of Isaac Bach and is now living near 
 the old home in Fayette County; .Mrs. Mary Curry 
 resides in Washington County, Pa.; and Mrs. Sarah 
 .lane (iilke-son is living in .Vllegheny City, Pa. 
 
 We now lake uj) the i)ersonal history of our 
 subject, who spent the days of his b<jyliood and 
 youth in the Stjite of his nativity. His educa- 
 tional advantages were limited, yet he managed 
 to obtain a good knowledge of the common 
 branches in the subscription schools, which he at- 
 tended to some extent, paying *2 per quarter for 
 the privilege. He worked as a farm laborer in 
 Pennsylvania until nineteen yeai-s of age, when he 
 went to Ohio, locating near Cadiz, Harrison 
 County. He was there under the em|)loy of .John 
 Niccolls, with whom he remained seven years. 
 When his employer removed to Bkxunington, 111., 
 in 18;")1, Mr. Payne accompanied him. They were 
 twenty-one days upon the road, making the jour- 
 ney with teams. For a time he worked upon a 
 farm near Blooinington, and in 1856 went to Will 
 County, working on a farm near .loliet for his old 
 employer. He there carried on farming on shares. 
 
 It was in 186;") that Mr. Payne came t<j Iroquois 
 County, and with the capital he had accpiired 
 through his industry, perseverance and economy 
 he purchased eight3'-live .acres of land. This tract 
 was entirely destitute of improvements. He hauled 
 the lumber from Joliet. a distance of fifty-five 
 miles, to build his house. .Ml the iiuproveinent.s 
 upon the place stand as a monument to the thrift 
 and enterprise of the owner, who now has a com- 
 fortable home and good farm. In fact, he h.os so 
 well succeeded in his business career, that he is 
 now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has 
 truly earned and richly deserves. 
 
 Mr. Piiyne was married, in Cadiz, Ohio, to Miss 
 .\nn B. Yancey, who was born in \'irginia as a 
 slave and was emancipated when about twelve 
 years of age. From that time until twenty-two 
 years of age she made her home with Isaac Kirk, 
 of Belmont County, Ohio. Their marriage was 
 celebrated in I860. Mrs. Payne holds membership 
 with the Methodist Epi-scopirl Church of Clifton. 
 
 In 1868, .Mr. P.nyne cast his first Presidential 
 vote, thereby supporting < Jen. fJrant. and has since 
 
850 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 been a warm advocate of Republican principles. 
 For twenty-seven years lie has resided in this 
 county', has ever faithfully performed his duties of 
 citizenship, and has done what he could for the 
 best interests of this community .and its upbuild- 
 ing. He is truly a self-made man and his success 
 in life is richlv deserved. 
 
 EN.IAINIIN LOWER, a retired f.arraer resid- 
 ^ ing in Ashkuni,is a native of Blair County, 
 Fa., born March 2, 1824. He is of German 
 descent, his grandfather, Adam Lower, 
 coming from Germany to this country at a very- 
 early day, being a pioneer of Huntingdon Couut}'^ 
 Pa. John Lower, the father of Benjamin, married 
 Isabella Laucey, a native of Ireland, who came to 
 this country with her parents while an infant 
 and grew to woraanliood in Pennsylvania. John 
 Lower was a shoem.aker bj' trade and worked at 
 that line in Williamsburg, Pa., at which place he 
 died many years ago. 
 
 Benjamin Lower, the subject of this sketchy is 
 the third in order of birth in a family of four 
 sons and three daughters, who grew to mature 
 years. He grew to manhood in his native county, 
 where he received an ordinary common-school 
 education; For about sixteen years he followed 
 the trade of a plasterer, working at that trade 
 usually in the summer season, and in the winter 
 helping his father at the bench. He was united 
 in marriage in Scott's Valley, Blair County, Pa., 
 January 14, 1851, to Anna Mary Milliken, a na- 
 tive of Blair County, Pa., a daughter of Edward 
 and Catherine Milliken, the former of German 
 parentage and the latter of Scotch descent. 
 
 In 1858, Mr. Lower came to Iroquois Countj' 
 and purchased eighty .acres of land of the Illinois 
 Central Railroad Com|xany in Ashkum Townshij), 
 .and soon afterward bought' forty acres adjoining 
 and at once commenced its improrement. For 
 tlie first few years the family suffered severely 
 from fever and ague and typhoid fever, during 
 which time two of the children died. In a few 
 years they became acclimated, and have since en- 
 
 joyed reasonably good health. For sixteen years 
 Mr. Lower remained upon his first farm, and then 
 purchased one near the village of Ashkum, where 
 he remained until 1888, and then built a good, 
 substantial residence in the village of Ashkum, 
 and has since lived a retired life. In the thirty- 
 four years in which he has resided in this count}' 
 he has witnessed many changes, and has contrib- 
 uted largely to its growth and prosperity. In 
 early life, he was politicall}- a Democrat, after- 
 ward a Republican, and is now thoroughly inde- 
 pendent. He h.as never aspired to office, but has 
 served his township in various local offices. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lower are the parents of four liv- 
 ing children: Ada C, now the wife of John 
 Bridge, of Iroquois Count}-; John A., a clerk in a 
 store of Ashkum, a 3'oung man of fair educa- 
 tion and ability; Dora, who resides at home; and 
 Mary Malinda, now the wife of Edwin Duckham, 
 of Ashkum. Two sons were lost: James, who died 
 February 16, 1864, aged twelve years; and Abra- 
 ham Lincoln, who died March 24, 1864, at the 
 age of fourteen months. IVIrs. Lower is a member 
 of the Ashkum Congregational Church. 
 
 ^^EORGE A. REAKIN is a retired farmer re- 
 ||[ ^— ^ siding in Danforth. He is a native of Ger- 
 ^^^Jll many, born in Hanover, February 9, 1833, 
 and is a son of Claus and Nancy (Aden) Reakin, 
 both natives of the same country. He grew f" 
 manhood in Germany, received a good educa. 
 in his native tongue, and acquired his English edu- 
 cation after coming to this country. In 1855, he 
 married Cassie Saathoff, also a native of Hanover. 
 In 1857, the young couple took ship at Olden- 
 burg for New Orleans. The ship was a sailing- 
 vessel and the}^ were three months on the voyage, 
 during which time cholera broke out on board the 
 ship and nineteen of the p.assengers died. They 
 arrived at New Orleans November 4, 1857, and 
 at once went up the river to St. Louis and 
 thence to Peoria, where Mr. Reakin spent about 
 fifteen months, doing such odd jobs of work as he 
 could find to do. When he landed in America he had 
 
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 N.'.l 
 
 about ^700 in gold, wliidi he depositefl in ji bank, 
 and every dollar of which he lost by itssuspon-sion. 
 lUit he w.is not disheartened, continued on with 
 Ills work, and soon accunuilated a small sum and 
 rented a farm in Livingston County, where he re- 
 mained for about eight years. In 18GC, he re- 
 moved to Danforth Township, Iroquois County, 
 where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
 of prairie land and ten acres of timber land, pay- 
 ing down but a very small part of the purchase 
 money. Now came the struggle of his life — lirst to 
 free the land from debt, and then to place himself 
 and family in comfortable circumstances for life. 
 Success h.as crowned his efforts and he is now the 
 owner of three farms, all of which are under a 
 good state of cultivation. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Reakin are the parents of nine 
 children who grew to maturity: Nancy, now the 
 wife of Mr. Johnson, of Danforth; John, a farmer 
 of this county; Clans, who resides in Minnesota; 
 Sevc, wife of Frank Wfthtl», of Ashkum; Sarah, 
 wife of Kno Flessncr; Rachel, wife of John Lott- 
 nian; George, Eddie and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Reakin are members of the T^utheran Church. Po- 
 litically, he is a Democrat. 
 
 i^l^lC^SlP 
 
 ANFOHI) A. KdlSKHDS was born near 
 Jonesboro, Grant County, Ind., July 14, 
 1851, and is a son of Phine.is and Eliza- 
 beth (Russell) Koberds. His father was a 
 native of Ohio, and for many years was a minister 
 in the Christian Church, much of the time be- 
 ing S[)ent in evangelistic work, lie removed to 
 this county in 1867 and located in Milfoid, where 
 he died June 11, 1890. He had been twice mar- 
 ried, his first wife dying early in the MOs. llis 
 marriage with Elizabeth Russell, daughter of .Sam- 
 uel Russell, of Jonesboro, Ind., occurred in 1846. 
 He was the father of thirteen children by the two 
 marriages. The children of the first marriage are 
 Martha Ann, Lucinda, Freeman, Morris. Matilda 
 and Sarah. Hy the ."iecond union were iKirn Nancy 
 Jane, Sanford A., James L.,Phiebe L.. William D., 
 Margaret and I"U>ses S. (;rant. The latter served 
 
 live years in the regular army and was mustered 
 out in 1891. He married Miss Ida Duren. of Shel- 
 don 111., where they now live. 
 
 Sanford A. Roberds giew to manhood in his na- 
 tive State, where he received a common-school ed- 
 ucation at Farmington. Throughout the early 
 years of his life he was engaged in farming, 
 but retired from farm life about seven years 
 previous to this writing. He came t(j this county 
 with his father in the year 1807, having driven 
 a team with household goods the entire way. 
 On the 2d of April, 1873, he was married to 
 Miss Laura Fanning, daughter of John and Mary 
 (Spiller) Fanning. Five children have been born 
 to them: Mary E., Minnie C., .Amie I., I{e,>i!>ie L. 
 and Arthur J. Minnie died A|>ril 3. 1876. and 
 Amie, August 22, 1877. Mary E. graduated from 
 the Milford schools in 1891. and afterward at- 
 tended the Onarga Seminary at Onarga, 111. She 
 is now engaged in teaching the White College 
 .School, north of Milford. 
 
 Mr. Roberds is engaged at |)resent exclusively 
 in stock business, buying and selling, which busi- 
 ness lie has followed for about thiiteen years. He 
 is a member of Woodland Lodge No. C49. I. O. O. 
 F.. and of Watseka Camp. I. (). O. F., and also 
 of Milfoid Camp No. 91, M. W. ,\. Ho is a man 
 well known throughout Iroipiois County, and "ii- 
 jovs the respect and confidence of :ill who know 
 him. 
 
 /OHN FITZCERALD is an old resident 
 farmer, who makes his home on section 36, 
 Milk's Orove Township. He w.is iKjrn in 
 County Tipperary, Ireland, on the 8th of 
 February, 1847, and is a .son of Thomas and M:iiy 
 (Fogarty) Fitzgerald, who were both born and grew 
 to maturity in that part o( Ireland. The father 
 followed agricultural pursuit* fora liveliliooiL and 
 in IHlS emigrated to America, where he went to 
 work upon a railroad near Joliet. He wa.' in the 
 employ of the railroad until 186.'!. when he once 
 more turned his attention to farming. In 1854, 
 his familv camr to this c(uintry. and were five 
 
852 
 
 PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 weeks and three days in crossing the Atlantic. 
 Mr. Fitzgerald carried on the farm in Will County 
 until 1868, at which time he came to Iroquois 
 County, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres 
 of good land in Chebanse Townsliip. For many 
 years he was occupied in developing and improv- 
 ing his property, and it was only about six j'ears 
 ago that lie retired from active duties and cares; 
 he now makes his home in Clifton. He is about 
 seventy years of age, and has always been a strong 
 Democrat and good citizen. Both he and his 
 wife, who is also living, are faitliful members of 
 the Catholic Church. 
 
 Thomas Fitzgerald, a brother of our subject, has 
 been on the police force in Chicago for many years. 
 Patrick, who was born in Joliet in 1855, is in 
 the employ of the Chicago Street Kailroad Com- 
 pany; Kate, wife of T. F. Donovan, was the mother 
 of two ciiildren, and died in this county-. 
 
 John Fitzgerald is the oldest living member of 
 his father's family, and was about six and a-lialf 
 J'ears old wlien he first set foot on American soil. 
 lie was educated in the iiarochial schools of Joliet. 
 On the 20th of May, 1863, he commenced the active 
 duties of life by entering the emploj' of an uncle, 
 who set him to work cutting wood on the railroad. 
 At that time he was about sixteen years old, and 
 has since been actively engaged at hard labor. After 
 about two years in his uncle's employ he returned 
 to his home and worked upon the farm. In 1876, 
 he purchased his present farm, consisting of one 
 hundred and sixtj' acres of valuable and well-im- 
 rroved land. He is now erecting several commod- 
 ious and good farm buildings and has placed his 
 farm under a high state of cultivation. He is 
 counted a successful, thrifty and careful farmer, as 
 is shown by his well-tilled fields and neat resi- 
 dence. 
 
 On the 9th of November, 1871, Mr. Fitzgerald 
 led to the marriage altar Mary Hickey, who like 
 her husband is a native of County Tipperaiy, Ire- 
 land. Her parents came to America in 1848, when 
 she was a child of six j'ears. They located upon 
 a fai-m in Cliebanse Township, where they are pros- 
 perous and well-known residents. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Fitzgerald are the parents of six children: Thomas 
 was educated in the common schools, and is now 
 on the home farm; Katie attended 8t. Mary's 
 School, and joined the Sisters of Providence, who 
 are stationed about four miles from Terre Haute 
 at St. Mary's; Lizzie is a inemlier of the same order 
 having been educated at Chatsworth and at St. 
 Marj''s; Mary, Lj'dia and Raymond are still at 
 home. The girls received their education at Chats- 
 worth. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald and their family are 
 faithful workers in the Catholic Church at Clifton. 
 He is a man of large information and keeps posted 
 on all the leading issues of the daj". He is inde- 
 pendent in politics and supports the man whom 
 he considers best qualified to fill the position. He 
 cast his first vote for Weaver, and for some time 
 was a supporter of the Greenback party. At pre- 
 sent his sympathies are with the Democratic partj% 
 as he is not in favor of Protection. For fourteen 
 years he was a School Director, and is Drainage 
 Commissioner of Milk's Grove Township, special 
 district No 1. His father gave him some start in 
 life, and with that exception, he has made his 
 own way with the assistance of his faniilj-. He 
 is a man of cool and clear judgment, and sa- 
 gacious in his business enterprises and investments. 
 He numbers many friends in this coramunitj', 
 whom he has made in his twenty-four years' resi- 
 dence in this section. 
 
 
 
 tiHOMAS F. MOLONEY, born in Ottawa, 111., 
 August 17, 1859, is the son of John and 
 '^^/ Kate (Leahy) Moloney, both of whom were 
 born in Ireland. Our subject was the only child 
 born to them. John Moloney came to America 
 many years ago, and located at Ottawa, 111., where 
 he was in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad 
 Companj' for some time as baggageman. He has 
 been deceased about thirtj' j'ears. His widow mar- 
 ried Michael Riordan, and thej' live three miles 
 west of Buckley, and have six children. Mr. 
 Riordan had one child bj' a former marriage, a 
 daughter, Kate, who is married to John Feelian ; 
 they have three children. The names of the six 
 children by the second marriage are: Michael, 
 John, Mary, Dennis, Honora and Jerry. Mr. Rior- 
 dan came from Ottawa to Bucklej- in 1876, and 
 settled on a farm three miles west of town. 
 
 On the 3d of June, 1889, Thomas F. Moloney, 
 the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage 
 with Miss Frances Fisher, daughter of John and 
 Marj' Fisher; they have one child, John Francis 
 Lane, born June 18, 1891. About two j'ears age, 
 Thomas F. Moloney removed to Buckley from a 
 farm west of town, and forming a partnership 
 with his cousin, Thomas James Moloney, opened a 
 hardware store, which thej' are now running under 
 the firm name of Molonej' & Moloney. They han- 
 dle hardware, stoves, tinware, agricultural imple- 
 ments and machinery, buggies, wagons, etc. 
 
 Mr. Moloney and his wife are members of the 
 Catholic Churcli. In politics, he is a Democrat. 
 
:: 3i T ^-^: : 
 
 
 Adams, John 23 
 
 Adunis, John Q S9 
 
 Allsit.D. W.f ,H5 
 
 Atlsit. Stephen 251 
 
 AWrioh, J. H 743 
 
 Allen. J. H Sli; 
 
 Allen, K.C 7(B 
 
 Allhanils. W. J 137 
 
 Alter. II. H.,M.D 683 
 
 Altgclil,J. r 1S7 
 
 Amerni.tn, Isaac 37*2 
 
 AmernKin, Richard :ifi5 
 
 Anderson, J. W ''.m 
 
 Anderson, Milton 728 
 
 Andrew. Capt. Abmhani 610 
 
 Arthur, Chester A »» 
 
 Ash.J.D »I3 
 
 Ashman, G. R C6I 
 
 Austin , Potter Mi 
 
 Ayre-s, F. H .Wl 
 
 Babcox, Theodore Si7 
 
 Badgley, A. C, M. D B8» 
 
 Bailey, J. L -108 
 
 Baker, <;. C! 71K) 
 
 Baker, I. W 272 
 
 Barnes, Horace 5B0 
 
 Barnes. W. S I»« 
 
 Beanl, Edwin thS 
 
 Beebe, E. R r*2 
 
 Bell. James 2flO 
 
 Belt, J. «" 241 
 
 Reujaniin, L. A 41.5 
 
 Bennett. W. fi 674 
 
 Beverid),-e, J. L 171 
 
 Birellne, f!. M S27 
 
 Bishop, Amos .'>72 
 
 Bishop, K. W MO 
 
 Bishop, J. H 4!>i 
 
 Bishopp, Bonton i.-io 
 
 Bisscll, W. H ....1»1 
 
 Blanken, Rev. George 285 
 
 Body, I. L 602 
 
 Botly, John 7.^( 
 
 Bond, Shadrach 1 1 1 
 
 Booi,Kze 416 
 
 Boswell, W. A 212 
 
 Boswell, \V, M 770 
 
 Boudrcau, Moses .V)n 
 
 Boue, T. X. , M. I) .5715 
 
 Bowe, P. S fi87 
 
 Brayton , J. H 578 
 
 Breymeyer, Friedrieh 301 
 
 Brigham, Dr. E. T C,V2 
 
 Brinckcrhoir, Walter 195 
 
 Brobeck, A. L., M. D 257 
 
 Bro<-k, G. 31 821 
 
 Brock, Samuel 787 
 
 Brock , Silas (m 
 
 Brooke, Isaiah .550 
 
 Brooke, J. W '. 461 
 
 Broughcr, A. L 650 
 
 Brown, Charles 782 
 
 Brown, Garrison, M. D 430 
 
 Browne, G.B 545 
 
 Browne, W. S., M. U 2!>4 
 
 Brumback, David 757 
 
 Bruner, J. C 615 
 
 Buchanan. James 75 
 
 Burifer, George 425 
 
 Burk, J . 11 ,191 
 
 Burkitt. W. K 712 
 
 Burnhani, Mailin 401 
 
 Burns, Thomas 8:12 
 
 Burt, Benjamin 556 
 
 Bush, Henry fil7 
 
 Buss, \V. H 888 
 
 Bulzow, H. A 704 
 
 CaWiTell, Robert. 
 
 Calkin, J. A 
 
 Calkins. H.J... . 
 Cartin. Thomas... 
 CanK-nler, J. H. . 
 Carter, A.J 
 
 Carter, A. L CIS 
 
 Caspers. Garrett 653 
 
 Ca.ssidy. Francis 962 
 
 CasBidy. W. H 747 
 
 Cast, A. C 355 
 
 Caveney, J. L 724 
 
 Cavit I , Nelson 707 
 
 Chapman, D. H .')26 
 
 Chapman, F. .M 403 
 
 llark, W.Y 442 
 
 Clarke. J. A 431 
 
 Classen, Charles 742 
 
 Classen, Herman 778 
 
 Cleaver, C. <) 246 
 
 Cleveland, S. Grover lft;t 
 
 Cloke. James 8:12 
 
 Coburn, W. W G07 
 
 Co<ly,J.B 244 
 
 Coles. Edward 115 
 
 Collins, Pat rick 787 
 
 Colnian, James 726 
 
 Compton , T. B 791 
 
 Uomslock,C. H 518 
 
 Cone, S. S .319 
 
 Conner, J. C.,M. D 419 
 
 Convey, John 600 
 
 Coughenour, Abnim 709 
 
 Coughenuur, Franklin 7SS 
 
 Coulomb, B. F 783 
 
 Crangle, F. M 520 
 
 Crangle, .Tames 662 
 
 Crooks. >V. A 781 
 
 Cross, I 'apt. Columbus 373 
 
 Crossland, H. V 771 
 
 Crouch , John 761 
 
 Crouch, William T18 
 
 Culloni, S. M 175 
 
 Culver, J. C 082 
 
 Cummlngs, R. F 78!l 
 
 Cunningham. J. W 283 
 
 Danner, R. W ,1*4 
 
 Daw»on,C. H J,» 
 
 Dawson. C. W 630 
 
 I>a?.ey, C. L .175 
 
 Dazey.C. M «iO 
 
 Dean.H. A ,^7.1 
 
 Decker, A. J f,]-, 
 
 Deegans.J.E joo 
 
 De Long, A. J j,vi 
 
 DePuy.J.M i;,.-, 
 
 Derrough, 0. A .vmi 
 
 Dicier, Jacob 613 
 
 Dieiz.c. C Don 
 
 Diggle. William 291 
 
 Dirks, J. H .MH 
 
 Uix.U.E «(, 
 
 Dixon, H. S 501 
 
 Dixon. J. W 03., 
 
 Doan.Capt. W. V 286 
 
 Doane, J. E ....33S 
 
 Donnelly,C.C 591 
 
 Doyle, Robert 608 
 
 Drinan, Michael 482 
 
 Drumm, Carl 619 
 
 Duls, Harbert 67.1 
 
 Dunaan, Joseph 131 
 
 Dunn, W. C 3iii 
 
 Eastbnrn. A. M .149 
 
 Easll>urn, I. H 409 
 
 Easlburn, J. R, 7|fi 
 
 Easiburn. Lloyd 3jis 
 
 Eastburn, I'.T 703 
 
 Ehy.John 8^'. 
 
 Ellen, John 7a', 
 
 E<lcn, Renmier J129 
 
 Eilison, A.«» 4at 
 
 E.lwunls, Ninlan 119 
 
 Eimen, T. n .' 74* 
 
 Ellison. SctI 044 
 
 Eli«ns, .M. H 199 
 
 Evans. J. I .168 
 
 Everett. S. F ' 614 
 
 EvenMde, Emanuel 4ro 
 
 Ewlng. W I,. I. IS7 
 
 E) rich, Stephen Jfj 
 
INDEX. 
 
 FaKim. John 716 
 
 Fardinand, Harm 285 
 
 Feriiald.Joliii 3;M 
 
 Fields, H.R »** 
 
 Fifer.J. W 183 
 
 Fillniore. jVliUanl fi? 
 
 Finch, Robert, Sr 211 
 
 Fischer, John 419 
 
 Fitzgerald, John 831 
 
 Fleager, W . B *'i'> 
 
 Fleming,C.F 367 
 
 Flesher, William 714 
 
 Ford, Thomas 139 
 
 Forsyth, Rev. J. P 780 
 
 Foster.E. W 4S9 
 
 Fowler, J. C fi21 
 
 Frame, H.C 696 
 
 Frazee, F. S 229 
 
 Frazee, J. T «77 
 
 Frazee, L. D 698 
 
 Frechette, J. T IWI 
 
 Freebern,J. R '"90 
 
 French, A.C 143 
 
 Frey , Matthias ftSa 
 
 Fritch.H.C 847 
 
 Gagnon, Edward 4."1 
 
 Galloway, Joseph 504 
 
 Galloway, J. W 2S9 
 
 Gardner, I. J ^71 
 
 Garfield, James A 95 
 
 Garrison, Aaron 733 
 
 Geddes, J. F 382 
 
 GeddeaR. J 322 
 
 Gerdes.L. M 432 
 
 Gilbert, W.P 078 
 
 Gilbert, W. VV 7.59 
 
 Giles, J. C 410 
 
 Goetz, John 570 
 
 Gokltrap,J. H 818 
 
 Goodell, Hon. Addi.son 775 
 
 Goodfellow, Robert 72» 
 
 Goodyear, A. P 420 
 
 Gould, Edmund ;i56 
 
 Grant, Ulysses S 87 
 
 Gray, John .585 
 
 Gray.T.H 47S 
 
 Gray, W. W 744 
 
 Green, J. E 687 
 
 Greenburg, Frederick 2S7 
 
 Greenlees, R. E .530 
 
 Gresory , Alfred 302 
 
 Gregory. J. W 208 
 
 Grubbs, J. W COG 
 
 Grubbs.P. W 070 
 
 (iudd.E. W 750 
 
 Uuthrie.C.S 748 
 
 Hale Brothers 3;i9 
 
 Hamer, Thomas 0(1" 
 
 Hamilton, J. M 17!l 
 
 Hanford, Jonathan 171 
 
 Hare, J. H 707 
 
 Harman, J. M 717 
 
 Harnian, J. R 377 
 
 Harman, O. P 277 
 
 Harper, Eddy 343 
 
 Harrington, Hon. G. C 306 
 
 Harrison, Benjamin 107 
 
 Harrison, William Henry — 5! 
 
 Harry, S. R 37'. 
 
 Harry, T. S 214 
 
 Harry, W.H 301 
 
 Hart.C.L 730 
 
 Hartman, B. F 739 
 
 Hartshorn, E. D 317 
 
 Harvey, Wesley 423 
 
 Harwood, J. S 704 
 
 Haubach, August oOR 
 
 Hausz, Michael 804 
 
 Hayes, Rutherford B 91 
 
 Hazel, Samuel 41;t 
 
 Hazlet, James 236 
 
 Heaney, John 5H8 
 
 Heller, Jacob 844 
 
 Heller, John 799 
 
 Hennessy, F. J 84fi 
 
 Hepworth, Jaine.s 786 
 
 Hereford, J. F 664 
 
 Herr, Henry 582 
 
 Hetfield, Seely 21!l 
 
 Hickman, Charles 457 
 
 Hickman, E.G 604 
 
 Hickman, J. W 'ill 
 
 Hickman, Smith 308 
 
 Hills, E.L 838 
 
 Hoagland, Eli 3S3 
 
 Hoagland, Jan\es 386 
 
 Hobson . Edwin 802 
 
 Hoffman, J. N 558 
 
 Hogle, Abram 784 
 
 Hogle,L. M 656 
 
 Hollenback, H. H 063 
 
 Hollingsworth, William 095 
 
 Holz, Matthew 450 
 
 Hooper, F. L 221 
 
 Hooper, J. B 243 
 
 Hoover, W. T 483 
 
 Hotaling.H. H 309 
 
 Houghton, Herrick 758 
 
 Howe, F. W 822 
 
 Hull,Elwin 4.85 
 
 Hurd, A. P 280 
 
 Hutchison, J. W 479 
 
 Jackson, Andrew 
 
 Jacob, Adam 
 
 Jeltersou, Thoitas 
 
 John, Thomas 
 
 Johnson, Andrew 
 
 Johnson, A.C 
 
 Johnson, F. P.,M. D. . . . 
 
 Johnson, Rasmus 
 
 Johnson, Hon. W. L. R 
 
 Jones. Hon. A. M 
 
 Jones, E. B 
 
 Jones, Hon. J. H 
 
 Jones, L.E 
 
 Judy, J. K 
 
 Julian, Elias 
 
 Karr,J.H 397 
 
 Kay, W. S 534 
 
 Keath.J.M 220 
 
 Kent,W.R 805 
 
 Kinsman, W. L 481 
 
 Kiskadden , Alexander 703 
 
 Knibl e, William .565 
 
 Knowlton, D. W 462 
 
 Koehn.J. C 199 
 
 Kohl , Frederick 7.52 
 
 Koplin, Hon. J. A 311 
 
 Koritz, Henry 222 
 
 Kremer, Klaas 406 
 
 La Bounty, A. R 3.54 
 
 Laird, J. A 4.54 
 
 Laird, Squire H 309 
 
 Lamoreaux, Ludovico 417 
 
 Laney.G. W 484 
 
 Larkin, W. s 265 
 
 Laroche, H. P 490 
 
 Larson, P. E 261 
 
 Lawhead, H. W 770 
 
 Layer, Charles 318 
 
 Leatherman, J. E 435 
 
 L'Hote, E. P 708 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 79 
 
 Lockwood, Mrs. B. A 672 
 
 Lockwood, L. O., M. D 491 
 
 Long,E.H.,Sr 463 
 
 Long, William 617 
 
 Loveless, Thomas 293 
 
 Lovett. H. C 557 
 
 Lower, Benjamin 850 
 
 Luecke, F. H 379 
 
 Lyman, A. J 414 
 
 Lyman, Jacob. . . 
 Lyman, William.. 
 Lyou, Howard. . . 
 
 Madison, James 31 
 
 Maggs,J.F 741 
 
 Major, S. M 513 
 
 Malo, Samuel 202 
 
 Marlow, Isaac 6.34 
 
 Marsh, L. L .576 
 
 Marshall, J. M .5.59 
 
 M.arshall, Dr. N. K 81!( 
 
 Marston.S. K 218 
 
 Martin , George 480 
 
 Martin. Robert 817 
 
 Matteson, J. A U7 
 
 McCafterty , John 497 
 
 McCanu, George 627 
 
 McClave, William 518 
 
 McFadden, David 464 
 
 McGaughy, H. A 448 
 
 McGiil, David 622 
 
 McGilvray , John .590 
 
 McNeal, E. D .514 
 
 McNeil, J.N ,5.30 
 
 Meacham. M. M 332 
 
 Meents, F. E 546- 
 
 Meents, M. R 639 
 
 Meier, J. W 207 
 
 Meinhard, Adolph 602 
 
 Mell, Robert 200 
 
 Merkle, Christian 453 
 
 Meyer, Charles 344 
 
 Meyer, F. W 220 
 
 Miller, Anthony 175 
 
 Miller, D. W., M. D 2!» 
 
 Miller, Harrison 321 
 
 Miller, J. W 359 
 
 Misch.L. C 598 
 
 Misch, William 223 
 
 Moloney, T. F 8.52 
 
 Monroe, Daniel . . .836 
 
 Monroe, James 35 
 
 Montgomery, S. W 440 
 
 Moore, F. R 795 
 
 Morris, Hon. F. P 230 
 
 Morris, T.G 482 
 
 Mosher,H C 473 
 
 Muehlenpfordc, A.,M. D 5S1 
 
 Munhall, S. C 262 
 
 Munstermann, Christ 692 
 
 Murrey , J. M., M. D 848 
 
 Near, J.S.,M. D 849 
 
 Nelson, John .524 
 
 Newlin.A. W .586 
 
 Nilson, Eusebius 589 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Nilson, John (87 
 
 Nilson, Robert 283 
 
 Nilson, Siilney (i3t 
 
 Noble. O. D 707 
 
 Nolin.S. K •.■i;i 
 
 Norton, H. W 221 
 
 CWerwalil, Joseph 797 
 
 Oglesby, R. J IfiS 
 
 Oltntaiins, Autoiii 324 
 
 Oltmanns, Oebhai-d 334 
 
 ONeill, John 106 
 
 Urcbttugh , D. A 194 
 
 "ivbaugh, E i 281 
 
 Palmer, G. R SO.'i 
 
 Palmer, I. F., M. D 577 
 
 Palmer, J. M 107 
 
 Pangborn, Hon. T. M »» 
 
 Pangborn,R. B 2.'!2 
 
 Pate, Alexander 271 
 
 Payne, JJohn 84!) 
 
 Payson,C. H SSI 
 
 Pearce, A. L 722 
 
 Peck, A. M 472 
 
 Peckens, E. D .197 
 
 Perry, H. A 374 
 
 Peters, Hon. M. H 191 
 
 Peterson. J. P 360 
 
 Peterson, Nels 460 
 
 Philli|)6, James 712 
 
 Pierce, A. F 612 
 
 Pierce, Franklin 71 
 
 Pierce, C!. II 651 
 
 Pierson, W. F 251 
 
 Picrson,W.P 813 
 
 Polk, James K .'i9 
 
 Potter,G.H 7.-)3 
 
 Powell, Almct 474 
 
 Pruitt. Elias 25« 
 
 Pruitt, J. A 255 
 
 Pruitt, Joseph 614 
 
 Prutsman, Jasper 337 
 
 Purget, Henry 353 
 
 K.'imscy, J. U 
 
 Ranton.W. L j.vs 
 
 Kapp. C. F 621 
 
 Rasiniissen, Hans IMS 
 
 Raymond, C. W 839 
 
 Reakin,G. A SV) 
 
 Reeder, John .'M9 
 
 Reuse, Clasper 821 
 
 Reynolds, John 123 
 
 Reynolds, Patrick .'p7<I 
 
 Roberds, S. A S.".l 
 
 Roberts, G. \V (M3 
 
 Robinson. J. W., M. D 424 
 
 Roir, A. B frai 
 
 Rose, J.C 331 
 
 Rose, S. M 333 
 
 Roeenberger, O. E 732 
 
 Rothgeb, J. I) 1S8 
 
 Rougk, Hugo .'i24 
 
 Ruckrigel, John 5«« 
 
 Rus.sell, L. B 500 
 
 Russell, Horace 200 
 
 Salmon. Henry 7C0 
 
 Salmon, Heruian 338 
 
 Sammons,H. L 678 
 
 Sanders, W. G 837 
 
 Schaub. I'pton 346 
 
 Schaumburg. Harm Mi 
 
 Sehniid. Ferdinand 529 
 
 Schrader,J. F 842 
 
 Schriefer, H.J 788 
 
 Schroeder, Fretlerick 330 
 
 Schwartz, Hartman 207 
 
 Schwartz. Philip 288 
 
 Scott, B.T 217 
 
 Scott . William iK 
 
 Secrest. Hon. Conrad 710 
 
 Sellers. W.H 8S8 
 
 Shankland, B. F j. . . .234 
 
 Shankland, G. W .'. . . .21.1 
 
 Shankland, Kendal 278 
 
 Shannon, Samuel li'-U 
 
 Shear, J.C .■167 
 
 Sheldon. J. S 721 
 
 Sherman, Charles, Jr 727 
 
 Sherman, Charles 723 
 
 Shortridge, W. C 77!) 
 
 Shrimplin, Tlioinas !:« 
 
 Shrum, John .VW 
 
 Shrum, William 5.34 
 
 Sill, Edmund 751 
 
 Sindcrson, George 609 
 
 Slater, John ssTi 
 
 Sme< hurst, John 640 
 
 Smith, G.C 407 
 
 Smith, John 676 
 
 Smith, L. N 7M 
 
 Smith, William 201 
 
 Songer.G. W 320 
 
 Sproule,I. M 43« 
 
 Staehling. Rev. Hellwig 762 
 
 Stam.H. E. . -1 
 
 Stanley, .M. .\ 
 
 Stanley. Hun. Micajuli. . 
 
 Steely. I.jizarus 
 
 Slickney, C. W 
 
 Strean, J. M.. . .' a , 
 
 Stump, Thomas .SOU 
 
 Swival. f'rederirk SOU 
 
 Taliaferro, Richard, M. D ...340 
 
 Tascher, Antlrew 152 
 
 Tascher, Christian 580 
 
 Tate, \V. A. D iWi 
 
 Taylor, J. B 694 
 
 Taylor, Zaehary 63 
 
 The Bank of Donovan A 
 
 Vennum 306 
 
 The First National Bank 208 
 
 The Iroquois County Time's.. 459 
 The Watscka, Republican. ..263 
 
 Thomas, B. F 25s 
 
 Thomas, Clement -lo? 
 
 Topliir, E. A 8:|3 
 
 Trescolt, J. P. H 824 
 
 Troup, Henry 545 
 
 Tullcr. Homer 266 
 
 We.-.! . '.'. . \: 
 Wheeler. E. 1 
 WhiU-, John. 
 
 While. H. W 
 
 Whiteside, Addlfco. 
 
 Whitted, Isaac 
 
 Wienrai.k,.Iohn..., 
 
 Wilber, M. 1.1 
 
 Wilcox, C. E 
 
 Wilkinson, Robert. 
 Williams, Hon. Sam 
 Williams, William. 
 Williamson, F. M. . , 
 
 Wilson. I. W 
 
 Wilson, J. B 
 
 Winter, Hon. O. B.. 
 Wo<'kener, August.. 
 
 Wolgast.Il.C 
 
 Wolgast, P. H 
 
 Wood, John 
 
 Wright, E. L 
 
 Wright, .lonathan. . 
 Wrighi, Pelcr 
 
 w 
 
 Wadleigh, Joseph 807 
 
 Wakeman, B. J 768 
 
 YatcM, T. Y 
 
 Ycagley, Jacob. 
 
 Van Buren. Martin 47 
 
 Vanderp<X)rten, Joseph 1W7 
 
 Van Dorn. Isaac .547 | 
 
 Van V\i7Xir, Isaai* 798 
 
 Van Wyek. J. B .123 > 
 
 Veateh. W. R .» .171 ' 
 
 Vennum, C.C 210 , 
 
 Vennum, Hiram 8:tl , 
 
 Vonnum, Hon. Thomas 213 | 
 
 Zea.J. W 
 
 Zempel, Robert 
 
 Zumwall. Christian. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 — l-H-|=^e=l~'^ 
 
 .dams, John 22 
 
 ■Vdams. John Q 38 
 
 Alt^'Ci.l. J. P ISli 
 
 Anu-nnan, Kicliard 3(U 
 
 Aril ir, Cliestei-A 98 
 
 \- ' i[ian,G. R.... 658 
 
 \ .iiiian, Mrs. George K>9 
 
 I .everidge, John L 170 
 
 Bissell, William H 1.50 
 
 Bond, Shadrach 110 
 
 Bone, Dr. T. N 574 
 
 Brobeck, Dr. A. L 2.i7 
 
 Browne, Dr. W. S 294 
 
 Brnmback, David 756 
 
 Bnchanan, James 74 
 
 Bush, Henry (U6 
 
 Carlin, Thomas 134 
 
 Cliapman, F. M 401 
 
 Chapman , Mrs. F. M 400 
 
 Cleveland, S. Grover 102 
 
 Cobiirn, W. W (i06 
 
 Coburn , Mrs. W. W 60fi 
 
 Coles, Edward 114 
 
 Cullom, S. M 174 
 
 Dawson, C. W 630 
 
 De Long, A.J 553 
 
 De Long, Mrs. A. J 552 , 
 
 Dixon, J. W 238 
 
 Dixon, H. S 500 
 
 Dixon, Mrs. H. S ."iOO 
 
 Duncan, Joseph. 1.30 
 
 Eastburn, P. T 700 
 
 Eastburn, Mrs. P. T 701 
 
 Eastburn, A. M 348 
 
 Eastburn, I. H 466 
 
 Eastburn, Mrs. I. H 467 
 
 Edwards, Ninian 118 
 
 Ewing, \V. L. D 126 
 
 Eyrich, Stephen 522 
 
 Eyrich, Mrs. Stephen 522 
 
 Fifer, J. W 182 
 
 Fillmore, Millard.. 66 
 
 Finch, Robert, Sr 210 
 
 Finch, Mrs. Robert 210 
 
 Ford, Thomas 138 
 
 Foster, E. W 4S8 
 
 Foster, Mrs. R. W 488 
 
 Frazee, F. S 220 
 
 Frazee, Mrs. F. S 227 
 
 Frechette, J. T 680 
 
 French, A.C 142 
 
 Frey, Matthias 584 
 
 Frey, Mrs. Matthias 584 
 
 Gardner, I. J 670 
 
 Gardner, Mrs. I. J 670 
 
 Garlield, James A 31 
 
 Goodeli, Addison 774 
 
 , Grant, U.S 86 
 
 Hamilton, J. M 178 
 
 Harman, O. P 276 
 
 Harper, S. H 342 
 
 Harper, Mrs. S. H 343 
 
 'Harrison, Benjamin 106 
 
 Harrison, W. H 60 
 
 Hartman, B. F 73S 
 
 Hartman, Mrs. B. F 738 
 
 Hartshorn, E. D 311 
 
 Hartshorn. Mrs. E. D 315 
 
 Harvey, Wesley 422 
 
 Hayes, R.B 9» 
 
 Hazel, Samuel 412 
 
 Hazel, Mrs. Samuel 412 
 
 Hickman, Charles 4.56 
 
 Hickman, Mrs. Charles 4.56 
 
 ■Hutchison, J. W 178 
 
 ■ Ireland, T. A GUO 
 
 V Ireland, Mrs. T. A 690 
 
 Jackson, Andrew 42 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas 26 
 
 'Johnson, Andrew 82 
 
 'Jones, J. H 204 
 
 ■Knibloe, W. E .564 
 
 ' Knibloe, Mrs. W. E 564 
 
 '/Leatherman, J. E 434 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 73 
 
 • Loveless, Thomas 292 
 
 , Loveless, Mrs. Thomas 292 
 
 , Lyon, Howard 7J'2 
 
 Lyon, Mrs. Howard 792 
 
 ■Madison, James 30 
 
 ^TVlajor, S. M 542 
 
 .-TVIatteson, J. A 116 
 
 / McCami, George 626 
 
 . McCann, Mrs. George 6->6 
 
 Meents, M. R 636 
 
 Meents, Mrs. M. R 637 
 
 ■'Miller, J. W &5S 
 
 ^Miller. Dr. D. W 298 
 
 .' Monroe, James 34 
 
 Near, Dr. J. S 648 
 
 'Nilson , Robert 282 
 
 /Nolin.S.K 260 
 
 •bglesby, R. J 162 
 
 ■ Palmer, Dr. I. F 677 
 
 'Palmer, Mrs. I. F 576 
 
 Palmer, J. M 166 
 
 ■J Pate, Alexander 270 
 
 Peckens, E. D .594 
 
 Peckens, Mrs. E. D » .595 
 
 Peters, M. H 190 
 
 Pierce, Franklin. 70 
 
 ■ Pierson, \V. P 810 
 
 ■Pierson,Mrs. W. P 811 
 
 Polk, J. K 58 
 
 Pruitt. J. A 254 
 
 Pruitt, Mrs. J. A 2.54 
 
 '^Prutsman, Jasper 33^ 
 
 ''Reynolds, John 122 
 
 •Rothgeb, J.D 198 
 
 ■ Scott , B. T 21fi 
 
 Sheldon, J. S 720 
 
 ' Shrum, John 53*2 
 
 ■ Stam , H. E 380 
 
 . Stam, Mis. H. E 380 
 
 Stanley, Hon. Micajah 390 
 
 ^Taylor, Zachary 62 
 
 ■ Tyler, John 54 
 
 ' Van Buren, Martin 46 
 
 -' Vennum, Hiram 830 
 
 ' Warrick. Samuel 511 
 
 Warrick, Mrs. Samuel 510 
 
 Washburne, Samuel 428 
 
 ^Washburne, Mrs. Samuel 428 
 
 Washington, George 18 
 
 'Watkins, J. T 444 
 
 ^ Watkins, Mrs. J. T 445 
 
 Whitted, Isaac 494 
 
 Williams, Hon. S 32S 
 
 Williamson, F. M 248 
 
 'Wilson, I. W 369 
 
 ' Wilson, Mrs. Sarah 370 
 
 ' Wood, John 154 
 
 ■ Yates, Rich.ard 158 
 
 ^^ 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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